bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two small RNAs, CrcY and CrcZ, act in concert to sequester the Crc global regulator in Pseudomonas putida, modulating catabolite repression
Authors: Moreno Renata , Fonseca Pilar , Rojo Fernando
Published: November 2011

The Crc protein is a translational repressor that recognizes a specific target at some mRNAs, controlling catabolite repression and co‐ordinating carbon metabolism in pseudomonads. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the levels of free Crc protein are controlled by CrcZ, a sRNA that sequesters Crc, acting as an antagonist. We show that, in Pseudomonas putida, the levels of free Crc are controlled by CrcZ and by a novel 368 nt sRNA named CrcY. CrcZ and CrcY, which contain six potential targets for Crc, were able to bind Crc specifically in vitro. The levels of CrcZ and CrcY were low under conditions generating a strong catabolite repression, and increased strongly when catabolite repression was absent. Deletion of either crcZ or crcY had no effect on catabolite repression, but the simultaneous absence of both sRNAs led to constitutive catabolite repression that compromised growth on some carbon sources. Overproduction of CrcZ or CrcY significantly reduced repression. We propose that CrcZ and CrcY act in concert, sequestering and modulating the levels of free Crc according to metabolic conditions. The CbrA/CbrB two‐component system activated crcZ transcription, but had little effect on crcY. CrcY was detected in P. putida, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas syringae, but not in P. aeruginosa.
Nitrate and ammonium lead to distinct global dynamic phosphorylation patterns when resupplied to nitrogen‐starved Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Engelsberger Wolfgang R. , Schulze Waltraud X.
Published: November 2011

Nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and development. Inorganic nitrogen and its assimilation products control various metabolic, physiological and developmental processes. Although the transcriptional responses induced by nitrogen have been extensively studied in the past, our work here focused on the discovery of candidate proteins for regulatory events that are complementary to transcriptional changes. Most signaling pathways involve modulation of protein abundance and/or activity by protein phosphorylation. Therefore, we analyzed the dynamic changes in protein phosphorylation in membrane and soluble proteins from plants exposed to rapid changes in nutrient availability over a time course of 30 min. Plants were starved of nitrogen and subsequently resupplied with nitrogen in the form of nitrate or ammonium. Proteins with maximum change in their phosphorylation level at up to 5 min after nitrogen resupply (fast responses) included GPI‐anchored proteins, receptor kinases and transcription factors, while proteins with maximum change in their phosphorylation level after 10 min of nitrogen resupply (late responses) included proteins involved in protein synthesis and degradation, as well as proteins with functions in central metabolism and hormone metabolism. Resupply of nitrogen in the form of nitrate or ammonium resulted in distinct phosphorylation patterns, mainly of proteins with signaling functions, transcription factors and transporters.
A PORR domain protein required for rpl2 and ccmFC intron splicing and for the biogenesis of c‐type cytochromes in Arabidopsis mitochondria
Authors: des Francs‐Small Catherine Colas , Kroeger Tiffany , Zmudjak Michal , Ostersetzer‐Biran Oren , Rahimi Nima , Small Ian , Barkan Alice
Published: November 2011

Angiosperm mitochondria encode approximately 20 group II introns, which interrupt genes involved in the biogenesis and function of the respiratory chain. Nucleus‐encoded splicing factors have been identified for approximately half of these introns. The splicing factors derive from several protein families defined by atypical RNA binding domains that function primarily in organelles. We show here that the Arabidopsis protein WTF9 is essential for the splicing of group II introns in two mitochondrial genes for which splicing factors had not previously been identified: rpl2 and ccmFC. WTF9 harbors a recently recognized RNA binding domain, the PORR domain, which was originally characterized in the chloroplast splicing factor WTF1. These findings show that the PORR domain family also functions in plant mitochondria, and highlight the parallels between the machineries for group II intron splicing in plant mitochondria and chloroplasts. In addition, we used the splicing defects in wtf9 mutants as a means to functionally characterize the mitochondrial rpl2 and ccmFC genes. Loss of ccmFC expression correlates with the loss of cytochromes c and c1, confirming a role for ccmFC in cytochrome biogenesis. By contrast, our results strongly suggest that splicing is not essential for the function of the mitochondrial rpl2 gene, and imply that the Rpl2 fragment encoded by rpl2 exon 1 functions in concert with a nuclear gene product that provides the remainder of this essential ribosomal protein in trans.
Effect of Staining and Freezing Media on Sortability of Stallion Spermatozoa and their Post‐thaw Viability After Sex‐sorting and Cryopreservation
Authors: Clulow JR , Buss H , Evans G , Sieme H , Rath D , Morris LHA , Maxwell WMC
Published: November 2011

Contents

Sex‐sorted, frozen–thawed stallion spermatozoa remain out of reach of commercial horse breeders because of the low efficiency of the sex‐sorting process and unacceptable fertility rates after insemination. Two experiments were designed to test the effects of alternative staining and freezing media to improve the viability of sex‐sorted frozen–thawed stallion spermatozoa. Experiment 1 compared two freezing media, INRA 82® and a modified lactose‐ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), for the cryopreservation of sex‐sorted stallion spermatozoa. No significant differences between the two freezing media could be identified, suggesting that both cryodiluents would be suitable for incorporation into a sex‐preselection protocol for stallion spermatozoa. Experiment 2 compared Kenney’s modified Tyrode’s (KMT) and Sperm TALP (Sp‐TALP) as the staining and incubation medium for stallion spermatozoa prior to sex‐sorting. A significant increase in the percentage of acrosome‐reacted spermatozoa occurred after staining and incubation in the clarified Sp‐TALP compared with KMT. As no improvements in sorting rates were achieved using Sp‐TALP, it was concluded that stallion sorting protocols could include KMT as the staining and incubation medium while either INRA 82® or lactose‐EDTA could be employed as a cryodiluents.
Influences of Metabolic Traits on Subclinical Endometritis at Different Intervals Postpartum in High Milking Cows
Authors: Senosy WS , Izaike Y , Osawa T
Published: November 2011

Contents

Seventy pluriparous high‐yielding cows were used to investigate the impact of metabolic traits and body condition score (BCS) during early lactation on subclinical endometritis diagnosed at weeks 5, 6 and 7 postpartum (pp). Blood samples were collected from animals with no peripartum problems from the second (W2) to seventh (W7) weeks pp to estimate some blood metabolites including non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), blood glucose, total cholesterol (T‐chol) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Reproductive tract examination was carried out at weeks 5, 6 and 7 pp by endometrial cytology (percentage of polymorphonuclear cells; PMN%). Based on PMN%, animals having <5% were defined as subclinical endometritis group (ENDM group) while animals unaffected by endometritis were defined as no subclinical endometritis group (NOENDM group). Animals with endometritis during week 5 were identified as ENDM5, during week 6 identified as ENDM6 and during week 7 identified as ENDM7 or animals with no endometritis during weeks 5 (NOENDM5), 6 (NOENDM6) and 7 (NOENDM7) pp. Animals diagnosed at week 5; BUN and BCS were lower p < 0.05 in ENDM 5 than NOENDM5 group at W2, W4, W6 and W7. Cows diagnosed at week 6; T‐chol was significantly higher (p = 0.05) in ENDM6 group (279.2 ± 12.5 mg/dl) than NOENDM6 group (246 ± 9.5 mg/dl) at W7. Moreover, blood glucose was significantly low (p < 0.05) in ENDM6 group when compared to NOENDM group at W4 pp (49.2 ± 1.8 vs 53.8 ± 1.3 mg/dl). BCS was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in animals suffered from endometritis during week 7 when compared to NOENDM7 cows at W3, W4, W5, W6 and W7. In conclusion, lower blood glucose, BUN and BCS could be a risk factor for cytologically diagnosed endometritis at weeks 5, 6 and 7 pp.
Effect of the antipsychotic agent amisulpride on glucose lowering and insulin secretion
Authors: Roix J. J. , DeCrescenzo G. A. , Cheung P. H. , Ciallella J. R. , Sulpice T. , Saha S. , Halse R.
Published: November 2011

Aims: To investigate the effects of the second generation antipsychotic (R/S)‐amisulpride, and the chirally purified enantiomers, on glucose homeostasis in diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice.

Methods: Normal and DIO mice were treated with pharmacologically relevant doses of amisulpride prior to oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs). Blood glucose, insulin, glucagon‐like peptide‐1, prolactin and amisulpride drug levels were determined.

Results: Racemic amisulpride significantly reduced glucose excursions during OGTT in both normal and DIO mice. This potent effect was preserved with the ‘off‐isomer’, R‐amisulpride (ED50 1 mg/kg). Insulin secretion was significantly increased with R‐amisulpride with only a minor increase in prolactin levels.

Conclusions: Amisulpride has antidiabetic actions in DIO mice resulting from increased insulin secretion. This provides some explanation for why amisulpride, unlike other atypical antipsychotics, is not diabetogenic in man. Furthermore, the observation that R‐amisulpride is also antidiabetic and has minimal impact on prolactin levels presents the opportunity for development of this isomer as an antidiabetic agent.
The rs553668 polymorphism of the ADRA2A gene predicts the worsening of fasting glucose values in a cohort of subjects without diabetes. A population‐based study
Authors: Bo S. , Cassader M. , Cavallo‐Perin P. , Durazzo M. , Rosato R. , Gambino R.
Published: November 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 549–552 (2012)

Aims  Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in the human ADRA2A gene have been associated with increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. The associations between the rs553668 polymorphism and fasting glucose concentrations both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally after 6‐year follow‐up were evaluated in an adult Caucasian population‐based cohort.

Methods  From a cohort of 1658 individuals, after excluding patients with diabetes, those who died and those whose blood samples were not available for genotyping, data of 1345 individuals were analysed.

Results  Subjects homozygous for the A allele showed significantly increased baseline fasting glucose values and a significant worsening of fasting glucose (β = 0.48; 95% CI 0.10–0.86) and insulin secretion (β = −20.75; −32.67 to −8.82 for homeostasis model assessment for β‐cell function) at follow‐up by using generalized estimating equations. Incidence of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes was almost twofold higher in subjects homozygous for the A allele (respectively: incident impaired fasting glucose 7.6–8.2, 16.1%, incident diabetes 1.7–2.3, 3.2% in GG, AG, AA carriers).

Conclusions  Our results suggested that the rs553668 polymorphism is associated with glucose worsening in subjects without diabetes at baseline.
Introducing personalised care planning into Newham: outcomes of a pilot project
Authors: Walker R. , Davison C. , Maher A‐M. , Law J. , Reilly P. , Fordjour G.
Published: November 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 1074–1078 (2012)

Aim  To explore the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a personalised care planning approach for diabetes care in general practice.

Methods  A four‐stage care planning process was introduced for diabetes annual review, involving patients (1) being made aware of the new process, (2) attending an appointment to gather clinical data, (3) receiving and reviewing their results and (4) attending a care planning consultation. The latter is a collaborative discussion with the health professional about their response to their results, their goals and desired action plan. Health professionals received specialist training in personalised care planning, including practice observations and feedback.

Results  Sixty‐six per cent of patients eligible to participate in the project attended both appointments and received an annual review. Of these, 89% also agreed a personalised care plan. Staff reported greater engagement among patients who had read and understood their results. Fourteen per cent of patients reported that they had not agreed a care plan but would have liked one. Patients reported increased confidence in managing their condition with 75% feeling that their ideas and goals were discussed completely.

Conclusions  Introducing personalised care planning to general practice diabetes care is possible and well received. Our model for implementation of personalised care planning, which includes specialist training for practice teams and ongoing support from local colleagues and health organizations, can help to meet national recommendations for the provision of personalised care plans for people with long‐term conditions. When implementing personalised care planning, efficient administration is vital and behaviour change is necessary for both staff and patients.
Global Health Security: Security for whom? Security from what?
Authors: Rushton Simon
Published: November 2011

The concept of ‘health security’ has been increasingly apparent in recent years in both academic and policy discourses on transborder infectious disease threats. Yet it has been noted that there are a range of conceptualisations of ‘health security’ in circulation and that confusion over the concept is creating international tensions with some states (particularly from the Global South) fearing that ‘health security’ in reality means securing the West. This article examines these tensions but puts forward an alternative explanation for them. It begins by looking at the different ‘health securities' that characterise the contemporary global health discourse, arguing that there is in fact a good deal more consensus than we are often led to believe. In particular there is a high level of agreement evident over what the major threats to ‘health security’ are and what should be done about them. These are a particular set of health risks which are primarily seen as major threats by Western developed nations, and contemporary global responses – often couched in the language of global health security – have a tendency to focus on containment rather than prevention. The article makes the case that to resolve the tensions around (global) health security there is the need for a more explicit recognition of the primary beneficiaries of the current system, and of who is bearing the costs. Only following such a recognition can meaningful debates be carried out about the appropriate prioritisation of global health security in relation to other global health governance priorities.
Natalizumab discontinuation: an increasingly tricky proposition
Authors: West T. W. , Killestein J. , Fox R. J.
Published: November 2011

Click here to view the accompanying paper in this issue.
Assessment of D216H DYT1 polymorphism in a Chinese primary dystonia patient cohort
Authors: Chen Y. , Burgunder J.‐M. , Song W. , Huang R. , Shang H.‐F.
Published: November 2011

Background:  The D216H single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs1801968) in DYT1 exon 4 has been suggested to be a genetic modifier in primary dystonia.

Methods:  To further explore this question, we assessed rs1801968 variations in a cohort of 210 Chinese patients with primary dystonia devoid of DYT1 mutations.

Results:  We found that focal dystonia, specifically cervical dystonia, was the most common form of dystonia, with 8.1% of all the patients having a positive family history of dystonia. No association of the D216H SNP with primary dystonia was identified. In a subsequent subgroup analysis, the 216H allele was found to occur more frequently in patients with writer’s cramp, but no correlation was found between the allele and other forms of dystonia or age of onset.

Conclusions:  Our findings do not confirm that the allele contributes to the risk of D216H SNP primary dystonia.
The impact of researcher disturbance on nest predation rates: a meta‐analysis
Authors: IBÁÑEZ‐ÁLAMO JUAN D. , SANLLORENTE OLIVIA , SOLER MANUEL
Published: November 2011

The effects of visits to nests by researchers interested in quantifying avian nesting success have received considerable attention, as researchers have long been concerned about the possible negative effects of their own activities on the resulting estimates. There is a widely held view that investigator disturbance has an overall negative effect on breeding success by increasing nest predation rates in the nests studied. However, to date no one has statistically assessed the empirical evidence for such a relationship. We undertook a meta‐analysis of published results to assess whether researcher activities increase nest predation in birds. We also assessed the variability in this effect in relation to the traits of the study species and the methodology used. These analyses used data from 18 experimental studies involving 25 species from six avian orders. Our results suggest that, contrary to the traditional view, researcher activities do not generally affect the incidence of nest predation. Moreover, this relationship appears inconsistent among avian orders and, surprisingly, nest survival of passerines increased weakly with researcher activities. We also found significant positive effects of researcher activity on nest survival for species breeding on coastal areas and for species nesting on the ground. The possible explanation for these differences among orders and guilds could be due to different nest predator communities. This new perspective on the effect of investigators could have important implications for bird management and conservation, as well as for other fields of study such as ecology and evolution, in which nest survival rates measured in the field are widely used to test and support a range of hypotheses.
DIEL IN SITU PICOPHYTOPLANKTON CELL DEATH CYCLES COUPLED WITH CELL DIVISION1
Authors: Llabrés Moira , Agustí Susana , Herndl Gerhard J.
Published: November 2011

The diel variability in picophytoplankton cell death was analyzed by quantifying the proportion of dead cyanobacteria Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus cells along several in situ diel cycles in the open Mediterranean Sea. During the diel cycle, total cell abundance varied on average 2.8 ± 0.6 and 2.6 ± 0.4 times for Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus populations, respectively. Increasing percentages of dead cells of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus were observed during the course of the day reaching the highest values around dusk and decreasing as the night progressed, indicating a clear pattern of diel variation in the cell mortality of both cyanobacteria. Diel cycles of cell division were also monitored. The maximum percentage of dead cells (Max % DC) and the G2 + M phase of the cell division occurred within a period of 2 h for Synechoccoccus and 4.5 h for Prochlorococcus, and the lowest fraction of dead cells occurred at early morning, when the maximum number of cells in G1 phase were also observed. The G1 maximum corresponded with the maximal increase in newly divided cells (minimum % dead cells), and the subsequent exposure of healthy daughter cells to environmental stresses during the day resulted in the progressive increase in dying cells, with the loss of these cells from the population when cell division takes place. The discovery of diel patterns in cell death observed revealed the intense dynamics of picocyanobacterial populations in nature.
Associations Between Cytomegalovirus Infection and Functional Impairment and Frailty in the BELFRAIL Cohort
Authors: Matheï Catharina , Vaes Bert , Wallemacq Pierre , Degryse Jan
Published: November 2011

Objectives

To investigate whether an observed association between cytomegalovirus (CMV) exposure and functional impairment and frailty in older adults is reproducible in a cohort of individuals aged 80 and older.

Design

The baseline results of the BELFRAIL study, a prospective observational cohort study, were analyzed.

Setting

Three well‐circumscribed areas of Belgium.

Participants

Five hundred sixty‐seven persons aged 80 and older recruited by 29 general practitioners.

Measurements

Serum samples were assayed for levels of CMV immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibodies, interleukin (IL)‐6, and C‐reactive protein. Measures of functional impairment were the Physical Performance Battery, Activities of Daily Living, and the Mini‐Mental State Examination. Frailty was assessed using the Fried criteria.

Results

Positive CMV serology was found in 74% of the population, 61% of whom had a high anti‐CMV IgG titer (>250 IU/mL). CMV infection was not associated with functional or cognitive impairment. Positive CMV serology was negatively associated with prevalent frailty after adjusting for age, sex, level of education, comorbidity, smoking status, body mass index, and IL‐6 level. High levels of anti‐CMV IgG were associated with functional impairment. In the adjusted models, this relationship was no longer statistically significant. There was no association between prevalent frailty or cognitive impairment and high anti‐CMV IgG titers.

Conclusion

The findings of previous studies could not be confirmed. Moreover, positive CMV serology was found to be negatively associated with frailty. These apparently contradictory results may reflect a survival effect because the current study population was considerably older than the populations of older adults in previous studies.
The Quality and Use of Regulatory Analysis in 2008
Authors: Ellig Jerry , McLaughlin Patrick A.
Published: November 2011

This article assesses the quality and apparent use of regulatory analysis for economically significant regulations proposed by federal agencies in 2008. A nine‐member research team used a six‐point (0–5) scale to evaluate regulatory analyses according to criteria drawn from Executive Order 12866 and Office of Management and Budget Circular A‐4. Principal findings include: (1) the average quality of regulatory analysis, though not high, is somewhat better than previous regulatory scorecards have shown; (2) quality varies widely; (3) biggest strengths are accessibility and clarity; (4) biggest weaknesses are analysis of the systemic problem and retrospective analysis; (5) budget or “transfer” regulations usually receive low‐quality analysis; (6) a minority of the regulations contain evidence that the agency used the analysis in significant decisions; (7) quality of analysis is positively correlated with the apparent use of the analysis in regulatory decisions; and (8) greater diffusion of best practices could significantly improve the overall quality of regulatory analysis.
Precursors of adrenomedullin, endothelin and atrial natriuretic peptide as diagnostic markers of neonatal infection
Authors: Cao Yun , Xia Qing , Chen Chao , Yang Yi
Published: November 2011

Aim:  To evaluate the serum levels of three precursors of vasoactive peptide as diagnostic markers for neonatal infections.

Methods:  Overall, 356 neonates (160 without infection, 114 with mild infections and 82 with severe infections) were enrolled in this study. Their serum levels of mid‐regional pro‐adrenomedullin (MR‐pro‐ADM), C‐terminal pro‐endothelin‐1 (CT‐pro‐ET‐1) and mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (MR‐pro‐ANP) were measured by immunoassay, and receiver operating curve analysis was performed for each biomarker to evaluate their diagnostic values for neonatal infection.

Results:  The serum levels of MR‐pro‐ADM (2.079 ± 1.195 nm), CT‐pro‐ET‐1 (109.4 ± 62.9 pm) and MR‐pro‐ANP (1221.4 ± 725.0 pm) in the severe infection group were significantly higher than those in the mild infection group (1.025 ± 0.421 nm, 86.7 ± 51.8 pm, and 687.6 ± 575.7 pm, respectively) and in the non‐infection group (0.853 ± 0.488 nm, 51.3 ± 40.6 pm, and 943.3 ± 847.3 pm, respectively) (p < 0.01–0.001). Their areas under the curve were 0.72, 0.76 and 0.61, respectively. Among them, CT‐pro‐ET‐1 had the highest sensitivity (82.65%), whereas MR‐pro‐ADM had the highest specificity (86.25%).

Conclusions:  MR‐pro‐ADM, CT‐pro‐ET‐1 and MR‐pro‐ANP may serve as useful laboratory markers to indicate bacterial infection in neonates.
Sleep architecture in healthy 5‐year‐old preschool children: associations between sleep schedule and quality variables
Authors: Iwata Sachiko , Iwata Osuke , Iemura Akiko , Iwasaki Mizue , Matsuishi Toyojiro
Published: November 2011

Aim:  Although disturbed sleep quality such as night awakenings and difficulties in falling asleep are common symptoms during sleep in preschool children, relationships between sleep quality and sleep schedule are mostly unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between sleep schedule and quality variables in preschool children.

Methods:  Sleep‐wake patterns of 48 healthy 5‐year‐old children were assessed over 7 consecutive days using actigraphy.

Results:  Children with longer sleep latency had a lower sleep quality, a later bedtime, a later sleep onset time, a shorter nocturnal sleep period and a longer daytime nap. Children with a longer nocturnal sleep period on weekends compared with weekdays had longer sleep latency and a later sleep onset time on weekdays, resulting in a lower sleep quality on weekends. An irregular bedtime on weekdays was associated with a later sleep onset time and a shorter sleep period on weekends.

Conclusion:  Sleep quality and schedule were linked with each other, whiche may explain why sleep problems tend to aggregate and form a wider syndrome of disturbed sleep even in young children. Strategies solely targeting the improvement of sleep quantity may not promote ideal sleep; simultaneous considerations for the sleep rhythm and quality may be required.
Comparison of the Bayley II Mental Developmental Index and the Bayley III cognitive scale: are we measuring the same thing?
Authors: Lowe Jean R , Erickson Sarah J , Schrader Ron , Duncan Andrea F
Published: November 2011

Aim:  To better understand differences between Bayley Scales 3rd edition (Bayley III) Cognitive Scale and Bayley Scales 2nd edition (Bayley II) Mental Developmental Index (MDI) in 18–22‐month‐old children born term and preterm and to create a conversion algorithm using Bayley II MDI to calculate Bayley III Cognitive score.

Methods:  This study included 51 term and 26 preterm children between 18 and 22 months, ages adjusted for prematurity. Children’s scores on Bayley II MDI and Bayley III Cognitive Scale were compared using t‐tests. The items from Bayley II MDI were used to calculate a score for the Bayley III Cognitive Scale. ANCOVA was used to create a conversion scale.

Results:  Bayley III Cognitive scores were significantly higher than Bayley II MDI scores for term and preterm toddlers combined and separately (p < .0001). A conversion formula to convert Bayley II MDI to a Bayley III Cognitive score was calculated.

Conclusion:  Term and preterm children had similarly elevated scores on the Bayley III calculated Cognitive score compared to the previous Bayley II MDI score. The use of a conversion algorithm may be helpful in studies that used both Bayley editions to get comparable outcome measurements within a clinical or research paradigm.
Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Sickness Behaviour Evaluated in Different Models of Anxiety and Innate Fear in Rats
Authors: Bassi Gabriel S. , Kanashiro Alexandre , Santin Francele M. , de Souza Glória E. P. , Nobre Manoel J. , Coimbra Norberto C.
Published: November 2011

Abstract:  The fact that there is a complex and bidirectional communication between the immune and nervous systems has been well demonstrated. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a component of gram‐negative bacteria, is widely used to systematically stimulate the immune system and generate profound physiological and behavioural changes, also known as ‘sickness behaviour’ (e.g. anhedonia, lethargy, loss of appetite, anxiety, sleepiness). Different ethological tools have been used to analyse the behavioural modifications induced by LPS; however, many researchers analysed only individual tests, a single LPS dose or a unique ethological parameter, thus leading to disagreements regarding the data. In the present study, we investigated the effects of different doses of LPS (10, 50, 200 and 500 μg/kg, i.p.) in young male Wistar rats (weighing 180–200 g; 8–9 weeks old) on the ethological and spatiotemporal parameters of the elevated plus maze, light‐dark box, elevated T maze, open‐field tests and emission of ultrasound vocalizations. There was a dose‐dependent increase in anxiety‐like behaviours caused by LPS, forming an inverted U curve peaked at LPS 200 μg/kg dose. However, these anxiety‐like behaviours were detected only by complementary ethological analysis (stretching, grooming, immobility responses and alarm calls), and these reactions seem to be a very sensitive tool in assessing the first signs of sickness behaviour. In summary, the present work clearly showed that there are resting and alertness reactions induced by opposite neuroimmune mechanisms (neuroimmune bias) that could lead to anxiety behaviours, suggesting that misunderstanding data could occur when only few ethological variables or single doses of LPS are analysed. Finally, it is hypothesized that this bias is an evolutionary tool that increases animals’ security while the body recovers from a systemic infection.
Video capsule endoscopy in celiac disease: Current clinical practice
Authors: COLLIN Pekka , RONDONOTTI Emanuele , LUNDIN Knut EA , SPADA Cristiano , KEUCHEL Martin , KAUKINEN Katri , DE FRANCHIS Roberto , JACOBS Maarten AJM , VILLA Federica , MULDER Chris JJ
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:  A complete examination of the small intestine is possible by video capsule endoscopy (VCE). The aim of this study was to evaluate current indications for performing VCE in celiac disease.

METHODS:  In all 84 celiac disease patients on a gluten‐free diet who had undergone VCE were enrolled at five centers in Europe. The indications, findings and clinical impact of VCE were recorded by a structured questionnaire. VCE was also carried out in 34 consecutive patients with untreated celiac disease (controls) in another center.

RESULTS:  Out of the 84 patients, 34 had overt symptoms and small intestinal histology compatible with refractory celiac disease. VCE was normal in 9 patients, and 7 had only proximal and one distal atrophy, 14 had intestinal ulcer and 2 an intestinal stricture. VCE was used in the adjustment of immunosuppressive treatment in 9 patients. In the remaining 50 patients, a VCE was performed because of less severe symptoms, 31 of which had an earlier histological recovery. The VCE showed proximal small bowel atrophy in 21 and distal atrophy in 3 patients, and 3 ulcers were seen. In this group the patients received mainly advice with a view to achieving better dietary compliance. Of the 34 newly detected celiac patients, 4 were normal, 27 proximal and 3 had distal small intestinal atrophy in the VCE.

CONCLUSIONS:  VCE has a definite impact on the management of refractory sprue. In the remaining patients with established celiac disease, the procedure plays a more limited role.
Finding Translational Science Publications in MEDLINE/PubMed with Translational Science Filters
Authors: Fontelo Paul , Liu Fang
Published: November 2011

Translational Science Search (TSS; http://tscience.nlm.nih.gov) is a web application for finding MEDLINE/PubMed journal articles that are regarded by their authors as novel, promising, or may have potential clinical application. A set of “translational” filters and related terms was created by reviewing journal articles published in clinical and translational science (TS) journals. Through E‐Utilities, a user’s query and TS filters are submitted to PubMed, and then, the retrieved PubMed citations are matched with a database of MeSH terms (for disease conditions) and RxNorm (for interventions) to locate the search term, translational filters found, and associated interventions in the title and abstract. An algorithm ranks the interventions and conditions, and then highlights them in the results page for quick reading and evaluation. Using previously searched terms and standard formulas, the precision and recall of TSS were 0.99 and 0.47, compared to 0.58 and 1.0 for PubMed Entrez, respectively. Clin Trans Sci 2011; Volume 4: 455–459
A Multiinstitutional, Multidisciplinary Model for Developing and Teaching Translational Research in Health Disparities
Authors: Estape Estela , de Laurido Lourdes E. Soto , Shaheen Magda , Quarshie Alexander , Frontera Walter , Mays Mary Helen , Harrigan Rosanne , White Richard
Published: November 2011

Health disparities may affect any person in any community in the world, resulting from a multitude of factors including socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, environment, and genetics. The impact of health disparities is felt by affected individuals, their families, communities, and the greater health care system.

There is a critical need to increase health disparities research activities. This may be achieved by expanding and strengthening the training, education and career development of motivated clinicians, physicians and basic scientists, engaging them in clinical and translational research. Translational research relies on collaboration across disciplines, facilitating the dissemination and transfer of knowledge to populations for the overall improvement of health while decreasing the economic burden of health care.

The University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus (UPR‐MSC), Schools of Health Professions and Medicine joint initiatives, Clinical Research Education and Career Development (CRECD) and Hispanics in Research Capability (HiREC) programs, convened health disparities experts, faculty and scholars from multiple disciplines, cultural backgrounds and institutions. Together, they created a model for teaching translational research in health disparities that spans disciplines without boundaries. This work was presented at the 2011 Clinical and Translational Research and Education Meeting, ACRT/AFMR/SCTS Joint Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. Clin Trans Sci 2011; Volume 4: 434–438.
Alterations in Skeletal Muscle Indicators of Mitochondrial Structure and Biogenesis in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Failure: Effects of Epicatechin Rich Cocoa
Authors: Taub Pam R. , Ramirez‐Sanchez Israel , Ciaraldi Theodore P. , Perkins Guy , Murphy Anne N. , Naviaux Robert , Hogan Michael , Maisel Alan S. , Henry Robert R. , Ceballos Guillermo , Villarreal Francisco
Published: November 2011

(‐)‐Epicatechin (Epi), a flavanol in cacao stimulates mitochondrial volume and cristae density and protein markers of skeletal muscle (SkM) mitochondrial biogenesis in mice. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and heart failure (HF) are diseases associated with defects in SkM mitochondrial structure/function. A study was implemented to assess perturbations and to determine the effects of Epi‐rich cocoa in SkM mitochondrial structure and mediators of biogenesis. Five patients with DM2 and stage II/III HF consumed dark chocolate and a beverage containing approximately 100 mg of Epi per day for 3 months. We assessed changes in protein and/or activity levels of oxidative phosphorylation proteins, porin, mitofilin, nNOS, nitric oxide, cGMP, SIRT1, PGC1α, Tfam, and mitochondria volume and cristae abundance by electron microscopy from SkM. Apparent major losses in normal mitochondria structure were observed before treatment. Epi‐rich cocoa increased protein and/or activity of mediators of biogenesis and cristae abundance while not changing mitochondrial volume density. Epi‐rich cocoa treatment improves SkM mitochondrial structure and in an orchestrated manner, increases molecular markers of mitochondrial biogenesis resulting in enhanced cristae density. Future controlled studies are warranted using Epi‐rich cocoa (or pure Epi) to translate improved mitochondrial structure into enhanced cardiac and/or SkM muscle function. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 43–47
Harnessing the genetic toolbox for the benefit of the racing Thoroughbred
Authors: WEBBON P.
Published: November 2011

The understanding and application of genetics have grown extremely quickly since it has become possible to sequence the whole genome of an organism. The human genome sequence was completed in 2001 and that of the horse in 2007. The significance of this is that it makes it more feasible to explain how both genetically simple and complex traits are transmitted from one generation to the next and, therefore, to make informed breeding decisions, modify how horses are managed and trained to minimise the risk of disease and injury, and improve methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. The science of genetics/genomics will continue to grow internationally, limited only by the funds available. The application of the science to man, horses and other species raises very complex moral and commercial issues. Thoroughbred breeders are perceived by some as resistant to change, but their apparent intransigence is often based on a genuine concern for the integrity of the breed. By taking control of the application of the advances in genetics, the Thoroughbred industry potentially has the opportunity to improve both the health and performance of Thoroughbreds. If, however, the science is applied in an uncoordinated manner, driven by commercial interests with no underlying concern for the horses themselves, there is a very real risk that breeders, the Thoroughbred breed and individual horses will all suffer as a consequence.
Addressing the struggle to link form and understanding in fractions instruction
Authors: Osana Helena P. , Pitsolantis Nicole
Published: November 2011

Background. Although making explicit links between procedures and concepts during instruction in mathematics is important, it is still unclear the precise moments during instruction when such links are best made.

Aims. The objective was to test the effectiveness of a 3‐week classroom intervention on the fractions knowledge of grade 5/6 students. The instruction was based on a theory that specifies three sites during the learning process where concepts and symbols can be connected (Hiebert, 1984): symbol interpretation, procedural execution, and solution evaluation.

Sample. Seventy students from one grade 5/6 split and two grade 6 classrooms in two public elementary schools participated.

Method. The students were randomly assigned to treatment and control. The treatment (Sites group) received instruction that incorporated specific connections between fractions concepts and procedures at each of the three sites specified by the Sites theory. Before and after the intervention, the students’ knowledge of concepts and procedures was assessed, and a random subsample of 30 students from both conditions were individually interviewed to measure their ability to make specific connections between concepts and symbols at each of the three sites.

Results. While all students gained procedural skill (p < .001), the students in the Sites condition acquired significantly more knowledge of concepts than the control group (p < .01) and were also better able to connect fractions symbols to conceptual referents (p < .025).

Conclusions. The current study contributes to the literature because it describes when it might be important to link concepts and procedures during fractions instruction.
Comparative Performance of a Thermal Barrier Coating System Utilizing Platinum Aluminide Bond Coat on Alloys CMSX-4® and MAR M® 002DS
Authors: Tawancy H. M. , Al-Hadhrami Luai M.
Published: November 2011

It is known that the relative performance of thermal barrier coatings is largely dependent upon the oxidation properties of the bond coat utilized in the system. Also, the oxidation properties of diffusion-type bond coats (aluminides and their modifications) are functions of the superalloy substrate used in blade applications. Therefore, the performance of a given coating system utilizing a diffusion-type bond coat can significantly vary from one superalloy to another. Toward the objective of developing coating systems with more universal applicability, it is essential to understand the mechanisms by which the superalloy substrate can influence the coating performance. In this study, we examined the relative performance of yttria-stabilized zirconia/platinum aluminide coating system on alloys CMSX-4 and MAR M 002DS representing single-crystal and directionally-solidified alloy systems respectively using thermal exposure tests at 1150 °C with a 24-h cycling period to room temperature. Changes in coating microstructure were characterized by various electron-optical techniques. Experiment showed that the coating system on alloy MAR M 002DS had outperformed that on alloy CMSX-4, which could be related to the high thermal stability of the bond coat on alloy MAR M 002DS. From a detailed microstructural characterization, this difference in behavior could be explained at least partially in terms of variation in chemical composition of the two alloys, which was also reflected on the exact failure mechanism of the coating system.
Correlation Measure-Based Stall Margin Estimation for a Single-Stage Axial Compressor
Authors: Liu Yuan , Dhingra Manuj , Prasad J. V. R.
Published: November 2011

This paper presents a method for estimating compressor stall margin and the results of applying the estimation technique to an axial compressor rig. Stall margin estimation is accomplished through the use of a compressor stability detection parameter called the “correlation measure.” The correlation measure captures the periodicity of the pressure in the rotor tip region of the compressor. The downcrossing frequency of the correlation measure across some preset threshold is measured while operating the compressor rig at various steady-state points along the design speed characteristic line. These measurements are used to generate a relationship with stall margin as a function of downcrossing frequency. The estimation technique is evaluated by applying it while dynamically ramping the operating point of the compressor up the design speed line towards surge. A brief investigation on the effects of inlet distortions on the correlation measure-based estimation system is also given.
Particle Transport Analysis of Sand Ingestion in Gas Turbine Engines
Authors: Brun Klaus , Nored Marybeth , Kurz Rainer
Published: November 2011

Significant interest exists in the military and commercial aerospace industry to better predict and improve the durability of gas turbine jet engines that are operating in hostile desert environments, specifically, jet engines that see significant inlet sand or ash ingestion. This paper describes the development of a mixed CFD-empirical software tool that allows a detailed analysis of the kinematic and impact behavior of sand and other particulates in the near-field of turbomachinery blades and impellers. The tool employs a commercially available CFD solver to calculate the machine’s transient flow field and then uses the output to determine a set of nondimensional coefficients in a set of empirical functions to predict the statistical probability of particles impacting on rotating or stationary surfaces. Based on this tool’s output information, improved inlet air filtering techniques, optimized engine maintenance practices, and component designs can be realized. To determine the empirical coefficient and to validate the method, PIV testing was performed on an airfoil in a wind tunnel; then particle injection into a simple rotating impeller was tested on SwRI’s high-speed compressor test rig. Results from these tests allowed optimizing of the model to reflect rotating machinery particle impact behavior more accurately.
Condensation Analysis of Exhaust Gas Recirculation System for Heavy-Duty Trucks
Authors: Yang Bing-Jian , Mao Shaolin , Altin Orhan , Feng Zhi-Gang , Michaelides Efstathios E.
Published: November 2011

The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system has been widely used in the automotive and heavy-duty trucks to reduce NOx, SOx, and other controlled emissions. A liquid-cooled or air-cooled heat exchanger is the main constituent of the EGR system. The heat exchanger decreases the temperature of the exhaust gases mixture that flows through the EGR channels and the lower temperatures reduce the content of the controlled gas emissions. Condensation of water vapor is an undesirable by-product of the EGR systems because, in combination with the emission gases, it forms the corrosive sulfuric and nitric acids. The U.S. EPA has suggested that engine makers should turn off their EGR systems periodically to avoid the formation of the corrosive sulfuric and nitric acids. In order to accurately predict the corrosion process, a condensation model has been developed to investigate the rates of formation and diffusion of nitric acid and sulfuric acid to the cold tube surface. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has been conducted for a typical EGR cooler during normal operating conditions of Tier 4 heavy-duty trucks. A lumped, 1D heat and mass transfer model has also been developed to study the most important physical aspects of the condensation process. The CFD and the analytical results of the rate of condensation and local fluid properties are an important and inexpensive complement to more expensive experimental measurements and testing. Such models may be used to improve the design and to optimize the operating conditions of the EGR systems and may become valuable tools in the design and manufacturing of the next generation of EGR systems for diesel engines. The model developed is general and the techniques and numerical results of this study may be extended to engine reliability, corrosion reduction, and damage prevention of other industrial engines.
Multifunctional Forceps for Use in Endoscopic Surgery—Initial Design, Prototype, and Testing
Authors: Rau Andrew C. , Frecker Mary , Mathew Abraham , Pauli Eric
Published: November 2011

This paper presents a 3.0 mm diameter multifunctional endoscopic forceps design for use in minimally invasive flexible endoscopic surgical procedures. Multifunctional capabilities including grasping, spreading, and cauterizing tissue are demonstrated experimentally and compared to commercially available forceps. Models of the proposed design predict considerable improvements in opening range (140%) and force application (87%) for both grasping and spreading when compared to currently used endoscopic forceps. Several of the tool’s design characteristics promote fail-safe malfunctions, including locking before catastrophic failure and a decreased likelihood in detached parts. Initial benchtop testing shows good agreement between prototype performance and model prediction. Frictional losses experienced during testing were found to depend on load orientation.