bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Muscle fatigue during cross country sprint assessed by activation patterns and electromyographic signals time–frequency analysis
Authors: Zory R. , Molinari F. , Knaflitz M. , Schena F. , Rouard A.
Published: May 2010

The aims of this study were as follows: (i) analysis of activation patterns during the spurt of two heats of a cross country skiing sprint with the double poling technique and (ii) quantification of muscle fatigue of the investigated muscles. Eight elite skiers were tested and surface electromyographic signals (EMG) were recorded from seven muscles of the upper and lower limbs. For each subject and each muscle, the activation intervals were calculated for relying on a double‐threshold statistical detector and the average rectified value was calculated on each activation interval. The detected activations were processed by a time–frequency algorithm in order to assess the progression of muscle fatigue. The EMG activation patterns and EMG amplitude highlighted no significant difference between the two spurts, despite a generally lower speed in the second spurt. The frequency analysis showed that upper body muscles are the first to be affected by fatigue and that clear signs of muscle fatigue appear right from the first spurt of the sprint simulation (i.e., biceps and triceps brachii) with a decrease in the instantaneous mean frequency. Biceps brachii activations and fatigue demonstrated the involvement of this muscle in propulsion.
Effects of exercise training on oxygen uptake in coronary heart disease: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Valkeinen H. , Aaltonen S. , Kujala U. M.
Published: May 2010

It is not known to what extent exercise programs increase maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in patients with coronary heart diseases (CHD). The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of exercise interventions on VO2max in subjects with CHD. Database search of randomized controlled trials was conducted from PubMed. Studies were included that reported the characteristics and effects of exercise interventions in subjects with CHD, included a non‐exercise control group and measured VO2max using direct measurement method. Eighteen studies were eligible. Exercise interventions increased VO2max by 2.6 ± 1.6 and 0.3 ± 1.4 mL/kg/min in the training and control groups, respectively. The net difference in the change of VO2max between the groups was 2.3 mL/kg/min with a standardized mean difference of 0.60 [95% CI 0.47, 0.74] (P<0.001). Aerobic training led to a larger difference in VO2max between the groups than other training modes. Over 6 months of training period and training started within 3 months after a cardiac event also had a significant effect on VO2max. This analysis showed that a long exercise training period starting soon after a cardiac event improved VO2max in patients with CHD most effectively. In future studies, the training programs should be designed carefully as even larger improvements in VO2max may be possible.
Hippocampal neurogenesis in food‐storing red squirrels: the impact of age and spatial behavior
Authors: Johnson K. M. , Boonstra R. , Wojtowicz J. M.
Published: May 2010

The adaptive significance of adult hippocampal neurogenesis remains unknown. In the laboratory, it is influenced by a variety of environmental and physiological stimuli. In the wild, it may be influenced by the reliance on spatial memory and by environmental stressors. The one common denominator in both settings is that neurogenesis declines markedly with age. Red squirrels are long‐lived rodents that store food (thousands of tree cones) to permit survival under harsh winter conditions. We compared a population from the eastern North America that stores its cones singly or in small clusters with one from the west that stores its cones in large stockpiles. The reliance on spatial memory should be much greater in the east than the west, and should not decline with age, as cone storage and recovery is a yearly necessity. We found no difference between the populations in the density of young neurons and both populations showed the same decline with age. Thus, we reject the spatial memory hypothesis for adult neurogenesis in mammals in its original form. Instead, our evidence is consistent with the neurogenic reserve hypothesis in which neuronal cell production early in life leads to enhanced hippocampal function later in life according to environmental demand but without requirement for ongoing cell production as a function of site‐ and species‐specific needs. A more general interpretation of the data leads us to consider a possible role of neurogenesis in novel, flexible episodic memories.
GENDER, MENTORING, AND CAREER SUCCESS: THE IMPORTANCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
Authors: RAMASWAMI AARTI , DREHER GEORGE F. , BRETZ ROBERT , WIETHOFF CAROLYN
Published: May 2010

This study examines the moderating effects of protégé sex and organizational context on relationships between senior‐male mentors and objective and subjective career outcomes among midcareer managers and professionals. Extending signaling theory, and using a 3‐way interaction, we found that associations between senior‐male mentoring, cash compensation, and career progress satisfaction were greatest among women working in male‐gendered industries. By contextualizing the protégé sex‐by‐mentoring interaction and by considering key mentor attributes, the results of this study provide important insights into where, why, and for whom access to a senior‐male mentor is related to career success and contribute to building more complete models of the career attainment process.
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO HIGH WORKLOADS: IMPLICATIONS FOR WELL‐BEING
Authors: ILIES REMUS , DIMOTAKIS NIKOLAOS , DE PATER IRENE E.
Published: May 2010

We report a field study examining within‐individual effects of workload on distress at work and daily well‐being. The study was conducted using experience‐sampling methodology to measure daily workload, affective distress, and blood pressure throughout and at the end of each of 10 workdays, and emotional burnout and daily strain (two indicators of low well‐being) during the evening in a sample of 64 full‐time employees who provided a total of 354 person‐day data points. We also measured employees’ job control and perceived organizational support with a separate survey. Results showed that workload was positively associated with affective distress and blood pressure, and with the indicators of low daily well‐being. Furthermore, affective distress mediated the relationship between workload and daily well‐being. More importantly, job control and organizational support had cross‐level moderating influences on the relationships of workload with affective distress and blood pressure such that these relationships were weaker for participants who reported having more control on their job, as well as for participants who reported receiving more organizational support.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE “GETTING READY FOR YOUR NEXT JOB” INVENTORY FOR UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS
Authors: WANBERG CONNIE R. , ZHANG ZHEN , DIEHN ERICA W.
Published: May 2010

This article describes the development of a self‐administered inventory to provide unemployed job seekers of varying education levels and backgrounds with insight into their job search. The inventory was refined in 5 phases with multiple samples. Evidence for predictive validity was provided by examining the relationship between the inventory components ( job‐search intensity, Internet use, job‐search confidence, job‐search clarity, support, stress and worry, skills, barriers, job‐search experience, difference between last wage and wage desired, time spent in job search, and number of interviews in last 2 weeks) and employment outcomes several months later. The inventory, titled “Getting Ready for Your Next Job” (YNJ), is shown in theAppendix. Interested users may download a PDF or Microsoft Word version of the YNJ fromhttp://www.ynj.csom.umn.edu/.
Temporal Diversity Patterns and Phenology in Fruit‐feeding Butterflies in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Ribeiro Danilo Bandini , Prado Paulo I. , Brown Jr. Keith S. , Freitas André V. L.
Published: May 2010

The Atlantic Forest deserves special attention due to its high level of species endemism and degree of threat. As in other tropical biomes, there is little information about the ecology of the organisms that occur there. The objectives of this study were to verify how fruit‐feeding butterflies are distributed through time, and the relation with meteorological conditions. Species richness and Shannon index were partitioned additively at the monthly level, and β diversity, used as a hierarchical measure of temporal species turnover, was calculated among months, trimesters, and semesters. Circular analysis was used to verify how butterflies are distributed along seasons and its relation with meteorological conditions. We sampled 6488 individuals of 73 species. Temporal diversity of butterflies was more grouped than expected by chance among the months of each trimester. Circular analyses revealed that diversity is concentrated in hot months (September–March), with the subfamily Brassolinae strongly concentrated in February–March. Average temperature was correlated with total abundance of butterflies, abundance of Biblidinae, Brassolinae and Morphinae, and richness of Satyrinae. The present results show that 3 mo of sampling between September and March is enough to produce a nonbiased sample of the local assemblage of butterflies, containing at least 70 percent of the richness and 25 percent of abundance. The influence of temperature on sampling is probably related to butterfly physiology. Moreover, temperature affects resource availability for larvae and adults, which is higher in hot months. The difference in seasonality patterns among subfamilies is probably a consequence of different evolutionary pressures through time.
Senescence‐Inducible Expression of Isopentenyl Transferase Extends Leaf Life, Increases Drought Stress Resistance and Alters Cytokinin Metabolism in Cassava
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Wen‐Quan , Zhang Gen‐Liang , Kaminek Miroslav , Dobrev Petre , Xu Jia , Gruissem Wilhelm
Published: May 2010

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) sheds its leaves during growth, especially within the tropical dry season. With the production of SAG12‐IPT transgenic cassava we want to test the level of leaf retention and altered cytokinin metabolism of transgenic plants via the autoregulatory senescence inhibition system. After confirmation of transgene expression by molecular analysis and phenotype examination in greenhouse plants, two transgenic plant lines, 529‐28 and 529‐48, were chosen for further investigation. Detached mature leaves of 529‐28 plants retained high levels of chlorophyll compared with wild‐type leaves after dark‐induced senescence treatment. Line 529‐28 showed significant drought tolerance as indicated by stay‐green capacity after drought stress treatment. Field experiments proved that leaf senescence syndrome was significantly delayed in 529‐28 plants in comparison with wild‐type and 529‐48 plants. Physiological and agronomical characterizations of these plants also revealed that the induced expression of IPT had effects on photosynthesis, sugar allocation and nitrogen partitioning. Importantly, the 529‐28 plants accumulated a high level of trans‐zeatin‐type cytokinins particularly of corresponding storage O‐glucosides to maintain cytokinin homeostasis. Our study proves the feasibility of prolonging the leaf life of woody cassava and also sheds light on the control of cytokinin homeostasis in cassava leaves.
Outcomes from the work of Registered Nurses working with older people in UK care homes
Authors: Heath Hazel
Published: May 2010

heath h. (2010) Outcomes from the work of Registered Nurses working with older people in UK care homes. International Journal of Older People Nursing 5, 116–127

Aims and objectives.  This research sought to illuminate the distinct contributions made by Registered Nurses (RNs) and Care Assistants (CAs) to outcomes for older people in UK (nursing) care homes and to identify the outcomes of their work. This paper reports on aspects relevant to RNs.

Background.  Older people living in long‐term residential care settings around the world are among the most vulnerable individuals within their communities and those with the most complex needs. Nursing has historically been fundamental in the delivery of these services but, in some countries, the role of Registered Nurses in residential care is coming under increasing scrutiny, particularly in the context of escalating costs and funding restrictions, a questioning of the need for a 24‐hour ‘health’ professional presence in a ‘social care’ service and a lack of evidence on the distinct contribution that RNs make to outcomes in these settings.

Design.  A multi‐method qualitative interpretive approach, adopting a structure–process–outcome framework and grounded in the philosophical hermeneutics of Hans‐Georg Gadamer (2003).

Methods.  For Phase 1 of the study, RNs and CAs from care homes around the UK contributed examples of their work, which they identified as having made a ‘significant’ difference to older individuals. Phase 2 comprised researcher fieldwork (observations, interviews and documentary analysis) in three care homes around UK. Research participants included RNs, CAs, older residents, relatives, home managers and professionals working in the homes.

Results.  RN roles in care homes are broad and multifaceted. Distinct outcomes of RN work are consequent to their caring and their knowledge and skills developed through broad experience in a range of healthcare settings. Outcomes for residents from RN work include enhanced personhood and wellbeing, improved health and function, the prevention of problems/adverse outcomes and enhanced quality of life. RN outcomes have positive impact on relatives, staff and the homes in general.

Conclusions.  There is potential to reconsider the broad, ‘anything and everything’ nature of the RN role in care homes identified in the research. However, given the complex healthcare needs of the current resident population, the 24‐hour RN presence is deemed essential.
Constructions of dignity: a pre‐requisite for flourishing in the workplace?
Authors: Joan Yalden B. , McCormack Brendan
Published: May 2010

yalden b.j. & mccormack b. (2010) Constructions of dignity: a pre‐requisite for flourishing in the workplace? International Journal of Older People Nursing 5, 137–147

Aims.  To explore the relationship between nurses’ understanding of dignity and how it is enhanced and developed in their practice environment.

Background.  Dignity is a ubiquitous concept in an era of healthcare reform yet is referred to almost exclusively in terms of the quality of care delivered to support the experience of the patient rather than the caregivers engaged in the relationships of care. This article focuses on dignity in the professional life of nurses in aged care.

Method.  This is part of a doctoral study of the implementation of a palliative approach in residential aged care using emancipatory practice development methodology. Constructions of dignity were co‐created with participants through creative reflective activities and subsequently analysed using reflexive methods and data from other sources within the study.

Results.  Constructions of dignity and subsequent actions taken by nurses on their own behalf to articulate their experiences of transforming practice are interconnected with dignity enhancing relationships and emancipatory ways of working in practice development.

Conclusions.  Dignity enhancing ways of working in an active learning group and workplace have been interlinked with actions that promote person‐centredness in developing a palliative approach to care.
The use of life story work with people with dementia to enhance person‐centred care
Authors: McKeown Jane , Clarke Amanda , Ingleton Christine , Ryan Tony , Repper Julie
Published: May 2010

mckeown j., clarke a., ingleton c., ryan t. & repper j. (2010) The use of life story work with people with dementia to enhance person‐centred care. International Journal of Older People Nursing 5, 148–158

Background.  Person‐centred care has been linked with quality of care but difficulties remain in person‐centred care being implemented in care practice. This study explores the use of life story work to enhance person‐centred care with people with dementia.

Aims and objectives.  The study investigates how life story work is: understood and developed in practice; experienced by all participants and affects the delivery and outcomes of care.

Design and methods.  The experience of older people with dementia, family carers and care staff in using life story work was explored within an NHS Health and Social Care Trust. A multiple case study design was adopted within a constructivist approach. Semi‐structured interviews, observation, conversations were employed.

Findings.  Life story work has the potential to: enable care staff to see the person behind the patient; allow family carers to uphold their relatives’ personhood; enable the voice of the person with dementia to be heard, verbally and non‐verbally; be enjoyable for all concerned and enable the person with dementia to feel proud about themselves and their lives.

Conclusion and implications for practice.  Life story work has the potential to enhance person‐centred care for older people with dementia and their families. Taking a practice development approach ensures that life story work can be implemented sensitively and is sustained in practice.
Using drama to improve person‐centred dementia care
Authors: Kontos Pia C. , Mitchell Gail J. , Mistry Bhavnita , Ballon Bruce
Published: May 2010

kontos p.c., mitchell g.j., mistry b. & ballon b. (2010) Using drama to improve person‐centred dementia care. International Journal of Older People Nursing 5, 159–168

Aims and objectives.  We implemented a 12‐week drama‐based educational intervention to introduce to dementia practitioners person‐centred care that emphasizes the notion of embodied selfhood (defined as non‐verbal self‐expression).

Background.  Person‐centred dementia care guidelines emphasize the assessment of individual needs, and where appropriate, the use of non‐pharmacological interventions before resorting to pharmacological management. However, dementia care is not consistent with these guidelines suggesting conceptual limitations and reliance on passive knowledge translation strategies.

Design and methods.  Focus groups and semi‐structured interviews with practitioners (n = 24) in two nursing homes in central Canada were undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the drama‐based components of the intervention.

Results.  Our findings suggest that drama was effective as an educational modality, and helped implement the person‐centred approach into practice. Significant practice outcomes included: new awareness that residents’ body movements and dispositions can convey meaning; seeking biographical information from families; increased time efficiency; and supporting residents’ independence.

Conclusions.  Our findings make an important contribution to person‐centred dementia care by broadening the notion of personhood, and by facilitating implementation using drama.

Implications for practice.  As an enhancement of person‐centred care, the support of embodied selfhood may significantly improve residents’ quality of life, quality of care, and practitioners’ care‐giving experience.
Use of Green Tea, Camellia sinensis L., in Practical Diet for Growth and Protection of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), against Aeromonas hydrophila Infection
Authors: Abdel‐Tawwab Mohsen , Ahmad Mohammad H. , Seden Medhat E. A. , Sakr Saleh F. M.
Published: May 2010

The microbial diseases cause economic losses in aquaculture on global scale and the use of commercial antibiotics for disease treatment produces undesirable side effects. Because many medicinal herbs have evolved potent defense against pathogenic bacteria, there is a growing interest in these herbs as sources for natural antibacterial agents. In this context, green tea (GT), Camellia sinensis L., is considered as a promising source that may be used for improving the growth, survival, and protection of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the use of GT in practical fish diets and its impact on fish growth and health. GT leaves were ground and added to the ingredients of tested diets to represent 0.0 (control), 0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg diet. Fish (1.5–2.0 g) were distributed to various treatments at a rate of 20 fish per 100‐L aquarium and fed one of the experimental diets for 12 wk. After the feeding trial, fish of each treatment were challenged by pathogenic A. hydrophila, and they were kept under observation for 10 d during which abnormal clinical signs and the daily mortality was recorded. The growth‐promoting influences of GT were observed and the optimum growth and feed utilization were obtained at 0.5 g GT/kg diet. The inclusion of GT in fish diet up to 0.5 g/kg diet enhanced the protein contents in fish body, while the lowest lipid contents were obtained at 0.0–0.5 g GT/kg diet. Hematological and biochemical parameters were improved in fish fed 0.25–2.0 g GT/kg diet, while the lowest values were obtained in the control. The survival of fish challenged with A. hydrophila increased with increasing GT level in fish diets. These results indicate that GT supplement is promising immunostimulant, which could improve fish performance, health, and prevent tilapia aermoniosis and the optimum GT level was 0.5 g/kg diet.
Influence of Dietary Fucoidan Supplementation on Growth and Immunological Response of Juvenile Marsupenaeus japonicus
Authors: Traifalgar Rex Ferdinand , Kira Haruka , Thanh Tung Ha , Raafat Michael Fady , Laining Asda , Yokoyama Saichiro , IShikawa Manabu , Koshio Shunsuke , Serrano Augusto E. , Corre Valeriano
Published: May 2010

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary supplementation of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan on growth performance and immunological response of juvenile Marsupenaeus japonicus. Four semipurified diets supplemented with graded levels of fucoidan (0.0, 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg diet) were fed to juvenile shrimp for 8 wk. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of shrimp. At the end of the feeding trial, enhanced growth performance was generally observed in shrimp fed the fucoidan‐supplemented diets when compared with the shrimp fed the control diet. Significantly higher weight gains, specific growth rates, protein retentions, and lower feed conversion ratios were observed in treatment groups fed the 500 and 1000 mg/kg dietary fucoidan supplementation when compared with the treatment groups receiving 100 mg/kg fucoidan supplementation and the control diet. Total hemocyte counts, phenol oxidase activity, and serum antibacterial activity were also significantly enhanced in shrimp fed diets supplemented with 500 and 1000 mg/kg fucoidan supplementation. These results suggest that U. pinnatifida fucoidan at a dose of 500 mg/kg diet could be used as an immunostimulant and a growth‐promoting dietary supplement for juvenile M. japonicus.
Evaluation of the Dietary Toxic Level of Selenium (Se) in Juvenile Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Lee Seunghyung , Lee Jun‐Ho , Bai Sungchul C. , Hung Silas S. O.
Published: May 2010

A 10‐wk feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the dietary toxic level of selenium (Se) in juvenile olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Fish averaging 5.0 ± 0.1 g (mean ± SD) were fed one of the seven semipurified diets containing 0.61, 4.13, 7.38, 18.6, 35.9, 66.0, and 146 mg Se/kg (Se0.61, Se4.13, Se7.38, Se18.6, Se35.9, Se66.0, and Se146, respectively) in the form of selenomethionine (SeMet) for 10 wks. At the end of the 10‐wk feeding trial, fish fed diets containing more than 35.9 mg Se/kg showed 100% mortality, and fish fed Se18.6 diet showed significantly higher mortality than did fish fed Se0.61, Se4.13, and Se7.38 diets. There was no significant difference in mortality among fish fed Se0.61, Se4.13, and Se7.38 diets during the experimental period. The mortality of fish fed Se66.0 and Se146 diets were significantly increased as compared with fish fed other diets at the end of 2nd wk of the feeding trial, and the mortality of fish fed Se35.9, Se66.0, and Se146 diets was 100% at the end of 6th wk of the feeding trial. Fish fed Se7.38 and Se18.6 diets showed significantly lower weight gain (WG), feed efficiency (FE), specific growth rate (SGR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) than did fish fed Se0.61 diet. Fish fed Se4.13 and Se7.38 diets for 10 wks showed no significant differences in WG, FE, SGR, and PER. The pattern of Se accumulation in the gill, kidney, muscle, and liver tissues was dose dependent, except that the kidney tissue of fish fed diets containing more than 7.38 mg Se/kg reached a plateau. Histopathological lesions in the kidney were only observed in fish fed a diet that contained more than 7.38 mg Se/kg.

These results indicated that a dietary Se level above 7.38 mg Se/kg is likely toxic, and with a long‐term feeding trial, a dietary Se level of 4.13 mg Se/kg may cause toxic effects in juvenile olive flounder.
Effects of Supplementation of Dietary Bamboo Charcoal on Growth Performance and Body Composition of Juvenile Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Thu Moe , Koshio Shunsuke , Ishikawa Manabu , Yokoyama Saichiro
Published: May 2010

A 50‐d feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of dietary bamboo charcoal (BC) on growth performance, body composition, and ammonia nitrogen excretion of juvenile Japanese flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus. Six levels of BC (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4%) were supplemented to the basal diet composition and fed to fish (initial body weight [BW], 3 ± 0.1 g). At the end of the trial, fish were used for the determination of apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein, and cumulative ammonia nitrogen excretion rates. Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency ratio, and protein efficiency ratios of fish fed 0.5% BC diet were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of fish fed the control diet (without BC). Moreover, apparent digestibility of dry matter and protein of fish fed BC diets were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of fish fed the control diet. Cumulative ammonia nitrogen excretion over a subsequent 12‐h period decreased with increasing dietary BC. In conclusion, the diet supplemented with 0.5% BC was found to have a suitable level to fulfill the maximum growth performance and to decrease the ammonia nitrogen excretion of flounder, under the conditions applied in this study.
Effects of Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on Growth and Body Composition of Subadult Olive Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, at a Suboptimal Water Temperature
Authors: Kim Kyoung‐Duck , Kang Yong Jin , Lee HaeYoung Moon , Kim Kang‐Woong , Jang Mi‐Soon , Choi Se‐Min , Lee Sang‐Min , Cho Sung Hwoan
Published: May 2010

A 3 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the proper dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of subadult olive flounder reared in suboptimal water temperature. Six diets were formulated to contain three levels of protein (40, 45, and 50%) and two levels of lipid (7 and 14%). Triplicate groups of fish (initial body weight of 255 g) were hand‐fed to apparent satiation for 14 wk in suboptimal water temperature (15.5 ± 1.3 C). The highest weight gain and feed efficiency were observed in fish fed the 45 and 50% protein diets with 14% lipid. Protein efficiency ratio, daily feed intake, condition factor, and hepatosomatic index of fish fed the 14% lipid diets were significantly or slightly higher than those fed the 7% lipid diets at the same protein level. Crude lipid contents of the liver and viscera of fish fed the 14% lipid diets were significantly higher than those fed the 7% lipid diets at the same protein level. The results of this study suggest that at 15 C an increase of dietary lipid level from 7 to 14% can improve growth and protein utilization irrespective of protein levels (40, 45, and 50%), and the diet containing 45% protein and 14% lipid would be suitable for optimal growth and effective protein utilization of subadult olive flounder when reared at 15 C.
The Effect of Dietary Chitosan and Chitin Supplementation on the Survival and Immune Reactivity of Crayfish, Procambarus clarkii
Authors: Zhu Fei , Quan Haizhi , Du Huahua , Xu Zirong , Li Yunhua
Published: May 2010

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is an important viral pathogen responsible for severe economic loss to shrimp aquaculture. The effect of oral administration of chitosan and chitin against WSSV in crayfish Procambarus clarkii was investigated. Six groups of 20 crayfish, P. clarkii, in triplicate were diet supplemented with chitosan or chitin at 5, 10, and 15 mg/g for 4 wks, and orally challenged with WSSV. The cumulative mortalities in the groups fed with chitosan at 10 mg/g was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the control but the other groups were not. The relative percent survival (RPS) showed that chitosan provided better protection against WSSV than chitin (P < 0.05). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that the surviving crayfish were WSSV negative. The immunological parameters analyzed revealed that the crayfish fed with chitosan and chitin showed significantly higher level of total hemocyte count (THC), prophenoloxidase (proPO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) when compared to the control groups.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Iron Concentration in Tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, Iron Absorption
Authors: Aride Paulo Henrique Rocha , Ferreira Márcio Soares , Duarte Rafael Mendonça , De Oliveira Alzira Miranda , De Freitas Danival Vieira , Dos Santos André Luis Wendt , Nozawa Sergio Ricardo , Val Adalberto Luis
Published: May 2010

Tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, were fed with three vitamin C levels and two iron levels for 21 d: Diet 1 without vitamin C and with 30 mg of iron/kg; Diet 2 with 100 mg of vitamin C and 30 mg of iron/kg; and Diet 3 with 100 mg of vitamin C and 300 mg of iron/kg. Mortality was not observed during the feeding experiment. There were no changes in hematological parameters in fish that were fed the different diets. Iron contents in liver, muscle, and plasma were significantly different in fish fed with different iron content in the diets; when associated with vitamin C, changes were observed only for plasma iron. Therefore, tambaqui exhibits varied iron absorption in response to different levels of iron with and without vitamin C, a conclusion consistent with findings for other species of fish.
β‐Catenin regulates melanocyte dendricity through the modulation of PKCζ and PKCδ
Authors: Kim Jin‐Hwa , Sohn Kyung‐Cheol , Choi Tae‐Young , Kim Mi Yoon , Ando Hideya , Choi Sun Ja , Kim Sooil , Lee Young Ho , Lee Jeung‐Hoon , Kim Chang Deok , Yoon Tae‐Jin
Published: May 2010

The Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway is involved in the melanocyte differentiation and melanoma development. However, the effect of β‐catenin for dendrite formation has not been clearly elucidated yet in normal human epidermal melanocytes (NHEM). To investigate the effect of β‐catenin, we transduced NHEM with recombinant adenovirus expressing β‐catenin. Forced expression of β‐catenin led to the dramatic morphological changes of NHEM, including the reduction of dendrite length and enlargement of cell body. Concomitantly with, the protein levels for dendrite formation‐related molecules, such as Rac1 and Cdc42, were markedly decreased. In addition, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was significantly reduced by β‐catenin, potentiating its inhibitory role for dendrite formation. Interestingly, overexpression of β‐catenin led to the increase of protein kinase C ζ (PKCζ) level, while protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) was decreased by β‐catenin, suggesting that those PKCs were β‐catenin‐downstream modulators in NHMC. When PKCζ was overexpressed, dendrites were shortened, with the reduced protein levels for Rac1 and Cdc42. In contrast, PKCδ overexpression led to the elongation of dendrites, with the increased levels for Rac1 and Cdc42. These results suggest that β‐catenin play an inhibitory role for dendrite formation through the modulation of PKCζ and PKCδ.
Inhibition of p38 MAPK enhances ABT‐737‐induced cell death in melanoma cell lines: novel regulation of PUMA
Authors: Keuling Angela M. , Andrew Susan E. , Tron Victor A.
Published: May 2010

The mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is constitutively activated in the majority of melanomas, promoting cell survival, proliferation and migration. In addition, anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family proteins Mcl‐1, Bcl‐xL and Bcl‐2 are frequently overexpressed, contributing to melanoma’s well‐documented chemoresistance. Recently, it was reported that the combination of MAPK pathway inhibition by specific MEK inhibitors and Bcl‐2 family inhibition by BH3‐mimetic ABT‐737 synergistically induces apoptotic cell death in melanoma cell lines. Here we provide the first evidence that inhibition of another key MAPK, p38, synergistically induces apoptosis in melanoma cells in combination with ABT‐737. We also provide novel mechanistic data demonstrating that inhibition of p38 increases expression of pro‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 protein PUMA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PUMA can be cleaved by a caspase‐dependent mechanism during apoptosis and identify what appears to be the PUMA cleavage product. Thus, our findings suggest that the combination of ABT‐737 and inhibition of p38 is a promising, new treatment strategy that acts through a novel PUMA‐dependent mechanism.
Establishment of new clonal pancreatic β‐cell lines (MIN6‐K) useful for study of incretin/cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling
Authors: Iwasaki Masahiro , Minami Kohtaro , Shibasaki Tadao , Miki Takashi , Miyazaki Jun‐ichi , Seino Susumu
Published: May 2010

Incretin/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling is critical for potentiation of insulin secretion. Although several cell lines of pancreatic β‐cells are currently available, there are no cell lines suitable for investigation of incretin/cAMP signaling. In the present study, we have newly established pancreatic β‐cell lines (named MIN6‐K) from the IT6 mouse, which develops insulinoma. MIN6‐K8 cells respond to both glucose and incretins, such as glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), as is the case in pancreatic islets, whereas MIN6‐K20 cells respond to glucose, but not to incretins. Despite the difference in incretin‐potentiated insulin secretion between these two cell lines, the accumulation of cAMP after stimulation of GLP‐1 is comparable in these cells. Interestingly, we also found that incretin responsiveness is drastically induced by the formation of pseudoislets from MIN6‐K20 cells to a level comparable to that of pancreatic islets. Thus, these cell lines are useful for studying incretin/cAMP signaling in β‐cells. (J Diabetes Invest, doi: 10.1111/j.2040‐1124.2010.00026.x, 2010)
Practical aspects of equine parasite control: A review based upon a workshop discussion consensus
Authors: NIELSEN M. K. , FRITZEN B. , DUNCAN J. L. , GUILLOT J. , EYSKER M. , DORCHIES P. , LAUGIER C. , BEUGNET F. , MEANA A. , LUSSOT‐KERVERN I. , Von SAMSON‐HIMMELSTJERNA G.
Published: May 2010

Development of resistance of several important equine parasites to most of the available anthelmintic drug classes has led to a reconsideration of parasite control strategies in many equine establishments. Routine prophylactic treatments based on simple calendar‐based schemes are no longer reliable and veterinary equine clinicians are increasingly seeking advice and guidance on more sustainable approaches to equine parasite control. Most techniques for the detection of equine helminth parasites are based on faecal analysis and very few tests have been developed as diagnostic tests for resistance. Recently, some molecular and in vitro based diagnostic assays have been developed and have shown promise, but none of these are currently available for veterinary practice. Presently, the only reliable method for the detection of anthelmintic resistance is a simple faecal egg count reduction test, and clinicians are urged to perform such tests on a regular basis. The key to managing anthelmintic resistance is maintaining parasite refugia and this concept is discussed in relation to treatment strategies, drug rotations and pasture management. It is concluded that treatment strategies need to change and more reliance should now be placed on surveillance of parasite burdens and regular drug efficacy tests are also recommended to ensure continuing drug efficacy. The present review is based upon discussions held at an equine parasite workshop arranged by the French Equine Veterinary Association (Association Vétérinaire Equine Française, AVEF) in Reims, France, in October 2008.
Metabolic Modulation of Glioblastoma with Dichloroacetate
Authors: Michelakis E. D. , Sutendra G. , Dromparis P. , Webster L. , Haromy A. , Niven E. , Maguire C. , Gammer T.-L. , Mackey J. R. , Fulton D. , Abdulkarim B. , McMurtry M. S. , Petruk K. C.
Published: May 2010

Dichloroacetate, an inhibitor of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, shifts metabolism away from aerobic glycolysis in glioblastoma tumor cells and may have clinical efficacy in patients.
Spectral Responses of the Human Circadian System Depend on the Irradiance and Duration of Exposure to Light
Authors: Gooley Joshua J. , Rajaratnam Shantha M. W. , Brainard George C. , Kronauer Richard E. , Czeisler Charles A. , Lockley Steven W.
Published: May 2010

Light resets the circadian clock through a non–image-forming receptor system—or so it was thought; now, cone photoreceptors are shown to also participate.
Phase 2B Clinical Trials—A Useful Interim Step to a Phase 3 Clinical Trial
Authors: Carlson Nichole
Published: May 2010

Moving to a phase 2B instead of a phase 3 study is useful except in cases when the pretest plausibility of treatment success is extremely high.
Sports injuries and illnesses in the 2009 FINA World Championships (Aquatics)
Authors: Mountjoy Margo , Junge Astrid , Alonso Juan Manuel , Engebretsen Lars , Dragan Ioan , Gerrard David , Kouidri Mohamed , Luebs Eide , Shahpar Farhad Moradi , Dvorak Jiri
Published: May 2010

Background

Analysis of injury and illness prevalence in elite sport provides the basis for the development of prevention programmes.

Objectives

To analyse the frequency and characteristics of injuries and illnesses occurring during the 13th Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) World Championships 2009.

Design

Prospective recording of newly incurred injuries and illnesses.

Methods

The 13th FINA World Championships hosted 2592 athletes from 172 countries in the disciplines of swimming, diving, synchronised swimming water polo and open water swimming. All team physicians or physiotherapists were asked to complete daily a standardised reporting form for all newly incurred injuries and illnesses for their teams. To cover teams without medical staff, the physicians of the Local Organizing Committee also submitted daily report forms.

Results

171 injuries were reported resulting in an incidence of 66.0 per 1000 registered athletes. The most affected body parts were the shoulder (n=25; 14.6%), and head (n=21; 12.3%). Half of the injuries occurred during training. The most common cause of injury was overuse (n=61; 37.5%). 184 illnesses were reported resulting in an incidence of 71.0 per 1000 registered athletes. The respiratory tract was most commonly affected (n=91; 50.3%) and the most frequently classified cause was infection (n=81; 49.2%). The incidence of injuries and illnesses varied substantially among the five disciplines, with the highest incidence of injury in diving and the lowest in swimming.

Conclusions

As the risk of injury varied with the discipline, preventive measures should be discipline specific and focused on minimising the potential for overuse. As most of the illnesses were caused by infection of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, preventive interventions should focus on eliminating common modes of transmission.
The Hjelp24 NIMI Ringerike obesity clinic: an inpatient programme to address morbid obesity in adults
Authors: Mæhlum Sverre , Danielsen Kjersti Karoline , Heggebø Lena Klasson , Schiøll Janne
Published: May 2010

An inpatient programme for the treatment of morbidly obese patients is described. The programme targets physical training, nutrition and coping strategies for behaviour change management. The patients spend 14 weeks at the clinic followed by two 1-week visits 16 and 32 weeks postdischarge. Preliminary data from the 166 patients treated during 2006 are given.
More data needed on injury risk among young elite athletes
Authors: Steffen Kathrin , Engebretsen Lars
Published: May 2010

Injuries can counter the beneficial effects of sports participation at a young age if a child or adolescent is unable to continue to participate because of residual effects of injury. Independent of activity level, injuries represent a considerable problem for the athlete and can result in an increased potential for future disability and inactivity. Injuries are also referred to as one of the major reasons for athletes to drop out of sports. Systematic injury registrations at the youth and adolescent level have been performed in recreational sports to gain knowledge on injury risk, as well as on the most common and most severe sport specific injuries. However, information on injury risk of the young athlete competing in high level sports seems less available or unknown. This paper reviews the current knowledge on injury risk of the youth and adolescent elite athlete participating in sports presented in the Youth Olympic Games 2010. Apart from football, little is known on injury epidemiology among young elite athletes. Systematic injury surveillance of this highly competitive population is needed to monitor injuries, identify high risk sports, and ensure new knowledge on injury trends, which can form the basis for further research on injury risk factors, mechanisms, and in the final step, on injury prevention.
A comparison of numerical and qualitative methods of separating pollen of black and white spruce
Authors: Hansen B. C. S. , Engstrom D. R.
Published: May 2010

Separations of pollen of black spruce from that of white spruce were made for sediment samples from two lakes in southeastern Labrador, Canada, by linear discriminant analysis of size measurements. Finding spruce grains in optimal condition and exact equatorial view was difficult and size distortion caused by cover-slip pressure occurred in some of the fossil samples. The latter problem was eliminated by adding fine sand to slide preparations. An alternative method of differentiating black and white spruce pollen was established using four morphological characters: saccus shape, saccus attachment to the corpus, density and arrangement of the internal reticulate structure in the saccus, and the area ratio of saccus to corpus. Qualitative separations of spruce pollen by these morphological characters were made for the same samples analyzed by numerical methods and for sediments from a third Labrador lake. The qualitative and numerical methods produced similar results within each level of a single core, as well as stratigraphically among the three sites.
Megagametophyte development in Hordeum vulgare. 1. Early megagametogenesis and the nature of cell wall formation
Authors: Cass D. D. , Peteya D. J. , Robertson B. L.
Published: May 2010

Megagametophyte development in barley (Hordeum vulgare 'Atsel') was studied using Nomarski-interference optics and transmission electron microscopy. Stages described include the functional megaspore to cell wall formation. Aspects of the transition from the free nuclear stage of the embryo sac to the cellular embryo sac indicate involvement of elongate cell plates associated with clusters of microtubules. Initial cell walls among micropylar and chalazal nuclei are composed of beads derived from dictyosome vesicles. Fusion of growing cell plates occurs, especially within the antipodal apparatus.
Origin of adventitious shoots in excised radiata pine cotyledons cultured in vitro
Authors: Villalobos Victor M. , Yeung Edward C. , Thorpe Trevor A.
Published: May 2010

Previous studies on shoot initiation in cultured excised cotyledons of Pinus radiata indicated that the process began early in culture on the side of the cotyledon in contact with the cytokinin-containing medium. In contrast to cotyledons cultured without cytokinin, organized structures, which have been termed promeristemoids, can be observed in cotyledons cultured with cytokinin after 5 days in culture. These structures arise from single cells in the first subepidermal cell layer at day 3. They are stable and their continued division leads to the formation of meristemoids, shoot primordia, and finally shoots with primary needles.
Mechanisms of aluminum tolerance in Triticum aestivum (wheat). IV. The role of ammonium and nitrate nutrition
Authors: Taylor Gregory J. , Foy Charles D.
Published: May 2010

Five cultivars of Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) were grown for 21 days in solution cultures with aluminum (+Al) (74 μM) and without Al (−Al) at an initial pH of 4.5. Patterns of nitrogen depletion and pH change were biphasic. Ammonium [Formula: see text] was rapidly depleted and solution pH declined during phase I. Depletion of nitrate [Formula: see text] was most rapid and solution pH increased after [Formula: see text] was exhausted from solutions (phase II). Cultivar tolerance to Al was negatively correlated with the rate of pH decline induced by cultivars, and the rate of pH decline was positively correlated with the rate at which cultivars depleted [Formula: see text] from +Al and −Al nutrient solutions. Cultivar tolerance to Al was also negatively correlated with the rate of [Formula: see text] depletion from +Al and −Al solutions. Cultivar tolerance to Al was positively correlated with the rate of [Formula: see text] depletion during phase II but only when plants were grown with Al. These results support the hypothesis that differential Al tolerance among cultivars of T. aestivum is caused by differences in the rate of [Formula: see text], and possibly [Formula: see text], uptake. Such diffferences in N preference may have caused differences in pH and Al solubility in the nutrient solutions.
État nucléaire des méristèmes du pois dans la graine sèche; imbibition et reprise du cycle cellulaire
Authors: Schatt E. , Landré P. , Nougarède A.
Published: May 2010

In the dry seed of pea (Pisum sativum cv. Nain Hâtif d'Annonay), the shoot and root meristematic cells are arrested at specific phases of the cell cycle, showing organ specificity. The root apex contains resting nuclei both at the 2C- and 4C-DNA levels in approximately the same proportions; the shoot apex possesses nuclei arrested only at the 2C-DNA level. The emergence of the radicle (20th–24th hour) follows a 100% increase in fresh weight (16th hour) and is due to cell elongation only. Under dark conditions, this emergence occurs at the same time than the beginning of the S period (24th hour) from the 2C nuclei of root meristematic cells. The first mitoses of 4C nuclei occur only at the 26th hour of imbibition. In the shoot apex, the cell cycle does not start with the 2C nuclei entering the S period before the 36th hour under dark conditions, and later, in light conditions. The first mitoses begin around the 48th hour, suggesting a S + G2 period of about 12 h. These data are discussed in relation to the mechanisms responsible for the various types of blockage or control of the cell cycle.