bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal overweight and obesity: a survey of clinicians’ characteristics and attitudes, and their responses to their pregnant clients
Authors: Wilkinson Shelley A , Poad Di , Stapleton Helen
Published: May 2013

Background

Statewide (Queensland) Clinical Guidelines reflecting current best practice have recently become available for the management of pregnancy-related obesity. Our aim was to assess staff knowledge about, adherence to, and characteristics that influence delivery of care according to these Guidelines.

Methods

An online survey, available over a three week period (May-June 2011), was disseminated to obstetric, midwifery and allied health staff working in a tertiary maternity hospital. Outcomes included knowledge of guideline content, advice given, knowledge of obesity pregnancy-related complications, previous training, referral patterns, and staff characteristics, including lifestyle habits, body satisfaction, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Results

Seventy-three staff completed surveys (59.6% response rate). Mean self-reported BMI was 24.2 ± 4.1 kg/m2 (17.9-36.4); 28.5% of staff were overweight (19%) or obese (9.5%), and 27.4% were underweight. However, 28.6%, 2.4%, and 1.2% ‘self-classified’ themselves as overweight, obese, and underweight, respectively. Almost 40% were dissatisfied/extremely dissatisfied with their weight. While the majority reported overweight/obesity (ow/ob) as an important/very important general obstetric issue and most correctly identified associated perinatal complications, only 32.1% were aware of existing guidelines, with only half correctly identifying BMI categories for ow/ob. A quarter indicated they did not provide women with gestational weight gain (GWG) advice relative to BMI category. Staff identified they would like more training in the area of supporting women to achieve and understand the need for healthy GWG. Staff role was significantly associated with guideline adherence (p=0.03) and association with BMI category approached significance (p=0.07). An association was observed between staff’s BMI and their belief in the influence of their advice on women’s GWG (p=0.013) and weight satisfaction and belief in women having the resources to make the changes they recommend (p=0.003).

Conclusions

Whilst lack of guideline knowledge provides a barrier to best-practice care, our findings suggest an interplay between staff confidence and personal characteristics in delivering such care which deserves recognition in staff education and training, and service development programs and future research.
Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia associated with influenza A/H1N1 pneumonia after lung transplantation
Authors: Otto Claudia , Huzly Daniela , Kemna Lars , Hüttel Annegret , Benk Christoph , Rieg Siegbert , Ploenes Till , Werner Martin , Kayser Gian
Published: May 2013

Background

Immunocompromised patients, particularly after lung transplantation, are at high risk to develop atypical forms of pulmonary infections including influenza A/H1N1. Acute Fibrinous and Organizing Pneumonia (AFOP) is a special histological pattern in acute respiratory failure with high mortality.

Case presentation

We describe a 66-year-old woman with double lung transplantation in August 2009 due to end stage pulmonary fibrosis. After prolonged weaning and subsequent promising course, she developed atypical pneumonia with diffuse pulmonary infiltrates in both lungs in January 2010. Infection with influenza A/H1N1 virus was verified. The patient rapidly suffered from respiratory insufficiency and died eight days after this diagnosis. The post-mortem revealed especially in the lower parts of the lungs the classical histological pattern of pure AFOP. Molecular analyses of lung tissue were positive for influenza A/H1N1.

Conclusion

To our knowledge we present the first case of AFOP triggered by viral infection, here proven to be influenza virus A/H1N1. Thus, also in the setting of viral infection the highly deadly differential diagnosis of AFOP must be considered.
Analysis of knee flexion characteristics and how they alter with the onset of knee osteoarthritis: a case control study
Authors: McCarthy Ian , Hodgins Diana , Mor Amit , Elbaz Avi , Segal Ganit
Published: May 2013

Background

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in gait profile between patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy control and to create motion characteristics that will differentiate between them.

Methods

Twenty three patients diagnosed with knee OA and 21 healthy matched controls underwent a gait test using a sensor system (gaitWALK). Gait parameters evaluated were: stride duration, knee flexion range of motion (ROM) in swing and stance. T-Test was used to evaluate significant differences between groups (P < 0.05).

Results

Patients with knee OA had significant lower knee flexion ROM (10.3° ± 4.0°) during stance than matched controls (18.0° ± 4.0°) (p < 0.001). Patients with knee OA had significant lower knee flexion ROM (54.8° ± 5.5°) during swing than matched controls (61.2° ± 6.1) (p = 0.003). Patients with knee OA also had longer stride duration (1.12 s ± 0.09 s) than matched controls (1.06 s ± 0.11 s), but this was not statistically significant (p = 0.073). Motion characteristics differentiate between a patient with knee OA and a healthy one with a sensitivity of 0.952 and a specificity of 0.783.

Conclusions

Significant differences were found in the gait profile of patients with knee OA compared to matched control and motion characteristics were identified. This test might help clinicians identify and evaluate a knee problem in a simple gait test.
The MicroRNA-148/152 Family: Multi-faceted Players
Authors: Chen Yue , Song Yong-Xi , Wang Zhen-Ning
Published: May 2013

MicroRNAs(miRNA) are noncoding RNAs of about 19–23 nucleotides that are crucial for many biological processes. Members of the microRNA-148/152(miR-148/152) family, which include microRNA-148a(miR-148a), microRNA-148b(miR-148b), and microRNA-152(miR-152), are expressed differently in tumor and nontumor tissues and are involved in the genesis and development of disease. Furthermore, members of the miR-148/152 family are important in the growth and development of normal tissues. Members of the miR-148/152 family regulate target genes and are regulated by methylation of CPG islands. In this review, we report recent studies on the expression of members of the miR-148/152 family, methylation of CPG islands, and their target genes in different diseases, as well as in normal tissues.
Induction of cytopathic effect and cytokines in coxsackievirus B3-infected murine astrocytes
Authors: Zeng Jun , Wang Gefei , Li Weizhong , Zhang Dangui , Chen Xiaoxuan , Xin Gang , Jiang Zhiwu , Li Kangsheng
Published: May 2013

Background

Coxsackievirus commonly infects children and occasionally causes severe meningitis and/or encephalitis in the newborn. The underlying mechanism(s) behind the central nervous system pathology is poorly defined.

Methods

It is hypothesized that astrocytes may be involved in inflammatory response induced by CVB3 infection. Here we discuss this hypothesis in the context of CVB3 infection and associated inflammatory response in primary mouse astrocytes.

Results

The results showed that coxsackievirus receptor (CAR) was distributed homogeneously on the astrocytes, and that CVB3 could infect and replicate in astrocytes, with release of infectious virus particles. CVB3 induced cytopathic effect and production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and chemokine CXCL10 from astrocytes.

Conclusion

These data suggest that direct astrocyte damage and cytokines induction could be a mechanism of virus-induced meningitis and/or encephalitis.
Treatment of fungal myositis with intra-lesional and intravenous itraconazole: a case report
Authors: Lin Xiao-Ji , Yao Rong-Xin , He Mu-Qing , Zhu Bao-Ling , Guo Wen-Jian
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Fungal myositis is very uncommon, even in patients who are immunocompromised. Because of its rarity and a lack of clinical experience, no consensus has been reached about the best means of treating fungal myositis. To the best of our knowledge this is the first description of the treatment of fungal myositis with simultaneous intravenous and intra-lesional itraconazole.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old Chinese woman with acute myelomonocytic leukemia developed Candida krusei fungemia and fungal myositis in the right biceps brachii after chemotherapy. A course of intravenous itraconazole and subsequently intravenous voriconazole was initiated and her blood cultures became sterile; however, our patient remained febrile and the myositis did not resolve. Intravenous itraconazole was restarted simultaneously with low-dose intra-lesional itraconazole. The pyrexia settled after 48 hours and within 10 days the lesion could be seen to be resolving. After the course of intravenous and intra-lesional anti-fungals was complete, oral itraconazole was administered as maintenance therapy.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge this is the first case in which fungal myositis was successfully treated with intravenous and intra-lesional itraconazole in a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia. The efficacy and safety of locally-administered itraconazole to treat intractable soft tissue infections requires further evaluation.
An omnibus permutation test on ensembles of two-locus analyses can detect pure epistasis and genetic heterogeneity in genome-wide association studies
Authors: Setsirichok Damrongrit , Tienboon Phuwadej , Jaroonruang Nattapong , Kittichaijaroen Somkit , Wongseree Waranyu , Piroonratana Theera , Usavanarong Touchpong , Limwongse Chanin , Aporntewan Chatchawit , Phadoongsidhi Marong , Chaiyaratana Nachol
Published: May 2013

This article presents the ability of an omnibus permutation test on ensembles of two-locus analyses (2LOmb) to detect pure epistasis in the presence of genetic heterogeneity. The performance of 2LOmb is evaluated in various simulation scenarios covering two independent causes of complex disease where each cause is governed by a purely epistatic interaction. Different scenarios are set up by varying the number of available single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in data, number of causative SNPs and ratio of case samples from two affected groups. The simulation results indicate that 2LOmb outperforms multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) and random forest (RF) techniques in terms of a low number of output SNPs and a high number of correctly-identified causative SNPs. Moreover, 2LOmb is capable of identifying the number of independent interactions in tractable computational time and can be used in genome-wide association studies. 2LOmb is subsequently applied to a type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) data set, which is collected from a UK population by the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC). After screening for SNPs that locate within or near genes and exhibit no marginal single-locus effects, the T1D data set is reduced to 95,991 SNPs from 12,146 genes. The 2LOmb search in the reduced T1D data set reveals that 12 SNPs, which can be divided into two independent sets, are associated with the disease. The first SNP set consists of three SNPs from MUC21 (mucin 21, cell surface associated), three SNPs from MUC22 (mucin 22), two SNPs from PSORS1C1 (psoriasis susceptibility 1 candidate 1) and one SNP from TCF19 (transcription factor 19). A four-locus interaction between these four genes is also detected. The second SNP set consists of three SNPs from ATAD1 (ATPase family, AAA domain containing 1). Overall, the findings indicate the detection of pure epistasis in the presence of genetic heterogeneity and provide an alternative explanation for the aetiology of T1D in the UK population.
The Helix 1-3 Loop in the Glucocorticoid Receptor LBD Is a Regulatory Element for FKBP Cochaperones
Authors: Cluning Carmel , Ward Bryan K. , Rea Sarah L. , Arulpragasam Ajanthy , Fuller Peter J. , Ratajczak Thomas
Published: May 2013

The heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90) cochaperone FK506-binding protein 52 (FKBP52) upregulates, whereas FKBP51 inhibits, hormone binding and nuclear targeting of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Decreased cortisol sensitivity in the guinea pig is attributed to changes within the helix 1 to helix 3 (H1-H3) loop of the guinea pig GR (gpGR) ligand-binding domain. It has been proposed that this loop serves as a contact point for FKBP52 and/or FKBP51 with receptor. We examined the role of the H1-H3 loop in GR activation by FKBP52 using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. The activity of rat GR (rGR) containing the gpGR H1-H3 loop substitutions was still potentiated by FKBP52, confirming the loop is not involved in primary FKBP52 interactions. Additional assays also excluded a role for other intervening loops between ligand-binding domain helices in direct interactions with FKBP52 associated with enhanced receptor activity. Complementary studies in FKBP51-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts and HEK293 cells demonstrated that substitution of the gpGR H1-H3 loop residues into rGR dramatically increased receptor repression by FKBP51 without enhancing receptor-FKBP51 interaction and did not alter recruitment of endogenous Hsp90 and the p23 cochaperone to receptor complexes. FKBP51 suppression of the mutated rGR did not require FKBP51 peptidylprolyl cis-trans isomerase activity and was not disrupted by mutation of the FK1 proline-rich loop thought to mediate reciprocal FKBP influences on receptor activity. We conclude that the gpGR-specific mutations within the H1-H3 loop confer global changes within the GR-Hsp90 complex that favor FKBP51 repression over FKBP52 potentiation, thus identifying the loop as an important target for GR regulation by the FKBP cochaperones.
Preferential invasion of mitotic cells by Salmonella reveals that cell surface cholesterol is maximal during metaphase
Authors: Santos António J. M. , Meinecke Michael , Fessler Michael B. , Holden David W. , Boucrot Emmanuel
Published: May 2013

Cell surface exposed cholesterol is critical for cell attachment and invasion of many viruses and bacteria, including the bacterium Salmonella, which causes typhoid fever and gastroenteritis. Using flow cytometry and 3D confocal fluorescence microscopy, we found that mitotic cells - even though representing only 1–4% of an exponentially growing population - were much more efficiently targeted for invasion by Salmonella. This targeting was not dependent on the spherical shape of mitotic cells, but was instead SipB- and cholesterol-dependent. Thus, we measured the levels of plasma membrane and cell surface cholesterol along the cell cycle using respectively brief staining with filipin and a fluorescent ester of polyethylene glycol-cholesterol that cannot flip through the plasma membrane, and found that both were maximal during mitosis. This increase was not only due to the rise in global cell cholesterol levels along the cell cycle but also to a transient loss in cholesterol asymmetry at the plasma membrane during mitosis. We measured that cholesterol, but not phosphatidylserine, changed from a ∼20∶80 outer∶inner leaflet repartition during interphase to ∼50∶50 during metaphase, suggesting this was specific to cholesterol and not due to a broad change of lipid asymmetry during metaphase. This explains the increase in outer surface levels that make dividing cells more susceptible to Salmonella invasion and perhaps to other viruses and bacteria entering cells in a cholesterol-dependent manner. The change in cholesterol partitioning also favoured the recruitment of activated ERM (Ezrin, Radixin, Moesin) proteins at the plasma membrane and thus supported mitotic cell rounding.
New roles of the fission yeast eIF2α kinases Hri1 and Gcn2 in response to nutritional stress
Authors: Martín Ruth , Berlanga Juan José , de Haro César
Published: May 2013

In fission yeast, three distinct eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) kinases (Hri1, Hri2 and Gcn2), regulate protein synthesis in response to various environmental stresses. Thus, Gcn2 is activated early after exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), whereas Hri2 is the primary activated eIF2α kinase in response to heat shock. The function of Hri1 is still not completely understood. It is also known, that the MAPK Sty1 negatively regulates Gcn2 and Hri2 activities under oxidative stress. In this study, we demonstrate that Hri1 is mainly activated, and its expression up-regulated, during transition from exponential growth to the stationary phase in response to nutritional limitation. Accordingly, both Hri1 and Gcn2, but not Hri2, are activated upon nitrogen source deprivation. In contrast, Hri2 is stimulated early during glucose starvation. We also found that Gcn2 is implicated in nitrogen starvation-induced growth arrest in the cell cycle G1 phase as well as in the non-selective protein degradation process caused upon this particular cellular stress. Moreover, Gcn2, but not Hri1 or Hri2, is essential for survival of cells growing in minimal medium, upon oxidative stress or glucose limitation. We further show that eIF2α phosphorylation at serine 52 by the eIF2α kinases is necessary for efficient cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, for the consequent protein degradation and for sexual differentiation, under nitrogen starvation. Therefore, the eIF2α kinase signalling pathway modulates G1 phase cell cycle arrest, cell survival and mating under nutritional stress in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
Polylactide-co-glycolide-rifampicin-nanoparticles efficiently clearMycobacterium bovisBCG infection in macrophages and remain membrane-bound in phago-lysosomes
Authors: Kalluru Raja , Fenaroli Federico , Westmoreland David , Ulanova Lilia , Maleki Atoosa , Roos Norbert , Madsen Marie Paulsen , Koster Gerbrand , Jacobsen Wolfgang Eggerli , Wilson Steven , Roberg-Larsen Hanna , Khuller G. K. , Singh Amandeep , Nyström Bo , Griffiths Gareth
Published: May 2013

Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used as biodegradable vehicles to selectively deliver therapeutic agents such as drugs or antigens to cells. The most widely used vehicle for this purpose is based on co-polymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid (PLGA) - that has been extensively used in experiments aimed at delivering antibiotics against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in animal models of tuberculosis. Here, we fabricated PLGA NPs containing either high concentration of rifampicin or detectable levels of the green fluorescent dye, coumarin-6. Our goal here was two-fold: first to resolve the controversial issue of whether, after phagocytic uptake, PLGA NPs remain membrane-bound or whether they escape into the cytoplasm, as has been widely claimed. Second, we sought to make NPs enclosing sufficient rifampicin to efficiently clear macrophages of infection with Mycobacterium bovis-BCG. Using fluorescence microscopy and immuno-electron microscopy, in combination with markers for lysosomes, we show that BCG bacteria, as expected, localized to early phagosomes, but at least 90 percent of PLGA particles were targeted to, and remained in low pH, hydrolase-rich phago-lysosomes. Our data collectively argue that PLGA NPs remain membrane-enclosed in macrophages for at least 13 days and degrade slowly. Importantly, provided that the NP's are fabricated with sufficient antibiotic, one dose given after infection is sufficient to efficiently clear the BCG infection after 9–12 days treatment, as shown by estimates of the number of bacterial colonies in vitro.
Evidence for a radial SNARE super-complex mediating neurotransmitter release at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction
Authors: Megighian Aram , Zordan Mauro , Pantano Sergio , Scorzeto Michele , Rigoni Michela , Zanini Damiano , Rossetto Ornella , Montecucco Cesare
Published: May 2013

The SNARE proteins VAMP/synaptobrevin, SNAP-25 and Syntaxin are core components of the apparatus that mediates neurotransmitter release. They form a heterotrimeric complex and an undetermined number of SNARE complexes assemble to form a super-complex. Here, we present a radial model of this nanomachine, derived from experiments performed with botulinum neurotoxins, which led to the identification of one arginine in SNAP-25 and one aspartate in Syntaxin (R206 and D253 in Drosophila melanogaster). These residues are highly conserved and predicted to play a major role in the protein-protein interactions among SNARE complexes by forming an ionic couple. Accordingly, we generated transgenic Drosophila lines expressing SNAREs mutated in these residues and performed an electrophysiological analysis of their neuromuscular junctions. Our results indicate that SNAP-25-R206 and Syntaxin-D253 play a major role in neuroexocytosis and support a radial assembly of several SNARE complexes interacting via the ionic couple formed by these two residues.
Phosphorylation of STIM1 at ERK1/2 Target sites regulates the interaction with the microtubule plus-end binding protein EB1
Authors: Pozo-Guisado Eulalia , Casas-Rua Vanessa , Tomas-Martin Patricia , Lopez-Guerrero Aida M. , Alvarez-Barrientos Alberto , Martin-Romero Francisco Javier
Published: May 2013

STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1) is a key regulator of store-operated calcium entry (SOCE). Upon depletion of Ca2+ concentration within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), STIM1 relocalizes at ER-plasma membrane junctions, activating store-operated calcium channels (SOCs). Although one knows the molecular details for STIM1-SOCs binding, the regulation of SOCE remains largely unknown. A detailed list of phosphoresidues within the STIM1 sequence has been reported. However, the molecular pathways controlling this phosphorylation and its function are still under study. Using phospho-specific antibodies, it is demonstrated here that ERK1/2 mediates STIM1 phosphorylation at Ser575, Ser608, and Ser621 during Ca2+ store depletion, and that Ca2+ entry and store refilling restore phosphorylation to basal levels. This phosphorylation occurs in parallel to the dissociation from end-binding protein 1 (EB1), a regulator of growing microtubule ends. While Ser to Ala mutation of residues 575, 608, and 621 showed a constitutive binding to EB1 even after Ca2+ store depletion, Ser to Glu mutation of these residues, to mimic the phosphorylation profile attained after store depletion, triggered full dissociation from EB1. Given that wild-type STIM1 and STIM1S575E/S608E/S621E activate SOCE similarly, a model is proposed to explain how ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation of STIM1 regulates SOCE. This regulation is based on the phosphorylation of STIM1 to trigger dissociation from EB1 during Ca2+ store depletion, an event that is fully reverted by Ca2+ entry and store refilling.
The gait dynamics of the modern broiler chicken: A cautionary tale of selective breeding
Authors: Paxton Heather , Daley Monica , Corr Sandra , Hutchinson John
Published: May 2013

One of the most extraordinary results of selective breeding is the modern broiler chicken, whose phenotypic attributes reflect its genetic success. Unfortunately, leg health issues and poor walking ability are prevalent in the broiler population, with the exact aetiopathogenesis unknown. Here we present a biomechanical analysis of the gait dynamics of the modern broiler and its two pureline commercial broiler breeder lines (A and B) in order to clarify how changes in basic morphology are associated with the way these chickens walk. We collected force plate and kinematic data from 25 chickens (market age), over a range of walking speeds, to quantify the 3D dynamics of the centre of mass (CoM) and determine how these birds modulate the force and mechanical work of locomotion. Common features of their gait include extremely slow walking speeds, a wide base of support and large lateral motions of the CoM, which primarily reflect changes to cope with their apparent instability and large body mass. These features allowed the chickens to keep their peak vertical forces low, but resulted in high mediolateral forces, which exceeded fore-aft forces. Gait differences directly related to morphological characteristics also exist. This was particularly evident in pureline B birds, which have a more crouched limb posture. Mechanical costs of transport were still similar across all lines and were not exceptional when compared to more wild-type ground-running birds. Broiler chickens seem to have an awkward gait, but some aspects of their dynamics show rather surprising similarities to other avian bipeds.
Repeatability of escape response performance in the queen scallop (Aequipecten opercularis)
Authors: Laming Sven R. , Jenkins Stuart R. , McCarthy Ian D.
Published: May 2013

In order for natural selection to operate, physiological and behavioural traits must exhibit both inter-individual variability and intra-individual consistency (i.e. repeatability) in performance. In this study, we describe individual variation and temporal repeatability in the escape responses of the queen scallop Aequipecten opercularis and determine whether individuals exhibited consistently high or low rankings in different aspects of the escape response. Five measures of individual performance were recorded on 4 occasions (days 0, 2, 7 and 28) providing proxies for sensory acuity (response latency), immediate and sustained swimming performance (burst and average clap-rates) and swimming endurance (total number of claps and total time spent clapping). All components of the escape response exhibited significant inter-individual variability (all P<0.0001). Escape response latency, burst clap-rate, total number of claps and total duration spent clapping maintained significant repeatability over 28 days (all P<0.016). Average clap-rate was repeatable in the short term (2 days, P<0.0001) but repeatability declined by 28 days (P=0.097). Concordance analysis indicated that individuals maintained the same performance rankings over time for each component of the escape response (all P<0.001). In addition, some individuals ranked as consistently high or low performers across response latency, burst and average clap-rate and total number of claps. An individual's ability to evade predators through the provision of an escape response of an appropriate magnitude, subject to physiological, behavioural and organismal constraints, will have clear fitness-related consequences.
Activation of systemic, but not local, renin-angiotensin system is associated with up-regulation of TNF-α during prolonged fasting in northern elephant seal pups
Authors: Suzuki Miwa , Vázquez-Medina Josá Pablo , Viscarra Jose A. , Soñanez-Organis José G. , Crocker Daniel E. , Rudy Ortiz M.
Published: May 2013

Northern elephant seal pups naturally endure a 2-3 month post-weaning fast that is associated with activation of systemic renin-angiotensin system (RAS), a decrease in plasma adiponectin (Acrp30), and insulin resistance (IR)-like conditions. Angiotensin II (Ang II) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) are potential causal factors of IR, while Acrp30 may improve insulin signaling. However, the effects of fasting-induced activation of RAS on IR-like condition in seals are not well described. To assess the effects of prolonged food deprivation on systemic and local RAS, and their potential contribution to TNF-α as they relate to an IR condition, the mRNA expressions of adipose and muscle RAS components and immuno-relevant molecules were measured along with plasma RAS components. Mean plasma renin activity and Ang II concentrations increased 89% and 1658%, respectively, while plasma angiotensinogen (AGT) decreased 49% over the fast, indicative of systemic RAS activation. Prolonged fasting was associated with decreases in adipose and muscle AGT mRNA expressions of 69% and 68%, respectively, corresponding with decreases in tissue protein content, suggesting suppression of local AGT production. Muscle TNF-α mRNA and protein increased 239% and 314%, whereas those of adipose Acrp30 decreased 32% and 98%, respectively. Collectively, this study suggests that prolonged fasting actives systemic RAS, which contributes to an increase in muscle TNF-α and suppression of adipose Acrp30. This targeted and tissue-specific regulation of TNF-α and Acrp30 are likely coordinated to synergistically contribute to the development of an IR-like condition, independent of local RAS activity. These data enhance our understanding of the adaptive mechanisms evolved by elephant seals to tolerate potentially detrimental conditions.
Incline and peg spacing have interactive effects on the arboreal locomotor performance and kinematics of brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis)
Authors: Jayne Bruce C. , Baum Justin T. , Byrnes Greg
Published: May 2013

Many animals move using lateral undulations, but snakes are noteworthy for using this type of locomotion in an unusual diversity of environments, including trees in which both the spacing and orientation of branches vary considerably. Despite branches providing discrete locations for snakes to generate propulsive forces during lateral undulation, the consequences of branch spacing for the locomotion of snakes are poorly understood. Hence, we determined maximal speeds and kinematics of an arboreal snake (Boiga irregularis) crawling on horizontal and vertical cylinders with pegs that simulated different spacing between secondary branches. Peg spacing, perch orientation, and their two-way interaction term had widespread, significant effects on both performance and kinematics. For the horizontal surfaces, maximal locomotor speed occurred with intermediate peg spacing, and it was nearly twice as fast as for both the smallest and largest peg spacings. By contrast, the locomotor speeds of snakes on the vertical surfaces were unaffected by peg spacing, and they were uniformly slower than those for the horizontal surfaces. For both perch orientations, the number of pegs touched by the snake decreased as peg spacing increased, and while touching only one peg the snakes crawled with apparent ease and steady speed. The snakes crawled vertically with only one peg as quickly as they did using 2-10 pegs. Pegs on a horizontal cylinder are probably important both for propulsion of snakes and preventing long-axis rolling, whereas pegs protruding from vertical cylinders and those protruding from horizontal planar surfaces are probably used almost exclusively for propulsion.
Nitric oxide affects short-term olfactory memory in the antennal lobe ofManduca Sexta
Authors: Gage Stephanie L. , Daly Kevin C. , Nighorn Alan
Published: May 2013

Nitric oxide (NO) is thought to play an important neuromodulatory role in olfaction. We are using the hawkmoth Manduca sexta to investigate the function of NO signaling in the antennal lobe (AL; primary olfactory network in invertebrates). We have found previously that NO is present at baseline levels, dramatically increases in response to odor stimulation, and alters the electrophysiology of AL neurons. It is unclear, however, how these effects contribute to common features of olfactory systems such as olfactory learning and memory, odor detection, and odor discrimination. In this study, we have used chemical detection and a behavioral approach to further examine the function of NO in the AL. We have found that basal levels of NO fluctuate with the daily light cycle being higher during the nocturnal active period. NO also appears necessary for short-term olfactory memory. NO does not appear to affect odor detection, odor discrimination between dissimilar odorants, or learning acquisition. These findings may suggest a modulatory role for NO in the timing of olfactory-guided behaviors.
Physiological and metabolic consequences of viral infection in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Arnold Pieter A. , Johnson Karyn N. , White Craig R.
Published: May 2013

An extensively used model system for investigating anti-pathogen defence and innate immunity involves Drosophila C virus (DCV) and Drosophila melanogaster. While there has been a significant effort to understand infection consequences at molecular and genetic levels, an understanding of fundamental higher-level physiology of this system is lacking. Here, we investigate the metabolic rate, locomotory activity, dry mass and water content of adult male flies injected with DCV, measured over the four days prior to virus-induced mortality. DCV infection resulted in multiple pathologies, notably the depression of metabolic rate beginning two days post-infection as a response to physiological stress. Even in this depressed metabolic state, infected flies did not decrease their activity until one day prior to mortality, which further suggests that cellular processes and synthesis are disrupted due to viral infection. Growth rate was also reduced, indicating that energy partitioning is altered as infection progresses. Microbial infection in insects typically results in an increase in excretion; however water appeared to be retained in DCV infected flies. We hypothesise that this is due to a fluid intake-output imbalance due to disrupted transport signalling and a reduced rate of metabolic processing. Furthermore, infected flies had a reduced rate of respiration as a consequence of metabolic depression which minimised water loss, and the excess mass as a result of water retention is concurrent with impaired locomotory ability. These findings contribute to developing a mechanistic understanding of how pathologies accumulate and lead to mortality in infected flies.
Long-term fasting in the anadromous Arctic charr is associated with down-regulation of metabolic enzyme activity and up-regulation of leptin A1 and SOCS expression in the liver.
Authors: Jørgensen Even H. , Martinsen Mads , Strøm Vidar , Hansen Kristin E. R. , Ravuri Chandra S. , Gong Ningping , Jobling Malcolm
Published: May 2013

The life-strategy of the anadromous Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) includes several months of voluntary fasting during overwintering in fresh water leading to emaciation prior to seawater migration in spring. In this study we compared changes in condition, substrate utilization and liver metabolism between captive anadromous charr subjected to food-deprivation during late winter and spring, and conspecifics fed in excess. In March, 9 out of the 10 sampled fed fish had not eaten, indicating that they were a voluntary anorexic state. In June, the fed fish were eating and all had higher body mass (BM), condition factor (CF) and adiposity than in March. In fasted fish there were only small decreases in BM, CF and adiposity between March and May, but all these parameters decreased markedly from May to June. The fasted fish were fat- and glycogen-depleted in June, had suppressed activity of hepatic enzymes involved in lipid metabolism (G6PDH and HOAD) and seemed to rely on protein-derived glucose as a major energy source. This was associated with up-regulated liver gene expression of leptin A1, leptin A2, SOCS1, SOCS2 and SOCS3, and reduced IGF-I expression. In an in vitro study with liver slices it was shown that recombinant rainbow trout leptin stimulated SOCS1 and SOCS3 expression, but not SOCS2, IGF-I or genes of enzymes involved in lipid (G6PDH) and amino acid (AspAT) metabolism. It is concluded that liver leptin interacts with SOCS in a paracrine fashion to suppress lipolytic pathways and depress metabolism when fat stores are depleted.
Research Note—Privacy Concerns and Privacy-Protective Behavior in Synchronous Online Social Interactions
Authors: Jiang Zhenhui (Jack) , Heng Cheng Suang , Choi Ben C. F.
Published: May 2013

Privacy is of prime importance to many individuals when they attempt to develop online social relationships. Nonetheless, it has been observed that individuals' behavior is at times inconsistent with their privacy concerns, e.g., they disclose substantial private information in synchronous online social interactions, even though they are aware of the risks involved. Drawing on the hyperpersonal framework and the privacy calculus perspective, this paper elucidates the interesting roles of privacy concerns and social rewards in synchronous online social interactions by examining the causes and the behavioral strategies that individuals utilize to protect their privacy. An empirical study involving 251 respondents was conducted in online chat rooms. Our results indicate that individuals utilize both self-disclosure and misrepresentation to protect their privacy and that social rewards help explain why individuals may not behave in accordance with their privacy concerns. In addition, we find that perceived anonymity of others and perceived intrusiveness affect both privacy concerns and social rewards. Our findings also suggest that higher perceived anonymity of self decreases individuals' privacy concerns, and higher perceived media richness increases social rewards. Generally, this study contributes to the information systems literature by integrating the hyperpersonal framework and the privacy calculus perspective to identify antecedents of privacy trade-off and predict individuals' behavior in synchronous online social interactions.
Outsourcing Contracts and Equity Prices
Authors: Mani Deepa , Barua Anitesh , Whinston Andrew B.
Published: May 2013

We investigate the impact of outsourcing on the long-term market performance of the firm. Outsourcing initiatives vary in terms of uncertainty in business requirements, complexity of coordination between the outsourcing firm and provider, and the consequent choice of the governing contract (fixed or variable price). Using theories from institutional economics, strategy, and information systems, we argue that firms pursuing large-scale, fixed price outsourcing, which are characterized by lower business uncertainty and simpler coordination requirements, will realize higher market returns relative to similar firms in the same industry who did not outsource. In contrast, variable price contracts that proxy for higher business uncertainty and coordination complexity may have a higher risk of failure and loss of shareholder value; however, prior outsourcing experience and prior association with the vendor may reduce uncertainty in the outsourcing relationship to help the outsourcing firm better manage challenges associated with complex, variable price engagements. We posit that financial markets are either not privy to or unlikely to accurately interpret such intangible information on the antecedents of outsourcing success during the announcement period. The delay in incorporation of this information in market prices results in positive long-term abnormal returns to fixed price contracts. Variable price contracts characterized by prior association between participant firms and greater outsourcing experience also realize positive long-term abnormal returns. Data on the hundred largest outsourcing initiatives implemented between 1996 and 2005 strongly support our hypotheses. The results imply that firms who retain simple functions and tasks in-house as well as those who outsource complex functions without pertinent experience or association with the vendor experience significant loss of shareholder value.
Structural Characterization of Reduced-Charge Montmorillonites. Evidence Based on FTIR Spectroscopy, Thermal Behavior, and Layer-Charge Systematics
Authors: Skoubris Evangelos N. , Chryssikos Georgios D. , Christidis George E. , Gionis Vassilis
Published: May 2013

In the present study, the gradual layer-charge reduction of two Li-saturated smectites, SAz-1 from Arizona, USA, and FEO-G from Troodos, Cyprus, with octahedral charge of 0.54 electrons per half unit cell (e/huc) and 0.39 e/huc, respectively, was monitored by X-ray diffraction of K-saturated, ethylene glycol-solvated samples, by thermogravimetry-differential thermogravimetry, and by mid- and near-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy after heating at 80–300ºC. With increasing heating temperature, the layer charge and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of both smectites decreased gradually due to Li fixation. At temperatures >200ºC, ~25% residual CEC was observed, suggesting incomplete Li fixation due to kinetic constraints. Dehydration of the original Li-smectites occurred in two steps, one peaking at ~100ºC and another at 175–180ºC. The latter decreased upon progressive Li fixation and vanished from smectites treated above ~125ºC. Dehydroxylation occurred at 635–640ºC in both smectites and was not affected by Li fixation. The second derivative analysis of the infrared spectra showed that Li fixation was manifested in both smectites by the growth of two new sharp OH-stretching fundamentals at ~3640 and 3670 cm−1 and their overtones at ~7115 and 7170 cm−1. The new bands constitute pairs of fixed energy and relative intensity which grow simultaneously at the expense of the broad OH-stretching and overtone features of the original smectites. Based on this result, Li fixation is suggested to be accompanied by the simultaneous formation of two distinct trioctahedral-like structural OH species, which is compatible with Li+ occupying trans-octahedral vacancies in both smectites.
Thermal History of Lower Paleozoic Rocks on the Peri-Tornquist Margin of the East European Craton (Podolia, Ukraine) Inferred from Combined XRD, K-Ar, and AFT Data
Authors: Środoń Jan , Paszkowski Mariusz , Drygant Daniel , Anczkiewicz Aneta , Banaś Michał
Published: May 2013

The Upper Silurian–Lower Devonian section of the Dniester gorge in Podolia and samples from boreholes located S and N of this area were studied in order to reconstruct the thermal history of Lower Paleozoic sedimentary rocks in the Dniester segment of the Peri-Tornquist margin of the East European Craton which is the most eastern part of a major shale-gas target in Europe. X-ray diffraction data for illite-smectite from shales and carbonates indicate very advanced diagenesis and maximum paleotemperatures of ~200ºC, higher than interpreted from the ‘conodont alteration index’ (CAI) data. Diagenesis of the Devonian section is slightly less advanced than that of the underlying Silurian section, indicating that it is a regional feature and the result of burial. The regional distribution of the diagenetic grade based on illite matches well with the pattern established from the CAI data. K-Ar dating of illite-smectite from Silurian bentonites and shales gave a consistent set of dates ranging from 390 to 312 Ma. To explain such advanced levels of diagenesis and such K-Ar dates, the extension of the Carboniferous foreland basin (which today is only preserved to the NW of L’viv) toward the SE on the craton margin has to be assumed. The diagenetic zonation pattern of the Carboniferous coals supports this hypothesis. The Carboniferous cover may have been either sedimentary or partially tectonic (Variscan intracratonic duplexes) in origin and the thickness, necessary for the observed level of diagenesis, may have been reduced by an elevated heat flow along the major tectonic zone at the edge of the craton (TESZ). The presence of such cover is confirmed by completely reset Cretaceous apatite fission track (AFT) ages of the Silurian bentonites. The AFT dates also imply a Tertiary heating event in the area.

The 10 Å clay mineral present in the dolomitic part of the profile (Silurian), both in bentonites and in other rocks, is aluminoceladonite or intermediate between illite and aluminoceladonite, while in the Devonian shale section only illite was documented. Chlorite is also common in the studied rocks and is at least partially authigenic. It is non-expandable in the samples from boreholes, while often expandable to variable extents in the samples from outcrops, which also contain goethite. Such variation in chlorite is attributed to contemporary weathering.
Quantitative In Situ Study of the Dehydration of Bentonite-Bonded Molding Sands
Authors: Jordan Guntram , Eulenkamp Constanze , Calzada Elbio , Schillinger Burkhard , Hoelzel Markus , Gigler Alexander , Stanjek Helge , Schmahl Wolfgang W.
Published: May 2013

Bentonite-bonded molding sand is one of the most common mold materials used in metal casting. The high casting temperatures cause dehydration and alteration of the molding sand, thereby degrading its reusability. Neutron radiography and neutron diffraction were applied to study these processes by using pure bentonite-quartz-water mixtures in simulation casting experiments. The aim of the experiments was to compare the dehydration behavior of raw and recycled mold material in order to assess possible causes of the limited reusability of molding sands in industrial application. Neutron radiography provided quantitative data for the local water concentrations within the mold material as a function of time and temperature. Dehydration zones, condensation zones, and areas of pristine hydrated molding sand could be established clearly. The kinematics of the zones was quantified. Within four cycles of de- and rehydration, no significant differences in water kinematics were detected. The data, therefore, suggest that the industrial handling (molding-sand additives and the presence of metal melt) may have greater effects on molding-sand reusability than the intrinsic properties of the pure bentonite–quartz–water system.
Anisotropic Surface Charging of Chlorite Surfaces
Authors: Yin Xihui , Yan Lujie , Liu Jing , Xu Zhenghe , Miller Jan D.
Published: May 2013

Chlorite is a layered silicate mineral group of importance in geology, agriculture, and in the processing of mineral resources. A more detailed analysis of the surface charge of chlorite minerals is important in order to improve our fundamental understanding of such particle structures and their behavior in suspension. In this study, the anisotropic surface charging of chlorite has been established using Atomic Force Microscopy surface-force measurements with a silicon nitride tip. The surface-charge densities and surface potentials at the chlorite basal-plane surfaces and edge surface were obtained by fitting force curves with the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theoretical model. The results show that at pH 5.6, 8.0, and 9.0 the chlorite mica-like face is negatively charged with the isoelectric point (IEP) less than pH 5.6. In contrast, the chlorite brucite-like face is positively charged in this pH range and the IEP is greater than pH 9.0. The surface charging of the chlorite edge surface was found to be pH-dependent with the IEP occurring at pH 8.5, which is slightly greater than the edge surfaces of talc and muscovite due to the larger content of magnesium hydroxide at the chlorite edge surface. Findings from the present research are expected to provide a fundamental foundation for the analysis of industrial requirements, e.g. collector adsorption, slime coating, and particle interactions in the area of mineral-processing technology.
Charge transfer in DNA
Authors: Fujitsuka Mamoru , Majima Tetsuro
Published: May 2013

In the past few decades, charge transfer in DNA has attracted considerable
attention from researchers in a wide variety of fields ranging from bioscience
and physical chemistry to nanotechnology. Charge transfer in DNA has been
investigated using various techniques. Among them, time-resolved spectroscopic
methods have provided information on charge-transfer dynamics in DNA, an
important basis for therapy applications, nanomaterials, and so on. In charge
transfer in DNA, holes and excess electrons act as positive and negative charge
carriers, respectively. Hole-transfer (HT) dynamics have been investigated in
detail, while the dynamics of excess electron transfer (EET) have only become
clear rather recently. In the present paper, we summarize studies on the
dynamics of HT and EET by several groups including ourselves.