bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cognitive sequelae of blast-related versus other mechanisms of brain trauma
Authors: BELANGER HEATHER G. , KRETZMER TRACY , YOASH-GANTZ RUTH , PICKETT TREVEN , TUPLER LARRY A.
Published: January 2009

The use of improvised explosive devices has become the hallmark of modern warfare and has resulted in an ever-increasing number of blast-related traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Despite this fact, very little is actually known about the cognitive sequelae of blast-related TBIs. The purpose of the current study was to compare patterns of performance on neuropsychological measures in subjects who have sustained TBIs as a result of blast (or explosion) with those who have sustained TBIs from non-blast or blunt force trauma (motor vehicle accident, fall, assault, etc.). Participants were categorized as blast-related TBI or non-blast-related TBI and according to severity of injury (mild or moderate-to-severe). No main effects were observed in analysis of covariance between blast-related TBI participants and non-blast-related TBI participants across any of the neuropsychological variables, although an interaction was observed on a visual memory test showing stronger performance for mild blast-related and poorer performance for moderate-to-severe blast-related participants compared with both non-blast groups. Overall, the results do not provide any strong evidence that blast is categorically different from other TBI mechanisms, at least with regard to cognitive sequelae on select measures. Additional findings included a marginally increased incidence of reported posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among blast-injured participants. (JINS, 2009, 15, 1–8.)
An examination of the factor structure of the Beck Depression Inventory-II in a neurorehabilitation inpatient sample
Authors: SIEGERT RICHARD J. , WALKEY FRANK H. , TURNER-STOKES LYNNE
Published: January 2009

The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) is widely used for assessing depression in neurorehabilitation. Given the concern that the somatic items might be misleading, we examined its factor structure in 353 inpatients. Exploratory factor analysis was undertaken to compare two- to five-factor solutions. Confirmatory factor analysis was then used to test the best exploratory solutions for goodness of fit on a subsample. Both provided strong support for a general depression factor and two specific factors, one somatic and one cognitive/affective. The BDI-II provides a meaningful score of overall depression, and it can also yield two subscores—one measuring somatic symptoms and the other measuring psychological symptoms of depression. To avoid confusing the common symptoms of neurological disability with depression in neurorehabilitation, clinicians need to consider all three scores carefully. (JINS, 2009, 15, 142–147.)
Negative affect predicts subsequent cognitive change in multiple sclerosis
Authors: CHRISTODOULOU CHRISTOPHER , MELVILLE PATRICIA , SCHERL WILLIAM F. , MACALLISTER WILLIAM S. , ABENSUR REBECCA L. , TROXELL REGINA M. , KRUPP LAUREN B.
Published: January 2009

Baseline predictors of cognitive change were explored in a sample of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Potential predictors included demographic features, baseline clinical characteristics, and psychological state. Participants were 38 individuals diagnosed with either relapsing remitting or secondary progressive MS who did not meet criteria for a current major depressive episode. Subjects were tested at baseline and approximately 1 year in an ongoing longitudinal study of cognition in MS. Participants completed neuropsychological tests sensitive to impairment in MS. They also completed self-report measures of depression, anxiety, fatigue, apathy, and positive and negative affect. Baseline measures of negative affect (e.g., depressed mood, state anxiety, and negative affective state) consistently predicted cognitive change over the course of the study. Higher baseline levels of negative affect were associated with greater relative declines in cognitive performance. This longitudinal relation occurred in the absence of a cross-sectional relation between negative affect and overall cognition. High baseline negative affect particularly predicted a relative decline in episodic memory for newly learned verbal and visuospatial information. The negative affect measures were unique in their predictive value among all the baseline measures assessed. (JINS, 2009,15, 53–61.)
Semantic knowledge for famous names in mild cognitive impairment
Authors: SEIDENBERG MICHAEL , GUIDOTTI LESLIE , NIELSON KRISTY A. , WOODARD JOHN L. , DURGERIAN SALLY , ZHANG Qi , GANDER AMELIA , ANTUONO PIERO , RAO STEPHEN M.
Published: January 2009

Person identification represents a unique category of semantic knowledge that is commonly impaired in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but has received relatively little investigation in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The current study examined the retrieval of semantic knowledge for famous names from three time epochs (recent, remote, and enduring) in two participant groups: 23 amnestic MCI (aMCI) patients and 23 healthy elderly controls. The aMCI group was less accurate and produced less semantic knowledge than controls for famous names. Names from the enduring period were recognized faster than both recent and remote names in both groups, and remote names were recognized more quickly than recent names. Episodic memory performance was correlated with greater semantic knowledge particularly for recent names. We suggest that the anterograde memory deficits in the aMCI group interferes with learning of recent famous names and as a result produces difficulties with updating and integrating new semantic information with previously stored information. The implications of these findings for characterizing semantic memory deficits in MCI are discussed. (JINS, 2009, 15, 9–18.)
Proactive and retroactive interference in young adults, healthy older adults, and older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment
Authors: EBERT PATRICIA L. , ANDERSON NICOLE D.
Published: January 2009

This study investigated memory interference in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and normal aging. Participants were 27 young adults, 44 healthy older adults, and 15 older adults with aMCI. Memory interference was examined on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and on a modified AB-AC paradigm. Despite significant differences in memory performance on the CVLT, interference measures on this test did not distinguish individuals with aMCI and healthy older adults. The AB-AC task involved first learning a list (AB list) of 12 semantically related word pairs (e.g., knee-bone). Twenty minutes later, a second list (AC list) was learned in which the same stimulus words were paired with new response words (e.g., knee-bend). Both lists were repeated until 100% accurate recall was achieved. Finally, participants recalled the first (AB) list. Proactive interference (PI) was greater among older than younger adults, and greater still among individuals with aMCI, but the older and aMCI groups showed similar levels of retroactive interference. This study suggests that PI contributes to the memory deficits seen in aMCI and that tests sensitive to PI may assist in the early identification of aMCI. Memory interventions aimed at alleviating PI may improve memory functioning in individuals with aMCI. (JINS, 2009, 15, 83–93.)
Detection of prospective memory deficits in mild cognitive impairment of suspected Alzheimer’s disease etiology using a novel event-based prospective memory task
Authors: BLANCO-CAMPAL ALBERTO , COEN ROBERT F. , LAWLOR BRIAN A. , WALSH JOSEPH B. , BURKE TERESA E.
Published: January 2009

We investigated the relative discriminatory efficacy of an event-based prospective memory (PM) task, in which specificity of the instructions and perceptual salience of the PM cue were manipulated, compared with two widely used retrospective memory (RM) tests (Rivermead Paragraph Recall Test and CERAD-Word List Test), when detecting mild cognitive impairment of suspected Alzheimer’s disease etiology (MCI-AD) (N= 19) from normal controls (NC) (N= 21). Statistical analyses showed high discriminatory capacity of the PM task for detecting MCI-AD. The Non-Specific-Non-Salient condition proved particularly useful in detecting MCI-AD, possibly reflecting the difficulty of the task, requiring more strategic attentional resources to monitor for the PM cue. With a cutoff score of <4/10, the Non-Specific-Non-Salient condition achieved a sensitivity = 84%, and a specificity = 95%, superior to the most discriminative RM test used (CERAD-Total Learning: sensitivity = 83%; specificity = 76%). Results suggest that PM is an early sign of memory failure in MCI-AD and may be a more pronounced deficit than retrospective failure, probably reflecting the greater self-initiated retrieval demands involved in the PM task used. Limitations include the relatively small sample size, and the use of a convenience sample (i.e. memory clinic attenders and healthy active volunteers), reducing the generalizability of the results, which should be regarded as preliminary. (JINS, 2009,15, 154–159.)
Impairmentversusdeficiency in neuropsychological assessment: Implications for ecological validity
Authors: SILVERBERG NOAH D. , MILLIS SCOTT R.
Published: January 2009

Neuropsychological test interpretation has relied on pre- and postmorbid comparisons, as exemplified by the use of demographically adjusted normative data. We argue that, when the assessment goal is to predict real-world functioning, this interpretive method should be supplemented by “absolute” scores. Such scores are derived from comparisons with the general healthy adult population (i.e., demographically unadjusted normative data) and reflect examinees’ current ability, that is, the interaction between premorbid and injury/disease-related factors. In support of this view, we found that substantial discrepancies between demographically adjusted and absolute scores were common in a traumatic brain injury sample, especially in participants with certain demographic profiles. Absolute scores predicted selected measures of functional outcome better than demographically adjusted scores and also classified participants’ functional status more accurately, to the extent that these scores diverged. In conclusion, the ecological validity of neuropsychological tests may be improved by the consideration of absolute scores. (JINS, 2009,15, 94–102.)
Walking and talking therapy: Improving cognitive–motor dual-tasking in neurological illness
Authors: EVANS JONATHAN J. , GREENFIELD EVE , WILSON BARBARA A. , BATEMAN ANDREW
Published: January 2009

Using randomized control trial methodology, we evaluated the effectiveness of a 5-week cognitive–motor dual-tasking training program developed to improve performance of a group of people with dual-tasking difficulties arising from acquired brain injury. Training involved twice-daily practice on exercises involving walking being combined with tasks which increased in cognitive demand over the course of the intervention. A treatment group (n = 10) was compared with a control group (n = 9). The primary outcome measure was a task requiring participants to walk and carry out a spoken sentence verification task simultaneously. Secondary outcome measures were measures of dual-tasking involving either two motor tasks or two cognitive tasks. A questionnaire measure relating to activities of daily living requiring dual-tasking was also completed. Compliance with the training program was good. We found evidence of improvement in performance on the primary outcome measure, but little evidence of generalization to other measures. There was some evidence that participants believed that their dual-tasking performance in everyday life was improved after the intervention. The study was limited in terms of sample size, was not blinded and did not control fully for therapist contact time, but has produced valuable data relating to effect sizes associated with this form of intervention. (JINS, 2009, 15, 112–120.)
Neuroimaging correlates of parent ratings of working memory in typically developing children
Authors: MAHONE E. MARK , MARTIN REBECCA , KATES WENDY R. , HAY TRISHA , HORSKÁ ALENA
Published: January 2009

The purpose of the present study was to investigate construct validity of parent ratings of working memory in children, using a multi-trait/multi-method design including neuroimaging, rating scales, and performance-based measures. Thirty-five typically developing children completed performance-based tests of working memory and nonexecutive function (EF) skills, received volumetric MRI, and were rated by parents on both EF-specific and broad behavior rating scales. After controlling for total cerebral volume and age, parent ratings of working memory were significantly correlated with frontal gray, but not temporal, parietal, or occipital gray, or any lobar white matter volumes. Performance-based measures of working memory were also moderately correlated with frontal lobe gray matter volume; however, non-EF parent ratings and non-EF performance-based measures were not correlated with frontal lobe volumes. Results provide preliminary support for the convergent and discriminant validity of parent ratings of working memory, and emphasize their utility in exploring brain–behavior relationships in children. Rating scales that directly examine EF skills may potentially have ecological validity, not only for “everyday” function, but also as correlates of brain volume. (JINS, 2009, 15, 31–41.)
Determination of the volcanostratigraphy of oceanic crust formed at superfast spreading ridge: Electrofacies analyses of ODP/IODP Hole 1256D
Authors: Tominaga Masako , Teagle Damon A. H. , Alt Jeffrey C. , Umino Susumu
Published: January 2009

The objective of this study is to construct a representative volcanostratigraphy of Ocean Drilling Program Hole 1256D, the first complete penetration of intact upper oceanic crust formed at a superfast spreading rate. An accurate knowledge of the volcanostratigraphy is vital to understand processes of crustal construction and submarine magmatism and to estimate chemical exchange with seawater, but this is rarely achieved due to very low recovery rates in most basement holes. We used two approaches to determine the rock types that form the wall rocks in the basement sections of Hole 1256D: (1) user guided interpretations of electrofacies acquired by imaging tools combined with other wireline tools; and (2) the use of an artificial neutral network to objectively classify the responses of all available logging information. Great availability of formation microscanner (FMS) images provided superior coverage of the borehole wall compared to previous attempts at core‐log integration. This has resulted in more confident and detailed lithologic classifications, such as with the distinction between pillows and different styles of breciation. Ten lithology types are suggested for a volcanostratigraphy model: massive flows, ponded lava, fractured massive flows, fragmented flows, thin flows or thick pillows, pillows, breccias, dikes in dike complex, isolated dikes, and gabbros. Three major lithology types in the extrusive section are massive flows (both massive and fragmented massive flow, 22%), fragmented flows (32%), and breccias (19%). Pillow lavas make up only 1.9% of the volcanic section and are confined to a 100 m interval. Below the extrusive section, subvertical contacts interpreted to be dike margins are typically observed every 1 to 2 m with brecciated zones along the contacts. The dikes dip steeply to the northeast indicating slight rotation away from the ridge axis. We used an artificial neural network (ANN) approach to determine a quantitative lithostratigraphy. The ANN is most strongly influenced by porosity and alteration degrees and the resulting stratigraphy most closely resembles the above classifications when clustered by FMS texture as opposed to lithologic interpretation. The ANN thus provides a porosity‐based stratigraphy of the basement rather than the traditional lithology‐based stratigraphy.
Non‐uniform scaling features in central Italy seismicity: A non‐linear approach in investigating seismic patterns and detection of possible earthquake precursors
Authors: Telesca Luciano , Lovallo Michele
Published: January 2009

The detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) is a powerful method for capturing scaling behavior in nonstationary time series. Using an appropriate instability index, it is possible to identify and quantify deviations from uniform power‐law scaling, which suggest the presence of changing dynamics in the system under study. In this context, the scaling behavior of the 1981–2007 seismicity in Umbria‐Marche (central Italy), which is one of the most seismically active areas in Italy, was investigated. Significant deviations from uniform power‐law scaling in the seismic temporal fluctuations were revealed mostly linked with the occurrence of rather large earthquakes or seismic clusters.
Simultaneous satellite observations of VLF chorus, hot and relativistic electrons in a magnetic storm “recovery” phase
Authors: Kasahara Y. , Miyoshi Y. , Omura Y. , Verkhoglyadova O. P. , Nagano I. , Kimura I. , Tsurutani B. T.
Published: January 2009

The mechanism for formation of the Earth's radiation belts has been an outstanding issue for utilization of the geospace environment. We present a magnetic storm recovery phase that occurred from 10 to 19 October 1990, in which there is a clear correlation among continuous injection of hot electrons, generation of chorus, geomagnetic AE activity (all for ∼8 days) and the acceleration of electrons to relativistic energies. We propose a following scenario to explain the observations: the continuous injection of hot electrons associated with the continuous AE activity. The hot electrons with Tperp/Tpara > 1 temperature anisotropies excite whistler‐mode chorus waves. The chorus interacts with energetic electrons accelerating them to MeV energies forming a flux of “killer electrons” in the outer radiation belt.
Summertime buildup and decay of lightning NOx and aged thunderstorm outflow above North America
Authors: Cooper O. R. , Eckhardt S. , Crawford J. H. , Brown C. C. , Cohen R. C. , Bertram T. H. , Wooldridge P. , Perring A. , Brune W. H. , Ren X. , Brunner D. , Baughcum S. L.
Published: January 2009

This study explores the upper tropospheric anticyclone above eastern North America and its influence on the summertime buildup and decay of lightning NOx (LNOx) and thunderstorm outflow. LNOx transport is simulated with a particle dispersion model that releases a LNOx tracer from the locations of millions of cloud‐to‐ground lightning flashes during May–September 2004 and 2006. On average, upper tropospheric zonal flow in May transitions to a closed anticyclone above northern Mexico and the southern United States in July that strengthens in August and rapidly decays in September. Concentrations of the LNOx tracer reach a maximum above the southern United States and Gulf of Mexico in July and August. Fourteen study sites across North America exhibit high day‐to‐day variability of the LNOx tracer in the upper troposphere during summer, with the sites most heavily influenced by the North American summer monsoon having the greatest background concentrations. During late spring and September the western sites have low concentrations with little variability. In general, the west coast sites plus Barbados have the most aged thunderstorm outflow, while the east coast sites have the least aged outflow. More than 80% of summertime upper tropospheric NOx above the eastern United States is produced by lightning. To produce the best available observation‐based view of upper troposphere NOx above North America, measurements from six aircraft campaigns are combined in a single composite plot. The modeled upper tropospheric NOx matches the general continental‐scale distribution of NOx in the composite plot, supporting the dominant role of LNOx in the simulations.
Changes in solar radiation and their influence on temperature trend in Estonia (1955–2007)
Authors: Russak Viivi
Published: January 2009

On the basis of the data from Tartu‐Tõravere Meteorological Station (58°16′N, 26°28′E), changes in solar radiation and temperature in Estonia have been studied for the past half century. Two different periods have become evident in the analyzed time series of solar radiation: a statistically significant decrease in the annual totals of global and direct solar radiation has been detected for the period from 1955 to the beginning of the 1990s, while opposite trends have become evident during more recent years. These changes are in correlation with the changes in the amount of low clouds and in the transparency of cloudless atmosphere (atmospheric aerosol loading). Unlike solar radiation, annual mean temperature has continuously increased during 1955–2007. No time intervals with different slopes have been found in its time series. Because of the relatively short sunshine duration and low Sun elevations, the impact of solar dimming and brightening on the observed warming has turned out to be negligible in the Baltic Sea region.
Using Wirtinger calculus and holomorphic matching to obtain the discharge potential for an elliptical pond
Authors: Strack O. D. L.
Published: January 2009

We present in this paper a new method for deriving discharge potentials for groundwater flow. Discharge potentials are two‐dimensional functions; the discharge potential to be presented represents steady groundwater flow with an elliptical pond of constant rate of extraction or infiltration. The method relies on Wirtinger calculus. We demonstrate that it is possible, in principle, to construct a holomorphic function Ω(z), defined so as to produce the same gradient vector in two dimensions as that obtained from an arbitrary function F(x, y) along any Jordan curve . We will call Ω(z) the holomorphic match of F(x, y) along . Let the line be a closed contour bounding a domain , and let F(x, y) be defined in and represent the discharge potential for some case of divergent groundwater flow. Holomorphic matching makes it possible to create a function Ω(z), valid outside , such that Ω equals F(x, y) and the gradient of Ω equals that of F(x, y) along . (Note that the technique applies also if is the domain outside .) We can use this technique to construct solutions for cases of flow where there is nonzero divergence (due to infiltration or leakage, for example) in but zero divergence outside . The special case that the divergence within is constant and is zero outside is chosen to illustrate the approach and to obtain a solution that, to the knowledge of the author, does not exist in the field of groundwater flow.
Recovery of the Ozone Layer: The Ozone Depleting Gas Index
Authors: Hofmann David J. , Montzka Stephen A.
Published: January 2009

The stratospheric ozone layer, through absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation, protects all biological systems on Earth. In response to concerns over the depletion of the global ozone layer, the U.S. Clean Air Act as amended in 1990 mandates that NASA and NOAA monitor stratospheric ozone and ozone‐depleting substances. This information is critical for assessing whether the Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer, an international treaty that entered into force in 1989 to protect the ozone layer, is having its intended effect of mitigating increases in harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Online Access to Western North American Igneous Rock Geochmical Data
Authors: Farmer G. Lang , Walker J. Doug , Ash Jason , Glazner Allen
Published: January 2009

The Western North American Volcanic and Intrusive Rock Database (NAVDAT) is a free, Web‐accessible, and searchable repository of age, chemical, and isotopic data for Late Cretaceous and younger (∼85 million years ago to present) igneous rocks from western North America, principally from the western conterminous United States and northern Mexico. The database (http://navdat.org) provides the Earth science community and the general public with ready access to information regarding the locations, compositions, and ages of igneous rocks throughout the region.
Helping Scientists Become Effective Partners in Education and Outreach
Authors: Laursen Sandra L. , Smith Lesley K.
Published: January 2009

How does a scientist find herself standing before a group of lively third‐graders? She may be personally motivated—seeking to improve public understanding of scientific issues and the nature of science, or to see her own children receive a good science education—or perhaps she simply enjoys this kind of work [Andrews et al., 20057semi; Kim and Fortner, 2008].

In addition to internal motivating factors, federal funding agencies have begun to encourage scientists to participate in education and outreach (E/O) related to their research, through NASA program requirements for such activities (see “Implementing the Office of Space Science Education/Public Outreach Strategy,” at http://spacescience.nasa.gov/admin/pubs/edu/imp_plan .htm) and the U.S. National Science Foundation's increased emphasis on “broader impacts” in merit review of research proposals (see http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2003/nsf032/bicexamples.pdf).
Global Bio‐optical Algorithms for Ocean Color Satellite Applications: Inherent Optical Properties Algorithm Workshop at Ocean Optics XIX; Barga, Italy, 3–4 October 2008
Authors: Werdell Jeremy
Published: January 2009

Ocean color measured from satellites provides daily global, synoptic views of marine inherent optical properties (IOPs). IOPs, namely, the spectral absorption and scattering characteristics of ocean water and its dissolved and particulate constituents, describe the contents of the upper ocean mixed layer, information critical to furthering scientific understanding of biogeochemical oceanic processes such as carbon exchanges, phytoplankton dynamics, and responses to climatic disturbances. As such, the international ocean color community has invested significant effort in improving the regional and global quality of satellite‐derived IOP products.
Gerald J. Wasserburg Awarded 2008 William Bowie Medal
Authors: Jacobsen Steven B. , Wasserburg Gerald J.
Published: January 2009

Gerald J. Wasserburg was awarded the 2008 William Bowie Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held 17 December 2008 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for “outstanding contributions to fundamental geophysics and for unselfish cooperation in research.”
Micrometeorology
Authors: Stull Roland
Published: January 2009

Warm, gusty afternoons and cool, calm mornings during fair weather over many midlatitude land surfaces create a daily cycle that is comfortably familiar. But we forget that such meteorological variations are not observed above about 2 kilometers from the Earth's surface. Below that altitude, the air feels the direct influence of the Earth's surface; and daily changes of temperature, wind, and other variables are driven by solar heating, infrared cooling, evaporation, carbon dioxide exchange, and frictional drag. This layer of air influenced by the ground is called the atmospheric boundary layer.
Peripheral T cells in the thymus: have they just lost their way or do they do something?
Authors: Bosco Nabil , Kirberg Jörg , Ceredig Rod , Agenès Fabien
Published: January 2009

In young adult mice, the thymus produces about a million newly formed T cells every day that colonize peripheral lymphoid tissues. Mostly regarded as a primary lymphoid organ only, the relationship between the thymus and peripheral lymphoid organs is considered unidirectional. However, this perception has been challenged by reports showing that peripheral lymphocytes, mostly T cells, can migrate back into the thymus. The presence of recirculating T cells in the thymus is rather incongruous and raises the question: is the presence of ‘peripheral’ T cells in the thymus superfluous or do these cells fulfill some relevant physiologic functions? There is now evidence that cells of the hematopoietic lineage, including T cells, can play an active role during thymocyte selection, a role generally considered the exclusive property of thymic epithelial cells and dendritic cells. Although, on a per cell basis, peripheral T cells in the thymus may be less efficient than thymus epithelial cells or dendritic cells at thymocyte positive and negative selection, they may nevertheless contribute to selection by influencing the selectable TCR repertoire and post‐selection T cell functionality. Here, peripheral lymphocytes re‐entering the thymus may be envisioned as Trojan horses as these cells may introduce antigens necessary for both positive and negative selection of T cells.
Quantifying expression of Geobacter spp. oxidative stress genes in pure culture and during in situ uranium bioremediation
Authors: Mouser Paula J , Holmes Dawn E , Perpetua Lorrie A , DiDonato Raymond , Postier Brad , Liu Anna , Lovley Derek R
Published: January 2009

As part of an effort to diagnose the physiological status of Geobacter species during in situ bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater, transcript levels for two genes potentially associated with oxidative stress, cydA and sodA, were quantified throughout a bioremediation field study in Rifle, CO, USA. Despite the accumulation of Fe(II) in the groundwater, which is inconsistent with the presence of dissolved oxygen, both genes were highly expressed during the bioremediation process. Therefore, the response to oxidative stress was further evaluated with Geobacter uraniireducens, an isolate from the Rifle site. When G. uraniireducens cultured with fumarate as the electron acceptor was exposed to 5% oxygen for 8 h, there was a significant increase in cydA and sodA transcripts as well as other genes associated with oxygen respiration or oxidative stress. Oxygen-exposed cells had lower transcript abundance for genes associated with anaerobic respiration, metabolism and motility. Short-term oxygen exposure had little impact on cydA transcript levels, as more than 1 h was required for increases to levels comparable to the subsurface. Abundance of cydA and sodA transcripts for the isolate G. sulfurreducens were always higher in cells cultured with Fe(III) compared with fumarate as an electron acceptor, even when fumarate-grown cells were exposed to oxygen, and Fe(III)-grown cells were grown anaerobically. These results suggest that the apparently high Geobacter cydA and sodA expression during bioremediation cannot necessarily be attributed to oxidative stress and demonstrate that diagnosis of the metabolic status of subsurface microorganisms through transcript analysis should be coupled with appropriate geochemical analyses.
A comprehensive survey of soil acidobacterial diversity using pyrosequencing and clone library analyses
Authors: Jones Ryan T , Robeson Michael S , Lauber Christian L , Hamady Micah , Knight Rob , Fierer Noah
Published: January 2009

Acidobacteria are ubiquitous and abundant members of soil bacterial communities. However, an ecological understanding of this important phylum has remained elusive because its members have been difficult to culture and few molecular investigations have focused exclusively on this group. We generated an unprecedented number of acidobacterial DNA sequence data using pyrosequencing and clone libraries (39 707 and 1787 sequences, respectively) to characterize the relative abundance, diversity and composition of acidobacterial communities across a range of soil types. To gain insight into the ecological characteristics of acidobacterial taxa, we investigated the large-scale biogeographic patterns exhibited by acidobacterial communities, and related soil and site characteristics to acidobacterial community assemblage patterns. The 87 soils analyzed by pyrosequencing contained more than 8600 unique acidobacterial phylotypes (at the 97% sequence similarity level). One phylotype belonging to Acidobacteria subgroup 1, but not closely related to any cultured representatives, was particularly abundant, accounting for 7.4% of bacterial sequences and 17.6% of acidobacterial sequences, on average, across the soils. The abundance of Acidobacteria relative to other bacterial taxa was highly variable across the soils examined, but correlated strongly with soil pH (R=−0.80, P<0.001). Soil pH was also the best predictor of acidobacterial community composition, regardless of how the communities were characterized, and the relative abundances of the dominant Acidobacteria subgroups were readily predictable. Acidobacterial communities were more phylogenetically clustered as soil pH departed from neutrality, suggesting that pH is an effective habitat filter, restricting community membership to progressively more narrowly defined lineages as pH deviates from neutrality.
Grazing rates and functional diversity of uncultured heterotrophic flagellates
Authors: Massana Ramon , Unrein Fernando , Rodríguez-Martínez Raquel , Forn Irene , Lefort Thomas , Pinhassi Jarone , Not Fabrice
Published: January 2009

Aquatic assemblages of heterotrophic protists are very diverse and formed primarily by organisms that remain uncultured. Thus, a critical issue is assigning a functional role to this unknown biota. Here we measured grazing rates of uncultured protists in natural assemblages (detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH)), and investigated their prey preference over several bacterial tracers in short-term ingestion experiments. These included fluorescently labeled bacteria (FLB) and two strains of the Roseobacter lineage and the family Flavobacteriaceae, of various cell sizes, which were offered alive and detected by catalyzed reporter deposition-FISH after the ingestion. We obtained grazing rates of the globally distributed and uncultured marine stramenopiles groups 4 and 1 (MAST-4 and MAST-1C) flagellates. Using FLB, the grazing rate of MAST-4 was somewhat lower than whole community rates, consistent with its small size. MAST-4 preferred live bacteria, and clearance rates with these tracers were up to 2 nl per predator per h. On the other hand, grazing rates of MAST-1C differed strongly depending on the tracer prey used, and these differences could not be explained by cell viability. Highest rates were obtained using FLB whereas the flavobacteria strain was hardly ingested. Possible explanations would be that the small flavobacteria cells were outside the effective size range of edible prey, or that MAST-1C selects against this particular strain. Our original dual FISH protocol applied to grazing experiments reveals important functional differences between distinct uncultured protists and offers the possibility to disentangle the complexity of microbial food webs.
Bacterial diversity and White Plague Disease-associated community changes in the Caribbean coral Montastraea faveolata
Authors: Sunagawa Shinichi , DeSantis Todd Z , Piceno Yvette M , Brodie Eoin L , DeSalvo Michael K , Voolstra Christian R , Weil Ernesto , Andersen Gary L , Medina Mónica
Published: January 2009

Increasing evidence confirms the crucial role bacteria and archaea play within the coral holobiont, that is, the coral host and its associated microbial community. The bacterial component constitutes a community of high diversity, which appears to change in structure in response to disease events. In this study, we highlight the limitation of 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA) clone library sequencing as the sole method to comprehensively describe coral-associated communities. This limitation was addressed by combining a high-density 16S rRNA gene microarray with, clone library sequencing as a novel approach to study bacterial communities in healthy versus diseased corals. We determined an increase in diversity as well as a significant shift in community structure in Montastraea faveolata colonies displaying phenotypic signs of White Plague Disease type II (WPD-II). An accumulation of species that belong to families that include known coral pathogens (Alteromonadaceae, Vibrionaceae), bacteria previously isolated from diseased, stressed or injured marine invertebrates (for example, Rhodobacteraceae), and other species (for example, Campylobacteraceae) was observed. Some of these species were also present in healthy tissue samples, but the putative primary pathogen, Aurantimonas corallicida, was not detected in any sample by either method. Although an ecological succession of bacteria during disease progression after causation by a primary agent represents a possible explanation for our observations, we also discuss the possibility that a disease of yet to be determined etiology may have affected M. faveolata colonies and resulted in (or be a result of) an increase in opportunistic pathogens.
Pregravid Weight Is Associated With Prior Dietary Restraint and Psychosocial Factors During Pregnancy
Authors: Laraia Barbara A. , Siega‐Riz Anna M. , Dole Nancy , London Emily
Published: January 2009

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of pregravid weight status, previous dietary restraint, and psychosocial factors during pregnancy. We used data from the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition study, which recruited 2,006 women at prenatal clinics before 20 weeks' gestation who were >16 years and English speaking. Institute of Medicine BMI cut points of underweight (<19.8), normal weight (19.8–26.0), overweight (>26.0–29.0), obese (>29.0–34.9), and an additional category extremely obese (≥35.0), were used to categorize weight status. Eight psychosocial measures and dietary restraint were assessed with regard to BMI; perceived stress, trait anxiety, depressive symptoms, internal locus of control (LOC), chance LOC, powerful others LOC, self‐esteem, and mastery. Linear regression was used to estimate associations, controlling for potential confounders. A significant trend was found between increasing pregravid weight categories and increasing scores for perceived stress, trait anxiety, depressive symptoms, powerful others LOC and dietary restraint, and decreasing scores for self‐esteem and mastery. In adjusted models, pregravid obesity was independently associated with perceived stress, trait anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Extreme obesity was independently associated with all measures except internal LOC. A strong linear association was found between increasing weight categories and dietary restraint. In conclusion, as pregravid weight increased, pregnant women were at greater risk of reporting higher scores on negative psychosocial state and dietary restraints, and reporting lower score on positive personal dispositions.
Oxidant Stress in Healthy Normal‐weight, Overweight, and Obese Individuals
Authors: Brown Louise A. , Kerr Catherine J. , Whiting Paul , Finer Nicholas , McEneny Jane , Ashton Tony
Published: January 2009

This study was undertaken to investigate the association among BMI and lipid hydroperoxide (LH), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Ninety (n = 90) healthy males and females (n = 23/67) (29 normal weight (BMI: 22.74 ± 0.25 kg/m2), 36 overweight (BMI: 27.18 ± 0.23 kg/m2), and 25 obese (33.78 ± 0.48 kg/m2)) participated in the study. Data collected included anthropometric measures, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, LH, TAS, and enzymatic antioxidants (SOD, and reduced GSH). The results of the study showed that obese individuals had significantly increased LH levels compared to normal‐weight individuals (obese vs. normal weight (0.88 ± 0.05 vs. 0.67 ± 0.03 µmol/l, P < 0.01)) but the increased levels were not significantly different when compared to the overweight group (obese vs. overweight (0.88 ± 0.05 vs. 0.79 ± 0.05 µmol/l)). No other consistent significant differences in TAS, SOD, and GSH were identified between groups. This study concluded that only obesity and not moderate overweight elevates LH levels. Furthermore, the levels of TAS, SOD, and GSH in obesity do not explain the increased LH levels observed in obesity.
Anti‐inflammatory Effect of Palmitoylethanolamide on Human Adipocytes
Authors: Hoareau Laurence , Buyse Marion , Festy Franck , Ravanan Palaniyandi , Gonthier Marie‐Paule , Matias Isabel , Petrosino Stefania , Tallet Frank , D'Hellencourt Christian Lefebvre , Cesari Maya , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Roche Régis
Published: January 2009

Obesity leads to the appearance of an inflammatory process, which can be initiated even with a moderate weight gain. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous lipid, secreted by human adipocytes, that possesses numerous anti‐inflammatory properties. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the anti‐inflammatory effect of PEA on human adipocytes, as well as in a murine model. The production of tumor necrosis factor–α (TNF‐α) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated human subcutaneous adipocytes in primary culture and CF‐1 mice was investigated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of PEA on adipocyte TNF‐α secretion were explored as well as some suspected PEA anti‐inflammatory pathways: nuclear factor–κB (NF‐κB) pathway, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor–α (PPAR‐α) gene expression, and TNF‐α‐converting enzyme (TACE) activity. The effects of PEA on the TNF‐α serum concentration in intraperitoneally LPS‐treated mice were also studied. We demonstrate that the LPS induced secretion of TNF‐α by human adipocytes is inhibited by PEA. This action is neither linked to a reduction in TNF‐α gene transcription nor to the inhibition of TACE activity. Moreover, PPAR‐α is not implicated in this anti‐inflammatory activity. Lastly, PEA exhibits a wide‐reaching anti‐inflammatory action as the molecule is able to completely inhibit the strong increase in TNF‐α levels in the serum of mice treated with high doses of LPS. In view of its virtual lack of toxicity, PEA might become a potentially interesting candidate molecule in the prevention of obesity‐associated insulin resistance.
Independent Association of HbA1c and Incident Cardiovascular Disease in People Without Diabetes
Authors: Adams Robert J. , Appleton Sarah L. , Hill Catherine L. , Wilson David H. , Taylor Anne W. , Chittleborough Catherine R. , Gill Tiffany K. , Ruffin Richard E.
Published: January 2009

Recent studies have reported no association between elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) among women without diabetes. This study describes associations between HbA1c and new onset CVD in a representative adult population cohort. Assessment of participants in The North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS), a population study of randomly selected adults (age ≥18 years, n = 4,060), included measurement of height, weight, blood pressure, fasting lipids, glucose, and HbA1c. A self‐completed questionnaire assessed doctor‐diagnosed diabetes, CVD and stroke, smoking status, and demographics. The cohort was followed for an average 3.5 years. Of the 2,913 adults free of diabetes at baseline and follow‐up, 94 (3.5%) reported new onset coronary heart disease (CHD) and/or stroke. Compared with those with an HbA1c ≤5.0%, risk of new onset CVD was increased in those with HbA1c 5.4–5.6% (odds ratio (OR) 2.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4, 4.6), and ≥5.7% (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.4), after adjustment for other risk factors. The association was stronger in women than men (P = 0.03), and attenuated to only a small degree by addition of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, BMI, waist circumference, or smoking to the model. Elevated HbA1c is related to new onset CVD over a relatively short follow‐up period in both men and women without diabetes and who do not develop diabetes, after adjustment for other major risk factors. Unlike previous studies, this relationship was not substantially attenuated by other traditional risk factors.
Validation of DXA Body Composition Estimates in Obese Men and Women
Authors: LaForgia Joseph , Dollman James , Dale Michael J. , Withers Robert T. , Hill Alison M.
Published: January 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA)‐derived percentage fat estimates in obese adults by using four‐compartment (4C) values as criterion measures. Differences between methods were also investigated in relation to the influence of fat‐free mass (FFM) hydration and various anthropometric measurements. Six women and eight men (age 22–54 years, BMI 28.7–39.9 kg/m2, 4C percent body fat (%BF) 31.3–52.6%) had relative body fat (%BF) determined via DXA and a 4C method that incorporated measures of body density (BD), total body water (TBW), and bone mineral mass (BMM) via underwater weighing, deuterium dilution, and DXA, respectively. Anthropometric measurements were also undertaken: height, waist and gluteal girth, and anterior‐posterior (A‐P) chest depth. Values for both methods were significantly correlated (r2 = 0.894) and no significant difference (P = 0.57) was detected between the means (DXA = 41.1%BF, 4C = 41.5%BF). The slope and intercept for the regression line were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from 1 and 0, respectively. Although both methods were significantly correlated, intraindividual differences between the methods were sizable (4C‐DXA, range = −3.04 to 4.01%BF) and significantly correlated with tissue thickness (chest depth) or most surrogates of tissue thickness (body mass, BMI, waist girth) but not FFM hydration and gluteal girth. DXA provided cross‐sectional %BF data for obese adults without bias. However, individual data are associated with large prediction errors (±4.2%BF). This error appears to be associated with tissue thickness indicating that the DXA device used may not be able to accurately account for beam hardening in obese cohorts.
Elderly People With Low Body Weight May Have Subtle Low‐grade Inflammation
Authors: Nakajima Kei , Yamaoka Hiroko , Morita Kumiko , Ebata Midori , Eguchi Satoko , Muneyuki Toshitaka , Munakata Hiromi
Published: January 2009

Low‐grade inflammation, which plays important roles in the development of fatal diseases, is commonly observed in obese people. However, this has not been evaluated in lean people, who have relatively increased mortality risk compared with people of normal weight. Here, we elucidate the association between systemic low‐grade inflammation and low body weight, with particular emphasis on aging. We examined the relationship between circulating C‐reactive protein (CRP) and BMI in a cross‐sectional study of 2,675 apparently healthy adults who had undergone a medical check‐up. Overall, subjects with low BMI (<21.0 kg/m2, n = 585) showed a favorable cardiovascular profile without being undernourished. In the elderly (≥55 years old), logarithmic CRP (LogCRP) showed a sigmoid curve against BMI with a base at BMI 21.0–22.9 kg/m2, but not against waist circumference (WC), even in nonsmokers. In contrast, in middle‐aged people, LogCRP showed an almost linear relationship with both BMI and WC. LogCRP levels in elderly nonsmokers with low BMI, but not normal or high BMI, were significantly higher than those in middle‐aged with corresponding BMI (P < 0.05). After adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, and weight change over the past 2 years, the adjusted means of LogCRP still had a similar sigmoid curve against BMI in the elderly. These results suggest that elderly people with low body weight may have subtle low‐grade inflammation irrespective of a favorable cardiovascular risk, which remains to be confirmed in further studies.