bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medicinal species with gastroprotective activity found in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Martins José L. R. , Rodrigues Oscar R. L. , de Sousa Fábio B. , Fajemiroye James O. , Galdino Pablinny M. , Florentino Iziara F. , Costa Elson A.
Published: March 2015

Peptic and/or duodenal ulcers are characterized by diverse acute and chronic ulcerative lesions that commonly arise in any portion of the gastric mucosa that is exposed to the aggressive action of gastric acid. The pathophysiology of peptic ulcers has been attributed to an imbalance between aggressive and protective factors. In Brazil, medicinal plants are commonly used to treat this ailment. A country with great biodiversity, Brazil is considered a rich source of therapeutic products. There have been popular and pharmacological reports on the medicinal relevance of the Brazilian cerrado plant species, including Ananas ananassoides, Celtis iguanaea, Encholirium spectabile, Hymenaea stigonocarpa, Lafoensia pacari, Qualea grandiflora, Qualea parvifora, Mouriri pusa, Solanum lycocarpum, Solanum paniculatum, Serjania erecta, and Vochysia tucanorum, in the treatment of stomach disorders. The aim of the present review was to report on some of the Brazilian cerrado plants that are used in folk medicine because of their gastroprotective potential and to encourage novel studies in the search and preservation of plants with this therapeutic potential.
Effects of conducting media and gender on an electric pulp test
Authors: Chunhacheevachaloke E. , Ajcharanukul O.
Published: March 2015

Aims

(1) To determine the pulpal sensory thresholds in human teeth obtained from using various EPT conducting media and (2) to determine whether there are gender differences.

Methodology

One intact maxillary central incisor was randomly selected from each of 40 participants (20 male, 20 female) aged 19–24 year. A constant‐current electrical stimulator (University of Bristol, UK) was used to apply electrical stimuli with different conducting media at intervals of 1 min on the middle of the crown to evaluate the sensory threshold of the tooth. The tip of the electrode was coated with a thin layer of test media. The sensory thresholds and the pain scores were measured simultaneously after applying stimuli twice a second and gradually increasing the intensity until felt by the participants. Test media included water‐based gels (K‐Y UltraGel; Xylocaine 2% Jelly, electrode gel, fluoride gel) and toothpastes (Colgate Total; Sensodyne Repair & Protect; Dentiste' Plus White; Sparkle White). The sensory threshold data were evaluated using two‐way anova followed by the Tukey test.

Results

Xylocaine 2% Jelly and fluoride gel evoked significantly lower threshold values when compared with Sensodyne Repair & Protect (P < 0.001). With all test media, the mean sensory threshold from the female group was significantly lower than that of the male group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The sensory thresholds to electrical stimuli in human teeth was influenced by the type of conducting media and gender.
High expression of CD26 accurately identifies human bacteria‐reactive MR1‐restricted MAIT cells
Authors: Sharma Prabhat K. , Wong Emily B. , Napier Ruth J. , Bishai William R. , Ndung'u Thumbi , Kasprowicz Victoria O. , Lewinsohn Deborah A. , Lewinsohn David M. , Gold Marielle C.
Published: March 2015

Mucosa‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells express the semi‐invariant T‐cell receptor TRAV1–2 and detect a range of bacteria and fungi through the MHC‐like molecule MR1. However, knowledge of the function and phenotype of bacteria‐reactive MR1‐restricted TRAV1–2+ MAIT cells from human blood is limited. We broadly characterized the function of MR1‐restricted MAIT cells in response to bacteria‐infected targets and defined a phenotypic panel to identify these cells in the circulation. We demonstrated that bacteria‐reactive MR1‐restricted T cells shared effector functions of cytolytic effector CD8+ T cells. By analysing an extensive panel of phenotypic markers, we determined that CD26 and CD161 were most strongly associated with these T cells. Using FACS to sort phenotypically defined CD8+ subsets we demonstrated that high expression of CD26 on CD8+ TRAV1–2+ cells identified with high specificity and sensitivity, bacteria‐reactive MR1‐restricted T cells from human blood. CD161hi was also specific for but lacked sensitivity in identifying all bacteria‐reactive MR1‐restricted T cells, some of which were CD161dim. Using cell surface expression of CD8, TRAV1–2, and CD26hi in the absence of stimulation we confirm that bacteria‐reactive T cells are lacking in the blood of individuals with active tuberculosis and are restored in the blood of individuals undergoing treatment for tuberculosis.
Knowledge transfer and exchange frameworks in health and their applicability to palliative care: scoping review protocol
Authors: Prihodova Lucia , Guerin Suzanne , Kernohan W. George
Published: March 2015

Aim

To review knowledge transfer and exchange frameworks used in health, to analyse the core concepts of these frameworks and appraise their potential applicability to palliative care.

Background

Although there are over 60 different models of knowledge transfer and exchange designed for various areas of the fields of health care, many remain largely unrefined and untested. There is a lack of studies that create guidelines for scaling‐up successful implementation of research findings and of proven models ensuring that patients have access to optimal health care, guided by current research.

Design

The protocol for this scoping review was devised according to the guidelines proposed by Arksey and O'Malley () and Levac et al. ().

Methods

The protocol includes decisions about the review objectives, inclusion criteria, search strategy, study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, data synthesis and plans for dissemination.

Discussion

The review will allow us to identify the currently used models of knowledge transfer and exchange in healthcare setting and analyse their applicability to the complex demands of palliative care. Results from this review will identify effective way of translating different types of knowledge to different PC providers and could be used in hospital, community and home based PC and future research.
Revising the American dream: how Asian immigrants adjust after an HIV diagnosis
Authors: Chen Wei‐Ti , Guthrie Barbara , Shiu Cheng‐Shi , Wang Lixuan , Weng Zhongqi , Li Chiang‐Shan , Lee Tony Szu‐Hsien , Kamitani Emiko , Fukuda Yumiko , Luu Binh Vinh
Published: March 2015

Aim

We explored how acculturation and self‐actualization affect depression in the HIV‐positive Asians and Pacific Islanders immigrant population.

Background

Asians and Pacific Islanders are among the fastest growing minority groups in the USA. Asians and Pacific Islanders are the only racial/ethnic group to show a significant increase in HIV diagnosis rate.

Design

A mixed‐methods study was conducted.

Methods

Thirty in‐depth interviews were conducted with HIV‐positive Asians and Pacific Islanders in San Francisco and New York. Additionally, cross‐sectional audio computer‐assisted self‐interviews were conducted with a sample of 50 HIV‐positive Asians and Pacific Islanders. Content analysis was used to analyse the in‐depth interviews. Also, descriptive, bivariate statistics and multivariable regression analysis was used to estimate the associations among depression, acculturation and self‐actualization. The study took place from January–June 2013.

Discussion

Major themes were extracted from the interview data, including self‐actualization, acculturation and depression. The participants were then divided into three acculturation levels correlating to their varying levels of self‐actualization. For those with low acculturation, there was a large discrepancy in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores between those who had totally lost their self‐actualization and those who believed they could still achieve their ‘American dreams’. Among those who were less acculturated, there was a significant difference in depression scores between those who felt they had totally lost their ability to self‐actualize and those who still believed they could ‘make their dreams come true.’

Conclusion

Acculturation levels influence depression and self‐actualization in the HIV‐positive Asians and Pacific Islanders population. Lower acculturated Asian Americans achieved a lower degree of self‐actualization and suffered from depression. Future interventions should focus on enhancing acculturation and reducing depression to achieve self‐actualization.
Paediatric end‐of‐life care needs in Switzerland: current practices, and perspectives from parents and professionals. A study protocol
Authors: Bergstraesser Eva , Zimmermann Karin , Eskola Katri , Luck Patricia , Ramelet Anne‐Sylvie , Cignacco Eva
Published: March 2015

Aim

To present a protocol for a multi‐phase study about the current practice of end‐of‐life care in paediatric settings in Switzerland.

Background

In Switzerland, paediatric palliative care is usually provided by teams, who may not necessarily have specific training. There is a lack of systematic data about specific aspects of care at the end of a child's life, such as symptom management, involvement of parents in decision‐making and family‐centred care and experiences and needs of parents, and perspectives of healthcare professionals.

Design

This retrospective nationwide multicentre study, Paediatric End‐of‐LIfe CAre Needs in Switzerland (PELICAN), combines quantitative and qualitative methods of enquiry.

Methods

The PELICAN study consists of three observational parts, PELICAN I describes practices of end‐of‐life care (defined as the last 4 weeks of life) in the hospital and home care setting of children (0‐18 years) who died in the years 2011–2012 due to a cardiac, neurological or oncological disease, or who died in the neonatal period. PELICAN II assesses the experiences and needs of parents during the end‐of‐life phase of their child. PELICAN III focuses on healthcare professionals and explores their perspectives concerning the provision of end‐of‐life care.

Conclusion

This first study across Switzerland will provide comprehensive insight into the current end‐of‐life care in children with distinct diagnoses and the perspectives of affected parents and health professionals. The results may facilitate the development and implementation of programmes for end‐of‐life care in children across Switzerland, building on real experiences and needs.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01983852.
Degradation Kinetics of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid in Monascus‐Fermented Rice
Authors: Khan Washim , Bhatt Prakash C. , Panda Bibhu P.
Published: March 2015

The present study investigated the effect of heat on the reaction kinetics of γ‐amino butyric acid (GABA) degradation in Monascus‐fermented rice (MFR). At pH 8.0 and 121C temperature, the GABA content decreased rapidly (from 57.1 ± 0.2 to 6.9 ± 0.2) as the time interval was increased from 15 to 120 min. The thermal degradation of GABA follows the first‐order reaction kinetics. The temperature dependence of rate constants follows the Arrhenius relationship, with an activation energy value of 101.5 kJ/mol (80–121C, r2 = 0.96). GABA is easily degraded when MFR is heated to a temperature of 121C. More than 70% of the GABA content can be salvaged by limiting the heat treatment of MFR to below 80C.

Practical Applications

Monascus‐fermented rice is being used as a nutraceutical due to the presence of different heart healthy ingredients like monacolin K or lovastatin, GABA and dimerumic acid. However, during processing of Monascus food, there may be degradation of bioactive ingredients. The present research data are given information about how different processing parameters affect the ingredient quality and will find applications in industries and researchers involved in formulating and processing Monascus nutraceuticals.
Neuroprotective effects of vildagliptin in rat rotenone Parkinson's disease model: role of RAGE‐NFκB and Nrf2‐antioxidant signaling pathways
Authors: Abdelsalam Rania M. , Safar Marwa M.
Published: March 2015

Gliptins have been recently shown to conquer neuronal degeneration in cell cultures via modulating glucagon‐like peptide (GLP)‐1. This peptide produced in the gut not only crosses the blood–brain barrier but is also synthesized in the brain and acts on GLP‐1R exerting central anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, thus impeding neuronal damage. This study investigated the antiparkinsonian effect of vildagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)‐4 inhibitor in a rat rotenone model targeting mainly the RAGE‐NFκB/Nrf2‐signaling pathways, to judge the potential anti‐inflammatory/antioxidant effects of the drug. Vildagliptin markedly improved the motor performance in the open field and rotarod tests, effects that were emphasized by the accompanied reduction in striatal dopamine content. It modified the striatal energy level (ADP/ATP) associated with partial antagonism of body weight reduction. This incretin enhancer suppressed nuclear factor (NF)κB and, consequently, the downstream inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor‐α. Normalization of receptor for advanced glycated end product (RAGE) is a main finding which justifies the anti‐inflammatory effects of vildagliptin, together with hampering striatal inducible nitric oxide synthase, intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 as well as myeloperoxidase. The antioxidant potential of vildagliptin was depicted as entailing reduction in thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances and the transcriptional factor Nrf‐2 level. Vildagliptin guarded against neuronal demise through an antiapoptotic effect as reflected by the reduction in the mitochondrial matrix component cytochrome c and the key downstream executioner caspase‐3. In conclusion, vildagliptin is endowed with various neuroprotective effects and thus can be a promising candidate for the management of Parkinson's disease.

image

In the rat rotenone model of Parkinson's disease (PD), striatal RAGE/NFκB signaling was up‐regulated associated with elevated levels of inflammatory, oxidative stress, and apoptotic mediators resulting in dopaminergic neurons death and hence motor impairment. Vildagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)‐4 inhibitor, blocked the RAGE/NFκB cascade exerting a potential antiparkinsonian effect. RAGE, receptor for advanced glycation end product; NFκB, nuclear factor κB; TNFα, tumor necrosis factor alpha; ICAM, intracellular adhesion molecule; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; MPO, myeloperoxidase.
Corticosterone primes the neuroinflammatory response to DFP in mice: potential animal model of Gulf War Illness
Authors: O'Callaghan James P. , Kelly Kimberly A. , Locker Alicia R. , Miller Diane B. , Lasley Steve M.
Published: March 2015

Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a multi‐symptom disorder with features characteristic of persistent sickness behavior. Among conditions encountered in the Gulf War (GW) theater were physiological stressors (e.g., heat/cold/physical activity/sleep deprivation), prophylactic treatment with the reversible AChE inhibitor, pyridostigmine bromide (PB), the insect repellent, N,N‐diethyl‐meta‐toluamide (DEET), and potentially the nerve agent, sarin. Prior exposure to the anti‐inflammatory glucocorticoid, corticosterone (CORT), at levels associated with high physiological stress, can paradoxically prime the CNS to produce a robust proinflammatory response to neurotoxicants and systemic inflammation; such neuroinflammatory effects can be associated with sickness behavior. Here, we examined whether CORT primed the CNS to mount neuroinflammatory responses to GW exposures as a potential model of GWI. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with chronic (14 days) PB/ DEET, subchronic (7–14 days) CORT, and acute exposure (day 15) to diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), a sarin surrogate and irreversible AChE inhibitor. DFP alone caused marked brain‐wide neuroinflammation assessed by qPCR of tumor necrosis factor‐α, IL6, chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2, IL‐1β, leukemia inhibitory factor, and oncostatin M. Pre‐treatment with high physiological levels of CORT greatly augmented (up to 300‐fold) the neuroinflammatory responses to DFP. Anti‐inflammatory pre‐treatment with minocycline suppressed many proinflammatory responses to CORT+DFP. Our findings are suggestive of a possible critical, yet unrecognized interaction between the stressor/environment of the GW theater and agent exposure(s) unique to this war. Such exposures may in fact prime the CNS to amplify future neuroinflammatory responses to pathogens, injury, or toxicity. Such occurrences could potentially result in the prolonged episodes of sickness behavior observed in GWI.

image

Gulf War (GW) veterans were exposed to stressors, prophylactic medicines and, potentially, nerve agents in theater. Subsequent development of GW Illness, a persistent multi‐symptom disorder with features characteristic of sickness behavior, may be caused by priming of the CNS resulting in exaggerated neuroinflammatory responses to pathogens/insults. Nerve agent, diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), produced a neuroinflammatory response that was exacerbated by pre‐treatment with levels of corticosterone simulating heightened stressor conditions. While prophylactic treatments reduced DFP‐induced neuroinflammation, this effect was negated when those treatments were combined with corticosterone.
Treatment Outcome with Delayed Maxillary Obturator Prosthesis: Case Series of Four Patients
Authors: Kar Sushil , Tripathi Arvind
Published: March 2015

A series of four patients is presented to indicate the possibility of success with delayed prosthodontic rehabilitation of acquired maxillary defects. Four patients with a history of hemi‐maxillectomy in the past 3 to 5 years were rehabilitated with definitive obturator prostheses. All had partial maxillectomy on the right side. Because of delayed referral to the prosthodontic facility, immediate surgical and interim obturation was not planned. Definitive obturator prostheses were fabricated following the necessary steps and delivered to the patients. Prosthesis function was subsequently reassessed in these patients every fortnight for the first 3 months then once every quarter for the next 3 years, followed by once a year. Individual patient responses were evaluated at regular intervals. Components of prosthesis function assessed were esthetics, speech, mastication, and salivary control, all of which were restored to satisfactory levels by the definitive obturators. Thus, optimal restoration of esthetics and function is achievable despite a time lag in prosthodontic therapy after surgery.
Melatonin attenuates methamphetamine‐induced inhibition of proliferation of adult rat hippocampal progenitor cells in vitro
Authors: Ekthuwapranee Kasima , Sotthibundhu Areechun , Govitrapong Piyarat
Published: March 2015

Methamphetamine (METH) is an extremely addictive stimulatory drug. A recent study suggested that METH may cause an impairment in the proliferation of hippocampal neural progenitor cells, but the underlying mechanism of this effect remains unknown. Blood and cerebrospinal levels of melatonin derive primarily from the pineal gland, and that performs many biological functions. Our previous study demonstrated that melatonin promotes the proliferation of progenitor cells originating from the hippocampus. In this study, hippocampal progenitor cells from adult Wistar rats were used to determine the effects of METH on cell proliferation and the mechanisms underlying these effects. We investigated the effects of melatonin on the METH‐induced alteration in cell proliferation. The results demonstrated that 500 μm METH induced a decrease (63.0%) in neurosphere cell proliferation and altered the expression of neuronal phenotype markers in the neurosphere cell population. Moreover, METH induced an increase in the protein expression of the tumor suppressor p53 (124.4%) and the cell cycle inhibitor p21CIP1 (p21) (128.1%), resulting in the accumulation of p21 in the nucleus. We also found that METH altered the expression of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits NR2A (79.6%) and NR2B (126.7%) and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CAMKII) (74.0%). In addition, pretreatment with 1 μm melatonin attenuated the effects induced by METH treatment. According to these results, we concluded that METH induces a reduction in cell proliferation by upregulating the cell cycle regulators p53/p21 and promoting the accumulation of p21 in the nucleus and that melatonin ameliorates these negative effects of METH.
Serum creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels are associated with severe chronic periodontitis
Authors: Caúla A. L. , Lira‐Junior R. , Tinoco E. M. B. , Fischer R. G.
Published: March 2015

Background and objective

Periodontitis may alter systemic homeostasis and influence creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between severe chronic periodontitis and serum creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels.

Material and Methods

One hundred patients were evaluated, 66 with severe chronic periodontitis (test group) and 34 periodontally healthy controls (control group). Medical, demographic and periodontal parameters were registered. Blood sample was collected after an overnight fast and serum creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels were determined.

Results

There were significant differences between test and control groups in ethnicity, gender and educational level (p < 0.05). Patients with periodontitis showed a lower mean creatinine level (p < 0.05) and higher mean alkaline phosphatase level (p < 0.001) than the control group. There were significant correlations between periodontal parameters and serum creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels.

Conclusion

Severe chronic periodontitis was associated to lower creatinine and higher alkaline phosphatase levels.
Intergenerational Religious Mobility in Contemporary China
Authors: Hu Anning , Leamaster Reid J.
Published: March 2015

This study illustrates intergenerational religious mobility with the case of Chinese society. Using the quasi‐symmetric log‐linear model to separate structure mobility from exchange mobility, we examine the variation in religious identities between the reform era generation and their parents. Structure mobility results suggest that the encompassing social reform over the past decades in China has encouraged the structural growth of Islam and Christianity across generations, but traditional Chinese religions bear remarkable intergenerational disadvantages. Moreover, religious nones are growing across generations, at least relative to traditional Chinese religions. Exchange mobility findings indicate that individuals whose parents follow traditional Chinese religions are very likely to “convert” to Christianity. However, children of religious nones do not necessarily remain irreligious, possibly undermining the structural advantages of religious nones in the future. Finally, a comparison between cohort and period effects drives us to conclude that the major social force underpinning the revival of Chinese religion in the reform era is generational replacement instead of an increasingly religious transition of “old” generations.
Pretreatment platelet count early predicts extrahepatic metastasis of human hepatoma
Authors: Lee Chern‐Horng , Lin Yu‐Jr , Lin Chen‐Chun , Yen Cho‐Li , Shen Chien‐Heng , Chang Chee‐Jen , Hsieh Sen‐Yung
Published: March 2015

Background & Aims

Thrombocytosis is associated with metastasis in many human cancers. Most hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) develop in cirrhotic livers, which are characterized by thrombocytopenia. We aimed to elucidate the pretreatment platelet count in prediction of extrahepatic metastasis of HCC during the follow‐up.

Methods

Three cohorts containing 1660, 480 and 965 HCC patients enrolled from three hospitals were used for discovery and validation respectively. Pretreatment clinical factors associated with extrahepatic metastasis during follow‐up up to 5 years were identified using multivariate Cox regression model.

Results

In early‐stage HCC (BCLC stage 0‐A), pretreatment platelet count (hazard ratio [HR], 1.04 per 10,000/μl; 95% CI, 1.01–1.07; P = 0.010) and serum alpha‐foetoprotein (AFP) >100 ng/ml (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.04–2.78; P = 0.033) were the only two independent factors associated with extrahepatic metastasis. Receiver operating characteristic evidenced that pretreatment platelet count predicted metastasis better than AFP did. Survival tree analysis identified platelet counts <118,000/μl (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.38–0.63; P < 0.001) or >212,000/μl (HR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.67–2.70; P < 0.001) to categorize patients into low and high risk of metastasis subgroups, which were verified using both validation cohorts.

Conclusions

Pretreatment platelet count is a reliable marker to predict extrahepatic metastasis of early‐stage HCC following curative treatment. Cirrhotic thrombocytopenia contributes to relatively low metastasis incidence of HCC than many other cancers. High platelet count identifies a subgroup of HCC patients at high risk of metastasis, who might benefit from adjuvant therapies following initial curative treatment.
Can More Information About Rivals' Costs Decrease Welfare?
Authors: Brito Duarte , Pereira Pedro , Vareda João
Published: March 2015

We investigate if more information about rivals' costs increases welfare when firms compete in prices and cost‐reducing investment. When firms compete only in prices, a firm sets a higher price under partial information than under complete information if it faces an efficient rival, and a lower price otherwise. Thus, more information redistributes market share from the more efficient to the less efficient firm, with a negative impact on welfare. When firms also compete in cost‐reducing investment, more information leads a firm to decrease investment if it faces an efficient rival, and to increase investment otherwise. Welfare decreases if firms are sufficiently asymmetric and their products sufficiently differentiated.
Achievement of developmental milestones in young adults after liver transplantation in childhood
Authors: Lind Robert C. , Sze Yuk‐Kueng , de Vries Willemien , Hulscher Jan B. F. , Sieders Egbert , Scheenstra Rene , Peeters Paul M. J. G. , Porte Robert J. , Hoekstra‐Weebers Josette E. H. M.
Published: March 2015

Little is known about the achievement of developmental milestones (i.e., COL) after pediatric liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to examine the COL of young adults who underwent a liver transplantation during childhood and to compare it to healthy peers. Furthermore, we studied factors possibly related to their COL. COL was assessed using the CLQ, which assesses the achievement of developmental milestones (autonomy, psychosexual, social, and antisocial development) and risk behavior (substance abuse and gambling). Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical data were collected using the prospective institutional liver transplantation database. A total of 39 young adults who underwent a liver transplantation at the UMCG in their childhood completed the CLQ. They achieved fewer milestones with regard to autonomy, psychosexual, and social development compared to healthy peers, and they reported less risk behavior. Neither age at the time of study nor age at the time of transplantation was significantly correlated with any of the COL subscales. Young adults show delay in reaching developmental milestones in every dimension after a liver transplantation during their childhood.
Managing fragile homestead trees to improve livelihoods of land‐poor farmers in the Northern Highlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Meaza Hailemariam , Demssie Biadglign
Published: March 2015

Tree planting around homesteads has been a long tradition in Ethiopia. We assessed the management practice and benefits of homestead plantations with data gathered from questionnaires, narrative walks, focus group discussions and interviews with 120 randomly selected households. Descriptive statistics used to compute benefits of homestead plantation show that homestead plantations are important for providing food, medicine, fodder, income and ecological services. Using regression analysis to capture the variables influencing tree management, we found that indigenous trees made up 84 per cent of the tree species in the homesteads because of their cultural associations, socio‐economic functions and environmental services. Male‐headed households, large family sizes and homestead sizes, and older homesteads were positively associated with the likelihood of keeping trees in the homesteads. Proper management of neglected trees can reinforce the resilience of rural poor in the face of food insecurity, poverty and climate change; therefore we recommend that future development strategies increase local knowledge, grass‐root level initiatives and preferred tree species to improve livelihoods of land‐poor farmers.
Sociology of Debt: States, Credit Markets, and Indebted Citizens
Authors: Kus Basak
Published: March 2015

Within the context of the recent financial crisis, the causes and implications of mounting levels of household indebtedness have begun to be examined from a variety of angles: Why have nations differed so drastically, historically speaking, in terms of the level of debt that their citizens carry? Why have patterns converged over the past few decades, with levels of indebtedness increasing across the board? This paper considers these questions from a sociological perspective. I first consider the role of political, institutional, economic, and cultural factors, as well as individual characteristics, in shaping the demand for and supply of credit and the degree and nature of household indebtedness in and across nations. I then attempt to explain the cross‐national convergence towards rising indebtedness over the past few decades by situating the transformation of these various demand and supply side factors under the neoliberal regime.
Exploring Cosmopolitanity and Connectivity in The Polycentric German Urban System
Authors: Growe Anna , Volgmann Kati
Published: March 2015

This paper investigates the theoretical concept that a city is always influenced by the relations it has to its hinterland and to other cities. Taylor and colleagues point out that city‐city relations and city‐hinterland relations can be understood as two sides of a coin. Using this conception the polycentric structure and dynamics of the German urban system can be described through: (i) metropolitan functions representing city‐hinterland relations (cosmopolitanity) and (ii) a network of cities representing city‐city relations (connectivity). Measuring separately the degrees of cosmopolitanity and connectivity, we look at whether the German urban system after reunification has grown together, becoming one balanced urban system, and what role Berlin – as the new capital in the overall system – now has. The results of the two perspectives are compared and analysed.
Marr's Attacks: On Reductionism and Vagueness
Authors: Eliasmith Chris , Kolbeck Carter
Published: March 2015

It has been suggested that Marr took the three levels he famously identifies to be independent. In this paper, we argue that Marr's view is more nuanced. Specifically, we show that the view explicitly articulated in his work attempts to integrate the levels, and in doing so results in Marr attacking both reductionism and vagueness. The result is a perspective in which both high‐level information‐processing constraints and low‐level implementational constraints play mutually reinforcing and constraining roles. We discuss our recent work on Spaun—currently the world's largest functional brain model—that demonstrates the positive impact of this kind of unifying integration of Marr's levels. We argue that this kind of integration avoids his concerns with both reductionism and vagueness. In short, we suggest that the methods behind Spaun can be used to satisfy Marr's explicit interest in combining high‐level functional and detailed mechanistic explanations.
Exosomal RNA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐Infected Cells Is Functional in Recipient Macrophages
Authors: Singh Prachi Pratap , Li Li , Schorey Jeffrey Scott
Published: March 2015

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released by cells that carry proteins, lipids and nucleic acids and function in intercellular communication. Previously, we determined that exosomes released from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb)‐infected macrophages carry mycobacterial proteins and lipids. However, the RNA composition within these exosomes has not been defined. In this study, we characterized the exosomes released from M.tb‐infected macrophages and identified a cohort of mouse messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA). Quantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis showed less abundance of miRNAs in exosomes released from infected compared with uninfected macrophages. Moreover, more than 100 transcripts were found to be enriched or unique to exosomes from infected cells including transcripts involved in regulating an immune response. The exosomal RNA could be transferred and expressed in naïve macrophages and was biologically active, stimulating production of inflammatory mediators and inducing apoptosis in recipient cells. Interestingly, we also identified mycobacterial transcripts in exosomes released from infected macrophages. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify bacterial‐derived RNA in exosomes. Our results suggest that exosomal RNA released from M.tb‐infected macrophages may have functional and diagnostic potential in the context of a mycobacterial infection.
Myocardial insult and arrhythmias after acute hemorrhage in horses
Authors: Navas de Solis Cristobal , Dallap Schaer Barbara L. , Boston Ray , Slack JoAnn
Published: March 2015

Objective

The objectives of this investigation were to: (1) Determine if acute hemorrhage is associated with increased plasma cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentration or cardiac arrhythmias, (2) to describe the types of arrhythmias and their clinical course in horses following acute hemorrhage, (3) to determine the ability of clinical or clinicopathological variables to predict an increase in cTnI concentration and the presence of arrhythmias, and (4) to determine the associations of cTnI and cardiac arrhythmias with outcome.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Large animal veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Eleven client‐owned adult horses admitted for treatment of acute hemorrhage (HG) and 4 adult horses undergoing controlled blood collection (BDG).

Methods

Serial cTnI concentrations were measured and continuous ECGs were obtained from the HG and BDG groups. Statistical tests were used to determine associations among acute hemorrhage and plasma cTnI concentrations, the presence of cardiac arrhythmias, clinicopathologic data (heart rate [HR], packed cell volume [PCV], total plasma protein [TPP], plasma lactate, and plasma creatinine concentrations), and outcome.

Results

Plasma cTnI concentration and ECG were within reference intervals at all time points in the BDG. All horses in the HG had increased cTnI (ranging from 0.1–29.9 ng/mL). Arrhythmias were detected in 8 of these horses. There was an association between acute hemorrhage and increased cTnI (P = 0.004, ρ = 0.77), and the presence of arrhythmias (P = 0.026, ρ = 0.64). There were associations among plasma cTnI concentration and the presence of arrhythmias (P = 0.005), arrhythmias requiring treatment (P = 0.036), and poor outcome (P = 0.024).

Conclusions

Acute hemorrhage results in myocardial injury that can be detected by measuring cTnI concentration. Arrhythmias were frequent in hospitalized horses following acute hemorrhage.
Impaired increases in skin sympathetic nerve activity contribute to age‐related decrements in reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction
Authors: Greaney Jody L. , Stanhewicz Anna E. , Kenney W. Larry , Alexander Lacy M.
Published: March 2015

Key points

The reduction in skin blood flow during whole‐body cooling is impaired in healthy older adults. However, the relative contributions of altered skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA), transduction of this efferent neural outflow to the cutaneous vasculature, and peripheral vascular responsiveness to adrenergic stimuli to the impaired reflex vasoconstrictor response to whole‐body cooling in human ageing remain unclear.

We report that the SSNA response to whole‐body cooling is blunted in healthy older adults, and this attenuated sympathetic response is related to a marked impairment in reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction. Further, the reflex SSNA response to a non‐thermoregulatory stimulus was preserved in older adults during cooling.

We additionally show that cutaneous vascular responsiveness to adrenergic stimuli is not reduced in older adults.

These results further our understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying impaired thermal‐cardiovascular integration in healthy ageing.

Reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction is impaired in older adults; however, the relative roles of altered skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) and end‐organ peripheral vascular responsiveness are unclear. We hypothesized that in older adults whole‐body cooling would elicit a blunted SSNA response and cutaneous adrenergic responsiveness would be reduced. Twelve young adults (Y; 24 ± 1 years) and 12 older adults (O; 57 ± 2 years) participated in two protocols. In Protocol 1, SSNA (peroneal microneurography) and red cell flux in the affected dermatome (laser Doppler flowmetry; dorsum of foot) were measured during whole‐body cooling (mean skin temperature (Tsk) 30.5°C; water‐perfused suit). Mental stress was performed at mean Tsk 34.0°C (thermoneutral) and at 30.5°C. In Protocol 2, an intradermal microdialysis fibre was placed in the skin of the lateral calf for graded infusions of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) (NA; 10−12 to 10−2 m). Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC = flux/mean arterial pressure) was expressed as a change from baseline (ΔCVCbase). Vasoconstriction was attenuated in O. SSNA increased significantly during cooling in Y (+184 ± 37%; P < 0.05) but not O (+51 ± 12%; P > 0.05). Mental stress at Tsk 30.5°C further increased SSNA in both groups. There was no age‐related difference in adrenergic responsiveness to exogenous NA (logEC50: −6.41 ± 0.24 in Y, −6.37 ± 0.25 in O; P > 0.05). While the SSNA response to whole‐body cooling is impaired with ageing, SSNA can be further increased by a non‐thermoregulatory stimulus. Cutaneous adrenergic sensitivity is not reduced in O. These findings suggest that alterations in afferent signalling or central processing likely contribute to blunted SSNA responses to cooling and subsequent impairments in reflex cutaneous vasoconstriction in ageing.
The Effects of Fuel Injection Pressure and Fuel Type on the Combustion Characteristics of a Diesel Engine
Authors: Cowart Jim , Luning Prak Dianne , Hamilton Len
Published: March 2015

In an effort to understand the effects of injection system pressure on alternative fuel performance, a single-cylinder diesel engine was outfit with a modern common rail fuel injection system and piezoelectric injector. As future new fuels will likely be used in both older mechanical injected engines as well as newer high pressure common rail engines, the question as to the sensitivity of a new fuel type across a range of engines is of concern. In this study, conventional diesel fuel (Navy NATO F76) was compared with the new Navy hydroprocessed renewable diesel (HRD) fuel from algal sources, as well as the high cetane reference fuel nC16 (n-hexadecane CN = 100). It was seen that, in general, ignition delay (IGD) was shortened for all fuels with increasing fuel injection pressure and was shortened with higher CN fuels. The combustion duration for all fuels was also significantly reduced with increasing fuel injection pressure, however, longer durations were seen for higher CN fuels at the same fuel pressure due to less premixing before the start of combustion. Companion modeling using the Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) heavy hydrocarbon and diesel primary reference fuel (PRF) chemical kinetic mechanisms for HRD and nC16 was applied to understand the relative importance of the physical and chemical delay periods of the IGD. It was seen that at low fuel injection pressures, the physical and chemical delay times are of comparable duration. However, as injection pressure increases the importance of the chemical delay times increases significantly (longer), especially with the lower CN fuel.
Drug flushes out hidden AIDS virus
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: March 2015

A big shock to AIDS virus from novel drug advances cure research.
Cleanup crew
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: March 2015

Unorthodox immune proteins called natural antibodies target pathogens and remove cellular and molecular waste.
Einstein's milestones
Authors: Conover Emily
Published: March 2015

In the century since Einstein formulated general relativity, scientists have built on his theory, with developments that were groundbreaking, tragic, and just plain strange.
Drop test
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: March 2015

Physicists are challenging Einstein's theory in new versions of the most famous experiment that never happened.
Late Pliocene fossiliferous sedimentary record and the environmental context of early
Homo
from Afar, Ethiopia
Authors: DiMaggio Erin N. , Campisano Christopher J. , Rowan John , Dupont-Nivet Guillaume , Deino Alan L. , Bibi Faysal , Lewis Margaret E. , Souron Antoine , Garello Dominique , Werdelin Lars , Reed Kaye E. , Arrowsmith J Ramón
Published: March 2015

Finding
Homo
nearly 3 million years ago

The fossil record of humans is notoriously patchy and incomplete. Even so, skeletal remains and artifacts unearthed in Africa in recent decades have done much to illuminate human evolution. But what is the origin of the genus
Homo
? Villmoare
et al.
found a fossil mandible and teeth from the Afar region in Ethiopia. The find extends the record of recognizable
Homo
by at least half a million years, to almost 2.8 million years ago. The morphological traits of the fossil align more closely with
Homo
than with any other hominid genus. DiMaggio
et al.
confirm the ancient date of the site and suggest that these early humans lived in a setting that was more open and arid than previously thought.

Science
, this issue p.
1352
, p.
1355
Single-protein spin resonance spectroscopy under ambient conditions
Authors: Shi Fazhan , Zhang Qi , Wang Pengfei , Sun Hongbin , Wang Jiarong , Rong Xing , Chen Ming , Ju Chenyong , Reinhard Friedemann , Chen Hongwei , Wrachtrup Jörg , Wang Junfeng , Du Jiangfeng
Published: March 2015

Single-protein spectroscopy

The spin of a single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is a highly sensitive magnetic-field sensor. Shi
et al.
used the NV center to detect a nitroxidelabeled protein through electron spin resonance under ambient conditions (see the Perspective by Hemmer and Gomes). The strength of the interaction and the details of the hyperfine interaction between the electron and nitrogen spin revealed the position and orientation of the spin label relative to the NV center. The findings also elucidate the dynamical motions of the protein on the diamond surface.

Science
, this issue p.
1135
; see also p.
1072
A century of general relativity: Astrophysics and cosmology
Authors: Blandford R. D.
Published: March 2015

One hundred years after its birth, general relativity has become a highly successful physical theory in the sense that it has passed a large number of experimental and observational tests and finds extensive application to a wide variety of cosmic phenomena. It remains an active area of research as new tests are on the way, epitomized by the exciting prospect of detecting gravitational waves from merging black holes. General relativity is the essential foundation of the standard model of cosmology and underlies our description of the black holes and neutron stars that are ultimately responsible for the most powerful and dramatic cosmic sources. Its interface with physics on the smallest and largest scales will continue to provide fertile areas of investigation in its next century.
Rulers of the roost
Why Did the Chicken Cross the World? The Epic Saga of the Bird That Powers Civilization
Andrew Lawler
Atria Books, 2014. 335 pp.
Authors: Larson Greger
Published: March 2015

How an unassuming bird changed the world as we know it.
Single proteins under a diamond spotlight
Authors: Hemmer Philip , Gomes Carmen
Published: March 2015

A diamond nanomagnetometer is used to probe conformational changes of a single protein

[Also see Report by

Shi
et al.

]
Viral chemokine mimicry
Authors: Standfuss Jörg
Published: March 2015

How do viruses trick the human immune system?

[Also see Research Articles by

Burg
et al.

and

Qin
et al.

]
Make the bleeding stop
Authors: Brohi Karim
Published: March 2015

A new synthetic polymer that cross-links fibrin shows promise in the management of hemorrhage (Chan
et al
., this issue).
Molecular and Clinical Characteristics of Hospital and Community Onset Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Associated with Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Wang Shu-Hua , Hines Lisa , van Balen Joany , Mediavilla José R. , Pan Xueliang , Hoet Armando E. , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Pancholi Preeti , Stevenson Kurt B.
Published: March 2015

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSI) are classified epidemiologically as health care-associated hospital onset (HAHO)-, health care-associated community onset (HACO)-, or community-associated (CA)-MRSA. Clinical and molecular differences between HAHO- and HACO-MRSA BSI are not well known. Thus, we evaluated clinical and molecular characteristics of MRSA BSI to determine if distinct features are associated with HAHO- or HACO-MRSA strains. Molecular genotyping and medical record reviews were conducted on 282 MRSA BSI isolates from January 2007 to December 2009. MRSA classifications were 38% HAHO-, 54% HACO-, and 8% CA-MRSA. Comparing patients with HAHO-MRSA to those with HACO-MRSA, HAHO-MRSA patients had significantly higher rates of malignancy, surgery, recent invasive devices, and mortality and longer hospital stays. Patients with HACO-MRSA were more likely to have a history of renal failure, hemodialysis, residence in a long-term-care facility, long-term invasive devices, and higher rate of MRSA relapse. Distinct MRSA molecular strain differences also were seen between HAHO-MRSA (60% staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
type II [SCC
mec
II], 30% SCC
mec
III, and 9% SCC
mec
IV) and HACO-MRSA (47% SCC
mec
II, 35% SCC
mec
III, and 16% SCC
mec
IV) (
P
< 0.001). In summary, our study reveals significant clinical and molecular differences between patients with HAHO- and HACO-MRSA BSI. In order to decrease rates of MRSA infection, preventive efforts need to be directed toward patients in the community with health care-associated risk factors in addition to inpatient infection control.
Descending Mediastinitis in Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Authors: Geerts J. W. , van Driel E. M. , Janssen M. J. F. M.
Published: March 2015

Our case report describes a previously healthy 34-year-old male who develops a descending mediastinitis as a complication of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The mediastinitis was suspected to have developed by a breakthrough of a peritonsillar abscess through the space between the alar and prevertebral space.
Healing the orphaned heart: heart failure in a patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency
Authors: Balderia Percy Guanzon , Wongrakpanich Supakanya , Patel Monil , Stanek Marjorie
Published: March 2015

Patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are not represented in clinical trials for heart failure. Moreover, many of the recommended medications can cause haemolysis in this group of patients. We present the case of a 71-year-old woman with G6PD deficiency admitted for acute non-ischemic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Our experience showed that a combination of ethacrynic acid and spironolactone is safe and effective for relief of volume overload in this group of patients. Studies are needed to determine whether the morbidity and mortality benefits of established heart failure regimens extend to patients with G6PD deficiency.