bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HesF, an exoprotein required for filament adhesion and aggregation in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Oliveira Paulo , Pinto Filipe , Pacheco Catarina C. , Mota Rita , Tamagnini Paula
Published: August 2014

Here, we report on the identification and characterization of a protein (Alr0267) named HesF, found in the extracellular milieu of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 grown diazotrophically. hesF was found to be highly upregulated upon transition from non‐nitrogen‐fixing to nitrogen‐fixing conditions, and the highest transcript levels were detected towards the end of the heterocyst differentiation process. The hesF promoter drives transcription of the gene in heterocysts only, and both NtcA and HetR are essential for the gene's in vivo activation. An examination of HesF's translocation showed that the secretion system is neither heterocyst‐specific nor dependent on nitrogen‐fixing conditions. Furthermore, HesF was found to be a type I secretion system substrate, since an HgdD mutant failed to secrete HesF. Several analyses revealed that a HesF minus mutant strain lacks the heterocyst‐specific polysaccharide fibrous layer, accumulates high amounts of polysaccharides in the medium and that HesF is essential for the typical aggregation phenotype in diazotrophic conditions. Thus, we propose that HesF is a carbohydrate‐binding exoprotein that plays a role in maintaining the heterocyst cell wall structure. A combination of and possibly interaction between HesF and heterocyst‐specific polysaccharides seems to be responsible for filament adhesion and culture aggregation in heterocyst‐forming cyanobacteria.
Risk Aversion and Emotions
Authors: Nguyen Yen , Noussair Charles N.
Published: August 2014

We consider the relationship between emotions and decision‐making under risk. Specifically, we examine the emotional correlates of risk‐averse decisions. In our experiment, individuals' facial expressions are monitored with face reading software, as they are presented with risky lotteries. We then correlate these facial expressions with subsequent decisions in risky choice tasks. We find that a more positive emotional state is positively correlated with greater risk taking. The strength of a number of emotions, including fear, happiness, anger and surprise, is positively correlated with risk aversion.
Impact of Sod on the Expression of Stress‐Related Genes in Listeria monocytogenes 4b G with/without Paraquat Treatment
Authors: Suo Yujuan , Liu Yanhong , Zhou Xiujuan , Huang Yanyan , Shi Chunlei , Matthews Karl , Shi Xianming
Published: August 2014

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis. Paraquat can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, which results in oxidative stress. It was first shown that 1 mM of paraquat inhibited the growth rate of a superoxide dismutase (sod)‐deletion mutant (∆sod) generated from L. monocytogenes 4b G but not in the wild‐type, and induced the expression of other resistance genes (kat, fri, perR, sigB, and recA) as well as sod in the wild type. Interestingly, without paraquat treatment the expression of all the 5 genes were repressed in ∆sod compared to the wild type, while the expression of recA triggering SOS response, a global response to DNA damage, was increased in ∆sod in the presence of 1 mM paraquat. Taken together, these results suggest that SOD plays a central role in oxidant defense of L. monocytogenes 4b G, and SOS probably significantly impacts ∆sod survival under oxidative stress.
A novel genome‐wide microsatellite resource for species of Eucalyptus with linkage‐to‐physical correspondence on the reference genome sequence
Authors: Grattapaglia Dario , Mamani Eva M. C. , Silva‐Junior Orzenil B. , Faria Danielle A.
Published: August 2014

Keystone species in their native ranges, eucalypts, are ecologically and genetically very diverse, growing naturally along extensive latitudinal and altitudinal ranges and variable environments. Besides their ecological importance, eucalypts are also the most widely planted trees for sustainable forestry in the world. We report the development of a novel collection of 535 microsatellites for species of Eucalyptus, 494 designed from ESTs and 41 from genomic libraries. A selected subset of 223 was evaluated for individual identification, parentage testing, and ancestral information content in the two most extensively studied species, Eucalyptus grandis and Eucalyptus globulus. Microsatellites showed high transferability and overlapping allele size range, suggesting they have arisen still in their common ancestor and confirming the extensive genome conservation between these two species. A consensus linkage map with 437 microsatellites, the most comprehensive microsatellite‐only genetic map for Eucalyptus, was built by assembling segregation data from three mapping populations and anchored to the Eucalyptus genome. An overall colinearity between recombination‐based and physical positioning of 84% of the mapped microsatellites was observed, with some ordering discrepancies and sporadic locus duplications, consistent with the recently described whole genome duplication events in Eucalyptus. The linkage map covered 95.2% of the 605.8‐Mbp assembled genome sequence, placing one microsatellite every 1.55 Mbp on average, and an overall estimate of physical to recombination distance of 618 kbp/cM. The genetic parameters estimates together with linkage and physical position data for this large set of microsatellites should assist marker choice for genome‐wide population genetics and comparative mapping in Eucalyptus.
Palliative colonic stenting: a safe alternative to surgery in stage IV colorectal cancer
Authors: Finlayson Andrew , Hulme‐Moir Michael
Published: August 2014

Background

The morbidity associated with surgery for obstructing or near‐obstructing stage IV colorectal cancer can be high including the frequent need for a stoma. Self‐expandable metal stents (SEMS) offer an alternative to surgery. Our aim was to analyse our palliative SEMS outcomes and compare this with a palliative surgery group.

Methods

A retrospective study of a single institutions' experience with SEMS or surgery in the management of stage IV colorectal cancer was performed.

Results

Sixty‐five patients treated with SEMS were included in the study. These were compared with an unmatched group of 63 patients who underwent surgery. Within the SEMS group was a 98.5% technical success and 100% clinical success of deployed SEMS. Overall complication rate was low at 23.1% (restenosis 7.7%, migration 7.7%, perforation 4.6% and bleeding 3.1%). Only 7.7% of patients in the SEMS group required an operation. SEMS insertion was associated with a shorter hospital stay (2.9 days versus 14.6 days; P < 0.001) and reduced requirement for a stoma (4.6% versus 44.4%; P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in 30‐day mortality (13.8% versus 11.1%; P = 0.640), 1‐year survival (42.9% versus 41.4%; P = 0.949) or 2‐year survival (24.5% versus 21.4%; P = 0.700). Overall survival was equivalent between the two groups (hazard ratio 1.27; 95% confidence interval 0.88–1.88; P = 0.212).

Conclusion

SEMS is a safe alternative to surgery in obstructing or near‐obstructing stage IV colorectal cancer. It offers high success rate, a shorter hospital stay and a reduced stoma rate while not impacting overall survival.
Sexual function in women before and after tension‐free vaginal tape operation for stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Glavind Karin , Larsen Thomas , Lindquist Anna S.I.
Published: August 2014

Objective

To evaluate sexual function in women before and after tension‐free vaginal tape operation for stress urinary incontinence.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

Aalborg University Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics between November 2008 and June 2010.

Population

Sixty‐three women who had a tension‐free vaginal tape operation performed.

Methods

Patients completed the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire‐12 (PISQ‐12) and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ‐UI SF) before undergoing surgery and 6 months postoperatively.

Main outcome measures

Differences in PISQ‐12 measures 6 months after the tension‐free vaginal tape operation.

Results

Twelve women were excluded because of non‐completed questionnaires. Preoperatively the PISQ‐12 score was 33.7 and postoperatively 36.7, giving a significant difference of 3.0 (p < 0.05). Forty women (78%) scored higher postoperatively, five (10%) scored the same and six (12%) reported lower scores postoperatively. Only PISQ‐12 questions in the physical domain were significantly improved. These values were elevated close to the maximum score. Preoperatively 18 women (35%) experienced coital incontinence always, often or sometimes. Postoperatively this was only the case in two women.

Conclusion

Most women experience an improvement in sexual life after a tension‐free vaginal tape procedure mainly because of absence of incontinence during sexual activity or absence of fear of incontinence during sexual activity.
A prospective study of screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy at 11–13 weeks in a Scandinavian population
Authors: Skråstad Ragnhild B. , Hov Gunhild G. , Blaas Harm‐Gerd K. , Romundstad Pål R. , Salvesen Kjell Å.
Published: August 2014

Objective

To investigate the prediction of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension using maternal characteristics, mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtAPI), pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) and placental growth factor (PlGF) at gestational weeks 11–13 in a Scandinavian population with a medium to high prior risk for developing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Design

Prospective screening study.

Setting

National Center for Fetal Medicine, Trondheim, Norway.

Population

579 women who were nulliparous or had a previous history of preeclampsia or gestational hypertension.

Methods

Women were examined between 11+0 and 13+6 weeks, with interviews for maternal characteristics and measurements of MAP, UtAPI, PAPP‐A and PlGF. The tests were evaluated separately and in combined models with receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves.

Main outcome measures

Prediction of preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.

Results

The best model for severe preeclampsia (MAP+UtAPI+PlGF+PAPP‐A) achieved an area under the ROC curve of 0.866 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.756–0.976]. The best models for preeclampsia (MAP+UtAPI+age) achieved 0.738 (0.634–0.841), gestational hypertension (MAP) 0.820 (0.727–0.913) and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy overall (MAP+PlGF+age) 0.783 (0.709–0.856). Using the best model we could identify 61.5% (95% CI 31.6–86.1) of severe preeclampsia, 38.5% (95% CI 20.2–59.4) of preeclampsia and 42.9% (95% CI 21.8–66) of gestational hypertension at a fixed 10% false‐positive rate.

Conclusions

Maternal characteristics, MAP, UtAPI, PAPP‐A and PlGF showed limited value as screening tests. Further research on biochemical and biophysical tests and algorithms combining these parameters is needed before first trimester screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is included in antenatal care in Scandinavia.
Impacts of prairie grass species restoration on plant community invasibility and soil processes in abandoned agricultural fields
Authors: Mahaney Wendy M. , Gross Katherine L. , Blackwood Christopher B. , Smemo Kurt A.
Published: August 2014

Question

Can plant species with particular traits be used to address common problems encountered during agricultural land restoration, including invasion by undesirable species and altered soil conditions? How does the establishment of dominant old‐field and prairie grasses with different functional traits affect community invasibility and soil nitrogen (N) cycling in abandoned agricultural fields?

Location

W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, Hickory Corners, Michigan,USA.

Methods

We established seedlings of several common old‐field and prairie grasses in a Trait Assessment Study to determine the magnitude of species differences in traits expected to influence community invasibility and soil processes. We also established monocultures of these species in a field experiment to determine how species with particular traits impacted community invasibility and soil processes 2 and 4 yr after restoration.

Results

The prairie species consistently produced more shoot, root and litter biomass, and had more recalcitrant tissue than the old‐field species, and there were corresponding differences in invasibility and nutrient cycling. Soils under the three prairie grasses had significantly lower inorganicNafter 2 yr and significantly lower potentialN‐mineralization after 4 yr. The prairie plots also had significantly less invasion than the old‐field plots after 4 yr. Plots dominated by the old‐field species had higher biomass of non‐native species, and higher numbers of colonizing species than plots dominated by prairie species.

Conclusions

Restoration using prairie grasses with particular effect traits can reduceNcycling and availability, and lead to a decrease in invasion by undesirable species from adjacent unrestored sites.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies of Xanthone Sulfonamides as ACAT Inhibitors
Authors: Li Xiang , Zou Yan , Zhao Qingjie , Yang Yan , Wu Maocheng , Huang Ting , Hu Honggang , Wu Qiuye
Published: August 2014

Three series of xanthone sulfonamides were synthesized, and their inhibitory activities against acyl‐CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) were evaluated. Results showed that most of the title compounds exhibited strong inhibitory activity against ACAT, of which compounds 1c, 1e, 1f, 2d, 2e, and 3d were proved to be more active than the positive control Sandoz 58‐035. Computational docking experiments indicated that the interaction between inhibitors and ACAT contained the H‐bond interaction, the hydrophobic interaction, and the narrow hydrophobic cleft.
Structural and Binding Studies of SAP‐1 Protein With Heparin
Authors: Yadav Vikash K. , Mandal Rahul S. , Puniya Bhanwar L. , Kumar Rahul , Dey Sharmistha , Singh Sarman , Yadav Savita
Published: August 2014

SAP‐1 is a low molecular weight cysteine protease inhibitor (CPI) which belongs to type‐2 cystatins family. SAP‐1 protein purified from human seminal plasma (HuSP) has been shown to inhibit cysteine and serine proteases and exhibit interesting biological properties, including high temperature and pH stability. Heparin is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan (with varied chain length) which interacts with a number of proteins and regulates multiple steps in different biological processes. As an anticoagulant, heparin enhances inhibition of thrombin by the serpin antithrombin III. Therefore, we have employed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) to improve our understanding of the binding interaction between heparin and SAP‐1 (protease inhibitor). SPR data suggest that SAP‐1 binds to heparin with a significant affinity (KD = 158 nm). SPR solution competition studies using heparin oligosaccharides showed that the binding of SAP‐1 to heparin is dependent on chain length. Large oligosaccharides show strong binding affinity for SAP‐1. Further to get insight into the structural aspect of interactions between SAP‐1 and heparin, we used modelled structure of the SAP‐1 and docked with heparin and heparin‐derived polysaccharides. The results suggest that a positively charged residue lysine plays important role in these interactions. Such information should improve our understanding of how heparin, present in the reproductive tract, regulates cystatins activity.
Differential modification of genetic susceptibility to childhood eczema by two probiotics
Authors: Morgan A. R. , Han D. Y. , Wickens K. , Barthow C. , Mitchell E. A. , Stanley T. V. , Dekker J. , Crane J. , Ferguson L. R.
Published: August 2014

Background

In a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled birth cohort, we have recently shown a beneficial effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 (HN001) for the prevention of eczema in children through to 6 years of age but no effect of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis HN019 (HN019).

Objective

Among this cohort of children, we aim to investigate whether these probiotics could modify the expression of genetic predisposition to eczema conferred by genetic variation in susceptibility genes.

Methods

Thirty‐three eczema susceptibility SNPs (in eleven genes) were genotyped in 331 children of European ancestry.

Results

Children who carried a genetic variant that put them at a high risk of developing eczema were less likely to develop eczema if they had been randomized to the HN001 intervention group compared to those in the placebo group. HN019 was also able to protect against the effects of some SNPs. As well as modifying genetic susceptibility to childhood eczema, HN001 was also found to modify genetic susceptibility to eczema severity and atopy risk.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

This is the first study to show an effect of a probiotic on reducing eczema risk amongst those with particular eczema‐associated genotypes. Our findings suggest that Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 may be particularly effective in preventing eczema in children with specific high‐risk genotypes.
γδT cells regulate chronic airway inflammation and development of airway remodelling
Authors: Murdoch J. R. , Gregory L. G. , Lloyd C. M.
Published: August 2014

Background

γδT cells play a crucial immunoregulatory role in the lung, maintaining normal airway tone and preventing hyperresponsiveness to innocuous allergen. During acute inflammatory episodes, γδT cells promote resolution of acute inflammation. However, their contribution to inflammation‐associated airway remodelling remains unexplored. Here we investigate the effects of γδT cell blockade on established allergic airway inflammation and development of remodelling.

Methods

Sensitised mice were exposed to prolonged ovalbumin challenge or continuous house‐dust mite exposure to induce chronic inflammation and remodelling. Functional blocking anti‐TCRδ antibody was administered therapeutically, and parameters of airway inflammation and remodelling were examined.

Results

Therapeutic blockade of γδT cells prevented the typical resolution of acute airway inflammation characterised by elevated eosinophil and Th2 cell numbers. Moreover, the lung displayed exacerbated airway remodelling, typified by excess peribronchiolar collagen deposition.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate a unique role for γδT cells in constraining allergen‐induced airway remodelling. Manipulating the γδT cell compartment may therefore contribute to strategies to prevent and treat remodelling.
Re‐framing the Analysis: A 3‐dimensional Perspective of Prisoners’ Children's Well‐being
Authors: Lanskey Caroline , Lösel Friedrich , Markson Lucy , Souza Karen A.
Published: August 2014

This article highlights three dimensions to understanding children's well‐being during and after parental imprisonment which have not been fully explored in current research. A consideration of ‘time’ reveals the importance of children's past experiences and their anticipated futures. A focus on ‘space’ highlights the impact of new or altered environmental dynamics. A study of ‘agency’ illuminates how children cope within structural, material and social confines which intensify vulnerability and dependency. This integrated perspective reveals important differences in individual children's experiences and commonalities in broader systemic and social constraints on prisoners’ children. The paper analyses data from a prospective longitudinal study of 35 prisoners’ children during and after their (step) father's imprisonment to illustrate the arguments.
A Storm in a Tea‐Cup? ‘Making a Difference’ in Two Sure Start Children's Centres
Authors: Lavelle Marie
Published: August 2014

Sure Start Children's Centres were central to the last UK Labour government in improving outcomes for children and families. Yet, participation by those who ‘ought’ to attend was and remains a focus of concern. Using the work of Foucault, this paper explores parental participation in two Centres to examine how ‘government operates at a distance’, through the everyday interactions of those who inhabit these spaces. In exploring micro‐practices, the humble cup of tea can be seen, not only as a small act of caring but a site of power and struggle over what these spaces meant to parents and practitioners.
Glucocorticoid‐Induced Leucine Zipper (GILZ) Controls Inflammation and Tissue Damage after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Mazzon Emanuela , Bruscoli Stefano , Galuppo Maria , Biagioli Michele , Sorcini Daniele , Bereshchenko Oxana , Fiorucci Chiara , Migliorati Graziella , Bramanti Placido , Riccardi Carlo
Published: August 2014

Aims

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs following damage to the spinal column. Following trauma, tissue damage is further exacerbated by a secondary damage due to a SCI‐activated inflammatory process. Control of leukocytes activity is essential to therapeutic inhibition of the spinal cord damage to ameliorate the patient's conditions. The mechanisms that regulate neuroinflammation following SCI, including T‐cell infiltration, have not been completely clarified. Glucocorticoids (GC) are antiinflammatory drugs widely used in therapy, including treatment of SCI. GC efficacy may be linked to many molecular mechanisms that are involved in regulation of leukocytes migration, activation, and differentiation. We have previously shown that the antiinflammatory activity of GC is in part mediated by glucocorticoid‐induced leucine zipper (GILZ). Here, we investigated the role of GILZ in inflammation and spinal cord tissue damage following a spinal trauma.

Methods

We address the role of GILZ in SCI‐induced inflammation and tissue damage using a model of SCI in gilz knockout (gilz KO) and wild‐type (WT) mice.

Results

We found that GILZ deficiency is associated with a strong reduction of SCI‐induced inflammation and a significantly reduced lesion area following SCI.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that GILZ is involved in induction of neuroinflammation and functional outcomes of spinal cord trauma.
μ‐Opioid Receptor Attenuates Aβ Oligomers‐Induced Neurotoxicity Through mTOR Signaling
Authors: Wang Yan , Wang Yan‐Xia , Liu Ting , Law Ping‐Yee , Loh Horace H. , Qiu Yu , Chen Hong‐Zhuan
Published: August 2014

Aims

μ‐opioid receptor (OPRM1) exerts many functions such as antinociception, neuroprotection, and hippocampal plasticity. A body of evidence has shown that OPRM1 activation could stimulate downstream effectors of mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). However, it is not clear whether OPRM1 protects neurons against β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) neurotoxicity through mTOR signaling.

Methods

The effects of OPRM1 activation on Aβ oligomers‐induced neurotoxicity were assessed by cell viability and neurite outgrowth assay in primary cultured cortical neurons. The activities of mTOR, protein kinase B (Akt) and p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70 S6k) upon OPRM1 activation by morphine were measured by immunoblotting their phosphorylation status.

Results

Morphine dose‐dependently attenuated Aβ oligomers‐induced neurotoxicity. Aβ oligomers downregulated mTOR signaling. Morphine significantly rescued mTOR signaling by reversal of Aβ oligomers’ effect on mTOR and its upstream signaling molecule Akt, as well as its downstream molecule p70 S6k. Moreover, the neuroprotective effect of morphine could be reversed by OPRM1 selective antagonist and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinases (PI3K), Akt and mTOR inhibitors. Furthermore, endogenous opioids–enkaphalins also attenuated Aβ oligomers‐induced neurotoxicity.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrated OPRM1 activation attenuated Aβ oligomers‐induced neurotoxicity through mTOR signaling. It may provide new insight into the pathological process and useful strategy for therapeutic interventions against Aβ neurotoxicity.
Association between white matter hyperintensity and medial temporal atrophy at various stages of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kandiah N. , Chander R. J. , Ng A. , Wen M. C. , Cenina A. R. , Assam P. N.
Published: August 2014

Background and purpose

Whilst there is evidence implicating small vessel cerebrovascular disease in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), its specific contribution to the pathophysiology of AD remains unclear. The burden of small vessel cerebrovascular disease visualized as white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and its association with medial temporal atrophy (MTA) at different stages of AD was studied.

Methods

One hundred and sixty‐five cognitively normal (CN) community controls, 103 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, 141 mild AD patients and 68 moderate−severe AD patients were studied. Clinical, cognitive and risk factor data were collected, and WMH and MTA were quantified by trained raters. The Jonckheere−Terpstra test for ordered alternatives was used to study the association between WMH and MTA in different stages of AD.

Results

The burden of total WMH increased significantly with increasing severity of AD, even after correcting for confounders. The proportion of CN, MCI, mild AD and moderate−severe AD subjects with severe burden of WMH was 6.7%, 9.7%, 28.4%, and 39.7%, respectively. A strong positive association between WMH severity and MTA was evident amongst MCI (P = 0.011) and mild AD (P = 0.003) subjects, but not in CN (P = 0.953) and moderate−severe AD subjects (P = 0.301).

Conclusions

The burden of WMH increased significantly from the stage of CN to MCI to AD. The association between WMH and MTA was greatest at the stage of MCI and mild AD. This has implications on the strategy to slow the progression of AD, where measures to reduce WMH, including control of vascular risk factors, need to be optimized at the stage of MCI and mild AD.
Diagenesis and elemental geochemistry under varying reservoir oil saturation in the Junggar Basin of NW China: implication for differentiating hydrocarbon‐bearing horizons
Authors: Cao J. , Hu W. , Wang X. , Zhu D. , Tang Y. , Xiang B. , Wu M.
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we attempt to differentiate hydrocarbon‐bearing reservoir horizons of the Junggar Basin of NW China based on the characteristics of diagenesis and associated elemental geochemistry. Reservoirs at this site have varying levels of oil saturation that correlate with the degree of dissolution in minerals (e.g., calcite and feldspar). Four different horizons with varying diagenetic mineral assemblages were observed, including (i) kaolinite‐rich, oil‐dominated horizons, (ii) kaolinite–pyrite–hematite‐rich, oil–water‐dominated horizons, (iii) siderite–chlorite‐rich, water‐dominated horizons, and (iv) chlorite‐rich horizons with negligible hydrocarbon production. The mean MnO content of the representative diagenetic mineral (e.g., calcite) in each of the above horizons is >2.5, 2.0–2.5, 1.5–2.0, and <1.0 wt%, respectively. We propose that the above methodology can be used for the identification of reservoir hydrocarbon‐bearing horizons. We argue that the indicators presented here can be applied in oil exploration across the Junggar Basin.
Parents of children with haemophilia at an early age: assessment of perceived stress and family functioning
Authors: Torres‐Ortuño A. , Cuesta‐Barriuso R. , Nieto‐Munuera J.
Published: August 2014

Haemophilia is a chronic disease that requires a multidisciplinary approach for proper management and control of its clinical manifestations. The perception and management of parents of children with haemophilia can be affected by stressful situations as a result of treatment or disease progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of stress and family functioning in parents of children with haemophilia 1–7 years. This is an observational clinical study involving 49 parents of children with haemophilia 1–7 years who attended the VIII Workshop for Parents of Children with haemophilia, organized by the Spanish Federation of Hemophilia in La Charca, Murcia (Spain). After obtaining parental consent, the questionnaires was applied to them, FACES III (family functioning) and Pediatric Inventory for Parents (perceived stress), and a record of data on the clinical characteristics and treatment. Significant differences in the perception of stressors by gender of parents were found. A family history of haemophilia, the use of port‐a‐cath, inhibitor development and gender of the parents were the descriptive variables most correlated with dependents variables. These variables, together with the type of haemophilia affect significantly in the parental stress and family functioning. Parents have difficulty adjusting to disease management, perceiving many stressors. Gender and family history, can hinder the proper compliance with treatments, reducing its effectiveness.
Community assembly on remote islands: a comparison of Hawaiian and Mascarene spiders
Authors: Casquet Juliane , Bourgeois Yann X. C. , Cruaud Corinne , Gavory Frédérick , Gillespie Rosemary G. , Thébaud Christophe
Published: August 2014

Aim

Spider communities on oceanic islands are assembled through multiple immigration and/or diversification events. In this study, we use a phylogenetic approach to investigate the role of such processes in shaping current patterns of diversity in Tetragnatha spiders from the Mascarene archipelago and to compare these patterns with those found in the Hawaiian archipelago.

Location

Mascarene archipelago, south‐western Indian Ocean; Hawaiian archipelago, Pacific Ocean.

Methods

Primary techniques included phylogeny reconstruction (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I; histone H3) with and without time calibration, delimitation of species using the general mixed Yule coalescent (GMYC) model, and testing for the presence of gene flow between geographically separated populations using the model of isolation with migration (IMa).

Results

The current diversity of Tetragnatha on the Mascarenes has arisen through three independent colonization events with no evidence for in situ diversification. This finding is in stark contrast to the pattern observed in Hawaiʻi where two to four independent colonization events have been followed by two massive in situ diversification episodes leading to at least 38 species in total.

Main conclusions

While net rates of immigration by Tetragnatha lineages appear relatively similar in the two archipelagos, in situ diversification in Tetragnatha only occurred in Hawaiʻi, possibly associated with the extreme geographical isolation of this archipelago relative to the Mascarene archipelago. Owing to the greater geographical proximity of the Mascarene archipelago to source pools such as Madagascar, it seems likely that the persistence of gene flow between the source and the islands and/or niche pre‐emption by other spider lineages may have reduced opportunities for diversification despite an apparently favourable ecological context.
Improvement in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: NAVARAVONG LEENHAPONG , BARAKAT MICHEL , BURGON NATHAN , MAHNKOPF CHRISTIAN , KOOPMANN MATTHIAS , RANJAN RAVI , KHOLMOVSKI EUGENE , MARROUCHE NASSIR , AKOUM NAZEM
Published: August 2014

AF Ablation and eGFR

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) often coexist. We studied the association of CKD with atrial fibrosis and the effect of AF ablation on kidney function.

Methods

AF patients who had a pre‐ and postablation serum creatinine and who completed a late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; LGE‐MRI) prior to ablation were included. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated and CKD was staged using the National Kidney Foundation guidelines. Patients with eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 were excluded. LGE‐MRI was used to quantify atrial fibrosis. Patients were followed for recurrence and change in eGFR.

Results

A total of 392 patients were included in the study. A total of 118 (30.2%) had CKD stage 1, 198 (50.4%) CKD stage 2, 56 (14.3%) CKD stage 3A, and 20 (5.1%) CKD stage 3B. Patients with advanced CKD were more likely to be male and to have cardiovascular disease. Atrial fibrosis was not significant different between included CKD stages: 15.8 ± 8.8%, 16.6 ± 12.1%, 17.1 ± 10.4%, and 16.5 ± 8.4% for CKD stage 1, 2, 3A, and 3B, respectively (P = 0.476). At a median of 115 days following ablation, eGFR increased significantly in CKD stage 2 (74 ± 9 to 80 ± 23; P = 0.04), 3A (53 ± 5 to 69 ± 24; P < 0.001), and 3B (40 ± 4 to 71 ± 28; P < 0.01) and decreased in CKD stage 1 (109 ± 18 to 82 ± 28; P < 0.001). Arrhythmia recurrence was associated with atrial fibrosis (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.04, P < 0.01) and persistent AF (HR = 1.5; P = 0.04) but not with CKD stage (HR = 0.98; P = 0.89).

Conclusions

Restoring sinus rhythm with ablation leads to significant improvement of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Maladaptive social information processing in childhood predicts young men's atypical amygdala reactivity to threat
Authors: Choe Daniel Ewon , Shaw Daniel S. , Forbes Erika E.
Published: August 2014

Background

Maladaptive social information processing, such as hostile attributional bias and aggressive response generation, is associated with childhood maladjustment. Although social information processing problems are correlated with heightened physiological responses to social threat, few studies have examined their associations with neural threat circuitry, specifically amygdala activation to social threat.

Methods

A cohort of 310 boys participated in an ongoing longitudinal study and completed questionnaires and laboratory tasks assessing their social and cognitive characteristics the boys were between 10 and 12 years of age. At age 20, 178 of these young men underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging and a social threat task. At age 22, adult criminal arrest records and self‐reports of impulsiveness were obtained.

Results

Path models indicated that maladaptive social information‐processing at ages 10 and 11 predicted increased left amygdala reactivity to fear faces, an ambiguous threat, at age 20 while accounting for childhood antisocial behavior, empathy, IQ, and socioeconomic status. Exploratory analyses indicated that aggressive response generation – the tendency to respond to threat with reactive aggression – predicted left amygdala reactivity to fear faces and was concurrently associated with empathy, antisocial behavior, and hostile attributional bias, whereas hostile attributional bias correlated with IQ. Although unrelated to social information‐processing problems, bilateral amygdala reactivity to anger faces at age 20 was unexpectedly predicted by low IQ at age 11. Amygdala activation did not mediate associations between social information processing and number of criminal arrests, but both impulsiveness at age 22 and arrests were correlated with right amygdala reactivity to anger facial expressions at age 20.

Conclusions

Childhood social information processing and IQ predicted young men's amygdala response to threat a decade later, which suggests that childhood social‐cognitive characteristics are associated with the development of neural threat processing and adult adjustment.
Practitioner Review: Effective ingredients of prevention programs for youth at risk of persistent juvenile delinquency – recommendations for clinical practice
Authors: de Vries Sanne L. A. , Hoeve Machteld , Assink Mark , Stams Geert Jan J. M. , Asscher Jessica J.
Published: August 2014

Background

There is a lack of knowledge about specific effective ingredients of prevention programs for youth at risk for persistent delinquent behavior. The present study combines findings of previous studies by examining the effectiveness of programs in preventing persistent juvenile delinquency and by studying which particular program, sample, and study characteristics contribute to the effects. Information on effective ingredients offers specific indications of how programs may be improved in clinical practice.

Method

A literature search in PsychINFO, ERIC, PubMed, Sociological Abstracts, Criminal Justice Abstracts, and Google Scholar was performed. Only (quasi)experimental studies and studies that focused on adolescents at risk for (persistent) delinquent behavior were included. Multilevel meta‐analysis was conducted on 39 studies (N = 9,084). Participants’ ages ranged from 6 to 20 years (M = 14 years, SD = 2.45).

Results

The overall effect size was significant and small in magnitude (d = 0.24, p < .001). Behavioral‐oriented programs, focusing on parenting skills training, behavioral modeling, or behavioral contracting yielded the largest effects. Multimodal programs and programs carried out in the family context proved to be more beneficial than individual and group‐based programs. Less intensive programs yielded larger effects.

Conclusions

Prevention programs have positive effects on preventing persistent juvenile delinquency. In order to improve program effectiveness, interventions should be behavioral‐oriented, delivered in a family or multimodal format, and the intensity of the program should be matched to the level of risk of the juvenile.
The robustness of the weak selection approximation for the evolution of altruism against strong selection
Authors: Mullon C. , Lehmann L.
Published: August 2014

The weak selection approximation of population genetics has made possible the analysis of social evolution under a considerable variety of biological scenarios. Despite its extensive usage, the accuracy of weak selection in predicting the emergence of altruism under limited dispersal when selection intensity increases remains unclear. Here, we derive the condition for the spread of an altruistic mutant in the infinite island model of dispersal under a Moran reproductive process and arbitrary strength of selection. The simplicity of the model allows us to compare weak and strong selection regimes analytically. Our results demonstrate that the weak selection approximation is robust to moderate increases in selection intensity and therefore provides a good approximation to understand the invasion of altruism in spatially structured population. In particular, we find that the weak selection approximation is excellent even if selection is very strong, when either migration is much stronger than selection or when patches are large. Importantly, we emphasize that the weak selection approximation provides the ideal condition for the invasion of altruism, and increasing selection intensity will impede the emergence of altruism. We discuss that this should also hold for more complicated life cycles and for culturally transmitted altruism. Using the weak selection approximation is therefore unlikely to miss out on any demographic scenario that lead to the evolution of altruism under limited dispersal.
Predictability rather than amplitude of temperature fluctuations determines stress resistance in a natural population of Drosophila simulans
Authors: Manenti T. , Sørensen J. G. , Moghadam N. N. , Loeschcke V.
Published: August 2014

The adaptability of organisms to novel environmental conditions depends on the amount of genetic variance present in the population as well as on the ability of individuals to adjust their phenotype through phenotypic plasticity. Here, we investigated the phenotypic plasticity induced by a single generation's exposure to three different temperature regimes with respect to several life‐history and stress‐resistance traits in a natural population of Drosophila simulans. We studied a constant as well as a predictably and an unpredictably fluctuating temperature regime. We found high levels of phenotypic plasticity among all temperature regimes, suggesting a strong influence of both temperature fluctuations and their predictability. Increased heat tolerance was observed for flies developed in both types of fluctuating thermal environments compared with flies developed in a constant environment. We suggest that this was due to beneficial hardening when developing in either fluctuating temperature environment. To our surprise, flies that developed in constant and predictably changing environments were similar to each other in most traits when compared to flies from the unpredictably fluctuating environment. The unpredictably changing thermal environment imposed the most stressful condition, resulting in the lowest performance for stress‐related traits, even though the absolute temperature changes never exceeded that of the predictably fluctuating environment. The overall decreased stress resistance of flies in the unpredictably fluctuating environment may be the consequence of maladaptive phenotypic plasticity in this setting, indicating that the adaptive value of plasticity depends on the predictability of the environment.
Phylogeographic structure, demographic history and morph composition in a colour polymorphic lizard
Authors: McLean C. A. , Stuart‐Fox D. , Moussalli A.
Published: August 2014

In polymorphic species, population divergence in morph composition and frequency has the potential to promote speciation. We assessed the relationship between geographic variation in male throat colour polymorphism and phylogeographic structure in the tawny dragon lizard,Ctenophorus decresii. We identified four genetically distinct lineages, corresponding to two polymorphic lineages in the Northern Flinders Ranges and Southern Flinders Ranges/Olary Ranges regions respectively, and a monomorphic lineage in the Mt Lofty Ranges/Kangaroo Island region. The degree of divergence between these three lineages was consistent with isolation to multiple refugia during Pleistocene glacial cycles, whereas a fourth, deeply divergent (at the interspecific level) and monomorphic lineage was restricted to western New South Wales. The same four morphs occurred in both polymorphic lineages, although populations exhibited considerable variation in the frequency of morphs. By contrast, male throat coloration in the monomorphic lineages differed from each other and from the polymorphic lineages. Our results suggest that colour polymorphism has evolved once in theC. decresiispecies complex, with subsequent loss of polymorphism in the Mt Lofty Ranges/Kangaroo Island lineage. However, an equally parsimonious scenario, that polymorphism arose independently twice withinC. decresii, could not be ruled out. We also detected evidence of a narrow contact zone with limited genotypic admixture between the polymorphic Olary Ranges and monomorphic Mt Lofty Ranges regions, yet no individuals of intermediate colour phenotype. Such genetic divergence and evidence for barriers to gene flow between lineages suggest incipient speciation between populations that differ in morph composition.
Sequential processing of quantitative phase images for the study of cell behaviour in real‐time digital holographic microscopy
Authors: ZIKMUND T. , KVASNICA L. , TÝČ M. , KŘÍŽOVÁ A. , ČOLLÁKOVÁ J. , CHMELÍK R.
Published: August 2014

Transmitted light holographic microscopy is particularly used for quantitative phase imaging of transparent microscopic objects such as living cells. The study of the cell is based on extraction of the dynamic data on cell behaviour from the time‐lapse sequence of the phase images. However, the phase images are affected by the phase aberrations that make the analysis particularly difficult. This is because the phase deformation is prone to change during long‐term experiments. Here, we present a novel algorithm for sequential processing of living cells phase images in a time‐lapse sequence. The algorithm compensates for the deformation of a phase image using weighted least‐squares surface fitting. Moreover, it identifies and segments the individual cells in the phase image. All these procedures are performed automatically and applied immediately after obtaining every single phase image. This property of the algorithm is important for real‐time cell quantitative phase imaging and instantaneous control of the course of the experiment by playback of the recorded sequence up to actual time. Such operator's intervention is a forerunner of process automation derived from image analysis. The efficiency of the propounded algorithm is demonstrated on images of rat fibrosarcoma cells using an off‐axis holographic microscope.
HIV‐1 Tat C modulates NOX2 and NOX4 expressions through miR‐17 in a human microglial cell line
Authors: Jadhav Vaishnavi Sunil , Krause Karl‐Heinz , Singh Sunit K.
Published: August 2014

HIV‐1 invades CNS in the early course of infection, which can lead to the cascade of neuroinflammation. NADPH oxidases (NOXs) are the major producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play important roles during pathogenic insults. The molecular mechanism of ROS generation via microRNA‐mediated pathway in human microglial cells in response to HIV‐1 Tat protein has been demonstrated in this study. Over‐expression and knockdown of microRNAs, luciferase reporter assay, and site‐directed mutagenesis are main molecular techniques used in this study. A significant reduction in miR‐17 levels and increased NOX2, NOX4 expression levels along with ROS production were observed in human microglial cells upon HIV‐1 Tat C exposure. The validation of NOX2 and NOX4 as direct targets of miR‐17 was done by luciferase reporter assay. The over‐expression and knockdown of miR‐17 in human microglial cells showed the direct role of miR‐17 in regulation of NOX2, NOX4 expression and intracellular ROS generation. We demonstrated the regulatory role of cellular miR‐17 in ROS generation through over‐expression and knockdown of miR‐17 in human microglial cells exposed to HIV‐1 Tat C protein.

image

Activated microglial cells mediated neuroinflammatory events are observed in HIV‐associated neurological disorders. The reduction in miR‐17 levels was observed in microglial cells exposed to HIV‐1 Tat C protein. miR‐17 regulated the expression of NOX2 and NOX4, which in turn regulated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in microglial cells. Increased ROS production led to the activation of microglial cells and increased cytokine production. This study thus demonstrated a novel miR‐17‐mediated regulatory pathway of ROS production in microglial cells. HMC3 = human microglia clone 3 cell lines.
Radiographic diagnosis of dental restoration misfit: a systematic review
Authors: Liedke G. S. , Spin‐Neto R. , da Silveira H. E. D. , Wenzel A.
Published: August 2014

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review on the use of radiographic methods for the diagnosis of misfit in dental prostheses and restorations. The MEDLINE bibliographic database was searched from 1950 to February 2014 for reports on the radiographic diagnosis of misfits. The search strategy was limited to English‐language publications using the following combined MeSH terms in the search strategy: (Dental Restoration OR Dental Prosthesis OR Crown OR Inlays OR Dental Abutments) and (Dental Leakage OR Prosthesis Fitting OR Dental Marginal Adaptation OR Surface Properties) and (Radiography, Dental OR Radiography, Dental, Digital OR Cone‐Beam Computed Tomography). Twenty‐eight publications were identified and read in full text, and 14 studies fulfilled criteria for inclusion. Information regarding the use of radiographic methods for the diagnosis of misfits in dental prosthesis and restorations, and in which the methodology/results comprised information regarding how the sample was collected/prepared, the method, imaging protocol, presence of a reference test and the outcomes were evaluated. QUADAS criteria was used to rate the studies in high, moderate or low quality. The evidence supporting the use of radiographic methods for the diagnosis of misfits in dental prosthesis and restorations is limited to low‐/moderate‐quality studies. The well‐established intra‐oral orthogonal projection is still under investigation and considered the most appropriate method, both when evaluating the relation between dental restoration to tooth and abutment to implant. Studies using digital radiographs have not evaluated the effect of image post‐processing, and tomography has not been evaluated.