bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impacts of LRT, Neighbourhood Characteristics, and Self-selection on Auto Ownership: Evidence from Minneapolis-St. Paul
Authors: Cao Jason , Cao Xiaoshu
Published: October 2013

There is a growing interest in exploring the relationships between the built environment and auto ownership and a number of studies have investigated the impact of rail transit on travel behaviour. However, few have disentangled the impact of rail transit on auto ownership from the influences of the built environment and residential self-selection. Using the light rail transit (LRT) in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, USA, this study applies the statistical control approach and quasi-longitudinal design to examine the effects of LRT, neighbourhood design and self-selection on auto ownership. It is found that residential self-selection influences auto ownership; backyard size, off-street parking and business density marginally affect auto ownership; and the LRT does not have an independent impact on auto ownership beyond neighbourhood design and self-selection. The results point to the importance of neighbourhood design in rail transit development.
Prepaid Monetary Incentives—Predictors of Taking the Money and Completing the Survey
Authors: Mutti Seema , Kennedy Ryan David , Thompson Mary E. , Fong Geoffrey T.
Published: October 2013

Prepaid monetary incentives are used to address declining response rates in random-digit dial surveys. There is concern among researchers that some respondents will accept the prepayment but not complete the survey. There is little research to understand check cashing and survey completing behaviors among respondents who receive prepayment. Data from the International Tobacco Control Four-Country Study—a longitudinal survey of smokers in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia—were used to examine the impact of prepayment (in the form of checks, approximately US$10) on sample profile. Approximately 14 percent of respondents cashed their check, but did not complete the survey, while about 14 percent did not cash their checks, but completed the survey. Younger adults (Canada and United States), those of minority status (United States), and those who had been in the survey for only two waves or less (Canada and United States) were more likely to cash their checks and not complete the survey.
The Colon
Authors: Sellers Rani S. , Morton Daniel
Published: October 2013

The colon serves as the habitat for trillions of microbes, which it must maintain, regulate, and sequester. This is managed by what is termed the mucosal barrier. The mucosal barrier separates the gut flora from the host tissues; regulates the absorption of water, electrolytes, minerals, and vitamins; and facilitates host–flora interactions. Colonic homeostasis depends on a complex interaction between the microflora and the mucosal epithelium, immune system, vasculature, stroma, and nervous system. Disruptions in the colonic microenvironment such as changes in microbial composition, epithelial cell function/proliferation/differentiation, mucus production/makeup, immune function, diet, motility, or blood flow may have substantial local and systemic consequences. Understanding the complex activities of the colon in health and disease is important in drug development, as xenobiotics can impact all segments of the colon. Direct and indirect effects of pharmaceuticals on intestinal function can produce adverse findings in laboratory animals and humans and can negatively impact drug development. This review will discuss normal colon homeostasis with examples, where applicable, of xenobiotics that disrupt normal function.
The Idea of Freedom in Bengali Nationalist Discourse
Authors: Gupta Swarupa
Published: October 2013

While the concept of freedom in India has mainly been seen through the lens of the freedom struggle/movement, this article conjoins the idea (concept) and practice (movement) of freedom as reflected in the Bengali nationalist discourse during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. It argues that freedom was a multidimensional concept and contained many connotative strands. Indigenous lineages were linked to the political idea of freedom, expressed as swaraj. But this political term was not seen in terms of politics alone. Rather, it was an evocation and extension of the older idea of freedom in India (as a category of the spiritual, emphasizing identity with the universal). This strand symbolized the indigeneity of freedom by highlighting aspects of personal and social freedom. To understand the nature of freedom as woven into the texture of the freedom movement in India—pioneered by the Indian National Congress, I explore how indigenous origins were refracted through a critical internalization and rearticulation of Western concepts of freedom in India’s own terms. This developed through a discourse on freedom on the site of samaj or social collectivity. It evolved within a grid, in which two principles— dharma and cultural Aryan-ness—set apart Indian society from the West and also underpinned the imagination of the nation. This emblematized the ‘independence’ of the subjugated through contestation of certain basic tenets of colonial power-knowledge. This shows that there was an interpenetration of different related freedoms, in the site of a harmonious social order ( samaj), and this crucially influenced ways of rethinking Indianness and nationhood.
Discourses on Modernity: Gandhi and Savarkar
Authors: Krishan Shri
Published: October 2013

Debates emanate from dualities, situations of conflict, contradictions and paradoxes. Modernity is a paradox of sorts. So too was the colonial experience. Contrary to popular belief, Gandhi looked at the Indian traditions and ways of life from the perspective derived from western modernist epistemology. Our attitude to modernity is bound up, consciously or otherwise, with our perspective on colonialism as the forerunner of modernity. The word ‘modernity’ has varied connotations. In the present context, it is to be understood, chiefly, as western Enlightenment modernity mediated through European colonialism. But the perception of Gandhi and V.D. Savarkar differed regarding western Enlightenment modernity as there were differences of opinion between them on almost every political and social issue and methods of struggle against colonialism. These differences were rooted actually in their understanding of modernity, its epistemologies and variants prevalent in Europe, their relevance for Indian context and national liberation struggle. Gandhi’s may appear to be rooted in indigenous traditions but he also inherited the ‘scientific temper’ and methods and weapons of struggle which ‘modern politics’ has brought to forefront in Europe and America. Savarkar, on the other hand, was influenced by the intellectual trends which forged the weapons for the Right-wing politics in Europe. Gandhi appears to be always open to dialogue even though his position may be very dogmatic on certain issues but Savarkar is free from ambivalences that resurface repeatedly in Gandhi. The reflection is to be found in their political, literary, philosophical and other discourses, providing contexts in which debates unfold concerning customs, laws, religions, languages, generations, regions and ends and means controversy. They underpin controversies over the relationship of the individual to the collective.
Leukoencephalomyelopathy of Mature Captive Cheetahs and Other Large Felids
Authors: Brower A. I. , Munson L. , Radcliffe R. W. , Citino S. B. , Lackey L. B. , Van Winkle T. J. , Stalis I. , Terio K. A. , Summers B. A. , de Lahunta A.
Published: October 2013

A novel leukoencephalomyelopathy was identified in 73 mature male and female large captive felids between 1994 and 2005. While the majority of identified cases occurred in cheetahs ( Acinonyx jubatus), the disease was also found in members of 2 other subfamilies of Felidae: 1 generic tiger ( Panthera tigris) and 2 Florida panthers ( Puma concolor coryi). The median age at time of death was 12 years, and all but 1 cheetah were housed in the United States. Characteristic clinical history included progressive loss of vision leading to blindness, disorientation, and/or difficulty eating. Neurologic deficits progressed at a variable rate over days to years. Mild to severe bilateral degenerative lesions were present in the cerebral white matter and variably and to a lesser degree in the white matter of the brain stem and spinal cord. Astrocytosis and swelling of myelin sheaths progressed to total white matter degeneration and cavitation. Large, bizarre reactive astrocytes are a consistent histopathologic feature of this condition. The cause of the severe white matter degeneration in these captive felids remains unknown; the lesions were not typical of any known neurotoxicoses, direct effects of or reactions to infectious diseases, or nutritional deficiencies. Leukoencephalomyelopathy was identified in 70 cheetahs, 1 tiger, and 2 panthers over an 11-year period, and to our knowledge, cases have ceased without planned intervention. Given what is known about the epidemiology of the disease and morphology of the lesions, an environmental or husbandry-associated source of neurotoxicity is suspected.
Neoliberalism Redux: Poland’s Recombinant Populism and its Alternatives
Authors: Shields Stuart
Published: October 2013

This article considers the re-emergence of populism in Poland. With an all but absent left, the anti-neoliberal position in Poland emerged from the right. The article explores the processes associated with this and critically evaluates the populist turn asking if this is a rejection of neoliberalism or whether recombinant populism is increasingly compatible with contemporary neoliberalism. Despite widespread dissatisfaction with post-communist transition, first through Shock Therapy, second through Europeanization, and more recently through the so-called global financial crisis, former dissidents have been co-opted into the reproduction of neoliberalism. In the absence of a more forceful left response in Poland, the population has proclaimed its outrage with the hardships of post-communism by discovering a captivating message from the populists. The emergence of populist social forces has become one of the mechanisms for the disenfranchised to make sense of the pressures of neoliberalization. Populism, nationalism and neoliberalism can happily co-exist.
Effect of machining parameters on surface roughness in end milling of AISI 1019 steel
Authors: Bhardwaj Bhuvnesh , Kumar Rajesh , Singh Pradeep K
Published: October 2013

This article presents experimental investigation on AISI 1019 steel for study of surface roughness in end milling operation using carbide inserts. The objective of this work is to establish the empirical relationships between the machining parameters and average surface roughness using response surface methodology. The first-order and quadratic models have been developed in terms of feed, cutting speed, depth of cut, and nose radius. Furthermore, the Box–Cox transformation has been employed to improve the prediction ability of the first-order model. The cutting speed, feed, and nose radius seem to have the significant effect on surface roughness.
Differential quadrature element model updating of frame structures
Authors: Fatahi Laleh , Moradi Shapour
Published: October 2013

The following study deals with improving the vibration model of structures obtained by the differential quadrature element method. To this end, first, an initial model of the structure is constructed using the differential quadrature element method in which the values of several physical parameters are unknown. Then, an optimization problem is defined to find the optimum values of the design parameters. In fact, the aim is to minimize an objective function that consists of the weighted sum of the squared errors between the modal parameters (i.e. the natural frequencies, the mode shapes, and the damping ratios) of the differential quadrature element and the experimental models. To solve the optimization problem, a robust evolutionary algorithm, namely the artificial bee colony, is utilized. To verify the effectiveness of the presented approach, the experimental data obtained from the modal testing of a plane frame are utilized to update its differential quadrature element model. The results show that the updating process is successfully performed utilizing artificial bee colony, and the updated differential quadrature element model better represents the vibration behavior of the real structure. Besides, the sensitivities of the eigenvalues of the model with respect to the design parameters are also evaluated to demonstrate the effect of changing the design parameters in the modal parameters of the model.
A simple node-to-segment contact technique of finite element models of elastic bodies to attain the node-to-node contact accuracy
Authors: Lee Kisu
Published: October 2013

By modifying the contact point displacement with a simple and systematic way, it has been explained that the node-to-segment contact solution can become as accurate as that of the node-to-node contact constraint. The accuracy of the solution is demonstrated by the numerical simulation using a punch sliding on the slab.
Audience Response to Brand Journalism
Authors: Cole James T. , Greer Jennifer D.
Published: October 2013

This study examined reactions to brand journalism in light of frame, source, and product involvement. Participants in an experimental study viewed a custom magazine with either a commercial (branded) or editorial (nonbranded) frame and read a story quoting either a peer or a corporate source. Readers rated the nonbranded magazine higher in credibility, but source cues had no direct effects on credibility ratings. Source did matter when combined with consumer product involvement. Highly involved consumers had stronger brand attitudes and purchase intent after reading advice from a peer source; low-involved consumers responded more favorably to a corporate source.
Multiple Opinion Climates in Online Forums
Authors: Nekmat Elmie , Gonzenbach William J.
Published: October 2013

Through the Spiral of Silence framework, this study examines the online opinion climate effect on individual willingness to post messages in forums, using a 2 × 2 experiment manipulating website source (mainstream news/ideologically homogeneous activist group) and opinion congruency (minority/majority opinion). Individuals’ willingness to post was affected only by their opinion congruency with those expressed in forums. Analysis revealed instances of individuals “speaking up” as compared to “speaking out.” Other deterrents to willingness to post were also uncovered.
Diabetes insipidus as a rare cause of acute cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Tiedje V , Schlamann M , Führer D , Moeller LC
Published: October 2013

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex neurodegenerative disease presenting with a diversity of clinical symptoms including palsy and cognitive impairment. We present a 59-year-old woman with a history of secondary progressive MS since 1987, who was referred to our department because of recent onset of confusion and polydipsia. Initial lab tests showed mildly elevated serum sodium levels and low urine osmolality. Under water deprivation, diuresis and low urine osmolality persisted and serum sodium levels rose above 150 mmol/l. Oral desmopressin resulted in normalisation of serum sodium as well as urine osmolarity, confirming a diagnosis of central diabetes insipidus. As drug-induced diabetes could be excluded, pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. A demyelinating lesion was detected in the hypothalamus. The patient was started on oral desmopressin treatment (0.2 mg/day). Fluid intake and serum sodium levels have since remained normal. In summary, we report the rare case of a patient presenting with diabetes insipidus due to progressive MS. Diabetes insipidus should be considered in MS patients who develop new onset of polydipsia.
Developing complexity-consistent theory in a realist investigation
Authors: Westhorp Gill
Published: October 2013

This is the second of a two part article examining the use of complexity-consistent theory in a realist investigation. The first article ( Evaluation 18[4]) introduced the idea of complexity-consistent theory. It argued that complexity-consistent theories are likely to be useful for understanding complex processes of change and therefore useful in many kinds of evaluation. Further, it argued that theories can be organized within a hierarchy to reflect the different levels of reality involved in a change program. This was described as ‘layering’ theories. This second article describes the use of these concepts in a realist investigation. The purpose of the investigation was to develop a realist, middle-range theory to explain how and why some early intervention programs which ‘work’ on average for disadvantaged families do not work for the most disadvantaged. The investigation combined a small-scale realist evaluation of a family support program in Adelaide, South Australia with a modified form of realist synthesis. The work was undertaken as part of a PhD, supervised by Professor Nick Tilley, co-author of Realistic Evaluation.
Perception of primary care pediatricians of effectiveness, acceptability, and availability of mental health services
Authors: Dempster Nicole R , Wildman Beth G , Duby John
Published: October 2013

Approximately 20% of children in the United States meet the criteria for a psychosocial disorder; however, less than 25% of these children receive psychosocial services. A questionnaire assessed primary care pediatricians’ (PCPs) perceptions of effectiveness, availability, and burden of treatment options for children’s psychosocial difficulties and parents’ acceptance and adherence with these treatments. Repeated measures analysis of variance found that PCPs are more likely to refer children with psychosocial problems to a mental health professional than to prescribe medication. PCPs prescribe medications more than counseling parents themselves or watchful waiting. PCPs reported children’s behavior is more likely to improve with mental health services than with medication, though medication is the most available treatment. PCPs believe parent training programs are very effective for treating children’s behavior problems, but believe parents are more accepting and compliant with other treatments. Findings indicate PCPs’ perceptions of availability and acceptability of treatment options drive their treatment recommendations of psychosocial problems.
Family teacher and parent perceptions of youth needs and preparedness for transition upon discharge from residential care
Authors: Trout Alexandra L , Hoffman Steven , Epstein Michael H , Thompson Ronald W
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare parent ( N = 51) and family teacher ( N = 102) ratings of perceptions of aftercare for youth reintegrating into the home and community settings following a stay in residential care.

Findings

The results show large differences between treatment providers and parents as to the level of youth preparedness for transition.

Applications

Youth leaving residential care facilities struggle to maintain the gains they make during their time in treatment. Understanding what residential care providers and parents of youth perceive to be most important for youth during this transition period is essential to the youth’s long-term success.
Development and application of a computational fluid dynamics methodology to predict fuel–air mixing and sources of soot formation in gasoline direct injection engines
Authors: Lucchini Tommaso , D’ Errico Gianluca , Onorati Angelo , Bonandrini Giovanni , Venturoli Luca , Di Gioia Rita
Published: October 2013

A detailed understanding of the air–fuel mixing process in gasoline direct injection engines is necessary to avoid soot formation that might result from charge inhomogeneities or liquid fuel impingement on the cylinder walls. Within this context, the use of multidimensional models might be helpful to better understand how spray evolution in cylinder charge motions and combustion chamber design affects the mixture quality at spark-timing. In this work, the authors developed and applied a computational fluid dynamics methodology to simulate gas exchange and air–fuel mixture formation in gasoline direct injection engines. To this end, a suitable set of spray submodels was implemented into an open-source code to properly describe the evolution of gasoline jets emerging from multihole atomizers. Furthermore, the complete liquid film dynamics was also considered. For a proper assessment of the approach, a gasoline direct injection engine running at full load was simulated and effects of spray targeting and engine speed were studied. A detailed postprocessing of the computed data of liquid film mass, homogeneity index and equivalence ratio distributions was performed and correlated with experimental data of particulate emissions. Satisfactory results were achieved, proving the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in predicting the effects of injection system and operating conditions on soot formation.
Emissions as functions of fuel oxygen and load from a premixed low-temperature combustion mode
Authors: Zhu Haoyue , Bohac Stanislav V , Huang Zhen , Assanis Dennis N
Published: October 2013

Soot, mono-nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon emissions are investigated as functions of fuel oxygen and engine load in a single-cylinder diesel engine operated in a premixed low-temperature combustion mode by isolating fuel oxygen from other fuel properties and removing or minimizing variations in engine combustion parameters. It is found that at high loads (high global equivalence ratios), soot is reduced as fuel oxygen increases. Over the load range tested, CO and hydrocarbon emissions are not affected by fuel oxygen fraction. NOx emission increases as load is decreased because intake composition changes. NOx emission is not directly affected by fuel oxygen. The difference in NOx emission among the different oxygen fuels is indirectly caused by different exhaust composition affecting intake composition. Combustion efficiency and indicated thermal efficiency are similar for the test fuels with different oxygen fractions.
Simulation of zero-day worm epidemiology in the dynamic, heterogeneous Internet
Authors: Tidy Luc , Woodhead Steve , Wetherall Jodie
Published: October 2013

The cost of a single zero-day network worm outbreak on the global Internet has been estimated at US$2.6 billion. In addition, zero-day network worm outbreaks have been observed that spread at a significant pace across the Internet, with an observed infection proportion of more than 90% of vulnerable hosts within 10 minutes. The threat posed by such fast-spreading malware to defence systems and national security is therefore significant, particularly given the fact that network operator/administrator intervention is not likely to take effect within the typical epidemiological timescale of such infections.

An accepted technology that is used to research the security threat presented by zero-day worms is that of simulation systems; however, only a subset of these focus on the Internet and issues persist regarding how representative these are of the Internet. The design of a novel simulator developed to address these issues, the Internet Worm Simulator (IWS), is presented along with experimental results for a selection of previous worm outbreaks compared against observed, empirical data and hypothetical outbreak scenarios. Based on a finite state machine for each network host, the IWS incorporates the dynamic, heterogeneous characteristics of the Internet and, on a single workstation, is able to simulate an IPv4-sized network.

Based on the analysis presented, the authors conclude that the IWS has the capability to simulate zero-day worm epidemiology on the dynamic, heterogeneous Internet for a variety of scenarios. These include simulating previous worm outbreaks that demonstrate random-scanning and hit list behaviour, as well as hypothetical scenarios that include a large susceptible populous and stealth-like behaviour.
Correlates of Body Depilation
Authors: Boroughs Michael S. , Thompson J. Kevin
Published: October 2013

Recent studies suggest that body hair may be of increasing importance in men’s overall body image. Body depilation is a relatively new area of clinical and research inquiry among men with much of the documented evidence of the phenomenon split between mass media accounts and descriptive scientific investigations. This study was undertaken to further our understanding of this behavior by examining the relationship between depilation and other dimensions of body image in a nonclinical sample. A total of 364 men completed measures assessing self-reported hair growth, body depilation, drive for muscularity, gender role conflict, body dysmorphia, and social comparison. The correlates of body depilation included a drive for muscularity, gender role conflict, and physical appearance social comparison. Significant differences were identified among men who depilate, compared with those who do not, on measures of social comparison and a drive for muscularity. These findings lend support for the idea that body hair, and its reduction or removal, is a key aspect of men’s body image that translates into some challenges in assessment and prevention among health care practitioners.
Why do pluralistic media systems emerge? Comparing media change in the Czech Republic and in Russia after the collapse of communism
Authors: Toepfl Florian
Published: October 2013

A quarter of a century after the collapse of communism in the former Eastern bloc, a wide range of scholarly projects have been undertaken to compare and theorize processes of media change in the region. One question that scholars have sought to address is: what were the factors that crucially impacted how these media landscapes evolved? This essay aims to contribute to this debate by juxtaposing media change in two selected cases: the Czech Republic (as a best-case scenario in terms of convergence with the Western model) and Russia (as a scenario where convergence has been limited). Based on secondary analysis of a wide range of sources, the essay systematically exposes 11 crucial differences between the two countries and illustrates how these have impacted the processes of media change. The conclusion sets out how these findings could serve as a starting point and source of inspiration for future comparative research.
Linkage mapping and expression analysis of miRNAs and their target genes during fiber development in cotton
Authors: Chen Xuemei , Gao Wenhui , Zhang Jinfa , Zhang Xianlong , Lin Zhongxu
Published: October 2013

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenously expressed, non-coding RNA molecules involved in gene transcription and expression that combine with specific mRNA site of target genes to inhibit protein synthesis or degrade mRNA. Since the first plant miRNA was reported in 2002, numerous new miRNAs and their targets have been discovered via high-throughput sequencing and computational approaches. However, the genetic variation of miRNA genes is poorly understood due to the lack of miRNA-specific DNA markers.

Results

To study the genetic variation and map miRNAs and their putative target genes in cotton, we designed specific primers based on pre-miRNAs and published putative target genes. A total of 83 pre-miRNA primers and 1,255 putative target gene primers were surveyed, and 9 pre-miRNA polymorphic loci were mapped on 7 of the 26 tetraploid cotton chromosomes. Furthermore, 156 polymorphic loci of the target genes were mapped on the cotton genome. To map more miRNA loci, miRNA-based SRAP (sequence-related amplified polymorphism) markers were used to map an additional 54 polymorphic loci on the cotton genome with the exception of Chr01, Chr22, and Chr24. Finally, a network between miRNAs and their targets was constructed. All pre-miRNAs and 98 putative target genes were selected for RT-PCR analysis, revealing unique expression patterns across different fiber development stages between the mapping parents.

Conclusions

Our data provide an overview of miRNAs, their putative targets, and their network in cotton as well as comparative expression analyses between Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense. These data provide a foundation for understanding miRNA regulation during cotton fiber development.
Genome analysis of Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra JG1 reveals various survival advantages in marine environment
Authors: Yu Min , Tang Kaihao , Liu Jiwen , Shi Xiaochong , Gulder Tobias AM , Zhang Xiao-Hua
Published: October 2013

Background

Competition between bacteria for habitat and resources is very common in the natural environment and is considered to be a selective force for survival. Many strains of the genus Pseudoalteromonas were confirmed to produce bioactive compounds that provide those advantages over their competitors. In our previous study, P. flavipulchra JG1 was found to synthesize a Pseudoalteromonas flavipulchra antibacterial Protein (PfaP) with L-amino acid oxidase activity and five small chemical compounds, which were the main competitive agents of the strain. In addition, the genome of this bacterium has been previously sequenced as Whole Genome Shotgun project (PMID: 22740664). In this study, more extensive genomic analysis was performed to identify specific genes or gene clusters which related to its competitive feature, and further experiments were carried out to confirm the physiological roles of these genes when competing with other microorganisms in marine environment.

Results

The antibacterial protein PfaP may also participate in the biosynthesis of 6-bromoindolyl-3-acetic acid, indicating a synergistic effect between the antibacterial macromolecule and small molecules. Chitinases and quorum quenching enzymes present in P. flavipulchra, which coincide with great chitinase and acyl homoserine lactones degrading activities of strain JG1, suggest other potential mechanisms contribute to antibacterial/antifungal activities. Moreover, movability and rapid response mechanisms to phosphorus starvation and other stresses, such as antibiotic, oxidative and heavy metal stress, enable JG1 to adapt to deleterious, fluctuating and oligotrophic marine environments.

Conclusions

The genome of P. flavipulchra JG1 exhibits significant genetic advantages against other microorganisms, encoding antimicrobial agents as well as abilities to adapt to various adverse environments. Genes involved in synthesis of various antimicrobial substances enriches the antagonistic mechanisms of P. flavipulchra JG1 and affords several admissible biocontrol procedures in aquaculture. Furthermore, JG1 also evolves a range of mechanisms adapting the adverse marine environment or multidrug rearing conditions. The analysis of the genome of P. flavipulchra JG1 provides a better understanding of its competitive properties and also an extensive application prospect.
Systematic interrogation of the Conus marmoreus venom duct transcriptome with ConoSorter reveals 158 novel conotoxins and 13 new gene superfamilies
Authors: Lavergne Vincent , Dutertre Sébastien , Jin Ai-hua , Lewis Richard J , Taft Ryan J , Alewood Paul F
Published: October 2013

Background

Conopeptides, often generically referred to as conotoxins, are small neurotoxins found in the venom of predatory marine cone snails. These molecules are highly stable and are able to efficiently and selectively interact with a wide variety of heterologous receptors and channels, making them valuable pharmacological probes and potential drug leads. Recent advances in next-generation RNA sequencing and high-throughput proteomics have led to the generation of large data sets that require purpose-built and dedicated bioinformatics tools for efficient data mining.

Results

Here we describe ConoSorter, an algorithm that categorizes cDNA or protein sequences into conopeptide superfamilies and classes based on their signal, pro- and mature region sequence composition. ConoSorter also catalogues key sequence characteristics (including relative sequence frequency, length, number of cysteines, N-terminal hydrophobicity, sequence similarity score) and automatically searches the ConoServer database for known precursor sequences, facilitating identification of known and novel conopeptides. When applied to ConoServer and UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot databases, ConoSorter is able to recognize 100% of known conotoxin superfamilies and classes with a minimum species specificity of 99%. As a proof of concept, we performed a reanalysis of Conus marmoreus venom duct transcriptome and (i) correctly classified all sequences previously annotated, (ii) identified 158 novel precursor conopeptide transcripts, 106 of which were confirmed by protein mass spectrometry, and (iii) identified another 13 novel conotoxin gene superfamilies.

Conclusions

Taken together, these findings indicate that ConoSorter is not only capable of robust classification of known conopeptides from large RNA data sets, but can also facilitate de novo identification of conopeptides which may have pharmaceutical importance.
Frailty and falls among adult patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: McAdams-DeMarco Mara A , Suresh Sunitha , Law Andrew , Salter Megan L , Gimenez Luis F , Jaar Bernard G , Walston Jeremy D , Segev Dorry L
Published: October 2013

Background

Patients undergoing hemodialysis are at high risk of falls, with subsequent complications including fractures, loss of independence, hospitalization, and institutionalization. Factors associated with falls are poorly understood in this population. We hypothesized that insights derived from studies of the elderly might apply to adults of all ages undergoing hemodialysis; we focused on frailty, a phenotype of physiological decline strongly associated with falls in the elderly.

Methods

In this prospective, longitudinal study of 95 patients undergoing hemodialysis (1/2009-3/2010), the association of frailty with future falls was explored using adjusted Poisson regression. Frailty was classified using the criteria established by Fried et al., as a combination of five components: shrinking, weakness, exhaustion, low activity, and slowed walking speed.

Results

Over a median 6.7-month period of longitudinal follow-up, 28.3% of study participants (25.9% of those under 65, 29.3% of those 65 and older) experienced a fall. After adjusting for age, sex, race, comorbidity, disability, number of medications, marital status, and education, frailty independently predicted a 3.09-fold (95% CI: 1.38-6.90, P=0.006) higher number of falls. This relationship between frailty and falls did not differ for younger and older adults (P=0.57).

Conclusions

Frailty, a validated construct in the elderly, was a strong and independent predictor of falls in adults undergoing hemodialysis, regardless of age. Our results may aid in identifying frail hemodialysis patients who could be targeted for multidimensional fall prevention strategies.
Genetically engineered endostatin-lidamycin fusion proteins effectively inhibit tumor growth and metastasis
Authors: Jiang Wen-guo , Lu Xin-an , Shang Bo-yang , Fu Yan , Zhang Sheng-hua , Zhou Daifu , Li Liang , Li Yi , Luo Yongzhang , Zhen Yong-su
Published: October 2013

Background

Endostatin (ES) inhibits endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation. It also shows antiangiogenesis and antitumor activities in several animal models. Endostatin specifically targets tumor vasculature to block tumor growth. Lidamycin (LDM), which consists of an active enediyne chromophore (AE) and a non-covalently bound apo-protein (LDP), is a member of chromoprotein family of antitumor antibiotics with extremely potent cytotoxicity to cancer cells. Therefore, we reasoned that endostatin-lidamycin (ES-LDM) fusion proteins upon energizing with enediyne chromophore may obtain the combined capability targeting tumor vasculature and tumor cell by respective ES and LDM moiety.

Methods

In this study, we designed and obtained two new endostatin-based fusion proteins, endostatin-LDP (ES-LDP) and LDP-endostatin (LDP-ES). In vitro, the antiangiogenic effect of fusion proteins was determined by the wound healing assay and tube formation assay and the cytotoxicity of their enediyne-energized analogs was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Tissue microarray was used to analyze the binding affinity of LDP, ES or ES-LDP with specimens of human lung tissue and lung tumor. The in vivo efficacy of the fusion proteins was evaluated with human lung carcinoma PG-BE1 xenograft and the experimental metastasis model of 4T1-luc breast cancer.

Results

ES-LDP and LDP-ES disrupted the formation of endothelial tube structures and inhibited endothelial cell migration. Evidently, ES-LDP accumulated in the tumor and suppressed tumor growth and metastasis. ES-LDP and ES show higher binding capability than LDP to lung carcinoma; in addition, ES-LDP and ES share similar binding capability. Furthermore, the enediyne-energized fusion protein ES-LDP-AE demonstrated significant efficacy against lung carcinoma xenograft in athymic mice.

Conclusions

The ES-based fusion protein therapy provides some fundamental information for further drug development. Targeting both tumor vasculature and tumor cells by endostatin-based fusion proteins and their enediyne-energized analogs probably provides a promising modality in cancer therapy.
In vivo confocal microscopy in goldenhar syndrome: a case report
Authors: Triolo Giacinto , Ferrari Giulio , Doglioni Claudio , Rama Paolo
Published: October 2013

Background

Goldenhar Syndrome is characterized by malformations of multiple anatomical districts. Between these, bulbar dermoids are common and represent a significant clinical problem as they can affect both ocular function and aesthetic comfort.

Histologic characterization of dermoids has been extensively performed; however, no reports exist describing in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) of these lesions. We aimed to (i) describe the in vivo confocal morphology of limbal dermoids in Goldenhar syndrome and (ii) compare these findings with standard light microscopy.

Case presentation

A 15-year-old Caucasian female affected by Goldenhar Syndrome showed a left, infero-temporal, limbal neoformation, with extension to the left orbital region. Prior to surgical removal, IVCM was performed with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II, Cornea Module, using the “section” modality. The IVCM sections showed structures resembling corneal epithelium and vascular structures. Surgical removal of the lesion was decided as it caused poor eyelid closure. After surgical removal, sectioning and standard optical microscopy were performed. The comparison between IVCM imaging and standard microscopy sections were highly correlated in the detection of the pilar and vascular structures.

Conclusions

This study showed that IVCM may be a useful technique to study limbal dermoids, given its ability to detect typical microscopic features and its comparability to optical microscopy, which is the current standard.
At the moment of occurrence of a fragility hip fracture, men have higher mechanical properties values in comparison with women
Authors: Vale Ana C , Aleixo Inês P , Lúcio Miguel , Saraiva André , Caetano-Lopes Joana , Rodrigues Ana , Amaral Pedro M , Rosa Luís G , Monteiro Jacinto , Fonseca João E , Vaz Maria F , Canhão Helena
Published: October 2013

Background

It is well established that males have lower fracture risk in comparison with females, which suggests a higher bone resistance in men. The aim of our study was to find out if in older patients with hip fragility fractures, gender has also an impact on trabecular bone material behaviour, specifically to determine whether trabecular mechanical properties under compressive loading differ between men and women who suffered a fragility hip fracture.

Methods

Femoral epiphyses were consecutively collected during hip replacement surgery due to proximal femur fragility fracture. Trabecular bone cylinders were drilled and submitted to uniaxial compression tests and mechanical properties were assessed.

Results

Seventy-three patients, 55 women (mean age 81 years and standard deviation of 7 years) and 18 men (mean age 81 years and standard deviation of 8 years) were evaluated. The ultimate stress of trabecular bone was significantly higher in men than in women: the median values and the interquartile range (IQR) were respectively 8.04(5.35-10.90) MPa vs. 4.46(3.02-7.73) MPa, (p-value = 0.005). The same difference between male and female was observed in the Young’s modulus: 293.68(166.67-538.18) MPa vs. 174.26(73.07-322.28) MPa, (p-value = 0.028), and also in the energy to failure: 0.25(0.07-0.42) MJ/m3 vs. 0.11(0.05-0.25) MJ/m3, (p-value = 0.058). These differences were also verified after adjusting the analysis for age in a multivariate model analysis.

Conclusions

Our observations demonstrated that, even in a population who suffered a fragility hip fracture, men still have higher trabecular bone mechanical properties in comparison with women.
Sacral nerve stimulation lead implantation using the o-arm
Authors: Hellström Pekka A , Katisko Jani , Finnilä Pertti , Vaarala Markku H
Published: October 2013

Background

Sacral neuromodulation operations have usually been performed based on 2D fluoro images. However, sacral nerve stimulation lead implantation may be challenging when the normal anatomy is confused by obesity or congenital anomalies. Thus the surgical navigation and intraoperative imaging methods could be helpful as those same methods have proven to be feasible methods for guiding other surgical operations. Our recent knowledge about the O-arm in trauma pelvic operations encouraged us to evaluate the usefulness of O-arm guided navigation in sacral neuromodulation. Similar navigation would be useful for complex sacral nerve stimulation lead implantations.

Methods

In this preliminary article we report our experience of utilizing the orthopedically optimized O-arm to implant the S3 stimulation electrode in a patient. The 3D O-arm imaging was performed intraoperatively under surgical navigation control. General anesthesia was used. The obtained 3D image dataset was registered automatically into the patient’s anatomy. The stimulation needle was guided and the tined lead electrode was implanted using navigation.

Results

The bony sacral structures were clearly visualized. Due to automatic registration, the navigation was practicable instantly after the O-arm scanning and operation could be performed successfully under navigation control.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first published tined lead implantation which was guided based on the surgical navigation and intraoperative O-arm images. In this case, the applied method was useful and helped the surgeon to demarcate the region of surgical interest. The method is slightly more invasive than the formal technique but could be an option in anatomically challenging cases and reoperations. However, further evaluation with larger patient series is required before definitive recommendations can be made.
Relationship between financial speculation and food prices or price volatility: applying the principles of evidence-based medicine to current debates in Germany
Authors: Bozorgmehr Kayvan , Gabrysch Sabine , Müller Olaf , Neuhann Florian , Jordan Irmgard , Knipper Michael , Razum Oliver
Published: October 2013

There is an unresolved debate about the potential effects of financial speculation on food prices and price volatility. Germany’s largest financial institution and leading global investment bank recently decided to continue investing in agricultural commodities, stating that there is little empirical evidence to support the notion that the growth of agricultural-based financial products has caused price increases or volatility. The statement is supported by a recently published literature review, which concludes that financial speculation does not have an adverse effect on the functioning of the agricultural commodities market. As public health professionals concerned with global food insecurity, we have appraised the methodological quality of the review using a validated and reliable appraisal tool. The appraisal revealed major shortcomings in the methodological quality of the review. These were particularly related to intransparencies in the search strategy and in the selection/presentation of studies and findings; the neglect of the possibility of publication bias; a lack of objective or rigorous criteria for assessing the scientific quality of included studies and for the formulation of conclusions. Based on the results of our appraisal, we conclude that it is not justified to reject the hypothesis that financial speculation might have adverse effects on food prices/price volatility. We hope to initiate reflections about scientific standards beyond the boundaries of disciplines and call for high quality, rigorous systematic reviews on the effects of financial speculation on food prices or price volatility.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging of the ascending stages of the auditory system in dogs
Authors: Bach Jan-Peter , Lüpke Matthias , Dziallas Peter , Wefstaedt Patrick , Uppenkamp Stefan , Seifert Hermann , Nolte Ingo
Published: October 2013

Background

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a technique able to localize neural activity in the brain by detecting associated changes in blood flow. It is an essential tool for studying human functional neuroanatomy including the auditory system. There are only a few studies, however, using fMRI to study canine brain functions. In the current study ten anesthetized dogs were scanned during auditory stimulation. Two functional sequences, each in combination with a suitable stimulation paradigm, were used in each subject. Sequence 1 provided periods of silence during which acoustic stimuli could be presented unmasked by scanner noise (sparse temporal sampling) whereas in sequence 2 the scanner noise was present throughout the entire session (continuous imaging). The results obtained with the two different functional sequences were compared.

Results

This study shows that with the proper experimental setup it is possible to detect neural activity in the auditory system of dogs. In contrast to human fMRI studies the strongest activity was found in the subcortical parts of the auditory pathways. Especially sequence 1 showed a high reliability in detecting activated voxels in brain regions associated with the auditory system.

Conclusion

These results indicate that fMRI is applicable for studying the canine auditory system and could become an additional method for the clinical evaluation of the auditory function of dogs. Additionally, fMRI is an interesting technique for future studies concerned with canine functional neuroanatomy.
Neuroethics, confidentiality, and a cultural imperative in early onset Alzheimer disease: a case study with a First Nation population
Authors: Stevenson Shaun , Beattie B Lynn , Vedan Richard , Dwosh Emily , Bruce Lindsey , Illes Judy
Published: October 2013

The meaningful consideration of cultural practices, values and beliefs is a necessary component in the effective translation of advancements in neuroscience to clinical practice and public discourse. Society’s immense investment in biomedical science and technology, in conjunction with an increasingly diverse socio-cultural landscape, necessitates the study of how potential discoveries in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease are perceived and utilized across cultures. Building on the work of neuroscientists, ethicists and philosophers, we argue that the growing field of neuroethics provides a pragmatic and constructive pathway to guide advancements in neuroscience in a manner that is culturally nuanced and relevant. Here we review a case study of one issue in culturally oriented neuroscience research where it is evident that traditional research ethics must be broadened and the values and needs of diverse populations considered for meaningful and relevant research practices. A global approach to neuroethics has the potential to furnish critical engagement with cultural considerations of advancements in neuroscience.