bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Job Insecurity, Flexibility and Home–Work Balance for Italian Couples in Non-standard Work: The Effect of Social Class
Authors: Salmieri Luca
Published: February 2009

This article examines differences of non-standard employment among parenting couples on the basis of qualitative research carried out in Rome and Naples. Although there is a growing interest in Europe in issues of flexibility and job security, there has been little focus upon the social differences among non-standard workers. Social class differences are assumed to be represented by the polarization between protected and secure employees on the one hand and casual and unprotected ones on the other, as if the latter represented a homogeneous group of marginalized workers. The research presented here offers evidence about three types of social differences among Italian couples of non-standard workers: job insecurity, the impact of various types of work-flexibility, and the organization of home–work boundaries. These vary widely depending upon the content, technological organization and prestige of professional positions that non-standard workers hold. This paper shows how social and economic differences within the group of non-standard workers affect family life.
What is Wrong with National Literature Departments?
Authors: Meltzer Françoise
Published: February 2009

This article asks what is wrong with national literature departments. Traditional literature departments, even with various politically conscious additions – women writers, authors of colour, postcolonial conditions, linguistic minorities, queer theory – assume by their very structure a romantic notion of the nation state, of borders and of linguistics as a major aspect of national identity and canonicity. The article considers the early German Romantics to see how they understood the twinning of nation and culture, and how this is baggage that Western universities still carry, even as they try to open themselves to other cultures. ‘Frühromantiker’ such as Friedrich Schlegel, A.W. Schlegel, Novalis and Fichte (along with Chateaubriand) idealize the Middle Ages as a time of great unity in Europe, and understand nationhood to have a divine aspect. Recently, the idea of the university and of national literature departments is being fundamentally rethought. Said, Bernheimer, Moebius, Reading, Foucault, Spivak, Bauman – to name just a few – have all worried about the place of literature in the light of globalisation, the dominance of Europe in literature departments, and the place of minority discourses. The article suggests that Comparative Literature may be the hope for the future in literary studies, because it is a field that by definition combines linguistic, cultural and political perspectives in its approach to texts. At the same time, however, comparative literature has traditionally been dominated by Eurocentrism, which has been the source of much criticism. Should the dominant languages of Europe be set aside to make room for the less known, less powerful ones? The article sees the European project of community as a source of hope, analogous to comparative literature, in facing both the challenge and cultural wealth of diversity.
On the ‘Topographical Turn’: Concepts of Space in Cultural Studies and Kulturwissenschaften. A Cartographic Feud
Authors: Weigel Sigrid
Published: February 2009

Addressing the ‘topographical turn’ in cultural theory which emphasizes spatial constellations and sites, the article discusses concepts of space both in Anglo-American Cultural Theory and in European Culture Studies in order to develop their differences. Within Cultural Studies the program to ‘spatialize’ historical narratives has created a whole language of symbolic topographical figures which function as a counter-discourse for minorities. To argue against the tendency of translating theories in order to transform them into ‘neutral tools’, independent of their historical origin, the article discusses various space-discourses in European cultural theories; it refers to studies from the current cultural reorientation of the humanities but also to those from the early 20th century to illuminate different relationships between philosophy, historiography and cultural techniques.
Mapping potential foodsheds in New York State: A spatial model for evaluating the capacity to localize food production
Authors: Peters Christian J. , Bills Nelson L. , Lembo Arthur J. , Wilkins Jennifer L. , Fick Gary W.
Published: February 2009

Growing interest in local food has sparked debate about the merits of attempting to reduce the distance food travels. One point of contention is the capacity of local agriculture to meet the food needs of local people. In hopes of informing this debate, this research presents a method for mapping potential foodsheds, land areas that could theoretically feed urban centers. The model was applied to New York State (NYS). Geographic information systems were used to estimate the spatial distribution of food production capacity relative to the food needs of NYS population centers. Optimization tools were then applied to allocate production potential to meet food needs in the minimum distance possible. Overall, the model showed that NYS could provide 34% of its total food needs within an average distance of just 49 km. However, the model did not allocate production potential evenly. Most NYS population centers could have the majority of their food needs sourced in-state, except for the greater New York City (NYC) area. Thus, the study presents a mixed review of the potential for local food systems to reduce the distance food travels. While small- to medium-sized cities of NYS could theoretically meet their food needs within distances two orders of magnitude smaller than the current American food system, NYC must draw on more distant food-producing resources. Nonetheless, the foodshed model provides a successful template for considering the geography of food production and food consumption simultaneously. Such a tool could be valuable for examining how cities might change their food procurement to curb greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to depletion of petroleum and other energy resources necessary for long-distance transport of food.
Very long period seismic signals observed before the caldera formation with the 2000 Miyake‐jima volcanic activity, Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Tomokazu , Ohminato Takao , Ida Yoshiaki , Fujita Eisuke
Published: February 2009

Very long period seismic signals, whose waveform consists of an initial impulsive signal and a later oscillatory wave with 0.2 or 0.4 Hz in dominant frequency, were observed before the caldera formation in the 2000 activity of Miyake‐jima volcano, Japan. The results of waveform inversion show that the initial and later parts can be explained by a northward single force of 1.5 × 108 N working at a depth of 2 km beneath the summit and a moment tensor solution at a depth of 5 km below and 2 km southwest of the summit with ∼1012 Nm, respectively. A clear positive correlation of the amplitudes between the two sources strongly suggests that the shallow single force triggers the deeper moment source in spite of the several km distance between the two sources. To analyze the source time functions of the moment tensor that do not always oscillate in phase, we introduce a new method of moment tensor diagonalization which is performed in the frequency domain. According to the analysis, the two principal components have similar amplitudes and are greater than the third principal component, suggesting an axially symmetric oscillation. One of the possible systems is a combination of two cracks intersecting perpendicularly. Our interpretation is that the single force was generated when magma containing rock blocks suddenly began to move in a choked subsurface magma path, and the resultant pressure waves propagated and excited a resonance oscillation of the two cracks.
Impact of the assimilation of ozone from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer on surface ozone across North America
Authors: Parrington M. , Jones D. B. A. , Bowman K. W. , Thompson A. M. , Tarasick D. W. , Merrill J. , Oltmans S. J. , Leblanc T. , Witte J. C. , Millet D. B.
Published: February 2009

We examine the impact of assimilating ozone observations from the Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) on North American surface ozone abundances in the GEOS‐Chem model in August 2006. The assimilation reduces the negative bias in the modeled free tropospheric ozone, which enhances the ozone flux into the boundary layer. Surface ozone abundances increased by as much as 9 ppb in western North America and by less than 2 ppb in the southeast, resulting in a total background source of ozone of 20–40 ppb. The enhanced ozone in the model reduced the model bias with respect to surface ozone observations in the western USA, but exacerbated it in the east. This increase in the bias in the boundary layer in the east, despite the agreement between the assimilation and ozonesonde measurements in the free troposphere, suggests errors in the ozone sources or sinks or in boundary layer mixing in the model.
Maxwell current density characteristics below isolated thunderstorms in tropics
Authors: Pawar S. D. , Kamra A. K.
Published: February 2009

Surface electric field and the Maxwell current density (JM) have been measured beneath isolated thunderstorms at a tropical station, Pune, (18°32′N, 73°51′E, 559 m above mean sea level). The data collected over a period of 5–6 years have been broadly divided under three categories. In Category I, JM remains positive for most of the duration of the storm, most of lightning‐induced field changes are negative, and the flash rate quickly increases in the initial stage, remains high during the mature stage, and slowly decreases to low values in the dissipating stage of the storm. In contrast, in Category III, JM remains negative for most of the duration of the storm, most of the lightning‐induced field changes are positive, and both JM and the average flash rate quickly decrease in the dissipation stage of the storm. In Category II, variations in JM and flash rate are not parallel and JM peaks in the dissipation stage of the storm when the flash rate is low. When the contributions due to lightning, precipitation, and coronae can be neglected, JM mainly consists of displacement current during the active stage and of conduction current during the dissipation stage of the storm. In the dissipation stage of the storm, JM nearly follows the electric field with a time lag of ∼4 min, and the space charge released into the atmosphere by coronae currents from the ground can increase the conductivity of the subcloud layer by an order of magnitude. The presence of the extensive lower positive charge center or of inverted dipole structure in the bases of the Category II and III storms has been associated with the lower relative humidity and dew point depression and higher cloud base height computed for these storms as compared to that of a Category I storm.
Multiple‐frequency range imaging using the OSWIN VHF radar: Phase calibration and first results
Authors: Chen Jenn‐Shyong , Zecha Marius
Published: February 2009

This paper demonstrates the multiple‐frequency range imaging (RIM) which was implemented recently on the OSWIN VHF atmospheric radar (54.1°N, 11.8°E), Germany. A simple but practical phase calibration method is introduced. We validate the RIM technique and the proposed calibration method successfully by examining various radar experiments with different pulse lengths, mono and coded pulses, evenly and unevenly spaced frequencies, and receiver filter bandwidths. The proposed calibration method not only mitigates the phase imbalance between the echoes received at different transmitting frequencies, but also provides a likely value of standard deviation (σz) of the Gaussian range‐weighting function for correcting the range‐weighting effect. Moreover, it is found that σz can be adaptive to signal‐to‐noise ratio when it is employed in practice; this procedure improves the continuity of the imaged powers of RIM around the boundaries of range gates, and an empirical expression has been proposed for this. With the improved power distribution around gate boundaries, we can obtain more available estimates of layer altitudes and exhibit the pass of the layer through gate boundaries clearly. Two observations are shown to demonstrate the maturation of the RIM technique used with the radar: convective cells and double‐layer structures. These atmospheric structures cannot be seen clearly in the original presentation of signal‐to‐noise ratio (or height‐time intensity) of the radar echoes having 150‐m or 300‐m range resolution.
A simultaneous successive linear estimator and a guide for hydraulic tomography analysis
Authors: Xiang Jianwei , Yeh Tian‐Chyi J. , Lee Cheng‐Haw , Hsu Kuo‐Chin , Wen Jet‐Chau
Published: February 2009

In this study, a geostatistically based estimator is developed that simultaneously includes all observed transient hydrographs from hydraulic tomography to map aquifer heterogeneity. To analyze tomography data, a data preprocessing procedure (including diagnosing and wavelet denoising analysis) is recommended. A least squares approach is then introduced to estimate effective parameters and spatial statistics of heterogeneity that are the required inputs for the geostatistical estimator. Since wavelet denoising does not completely remove noise from observed hydrographs, a stopping criterion is established to avoid overexploitation of the imperfect hydrographs. The estimator and the procedures are then tested in a synthetic, cross‐sectional aquifer with hierarchical heterogeneity and a vertical sandbox with prearranged heterogeneity. Results of the test indicate that with this estimator and preprocessing procedures, hydraulic tomography can effectively map hierarchical heterogeneity in the synthetic aquifer as well as in the sandbox. In addition, the study shows that using the estimated hydraulic conductivity and specific storage fields of the sandbox, the classic groundwater flow model accurately predicts temporal and spatial distributions of drawdown induced by an independent pumping event in the sandbox. On the other hand, the classic groundwater flow model yields less satisfactory results when equivalent homogeneous properties of the sandbox are used.
Best Practice Updates for Surgical Care in Weight Loss Surgery
Authors: Kelly John J. , Shikora Scott , Jones Daniel B. , Hutter Matthew H. , Robinson Malcolm K. , Romanelli John , Buckley Frederick , Lederman Andrew , Blackburn George L. , Lautz David
Published: February 2009

To update evidence‐based best practice guidelines for surgical care in weight loss surgery (WLS). Systematic search of English‐language literature on WLS in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library between April 2004 and May 2007. Use of key words to narrow the search for a selective review of abstracts, retrieval of full articles, and grading of evidence according to systems used in established evidence‐based models. Evidence‐based best practice recommendations from the most recent literature on surgical methods and technologies, risks and benefits, outcomes, and surgeon qualifications and credentialing. We identified >135 articles; the 65 most relevant were reviewed in detail. Regular updates of evidence‐based recommendations for best practices in WLS are required to address rapid changes in surgical techniques and patient demographics. Key factors in patient safety include surgical risk factors, type of procedure, surgeon training, and facility certification.
Best Practice Updates for Nursing Care in Weight Loss Surger
Authors: Mulligan Ann T. , McNamara Anne M. , Boulton Hannah W. , Trainor Linda S. , Raiano Carol , Mullen Ann
Published: February 2009

The objective of this study is to update evidence‐based best practice guidelines for nursing in weight loss surgery (WLS). We performed a systematic search of English‐language literature on WLS and perioperative nursing, postoperative, anesthesia, and discharge published between April 2004 and May 2007 in MEDLINE, CINHAL and the Cochrane Library. Key words were used to narrow the search for a selective review of abstracts, retrieval of full articles, and grading of evidence according to systems used in established evidence‐based models. From these, we developed evidence‐based best practice recommendations from the most recent literature on nursing in WLS. We identified >54 papers; the most relevant were reviewed in detail. Regular updates of evidence‐based recommendations for best practices in WLS nursing are required to address advances in surgery and anesthesiology, as well as changes in the demographics and levels of obesity in WLS patients. Key factors in patient safety include staff education, comprehensive admission assessment, patient education, careful preoperative surveillance and postoperative care, and long‐term discharge follow‐up.
Nonalcoholic Hepatic Steatosis in Zucker Diabetic Rats: Spontaneous Evolution and Effects of Metformin and Fenofibrate
Authors: Forcheron Fabien , Abdallah Pauline , Basset Alexandra , del Carmine Peggy , Haffar Ghina , Beylot Michel
Published: February 2009

No specific treatment for nonalcoholic hepatic fatty liver disease has been defined. We followed the spontaneous evolution of liver steatosis and tested the therapeutic usefulness of metformin and fenofibrate in a model of steatosis, the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat. ZDF and control rats were studied at 7, 14, and 21 weeks. After initial study at 7 weeks, ZDF rats received no treatment, metformin or fenofibrate until studies at 14 or 21 weeks. ZDF rats were obese, hypertriglyceridemic, insulin resistant at 7 weeks, type 2 diabetic at 14, diabetic with insulin deficiency at 21. They had steatosis at 7 weeks with increased hepatic expression and activity of lipogenesis. Steatosis was unchanged at 14 and 21 weeks despite lower expression and activity of lipogenesis. Metformin and fenofibrate did not modify energy intake or expenditure or the evolution of diabetes. Both compounds decreased plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations. Hepatic TAG content was reduced by fenofibrate at 14 and 21 weeks but only at 21 weeks by metformin. Metformin had no significant effects on the expression in liver of genes of fatty acids metabolism. The beneficial effect of fenofibrate occurred despite increased expression of genes involved in the uptake and activation of fatty acids. Acyl‐CoA oxidase (ACO) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (CPTI) mRNA levels were increased by fenofibrate showing evidence of increased lipid oxidation. To conclude, metformin had only moderate effects on liver steatosis. The effects of fenofibrate was more marked but remained mild.
Metabolic Implications of Dietary Trans‐fatty Acids
Authors: Dorfman Suzanne E. , Laurent Didier , Gounarides John S. , Li Xue , Mullarkey Tara L. , Rocheford Erik C. , Sari‐Sarraf Farid , Hirsch Erica A. , Hughes Thomas E. , Commerford S. Renee
Published: February 2009

Dietary trans‐fatty acids are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and have been implicated in the incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is established that high‐fat saturated diets, relative to low‐fat diets, induce adiposity and whole‐body insulin resistance. Here, we test the hypothesis that markers of an obese, prediabetic state (fatty liver, visceral fat accumulation, insulin resistance) are also worsened with provision of a low‐fat diet containing elaidic acid (18:1t), the predominant trans‐fatty acid isomer found in the human food supply. Male 8‐week‐old Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a 10% trans‐fatty acid enriched (LF‐trans) diet for 8 weeks. At baseline, 3 and 6 weeks, in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MR) assessed intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) and intrahepatic lipid (IHL) content. Euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamps (week 8) determined whole‐body and tissue‐specific insulin sensitivity followed by high‐resolution ex vivo 1H‐NMR to assess tissue biochemistry. Rats fed the LF‐trans diet were in positive energy balance, largely explained by increased energy intake, and showed significantly increased visceral fat and liver lipid accumulation relative to the low‐fat control diet. Net glycogen synthesis was also increased in the LF‐trans group. A reduction in glucose disposal, independent of IMCL accumulation was observed in rats fed the LF‐trans diet, whereas in rats fed a 45% saturated fat (HF‐sat) diet, impaired glucose disposal corresponded to increased IMCLTA. Neither diet induced an increase in IMCLsoleus. These findings imply that trans‐fatty acids may alter nutrient handling in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle and that the mechanism by which trans‐fatty acids induce insulin resistance differs from diets enriched with saturated fats.
Association of the CPT1B Gene with Skeletal Muscle Fat Infiltration in Afro‐Caribbean Men
Authors: Miljkovic Iva , Yerges Laura M. , Li Hu , Gordon Christopher L. , Goodpaster Bret H. , Kuller Lewis H. , Nestlerode Cara S. , Bunker Clareann H. , Patrick Alan L. , Wheeler Victor W. , Zmuda Joseph M.
Published: February 2009

Skeletal muscle fat is greater in African ancestry individuals compared with whites, is associated with diabetes, and is a heritable polygenic trait. However, specific genetic factors contributing to skeletal muscle fat in humans remain to be defined. Muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase‐1B (CPT1B) is a key enzyme in the regulation of skeletal muscle mitochondrial β‐oxidation of long‐chain fatty acids, and as such is a reasonable biological candidate gene for skeletal muscle fat accumulation. Therefore, we examined the association of three nonsynonymous coding variants in CPT1B (G531L, I66V, and S427C; a fourth, A320G, could not be genotyped) and quantitative computed tomography measured tibia skeletal muscle composition and BMI among 1,774 Afro‐Caribbean men aged ≥40, participants of the population‐based Tobago Health Study. For all variants, no significant differences were observed for BMI or total adipose tissue. Among individuals who were homozygous for the minor allele at G531L or I66V, intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) was 87% (P = 0.03) and 54% lower (P = 0.03), respectively. In contrast, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was 11% (P = 0.017) and 7% (P = 0.049) higher, respectively, than among individuals without these genotypes. These associations were independent of age, body size, and muscle area. Finally, no individuals with type 2 diabetes were found among those who were homozygous for the minor allele of either at G531L and I66V whereas 14–18% of men with the major alleles had type 2 diabetes (P = 0.03 and 0.007, respectively). Our results suggest a novel association between common nonsynonymous coding variants in CPT1B and ectopic skeletal muscle fat among middle‐aged and older African ancestry men.
TNF‐α Promoter Methylation as a Predictive Biomarker for Weight‐loss Response
Authors: Campión Javier , Milagro Fermin I. , Goyenechea Estibaliz , Martínez J. Alfredo
Published: February 2009

Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is a proinflammatory cytokine which is commonly elevated in obese subjects and whose promoter is susceptible to be regulated by cytosine methylation. The aim of this research was to analyze whether epigenetic regulation of human TNF‐α promoter by cytosine methylation could be involved in the predisposition to lose body weight after following a balanced hypocaloric diet. Twenty‐four patients (12 women/12 men) with excessive body weight‐for‐height (BMI: 30.5 ± 0.32 kg/m2; age: 34 ± 4 years old) followed an 8‐week energy‐restricted diet. Blood mononuclear cell DNA, isolated before the nutritional intervention, was treated with bisulfite and a region of TNF‐α gene promoter (from −360 to +50 bp) was sequenced. Obese men with successful weight loss (≥5% of initial body weight) showed lower levels of total TNF‐α promoter methylation (r = 0.74; P = 0.021), especially in the positions −170 bp (r = 0.75, P = 0.005) and −120 bp (r = 0.70, P = 0.011). Baseline TNF‐α circulating levels were positively associated with total promoter methylation (r = 0.84, P = 0.005) and methylation at position −245 bp (r = 0.75, P = 0.020). TNF‐α promoter methylation could be a good inflammation marker predicting the hypocaloric diet‐induced weight‐loss, and constitutes a first step toward personalized nutrition based on epigenetic criteria.
Effects of Chronic Treatment With the CB1 Antagonist, Rimonabant on the Blood Pressure, and Vascular Reactivity of Obese Zucker Rats
Authors: Mingorance Carmen , de Sotomayor María Alvarez , Jiménez‐Palacios Francisco J. , Mochón Manuel Callejón , Casto Cristina , Marhuenda Elisa , Herrera Maria D.
Published: February 2009

Rimonabant (RM) is a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist useful in the treatment of obesity associated cardiovascular risk factors. Since cannabinoids are vasoactive compounds, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of chronic treatment with RM on systolic blood pressure (SBP), and endothelial and vascular reactivity. Obese Zucker rats (OZRs) and their lean counterparts were orally treated during 20 weeks with either RM (10 mg/kg/day). Endothelial and vascular function was assessed in aorta and small mesenteric arteries (SMAs) by concentration response curves to acetylcholine (ACh) and phenylephrine (Phe), respectively. Participation of nitric oxide (NO) was evaluated by incubation with the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐derived products involvement was analyzed by incubation with indomethacin (INDO). Plasma lipid profile, insulin and adiponectin were also analyzed. Sympathetic activity was evaluated by urinary excretion of noradrenaline. As expected, RM decreased body weight gain and enhanced adiponectin concentration. Insulin resistance and sympathetic activity were also decreased. The increase in SBP observed in OZRs was reduced by treatment with RM. Aortae and SMAs from OZRs exhibited lower contractile response to Phe, being this effect prevented by RM administration. Although ACh‐induced response and NO participation remained unaltered with obesity, enhanced COX‐derived constrictor products were found in OZRs. RM treatment neither altered endothelium‐dependent relaxation nor L‐NAME‐sensitive component of the response. Nevertheless, it was able to regulate COX‐derived vasoactive products participation. Those effects may contribute to explain some of the cardiovascular protective actions elicited by this drug.
Admixture Mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci for BMI in African Americans: Evidence for Loci on Chromosomes 3q, 5q, and 15q
Authors: Basu Analabha , Tang Hua , Arnett Donna , Gu C. Charles , Mosley Tom , Kardia Sharon , Luke Amy , Tayo Bamidele , Cooper Richard , Zhu Xiaofeng , Risch Neil
Published: February 2009

Obesity is a heritable trait and a major risk factor for highly prevalent common diseases such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Previously we showed that BMI was positively correlated with African ancestry among the African Americans (AAs) in the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Family Blood Pressure Program (FBPP). In a set of 1,344 unrelated AAs, using Individual Ancestry (IA) estimates at 284 marker locations across the genome, we now present a quantitative admixture mapping analysis of BMI. We used a set of unrelated individuals from Nigeria to represent the African ancestral population and the European American (EA) in the FBPP as the European ancestral population. The analysis was based on a common set of 284 microsatellite markers genotyped in all three groups. We considered the quantitative trait, BMI, as the response variable in a regression analysis with the marker location specific excess European ancestry as the explanatory variable. After suitably adjusting for different covariates such as sex, age, and network, we found strong evidence for a positive association with European ancestry at chromosome locations 3q29 and 5q14 and a negative association on chromosome 15q26. To our knowledge, this is the largest quantitative admixture mapping effort in terms of sample size and marker locus involvement for the trait. These results suggest that these regions may harbor genes influencing BMI in the AA population.
Visceral and Subcutaneous Adiposity and Adiponectin in Middle‐aged Japanese Men: The ERA JUMP Study
Authors: Nakamura Yasuyuki , Sekikawa Akira , Kadowaki Takashi , Kadota Aya , Kadowaki Sayaka , Maegawa Hiroshi , Kita Yoshikuni , Evans Rhobert W. , Edmundowicz Daniel , Curb J. David , Ueshima Hirotsugu
Published: February 2009

Adiponectin is reduced in obesity and has been suggested to play an important role in modulation of atherosclerosis. We studied the relationship between visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue and serum adiponectin concentrations in Japanese men. Participants were 304 randomly selected community‐based Japanese men aged 40–49 without a prior history of cardiovascular disease. Participants were grouped according to tertiles of serum adiponectin. In multiple linear regression analysis including age, pack years of smoking, and alcohol intake as covariates, log‐transformed adiponectin was inversely associated with both VAT and SAT when these two obesity measures were included separately in the models. However, log‐transformed adiponectin was inversely associated with VAT (standardized β estimate = −0.465; P < 0.0001) and positively associated with SAT (standardized β estimate = 1.277; P = 0.03), when these were included concomitantly in the model. In conclusion, VAT and SAT had differential associations with serum adiponectin concentrations.
Correlates and Heritability of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Minority Cohort
Authors: Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Scherzinger Ann L. , Stamm Elizabeth R. , Hanley Anthony J.G. , Norris Jill M. , Chen Yii‐Der I. , Bryer‐Ash Michael , Haffner Steven M. , Rotter Jerome I.
Published: February 2009

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The condition disproportionately affects Hispanic Americans. The aims of this study were to examine the risk factors and heritability of NAFLD in 795 Hispanic American and 347 African‐American adults participating in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) Family Study. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen were evaluated centrally for measures of liver–spleen (LS) density ratio and abdominal fat distribution. Other measures included insulin sensitivity (SI) calculated from a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test and various laboratory measures. Statistical models which adjust for familial relationships were estimated separately for the two ethnic groups. Heritability was calculated using a variance components approach. The mean age of the cohort was 49 years (range 22–84); 66% were female. NAFLD (LS ratio <1) was more common in Hispanic Americans (24%) than African Americans (10%). NAFLD was independently associated with SI and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) area in both ethnic groups, although the proportion of explained variance was considerably higher in the Hispanic models. Adiponectin contributed significantly in the African‐American models whereas triglycerides (TGs) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI‐1) contributed only in the Hispanic models. Liver density was modestly heritable in both ethnic groups (h2 ∼0.35). In summary, the prevalence of NAFLD was twofold greater in Hispanic than African Americans. Certain correlates of NAFLD were similar between the ethnic groups, whereas others were distinct. NAFLD was modestly heritable. These findings suggest that NAFLD may have a differing environmental and/or genetic basis in these ethnic groups.
New fertiliser options for managing phosphorus for organic and low-input farming systems
Authors: Evans Jeffrey , Condon Jason
Published: February 2009

Plant-available phosphorus (P) has been found to be limiting crop and pasture production in Australian dryland, broadacre, organic farming systems. The present review examines the mechanisms that act to provide organic sources of P to soil or mobilise P stored within the soil. A range of products is available to exploit one or more of these mechanisms to achieve a claimed improvement in P fertility. These products are described, and where possible, scientific research of their effectiveness is reviewed. The use of microbial inoculants, although successful in laboratory and glasshouse experiments, has returned varied results in field trials. The addition of organic fertilisers, such as composted or elemental sulfur (S) enriched reactive phosphate rock (RPR), tended to produce more reliable results. The variable nature of the composting process creates complexity in the production of composted RPR. The increased dissolution of RPR by the oxidation of added S has been successful in increasing available P content above that of RPR alone. This is especially significant to low-rainfall areas where RPR tend to be ineffective. This paper highlights the need for development and optimisation of the many organic fertilisers and additives available to organic producers. In all cases, products still require rigorous field and economic evaluation so that organic producers can be confident in making decisions that are informed, correct, and profitable with regard to P fertility. The alleviation of P deficiency is vital to the increased adoption and sustainability of boardacre organic farming in Australia.
Anterior-posterior positional information in the absence of a strong Bicoid gradient
Authors: Ochoa-Espinosa Amanda , Yu Danyang , Tsirigos Aristotelis , Struffi Paolo , Small Stephen
Published: February 2009

The Bicoid (Bcd) transcription factor is distributed as a long-range concentration gradient along the anterior posterior (AP) axis of the Drosophila embryo. Bcd is required for the activation of a series of target genes, which are expressed at specific positions within the gradient. Here we directly tested whether different concentration thresholds within the Bcd gradient establish the relative positions of its target genes by flattening the gradient and systematically varying expression levels. Genome-wide expression profiles were used to estimate the total number of Bcd target genes, and a general correlation was found between the Bcd concentration required for activation and the positions where target genes are expressed in wild-type embryos. However, concentrations required for target gene activation in embryos with flattened Bcd were consistently lower than those present at each target gene's position in the wild-type gradient, suggesting that Bcd is in excess at every position along the AP axis. Also, several Bcd target genes were positioned in correctly ordered stripes in embryos with flattened Bcd, and we suggest that these stripes are normally regulated by interactions between Bcd and the terminal patterning system. Our findings argue strongly against the strict interpretation of the Bcd morphogen hypothesis, and support the idea that target gene positioning involves combinatorial interactions that are mediated by the binding site architecture of each gene's
cis
-regulatory elements.
Pulmonary autoimmunity as a feature of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 and identification of KCNRG as a bronchial autoantigen
Authors: Alimohammadi Mohammad , Dubois Noémie , Sköldberg Filip , Hallgren Åsa , Tardivel Isabelle , Hedstrand Håkan , Haavik Jan , Husebye Eystein S. , Gustafsson Jan , Rorsman Fredrik , Meloni Antonella , Janson Christer , Vialettes Bernard , Kajosaari Merja , Egner William , Sargur Ravishankar , Pontén Fredrik , Amoura Zahir , Grimfeld Alain , De Luca Filippo , Betterle Corrado , Perheentupa Jaakko , Kämpe Olle , Carel Jean-Claude
Published: February 2009

Patients with autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS-1) suffer from multiple organ-specific autoimmunity with autoantibodies against target tissue-specific autoantigens. Endocrine and nonendocrine organs such as skin, hair follicles, and liver are targeted by the immune system. Despite sporadic observations of pulmonary symptoms among APS-1 patients, an autoimmune mechanism for pulmonary involvement has not been elucidated. We report here on a subset of APS-1 patients with respiratory symptoms. Eight patients with pulmonary involvement were identified. Severe airway obstruction was found in 4 patients, leading to death in 2. Immunoscreening of a cDNA library using serum samples from a patient with APS-1 and obstructive respiratory symptoms identified a putative potassium channel regulator (KCNRG) as a pulmonary autoantigen. Reactivity to recombinant KCNRG was assessed in 110 APS-1 patients by using immunoprecipitation. Autoantibodies to KCNRG were present in 7 of the 8 patients with respiratory symptoms, but in only 1 of 102 APS-1 patients without respiratory symptoms. Expression of KCNRG messenger RNA and protein was found to be predominantly restricted to the epithelial cells of terminal bronchioles. Autoantibodies to KCNRG, a protein mainly expressed in bronchial epithelium, are strongly associated with pulmonary involvement in APS-1. These findings may facilitate the recognition, diagnosis, characterization, and understanding of the pulmonary manifestations of APS-1.
Establishing wild-type levels of catalytic activity on natural and artificial (βα)
8
-barrel protein scaffolds
Authors: Claren Jörg , Malisi Christoph , Höcker Birte , Sterner Reinhard
Published: February 2009

The generation of high levels of new catalytic activities on natural and artificial protein scaffolds is a major goal of enzyme engineering. Here, we used random mutagenesis and selection in vivo to establish a sugar isomerisation reaction on both a natural (βα)
8
-barrel enzyme and a catalytically inert chimeric (βα)
8
-barrel scaffold, which was generated by the recombination of 2 (βα)
4
-half barrels. The best evolved variants show turnover numbers and substrate affinities that are similar to those of wild-type enzymes catalyzing the same reaction. The determination of the crystal structure of the most proficient variant allowed us to model the substrate sugar in the novel active site and to elucidate the mechanistic basis of the newly established activity. The results demonstrate that natural and inert artificial protein scaffolds can be converted into highly proficient enzymes in the laboratory, and provide insights into the mechanisms of enzyme evolution.
Remodeling bacterial polysaccharides by metabolic pathway engineering
Authors: Yi Wen , Liu Xianwei , Li Yanhong , Li Jianjun , Xia Chengfeng , Zhou Guangyan , Zhang Wenpeng , Zhao Wei , Chen Xi , Wang Peng George
Published: February 2009

Introducing structural modifications into biomolecules represents a powerful approach to dissect their functions and roles in biological processes. Bacterial polysaccharides, despite their rich structural information and essential roles in bacterium-host interactions and bacterial virulence, have largely been unexplored for in vivo structural modifications. In this study, we demonstrate the incorporation of a panel of monosaccharide analogs into bacterial polysaccharides in a highly homogenous manner via metabolic engineering of a promiscuous sugar nucleotide biosynthetic pathway. In addition, the bioorthorgonal functional groups metabolically incorporated were exploited for cell surface labeling using in vitro selective chemical ligation reactions. In summary, our study presents a general, facile and effective approach for in vivo generation of novel tailor-made bacterial polysaccharides.
A plant-specific RNA-binding domain revealed through analysis of chloroplast group II intron splicing
Authors: Kroeger Tiffany S. , Watkins Kenneth P. , Friso Giulia , van Wijk Klaas J. , Barkan Alice
Published: February 2009

Comparative genomics has provided evidence for numerous conserved protein domains whose functions remain unknown. We identified a protein harboring “domain of unknown function 860” (DUF860) as a component of group II intron ribonucleoprotein particles in maize chloroplasts. This protein, assigned the name WTF1 (“what's this factor?”), coimmunoprecipitates from chloroplast extract with group II intron RNAs, is required for the splicing of the introns with which it associates, and promotes splicing in the context of a heterodimer with the RNase III-domain protein RNC1. Both WTF1 and its resident DUF860 bind RNA in vitro, demonstrating that DUF860 is a previously unrecognized RNA-binding domain. DUF860 is found only in plants, where it is represented in a protein family comprising 14 orthologous groups in angiosperms. Most members of the DUF860 family are predicted to localize to chloroplasts or mitochondria, suggesting that proteins with this domain have multiple roles in RNA metabolism in both organelles. These findings add to emerging evidence that the coevolution of nuclear and organellar genomes spurred the evolution of diverse noncanonical RNA-binding motifs that perform organelle-specific functions.
Picomolar sensitivity MRI and photoacoustic imaging of cobalt nanoparticles
Authors: Bouchard Louis-S. , Anwar M. Sabieh , Liu Gang L. , Hann Byron , Xie Z. Harry , Gray Joe W. , Wang Xueding , Pines Alexander , Chen Fanqing Frank
Published: February 2009

Multimodality imaging based on complementary detection principles has broad clinical applications and promises to improve the accuracy of medical diagnosis. This means that a tracer particle advantageously incorporates multiple functionalities into a single delivery vehicle. In the present work, we explore a unique combination of MRI and photoacoustic tomography (PAT) to detect picomolar concentrations of nanoparticles. The nanoconstruct consists of ferromagnetic (Co) particles coated with gold (Au) for biocompatibility and a unique shape that enables optical absorption over a broad range of frequencies. The end result is a dual-modality probe useful for the detection of trace amounts of nanoparticles in biological tissues, in which MRI provides volume detection, whereas PAT performs edge detection.
The role of the
CD58
locus in multiple sclerosis
Authors: De Jager Philip L. , Baecher-Allan Clare , Maier Lisa M. , Arthur Ariel T. , Ottoboni Linda , Barcellos Lisa , McCauley Jacob L. , Sawcer Stephen , Goris An , Saarela Janna , Yelensky Roman , Price Alkes , Leppa Virpi , Patterson Nick , de Bakker Paul I. W. , Tran Dong , Aubin Cristin , Pobywajlo Susan , Rossin Elizabeth , Hu Xinli , Ashley Charles W. , Choy Edwin , Rioux John D. , Pericak-Vance Margaret A. , Ivinson Adrian , Booth David R. , Stewart Graeme J. , Palotie Aarno , Peltonen Leena , Dubois Bénédicte , Haines Jonathan L. , Weiner Howard L. , Compston Alastair , Hauser Stephen L. , Daly Mark J. , Reich David , Oksenberg Jorge R. , Hafler David A.
Published: February 2009

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system associated with demyelination and axonal loss. A whole genome association scan suggested that allelic variants in the
CD58
gene region, encoding the costimulatory molecule LFA-3, are associated with risk of developing MS. We now report additional genetic evidence, as well as resequencing and fine mapping of the
CD58
locus in patients with MS and control subjects. These efforts identify a CD58 variant that provides further evidence of association with MS (
P
= 1.1 × 10
−6
, OR 0.82) and the single protective effect within the
CD58
locus is captured by the rs2300747
G
allele. This protective rs2300747
G
allele is associated with a dose-dependent increase in
CD58
mRNA expression in lymphoblastic cell lines (
P
= 1.1 × 10
−10
) and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from MS subjects (
P
= 0.0037). This protective effect of enhanced CD58 expression on circulating mononuclear cells in patients with MS is supported by finding that CD58 mRNA expression is higher in MS subjects during clinical remission. Functional investigations suggest a potential mechanism whereby increases in CD58 expression, mediated by the protective allele, up-regulate the expression of transcription factor FoxP3 through engagement of the CD58 receptor, CD2, leading to the enhanced function of CD4
+
CD25
high
regulatory T cells that are defective in subjects with MS.
α-Fluoro-α-nitro(phenylsulfonyl)methane as a fluoromethyl pronucleophile: Efficient stereoselective Michael addition to chalcones
Authors: Prakash G. K. Surya , Wang Fang , Stewart Timothy , Mathew Thomas , Olah George A.
Published: February 2009

Highly efficient stereoselective 1,4-addition of racemic α-fluoro-α-nitro(phenylsulfonyl)methane (FNSM) as a fluoromethyl pronucleophile to α,β-unsaturated ketones using a wide range of chiral organobifunctional catalysts under moderate conditions in the absence of an additional base has been achieved. A series of catalysts was screened for the enantioselective addition of FNSM to chalcones and the catalysts CN I, CD I, QN I-IV, and QD I were found to enable this reaction, successfully providing exclusive 1,4-addition products stereoselectively in high yields (conversion, diastereomeric ratio, and enantiomeric excess). Studies involving a model reaction and systematic analysis of the absolute configuration support the suggested mechanism.
Sex-related similarities and differences in the neural correlates of beauty
Authors: Cela-Conde Camilo J. , Ayala Francisco J. , Munar Enric , Maestú Fernando , Nadal Marcos , Capó Miguel A. , del Río David , López-Ibor Juan J. , Ortiz Tomás , Mirasso Claudio , Marty Gisèle
Published: February 2009

The capacity to appreciate beauty is one of our species' most remarkable traits. Although knowledge about its neural correlates is growing, little is known about any gender-related differences. We have explored possible differences between men and women's neural correlates of aesthetic preference. We have used magnetoencephalography to record the brain activity of 10 male and 10 female participants while they decided whether or not they considered examples of artistic and natural visual stimuli to be beautiful. Our results reveal significantly different activity between the sexes in parietal regions when participants judged the stimuli as beautiful. Activity in this region was bilateral in women, whereas it was lateralized to the right hemisphere in men. It is known that the dorsal visual processing stream, which encompasses the superior parietal areas, has been significantly modified throughout human evolution. We posit that the observed gender-related differences are the result of evolutionary processes that occurred after the splitting of the human and chimpanzee lineages. In view of previous results on gender differences with respect to the neural correlates of coordinate and categorical spatial strategies, we infer that the different strategies used by men and women in assessing aesthetic preference may reflect differences in the strategies associated with the division of labor between our male and female hunter-gatherer hominin ancestors.
Elevated CO
2
levels affect development, motility, and fertility and extend life span in
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Sharabi Kfir , Hurwitz Anat , Simon Amos J. , Beitel Greg J. , Morimoto Richard I. , Rechavi Gideon , Sznajder Jacob I. , Gruenbaum Yosef
Published: February 2009

Hypercapnia (high CO
2
levels) occurs in a number of lung diseases and it is associated with worse outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). However, it is largely unknown how hypercapnia is sensed and responds in nonneuronal cells. Here, we used
C. elegans
to study the response to nonanesthetic CO
2
levels and show that levels exceeding 9% induce aberrant motility that is accompanied by age-dependent deterioration of body muscle organization, slowed development, reduced fertility and increased life span. These effects occur independently of the IGF-R, dietary restriction, egg laying or mitochondrial-induced aging pathways. Transcriptional profiling analysis shows specific and dynamic changes in gene expression after 1, 6, or 72 h of exposure to 19% CO
2
including increased transcription of several 7-transmembrane domain and innate immunity genes and a reduction in transcription of many of the MSP genes. Together, these results suggest specific physiological and molecular responses to hypercapnia, which appear to be independent of early heat shock and HIF mediated pathways.