bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brief Report on Obstetricians'/Gynecologists' Distribution of Scarce Resources
Authors: Raglan Greta B. , Cain Joanna M. , Schulkin Jay
Published: August 2014

On a day-to-day basis, doctors must decide which treatments are most beneficial for their patients, and which make the most sense in terms of costs. In medical decision making, factors such as efficiency and cost-effectiveness can be particularly challenging to navigate because many of the most expensive procedures encountered in medical practice are also high-stake treatments for patients. One-hundred-six obstetricians–gynecologists (Obs/Gyns) completed a survey asking them to allocate the following resources in scenarios in which they are scarce: human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccinations, mammograms, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Additional questions focused on how fairness and cost-effectiveness factored into the allocation decisions of each group. Results indicated that Obs/Gyns were more efficient in their distribution of HPV vaccinations and mammograms than in their distribution of IVF treatments. More efficient responding was associated with placing less emphasis on fairness in decision making. This study demonstrates the differences that exist in the emphasis that physicians place on medical evidence, cost, outcomes, and perceptions of fair (equal) allocation when faced with different costs and health impacts.
Correlation between orphan nuclear receptor Nurr1 expression and amyloid deposition in 5XFADmice, an animal model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Moon Minho , Jeong Inhye , Kim Chun‐Hyung , Kim Jihong , Lee Paula K. J. , Mook‐Jung Inhee , Leblanc Pierre , Kim Kwang‐Soo
Published: August 2014

The functional roles of the orphan nuclear receptor, Nurr1, have been extensively studied and well established in the development and survival of midbrain dopamine neurons. As Nurr1 and otherNR4A members are widely expressed in the brain in overlapping and distinct manners, it has been an open question whether Nurr1 has important function(s) in other brain areas. Recent studies suggest that up‐regulation of Nurr1 expression is critical for cognitive functions and/or long‐term memory in forebrain areas including hippocampal formation. Questions remain about the association between Nurr1 expression and Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain pathology. Here, using our newly developed Nurr1‐selective antibody, we report that Nurr1 protein is prominently expressed in brain areas with Aβ accumulation, that is, the subiculum and the frontal cortex, in the 5XFAD mouse and that Nurr1 is highly co‐expressed with Aβ at early stages. Furthermore, the number of Nurr1‐expressing cells significantly declines in the 5XFADmouse in an age‐dependent manner, accompanied by increased plaque deposition. Thus, our findings suggest that altered expression of Nurr1 is associated withADprogression.

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Using our newly developed Nurr1‐selective antibody, we show that Nurr1 protein is prominently expressed in brain areas accumulating amyloid‐beta (Aβ) in the transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that Nurr1 is highly co‐expressed with Aβ at early stages (upper panel). Furthermore, in the AD brain the number of Nurr1‐expressing cells significantly declines in an age‐dependent manner concomitant with increased Aβ accumulation (lower diagram) highlighting a possible Nurr1 involvement in AD pathology.
HIV‐1 Tat activates a RhoA signaling pathway to reduce NMDA‐evoked calcium responses in hippocampal neurons via an actin‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Krogh Kelly A. , Lyddon Elizabeth , Thayer Stanley A.
Published: August 2014

HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders afflict approximately half of HIV‐infected patients. HIV‐infected cells within the CNS release neurotoxic viral proteins such as the transactivator of transcription (Tat). Tat caused a biphasic change in NMDAR function; NMDA‐evoked increases in intracellular Ca2+ were initially potentiated following 16 h exposure to Tat and then adapted by gradually returning to baseline by 24 h. Following Tat‐induced NMDAR potentiation, a RhoA/Rho‐associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathway was activated; a subsequent remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton reduced NMDA‐evoked increases in intracellular Ca2+. Pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of RhoA or ROCK failed to affect potentiation, but prevented adaptation of NMDAR function. Activation of RhoA/ROCK signaling increases the formation of filamentous actin. Drugs that prevent changes to filamentous actin blocked adaptation of NMDAR function following Tat‐induced potentiation, whereas stimulating either depolymerization or polymerization of actin attenuated NMDAR function. These findings indicate that Tat activates a RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway resulting in actin remodeling and subsequent reduction of NMDAR function. Adaptation of NMDAR function may be a mechanism to protect neurons from excessive Ca2+ influx and could reveal targets for the treatment of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders.

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HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) afflict approximately half of HIV‐infected patients. HIV‐infected cells within the CNS release neurotoxic viral proteins such as the transactivator of transcription (Tat). (a) Stylized traces (red lines) depict time‐dependent, biphasic changes in NMDA‐evoked increases in [Ca2+]i following exposure to HIV‐1 Tat for the time indicated above the trace. Initially, Tat potentiates NMDA‐evoked responses. Subsequently, NMDARs adapt following activation of a previously reported signaling pathway (Krogh et al. 2014). (b) Tat interacts with LRP leading to Src‐dependent potentiation of the NMDAR and activation of the NOS/sGC/PKG signaling pathway. PKG activates a RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway leading to remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and subsequent reduction of NMDAR function.
Revisiting the peripheral sink hypothesis: inhibiting BACE1 activity in the periphery does not alter β‐amyloid levels in the CNS
Authors: Georgievska Biljana , Gustavsson Susanne , Lundkvist Johan , Neelissen Jan , Eketjäll Susanna , Ramberg Veronica , Bueters Tjerk , Agerman Karin , Juréus Anders , Svensson Samuel , Berg Stefan , Fälting Johanna , Lendahl Urban
Published: August 2014

Aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides and the subsequent neural plaque formation is a central aspect of Alzheimer's disease. Various strategies to reduce Aβ load in the brain are therefore intensely pursued. It has been hypothesized that reducing Aβ peptides in the periphery, that is in organs outside the brain, would be a way to diminish Aβ levels and plaque load in the brain. In this report, we put this peripheral sink hypothesis to test by investigating how selective inhibition of Aβ production in the periphery using a β‐secretase (BACE)1 inhibitor or reduced BACE1 gene dosage affects Aβ load in the brain. Selective inhibition of peripheral BACE1 activity in wild‐type mice or mice over‐expressing amyloid precursor protein (APPswe transgenic mice; Tg2576) reduced Aβ levels in the periphery but not in the brain, not even after chronic treatment over several months. In contrast, a BACE1 inhibitor with improved brain disposition reduced Aβ levels in both brain and periphery already after acute dosing. Mice heterozygous for BACE1, displayed a 62% reduction in plasma Aβ40, whereas brain Aβ40 was only lowered by 11%. These data suggest that reduction of Aβ in the periphery is not sufficient to reduce brain Aβ levels and that BACE1 is not the rate‐limiting enzyme for Aβ processing in the brain. This provides evidence against the peripheral sink hypothesis and suggests that a decrease in Aβ via BACE1 inhibition would need to be carried out in the brain.

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Aggregation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain is a central aspect of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we demonstrate that inhibition of Aβ formation by BACE1 inhibitors needs to be carried out in the brain and that reduction of Aβ in the periphery is not sufficient to reduce brain Aβ levels. This information is useful for developing future Aβ‐targeting therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
Association between near occlusal contact areas and mixing ability
Authors: Horie T. , Kanazawa M. , Komagamine Y. , Hama Y. , Minakuchi S.
Published: August 2014

This study investigated the relationship between occlusal contact and near contact areas defined by clenching intensity using electromyograms (EMGs) and mixing ability assessed with colour‐changeable chewing gum. Participants comprised 44 dentate adults (24 men, 20 women) with a mean age of 28·2 ± 6·8 years. Silicone material was used to measure the occlusal contact and near contact areas (the area of each type of tooth, the total area of the first molar and second molar, the second premolar to the second molar and the first premolar to the second molar) defined by clenching intensity at 10% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Colour‐changeable chewing gum was used to assess mixing ability. A colorimeter was used to measure colour changes, and the calculated colour difference (ΔE) was used as a measure of mixing ability. Correlation analysis of ΔE and occlusal contact and near contact areas revealed a significant positive correlation of 0·47 at 0–160 μm thicknesses of the silicone registration material of the second molar (P < 0·01). The near contact area with a thickness up to 200 μm was correlated with mixing ability, with the correlation strengthening as the interocclusal distance increased up to 160 μm. Notably, occlusal contact and near contact areas of the second molar were strongly correlated with mixing ability in dentate adults.
Effects of Different Processing Conditions on the Mechanical Properties of Dry Noodles
Authors: Jiang Song , Yao Dan‐Dan , Sun Ke , Zhu Mei‐Ru
Published: August 2014

This work adopted the method of compressive rod post‐buckling to determine the mechanical properties of dry noodles made under different processing conditions including flour mixing, dough resting and noodle pressing. The results showed that dry noodles had its highest elastic modulus at water addition of 33%, and the bending resistance ability of dry noodles increased as water addition increased. Within a certain range, all mechanical properties of dry noodles increased as mixing time and mixing speed increased. The effect of double resting was better than that of single resting of multidirectional compound pressing was superior to that of unidirectional compound pressing.

Practical Applications

The mechanical properties of dry noodles, including elastic modulus and bending resistance ability, which are greatly influenced by different processing conditions, are one of the main texture parameters to evaluate the quality of dry noodles and an aggregative indicator in order to characterize the component and the quality of dry noodles. So far, little research has been conducted to study the effects of processing conditions on the elastic modulus and the bending resistance ability of dry noodles. This work demonstrates a practical way for using instrumental method in order to determine the elastic modulus and bending resistance ability of dry noodles based on the compressive rod post‐buckling principle, which is suitable for quality inspection and control of dry noodle products. Moreover, this article provides a good example of process design and process parameter selection based on production requirements of noodle industry, thus having certain guiding values to the production of dry noodles.
Sounds and Meanings Working Together: Word Learning as a Collaborative Effort
Authors: Saffran Jenny
Published: August 2014

Over the past several decades, researchers have discovered a great deal of information about the processes underlying language acquisition. From as early as they can be studied, infants are sensitive to the nuances of native‐language sound structure. Similarly, infants are attuned to the visual and conceptual structure of their environments starting in the early postnatal period. Months later, they become adept at putting these two arenas of experience together, mapping sounds to meanings. How might learning sounds influence learning meanings, and vice versa? In this article, I describe several recent lines of research suggesting that knowledge concerning the sound structure of language facilitates subsequent mapping of sounds to meanings. I will also discuss recent findings suggesting that, from its beginnings, the lexicon incorporates relationships among the sounds and meanings of newly learned words.
Discrimination of Rhythmic Pattern at 4 Months and Language Performance at 5 Years: A Longitudinal Analysis of Data From German‐Learning Children
Authors: Höhle Barbara , Pauen Sabina , Hesse Volker , Weissenborn Jürgen
Published: August 2014

In this article we report on early rhythmic discrimination performance of children who participated in a longitudinal study following children from birth to their 6th year of life. Thirty‐four children including 8 children with a family risk for developmental language impairment were tested on the discrimination of trochaic and iambic disyllabic sequences when they were 4 months old. At 5 years of age, standardized measures on language performance (SETK3–5) and nonverbal intelligence (SON‐R) were obtained. Overall, evidence of discrimination of the rhythmic patterns was found only for children without a family risk. The performance in early rhythmic discrimination correlated with the later outcomes in SETK3–5 subtests on sentence comprehension and morphological skills, but not with subtests related to memory performance nor with nonverbal intelligence. Our results suggest that indicators of language development can be discovered as early as 4 months of age, and seem to correlate with later outcomes in rather specific language skills.
Take up the challenge! Opportunities for evolution research from resolving conflict in integrative taxonomy
Authors: Schlick‐Steiner Birgit C. , Arthofer Wolfgang , Steiner Florian M.
Published: August 2014

What's in a species? The multiple connotations of the question tend to lack simple answers, and not surprisingly so. For example, speciation is a gradual process. Can we say when exactly a child has become an adult? We have precocious youngsters and late bloomers, and often, adults are in some ways childish. There are many triggers for and routes to adolescence. All this holds for speciation, and delimiting species can therefore be a tricky task. Recently, the field of integrative taxonomy has emerged—species delimitation based on multiple sources of evidence. Given that we expect species to exhibit peculiarities in at least one or a few aspects, might it be their alleles of a gene, their morphology, chemistry, behaviour, ecology, reproductive compatibility, or whatever, investigating not just one but several of these aspects makes it more likely that we capture such peculiarities. If the same pattern is found multiply, we talk about agreement among disciplines, and species delimitation is easy. But what if different disciplines tell different stories? Such disagreement makes species delimitation more difficult but is also an opportunity for evolutionary biology (Schlick‐Steiner et al. 2010). In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Andújar et al. (2014) present a comprehensive integrative‐taxonomic case study of Mesocarabus ground beetles including nomenclatural consequences. They resolve extensive disagreement among disciplines by invoking evolutionary explanations, and the process of conflict resolution thus advances knowledge on species boundaries and evolutionary processes simultaneously.
Genomic footprints of speciation in Atlantic eels (Anguilla anguilla and A. rostrata)
Authors: Jacobsen Magnus W. , Pujolar Jose Martin , Bernatchez Louis , Munch Kasper , Jian Jianbo , Niu Yongchao , Hansen Michael M.
Published: August 2014

The importance of speciation‐with‐geneflow scenarios is increasingly appreciated. However, the specific processes and the resulting genomic footprints of selection are subject to much discussion. We studied the genomics of speciation between the two panmictic, sympatrically spawning sister species; European (Anguilla anguilla) and American eel (A. rostrata). Divergence is assumed to have initiated more than 3 Ma, and although low gene flow still occurs, strong postzygotic barriers are present. Restriction‐site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing identified 328 300 SNPs for subsequent analysis. However, despite the presence of 3757 strongly differentiated SNPs (FST > 0.8), sliding window analyses of FST showed no larger genomic regions (i.e. hundreds of thousands to millions of bases) of elevated differentiation. Overall FST was 0.041, and linkage disequilibrium was virtually absent for SNPs separated by more than 1000 bp. We suggest this to reflect a case of genomic hitchhiking, where multiple regions are under directional selection between the species. However, low but biologically significant gene flow and high effective population sizes leading to very low genetic drift preclude accumulation of strong background differentiation. Genes containing candidate SNPs for positive selection showed significant enrichment for gene ontology (GO) terms relating to developmental processes and phosphorylation, which seems consistent with assumptions that differences in larval phase duration and migratory distances underlie speciation. Most SNPs under putative selection were found outside coding regions, lending support to emerging views that noncoding regions may be more functionally important than previously assumed. In total, the results demonstrate the necessity of interpreting genomic footprints of selection in the context of demographic parameters and life‐history features of the studied species.
Ecological divergence combined with ancient allopatry in lizard populations from a small volcanic island
Authors: Suárez N. M. , Pestano J. , Brown R. P.
Published: August 2014

Population divergence and speciation are often explained by geographical isolation, but may also be possible under high gene flow due to strong ecology‐related differences in selection pressures. This study combines coalescent analyses of genetic data (11 microsatellite loci and 1 Kbp of mtDNA) and ecological modelling to examine the relative contributions of isolation and ecology to incipient speciation in the scincid lizard Chalcides sexlineatus within the volcanic island of Gran Canaria. Bayesian multispecies coalescent dating of within‐island genetic divergence of northern and southern populations showed correspondence with the timing of volcanic activity in the north of the island 1.5–3.0 Ma ago. Coalescent estimates of demographic changes reveal historical size increases in northern populations, consistent with expansions from a volcanic refuge. Nevertheless, ecological divergence is also supported. First, the two morphs showed non‐equivalence of ecological niches and species distribution modelling associated the northern morph with mesic habitat types and the southern morph with xeric habitat types. It seems likely that the colour morphs are associated with different antipredator strategies in the different habitats. Second, coalescent estimation of gene copy migration (based on microsatellites and mtDNA) suggest high rates from northern to southern morphs demonstrating the strength of ecology‐mediated selection pressures that maintain the divergent southern morph. Together, these findings underline the complexity of the speciation process by providing evidence for the combined effects of ecological divergence and ancient divergence in allopatry.
Onset and establishment of diazotrophs and other bacterial associates in the early life history stages of the coral Acropora millepora
Authors: Lema Kimberley A. , Bourne David G , Willis Bette L.
Published: August 2014

Early establishment of coral–microbial symbioses is fundamental to the fitness of corals, but comparatively little is known about the onset and succession of bacterial communities in their early life history stages. In this study, bacterial associates of the coral Acropora millepora were characterized throughout the first year of life, from larvae and 1‐week‐old juveniles reared in laboratory conditions in the absence of the dinoflagellate endosymbiont Symbiodinium to field‐outplanted juveniles with established Symbiodinium symbioses, and sampled at 2 weeks and at 3, 6 and 12 months. Using an amplicon pyrosequencing approach, the diversity of both nitrogen‐fixing bacteria and of bacterial communities overall was assessed through analysis of nifH and 16S rRNA genes, respectively. The consistent presence of sequences affiliated with diazotrophs of the order Rhizobiales (23–58% of retrieved nifH sequences; 2–12% of 16S rRNA sequences), across all samples from larvae to 12‐month‐old coral juveniles, highlights the likely functional importance of this nitrogen‐fixing order to the coral holobiont. Dominance of Roseobacter‐affiliated sequences (>55% of retrieved 16S rRNA sequences) in larvae and 1‐week‐old juveniles, and the consistent presence of sequences related to Oceanospirillales and Altermonadales throughout all early life history stages, signifies their potential importance as coral associates. Increased diversity of bacterial communities once juveniles were transferred to the field, particularly of Cyanobacteria and Deltaproteobacteria, demonstrates horizontal (environmental) uptake of coral‐associated bacterial communities. Although overall bacterial communities were dynamic, bacteria with likely important functional roles remain stable throughout early life stages of Acropora millepora.
Detecting short spatial scale local adaptation and epistatic selection in climate‐related candidate genes in European beech (Fagus sylvatica) populations
Authors: Csilléry Katalin , Lalagüe Hadrien , Vendramin Giovanni G. , González‐Martínez Santiago C. , Fady Bruno , Oddou‐Muratorio Sylvie
Published: August 2014

Detecting signatures of selection in tree populations threatened by climate change is currently a major research priority. Here, we investigated the signature of local adaptation over a short spatial scale using 96 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) individuals originating from two pairs of populations on the northern and southern slopes of Mont Ventoux (south‐eastern France). We performed both single and multilocus analysis of selection based on 53 climate‐related candidate genes containing 546 SNPs. FST outlier methods at the SNP level revealed a weak signal of selection, with three marginally significant outliers in the northern populations. At the gene level, considering haplotypes as alleles, two additional marginally significant outliers were detected, one on each slope. To account for the uncertainty of haplotype inference, we averaged the Bayes factors over many possible phase reconstructions. Epistatic selection offers a realistic multilocus model of selection in natural populations. Here, we used a test suggested by Ohta based on the decomposition of the variance of linkage disequilibrium. Overall populations, 0.23% of the SNP pairs (haplotypes) showed evidence of epistatic selection, with nearly 80% of them being within genes. One of the between gene epistatic selection signals arose between an FST outlier and a nonsynonymous mutation in a drought response gene. Additionally, we identified haplotypes containing selectively advantageous allele combinations which were unique to high or low elevations and northern or southern populations. Several haplotypes contained nonsynonymous mutations situated in genes with known functional importance for adaptation to climatic factors.
Abnormal copper metabolism in Niemann–Pick disease type C mimicking Wilson's disease
Authors: Sakiyama Yoshio , Narita Aya , Osawa Shou , Nanba Eiji , Ohno Kousaku , Otsuka Mieko
Published: August 2014

Background

Niemann–Pick disease type C is a rare lysosomal storage disease in infants, adolescents and adults.

Aim

We investigated a family with two siblings who have adult‐onset Niemann–Pick disease type C presenting with abnormal copper metabolism mimicking Wilson's disease.

Methods

Case 1 was a 26‐years‐old Japanese man without consanguinity, and was referred to the hospital outpatient clinic for recent gait disturbance and intellectual deterioration developing since the age of 20 years. He was tentatively diagnosed as a heterozygous carrier of Wilson's disease, because his brother (case 2) had been diagnosed with Wilson's disease. He presented with dementia, dysphagia, dystonia, ataxia and downward gaze palsy. Laboratory study showed mild liver dysfunction and moderate splenomegaly. Magnetic resonance images showed a thin corpus callosum and narrowed deep white matter. Case 2 35 years‐of‐age, and had developed psychiatric and motor symptoms since 20 years‐of‐age. He had been treated for Wilson's disease for 11 years due to a copper deposit in his liver and abnormal copper metabolism. Symptoms had exacerbated gradually despite chelation therapy and tube feeding with gastrostomy for a year. Molecular diagnostics for Niemann–Pick disease type C were carried out.

Results

Filipin staining in cultured skin fibroblasts of case 1 was partially positive, and gene analysis showed that both siblings had compound heterozygosity for p.G992R in exon 20 and IVS6‐3 C>G of NPC1. Administration of miglustat for 3 months partially ameliorated their intellectual and motor dysfunction.

Conclusion

The differential diagnosis between Niemann–Pick disease type C and Wilson's disease is important for specific treatment.
Troubleshooting in hospitalized Parkinson's disease patients with a history of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus
Authors: Oyama Genko , Shimo Yasushi , Umemura Atsushi , Nishikawa Natsuko , Nakajima Asuka , Takayuki Jo , Nakajima Madoka , Ishii Hisato , Arai Hajime , Hattori Nobutaka
Published: August 2014

Background

Deep brain stimulation is a treatment option for patients with Parkinson's disease who have motor complications, such as wearing off and dyskinesia. However, in some cases, the benefits of deep brain stimulation seem to diminish over time.

Aim

We aimed to investigate the reasons for hospitalization of Parkinson's disease patients who were previously implanted with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation devices. We also aimed to investigate the efficacy of our management of problems related to deep brain stimulation and/or Parkinson's disease‐related neurological symptoms.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was carried out on all hospitalized cases of patients who were previously implanted subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation at our hospital or other institutions.

Results

A total of 78 hospitalizations (47 patients) were identified. Of these, 34 hospitalizations (24 patients) were as a result of worsening of Parkinson's disease‐related or stimulation‐related problems. The reasons for 34 hospitalizations included wearing‐off/on‐off (n = 17), dyskinesia (n = 12), gait disturbance (n = 5), dysarthria (n = 4), camptocormia (n = 5), hallucination (n = 6) and other psychiatric problems (n = 10). Most of these problems were successfully managed by adjusting both medications and stimulation parameters (31 cases, 91.2%). No case was improved by only adjusting stimulation. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III score improved by 24.5% (P = 0.02) by hospitalized management.

Conclusion

Appropriate management of medications and stimulation are most important for patients who have already undergone deep brain stimulation in order to maximize the benefits.
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and dementia
Authors: Yata Kenichiro , Tomimoto Hidekazu
Published: August 2014

“Cerebral small vessel disease” is a general term featuring a group of disease conditions with characteristic lesions affecting mainly small vessels in the brain, such as Binswanger's disease, leukoaraiosis and lacunar infarctions. Cerebral small vessels consist of a series of blood vessels, which originate from the pial arteries on the surface of the brain, and branch into arterioles, capillaries and postcapillary venules. Each of the blood vessels has a distinct structure and function. The blood–brain barrier, which does not exist in the other organs, functions in the brain. Dysfunction of the blood–brain barrier is thought to be a major cause of cerebral small vessel diseases. Recent findings have shown that maintenance of the blood–brain barrier is kept by various types of cells, such as vascular endothelial cells, astrocytes and pericytes, which work collaboratively as a neurovascular unit. Currently, larger vessels at the arteriolar level have been studied intensively; however, the pathological condition of the neurovascular unit at the capillary level still needs to be elucidated. The bilateral carotid artery stenosis model simulates chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, formation of white matter lesions and cognitive impairments seen in humans. Using this model, we found microcirculation disturbance especially in the postcapillary venule, and postulated it as a final step leading to white matter lesions and cognitive impairment. Taken together, we suggest that chronic cerebral hypoperfusion plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel diseases.
Imaging in multiple system atrophy
Authors: Chandran Vijay , Stoessl A Jon
Published: August 2014

The diagnosis of multiple system atrophy and its differentiation from Parkinson's disease can be challenging, particularly in early disease. Both structural and functional imaging studies can be helpful for making the diagnosis, and could potentially be used to monitor disease progression. Magnetic resonance imaging can show distinctive patterns of atrophy and signal changes in multiple system atrophy, such as the “hot cross bun” and hyperintense putaminal rim signs, which are relatively specific, but have low sensitivity. Diffusivity might be particularly helpful in differentiating multiple system atrophy from Parkinson's disease, and appears to change over time, although the correlation with changes in motor dysfunction is uncertain. Diffusion weighted imaging changes in the middle cerebellar peduncle can also reliably separate multiple system atrophy from progressive supranuclear palsy. Volumetry detects characteristic patterns of atrophy. Alterations in spectroscopic patterns and abnormal iron deposition have also been reported. Positron emission tomography or single‐photon emission computed tomography measures of striatal dopamine innervation are abnormal in multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease; the addition of dopamine D2 receptor imaging (preserved in Parkinson's disease) can be helpful in differentiating the two. However, fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography shows different characteristic metabolic networks in the two conditions that change with disease progression, and is probably more useful. Functional imaging can also be used to detect changes in cholinergic innervation in multiple system atrophy, and to study neuroinflammation. Imaging of cardiac sympathetic innervation can also differentiate between Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy, and might be underutilized for this purpose.
Organoleptic qualities and acceptability of fortified rice in two Southeast Asian countries
Authors: Khanh Van Tran , Burja Kurt , Thuy Nga Tran , Kong Kannitha , Berger Jacques , Gardner Michelle , Dijkhuizen Marjoleine A. , Hop Le Thi , Tuyen Le Danh , Wieringa Frank T.
Published: August 2014

Fortified rice has the potential to improve the micronutrients status of vulnerable populations. However, fortified rice has to have acceptable organoleptic––the sensory properties of a particular food––qualities. Few data exist on the acceptability of fortified rice in Asia. To assess the acceptability of two types of fortified rice (cold and hot extruded) in Vietnam and Cambodia, triangle tests were conducted in Vietnam (53 women) and Cambodia (258 adults), testing fortified rice against conventional rice, with participants being asked to score the organoleptic qualities. In addition, Cambodian schoolchildren (n = 1700) were given conventional rice and two types of fortified rice for two week periods as part of a World Food Program school meal program, with intake monitored. Fortified rice differed significantly in organoleptic qualities from conventional rice, with most subjects correctly identifying fortified rice (P < 0.001). However, fortified rice was found to be highly acceptable in both countries. In Cambodia, schoolchildren consuming fortified rice had higher intakes than when consuming conventional rice (176 g/child/day and 168 g/child/day, respectively; P < 0.05). This study shows that fortified rice is acceptable in two countries in Southeast Asia. However, specific information is needed to explain the organoleptic qualities of fortified rice as perceived by end‐users.
Development of dalfampridine, a novel pharmacologic approach for treating walking impairment in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Blight Andrew R. , Henney Herbert R. , Cohen Ron
Published: August 2014

Walking impairment is a clinical hallmark of multiple sclerosis (MS). Dalfampridine‐ER, an extended‐release formulation of dalfampridine (also known by its chemical name, 4‐aminopyridine, and its international nonproprietary name, fampridine), was developed to maintain drug plasma levels within a narrow therapeutic window, and assessed for its ability to improve walking in MS. The putative mechanism of action of dalfampridine‐ER is restoration of axonal conduction via blockade of the potassium channels that become exposed during axonal demyelination. Two pivotal phase III clinical trials demonstrated that dalfampridine‐ER 10‐mg tablets administered twice daily improved walking speed and patient‐reported perceptions of walking in some patients. Dalfampridine‐ER was generally well tolerated, and, at the approved dose, risk of seizure was neither elevated relative to placebo nor higher than the rate in the MS population. Dalfampridine‐ER (AMPYRA®) was approved in the United States for the treatment of walking in patients with MS as demonstrated by an increase in walking speed. The use of the dalfampridine‐ER is contraindicated in patients with a history of seizure. It is the first pharmacologic therapy for this indication and has been incorporated into clinical management of MS.
Gothic Storytelling and Resistance in Charles W. Chesnutt's The Conjure Woman
Authors: Kim Hyejin
Published: August 2014

This essay explores how Chesnutt uses gothic strategies to expose the historical contradictions of race and conjure up black‐abject, revisiting the American gothic via Kristeva's concept of “the abject.” The Conjure Woman (1899) deploys gothic strategies to speak of the unspeakable experiences associated with slavery and contest the rationalist discourses that enforce and legitimate racism. Chesnutt's conjure stories reverse the “national process of forgetting” in the Reconstruction era to reintegrate the nation through the racially charged abjection process. His use of the gothic decisively reverses racist abjection through the juxtaposition of narratives between the former slave Julius and the Yankee investor John. Chesnutt's stories create a space of struggle between the oppressed and oppressor by summoning the abject that has been thrown off in the institution of Western hegemony. Julius's conjure stories wield the subversive power to challenge John and Annie, disrupt their binary thought, and instigate a form of multiple discourse. The Conjure Woman became a groundwork articulating the African‐American presence through inarticulate gothic sounds and imagery, and has paved the road for later generations of African‐American literature to continue to summon up the black‐abject that has long been silenced and marginalized.
Photocatalysis of Chloroform Decomposition by Tetrachlorocuprate (II) on Dowex 2‐X8
Authors: Harvey Brent M. , Hoggard Patrick E.
Published: August 2014

Heterogenized on a polystyrene anion exchange resin and in the presence of oxygen, catalyzes the photodecomposition of chloroform at wavelengths above 345 nm with greater efficiency than an equivalent amount in homogeneous solution. The reaction is proposed to proceed in two stages, the first stage yielding CCl4 and as products, the second consisting of a chain reaction resulting from the ‐catalyzed photodissociation of CCl4, yielding phosgene with CCl3 radicals as chain carriers. Photodecomposition is retarded by added Cl−, CH3CN, C6H12 or C2H5OH, which is ascribed to the displacement of CHCl3 molecules from the vicinity of the copper by attraction to the polystyrene matrix or to the alkylammonium cation sites.
The Cookie Paradox
Authors: Dodd Dylan
Published: August 2014

We’ve all been at parties where there's one cookie left on what was once a plate full of cookies, a cookie no one will eat simply because everyone is following a rule of etiquette, according to which you’re not supposed to eat the last cookie. Or at least we think everyone is following this rule, but maybe not. In this paper I present a new paradox, the Cookie Paradox, which is an argument that seems to prove that in any situation in which everyone is truly following the rule, no one eats any cookies at all, no matter how many there are to be eaten. The ‘Cookie Argument’ resembles the more familiar argument that surprise exams are impossible, but it's not exactly the same. I argue that the biggest difference is that, unlike the surprise exam argument, the Cookie Argument is actually sound! I conclude the paper by explaining how it could be possible for a group of people to engage in behavior (eating cookies) that guarantees that at least one of the members of the group will violate a rule, even when it's common knowledge in the group that everyone is committed to following that very rule.

Sometimes me think, “What is friend?” and then me say, “Friend is someone to share the last cookie with.”
‐ Cookie Monster, http://youtu.be/LHh0A_bH5ig
A review on fish growth calculation: multiple functions in fish production and their specific application
Authors: Lugert Vincent , Thaller Georg , Tetens Jens , Schulz Carsten , Krieter Joachim
Published: August 2014

Modern aquaculture recirculation systems (RASs) are a necessary tool to provide sustainable and continuous aquaculture production with low environmental impact. But, productivity and efficiency of such RAS still have to be optimized to ensure economic viability, putting growth performance into the focus. Growth is often reported as absolute (gain per day), relative (percentage increase in size) or specific growth rate (percentage increase in size per day), based on stocking and harvesting data. These functions describe growth very simplified and are inaccurate because intermediate growth data are not considered. In contrast, nonlinear growth models attempt to provide information of growth across different life stages. On the basis of an empirical RAS data set of 150 all‐female turbot reared in an RAS during a period of 340 days of outgrowth, this paper reviews the most commonly used growth rates (relative, absolute, specific), the thermal‐unit growth coefficient and five nonlinear growth functions (logistic, Gompertz, von Bertalanffy, Kanis and Schnute). Goodness of fit is expressed by R2 and as mean percentage deviation. Nonlinear growth models are also compared by their residual standard error (RSE) and the Akaike information criterion. All processed functions are modelled to illustrate the shape of the generated curve and the possibility of the function to realistically predict growth. Further, the biological meaning of their regression parameters is discussed. This way we can point out differences in nonlinear growth models in contrast to purely descriptive growth rates and the specific advantages, disadvantages and possible applications of each function we review.
Perioperative changes of procalcitonin levels in patients undergoing liver transplantation
Authors: Kaido T. , Ogawa K. , Fujimoto Y. , Mori A. , Hatano E. , Okajima H. , Uemoto S.
Published: August 2014

Background

Severe sepsis is a life‐threatening complication after liver transplantation (LT) that can be difficult to diagnose and appropriately treat after LT because of patients being treated with immunosuppressants. The present study examines perioperative changes in serum procalcitonin (PCT), a specific marker of systemic bacterial infection, and determines the value of PCT as a diagnostic tool for bacteremia or rejection.

Methods

Perioperative serum PCT levels were prospectively assessed in 104 consecutive adult patients undergoing LT (living‐donor LT, n = 90; deceased‐donor LT, n = 14) between May 2010 and August 2012.

Results

Serum PCT levels remarkably increased soon after LT and gradually decreased thereafter, but were not increased in patients diagnosed with cytomegalovirus infection or acute cellular rejection. Serum PCT levels in patients who underwent deceased‐donor LT were significantly higher than in those who underwent living‐donor LT until postoperative day (POD) 7. Serum PCT levels were significantly higher in patients with bacteremia than in those without bacteremia after POD 14. In patients with post‐transplant bacteremia, PCT levels increased again after POD 7 in patients who died within 3 months of LT, while levels remained low after POD 7 in patients who were alive. A positive predictive value of 83.3% for bacteremia and a negative predictive value of 97.4% were obtained at PCT cutoffs of 2.0 and 0.5 ng/mL, respectively.

Conclusion

Serum PCT measurement, using appropriate cutoff values, could help diagnose severe infection, and might be able to differentiate bacteremia from acute cellular rejection.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reverse seroconversion (RS) can be prevented even in non‐responders to hepatitis B vaccine after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: long‐term analysis of intervention in RS with vaccine for patients with previous HBV infection
Authors: Takahata M. , Hashino S. , Onozawa M. , Shigematsu A. , Sugita J. , Fujimoto K. , Endo T. , Kondo T. , Tanaka J. , Imamura M. , Teshima T.
Published: August 2014

Background

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, reverse seroconversion (RS), is a serious complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). We previously conducted a post‐transplant hepatitis B vaccine intervention trial and demonstrated the vaccine efficacy in preventing HBV‐RS. This report is an update of the hepatitis B vaccine study.

Methods

In this trial, 21 patients were enrolled and received a standard 3‐dose regimen of hepatitis B vaccine after discontinuation of immunosuppressants, whereas 25 transplant recipients with previous HBV infection did not receive the vaccine and served as controls.

Results

None of the 21 patients in the vaccine group developed HBV‐RS and 12 controls developed HBV‐RS in median follow‐up periods of 60 months (range 13–245). HBV vaccine resulted in a positive value of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) titer in 9 patients, while HBsAb remained negative in 12 patients. Presence of a high titer of HBsAb before vaccination was associated with conversion into HBsAb positivity after vaccination.

Conclusion

These results demonstrated the long‐term effects of HBV vaccine for preventing HBV‐RS after alloHSCT. Of note, no HBV‐RS occurred, even in patients who did not achieve conversion into HBsAb positivity after vaccination.
COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC ARTHROGRAPHY OF THE NORMAL CANINE ELBOW
Authors: Gendler Andrew , Keuler Nicholas S. , Schaefer Susan L.
Published: August 2014

Comprehensive evaluation of canine elbow joint dysfunction includes assessment of articular cartilage, which can noninvasively be performed with contrast arthrography. Aims of this prospective study were to compare positive contrast computed tomographic (CT) arthrography and histomorphometry measures of cartilage thickness in normal canine elbows, and to determine the optimal contrast medium concentration. Thirty‐two canine cadaver elbows were examined using multidetector CT, before and after intra‐articular administration of iohexol at one of three different concentrations. Articular cartilage thickness was measured on both the CT arthrography images and corresponding histologic specimens. Mean difference (bias) between the CT arthrography and histomorphologic measurements was 0.18 and 0.19 mm in the sagittal and dorsal planes, respectively. Mean bias and precision of CT arthrography measurements made in the sagittal or dorsal reformations were not significantly different from one another. Computed tomographic arthrography measurements from elbows with 75 mg I/ml were significantly larger and had greater bias compared to other contrast medium groups (150 and 37.5 mg I/ml). There was no significant difference in CT arthrography measurement precision between different contrast medium concentrations. Histomorphologic thickness of the articular cartilage overlying the cranial aspect of the ulna (mean 0.32 mm) was significantly thinner than cartilage of the radius (0.36 mm) or humerus (0.36 mm). Findings from this cadaver study indicated that CT arthrography delineates articular cartilage of the normal canine elbow; yields cartilage thickness measures slightly greater than histomorphometry measures; and provides high measurement precision regardless of image plane, contrast medium concentration, or anatomic zone.
Band Gap Control in an Active Elastic Metamaterial With Negative Capacitance Piezoelectric Shunting
Authors: Chen Y. Y. , Huang G. L. , Sun C. T.
Published: August 2014

Elastic metamaterials have been extensively investigated due to their significant effects on controlling propagation of elastic waves. One of the most interesting properties is the generation of band gaps, in which subwavelength elastic waves cannot propagate through. In the study, a new class of active elastic metamaterials with negative capacitance piezoelectric shunting is presented. We first investigated dispersion curves and band gap control of an active mass-in-mass lattice system. The unit cell of the mass-in-mass lattice system consists of the inner masses connected by active linear springs to represent negative capacitance piezoelectric shunting. It was demonstrated that the band gaps can be actively controlled and tuned by varying effective stiffness constant of the linear spring through appropriately selecting the value of negative capacitance. The promising application was then demonstrated in the active elastic metamaterial plate integrated with the negative capacitance shunted piezoelectric patches for band gap control of both the longitudinal and bending waves. It can be found that the location and the extent of the induced band gap of the elastic metamaterial can be effectively tuned by using shunted piezoelectric patch with different values of negative capacitance, especially for extremely low-frequency cases.
On the Performance of a Two-Stage Vibration Isolation System Which has Geometrically Nonlinear Stiffness
Authors: Lu Zeqi , Yang Tiejun , Brennan Michael J. , Li Xinhui , Liu Zhigang
Published: August 2014

Linear single-stage vibration isolation systems have a limitation on their performance, which can be overcome passively by using linear two-stage isolations systems. It has been demonstrated by several researchers that linear single-stage isolation systems can be improved upon by using nonlinear stiffness elements, especially for low-frequency vibrations. In this paper, an investigation is conducted into whether the same improvements can be made to a linear two-stage isolation system using the same methodology for both force and base excitation. The benefits of incorporating geometric stiffness nonlinearity in both upper and lower stages are studied. It is found that there are beneficial effects of using nonlinearity in the stiffness in both stages for both types of excitation. Further, it is found that this nonlinearity causes the transmissibility at the lower resonance frequency to bend to the right, but the transmissibility at the higher resonance frequency is not affected in the same way. Generally, it is found that a nonlinear two-stage system has superior isolation performance compared to that of a linear two-stage isolator.