bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms in CYP‐mediated arachidonic acid routes affect the outcome of renal transplantation
Authors: Gervasini Guillermo , García‐Cerrada Montserrat , Vergara Esther , García‐Pino Guadalupe , Alvarado Raul , Fernández‐Cavada Maria Jesús , Barroso Sergio , Doblaré Emilio , Cubero Juan José
Published: July 2015

Background

Arachidonic acid (AA) is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes to vasoactive metabolites (mainly epoxyeicosatrienoic acids) which are known to play a protective role against damaging processes that may occur after re‐oxygenation of the graft. We aimed to investigate whether the presence of functional polymorphisms along these metabolic routes may play a role in the outcome of renal transplantation.

Design

One‐hundred and forty Caucasian renal transplant recipients and 137 donors were included. We determined the presence of seven common functional polymorphisms in the five genes governing the CYP‐mediated AA metabolic pathway (CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2J2, CYP4A11 and CYP4F2). Associations with parameters and events related to graft function and survival were retrospectively investigated throughout the first year after grafting.

Results

The CYP2J2*7 allele of the donor was significantly associated with higher risk for delayed graft function [OR = 4·40 (1·45–13·37), P < 0·01] and lower death‐censored graft survival [107·90 (84·19–131·62) vs. 176·89 (166·47–187·32) months for CYP2J2*1/*1 grafts; log‐rank P = 0·015]. In addition, patients whose donors carried the CYP4A11 434S variant of the F434S polymorphism displayed impaired creatinine clearance, with statistically significant differences vs. 434FF subjects throughout the whole period of study (P < 0·05, P < 0·01, P < 0·001 and P < 0·05 for 1 week, 1 month, 5 months and 1 year after grafting, respectively).

Conclusions

Taken together, these results indicate that variability in the CYP450 genes involved in the synthesis of eicosanoids from AA may have a significant impact on graft function and survival in renal transplantation.
Temporal lobe epilepsy patients with severe hippocampal neuron loss but normal hippocampal volume: Extracellular matrix molecules are important for the maintenance of hippocampal volume
Authors: Peixoto‐Santos Jose Eduardo , Velasco Tonicarlo Rodrigues , Galvis‐Alonso Orfa Yineth , Araujo David , Kandratavicius Ludmyla , Assirati Joao Alberto , Carlotti Carlos Gilberto , Scandiuzzi Renata Caldo , dos Santos Antonio Carlos , Leite Joao Pereira
Published: July 2015

Objective

Hippocampal sclerosis is a common finding in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies associate the reduction of hippocampal volume with the neuron loss seen on histologic evaluation. Astrogliosis and increased levels of chondroitin sulfate, a major component of brain extracellular matrix, are also seen in hippocampal sclerosis. Our aim was to evaluate the association between hippocampal volume and chondroitin sulfate, as well as neuronal and astroglial populations in the hippocampus of patients with TLE.

Methods

Patients with drug‐resistant TLE were subdivided, according to hippocampal volume measured by MRI, into two groups: hippocampal atrophy (HA) or normal volume (NV) cases. Hippocampi from TLE patients and age‐matched controls were submitted to immunohistochemistry to evaluate neuronal population, astroglial population, and chondroitin sulfate expression with antibodies against neuron nuclei protein (NeuN), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and chondroitin sulfate (CS‐56) antigens, respectively.

Results

Both TLE groups were clinically similar. NV cases had higher hippocampal volume, both ipsilateral and contralateral, when compared to HA. Compared to controls, NV and HA patients had reduced neuron density, and increased GFAP and CS‐56 immunopositive area. There was no statistical difference between NV and HA groups in neuron density or immunopositive areas for GFAP and CS‐56. Hippocampal volume correlated positively with neuron density in CA1 and prosubiculum, and with immunopositive areas for CS‐56 in CA1, and negatively with immunopositive area for GFAP in CA1. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that both neuron density and CS‐56 immunopositive area in CA1 were statistically significant predictors of hippocampal volume.

Significance

Our findings indicate that neuron density and chondroitin sulfate immunopositive area in the CA1 subfield are crucial for the hippocampal volume, and that chondroitin sulfate is important for the maintenance of a normal hippocampal volume in some cases with severe neuron loss.
Effect of corticosteroids on articular cartilage: have animal studies said everything?
Authors: Vandeweerd Jean‐Michel , Zhao Yang , Nisolle Jean‐François , Zhang Wenhui , Zhihong Liu , Clegg Peter , Gustin Pascal
Published: July 2015

Intra‐articular (IA) corticosteroids (CS) have been used in the treatment of osteoarthritis for many years, although their effects on articular cartilage are not fully understood. To identify whether previous animal studies have provided enough evidence about the effects ofCS, we undertook a systematic review that identified 35 relevant in vivo animal experimental studies between 1965 and 2014 assessing the effects ofCSon either normal cartilage, or in either induced osteoarthritis (OA) or synovitis. The quality of the methodology was assessed. Deleterious effects, both structural and biochemical, have mainly been reported in rabbits and are associated with frequent administration ofCS, sometimes at high dose and with systemic side effects. In dogs, four identified studies concluded that there were beneficial effects with methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) and triamcinolone hexacetonide therapy. In horses,MPAwas mostly deleterious, while triamcinolone acetonide had positive effects in one study highly rated at quality assessment. However, many methodological weaknesses have been identified, such as the lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmocodynamics data and the large variation in doses between studies, the limited selection criteria at baseline, the absence of blinding, and the lack of statistics or appropriate controls for testing the effects of the vehicle of the drug. Those methodological weaknesses weaken the conclusions of numerous studies that assess beneficial or deleterious effects ofCSon articular cartilage. Animal studies have not yet provided definitive data, and further research is required into the role ofCSin articular pathobiology.
Dexmedetomidine attenuates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse through inhibition of MAPK pathway
Authors: Xu Yingzhen , Zhang Ruyi , Li Chunli , Yin Xue , Lv Changjun , Wang Yaoqi , Zhao Wenxiang , Zhang Xiuli
Published: July 2015

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is widely used for sedation in intensive care units and can be used as an adjunct to anesthetics. Previous studies have demonstrated that Dex has anti‐inflammatory property. In this study, we aim to explore the potential therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Dex on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. To induce ALI, mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS, while Dex was treated 1 h before LPS injection. The inflammation of lung tissues was evaluated by HE stain, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained after 6 h to measure protein concentrations. We also used an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to detect the secretion levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum. Western blotting method was adopted to observe changes in mitogen‐activated protein kinases and downstream nuclear transcription factors. The results showed that pretreatment with Dex considerably reduced neutrophil infiltration and pulmonary edema, and significantly reduced protein concentrations in the BALF, as well as suppressed LPS‐induced elevation of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α and IL‐1β) in the serum. In addition, we observed that the molecular mechanism of Dex‐mediated anti‐inflammation is associated with decreasing phosphorylation of MKK4, MMK3/6, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and JNK, and diminishing activation of Elk‐1, c‐Jun, and ATF‐2. Dex could attenuate ALI induced by LPS in mice, and this effect may be mediated through the inhibition of MAPK pathway.
Solution‐driven approaches to generic substitution challenges – a survey among international experts
Authors: Drozdowska Aleksandra , Hermanowski Tomasz
Published: July 2015

The main objective of this study was to explore the perception and understanding of economic, legal, and social barriers that may restrain generic uptake among recognized international experts in health care, and to identify and verify recommendations on how to streamline generic substitution (GS) at no expense of therapeutic safety. A questionnaire survey was devised, and experts with world‐renowned expertise in the field of generic medicinal products were selected. Almost 3/4 of respondents claimed that all drugs that satisfy bioequivalence criteria represent similar efficacy and adverse effects, and 1/4 of respondents believed that some differences could be reported. The majority of experts supported (i) the right of patients to refuse GS, (ii) the right of physicians to veto GS, and (iii) the introduction of a statutory obligation to provide patients with access to the cheapest generics available on the market. The main obstacles to more general uptake of generics were as follows: (i) perception of generics as lower quality products, (ii) absence of a transparent policy governing GS, and (iii) disincentives to pharmacists and physicians. Among the most popular recommendations were as follows: (i) introduction of various measures to aid physicians in generic prescribing, (ii) setting clear guidelines specifying when GS is not advisable, (iii) supporting competition on the generic market. The views of experts and the resulting recommendations were strongly affected by their opinion on the bioequivalence of generics. From this analysis, we have selected several principal recommendations which could help shape successful healthcare policies regarding GS.
Regional changes in the elevational distribution of the Alpine Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta helvetica in Switzerland
Authors: Pernollet Claire A. , Korner‐Nievergelt Fränzi , Jenni Lukas
Published: July 2015

The Alpine Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta helvetica is considered to be particularly vulnerable to climate change because it lives exclusively above the treeline in alpine habitats and is adapted to cold climates. Its Swiss population index has decreased over the last two decades. A considerable shrinkage in distributional area is predicted with further climate change. We assess whether the Alpine Rock Ptarmigan has moved to higher elevations in recent years in the Swiss Alps, and whether such elevational shifts have differed between regions and seasons, using observations recorded by volunteers over a 29‐year period. The elevational shifts differed greatly between regions. In the Eastern and Southern Alps, Ptarmigans were increasingly recorded at higher elevations, with a mean uphill shift of 6.4–9.4 m/year over the last three decades, a pattern that could not be explained by the yearly variation in weather conditions, whereas there was only a moderate upward shift (1.5–3.2 m/year) in the Northern Alps and almost no shift in the Western Alps. Elevational changes were generally greater than those observed in other bird species. The observed upward shift in the Eastern and Southern Alps is among the fastest observed in animals and plants, and may be caused by an upward shift of the treeline and reforestation of formerly cut or unforested areas. The observed elevational shift of the distribution of the Alpine Rock Ptarmigan has led to a reduction in the range of this subspecies, which is restricted to the Alps and isolated from other populations.
A qualitative thematic review: emotional labour in healthcare settings
Authors: Riley Ruth , Weiss Marjorie C.
Published: July 2015

Aims

To identify the range of emotional labour employed by healthcare professionals in a healthcare setting and implications of this for staff and organisations.

Background

In a healthcare setting, emotional labour is the act or skill involved in the caring role, in recognizing the emotions of others and in managing our own.

Design

A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies which included emotion work theory in their design, employed qualitative methods and were situated in a healthcare setting. The reporting of the review was informed by the ENTREQ framework.

Data sources

6 databases were searched between 1979–2014.

Review methods

Studies were included if they were qualitative, employed emotion work theory and were written in English. Papers were appraised and themes identified. Thirteen papers were included.

Results

The reviewed studies identified four key themes: (1) The professionalization of emotion and gendered aspects of emotional labour; (2) Intrapersonal aspects of emotional labour – how healthcare workers manage their own emotions in the workplace; (3) Collegial and organisational sources of emotional labour; (4) Support and training needs of professionals

Conclusion

This review identified gendered, personal, organisational, collegial and socio‐cultural sources of and barriers to emotional labour in healthcare settings. The review highlights the importance of ensuring emotional labour is recognized and valued, ensuring support and supervision is in place to enable staff to cope with the varied emotional demands of their work.
Cul4A overexpression associated with Gli1 expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Yang Yi‐Lin , Ni Jian , Hsu Ping‐Chih , Mao Jian‐Hua , Hsieh David , Xu Angela , Chan Geraldine , Au Alfred , Xu Zhidong , Jablons David M. , You Liang
Published: July 2015

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma) is a highly aggressive cancer without an effective treatment. Cul4A, a scaffold protein that recruits substrates for degradation, is amplified in several human cancers, including mesothelioma. We have recently shown that Cul4A plays an oncogenic role in vitro and in a mouse model. In this study, we analysed clinical mesothelioma tumours and found moderate to strong expression of Cul4A in 70.9% (51/72) of these tumours, as shown by immunohistochemistry. In 72.2% mesothelioma tumours with increased Cul4A copy number identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, Cul4A protein expression was moderate to strong. Similarly, Cul4A was overexpressed and Cul4A copy number was increased in human mesothelioma cell lines. Because Gli1 is highly expressed in human mesothelioma cells, we compared Cul4A and Gli1 expression in mesothelioma tumours and found their expression associated (P < 0.05, chi‐square). In mesothelioma cell lines, inhibiting Cul4A by siRNA decreased Gli1 expression, suggesting that Gli1 expression is, at least in part, regulated by Cul4A in mesothelioma cells. Our results suggest a linkage between Cul4A and Gli1 expression in human mesothelioma.
Recovery, Survival and Transfer of Bacteria on Restaurant Menus
Authors: Alsallaiy Ibtehal , Dawson Paul , Han Inyee , Martinez‐Dawson Rose
Published: July 2015

The objectives of this study were to detect bacteria on restaurant menus, to determine the bacterial transfer from menus to consumers' hands and to determine the survival of bacteria on menu surfaces. Local restaurant menus were sampled at different periods of operation. The average total plate count (TPC) was 28 (0–210) cfu/15 cm2 menu sampling area during “busy” periods and 15 (0–85) cfu/15 cm2 menu sampling area during “less busy” periods. The staphylococcal count averaged 6 (0–83) cfu/15 cm2 during busy periods and 2 (0–25) cfu/15 cm2 menu sampling area during less busy periods. Escherichia coli was transferred to menus at 11.17% of the hand population with a high variability between subjects (10.45% standard deviation). Survival of bacteria in menus was 1.40% after 24 h and 1.34% after 48 h, respectively. Bacterial populations found on randomly sampled menus were low; however, bacteria survived and were transferred from menus to a consumer's hands.

Practical Applications

While many food‐contact surfaces are routinely cleaned and sanitized to minimize the presence of contamination, some surfaces such as restaurant menus are not and thus may be a potential contamination risk. The current study revealed that in the relatively small sample size of menus examined, there were some that were contaminated. Furthermore, there was measurable transfer of bacteria present on menus to consumer's hands and bacteria survived on menus at least 2 days. Therefore, to reduce the chance of illness from menus that are touched by many different people, especially food service workers, menus may be considered to be included as part of a standard sanitation operating procedure.
Shear Bond Strength between Fiber‐Reinforced Composite and Veneering Resin Composites with Various Adhesive Resin Systems
Authors: AlJehani Yousef A. , Baskaradoss Jagan K. , Geevarghese Amrita , AlShehry Marey A. , Vallittu Pekka K.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

The aim of this research was to evaluate the shear bond strength of different laboratory resin composites bonded to a fiber‐reinforced composite substrate with some intermediate adhesive resins.

Materials and Methods

Mounted test specimens of a bidirectional continuous fiber‐reinforced substrate (StickNet) were randomly assigned to three equal groups. Three types of commercially available veneering resin composites ‐ BelleGlass®, Sinfony®, and GC Gradia® were bonded to these specimens using four different adhesive resins. Half the specimens per group were stored for 24 hours; the remaining were stored for 30 days. There were 10 specimens in the test group (n). The shear bond strengths were calculated and expressed in MPa. Data were analyzed statistically, and variations in bond strength within each group were additionally evaluated by calculating the Weibull modulus.

Results

Shear bond values of those composites are influenced by the different bonding resins and different indirect composites. There was a significant difference in the shear bond strengths using different types of adhesive resins (p = 0.02) and using different veneering composites (p < 0.01). Belle‐Glass® had the highest mean shear bond strength when bonded to StickNet substrate using both Prime & Bond NT and OptiBond Solo Plus. Sinfony® composite resin exhibited the lowest shear bond strength values when used with the same adhesive resins. The adhesive mode of failure was higher than cohesive with all laboratory composite resins bonded to the StickNet substructure at both storage times. Water storage had a tendency to lower the bond strengths of all laboratory composites, although the statistical differences were not significant.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this study, it was found that bonding of the veneering composite to bidirectional continuous fiber‐reinforced substrate is influenced by the brand of the adhesive resin and veneering composite.
Effect of ammonia‐generating diet on ovine serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea levels, serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations and granulosa cell functions
Authors: Nandi S. , Mondal S. , Pal D. T. , Gupta P. S. P.
Published: July 2015

This study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of ammonia‐generating diet on serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea levels, serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations and granulosa cell growth and secretion parameters in ewes (Ovis aries). Ewes were fed with 14% CP diet (control) or ammonia‐generating diet or ammonia‐generating diet plus soluble sugar. The serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea level, serum oestrogen and progesterone levels and granulosa cell (obtained from ovaries of slaughtered ewes) growth parameters and secretory activities were estimated. Ammonia‐generating diet (high‐protein diet) increased the serum ammonia and urea concentration. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the ammonia concentration in serum with comparable levels as in control group; however, the urea level in the same group was higher than that observed in control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the follicular fluid ammonia concentration; however, the level was significantly higher compared to control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar brought down the follicular fluid urea level comparable to that observed in control group. Oestrogen and progesterone levels remained unchanged in ewes fed with different types of diet. Oestrogen and progesterone secretion were significantly lowered from granulosa cells recovered from ewes fed with high ammonia‐generating diet. Low metabolic activity and high incidence of apoptosis were observed in granulosa cells obtained from ovaries of ewes fed with ammonia‐generating diet.
Cumulative exposure to short sleep and body mass outcomes: a prospective study
Authors: Krueger Patrick M. , Reither Eric N. , Peppard Paul E. , Burger Andrew E. , Hale Lauren
Published: July 2015

Short sleep duration is associated with excess body mass among adolescents and young adults. The mechanisms theorized to drive that association suggest that persistent exposure to short sleep should be associated with greater accumulations of body mass. We use prospective cohort data from four waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1994–2009; n = 14 800) to examine associations between cumulative exposure to short sleep throughout adolescence and early adulthood and obesity and elevated waist circumference outcomes. We compare several clinical and distribution‐based standards of short sleep to assess which measures are associated most strongly with body mass. Cumulative exposure to short sleep exhibits dose–response associations with obesity and elevated waist circumference. Relative to respondents with no instances of short sleep, those who slept −0.50 standard deviations or less than the age and sex‐specific average sleep hours in all four waves had 1.45 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 2.04] times the odds of being obese and 1.45 (95% CI: 1.02, 2.06) times the odds of having an elevated waist circumference. Our findings suggest that cumulative exposure to short sleep during adolescence and young adulthood may play an important role in the etiology of obesity and elevated waist circumference during this important developmental period.
Allelic diversity for neutral markers retains a higher adaptive potential for quantitative traits than expected heterozygosity
Authors: Vilas Ana , Pérez‐Figueroa Andrés , Quesada Humberto , Caballero Armando
Published: July 2015

The adaptive potential of a population depends on the amount of additive genetic variance for quantitative traits of evolutionary importance. This variance is a direct function of the expected frequency of heterozygotes for the loci which affect the trait (QTL). It has been argued, but not demonstrated experimentally, that long‐term response to selection is more dependent onQTLallelic diversity than onQTLheterozygosity. Conservation programmes, aimed at preserving this variation, usually rely on neutral markers rather than on quantitative traits for making decisions on management. Here, we address, both through simulation analyses and experimental studies withDrosophila melanogaster, the question of whether allelic diversity for neutral markers is a better indicator of a high adaptive potential than expected heterozygosity. In both experimental and simulation studies, we established synthetic populations for which either heterozygosity or allelic diversity was maximized using information fromQTL(simulations) or unlinked neutral markers (simulations and experiment). The synthetic populations were selected for the quantitative trait to evaluate the evolutionary potential provided by the two optimization methods. Our results show that maximizing the number of alleles of a low number of markers implies higher responses to selection than maximizing their heterozygosity.
Onosma maculata sp. nov. (Boraginaceae) from Iran
Authors: Almasi M. , Ranjbar M.
Published: July 2015

Onosma maculata Ranjbar & Almasi, a new Boraginaceae species endemic to Iran, is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to Onosma sect. Onosma subsect. Onosma. It is closely related to O. nervosa Riedl, but is easily distinguished by its spotted stem and peduncle (vs no spots), leaves 14–23 cm long (vs leaves 4–12 cm long), pedicel 5–15 mm long (vs pedicel 3–5 mm long), higher density of hairs, and glabrous nutlet (vs villous). Moreover, meiotic chromosome number and behavior were studied in two populations of the new species and it was found to be diploid with 2n = 2x = 16.
Social Construction and Achieving Reference1
Authors: Mallon Ron
Published: July 2015

One influential view is that at least some putatively natural human kinds are actuallysocial constructions, understood as some real kind of thing that is produced or sustained by our social and conceptual practices.Category constructionistsshare two commitments: they hold that human category terms like “race” (and racial terms) and “sex” (and sexual terms) and “homosexuality” and “perversion” actually refer to constructed categories, and they hold that these categories are widely but mistakenly taken to be natural kinds. But it is far from clear that these two commitments are consistent. The sort of mismatch between belief and underlying nature constructionists’ suppose is often taken to indicate a failure of reference. Reliance on acausal‐historicalaccount of reference allows the preservation of reference, but unfortunately, constructionists' appropriation of causal historical accounts of reference is beset by difficulties that do not attend natural kind theorists’ appeals to such accounts. Here, I set out these difficulties, but argue that they can be answered, allowing terms for apparently natural human kinds refer to some sort of social construction about which there is massive error.
Geminiviruses for biotechnology: the art of parasite taming
Authors: Lozano‐Durán Rosa
Published: July 2015

Viruses are intracellular pathogens that have evolved efficient strategies for replication and expression of their proteins in the host cells. Geminiviruses – plant viruses with small circular single‐stranded DNA genomes – effectively manipulate plant cell processes for viral functions, entailing great potential for biotechnological applications. This potentiality has been realized in the form of protein expression and gene‐silencing vectors, and, more recently, vectors for genome editing – a technology that these viruses seem particularly well‐suited to facilitate. This insight offers an overview of the biological properties of geminiviruses, with emphasis on those leveraging development of geminivirus‐based replicons. It illustrates the basis for engineering geminivirus‐based replicons and their applications. Furthermore, it discusses the reported use and future perspectives of geminivirus‐based replicons for genome editing.

Contents

Summary
58

I.
Introduction
58

II.
Outsourcing DNA synthesis: geminiviral replication
59

III.
Geminivirus‐based replicons: all from one – and one for all
59

IV.
Genome editing in plants: how geminiviruses can help
60

V.
Conclusions and outlook
62

Acknowledgements
63

References
63
Endemic Mimosa species from Mexico prefer alphaproteobacterial rhizobial symbionts
Authors: Bontemps Cyril , Rogel Marco Antonio , Wiechmann Anja , Mussabekova Assel , Moody Sarah , Simon Marcelo F. , Moulin Lionel , Elliott Geoffrey N. , Lacercat‐Didier Laurence , Dasilva Cindy , Grether Rosaura , Camargo‐Ricalde Sara L. , Chen Weimin , Sprent Janet I. , Martínez‐Romero Esperanza , Young J. Peter W. , James Euan K.
Published: July 2015

The legume genus Mimosa has > 500 species, with two major centres of diversity, Brazil (c. 350 spp.) and Mexico (c. 100 spp.). In Brazil most species are nodulated by Burkholderia. Here we asked whether this is also true of native and endemic Mexican species.

We have tested this apparent affinity for betaproteobacteria by examining the symbionts of native and endemic species of Mimosa in Mexico, especially from the central highlands where Mimosa spp. have diversified. Nodules were tested for betaproteobacteria using in situ immunolocalization. Rhizobia isolated from the nodules were genetically characterized and tested for their ability to nodulate Mimosa spp.

Immunological analysis of 25 host taxa suggested that most (including all the highland endemics) were not nodulated by betaproteobacteria. Phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA, recA, nodA, nodC and nifH genes from 87 strains isolated from 20 taxa confirmed that the endemic Mexican Mimosa species favoured alphaproteobacteria in the genera Rhizobium and Ensifer: this was confirmed by nodulation tests.

Host phylogeny, geographic isolation and coevolution with symbionts derived from very different soils have potentially contributed to the striking difference in the choice of symbiotic partners by Mexican and Brazilian Mimosa species.
Urinary L‐FABP as a mortality predictor in <5‐year‐old children with sepsis in Bangladesh
Authors: Yoshimatsu Shoji , Sugaya Takeshi , Hossain Md Iqbal , Islam M Munirul , Chisti Mohammod Jobayer , Kamoda Tomohiro , Fukushima Takashi , Wagatsuma Yukiko , Sumazaki Ryo , Ahmed Tahmeed
Published: July 2015

Background

Although sepsis is often associated with high mortality in severely malnourished children, data are very limited on appropriate diagnostic tools to predict mortality. We examined the role of urinary liver‐type fatty acid‐binding protein (L‐FABP) in children <5 years old with sepsis who died.

Methods

This prospective observational study was conducted at the Dhaka Hospital of the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh. Children aged 6–59 months admitted with sepsis from April 2010 to December 2011 were enrolled. Comparison of clinical and laboratory characteristics was made between children who survived (n = 83) and those who did not survive (n = 22).

Results

On multiple Poisson regression analysis, after adjusting for potential confounders such as mid‐upper arm circumference < 115 mm, plasma albumin < 2.5 g/dL, potassium > 5.0 mmol/L, and blood urea nitrogen > 20 mg/dL on admission, first urine L‐FABP ≥ 370 ng/mL (relative risk [RR], 2.76; 95%CI: 1.22–6.25), weight‐for‐length/height z score < –3 (RR, 2.54; 95%CI: 1.26–5.09), capillary refilling time > 2.0 s (RR, 5.16; 95%CI: 1.46–18.3), and sodium > 160 mmol/L (RR, 2.72; 95%CI: 1.07–6.90) were identified as significant risk factors of mortality in children with sepsis. Diagnostic performance of first urine L‐FABP was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curve, and the area under the curve was 0.647 (95%CI: 0.500–0.795).

Conclusion

Urinary L‐FABP may be a useful predictor of mortality in septic children. Urinary examination is non‐invasive and easy to apply at the bedside.
Multidimensional Similarity Measuring for Semantic Trajectories
Authors: Furtado Andre Salvaro , Kopanaki Despina , Alvares Luis Otavio , Bogorny Vania
Published: July 2015

Most existing approaches aiming at measuring trajectory similarity are focused on two‐dimensional sequences of points, called raw trajectories. However, recent proposals have used background geographic information and social media data to enrich these trajectories with a semantic dimension, giving rise to the concept of semantic trajectories. Only a few works have proposed similarity measures for semantic trajectories or multidimensional sequences, having limitations such as predefined weight of the dimensions, sensitivity to noise, tolerance for gaps with different sizes, and the prevalence of the worst dimension similarity. In this article we propose MSM, a novel similarity measure for multidimensional sequences that overcomes the aforementioned limitations by considering and weighting the similarity in all dimensions. MSM is evaluated through an extensive experimental study that, based on a seed trajectory, creates sets of semantic trajectories with controlled transformations to introduce different kinds and levels of dissimilarity. For each set, we compute the similarity between the seed and the transformed trajectories, using different measures. The results showed that MSM was more robust and efficient than related approaches in the domain of semantic trajectories.
The network K‐function in context: examining the effects of network structure on the network K‐function
Authors: Lamb David S. , Downs Joni A. , Lee Chanyoung
Published: July 2015

The flaws of using traditional planar point‐pattern analysis techniques with network constrained points have been thoroughly explored in the literature. Because of this, new network‐based measures have been introduced for their planar analogues, including the network based K‐function. These new measures involve the calculation of network distances between point events rather than traditional Euclidean distances. Some have suggested that the underlying structure of a network, such as whether it includes directional constraints or speed limits, may be considered when applying these methods. How different network structures might affect the results of the network spatial statistics is not well understood. This article examines the results of network K‐functions when taking into consideration network distances for three different types of networks: the original road network, topologically correct networks, and directionally constrained networks. For this aim, four scenarios using road networks from Tampa, Florida and New York City, New York were used to test how network constraints affected the network K‐function. Depending on which network is under consideration, the underlying network structure could impact the interpretation. In particular, directional constraints showed reduced clustering across the different scenarios. Caution should be used when selecting the road network, and constraints, for a network K‐function analysis.
Development of high-vacuum planar magnetron sputtering using an advanced magnetic field geometry
Authors: Ohno Takahiro , Yagyu Daisuke , Saito Shigeru , Ohno Yasunori , Nakano Hirofumi , Itoh Masatoshi , Uhara Yoshio , Miura Tsutomu
Published: July 2015

A permanent magnet in a new magnetic field geometry (namely, with the magnetization in the radial direction) was fabricated and used for high-vacuum planar magnetron sputtering using Penning discharge. Because of the development of this magnet, the discharge current and deposition rate were increased two to three times in comparison with the values attainable with a magnet in the conventional geometry. This improvement was because the available space for effective discharge of the energetic electrons for the ionization increased because the magnetic field distribution increased in both the axial and radial directions of discharge.
High-throughput nanogap formation by field-emission-induced electromigration
Authors: Ito Mitsuki , Morihara Kohei , Toyonaka Takahiro , Takikawa Kazuki , Shirakashi Jun-ichi
Published: July 2015

High-throughput nanogap formation is reported for simultaneous fabrication of integrated nanogap arrays. Ten series-connected nanogaps with butterfly and bottle shapes were integrated by using electromigration induced by a field emission current (“activation”). Initially, ten series-connected butterfly-shaped nickel (Ni) nanogaps were fabricated with electron-beam lithography and lift-off processes. Activation with a preset current of 300 nA reduced the separation of the gaps to <10 nm. Similar results for bottle-shaped nanogaps indicated that integration of nanogaps using activation is not dependent on nanogap shape. The activation method was also used for the mass production of 30 identical nanogaps. Overall, the distance between the Ni nanogap electrodes was completely controlled by activation.
Effect of Sampling Frequency on Isometric Midthigh-Pull Kinetics
Authors: Dos’Santos Thomas , Jones Paul A. , Kelly Jonathan , McMahon John J. , Comfort Paul , Thomas Christopher
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

Skeletal-muscle function can be evaluated using force–times curves generated via the isometric midthigh pull (IMTP). Various sampling frequencies (500–1000 Hz) have been used for IMTP assessments; however, no research has investigated the influence of sampling frequency on IMTP kinetics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of sampling frequency on kinetic variables during the IMTP, including peak force, time-specific force values (100, 150, and 200 ms), and rate of force development (RFD) at 3 time bands (0–100, 0–150, 0–200 ms).

Methods:

Academy rugby league players (n = 30, age 17.5 ± 1.1 y, height 1.80 ± 0.06 m, mass 85.4 ± 10.3 kg) performed 3 IMTP trials on a force platform sampling at 2000 Hz, which was subsequently down-sampled to 1500, 1000, and 500 Hz for analysis.

Results:

Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficients of variation (CV) demonstrated high within-session reliability for all force and RFD variables across all sampling frequencies (ICC ≥ .80, CV ≤ 10.1%). Repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed no significant differences (P > .05, Cohen d ≤ 0.009) in kinetic variables between sampling frequencies. Overall, high reliability was observed across all sampling frequencies for all kinetic variables, with no significant differences (P > .05) for each kinetic variable across sampling frequencies.

Conclusions:

Practitioners and scientists may consider sampling as low as 500 Hz when measuring peak force, time-specific force values, and RFD at predetermined time bands during the IMTP for accurate and reliable data.
The Effect of Body Mass on the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test in Rugby Union Players
Authors: Darrall-Jones Joshua , Roe Gregory , Carney Shane , Clayton Ryan , Phibbs Padraic , Read Dale , Weakley Jonathon , Till Kevin , Jones Ben
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

To evaluate the difference in performance of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30–15IFT) across 4 squads in a professional rugby union club in the UK and consider body mass in the interpretation of the end velocity of the 30-15IFT (VIFT).

Methods:

One hundred fourteen rugby union players completed the 30-15IFT midseason.

Results:

VIFT demonstrated small and possibly lower (ES = –0.33; 4/29/67) values in the under 16s compared with the under 21s, with further comparisons unclear. With body mass included as a covariate, all differences were moderate to large and very likely to almost certainly lower in the squads with lower body mass, with the exception of comparisons between senior and under-21 squads.

Conclusions:

The data demonstrate that there appears to be a ceiling to the VIFT attained in rugby union players that does not increase from under-16 to senior level. However, the associated increases in body mass with increased playing level suggest that the ability to perform high-intensity running increases with age, although not translating into greater VIFT due to the detrimental effect of body mass on change of direction. Practitioners should be aware that VIFT is unlikely to improve, but it needs to be monitored during periods where increases in body mass are evident.
Effect of Different Repeated-High-Intensity-Effort Bouts on Subsequent Running, Skill Performance, and Neuromuscular Function
Authors: Johnston Rich D. , Gabbett Tim J. , Jenkins David G. , Speranza Michael J.
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

To assess the impact of different repeated-high-intensity-effort (RHIE) bouts on player activity profiles, skill involvements, and neuromuscular fatigue during small-sided games.

Participants:

22 semiprofessional rugby league players (age 24.0 ± 1.8 y, body mass 95.6 ± 7.4 kg).

Methods:

During 4 testing sessions, they performed RHIE bouts that each differed in the combination of contact and running efforts, followed by a 5-min off-side small-sided game before performing a second bout of RHIE activity and another 5-min small-sided game. Global positioning system microtechnology and video recordings provided information on activity profiles and skill involvements. A countermovement jump and a plyometric push-up assessed changes in lower- and upper-body neuromuscular function after each session.

Results:

After running-dominant RHIE bouts, players maintained running intensities during both games. In the contact-dominant RHIE bouts, reductions in moderate-speed activity were observed from game 1 to game 2 (ES = –0.71 to –1.06). There was also moderately lower disposal efficiency across both games after contact-dominant RHIE activity compared with running-dominant activity (ES = 0.62–1.02). Greater reductions in lower-body fatigue occurred as RHIE bouts became more running dominant (ES = –0.01 to –1.36), whereas upper-body fatigue increased as RHIE bouts became more contact dominant (ES = –0.07 to –1.55).

Conclusions:

Physical contact causes reductions in running intensity and the quality of skill involvements during game-based activities. In addition, the neuromuscular fatigue experienced by players is specific to the activities performed.
Mixed epithelial and stromal tumour of the kidney
Authors: Simpson Eric , Koppisetty Shalini , Alessio Ricardo C , Kumar Anil
Published: July 2015

Mixed epithelial and stromal tumour (MESTK) of the kidney is a rare and benign tumour composed of epithelial and spindle cell stromal components with solid and cystic architecture. MESTK is most commonly seen in perimenopausal women, especially those on long-term oestrogen therapy. MESTK is often asymptomatic, detected incidentally on imaging studies. Diagnosis is established by histological examination. Microscopy is reminiscent of ovarian stroma. Malignant transformation, metastasis and recurrences are extremely rare. Treatment is surgical excision of the tumour with usually no recurrences after surgery and good prognosis. We describe a case of MESTK found incidentally on imaging studies.
Arterial stiffness after glucose ingestion in exercise-trained versus untrained men
Authors: Kobayashi Ryota , Yoshida Shou , Okamoto Takanobu
Published: July 2015

Postprandial hyperglycemia increases arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness and insulin resistance are lower in exercise-trained humans than in untrained humans. However, the effect of exercise on arterial stiffness after glucose ingestion in young adults remains unknown. The present study investigates the effect of regular aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness after glucose ingestion in young males. Ten exercise-trained males (age, 20.8 ± 0.2 years; ETR) and 9 healthy untrained males (age, 22.2 ± 0.7 years; UTR) participated in this study. Carotid-femoral (aortic) pulse wave velocity (PWV), femoral-ankle (leg) PWV, carotid augmentation index (AIx) (applanation tonometry), brachial and ankle blood pressure (BP), heart rate (oscillometric device and electrocardiography), and blood glucose (glucose oxidase method) were measured at 30 min before (baseline) and 30, 60, and 120 min after a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Leg PWV at 30 min after glucose ingestion was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the UTR group than in the ETR group. Ankle systolic BP at 30 min after glucose ingestion was also significantly higher in the UTR group than in the ETR group (P < 0.05). Blood glucose increased from baseline at 30 min (P < 0.01) and 60 min (P < 0.05) after glucose ingestion in both groups. Aortic PWV, carotid AIx, and brachial systolic BP did not change from baseline after glucose ingestion in both groups. The present findings indicate that leg PWV and ankle systolic BP after glucose ingestion were significantly lower in the ETR group than in the UTR group.
Not all sawsharks are equal: species of co-existing sawsharks show plasticity in trophic consumption both within and between species
Authors: Raoult Vincent , Gaston Troy F. , Williamson Jane E.
Published: July 2015

Despite the global distribution of sawsharks, little is known about their diets or their role in the marine biosphere. As species in higher trophic positions are generally considered to be more at risk to perturbations such as fishing, understanding their role in the food chain will enable better conservation and management strategies for these species. Two sawshark species (Pristiophorus cirratus, Pristiophorus nudipinnis) co-occur in waters off east Tasmania, Australia. This study determined the trophic positions of these sawsharks and whether they avoided competing with each other through resource partitioning. Isotopic analysis of muscle tissue revealed that P. cirratus and P. nudipinnis had significantly different trophic levels, with P. cirratus likely to have a diet of primary consumers and P. nudipinnis likely to have a piscivorous diet. Owing to their different isotopic signatures, it is also likely that the sawshark rostrum has multiple functions. Both species shifted to higher trophic levels during ontogeny. Maternal isotopic signatures were detectable in P. cirratus juveniles.
Electronic structure and elastic properties of single crystal of shape memory alloys TiNi(1-x)Cux: An ab initio study
Authors: Fathi M. B. , Kanjouri F. , Farhadi G.
Published: July 2015

Nitinol as a superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) has been the focus of physical-chemical studies in recent decades in respect to functionality of biocompatibility in the body. Superelastic properties of nitinol are the direct results of the electronic structure of this material while dealing with the ab initio behavior of microstructure. In the present work, the elastic properties and electronic structure of B2-phase binary TiNi (1-x) Cu x (x = 0, 0.25 and 0.75) shape memory alloys are discussed aiming at understanding of the physical properties underlying superelastic behavior. The calculations have been performed with the program package WIEN2K, in the framework of first-principle, all-electron density functional theory (DFT) within the scheme of the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The optimized lattice parameters and independent elastic constants are obtained for use in the calculation of the bulk and shear moduli, Young modulus, Poisson ratio and Zener anisotropy parameter. For different alloying fractions x, the tetragonal (C′) and trigonal (C44) shear constants are calculated and brittle/ductile behavior of these compounds is discussed. Finally, a qualitative discussion of dependence of elastic behavior of these compounds upon the electronic density of states (DOS) is presented.
Modulation of the optical properties of D-π-A type azobenzene derivatives by changing the π-conjugated backbones: A theoretical study
Authors: Liu Zeyu , Yan Xiufen , Li Long , Wu Guohua
Published: July 2015

The optical properties of two series of azobenzene derivatives were modulated by backbone modifications with the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Compared to the short-chain molecule, the chromophore with an elongated π-bridge exhibits a greater extent of charge transfer during one-photon excitation and hence possesses a larger molecular first hyperpolarizability (β0). Meanwhile, an evident red-shift in the maximum absorption was observed after extension of the π-conjugated backbone. The tendency of the static β0 value derived from the two-state model is consistent with the result of the calculation at M06-2X/6–311++G(d,p) level by means of analytical derivative method. The dynamic perturbations were revealed to cause the obvious enhancement of the first hyperpolarizability. The more closer the foundational wavelength to two times the value of the maximum absorption in one-photon transition, the larger βRHS value is observed for the chromophore. The nonlinear optical (NLO) properties augment with the introduction of the THF solvents by comparing the gas-phase values. With increasing the length of conjugated bridge, the dynamic βRHS value increases more rapidly in THF solution than in vacuum.
Teaching computers with illusions
Authors: Shein Esther
Published: July 2015

Exploring the ways human vision can be fooled is helping developers of machine vision.
Digital drivers in the age of massive datasets
Authors: Aerni Sarah , Farinas Hulya , Muralidhar Gautam
Published: July 2015

How technology enables the data geek in life sciences and healthcare.