bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome profile analysis of porcine adipose tissue by high‐throughput sequencing
Authors: Li X. J. , Yang H. , Li G. X. , Zhang G. H. , Cheng J. , Guan H. , Yang G. S.
Published: September 2011

Novel high‐throughput deep sequencing technology has dramatically changed the study of the functional complexity of transcriptomes. Here, we report the first use of this technology for analysing the wide range of transcriptional changes in porcine adipose tissue from different breeds and different growth phases in a model of obesity. Digital gene expression (DGE) data sets were instrumental to verifying the predicted gene models. We obtained a sequencing depth of over 3 million tags per sample (lean, obese‐a and obese‐b). Tag mapping indicated expression of more than 76% of all genes represented in three transcript databases. We found the expression level of 1596 genes was significantly different between lean and obese‐a library (P < 0.01). Among them, we found 84 genes expressed only in the obese‐a library and 95 genes expressed only in the lean library. Moreover, the expression of 4403 genes was found to be remarkably different between the obese‐a and obese‐b library (P < 0.01); 642 of these were only expressed in obese‐a, and 618 were only expressed in obese‐b. When mapping to genes, it was found that the sense transcripts account for 67.42%, 68.65% and 66.61% of all clean tags in the lean, obese‐a and obese‐b libraries respectively. By comparison, the ratio of sense to antisense mapping of the total number of tags was approximately 6:1 for all libraries. This suggests that transcriptional regulation on the sense strand has a major role in adipose deposition, although a high number of antisense mapping events were also detected. We anticipated more than 20 000 different novel tags to be localized to the porcine genome. Among them, 799 different clean tags with a copy number of more than 1000 were detected. In conclusion, our deep sequencing analysis revealed a high degree of transcriptional complexity in the regulatory mechanisms of adipogenesis and resulted in the discovery and validation of new gene products in porcine adipose tissue.
The role of ultrasound elastography in preoperative localization of parathyroid lesions: a new assisting method to preoperative parathyroid ultrasonography
Authors: Ünlütürk Uğur , Erdoğan Murat Faik , Demir Özgür , Çulha Cavit , Güllü Sevim , Başkal Nilgün
Published: September 2011

Background  After the definition of minimally invasive procedures, preoperative localization of parathyroid lesions is now crucial. False‐positive results up to 30% were reported by B‐mode grayscale ultrasonography (US) in localization of parathyroid lesions. Parathyroid adenomas are relatively stiff lesions. Ultrasound elastography (USE) can accurately evaluate tissue stiffness and might detect the stiff parathyroid lesions.

Objective  The aim of this study is to demonstrate whether USE can detect the level of the stiffness and help the preoperative localization of parathyroid lesions during parathyroid ultrasonography examination.

Patients  The patients who were candidates for parathyroidectomy were prospectively enrolled to this study and were evaluated by USE.

Results  Seventy‐two patients with 93 parathyroid lesions underwent parathyroidectomy. Sixty‐three patients including three multiple endocrine neoplasia type‐1 patients had primary hyperparathyroidism, three patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) had tertiary hyperparathyroidism, three patients with CRD and two renal transplanted patients had persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism. One patient was excluded. While all parathyroid adenomas exhibited high levels of stiffness (score 3 and 4), 17 (63%) out of 27 parathyroid hyperplasia lesions were shown to have significantly higher elasticity. The evaluation of median strain ratios of parathyroid lesions revealed that parathyroid adenomas demonstrated significantly higher levels of stiffness than hyperplasias (P ≤ 0·001).

Conclusions  This is the first study that evaluates the ultrasound elastographic features of parathyroid lesions. Parathyroid adenomas were shown to appear as stiff lesions, and half of the hyperplasias showed high elasticity. Parathyroid elastography is a novel technique to evaluate parathyroid lesions and might be a guide for surgeons to determine the type of operation to apply.
Patterns in young‐of‐year smallmouth bass microhabitat use in multiple stream segments with contrasting land uses
Authors: BREWER S. K.
Published: September 2011

Abstract  Young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu Lacepéde, were evaluated in streams from eight catchments with two contrasting land uses to determine their use of microhabitats under a variety of stream conditions. Step‐wise discriminant function analyses revealed patterns of habitat use by discriminating used from available microhabitat conditions. Velocity was significant in 88% of streams sampled, whereas depth was significant in only the smallest stream in the forest‐dominated catchments and 75% of stream segments located in pasture‐dominated catchments. Mean velocities used by YOY bass were lower than available velocities, and mean depths used were greater than mean availability in all cases. Substrata varied significantly with availability in different stream segments. Error rates associated with classification ranged from 5 to 39%. Results indicate that YOY smallmouth bass are somewhat opportunistic, but use low‐velocity habitats in most cases and deeper water when streams are impacted by pasture land use and associated physical changes.
A comparison of Frost expression among species and life stages of Drosophila
Authors: Bing X. , Zhang J. , Sinclair B. J.
Published: September 2011

Frost (Fst) is a gene associated with cold exposure in Drosophila melanogaster. We used real‐time PCR to assess whether cold exposure induces expression of Fst in 10 different life stages of D. melanogaster, and adults of seven other Drosophila species. We exposed groups of individuals to 0 °C (2 h), followed by 1 h recovery (22 °C). Frost was significantly upregulated in response to cold in eggs, third instar larvae, and 2‐ and 5‐day‐old male and female adults in D. melanogaster. Life stages in which cold did not upregulate Fst had high constitutive expression. Frost is located on the opposite strand of an intron of Diuretic hormone (DH), but cold exposure did not upregulate DH. Frost orthologues were identified in six other species within the Melanogaster group (Drosophila sechellia, Drosophila simulans, Drosophila yakuba, Drosophila erecta, Drosophila ananassae and Drosophila mauritiana). Frost orthologues were upregulated in response to cold exposure in both sexes in adults of all of these species. The predicted structure of a putative Frost consensus protein shows highly conserved tandem repeats of motifs involved in cell signalling (PEST and TRAF2), suggesting that Fst might encode an adaptor protein involved in acute stress or apoptosis signalling in vivo.
Severely overweight children and dietary changes – a family perspective
Authors: Lorentzen Vibeke , Dyeremose Vicki , Larsen Birte Hedegaard
Published: September 2011

lorentzen v., dyeremose v. & larsen b.h. (2011) Severely overweight children and dietary changes – a family perspective. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68(4), 878–887.

Aim.  This article is a report on a descriptive qualitative case study of the dietary change experiences of overweight children and their families.

Background.  Obese children are at risk of experiencing a complicated childhood and becoming obese adults with associated ill health and premature death. The prevalence of obesity among children appears to be rising rapidly. In Europe, prevalence rates for overweight children are 10–40%, and generally this prevalence has tripled during the past 30 years.

Method.  The study was conducted as a qualitative longitudinal case study on the basis of 2–3 annual interviews with four overweight Danish children, six parents and four siblings from April 2006 to September 2008. Altogether 61 interviews were conducted. In the data analysis process, a thematic, phenomenological approach was used.

Findings.  The following themes were identified: the reactions and attitudes of children with the sub‐themes taking ownership of dietary changes and vulnerability reactions; and the reactions and attitudes of parents with the sub‐themes personal acceptance and support, indulgence and protection, setting limits and barriers to successful dietary change. The children were under pressure, showed signs of stigmatization and marginalization, and developed self‐protecting strategies. The parents tried to cope to the best of their ability, needed help, but felt rejected by professional key persons and authorities.

Conclusions.  On the basis of the study, it was hypothesised that a prejudice‐free, individually accepting and supporting intervention must be provided for each family over time to ensure successful weight loss.
Immune‐related genes expression profile in orange‐spotted grouper during exposure to Cryptocaryon irritans
Authors: LI Y. W. , DAN X. M. , ZHANG T. W. , LUO X. C. , LI A. X.
Published: September 2011

Cryptocaryon irritans is one of the most important ectoparasites of marine fish. To identify the potential role of immune‐related genes in antiparasitic immune responses in fish, we monitored the expression change of IL‐8, COX‐2, C‐type lectin and transferrin in local and systemic immune organs of orange‐spotted grouper post‐C. irritans infection. IL‐8 expression was up‐regulated during the course of infection in the skin, while COX‐2 and transferrin expression was up‐regulated in the gill. COX‐2 expression was significantly down‐regulated in the spleen (0·7–5% of its control) and head kidney (0·5–4% of its control) post‐primary infection. Transferrin expression was also down‐regulated in the spleen and head kidney from 6 h to 5 days post‐primary infection. However, C‐type lectin expression was up‐regulated in all tested organs post‐infection, with the exception of day 7 in the spleen post‐primary infection where the expression level was slightly down‐regulated (44% of its control). These results suggest that these four immune‐related genes play an important role in grouper anti‐C. irritans infection and that local immune organs as the active organs contribute more than systemic immune organs to this course.
Quantitative analysis of venation patterns of Arabidopsis leaves by supervised image analysis
Authors: Dhondt Stijn , Van Haerenborgh Dirk , Van Cauwenbergh Caroline , Merks Roeland M. H. , Philips Wilfried , Beemster Gerrit T. S. , Inzé Dirk
Published: September 2011

The study of transgenic Arabidopsis lines with altered vascular patterns has revealed key players in the venation process, but details of the vascularization process are still unclear, partly because most lines have only been assessed qualitatively. Therefore, quantitative analyses are required to identify subtle perturbations in the pattern and to test dynamic modeling hypotheses using biological measurements. We developed an online framework, designated Leaf Image Analysis Interface (LIMANI), in which venation patterns are automatically segmented and measured on dark‐field images. Image segmentation may be manually corrected through use of an interactive interface, allowing supervision and rectification steps in the automated image analysis pipeline and ensuring high‐fidelity analysis. This online approach is advantageous for the user in terms of installation, software updates, computer load and data storage. The framework was used to study vascular differentiation during leaf development and to analyze the venation pattern in transgenic lines with contrasting cellular and leaf size traits. The results show the evolution of vascular traits during leaf development, suggest a self‐organizing mechanism for leaf venation patterning, and reveal a tight balance between the number of end‐points and branching points within the leaf vascular network that does not depend on the leaf developmental stage and cellular content, but on the leaf position on the rosette. These findings indicate that development of LIMANI improves understanding of the interaction between vascular patterning and leaf growth.
Intact parathyroid hormone levels in renal transplant patients with normal transplant function
Authors: Bleskestad Inger H. , Bergrem Harald , Leivestad Torbjørn , Gøransson Lasse G.
Published: September 2011

Bleskestad IH, Bergrem H, Leivestad T, Gøransson LG. Intact parathyroid hormone levels in renal transplant patients with normal transplant function. Clin Transplant 2011: 25: E566–E570. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Introduction:  Chronic kidney disease mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐MBD) is common in patients who have undergone kidney transplantation. There is limited information on the extent to which patients with normal renal function after transplantation have persistent disturbances in their mineral metabolism.

Aim:  The aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence of elevated intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels at least one yr after transplantation in patients living with a first renal transplant with normal transplant function.

Methods:  A retrospective, observational study of 607 patients was collected from the Norwegian Renal Registry. Of these, iPTH was recorded for 360 patients.

Results:  One hundred and eighty‐eight patients (52%) had elevated iPTH levels. Twenty‐six patients (7%) had iPTH levels >2.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN). Patients with a pre‐emptive transplant were significantly younger than the patients who had received treatment with dialysis (p < 0.0001). The prevalence of iPTH > ULN was significantly higher in patients with a pre‐emptive transplant (p = 0.037).

Conclusions:  In post‐transplant patients with normal transplant function, our data indicate that more than 50% have elevated levels of iPTH more than one yr after transplantation. If elevated iPTH level is associated with mortality in this patient population, it may have major impact on clinical treatment guidelines.
The role of ultrasonography in determining central venous patency in patients undergoing bowel transplantation
Authors: Sakai Tetsuro , Matsusaki Takashi , Abu‐Elmagd Kareem , Amesur Nikhil , Thaete F. Leland , Zak Marsha F. , Aggarwal Shushma
Published: September 2011

Sakai T, Matsusaki T, Abu‐Elmagd K, Amesur N, Thaete FL, Zak MF, Aggarwal S. The role of ultrasonography in determining central venous patency in patients undergoing bowel transplantation.  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: E78–E83.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Ultrasonography (US) is an attractive alternative for invasive studies to evaluate venous patency. However, little data exist concerning the usefulness of US in patients undergoing bowel transplantation. Twenty‐five adult patients with bowel transplantation were retrospectively identified with both US and contrast venography (VG) performed preoperatively. The median age was 43 yr, and the median duration of total parenteral nutrition was 36 months. The vessels were evaluated as positive with ≥50% stenosis. Among the internal jugular veins and the subclavian veins examined with US (96% of the all sites) and with VG (69%), 66 venous sites were available for comparison. VG confirmed positive in 42% (28/66), while US found positive in 27% (18/66); US had three false positives and 13 false negatives, giving the sensitivity of 54% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34–72) and the specificity of 92% (CI, 77–98). The positive and the negative likelihood ratios weighted by prevalence (42%) were 5 (CI, 1.7–14.3) and 0.37 (CI, 0.23–0.60), respectively. In addition, VG confirmed stenosis in 32% of the right and 50% of the left brachiocephalic veins and 41% of the superior vena cava. US is not a reliable method for assessing the upper body venous system of patients undergoing bowel transplantation.
Successful treatment of Trichosporon fungemia in a patient with refractory acute myeloid leukemia using voriconazole combined with liposomal amphotericin B
Authors: Hosokawa K. , Yamazaki H. , Mochizuki K. , Ohata K. , Ishiyama K. , Hayashi T. , Kondo Y. , Sugimori N. , Okumura H. , Takami A. , Nakao S.
Published: September 2011

Trichosporon fungemia is a rare and fatal fungal infection that occurs in patients with prolonged neutropenia associated with hematologic malignancies. A 21‐year‐old male developed Trichosporon fungemia during remission induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Although two courses of induction therapy failed to induce a remission of AML, combination therapy with voriconazole and liposomal amphotericin B (L‐AmB) followed by monocyte colony‐stimulating factor ameliorated the Trichosporon fungemia and enabled the patient to receive reduced‐intensity bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from his human leukocyte antigen‐A one‐locus mismatched mother. The patient achieved a durable remission after BMT without exacerbation of Trichosporon fungemia. The combination therapy with voriconazole and L‐AmB may therefore be useful in controlling Trichosporon fungemia associated with prolonged neutropenia after remission induction therapy for AML.
A comparison of fentanyl with tramadol during propofol‐based deep sedation for pediatric upper endoscopy
Authors: Bedirli Nurdan , Egritas Odul , Cosarcan Kaan , Bozkirli Fusun
Published: September 2011

Aim:  This study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of tramadol with those of fentanyl and to evaluate the impact of age in pediatric patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE).

Methods:  Eighty patients with ASA I‐II, aged 1–16 years, undergoing UGIE were included in this study. Baseline anesthesia was maintained with 1 mg·kg−1 propofol, and then, the patients were randomly assigned to receive 2 μg·kg−1 fentanyl (group F, n = 40) or 2 mg·kg−1 tramadol (group T, n = 40). Additional propofol, 0.5–1 mg·kg−1, was administered when needed. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and sedation scores were recorded at baseline, induction, and every 5 min. Endoscopy duration, recovery time, and adverse effects were recorded. The data were separated for subgroup analyses based on the age of 0–2, 2–12, and over 12 years.

Results:  Fentanyl significantly decreased the saturation at induction, 5th min and 10th min in patients of 0–2 years; at 5th and 10th min in 2–12 years; and at 5th min in >12 years. In all age subgroups, sedation scores at 10th, 15th, and 20th min, the overall frequency of adverse effects, and the recovery time were significantly lower in group T compared with group F.

Conclusion:  Tramadol in pediatric patients undergoing UGIE provided sedation as efficient as fentanyl with a better hemodynamic and respiratory stability and provided a superior safety and tolerance in younger children.
Fluctuations in incubation temperature affect incubation duration but not morphology, locomotion and growth of hatchlings in the sand lizard Lacerta agilis (Lacertidae)
Authors: Li Hong , Zhou Zong‐Shi , Ding Guo‐Hua , Ji Xiang
Published: September 2011

Li, H., Zhou, Z.‐S., Ding, G.‐H. and Ji, X. 2011. Fluctuations in incubation temperature affect incubation duration but not morphology, locomotion and growth of hatchlings in the sand lizard Lacerta agilis (Lacertidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–8.

Studies looking for potential effects of temperature and temperature fluctuations on phenotypic traits of reptile hatchlings have shown species variation, but have not always allowed a distinction between effects of fluctuation per se and temperature extremes themselves. To examine whether incubation temperature fluctuation has a key role in influencing the phenotype of offspring, we incubated eggs of the sand lizard Lacerta agilis at one of the four temperature regimes (27, 27 ± 2, 27 ± 4 and 27 ± 6 °C). We found that: (1) hatchlings incubated under the four temperature regimes did not differ from each other in any of the morphological and physiological traits examined; (2) interactions that included temperature treatment did not affect any trait examined; (3) the mean incubation length was longer in the 27 ± 6 °C treatment than in the other three treatments; and (4) female hatchlings were shorter in head length and width but longer in snout‐vent length as well as abdomen length than males derived from the same‐sized egg. Our data show that both the type and the magnitude of temperature variation can affect incubation length. We found no evidence for phenotypic divergence in responses to temperature fluctuations during incubation and therefore suggest that temperature variation does not affect the phenotype of hatchlings in L. agilis.
An empirical approach to evaluating the validity of alternative low‐risk drinking guidelines
Authors: DAWSON DEBORAH A. , SMITH SHARON M. , PICKERING ROGER P. , GRANT BRIDGET F.
Published: September 2011

Introduction and Aims.This paper proposes an approach for evaluating the validity of alternative low‐risk drinking guidelines.

Design and Methods.Twenty‐seven alternative guidelines were evaluated in terms of their ability to predict nine measures of concurrent and prospective alcohol‐related harm, using longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of US adults (n = 26 438 to 12 339 depending upon outcome). Parameters compared included sensitivity, specificity, adjusted odds ratios and measures of model fit.

Results.Performance varied by harm. The guidelines that best predicted concurrent alcohol‐related harm comprised daily‐only limits of 4/3 drinks for men/women, but gender‐invariant limits of 4/4 drinks also performed well. Adding weekly limits did little to improve the prediction of concurrent harm. The guidelines that best predicted prospective harm comprised daily limits of 4/4 drinks combined with weekly limits of 14 drinks for men and 7 drinks for women, with weekly limits of 14/14 drinks running second. When concurrent and incident harms were aggregated, daily‐only limits of 4/3 drinks performed nearly on a par with the combination of 14/14 drinks per week and 4/3 drinks per day.

Discussion and Conclusions.This paper supported gender‐specific daily limits and suggested that optimal guidelines might take daily limits from analyses of concurrent harms and weekly limits from analyses of prospective harms. This paper illustrates a mechanism for validating the ability of low‐risk drinking guidelines to accurately predict a range of alcohol‐related harms, whereby countries could use their own data on consumption and its association with harm to evaluate their low‐risk drinking guidelines.[Dawson DA, Smith SM, Pickering RP, Grant BF. An empirical approach to evaluating the validity of alternative low‐risk drinking guidelines.Drug Alcohol Rev2012;31:141–150]
Social factors in the development of early executive functioning: a closer look at the caregiving environment
Authors: Bernier Annie , Carlson Stephanie M. , Deschênes Marie , Matte‐Gagné Célia
Published: September 2011

This study investigated prospective links between quality of the early caregiving environment and children’s subsequent executive functioning (EF). Sixty‐two families were met on five occasions, allowing for assessment of maternal interactive behavior, paternal interactive behavior, and child attachment security between 1 and 2 years of age, and child EF at 2 and 3 years. The results suggested that composite scores of parental behavior and child attachment were related to child performance on EF tasks entailing strong working memory and cognitive flexibility components (conflict‐EF). In particular, child attachment security was related to conflict‐EF performance at 3 years above and beyond what was explained by a combination of all other social antecedents of child EF identified thus far: child verbal ability and prior EF, family SES, and parenting behavior. Attachment security may thus play a meaningful role in young children’s development of executive control.
Mapping the Middle East from Within: (Counter‐)Cartographies of an Imperialist Construction
Authors: Culcasi Karen
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  The “Middle East” is a readily accepted geographical category throughout much of the world. However, within this ambiguous geographic entity, both the term and the idea of the “Middle East” are often rejected as western‐imperialist constructs. Through a critical examination of an extensive sample of maps produced within several Arab states of the “Middle East”, I found that the regional designation “Middle East” is nearly nonexistent, while the Arab Homeland is unequivocally a more common regional category. However, the “Middle East” did occasionally appear in a few maps. This paper provides an explanatory examination of the normative cartographic discourses in this region, and more focused analysis of the atypical maps of the “Middle East”. My analyses render unique insights into how the “Middle East” is both contested and re‐created from within a western‐imperialist defined region.
An Examination of Dynamic Trading Stategies in UK and US Stock Returns
Authors: Fletcher Jonathan
Published: September 2011

Abstract:  This paper examines the performance benefits of using conditioning information in mean‐variance strategies in UK and US stock returns. The paper finds that after adjusting for trading costs, there are no significant performance benefits in using conditioning information in mean‐variance strategies. This result stems from the high turnover that is required to implement dynamic trading strategies. The paper does find that after adjusting for costs, that the unconditional approach of Ferson and Siegel (2001) significantly outperforms alternative approaches of using conditioning information in mean‐variance strategies in UK stock returns.
Frames and Narratives as Tools for Recruiting and Sustaining Group Members: The Soulforce Equality Ride as a Social Movement Organization*
Authors: Powell Rachel
Published: September 2011

Structuring collective action, given diverse human thoughts, feelings, and behavior, is an arduous task. This article examines one way collective action can be facilitated by analyzing how social movement organizations (SMOs) use narratives as a key resource for recruiting members and sustaining participation. Data for this analysis were collected through participant observation and in‐depth interviews with 34 participants of the Soulforce Equality Ride (ER), a cross‐country bus journey—modeled after the Freedom Ride of the Civil Rights Movement—that toured 18 schools that ban the enrollment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students. Findings indicate that the ER recruited participants, maintained commitment to the group and its cause, and met organizational goals by (1) crafting a frame that successfully taps into potential members’ existing emotions, ideologies, and experiences; (2) aligning these individual experiences with group messages and meanings via narratives; and (3) creating positive feelings for members. In doing so, SMOs can construct cognitive and emotional links between the individual and the SMO, thereby promoting group goals.
Social Focus on Health and Children’s Well‐being*
Authors: Bass Loretta E.
Published: September 2011

This special section on children’s health and well‐being is an outgrowth of the 2010 International Sociological Association’s (ISA) World Congress in Gothenburg, Sweden. Within the Congress, the Research Committee 53, Sociology of Childhood, organized a panel focused on the health and well‐being of children. Together, this collection makes two distinct contributions: first in terms of considering children’s health disparities as an area of concern within sociology, and second by considering children’s health as a factor that shapes other areas of children’s well‐being. In addition, these papers offer novel empirical research on children’s health and varied methodological and theoretical orientations. Each paper also makes contributions to social policy, first in the area of infant health affecting later educational outcomes, second in the area of family structure and children’s health, and additionally in understanding type 2 diabetes for children at the individual and structural levels. Finally, these studies highlight the interplay—between the individuals’ health on the one hand and structure and culture on the other—as children’s life chances are shaped.
TLR4‐MyD88 signalling: a molecular target for alcohol actions
Authors: Pandey Subhash C
Published: September 2011

Several studies implicate Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) in alcohol‐induced neuroinflammatory processes. The work reported by Wu et al., in this issue of the British Journal of Pharmacology, indicates that TLR4 along with its intracellular adaptor protein, MyD88, may play crucial roles in the acute actions of alcohol. The deletions of TLR4 or MyD88 gene or pharmacological inhibition of TLR4 by (+)‐naloxone were able to attenuate alcohol‐induced sedation, motor impairment and acute alcohol‐induced increases in IkBα protein levels in the hippocampus of mice. These results clearly suggest that TLR4‐MyD88 signalling may play a causal role in the mediation of the behavioural effects of acute alcohol.

LINKED ARTICLE This article is a commentary on Wu et al., pp. 1319–1329 of this issue. To view this paper visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01572.x
“Doing Gender,” Ensuring Survival: Mexican Migration and Economic Crisis in the Rural Mountain West*
Authors: Schmalzbauer Leah
Published: September 2011

Abstract

This article draws on ethnographic research to explore the impacts of the current economic crisis on Mexican migrant families in rural Montana. It looks specifically at the ways rural families negotiate gender roles and expectations as they devise survival strategies in response to major economic shifts. My analysis suggests that traditional gender roles are being transgressed, as migrant women enter wage labor, often for the first time. Simultaneously, gender ideologies are being reinforced, as migrant women struggle to protect men's sense of masculinity by continuing to perform a culturally appropriate gender script. Whereas the paradoxical combination of gender transgression and tradition has been noted within urban migrant families, its dynamics are different in rural contexts. While urban migrants tend to look outward to social networks for support, rural migrants turn inward to their immediate families, strengthening family solidarities.
Collective decision‐making and fission–fusion dynamics: a conceptual framework
Authors: Sueur Cédric , King Andrew J. , Conradt Larissa , Kerth Gerald , Lusseau David , Mettke‐Hofmann Claudia , Schaffner Colleen M. , Williams Leah , Zinner Dietmar , Aureli Filippo
Published: September 2011

Sociality exists in an extraordinary range of ecological settings. For individuals to accrue the benefits associated with social interactions, they are required to maintain a degree of spatial and temporal coordination in their activities, and make collective decisions. Such coordination and decision‐making has been the focus of much recent research. However, efforts largely have been directed toward understanding patterns of collective behaviour in relatively stable and cohesive groups. Less well understood is how fission–fusion dynamics mediate the process and outcome of collective decisions making. Here, we aim to apply established concepts and knowledge to highlight the implications of fission–fusion dynamics for collective decisions, presenting a conceptual framework based on the outcome of a small‐group discussion INCORE meeting (funded by the European Community's Sixth Framework Programme). First, we discuss how the degree of uncertainty in the environment shapes social flexibility and therefore the types of decisions individuals make in different social settings. Second, we propose that the quality of social relationships and the energetic needs of each individual influence fission decisions. Third, we explore how these factors affect the probability of individuals to fuse. Fourth, we discuss how group size and fission–fusion dynamics may affect communication processes between individuals at a local or global scale to reach a consensus or to fission. Finally, we offer a number of suggestions for future research, capturing emerging ideas and concepts on the interaction between collective decisions and fission–fusion dynamics.
AMP‐Activated Protein Kinase Downregulates Kv7.1 Cell Surface Expression
Authors: Andersen Martin N. , Krzystanek Katarzyna , Jespersen Thomas , Olesen Søren‐Peter , Rasmussen Hanne B.
Published: September 2011

The potassium channel Kv7.1 is expressed in the heart, where it contributes to the repolarization of the cardiac action potential. Additionally, Kv7.1 is expressed in epithelial tissues playing a role in salt and water transport. We recently demonstrated that surface‐expressed Kv7.1 is internalized in response to polarization of the epithelial Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line and that this was mediated by activation of protein kinase C (PKC). In this study, the pathway downstream of PKC, which leads to internalization of Kv7.1 upon cell polarization, is elucidated. We show by confocal microscopy that Kv7.1 is endocytosed upon initiation of the polarization process and sent for degradation by the lysosomal pathway. The internalization could be mimicked by pharmacological activation of the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) using three different AMPK activators. We demonstrate that the downstream effector of AMPK is the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4‐2. Additionally, we show that AMPK activation results in a downregulation of Kv7.1 currents in Xenopus oocytes through a Nedd4‐2‐dependent mechanism. In summary, surface‐expressed Kv7.1 channels are endocytosed and sent for degradation in lysosomes by an AMPK‐mediated activation of Nedd4‐2 during the initial phase of the MDCK cell polarization process.
Biological characteristics of a cell subpopulation in tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sun Y , Han J , Lu Y , Yang X , Fan M
Published: September 2011

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 169–177

Objectives:  To isolate the CD133+CD44+ cells from human tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) Tca8113 cell line and investigate biological characteristics of them.

Materials and methods:  Immunomagnetic microbeads were applied to sort the CD133+CD44+ cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect isolation purity. The proliferation, clone‐formation efficiencies, invasion and migration, gene expressions, and tumor‐formation abilities were analyzed among CD133+CD44+, CD133−CD44−, and total population of cells.

Results:  The average purities of CD133+ and CD44+ cells reached 97.3% and 98.7%, respectively. The proliferation of CD133+CD44+ cells was significantly higher than the other two groups. The clone‐forming efficiency of three groups was 70%, 8%, and 14%, respectively. The average invaded and migrated cell numbers of CD133+CD44+ and total population cells were 132 and 36.2, 311.6, and 156.2, respectively. The expressions of Bcl‐2 and Sox2 in CD133+CD44+ cells were significantly higher than those in total population cells. A total of 104 CD133+CD44+ cells could form secondary tumors in nude mice, while the total population group needed 106 cells.

Conclusions:  The CD133+CD44+ subpopulation cells possess stem‐like characteristics. They appear to be the potential targets for future biology therapy of human TSCC.
Cytochrome c biogenesis System I
Authors: Stevens Julie M. , Mavridou Despoina A. I. , Hamer Rebecca , Kritsiligkou Paraskevi , Goddard Alan D. , Ferguson Stuart J.
Published: September 2011

Cytochromes c are widespread respiratory proteins characterized by the covalent attachment of heme. The formation of c‐type cytochromes requires, in all but a few exceptional cases, the formation of two thioether bonds between the two cysteine sulfurs in a –CXXCH– motif in the protein and the vinyl groups of heme. The vinyl groups of the heme are not particularly activated and therefore the addition reaction does not physiologically occur spontaneously in cells. There are several diverse post‐translational modification systems for forming these bonds. Here, we describe the complex multiprotein cytochrome c maturation (Ccm) system (in Escherichia coli comprising the proteins CcmABCDEFGH), also called System I, that performs the heme attachment. System I is found in plant mitochondria, archaea and many Gram‐negative bacteria; the systems found in other organisms and organelles are described elsewhere in this minireview series.
Supermassive black holes: connecting the growth to the cosmic star formation rate
Authors: Pereira Eduardo S. , Miranda Oswaldo D.
Published: September 2011

We present a model connecting the cosmic star formation rate (CSFR) to the growth of supermassive black holes. Considering that the evolution of the massive black hole is dominated by accretion (Soltan’s argument) and that the accretion process can be described by a probabilistic function directly regulated by the CSFR, we obtain the evolution of the black hole mass density. Then, using the quasar luminosity function, we determine both the functional form of the radiative efficiency and the evolution of the quasar duty cycle as functions of the redshift. We analyse four different CSFRs showing that the quasar duty cycle, δ(z), peaks at z∼ 8.5–11 and so within the window associated with the reionization of the Universe. In particular, δmax∼ 0.09–0.22 depending on the CSFR. The mean radiative efficiency, , peaks at z∼ 0.1–1.3 with depending on the specific CSFR used. Our results also show that it is not necessary for a supercritical Eddington accretion regime to produce the growth of the black hole seeds. The present scenario is consistent with the formation of black hole seeds ∼103 M⊙ at z∼ 20.
Rainwater Tank Households: Water Savers or Water Users?
Authors: MOY CANDICE
Published: September 2011

This paper provides the first published post‐installation analysis of retrofitted rainwater tanks and their effects on mains water consumption. The study aimed to determine the average mains water reductions achieved in households with recently installed rainwater tanks and compare this figure with wider community consumption. The social and cultural impacts of rainwater tank ownership were also explored to understand how rainwater is used and perceived. The results show that during the period of analysis, the drought years of 2005–2007, 7125 or 8% of Illawarra households installed a tank. Comparison of mains water consumption for two years before and after installation shows that rainwater tank households reduced their mains water consumption about the same amount (10.26%) as the wider community (10.8%). The social and cultural components reveal three main groups of households. The largest group, water users, had a desire for water autonomy and independence to continue previously enjoyed water practices that had been restricted. Among a light green group, tanks were part of a package of overtly pro‐environmental behaviours that did not necessarily change consumption patterns. A frugal group, many of whom had been raised in rural areas, were the main water savers. Perception of tank water quality was shown to be an influential determinant of how rainwater was used, particularly for connections internal to the house. This study shows that rainwater tanks have the potential to achieve significant water savings, but if water‐intensive behaviours are not modified, and rainwater tanks are not plumbed indoors, the potential of this alternative water source will not be met. Currently, rainwater tanks facilitate water users as much as water savers.
Distribution and migratory destinations of humpback whales off the Pacific coast of Central America during the boreal winters of 1996–2003
Authors: Rasmussen Kristin , Calambokidis John , Steiger Gretchen H.
Published: September 2011

Abstract

Here, we examine the distribution, habitat use, and migratory destinations of North Pacific humpback whales wintering off Central America. Coastal boat surveys were conducted off Costa Rica and Panama between 1996 and 2003. In 1999, a broader survey was conducted along most of Central America. Over 23,000 km were surveyed, with the greatest effort off southern Costa Rica. We made 191 sightings of 320 individual humpback whales. Whales were seen between 14°N and 8°N, making this the most southerly of the North Pacific wintering areas. Encounters included singles, adult pairs, singers, and mother/calf pairs. Mother/calf pairs accounted for 27% of all groups sighted, which is one of the highest sighting rates reported among North Pacific wintering areas. Sixty percent of sightings occurred in depths <50 m. Average sea surface temperature was 28.6°C (±1.0 SD). Ninety percent of the 77 unique whales photo‐identified were also seen in the California–Oregon–Washington feeding aggregation. The 1999 survey showed that humpback whales were widely distributed along the Central American coast at relatively low densities. The extensive distribution of animals, the higher proportion of calves, and the almost exclusive migration to a single feeding area contrast with observations in other regions.
Slow Solvent Relaxation Dynamics of Nanometer Sized Reverse Micellar Systems Through Tryptophan Metabolite, Kynurenine
Authors: Rakshit Surajit , Goswami Nirmal , Pal Samir Kumar
Published: September 2011

Exploration of environmental dynamics using intrinsic biological probe tryptophan is very important; however, it suffers from various difficulties. An alternative probe, kynurenine (KN), has been found to be an efficient probe for the ultrafast dynamics in the biological environment (Goswami et al., [2010] J. Phys. Chem. B., 114, 15236–15243). In the present study, we have investigated the efficacy of KN for the exploration of relatively slower dynamics of biologically relevant environments. A detailed investigation involving UV–Vis, steady‐state/time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) studies on KN compared to a well‐known solvation probe, H33258, a DNA‐minor groove binder in a model nonionic reverse micelle reveals that ultrafast internal conversion associated with the hydrogen‐bonding dynamics masks KN to become a dynamical reporter of the immediate environments of the probe.
The role of the therapist: what effective therapists do
Authors: Simon George M.
Published: September 2011

After expressing enthusiastic agreement with Blow, Davis, and Sprenkle’s (in press) call for research focused on what effective therapists do in therapy, this article dissents from two notions that serve as the foundation for these authors’ ongoing advocacy of client‐worldview/model‐worldview matching as a privileged means of enhancing therapeutic outcome. In response to their assumption that client‐worldview/model‐worldview dissonance almost inevitably produces a therapy‐threatening disruption of the therapeutic alliance, two scenarios are described in which such dissonance can not only be compatible with, but might also even contribute to, positive therapeutic outcome. In response to Blow and colleagues’ notion that extant research supports the superior efficacy of client‐model matching, this article underlines that the research they cite is substantially mute on the matter of switching models in order to accommodate to client worldview.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) prevents methotrexate-induced hepatorenal oxidative injury in rats
Authors: Çakır Tuğrul , Özkan Erkan , Dulundu Ender , Topaloğlu Ümit , Şehirli Ahmet Özer , Ercan Feriha , Şener Emre , Şener Göksel
Published: September 2011

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatorenal oxidative damage in rats.

Methods

Following a single dose of methotrexate (20 mg/kg), either vehicle (MTX group) or CAPE (10 µmol/kg, MTX + CAPE group) was administered for five days. In other rats, vehicle (control group) or CAPE was injected for five days, following a single dose of saline injection. After decapitation of the rats, trunk blood was obtained, and the liver and kidney tissues were removed for histological examination and for the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and sodium potassium-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+/K+-ATPase) activity. TNF-α and IL-1β levels were measured in the blood.

Key findings

Methotrexate administration increased the tissue MDA levels, MPO activity and decreased GSH levels and Na+/K+-ATPase activity, while these alterations were reversed in the CAPE-treated MTX group. Elevated TNF-α and IL-1β levels were also reduced with CAPE treatment.

Conclusions

The results of this study revealed that CAPE, through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions, alleviates methotrexate-induced oxidative damage, which suggests that CAPE may be of therapeutic benefit when used with methotrexate.
Active Steering Assistance for Lane Keeping and Lane Departure Prevention
Authors: Enache Nicoleta Minoiu , Mammar Saïd , Lusetti Benoit , Sebsadji Yazid
Published: September 2011

Single-vehicle road departure accidents represent a substantial amount of today’s accidents. This paper presents the design and experimental test of an active steering assistance system that offers two functions: lane departure avoidance by temporary activation and maintaining vehicle heading by permanent activation. Each of the two functions can be used exclusively or in combination. Specific constraints related to each of the two functions are taken into account in the control design of the steering assistance by using LMI (linear matrix inequality) and BMI (bilinear matrix inequality) optimization methods. Consequently, lane overshoot is minimized for assistance activations near the border of the lane even during curve negotiation and robust lane keeping is ensured. Furthermore, the effects on lane keeping performance of simultaneous steering by the driver and the assistance are theoretically quantified. The results are verified using a fully equipped prototype vehicle. The obtained field test is consistent with the expected performance.
Diurnal and Seasonal Mood Vary with Work, Sleep, and Daylength Across Diverse Cultures
Authors: Golder Scott A. , Macy Michael W.
Published: September 2011

Across the world the collective mood heightens
at breakfast time and during the weekend.
Superfast Muscles Set Maximum Call Rate in Echolocating Bats
Authors: Elemans Coen P. H. , Mead Andrew F. , Jakobsen Lasse , Ratcliffe John M.
Published: September 2011

Superfast muscles control the rate of call output in echolocating bats.
Striking a Balance to Control Stereochemistry
Authors: Wiest Olaf , Helquist Paul
Published: September 2011

A method predicts the success of catalysts for the preferential synthesis of one chiral form of a molecule.
Between Two Poles

The Book of Ice
by Paul D. Miller

Mark Batty, Brooklyn, NY, 2011. 128 pp. $29.95, C$34, £21. ISBN 9781935613145.
Authors: Bohannon Cat
Published: September 2011

Composer and author DJ Spooky's multifarious book forms part of his multimedia meditation on Antarctica and climate change.
The Waning Conflict Over XMRV and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: September 2011

After a new study dealt what many consider a lethal blow to the controversial theory that a newly detected virus, XMRV, is linked to chronic fatigue syndrome, proponents and skeptics squared off.
Outbreak Detectives Embrace the Genome Era
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: September 2011

Doctors could soon be sequencing bacterial samples from virtually every patient. The avalanche of data will help fight disease outbreaks, scientists say.