bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of exercise and environmental complexity on deficits in trace and contextual fear conditioning produced by neonatal alcohol exposure in rats
Authors: Schreiber W.B. , St. Cyr S.A. , Jablonski S.A. , Hunt P.S. , Klintsova A.Y. , Stanton M.E.
Published: May 2012

In rodents, voluntary exercise and environmental complexity increases hippocampal neurogenesis and reverses spatial learning and long‐term potentiation deficits in animals prenatally exposed to alcohol. The present experiment extended these findings to neonatal alcohol exposure and to delay, trace, and contextual fear conditioning. Rats were administered either 5.25 g/kg/day alcohol via gastric intubation or received sham‐intubations (SI) between Postnatal Day (PD) 4 and 9 followed by either free access to a running wheel on PD 30–41 and housing in a complex environment on PD 42–72 (wheel‐running plus environmental complexity; WREC) or conventional social housing (SHSH) from PD 30 to 72. Adult rats (PD 80 ± 5) received 5 trials/day of a 10‐s flashing‐light conditioned stimulus (CS) paired with .8 mA footshock either immediately (delay conditioning) or after a 10‐s trace interval (trace conditioning) for 2 days. Neonatal alcohol exposure impaired context and trace conditioning, but not short‐delay conditioning. The WREC intervention did not reverse these deficits, despite increasing context‐related freezing in ethanol‐exposed and SI animals. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 55: 483–495, 2013
‘Smoking’ mephedrone: The identification of the pyrolysis products of 4‐methylmethcathinone hydrochloride
Authors: Kavanagh Pierce , O'Brien John , Power John D , Talbot Brian , McDermott Seán D
Published: May 2012

The ring‐substituted cathinone – mephedrone – has gained popularity among recreational drug users over the past several years. It is generally consumed orally or by snorting but reports indicate that it is also ingested by vaporization/inhalation. This study examines the pyrolysis products produced by heating mephedrone under using simulated ‘meth pipe’ conditions. Thirteen pyrolysis products were identified, the major ones being iso‐mephedrone, 4‐methylpropiophenone, 4‐methylphenylacetone, two pyrazine derivatives formed by dimerization of mephedrone, N‐methylated mephedrone (N,N,4‐trimethylcatinone), two hydroxylated oxidation products and a diketone. Other minor products formed were identified as 4‐methylacetophenone, two α‐chloro ketones and N‐methylated iso‐mephedrone. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gold Nanoparticles Modified Electrode for the Determination of an Antihypertensive Drug
Authors: Atta Nada F. , Galal Ahmed , Azab Shereen M.
Published: May 2012

The nature of binding between Terazosin (TR) and gold nanoparticles (Au‐Nps) is investigated using UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopies, cyclic voltammetry, SEM, and EIS. The results suggest that Au‐Nps are effective carriers for TR. An electrochemical sensor for TR is introduced using Au‐Nps electrodeposited on carbon paste electrode. The effect of parameters including pH and scan rate on the response was investigated. A linear range from 8.0×10−9 to 5.4×10−5 mol L−1 with correlation coefficient of 0.9995 and detection limit of 1.2×10−10 mol L−1 was obtained. This sensor was used for determining TR spiked in urine, and excellent recovery results are achieved.
Towards the development of molecular markers for apple volatiles
Authors: Ulrich Detlef , Dunemann Frank
Published: May 2012

Improving flavour quality of apple varieties is an important but complex breeding goal. Flavour is among the key factors of apple fruit quality but in spite of the analytical and biochemical knowledge about volatiles little is known about the genetic and molecular basis of apple aroma. The aim of this paper is to give an overview about the complex analytical investigations on metabolite patterns, quantitative trait locus mapping and development of a first functional marker for acetate esters with high sensory impact based on single nucleotide polymorphisms within a candidate gene encoding a key enzyme involved in the last step of ester biosynthesis (alcohol acyl‐transferase, MdAAT1). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GABAA receptor modulation by the volatile fractions of Sideritis species used as ‘Greek’ or ‘Turkish’ mountain tea
Authors: Kessler Artur , Villmann Carmen , Sahin‐Nadeem Hilal , Pischetsrieder Monika , Buettner Andrea
Published: May 2012

Sideritis spp. is a member of the Labiateae family, used in traditional folk medicine and as a calming tea preparation. Dichloromethane extracts of the aerial parts of four Sideritis species were prepared, and the volatile fractions were separated via solvent‐assisted flavour evaporation distillation. In vitro electrophysiological techniques were used to investigate the physiological effects of these aroma extracts on ionotropic γ‐aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAA) in comparison to extracts of Lavandula spp. (lavender) obtained by the same approach. The plant extracts of Sideritis spp. and Lavandula spp. increased the maximal current responses gated by the agonist GABA, both in whole cell patch clamp recordings as well as in two electrode voltage clamp assays. Thereby, the volatile fractions caused a dose‐dependent enhancement of GABAergic currents. Differences in activity between the various species were probably due to variations in odorant composition, either on a qualitative or quantitative basis. Thus, the plant material contains volatile organic compounds, which are able to modulate a GABA‐mediated response and thereby possibly contribute to a sedative effect in vivo. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is the KOSPI 200 Options Market Efficient? Parametric and Nonparametric Tests of the Martingale Restriction
Authors: Guo Biao , Han Qian , Ryu Doojin
Published: May 2012

A number of studies on the S&P 500 index options market claim that the no‐arbitrage assumption cannot be rejected for this market because either the martingale restriction defined in Longstaff (1995) cannot be rejected by the data, or, even when it is rejected, a large proportion of the violation can be explained by market friction factors. The present study singles out the effect of market inefficiency from market friction by testing the martingale restriction for the KOSPI 200 index options market, which is the most liquid and active options market in the world. Not only using the parametric methods adopted in previous studies but also using the nonparametric methods that enable us to avoid the model misspecification problem, we empirically present clear evidence of a violation of the martingale restriction. In addition, in contrast to the S&P 500 options market, regression analyses and robustness tests indicate that market friction factors can explain only a small portion of the percentage differences between option‐implied and market‐observed index prices. Overall, the results do not support the basic no‐arbitrage assumption or the market efficiency in the KOSPI 200 options market.
Aloe‐emodin inhibits adipocyte differentiation and maturation during in vitro human mesenchymal stem cell adipogenesis
Authors: Subash‐Babu Pandurangan , Alshatwi Ali A.
Published: May 2012

In this study, we examined the effects of Aloe‐emodin (AE) on the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation during 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX)‐induced adipocyte differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). AE treatment (5, 10, and 20 µM) of preadipocyte cells resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase and triglyceride levels as well as an increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity and attenuated lipid accumulation compared with untreated differentiated adipocytes. Using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, we studied the mRNA expression levels of resistin, adiponectin, aP2, lipoprotein lipase, PPARγ, and tumor necrosis factor‐α in hMSCs undergoing adipocyte differentiation; treatment with AE decreased the expression of these adipogenic genes and decreased adipocyte differentiation. In addition, AE suppresses the differentiation of hMSCs into adipocytes by downregulating PPARγ and C/EBPα expressions. AE significantly inhibited hMSCs proliferation and preadipocyte differentiation within the first 2 days of treatment, indicating that the antiadipogenic effect. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:291–300, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21415
Comparative effectiveness of donation after cardiac death versus donation after brain death liver transplantation: Recognizing who can benefit
Authors: Jay Colleen L. , Skaro Anton I. , Ladner Daniela P. , Wang Edward , Lyuksemburg Vadim , Chang Yaojen , Xu Hongmei , Talakokkla Sandhya , Parikh Neehar , Holl Jane L. , Hazen Gordon B. , Abecassis Michael M.
Published: May 2012

Due to organ scarcity and wait-list mortality, transplantation of donation after cardiac death (DCD) livers has increased. However, the group of patients benefiting from DCD liver transplantation is unknown. We studied the comparative effectiveness of DCD versus donation after brain death (DBD) liver transplantation. A Markov model was constructed to compare undergoing DCD transplantation with remaining on the wait-list until death or DBD liver transplantation. Differences in life years, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and costs according to candidate Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score were considered. A separate model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with and without MELD exception points was constructed. For patients with a MELD score <15, DCD transplantation resulted in greater costs and reduced effectiveness. Patients with a MELD score of 15 to 20 experienced an improvement in effectiveness (0.07 QALYs) with DCD liver transplantation, but the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was >$2,000,000/QALY. Patients with MELD scores of 21 to 30 (0.25 QALYs) and >30 (0.83 QALYs) also benefited from DCD transplantation with ICERs of $478,222/QALY and $120,144/QALY, respectively. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated stable results for MELD scores <15 and >20, but the preferred strategy for the MELD 15 to 20 category was uncertain. DCD transplantation was associated with increased costs and reduced survival for HCC patients with exception points but led to improved survival (0.26 QALYs) at a cost of $392,067/QALY for patients without exception points. In conclusion, DCD liver transplantation results in inferior survival for patients with a MELD score <15 and HCC patients receiving MELD exception points, but provides a survival benefit to patients with a MELD score >20 and to HCC patients without MELD exception points.
Posttransplant metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents after liver transplantation: A systematic review
Authors: Rothbaum Perito Emily , Lau Audrey , Rhee Sue , Roberts John P. , Rosenthal Philip
Published: May 2012

During long-term follow-up, 18% to 67% of pediatric liver transplant recipients are overweight or obese, with rates varying by age and pretransplant weight status. A similar prevalence of posttransplant obesity has been seen in adults. Adults also develop posttransplant metabolic syndrome and, consequently, cardiovascular disease at rates that exceed the rates in age- and sex-matched populations. Posttransplant metabolic syndrome has never been studied in pediatric liver transplant recipients, and this population is growing as transplant outcomes continue to improve. Here we systematically review the literature for each component of metabolic syndrome—obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance—in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Their rates of obesity are similar to the rates in children in the general US population. However, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are more common than would be expected in transplant recipients according to age, sex, and obesity severity. Immunosuppressive medications are major contributors. The limitations of previous studies, including heterogeneous methods of diagnosis, follow-up times, and immunosuppressive regimens, hinder the analysis of risk factors. Importantly, no studies have reported graft or patient outcomes associated with components of metabolic syndrome after pediatric liver transplantation. However, if the trends in children are similar to the trends seen in adults, these conditions may lead to significant long-term morbidity. Further research on the prevalence, causes, and consequences of posttransplant metabolic syndrome in pediatric liver transplant recipients is needed and will ultimately help to improve long-term outcomes. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
On Lusin's area integrals and g‐functions in certain Dunkl and Laguerre settings
Authors: Szarek Tomasz Z.
Published: May 2012

We investigate $g$‐functions and Lusin's area type integrals related to certain multi‐dimensional Dunkl and Laguerre settings. We prove that the considered square functions are bounded on the weighted Lp, 1<p<∞, and from L1 into the weak L1.
On some bilinear problems on weighted Hardy‐Sobolev spaces
Authors: Cascante C. , Ortega J. M.
Published: May 2012

In this paper we study the bilinear problem of characterizing the positive Borel measures μ on Sn, satisfying

where \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$H_s^2(w)$\end{document} and \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$H_t^2(w)$\end{document} are weighted Hardy‐Sobolev spaces, under adequate conditions on the weight w.
MicroRNA profiling of carcinogen‐induced rat colon tumors and the influence of dietary spinach
Authors: Parasramka Mansi A. , Dashwood W. Mohaiza , Wang Rong , Abdelli Amir , Bailey George S. , Williams David E. , Ho Emily , Dashwood Roderick H.
Published: May 2012

Scope

MicroRNA (miRNA) profiles are altered in chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, and cancer. A systems biology approach was used to examine, for the first time, miRNAs altered in rat colon tumors induced by 2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP), a heterocyclic amine carcinogen from cooked meat.

Methods and results

Among the most highly dysregulated miRNAs were those belonging to the let‐7 family. Subsequent computational modeling and target validation identified c‐Myc and miRNA‐binding proteins Lin28A/Lin28B (Lin28) as key players, along with Sox2, Nanog, and Oct‐3/4. These targets of altered miRNAs in colon cancers have been implicated in tumor recurrence and reduced patient survival, in addition to their role as pluripotency factors. In parallel with these findings, the tumor‐suppressive effects of dietary spinach given postinitiation correlated with elevated levels of let‐7 family members and partial normalization of c‐myc, Sox2, Nanog, Oct‐3/4, HmgA2, Dnmt3b, and P53 expression.

Conclusion

We conclude that the let‐7/c‐Myc/Lin28 axis is dysregulated in heterocyclic amine‐induced colon carcinogenesis, and that the tumor suppressive effects of dietary spinach are associated with partial normalization of this pathway.
Feasibility and benefits of a school‐based academic and counseling program for older school‐age students with asthma
Authors: Kintner Eileen , Cook Gwendolyn , Allen April , Meeder Linda , Bumpus Janell , Lewis Kimberly
Published: May 2012

An asthma education program for older school‐age students with asthma was developed in collaboration with school personnel, healthcare professionals, and community partners. Feasibility and benefits were evaluated using a single‐group, prospective, quasi‐experimental design. The convenience sample, consisting of 28 grade 6 and 7 students with asthma, had 50% males, a diverse racial background, and a wide range of incomes. Feasibility and benefits were demonstrated by comparing pre‐intervention to 1‐ and 12‐month post‐intervention evaluation of students who completed more than 70% of the 10 sessions. Statistically significant improvements in cognitive, behavioral, psychosocial, and quality of life outcomes were seen from pre‐intervention to 1‐month post‐intervention (all p < .03). Severity of asthma significantly improved from 1‐ to 12‐month post‐intervention (p = .04). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 35:507–517, 2012
Risk factors associated with the need for a tracheostomy in extremely low birth weight infants
Authors: Viswanathan Sreekanth , Mathew Ajith , Worth Anne , Mhanna Maroun J.
Published: May 2012

In an attempt to determine the risk factors associated with the need for a tracheostomy in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants, a retrospective, case control study was conducted (each infant with a tracheostomy [case] was matched to two controls). Medical records were reviewed for patients' characteristics, risk factors for tracheostomy and outcome. During the study period (June 1996 to Dec 2010), 934 ELBW infants were admitted to our institution and nine infants had a tracheostomy and were matched to 18 controls. There were no differences in birth weight (BW) and gestation age (GA) between cases and controls (828.1 ± 136.2 g vs. 822.0 ± 140.9 g [P = 0.91] and 26.6 ± 1.8 weeks vs. 26.5 ± 1.6 weeks [P = 0.88], respectively). In comparison to their controls, infants with a tracheostomy had a higher rate of intubation (median 13 [11–15] vs. 3 [2–5], P ≤ 0.001), a higher rate of total intubation attempts (median 18 [13–21] vs. 5.5 [3–7], P = 0.001), and more days of mechanical ventilation prior to their tracheostomy (mean 100.7 ± 27.7 vs. 29.2 ± 19.8 days [P < 0.001]). Also infants with a tracheostomy had a higher rate of non‐congenital upper airway obstruction (55% [5/9] vs. 0% [0/18]; P = 0.001), a higher rate of chronic lung disease (100% [9/9] vs. 5% [1/18]; P < 0.001) and a higher mortality (44% [4/9] vs. 0% [0/18]; P = 0.007) than their controls. In conclusion, chronic lung disease, multiple intubations and intubation attempts, duration of mechanical ventilation, and non‐congenital upper airway obstruction are risk factors associated with tracheostomies in ELBW infants. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:146–150. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fludarabine nucleoside induces accumulations of p53, p63 and p73 in the nuclei of human B‐lymphoid cell lines, with cytosolic and mitochondrial increases in p53
Authors: Almazi Juhura G. , Mactier Swetlana , Best O. Giles , Crossett Ben , Mulligan Stephen P. , Christopherson Richard I.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Human Raji cells treated with fludarabine nucleoside (2‐FaraA, 3 μM) undergo apoptosis with accumulation of p53 in the nuclei as multiple phosphorylated isoforms and C‐terminal truncated derivatives. Changes induced by 2‐FaraA in the levels of p53, p63 and p73 in the nuclear, cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions have been determined in four human B‐lymphoid cell lines that are TP53‐functional (Raji and IM9) and TP53‐mutated (MEC1 and U266).

Experimental design

The B‐lymphoid cell lines were treated with 2‐FaraA (3 μM, 24 h, 48 h) and viability determined. Protein extracts of subcellular fractions from 2‐FaraA‐treated cells were analysed by 1D and 2D electrophoresis; multiple phosphorylated isoforms and truncated derivatives were identified by Western blots for p53, p63 and p73.

Results

p53 and p63 were present in all three fractions, while p73 was only detected in nuclei. After treatment with 2‐FaraA, nuclear p53, p63 and p73 accumulated as multiple phosphorylated isoforms and truncated derivatives. The association of p63 with mitochondria in human cells is novel.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Comprehensive information on the subcellular distributions and responses of p53, p63 and p73 to 2‐FaraA provides additional insight into mechanisms for induction of apoptosis in the treatment of B‐lymphoproliferative disorders with fludarabine.
Strain‐induced ripples in graphene nanoribbons with clamped edges
Authors: Baimova Julia A. , Dmitriev Sergey V. , Zhou Kun
Published: May 2012

Molecular dynamics is employed to study the mechanical behavior of graphene nanoribbons with clamped edges under in‐plane strain. Buckling of nanoribbons results in the appearance of periodic ripples whose orientation, wavelength, and amplitude can be controlled by varying strain components and nanoribbon width. This study shows a way of controlling physical properties of nanoribbons by introducing strain‐induced ripples.

magnified image

Example of ripples in strained graphene nanoribbon with clamped edges.
Discounting phase 2 results when planning phase 3 clinical trials
Authors: Kirby S. , Burke J. , Chuang‐Stein C. , Sin C.
Published: May 2012

Sample size planning is an important design consideration for a phase 3 trial. In this paper, we consider how to improve this planning when using data from phase 2 trials. We use an approach based on the concept of assurance. We consider adjusting phase 2 results because of two possible sources of bias. The first source arises from selecting compounds with pre‐specified favourable phase 2 results and using these favourable results as the basis of treatment effect for phase 3 sample size planning. The next source arises from projecting phase 2 treatment effect to the phase 3 population when this projection is optimistic because of a generally more heterogeneous patient population at the confirmatory stage. In an attempt to reduce the impact of these two sources of bias, we adjust (discount) the phase 2 estimate of treatment effect. We consider multiplicative and additive adjustment. Following a previously proposed concept, we consider the properties of several criteria, termed launch criteria, for deciding whether or not to progress development to phase 3. We use simulations to investigate launch criteria with or without bias adjustment for the sample size calculation under various scenarios. The simulation results are supplemented with empirical evidence to support the need to discount phase 2 results when the latter are used in phase 3 planning. Finally, we offer some recommendations based on both the simulations and the empirical investigations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A resampling approach for interval‐valued data regression
Authors: Ahn Jeongyoun , Peng Muliang , Park Cheolwoo , Jeon Yongho
Published: May 2012

We consider interval‐valued data that frequently appear with advanced technologies in current data collection processes. Interval‐valued data refer to the data that are observed as ranges instead of single values. In the last decade, several approaches to the regression analysis of interval‐valued data have been introduced, but little work has been done on relevant statistical inferences concerning the regression model. In this paper, we propose a new approach to fit a linear regression model to interval‐valued data using a resampling idea. A key advantage is that it enables one to make inferences on the model such as the overall model significance test and individual coefficient test. We demonstrate the proposed approach using simulated and real data examples, and also compare its performance with those of existing methods. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Statistical Analysis and Data Mining, 2012
Mechanism of Cellular Uptake of Graphene Oxide Studied by Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Huang Jie , Zong Cheng , Shen He , Liu Min , Chen Biao , Ren Bin , Zhang Zhijun
Published: May 2012

The last few years have witnessed rapid development of biological and medical applications of graphene oxide (GO), such as drug/gene delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging. However, little is known about the cellular uptake mechanism and pathway of GO. In this work, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is employed to investigate the cellular internalization of GO loaded with Au nanoparticles (NPs) by Ca Ski cells. The presence of Au NPs on the surface of GO enables detection of enhanced intrinsic Raman signals of GO inside the cell. The SERS results reveal that GO is distributed inhomogeneously inside the cell. Furthermore, internalization of Au‐GO into Ca Ski cells is mainly via clathrin‐mediated endocytosis, and is an energy‐dependent process.
Rational Design and Nanofabrication of Gecko‐Inspired Fibrillar Adhesives
Authors: Hu Shihao , Xia Zhenhai
Published: May 2012

Gecko feet integrate many intriguing functions such as strong adhesion, easy detachment, and self‐cleaning. Mimicking gecko toe pad structure leads to the development of new types of fibrillar adhesives useful for various applications. In this Concept article, in addition to the design of adhesive mimics by replicating gecko geometric features, we show a new trend of rational design by adding other physical, chemical, and biological principles on to the geometric merits, for enhancing robustness, responsive control, and durability. Current challenges and future directions are highlighted in the design and nanofabrication of biomimetic fibrillar adhesives.
Fluorine‐Free Mould Powders for Billet Casting – Technological Parameters and Industrial Tests
Authors: Klug Jeferson L. , Silva Daniel R. , Freitas Suzana L. , Pereira Márcia M. S. M. , Heck Nestor C. , Vilela Antônio C. F. , Jung Detlef
Published: May 2012

There is a clear trend in industry to eliminate fluorine from metallurgical slags. Regarding the continuous casting process, fluorine in mould powders is undesirable due to the following reasons: (i) evolves easily from slags producing health‐injurious gaseous substances like hydrofluoric acid, (ii) creates problems for storage and utilization of solid waste, and (iii) causes machinery corrosion. A collaboration among universities, mould powder supplier, and steel producer was established, aiming for the development of a new F‐free mould powder for billet casting. Firstly, technological parameters for a particular composition were determined: melting characteristics, viscosity, melting behavior, and crystallization tendency. Afterwards, industrial trials were performed in a Brazilian steelworks, doing some evaluations during the continuous casting process, such as ΔT between water cooling inlet and outlet, slag pool thickness, melting performance, powder consumption, Al2O3 pick‐up, and effect on SEN erosion. Comparable surface quality for the billets was obtained when using the F‐free mould powder, since the amount of scrap produced during the rolling process was not critical.
Occupancy dynamics of breeding crawfish frogs in southeastern Indiana
Authors: Williams Perry J. , Robb Joseph R. , Karns Daryl R.
Published: May 2012

We studied the occupancy dynamics of breeding crawfish frogs (Lithobates areolatus) at 45 randomly selected grasslands across 208 km2 at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, in southeastern Indiana, USA, during March 2010 and 2011. We developed a suite of hypotheses explaining the relationship between occupancy, detection, and environmental covariates. We fit our hypotheses using multiseason occupancy models, and compared them in an information‐theoretic, model‐selection framework. Our top model suggested that the detection probability had a positive, linear relationship with time, temperature, and the amount of rain 24 hours before the survey, and had a quadratic relationship with date, which peaked on 19 March. Our top model supported our hypothesis that occupancy probability was positively correlated with grassland size; larger grasslands were more likely to be occupied by crawfish frogs. Based on our results, we recommend that managers conserve large tracts of grasslands near breeding sites. We recommend that in southeastern Indiana crawfish frog‐breeding surveys be conducted in mid‐ to late‐March, and that each call point be surveyed for 15 minutes. We provide a model to increase the precision of detection probability estimates for call surveys that target calling crawfish frogs. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Creatine metabolism in urea cycle defects
Authors: Boenzi Sara , Pastore Anna , Martinelli Diego , Goffredo Bianca Maria , Boiani Arianna , Rizzo Cristiano , Dionisi‐Vici Carlo
Published: May 2012

Creatine (Cr) and phosphocreatine play an essential role in energy storage and transmission. Maintenance of creatine pool is provided by the diet and by de novo synthesis, which utilizes arginine, glycine and s‐adenosylmethionine as substrates. Three primary Cr deficiencies exists: arginine:glycine amidinotransferase deficiency, guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency and the defect of Cr transporter SLC6A8. Secondary Cr deficiency is characteristic of ornithine‐aminotransferase deficiency, whereas non‐uniform Cr abnormalities have anecdotally been reported in patients with urea cycle defects (UCDs), a disease category related to arginine metabolism in which Cr must be acquired by de novo synthesis because of low dietary intake. To evaluate the relationships between ureagenesis and Cr synthesis, we systematically measured plasma Cr in a large series of UCD patients (i.e., OTC, ASS, ASL deficiencies, HHH syndrome and lysinuric protein intolerance). Plasma Cr concentrations in UCDs followed two different trends: patients with OTC and ASS deficiencies and HHH syndrome presented a significant Cr decrease, whereas in ASL deficiency and lysinuric protein intolerance Cr levels were significantly increased (23.5 vs. 82.6 μmol/L; p < 0.0001). This trend distribution appears to be regulated upon cellular arginine availability, highlighting its crucial role for both ureagenesis and Cr synthesis. Although decreased Cr contributes to the neurological symptoms in primary Cr deficiencies, still remains to be explored if an altered Cr metabolism may participate to CNS dysfunction also in patients with UCDs. Since arginine in most UCDs becomes a semi‐essential aminoacid, measuring plasma Cr concentrations might be of help to optimize the dose of arginine substitution.
Functional and electrophysiological characterization of four non‐truncating mutations responsible for creatine transporter (SLC6A8) deficiency syndrome
Authors: Valayannopoulos Vassili , Bakouh Naziha , Mazzuca Michel , Nonnenmacher Luc , Hubert Laurence , Makaci Fatna‐Léa , Chabli Allel , Salomons Gajja S. , Mellot‐Draznieks Caroline , Brulé Emilie , de Lonlay Pascale , Toulhoat Hervé , Munnich Arnold , Planelles Gabrielle , de Keyzer Yves
Published: May 2012

Intellectual disability coupled with epilepsy are clinical hallmarks of the creatine (Cr) transporter deficiency syndrome resulting from mutations in the SLC6A8 gene. So far characterization of pathogenic mutations of SLC6A8 has been limited to Cr uptake. The aim of our study was to characterize the electrogenic and pharmacological properties of non truncating SLC6A8 mutations identified in patients presenting variable clinical severity. Electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of four mutants (including two novel ones) were studied in X. laevis oocyte expression system. Creatine uptake was assessed with [14C]‐Cr in X. laevis and patients’ fibroblasts. Subcellular localization was determined by immunofluorescence and western blot. All mutants were properly targeted to the plasma membrane in both systems. Mutations led to the complete loss of both electrogenic and transport activities in X. laevis and Cr uptake in patients’ fibroblasts. Among the Cr analogs tested, guanidinopropionate induced an electrogenic activity with the normal SLC6A8 transporter similar to creatine whereas a phosphocreatine derivative, PCr‐Mg‐CPLX, resulted in partial activity. SLC6A8 mutants displayed no electrogenic activity with all Cr analogs tested in X. laevis oocytes. Although the mutations altered various domains of SLC6A8 Cr uptake and electrogenic properties were completely inhibited and could not be dissociated. Besides the metabolic functions of Cr, the loss of SLC6A8 electrogenic activity, demonstrated here for the first time, may also play a role in the altered brain functions of the patients.
The SIMCLAS Model: Simultaneous Analysis of Coupled Binary Data Matrices with Noise Heterogeneity Between and Within Data Blocks
Authors: Wilderjans Tom F. , Ceulemans E. , Van Mechelen I.
Published: May 2012

In many research domains different pieces of information are collected regarding the same set of objects. Each piece of information constitutes a data block, and all these (coupled) blocks have the object mode in common. When analyzing such data, an important aim is to obtain an overall picture of the structure underlying the whole set of coupled data blocks. A further challenge consists of accounting for the differences in information value that exist between and within (i.e., between the objects of a single block) data blocks. To tackle these issues, analysis techniques may be useful in which all available pieces of information are integrated and in which at the same time noise heterogeneity is taken into account. For the case of binary coupled data, however, only methods exist that go for a simultaneous analysis of all data blocks but that do not account for noise heterogeneity. Therefore, in this paper, the SIMCLAS model, being a Hierarchical Classes model for the simultaneous analysis of coupled binary two-way matrices, is presented. In this model, noise heterogeneity between and within the data blocks is accounted for by downweighting entries from noisy blocks/objects within a block. In a simulation study it is shown that (1) the SIMCLAS technique recovers the underlying structure of coupled data to a very large extent, and (2) the SIMCLAS technique outperforms a Hierarchical Classes technique in which all entries contribute equally to the analysis (i.e., noise homogeneity within and between blocks). The latter is also demonstrated in an application of both techniques to empirical data on categorization of semantic concepts.
Analysis of Fatty Acids in 12 Mediterranean Fish Species: Advantages and Limitations of a New GC‐FID/GC–MS Based Technique
Authors: Nevigato Teresina , Masci Maurizio , Orban Elena , Di Lena Gabriella , Casini Irene , Caproni Roberto
Published: May 2012

When fatty acids in fish are analyzed, results in percentage form (profile analysis) are mostly reported. However, the much more useful results expressed as mg/100 g (absolute analysis) is the main information required. Absolute methods based on calibration curves are of good accuracy but with a high degree of complexity if applied to a great number of analytes. Procedures based on the sequence profile analysis–total FA determination–absolute analysis may be suitable for routine use, but suffer from a number of uncertainties that have never been really resolved. These uncertainties are mainly related to the profile analysis. In fact, most profile analyses reported in the literature disagree about the number and type of fatty acids monitored as well as about the total percentage to assign to their sum so leading to possible inaccuracies; in addition the instrumental response factor for all FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) is often considered as a constant, but this is not exactly true. In this work, a set of 24 fatty acids was selected and studied on 12 fish species in the Mediterranean area (variable in lipid content and month of sampling): in our results, and in these species, this set constitutes, on average, 90 ± 3 % of the total fatty acid content. Moreover the error derived from the assumption of a unique response factor was investigated. Two different detection techniques (GC‐FID and GC–MS) together with two capillary columns (different in length and polarity) were used in order to acquire complementary data on the same sample. With the protocol here proposed absolute analyses on the 12 cited species are easily achievable by the total FA determination procedure. The accuracy of this approach is good in general, but in some cases (DHA for example) is lower than the accuracy of calibration‐based methods. The differences were evaluated on a case by case basis.
Epigenetic mechanisms, nuclear architecture and the control of gene expression in trypanosomes
Authors: Alsford Sam , duBois Kelly , Horn David , Field Mark C.
Published: May 2012

The control of gene expression, and more significantly gene cohorts, requires tight transcriptional coordination and is an essential feature of probably all cells. In higher eukaryotes, the mechanisms used involve controlled modifications to both local and global DNA environments, principally through changes in chromatin structure as well ascis-element-driven mechanisms. Although the mechanisms regulating chromatin in terms of transcriptional permissiveness and the relation to developmental programmes and responses to the environment are becoming better understood for animal and fungal cells, it is only just beginning to become clear how these processes operate in other taxa, including the trypanosomatids. Recent advances are now illuminating how African trypanosomes regulate higher-order chromatin structure, and, further, how these mechanisms impact on the expression of major surface antigens that are of fundamental importance to life-cycle progression. It is now apparent that several mechanisms are rather more similar between animal and fungal cells and trypanosomes than it originally appeared, but some aspects do involve gene products unique to trypanosomes. Therefore, both evolutionarily common and novel mechanisms cohabit in trypanosomes, offering both important biological insights and possible therapeutic opportunity.
Formation of columnar baroclinic vortices in thermally stratified nonlinear spin-up
Authors: Pacheco J. R. , Verzicco R.
Published: May 2012

We investigate the mechanisms that affect the formation of columnar vortices for spin-up in a cylinder where the temperatures at the horizontal walls are prescribed. Numerical results from the three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations show that a short-lived instability, suppressed by the combined effect of rotation and stratification, generates small temperature variations in the azimuthal direction. Temperature-gradient anomalies produce vorticity, and these vortices stir the fluid at the interface of the central vortex core thus reinforcing the temperature gradients. For sufficiently strong temperature gradients, the central vortex core breaks up into several columnar vortices. It is found, in particular, that small aspect ratios (height over radius of the cylindrical fluid layer) $\Gamma = 1, 2$ tend to inhibit the instability, while larger ones, $\Gamma = 3. 3$, have the opposite effect. The main source of instability is the baroclinic vorticity production and not the presence of a solid sidewall since, counter-intuitively, the flow is more unstable for a free-slip boundary than for a no-slip one. Finally the effect of the temperature boundary conditions (isothermal versus adiabatic) on the horizontal boundaries has been investigated. The adiabatic boundaries help to preserve for longer times the sloping density interfaces that feed, with their potential energy, the baroclinic vorticity production; this results in more unstable flows.
Minimal seeds for shear flow turbulence: using nonlinear transient growth to touch the edge of chaos
Authors: Pringle Chris C. T. , Willis Ashley P. , Kerswell Rich R.
Published: May 2012

We propose a general strategy for determining the minimal finite amplitude disturbance that triggers transition to turbulence in shear flows. This involves constructing a variational problem that searches over all disturbances of fixed initial amplitude which respect the boundary conditions, incompressibility and the Navier–Stokes equations, to maximize a chosen functional over an asymptotically long time period. The functional must be selected such that it identifies turbulent velocity fields by taking significantly enhanced values compared to those for laminar fields. We illustrate this approach using the ratio of the final to initial perturbation kinetic energies (energy growth) as the functional and the energy norm to measure amplitudes in the context of pipe flow. Our results indicate that the variational problem yields a smooth converged solution provided that the initial amplitude is below the threshold for transition. This optimal is the nonlinear analogue of the well-studied (linear) transient growth optimal. At the critical threshold, the optimization seeks out a disturbance that is on the ‘edge’ of turbulence during the period. Above this threshold, when disturbances trigger turbulence by the end of the period, convergence is then practically impossible. The first disturbance found to trigger turbulence as the amplitude is increased identifies the ‘minimal seed’ for the given geometry and forcing (Reynolds number). We conjecture that it may be possible to select a functional such that the converged optimal below threshold smoothly converges to the minimal seed at threshold. Our choice of the energy growth functional is shown to come close to this for the pipe flow geometry investigated here.
Specific micronutrient concentrations are associated with inflammatory cytokines in a rural population of Mexican women with a high prevalence of obesity
Authors: Zavala Gerardo , Long Kurt Z. , García Olga P. , Caamaño María del Carmen , Aguilar Tania , Salgado Luis M. , Rosado Jorge L.
Published: May 2012

It has been recognised recently that obese individuals have lower concentrations of micronutrients and this may affect the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines. A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the association of specific micronutrients' status with chronic inflammation caused by obesity in 280 women (36·1 (sd7·5) years) from seven rural communities in Mexico. Measurements of weight, height and waist circumference were made on all women and body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Concentrations of the cytokines IL-1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12, lipid profile, and the micronutrients Zn and vitamins A, C and E were determined in fasting blood samples. Ordered logistic regression models were used to determine associations between categorised cytokine levels and micronutrients. It was found that 80 % of women were overweight or obese, and had significantly higher concentrations of C-reactive protein than normal-weight women (P= 0·05). The risk of higher levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 was reduced significantly among women with higher Zn concentrations (OR 0·63, 95 % CI 0·42, 0·96,P= 0·03; OR 0·57, 95 % CI 0·39, 0·86,P= 0·025; OR 0·63, 95 % CI 0·41, 0·96,P= 0·04; OR 0·62, 95 % CI 0·41, 0·95,P= 0·03, respectively). Higher concentrations of vitamin A were slightly associated with reduced risks of higher levels of IL-1 and IL-12 (OR 0·97, 95 % CI 0·95, 0·99,P= 0·03; OR 0·97, 95 % CI 0·94, 0·99,P= 0·03, respectively); when adjusting for BMI, this association was lost. No associations were found between vitamin C or vitamin E:lipids concentrations and inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, higher Zn concentrations are associated with reduced risks of higher concentration of inflammation markers in a population of women with a high prevalence of obesity.
Spontaneous pneumocephalus presenting with alien limb phenomena
Authors: Nash R , Wilson M , Adams M , Kitchen N
Published: May 2012

Background:

Spontaneous pneumocephalus is a rare condition that has been reported infrequently. Alien limb syndrome is an uncommon phenomenon most often seen in patients with frontal and callosal lesions.

Method:

Case report of a patient with pneumocephalus presenting with alien limb syndrome. The patient underwent successful surgical management. A literature review and discussion of aspects of this presentation are also included.

Conclusion:

In this case, a spontaneous pneumocephalus has formed a frontal space-occupying lesion and presented with alien limb phenomena.
The EU, Global Europe, and processes of uneven and combined development: the problem of transnational labour solidarity
Authors: BIELER ANDREAS
Published: May 2012

In 2006, the European Union launched its new free trade strategy Global Europe with the explicit goal of increasing European competitiveness. This article explores the positions of trade unions and other social movements on Global Europe. Importantly, while Northern social movements and trade unions from the Global South reject Global Europe due to its impact of deindustrialisation on developing countries, European trade unions support it in so far as it opens up new markets for the export of European manufactured goods. It will be argued that this has to be understood against the background of the dynamics underlying the global economy and here in particular uneven and combined development. Due to the uneven integration of different parts of the world into the global economy, workers in developed countries may actually benefit from free trade, while workers in the Global South are more likely to lose out. It will, however, also be argued that while these different positions within the social relations of production are shaping the position of trade unions, they do not determine them. Over time, through direct engagement, trade unions in the North and South may be able to establish relations of transnational solidarity.
A non-sovereign modernity: attempts to engineer stability in the Balkans 1820–90
Authors: HALDÉN PETER
Published: May 2012

Social theory almost invariably equates modernity with the sovereign state. This equation must be nuanced because the modern era and modern strategies of international stability have contained non-sovereign units. In the nineteenth century, the Great Powers tried to create international stability by engineering forms of rule in Europe. These strategies built on distinctively modern ideas: the possibility of radically breaking with the past, redesigning political organisations, and actively controlling political events through rational planning. Throughout the century the Great Powers alternated between creating non-sovereign units and creating sovereign units as instruments in these stabilising strategies. The degree of trust between the Great Powers accounts for the shift between the two strategies: they tended to create non-sovereign units when mutual trust was high and sovereign ones when trust was low. This article analyses Great Power strategies of designing forms of rule in the Balkans between 1820 and 1878. Like in previous centuries, nineteenth-century Europe actually consisted of two parallel but connected systems: the egalitarian system of sovereign states and a system of non-sovereign entities. Non-sovereign units disappeared only late in the century and this process was affected by the increasing rivalry and mistrust between the sovereign states.