bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The bacterial quorum sensing signal 2’-aminoacetophenone rewires immune cell bioenergetics through the Ppargc1a/Esrra axis to mediate tolerance to infection
Authors: Chakraborty Arijit , Bandyopadhaya Arunava , Singh Vijay K , Kovacic Filip , Cha Sujin , Oldham William M , Tzika A Aria , Rahme Laurence G
Published: June 2024

How bacterial pathogens exploit host metabolism to promote immune tolerance and persist in infected hosts remains elusive. To achieve this, we show that Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), a recalcitrant pathogen, utilizes the quorum sensing (QS) signal 2’-aminoacetophenone (2-AA). Here, we unveil how 2-AA-driven immune tolerization causes distinct metabolic perturbations in murine macrophages’ mitochondrial respiration and bioenergetics. We present evidence indicating that these effects stem from decreased pyruvate transport into mitochondria. This reduction is attributed to decreased expression of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (Mpc1), which is mediated by diminished expression and nuclear presence of its transcriptional regulator, estrogen-related nuclear receptor alpha (Esrra). Consequently, Esrra exhibits weakened binding to the Mpc1 promoter. This outcome arises from the impaired interaction between Esrra and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (Ppargc1a). Ultimately, this cascade results in diminished pyruvate influx into mitochondria and, consequently reduced ATP production in tolerized murine and human macrophages. Exogenously added ATP in infected macrophages restores the transcript levels of Mpc1 and Esrra and enhances cytokine production and intracellular bacterial clearance. Consistent with the in vitro findings, murine infection studies corroborate the 2-AA-mediated long-lasting decrease in ATP and acetyl-CoA and its association with PA persistence, further supporting this QS signaling molecule as the culprit of the host bioenergetic alterations and PA persistence. These findings unveil 2-AA as a modulator of cellular immunometabolism and reveal an unprecedented mechanism of host tolerance to infection involving the Ppargc1a/Esrra axis in its influence on Mpc1/OXPHOS-dependent energy production and PA clearance. These paradigmatic findings pave the way for developing treatments to bolster host resilience to pathogen-induced damage. Given that QS is a common characteristic of prokaryotes, it is likely that 2-AA-like molecules with similar functions may be present in other pathogens.
Detection of malicious nodes based on consortium blockchain
Authors: Luo Song , Lai Lianghai , Hu Tan , Hu Xin
Published: June 2024

With the development of technology, more and more devices are connected to the Internet. According to statistics, Internet of Things (IoT) devices have reached tens of billions of units, which forms a massive Internet of Things system. Social Internet of Things (SIoT) is an essential extension of the IoT system. Because of the heterogeneity present in the SIoT system and the limited resources available, it is facing increasing security issues, which hinders the interaction of SIoT information. Consortium chain combined with the trust problem in SIoT systems has gradually become an important goal to improve the security of SIoT data interaction. Detection of malicious nodes is one of the key points to solve the trust problem. In this article, we focus on the consortium chain network. According to the information characteristics of nodes on the consortium chain, it can be analyzed that the SIoT malicious node detection combined with the consortium chain network should have the privacy protection, subjectivity, uncertainty, lightweight, dynamic timeliness and so on. In response to the features above and the concerns of existing malicious node detection methods, we propose an algorithm based on inter-block delay. We employ unsupervised clustering algorithms, including K-means and DBSCAN, to analyze and compare the data set intercepted from the consortium chain. The results indicate that DBSCAN exhibits the best clustering performance. Finally, we transmit the acquired data onto the chain. We conclude that the proposed algorithm is highly effective in detecting malicious nodes on the combination of SIoT and consortium chain networks.
Effectiveness of Intellectual Memory Recall and Multifaceted Distraction Techniques in Reducing Anxiety among Children during Radiovisiography: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Authors: Nikitha Janipalli , Jayalakshmi Pandranki , Chandrabhatla Srinivas Kumar
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Dental anxiety is anticipatory in nature, and the manifestation of the anxiety is due to uncertainty about a future threat and the inability to mitigate or avoid it. Distraction with a multisensory approach aids in better managing the anxious child. Aim: To compare the efficiency of two different play techniques, namely Intellectual Memory Recall (IMR) game and Multifaceted Distraction (MFD) game, in reducing procedural anxiety during Radiovisiography (RVG) among 4 to 10-year-old children. Materials and Methods: It was a randomised clinical study conducted in the Department of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, GITAM Dental College and Hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India from July 2023 to September 2023 with a sample size of 90 children selected based on baseline anxiety using the Modified Faces version of the Modified Child Dental Anxiety Scale (MCDASf). The children were randomly allocated into three groups: Group IMR (n=30), Group MFD technique (n=30), and the control group-Tell Show Do (TSD) (n=30). The pre- and postprocedural anxiety of the children was measured using the RMS Pictorial Scale. The obtained readings were tabulated, and anxiety variation was statistically analysed using the student t-test (intragroup comparison) and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) (intergroup comparison). The frequency of anxiety reduction among children was analysed using the Chisquare test. Results: Total 90 chidren {males-38(42.22%) and females52(57.78%)} with a mean age of 7.09±1.68 years were found eligible and participated in the study. The Multifaceted Distraction (MFD) Technique was the most effective and significantly reduced anxiety in 96.67% of children (n=29), followed by IMR (n=27; 86.67%), and TSD (56.67%). Conclusion: Both the MFD and IMR techniques have been found to be efficient in reducing procedural anxiety compared to the TSD technique. These techniques are cost-effective and easily understood by all children, making them potential alternatives to conventional behavioural guidance methods.
A Prospective Clinical Audit to Strengthen the Clinical Practices Affecting the Incidence of New-onset Atrial Fibrillation after Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Dhami Kartik , Soni Kunal , Panesar Gurpreet , Tiwari Manish
Published: June 2024

Introduction: New-onset Atrial Fibrillation (AF) carries significant morbidity and mortality risk for postoperative patients. Clinical practice guidelines aimed at preventing it are beneficial, with protocols in place to prevent deviations from the standard. Aim: To improve or strengthen the clinical practices that impact the incidence of new-onset AF after off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). Materials and Methods: The present prospective clinical audit was conducted in the Department of Cardiac Anaesthesiology, Bhanubhai Madhuben Patel Cardiac Centre, Bhaikaka University, Anand, Gujarat, India, from January 2021 to June 2021. Study included 50 consecutive patients undergoing off-pump CABG surgery. The monitored standards included the continuation of betablocker therapy in the preoperative period, restarting them in the immediate postoperative period, and maintaining serum potassium (S.K+) within the range of 3.5-5.5 mEq/L. The incidence of AF was also noted. The data were analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results: The audit included a total of 50 patients, with 36 males with a mean age of 58.72 years, and 14 females with a mean age of 60.07 years. Preoperative beta-blocker/Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) therapy on the day of surgery was administered to 45 (90%) patients, while restarting beta-blockers in the immediate postoperative period was done for 49 (98%) patients. S.K+ levels were maintained within the range in 31 (62%) patients. The last standard was reaudited, and compliance was achieved in 39 (78%) patients. New-onset AF occurred in 4 (8%) and 5 (10%) patients in the audit and reaudit samples, respectively. Conclusion: Clinical audit is a process that helps to identify the lacunae in clinical practices that affect patient outcomes. In the current study, clinical audits have aided in measuring compliance with different clinical practices, as per Institutional protocols. They have also assisted in increasing compliance with clinical practices where measured compliance was below the targeted goal.
AS PRINCIPAIS DEFICIÊNCIAS APONTADAS NA ETAPA DE CHECK LIST DOS ESTUDOS DE IMPACTO AMBIENTAL (EIAs) DE RODOVIAS
Authors: Santana Elivaldo Ribeiro de , Ribeiro Elaine Nolasco
Published: June 2024

A qualidade de um EIA pode ser descrita pela sua completude. A verificação da qualidade dos estudos ambientais é realizada pelo órgão federal de licenciamento ambiental, iniciada na etapa de check list. Os estudos podem ser rejeitados e devolvidos para complementações, constituindo um fator agravante que pode ocasionar atrasos na análise dos processos de licenciamento. O objetivo deste estudo foi: 1) sistematizar o tempo de duração da etapa de check list; e 2) examinar as principais falhas dos estudos apontadas na etapa de check list do EIA de estruturas rodoviárias. Quatro processos de licenciamento prévio de rodovias foram selecionados e analisados por meio de análise documental com apoio da análise de conteúdo. Os resultados indicaram que a etapa de check list é marcada por constantes devoluções dos estudos para complementações e leva cento e quarenta e seis dias para ser concluída, portanto, não é efetiva. Foram identificados cento e vinte e nove itens faltantes, distribuídos por nove categorias responsáveis pelo fraco desempenho dos EIAs. Os principais problemas ocorrem no diagnóstico ambiental, seguidos pela identificação do empreendedor e empresas de consultoria, as medidas mitigadoras, compensatórias e programas ambientais e as alternativas tecnológicas e locacionais.
AVALIAÇÃO DO IMPACTO HIDROLÓGICO DE TÉCNICAS COMPENSATÓRIAS EM UM LOTEAMENTO RESIDENCIAL
Authors: Garcia Barros Juliana , Rodrigues Gustavo Gutierrez de Oliveira , Salamoni Natália , Rohden Abrahão Bernardo
Published: June 2024

Em virtude de desenvolvimento urbano, alterações nos terrenos naturais, atrelado aos problemas de ordem física, identificaram-se intercorrências inerentes aos impactos ambientais com grande percepção. O uso de grandes faixas territoriais, principalmente para construções de edificações tem gerado efeitos diretos no escoamento superficial das cidades. Diante disto, propor técnicas e alternativas para minimizar tais impactos adversos é uma das bases principais de estudos da hidrologia moderna. Neste sentido, objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto hidráulico e hidrológico de técnicas compensatórias em um loteamento residencial localizado no município de Blumenau/SC. Neste sentido, utilizou-se o método racional para obter a vazão de pico e elaboração do hidrograma do loteamento implantado. De posse dessas informações, aplicou-se o método de Puls com base na vazão encontrada e foram pré-estabelecidas dimensões para o reservatório, constatando-se a possível eficiência do reservatório. Os reservatórios pré-estabelecidos não atenderam na primeira fase de implantação e com base nas interações realizadas, encontraram-se dimensões compatíveis para a sua aplicação. Observou-se que o uso de reservatórios é uma alternativa viável, mas que de forma isolada demanda vastas áreas para a sua aplicação ser eficiente.
Perceived Constraints and Strategic Recommendations by Commercial Dairy Farmers in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Somtiya Arpit , Naberia Seema , Rajan Parvez , Shrivastava Ashutosh , Singh Umesh
Published: June 2024

The present study was undertaken to find out the constraints faced by the commercial dairy farmers in adoption of advance dairy production practices. The Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh was specifically chosen for the study because it is regarded as a centre for commercial dairy farmers and has a well-established infrastructure for the development of the dairy industry. The sample consisted of 203 responders in total. The research findings revealed that the main constraints mentioned by commercial dairy farmers were the unavailability of green fodder year-round, low conception rates through artificial insemination, high cost of veterinary treatment, and low milk prices relative to production costs. Farmers suggest solutions such as increasing milk prices in proportion to feed and service costs, standardize labour costs, reducing feed material costs, and improving access to veterinary services and innovative technologies. Providing suitable solutions can improve dairy farming practices, enhance productivity, and support the economic well-being of dairy farmers
Palladium‐Catalyzed Allylic Alkylation of Doubly Deprotonated Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Braun Manfred , Meletis Panos , Visse Robin
Published: December 2011

Doubly deprotonated carboxylic acids undergo smooth palladium‐catalyzed carbon alkylations with the allylic substrates methyl allyl carbonate and (E)‐methyl (pent‐3‐en‐2‐yl) carbonate to give γ,δ‐unsaturated carboxylic acids. A diastereoselective and enantioselective protocol leads to (2S,3R)‐hexenoic acid in 87% ee.
User‐Friendly [(Diglyme)NiBr2]‐Catalyzed Direct Alkylations of Heteroarenes with Unactivated Alkyl Halides through CH Bond Cleavages
Authors: Ackermann Lutz , Punji Benudhar , Song Weifeng
Published: December 2011

A nitrogen and phosphorus ligand‐free catalytic system derived from inexpensive [(diglyme)NiBr2] allowed for efficient direct CH bond alkylations of heteroarenes with unactivated β‐hydrogen‐containing alkyl halides under basic reaction conditions.
Controlled Synthesis and Energy Applications of One‐Dimensional Conducting Polymer Nanostructures: An Overview
Authors: Yin Zhigang , Zheng Qingdong
Published: December 2011

The past decade has witnessed increasing attention in the synthesis, properties, and applications of one‐dimensional (1D) conducting polymer nanostructures. This overview first summarizes the synthetic strategies for various 1D nanostructures of conjugated polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (PANI), polythiophene (PTh), poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) (PPV) and derivatives thereof. By using template‐directed or template‐free methods, nanoscale rods, wires/fibers, belts/ribbons, tubes, arrays, or composites have been successfully synthesized. With their unique structures and advantageous characteristics (e.g., high conductivity, high carrier mobility, good electrochemical activity, large specific surface area, short and direct path for charge/ion transportation, good mechanical properties), 1D conducting polymer nanostructures are demonstrated to be very useful for energy applications. Next, their applications in solar cells, fuel cells, rechargeable lithium batteries, and electrochemical supercapacitors are highlighted, with a strong emphasis on recent literature examples. Finally, this review ends with a summary and some perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in this emerging area of research.
Active involvement of alarmins S100A8 and S100A9 in the regulation of synovial activation and joint destruction during mouse and human osteoarthritis
Authors: van Lent Peter L. E. M. , Blom Arjen B. , Schelbergen Rik F. P. , Slöetjes Annet , Lafeber Floris P. J. G. , Lems Willem F. , Cats Hans , Vogl Thomas , Roth Johannes , van den Berg Wim B.
Published: December 2011

Objective

To investigate whether alarmins S100A8 and S100A9 are involved in mediating cartilage destruction during murine and human osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Two different murine models of OA that differed in terms of synovial activation were compared. Cartilage destruction was measured histologically. Synovial biopsy and serum samples from OA patients were derived from the Cohort Hip and Cohort Knee (CHECK) patients with symptomatic early OA. Expression of mediators in the synovium was measured by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunolocalization.

Results

In collagenase‐induced OA, which showed marked synovial activation, interleukin‐1β was expressed at significant levels only during the early stages of disease, whereas S100A8 and S100A9 expression remained high for a prolonged period of time (up to day 21 after induction). In S100A9‐knockout mice, we found a major impact of S100A8 and S100A9 on synovial activation (62% inhibition) and OA cartilage destruction (45–73% inhibition) as compared to wild‐type controls. In contrast, in the surgically induced destabilized medial meniscus model, in which synovial involvement is scant, we found no role of S100A8 and S100A9 in the focal OA cartilage destruction. Examination of arthroscopic synovial biopsy samples from patients in the early symptomatic OA CHECK cohort revealed substantial levels of S100A8 and S100A9 messenger RNA and protein, which correlated significantly with synovial lining thickness, cellularity in the subintima, and joint destruction. Levels of S100A8/A9 serum protein were significantly enhanced (19%) at baseline in patients who had pronounced progression of joint destruction after 2 years.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the S100A8 and S100A9 proteins are crucially involved in synovial activation and cartilage destruction during OA and that high levels may predict joint destruction in humans with OA.
Metal uptake by microalgae: Underlying mechanisms and practical applications
Authors: Monteiro Cristina M. , Castro Paula M. L. , Malcata F. Xavier
Published: December 2011

Metal contamination of a few aquatic, atmospheric, and soil ecosystems has increased ever since the industrial revolution, owing to discharge of such elements via the effluents of some industrial facilities. Their presence to excessive levels in the environment will eventually lead to serious health problems in higher animals owing to accumulation throughout the food web. Current physicochemical methods available for recovery of metal pollutants (e.g., chemical precipitation, oxidation/reduction, or physical ion exchange) are either expensive or inefficient when they are present at very low concentrations. Consequently, removal of toxic metals by microorganisms has emerged as a potentially more economical alternative. Microalgae (in terms of both living and nonliving biomass) are an example of microorganisms suitable to recover metals and able to attain noteworthy percent removals. Their relatively high metal‐binding capacities arise from the intrinsic composition of their cell walls, which contain negatively charged functional groups. Consequently, microalgal cells are particularly efficient in uptake of those contaminants when at low levels. Self‐defense mechanisms developed by microalgal cells to survive in metal‐containing media and environmental factors that affect their removal (e.g., pH, temperature, and biomass concentration) are reviewed here in a comprehensive way and further discussed in attempts to rationalize this form of remediation vis‐a‐vis with conventional nonbiological alternatives. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Chemical Constituents of the Fermented Broth of the Ascomycete Theissenia cinerea 89091602
Authors: Liang Wen‐Li , Hsiao Che‐Jen , Ju Yu‐Ming , Lee Liang‐Hsin , Lee Tzong‐Huei
Published: December 2011

One new betaenone, theissenoic acid (1), together with three new acetogenins, theissenolactones A–C (2–4, resp.), were isolated from the fermented broth of Theissenia cinerea 89091602 isolated in Taiwan. The structures of 1–4 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Biological tests revealed that 3 and 4 exhibited moderate growth‐inhibitory activities against A549 lung cancer cell line with GI50 values of 14.9 and 47.9 μM, respectively.
Thiophene‐Containing Pechmann Dyes and Related Compounds: Synthesis, and Experimental and DFT Characterisation
Authors: Kantchev Eric Assen B. , Norsten Tyler B. , Tan Marilyn L. Y. , Ng Joey J. Y. , Sullivan Michael B.
Published: December 2011

Attaching 2‐thienyl residues to the Pechmann dye core chromophore (5,5‐exo‐dilactone situated around a CC double bond) results in a novel magenta‐coloured compound (UV/Vis spectroscopy λmax=570 nm in CHCl3), which can be rearranged to a yellow 6,6‐endo‐dilactone (λmax=462 nm in CHCl3). Single and double amidation results in pronounced redshift in the 5,5‐exo series (violet, λmax=570 nm and blue, λmax=606 nm in CHCl3, respectively) but pronounced blueshift in the 6,6‐endo series (yellow, λmax=424 nm and pale yellow bordering on colourless, λmax=395 nm in CHCl3, respectively). Incorporation of a 3‐alkyl substituent on the thiophene ring allows for sharp increase of solubility in organic solvents concomitant with fine‐tuning of the colour: a redshift in 5,5‐exo‐dilactones but a blueshift in 5,5‐exo‐dilactams. DFT computations demonstrate that both lactone classes are planar regardless of the presence of a 3‐alkyl group. The lactam derivatives are non‐planar: the thiophene‐core chromophore dihedral angles increase on going from 5,5‐exo to 6,6‐endo and from thiophene to 3‐alkyl thiophene. Depending on the core heteroatom (O vs. N‐alkyl), ring junction (5,5‐exo vs. 6,6‐endo) and 3‐thiophene substituent (H vs. alkyl), two, three, four or six conformers are possible. All of these conformers were characterised by DFT and were found to be very close in energy at both IEFPCM/B3LYP/DGDZVP and SMD/M06/DGDZVP levels of theory. Within each conformer set, the HOMO and LUMO energies were within 0.05 eV and the predicted λmax values (TD‐DFT) within 10 nm, and this implies low sensitivity of the optical and electronic properties to conformation. Cyclic voltammetry measurements of selected compounds demonstrated good matching to the HOMO and LUMO energies from IEFPCM/B3LYP/DGDZVP computations. M06‐2X was the best DFT functional for TD‐DFT, giving predicted λmax values within about 20 nm.
Photochemically Initiated Oxidative Carbon–Carbon Bond‐Cleavage Reactivity in Chlorodiketonate NiII Complexes
Authors: Allpress Caleb J. , Arif Atta M. , Houghton Dylan T. , Berreau Lisa M.
Published: December 2011

Three mononuclear NiII complexes containing a 2‐chloro‐1,3‐diketonate ligand and supported by the 6‐Ph2TPA chelate, as well as analogues that lack the 2‐chloro substituent on the β‐diketonate ligand, have been prepared and characterized. Upon irradiation at 350 nm under aerobic conditions, complexes containing the 2‐chloro‐substituted ligands undergo reactions to generate products resulting from oxidative cleavage, α‐cleavage, and radical‐derived reactions involving the 2‐chloro‐1,3‐diketonate ligand. Mechanistic studies suggest that the oxidative cleavage reactivity, which leads to the production of carboxylic acids, is a result of the formation of superoxide, which occurs through reaction of reduced nickel complexes with O2. The presence of the 2‐chloro substituent was found to be a prerequisite for oxidative carbon–carbon bond‐cleavage reactivity, as complexes lacking this functional group did not undergo these reactions following prolonged irradiation. The approach toward investigating the oxidative reactivity of metal β‐diketonate species outlined herein has yielded results of relevance to the proposed mechanistic pathways of metalloenzyme‐catalyzed β‐diketonate oxidative cleavage reactions.
Stakeholders' Influences on Corporate Green Innovation Strategy: A Case Study of Manufacturing Firms in China
Authors: Guoyou Qi , Saixing Zeng , Chiming Tam , Haitao Yin , Hailiang Zou
Published: December 2011

Facing the challenge of environmental degradation in China, a growing number of firms have begun to integrate environmental management systems into their business strategies and develop green innovation strategies. Based on the stakeholder theory, this paper attempts to explore the influences of stakeholders on the implementation of green process and green product innovation. Empirical results show that foreign customers play a significant role in driving companies to adopt strategy of green process and green product innovation. For foreign‐invested enterprises, the effect is limited to the adoption of green process innovation. It further reveals that community stakeholders and regulatory stakeholders have no significant effect on the corporate green process and green product innovation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Surrogate decision making for patients with end‐stage dementia
Authors: Jox Ralf J. , Denke Eva , Hamann Johannes , Mendel Rosmarie , Förstl Hans , Borasio Gian Domenico
Published: December 2011

Objective

We aim to explore how health surrogates of patients with dementia proceed in decision making, which considerations are decisive, and whether family surrogates and professional guardians decide differently.

Methods

We conducted an experimental vignette study using think aloud protocol analysis. Thirty‐two family surrogates and professional guardians were asked to decide on two hypothetical case vignettes, concerning a feeding tube placement and a cardiac pacemaker implantation in patients with end‐stage dementia. They had to verbalize their thoughts while deciding. Verbalizations were audio‐recorded, transcribed, and analyzed according to content analysis. By experimentally changing variables in the vignettes, the impact of these variables on the outcome of decision making was calculated.

Results

Although only 25% and 31% of the relatives gave their consent to the feeding tube and pacemaker placement, respectively, 56% and 81% of the professional guardians consented to these life‐sustaining measures. Relatives decided intuitively, referred to their own preferences, and focused on the patient's age, state of wellbeing, and suffering. Professional guardians showed a deliberative approach, relied on medical and legal authorities, and emphasized patient autonomy. Situational variables such as the patient's current behavior and the views of health care professionals and family members had higher impacts on decisions than the patient's prior statements or life attitudes.

Conclusions

Both the process and outcome of surrogate decision making depend heavily on whether the surrogate is a relative or not. These findings have implications for the physician–surrogate relationship and legal frameworks regarding surrogacy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neural correlates of creative writing: An fMRI Study
Authors: Shah Carolin , Erhard Katharina , Ortheil Hanns‐Josef , Kaza Evangelia , Kessler Christof , Lotze Martin
Published: December 2011

Cerebral activations involved in actual writing of a new story and the associated correlates with creative performance are still unexplored. To investigate the different aspects of the creative writing process, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging while 28 healthy participants performed a new paradigm related to creative writing: “brainstorming” (planning a story) and “creative writing” (writing a new and creative continuation of a given literary text), as well as an additional control paradigm of “reading” and “copying.” Individual verbal creativity was assessed with a verbal creativity test and creative performance with a qualitative rating of the creative products. “brainstorming” engaged cognitive, linguistic, and creative brain functions mainly represented in a parieto‐frontal‐temporal network, as well as writing preparation, and visual and imaginative processing. “creative writing” activated motor and visual brain areas for handwriting and additionally, cognitive and linguistic areas. Episodic memory retrieval, free‐associative and spontaneous cognition, and semantic integration were observed in a right lateralized activation pattern in bilateral hippocampi, bilateral temporal poles (BA 38), and bilateral posterior cingulate cortex in a “creative writing” minus “copying” comparison. A correlation analysis of “creative writing” minus “copying” with the creativity index revealed activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (BA 45) and the left temporal pole (BA 38). Thus, verbal creativity during “creative writing” is associated with verbal and semantic memory as well as semantic integration. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cellular properties of principal neurons in the rat entorhinal cortex. I. The lateral entorhinal cortex
Authors: Canto Cathrin B. , Witter Menno P.
Published: December 2011

The lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) provides a major cortical input to the hippocampal formation, equaling that of the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC). To understand the functional contributions made by LEC, basic knowledge of individual neurons, in the context of the intrinsic network, is needed. The aim of this study is to compare physiological and morphological properties of principal neurons in different LEC layers in postnatal rats. Using in vitro whole cell current‐clamp recordings from up to four post hoc morphologically identified neurons simultaneously, we established that principal neurons show layer specific physiological and morphological properties, similar to those reported previously in adults. Principal neurons in L(ayer) I, LII, and LIII have the majority of their dendrites and axonal collaterals alone in superficial layers. LV contains mainly pyramidal neurons with dendrites and axons extending throughout all layers. A minority of LV and all principal neurons in LVI are neurons with dendrites confined to deep layers and axons in superficial and deep layers. Physiologically, input resistances and time constants of LII neurons are lower and shorter, respectively, than those observed in LV neurons. Fifty‐four percent of LII neurons have sag potentials, resonance properties, and rebounds at the offset of hyperpolarizing current injection, whereas LIII and LVI neurons do not have any of these. LV neurons show prominent spike‐frequency adaptation and a decrease in spike amplitudes in response to strong depolarization. Despite the well‐developed interlaminar communication in LEC, the laminar differences in the biophysical and morphological properties of neurons suggest that their in vivo firing patterns and functions differ, similar to what is known for neurons in different MEC layers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Significant deterioration in nanomechanical quality occurs through incomplete extrafibrillar mineralization in rachitic bone: Evidence from in-situ synchrotron X-ray scattering and backscattered electron imaging
Authors: Karunaratne Angelo , Esapa Christopher R , Hiller Jennifer , Boyde Alan , Head Rosie , Bassett JH Duncan , Terrill Nicholas J , Williams Graham R , Brown Matthew A , Croucher Peter I , Brown Steve DM , Cox Roger D , Barber Asa H , Thakker Rajesh V , Gupta Himadri S
Published: December 2011

Bone diseases such as rickets and osteoporosis cause significant reduction in bone quantity and quality, which leads to mechanical abnormalities. However, the precise ultrastructural mechanism by which altered bone quality affects mechanical properties is not clearly understood. Here we demonstrate the functional link between altered bone quality (reduced mineralization) and abnormal fibrillar-level mechanics using a novel, real-time synchrotron X-ray nanomechanical imaging method to study a mouse model with rickets due to reduced extrafibrillar mineralization. A previously unreported N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mouse model for hypophosphatemic rickets (Hpr), as a result of missense Trp314Arg mutation of the phosphate regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome (Phex) and with features consistent with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLHR) in man, was investigated using in situ synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering to measure real-time changes in axial periodicity of the nanoscale mineralized fibrils in bone during tensile loading. These determine nanomechanical parameters including fibril elastic modulus and maximum fibril strain. Mineral content was estimated using backscattered electron imaging. A significant reduction of effective fibril modulus and enhancement of maximum fibril strain was found in Hpr mice. Effective fibril modulus and maximum fibril strain in the elastic region increased consistently with age in Hpr and wild-type mice. However, the mean mineral content was ∼21% lower in Hpr mice and was more heterogeneous in its distribution. Our results are consistent with a nanostructural mechanism in which incompletely mineralized fibrils show greater extensibility and lower stiffness, leading to macroscopic outcomes such as greater bone flexibility. Our study demonstrates the value of in situ X-ray nanomechanical imaging in linking the alterations in bone nanostructure to nanoscale mechanical deterioration in a metabolic bone disease. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Identifying clusters as low‐lying mimina—efficiency of stochastic and genetic algorithms using inexpensive electronic structure levels
Authors: Avaltroni Fabrice , Corminboeuf Clemence
Published: December 2011

Molecular candidates possessing unconventional chemical bonding paradigms (e.g., boron wheels, molecular stars, and multicenter bonding) have attracted a great deal of attention by the computational community. The viability of such systems is necessarily assessed through the identification of the lowest lying energy forms of a given chemical composition on the potential energy surface (PES). Although dozens of search algorithms have been developed, only a few are general and simple enough to become standard everyday procedures for this purpose. The simple random search and genetic algorithm (GA) are among these: but how do these approaches perform on typical isomeric searches? The performance of three specific variants for the ab initio exploration of the PES of prototype planar tetracoordinated and hypercoordinated carbon‐containing systems C2Al4 and CB62− are compared. The advantages of preoptimizing with a low‐cost semiempirical method (e.g., PM6) together with the most cost‐efficient GA‐based variant are discussed, and the trends verified by the isomer search of the larger Si5Li7+ clusters. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Genetic tagging reveals a significant impact of poison baiting on an invasive species
Authors: Berry Oliver , Algar Dave , Angus John , Hamilton Neil , Hilmer Steffi , Sutherland Duncan
Published: December 2011

Globally, invasive predators are major pests of agriculture and biodiversity and are the focus of comprehensive control programs. Because these species are typically elusive, wary of traps, and occur at low densities, their fundamental population dynamics are difficult to determine and quantitative evaluations of control programs are rarely conducted. Noninvasive DNA analysis has the potential to resolve this long‐standing limitation to pest management. We carried out a landscape‐scale experiment to quantify reduction in the abundance of a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) population when baited with sodium fluoroacetate (1080) poison (the most widely used method of fox control in Australia). We collected fox hairs with hair snares during 4 4‐day sessions over the course of 6 months at a site in semi‐arid Western Australia. The first session took place in late summer just prior to when juvenile foxes typically disperse, and the final session followed aerial baiting with 1080 poison. We obtained consensus microsatellite genotypes from 196 samples, and used them to conduct both spatially explicit and open model capture–recapture analysis. Twenty‐eight percent of trap nights yielded hair samples suitable for identification of individual foxes, which is more than an order of magnitude greater than trapping rates reported with conventional techniques. Fox density changed little during 3 pre‐baiting sessions and averaged 0.73 foxes/km2 (±0.33 SE), which is less than most previous trap‐based estimates for Australian foxes. Density dropped significantly in response to baiting to 0.004 foxes/km2. Prior to baiting, the apparent survival of foxes remained static (0.72 ± 0.14 SE), but in response to baiting it dropped precipitously and was effectively zero. This experiment provides the first quantitative assessment of the effectiveness of 1080 poison baiting for reducing fox density, and in this case demonstrates it to be a highly effective method for culling foxes from a region. Further, it demonstrates that noninvasive DNA analysis will provide significantly more data than conventional trapping methods. This method is likely to provide greater precision and accuracy than conventional methods and therefore result in more robust evaluations of management strategies for the fox in Australia, and for cryptic species elsewhere. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Ultrasound-Based Transient Elastography for the Detection of Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients With Recurrent Hepatitis C Virus After Liver Transplantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Adebajo Corlan O. , Talwalkar Jayant A. , Poterucha John J. , Kim Ray W. , Charlton Michael R.
Published: December 2011

Ultrasound-based transient elastography (TE) is a promising noninvasive alternative to liver biopsy for the detection of hepatic fibrosis due to recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) after liver transplantation (LT). However, its overall test performance in various settings remains unknown. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and diagnostic accuracy meta-analysis of studies comparing ultrasound-based TE to liver biopsy for the detection of hepatic fibrosis due to a recurrent HCV infection after LT. Electronic and manual bibliographic searches (including scientific abstracts) were performed to identify potential studies. A meta-analysis was conducted to generate pooled estimates of the sensitivity values, specificity values, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios of individual studies. The extent of the heterogeneity and the reasons for it were assessed. Six fully published studies were identified for analysis. Five studies that evaluated significant fibrosis were identified. Among these studies, the pooled estimates were 83% for sensitivity [95% confidence interval (CI) = 77%-88%], 83% for specificity (95% CI = 77%-88%), 4.95 for the positive likelihood ratio (95% CI = 3.4-7.2), 0.17 for the negative likelihood ratio (95% CI = 0.09-0.35), and 30.5 for the diagnostic odds ratio (95% CI = 12.8-72.4). For the 5 studies that assessed cirrhosis, the pooled estimates were 98% for sensitivity (95% CI = 90%-100%), 84% for specificity (95% CI = 80%-88%), 7 for the positive likelihood ratio (95% CI = 2.8-17.3), 0.06 for the negative likelihood ratio (95% CI = 0.02-0.19), and 130 for the diagnostic odds ratio (95% CI = 36.5-462.1). A diagnostic threshold (or cutoff value) bias was identified as an important cause of heterogeneity for the pooled results of both patient groups. In conclusion, ultrasound-based TE has excellent diagnostic accuracy for identifying cirrhosis due to a recurrent HCV infection after LT. The detection of significant fibrosis is more accurate for these patients versus patients whose native liver is chronically infected with HCV.
Liver Transpl 18:323–331, 2012.
© 2012 AASLD.
Cell Therapies for Liver Diseases
Authors: Yu Yue , Fisher James E. , Lillegard Joseph B. , Rodysill Brian , Amiot Bruce , Nyberg Scott L.
Published: December 2011

Cell therapies, which include bioartificial liver support and hepatocyte transplantation, have emerged as potential treatments for a variety of liver diseases. Acute liver failure, acute-on-chronic liver failure, and inherited metabolic liver diseases are examples of liver diseases that have been successfully treated with cell therapies at centers around the world. Cell therapies also have the potential to be widely applied to other liver diseases, including noninherited liver diseases and liver cancer, and to improve the success of liver transplantation. Here we briefly summarize current concepts of cell therapy for liver diseases.
Investigating the magnetic susceptibility properties of fresh human blood for noninvasive oxygen saturation quantification
Authors: Jain Varsha , Abdulmalik Osheiza , Propert Kathleen Joy , Wehrli Felix W.
Published: December 2011

Quantification of blood oxygen saturation on the basis of a measurement of its magnetic susceptibility demands knowledge of the difference in volume susceptibility between fully oxygenated and fully deoxygenated blood (Δχdo). However, two very different values of Δχdo are currently in use. In this work we measured Δχdo as well as the susceptibility of oxygenated blood relative to water, Δχoxy, by MR susceptometry in samples of freshly drawn human blood oxygenated to various levels, from 6 to 98% as determined by blood gas analysis. Regression analysis yielded 0.273 ± 0.006 and −0.008 ± 0.003 ppm (cgs) respectively, for Δχdo and Δχoxy, in excellent agreement with previous work by Spees et al. (Magn Reson Med 2001;45:533–542). Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Applying propensity scores estimated in a full cohort to adjust for confounding in subgroup analyses
Authors: Rassen Jeremy A. , Glynn Robert J. , Rothman Kenneth J. , Setoguchi Soko , Schneeweiss Sebastian
Published: December 2011

Background

A correctly specified propensity score (PS) estimated in a cohort (“cohort PS”) should, in expectation, remain valid in a subgroup population.

Objective

We sought to determine whether using a cohort PS can be validly applied to subgroup analyses and, thus, add efficiency to studies with many subgroups or restricted data.

Methods

In each of three cohort studies, we estimated a cohort PS, defined five subgroups, and then estimated subgroup‐specific PSs. We compared difference in treatment effect estimates for subgroup analyses adjusted by cohort PSs versus subgroup‐specific PSs. Then, over 10 million times, we simulated a population with known characteristics of confounding, subgroup size, treatment interactions, and treatment effect and again assessed difference in point estimates.

Results

We observed that point estimates in most subgroups were substantially similar with the two methods of adjustment. In simulations, the effect estimates differed by a median of 3.4% (interquartile (IQ) range 1.3–10.0%). The IQ range exceeded 10% only in cases where the subgroup had < 1000 patients or few outcome events.

Conclusions

Our empirical and simulation results indicated that using a cohort PS in subgroup analyses was a feasible approach, particularly in larger subgroups. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Consistent consequence severity estimation
Authors: Summers Angela , Vogtmann William , Smolen Steven
Published: December 2011

Most risk analysis methods rely on a qualitative judgment of consequence severity, regardless of the analysis rigor applied to the estimation of hazardous event frequency. As the risk analysis is dependent on the estimated frequency and consequence severity of the hazardous event, the error associated with the consequence severity estimate directly impacts the estimated risk and ultimately the risk reduction requirements. Overstatement of the consequence severity creates excessive risk reduction requirements. Understatement results in inadequate risk reduction.

Consistency in the consequence severity estimate can be substantially improved by implementing consequence estimation tools that assist process hazards analyses/layers of protection analysis (PHA/LOPA) team members in understanding the flammability, explosivity, or toxicity of process chemical releases. This article provides justification for developing semiquantitative look‐up tables to support the team assessment of consequence severity. Just as the frequency and risk reduction tables have greatly improved consistency in the estimate of the hazardous event frequency, consequence severity tables can significantly increase confidence in the severity estimate. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2012
Problem‐based learning
Authors: Allen Deborah E. , Donham Richard S. , Bernhardt Stephen A.
Published: December 2011

In problem‐based learning, students working in collaborative groups learn by resolving complex, realistic problems under the guidance of faculty. In this chapter, we examine the evidence for effectiveness of the method to achieve its goals of fostering deep understandings of content and discuss the potential for developing process skills: research, negotiation and teamwork, writing, and verbal communication.
Canada's Health Human Resource Challenges: What is the Fate of Our Healthcare Heroes?
Authors: Bandali Karim , Zhu Lynn , Gamble Paul A.W.
Published: December 2011

Each year, the Canadian health education system graduates thousands of health professionals who have the best intentions of practising to their full scope of knowledge and skills to help improve the patient care experience in this country. However, a recent research study points to the fact that members of the healthcare team may be practising in a challenging environment in which only a limited number of their skills are actually being used. The Michener Institute for Applied Health Sciences believes that these issues, which include increased role specialization, limited scopes of practice, rapidly advancing technology, and challenges transitioning from hospital to community settings, have broader health education and health system implications that need to be addressed by policy makers, educators, and healthcare system leaders in order to enhance health professional education as well as patient care.
Collaborative Practice: Matching Staff Skills to Patient Needs and Checking Baseline Staffing Levels
Authors: Harvey Anne , Priddy Cindy
Published: December 2011

Vancouver Coastal Health uses a collaborative practice process to enable nursing units to be proactive and adapt quickly to changing patient population needs using a standardized and integrated approach. The process involves clinical directors, frontline managers, staff, and union representatives from the outset and is based on a registered nurse/licensed practical nurse/patient care aide collaborative model of practice. Results show a total return on investment in 2.4 years.
Some evolutionary perspectives on Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and pathology
Authors: Glass Daniel J. , Arnold Steven E.
Published: December 2011

There is increasing urgency to develop effective prevention and treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the aging population swells. Yet, our understanding remains limited for the elemental pathophysiological mechanisms of AD dementia that may be causal, compensatory, or epiphenomenal. To this end, we consider AD and why it exists from the perspectives of natural selection, adaptation, genetic drift, and other evolutionary forces. We discuss the connection between the apolipoprotein E (APOE) allele and AD, with special consideration to APOE ε4 as the ancestral allele. The phylogeny of AD‐like changes across species is also examined, and pathology and treatment implications of AD are discussed from the perspective of evolutionary medicine. In particular, amyloid‐β (Aβ) neuritic plaques and paired helical filament tau (PHFtau) neurofibrillary tangles have been traditionally viewed as injurious pathologies to be targeted, but may be preservative or restorative processes that mitigate harmful neurodegenerative processes or may be epiphenoma of the essential processes that cause neurodegeneration. Thus, we raise fundamental questions about current strategies for AD prevention and therapeutics.