bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aminoacyl-Transfer RNA Synthetase Deficiency Promotes Angiogenesis via the Unfolded Protein Response Pathway
Authors: Castranova Daniel , Davis Andrew E. , Lo Brigid D. , Miller Mayumi F. , Paukstelis Paul J. , Swift Matthew R. , Pham Van N. , Torres-Vázquez Jesús , Bell Kameha , Shaw Kenna M. , Kamei Makoto , Weinstein Brant M.
Published: January 2016

Objective—

Understanding the mechanisms regulating normal and pathological angiogenesis is of great scientific and clinical interest. In this report, we show that mutations in 2 different aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases,
threonyl
tRNA synthetase (tars

y58

) or
isoleucyl tRNA synthetase (iars

y68

)
, lead to similar increased branching angiogenesis in developing zebrafish.

Approach and Results—

The unfolded protein response pathway is activated by aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetase deficiencies, and we show that unfolded protein response genes
atf4, atf6
, and
xbp1
, as well as the key proangiogenic ligand
vascular endothelial growth factor (vegfaa)
, are all upregulated in
tars

y58

and
iars

y68

mutants. Finally, we show that the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase–activating transcription factor 4 arm of the unfolded protein response pathway is necessary for both the elevated
vegfaa
levels and increased angiogenesis observed in
tars

y58

mutants.

Conclusions—

Our results suggest that endoplasmic reticulum stress acts as a proangiogenic signal via unfolded protein response pathway–dependent upregulation of
vegfaa.
Impact of Diabetic Status on Outcomes After Revascularization With Drug-Eluting Stents in Relation to Coronary Artery Disease Complexity
Authors: Koskinas Konstantinos C. , Siontis George C.M. , Piccolo Raffaele , Franzone Anna , Haynes Alan , Rat-Wirtzler Julie , Silber Sigmund , Serruys Patrick W. , Pilgrim Thomas , Räber Lorenz , Heg Dik , Jüni Peter , Windecker Stephan
Published: January 2016

Background—

Diabetes mellitus and angiographic coronary artery disease complexity are intertwined and unfavorably affect prognosis after percutaneous coronary interventions, but their relative impact on long-term outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention with drug-eluting stents remains controversial. This study determined drug-eluting stents outcomes in relation to diabetic status and coronary artery disease complexity as assessed by the Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score.

Methods and Results—

In a patient-level pooled analysis from 4 all-comers trials, 6081 patients were stratified according to diabetic status and according to the median SYNTAX score ≤11 or >11. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac events, a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and clinically indicated target lesion revascularization within 2 years. Diabetes mellitus was present in 1310 patients (22%), and new-generation drug-eluting stents were used in 4554 patients (75%). Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 173 diabetics (14.5%) and 436 nondiabetic patients (9.9%;
P
<0.001). In adjusted Cox regression analyses, SYNTAX score and diabetes mellitus were both associated with the primary end point (
P
<0.001 and
P
=0.028, respectively;
P
for interaction, 0.07). In multivariable analyses, diabetic versus nondiabetic patients had higher risks of major adverse cardiac events (hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.53;
P
=0.026) and target lesion revascularization (hazard ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–2.01;
P
=0.002) but similar risks of cardiac death (hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.96–2.07;
P
=0.08) and myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.64–1.22;
P
=0.45), without significant interaction with SYNTAX score ≤11 or >11 for any of the end points.

Conclusions—

In this population treated with predominantly new-generation drug-eluting stents, diabetic patients were at increased risk for repeat target-lesion revascularization consistently across the spectrum of disease complexity. The SYNTAX score was an independent predictor of 2-year outcomes but did not modify the respective effect of diabetes mellitus.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifiers: NCT00297661, NCT00389220, NCT00617084, and NCT01443104.
Aquinas on Forms, Substances and Artifacts
Authors: Marmodoro Anna , Page Ben
Published: January 2016

Thomas Aquinas sees a sharp metaphysical distinction between artifacts and substances, but does not offer any explicit account of it. We argue that for Aquinas the contribution that an artisan makes to the generation of an artifact compromises the causal responsibility of the form of that artifact for what the artifact is; hence it compromises the metaphysical unity of the artifact to that of an accidental unity. By contrast, the metaphysical unity of a substance is achieved by a process of generation whereby the substantial form is solely responsible for what each part and the whole of a substance are. This, we submit, is where the metaphysical difference between artifacts and substances lies for Aquinas. Here we offer on behalf of Aquinas a novel account of the causal process of generation of substances, in terms of descending forms, and we bring out its explanatory merits by contrasting it to other existing accounts in the literature.
Gomphonema grande sp. nov., a new diatom (Bacillariophyta) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tropical Africa
Authors: Karthick Balasubramanian , Kociolek Patrick John , Taylor Jonathan C , Cocquyt Christine
Published: January 2016

Gomphonema grande sp. nov. is described from a single sample collected from the Congo River Basin, Tropical Africa. The morphological features of the new species are described and documented through light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses. Gomphonema grande differs from most species of the genus by its relatively large size, robust valves, unique shape, and distinctive suite of valve features such as a labium-shaped internal stigma opening. Further discussion on the diverse nature of certain characters in the genus Gomphonema is presented.
Temporal and Spatial Variability of Precipitation from Observations and Models*
Authors: Trammell James H. , Jiang Xun , Li Liming , Kao Angela , Zhang Guang J. , Chang Edmund K. M. , Yung Yuk
Published: January 2016

Principal component analysis (PCA) is utilized to explore the temporal and spatial variability of precipitation from GPCP and a CAM5 simulation from 1979 to 2010. In the tropical region, the interannual variability of tropical precipitation is characterized by two dominant modes (El Niño and El Niño Modoki). The first and second modes of tropical GPCP precipitation capture 31.9% and 15.6% of the total variance, respectively. The first mode has positive precipitation anomalies over the western Pacific and negative precipitation anomalies over the central and eastern Pacific. The second mode has positive precipitation anomalies over the central Pacific and negative precipitation anomalies over the western and eastern Pacific. Similar variations are seen in the first two modes of tropical precipitation from a CAM5 simulation, although the magnitudes are slightly weaker than in the observations. Over the Northern Hemisphere (NH) high latitudes, the first mode, capturing 8.3% of the total variance of NH GPCP precipitation, is related to the northern annular mode (NAM). During the positive phase of NAM, there are negative precipitation anomalies over the Arctic and positive precipitation anomalies over the midlatitudes. Over the Southern Hemisphere (SH) high latitudes, the first mode, capturing 13.2% of the total variance of SH GPCP precipitation, is related to the southern annular mode (SAM). During the positive phase of the SAM, there are negative precipitation anomalies over the Antarctic and positive precipitation anomalies over the midlatitudes. The CAM5 precipitation simulation demonstrates similar results to those of the observations. However, they do not capture both the high precipitation anomalies over the northern Pacific Ocean or the position of the positive precipitation anomalies in the SH.
The Influence of Periodic Forcing on the Time Dependence of Western Boundary Currents: Phase Locking, Chaos, and Mechanisms of Low-Frequency Variability
Authors: Kiss Andrew E. , Frankcombe Leela M.
Published: January 2016

In this study an idealized gyre is put into a temporally periodic state by a steady wind stress curl forcing, and its nonlinear response to variable forcing is investigated by a detailed parameter survey varying the time-mean component of the wind and the amplitude and frequency of a periodic component. Periodic wind variations exceeding ~0.5% profoundly affect the western boundary current (WBC) time dependence, yielding regime diagrams with intricately interleaved regions of phase locking, quasiperiodicity, and chaos. In phase-locked states, the WBC period is locked to a rational multiple of the forcing period and can be shifted far outside its natural range. Quasiperiodic states can exhibit long intervals of near-synchrony interrupted periodically by brief slips out of phase with the forcing. Hysteresis and a period-doubling route to chaos are also found. The nonlinear WBC response can include variability at long time scales that are absent from both the forcing and the steadily driven current; this is a new mechanism for the generation of low-frequency WBC variability. These behaviors and their parameter dependence resemble the Devil’s staircase found in the “circle map” model of a periodically forced nonlinear oscillator, but with differences attributable to higher-dimensional dynamics. These nonlinear effects occur with forcing amplitudes in the observed range of the annual wind stress curl cycle and therefore should be considered when inferring the cause of observed WBC time scales. These results suggest that studies omitting either forcing variation or nonlinearity provide an unrealistically narrow view of the possible origins of time dependence in WBCs.
A Statistical Analysis of the Relationship between Upper-Tropospheric Cold Low and Tropical Cyclone Track and Intensity Change over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Wei Na , Li Ying , Zhang Da-Lin , Mai Zi , Yang Shi-Qi
Published: January 2016

The geographical and temporal characteristics of upper-tropospheric cold low (UTCL) and their relationship to tropical cyclone (TC) track and intensity change over the western North Pacific (WNP) during 2000–12 are examined using the TC best track and global meteorological reanalysis data. An analysis of the two datasets shows that 73% of 346 TCs coexist with 345 UTCLs, and 21% of the latter coexist with TCs within an initial cutoff distance of 15°. By selecting those coexisted systems within this distance, the possible influences of UTCL on TC track and intensity change are found, depending on their relative distance and on the sectors of UTCLs where TCs are located. Results show that the impact of UTCLs on TC directional changes are statistically insignificant when averaged within the 15° radius. However, left-turning TCs within 5° distance from the UTCL center exhibit large deviated directional changes from the WNP climatology, due to the presence of highly frequent abrupt left turnings in the eastern semicircle of UTCL. The abrupt turnings of TCs are often accompanied by their slow-down movements. Results also show that TCs seem more (less) prone to intensify at early (late) development stages when interacting with UTCLs compared to the WNP climatology. Intensifying (weakening) TCs are more distributed in the southern (northern) sectors of UTCLs, with less hostile conditions for weakening within 9°–13° radial range. In addition, rapid intensifying TCs take place in the south-southwest and east-southeast sectors of UTCLs, whereas rapid weakening cases appear in the western semicircle of UTCLs due to their frequent proximity to mainland coastal regions.
Conflicts in South Asia Will Go on and on
Authors: Ranjan Amit
Published: January 2016

This brief article, an extended review of two recent important publications, problematises the continuity of inter-state and intra-state conflicts since the partition of British India in 1947. Territory and identity are the main triggers of those conflicts, many of which will remain, while others will take on new forms relating to resource scarcity, mainly water. Conflicts are unlikely to be settled fully through various interventions, as sub-dimensions will linger on, develop new roots and new issues will constantly crop up. The article argues that past, present and future are visibly and invisibly connected through the fallout of patterns of myth and memory, dissatisfaction with the status quo and present conditions and often completely unrealistic expectations of a better future. Identifying elements of interconnectedness as central, the review assesses the contributions these two new studies make for a deeper understanding of the scenario of continuing conflict within the context of South Asian Studies.
The relationship between gross motor function ability and time use in mothers of children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Ahmadi Kahjoogh Mina , Rassafiani Mehdi , Tahmasebi Ali , Ahmadi Kahjoogh Hossein , Sahaf Robab
Published: January 2016

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization, the balanced usage of time contributes to the health and welfare of individuals. Caring for a child with cerebral palsy imposes an extra pressure on parents, especially mothers as the main caregiver. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between gross motor function ability of children with cerebral palsy and time use of their mothers.

Method

Sixty mothers of children with cerebral palsy, sampled conveniently, participated in this cross-sectional study. Children aged between 6 and 11 years with a mean age of 9.04 years old (SD = 2.8). The Farsi version of Mothers’ Time Use Questionnaire and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) were utilized to collect data. The Spearman correlation coefficient was calculated.

Results

The results demonstrated that the allocated time for childcare ( rs = 0.44) and leisure ( rs = −0.37) activities in mothers have significant correlations with gross motor function abilities of their children ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Mothers who have children with higher scores according to the GMFCS, had to invest more time to meet needs of childcare activities. Consequently, they were not able to follow their interests and they felt an imbalanced use of time in their life.
Personal and professional values held by baccalaureate nursing students
Authors: Kaya Hülya , Işik Burçin , Şenyuva Emine , Kaya Nurten
Published: January 2016

Background:

Values are ideals and beliefs that individuals and groups uphold and lie at the core of the diverse world of human behaviour and are expressed in every human decision and action, both consciously and unconsciously. They represent basic beliefs of what is right, good or desirable and motivate both personal and professional behaviour. In the context of nursing profession, values are essential in order to maintain high standards of the nursing care.

Objectives:

This study was planned to examine changes in nursing students’ personal and professional values between entering and graduating from an undergraduate nursing programme.

Ethical considerations:

Measures to protect participants included obtaining Deaconship of Nursing Faculty approval, obtaining signed informed consent and maintaining confidentiality.

Methods:

This study was designed as longitudinal quality. The research population included 143 students registered at a first grade of a nursing faculty for the 2009–2010 academic year. Data were collected with a Questionnaire Form, the Value Preferences Scale, the Professional Values Precedence Scale and the Nursing Professional Values Scale.

Findings:

According to the results, social values have statistical differences in 4-year nursing education. Nursing students in second class have higher score in terms of social values than those in third class. Also, majority of students ranked human dignity as first and justice as second and third from first to fourth classes, and they have very high scores on Nursing Professional Values Scale and its subscales and stated that all items of Nursing Professional Values Scale are very important.

Conclusion:

As a result, nursing education has vital role in acquiring and maintaining professional values.
Feeling refreshed
Authors: Banville Dominique , Kulinna Pamela Hodges , Dyson Ben , Stylianou Michalis , Colby Rachel , Dryden Craig
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify students’ perspectives of the role of healthy behaviours in their well-being and school success. Since a number of studies focused on establishing the link between healthy behaviours and learning have relied on quantitative measures, it was deemed important to provide a different perspective on the topic and give students a voice. Participants were 50 Aotearoa/New Zealand nine- and 10-year-old students of various ethnic backgrounds from two elementary schools. Using situated learning theory to determine the impact a school environment that promotes physical activity has on students’ perspectives, four categories were drawn from student focus-group interviews: (1) opportunities to be active, (2) roles of physical activity, (3) students’ misconceptions of health concepts, and (4) students’ support for health education and physical education at their schools. Students in this study were afforded multiple opportunities to be physically active and acknowledged the benefits these bouts of activities gave them while differentiating the types of opportunities and value they gained from them. Within their community of practice, students were sometimes ‘full’ participants as their knowledge was fully constructed, and sometimes ‘peripheral’ participants, needing more time, active engagement and content knowledge to better grasp some concepts. Little health education content knowledge was provided to classroom teachers, which might have caused some of the misconceptions held by students related to the impact of physical activity and nutrition on their brain function.
Detection of structural changes through principal component analysis and multivariate statistical inference
Authors: Pozo Francesc , Arruga Ignacio , Mujica Luis E , Ruiz Magda , Podivilova Elena
Published: January 2016

This article introduces a new methodology for the detection of structural changes using a statistical data-driven modeling approach by means of a distributed piezoelectric active sensor network at different actuation phases. The three main features that characterize the proposed methodology are (a) the nature of the data used in the test since vectors of principal component analysis projections are used instead of the entire measured response of the structure or the coefficients of an AutoRegressive model, (b) the number of data used since the test is based on two random samples instead of some characteristic indicators, and (c) the samples come from a multidimensional variable and therefore a test for the plausibility of a value for a normal population mean vector is performed. The framework of multivariate statistical inference is used with the objective of the classification of structures in healthy or damaged. The novel scheme for damage detection presented in this article —based on multivariate inference over the principal component analysis projections of the raw data—is applied, validated, and tested on a small aluminum plate. The results show that the presented methodology is able to accurately detect damages, that is, for each actuation phase, a unique and reliable damage detection indicator is obtained no matter the number of sensors and/or actuators. It is worth noting that a major contribution of this article is that there exists an entire range of significance levels where the multivariate statistical inference is able to offer a correct decision although all of the univariate tests make a wrong decision.
Wingspan stenting can effectively prevent long-term strokes for patients with severe symptomatic atherosclerotic basilar stenosis
Authors: Bai Wei-Xing , Gao Bu-Lang , Li Tian-Xiao , Wang Zi-Liang , Cai Dong-Yang , Zhu Liang-Fu , Xue Jiang-Yu , Li Zhao-Shuo
Published: January 2016

Objective

To investigate the safety and long-term effect of using the Wingspan stent for severe symptomatic atherosclerotic basilar artery stenosis (≥70%).

Materials and methods

Between July 2007 and April 2013, we had 91 consecutive patients (age range 41–82 years old) with symptomatic severe basilar stenosis (70–99%) who underwent Wingspan stenting at our center. All patients had stenosis-related temporary ischemic attack or strokes. We analyzed the demographic data, pre- and post-procedural cerebral angiography, technical success rate, peri-procedural complications, and clinical and imaging follow-ups.

Results

The Wingspan stenting procedure was successful in all patients: The stenosis was reduced from 82.2% ± 5.8% pre-stenting to 15.9% ± 5.7% post-stenting. The 30-day peri-operative rate for stroke or death was 14.3%, which included ischemic stroke in 12 cases (12/91 = 13.2%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage in one case (1/91 = 1.1%), with a fatal or disabling stroke rate of 2.2%. Among the 77 patients with clinical follow-up assessment within 7–60 months (mean 31.3 ± 15.1 months) after stenting, four patients (5.2%) had posterior ischemia, including one patient with disabling ischemic stroke (1.3%) and three patients (3.9%) with temporary ischemic attack. The 2-year cumulative stroke rate was 16% (95% CI: 8.2–23.8%). Among 46 patients with imaging assessments at 3–45 months (mean, 9.5 ± 8.3) post-stenting, six (13.0%) patients had restenosis, including two (2/46 = 4.3%) with symptomatic restenosis.

Conclusions

The benefit of stenting for patients with severe basilar artery stenosis (> 70%) may lie in lowering the long-term fatal and disabling stroke rate; and as long as the peri-operative stroke rate can be kept at a relatively lower level, patients with severe basilar stenosis can benefit from basilar artery stenting.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the evaluation of parotid gland lesions: an update of the literature
Authors: David E , Cantisani V , De Vincentiis M , Sidhu PS , Greco A , Tombolini M , Drudi FM , Messineo D , Gigli S , Rubini A , Fresilli D , Ferrari D , Flammia F , D’Ambrosio F
Published: January 2016

High-resolution ultrasound is the first line examination for parotid gland diffuse disease and focal lesions, normally using grey-scale and colour-Doppler ultrasound. Unfortunately, grey-scale and colour-Doppler ultrasound features of benign and malignant salivary gland lesions may overlap, particularly with benign tumors, where pleomorphic adenomas are often indistinguishable from malignant lesions. With atypical lesions, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is usually the second level imaging modality requested. The introduction of ultrasound contrast agents has opened further possible perspectives to improve the interpretation of parotid diseases, particularly the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. We present a review of the current literature on contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the assessment of parotid gland lesions, considering all characteristics of the technique, evidence of usefulness, future perspectives and limitations.
The Postcard Initiative
Authors: Maurer Michelle , Warren Kerry E. , Pohl Carla
Published: January 2016

Background: Immunizations and physical exams ensure the health and safety of school children. Failure to comply with state regulations can lead to exclusion from school activities. Methods: Students in fifth and eighth grades personalized postcards that contained health requirements for entry into sixth (junior high) and ninth (high school). The postcards were mailed three times over the school year. The junior high had a decline in first-day exclusions that did not reach significance. The high school decreased first-day exclusions from 6.4% to 1.6%. Both schools had significantly more physicals turned in before August 1 when compared with the previous year. Conclusion: Communicating health requirements by personalized postcards provides information in a manner that is better understood by parents/guardians.
Policy versus Performance
Authors: Upadhyay Himanshu , Sheikh Nazma
Published: January 2016

India’s constitutional audit institution (CAG of India) has undertaken performance reviews of the land acquisition and rehabilitation process in rapidly industrialising Odisha in last few years. In this article, we combine audit findings on both fronts and pose questions on how audited entity, legislators and communities responded to these audit findings.

Three performance reviews of land acquisition process in Odisha including a comprehensive audit of land acquired for Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) spanning the years between 2001 and 2012 provides insights into lapses committed often by administrators such as land acquisition officers (LAOs), DCs etc. during land acquisition process. Similarly, performance review on rehabilitation of people affected by industrial projects provides insights into lapses in implementing Odisha Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) Policy, 2006. This article argues why activists and researchers need to engage with audit findings and ask crucial questions on the follow up processes on these audit findings.
Phase 3 trial of defibrotide for the treatment of severe veno-occlusive disease and multi-organ failure
Authors: Richardson Paul G. , Riches Marcie L. , Kernan Nancy A. , Brochstein Joel A. , Mineishi Shin , Termuhlen Amanda M. , Arai Sally , Grupp Stephan A. , Guinan Eva C. , Martin Paul L. , Steinbach Gideon , Krishnan Amrita , Nemecek Eneida R. , Giralt Sergio , Rodriguez Tulio , Duerst Reggie , Doyle John , Antin Joseph H. , Smith Angela , Lehmann Leslie , Champlin Richard , Gillio Alfred , Bajwa Rajinder , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Massaro Joseph , Warren Diane , Miloslavsky Maja , Hume Robin L. , Iacobelli Massimo , Nejadnik Bijan , Hannah Alison L. , Soiffer Robert J.
Published: January 2016

Key Points

Defibrotide improves day +100 survival and CR in patients with VOD and MOF compared with a historical control. The historical control selection methodology offers a novel approach for investigation of a life-threatening orphan disease.
Assessment of wild leafy vegetables traditionally consumed by the ethnic communities of Manipur, northeast India
Authors: Konsam Surjata , Thongam Biseshwori , Handique Arun Kumar
Published: January 2016

Background

The NE region of India falls in the global hotspot of biodiversity. Wild edible plants (WEPs) are widely consumed in the daily diet of the local people. WEPs are critical for the sustenance of ethnic communities and also as a source of income. However, WEPs received a little attention in research activities, economic development, biodiversity conservation and sustainable management. Many are largely ignored and remained unexplored. With a view of reducing the gap in traditional knowledge and tapping the hidden potential resources for proper utilization, exploitation, and sustainable management of WEPs are crucial.

Methods

Surveys were conducted at 20 major markets in all districts of Manipur throughout different seasons from August 2012 to March 2014. A total of 154 avid plant collectors and sellers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire, formal, informal and extensive interactions to gather detailed information about these species. An integrated assessment of 68 wild leafy vegetables was also carried out to prioritize them for proper exploitation, conservation, and sustainable management.

Results

A total of 68 wild edible vegetables belonging to 42 families were documented which are being used by indigenous communities for nutritive and therapeutic purposes. Of these species, 54 are perennial (79 %) while others are annual (19 %). Herbaceous plants make up the highest proportion of edible plants. Leaves are dominant edible part followed by shoot and stem, and most are consumed through cooked food. Further, 57 species (84 %) are commonly available, and 11 (16 %) are rare. According to integrated assessment, 2 species have highest integrated value, 26 species have high value, 31 species have general value and 9 species are of low value. The majority of the species have a high or general value.

Conclusion

Manipur has rich wild vegetable resources. However, many of them are seldom collected or cultivated given their importance in sustaining and diversifying diet. A comprehensive assessment indicated that majority of these plants have high value. Priority species require further research into their nutritional components to understand the potential as a source of future food and nutritional security. They should be promoted for integration into the agricultural system and income generation for local sustenance.
Myosin Vb mediates Cu+ export in polarized hepatocytes
Authors: Gupta Arnab , Schell Michael J. , Bhattacharjee Ashima , Lutsenko Svetlana , Hubbard Ann L.
Published: January 2016

The cellular machinery responsible for Cu+-stimulated delivery of the Wilson-disease-associated protein ATP7B to the apical domain of hepatocytes is poorly understood. We demonstrate that myosin Vb regulates the Cu+-stimulated delivery of ATP7B to the apical domain of polarized hepatic cells, and that disruption of the ATP7B-myosin Vb interaction reduces the apical surface expression of ATP7B. Overexpression of the myosin Vb tail, which competes for binding of subapical cargos to myosin Vb bound to subapical actin, disrupted the surface expression of ATP7B, leading to reduced cellular Cu+ export. The myosin-Vb-dependent targeting step occurred in parallel with hepatocyte-like polarity. If the myosin Vb tail was expressed acutely in cells just prior to the establishment of polarity, it appeared as part of an intracellular apical compartment, centered on γ-tubulin. ATP7B became selectively arrested in this compartment at high [Cu+] in the presence of myosin Vb tail, suggesting that these compartments are precursors of donor–acceptor transfer stations for apically targeted cargos of myosin Vb. Our data suggest that reduced hepatic Cu+ clearance in idiopathic non-Wilsonian types of disease might be associated with the loss of function of myosin Vb.
Nuclear size is sensitive to NTF2 protein levels in a manner dependent on Ran binding
Authors: Vuković Lidija D. , Jevtić Predrag , Zhang Zhaojie , Stohr Bradley A. , Levy Daniel L.
Published: January 2016

Altered nuclear size is associated with many cancers, and determining whether cancer-associated changes in nuclear size contribute to carcinogenesis necessitates an understanding of mechanisms of nuclear size regulation. Although nuclear import rates generally positively correlate with nuclear size, NTF2 levels negatively affect nuclear size, despite the role of NTF2 (also known as NUTF2) in nuclear recycling of the import factor Ran. We show that binding of Ran to NTF2 is required for NTF2 to inhibit nuclear expansion and import of large cargo molecules in Xenopus laevis egg and embryo extracts, consistent with our observation that NTF2 reduces the diameter of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) in a Ran-binding-dependent manner. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ectopic NTF2 expression in Xenopus embryos and mammalian tissue culture cells alters nuclear size. Finally, we show that increases in nuclear size during melanoma progression correlate with reduced NTF2 expression, and increasing NTF2 levels in melanoma cells is sufficient to reduce nuclear size. These results show a conserved capacity for NTF2 to impact on nuclear size, and we propose that NTF2 might be a new cancer biomarker.
Elevated osmolytes in rainbow smelt: the effects of urea, glycerol and trimethylamine oxide on muscle contractile properties
Authors: Coughlin David J. , Long Gabrielle M. , Gezzi Nicole L. , Modi Parth M. , Woluko Kossivi N.
Published: January 2016

Rainbow smelt, Osmerus mordax, experience a wide range of temperatures in their native habitat. In response to cold, smelt express antifreeze proteins, glycerol, trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) and urea to avoid freezing. The physiological influences of these osmolytes are not well understood. Urea destabilizes proteins, while TMAO counteracts the protein-destabilizing forces of urea. The influence of glycerol on muscle function has not been explored. We examined the effects of urea, glycerol, and TMAO through muscle mechanics experiments with treatments of the three osmolytes at physiological concentrations. Experiments were carried out at 10oC. The contractile properties of fast-twitch muscle bundles were determined in physiological saline and in the presence of 50 mM urea, 50 mM TMAO, and/or 200 mM glycerol in saline. Muscle exposed to urea and glycerol produced less force and displayed slower contractile properties. However, treatment with TMAO led to higher force and faster relaxation by muscle bundles. TMAO increased power production during cyclical activity, while urea and glycerol led to reduced oscillatory power output. When muscle bundles were exposed to a combination the three osmolytes, they displayed little change in contraction kinetics relative to control, although power output under lower oscillatory conditions was enhanced while maximum power output is reduced. The results suggest that maintenance of muscle function in winter smelt requires balanced combination of urea, glycerol and TMAO.
Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Clostridium Difficile Infection
Authors: Avila Meera B. , Avila Nathaniel P. , Dupont Andrew W.
Published: January 2016

Clostridium difficileinfection (CDI) has become the most frequently reported health care-associated infection in the United States [1]. As the incidence of CDI rises, so too does the burden it produces on health care and society. In an attempt to decrease the burden of CDI and provide the best outcomes for patients affected by CDI, there have been many recent advancements in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of CDI. In this article, we review the current recommendations regarding CDI testing and treatment strategies.
Dietary restriction with and without caloric restriction for healthy aging
Authors: Lee Changhan , Longo Valter
Published: January 2016

Caloric restriction is the most effective and reproducible dietary intervention known to regulate aging and increase the healthy lifespan in various model organisms, ranging from the unicellular yeast to worms, flies, rodents, and primates. However, caloric restriction, which in most cases entails a 20–40% reduction of food consumption relative to normal intake, is a severe intervention that results in both beneficial and detrimental effects. Specific types of chronic, intermittent, or periodic dietary restrictions without chronic caloric restriction have instead the potential to provide a significant healthspan increase while minimizing adverse effects. Improved periodic or targeted dietary restriction regimens that uncouple the challenge of food deprivation from the beneficial effects will allow a safe intervention feasible for a major portion of the population. Here we focus on healthspan interventions that are not chronic or do not require calorie restriction.
Feeling the future: A meta-analysis of 90 experiments on the anomalous anticipation of random future events
Authors: Bem Daryl , Tressoldi Patrizio E. , Rabeyron Thomas , Duggan Michael
Published: January 2016

In 2011, one of the authors (DJB) published a report of nine experiments in theJournal of Personality and Social Psychologypurporting to demonstrate that an individual’s cognitive and affective responses can be influenced by randomly selected stimulus events that do not occur until after his or her responses have already been made and recorded, a generalized variant of the phenomenon traditionally denoted by the termprecognition. To encourage replications, all materials needed to conduct them were made available on request. We here report a meta-analysis of 90 experiments from 33 laboratories in 14 countries which yielded an overall effect greater than 6 sigma,z= 6.40,p= 1.2 × 10-10 with an effect size (Hedges’g) of 0.09. A Bayesian analysis yielded a Bayes Factor of 5.1 × 109, greatly exceeding the criterion value of 100 for “decisive evidence” in support of the experimental hypothesis. When DJB’s original experiments are excluded, the combined effect size for replications by independent investigators is 0.06,z= 4.16,p= 1.1 × 10-5, and the BF value is 3,853, again exceeding the criterion for “decisive evidence.” The number of potentially unretrieved experiments required to reduce the overall effect size of the complete database to a trivial value of 0.01 is 544, and seven of eight additional statistical tests support the conclusion that the database is not significantly compromised by either selection bias or by intense “p-hacking”—the selective suppression of findings or analyses that failed to yield statistical significance.P-curve analysis, a recently introduced statistical technique, estimates the true effect size of the experiments to be 0.20 for the complete database and 0.24 for the independent replications, virtually identical to the effect size of DJB’s original experiments (0.22) and the closely related “presentiment” experiments (0.21). We discuss the controversial status of precognition and other anomalous effects collectively known aspsi.
What is the best internal fixation in pelvic fracture models with open-book injury and anterior sacroiliac joint disruption?
Authors: Dilogo Ismail H. , Sitorus Immanuel P.
Published: January 2016

Background: The best operative management for open-book pelvic injury with anterior sacroiliac disruption (OTA/AO B1.1 classification) is still debated. This biomechanical study aimed to find the best internal fixation technique for such injury. Methods: Open-book injury with anterior sacroiliac joint disruption was simulated on 25 artificial pelvic bones. Twenty five artificial pelvic bones were divided into 5 groups (n=5 /group) and fixated with five different fixation techniques: 1). 1SP+1IS; 2). 2SP; 3). 2SP+2SIP; 4). 1SP+2IS S1, and 5). 1SP+1IS S1+S2. Biomechanical properties of each fixation technique were assessed using Tensilon® RTF-1310 to measure the resistance to translation and load to failure. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc Bonferroni test.Results: The highest mean load to failure of axial forces (1490.36 N) was achieved by the fixation technique using one symphyseal plate and two iliosacral screws located at S1 dan S2. The addition of one iliosacral screw significantly increased the mean load to failure for axial compression (p<0.05).Conclusion: The addition of sacroiliac joint posterior fixation, either with plate or screw, will increase the fixation biomechanical strength. Single symphyseal plate and two iliosacral screws on S1 and S2 provided the best mechanical resistance to axial loading. Thus, it can be concluded that such fixation technique is best for open-book pelvic injury with anterior sacroiliac disruption.
Relationship of socioeconomic factors with vision-related quality of life on severe low vision and blind population in Indonesia
Authors: Habsyiyah Habsyiyah , Lestari Yeni D. , Ariawan Iwan , Gondhowiardjo Tjahjono D.
Published: January 2016

Background: Socioeconomic factors are known to be associated with visual impairment. Being someone who is visually impaired could affect his quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in severe low vision and blind population in Indonesia in relation to their socioeconomic status. Methods: A cross sectional population-based study was performed in 5 provinces, in Indonesia. Respondents of validation study on blindness data of national basic health survey 2013 (RISKESDAS 2013), who were above 18 years old with severe low vision (BCVA≥3/60 to 6/60) and blind (BCVA<3/60), were included in this study. Questionnaires for socioeconomic status and a questionnaire from the national eye institute visual function questionnaire 25 (NEI VFQ 25) for visual function were administered. Total  scores of NEI-VFQ25 were compared based on severity of visual impairment, educational level, occupation, literacy adequacy, income level, and residency. Data analysis was using independent T-test or Mann-Whitney test, and Chi square test.Results: A total of 134 subjects were enrolled in this study, most of them are  women (68.2%), aged >64 years old (64.9%) with low education (65.7%), illiterate (52.2%), low income (71.6%), non working (63.4%) and living in urban areas (58.2%). The blind population has lower VFQ scores than severe low vision (p=0.001). Different status of educational level, literacy adequacy, income level and residency did not show significant difference in VFQ scores, but those who have an occupation had better VFQ scores than those who do not (p=0.041).Conclusion: Visual related quality of life (VRQOL) of severe low vision and blind population was associated significantly with occupational status. Because of culture and characteristics of Indonesian people, VRQOL of severe low vision and blind population in Indonesia was not affected by educational level, literacy, income level, and residency.
Disparities in Service Use and Expenditures for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in California in 2005 and 2013
Authors: Harrington Charlene , Kang Taewoon
Published: January 2016

This study examined service use and expenditures for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) living at home and in the community in California in 2005 and 2013. The number of people assessed for IDD services increased, along with the percentage of individuals who did not receive any services between 2005 and 2013. Controlling for client needs, children age 3–21 were less likely than other age groups to receive any services using logistic regressions. All racial and ethnic minority groups were less likely to receive any services than were white populations. Females, younger people, and all racial and ethnic minority groups who received services had significantly lower expenditures, with wide geographic variations. The disparities by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and geography have persisted over time in California.
Application of linker technique to trap transiently interacting protein complexes for structural studies
Authors: Reddy Chichil Vishnu Priyanka , Kuma Veerendra , . Sivaraman J
Published: January 2016

Protein-protein interactions are key events controlling several biological processes. We have developed and employed a method to trap transiently interacting protein complexes for structural studies using Gly-rich linkers to fuse interacting partners, one of which is unstructured. Initial steps involve isothermal titration calorimetry to identify the minimum binding region of the unstructured protein in its interaction with its stable binding partner. This is followed by computational analysis to identify the approximate site of the interaction and to design an appropriate linker length. Subsequently, fused constructs are generated and characterized using size exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering experiments. The structure of the chimeric protein is then solved by crystallization, and validated both in vitro and in vivo by substituting key interacting residues of the full length, unlinked proteins with alanine. This protocol offers the opportunity to study crucial and currently unattainable transient protein interactions involved in various biological processes
A surface plasmon resonance-based method for monitoring interactions between G protein-coupled receptors and interacting proteins
Authors: Stroth Nikolas
Published: January 2016

The present protocol describes a method by which interactions between G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and intracellular proteins can be monitored in real-time and without the use of exogenous labels. The method is based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and uses synthetic peptides as mimics of intracellular GPCR domains. These peptides are covalently immobilized onto sensor chips and brought into contact with putative interacting proteins in the flow cells of the SPR instrument. The method allows flexible experimental designs, rapid testing of hypotheses and quantitative analysis of interactions. Relative to other established methods, it provides both an alternative and a complementary approach with several key advantages. The present protocol describes the method step-by-step, using as example an interaction between the serotonin 5-HT7 receptor and the calcium-binding protein S100B.
O ESPAÇO ONDE SE BRINCA NA EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL
Authors: Marcolino Suzana , Mello Suelly Amaral
Published: January 2016

O objetivo do artigo é verificar como um tipo de arranjo espacial na Educação Infantil, os cenários para brincar, impacta a brincadeira. A análise foi conduzida com base nos estudos da Psicologia Histórico-Cultural sobre a brincadeira. Para essa teoria a brincadeira é atividade guia do desenvolvimento da criança pré-escolar e, quanto mais a criança conhece sobre o mundo e as relações entre as pessoas, mais rica será a situação imaginária criada na brincadeira. Foram realizadas 12 sessões de brincadeira com crianças de cinco anos de uma escola pública de Educação Infantil, nas quais construímos, junto com elas, variados cenários para brincar. Os resultados indicam que os cenários se constituíram como apoio para a situação imaginária, permitindo o desenvolvimento de argumento, ampliando as ações e relações dos papéis interpretados na brincadeira.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v26i2.3349
Maintaining the Feasibility of Hard Real–Time Systems with a Reduced Number of Priority Levels
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Bilal , Alrashed Saleh , Min-Allah Nasro , Kołodziej Joanna , Arabas Piotr
Published: January 2016

When there is a mismatch between the cardinality of a periodic task set and the priority levels supported by the underlying hardware systems, multiple tasks are grouped into one class so as to maintain a specific level of confidence in their accuracy. However, such a transformation is achieved at the expense of the loss of schedulability of the original task set. We further investigate the aforementioned problem and report the following contributions: (i) a novel technique for mapping unlimited priority tasks into a reduced number of classes that do not violate the schedulability of the original task set and (ii) an efficient feasibility test that eliminates insufficient points during the feasibility analysis. The theoretical correctness of both contributions is checked through formal verifications. Moreover, the experimental results reveal the superiority of our work over the existing feasibility tests by reducing the number of scheduling points that are needed otherwise.
Exponential Estimates of a Class of Time–Delay Nonlinear Systems with Convex Representations
Authors: Ramírez Máximo , Villafuerte Raúl , González Temoatzin , Bernal Miguel
Published: January 2016

This work introduces a novel approach to stability and stabilization of nonlinear systems with delayed multivariable inputs; it provides exponential estimates as well as a guaranteed cost of the system solutions. The result is based on an exact convex representation of the nonlinear system which allows a Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional to be applied in order to obtain sufficient conditions in the form of linear matrix inequalities. These are efficiently solved via convex optimization techniques. A real-time implementation of the developed approach on the twin rotor MIMO system is included.