bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological Stress Response of Yellow Perch Subjected to Repeated Handlings and Salt Treatments at Different Temperatures
Authors: Eissa Nour , Wang Han-Ping
Published: July 2013

Yellow Perch Perca flavescens were subjected to handling stress and salt treatments at different temperatures to determine their physiological changes. Yellow Perch, held at 8–10°C, were divided into three groups with four replicates and subjected to water temperatures of 14, 20, and 26°C to acclimate. Then they were subjected to acute handling twice within separate intervals, in addition to a salt treatment at a salinity of 5‰ for each of the fish groups. Plasma cortisol was used as a stress indicator, and blood samples were taken periodically for plasma cortisol concentration analysis. An increase in plasma cortisol after handling occurred in all groups, but the lowest level of plasma cortisol was in fish subjected to 20°C. We concluded that the optimum water temperature for handling Yellow Perch that results in minimal stress may be 20°C. Salt treatment after handling further stimulated the stress response and increased plasma cortisol levels. Research is needed to identify the optimal salinity to use for Yellow Perch and other fish species when handling fish during common aquaculture practices.
Antimicrobial Activity of Honey Bee Venom against Select Infectious Fish Pathogens
Authors: Han Sang Mi , Lee Kwang Gill , Park Kwan Kyu , Pak Sok Cheon
Published: July 2013

In this study, bee venom (BV) isolated from honey bees Apis mellifera was assessed for its potential use as an antimicrobial agent against fish pathogenic bacteria. We used three bacterial isolates (Edwardsiella tarda, Vibrio ichthyoenteri, and Streptococcus iniae) that were originally obtained from the gastrointestinal tracts of moribund Olive Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Bee venom exhibited antibacterial activity against all three infectious fish pathogens. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration (mean ± SE) of BV were 17.6 ± 2.6 and 34.9 ± 3.4 μg/mL, respectively, against E. tarda; 1.76 ± 0.3 and 6.8 ± 2.6 μg/mL against V. ichthyoenteri; and 3.49 ± 0.9 and 11 ± 1.6 μg/mL against S. iniae. The postantibiotic effect of BV was 5 ± 0.6 h for E. tarda, 6 ± 0.3 h for V. ichthyoenteri, and 7 ± 0.6 h for S. iniae. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of BV was not pH dependent, as inhibition zones were identical at pH levels ranging from 2 to 11. These results indicate that BV inhibits the growth and survival of bacterial strains and that BV may be a useful complementary antimicrobial agent against fish pathogenic bacteria.
nhmmer: DNA homology search with profile HMMs
Authors: Wheeler Travis J. , Eddy Sean R.
Published: July 2013

Summary: Sequence database searches are an essential part of molecular biology, providing information about the function and evolutionary history of proteins, RNA molecules and DNA sequence elements. We present a tool for DNA/DNA sequence comparison that is built on the HMMER framework, which applies probabilistic inference methods based on hidden Markov models to the problem of homology search. This tool, called nhmmer, enables improved detection of remote DNA homologs, and has been used in combination with Dfam and RepeatMasker to improve annotation of transposable elements in the human genome.

Availability: nhmmer is a part of the new HMMER3.1 release. Source code and documentation can be downloaded from http://hmmer.org. HMMER3.1 is freely licensed under the GNU GPLv3 and should be portable to any POSIX-compliant operating system, including Linux and Mac OS/X.

Contact:  wheelert@janelia.hhmi.org
Fingolimod Therapy and Macular Hemorrhage
Authors: Bhatti M. Tariq , Freedman S. Mitchell , Mahmoud Tamer H.
Published: July 2013

A 54-year-old woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) developed visual loss in her left eye due to a macular hemorrhage 11 months after starting fingolimod. Visual acuity was 20/80 in the left eye, with a dense retinal hemorrhage involving the fovea with adjacent hard exudate and macular thickening confirmed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Three months after stopping fingolimod, vision in the left eye improved to 20/30 with resolution of the macular hemorrhage and exudates. Fingolimod has been associated with macular edema, but prior to this report, the authors are unaware of it causing a macular hemorrhage in a MS patient. The authors speculate that the macular hemorrhage may be due to a disruption of cellular adhesions between vascular endothelial cells that maintain the inner blood–retinal barrier.
Comparative Transcriptome Profiling of Maize Coleoptilar Nodes during Shoot-Borne Root Initiation
Authors: Muthreich Nils , Majer Christine , Beatty Mary , Paschold Anja , Schützenmeister André , Fu Yan , Malik Waqas Ahmed , Schnable Patrick S. , Piepho Hans-Peter , Sakai Hajime , Hochholdinger Frank
Published: July 2013

Maize (Zea mays) develops an extensive shoot-borne root system to secure water and nutrient uptake and to provide anchorage in the soil. In this study, early coleoptilar node (first shoot node) development was subjected to a detailed morphological and histological analysis. Subsequently, microarray profiling via hybridization of oligonucleotide microarrays representing transcripts of 31,355 unique maize genes at three early stages of coleoptilar node development was performed. These pairwise comparisons of wild-type versus mutant rootless concerning crown and seminal roots (rtcs) coleoptilar nodes that do not initiate shoot-borne roots revealed 828 unique transcripts that displayed RTCS-dependent expression. A stage-specific functional analysis revealed overrepresentation of “cell wall,” “stress,” and “development”-related transcripts among the differentially expressed genes. Differential expression of a subset of 15 of 828 genes identified by these microarray experiments was independently confirmed by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction. In silico promoter analyses revealed that 100 differentially expressed genes contained at least one LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES domain (LBD) motif within 1 kb upstream of the ATG start codon. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay experiments demonstrated RTCS binding for four of these promoter sequences, supporting the notion that differentially accumulated genes containing LBD motifs are likely direct downstream targets of RTCS.
Inhibitory effect of oral contraceptives on CYP2C19 activity is not significant in carriers of the CYP2C19*17 allele
Authors: Pedersen Rasmus S. , Noehr‐Jensen Lene , Brosen Kim
Published: July 2013

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) in carriers of the CYP2C19*17 allele is inhibited in vivo by oral contraceptives (OC).

Retrospective CYP2C19 phenotyping according to omeprazole : 5‐OH‐omeprazole molar 3 h plasma metabolic ratios (MR) from a population (n = 222) genotyped as CYP2C19*1/*1, CYP2C19*1/*17 and CYP2C19*17/*17 was analysed. Furthermore, 30 women genotyped as CYP2C19*1/*1 (n = 11), CYP2C19*1/*17 (n = 11) and CYP2C19*17/*17 (n = 8) were prospectively CYP2C19 phenotyped during the administration of OC and again after a minimum 5 days break from OC.

We found a significantly higher MR in the CYP2C19*1/*1 genotype group that took OC (n = 48) compared with women who did not take OC (n = 31; geometric mean 1.37 vs 0.83, respectively; P < 0.05). However, in the CYP2C19*1/*17 genotype group, the geometric means of the MR in the 37 women taking OC and the 20 women not taking OC were 0.67 and 0.46, respectively (P > 0.05). In the CYP2C19*1/*1 panel of the prospective cross‐over study, we found a significantly higher MR while women were taking the OC compared with the MR during the OC break (geometric mean 1.21 vs 0.91, respectively; P = 0.0123). However, in the CYP2C19*1/*17 group, the geometric means of the MR with and without OC were 0.77 and 0.65, respectively, compared with 1.05 and 0.79, respectively, in the CYP2C19*17/*17 group (P = 0.20 and 0.17, respectively).

In conclusion, we have shown that OC intake inhibits CYP2C19 in homozygous carriers of the CYP2C19 wild type but that the inhibition is not significant in heterozygous and homozygous carriers of the CYP2C19*17 allele.
Use of eye‐pointing by children with cerebral palsy: what are we looking at?
Authors: Sargent Jenefer , Clarke Michael , Price Katie , Griffiths Tom , Swettenham John
Published: July 2013

Background

Children with cerebral palsy often show significant communication impairment due to limited or absent speech. Further, motor impairment can restrict the use of movement, including pointing, to signal interest and intent. For some children, controlled gaze can be an effective ‘point‐substitute’: such ‘eye‐pointing’ can be used to request items, establish mutual interest in an event, or select vocabulary within an alternative or augmentative communication (ACC) system. However, in clinical practice there is a lack of clarity about how the term ‘eye‐pointing’ is used, how ‘eye‐pointing’ is recognized or how it relates to social development.

Aims

To present a clinical description of the term ‘eye‐pointing’ with reference to children with severe cerebral palsy who cannot speak or finger‐point. To consider this description within a wider discussion of the importance of gaze in communication development.

Methods & Procedures

Cumulative clinical observations during assessment of children referred to a specialist multidisciplinary communication clinic have provoked discussion between the authors on what factors precipitate use of the term ‘eye‐pointing’ in young children with severe cerebral palsy. In particular, discussion has centred on whether use of the term is appropriate in individual cases and whether guidance is available about how gaze should be observed in this developmentally vulnerable group of children. A literature search was also conducted in order to explore whether the use and meaning of the term is established.

Conclusions & Implications

In interactions with non‐speaking children, determining whether a child is using eye‐gaze communicatively requires observation and interpretation of several factors. These processes will be informed by reflection on what is known about other aspects of the child's communication and interaction skills. Within the literature, the term ‘eye‐pointing’ is sometimes used when describing the communication functions of individuals using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, and is occasionally qualified by a definition. No papers have been found that set out a clinical description universally applicable to children with severe motor impairment. Moreover, guidance is lacking on how possible episodes of ‘eye‐pointing’ might be confidently distinguished from other episodes of directed gaze in young, developing communicators. The discussion of the term makes reference to the importance of gaze in early communication development, and explores factors that might influence gaze and its interpretation in young children with cerebral palsy. A description of eye‐pointing for this group is offered. The authors suggest that this will bring practical benefits to those supporting the communication development of children with severe cerebral palsy.
Party Agency and the Religious—Secular Cleavage in Post-Communist Countries: The Case of Romania
Authors: Raymond Christopher
Published: July 2013

Research focusing on several post-communist countries has found evidence of social cleavage effects on political behaviour similar to those found in Western Europe. In some post-communist countries, however, social cleavage effects appear far weaker (if at all). To understand why this is the case, I perform a case study of Romania, focusing on the religious—secular cleavage. Drawing upon research that emphasises the role of parties in forming cleavages, I argue that the reason for the absence of social cleavage effects is due to party competition for the same group of voters by parties from opposing ends of the ideological spectrum. By shifting their positions, some parties have prevented the appearance of cleavages by shaping individuals' perceptions of the parties and, in doing so, have even altered individuals' own left—right self-placements.
How (Not) to Reform the Euro Area's Economic Governance
Authors: Collignon Stefan
Published: July 2013

European monetary union presents a paradox. On the one hand, despite three years of continuous battering and pounding, the euro still exists. On the other, the crisis has revealed serious flaws in the governance of the Euro Area and it has become clear that the old system of managing the euro macroeconomy is not sustainable. This article attempts to explain this apparent contradiction and how to resolve it.
Institutions for Crisis Prevention: the Case of Switzerland
Authors: Baur Martin , Bruchez Pierre‐Alain , Schlaffer Barbara
Published: July 2013

The Swiss economy's comparatively robust performance in the current economic crisis is partly the result of its characteristics, but public institutions also made Switzerland resilient. We focus here on institutions that foster sound public finances. The Swiss federal debt brake played a key role in keeping the federal debt in check; along with fiscal rules, institutions such as direct democracy and federalism counteract the biases that tend to make elected representatives less fiscally conservative than citizens. This leads to more well‐targeted public expenditure and greater public efficiency and helps to avoid excessively high taxes. These features are beneficial in ordinary times, and they increase the scope of action in times of crisis.
A Model for a Fiscal Union? What Europe Can Learn from the German Experience
Authors: Höhn Alfred , Schramm Thorsten , Straubhaar Thomas
Published: July 2013

The euro has strengthened the economic differences between a more affluent north and a struggling south, which is the core problem of the current crisis in the euro zone. A potential solution to this problem could be to transform the monetary union into a fiscal union. This article sketches two different models for fiscal unions: a federal structure like that of Germany, where federal revenues and expenditures are controlled in significant part by federals laws, which has an extensive bailout system built in; and a confederal system like that of Switzerland, where Cantons are autonomous in their fiscal policies but clear bankruptcy rules are implemented. The article describes the reasons for which the German arrangement, one that strongly relies on income equalisation, have not proven successful in harmonising the financial position of the Länder and municipalities and why bailouts have become rather the rule than the exception. In consequence Germany has introduced a debt brake that does not allow expenditures to be structurally higher than revenues. Although it is too early to evaluate the sustainability of such a mechanism yet, the debt brake seems to be a promising means for preventing an unsustainable built‐up of debt under normal economic conditions. This article concludes that as long as debt brakes are not fully implemented and further fiscal harmonisation cannot be expected, the European Union will still have to rely on market‐based regulatory instruments and the disciplinary function of interest rates, possibly culminating in a bankruptcy procedure.
What Governments Can Do to Support their Economies: The Case for a Strategic Econsystem
Authors: Meyer Henning , Klasen Andreas
Published: July 2013

More than half a decade after the outbreak of the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, the world economy is still facing serious difficulties. Much more than during a ‘normal’ recession, the Great Recession of recent years has uncovered serious structural problems in the world economy and has brought about levels of unemployment unprecedented in modern times (Elsby et al. ). It first became clear that the financial sector had become in effect self‐referential and too much removed from its traditional role of allocating finance throughout the whole economy (Menkhoff and Meyer, ). Following this, the structural weaknesses of the Euro were exposed leading to serious questions about the long‐term sustainability of the most ambitious currency union ever attempted.
Effects of animal liver and bile extracts on biochemical values of rat ethanol‐induced fatty liver
Authors: Wan Tien‐Chun , Liu Yu‐Tse , Duann Lan‐Tyi , Yu Kuo‐Hui , Chen Chih‐Ming , Lin Liang‐Chuan , Sakata Ryoichi
Published: July 2013

The purposes of this study were to assess the improvement of fatty liver induced by ethanol with animal liver and bile extracts. This research aimed to increase the economic values of animal liver and bile extracts and used these to reduce damage of ethanol‐induced fatty liver. Extracts came from animal liver and bile, including pig bile powder, pig liver extract, a mixture of pig bile powder and pig liver extract, chicken bile powder, chicken liver extract, and a mixture of chicken bile powder and chicken liver extract, and these were fed to Long‐Evans rats. The results showed that rats fed ethanol for long terms could increase values of aspartate transaminase, cholesterol, γ‐glutamy‐transferase and alkaline phosphatase. Pig bile powder could decrease the values of aspartate transaminase, cholesterol and γ‐glutamy‐transferase. The significances also decreased on aspartate transaminase, γ‐glutamy‐transferase and aspartate transaminase, which were carried out with the pig liver extract treatment. These results suggest pig bile and liver extracts have high potential to improve rats' ethanol‐induced fatty liver with serum biochemical parameters.
Latent factor regression models for grouped outcomes
Authors: Woodard D. B. , Love T. M. T. , Thurston S. W. , Ruppert D. , Sathyanarayana S. , Swan S. H.
Published: July 2013

We consider regression models for multiple correlated outcomes, where the outcomes are nested in domains. We show that random effect models for this nested situation fit into a standard factor model framework, which leads us to view the modeling options as a spectrum between parsimonious random effect multiple outcomes models and more general continuous latent factor models. We introduce a set of identifiable models along this spectrum that extend an existing random effect model for multiple outcomes nested in domains. We characterize the tradeoffs between parsimony and flexibility in this set of models, applying them to both simulated data and data relating sexually dimorphic traits in male infants to explanatory variables.
Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (Richter syndrome) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL): a cohort study of newly diagnosed patients
Authors: Parikh Sameer A. , Rabe Kari G. , Call Timothy G. , Zent Clive S. , Habermann Thomas M. , Ding Wei , Leis Jose F. , Schwager Susan M. , Hanson Curtis A. , Macon William R. , Kay Neil E. , Slager Susan L. , Shanafelt Tait D.
Published: July 2013

Nearly all information about patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) who develop diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma [Richter syndrome (RS)] is derived from retrospective case series or patients treated on clinical trials. We used the Mayo Clinic CLL Database to identify patients with newly diagnosed CLL between January 2000 and July 2011. Individuals who developed biopsy‐proven RS during follow‐up were identified. After a median follow‐up of 4 years, 37/1641 (2·3%) CLL patients developed RS. The rate of RS was approximately 0·5%/year. Risk of RS was associated with advanced Rai stage at diagnosis (P < 0·001), high‐risk genetic abnormalitites on fluorescence in situ hybridization (P < 0·0001), unmutated IGHV (P = 0·003), and expression of ZAP70 (P = 0·02) and CD38 (P = 0·001). The rate of RS doubled in patients after treatment for CLL (1%/year). Stereotyped B‐cell receptors (odds‐ratio = 4·2; P = 0·01) but not IGHV4‐39 family usage was associated with increased risk of RS. Treatment with combination of purine analogues and alkylating agents increased the risk of RS three‐fold (odds‐ratio = 3·26, P = 0·0003). Median survival after RS diagnosis was 2·1 years. The RS prognosis score stratified patients into three risk groups with median survivals of 0·5 years, 2·1 years and not reached. Both underlying characteristics of the CLL clone and subsequent CLL therapy influence the risk of RS. Survival after RS remains poor and new therapies are needed.
Tricyclic Sesquiterpenes From Vetiveria zizanoides (L.) Nash as Antimycobacterial Agents
Authors: Dwivedi Gaurav R. , Gupta Shikha , Roy Sudeep , Kalani Komal , Pal Anirban , Thakur Jay P. , Saikia Dharmendra , Sharma Ashok , Darmwal Nandan S. , Darokar Mahendra P. , Srivastava Santosh K.
Published: July 2013

Two bioactive constituents, khusenic acid (1) and khusimol (2), were isolated and characterized from hexane fraction of Vetiveria zizanoides roots. Compounds, 1 and 2, were tested against the various drug‐resistant mutants of Mycobacterium smegmatis. The results showed that compound 1 was 4 times more active than the standard drugs ciprofloxacin (CF) and nalidixic acid (NA) against the ciprofloxacin (CSC 101) and lomefloxacin(LOMR5)‐resistant mutants, whereas the compound 2 was 2 times more active against the CSC 101 than the NA and CF. Further, these compounds were tested against the virulent strain H37Rv of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which showed that 1 was two times more active than NA, while 2 was equally active to NA. In in silico docking study, 1 showed better binding affinity than 2 with both subunits of the bacterial DNA gyrase, which was further confirmed from the in vitro bacterial DNA gyrase inhibition study. The in silico ADME analysis of 1 and 2 showed better intestinal absorption, aqueous solubility and ability to penetrate blood–brain barrier. Finally, compound 2 was found safe at the highest dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. Being edible, fragrant natural products, 1 and 2 will have advantage over the existing synthetic drugs.
Mannan binding lectin-associated serine protease 1 is induced by hepatitis C virus infection and activates human hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Saeed A , Baloch K , Brown R J P , Wallis R , Chen L , Dexter L , McClure C P , Shakesheff K , Thomson B J
Published: July 2013

Mannan binding lectin (MBL)-associated serine protease type 1 (MASP-1) has a central role in the lectin pathway of complement activation and is required for the formation of C3 convertase. The activity of MASP-1 in the peripheral blood has been identified previously as a highly significant predictor of the severity of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but not in liver disease of other aetiologies. In this study we tested the hypotheses that expression of MASP-1 may promote disease progression in HCV disease by direct activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and may additionally be up-regulated by HCV. In order to do so, we utilized a model for the maintenance of primary human HSC in the quiescent state by culture on basement membrane substrate prior to stimulation. In comparison to controls, recombinant MASP-1 stimulated quiescent human HSCs to differentiate to the activated state as assessed by both morphology and up-regulation of HSC activation markers α-smooth muscle actin and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1. Further, the expression of MASP-1 was up-regulated significantly by HCV infection in hepatocyte cell lines. These observations suggest a new role for MASP-1 and provide a possible mechanistic link between high levels of MASP-1 and the severity of disease in HCV infection. Taken together with previous clinical observations, our new findings suggest that the balance of MASP-1 activity may be proinflammatory and act to accelerate fibrosis progression in HCV liver disease.
Patient education videos for elective colorectal surgery: results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ihedioha U. , Vaughan S. , Mastermann J. , Singh B. , Chaudhri S.
Published: July 2013

Aim

Recent advances in surgery have focused on peri‐operative care and interventions to improve outcome following surgery. Psychological preparation has a positive impact on recovery and incorporates a range of strategies with dissemination of information as one of the key elements. Information can be given verbally, through printed information or through use of a video. Traditionally, reliance has been on the use of written material as an adjunct to patient education in clinic. The current study is a randomized trial on the use of video education in patients undergoing elective colorectal resection within an enhanced recovery programme.

Method

Sixty‐five eligible patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery were identified and 61 were randomized between August 2010 and August 2011 to either video and information leaflets or information leaflets alone. A fast track protocol was established for all the patients. Clinicians in charge of postoperative recovery were blinded. Standard discharge criteria were employed for all patients.

Results

Of 61 patients randomized, one dropped out and outcomes on 60 were analysed. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the groups (age,P = 0.964; body mass index,P = 0.829). Twenty‐eight (91%) patients in the video group had left sided resections while two (6%) had right sided resections. Nineteen (66%) in the non‐video group had left sided resections while nine (31%) had right sided resections. One (3%) patient in the non‐video group and one (3%) in the video group had a total colectomy. Fourteen (45%) patients in the video group and 12 (41%) in the non‐video group had surgery completed laparoscopically. There was no difference in the primary (median hospital stay 5vs5 days;P = 0.239) or the secondary outcome measures (pain score on movement,P = 0.338; pain score at rest,P = 0.989; nausea score,P = 0.74; epidural use,P = 0.984; paracetamol use,P = 0.44; voltarol use,P = 0.506) between the groups.

Conclusion

Use of video education in the psychological preparation of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery does not improve short‐term outcomes.
Social Learning Strategies in Networked Groups
Authors: Wisdom Thomas N. , Song Xianfeng , Goldstone Robert L.
Published: July 2013

When making decisions, humans can observe many kinds of information about others' activities, but their effects on performance are not well understood. We investigated social learning strategies using a simple problem‐solving task in which participants search a complex space, and each can view and imitate others' solutions. Results showed that participants combined multiple sources of information to guide learning, including payoffs of peers' solutions, popularity of solution elements among peers, similarity of peers' solutions to their own, and relative payoffs from individual exploration. Furthermore, performance was positively associated with imitation rates at both the individual and group levels. When peers' payoffs were hidden, popularity and similarity biases reversed, participants searched more broadly and randomly, and both quality and equity of exploration suffered. We conclude that when peers' solutions can be effectively compared, imitation does not simply permit scrounging, but it can also facilitate propagation of good solutions for further cumulative exploration.
Membrane cholesterol regulates different modes of synaptic vesicle release and retrieval at the frog neuromuscular junction
Authors: Rodrigues Hermann A. , Lima Ricardo F. , Fonseca Matheus de C. , Amaral Ernani A. , Martinelli Patrícia M. , Naves Lígia A. , Gomez Marcus V. , Kushmerick Christopher , Prado Marco A. M. , Guatimosim Cristina
Published: July 2013

We investigated the effects of cholesterol removal on spontaneous and KCl‐evoked synaptic vesicle recycling at the frog neuromuscular junction. Cholesterol removal by methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) induced an increase in the frequency of miniature end‐plate potentials (MEPPs) and spontaneous destaining of synaptic vesicles labeled with the styryl dye FM1‐43. Treatment with MβCD also increased the size of MEPPs without causing significant changes in nicotinic receptor clustering. At the ultrastructural level, synaptic vesicles from nerve terminals treated with MβCD were larger than those from control. In addition, treatment with MβCD reduced the fusion of synaptic vesicles that are mobilized during KCl‐evoked stimulation, but induced recycling of those vesicles that fuse spontaneously. We therefore suggest that MβCD might favor the release of vesicles that belong to a pool that is different from that involved in the KCl‐evoked release. These results reveal fundamental differences in the synaptic vesicle cycle for spontaneous and evoked release, and suggest that deregulation of cholesterol affects synaptic vesicle biogenesis and increases transmitter packing.
Increased competition does not lead to increased phylogenetic overdispersion in a native grassland
Authors: Bennett Jonathan A. , Lamb Eric G. , Hall Jocelyn C. , Cardinal‐McTeague Warren M. , Cahill James F.
Published: July 2013

That competition is stronger among closely related species and leads to phylogenetic overdispersion is a common assumption in community ecology. However, tests of this assumption are rare and field‐based experiments lacking. We tested the relationship between competition, the degree of relatedness, and overdispersion among plants experimentally and using a field survey in a native grassland. Relatedness did not affect competition, nor was competition associated with phylogenetic overdispersion. Further, there was only weak evidence for increased overdispersion at spatial scales where plants are likely to compete. These results challenge traditional theory, but are consistent with recent theories regarding the mechanisms of plant competition and its potential effect on phylogenetic structure. We suggest that specific conditions related to the form of competition and trait conservatism must be met for competition to cause phylogenetic overdispersion. Consequently, overdispersion as a result of competition is likely to be rare in natural communities.
Experimental Predictions of The Functional Response of A Freshwater Fish
Authors: Murray Gregory P. D. , Stillman Richard A. , Gozlan Rodolphe E. , Britton J. Robert
Published: July 2013

The functional response is the relationship between the feeding rate of an animal and its food density. It is reliant on two basic parameters; the volume searched for prey per unit time (searching rate) and the time taken to consume each prey item (handling time). As fish functional responses can be difficult to determine directly, it may be more feasible to measure their underlying behavioural parameters in controlled conditions and use these to predict the functional response. Here, we tested how accurately a Type II functional response model predicted the observed functional response of roach Rutilus rutilus, a visually foraging fish, and compared it with Type I functional response. Foraging experiments were performed by exposing fish in tank aquaria to a range of food densities, with their response captured using a two‐camera videography system. This system was validated and was able to accurately measure fish behaviour in the aquaria, and enabled estimates of fish reaction distance, swimming speed (from which searching rate was calculated) and handling time to be measured. The parameterised Type II functional response model accurately predicted the observed functional response and was superior to the Type I model. These outputs suggest it will be possible to accurately measure behavioural parameters in other animal species and use these to predict the functional response in situations where it cannot be observed directly.
Treatment of cervical oesophageal rupture in horses
Authors: Whitfield‐Cargile C. M. , Rakestraw P. C. , Hardy J.
Published: July 2013

Oesophageal rupture in horses has only been previously described in detail in isolated case reports. The objectives of this study were to describe the clinical findings, specific treatment and outcome of oesophageal rupture in horses. Medical records of horses diagnosed with oesophageal rupture between 1994–2008 were reviewed. Clinical findings, treatment and outcome were recorded. Seven horses with cervical oesophageal perforations were included in the study. Two horses were subjected to euthanasia without treatment and 5 were treated surgically. Treatment involved a fasciotomy of the cervical musculature and oesophageal tube placement. Three of 5 horses survived long‐term (>one year). Our study showed that surgical treatment of cervical oesophageal rupture involving fasciotomy and oesophagostomy tube placement can be successful with 3/5 of treated horses surviving more than one year.
Linking climate change to population cycles of hares and lynx
Authors: Yan Chuan , Stenseth Nils Chr. , Krebs Charles J. , Zhang Zhibin
Published: July 2013

The classic 10‐year population cycle of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus,Erxleben 1777) and Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis, Kerr 1792) in the boreal forests ofNorth America has drawn much attention from both population and community ecologists worldwide; however, the ecological mechanisms driving the 10‐year cyclic dynamic pattern are not fully revealed yet. In this study, by the use of historic fur harvest data, we constructed a series of generalized additive models to study the effects of density dependence, predation, and climate (both global climate indices ofNorth Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO),Southern Oscillation index (SOI) and northern hemispheric temperature (NHT) and local weather data including temperature, rainfall, and snow). We identified several key pathways from global and local climate to lynx with various time lags: rainfall shows a negative, and snow shows a positive effect on lynx;NHTandNAOnegatively affect lynx through their positive effect on rainfall and negative effect on snow;SOIpositively affects lynx through its negative effect on rainfall. Direct or delayed density dependency effects, the prey effect of hare on lynx and a 2‐year delayed negative effect of lynx on hare (defined as asymmetric predation) were found. The simulated population dynamics is well fitted to the observed long‐term fluctuations of hare and lynx populations. Through simulation, we find density dependency and asymmetric predation, only producing damped oscillation, are necessary but not sufficient factors in causing the observed 10‐year cycles; while extrinsic climate factors are important in producing and modifying the sustained cycles. Two recent population declines of lynx (1940–1955 and after 1980) were likely caused by ongoing climate warming indirectly. Our results provide an alternative explanation to the mechanism of the 10‐year cycles, and there is a need for further investigation on links between disappearance of population cycles and global warming in hare–lynx system.
Clinical manifestations of liver injury in patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Tomita Kyoko , Haga Hiroaki , Ishii Genki , Katsumi Tomohiro , Sato Chikako , Aso Rika , Okumoto Kazuo , Nishise Yuko , Watanabe Hisayoshi , Saito Takafumi , Otani Koichi , Ueno Yoshiyuki
Published: July 2013

Aim

The number of Japanese patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) is increasing as society changes. Mild liver injury is a complication of AN in around 30% of cases. In some rare instances, patients present with severe liver injury similar to acute liver failure. However, there are numerous uncertainties over the clinical characteristics of this condition. The objective of the present study was to clarify the clinical characteristics of AN complicated by liver injury and to investigate the factors related to hepatic complications.

Methods

Thirty‐seven patients hospitalized at our institution with a diagnosis of AN were enrolled as the study subjects. The study used clinical data obtained at the time of hospitalization. The enrolled patients underwent subgroup analysis and were categorized into three groups: (i) normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT), (ii) moderately elevated ALT, and (iii) highly elevated ALT.

Results

All of the study subjects were female with a median age of 24 years and presenting with marked weight loss (mean body mass index, 13 kg/m2). Thirteen of the subjects had liver injury. We found that patients in the highly elevated ALT group had a significantly high blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratio, and a low blood sugar level.

Conclusions

Our present findings indicate that AN patients with highly elevated ALT have a severe dehydration. This suggests that dysfunction of hepatic circulation accompanying severe dehydration due to malnutrition may be an important factor in the development of liver injury in AN patients.
Association of IL28B polymorphisms with virological response to peginterferon and ribavirin therapy in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Tajiri Hitoshi , Tanaka Yasuhito , Takano Tomoko , Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Abukawa Daiki , Miyoshi Yoko , Shimizu Toshiaki , Brooks Stephen
Published: July 2013

Aim

The objective of the current study was to find baseline predictive factors of response to therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PEG‐IFN/RBV therapy) in children and adolescents with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods

IL28B genotype and mutations in the core of hepatitis C virus (HCV) were analyzed in 30 patients treated with PEG‐IFN/RBV for HCV infection. The initial rate of decrease in the viral load was assessed during the first 2 weeks of treatment.

Results

IL28B major allele was seen more frequently in patients with sustained virologic response (SVR) than in non‐SVR patients (P < 0.001). There was no difference between these two groups in frequency of Core 70 mutation. Among patients with genotype‐1, SVR was achieved in more patients (P = 0.007) in the IL28B major allele group than in those in the minor allele group. The early decrements in the viral load (log/2 weeks) were 3.80 ± 0.86 in the genotype‐2 major allele group, 1.82 ± 0.84 in the genotype‐1 major allele group, and 0.41 ± 0.33 in the genotype‐1 minor allele group.

Conclusions

Among pediatric patients with HCV infection the effectiveness of PEG‐IFN/RBV therapy may be lower in the group with genotype‐1 IL28B minor alleles than in other groups with IL28B major allele. Treatment strategy should be carefully implemented in patients with IL28B unfavorable type.
Voiding diary might serve as a useful tool to understand differences between bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder
Authors: Kim Sung Han , Oh Shin Ah , Oh Seung‐June
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To identify the voiding characteristics of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder.

Methods

Between September 2005 and June 2010, 3‐day voiding diaries of 49 consecutive bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis patients and 301 overactive bladder patients were prospectively collected at an outpatient clinic and retrospectively analyzed.

Results

The characteristics of the two groups were not significantly different. However, all voiding variables including volume and frequency were significantly different except for the total voided volume: patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis showed significantly higher voiding frequencies, smaller maximal and mean voided volume, and more constant and narrower ranges of voided volume compared with overactive bladder patients (P < 0.005). Furthermore, mean intervals between voiding in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis were shorter and more consistent during the day and night (P < 0.001), although mean night‐time variances were greater than daytime variances. Logistic regression analysis showed that total night‐time frequency, maximal night‐time voided volume and mean variance of daytime voiding intervals most significantly differentiated the two groups.

Conclusions

Some voiding characteristics of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder patients differ significantly according to 3‐day voiding diary records. These findings provide additional information regarding the differences between these two diseases in the outpatient clinical setting.
Bilateral ex vivo repair and kidney autotransplantation for complex renal artery aneurysms: A case report and literature review
Authors: Berloco Pasquale Bartolomeo , Levi Sandri Giovanni Battista , Guglielmo Nicola , Lai Quirino , Melandro Fabio , Poli Luca , Mennini Gianluca , Di Pierro Giovanni Battista , Gentile Vincenzo , Rossi Massimo
Published: July 2013

We report the surgical management of a bilateral renal artery aneurysm diagnosed in a 41‐year‐old patient with a history of recurrent abdominal pain. The preoperative contrast‐enhanced computed tomography showed a complex saccular aneurysm on both renal arteries within the renal hilum. The characteristics of aneurysms precluded endovascular procedures, and a double‐step bilateral ex vivo reconstruction with kidney autotransplantation was planned. The intra‐ and postoperative period was uneventful. Imaging and laboratory examinations show preservation of renal function, and patient is symptom‐free at 10‐month follow up.
Adipose‐derived stem cells and keratinocytes in a chronic wound cell culture model: the role of hydroxyectoine
Authors: Thamm Oliver C , Theodorou Panagiotis , Stuermer Ewa , Zinser Max J , Neugebauer Edmund A , Fuchs Paul C , Koenen Paola
Published: July 2013

Chronic wounds represent a major socio‐economic problem in developed countries today. Wound healing is a complex biological process. It requires a well‐orchestrated interaction of mediators, resident cells and infiltrating cells. In this context, mesenchymal stem cells and keratinocytes play a crucial role in tissue regeneration. In chronic wounds these processes are disturbed and cell viability is reduced. Hydroxyectoine (HyEc) is a membrane protecting osmolyte with protein and macromolecule stabilising properties. Adipose‐derived stem cells (ASC) and keratinocytes were cultured with chronic wound fluid (CWF) and treated with HyEc. Proliferation was investigated using MTT test and migration was examined with transwell‐migration assay and scratch assay. Gene expression changes of basic fibroblast growth factor (b‐FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases‐2 (MMP‐2) and MMP‐9 were analysed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). CWF significantly inhibited proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. Addition of HyEc did not affect these results. Proliferation capacity of ASC was not influenced by CWF whereas migration was significantly enhanced. HyEc significantly reduced ASC migration. Expression of b‐FGF, VEGF, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in ASC, and b‐FGF, VEGF and MMP‐9 in keratinocytes was strongly induced by chronic wound fluid. HyEc enhanced CWF induced gene expression of VEGF in ASC and MMP‐9 in keratinocytes. CWF negatively impaired keratinocyte function, which was not influenced by HyEc. ASC migration was stimulated by CWF, whereas HyEc significantly inhibited migration of ASC. CWF induced gene expression of VEGF in ASC and MMP‐9 in keratinocytes was enhanced by HyEc, which might partly be explained by an RNA stabilising effect of HyEc.
Information Risk and the Cost of Capital
Authors: Eckles David L. , Halek Martin , Zhang Rongrong
Published: July 2013

This article applies a unique accruals measure to empirically test whether accruals quality affects the cost of capital for property–liability insurers. We utilize insurer loss reserve errors to accurately measure the quality of accruals. This measure, as well as conventional accruals measures, is used to investigate the extent to which accruals quality is priced into both debt and equity capital. We find that accruals quality is priced into debt capital; however, we find virtually no evidence that accruals quality is priced into equity capital. Our results should be of particular interest to insurers as it affects pricing ability. Specifically, insurers who provide primary debtholders (i.e., policyholders) less information risk are able to command higher prices. Furthermore, our results suggest that insurance is not a diversifiable asset.
Intraregional Cross‐holding of Reserve Currencies: A Proposal for Asia to Deal with the Global Reserve Risks
Authors: Fan Gang , Wang Bijun , Huang Yiping
Published: July 2013

Economists have put forward various proposals to deal with the growing risks of the global reserve currency system. In this paper we recommend that Asian economies hold each other's currencies as part of their foreign reserves. Different from crisis‐fighting currency swap arrangements or crisis‐rescuing fund mechanisms, this mechanism means that reserves would be held, with a regular arrangement in place and on an ongoing basis. We propose that the global reserve system should be pushed in the direction of diversification, which could be a transitional step toward a new single reserve system. This mechanism would not necessitate any currency being a globally accepted reserve currency but would mean that every currency carried some weight in the reserve system. Establishment of such a system would require significant development of regional bond markets and facilitation of macroeconomic surveillance among the economies.
LL‐37 in periodontal health and disease and its susceptibility to degradation by proteinases present in gingival crevicular fluid
Authors: McCrudden Maelíosa T. C. , Orr David F. , Yu Yang , Coulter Wilson A. , Manning Gwen , Irwin Chris R. , Lundy Fionnuala T.
Published: July 2013

Aim

To determine the levels of LL‐37 in and its susceptibility to degradation by components of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in periodontal health and disease.

Materials and Methods

Levels of LL‐37 in GCF from periodontitis patients and periodontally healthy subjects were determined by ELISA. In addition, degradation of synthetic/exogenous LL‐37 by components of GCF in the presence and absence of inhibitors was determined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry.

Results

The concentration of native LL‐37 in GCF from Porphyromonas gingivalis positive (Pg+) and P. gingivalis negative (Pg‐) sites in periodontitis patients was significantly higher than in GCF from healthy subjects. When synthetic LL‐37 was added to healthy GCF, the peptide was not degraded. Conversely, GCF from Pg+ sites rapidly degraded synthetic LL‐37 which was prevented in the presence of Arg− and Lys− gingipain inhibitors. Synthetic LL‐37 was degraded more slowly by GCF from Pg− sites.

Conclusions

LL‐37 is detectable in GCF in periodontal health and disease. The rapid degradation of synthetic LL‐37 in periodontitis GCF, particularly in Pg+ sites, limits its role as a potential therapeutic in the gingival crevice. These results highlight the need to design stable peptide mimetics of LL‐37 as future therapeutics in periodontitis.