bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis is Associated with Gray and White Matter Damage
Authors: Avelar Wagner M. , D'Abreu Anelyssa , Coan Ana C. , Lima Fabrício Oliveira , Guimarães Rachel , Yassuda Clarissa L. , Oliveira Germano P. , Guillaumon Ana T. , Filho Augusto A. , Min Li L. , Cendes Fernando
Published: August 2015

Background

Cognitive deficits in patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis have been reported. The ultimate mechanism of cognitive deficits remains unclear and might be related to subtle structural brain damage.

Aims

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of subtle white and grey matter abnormalities associated with asymptomatic carotid stenosis.

Methods

Twenty-five patients with asymptomatic ≥70%/occlusion carotid stenosis and 25 healthy controls, matched for gender and age, underwent 3 Tesla brain magnetic resonance imaging. Gray and white matter macrostructural abnormalities were evaluated with voxel-based morphometry using spm8 software. White matter microstructural abnormalities were evaluated with diffusion tensor images with the Diffusion Toolbox package and tract-based spatial statistics from FMRIB Software Library.

Results

We observed significant macro- and microstructural white matter abnormalities, and these findings were diffuse and symmetrical in both hemispheres. In contrast, gray matter atrophy was observed in the areas corresponding to the anterior circulation of the hemisphere ipsilateral to the carotid stenosis.

Conclusions

Patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis have different patterns of gray and white matter abnormalities. While the white matter damage is diffuse, the gray matter atrophy is localized in the territory of anterior circulation ipsilateral to the stenosis. The role of asymptomatic carotid stenosis in the gray matter damage must be further investigated with longitudinal studies and comparison with neuropsychological evaluation.
Determination of Gold in e‐Waste Dust Samples and Geological Matrices by ICP‐MS after Extraction by an HClO4‐HBr‐HI‐Aqua Regia Mixture
Authors: Strnad Ladislav , Šebek Ondřej , Fayadová Marie , Vrba Jan
Published: August 2015

This study describes two methods (Procedures‐1 and ‐2) for the direct extraction of Au by an inorganic acid mixture (HClO4‐HBr‐HI‐aqua regia) from complex sample matrices. Standard PTFE jars at 200 °C were used to decompose test portions of 0.5–1 g, with subsequent precise and accurate analysis by ICP‐MS without any other preconcentration or separation. Procedure‐1 decomposed samples effectively without the necessity of leaching with HF and was developed for dust samples from e‐waste (electronic waste) processing; however, testing on geological reference materials showed very good results. The analyses of replicate decompositions (n = 5) from both procedures yielded very good precision (< 5% RSD) for most of the reference materials. The accuracy achieved was better than ± 10%, with the exception of NIST SRM 2782 data from Procedure‐1. Two unknown samples of dust from e‐waste processing (P‐1 and VM‐1) exhibited elevated concentrations of Au (21.31–61.64 μg g−1) with precision better than 10% (n = 5). The proposed techniques are simple, sensitive and sparing in the use of chemicals, and are designed for a variety of e‐waste dust samples. No significant influences were observed for the predicted spectral interferences on mass 197Au.
Local Structure Investigation in Multiferroic BiFeO3–BaTiO3 Ceramics by XAS Technique and Their Relevant Properties
Authors: Unruan Sujitra , Unruan Muangjai , Monnor Teerawat , Priya Shashank , Yimnirun Rattikorn
Published: August 2015

The (1−x)BiFeO3‐xBaTiO3 (with x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4) ceramics were fabricated successfully by solid‐state reaction method. Single‐phase perovskite was obtained in all ceramics, as confirmed by XRD technique. It was observed that 0.7BiFeO3–0.3BaTiO3 was the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between rhombohedral and cubic phases, as also revealed from ferroelectric and magnetic properties. The simulated and experimental X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) study revealed that BT in 0.75BF‐0.25BT is possibly taken a rhombohedral structure. Furthermore, the rounded ferroelectric hysteresis loops observed for 0.9BiFeO3–0.1BaTiO3 and 0.8BiFeO3–0.2BaTiO3 compositions could be attributed to their microstructure and surface charge effects and electron transfer between Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions. It was also found that high dielectric constant of 0.9BiFeO3–0.1BaTiO3 composition was a result of grain and grain‐boundary effects, as observed in SEM micrographs. In addition, a strong signature of dielectric relaxation behavior was observed in this ceramic system with the activation energy 0.467 eV obtained from the Arrhenius' law. Finally, the local structure investigation with XAS technique provided additional information to better understand the electric and magnetic properties in the BF‐BT ceramic system.
How many markers are enough? Factors influencing parentage testing in different livestock populations
Authors: Strucken E.M. , Lee S.H. , Lee H.K. , Song K.D. , Gibson J.P. , Gondro C.
Published: August 2015

Reliability of parentage test panels is usually based on its power to exclude wrong parentage assignments based on allele frequencies. We evaluated the rates of false exclusions and inclusions in parentage assignments, and how these results are affected by allele frequencies, panel sizes and the number of allowed mismatches. We also evaluated the reliability of parentage testing by comparing populations with distinct genetic backgrounds using pure and composite families of cattle and sheep. Allowing for 1% genotype mismatches in true parent–offspring relations provided the best compromise between false‐positive and false‐negative assignments. Pure breeds needed at least 200–210 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to correctly assign relations, but between 700 and 890 markers to avoid assigning incorrect relationships. Composite breeds needed between 220 (sheep) and 500 (cattle) markers for correct assignment; 680 (cattle) to 4400 (sheep) SNPs were needed to eliminate false‐positive assignments. Allowing 0% genotype mismatches decreased false‐positive but increased false‐negative assignments, whilst a higher threshold of 2% showed the opposite effects. Panels with high minor allele frequencies (0.35–0.45) provided the best chance for correct parentage resolutions requiring fewer markers. Further, we propose that a dynamic threshold would allow adapting to population specific error rates. A comparison to the performance of the official International Society for Animal Genetics SNP panel for cattle and a recently published SNP panel for sheep showed that randomly selected markers performed only slightly worse for the applied parentage test based on opposing homozygotes. This suggests that even with carefully selected panels, only marginal assignment improvements are obtainable for a particular number of SNPs. The main point for improvement is the number of markers used. We recommend using at least 200 SNP markers for parentage testing if the aim is to reduce false‐negative results. To fully exclude false positives at least 700 markers are required.
Diabetes and Hypertension: A Comparative Review of Current Guidelines
Authors: Cryer Michael J. , Horani Tariq , DiPette Donald J.
Published: August 2015

Cardiovascular disease plays a major role in the morbidity and mortality of patients with diabetes mellitus. In turn, hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and its prevalence is increased in diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the detection and management of elevated blood pressure (BP) is a critical component of the comprehensive clinical management of diabetics. Despite significant advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of hypertension, there continues to be debate regarding the pharmacologic treatment of hypertension, especially in high‐risk groups such as in patients with diabetes mellitus with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD). This debate largely involves at what BP (ie, treatment threshold BP) to initiate pharmacologic antihypertensive therapy and subsequently what treatment target BP should be achieved (ie, goal BP). Presently, there are several guidelines that address hypertension in diabetes mellitus, including the recently released guideline from the Eighth Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC 8). Therefore, this review will compare and contrast these current guidelines, as they relate to the management and treatment of hypertension in diabetes mellitus. Since diabetes mellitus and CKD are significantly inter‐related, the presence of CKD as it relates to patients with diabetes mellitus will also be addressed.
Src regulates insulin secretion and glucose metabolism by influencing subcellular localization of glucokinase in pancreatic β‐cells
Authors: Sato Hiroki , Nagashima Kazuaki , Ogura Masahito , Sato Yuichi , Tahara Yumiko , Ogura Kasane , Yamano Gen , Sugizaki Kazu , Fujita Naotaka , Tatsuoka Hisato , Usui Ryota , Mukai Eri , Fujimoto Shimpei , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: August 2015

Aims/Introduction

Src, a non‐receptor tyrosine kinase, regulates a wide range of cellular functions, and hyperactivity of Src is involved in impaired glucose metabolism in pancreatic β‐cells. However, the physiological role of Src in glucose metabolism in normal, unstressed β‐cells remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the role of Src in insulin secretion and glucose metabolism.

Materials and Methods

Src was downregulated using small interfering ribonucleic acid in INS‐1 cells, and glucose‐induced insulin secretion, adenosine triphosphate content, intracellular calcium concentration, glucose utilization and glucokinase activity were measured. Expression levels of messenger ribonucleic acid and protein of glucokinase were examined by semiquantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Cells were fractionated by digitonin treatment, and subcellular localization of glucokinase was examined by immunoblotting. Interaction between glucokinase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase was estimated by immunoprecipitation.

Results

In Src downregulated INS‐1 cells, glucose‐induced insulin secretion was impaired, whereas insulin secretion induced by high K+ was not affected. Intracellular adenosine triphosphate content and elevation of intracellular calcium concentration by glucose stimulation were suppressed by Src downregulation. Src downregulation reduced glucose utilization in the presence of high glucose, which was accompanied by a reduction in glucokinase activity without affecting its expression. However, Src downregulation reduced glucokinase in soluble, cytoplasmic fraction, and increased it in pellet containing intaracellular organelles. In addition, interaction between glucokinase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase was facilitated by Src downregulation.

Conclusions

Src plays an important role in glucose‐induced insulin secretion in pancreatic β‐cells through maintaining subcellular localization and activity of glucokinase.
Should we implement mealtime assistance in the hospital setting? A systematic literature review with meta‐analyses
Authors: Tassone Eliza C , Tovey Jasmin A , Paciepnik Jessica E , Keeton Isabel M , Khoo Anthony Y , Van Veenendaal Nicholas G , Porter Judi
Published: August 2015

Aims and objectives

This review aimed to determine the effect of mealtime assistance provided to hospitalised patients (≥65 years) by nurses, trained staff or volunteers on nutritional and anthropometric outcomes.

Background

Malnutrition is a critical issue in hospitals with a reported prevalence of 20–50%. Nutritional supplementation has been associated with increased weight gain, improved function and decreased mortality; however, other system approaches including mealtime assistance may also contribute to improving nutritional intake.

Design

A systematic literature review.

Methods

Six electronic databases (CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source, Scopus, PsycINFO and MEDLINE) were searched from their inception to August 2014. Inclusion criteria were hospitalised patients ≥65 years, provided mealtime assistance by nurses, volunteers or trained staff. Studies were examined for quality and risk of bias. Outcome data were combined narratively and by meta‐analyses.

Results

From 5458 publications, five studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were rated neutral and positive according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Checklist. Adherence to study protocols was not always reported. Meta‐analyses demonstrated significantly greater daily energy and protein intake where mealtime assistance was provided. Anthropometric outcomes generally did not differ significantly with mealtime assistance. Observation and sampling bias were noted in several studies.

Conclusions

There is evidence that mealtime assistance increases daily energy and protein intake in hospitalised patients (≥65 years). More robust research is needed to elucidate whether this strategy may be an effective means of addressing the high prevalence of malnutrition in hospitals.

Relevance to clinical practice

The evidence identified suggests that mealtime assistance provided to hospitalised older patients (≥65 years) leads to a statistically significant increase in energy and protein intake. For many patients, this increase in both energy and protein intake will be clinically significant, reducing the gap between requirements and actual intake.
Self‐efficacy and relevance of bioscience for nursing, midwifery and healthcare students
Authors: Andrew Sharon , McVicar Andrew , Zanganeh Mandana , Henderson Nigel
Published: August 2015

Aims and objectives

To examine nursing, midwifery and allied healthcare students' self‐efficacy for science, perceived relevance of bioscience to their studies and expectations for academic success and the changes that occur after completing first‐year introductory bioscience subjects.

Background

Bioscience is a foundation subject that underpins nursing, midwifery and other allied health courses. Bioscience subjects continue to be source of anxiety for students in those courses. Raising students' self‐efficacy and perceptions of the importance and utility of bioscience to practice may be a way of ameliorating students' expectations and confidence in this subject area.

Design

A prospective correlational survey design.

Methods

Students were surveyed in the first semester of first year and the commencement of the second year. Students were drawn from nursing, midwifery, public health and allied health courses. The surveys contained scales for self‐efficacy for science, perceived relevance of bioscience to their course and personal expectations for success in their bioscience subject.

Results

Ninety‐seven and 82 students completed survey 1 and 2 respectively. Twenty‐six surveys could be matched. Self‐efficacy increased from survey 1 to survey 2, but expectations for academic success and task value, a measure for relevance, were lower. This was statistically significant for the matched pair sample. Using a mean split, students with high self‐efficacy valued science more and had higher expectations for success in their bioscience courses than those with low self‐efficacy.

Conclusion

Academic success in bioscience, confidence undertaking science tasks and perceiving bioscience as relevant to their course are interwoven concepts that are important for nursing, midwifery and applied healthcare students and ultimately for their professional practice.

Relevance to clinical practice

Literature indicates practitioners may not feel confident in their bioscience knowledge. Assisting undergraduate students to develop confidence in and perceive the relevance of bioscience to their discipline may ultimately impact on clinical practice.
Influence of Functional and Diet/Light Claims on Chocolate Dairy Dessert Consumers' Evaluations: Bilinear and Multilinear Decomposition Methods
Authors: Morais E. C. , Pinheiro A. C. M. , Nunes C. A. , Bolini H. M. A.
Published: August 2015

This study evaluates the effect of functional and diet/light claims on acceptance of chocolate dairy desserts. One hundred consumers participated in the tests of sensory acceptability in relation to the attributes of appearance, aroma, flavor, texture and overall liking. Tests were conducted using the same composition of samples and varying only the claims. Internal Preference map using parallel factor analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed using the consumer data. Data showed that consumers evaluated the claims differently. The samples with the addition of prebiotic claim and declaring the functional property of prebiotics were preferred by them. As the samples with the addition of diet/light claims, which received highest scores. It was concluded that the addition of claims may be suitable to be used in a chocolate dairy dessert with high acceptance by consumers.

Practical Applications

The role that food industry plays on people's everyday life is undeniable, as well as the importance of diet on the prevention of diseases and its association to health promotion. Food industry has amplified market by providing practical foods and goods for consumers’ convenience. The effect of information addition on the label of these foods is a study of great importance for food industries, as contributing to a better targeting of information, as the claims, and thus greater acceptance by consumers.
The journey of positioning self as both mental health nurse and qualitative researcher: a critical reflection
Authors: Brunero S. J. , Jeon Y. H. , Foster K.
Published: August 2015

Accessible summary

This paper discusses the development of a mental health nurse clinician to a mental health nurse researcher.

Understanding the theoretical and professional drives that shape mental health nurses clinical practice and how that links to becoming a researcher is discussed.

Mental health nurses who conduct research have to often move between their clinical roles and that of the researcher, doing this safely using a reflective supervision approach enables the nurse to conduct the research from a stronger professional and ethical standpoint.

The intention of the paper is to encourage mental health nurses to engage in research and development.

Shifting between the positions of a mental health nurse clinician and a qualitative researcher has some parallels to the processes in the nurse–service user relationship. This paper addresses this development from practitioner to researcher in one mental health nurse's journey through a PhD study using constructivist grounded theory. The paper examines theoretical and professional drives that have shaped my clinical practice and the role of the researcher in constructivist grounded theory, the notion of the researcher shifting between insider and outsider status, and the importance of reflexivity in conducting research. These influences will be discussed in the context of the development of a constructivist grounded theory study of the delivery of health care to service users with a mental illness in general hospital wards.
Atrial fibrillation in patients with cirrhosis
Authors: Mwalitsa Jean P. , Maimone Sergio , Filomia Roberto , Alibrandi Angela , Saitta Carlo , Caccamo Gaia , Cacciola Irene , Spinella Rosaria , Oliva Giovanni , Lembo Tindaro , Vadalà Domenica , Gambino Giuseppe , Raimondo Giovanni , Squadrito Giovanni
Published: August 2015

Background & Aims

Few information is available regarding atrial fibrillation in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and clinical impact of atrial fibrillation in these patients.

Methods

Three hundred and thirty‐five cirrhotic patients (219 males; mean age 65 ± 10.85 years; 196 Child–Pugh class A, 104 class B and 35 class C) were consecutively analysed and followed up for 24 months. Electrocardiograms were available for all patients before starting the study, at basaltime and during the follow‐up. Echocardiography was performed in individuals with atrial fibrillation and in 100 randomly chosen patients without it.

Results

Atrial fibrillation was observed in 21/335 cirrhotics (mean age 75 ± 7 years, 13 male), six of whom had permanent and 15 had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. At univariate analysis, atrial fibrillation significantly correlated with older age, history of coronary heart disease, Child–Pugh score, serum albumin, hepatic encephalopathy, treatment with furosemide, QTc prolongation, atrial section areas, increased PAPs and thickness of interventricular septum. Age [odd ratio 1.12, 95% CI (1.05–1.2), P = 0.001], history of coronary heart disease [odd ratio 4.93, 95% CI (1.04–23.54), P = 0.04] and PAPs [odd ratio 1.12, 95% CI (1.02–1.2), P = 0.01] maintained statistical significance at multivariate analysis. Fifty‐one of the 335 patients died during the follow‐up. At Cox regression analysis, advanced Child–Pugh score [hazard ratio 1.546, 95% CI (1.357–1.762), P = 0.037] and increased heart rate [hazard ratio 1.117, 95% CI (1.021–1.223), P = 0.016] were significantly associated with mortality which was independent of atrial fibrillation occurrence.

Conclusions

Cirrhosis is not a predisposing factor of atrial fibrillation, which in turn has no impact on mortality in cirrhotic patients.
Driving the Hypoxia‐Inducible Pathway in Human Pericytes Promotes Vascular Density in an Exosome‐Dependent Manner
Authors: Mayo Jamie N. , Bearden Shawn E.
Published: August 2015

Objectives

The mechanisms involved in activating pericytes, cells that ensheath capillaries, to engage in the formation of new capillaries, angiogenesis, remain unknown. In this study, the hypothesis was tested that pericytes could be stimulated to promote angiogenesis by driving the HIF pathway.

Methods

Pericytes were stimulated with CoCl2 to activate the HIF pathway. Stimulated pericytes were cocultured with endothelial cells in a wound healing assay and in a 3D collagen matrix assay of angiogenesis. A culture system of spinal cord tissue was used to assess microvascular outcomes after treatment with stimulated pericytes. Pharmaceutical inhibition of exosome production was also performed.

Results

Treatment with stimulated pericytes resulted in faster wound healing (1.92 ± 0.18 fold increase, p < 0.05), greater endothelial cord formation (2.9 ± 0.14 fold increase, p < 0.05) in cell culture assays, and greater vascular density (1.78 ± 0.23 fold increase, p < 0.05) in spinal cord tissue. Exosome secretion and the physical presence of stimulated pericytes were necessary in the promotion of angiogenic outcomes.

Conclusions

These results elucidate a mechanism that may be exploited to enhance features of angiogenesis in the CNS.
A Retrospective 30 Years After Discovery of the Enhanced Permeability and Retention Effect of Solid Tumors: Next‐Generation Chemotherapeutics and Photodynamic Therapy—Problems, Solutions, and Prospects
Authors: Maeda Hiroshi , Tsukigawa Kenji , Fang Jun
Published: August 2015

Solid tumor has unique vascular architecture, excessive production of vascular mediators, and extravasation of macromolecules from blood vessels into the tumor tissue interstitium. These features comprise the phenomenon named the EPR effect of solid tumors, described in 1986. Our investigations on the EPR revealed that many mediators, such as bradykinin, NO, and prostaglandins, are involved in the EPR effect, which is now believed to be the most important element for cancer‐selective drug delivery. However, tumors in vivo manifest great diversity, and some demonstrate a poor EPR effect, for example, because of impaired vascular flow involving thrombosis, with poor drug delivery and therapeutic failure. Another important element of this effect is that it operates in metastatic cancers. Because few drugs are currently effective against metastases, the EPR effect offers a great advantage in nanomedicine therapy. The EPR effect can also be augmented two to three times via nitroglycerin, ACE inhibitors, and angiotensin II‐induced hypertension. The delivery of nanomedicines to tumors can thereby be enhanced. In traditional PDT, most PSs had low MW and little tumor‐selective accumulation. Our hydroxypropylmetacrylamide‐polymer‐conjugated‐PS, zinc protoporphyrin (apparent MW >50 kDa) showed tumor‐selective accumulation, as revealed by fluorescent imaging of autochthonous cancers. After one i.v. injection of polymeric PS followed by two or three xenon light irradiation/treatments, most tumors regressed. Thus, nanoprobes with the EPR effect seem to have remarkable effects. Enhancing the EPR effect by using vascular modulators will aid innovations in PDT for greater tumor‐targeted drug delivery.
Against the mainstream: the membrane‐associated type I toxin BsrG from Bacillus subtilis interferes with cell envelope biosynthesis without increasing membrane permeability
Authors: Jahn Natalie , Brantl Sabine , Strahl Henrik
Published: August 2015

Toxin‐antitoxin loci, which encode a toxic protein alongside with either RNA or a protein able to counteract the toxicity, are widespread among archaea and bacteria. These loci are implicated in persistence, and as addiction modules to ensure stable inheritance of plasmids and phages. In type I toxin‐antitoxin systems, a small RNA acts as an antitoxin, which prevents the synthesis of the toxin. Most type I toxins are small hydrophobic membrane proteins generally assumed to induce pores, or otherwise permeabilise the cytoplasmic membrane and, as a result, induce cell death by energy starvation. Here we show that this mode of action is not a conserved property of type I toxins. The analysis of the cellular toxicity caused by Bacillus subtilis prophage SPβ‐encoded toxin BsrG revealed that, surprisingly, it neither dissipates membrane potential nor affects cellular ATP‐levels. In contrast, BsrG strongly interferes with the cell envelope biosynthesis, causes membrane invaginations together with delocalisation of the cell wall synthesis machinery and triggers autolysis. Furthermore, efficient inhibition of protein biosynthesis is observed. These findings question the simplistic assumption that small membrane targeting toxins generally act by permeabilising the membrane.
Live cell imaging of SOS and prophage dynamics in isogenic bacterial populations
Authors: Helfrich Stefan , Pfeifer Eugen , Krämer Christina , Sachs Christian Carsten , Wiechert Wolfgang , Kohlheyer Dietrich , Nöh Katharina , Frunzke Julia
Published: August 2015

Almost all bacterial genomes contain DNA of viral origin, including functional prophages or degenerated phage elements. A frequent but often unnoted phenomenon is the spontaneous induction of prophage elements (SPI) even in the absence of an external stimulus. In this study, we have analyzed SPI of the large, degenerated prophage CGP3 (187 kbp), which is integrated into the genome of the Gram‐positive Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032. Time‐lapse fluorescence microscopy of fluorescent reporter strains grown in microfluidic chips revealed the sporadic induction of the SOS response as a prominent trigger of CGP3 SPI but also displayed a considerable fraction (∼30%) of RecA‐independent SPI. Whereas approx. 20% of SOS‐induced cells recovered from this stress and resumed growth, the spontaneous induction of CGP3 always led to a stop of growth and likely cell death. A carbon source starvation experiment clearly emphasized that SPI only occurs in actively proliferating cells, whereas sporadic SOS induction was still observed in resting cells. These data highlight the impact of sporadic DNA damage on the activity of prophage elements and provide a time‐resolved, quantitative description of SPI as general phenomenon of bacterial populations.
tRNA‐dependent alanylation of diacylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Smith Angela M. , Harrison Jesse S. , Grube Christopher D. , Sheppe Austin E. F. , Sahara Nahoko , Ishii Ryohei , Nureki Osamu , Roy Hervé
Published: August 2015

Aminoacyl‐phosphatidylglycerol synthases (aaPGSs) are membrane proteins that utilize aminoacylated tRNAs to modify membrane lipids with amino acids. Aminoacylation of membrane lipids alters the biochemical properties of the cytoplasmic membrane and enables bacteria to adapt to changes in environmental conditions. aaPGSs utilize alanine, lysine and arginine as modifying amino acids, and the primary lipid recipients have heretofore been defined as phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and cardiolipin. Here we identify a new pathway for lipid aminoacylation, conserved in many Actinobacteria, which results in formation of Ala‐PG and a novel alanylated lipid, Alanyl‐diacylglycerol (Ala‐DAG). Ala‐DAG formation in Corynebacterium glutamicum is dependent on the activity of an aaPGS homolog, whereas formation of Ala‐PG requires the same enzyme acting in concert with a putative esterase encoded upstream. The presence of alanylated lipids is sufficient to enhance the bacterial fitness of C. glutamicum cultured in the presence of certain antimicrobial agents, and elucidation of this system expands the known repertoire of membrane lipids acting as substrates for amino acid modification in bacterial cells.
The role of FlhF and HubP as polar landmark proteins in Shewanella putrefaciens CN‐32
Authors: Rossmann Florian , Brenzinger Susanne , Knauer Carina , Dörrich Anja K. , Bubendorfer Sebastian , Ruppert Ulrike , Bange Gert , Thormann Kai M.
Published: August 2015

Spatiotemporal regulation of cell polarity plays a role in many fundamental processes in bacteria and often relies on ‘landmark’ proteins which recruit the corresponding clients to their designated position. Here, we explored the localization of two multi‐protein complexes, the polar flagellar motor and the chemotaxis array, in Shewanella putrefaciens CN‐32. We demonstrate that polar positioning of the flagellar system, but not of the chemotaxis system, depends on the GTPase FlhF. In contrast, the chemotaxis array is recruited by a transmembrane protein which we identified as the functional ortholog of Vibrio cholerae HubP. Mediated by its periplasmic N‐terminal LysM domain, SpHubP exhibits an FlhF‐independent localization pattern during cell cycle similar to its Vibrio counterpart and also has a role in proper chromosome segregation. In addition, while not affecting flagellar positioning, SpHubP is crucial for normal flagellar function and is involved in type IV pili‐mediated twitching motility. We hypothesize that a group of HubP/FimV homologs, characterized by a rather conserved N‐terminal periplasmic section required for polar targeting and a highly variable acidic cytoplasmic part, primarily mediating recruitment of client proteins, serves as polar markers in various bacterial species with respect to different cellular functions.
Clinicopathological description of two cases with SQSTM1 gene mutation associated with frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Kovacs Gabor G. , van der Zee Julie , Hort Jakub , Kristoferitsch Wolfgang , Leitha Thomas , Höftberger Romana , Ströbel Thomas , Van Broeckhoven Christine , Matej Radoslav
Published: August 2015

There is a strong genetic influence on the clinicopathological phenotypes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Intracellular deposition of TDP‐43 is the phenotypical hallmark of a frequent subgroup of cases. Mutations in the sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) gene have rarely been found in individuals with FTD. Here we provide a comprehensive clinicopathological description of two cases with a SQSTM1 mutation. The clinical phenotype of patient 1 (mutation p.Glu396*) was compatible with the behavioural variant (bv) of FTD. TDP‐43 pathology was consistent with the features of type B of FTLD‐TDP pathology. However, prominent neuronal granular cytoplasmic TDP‐43 immunoreactivity and abundant oligodendroglial inclusions, proven by colocalization with the oligodendroglial‐marker TPPP/p25, were also seen. The clinical phenotype of patient 2 was compatible with bvFTD associated with parkinsonism and bulbar symptoms in the later stage. Genetic testing of patient 2 identified a C9orf72 repeat expansion mutation together with a missense mutation (p.Arg212Cys) in SQSTM1. TDP‐43 pathology was characterized by neuritic profiles compatible mostly with type A. In contrast to patient 1, p62 pathology was seen to a greater extent as TDP‐43 immunoreactivity in neurons. Using an antibody that detects poly(GP) peptides produced via repeat associated non‐ATG translation associated with expanded hexanucleotide repeat in the C9orf72 gene, we confirmed the presence of pathognomonic inclusions. The present study supports previous observations on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that SQSTM1 mutations consistently associate with TDP‐43 pathology. The co‐presence of C9orf72 mutation may influence the phenotype, thus finding one FTLD (or ALS) related mutation does not exclude the presence of further influential genetic alterations. Oligodendroglial TDP‐43 pathology is considerable in some forms of FTLD‐TDP, thus their evaluation might be considered to be included in classification systems.
Overexpression of a novel cold‐responsive transcript factor LcFIN1 from sheepgrass enhances tolerance to low temperature stress in transgenic plants
Authors: Gao Qiong , Li Xiaoxia , Jia Junting , Zhao Pincang , Liu Panpan , Liu Zhujiang , Ge Liangfa , Chen Shuangyan , Qi Dongmei , Deng Bo , Lee Byung‐Hyun , Liu Gongshe , Cheng Liqin
Published: August 2015

As a perennial forage crop broadly distributed in eastern Eurasia, sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel) is highly tolerant to low‐temperature stress. Previous report indicates that sheepgrass is able to endure as low as −47.5 °C,allowing it to survive through the cold winter season. However, due to the lack of sufficient studies, the underlying mechanism towards the extraordinary low‐temperature tolerance is unclear. Although the transcription profiling has provided insight into the transcriptome response to cold stress, more detailed studies are required to dissect the molecular mechanism regarding the excellent abiotic stress tolerance. In this work, we report a novel transcript factor LcFIN1 (L. chinensis freezing‐induced 1) from sheepgrass. LcFIN1 showed no homology with other known genes and was rapidly and highly induced by cold stress, suggesting that LcFIN1 participates in the early response to cold stress. Consistently, ectopic expression of LcFIN1 significantly increased cold stress tolerance in the transgenic plants, as indicated by the higher survival rate, fresh weight and other stress‐related indexes after a freezing treatment. Transcriptome analysis showed that numerous stress‐related genes were differentially expressed in LcFIN1‐overexpressing plants, suggesting that LcFIN1 may enhance plant abiotic stress tolerance by transcriptional regulation. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and CHIP‐qPCR showed that LcCBF1 can bind to the CRT/DRE cis‐element located in the promoter region of LcFIN1, suggesting that LcFIN1 is directly regulated by LcCBF1. Taken together, our results suggest that LcFIN1 positively regulates plant adaptation response to cold stress and is a promising candidate gene to improve crop cold tolerance.
How Interesting is the “Boring Problem” for Luck Egalitarianism?
Authors: Lang Gerald
Published: August 2015

Imagine a two‐person distributive case in which Ernest's choices yield X and Bertie's choices yield X + Y, producing an income gap between them of Y. Neither Ernest nor Bertie is responsible for this gap of Y, since neither of them has any control over what the other agent chooses. This is what Susan Hurley calls the “Boring Problem” for luck egalitarianism. Contrary to Hurley's relatively dismissive treatment of it, it is contended that the Boring Problem poses a deep problem for standard luck egalitarianism. To counter it, luck egalitarianism needs to be recast as a baseline‐relative theory. This new version of luck egalitarianism is then put to work against some significant problems that have been encountered by luck egalitarianism: Saul Smilansky's “Paradox of the Baseline,” the “Partiality Worry,” and the “Pluralism Worry.” But baseline‐relative luck egalitarianism is not without problems of its own.
Phenotypic and genotypic changes in French populations of Phytophthora infestans: are invasive clones the most aggressive?
Authors: Mariette N. , Mabon R. , Corbière R. , Boulard F. , Glais I. , Marquer B. , Pasco C. , Montarry J. , Andrivon D.
Published: August 2015

The main objective of this investigation was to test the ‘always more aggressive’ hypothesis, often advocated to explain lineage replacements in clonal populations of the potato late blight oomycete Phytophthora infestans. To this end, genotypic and pathogenicity data on 1274 French isolates of P. infestans, collected over the period 2001–2008, were analysed. Overall, the populations sampled showed limited genetic diversity, with four multilocus lineages (1_A1, 2_A1, 8_A1 and 13_A2) accounting for over 80% of the isolates collected. As in other West European countries, drastic changes in these dominant clonal lineages were observed over the course of the 8 years, particularly in the appearance and propagation of the clone 13_A2. However, invasiveness of clones was not associated with higher aggressiveness; on the contrary, dominant clones had generally low or moderate aggressiveness relative to others present at the same time within the same populations. This finding challenges the link between invasive behaviour and increased aggressiveness often assumed for this biotrophic pathogen, and could reflect the existence of a trade‐off between intra‐season and inter‐season transmission. This would be consistent with the concept of inclusive fitness, which involves the abilities to both reproduce and survive.
Does Reintegration Stress Contribute to Suicidal Ideation Among Returning Veterans Seeking PTSD Treatment?
Authors: Haller Moira , Angkaw Abigail C. , Hendricks Brittany A. , Norman Sonya B.
Published: August 2015

Although posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric symptoms are well‐established risk factors for suicidal ideation among returning veterans, less attention has been paid to whether the stress of reintegrating into civilian society contributes to suicidal ideation. Utilizing a sample of 232 returning veterans (95% male, mean age = 33.63 years) seeking PTSD treatment, this study tested whether reintegration difficulties contribute to suicidal ideation over and above the influence of PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and potential substance misuse. Logistic regressions indicated that reintegration stress had a unique effect on suicidal ideation over and above PTSD and depression symptoms. Reintegration stress interacted with substance misuse to predict suicidal ideation, such that the effect of reintegration stress on suicidal ideation was much larger for those with potential substance misuse. Exploratory analyses also examined which types of reintegration difficulties were associated with suicidal ideation, and found that difficulty maintaining military friendships, difficulty getting along with relatives, difficulty feeling like you belong in civilian society, and difficulty finding meaning/purpose in life were all significantly associated with suicidal ideation, beyond the effects of psychiatric symptoms and potential substance misuse. Findings highlight the importance of addressing reintegration stress for the prevention of suicide among returning veterans. Implications for treatment are discussed.
Integrating Sociological and Psychological Perspectives on Coparenting
Authors: Kotila Letitia E. , Schoppe‐Sullivan Sarah J.
Published: August 2015

Rapidly changing demographics of American families have redefined coparenting and brought about the need for cross‐disciplinary measurement and theory integration that is grounded in a developmental, life course perspective. First, we briefly review sociological scholarship on coparenting, highlighting both qualitative and quantitative work. Second, we provide a brief historical overview of coparenting from the psychological perspective, focusing on its theoretical foundation, multiple components, and importance for individuals and families. Third, we highlight the strengths and weaknesses of sociological approaches to coparenting and discuss the benefits of integration. Finally, we suggest avenues for future interdisciplinary work on coparenting that are heavily shaped by the shifting demographics of American families.
What Difference Does Difference Make? The Persistence of Inequalities in Healthcare Delivery
Authors: Gengler Amanda M. , Jarrell Megan V.
Published: August 2015

Scholars across many disciplines have amassed a mountain of research documenting how social differences along lines of race, class, gender, and sexuality shape how those who need medical attention are cared for in the US healthcare system. Here, we aim to succinctly review a selection of studies that have considered the many ways both patients' and healthcare providers' social identities can impact care delivery. After establishing how these differences influence patient–provider interactions and patient diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, we argue that a critical sociological perspective can help us to better understand why these inequities persist despite decades of research calling attention to them. Specifically, we suggest that research guided by symbolic interactionist and intersectional frameworks can generate more comprehensive analyses of inequality in healthcare delivery and help researchers delve deeper into the complex interactional processes undergirding disparities in care provision. We conclude by highlighting recent work that illustrates the value of this approach.
Women's Migration for Domestic Work and Cross‐Border Marriage in East and Southeast Asia: Reproducing Domesticity, Contesting Citizenship
Authors: Cheng Catherine Man Chuen , Choo Hae Yeon
Published: August 2015

This article offers an integrative review of the literature on women's migration for domestic work and cross‐border marriages in East and Southeast Asia. By bringing these two bodies of literature into dialogue, we illuminate the interconnected processes that shape two key forms of women's migration that are embedded in the reproduction of women's domesticity. We highlight structural analyses of the demographic and socio‐economic shifts that propel women's migration while also attending to the affective dimension of migrant women's desires and duties and to the brokerages that mediate the migrant flow. We finally examine how migrant wives and domestic workers contest the boundary of citizenship as they claim their full personhood against divergent modes of control over their rights, bodies, and mobility. We conclude by pointing out concrete areas where the two sets of literature can enrich each other for future research on gender, labor, and migration.
Women's Success in Academic Science: Challenges to Breaking Through the Ivory Ceiling
Authors: Henley Megan M.
Published: August 2015

Although a greater number of women are entering academic science than ever before, women remain underrepresented and are perceived as less successful than men in their fields. The reasons behind this are complicated and debatable. In this paper, I review the challenges that women continue to face in the natural and social academic sciences. Women continue to face barriers toward obtaining academic positions and securing promotions. A crucial aspect of the problem lies in the subjective definition of “success,” which creates subconscious biases as well as gendered processes within institutions. These processes include biased evaluations of success in academia, limited mentorship for women in science, limited networking opportunities, and lack of institutional support for mothers. Future research should look more closely at the gendered definition of success, and related constraints within academia that keep women from breaking through the ivory ceiling.
Deconstructing Merge and Move to Make Room for Adjunction
Authors: Hunter Tim
Published: August 2015

This paper explores the syntactic and semantic properties of movement and adjunction and proposes a new analysis of these two phenomena according to which they are closely related to each other. The basic pieces of grammatical machinery that carry out movement also carry out adjunction. Building on independently appealing ideas concerning neo‐Davidsonian semantic composition and “move as re‐merge,” the proposed framework naturally accounts for (i) adjuncts' puzzling status “either inside or outside” a maximal projection, (ii) adjuncts' ability to escape reconstruction, and (iii) the prohibition on extraction from adjuncts.
Desert spring refugia: museums of diversity or evolutionary cradles?
Authors: Murphy Nicholas P. , Guzik Michelle T. , Cooper Steven J. B. , Austin Andrew D.
Published: August 2015

Refugia play a critical role in preserving species unable to move or adapt to cope with environmental change. The role of refugia as ‘museums of diversity’ means these environments have a high conservation priority. Less well known, however, is the role that isolated and fragmented refugia can play in the generation of new diversity. Here, we examined the diversification and evolutionary history of a community of endemic invertebrates that inhabit Australian desert spring refugia. We compared the phylogenies of seven endemic groups (Haloniscus and Phreatomerus isopods, chiltoniid amphipods, Ngarawa ostracods, Trochidrobia and Fonscochlea snails and Gymnochthebius beetles) from these springs and examine the rates and timing of diversification and reconstructed the phylogeographic history of each taxon. Despite major life‐history differences among these taxa, they demonstrate remarkable similarities in their evolutionary histories. All groups have multiple lineages that extend back to a time before the formation of present‐day deserts, and significant geographic‐based diversification since adapting to a refugial habitat. The results provide further evidence that refugia act as museums of biodiversity, preserving lineages that would have otherwise gone extinct. However, we also observed that isolation in refugia corresponds with significant diversification, leading to a recently evolved, novel endemic fauna, supporting the idea that fragmented refugia provide ideal conditions for the generation of future biodiversity hotspots.