bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlling immune responses by targeting antigens to dendritic cell subsets and B cells
Authors: Chappell Craig P. , Giltiay Natalia V. , Dresch Christiane , Clark Edward A.
Published: November 2013

Delivering antigens in vivo by coupling them to mAbs specific for unique receptors on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) is a promising approach for modulating immune responses. Antigen delivery to receptors found on myeloid dendritic cell (DC) subsets, plasmacytoid DCs and B cells has shown them all to be viable targets to stimulate either the cellular or humoral arms of the immune system. It is now evident that antigen-targeting approaches can also be used to invoke antigen-specific inhibition of immune responses. The outcome of activation versus inhibition is determined by a combination of factors that include the choice of APC, the receptor that is targeted, whether to include an adjuvant and, if so, which adjuvant to employ. In addition to their use as a means to modulate immune responses, antigen-targeting systems are also a useful method to investigate the function of DC subsets and the early mechanistic events that underlie the initiation of both cellular and humoral immune responses. In this review, we focus on the literature surrounding the control of B-cell responses when antigen is delivered to various APC subsets.
Canonical nucleosome organization at promoters forms during genome activation
Authors: Zhang Yong , Vastenhouw Nadine L. , Feng Jianxing , Fu Kai , Wang Chenfei , Ge Ying , Pauli Andrea , van Hummelen Paul , Schier Alexander F. , Liu X. Shirley
Published: November 2013

The organization of nucleosomes influences transcriptional activity by controlling accessibility of DNA binding proteins to the genome. Genome-wide nucleosome binding profiles have identified a canonical nucleosome organization at gene promoters, where arrays of well-positioned nucleosomes emanate from nucleosome-depleted regions. The mechanisms of formation and the function of canonical promoter nucleosome organization remain unclear. Here we analyze the genome-wide location of nucleosomes during zebrafish embryogenesis and show that well-positioned nucleosome arrays appear on thousands of promoters during the activation of the zygotic genome. The formation of canonical promoter nucleosome organization is independent of DNA sequence preference, transcriptional elongation, and robust RNA polymerase II (Pol II) binding. Instead, canonical promoter nucleosome organization correlates with the presence of histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and affects future transcriptional activation. These findings reveal that genome activation is central to the organization of nucleosome arrays during early embryogenesis.
RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED Protein Stimulates Cell Differentiation in theArabidopsisRoot Meristem by Interacting with Cytokinin Signaling
Authors: Perilli Serena , Perez-Perez José Manuel , Di Mambro Riccardo , Peris Cristina Llavata , Díaz-Triviño Sara , Del Bianco Marta , Pierdonati Emanuela , Moubayidin Laila , Cruz-Ramírez Alfredo , Costantino Paolo , Scheres Ben , Sabatini Sabrina
Published: November 2013

Maintenance of mitotic cell clusters such as meristematic cells depends on their capacity to maintain the balance between cell division and cell differentiation necessary to control organ growth. In the Arabidopsis thaliana root meristem, the antagonistic interaction of two hormones, auxin and cytokinin, regulates this balance by positioning the transition zone, where mitotically active cells lose their capacity to divide and initiate their differentiation programs. In animals, a major regulator of both cell division and cell differentiation is the tumor suppressor protein RETINOBLASTOMA. Here, we show that similarly to its homolog in animal systems, the plant RETINOBLASTOMA-RELATED (RBR) protein regulates the differentiation of meristematic cells at the transition zone by allowing mRNA accumulation of AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR19 (ARF19), a transcription factor involved in cell differentiation. We show that both RBR and the cytokinin-dependent transcription factor ARABIDOPSIS RESPONSE REGULATOR12 are required to activate the transcription of ARF19, which is involved in promoting cell differentiation and thus root growth.
Gene Coexpression Analysis Reveals Complex Metabolism of the Monoterpene Alcohol Linalool inArabidopsisFlowers
Authors: Ginglinger Jean-François , Boachon Benoit , Höfer René , Paetz Christian , Köllner Tobias G. , Miesch Laurence , Lugan Raphael , Baltenweck Raymonde , Mutterer Jérôme , Ullmann Pascaline , Beran Franziska , Claudel Patricia , Verstappen Francel , Fischer Marc J.C. , Karst Francis , Bouwmeester Harro , Miesch Michel , Schneider Bernd , Gershenzon Jonathan , Ehlting Jürgen , Werck-Reichhart Danièle
Published: November 2013

The cytochrome P450 family encompasses the largest family of enzymes in plant metabolism, and the functions of many of its members in Arabidopsis thaliana are still unknown. Gene coexpression analysis pointed to two P450s that were coexpressed with two monoterpene synthases in flowers and were thus predicted to be involved in monoterpenoid metabolism. We show that all four selected genes, the two terpene synthases (TPS10 and TPS14) and the two cytochrome P450s (CYP71B31 and CYP76C3), are simultaneously expressed at anthesis, mainly in upper anther filaments and in petals. Upon transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana, the TPS enzymes colocalize in vesicular structures associated with the plastid surface, whereas the P450 proteins were detected in the endoplasmic reticulum. Whether they were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae or in N. benthamiana, the TPS enzymes formed two different enantiomers of linalool: (−)-(R)-linalool for TPS10 and (+)-(S)-linalool for TPS14. Both P450 enzymes metabolize the two linalool enantiomers to form different but overlapping sets of hydroxylated or epoxidized products. These oxygenated products are not emitted into the floral headspace, but accumulate in floral tissues as further converted or conjugated metabolites. This work reveals complex linalool metabolism in Arabidopsis flowers, the ecological role of which remains to be determined.
A Genomics Approach to Deciphering Lignin Biosynthesis in Switchgrass
Authors: Shen Hui , Mazarei Mitra , Hisano Hiroshi , Escamilla-Trevino Luis , Fu Chunxiang , Pu Yunqiao , Rudis Mary R. , Tang Yuhong , Xiao Xirong , Jackson Lisa , Li Guifen , Hernandez Tim , Chen Fang , Ragauskas Arthur J. , Stewart C. Neal , Wang Zeng-Yu , Dixon Richard A.
Published: November 2013

It is necessary to overcome recalcitrance of the biomass to saccharification (sugar release) to make switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) economically viable as a feedstock for liquid biofuels. Lignin content correlates negatively with sugar release efficiency in switchgrass, but selecting the right gene candidates for engineering lignin biosynthesis in this tetraploid outcrossing species is not straightforward. To assist this endeavor, we have used an inducible switchgrass cell suspension system for studying lignin biosynthesis in response to exogenous brassinolide. By applying a combination of protein sequence phylogeny with whole-genome microarray analyses of induced cell cultures and developing stem internode sections, we have generated a list of candidate monolignol biosynthetic genes for switchgrass. Several genes that were strongly supported through our bioinformatics analysis as involved in lignin biosynthesis were confirmed by gene silencing studies, in which lignin levels were reduced as a result of targeting a single gene. However, candidate genes encoding enzymes involved in the early steps of the currently accepted monolignol biosynthesis pathway in dicots may have functionally redundant paralogues in switchgrass and therefore require further evaluation. This work provides a blueprint and resources for the systematic genome-wide study of the monolignol pathway in switchgrass, as well as other C4 monocot species.
A novel X-ray diffractometer for studies of liquid–liquid interfaces
Authors: Murphy Bridget M. , Greve Matthais , Runge Benjamin , Koops Christian T. , Elsen Annika , Stettner Jochim , Seeck Oliver H. , Magnussen Olaf M.
Published: November 2013

The study of liquid–liquid interfaces with X-ray scattering methods requires special instrumental considerations. A dedicated liquid surface diffractometer employing a tilting double-crystal monochromator in Bragg geometry has been designed. This diffractometer allows reflectivity and grazing-incidence scattering measurements of an immobile mechanically completely decoupled liquid sample, providing high mechanical stability. The available energy range is from 6.4 to 29.4 keV, covering many important absorption edges. The instrument provides access in momentum space out to 2.54 Å−1in the surface normal and out to 14.8 Å−1in the in-plane direction at 29.4 keV. Owing to its modular design the diffractometer is also suitable for heavy apparatus such as vacuum chambers. The instrument performance is described and examples of X-ray reflectivity studies performed underin situelectrochemical control and on biochemical model systems are given.
Interpreting genetics in the context of eating disorders: evidence of disease, not diversity
Authors: Easter Michele
Published: November 2013

How is genetic involvement interpreted for disorders whose medicalisation is contested? Framing psychiatric and behavioural disorders in terms of genetics is expected to make them seem more medical. Yet a genetic aetiology can also be used to frame behaviour as acceptable human variation, rather than a medical problem (for example, sexual orientation). I analyse responses to the idea that there is a genetic component in anorexia and bulimia nervosa (AN or BN) via semi‐structured interviews with a sample of 50 women diagnosed with an eating disorder (25 had recovered). All but three volunteered that genetics would medicalise AN or BN by (i) making eating disorders seem more like ‘real diseases’; implying that these disorders need (ii) professional treatment or (iii) a biologically based treatment. The results also indicate there are several counter‐logics by which genetic framing could support non‐medical definitions of AN or BN. I argue that genetic framing reduces perceived individual responsibility, which can support definitions of behaviour as either a reflection of disease (which entails intervention) or a reflection of normal human diversity (which does not). In the context of public scepticism as to the ‘reality’ of AN or BN, genetic involvement was taken as evidence of disease in ongoing negotiations about the medical and moral status of people with eating disorders.
Learning by Doing and Fragmentation
Authors: Bond Eric W. , Ma Yan
Published: November 2013

We analyse the competitive equilibrium and socially optimal allocation of production fragments in a two‐country model where there is learning by doing with spillovers between fragments in the home country. We distinguish between forward and backward knowledge linkages, where learning results from producing products that are less (more) complex than the current knowledge frontier with forward (backward) linkages. We compare the pattern of comparative advantage in the competitive and socially optimal cases, and compare the intensive and extensive margins of fragments produced at home in the two cases. We establish a sufficient condition for the range of fragments produced at home to be non‐decreasing with forward linkages. We also show that with backward linkages, the home country will produce some fragments in the neighbourhood of the steady state that are more complex than those produced in the steady state.
Emission Taxes and Border Tax Adjustments for Oligopolistic Industries
Authors: Yomogida Morihiro , Tarui Nori
Published: November 2013

We examine the welfare consequences of an emission tax with and without a border tax adjustment (BTA) for an imperfectly competitive industry, where intra‐industry trade arises between countries. BTA allows a government to impose a pollution‐content tariff on imports and refund an emission tax for export sales. We analyse the structure of an optimal emission tax with BTA when a government chooses its emission tax rate to maximize its national welfare. We show that the optimal emission tax policy with BTA achieves greater national welfare and higher environmental quality than the optimal policy without BTA.
The Only Way Is Up? Ordinary Topologies of Ramallah
Authors: Harker Christopher
Published: November 2013

This article seeks to conceptualize and value some of the quotidian geographies responsible for contemporary forms of urban change. The starting point for the argument is an attempt to account for recent urban change in the Palestinian city of Ramallah, particularly the proliferation of apartment buildings, using emerging work on verticality. It is argued that work on verticality focuses empirically on prominent cities and spaces of violent conflict, invokes the vertical as politically suspect and offers a theorization of space that is topographical in nature. Consequently, accounts of verticality have produced narratives that obscure topological spatial relations. This article seeks to make space for such topologies, which it is argued are crucial to producing urban and political life itself in many contexts. The concept of ordinary topologies is proposed as a means of attending to the complex and undervalued practices that are thought to be normal (but not static) and common within and across intensive or qualitative spatio‐temporal relations. This approach is fleshed out through a discussion of changing topographic–topological landscapes in Ramallah. In particular, it is argued that the increasingly verticalized landscape of the city, embodied in rapidly proliferating apartment buildings, must be understood in relation to frequent journeys to other places and changing family relations.
Loss of NDG‐4 extends lifespan and stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Brejning Jeanette , Nørgaard Steffen , Schøler Lone , Morthorst Tine H. , Jakobsen Helle , Lithgow Gordon J. , Jensen Louise T. , Olsen Anders
Published: November 2013

NDG‐4 is a predicted transmembrane acyltransferase protein that acts in the distribution of lipophilic factors. Consequently, ndg‐4 mutants lay eggs with a pale appearance due to lack of yolk, and they are resistant to sterility caused by dietary supplementation with the long‐chain omega‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid dihommogamma‐linolenic acid (DGLA). Two other proteins, NRF‐5 and NRF‐6, a homolog of a mammalian secreted lipid binding protein and a NDG‐4 homolog, respectively, have previously been shown to function in the same lipid transport pathway. Here, we report that mutation of the NDG‐4 protein results in increased organismal stress resistance and lifespan. When NDG‐4 function and insulin/IGF‐1 signaling are reduced simultaneously, maximum lifespan is increased almost fivefold. Thus, longevity conferred by mutation of ndg‐4 is partially overlapping with insulin signaling. The nuclear hormone receptor NHR‐80 (HNF4 homolog) is required for longevity in germline less animals. We find that NHR‐80 is also required for longevity of ndg‐4 mutants. Moreover, we find that nrf‐5 and nrf‐6 mutants also have extended lifespan and increased stress resistance, suggesting that altered lipid transport and metabolism play key roles in determining lifespan.
Vulval papules: A case for diagnosis
Authors: Bunce Penelope AM , Dixit Shreya , Fischer Gayle O
Published: November 2013

You are asked to examine a 68‐year‐old woman with a 3‐year history of multiple bilateral and largely asymptomatic white papules on her labia majora. Based on the history and photographs, what is your diagnosis?
Acquired aquagenic syringeal acrokeratoderma: A case series of 10 patients
Authors: Ertürk‐Özdemir Emel , Özcan Deren , Seçkin Deniz
Published: November 2013

Aquagenic syringeal acrokeratoderma is a rare acquired disorder that predominantly affects young women. It is most commonly localised on the palms. It is characterised by translucent papules, oedematous plaques and keratoderma developing after brief exposure to water and resolving shortly after drying. We have observed 10 patients with this disorder within 13 months. We think that aquagenic syringeal acrokeratoderma is a more common condition than was originally anticipated as one can easily underdiagnose this entity due to the transient nature of its clinical findings.
Is Stress Worth it? Stress‐Related Health and Wealth Trade‐Offs for Entrepreneurs
Authors: Cardon Melissa S. , Patel Pankaj C.
Published: November 2013

Occupational stress is associated with numerous health problems that cost organisations considerable resources. We explore whether the detrimental effects of stress on individual health are accompanied by productive effects on individual performance for self‐employed people, thereby making stress somewhat “worth it” for this occupational group. Given that positive affect can serve as a stress‐buffering resource, we also examine the potential for positive affect (PA) to moderate these relationships. Our hypotheses are tested using data from the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow‐up Study (NHEFS) that incorporated extensive demographic, medical history, nutritional, clinical, and laboratory data representative of the non‐institutionalised civilian US population. From this dataset we created a longitudinal matched sample of 688 self‐employed individuals and 688 employees, incorporating self‐reported and physiological measures of stress and health. Our findings indicate that (controlling for past income and prior health) self‐employed people experience greater stress than employees, and they experience a positive impact of stress on income despite a negative impact on physical health. These relationships are moderated by positive affectivity, where PA accentuates the positive effect of stress on personal income and mitigates the negative effect of stress on physical health.
Capitalising on Positive Work Events by Sharing them at Home
Authors: Ilies Remus , Keeney Jessica , Goh Zen W.
Published: November 2013

The authors integrate existing theory on work–family integration and interpersonal capitalisation on positive work events by examining the effects of sharing positive work events with one's spouse on employee life satisfaction. A field study was conducted with 131 employees of a large Midwestern university, who completed surveys online. Participants provided accounts of their most important positive event during the prior week and indicated whether they had shared this event with their spouse. They also retrospectively rated their positive affect and life satisfaction over the course of the study. Results based on hierarchical regression analysis indicated that having shared that event with one's spouse was positively associated with positive affect and life satisfaction after controlling for personality and event characteristics. These results were corroborated in a subsample of 99 employees whose spouses provided independent reports of whether the event was shared with them. This research reveals that sharing positive events with others has unique and significant contributions to positive affect and life satisfaction. More importantly, these findings show that the interpersonal act of sharing is effective when conducted cross‐domain: the act of sharing positive work events with family members increases positive affect and life satisfaction.
Deletion of thioredoxin‐interacting protein preserves retinal neuronal function by preventing inflammation and vascular injury
Authors: El‐Azab M F , Baldowski B R B , Mysona B A , Shanab A Y , Mohamed I N , Abdelsaid M A , Matragoon S , Bollinger K E , Saul A , El‐Remessy A B
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose

Retinal neurodegeneration is an early and critical event in several diseases associated with blindness. Clinically, therapies that target neurodegeneration fail. We aimed to elucidate the multiple roles by which thioredoxin‐interacting protein (TXNIP) contributes to initial and sustained retinal neurodegeneration.

Experimental Approach

Neurotoxicity was induced by intravitreal injection of NMDA into wild‐type (WT) and TXNIP‐knockout (TKO) mice. The expression of apoptotic and inflammatory markers was assessed by immunohistochemistry, elisa and Western blot. Microvascular degeneration was assessed by periodic acid‐Schiff and haematoxylin staining and retinal function by electroretinogram.

Key Results

NMDA induced early (1 day) and significant retinal PARP activation, a threefold increase in TUNEL‐positive nuclei and 40% neuronal loss in ganglion cell layer (GCL); and vascular permeability in WT but not TKO mice. NMDA induced glial activation, expression of TNF‐α and IL‐1β that co‐localized with Müller cells in WT but not TKO mice. In parallel, NMDA triggered the expression of NOD‐like receptor protein (NLRP3), activation of caspase‐1, and release of IL‐1β and TNF‐α in primary WT but not TKO Müller cultures. After 14 days, NMDA induced 1.9‐fold microvascular degeneration, 60% neuronal loss in GCL and increased TUNEL‐labelled cells in the GCL and inner nuclear layer in WT but not TKO mice. Electroretinogram analysis showed more significant reductions in b‐wave amplitudes in WT than in TKO mice.

Conclusion and Implications

Targeting TXNIP expression prevented early retinal ganglion cell death, glial activation, retinal inflammation and secondary neuro/microvascular degeneration and preserved retinal function. TXNIP is a promising new therapeutic target for retinal neurodegenerative diseases.
Impact of intracellular domain flexibility upon properties of activated human 5‐HT3 receptors
Authors: Kozuska J L , Paulsen I M , Belfield W J , Martin I L , Cole D J , Holt A , Dunn S M J
Published: November 2013

Background and Purpose

It has been proposed that arginine residues lining the intracellular portals of the homomeric 5‐HT3A receptor cause electrostatic repulsion of cation flow, accounting for a single‐channel conductance substantially lower than that of the 5‐HT3AB heteromer. However, comparison of receptor homology models for wild‐type pentamers suggests that salt bridges in the intracellular domain of the homomer may impart structural rigidity, and we hypothesized that this rigidity could account for the low conductance.

Experimental Approach

Mutations were introduced into the portal region of the human 5‐HT3A homopentamer, such that putative salt bridges were broken by neutralizing anionic partners. Single‐channel and whole cell currents were measured in transfected tsA201 cells and in Xenopus oocytes respectively. Computational simulations of protein flexibility facilitated comparison of wild‐type and mutant receptors.

Key Results

Single‐channel conductance was increased substantially, often to wild‐type heteromeric receptor values, in most 5‐HT3A mutants. Conversely, introduction of arginine residues to the portal region of the heteromer, conjecturally creating salt bridges, decreased conductance. Gating kinetics varied significantly between different mutant receptors. EC50 values for whole‐cell responses to 5‐HT remained largely unchanged, but Hill coefficients for responses to 5‐HT were usually significantly smaller in mutants. Computational simulations suggested increased flexibility throughout the protein structure as a consequence of mutations in the intracellular domain.

Conclusions and Implications

These data support a role for intracellular salt bridges in maintaining the quaternary structure of the 5‐HT3 receptor and suggest a role for the intracellular domain in allosteric modulation of cooperativity and agonist efficacy.

Linked Article

This article is commented on by Vardy and Kenakin, pp. 1614–1616 of volume 171 issue 7. To view this commentary visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.12550.
Inter‐organizational partnership for children with medical complexity: the integrated complex care model
Authors: Kingsnorth S. , Lacombe‐Duncan A. , Keilty K. , Bruce‐Barrett C. , Cohen E.
Published: November 2013

Background

Integrated care has important implications for children with medical complexity (CMC) who rely on care and service delivery involving multiple providers in different places over time. Most studies describing complex care programmes focus on the effectiveness of care co‐ordination rather than the process of system integration. This pilot study explores the implementation process of the Integrated Complex Care Model: a voluntary partnership between acute, rehabilitative and community care aimed at system integration through a key worker model to improve care co‐ordination for CMC.

Methods

This descriptive study used qualitative analyses and syntheses to explore the process of inter‐organizational collaboration under ‘real‐life’ circumstances. Multiple methods and sources of data were gathered to support triangulation in understanding of enablers and barriers to model implementation. Forty hours of meeting minutes and administrative databases housing patient records were reviewed. Baseline demographic information was available for 23 families, including child health‐related quality of life and healthcare utilization. A subset of 12 parental caregivers and 21 additional key informants participated in individual interviews or focus groups. Findings are presented using King and Meyer's description of system integration and care co‐ordination.

Results

Model enablers included dedication, timing, leadership and electronic care plan use/communication among key workers, families and health providers. Barriers included assumptions about partner organizations, differing organizational structures and client information systems, constrained project resources and limited engagement of primary care. Parents perceived an electronic care plan as a facilitator of timely and effective care for CMC across multiple settings.

Conclusions

At a systems level, the integrated model fostered collaboration between partner organizations. At a family level, development of inter‐organizational management structures and communication platforms; provision of adequate resourcing; and increased engagement of primary care may enable high level organizational integration aimed at improved care co‐ordination for CMC.
Medium‐ and Long‐Term Complications in Full‐Arch Rehabilitations Supported by Upright and Tilted Implants
Authors: Francetti Luca , Corbella Stefano , Taschieri Silvio , Cavalli Nicolò , Del Fabbro Massimo
Published: November 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to present the incidence of biological and technical complications in patients treated with implant‐supported, immediately loaded full‐arch restorations.

Materials and Methods

Clinical data of all patients treated with full‐arch, immediately loaded rehabilitations supported by a combination of upright and tilted implants were screened. Data on both technical and biological complications (such as peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis) and their onset and frequency of occurrence were recorded and analyzed.

Results

The clinical records of 86 patients (95 prosthetic rehabilitations) were included in this study. There were 61 mandibular rehabilitations and 34 maxillary ones, all of them immediately loaded within 8 to 48 hours of the surgical intervention. The follow‐up time varied from 16.3 to 112 months of function (mean 65.36 months). The most common biological complications were hygiene‐related (n = 81; 30.2% of patients displayed peri‐implant mucositis and 10.4% peri‐implantitis). Among all prosthetic complications, the detachment of an element of the definitive prosthesis was the most frequent event (n = 20; 23.2% of patients). The total number of prosthetic complications was 42. Most complications were reversible and did not affect the overall implant/prosthesis survival rate.

Conclusions

The occurrence in well‐maintained patients of technical and biological complications in full‐arch rehabilitations supported by a combination of tilted and upright implants in the medium to long term is lower than previously reported by the pertinent literature. Further studies are needed to confirm this result.
Expression of basic fibroblastic growth factor, syndecan 1 and tumour necrosis factor α in resected acute colonic diverticulitis
Authors: Tursi A. , Elisei W. , Giorgetti G. M. , Inchingolo C. D. , Nenna R. , Picchio M. , Giorgio F. , Ierardi E. , Brandimarte G.
Published: November 2013

Aim

Inflammation and fibrosis are present in both colonic diverticulitis and Crohn's disease (CD). The molecular pattern of basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) and syndecan 1 (SD1) expression is altered in stenosing CD, but their expression in resected complicated colonic diverticulitis (ACD) is unknown.

Method

The expression of bFGF, SD1 and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) in 20 patients after resection of ACD was compared with 15 patients having a resection for CD. Analysis was conducted using real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in biopsy samples.

Results

Lymphocytic and neutrophil inflammation scores were similar in both groups (P = 0.771 and P = 0.562). TNF‐α and bFGF expression was significantly higher in ACD than in CD (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.009). SD1 expression was similar in both groups (P = 0.841).

Conclusion

TNF‐α and bFGF are significantly overexpressed in ACD with respect to CD, whilst SD1 levels do not differ. The findings confirm that inflammation and its association with altered molecular patterns of mucosal healing may play an important role in the phenotype of the diseases.
Influence of exercise intensity on systemic oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity
Authors: Parker Lewan , McGuckin Teneale A. , Leicht Anthony S.
Published: November 2013

The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of exercise intensity on systemic oxidative stress (OS) and endogenous antioxidant capacity. Non‐smoking, sedentary healthy adult males (n = 14) participated in two exercise sessions using an electronically braked cycle ergometer. The first session consisted of a graded exercise test to determine maximal power output and oxygen consumption (VO2max). One week later, participants undertook 5‐min cycling bouts at 40%, 55%, 70%, 85% and 100% of VO2max, with passive 12‐min rest between stages. Measures of systemic OS reactive oxygen metabolites (dROM), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), heart rate (HR), VO2, blood lactate and rating of perceived exertion were assessed at rest and immediately following each exercise stage. Significant (P<0·05) differences between exercise bouts were examined via repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction. Increasing exercise intensity significantly augmented HR (P<0·001), VO2 (P<0·001), blood lactate (P<0·001) and perceived exertion (P<0·001) with no significant effect on dROM levels compared with resting values. In contrast, increasing exercise intensity resulted in significantly (P<0·01) greater BAP at 70% (2427 ± 106), 85% (2625 ± 121) and 100% (2651 ± 92) of VO2max compared with resting levels (2105 ± 57 μmol Fe2+/L). The current results indicate that brief, moderate‐to‐high‐intensity exercise significantly elevates endogenous antioxidant defences, possibly to counteract increased levels of exercise‐induced reactive oxygen species. Regular moderate‐to‐high‐intensity exercise may protect against chronic OS associated diseases via activation, and subsequent upregulation of the endogenous antioxidant defence system.
Antagonistic effects of biological invasion and temperature change on body size of island ectotherms
Authors: Treasure Anne M. , Chown Steven L.
Published: November 2013

Aim

Despite their potentially profound consequences, little is known about the impacts of interactions among environmental change drivers on indigenous species. For biological invasions, much theoretical prominence has been given to additive or synergistic interactions with temperature change. However, empirical investigations are sparse. Here, we investigate the outcomes of interactions between temperature change and biological invasions on ectotherm body size in a temperate system.

Location

The sub‐Antarctic Prince Edward Island group (46°54′ S, 37°45′ E).

Methods

We use long‐term (24 years) body size data on weevil species from Marion and Prince Edward Islands. Invasive house mice, which prey on four of the five weevil species, are present on Marion Island, while the neighbouring Prince Edward Island is mouse free. Theory predicts that with higher temperatures, body size should decline across all species, and previous work suggests that size‐selective predation by mice should enhance this effect on the invaded island. Generalized linear models were used to determine the relative effects of sex, island, altitude and mean annual temperature on body size for each of the species.

Results

Temperature change and biological invasions interact to affect body size in an antagonistic fashion. In weevil species not preyed on by invasive house mice, body size and declining size with increasing temperature are consistent across adjacent invaded and non‐invaded islands. By contrast, species preyed on by mice are smaller on the invaded island and show opposite size‐temperature relationships on the invaded and mouse‐free islands.

Main conclusions

Size declines on the non‐invaded island are in keeping with theoretical expectations of declining size with increasing temperatures. By contrast, this expectation is not met on the island invaded by mice, largely owing to what appears to be increased energetic demand of predators in colder years. These results emphasize that interactions among change drivers will take a range of forms, and that humans may have substantial influences on fundamental ecological patterns.
Catheter‐free method is sufficient for preparation for transnasal endoscopy: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lee Yong Sub , Bang Chang Seok , Suk Ki Tae , Lee Yoon Hyeong , Ham Young Lim , Sung Hotaik , Ko Ji Soo , Kim Won Woo , Kim Jung Hyun , Kim Hyun Soo , Park Hong Jun , Kim Min Sang
Published: November 2013

Background and Aim

Although transnasal endoscopy (TNE) is generally a comfortable and safe procedure, it has some disadvantages, such as complicated preprocessing and occasional repulsion reaction during catheterization. In an attempt to simplify the preprocessing method, the efficacy of a catheter‐free method in which a catheter is not inserted into the nasal cavity was assessed.

Methods

The present study was a prospective, open‐label, single‐center, randomized controlled study with parallel assignment allocation 1:1. Between March 2009 and August 2009, a total of 93 TNE‐naïve patients were enrolled and randomized. Patients were prospectively randomized into two groups (catheter‐free vs catheter‐insertion method). Patients who prepared according to the catheter‐free method and who were unsuccessful underwent the catheter‐insertion method. Clinical characteristics, success rate, complications, vital signs, acceptability, and tolerability were assessed and compared.

Results

Success rates of the catheter‐free and catheter‐insertion methods were 88% (n = 44) and 88% (n = 38) (P > 0.05), respectively. Causes of failure in the catheter‐free method included severe rhinalgia (n = 1, 2%) and narrowing of the nasal cavity (n = 5, 10%). Causes of failure in the catheter‐insertion method included narrowing of the nasal cavity (n = 5, 11%). Six patients whose TNE failed with the catheter‐free method also experienced failed TNE with the catheter‐insertion method. There were no statistical differences in vital signs, acceptability, and tolerability.

Conclusion

The catheter‐free method is sufficient for preparation for TNE. The success rate of TNE depends more on the structure of the nasal cavity than the preprocessing method.
Homepages of German dental schools – a target group‐oriented evaluation
Authors: Wehlers A. , Schäfer I. , Sehner S. , Kahl‐Nieke B. , Kuhnigk O.
Published: November 2013

Introduction

The Internet represents the central communication medium in higher education. University applicants, students, teachers and scientists use the Internet when seeking information on medicine. The homepages of dental schools are not just sources of information, but also a means of presenting the school. No comparative studies have been undertaken concerning the content and extent of their Internet sites so far.

Methods

Based on the literature and assessments of medical school websites, 136 criteria were defined within the setting of a Delphi procedure and drawn upon for a standardised evaluation of the websites of all 30 German dental schools. Structure and extent of the content of the websites were evaluated. Possible influencing factors, such as financial resources and number of applicants, were investigated.

Results

The results yielded by the homepages varied considerably. The best Internet site received 84% of the possible points, the poorest 38%. On average, 62% of the criteria were fulfilled. Influencing factors, such as the amount of funding by the particular state government, could not be detected. Two‐thirds of the dental schools addressed students, three‐fourth teachers and scientists as target groups. More than 50% did not address applicants. Specific requirements regarding barrier‐free accessibility of information were hardly met.

Conclusions

Individual faculties already have homepages of a high quality; for others, there is a need for improvement. General recommendations for university websites should be discussed at the European level to ensure a uniform standard of quality. The criteria presented here offer faculties the possibility to reflect upon their own Internet sites.
Measuring risk‐taking in mice: balancing the risk between seeking reward and danger
Authors: Dent Claire L. , Isles Anthony R. , Humby Trevor
Published: November 2013

Assessing risk is an essential part of human behaviour and may be disrupted in a number of psychiatric conditions. Currently, in many animal experimental designs the basis of the potential ‘risk’ is loss or attenuation of reward, which fail to capture ‘real‐life’ risky situations where there is a trade‐off between a separate cost and reward. The development of rodent tasks where two separate and conflicting factors are traded against each other has begun to address this discrepancy. Here, we discuss the merits of these risk‐taking tasks and describe the development of a novel test for mice – the ‘predator‐odour risk‐taking’ task. This paradigm encapsulates a naturalistic approach to measuring risk‐taking behaviour where mice have to balance the benefit of gaining a food reward with the cost of exposure to a predator odour using a range of different odours (rat, cat and fox). We show that the ‘predator‐odour risk‐taking’ task was sensitive to the trade‐off between cost and benefit by demonstrating reduced motivation to collect food reward in the presence of these different predator odours in two strains of mice and, also, if the value of the food reward was reduced. The ‘predator‐odour risk‐taking’ task therefore provides a strong platform for the investigation of the genetic substrates of risk‐taking behaviour using mouse models, and adds a further dimension to other recently developed rodent tests.
Learning to rank academic experts in the DBLP dataset
Authors: Moreira Catarina , Calado Pável , Martins Bruno
Published: November 2013

Expert finding is an information retrieval task that is concerned with the search for the most knowledgeable people with respect to a specific topic, and the search is based on documents that describe people's activities. The task involves taking a user query as input and returning a list of people who are sorted by their level of expertise with respect to the user query. Despite recent interest in the area, the current state‐of‐the‐art techniques lack in principled approaches for optimally combining different sources of evidence. This article proposes two frameworks for combining multiple estimators of expertise. These estimators are derived from textual contents, from graph‐structure of the citation patterns for the community of experts and from profile information about the experts. More specifically, this article explores the use of supervised learning to rank methods, as well as rank aggregation approaches, for combining all of the estimators of expertise. Several supervised learning algorithms, which are representative of the pointwise, pairwise and listwise approaches, were tested, and various state‐of‐the‐art data fusion techniques were also explored for the rank aggregation framework. Experiments that were performed on a dataset of academic publications from the Computer Science domain attest the adequacy of the proposed approaches.
Microbial genes, brain & behaviour – epigenetic regulation of the gut–brain axis
Authors: Stilling R. M. , Dinan T. G. , Cryan J. F.
Published: November 2013

To date, there is rapidly increasing evidence for host–microbe interaction at virtually all levels of complexity, ranging from direct cell‐to‐cell communication to extensive systemic signalling, and involving various organs and organ systems, including the central nervous system. As such, the discovery that differential microbial composition is associated with alterations in behaviour and cognition has significantly contributed to establishing the microbiota–gut–brain axis as an extension of the well‐accepted gut–brain axis concept. Many efforts have been focused on delineating a role for this axis in health and disease, ranging from stress‐related disorders such as depression, anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism. There is also a growing appreciation of the role of epigenetic mechanisms in shaping brain and behaviour. However, the role of epigenetics in informing host–microbe interactions has received little attention to date. This is despite the fact that there are many plausible routes of interaction between epigenetic mechanisms and the host‐microbiota dialogue. From this new perspective we put forward novel, yet testable, hypotheses. Firstly, we suggest that gut‐microbial products can affect chromatin plasticity within their host's brain that in turn leads to changes in neuronal transcription and eventually alters host behaviour. Secondly, we argue that the microbiota is an important mediator of gene‐environment interactions. Finally, we reason that the microbiota itself may be viewed as an epigenetic entity. In conclusion, the fields of (neuro)epigenetics and microbiology are converging at many levels and more interdisciplinary studies are necessary to unravel the full range of this interaction.
Detection of bleeding disorders in Lebanon: outcomes of a pilot programme
Authors: Djambas Khayat C. , Samaha H. , Noun P. , Bakhos Asmar J. D. , Taher A. , Adib S. , Inati A. , Sakr S.
Published: November 2013

To promote management and awareness of bleeding disorders in Lebanon, a pilot programme was launched in 2009 by the Lebanese Hemophilia Association assisted by World Federation of Hemophilia. The aim of this study was to diagnose patients with bleeding disorders and to assess the potential challenges in implementing a screening programme. The pilot project was launched in 26 social health centres in the Bekaa valley. The study tools included the evaluation of the Tossetto Bleeding Score and the Pictorial Bleeding Assessment Chart (PBAC) for menstruation. Persons with a bleeding score higher than 2 and PBAC higher than 185 were eligible for further blood tests including the prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, complete blood count, bleeding time and von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor activity. 643 patients were enrolled, of whom 60.6% were women. Overall, 91 persons had an abnormal score. 50 eligible patients were tested: 32 had normal tests, nine new patients with severe Von Willebrand were discovered, 4 had VW:RiCo of 40, 3 prolonged APTT and 2 thrombocytopaenia. There was a clear correlation between the severity of the score and the willingness to perform the tests (P = 0.02). Women were reluctant to participate fully when investigators were men. The probability of adherence to the screening protocol is significantly increased when directed by women health care professional. For patients with milder forms, global screening programmes were neither feasible nor acceptable but those more severely affected have to be identified. Providers are crucial in preselecting patients with blood problems who are not coping well.
In vitro inhibitory effects of cranberry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) extracts on aldose reductase, α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase
Authors: Chiang Yi Chen , Chen Chung Li , Jeng Toong Long , Sung Jih Min
Published: November 2013

The in vitro inhibitory activities of different seed extracts prepared from cranberry bean mutant SA‐05 and its wild‐type variety Hwachia against aldose reductase, α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase were examined. The results indicated that the polyphenolics‐rich extracts obtained using 800 g kg−1 methanol and 500 g kg−1 ethanol demonstrated inhibitory activities against aldose reductase (IC50 of 0.36–0.46 mg mL−1) and α‐glucosidase (IC50 of 1.32–1.94 mg mL−1). The 500 g kg−1 ethanol extracts also showed α‐amylase inhibitory activities (IC50 of 70.11–80.22 μg mL−1). Subsequent extracts, prepared further with NaCl and H2O from precipitates of 800 g kg−1 methanol or 500 g kg−1 ethanol extracts, exhibited potent α‐amylase inhibitory activities (IC50 of 17.68–38.68 μg mL−1). A combination of 500 g kg−1 ethanol extraction plus a subsequent H2O extraction produced highest polyphenolics and α‐amylase inhibitors. The SA‐05 α‐amylase inhibitor extracts showed greater inhibitory activities than that of Hwachia. Thus, cranberry bean mutant SA‐05 is an advantageous choice for producing anti‐hyperglycaemic compounds.
Preparation and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Ultra‐low Temperature Sintering Ceramics in K2O–MoO3 Binary System
Authors: Zhang Gao‐qun , Guo Jing , He Li , Zhou Di , Wang Hong , Koruza Jurij , Kosec Marija
Published: November 2013

A series of microwave dielectric ceramics in the compositions of K2Mo2O7, K2Mo3O10, and K2Mo4O13 in K2O–MoO3 binary system with ultra low sintering temperatures were prepared using the solid‐state reaction method. Their synthesis, phase composition, compatibility with metal electrodes, microstructures, and microwave dielectric properties were investigated. The K2Mo2O7 ceramic sintered at 460°C with a triclinic structure has a relative permittivity of 7.5, a Q × f value of 22 000 GHz, and a τf value of −63 ppm/°C. The X‐ray diffraction patterns indicate that K2Mo2O7 does not react with Ag and Al electrodes at the co‐fired temperatures. The K2Mo3O10 ceramic can be sintered well at 520°C with a relative permittivity of 5.6, a Q × f value of 35 830 GHz, and a τf value of −92 ppm/°C. It has compatibility with Ag electrode. The K2Mo4O13 ceramic sintered at 540°C possesses good microwave dielectric properties with a relative permittivity of 6.8, a Q × f value of 39 290 GHz and a τf value of −67 ppm/°C and it is compatible with Al electrode. For K2Mo2O7 and K2Mo4O13, it is found that the grain sizes and the number of grain boundaries play an important role in the dielectric loss. From this study, it can be seen that the three ceramics in K2O–MoO3 system have good microwave dielectric properties, ultra‐low sintering temperatures, non‐toxic, and low‐cost characteristics. So they can be potentially applied to ultra‐LTCC devices.