bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Herpes myelitis after thoracic spine surgery
Authors: Anderson Mark Daniel , Tummala Sudhakar
Published: March 2013

Herpes simplex or herpes zoster reactivation after spinal surgery is rarely reported. This case report and review of the literature describes patients in whom this reactivation occurs to clarify the diagnosis and management. In addition to reporting their case, the authors reviewed case reports and series published between 1980 and 2012 found through a PubMed search. Herpes reactivation is generally confined to a vesicular rash that can be treated with acyclovir. However, occasional dissemination has occurred and has led to myelitis or encephalitis. Atypical presentations led to delays in diagnosis, delayed treatment, and poor neurological outcome. While rare, herpes simplex or herpes zoster reactivation is a complication of spine surgery that must be considered in the face of new-onset focal neurological symptoms in a dermatome pattern without a structural cause, even without a rash.
Wnt Secretion and Gradient Formation
Authors: Solis Gonzalo , Lüchtenborg Anne-Marie , Katanaev Vladimir
Published: March 2013

Concentration gradients formed by the lipid-modified morphogens of the Wnt family are known for their pivotal roles during embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis. Wnt morphogens are also implicated in a variety of human diseases, especially cancer. Therefore, the signaling cascades triggered by Wnts have received considerable attention during recent decades. However, how Wnts are secreted and how concentration gradients are formed remains poorly understood. The use of model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster has provided important advances in this area. For instance, we have previously shown that the lipid raft-associated reggie/flotillin proteins influence Wnt secretion and spreading in Drosophila. Our work supports the notion that producing cells secrete Wnt molecules in at least two pools: a poorly diffusible one and a reggie/flotillin-dependent highly diffusible pool which allows morphogen spreading over long distances away from its source of production. Here we revise the current views of Wnt secretion and spreading, and propose two models for the role of the reggie/flotillin proteins in these processes: (i) reggies/flotillins regulate the basolateral endocytosis of the poorly diffusible, membrane-bound Wnt pool, which is then sorted and secreted to apical compartments for long-range diffusion, and (ii) lipid rafts organized by reggies/flotillins serve as “dating points” where extracellular Wnt transiently interacts with lipoprotein receptors to allow its capture and further spreading via lipoprotein particles. We further discuss these processes in the context of human breast cancer. A better understanding of these phenomena may be relevant for identification of novel drug targets and therapeutic strategies.
Cell Suspension Culture of Eriobotrya japonica Regulates the Diabetic and Hyperlipidemic Signs of High-Fat-Fed Mice
Authors: Shih Chun-Ching , Ciou Jiun-Lin , Lin Cheng-Hsiu , Wu Jin-Bin , Ho Hui-Ya
Published: March 2013

The present study investigates the anti-hyperlipidemic and antihyperglycemic effects and mechanism in high-fat (HF)-fed mice of cell suspension culture of Eriobotrya japonica (TA), which contains a great number of pentacyclic terpenoids. Firstly, C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups: the control (CON) group was fed with a low-fat diet (n = 9), whereas the experimental group was fed a 45% HF diet for 8 weeks. Afterwards, the CON group was treated with vehicle, whereas the HF group was subdivided into five groups and was orally given TA or rosiglitazone or not for 4 weeks. Blood and visceral adipose tissue, liver tissue and skeletal muscle were examined. Treatment with TA reduced body weight gain, weights of white adipose tissue (WAT) (including epididymal, perirenal, mesenteric WAT and visceral fat), and hepatic triacylglycerol content significantly without affecting food intake in diet-induced diabetic mice. TA effectively prevented HF diet-induced increases in the levels of blood glucose, insulin, leptin and HOMA-IR index (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively) and attenuated insulin resistance. Treatment with TA, adipocytes in the visceral depots showed a reduction in size. TA effectively significantly increased the protein contents of phosphorylation of AMPK-α (Thr172) both in liver and adipose tissue. It is shown that TA exhibits hypolipidemic effect in HF-fed mice by decreasing gene expressions of fatty acid synthesis, including acyl-coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT) 2, which catalyzes the final step in the synthesis of triglycerides, and antidiabetic properties occurred as a result of decreased hepatic glucose production via phosphenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) down- regulation, improved insulin sensitization and TA (at 1.0 g/kg dose) decreased expression of hepatic and adipose 11-β-hydroxysteroid dehydroxygenase (11β-HSD1) gene, which contributed in attenuating diabetic state. Futhermore, TA at doses of 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg had serum lipid-lowering action characterized by the inhibition of DGAT 1 expression. Thus, amelioration of diabetic and dyslipidemic state by TA in HF-fed mice occurred by regulation of PEPCK, DGAT2 and AMPK phosphorylation.
Sidonie ou la compulsion suicidaire
Authors: Boissière Loïc
Published: March 2013

Avec Sidonie, nous nous proposons d’interroger ici la dynamique d’entrée dans un processus compulsionnel de répétition suicidaire, des confins de l’adolescence jusqu’à l’orée de l’âge adulte. Nous faisons l’hypothèse qu’à partir d’une perte originelle et traumatique, impossible à intégrer, a pu s’initier, dans l’« après-coup », le processus suicidaire. Nous supposons encore qu’au-delà de la répétition « après-coup » de raptus traumatiques, réactionnels à la survenue réitérée d’évènements externes, a pu s’installer par la suite, et peut-être dans la cohabitation, une véritable compulsion à l’acte suicidaire. Celle-ci pourrait procéder en son origine de difficultés spécifiques du traitement de la perte et d’une inhibition de la conflictualité intrapsychique, dont les conséquences seraient l’impossible élaboration d’une souffrance dépressive inextinguible et des mouvements destructeurs qu’elle peut susciter à l’endroit des objets internes. Enfin, par delà ce glissement d’un processus réactionnel à un processus compulsionnel de répétition suicidaire, nous posons la question de l’évolution vers un « besoin de répétition », « au-delà du principe de plaisir », au terme d’une désunion pulsionnelle au long cours et d’un procès naissant de désobjectalisation.
Le dispositif d'évaluation dans la pratique clinique de l'expertise judiciaire : un initiateur au changement ?
Authors: Ravit Magali , Di Rocco Vincent
Published: March 2013

Les auteurs interrogent la particularité du dispositif expertal, point de jonction et de tension entre le discours juridique et l’investigation clinique de tout autre nature. La particularité de ce dispositif clinique est envisagée selon trois axes qui conditionnent le cadre de la pratique : 1) le dispositif expertal est conduit par un processus associatif dans lequel les méthodes projectives permettent d’organiser une lecture clinique des processus qui s’y déploient ; 2) l’expertise est un acte de co-construction dans la mesure où l’histoire du sujet se construit dans une relation intersubjective où le clinicien rassemble les éléments déployés et organisés selon la narrativité, mais il prend aussi en compte des éléments plus primaires échappant à l’organisation du langage ; 3) cette rencontre est mue par un processus d’affectation du sujet dans l’autre, le sujet s’adressant à un autre-sujet semblable et différent. Deux vignettes cliniques appuieront ces propositions.
Contribution à une étude normative de l'épreuve de Rorschach auprès d'un groupe d'enfants de 8 à 14 ans non-consultants
Authors: Baumann Nadine , Quartier Vincent , Antonietti Jean-Philippe
Published: March 2013

Cette étude normative de l’épreuve de Rorschach porte sur une population suisse de 102 enfants et adolescents non-consultants de 8 à 14 ans, répartis par tranches d’âge, sexe et niveau intellectuel. Elle présente un aperçu des différentes méthodes utilisées dans l’interprétation du Rorschach et des normes francophones existantes. Une réflexion est aussi proposée autour de la question de l’utilité de l’analyse des facteurs quantitatifs au Rorschach. Suite à une présentation détaillée de la méthodologie de recherche, les résultats sont exposés et comparés aux normes antérieures. Ils ne révèlent pas de différences importantes avec ces dernières, à l’exception de la hausse du F%, de la baisse du F+% et du nombre de Banalités. Les comparaisons Age, Sexe et QI révèlent quelques différences entre les groupes.
Le bilan psychologique dans les cliniques « périnévrotiques » en période de latence
Authors: Boucherat-Hue Valérie
Published: March 2013

Les consultations de pédopsychiatrie sont motivées pour moitié pour des enfants en âge de latence et les motifs concernent classiquement des difficultés liées à la réussite et/ou à l’intégration scolaire. Dans les contextes cliniques d’ordre « périnévrotique », dominés par la massivité de l’inhibition intellectuelle et parfois motrice, le bilan psychologique aide à saisir la problématique psycho-affective qui sous-tend les entraves scolaires lorsqu’elles entrent dans le cadre d’une intelligence normale. Quelques rappels sur les aménagements psychiques attendus en latence permettront d’introduire la présentation du cas clinique d’une fillette de 8 ans dont l’examen psychologique révèle des aspects psychopathologiques inattendus et permet de préciser la problématique affective de l’enfant en référence aux modèles psychodynamiques de la latence. Chemin faisant, la question sera posée de savoir si les symptômes névrotiques, lorsqu’ils sont massifs et grèvent l’organisation de la latence, sont à considérer comme des rejetons « pseudo-névrotiques » ? Comment ne pas rabattre cette clinique sur les destins et pronostics des états-limites de l’enfance, ce qui risquerait d’enfermer le sujet dans une trajectoire prégénitale alors que le potentiel « périnévrotique » de l’organisation psychique est patent ?
Time dependent effects of graded levels of Fusarium toxin contaminated maize in diets for female piglets
Authors: Rempe I. , Kersten S. , Brezina U. , Hermeyer K. , Beineke A. , Dänicke S.
Published: March 2013

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of graded levels of the Fusarium toxins zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) in diets for female piglets during 29 days of treatment on the development of performance, organ weights, clinical serum characteristics, differential blood counts and vulva morphology. For this purpose, 120 female weaned piglets with an initial mean bodyweight of 8.9±1.6 kg, were assigned to 5 feeding groups (n=24). The piglets of groups 1 to 5 received diets containing 0, 1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10% naturally contaminated maize instead of control maize, resulting in 0.01, 0.05, 0.08, 0.17 and 0.29 mg ZEA/kg, and 0.03, 0.59, 1.27, 2.01 and 4.52 mg DON/kg feed, respectively. After 1, 3, 8, 15, 22 and 29 days, 20 piglets (four piglets from each group) were slaughtered. Animals of group 5 consumed at least 20% less feed than animals of the other feeding groups. Body weight gain was significantly reduced in group 5 in the last week compared to group 2 and 3. Relative visceral organ weights were not affected by the treatments, but they mostly showed some minimal time dependent alterations. Uterus weights tended to be decreased in group 5 on day 15 of the experiment. Though not significant, signs of hyperoestrogenism such as swelling of the vulva became more pronounced with increasing time of exposure. Histopathological examination of organ specimens did not reveal any toxin related lesions. Total leukocytes, differential blood count and stimulation index of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were not affected by the diet, however, the proportion of lymphocytes increased while neutrophils decreased during the experiment independent of treatment. Clinical chemical serum characteristics were not affected by the treatments, however, they were somewhat affected by time. In conclusion, the dose related effects of ZEA and DON on performance and signs of hyperoestrogenism seemed to be dependent on exposure time.
Comparison of novel GH 68 levansucrases of levan-overproducing Gluconobacter species
Authors: Jakob Frank , Meißner Daniel , Vogel Rudi F.
Published: March 2013

Gluconobacter species are capable of incomplete oxidations which are exploited in food biotechnology. Levans isolated from exopolysaccharide (EPS)-overproducing Gluconobacter species are promising functional compounds for food applications. Fructan production strongly depends on the corresponding fructosyltransferases (Ftfs), which catalyze the formation of these polymers from sucrose. Therefore, we characterized novel Ftfs from three EPS-overproducing food-grade strains, i.e. Gluconobacter sp. TMW 2.767 and Gluconobacter sp. TMW 2.1191 isolated from water kefir, and Gluconobacter cerinus DSM 9533T isolated from cherries. Several PCR techniques, including degenerate gradient temperature PCR, modified and standard inverse PCR, modified site-finding PCR and modified single primer PCR, were used to finally detect complete open reading frames coding for Ftfs. The prospective ftf-gene sequences were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli Top 10. E. coli transformants harboring one of the three different ftf-genes produced polysaccharides from sucrose in contrast to the E. coli wildtype. Each of the heterologously expressed proteins encoded a levansucrase, catalyzing the formation of b-(2→6)-linked fructose polymers, which corresponded to our previous analyses about the chemical nature of the isolated polymers formed by these Gluconobacter strains. Structurally, these enzymes belong to the glycoside hydrolase 68 family (GH 68), sharing the typical modular topology of levansucrases from gram-negative bacteria. In conclusion, we could identify novel active levansucrases, which can be used for ex situ (enzymatic catalyses) or in situ (fermentation) production of functional fructan polymers by Gluconobacter strains in food and other applications.
Molecular Basis, Diagnosis and Clinical Management of Mucopolysaccharidoses
Authors: Parini Rossella , Bertola Francesca , Russo Pierluigi
Published: March 2013

Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of hereditary, monogenic disorders caused by lysosomal storage of glycosaminoglycans. Their incidence as a group is between 1:25,000 and 1:45,000. At present 11 different enzyme deficiencies are know to be responsible of 7 similar but distinct diseases. The diagnosis is suspected clinically but must be confirmed through biochemical, enzymatic and molecular analysis. Prenatal diagnosis is feasible for each disease. The phenotype worsens with age, due to progressive storage, and mainly involves mucosal tissue, upper airways and lungs, bones and joints, central and peripheral nervous system, heart, liver, eye and ear. Any type of MPSs, is characterized by a wide variability of phenotype ranging from a severe fetal-neonatal disease to an attenuated form diagnosed in adult individuals. Recently new treatments, like hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and enzymatic replacement therapy, became available for many of these disorders entailing the urgency of early diagnosis to allow access to therapies. Thanks to therapies these patients have a longer life than in the past and this implies that also palliative treatments, of which the cardiological ones have a prominent part, must be undertaken diligently. The cardiologist may face, more frequently than expected, with the need to diagnose a patient with MPS who was not recognized by other specialists. The echocardiographic features of these patients are typical and may help in the clinical diagnosis. The future probably deserves to these disorders other new treatments or combination therapies, which might further improve prognosis of these diseases.
Sinc Nyström Method for Singularly Perturbed Love's Integral Equation
Authors: Lin Fu-Rong , Lu Xin , Jin Xiao-Qing
Published: March 2013

An efficient numerical method is proposed for the solution of Love's integral equation

where c > 0 is a small parameter, by using a sinc Nyström method based on a double exponential transformation. The method is derived using the property that the solution ƒ(x) of Love's integral equation satisfies ƒ (x) → 0.5 for x ∈ (−1, 1) when the parameter c → 0. Numerical results show that the proposed method is very efficient.
Molecular Zombi y la paternidad marciana de Pablo Llorens
Authors: Torres Pujol Rosa
Published: March 2013

Pablo Llorens es uno de los grandes animadoresde España. A pesar de los incontables premios —entreellos dos Goyas— que tiene en su haber, siguehaciendo cosas. Sobre todo trabaja en publicidad,pero de vez en cuando se da un respiro espiritual yconvoca en su productora Potens Plastianimationa otros animadores, así como a Tritón Media, conquien realiza producciones de integración de “stopmotion”con acción real. Trabaja principalmente conreferencias populares a la ciencia ficción, creando losefectos especiales en plastilina, lo que da a la imagenuna estética muy “revival”. Su último trabajo, MolecularZombi, aborda la historia de una pareja en crisisque soluciona sus problemas gracias a una paternidadintergaláctica que salva el mundo: una historia surrealistacon puntos de “gore” y ternura, que ya se estáempezando a mover por los festivales de animacióny cine de terror.
O Apostolo, de Fernando Cortizo
Authors: Encinas Salamanca Adrián
Published: March 2013

Hasta el pasado 2012, solo Pablo Llorens habíasido capaz de realizar un largometraje “stop-motion”en España, pero Fernando Cortizo y su compañíaArtefacto Productions han llegado para demostrarque se podía repetir semejante hito. Con mucha ilusióny poca fuerza comercial, llega esta estupendahistoria de misterio que hará las delicias de amantesde la animación y del cine fantástico, donde no se haescatimado en calidad visual, pues su resultado mira alos ojos a producciones como Los mundos de Coralineo Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Animación en la Filmoteca del IVAC. Algunos jalones significativos en su programación.
Authors: Hurtado Álvarez José Antonio
Published: March 2013

La Filmoteca del IVAC siempre ha consideradoque la animación, como universo cinematográficoque hay que reivindicar, debía tener una destacadapresencia en su programación. A lo largo de su historia,la filmoteca ha apostado por ello mediante la organizaciónperiódica de ciclos y retrospectivas: AardmanAnimation, Bill Plympton, Jan Švankmajer, etc.Incluso se ha convertido en colaboradora y sede defestivales de animación, como el Festival de animaciónAni_Mar - Premio Miquel Guillem, o Animadrid.A través de estas iniciativas, se ha pretendidoabarcar de la manera más extensa posible, tantodesde un punto de vista geográfico como histórico,todo el vasto espacio de la animación. Es de señalarque cuando se publique este artículo el IVAC habrádesaparecido, integrándose en un nuevo organismo,con una merma considerable de personal y presupuesto,lo que supone un grave perjuicio para el funcionamientode lo que históricamente se conoce porFilmoteca de Valencia.
La fiesta que queremos. El Festival Internacional de Animación de Córdoba – ANIMA
Authors: González Alejandro R.
Published: March 2013

El ANIMA – Festival Internacional de Animaciónde Córdoba (Argentina), es un evento académico ycultural, dedicado específicamente a la animación ensus dimensiones artísticas y tecnológicas. ANIMAcombina la energía, entusiasmo y goce de un festivalde animación con los aspectos científicos de un congreso.Se desarrolla desde el 2001 con continuidad entodos los años impares; es el principal evento referidoa la animación en Argentina, y un muy influyentejugador en su campo en América Latina y el Caribe.Esta reseña del ANIMA brinda información sobrelas actividades del Festival y su perfil curatorial.
Enseñando animación y el universo
Authors: Alkabetz Gil
Published: March 2013

La animación, como universo fabricado, necesitareglas que orienten al realizador para orientar sucreatividad. La existencia de tales reglas no constriñela imaginación, sino que la estimulan. A partir de esteprincipio, Gil Alkabetz desarrolla diversos talleresdonde los estudiantes de animación realizan pequeñosproyectos a partir de una serie de restricciones,que paradójicamente fomentan la aparición de resultadoscreativos y originales. La aplicación de este tipode premisas para estimular la expresividad personalde los alumnos tiene un resultado positivo en la industria,donde cada vez más se demandan solucionesoriginales e impactantes.
Alma en suplicio. La Medusa animada de Ray Harryhausen
Authors: Ferri Gandia Manuel
Published: March 2013

Este artículo realiza una especial contribución alas publicaciones cada vez más numerosas sobre elanimador Ray Harryhausen, centrándose en su tareade creador de personajes, y concretamente en el dela Gorgona Medusa que aparece en el largometrajeFuria de titanes (Clash of the Titans, Desmond Davis,1981). En primer lugar, el artículo describirá el mitode Medusa, así como su representación en el arteclásico y otras posteriores en el medio audiovisual,previas al estreno de la citada película. Seguidamente,el artículo girará en torno al autor y su relación conel personaje, profundizando diversos aspectos del desarrollocreativo. La parte final pretende ser una guíasobre el personaje visto por otros artistas en diversosmedios audiovisuales, especialmente el videojuego,haciendo hincapié en aquellos trabajos que muestraninfluencias del diseño de Ray Harryhausen.
Dynamics of the chemical composition of rainwater throughout Hurricane Irene
Authors: Mullaugh K. M. , Willey J. D. , Kieber R. J. , Mead R. N. ,   G. B. Avery Jr.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Sequential sampling of rainwater from Hurricane Irene was carried out in Wilmington, NC, USA on 26 and 27 August 2011. Eleven samples were analyzed for pH, major ions (Cl−, NO3−, SO42−, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, NH4+), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Hurricane Irene contributed 16% of the total rainwater and 18% of the total chloride wet deposition received in Wilmington NC during all of 2011. This work highlights the main physical factors influencing the chemical composition of tropical storm rainwater: wind speed, wind direction, back trajectory and vertical mixing, time of day and total rain volume. Samples collected early in the storm, when winds blew out of the east, contained dissolved components indicative of marine sources (salts from sea spray and low DOC). The sea-salt components in the samples had two maxima in concentration during the storm the first of which occurred before the volume of rain had sufficiently washed out sea salt from the atmosphere and the second when back trajectories showed large volumes of marine surface air were lifted. As the storm progressed and winds shifted to a westerly direction, the chemical composition of the rainwater became characteristic of terrestrial storms (high DOC and NH4+ and low sea salt). This work demonstrates that tropical storms are not only responsible for significant wet deposition of marine components to land, but terrestrial components can also become entrained in rainwater, which can then be delivered to coastal waters via wet deposition. This study also underscores why analysis of one composite sample can lead to an incomplete interpretation of the factors that influence the chemically divergent analytes in rainwater during extreme weather events.
CO2 increases 14C primary production in an Arctic plankton community
Authors: Engel A. , Borchard C. , Piontek J. , Schulz K. G. , Riebesell U. , Bellerby R.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Responses to ocean acidification in plankton communities were studied during a CO2-enrichment experiment in the Arctic Ocean, accomplished from June to July 2010 in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard (78°56′ 2′′ N, 11°53′ 6′′ E). Enclosed in 9 mesocosms (volume: 43.9–47.6 m3), plankton was exposed to CO2 concentrations, ranging from glacial to projected mid-next-century levels. Fertilization with inorganic nutrients at day 13 of the experiment supported the accumulation of phytoplankton biomass, as indicated by two periods of high chl a concentration. This study tested for CO2 sensitivities in primary production (PP) of particulate organic carbon (PPPOC) and of dissolved organic carbon (PPDOC). Therefore, 14C-bottle incubations (24 h) of mesocosm samples were performed at 1 m depth receiving about 60% of incoming radiation. PP for all mesocosms averaged 8.06 ± 3.64 μmol C L−1 d−1 and was slightly higher than in the outside fjord system. Comparison between mesocosms revealed significantly higher PPPOC at elevated compared to low pCO2 after nutrient addition. PPDOC was significantly higher in CO2-enriched mesocosms before as well as after nutrient addition, suggesting that CO2 had a direct influence on DOC production. DOC concentrations inside the mesocosms increased before nutrient addition and more in high CO2 mesocosms. After addition of nutrients, however, further DOC accumulation was negligible and not significantly different between treatments, indicating rapid utilization of freshly produced DOC. Bacterial biomass production (BP) was coupled to PP in all treatments, indicating that 3.5 ± 1.9% of PP or 21.6 ± 12.5% of PPDOC provided on average sufficient carbon for synthesis of bacterial biomass. During the later course of the bloom, the response of 14C-based PP rates to CO2 enrichment differed from net community production (NCP) rates that were also determined during this mesocosm campaign. We conclude that the enhanced release of labile DOC during autotrophic production at high CO2 exceedingly stimulated activities of heterotrophic microorganisms. As a consequence, increased PP induced less NCP, as suggested earlier for carbon-limited microbial systems in the Arctic.
The impact of four decades of annual nitrogen addition on dissolved organic matter in a boreal forest soil
Authors: Rappe-George M. O. , Gärdenäs A. I. , Kleja D. B.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Addition of mineral nitrogen (N) can alter the concentration and quality of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in forest soils. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of long-term mineral N addition on soil solution concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) in Stråsan experimental forest (Norway spruce) in central Sweden. N was added yearly at two levels of intensity and duration: the N1 treatment represented a lower intensity but a longer duration (43 yr) of N addition than the shorter N2 treatment (24 yr). N additions were terminated in the N2 treatment in 1991. The N treatments began in 1967 when the spruce stands were 9 yr old. Soil solution in the forest floor O, and soil mineral B, horizons were sampled during the growing seasons of 1995 and 2009. Tension and non-tension lysimeters were installed in the O horizon (n = 6), and tension lysimeters were installed in the underlying B horizon (n = 4): soil solution was sampled at two-week intervals. Although tree growth and O horizon carbon (C) and N stock increased in treatments N1 and N2, the concentration of DOC in O horizon leachates was similar in both N treatments and control. This suggests an inhibitory direct effect of N addition on O horizon DOC. Elevated DON and nitrate in O horizon leachates in the ongoing N1 treatment indicated a move towards N saturation. In B horizon leachates, the N1 treatment approximately doubled leachate concentrations of DOC and DON. DON returned to control levels, but DOC remained elevated in B horizon leachates in N2 plots nineteen years after termination of N addition. We propose three possible explanations for the increased DOC in mineral soil: (i) the result of decomposition of a larger amount of root litter, either directly producing DOC or (ii) indirectly via priming of old SOM, and/or (iii) a suppression of extracellular oxidative enzymes.
Technical Note: An open source library for processing weather radar data (wradlib)
Authors: Heistermann M. , Jacobi S. , Pfaff T.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. The potential of weather radar observations for hydrological and meteorological research and applications is undisputed, particularly with increasing world-wide radar coverage. However, several barriers impede the use of weather radar data. These barriers are of both scientific and technical nature. The former refers to inherent measurement errors and artefacts, the latter to aspects such as reading specific data formats, geo-referencing, visualisation. The radar processing library wradlib is intended to lower these barriers by providing a free and open source tool for the most important steps in processing weather radar data for hydro-meteorological and hydrological applications. Moreover, the community-based development approach of wradlib allows scientists to share their knowledge about efficient processing algorithms and to make this knowledge available to the weather radar community in a transparent, structured and well-documented way.
Retention and radiative forcing of black carbon in eastern Sierra Nevada snow
Authors: Sterle K. M. , McConnell J. R. , Dozier J. , Edwards R. , Flanner M. G.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. When contaminated by absorbing particles, such as refractory black carbon (rBC) and continental dust, snow's albedo decreases and thus its absorption of solar radiation increases, thereby hastening snowmelt. For this reason, an understanding of rBC's affect on snow albedo, melt processes, and radiation balance is critical for water management, especially in a changing climate. Measurements of rBC in a sequence of snow pits and surface snow samples in the eastern Sierra Nevada of California during the snow accumulation and ablation seasons of 2009 show that concentrations of rBC were enhanced sevenfold in surface snow (~25 ng g–1) compared to bulk values in the snowpack (~3 ng g–1). Unlike major ions, which were preferentially released during the initial melt, rBC and continental dust were retained in the snow, enhancing concentrations well into late spring, until a final flush occurred during the ablation period. We estimate a combined rBC and continental dust surface radiative forcing of 20 to 40 W m−2 during April and May, with dust likely contributing a greater share of the forcing.
Antibacterial activity of oregano and sage plant extracts against decarboxylase-positive enterococci isolated from rabbit meat
Authors: Szabóová Renata , Lauková Andrea , Chrastinová Ľubica
Published: March 2013

The effect of plant extracts (sage, oregano) against decarboxylase-positive enterococci from rabbit back limb meat  was reported in this study. Oregano plant extract inhibited the growth of all 34 tested enterococci (the inhibitory zones: 12 to 45 mm). The growth of the majority of strains  (n=23) was inhibited by oregano plant extract (the high size inhibitory zones (higher than 25 mm). The growth of 11 strains  was inhibited by oregano extract reaching medium size inhibitory zones (10 to 25mm). The most sensitive strain to oregano extract was E. faecium M7bA (45 mm). Sage extract was less active against tested enterococci (n=16)  reaching lower inhibitory zones (up to 10 mm).
Importance of prebiotic and probiotic: the role of galactooligosacharides as prebiotic additives: a review
Authors: Vidová Monika , Hronská Helena , Tokošová Silvia , Rosenberg Michal
Published: March 2013

In today's well-resistant pathogens and excessive use of antibiotics which weake and undermine the immune system the importance of pre- and probiotics is more desired. Probiotics - lactic acid bacteria - our intestinal symbiotes, has significant affect on our intestinal tract and brings us to number of positive physiological effects – inhibit the development of pathogenic microflora and serious stimulate the immune system, which subsequently leads to secondary health benefits - efficient use of energy from food, better resorption of minerals and vitamins by intestinal epithelium, suppression of diseases and inflammatory processes in the human intestine and many others. This article discusses the impact of prebiotics (essential substrate for probiotic bacteria), but also natural occurrence and important of prebiotics. Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) as prebiotic are the most suitable and therefore their commercial application is discussed.
Utility and Diagnostic Accuracy of Ureteroscopic Biopsy in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Vashistha Vishal , Shabsigh Ahmad , Zynger Debra L.
Published: March 2013

Context.—Ureteroscopic biopsy is the gold standard for the histopathologic diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

Objective.—To assess the accuracy of endoscopically obtained biopsy samples in diagnosing, grading, and staging urothelial carcinoma and correlate diagnostic findings to biopsy sample size.

Design.—We retrospectively reviewed endoscopic biopsies of the ureter, renal pelvis, and ureteropelvic junction from 2008 to 2011. Biopsy diagnoses that were discordant with follow-up pathology and/or ureteroscopic impression were rereviewed and samples were immunohistochemically analyzed.

Results.—Endoscopic biopsies (n = 118) yielded a sensitivity of 85.4% for the ureter (n = 79), 77.8% for the renal pelvis (n = 37), and 100% for the ureteropelvic junction (n = 2). A specificity of 100% for all locations and a diagnostic accuracy of 98.3% were identified. The median sample size was 0.3 cm for true positives, 0.3 cm for true negatives, and 0.2 cm for false negatives with no statistical significance. We found that 87.1% of tumors diagnosed on biopsy had concordant grade and 60.0% had concordant pT stage with follow-up surgical resections (n = 43) and biopsies (n = 24). Biopsy samples with concordant tumor grades (mean = 0.6 cm) compared with follow-up resection were larger than biopsy samples with discordant grades (mean = 0.3 cm) (P = .04).

Conclusions.—Though highly specific, endoscopic biopsy does provide a significant false-negative rate owing to both sampling and diagnostic errors when assessing the upper urinary tract for urothelial carcinoma. Tumor grading is accurate, particularly with larger tissue samples, but tumor staging is unreliable.
A Guide to Understanding and Implementing Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies in Organ Transplantation
Authors: Gabardi Steven , Tichy Eric M.
Published: March 2013

Objective

To review the components of the Congressional mandate for risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) managed by the Food and Drug Administration and assess their impact on health care providers practicing within the organ transplant arena.

Data Sources and Extraction

A non-date-limited search of MEDLINE and EMBASE (January 2007-June 2012) was conducted by using the following search terms: risk evaluation and mitigation strategies, REMS, and organ transplant, including a query of the individual organs. Information from the Federal Register and the Food and Drug Administration was also evaluated.

Data Synthesis

REMS are strategies implemented to manage known or potential risks associated with medications and to ensure ongoing pharmacovigilance throughout the life of a pharmaceutical product. Elements of REMS programs may consist of 3 levels: a medication guide, communication plan, and elements to assure safe use. A medication guide is used to help prevent serious adverse events, aid in patients' decision making, and enhance medication adherence. Communication plans help educate health care providers and encourage adherence with REMS. The elements to assure safe use is a restrictive process implemented when it is deemed necessary to ensure safe access for patients to products with known serious risks. In transplant medicine, REMS currently exist for belatacept (medication guide and communication plan) and the mycophenolic acid derivatives (medication guide and elements to assure safe use).

Conclusion

REMS are another step in the evolution of the development and marketing of pharmaceutical agents. Use of REMS in solid-organ transplant is becoming common. Transplant clinicians must provide required patient education and become involved with other aspects of REMS implementation to reduce the serious risks of pharmaceuticals and to improve patients' outcomes.
Hemoglobin Alc Testing is Associated with Improved Pancreas Utilization for Transplant
Authors: Torres-Quinones Maritza , Stern Jeffrey , Seals Nicholas , Giglio Gysel , Meza Kathryn , Carpini Kristin Delli , Icitovic Nikolina , Tajik Waheed , O'Hara David , Lerner Harvey , Goldstein Michael J.
Published: March 2013

Context

Aging, higher prevalence of diabetes, worsening obesity, and hyperglycemia among potential donors increase the likelihood that pancreata will be declined by transplant centers. Hemoglobin Alc testing, also known as glycated hemoglobin testing, identifies a donor's average blood glucose concentration for the preceding 2 to 3 months and is the standard test for identifying prolonged periods of hyperglycemia.

Objective

To compare pancreas utilization rates before and after implementation of hemoglobin Alc testing.

Design

A retrospective study of data from the New York Organ Donor Network was conducted. Potential donors were defined as standard criteria donors who had no history of diabetes and were not seropositive for hepatitis B or C. Criteria for “ideal” potential pancreas donors were based on age, body mass index, lipase level, and terminal creatinine level. Potential donors who did not meet the criteria for ideal donors were considered “expanded” potential pancreas donors. Pancreas utilization rate was defined as the number of pancreata transplanted divided by the number of potential pancreas donors.

Results

Of 779 standard criteria donors, 691 (89%) were potential pancreas donors: 251 ideal (36%) and 440 expanded (64%) donors. In 2005 and 2006, before hemoglobin Alc testing, pancreas utilization rates were 21% and 18%, respectively. In 2008, 2009, and 2010, after hemoglobin Alc testing was incorporated, utilization rates were 27%, 28%, and 32%, respectively. Utilization of ideal donors increased from 33% to 51% ( P = .003), and utilization of expanded donors increased from 11% to 17% ( P = .05). Pancreas utilization increased 51.0%, and pancreas discards decreased 50.8% with the implementation of hemoglobin Alc testing.

Conclusion

Hemoglobin Alc testing may increase utilization of ideal and expanded criteria pancreata.
Academic Libraries as Data Quality Hubs
Authors: Giarlo Michael J
Published: March 2013

Academic libraries have a critical role to play as data quality hubs on campus. There is an increased need to ensure data quality within ‘e-science’. Given academic libraries’ curation and preservation expertise, libraries are well suited to support the data quality process. Data quality measurements are discussed, including the fundamental elements of trust, authenticity, understandability, usability and integrity, and are applied to the Digital Curation Lifecycle model to demonstrate how these measures can be used to understand and evaluate data quality within the curatorial process. Opportunities for improvement and challenges are identified as areas that are fruitful for future research and exploration.
Staffing and Workflow of a Maturing Institutional Repository
Authors: Madsen Debora L , Oleen Jenny K
Published: March 2013

Institutional repositories (IRs) have become established components of many academic libraries. As an IR matures it will face the challenge of how to scale up its operations to increase the amount and types of content archived. These challenges involve staffing, systems, workflows, and promotion. In the past eight years, Kansas State University’s IR (K-REx) has grown from a platform for student theses, dissertations, and reports to also include faculty works. The initial workforce of a single faculty member was expanded as a part of a library-wide reorganization, resulting in a cross-departmental team that is better able to accommodate the expansion of the IR. The resultant need to define staff responsibilities and develop resources to manage the workflows has led to the innovations described here, which may prove useful to the greater library community as other IRs mature.
Open Access and the Author-Pays Problem: Assuring Access for Readers and Authors in the Global Academic Community
Authors: Peterson A Townsend , Emmett Ada , Greenberg Marc L
Published: March 2013

Out of concern for its lifeblood—communication—academia is rushing to correct serious inequities in access and revenue distribution by embracing open access (OA) in a variety of ways: some journals provide access openly to all readers, some allow authors to pay for OA options, some share copyrights with authors to allow open sharing, etc. For publication in some fully OA journals, though, publication charges associated with an ‘author-pays’ business model can be substantial, reflecting costs involved in production and publication of quality scholarly articles and (sometimes) significant profit margins for publishers. Such charges may constitute significant barriers for potential authors, particularly those at institutions or in countries with fewer resources. Consequently, an OA journal for readers may in reality be a closed-access journal for authors.
Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (PALM) of Adhesion Complexes
Authors: Shroff Hari , White Helen , Betzig Eric
Published: March 2013

Key to understanding a protein's biological function is the accurate determination of its spatial distribution inside a cell. Although fluorescent protein markers allow the targeting of specific proteins with molecular precision, much of this information is lost when the resultant fusion proteins are imaged with conventional, diffraction‐limited optics. In response, several imaging modalities that are capable of resolution below the diffraction limit (∼200 nm) have emerged. Here, both single‐ and dual‐color superresolution imaging of biological structures using photoactivated localization microscopy (PALM) are described. The examples discussed focus on adhesion complexes: dense, protein‐filled assemblies that form at the interface between cells and their substrata. A particular emphasis is placed on the instrumentation and photoactivatable fluorescent protein (PA‐FP) tags necessary to achieve PALM images at ∼20 nm resolution in 5 to 30 min in fixed cells. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 58:4.21.1‐4.21.28. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation of Adult Murine Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Bolli P. , Vardabasso C. , Bernstein E. , Chaudhry H.W.
Published: March 2013

This unit describes a streamlined two‐step protocol for the isolation of adult murine cardiomyocytes with subsequent Chromatin ImmunoPrecipitation (ChIP). Isolation and culturing of cardiomyocytes is a delicate process and the protocol presented here optimizes the combination of cardiomyocyte isolation with ChIP. ChIP is an invaluable method for analyzing molecular interactions occurring between a specific protein (or its post‐translationally modified form) and a region of genomic DNA. ChIP has become a widely used technique in the last decade since several groundbreaking studies have focused attention on epigenetics and have identified many epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. However, epigenetics within cardiovascular biology is a new area of focus for many investigators, and we have optimized a method for performing ChIP in adult murine cardiomyocytes, as we feel this will be an important aid to both the cardiovascular field and for the development of cell‐ and tissue‐specific ChIP. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 58:17.14.1‐17.14.16. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Near‐Infrared cis‐Configured Squaraine Co‐Sensitizer for High‐Efficiency Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Qin Chuanjiang , Numata Youhei , Zhang Shufang , Islam Ashraful , Yang Xudong , Sodeyama Keitaro , Tateyama Yoshitaka , Han Liyuan
Published: March 2013

A cis‐configured squaraine dye (HSQ1), synthesized by incorporation of a strongly electron‐withdrawing dicyanovinyl group into the central squaric acid moiety, is employed in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs). In solution, HSQ1 displays an intense absorption in the near‐infrared region with a maximum at 686 nm and when the dye is adsorbed on a TiO2 surface, the absorption spectrum broadens in both the blue and the near‐infrared regions, which is favorable for efficient light harvesting over a broad wavelength range. A solar cell sensitized with HSQ1 shows a broader incident photon‐to‐current conversion efficiency (IPCE) spectrum (from 400 to 800 nm) and a higher IPCE in the long‐wavelength region (71% at 700 nm) than a cell sensitized with squaraine dye SQ1. Furthermore, a solar cell co‐sensitized with HSQ1 and N3 dye shows remarkably improved short‐circuit current density and open‐circuit voltage compared to those of a DSC based on N3 alone and fabricated under the same conditions. The energy‐conversion efficiency of the co‐sensitized DSC is 8.14%, which is the highest reported efficiency for a squaraine dye–based co‐sensitized DSC without using Al2O3 layer.
A NIR luminescent copolymer based on platinum porphyrin as high permeable dissolved oxygen sensor for microbioreactors
Authors: Jin Pengwei , Chu Ju , Miao Yu , Tan Jun , Zhang Siliang , Zhu Weihong
Published: March 2013

Microbioreactors with multioptical sensors have become increasingly important because of their small working volumes, high degree of parallelization and the available robotics. A novel hydrophobic luminescent copolymer P(Pt‐TPP‐TFEMA) along with reference P(Pt‐TPP‐EMA) containing the pendant group of 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) moiety as low‐cost dissolved oxygen (DO) chemosensor film for high‐throughput microbioreactors is designed. Its sensor film exhibits fast response to DO with good stability and fatigue resistance, being capable of applying as a low‐cost DO indicator for high‐throughput bioprocess measurement. Results show that the quenching response of DO increases with the enhancement in the copolymeric hydrophobicity using the presented hybrid fluorinated ethyl methacrylate. Furthermore, the long emission band at 650 nm of chromophore TPP with large Stoke's shift about 250 nm brings several advantages, such as low scattering, deep penetration, and minimal interferences of absorption and fluorescence from the fermentation system, which shows high‐promising application in bioprocess monitoring. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical EngineersAIChE J, 59: 2743–2752, 2013
A mosaic 2q24.2 deletion narrows the critical region to a 0.4 Mb interval that includes TBR1, TANK, and PSMD14
Authors: Burrage Lindsay C. , Eble Tanya N. , Hixson Patricia M. , Roney Erin K. , Cheung Sau W. , Franco Luis M.
Published: February 2013

Interstitial deletions involving 2q24 have been associated with a wide range of phenotypes including intellectual disability and short stature. To date, the smallest common region among reported cases of deletions in this region is approximately 2.65 Mb and contains 15 genes. In the present case report, we describe an 18‐year‐old male with mild intellectual disability, short stature, and mosaicism for a 0.422 Mb deletion on 2q24.2 that was diagnosed by comparative genomic hybridization and confirmed with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). This deletion, which is present in approximately 61% of cells, includes three genes: TBR1, TANK, and PSMD14. The findings suggest that the critical region for intellectual disability and short stature in 2q24.2 can be narrowed to a 0.422 Mb segment. TBR1, a transcription factor involved in early cortical development, is a strong candidate for the intellectual disability phenotype seen in our patient and in patients with larger deletions in this region of the genome. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.