bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Different Extenders onIn VitroCharacteristics of Feline Epididymal Sperm During Cryopreservation
Authors: Jiménez E , Pérez‐Marín CC , Vizuete G , Millán Y , Agüera EI
Published: January 2013

Contents

To evaluate and compare the efficacy of various extenders for the cryopreservation of epididymal cat spermatozoa, two experiments were planned. Bovine and equine commercial extenders in the experiment 1 and TRIS–egg yolk–based extenders in experiment 2 were separately studied since the number of sperm collected per cat is reduced. Epididymal sperm samples were packaged into 0.25‐ml straws and frozen. Vigour, motility, morphology, acrosome status, sperm viability and functional membrane integrity were assessed at collection, after cooling and after thawing, while DNA integrity was evaluated at 0‐ and 6‐h post‐thaw. Experiment 1 compared the effect of three non‐feline commercial extenders – based on TRIS–egg yolk (Triladyl), egg‐yolk‐free medium (AndroMed) and skimmed milk‐egg yolk (Gent) – on the quality of frozen‐thawed epididymal cat sperm. Values for sperm motility and functional membrane integrity in cooled sperm diluted in Triladyl were higher (p < 0.001) than those recorded for Andromed and Gent. Except sperm morphology, the other assessed characteristics showed significant higher values in frozen‐thawed sperm diluted in Triladyl than in Andromed and Gent extenders. Experiment 2 analysed the effects of three TRIS–egg yolk–based extenders, one non‐feline commercial (Triladyl) and the other two prepared using different monosaccharides (glucose and fructose), on freezing‐thawed sperm. Results showed that specifically prepared extenders for cryopreservation of feline spermatozoa performed better than the commercial extender Triladyl, although sperm quality during the freezing‐thawing process did not significantly differ associated with the type of monosaccharide (glucose vs fructose) added to the mentioned extenders. Although TRIS–egg yolk–based extenders prepared in experiment 2 improved sperm cryoprotection, Triladyl remains a good option for practitioners who, for ease of use and availability, prefer to work with commercial extenders.
The Bronze Horseman Rides Again: The Stalinist Reimaging of Alexander Pushkin's Mednyi vsadnik, 1928–53
Authors: SWIFT MEGAN
Published: January 2013

In this article I explore how book illustrations played a crucial role in the emergence of Alexander Pushkin's Mednyi vsadnik (The Bronze Horseman, 1833) at the heart of Stalin‐era literary culture and public education. A contested part of the Soviet canon in the 1920s, The Bronze Horseman made a remarkable come‐back in the 1930s thanks to the Stalinist campaigns to exalt Pushkin in fanatical jubilee celebrations of 1937 and 1949, reclaim Russian classical literature and rehabilitate heroes from the national past such as Peter the Great. This article looks at how six illustrated versions of the poem by five different artists reflected, and were manipulated to reflect, Stalin‐era cultural messaging. I discuss how editors and publishers strategically re‐positioned the modernist Bronze Horseman illustrations by World of Art leader Alexander Benois, recasting them as children's literature. I go on to examine the complicated relationship between three new socialist realist illustrated versions of The Bronze Horseman in 1949, by Igor' Ershov, Mikhail Grigor'ev and Mikhail Rodionov, and competing values placed on Siege of Leningrad commemoration, the ban on Leningrad exceptionalism and the 1949 Pushkin jubilee itself. Finally, I comment on the pivotal role played by the Stalinist era in the inception of The Bronze Horseman as illustrated literature for mass consumption and a core part of the public school curriculum.
Associative learning measured with ERP predicts deferred imitation using a strict observation only design in 14 to15 month old children
Authors: HEIMANN MIKAEL , NORDQVIST EMELIE , RUDNER MARY , JOHANSSON MIKAEL , LINDGREN MAGNUS
Published: January 2013

Heimann, M., Nordqvist, E., Rudner, M., Johansson, M. & Lindgren M. (2013). Associative learning measured with ERP predicts deferred imitation using a strict observation only design in 14 to15 month old children.Scandinavian Journal of Psychology54, 33–40.

Deferred imitation (DI) is an established procedure for behavioral measurement of early declarative‐like memories in infancy and previous work has indicated a link between this type of memory and brain potentials in infants. The present study compared infants’ memory performance in this paradigm with electrophysiological indices of associative learning. Thirty children (M = 14.5 months) participated, of which 15 (8 boys) had acceptable event‐related potentials (ERP) recordings that could be included in the final analysis. Deferred imitation was measured with an observation‐only procedure using three actions and a 30 min delay. ERP was recorded with a high‐density electrode net (128 electrodes) during associative learning. Change scores based on Nc, a middle latency component associated with attentional processes, predicted deferred imitation performance. Thus, associative learning measured with ERP predicts deferred imitation using a strict observation only design in 14 to15 month old children.
Learning new faces in typical and atypical populations of children
Authors: JONES REBECCA R. , BLADES MARK , COLEMAN MIKE , PASCALIS OLIVIER
Published: January 2013

Jones, R. R., Blades, M., Coleman, M. & Pascalis O. (2013). Learning new faces in typical and atypical populations of children. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 54, 10–13.

Recognizing an individual as familiar is an important aspect of our social cognition, which requires both learning a face and recalling it. It has been suggested that children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) have deficits and abnormalities in face processing. We investigated whether the process by which unfamiliar faces become familiar differs in typically developing (TD) children, children with ASD, and children with developmental delay. Children were familiarized with a set of moving novel faces presented over a three‐day period. Recognition of the learned faces was assessed at five time points during the three‐day period. Both immediate and delayed recall of faces was tested. All groups showed improvements in face recognition at immediate recall, which indicated that learning had occurred. The TD population showed slightly better performance than the two other groups, however no difference was specific to the ASD group. All groups showed similar levels of improvements with time. Our results are discussed in terms of learning in ASD.
Systematic review of current and emerging strategies for reducing morbidity from malaria in sickle cell disease
Authors: Aneni Ehimen C. , Hamer Davidson H. , Gill Christopher J.
Published: January 2013

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic debilitating disorder affecting erythrocytes, which is especially prevalent throughout Sub‐Saharan Africa and among individuals of African descent. Because malaria is thought to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with SCD, malaria chemoprophylaxis is often recommended for these patients. In SCD, malaria chemoprophylaxis reduces malaria parasite count, anaemia and the need for blood transfusion, and improves clinical outcomes. However, the effectiveness of malaria chemoprophylaxis in the setting of SCD is based on a few studies conducted prior to the emergence of widespread antimalarial drug resistance. Consequently, it is uncertain what the optimal strategy for managing patients with SCD in malarious areas should be. Despite the widespread use of hydroxyurea in non‐malarious regions, little is known about its effect in malaria‐endemic areas or on malaria‐related outcomes. On the one hand, hydroxyurea upregulates intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1), the cell surface receptor for adhesion of Plasmodium falciparum‐infected erythrocytes, and theoretically, it could enhance parasite replication. On the other hand, hydroxyurea increases levels of foetal haemoglobin, which is protective against malaria. We explore what is currently known about the interactions between SCD and malaria and review the published literature on the efficacy of malaria chemoprophylaxis in SCD. We also consider alternative strategies, including hydroxyurea, in the reduction of malaria‐associated morbidity and mortality in patients with SCD.
Dynamics of nasopharyngeal bacterial colonisation in HIV‐exposed young infants in Tanzania
Authors: Kinabo G. D. , van der Ven A. , Msuya L. J. , Shayo A. M. , Schimana W. , Ndaro A. , van Asten H. A. G. H. , Dolmans W. M. V. , Warris A. , Hermans P. W. M.
Published: January 2013

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of nasopharyngeal bacterial colonisation (NPBC) patterns in young Tanzanian HIV‐exposed infants and to analyse the influence of maternal NPBC and of the infant's HIV status on the NPBC pattern.

Methods

Longitudinal cohort study of neonates born to HIV‐infected mothers visiting Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tanzania, between 2005 and 2009. Demographic and clinical data and nasopharyngeal bacterial cultures were obtained at the age of 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, and at one time point, a paired mother–infant nasopharyngeal swab was taken.

Results

Four hundred and twenty‐two swabs were taken from 338 eligible infants. At 6 weeks of age, colonisation rates were 66% for Staphylococcus aureus, 56% for Streptococcus pneumoniae, 50% for Moraxella catarrhalis and 14% for Haemophilus influenzae. Colonisation with S. aureus diminished over time and was more common in HIV‐infected infants. S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae colonisation rose over time and was more prevalent in HIV‐uninfected children. Co‐colonisation of S. pneumoniae with H. influenzae or M. catarrhalis was mostly noticed in HIV‐infected infants. S. pneumoniae and M.catarrhalis colonisation of the mother was a risk factor for colonisation in HIV‐uninfected infants, while maternal S. aureus colonisation was a risk factor for colonisation in HIV‐infected infants. Among the 104 S. pneumoniae isolates, 19F was most prevalent, and 57 (55%) displayed capsular serotypes represented in the 13‐valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Conclusions

NPBC was common in Tanzanian HIV‐exposed infants. The significant prevalence of pneumococcal vaccine serotypes colonising this paediatric population justifies the use of the 13‐valent pneumococcal vaccine to reduce the burden of pneumococcal invasive disease.
Trafficking of the IKs‐Complex in MDCK Cells: Site of Subunit Assembly and Determinants of Polarized Localization
Authors: David Jens‐Peter , Andersen Martin N. , Olesen Søren‐Peter , Rasmussen Hanne B. , Schmitt Nicole
Published: January 2013

The voltage‐gated potassium channel KV7.1 is regulated by non‐pore forming regulatory KCNE β‐subunits. Together with KCNE1, it forms the slowly activating delayed rectifier potassium current IKs. However, where the subunits assemble and which of the subunits determines localization of the IKs‐complex has not been unequivocally resolved yet. We employed trafficking‐deficient KV7.1 and KCNE1 mutants to investigate IKs trafficking using the polarized Madin‐Darby Canine Kidney cell line. We find that the assembly happens early in the secretory pathway but provide three lines of evidence that it takes place in a post‐endoplasmic reticulum compartment. We demonstrate that KV7.1 targets the IKs‐complex to the basolateral membrane, but that KCNE1 can redirect the complex to the apical membrane upon mutation of critical KV7.1 basolateral targeting signals. Our data provide a possible explanation to the fact that KV7.1 can be localized apically or basolaterally in different epithelial tissues and offer a solution to divergent literature results regarding the effect of KCNE subunits on the subcellular localization of KV7.1/KCNE complexes.
Characterization of various blood and graft sources: a prospective series
Authors: Chevallier Patrice , Robillard Nelly , Illiaquer Marina , Esbelin Julie , Mohty Mohamad , Bodin‐Bressollette Celine , Guillaume Thierry , Stocco Veronique , Auffray Fabienne , Derenne Sophie , Planche Lucie , Bene Marie‐Christine , Imbert‐Marcille Berthe‐Marie
Published: January 2013

Background

Studies comparing cell components of blood and graft sources are very scarce. We present here a thorough study examining the cellular content of various sources of blood and cell therapy products.

Study Design and Methods

We have prospectively compared by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analyses the cellular composition of three blood sources on the one hand—peripheral blood (PB; n = 10) versus granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF)‐mobilized PB (GCSF‐PB, n = 10) versus cord blood (CB, n = 10)—and of three graft sources on the other hand—unmanipulated bone marrow (uBM, n = 5) versus leukapheresis product (LP, n = 10) versus thawed CB graft (n = 7).

Results

All median absolute numbers of cell subsets were found significantly higher in GCSF‐PB and LP, except for monocytoid dendritic cells (mDCs) in CB and uBM. The most impressive results were the median quantities of memory T and B lymphocytes but also of plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) contained in LP compared to thawed CB graft, with ratios of 375, 318, and 247, respectively. The proportions of naive and CD4+/CD8− T cells, transitional B cells, and CD5+ and naive B lymphocytes were found significantly higher in CB samples while the proportions of mDCs and pDCs were found significantly lower.

Conclusion

Our study shows strong differences in terms of quantitative and qualitative cellular composition between several blood or graft sources, possibly explaining the differences observed in terms of outcomes after transplant.
Inactivation of Plasmodium spp. in plasma and platelet concentrates using riboflavin and ultraviolet light
Authors: Keil Shawn D. , Kiser Patti , Sullivan James J. , Kong Amy S. , Reddy Heather L. , Avery Anne , Goodrich Raymond P.
Published: January 2013

Background

Photochemical treatment of blood products could help prevent transfusion‐transmitted malaria and reduce the need for donor deferrals. In this study we evaluated the effectiveness of riboflavin and ultraviolet (UV) light against both Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the most severe form of human malaria, and Plasmodium yoelii, an in vivo murine model for malaria.

Study Design and Methods

Plasma and platelet (PLT) concentrates were inoculated with either P. falciparum– or P. yoelii–infected red blood cells (RBCs). Aliquots from each unit were collected after inoculation, after addition of riboflavin, and after treatment. In vitro P. falciparum growth was assessed using thin blood films of duplicate samples at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours. P. yoelii parasitemia was followed in mice for 14 days postinoculation.

Results

In the in vitro studies, the mean P. falciparum parasitemia increased 12‐ to 19‐fold in pretreatment samples, both before and after addition of riboflavin, after 96‐hour culture. Few parasites were observed in Mirasol‐treated units at 24 hours; those that were observed were degenerating. Through the remainder of the 96‐hour culture period, cultures of treated samples were negative. In the in vivo study, mouse plasma containing P. yoelii–infected RBCs had a mean starting titer of 4.6 log mouse infectious dose 50%/mL. No infectious parasite was detected in treated samples.

Conclusion

Treatment with riboflavin and UV light was effective at reducing viable P. falciparum in both PLT and plasma products by at least 3.2 logs. Additionally, an at least 4.4‐log reduction was observed with P. yoelii.
Tonic inhibition sets the state of excitability in olfactory bulb granule cells
Authors: Labarrera Christina , London Michael , Angelo Kamilla
Published: January 2013

Key points

Granule cells are the main source of inhibition in the olfactory bulb (i.e. the first station of odour processing in the mammalian brain), but very little is known about the inhibition that acts upon them.

Using in vivo whole cell patch clamp recordings in anaesthetized mice we report the following new findings:

Abstract  GABAergic granule cells (GCs) regulate, via mitral cells, the final output from the olfactory bulb to piriform cortex and are central for the speed and accuracy of odour discrimination. However, little is known about the local circuits in which GCs are embedded and how GCs respond during functional network activity. We recorded inhibitory and excitatory currents evoked during a single sniff‐like odour presentation in GCs in vivo. We found that synaptic excitation was extensively activated across cells, whereas phasic inhibition was rare. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that GCs are innervated by a persistent firing of deep short axon cells that mediated the inhibitory evoked responses. Blockade of GABAergic synaptic input onto GCs revealed a tonic inhibitory current mediated by furosemide‐sensitive GABAA receptors. The average current associated with this tonic GABAergic conductance was 3‐fold larger than that of phasic inhibitory postsynaptic currents. We show that the pharmacological blockage of tonic inhibition markedly increased the occurrence of supra‐threshold responses during an odour‐stimulated sniff. Our findings suggest that GCs mediate recurrent or lateral inhibition, depending on the ambient level of extracellular GABA.
Experimental and Numerical Study of Various MT-SOFC Flow Manifold Techniques: Single MT-SOFC Analysis
Authors: Lawlor V. , Klein K. , Hochenauer C. , Griesser S. , Kuehn S. , Olabi A.-G. , Cordiner S. , Buchinger G.
Published: January 2013

Standard anode supported micro tubular-solid oxide fuel cell (MT-SOFC) stacks may provide the oxidant, in relation to the fuel, in three different manifold regimes. Firstly, “co-flow” involves oxidant outside the MT-SOFC flowing co-linearly in relation to the fuel inside. Secondly, “counter flow” involves oxidant outside the MT-SOFC flowing counter-linearly in relation to the fuel inside the MT-SOFC. Finally, “cross-flow” involves the oxidant outside the MT-SOFC flowing perpendicular to the fuel flow inside the MT-SOFC. In order to examine the effect of manifold technique on MT-SOFC performance, a combination of numerical simulation and experimental measurements was performed. Furthermore, the cathode current tap location, in relation to the fuel flow, was also studied. It was found that the oxidant manifold and the location of the cathode current collection point on the MT-SOFC tested and modeled had negligible effect on the MT-SOFC's electrical and thermal performance. In this study, a single MT-SOFC was studied in order to establish the measurement technique and numerical simulation implementation as a prerequisite before further test involving a 7 cell MT-SOFC stack.
Mixed-Signal Fourier Transform for Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Katayama Noboru , Kogoshi Sumio
Published: January 2013

The mixed-signal Fourier-transform (FT) method for the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement has been developed to reduce both memory space and calculation time for computer-aided FT. In the conventional method, the FT is performed twice for the voltage and current signal. The proposed method combines the voltage and current signal, and the combined signal is Fourier transformed to obtain a spectrum function. The electrochemical impedance is extracted from the spectrum function. To validate the proposed method, EIS measurement for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell was conducted with both the proposed method and a commercial impedance analyzer. The results obtained from these two methods agree in the magnitude and argument of the impedance.
Noncrystalline SiO2 and GeO2: Process induced pre-existing defects and vacated O-atom intrinsic bonding sites
Authors: Lucovsky Gerald , Kim Jinwoo , Wu Kun , Zeller Daniel
Published: January 2013

Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies on bulk-quenched, noncrystalline (nc-) silica glasses (henceforth, nc-SiO2) have distinguished between (1) pre-existing process-induced defects introduced either after growth or annealing at high temperatures and (2) x-ray or γ-ray radiation or energetic electron particle-created defects. The ESR activity in these pre-existing defects is activated by x-rays. Similar pre-exiting defects have been demonstrated for remote plasma-deposited thin films of nc-SiO2 and nc-GeO2. Concentrations of pre-existing defects increase exponentially with increasing quenching and annealing temperatures. This is always the case for so-called “dry silicas” with no detectable Si–OH bonding. Nonbonding O-hole centers or nonbonding O-associated hole centers are also detected in dry silicas but only after significant x-ray, γ-ray, or energetic electron irradiation. Pre-existing defect has also been detected by second derivative O K pre-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy in thermally grown and remote plasma-deposited nc-SiO2 and nc-GeO2 thin films. These spectra display singlet and triplet features that can be symmetry state labeled according to Tanabe–Sugano diagrams. This is demonstrated by combining ab initio theory and experiment by identifying the pre-existing defects as vacated O-atom sites in which an O-atom has never been resident.
The Effect of Friction in Pulleys on the Tension in Cables and Strings
Authors: Martell Eric C. , Martell Verda Beth
Published: January 2013

Atwood's machine is used in countless introductory physics classes as an illustration of Newton's second law. Initially, the analysis is performed assuming the pulley and string are massless and the axle is frictionless. Although the mass of the pulley is often included when the problem is revisited later in the context of rotational dynamics, the mass of the string and the friction associated with the axle are less frequently discussed. Two questions then arise: 1) If we are ignoring these effects, how realistic is our model? and 2) How can we determine when or if we need to incorporate these effects in order to make our model match up with reality? These questions are connected to fundamental issues faced by physics teachers, namely the frustration students sometimes feel when they do not see how they can use the results of the problems they have been working on and how we can help our students develop effective models for physical systems.
Analyzing acoustic phenomena with a smartphone microphone
Authors: Kuhn Jochen , Vogt Patrik
Published: January 2013

This paper describes how different sound types can be explored using the microphone of a smartphone and a suitable app. Vibrating bodies, such as strings, membranes, or bars, generate air pressure fluctuations in their immediate vicinity, which propagate through the room in the form of sound waves. Depending on the triggering mechanism, it is possible to differentiate between four types of sound waves: tone, sound, noise, and bang. In everyday language, non-experts use the terms “tone” and “sound” synonymously; however, from a physics perspective there are very clear differences between the two terms. This paper presents experiments that enable learners to explore and understand these differences. Tuning forks and musical instruments (e.g., recorders and guitars) can be used as equipment for the experiments. The data are captured using a smartphone equipped with the appropriate app (in this paper we describe the app Audio Kit for iOS systems1). The values captured by the smartphone are displayed in a screen shot and then viewed directly on the smartphone or exported to a computer graphics program for printing.
Systems-Level Analysis of Proteolytic Events in Increased Vascular Permeability and Complement Activation in Skin Inflammation
Authors: auf dem Keller Ulrich , Prudova Anna , Eckhard Ulrich , Fingleton Barbara , Overall Christopher M.
Published: January 2013

Quantitative proteomic analysis of inflamed mouse skin reveals mediators of the inflammatory response in vivo.
Macrophage JNK in Metabolic Disease
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: January 2013

A kinase in macrophages is required for high-fat diet–induced metabolic changes and inflammation.
Chemotherapeutics Inflame Tumor Growth
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: January 2013

The mechanism that induces an antitumor immune response from 5-fluorouracil and gemcitabine also initiates protumorigenic inflammation.
Preventing Airway Hypercontractility
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: January 2013

Mice deficient in the ligand Mfge8, an integrin-binding protein, have enhanced contractility of airway smooth muscle cells.
Comparison of
In Vitro
Antifungal Activities of Efinaconazole and Currently Available Antifungal Agents against a Variety of Pathogenic Fungi Associated with Onychomycosis
Authors: Jo Siu William J. , Tatsumi Yoshiyuki , Senda Hisato , Pillai Radhakrishnan , Nakamura Takashi , Sone Daisuke , Fothergill Annette
Published: January 2013

Onychomycosis is a common fungal nail infection in adults that is difficult to treat. The
in vitro
antifungal activity of efinaconazole, a novel triazole antifungal, was evaluated in recent clinical isolates of
Trichophyton rubrum
,
Trichophyton mentagrophytes
, and
Candida albicans
, common causative onychomycosis pathogens. In a comprehensive survey of 1,493 isolates, efinaconazole MICs against
T. rubrum
and
T. mentagrophytes
ranged from ≤0.002 to 0.06 μg/ml, with 90% of isolates inhibited (MIC
90
) at 0.008 and 0.015 μg/ml, respectively. Efinaconazole MICs against 105
C. albicans
isolates ranged from ≤0.0005 to >0.25 μg/ml, with 50% of isolates inhibited (MIC
50
) by 0.001 and 0.004 μg/ml at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Efinaconazole potency against these organisms was similar to or greater than those of antifungal drugs currently used in onychomycosis, including amorolfine, ciclopirox, itraconazole, and terbinafine. In 13
T. rubrum
toenail isolates from onychomycosis patients who were treated daily with topical efinaconazole for 48 weeks, there were no apparent increases in susceptibility, suggesting low potential for dermatophytes to develop resistance to efinaconazole. The activity of efinaconazole was further evaluated in another 8 dermatophyte, 15 nondermatophyte, and 10 yeast species (a total of 109 isolates from research repositories). Efinaconazole was active against
Trichophyton
,
Microsporum
,
Epidermophyton
,
Acremonium
,
Fusarium
,
Paecilomyces
,
Pseudallescheria
,
Scopulariopsis
,
Aspergillus
,
Cryptococcus
,
Trichosporon
, and
Candida
and compared favorably to other antifungal drugs. In conclusion, efinaconazole is a potent antifungal with a broad spectrum of activity that may have clinical applications in onychomycosis and other mycoses.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Chromosomally Determined Qnr and Related Proteins
Authors: Jacoby George A. , Hooper David C.
Published: January 2013

qnr
genes were discovered on plasmids by their ability to reduce quinolone susceptibility, but homologs can be found in the genomes of at least 92 Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and strictly anaerobic bacterial species. The related pentapeptide repeat protein-encoding
mfpA
gene is present in the genome of at least 19 species of
Mycobacterium
and 10 other
Actinobacteria
species. The native function of these genes is not yet known.
Role of Matrix β-1,3 Glucan in Antifungal Resistance of Non-albicans Candida Biofilms
Authors: Mitchell K. F. , Taff H. T. , Cuevas M. A. , Reinicke E. L. , Sanchez H. , Andes D. R.
Published: January 2013

Candida
biofilm infections pose an increasing threat in the health care setting due to the drug resistance associated with this lifestyle. Several mechanisms underlie the resistance phenomenon. In
Candida albicans
, one mechanism involves drug impedance by the biofilm matrix linked to β-1,3 glucan. Here, we show this is important for other
Candida
spp. We identified β-1,3 glucan in the matrix, found that the matrix sequesters antifungal drug, and enhanced antifungal susceptibility with matrix β-1,3 glucan hydrolysis.
Cryptococcus neoformans Rim101 Is Associated with Cell Wall Remodeling and Evasion of the Host Immune Responses
Authors: O'Meara Teresa R. , Holmer Stephanie M. , Selvig Kyla , Dietrich Fred , Alspaugh J. Andrew
Published: January 2013

Infectious microorganisms often play a role in modulating the immune responses of their infected hosts. We demonstrate thatCryptococcus neoformanssignals through the Rim101 transcription factor to regulate cell wall composition and the host-pathogen interface. In the absence of Rim101,C. neoformansexhibits an altered cell surface in response to host signals, generating an excessive and ineffective immune response that results in accelerated host death. This host immune response to therim101Δ mutant strain is characterized by increased neutrophil influx into the infected lungs and an altered pattern of host cytokine expression compared to the response to wild-type cryptococcal infection. To identify genes associated with the observed phenotypes, we performed whole-genome RNA sequencing experiments under capsule-inducing conditions. We defined the downstream regulon of the Rim101 transcription factor and determined potential cell wall processes involved in the capsule attachment defects and altered mechanisms of virulence in therim101Δ mutant. The cell wall generates structural stability for the cell and allows the attachment of surface molecules such as capsule polysaccharides. In turn, the capsule provides an effective mask for the immunogenic cell wall, shielding it from recognition by the host immune system.

IMPORTANCECryptococcus neoformansis an opportunistic human pathogen that is a significant cause of death in immunocompromised individuals. There are two major causes of death due to this pathogen: meningitis due to uncontrolled fungal proliferation in the brain in the face of a weakened immune system and immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome characterized by an overactive immune response to subclinical levels of the pathogen. In this study, we examined howC. neoformansuses the conserved Rim101 transcription factor to specifically remodel the host-pathogen interface, thus regulating the host immune response. These studies explored the complex ways in which successful microbial pathogens induce phenotypes that ensure their own survival while simultaneously controlling the nature and degree of the associated host response.
Kinetics of Facultative Heterochromatin and Polycomb Group Protein Association with the Herpes Simplex Viral Genome during Establishment of Latent Infection
Authors: Cliffe Anna R. , Coen Donald M. , Knipe David M.
Published: January 2013

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) genome is associated with heterochromatic histone modifications, including trimethylation of the lysine 27 residue of histone H3 (H3K27me3), during latent infection of neurons. Here we have examined the kinetics of general chromatin and H3K27me3 association with the viral genome during establishment of latent infection. Using both wild-type virus and a mutant virus that is unable to undergo replication in neurons, we found that histone H3 associates with viral gene promoters by 7 days postinfection (dpi). Levels of H3K27me3 were low at 7 dpi but increased dramatically by 14 dpi. Hence, general chromatin association and/or other factors may play a key role(s) in the initial silencing of lytic genes, and H3K27me3 may play a role in further suppression of the genome and/or the maintenance of latency. A component of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which mediates the addition of K27me3 to histone H3 (Suz12), was also recruited by 14 dpi. We have shown previously that the levels of H3K27me3 during latent infection are increased in the presence of the latency-associated transcript (LAT). However, the initial targeting of PRC2 was not found to be dependent on the LAT. We found that a component of the PRC1 complex (Bmi1), which binds to H3K27me3, was not enriched at promoters found previously to be enriched for H3K27me3. Our results are consistent with (i) chromatinization of viral DNA or other mechanisms causing the initial silencing of HSV lytic genes and (ii) facultative heterochromatin maintaining that silencing during latent infection of neurons.

IMPORTANCE
The human pathogen herpes simplex virus (HSV) hides for the lifetime of the host in peripheral neurons. The mechanism by which HSV is able to shut off its gene expression and persist in neurons is not known. Here we show that the HSV DNA first associates with histone H3, with later recruitment of Polycomb repressor complex 2 (PRC2) and trimethylation of the lysine 27 residue of histone H3 (H3K27me3), a modification associated with heterochromatin. This work indicates that the initial silencing of HSV gene expression is not correlated with enrichment of H3K27me3 and that PRC2 may be recruited to already-silenced genes to further silence gene expression and/or maintain gene silencing. We demonstrate that recruitment of PRC2 is not dependent upon expression of the noncoding HSV latency-associated transcripts, indicating the presence of unknown triggers for PRC2 recruitment during the establishment of latent infection.
Development and validation of the Bowel Cleansing Impact Review (BOCLIR)
Authors: Doward Lynda , Wilburn Jeanette , McKenna Stephen P , Leicester Roger , Epstein Owen , Hedley Vicki , Korala Sanjeeva , Twiss James , Jones Deborah , Geraint Mike
Published: January 2013

Objective

Acceptability and tolerability of bowel cleansers influence whether patients are able to complete the prescribed dose and, consequently, the quality of the cleansing achieved. No standardised means of assessing patients’ experience of using bowel cleansing is currently available. The aim of the study was to develop the Bowel Cleansing Impact Review (BOCLIR) to assess patient response to bowel cleansing products.

Design

Content was derived from qualitative interviews. Face and content validity were assessed via cognitive-debriefing interviews. Finally, patients completed the BOCLIR and a demographic questionnaire. Item response theory (Rasch analysis) was employed for item reduction and assessment of unidimensionality. Internal consistency and construct validity were also assessed.

Results

Analysis of 40 interviews resulted in the production of three scales; patient satisfaction, symptomatic impact and activity limitations. Scales were designed to be used alone or together. 19 debriefing interviews demonstrated BOCLIR acceptability, relevance and ease of completion. The validation survey involved 166 patients (52% male, mean (SD) age 54.3 (15.2) years). After misfitting and redundant items were removed all scales fit the Rasch model confirming their unidimensionality. Cronbach's α-coefficients were high (0.77–0.94) indicating good internal consistency. Scores on the BOCLIR were related to patients’ willingness to use the product in future and ease of drinking the full preparation (p<0.01 for each scale).

Conclusions

The BOCLIR is a new measure consisting of three unidimensional scales (satisfaction, symptoms and activity limitations) with good psychometric and scaling properties. The BOCLIR will allow accurate assessment of patients’ response to bowel cleansing preparations.
Geographical disparities in child mortality in the rural areas of Iran: 16-years trend
Authors: Moradi-Lakeh Maziar , Bijari Bita , Namiranian Nasim , Olyaeemanesh Ali-Reza , Khosravi Ardeshir
Published: January 2013

Purpose

We performed this study to assess the trend of geographical disparities between rural areas located in the catchment areas of 41 medical universities in Iran from 1993 to 2008. We evaluated four indicators including rates for neonatal mortality (NMR), infant mortality (IMR), under-5 mortality (U5MR) and crude death (CDR).

Methods

We got about 656 university-year data points for each of the indicators (missing data <0.5%). The people under assessment were between 16.7 (in 1993) to 20.1 million (in 2008). We measured disparities through the calculation of index of disparities (IDisp) and assessed the trends using the Cuzick non-parametric test for trend.

Findings

Except for the increasing trend of CDR (Z=+2.83, p=0.005), the others had decreasing trends: NMR (Z=−3.23, p=0.001), IMR (Z=−3.84, p<0.001) and U5MR (Z=−3.84, p<0.001). The IDisptrends of IMR (Z=−2.2, p=0.027) and U5MR (Z=−2.84, p=0.005) were decreasing, while the IDisptrends for NMR (Z=+2.19, p=0.028) and CDR (Z=+2.39, p=0.017) were increasing.

Conclusions

The results show that at least for IMR and U5MR, in addition to improvement in average national levels, the geographical disparities have decreased. In the cases of NMR and CDR, inspite of the improvements in national levels, the trends of health disparities are not as good. We need to use strategies to provide more specialised care fairly in addition to primary healthcare to reduce disparities in CDR and NMR and influence them more.
Effects of caffeine and carbohydrate mouth rinses on repeated sprint performance
Authors: Beaven C. Martyn , Maulder Peter , Pooley Adrian , Kilduff Liam , Cook Christian
Published: January 2013

Our purpose was to examine the effectiveness of carbohydrate and caffeine mouth rinses in enhancing repeated sprint ability. Previously, studies have shown that a carbohydrate mouth rinse (without ingestion) has beneficial effects on endurance performance that are related to changes in brain activity. Caffeine ingestion has also demonstrated positive effects on sprint performance. However, the effects of carbohydrate or caffeine mouth rinses on intermittent sprints have not been examined previously. Twelve males performed 5 × 6-s sprints interspersed with 24 s of active recovery on a cycle ergometer. Twenty-five milliliters of either a noncaloric placebo, a 6% glucose, or a 1.2% caffeine solution was rinsed in the mouth for 5 s prior to each sprint in a double-blinded and balanced cross-over design. Postexercise maximal heart rate and perceived exertion were recorded, along with power measures. A second experiment compared a combined caffeine-carbohydrate rinse with carbohydrate only. Compared with the placebo mouth rinse, carbohydrate substantially increased peak power in sprint 1 (22.1 ± 19.5 W; Cohen's effect size (ES), 0.81), and both caffeine (26.9 ± 26.9 W; ES, 0.71) and carbohydrate (39.1 ± 25.8 W; ES, 1.08) improved mean power in sprint 1. Experiment 2 demonstrated that a combination of caffeine and carbohydrate improved sprint 1 power production compared with carbohydrate alone (36.0 ± 37.3 W; ES, 0.81). We conclude that carbohydrate and (or) caffeine mouth rinses may rapidly enhance power production, which could have benefits for specific short sprint exercise performance. The ability of a mouth-rinse intervention to rapidly improve maximal exercise performance in the absence of fatigue suggests a central mechanism.
Morphological investigation of glandular hairs onDrosera capensisleaves with an ultrastructural study of the sessile glands
Authors: Naidoo Yougasphree , Heneidak Samia
Published: January 2013

Electron and light microscopy were employed to elucidate the types of glandular hairs on Drosera capensis L. leaves. Eight types of stalked and sessile hairs were found. One type of long-stalked red hair is present only along the margin of the adaxial surface of the leaf, and five types of short-stalked hairs exist mainly on the central part of the adaxial surface of the leaf. Two types of sessile glands are abundantly distributed on both the adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces. The sessile glands of two head cells are described for the first time in D. capensis, and the sessile glands of four head cells are illustrated for the first time in the genus Drosera. The presence of a secretion from the two head cells of the sessile glands and the dark large vesicles inside them suggests a secretory function. Numerous wall ingrowths are present in the outer tangential and radial cell walls of the head cells of the sessile glands, increasing the surface area to facilitate mucilage secretion.
MYSTERIOUS ANTI-GRAVITY AND DARK-ESSENCE
Authors: GU JE-AN
Published: January 2013

The need of anti-gravity and dark-essence in cosmology is the greatest scientific mystery in the 21st century. This paper presents a personal view of several relevant issues, including the long-standing cosmological constant problem, the newly emerging dark radiation issue, and the basic stability issue of the general-relativity limit in modified gravity.
THERMODYNAMIC AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS INCONSISTENCIES IN QUASIPARTICLE MODELS
Authors: BANNUR VISHNU M.
Published: January 2013

Here we reanalyze various quasiparticle models of quark gluon plasma from the statistical mechanics and thermodynamics point of view. We investigate the statistical mechanics and thermodynamics inconsistencies involved in these models and their consequences in the observables. Quasiparticle models are phenomenological models with few parameters and by adjusting them all models fit the results of lattice gauge simulation of gluon plasma [G. Boyd et al., Phys. Rev. Lett.75, 4169 (1995); G. Boyd et al., Nucl. Phys. B469, 419 (1996)]. However, after fixing two of the three parameters of the model by physical arguments, only one quasiparticle model, which is consistent with both statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, fits the Bielefeld lattice data [G. Boyd et al., Phys. Rev. Lett.75, 4169 (1995); G. Boyd et al., Nucl. Phys. B469, 419 (1996)]. The same model also fits the recent lattice results of Wuppertal–Budapest group [S. Borsanyi et al., arXiv:1204.6184v1 [hep-lat]], which deals with precision SU(3) thermodynamics for a large temperature range, reasonably well.
EFFECTS OF HOLE-DOPING AND DISORDER ON THE MAGNETIC STATES OF DELAFOSSITE CuCrO2 HAVING A SPIN-3/2 ANTIFERROMAGNETIC TRIANGULAR SUBLATTICE
Authors: OKUDA TETSUJI , KAJIMOTO RYOICHI , OKAWA MARIO , SAITOH TOMOHIKO
Published: January 2013

In this review, we will discuss the effects of itinerant hole and disorder produced by substitutions on the magnetic states of polycrystalline delafossite oxide CuCrO 2 having a spin-3/2 antiferromagnetic triangular sublattice. First, we will show the effects of hole-doping by the substitution of nonmagnetic Mg 2+ for magnetic Cr 3+ on the physical properties of CuCrO 2, and will discuss the origin of nontrivial promotion of the 120° Néel state due to the coupling between the itinerant hole and localized spin. Next, we will show the effects of disorder introduced by the isovalent substitutions such as the nonmagnetic Ag + substitution for nonmagnetic Cu + and the nonmagnetic Al 3+ one for magnetic Cr 3+, and will discuss the possibility of appearance of unusual magnetic states such as spin liquid or spin nematic states.
A MULTIPLE RICCATI EQUATIONS RATIONAL-EXPONENT METHOD AND ITS APPLICATION TO WHITHAM–BROER–KAUP EQUATION
Authors: LIU QING , WANG ZI-HUA , JIA DONG-LI
Published: January 2013

According to two dependent solutions to a generalized Riccati equation together with the equation itself, a multiple Riccati equations rational-exponent method is proposed and applied to Whitham–Broer–Kaup equation. It shows that this method is a more concise and efficient approach and can uniformly derive many types of combined solutions to nonlinear partial differential equations.
BANDGAP VOLTAGE REFERENCE IC FOR HV AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS WITH PSEUDO-REGULATED BIAS AND SERVICE REGULATOR
Authors: SAPONARA SERGIO , FANUCCI LUCA , BALDETTI TOMMASO , PARDI ENRICO
Published: January 2013

The paper presents a bandgap voltage reference (BGR) implemented in TSMC 0.25 μm BCD technology for an automotive application. To withstand a car's battery large voltage variations, from 5 V to 40 V, the circuit features an embedded pseudo-regulator providing a stable bias current for the bandgap core. High-voltage (HV) MOS count has been kept low thus allowing the design of a compact BGR with an area of 0.118 mm2. The BGR has been designed to operate in automotive extended temperature range (-40°C to 150°C) and it provides a stable voltage of 1.21 V, which is also used as reference for a cascade 3.7 V linear regulator. Measurements carried on fabricated IC samples prove the effectiveness of the BGR design in terms of supported input voltage variations and operating temperature range, temperature drift, line regulation and PSRR performance.
ON THREE-PARAMETER FAMILIES OF FILIPPOV SYSTEMS — THE FOLD–SADDLE SINGULARITY
Authors: BUZZI CLAUDIO AGUINALDO , DE CARVALHO TIAGO , TEIXEIRA MARCO ANTONIO
Published: January 2013

This paper presents results concerning bifurcations of 2D piecewise-smooth vector fields. In particular, the generic unfoldings of codimension-three fold–saddle singularities of Filippov systems, where a boundary-saddle and a fold coincide, are considered and the bifurcation diagrams exhibited.
CHAOTIFICATION OF LINEAR IMPULSIVE DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
Authors: YANG QIGUI , JIANG GUIRONG , ZHOU TIANSHOU
Published: January 2013

Chaotification of dynamical systems is a hot topic in the research field of chaos in recent years. Previous studies showed that (even linear) discrete or continuous dynamical systems can be chaotified by designing appropriate controllers. Here, we study chaotification of linear impulsive differential systems. First, we propose a framework for chaotification of general linear impulsive differential systems that can be transformed into discrete maps. Then, we give technical details for how to chaotify several typical linear impulsive differential systems that are actually canonical forms, including how to design appropriate quadratic impulsive controllers, how to find snapback repellers in the Marotto theorem, etc. As one of the main theoretical results, we rigorously prove the existence of chaos in all the considered impulsive systems. In addition, numerical examples are used to verify the theoretical prediction in each case. We are expecting that our proposed approach can have practical applications in the engineering field.
MOTIF DISCOVERY WITH DATA MINING IN 3D PROTEIN STRUCTURE DATABASES: DISCOVERY, VALIDATION AND PREDICTION OF THE U-SHAPE ZINC BINDING ("HUF-ZINC") MOTIF
Authors: MAURER-STROH SEBASTIAN , GAO HE , HAN HAO , BAETEN LIES , SCHYMKOWITZ JOOST , ROUSSEAU FREDERIC , ZHANG LOUXIN , EISENHABER FRANK
Published: January 2013

Data mining in protein databases, derivatives from more fundamental protein 3D structure and sequence databases, has considerable unearthed potential for the discovery of sequence motif—structural motif—function relationships as the finding of the U-shape (Huf-Zinc) motif, originally a small student's project, exemplifies. The metal ion zinc is critically involved in universal biological processes, ranging from protein-DNA complexes and transcription regulation to enzymatic catalysis and metabolic pathways. Proteins have evolved a series of motifs to specifically recognize and bind zinc ions. Many of these, so called zinc fingers, are structurally independent globular domains with discontinuous binding motifs made up of residues mostly far apart in sequence. Through a systematic approach starting from the BRIX structure fragment database, we discovered that there exists another predictable subset of zinc-binding motifs that not only have a conserved continuous sequence pattern but also share a characteristic local conformation, despite being included in totally different overall folds. While this does not allow general prediction of all Zn binding motifs, a HMM-based web server, Huf-Zinc, is available for prediction of these novel, as well as conventional, zinc finger motifs in protein sequences. The Huf-Zinc webserver can be freely accessed through this URL ( http://mendel.bii.a-star.edu.sg/METHODS/hufzinc/ ).