bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intestinal response to myeloablative chemotherapy in piglets
Authors: Pontoppidan Peter L , Shen René L , Petersen Bodil L , Thymann Thomas , Heilmann Carsten , Müller Klaus , Sangild Per T
Published: December 2013

Chemotherapy-induced myeloablation prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may be associated with severe toxicity. The current understanding of the pathophysiology of oral and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity is largely derived from studies in rodents and very little is known from humans, especially children. We hypothesized that milk-fed piglets can be used as a clinically relevant model of GI-toxicity related to a standard conditioning chemotherapy (intravenous busulfan, Bu plus cyclophosphamide, Cy) used prior to HSCT. In study 1, dose–response relationships were investigated in three-day-old pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc, n = 6). Pigs were given one of three different dose combinations of Bu and Cy (A: 4 days Bu, 2 × 1.6 mg/kg plus 2 days Cy, 60 mg/kg; B: 4 days Bu, 2 × 0.8 mg/kg plus 2 days Cy, 30 mg/kg; C: 2 days Bu at 2 × 1.6 mg/kg plus 1 day Cy, 60 mg/kg) and bone marrow was collected on day 11. Histology of bone marrow samples showed total aplasia after treatment A. Using this treatment in study 2, Bu–Cy pigs showed lowered spleen and intestinal weights and variable clinical signs of dehydration, sepsis, and pneumonia at tissue collection. Oral mucositis was evident as ulcers in the soft palate in 4/9 Bu–Cy pigs and villus height and brush-border enzyme activities were reduced, especially in the proximal intestine. There were no consistent effects on tissue cytokine levels (IL-8, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) or blood chemistry values (electrolytes, liver transaminases, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase), except that blood iron levels were higher in Bu–Cy pigs. We conclude that a myeloablative Bu–Cy regimen to piglets results in clinical signs comparable to those seen in pediatric patients subjected to myeloablative treatment prior to HSCT. Piglets may be used as a model for investigating chemotherapy-induced toxicity and dietary and medical interventions.
Congenital Carotid–Jugular Fistula in a Child
Authors: Erdi Fatih , Kaya Bülent , Keskin Fatih , Koç Osman , Karataş Yasar , Kalkan Erdal
Published: December 2013

Congenital carotid–jugular (CJ) fistula of the neck is a very rare clinical entity that has various causes. The CJ fistulas are particularly prone to complications unlike other peripheral arteriovenous fistulas. The aim of this report is to present a case of a CJ fistula between the external carotid and the external jugular vein, which was successfully closed with detachable balloon by an endovascular approach. A 14-year-old child was admitted to our clinic with a pulsatile neck swelling. There was no previous history of trauma. A high-flow fistula between the external carotid and the external jugular vein was determined. The fistula was closed with detachable balloon by an endovascular approach. The postoperative angiogram demonstrated complete resolution of the fistula. Endovascular treatment of CJ fistulas with detachable balloons is a safe and less traumatic technique and may be an effective alternative to the open surgery in selected patients.
Evaluating the protective efficacy of a trivalent vaccine containing Akabane virus, Aino virus and Chuzan virus against Schmallenberg virus infection
Authors: Hechinger Silke , Wernike Kerstin , Beer Martin
Published: December 2013

Schmallenberg virus (SBV), an arthropod borne pathogen, spread rapidly throughout the majority of Europe since 2011. It can cause a febrile disease, milk drop, diarrhea, and fetal malformation in ruminants. SBV, a member of the Simbu serogroup within the genus Orthobunyavirus, is closely related to Akabane virus (AKAV) and Aino virus (AINOV) among others. In the present study, 4 Holstein-Friesian calves were immunized twice four weeks apart with a multivalent, inactivated vaccine against AKAV and AINOV. Another 4 calves were kept as unvaccinated controls. All animals were clinically, serologically and virologically examined before and after challenge infection with SBV. AKAV- and AINOV-specific neutralizing antibodies were detected one week before challenge infection, while SBV-specific antibodies were detectable only thereafter. SBV genome was detected in all vaccinated animals and 3 out of 4 controls in serum samples taken after challenge infection. In conclusion, the investigated vaccine was not able to prevent an SBV-infection. Thus, vaccines for other related Simbu serogroup viruses can not substitute SBV-specific vaccines as an instrument for disease control.
Viral quasispecies inference from 454 pyrosequencing
Authors: Poh Wan-Ting , Xia Eryu , Chin-inmanu Kwanrutai , Wong Lai-Ping , Cheng Anthony Youzhi , Malasit Prida , Suriyaphol Prapat , Teo Yik-Ying , Ong Rick Twee-Hee
Published: December 2013

Background

Many potentially life-threatening infectious viruses are highly mutable in nature. Characterizing the fittest variants within a quasispecies from infected patients is expected to allow unprecedented opportunities to investigate the relationship between quasispecies diversity and disease epidemiology. The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies has allowed the study of virus diversity with high-throughput sequencing, although these methods come with higher rates of errors which can artificially increase diversity.

Results

Here we introduce a novel computational approach that incorporates base quality scores from next-generation sequencers for reconstructing viral genome sequences that simultaneously infers the number of variants within a quasispecies that are present. Comparisons on simulated and clinical data on dengue virus suggest that the novel approach provides a more accurate inference of the underlying number of variants within the quasispecies, which is vital for clinical efforts in mapping the within-host viral diversity. Sequence alignments generated by our approach are also found to exhibit lower rates of error.

Conclusions

The ability to infer the viral quasispecies colony that is present within a human host provides the potential for a more accurate classification of the viral phenotype. Understanding the genomics of viruses will be relevant not just to studying how to control or even eradicate these viral infectious diseases, but also in learning about the innate protection in the human host against the viruses.
Comparative genomics of transport proteins in developmental bacteria: Myxococcus xanthus and Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Getsin Ilya , Nalbandian Gina H , Yee Daniel C , Vastermark Ake , Paparoditis Philipp CG , Reddy Vamsee S , Saier Milton H
Published: December 2013

Background

Two of the largest fully sequenced prokaryotic genomes are those of the actinobacterium, Streptomyces coelicolor (Sco), and the δ-proteobacterium, Myxococcus xanthus (Mxa), both differentiating, sporulating, antibiotic producing, soil microbes. Although the genomes of Sco and Mxa are the same size (~9 Mbp), Sco has 10% more genes that are on average 10% smaller than those in Mxa.

Results

Surprisingly, Sco has 93% more identifiable transport proteins than Mxa. This is because Sco has amplified several specific types of its transport protein genes, while Mxa has done so to a much lesser extent. Amplification is substrate- and family-specific. For example, Sco but not Mxa has amplified its voltage-gated ion channels but not its aquaporins and mechano-sensitive channels. Sco but not Mxa has also amplified drug efflux pumps of the DHA2 Family of the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) (49 versus 6), amino acid transporters of the APC Family (17 versus 2), ABC-type sugar transport proteins (85 versus 6), and organic anion transporters of several families. Sco has not amplified most other types of transporters. Mxa has selectively amplified one family of macrolid exporters relative to Sco (16 versus 1), consistent with the observation that Mxa makes more macrolids than does Sco.

Conclusions

Except for electron transport carriers, there is a poor correlation between the types of transporters found in these two organisms, suggesting that their solutions to differentiative and metabolic needs evolved independently. A number of unexpected and surprising observations are presented, and predictions are made regarding the physiological functions of recognizable transporters as well as the existence of yet to be discovered transport systems in these two important model organisms and their relatives. The results provide insight into the evolutionary processes by which two dissimilar prokaryotes evolved complexity, particularly through selective chromosomal gene amplification.
High-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus modifies the expression of vesicular glutamate transporters in basal ganglia in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Favier Mathieu , Carcenac Carole , Drui Guillaume , Boulet Sabrina , El Mestikawy Salah , Savasta Marc
Published: December 2013

Background

It has been suggested that glutamatergic system hyperactivity may be related to the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1-3) import glutamate into synaptic vesicles and are key anatomical and functional markers of glutamatergic excitatory transmission. Both VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 have been identified as definitive markers of glutamatergic neurons, but VGLUT 3 is also expressed by non glutamatergic neurons. VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 are thought to be expressed in a complementary manner in the cortex and the thalamus (VL/VM), in glutamatergic neurons involved in different physiological functions. Chronic high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is the neurosurgical therapy of choice for the management of motor deficits in patients with advanced PD. STN-HFS is highly effective, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear. This study examines the effect of STN-HFS on VGLUT1-3 expression in different brain nuclei involved in motor circuits, namely the basal ganglia (BG) network, in normal and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats.

Results

Here we report that: 1) Dopamine(DA)-depletion did not affect VGLUT1 and VGLUT3 expression but significantly decreased that of VGLUT2 in almost all BG structures studied; 2) STN-HFS did not change VGLUT1-3 expression in the different brain areas of normal rats while, on the contrary, it systematically induced a significant increase of their expression in DA-depleted rats and 3) STN-HFS reversed the decrease in VGLUT2 expression induced by the DA-depletion.

Conclusions

These results show for the first time a comparative analysis of changes of expression for the three VGLUTs induced by STN-HFS in the BG network of normal and hemiparkinsonian rats. They provide evidence for the involvement of VGLUT2 in the modulation of BG cicuits and in particular that of thalamostriatal and thalamocortical pathways suggesting their key role in its therapeutic effects for alleviating PD motor symptoms.
Arabidopsis CROWDED NUCLEI (CRWN) proteins are required for nuclear size control and heterochromatin organization
Authors: Wang Haiyi , Dittmer Travis A , Richards Eric J
Published: December 2013

Background

Plant nuclei superficially resemble animal and fungal nuclei, but the machinery and processes that underlie nuclear organization in these eukaryotic lineages appear to be evolutionarily distinct. Among the candidates for nuclear architectural elements in plants are coiled-coil proteins in the NMCP (Nuclear Matrix Constituent Protein) family. Using genetic and cytological approaches, we dissect the function of the four NMCP family proteins in Arabidopsis encoded by the CRWN genes, which were originally named LINC (LITTLE NUCLEI).

Results

CRWN proteins are essential for viability as evidenced by the inability to recover mutants that have disruptions in all four CRWN genes. Mutants deficient in different combinations of the four CRWN paralogs exhibit altered nuclear organization, including reduced nuclear size, aberrant nuclear shape and abnormal spatial organization of constitutive heterochromatin. Our results demonstrate functional diversification among CRWN paralogs; CRWN1 plays the predominant role in control of nuclear size and shape followed by CRWN4. Proper chromocenter organization is most sensitive to the deficiency of CRWN4. The reduction in nuclear volume in crwn mutants in the absence of a commensurate reduction in endoreduplication levels leads to an increase in average nuclear DNA density.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that CRWN proteins are important architectural components of plant nuclei that play diverse roles in both heterochromatin organization and the control of nuclear morphology.
Association between multiple sclerosis and epilepsy: large population-based record-linkage studies
Authors: Allen Alexander N , Seminog Olena O , Goldacre Michael J
Published: December 2013

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and epilepsy are both fairly common and it follows that they may sometimes occur together in the same people by chance. We sought to determine whether hospitalisation for MS and hospitalisation for epilepsy occur together more often than expected by chance alone.

Methods

We analysed two datasets of linked statistical hospital admission records covering the Oxford Record Linkage Study area (ORLS, 1963–1998) and all England (1999–2011). In each, we calculated the rate of occurrence of hospital admission for epilepsy in people after admission for MS, compared with equivalent rates in a control cohort, and expressed the results as a relative risk (RR).

Results

The RR for hospital admission for epilepsy following an admission for MS was significantly high at 4.1 (95% confidence interval 3.1–5.3) in the ORLS and 3.3 (95% CI 3.1–3.4) in the all-England cohort. The RR for a first recorded admission for epilepsy 10 years and more after first recorded admission for MS was 4.7 (2.8–7.3) in ORLS and 3.9 (3.1–4.9) in the national cohort. The RR for the converse–MS following hospitalisation for epilepsy–was 2.5 (95% CI 1.7–3.5) in the ORLS and 1.9 (95% CI 1.8–2.1) in the English dataset.

Conclusions

MS and epilepsy occur together more commonly than by chance. One possible explanation is that an MS lesion acts as a focus of an epileptic seizure; but other possibilities are discussed. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of epilepsy in people with MS. The findings may also suggest clues for researchers in developing hypotheses about underlying mechanisms for the two conditions.
Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in Sudan: a case–control study comparing interferon-γ release assay and tuberculin skin test
Authors: Shakak Amani Osman , Khalil Eltahir Awad Gasim , Musa Ahmed Mudawi , Salih Kawthar Abd Eljalil Mohamed , Bashir Abd Elgadir Ali , Ahmed Ala Hassan , Idris Fath Elrahman Mohamed , Elhassan Ahmed Mohamed ,   Tuberculosis Research Group/Sudan
Published: December 2013

Background

Most people exposed to M. tuberculosis show no evidence of clinical disease. Five to 10% of individuals with latent infection progress to develop overt disease during their life time. Identification of people with latent TB infection will increase case detection rates and may dictate new treatment policies to control tuberculosis. This study aimed to determine LTBI point prevalence in a population from Sudan using two different diagnostic methods: the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the IFN-γ release assay (IGRA).

Methods

This was a prospective, community-based and case-controlled study. Following informed consent, household contacts (HHCs; n = 98) of smear-positive index cases and Community controls (CCs; 186), were enrolled. Tuberculin skin test (TST), whole blood stimulation with ESAT-6/CFP-10 ± TB7.7 antigens or purified protein derivative (PPD) and IFN-γ levels determination with ELISA were performed. The levels of IFN-γ and TST induration between the CCs and the HHCs were compared using student t-test, Chi-square and Kappa coefficient. Pearson correlation test was used to compare TST and IFN-γ. P levels of <0.05 were considered significant.

Results

TST induration of ≥ 10 mm gave an LTBI point prevalence of 327 cases/1000 individuals among HHCs compared to 126 cases/1000 individuals among CCs (p = 0.000). PPD-induced IFN-γ release assay gave an LTBI point prevalence of 418 cases/1000 individuals among HHCs compared to 301 cases/1000 individuals among CCs (p =0.06). On the other hand ESAT-6/CFP-10 ± TB7.7-induced IFN-γ gave an LTBI point prevalence of 429 cases/1000 individuals among HHCs compared to 268 cases/1000 individuals among CCs (p = 0.01). IFN-γ productions levels induced by ESAT-6/CPF-10 ± TB7.7 antigens in HHCS and CCs were not significantly different from those induced by PPD (p = 0.7).

Conclusion

IFN-γ release assay (IGRA) gave higher LTBI point prevalence compared to TST in HHCs and CCs. PPD gave comparable results to ESAT-6/CFP-10 ± TB7.7 antigens in whole blood IFN-γ release, making it a cheap alternative to the recombinant antigens.
The importance of parental beliefs and support for pedometer-measured physical activity on school days and weekend days among Canadian children
Authors: Vander Ploeg Kerry A , Kuhle Stefan , Maximova Katerina , McGavock Jonathan , Wu Biao , Veugelers Paul J
Published: December 2013

Background

Parental influences are essential to the behaviours and physical activity of their children. Our study aimed to determine if parental beliefs and support are associated with children’s pedometer measured physical activity levels on school days and weekend days.

Methods

In the spring of 2009 and 2011, we analyzed cross-sectional data from 1,355 grade five students and parents in 30 schools in Alberta, Canada. Parents reported how much they care about exercising, how much they encourage their child to be physically active, and how frequently they engage in physical activities with their child. Physical activity was assessed from step counts obtained from time-stamped pedometers collected over nine consecutive days.

Results

Increased parental encouragement was positively associated with boys’ and girls’ physical activity on school days (Boys: beta = 1373, 95% CI: 606, 2139; Girls: beta = 632, 95% CI: 108, 1155) and girls’ physical activity on weekend days (beta = 997, 95% CI: 130, 1864). Increased parental care was positively associated with boys’ physical activity on weekend days (beta = 1381, 95% CI: 85, 2676). Increased parental support and engagement was associated with an additional 632–1381 steps/day for children in this study.

Conclusions

Parental care, encouragement and engagement are associated with physical activity levels of children 10–11 years of age. Policy makers and researchers should consider the importance of targeting parents when designing strategies to promote physical activity in children. This is particularly relevant to weekends and holidays when children’s activity levels are low.
On the modified q-Euler polynomials with weight
Authors: Rim Seog-Hoon , Park Jin-Woo , Kwon Jongkyum , Pyo Sung-Soo
Published: December 2013

In this paper, we construct a new q-extension of Euler numbers and polynomials with weight related to fermionic p-adic q-integral on

Z
p

and give new explicit formulas related to these numbers and polynomials.
No association between serum cholesterol and death by suicide in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, or major depressive disorder
Authors: Park Subin , Yi Ki Kyoung , Na Riji , Lim Ahyoung , Hong Jin Pyo
Published: December 2013

Background

Previous research on serum total cholesterol and suicidality has yielded conflicting results. Several studies have reported a link between low serum total cholesterol and suicidality, whereas others have failed to replicate these findings, particularly in patients with major affective disorders. These discordant findings may reflect the fact that studies often do not distinguish between patients with bipolar and unipolar depression; moreover, definitions and classification schemes for suicide attempts in the literature vary widely.

Methods

Subjects were patients with one of the three major psychiatric disorders commonly associated with suicide: schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, and major depressive disorder (MDD). We compared serum lipid levels in patients who died by suicide (82 schizophrenia, 23 bipolar affective disorder, and 67 MDD) and non-suicide controls (200 schizophrenia, 49 bipolar affective disorder, and 175 MDD).

Results

Serum lipid profiles did not differ between patients who died by suicide and control patients in any diagnostic group.

Conclusions

Our results do not support the use of biological indicators such as serum total cholesterol to predict suicide risk among patients with a major psychiatric disorder.
First observation in a non-endemic country (Togo) of Penicillium marneffei infection in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient: a case report
Authors: Patassi Akouda Akessiwe , Saka Bayaki , Landoh Dadja Essoya , Kotosso Awerou , Mawu Koudjo , Halatoko Wemboo Afiwa , Wateba Majesté Ihou , Adjoh Komi , Tidjani Osseni , Salmon Dominique , Pitché Palokinam
Published: December 2013

Background

Infection with Penicillium marneffei is a common opportunistic infection in Southeast Asia where it is endemic. We report a case of Penicillium marneffei infection with fatal outcome in a Togolese woman infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Case presentation

A 45-years-old patient, infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus had consulted for ongoing febrile pneumonia since two weeks. Clinical examination revealed fever of 38.5°C, dyspnea, pulmonary syndrome condensation and papulo-nodular of “molluscum contagiosum” like lesions located on the face, arms, neck and trunk. Sputum smear was negative for tuberculosis. The chest radiograph showed reticulonodular opacities in the right upper and middle lobes and two caves in the right hilar region. The CD4 count was 6 cells/mm3 after a year of antiretroviral treatment (Zidovudine-Lamivudine-Efavirenz). She was treated as smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis after a lack of gentamicin and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid response. Culture of skin samples and sputum had revealed the presence of P. marneffei. A treatment with ketoconazole 600 mg per day was initiated. After two weeks of treatment, there was a decrease in the size and number of papules and nodules, without any new lesions. We noted disappearance of cough and fever. The chest X-ray showed a decrease of pulmonary lesions. There was no reactivation of P. marneffei infection but the patient died from AIDS after two years of follow up.

Conclusion

We report a case of P. marneffei infection in a HIV-infected patient in a non-endemic country. Clinicians should think of P. marneffei infection in all HIV-infected patients with “molluscum contagiosum” like lesions.
Insufficient ER-stress response causes selective mouse cerebellar granule cell degeneration resembling that seen in congenital disorders of glycosylation
Authors: Sun Liangwu , Zhao Yingjun , Zhou Kun , Freeze Hudson H , Zhang Yun-wu , Xu Huaxi
Published: December 2013

Background

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDGs) are inherited diseases caused by glycosylation defects. Incorrectly glycosylated proteins induce protein misfolding and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The most common form of CDG, PMM2-CDG, is caused by deficiency in the cytosolic enzyme phosphomannomutase 2 (PMM2). Patients with PMM2-CDG exhibit a significantly reduced number of cerebellar Purkinje cells and granule cells. The molecular mechanism underlying the specific cerebellar neurodegeneration in PMM2-CDG, however, remains elusive.

Results

Herein, we report that cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) are more sensitive to tunicamycin (TM)-induced inhibition of total N-glycan synthesis than cortical neurons (CNs). When glycan synthesis was inhibited to a comparable degree, CGCs exhibited more cell death than CNs. Furthermore, downregulation of PMM2 caused more CGCs to die than CNs. Importantly, we found that upon PMM2 downregulation or TM treatment, ER-stress response proteins were elevated less significantly in CGCs than in CNs, with the GRP78/BiP level showing the most significant difference. We further demonstrate that overexpression of GRP78/BiP rescues the death of CGCs resulting from either TM-treatment or PMM2 downregulation.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the selective susceptibility of cerebellar neurons to N-glycosylation defects is due to these neurons’ inefficient response to ER stress, providing important insight into the mechanisms of selective neurodegeneration observed in CDG patients.
Drug-target and disease networks: polypharmacology in the post-genomic era
Authors: Masoudi-Nejad Ali , Mousavian Zaynab , Bozorgmehr Joseph H
Published: December 2013

With the growing understanding of complex diseases, the focus of drug discovery has shifted away from the well-accepted “one target, one drug” model, to a new “multi-target, multi-drug” model, aimed at systemically modulating multiple targets. Identification of the interaction between drugs and target proteins plays an important role in genomic drug discovery, in order to discover new drugs or novel targets for existing drugs. Due to the laborious and costly experimental process of drug-target interaction prediction,in silicoprediction could be an efficient way of providing useful information in supporting experimental interaction data. An important notion that has emerged in post-genomic drug discovery is that the large-scale integration of genomic, proteomic, signaling and metabolomic data can allow us to construct complex networks of the cell that would provide us with a new framework for understanding the molecular basis of physiological or pathophysiological states. An emerging paradigm of polypharmacology in the post-genomic era is that drug, target and disease spaces can be correlated to study the effect of drugs on different spaces and their interrelationships can be exploited for designing drugs or cocktails which can effectively target one or more disease states. The future goal, therefore, is to create a computational platform that integrates genome-scale metabolic pathway, protein–protein interaction networks, gene transcriptional analysis in order to build a comprehensive network for multi-target multi-drug discovery.
Voucherizing Medicare
Authors: Oberlander Jonathan
Published: December 2013

This article explores the evolving language of Medicare reform and recent conflicts over “voucherizing” Medicare. The Medicare reform debate is, in part, a contest over how to frame policy alternatives in order to enhance (or diminish) their political viability. “Voucherizing” has emerged as a powerful rhetorical weapon in that fight. Yet the accompanying debate is often misleading about both the current state of Medicare and the necessity of altering its programmatic structure to ensure future stability.
Synthesis, Structure, and Isomerization of Alkoxycarbonyl(chloro)(cyano)rhodium(III) Complexes, mer-[RhCl(CO2R)(CN)(PMe3)3] (R = Me, Et, nPr, iPr, nBu, and Bn), through C–C Bond Cleavage of Cyanoformates
Authors: Okuda Yasuhiro , Okamoto Takeru , Yamamoto Arisa , Li Jing , Nakajima Kiyohiko , Nishihara Yasushi
Published: December 2013

Alkoxycarbonyl(chloro)(cyano)rhodium(III) complexes mer-[RhCl(CO2R)(CN)(PMe3)3] (1: R = Me; 2: R = Et; 3: R = nPr; 4: R = iPr; 5: R = nBu; 6: R = Bn) are prepared via oxidative addition of the corresponding cyanoformates to [RhCl(PMe3)3], derived in situ from [RhCl(cod)]2 and three equivalents of PMe3 in toluene at 70 °C, and their structures are characterized using NMR (1H, 13C{1H}, and 31P{1H}) and X-ray diffraction.
Debt Contracts with Partial Commitment
Authors: Kovrijnykh Natalia
Published: December 2013

This paper analyzes a dynamic lending relationship where the borrower cannot be forced to make repayments, and the lender offers long-term contracts that are imperfectly enforced and repeatedly renegotiated. No commitment and full commitment by the lender are special cases of this model where the probability of enforcement equals zero and one, respectively. I show that an increase in the degree of enforcement can lower social welfare. Furthermore, properties of equilibrium investment dynamics with partial commitment drastically differ from those with full and no commitment. In particular, investment is positively related to cash flow, consistent with empirical findings. (JEL D82, D86, G21)
Typifying an era in biology through synthesis of biodiversity information: Achievements and impediments
Authors: Tripp Erin A. , Hoagland K. Elaine
Published: December 2013

While phylogenetic systematics has developed rapidly and impressively over the last five decades, a reawakened interest in the role and impact of biodiversity collections epitomizes the last two decades in particular. In this essay, we explore various aspects that characterize this Biodiversity Information Synthesis: achievements, impediments, shifting personnel roles, technological advancements, and predictions on future trends—both bleak and promising.
Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of the lichen‐forming fungal genus Flavoparmelia (Ascomycota: Parmeliaceae)
Authors: Del-Prado Ruth , Blanco Oscar , Lumbsch H. Thorsten , Divakar Pradeep K. , Elix John. A. , Molina M. Carmen , Crespo Ana
Published: December 2013

The lichen‐forming fungal genus Flavoparmelia includes species with distinct distribution patterns, including subcosmopolitan, restricted, and disjunct species. We used a dataset of nuclear ITS and LSU ribosomal DNA including 51 specimens to understand the influence of historical events on the current distribution patterns in the genus. We employed Bayesian, maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony approaches for phylogenetic analyses, a likelihood‐based approach to ancestral area reconstruction, and a Bayesian approach to estimate divergence times of major lineages within the genus. We identified two major clades in the genus, one of them separating into two subclades and one of those into four groups. Several of the groups and clades have restricted geographical ranges in the Southern Hemisphere, but two groups include species with wider distribution areas. Our analyses suggest that the genus originated in southern South America during the Eocene–Oligocene transition and that the diversification of the Australasian groups occurred recently. The subcosmopolitan distribution of species is explained by long‐distance dispersal, while vicariance probably played a major role in the origin of the genus. Several currently accepted species were found to be non‐monophyletic, indicating that the species delimitation in the genus requires further studies.
Issues Concerning Self-Report Data and Population-Based Data Sets Involving People With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Emerson Eric , Felce David , Stancliffe Roger J.
Published: December 2013

This article examines two methodological issues regarding ways of obtaining and analyzing outcome data for people with intellectual disabilities: (a) self-report and proxy-report data and (b) analysis of population-based data sets. Some people with intellectual disabilities have difficulties with self-reporting due to problems of understanding and communication. However, there are serious doubts about the validity of proxy data for subjective issues. One important challenge with secondary analysis of population-based data sets is the difficulty of accurately identifying survey participants with intellectual disabilities. In both areas examined, it is important to recognize these constraints when interpreting research based on such data.
Social Inclusion and Community Participation of Individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Amado Angela Novak , Stancliffe Roger J. , McCarron Mary , McCallion Philip
Published: December 2013

As more individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities are physically included in community life, in schools, neighborhoods, jobs, recreation, and congregations, the challenge of going beyond physical inclusion to true social inclusion becomes more apparent. This article summarizes the status of the research about community participation and social inclusion, summarizes some debates and points of contention, notes emerging research issues, and highlights needed areas of research. It is clear that most research on these topics has been conducted with individuals who are in paid formal services, and there are great needs for understanding the community participation of individuals who live on their own or with their families, as well as researching social inclusion by focusing on the attitudes and experiences of community members themselves, not just individuals with disabilities and paid providers.
Why use design methodology in culinary arts education?
Authors: Mitchell Richard , Woodhouse Adrian , Heptinstall Tony , Camp Justine
Published: December 2013

Culinary arts education has remained largely unchanged for more than a century. Since the time of Auguste Escoffier, students have been taught French classical cookery using a master-apprentice model of education that began in the Middle Ages. While the vocational apprenticeship has been replaced in some instances by education delivered by public and private institutes, rote learning from a master continues. Contrast this with the fast pace of modern cookery and an outpouring of culinary innovation not seen in at least 150 years and you have an education system that simply cannot keep up. This article discusses the current culinary arts education system in New Zealand and identifies several forces that are highlighting the need for change. Food media’s popularizing of culinary design provides both inspiration and aspiration for those wanting to learn culinary arts. Meanwhile, the New Zealand Government promotes design through its technology curriculum and lauds design-led business and creative industries as the way of the future. Surrounding this is a growing global awareness of the challenges that we face in providing safe, sustainable and ethical food to an increasing population. The article concludes by briefly outlining how Otago Polytechnic’s Bachelor of Culinary Arts is attempting a paradigm shift that has N. Cross’ ‘designerly thinking’ at its core.
‘During the course of the programme my attention shifted and deepened – I was more interested in developing myself as a person’: Evaluating a careers award in higher education
Authors: Clark Wayne
Published: December 2013

In the past few years, there has been a proliferation of employability and skills awards across higher education in the United Kingdom (AGCAS, 2011). These schemes have generally been developed by careers services in response to national policy agendas on improving graduate ‘success’ and enhancing graduate employability. Thus far, evaluation of employability awards has been largely restricted to measuring quantifiable employment outcomes. This article extends existing understandings of the impact of such schemes with reference to small-scale evaluation research undertaken with students on a pilot award at University of Westminster. Drawing upon qualitative data, the programme is evaluated in relation to soft outcomes (Dewson et al., 2000) including student motivations, student belonging and active learning styles, with particular reference to the experiences of non-traditional, or non A-level, entrants to higher education.
Doctoral Training Partnerships: a work-in-progress review of the postgraduate researcher experience
Authors: Smith McGloin Rebekah
Published: December 2013

Recent changes in research council policy and postgraduate funding have seen the beginnings of a fundamental reconfiguration in how some PhD students are recruited and trained. This report is a work-in-progress review of early student evaluation data from a single doctoral training partnership (DTP) within this new doctoral training landscape. It gives a broad overview of historical and contemporary challenges in researcher development before summarising the results of evaluation data from the first year of the BBSRC DTP. It goes on to discuss how these preliminary findings might be followed up and what they might hint at in terms of the model’s potential to influence researcher development in the future.
Being there: strategies for incorporating the student voice into the learning experience of a large first-year marketing course in a New Zealand university
Authors: FitzPatrick Mary , Davey Janet , Spiller Dorothy
Published: December 2013

Higher education (HE) researchers and practitioners comment regularly on the difficulties of encouraging students to be fully present in the large-class learning experience. Educators who want to honour and promote the student voice need to design teaching and learning spaces that help students make emotional and cognitive connections with course learning, enabling them to be partners in directing the learning and to assume the role of co-inquirers. This paper describes a case study in a first-year marketing course in a New Zealand university in which a student tutor’s photo-narrative was designed to achieve these goals. Students’ evaluations indicated that the strategy promoted personal engagement and increased ownership of the learning. Photo-narrative storytelling offers HE practitioners an effective means to connect theoretical content to students’ own lives, and enhance student ownership of the learning. Inviting students to create their own photo-narratives could create a learning experience that approximates more closely to a learning partnership.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Capturing the Distance (Online) Learner Experience
Authors: Fitzgerald Rachel , Corazzo Paul
Published: December 2013

This work in progress paper presents the findings of a small scale study conducted to gain insight into the ‘distance learner’ experience at a higher education institution. The study was undertaken in support of a wider project to improve and enhance online learning. Primary research was undertaken by an undergraduate student who conducted virtual focus groups with currently enrolled students using face to face video technology. This report documents the method and limitations of undertaking the research and summarises participants’ thoughts. Initial outcomes from the study suggest that students are generally content with learning and teaching online, but experience frustration with aspects of administration and course material signposting. Participants make a number of recommendations for overall improvement and this report concludes with plans for going forward and embedding their ideas into the wider project and developing opportunities for further student input to their learning.
The factors associated with the failure of transcatheter pelvic arterial embolization for intractable postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Yamasaki Yui , Morita Hiroki , Miyahara Yoshiya , Ebina Yasuhiko , Okada Takuya , Yamaguchi Masato , Yamada Hideto
Published: December 2013

Objective: The transcatheter pelvic arterial embolization (TAE) is effective for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). There has been a little information about the factors for ineffectiveness of TAE. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with TAE failure for PPH.

Study design: Fifty-five women who underwent TAE for intractable PPH were included. Clinical factors involving age, history of pregnancy, gestational weeks of delivery, mode of delivery, causes of PPH, complete blood count, blood loss volume, transfusion amount, shock index and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score were compared between TAE success group (n=48) and TAE failure group (n=7).

Results: The uni- and multi-variate analyses revealed that advanced maternal age (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.12–2.18) and retained placenta as a cause of PPH (15.48, 2.04–198.12) were found to be significant factors for TAE failure.

Conclusion: The advanced age and retained placenta were independent factors associated with TAE failure for intractable PPH.
The Visual Representation of 3D Object Orientation in Parietal Cortex
Authors: Rosenberg Ari , Cowan Noah J. , Angelaki Dora E.
Published: December 2013

An accurate representation of three-dimensional (3D) object orientation is essential for interacting with the environment. Where and how the brain visually encodes 3D object orientation remains unknown, but prior studies suggest the caudal intraparietal area (CIP) may be involved. Here, we develop rigorous analytical methods for quantifying 3D orientation tuning curves, and use these tools to the study the neural coding of surface orientation. Specifically, we show that single neurons in area CIP of the rhesus macaque jointly encode the slant and tilt of a planar surface, and that across the population, the distribution of preferred slant-tilts is not statistically different from uniform. This suggests that all slant-tilt combinations are equally represented in area CIP. Furthermore, some CIP neurons are found to also represent the third rotational degree of freedom that determines the orientation of the image pattern on the planar surface. Together, the present results suggest that CIP is a critical neural locus for the encoding of all three rotational degrees of freedom specifying an object's 3D spatial orientation.
The Pattern and Distribution of Deleterious Mutations in Maize
Authors: Mezmouk Sofiane , Ross-Ibarra Jeffrey
Published: December 2013

Most nonsynonymous mutations are thought to be deleterious because of their effect on protein sequence and are expected to be removed or kept at low frequency by the action of natural selection. Nonetheless, the effect of positive selection on linked sites or drift in small or inbred populations may also impact the evolution of deleterious alleles. Despite their potential to affect complex trait phenotypes, deleterious alleles are difficult to study precisely because they are often at low frequency. Here, we made use of genome-wide genotyping data to characterize deleterious variants in a large panel of maize inbred lines. We show that, despite small effective population sizes and inbreeding, most putatively deleterious SNPs are indeed at low frequencies within individual genetic groups. We find that genes associated with a number of complex traits are enriched for deleterious variants. Together, these data are consistent with the dominance model of heterosis, in which complementation of numerous low-frequency, weak deleterious variants contribute to hybrid vigor.
Children’s navigation in reorientation task
Authors: Lábadi Beatrix , Leipold Annamária , Varró-Horváth Diána
Published: December 2013

Korábbi tanulmányok bizonyították, hogy a gyermekek dezorientációt követően képesek használni a szoba alakját (geometriai tulajdonságait), hogy megtaláljanak térben elrejtett tárgyakat, miközben más vizuális információk (például falak színe) nem segítik a tájékozódást. Ezért azt feltételezték, hogy a téri reorientációt a geometriai modul biztosítja, ami a nem-geometriai információkra nézve „enkapszulált”. Vizsgálatunk célja, hogy megfigyeljük, hogyan integrálódnak a geometriai és nem-geometriai információk a tájékozódás során, olyan esetben, amikor nincs szükség a jobb/bal irányok megkülönböztetésére, illetve kizárólag a szoba falának színe és a metrikus információk szolgálnak jelzőingerként az elrejtett tárgyak megtalálásához. Vizsgálatunk eredménye szerint 4–6 éves gyermekek kisméretű zárt térben képesek együtt kezelni a tér geometriai alakját és a szín információt a téri tájékozódáshoz olyan esetben, amikor a feladat megoldásához nincs szükség a jobb/bal irányok megkülönbözetésére. Továbbá kimutatható a téri nyelv és a tájékozódás közötti pozitív kapcsolat, viszont kizárólag a megkülönböztető vizuális információval ellátott feltételekben.
Comparative examination of the intelligence profile of school children with ADHD and dyslexia
Authors: Szabó Csilla , Mohai Katalin
Published: December 2013

A diszlexia és a figyelemhiányos/hiperaktivitás zavar (ADHD) gyakran együttesen jelenik meg, nagyfokú komorbiditást mutatva, ugyanakkor a kutatások a két klinikai kép eltérő természetét igazolják.Vizsgálatainkban a hazai diagnosztikus munkában egyre inkább elterjedt WISC-IV gyermek-intelligenciatesztet alkalmaztuk. Mivel a teszttel kapcsolatosan csupán néhány éves tapasztalattal rendelkezünk, kutatásunk további célja a WISC-IV gyermek-intelligenciateszt alkalmazhatóságának és diagnosztikus érzékenységének feltárása ADHD és diszlexia esetében. Hosszú távon eredményeink hozzájárulhatnak a pontosabb differenciáldiagnosztikus kritériumok felállításához, mindezzel lehetővé téve a specifikusabb fejlesztési célok felállítását.Jelen tanulmányban az ADHD-s, diszlexiás gyermekek WISC-IV gyermek-intelligenciatesztben mutatott profilját elemezzük. A kutatásban 13 ADHD-s, 13 diszlexiás és 13 kontroll kisiskolás vett részt, akiket életkor, nem, illetve osztályfok szerint illesztettünk.
Plasma Interactions with Biological Molecules in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Setsuhara Yuichi , Miyazaki Atsushi , Takenaka Kosuke , Hori Masaru
Published: December 2013

Plasma interactions with L-alanine in aqueous solution have been examined as a basis of fundamental processes in plasma medicine. The plasma interactions with L-alanine in aqueous solution have been examined for investigations of chemical modifications induced by exposures with the atmospheric-pressure hollow-cathode He plasma to the surface of the aqueous solution, which contained L-alanine as a solute in pure water, via chemical bonding states analyses using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Measurement of hydrogen ion exponent (pH level) of pure water during the atmospheric plasma exposure showed that the pH level decreased to be acidic, but the water temperature did not change. The C 1s XPS spectrum from the L-alanine after the plasma exposure to the aqueous solution showed the decomposition of the -COOH group and the formation of -C=O group.
Brazilian guidelines for the application of transcranial ultrasound as a diagnostic test for the confirmation of brain death
Authors: Lange Marcos C. , Zétola Viviane H. F. , Miranda-Alves Maramélia , Moro Carla H. C. , Silvado Carlos E. , Rodrigues Daniela L. G. , Gregorio Edilene Guiotti di , Silva Gisele S. , Oliveira-Filho Jamary , Perdatella Marco T. A. , Pontes-Neto Octávio M. , Fábio Soraia R. C. , Avelar Wagner M. , Freitas Gabriel R. de
Published: December 2013

Neurosonological studies, specifically transcranial Doppler (TCD) and transcranial color-coded duplex (TCCD), have high level of specificity and sensitivity and they are used as complementary tests for the diagnosis of brain death (BD). A group of experts, from the Neurosonology Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology, created a task force to determine the criteria for the following aspects of diagnosing BD in Brazil: the reliability of TCD methodology; the reliability of TCCD methodology; neurosonology training and skills; the diagnosis of encephalic circulatory arrest; and exam documentation for BD. The results of this meeting are presented in the current paper.
Polygala extraaxillaris: oxidative stress in Brachiaria decumbens mediated by volatile oils
Authors: Silva C.B. , Simionatto E. , Gebara S.S. , Poppi N.R. , Cândido A.C.S. , Lima C.P. , Dias J.F.G. , Zanin S.M.W. , Peres M.T.L.P. , Moreira T.F. , Miguel O.G. , Miguel M.D.
Published: December 2013

The volatile oils extracted from the roots of Polygala extraaxillaris were analyzed to assess whether they increase oxidative stress in Brachiaria decumbens var. Piatã, as well as to assess their effect on cellular division and cytotoxicity in laboratory. Six concentrations were used (0%, 0.35%, 0.65%, 1.25%, 0.65%, and 5.0%) with four repetitions of 25 seeds. The substance 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl) - ethanone was identified as the major constituent of the volatile oils. The results showed that the highest concentrations of the oils resulted in an increase in the oxidative stress in B. decumbens, as well as alteration in germination and growth, with a consequent reduction in the process of cellular division, causing changes in the growth standard and antioxidant defense.