bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vortex-induced vibrations of a flexible cylinder at large inclination angle
Authors: Bourguet Rémi , Triantafyllou Michael S.
Published: December 2014

The free vibrations of a flexible circular cylinder inclined at 80° within a uniform current are investigated by means of direct numerical simulation, at Reynolds number 500 based on the body diameter and inflow velocity. In spite of the large inclination angle, the cylinder exhibits regular in-line and cross-flow vibrations excited by the flow through the lock-in mechanism, i.e. synchronization of body motion and vortex formation. A profound reconfiguration of the wake is observed compared with the stationary body case. The vortex-induced vibrations are found to occur under parallel, but also oblique vortex shedding where the spanwise wavenumbers of the wake and structural response coincide. The shedding angle and frequency increase with the spanwise wavenumber. The cylinder vibrations and fluid forces present a persistent spanwise asymmetry which relates to the asymmetry of the local current relative to the body axis, owing to its in-line bending. In particular, the asymmetrical trend of flow–body energy transfer results in a monotonic orientation of the structural waves. Clockwise and counter-clockwise figure eight orbits of the body alternate along the span, but the latter are found to be more favourable to structure excitation. Additional simulations at normal incidence highlight a dramatic deviation from the independence principle, which states that the system behaviour is essentially driven by the normal component of the inflow velocity.
Second-order statistics and ‘designer’ waves for violent free-surface motion around multi-column structures
Authors: Grice J. R. , Taylor P. H. , Taylor R. Eatock
Published: December 2014

Extreme wave–structure interactions are investigated using second-order diffraction theory. The statistics of surface elevation around a multi-column structure are collected using Monte Carlo-type simulations for severe sea states. Within the footprint of a realistic four-column structure, we find that the presence of the structure can give rise to extreme crest elevations greater than twice those at the same return period in the incident wave field. Much of this extra elevation is associated with the excitation of second-order near-trapped modes. A ‘designer’ incident wave can be defined at each point around the structure for a given sea state as the average input wave to produce extreme crest elevations at a given return period, and we show that this wave can be simply vertically scaled to estimate the response at other return periods.
Lysobacter caeni sp. nov., isolated from the sludge of a pesticide manufacturing factory
Authors: Ye Xiao-Mei , Chu Cui-Wei , Shi Chao , Zhu Jian-Chun , He Qin , He Jian
Published: December 2014

Strain BUT-8T, a Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped aerobic bacterium, was isolated from the activated sludge of a herbicide-manufacturing wastewater treatment facility. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain BUT-8T clustered with species of the genus

Lysobacter

and was closely related to

Lysobacter ruishenii

DSM 22393T (98.3 %) and

Lysobacter daejeonensis

KACC 11406T (98.7 %). The DNA G+C content of the genomic DNA was 70.6 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-8, and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an aminolipid. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0, iso-C11 : 0, iso-C11 : 0 3OH and summed feature 9 (comprising iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 010-methyl). The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain BUT-8T and its closest phylogenetic neighbours was below 70 %. Phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic and phenotypic results clearly demonstrated that strain BUT-8T belongs to the genus

Lysobacter

and represents a novel species for which the name Lysobacter caeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BUT-8T ( = CCTCC AB 2013087T = KACC 17141T).
Genome-wide Ultrabithorax binding analysis reveals highly targeted genomic loci at developmental regulators and a potential connection to Polycomb-mediated regulation
Authors: Shlyueva Daria , Meireles-Filho Antonio C.A. , Pagani Michaela , Stark Alexander
Published: December 2014

Hox homeodomain transcription factors are key regulators of animal development. They specify the identity of segments along the anterior-posterior body axis in metazoans by controlling the expression of diverse downstream targets, including transcription factors and signaling pathway components. The Drosophila melanogaster Hox factor Ultrabithorax (Ubx) directs the development of thoracic and abdominal segments and appendages, and loss of Ubx function can lead for example to the transformation of third thoracic segment appendages (e.g. halters) into second thoracic segment appendages (e.g. wings), resulting in a characteristic four-wing phenotype. Here we present a Drosophila melanogaster strain with a V5-epitope tagged Ubx allele, which we employed to obtain a high quality genome-wide map of Ubx binding sites using ChIP-seq. We confirm the sensitivity of the V5 ChIP-seq by recovering 7/8 of well-studied Ubx-dependent cis-regulatory regions. Moreover, we show that Ubx binding is predictive of enhancer activity as suggested by comparison with a genome-scale resource of in vivo tested enhancer candidates. We observed densely clustered Ubx binding sites at 12 extended genomic loci that included ANTP-C, BX-C, Polycomb complex genes, and other regulators and the clustered binding sites were frequently active enhancers. Furthermore, Ubx binding was detected at known Polycomb response elements (PREs) and was associated with significant enrichments of Pc and Pho ChIP signals in contrast to binding sites of other developmental TFs. Together, our results show that Ubx targets developmental regulators via strongly clustered binding sites and allow us to hypothesize that regulation by Ubx might involve Polycomb group proteins to maintain specific regulatory states in cooperative or mutually exclusive fashion, an attractive model that combines two groups of proteins with prominent gene regulatory roles during animal development.
Experience-dependent regulation of presynaptic NMDARs enhances neurotransmitter release at neocortical synapses
Authors: Urban-Ciecko Joanna , Wen Jing A. , Parekh Puja K. , Barth Alison L.
Published: December 2014

Sensory experience can selectively alter excitatory synaptic strength at neocortical synapses. The rapid increase in synaptic strength induced by selective whisker stimulation (single-row experience/SRE, where all but one row of whiskers has been removed from the mouse face) is due, at least in part, to the trafficking of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) to the post-synaptic membrane, and is developmentally regulated. How enhanced sensory experience can alter presynaptic release properties in the developing neocortex has not been investigated. Using paired-pulse stimulation at layer 4-2/3 synapses in acute brain slices, we found that presynaptic release probability progressively increases in the spared-whisker barrel column over the first 24 h of SRE. Enhanced release probability can be at least partly attributed to presynaptic NMDA receptors (NMDARs). We find that the influence of presynaptic NMDARs in enhancing EPSC amplitude markedly increases during SRE. This occurs at the same time when recently potentiated synapses become highly susceptible to a NMDAR-dependent form of synaptic depression, during the labile phase of plasticity. Thus, these data show that augmented sensory stimulation can enhance release probability at layer 4-2/3 synapses and enhance the function of presynaptic NMDARs. Because presynaptic NMDARs have been linked to synaptic depression at layer 4-2/3 synapses, we propose that SRE-dependent up-regulation of presynaptic NMDARs is responsible for enhanced synaptic depression during the labile stage of plasticity.
Fractionating the neural substrates of incidental recognition memory
Authors: Greene Ciara M. , Vidaki Kleio , Soto David
Published: December 2014

Familiar stimuli are typically accompanied by decreases in neural response relative to the presentation of novel items, but these studies often include explicit instructions to discriminate old and new items; this creates difficulties in partialling out the contribution of top-down intentional orientation to the items based on recognition goals. Here, we used an incidental recognition functional MRI paradigm to compare response to repetition of novel and familiar stimuli in the absence of any ongoing memory task demand. The inferior frontal gyrus and hippocampus both displayed enhanced response to novelty and suppressed response to familiar stimuli, notably, under conditions which did not encourage intentional orientation to recognize novel or old items. Functional connectivity analyses additionally suggested that familiarity processing is associated with a network incorporating the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. We conclude that recognition memory substrates can be fractionated even in the absence of memory goals.
The role of the medial prefrontal cortex in trace fear extinction
Authors: Kwapis Janine L. , Jarome Timothy J. , Helmstetter Fred J.
Published: December 2014

The extinction of delay fear conditioning relies on a neural circuit that has received much attention and is relatively well defined. Whether this established circuit also supports the extinction of more complex associations, however, is unclear. Trace fear conditioning is a better model of complex relational learning, yet the circuit that supports extinction of this memory has received very little attention. Recent research has indicated that trace fear extinction requires a different neural circuit than delay extinction; trace extinction requires the participation of the retrosplenial cortex, but not the amygdala, as noted in a previous study. Here, we tested the roles of the prelimbic and infralimbic regions of the medial prefrontal cortex in trace and delay fear extinction by blocking NMDA receptors during extinction learning. We found that the prelimbic cortex is necessary for trace, but not for delay fear extinction, whereas the infralimbic cortex is involved in both types of extinction. These results are consistent with the idea that trace fear associations require plasticity in multiple cortical areas for successful extinction. Further, the infralimbic cortex appears to play a role in extinction regardless of whether the animal was initially trained in trace or delay conditioning. Together, our results provide new information about how the neural circuits supporting trace and delay fear extinction differ.
Potent attenuation of context fear by extinction training contiguous with acquisition
Authors: Bernier Brian E. , Lacagnina Anthony F. , Drew Michael R.
Published: December 2014

Studies on the behavioral mechanisms underlying contextual fear conditioning (CFC) have demonstrated the importance of preshock context exposure in the formation of aversive context memories. However, there has been comparatively little investigation of the effects of context exposure immediately after the shock. Some models predict that nonreinforced context exposure at the end of the acquisition session will strongly influence the strength of conditioning and/or recruit distinct neural mechanisms relative to extinction after acquisition. Here we investigate the effects of manipulating postshock context exposure on CFC in mice. Prolonging the period of context exposure immediately following the shock caused a significant and durable reduction in conditioned fear. This immediate postshock context exposure was more effective at attenuating conditioned fear than was an equivalent amount of context exposure a day or more after acquisition. The results suggest that nonreinforced exposure to the context influences conditioned fear through distinct mechanisms depending on whether it occurs during acquisition or after it. The superiority of immediate postshock context exposure was specific to single-shock CFC; in two-shock CFC, immediate and delayed postshock context exposure had similar effects. Consistent with previous reports, we hypothesize that the effectiveness of extinction is modulated by emotional state, and procedures engendering higher postshock freezing (such as two-shock CFC) are associated with weaker immediate extinction.
A conditioned visual orientation requires the ellipsoid body in Drosophila
Authors: Guo Chao , Du Yifei , Yuan Deliang , Li Meixia , Gong Haiyun , Gong Zhefeng , Liu Li
Published: December 2014

Orientation, the spatial organization of animal behavior, is an essential faculty of animals. Bacteria and lower animals such as insects exhibit taxis, innate orientation behavior, directly toward or away from a directional cue. Organisms can also orient themselves at a specific angle relative to the cues. In this study, using Drosophila as a model system, we established a visual orientation conditioning paradigm based on a flight simulator in which a stationary flying fly could control the rotation of a visual object. By coupling aversive heat shocks to a fly's orientation toward one side of the visual object, we found that the fly could be conditioned to orientate toward the left or right side of the frontal visual object and retain this conditioned visual orientation. The lower and upper visual fields have different roles in conditioned visual orientation. Transfer experiments showed that conditioned visual orientation could generalize between visual targets of different sizes, compactness, or vertical positions, but not of contour orientation. Rut—Type I adenylyl cyclase and Dnc—phosphodiesterase were dispensable for visual orientation conditioning. Normal activity and scb signaling in R3/R4d neurons of the ellipsoid body were required for visual orientation conditioning. Our studies established a visual orientation conditioning paradigm and examined the behavioral properties and neural circuitry of visual orientation, an important component of the insect's spatial navigation.
Competitive Violence and the Micro-Politics of the Fight Label
Authors: Jackson-Jacobs Curtis
Published: December 2014

Although physical fighting is a common theme in research on youth, crime, and schools, social scientists have only rarely confronted a basic question: What makes a fight a ‘fight’? The label and its application are highly consequential for violent actors and social control agencies. Based on several years of longitudinal ethnographic fieldwork with several dozen American youth involved in violence (including a qualitative dataset of 189 violent encounters), the analysis documents the meaning of physical fights as a distinctive form of violent interaction. First, a definition of a ‘fight’ from the sample members' perspective is presented: a stretch of serious, competitive, hand-to-hand violence. Next, the article turns to the ‘micro-politics’ of labelling violence by institutions of discipline and control. By treating violence as a mutual fight, social control agents implicitly deny the roles of ‘victim’ and ‘perpetrator’. Police and school officials may creatively invoke the fight label either to avoid taking action or to punish all parties involved in violence on the street, in the home or at school. Finally, the discussion concludes by addressing variations in how violence is labelled across social ecologies and socioeconomic contexts, and the interrelated nature of the ‘fight’, ‘violence’ and ‘victim’ labels.
Is syllable segmentation developmentally constrained by consonant sonority within syllable boundaries in silent reading? Evidence in French children
Authors: Maïonchi‐Pino Norbert , de Cara Bruno , Écalle Jean , Magnan Annie
Published: December 2014

There is agreement that French typically reading children use syllable‐sized units to segment words. Although the statistical properties of the initial syllables or the clusters within syllable boundaries seem to be crucial for syllable segmentation, little is known about the role of consonant sonority in silent reading. In two experiments that used audio‐visual and visual pseudoword recognition tasks with 300 French typically developing children, we showed a progressive increase in the use of syllable segmentation from the first through fifth years of reading instruction. The children were influenced both by an optimal ‘sonorant coda–obstruent onset’ sonority profile and by the individual position‐dependent consonant sonority within syllable boundaries. Orthographic and phonological statistical properties did not clearly modulate the response patterns. We provide innovative data to help further understand the developmental course of the use of syllable segmentation as determined by sonority. We discuss our results in the light of linguistic principles.
Shotgun proteomic analysis of Bombyx mori brain: emphasis on regulation of behavior and development of the nervous system
Authors: Wang Guo‐Bao , Zheng Qin , Shen Yun‐Wang , Wu Xiao‐Feng
Published: December 2014

The insect brain plays crucial roles in the regulation of growth and development and in all types of behavior. We used sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high‐performance liquid chromatography ‑ electron spray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS) shotgun to identify the proteome of the silkworm brain, to investigate its protein composition and to understand their biological functions. A total of 2210 proteins with molecular weights in the range of 5.64–1539.82 kDa and isoelectric points in the range of 3.78–12.55 were identified. These proteins were annotated according to Gene Ontology Annotation into the categories of molecular function, biological process and cellular component. We characterized two categories of proteins: one includes behavior‐related proteins involved in the regulation of behaviors, such as locomotion, reproduction and learning; the other consists of proteins related to the development or function of the nervous system. The identified proteins were classified into 283 different pathways according to KEGG analysis, including the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway which plays a crucial role in mediating survival signals in a wide range of neuronal cell types. This extensive protein profile provides a basis for further understanding of the physiological functions in the silkworm brain.
Sulforaphane enhances progerin clearance in Hutchinson–Gilford progeria fibroblasts
Authors: Gabriel Diana , Roedl Daniela , Gordon Leslie B. , Djabali Karima
Published: December 2014

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS, OMIM 176670) is a rare multisystem childhood premature aging disorder linked to mutations in the LMNA gene. The most common HGPS mutation is found at position G608G within exon 11 of the LMNA gene. This mutation results in the deletion of 50 amino acids at the carboxyl‐terminal tail of prelamin A, and the truncated protein is called progerin. Progerin only undergoes a subset of the normal post‐translational modifications and remains permanently farnesylated. Several attempts to rescue the normal cellular phenotype with farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) and other compounds have resulted in partial cellular recovery. Using proteomics, we report here that progerin induces changes in the composition of the HGPS nuclear proteome, including alterations to several components of the protein degradation pathways. Consequently, proteasome activity and autophagy are impaired in HGPS cells. To restore protein clearance in HGPS cells, we treated HGPS cultures with sulforaphane (SFN), an antioxidant derived from cruciferous vegetables. We determined that SFN stimulates proteasome activity and autophagy in normal and HGPS fibroblast cultures. Specifically, SFN enhances progerin clearance by autophagy and reverses the phenotypic changes that are the hallmarks of HGPS. Therefore, SFN is a promising therapeutic avenue for children with HGPS.
Latent Trajectory Classes for Alcohol‐Related Blackouts from Age 15 to 19 in ALSPAC
Authors: Schuckit Marc A. , Smith Tom L. , Heron Jon , Hickman Matthew , Macleod John , Munafo Marcus R. , Kendler Kenneth S. , Dick Danielle M. , Davey‐Smith George
Published: December 2014

Background

Alcohol‐related blackouts (ARBs) are reported by ~50% of drinkers. While much is known about the prevalence of ARBs in young adults and their cross‐sectional correlates, there are few prospective studies regarding their trajectories over time during mid‐adolescence. This paper reports latent trajectory classes of ARBs between age 15 and 19, along with predictors of those patterns.

Methods

Latent class growth analysis (LCGA) was used to evaluate the pattern of occurrence of ARBs across 4 time points for 1,402 drinking adolescents from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Multinomial regression analyses evaluated age‐15 demography, substance‐related items, externalizing characteristics, and estimated peer substance use as predictors of latent class membership.

Results

ARBs were reported at age 15 in 30% and at age 19 in 74% of these subjects. Four latent trajectory classes were identified: Class 1 (5.1%) reported no blackouts; for Class 2 (29.5%), ARBs rapidly increased with age; for Class 3 (44.9%), blackouts slowly increased; and for Class 4 (20.5%), ARBs were consistently reported. Using Class 2 (rapid increasers) as the reference, predictors of class membership included female sex, higher drinking quantities, smoking, externalizing characteristics, and estimated peer substance involvement (pseudo R2 = 0.22).

Conclusions

ARBs were common and repetitive in these young subjects, and predictors of their trajectories over time involved multiple domains representing diverse characteristics.
Genome‐wide association study for jumping performances in French sport horses
Authors: Brard S. , Ricard A.
Published: December 2014

A genome‐wide association study was performed to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with jumping performances of warmbloods in France. The 999 horses included in the study for jumping performances were sport horses [mostly Selle Français (68%), Anglo‐Arabians (13%) and horses from the other European studbooks]. Horses were genotyped using the Illumina EquineSNP50 BeadChip. Of the 54 602 SNPs available on this chip, 44 424 were retained after quality testing. Phenotypes were obtained by deregressing official breeding values for jumping competitions to use all available information, that is, the performances of each horse as well as those of its relatives. Two models were used to test the effects of the genotypes on deregressed phenotypes: a single‐marker mixed model and a haplotype‐based mixed model (significant: P < 1E‐05; suggestive: P < 1E‐04). Both models included a polygenic effect to take into account familial structures. For jumping performances, one suggestive quantitative trait locus (QTL) located on chromosome 1 (BIEC2_31196 and BIEC2_31198) was detected with both models. This QTL explains 0.7% of the phenotypic variance. RYR2, a gene encoding a major calcium channel in cardiac muscle in humans and mice, is located 0.55 Mb from this potential QTL.
Detecting signatures of selection in nine distinct lines of broiler chickens
Authors: Stainton John J. , Haley Chris S. , Charlesworth Brian , Kranis Andreas , Watson Kellie , Wiener Pamela
Published: December 2014

Modern commercial chickens have been bred for one of two specific purposes: meat production (broilers) or egg production (layers). This has led to large phenotypic changes, so that the genomic signatures of selection may be detectable using statistical techniques. Genetic differentiation between nine distinct broiler lines was calculated using Weir and Cockerham's pairwise FST estimator for 11 003 genome‐wide markers to identify regions showing evidence of differential selection across lines. Differentiation measures were averaged into overlapping sliding windows for each line, and a permutation approach was used to determine the significance of each window. A total of 51 regions were found to show significant differentiation between the lines. Several lines were consistently found to share significant regions, suggesting that the pattern of line divergence is related to selection for broiler traits. The majority of the 51 regions contain QTL relating to broiler traits, but only five of them were found to be significantly enriched for broiler QTL, including a region on chromosome 27 containing 39 broiler QTL and 114 genes. Additionally, a number of these regions have been identified by other selection mapping studies. This study has identified a large number of potential selection signatures, and further tests with higher‐density marker data may narrow these regions down to individual genes.
Differential expression of CYB5A in Chinese and European pig breeds due to genetic variations in the promoter region
Authors: Bai Y. , Zhang J. B. , Xue Y. , Peng Y. L. , Chen G. , Fang M. Y.
Published: December 2014

Cytochrome b5 (CYB5A) is an important electron transfer protein with homologues in a number of different organisms. In pigs, CYB5A is related to boar taint because of its role in androstenone biosynthesis. To determine the variety of CYB5A expression in pig breeds, genetic variations in the porcine CYB5A promoter region in both Chinese and European pig breeds were examined. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (NC_010443.4:g.165901487delG, g.165901767T>C and g.165902078C>T) were identified in the porcine CYB5A promoter region. These SNPs occurred in different frequencies in Chinese and European pigs. Chinese pigs were primarily haplotype B (denoted as delG‐C‐T: the position of nt 165901487 of the CYB5 gene is a G deletion, nt 165901767 is C and nt 165902078 is T), except for Licha black pigs, which were primarily haplotype A (denoted as G‐T‐C: nt 165901487 is G, nt 165901767 is T and nt 165902078 is C), similar to European pigs. Quantitative PCR data from liver tissues demonstrated that haplotype B individuals had higher CYB5A expression than did those with haplotype A. This was confirmed by in vitro cell transfection assays, in which haplotype B individuals had higher reporter activity than did those with haplotype A. In silico analysis predicted that Myc‐associated zinc‐finger protein (MAZ) is a potential transcription factor at position 165901767. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed this polymorphism affects the stable binding of transcription factors to the CYB5A promoter, which in turn affects the expression levels of this gene. Therefore, this variation of the porcine CYB5A promoter region may explain the differences in androstenone accumulation between Chinese and European pig breeds and may also prove useful as a genetic marker to distinguish the origin of different pig breeds.
Morphology of the Canine Omentum Part 1: Arterial Landmarks that Define the Omentum
Authors: Doom M. , de Rooster H. , van Bergen T. , Gielen I. , Kromhout K. , Simoens P. , Cornillie P.
Published: December 2014

Although the omentum remains an enigmatic organ, research during the last decades has revealed its fascinating functions including fat storage, fluid drainage, immune activity, angiogenesis and adhesion. While clinicians both in human and veterinary medicine are continuously exploring new potential omental applications, detailed anatomical data on the canine omentum are currently lacking, and information is often retrieved from human medicine. In this study, the topographic anatomy of the canine greater and lesser omentum is explored in depth. Current nomenclature is challenged, and a more detailed terminology is proposed. Consistent arteries that are contained within folds of the superficial omental wall are documented, described and named, as they can provide the anatomical landmarks that are necessary for unambiguous scientific communication on the canine omentum. In an included dissection video, the conclusions and in situ findings described in this study are demonstrated.
Young children's beliefs about self‐disclosure of performance failure and success
Authors: Hicks Catherine M. , Liu David , Heyman Gail D.
Published: December 2014

Self‐disclosure of performance information involves the balancing of instrumental, learning benefits (e.g., obtaining help) against social costs (e.g., diminished reputation). Little is known about young children's beliefs about performance self‐disclosure. The present research investigates preschool‐ and early school‐age children's expectations of self‐disclosure in different contexts. In two experiments, 3‐ to 7‐year‐old children (total N = 252) heard vignettes about characters who succeeded or failed at solving a puzzle. Both experiments showed that children across all ages reasoned that people are more likely to self‐disclose positive than negative performances, and Experiment 2 showed that children across all ages reasoned that people are more likely to self‐disclose both positive and negative performances in a supportive than an unsupportive peer environment. Additionally, both experiments revealed changes with age – Younger children were less likely to expect people to withhold their performance information (of both failures and successes) than older children. These findings point to the preschool ages as a crucial beginning to children's developing recognition of people's reluctance to share performance information.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and age are strong indicators for atherosclerosis in morbid obesity
Authors: Puig Josep , Blasco Gerard , Daunis‐i‐Estadella Josep , Loshuertos Emili , Codina Jaume , Cuba Víctor , Ortiz Rosa , Xifra Gemma , Ricart Wifredo , Pedraza Salvador , Federici Massimo , Fernández‐Real José Manuel
Published: December 2014

Objective

Whether nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can predict atherosclerosis in obese patients remains unclear. The aim of our study was to investigate the usefulness of NAFLD and other cardiometabolic parameters in predicting subclinical atherosclerosis in obese patients.

Design, Patients and Measurements

We studied 314 consecutive obese subjects (223 women; mean age, 45·04 ± 9·34 years; body mass index 44·3 ± 5 kg/m2) and 47 healthy lean individuals. Hepatic steatosis and atherosclerosis [carotid intima‐media thickness (cIMT) >0·8 mm and/or presence of plaques] were evaluated ultrasonographically. Liver biopsies were obtained in 51 patients.

Results

In obese patients, mean c‐IMT was greater in those with NAFLD (P < 0·001). Hepatic steatosis and age were independent predictors of atherosclerosis: the NAFLD‐associated OR for atherosclerosis was 5·96 (95%CI, 1·60–22·25; P = 0·008) in men and 8·26 (95%CI, 4·02–16·99; P < 0·001) in women, and the age‐associated OR for atherosclerosis was 1·14 (95%CI, 1·07–1·22; P < 0·001) in men and 1·12 (95%CI, 1·08–1·17; P < 0·001) in women. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of steatosis for atherosclerosis were 78·70%, 70·50%, 74·00% and 75·60% (AUC = 0·840) in men ≥43·5 years and 86·90%, 52·50%, 68·80% and 76·80% (AUC = 0·761) in women ≥47·5 years, respectively. Agreement between ultrasound‐diagnosed steatosis and histology was good (ICC = 0·79). Combined NAFLD and age was the strongest predictor of atherosclerosis in obesity.

Conclusions

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and age may be independent risk factors for carotid atherosclerosis in obese individuals. Obese men and women with steatosis aged over 43·5 and 47·5 years, respectively, should be screened for carotid atherosclerosis. However, further evidence is necessary before suggesting an intervention based on current findings.
Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of surgically treated primary carcinoma of the nasal vestibule – an evaluation of 30 cases
Authors: Koopmann M. , Weiss D. , Savvas E. , Rudack C. , Stenner M.
Published: December 2014

Objectives/hypothesis

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule (SCCNV) is a rare tumour entity. Treatment modality, particularly indication of neck dissection, is still a controversial subject of debate. We sought to evaluate the occurrence of lymph node metastases, the prognosis and the immunohistochemical characteristics of SCCNV.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

This study included 30 consecutive patients with SCCNV treated with primary tumour resection and neck dissection in cases of suspicious lymph nodes between 2003 and 2013. According to therapeutical standard adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy were applied in some cases. Clinicopathological data and immunohistochemical expression of CK5/6, EGFR, Ki‐67, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, p53 and VEGFR were analysed.

Results

The median follow‐up period was 47.1 months. Five‐year disease‐free (5‐year DFS) and 5‐year overall survival (5‐year OS) were 91.7% and 92.3%. Five‐year OS in low‐grade tumours (G1, G2) was 100.0%, in high‐grade tumours (G3) 75.0% (P = 0.028), respectively. We did not detect any lymph node metastases in the neck dissections. Overexpression of p53 showed a trend for better 5‐year OS (p53‐positive 100% versus p53‐negative 77.8%, n.s.). We found a positive correlation between p53 and EGFR (P = 0.0001). There was no significant relationship between the expression rates of the markers and tumour stage and grading.

Conclusions

We propose no prophylactic neck dissection in small‐sized SCCNV. Subtile endoscopic follow‐up and periodic ultrasound examination of the cervical lymph nodes after surgical treatment are recommended. Further evaluation of the p53‐ and EGFR‐pathways might pave the way to identify possible molecular targets in an attempt to tailor tumour management.
Do Family Firms have Better Access to External Finance during Crises?
Authors: Crespí Rafel , Martín‐Oliver Alfredo
Published: December 2014

Manuscript Type

Empirical

Research Question/Issue

We explore whether family firms have easier access to debt during crises than nonfamily firms. We adapt the leverage equation from the corporate finance literature and estimate the differences in the leverages of family and nonfamily firms between expansion and crisis periods.

Research Findings/Insights

The capital structure of family firms is based less on external finance than that of nonfamily firms. Nevertheless, during crisis periods, family firms are less subject to credit restrictions than nonfamily firms and, thus, the impact of the lack of credit on their capital structure is less severe in the former than in the later.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

We provide a reliable test of the access of family firms to external finance in a market with severe financial constraints. A precise empirical definition of family firms contributes to the study of the differential characteristics of this group of firms.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This paper shows the relevance of family firms in the economy under difficult financial conditions. The finding that lenders can be less reluctant to lend to family firms during a crisis encourages policies promoting a long‐term view of these firms and their control across generations. The results can also be useful at the time of designing policies related to the access of credit during expansion and crisis periods.
Dapagliflozin twice daily or once daily: effect on pharmacokinetics and urinary glucose excretion in healthy subjects
Authors: Tang W. , Reele S. , Hamer‐Maansson J. E. , Parikh S. , de Bruin T. W. A.
Published: December 2014

The primary objective of this single‐centre, open‐label crossover study (NCT01072578) was to assess the effect of dapagliflozin on the amount of glucose in the blood and urine in healthy volunteers when dapagliflozin was administered once a day (10 mg) versus twice a day (5 mg every 12 h) after 5 days of dosing. At steady state, the AUCss (0‐24) (area under the dapagliflozin curve (0‐24 hours) at steady state), Css, av (average concentration at steady state) between dapagliflozin 5 mg twice daily and 10 mg once daily were similar AUCss(0‐24) [5 mg bid, (458.0 (28.7)) and 10 mg qd, (470.0 (28.5))] and Css, av [5 mg bid 18.8 (28.9)) and 10 mg qd, (19.6(28.5))], but minimum and maximum plasma levels of dapagliflozin differed significantly. Percent inhibition of renal glucose reabsorption (%IRGRA) and total urinary glucose excretion over 24 h were similar for both doses. The relationship between the mean dapagliflozin concentration and %IRGRA and the total urinary glucose excreted was well described by a maximum effect model. The results indicate that dapagliflozin may be used for either once daily or twice daily administration.
Pollination by nocturnal Lepidoptera, and the effects of light pollution: a review
Authors: MACGREGOR CALLUM J. , POCOCK MICHAEL J. O. , FOX RICHARD , EVANS DARREN M.
Published: December 2014

1. Moths (Lepidoptera) are the major nocturnal pollinators of flowers. However, their importance and contribution to the provision of pollination ecosystem services may have been under‐appreciated. Evidence was identified that moths are important pollinators of a diverse range of plant species in diverse ecosystems across the world.

2. Moth populations are known to be undergoing significant declines in several European countries. Among the potential drivers of this decline is increasing light pollution. The known and possible effects of artificial night lighting upon moths were reviewed, and suggest how artificial night lighting might in turn affect the provision of pollination by moths. The need for studies of the effects of artificial night lighting upon whole communities of moths was highlighted.

3. An ecological network approach is one valuable method to consider the effects of artificial night lighting upon the provision of pollination by moths, as it provides useful insights into ecosystem functioning and stability, and may help elucidate the indirect effects of artificial light upon communities of moths and the plants they pollinate.

4. It was concluded that nocturnal pollination is an ecosystem process that may potentially be disrupted by increasing light pollution, although the nature of this disruption remains to be tested.
Ten‐year prognosis in multiple sclerosis: a better outcome in relapsing−remitting patients but not in primary progressive patients
Authors: Kerbrat A. , Hamonic S. , Leray E. , Tron I. , Edan G. , Yaouanq J. ,   the West Neuroscience Network of Excellence (WENNE)
Published: December 2014

Background and purpose

Multiple sclerosis (MS) prognosis remains a challenge for both patients and physicians. Complementary to natural history studies, updated population‐based data from the first event suggestive of MS, at the time of the first approved disease modifying drug (DMD), are needed. Our objective was to provide a 10‐year history of MS from clinical onset at time of first approved DMDs in a population‐based cohort.

Methods

A population‐based cohort of patients whose first clinical event suggestive of MS had occurred in Brittany between 2000 and 2001 was prospectively selected. History of relapses, treatments and disability up to 10 years after onset were collected.

Results

In all, 278 patients with either attack‐onset (n = 244) or progressive‐onset (n = 34) were recruited. Amongst attack‐onset patients, 30% remained as clinically isolated syndrome and 70% had a second relapse after a median time of 1.7 years (95% confidence interval 1.2–2.4). 80% of relapsing−remitting MS patients received DMDs for at least 6 months. 29% reached disability status scale (DSS) 3 and 8% DSS 6. Amongst progressive‐onset patients, 100% reached DSS 3 and 59% DSS 6.

Conclusion(s)

Our population‐based study reports a lower risk of disability progression at 10‐year follow‐up in the relapsing−remitting MS group than previously reported. This better prognosis was not observed in the progressive‐onset MS group. This finding impacts the prognosis given to patients in clinical practice.
Getting the environmental information across: from the Web to the user
Authors: Wanner Leo , Bosch Harald , Bouayad‐Agha Nadjet , Casamayor Gerard , Ertl Thomas , Hilbring Désirée , Johansson Lasse , Karatzas Kostas , Karppinen Ari , Kompatsiaris Ioannis , Koskentalo Tarja , Mille Simon , Moßgraber Jürgen , Moumtzidou Anastasia , Myllynen Maria , Pianta Emanuele , Rospocher Marco , Serafini Luciano , Tarvainen Virpi , Tonelli Sara , Vrochidis Stefanos
Published: December 2014

Environmental and meteorological conditions are of utmost importance for the population, as they are strongly related to the quality of life. Citizens are increasingly aware of this importance. This awareness results in an increasing demand for environmental information tailored to their specific needs and background. We present an environmental information platform that supports submission of user queries related to environmental conditions and orchestrates results from complementary services to generate personalized suggestions. The system discovers and processes reliable data in the Web in order to convert them into knowledge. At runtime, this information is transferred into an ontology‐structured knowledge base, from which then information relevant to the specific user is deduced and communicated in the language of their preference. The platform is demonstrated with real world use cases in the south area of Finland, showing the impact it can have on the quality of everyday life.
Human Δ3,Δ2‐enoyl‐CoA isomerase, type 2: a structural enzymology study on the catalytic role of its ACBP domain and helix‐10
Authors: Onwukwe Goodluck U. , Kursula Petri , Koski M. Kristian , Schmitz Werner , Wierenga Rik K.
Published: December 2014

The catalytic domain of the trimeric human Δ3,Δ2‐enoyl‐CoA isomerase, type 2 (HsECI2), has the typical crotonase fold. In the active site of this fold two main chain NH groups form an oxyanion hole for binding the thioester oxygen of the 3E‐ or 3Z‐enoyl‐CoA substrate molecules. A catalytic glutamate is essential for the proton transfer between the substrate C2 and C4 atoms for forming the product 2E‐enoyl‐CoA, which is a key intermediate in the β‐oxidation pathway. The active site is covered by the C‐terminal helix‐10. In HsECI2, the isomerase domain is extended at its N terminus by an acyl‐CoA binding protein (ACBP) domain. Small angle X‐ray scattering analysis of HsECI2 shows that the ACBP domain protrudes out of the central isomerase trimer. X‐ray crystallography of the isomerase domain trimer identifies the active site geometry. A tunnel, shaped by loop‐2 and extending from the catalytic site to bulk solvent, suggests a likely mode of binding of the fatty acyl chains. Calorimetry data show that the separately expressed ACBP and isomerase domains bind tightly to fatty acyl‐CoA molecules. The truncated isomerase variant (without ACBP domain) has significant enoyl‐CoA isomerase activity; however, the full‐length isomerase is more efficient. Structural enzymological studies of helix‐10 variants show the importance of this helix for efficient catalysis. Its hydrophobic side chains, together with residues from loop‐2 and loop‐4, complete a hydrophobic cluster that covers the active site, thereby fixing the thioester moiety in a mode of binding competent for efficient catalysis.

Database

Structural data are available in the PDB database under the accession numbers 4U18 (ISO‐ECI2), 4U19 (ISOA‐ECI2), 4U1A (ISOB‐ECI2)
Alzheimer's disease and chronic periodontitis: Is there an association?
Authors: Gaur Sumit , Agnihotri Rupali
Published: December 2014

Alzheimer's disease, an affliction of old age, is one of the leading causes for dementia worldwide. Various risk factors including family history, genetics and infections have been implicated in its pathogenesis. The cognitive decline in this condition is mainly a result of the formation of amyloid deposits that provoke neuroinflammation, ultimately resulting in cell death. Recently, an association between peripheral inflammation and Alzheimer's disease was hypothesized. It was suggested that chronic systemic inflammation worsened the inflammatory processes in the brain. This was mainly attributed to increased levels of pro‐inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin‐1, interleukin ‐6 and tumor necrosis factor‐α in the plasma. As chronic periodontitis is a widespread peripheral immunoinflammatory condition, it has been proposed to play a significant role in the aggravation of Alzheimer's disease. With this background, the current review focuses on the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and chronic periodontitis, and its therapeutic implications. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 391–404.
Reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the simplified nutritional appetite questionnaire in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Nakatsu Nobuyuki , Sawa Ryuichi , Misu Shogo , Ueda Yuya , Ono Rei
Published: December 2014

Aim

To translate the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) into Japanese, and assess its reliability and validity in Japanese community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

A total of 84 community‐dwelling older adults people aged 65 years or older were included in the present study, and those with a Mini‐Mental State Examination score of <24, had dementia, had digestive disease or who did not complete the examination were excluded. The SNAQ was translated into Japanese according to an internationally accepted methodology. The internal reliability of the SNAQ was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Test–retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. The dimensionality of the SNAQ was evaluated by factor analysis. Concurrent validity was evaluated by measuring the Pearson's correlation coefficient between the SNAQ and Mini‐Nutritional Assessment Short‐Form scores, Geriatric Depression Scale scores, walking speed test, chair‐stand test, hand grip strength test, or the Timed Up and Go test.

Results

The mean score of the Japanese version of the SNAQ was 15.5, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.545 and intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.754. Factor analysis showed a single factor with 50.0% explained variance. The SNAQ was significantly associated with the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment Short‐Form, Geriatric Depression Scale, walking speed test, chair‐stand test and the Timed Up and Go test. Handgrip strength test did not show a significant association with the SNAQ.

Conclusion

The Japanese version of the SNAQ had sufficient reliability and validity. Furthermore, SNAQ (Japanese version) is useful for evaluating the appetite of community‐dwelling older adults in Japan. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 1264–1269.
Habitat use of the endangered parasitic butterfly Phengaris arion close to its northern distribution limit
Authors: Vilbas Margus , Teder Tiit , Tiitsaar Anu , Kaasik Ants , Esperk Toomas
Published: December 2014

Populations close to species distribution limits often differ in their habitat use from more central populations of the species distribution. Knowledge of species ecology derived from the latter may therefore not be sufficient to ensure successful conservation of peripheral populations.

In this study, we examine habitat use of Phengaris (=Maculinea) arion (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae), an endangered myrmecophilous butterfly, in populations close to its northern distribution limit (in Estonia). A particular emphasis is given to its interactions with other species – host plant and host ant use, and, as a novel aspect, adult predation by dragonflies.

Phengaris arion was found to be restricted to grassland patches with much higher host plant abundance than shown in other regions and predicted by habitat suitability models.

All direct observations of the host ant use of P. arion were limited to the colonies of Myrmica lonae, an ant species which has nowhere else been demonstrated to be the primary host of this butterfly. Our data thus contribute to the emerging understanding that host ant use in P. arion can be geographically remarkably diverse.

The results indicate that dragonfly predation on adult butterflies could be an essential driver of patch occupancy in P. arion. Our findings thus suggest that top‐down influences, largely neglected in butterfly conservation, may actually need to be considered.