bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuro‐linguistic programming and altered states: encouraging preparation for learning in the classroom for students with special educational needs
Authors: Kudliskis Voldis
Published: June 2013

In seeking to identify the processes associated with the immediate engagement of learning for students with mild special educational needs, this study examined the responses of an extraction group (n = 7) of 11‐ to 13‐year‐old students who participated in a number of lessons in which the opening episode involved the use of visualisation techniques and language associated with representational systems as identified within neuro‐linguistic programming (NLP). Students endeavoured to alter their negative state to a positive state via this intervention. The study, by Voldis Kudliskis of South Dartmoor Community College, was of a naturalistic research design, and the students' experiences were explored by means of formal interviews, semi‐structured interviews, questionnaires and observations. The implications for altering state through techniques associated with NLP are described and evaluated in terms of student comments. The case is made for the process of altering state as a strategy to empower students to engage with their learning from the outset of the lesson.
Lactobacillus plantarum 29 Inhibits Penicillium spp. Involved in the Spoilage of Black Truffles (Tuber aestivum)
Authors: Sorrentino Elena , Reale Anna , Tremonte Patrizio , Maiuro Lucia , Succi Mariantonietta , Tipaldi Luca , Di Renzo Tiziana , Pannella Gianfranco , Coppola Raffaele
Published: July 2013

The effect of an antifungal culture of Lactobacillus plantarum to be used in the storage at refrigeration temperature of fresh black truffles was examined. The strain was selected among 29 lactobacilli isolated from foods and evaluated for their viability and acidification activity at 4 °C, as well as for their inhibitory activity against 11 Penicillium strains isolated from truffles stored at refrigeration temperature. Lb. plantarum 29 showed the ability to hold not only the growth of Penicillium isolated from truffles, but also that of P. digitatum DSM 2750, a green mold involved in the spoilage of truffles. The antifungal activity was observed in vitro and in situ, and the sensory characteristics of truffles were preserved during the cold storage.
Participation of Catalase in Voluntary Ethanol Consumption in Perinatally Low‐Level Lead‐Exposed Rats
Authors: Mattalloni Mara S. , De Giovanni Laura N. , Molina Juan C. , Cancela Liliana M. , Virgolini Miriam B.
Published: June 2013

Background

Environmental lead (Pb) exposure and alcohol abuse pose significant public health problems for our society. One of the proposed mechanisms of action of the developmental neurotoxicant Pb is related to its ability to affect antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT). Ethanol's (EtOH) motivational effects are postulated to be mediated by the CAT‐dependent acetaldehyde generated in the brain. The current study sought to investigate the role of this enzyme in the elevated EtOH intake previously reported in perinatally Pb‐exposed rats.

Methods

Thirty‐five‐day‐old male Wistar rats exposed to 220 ppm Pb during gestation and lactation were offered escalating EtOH solutions (2 to 10%) or water, 2 h/d for 28 days. Once baseline 10% EtOH intake was achieved, they were injected with (i) saline (SAL), (ii) 3‐amino 1,2,4 triazole (aminotriazole [AT], a CAT inhibitor, 250 mg/kg intraperitoneally [i.p.], 5 hours before the last 8 EtOH intake sessions), or (iii) 3‐nitropropionic acid (3NPA; a CAT activator, 20 mg/kg subcutaneously [s.c.], 45 minutes before the last 4 EtOH intake sessions). Rats were then sacrificed, blood collected, and brain regions harvested for CAT activity determination. Additional studies evaluated EtOH intake and CAT activity in response to 10 and 30 mg/kg 3NPA. Both 3NPA and AT were evaluated for striatal cytotoxicity.

Results

We observed that AT pretreatment blunted the increased EtOH intake, as well as the elevated CAT activity in blood, cerebellum, and hippocampus evidenced in the developmentally Pb‐exposed rats that have consumed EtOH. Conversely, 20 mg/kg 3NPA further increased voluntary EtOH intake in these animals as compared with controls, concomitantly with a slight elevation in CAT activity both in blood and in the striatum, associated with no changes in striatal cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

These results suggest a participation of CAT, and possibly acetaldehyde, in Pb‐induced high EtOH intake, and open up new avenues to elucidate the mechanism that underlies the Pb and EtOH interaction.
IL26 gene inactivation in Equidae
Authors: Shakhsi‐Niaei M. , Drögemüller M. , Jagannathan V. , Gerber V. , Leeb T.
Published: June 2013

Interleukin‐26 (IL26) is a member of the IL10 cytokine family. The IL26 gene is located between two other well‐known cytokines genes of this family encoding interferon‐gamma (IFNG) and IL22 in an evolutionary conserved gene cluster. In contrast to humans and most other mammals, mice lack a functional Il26 gene. We analyzed the genome sequences of other vertebrates for the presence or absence of functional IL26 orthologs and found that the IL26 gene has also become inactivated in several equid species. We detected a one‐base pair frameshift deletion in exon 2 of the IL26 gene in the domestic horse (Equus caballus), Przewalski horse (Equus przewalskii) and donkey (Equus asinus). The remnant IL26 gene in the horse is still transcribed and gives rise to at least five alternative transcripts. None of these transcripts share a conserved open reading frame with the human IL26 gene. A comparative analysis across diverse vertebrates revealed that the IL26 gene has also independently been inactivated in a few other mammals, including the African elephant and the European hedgehog. The IL26 gene thus appears to be highly variable, and the conserved open reading frame has been lost several times during mammalian evolution.
Self‐regulation of older drivers with cognitive impairment: A systematic review
Authors: Devlin Anna , McGillivray Jane A
Published: July 2013

Background

Cognitive decline contributes significantly to the safety risk of older drivers. Some drivers may be able to compensate for the increased crash risk by avoiding complex driving situations or restricting their driving.

Objective and Method

A comprehensive English‐language systematic review was conducted to determine the level of evidence for older adult drivers with cognitive impairment engaging in self‐regulation.

Results

Twelve studies were included in the review. The majority of studies investigated driver avoidance, followed by driver restriction. Few studies ascertained the reasons for changing driving behaviour.

Conclusions

The evidence supports the view that drivers with cognitive impairment do restrict their driving and avoid complex driving situations. However, it remains to be determined whether the drivers who engage in self‐regulation have insight into their own driving abilities or whether external factors result in self‐regulation of driving behaviour.
The potential impact of new diagnostic criteria on the frequency of gestational diabetes mellitus in Sweden
Authors: Claesson Rickard , Ekelund Magnus , Berntorp Kerstin
Published: June 2013

The International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) has suggested new diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus. Many centers in Europe still use the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. In southern Sweden we use the 2‐h threshold of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes criteria based on universal screening with a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test. We have retrospectively scrutinized oral glucose tolerance tests in a subset of 174 women included in a previous study, diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus 1996–1999. A complete repeat oral glucose tolerance test was performed directly after diagnosis in 120 women. When applying the current Swedish criteria, and the IADPSG and the WHO criteria to the material, gestational diabetes mellitus was confirmed in 67% (80/120), 84% (101/120), and 80% (96/120), respectively. Hence, 26% (101/80) more women were identified by the IADPSG criteria and 20% (96/80) more women by the WHO criteria, compared with the criteria presently in use.
Cantharidin‐Based Small Molecules as Potential Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Puerto Galvis Carlos E. , Vargas Méndez Leonor Y. , Kouznetsov Vladimir V.
Published: June 2013

Chemical and pharmacological information on cantharidin‐based small molecules was analyzed. The review summarizes new facts about blister beetles' metabolites for the period 2006–2012. General synthetic approaches to cantharidin‐based small molecules as well as their chemical transformations and biological activities related to cantharidin, norcantharidin, cantharidimide, and norcantharimide analogs, especially their inhibitory activity of phosphoprotein phosphatases in cancer treatment, were discussed in this mini review, which could help to design new small molecule modulators for other biological models.
Does counting species count as taxonomy? On misrepresenting systematics, yet again
Authors: de Carvalho Marcelo R. , Ebach Malte C. , Williams David M. , Nihei Silvio S. , Trefaut Rodrigues Miguel , Grant Taran , Silveira Luís F. , Zaher Hussam , Gill Anthony C. , Schelly Robert C. , Sparks John S. , Bockmann Flávio A. , Séret Bernard , Ho Hsuan‐Ching , Grande Lance , Rieppel Olivier , Dubois Alain , Ohler Annemarie , Faivovich Julián , Assis Leandro C. S. , Wheeler Quentin D. , Goldstein Paul Z. , de Almeida Eduardo A. B. , Valdecasas Antonio G. , Nelson Gareth
Published: June 2013

Recent commentary by Costello and collaborators on the current state of the global taxonomic enterprise attempts to demonstrate that taxonomy is not in decline as feared by taxonomists, but rather is increasing by virtue of the rate at which new species are formally named. Having supported their views with data that clearly indicate as much, Costello et al. make recommendations to increase the rate of new species descriptions even more. However, their views appear to rely on the perception of species as static and numerically if not historically equivalent entities whose value lie in their roles as “metrics”. As such, their one‐dimensional portrayal of the discipline, as concerned solely with the creation of new species names, fails to take into account both the conceptual and epistemological foundations of systematics. We refute the end‐user view that taxonomy is on the rise simply because more new species are being described compared with earlier decades, and that, by implication, taxonomic practice is a formality whose pace can be streamlined without considerable resources, intellectual or otherwise. Rather, we defend the opposite viewpoint that professional taxonomy is in decline relative to the immediacy of the extinction crisis, and that this decline threatens not just the empirical science of phylogenetic systematics, but also the foundations of comparative biology on which other fields rely. The allocation of space in top‐ranked journals to propagate views such as those of Costello et al. lends superficial credence to the unsupportive mindset of many of those in charge of the institutional fate of taxonomy. We emphasize that taxonomy and the description of new species are dependent upon, and only make sense in light of, empirically based classifications that reflect evolutionary history; homology assessments are at the centre of these endeavours, such that the biological sciences cannot afford to have professional taxonomists sacrifice the comparative and historical depth of their hypotheses in order to accelerate new species descriptions.
Standardized dirts for testing the efficacy of workplace cleaning products: validation of their workplace relevance
Authors: Elsner Peter , Seyfarth Florian , Sonsmann Flora , Strunk Meike , John Swen‐Malte , Diepgen Thomas , Schliemann Sibylle
Published: June 2013

Background

In order to assess the cleaning efficacy of occupational skin cleansers, standardized test dirts mimicking the spectrum of skin soiling at dirty workplaces are necessary.

Objectives

To validate newly developed standardized test dirts (compliant with the EU Cosmetics Directive) for their occupational relevance.

Methods

In this single‐blinded, monocentric questionnaire‐based clinical trial, 87 apprentices of three trades (household management; house painting and varnishing; and metal processing) evaluated the cleanability of six standardized test dirts in relation to their workplace dirts. In addition, they judged the similarity of the test dirts to actual dirts encountered in their working environments.

Results

Most of the household management participants assessed the hydrophilic model dirt (‘mascara’), the lipophilic model dirt (‘W/O cream’) and a film‐forming model dirt (‘disperse paint’) as best resembling the dirts found at their workplaces. Most of the painters and varnishers judged the filmogenic model dirts (‘disperse paint’ and ‘acrylic paint’) as best resembling the dirts found at their workplaces. For the metal workers, the lipophilic and paste‐like model dirts were most similar to their workplace dirts.

Conclusions

The spectrum of standardized test dirts developed represents well the dirts encountered at various workplaces. The test dirts may be useful in the development and in vivo efficacy testing of occupational skin cleansers.
Hand eczema among healthcare professionals in the Netherlands: prevalence, absenteeism, and presenteeism
Authors: van der Meer Esther W. C. , Boot Cécile R. L. , van der Gulden Joost W. J. , Jungbauer Frank H. W. , Coenraads Pieter Jan , Anema Johannes R.
Published: June 2013

Background

Healthcare professionals have a high risk of developing hand eczema. Hand eczema can interfere with their work.

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence of self‐reported hand eczema among healthcare professionals in the Netherlands, and to investigate absenteeism and presenteeism resulting from hand eczema.

Methods

A questionnaire‐based observational study was performed. Participants were recruited from hospitals and nursing homes in the Netherlands. The study population consisted of 1232 healthcare professionals. We used the NOSQ‐2002 to measure hand eczema and the PRODISQ for absenteeism and presenteeism.

Results

The 1‐year prevalence of hand eczema among healthcare professionals was 12%. Among all participants, 47% reported symptoms related to hand eczema. Sick leave resulting from hand eczema was reported by 0.3% of healthcare professionals in general, and by 1.7% of healthcare professionals with hand eczema. In the group with hand eczema, 3.1% reported a large effect on presenteeism.

Conclusions

The 1‐year prevalence of hand eczema among healthcare professionals in the Netherlands is low, but the prevalence of symptoms related to hand eczema is quite high. Hand eczema seems to have little impact on work in terms of absenteeism and presenteeism.
Effective models for correlating spectral reflectance between spectrophotometers
Authors: Xu Yang , Luo M Ronnier , Sun Pei‐Li , Li Changjun
Published: June 2013

This paper describes different models to achieve satisfactory interinstrument agreement between spectrophometers. The models investigated include the Berns and Petersen method, the modified Berns and Petersen method, the Reniff method, the Rich and Martin method and the R‐model developed by Chung et al. In the paper, the Reniff method and the R‐model were extended, and all the models were then evaluated using sample sets with different substrates. It was found that the extended Reniff method gave the best training performance and the worst testing performance. The Rich and Martin model, the three‐term Chung model and the Berns and Petersen models, all with wavelength‐dependent coefficients, gave better testing performance.
Executive function in children and adolescents with unilateral cerebral palsy
Authors: Bodimeade Harriet L , Whittingham Koa , Lloyd Owen , Boyd Roslyn N
Published: June 2013

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare executive function in children with left‐ and right‐sided unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developing children.

Method

There was a cross‐sectional cohort of 46 children with unilateralCP(24 right‐side, 22 left‐side; 25 males, 21 females; mean age 11y 1mo,SD2y 5mo) and 20 typically developing children (nine males, 11 females; mean age 10y 10mo,SD2y 4mo). Four cognitive domains of executive function were assessed: attentional control, cognitive flexibility, goal setting, and information processing. Subtests from the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System, the Test of Everyday Attention for Children, the Rey–Osterrieth Complex figure, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition were utilized. Between‐group differences (right unilateralCP, left unilateralCP, and typically developing children) were examined using analyses of covariance.

Results

Children withCPperformed significantly more poorly than typically developing children on all executive function measures (aggregate executive function:F(1,63)=31.16;p<0.001; η2=0.33). There were no significant differences between children with left and right unilateralCP, except in the case of inhibition/switching total errors, with children with left unilateralCPmaking fewer errors than children with right unilateralCP(F(1,39)=4.14;p=0.049; η2=0.1).

Interpretation

Children and adolescents with unilateralCPexperience difficulties across multiple executive function domains compared with typically developing children, irrespective of the side of hemiplegia. This finding supports an early vulnerability model of early brain injury and has implications for intervention for children withCP.
Cichlids respond to conspecific sounds but females exhibit no phonotaxis without the presence of live males
Authors: Estramil Natalia , Bouton Niels , Verzijden Machteld N. , Hofker Kees , Riebel Katharina , Slabbekoorn Hans
Published: June 2013

Many fish species are able to produce sounds, which are often associated with courtship. In an earlier study, we showed for the Lake Victoria cichlid Pundamilia nyererei that females prefer to associate with a male with sound over a male without sound. As a follow‐up to this earlier finding, we here investigated whether playback of conspecific sounds is sufficient to attract females in the absence of a conspecific male. However, we did not find a phonotactic response for conspecific sounds in the absence of live males, using the same playback procedure as in our previous study. An additional playback test showed that both males and females discriminated between conspecific sounds and bursts of white noise. This suggests that the sounds may be recognised but that they seem only effective as attractant in the presence of visual and/or olfactory cues. These findings underline the multimodal complexity of fish communication and courtship and call for a more integrated study of the different modalities in future studies.
Elemental fingerprinting in otoliths reveals natal homing of anadromous Baltic Sea pike (Esox lucius L.)
Authors: Engstedt Olof , Engkvist Roland , Larsson Per
Published: June 2013

We examined the element pattern in the otoliths of a migratory fish species that inhabit the coastal areas in the brackish of the Baltic Sea. The northern pike (Esox lucius) show migratory behaviour, spawning in streams and rivers and foraging in the sea. We examined spawning migration in four nearby streams in the south‐west part of the Baltic. Otolith analysis by microPIXE revealed unique elemental patterns (Sr, Zn, Br, Co and Mn) for the juveniles in each of the different streams. The strontium signal in the otolith of the juveniles was used as an indicator of freshwater origin and the time spent in the stream. Adult pike in their migrating spawning phase were caught in each of the streams. The elemental composition in otoliths in their freshwater phase (using juvenile pike in the streams as references) was determined. A principal component analysis showed that the elemental fingerprint during the freshwater phase several years back in time was similar for the adult fish and for juveniles inhabiting the stream today. The results indicated natal homing of the adults to a specific stream, a conclusion that was strengthened by the fact that marked fish returned to spawn over consecutive years. Anadromous pike in the Baltic Sea may thus be divided in subpopulations. The results of the study may have implications for fishery management, as pike in the Baltic Sea cannot be seen as homogenous population.
Increased neocortical expression of the P2X7 receptor after status epilepticus and anticonvulsant effect of P2X7 receptor antagonist A‐438079
Authors: Jimenez‐Pacheco Alba , Mesuret Guillaume , Sanz‐Rodriguez Amaya , Tanaka Katsuhiro , Mooney Claire , Conroy Ronan , Miras‐Portugal Maria Teresa , Diaz‐Hernandez Miguel , Henshall David C. , Engel Tobias
Published: June 2013

Purpose

ATP is an essential transmitter/cotransmitter in neuron function and pathophysiology and has recently emerged as a potential contributor to prolonged seizures (status epilepticus) through the activation of the purinergic ionotropic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R). Increased P2X7R expression has been reported in the hippocampus, and P2X7R antagonists reduced seizure‐induced damage to this brain region. However, status epilepticus also produces damage to the neocortex. The present study was designed to characterize P2X7R in the neocortex and assess effects of P2X7R antagonists on cortical injury after status epilepticus.

Methods

Status epilepticus was induced in mice by intraamygdala microinjection of kainic acid. Specific P2X7R inhibitors were administered into the ventricle before seizure induction, and cortical electroencephalography and behavior was recorded to assess seizure severity. P2X7R expression was examined in neocortex up to 24 h after status epilepticus, in epileptic mice, and in resected neocortex from patients with pharmacoresistent temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). In addition, the induction of P2X7R after status epilepticus was investigated using transgenic P2X7R reporter mice, which express enhanced green fluorescent protein under the control of the p2x7r promoter.

Key Findings

Status epilepticus resulted in increased P2X7R protein levels in the neocortex of mice. Neocortical P2X7 receptor levels were also elevated in mice that developed epilepsy after status epilepticus and in resected neocortex from patients with pharmacoresistent TLE. Immunohistochemistry determined that neurons were the major cell population transcribing the P2X7R in the neocortex within the first 8 h after status epilepticus, whereas in epileptic mice, P2X7R up‐regulation occurred in microglia as well as in neurons. Pretreatment of mice with the specific P2X7R inhibitor A‐438079 reduced electrographic and clinical seizure severity during status epilepticus and reduced seizure‐induced neuronal death in the neocortex.

Significance

Our findings identify neurons in the neocortex as an important site of P2X7R up‐regulation after status epilepticus and in epilepsy, and provide support for the possible use of P2X7R antagonists for the treatment of status epilepticus and prevention of seizure‐induced brain damage.
Mechanism of dual specificity kinase activity of DYRK1A
Authors: Walte Agnes , Rüben Katharina , Birner‐Gruenberger Ruth , Preisinger Christian , Bamberg‐Lemper Simone , Hilz Nikolaus , Bracher Franz , Becker Walter
Published: June 2013

The function of many protein kinases is controlled by the phosphorylation of a critical tyrosine residue in the activation loop. Dual specificity tyrosine‐phosphorylation‐regulated kinases (DYRKs) autophosphorylate on this tyrosine residue but phosphorylate substrates on aliphatic amino acids. This study addresses the mechanism of dual specificity kinase activity in DYRK1A and related kinases. Tyrosine autophosphorylation of DYRK1A occurred rapidly during in vitro translation and did not depend on the non‐catalytic domains or other proteins. Expression in bacteria as well as in mammalian cells revealed that tyrosine kinase activity of DYRK1A is not restricted to the co‐translational autophosphorylation in the activation loop. Moreover, mature DYRK1A was still capable of tyrosine autophosphorylation. Point mutants of DYRK1A and DYRK2 lacking the activation loop tyrosine showed enhanced tyrosine kinase activity. A series of structurally diverse DYRK1A inhibitors was used to pharmacologically distinguish different conformational states of the catalytic domain that are hypothesized to account for the dual specificity kinase activity. All tested compounds inhibited substrate phosphorylation with higher potency than autophosphorylation but none of the tested inhibitors differentially inhibited threonine and tyrosine kinase activity. Finally, the related cyclin‐dependent kinase‐like kinases (CLKs), which lack the activation loop tyrosine, autophosphorylated on tyrosine both in vitro and in living cells. We propose a model of DYRK autoactivation in which tyrosine autophosphorylation in the activation loop stabilizes a conformation of the catalytic domain with enhanced serine/threonine kinase activity without disabling tyrosine phosphorylation. The mechanism of dual specificity kinase activity probably applies to related serine/threonine kinases that depend on tyrosine autophosphorylation for maturation.

Structured digital abstract

CLK1 and CLK1 phosphorylate by protein kinase assay (View interaction)

HIPK2 and HIPK2 phosphorylate by protein kinase assay (View interaction)

DYRK1A phosphorylates SF3B1 by protein kinase assay (View interaction)

DYRK1A and DYRK1A phosphorylate by protein kinase assay (View interaction)
The Power of Legal Norms in the EU's External Border Control
Authors: Slominski Peter
Published: June 2013

Despite an increased level of legalization of JHA, academic literature has paid little attention to the role of law in this field. It is the objective of this article to assess the EU's attempt to reconcile its current practices of extraterritorial border control coordinated by Frontex in the Mediterranean with international human rights law, notably the principle of non‐refoulement. By drawing on insights on both rationalist and constructivist accounts, we argue that international human rights principles such as non‐refoulement are usually broad enough for everyone to identify and agree with and to provide state actors sufficient leeway to interpret the rules according to their interest. However, thanks to the activities of numerous inter‐, supra‐, and transnational actors offering various and competing legal interpretations, EU member states feel compelled to react by triggering several rounds of rule‐specification that have the power to clarify pertinent law and strengthen fundamental rights standards.
Effect of alacepril on blood pressure and neurohumoral factors at rest and during dynamic exercise in patients with essential hypertension.
Authors: Kinugawa T , Kitamura H , Ogino K , Noguchi N , Matsumoto T , Hisatome I , Miyakoda H , Kotake H , Mashiba H
Published: June 2013

We assessed blood pressure and neurohumoral factors at rest and during exercise in 10 patients with essential hypertension before and after treatment with the new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, alacepril (25‐50 mg day‐1). Alacepril significantly lowered mean blood pressure at rest and at the same exercise load as before treatment without affecting heart rate response. The response of plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone, and plasma adrenaline were not changed by alacepril, but increase of plasma angiotensin II and plasma noradrenaline during exercise were significantly attenuated after alacepril treatment (ANOVA, P = 0.04, both). The change in mean blood pressure during exercise was positively correlated with the decrease in plasma angiotensin II (r = 0.65, P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that alacepril was effective in essential hypertension both at rest and during exercise, suggesting that the antihypertensive effect during exercise might be related to the decrease in pressor hormones, especially in plasma angiotensin II.
Assessment of Future Climate Change Impact on Water Quality of Chungju Lake, South Korea, Using WASP Coupled with SWAT
Authors: Park Jong Y. , Park Geun A. , Kim Seong J.
Published: June 2013

This study is to evaluate the future potential impact of climate change on the water quality of Chungju Lake using the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP). The lake has a storage capacity of 2.75 Gm3, maximum water surface of 65.7 km2, and forest‐dominant watershed of 6,642 km2. The impact on the lake from the watershed was evaluated by the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The WASP and SWAT were calibrated and validated using the monthly water temperatures from 1998 to 2003, lake water quality data (dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen [T‐N], total phosphorus [T‐P], and chlorophyll‐a [chl‐a]) and daily dam inflow, and monthly stream water quality (sediment, T‐N, and T‐P) data. For the future climate change scenario, the MIROC3.2 HiRes A1B was downscaled for 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s using the Change Factor statistical method. The 2080s temperature and precipitation showed an increase of +4.8°C and +34.4%, respectively, based on a 2000 baseline. For the 2080s watershed T‐N and T‐P loads of up to +87.3 and +19.6%, the 2080s lake T‐N and T‐P concentrations were projected to be 4.00 and 0.030 mg/l from 2.60 and 0.016 mg/l in 2000, respectively. The 2080s chl‐a concentration in the epilimnion and the maximum were 13.97 and 52.45 μg/l compared to 8.64 and 33.48 μg/l in 2000, respectively. The results show that the Chungju Lake will change from its mesotrophic state of 2000 to a eutrophic state by T‐P in the 2020s and by chl‐a in the 2080s. Editor's note: This paper is part of a featured series on Korean Hydrology. The series addresses the need for a new paradigm of river and watershed management for Korea due to climate and land use changes.
Evaluation of Operational National Weather Service Gridded Flash Flood Guidance over the Arkansas Red River Basin
Authors: Seo Dugwon , Lakhankar Tarendra , Mejia Juan , Cosgrove Brian , Khanbilvardi Reza
Published: June 2013

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS) flash flood warnings are issued by Weather Forecast Offices and are underpinned by information from the Flash Flood Guidance (FFG) system operated by the River Forecast Centers (RFCs). This study focuses on the quantitative evaluation and limitations of the FFG system using reported flash flood cases in 2010 and 2011. The flash flood reports were obtained from the NWS Storm Event database for the Arkansas‐Red Basin RFC (ABRFC). The current FFG system at the ABRFC provides gridded flash flood guidance (GFFG) system using the NWS Hydrology Laboratory‐Research Distributed Hydrologic Model to translate the upper zone soil moisture to estimates of Soil Conservation Service Curve Numbers. Comparisons of the GFFG and real‐time Multisensor Precipitation Estimator‐derived Quantitative Precipitation Estimate for the same duration and location were used to analyze the success of the system. Typically, the six‐hour duration was characterized by higher probability of detection values than the three‐hour duration, which highlights the difficulty of hydrologic process estimation for shorter time scales. The current system does not take into account physical characteristics such as land use, including irrigated agricultural farm and urban areas, hence, overly dry soil moisture estimates over these areas can lower the success rate of the GFFG product.
Influence of titanium on in vitro fibroblast–Porphyromonas gingivalis interaction in peri‐implantitis
Authors: Irshad Muhammad , Scheres Nina , Crielaard Wim , Loos Bruno G. , Wismeijer Daniel , Laine Marja L.
Published: June 2013

Aim

Titanium wear particles have been found in peri‐implant tissues, but their role in the pathogenesis of peri‐implantitis remains unclear. We aimed to determine the in vitro inflammatory responses of peri‐implant granulation tissue fibroblasts (PIGFs) to titanium particles alone and in the presence of viable Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Materials & Methods

Peri‐implant granulation tissue fibroblasts were challenged either with TiO2 particles, P. gingivalis or a combination of TiO2 particles and P. gingivalis. Gene expression and protein production of pro‐inflammatory mediators by PIGFs were measured with PCR and ELISA, respectively.

Results

Higher doses of TiO2 were toxic to PIGFs and in sub‐toxic doses, TiO2 caused an increase in gene expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐A and increased protein production of TNF‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐8. A challenge with P. gingivalis alone induced gene expression of TNF‐A, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐8. A combined challenge with TiO2 and P. gingivalis caused a stronger increase in gene expression of TNF‐A and protein production of TNF‐α and MCP‐1 than P. gingivalis alone.

Conclusions

TiO2 particles and P. gingivalis, individually, can induce pro‐inflammatory responses in PIGFs. Furthermore, TiO2 particles and viable P. gingivalis further enhance gene expression and production of TNF‐α by PIGFs. Therefore, Ti wear particles in the peri‐implant tissues in combination with P. gingivalis infection may contribute to the pathogenesis of peri‐implantitis by enhancing the inflammation in peri‐implant tissues.
Influence of periodontal disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis and cigarette smoking on systemic anti‐citrullinated peptide antibody titres
Authors: Lappin David F. , Apatzidou Danae , Quirke Anne‐Marie , Oliver‐Bell Jessica , Butcher John P. , Kinane Denis F. , Riggio Marcello P. , Venables Patrick , McInnes Iain B. , Culshaw Shauna
Published: June 2013

Background

Anti‐citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) responses may precede clinical onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Porphyromonas gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase can citrullinate proteins possibly inducing autoimmunity in susceptible individuals.

Aim

To determine whether periodontitis, carriage of P. gingivalis, smoking and periodontal therapy influence ACPA titres.

Methods

Serum and plaque samples were collected from 39 periodontitis patients before and after non‐surgical periodontal treatment, and from 36 healthy subjects. Carriage of P. gingivalis was determined by PCR of plaque DNA. ACPA was determined by anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anti‐P. gingivalis titres were determined by ELISA.

Results

Untreated periodontitis patients had higher anti‐CCP antibody titres than healthy controls [three patients (8%) greater than manufacturer suggested assay diagnostic threshold (5 Assay Units/AU) versus none (0%); mean ± SEM: 1.37 ± 0.23 versus 0.40 ± 0.10 AU, p < 0.0001]. Periodontitis patients who smoked demonstrated lower anti‐P. gingivalis (15956 ± 4385 versus 2512 ± 1290 Units/ml, p < 0.05), but similar anti‐CCP than non‐smoking periodontitis patients (smokers: 1.31 ± 0.35; non‐smokers: 1.41 ± 0.32 AU). Healthy smokers demonstrated elevated anti‐CCP titres (0.75 ± 0.19 AU), at levels between healthy non‐smokers (0.15 ± 0.05 AU) and non‐smoker periodontitis patients. Six months after periodontal treatment, there were significant reductions in anti‐CCP (non‐smokers p < 0.05) and anti‐P. gingivalis (all participants p < 0.01).

Conclusion

In subjects with periodontitis, P. gingivalis infection may be responsible for inducing autoimmune responses that characterize rheumatoid arthritis.
Intersectoral action for health equity as it relates to climate change in Canada: contributions from critical systems heuristics
Authors: Buse Chris
Published: June 2013

Rationale

Intersectoral action (ISA) has been at the forefront of public health policy discussions since the 1970s. ISA incorporates a broader perspective of public health issues and coordinates efforts to address the social, political, economic and environmental contexts from which health determinants operate and are created. Despite being forwarded as a useful way to address and treat complex or ‘wicked’ problems, such policy issues are still often addressed within, rather than across, disciplinary silos and ISA has been documented to fail more often than it succeeds.

Aims and objectives

This paper contributes to an understanding of ISA by outlining and applying critical systems heuristics (CSH) theory and methods.

Methods

CSH theory and methods are described and discussed before applying them to the example of addressing climate change and health equity through public health practice.

Results

CSH thinking provides useful tools to engage stakeholders, question relations of power that may exist between collaborating partners, and move beyond power inequalities that guide ISA initiatives.

Conclusions

CSH is a compelling framing that can improve an understanding of the collaborative relationships that are a prerequisite for engaging in ISA to address complex or ‘wicked’ policy problems such as climate change.
Protargol Synthesis: An In‐house Protocol
Authors: Pan Xuming , Bourland William A. , Song Weibo
Published: June 2013

The protargol staining method has proved to be indispensable for revealing the cellular structures of a variety of protozoa, especially the flagellates and ciliates. Protargol provides permanent stains of a variety of cellular structures: nuclei, extrusomes, basal bodies, and microfilamentous constituents of cells. Together with the older silver nitrate methods, protargol impregnations have provided the basis for the detailed descriptions of nearly all ciliates to date. The performance of commercially available preparations has varied widely. Recently, suppliers have stopped stocking the effective forms of protargol resulting in a worldwide shortage. Thus, it has become necessary for protistologists to explore on‐site synthesis of this critically important agent. An optimum protocol for synthesis of protargol should be rapid, relatively inexpensive, simple enough to be done by non‐chemists, and achievable without specialized equipment. In this article, the authors briefly review the interesting history of protargol and describe a protocol, based on the early studies of neuroanatomists, that yields a protargol producing impregnations of ciliates comparable to those obtained with previously available commercial preparations.
Low oxygen tolerance of different life stages of temperate freshwater fish species
Authors: Elshout P. M. F. , Dionisio Pires L. M. , Leuven R. S. E. W. , Wendelaar Bonga S. E. , Hendriks A. J.
Published: July 2013

Data on low dissolved oxygen (DO2) tolerance of freshwater fish species of north‐western Europe were used to create species sensitivity distributions (SSD). Lowest observed effect concentrations (LOEC) and 100% lethal concentrations (LC100) data were collected from the scientific literature. Comparisons were made among life stages as well as between native and exotic species. In addition, lethal DO2 concentrations were compared to oxygen concentrations corresponding to maximum tolerable water temperatures of the same species. Fish eggs and embryos were the least tolerant. Juveniles had a significantly lower mean LOEC than adults, but there was no difference in mean LC100 between the two groups. The difference in lethal oxygen concentrations between adults and juveniles was largest for three salmonids, although it remains uncertain if this was a result of smoltification. There were no significant differences between native and exotic species; however, data on exotics are limited. DO2 concentrations converted from maximum tolerable water temperatures were 3·9 times higher than the measured lethal DO2 concentrations, which may reflect changes in respiration rates (Q10) and may also relate to the simplicity of the model used.
Guggulsterone attenuates activation and survival of hepatic stellate cell by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B activation and inducing apoptosis
Authors: Kim Bo Hyun , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Yang Jong In , Myung Sun Jung , Lee Jeong‐Hoon , Jung Eun Uk , Yu Su Jong , Kim Yoon Jun , Lee Hyo‐Suk , Kim Chung Yong
Published: June 2013

Background and Aim

Liver fibrosis is associated with the deposition of the extracellular matrix, and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major source of these matrix proteins. Guggulsterone has recently been shown to induce apoptosis in several cell lines. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether guggulsterone has antifibrotic activities by reducing the activation and survival of HSCs.

Methods

Apoptotic and fibrosis‐related signaling pathways and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) activity were explored in LX‐2 cells, an immortalized human HSC line, and in a mice model of liver fibrosis.

Results

Guggulsterone suppressed LX‐2 cell growth in a dose‐ and activation‐dependent manner. This growth suppression was due to the induction of HSC apoptosis, which was mediated by the activation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and mitochondrial apoptotic signaling. Additionally, guggulsterone regulated phosphorylation of Akt and adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase, which were subsequently proven responsible for the guggulsterone‐induced HSC growth suppression. Guggulsterone inhibited NF‐κB activation in LX‐2 cells, which is one of the major mediators in HSC activation. Indeed, guggulsterone decreased collagen α1 synthesis and α‐smooth muscle actin expression in these cells. Compared with the control mice or mice treated with a low dose of guggulsterone, high dose of guggulsterone significantly decreased the extent of collagen deposition and the percentage of activated HSCs undergoing apoptosis.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that guggulsterone suppressed HSC activation and survival by inhibiting NF‐κB activation and inducing apoptosis. Therefore, guggulsterone may be useful as an antifibrotic agent in chronic liver diseases.
Ethnicity is a strong predictor for Helicobacter pylori infection in young women in a multi‐ethnic European city
Authors: den Hollander Wouter J , Holster I Lisanne , den Hoed Caroline M , van Deurzen Frances , van Vuuren Anneke J , Jaddoe Vincent W , Hofman Albert , Perez Perez Guillermo I , Blaser Martin J , Moll Henriëtte A , Kuipers Ernst J
Published: June 2013

Background and Aim

At the same time that Helicobacter pylori prevalence is declining in Western countries, immigrants from developing countries with high H. pylori prevalence have settled in Western urban areas. Actual epidemiological data on H. pylori in a migrant community may help in realizing a more selective approach to assess H. pylori‐related diseases. We aimed to define H. pylori prevalence as well as risk groups for H. pylori in a cohort of young women living in a multi‐ethnic European city.

Methods

We measured Immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti‐H. pylori and CagA‐antibodies in serum of pregnant women included in a population‐based prospective cohort study, the Generation R study. Information on demographics and socioeconomic status was collected by questionnaires. Chi‐square and logistic regression were used.

Results

In total, 3146 (46%) of the 6837 tested women (mean age 29.7 ± 5.3) were H. pylori‐positive and 1110 (35%) of them were CagA‐positive. The H. pylori prevalence in Dutch women was 24%, which was significantly lower than in non‐Dutch women (64%; P < 0.001). In particular, H. pylori positivity was found in 92% of Moroccan (odds ratio 19.2; 95% confidence interval 11.8–32.0), 80% of Cape Verdean (7.6; 5.0–11.5), 81% of Turkish (9.0; 6.7–12.1), 60% of Dutch Antillean (3.3; 2.3–4.7), and 58% of Surinamese women (3.0; 2.3–3.8). Among H. pylori‐positive Dutch subjects, 19% were CagA‐positive compared with 40% of the non‐Dutch subjects (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Despite a general trend of declining prevalence in Western countries, H. pylori remains highly prevalent in migrant communities, which may constitute target groups for screening and eradication to prevent H. pylori‐related diseases.
Fibroscan can avoid liver biopsy in Indian patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Goyal Rohit , Mallick Saumya Ranjan , Mahanta Mousumi , Kedia Saurabh , Shalimar  , Dhingra Rajan , Sharma Hanish , Das Prasenjit , Datta Gupta Siddhartha , Panda Subrat , Acharya Subrat K
Published: June 2013

Background and Aim

Liver fibrosis is an established determinant of prognosis and therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The role of fibroscan in assessing fibrosis in CHB remains unclear. Present study was designed to correlate fibroscan with liver biopsy and determine whether fibroscan can avoid liver biopsy in patients with CHB.

Methods

Fibroscan and liver biopsy were performed in 382 consecutive patients with CHB. Biopsies were reviewed by pathologist blinded to the fibroscan value. Discriminant values of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) to reasonably exclude and predict significant fibrosis were calculated from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The factors affecting LSM independent of fibrosis were assessed.

Results

Three hundred fifty‐seven patients were included (mean age 30.1 ± 9.7 years, male : female 17 : 3). There was significant correlation between LSM and histological fibrosis (r = 0.58, P < 0.001). The area under ROC curve of LSM for significant fibrosis (F0‐1 vs F2‐4), bridging fibrosis (F0‐2 vs F3‐4), and cirrhosis (F0‐3 vs F4) was 0.84 (95%CI:0.78–0.89), 0.94 (95%CI:0.89–0.99), and 0.93 (95%CI:0.85–1.00), respectively. LSM < 6.0 KPa could exclude significant (F ≥ 2) and bridging fibrosis (F ≥ 3) with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 92.4% and 99.5%, respectively. Cut‐off of 9 KPa could detect significant (F ≥ 2) and bridging fibrosis (F ≥ 3) with specificity of 95% and 97%, respectively, and had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 84.3% in predicting significant fibrosis. LSM < 6 KPa and > 9 KPa matched with histological fibrosis in 227/250 (91%) patients. Therefore, fibroscan could avoid liver biopsy in 70% (250/357) patients with an accuracy > 90%. Histological fibrosis, ALT > 5 times, and age > 40 years were independent determinants of increased liver stiffness.

Conclusions

Fibroscan accurately assessed fibrosis and could avoid liver biopsy in more than two‐thirds of patients with CHB.
Healthy Foods North improves diet among Inuit and Inuvialuit women of childbearing age in Arctic Canada
Authors: Bains A. , Pakseresht M. , Roache C. , Beck L. , Sheehy T. , Gittelsohn J. , Corriveau A. , Sharma S.
Published: June 2013

Background

Healthy Foods North (HFN) is a community‐based intervention designed to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle of Inuit and Inuvialuit populations in Arctic Canada. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of HFN on the nutrient intake of women of childbearing age.

Methods

Six communities in Nunavut (n = 3) and the Northwest Territories (n = 3) were selected for programme implementation; four received a 12‐month intervention and two served as controls. Quantitative food frequency questionnaires were used to assess dietary intake at baseline and 1 year post‐intervention. Among women participants aged 19–44 years (n = 136), 79 were exposed to the intervention and 57 were not. Mean daily energy and nutrient intake and density were determined. Dietary adequacy was assessed by comparing the women's daily nutrient intakes with dietary reference intakes (DRI).

Results

Main outcomes were the pre‐ to post‐intervention changes between intervention and control groups for energy and selected nutrient intakes, nutrient density and dietary adequacy. Among the participants, the intervention had a beneficial effect on vitamin A and D intake. The percentage of individuals with nutrient intakes below the DRI increased from pre‐ to post‐intervention for vitamin A and D in the control group but only for vitamin A in the intervention group. The programme did not have a significant impact on calorie, sugar, or fat consumption.

Conclusions

The HFN programme is effective in mitigating some of the negative impacts of the nutrition transition on dietary adequacy among Inuit and Inuvialuit women of childbearing age.