bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRAIL-induced programmed necrosis as a novel approach to eliminate tumor cells
Authors: Voigt Susann , Philipp Stephan , Davarnia Parvin , Winoto-Morbach Supandi , Röder Christian , Arenz Christoph , Trauzold Anna , Kabelitz Dieter , Schütze Stefan , Kalthoff Holger , Adam Dieter
Published: February 2014

Background

The cytokine TRAIL represents one of the most promising candidates for the apoptotic elimination of tumor cells, either alone or in combination therapies. However, its efficacy is often limited by intrinsic or acquired resistance of tumor cells to apoptosis. Programmed necrosis is an alternative, molecularly distinct mode of programmed cell death that is elicited by TRAIL under conditions when the classical apoptosis machinery fails or is actively inhibited. The potential of TRAIL-induced programmed necrosis in tumor therapy is, however, almost completely uncharacterized. We therefore investigated its impact on a panel of tumor cell lines of wide-ranging origin.

Methods

Cell death/viability was measured by flow cytometry/determination of intracellular ATP levels/crystal violet staining. Cell surface expression of TRAIL receptors was detected by flow cytometry, expression of proteins by Western blot. Ceramide levels were quantified by high-performance thin layer chromatography and densitometric analysis, clonogenic survival of cells was determined by crystal violet staining or by soft agarose cloning.

Results

TRAIL-induced programmed necrosis killed eight out of 14 tumor cell lines. Clonogenic survival was reduced in all sensitive and even one resistant cell lines tested. TRAIL synergized with chemotherapeutics in killing tumor cell lines by programmed necrosis, enhancing their effect in eight out of 10 tested tumor cell lines and in 41 out of 80 chemotherapeutic/TRAIL combinations. Susceptibility/resistance of the investigated tumor cell lines to programmed necrosis seems to primarily depend on expression of the pro-necrotic kinase RIPK3 rather than the related kinase RIPK1 or cell surface expression of TRAIL receptors. Furthermore, interference with production of the lipid ceramide protected all tested tumor cell lines.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence that TRAIL-induced programmed necrosis represents a feasible approach for the elimination of tumor cells, and that this treatment may represent a promising new option for the future development of combination therapies. Our data also suggest that RIPK3 expression may serve as a potential predictive marker for the sensitivity of tumor cells to programmed necrosis and extend the previously established role of ceramide as a key mediator of death receptor-induced programmed necrosis (and thus as a potential target for future therapies) also to the tumor cell lines examined here.
Co-infection of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylusspp. among livestock in Malaysia as revealed by amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer II DNA region
Authors: Tan Tiong K , Panchadcharam Chandrawathani , Low Van L , Lee Soo C , Ngui Romano , Sharma Reuben SK , Lim Yvonne AL
Published: February 2014

Background

Haemonchus contortusandTrichostrongylusspp. are reported to be the most prevalent and highly pathogenic parasites in livestock, particularly in small ruminants. However, the routine conventional tool used in Malaysia could not differentiate the species accurately and therefore limiting the understanding of the co-infections between these two genera among livestock in Malaysia. This study is the first attempt to identify the strongylids of veterinary importance in Malaysia (i.e.,H. contortusandTrichostrongylusspp.) by amplification and sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer II DNA region.

Results

Overall, 118 (cattle: 11 of 98 or 11.2%; deer: 4 of 70 or 5.7%; goats: 99 of 157 or 63.1%; swine: 4 of 91 or 4.4%) out of the 416 collected fecal samples were microscopy positive with strongylid infection. The PCR and sequencing results demonstrated that 93 samples (1 or 25.0% of deer; 92 or 92.9% of goats) containedH. contortus. In addition,Trichostrongylus colubriformiswas observed in 75 (75.8% of 99) of strongylid infected goats andTrichostrongylus axeiin 4 (4.0%) of 99 goats and 2 (50.0%) of 4 deer. Based on the molecular results, co-infection ofH. contortusandTrichostrongylusspp. (H. contortus + T. colubriformisdenoted as HTC;H. contortus + T. axeidenoted as HTA) were only found in goats. Specifically, HTC co-infections have higher rate (71 or 45.2% of 157) compared to HTA co-infections (3 or 1.9% of 157).

Conclusions

The present study is the first molecular identification of strongylid species among livestock in Malaysia which is essential towards a better knowledge of the epidemiology of gastro-intestinal parasitic infection among livestock in the country. Furthermore, a more comprehensive or nationwide molecular-based study on gastro-intestinal parasites in livestock should be carried out in the future, given that molecular tools could assist in improving diagnosis of veterinary parasitology in Malaysia due to its high sensitivity and accuracy.
Myocardial transfection of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and co-transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells enhance cardiac repair in rats with experimental myocardial infarction
Authors: Huang Bingqing , Qian Juying , Ma Jianying , Huang Zheyong , Shen Yunli , Chen Xueying , Sun Aijun , Ge Junbo , Chen Haozhu
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have potential for the treatment of myocardial infarction. However, several meta-analyses revealed that the outcome of stem cell transplantation is dissatisfactory. A series of studies demonstrated that the combination of cell and gene therapy was a promising strategy to enhance therapeutic efficiency. The aim of this research is to investigate whether and how the combination of overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and co-transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells can enhance cardiac repair in myocardial infarction.

Methods

We investigated the therapeutic effects of myocardial transfection of HIF-1α and co-transplantation of MSCs on cardiac repair in myocardial infarction by using myocardial transfection of HIF-1α via an adenoviral vector. Myocardial infarction was produced by coronary ligation in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Animals were divided randomly into six groups: (1) HIF-1α + MSCs group: Ad-HIF-1α (6 × 109 plate forming unit) and MSCs (1 × 106) were intramyocardially injected into the border zone simultaneously; (2) HIF-1α group: Ad-HIF-1α (6 × 109 plate forming unit) was injected into the border zone; (3) HIF-1α-MSCs group: Ad-HIF-1α transfected MSCs (1 × 106) were injected into the border zone; (4) MSCs group: MSCs (1 × 106) were injected into the border zone; (5) Control group: same volume of DMEM was injected; (6) SHAM group. Cardiac performance was then quantified by echocardiography as well as molecular and pathologic analysis of heart samples in the peri-infarcted region and the infarcted region at serial time points. The survival and engraftment of transplanted MSCs were also assessed.

Results

Myocardial transfection of HIF-1α combined with MSC transplantation in the peri-infarcted region improved cardiac function four weeks after myocardial infarction. Significant increases in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) expression, angiogenesis and MSC engraftment, as well as decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis in peri-infarcted regions in the hearts of the HIF-1α + MSCs group were detected compared to the MSCs group and Control group.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that myocardial transfection of HIF-1α and co-transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells enhance cardiac repair in myocardial infarction, indicating the feasibility and preliminary safety of a combination of myocardial transfection of HIF-1α and MSC transplantation to treat myocardial infarction.
Mouse early extra-embryonic lineages activate compensatory endocytosis in response to poor maternal nutrition
Authors: Sun Congshan , Velazquez Miguel A. , Marfy-Smith Stephanie , Sheth Bhavwanti , Cox Andy , Johnston David A. , Smyth Neil , Fleming Tom P.
Published: February 2014

Mammalian extra-embryonic lineages perform the crucial role of nutrient provision during gestation to support embryonic and fetal growth. These lineages derive from outer trophectoderm (TE) and internal primitive endoderm (PE) in the blastocyst and subsequently give rise to chorio-allantoic and visceral yolk sac placentae, respectively. We have shown maternal low protein diet exclusively during mouse preimplantation development (Emb-LPD) is sufficient to cause a compensatory increase in fetal and perinatal growth that correlates positively with increased adult-onset cardiovascular, metabolic and behavioural disease. Here, to investigate early mechanisms of compensatory nutrient provision, we assessed the influence of maternal Emb-LPD on endocytosis within extra-embryonic lineages using quantitative imaging and expression of markers and proteins involved. Blastocysts collected from Emb-LPD mothers within standard culture medium displayed enhanced TE endocytosis compared with embryos from control mothers with respect to the number and collective volume per cell of vesicles with endocytosed ligand and fluid and lysosomes, plus protein expression of megalin (Lrp2) LDL-family receptor. Endocytosis was also stimulated using similar criteria in the outer PE-like lineage of embryoid bodies formed from embryonic stem cell lines generated from Emb-LPD blastocysts. Using an in vitro model replicating the depleted amino acid (AA) composition found within the Emb-LPD uterine luminal fluid, we show TE endocytosis response is activated through reduced branched-chain AAs (leucine, isoleucine, valine). Moreover, activation appears mediated through RhoA GTPase signalling. Our data indicate early embryos regulate and stabilise endocytosis as a mechanism to compensate for poor maternal nutrient provision.
Diverse functions of matrix metalloproteinases during fibrosis
Authors: Giannandrea Matthew , Parks William C.
Published: February 2014

Fibrosis – a debilitating condition that can occur in most organs – is characterized by excess deposition of a collagen-rich extracellular matrix (ECM). At first sight, the activities of proteinases that can degrade matrix, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), might be expected to be under-expressed in fibrosis or, if present, could function to resolve the excess matrix. However, as we review here, some MMPs are indeed anti-fibrotic, whereas others can have pro-fibrotic functions. MMPs modulate a range of biological processes, especially processes related to immunity and tissue repair and/or remodeling. Although we do not yet know precisely how MMPs function during fibrosis – that is, the protein substrate or substrates that an individual MMP acts on to effect a specific process – experiments in mouse models demonstrate that MMP-dependent functions during fibrosis are not limited to effects on ECM turnover. Rather, data from diverse models indicate that these proteinases influence cellular activities as varied as proliferation and survival, gene expression, and multiple aspects of inflammation that, in turn, impact outcomes related to fibrosis.
Photoexcitation in Dimers of Coumarin and 6-Alkylcoumarins
Authors: Joswig Jan-Ole , Lorenz Tommy , Seifert Gotthard
Published: February 2014

In this contribution, we add theoretical investigations to an
experimental study on the photocleavage of coumarin, 6-methylcoumarin,
6-dodecylcoumarin monomers and several syn or anti,
head-to-head or head-to-tail isomers. Using a density-functional
tight-binding method together with a linear-response extension, we
were able to calculate the photoexcitation spectra of all molecules in
their optimized geometries. Additional molecular-dynamics simulations
of the molecules in the gas phase, gave access to the structural
changes due to thermal vibrations and to the influence on the
excitation spectra. The sampled photoexcitation spectra are comparable
to the experimentally measured data. Moreover, we could show that the
dimerization reaction can be monitored by recording the changes of the
spectra.
Stereoselective Di-pi-Methane Rearrangement of a BINOL-Substituted Dibenzobarrelene Derivative
Authors: Ihmels Heiko , Luo Jia
Published: February 2014

Two dibenzobarrelene derivatives were synthesized that are covalently
linked to a (S)-BINOL unit through an oxymethylene (1b) or
ethylenedioxymethylene (1c) unit, and their photoreactivity
was examined. Irradiation of 1b in acetone resulted in
a di-π-methane rearrangement to give diastereoselectively one
dibenzosemibullvalene isomer. Experimental and theoretical data point
to a directing effect of the BINOL auxiliary based on steric
repulsion. The derivative 1c with a longer linker between the
BINOL unit and the dibenzobarrelene is photoinert, presumably because
of fast competing relaxation processes in the excited state.
Far-IR Spectra of Small Neutral Gold Clusters in the Gas Phase
Authors: Gruene Philipp , Butschke Burkhard , Lyon Jonathan T. , Rayner David M. , Fielicke André
Published: February 2014

Vibrational spectra of small neutral gold clusters containing up to 8
Au atoms are measured in the far-infrared
(46–222 cm
–1) via photodissociation of their
complexes with krypton atoms. Comparisons with calculated IR spectra
for bare Au
n
clusters using density functional theory allow for
structural assignment. For these small sizes, all clusters are found
to be planar and of comparably high symmetry. For Au6 no data is
available, as this cluster size is not detected in the photoionization
mass spectra due to its high ionization energy. The structures
assigned are for n = 4: rhombus (D2h
); 5: trapezoid (C2v
);
7: edge-capped triangle (C
s
), 8: 4-fold edge-capped square
(D4h
).
Dredging the Future
Authors: Tejani James
Published: February 2014

Modern Los Angeles and Southern California emerged through the utilization and development of its coastal estuaries and wetlands, which became possible only at the turn of the twentieth century with the advent of new industrial machinery. The interaction between technology and environment in turn shaped city makers’ and residents’ vision of possibility, opportunity, and urgency as they looked out from Los Angeles to a changing West, nation, and world. While historians are familiar with the political and social conflict and cultural shifts that propelled Los Angeles and Southern California’s development as a metropolis, this article proposes that the region’s development is also due to the interplay of land and water, of mud and machine, and of transforming human perceptions of distance and connection.
Identification of Leydig cell-specific mRNA transcripts in the adult rat testis
Authors: O'Shaughnessy P J , Monteiro A , Fowler P A , Morris I D
Published: February 2014

The adult population of Leydig cells acts to secrete testosterone which is essential for reproductive health and fertility in the adult male. However, other physiological functions of these cells are uncertain, and to address this issue a cell ablation model has been used to identify Leydig cell-specific mRNA transcripts. Ethane dimethane sulphonate (EDS) was synthesised by a novel process and was used to ablate Leydig cells in adult male rats previously treated with butane dimethane sulphonate (busulphan) to delete the germ cell population. Levels of mRNA transcripts were measured in the testis using microarrays 1, 3, 5, 8 and 12 days after EDS injection. During this period, there was a significant change in the levels of 2200 different transcripts with a marked decline in the levels of canonical Leydig cell transcripts, such asCyp11a1,Cyp17a1andInsl3. A total of 95 transcripts showed a similar decline in expression after EDS treatment, suggesting that they have a Leydig cell-specific origin. Analysis of selected transcripts confirmed that they were expressed specifically in Leydig cells and showed that most had a late onset of expression during adult Leydig cell development. Apart from transcripts encoding components of the steroidogenic apparatus, the most common predicted function of translated proteins was endogenous and xenotoxicant metabolism. In addition, a number of transcripts encode acute-phase proteins involved in reduction of oxidative stress. Results show that, in addition to androgen secretion, Leydig cells may have a critical role to play in protecting the testis from damage caused by toxicants or stress.
X–Y Interactions Underlie Sperm Head Abnormality in Hybrid Male House Mice
Authors: Campbell Polly , Nachman Michael W
Published: February 2014

The genetic basis of hybrid male sterility in house mice is complex, highly polygenic, and strongly X linked. Previous work suggested that there might be interactions between the Mus musculus musculus X and the M. m. domesticus Y with a large negative effect on sperm head morphology in hybrid males with an F1 autosomal background. To test this, we introgressed the M. m. domesticus Y onto a M. m. musculus background and measured the change in sperm morphology, testis weight, and sperm count across early backcross generations and in 11th generation backcross males in which the opportunity for X–autosome incompatibilities is effectively eliminated. We found that abnormality in sperm morphology persists in M. m. domesticus Y introgression males, and that this phenotype is rescued by M. m. domesticus introgressions on the X chromosome. In contrast, the severe reductions in testis weight and sperm count that characterize F1 males were eliminated after one generation of backcrossing. These results indicate that X–Y incompatibilities contribute specifically to sperm morphology. In contrast, X–autosome incompatibilities contribute to low testis weight, low sperm count, and sperm morphology. Restoration of normal testis weight and sperm count in first generation backcross males suggests that a small number of complex incompatibilities between loci on the M. m. musculus X and the M. m. domesticus autosomes underlie F1 male sterility. Together, these results provide insight into the genetic architecture of F1 male sterility and help to explain genome-wide patterns of introgression across the house mouse hybrid zone.
Pietro Ferabosco számadása a Miksa magyar királlyá koronázására épített pozsonyi diadalkapukról (1563)
Authors: Mikó Árpád
Published: February 2014

In September 1563 Archduke Maximilian, son of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand I was crowned King of Hungary at Pozsony (Bratislava). For the coronation ceremony two triumphal arches were built at the ends of the pontoon bridge over the Danube. (The arches are known from a woodcut of Donat Hübschmann.) The bill of costs of the architect Pietro Ferabosco is here published for the first time.
Relação entre obesidade, insulina plasmática e posicionamento da falange distal em equinos da raça Crioula
Authors: Paz C.F.R. , Paganela J.C. , dos Santos C.A. , Nogueira C.E.W. , Faleiros R.R.
Published: February 2014

Verificaram-se características radiográficas do posicionamento da falange distal em relação ao estojo córneo em equinos da raça Crioula e correlacionaram-se tais achados com sinais de obesidade e concentrações plasmáticas de insulina. Consideraram-se dois grupos com base no escore da condição corporal (ECC). A média de idade entre os grupos foi de 9,2±5,8 anos em indivíduos normais (ECC 5-7) e de 10,3±3,7 anos em obesos (ECC 8-9). Diferenças estatísticas entre grupos ocorreram para valores de peso, perímetro torácico, escore da condição corporal, escore da crista do pescoço, comprimento do pescoço, circunferência do pescoço em três regiões referentes a 25%, 50% e 75% do comprimento do pescoço e entre o posicionamento da falange distal em relação ao estojo córneo. O ângulo formado entre as superfícies dorsais de falange distal e casco (ângulo de rotação) correlacionou-se estatisticamente com ECC (r = 0,30; P=0,02) e com peso e perímetro torácico (r = 0,50; P<0,01). Quanto à concentração de insulina plasmática, foram encontradas correlações positivas com ECP (r = 0,40; P<0,01) e com ângulo de rotação (r = 0,23; P = 0,08), e correlação negativa com idade (r = -0,42; P<0,01). Em oito animais (27%) o ângulo de rotação foi maior que 2 graus; destes, 25% eram normais e 75%, obesos (P<0,05). Aparentemente, em equinos da raça Crioula, características morfométricas no casco diferiram dos padrões internacionais obtidos de outras raças. A obesidade interferiu na relação espacial da falange distal com o estojo córneo, indicando que os animais obesos dessa raça são mais propensos a desenvolver laminite.
Serum bactericidal activity as indicator of innate immunity in pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg, 1887)
Authors: Biller-Takahashi J.D. , Takahashi L.S. , Pilarski F. , Sebastião F.A. , Urbinati E.C.
Published: February 2014

The immune system of teleost fish has mechanisms responsible for the defense against bacteria through protective proteins in several tissues. The protein action can be evaluated by serum bactericidal activity and this is an important tool to analyze the immune system. Pacu, Piaractus mesopotamicus, is one of the most important fish in national aquaculture. However there is a lack of studies on its immune responses. In order to standardize and assess the accuracy of the serum bactericidal activity assay, fish were briefly challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila and sampled one week after the challenge. The bacterial infection increased the concentration of protective proteins, resulting in a decrease of colony-forming unit values expressed as well as an enhanced serum bactericidal activity. The protocol showed a reliable assay, appropriate to determine the serum bactericidal activity of pacu in the present experimental conditions.
Desempenho bioeconômico de sistemas intensivos de cria e de ciclo completo por meio de simulação
Authors: Santana R.A.V. , Barbosa F.A. , Mandarino R.A. , Lobo C.F.
Published: February 2014

Foram simulados quatro sistemas de produção de bovinos de corte a partir de dados zootécnicos e econômicos de uma fazenda de ciclo completo situada no município de Corinto, região central de Minas Gerais. Utilizou-se o programa de simulação bioeconômica Embrapec. Os sistemas simulados foram: ciclo completo com uso de cruzamento industrial (CompCRUZA), ciclo completo exclusivamente com zebuíno (CompZEBU), ciclo de cria com uso de cruzamento industrial (CriaCRUZA), ciclo de cria exclusivamente com zebuíno (CriaZEBU). No sistema com cruzamento industrial, os animais eram vendidos logo após a desmama, com oito meses (CriaCRUZA), ou abatidos aos 13 meses (CompCRUZA). No sistema com rebanho zebu, os animais eram também vendidos à desmama (CriaZEBU) ou abatidos aos 24 meses (CompZEBU). As bezerras foram recriadas, e uma parcela (15%), descartada para a venda. A quantidade de animais em um rebanho estabilizado foi 13,1% e 10,7% menor nos sistemas cruzados, completo e cria, respectivamente; porém a quantidade (kg) de carcaça vendida/ha (49,9 para CriaCRUZA e 118,1 para CompCRUZA) e a taxa de desfrute (24,4%) foram em média 15,3% maior que zebuínos. A taxa interna de retorno e o valor presente líquido foram superiores para os sistemas que adotaram o cruzamento de zebuínos com raças europeias, CriaCRUZA (17,2% e R$ 10.151.896,54) e CompCRUZA (18,9% e R$ 11.749.329,42). Quando comparados os sistemas de produção, os que utilizaram ciclo completo, o CompCRUZA (18,9% e R$ 11.749.329,42) e CompZEBU (16,2% e R$ 9.568.293,51), foram em média 18,7% maiores que os de cria, quando comparados com o mesmo grupo genético, CriaCRUZA (17,2% e R$ 10.151.896,54) e CriaZEBU (14,6% e R$ 7.955.230,38). Todos os sistemas de produção simulados foram economicamente viáveis, sendo que o sistema de produção CompCRUZA foi que apresentou maior viabilidade econômica e com melhores indicadores zootécnicos.
Estratégia de coalimentação na sobrevivência e no crescimento de larvas de Betta splendens durante a transição alimentar
Authors: Fosse P.J. , Mattos D.C. , Cardoso L.D. , Motta J.H.S. , Jasper A.P.S. , Radael M.C. , Andrade D.R. , Vidal Júnior M.V.
Published: February 2014

Conduziu-se um experimento com o objetivo de avaliar a influência do período de coalimentação na sobrevivência e no crescimento de larvas de Betta splendens. As larvas foram alimentadas com náuplios de Artemia durante sete dias e, posteriormente, submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: jejum contínuo; ração contínua; quatro dias de coalimentação + 14 dias de ração; oito dias de coalimentação + 10 dias de ração; 12 dias de coalimentação + seis dias de ração; náuplios de Artemia durante todo o período experimental. Os valores das variáveis de desempenho das larvas do tratamento 12 dias de coalimentação + seis dias de ração e do tratamento náuplios de Artemia foram superiores aos demais tratamentos, exceto para sobrevivência, em que não houve diferença significativa com o tratamento oito dias de coalimentação + 10 dias de ração. Considerando-se apenas o tempo de oferta de Artemia (em dias), obteve-se a equação de regressão para as variáveis analisadas. A sobrevivência e a taxa de crescimento específico (TCE) apresentaram efeito quadrático, e as demais variáveis apresentaram efeito linear. O ponto de máxima para sobrevivência foi de 21,7 dias (88,92%) e para TCE foi de 26,2 dias (23,47% dia-1). O período de co-feeding influencia no crescimento e na sobrevivência de larvas de Betta splendens. Após o período de 19 dias de oferta de alimento vivo, com 12 dias de coalimentação, as larvas estão aptas a aproveitar de maneira eficiente o alimento inerte sem prejuízos ao crescimento e à sobrevivência.
Centralization of Services for Children Born with Orofacial Clefts in the United Kingdom: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Scott Julia K. , Leary Sam D. , Ness Andy R. , Sandy Jonathan R. , Persson Martin , Kilpatrick Nicky , Waylen Andrea E.
Published: February 2014

Objective

To examine current provision of cleft lip and/or palate services in the U.K. and compliance with recommendations made by the Clinical Standards Advisory Group (CSAG) in 1998.

Design

Cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

Setting

All 11 services within the U.K. providing care for children born with a cleft lip and palate.

Participants

Members from each healthcare specialty in each U.K. cleft team.

Interventions

Self-administered postal questionnaires enquired about the provision of cleft services. Data were collected about the overall cleft service, team coordination, hearing, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, primary cleft surgery, psychology, restorative dentistry, secondary surgery, specialist cleft nursing, and speech and language therapy.

Results

Questionnaires were returned from members of 130/150 cleft teams (87%) and these showed that U.K. cleft services have been restructured to 11 centralized services with 17 primary operative sites and 61 peripheral sites. All services provide care through a multidisciplinary (MDT) model, but the composition of each team varies. Primary cleft surgery and orthodontics were the only specialties that were represented in all cleft teams. Specialties may be represented in a team but their attendance at MDT clinics is variable. Only one team met all of the CSAG recommendations.

Conclusions

Our survey shows that cleft services have centralized over the last 10 years, and an MDT model of care has been adopted. Further research is needed to show how this has influenced outcomes and to see whether some models of centralized care are associated with better outcomes.
Tracking forest phenology and seasonal physiology using digital repeat photography: a critical assessment
Authors: Keenan T. F. , Darby B. , Felts E. , Sonnentag O. , Friedl M. A. , Hufkens K. , O'Keefe J. , Klosterman S. , Munger J. W. , Toomey M. , Richardson A. D.
Published: February 2014

Digital repeat photography is becoming widely used for near‐surface remote sensing of vegetation. Canopy greenness, which has been used extensively for phenological applications, can be readily quantified from camera images. Important questions remain, however, as to whether the observed changes in canopy greenness are directly related to changes in leaf‐level traits, changes in canopy structure, or some combination thereof.

We investigated relationships between canopy greenness and various metrics of canopy structure and function, using five years (2008–2012) of automated digital imagery, ground observations of phenological transitions, leaf area index (LAI) measurements, and eddy covariance estimates of gross ecosystem photosynthesis from the Harvard Forest, a temperate deciduous forest in the northeastern United States. Additionally, we sampled canopy sunlit leaves on a weekly basis throughout the growing season of 2011. We measured physiological and morphological traits including leaf size, mass (wet/dry), nitrogen content, chlorophyll fluorescence, and spectral reflectance and characterized individual leaf color with flatbed scanner imagery.

Our results show that observed spring and autumn phenological transition dates are well captured by information extracted from digital repeat photography. However, spring development of both LAI and the measured physiological and morphological traits are shown to lag behind spring increases in canopy greenness, which rises very quickly to its maximum value before leaves are even half their final size. Based on the hypothesis that changes in canopy greenness represent the aggregate effect of changes in both leaf‐level properties (specifically, leaf color) and changes in canopy structure (specifically, LAI), we developed a two end‐member mixing model. With just a single free parameter, the model was able to reproduce the observed seasonal trajectory of canopy greenness. This analysis shows that canopy greenness is relatively insensitive to changes in LAI at high LAI levels, which we further demonstrate by assessing the impact of an ice storm on both LAI and canopy greenness.

Our study provides new insights into the mechanisms driving seasonal changes in canopy greenness retrieved from digital camera imagery. The nonlinear relationship between canopy greenness and canopy LAI has important implications both for phenological research applications and for assessing responses of vegetation to disturbances.
Extreme stresses, niches, and positive species interactions along stress gradients
Authors: He Qiang , Bertness Mark D.
Published: February 2014

Since proposed two decades ago, the stress‐gradient hypothesis (SGH), suggesting that species interactions shift from competition to facilitation with stress, has been widely examined. Despite broad support across species and ecosystems, ecologists debate whether the SGH applies to extreme environments, arguing that species interactions switch to competition or collapse under extreme stress. We show that facilitation often expands distributions on species borders. SGH exceptions occur when weak stress gradients or stresses outside of species' niches are examined, multiple stresses co‐occur canceling out their effects, temporally dependent effects are involved, or results are improperly analyzed. We suggest that ecologists resolve debates by standardizing key SGH terms, such as fundamental and realized niche, stress gradients vs. environmental gradients, by quantitatively defining extreme stress, and by critically evaluating the functionality of stress gradients. We also suggest that new research examine the breadth and relevance of the SGH. More rigor needs to be applied to SGH tests to identify actual exceptions rather than those due to failures to meet its underlying assumptions, so that the general principles of the SGH and its exceptions can be incorporated into ecological theory, conservation strategies, and environmental change predictions.
Adsorption of Cadmium, Copper, Nickel, and Zinc to a Poly(tetrafluorethene) Porous Soil Solution Sampler
Authors: Andersen M.K. , Raulund‐Rasmussen K. , Strobel B.W. , Hansen H.C.B.
Published: February 2014

Suction cups made of poly(tetrafluorethene) (PTFE) are widely used for sampling of soil solution. A brand (Prenart) of PTFE cups was tested for adsorption of Cd, Cu, Ni, and Zn at low concentrations under different conditions. In a laboratory experiment adsorption from a 10 μg L−1 heavy metal solution with a 0.01 M NaCl background electrolyte was investigated at pH 3.6, 4.5, and 5.8 by pumping the solutions through the cups. The effect of three different ionic compositions was also investigated using 0.01 M CaCl2, 0.01 M NaCl, and no background electrolyte at pH 4.5. In 0.01 M NaCl electrolyte at pH 5.8 the cups acted as effective filters. At pH 3.6 after 300 mL of solution had passed through the cup, equivalence between the Cd and Ni concentrations in influent and effluent was found. No equivalence between effluent and influent concentrations was found for Zn and Cu at pH 4.5 and 5.8. With Ca as the electrolyte, no adsorption of Cd, Ni, or Zn was found. In Na electrolyte, equivalence between influent and effluent concentrations for Cd, Ni, and Zn was reached. The difference between effluent and influent concentrations of Zn, Ni, and Cd remained significant in the absence of electrolyte. For all pH values and electrolytes the difference between effluent and influent concentrations of Cu was significant. It is concluded that PTFE cups affect the concentrations of heavy metals sampled at low soil solution concentrations. Cadmium, Cu, Ni, and Zn adsorb to the cup at pH > 4.5 and low ionic strength.
The Effects of Throughfall Manipulation on Soil Leaching in a Deciduous Forest
Authors: Johnson D.W. , Hanson P.J. , Todd D.E.
Published: February 2014

The effects of changing precipitation on soil leaching in a deciduous forest were examined by experimentally manipulating throughfall fluxes in the field. In addition to an ambient treatment (AMB), throughfall fluxes were reduced by 33% (DRY treatment) and increased by 33% (WET treatment) using a system of rain gutters and sprinklers on Walker Branch Watershed, Tennessee. Soil leaching was measured with resin lysimeters in the O horizons and with ceramic cup lysimeters in the E (25 cm) and Bt (70 cm) horizons. Large and statistically significant treatment effects on N fluxes were found in the O horizons (lower N fluxes in the DRY and higher N fluxes in the WET treatment). Together with the greater O horizon N content observed in the DRY treatment, this suggested that N was being immobilized at a greater rate in the DRY treatment than in the AMB or WET treatments. No statistically significant treatment effects on soil solution were found in the E horizons with the exception of (Ca2++ Mg2+) to K+ratio. Statistically significant treatment effects on electrical conductivity (EC), pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, SO2−4, and Cl−were found in the Bt horizons due to differences between the DRY and other treatments. Despite this, calculated fluxes of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, SO2−4, and Cl−were lowest in the DRY treatment. These results suggest that lower precipitation will cause temporary N immobilization in litter and long‐term enrichment in soil base cations whereas increased precipitation will cause long‐term depletion of soil base cations.
Phosphorus Transport in Overland Flow in Response to Position of Manure Application
Authors: McDowell Richard , Sharpley Andrew
Published: February 2014

Phosphorus (P) loss in overland flow varies with spatial distribution of soil P, management, and hydrological pathways. The effect of flow time, flowpath length, and manure position on P loss in overland flow from two central Pennsylvania soils packed in boxes of varying length (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.75, and 4.0 m long × 15 cm wide × 5 cm deep) were examined by collecting flow samples at 5‐min intervals for 30 min (50 mm h−1rainfall) without and with 75 kg P ha−1applied as swine (Sus scrofa) manure over 0.5 m of the box slope length at distances of 0 to 3.5 m from the downslope collection point. Dissolved reactive P concentration was more closely related to the proportion of clay in sediment of overland flow before (r= 0.98) than after (r= 0.56) manure application. This was attributed to the transport of larger, low‐density particles after applying manure. The concentration of dissolved and particulate P fractions decreased with increasing flowpath length, due to dilution rather than sorption of P by surface soil during overland flow. Total P loss (mainly as particulate P) from the Watson channery silt loam (fine‐loamy, mixed, active, mesic Typic Fragiudult) was more than from Berks channery silt loam (loamy‐skeletal, mixed, active, mesic Typic Dystrudept), even with manure applied. Thus, while P loss in overland flow is affected by where manure is applied relative to flowpath length, initial soil P concentration should not be discounted when looking at areas of potential P loss within a watershed.
Degradation of 14C‐Atrazine Bound Residues in Brown Soil and Rendzina Fractions
Authors: Munier‐Lamy C. , Feuvrier M.P. , Choné T.
Published: February 2014

The remobilization and the fate of 14C‐ring labeled atrazine (6‐chloro‐N2‐ethyl‐N4‐isopropyl‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamine) bound residues was examined in relation with the turnover of natural soil organic matter. Soil fractions of a brown soil and a rendzina were incubated under controled laboratory conditions. The mineralization of natural organic matter and atrazine‐bound residues was respectively estimated by the amounts of CO2 and 14CO2 evolved during the incubation. The remobilization and distribution of 14C residues among the soil organic fractions were achieved after physical–chemical extractions of the samples. Comparisons of samples in abiotic and biotic conditions allowed us to assess the influence of microbial activity on the fate of atrazine‐bound residues. The mineralization curves showed that natural organic matter and atrazine‐bound residues had similar decomposition patterns. After 100 d of incubation, 0.8 to 3.6% of total organic C was evolved as CO2, while only 0.1% of the initial radioactivity was mineralized as CO2, and 7 to 15% was becoming extractable with water and methanol. Few differences were observed in the distribution of residues within organic compounds for both fractions of the rendzina, except a decrease of the 14C radioactivity of the 50‐ to 5000‐μm fraction and a slight increase of that of humin. For the 0‐ to 5000‐μm brown soil fraction, increased radioactivity in humin at the expense of humic (HA) and fulvic (FA) acids was detected after incubation, while for the 0‐ to 50‐μm fraction more radioactivity was recovered with FA.
Effects of Conservation Tillage on the Performance of Lake Erie Basin Farms
Authors: Forster D. Lynn
Published: February 2014

This paper summarizes research that investigates the effects of alternative farming practices on the performance of Lake Erie basin farms. First, data from a representative panel of about 100 farmers is analyzed to determine how conservation tillage, rotations, and other factors affected farms' economic returns during 1987–1992. Statistical analysis of these data is unable to demonstrate that there is any significant relationship between farming system (i.e., tillage and rotation) variables and farm profitability. Next, a farm‐level bioeconomic simulation model is used to analyze the effects of conservation tillage adoption on farm profitability, farm size, and pollutant emissions. Findings are that tillage system, farm size, and crop selection are determined jointly and may substantially improve economic performance of farms. Conservation tillage enables farms to be larger and more specialized, and as a result, farm profitability improves. Statistical analysis of farm panel data is unable to show the effect of tillage on profitability because it neglects to account for endogeneity of variables (or joint effects of tillage, size, crop selection, and performance) in production decisions.
Trace Element Retention and Release on Minerals and Soil in a Constructed Wetland
Authors: Fox Patricia M. , Doner Harvey E.
Published: February 2014

Constructed wetlands are one method under investigation for the remediation of trace element–contaminated agricultural drainwater. A greater understanding of the retention of trace elements by the bulk soil and soil constituents is necessary for their safe and effective use. To determine the capacity of soil, calcite, and goethite‐coated quartz sand for retention of As, Mo, and V under field conditions, an in situ method was used whereby permeable bags containing those minerals were placed near the sediment surface of a flow‐through constructed wetland for 3 or 12 mo. Accumulations of As, Mo, and V occurred on goethite‐coated sand. Concentrations of Mo on goethite‐coated sand were much higher in samples from a wetland cell with a water depth of 15 cm (38.23 ± 7.27 mg kg−1) compared with those from a cell with a water depth of 3 cm (8.30 ± 1.45 mg kg−1). Calcite sorbed no As and low amounts of Mo and V, indicating that it is not an important sink for those elements under these conditions. In soil bags, total As and V concentrations showed little change over 12 mo. Molybdenum accumulated in the soil bags, resulting in total concentrations (12 mo) of 27.22 ± 2.69 mg kg−1 and 11.42 ± 1.35 mg kg−1 at water depths of 15 and 3 cm, respectively. Nearly half of the Mo accumulation on soil became water soluble after air‐drying. This has important implications for systems that may undergo changes in redox status, possibly resulting in large fluxes of water‐soluble Mo.
Effects of Agricultural Runoff on Vegetation Composition of a Priority Conservation Wetland, Vermont, USA
Authors: Gustafson Shelley , Wang Deane
Published: February 2014

This study examined the effects of agricultural runoff on the vegetation structure of Franklin Bog, a priority conservation area located in a rapidly developing region of northwestern Vermont. Forested and agricultural runoff from the mixed land use watershed created differential vegetation patterns in the wetland, including weedy species introductions. Concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus were measured in the stream runoff from four forested subwatersheds and two agricultural subwatersheds. Nutrient concentrations were significantly higher for agricultural vs. forested runoff for all measured parameters. Nitrate and total phosphorus concentrations in agricultural runoff ranged from 0.62 to 1.35 mg L−1and 0.07 to 0.37 mg L−1, respectively. Forested runoff values were less than 0.37 mg L−1nitrate and 0.09 mg L−1total phosphorus. Significantly higher proportions of weedy species occurred at impacted vs. reference sites (46 ± 5% vs. 23 ± 4%). Furthermore, significantly higher total percent vegetated cover occurred at impacted vs. reference sites (116 ± 11% vs. 77 ± 9%) suggesting nutrient induced plant growth. Of the nine frequently occurring species categorized as bog species, only one was found within impacted sites while all nine were found at the reference sites. This suggests that the wetland's distinctive native flora is being replaced by widespread, vigorous species enhanced by agricultural nonpoint pollution in the watershed of Franklin Bog. Protection of wetlands requires attention to conservation measures throughout the entire watershed.
Radionuclides as Indicators of Sediment Transport in Agricultural Watersheds that Drain to Lake Erie
Authors: Matisoff Gerald , Bonniwell Everett C. , Whiting Peter J.
Published: February 2014

An issue in evaluating the success of agricultural management practices is the speed that eroded particles make their way through the downstream waters. In this study at Old Woman Creek (OWC) and Rock Creek (RC), two largely agricultural watersheds in Ohio, the flux of sediment and radionuclides (7Be, 210Pb, and 137Cs) in thunderstorm runoff was examined to better understand transport of eroded agricultural soils. The hydrograph in an agricultural area under no‐till was similar in timing, but of lesser magnitude, than the hydrograph from a similar‐sized area under conventional tillage. The activities of 210Pb and 7Be are linearly correlated and are higher in suspended sediments derived from no‐till subbasins than those derived from conventionally tilled subbasins. A suspended sediment plume, identified by its unique radionuclide signature, was traced through 17 km of OWC stream channel in approximately 13.4 h (0.35 m/s). The downstream exponential decrease of 7Be activities in suspended sediments 3 to 12 h after passage of the sediment plume was used to estimate transport distances of suspended sediment from 2 to 17 km, respectively. Transport distances of suspended sediments were also calculated from wave kinematics and indicate that at OWC suspended sediment transport distances were longer in streams draining areas of no‐till (19–26 km) than in the streams draining areas of conventional tillage (6–15 km). Suspended sediments travel 7 to 22 km at RC. The transport distances are long relative to the lengths of the stream channel and indicate that erosion control methods implemented in the watershed should be reflected quickly in downstream waters.
The impedance variation with feed position of a microstrip line-fed patch antenna
Authors: Stefanovski Snezana , Kolundzija Branko
Published: February 2014

This paper presents a very precise analysis of the impedance variation with
feed position of a microstrip line-fed patch antenna. The influence of the
inset length and width has been investigated, taking into account finite size
of the substrate, various lengths of the feeding microstrip line, losses and
finite thickness of metallization. The obtained numerical results are
compared with the previously published ones, showing very good agreement.
However, the results of the additional analysis confirmed that the
mathematical functions proposed in previously published papers (the
cosine-squared function and the cosine to the fourth power function) are not
really good approximations of the input impedance behavior for this type of
the microstrip patch antenna.
Microstructural and dielectrical characterization of Ho doped BaTiO3 ceramics
Authors: Marjanovic Milos , Dimitrijevic Dragana , Paunovic Vesna , Prijic Zoran
Published: February 2014

The Ho doped BaTiO3 ceramics, with different Ho2O3 content, ranging from 0.01
to 1.0 wt % Ho, were investigated regarding their microstructural and
dielectric characteristics. Doped BaTiO3 were prepared using conventional
solid state reaction and sintered at 1380?C for four hours. SEM analysis of
Ho/BaTiO3 doped ceramics showed that the low doped samples exhibit mainly
fairly uniform and homogeneous microstructure with the grain size ranged from
20-40 ?m. In the samples with the higher dopant concentration the abnormal
grain growth is inhibited and the grain size ranged between 2-10 ?m.
Measurements of dielectric properties were carried out as a function of
temperature up to 180 ?C at different frequencies. The samples doped with
0.01wt % of Ho, exhibit the high value of dielectric permittivity (?r = 2160)
at room temperature. A nearly flat permittivity-response was obtained in
specimens with higher additive content. Using a Curie-Weiss law and modified
Curie-Weiss law the Curie constant (C), Curie temperature (Tc) and a critical
exponent of nonlinearity (g) were calculated. The Curie temperature of doped
samples were ranged from 128 to 130?C. The Curie constant for all series of
samples decrease with increase of dopant concentration and the lowest values
were observed on samples doped with 0.01 wt % of holmium.