bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling of unrest signals in heterogeneous hydrothermal systems
Authors: Todesco M. , Rinaldi A. P. , Bonafede M.
Published: September 2010

Monitoring of quiescent volcanoes, such as Campi Flegrei (Italy), involves the measurement of geochemical and geophysical parameters that are expected to change as eruptive conditions approach. Some of these changes are associated with the hydrothermal activity that is driven by the release of heat and magmatic fluids. This work focuses on the properties of the porous medium and on their effects on the signals generated by the circulating fluids. The TOUGH2 porous media flow model is applied to simulate a shallow hydrothermal system fed by a source of magmatic fluids. The simulated activity of the source, with periods of increased fluid discharge, generates changes in gas composition, gravity, and ground deformation. The same boundary conditions and source activity were applied to simulate the evolution of homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, characterized by different rock properties. Phase distribution, fluid composition, and the related signals depend on the nature and properties of the rock sequence through which the fluids propagate. Results show that the distribution of porosity and permeability affects all the observable parameters, controlling the timing and the amplitude of their changes through space and time. Preferential pathways for fluid ascent favor a faster evolution, with larger changes near permeable channels. Slower changes over wider areas characterize less permeable systems. These results imply that monitoring signals do not simply reflect the evolution of the magmatic system: intervening rocks leave a marked signature that should be taken into account when monitoring data are used to infer system conditions at depth.
Brain Water Mobility Decreases after Astrocytic Aquaporin-4 Inhibition Using RNA Interference
Authors: Badaut Jérôme , Ashwal Stephen , Adami Arash , Tone Beatriz , Recker Rebecca , Spagnoli David , Ternon Béatrice , Obenaus Andre
Published: September 2010

Neuroimaging with diffusion-weighted imaging is routinely used for clinical diagnosis/prognosis. Its quantitative parameter, the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), is thought to reflect water mobility in brain tissues. After injury, reduced ADC values are thought to be secondary to decreases in the extracellular space caused by cell swelling. However, the physiological mechanisms associated with such changes remain uncertain. Aquaporins (AQPs) facilitate water diffusion through the plasma membrane and provide a unique opportunity to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying water mobility. Because of this critical role and the recognition that brain AQP4 is distributed within astrocytic cell membranes, we hypothesized that AQP4 contributes to the regulation of water diffusion and variations in its expression would alter ADC values in normal brain. Using RNA interference in the rodent brain, we acutely knocked down AQP4 expression and observed that a 27% AQP4-specific silencing induced a 50% decrease in ADC values, without modification of tissue histology. Our results demonstrate that ADC values in normal brain are modulated by astrocytic AQP4. These findings have major clinical relevance as they suggest that imaging changes seen in acute neurologic disorders such as stroke and trauma are in part due to changes in tissue AQP4 levels.
Cell Death/Proliferation and Alterations in Glial Morphology Contribute to Changes in Diffusivity in the Rat Hippocampus after Hypoxia—Ischemia
Authors: Anderova Miroslava , Vorisek Ivan , Pivonkova Helena , Benesova Jana , Vargova Lydia , Cicanic Michal , Chvatal Alexandr , Sykova Eva
Published: September 2010

To understand the structural alterations that underlie early and late changes in hippocampal diffusivity after hypoxia/ischemia (H/I), the changes in apparent diffusion coefficient of water (ADCW) were studied in 8-week-old rats after H/I using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). In the hippocampal CA1 region, ADCW analyses were performed during 6 months of reperfusion and compared with alterations in cell number/cell-type composition, glial morphology, and extracellular space (ECS) diffusion parameters obtained by the real-time iontophoretic method. In the early phases of reperfusion (1 to 3 days) neuronal cell death, glial proliferation, and developing gliosis were accompanied by an ADCW decrease and tortuosity increase. Interestingly, ECS volume fraction was decreased only first day after H/I. In the late phases of reperfusion (starting 1 month after H/I), when the CA1 region consisted mainly of microglia, astrocytes, and NG2-glia with markedly altered morphology, ADCW, ECS volume fraction and tortuosity were increased. Three-dimensional confocal morphometry revealed enlarged astrocytes and shrunken NG2-glia, and in both the contribution of cell soma/processes to total cell volume was markedly increased/decreased. In summary, the ADCW increase in the CA1 region underlain by altered cellular composition and glial morphology suggests that considerable changes in extracellular signal transmission might occur in the late phases of reperfusion after H/I.
Thrombopoietin Protects the Brain and Improves Sensorimotor Functions: Reduction of Stroke-Induced MMP-9 Upregulation and Blood—Brain Barrier Injury
Authors: Zhou Jin , Li Jie , Rosenbaum Daniel M , Barone Frank C
Published: September 2010

This study was conducted to determine the protective efficacy and mechanisms of thrombopoietin (TPO) intervention in experimental focal stroke. Male rats underwent 2 hours of left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 22 hours of reperfusion. Vehicle or TPO (0.03 to 1.00 μg/kg) was administered intravenously immediately after reperfusion. Brain infarct and swelling, neurologic deficits, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), TPO and c-Mpl (TPO receptor) mRNA, MMP-9 enzyme activity and protein expression, and the integrity of the blood—brain barrier (BBB) were subsequently measured. MCAO reperfusion produced a large infarct and swelling after stroke. Thrombopoietin significantly reduced these in a dose-dependent manner. The most effective TPO dose, 0.1 μg/kg, when administrated immediately or 2 hours after reperfusion, significantly reduced infarct and swelling and ameliorated neurologic deficits after stroke. Stroke-induced increases in cortical MMP-9 mRNA, enzyme activity and protein expression, TIMP-1 mRNA, and Evans blue extravasation were reduced by TPO intervention. Thrombopoietin did not alter cortical TPO or c-Mpl mRNA expression, blood pressure, heart rate, blood hematocrit, or platelets. This is the first demonstration of TPO's efficacy in reducing ischemic brain injury and improving functional outcome, partly by inhibiting the stroke-induced increase in MMP-9 and the early, negative effects on the BBB.
‘Salvaged’ Stroke Ischaemic Penumbra Shows Significant Injury: Studies with the Hypoxia Tracer FMISO
Authors: Spratt Neil J , Donnan Geoffrey A , McLeod Damian D , Howells David W
Published: September 2010

The degree of cellular injury within the stroke ischaemic penumbra is controversial. Clinical and experimental studies using the hypoxia tracer fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) have shown retention of this tracer in the penumbra, but cellular outcome has not been well characterised. We hypothesised that macroscopically intact FMISO-retaining penumbral tissues would show evidence of microscopic injury, and that no FMISO retention would be seen in the infarct core. To determine the distribution of FMISO retention, a tritium-labelled tracer (hydrogen-3 FMISO ([3H]FMISO)) was administered 5 minutes after induction of 2-hour temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion. Coregistered brain histology and autoradiography at 24 hours revealed marked retention of FMISO within the infarct. However, 48% of the FMISO-retaining tissue was not infarcted. Within this noninfarcted tissue, only 27% (17 of 64) of sampled regions showed no evidence of neuronal loss, whereas 44% (28 of 64) showed injury to >50% of neurons within the sample. To determine whether FMISO retention occurred after the tissue was already committed to infarction, FMISO was administered 4 to 6 hours after the onset of permanent vessel occlusion. Intense FMISO retention was consistently seen throughout the infarct core. In conclusion, FMISO retention occurs both within the ischaemic penumbra and within the early infarct core. Most penumbral tissues show evidence of selective cellular injury.
A new tool to dissect the function of p70 S6 kinase
Authors: Bilanges Benoit , Vanhaesebroeck Bart
Published: September 2010

Developing small-molecule inhibitors that are highly selective for specific protein kinases has been and remains a serious challenge. This especially applies to members of families of related kinases with overlapping substrate specificities, such as the serine/threonine kinases of the AGC family. In this issue of the Biochemical Journal, Dario Alessi's group, in a collaboration with Pfizer, report on PF-4708671, a potent and highly selective inhibitor of S6K1 (p70 S6 kinase 1) in vitro and in cells. S6K1 is an AGC family member and a crucial effector of the mTORC1 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1) kinase. This is the first reported inhibitor that is highly selective for S6K1. This compound will help to understand the signalling and physiological roles of S6K1, and to dissect signalling downstream of mTORC1. S6K1 inhibitors may ultimately be useful in the treatment of diseases such as cancer where S6K1 is overexpressed, but most importantly in metabolic disease such as insulin resistance and obesity.
Revisiting the microtrabecular lattice
Authors: Clegg James S.
Published: September 2010

The ‘microtrabecular lattice’ (MTL) that Keith Porter described in the 1970s and 1980s is reconsidered as a proposed fundamental cytoplasmic structure of eukaryotic cells. Although considered to be an artefact by most cell biologists of his time (and probably ours), the case is made that something like the MTL may well exist, but in a much more dynamic form than images from electron microscopy imply and convey.
Uniaxial epsilon-near-zero metamaterial for angular filtering and polarization control
Authors: Alekseyev L. V. , Narimanov E. E. , Tumkur T. , Li H. , Barnakov Yu. A. , Noginov M. A.
Published: September 2010

We describe a unique class of metamaterials that exhibit strong uniaxial anisotropy with epsilon-zero response along the optical axis and which optical properties depend strongly on polarization. In an example of array of silver nanowires grown in anodic alumina membrane, the proposed singular uniaxial metamaterial is shown to function as a polarizer and narrowband angular transmittance filter.
Multispectral imaging of the ocular fundus using light emitting diode illumination
Authors: Everdell N. L. , Styles I. B. , Calcagni A. , Gibson J. , Hebden J. , Claridge E.
Published: September 2010

We present an imaging system based on light emitting diode (LED) illumination that produces multispectral optical images of the human ocular fundus. It uses a conventional fundus camera equipped with a high power LED light source and a highly sensitive electron-multiplying charge coupled device camera. It is able to take pictures at a series of wavelengths in rapid succession at short exposure times, thereby eliminating the image shift introduced by natural eye movements (saccades). In contrast with snapshot systems the images retain full spatial resolution. The system is not suitable for applications where the full spectral resolution is required as it uses discrete wavebands for illumination. This is not a problem in retinal imaging where the use of selected wavelengths is common. The modular nature of the light source allows new wavelengths to be introduced easily and at low cost. The use of wavelength-specific LEDs as a source is preferable to white light illumination and subsequent filtering of the remitted light as it minimizes the total light exposure of the subject. The system is controlled via a graphical user interface that enables flexible control of intensity, duration, and sequencing of sources in synchrony with the camera. Our initial experiments indicate that the system can acquire multispectral image sequences of the human retina at exposure times of 0.05 s in the range of 500–620 nm with mean signal to noise ratio of 17 dB (min 11, std 4.5), making it suitable for quantitative analysis with application to the diagnosis and screening of eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
Gel’fand–Zetlin basis and Clebsch–Gordan coefficients for covariant representations of the Lie superalgebra gl(m∣n)
Authors: Stoilova N. I. , Van der Jeugt J.
Published: September 2010

A Gel’fand–Zetlin basis is introduced for the irreducible covariant tensor representations of the Lie superalgebra gl(m∣n). Explicit expressions for the generators of the Lie superalgebra acting on this basis are determined. Furthermore, Clebsch–Gordan coefficients corresponding to the tensor product of any covariant tensor representation of gl(m∣n) with the natural representation V([1,0,…,0]) of gl(m∣n) with highest weight (1,0,…,0) are computed. Both results are steps for the explicit construction of the parastatistics Fock space.
Eigenkets of the q-deformed creation operator
Authors: Xu Ye-jun , Song Jun , Fan Hong-yi , Liu Qiu-yu
Published: September 2010

By using the contour integral representation of δ-function and the technique of integration within an ordered product of operators, we point out that the q-deformed creation operator possesses the eigenkets. A set of new completeness and orthogonality relations composed of the kets and bras which are not mutually Hermitian conjugates are derived. Application of the completeness relation in constructing the generalized P-representation of density operator is demonstrated.
Coupling electron-hole and electron-ion plasmas: Realization of an npn plasma bipolar junction phototransistor
Authors: Wagner C. J. , Tchertchian P. A. , Eden J. G.
Published: September 2010

Coupling e−–h+ and gas phase plasmas with a strong electric field across a potential barrier yields a transistor providing photosensitivity and voltage gain but also a light-emitting collector whose radiative output can be switched and modulated. This optoelectronic device relies on the correspondence between the properties of a low temperature, nonequilibrium plasma and those for the e−–h+ plasma in an n-type semiconductor. Hysteresis observed in the collector current-base current characteristics is attributed primarily to charge stored in the base, and the photogeneration of e−–h+ pairs at the base-collector junction. Extinguishing the collector plasma requires an emitter-base junction reverse bias of <1 V.
Stability studies of exchange bias field of Mn80Ir20/Co60Fe20B20 by network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance
Authors: Yang J. , Cardoso S. , Freitas P. P. , Devolder T. , Ruehrig M.
Published: September 2010

The stability of the exchange bias field Heb has been studied for Mn80Ir20/Co60Fe20B20 thin films by means of network analyzer ferromagnetic resonance. The results demonstrated that Heb decreases with increasing temperature. The observed variation in the magnitude of Heb and even a reversal in the sign of Heb as a function of time above room temperature can be interpreted by a thermally activated reversal of antiferromagnetic domains as evidenced by the linear dependence of Heb on ln t according to the Néel–Arrhenius law. Moreover, the correlation between the reversal of antiferromagnetic domains and the antiferromagnetic grain volume is obtained.
Mechanisms of x-ray emission from peeling adhesive tape
Authors: Constable E. , Horvat J. , Lewis R. A.
Published: September 2010

It has previously been reported that x-rays are emitted when adhesive tape is peeled in a vacuum but no account of the dependence of the x-ray emission on the pressure of the environment has been given to date. In this paper we present detailed experimental data on the number and angular distribution of x-ray photons as a function of pressure. We find that x-rays are emitted for pressures between p0=10−3 and p1=10−2 mBar, with ∼106 counts/(cm2 s) recorded by a 256×256 pixel2 silicon array sensor placed 35 mm from the tape. The main role of the tape is found to be the build-up of an acceleration potential sufficient to produce x-rays by bremsstrahlung of free electrons in a low-pressure gas. The source of the free electrons is the gas. Our model shows that the production rate of uncompensated tape charge and absorption of positive ions from the gas define p1. The angular distribution of the radiation shows a pressure-independent 20° wide peak in the direction perpendicular to electron motion. Ordinary bremsstrahlung cannot describe this peak.
Acoustic microstreaming for droplet breakup in a microflow-focusing device
Authors: Cheung Yin Nee , Qiu Huihe
Published: September 2010

This study reports on the breaking up of droplets which can be manipulated with acoustic fields. The oscillation of vortex in a breaking droplet is observed. The droplet size is dependent on the flow-rate combination of the two fluids as well as the frequency and power of the acoustic actuation. Acoustic microstreaming flow is observed in the dispersed phase at the cross-junction of the device. The microstreaming flow causes a stratified vortex flow structure within the dispersed phase. Two stratified vortex centers at the side poles of the droplet are found.
Effects of ewe size and nutrition during pregnancy on glucose metabolism, fat metabolism and adrenal function of postpubertal female twin offspring
Authors: van der Linden D. S. , Kenyon P. R. , Blair H. T. , Lopez-Villalobos N. , Jenkinson C. M. C. , Peterson S. W. , Mackenzie D. D. S.
Published: September 2010

Little is known about the long-term metabolic effects of maternal constraint on the offspring and whether a possible interaction of dam size and nutrition during gestation exists, affecting postnatal metabolic functions in the offspring. Four hundred and fifty heavy (H) (60.8 ± 0.18 kg) and 450 light (L) (42.5 ± 0.17 kg) Romney dams were allocated to ad libitum (A) or maintenance (M) nutritional regimens under New Zealand pastoral grazing conditions, from Day 21 to 140 after insemination. One week before lambing, all dams and offspring were managed as one group and provided with ad libitum feeding. At 16 months of age, female twin-born offspring (n = 12 per size by nutrition group) were catheterised and given intravenous insulin (0.15 IU/kg) (ITT), glucose (0.17 g/kg) (GTT) and epinephrine (1 μg/kg) (ETT) challenges to assess their glucose and fat metabolism and adrenal function. No effects of dam size or interactions between dam size and dam nutrition were found on glucose or fat metabolism or adrenal function. In response to the ETT, M-dam offspring showed greater (P < 0.05) peak glucose concentrations, increased (P < 0.05) glucose area under the curve and tended (P < 0.10) to have increased maximum change in glucose and non-esterified free fatty acid concentrations compared with A-ewes. No effects of dam nutrition were found on glucose tolerance, insulin resistance or adrenal function in response to GTT and ITT. In conclusion, dam size had no effect on glucose metabolism, adrenal function or fat metabolism in 16-month-old female twin offspring. Dam nutrition during pregnancy from Day 21 to 140 had no major effect on glucose metabolism, adrenal function or lipolysis; however, it did potentially affect gluconeogenesis and/or glycogenolysis, as increased glucose concentrations in ewes born to M-fed dams were observed in response to ETT. These results indicate that M-ewes could have an advantage over A-ewes in physiological stressful situations in life (e.g. pregnancy, lactation) as their liver may be able to supply more glucose to support their growing conceptus and milk production to increase the chances of survival of their offspring.
Effect of some plant extracts on growth performance, intestinal morphology, microflora composition and activity in broiler chickens
Authors: Vidanarachchi J. K. , Elangovan A. V. , Mikkelsen L. L. , Choct M. , Iji P. A.
Published: September 2010

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of water-soluble carbohydrate extracts from Cabbage tree (Cordyline australis), Acacia (Acacia pycnantha), and Undaria seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) (at 5 or 10 g/kg diet) on the performance and gut microbiota of broilers. The plant extracts had no negative effect on growth performance, except that a high level of Undaria extract in the diet suppressed the growth of broiler chicks. Ileal digesta viscosity was increased (P < 0.05) and apparent ileal digestibility of fat was depressed (P < 0.05) in birds fed the higher level of Undaria extract compared with the negative control. The plant extracts increased (P < 0.05) the numbers of lactobacilli in the ileum and caeca. The high levels of Acacia extract and Undaria extract significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the population of coliform bacteria in the ileum compared with the negative control group. The population of Clostridium perfringens in caeca, but not the ileum, was reduced (P < 0.05) by the plant extracts. An antibiotic positive control reduced the population of C. perfringens in both the ileum and caeca compared with the negative control group. The plant extracts altered microbial fermentation patterns in the ileum and caeca. The higher level of Undaria extract reduced villus height in the ileum while the antibiotic diet resulted in higher (P < 0.05) villus height and villus height : crypt depth ratio compared with the negative control group. The results of the study suggest that prebiotic plant extracts had no negative effect on performance of broilers except at a high level (10 g/kg diet) of Undaria extract. The plant extracts beneficially modulated the composition of the microflora in the ileum and caeca by increasing the number of lactobacilli and reducing harmful bacteria, such as potential pathogenic coliforms and C. perfringens.
Effects of dietary protein level and zinc oxide supplementation on performance responses and gastrointestinal tract characteristics in weaner pigs challenged with an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli
Authors: Heo J. M. , Kim J. C. , Hansen C. F. , Mullan B. P. , Hampson D. J. , Pluske J. R.
Published: September 2010

The interactive effects of dietary protein level, zinc oxide (ZnO) supplementation and infection with an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli (ETEC) on performance responses and gastrointestinal tract characteristics were examined. Ninety-six individually housed, 21-day-old pigs (1 : 1 gender ratio) with initial bodyweight (BW) of 7.2 ± 0.69 kg, were used in a split plot experiment, with the whole plot being challenge or no challenge with ETEC and the dietary treatments used as subplots and arranged in a completely randomised 2 × 2 factorial design, with the factors being (i) two dietary protein levels (251 versus 192 g/kg crude protein) and (ii) addition or no addition of 2.5 g/kg ZnO. No antibiotic was added to the diet. The ETEC infection decreased average daily gain (P < 0.001) and increased feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). Protein level had no effect on performance of pigs while ZnO supplementation increased (P < 0.001) average daily gain and average daily feed intake and hence decreased feed conversion ratio (P < 0.001). There were no 2- or 3-way interactions for growth performance indices (P > 0.05). Feeding a lower protein diet did not influence (P > 0.05) faecal volatile fatty acid concentrations. In non-infected pigs, feeding a lower protein diet caused a lower pH in the jejunum and ileum compared with pigs fed a higher protein diet (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). However, feeding ZnO-supplemented diets increased (P < 0.05) the pH in the stomach and caecum compared with feeding diets without ZnO supplementation. Protein level did not alter (P > 0.05) empty BW but dietary supplementation with ZnO increased empty BW (P < 0.05). Neither protein level nor ZnO supplementation modified small intestinal morphology, although a tendency for an interaction (P < 0.1) was detected for jejunal villous height between protein level and ZnO supplementation. The results indicate that feeding ZnO-supplemented diets improved pig performance, and feeding a lower protein diet without ZnO supplementation did not compromise performance nor modify measures of gastrointestinal tract structure and function compared with pigs fed a diet higher in protein after weaning.
Disrupted-in-schizophrenia
1 (DISC1) plays essential roles in mitochondria in collaboration with Mitofilin
Authors: Park Young-Un , Jeong Jaehoon , Lee Haeryun , Mun Ji Young , Kim Joung-Hun , Lee Jong Seo , Nguyen Minh Dang , Han Sung Sik , Suh Pann-Ghill , Park Sang Ki
Published: September 2010

Disrupted-in-schizophrenia
1 (DISC1) has emerged as a schizophrenia-susceptibility gene affecting various neuronal functions. In this study, we characterized Mitofilin, a mitochondrial inner membrane protein, as a mediator of the mitochondrial function of DISC1. A fraction of DISC1 was localized to the inside of mitochondria and directly interacts with Mitofilin. A reduction in DISC1 function induced mitochondrial dysfunction, evidenced by decreased mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase activities, reduced cellular ATP contents, and perturbed mitochondrial Ca
2+
dynamics. In addition, deficiencies in DISC1 and Mitofilin induced a reduction in mitochondrial monoamine oxidase-A activity. The mitochondrial dysfunctions evoked by the deficiency of DISC1 were partially phenocopied by an overexpression of truncated DISC1 that is associated with schizophrenia in human. DISC1 deficiencies induced the ubiquitination of Mitofilin, suggesting that DISC1 is critical for the stability of Mitofilin. Finally, the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by DISC1 deficiency was partially reversed by coexpression of Mitofilin, confirming a functional link between DISC1 and Mitofilin for the normal mitochondrial function. According to these results, we propose that DISC1 plays essential roles for mitochondrial function in collaboration with a mitochondrial interacting partner, Mitofilin.
A Crossover Intervention Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of a Chlorhexidine-Impregnated Sponge in Reducing Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections among Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis
Authors: Camins Bernard C. , Richmond Amy M. , Dyer Kathrin L. , Zimmerman Heather N. , Coyne Daniel W. , Rothstein Marcos , Fraser Victoria J.
Published: September 2010

Background.

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) account for the majority of hemodialysis-related infections. There are no published data on the efficacy of the chlorhexidine-impregnated foam dressing at reducing the rate of CRBSI among patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Design.

A prospective, nonblinded, crossover intervention trial to determine the efficacy of a chlorhexidine-impregnated foam dressing to reduce the rate of CRBSI among patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Setting.

Two outpatient dialysis centers.

Patients.

A total of 121 patients who underwent dialysis through tunneled central venous catheters received the intervention during the trial.

Methods.

The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of CRBSI. A nested cohort study of all patients who received the chlorhexidine-impregnated foam dressing was also conducted. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for development of CRBSI.

Results.

Thirty-seven CRBSIs occurred in the intervention group, for an incidence of 6.3 CRBSIs per 1,000 dialysis sessions, and 30 CRBSIs occurred in the control group, an incidence of 5.2 CRBSIs per 1,000 dialysis sessions (risk ratio, 1.22 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.75-1.97]; P = .46). The chlorhexidine-impregnated foam dressing was well tolerated, with only 2 patients (<2%) experiencing dermatitis that led to its discontinuation. The only independent risk factor for development of CRBSI was dialysis treatment at one dialysis center (adjusted odds ratio, 4.4 [95% CI, 1.77-13.65]; P = .002). Age of at least 60 years (adjusted odds ratio, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.09-0.82]; P = .02) was associated with lower risk of CRBSI.

Conclusions.

The use of a chlorhexidine-impregnated foam dressing did not decrease the incidence of CRBSI among patients with tunneled central venous catheters who were undergoing hemodialysis.
The study of surface photoconductive response in indium sulfide crystals
Authors: Wang Yi-Ping , Ho Ching-Hwa , Huang Ying-Sheng
Published: September 2010

The β-phase indium sulfide is a solar-energy absorption material with superior photoelectric conversion function applied in the near infrared to ultraviolet region due to a lot of vacant sites and surface states naturally existing in the crystals. In this study, the surface oxidation states of β-In2S3 single crystal have been characterized using surface photoconductive response (SPR) measurements in the temperature range between 30 and 300 K. In comparison with the traditional photoconductivity (PC) measurements, the SPR measurement characterizes a sample with an electric field perpendicular to the as-grown surface of β-In2S3, and this operation is similar to the general electric-field operation worked in a thin-film solar cell. There are a lot of defect, band-to-band, and surface-state transitions that can be detected in the temperature-dependent SPR spectra of 30–300 K. The defect transitions below band gap may come from the transitions of indium vacancies → sulfur vacancies in β-In2S3. The surface-state transitions are caused by higher-energy state transitions formed by β-In2S3−3x
O3x
. The intensities of some specific surface-state transitions are significantly enhanced in the SPR experiments as compared with those in the traditional PC measurements. The near-band-edge transitions below and above band gap of β-In2S3 are identified, and their temperature dependences of energy shift are analysed and discussed.
Charge build-up and re-distribution in SrTixNb1−xO3 quantum wells and TiO2–SrTiO3 heterostructure
Authors: Kwok H L
Published: September 2010

This work examined charge build-up and re-distribution in SrTi
x
Nb1−x
O3 quantum wells and TiO2–SrTiO3 heterostructure based on thermoelectric power data reported in the literature. In this work, we first identified the equations that best related charge density to the thermoelectric power. Using such equations together with a distributed model that accounted for the layered structure, we computed the charge densities in the two structures over a broad temperature range. Our findings suggested that charge migration from the quantum wells into the substrate was primarily governed by the barrier height at the interface. A very different charge density profile was observed in the heterostructure and the computed charge spread into the substrate was immense (of the order of hundreds of micrometres). By comparing such charge spread with values taken from samples when the TiO2 top layer had been removed, we arrived at the conclusion that it could not have originated from the interface and must have arisen from other sources such as oxygen vacancies (acting as donors) embedded during film deposition.
PZT Microfibre defect structure studied by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Kozielski L , Buixaderas E , Clemens F , Bujakiewicz-Korońska R
Published: September 2010

Raman-scattering spectroscopy on the microscale is proposed as a method to study the distribution of defects and existing vacancies in lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fibres during industrial processes to monitor the volumetric structural order within the fibre and to estimate the spatial phase transition degree from rhombohedral to tetragonal phase.

PZT fibres developed in two different sintering atmospheres, PbO and a mixture of PbZrO3 and ZrO2 (PZ+Z), were studied to determine optimal conditions for the production of defect-free PZT fibres. An estimation of defect distribution along the radius of the PZT fibres is presented using Raman spectroscopy and confirmed by x-ray-diffractometry measurements. The degradation of the spatial-mechanical properties is explained by structural changes produced by electrostatic interactions between Zr and Ti ions.
Eccentric electromagnetic superscatterer and high-directivity antenna
Authors: Zang Xiaofei , Jiang Chun
Published: September 2010

Based on the concept of complementary media, we propose a way to design an eccentric electromagnetic superscatterer, external cloak and high-directivity antenna. All these three designs are achieved by coating with a complementary media shell without rotational symmetry. The required material properties of these devices are derived in terms of the geometrical parameters and the coordinates in the transformed system. Full-wave finite-element simulations for the two-dimensional cases are performed to illustrate the designs.
SLOPE: a quick and accurate method for locating non-SNP structural variation from targeted next-generation sequence data
Authors: Abel Haley J. , Duncavage Eric J. , Becker Nils , Armstrong Jon R. , Magrini Vincent J. , Pfeifer John D.
Published: September 2010

Motivation: Targeted ‘deep’ sequencing of specific genes or regions is of great interest in clinical cancer diagnostics where some sequence variants, particularly translocations and indels, have known prognostic or diagnostic significance. In this setting, it is unnecessary to sequence an entire genome, and target capture methods can be applied to limit sequencing to important regions, thereby reducing costs and the time required to complete testing. Existing ‘next-gen’ sequencing analysis packages are optimized for efficiency in whole-genome studies and are unable to benefit from the particular structure of targeted sequence data.

Results: We developed SLOPE to detect structural variants from targeted short-DNA reads. We use both real and simulated data to demonstrate SLOPE's ability to rapidly detect insertion/deletion events of various sizes as well as translocations and viral integration sites with high sensitivity and low false discovery rate.

Availability: Binary code available at http://www-genepi.med.utah.edu/suppl/SLOPE/index.html

Contact:  haley@genepi.med.utah.edu
Improved pharmacological therapy of chronic heart failure in primary care: a randomized Study of NT‐proBNP Guided Management of Heart Failure – SIGNAL‐HF (Swedish Intervention study – Guidelines and NT‐proBNP AnaLysis in Heart Failure)
Authors: Persson Hans , Erntell Hans , Eriksson Björn , Johansson Gunilla , Swedberg Karl , Dahlström Ulf
Published: September 2010

Aims

Treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF) guided by natriuretic peptides has been studied in clinical trials with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to investigate if N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP)‐guided therapy in symptomatic heart failure patients in primary care would improve clinical outcomes over and above treatment according to guidelines.

Methods and results

SIGNAL‐HF was a 9 month, randomized, single‐blind, parallel group study in patients with CHF in NYHA class II–IV, ejection fraction (EF) <50% and elevated NT‐proBNP levels (males >800, females >1000 ng/L). All investigators underwent a pre‐study educational programme about current CHF guidelines. A control group managed by non‐trained investigators was considered not possible for ethical and practical reasons. Patients were randomized to structured treatment of CHF according to guidelines with or without NT‐proBNP monitoring. The choice and dose of therapy for CHF was at the investigator's discretion. The primary outcome variable was the composite endpoint of days alive, days out of hospital, and symptom score from the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire.

In all, 252 patients were randomized. The allocation groups were well balanced with regards to age, NT‐proBNP, and EF. Treatment doses of beta‐blockers and blockers of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system were markedly increased towards target doses and to a similar degree in both groups. There were no differences between the groups concerning either the primary endpoint (P = 0.28) or its components [cardiovascular (CV) death, P = 0.93; CV hospitalization, P = 0.88; or symptom score, P = 0.28].

Conclusion

NT‐proBNP‐guided CHF treatment did not result in important improvements in clinical outcomes in patients with CHF in primary care above and beyond what could be achieved by education and structured CHF treatment according to guidelines.
Genome-wide association study for adiponectin levels in Filipino women identifies CDH13 and a novel uncommon haplotype at KNG1–ADIPOQ
Authors: Wu Ying , Li Yun , Lange Ethan M. , Croteau-Chonka Damien C. , Kuzawa Christopher W. , McDade Thomas W. , Qin Li , Curocichin Ghenadie , Borja Judith B. , Lange Leslie A. , Adair Linda S. , Mohlke Karen L.
Published: September 2010

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-secreted protein involved in a variety of metabolic processes, including glucose regulation and fatty acid catabolism. We conducted a genome-wide association study to investigate the genetic loci associated with plasma adiponectin in 1776 unrelated Filipino women from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey (CLHNS). Our strongest signal for adiponectin mapped to the gene CDH13 (rs3865188, P ≤ 7.2 × 10−16), which encodes a receptor for high-molecular-weight forms of adiponectin. Strong association was also detected near the ADIPOQ gene (rs864265, P = 3.8 × 10−9) and at a novel signal 100 kb upstream near KNG1 (rs11924390, P = 7.6 × 10−7). All three signals were also observed in 1774 young adult CLHNS offspring and in combined analysis including all 3550 mothers and offspring samples (all P ≤ 1.6 × 10−9). An uncommon haplotype of rs11924390 and rs864265 (haplotype frequency = 0.050) was strongly associated with lower adiponectin compared with the most common C–G haplotype in both CLHNS mothers (P = 1.8 × 10−25) and offspring (P = 8.7 × 10−32). Comprehensive imputation of 2653 SNPs in a 2 Mb region using as reference combined CHB, JPT and CEU haplotypes from the 1000 Genomes Project revealed no variants that perfectly tagged this haplotype. Our findings provide the first genome-wide significant evidence of association with plasma adiponectin at the CDH13 locus and identify a novel uncommon KNG1–ADIPOQ haplotype strongly associated with adiponectin levels in Filipinos.
Winter migration and diving behaviour of porbeagle shark, Lamna nasus, in the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: Saunders Ryan A. , Royer François , Clarke Maurice W.
Published: September 2010

Saunders, R. A., Royer, F., and Clarke, M. W. 2011. Winter migration and diving behaviour of porbeagle shark, Lamna nasus, in the Northeast Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 166–174. The porbeagle is one of the top marine predators in the North Atlantic. However, little is known about its biology, abundance, or spatial ecology there. Results are presented on the migration and behaviour of three porbeagles tagged with archival pop-up tags off Ireland between September 2008 and January 2009. One shark migrated >2400 km to the northwest of Morocco, residing around the Bay of Biscay for approximately 30 days. The other two remained more localized in off-shelf regions around the Celtic Sea/Bay of Biscay and off western Ireland. The sharks occupied a broad vertical depth range (0–700 m) and a relatively limited temperature range (∼9–17°C), with notable variations in diving behaviour between individual sharks. There were distinct day–night differences in depth distribution, each shark being positioned higher in the water column by night than by day. Night-time depth distribution also appeared to be driven by the lunar cycle during broad-scale migration through oceanic waters. Our results show that porbeagles occupy and traverse regions of high fishing activity where they are potentially vulnerable to population depletion. Such large-scale movement outside the ICES Area underlines the need for international coordination in their assessment and management.
Metazoan parasites of swordfish, Xiphias gladius (Pisces: Xiphiidae) from the Atlantic Ocean: implications for host stock identification
Authors: Garcia Alexandra , Mattiucci Simonetta , Damiano Simone , Santos Miguel N. , Nascetti Giuseppe
Published: September 2010

Garcia, A., Mattiucci, S., Damiano, S., Santos, M. N., and Nascetti, G. 2011. Metazoan parasites of swordfish, Xiphias gladius (Pisces: Xiphiidae) from the Atlantic Ocean: implications for host stock identification. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 175–182. The metazoan parasite fauna composition of the swordfish Xiphias gladius is reported from 157 fish caught in four areas of the Atlantic Ocean: northwest (NW), central north (CN), eastern tropical (ET), and central south (CS). Samples were collected in 2003, 2006, and 2007. In all, 18 parasite taxa were identified by morphological and genetic methods. These data, together with earlier analyses from the tropical equatorial (TEQ) Atlantic revealed the association of some parasite taxa with distinct areas based on their presence/absence and infection levels. Hysterothylacium corrugatum (s.l.) and Rhadinorhynchus pristis were mostly associated with swordfish caught in the NW, and Anisakis paggiae and H. incurvum with fish caught in the southern areas (ET, TEQ, and CS). Anisakis simplex (s.s.) could be used as a marker for all northern samples. Parasitological data on Atlantic swordfish seem to support the existence of at least two discrete stocks in the Atlantic, supporting swordfish genetic stock structure.
Distribution of Granule Channels, Protein, and Phospholipid in Triticale and Corn Starches as Revealed by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy
Authors: Naguleswaran Sabaratnam , Li Jihong , Vasanthan Thava , Bressler David
Published: September 2010

The morphology and microstructure of starch granules from two cultivars of triticale and from normal corn were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Compared to numerous pores distributed randomly on the surfaces of corn starch granules, markedly fewer pores were observed on the surfaces of starch granules isolated from Pronghorn triticale, and even fewer on the surfaces of starch granules isolated from Ultima triticale. CLSM with fluorescence staining revealed that starch‐associated protein was predominately distributed on the granule surface and in the internal channels of both triticale and corn starches. However, after triticale starch was treated with SDS or SO2, the radially oriented, protein‐filled internal channels of the granules were observed more frequently and extended to the central region of granules. Phospholipid was located mainly on the granule surface but also in channels and throughout granules in triticale starches, whereas in corn starch granules, it was mainly in the channels. The amount of protein and phospholipid in chemically and protease‐treated starches varied with starch source and treatment conditions. In treated triticale starches, the nitrogen content was positively correlated with the phosphorus content, indicating a close association between protein and phospholipid within starch granules. Starch‐associated protein and phospholipid may play an important role in maintaining the structural stability of both the granule surface and the internal channels.
Genetic Basis for the Hierarchical Interaction Between Tobamovirus spp. and L Resistance Gene Alleles from Different Pepper Species
Authors: Tomita Reiko , Sekine Ken-Taro , Mizumoto Hiroyuki , Sakamoto Masaru , Murai Jun , Kiba Akinori , Hikichi Yasufumi , Suzuki Kazumi , Kobayashi Kappei
Published: September 2010

The pepper L gene conditions the plant's resistance to Tobamovirus spp. Alleles L1, L2, L3, and L4 confer a broadening spectra of resistance to different virus pathotypes. In this study, we report the genetic basis for the hierarchical interaction between L genes and Tobamovirus pathotypes. We cloned L3 using map-based methods, and L1, L1a, L1c, L2, L2b, and L4 using a homology-based method. L gene alleles encode coiled-coil, nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-type resistance proteins with the ability to induce resistance response to the viral coat protein (CP) avirulence effectors by themselves. Their different recognition spectra in original pepper species were reproduced in an Agrobacterium tumefaciens–mediated transient expression system in Nicotiana benthamiana. Chimera analysis with L1, which showed the narrowest recognition spectrum, indicates that the broader recognition spectra conferred by L2, L2b, L3, and L4 require different subregions of the LRR domain. We identified a critical amino acid residue for the determination of recognition spectra but other regions also influenced the L genes' resistance spectra. The results suggest that the hierarchical interactions between L genes and Tobamovirus spp. are determined by the interaction of multiple subregions of the LRR domain of L proteins with different viral CP themselves or some protein complexes including them.
AVR1-CO39 Is a Predominant Locus Governing the Broad Avirulence of Magnaporthe oryzae 2539 on Cultivated Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Zheng Yan , Zheng Wenhui , Lin Fucheng , Zhang Ying , Yi Yunping , Wang Baohua , Lu Guodong , Wang Zonghua , Wu Weiren
Published: September 2010

Magnaporthe oryzae 2539 was previously found to be avirulent to most rice cultivars and, therefore, was assumed to carry many avirulence (AVR) genes. However, only one AVR gene, AVR1-CO39, which corresponds to a resistance (R) gene Pi-CO39(t) in rice cv. CO39, has been found from 2539 thus far. In order to identify more AVR genes, we isolated 228 progeny strains from a cross between 2539 and Guy11, an M. oryzae strain with strong virulence on rice, and inoculated these strains onto 23 rice accessions (22 individual cultivars and a mixture of 14 cultivars) that are all resistant to 2539 but susceptible to Guy11. Unexpectedly, the experimental results indicated that the avirulence of 2539 on these rice cultivars appeared to be controlled only by the AVR1-CO39 locus. Consistent with this result, we further found that all except one of the rice cultivars were resistant to two transformed Guy11 strains carrying a 1.05-kb fragment containing the AVR1-CO39 gene from 2539. These results suggest that AVR1-CO39 is a predominant locus controlling the broad avirulence of 2539 on cultivated rice. Based on the results of this study and other previous studies, we infer that AVR1-CO39 is a species-wise rather than a cultivar-wise host-specific AVR locus of M. oryzae for rice.
Barriers to Gene Flow Between Emerging Populations of Watermelon mosaic virus in Southeastern France
Authors: Joannon B. , Lavigne C. , Lecoq H. , Desbiez C.
Published: September 2010

Since 1999, “emerging” (EM) strains of Watermelon mosaic virus (WMV) have been detected in cucurbit crops of southeastern France, probably as a result of recent introductions. Population genetic approaches were used to study the structure of EM isolates in southeastern France and to identify factors involved in their spatial distribution. A population clustering method (SAMOVA) and a maximum-difference algorithm (Monmonier's algorithm) were combined to visualize and quantify barriers to gene flow between populations. Both methods yielded similar results and two main barriers were identified. A North/South oriented barrier may be related to physical obstacles to gene flow (Rhône River, presence of an area with few cucurbit crops). Although the barrier was very strong, some “crossing” events were detected. A second barrier, oriented Northwest to Southeast, was not correlated with obvious geographical features. The two methods used here are complementary and confirm the limited spread of WMV-EM isolates. This approach can be useful in epidemiology studies to characterize the structure of viral populations and identify barriers to gene flow.