bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IDL Shines on the Macintosh
Authors: Blass William E. , Mahan Stephen L. , Chin Gordon , Gjertsen Margaret H.
Published: October 2013

Product Description This review is of IDL, a product of and available from Research Systems Inc. (RSI), 2995 Wilderness Place, Boulder, CO 80301. Phone: (303) 786-9900. IDL for Macintosh, Version 3.5, is available for a list price of $1500 per license. Educational discounts are available beginning at 25% for quantity-one single-user Macintosh workstation licenses. For other quantities and platforms, contact RSI. System requirements are discussed in the review.
Tenascin-C is an innate broad-spectrum, HIV-1–neutralizing protein in breast milk
Authors: Fouda Genevieve G. , Jaeger Frederick H. , Amos Joshua D. , Ho Carrie , Kunz Erika L. , Anasti Kara , Stamper Lisa W. , Liebl Brooke E. , Barbas Kimberly H. , Ohashi Tomoo , Moseley Martin Arthur , Liao Hua-Xin , Erickson Harold P. , Alam S. Munir , Permar Sallie R.
Published: October 2013

Significance

Achieving an AIDS-free generation will require elimination of breast milk transmission of HIV-1, as breastfeeding is a cornerstone of infant survival in developing regions. Antiretroviral prophylaxis considerably reduces postnatal HIV-1 transmission, yet its efficacy is limited by access, adherence, toxicities, and resistance of maternal HIV-1 strains. Alternative, safe strategies of impeding postnatal HIV-1 transmission will be required to eliminate infant HIV-1 infection. In this paper, we identify an innate HIV-neutralizing protein in breast milk, Tenascin-C, which captures and neutralizes HIV-1 virions via binding to the chemokine coreceptor binding site on the HIV-1 Envelope. This protein has the potential to be developed as a prevention strategy for postnatal and other modes of HIV-1 transmission.
BC-box protein domain-related mechanism for VHL protein degradation
Authors: Pozzebon Maria Elena , Varadaraj Archana , Mattoscio Domenico , Jaffray Ellis G. , Miccolo Claudia , Galimberti Viviana , Tommasino Massimo , Hay Ronald T. , Chiocca Susanna
Published: October 2013

Significance

Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) is a tumor suppressor protein. Through its ubiquitin E3 ligase activity, VHL controls hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) protein levels. We show that VHL is degraded upon expression or induction of proteins containing BC box-Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) domains. These proteins, ubiquitously expressed, are important for proper cellular cytokine signaling and are often exploited for viral benefit. We also show that cellular consequences of VHL degradation in response to stressors, such as viral infection, cytokines, and viral reactivation, afford distinct survival advantages in terms of increased metabolic and proangiogenic markers. The impairment of the VHL/HIF pathway upon viral infection reinforces the notion that this process may be linked to regulation of pathogenesis by viruses associated with human cancers.
Natural killer cell licensing in mice with inducible expression of MHC class I
Authors: Ebihara Takashi , Jonsson A. Helena , Yokoyama Wayne M.
Published: October 2013

Significance

Natural killer (NK) cells undergo a licensing (or education) process through interactions with their MHC class I-specific receptors and self-MHC class I to become functionally competent. Previously it was not possible to study the acute consequences of these interactions. We developed transgenic mice to induce MHC class I acutely in an otherwise MHC class I-deficient environment. In these mice, acute NK cell licensing is dependent on interactions between NK-cell receptors and other hematopoietic cells; the acute process did not appear to induce detectable differences in the licensed NK cells themselves.
A regulatory role for the cohesin loader NIPBL in nonhomologous end joining during immunoglobulin class switch recombination
Authors: Enervald Elin , Du Likun , Visnes Torkild , Björkman Andrea , Lindgren Emma , Wincent Josephine , Borck Guntram , Colleaux Laurence , Cormier-Daire Valerie , van Gent Dik C. , Pie Juan , Puisac Beatriz , de Miranda Noel FCC , Kracker Sven , Hammarström Lennart , de Villartay Jean-Pierre , Durandy Anne , Schoumans Jacqueline , Ström Lena , Pan-Hammarström Qiang
Published: October 2013

DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are mainly repaired via homologous recombination (HR) or nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). These breaks pose severe threats to genome integrity but can also be necessary intermediates of normal cellular processes such as immunoglobulin class switch recombination (CSR). During CSR, DSBs are produced in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and are repaired by the classical NHEJ machinery. By studying B lymphocytes derived from patients with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome, we observed a strong correlation between heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the cohesin loading protein NIPBL and a shift toward the use of an alternative, microhomology-based end joining during CSR. Furthermore, the early recruitment of 53BP1 to DSBs was reduced in the NIPBL-deficient patient cells. Association of NIPBL deficiency and impaired NHEJ was also observed in a plasmid-based end-joining assay and a yeast model system. Our results suggest that NIPBL plays an important and evolutionarily conserved role in NHEJ, in addition to its canonical function in sister chromatid cohesion and its recently suggested function in HR.
A type I IFN–Flt3 ligand axis augments plasmacytoid dendritic cell development from common lymphoid progenitors
Authors: Chen Yi-Ling , Chen Ting-Ting , Pai Li-Mei , Wesoly Joanna , Bluyssen Hans A.R. , Lee Chien-Kuo
Published: October 2013

During infections and inflammation, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are the most potent type I interferon (IFN-I)–producing cells. However, the developmental origin of pDCs and the signals dictating pDC generation remain incompletely understood. Here, we report a synergistic role for IFN-I and Flt3 ligand (FL) in pDC development from common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs). Both conventional DCs (cDCs) and pDCs were generated from CLPs in response to FL, whereas pDC generation required higher concentrations of FL and concurrent IFN-I signaling. An absence of IFN-I receptor, impairment of IFN-I signaling, or neutralization of IFN-I significantly impeded pDC development from CLPs. Furthermore, FL induced IFN-I expression in CLPs, which in turn induced Flt3 up-regulation that facilitated survival and proliferation of CLPs, as well as their differentiation into pDCs. Collectively, these results define a critical role for the FL/IFN-I/Flt3 axis in pDC differentiation from CLPs.
The density ratio dependence of self-similar Rayleigh–Taylor mixing
Authors: Youngs David L.
Published: October 2013

Previous research on self-similar mixing caused by Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instability is summarized and a recent series of high resolution large eddy simulations is described. Mesh sizes of approximately 2000 ×1000 × 1000 are used to investigate the properties of high Reynolds number self-similar RT mixing at a range of density ratios from 1.5 : 1 to 20 : 1. In some cases, mixing evolves from ‘small random perturbations’. In other cases, random long wavelength perturbations (k−3spectrum) are added to give self-similar mixing at an enhanced rate, more typical of that observed in experiments. The properties of the turbulent mixing zone (volume fraction distributions, turbulence kinetic energy, molecular mixing parameter, etc.) are related to the RT growth rate parameter,α. Comparisons are made with experimental data on the internal structure and the asymmetry of the mixing zone (spike distance/bubble distance). The main purpose of this series of simulations is to provide data for calibration of engineering models (e.g. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes models). It is argued that the influence of initial conditions is likely to be significant in most applications and the implications of this for engineering modelling are discussed.
Turbulent mixing and beyond: non-equilibrium processes from atomistic to astrophysical scales II
Authors: Abarzhi S. I. , Gauthier S. , Sreenivasan K. R.
Published: October 2013

This Introduction summarizes and provides a perspective on the papers representing one of the key themes of the ‘Turbulent mixing and beyond’ programme—the hydrodynamic instabilities of the Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) and Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) type and their applications in nature and technology. The collection is intended to present the reader a balanced overview of the theoretical, experimental and numerical studies of the subject and to assess what is firm in our knowledge of the RT and RM turbulent mixing.
eParticipation in the EU
Authors: Karantzeni Dimitra , G. Gouscos Dimitris
Published: October 2013

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to research the key role of eParticipation and social media in the construction and diffusion of a European identity for European citizens, as a valuable means of acculturalisation, through the creation of a common sense of belonging and self-identifying with the European ideals.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper argues that the limited success of current EU institutions' communication strategy and eParticipation initiatives could be partly attributed to a communication gap between the means currently used on the one hand, and the preferences of targeted audiences on the other.

Findings

– This communication gap is demonstrated by combining empirical data on EU eParticipation initiatives addressing young people, young citizens' involvement in EU affairs, the penetration of social media on young citizen groups and the social media presence of EU political entities.

Research limitations/implications

– These empirical data could be enriched with more detailed statistics, and monitored across time to identity advancements and changing trends.

Practical implications

– The paper proposes, therefore, that the focus for eParticipation instruments be redirected to social media due to their comparative advantages as regards their great visibility, their notable level of penetration into current social groups and their potential of targeting specific audiences and becoming an integral part of these audiences' everyday life.

Originality/value

– The paper believes this approach can contribute to improving eParticipation ventures in terms of their actual appeal to young citizens and contribution to the construction and diffusion of a European identity.
Comparative study for the effect of photodynamic therapy, imiquimod immunotherapy and combination of both therapies on 40 lesions of actinic keratosis in Japanese patients
Authors: Tanaka Noriko , Ohata Chika , Ishii Norito , Imamura Kazuko , Ueda Akihiro , Furumura Minao , Yasumoto Shinichiro , Kawakami Tamihiro , Tsuruta Daisuke , Hashimoto Takashi
Published: October 2013

We treated 12, 15 and 13 Japanese actinic keratosis (AK) lesions with 5‐aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (PDT), 5% imiquimod cream and combination of both therapies, respectively, and compared the effects. Patients underwent the second course, when AK lesions remained after the first course. Efficacy was evaluated 1 month after each treatment. Combination therapy cleared all AK lesions only after the first course, while PDT and imiquimod therapy cleared 41.7% and 66.7% of AK lesions after the first course, respectively. All residual AK lesions after the first course were cleared by the second courses of PDT or imiquimod therapy. During the course, erosion and crust developed significantly more frequently in combination therapy (P < 0.001). Most Japanese AK lesions can be satisfactorily treated with either PDT or imiquimod monotherapy. However, only severe cases may better be treated with combination therapy, which show higher efficacy even though adverse events occur frequently.
Growth‐enhanced coho salmon invading other salmon species populations: effects on early survival and growth
Authors: Sundström L. Fredrik , Vandersteen Wendy E. , Lõhmus Mare , Devlin Robert H.
Published: October 2013

The first genetically modified (GM) fish intended for human consumption has recently stimulated significant scientific discussion and regulatory scrutiny regarding food safety and environmental risks. Currently, no experiments with transgenic fish have been performed in nature, yet such data are needed to facilitate predictions of ecological consequences should engineered fish escape to the natural environment.

To address this limitation, we conducted experiments under natural conditions but within a contained environment to assess the impact of invasion of growth‐enhanced GM coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch (Walbaum) on survival and growth of three naturally cohabitating fishes: Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha (Walbaum), steelhead trout O. mykiss (Walbaum) and conspecific wild‐type coho salmon.

We found that the impact of stream‐reared GM coho salmon on invaded specimens was similar to the impact of non‐GM coho salmon. However, GM fish significantly reduced survival and growth of the invaded populations if they were first allowed to grow larger under hatchery conditions before being released.

Synthesis and applications. Our results show that the ecological impact of fish genetically modified (GM) for rapid growth on closely related fish species may not be high in stream environments, unless these fish are first reared under culture conditions where they are able to realize their genetic growth potential. As such, first generation escapes of GM fish into the natural environment should be a main concern in the short term, whereas later generations, which are more similar to naturally occurring genotypes, are expected to have significantly weaker effects but which could persist for longer periods.
Long‐tongued insects promote disassortative pollen transfer in style‐dimorphic Narcissus papyraceus (Amaryllidaceae)
Authors: Simón‐Porcar Violeta I. , Santos‐Gally Rocío , Arroyo Juan
Published: October 2013

In hermaphroditic flowers, reciprocal herkogamy, for example heterostyly, enhances pollen transfer between floral morphs (disassortative pollination) while avoiding self‐interference between sexual organs. By contrast, disassortative pollination might be compromised in style‐dimorphic flowers, which lack perfect reciprocity between the two floral morphs. This suboptimal functioning has been considered to explain why stylar dimorphism is rare in nature.

Some style‐polymorphic species receive a wide array of floral visitors, including long‐tongued insects that feed on nectar and short‐tongued insects that feed on pollen. Differences in the morphology and behaviour of these two insect types could be manifested as different pollination patterns in each floral morph.

By observing individual pollinators and pollen deposition and delivery in small field‐based experimental arrays with emasculated and intact flowers, we studied pollination patterns mediated by different insect types (long‐ and short‐tongued) in the two floral morphs (long‐ and short‐styled) of the style‐dimorphic Narcissus papyraceus. We investigated the patterns of pollen transfer between and within style morphs in cross‐pollinations, as well as self‐pollination and pollen removal rates, for each floral morph mediated by each insect type.

Long‐tongued insects were efficient pollinators of both floral morphs as they removed little pollen from the anthers but deposited comparatively large amounts on the stigmas. Although disassortative pollen transfer and assortative pollen transfer were equally high to the long‐styled morph, the former prevailed in the short‐styled morph. Short‐tongued insects removed large amounts of pollen from the anthers but deposited only a few pollen grains on the long‐styled stigmas and a negligible number of grains on short‐styled stigmas regardless of the morph of the donor.

Synthesis. In this study, we provide empirical support for the hypothesis that, under the action of long‐tongued pollinators, pollen transfer patterns in the stylar‐dimorphic Narcissus papyraceus resemble in part those of heterostylous species. In addition, we found that short‐tongued insects act mostly as pollen thieves, thereby limiting the male fitness of both style morphs, besides depleting the female fitness of S‐morph plants. In view of these results, we propose that the differing pollination efficiencies of floral visitors, in addition to their frequency, are key in determining the morph ratio of populations in this Narcissus.
Optimising web site designs for people with learning disabilities
Authors: Williams Peter , Hennig Christian
Published: October 2013

Much relevant internet‐mediated information is inaccessible to people with learning disabilities because of difficulties in navigating the web. This paper reports on the methods undertaken to determine how information can be optimally presented for this cohort. Qualitative work is outlined where attributes relating to site layout affecting usability were elicited. A study comparing web sites of different design layouts exhibiting these attributes is discussed, with the emphasis on methodology. Eight interfaces were compared using various combinations of menu position (vertical or horizontal), text size and the absence or presence of images to determine which attributes of a site have the greatest performance impact. Study participants were also asked for their preferences, via a ‘smiley‐face’ rating scale and simple interviews. ‘Acquiescence bias’ was minimised by avoiding polar (‘yes/no’) interrogatives, achieved by asking participants to compare layouts (such as horizontal versus vertical menu), with reasons coaxed from those able to articulate them. Preferred designs were for large text and images. This was the reverse of those facilitating fastest retrieval times, a discrepancy due to preferences being judged on aesthetic considerations. Design recommendations that reconcile preference and performance findings are offered. These include using a horizontal menu, juxtaposing images and text, and reducing text from sentences to phrases, thus facilitating preferred large text without increasing task times.
Respiratory function parameters in ventilated newborn infants undergoing whole body hypothermia
Authors: Dassios Theodore , Austin Topun
Published: October 2013

Aim

Whole body hypothermia (WBH) exerts proven neuroprotective effects in infants with hypoxic‐ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). Our aim was to describe how WBH could impact on respiratory function in mechanically ventilated newborn infants, by recording primary and composite indices of oxygenation and ventilation before, during and after WBH.

Methods

The medical notes of 31 mechanically ventilated full‐term newborn infants who underwent WBH for HIE were retrospectively reviewed. Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), tidal volume (TV), mean airway Pressure (MAP), minute ventilation (MV), static compliance of the respiratory system (CstatRS), ventilation efficiency index (VEI), alveolar‐arterial gradient (A‐a gradient) and oxygenation index (OI) were documented before and during hypothermic treatment, as well as during and after rewarming.

Results

Fraction of inspired oxygen, MAP, OI and A‐a gradient decreased during induction of hypothermia and tended to increase during rewarming. CstatRS, VEI and TV increased during induction of hypothermia and tended to decrease during rewarming. None of the changes achieved statistical significance.

Conclusion

These results suggest that WBH might affect respiratory function in mechanically ventilated infants with HIE. Oxygenation might be enhanced by hypothermia, probably as a result of decreased metabolism, while ventilation might also be facilitated as a result of the effect of hypothermia on lung mechanics.
R&D networks and regional innovation: a social network analysis of joint research projects in Japan
Authors: Yokura Yutaka , Matsubara Hiroshi , Sternberg Rolf
Published: October 2013

Globalisation and structural and demographic change are presenting Japan's economy and many regional economies with major challenges. In earlier decades, the international transfer of technology was an important factor in Japan's rise to become one of the leading industrialised nations. Today, however, the focus is on the interregional and intraregional transfer of technology between research institutions and private firms when addressing the issue of national and regional competitiveness. Regional innovation policies, in particular those under the responsibility of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and its regional bureaus, have for several years been making a great effort to promote the intraregional transfer of technology and business start‐ups. This paper investigates the structure, the spatial reach and the innovation performance of R&D networks that have built up as part of a regional development programme financed by METI. A social network analysis is carried out using a unique data set of joint research projects of public research institutions, private firms and government institutions. The results show that the spatial patterns of R&D networks depend on the technical field of the research projects as well as on the role of the parties involved. Academia–academia cooperations have a much greater spatial reach than cooperations with private firms. The public sector plays an important role in local innovation processes.
Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation alterations in heart failure, ischaemic heart disease and diabetic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Fillmore N , Mori J , Lopaschuk G D
Published: October 2013

Heart disease is a leading cause of death worldwide. In many forms of heart disease, including heart failure, ischaemic heart disease and diabetic cardiomyopathies, changes in cardiac mitochondrial energy metabolism contribute to contractile dysfunction and to a decrease in cardiac efficiency. Specific metabolic changes include a relative increase in cardiac fatty acid oxidation rates and an uncoupling of glycolysis from glucose oxidation. In heart failure, overall mitochondrial oxidative metabolism can be impaired while, in ischaemic heart disease, energy production is impaired due to a limitation of oxygen supply. In both of these conditions, residual mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation dominates over mitochondrial glucose oxidation. In diabetes, the ratio of cardiac fatty acid oxidation to glucose oxidation also increases, although primarily due to an increase in fatty acid oxidation and an inhibition of glucose oxidation. Recent evidence suggests that therapeutically regulating cardiac energy metabolism by reducing fatty acid oxidation and/or increasing glucose oxidation can improve cardiac function of the ischaemic heart, the failing heart and in diabetic cardiomyopathies. In this article, we review the cardiac mitochondrial energy metabolic changes that occur in these forms of heart disease, what role alterations in mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation have in contributing to cardiac dysfunction and the potential for targeting fatty acid oxidation to treat these forms of heart disease.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed issue on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Energy, Injury & Beyond. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue‐8
Design of 99mTc‐DTPA‐CLP and Preliminary Evaluation in Rats
Authors: Altıparmak Burcu , Lambrecht Fatma Y. , Er Ozge
Published: October 2013

Radiopharmaceuticals are localized in (malignant) tumor tissues by different mechanisms. One of these mechanisms, gelatinase enzyme activity, is associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients and potential targets for tumor imaging. There are some gelatinases to be associated with metastatic potential for tumor imaging to possibly predict metastases. In this study, a cyclic decapeptide conjugate, DTPA‐CLP (DTPA‐Cys‐Leu‐Pro‐Gly‐His‐Trp‐Gly‐Phe‐Pro‐Ser‐Cys), was selected as a peptide conjugate because of its selective inhibitory activity toward gelatinases. Peptide‐conjugated DTPA‐CLP was labeled with 99mTc with a radiolabeling efficiency of 97.0 ± 2.8%. After determining optimization conditions for radiolabeling, a biodistribution study of radiolabeled peptide in albino Wistar rats was performed. According to biodistribution data, 99mTc‐DTPA‐CLP showed high uptake in the lung, liver, uterus, and spleen. These results show that 99mTc‐DTPA‐CLP may be used for the imaging of gelatinase activity in metastatic tumors.
The choice of grass species to combat desertification in semi‐arid Kenyan rangelands is greatly influenced by their forage value for livestock
Authors: Mganga K. Z. , Musimba N. K. R. , Nyariki D. M. , Nyangito M. M. , Mwang'ombe A. W.
Published: October 2013

Livestock production is the main source of livelihood in the arid and semi‐arid lands in Africa. However, desertification characterized by vegetation degradation and soil erosion is a major threat to the sustainability of land‐based production systems. Native rangeland forage species Cenchrus ciliaris L. (Buffel grass/African foxtail grass), Eragrostis superba Peyr. (Maasai love grass) and Enteropogon macrostachyus (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) Monro ex Benth. (Bush rye grass) have been used to combat desertification. The objectives of the study were to identify the best‐suited native grass species to combat desertification in a semi‐arid environment in Kenya and to identify the preferred grass species among the agropastoralists in the area. Percentage basal cover, plant densities and frequencies of the three grasses in pure stands and mixtures were estimated. Grass species preferences were through household survey and focus group discussion. Results showed a significant difference (P < 0·05) in plant densities and cover estimates: E. macrostachyus was ranked first; C. ciliaris and E. superba were ranked second and third respectively. The agropastoral farmers, however, preferred E. superba followed by C. ciliaris and E. macrostachyus, a reverse trend. These results suggest that the choice of grass species to combat desertification is influenced more by its contribution as a source of forage for livestock than its contribution for rehabilitation purposes.
Key innovations and island colonization as engines of evolutionary diversification: a comparative test with theAustralasian diplodactyloid geckos
Authors: Garcia‐Porta J. , Ord T. J.
Published: October 2013

The acquisition of key innovations and the invasion of new areas constitute two major processes that facilitate ecological opportunity and subsequent evolutionary diversification. Using a major lizard radiation as a model, theAustralasian diplodactyloid geckos, we explored the effects of two key innovations (adhesive toepads and a snake‐like phenotype) and the invasion of new environments (island colonization) in promoting the evolution of phenotypic and species diversity. We found no evidence that toepads had significantly increased evolutionary diversification, which challenges the common assumption that the evolution of toepads has been responsible for the extensive radiation of geckos. In contrast, a snakelike phenotype was associated with increased rates of body size evolution and, to a lesser extent, species diversification. However, the clearest impact on evolutionary diversification has been the colonization ofNewZealand andNewCaledonia, which were associated with increased rates of both body size evolution and species diversification. This highlights that colonizing new environments can drive adaptive diversification in conjunction or independently of the evolution of a key innovation. Studies wishing to confirm the putative link between a key innovation and subsequent evolutionary diversification must therefore show that it has been the acquisition of an innovation specifically, not the colonization of new areas more generally, that has prompted diversification.
Expression and purification of the extracellular domain of the human follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor using Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Hong Shanshan , Kang Yu , Zheng Yufang , Sun Hong , Xu Congjian
Published: October 2013

Aim

Although much is known about the structure and biological functions of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) receptor (FSHR), the interaction of FSHR and FSH has been challenging to characterize due to the limited quantity of active FSHR protein produced by simple methods. The goal of this study was to express and purify the extracellular domain (ECD) of human FSHR (hFSHR).

Methods

Total RNA was isolated from normal human ovary tissue. cDNA for hFSHR ECD were amplified and subsequently ligated into the pET32a(+) vector. The plasmid vector construct was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Expression in Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) pLysS strain was induced by isopropyl‐thio‐β‐D‐thiogalactoside, and the recombinant products were purified by immuno‐affinity chromatography using an Ni‐NTA and High‐Q column. The recombinant protein was confirmed by western blotting.

Results

Following induction, E. coli expressed a recombinant protein of approximately 65 kDa in size, whereas the non‐induced E. coli did not express the recombinant protein. The recombinant fragments purified using a High‐Q column demonstrated a single band and an abundant yield. The recombinant protein was soluble and specifically recognized by an antibody for hFSHR. Additionally, four mutation sites were detected that resulted in amino acid shifts at position 112 Asn/Thr, 197 Glu/Ala, 198 Leu/Val and 307 Ala/Thr.

Conclusion

The recombinant hFSHR ECD protein was expressed and purified. This method could be easily scaled for increased production and may facilitate additional applications utilizing FSHR in assisted reproductive technology, a contraceptive FSH vaccine and FSHR‐targeted therapeutic agents used to treat ovarian cancer.
Tourniquet device for hemorrhage control during cesarean section of complete placenta previa pregnancies
Authors: Deng Li , Chang Qing , Wang Yanzhou , Wang Lin , Li Yudi , Hu Qunying
Published: October 2013

Aim

To reduce massive and potentially fatal hemorrhage during cesarean section (CS) delivery because of the transverse incision through the lower uterine segment and placenta in central placenta previa (CPP), especially the type in which the placenta attaches to the anterior wall of the uterus.

Methods

Thirty‐four patients with CPP were enrolled in the study and 14 of them accepted the tourniquet method. The main outcome evaluations were blood loss, the proportion of red blood cell‐transfused patients, the need for other hemostatic procedures and complications in either the mother or infant after the completion of the tourniquet procedure.

Results

A statistically significant benefit was noted between the two groups of the frequency of post‐partum hemorrhage (PPH), the median estimated blood loss and the proportion of transfused patients. The effectiveness of the tourniquet method could be further proved by the relative risk with confidence intervals for PPH data and additional procedures.

Conclusion

The clinical data of 34 patients show that this is an effective surgical treatment to reduce blood loss and suggest that there is negligible harm to patients and fetuses.
Frequency domain generalized empirical likelihood method
Authors: Kakizawa Yoshihide
Published: October 2013

This paper is concerned with a version of empirical likelihood method for spectral restrictions, which handles stationary time series data via the frequency domain approach. The asymptotic properties of frequency domain generalized empirical likelihood are studied for either strictly stationary processes with vanishing cumulant spectral density function of order 4 or linear processes generated by iid innovations with possibly non‐zero fourth order cumulant. Several statistics for testing parametric restrictions, over‐identified spectral restrictions, and additional spectral restrictions are shown to have the limiting chi‐squared distributions. Some numerical results are presented to investigate the finite sample performance of the proposed procedures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Electoral Connection in European Parliament Voting
Authors: Lo James
Published: October 2013

Concerns about endogeneity often complicate attempts to estimate a causal link between public opinion and the voting records of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). In this article, I overcome this problem by exploiting a rare natural experiment—the surprising and exogenous revelation of Irish public opinion that resulted from Ireland's ratification of the Nice treaty. I find that the Irish electorate's rejection of Nice caused Ireland's European Parliament delegation to vote in a more conservative manner, while its subsequent ratification caused a partial reversal of this shift. My finding of an electoral connection on the Nice treaty casts doubt on the claim that MEPs are largely unconstrained by voter preferences on European issues, despite claims of a democratic deficit in European institutions.
Radiation‐induced oral mucositis and periodontitis – proposal for an inter‐relationship
Authors: Khaw A , Logan R , Keefe D , Bartold M
Published: October 2013

Virtually all patients who receive head and neck radiotherapy develop some degree of oral mucositis. Severe oral mucositis may necessitate an interruption of the course of radiotherapy and thus can serve as a dose‐limiting factor. Periodontitis is a host‐driven inflammatory response to a pathogenic bacterial biofilm in the subgingival environment, resulting in the progressive destruction of the tissues that support the teeth, specifically the gingiva, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. This disease affects more than 50% of the population. Considering that radiation‐induced oral mucositis and periodontitis are both linked with continuing presence of systemic inflammation, they may be associated through a primed inflammatory response as proposed by the ‘two‐hit’ model. Alternatively, both conditions may be correlated as they represent a dysregulation of the inflammatory response. To date, no studies have looked into the association between these conditions. This review considers the current evidence that provides a rationale for proposing a link between periodontitis and oral mucositis.
Risk factors for non‐syndromic oral clefts: a matched case–control study in Hubei Province, China
Authors: Qi L , Liu J , Zhang Y , Wang J , Yang M , Gong T , Shen M , Du Y
Published: October 2013

Objective

To explore the risk factors for CL/P in Hubei Province, China.

Methods

A hospital‐based, matched case–control study was conducted. One hundred and eight cases with CL/P were matched by age and sex with 108 normal controls. Their parents were retrospectively interviewed using a questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to calculate the relative risk by odds ratio and 95% confidence interval.

Results

Univariate analysis identified ten factors as significantly related to CL/P (P < 0.05). Multivariate conditional logistic regression models showed that five of these factors were significantly associated with CL/P. Paternal occupational exposure (OR = 13.08, 95% CI: 2.35–72.86), first‐trimester maternal illness (OR = 36.67, 95% CI: 5.37–250.36), first‐trimester maternal bad mood (OR = 8.69, 95% CI: 1.35–55.84), first‐trimester maternal diet of eggs or milk (≥5 meals per week, OR = 6.72, 95% CI: 1.23–36.69), and first‐trimester maternal sexual activity (OR = 5.98, CI 95%:1.14–31.49) were risk factors for CL/P.

Conclusions

In our study, we identified that paternal occupational exposure, first‐trimester maternal illness, first‐trimester maternal bad mood, first‐trimester maternal diet of eggs or milk (≥5 meals per week), and first‐trimester maternal sexual activities were significantly associated with increased CL/P.
Binding to Any ESCRT Can Mediate Ubiquitin‐Independent Cargo Sorting
Authors: Mageswaran Shrawan Kumar , Dixon Megan Gorringe , Curtiss Matt , Keener James P. , Babst Markus
Published: October 2013

The ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) machinery is known to sort ubiquitinated transmembrane proteins into vesicles that bud into the lumen of multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Although the ESCRTs themselves are ubiquitinated they are excluded from the intraluminal vesicles and recycle back to the cytoplasm for further rounds of sorting. To obtain insights into the rules that distinguish ESCRT machinery from cargo we analyzed the trafficking of artificial ESCRT‐like protein fusions. These studies showed that lowering ESCRT‐binding affinity converts a protein from behaving like ESCRT machinery into cargo of the MVB pathway, highlighting the close relationship between machinery and the cargoes they sort. Furthermore, our findings give insights into the targeting of soluble proteins into the MVB pathway and show that binding to any of the ESCRTs can mediate ubiquitin‐independent MVB sorting.
Dynamics of a Transversely Excited Swirling, Lifted Flame: Flame Response Modeling and Comparison With Experiments
Authors: Acharya Vishal , Malanoski Michael , Aguilar Michael , Lieuwen Timothy
Published: October 2013

This paper describes measurements and modeling of the response of a swirling, lifted flame to transverse flow excitation. The problem is motivated by combustion instabilities associated with transverse acoustic modes of combustors. The developed formulation relates the unsteady flame response characteristics to both the spatially filtered disturbance field and mean flow field characteristics. Measured flow and flame features are used as model inputs in order to compare the global heat release fluctuations with those measured from the experiment, showing quite good agreement. As such, this paper shows that, given sufficient flow field information, the dynamic flame response can be reasonably predicted from first-principles calculations with no empiricism. We also show that the strongly helical disturbances present in the flow have minimal impact on the global response of axisymmetric flames, as the local heat release fluctuations that they induce cancel each other azimuthally.
The impact of bubbles on underwater acoustic communications in shallow water environments
Authors: Preisig James
Published: October 2013

Two characteristics of the acoustic channel that significantly impact the performance of underwater acoustic communications systems are the total energy throughput of the channel and the delay spread of the channel impulse response. These characteristics impact both coherent (e.g., phase shift keyed) and incoherent (e.g., frequency shift keyed) systems. Experimental data are presented from the surf zone and shallow-water environments demonstrating the impact of bubbles on these characteristics. A novel statistical analysis utilizing a variance reduction ratio is used to identify the measurable environmental variables (e.g., significant wave height) that can be used to best predict the impact of the bubbles. [Work supported by ONR Ocean Acoustics.]
Low-frequency vocalizations in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)
Authors: Frisch Katherine , Frisch Stefan
Published: October 2013

Vocalizations produced by Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) have been characterized as being of relatively high frequency, with fundamental tones ranging from 2500–5000 Hz. These sounds have been variously described as squeaks, squeals, and chirps. Vocalizations below 500 Hz have not been previously reported. Two captive-born Florida manatees were recorded at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida. The analysis of these vocalizations provides evidence of a new category of low-frequency sounds produced by manatees. These sounds are often heard in conjunction with higher-frequency vocalizations. The low-frequency vocalizations are relatively brief and of low amplitude. These vocalizations are perceived as a series of impulses rather than a low-frequency periodic tone. Knowledge of these low-frequency vocalizations could be useful to those developing future management strategies. Interest has recently increased in the development of acoustic detection and deterrence devices to reduce the number of manatee watercraft interactions. The design of appropriate devices must take into account the apparent ability of manatees to perceive and produce sounds of both high and low frequency. It is also important to consider the possibility that acoustic deterrence devices may disrupt the potentially communicative frequencies of manatee vocalizations.
Gas bubbles in marine mud—How small are they?
Authors: Reed Allen H. , Briggs Kevin B.
Published: October 2013

Free gas in marine mud poses a challenging problem in the realm of ocean acoustics as it readily attenuates (i.e., scatters or absorbs) energy, such that objects lying below the gassy sediment are acoustically masked. Gas-laden sediments were located in 10- to 120-m water depth adjacent to the South Pass of the Mississippi River in East Bay using a 12-kHz transducer and the Acoustic Sediment Classification System. Several cores were collected in this region for physical property measurements. Some of the cores were x-rayed on medical and industrial computed tomography (CT) scanners. Volumetric CT images were used to locate gas bubbles, determine shapes and sizes to within the limits of the CT resolution. Free gas in the East Bay sediments was relegated to worm tubes as well as isolated pockets as was the case in Eckernförde Bay sediments [Abegg and Anderson, Mar. Geol. 137, 137–147 (1997)]. The primary significance of the present work is that gas bubbles have been determined to exist in the tens of μm size range, which is significantly smaller than the smallest bubbles that were previously resolved with medical CT (∼440 μm) with NRL’s HD-500 micro-CT System. [Work supported by ONR and NRL.]
Unified model for 3-D scattering and forward propagation in a stratified ocean waveguide with random seabed inhomogeneities
Authors: Ratilal Purnima , Makris Nicholas C.
Published: October 2013

The field forward propagated through a waveguide containing random volume inhomogeneities in the seabed or random seafloor roughness is modeled using a modal formulation that analytically expresses the effects of dispersion, attenuation and redistribution of modal energy in the forward direction [Ratilal and Makris, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 114, 2428 (2003)]. The scatter function density of the random medium is modeled using the Rayleigh–Born approximation. The model is used to determine whether scattering from seabed inhomogeneities can have a noticeable effect on the forward propagated field in the New Jersey Strataform area. Relevant statistical properties of the seabed are obtained from geophysical surveys [Goff, Marine Geol. (2004)] and are further constrained by fitting modeled bottom backscatter with data obtained during the Main Acoustic Clutter Experiment of 2003. The results indicate that scattering from seabed volume inhomogenieties has a negligible effect on the forward propagated field in the 300-Hz to 2-kHz frequency range, but rough surface scattering may be non-negligible.
Tone language and absolute pitch: Prevalence among American and Chinese conservatory students
Authors: Deutsch Diana , Henthorn Trevor , Marvin Elizabeth , Xu HongShuai
Published: October 2013

Absolute pitch, defined as the ability to name or produce a musical note of particular pitch without benefit of a reference note, is extremely rare in the U.S. and Europe; this rarity has so far been unexplained. This paper reports a substantial difference in the prevalence of absolute pitch in two normal populations, in a large-scale study using direct, on-site testing, without self-selection from within the target populations. The subjects were students in two major music conservatories in the U.S. and in China. The Chinese subjects (n=88) all spoke the tone language Mandarin, in which pitch is used to convey the meaning of words. The American subjects (n=115) were all nontone language speakers. For both groups, the earlier the age of onset of musical training, the greater the prevalence of absolute pitch; however, its prevalence was far greater among the Chinese than the U.S. group, for each level of age of onset of musical training. The findings indicate that the potential for acquiring absolute pitch is universal at birth, and can be realized by enabling infants to associate pitches with verbal labels during the period in which they acquire the features of their native language.
Low-Molecular-Mass Penicillin Binding Protein 6b (DacD) Is Required for Efficient GOB-18 Metallo-β-Lactamase Biogenesis in Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli
Authors: Brambilla Luciano , Morán-Barrio Jorgelina , Viale Alejandro M.
Published: October 2013

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) are Zn
2+
-containing secretory enzymes of clinical relevance, whose final folding and metal ion assembly steps in Gram-negative bacteria occur after secretion of the apo form to the periplasmic space. In the search of periplasmic factors assisting MBL biogenesis, we found that
dacD
null (Δ
dacD
) mutants of
Salmonella enterica
and
Escherichia coli
expressing the pre-GOB-18 MBL gene from plasmids showed significantly reduced resistance to cefotaxime and concomitant lower accumulation of GOB-18 in the periplasm. This reduced accumulation of GOB-18 resulted from increased accessibility to proteolytic attack in the periplasm, suggesting that the lack of DacD negatively affects the stability of secreted apo MBL forms. Moreover, Δ
dacD
mutants of
S. enterica
and
E. coli
showed an altered ability to develop biofilm growth. DacD is a widely distributed low-molecular-mass (LMM) penicillin binding protein (PBP6b) endowed with low
dd
-carboxypeptidase activity whose functions are still obscure. Our results indicate roles for DacD in assisting biogenesis of particular secretory macromolecules in Gram-negative bacteria and represent to our knowledge the first reported phenotypes for bacterial mutants lacking this LMM PBP.
Ribavirin Inhibits
In Vitro
Hepatitis E Virus Replication through Depletion of Cellular GTP Pools and Is Moderately Synergistic with Alpha Interferon
Authors: Debing Yannick , Emerson Suzanne U. , Wang Yijin , Pan Qiuwei , Balzarini Jan , Dallmeier Kai , Neyts Johan
Published: October 2013

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a common cause of acute hepatitis that results in high mortality in pregnant women and may establish chronic infections in immunocompromised patients. We demonstrate for the first time that alpha interferon (IFN-α) and ribavirin inhibit
in vitro
HEV replication in both a subgenomic replicon and an infectious culture system based on a genotype 3 strain. IFN-α showed a moderate but significant synergism with ribavirin. These findings corroborate the reported clinical effectiveness of both drugs. In addition, the antiviral activity of ribavirin against wild-type genotype 1, 2, and 3 strains was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, the
in vitro
activity of ribavirin depends on depletion of intracellular GTP pools, which is evident from the facts that (i) other GTP-depleting agents (5-ethynyl-1-β-
d
-ribofuranosylimidazole-4-carboxamide [EICAR] and mycophenolic acid) inhibit viral replication, (ii) exogenously added guanosine reverses the antiviral effects, and (iii) a strong correlation (
R
2
= 0.9998) exists between the antiviral activity and GTP depletion of ribavirin and other GTP-depleting agents.
Medical data management in the SYSEO project
Authors: Chabane Yahia , d'Orazio Laurent , Gruenwald Le , Mohamad Baraa , Rey Christophe
Published: October 2013

The SYSEO project aims at producing a software solution suitable for endoscopic imaging in order to enable physicians to manage, manipulate and share medical images. This paper presents our two main components for data management in this system: (1) a novel hybrid rowcolumn database for medical data storage within the cloud and (2) a system for semantic image annotation and retrieval relying on an ontology for polyps.