bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The larvae of Drusus franzressli Malicky 1974 and Drusus spelaeus (Ulmer 1920) (Trichoptera: Limnephilidae: Drusinae) with notes on ecology and zoogeography
Authors: WARINGER JOHANN , GRAF WOLFRAM , BÁLINT MIKLÓS , KUČINIĆ MLADEN , PAULS STEFFEN U. , PREVIŠIĆ ANA , KERESZTES LUJZA , VITECEK SIMON
Published: April 2013

Water quality monitoring is greatly dependent on identification tools for aquatic and semi-aquatic insects. Species-level identification improves resolution and precision of water quality assessment and requires comprehensive keys. With the aim of increasing the suitability of Drusinae for such applications, this paper gives a description of the hitherto unknown larvae of Drusus franzressli Malicky 1974 and Drusus spelaeus (Ulmer 1920). Information on the morphology of the lar-vae is given and the most important diagnostic features are illustrated. In the context of already available keys, the larvae of D. franzressli and D. spelaeus key together with Metanoea flavipennis (Pictet 1834), M. rhaetica Schmid 1956, D. im-provisus McLachlan 1884, D. nigrescens Meyer-Dür 1875 and Ecclisopteryx malickyi Moretti 1991. These species are easily separated by differences in larval morphology (dorsal outline and sculpturing of pronotum, presence/absence of lat-eral gills at 2nd and 3rd abdominal segments, start of lateral fringe) and their distribution ranges. Drusus franzressli is endemic to the Hellenic western Balkans whereas D. spelaeus is endemic to the western Alps (Grenoble area). In addition, ecological characteristics are briefly discussed.
The discovery of the genus Guaygata Marsh (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Doryctinae) from China, with description of a new species
Authors: TANG PU , BELOKOBYLSKIJ SERGEY , CHEN XUE-XIN
Published: April 2013

The genus Guaygata Marsh, 1993 is recorded from China for the first time. Two species, i.e. G. mariae (Belokobylskij, 1993) and G. fujianensis sp. nov., are recognized. The new species is fully described and illustrated. A key to Asian species of Guay-gata is provided.
Two new species of Empoascanara Distant (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Typhlocybinae) from Yunnan Province, China
Authors: SONG YUE-HUA , LI ZI-ZHONG
Published: April 2013

Two new species, Empoascanara conchata, E. longiaedeaga spp. nov. from Yunnan are described and illustrated, and a key to the species recorded from China is provided.
A new species of Leotichius Distant (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Leptopodidae) from Cambodia
Authors: JUNG SUNGHOON , DUWAL RAM KESHARI , LEE SEUNGHWAN
Published: April 2013

One new species, Leotichius schuhi Jung sp. nov., that shared habitat with the larvae of xeric adapted ant-lions (Neuroptera), is described from northern Cambodia. Diagnosis, description and biological notes of the new species are presented.
Hydraena lotti sp. nov., a new member of the “Haenydra” lineage from the Peloponnese (Greece), with additional records of Hydraena species in the region (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae)
Authors: BILTON DAVID T.
Published: April 2013

Hydraena lotti sp. nov. (Coleoptera, Hydraenidae) is described from the southern Peloponnese, Greece; the 92nd known member of the “Haenydra” lineage. The new species belongs to the H. emarginata complex, being closest morphologi-cally to Hydraena pelops Jäch, 1995, from the south and east of the Taygetos range, H. pangaei Jäch, 1992, endemic to Mount Pangaeon in northeastern Greece, and H. samnitica Fiori, 1904, from central Italy. Characters on which the species can be distinguished are discussed; male genitalia and female elytral apices being particularly diagnostic. The ecology of H. lotti is described in the context of other members of the genus in the region. To date, the new species has only been found in small headwater streams at altitudes above 1,000 m in the northwest of the Taygetos range, where it can, however, be locally frequent. The opportunity is taken to provide an updated checklist of Peloponnese “Haenydra”, together with new distributional records of selected Hydraena species, including H. arachthi Ferro & Jäch, 2000, which is reported from the peninsula for the first time.
A new species of Balera Young and redescription of Habralebra gillettei Young (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae) from Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: COELHO LUCI BOA NOVA
Published: April 2013

Balera fiuzai sp. nov. is described based on male specimens obtained from light trap collections at Mata do Paraíso, Mu-nicipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. An identification key to the species of Balera is given. Additionally, Habralebra gillettei Young is redescribed from the same locality. These specimens of H. gillettei differ somewhat from previously described specimens, but are considered intra-specific variations. Both genera, Balera Young and Habralebra Young, are recorded from Minas Gerais State for the first time.
Redescription of Tyrus Aubé and T. sinensis Raffray (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae), and two new species from Sichuan, Southwest China
Authors: YIN ZI-WEI , NOMURA SHÛHEI , LI LI-ZHEN
Published: April 2013

The genus Tyrus Aubé is redescribed with major diagnostic features illustrated. The first male specimen of T. sinensis Raffray (Type locality: Yunnan, China) is reported from Xizang, China, and two new species, Tyrus sichuanicus Yin & Nomura, sp. n. and Tyrus yajiangensis Yin & Li, sp. n., are described from Sichuan, China. All treated species are (re-)described, illustrated and distinguished.
A new species of Pachytrechodes Jeannel, 1960 (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae) from Tanzania, with a key to species
Authors: BELOUSOV IGOR A. , NYUNDO BRUNO A.
Published: April 2013

Pachytrechodes brevis Belousov & Nyundo, new species, is described from the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania. This species is the first member of the genus found outside of the Uluguru Mountains. A key to the four currently known species of Pachytrechodes is included, based on Uéno’s (1987) key. The distribution of all species is mapped.
Two new species of the Empis subgenus Lissempis (Diptera: Empididae) from the Caucasus
Authors: SHAMSHEV IGOR , KUSTOV SEMEN
Published: April 2013

Two new species of the genus Empis subgenus Lissempis Bezzi, 1909 are described from the Caucasus: Empis (Lissempis) azishtauensis sp. nov. (Russia: Adygea, Krasnodar Territory) and E. (L.) krasnodarensis sp. nov. (Russia: Krasnodar Ter-ritory). An updated key to European species of the subgenus is given.
On the Poleward Motion of Midlatitude Cyclones in a Baroclinic Meandering Jet
Authors: Oruba Ludivine , Lapeyre Guillaume , Rivière Gwendal
Published: April 2013

The motion of surface depressions evolving in a background meandering baroclinic jet is investigated using a two-layer quasigeostrophic model on a beta plane. Synoptic-scale finite-amplitude cyclones are initialized in the lower and upper layer to the south of the jet in a configuration favorable to their baroclinic interaction. The lower-layer cyclone is shown to move across the jet axis from its warm-air to cold-air side. It is the presence of a poleward-oriented barotropic potential vorticity (PV) gradient that makes possible the cross-jet motion through the beta-drift mechanism generalized to a baroclinic atmospheric context.

The potential vorticity gradient associated with the jet is responsible for the dispersion of Rossby waves by the cyclones and the development of an anticyclonic anomaly in the upper layer. This anticyclone forms a PV dipole with the upper-layer cyclone that nonlinearly advects the lower-layer cyclone across the jet.

In addition, the background deformation is shown to modulate the cross-jet advection. Cyclones evolving in a deformation-dominated environment (south of troughs) are strongly stretched while those evolving in a rotation-dominated environment (south of ridges) remain quasi isotropic. It is shown that the more stretched cyclones trigger a more efficient dispersion of energy, create a stronger upper-layer anticyclone, and move perpendicularly to the jet faster than the less stretched ones. Both the intensity and location of the upper-layer anticyclone explain the distinct cross-jet speeds. A statistical study consisting in initializing cyclones at different locations south of the jet core confirms that the cross-jet motion is faster for the more meridionally elongated cyclones evolving in areas of strongest barotropic PV gradient.
“We Have Seen It with Our Own Eyes”: Why We Disagree about Climate Change Visibility
Authors: Rudiak-Gould Peter
Published: April 2013

Can the phenomenon called “global climate change” be witnessed firsthand with the naked senses? The question provokes sharply divergent answers from different individuals and ideational communities. Physical scientists and experimental psychologists tend to regard climate change as inherently undetectable to the lay observer, while others, such as anthropologists, indigenous advocates, and environmentally inclined Western citizens, often claim that the phenomenon is not only visible in principle but is indeed already being seen. A third understanding of the visibility of climate change is held by some scholars who portray climate change as invisible at the outset but capable of being made visible via communication tactics such as the miner’s canary. This paper queries the motivations for and consequences of these divergent answers to a deceptively simple question, ultimately suggesting that the dispute between climate change “visibilism” and “invisibilism” is not scientific so much as political, being a proxy war for a larger debate on scientific versus lay knowledge and the role of expertise in democratic society.
Psychiatry in the 2000s: fear, risk and the internet
Authors: Wand Anne
Published: April 2013

Objectives:

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the experience of psychiatry training in the decade 2000–2010. This period was a time of consolidating previous advances made during the decade of the brain, and one in which world events shaped the focus of policy and clinical care. Terrorist acts and war, and their consequences (people seeking refuge and asylum) contributed to a climate of fear which flowed on to psychiatric practice. Training at this time appeared preoccupied with risk assessment. We became more aware of the complexity of physical health problems in people with mental illness and were taught to prevent and manage them in our patients. During this decade, the internet and mobile technology shaped the way we communicate. For psychiatry, it delivered new ways to enhance mental health literacy, and access to information and on-line therapy and support.

Conclusions:

Local and world events in the 2000s influenced psychiatric practice and consumer involvement. A focus on risk may have led to more conservative management but also to recognition of the profession’s responsibility for the physical health of their patients. The new decade promises even more use of internet technology, a new education program and opportunities for trainees.
The State of PR Graduate Curriculum as We Know It
Authors: Briones Rowena L. , Toth Elizabeth L.
Published: April 2013

This longitudinal content analysis study uses the Commission on Public Relations Education’s 2006 report as a benchmark to determine whether master’s education in public relations has evolved over the past decade. Findings show a lack of uniformity across the 75 programs studied. In addition, there is a lack of adherence to the Commission on Public Relations Education’s recommended content areas. The authors theorize that the variety of academic homes and titles partly explains the lack of uniformity. But also graduate public relations curricula may lack standardization because of different models.
Alkaline decomposition of synthetic jarosite with arsenic
Authors: Patiño Francisco , Flores Mizraim U , Reyes Iván A , Reyes Martín , Hernández Juan , Rivera Isauro , Juárez Julio C
Published: April 2013

The widespread use of jarosite-type compounds to eliminate impurities in the hydrometallurgical industry is due to their capability to incorporate several elements into their structures. Some of these elements are of environmental importance (Pb2+, Cr6+, As5+, Cd2+, Hg2+). For the present paper, AsO4
3- was incorporated into the lattice of synthetic jarosite in order to carry out a reactivity study. Alkaline decomposition is characterized by removal of sulfate and potassium ions from the lattice and formation of a gel consisting of iron hydroxides with absorbed arsenate. Decomposition curves show an induction period followed by a conversion period. The induction period is independent of particle size and exponentially decreases with temperature. The conversion period is characterized by formation of a hydroxide halo that surrounds an unreacted jarosite core. During the conversion period in NaOH media for [OH-] > 8 × 10-3 mol L-1, the process showed a reaction order of 1.86, and an apparent activation energy of 60.3 kJ mol-1 was obtained. On the other hand, during the conversion period in Ca(OH)2 media for [OH-] > 1.90 × 10-2 mol L-1, the reaction order was 1.15, and an apparent activation energy of 74.4 kJ mol-1 was obtained. The results are consistent with the spherical particle model with decreasing core and chemical control.
Side chain requirements for affinity and specificity in D5, an HIV-1 antibody derived from the VH1-69 germline segment
Authors: Stewart Alex , Harrison Joseph S , Regula Lauren K , Lai Jonathan R
Published: April 2013

Background

Analysis of factors contributing to high affinity antibody-protein interactions provides insight into natural antibody evolution, and guides the design of antibodies with new or enhanced function. We previously studied the interaction between antibody D5 and its target, a designed protein based on HIV-1 gp41 known as 5-Helix, as a model system [Da Silva, G. F.; Harrison, J. S.; Lai, J. R., Biochemistry, 2010, 49, 5464–5472]. Antibody D5 represents an interesting case study because it is derived from the VH1-69 germline segment; this germline segment is characterized by a hydrophobic second heavy chain complementarity determining region (HCDR2) that constitutes the major functional paratope in D5 and several antibodies derived from the same progenitor.

Results

Here we explore side chain requirements for affinity and specificity in D5 using phage display. Two D5-based libraries were prepared that contained diversity in all three light chain complementarity determining regions (LCDRs 1–3), and in the third HCDR (HCDR3). The first library allowed residues to vary among a restricted set of six amino acids (Tyr/Ala/Asp/Ser/His/Pro; D5-Lib-I). The second library was designed based on a survey of existing VH1-69 antibody structures (D5-Lib-II). Both libraries were subjected to multiple rounds of selection against 5-Helix, and individual clones characterized. We found that selectants from D5-Lib-I generally had moderate affinity and specificity, while many clones from D5-Lib-II exhibited D5-like properties. Additional analysis of the D5-Lib-II functional population revealed position-specific biases for particular amino acids, many that differed from the identity of those side chains in D5.

Conclusions

Together these results suggest that there is some permissiveness for alternative side chains in the LCDRs and HCDR3 of D5, but that replacement with a minimal set of residues is not tolerated in this scaffold for 5-Helix recognition. This work provides novel information about this high-affinity interaction involving an antibody from the VH1-69 germline segment.
High natural gene expression variation in the reef-building coral Acropora millepora: potential for acclimative and adaptive plasticity
Authors: Granados-Cifuentes Camila , Bellantuono Anthony J , Ridgway Tyrone , Hoegh-Guldberg Ove , Rodriguez-Lanetty Mauricio
Published: April 2013

Background

Ecosystems worldwide are suffering the consequences of anthropogenic impact. The diverse ecosystem of coral reefs, for example, are globally threatened by increases in sea surface temperatures due to global warming. Studies to date have focused on determining genetic diversity, the sequence variability of genes in a species, as a proxy to estimate and predict the potential adaptive response of coral populations to environmental changes linked to climate changes. However, the examination of natural gene expression variation has received less attention. This variation has been implicated as an important factor in evolutionary processes, upon which natural selection can act.

Results

We acclimatized coral nubbins from six colonies of the reef-building coral Acropora millepora to a common garden in Heron Island (Great Barrier Reef, GBR) for a period of four weeks to remove any site-specific environmental effects on the physiology of the coral nubbins. By using a cDNA microarray platform, we detected a high level of gene expression variation, with 17% (488) of the unigenes differentially expressed across coral nubbins of the six colonies (jsFDR-corrected, p < 0.01). Among the main categories of biological processes found differentially expressed were transport, translation, response to stimulus, oxidation-reduction processes, and apoptosis. We found that the transcriptional profiles did not correspond to the genotype of the colony characterized using either an intron of the carbonic anhydrase gene or microsatellite loci markers.

Conclusion

Our results provide evidence of the high inter-colony variation in A. millepora at the transcriptomic level grown under a common garden and without a correspondence with genotypic identity. This finding brings to our attention the importance of taking into account natural variation between reef corals when assessing experimental gene expression differences. The high transcriptional variation detected in this study is interpreted and discussed within the context of adaptive potential and phenotypic plasticity of reef corals. Whether this variation will allow coral reefs to survive to current challenges remains unknown.
Analysis of copy number variations in the sheep genome using 50K SNP BeadChip array
Authors: Liu Jiasen , Zhang Li , Xu Lingyang , Ren Hangxing , Lu Jian , Zhang Xiaoning , Zhang Shifang , Zhou Xinlei , Wei Caihong , Zhao Fuping , Du Lixin
Published: April 2013

Background

In recent years, genome-wide association studies have successfully uncovered single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with complex traits such as diseases and quantitative phenotypes. These variations account for a small proportion of heritability. With the development of high throughput techniques, abundant submicroscopic structural variations have been found in organisms, of which the main variations are copy number variations (CNVs). Therefore, CNVs are increasingly recognized as an important and abundant source of genetic variation and phenotypic diversity.

Results

Analyses of CNVs in the genomes of three sheep breeds were performed using the Ovine SNP50 BeadChip array. A total of 238 CNV regions (CNVRs) were identified, including 219 losses, 13 gains, and six with both events (losses and gains), which cover 60.35 Mb of the sheep genomic sequence and correspond to 2.27% of the autosomal genome sequence. The length of the CNVRs on autosomes range from 13.66 kb to 1.30 Mb with a mean size of 253.57 kb, and 75 CNVRs events had a frequency > 3%. Among these CNVRs, 47 CNVRs identified by the PennCNV overlapped with the CNVpartition. Functional analysis indicated that most genes in the CNVRs were significantly enriched for involvement in the environmental response. Furthermore, 10 CNVRs were selected for validation and 6 CNVRs were further experimentally confirmed by qPCR. In addition, there were 57 CNVRs overlapped in our new dataset and other published ruminant CNV studies.

Conclusions

In this study, we firstly constructed a sheep CNV map based on the Ovine SNP50 array. Our results demonstrated the differences of two detection tools and integration of multiple algorithms can enhance the detection of sheep genomic structure variations. Furthermore, our findings would be of help for understanding the sheep genome and provide preliminary foundation for carrying out the CNVs association studies with economically important phenotypes of sheep in the future.
Life threatening intracerebral haemorrhage following saw- scaled viper (Echis carinatus) envenoming-authenticated case report from Sri Lanka
Authors: Fonseka Chathuranga Lakmal , Jeevagan Vijayabala , Gnanathasan Christeine Ariaranee
Published: April 2013

Background

Echis carinatus (Saw scaled viper {SSV}) is a venomous snake found in the parts of Middle East and Central Asia. SSV envenoming is characterized by local swelling and coagulopathy. Various bleeding manifestations are commonly seen with SSV envenoming. In contrast to other part of Asia, saw scale viper envenoming has not been reported to cause life threatening haemorrhagic manifestations in Sri Lanka.

Case presentation

We report a 19 years old healthy boy who developed massive left temporo-parietal intra cerebral haemorrhage following Echis carinatus (Saw scaled viper) bite in Sri Lanka.

Conclusion

Although subspecies of SSV in Sri Lanka is regarded as a ‘non lethal venomous snake’, the occurrence of rare potentially fatal complications such as intracerebral haemorrhage should be considered in their management. This case report is intended to bring the awareness of this fatal complication of SSV envenoming in Sri Lanka.
Transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: a meta-analysis
Authors: Xue Tong-Chun , Xie Xiao-Ying , Zhang Lan , Yin Xin , Zhang Bo-Heng , Ren Zheng-Gang
Published: April 2013

Background

Although transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been used extensively for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), no consensus has been reached and an evidence base for practice is lacking. This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of TACE for treatment of HCC with PVTT.

Methods

Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, and Cochrane library databases were searched up to August 2012 for controlled trials assessing TACE in patients with PVTT. Data concerning the study design, characteristics of trials, and outcomes were extracted. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random effects models.

Results

Eight controlled trials involving 1601 HCC patients were included. TACE significantly improved the 6-month (HR, 0.41; 95% CI: 0.32–0.53; z, 6.28; p = 0.000) and 1-year (HR, 0.44; 95% CI: 0.34–0.57; z, 6.22; p = 0.000) overall survival of patients with PVTT compared with conservative treatment. Subgroup analyses showed that TACE was significantly effective in HCC patients whether with main portal vein (MPV) obstruction or with segmental PVTT. Fatal complications were rare, even in patients with MPV obstruction. Temporary liver decompensation and postembolization syndrome occurred frequently. However, they could be treated successfully with conservative treatment.

Conclusions

TACE, as a safe treatment, has potential for incurring a survival benefit for advanced HCC with PVTT, even with MPV obstruction. Further large randomized controlled trials may be needed to confirm this result.
Possible role of Escherichia coli in propagation and perpetuation of chronic inflammation in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Pilarczyk-Zurek Magdalena , Chmielarczyk Agnieszka , Gosiewski Tomasz , Tomusiak Anna , Adamski Pawel , Zwolinska-Wcislo Malgorzata , Mach Tomasz , Heczko Piotr B , Strus Magdalena
Published: April 2013

Background

This study investigated a possible role of Escherichia coli in propagation and perpetuation of the chronic inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC). The lesions of UC are located superficially on the rectal and/or colonic mucosa. It is suggested that the commensal bacteria of the digestive tract may play a role in the pathogenesis of UC. Several studies have demonstrated proliferation of E. coli in the gut of UC patients. An increase in the number of E. coli in the inflamed tissue is most probably related to the abundance of iron ions produced by the bacteria.

Methods

Colon mucosal biopsies were collected from 30 patients with acute-phase UC, both from tissues with inflammatory changes (n = 30) and unchanged tissue with no inflammatory changes (n = 30) from the same patient. Biopsies were also taken from 16 patients with irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea who comprised the control group. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the biopsy specimens was performed using culture methods and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genotyping of the E. coli isolates was done using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Multiplex PCR was used to compare the E. coli strains for the presence of genes responsible for synthesis of iron acquisition proteins: iroN, iutA, iha, ireA, chuA, and hlyA.

Results

We demonstrated that there was a significant increase in the number of E. coli at the sites of inflammation in patients with UC compared to the control group (P = 0.031). Comparative analysis of the restriction patterns of E. coli isolated from inflammatory and unchanged tissues showed that the local inflammatory changes did not promote specific E. coli strains. There was a significant difference in the frequency of the iroN gene in E. coli isolated from patients with UC as compared to the control group.

Conclusions

The increase in the numbers of E. coli in the inflammatory tissues is related to the presence of chuA and iutA genes, which facilitate iron acquisition during chronic intestinal inflammatory processes.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Correlation of CD44v6 expression with ovarian cancer progression and recurrence
Authors: Shi Jun , Zhou Zhou , Di Wen , Li Ningli
Published: April 2013

Background

Previously some groups demonstrated that CD44 variant 6 (CD44v6) is correlated with progression and metastasis of ovarian cancer. However, a number of other groups failed to find such an association. Moreover, epithelial ovarian cancer is known to easily metastasize to distinct sites such as the pelvic and abdominal cavities, but the potential association of CD44v6 expression with site-specific metastasis of ovarian cancer has not been explored. This study sought to evaluate the expression of CD44 standard (CD44s) and CD44v6 in primary, metastatic and recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer to explore the potential association of CD44s and CD44v6 with tumor progression and recurrence.

Methods

Tumor specimens were procured from patients with advanced (FIGO III, G3) and recurrent ovarian serous adenocarcinoma. CD44s and CD44v6 expression in the tumor tissues was evaluated by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. Moreover, serum soluble CD44s or CD44v6 concentrations of early stage (FIGO I, G1), advanced (FIGO III, G3) and recurrent ovarian serous adenocarcinoma patients were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). CD44v6 expression in a different set of tumor samples on an ovarian cancer tissue chip was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the correlation of CD44v6 expression with clinicopathologic features was analyzed. Finally, the effects of knockdown of CD44v6 in SKOV3 cells on cell adhesion, invasion and migration were assessed.

Results

The expression of CD44v6, but not CD44s, is up-regulated in recurrent ovarian serous cancer compared to advanced primary tumor. CD44v6 expression is also preferentially increased in the tumor at the abdominal cavity metastasis site of advanced diseases. Consistently, serum soluble CD44v6 levels of recurrent ovarian cancer were higher than those of early stage and advanced primary diseases. The IHC data demonstrate that CD44v6 expression is correlated with clinicopathologic features and tumor progression. Lastly, knockdown of CD44v6 decreases the adhesion and migration but not invasion capacities of SKOV3 cells.

Conclusions

CD44v6 expression levels are associated with epithelial ovarian cancer progression, metastasis and relapse. Moreover, serum soluble CD44v6 may be used as a potential marker for identifying tumor relapse. Finally, CD44v6 may play a role in ovarian cancer metastasis by mediating tumor cell adhesion and migration.
Sharing good NEWS across the world: developing comparable scores across 12 countries for the neighborhood environment walkability scale (NEWS)
Authors: Cerin Ester , Conway Terry L , Cain Kelli L , Kerr Jacqueline , De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse , Owen Neville , Reis Rodrigo S , Sarmiento Olga L , Hinckson Erica A , Salvo Deborah , Christiansen Lars B , MacFarlane Duncan J , Davey Rachel , Mitáš Josef , Aguinaga-Ontoso Ines , Sallis James F
Published: April 2013

Background

The IPEN (International Physical Activity and Environment Network) Adult project seeks to conduct pooled analyses of associations of perceived neighborhood environment, as measured by the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) and its abbreviated version (NEWS-A), with physical activity using data from 12 countries. As IPEN countries used adapted versions of the NEWS/NEWS-A, this paper aimed to develop scoring protocols that maximize cross-country comparability in responses. This information is also highly relevant to non-IPEN studies employing the NEWS/NEWS-A, which is one of the most popular measures of perceived environment globally.

Methods

The following countries participated in the IPEN Adult study: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Participants (N = 14,305) were recruited from neighborhoods varying in walkability and socio-economic status. Countries collected data on the perceived environment using a self- or interviewer-administered version of the NEWS/NEWS-A. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to derive comparable country-specific measurement models of the NEWS/NEWS-A. The level of correspondence between standard and alternative versions of the NEWS/NEWS-A factor-analyzable subscales was determined by estimating the correlations and mean standardized difference (Cohen’s d) between them using data from countries that had included items from both standard and alternative versions of the subscales.

Results

Final country-specific measurement models of the NEWS/NEWS-A provided acceptable levels of fit to the data and shared the same factorial structure with six latent factors and two single items. The correspondence between the standard and alternative versions of subscales of Land use mix – access, Infrastructure and safety for walking/cycling, and Aesthetics was high. The Brazilian version of the Traffic safety subscale was highly, while the Australian and Belgian versions were marginally, comparable to the standard version. Single-item versions of the Street connectivity subscale used in Australia and Belgium showed marginally acceptable correspondence to the standard version.

Conclusions

We have proposed country-specific modifications to the original scoring protocol of the NEWS/NEWS-A that enhance inter-country comparability. These modifications have yielded sufficiently equivalent measurement models of the NEWS/NEWS-A. Some inter-country discrepancies remain. These need to be considered when interpreting findings from different countries.
Vildagliptin in addition to metformin improves retinal blood flow and erythrocyte deformability in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus – results from an exploratory study
Authors: Berndt-Zipfel Christine , Michelson Georg , Dworak Markus , Mitry Michael , Löffler Andrea , Pfützner Andreas , Forst Thomas
Published: April 2013

Numerous rheological and microvascular alterations characterize the vascular pathology in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated effects of vildagliptin in comparison to glimepiride on retinal microvascular blood flow and erythrocyte deformability in T2DM.

Fourty-four patients with T2DM on metformin monotherapy were included in this randomized, exploratory study over 24 weeks. Patients were randomized to receive either vildagliptin (50 mg twice daily) or glimepiride individually titrated up to 4 mg in addition to ongoing metformin treatment. Retinal microvascular blood flow (RBF) and the arteriolar wall to lumen ratio (WLR) were assessed using a laser doppler scanner. In addition, the erythrocyte elongation index (EI) was measured at different shear stresses using laserdiffractoscopy.

Both treatments improved glycaemic control (p < 0.05 vs. baseline; respectively). While only slight changes in RBF and the WLR could be observed during treatment with glimepiride, vildagliptin significantly increased retinal blood flow and decreased the arterial WLR (p < 0.05 vs. baseline respectively). The EI increased during both treatments over a wide range of applied shear stresses (p < 0.05 vs. baseline). An inverse correlation could be observed between improved glycaemic control (HbA1c) and EI (r = −0.524; p < 0.0001) but not with the changes in retinal microvascular measurements.

Our results suggest that vildagliptin might exert beneficial effects on retinal microvascular blood flow beyond glucose control. In contrast, the improvement in erythrocyte deformability observed in both treatment groups, seems to be a correlate of improved glycaemic control.
Blood pressure and endothelial function in healthy, pregnant women after acute and daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate: a pilot, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mogollon Jaime Andres , Bujold Emmanuel , Lemieux Simone , Bourdages Mélodie , Blanchet Claudine , Bazinet Laurent , Couillard Charles , Noël Martin , Dodin Sylvie
Published: April 2013

Background

Several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) indicate that flavanol-rich chocolate has beneficial effects on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and blood pressure (BP). However, no RCTs have evaluated these outcomes in pregnant women. The objective of this 2-group, parallel, double-blind RCT was to examine the effects of flavanol-rich chocolate on FMD and BP in pregnant women with normal BP.

Methods

Forty-four healthy, pregnant women were randomized to the high-flavanol (n = 23) or low-flavanol (n = 21) chocolate consumption for 12 weeks. At randomization (0, 60, 120 and 180 min after a single 40-g dose of chocolate), 6 and 12 weeks after daily 20-g chocolate intake, we evaluated plasma concentrations of flavanols and theobromine, as well as the FMD and BP.

Results

Plasma epicatechin was significantly increased (p < 0.001) 180 min after the consumption of 40-g high-flavanol chocolate compared to low-flavanol chocolate. Theobromine concentrations were significantly higher 180 min and 12 weeks after the intake of experimental chocolate or low-flavanol chocolate (p < 0.001). FMD was not different between the 2 groups at all pre-defined time periods. No other significant within-group or between-group changes were observed.

Conclusion

These results confirm the feasibility of a large-scale RCT comparing daily consumption of flavanol-rich chocolate to an equivalent placebo during pregnancy and demonstrate higher plasma epicatechin and theobromine concentration in the intervention group after acute ingestion

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01659060
Growth and optical properties of ZnO nanorod arrays on Al-doped ZnO transparent conductive film
Authors: Lin Suanzhi , Hu Hailong , Zheng Weifeng , Qu Yan , Lai Fachun
Published: April 2013

ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) on transparent conductive oxide (TCO) films have been grown by a solution-free, catalyst-free, vapor-phase synthesis method at 600°C. TCO films, Al-doped ZnO films, were deposited on quartz substrates by magnetron sputtering. In order to study the effect of the growth duration on the morphological and optical properties of NRAs, the growth duration was changed from 3 to 12 min. The results show that the electrical performance of the TCO films does not degrade after the growth of NRAs and the nanorods are highly crystalline. As the growth duration increases from 3 to 8 min, the diffuse transmittance of the samples decreases, while the total transmittance and UV emission enhance. Two possible nanorod self-attraction models were proposed to interpret the phenomena in the sample with 9-min growth duration. The sample with 8-min growth duration has the highest total transmittance of 87.0%, proper density about 75 μm−2, diameter about 26 nm, and length about 500 nm, indicating that it can be used in hybrid solar cells.
Solvability for a coupled system of fractional differential equations with impulses at resonance
Authors: Zhang Xiaozhi , Zhu Chuanxi , Wu Zhaoqi
Published: April 2013

In this paper, some Banach spaces are introduced. Based on these spaces and the coincidence degree theory, a 2m-point boundary value problem for a coupled system of impulsive fractional differential equations at resonance is considered, and the new criterion on existence is obtained. Finally, an example is also given to illustrate the availability of our main results.

MSC:34A08, 34B10, 34B37.
Complete genome sequence of acute viral necrosis virus associated with massive mortality outbreaks in the Chinese scallop, Chlamys farreri
Authors: Ren Weicheng , Chen Haixia , Renault Tristan , Cai Yuyong , Bai Changming , Wang Chongming , Huang Jie
Published: April 2013

Background

Acute viral necrosis virus (AVNV) is the causative agent of a serious disease resulting in high mortality in cultured Chinese scallops, Chlamys farreri. We have sequenced and analyzed the complete genome of AVNV.

Results

The AVNV genome is a linear, double-stranded DNA molecule of 210,993 bp with a nucleotide composition of 38.5% G + C. A total of 123 open reading frames were predicted to encode functional proteins, ranging from 41 to 1,878 amino acid residues. The DNA sequence of AVNV is 97% identical to that of ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1), and the amino acid sequences of the encoded proteins of these two viruses are 94-100% identical. The genomic organization of AVNV is similar to that of OsHV-1, and consists of two unique regions (170.4 kb and 3.4 kb, respectively), each flanked by two inverted repeats (7.6 kb and 10.2 kb, respectively), with a third unique region (1.5 kb) situated between the two internal repeats.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that AVNV is a variant of OsHV-1. The AVNV genome sequence provides information useful for understanding the evolution and divergence of OsHV-1 in marine molluscs.
Oncological outcomes in patients with stage I testicular seminoma and nonseminoma: pathological risk factors for relapse and feasibility of surveillance after orchiectomy
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuhiro , Saito Toshihiro , Kitamura Yasuo , Nobushita Tomohiro , Kawasaki Takashi , Hara Noboru , Takahashi Kota
Published: April 2013

Background

Surveillance after orchiectomy has recently been a management option in patients with stage I seminoma, while it remains controversial in those with stage I nonseminoma, and the risk factor associated with relapse is still a matter of concern in both entities. This study was performed to explore pathological risk factors for post-orchiectomy relapse in patients with stage I seminoma and nonseminoma, and to assess oncological outcomes in those managed with surveillance.

Methods

In this single institution study, 118 and 40 consecutive patients with stage I seminoma and nonseminoma were reviewed, respectively. Of the 118 patients with stage I seminoma, 56 and one received adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, respectively, and 61 were managed with surveillance. Of the 40 men with stage I nonseminoma, 4 underwent adjuvant chemotherapy and 36 were managed with surveillance.

Results

No patient had cause-specific death during the mean observation period of 104 and 99 months in men with seminoma and nonseminoma, respectively. In men with stage I seminoma, 1 (1.7%) receiving radiotherapy and 4 (6.6%) men managed with surveillance had disease relapse; the 10-year relapse-free survival (RFS) rate was 93.4% in men managed with surveillance, and their RFS was not different from that in patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy (logrank P=0.15). Patients with tunica albuginea involvement showed a poorer RFS than those without (10-year RFS rate 80.0% vs. 94.1%), although the difference was of borderline significance (P=0.09). In men with stage I nonseminoma, 9 (22.5%) patients experienced relapse. Patients with lymphovascular invasion seemingly had a poorer RFS than those without; 40.0% and 18.7% of the patients with and without lymphovascular invasion had disease relapse, respectively, although the difference was not significant (logrank P=0.17).

Conclusion

In both men with stage I seminoma and nonseminoma, surveillance after orchiectomy is a feasible option. However, disease extension through tunica albuginea might be a factor associated with disease relapse in patients with organ-confined seminoma, and those with stage I nonseminoma showing lymphovascular invasion may possibly be at high risk for disease relapse.
Reconciliation and local gene tree rearrangement can be of mutual profit
Authors: Nguyen Thi Hau , Ranwez Vincent , Pointet Stéphanie , Chifolleau Anne-Muriel Arigon , Doyon Jean-Philippe , Berry Vincent
Published: April 2013

Background

Reconciliation methods compare gene trees and species trees to recover evolutionary events such as duplications, transfers and losses explaining the history and composition of genomes. It is well-known that gene trees inferred from molecular sequences can be partly erroneous due to incorrect sequence alignments as well as phylogenetic reconstruction artifacts such as long branch attraction. In practice, this leads reconciliation methods to overestimate the number of evolutionary events. Several methods have been proposed to circumvent this problem, by collapsing the unsupported edges and then resolving the obtained multifurcating nodes, or by directly rearranging the binary gene trees. Yet these methods have been defined for models of evolution accounting only for duplications and losses, i.e. can not be applied to handle prokaryotic gene families.

Results

We propose a reconciliation method accounting for gene duplications, losses and horizontal transfers, that specifically takes into account the uncertainties in gene trees by rearranging their weakly supported edges. Rearrangements are performed on edges having a low confidence value, and are accepted whenever they improve the reconciliation cost. We prove useful properties on the dynamic programming matrix used to compute reconciliations, which allows to speed-up the tree space exploration when rearrangements are generated by Nearest Neighbor Interchanges (NNI) edit operations. Experiments on synthetic data show that gene trees modified by such NNI rearrangements are closer to the correct simulated trees and lead to better event predictions on average. Experiments on real data demonstrate that the proposed method leads to a decrease in the reconciliation cost and the number of inferred events. Finally on a dataset of 30 k gene families, this reconciliation method shows a ranking of prokaryotic phyla by transfer rates identical to that proposed by a different approach dedicated to transfer detection [BMCBIOINF 11:324, 2010, PNAS 109(13):4962–4967, 2012].

Conclusions

Prokaryotic gene trees can now be reconciled with their species phylogeny while accounting for the uncertainty of the gene tree. More accurate and more precise reconciliations are obtained with respect to previous parsimony algorithms not accounting for such uncertainties [LNCS 6398:93–108, 2010, BIOINF 28(12): i283–i291, 2012].

A software implementing the method is freely available at http://www.atgc-montpellier.fr/Mowgli/.
Hydroxyethyl starch 6%, 130/0.4 vs. a balanced crystalloid solution in cardiopulmonary bypass priming: a randomized, prospective study
Authors: Gurbuz Hasan Alper , Durukan Ahmet Baris , Salman Nevriye , Tavlasoglu Murat , Durukan Elif , Ucar Halil İbrahim , Yorgancioglu Cem
Published: April 2013

Background

Since the advent of cardiopulmonary bypass, many efforts have been made to avoid the complications related with it. Any component of the pump participates in occurrence of these adverse events, one of which is the type of prime solution. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 with a commonly used balanced electrolyte solution on postoperative outcomes following coronary bypass surgery.

Methods

Two hundred patients undergoing elective coronary bypass surgery were prospectively studied. The patients were randomized in to two groups. First group received a balanced electrolyte solution and the second group received 6% hydoxyethyl starch 130/0.4 as prime solution. The postoperative outcomes of the patients were studied.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 61.81 ± 10.12 in the crystalloid group whereas 61.52 ± 9.29 in the HES group. There were 77 male patients in crystalloid group and 74 in HES group. 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 did not have any detrimental effects on renal and pulmonary functions. The intensive care unit stay and postoperative hospital length of stay were shorter in hydroxyethyl starch group (p < 0.05 for each). Hydroxyethyl starch did not increase postoperative blood loss, amount of blood and fresh frozen plasma used, but it decreased platelet concentrate requirement. It did not have any effect on occurrence of post-coronary bypass atrial fibrillation (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 when used as a prime solution did not adversely affect postoperative outcomes including renal functions and postoperative blood transfusion following coronary bypass surgery.
CoreGenes3.5: a webserver for the determination of core genes from sets of viral and small bacterial genomes
Authors: Turner Dann , Reynolds Darren , Seto Donald , Mahadevan Padmanabhan
Published: April 2013

Background

CoreGenes3.5 is a webserver that determines sets of core genes from viral and small bacterial genomes as an automated batch process. Previous versions of CoreGenes have been used to classify bacteriophage genomes and mine data from pathogen genomes.

Findings

CoreGenes3.5 accepts as input GenBank accession numbers of genomes and performs iterative BLASTP analyses to output a set of core genes. After completion of the program run, the results can be either displayed in a new window for one pair of reference and query genomes or emailed to the user for multiple pairs of small genomes in tabular format.

Conclusions

With the number of genomes sequenced increasing daily and interest in determining phylogenetic relationships, CoreGenes3.5 provides a user-friendly web interface for wet-bench biologists to process multiple small genomes for core gene determinations. CoreGenes3.5 is available at http://binf.gmu.edu:8080/CoreGenes3.5.