bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public-private domain distinction as an aspect of LPP frameworks
Authors: Hamid M. Obaidul , Baldauf Richard B.
Published: September 2014

While macro-level language policy and planning (LPP) that is done mainly by governments still dominates thinking in the field, limitations of this focus have been demonstrated by recent broader and more focused conceptualizations of LPP. For instance, global LPP, particularly for languages of wider communication such as English, has received considerable attention. Similarly, studies of meso- and micro-level planning has shown that many LPP decisions have to be taken at sub-national institutional, communal and familial levels, particularly in contexts where macro-level policies do not exist, where non-interventionist policies of benign neglect are deemed appropriate from a political point of view, or where a problem is too small to attract national attention. These recent developments have led to additions to the macro-level LPP framework, providing more appropriate and contextually relevant tools to understand LPP efforts carried out by LPP “actors” both within and beyond individual polities. However, this diversification of LPP frames and contexts can also be seen as going through a process of simultaneous unification and taking a macro-like character, as illustrated by the distinctions being drawn between the public and the private sector LPP. Taking Bangladesh as a case and drawing on LPP issues pertaining to public and private universities as well as pre-tertiary educational institutions with a particular focus on medium of instruction and the private tutoring industry, we argue for the relevance of this macro-like distinction for a better understanding of complex LPP issues in the country. We maintain that the public-private domain distinction may complement existing variables by adding a dimension that is increasingly becoming important in a globalized world dominated by neoliberalism.
Deep-ultraviolet surface plasmon resonance of Al and Alcore/Al2O3shellnanosphere dimers for surface-enhanced spectroscopy
Authors: Ci Xue-Ting , Wu Bo-Tao , Song Min , Chen Geng-Xu , Liu Yan , Wu E , Zeng He-Ping
Published: September 2014

The localized surface plasmon resonance properties of Al and Alcore/Al2O3shellnanosphere dimers with Al and Al core nanosphere radii of 20 nm and Al2O3shell of 2 nm in the deep-ultraviolet region have been studied using the finite difference time domain method. The extinction spectra and the electric field distribution profiles of the two dimers for various gap distances between two individual nanospheres are compared with those of the corresponding monomers to reveal the extent of plasmon coupling. It is found that with the interparticle distance decreasing, a strong plasmon coupling between two Al or Alcore/Al2O3shellnanospheres is observed accompanied by a significant red shift in the extinction spectra at the parallel polarization direction of the incident light related to the dimer axis, while for the case of the perpendicular polarization direction, a weak plasmon coupling arises characterized by a slight blue shift in the extinction spectra. The electric field distribution profiles show that benefiting from the dielectric Al2O3shell, the gap distance of Alcore/Al2O3shellnanosphere dimers can be tailored to < 1 nm scale and results in a very high electric field enhancement. The estimated surface-enhanced Raman scattering enhancement factors suggests that the Alcore/Al2O3shellnanosphere dimers with the gap of < 1 nm gave rise to an enhancement as high as 8.1 × 107for interparticle gap = 0.5 nm. Our studies reveal that the Alcore/Al2O3shellnanosphere dimers may be promising substrates for surface-enhanced spectroscopy in the deep-ultraviolet region.
Pseudo-Orbital Apex Syndrome in the Acute Trauma Setting Due to Ipsilateral Dissection of Internal Carotid Artery
Authors: Anders Ursula M , Taylor Elise J. , Martel Joseph R. , Martel James B.
Published: September 2014

Traumatic causes of orbital apex and superior orbital fissure syndrome are uncommon. The authors present the first case of a traumatic superior orbital fissure syndrome simulating orbital apex syndrome, with loss of vision from posterior ischemic optic neuropathy. A 35-year-old man was initially felt to have a right orbital apex syndrome with left craniofacial and orbital trauma. CT revealed left orbital fractures, a right superior orbital fissure fracture, a retained metallic foreign body in the right sphenoid sinus, and a right frontoparietal subdural hematoma. CT angiography showed a secondary dissection and occlusion of the right internal carotid artery from osseous erosion of the posterolateral wall of the sphenoid sinus. Internal carotid artery dissection is a possible, though rare, cause of ischemic optic neuropathy. The right pseudo-orbital apex syndrome resulted from a mechanical superior orbital fissure syndrome and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy from an internal carotid artery dissection.
Congenital Eyelid Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Lee Yi-Ching , Hsu Yung-Hsiang , Yang Shan-Hsien , Huang Tzu-Lun
Published: September 2014

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children. The authors present a rare case of eyelid rhabdomyosarcoma in a newborn, who was found to have a reddish eyelid tumor in his OD. A mass with a clear margin, confined to the upper eyelid, was revealed using orbital MRI. Intralesional steroids were injected under the impression of a capillary hemangioma and the tumor shrank initially, but grew rapidly later. Therefore, a debulking surgery was performed and the final diagnosis was embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. After the operation, metastases still occurred despite the treatment with chemotherapy and concurrent radiation. The patient expired at 6 months of age. In an autopsy, a neuroblastoma was incidentally found in his left adrenal gland. Early biopsy may help lead to an early correct diagnosis and avoid metastases in similar cases.
Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Children and Adolescents in Japan
Authors: Komatsu Haruki , Inui Ayano , Sogo Tsuyoshi , Tsunoda Tomoyuki , Fujisawa Tomoo
Published: September 2014

Background:

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion is an important event in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to clarify the outcome of long‐term follow‐up of chronic HBV infection and the factors affecting HBeAg seroconversion in children in Japan.

Methods:

Patients who were first examined at our institution between 1980 and 2012, who were <20 years of age at the time of this initial visit, and who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen for at least 6 months were identified retrospectively. Sex, age at diagnosis, HBV genotype, maximum serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, occurrence of hepatitis flare‐ups (yes/no), and transmission route were evaluated to identify the predictors of HBeAg seroconversion.

Results:

A total of 205 children with chronic HBV were enrolled. Among them, 192 were positive for HBeAg upon diagnosis of chronic HBV infection. Out of this group, 95 (49%) achieved HBeAg seroconversion and 43 (21%) received treatment during the follow‐up period. Only the maximum serum ALT level was significantly associated with the achievement of HBeAg seroconversion by multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed that the median times to HBeAg seroconversion (50% achievement of HBeAg seroconversion) of the treated and untreated children were 10.2 and 12.0 years, respectively. The cumulative proportion of HBeAg seroconversion was significantly higher in the treated children than in the untreated children (P = 0.02).

Conclusions:

A higher serum ALT level was a predictor for HBeAg seroconversion. Antiviral treatment could accelerate the achievement of HBeAg seroconversion in HBV‐infected children.
Comamonas humi sp. nov., isolated from soil
Authors: Hatayama Kouta
Published: September 2014

A bacterial strain, designated GAU11T, was isolated from soil in Japan. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile rods. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain GAU11T showed high similarity to those of

Comamonas zonglianii

BF-3T (98.8 %),

Pseudacidovorax intermedius

CC21T (96.4 %),

Acidovorax caeni

R-24608T (96.2 %),

Alicycliphilus denitrificans

K601T (96.2 %),

Pseudorhodoferax soli

TBEA3T (95.9 %) and

Comamonas terrigena

LMG 1253T (95.9 %). Strain GAU11T contained ubiquinone 8 as the sole ubiquinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol as major polar lipids. Its major cellular fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH). The DNA G+C content of strain GAU11T was 68.2 mol%. The DNA–DNA relatedness between strain GAU11T and

C. zonglianii

DSM 22523T was 52 or 68 % (reciprocal value). Phenotypic characterization indicated that strain GAU11T represents a member of the genus

Comamonas

, but at the same time distinguished it from

C. zonglianii

DSM 22523T. From polyphasic characterization, this strain should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus

Comamonas

, for which the name Comamonas humi sp. nov. (type strain GAU11T = JCM 19903T = DSM 28451T) is proposed.
Determination of human papillomavirus 16 physical status through E1/E6 and E2/E6 ratio analysis
Authors: Tsakogiannis Dimitris , Kyriakopoulou Zaharoula , Ruether Irina Georgia Anna , Amoutzias Grigoris D. , Dimitriou Tilemachos G. , Diamantidou Valentina , Kotsovassilis Constantin , Markoulatos Panayotis
Published: September 2014

Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 genome integration into the host chromosome is a crucial event during the life cycle of the virus and a major step towards carcinogenesis. The integration of HPV16 DNA promotes a constitutive high expression level of E6 and E7 oncoproteins, resulting in the extensive proliferation of the infected epithelial cells. In the present report the physical status of the HPV16 genome was studied, through determination of E1/E6 and E2/E6 DNA copy number ratios in 61 cervical samples of low- and high-grade malignancy and 8 cervical cancer samples, all of them associated with HPV16 infection. The selection of E1, E2 and E6 amplification target regions was performed according to the most prevalent deleted/disrupted sites of E1 and E2 genes. For this target selection we also considered the most conserved regions of E1, E2 and E6 genes among the same HPV16 isolates that were recently reported by our group. The analysis of HPV16 DNA form revealed a significant association among the mixed DNA forms in low-grade and high-grade malignancies, (χ2, P<0.01). The comparative analysis of E1/E6 and E2/E6 in the same cervical samples provides an accurate picture of HPV16 DNA form and may reveal whether different HPV16 DNA integrants coexist in the same cervical sample or not. This study proposes that E1/E6 and E2/E6 ratios determine with accuracy the HPV16 DNA integration pattern and may predict multiple integration events in the examined sample, thus providing significant information about the progression of cervical dysplasia.
Peroxisomal Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases Peroxin2 and Peroxin10 Have Distinct But Synergistic Roles in Matrix Protein Import and Peroxin5 Retrotranslocation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Burkhart Sarah E. , Kao Yun-Ting , Bartel Bonnie
Published: September 2014

Peroxisomal matrix proteins carry peroxisomal targeting signals (PTSs), PTS1 or PTS2, and are imported into the organelle with the assistance of peroxin (PEX) proteins. From a microscopy-based screen to identify Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants defective in matrix protein degradation, we isolated unique mutations in PEX2 and PEX10, which encode ubiquitin-protein ligases anchored in the peroxisomal membrane. In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), PEX2, PEX10, and a third ligase, PEX12, ubiquitinate a peroxisome matrix protein receptor, PEX5, allowing the PEX1 and PEX6 ATP-hydrolyzing enzymes to retrotranslocate PEX5 out of the membrane after cargo delivery. We found that the pex2-1 and pex10-2 Arabidopsis mutants exhibited defects in peroxisomal physiology and matrix protein import. Moreover, the pex2-1 pex10-2 double mutant exhibited severely impaired growth and synergistic physiological defects, suggesting that PEX2 and PEX10 function cooperatively in the wild type. The pex2-1 lesion restored the unusually low PEX5 levels in the pex6-1 mutant, implicating PEX2 in PEX5 degradation when retrotranslocation is impaired. PEX5 overexpression altered pex10-2 but not pex2-1 defects, suggesting that PEX10 facilitates PEX5 retrotranslocation from the peroxisomal membrane. Although the pex2-1 pex10-2 double mutant displayed severe import defects of both PTS1 and PTS2 proteins into peroxisomes, both pex2-1 and pex10-2 single mutants exhibited clear import defects of PTS1 proteins but apparently normal PTS2 import. A similar PTS1-specific pattern was observed in the pex4-1 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme mutant. Our results indicate that Arabidopsis PEX2 and PEX10 cooperate to support import of matrix proteins into plant peroxisomes and suggest that some PTS2 import can still occur when PEX5 retrotranslocation is slowed.
Refining the range of an importance index
Authors: Mingo Antonio
Published: September 2014

An index measuring interaction importance (Iimp) was proposed in a paper published on 2010 by the Journal of Ecology. This index, now widely used by researchers, has been claimed to symmetrically range in the interval (−1, 1), with negative values for competition and positive values for facilitation.

Here, the index properties are carefully analysed, and it is demonstrated that Iimp can never exceed the value of 0.5 in facilitation.

Several years have passed since its publication, yet nobody has corrected the inexact index range, and several researchers continue to inaccurately refer to it. Overlooking this lack of symmetry could potentially lead to biased conclusions.

Synthesis. Iimp cannot be treated as a symmetric index for negative and positive interactions. This is only the last of several concerns discussed in literature: current approaches to measuring interaction importance still need to be debated and analysed in depth.
Conserved features and major differences in the outer membrane protein composition of chlamydiae
Authors: Aistleitner Karin , Anrather Dorothea , Schott Thomas , Klose Julia , Bright Monika , Ammerer Gustav , Horn Matthias
Published: September 2014

Chlamydiae are a highly successful group of obligate intracellular bacteria infecting a variety of eukaryotic hosts. Outer membrane proteins involved in attachment to and uptake into host cells, and cross‐linking of these proteins via disulfide bonds are key features of the biphasic chlamydial developmental cycle. In this study, we used a consensus approach to predict outer membrane proteins in the genomes of members of three chlamydial families. By analysing outer membrane protein fractions of purified chlamydiae with highly sensitive mass spectrometry, we show that the protein composition differs strongly between these organisms. Large numbers of major outer membrane protein‐like proteins are present at high abundance in the outer membrane of Simkania negevensis and Waddlia chondrophila, whereas yet uncharacterized putative porins dominate in Parachlamydia acanthamoebae. Simkania represents the first case of a chlamydia completely lacking stabilizing cysteine‐rich proteins in its outer membrane. In agreement with this, and in contrast to Parachlamydia and Waddlia, the cellular integrity of Simkania is not impaired by conditions that reduce disulfide bonds of these proteins. The observed differences in the protein composition of the outer membrane among members of divergent chlamydial families suggest different stabilities of these organisms in the environment, probably due to adaption to different niches or transmission routes.
Is It Always Worth Waiting? The Effect of Autonomy‐supportive Teaching on Short‐term and Long‐term Learning Outcomes
Authors: Cappetta Rossella , Paolino Chiara
Published: September 2014

Autonomy is known for its positive effects and its use in management practice. Recently an urgent debate has emerged on its drawbacks on individual outcomes. In this study, we investigate and test a model on the effect on individual learning of an autonomy‐supportive teaching style and its interplay with the learner's previous experience and perceived management support. Specifically, while research has emphasized the positive effect of similar contexts, this study focuses on its differential effect on short‐term and long‐term learning outcomes, challenging the traditional view of autonomy. We also explore how job experience and management support can improve the effects of autonomy on individual learning. We test our model by collecting longitudinal data on a sample of 200 individuals participating in a training programme on managerial skills. Our results show that (1) the extent to which teachers were perceived as autonomy‐supportive presents a linear relationship with short‐term learning outcomes (utility reactions) and a positive curvilinear relationship with training transfer in the long term; (2) learner job experience and perceived management support for learning have a positive moderating effect on the linear relationship between autonomy and learning outcomes.
Prosodic awareness is related to reading ability in children with autism spectrum disorders
Authors: Nash Renae , Arciuli Joanne
Published: September 2014

Prosodic awareness has been linked with reading accuracy in typically developing children. Although children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often have difficulty processing prosody and often have trouble learning to read, no previous study has looked at the link between explicit prosodic awareness and reading in ASD. In the current study, 29 early readers with ASD (5–11 years) completed word and nonword reading accuracy tasks and two measures of prosodic awareness. Tasks relating to phonological awareness, oral language, vocabulary, letter knowledge and nonverbal intelligence were also administered. A key finding was that there was a relationship between prosodic awareness and both word and nonword reading accuracy.
Anthropometric indices in a community‐dwelling Australian population aged 70–90 years: The Sydney Memory and Ageing Study
Authors: Arcot Jayashree , Kim Jihee , Trollor Julian , Brodaty Henry , Crawford John , Sachdev Perminder
Published: September 2014

Aim

To evaluate the anthropometric indices in community‐dwelling people aged 70–90 years in Sydney, Australia.

Method

Cross‐sectional data were collected during the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study from two federal government electoral areas from 2005–2007. Participants with no dementia were recruited to the study (n = 1037). The anthropometric parameters including body weight, standing height, waist circumference and hip circumference were obtained with the average participation rate of 97%. The study population was then stratified by gender and age groups.

Results

With increasing age, the body weight and standing height decreased, while waist circumference and waist to hip ratio showed different patterns. With reference to the World Health Organization classification for body mass index, overweight and obesity were found in 75.3% of men and 61.2% of women. In particular, the result revealed that 23% of the study cohort was obese. While all men had mean waist to hip ratios exceeding the cut‐off value (≥0.90), only 53.7% of women were categorised as having a condition leading to increased risk of mortality (≥0.85). The mean waist to hip ratio in men and women was 0.96 ± 0.06 and 0.86 ± 0.07, respectively (±standard deviation).

Conclusions

This study provides gender‐ and age‐specific distributions for six anthropometric measurements for older Australians to identify individuals with potentially greater risk of disease. Overweight and obesity are common in the older population. However, more data from across Australia are needed to confirm the findings from this study.
Smilax China Root Extract Detoxifies Nicotine by Reducing Reactive Oxygen Species and Inducing CYP2A6
Authors: Kim Kyeong‐Mu , Suh Joo‐Won , Yang Seung‐Hwan , Kim Bo‐Rahm , Park Tae‐Sik , Shim Soon‐Mi
Published: September 2014

Resveratrol has a beneficial effect of lowering reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduces cellular oxidative stress. We hypothesized that ethanol extract of Smilax china root (EESC) rich in resveratrol (RES) and oxyresveratrol (OXY) could reduce ROS caused by nicotine and promoting nicotine turnover by induction of CYP2A6. The amount of cotinine converted from nicotine was quantified by the direct barbiturate assay method. Expression of CYP2A6 was unregulated by RES, OXY, or EESC, respectively. Pretreatment of RES (50, 100, and 250 μM), OXY (50, 100, and 250 μM), and RES+OXY (50 and 100 μM) inhibited cytotoxicity and ROS production caused by nicotine in a dose‐dependent manner. EESC pretreatment (1.8 mg/mL) increased cell viability by 1.5‐fold higher than the control (nicotine only), and lowered cellular ROS levels. A significant amount of the conversion of nicotine to cotinine was observed in EESC pretreatment by CYP2A6 induction in HepG2 cells. These results suggested that hepatic induction of CYP2A6 and ROS reduction by EESC activate nicotine metabolism and reduce cellular oxidative stress.
Consumer Attitudes and Preferences for Fresh Market Tomatoes
Authors: Oltman A.E. , Jervis S.M. , Drake M.A.
Published: September 2014

This study established attractive attributes and consumer desires for fresh tomatoes. Three focus groups (n = 28 participants) were conducted to explore how consumers perceived tomatoes, including how they purchased and consumed them. Subsequently, an Adaptive Choice Based Conjoint (ACBC) survey was conducted to understand consumer preferences toward traditional tomatoes. The ACBC survey with Kano questions (n = 1037 consumers in Raleigh, NC) explored the importance of color, firmness, size, skin, texture, interior, seed presence, flavor, and health benefits. The most important tomato attribute was color, then juice when sliced, followed by size, followed by seed presence, which was at parity with firmness. An attractive tomato was red, firm, medium/small sized, crisp, meaty, juicy, flavorful, and with few seeds. Deviations from these features resulted in a tomato that was rejected by consumers. Segmentations of consumers were determined by patterns in utility scores. External attributes were the main drivers of tomato liking, but different groups of tomato consumers exist with distinct preferences for juiciness, firmness, flavor, and health benefits.
The Influence of Herbs, Spices, and Regular Sausage and Chicken Consumption on Liking of Reduced Fat Breakfast and Lunch Items
Authors: Polsky Sarit , Beck Jimikaye , Stark Rebecca A. , Pan Zhaoxing , Hill James O. , Peters John C.
Published: September 2014

Adults often consume more fat than is recommended. We examined factors that may improve liking of reduced fat and reduced saturated fat foods, including the addition of herbs and spices and habitual consumption of different high‐fat and low‐fat food items. We randomized adults to taste 3 different conditions: full fat (FF), reduced fat with no added spice (RF), and reduced fat plus spice (RFS). Subjects rated their liking of French toast, sausage and the overall meal, or chicken, vegetables, pasta, and the overall meal on a 9‐point hedonic Likert scale. Overall liking of the RF breakfast and lunch meals were lower than the FF and RFS versions (breakfast: 6.50 RF compared with 6.84 FF, P = 0.0061; 6.50 RF compared with 6.82 RFS, P = 0.0030; lunch: 6.35 RF compared with 6.94 FF, P < 0.0001; 6.35 RF compared with 6.71 RFS, P = 0.0061). RFS and FF breakfast and lunch meals, French toast, chicken, and vegetable likings were similar. FF and RFS conditions were liked more than RF for the breakfast and lunch meals, French toast, chicken entrée, and vegetables. Liking of all 3 sausage conditions was similar. FF pasta was liked more than RFS and RF (7.47 FF compared with 6.42 RFS, P < 0.0001; 7.47 FF compared with 6.47 RF, P < 0.0001). Habitual consumption of roasted chicken was associated with reduced liking of FF chicken (r = −0.23, P = 0.004) and FF pasta (r = −0.23, P = 0.005). Herbs and spices may be useful for improving the liking of lower fat foods and helping Americans maintain a diet consistent with the U.S. Dietary Guidelines.
A biochemical approach for identifying plastics exposure in live wildlife
Authors: Hardesty Britta D. , Holdsworth Daniel , Revill Andrew T. , Wilcox Chris
Published: September 2014

Plastic pollution is a long‐standing ubiquitous issue. Global use of plastics is continuing to rise, and there is increasing interest in understanding the prevalence and risk associated with exposure of wildlife to plastics, particularly in the marine environment.

In order To facilitate an assessment of ingestion of plastics in seabird populations, we developed a minimally invasive tool that allows for detection of exposure to plastics.

Using a simple swabbing technique in which the waxy preen oil is expressed from the uropygial gland of birds, we successfully tested for the presence of three common plasticizers: dimethyl, dibutyl and diethylhexyl phthalate [dimethyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate and bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐phthalate, respectively]. These plasticizers are prevalent in the manufacturing of plastic end‐user items which often end up in the marine environment.

Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and protocols to reduce background contamination, we were confidently able to detect targeted plasticizers at low levels.

The method described has broad applicability for detecting plastics exposure in wildlife at individual, population and species levels. Furthermore, the approach can be readily modified as needed to survey for plastics exposure in taxa other than seabirds.

Applying the simple, minimally invasive approach we describe here is particularly appealing for detecting plastics exposure at population and species levels, it shows promise for quantification and it has no observed detrimental impacts to wildlife.
Quantifying levels of animal activity using camera trap data
Authors: Rowcliffe J. Marcus , Kays Roland , Kranstauber Bart , Carbone Chris , Jansen Patrick A.
Published: September 2014

Activity level (the proportion of time that animals spend active) is a behavioural and ecological metric that can provide an indicator of energetics, foraging effort and exposure to risk. However, activity level is poorly known for free‐living animals because it is difficult to quantify activity in the field in a consistent, cost‐effective and non‐invasive way.

This article presents a new method to estimate activity level with time‐of‐detection data from camera traps (or more generally any remote sensors), fitting a flexible circular distribution to these data to describe the underlying activity schedule, and calculating overall proportion of time active from this.

Using simulations and a case study for a range of small‐ to medium‐sized mammal species, we find that activity level can reliably be estimated using the new method.

The method depends on the key assumption that all individuals in the sampled population are active at the peak of the daily activity cycle. We provide theoretical and empirical evidence suggesting that this assumption is likely to be met for many species, but may be less likely met in large predators, or in high‐latitude winters. Further research is needed to establish stronger evidence on the validity of this assumption in specific cases; however, the approach has the potential to provide an effective, non‐invasive alternative to existing methods for quantifying population activity levels.
Predicting subsequent relapse by drug‐related cue‐induced brain activation in heroin addiction: an event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Li Qiang , Li Wei , Wang Hanyue , Wang Yarong , Zhang Yi , Zhu Jia , Zheng Ying , Zhang Dongsheng , Wang Lina , Li Yongbin , Yan Xuejiao , Chang Haifeng , Fan Min , Li Zhe , Tian Jie , Gold Mark S. , Wang Wei , Liu Yijun
Published: September 2014

Abnormal salience attribution is implicated in heroin addiction. Previously, combining functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a drug cue‐reactivity task, we demonstrated abnormal patterns of subjective response and brain reactivity in heroin‐dependent individuals. However, whether the changes in cue‐induced brain response were related to relapse was unknown. In a prospective study, we recruited 49 heroin‐dependent patients under methadone maintenance treatment, a gold standard treatment (average daily dose 41.8 ± 16.0 mg), and 20 healthy subjects to perform the heroin cue‐reactivity task during fMRI. The patients' subjective craving was evaluated. They participated in a follow‐up assessment for 3 months, during which heroin use was assessed and relapse was confirmed by self‐reported relapse or urine toxicology. Differences between relapsers and non‐relapsers were analyzed with respect to the results from heroin‐cue responses. Compared with healthy subjects, relapsers and non‐relapsers commonly demonstrated significantly increased brain responses during the processing of heroin cues in the mesolimbic system, prefrontal regions and visuospatial‐attention regions. However, compared with non‐relapsers, relapsers demonstrated significantly greater cue‐induced craving and the brain response mainly in the bilateral nucleus accumbens/subcallosal cortex and cerebellum. Although the cue‐induced heroin craving was low in absolute measures, the change in craving positively correlated with the activation of the nucleus accumbens/subcallosal cortex among the patients. These findings suggest that in treatment‐seeking heroin‐dependent individuals, greater cue‐induced craving and greater specific regional activations might be related to reward/craving and memory retrieval processes. These responses may predict relapse and represent important targets for the development of new treatment for heroin addiction.
High‐ and low‐dose allergen challenges in asthmatic patients using inhaled corticosteroids
Authors: Lee Wha‐Yong , Southworth Thomas , Booth Steven , Singh Dave
Published: September 2014

Aims

The inhaled allergen challenge model has been used previously to investigate the effects of novel anti‐inflammatory drugs in inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)‐naïve asthmatics. The aim of this study was to characterize high‐ and low‐dose allergen challenges in asthmatic patients using ICS.

Methods

Twenty‐eight asthmatic patients taking ICS (beclomethasone equivalent <1000 μg day−1) were recruited for high‐dose allergen challenge, of whom 10 subsequently also had a repeat low‐dose challenge comprising seven allergen challenges. Induced sputum was collected for measurements of cell counts and supernatant biomarkers.

Results

The high‐dose allergen challenge caused an early and late asthmatic response in 19 of 28 patients; the mean maximal fall in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 29.1% (SD 6.2%) and 25.1% (SD 9.6%), respectively. There was also an increase in sputum eosinophils of 6.2% (P = 0.0004), as well as supernatant eosinophil cationic protein levels. The low‐dose allergen challenge caused an acute fall in FEV1, but had no effect on FEV1 at 24 h after challenge or sputum measurements.

Conclusions

The high‐dose allergen challenge in asthmatics using ICS induces a late asthmatic response associated with an increase in eosinophilic airway inflammation. This may be a suitable model for studying the effects of novel anti‐inflammatory drugs added to maintenance ICS treatment.
Elimination of Ascorbic Acid After High‐Dose Infusion in Prostate Cancer Patients: A Pharmacokinetic Evaluation
Authors: Nielsen Torben K. , Højgaard Martin , Andersen Jon T. , Poulsen Henrik E. , Lykkesfeldt Jens , Mikines Kári J.
Published: September 2014

Treatment with high‐dose intravenous (IV) ascorbic acid (AA) is used in complementary and alternative medicine for various conditions including cancer. Cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines has been observed with millimolar concentrations of AA. Little is known about the pharmacokinetics of high‐dose IV AA. The purpose of this study was to assess the basic kinetic variables in human beings over a relevant AA dosing interval for proper design of future clinical trials. Ten patients with metastatic prostate cancer were treated for 4 weeks with fixed AA doses of 5, 30 and 60 g. AA was measured consecutively in plasma and indicated first‐order elimination kinetics throughout the dosing range with supra‐physiological concentrations. The target dose of 60 g AA IV produced a peak plasma AA concentration of 20.3 mM. Elimination half‐life was 1.87 hr (mean, S.D. ± 0.40), volume of distribution 0.19 L/kg (S.D. ±0.05) and clearance rate 6.02 L/hr (100 mL/min). No differences in pharmacokinetic parameters were observed between weeks/doses. A relatively fast first‐order elimination with half‐life of about 2 hr makes it impossible to maintain AA concentrations in the potential cytotoxic range after infusion stop in prostate cancer patients with normal kidney function. We propose a regimen with a bolus loading followed by a maintenance infusion based on the calculated clearance.
Oxidative decolorisation of Eriochrome Black T with Chloramine‐T: kinetic, mechanistic, and spectrophotometric approaches
Authors: Manjunatha Adalagere S , Sukhdev Anu , Puttaswamy
Published: September 2014

The kinetics and mechanism of oxidative decolorisation of Eriochrome Black T (EBT) with sodium N‐chloro‐p‐toluenesulfonamide or Chloramine‐T (CAT), catalysed by osmium tetroxide [Os(VIII)] in alkaline medium and uncatalysed in acid medium, have been spectrophotometrically investigated at 303 K. The reaction exhibited a first‐order dependence of rate on [CAT]0 and [EBT]0 in both media, and also with respect to [H+]. The order with respect to [OH‐] and [Os(VIII)] was fractional. Activation parameters were deduced. It was observed that the uncatalysed decolorisation reaction was ca. eightfold faster in acid medium in comparison with alkaline medium, while the Os(VIII)‐catalysed reaction was ca. sevenfold faster than the uncatalysed reaction. Mechanisms and rate laws were determined. The chemical oxygen demand of Eriochrome Black T dye was also determined. Importantly, the developed oxidative decolorisation method is simple, efficient, inexpensive, requires less time, and is environmentally benign. Hence, it can be adapted for treating Eriochrome Black T present in industrial and laboratory wastewater.
PI3K/Akt pathway regulates retinoic acid‐induced Hox gene expression in F9 cells
Authors: Lee Youra , Lee Ji‐Yeon , Kim Myoung Hee
Published: September 2014

Retinoic acid (RA), the most potent natural form of vitamin A, is a key morphogen in vertebrate development and a potent regulator of both adult and embryonic cell differentiation. Specifically, RA regulates clustered Hox gene expression during embryogenesis and is required to establish the anteroposterior body plan. The PI3K/Akt pathway was also reported to play an essential role in the process of RA‐induced cell differentiation. Therefore, we tested whether the PI3K/Akt pathway is involved in RA‐induced Hox gene expression in a F9 murine embryonic teratocarcinoma cells. To examine the effect of PI3K/Akt signaling on RA‐induced initiation of collinear expression of Hox genes, F9 cells were treated with RA in the presence or absence of PI3K inhibitor LY294002, and time‐course gene expression profiles for all 39 Hox genes located in four different clusters—Hoxa, Hoxb, Hoxc, and Hoxd—were analyzed. Collinear expression of Hoxa and ‐b cluster genes was initiated earlier than that of the ‐c and ‐d clusters upon RA treatment. When LY294002 was applied along with RA, collinear expression induced by RA was delayed, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway somehow regulates RA‐induced collinear expression of Hox genes in F9 cells. The initiation of Hox collinear expression by RA and the delayed expression following LY294002 in F9 cells would provide a good model system to decipher the yet to be answered de novo collinear expression of Hox genes during gastrulation, which make the gastrulating cells to remember their positional address along the AP body axis in the developing embryo.
Complete protection from impending stroke following permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in awake, behaving rats
Authors: Lay Christopher C. , Frostig Ron D.
Published: September 2014

Using a rodent model of ischemic stroke [permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO)], our laboratory has previously demonstrated that sensory‐evoked cortical activation via mechanical single whisker stimulation treatment delivered under an anesthetized condition within 2 h of ischemic onset confers complete protection from impending infarct. There is a limited time window for this protection; rats that received the identical treatment at 3 h following ischemic onset lost neuronal function and sustained a substantial infarct. Rats in these studies, however, were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital or isoflurane, whereas most human stroke patients are typically awake. To optimize our animal model, the present study examined, using functional imaging, histological, and behavioral analysis, whether self‐induced sensorimotor stimulation is also protective in unrestrained, behaving rats that actively explore an enriched environment. Rats were revived from anesthesia either immediately or at 3 h after pMCAO, at which point they were allowed to freely explore an enriched environment. Rats that explored immediately after ischemic onset maintained normal cortical function and did not sustain infarct, even when their whiskers were clipped. Rats that were revived at 3 h post‐pMCAO exhibited eliminated cortical function and sustained cortical infarct. Further, the data suggested that the level of individual active exploration could influence the outcome. Thus, early activation of the ischemic cortical area via unrestrained exploration resulted in protection from ischemic infarct, whereas late activation resulted in infarct, irrespective of the level of arousal or whisker‐specific stimulation.
Odour enrichment increases adult‐born dopaminergic neurons in the mouse olfactory bulb
Authors: Bonzano Sara , Bovetti Serena , Fasolo Aldo , Peretto Paolo , De Marchis Silvia
Published: September 2014

The olfactory bulb (OB) is the first brain region involved in the processing of olfactory information. In adult mice, the OB is highly plastic, undergoing cellular/molecular dynamic changes that are modulated by sensory experience. Odour deprivation induces down‐regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in OB dopaminergic interneurons located in the glomerular layer (GL), resulting in decreased dopamine in the OB. Although the effect of sensory deprivation is well established, little is known about the influence of odour enrichment on dopaminergic cells. Here we report that prolonged odour enrichment on C57BL/6J strain mice selectively increases TH‐immunopositive cells in the GL by nearly 20%. Following odour enrichment on TH–green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice, in which GFP identified both mature TH‐positive cells and putative immature dopaminergic cells expressing TH mRNA but not TH protein, we found a similar 20% increase in GFP‐expressing cells, with no changes in the ratio between TH‐positive and TH‐negative cells. These data suggest that enriched conditions induce an expansion in the whole dopaminergic lineage. Accordingly, by using 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine injections to label adult‐generated cells in the GL of TH–GFP mice, we found an increase in the percentage of 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine‐positive dopaminergic cells in enriched compared with control conditions, whereas no differences were found for calretinin‐ and calbindin‐positive subtypes. Strikingly, the fraction of newborn cells among the dopaminergic population doubled in enriched conditions. On the whole, our results demonstrate that odour enrichment drives increased integration of adult‐generated dopaminergic cells that could be critical to adapt the OB circuits to the environmental incoming information.
Deep‐biosphere consortium of fungi and prokaryotes in Eocene subseafloor basalts
Authors: Bengtson S. , Ivarsson M. , Astolfo A. , Belivanova V. , Broman C. , Marone F. , Stampanoni M.
Published: September 2014

The deep biosphere of the subseafloor crust is believed to contain a significant part of Earth's biomass, but because of the difficulties of directly observing the living organisms, its composition and ecology are poorly known. We report here a consortium of fossilized prokaryotic and eukaryotic micro‐organisms, occupying cavities in deep‐drilled vesicular basalt from the Emperor Seamounts, Pacific Ocean, 67.5 m below seafloor (mbsf). Fungal hyphae provide the framework on which prokaryote‐like organisms are suspended like cobwebs and iron‐oxidizing bacteria form microstromatolites (Frutexites). The spatial inter‐relationships show that the organisms were living at the same time in an integrated fashion, suggesting symbiotic interdependence. The community is contemporaneous with secondary mineralizations of calcite partly filling the cavities. The fungal hyphae frequently extend into the calcite, indicating that they were able to bore into the substrate through mineral dissolution. A symbiotic relationship with chemoautotrophs, as inferred for the observed consortium, may be a pre‐requisite for the eukaryotic colonization of crustal rocks. Fossils thus open a window to the extant as well as the ancient deep biosphere.
Autoantibodies binding to ubiquitin‐fold modifier‐conjugating enzyme 1 (Ufc1) and pleckstrin homology domain containing, family G (with RhoGef domain) member 2 (Plekhg2) are associated with mycobacterial infections
Authors: Tellermann A , Witte T , Lansche C , Stoll M , Schmidt RE , Baerlecken NT
Published: September 2014

Objectives

The diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculous infections and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections is difficult because the symptoms are nonspecific and suitable specimens for bacterial culture are often not available. Recent publications reported the existence of autoantibodies in tuberculous infections. We screened for specific autoantibodies in mycobacterial infections.

Methods

We screened four in 29 patients with active mycobacterial infections and different controls using protein array technology. We could identify autoantibodies against ubiquitin‐fold modifier‐conjugating enzyme 1 (Ufc1) and pleckstrin homology domain containing, family G (with RhoGef domain) member 2 (Plekhg2) in all four patients. Subsequently, we designed enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of autoantibodies binding to Ufc1 and Plekhg2.

Results

Autoantibodies binding to Ufc1 and Plekhg2 were found in 19 of 29 patients (66%) with active mycobacterial infections. In comparison, we found these autoantibodies in one of 31 patients (3%) with successfully treated mycobacterial infections, in three of 40 (8%) HIV‐infected patients not receiving combination antiretorviral therapy (cART) and in six of 134 (5%) blood donors. Interestingly, six of eight (75%) patients with HIV‐associated B‐cell non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (B‐NHL) at the onset of disease had autoantibodies against Ufc1 and Plekhg2, but none of nine (0%) patients after treatment of HIV‐associated B‐NHL, none of seven patients with non‐HIV‐associated B‐NHL and 11 of 115 (10%) patients with other malignant diseases had autoantibodies against both proteins.

Conclusions

In view of the high frequency of these autoantibodies, we postulate that they might be of potential use for additional diagnostics for mycobacterial infections, and further studies may shed light on the pathomechanisms of these two autoantibodies.
Comparative assessment of textural properties and microstructure of composite gels prepared from gelatine or gellan with maize starch and/or egg white
Authors: Tan Thuan‐Chew , Foo Wan‐Teck , Liong Min‐Tze , Mat Easa Azhar
Published: September 2014

Single component gels (SCG) were formed from gelatine, gellan, maize starch or egg white, while binary composite gel (BCG) and ternary composite gel (TCG) were formed by mixing gelatine or gellan with maize starch and/or egg white. Each type of SCG exhibited distinct textural and microstructure characteristics. Gelatine‐SCG was the softest to hold but has the strongest and the most elastic network compared with other SCG. The effects of gelatine or gellan proportions on the textural properties of composite gels were investigated using mixture design experiments. Gelatine and gellan yielded composite gels that showed different textural behaviours and microstructure. All BCG and TCG blends showed antagonistic effects; the composite gels were softer and weaker as compared to the SCG. Gelatine‐BCG and TCG were comparatively stronger than those of gellan due to their different gelling mechanisms, in which the former had yielded a denser network structures as compared to the latter.
Body fluid cellular analysis using the Sysmex XN‐2000 automatic hematology analyzer: focusing on malignant samples
Authors: Cho Y.‐U. , Chi H.‐S. , Park S. H. , Jang S. , Kim Y.‐J. , Park C.‐J.
Published: September 2014

Introduction

The majority of previous studies on body fluid (BF) mode of automatic hematology analyzer used nonmalignant BF samples. Here, we evaluated the BF mode on the recently launched Sysmex XN for counting blood cells, especially for malignant samples.

Methods

A total of 405 BF specimens including 125 malignant samples were analyzed using both the automated method and manual microscopy.

Results

In non‐cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) samples, there was an agreement between two methods for WBC, RBC, polymorphonuclear, and mononuclear cell counts (R2 = 0.96, 0.94, 0.88, and 0.88, respectively). CSF samples showed slightly poorer correlations than other fluids. Exclusion of malignant samples significantly improved correlations in non‐CSF samples, but not in CSF samples. High fluorescence‐BF (HF‐BF) cells were identified significantly more frequently in malignant samples compared to benign samples (17.8 and 4.15/100 WBC, respectively; P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an HF‐BF cell AUC of 0.791 using a cutoff value of 6.9/100 WBC for detecting malignant samples.

Conclusion

The BF mode on the Sysmex XN could be an alternative method for the manual counts in the BF analysis with a few drawbacks. However, if a concentration of HF‐BF cells is greater than the given threshold, microscopic examination should be subsequently performed.
Recombinant influenza H7 hemagglutinins induce lower neutralizing antibody titers in mice than do seasonal hemagglutinins
Authors: Blanchfield Kristy , Kamal Ram P. , Tzeng Wen‐Pin , Music Nedzad , Wilson Jason R. , Stevens James , Lipatov Aleksander S. , Katz Jacqueline M. , York Ian A.
Published: September 2014

Background

Vaccines against avian influenza viruses often require high hemagglutinin (HA) doses or adjuvants to achieve serological titers associated with protection against disease. In particular, viruses of the H7 subtype frequently do not induce strong antibody responses following immunization.

Objectives

To evaluate whether poor immunogenicity of H7 viruses is an intrinsic property of the H7 hemagglutinin.

Methods

We compared the immunogenicity, in naïve mice, of purified recombinant HA from two H7 viruses [A/Netherlands/219/2003(H7N7) and A/New York/107/2003(H7N2)] to that of HA from human pandemic [A/California/07/2009(H1N1pdm09)] and seasonal [A/Perth16/2009(H3N2)] viruses.

Results

After two intramuscular injections with purified hemagglutinin, mice produced antibodies to all HAs, but the response to the human virus HAs was greater than to H7 HAs. The difference was relatively minor when measured by ELISA, greater when measured by hemagglutination inhibition assays, and more marked still by microneutralization assays. H7 HAs induced little or no neutralizing antibody response in mice at either dose tested. Antibodies induced by H7 were of significantly lower avidity than for H3 or H1N1pdm09.

Conclusions

We conclude that H7 HAs may be intrinsically less immunogenic than HA from seasonal human influenza viruses.