bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insulin requirements in patients with diabetes and declining kidney function: differences between insulin analogues and human insulin?
Authors: Kulozik Felix , Hasslacher Christoph
Published: August 2013

Objectives:

In diabetic nephropathy the decline of renal function causes modifications of the insulin and carbohydrate metabolism resulting in changed insulin requirements. The aim of the present study was to identify potential differences in the requirements of human insulin and various insulin analogues in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and renal dysfunction.

Methods:

The insulin requirements of 346 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus under everyday life circumstances were assessed in an observational study. Simultaneously, laboratory parameters were measured and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the formula by Cockcroft–Gault. Medical history and concomitant medication were recorded. The insulin requirements of long- and short-acting insulin were tested for a relationship with the eGFR and laboratory parameters.

Results:

The dosage of long-acting human insulin did not show any relation to eGFR. In contrast, a strong positive relation between dosage and renal function was found for insulin glargine and insulin detemir. After classification according to renal function, the insulin dosage at eGFR less than 60 ml/min was 29.7% lower in glargine-treated and 27.3% lower in detemir-treated patients compared with eGFR greater than 90 ml/min. Considering the whole range of eGFR, short-acting human insulin did not show a relation with renal function. Only after classification according to renal function was a dose reduction found for human insulin at eGFR less than 60 ml/min. In contrast, requirements of insulin lispro were significantly related to eGFR over the whole range of eGFR. At eGFR less than 60 ml/min the insulin dosage was 32.6% lower than at eGFR greater than 90 ml/min. The requirements of insulin aspart did not show any association with the eGFR.

Conclusions:

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus show different insulin requirements according to the renal function depending on the applied insulin. This finding is essential for the adjustment of insulin therapy in patients with diabetic nephropathy to achieve balanced glycemic control. To determine the underlying mechanisms, further studies on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the different insulins in patients with diabetic nephropathy are needed.
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) suppresses Eμ-myc lymphoma
Authors: Lee Stanley C. W. , Phipson Belinda , Hyland Craig D. , Leong Huei San , Allan Rhys S. , Lun Aaron , Hilton Douglas J. , Nutt Stephen L. , Blewitt Marnie E. , Smyth Gordon K. , Alexander Warren S. , Majewski Ian J.
Published: August 2013

Key Points

PRC1 and PRC2 have opposing activity in Eμ-myc lymphoma. Inhibition of PRC2 leads to increased self-renewal in B-cell progenitors.
Amino acid substitution at peptide-binding pockets of HLA class I molecules increases risk of severe acute GVHD and mortality
Authors: Pidala Joseph , Wang Tao , Haagenson Michael , Spellman Stephen R. , Askar Medhat , Battiwalla Minoo , Baxter-Lowe Lee Ann , Bitan Menachem , Fernandez-Viña Marcelo , Gandhi Manish , Jakubowski Ann A. , Maiers Martin , Marino Susana R. , Marsh Steven G. E. , Oudshoorn Machteld , Palmer Jeanne , Prasad Vinod K. , Reddy Vijay , Ringden Olle , Saber Wael , Santarone Stella , Schultz Kirk R. , Setterholm Michelle , Trachtenberg Elizabeth , Turner E. Victoria , Woolfrey Ann E. , Lee Stephanie J. , Anasetti Claudio
Published: August 2013

Key Points

Amino acid substitution at peptide-binding residues of the HLA class I molecule is associated with graft-versus-host disease and mortality. Avoidance of donor-recipient combinations that result in amino acid substitution at peptide-binding residues may improve transplant outcomes.
Knockout of TLR4 and TLR2 impair the nerve regeneration by delayed demyelination but not remyelination
Authors: Wu Shao-Chun , Rau Cheng-Shyuan , Lu Tsu-Hsiang , Wu Chia-Jung , Wu Yi-Chan , Tzeng Siou-Ling , Chen Yi-Chun , Hsieh Ching-Hua
Published: August 2013

Background

Knockout of either toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) or 2 (TLR2) had been reported to delay the Wallerian degeneration after peripheral nerve injury by deterring the recruitment of the macrophages and clearance of myelin debris. However, the impact on the remyelination process is poorly understood. In this study, the effect of TLR2 and TLR4 knockout on the nerve regeneration and on the remyelination process was studied in a mouse model of sciatic nerve crush injury.

Results

A standard sciatic nerve crush injury by a No. 5 Jeweler forcep for consistent 30 seconds was performed in Tlr4

−/−
(B6.B10ScN-Tlr4

lps-del
/JthJ), Tlr2

−/−
(B6.129-Tlr2tm1Kir/J) and C57BL/6 mice. One centimeter of nerve segment distal to the crushed site was harvested for western blot analysis of the myelin structure protein myelin protein zero (Mpz) and the remyelination transcription factors Oct6 and Sox10 at day 0, 3, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 28. Nerve segment 5-mm distal to injured site from additional groups of mice at day 10 after crush injury were subjected to semi-thin section and toluidine blue stain for a quantitative histomorphometric analysis. With less remyelinated nerves and more nerve debris, the histomorphometric analysis revealed a worse nerve regeneration following the sciatic nerve crush injury in both Tlr4

−/−
and Tlr2

−/−
mice than the C57BL/6 mice. Although there was a delayed expression of Sox10 but not Oct6 during remyelination, with an average 4-day delay in the demyelination process, the subsequent complete formation of Mpz during remyelination was also delayed for 4 days, implying that the impaired nerve regeneration was mainly attributed to the delayed demyelination process.

Conclusions

Both TLR4 and TLR2 are crucial for nerve regeneration after nerve crush injury mainly by delaying the demyelination but not the remyelination process.
Genome-wide analysis of the Hsp 20 gene family in soybean: comprehensive sequence, genomic organization and expression profile analysis under abiotic and biotic stresses
Authors: Lopes-Caitar Valéria S , de Carvalho Mayra CCG , Darben Luana M , Kuwahara Marcia K , Nepomuceno Alexandre L , Dias Waldir P , Abdelnoor Ricardo V , Marcelino-Guimarães Francismar C
Published: August 2013

Background

The Hsp 20 genes are associated with stress caused by HS and other abiotic factors, but have recently been found to be associated with the response to biotic stresses. These genes represent the most abundant class among the HSPs in plants, but little is known about this gene family in soybean. Because of their apparent multifunctionality, these proteins are promising targets for developing crop varieties that are better adapted to biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, in the present study an in silico identification of GmHsp 20 gene family members was performed, and the genes were characterized and subjected to in vivo expression analysis under biotic and abiotic stresses.

Results

A search of the available soybean genome databases revealed 51 gene models as potential GmHsp 20 candidates. The 51 GmHsp 20 genes were distributed across a total of 15 subfamilies where a specific predicted secondary structure was identified. Based on in vivo analysis, only 47 soybean Hsp 20 genes were responsive to heat shock stress. Among the GmHsp 20 genes that were potentials HSR, five were also cold-induced, and another five, in addition to one GmAcd gene, were responsive to Meloidogyne javanica infection. Furthermore, one predicted GmHsp 20 was shown to be responsive only to nematode infection; no expression change was detected under other stress conditions. Some of the biotic stress-responsive GmHsp 20 genes exhibited a divergent expression pattern between resistant and susceptible soybean genotypes under M. javanica infection. The putative regulatory elements presenting some conservation level in the GmHsp 20 promoters included HSE, W-box, CAAT box, and TA-rich elements. Some of these putative elements showed a unique occurrence pattern among genes responsive to nematode infection.

Conclusions

The evolution of Hsp 20 family in soybean genome has most likely involved a total of 23 gene duplications. The obtained expression profiles revealed that the majority of the 51 GmHsp 20 candidates are induced under HT, but other members of this family could also be involved in normal cellular functions, unrelated to HT. Some of the GmHsp 20 genes might be specialized to respond to nematode stress, and the predicted promoter structure of these genes seems to have a particular conserved pattern related to their biological function.
Comparative genomics of Campylobacter concisus isolates reveals genetic diversity and provides insights into disease association
Authors: Deshpande Nandan P , Kaakoush Nadeem O , Wilkins Marc R , Mitchell Hazel M
Published: August 2013

Background

In spite of its association with gastroenteritis and inflammatory bowel diseases, the isolation ofCampylobacter concisusfrom both diseased and healthy individuals has led to controversy regarding its role as an intestinal pathogen. One proposed reason for this is the presence of high genetic diversity among the genomes ofC. concisusstrains.

Results

In this study the genomes of sixC. concisusstrains were sequenced, assembled and annotated including two strains isolated from Crohn’s disease patients (UNSW2 and UNSW3), three from gastroenteritis patients (UNSW1, UNSWCS and ATCC 51562) and one from a healthy individual (ATCC 51561). The genomes ofC. concisusBAA-1457 and UNSWCD, available from NCBI, were included in subsequent comparative genomic analyses. The Pan and Core genomes for the sequencedC. concisusstrains consisted of 3254 and 1556 protein coding genes, respectively.

Conclusion

Genes were identified with specific conservation inC. concisusstrains grouped by phenotypes such as invasiveness, adherence, motility and diseased states. Phylogenetic trees based on ribosomal RNA sequences and concatenated host-related pathways for the eightC. concisusstrains were generated using the neighbor-joining method, of which the 16S rRNA gene and peptidoglycan biosynthesis grouped theC. concisusstrains according to their pathogenic phenotypes. Furthermore, 25 non-synonymous amino acid changes with 14 affecting functional domains, were identified within proteins of conserved host-related pathways, which had possible associations with the pathogenic potential ofC. concisusstrains. Finally, the genomes of the eightC. concisusstrains were compared to the nine available genomes of the well-established pathogenCampylobacter jejuni, which identified several important differences in the respiration pathways of these two species. Our findings indicate thatC. concisusstrains are genetically diverse, and suggest the genomes of this bacterium contain respiration pathways and modifications in the peptidoglycan layer that may play an important role in its virulence.
Cardiac rehabilitation barriers by rurality and socioeconomic status: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shanmugasegaram Shamila , Oh Paul , Reid Robert D , McCumber Treva , Grace Sherry L
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Despite greater need, rural inhabitants and individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES) are less likely to undertake cardiac rehabilitation (CR). This study examined barriers to enrollment and participation in CR among these under-represented groups.

Method

Cardiac inpatients from 11 hospitals across Ontario were approached to participate in a larger study. Rurality was assessed by asking participants whether they lived within a 30-minute drive-time from the nearest hospital, with those >30 minutes considered “rural.” Participants completed a sociodemographic survey, which included the MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status. One year later, they were mailed a survey which assessed CR utilization and included the Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale. In this cross-sectional study, CR utilization and barriers were compared by rurality and SES.

Results

Of the 1809 (80.4%) retained, there were 215 (11.9%) rural participants, and the mean subjective SES was 6.37 ± 1.76. The mean CRBS score was 2.03 ± 0.73. Rural inhabitants reported attending significantly fewer CR sessions (p < .05), and greater CR barriers overall compared to urban inhabitants (p < .01). Patients of lower subjective SES were significantly less likely to be referred, enroll, and participate in CR, and reported significantly greater barriers to CR compared to their high SES counterparts (p < .01). Prominent barriers for both groups included distance, cost, and transportation problems. These relationships sustained adjustment, and a significant relationship between having undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery and lower barriers was also identified.

Conclusions

The results confirm that rural inhabitants and patients of low SES experience greater barriers to CR utilization when compared to their urban, high SES counterparts. It is time to implement known strategies to overcome these barriers, to achieve equitable and greater use of CR.
Invasive adenocarcinoma arising from a mixed hyperplastic/adenomatous polyp and synchronous transverse colon cancer
Authors: Chen Chuang-Wei , Hsiao Koung-Hong , Yue Chung-Tai , Wang Chia-Chi
Published: August 2013

An admixture of hyperplastic and adenomatous components within the same polyp is unusual. Adenocarcinoma arising from a mixed hyperplastic/adenomatous polyp (MHAP) occurs even more rarely. We report the first case of a 59-year-old male who presented with invasive adenocarcinoma originating from a MHAP at a sigmoid colon and synchronous transverse colon cancer.
Energy transfer from luminescent centers to Er3+ in erbium-doped silicon-rich oxide films
Authors: Jin Lu , Li Dongsheng , Xiang Luelue , Wang Feng , Yang Deren , Que Duanlin
Published: August 2013

The energy transfer mechanism between luminescent centers (LCs) and Er3+ in erbium-doped silicon-rich oxide (SROEr) films prepared by electron beam evaporation is investigated. Intense photoluminescence of the LCs (weak oxygen bonds, neutral oxygen vacancies, and Si=O states) within the active matrixes is obtained. Fast energy transfer from Si=O states to Er3+ takes advantage in the SROEr film and enhances the light emission from Er3+. The introduction of Si nanoclusters, which induces the Si=O states and facilitates the photon absorption of the Si=O states, is essential to obtain intense photoluminescence from both Si=O states and Er3+.
Ethnomedicinal study of plants used for human ailments in Ankober District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Lulekal Ermias , Asfaw Zemede , Kelbessa Ensermu , Van Damme Patrick
Published: August 2013

Background

Ankober District has long been inhabited by people who have a long tradition of using medicinal plants to treat human ailments. Overexploitation of medicinal plants coupled with an ever-increasing population growth, deforestation and agricultural land expansion threatens plants in the area. Hence, this study aimed at documenting and analyzing the plant-based ethnomedicinal knowledge of the people in order to preserve the dwindling indigenous knowledge.

Methods

Ethnobotanical data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation and walk-in-the-woods. Quantitative approaches were used to determine Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity level (FL) values. Statistical tests were used to compare the indigenous knowledge on medicinal plants among different informant categories.

Results

A total of 135 medicinal plant species belonging to 128 genera and 71 botanical families were reported to treat human diseases in the District. Families Asteraceae (12 species, 9%) and Fabaceae (10, 7.4%) were found to be best represented in the area. About 44% of preparations were reported to be obtained from roots. Significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed on the mean number of medicinal plants reported by groups of respondents compared within age, literacy level and experience parameters. Highest ICF values were recorded for gastro-intestinal & parasitic and dermatological disease categories (0.70 each) indicating best agreement among informants knowledge on medicinal plants used to treat aliments in these categories. Highest fidelity level values were recorded for Zehneria scabra (95%) and Hagenia abyssinica (93.75%) showing conformity of knowledge on species of best healing potential. Podocarpus falcatus was ranked first in a direct matrix ranking exercise of multipurpose medicinal plants. The output of preference ranking exercise indicated that Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata was the most preferred species to treat atopic eczema.

Conclusion

The study revealed that Ankober District is rich in medicinal plant diversity and associated indigenous knowledge. However, anthropogenic factors coupled with acculturation and very poor conservation efforts threaten medicinal plant survival in the area. Promoting a complementary in situ and ex situ conservation strategy for medicinal plants of the District is highly recommended.
S-Nitrosylation of parkin as a novel regulator of p53-mediated neuronal cell death in sporadic Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Sunico Carmen R , Nakamura Tomohiro , Rockenstein Edward , Mante Michael , Adame Anthony , Chan Shing Fai , Newmeyer Traci Fang , Masliah Eliezer , Nakanishi Nobuki , Lipton Stuart A
Published: August 2013

Background

Mutations in the gene encoding parkin, a neuroprotective protein with dual functions as an E3 ubiquitin ligase and transcriptional repressor of p53, are linked to familial forms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We hypothesized that oxidative posttranslational modification of parkin by environmental toxins may contribute to sporadic PD.

Results

We first demonstrated that S-nitrosylation of parkin decreased its activity as a repressor of p53 gene expression, leading to upregulation of p53. Chromatin immunoprecipitation as well as gel-shift assays showed that parkin bound to the p53 promoter, and this binding was inhibited by S-nitrosylation of parkin. Additionally, nitrosative stress induced apoptosis in cells expressing parkin, and this death was, at least in part, dependent upon p53. In primary mesencephalic cultures, pesticide-induced apoptosis was prevented by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). In a mouse model of pesticide-induced PD, both S-nitrosylated (SNO-)parkin and p53 protein levels were increased, while administration of a NOS inhibitor mitigated neuronal death in these mice. Moreover, the levels of SNO-parkin and p53 were simultaneously elevated in postmortem human PD brain compared to controls.

Conclusions

Taken together, our data indicate that S-nitrosylation of parkin, leading to p53-mediated neuronal cell death, contributes to the pathophysiology of sporadic PD.
Effect of the silencing of the Ehcp112 gene on the in vitro virulence of Entamoeba histolytica
Authors: Ocádiz-Ruiz Ramón , Fonseca Wendy , Martínez Máximo B , Ocádiz-Quintanar Ramón , Orozco Esther , Rodríguez Mario A
Published: August 2013

Background

Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal protozoan parasite that causes amoebiasis in humans, affecting up to 50 million people worldwide each year and causing 40,000 to 100,000 deaths annually. EhCP112 is a cysteine proteinase of E. histolytica able to disrupt cell monolayers and digest extracellular matrix proteins, it is secreted by trophozoites and it can be active in a wide range of temperature and pH. These characteristics have encouraged the use of EhCP112 in the design and production of possible vaccines against amoebiasis, obtaining promising results. Nevertheless, we have no conclusive information about the role of EhCP112 in the E. histolytica pathogenesis.

Methods

A set of three specific siRNA sequences were used to silence the Ehcp112 gene via the soaking system. Silencing was evaluated by Western blot using an antibody against the EhCP112 recombinant protein. Finally, we analyzed the protease activity, the phagocytosis rate and the ability to destroy MDCK cells of the EhCP112-silenced trophozoites.

Results

The highest silencing effect on EhCP112 was detected at 16 h of treatment; time enough to perform the in vitro virulence assays, which showed that EhCP112 silencing produces a significant reduction in cytolysis and phagocytosis of target cells, indicating the participation of this proteinase in these events.

Conclusions

EhCP112 is involved in the in vitro virulence of E. histolytica.
Foot loading patterns in normal weight, overweight and obese children aged 7 to 11 years
Authors: Cousins Stephen D , Morrison Stewart C , Drechsler Wendy I
Published: August 2013

Background

Childhood obesity is thought to predispose to structural foot changes and altered foot function. Little is currently understood about whether similar changes occur in overweight children. The aim of this study was determine foot loading characteristics in obese, overweight and normal weight children aged 7 to 11 years during level walking.

Methods

Dynamic plantar pressures were measured in 22 obese, 22 overweight and 56 normal weight children recruited from local primary and secondary schools in East London. Peak pressure, peak force, normalised peak force, pressure–time and force‐time integrals were analysed at six regions of the plantar foot: lateral heel, medial heel, midfoot, 1st metatarsophalangeal joint, 2nd‐5th metatarsophalangeal joint and hallux. A one‐way ANOVA was used to test for significant differences in variables across the groups. Where differences existed Tukey post‐hoc tests were used to ascertain the location of the difference.

Results

Children who were obese and overweight demonstrated significantly (p<0.05) higher peak pressures and peak forces as well as significantly higher force‐time and pressure–time integrals under the midfoot and 2nd‐5th metatarsal regions. After normalisation of peak force, similar trends existed where the obese and overweight children demonstrated significantly (p<0.05) greater loading at the midfoot and 2nd‐5th metatarsals.

Conclusion

Findings from this study indicated that overweight children, as young as seven, displayed differences in foot loading during walking, when compared with normal weight children. These findings were consistent with loading patterns of children who were obese and suggest that early assessment and intervention may be required in overweight children to mitigate against the development of musculoskeletal complications associated with excessive body mass.
Aberrant basal ganglia metabolism in fragile X syndrome: a magnetic resonance spectroscopy study
Authors: Bruno Jennifer Lynn , Shelly Elizabeth Walter , Quintin Eve-Marie , Rostami Maryam , Patnaik Sweta , Spielman Daniel , Mayer Dirk , Gu Meng , Lightbody Amy A , Reiss Allan L
Published: August 2013

Background

The profile of cognitive and behavioral variation observed in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common known cause of inherited intellectual impairment, suggests aberrant functioning of specific brain systems. Research investigating animal models of FXS, characterized by limited or lack of fragile X mental retardation protein, (FMRP), has linked brain dysfunction to deficits in the cholinergic and glutamatergic systems. Thus, we sought to examine in vivo levels of neurometabolites related to cholinergic and glutamatergic functioning in males and females with FXS.

Methods

The study participants included 18 adolescents and young adults with FXS, and a comparison group of 18 individuals without FXS matched for age, sex and general intellectual functioning. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to assess neurometabolite levels in the caudate nucleus, a region known to be greatly enlarged and involved in abnormal brain circuitry in individuals with FXS. A general linear model framework was used to compare group differences in metabolite concentration.

Results

We observed a decrease in choline (P = 0.027) and in glutamate + glutamine (P = 0.032) in the caudate nucleus of individuals with FXS, relative to individuals in the comparison group.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence of metabolite differences in the caudate nucleus, a brain region of potential importance to our understanding of the neural deficits underlying FXS. These metabolic differences may be related to aberrant receptor signaling seen in animal models. Furthermore, identification of the specific neurometabolites involved in FXS dysfunction could provide critical biomarkers for the design and efficacy tracking of disease-specific pharmacological treatments.
Mst1 and Mst2 kinases: regulations and diseases
Authors: Qin Funiu , Tian Jing , Zhou Dawang , Chen Lanfen
Published: August 2013

The Hippo signaling pathway has emerged as a critical regulator for organ size control. The serine/threonine protein kinases Mst1 and Mst2, mammalian homologs of the Hippo kinase from Drosophila, play the central roles in the Hippo pathway controlling the cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis during development. Mst1/2 can be activated by cellular stressors and the activation of Mst1/2 might enforce a feedback stimulation system to regulate oxidant levels through several mechanisms, in which regulation of cellular redox state might represent a tumor suppressor function of Mst1/2. As in Drosophila, murine Mst1/Mst2, in a redundant manner, negatively regulate the Yorkie ortholog YAP in multiple organs, although considerable diversification in the pathway composition and regulation is observed in some of them. Generally, loss of both Mst1 and Mst2 results in hyperproliferation and tumorigenesis that can be largely negated by the reduction or elimination of YAP. The Hippo pathway integrates with other signaling pathways e.g. Wnt and Notch pathways and coordinates with them to impact on the tumor pathogenesis and development. Furthermore, Mst1/2 kinases also act as an important regulator in immune cell activation, adhesion, migration, growth, and apoptosis. This review will focus on the recent updates on those aspects for the roles of Mst1/2 kinases.
How effective are created or restored freshwater wetlands for nitrogen and phosphorus removal? A systematic review protocol
Authors: Land Magnus , Granéli Wilhelm , Grimvall Anders , Hoffmann Carl Christian , Mitsch William J , Tonderski Karin S , Verhoeven Jos TA
Published: August 2013

Background

Eutrophication of aquatic environments is a major environmental problem in large parts of the world. In Europe, EU legislation (the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive), international conventions (OSPAR, HELCOM) and national environmental objectives emphasize the need to reduce the input of plant nutrients to freshwater and marine environments. A widely used method to achieve this is to let water pass through a constructed or restored wetland (CW). However, the large variation in measured nutrient removal rates in such wetlands calls for a systematic review. The objective of this review is to quantify nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates in constructed or restored wetlands and relate them to wetland characteristics, loading characteristics, and climate factors. Wetlands are created to treat water from a number of different sources. Sources that will be considered in this review include agricultural runoff and urban storm water run-off, as well as aquaculture wastewater and outlets from domestic wastewater treatment plants, with particular attention to the situation in Sweden. Although the performance of wetlands in temperate and boreal regions is most relevant to the Swedish stakeholders a wider range of climatic conditions will be considered in order to make a thorough evaluation of climatic factors.

Methods

Searches for primary studies will be performed in electronic databases as well as on the internet. One author will perform the screening of all retrieved articles at the title and abstract level. To check that the screening is consistent and complies with the agreed inclusion/exclusion criteria, subsets of 100 articles will be screened by the other authors. When screening at full-text level the articles will be evenly distributed among the authors. Kappa tests will be used to evaluate screening consistency. Data synthesis will be based on meta-regression. The nutrient removal rates will be taken as response variables and the effect modifiers will be used as explanatory variables. More specifically, the meta-regression will be performed using generalized additive models that can handle nonlinear relationships and major interaction effects. Furthermore, subgroup analyses will be undertaken to elucidate statistical relationships that are specific to particular types of wetlands.
Properties of the newly isolated extracellular thermo-alkali-stable laccase from thermophilic actinomycetes, Thermobifida fusca and its application in dye intermediates oxidation
Authors: Chen Cheng-Yu , Huang Yu-Chun , Wei Chien-Mei , Meng Menghsiao , Liu Wen-Hsiung , Yang Chao-Hsun
Published: August 2013

Laccases are diphenol oxidases that have numerous applications to biotechnological processes. In this study, the laccase was produced from the thermophilic actinomycetes,Thermobifida fuscaBCRC 19214. After 36 h of fermentation in a 5-liter fermentor, the culture broth accumulated 4.96 U/ml laccase activity. The laccase was purified 4.64-fold as measured by specific activity from crude culture filtrate by ultrafiltration concentration, Q-Sepharose FF and Sephacryl™ S-200 column chromatography. The overall yield of the purified enzyme was 7.49%. The molecular mass of purified enzyme as estimated by SDS-PAGE and by gel filtration on Sephacryl™ S-200 was found to be 73.3 kDa and 24.7 kDa, respectively, indicating that the laccase fromT. fuscaBCRC 19214 is a trimer. The internal amino acid sequences of the purified laccase, as determined by LC-MS/MS, had high homology with a superoxide dismutase fromT. fuscaYX. Approximately 95% of the original activity remained after treatment at 50°C for 3 h. and approximately 75% of the original activity remained after treatment at pH 10.0 for 24 h. This laccase could oxidize dye intermediates, especially 2,6-dimethylphenylalanine andp-aminophenol, to produce coloring. This is the first report on laccase properties from thermophilic actinomycetes. These properties suggest that this newly isolated laccase has potential for specific industrial applications.
Comparison of infarct volume and behavioral deficit in Wistar Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rat after transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery
Authors: Garcia Jorge , Dang Jon , Habib Pardes , Beyer Cordian , Kipp Markus
Published: August 2013

Rodent models of focal cerebral ischemia are important tools in experimental stroke research. Such models have proven instrumental for the understanding of injury mechanisms in cerebral stroke and helped to identify potential new therapeutic options. A plethora of neuroprotective substances have been shown to be effective in preclinical stroke research but failed to prove effectiveness in subsequent clinical trials. Interestingly, preclinical studies have shown that neuroprotective agents are selectively effective in different rat strains. The underlying mechanisms for this discrepancy are so far unknown, but differences in initial stroke volume with concomitant neuroinflammatory processes in the expanding stroke area might be relevant.

In the current project, we compared the stroke volume and behavioral outcome between Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 1 h, followed by 23 h reperfusion. We further analyzed the expression of well-known pro-inflammatory mediators in the cortical peri-infarct area region using a TTC-based isolation approach.

Initial reduction of local cerebral blood flow was comparable between both strains. Mean infarct volume and the extent of tMCAO-provoked functional deficits did not differ between WKY and SHR rats. Furthermore, the induction of pro-inflammatory mediators, among CCL3 and CCL5, in the isolated ischemic peri-infarct area region was equal in both rat strains.

We were able to demonstrate that stroke outcome is comparable 23 h after transient MCAO in WKY and SHR rats. Future studies have to show whether this observation confirms in the long-term, and which factors contribute to differences observed with respect to therapeutic responsiveness.
Self-potential signals generated by the corrosion of buried metallic objects with application to contaminant plumes
Authors: Rittgers J. B. , Revil A. , Karaoulis M. , Mooney M. A. , Slater L. D. , Atekwana E. A.
Published: August 2013

Large-amplitude ([Formula: see text]) negative electric (self)-potential anomalies are often observed in the vicinity of buried metallic objects and ore bodies or over groundwater plumes associated with organic contaminants. To explain the physical and chemical mechanisms that generate such electrical signals, a controlled laboratory experiment was carried out involving two metallic cylinders buried with vertical and horizontal orientations and centered through and in the capillary fringe within a sandbox. The 2D and 3D self-potential (SP) data were collected at several time steps along with collocated pH and redox potential measurements. Large dipolar SP and redox potential anomalies developed in association with the progressive corrosion of the vertical pipe, although no anomalies were observed in the vicinity of the horizontal pipe. This discrepancy was due to the orientation of the pipes with the vertical pipe subjected to a significantly larger [Formula: see text] gradient. Accounting for the electrical conductivity distribution, the SP data were inverted to recover the source current density vector field using a deterministic least-squares 4D (time-lapse) finite-element modeling approach. These results were then used to retrieve the 3D distribution of the redox potential along the vertical metallic cylinder. The results of the inversion were found to be in excellent agreement with the measured distribution of the redox potential. This experiment indicated that passively recorded electrical signals can be used to nonintrusively monitor corrosion processes. In addition, vertical electrical potential profiles measured through a mature hydrocarbon contaminated site were consistent with the sandbox observations, lending support to the geobattery model over organic contaminant plumes.
Density Functional Study on Spin-crossover Phenomena of Assembled Complexes, [Fe(NCX)2(bpa)2]n (X = S, Se, and BH3; bpa: 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane)
Authors: Kaneko Masashi , Tokinobu Satoshi , Nakashima Satoru
Published: August 2013

Spin-crossover (SCO) behaviors of Fe(II)-assembled complexes [Fe(NCX)2(bpa)2]n (X = S, Se, and BH3; bpa: 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane) were explained by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The TPSSh/TZVPP method gave accurate energies to all electrons and reasonable spin-transition temperatures. Further, we revealed that the occurrence of SCO is determined by carefully controlling the local structure around the iron atom.
Product Differentiation and Consumer Surplus in the Microfinance Industry
Authors: Glaser Darrell J. , Rahman Ahmed S. , Smith Katherine A. , Chan Daniel W.
Published: August 2013

During the last 15 years, high repayment rates of up to 96% have drawn many new lending institutions to the microfinance industry. While a decade ago, the industry was dominated primarily by monopolies ostensibly focused on social welfare, the current market is filled with various types of financial institutions offering a variety of lending arrangements. The goal of this article is to capture the degree to which consumers have benefitted from these structural changes within the microfinance industry. Using a Bertrand differentiated product framework, we model the price setting and demand functions of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). With a 7 year panel data set covering over 70 countries, we empirically estimate parameters of the Nash price equilibrium and simulate the shape and structure of the underlying demand equation. We use simulated demand parameters to derive and compare measures of consumers’ surplus across regions and countries. Our research indicates that growth in the MFI industry has brought about declines in market concentration, and furthermore that each 0.01 unit change in the Hirschman–Herfindahl index correlates with a 2% increase in consumers’ surplus.
Intertwining operators of irreducible representations for
exponential solvable Lie groups
Authors: Baklouti Ali , Fujiwara Hidenori , Ludwig Jean
Published: August 2013

Let G be a real solvable exponential Lie group with Lie algebra
𝔤 and let

f
∈

𝔤
*

${ f\in \mathfrak {g}^* }$

. We take two polarizations

𝔭
j

${ \mathfrak {p}_j}$

,
j = 1,2, at f which meet the Pukanszky condition. Let

P
j

:
=
exp

(

𝔭
j

)

${
P_j:=\exp ( \mathfrak {p}_j)}$

, j = 1,2, be the associated subgroups in G. The
linear functional f defines unitary characters

χ
f

(
exp
X
)

:
=

e

i
〈
f
,
X
〉

${ \chi _f(\exp X):=e^{i \langle { f},{X}\rangle }}$

,

X
∈

𝔭
j

${X\in \mathfrak {p}_j }$

, of Pj
. Let

π
j

:
=

ind

P
j

G

χ
f

${\pi _j :=\hbox{ind}_{ P_j }^{G} \chi _f}$

, j = 1,2, be the corresponding induced
representations, which are unitary and irreducible. It is well
known that

τ
1

${ \tau _1 }$

and

τ
2

${ \tau _2 }$

are unitarily equivalent. The
description of the intertwining operator of such an equivalence is
given via an abstract integral

I

𝔭
2

,

𝔭
1

${ I_{\mathfrak {p}_2,\mathfrak {p}_1} }$

. In this paper, we show that this
formal integral gives us a concrete intertwining operator provided that it converges absolutely
on a G- and

𝒰
(
𝔤
)

${\mathcal {U}(\mathfrak {g})}$

-invariant dense subspace of the space

ℋ

τ
1

∞

${\mathcal {H}_{\tau _1}^\infty }$

of
C
∞ vectors of π1 (which is the case when the simple product

P
1

P
2

${P_1P_2}$

is closed). Finally, given three
Pukanszky polarizations

P
i

=
exp

(

𝔭
i

)

${ P_i=\exp ( \mathfrak {p}_i)}$

, i = 1,2,3, at f of that kind, we accurately
determine the composition formula of

I

𝔭
3

,

𝔭
2

∘

I

𝔭
2

,

𝔭
1

∘

I

𝔭
1

,

𝔭
3

${ I_{\mathfrak {p}_3,\mathfrak {p}_2}\circ I_{\mathfrak {p}_2,\mathfrak {p}_1}\circ I_{\mathfrak {p}_1,\mathfrak {p}_3}}$

using Maslov's index.
Phylogenetic analysis of major molds inhabiting woods. Part 4. Genus Alternaria
Authors: Lee Young Min , Lee Hanbyul , Jang Yeongseon , Cho Yirang , Kim Gyu-Hyeok , Kim Jae-Jin
Published: August 2013

Twenty-four Alternaria strains have been isolated from wood samples in Korea and submitted to phylogenetic analyses. The gene trees generated from the ITS and histone gene region sequences revealed that, among the genus Alternaria, two species, Alternaria alternata sensu lato (s.l.) and Alternaria tenuissima, are involved in wood discoloration. In addition, the histone gene was useful as a marker for differentiating between A. alternata s.l. and A. tenuissima.
California’s Composer Laureate
Authors: Macías Anthony
Published: August 2013

This essay uses the 1960s, Gerald Wilson’s most prolific period, as a window into his life and work as a big band jazz trumpeter, soloist, arranger, conductor, and composer. This selective snapshot of Wilson’s career inserts him more fully into jazz—and California—history, while analyzing the influence of Latin music and Mexican culture on his creations. Tracing the black-brown connections in his Alta California art demonstrates an often-overlooked aspect of Wilson’s musical legacy: the fact that he wrote, arranged, recorded, and performed Latin-tinged tunes, especially several brassy homages to Mexican bullfighters, as well as Latin jazz originals. Wilson’s singular soul jazz reveals the drive and dedication of a disciplined artist—both student and teacher—who continually honed his craft and expanded his talents as part of his educational and musical philosophy. Wilson’s California story is that of an African American migrant who moves out west, where he meets a Chicana Angelena and starts a family—in the tradition of Cali-mestizaje—then stays for the higher quality of life, for the freedom to raise his children and live as an artist, further developing and fully expressing his style. However, because he never moved to New York, Wilson remains under-researched and underappreciated by academic jazz experts. Using cultural history and cultural studies research methods, this essay makes the case that Gerald Wilson should be more widely recognized and honored for his genius, greatness, and outstanding achievements in the field of modern jazz, from San Francisco to Monterey, Hollywood, and Hermosa Beach.
The Black Okies
Authors: Black Matt
Published: August 2013

The social history of the Central Valley has been poked, prodded, dissected by generations of journalists, photographers, historians, storytellers of all stripes looking to puzzle out once and for all the poverty-choked enigma that is California's farm belt. From The Grapes of Wrath to Cesar Chavez, the bleak warm tales of William Saroyan to the harsh reality of Japanese internment, the Central Valley grows stories so tragic, deep, and humanly rich that in just 100 years or so it's claimed far more than seems its fair share in the broader American tale. Every year brings another crop of stories, but sitting in the pew that Sunday morning, the one I was hearing and seeing had somehow slipped from the net. Even I, who had grown up close by, had missed this one. Glimpsed it, but not seen it for what it really was.
Sandfly fauna (Diptera: Psychodidae) in Parque do Sabiá complex, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Rodrigues Elisângela de Azevedo Silva , Andrade Filho José Dilermando , Limongi Jean Ezequiel , Paula Márcia Beatriz Cardoso de
Published: August 2013

Between April 2003 and May 2009 phlebotomine sandflies were collected in Parque do Sabiá complex, Uberlândia municipality, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, using CDC and Shannon traps. The objective was to associate the sandfly species captured to the risk of the transmission of leishmaniasis in the municipality. The 126 captured specimens belonging to six species of phlebotomine, among which Lutzomyia (Psychodopygus) davisi (Root, 1934) predominated with 113 specimens (89.7%). The remaining captured species were Lutzomyia (Pintomyia) mamedei Oliveira, Afonso, Dias & Brazil, 1994 - five specimens (3.9%); Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) flaviscutellata (Mangabeira, 1942) - four specimens (3.2%); Lutzomyia lenti (Mangabeira, 1938) - two specimens (1.6%); Brumptomyia avellari (Costa Lima, 1932) - one specimen (0.8%); and Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani (Antunes & Coutinho, 1939) - one specimen (0.8%). The collection of species that may be involved in the transmission of Leishmania reveals the need for continuous entomological surveillance.
The conclusion of the deduction of taste in the dialectic of the power of judgment aesthetic in Kant
Authors: Sánchez Manuel
Published: August 2013

In this paper, it is argued that only in the section on dialectic in the Critique of Judgment does Kant reach a definitive and conclusive version of deduction, after discovering the concept of the supersensible. In the section on the deduction of pure aesthetic judgments, Kant does not satisfactorily explain the critical distinction between the sensible nature of humanity and the supersensible nature of human reason presupposed in the concept of universal communicability. While the concept of the supersensible illustrates this distinction, it is only through this concept that Kant that can justify the specific possibility of claiming subjective validity in taste. The priority of the solution found in the dialectic is illustrated not only by a comparative analysis of the two sections, but also by a historical reconstruction of the process of the formation of the work, which shows that the first formulation of the concept of validity coincides with the use of the concept of the supersensible.
A atualidade da discussão sobre a indústria cultural em Theodor W. Adorno
Authors: Costa Jean Henrique
Published: August 2013

Este ensaio vem problematizar acerca da atualidade do conceito de indústria cultural (Kulturindustrie), no projeto da teoria crítica de Theodor W. Adorno, objetivando mostrar que as atuais limitações impostas ao debate derivam mais do fundamento não-dialético dos que apontam sua restrição do que da própria potência da teorização frankfurtiana.
A proposta de uma teoria geral de princípios de abstração: uma contribuição à fundamentação da aritmética
Authors: Pontes André Nascimento
Published: August 2013

O objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar a correlação entre o programa logicista fregeano de fundamentação da aritmética, o neologicismo de Crispin Wright e os chamados princípios de abstração. Minha tese é que uma análise geral de princípios de abstração, do ponto de vista lógico e explanatório, é mais basilar que o projeto de fundamentação da aritmética na forma como ele foi proposto pelo logicismo. Isso fica evidente através do fato de que o fracasso do programa logicista esteve intimamente ligado à imprecisão e inconsistência no uso de procedimento de abstração.
Indeterminação e fenômenos fronteiriços: considerações segundo o ponto de vista do pragmatismo peirceano
Authors: Pires Jorge de Barros , Silveira Lauro Frederico Barbosa da
Published: August 2013

O pragmatismo, como método formal, nos fornece uma importante arena para discussões a respeito do modo pelo qual conceitos podem ser construídos, independentemente de qualquer posição antropocêntrica ou linguística. O presente trabalho tem por finalidade efetuar uma discussão sobre a máxima pragmática e a tese sobre a indeterminação do significado (meaning) que ela traz consigo. Ou seja, busca-se entender o trânsito que há entre o indefinido e o definido, entre o indeterminado e o determinado, bem como algumas fronteiras intermediárias encontradas nos processos de determinação relativa do conceito.
Perfil dos pacientes da enfermaria de ortopedia de um hospital público de Salvador-Bahia
Authors: Castro Renata Reis Matutino de , Ribeiro Natália Fonseca , Andrade Aline Mendonça de , Jaques Bruno Dórea
Published: August 2013

OBJETIVO: Descrever o perfil dos pacientes atendidos na enfermaria de traumato-ortopedia de um hospital público de referência para atendimento em trauma no estado da Bahia. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, no qual foram coletadas informações dos prontuários dos pacientes no período de julho a dezembro de 2008. RESULTADOS: O perfil dos pacientes estudados foi formado por indivíduos majoritariamente do sexo masculino, jovens, vítimas de traumas por acidentes, com destaque para aqueles envolvidos com motocicletas e atropelamentos. Já os traumas associados com a violência mais frequentes foram as perfurações por arma de fogo e por arma branca. A principal lesão apresentada por esses indivíduos foi fratura exposta do fêmur sendo o fixador externo o tratamento mais utilizado. A complicação intra-hospitalar que mais acometeu esses indivíduos foi a infecção da ferida com necessidade de reabordagem cirúrgica. A maioria dos pacientes internados receberam alta hospitalar e um óbito foi registrado nesse período. CONCLUSÃO: O perfil traçado no presente estudo corrobora com pesquisas realizadas em outras instituições do país, o que pode contribuir para um direcionamento das políticas públicas para prevenção dos acidentes e violências. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de Casos.