bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Elevated Nighttime Air Temperatures During Kernel Development on Starch Properties of Field‐Grown Rice
Authors: Patindol James A. , Siebenmorgen Terry J. , Wang Ya‐Jane , Lanning Sarah B. , Counce Paul A.
Published: January 2014

The structural features of starch were examined to better understand the causes of variability in rice quality resulting from nighttime air temperature (NTAT) incidence during kernel development. Starch samples were isolated from head rice of four cultivars (Bengal, Cypress, LaGrue, and XL723) field‐grown in four Arkansas locations (Keiser, Pine Tree, Rohwer, and Stuttgart) in 2009 and 2010. Average NTATs recorded during the grain‐filling stages of rice reproductive growth in the four locations were 3.0–8.4°C greater in 2010 than 2009. Elevated NTATs altered the deposition of starch in the rice endosperm. Means pooled across cultivars and locations showed that amylose content was 3.1% (percentage points) less for the 2010 sample set. The elevated NTATs in 2010 resulted in a decrease in the percentage of amylopectin short chains (DP ≤ 18) and a corresponding increase in the percentage of long chains (DP ≥ 19) by an average of 1.3% (percentage points). The greater NTATs in 2010 also produced greater starch paste peak, final, and breakdown viscosities, whereas setback and total setback viscosities decreased. Changes in paste viscosity were highly correlated with the changes in the proportion of amylose and amylopectin. Onset gelatinization temperature was greater by 3.5°C, gelatinization enthalpy by 1.3 J/g, and relative crystallinity by 1.5% (percentage points) for the 2010 sample set. Changes in gelatinization parameters and granule relative crystallinity were highly correlated with the changes in amylopectin chain‐length distribution. Year × cultivar × location interaction effects were statistically insignificant, indicating that the four cultivars evaluated all showed some degree of susceptibility to the effects of temperature incidence during kernel development, regardless of the growing location.
Vitamin D Status and Adequacy of Standard Supplementation in Preterm Neonates From South India
Authors: Tergestina Mintoo , Jose Arun , Sridhar Santhanam , Job Victoria , Rebekah Grace , Kuruvilla Kurien A. , Thomas Niranjan
Published: January 2014

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess vitamin D status of preterm babies at birth and adequacy of daily supplementation with vitamin D.

Methods:

This prospective cohort study recruited 111 preterm babies, 25 to 32 weeks' gestation from a tertiary care perinatal center in south India. Cord blood was assayed for serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D). All of the babies were fed unfortified breast‐milk and supplemented daily with calcium, phosphate, and 400 IU of vitamin D. At 6 weeks serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, and 25(OH)D levels were estimated.

Results:

Of 111 preterm babies recruited, a total of 90 (81%) of the preterm babies were followed up until 6 weeks. The median (interquartile range) vitamin D level in the preterm group was 34.7 (25.6–50.1) and 19.3 (13.9–27.1) ng/mL at birth and 6 weeks, respectively. Using a cutoff value of <20 ng/mL to determine vitamin D insufficiency (VDI), it was observed that 12.6% of the babies were vitamin D insufficient at birth. This increased to 52.2% at 6 weeks despite the recommended supplementation with vitamin D (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of VDI was not high at birth; however, a large proportion of preterm babies were vitamin D insufficient at 6 weeks despite being supplemented with vitamin D 400 IU/day. The recommended vitamin D supplementation of 400 IU appears to be inadequate to prevent VDI, and hence randomized controlled trials looking at higher doses of vitamin D supplementation are needed.
Exome Sequencing Identifies a Novel FOXP3 Mutation in a 2‐Generation Family With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Okou David T. , Mondal Kajari , Faubion William A. , Kobrynski Lisa J. , Denson Lee A. , Mulle Jennifer G. , Ramachandran Dhanya , Xiong Yuning , Svingen Phyllis , Patel Viren , Bose Promita , Waters Jon P. , Prahalad Sampath , Cutler David J. , Zwick Michael E. , Kugathasan Subra
Published: January 2014

Objectives:

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is heritable, but a total of 163 variants commonly implicated in IBD pathogenesis account for only 25% of the heritability. Rare, highly penetrant genetic variants may also explain mendelian forms of IBD and some of the missing heritability. To test the hypothesis that rare loss‐of‐function mutations can be causative, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on 5 members of a 2‐generation family of European ancestry presenting with an early‐onset and atypical form of IBD.

Methods:

WES was performed for all of the 5 family members; the mother and 3 male offspring were affected, whereas the father was unaffected. Mapping, annotation, and filtering criteria were used to reduce candidate variants. For functional testing we performed forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) staining and a T‐cell suppression assay.

Results:

We identified a novel missense variant in exon 6 of the X‐linked FOXP3 gene. The c.694A>C substitution in FOXP3 results in a cysteine‐to‐glycine change at the protein position 232 that is completely conserved among all vertebrates. This variant (heterozygous in the mother and hemizygous in all 3 affected sons) did not impair FOXP3 protein expression, but significantly reduced the ability of the host's T regulatory cells to suppress an inappropriate autoimmune response. The variant results in a milder immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, and X‐linked phenotype with early‐onset IBD.

Conclusions:

Our study illustrates the successful application of WES for making a definitive molecular diagnosis in a case of multiply affected families, with atypical IBD‐like phenotype. Our results also have important implications for disease biology and disease‐directed therapeutic development.
Effect of Fludrocortisone Acetate on Chronic Unexplained Nausea and Abdominal Pain in Children With Orthostatic Intolerance
Authors: Fortunato John E. , Wagoner Ashley L. , Harbinson Rachel L. , D'Agostino Ralph B. , Shaltout Hossam A. , Diz Debra I.
Published: January 2014

Background:

We hypothesized that orthostatic intolerance (OI) is associated with gastric dysrhythmias, nausea, and abdominal pain, which improves using fludrocortisone to treat OI.

Methods:

Patients (n = 16, girls) with OI completed questionnaires before and after fludrocortisone treatment (age 14.8 ± 2.8 years). Ten patients underwent electrogastrograms (EGGs) before fludrocortisone.

Results:

All EGGs showed gastric dysrhythmias. Fludrocortisone reduced mean scores as follows: nausea, 3.1 ± 0.8 to 2.1 ± 1.1 (P = 0.016); dizziness, 3.0 ± 1.0 to 2.2 ± 1.1 (P = 0.0371); abdominal pain, 2.8 ± 1.3 to 1.9 ± 1.4 (P = 0.0063); flushing, 2.3 ± 1.2 to 1.5 ± 1.4 (P = 0.0476); and missing school, 2.2 ± 1.5 to 1.2 ± 1.5 (P = 0.0078).

Conclusions:

Chronic nausea and abdominal pain accompany OI and improve with OI treatment.
Voltage control of magnetism in multiferroic heterostructures
Authors: Liu Ming , Sun Nian X.
Published: January 2014

Electrical tuning of magnetism is of great fundamental and technical importance for fast, compact and ultra-low power electronic devices. Multiferroics, simultaneously exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism, have attracted much interest owing to the capability of controlling magnetism by an electric field through magnetoelectric (ME) coupling. In particular, strong strain-mediated ME interaction observed in layered multiferroic heterostructures makes it practically possible for realizing electrically reconfigurable microwave devices, ultra-low power electronics and magnetoelectric random access memories (MERAMs). In this review, we demonstrate this remarkable E-field manipulation of magnetism in various multiferroic composite systems, aiming at the creation of novel compact, lightweight, energy-efficient and tunable electronic and microwave devices. First of all, tunable microwave devices are demonstrated based on ferrite/ferroelectric and magnetic-metal/ferroelectric composites, showing giant ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) tunability with narrow FMR linewidth. Then, E-field manipulation of magnetoresistance in multiferroic anisotropic magnetoresistance and giant magnetoresistance devices for achieving low-power electronic devices is discussed. Finally, E-field control of exchange-bias and deterministic magnetization switching is demonstrated in exchange-coupled antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic/ferroelectric multiferroic hetero-structures at room temperature, indicating an important step towards MERAMs. In addition, recent progress in electrically non-volatile tuning of magnetic states is also presented. These tunable multiferroic heterostructures and devices provide great opportunities for next-generation reconfigurable radio frequency/microwave communication systems and radars, spintronics, sensors and memories.
Towards novel multiferroic and magnetoelectric materials: dipole stability in tetragonal tungsten bronzes
Authors: Rotaru Andrei , Miller Andrew J. , Arnold Donna C. , Morrison Finlay D.
Published: January 2014

We discuss the strategy for development of novel functional materials with the tetragonal tungsten bronze structure. From the starting composition Ba
6
GaNb
9
O
30
, the effect of A- and B-site substitutions on the dielectric properties is used to develop an understanding of the origin and stability of the dipolar response in these compounds. Both tetragonal strain induced by large B-site cations and local strain variations created by isovalent A-site substitutions enhance dipole stability but result in a dilute, weakly correlated dipolar response and canonical relaxor behaviour. Decreasing cation size at the perovskite A2-site increases the dipolar displacements in the surrounding octahedra, but insufficiently to result in dipole ordering. Mechanisms introducing small A-site lanthanide cations and incorporation of A-site vacancies to induce ferroelectricity and magnetism are presented.
Solimonas terrae sp. nov., isolated from soil
Authors: Kim Soo-Jin , Moon Ji-Young , Weon Hang-Yeon , Ahn Jae-Hyung , Chen Wen-Ming , Kwon Soon-Wo
Published: January 2014

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain KIS83-12T, was isolated from soil of Gaui island in the Taean region of South Korea. The strain grew at 15–33 °C (optimum, 28 °C), at pH 5.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). Growth did not occur in the presence of NaCl. The strain was catalase-negative and oxidase-positive. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that KIS83-12T was most closely related to

Solimonas soli

DCY12T (96.9 %),

Solimonas variicoloris

MN28T (96.5 %),

Solimonas flava

CW-KD 4T (96.5 %) and

Solimonas aquatica

NAA16T (96.0 %), and formed a robust phyletic lineage with members of the genus

Solimonas

. The main isoprenoid quinone was Q-8. Major polar lipids included phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Fatty acids present in large and moderate amounts (>5.0 %) were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c), C16 : 0, C16 : 1ω5c, summed feature 2 (iso-C16 : 1 I and/or C14 : 0 3-OH) and C12 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 67.9 mol%. On the basis of the taxonomic data obtained in this study, KIS83-12T represents a novel species of the genus

Solimonas

, for which the name Solimonas
terrae sp. nov. is proposed, with KIS83-12T ( = KACC 16967T = DSM 27281T) as the type strain.
Aerococcus vaginalis sp. nov., isolated from the vaginal mucosa of a beef cow, and emended descriptions of Aerococcus suis, Aerococcus viridans, Aerococcus urinaeequi, Aerococcus urinaehominis, Aerococcus urinae, Aerococcus christensenii and Aerococcus sanguinicola
Authors: Tohno Masanori , Kitahara Maki , Matsuyama Shuichi , Kimura Koji , Ohkuma Moriya , Tajima Kiyoshi
Published: January 2014

A gram-stain-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore-forming, catalase-negative, coccoid-shaped bacterial strain, designated BV2T, was isolated from the vaginal mucosa of a beef cow in Japan. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate shared high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (92.9 %) with
Aerococcus suis
1821/02T and low similarity (<92.7 %) with any other recognized species of the genus
Aerococcus
. The DNA G+C content was 44.7 mol%, which is within the range observed among species of the genus
Aerococcus
(37.5–48.4 mol%). The major cellular fatty acid was C18 : 1ω9c, similar to other type strains of species of the genus
Aerococcus
. The results of genotypic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses as well as the low degree of DNA–DNA relatedness with all recognized members of the genus
Aerococcus
indicate that strain BV2T represents a novel species of the genus
Aerococcus
, for which the name Aerococcus vaginalis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BV2T ( = JCM 19163T = DSM 27293T). Emended descriptions of
Aerococcus suis
,
Aerococcus viridans
,
Aerococcus urinaeequi
,
Aerococcus urinaehominis
,
Aerococcus urinae
,
Aerococcus christensenii
and
Aerococcus sanguinicola
are also presented.
In vivo-induced argininosuccinate lyase plays a role in the replication of Brucella abortus in RAW264.7 cells
Authors: Han Xiangan , Sun Xiaoqing , Shan Xueqing , Zhang Min , Song Jun , Tian Mingxing , Fan Guobo , Wang Shaohui , Tong Yongliang , Ding Chan , Yu Shengqing
Published: January 2014

Brucellosis caused by Brucella species is a zoonotic disease with a serious impact on public health and the livestock industry. To better understand the pathogenesis of the disease, in vivo-induced antigen technology (IVIAT) was used to investigate the in vivo-induced antigens of Brucella abortus in this study. A genomic expression library of B. abortus was constructed and screened using pooled bovine B. abortus-positive sera by IVIAT. In total, 33 antigens were identified. Five antigens were further expressed and tested for their seroreactivity against 33 individual bovine B. abortus-positive sera by Western blot analysis. The results showed a highest positive rate of 32/33 for argininosuccinate lyase (ASL), indicating that ASL may be used as a candidate marker for serodiagnosis of brucellosis. Furthermore, an asl gene-deleted mutant strain S2308ΔASL was constructed, and the intracellular survival and replication of the mutant strain in RAW264.7 cells were investigated. Interestingly, the numbers of bacteria recovered from cells infected with mutant strain S2308ΔASL were similar at all time points observed from 0 h to 96 h post-infection, suggesting the asl gene plays an important role in the bacterial replication in RAW264.7 cells. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that the mRNA levels in S2308ΔASL were decreased for BvrR, BvrS and virB5 when compared with those in S2308 (P<0.05). Our results not only expand the knowledge of Brucella intracellular replication but also expand the list of candidates for serodiagnostic markers of brucellosis.
Bacterial multispecies studies and microbiome analysis of a plant disease
Authors: Passos da Silva Daniel , Castañeda-Ojeda Maria Pilar , Moretti Chiaraluce , Buonaurio Roberto , Ramos Cayo , Venturi Vittorio
Published: January 2014

Although the great majority of bacteria found in nature live in multispecies communities, microbiological studies have focused historically on single species or competition and antagonism experiments between different species. Future directions need to focus much more on microbial communities in order to better understand what is happening in the wild. We are using olive knot disease as a model to study the role and interaction of multispecies bacterial communities in disease establishment/development. In the olive knot, non-pathogenic bacterial species (e.g.Erwinia toletana) co-exist with the pathogen (Pseudomonas savastanoipv.savastanoi); we have demonstrated cooperation among these two species via quorum sensing (QS) signal sharing. The outcome of this interaction is a more aggressive disease when co-inoculations are made compared with single inoculations.In plantaexperiments show that these two species co-localize in the olive knot, and this close proximity most probably facilitates exchange of QS signals and metabolites.In silicorecreation of their metabolic pathways showed that they could have complementing pathways also implicating sharing of metabolites. Our microbiome studies of nine olive knot samples have shown that the olive knot community possesses great bacterial diversity; however. the presence of five genera (i.e.Pseudomonas,Pantoea,Curtobacterium,PectobacteriumandErwinia) can be found in almost all samples.
Shifts in stability and control effectiveness during evolution of Paraves support aerial maneuvering hypotheses for flight origin
Authors: Evangelista Dennis , Cam Sharlene , Huynh Tony , Kwong Austin , Mehrabani Homayun , Tse Kyle , Dudley Robert
Published: January 2014

The capacity for aerial maneuvering was likely a major influence on the evolution of flying animals. Here we evaluate consequences of paravian morphology for aerial performance (Dudley and Yanoviak, 2011; Smith, 1952) by quantifying static stability and control effectiveness of physical models (Evangelista et al., 2014) for numerous taxa sampled from within the lineage leading to birds (Paraves, Xu et al., 2011; Gauthier and Padian, 1985). Results of aerodynamic testing are mapped phylogenetically (Maddison and Maddison, 2010; Zhou and Li, 2010; Li et al., 2010; O’Connor et al., 2011; Cracraft et al., 2004) to examine how maneuvering characteristics correlate with tail shortening, fore-and hindwing elaboration, and other morphological features. In the evolution of Paraves we observe shifts from static stability to inherently unstable aerial planforms; control effectiveness also migrated from tails to the forewings. These shifts suggest that some degree of aerodynamic control and and capacity for maneuvering preceded the evolution of strong power stroke. The timing of shifts also suggests features normally considered in light of development of a power stroke may play important roles in control.
Ethyl 6-(4-cyclopropyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)pyridine-3-carboxylate
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Naeem , Yasin Khawaja Ansar , Tahir M. Nawaz , Bibi Asma , Andleeb Hina
Published: January 2014

In the title compound, C13H14N4O2, which has approximate mirror symmetry, the dihedral angles between the triazole ring and the cyclopropane and pyridine rings are 87.1 (2) and 7.60 (9)°, respectively. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of both C—H...N and C—H...O interactions generateR22(6) andR22(18) loops, respectively. Further C—H...N interactions formR22(10) loops and link the dimers into [110] chains.
4-(4-Methylphenyl)-2-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)phthalazin-1(2H)-one
Authors: Usha M. K. , Madan Kumar S. , Shyma P. C. , Kalluraya B. , Lokanath N. K. , Revannasiddaiah D.
Published: January 2014

In the title compound, C18H14N2O, the dihedral angle between the methylphenyl ring and the phthalazone ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.034 Å) is 53.93 (9)°. In the crystal, molecules are connected by C—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [101]. The chains are linked by π–π interactions [centroid–centroid distance 3.6990 (12) Å], forming layers parallel to (10-1).
1-Acetyl-5-methoxy-4-(phenylsulfanyl)imidazolidin-2-one
Authors: Mague Joel T. , Abdel-Aziz Alaa A.-M. , El-Azab Adel S. , Alanazi Amer M.
Published: January 2014

The title compound, C12H14N2O3S, crystallizes with two independent molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit. The five-membered imidazolidin-2-one rings in both molecules are twisted about the C—C bond. In the crystal, theAandBmolecules are associatedviapairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, formingA–Bdimers. These dimers are linkedviaC—H...S hydrogen bonds, forming double dimers, which are in turn linkedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds forming two-dimensional networks lying parallel to (001). There are also C—H...π interactions present, which consolide the layers and link them, so forming a three-dimensional structure.
2,6-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,4-dithiine
Authors: Zhao Sha-Sha , Su Qiong , Peng Zhi-Hong , An De-Lie
Published: January 2014

The title molecule, C18H16O2S2, reveals crystallographic twofold rotation symmetry (with both S atoms lying on the axis) and one half-molecule defines an asymmetric unit. The dithiine ring is in a boat conformation. The aromatic ring and the C=C bond are nearly coplanar, with small torsion angles of −171.26 (19) and 8.5 (3)°. The two S—C bond lengths [1.7391 (19) and 1.7795 (18) Å] are shorter than single C—S bonds and longer than analogous C=S double bonds, which indicates a certain degree of conjugation between the lone pair on the S atom and π electrons of the C=C bond. The crystal packing only features van der Waals interactions.
(E)-1-[2-(2-Nitrostyryl)-1-phenylsulfonyl-1H-indol-3-yl]propan-1-one
Authors: Kanchanadevi J. , Anbalagan G. , Saravanan V. , Mohanakrishnan A. K. , Gunasekaran B. , Manivannan V.
Published: January 2014

In the title compound, C25H20N2O5S, the phenyl ring makes dihedral angles of 89.88 (8) and 13.98 (8)°, respectively, with the indole ring system and the nitrobenzene ring. The dihedral angle between the indole ring system and the nitrobenzene ring is 88.48 (11)°. The molecular structure is stabilized by a weak intramolecular C—H...O interaction. In the crystal, π–π interactions, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.6741 (18) and 3.8873 (17) Å, link the molecules into layers parallel to theabplane.
2,5-Dimethylphenyl quinoline-2-carboxylate
Authors: Fazal E. , Kaur Manpreet , Jasinski Jerry P. , Nagarajan S. , Sudha B. S.
Published: January 2014

In the title compound, C18H15NO2, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the quinoline ring system and the phenyl ring is 78.8 (1)°. The mean plane of the carboxylate group is twisted from the mean planes of the quinoline ring system and phenyl ring by 1.5 (9) and 77.6 (4)°, respectively. In the crystal, molecules are linked by weak C—H...O interactions, generatingC(8) chains along [001]. Weak π–π stacking interactions are also observed [centroid–centroid separation = 3.6238 (12) Å].
N,N′-(Ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(methanesulfonamide)
Authors: Chan Wesley Ting Kwok , Kung Ka Yan Karen , Wong Man-kin
Published: January 2014

The molecular structure of the title compound, C4H12N2O4S2, has crystallographic inversion symmetry. The central N—C—C—N moiety was refined as disordered over two sets of sites with an approximate occupancy ratio of 3:1 [0.742 (15):0.258 (15). In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link adjacent molecules into a thick sheet structure parallel to theb-axis direction.
A Hedonic Analysis of Nutrition and Health Claims on Fruit Beverage Products
Authors: Szathvary Serena , Trestini Samuele
Published: January 2014

This paper investigates the effects on prices of nutrition and health claims for foodstuffs, in addition to other attributes, using fruit beverages as a case study. The model estimation is based on revealed purchasing behaviour for fruit beverages in the north‐east of Italy. Applying an hedonic price model, the price of a product is explained as a function of product attributes. The model estimate identifies the implicit retail‐market‐level price of specific attributes such as nutrition and health claims, ceteris paribus. Nutrition and health claims significantly affect retail prices. Our findings suggest that retail price response to nutrition and health claims differs in relation to other product attributes, showing a strong reduction of price variation among flavours when such benefits are claimed on the label.
Effect of Arteriovenous Hemodialysis Shunt Location on Cardiac Events in Patients Having Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Using an Internal Thoracic Artery
Authors: Feldman Leonid , Tkacheva Inna , Efrati Shai , Rabin Igor , Beberashvili Ilia , Gorelik Oleg , Averbukh Zhan , Shani Michal
Published: January 2014

The possibility of developing coronary steal in patients having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) using internal thoracic artery (ITA) and ipsilateral upper extremity arteriovenous (AV) hemodialysis shunt has been reported. The impact of this phenomenon on clinical outcomes is uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate an association between the AV dialysis shunt location regarding the side of the ITA CABG and clinical outcomes. This retrospective cohort study included chronic hemodialysis patients having ITA CABG and upper extremity AV shunt. The patients were divided into two groups: those with ipsilateral and those with contralateral location of ITA CABG and AV shunt. The outcomes were: death from any cause, cardiac death and a first cardiac event. In a group of 112 chronic hemodialysis patients having CABG, 32 had an ipsilateral and 25 had a contralateral location of ITA CABG and an upper extremity AV shunt. Significantly more cardiac events occurred in the group with an ipsilateral compared to a contralateral location of ITA CABGs and dialysis AV shunts (hazard ratio, 2.16 [95% CI, 1.11 to 4.19], P = 0.023). There was no difference between the groups in the all cause mortality risk (hazard ratio, 1.005 [95% CI, 0.43 to 2.37], P = 0.990) or the risk of cardiac death (hazard ratio, 2.43 [95% CI, 0.64 to 9.17], P = 0.191). The ipsilateral location of a CABG with the use of ITA and upper extremity AV hemodialysis shunt may be associated with increased risk of cardiac events.
Comparison of the Hedonic General Labeled Magnitude Scale with the Hedonic 9‐Point Scale
Authors: Kalva Jaclyn J. , Sims Charles A. , Puentes Lorenzo A. , Snyder Derek J. , Bartoshuk Linda M.
Published: January 2014

The hedonic 9‐point scale was designed to compare palatability among different food items; however, it has also been used occasionally to compare individuals and groups. Such comparisons can be invalid because scale labels (for example, “like extremely”) can denote systematically different hedonic intensities across some groups. Addressing this problem, the hedonic general Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS) frames affective experience in terms of the strongest imaginable liking/disliking of any kind, which can yield valid group comparisons of food palatability provided extreme hedonic experiences are unrelated to food. For each scale, 200 panelists rated affect for remembered food products (including favorite and least favorite foods) and sampled foods; they also sampled taste stimuli (quinine, sucrose, NaCl, citric acid) and rated their intensity. Finally, subjects identified experiences representing the endpoints of the hedonic gLMS. Both scales were similar in their ability to detect within‐subject hedonic differences across a range of food experiences, but group comparisons favored the hedonic gLMS. With the 9‐point scale, extreme labels were strongly associated with extremes in food affect. In contrast, gLMS data showed that scale extremes referenced nonfood experiences. Perceived taste intensity significantly influenced differences in food liking/disliking (for example, those experiencing the most intense tastes, called supertasters, showed more extreme liking and disliking for their favorite and least favorite foods). Scales like the hedonic gLMS are suitable for across‐group comparisons of food palatability.
Salmonid alphavirus replication in mosquito cells: towards a novel vaccine production system
Authors: Hikke Mia C. , Verest Marjan , Vlak Just M. , Pijlman Gorben P.
Published: January 2014

Salmonid alphavirus (SAV) causes pancreas disease and sleeping disease in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and confers a major burden to the aquaculture industry. A commercial inactivated whole virus vaccine propagated in a salmon cell line at low temperature provides effective protection against SAV infections. Alphaviruses (family Togaviridae) are generally transmitted between vertebrate hosts via blood‐sucking arthropod vectors, typically mosquitoes. SAV is unique in this respect because it can be transmitted directly from fish to fish and has no known invertebrate vector. Here, we show for the first time that SAV is able to complete a full infectious cycle within arthropod cells derived from the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus. Progeny virus is produced in C6/36 and U4.4. cells in a temperature‐dependent manner (at 15°C but not at 18°C), can be serially passaged and remains infectious to salmonid Chinook salmon embryo cells. This suggests that SAV is not a vertebrate‐restricted alphavirus after all and may have the potential to replicate in invertebrates. The current study also shows the ability of SAV to be propagated in mosquito cells, thereby possibly providing an alternative SAV production system for vaccine applications.
Positive correlations between genomic %AT and genome size within strains of bacterial species
Authors: Bohlin Jon , Sekse Camilla , Skjerve Eystein , Brynildsrud Ola
Published: January 2014

Genomic %AT has been found to correlate negatively with genome size in microbes. While microbes with large genomes are often GC rich and free living, AT‐rich bacteria tend to be host associated with smaller genomes. With over 2000 fully sequenced and assembled microbial genomes available, we explored the relationship among genomic %AT, genome size, relative entropy (a measure associated with genetic drift) and fraction of genome islands (GIs) in microbial species with the genomes of more than 10 strains available. A negative correlation with genome size was found in six out of 12 phylogenetic groups and subphyla and a positive correlation in only two. At the species level, we found a trend of positive correlations between genomic %AT and genome size in eight out of 20 species, while only four showed a negative correlation. Estimated chromosomal fractions of GIs were found to correlate positively with genome size in the strains of 14 out of 18 species and genomic %AT in the strains of seven species (two correlated negatively). Although GIs explain most of the observed positive correlations between genomic %AT and size, Chlamydia trachomatis seem to be an exception; therefore, these findings needs to be further explored.
Effects of engineered silver nanoparticles on the growth and activity of ecologically important microbes
Authors: Beddow Jessica , Stolpe Björn , Cole Paula , Lead Jamie R. , Sapp Melanie , Lyons Brett P. , Colbeck Ian , Whitby Corinne
Published: January 2014

Currently, little is known about the impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on ecologically important microorganisms such as ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB). We performed a multi‐analytical approach to demonstrate the effects of uncapped nanosilver (uAgNP), capped nanosilver (cAgNP) and Ag2SO4 on the activities of the AOB: Nitrosomonas europaea, Nitrosospira multiformis and Nitrosococcus oceani, and the growth of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis as model bacterial systems in relation to AgNP type and concentration. All Ag treatments caused significant inhibition to the nitrification potential rates (NPRs) of Nitrosomonas europaea (decreased from 34 to < 16.7 μM NH4+ oxidized day−1), Nitrosospira multiformis (decreased from 46 to < 24.8 μM NH4+ oxidized day−1) and Nitrosococcus oceani (decreased from 26 to < 18.4 μM NH4+ oxidized day−1). Escherichia coli‐Ag interactions revealed that the percentage of damaged E. coli cells was 45% greater with Ag2SO4, 39% with cAgNPs and 33% with uAgNPs compared with controls. Generally, the inhibitory effect on AOB NPRs and E. coli/B. subtilis growth was in the following order Ag2SO4 > cAgNP > uAgNP. In conclusion, AgNPs (especially cAgNPs) and Ag2SO4 adversely affected AOB activities and thus have the potential to severely impact key microbially driven processes such as nitrification in the environment.
Recovery after nasal surgery vs. tonsillectomy: discriminant validation of the Postoperative Quality of Recovery Scale
Authors: ROYSE C. F. , WILLIAMS Z. , PURSER S. , NEWMAN S.
Published: January 2014

Background

Initial validation and feasibility of the Post‐Operative Quality of Recovery Scale (PQRS) was published in 2010. Ongoing validation includes studies to determine whether this scale can discriminate differences in recovery in similar patients having different surgery.

Methods

A prospective observational study included 89 patients undergoing nasal surgery and 46 patients undergoing tonsillectomy as the primary surgical procedure. Patients were assessed using the PQRS. Assessments were performed pre‐surgery, at 15 and 40 min, 1 and 3 days, and 3 months after surgery.

Results

Tonsillectomy patients were younger [25.0 standard deviation (SD) 17.8 vs. 32.1 SD 18.0 years, P = 0.031] and had shorter anaesthesia duration (29.5 SD 12.6 vs. 42.7 SD 15.8 min, P < 0.01). Tonsillectomy patients had worse recovery in the nociceptive (pain and nausea; P < 0.001), activities of daily living (P < 0.001) and overall recovery (P = 0.025) domains, but were not different in the cognitive, emotive (depression and anxiety) or physiological recovery domains. Complete satisfaction was lower for tonsillectomy (P < 0.001). At 3 months, there was equivalence between groups in all assessments.

Conclusion

The study shows the ability of the PQRS to discriminate recovery in different domains. Tonsillectomy has a worse recovery profile over the first 3 days in nociceptive, activities of daily living and overall recovery, which is associated with poorer satisfaction than nasal surgery.
Mortality from diseases, conditions and injuries where alcohol is a necessary cause in the Americas, 2007–09
Authors: Gawryszewski Vilma Pinheiro , Monteiro Maristela G.
Published: January 2014

Aims

To describe mortality from diseases, conditions and injuries where alcohol was a necessary cause in selected countries in the Americas.

Design

A descriptive, population‐based study.

Setting

The data come from 16 countries in North, Central and South America for the triennium 2007–09 (latest available data).

Participants/Cases

A total of 238 367 deaths were analyzed.

Measurements

We calculated age‐adjusted and age‐specific mortality rates by sex and country using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) mortality database.

Findings

The annual average of deaths where alcohol was a necessary cause in the 16 countries was 79 456 (men comprised 86% and women 14%). People aged 40–59 years represented 55% overall. Most deaths were due to liver diseases (63% overall) and neuropsychiatric disorders (32% overall). Overall age‐adjusted rates/100 000 were higher in El Salvador (27.4), Guatemala (22.3), Nicaragua (21.3) and Mexico (17.8) and lower in Colombia (1.8), Argentina (4.0) and Canada (5.7). The age groups at the highest risk were 54–59 to 64–69 years in most countries. In Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua the rates increased earlier, among those aged 30–49 years. Male rates were higher than female rates in all countries, but the male : female ratio varied widely.

Conclusions

Diseases, conditions or injuries where alcohol is a necessary cause are an important cause of premature mortality in the Americas, especially among men. Some countries show high risk of dying from this group of causes.
The Spirits are Crying: Dispossessing Land and Possessing Bodies in Rural Cambodia
Authors: Beban Alice , Work Courtney
Published: January 2014

In 2009, a land spirit disrupted plantation development within a contested Economic Land Concession in Cambodia. The spirit, along with efforts of a monk and NGO, ultimately persuaded state officials to return 5 ha of land to the local temple. In this paper, we bring together literature on the anthropology of religion, political economy of land possession, and critical development studies; we demonstrate that land spirits continue as members of political patronage chains at both the state and the local level, and show how the non‐capitalist logics of spirit negotiations both challenged and legitimized large‐scale land acquisition projects. The spirit was not subsumed by, but rather shaped, contemporary capitalist expansion in ways that call for a critical examination of the ontological certainty that all land is designed for human production and consumption.
M‐learning adequacy and perceptions of students and teachers in secondary schools
Authors: Ozdamli Fezile , Uzunboylu Huseyin
Published: January 2014

In recent years, the use of mobile technologies has increased in a number of fields such as banking, economy, tourism, entertainment, library research, etc. These developments have also led to the use of mobile technologies for educational purposes. The successful integration of mobile learning (m‐learning) technologies in education primarily demands that teachers' and students' adequacy and perceptions of such technology should be determined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare teachers' and students' abilities and perceptions concerning m‐learning. Research data for the analysis were obtained from a sample of 467 teachers and 1556 students from 32 schools that were surveyed in Northern Cyprus. Based on our results, we conclude that teachers and students want to use m‐learning in education. Their perceptions are positive but their m‐learning adequacy levels are not sufficient.
Protective and Detrimental Roles for Regulatory T Cells in a Viral Model for Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Martinez Nicholas E. , Karlsson Fridrik , Sato Fumitaka , Kawai Eiichiro , Omura Seiichi , Minagar Alireza , Grisham Matthew. B. , Tsunoda Ikuo
Published: January 2014

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has been proposed to be an immune‐mediated disease in the central nervous system (CNS) that can be triggered by virus infections. In Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection, during the first week (acute stage), mice develop polioencephalomyelitis. After 3 weeks (chronic stage), mice develop immune‐mediated demyelination with virus persistence, which has been used as a viral model for MS. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can suppress inflammation, and have been suggested to be protective in immune‐mediated diseases, including MS. However, in virus‐induced inflammatory demyelination, although Tregs can suppress inflammation, preventing immune‐mediated pathology, Tregs may also suppress antiviral immune responses, leading to more active viral replication and/or persistence. To determine the role and potential translational usage of Tregs in MS, we treated TMEV‐infected mice with ex vivo generated induced Tregs (iTregs) on day 0 (early) or during the chronic stage (therapeutic). Early treatment worsened clinical signs during acute disease. The exacerbation of acute disease was associated with increased virus titers and decreased immune cell recruitment in the CNS. Therapeutic iTreg treatment reduced inflammatory demyelination during chronic disease. Immunologically, iTreg treatment increased interleukin‐10 production from B cells, CD4+ T cells and dendritic cells, which may contribute to the decreased CNS inflammation.
Azithromycin analogue CSY0073 attenuates lung inflammation induced by LPS challenge
Authors: Balloy V , Deveaux A , Lebeaux D , Tabary O , le Rouzic P , Ghigo J M , Busson P F , Boëlle P Y , Guez J Guez , Hahn U , Clement A , Chignard M , Corvol H , Burnet M , Guillot L
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic with anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. Long‐term azithromycin therapy in patients with chronic lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis has been associated with increased antimicrobial resistance, emergence of hypermutable strains, ototoxicity and cardiac toxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the anti‐inflammatory effects of the non‐antibiotic azithromycin derivative CSY0073.

Experimental Approach

We compared the effects of CSY0073 with those of azithromycin in experiments on bacterial cultures, Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, lung cells and mice challenged intranasally with P. aeruginosa LPS.

Key Results

In contrast to azithromycin, CSY0073 did not inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus or Haemophilus influenzae and had no effect on an established P. aeruginosa biofilm. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids and lung homogenates collected after the LPS challenge in mice showed that CSY0073 and azithromycin (200 mg·kg−1, i.p.) decreased neutrophil counts at 24 h and TNF‐α, CXCL1 and CXCL2 levels in the BAL fluid after 3 h and IL‐6, CXCL2 and IL‐1β levels in the lung after 3 h compared with the vehicle. However, only azithromycin reduced IL‐1β levels in the lung 24 h post LPS challenge. CSY0073 and azithromycin similarly diminished the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines by macrophages, but not lung epithelial cells, exposed to P. aeruginosa LPS.

Conclusions and Implications

Unlike azithromycin, CSY0073 had no antibacterial effects but it did have a similar anti‐inflammatory profile to that of azithromycin. Hence, CSY0073 may have potential as a long‐term treatment for patients with chronic lung diseases.
Allosteric effects of erythromycin pretreatment on thioridazine block of hERG potassium channels
Authors: Crumb W J
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose

The prevalence of concurrent use of two or more drugs that block human ether‐a‐go‐go‐related gene product (hERG) K+ channels is not uncommon, but is not well characterized. This study defined the effects of concurrent exposure of two hERG‐blocking drugs on hERG current amplitude. Experiments were conducted to determine if concomitant exposure to two potent pore hERG blockers, thioridazine and terfenadine and a weak hERG blocker, erythromycin, would result in an additive, synergistic or inhibitory effect.

Experimental Approach

hERG currents from stably transfected HEK cells were measured using the whole‐cell variant of the patch‐clamp method at physiological temperatures. Concentration–response relationships for thioridazine or terfenadine were obtained with cells pre‐exposed to erythromycin.

Key Results

Pre‐exposure of cells to erythromycin resulted in an approximately 14–22‐fold rightward shift in the hERG concentration–response curve for thioridazine and terfenadine respectively. This reduction in affinity was not the result of a change in the voltage‐dependent characteristics of the channel. Results suggest an external binding site for erythromycin.

Conclusions and Implications

Pretreatment with erythromycin induced an approximately 14–22‐fold reduction in hERG affinity for pore‐binding drugs at concentrations of erythromycin, which by themselves only block hERG by 10% or less. These results suggest distinct, allosterically linked binding sites on opposite sides of the hERG channel. Occupancy of the external site by erythromycin reduces the affinity of the pore binding site. Furthermore, these results suggest that co‐administration of erythromycin may provide some reduction in cardiac liability of potent hERG‐blocking drugs.
In vivo effects of the pure aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist GNF‐351 after oral administration are limited to the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Fang Zhong‐Ze , Krausz Kristopher W , Nagaoka Kenjiro , Tanaka Naoki , Gowda Krishne , Amin Shantu G , Perdew Gary H , Gonzalez Frank J
Published: January 2014

Background and Purpose

GNF‐351 is a potent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) antagonist that inhibits dioxin response element‐dependent and independent activities. Here, the absorption, metabolism and in vivo AHR antagonist activity of GNF‐351 were investigated.

Experimental Approach

LC‐MS metabolomics was used to analyse GNF‐351 metabolism in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant drug‐metabolizing enzymes were employed to determine the enzymes involved in GNF‐351 metabolism. Analysis of target AHR genes was performed to investigate the inhibitory effects of GNF‐351 towards AHR activation.

Key Results

Several phase I metabolites were generated after GNF‐351 was incubated with microsomes from human or mouse liver and intestine, including two oxidized GNF‐351 and one tri‐demethylated GNF‐351. Poor absorption from the intestine resulted in no detectable levels of GNF‐351 in mouse serum (0–6 h) and urine (24 h) and almost all GNF‐351 was found in the faeces after 24 h. Analysis of faeces further revealed all the in vitro phase I metabolites. Novel metabolites were detected, including one di‐oxidized GNF‐351, two oxidized and tri‐demethylated GNF‐351, one dehydrogenated product of oxidized GNF‐351, and one sulfation product of di‐oxidized GNF‐351. Cytochromes P450 were demonstrated to be the major enzymes involved in metabolism of GNF‐351. After oral administration to mice, GNF‐351 readily inhibited β‐naphthoflavone‐induced AHR activation in ileum and colon, but not that in the liver.

Conclusion and Implications

While poor absorption and extensive metabolism after oral administration limited the in vivo effects of the pure AHR antagonist GNF‐351 in liver, it could be used to inhibit AHR activation in intestine and colon.
Characterizing the Width of Amphibian Movements During Postbreeding Migration
Authors: COSTER STEPHANIE S. , VEYSEY POWELL JESSICA S. , BABBITT KIMBERLY J.
Published: January 2014

Habitat linkages can help maintain connectivity of animal populations in developed landscapes. However, the lack of empirical data on the width of lateral movements (i.e., the zigzagging of individuals as they move from one point to point another) makes determining the width of such linkages challenging. We used radiotracking data from wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) and spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) in a managed forest in Maine (U.S.A.) to characterize movement patterns of populations and thus inform planning for the width of wildlife corridors. For each individual, we calculated the polar coordinates of all locations, estimated the vector sum of the polar coordinates, and measured the distance from each location to the vector sum. By fitting a Gaussian distribution over a histogram of these distances, we created a population‐level probability density function and estimated the 50th and 95th percentiles to determine the width of lateral movement as individuals progressed from the pond to upland habitat. For spotted salamanders 50% of lateral movements were ≤13 m wide and 95% of movements were ≤39 m wide. For wood frogs, 50% of lateral movements were ≤17 m wide and 95% of movements were ≤ 51 m wide. For both species, those individuals that traveled the farthest from the pond also displayed the greatest lateral movement. Our results serve as a foundation for spatially explicit conservation planning for pond‐breeding amphibians in areas undergoing development. Our technique can also be applied to movement data from other taxa to aid in designing habitat linkages.

Caracterización de la Amplitud de Movimiento de Anfibios durante la Migración Pos‐Reproducción