bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EF24 suppresses maturation and inflammatory response in dendritic cells
Authors: Vilekar Prachi , Awasthi Shanjana , Natarajan Aravindan , Anant Shrikant , Awasthi Vibhudutta
Published: March 2012

Synthetic curcuminoid EF24 was studied for its effect on the maturation and inflammatory response in murine bone marrow derived immortalized JAWS II dendritic cells (DCs). EF24 reduced the expression of LPS-induced MHC class II, CD80 and CD86 molecules. It also abrogated the appearance of dendrites, a typical characteristic of mature DCs. These effects were accompanied by the inhibition of LPS-induced activation of transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Simultaneous reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6] both at the mRNA and secreted levels was also observed. To investigate the dependency of LPS effects on MyD88 adaptor protein, we transfected JAWS II DCs with dominant negative MyD88 plasmid construct (MyD88-DN). EF24 reduced NF-κB activity and TNF-α secretion in a MyD88-dependent manner. These results suggest that EF24 modulates DCs by suppressing their maturation and reducing the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Further, it appears that EF24 acts at or upstream of MyD88 in the LPS-TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.
Investigation of Soft Wheat Flour Quality Factors Associated with Sponge Cake Sensory Tenderness
Authors: Nakamura Kazuhiro , Taniguchi Yoshinori , Taira Masato , Ito Hiroyuki
Published: March 2012

Relationships among soft wheat quality parameters relating to sponge cake volume and sensory tenderness were investigated. Sixteen soft wheats from the 2008–2009 crop and 11 from the 2009–2010 crop, including Japanese soft wheat cultivars, advanced breeders' lines, and western white wheat imported from the United States, were milled and evaluated for protein content, sucrose solvent retention capacity value, specific surface area, flour pasting properties, batter pasting viscosity, sodium dodecyl sulfate sedimentation (SDSS) volume, farinograph properties, specific cake volume, and sensory tenderness score to investigate their relationships. Batter pasting viscosity was measured with a Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) at 2 min after reaching 90°C in heating a mixture with equal weights of flour, sucrose, and water. RVA minimum viscosity of flour suspension in water was the most influencing factor and positively correlated to specific cake volume, and RVA batter pasting viscosity and SDSS volume were negatively correlated. Meanwhile, protein content and SDSS volume were strongly negatively correlated with sensory tenderness score. Stepwise multiple regression analysis selected protein content and specific cake volume as independent variables to predict sensory tenderness score; however, SDSS volume and farinograph properties relating to protein strength were not selected. Protein content affected sponge cake tenderness independently of specific cake volume, which was related to differences in cake density.
Management of Severe Curly Top in Sugar Beet with Insecticides
Authors: Strausbaugh Carl A. , Wenninger Erik J. , Eujayl Imad A.
Published: March 2012

Curly top, caused by Curtovirus spp., is a widespread disease problem vectored by the beet leafhopper in semiarid sugar beet production areas. The insecticide seed treatment Poncho Beta has proven to be effective in controlling curly top in sugar beet but was only evaluated under light to moderate disease pressure. Thus, the insecticide seed treatments Poncho Beta, NipsIt INSIDE, and Cruiser Force were evaluated under severe curly top pressure (six viruliferous beet leafhoppers per plant) in field studies during the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons on two commercial sugar beet cultivars. In addition, the foliar insecticides Movento, Provado, and Scorpion were also evaluated. The seed treatments and Scorpion reduced curly top symptoms by 33 to 41% (P < 0.0001) and increased root yield by 55 to 95% (P < 0.0001), sucrose content by 6.5 to 7.2% (P = 0.0013 to <0.0001), and estimated recoverable sucrose by 58 to 96% (P < 0.0001) when compared with the untreated check. Movento and Provado did not improve control beyond that provided by Poncho Beta. Even under severe disease pressure 50 to 55 days after planting, neonicotinoid seed treatments can effectively reduce curly top, increase yield, and help protect against early-season insect pest pressure.
Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Winona-Like Plum pox virus Isolates in Russia
Authors: Sheveleva Anna , Ivanov Peter , Prihodko Yuri , James Delano , Chirkov Sergei
Published: March 2012

In studying the distribution and genetic diversity of Plum pox virus (PPV) in Russia, over a dozen new PPV isolates belonging to the strain Winona (PPV-W) were identified by immunocapture reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction with the PPV-W-specific primers 3174-SP-F3/3174-SP-R1. Isolates were detected in two geographically distant regions of European Russia (Northern Caucasus and Moscow regions) in naturally infected plum (Prunus domestica), blackthorn (P. spinosa), Canadian plum (P. nigra), and downy cherry (P. tomentosa). The new PPV-W isolates were shown to be serologically related but not identical by triple-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting analysis using the monoclonal antibody (MAb) 5B-IVIA and MAbs specific to the N-terminal epitopes of PPV-W isolate 3174. Analysis of nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the (C-ter)NIb-(N-ter)CP genome region indicate great genetic diversity among isolates, with phylogenetic analysis revealing seven clades. Isolates P1 and P3 found in plum in the south of Russia clustered closely with the putative ancestral PPV-W isolate LV-145bt from Latvia, while isolate 1410-7 found in P. nigra in Moscow appears to be closely related to the Canadian isolate W3174. The data obtained indicate wide dissemination of PPV-W isolate in stone fruit in the European part of the former USSR.
Understanding Growers' Decisions to Manage Invasive Pathogens at the Farm Level
Authors: Breukers Annemarie , van Asseldonk Marcel , Bremmer Johan , Beekman Volkert
Published: March 2012

Globalization causes plant production systems to be increasingly threatened by invasive pests and pathogens. Much research is devoted to support management of these risks. Yet, the role of growers' perceptions and behavior in risk management has remained insufficiently analyzed. This article aims to fill this gap by addressing risk management of invasive pathogens from a sociopsychological perspective. An analytical framework based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was used to explain growers' decisions on voluntary risk management measures. Survey information from 303 Dutch horticultural growers was statistically analyzed, including regression and cluster analysis. It appeared that growers were generally willing to apply risk management measures, and that poor risk management was mainly due to perceived barriers, such as high costs and doubts regarding efficacy of management measures. The management measures applied varied considerably among growers, depending on production sector and farm-specific circumstances. Growers' risk perception was found to play a role in their risk management, although the causal relation remained unclear. These results underscore the need to apply a holistic perspective to farm level management of invasive pathogen risk, considering the entire package of management measures and accounting for sector- and farm-specific circumstances. Moreover, they demonstrate that invasive pathogen risk management can benefit from a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates growers' perceptions and behavior.
Functional diversity of bitter taste receptor TAS2R16 in primates
Authors: Imai Hiroo , Suzuki Nami , Ishimaru Yoshiro , Sakurai Takanobu , Yin Lijie , Pan Wenshi , Abe Keiko , Misaka Takumi , Hirai Hirohisa
Published: March 2012

In mammals, bitter taste is mediated by
TAS2R
genes, which belong to the large family of seven transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors. Because TAS2Rs are directly involved in the interaction between mammals and their dietary sources, it is likely that these genes evolved to reflect species-specific diets during mammalian evolution. Here, we investigated the sensitivities of TAS2R16s of various primates by using a cultured cell expression system, and found that the sensitivity of each primate species varied according to the ligand. Especially, the sensitivity of TAS2R16 of Japanese macaques to salicin was much lower than that of human TAS2R16, which was supported by behavioural tests. These results suggest the possibility that bitter-taste sensitivities evolved independently by replacing specific amino acid residues of TAS2Rs in different primate species to adapt to food items they use.
Winter severity predicts the timing of host shifts in the mosquito
Culex erraticus
Authors: Burkett-Cadena Nathan D. , Hassan Hassan K. , Eubanks Micky D. , Cupp Eddie W. , Unnasch Thomas R.
Published: March 2012

In temperate regions, seasonal epidemics of many mosquito-borne viruses are triggered when mosquito populations shift from feeding on avian to mammalian hosts. We investigated effects of temperature on the timing of bird-to-mammal shifts using an 8 year dataset of blood-meals from a mosquito (
Culex erraticus
) in Alabama, USA. As expected,
Cx. erraticus
shifted from avian to mammalian hosts each year. The timing of the shift, however, varied considerably among years. Harshness of the preceding winter (chill accumulation) explained 93 per cent of the variation in the timing of bird-to-mammal shifts, with shifts occurring later in years following harsher winters. We hypothesize that winter temperatures drive the timing of bird-to-mammal shifts through effects on host reproductive phenology. Because mosquitoes target birds during the nesting season, and bird nesting occurs later in years following colder winters, later nesting dates result in a concomitant delay in the timing of bird-to-mammal host shifts. Global increases in winter temperatures could cause significant changes in the timing of seasonal host shifts by mosquitoes, with prolonged periods of epidemic transmission of mosquito-borne diseases.
Smectic pores and defect cores
Authors: Matsumoto Elisabetta A. , Kamien Randall D. , Santangelo Christian D.
Published: March 2012

Riemann's minimal surfaces, a one-parameter family of minimal surfaces, describe a bicontinuous lamellar system with pores connecting alternating layers. We demonstrate explicitly that Riemann's minimal surfaces are composed of a nonlinear sum of two oppositely handed helicoids.
Triply periodic minimal and constant mean curvature surfaces
Authors: Grosse-Brauckmann Karsten
Published: March 2012

We want to summarize some established results on periodic surfaces which are minimal or have constant mean curvature, along with some recent results. We will do this from a mathematical point of view with a general readership in mind.
A look through ‘lens’ cubic mitochondria
Authors: Almsherqi Zakaria , Margadant Felix , Deng Yuru
Published: March 2012

Cell membranes may fold up into three-dimensional nanoperiodic cubic structures in biological systems. Similar geometries are well studied in other disciplines such as mathematics, physics and polymer chemistry. The fundamental function of cubic membranes in biological systems has not been uncovered yet; however, their appearance in specialized cell types indicates a role as structural templates or perhaps direct physical entities with specialized biophysical properties. The mitochondria located at the inner segment of the retinal cones of tree shrew (Tupaia glisandTupaia belangeri) contain unique patterns of concentric cristae with a highly ordered membrane arrangement in three dimensions similar to the photonic nanostructures observed in butterfly wing scales. Using a direct template matching method, we show that the inner mitochondrial membrane folds into multi-layered (8 to 12 layers) gyroid cubic membrane arrangements in the photoreceptor cells. Three-dimensional simulation data demonstrate that such multi-layer gyroid membrane arrangements in the retinal cones of a tree shrew's eye can potentially function as: (i) multi-focal lens; (ii) angle-independent interference filters to block UV light; and (iii) a waveguide photonic crystal. These theoretical results highlight for the first time the significance of multi-layer cubic membrane arrangements to achieve near-quasi-photonic crystal properties through the simple and reversible biological process of continuous membrane folding.
Quantitative measure of hysteresis for memristors through explicit dynamics
Authors: Georgiou P. S. , Yaliraki S. N. , Drakakis E. M. , Barahona M.
Published: March 2012

We introduce a mathematical framework for the analysis of the input–output dynamics of externally driven memristors. We show that, under general assumptions, their dynamics comply with a Bernoulli differential equation and hence can be nonlinearly transformed into a formally solvable linear equation. The Bernoulli formalism, which applies to both charge- and flux-controlled memristors when either current or voltage driven, can, in some cases, lead to expressions of the output of the device as an explicit function of the input. We apply our framework to obtain analytical solutions of the
i
–
v
characteristics of the recently proposed model of the Hewlett–Packard memristor under three different drives without the need for numerical simulations. Our explicit solutions allow us to identify a dimensionless lumped parameter that combines device-specific parameters with properties of the input drive. This parameter governs the memristive behaviour of the device and, consequently, the amount of hysteresis in the
i
–
v
. We proceed further by defining formally a quantitative measure for the hysteresis of the device, for which we obtain explicit formulas in terms of the aforementioned parameter, and we discuss the applicability of the analysis for the design and analysis of memristor devices.
Kinetic modelling of the quantum gases in the normal phase
Authors: Wu Lei , Meng Jianping , Zhang Yonghao
Published: March 2012

Using the maximum entropy principle, a kinetic model equation is proposed to simplify the intricate collision term in the semi-classical Boltzmann equation for dilute quantum gases in the normal phase. The kinetic model equation keeps the main properties of the Boltzmann equation, including conservation of mass, momentum and energy, the entropy dissipation property, and rotational invariance. It also produces the correct Prandtl numbers for the Fermi gases. To validate the proposed model, the kinetic model equation is numerically solved in the hydrodynamic and kinetic flow regimes using the asymptotic preserving scheme. The results agree well with those of the quantum Euler and Boltzmann equations.
Aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons in Mn-doped aluminophosphates: a computational perspective to understand mechanism and selectivity
Authors: Corà Furio , Gómez-Hortigüela Luis , Catlow C. Richard A.
Published: March 2012

We discuss the mechanism and energetics for the aerobic oxidation of hydrocarbons catalysed by Mn-doped nanoporous aluminophosphates with the AFI structure (Mn-APO-5), obtained computationally using electronic structure techniques. Calculations have been performed employing hybrid exchange density functional theory methods under periodic boundary conditions. The active sites of the catalyst are tetrahedral Mn ions isomorphously replacing Al in the microporous crystalline framework of the AlPO host. Since all Al sites in AFI are symmetry equivalent, all Mn dopants are in an identical chemical and structural environment, and hence satisfy the definition of a single-site heterogeneous catalyst. We focus in particular on the atomic-level origin of selectivity in this catalytic reaction.
Water deprivation induces appetite and alters metabolic strategy in
Notomys alexis
: unique mechanisms for water production in the desert
Authors: Takei Yoshio , Bartolo Ray C. , Fujihara Hiroaki , Ueta Yoichi , Donald John A.
Published: March 2012

Like many desert animals, the spinifex hopping mouse,
Notomys alexis
, can maintain water balance without drinking water. The role of the kidney in producing a small volume of highly concentrated urine has been well-documented, but little is known about the physiological mechanisms underpinning the metabolic production of water to offset obligatory water loss. In
Notomys
, we found that water deprivation (WD) induced a sustained high food intake that exceeded the pre-deprivation level, which was driven by parallel changes in plasma leptin and ghrelin and the expression of orexigenic and anorectic neuropeptide genes in the hypothalamus; these changed in a direction that would stimulate appetite. As the period of WD was prolonged, body fat disappeared but body mass increased gradually, which was attributed to hepatic glycogen storage. Switching metabolic strategy from lipids to carbohydrates would enhance metabolic water production per oxygen molecule, thus providing a mechanism to minimize respiratory water loss. The changes observed in appetite control and metabolic strategy in
Notomys
were absent or less prominent in laboratory mice. This study reveals novel mechanisms for appetite regulation and energy metabolism that could be essential for desert rodents to survive in xeric environments.
Consequences of fisheries-induced evolution for population productivity and recovery potential
Authors: Kuparinen Anna , Hutchings Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2012

Fisheries-induced evolution has become a major branch of the research on anthropogenic and contemporary evolution. Within the conservation context, fisheries-induced evolution has been hypothesized to negatively affect the persistence and recovery potential of depleted populations, but this has not been explicitly investigated. Here, we investigate how fisheries-induced evolution of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhuaL.) life histories affectsper capitapopulation growth rate, a parameter negatively correlated with extinction risk. We simulate the evolutionary and ecological dynamics of a cod population for a 100 year period of size-selective harvesting, followed thereafter by 300 years of recovery. To evaluate the relative importance of harvest-induced evolution, we either allowed life histories to evolve during and after the fishing period, or we assumed that fisheries-induced evolution was absent. Population growth rates did not differ appreciably between the evolutionary and non-evolutionary simulation scenarios, despite the emergence of rather pronounced differences in life histories. The underlying reason was that in the absence of fishing the cumulative lifetime reproductive outputs were very similar among differing life histories. The results suggest that fisheries-induced evolution might not always have as clear-cut an effect on population growth rate as previously anticipated.
Life history predicts risk of species decline in a stochastic world
Authors: Van Allen Benjamin G. , Dunham Amy E. , Asquith Christopher M. , Rudolf Volker H. W.
Published: March 2012

Understanding what traits determine the extinction risk of species has been a long-standing challenge. Natural populations increasingly experience reductions in habitat and population size concurrent with increasing novel environmental variation owing to anthropogenic disturbance and climate change. Recent studies show that a species risk of decline towards extinction is often non-random across species with different life histories. We propose that species with life histories in which all stage-specific vital rates are more evenly important to population growth rate may be less likely to decline towards extinction under these pressures. To test our prediction, we modelled declines in population growth rates under simulated stochastic disturbance to the vital rates of 105 species taken from the literature. Populations with more equally important vital rates, determined using elasticity analysis, declined more slowly across a gradient of increasing simulated environmental variation. Furthermore, higher evenness of elasticity was significantly correlated with a reduced chance of listing as Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. The relative importance of life-history traits of diverse species can help us infer how natural assemblages will be affected by novel anthropogenic and climatic disturbances.
O' mother where wert thou? Maternal strategies in the southern elephant seal: a stable isotope investigation
Authors: Authier Matthieu , Dragon Anne-Cécile , Richard Pierre , Cherel Yves , Guinet Christophe
Published: March 2012

Maternal effects are widespread in ecology and can alter the dynamics of a population. We investigated the impact of maternal foraging strategies on offspring weaning mass—a proxy of maternal foraging success and of offspring survival—in southern elephant seals on îles Kerguelen. Using 4 years of data, we modelled pup weaning mass as a two-component mixture and used blood stable isotope values to discriminate between maternal foraging strategies previously identified from bio-logging studies. Carbon isotope ratio was a strong predictor of weaning mass, but the relationship was non-monotonic in contrast toa prioriexpectations. Females foraging in the interfrontal zone weaned pups with a smaller mass compared with females foraging in Antarctic waters. Pup mass was positively correlated with a proxy of global primary production in the interfrontal zone for small weanlings. Maternal effects, via a poor foraging efficiency in the 1970s, may help explain the large population decrease observed at that time on îles Kerguelen because of an overall decrease in pup weaning mass, survival and subsequent recruitment.
Are personality differences in a small iteroparous mammal maintained by a life-history trade-off?
Authors: Dammhahn Melanie
Published: March 2012

Despite increasing interest, animal personality is still a puzzling phenomenon. Several theoretical models have been proposed to explain intraindividual consistency and interindividual variation in behaviour, which have been primarily supported by qualitative data and simulations. Using an empirical approach, I tested predictions of one main life-history hypothesis, which posits that consistent individual differences in behaviour are favoured by a trade-off between current and future reproduction. Data on life-history were collected for individuals of a natural population of grey mouse lemurs (
Microcebus murinus
). Using open-field and novel-object tests, I quantified variation in activity, exploration and boldness for 117 individuals over 3 years. I found systematic variation in boldness between individuals of different residual reproductive value. Young males with low current but high expected future fitness were less bold than older males with high current fecundity, and males might increase in boldness with age. Females have low variation in assets and in boldness with age. Body condition was not related to boldness and only explained marginal variation in exploration. Overall, these data indicate that a trade-off between current and future reproduction might maintain personality variation in mouse lemurs, and thus provide empirical support of this life-history trade-off hypothesis.
Trade-offs shape the evolution of the vector-borne insect pathogen
Xenorhabdus nematophila
Authors: Chapuis Élodie , Arnal Audrey , Ferdy Jean-Baptiste
Published: March 2012

Our current understanding on how pathogens evolve relies on the hypothesis that pathogens' transmission is traded off against host exploitation. In this study, we surveyed the possibility that trade-offs determine the evolution of the bacterial insect pathogen,
Xenorhabdus nematophila
. This bacterium rapidly kills the hosts it infects and is transmitted from host cadavers to new insects by a nematode vector,
Steinernema carpocapsae
. In order to detect trade-offs in this biological system, we produced 20 bacterial lineages using an experimental evolution protocol. These lineages differ, among other things, in their virulence towards the insect host. We found that nematode parasitic success increases with bacteria virulence, but their survival during dispersal decreases with the number of bacteria they carry. Other bacterial traits, such as production of the haemolytic protein XaxAB, have a strong impact on nematode reproduction. We then combined the result of our measurements with an estimate of bacteria fitness, which was divided into a parasitic component and a dispersal component. Contrary to what was expected in the trade-off hypothesis, we found no significant negative correlation between the two components of bacteria fitness. Still, we found that bacteria fitness is maximized when nematodes carry an intermediate number of cells. Our results therefore demonstrate the existence of a trade-off in
X. nematophila
, which is caused, in part, by the reduction in survival this bacterium causes to its nematode vectors.
Joint effects of porcine leptin and leptin receptor polymorphisms on productivity and quality traits
Authors: Pérez‐Montarelo D. , Fernández A. , Folch J. M. , Pena R. N. , Óvilo C. , Rodríguez C. , Silió L. , Fernández A. I.
Published: March 2012

Leptin signalling plays a fundamental role in growth, fatness and body composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the porcine LEP gene sequence in an Iberian × Landrace experimental cross to identify polymorphisms associated with productivity and quality traits. Because of the documented effects on these traits of the LEPR c.1987C>T polymorphism, the LEP and LEPR c.1987C>T polymorphisms and their interactions have been jointly investigated. The LEP gene sequencing has allowed the identification of 39 polymorphisms, eight of which are novel. Three intronic SNPs, LEP g.1382C>T, LEP g.1387C>T and LEP g.1723A>G, have been genotyped, and association analyses have been carried out. Analyses of LEP g.1387C>T, fully linked to LEP g.1382C>T, have revealed additive effects on live and carcass weights and dominant effects on several backfat thickness measurements. Novel effects of both LEP and LEPR polymorphisms on fatty acid composition in subcutaneous fat have been detected, probably mediated through the effects on fatness. The results reported here suggest that the T alleles of both LEP g.1387C>T and LEPR c.1987C>T, which are fixed in the Iberian pigs, would lead to an increase in growth, fatness and saturated fatty acid content in fat, which could be explained by an increased feed intake.
Crossing the fourth hurdle
Authors: Rawlins Michael D.
Published: March 2012

The fourth hurdle, the requirement that pharmaceutical manufacturers can demonstrate that their new products represent good value for money as well as being of good quality, effective and safe, is increasingly being required by healthcare systems. In crossing this ‘fourth’ hurdle, companies will usually need to demonstrate that their products are more effective than relevant comparators and that the increased cost is offset by the enhanced benefits. Decision makers, however, must draw their conclusions not only on the basis of the underpinning science but also on the social values of the people they serve.
Scaling up the phosphorus signal from soil hillslopes to headwater catchments
Authors: HAYGARTH P. M. , PAGE T. J. C. , BEVEN K. J. , FREER J. , JOYNES A. , BUTLER P. , WOOD G.A. , OWENS P.N.
Published: March 2012

1. Phosphorus (P) transfer from agricultural land to freshwater systems has been studied across many scales and environmental compartments that range from understanding biogeochemical processes in soils and fields, to assessment of localised in‐stream biotic and ecological impacts.

2. This study tackles the challenges of scale when moving from soil hillslope to headwater catchment scale. The focus is on ‘process rules’ derived from reductionist approaches at the relatively fine scale, and exploring the signal and evidence thereof at the headwater catchment scale.

3. The methodology uses new data of P dynamics in agricultural grassland headwater catchments in south‐west England.

4. We found the following: (i) it was not possible to disaggregate an influence of soil (Olsen) P concentration on P export at the larger scale; (ii) there was no clear temporally dynamic relationship between P additions of fertiliser and recycled manure and the resulting P transferred to the headwater scale; however, (iii) ploughing, digging of stream channel and leakage from farm storage all affected the temporal concentration dynamics; and (iv) overall P loss was influenced by higher long‐term history of P inputs, livestock and the domination of hydrologic processes.

5. It is concluded that process rules derived at the finer soil or plot scale cannot always produce a clearly discernable signal when studied at the larger headwater catchment scale.
Analysis of forces developed during mechanical preparation of extracted teeth using Profile NiTi rotary instruments
Authors: Blum J. Y. , Cohen A. , Machtou P. , Micallef J.‐P.
Published: March 2012

Aim The aim of this study was to analyse the vertical forces and torque developed in the root canal system of extracted teeth during mechanical preparation using ProFile NiTi instruments.

Methodology Instrument wear and fracture is in great part due to the repeated application of forces and torque during the course of root‐canal preparation but research into the direct relationship has been hampered by the lack of adequate measuring devices. Measurements of these forces and torque were made with a new force analyser device, the Endographe, that was equipped with a holder to record and generate graphs of the vertical forces and torque exerted during the preparations. These preparations were performed by endodontists or students either with a series of instruments of increasing size or with the crown‐down pressureless technique.

Results The mean values for the endodontists of the generated vertical forces and torque varied, respectively, from 4 to 6N and from 7·105 to 12·105Nm for the step‐back technique and from 2.9 to 4.2N and from 18·105 to 20·105Nm for the crown‐down technique. This suggested that the crown‐down technique generated lower stresses (lower torque and lower vertical forces), although these findings also depend on the shape of individual canals. The students initially showed wide variations in generated forces, with significantly lower vertical force and torque values. By the end of the experimental sessions their values were similar to those of the endodontists, which indicated improvement in the efficiency of manipulation.

Conclusions Further work is needed to investigate the relationship between the force and the torque data from this study and the incidence of instrument fracture with the two techniques, as the clinical implications are considerable. It must be noted, however, that the Endographe is unable to take into account the cutting efficiency of the instruments. The use of graphs provides a new approach to the analysis of mechanical preparation.
The meaning and consequences of tuberculosis among Somali people in the United Kingdom
Authors: Gerrish Kate , Naisby Andrew , Ismail Mubarak
Published: March 2012

Aim.  To ascertain the socio‐cultural meaning and consequences of tuberculosis among people of Somali origin living in the UK.

Background.  In countries where treatment has not been readily available, tuberculosis has become highly stigmatized. Research in Somalia has documented the stigma and social isolation associated with tuberculosis which acts as a powerful deterrent to sufferers acknowledging their illness. The Somali community in the UK is diverse and dynamic: little is known about how tuberculosis is understood, or how stigma is articulated and experienced post‐migration.

Design.  A focused ethnography was undertaken.

Method.  A total of 48 individual interviews were undertaken in 2008–2009 with community leaders, Somali community members and tuberculosis patients to explore the social meaning of tuberculosis and perceived consequences of the disease. Eight focus groups were undertaken involving 56 participants. Vignettes concerning tuberculosis were used to prompt discussion of community norms and socio‐cultural constructions of tuberculosis. Data were analysed using the ‘Framework’ approach.

Findings.  Most participants were familiar with tuberculosis, its characteristics and treatment. However, many participants held misconceptions about how the disease spread and its prognosis. Tuberculosis was perceived as a stigmatizing disease. Somalis with tuberculosis were considered likely to experience felt and enacted stigma with fear of discrimination in the form of social isolation influencing the extent to which people with tuberculosis disclosed their condition.

Conclusion.  Nurses should understand the socio‐cultural meaning and consequences of tuberculosis for Somalis to educate the community through public health initiatives and support patients and their families.
Multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging shows spatial segregation of secondary metabolites in Eucalyptus secretory cavities
Authors: HESKES A.M. , LINCOLN C.N. , GOODGER J.Q.D. , WOODROW I.E. , SMITH T.A.
Published: March 2012

Multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging provides an excellent tool for imaging deep within plant tissues while providing a means to distinguish between fluorophores with high spatial and temporal resolution. Ideal candidates for the application of multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging to plants are the embedded secretory cavities found in numerous species because they house complex mixtures of secondary metabolites within extracellular lumina. Previous investigations of this type of structure have been restricted by the use of sectioned material resulting in the loss of lumen contents and often disorganization of the delicate secretory cells; thus it is not known if there is spatial segregation of secondary metabolites within these structures. In this paper, we apply multiphoton fluorescence lifetime imaging to investigate the spatial arrangement of metabolites within intact secretory cavities isolated from Eucalyptus polybractea R.T. Baker leaves. The secretory cavities of this species are abundant (up to 10 000 per leaf), large (up to 6 nL) and importantly house volatile essential oil rich in the monoterpene 1,8‐cineole, together with an immiscible, non‐volatile component comprised largely of autofluorescent oleuropeic acid glucose esters. We have been able to optically section into the lumina of secretory cavities to a depth of ∼80 μm, revealing a unique spatial organization of cavity metabolites whereby the non‐volatile component forms a layer between the secretory cells lining the lumen and the essential oil. This finding could be indicative of a functional role of the non‐volatile component in providing a protective region of low diffusivity between the secretory cells and potentially autotoxic essential oil.
We are all in this together: working towards a holistic understanding of self‐harm
Authors: LONG M. , MANKTELOW R. , TRACEY A.
Published: March 2012

Accessible summary

This paper has been informed through systematic literature searches of research databases and core texts on the subject of self‐harm.

Despite the increase of self‐harm, stigma and misunderstanding surround the issue, which often compound the sense of emotional pain felt by those people who are affected by self‐harm.

Gaining an understanding of the cultural, historical and religious origins of self‐harm can illuminate the ways in which self‐harm has evolved with us as part of our humanity.

This paper aims to increase understanding of self‐harm, and by doing so to question commonly held assumptions and foster more empathic responses to self‐harm among practitioners.

Self‐harm is a widespread and controversial issue in contemporary society. Statistics are based on reported incidents and therefore do not accurately reveal prevalence, as self‐harm is often a hidden behaviour. This highlights the essential need for practitioners and society to work towards reducing the stigma surrounding self‐harm. This paper goes some way towards understanding the impact of self‐harm on individuals and communities. It begins by exploring terminologies and definitions of self‐harm and discusses the importance of sensitivity in language use relating to self‐harm. It continues by examining types of self‐harm and subsequently presents life experiences that may contribute to the onset of self‐harm. The paper elucidates the cultural, historical and religious origins of self‐harm, indicating the ways in which self‐harm has evolved with us as part of our humanity. Moreover, literature relating to the significance of stigma and attitudes is examined, followed by issues around psychiatric diagnoses pertaining to self‐harm. The paper concludes by synthesizing literature relevant to the relationship between self‐harm and suicide.
Sensations of gas and pain and their relationship with compliance during distension in human colon
Authors: Iturrino J. , Camilleri M. , Busciglio I. , Burton D. , Zinsmeister A. R.
Published: March 2012

Background  Colonic mechanosensory afferents ‘in parallel’ to circular muscle activate prevertebral ganglion reflexes; ‘in series’, afferents convey visceral sensation to the central nervous system; and pain receptors are activated with muscle distension. Our aim was to analyze the relationships of gas and pain sensations during graded distensions, and the association of sensations with colonic compliance in conscious humans.

Methods  The data were acquired in a prior study performed on 60 healthy volunteers (aged 18–75 years) under baseline conditions... Colonic compliance was measured in response to 4 mmHg stepwise balloon distensions to estimate pressure at half‐maximum volume (Pr50%). Sensation ratings for gas and pain were averaged over distensions at 16, 24, 30 and 36 mmHg above baseline operating pressure. Associations between mean gas and pain ratings, and colonic compliance were assessed with Pearson correlations.

Key Results  Gas and pain sensations were significantly correlated at all levels of distension (all P < 0.001). Significant inverse correlations between Pr50% and sensations of gas and pain were observed, suggesting that lower compliance was associated with lower sensations. Up to 25% of the variance in sensation may be attributed to colonic compliance.

Conclusions & Inferences  These data are consistent with the hypothesis that, if circumferential colonic receptors are stimulated by distension to mediate gas and pain in humans, they are, at least partly, arranged ‘in parallel’ to the muscle layer.
Antenatal haemoglobin A1c and risk of large‐for‐gestational‐age infants in a multi‐ethnic cohort of women with gestational diabetes
Authors: Katon Jodie , Reiber Gayle , Williams Michelle A. , Yanez David , Miller Edith
Published: March 2012

Katon J, Reiber G, Williams MA, Yanez D, Miller E. Antenatal haemoglobin A1c and risk of large‐for‐gestational‐age infants in a multi‐ethnic cohort of women with gestational diabetes. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; 26: 208–217.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a risk factor for delivering a large‐for‐gestational‐age (LGA) infant. Haemoglobin A1c (A1C) is an indicator of glycaemic control. The objective of this study was to test whether higher A1C quartile at the time of diagnosis of GDM is associated with increased risk of delivering a LGA or macrosomic infant. Women with singleton pregnancies treated for GDM at a large diabetes and pregnancy programme located in Charlotte, North Carolina, were eligible for inclusion in this retrospective cohort study. Clinical information, including A1C at diagnosis, treatment, prior medical and obstetric history, and birth data were abstracted from medical records. LGA was defined as birthweight >90th percentile for gestational age and sex and macrosomia as birthweight >4000 g. Logistic regression was used to analyse the association of A1C at GDM diagnosis with risk of delivering LGA or macrosomic infants. This study included 502 women. Prevalences of LGA and macrosomia were 4% and 6% respectively. After adjustment there was no detectable trend of increased risk for LGA (P for trend = 0.12) or macrosomia (P for trend = 0.20) across increasing quartiles of A1C at GDM diagnosis. A1C at GDM diagnosis may not be linearly associated with LGA or macrosomia, possibly because of the mediating effect of strict glycaemic control in this clinical setting.
Nitric oxide production mediates oligogalacturonide‐triggered immunity and resistance to Botrytis cinerea in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: RASUL S. , DUBREUIL‐MAURIZI C. , LAMOTTE O. , KOEN E. , POINSSOT B. , ALCARAZ G. , WENDEHENNE D. , JEANDROZ S.
Published: March 2012

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates a wide range of plant processes from development to environmental adaptation. In this study, we investigated the production and/or function of NO in Arabidopsis thaliana leaf discs and plants elicited by oligogalacturonides (OGs) and challenged with Botrytis cinerea. We provided evidence that OGs triggered a fast and long lasting NO production which was Ca2+ dependent and involved nitrate reductase (NR). Accordingly, OGs triggered an increase of both NR activity and transcript accumulation. NO production was also sensitive to the mammalian NO synthase inhibitor L‐NAME. Intriguingly, we showed that L‐NAME affected NO production by interfering with NR activity, thus questioning the mechanisms of how this compound impairs NO synthesis in plants. We further demonstrated that NO modulates RBOHD‐mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and participates in the regulation of OG‐responsive genes such as anionic peroxidase (PER4) and a β‐1,3‐glucanase. Mutant plants impaired in PER4 and β‐1,3‐glucanase, as well as Col‐0 plants treated with the NO scavenger cPTIO, were more susceptible to B. cinerea. Taken together, our investigation deciphers part of the mechanisms linking NO production, NO‐induced effects and basal resistance to B. cinerea.
Linking women who test HIV‐positive in pregnancy‐related services to long‐term HIV care and treatment services: a systematic review
Authors: Ferguson Laura , Grant Alison D. , Watson‐Jones Deborah , Kahawita Tanya , Ong’ech John O. , Ross David A.
Published: March 2012

Objectives  To quantify attrition between women testing HIV‐positive in pregnancy‐related services and accessing long‐term HIV care and treatment services in low‐ or middle‐income countries and to explore the reasons underlying client drop‐out by synthesising current literature on this topic.

Methods  A systematic search in Medline, EMBASE, Global Health and the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences of literature published 2000–2010. Only studies meeting pre‐defined quality criteria were included.

Results  Of 2543 articles retrieved, 20 met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen (80%) drew on data from sub‐Saharan Africa. The pathway between testing HIV‐positive in pregnancy‐related services and accessing long‐term HIV‐related services is complex, and attrition was usually high. There was a failure to initiate highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among 38–88% of known‐eligible women. Providing ‘family‐focused care’, and integrating CD4 testing and HAART provision into prevention of mother‐to‐child HIV transmission services appear promising for increasing women’s uptake of HIV‐related services. Individual‐level factors that need to be addressed include financial constraints and fear of stigma.

Conclusions  Too few women negotiate the many steps between testing HIV‐positive in pregnancy‐related services and accessing HIV‐related services for themselves. Recent efforts to stem patient drop‐out, such as the MTCT‐Plus Initiative, hold promise. Addressing barriers and enabling factors both within health facilities and at the levels of the individual woman, her family and society will be essential to improve the uptake of services.
Optimal dose finding for novel antimalarial combination therapy*
Authors: Duparc S. , Lanza C. , Ubben D. , Borghini‐Fuhrer I. , Kellam L.
Published: March 2012

A recent discussion meeting convened by the Medicines for Malaria Venture examined how best to manage the discovery and preclinical pipeline to achieve novel combination therapies which would address the key clinical needs in malaria. It became clear that dose optimisation of components within combination therapy was a key issue in achieving antimalarial efficacy and for preserving that efficacy against parasite resistance emergence. This paper outlines some of the specific issues in malaria that cause dose‐ranging and dose‐optimisation studies to be particularly challenging and discusses the potential of factorial study design to address such challenges.
Chemosensory protein genes of batocera horsfieldi (hope): identification and expression pattern
Authors: Li H. , Zhang G. , Wang M.‐Q.
Published: March 2012

Chemoreception is an essential feature for selection of host plants by insects. Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) are a group of small proteins (approximately 13 kDa) that are expressed widely in various insect sensory appendages. Batocera horsfieldi (Hope) is a major pest of Popolus and utilizes a variety of semiochemicals for its mating and oviposition. However, no CSP gene has been identified in B. horsfieldi. Here, to obtain the DNA sequences of B. horsfieldi CSPs, we used both bioinformatics and experimental approaches to analyse the antennal expressed sequence tags (ESTs). Among 649 EST clones, three unique CSP sequences (BhorCSP1, 2 and 3) were identified and characterized from B. horsfieldi (Hope) antennal cDNA libraries based on their four conserved cysteine residues, which have a characteristic spacing pattern. A phylogenetic tree of BhorCSPs and other insect CSPs showed that BhorCSP1 and BhorCSP2 are more similar to CSPs of Tribolium castaneum than BhorCSP3. BhorCSP3 is closely related to CSPs of the Dipteran, Culex quinquefasciatus. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and real‐time Q‐PCR strategies, we examined the expression patterns of these three putative CSP genes in different tissues, sexes and developmental stages. Our analysis shows that all three genes were expressed in all tissues examined, including the antennae, labial palps, maxillary palps, legs, abdomen and wings but not in the head. Real‐time Q‐PCR results revealed that these CSP genes were expressed throughout the life of the adults, and the transcription levels of these genes depended on the sex, age and mating status of adults.