bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood–Spinal Cord Barrier Pericyte Reductions Contribute to Increased Capillary Permeability
Authors: Winkler Ethan A , Sengillo Jesse D , Bell Robert D , Wang Joseph , Zlokovic Berislav V
Published: August 2012

The blood–spinal cord barrier (BSCB) regulates molecular exchange between blood and spinal cord. Pericytes are presumed to be important cellular constituents of the BSCB. However, the regional abundance and vascular functions of spinal cord pericytes have yet to be determined. Utilizing wild-type mice, we show that spinal cord pericyte capillary coverage and number compared with the brain regions are reduced most prominently in the anterior horn. Regional pericyte variations are highly correlated with: (1) increased capillary permeability to 350 Da, 40,000 Da, and 150,000 Da, but not 2,000,000 Da fluorescent vascular tracers in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions and (2) diminished endothelial zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin tight junction protein expression. Pericyte-deficient mutations ( Pdgfrβ F7/F7 mice) resulted in additional pericyte reductions in spinal cord capillaries leading to overt BSCB disruption to serum proteins, accumulation in motor neurons of cyotoxic thrombin and fibrin and motor neuron loss. Barrier disruption in perciyte-deficient mice coincided with further reductions in ZO-1 and occludin. These data suggest that pericytes contribute to proper function of the BSCB at the capillary level. Regional reductions in spinal cord pericytes may provide a cellular basis for heightened spinal cord barrier capillary permeability and motor neuron loss.
microRNAs in skeletal muscle differentiation and disease
Authors: Goljanek-Whysall Katarzyna , Sweetman Dylan , Münsterberg Andrea E.
Published: August 2012

miRNAs (microRNAs) are novel post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. Several miRNAs, expressed exclusively in muscle, play important roles during muscle development, growth and regeneration; other ubiquitously expressed miRNAs are also essential for muscle function. In the present review, we outline the miRNAs involved in embryonic muscle development and those that have been found to be dysregulated in diseases associated with skeletal muscle or are changed during muscle adaptation. miRNAs are promising biomarkers and candidates for potential therapeutic intervention. We discuss the strategies that aim to develop novel therapies through modulating miRNA activity. In time, some of these approaches may become available to treat muscle-associated diseases.
Cylindrical effects on Richtmyer-Meshkov instability for arbitrary Atwood numbers in weakly nonlinear regime
Authors: Liu W. H. , He X. T. , Yu C. P.
Published: August 2012

When an incident shock collides with a corrugated interface separating two fluids of different densities, the interface is prone to Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI). Based on the formal perturbation expansion method as well as the potential flow theory, we present a simple method to investigate the cylindrical effects in weakly nonlinear RMI with the transmitted and reflected cylindrical shocks by considering the nonlinear corrections up to fourth order. The cylindrical results associated with the material interface show that the interface expression consists of two parts: the result in the planar system and that from the cylindrical effects. In the limit of the cylindrical radius tending to infinity, the cylindrical results can be reduced to those in the planar system. Our explicit results show that the cylindrical effects exert an inward velocity on the whole perturbed interface, regardless of bubbles or spikes of the interface. On the one hand, outgoing bubbles are constrained and ingoing spikes are accelerated for different Atwood numbers (A) and mode numbers k'. On the other hand, for ingoing bubbles, when |A|k'3/2≲1, bubbles are considerably accelerated especially at the small |A| and k'; otherwise, bubbles are decelerated. For outgoing spikes, when |A|k'≳1, spikes are dramatically accelerated especially at large |A| and k'; otherwise, spikes are decelerated. Furthermore, the cylindrical effects have a significant influence on the amplitudes of the ingoing spike and bubble for large k'. Thus, it should be included in applications where the cylindrical effects play a role, such as inertial confinement fusion ignition target design.
Study of barrier inhomogeneities in I–V-T and C-V-T characteristics of Al/Al2O3/PVA:n-ZnSe metal–oxide–semiconductor diode
Authors: Sharma Mamta , Tripathi S. K.
Published: August 2012

This paper presents detailed analysis of forward and reverse bias I-V and C-V characteristics of Al/Al2O3/PVA:n-ZnSe metal-oxide-semiconductor diode. PVA:n-ZnSe nanocomposites are prepared by chemical bath deposition technique. The alumina layer is deposited on Al substrate by electrolytic anodization method. The temperature dependence I-V parameters such as series resistance (RS), the ideality factor (n), the barrier height (φb), the Richardson constant (A*), mean barrier height, and the leakage current (Ileakage) have been explained on the basis of inhomogeneity. The series resistance obtained from Chenug’s method and Norde’s method shows close agreement with each other. In C-V measurements, in the reverse bias of Al/Al2O3/PVA:n-ZnSe metal-oxide-semiconductor diode has been performed as a function of temperature. The temperature dependence C-V parameters barrier height φ(C−V), the built-in-voltage (Vbi), carrier concentration (ND), Fermi energy (EF), and depletion layer width (W) have been calculated at different temperatures. The discrepancy in barrier height obtained from I-V and C-V measurements and barrier inhomogeneities of Al/Al2O3/PVA:n-ZnSe contact has been explained by assuming Gaussian distribution of barrier heights using potential fluctuation model.
Accurate measurements of water vapor transmission through high-performance barrier layers
Authors: Brewer P. J. , Goody B. A. , Kumar Y. , Milton M. J. T.
Published: August 2012

We report a new approach to measuring very low rates of water vapor transmission through high-performance barrier layers, based on detection of the water vapor by cavity ring-down infrared spectroscopy. It provides accurate and traceable measurements with a detection limit for water vapor transmission significantly below 1 × 10−4 g/m2/day. The system is underpinned by dynamic reference standards of water vapor generated between 5 and 2000 nmol/mol with an estimated relative expanded uncertainty of ±2%. It has been compared with other methods and demonstrates good comparability.
Double knockout of pendrin and Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC) causes severe salt wasting, volume depletion, and renal failure
Authors: Soleimani Manoocher , Barone Sharon , Xu Jie , Shull Gary E. , Siddiqui Faraz , Zahedi Kamyar , Amlal Hassane
Published: July 2012

The Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC), which is the target of inhibition by thiazides, is located in close proximity to the chloride-absorbing transporter pendrin in the kidney distal nephron. Single deletion of pendrin or NCC does not cause salt wasting or excessive diuresis under basal conditions, raising the possibility that these transporters are predominantly active during salt depletion or in response to excess aldosterone. We hypothesized that pendrin and NCC compensate for loss of function of the other under basal conditions, thereby masking the role that each plays in salt absorption. To test our hypothesis, we generated pendrin/NCC double knockout (KO) mice by crossing pendrin KO mice with NCC KO mice. Pendrin/NCC double KO mice displayed severe salt wasting and sharp increase in urine output under basal conditions. As a result, animals developed profound volume depletion, renal failure, and metabolic alkalosis without hypokalemia, which were all corrected with salt replacement. We propose that the combined inhibition of pendrin and NCC can provide a strong diuretic regimen without causing hypokalemia for patients with fluid overload, including patients with congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, diuretic resistance, or generalized edema.
Structure of the rhesus monkey TRIM5α PRYSPRY domain, the HIV capsid recognition module
Authors: Biris Nikolaos , Yang Yang , Taylor Alexander B. , Tomashevski Andrei , Guo Miao , Hart P. John , Diaz-Griffero Felipe , Ivanov Dmitri N.
Published: July 2012

Tripartite motif protein TRIM5α blocks retroviral replication after cell entry, and species-specific differences in its activity are determined by sequence variations within the C-terminal B30.2/PRYSPRY domain. Here we report a high-resolution structure of a TRIM5α PRYSPRY domain, the PRYSPRY of the rhesus monkey TRIM5α that potently restricts HIV infection, and identify features involved in its interaction with the HIV capsid. The extensive capsid-binding interface maps on the structurally divergent face of the protein formed by hypervariable loop segments, confirming that TRIM5α evolution is largely determined by its binding specificity. Interactions with the capsid are mediated by flexible variable loops via a mechanism that parallels antigen recognition by IgM antibodies, a similarity that may help explain some of the unusual functional properties of TRIM5α. Distinctive features of this pathogen-recognition interface, such as structural plasticity conferred by the mobile v1 segment and interaction with multiple epitopes, may allow restriction of divergent retroviruses and increase resistance to capsid mutations.
Common future and personal responsibilities: A comparison between Italian and Burundian students
Authors: Berti Chiara , Passini Stefano
Published: August 2012

The political, social, and cultural history of a nation modulates the representations of rights and duties. The aim of this research is to compare students from two countries (Italy and Burundi) in terms of how they define their rights and duties. In the two countries, there are differences both in the legal protection of fundamental rights and in regard to material conditions, which in turn ensure the effectiveness of rights. Focus groups structured around nine questions were conducted in Burundi and in Italy. The discussions with Italian and Burundian students showed some clear differences. Although both groups speak of rights as something to be safeguarded and something that everyone is born with, Italian students do not recognize the complementarity of rights and duties and consider the latter simply as a limit and an obstacle to individual enhancement. On the contrary, Burundian adolescents seem more aware of their personal responsibilities and their role in protecting human rights.
Process and outcome in pluralistic Transactional Analysis counselling for long‐term health conditions: A case series
Authors: McLeod Julia
Published: August 2012

Background: Many people experience living with a long‐term health condition as highly stressful. The psychological impact of chronic illness can include anxiety, depression, post‐traumatic stress disorder, and relationship difficulties. Aims: The present study used a case series to examine the process and outcome of pluralistically‐informed Transactional Analysis counselling in three clients suffering major health problems. Method: A rich case record was assembled for each client, incorporating therapist notes, transcripts of sessions, scores on standard outcome measures, and a follow‐up interview. These case materials were analysed to identify key helpful process within the therapy, and to determine the nature of the outcomes of the intervention. Findings: A set of core therapeutic tasks could be identified across all three cases, and clients reported high levels of satisfaction with outcome. Conclusions: Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Client perspectives: The therapeutic challenge of domestic violence counselling – a pilot study
Authors: Roddy Jeannette K.
Published: August 2012

Aims: This qualitative pilot study explored the perceptions of four female domestic violence clients regarding counselling they had concluded in order to identify a preliminary client‐preferred domestic violence counselling approach. Method: Semi‐structured interviews asking about significant events during counselling were held. An adapted grounded theory and narrative methodology was used. Results from the analysis were reviewed with two of the participants. Participants were offered additional counselling support if required after the research interview. Results/Findings: Domestic violence clients found starting counselling particularly difficult after years of keeping the abuse to themselves. Participants actively withheld and managed information for several sessions and needed to know they had time to explore their experiences. The counsellor being consistent and non‐judgemental, and understanding domestic violence and its effects was helpful. Having a clear ending was appreciated by the participants. Discussion: The initial development of the therapeutic relationship benefited from active discussion of how domestic violence could affect behaviour and emotions. Good early therapeutic relationships showed elements of the three main psychological schools. Participants benefited from a pro‐active discussion of endings. A key limitation of this research is the small sample size. Implications for practice: The research suggests that counsellors would benefit from knowledge and skills from different psychological schools and specific training in domestic violence. Allowing flexibility on the number of sessions available to clients may be helpful. Conclusions: Further work is required to explore these preliminary findings. However, early indications suggest that domestic abuse clients may benefit from non‐time‐limited specialist counselling services.
Motor-driven motility of fungal nuclear pores organizes chromosomes and fosters nucleocytoplasmic transport
Authors: Steinberg Gero , Schuster Martin , Theisen Ulrike , Kilaru Sreedhar , Forge Andrew , Martin-Urdiroz Magdalena
Published: July 2012

Exchange between the nucleus and the cytoplasm is controlled by nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). In animals, NPCs are anchored by the nuclear lamina, which ensures their even distribution and proper organization of chromosomes. Fungi do not possess a lamina and how they arrange their chromosomes and NPCs is unknown. Here, we show that motor-driven motility of NPCs organizes the fungal nucleus. In Ustilago maydis, Aspergillus nidulans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae fluorescently labeled NPCs showed ATP-dependent movements at ∼1.0 µm/s. In S. cerevisiae and U. maydis, NPC motility prevented NPCs from clustering. In budding yeast, NPC motility required F-actin, whereas in U. maydis, microtubules, kinesin-1, and dynein drove pore movements. In the latter, pore clustering resulted in chromatin organization defects and led to a significant reduction in both import and export of GFP reporter proteins. This suggests that fungi constantly rearrange their NPCs and corresponding chromosomes to ensure efficient nuclear transport and thereby overcome the need for a structural lamina.
The tumor suppressor Apc controls planar cell polarities central to gut homeostasis
Authors: Bellis Julien , Duluc Isabelle , Romagnolo Béatrice , Perret Christine , Faux Maree C. , Dujardin Denis , Formstone Caroline , Lightowler Sally , Ramsay Robert G. , Freund Jean-Noël , De Mey Jan R.
Published: July 2012

The stem cells (SCs) at the bottom of intestinal crypts tightly contact niche-supporting cells and fuel the extraordinary tissue renewal of intestinal epithelia. Their fate is regulated stochastically by populational asymmetry, yet whether asymmetrical fate as a mode of SC division is relevant and whether the SC niche contains committed progenitors of the specialized cell types are under debate. We demonstrate spindle alignments and planar cell polarities, which form a novel functional unit that, in SCs, can yield daughter cell anisotropic movement away from niche-supporting cells. We propose that this contributes to SC homeostasis. Importantly, we demonstrate that some SC divisions are asymmetric with respect to cell fate and provide data suggesting that, in some SCs, mNumb displays asymmetric segregation. Some of these processes were altered in apparently normal crypts and microadenomas of mice carrying germline Apc mutations, shedding new light on the first stages of progression toward colorectal cancer.
Wave–particle resonances and redistribution/losses of fast ions in tokamaks
Authors: Nabais F. , Borba D. , Kiptily V.G. , Pinches S.D. , Sharapov S.E.
Published: August 2012

Enhanced fast ion losses, mostly in the range of energies from around 1.2 to 2.4 MeV, were measured during the activity of tornado modes in the JET tokamak. Tornado modes are TAE localized inside the q = 1 surface, which do not extend to the outer regions of the plasma. Thus, it is necessary to find an explanation on how such modes can lead to the loss of fast ions. In this paper, a mechanism that allows explaining the loss of fast ions triggered by tornado modes is proposed. This mechanism is based on the combined effect of tornado modes and global TAEs over the fast ions (global TAEs were always observed along with the tornado modes in the experiments in which enhanced losses were measured). Tornado modes would trigger the process of loss by resonantly interacting with the fast ions near the centre of the plasma and transporting the ions to a more peripheral region where tornado modes and global TAEs coexist. The TAE would then transport convectively the fast ions, most efficiently through the first bounce resonances (p = 1), all the way to the plasma edge eventually leading to its loss. This mechanism of loss is supported by calculations carried out with the CASTOR-K code.
easyRNASeq: a bioconductor package for processing RNA-Seq data
Authors: Delhomme Nicolas , Padioleau Ismaël , Furlong Eileen E. , Steinmetz Lars M.
Published: July 2012

Motivation: RNA sequencing is becoming a standard for expression profiling experiments and many tools have been developed in the past few years to analyze RNA-Seq data. Numerous ‘Bioconductor’ packages are available for next-generation sequencing data loading in R, e.g. ShortRead and Rsamtools as well as to perform differential gene expression analyses, e.g. DESeq and edgeR. However, the processing tasks lying in between these require the precise interplay of many Bioconductor packages, e.g. Biostrings, IRanges or external solutions are to be sought.

Results: We developed ‘easyRNASeq’, an R package that simplifies the processing of RNA sequencing data, hiding the complex interplay of the required packages behind a single functionality.

Availability: The package is implemented in R (as of version 2.15) and is available from Bioconductor (as of version 2.10) at the URL: http://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/easyRNASeq.html, where installation and usage instructions can be found.

Contact:  delhomme@embl.de
GlycoCD: a repository for carbohydrate-related CD antigens
Authors: Kumar Sonu , Lütteke Thomas , Schwartz-Albiez Reinhard
Published: July 2012

Summary: The open access comprehensive GlycoCD database application is for representation and retrieval of carbohydrate-related clusters of differentiation (CDs). The main objective of this database platform is to provide information about interactions of carbohydrate moieties with proteins that are important for identification of specific cell surface molecule with a focus on the integration of data from carbohydrate microarray databases. GlycoCD database comprises two sections: the carbohydrate recognition CD and glycan CD. It allows easy access through a user-friendly web interface to all carbohydrate-defined CDs and those that interact with carbohydrates along with other relevant information.

Availability: The database is freely available at http://glycosciences.de/glycocd/index.php

Contact:  r.s-albiez@dkfz.de
A dynamical model for the
Utricularia
trap
Authors: Llorens Coraline , Argentina Médéric , Bouret Yann , Marmottant Philippe , Vincent Olivier
Published: August 2012

We propose a model that captures the dynamics of a carnivorous plant,
Utricularia inflata
. This plant possesses tiny traps for capturing small aquatic animals. Glands pump water out of the trap, yielding a negative pressure difference between the plant and its surroundings. The trap door is set into a meta-stable state and opens quickly as an extra pressure is generated by the displacement of a potential prey. As the door opens, the pressure difference sucks the animal into the trap. We write an ODE model that captures all the physics at play. We show that the dynamics of the plant is quite similar to neuronal dynamics and we analyse the effect of a white noise on the dynamics of the trap.
Olive Fertility as Affected by Cross-Pollination and Boron
Authors: Spinardi A. , Bassi D.
Published: July 2012

Self-compatibility of local olive (Olea europaeaL.) accessions and of the cultivars “Frantoio” and “Leccino” was investigated in Garda Lake area, northern Italy. Intercompatibility was determined for “Casaliva,” “Frantoio,” and “Leccino,” as well as the effects of foliar Boron applications (0, 262, 525, or 1050 mg·L−1) applied about one week before anthesis on fruit set, shotberry set, and onin vitropollen germination. Following self-pollination, fruit set was significantly lower and the occurrence of shot berries significantly higher than those obtained by open pollination. No significant effect of controlled cross-pollination over self-pollination on fruit set and shotberry set was detectable. B treatments increased significantly fruit set in “Frantoio” and “Casaliva” but not in “Leccino.” B sprays had no effect on shotberry set, suggesting that these parthenocarpic fruits did not strongly compete for resources allocation and did not take advantage of increased B tissue levels. Foliar B application enhancedin vitropollen germination, and the optimal level was higher for pollen germination than for fruit set. Our results highlight the importance of olive cross pollination for obtaining satisfactory fruit set and the beneficial effect of B treatments immediately prior to anthesis, possibly by affecting positively the fertilisation process and subsequent plant source-sink relations linked to fruitlet retention.
Postharvest Analysis of Lowland Transgenic Tomato Fruits Harboring hpRNAi-ACO1Construct
Authors: Behboodian Bita , Mohd Ali Zainon , Ismail Ismanizan , Zainal Zamri
Published: July 2012

The plant hormone, ethylene, is an important regulator which involved in regulating fruit ripening and flower senescence. In this study, RNA interference (RNAi) technology was employed to silence the genes involved in ethylene biosynthetic pathway. This was achieved by blocking the expression of specific gene encoding the ACC oxidase. Initially, cDNA corresponding toACO1of lowland tomato cultivar (MT1), which has high identity withACO1ofSolanum lycopersicumin GenBank, was cloned through RT-PCR. Using a partial coding region ofACO1, one hpRNAi transformation vector was constructed and expressed ectopically under the 35S promoter. Results showed that transgenic lines harboring the hpRNA-ACO1construct had lower ethylene production and a longer shelf life of 32 days as compared to 10 days for wild-type fruits. Changes in cell wall degrading enzyme activities were also investigated in cases where the transgenic fruits exhibited reduced rates of firmness loss, which can be associated with a decrease in pectin methylesterase (PME) and polygalacturonase (PG) activities. However, no significant change was detected in both transgenic and wild-type fruits in terms ofβ-galactosidase (β-Gal) activity and levels of total soluble solid, titratable acid and ascorbic acid.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Tuberculosis in the State of Mexico, Mexico
Authors: Zaragoza Bastida Adrian , Hernández Tellez Marivel , Bustamante Montes Lilia P. , Medina Torres Imelda , Jaramillo Paniagua Jaime Nicolás , Mendoza Martínez Germán David , Ramírez Durán Ninfa
Published: July 2012

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest human diseases that still affects large population groups. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were approximately 9.4 million new cases worldwide in the year 2010. In Mexico, there were 18,848 new cases of TB of all clinical variants in 2010. The identification of clusters in space-time is of great interest in epidemiological studies. The objective of this research was to identify the spatial and temporal distribution of TB during the period 2006–2010 in the State of Mexico, using geographic information system (GIS) and SCAN statistics program. Nine significant clusters () were identified using spatial and space-time analysis. The conclusion is that TB in the State of Mexico is not randomly distributed but is concentrated in areas close to Mexico City.
Spatial Variability of Metals in Surface Water and Sediment in the Langat River and Geochemical Factors That Influence Their Water-Sediment Interactions
Authors: Lim Wan Ying , Aris Ahmad Zaharin , Zakaria Mohamad Pauzi
Published: August 2012

This paper determines the controlling factors that influence the metals’ behavior water-sediment interaction facies and distribution of elemental content (75As,111Cd,59Co,52Cr,60Ni, and208Pb) in water and sediment samples in order to assess the metal pollution status in the Langat River. A total of 90 water and sediment samples were collected simultaneously in triplicate at 30 sampling stations. Selected metals were analyzed using ICP-MS, and the metals’ concentration varied among stations. Metal concentrations of water ranged between 0.08–24.71 μg/L for As, <0.01–0.53 μg/L for Cd, 0.06–6.22 μg/L for Co, 0.32–4.67 μg/L for Cr, 0.80–24.72 μg/L for Ni, and <0.005–6.99 μg/L for Pb. Meanwhile, for sediment, it ranged between 4.47–30.04 mg/kg for As, 0.02–0.18 mg/kg for Cd, 0.87–4.66 mg/kg for Co, 4.31–29.04 mg/kg for Cr, 2.33–8.25 mg/kg for Ni and 5.57–55.71 mg/kg for Pb. The average concentration of studied metals in the water was lower than the Malaysian National Standard for Drinking Water Quality proposed by the Ministry of Health. The average concentration for As in sediment was exceeding ISQG standards as proposed by the Canadian Sediment Quality Guidelines. Statistical analyses revealed that certain metals (As, Co, Ni, and Pb) were generally influenced by pH and conductivity. These results are important when making crucial decisions in determining potential hazardous levels of these metals toward humans.
Chromatin Staining of Drosophila Testes
Authors: Bonaccorsi Silvia , Giansanti Maria G. , Cenci Giovanni , Gatti Maurizio
Published: August 2012

This protocol describes chromatin staining of Drosophila testes. To visualize DNA, preparations fixed using methanol-acetone, paraformaldehyde, or formaldehyde can be stained with several DNA-binding dyes. If the slides are to be examined with a fluorescence microscope equipped with filters that permit ultraviolet (UV) excitation, suitable dyes for DNA staining are Hoechst 33258 or 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). If the slides are to be analyzed with a confocal microscope not equipped with a UV laser, DNA can be stained with either propidium iodide or TOTO-3 iodide.
In Vivo Electroporation of E1 Chick Embryos
Authors: Brown Charmaine Y. , Eom Dae Seok , Amarnath Smita , Agarwala Seema
Published: August 2012

In ovo electroporation of chick embryos at ages ≥ E2 is simple to conduct and widely used to manipulate gene function. However, in ovo electroporation at early E1 stages has so far been unsuccessful because of unacceptable levels of tissue damage and embryonic lethality. Early E1 manipulations in the chick have therefore relied on in vitro electroporation, posing problems for morphogenetic studies in which the long-term preservation (>24 h) of three-dimensional tissue organization is critical. This article describes a simple technique for in vivo electroporation of E1 embryos as young as Hamburger-Hamilton stage 4 (HH4). It uses thin microelectrodes and low voltages, which permit precise localization of gene misexpression while causing minimal tissue damage and embryonic lethality. Critically, it does not depend on the presence of a lumen for DNA injections and can easily be adapted for a wide variety of tissues.
Evaluation of the suitability of using large amounts of urban wastes for degraded arid soil restoration and C fixation
Authors: García E. , García C. , Hernández T.
Published: July 2012

The addition of organic wastes is being used increasingly as a suitable method for the recovery of degraded semiarid soils. This, in turn, can contribute to the disposal of considerable amounts of these wastes. The aim of this work was to study how the application rate and maturity of the added organic waste influence the dynamics of the organic carbon (Corg) and its fixation and partitioning in different soil particle‐size fractions. For this, a semiarid degraded soil (S) was amended, at rates of 1.1 (d1) and 3.3 (d2) g Corg 100 g soil−1, with a mixture of organic domestic waste and aerobic sewage sludge at two different maturities (fresh, FR; composted, MC) and incubated for 9 months under controlled conditions. The association of Corg with different soil particle‐size fractions was determined at the start and end of the incubation period. The organic C mineralization rates were greatest in soils amended at the larger rate. Even so, after 9 months of incubation, the soils amended at the greater rate had significantly (P < 0.05) larger values of Corg than the soils amended at the smaller rate. The greater rate of addition of composted material resulted in the greatest C fixation, although the efficiency of fixation was greatest with the smaller rate; composted material was better than fresh material and the C was associated increasingly with the finer fractions as incubation progressed.
In ovoleptin administration accelerates post‐hatch muscle growth and changes myofibre characteristics, gene expression and enzymes activity in broiler chickens
Authors: Liu P. , Hu Y. , Grossmann R. , Zhao R.
Published: August 2012

To evaluate the effect of maternal leptin on muscle growth, we injected 0 μg (control, CON), 0.5 μg (low leptin dose, LL) or 5.0 μg (high leptin dose, HL) of recombinant murine leptin dissolved in 100 μl of PBS into the albumen of broiler eggs prior to incubation. The newly hatched chicks were all raised under the same conditions until 21 days of age (D21), when body weight was measured and samples of gastrocnemius muscle were collected and weighed. Myosin ATPase staining was applied to identify myofibre types and measure the cross‐sectional area (CSA) of myofibres. Real‐time PCR was performed to quantify leptin receptor (LEPR), insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), IGF‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R), growth hormone receptor (GHR) and myostatin (MSTN) mRNA expression in the gastrocnemius muscle. The activity of calpains (CAPNs) in the gastrocnemius muscle was measured using a quantitative fluorescence detection kit. Male chickens treated with both high and low doses of leptin had significantly higher (p < 0.05) body weight on D21. The high leptin significantly increased the CSA (p < 0.05) of gastrocnemius muscle in male chickens, which coincided with a 93% increase (p < 0.05) in IGF‐1 mRNA expression. Likewise, the LL dose increased the weight of gastrocnemius muscle in male chickens (p < 0.05), which was accompanied by a 41% down‐regulation (p < 0.05) of MSTN mRNA expression and a decreased activity of CAPNs. However, all these changes were not observed in female chickens. The proportion of myofibre types did not altered. No significant change was detected for LEPR and GHR mRNA expression. These results indicate thatin ovoleptin treatment affects skeletal muscle growth in chickens in a dose‐dependent and sex‐specific manner. The altered expression of IGF‐1, MSTN mRNA and activity of CAPNs in skeletal muscle may be responsible for such effects.
Randomized, controlled trial of carvedilol versus nadolol plus isosorbide mononitrate for the prevention of variceal rebleeding
Authors: Lo Gin‐Ho , Chen Wen‐Chi , Wang Huay‐Min , Yu Hsien‐Chung
Published: July 2012

Background and Aim

Carvedilol has been shown to be more effective than propranolol in decreasing portal pressure. Sufficient data from controlled trials remains limited. This trial compared the relative safety and efficacy between carvedilol and nadolol plus isosorbide mononitrate in preventing variceal rebleeding.

Methods

After successful control of acute esophageal variceal bleeding, eligible patients were randomized to the carvedilol group, 61 patients, using carvedilol 6.25–12.5 mg daily or the N + I group, 60 patients, using nadolol 40–80 mg plus isorsorbide‐5‐mononitrate 20 mg daily. The end points were rebleeding from varices, adverse events or death.

Results

After a median follow up of 30 months, recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding developed in 37 patients (61%) in the carvedilol group and 37 patients (62%) in the N + I group (P = 0.90). Recurrent bleeding from esophageal varices occurred in 31 patients (51%) in the carvedilol group and in 26 patients (43%) in the N + I group (P = 0.46). Recurrent bleeding from gastric varices occurred in two patients (3%) in the carvedilol group and in eight patients (13%) in the N + I group (P = 0.05). Severe adverse events occurred in one patient in the carvedilol group and 17 patients in the N + I group (P < 0.0001). Fifteen patients of the carvedilol group and 17 patients in the N + I group died (P = 0.83). Two patients in the carvedilol group and three patients in the N + I group died of variceal bleeding.

Conclusions

Carvedilol was as effective as nadolol plus isorsorbide‐5 ‐mononitrate mononitrate in the prevention of gastroesophageal variceal rebleeding with fewer severe adverse events and similar survival.
Preoperative use of romiplostim in thrombocytopenic patients with chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis
Authors: Moussa Mohamed M , Mowafy Nadia
Published: July 2012

Background and Aim

Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) often develop chronic liver disease, liver cirrhosis and concurrent thrombocytopenia, which manifests as decreased platelet counts and bleeding complications. Romiplostim, a thrombopoietin mimetic peptibody that stimulates the thrombopoietin receptor, has been used as a treatment for primary immune thrombocytopenia. We monitored the efficacy of preoperative romiplostim over 90 days in 35 male patients with chronic hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis and thrombocytopenia secondary to HCV infection.

Methods

Romiplostim was administered at 2 μg/kg Q1W for a maximum of one month with a target platelet count of 70 × 109/L as a prerequisite for planned surgeries. Bone marrow aspirate was collected at baseline and at the end of the study, along with liver and kidney function assessments. A complete blood count was performed every third day throughout the study period.

Results

A rapid response to romiplostim therapy was observed, with 33/35 patients achieving platelet counts ≥ 70 × 109/L and thereby eligible for surgery. An initial mean platelet count of 31 × 109/L increased to a maximum peak range of 73–240 × 109/L, occurring between days 18 and 39. The reticulin bone marrow grade remained negative in all patients. Surgical interventions were associated with no postoperative bleeding or thrombotic complications.

Conclusions

Preoperative romiplostim administration may represent a viable alternative to increase platelet counts to a level acceptable for elective surgical interventions in patients with chronic liver disease and severe thrombocytopenia secondary to HCV infection who are unresponsive to standard therapy. Further studies in larger numbers of patients and over a longer period of time are warranted.
The Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference values reflect contemporary Australasian spirometry
Authors: HALL GRAHAM L. , THOMPSON BRUCE R. , STANOJEVIC SANJA , ABRAMSON MICHAEL J. , BEASLEY RICHARD , COATES ANDREW , DENT ANNETTE , ECKERT BRENTON , JAMES ALAN , FILSELL SUE , MUSK A.W. (BILL) , NOLAN GARY , DIXON BARBARA , O'DEA CHRIS , SAVAGE JENNI , STOCKS JANET , SWANNEY MAUREEN P.
Published: July 2012

We aimed to ascertain the fit of the European Respiratory Society Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference ranges to contemporary Australasian spirometric data. Z‐scores for spirometry from Caucasian subjects aged 4–80 years were calculated. The mean (SD) Z‐scores were 0.23 (1.00) for forced expirtory volume in 1 s (FEV1), 0.23 (1.00) for forced vital capacity (FVC), −0.03 (0.87) for FEV1/FVC and 0.07 (0.95) for forced expiratory flows between 25% and 75% of FVC. These results support the use of the Global Lung Initiative 2012 reference ranges to interpret spirometry in Caucasian Australasians.
Intravesical hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate alone and in combination for urinary tract infection: Assessment of protective effects in a rat model
Authors: Tasdemir Seda , Tasdemir Cemal , Vardi Nigar , Yakupogullari Yusuf , Duman Yucel , Parlakpinar Hakan , Sagir Mustafa , Acet Ahmet
Published: August 2012

Objective:  To determine the protective effects of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate in treating urinary tract infections in a rat model.

Methods:  A total of 28 rats, which were induced with urinary tract infections through intravesical administration of Escherichia coli, were included in the study. By random selection, they were equally divided into four groups as control (no treatment), hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid + chondroitin sulfate. Bacteriological cultures of the urine and bladder tissue samples were carried out, and the data for each group were statistically compared.

Results:  In the urine cultures, there were significant differences in median bacterial growth rates in hyaluronic acid (5 × 103 cfu/mL) and chondroitin sulfate (1 × 104 cfu/mL) groups relative to the control group (5 × 104 cfu/mL). However, a significantly lower rate of bacterial colony growth was observed in the hyaluronic acid + chondroitin sulfate group (8 × 102 cfu/mL; P < 0.05). In the bladder tissues, statistically significant decreases in median bacterial growth rates were detected in the hyaluronic acid and hyaluronic acid + chondroitin sulfate groups (both 0 cfu/mg tissue; P < 0.05). Also, transitional epithelium damage decreased in the treatment groups. However, this effect was prominent in hyaluronic acid + chondroitin sulfate group.

Conclusion:  Our experimental findings show that the hyaluronic acid + chondroitin sulfate combination has a potential benefit in reducing the bacterial load in urine and the thickness of the transitional epithelium.
Detrusor myectomy: Long‐term functional outcomes
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Z , Agarwal Meena
Published: August 2012

Objectives:  Detrusor myectomy is a recognized method of bladder augmentation for treating refractory detrusor overactivity. Herein we report the long‐term outcomes of this procedure at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, UK.

Methods:  Detrusor myectomy was carried out in 33 patients (7 males, 26 females) with urodynamically proven detrusor overactivity between 1995 and 2002. The mean patient age was 33 years (range 5–62). A total of 18 patients had idiopathic detrusor overactivity, whereas 15 had neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

Results:  A total of 24 patients had a detrusor myectomy alone, whereas eight patients had a detrusor myectomy with implantation of artificial urinary sphincter. One patient had detrusor myectomy with transuretero‐ureterostomy. The mean follow up was 148 months (range 108–192). A total of 10 of the 18 patients with idiopathic detrusor overactivity (55.5%) and six of the 15 patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (40%) showed marked improvement in symptoms. Detrusor overactivity was completely abolished in 11 patients and significantly reduced in five. Postoperatively, mean cystometric capacity improved from 290 to 458 mL, whereas mean maximum amplitude of detrusor contraction was reduced from 44 cm/H2O to 20 cm/H2O. An overall success rate of 48.5% (16/33 patients) was achieved. Intermittent self catheterization was needed to achieve bladder emptying in 12 of the 16 (75%) patients. Of the remaining 17 patients who did not improve, six had CLAM enterocystoplasty carried out and two await the operation. An ileal conduit diversion and suprapubic catheter insertion was carried out in one patient each, whereas seven patients declined any further intervention.

Conclusions:  Detrusor myectomy offers a reasonable long‐term success rate to patients undergoing surgical treatment for refractory detrusor overactivity.
Differential responses of endogenous adult mouse neural precursors to excess neuronal excitation
Authors: Mori Tetsuji , Wakabayashi Taketoshi , Hirahara Yukie , Takamori Yasuharu , Koike Taro , Kurokawa Kiyoshi , Yamada Hisao
Published: July 2012

Adult neurogenesis in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus (SGZ) is enhanced by excess as well as mild neuronal excitation, such as chemoconvulsant‐induced brief seizures. Because most studies of neurogenesis after seizures have focused on the SGZ, the threshold of neuronal excitation required to enhance neurogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) is not clear. Therefore, we examined the responses of SVZ precursors to brief generalized clonic seizures induced by a single administration of the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Cell cycle progression of precursors was analysed by systemic administration of thymidine analogues. We found that brief seizures immediately resulted in cell cycle retardation in the SVZ. However, the same effect was not seen in the SGZ. This initial cell cycle retardation in the SVZ was followed by enhanced cell cycle re‐entry after the first round of mitosis, leading to precursor pool expansion, but the cell cycle retardation and expansion of the precursor pool were transient. Cell cycle progression in the PTZ‐treated group returned to normal after one cell cycle. The numbers of precursors in the SVZ and new neurons in the olfactory bulb, which are descendants of SVZ precursors, were not significantly different from those in control mice more than 2 days after seizures. Because similar effects were observed following electroconvulsive seizures, these responses are likely to be general effects of brief seizures. These results suggest that neurogenesis in the SVZ is more tightly regulated and requires stronger stimuli to be modified than that in the SGZ.
Psychosocial Factors of Migration: Adaptation and Application of the Health Belief Model
Authors: Groenewold George , de Bruijn Bart , Bilsborrow Richard
Published: July 2012

Psychosocial factors influencing behaviour play a central role in health research but seem under‐explored in migration research. This is unfortunate because these factors, which include knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, intentions and personality traits, provide essential and potentially effective handles for linking migration and migrant‐integration policies. We demonstrate that the health belief model (HBM) conceptualization of behavioural intentions contributes constructs that can further our understanding of migration intentions, thereby broadening the foundations for migration policies. We adapt theHBMto migration behaviour and then test it empirically by using survey data on international migration from West Africa and the Mediterranean region to the European Union. The results confirm that indicators of “perceived threat to living conditions”, “perceived benefits” and “perceived barriers to migration”, “cues to action” and “self‐efficacy” contribute considerably to the explanation of migration intentions. We conclude that psychosocial factors deserve greater prominence in migration theories and empirical research, and we recommend that migration surveys consider this framework to identify relevant indicators of psychosocial factors of international migration and develop appropriate survey questions to measure them.
Parity, but not inbreeding, affects juvenile mortality in two captive endangered gazelles
Authors: Ibáñez B. , Moreno E. , Barbosa A.
Published: July 2012

Growing deterministic and stochastic threats to many wild populations of large vertebrates have focused attention on the significance of captive breeding for conservation. Nanger dama mhorr and Gazella cuvieri, two Sahelo‐Saharan species, have declined dramatically since the 1950s, apparently due to excessive hunting and habitat degradation. Today, the earlier is extinct in the wild and the latter survives only in small numbers in a few isolated parts of their range, and captive breeding programmes currently provide an important tool for rearing sustained populations. In natural and captive populations, the largest percentage of mortality is among juveniles. This is most relevant, from an evolutionary perspective, as it has a profound influence on population dynamics and demography, and is pivotal to the conservation and management of captive endangered populations. This study explored the juvenile mortality curve during the first 6 months of life of the species mentioned earlier in captivity. Then, we looked at the causes of this mortality by examining potential mother‐dependent as well as offspring‐dependent sources of juvenile mortality. The resulting curves show that the critical period of mortality is the first 14 days of life. We also found that parity and longevity of the mother affected juvenile mortality in Mohor gazelles. Calves born to primiparous as well as those born to short‐lived mothers were more prone to die than those born to either multiparous or long‐lived mothers. In Cuvier's gazelles, juvenile mortality was explained by the interaction between parity and mother's age and litter composition. Neither mother nor offspring inbreeding had any effect on juvenile mortality in either population. Precise knowledge of the biological factors affecting juvenile mortality is increasingly important for the conservation of large mammals, whether they are captive, managed, reintroduced or simply fragmented, as the neonates are the population's potential recruits.
Managerial Overconfidence and Accounting Conservatism
Authors: AHMED ANWER S. , DUELLMAN SCOTT
Published: July 2012

Overconfident managers overestimate future returns from their firms’ investments. Thus, we predict that overconfident managers will tend to delay loss recognition and generally use less conservative accounting. Furthermore, we test whether external monitoring helps to mitigate this effect. Using measures of both conditional and unconditional conservatism respectively, we find robust evidence of a negative relation between CEO overconfidence and accounting conservatism. We further find that external monitoring does not appear to mitigate this effect. Our findings add to the growing literature on overconfidence and complement the findings by Schrand and Zechman [2011] that overconfidence affects financial reporting behavior.