bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regional adipose tissue hormone/cytokine production before and after weight loss in abdominally obese women
Authors: You Tongjian , Wang Xuewen , Murphy Karin M. , Lyles Mary F. , Demons Jamehl L. , Yang Rongze , Gong Da‐Wei , Nicklas Barbara J.
Published: March 2014

Objective

To compare the regional differences in subcutaneous adipose tissue hormone/cytokine production in abdominally obese women during weight loss.

Methods

Forty‐two abdominally obese, older women underwent a 20‐week weight loss intervention composed of hypocaloric diet with or without aerobic exercise (total energy expenditure: ∼2800 kcal/week). Subcutaneous (gluteal and abdominal) adipose tissue biopsies were conducted before and after the intervention. Adipose tissue gene expression and release of leptin, adiponectin, and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) were determined.

Results

The intervention resulted in significant weight loss (−10.1 ± 0.7 kg, P < 0.001). At baseline, gene expression of adiponectin were higher (P < 0.01), and gene expression and release of IL‐6 were lower (both P < 0.05) in abdominal than in gluteal adipose tissue. After intervention, leptin gene expression and release were lower in both gluteal and abdominal adipose tissue compared to baseline (P < 0.05‐0.01). Abdominal, but not gluteal, adipose tissue adiponectin gene expression and release increased after intervention (both P < 0.05).

Conclusion

A 20‐week weight loss program decreased leptin production in both gluteal and abdominal adipose tissue, but only increased adiponectin production from abdominal adipose tissue in obese women. This depot‐specific effect may be of importance for the treatment of health complications associated with abdominal adiposity.
RAFT polymerization of alternating styrene‐pentafluorostyrene copolymers
Authors: Brummelhuis Niels ten , Weck Marcus
Published: March 2014

Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization was used to control the alternating copolymerization of styrene and 2,3,4,5,6‐pentaflurostyrene. The RAFT polymerization yields a high degree of control over the molecular weight of the polymers and does not significantly influence the reactivity ratios of the monomers. The controlled free‐radical polymerization could be initiated using AIBN at elevated temperatures or using a redox couple (benzoyl peroxide/N,N‐dimethylaniline) at room temperature, while maintaining control over molecular weight and dispersity. The influence of temperature and solvent on the molecular weight distribution and reactivity ratios were investigated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 1555–1559
Molecular physiology of the tensin brotherhood of integrin adaptor proteins
Authors: Haynie Donald T.
Published: March 2014

Numerous proteins have been identified as constituents of the adhesome, the totality of molecular components in the supramolecular assemblies known as focal adhesions, fibrillar adhesions and other kinds of adhesive contact. The transmembrane receptor proteins called integrins are pivotal adhesome members, providing a physical link between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the actin cytoskeleton. Tensins are ever more widely investigated intracellular adhesome constituents. Involved in cell attachment and migration, cytoskeleton reorganization, signal transduction and other processes relevant to cancer research, tensins have recently been linked to functional properties of deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) and a mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK), to cell migration in breast cancer, and to metastasis suppression in the kidney. Tensins are close relatives of phosphatase homolog/tensin homolog (PTEN), an extensively studied tumor suppressor. Such findings are recasting the earlier vision of tensin (TNS) as an actin‐filament (F‐actin) capping protein in a different light. This critical review aims to summarize current knowledge on tensins and thus to highlight key points concerning the expression, structure, function, and evolution of the various members of the TNS brotherhood. Insight is sought by comparisons with homologous proteins. Some historical points are added for perspective. Proteins 2014; 82:1113–1127. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Joint modeling of survival and longitudinal non‐survival data: current methods and issues. Report of the DIA Bayesian joint modeling working group
Authors: Lawrence Gould A. , Boye Mark Ernest , Crowther Michael J. , Ibrahim Joseph G. , Quartey George , Micallef Sandrine , Bois Frederic Y.
Published: March 2014

Explicitly modeling underlying relationships between a survival endpoint and processes that generate longitudinal measured or reported outcomes potentially could improve the efficiency of clinical trials and provide greater insight into the various dimensions of the clinical effect of interventions included in the trials. Various strategies have been proposed for using longitudinal findings to elucidate intervention effects on clinical outcomes such as survival. The application of specifically Bayesian approaches for constructing models that address longitudinal and survival outcomes explicitly has been recently addressed in the literature. We review currently available methods for carrying out joint analyses, including issues of implementation and interpretation, identify software tools that can be used to carry out the necessary calculations, and review applications of the methodology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Risk factors for human papillomavirus persistence among women undergoing cold‐knife conization for treatment of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Baser Eralp , Ozgu Emre , Erkilinc Selcuk , Togrul Cihan , Caglar Mete , Gungor Tayfun
Published: March 2014

Objective

To investigate the risk factors potentially associated with high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) persistence in women undergoing cold‐knife conization (CKC) for treatment of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Methods

Medical records of women who underwent CKC for treatment of CIN 2/3 between 2007 and 2012 at a tertiary hospital in Ankara, Turkey, were retrospectively analyzed. Cases involving persistent HPV infection after 1 year of follow‐up were identified. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, the impact of various factors such as patient age, menopausal status, parity, high‐risk HPV type, excised cone dimensions (width, height, and depth), and surgical margin status on high‐risk HPV persistence was assessed.

Results

A total of 292 women underwent CKC for treatment of CIN 2/3 within the study period. After women with a subsequent diagnosis of cervical cancer, subsequent total hysterectomy, and inadequate follow‐up data were eliminated, 113 women were eligible for final analysis. High‐risk HPV persistence was detected in 24 (21.2%) women, and multivariate analysis revealed that patient age and cone depth were significant independent predictors (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

High‐risk HPV persistence may be encountered after CKC procedures. It is important to evaluate persistent HPV infections after treatment because affected women are at increased risk for disease persistence, recurrence, and progression.
Morphology, molecular stacking, dynamics and device performance correlations of vacuum-deposited small-molecule organic solar cells
Authors: Chen Chang-Wen , Huang Zheng-Yu , Lin Yi-Min , Huang Wei-Ching , Chen Yi-Hong , Strzalka Joseph , Chang Angela Y. , Schaller Richard D. , Lee Cheng-Kuang , Pao Chun-Wei , Lin Hao-Wu
Published: March 2014

The “all carbon” organic solar cells based on the homocyclic molecule DBP as a donor and C60as an acceptor were comprehensively characterized.
Crystal structure and magnetic properties of the spin crossover complex FeII(ethyl nicotinate)2[AuI(CN)2]2
Authors: Sugaya Akihiro , Ueno Shotaro , Okabayashi Jun , Kitazawa Takafumi
Published: March 2014

A new FeII two-step spin crossover (SCO) coordination polymer, FeII(ethyl nicotinate)2[AuI(CN)2]21, with four-inflection associated with phase transitions, has been synthesized.
Transparent conductors composed of nanomaterials
Authors: Layani Michael , Kamyshny Alexander , Magdassi Shlomo
Published: March 2014

This review covers recent developments in the fabrication of transparent conductive coatings composed of nanomaterials.
Cooperative hydrolysis of aryl esters on functionalized membrane surfaces and in micellar solutions
Authors: Poznik M. , König B.
Published: March 2014

Catalytic hydrolysis of peptides, proteins, phosphates or carboxylate esters in nature is catalysed by enzymes, which are efficient, fast and selective.
Synthesis of organic halides via palladium(0) catalysis
Authors: Chen Chen , Tong Xiaofeng
Published: March 2014

This review summarizes the recent advances on the Pd(0)-catalyzed synthesis of organic halides, which involves the carbon halide reductive elimination as a key step in the catalytic cycle.
Assessing electronic structure approaches for gas-ligand interactions in metal-organic frameworks: The CO2-benzene complex
Authors: Witte Jonathon , Neaton Jeffrey B. , Head-Gordon Martin
Published: March 2014

Adsorption of gas molecules in metal-organic frameworks is governed by many factors, the most dominant of which are the interaction of the gas with open metal sites, and the interaction of the gas with the ligands. Herein, we examine the latter class of interaction in the context of CO2 binding to benzene. We begin by clarifying the geometry of the CO2–benzene complex. We then generate a benchmark binding curve using a coupled-cluster approach with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] at the complete basis set (CBS) limit. Against this ΔCCSD(T)/CBS standard, we evaluate a plethora of electronic structure approximations: Hartree-Fock, second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) with the resolution-of-the-identity approximation, attenuated MP2, and a number of density functionals with and without different empirical and nonempirical van der Waals corrections. We find that finite-basis MP2 significantly overbinds the complex. On the other hand, even the simplest empirical correction to standard density functionals is sufficient to bring the binding energies to well within 1 kJ/mol of the benchmark, corresponding to an error of less than 10%; PBE-D in particular performs well. Methods that explicitly include nonlocal correlation kernels, such as VV10, vdW-DF2, and ωB97X-V, perform with similar accuracy for this system, as do ωB97X and M06-L.
Studies of nanocomposites of carbon nanotubes and a negative dielectric anisotropy liquid crystal
Authors: Kalakonda P. , Basu R. , Nemitz I. R. , Rosenblatt C. , Iannacchione G. S.
Published: March 2014

It has been widely recognized that the combination of carbon nanotube (CNT) and liquid crystals (LCs) not only provides a useful way to align CNTs, but also dramatically enhances the order in the LC phases, which is especially useful in liquid crystal display (LCD) technology. As the measure of this phase behavior, the complex specific heat is presented over a wide temperature range for a negative dielectric anisotropy alkoxyphenylbenzoate liquid crystal (9OO4) and CNT composites as a function of CNT concentration. The calorimetric scans were performed under near-equilibrium conditions between 25 and 95 °C, first cooling and then followed by heating for CNT weight percent ranging from ϕw = 0 to 0.2. All 9OO4/CNT mesophases have transition temperatures ∼1 K higher and a crystallization temperature 4 K higher than that of the pure 9OO4. The crystal phase superheats until a strongly first-order specific heat feature is observed, 0.5 K higher than in the pure 9OO4. The transition enthalpy for the nanocomposite mesophases is 10% lower than that observed in the pure 9OO4. The strongly first-order crystallization and melting transition enthalpies are essentially constant over this range of ϕw. Complementary electroclinic measurement on a 0.05 wt. % sample, cooling towards the smectic-C phase from the smectic-A, indicates that the SmA-SmC transition remains mean-field-like in the presence of the CNTs. Given the homogeneous and random distribution of CNTs in these nanocomposites, we interpret these results as arising from the LC-CNT surface interaction pinning the orientational order uniformly along the CNT, without pinning the position of the 9OO4 molecule, leading to a net ordering effect for all phases. These effects of incorporating CNTs into LCs are likely due to “anisotropic orientational” coupling between CNT and LC, the change in the elastic properties of composites and thermal anisotropic properties of the CNTs.
Dependence of crystal nucleation on prior liquid overheating by differential fast scanning calorimeter
Authors: Yang Bin , Perepezko John H. , Schmelzer Jürn W. P. , Gao Yulai , Schick Christoph
Published: March 2014

The degree of overheating of a melt often plays an important role in the response of the melt to subsequent undercooling, it determines the nucleation and growth behavior and the properties of the final crystalline products. However, the dependence of accessible undercooling of different bulk melt samples on prior liquid overheating has been reported to exhibit a variety of specific features which could not be given a satisfactory explanation so far. In order to determine uniquely the dependence of accessible undercooling on prior overheating and the possible factors affecting it, the solidification of a pure Sn single micro-sized droplet was studied by differential fast scanning calorimeter with cooling rates in the range from 500 to 10 000 K/s. It is observed experimentally that (i) the degree of undercooling increases first gradually with increase of prior overheating; (ii) if the degree of prior superheating exceeds a certain limiting value, then the accessible undercooling increases always with increasing cooling rate; in the alternative case of moderate initial overheating, the degree of undercooling reaches an undercooling plateau; and (iii) in latter case, the accessible undercooling increases initially with increasing cooling rate. However, at a certain limiting value of the cooling rate this kind of response is qualitatively changed and the accessible undercooling decreases strongly with a further increase of cooling rate. The observed rate dependent behavior is consistent with a kinetic model involving cavity induced heterogeneous nucleation and cavity size dependent growth. This mechanism is believed to be relevant also for other similar rapid solidification nucleation processes.
Direct and indirect capture of carriers into the lasing ground state and the light-current characteristic of quantum dot lasers
Authors: Wu Yuchang , Asryan Levon V.
Published: March 2014

We calculate the light-current characteristic (LCC) of a quantum dot (QD) laser under the conditions of both direct and indirect capture of carriers from the optical confinement layer into the lasing ground state in QDs. We show that direct capture is a dominant process determining the ground-state LCC. Only when direct capture is slow, the role of indirect capture (capture into the QD excited state and subsequent intradot relaxation to the ground state) becomes important.
THE PRAGMATIC AMERICAN: EMPIRICAL REALITY OR METHODOLOGICAL ARTIFACT?
Authors: PICKETT JUSTIN T. , BAKER THOMAS
Published: March 2014

Scholars widely agree that the public is pragmatic about criminal justice. The empirical basis for this conclusion is the failure in several previous studies to find a sizable negative relationship between dispositional and situational crime attributions, or between support for punitive and rehabilitative crime policies. We suggest, however, that public pragmatism may be an artifact of the use of unidirectional question batteries in prior research to measure attribution styles and policy support. When such questions are used, acquiescent responding can introduce systematic error that is positively correlated across items and scales. Drawing on data from an experiment with a national sample (N = 826) of Internet panelists, we examine how this methodological approach impacts the bivariate correlations and multivariate relationships between attribution styles and between support for punitive and rehabilitative crime policies. The findings reveal that using unidirectional sets of questions to measure these concepts likely results in 1) inflated alpha reliability coefficients, 2) an underestimation of the magnitude of the negative relationships between attribution styles and between punitiveness and support for rehabilitation, and 3) an underestimation of the extent to which punitiveness and support for rehabilitation are driven by the same factors, working in opposite directions.
Mutations in the lipase‐H gene causing autosomal recessive hypotrichosis and woolly hair
Authors: Mehmood Sabba , Jan Abid , Muhammad Dost , Ahmad Farooq , Mir Hina , Younus Muhammad , Ali Ghazanfar , Ayub Muhammad , Ansar Muhammad , Ahmad Wasim
Published: March 2014

Hypotrichosis is characterised by sparse scalp hair, sparse to absent eyebrows and eyelashes, or absence of hair from other parts of the body. In few cases, the condition is associated with tightly curled woolly scalp hair. The present study searched for disease‐causing sequence variants in the genes in four Pakistani lineal consanguineous families exhibiting features of hypotrichosis or woolly hair. A haplotype analysis established links in all four families to the LIPH gene located on chromosome 3q27.2. Subsequently, sequencing LIPH identified a novel non‐sense mutation (c.328C>T; p.Arg110*) in one and a previously reported 2‐bp deletion mutation (c.659_660delTA, p.Ile220ArgfsX29) in three other families.
Raman spectroscopy provides a noninvasive approach for determining biochemical composition of the pregnant cervix in vivo
Authors: O'Brien Christine M. , Vargis Elizabeth , Paria Bibhash C. , Bennett Kelly A. , Mahadevan‐Jansen Anita , Reese Jeff
Published: March 2014

The molecular changes that occur with cervical remodelling during pregnancy are not completely understood. This study reviews Raman spectroscopy, an optical technique for detecting changes in the pregnant cervix, and reports preliminary studies on cervical remodelling in mice that suggest that the technique provides advantages over other methods.

Conclusion

Raman spectroscopy is sensitive to biochemical changes in the pregnant cervix and has high potential as a tool for detecting premature cervical remodelling in pregnant women.
Adjunct antibiotic combination therapy for steroid‐refractory or ‐dependent ulcerative colitis: an open‐label multicentre study
Authors: Kato K. , Ohkusa T. , Terao S. , Chiba T. , Murakami K. , Yanaka A. , Uehara T. , Ishii Y. , Soma M. , Tajiri H.
Published: March 2014

Background

We previously demonstrated that antibiotic combination therapy is effective for induction and maintenance of ulcerative colitis (UC) remission.

Aim

To assess whether antibiotic combination therapy is effective for active UC refractory to or dependent on steroids in a multicentre, open‐label trial.

Methods

We enrolled 30 patients with steroid‐refractory and 64 with steroid‐dependent active UC. These patients received three‐times‐daily by mouth amoxicillin 500 mg, tetracycline 500 mg and metronidazole 250 mg, for two weeks, as well as conventional treatment. Symptom assessment and colonoscopic evaluation were performed before enrolment and at 3 and 12 months after treatment completion. Clinical response was defined as a Lichtiger symptom score decrease in ≥3 points and clinical remission as a score ≤4.

Results

Nineteen of the 30 steroid‐refractory (63.3%) and 47 of the 64 steroid‐dependent (73.4%) patients showed a clinical response within 2 weeks. At 3 and 12 months, 60% and 66.6% of steroid‐refractory patients, and 56.3% and 51.6% of steroid‐dependent patients, respectively, achieved clinical remission. In the steroid‐dependent group, 39 of the 64 patients (60.9%) were able to stop steroid therapy and remained in remission for 3 months. Three (10%) steroid‐refractory and four (6.3%) steroid‐dependent patients underwent colectomy.

Conclusions

This multicentre, long‐term follow‐up study suggests 2 week antibiotic combination therapy to be effective and safe in patients with active UC refractory to or dependent on steroids.
Characterizing Quartz Artefacts: A Case Study from Manitoba's Northern Boreal Forest
Authors: ten Bruggencate R. , Fayek M. , Milne B. , Brownlee K.
Published: March 2014

Visual and geochemical analyses of 30 pre‐contact quartz tools from the Churchill River basin of northern Manitoba were used to provisionally assess source provenance based on comparison to local quartz quarry data. The results indicate that tools made from quartz acquired from these quarries were transported and eventually deposited into archaeological sites up to 200 km away. Transport of this quartz, which is of relatively moderate quality, over such distances suggests that stone tool–using hunter–gatherer populations that lived in the Churchill River basin of northern Manitoba were highly mobile. It also indicates that higher‐quality raw materials were unavailable in the immediate area.
Segmentation of Trabecular Jaw Bone on Cone Beam CT Datasets
Authors: Nackaerts Olivia , Depypere Maarten , Zhang Guozhi , Vandenberghe Bart , Maes Frederik , Jacobs Reinhilde ,   SEDENTEXCT Consortium
Published: March 2014

Background

The term bone quality is often used in a dentomaxillofacial context, for example in implant planning, as bone density and bone structure have been linked to primary implant success.

Purpose

This research aimed to investigate the performance of adaptive thresholding of trabecular bone in cone beam CT (CBCT) images. The segmentation quality was assessed for different imaging devices and upper and lower jaws.

Materials and Methods

Four jaws were scanned with eight CBCT scanners and one micro‐CT device. Images of the jaws were spatially aligned with the micro‐CT images. Two volumes of interest for each jaw were manually delineated. Trabecular bone in the volumes of interest in the micro‐CT images was segmented so that the micro‐CT images could serve as high‐resolution ground truth images. The volumes of interest in the CBCT images were segmented using both global and adaptive thresholding.

Results

Segmentation was significantly better for the lower jaw than for the upper jaw. Differences in performance between the scanners were significant for both jaws. Adaptive thresholding performed significantly better in segmenting the bone structure out of CBCT images.

Conclusions

When assessing jaw bone structure, the observer should always choose adaptive thresholding. It remains a challenge to identify the optimal threshold selection for the structural assessment of jaw bone.
On the Early Mechanisms of Bone Formation after Maxillary Sinus Membrane Elevation: An Experimental Histological and Immunohistochemical Study
Authors: Jungner Måns , Cricchio Giovanni , Salata Luiz A. , Sennerby Lars , Lundqvist Carina , Hultcrantz Malou , Lundgren Stefan
Published: March 2014

Background

Previous studies have shown predictable bone formation in the maxillary sinus after membrane elevation. However, how and where the bone is formed is not well understood.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to histologically and immunohistochemically study the early bone formation events in primates after membrane elevation in the maxillary sinus.

Materials and Methods

Nine adult male tufted capuchin primates (Cebus apella) were included in the study. Eight animals were subjected to bilateral maxillary sinus membrane elevation using a lateral replaceable bone window technique. One oxidized dental implant was placed into the maxillary sinus cavity on both sides. In four animals, one sinus was left without any additional treatment, whereas the contralateral sinus was filled with autologous bone grafts from the tibia. In two animals, the implants were inserted under the elevated sinus membrane on both sides. In two animals, the sinus membrane was totally removed. The animals were euthanized after 10 or 45 days. One nonoperated animal representing pristine tissue conditions served as control. The maxillary sinuses with implants were retrieved and further processed for light microscopic ground sections or decalcified sections for immune‐histochemical analyses.

Results

Bone formation started from the bottom of the sinus floor, sprouting into the granulation tissue along the implant surface under the elevated membrane irrespective of time and surgical technique. Bone formation was not seen in direct conjunction with the sinus membrane. A distinct expression of osteopontin was observed in the serous glands of the lamina propria close to the implant within all groups.

Conclusion

Bone formation after sinus membrane elevation with or without additional bone grafts starts at the sinus floor and sprouts into the elevated space along the implant surface. The sinus membrane does not seem to present osteoinductive potential in sinus membrane elevation procedures in this study.
Vocal Activity as a Low Cost and Scalable Index of Seabird Colony Size
Authors: BORKER ABRAHAM L. , MCKOWN MATTHEW W. , ACKERMAN JOSHUA T. , EAGLES‐SMITH COLLIN A. , TERSHY BERNIE R. , CROLL DONALD A.
Published: March 2014

Although wildlife conservation actions have increased globally in number and complexity, the lack of scalable, cost‐effective monitoring methods limits adaptive management and the evaluation of conservation efficacy. Automated sensors and computer‐aided analyses provide a scalable and increasingly cost‐effective tool for conservation monitoring. A key assumption of automated acoustic monitoring of birds is that measures of acoustic activity at colony sites are correlated with the relative abundance of nesting birds. We tested this assumption for nesting Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri) in San Francisco Bay for 2 breeding seasons. Sensors recorded ambient sound at 7 colonies that had 15–111 nests in 2009 and 2010. Colonies were spaced at least 250 m apart and ranged from 36 to 2,571 m2. We used spectrogram cross‐correlation to automate the detection of tern calls from recordings. We calculated mean seasonal call rate and compared it with mean active nest count at each colony. Acoustic activity explained 71% of the variation in nest abundance between breeding sites and 88% of the change in colony size between years. These results validate a primary assumption of acoustic indices; that is, for terns, acoustic activity is correlated to relative abundance, a fundamental step toward designing rigorous and scalable acoustic monitoring programs to measure the effectiveness of conservation actions for colonial birds and other acoustically active wildlife.

La Actividad Vocal como un Índice Escalable y de Bajo Costo del Tamaño de Colonia de las Aves Marinas
Odor memories regulate olfactory receptor expression in the sensory periphery
Authors: Claudianos Charles , Lim Julianne , Young Melanie , Yan Shanzhi , Cristino Alexandre S. , Newcomb Richard D. , Gunasekaran Nivetha , Reinhard Judith
Published: March 2014

Odor learning induces structural and functional modifications throughout the olfactory system, but it is currently unknown whether this plasticity extends to the olfactory receptors (Or) in the sensory periphery. Here, we demonstrate that odor learning induces plasticity in olfactory receptor expression in the honeybee, Apis mellifera. Using quantitative RT‐PCR analysis, we show that six putative floral scent receptors were differentially expressed in the bee antennae depending on the scent environment that the bees experienced. Or151, which we characterized using an in vitro cell expression system as a broadly tuned receptor binding floral odorants such as linalool, and Or11, the specific receptor for the queen pheromone 9‐oxo‐decenoic acid, were significantly down‐regulated after honeybees were conditioned with the respective odorants in an olfactory learning paradigm. Electroantennogram recordings showed that the neural response of the antenna was similarly reduced after odor learning. Long‐term odor memory was essential for inducing these changes, suggesting that the molecular mechanisms involved in olfactory memory also regulate olfactory receptor expression. Our study demonstrates for the first time that olfactory receptor expression is experience‐dependent and modulated by scent conditioning, providing novel insight into how molecular regulation at the periphery contributes to plasticity in the olfactory system.
Study of coal gas wettability for CO2 storage and CH4 recovery
Authors: Saghafi A. , Javanmard H. , Pinetown K.
Published: March 2014

To quantify and rank gas wettability of coal as a key parameter affecting the extent of CO2 sequestration in coal and CH4 recovery from coal, we developed a contact angle measuring system based on a captive gas bubble technique. We used this system to study the gas wetting properties of an Australian coal from the Sydney Basin. Gas bubbles were generated and captivated beneath a coal sample within a distilled water‐filled (pH 5.7) pressurised cell. Because of the use of distilled water, and the continuous dissolution and shrinkage of the gas bubble in water during measurement, the contact angles measured correspond to a ‘transient receding’ contact angle. To take into account the mixed‐gas nature (CO2, CH4, and to a lesser extent N2) of coal seam gas in the basin, we evaluated the relative wettability of coal by CH4, CO2 and N2 gases in the presence of water. Measurements were taken at various pressures of up to 15 MPa for CH4 and N2, and up to 6 MPa for CO2 at a constant temperature of 22°C. Overall, our results show that CO2 wets coal more extensively than CH4, which in turn wets coal slightly more than N2. Moreover, the contact angle reduces as the pressure increases, and becomes < 90° at various pressures depending on the gas type. In other words, all three gases wet coal better than water under sufficiently high pressure.
The Ripples of Death: Exploring the Bereavement Experiences and Mental Health of Young Men in Custody
Authors: Vaswani Nina
Published: March 2014

The study explored the prevalence and nature of bereavement among 33 young men who had been sentenced to a young offender institution. A bereavement had been experienced by 91% of the sample, and the rates of traumatic and multiple deaths were high. Young men who had experienced more ‘difficult’ bereavements scored higher on the mental health screen than those who had not, with the exception of the loss of a parent/main carer. Differences did not reach statistical significance. Semi‐structured interviews were also undertaken with a subsample in order to describe young men's bereavement experiences from their own perspective.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Microstructure of ZrC/SiC Composite Ceramics via Liquid Precursor Conversion Method
Authors: Liu Dan , Qiu Wen‐Feng , Cai Tao , Sun Ya‐nan , Zhao Ai‐Jun , Zhao Tong
Published: March 2014

The ceramic precursor for ZrC/SiC was prepared via solution‐based processing using polyzirconoxane, polycarbosilane, and divinylbenzene. The precursor could be transformed into ZrC/SiC ceramic powders at relative low temperature (1500°C). The cross‐linking process of precursor was studied by FT–IR. The conversion from precursor into ceramic was investigated by TGA, XRD. The ceramic compositions and microstructures were identified by element analysis, Raman spectra, SEM, and corresponding EDS. The results indicated that the ceramic samples remained amorphous below 1000°C and t–ZrO2 initially generated at 1200°C. Further heating to 1400°C led to the formation of ZrC and SiC with the phase transformation of ZrO2 and almost pure ZrC/SiC could be obtained upon heat‐treatment at 1500°C. During heat treatments, the ceramic sample changed from compact to porous due to carbothermal reduction. The ceramic powders with particle size of 100 nm~400 nm consisted of high crystalline degree ZrC and SiC phases, and Zr, Si, C were well distributed at the different sites in ceramic powders. The free carbon content was lowered to 1.60 wt% in final ZrC/SiC composite ceramics.
Exploring Biotic Interactions Within Protist Cell Populations Using Network Methods
Authors: Cheng Shu , Price Dana C. , Karkar Slim , Bhattacharya Debashish
Published: March 2014

The study of diseased human cells and of cells isolated from the natural environment will likely be revolutionized by single cell genomics (SCG). Here, we used protein similarity networks to explore within‐ and between‐cell DNA differences from SCG data derived from six individual rhizarian cells related to Paulinella ovalis and proteins from the complete genome of another rhizarian, Bigelowiella natans. We identified shared and distinct DNA components within our SCG data and between P. ovalis and B. natans. We show that network properties such as assortativity and degree effectively discriminate genome features between SCG assemblies and that SCG data follow the power law with a small number of protein families dominating networks.
Antimicrobial Effects of Four Lactobacilli Strains Isolated from Yoghurt against Escherichia Coli O157:H7
Authors: Imani Fooladi Abbas Ali , Chavoshi Forooshai Maryam , Saffarian Parvaneh , Mehrab Rezvan
Published: March 2014

This study aimed to isolate Lactobacillus species from yoghurt and to evaluate its antimicrobial activity against enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. After incubation of different yoghurt samples in MRS (de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe) agar at 37C under anaerobic conditions, four Lactobacillus species, L. casei, L. acidophilus, L. helveticus and L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus were identified. Standard growth curves of E. coli O157:H7 in proximity with lactobacilli test strains were obtained. The antibacterial effects of lactobacilli cell debris and culture supernatant against E. coli O157:H7 were determined. The results showed that the antibacterial effects of culture supernatant were stable at different temperature conditions (56–100C) for 30 and 60 min; also, it was stable at pH 3–10. With regard to the antibacterial effect of the lactobacilli strains in this study, they may help in the treatment of E. coli O157:H7‐associated diseases and can be applied as a biological preservative in the food industry.

Practical Applications

In recent years, foodborne diseases become a health problem in most of the population. One of the most important etiologic agents of such diseases is Escherichia coli O157:H7, which can be transmitted through eating undercooked infected meat and leads to hemorrhagic diarrhea and kidney failure. There is increasing evidence that lactobacilli bacteria produce potential agents (H2O2, small organic compounds, lactic acid, etc.) that can inhibit growths of some invasive foodborne bacteria, such as enterohemorrhagic E. coli. The results of this study also confirmed these reports and showed that the use of lactobacilli bacteria is a promising way to prevent the infection of E. coli O157:H7; also, they can be used as a biological preservative in the food industry.
Evolving endoscopic surgery
Authors: Sakai Paulo , Faintuch Joel
Published: March 2014

Since the days of Albukasim in medieval Spain, natural orifices have been regarded not only as a rather repugnant source of bodily odors, fluids and excreta, but also as a convenient invitation to explore and treat the inner passages of the organism. However, surgical ingenuity needed to be matched by appropriate tools and devices. Lack of technologically advanced instrumentation was a strong deterrent during almost a millennium until recent decades when a quantum jump materialized. Endoscopic surgery is currently a vibrant and growing subspecialty, which successfully handles millions of patients every year. Additional opportunities lie ahead which might benefit millions more, however, requiring even more sophisticated apparatuses, particularly in the field of robotics, artificial intelligence, and tissue repair (surgical suturing). This is a particularly exciting and worthwhile challenge, namely of larger and safer endoscopic interventions, followed by seamless and scarless recovery. In synthesis, the future is widely open for those who use together intelligence and creativity to develop new prototypes, new accessories and new techniques. Yet there are many challenges in the path of endoscopic surgery. In this new era of robotic endoscopy, one will likely need a virtual simulator to train and assess the performance of younger doctors. More evidence will be essential in multiple evolving fields, particularly to elucidate whether more ambitious and complex pathways, such as intrathoracic and intraperitoneal surgery via natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), are superior or not to conventional techniques.
Ulinastatin activates the renin–angiotensin system to ameliorate the pathophysiology of severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Liu Ruixia , Qi Haiyu , Wang Jing , Wang Yan , Cui Lijian , Wen Yan , Yin Chenghong
Published: March 2014

Background and Aim

Ulinastatin is a drug used effectively to alleviate symptoms and improve the pathophysiology of various types of pancreatitis. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for its action remains unknown. Therefore, we further explore the therapeutic effects of ulinastatin and investigate possible molecular pathways modulated by this drug in the development of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods

SAP mouse model was created by administering intraperitoneal injections of cerulein and lipopolysaccharide. Pancreatic injury was assessed by performing biochemical and histological assays and by measuring the inflammatory response of the pancreas. Specifically, we examined changes in the expression of components of the rennin–angiotensin system (RAS), including angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE)‐angiotensin II (Ang II)‐angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT‐1R), and ACE2‐Ang‐(1–7)–Mas receptor.

Results

When SAP mouse models were treated with ulinastatin at a dosage of 50 000 U/kg body weight, we found, through biochemical and histopathological analyses, that the pancreatic injury was significantly ameliorated. Administration of ulinastatin to SAP mice led to increased expression of ACE2, Ang‐(1–7), and Mas receptor, decreased expression of serum Ang II and pancreatic AT‐1R, and no alterations in the expression of pancreatic ACE and Ang II when compared to cerulein‐treated control group that did not receive ulinastatin.

Conclusions

This study shows that ulinastatin has differential effects on the two axes of the RAS during SAP. Our results further suggest that upregulation of components of the ACE2‐Ang‐(1–7)–Mas pathway might be an important mechanism contributing to the therapeutic role of ulinastatin in alleviating pancreatitis‐associated symptoms.
Child Aggression as a Source and a Consequence of Parenting Stress: A Three‐Wave Longitudinal Study
Authors: Krahé Barbara , Bondü Rebecca , Höse Anna , Esser Günter
Published: March 2014

This longitudinal study examined the links between child aggression and parenting stress over 4 years. Child aggression was hypothesized to contribute to parenting stress, which should increase aggression. Parents and teachers of 239 German children aged between 6 and 15 years completed measures of child aggression at Time 1 and Time 3, complemented by children's self‐reports of aggression at Time 3. Parents rated their child‐focused and parent‐focused stress at an intermediate measurement Time 2. Child‐focused stress mediated the path from Time 1 to Time 3 aggression in boys and girls, whereas parent‐focused stress was unrelated to Time 3 aggression. The findings help to understand the continuity of aggressive behavior in childhood and adolescence and highlight the need to intervene early with families susceptible to parenting stress.
Corporate Demand for Insurance: New Evidence From the U.S. Terrorism and Property Markets
Authors: Michel‐Kerjan Erwann , Raschky Paul , Kunreuther Howard
Published: March 2014

Since the passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, corporate terrorism insurance is sold as a separate policy from commercial property coverage. In this article, we determine whether companies differ in their demand for property and terrorism insurance. Using a unique data set of insurance policies purchased by large U.S. firms, combined with financial information of the corporate clients and of the insurance provider, we apply a two‐stage least squares approach to obtain consistent estimates of premium elasticity of corporate demand for property and terrorism coverage. Our findings suggest that both are rather price inelastic and that corporate demand for terrorism insurance is significantly more price inelastic than demand for property insurance. We further find a negative relation between the solvency ratios of both property and terrorism risk coverage, with a stronger effect on the latter, indicating that companies use their ability to self‐insure as a substitute for market insurance. Our results are robust to the application of alternative estimators as well as changes in the econometric specifications.
Protective effect of the edible brown alga Ecklonia stolonifera on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in primary rat hepatocytes
Authors: Jung Hyun Ah , Kim Jae-I , Choung Se Young , Choi Jae Sue
Published: March 2014

Objectives 

As part of our efforts to isolate anti-hepatotoxic agents from marine natural products, we screened the ability of 14 edible varieties of Korean seaweed to protect against doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in primary rat hepatocytes.

Methods 

Among the crude extracts of two Chlorophyta (Codium fragile and Capsosiphon fulvescens), seven Phaeophyta (Undaria pinnatifida, Sargassum thunbergii, Pelvetia siliquosa, Ishige okamurae, Ecklonia cava, Ecklonia stolonifera and Eisenia bicyclis), five Rhodophyta (Chondrus ocellatus, Gelidium amansii, Gracilaria verrucosa, Symphycladia latiuscula and Porphyra tenera), and the extracts of Ecklonia stolonifera, Ecklonia cava, Eisenia bicyclis and Pelvetia siliquosa exhibited significant protective effects on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity, with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) values of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 15.0 μg/ml, respectively.

Key findings 

Since Ecklonia stolonifera exhibits a significant protective potential and is frequently used as foodstuff, we isolated six phlorotannins, including phloroglucinol (1), dioxinodehydroeckol (2), eckol (3), phlorofucofuroeckol A (4), dieckol (5) and triphloroethol-A (6). Phlorotannins 2 ∼ 6 exhibited potential protective effects on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity, with corresponding EC50 values of 3.4, 8.3, 4.4, 5.5 and 11.5 μg/ml, respectively.

Conclusion 

The results clearly demonstrated that the anti-hepatotoxic effects of Ecklonia stolonifera and its isolated phlorotannins are useful for further exploration and development of therapeutic modalities for treatment of hepatotoxicity.
Quality of Life and Sexual Function of Patients Following Radical Hysterectomy and Vaginal Extension
Authors: Ye Shuang , Yang Jiaxin , Cao Dongyan , Zhu Lan , Lang Jinghe , Chuang Linus T. , Shen Keng
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Radical hysterectomy (RH) has negative consequences on sexual function due to a shortened vagina, vaginal dryness, and dyspareunia. Peritoneovaginoplasty aims to extend vagina by vesical peritoneum and anterior rectal wall to improve postoperative sexual function.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate whether vaginal extension can improve sexual function and quality of life and the problem of sexual dysfunction in early-stage cervical cancer survivors (CCSs) in China.

Methods

Case-control and questionnaire-based methods were employed. Thirty-one patients who had undergone vaginal extension following RH and 28 patients with matching factors after RH alone were enrolled in the study.

Main Outcome Measures

Both groups were assessed retrospectively by questionnaires at least 6 months after treatment. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life questionnaire cervical cancer module and the Sexual Function Vaginal Changes Questionnaire are validated measurements for disease- and treatment-specific issues.

Results

Vaginal length was 10.03 ± 1.26 cm and 5.92 ± 1.05 cm in study and control group, respectively (P< 0.05). In the study group, 67.7% patients and 64.3% of control group resumed sexual activity at the time of interview, averaging 6 months between treatment and sexual activity. While difficulty emptying bladder, incomplete emptying, and constipation were the most commonly reported symptoms, no significant difference was observed regarding pelvic floor symptoms. Reduced vagina size and shortened vagina was significantly more prominent in the control group, whereas both group presented with hypoactive sexual desire (88.1%), orgasm dysfunction (71.8%), and low enjoyment or relaxation after sex (51.3%).

Conclusion

Shortened vagina was significantly less reported in study group, while no difference was observed in other sex-related dimensions. Vaginal extension does not worsen pelvic floor symptoms. Sexual rehabilitation interventions are of significance and should be paid more attention to the CCSs in China.
Efficacy of Omeprazole Powder Paste or Enteric‐Coated Formulation in Healing of Gastric Ulcers in Horses
Authors: Birkmann K. , Junge H.K. , Maischberger E. , Wehrli Eser M. , Schwarzwald C.C.
Published: March 2014

Background

GastroGard, an omeprazole powder paste formulation, is considered the standard treatment for gastric ulcers in horses and is highly effective. Gastrozol, an enteric‐coated omeprazole formulation for horses, has recently become available, but efficacy data are controversial and sparse.

Objectives

To investigate the efficacy of GastroGard and Gastrozol at labeled doses (4 and 1 mg of omeprazole per kg bwt, respectively,POq24h) in healing of gastric ulcers.

Animals

40 horses; 9.5 ± 4.6 years; 491 ± 135 kg.

Methods

Prospective, randomized, blinded study. Horses with an ulcer score ≥1 (Equine Gastric Ulcer Council) were randomly divided into 2 groups and treated for 2 weeks each with GastroGard followed by Gastrozol (A) or vice versa (B). After 2 and 4 weeks, scoring was repeated and compared with baseline. Plasma omeprazole concentrations were measured on the first day of treatment after administration of GastroGard (n = 5) or Gastrozol (n = 5).

Results

Compared with baseline (squamous score (A) 1.65 ± 0.11, (B) 1.98 ± 0.11), ulcer scores at 2 weeks ((A) 0.89 ± 0.11, (B) 1.01 ± 0.11) and 4 weeks ((A) 1.10 ± 0.12, (B) 0.80 ± 0.12) had significantly decreased in both groups (P < .001), independent of treatment (P = .7). Plasma omeprazole concentrations were significantly higher after GastroGard compared with Gastrozol administration (AUCGG = 2856 (1405‐4576) ng/mL × h, AUCGZ = 604 (430‐1609) ng/mL × h;P = .03). The bioavailability for Gastrozol was 1.26 (95% CI 0.56–2.81) times higher than for GastroGard.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Both Gastrozol and GastroGard, combined with appropriate environmental changes, promote healing of gastric ulcers in horses. However, despite enteric coating of Gastrozol, plasma omeprazole concentrations after single labeled doses were significantly higher with GastroGard.
On the Approximation of Delayed Systems by Taylor Series Expansion
Authors: Insperger Tamas
Published: March 2014

It is known that stability properties of delay-differential equations are not preserved by Taylor series expansion of the delayed term. Still, this technique is often used to approximate delayed systems by ordinary differential equations in different engineering and biological applications. In this brief, it is demonstrated through some simple second-order scalar systems that low-order Taylor series expansion of the delayed term approximates the asymptotic behavior of the original delayed system only for certain parameter regions, while for high-order expansions, the approximate system is unstable independently of the system parameters.