bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycated haemoglobin A1c for diagnosing diabetes in Chinese subjects over 50 years old: a community‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Lin Shuo , Hu Li , Li Xiaofeng , Chen Yanming , Xu Haixia , He Shengqing , Ren Zhuozhuo , Tang Xixiang , Qiu Yawei , Xu Jing , Mu Panwei , Zeng Longyi
Published: March 2013

Objective

Little is known about using glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to diagnose diabetes in Chinese subjects over 50 years old. This study aims to evaluate HbA1c in diagnosing diabetes and identify the optimal threshold to be used in Chinese community subjects aged over 50 years.

Methods

A community‐based cross‐sectional survey was conducted from October 2010 to January 2011 in Shipai community of Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. A total of 1494 subjects (72·8%) aged over 50 years were investigated. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG1st) and HbA1c were assayed in each participant. Diabetic candidates with FPG1st ≥ 5·6 mmol/l or HbA1c ≥ 39 mmol/mol (5·7%) were informed to undergo a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Diagnosis of diabetes was made by 1999 World Health Organization criteria. Sensitivity and specificity of HbA1c for diagnosing diabetes were calculated by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve.

Results

Among 1494 subjects, 161 subjects (10·8%) with previously diagnosed diabetes and 21 with missing data were excluded. Among the remaining 1312 subjects (87·8%), 861 subjects (65·6%) with either FPG1st ≥ 5·6 mmol/l or HbA1c ≥ 39 mmol/mol (5·7%) were invited to perform OGTT. Finally, 453 subjects (52·6%) performed OGTT (FPG2nd and 2‐h plasma glucose were measured) and 54 subjects (11·9%) were identified as being diabetes. The area under ROC curve was 0·916 (0·887–0·940) for HbA1c and 0·972 (0·953–0·985) for FPG2nd in diagnosing diabetes (P = 0·045). An HbA1c threshold of 48 mmol/mol (6·5%) yielded the highest combination of sensitivity (75·9%) and specificity (95·5%) for diagnosing diabetes.

Conclusion

An HbA1c threshold of 48 mmol/mol (6·5%) was highly specific and had a good sensitivity for diagnosing diabetes among Chinese subjects aged over 50 years with FPG ≥ 5·6 mmol/l or HbA1c ≥ 39 mmol/mol (5·7%). This threshold may be suitable for diagnosing diabetes in Chinese subjects over 50 years old.
Dose‐related cerebellar abnormality in rats with prenatal exposure to X‐irradiation by magnetic resonance imaging volumetric analysis
Authors: Sawada Kazuhiko , Saito Shigeyoshi , Horiuchi‐Hirose Miwa , Mori Yuki , Yoshioka Yoshichika , Murase Kenya
Published: March 2013

Cerebellar abnormalities in 4‐week‐old rats with a single whole body X‐irradiation at a dose of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 Gy on embryonic day (ED) 15 were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetry. A 3D T2W‐MRI anatomical sequence with high‐spatial resolution at 11.7‐tesla was acquired from the fixed rat heads. By MRI volumetry, whole cerebellar volumes decreased dose‐dependently. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the cortical volume (standardized β = 0.901; P < 0.001) was a major explanatory variable for the whole cerebellar volume, whereas both volumes of the white matter and deep cerebellar nuclei also decreased depending on the X‐irradiation dose. The present MRI volumetric analysis revealed a dose‐related cerebellar cortical hypoplasia by prenatal exposure to X‐irradiation on E15.
Temporal Sequences Quantify the Contributions of Individual Fixations in Complex Perceptual Matching Tasks
Authors: Busey Thomas , Yu Chen , Wyatte Dean , Vanderkolk John
Published: March 2013

Perceptual tasks such as object matching, mammogram interpretation, mental rotation, and satellite imagery change detection often require the assignment of correspondences to fuse information across views. We apply techniques developed for machine translation to the gaze data recorded from a complex perceptual matching task modeled after fingerprint examinations. The gaze data provide temporal sequences that the machine translation algorithm uses to estimate the subjects' assumptions of corresponding regions. Our results show that experts and novices have similar surface behavior, such as the number of fixations made or the duration of fixations. However, the approach applied to data from experts is able to identify more corresponding areas between two prints. The fixations that are associated with clusters that map with high probability to corresponding locations on the other print are likely to have greater utility in a visual matching task. These techniques address a fundamental problem in eye tracking research with perceptual matching tasks: Given that the eyes always point somewhere, which fixations are the most informative and therefore are likely to be relevant for the comparison task?
A Computational and Empirical Investigation of Graphemes in Reading
Authors: Perry Conrad , Ziegler Johannes C. , Zorzi Marco
Published: March 2013

It is often assumed that graphemes are a crucial level of orthographic representation above letters. Current connectionist models of reading, however, do not address how the mapping from letters to graphemes is learned. One major challenge for computational modeling is therefore developing a model that learns this mapping and can assign the graphemes to linguistically meaningful categories such as the onset, vowel, and coda of a syllable. Here, we present a model that learns to do this in English for strings of any letter length and any number of syllables. The model is evaluated on error rates and further validated on the results of a behavioral experiment designed to examine ambiguities in the processing of graphemes. The results show that the model (a) chooses graphemes from letter strings with a high level of accuracy, even when trained on only a small portion of the English lexicon; (b) chooses a similar set of graphemes as people do in situations where different graphemes can potentially be selected; (c) predicts orthographic effects on segmentation which are found in human data; and (d) can be readily integrated into a full‐blown model of multi‐syllabic reading aloud such as CDP++ (Perry, Ziegler, & Zorzi, 2010). Altogether, these results suggest that the model provides a plausible hypothesis for the kind of computations that underlie the use of graphemes in skilled reading.
Negotiating Environmental Sovereignty in Costa Rica
Authors: Graef Dana J.
Published: March 2013

This article analyses the linked histories and changing national discourses surrounding a transnational mining concession and subsequent plans for hydroelectric development in Costa Rica. The analysis shows how project framing shifted from un‐environmental to green, paralleling a change in public debate from defence against a transnational threat to support of national sovereignty. Dissenters questioned an imperial project that would preclude the state and its citizens from the benefits of industrial development; now the problem is recalled as extractive development itself. Thus popular protests against the mine have come to be remembered as a defence of the nation's environment. This article defines environmental sovereignty as a relational concept that decentres human dominion. In addition, it argues for increased scholarly attention to unimplemented development. This case demonstrates how land deals transcend their own boundaries in time, space and imagination.
Competition over Authority and Access: International Land Deals in Madagascar
Authors: Burnod Perrine , Gingembre Mathilde , Andrianirina Ratsialonana Rivo
Published: March 2013

Despite the well‐publicized abandonment of Daewoo Logistics’ gigantic agricultural project, large‐scale land appropriations continue in Madagascar. Drawing on three case studies, this article analyses how relations between entities governing land access shape, and are shaped by, agribusiness‐related land deals. State representatives and local elites generally welcome agribusiness investments but find themselves competing over the corresponding benefits and over land management more generally. In a context of legal pluralism, competition occurs between state officials, between state and local actors and also within the local arena. Both state and local elites may seek to reassert their authority by imposing new constraints on investors’ access to land. Within the state, officials draw on different legal provisions to impose new procedures on investors but rarely enforce the 2005 land laws that recognize local rights and decentralize land management. Within the local arena, some local leaders seize upon investors’ land claims to extend their territory at the expense of other communities, awakening or exacerbating local land conflicts. As a consequence, investors struggle to obtain land‐use rights, whether legally formalized by state institutions or socially recognized by local entities, while the future of local land rights also remains uncertain.
State Involvement, Land Grabbing and Counter‐Insurgency in Colombia
Authors: Grajales Jacobo
Published: March 2013

This article examines the linkages between organized armed violence, land grabbing and the Colombian state, where paramilitary groups are key actors in recent large‐scale land transfers. The author argues that institutional and violent mechanisms of land grabbing must be understood as historical processes of state formation and market reconfiguration. As such, crime and violence are not considered as extraneous factors, separated from political institutions and the market; they are instead analysed as constitutive components of political competition, accumulation and economic development. This article provides an analysis of these processes through an examination of agribusiness‐related land grabs in the Lower Atrato Valley in northwestern Colombia, illuminating the relations between private counter‐insurgent violence, criminal networks and state incentives to agribusiness.
Heritability and sibling recurrent risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip in Chinese population
Authors: Li Lianyong , Sun Keming , Zhang Lijun , Zhao Qun , Cheng Xiangjun , Dang Youting
Published: March 2013

Background

Previous familial segregation studies supported that developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a multifactorial genetic disease. However, the exact extent of genetic effects has not been fully evaluated, especially in Asian population. The aim of this study is to estimate the sibling recurrent risk and heritability of DDH in a large Chinese cohort.

Materials and methods

Four hundred and twenty‐nine DDH probands and 534 matched normal controls were recruited from a screening programme for DDH, including 628 siblings in families of probands and 889 siblings in those of controls, respectively. The detailed information of family history was obtained, and the prevalence of DDH among siblings of probands, as well as controls, was determined. The sibling recurrent risk and heritability was estimated using classical liability threshold model.

Results

Eighty‐seven siblings (13·85%) in families of proband and 14 siblings (1·57%) in normal control families were diagnosed as DDH. The recurrent risk in siblings of probands was at least tenfolds that in siblings of controls. Compared with the normal controls, the sibling recurrent risk was about 12‐fold increase in male sib, and 9‐fold increase in female sib. Overall, a high heritability of 83·59 ± 4·90% (h2 ± SE) was observed. When stratified by genders, it was even higher for female siblings (91·02 ± 7·25%).

Conclusion

This study for the first time exhibits a high sibling recurrent risk and heritability for DDH in Asian population. It also shows there is a high probability to identify the underlying predisposition genes in future genetic study.
Spatio‐temporal, ontogenetic and interindividual variation of age‐0 diets in a population of yellow perch
Authors: Roswell Charles R. , Pothoven Steven A. , Höök Tomas O.
Published: March 2013

Dietary niches of fishes have traditionally been evaluated at the population level, with diet pattern central tendencies compared spatio‐temporally among habitats and populations. More recently, however, studies have emphasised the importance of within‐population diet variation and niche partitioning. Several studies have examined diets of young yellow perch (Perca flavescens) at the population level and have described an ontogenetic transition from zooplankton to benthic prey during the first year of life. However, independent of ontogenetic diet shifts, intrapopulation variation of young yellow perch diets remains largely unexplored. We quantified patterns of diet composition in age‐0 yellow perch collected from Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, USA during July–October, 2009 and 2010. We observed substantial variation in diet composition among individuals across and within sites, but found relatively weak evidence indicating an ontogenetic diet shift. Zooplankton were the dominant prey for age‐0 yellow perch on most occasions, and individual diets were composed primarily of either zooplankton (e.g. Daphnia spp., Calanoida) or benthic (i.e. Chironomidae larvae, Chydoridae) prey. These patterns were not simply attributable to differences in prey availability and ontogenetic diet shifts, because a) not only diet composition, but also prey selectivity (Chesson's α) varied among sites and b) individual and spatial diet differences were evident independent of ontogeny. Within‐cohort differences in diet composition may be an important, but often overlooked, phenomenon with implications for cumulative trophic interactions and intracohort growth and survival among young fish.
Optimizing Hydroxyurea use in children with sickle cell disease: low dose regimen is effective
Authors: Sharef Sharef Waadallah , Al‐Hajri Maya , Beshlawi Ismail , Al‐Shahrabally Aamir , Elshinawy Mohamed , Zachariah Mathew , Mevada Surekha Tony , Bashir Wafaa , Rawas Abdulhakim , Taqi Aqeela , Al‐Lamki Zakiya , Wali Yasser
Published: March 2013

Background and Objectives

Hydroxyurea (HU) is the standard treatment for severely affected children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Starting dose is 15–20 mg/kg/day that can be escalated up to 35 mg/kg/day. Ethnic neutropenia is common in this area of the world that requires judicious usage of myelosuppressive drugs. Aim was to assess the efficacy of a lower initial dose of HU and cautious dose escalation regimen in patients with SCD.

Methods

We assessed 161 patients with SCD on HU, at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), Muscat, Oman, retrospectively from 1998 to 2008 and prospectively from 2009 to 2011. Starting dose of HU was 10–12 mg/kg/day, adjusted based on response or side effects. Patients were divided into two groups according to the dose of HU (10–15.9 mg/kg/day and 16–26 mg/kg/day).

Results

Nineteen patients were excluded for various reasons. Forty‐four children were in the low‐dose group and 98 were in the high‐dose group. There was significant reduction in the annual number of admissions due to vaso‐occlusive crisis in both groups (P < 0.001). However, the difference between the two groups was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). In addition, there was an observed clinical improvement regarding the acute chest syndrome (ACS). Both groups had comparable significant improvements in their laboratory markers [e.g., hemoglobin (Hb), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), and absolute neutrophil count (ANC)]. All 142 patients tolerated the treatment well. Reversible toxicities occurred in both low‐ and high‐dose groups.

Conclusion

In SCD patients, low‐dose regimen of HU is a feasible option that ensured safety and yet did not affect efficacy.
Protein kinase C activation causes neurite retraction via cyclinD1 and p60‐katanin increase in rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Korulu Sirin , Yildiz‐Unal Aysegul , Yuksel Meral , Karabay Arzu
Published: March 2013

Neurons are differentiated postmitotic cells residing in G0 phase of the cell cycle and are unable to proceed through G1 phase, in which cyclinD1 needs to be up‐regulated for initiation. Yet, a growing body of evidence has shown that cell cycle re‐activation via cyclinD1 up‐regulation drives neurons into apoptosis. By contrast, there is also evidence demonstrating cell cycle proteins playing roles in neuronal differentiation. cyclinD1 has been shown to be differently regulated by protein kinase C alpha (PKC‐α) in various mitotic cells. Based on these different effects, we investigated the role of PKC‐α on cyclinD1 regulation in hippocampal neurons. Neurons were treated with PKC activator, PMA, and analysed for subcellular distributions of PKC‐α and cyclinD1. Remarkably, PMA treatment increased nuclear PKC‐α and cyclinD1, but not PKC‐ε in hippocampal neurons. Increases in nuclear PKC‐α and cyclinD1 were accompanied by microtubule re‐organisation via increases in tau and retinoblastoma protein phosphorylation levels. Increased p60‐katanin and p53 changed the neuronal morphology into neurons with shorter, but increased number of side branches. Since up‐regulation of cell cycle is associated with apoptosis in neurons, we also analysed changes in Bax, Bcl‐2 early and PARP (poly(ADP‐ribose)polymerase), caspase3 late apoptotic markers. However, we did not observe any indication of apoptosis. These data suggest that in addition to their previously known roles in mitotic cells on cell cycle regulation, PKC‐α and cyclinD1 seem to be important for differentiation, and nuclear PKC‐α and cyclinD1 interfere with differentiation by promoting microtubule re‐organisation through PKC signaling without triggering apoptosis.
Males with a Faster Courtship Display have More White Spots and Higher Pairing Success in the Diamond Firetail, Stagonopleura guttata
Authors: Zanollo Valeria , Griggio Matteo , Robertson Jeremy , Kleindorfer Sonia
Published: March 2013

There is growing evidence that female mate choice could be based on a combination of multiple signals that often involve both ornamental colourful traits and behavioural displays. The Diamond Firetail is an Australian finch with a variable number of white spots on their black flank feathers. The number of white spots is a dimorphic characteristic: females have more spots than males, and males prefer females with many spots. Previously, we found assortative pairing for spot number despite the absence of experimental evidence for female preference for male spot number. Here, we test whether the male behavioural courtship display (bobbing while waving a grass stem) correlates with male spot number and pairing success. We also test whether male spot number predicts the outcome (winner or loser) of intrasexual competition over courtship materials (grass stem, perch, nest site). Males with many spots had higher pairing success, and male spot number correlated with the intensity of courtship display. In a multivariate statistical analysis, male courtship display was the stronger predictor of male pairing success. Finally, male spot number predicted the outcome of intrasexual interactions: males with many spots consistently won contests over grass stems, perches and nest sites. We suggest that intrasexual selection could favour male spot number, whereas courtship intensity appears to be under stronger intersexual selection.
Penetrating injuries of the foot
Authors: Smith M. R. W.
Published: March 2013

Penetrating injuries to the foot are potentially serious injuries in the horse. Diagnosis is usually straightforward and a combination of radiography (including positive contrast studies) and synoviocentesis usually is necessary to determine which structures within the foot are involved. Superficial punctures usually carry a good prognosis but involvement of deep structures such as the distal phalanx or deep digital flexor tendon and navicular bursa adversely influence this. Knowledge of wound healing in the foot and a rational approach to antimicrobial selection and surgical intervention are all necessary for successful case management.
On reactive routing protocols in ZigBee wireless sensor networks
Authors: Ortiz Antonio M. , Royo Fernando , Olivares Teresa , Castillo Jose Carlos , Orozco‐Barbosa Luis
Published: March 2013

ZigBee is the primary standard solution for wireless sensor networks, implementing the Ad hoc On‐Demand Distance Vector (AODV) protocol in the network layer and supported by the standard IEEE 802.15.4. This study is focused on mesh topologies and the critical problems encountered when AODV is executed in conjunction with the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance protocol. These problems are mainly related to the packet overhead required to carry out route creation. To perform preliminary experiments to be able to implement AODV in a real network, a new metric is proposed herein. This metric uses fuzzy logic to help in the decision‐making process. The objective of the fuzzy routine is to determine, during the route‐discovery process, the best node to forward request/reply packets, with the aim of reducing packet overhead and energy consumption. Moreover, minor changes are also added to the discovery procedure of AODV to improve the performance of the route‐creation process. This intelligent version of AODV has provided promising experimental results, greatly reducing the number of packets required, with the consequent energy saving while selecting the best nodes to be part of the routes.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester induces E2F‐1‐mediated growth inhibition and cell‐cycle arrest in human cervical cancer cells
Authors: Hsu Tzu‐Hui , Chu Chin‐Chen , Hung Mei‐Whey , Lee Hwei‐Jen , Hsu Hsien‐Jun , Chang Tsu‐Chung
Published: March 2013

Caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE) has been identified as an active component of propolis, a substance that confers diverse activities in cells of various origins. However, the molecular basis of CAPE‐mediated cellular activity remains to be clarified. Here, we show that CAPE preferentially induced S‐ and G2/M‐phase cell‐cycle arrests and initiated apoptosis in human cervical cancer lines. The effect was found to be associated with increased expression of E2F‐1, as there is no CAPE‐mediated induction of E2F‐1 in the pre‐cancerous cervical Z172 cells. CAPE also up‐regulated the E2F‐1 target genes cyclin A, cyclin E and apoptotic protease activating of factor 1 (Apaf‐1) but down‐regulated cyclin B and induced myeloid leukemia cell differentiation protein (Mcl‐1). These results suggest the involvement of E2F‐1 in CAPE‐mediated growth inhibition and cell‐cycle arrest. Transient transfection studies with luciferase reporters revealed that CAPE altered the transcriptional activity of the apaf‐1 and mcl‐1 promoters. Further studies using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that E2F‐1 binding to the apaf‐1 and cyclin B promoters was increased and decreased, respectively, in CAPE‐treated cells. Furthermore, E2F‐1 silencing abolished CAPE‐mediated effects on cell‐cycle arrest, apoptosis and related gene expression. Taken together, these results indicate a crucial role for E2F‐1 in CAPE‐mediated cellular activities in cervical cancer cells.
Analysis of limited proteolytic activity of calpain‐7 using non‐physiological substrates in mammalian cells
Authors: Maemoto Yuki , Kiso Satomi , Shibata Hideki , Maki Masatoshi
Published: March 2013

Calpain‐7 is a mammalian ortholog of a fungal non‐classical calpain named PalB, which is an intracellular cysteine protease and functions in fungal alkaline adaptation in association with the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) system. Despite our previous finding [Osako Y et al. (2010) FEBS J 277, 4412–4426] of autolytic activity, neither physiological nor non‐physiological substrates of calpain‐7 have yet been identified, and experimentally useful substrates that show robust evidence of intermolecular proteolytic activity of calpain‐7 are required. In this study, we found limited proteolysis of C‐terminally truncated ALG‐2‐interacting protein X (ALIX; (ALIXΔC), but not full‐length ALIX, when the mutant was co‐over‐expressed with calpain‐7 in HEK293T cells and analyzed by western blotting. The extent of ALIXΔC cleavage by calpain‐7 was enhanced by co‐expression with several ESCRT proteins. We investigated whether fusion of casein, a commonly used substrate for a variety of proteases including calpains, to the Bro1 domain confers the ability to serve as a substrate of calpain‐7, but no specific cleavage was observed. However, when domain 1 of calpastatin, an endogenous inhibitory protein of ubiquitous classical calpains, was fused with the Bro1 domain, the fusion protein was cleaved at the C‐terminal border of subdomain B (an inhibitory center for calpains) of calpastatin. These results demonstrate for the first time that calpain‐7 has limited proteolytic activity and substrate preference. Moreover, the proteolytic assay system developed enabled us to perform mutational analysis of calpain‐7, which revealed the importance of not only the N‐terminal microtubule‐interacting and trafficking (MIT) domains but also the C‐terminal C2 domain‐like domains for proteolytic activity.
Note on modelling of fatigue damage rates for non‐Gaussian stresses
Authors: Rychlik I.
Published: March 2013

This note reviews the means for fatigue damage rates estimation using scaled Laplace distributed loads. The model is suitable for the description of stresses containing transients of random amplitudes and locations. Moment method to estimate model parameters is given. Explicit formulas to compute rainflow damage rate as a function of excess kurtosis are presented. Laplace model is used to describe the variability of forces measured at some location on a cultivator frame. Validation of the model and uncertainty analysis in fatigue damage predictions is given.
Do Family Owners Use Firm Hedging Policy to Hedge Personal Undiversified Wealth Risk?
Authors: Kim Chansog , Pantzalis Christos , Park Jung Chul
Published: March 2013

We examine whether family ownership affects the value impact of the operational and financial dimensions of firms’ hedging policies. We show that family firms’ market valuations are higher than those of non‐family firms, consistent with the view that family firms benefit from family owners’ long‐term perspectives and ability to monitor managers. In addition, while both operational and financial hedging policies per se are valuable in non‐family firms, they do not create any value in family firms. These results support the notion that the founding families’ need to hedge the risk of their undiversified personal wealth portfolio leads to suboptimal risk management decisions.
Climate‐induced environmental conditions influencing interannual variability of Mediterranean bluefin (Thunnus thynnus) larval growth
Authors: García A. , Cortés D. , Quintanilla J. , Rámirez T. , Quintanilla L. , Rodríguez J. M. , Alemany F.
Published: March 2013

Daily growth variability of bluefin (Thunnus thynnus) larvae sampled in their Balearic Sea spawning grounds during the 2003–2005 spawning seasons was examined. Multi‐factorial ANOVA was applied to study the effects of environmental variables, such as temperature at 10 m depth (T10), microzooplankton dry weight (MDW) and protein/dry weight ratio (PROT/MDW) on larval growth. The 2003 bluefin tuna (BFT) larval cohort showed the fastest growth, recognizable from enhanced otolith and somatic mass increment compared to the 2004–2005 larval cohorts. The 2003 BFT larvae showed greater recent growth than the 2004–2005 BFT cohorts, which decreased in the last stages of development. Growth differences between the 2004 and 2005 larval cohorts were not significant. The environmental conditions between 2003 and 2004–2005 were highly contrasting as a result of the 2003 warming anomaly. Somatic and otolith growth rates (OGR) were significantly related to T10 and MDW, as well as to the PROT/MDW ratios. Nonetheless, the effect of T10 on OGR depended on the relative high (H) or low (L) levels of MDW and PROT/DW. Higher OGR was observed when T10 was high, MDW was low and PROT/DW was high. This environmental scenario conditions were met during 2003, which recorded the highest surface temperature and low planktonic biomass. Somatic growth, expressed as larval DW growth increase (DWGR), showed three‐factor significant interactions with T10*MDW*PROT/MDW, in which the two‐way interactions of MDW*PROT/MDW showed differences in the function of T10 levels.
Hypoxia impacts large adults first: consequences in a warming world
Authors: Clark Melody S. , Husmann Gunnar , Thorne Michael A. S. , Burns Gavin , Truebano Manuela , Peck Lloyd S. , Abele Doris , Philipp Eva E. R.
Published: March 2013

Future oceans are predicted to contain less oxygen than at present. This is because oxygen is less soluble in warmer water and predicted stratification will reduce mixing. Hypoxia in marine environments is thus likely to become more widespread in marine environments and understanding species‐responses is important to predicting future impacts on biodiversity. This study used a tractable model, the Antarctic clam, Laternula elliptica, which can live for 36 years, and has a well‐characterized ecology and physiology to understand responses to hypoxia and how the effect varied with age. Younger animals had a higher condition index, higher adenylate energy charge and transcriptional profiling indicated that they were physically active in their response to hypoxia, whereas older animals were more sedentary, with higher levels of oxidative damage and apoptosis in the gills. These effects could be attributed, in part, to age‐related tissue scaling; older animals had proportionally less contractile muscle mass and smaller gills and foot compared with younger animals, with consequential effects on the whole‐animal physiological response. The data here emphasize the importance of including age effects, as large mature individuals appear to be less able to resist hypoxic conditions and this is the size range that is the major contributor to future generations. Thus, the increased prevalence of hypoxia in future oceans may have marked effects on benthic organisms' abilities to persist and this is especially so for long‐lived species when predicting responses to environmental perturbation.
Extending a Geographic Lens Towards Climate Justice, Part 2: Climate Action
Authors: Burnham Morey , Radel Claudia , Ma Zhao , Laudati Ann
Published: March 2013

There has been a recent increase of interest within the academic literature on the justice issues posed by climate change and the human responses to its present and forecasted effects. In two parts (here and in a previous article), we review and synthesize the recent literature by asking what climate justice concerns have been identified within three related realms: (i) the characterization of climate change itself and the assignment of responsibility for that change; (ii) the differential or uneven impacts of climate change; and (iii) the actions taken to address the problems associated with climate change, including both mitigation and adaptation. Here in Part 2, we focus on the justice concerns of climate action, examining the scholarship on climate change mitigation mechanisms formulated at the international level (i.e., REDD+, CDM) and climate change adaptation projects and finance. We argue that geographers are well‐positioned to conduct (and already well engaged in) research on the local climate justice paradoxes emerging from the currently uncritical focus of climate action policy on justice at the level of the national state.
Refuge for native lady beetles (Coccinellidae) in perennial grassland habitats
Authors: Diepenbrock Lauren M. , Finke Deborah L.
Published: March 2013

The proportion of native individuals in North American lady beetle communities has declined precipitously over the past 30 years, particularly in annual cropping systems. At the same time, the number and abundance of exotic coccinellid species have been on the rise as beetles are introduced both inadvertently and intentionally for the purposes of biological control.

Perennial grasslands have been proposed as refuge habitats that promote native lady beetles, either by resisting the invasion of exotics or by providing a consistent source of shelter and resources.

Our objective is to compare the conservation value for native lady beetles of different perennial grassland habitats that vary in their degree of habitat modification and disturbance.

The abundance, species richness, and species composition of native and exotic lady beetles were compared across remnant native tallgrass prairies, native tallgrass prairies actively restored from cultivation and exotic tall fescue grasslands grown as forage crops.

Native species dominated the lady beetle community in all perennial grassland habitats, with more than 95% of captured individuals being native in origin. Exotic lady beetle species were equally rare across all habitat types.

The grassland habitat considered the most disturbed, agriculturally grown exotic tall fescue, had the highest abundance and species richness of native lady beetles and a unique composition of species as compared to prairie habitats. Lady beetle communities in remnant and restored tallgrass prairies were indistinguishable, indicating that prairie restoration successfully re‐established coccinellid communities.

Promoting perennial grasslands, both natural and agricultural, within disturbed landscapes has the potential to enhance native lady beetle populations.
In vitro evaluation of the fermentation of added‐value agroindustrial by‐products: cactus pear (Opuntia ficus‐indica L.) peel and pineapple (Ananas comosus) peel as functional ingredients
Authors: Diaz‐Vela Juan , Totosaus Alfonso , Cruz‐Guerrero Alma E. , de Lourdes Pérez‐Chabela María
Published: March 2013

Agroindustrial by‐products derived from fruit processing are an important source of biocompounds that can be used as functional food ingredients. The objective of this work was to evaluate cactus pear and pineapple peel flours as an alternative carbon source during fermentation using bacteria with probiotic potential. The total fibre content of both flours was over 60%, with total soluble carbohydrate content around 20%, indicating a good carbon source for lactic acid bacteria. Kinetic parameters indicate that peel flours are a suitable carbon source because the lactic acid bacteria grow (mean growth rate constant, k, values close to glucose, 1.52 h) and acidify the culture media (maximum acidification rate, Vmax, approximately 1.60 pH × 10−3 min−1). There was no difference in prebiotic potential or prebiotic activity score for both the peel flours. Pediococcus pentosaceus performs better during fermentation. In this respect, cactus pear and pineapple peel flours can be used as functional ingredients due to their fermentable properties.
Acid adaptation for improvement of viability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during freeze‐drying
Authors: Chu‐Ky Son , Vaysse Laurent , Liengprayoon Siriluck , Sriroth Klanarong , Le Thanh‐Mai
Published: March 2013

This work was aimed to investigate its adaptation to moderate acid stress and the resulting improvement in its viability during freeze‐drying. When Saccharomyces cerevisiae UP3OY5 strain was adapted to acid condition (pH 3.5), the viability of acid‐adapted cells (79.9%) was significantly higher than that of control cells (40.5%) after freeze‐drying with trehalose as a carrier. Membrane fatty acid profile of acid‐adapted cells changed significantly in comparison with that of control cells. An increase in fatty acid saturation degree that led to 1.76‐fold increase in the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids was shown. Intracellular glycogen content was found to be higher than that of control cells. On the contrary, the trehalose content of acid‐adapted cells was found to be much smaller than that of control cells. The key role of acid adaptation in acquiring cross‐protection mechanism was suggested to permit yeast to better survive to freeze‐drying.
Effect of ultrafiltered fractions from casein on lactic acid biosynthesis and enzyme activity in yoghurt starter cultures
Authors: Zhang Qingli , Brashears Mindy M. , Yu Zhimin , Ren Jiaoyan , Li Yinjuan , Zhao Mouming
Published: March 2013

In this work, five ultrafiltered fractions (UFs) with molecular mass less than 3 kDa (kilo‐daltons) from casein hydrolysates treated with alcalase, flavourzyme, neutrase, papain and trypsin, respectively, were obtained. The effect of five UFs on the fermentation for lactic acid (LA) production by mixed cultures of Streptococcus thermophilus (St) and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (Lb) during 72 h of cultivation was investigated. Compared with the control, LA production was, respectively, enhanced by 23.66%, 39.01%, 29.74%, 49.64% and 47.40% with the supplement of UF‐A, UF‐F, UF‐N, UF‐P and UF‐T at 24 h. The possible mechanism of LA production enhanced was elucidated by the time course analysis of the specific activity of glucokinase, phosphoglucose isomerase, 6‐phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase during fermentation process. In addition, the results obtained showed the diverse influence of five UFs on the bacterial fermentation was attributed to their different amino acid distribution.
Bonhoeffer and Bultmann: Toward an Apocalyptic Rapprochement
Authors: Congdon David W.
Published: March 2013

In the 1950s and 1960s, the relation between Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Rudolf Bultmann was a topic of much dispute, with Gerhard Krause declaring the apparent opposition between them ‘resolved’ in 1964. Recent apocalyptic theology has reopened the divide between them by claiming Bonhoeffer as an apocalyptic thinker over against Bultmann. This article disputes that reading by arguing that the very conditions under which Bonhoeffer is rightly understood as apocalyptic open up the door for a new interpretation of Bultmann. The question of their relationship reveals the ambiguity surrounding the notion of apocalyptic. There is a pressing need for greater clarity regarding this notion as well as greater charity in relation to Bultmann.
The Obedience of the Eternal Son
Authors: Swain Scott , Allen Michael
Published: March 2013

According to Karl Barth, the obedience of the eternal Son in the economy of salvation is the proper mode whereby he enacts the undivided work of the Trinity ‘for us and our salvation’. This thesis now enjoys rather wide acceptance among contemporary theologians. In many instances, adopting this viewpoint has resulted in significant revisions of traditional trinitarian metaphysics. The purpose of the present article is to demonstrate that adopting Barth's thesis does not require such revision and that this thesis can and should be appropriated within the orbit of traditional trinitarian theology. We will endeavor to establish our claim by considering the relationship between the Son's eternal generation and his economic obedience, and by addressing three major objections that might be raised against our claim.
Tissue‐specific effector functions of innate lymphoid cells
Authors: Björkström Niklas K. , Kekäläinen Eliisa , Mjösberg Jenny
Published: March 2013

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) is the collective term for a group of related innate lymphocytes, including natural killer (NK) cells and the more recently discovered non‐NK ILCs, which all lack rearranged antigen receptors such as those expressed by T and B cells. Similar to NK cells, the newly discovered ILCs depend on the transcription factor Id2 and the common γ‐chain of the interleukin‐2 receptor for development. However, in contrast to NK cells, non‐NK ILCs also require interleukin‐7. In addition to the cytotoxic functions of NK cells, assuring protection against tumour development and viruses, new data indicate that ILCs contribute to a wide range of homeostatic and pathophysiological conditions in various organs via specialized cytokine production capabilities. Here we summarize current knowledge on ILCs with a particular emphasis on their tissue‐specific effector functions, in the gut, liver, lungs and uterus. When possible, we try to highlight the role that these cells play in humans.
A review of paediatric oral and maxillofacial pathology
Authors: Brierley Daniel J. , Chee Catherine Koo Min , Speight Paul M.
Published: March 2013

This review aims to summarise common paediatric oral and maxillofacial pathology. It will focus on lesions that have a particular predilection for children, lesions that impart significant morbidity or rare and important entities which paediatric specialists may be less familiar with. Although the vast majority of pathology encountered will be benign or require minimal intervention, there are also lesions that may require urgent referral to an appropriate specialist, multidisciplinary team care and significant surgery. Recognition and appreciation of the clinicopathological features should facilitate an appreciation that the growth, anatomy, physiology or relationship of the maxillofacial structures may have been altered by the pathological entity or treatment received.
Progress towards a global assessment of the status of freshwater fishes (Pisces) for the IUCN Red List: application to conservation programmes in zoos and aquariums
Authors: Carrizo S. F. , Smith K. G. , Darwall W. R. T.
Published: March 2013

The 15 750 valid described species of freshwater fishes comprise around 25% of living vertebrate species diversity, and are a key economic and nutritional resource for people globally. However, information on the conservation status and distribution of freshwater fishes in The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ (Red List) has been extremely limited until recently. Over the last 10 years, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Species Programme Freshwater Biodiversity Unit has made significant progress to fill this information gap. From a base of only 660 freshwater‐fish species assessed on the Red List in 2002, a further 5125 species assessments have now been completed. As of 2011, 60 freshwater‐fish species are thought to be Extinct, eight are Extinct in the Wild and 1679 are threatened with extinction. This information, combined with new work to identify important sites for freshwater fishes, will help the world's zoos and aquariums identify potential targets (species or areas) for in situ and ex situ conservation programmes.
The Relationship Between Regulatory Pressure and Insurer Risk Taking
Authors: Lin Wen‐Chang , Lai Yi‐Hsun , Powers Michael R.
Published: March 2013

The article examines the risk‐taking behavior of property–liability insurers in the presence of risk‐based capital regulation. An option pricing model is developed to evaluate the expected regulatory cost and predict a nonlinear relationship between regulatory pressure and insurers’ risk taking. We then conduct an empirical test using the simultaneous threshold regression. The result shows that there is a threshold effect of regulatory pressure on insurer risk taking. Poorly capitalized insurers seem to be aware of their proximity to regulatory interventions but do not fully respond to the impending regulatory pressure. This implies either regulatory interventions are not costly enough or they are too late, or both.
Insurance Ratemaking and a Gini Index
Authors: Frees Edward W. (Jed) , Meyers Glenn , Cummings A. David
Published: March 2013

Welfare economics uses Lorenz curves to display skewed income distributions and Gini indices to summarize the skewness. This article extends the Lorenz curve and Gini index by ordering insurance risks; the ordering variable is a risk‐based score relative to price, known as a relativity. The new relativity‐based measures can cope with adverse selection and quantify potential profit. Specifically, we show that the Gini index is proportional to a correlation between the relativity and an out‐of‐sample profit (price in excess of loss). A detailed example using homeowners insurance demonstrates the utility of these new measures.
Outcomes of Overlapping Heterogeneous Drug‐Eluting Stents Versus Homogeneous Drug‐Eluting Stents for Diffuse Lesions in Small Coronary Arteries
Authors: LIU SHENG WEN , QIAO SHU BIN , XU BO , HU FENG HUAN , CHEN JUE , YUAN JIN QING , WU YONG JIAN , YANG YUE JIN , CHEN JI LIN , GAO RUN LIN
Published: March 2013

Objective

To investigate the outcomes of overlapping drug‐eluting stenting (DES) in small and diffuse lesions.

Background

Clinical outcomes of overlapping heterogeneous versus homogeneous DES of diffuse lesions (requiring ≥30 mm of length) in small coronary arteries (requiring ≤2.75 mm of diameter) are unknown.

Methods

From January 2005 to December 2009, there were 99 patients with diffuse lesions in small coronary arteries receiving overlapping heterogeneous DES, and 558 patients receiving overlapping homogeneous DES at our institution. The clinical end‐point of the study included in‐hospital and 12‐month major adverse cardiac events (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization (TVR).

Results

There were no statistically significant differences between overlapping heterogeneous and homogeneous DES groups in‐hospital (2.0% vs. 1.4%, respectively; P = 0.66) and 12‐month (9.1% vs. 9.3%, respectively; P = 0.94) major adverse cardiac events. After adjustment, no significant differences for major adverse cardiac events were noted, but the rate of nonfatal myocardial infarction was lower in overlapping homogeneous DES group (odds ratio: 4.20, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

In this analysis, there were no significant differences in major adverse cardiac events between the 2 types of overlapping DES for diffuse lesions in small coronary arteries, except for higher nonfatal myocardial infarction in overlapping heterogeneous DES. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:264–270)
Oral manifestations of lupus erythematosus – report of two cases
Authors: Simões Débora M. , Fava Márcia , Figueiredo Maria A. , Salum Fernanda G. , Cherubini Karen
Published: March 2013

Background

Lupus erythematosus is a serious autoimmune disease, which can cause oral mucosal lesions, manifesting as white striae and erythematous, atrophic and hyperkeratotic areas, as well as erosions and ulcerations. Sometimes, these signs can be misdiagnosed as other oral diseases such as lichen planus. Also, on histopathological examination with haematoxylin‐eosin staining (HE), the features of these diseases can overlap.

Materials and methods

The authors report here two cases of oral lesions of lupus erythematosus, with a discussion of their clinical features and the process of differential diagnosis.

Conclusions

It is crucial to consider in the diagnostic process for lupus erythematosus the whole clinical information as well as haematological tests, histopathological features in HE and direct immunofluorescence, not only at first evaluation but also during patient follow‐up.