bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food vs. Wood: Dynamic Choices for Kenyan Smallholders
Authors: Peralta Alexandra , Swinton Scott M.
Published: January 2016

Smallholder farmers in many areas of the semiarid tropics are planting exotic tree species that provide alternative income sources, fuel, and building materials. While providing other benefits, these trees often occupy land that could produce annual food crops. This study uses a polyperiod, linear programming model, to explore the opportunity cost of planting Eucalyptus grandis and Grevillea robusta trees compared to crops in the Nyando watershed of western Kenya. Results of the ten-year period wealth maximization model suggest that a representative farmer’s decisions on farm resource allocation are sensitive to changes in the relative prices of short rotation tree products and annual crops. The model also suggests that there are economic tradeoffs between planting trees and crops, as well as between planting different tree species. Timber production is not likely to replace food crops for two main reasons: (1) the high cost of meeting household subsistence requirements from marketed grains, (2) household cash flow needs met by annual crops. Farmers plant eucalyptus for commercial purposes because they can obtain timber products within four years; however if the prices of these short rotation products go down, farmers will prefer to grow timber from high yield grevillea.
Dietary lycopene and cardiovascular health in ethnic Lithuanians
Authors: Mažeikienė Asta , Jakaitienė Audronė , Karčiauskaitė Dovilė , Kučinskienė Zita Aušrelė , Abaravičius Jonas Algis , Kaminskas Arvydas , Kučinskas Vaidutis
Published: January 2016

Background. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant, and it has been suggested that intake of lycopene-rich food results in a  decreased risk of cardiovascular dis­eases. However, no official recommendation of lycopene consumption from natural dietary sources exists, and intake data of the Lithuanian population are limited. The goal of this study was to evaluate the median intake of lycopene in ethnic Lithuanians and to relate lycopene intake with biochemical blood risk factors for CVD in the general population and different ethnolinguistic groups.
Materials and methods. One thousand one hundred forty randomly selected individuals (2–85  years of age) from six Lithuanian ethnolinguistic regions provided 3-day diet records for evaluation of lycopene consumption. Individuals were interviewed using a validated questionnaire consisting of lifestyle and clinical data. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, glucose, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein (a) were measured using standardised procedures. Due to the non-normal distribution of variables, nonparametric tests were applied using the IBM SPSS v20.0 software.
Results. The  mean dietary lycopene intake in the  study population was 5.05 ± 7.48 or 0.07 ± 0.11 mg/kg body weight per day. Major food sources of lycopene were tomatoes and tomato products (79%). The lycopene intake from natural dietary sources varied significantly between the  Lithuanian ethnolinguistic groups (the lowest intake 3.52 ± 5.64 mg/day, the highest intake 6.22 ± 7.66 mg/ day, p = 0.01) and genders (women 5.26 ± 7.78 mg/day and men 4.8 ± 7.22 mg/ day, p  =  0.01). The  mean lycopene intake was significantly (p
Non-invasive serum markers and transient elastography in staging advanced chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Buivydienė Arida , Basytė Viktorija , Valantinas Jonas
Published: January 2016

Objectives. In the past decade researchers are presenting indirect non-invasive serum markers for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis evaluation. Our aim was to evaluate effectiveness in staging advanced liver disease when using transient elastography and nine non-invasive serum markers: APRI, FIB-4, ASPRI, LSPS, P2/MS, FibroQ, Fibro-α, Pohl, CDR.
Methods. 162 patients with hepatitis C infection were included in this study. Patients were divided in two groups, regarding histopathologic results: advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The following laboratory measures were obtained in all patients: ALT, AST, albumin, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, INR, hemoglobin, platelet count, alfa fetoprotein, segmented neutrophils count and percentage and monocytes percentage. Transient elastography and nine non-invasive serum markers – APRI, FIB-4, ASPRI, LSPS, P2/MS, FibroQ, Fibro-α, Pohl, CDR  –  were compared with the  results of the  histopathological examination. A statistical analysis was done using the Student t-test, the Spearman’s rank correlation and the area under receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUROCs).
Results. All nine non-invasive markers correlated significantly with the liver fibrosis stage (P
Ophthalmological follow-up of prematurely born children in preschool age: prospective study of visual acuity, refractive errors and strabismus
Authors: Montvilaitė Donata , Grizickaitė Agnė , Augytė Aistė , Skvarciany Inesa , Barkus Arūnas , Usonis Vytautas
Published: January 2016

Background. Preterm birth is a very relevant problem. Retinopathy of prematurity in its severe forms causes visual impairment or can lead to blindness. The aim of the present study was to describe the visual outcome in prematurely born and full-term children at the preschool age and to evaluate the effects of prematurity per se, ROP, and treatment on visual acuity and refractive errors.
Materials and methods. A prospective study on the incidence of ROP during 2006–2008 included 103 preterm infants. 81 had ROP and 22 had no history of ROP; 40 were age-matched healthy children. All underwent a complete ophthalmic examination.
Results. Significant myopia (≤  –0.50D) in prematurely born children differed from full-term ones. The  ROP treated group had the  highest prevalence of myopia (P  2D) was dominant in the premature group (39%) as compared with the  control group (0%) (P
Assessment of the efficacy of communication skills training program for oncologists
Authors: Bulotienė Giedrė , Jagelavičiūtė Gabrielė
Published: January 2016

Background. Effective communication is essential for cancer care therefore a communication skills training program was developed by the Lithuanian Association of Psychosocial Oncology. This study aims to identify the efficacy of the new program designed for Lithuanian specialists.
Materials and methods. Self-report questionnaires for health care professionals were designed. Surveys were based on three topics – stress, confidence level, and personal opinion about the training and ability to apply learned communication skills. 88(67.2%) respondents completed the questionnaire.
Results. Stress: 38.6% of respondents indicated that they usually experience stress while communicating with oncology patients or their relatives; Confidence level: 61.4% of participants agreed that their level of confidence improved after trainings. 83.0% of participants agreed that the  establishment of a  connection with patients and their relatives improved, but requires further development. The  participants’ personal opinion about specific aspects of the communication skills training was evaluated as well. It was found that women are more likely to think that their skill of empathy had developed, but still needed to be improved, while men believed that their empathy had not changed, or stated that it had developed and needed no further improvement (p = 0.003).
Conclusions. The  study found improvements in participants’ confidence (61.4%) and specific skills while communicating with oncology patients (75.0–90.9%). Health care professionals evaluated the program as well and very well (86.4–92.1%). The Lithuanian communication skills training program is appropriate to use to enhance the quality of cancer care.
Geochemical and tectonic uplift controls on rock nitrogen inputs across terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Morford Scott L. , Houlton Benjamin Z. , Dahlgren Randy A.
Published: January 2016

Rock contains > 99% of Earth's reactive nitrogen (N), but questions remain over the direct importance of rock N weathering inputs to terrestrial biogeochemical cycling. Here we investigate the factors that regulate rock N abundance and develop a new model for quantifying rock N mobilization fluxes across desert to temperate rainforest ecosystems in California, USA. We analyzed the N content of 968 rock samples from 531 locations and compiled 178 cosmogenically derived denudation estimates from across the region to identify landscapes and ecosystems where rocks account for a significant fraction of terrestrial N inputs. Strong coherence between rock N content and geophysical factors, such as protolith, (i.e. parent rock), grain size, and thermal history, are observed. A spatial model that combines rock geochemistry with lithology and topography demonstrates that average rock N reservoirs range from 0.18 to 1.2 kg N m−3 (80 to 534 mg N kg−1) across the nine geomorphic provinces of California and estimates a rock N denudation flux of 20–92 Gg yr−1 across the entire study area (natural atmospheric inputs ~ 140 Gg yr−1). The model highlights regional differences in rock N mobilization and points to the Coast Ranges, Transverse Ranges, and the Klamath Mountains as regions where rock N could contribute meaningfully to ecosystem N cycling. Contrasting these data to global compilations suggests that our findings are broadly applicable beyond California and that the N abundance and variability in rock are well constrained across most of the Earth system.
Mass loading at 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko: A case study
Authors: Behar E. , Nilsson H. , Wieser G. Stenberg , Nemeth Z. , Broiles T. W. , Richter I.
Published: January 2016

We study the dynamics of the interaction between the solar wind ions and a partially ionized atmosphere around a comet, at a distance of 2.88 AU from the Sun during a period of low nucleus activity. Comparing particle data and magnetic field data for a case study, we highlight the prime role of the solar wind electric field in the cometary ion dynamics. Cometary ion and solar wind proton flow directions evolve in a correlated manner, as expected from the theory of mass loading. We find that the main component of the accelerated cometary ion flow direction is along the antisunward direction and not along the convective electric field direction. This is interpreted as the effect of an antisunward polarization electric field adding up to the solar wind convective electric field.
Solar wind interaction with comet 67P: Impacts of corotating interaction regions
Authors: Edberg N. J. T. , Eriksson A. I. , Odelstad E. , Vigren E. , Andrews D. J. , Johansson F. , Burch J. L. , Carr C. M. , Cupido E. , Glassmeier K.‐H. , Goldstein R. , Halekas J. S. , Henri P. , Koenders C. , Mandt K. , Mokashi P. , Nemeth Z. , Nilsson H. , Ramstad R. , Richter I. , Wieser G. Stenberg
Published: January 2016

We present observations from the Rosetta Plasma Consortium of the effects of stormy solar wind on comet 67P/Churyumov‐Gerasimenko. Four corotating interaction regions (CIRs), where the first event has possibly merged with a coronal mass ejection, are traced from Earth via Mars (using Mars Express and Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN mission) to comet 67P from October to December 2014. When the comet is 3.1–2.7 AU from the Sun and the neutral outgassing rate ∼1025–1026 s−1, the CIRs significantly influence the cometary plasma environment at altitudes down to 10–30 km. The ionospheric low‐energy (∼5 eV) plasma density increases significantly in all events, by a factor of >2 in events 1 and 2 but less in events 3 and 4. The spacecraft potential drops below −20 V upon impact when the flux of electrons increases. The increased density is likely caused by compression of the plasma environment, increased particle impact ionization, and possibly charge exchange processes and acceleration of mass‐loaded plasma back to the comet ionosphere. During all events, the fluxes of suprathermal (∼10–100 eV) electrons increase significantly, suggesting that the heating mechanism of these electrons is coupled to the solar wind energy input. At impact the magnetic field strength in the coma increases by a factor of 2–5 as more interplanetary magnetic field piles up around the comet. During two CIR impact events, we observe possible plasma boundaries forming, or moving past Rosetta, as the strong solar wind compresses the cometary plasma environment. We also discuss the possibility of seeing some signatures of the ionospheric response to tail disconnection events.
Experimental evidence of drift compressional waves in the magnetosphere: An Ekaterinburg coherent decameter radar case study
Authors: Chelpanov Maksim A. , Mager Pavel N. , Klimushkin Dmitri Yu. , Berngardt Oleg I. , Mager Olga V.
Published: January 2016

A case study of shortwave radar observations of magnetospheric Pc5 ULF waves (wave periods of 150–600 s) that occurred on 26 December 2014 in the nightside magnetosphere during substorm activity is presented. The radar study of waves in the magnetosphere is based on analysis of scattering from field‐aligned irregularities of the ionospheric F layer. Variations of their
drift velocity at F layer heights are associated with the wave electric field. Analysis of the observations from the Ekaterinburg (EKB) radar shows that the frequency f of the observed wave depends on the azimuthal wave number m (positive correlation of about 0.90): an increase in frequency from 2.5 to 5 mHz corresponds to increased m number from 20 to 80. Of the known types of waves in the magnetosphere corresponding to the Pc5 range, only drift compressional waves have such azimuthal dispersion: the frequency of the drift compressional mode is directly proportional to the azimuthal wave number and the gradient‐curvature drift velocity of energetic particles in the magnetic field. This wave has a kinetic nature and represents the most common kind of the compressional modes, demanding for its existence only finite pressure and plasma inhomogeneity across magnetic shells.
Mesospheric temperature estimation from meteor decay times during Geminids meteor shower
Authors: Kozlovsky Alexander , Lukianova Renata , Shalimov Sergey , Lester Mark
Published: January 2016

Meteor radar observations at the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory (67° 22′N, 26° 38′E, Finland) indicate that the mesospheric temperature derived from meteor decay times is systematically underestimated by 20–50 K during the Geminids meteor shower which has peak on 13 December. A very good coincidence of the minimum of routinely calculated temperature and maximum of meteor flux (the number of meteors detected per day) was observed regularly on that day in December 2008–2014. These observations are for a specific height‐lifetime distribution of the Geminids meteor trails and indicate a larger percentage of overdense trails compared to that for sporadic meteors. A consequence of this is that the routine estimates of mesospheric temperature during the Geminids are in fact underestimates. The observations do, however, indicate unusual properties (e.g., mass, speed, or chemical composition) of the Geminids meteoroids. Similar properties were found also for Quadrantids in January 2009–2015, which like the Geminids has as a parent body an asteroid, but not for other meteor showers.
Considering the radiative effects of snow on tropical Pacific Ocean radiative heating profiles in contemporary GCMs using A‐Train observations
Authors: Li J.‐L. F. , Lee Wei‐Liang , Waliser Duane , Wang Yi‐Hui , Yu Jia‐Yuh , Jiang Xianan , L'Ecuyer Tristan , Chen Yi‐Chun , Kubar Terry , Fetzer Eric , Mahakur M.
Published: January 2016

This study characterizes biases in water vapor, dynamics, shortwave (SW) and longwave (LW) radiative properties in contemporary global climate models (GCMs) against observations over tropical Pacific Ocean. The observations are based on Atmospheric Infrared Sounder for water vapor, CloudSat 2B‐FLXHR‐LIDAR for LW and SW radiative heating profiles, and radiative flux from Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System products. The model radiative heating profiles are adopted from the coupled and uncoupled National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1) and joint Year of Tropical Convection (YOTC)/Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) Task Force‐Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Atmospheric System Studies (GASS) Multi‐Model Physical Processes Experiment (YOTC‐GASS). The results from the model evaluation for YOTC‐GASS and NCAR CESM1 demonstrate a number of systematic radiative biases. These biases include excessive outgoing LW radiation and excessive SW surface radiative fluxes, in conjunction with a radiatively unstable atmosphere with excessive LW cooling in the upper troposphere over convectively active areas, such as the Intertropical Convergence Zone/South Pacific Convergence Zone (ITCZ/SPCZ) and warm pool. Using sensitivity experiments with the NCAR‐uncoupled/NCAR‐coupled CESM1, we infer that these biases partly result from the interactions between falling snow and radiation that are missing in most contemporary GCMs (e.g., YOTC‐GASS, Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 3 (CMIP)3, and Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project 5 (AMIP5)/CMIP5). A number of biases in the YOTC‐GASS model simulations are consistent with model biases in CMIP3, AMIP5/CMIP5, and NCAR‐uncoupled/NCAR‐coupled model simulation without snow‐radiation interactions. These include excessive upper level convection and low level downward motion with outflow from ITCZ/SPCZ. This generates weaker low‐level trade winds and excessive precipitation in the Central Pacific Trade wind regions. The excessive LW radiative cooling in NCAR‐coupled/NCAR‐uncoupled GCM simulations is reduced by 10–20% with snow‐radiative effects considered.
Chimerism in piglets developed from aggregated cloned embryos
Authors: Huang Yongye , Li Zhanjun , Wang Anfeng , Han Xiaolei , Song Yuning , Yuan Lin , Li Tianye , Wang Bing , Lai Liangxue , Ouyang Hongsheng , Pang Daxin
Published: January 2016

Porcine chimeras are valuable in the study of pluripotency, embryogenesis and development. It would be meaningful to generate chimeric piglets from somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos. In this study, two cell lines expressing the fluorescent markers enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and tdTomato were used as donor cells to produce reconstructed embryos. Chimeric embryos were generated by aggregating two EGFP‐cell derived embryos with two tdTomato‐cell derived embryos at the 4‐cell stage, and embryo transfer was performed when the aggregated embryos developed into blastocysts. Live porcine chimeras were successfully born and chimerism was observed by their skin color, gene integration, microsatellite loci composition and fluorescent protein expression. The chimeric piglets were largely composed of EGFP‐expressing cells, and this phenomenon was possibly due to the hyper‐methylation of the promoter of the tdTomato gene. In addition, the expression levels of tumorigenicity‐related genes were altered after tdTomato transfection in bladder cancer cells. The results show that chimeric pigs can be produced by aggregating cloned embryos and that the developmental capability of the cloned embryo in the subsequent chimeric development could be affected by the growth characteristics of its donor cell.
High‐gamma power changes after cognitive intervention: preliminary results from twenty‐one senior adult subjects
Authors: Akimoto Yoritaka , Nozawa Takayuki , Kanno Akitake , Kambara Toshimune , Ihara Mizuki , Ogawa Takeshi , Goto Takakuni , Taki Yasuyuki , Yokoyama Ryoichi , Kotozaki Yuka , Nouchi Rui , Sekiguchi Atsushi , Takeuchi Hikaru , Miyauchi Carlos Makoto , Sugiura Motoaki , Okumura Eiichi , Sunda Takashi , Shimizu Toshiyuki , Tozuka Eiji , Hirose Satoru , Nanbu Tatsuyoshi , Kawashima Ryuta
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Brain‐imaging techniques have begun to be popular in evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive intervention training. Although gamma activities are rarely used as an index of training effects, they have several characteristics that suggest their potential suitability for this purpose. This pilot study examined whether cognitive training in elderly people affected the high‐gamma activity associated with attentional processing and whether high‐gamma power changes were related to changes in behavioral performance.

Methods

We analyzed (MEG) magnetoencephalography data obtained from 35 healthy elderly subjects (60–75 years old) who had participated in our previous intervention study in which the subjects were randomly assigned to one of the three types of intervention groups: Group V trained in a vehicle with a newly developed onboard cognitive training program, Group P trained with a similar program but on a personal computer, and Group C was trained to solve a crossword puzzle as an active control group. High‐gamma (52–100 Hz) activity during a three‐stimulus visual oddball task was measured before and after training. As a result of exclusion in the MEG data analysis stage, the final sample consisted of five subjects in Group V, nine subjects in Group P, and seven subjects in Group C.

Results

Results showed that high‐gamma activities were differently altered between groups after cognitive intervention. In particular, members of Group V, who showed significant improvements in cognitive function after training, exhibited increased high‐gamma power in the left middle frontal gyrus during top‐down anticipatory target processing. High‐gamma power changes in this region were also associated with changes in behavioral performance.

Conclusions

Our preliminary results suggest the usefulness of high‐gamma activities as an index of the effectiveness of cognitive training in elderly subjects.
Diabetic foot risk assessment
Authors: Woodbury M. Gail
Published: January 2016

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that results in foot complications for many people world‐wide. In 2014, the World Health Organization estimated the global prevalence of diabetes in adults to be 9%. To ascertain the risk that an individual patient might develop a diabetic foot ulcer that could lead to an amputation, clinicians are strongly encouraged to perform a risk assessment. Monteiro‐Soares and Dinis‐Ribeiro have presented a new DIAbetic FOot Risk Assessment with the acronym DIAFORA. It is different from other risk assessments in that it predicts the risk of developing both diabetic foot ulcers and amputation specifically. The risk variables were derived by regression analysis based on a data set of 293 patients from a high‐risk setting, a Hospital Diabetic Foot Clinic, who had diabetes and a diabetic foot ulcers. Clear descriptions of the risk variables are provided as well as sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for the risk categories. As an added benefit, likelihood ratios are provided that will help clinicians determine the risk of amputation for individual patients. Having a risk assessment form is important for clinician use and examples exist. A question is raised about the effectiveness of risk assessment and how effectiveness might be determined. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The long noncoding RNA colon cancer‐associated transcript‐1/miR‐490 axis regulates gastric cancer cell migration by targeting hnRNPA1
Authors: Zhou Baoguo , Wang Yuli , Jiang Jinpeng , Jiang Hongpeng , Song Jianwei , Han Taotao , Shi Juan , Qiao Haiquan
Published: January 2016

Colon cancer‐associated transcript‐1 (CCAT1) is a highly conserved long noncoding RNA that is deregulated in several cancers. However, its role in gastric carcinoma and its post‐transcriptional regulation remain poorly understood. In this study, we provide the first evidence that CCAT1 regulates miR‐490 in gastric cancer (GC) cells. Interestingly, miR‐490 can also repress CCAT1 expression. CCAT1 expression was significantly upregulated, and miR‐490 expression was downregulated in GC. The negative correlation between miR‐490 and CCAT1 expression was observed in GC tissues. Importantly, CCAT1 contains a putative miR‐490‐binding site, and deletion of this binding site abolishes their miR‐490 responsiveness. Post‐transcriptional CCAT1 silencing by miR‐490 significantly suppressed GC cell migration. Furthermore, miR‐490 directly bound to the hnRNPA1 mRNA 3′‐UTR to repress its translation. Inhibition of miR‐490 rescued CCAT1 siRNA‐mediated suppression of cell migration. hnRNPA1 expression was significantly upregulated in GC specimens, and there was a negative correlation between miR‐490 and hnRNPA1 expression and also a positive correlation between hnRNAP1 expression level and CCAT1 level. Taken together, we show for the first time that the CCAT1/miR‐490/hnRNPA1 axis promotes GC migration, and it may have a possible diagnostic and therapeutic potential in GC. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(3):201–210, 2016
CacyBP/SIP inhibits Doxourbicin‐induced apoptosis of glioma cells due to activation of ERK1/2
Authors: Tang Yuan , Zhan Wenjian , Cao Tong , Tang Tianjin , Gao Yong , Qiu Zhichao , Fu Chunling , Qian Fengyuan , Yu Rutong , Shi Hengliang
Published: January 2016

Calcyclin‐binding protein or Siah‐1‐interacting protein (CacyBP/SIP) was previously reported to promote the proliferation of glioma cells. However, the effect of CacyBP/SIP on apoptosis of glioma is poorly understood. Here, our study shows that CacyBP/SIP plays a role in inhibiting doxorubicin (DOX) induced apoptosis of glioma cells U251 and U87. Overexpression of CacyBP/SIP obviously suppressed the DOX‐induced cell apoptosis. On the contrary, silencing of CacyBP/SIP significantly promoted it. Further investigation indicated that inhibition of apoptosis by CacyBP/SIP was relevant to its nuclear translocation in response to the DOX treatment. Importantly, we found that the level of p‐ERK1/2 in nuclei was related to the nuclear accumulation of CacyBP/SIP. Finally, the role of CacyBP/SIP was confirmed in vivo in a mouse model with the cell line stably silencing CacyBP/SIP. Taken together, our results suggest that CacyBP/SIP plays an important role in inhibiting apoptosis of glioma cells which might be mediated by ERK1/2 signaling pathway, which will provide some guidance for the treatment of glioma. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(3):211–219, 2016
Corticosteroid‐Induced MKP‐1 Represses Pro‐Inflammatory Cytokine Secretion by Enhancing Activity of Tristetraprolin (TTP) in ASM Cells
Authors: Prabhala Pavan , Bunge Kristin , Ge Qi , Ammit Alaina J.
Published: January 2016

Exaggerated cytokine secretion drives pathogenesis of a number of chronic inflammatory diseases, including asthma. Anti‐inflammatory pharmacotherapies, including corticosteroids, are front‐line therapies and although they have proven clinical utility, the molecular mechanisms responsible for their actions are not fully understood. The corticosteroid‐inducible gene, mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase 1 (MKP‐1, DUSP1) has emerged as a key molecule responsible for the repressive effects of steroids. MKP‐1 is known to deactivate p38 MAPK phosphorylation and can control the expression and activity of the mRNA destabilizing protein—tristetraprolin (TTP). But whether corticosteroid‐induced MKP‐1 acts via p38 MAPK‐mediated modulation of TTP function in a pivotal airway cell type, airway smooth muscle (ASM), was unknown. While pretreatment of ASM cells with the corticosteroid dexamethasone (preventative protocol) is known to reduce ASM synthetic function in vitro, the impact of adding dexamethasone after stimulation (therapeutic protocol) had not been explored. Whether dexamethasone modulates TTP in a p38 MAPK‐dependent manner in this cell type was also unknown. We address this herein and utilize an in vitro model of asthmatic inflammation where ASM cells were stimulated with the pro‐asthmatic cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the impact of adding dexamethasone 1 h after stimulation assessed. IL‐6 mRNA expression and protein secretion was significantly repressed by dexamethasone acting in a temporally distinct manner to increase MKP‐1, deactivate p38 MAPK, and modulate TTP phosphorylation status. In this way, dexamethasone‐induced MKP‐1 acts via p38 MAPK to switch on the mRNA destabilizing function of TTP to repress pro‐inflammatory cytokine secretion from ASM cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2153–2158, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical evaluation of model‐based radiostereometric analysis to measure femoral head penetration and cup migration in four different cup designs
Authors: Shareghi Bita , Johanson Per‐Erik , Kärrholm Johan
Published: January 2016

In conventional Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) implants with attached tantalum markers are frequently used, which may be difficult to visualize. This problem can be avoided with model‐based RSA (MBRSA), but it is uncertain if this method has the same precision as marker‐based RSA. We evaluated the influence of cup design for the precision of MBRSA in four uncemented cups to study if the design had any influence on the precision. Stereo radiographs were analyzed postoperatively (double‐examinations) and after 2 years (single examinations). The difference between the double‐examinations was used to compute the precision for the methods and for each type of implant. Femoral head penetration and cup translation up to 2 years were compared using marker‐based RSA as reference. The precision of proximal penetration and migration measurements did not differ between the methods for Trilogy, TMT and ABG. For Ringloc design a poorer precision was observed using MBRSA. Comparison between the methods regarding proximal penetration and cup migration at 2 years did not differ for three of the designs (p = 0.12–0.91). However, for the group with porous plasma sprayed surface (Ringloc) a significant difference between the methods was observed (ppenetration <0.01 and pmigration <0.01). Poorer precision, different penetration and migration values at 2 years for one of the designs indicate that the resolution of MBRSA might vary depending on surface coating and implant geometry. Therefore, we conclude that the resolution of MBRSA has to be studied for each type of basic cup design. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:760–767, 2017.
Effect of low‐dose X‐ray irradiation and Ti particles on the osseointegration of prosthetic
Authors: She Chang , Shi Gao‐Long , Xu Wei , Zhou Xiao‐Zhong , Li Jian , Tian Ye , Li Jian , Li Wei‐Hao , Dong Qi‐Rong , Ren Pei‐Gen
Published: January 2016

Low‐dose irradiation (LDI) exhibits a positive effect on osteoblasts and inhibitory effect of inflammation. Here, we test the hypothesis that LDI can promote osseointegration and inhibit the inflammatory membrane formation in the presence of titanium (Ti) particles. Endotoxin‐free titanium particles were injected into rabbit, prior to the insertion of a Ti6‐Al‐4‐V sticks pre‐coated with hydroxyapatite. Two days after operation, both distal femurs of the animal were exposed to 0.5 Gy X‐ray irradiation. All ani­mals were euthanized 8 weeks after the operation. The PINP concentration was determined at day 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after operation. Trabecular morphology around the implants 8 weeks after operation was assessed using micro‐CT, then the maximum push out force of simples was assessed using biomechanics test. Five samples in each group were chosen for bone histomorphology study without decalcification 8 weeks after operation. The results confirmed that the LDI can significantly improve ingrowth of bone into the prosthetic interface and stability of the prosthesis when there was no wear particles. Although promotion effects for bone formation induced by LDI can be counteracted by wear particles, LDI can significantly inhibit the interface membrane formation around the implant induced by wear particles. Based on these results, we conclude that LDI may be useful for enhancing the stability of prosthesis when there are no wear particles and for inhibiting the interface membrane formation during the early stage of aseptic loosening in the presence of wear particles. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1688–1696, 2016.
Meso‐ and microzooplankton grazing in the Amazon River plume and western tropical North Atlantic
Authors: Conroy Brandon J. , Steinberg Deborah K. , Stukel Michael R. , Goes Joaquim I. , Coles Victoria J.
Published: January 2016

Largely due to size differences, mesozooplankton are important exporters of carbon and prey for larger organisms, while microzooplankton are important recyclers of nutrients, dominant grazers of phytoplankton, and a key link in the microbial loop. We investigated the relative importance of meso‐ and microzooplankton grazing in the western tropical North Atlantic Ocean (WTNA) and Amazon River plume. Sampling as part of the ANACONDAS project occurred in spring (May–June) 2010 during the peak outflow of the Amazon River and in fall (September–October) 2011 during the plume seasonal retroflection. Mesozooplankton grazing rates decreased with increasing salinity in both seasons, but during the fall both day and nighttime grazing rates were significantly negatively correlated with salinity. Mesozooplankton grazing was highest in plume‐influenced surface waters (0–25 m), and usually dominated by smaller size classes (0.2–0.5 mm and 0.5–1.0 mm). Microzooplankton grazing accounted for approximately 68% of bulk phytoplankton growth across all stations. Comparison of meso‐ and microzooplankton grazing suggests a transition in food web dynamics from a mesozooplankton dominated “export” structure in the plume transitioning to a microzooplankton dominated “retention” structure at mesohaline and oceanic stations above sea surface salinity of 33. Comparison between the seasons suggests a seasonal planktonic succession of low mesozooplankton grazing during the spring peak discharge followed by higher grazing rates and impact by mesozooplankton during the fall retroflection. These results provide important baseline information required for examining effects of climate change on the planktonic food web of the WTNA and for use in biogeochemical models of the region.
Sex differences in spatial cognition: advancing the conversation
Authors: Levine Susan C. , Foley Alana , Lourenco Stella , Ehrlich Stacy , Ratliff Kristin
Published: January 2016

The existence of a sex difference in spatial thinking, notably on tasks involving mental rotation, has been a topic of considerable research and debate. We review this literature, with a particular focus on the development of this sex difference, and consider four key questions: (1) When does the sex difference emerge developmentally and does the magnitude of this difference change across development? (2) What are the biological and environmental factors that contribute to sex differences in spatial skill and how might they interact? (3) How malleable are spatial skills, and is the sex difference reduced as a result of training? and (4) Does ‘spatializing’ the curriculum raise the level of spatial thinking in all students and hold promise for increasing and diversifying the STEM pipeline? Throughout the review, we consider promising avenues for future research. WIREs Cogn Sci 2016, 7:127–155. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1380

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Development and Aging

Psychology > Learning
Reduced production of ethyl carbamate for wine fermentation by deletingCAR1inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Guo Xue-Wu , Li Yuan-Zi , Guo Jian , Wang Qing , Huang Shi-Yong , Chen Ye-Fu , Du Li-Ping , Xiao Dong-Guang
Published: January 2016

Ethyl carbamate (EC), a pluripotent carcinogen, is mainly formed by a spontaneous chemical reaction of ethanol with urea in wine. The arginine, one of the major amino acids in grape musts, is metabolized by arginase (encoded by CAR1) to ornithine and urea. To reduce the production of urea and EC, an arginase-deficient recombinant strain YZ22 (Δcarl/Δcarl) was constructed from a diploid wine yeast, WY1, by successive deletion of two CAR1 alleles to block the pathway of urea production. The RT-qPCR results indicated that the YZ22 almost did not express CAR1 gene and the specific arginase activity of strain YZ22 was 12.64 times lower than that of parent strain WY1. The fermentation results showed that the content of urea and EC in wine decreased by 77.89 and 73.78 %, respectively. Furthermore, EC was forming in a much lower speed with the lower urea during wine storage. Moreover, the two CAR1 allele deletion strain YZ22 was substantially equivalent to parental strain in terms of growth and fermentation characteristics. Our research also suggested that EC in wine originates mainly from urea that is produced by the arginine.
The effectiveness of the Ponseti method for treating clubfoot associated with arthrogryposis: Up to 8 years follow-up
Authors: Matar Hosam E. , Beirne Peter , Garg Neeraj
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Ponseti method in treating clubfoot associated with arthrogryposis.

Methods

Retrospective consecutive review over a 10-year period in a tertiary centre of all patients with arthrogrypotic clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method. The primary outcome measure at final follow-up was the functional correction of the deformity.

Results

There were ten children with 17 arthrogrypotic clubfeet, with an average follow-up of 5.8 years (range 3–8 years). The average age at presentation was 5 weeks (range 2–20 weeks). Deformities were severe, with an average Pirani score of 5.5 (range 3–6). Initial correction was achieved in all children with an average of 8 (range 4–10) Ponseti casts and a tendo-Achilles tenotomy (TAT) was performed in 94.1 %. Two-thirds of patients had a satisfactory outcome at final follow-up, with functional plantigrade, pain-free feet.

Conclusions

The Ponseti method is an effective first-line treatment for arthrogrypotic clubfeet to achieve functional plantigrade feet. Children will often require more casts and have a higher risk of relapse.
Zoledronic Acid Treatment After Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Results of a Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Pilot Trial
Authors: Schnitzer Thomas J. , Kim Ki , Marks Julia , Yeasted Renita , Simonian Narina , Chen David
Published: January 2016

Objective

To determine the effect of intravenous zoledronic acid 5 mg on the extent and course of bone loss after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design

Double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled parallel‐group trial.

Setting

Acute in‐patient, tertiary‐care rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

Convenience sample of 17 in‐patients with SCI <12 weeks before randomization; American Spinal Injury Association Impairment scale A, B, or C and medically stable. Twelve patients were evaluated at the primary endpoint at 6 months.

Methods

Patients meeting study criteria were randomly assigned to zoledronic acid 5 mg or matching placebo. Dual x‐ray absorptiometry scan and serum for bone markers (type 1 procollagen amino‐terminal propeptide, bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase, collagen type 1 cross‐linked C‐telopeptide) were obtained at baseline and after 3 months, 6 months, and the every 6 months for up to 2 years.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary endpoint was change in bone mineral density (BMD) at the total hip after 6 months; secondary endpoints were changes in BMD at other skeletal sites and changes in levels of serum bone markers.

Results

The group treated with zoledronic acid had a smaller decrease in BMD at 6 months at the total hip than the placebo group (right: −2.2 ± 3.4% versus −8.6 ± 3.5%, respectively, P = .03; left: −3.7 ± 1.0% versus −12.3 ± 6.9%, P = .03). Differences in BMD at the femoral neck were similar (right: −5.1 ± 6.5% versus −20.0 ± 6.4%, P = .01; left: −1.1 ± 3.5% versus −11.1 ± 7.4%, P = .02) with larger bone loss and smaller between group differences at the knee. Zoledronic acid resulted in a decrease in serum levels of both formation and resorption markers.

Conclusions

Zoledronic acid is effective at mitigating bone loss after SCI. Duration of efficacy and activity at different skeletal sites may differ from that observed in able‐bodied individuals and needs further study.
Caracterización de alumnos de la carrera de Medicina
Authors: Fernández-Ortega Miguel Ángel , Ortiz-Montalvo Armando , Ponce-Rosas Efrén Raúl , Fajardo-Ortiz Guillermo , Mazón-Ramírez Juan José
Published: January 2016

Introducción: El año de Servicio Social (SS) constituye una aproximación a la realidad del campo profesional que considera el perfil profesional del educando, las características epidemiológicas y culturales de la población, y un excelente escenario para la práctica de la medicina general, incluso para evidenciar las competencias profesionales de los alumnos en un escenario real, las cuales pueden resultar de gran utilidad para la planeación educativa y la proyección del ejercicio profesional de los egresados.
Objetivo: Identificar las características sociodemográficas, económicas y de satisfacción en torno a la formación recibida durante la carrera, así como en el desempeño de los alumnos durante el SS.Método: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, no comparativo y retrospectivo. Universo: 388 alumnos que concluyeron el año de SS en 2014. Se elaboró y validó un cuestionario con 58 ítems relacionados con: factores sociodemográficos y  educativos, satisfacción de los egresados y desarrollo del SS. En esta primera etapa la información se analizó mediante técnicas descriptivas e inferenciales.
Resultados: Respondieron 388 alumnos: 143 hombres y 245 mujeres. El 95.6% manifestó un promedio de calificación de bachillerato ≥ 8. El 60.4% concluyó la carrera en 6.5 años y el 60.8% no reprobó materias. El 60% realizó su SS en provincia. El 63.4% recibió supervisión o asesoría. El 21.9% recibió agresiones, de las que un 1.8% fueron físicas; un 58.8% en la comunidad y un 38.8% en la institución receptora. El 95.8% de los alumnos se considera exitoso; el 96.6% recomendaría la facultad para estudiar Medicina, considerando que su prestigio y profesores son sus principales fortalezas, y los trámites administrativos su mayor debilidad.
The Case for Multiuser Facilities
Authors: Behnke Richard , Robinson Robert
Published: January 2016

As federal agencies look to slash costs, facilities become obvious targets. But cutting funds to these vital programs may have far-reaching consequences.
Cancer, brain research, and supercomputing
Authors: Kramer David
Published: January 2016

By contributing to health research, the Department of Energy could transform its approach to designing the next generation of high-performance computers.
Billionaires join governments to fight climate change
Authors: Kramer David
Published: January 2016

Public and private initiatives aim to bring innovative clean energy technologies to market.
The bicentennial of Francis Ronalds’s electric telegraph
Authors: Ronalds Beverley F.
Published: January 2016

Decades before the work of Samuel Morse, a young Englishman laid out his vision for a future world of telecommunication.
The peaceful atom comes to campus
Authors: Martin Joseph D.
Published: January 2016

Youthful idealism, institutional ambition, and Cold War sensibilities all helped shape the Michigan Memorial–Phoenix Project, the University of Michigan’s tribute to fallen World War II soldiers.
Toughness improvement by Cu addition in the simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone of high-strength low-alloy steels
Authors: Wan X. L. , Wu K. M. , Huang G. , Nune K. C. , Li Y. , Cheng L.
Published: January 2016

The effect of microstructure and Cu addition in a simulated coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) of a high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel subjected to 100 kJ cm−1 heat input welding was studied. It has been observed that the primary microstructure in Cu-free HSLA steels is dominated by bainite, whereas, in Cu-bearing HSLA steels, the predominant microstructure is acicular ferrite. The acicular ferrite nucleated at intragranular complex inclusions consisting of Al and Ti oxides, covered with layer of MnS and CuS. The presence of high intensity of acicular ferrite and hard impingements between acicular ferrite laths or plates has contributed to the fine-grained and interlocked microstructure. The enhanced toughness in CGHAZ of Cu-bearing HSLA steel is attributed to the fine-grained interlocked microstructure of acicular ferrite.
Cold metal transfer welding of aluminium to magnesium: microstructure and mechanical properties
Authors: Madhavan S. , Kamaraj M. , Vijayaraghavan L.
Published: January 2016

This paper reports the procedure to join aluminium A6061-T6 to AZ31B magnesium alloy using Al-5%Si filler by cold metal transfer and pulsed-cold metal transfer processes. The effect of process parameters on the microstructure of weld, nugget/magnesium interface and tensile strength of the joints are analysed. Microstructural analysis shows that the diffusion layer thickness increases with increase in the welding current. The diffusion layer thickness was found to vary depending on the process. Pulsed process resulted in high joint strength compared to conventional method. X-ray diffraction study revealed the formation of different phases in the weld. The welding current, welding speed and the wire-feed rate had significant effect on the joint strength. Failure at the weld/Mg interface was observed.
Harnessing person-generated health data to accelerate patient-centered outcomes research: the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America PCORnet Patient Powered Research Network (CCFA Partners)
Authors: Chung Arlene E , Sandler Robert S , Long Millie D , Ahrens Sean , Burris Jessica L , Martin Christopher F , Anton Kristen , Robb Amber , Caruso Thomas P , Jaeger Elizabeth L , Chen Wenli , Clark Marshall , Myers Kelly , Dobes Angela , Kappelman Michael D
Published: January 2016

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Partners Patient-Powered Research Network (PPRN) seeks to advance and accelerate comparative effectiveness and translational research in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Our IBD-focused PCORnet PPRN has been designed to overcome the major obstacles that have limited patient-centered outcomes research in IBD by providing the technical infrastructure, patient governance, and patient-driven functionality needed to: 1) identify, prioritize, and undertake a patient-centered research agenda through sharing person-generated health data; 2) develop and test patient and provider-focused tools that utilize individual patient data to improve health behaviors and inform health care decisions and, ultimately, outcomes; and 3) rapidly disseminate new knowledge to patients, enabling them to improve their health. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Partners PPRN has fostered the development of a community of citizen scientists in IBD; created a portal that will recruit, retain, and engage members and encourage partnerships with external scientists; and produced an efficient infrastructure for identifying, screening, and contacting network members for participation in research.