bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behind closed doors: negotiating the Ethical Borgs in qualitative inquiry
Authors: Cacciattolo Marcelle , Vicars Mark , McKenna Tarquam
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The Ethical Borgs are a fictional panel of a set of people who have the task of attending to the manner in which research “should” occur. The scenario is a series of “fictionalised encounters” between two researchers presenting their research proposals to the panel for approval. The purpose of this paper is to revisit and play out two researchers’ individual and collective experiences of gaining ethical clearance as emergent researchers. The tension of their place and status in academia drives their identity.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper is presented in the form of a short play. The focus is on the manner in which the performance of the academic self as researcher can be impeded or assisted by the deliberations of the “Ethical Borgs”. These fictional encounters demonstrate the tension of being located in the in-between worlds of researchers in-waiting who need to negotiate their roles and whose ethical anxieties are critiqued through the lens of the “naive inquirer” the “too hard don’t touch inquirer” and the “medicalised” lens inquirer.

Findings

– The major themes examined in this paper address how the Ethical Borgs increasingly exercise power and have authority to authorise social inquiry.

Originality/value

– Questions that are also raised include what academic approval is required to inquire? How does a naive inquirer manoeuvre his or her way through institutionalised and bureaucratic procedures?
SF‐36 healty survey on psoriasis quality‐of‐life: A study of 414 Taiwanese patients
Authors: Ng Chau Yee , Yang Ya‐Wen , Liu Su‐Hsun , Lu Jui‐Fen R , Yang Li‐Chen , Yang Chih‐Hsun , Huang Yu‐Huei
Published: January 2015

Psoriasis is a chronic debilitating disease that impairs patients' physical and social functioning. The assessment of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) provides a comprehensive insight into the actual disease burden that are not captured by the traditional clinical parameters. The objective of this study is to identify factors that may impact patients' HRQoL. We conducted a cross‐sectional study, recruiting a total of 414 psoriasis vulgaris patients between January 2008 and December 2011. Our study found no significant correlation between disease severity or duration of psoriasis with HRQoL. Female patients have poorer HRQoL. Psoriatic arthritis, nail involvement, burning and itching sensation have a detrimental effect on HRQoL. This study highlighted that specific disease‐associated symptoms such as itching and burning sensation, nail involvement and/or concomitant arthritis were important factors that may impact patients' HRQoL devoid of clinical severity. Physicians should carefully consider these factors when treating psoriasis patients.
Host life history and host–parasite syntopy predict behavioural resistance and tolerance of parasites
Authors: Sears Brittany F. , Snyder Paul W. , Rohr Jason R.
Published: January 2015

There is growing interest in the role that life‐history traits of hosts, such as their ‘pace‐of‐life’, play in the evolution of resistance and tolerance to parasites.

Theory suggests that, relative to host species that have high syntopy (local spatial and temporal overlap) with parasites, host species with low syntopy should have lower selection pressures for more constitutive (always present) and costly defences, such as tolerance, and greater reliance on more inducible and cheaper defences, such as behaviour. Consequently, we postulated that the degree of host–parasite syntopy, which is negatively correlated with host pace‐of‐life (an axis reflecting the developmental rate of tadpoles and the inverse of their size at metamorphosis) in our tadpole–parasitic cercarial (trematode) system, would be a negative and positive predictor of behavioural resistance and tolerance, respectively.

To test these hypotheses, we exposed seven tadpole species to a range of parasite (cercarial) doses crossed with anaesthesia treatments that controlled for anti‐parasite behaviour. We quantified host behaviour, successful and unsuccessful infections, and each species’ reaction norm for behavioural resistance and tolerance, defined as the slope between cercarial exposure (or attempted infections) and anti‐cercarial behaviours and mass change, respectively. Hence, tolerance is capturing any cost of parasite exposure.

As hypothesized, tadpole pace‐of‐life was a significant positive predictor of behavioural resistance and negative predictor of tolerance, a result that is consistent with a trade‐off between behavioural resistance and tolerance across species that warrants further investigation. Moreover, these results were robust to considerations of phylogeny, all possible re‐orderings of the three fastest or slowest paced species, and various measurements of tolerance.

These results suggest that host pace‐of‐life and host–parasite syntopy are powerful drivers of both the strength and type of host defence strategies against parasites. Future research should evaluate how often and how strongly host pace‐of‐life and host–parasite syntopy are correlated and which is the better predictor of the strength and type of host investments in anti‐parasite defences.
Comparison of the cardioprotective and renoprotective effects of the L/N‐type calcium channel blocker, cilnidipine, in adriamycin‐treated spontaneously‐hypertensive rats
Authors: Aritomi Shizuka , Harada Eri , Sugino Kazumi , Nishimura Mai , Nakamura Tarou , Takahara Akira
Published: January 2015

Cilnidipine is an L/N‐type calcium channel blocker (CCB). The effects of cilnidipine on N‐type channels give it unique organ‐protective properties via the suppression of hyperactivity in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS). In the present study, we compared the effects of cilnidipine and amlodipine (an L‐type CCB) on cardiac and renal functions in spontaneously‐hypertensive rats injected with adriamycin (ADR). After the weekly administration of ADR for 3 weeks, spontaneously‐hypertensive rats were orally administered cilnidipine (20 mg/kg per day), amlodipine (3 mg/kg per day), or vehicle once daily for 4 weeks. A control group received saline rather than ADR, followed by vehicle for 4 weeks. Cilnidipine and amlodipine produced similar reductions in blood pressure after 4 weeks. Cilnidipine ameliorated ADR‐induced heart and kidney damage, whereas amlodipine slightly improved cardiac echocardiographic parameters, but did not protect against ADR‐induced renal damage. Cilnidipine (but not amlodipine) suppressed the reflex SNS and RAAS hyperactivity caused by their antihypertensive effects. Furthermore, cilnidipine and amlodipine treatment decreased the urinary levels of adrenocortical hormones. The protective effects of cilnidipine against ADR‐induced renal and cardiac dysfunction might be associated with its blockade of N‐type calcium channels, in addition to its pleiotropic actions, which include the inhibition of the RAAS.
Urban Carbon Governance Experiments: The Role of Australian Local Governments
Authors: MCGUIRK PAULINE , DOWLING ROBYN , BRENNAN CLARE , BULKELEY HARRIET
Published: January 2015

Cities, and particularly urban local governments, are now widely recognised for their part in the complex, multilevel landscape of climate governance and carbon reduction. Nonetheless local government projects and initiatives are often framed as of limited value, outside the formal governance framework, and unable to contribute systematically. In contrast, this paper locates these initiatives as already part of the way in which governing climate and carbon is conducted and as governance experiments. We provide a descriptive analysis of these initiatives across Australia's capital cities, highlighting the domains, mechanisms, and partners through which they operate. We illustrate the enactment of experimentation through a detailed examination of the Sydney‐based initiative termed Treading Lightly, drawing out in particular the workings of institutional experimentation and experimentation in governance practices. We conclude with brief reflections on the governance implications of such experimentation and their importance as a site in the emergent politics of urban carbon governance.
Identification of Nanoscale Ingredients in Commercial Food Products and their Induction of Mitochondrially Mediated Cytotoxic Effects on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Athinarayanan Jegan , Alshatwi Ali A. , Periasamy Vaiyapuri S. , Al‐Warthan Abdulrahman A.
Published: January 2015

Titanium dioxide (E171) and silicon dioxide (E551) are common additives found in food products, personal‐care products, and many other consumer products used in daily life. Recent studies have reported that these food additives (manufactured E171 and E551) contain nanosized particles of less than 100 nm. However, the particle size distribution and morphology of added TiO2 and SiO2 particles are not typically stated on the package label. Furthermore, there is an increasing debate regarding health and safety concerns related to the use of synthetic food additives containing nanosized ingredients in consumer products. In this study, we identified the size and morphology of TiO2 and SiO2 particles in commercially available food products by using transmission electron microscope (TEM). In addition, the in vitro toxicological effects of E171 and E551 on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), an adult stem cell‐based model, were assessed using the MTT assay and a flow cytometry‐based JC‐1 assay. Our TEM results confirmed the presence of nanoscale ingredients in food products, and the in vitro toxicology results indicated that the nanoscale E171 and E551 ingredients induced dose‐dependent cytotoxicity, changes in cellular morphology, and the loss of mitochondrial trans‐membrane potential in hMSCs. These preliminary results clearly demonstrated that the nanoscale E171 and E551 particles had adverse effects on hMSCs by inducing oxidative stress‐mediated cell death. Accordingly, further studies are needed to identify the specific pathway involved, with an emphasis on differential gene expression in hMSCs.
Temperature response of root‐lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei) reproduction on wheat cultivars has implications for resistance screening and wheat production
Authors: Thompson J.P. , Clewett T.G. , O'Reilly M.M.
Published: January 2015

The root‐lesion nematode Pratylenchus thornei is a major pathogen of wheat and other field crops, particularly in the northern grain region of sub‐tropical eastern Australia. Research was conducted into the temperature requirements of P. thornei for reproduction on wheat to increase the reliability of selection in resistance tests for wheat breeding. Final population densities (Pf) of P. thornei were determined on four wheat cultivars (Gatcher, GS50a, Potam and Suneca) at fortnightly intervals from 8 to 18 weeks at a range of six soil temperatures (15°C, 20°C, 22.5°C, 25°C, 27.5°C and 30°C) in a glasshouse experiment. Pratylenchus thornei had the highest Pf in the temperature range of 20–25°C on all wheat cultivars at all growth times after sowing, with no nematode reproduction measured at 30°C and very little at 15°C. The wheat cv. GS50a consistently produced lower Pf than cvs Gatcher, Potam and Suneca in the optimum temperature range of 20–25°C. In carrot disc cultures, P. thornei had an optimum temperature of 25°C with little reproduction at 17.5°C and none detectable at 30°C. A standard soil temperature of 23°C was chosen to maximise differences in nematode reproduction between resistant and susceptible wheat genotypes for selection in wheat breeding, and to improve reproducibility among successive experiments. The relationships derived from these experiments will be valuable for simulation of P. thornei reproduction in crop growth models. They also indicate that early sowing of wheat into cool soil (≤15°C) in farmers' fields of the northern grain region should favour wheat growth over nematode reproduction and increase grain yield.
Adjustments for Drink Size and Ethanol Content: New Results from a Self‐Report Diary and Transdermal Sensor Validation Study
Authors: Bond Jason C. , Greenfield Thomas K. , Patterson Deidre , Kerr William C.
Published: January 2015

Background

Prior studies adjusting self‐reported measures of alcohol intake for drink size and ethanol (EtOH) content have relied on single‐point assessments.

Methods

A prospective 28‐day diary study investigated magnitudes of drink‐EtOH adjustments and factors associated with these adjustments. Transdermal alcohol sensor (TAS) readings and prediction of alcohol‐related problems by number of drinks versus EtOH‐adjusted intake were used to validate drink‐EtOH adjustments. Self‐completed event diaries listed up to 4 beverage types and 4 drinking events/d. Eligible volunteers had ≥ weekly drinking and ≥3+ drinks per occasion with ≥26 reported days and pre‐ and postsummary measures (n = 220). Event reports included drink types, sizes, brands or spirits contents, venues, drinks consumed, and drinking duration.

Results

Wine drinks averaged 1.19, beer 1.09, and spirits 1.54 U.S. standard drinks (14 g EtOH). Mean‐adjusted alcohol intake was 22% larger using drink size and strength (brand/EtOH concentration) data. Adjusted drink levels were larger than “raw” drinks in all quantity ranges. Individual‐level drink‐EtOH adjustment ratios (EtOH adjusted/unadjusted amounts) averaged across all days drinking ranged from 0.73 to 3.33 (mean 1.22). Adjustment ratio was only marginally (and not significantly) positively related to usual quantity, frequency, and heavy drinking (all ps < 0.10), independent of gender, age, employment, and education, but those with lower incomes (both p < 0.01) drank stronger/bigger drinks. Controlling for raw number of drinks and other covariates, degree of adjustment independently predicted alcohol dependence symptoms (p < 0.01) and number of consequences (p < 0.05). In 30 respondents with sufficiently high‐quality TAS readings, higher correlations (p = 0.04) were found between the adjusted versus the raw drinks/event and TAS areas under the curve.

Conclusions

Absent drink size and strength data, intake assessments are downward biased by at least 20%. Between‐subject variation in typical drink content and pour sizes should be addressed in treatment and epidemiological research.
Estimating the Size of Populations at High Risk for HIV Using Respondent-Driven Sampling Data
Authors: Handcock Mark S. , Gile Krista J. , Mar Corinne M.
Published: January 2015

The study of hard-to-reach populations presents significant challenges. Typically, a sampling frame is not available, and population members are difficult to identify or recruit from broader sampling frames. This is especially true of populations at high risk for HIV/AIDS. Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is often used in such settings with the primary goal of estimating the prevalence of infection. In such populations, the number of people at risk for infection and the number of people infected are of fundamental importance. This article presents a case-study of the estimation of the size of the hard-to-reach population based on data collected through RDS. We study two populations of female sex workers and men-who-have-sex-with-men in El Salvador. The approach is Bayesian and we consider different forms of prior information, including using the UNAIDS population size guidelines for this region. We show that the method is able to quantify the amount of information on population size available in RDS samples. As separate validation, we compare our results to those estimated by extrapolating from a capture–recapture study of El Salvadorian cities. The results of our case-study are largely comparable to those of the capture–recapture study when they differ from the UNAIDS guidelines. Our method is widely applicable to data from RDS studies and we provide a software package to facilitate this.
Advanced magnetic resonance techniques provide more accurate prognostic information than conventional imaging
Authors: Rennie Janet M , Kendall Giles S
Published: January 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Massaro et al. on pages 441–448 of this issue.
Suicidality, self‐harm and psychotic‐like symptoms in a general adolescent psychiatric sample
Authors: Lindgren Maija , Manninen Marko , Kalska Hely , Mustonen Ulla , Laajasalo Taina , Moilanen Kari , Huttunen Matti O. , Cannon Tyrone D. , Suvisaari Jaana , Therman Sebastian
Published: January 2015

Aim

We investigated the associations between clinical high‐risk for psychosis (CHR), psychotic‐like symptoms and suicidality among adolescent psychiatric patients.

Methods

The sample consisted of 54 CHR and 107 non‐CHR psychiatric patients aged 15–18 in Helsinki, Finland, who were assessed at the beginning of their psychiatric treatment with the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS). Current suicidality was measured with the Beck Depression Inventory (item 9), while lifetime suicidality was evaluated from all available data, including patient files. The participants were followed for 2.8–8.9 years via the national hospital discharge register, with the follow‐up outcome being intentional self‐harm. Data on suicides were also gathered from the Causes of Death statistics.

Results

Only 30.5% of the adolescents had no suicidal ideation at the beginning of their treatment. CHR risk state and SIPS‐assessed delusions, suspiciousness, and hallucinations were associated with higher current suicidality. Of the 154 adolescents with register follow‐up, there were five (3.2%) with intentional self‐harm resulting in hospital treatment, all female. CHR status was not associated with self‐harm. Current suicidality, familial risk of psychosis, and SIPS decreased expression of emotions were associated with self‐harm during follow‐up. In a Cox regression analysis model among girls, only decreased expression of emotions remained a significant predictor of intentional self‐harm. Baseline suicidality measures were not associated with transitions to psychosis.

Conclusions

CHR status was associated with higher current suicidality but did not predict follow‐up intentional self‐harm in treatment‐seeking adolescents. Decreased expression of emotions may indicate higher risk of intentional self‐harm in adolescent treatment‐seeking girls.
Three‐dimensional analysis of fatigue tests on bituminous mixtures
Authors: Tapsoba N. , Sauzéat C. , Di Benedetto H. , Baaj H. , Ech M.
Published: January 2015

A tension–compression test on cylindrical specimens was used to study the three‐dimensional behaviour of bituminous mixtures during fatigue tests. The tests were carried out at 10 °C, 10 Hz at constant strain amplitude mode. The axial strain, radial strain and axial stress were measured using a prototype apparatus developed at the University of Lyon/“Ecole Nationale des TPE” (ENTPE). In addition to axial stress and strain analysis, the measurements of the radial strain made it possible to obtain the complex Poisson ratio and the volumetric strains during the tests. The results showed good correlations between the volumetric strains and global damage. The effects of the change of temperature due to viscous dissipation on the volumetric strain and on the complex modulus were also analysed.
THE 1.5 GENERATION'S MEMORY OF THE GDR: CHILD VICTIMS TESTIFY TO THE EXPERIENCE OF FORCED EXILE
Authors: Jilovsky Esther , Lewis Alison
Published: January 2015

This article investigates the legacy of violence in the children of East German refugees, émigrés and victims of persecution exiled from the German Democratic Republic in the 1970s and 1980s. Through the analysis of Susanne Schädlich's memoir Immer wieder Dezember: der Westen, die Stasi, der Onkel und ich (2009) and the essay collection Ein Spaziergang war es nicht: Kindheiten zwischen Ost und West (2012) edited by Schädlich and her sister Anna Schädlich, we argue that this testimony reveals a distinct generational cohort. This age group (born between the mid‐1960s and early 1980s) is shaped by their parents’ experience of persecution, but also by the loss of the country of their childhood. Rather than a second generation memory this generation constitutes a 1.5 generation memory of the GDR. This can be characterised on the one hand as a type of traumatic memory stemming from the exile experience shared by both parents and children. On the other hand these memories constitute a counter‐narrative to ‘Ostalgie’, forming a bridging link between the dominant ‘Diktaturgedächtnis’ and what Martin Sabrow has called the ‘Arrangementgedächtnis’. In contrast to the ‘Wendekinder’ and ‘Dritte Generation Ost’, the 1.5 victim generation of the GDR bears a double burden: the effects of the hardship of exile are compounded by, rather than alleviated by, the fall of the Wall.
‘WELL‐INTEGRATED MUSLIMS’ AND ADOLESCENT ANTI‐VIOLENCE ACTIVISM IN BERLIN
Authors: Schuster‐Craig Johanna
Published: January 2015

Media attention to Muslim populations in Europe often racialises Muslim men as aggressive, uneducated, and prone to domestic violence and even murder (honour killing). This article explores how ‘Projekt Heroes’, a social work project in Berlin designed to raise awareness about gendered violence, navigates and engages with this racialising journalistic discourse. Dependent as it is on the visibility provided by the media, ‘Projekt Heroes’ cannot avoid interacting with journalists. Journalistic discourse about ‘victimised’ Muslim women and ‘macho’ Muslim men has also created a space in popular narratives about immigration which makes the mission statement of ‘Projekt Heroes’ legible to outsiders. Despite this dependence on the media, internal activities within the organisation criticise mainstream sexist and racist narratives while their external activities must use the language of racialising scripts. As I show by analysing media representations of the project in print and on television, as well as the internal training activities off‐limits to journalists, ‘Projekt Heroes’ both participates in and negotiates with the stigmatising tropes of media discourse because of the potential benefits media recognition offers the young people ‘Projekt Heroes’ serves.
Parameters influencing FVIII pharmacokinetics in patients with severe and moderate haemophilia A
Authors: Kepa S. , Horvath B. , Reitter‐Pfoertner S. , Schemper M. , Quehenberger P. , Grundbichler M. , Heistinger M. , Neumeister P. , Mannhalter C. , Pabinger I.
Published: January 2015

In haemophilia A patients factor VIII (FVIII) recovery and half‐life can vary substantially. There are parameters known to modulate FVIII pharmacokinetics (PK), but they explain only about 34% of the variability. The aim of this study was to identify new parameters that influence FVIII PK and thus to expand the current knowledge. FVIII PK were determined in 42 haemophilia A patients (37 severe, 5 moderate) without inhibitor. Patients' characteristics and laboratory parameters were evaluated for an association with FVIII PK. We analysed plasma levels of low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 (LRP1) and protein C (PC) activity, which had been hypothesized to influence FVIII activity. Furthermore, four variations in intron 6 of the LRP1 gene, which had been shown to influence LRP1, were investigated. FVIII half‐life differed widely from 6.2 to 20.7 h, with a median of 10.0 h. Patients with blood group O had shorter FVIII half‐life compared to patients with non‐O blood group (median FVIII half‐life 9.0 h vs. 10.4 h, P = 0.018). Age was significantly associated with FVIII half‐life (r = 0.32, P = 0.035). Besides age, also VWF antigen (r = 0.52, P < 0.001) and blood group (r = −0.37, P = 0.015) was associated with FVIII half‐life. No correlation was found with FVIII‐ or LRP1‐genotype, LRP1 or PC concentrations. Our data showed large differences in FVIII PK between individual patients and revealed age, blood group and VWF levels as important determining factors for FVIII half‐life. FVIII genotype or levels of LRP1 or PC had no influence on FVIII PK.
Cloxacillin‐induced seizure in a hemodialysis patient
Authors: El Nekidy Wasim , Dziamarski Nicole , Soong Derrick , Donaldson Christine , Ibrahim Muhieldean , Kadri Albert
Published: January 2015

We are reporting a cloxacillin‐induced seizure in a patient with stage 5 chronic kidney disease requiring hemodialysis. To our knowledge, there are no published case reports of seizures induced by parenteral cloxacillin in hemodialysis patients. A young hemodialysis female was admitted to the hospital with decreased level of consciousness. Blood cultures revealed methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus where cloxacillin 2 g intravenously every 4 hours was initiated. Head computed tomography (CT) was not significant. After 14 hours of cloxacillin therapy (4 doses), the patient demonstrated tonic/clonic seizure activity, where phenytoin and lorazepam were initiated. The anti‐seizure medications partially reduced seizure activity. Once the cloxacillin was discontinued, the seizures stopped. Two weeks later, all anti‐seizure medications were stopped with no further seizure activity. Cloxacillin elimination in hemodialysis patients is similar to patients with normal kidney function. Although cloxacillin does not significantly cross the blood–brain barrier, the correlation between the start of seizures and cloxacillin initiation was confirmed by the negative CT and blood chemistry laboratory results. Moreover, seizure activity was terminated upon discontinuation of cloxacillin. Although further investigation for the cause of such seizures is warranted, clinicians should use caution when giving high doses of cloxacillin in hemodialysis patients.
Statin utilisation patterns in older Australians living in residential care: 1‐year prevalence study
Authors: Gnjidic D. , Wilson N. , March L. , Cumming R. G. , Cameron I. D. , Hilmer S. N.
Published: January 2015

Despite controversy over the risks and benefits of statin therapy, statins continue to be commonly used medicines by older people. In a cohort study of participants aged ≥70 years (n = 540) living in residential care, Sydney, we found that the proportion of statin users decreased gradually from the baseline of 33.1% to 31.3% at 6 months (P = 0.13) and to 28.7% over 1 year (P = 0.002). Prevalence of statin use decreased with increasing age, with individuals aged ≥90 years being more likely to discontinue or deprescribe statins. The patterns of statin use did not change according to increasing baseline dose or baseline indication.
Synthesis of Ti2SC Phase Using Iron Disulfide or Iron Sulfide Post‐Treated with Acid
Authors: Chen Ke , Ye Qun , Zhou Jie , Shen Lu , Xue Jianming , Huang Qing
Published: January 2015

This study reports a viable method for the synthesis of Ti2SC phase using iron disulfide or iron sulfide as sulfur source and a post‐treatment with acid. The reaction routes to Ti2SC phases starting from two different chemical compositions of 2Ti–FeS2–2TiC and Ti–FeS–TiC were in detail explored and compared through the analysis of X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy results. Unlike the Ti–FeS–TiC composition, the reaction route from 2Ti–FeS2–2TiC composition contained an extra decomposition step in which FeS2transformed to activated FeS and released molecular state sulfur at temperature around 500°C. The latter at this temperature could successfully trigger the reaction of Ti–S–TiC to form Ti2SC phase, which was an analogous self‐propagating high‐temperature synthesis with a high transient temperature. On the contrary, only trace of Ti2SC phase could be obtained at temperature as high as 1200°C from the Ti–FeS–TiC composition. The main impurity phases from these iron disulfide reactant systems were Fe and FeS, and they could be easily purified by dissolution in H2SO4solution, which resulted in Ti2SC phase with a minor TiC phase in the final product.
Dehydrozingerone exerts beneficial metabolic effects in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice via AMPK activation in skeletal muscle
Authors: Kim Su Jin , Kim Hong Min , Lee Eun Soo , Kim Nami , Lee Jung Ok , Lee Hye Jeong , Park Na Yeon , Jo Joo Yeon , Ham Bo Young , Han Si Hyun , Park Sun Hwa , Chung Choon Hee , Kim Hyeon Soo
Published: January 2015

Dehydrozingerone (DHZ) exerts beneficial effects on human health; however, its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we found that DHZ suppressed high‐fat diet‐induced weight gain, lipid accumulation and hyperglycaemia in C57BL/6 mice and increased AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. DHZ activated p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling in an AMPK‐dependent manner. Inhibiting AMPK or p38 MAPK blocked DHZ‐induced glucose uptake. DHZ increased GLUT4 (major transporter for glucose uptake) expression in skeletal muscle. Glucose clearance and insulin‐induced glucose uptake increased in DHZ‐fed animals, suggesting that DHZ increases systemic insulin sensitivity in vivo. Thus, the beneficial health effects of DHZ could possibly be explained by its ability to activate the AMPK pathway in skeletal muscle.
Sun exposure profile in the French population. Results of the EDIFICE Melanoma survey
Authors: Sassolas B. , Grange F. , Touboul C. , Lebbe C. , Saiag P. , Mortier L. , Lhomel C. , Robert C.
Published: January 2015

Background

The incidence of melanoma is increasing worldwide, causing significant economic burden at community and individual levels. Ultraviolet radiation, from natural sunlight or artificial sources, is the main environmental, modifiable risk factor for melanoma.

Objectives

The present analysis assesses the profile of sun exposure in the French population as well as the level of awareness about ultraviolet risk and protection.

Methods

The survey was conducted via telephone interviews in September and October 2011. In total, 1502 respondents were questioned about their own sun exposure with the question “do you ever, even occasionally, spend time in the sun, during leisure‐time, vacation or your professional occupation?” They were also asked about sun protection measures used: protective clothing, a hat or sunscreen.

Results

More than three respondents out of four (78%) declared exposing themselves to the sun, with an average of 113 days per year. Of these, 38% did not use appropriate sun protection measures. We identified the following characteristics of individuals declaring high sun exposure: chiefly men under the age of 40, higher socio‐professional levels, and adults with no children. Individuals who make a poor use of protective measures are mostly men and of low educational levels. Individuals declaring low sun exposure were chiefly: women, individuals over the age of 60, and those with no professional activity. The high sun protection population comprises mostly: women, higher socio‐professional levels, with no specific age‐group profile.

Conclusions

Analysis of the EDIFICE Melanoma survey provides information about the attitudes of the French population towards sun exposure. The most frequent contexts of sun exposure and the associated socio‐demographic characteristics of the population with at‐risk attitudes regarding sun exposure are identified. This deeper insight into the profile of at‐risk populations will allow interventions to be more accurately targeted, thus potentially improving public health benefits.
Comparison of sun protection modalities in parents and children
Authors: Mortier L. , Lepesant P. , Saiag P. , Robert C. , Sassolas B. , Grange F. , Lhomel C. , Lebbe C.
Published: January 2015

Background

Routine sun protection is recommended to prevent skin cancer. The aims of the present analysis were to assess and compare modalities of sun protection in parents and their children.

Methods

EDIFICE Melanoma is a French nationwide observational survey. It was conducted through phone interviews among a representative sample of 1502 individuals aged ≥18 years, using the method of quotas. The survey took place shortly after the summer, from 28 September to 20 October 2011.

Results

Of the 1502 subjects interviewed, 1067 reported sun exposure (SE) at least 10 days per year, 748 were parents and 319 had no children. Sun protection measures seemed adequate in both the ‘parents’ and ‘non‐parents’ groups: 74% used clothing and 43% used sunscreen, which was reapplied regularly in 57% of cases. Sun protection measures used by SE parents for SE children were superior, both qualitatively and quantitatively, to those used for themselves, i.e., 50% of parents reported using clothing, sunglasses and hats for their children vs. 23% for themselves. In 87% of cases, parents reported regular re‐application of sunscreen for their children vs. 44% for themselves. The sunscreen SPF (Sun Protection Factor) was significantly lower for parents than for their children.

Conclusions

Sun protection awareness appears to be globally satisfactory in the French population, with no difference between adults who are parents and those who are not. From both qualitative and quantitative standpoints, French parents use sun protective measures more efficiently for their children than for themselves.
A Theory of the Nexus Supplier: A Critical Supplier From A Network Perspective
Authors: Yan Tingting , Choi Thomas Y. , Kim Yusoon , Yang Yang
Published: January 2015

We introduce a new type of critical supplier—the nexus supplier—that becomes evident when we consider suppliers from a network perspective. The extant literature focuses on the importance of strategic suppliers and identifies strategic suppliers as critical due to their significant impact on a buying firm's profit and risk position. These strategic suppliers are considered one‐at‐a‐time and tend to be top‐tier suppliers. In contrast, a nexus supplier can come from anywhere in a multitier supply network and is critical due to its network position and the resultant portfolio of interorganizational ties. In this study, we offer a theory of the nexus supplier by integrating the supply management and social network literature. The theory is presented in the form of typologies, which articulate three ideal types of nexus suppliers and how they distinctively influence a focal buying firm's operational performance. We use real‐world examples to build our arguments. We discuss implications of the nexus supplier for both theory and practice.
Do relatives like to stay closer? Spatial organization and genetic relatedness in a mountain roe deer population
Authors: Biosa D. , Grignolio S. , Sica N. , Pagon N. , Scandura M. , Apollonio M.
Published: January 2015

The fine‐scale genetic structure of mammal populations arises from the social and spatial behaviour of individuals. In wild ungulates gene flow is usually mediated by males, being the dispersing sex. The roe deer Capreolus capreolus represents an exception: males and females disperse in similar proportions as juveniles, but are subsequently mostly sedentary as adults, while mechanisms for inbreeding avoidance are more complex and not fully known. We investigated the seasonal variation in the relationship between genetic relatedness and spatial behaviour in a sample of 69 roe deer, monitored from 2002 to 2010 in a high‐density population in Italy. Genetic and spatial analyses, based on individual positions, did not reveal any population structure, neither in the whole sample, nor in the two sexes separately. Our results are coherent with the absence of a sex bias in roe deer dispersal and suggest the existence of a high gene flow across a continuous forest habitat, thus preventing the onset of population structuring at a local scale. We found that genetic relatedness tended to increase with home range proximity, but mostly in winter. Nevertheless, when the extent of overlap between seasonal home ranges with respect to genetic relatedness was considered, males and females seemed to preferably share their home range with relatives of the same sex, reducing the overlap with relatives of the opposite sex during the rutting period. We conclude that home range rearrangements during the breeding season may afford a certain level of spatial segregation between closely related potential mates, thus reducing inbreeding risk.
Taking the discovery approach in integrative taxonomy: decrypting a complex of narrow‐endemic Alpine harvestmen (Opiliones: Phalangiidae: Megabunus)
Authors: Wachter Gregor A. , Muster Christoph , Arthofer Wolfgang , Raspotnig Günther , Föttinger Petra , Komposch Christian , Steiner Florian M. , Schlick‐Steiner Birgit C.
Published: January 2015

Species delimitation is fundamental for biological studies, yet precise delimitation is not an easy task, and every involved approach has an inherent failure rate. Integrative taxonomy, a method that merges multiple lines of evidence, can profoundly contribute to reliable alpha‐taxonomy and shed light on the processes behind speciation. In this study, we explored and validated species limits in a group of closely related Megabunus harvestmen (Eupnoi, Phalangiidae) endemic to the European Alps. Without a priori species hypotheses, we used multiple sources of inference, including mitochondrial and multilocus nuclear DNA, morphometrics and chemistry. The results of these discovery approaches revealed morphological crypsis and multiple new species within two of the five hitherto known species. Based on our analyses, we discussed the most plausible evolutionary scenarios, invoked the most reasonable species hypotheses and validated the new species limits. Building upon the achieved rigour, three new species, Megabunus cryptobergomas Muster and Wachter sp. nov., Megabunus coelodonta Muster and Steiner sp. nov., and Megabunus lentipes Muster and Komposch sp. nov., are formally described. In addition, we provide a dichotomous morphological key to the Megabunus species of the Alps. Our work demonstrates the suitability of integrative, discovery‐based approaches in combination with validation approaches to precisely characterize species and enabled us to implement nomenclatural consequences for this genus.
Characterization of Helicobacter pylori HP0231 (DsbK): role in disulfide bond formation, redox homeostasis and production of Helicobacter cystein‐rich protein HcpE
Authors: Lester Jeffrey , Kichler Sari , Oickle Brandon , Fairweather Spencer , Oberc Alexander , Chahal Jaspreet , Ratnayake Dinath , Creuzenet Carole
Published: January 2015

Helicobacter pylori is a human gastric pathogen that colonizes ∼ 50% of the world's population. It can cause gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers and also gastric cancer. The numerous side effects of available treatments and the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains are severe concerns that justify further research into H. pylori's pathogenic mechanisms. H. pylori produces secreted proteins that may play a role in virulence, including the Helicobacter cysteine‐rich protein HcpE (aka HP0235). We demonstrate herein that HcpE is secreted in the culture supernatant both as a soluble protein and in association with outer membrane vesicles. We show that the structure of HcpE comprises an organized array of disulfide bonds. We identify DsbK (aka HP0231) as a folding factor necessary for HcpE production and secretion in H. pylori and show that recombinant DsbK can interact with and refold unprocessed, reduced HcpE in vitro. These experiments highlight the first biologically relevant substrate for DsbK. Furthermore, we show that DsbK has disulfide bond (Dsb) forming activity on reduced lysozyme and demonstrate a DsbA‐type of activity for DsbK upon expression in E. coli, despite its similarity with DsbG. Finally, we show a role of DsbK in maintaining redox homeostasis in H. pylori.
Molecular pathogenesis of cigarette smoking–induced stable COPD
Authors: Caramori Gaetano , Kirkham Paul , Barczyk Adam , Di Stefano Antonino , Adcock Ian
Published: January 2015

Inflammation is a central feature of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and involves both activation of structural cells of the airways and the lungs and the activation and/or recruitment of infiltrating inflammatory cells. This results in enhanced expression of many pro‐inflammatory proteins and reduced expression of some anti‐inflammatory mediators. An altered protein expression is generally associated with concomitant changes in gene expression profiles in a cell‐specific manner. Increased understanding of the role of transcription factors and of the signaling pathways leading to their activation in stable COPD will provide new targets to enable the development of potential anti‐inflammatory drugs. Several new compounds targeting these pathways and/or transcription factors are now in development for the treatment of stable COPD. Furthermore, glucocorticoids drugs already in clinical use act through their own transcription factor, the glucocorticoid receptor, to control the expression of inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory genes.
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. canariensis: evidence for horizontal gene transfer of putative pathogenicity genes
Authors: Laurence M. H. , Summerell B. A. , Liew E. C. Y.
Published: January 2015

Fusarium wilt is a serious disease of the date palm Phoenix canariensis, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. canariensis (Foc). A previous study that characterized and compared the genetic diversity of the Australian Foc population with international strains suggested that the Australian population may have had an independent evolutionary origin. The current study compared the species phylogeny of the Australian and international populations and determined that Foc is not monophyletic, separating into three supported lineages across the two phylogenetic species of the Fusarium oxysporum species complex. This confirms an independent evolutionary origin for Foc in Australia. However, phylogenetic analysis of the putative pathogenicity genes Secreted In Xylem (SIX) did not reveal any separation of the Australian and international Foc strains. Furthermore, there was very low SIX sequence diversity within Foc. Horizontal gene transfer is argued to be the most parsimonious explanation for the incongruence between the species and SIX gene phylogenies.
Proximity and Scientific Collaboration: Evidence from the Global Wine Industry
Authors: Cassi Lorenzo , Morrison Andrea , Rabellotti Roberta
Published: January 2015

International collaboration among researchers is a far from linear and straightforward process. Scientometric studies provide a good way of understanding why and how international research collaboration occurs and what are its costs and benefits. Our study investigates patterns of international scientific collaboration in a specific field: wine related research. We test a gravity model that accounts for geographical, cultural, commercial, technological, structural and institutional differences among a group of old world (OW) and new world (NW) producers and consumers. Our findings confirm the problems imposed by geographical and technological distance on international research collaboration. Furthermore, they show that similarity in trade patterns has a positive impact on international scientific collaboration. We also find that international research collaboration is more likely among peers; in other words, among wine producing countries that belong to the same group, for example, OW producers or newcomers to the wine industry,
SCINTIGRAPHIC TRACKING OF MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS AFTER PORTAL, SYSTEMIC INTRAVENOUS AND SPLENIC ADMINISTRATION IN HEALTHY BEAGLE DOGS
Authors: Spriet Mathieu , Hunt Geraldine B. , Walker Naomi J. , Borjesson Dori L.
Published: January 2015

Mesenchymal stem cells have been proposed to treat liver disease in the dog. The objective of this study was to compare portal, systemic intravenous and splenic injections for administration of mesenchymal stem cells to target the liver in healthy beagle dogs. Four healthy beagle dogs were included in the study. Each dog received mesenchymal stem cells via all three delivery methods in randomized order, 1 week apart. Ten million fat‐derived allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells labeled with Technetium‐99m (99mTc)‐hexamethyl‐propylene amine oxime(HMPAO) were used for each injection. Right lateral, left lateral, ventral, and dorsal scintigraphic images were obtained with a gamma camera equipped with a low‐energy all‐purpose collimator immediately after injection and 1, 6, and 24 h later. Mesenchymal stem cells distribution was assessed subjectively using all four views. Pulmonary, hepatic, and splenic uptake was quantified from the right lateral view, at each time point. Portal injection resulted in diffuse homogeneous high uptake through the liver, whereas the systemic intravenous injection led to mesenchymal stem cell trapping in the lungs. After splenic injection, mild splenic retention and high homogeneous diffuse hepatic uptake were observed. Systemic injection of mesenchymal stem cells may not be a desirable technique for liver therapy due to pulmonary trapping. Splenic injection represents a good alternative to portal injection. Scintigraphic tracking with 99mTc‐HMPAO is a valuable technique for assessing mesenchymal stem cells distribution and quantification shortly after administration. Data obtained at 24 h should be interpreted cautiously due to suboptimal labeling persistence.
Geons and Non-Accidental Relations in 2D Shape Abstraction: A BCI Study
Authors: Deshpande Akshay , Esfahani Ehsan T. , Rai Rahul
Published: January 2015

Simple line drawings and 2D sketches are commonly used by humans to convey their ideas about a particular shape or shapes in an image. These approximations of shapes are effective means for visual communication and artistic practices. The idea of shape abstraction can be derived from such approximations of shapes, which considers their most important and salient features. The key idea behind shape abstraction is to extract a simplified version of a shape that preserves the salient characteristics of the input shape. In this paper, we introduce and analyze a slightly different and novel facet of abstraction, which we call “partial to full shape recognition” of two dimensional shapes (line drawing and sketches). The key idea is recognizing partial 2D shapes that leads to recognition of full shape utilizing the theory of recognition-by-components (RBC) and geons (human shape perception). We segment the 2D shapes according to the non-accidental relations provided by RBC and analyze the electroencephalogram (EEG) brain activity of subjects using a brain computer interface (BCI) to gain knowledge of human understanding of such relations pertaining to specific partial to full shape correspondence.
Multi-Physics Simulation Based Design and Analysis of a High Speed Aerostatic Spindle and its Performance Assessment
Authors: Gao Siyu , Cheng Kai , Ding Hui
Published: January 2015

High speed aerostatic spindles operating at a speed up to 200,000 r/min are a complex product with a multi-physics nature resulted from embedded mechanical-thermal-fluidic-electromagnetic fields. It is much needed to have a comprehensive analysis on the multi-physic interactions within a high speed aerostatic spindle, which is essential for design of the spindles working at much higher speeds and accuracy in various increasingly stringent engineering conditions. This paper presents a multi-physics integrated modelling approach for design and analysis of the high speed aerostatic spindle, including thermal, electromagnetic, mechanical and fluidic analysis models. The heat source, heat transfer mechanism and heat sinks of the spindle system are comprehensively investigated. Furthermore, air film pressure distribution is studied to lead to optimal design and analysis of loading capacity and stiffness of the aerostatic bearings. The multi-physics modelling is implemented using the CFD-FEA integrated approach and validated experimentally. It is shown that the multi-physics integrated modelling is able to simulate the performance characteristics of the spindle system accurately.