bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lymphocytes Mitochondrial Physiology as Biomarker of Energy Metabolism during Fasted and Fed Conditions
Authors: Cortez Erika , Neves Fabiana A. , Bernardo Amélia F. , Stumbo Ana Carolina , Carvalho Laís , Garcia-Souza Érica , Sichieri Rosely , Moura Anibal S.
Published: March 2012

Mitochondria are central coordinators of energy metabolism, and changes of their physiology have long been associated with metabolic disorders. Thus, observations of energy dynamics in different cell types are of utmost importance. Therefore, tools with quick and easy handling are needed for consistent evaluations of such interventions. In this paper, our main hypothesis is that during different nutritional situations lymphocytes mitochondrial physiology could be associated with the metabolism of other cell types, such as cardiomyocytes, and consequently be used as metabolic biomarker. Blood lymphocytes and heart muscle fibers were obtained from both fed and 24 h-fasted mice, and mitochondrial analysis was assessed by high-resolution respirometry and western blotting. Carbohydrate-linked oxidation and fatty acid oxidation were significantly higher after fasting. Carnitine palmitoil transferase 1 and uncouple protein 2 contents were increased in the fasted group, while the glucose transporters 1 and 4 and the ratio phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase/AMPK did not change between groups. In summary, under a nutritional status modification, mitochondria demonstrated earlier adaptive capacity than other metabolic sensors such as glucose transporters and AMPK, suggesting the accuracy of mitochondria physiology of lymphocytes as biomarker for metabolic changes.
Assessment of Physical-Chemical Characteristics of Water and Sediments from a Brazilian Tropical Estuary: Status and Environmental Implications
Authors: Pereira Madson de G. , de Andrade Marta V. A. S. , Ornelas Vanessa C. , de Almeida Raimunda A. N. , Fontes Maurício P. F. , Ribeiro Joselito N. , Ribeiro Araceli V. F. N. , dos Santos Arnaud V. , Souza Adriana N. , de Araújo Claudiane B. , de Araújo Ana C. B. , Onofre Cássia R. E. , Korn Maria das G. A.
Published: March 2012

The environmental quality of the Jacuípe River's estuary (very important in northeastern Brazil) was assessed during 2007 and 2008. In water, concentrations (mg L−1) ofNO2-(<0.004 to 0.016),NO3-(0.01 to 0.33), solublePO43-(<0.02 to 0.22), dissolved oxygen (3.9 to 9.6), total contents (mg L−1) of Cd (<0.001), Cu (<0.01), Pb (<0.01), and Zn (<0.1), pH (5.60 to 8.00), and electrical conductivity (0.12 to 48.60 mS cm−1) agreed with environmental standards. In sediments, clay and total organic matter (%, m/m) varied, respectively, from 8.8 to 12.0 and from 1.1 to 8.8, while infrared, thermogravimetric profile, electronic micrograph, as well as X-Ray analyses showed desirable adsorptive characteristics. However, maximum exchangeable levels (mg kg−1) of Cd (1.3), Cu (44.6), Pb (35.7), and Zn (43.7) and their respective maximum pseudototal concentrations (mg kg−1): 19.4, 95.1, 68.2, and 30.3 were below the recommended limits. In this sense, it was possible to demonstrate good environmental preservation even with the growing number of industries and touristic activities in the evaluated estuarine area.
Mechanisms Underlying the Osteo- and Adipo-Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Zhang Yu , Khan Dilaware , Delling Julia , Tobiasch Edda
Published: March 2012

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are considered a promising cell source for regenerative medicine, because they have the potential to differentiate into a variety of lineages among which the mesoderm-derived lineages such adipo- or osteogenesis are investigated best. Human MSCs can be harvested in reasonable to large amounts from several parts of the patient’s body and due to this possible autologous origin, allorecognition can be avoided. In addition, even in allogenic origin-derived donor cells, hMSCs generate a local immunosuppressive microenvironment, causing only a weak immune reaction. There is an increasing need for bone replacement in patients from all ages, due to a variety of reasons such as a new recreational behavior in young adults or age-related diseases. Adipogenic differentiation is another interesting lineage, because fat tissue is considered to be a major factor triggering atherosclerosis that ultimately leads to cardiovascular diseases, the main cause of death in industrialized countries. However, understanding the differentiation process in detail is obligatory to achieve a tight control of the process for future clinical applications to avoid undesired side effects. In this review, the current findings for adipo- and osteo-differentiation are summarized together with a brief statement on first clinical trials.
Ecology of Indigenous Lactic Acid Bacteria along Different Winemaking Processes of Tempranillo Red Wine from La Rioja (Spain)
Authors: González-Arenzana Lucía , Santamaría Pilar , López Rosa , Tenorio Carmen , López-Alfaro Isabel
Published: March 2012

Ecology of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) during alcoholic fermentation (AF) and spontaneous malolactic fermentation (MLF) of Tempranillo wines from four wineries of La Rioja has been studied analyzing the influence of the winemaking method, processing conditions, and geographical origin. Five different LAB species were isolated during AF, while, during MLF, onlyOenococcus oeniwas detected. Although the clonal diversity ofO. oenistrains was moderate, mixed populations were observed, becoming at least one strain with distinct PFGE profile the main responsible for MLF. Neither the winemaking method nor the cellar situation was correlated with the LAB diversity. However, processing conditions influenced the total number of isolates and the percentage of each isolated species and strains. The winemaking method could cause that genotypes found in semicarbonic maceration did not appear in other wineries. Four genotypes ofO. oeniwere isolated in more than one of the rest wineries. These four together with other dominant strains might be included in a future selection process.
Dietary (n-6 : n-3) Fatty Acids Alter Plasma and Tissue Fatty Acid Composition in Pregnant Sprague Dawley Rats
Authors: Kassem Amira Abdulbari , Abu Bakar Md Zuki , Yong Meng Goh , Mustapha Noordin Mohamed
Published: March 2012

The objective of this paper is to study the effects of varying dietary levels ofn-6 : n-3fatty acid ratio on plasma and tissue fatty acid composition in rat. The treatment groups included control rats fed chow diet only, rats fed 50% soybean oil (SBO): 50% cod liver oil (CLO) (1 : 1), 84% SBO: 16% CLO (6 : 1), 96% SBO: 4% CLO (30 : 1). Blood samples were taken at day 15 of pregnancy, and the plasma and tissue were analyzed for fatty acid profile. Then-3PUFA in plasma of Diet 1 : 1 group was significantly higher than the other diet groups, while the totaln-6PUFA in plasma was significantly higher in Diet 30 : 1 group as compared to the control and Diet 1 : 1 groups. The Diet 1 : 1 group showed significantly greater percentages of totaln-3PUFA and docosahexaenoic acid in adipose and liver tissue, and this clearly reflected the contribution ofn-3fatty acids from CLO. The totaln-6PUFA, linoleic acid, and arachidonic acid were significantly difference in Diet 30 : 1 as compared to Diet 1 : 1 and control group. These results demonstrated that the dietary ratio ofn-6 : n-3fatty acid ratio significantly affected plasma and tissue fatty acids profile in pregnant rat.
Comparison of Epirubicin-Iodized Oil Suspension and Emulsion for Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in VX2 Tumor
Authors: Ueda Tatsuo , Murata Satoru , Mine Takahiko , Onozawa Shiro , Onda Munehiko , Naito Zenya , Amano Yasuo , Kumita Shinichiro
Published: March 2012

To compare the antitumor efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) by epirubicin suspension (epirubicin suspension: epirubicin-iodized oil mixture without solution) to that by epirubicin emulsion (epirubicin emulsion: epirubicin-iodized oil mixture with solution), the efficacy of treatment by administration of either an epirubicin suspension or emulsion was examined in an animal model. Changes in plasma epirubicin concentration were compared over 24 h immediately after treatment, and enhanced ultrasonographic and histopathological analysis subsequently conducted 7 days after treatment to determine the growth ratio and proportion of viable tumor cells. The growth ratio and proportion of viable tumor cells were found to be significantly lower in the suspension group than in the emulsion group while the plasma epirubicin concentration was found to be significantly higher in the suspension group than in the emulsion group. These results indicate that administration of an epirubicin suspension is a superior form of TACE compared to that of administration of an epirubicin emulsion.
Partitioning of soil CO2 flux components in a temperate grassland ecosystem
Authors: Heinemeyer A. , Tortorella D. , Petrovičová B. , Gelsomino A.
Published: March 2012

We deployed an automated multiplexed soil‐respiration (SR) system to monitor partitioned soil CO2 component fluxes (from roots, mycorrhizal hyphae and heterotrophs) in a UK grassland using a combination of shallow surface (total SR flux), deep (excluding roots and mycorrhizal fungi) and 20‐µm pore mesh window soil collars (excluding roots only). Soil CO2 efflux was monitored during a 3‐month period during summer. Repeated cutting of mycorrhizal connections in some of the mycorrhizal treatments enabled assessment of subsequent recovery of mycorrhizal fluxes and a comparison with deep collar fluxes. After soil collar insertion, fluxes in the deep collars were significantly reduced, by approximately 40%. Whereas fluxes in the uncut, mycorrhizal collar treatments remained close to those from the surface collar, cut mycorrhizal treatments showed an immediate reduction after cutting to values close to those from the deep collar with a subsequent recovery of around 4 weeks. Overall, the autotrophic root and mycorrhizal flux was relatively stable throughout. Whereas root fluxes contributed about 10–30% of the total flux during the initial larger flux period, this declined and there was an increased mycorrhizal contribution during the latter part of the measurement period. Moreover, SR flux components differed in their response to key climatic factors, with root fluxes responding equally to temperature and light. Importantly, whereas the heterotrophic flux component responded strongly to temperature and soil moisture, the mycorrhizal component responded much less to those factors, but more to light. We also investigated treatment impacts over time on soil biochemical variables such as microbial biomass C, extractable C, microbial quotient and metabolic quotient, and bacterial community structure, and discussed these in relation to measured SR fluxes and the partitioning technique.
Significant soil acidification across northern China's grasslands during 1980s–2000s
Authors: Yang Yuanhe , Ji Chengjun , Ma Wenhong , Wang Shifeng , Wang Shaopeng , Han Wenxuan , Mohammat Anwar , Robinson David , Smith Pete
Published: March 2012

Anthropogenic acid deposition may lead to soil acidification, with soil buffering capacity regulating the magnitude of any soil pH change. However, little evidence is available from large‐scale observations. Here, we evaluated changes in soil pH across northern China's grasslands over the last two decades using soil profiles obtained from China's Second National Soil Inventory during the 1980s and a more recent regional soil survey during 2001–2005. A transect from the central‐southern Tibetan Plateau to the eastern Inner Mongolian Plateau, where Kriging interpolation provided robust predictions of the spatial distribution of soil pH, was then selected to examine pH changes during the survey period. Our results showed that soil pH in the surface layer had declined significantly over the last two decades, with an overall decrease of 0.63 units (95% confidence interval = 0.54–0.73 units). The decline of soil pH was observed in both alpine grasslands on the Tibetan Plateau and temperate grasslands on the Inner Mongolian Plateau. Soil pH decreased more intensively in low soil carbonate regions, while changes of soil pH showed no significant associations with soil cation exchange capacity. These results suggest that grassland soils across northern China have experienced significant acidification from the 1980s to 2000s, with soil carbonates buffering the increase in soil acidity. The buffering process may induce a large loss of carbon from soil carbonates and thus alter the carbon balance in these globally important ecosystems.
Treatment trends for haemophilia A and haemophilia B in the United States: results from the 2010 practice patterns survey
Authors: ZAPPA S. , McDANIEL M. , MARANDOLA J. , ALLEN G.
Published: March 2012

Summary.  Frequent evaluation of haemophilia treatment is necessary to improve patient care. The 2010 Practice Patterns Survey (PPS) investigated current trends in haemophilia treatment in the United States, as reported by nurses. The aim was to document practice patterns for haemophilia A and haemophilia B Survey questionnaires were sent to nurses at haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) across the United States. Seventy‐one of 126 HTCs (56%) responded to the survey. Factor dosage across treatment modalities ranged from 20 to 50 IU kg‐1 for severe haemophilia A. Dosage for severe haemophilia B was more variable (<40 to >100 IU kg‐1). On‐demand dosing regimens were inconsistent for haemophilia A and more so for haemophilia B. Rates of adherence to prescribed treatment were similar for both haemophilia types (∼80%). The main barrier to adherence was identified as inconvenience. More bleeding episodes occurred in adults (16.6 bleeding episodes per year) with severe haemophilia A than in younger patients (11.3 bleeding episodes per year) before switching patients to prophylaxis. For both haemophilia types, most patients who switched from prophylaxis to on‐demand treatment were aged 13–24 years; these patients also had the lowest adherence (60–71%). More paediatric patients with severe haemophilia A and inhibitors (53%) received prophylactic bypassing therapy than their haemophilia B counterparts (38%). Adults with severe haemophilia A faced challenges in relation to co‐morbidities and long‐term care. This PPS provides insights into previously unexplored aspects of haemophilia care that will serve to increase awareness and promote discussion of current issues affecting haemophilia patient care.
Investigating fine‐scale spatio‐temporal predator–prey patterns in dynamic marine ecosystems: a functional data analysis approach
Authors: Embling Clare B. , Illian Janine , Armstrong Eric , van der Kooij Jeroen , Sharples Jonathan , Camphuysen Kees C. J. , Scott Beth E.
Published: March 2012

1. Spatial management of marine ecosystems requires detailed knowledge of spatio‐temporal mechanisms linking physical and biological processes. Tidal currents, the main driver of ecosystem dynamics in temperate coastal ecosystems, influence predator foraging ecology by affecting prey distribution and ecology. The mechanistic links between tidal currents and how they influence predator–prey behaviour and interactions at a fine scale are poorly understood.

2. Studies of fine‐scale changes in oceanography, prey and predator behaviour with tidal currents require repeated surveys of the same location over brief time‐scales. Such data are highly temporally and spatially autocorrelated and require appropriate analytical tools.

3. We used functional data analysis (FDA), specifically functional principal component analysis (FPCA), to analyse repeated, fine‐scale, survey data collected in the North Sea. FPCA was used to explore the relationship between the behaviour of an important North Sea prey species (sandeel Ammodytes spp.) and a vulnerable surface‐foraging predator (black‐legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla) with fine‐scale tidally driven changes in bio‐physical characteristics (temperature stratification and maximum subsurface chlorophyll concentration).

4. The FPCA indicated that sandeels were aggregated close to the surface at maximum ebb (ME) currents. Surface‐feeding kittiwakes were also found in highest numbers during ME in locations of both high subsurface chlorophyll concentration and shallow sandeel aggregations. We suggest that the combination of a well‐stratified water column with the movement of tidal currents over uneven topography results in surface aggregations of sandeels which kittiwakes exploit.

5. Synthesis and applications. Functional Data Analysis provides a useful tool for examining spatio‐temporal patterns in natural ecosystems. In combination with fine‐scale repeated survey design, we identified the importance of tide in driving prey behaviour and hence predator foraging behaviour. This has implications both for critical marine habitat identification for Marine Protected Area selection and for fisheries stock assessments. We therefore recommend that tidal aspects should be taken into account when designing marine surveys in temperate coastal ecosystems both to ensure the best identification of critical marine habitat and to improve the accuracy of fish stock assessments.
Tree recruitment of European tree species at their current upper elevational limits in the Swiss Alps
Authors: Vitasse Yann , Hoch Günter , Randin Christophe F. , Lenz Armando , Kollas Chris , Körner Christian
Published: March 2012

Aim  The physical and physiological mechanisms that determine tree‐line position are reasonably well understood, but explanations for tree species‐specific upper elevational limits below the tree line are still lacking. In addition, once these uppermost positions have been identified, questions arise over whether they reflect past expansion events or active ongoing recruitment or even upslope migration. The aims of this study were: (1) to assess current tree recruitment near the cold‐temperature limit of 10 major European tree species in the Swiss Alps, and (2) to rank species by the extent that their seedlings and saplings exceed the elevational limit of adult trees, possibly reflecting effects of the recent climate warming.

Location  Western and eastern Alps of Switzerland.

Methods  For each species, occurrences were recorded along six elevational transects according to three size classes from seedlings to adult trees in 25‐m‐elevation steps above and below their regional upper elevational limit. Two methods were used to compare upper elevational limits between seedlings, saplings and adults within species. First, we focused on the uppermost occurrence observed in each life stage for a given species within each studied region; and second, we predicted their upper distribution range using polynomial models fitted to presence/absence data.

Results  Species exhibited a clear ranking in their elevational limit. Regional differences in species limits (western versus eastern Swiss Alps) could largely be attributed to regional differences in temperature. Observed and predicted limits of each life stage showed that all species were represented by young individuals in the vicinity of the limit of adult trees. Moreover, tree recruitment of both seedlings and saplings was detected and predicted significantly beyond adult tree limits in most of the species. Across regions, seedlings and saplings were on average found at elevations 73 m higher than adult trees.

Main conclusions  Under current conditions, neither seed dispersal nor seedling establishment constitutes a serious limitation of recruitment at the upper elevational limits of major European trees. The recruits found beyond the adult limits demonstrate the potential for an upward migration of trees in the Alps in response to ongoing climate warming.
Nestedness in island faunas: novel insights into island biogeography through butterfly community profiles of colonization ability and migration capacity
Authors: Dennis Roger L. H. , Hardy Peter B. , Dapporto Leonardo
Published: March 2012

Aim  To relate variation in the migration capacity and colonization ability of island communities to island geography and species island occupancy.

Location  Islands off mainland Britain and Ireland.

Methods  Mean migration (transfer) capacity and colonization (establishment) ability (ecological indices), indexed from 12 ecological variables for 56 butterfly species living on 103 islands, were related to species nestedness, island and mainland source geography and indices using linear regression models, RLQ analysis and fourth‐corner analysis. Random creation of faunas from source species, rank correlation and rank regression were used to examine differences between island and source ecological indices, and relationships to island geography.

Results  Island butterfly faunas are highly nested. The two ecological indices related closely to island occupancy, nestedness rank of species, island richness and geography. The key variables related to migration capacity were island area and isolation; for colonization ability they were area, isolation and longitude. Compared with colonization ability, migration capacity was found to correlate more strongly with island species occupancy and species richness. For island faunas, the means for both ecological indices decreased, and variation increased, with increasing island species richness. Mean colonization ability and migration capacity values were significantly higher for island faunas than for mainland source faunas, but these differences decreased with island latitude.

Main conclusions  The nested pattern of butterfly species on islands off mainland Britain and Ireland relates strongly to colonization ability but especially to migration capacity. Differences in colonization ability among species are most obvious for large, topographically varied islands. Generalists with abundant multiple resources and greater migration capacity are found on all islands, whereas specialists are restricted to large islands with varied and long‐lived biotopes, and islands close to shore. The inference is that source–sink dynamics dominate butterfly distributions on British and Irish islands; species are capable of dispersing to new areas, but, with the exception of large and northern islands, facilities (resources) for permanent colonization are limited. The pattern of colonization ability and migration capacity is likely to be repeated for mainland areas, where such indices should provide useful independent measures for assessing the conservation status of faunas within spatial units.
Changes in coexistence mechanisms along a long‐term soil chronosequence revealed by functional trait diversity
Authors: Mason Norman W. H. , Richardson Sarah J. , Peltzer Duane A. , de Bello Francesco , Wardle David A. , Allen Robert B.
Published: March 2012

1. Functional trait diversity can reveal mechanisms of species coexistence in plant communities. Few studies have tested whether functional diversity for foliar traits related to resource‐use strategy increases or decreases with declining soil phosphorus (P) in forest communities.

2. We quantified tree basal area and four foliar functional traits (i.e. nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), thickness and tissue density) for all woody species along the c. 120 000 year Franz Josef soil chronosequence in cool temperate rain forest, where strong shifts occur in light and soil nutrient availability (i.e. total soil P declines from 805 to 100 mg kg−1). We combined the abundance and trait data in functional diversity indices to quantify trait convergence and divergence, in an effort to determine whether mechanisms of coexistence change with soil fertility.

3. Relationships between species trait means and total soil N and P were examined using multiple regression, with and without weighting of species abundances. We used Rao’s quadratic entropy to quantify functional diversity at the plot scale, then compared this with random expectation, using a null model that randomizes abundances across species within plots. Taxonomic diversity was measured using Simpson’s Diversity. Relationships between functional and taxonomic diversity and total soil P were examined using jackknife linear regression.

4. Leaf N and P declined and leaf thickness and density increased monotonically with declining total soil P along the sequence; these relationships were unaffected by abundance weighting of species in the analyses. Inclusion of total soil N did not improve predictions of trait means. All measures of diversity calculated from presence/absence data were unrelated to total soil N and P. There was no evidence for a relationship between Rao values using quantitative abundances and total soil P. However, there was a strong positive relationship between Rao, expressed relative to random expectation, and total soil P, indicating trait convergence of dominant species as soil P declined.

5. Synthesis: Our results demonstrate that at high fertility locally dominant species differ in resource‐use strategy, but as soil fertility declines over the long term, dominant species increasingly converge on a resource‐retentive strategy. This suggests that differentiation in resource‐use strategy is required for coexistence at high‐fertility but not in low‐fertility ecosystems.
Recovery potential of black rockfish, Sebastes melanops Girard, recompressed following barotrauma
Authors: Pribyl A L , Schreck C B , Kent M L , Kelley K M , Parker S J
Published: March 2012

Overfished species of rockfish, Sebastes spp., from the Northeast Pacific experience high bycatch mortality because of ‘barotrauma’, a condition induced from the rapid change in pressure during capture. Field experiments show that it may be possible for rockfish to recover from barotrauma if quickly recompressed; however, no work has followed the physiological recovery of rockfish after recompression or determined whether it is possible for rockfish to survive barotrauma in the long term. Barotrauma was induced in adult black rockfish, Sebastes melanops Girard, from a simulated depth of 35 m, followed by recompression. Blood and selected tissues (eye, heart ventricle, head kidney, liver, rete mirabile and gonad) were sampled at days 3, 15 and 31 post‐recompression to evaluate the tissue‐ and physiologic‐level response during recovery. No mortality from barotrauma occurred during the experiments, and feeding resumed in 80% of both treatment and control fish. The primary injury in treatment fish was the presence of a ruptured swimbladder and/or a ruptured tunica externa (outer layer of swimbladder), which was slow to heal. Blood plasma was analysed for glucose, sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 and cortisol. Plasma analyses indicated no strong effects because of barotrauma, suggesting overall handling stress outweighed any effect from barotrauma. Rockfish with ruptured swimbladders may face compromised competency in the wild; however, it appears the majority of black rockfish decompressed from 35 m have a high potential for recovery if recompressed immediately after capture. This research suggests recompression could be a valuable bycatch mortality reduction tool for rockfish in recreational fisheries.
Do individuals with intellectual disability select appropriate objects as landmarks when learning a new route?
Authors: Courbois Y. , Blades M. , Farran E. K. , Sockeel P.
Published: March 2012

Background The present study was aimed at investigating the selection of landmarks by individuals with intellectual disability (ID). The hypothesis was that they would be less efficient than individuals without IDs in the selection of landmarks when learning a new route.

Methods The experiment took place in a natural setting with a group of participants with ID and a group of control participants matched by chronological age. The participants were first guided along a route situated in an unfamiliar district. Then, they had to guide the experimenter along the route while pointing to all the objects and features they found useful for wayfinding.

Results The designated objects were categorised as a function of their landmarks properties. There were significant differences between the two groups for non‐permanent landmarks, distant landmarks and non‐unique landmarks. The two groups selected landmarks near intersections in the same proportions. However, the individuals with ID selected more non‐unique landmarks and less textual signage than the control group at these decision points.

Conclusion Individuals with ID seem to be less efficient than individuals without disability in landmark selection. This may limit their wayfinding abilities in their day‐to‐day travelling. This may also account for their difficulties in obtaining the kind of spatial knowledge which relates to the configural structure of their environment.
The place of surveillance technology in residential care for people with intellectual disabilities: is there an ideal model of application
Authors: Niemeijer A. , Frederiks B. , Depla M. , Eefsting J. , Hertogh C.
Published: March 2012

Background  The demand for (care) services for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) is on the rise, because of an expanding population of people with ID as resources are concurrently diminishing. As a result, service providers are increasingly turning to technology as a potential answer to this problem. However, the use and application of surveillance technology (ST) in the care for people with ID provokes conflicting reactions among ethicists and healthcare professionals, and no ethical consensus has been reached as of yet. The aim of this study was thus to provide an overview of how ST is viewed by (care) professionals and ethicists working in the field by investigating what the ideal application of ST in the residential care for people with ID might entail.

Methods  Use was made of the concept mapping method as developed by Trochim; a computer‐assisted procedure consisting of five subsequent steps: brainstorming, prioritising, clustering, processing by the computer and finally analysis. Various participants (ranging from ethicists, physicians to support workers) were invited on the basis of their intended (professional) background. Prior to this study, the views of care professionals on the (ideal) application of ST in the residential care of people with dementia have been consulted and analysed using concept mapping. A comparison between the two studies has been made.

Results  Results show that the generated views represent six categories, varying from it being beneficial to the client; reducing restraints and it being based on a clear vision to (the need for) staff to be equipped; user friendliness and attending to the client. The results are presented in the form of a graphic chart. Both studies have produced very similar results, but there are some differences, as there appears to be more fear for ST among care professionals in the care for people with ID and views are expressed from a more developmental perspective rather than a person‐centred perspective with regard to people with dementia.

Conclusions  When it comes to views on using technology both in dementia care and the care for people with ID, there appears to be an inherent duality, often rooted in the moral conflict between safety versus freedom or autonomy. What is more, elaboration on abstract concepts often presumed to be self‐evident, whether ethical or not, has proven to be difficult. How ST is viewed and apprehended is not so much dependent of the care setting and care needs, but rather whether it is clear to everyone affected by ST, what one wants to achieve with ST.
Systematic review of cognitive development across childhood in Down syndrome: implications for treatment interventions
Authors: Patterson T. , Rapsey C. M. , Glue P.
Published: March 2012

Background There is conjecture regarding the profile of cognitive development over time in children with Down syndrome (DS). Characterising this profile would be valuable for the planning and assessment of intervention studies.

Method A systematic search of the literature from 1990 to the present was conducted to identify longitudinal data on cognitive trajectories in children with DS.

Results Thirteen studies were identified: six assessed overall cognitive performance and seven assessed specific cognitive domains. Studies assessing IQ reported a decline across time. Studies assessing change in cognitive domains were, for the most part, not interpretable because of large age ranges in samples obscuring age‐specific data.

Conclusion The current literature has only begun to describe typical cognitive developmental trajectories in children with DS; additional research is needed to clarify this topic.
Progradational Holocene carbonate tidal flats of Crooked Island, south‐east Bahamas: An alternative to the humid channelled belt model
Authors: BERKELEY ANDREW , RANKEY EUGENE C.
Published: March 2012

The stratigraphic record of many cratonic carbonate sequences includes thick successions of stacked peritidal deposits. Representing accumulation at or near sea‐level, these deposits have provided insights into past palaeoenvironments, sea‐level and climate change. To expand understanding of carbonate peritidal systems, this study describes the geomorphology, sedimentology and stratigraphy of the tidal flats on the Crooked‐Acklins Platform, south‐east Bahamas. The Crooked Island tidal flats extend continuously for ca 18 km on the platformward flank of Crooked Island, reaching up to 2 km across. Tidal flats include four environmental zones with specific faunal and floral associations and depositional characteristics: (i) supratidal (continuous supratidal crust and pavement); (ii) upper intertidal, with the mangrove Avicennia germinans and the cyanobacteria Scytonema; (iii) lower intertidal (with the mangrove Rhizophora mangal) and (iv) non‐vegetated, heavily burrowed subtidal (submarine). These zones have gradational boundaries but follow shore‐parallel belts. Coring reveals that the thickness of this mud‐dominated sediment package generally is <2 m, with depth to Pleistocene bedrock gradually shallowing landward. The facies succession under much of the tidal flat includes a basal compacted, organic‐rich skeletal‐lithoclast lag above the bedrock contact (suggesting initial flooding). This unit grades upward into rhizoturbated skeletal sandy mud (subtidal) overlain by coarsening‐upward peloid‐foraminifera‐gastropod muddy sand (reflecting shallowing to intertidal elevations). Cores from landward positions include stacked thin indurated layers with autoclastic breccia, root tubules and fenestrae (interpreted as supratidal conditions). Collectively, the data reveal an offlapping pattern on this prograding low‐energy shoreline, and these Holocene tidal flats may represent an actualistic analogue for ancient humid progradational tidal flats. Nonetheless, their vertical facies succession is akin to that present beneath channelled belt examples, suggesting that facies successions alone may not provide unambiguous criteria for prediction of the palaeogeomorphology, lateral facies changes and heterogeneity in stratigraphic analogues.
Rice LGD1 containing RNA binding activity affects growth and development through alternative promoters
Authors: Thangasamy Saminathan , Chen Pei‐Wei , Lai Ming‐Hsing , Chen Jychian , Jauh Guang‐Yuh
Published: March 2012

Tiller initiation and panicle development are important agronomical traits for grain production inOryza sativa L. (rice), but their regulatory mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In this study, T‐DNA mutant and RNAi transgenic approaches were used to functionally characterize a unique rice gene,LAGGING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 1(LGD1). Thelgd1mutant showed slow growth, reduced tiller number and plant height, altered panicle architecture and reduced grain yield. The fewer unelongated internodes and cells inlgd1led to respective reductions in tiller number and to semi‐dwarfism. Several independentLGD1‐RNAi lines exhibited defective phenotypes similar to those observed inlgd1. Interestingly,LGD1encodes multiple transcripts with different transcription start sites (TSSs), which were validated by RNA ligase‐mediated rapid amplification of 5′ and 3′ cDNA ends (RLM‐RACE). Additionally, GUS assays and a luciferase promoter assay confirmed the promoter activities ofLGD1.1andLGD1.5.LGD1encoding a von Willebrand factor type A (vWA) domain containing protein is a single gene in rice that is seemingly specific to grasses. GFP‐tagged LGD1 isoforms were predominantly detected in the nucleus, and weakly in the cytoplasm.In vitronorthwestern analysis showed the RNA‐binding activity of the recombinant C‐terminal LGD1 protein. Our results demonstrated thatLGD1pleiotropically regulated rice vegetative growth and development through both the distinct spatiotemporal expression patterns of its multiple transcripts and RNA binding activity. Hence, the study ofLGD1will strengthen our understanding of the molecular basis of the multiple transcripts, and their corresponding polypeptides with RNA binding activity, that regulate pleiotropic effects in rice.
JAIBA, a class‐II HD‐ZIP transcription factor involved in the regulation of meristematic activity, and important for correct gynoecium and fruit development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zúñiga‐Mayo Victor M. , Marsch‐Martínez Nayelli , de Folter Stefan
Published: March 2012

The gynoecium is one of the most complex organs of a plant. After fertilization, it becomes a fruit, which has two important functions: to protect the seeds while they develop and to disperse them at maturity. The development and patterning of the gynoecium and later fruit must be finely regulated to ensure the survival of the species that produces them. The process that leads to successful fruit formation starts at early stages of floral meristem development and follows a series of chronologically successive events. In this work we report the functional characterization of the class‐II homeodomain leucine zipper (HD‐ZIP) JAIBA (JAB) gene. Mutant jab plants show sporophytic defects in male and female reproductive development, and combined with crabs claw cause defects in the floral meristem (FM) determination process and gynoecium medial tissue development. This suggests that proper FM determination is required for gynoecium medial tissue development, and indicates that JAB and CRC are necessary for both processes. Furthermore, the JAB protein interacts with transcription factors known to regulate meristematic activity, fruit development, and floral meristem determinacy. The sporophytic effect on pollen and embryo sac development might be an independent and later function of JAB. In summary, we present data that indicates that the JAB gene regulates meristematic activity in different tissues, and that it is necessary for the correct formation of the gynoecium at different stages, contributing to a crucial process in plant life: proper fruit development.
Prieurianin/endosidin 1 is an actin‐stabilizing small molecule identified from a chemical genetic screen for circadian clock effectors in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Tóth Réka , Gerding‐Reimers Claas , Deeks Michael J. , Menninger Sascha , Gallegos Rafael M. , Tonaco Isabella A. N. , Hübel Katja , Hussey Patrick J. , Waldmann Herbert , Coupland George
Published: March 2012

Chemical modulators are powerful tools to investigate biological processes. To identify circadian clock effectors, we screened a natural product library in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Two compounds, prieurianin (Pri) and prieurianin acetate, were identified as causing a shorter circadian period. Recently, Pri was independently identified as a vesicle trafficking inhibitor and re‐named endosidin 1 (ES1). Here we show that Pri primarily affects actin filament flexibility in vivo, later resulting in reduced severing and filament depolymerization. This stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton subsequently causes changes in vesicle trafficking. Pri also affected microfilaments in mammalian cells, indicating that its target is highly conserved; however, it did not alter actin dynamics in vitro, suggesting that its activity requires the presence of actin‐associated proteins. Furthermore, well‐characterized actin inhibitors shortened the period length of the Arabidopsis clock in a similar way to Pri, supporting the idea that Pri affects rhythms by altering the actin network. We conclude that actin‐associated processes influence the circadian system in a light‐dependent manner, but their disruption does not abolish rhythmicity. In summary, we propose that the primary effect of Pri is to stabilize the actin cytoskeleton system, thereby affecting endosome trafficking. Pri appears to stabilize actin filaments by a different mechanism from previously described inhibitors, and will be a useful tool to study actin‐related cellular processes.
Antimicrobial peptides: agents of border protection for companion animals
Authors: Leonard Brian C. , Affolter Verena K. , Bevins Charles L.
Published: March 2012

Over the past 20 years, there have been significant inroads into understanding the roles of antimicrobial peptides in homeostatic functions and their involvement in disease pathogenesis. In addition to direct antimicrobial activity, these peptides participate in many cellular functions, including chemotaxis, wound healing and even determination of canine coat colour. Various biological and genetic approaches have helped to elucidate the role of antimicrobial peptides with respect to innate immunity and host defense.

Associations of antimicrobial peptides with various skin diseases, including psoriasis, rosacea and atopic dermatitis, have been documented in humans. In the longer term, therapeutic modulation of antimicrobial peptide expression may provide effective new treatments for disease.

This review highlights current knowledge about antimicrobial peptides of the skin and circulating leukocytes, with particular focus on relevance to physiology and disease in companion animals.
Comparative mutant prevention concentration and mechanism of resistance to veterinary fluoroquinolones in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Authors: Gebru Awji Elias , Tassew Dereje Damte , Lee Joong‐Su , Lee Seung‐Jin , Choi Myung‐Jin , Reza Mohammad Ahsanur , Rhee Man‐Hee , Kim Tae‐Hwan , Park Seung‐Chun
Published: March 2012

Background –  The problem of antibacterial drug resistance is increasing worldwide, in part due to the therapeutic concentrations currently used based on the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) as a measure of potency are often the very concentrations required to selectively enrich the resistant mutant portion of the population. A mutant prevention concentration (MPC)‐based dosing strategy is suggested to improve the therapeutic outcome based on the MIC.

Objective –  Our aim was to investigate the MPC and mechanism of resistance to various fluoroquinolones using recent Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from canine pyoderma.

Methods –  The broth microdilution method for MIC and a series of agar plates containing different concentrations of fluoroquinolones were inoculated with ∼1010 colony‐forming units of the bacterial culture for MPC were used. PCR was used to identify mutation in the resistant isolates.

Results –  The rank order of potency based on MIC and MPC was ciprofloxacin = enrofloxacin ≥ marbofloxacin > difloxacin ≥ orbifloxacin. Integrating our data with reported pharmacokinetic data at the recommended dose ranges revealed that only high doses of ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin could achieve a maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) greater than the MPC of 90% of isolates (Cmax/MPC90). The overall rank of potency against S. pseudintermedius, based on Cmax/MIC, Cmax/MPC, the area under concentration–time curve (AUC)/MIC and AUC/MPC values, was in decreasing order: enrofloxacin > ciprofloxacin ≥ marbofloxacin ≥ orbifloxacin = difloxacin. Sequencing of the quinolone resistant determining region of gyrA, gyrB, grlA and grlB of resistant strains showed a base‐pair substitution in both gyrA and gyrB that resulted in Ser‐84 to Leu and Ser‐80 to Arg amino acid changes, respectively.

Conclusions and clinical importance –  High doses of ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and marbofloxacin could minimize the selection of resistant mutants, whereas the possibility of selecting mutants with the conventional doses of difloxacin and orbifloxacin, and low clinical doses of all fluoroquinolones, seems high.
Living donor kidney paired donation transplantation: experience as a founding member center of the National Kidney Registry
Authors: Leeser David B. , Aull Meredith J. , Afaneh Cheguevara , Dadhania Darshana , Charlton Marian , Walker Jennifer K. , Hartono Choli , Serur David , Del Pizzo Joseph J. , Kapur Sandip
Published: March 2012

Kidney paired donation (KPD) is a safe and effective means of transplantation for transplant candidates with willing but incompatible donors. We report our single‐center experience with KPD through participation in the National Kidney Registry. Patient demographics, transplant rates, and clinical outcomes including delayed graft function (DGF), rejection, and survival were analyzed. We also review strategies employed by our center to maximize living donor transplantation through KPD. We entered 44 incompatible donor/recipient pairs into KPD from 9/2007 to 1/2011, enabling 50 transplants. Incompatibility was attributable to blood type (54.4%) and donor‐specific sensitization (43.2%). Thirty‐six candidates (81.8%) were transplanted after 157 d (median), enabling pre‐emptive transplantation in eight patients. Fourteen candidates on the deceased donor waiting list also received transplants. More than 50% of kidneys were received from other transplant centers. DGF occurred in 6%; one‐yr rejection rate was 9.1%. One‐yr patient and graft survival was 98.0% and 94.8%. KPD involving participation of multiple transplant centers can provide opportunities for transplantation, with potential to expand the donor pool, minimize waiting times, and enable pre‐emptive transplantation. Our experience demonstrates promising short‐term outcomes; however, longer follow‐up is needed to assess the impact of KPD on the shortage of organs available for transplantation.
Selective bladder preservation with curative intent for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: A contemporary review
Authors: Koga Fumitaka , Kihara Kazunori
Published: March 2012

Radical cystectomy plus urinary diversion, the reference standard treatment for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer, associates with high complication rates and compromises quality of life as a result of long‐term effects on urinary, gastrointestinal and sexual function, and changes in body image. As a society ages, the number of elderly patients unfit for radical cystectomy as a result of comorbidity will increase, and thus the demand for bladder‐sparing approaches for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer will also inevitably increase. Trimodality bladder‐sparing approaches consisting of transurethral resection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy (Σ55–65 Gy) yield overall survival rates comparable with those of radical cystectomy series (50–70% at 5 years), while preserving the native bladder in 40–60% of muscle‐invasive bladder cancer patients, contributing to an improvement in quality of life for such patients. Limitations of the trimodality therapy include (i) muscle‐invasive bladder cancer recurrence in the preserved bladder, which most often arises in the original muscle‐invasive bladder cancer site; (ii) potential lack of curative intervention for regional lymph nodes; and (iii) increased morbidity in the event of salvage radical cystectomy for remaining or recurrent disease as a result of high‐dose pelvic irradiation. Consolidative partial cystectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection followed by induction chemoradiotherapy at lower dose (e.g. 40 Gy) is a rational strategy for overcoming such limitations by strengthening locoregional control and reducing radiation dosage. Molecular profiling of the tumor and functional imaging might play important roles in optimal patient selection for bladder preservation. Refinement of radiation techniques, intensified concurrent or adjuvant chemotherapy, and novel sensitizers, including molecular targeting agent, are also expected to improve outcomes and consequently provide more muscle‐invasive bladder cancer patients with favorable quality of life.