bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Liver iron quantification by 3 tesla MRI: Calibration on a rabbit model
Authors: Peng Peng , Huang Zhongkui , Long Liling , Zhao Fanyu , Li Chunyan , Li Wenmei , He Taigang
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To determine the feasibility of liver iron quantification by 3 Tesla (T) MRI using a novel iron overload rabbit model.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐two rabbits underwent iron dextran loading from 1 to 15 weeks. MRI signal intensity ratio (SIR) was measured using a gradient‐echo sequence, and R2(1/T2) measured using an eight‐echo spin‐echo sequence at 3T. Ex vivo hepatic pathology was obtained for all rabbits studied. Postmortem assessments of liver iron concentration (LIC) were conducted in an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. MRI measures were fitted against LIC using linear regression for 30 of the iron‐loaded rabbits. The remaining 12 iron‐loaded rabbits were used to test the prediction accuracy of the derived models.

Results

LIC was linearly correlated to both liver‐to‐muscle SIR (r = −0.845) and R2 (r = 0.965) in a range achieved in this study (LIC < 10 mg/g dry tissue) at 3T. By regression, the linear equations were determined as: (1) Y1 = 10.581−5.924X1 (Y1: LIC, X1:SIR); (2) Y2 = −1.273+0.103X2 (Y2:LIC, X2:R2). In the 12 test rabbits, the predicted LICs using the derived equations agreed well with the results obtained using the spectrophotometer.

Conclusion

Both SIR and R2 are highly correlated with LIC in a novel rabbit model. MRI quantification of liver iron overload is feasible at 3T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:1585–1590. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Surgical capsular release reduces flexion contracture in a rabbit model of arthrofibrosis
Authors: Barlow Jonathan D. , Hartzler Robert U. , Abdel Matthew P. , Morrey Mark E. , An Kai‐Nan , Steinmann Scott P. , Morrey Bernard F. , Sanchez‐Sotelo Joaquin
Published: May 2013

Animal models of joint contracture may be used to elucidate the mechanisms of arthrofibrosis. Patients with joint contracture commonly undergo surgical capsular release. Previous animal models of joint contracture do not simulate this aspect of arthrofibrosis. We hypothesize that a surgical capsular release will decrease the severity of arthrofibrosis in this rabbit model. A capsular contracture was surgically created in 20 skeletally mature rabbits. Eight weeks later, ten rabbits underwent capsular release, which consisted of elevation of the posterior capsule through a lateral incision and manipulation under anesthesia. Ten rabbits had a sham incision, without release (control group). Immediately after release or sham surgery, extension loss (calculated by subtracting the knee extension angle (degrees) of the operative limb from the nonoperative, contralateral limb) was measured using fluoroscopy. All animals were sacrificed following 16 weeks of postoperative free cage activity. At sacrifice, joint contracture was measured using a custom, calibrated device. The histology of the posterior joint capsule was assessed at sacrifice. All animals survived both operations without complications. Immediately after surgical release or sham surgery, the average extension loss was 129.2 ± 10.7° in the control group versus 29.6 ± 8.2° in the capsular release group (p = 0.0002). Following 16 weeks of remobilization, the average extension loss of the control and capsular release animals were 49.0 ± 12.7° and 36.5 ± 14.2°, respectively (p = 0.035). There were no histological differences between the two groups. In this animal model, a surgical capsular release decreased the extension loss (flexion contracture) immediately after surgery, as well as following sixteen weeks of remobilization. There were no histological changes detected in the posterior joint capsule. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1529–1532, 2013
Surface modification of cotton fabric with dual‐responsive PNIPAAm/chitosan nano hydrogel
Authors: Bashari A. , Hemmatinejad N. , Pourjavadi A.
Published: May 2013

The present study deals with preparing stimuli‐responsive poly N‐isopropyl acryl amide/chitosan (PNCS) nano hydrogel and looks into their effects as a surface modifying system of cotton fabric. The semi‐batch surfactant‐free emulsion polymerization method was proposed to reduce the size of particle and synthesis of PNCS nano particles. Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering methods confirmed the nano size of synthesized PNCS particles and sensitivity of these nano particles to the different temperature and pH, respectively. The water retention capacity (WRC) and carboxyl content of modified cotton with PNCS nano particles were assessed through the central composite design. The bounded PNCS nano particles to the surface of cotton fabrics made them responsive to these dual stimuli. The results demonstrated the dual effect of BTCA amount on WRC. Increase of the amount of BTCA itself led to the decrease of the WRC of modified cotton, but in the presence of PNCS, WRC was significantly increased. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of novel optically active poly(ester‐imide)s with high Tg and good thermal stability
Authors: Han Tao , Zhang Yi , Cao Qiaoying , Liu Siwei , Chi Zhenguo , Xu Jiarui
Published: May 2013

A series of novel optically active poly(ester‐imide)s (ter‐PEIs) with high glass transition temperature (Tg), good thermal stability, and solubility were successfully designed and synthesized by direct polycondensation reactions, using p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB), 4,4’‐dihydroxybenzophenone, and a chiral diacid, N,N'‐(pyromellitoyl)‐bis‐L‐phenylalanine diacid as monomers. The resulting terpolymers were characterized by1H‐NMR, FTIR, element analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, different scanning calorimeter and wide‐angle x‐ray diffraction, etc. The ter‐PEIs are amorphous polymers with good heat resistance and high Tgs. They are soluble in many common polar organic solvents and show optically rotation property. The specific rotation values of the ter‐PEIs increase with the molar ratio of the chiral diacid, and the rigid PHB monomer is beneficial to increase the Tgs of the polymers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) onto graphene oxide
Authors: Jin Suxing , Zhou Ninglin , Xu Dong , Shen Jian
Published: May 2013

The polyzwitterionic brushes comprised of poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (pMPC) segments, which are used for surface modification of polymers and biocompatible coatings, were investigated. In this work, reverse surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (RATRP) of zwitterionic 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) is employed to tailor the functionality of graphene oxide (GeneO) in a well‐controlled manner and produce a series of well‐defined hemocompatible hybrids (termed as GeneO‐g‐pMPC). The complexes were characterized by FT‐IR, XRD, and Raman. Results show that MPC has been coordinated on the graphene oxide sheet. Thermal stability of the nanocomposites in comparison with the neat copolymer is revealed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope images of the nanoconposite displays pMPC chains were capable of existing on GeneO sheet by RATRP. The biocompatibility properties were measured by plasma recalcification profile tests, hemolysis test, and MTT assays, respectively. The results confirm that the pMPC grafting can substantially enhance the hemocompatibility of the GeneO particles, and the GeneO‐g‐pMPC hybrids can be used as biomaterials without causing any hemolysis. With the versatility of RATRP and the excellent hemocompatibility of zwitterionic polymer chains, the GeneO‐g‐pMPC nanoparticles with desirable blood properties can be readily tailored to cater to various biomedical applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Opinions and practice patterns of obstetricians–gynecologists in the United States regarding amniocentesis in twins
Authors: Vink Joy , Anderson Britta , Fuchs Karin , Schulkin Jay , D'Alton Mary E.
Published: May 2013

Objective

Accurate amniocentesis‐related pregnancy loss (ARL) rates for twin gestations remains elusive because of varying ARL definitions in the literature. We examined how OB/GYNs define/counsel women carrying twins about ARL.

Methods

A random sample of 1000 American College of OB/GYN (ACOG) fellows and ACOG Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (CARN) members were mailed surveys about their opinions/practice patterns regarding amniocentesis in twins. There were 208/400 (52%) CARN members and 166/600 (27%) ACOG fellows who returned the survey (37% response rate).

Results

Of respondents, 80.8% practiced general OB/GYN, and 9.1% practiced maternal fetal medicine. Of respondents, 72% discussed amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis. Of these, 91.7% discuss the risk of ARL; however, 47.4% do not quote an ARL rate. Of those who discuss ARL rates, 65% quote a rate greater than for singletons. Regarding monochorionic–diamniotic twins, 12.1% of respondents said the ARL rate was less, 39.6% said equal to, and 38.9% said greater than for dichorionic twins. Table 1 lists the most common clinical definitions/time intervals used to describe ARL.

Conclusion

Various definitions/ARL rates are used when counseling about ARL in twins. Further studies using a widely accepted definition of ARL are necessary to improve the counseling of women considering amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis in twins. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regression analysis for multiple‐disease group testing data
Authors: Zhang Boan , Bilder Christopher R. , Tebbs Joshua M.
Published: May 2013

Group testing, where individual specimens are composited into groups to test for the presence of a disease (or other binary characteristic), is a procedure commonly used to reduce the costs of screening a large number of individuals. Group testing data are unique in that only group responses may be available, but inferences are needed at the individual level. A further methodological challenge arises when individuals are tested in groups for multiple diseases simultaneously, because unobserved individual disease statuses are likely correlated. In this paper, we propose new regression techniques for multiple‐disease group testing data. We develop an expectation–solution based algorithm that provides consistent parameter estimates and natural large‐sample inference procedures. We apply our proposed methodology to chlamydia and gonorrhea screening data collected in Nebraska as part of the Infertility Prevention Project and to prenatal infectious disease screening data from Kenya. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimized succinct data structures for massive data
Authors: Gog Simon , Petri Matthias
Published: May 2013

Succinct data structures provide the same functionality as their corresponding traditional data structure in compact space. We improve on functions rank and select, which are the basic building blocks of FM‐indexes and other succinct data structures. First, we present a cache‐optimal, uncompressed bitvector representation that outperforms all existing approaches. Next, we improve, in both space and time, on a recent result by Navarro and Providel on compressed bitvectors. Last, we show techniques to perform rank and select on 64‐bit words that are up to three times faster than existing methods. In our experimental evaluation, we first show how our improvements affect cache and runtime performance of both operations on data sets larger than commonly used in the evaluation of succinct data structures. Our experiments show that our improvements to these basic operations significantly improve the runtime performance and compression effectiveness of FM‐indexes on small and large data sets. To our knowledge, our improvements result in FM‐indexes that are either smaller or faster than all current state of the art implementations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Debates and controversies
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: May 2013

The subject of men's health abounds with controversies and we intend Trends in Urology & Men's Health to become the key forum in which these issues are discussed and debated. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
Preserving reproductive capacity in young boys with cancer
Authors: Gan Hoong Wei , Spoudeas Helen A.
Published: May 2013

In this article, the authors explore the possibilities and particular developmental and ethical issues surrounding sperm cryopreservation in young boys with cancer, and examine the unique legal implications of fertility counselling in adolescence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons
The trouble with men
Authors: Kirby Roger , Kirby Michael , Carson Culley , Fitzpatrick John M.
Published: May 2013

Men die, on average, five years earlier than women. This difference in longevity has been described as the gender gap. For many years it was assumed that there must be some underlying genetic basis for this reduced life expectancy of males compared with females. Recently, however, it has been recognised that the problem lies in the fact that men lack awareness about their health and look after themselves very much less well than do females.
Long‐Term Results Using Old Liver Grafts for Transplantation: Sexagenerian Versus Liver Donors Older than 70 Years
Authors: Jiménez‐Romero Carlos , Clemares‐Lama Marta , Manrique‐Municio Alejandro , García‐Sesma Alvaro , Calvo‐Pulido Jorge , Moreno‐González Enrique
Published: May 2013

Background

The most practical measure to augment the available number of liver grafts and thus reduce waiting list mortality is to increase the donor age limit. We hypothesized that with careful selection of old liver donors without age limit it should be possible to obtain good patient and graft survival.

Methods

The present study comprises 351 adults who underwent liver transplantation. They were divided into three groups according to the age of the liver donors: group 1: 226 recipients of donors <60 years; group 2: 75 recipients of donors between 60 and 70 years; and group 3: 50 recipients of donors >70 years. A comparative study among the groups was performed.

Results

Patient survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were, respectively, 81.0, 76.1, and 71.1 % in group 1; 83.8, 74, and 72.2 % in group 2; and 76, 70.0, and 62.9 % in group 3 (P = NS). Graft survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was, respectively, 74.8, 69.0, and 64.1 % in group 1; 82.7, 71.4, and 69.6 % in group 2; and 71.4, 64.8, and 58.3 % in group 3 (P = NS). We analyzed the use of older grafts in recipients with HCV cirrhosis and did not find significant differences in patient and graft survival at 1, 3, and 5 years. In multivariate analysis increased donor body mass index and decreased recipient albumin were associated with lower patient and graft survival.

Conclusions

Because patient and graft survival rates are not affected by donor age, well‐selected older donor livers can be safely used if they show good function and preharvesting conditions.
Identification and functional characterization of two Δ12-fatty acid desaturases associated with essential linoleic acid biosynthesis inPhyscomitrella patens
Authors: Chodok Pichit , Eiamsa-ard Pradinunt , Cove David J , Quatrano Ralph S , Kaewsuwan Sireewan
Published: May 2013

Two Δ12-desaturases associated with the primary steps of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) biosynthesis were successfully cloned from Physcomitrella patens and their functions identified. The open reading frames (ORFs) of PpFAD2-1 and PpFAD2-2 consisted of 1,128 bp and code for 375 amino acids. Their deduced polypeptides showed 62–64 % identity to microsomal Δ12-desaturases from other higher plants, and each contained the three histidine clusters typical of the catalytic domains of such enzymes. Yeast cells transformed with plasmid constructs containing PpFAD2-1 or PpFAD2-2 produced an appreciable amount of hexadecadienoic (16:2 Δ9,12) and linoleic acids (18:2 Δ9,12), not normally present in wild-type yeast cells, indicating that the genes encoded functional Δ12-desaturase enzymes. In addition, reduction of the growth temperature from 30 to 15 °C resulted in increased accumulation of unsaturated fatty acid products.
Use of an EZ-Tn5-based random mutagenesis system to create aZymomonas mobiliswith significant tolerance to heat stress and malnutrition
Authors: Jia Xianghui , Wei Na , Wang Tianyv , Wang Haoyong
Published: May 2013

During ethanol production, the fermentation cells are always exposed to stresses like high temperature and low nutritional conditions, which affect their growth and productivity. Stress-tolerant strains with high ethanol yield are highly desirable. Therefore, a recombinant Zymomonas mobilis (Z. mobilis) designated as HYM was constructed by integrating three genes (yfdZ, metB, and Pfu-sHSP) into the genome of Z. mobilis CP4 (CP4) via Tn5 transposon in the present study. The yfdZ and metB genes from E. coli were used to decrease the nutritional requirement. The small heat shock protein gene (Pfu-sHSP) from Pyrococcus furiosus (P. furiosus) was used to increase the heat tolerance. The genomic integration of three genes confers on Z. mobilis the ability to grow in simple chemical defined medium without the addition of amino acid. The HYM not only demonstrated the high tolerance to unfavorable lower nutrition stresses but also the capability of converting glucose to ethanol with high yield at higher temperature. What is more, these genetic characteristics were stable up to 100 generations on nonselective medium. The effects of glucose concentration, fermentation temperature, and initial pH on ethanol production of the mutant strain HYM were optimized using a Box–Behnken design (BBD) experiment. The integration of three genes led to a significant increase in ethanol production by 9 % compared with its original Z. mobilis counterpart. The maximum ethanol production of HYM was as high as 105 g/l.
Adolescent Sexual Assault Disclosure: The Impact of Peers, Families, and Schools
Authors: Fehler-Cabral Giannina , Campbell Rebecca
Published: May 2013

Adolescent sexual assault survivors are more likely to seek support from peers and families than to formal help systems, such as the medical and legal systems. In this study, we conducted in‐depth qualitative interviews with N = 20 adolescent sexual assault survivors aged 14–17 who obtained services from Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Programs to understand the pathways that led them to seek formal help. Our goal was to examine how survivors’ initial disclosures to peers, families, and schools facilitated adolescents’ access to formal help systems. Additionally, we explored how peer, family and school systems interact as mesosystems to effect subsequent disclosures. Results show that the peer and family microsystems were decisive in survivors’ willingness to enter formal systems. Disclosure became more complex when peer, family, and school personnel all became aware of the assault. When these mesosystem interactions occurred with survivors’ consent and produced a helpful response, they were perceived as positive. Alternatively, mesosystem interactions in which survivors had minimal control resulted in greater reluctance to enter formal systems. These conclusions highlight the need educating informal support providers about community services in order to make the disclosure process easier and beneficial for survivors’ recovery and well‐being.
Inadequate Housing Among Families Under Investigation for Child Abuse and Neglect: Prevalence from a National Probability Sample
Authors: Fowler Patrick J. , Henry David B. , Schoeny Michael , Landsverk John , Chavira Dina , Taylor Jeremy J.
Published: May 2013

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of inadequate housing that threaten out‐of‐home placement among families under investigation by child welfare. Data came from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well‐Being, a nationally representative longitudinal survey of child welfare‐involved families. Child protective services caseworkers as well as caregivers provided information on families whose child remained in the home after initial investigation (N = 3,867). Multilevel latent class analyses tested the presence of inadequately housed subgroups using 4 housing problem indicators at baseline. Logistic regressions assessed convergent and predictive validity. A two class latent solution best fit the data. Findings indicated that inadequate housing contributed to risk for out‐of‐home placement in approximately 16 % of intact families under investigation by child protective services. These families were 4 times more likely to need housing services 12 months later. Federal legislation emphasizes integration of social services as necessary to end homelessness. This study demonstrates overlap across public agencies. Enhanced coordination of child welfare and housing services facilitates interventions to prevent and mitigate homelessness.
Critical role of exosomes in sperm–egg fusion and virus‐induced cell–cell fusion
Authors: Harada Yuichirou , Yoshida Keiichi , Kawano Natsuko , Miyado Kenji
Published: May 2013

In mammals, two integral membrane proteins, sperm IZUMO1 and egg CD9, regulate sperm–egg fusion, and their roles are critical, but yet unclear. Recent studies, however, indicate interesting connections between the sperm–egg fusion and virus‐induced cell–cell fusion. First, CD9‐containing exosome‐like vesicles, which are released from wild‐type eggs, can induce the fusion between sperm and CD9‐deficient egg, even though CD9‐deficient eggs are highly refractory to the fusion with sperm. This finding provides strong evidence for the involvement of CD9‐containing, fusion‐facilitating vesicles in the sperm–egg fusion. Secondly, there are similarities between the generation of retroviruses in the host cells and the formation of small cellular vesicles, termed exosomes, in mammalian cells. The exosomes are involved in intercellular communication through transfer of proteins and ribonucleic acids (RNAs) including mRNAs and microRNAs. These collective studies provide an insight into the molecular mechanism of membrane fusion events.
HSF2BP represses BNC1 transcriptional activity by sequestering BNC1 to the cytoplasm
Authors: Wu Yujian , Liao Shangying , Wang Xiuxia , Wang Si , Wang Min , Han Chunsheng
Published: May 2013

Basonuclin (BNC1), a zinc finger transcriptional factor, is essential for mouse spermatogenesis. However, the regulatory mechanisms of BNC1 in spermatogenesis are poorly understood. In this study, we identified HSF2BP, a testis‐specific binding protein of HSF2, as a binding partner of BNC1 by using yeast two‐hybrid screening. HSF2BP could interact with and inhibit BNC1 transcriptional activity without affecting its expression level. Moreover, coexpression of HSF2BP with BNC1 resulted in a striking redistribution of BNC1 to the cytoplasm. These data suggest that HSF2BP may play a pivotal role in regulating BNC1 transcriptional activity and subcellular localization during spermatogenesis.
Stress proteins are used by the immune system for cognate interactions with anti‐inflammatory regulatory T cells
Authors: van Eden Willem , van Herwijnen Martijn , Wagenaar Josée , van Kooten Peter , Broere Femke , van der Zee Ruurd
Published: May 2013

Since the initial discovery of the protective role of heat shock protein (HSP) 60 in arthritis, T cell recognition of endogenous HSP was found to be one of the possible underlying mechanisms. Recently we have uncovered potent disease‐suppressive Tregs (anti‐inflammatory immunosuppressive T cells) recognizing HSP70 self‐antigens, and enabling selective targeting of such Tregs to inflamed tissues. HSP70 is a major contributor to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II ligandome and we have shown that a conserved HSP70‐epitope (B29) is abundantly present in murine MHC Class II. Upon transfer, B29‐induced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells suppressed established proteoglycan‐induced arthritis (PGIA) in mice. These self‐antigen specific Tregs were activated in vivo and as little as 4.000 cells sufficed to fully inhibit arthritis. Furthermore, in vivo depletion of transferred Tregs abrogated disease suppression. Given that B29 can be presented by most human MHC class II molecules and that B29 inhibited arthritis in HLA‐DQ8 (human MHC) transgenic mice, we feel that therapeutic vaccination with selected HSP peptides can be an effective route for induction of anti‐inflammatory Tregs as a novel intervention in chronic inflammatory diseases.
Successful radiofrequency catheter ablation assisted by the CartoSound® system for outflow tract origin nonsustained ventricular tachycardia in a patient with a severely deformed thorax
Authors: Onishi Naoaki , Kaitani Kazuaki , Amano Masashi , Hayama Yukiko , Nakajima Seiko , Hanazawa Koji , Tamaki Yodo , Miyake Makoto , Tamura Toshihiro , Kondo Hirokazu , Motooka Makoto , Izumi Chisato , Nakagawa Yoshihisa
Published: May 2013

We report the case of a 72‐year‐old man with a nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and a history of palpitations. He had a severely deformed thorax since childhood due to spinal caries. An integrated computed tomography image of the outflow tract region from the CartoSound® system revealed the detailed anatomical information around the origin of the tachycardia and that the left anterior descending coronary artery was very close (<10 mm) to the target site. We carefully ablated that site with a 3.5‐mm cooled‐tip catheter while confirming it in the sound view, and succeeded without any complications.
Hermitian periodicity and cohomology of infinite orthogonal groups
Authors: Berrick A. J. , Karoubi M. , Østvær P. A.
Published: May 2013

As an application of our papers in hermitian K-theory, in favourable cases we prove the periodicity of hermitian K-groups with a shorter period than previously obtained. We also compute the homology and cohomology with field coeffcients of infinite orthogonal and symplectic groups of specific rings of integers in a number field.
Time-course and Severity of Acute Effects of Tobacco Abstinence in Smokers with Subclinical Depressive Symptoms or Alcohol Consumption
Authors: Peters Erica N. , Cooney Judith L. , Liss Thomas , Liss Amanda , Torello Rachel , Franco Christine , Cavallo Dana A. , O'Malley Stephanie S. , Krishnan-Sarin Suchitra
Published: May 2013

Introduction: Smokers with depressive and alcohol use disorders report more severe tobacco abstinence effects (e.g., tobacco withdrawal and craving, mood and sleep disturbance), but less is known about abstinence effects among smokers with subclinical features of these disorders.

Aims: The time-course and severity of acute abstinence effects were evaluated in smokers with and without subclinical depressive symptoms (DEP) and with and without subclinical alcohol consumption (ALC). Methods: Participants (N = 106) received smoking cessation counselling and were contingently compensated for biochemically-verified smoking abstinence. Abstinence effects were assessed pre-quit and daily for eight days post-quit.

Results/Findings: Seventy-four participants (70%) achieved eight-day continuous smoking abstinence. Generalised estimating equations revealed that time and DEP group significantly interacted to predict change in Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (WSWS) Anxiety (Wald = 21.18, p < .01) and Questionnaire of Smoking Urges Relief from Negative Affect (Wald = 20.12, p < .01) subscale scores. Time and ALC group significantly interacted to predict change in Profile of Mood States (POMS) Fatigue subscale score (Wald = 19.78, p < .01). Compared to non-DEP smokers, DEP smokers reported higher mean post-quit scores on several measures of abstinence effects, including WSWS Sadness and POMS Total; however, pre-quit differences between DEP groups may have confounded post-quit differences.

Conclusions: Smokers with subclinical depressive symptoms endorsed high levels of abstinence effects, but it was unclear if these were related to the absence of tobacco. Smokers with subclinical alcohol consumption did not endorse high levels of abstinence effects but abstinence-related fatigue took longer to improve.
Restricting night-time eating reduces daily energy intake in healthy young men: a short-term cross-over study
Authors: LeCheminant James D. , Christenson Ed , Bailey Bruce W. , Tucker Larry A.
Published: May 2013

Few experimental data are available to support the notion that reducing night-time eating changes total daily energy intake (EI) or body weight in healthy adults. The present study primarily examined the short-term effect of night eating restriction (NER) on daily EI in healthy young men. It secondarily examined body weight and moods associated with NER. Using a cross-over design, twenty-nine men (20·9 (sd 2·5) years; 24·4 (sd 2·5) kg/m2) initiated a 2-week NER intervention (elimination of EI from 19.00 to 06.00 hours) and a 2-week control condition, counterbalanced and separated by a 1-week washout period. EI and macronutrient intake were assessed using computerised, multiple-pass 24 h food recalls, body weight via a digital scale and mood using the Profile of Mood States survey. Of the twenty-nine participants, twenty-seven (93 %) completed all aspects of the study. During the NER condition, the participants consumed less total energy per d than during the control condition (10 125 v. 11 146 kJ/d; F= 6·41; P= 0·018). During the NER condition, no energy was reported consumed between 19.00 and 06.00 hours; however, during the control condition, the energy intake of participants was 2920 (sd 1347) kJ/d between 19.00 and 06.00 hours. There was a significant difference in weight change between the NER ( − 0·4 (sd 1·1) kg) and control (+0·6 (sd 0·9) kg) conditions (F= 22·68; P< 0·001). Differences in total mood score or mood subscales between the NER and control conditions were not apparent (P>0·05). These findings provide support for NER decreasing short-term EI in healthy young men.
Serum silicon concentrations in pregnant women and newborn babies
Authors: Jugdaohsingh Ravin , Anderson Simon H. C. , Lakasing Lorin , Sripanyakorn Supannee , Ratcliffe Sarah , Powell Jonathan J.
Published: May 2013

Earlier studies in animals have suggested an essential role for Si in connective tissues, but such works have not been replicated per se. Nonetheless, a study conducted in 2000 has reported that Si may be essential during pregnancy for the growing fetus, since serum Si concentrations in infants were approximately 300 % higher than those in older children and adults and serum Si concentrations in pregnant women were approximately 300 % lower than those in age-matched non-pregnant controls. To reproduce these potentially important findings, in the present study, serum Si concentrations were measured in fourteen pregnant women (15–24 weeks of gestation) and compared with those of seventeen non-pregnant, non-lactating female controls. Serum Si concentrations were also measured in fourteen full-term mothers at the time of delivery and in the umbilical cord (UC) vein and artery where possible. Fasting serum Si concentrations in pregnant women were not significantly different from those of the female controls and showed little change with advancing gestation (r 0·2). Mean serum Si concentrations in the UC vein samples were 52 % higher, while those in the UC artery samples were 235 % higher than those in the maternal forearm vein samples, although data were widely spread and differences were not significant. Mean maternal forearm vein Si concentrations at delivery were 50 % lower than those of pregnant women and female controls, but, again, these were not significant. Overall, we note that there are significant analytical challenges in comparing baseline Si levels between different groups; notwithstanding, our findings cannot confirm a reduction in fasting serum Si levels during pregnancy, but, equally, we cannot rule out higher serum Si levels in newborns than in their mothers, and further work is required.
Resolving multiple host use of an emergent pest of cotton with microsatellite data and chloroplast markers (Creontiades dilutusStål; Hemiptera, Miridae)
Authors: Hereward James P. , DeBarro Paul J. , Walter Gimme H.
Published: May 2013

Following the global uptake of transgenic cotton several Hemipteran pests have emerged as primary targets for pesticide control. Previous research on one such emergent pest: the green mirid,Creontiades dilutus, indicated differential use of two crop hosts, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, Malvaceae) and lucerne (alfalfa) (Medicago sativa, Fabaceae). We tested the hypothesis that this apparent demographic independence of lucerne and cotton inhabiting mirids is the result of cryptic species being associated with these two crops. We assessed gene flow using microsatellite markers across adjacent cotton and lucerne crops at three geographically separated sites (up to 900 km apart). We also analysed the recent feeding behaviour of these insects by amplifying chloroplast markers from their gut contents. We find high gene flow between these two crops (mean pair wiseFSTbetween host plants=0.0141 within localities), and no evidence of cryptic species. Furthermore, the gut analyses revealed evidence of substantial recent movement between these two crops. We discuss the implications of these results for interpreting multiple host use in this species and setting future research priorities for this economically important pest.
The carbon footprint of UK sheep production: current knowledge and opportunities for reduction in temperate zones
Authors: JONES A. K. , JONES D. L. , CROSS P.
Published: May 2013

Livestock production is a significant source of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions globally. In any sheep-producing nation, an effective agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation strategy must include sheep-targeted interventions. The most prominent interventions suited to sheep systems are reviewed in the current paper, with a focus on farm-level enteric CH4and soil N2O emissions. A small number of currently available interventions emerge which have broad consensus on their mitigation potential. These include breeding to increase lambing percentages and diet formulation to minimize nitrogen excretion. The majority of interventions still require significant research and development before deployment. Research into the efficacy of interventions such as incorporation of biochar is in its infancy, while for others such as dietary supplements, successes in isolated studies now need to be replicated in long-term field trials under a range of conditions. Enhancing understanding of underlying biological processes will allow capitalization of interventions such as vaccination against rumen methanogenesis and pasture drainage. Many interventions cannot be recommended at a regional or national scale because, either, their mitigation potential is inextricably linked to soil and weather conditions in the locality of use, or their use is restricted to more intensive, closely managed systems. Distilling the long list of interventions to produce an effective farm-level mitigation strategy must involve: accounting for all GHG fluxes and interactions, identifying complimentary sets of additive interventions, and accounting for baseline emissions and current practice. Tools such as whole farm GHG models and marginal abatement cost curves are crucial in the development of tailored, practical sheep farm GHG mitigation strategies.
COGNITIVE ABILITIES OF EMIRATI AND GERMAN ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Authors: RINDERMANN HEINER , BAUMEISTER ANTONIA E. E. , GRÖPER ANNE
Published: May 2013

According to human capital theory, individual competences and personality attributes are relevant for individual productivity and income. Within human capital, intelligence is crucial. To study engineering and work successfully as an engineer, high cognitive abilities are necessary, especially for work in research and development. In a study of 30 German and 30 Emirati engineering students (mean age: 22 years), both groups were tested with mathematical and figural intelligence scales (CogAT). German engineering students achieved a mean IQ of 116, and Emirati students 104 (in converted UK norms). In both groups male students achieved better results than females (2 to 4 IQ point difference). The results are compared with those from PISA and TIMSS. The possible causes of these results, their consequences and strategies for improvement are discussed.
An Optimal World Portfolio on the Eve of World War I: Was There a Bias to Investing in the New World Rather Than in Europe?
Authors: Edlinger Cécile , Merli Maxime , Parent Antoine
Published: May 2013

The geographical distributions of French and British foreign investment portfolios differ markedly before World War I. Did French portfolios favor European investments just as British portfolios favored “New World” assets? Should economic rationality have encouraged investors to invest widely in the “New World” rather than in Europe? Combining Modern Portfolio Theory and a new data set comprising assets listed on the Paris and London Stock Exchanges, we show that investing in the “New World” did not yield higher returns than investing in Europe. The “European preference” of the Paris Bourse and, by extension, of French investors was not inefficient.
A passive dynamic walking model with Coulomb friction at the hip joint
Authors: Guo Wenhao , Wang Tianshu , Wang Qi
Published: May 2013

This paper presents a modified passive dynamic walking model with hip friction. We add Coulomb friction to the hip joint of a two-dimensional straight-legged passive dynamic walker. The walking map is divided into two parts – the swing phase and the impact phase. Coulomb friction and impact make the model's dynamic equations nonlinear and non-smooth, and a numerical algorithm is given to deal with this model. We study the effects of hip friction on gait and obtain basins of attraction of different coefficients of friction.
Research in urban history: recent theses on crime in the city, 1750–1900
Authors: NEALE MATT
Published: May 2013

Doctoral theses have always had an important place in the historiography of crime, and indeed much of the discipline's most influential research has emerged from postgraduate study. For many years, the investigation of crime and justice in Britain was a staple topic of doctoral research, and theses by members of E.P. Thompson's ‘Warwick School’ had a shaping influence on the early debates of the discipline. In the British context, these early debates were concerned with questions about who could access the law and the extent to which the courts were used to enforce the values of particular social groups. More recently, scholars have given an increased amount of attention to the influence of newspaper reporting on perceptions of crime, and on the importance of printed accounts of crimes, trials and executions as texts which represented the function and effectiveness of the law in particular ways. Furthermore, over the last few decades our knowledge of policing and punishment in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Europe has greatly expanded, providing important insights into two very important aspects of the judicial process.
A Poor Association Between Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Location and Public Automated External Defibrillator Placement
Authors: Levy Matthew J. , Seaman Kevin G. , Millin Michael G. , Bissell Richard A. , Jenkins J. Lee
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Much attention has been given to the strategic placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of strategically placed AEDs and the actual location of cardiac arrests.

Methods

A retrospective review of data maintained by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS), specifically, the Maryland Cardiac Arrest Database and the Maryland AED Registry, was conducted. Location types for AEDs were compared with the locations of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Howard County, Maryland. The respective locations were compared using scatter diagrams and r2 statistics.

Results

The r2 statistics for AED location compared with witnessed cardiac arrest and total cardiac arrests were 0.054 and 0.051 respectively, indicating a weak relationship between the two variables in each case. No AEDs were registered in the three most frequently occurring locations for cardiac arrests (private homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities) and no cardiac arrests occurred at the locations where AEDs were most commonly placed (community pools, nongovernment public buildings, schools/educational facilities).

Conclusion

A poor association exists between the location of cardiac arrests and the location of AEDs.

LevyMJ, SeamanKG, MillinMG, BissellRA, JenkinsJL. A poor association between out-of-hospital cardiac arrest location and public automated external defibrillator placement. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(4):1-6.
Age-Related Changes in Error Monitoring of an Everyday Task
Authors: Balouch Sara , Rusted Jennifer M.
Published: May 2013

The process of checking in an everyday task to ensure error prevention/error correction, has not been systematically documented in relation to everyday action errors. This is surprising, given that studies of everyday task performance in people with dementia suggest poor error monitoring (error detection/correction). The present study documented age-related changes in errors and error monitoring behaviors, including the novel variable of checking (verbal/non-verbal gestures indicating active task monitoring), in an everyday task. In a 2 × 2 mixed-subjects design (n = 57), young and older adults performed a tea-making task under standard and dual-task conditions. Error rates were similar across age-groups and conditions. The dual-task condition reduced verbal checking and increased microslips (initiation and termination of an error before the error is completed) for both age-groups, when compared to the standard condition. In the standard condition, older adults engaged in more verbal checks than young adults, but this was not associated with improved task accuracy. Thus, both age-groups do engage in checking during an everyday task, but this checking had little impact on task accuracy. Consequently, checking may not be a necessary part of performance accuracy. Future studies should investigate whether enhanced awareness would make monitoring more effective. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–10)
Epigenetic regulation of placental endocrine lineages and complications of pregnancy
Authors: John Rosalind M.
Published: May 2013

A defining feature of mammals is the development in utero of the fetus supported by the constant flow of nutrients from the mother obtained via a specialized organ: the placenta. The placenta is also a major endocrine organ that synthesizes vast quantities of hormones and cytokines to instruct both maternal and fetal physiology. Nearly 20 years ago, David Haig and colleagues proposed that placental hormones were likely targets of the epigenetic process of genomic imprinting in response to the genetic conflicts imposed by in utero development [Haig (1993) Q. Rev. Biol. 68, 495–532]. There are two simple mechanisms through which genomic imprinting could regulate placental hormones. First, imprints could directly switch on or off alleles of specific genes. Secondly, imprinted genes could alter the expression of placental hormones by regulating the development of placental endocrine lineages. In mice, the placental hormones are synthesized in the trophoblast giant cells and spongiotrophoblast cells of the mature placenta. In the present article, I review the functional role of imprinted genes in regulating these endocrine lineages, which lends support to Haig's original hypothesis. I also discuss how imprinting defects in the placenta may adversely affect the health of the fetus and its mother during pregnancy and beyond.
Dosage-sensitivity of imprinted genes expressed in the brain: 15q11–q13 and neuropsychiatric illness
Authors: McNamara Gráinne I. , Isles Anthony R.
Published: May 2013

Imprinted genes, those genes subject to parent-of-origin-specific epigenetic marking resulting in monoallelic parent-specific expression, are sensitive to subtle changes in expression dosage. This has been illustrated in a number of experimental models and the fact that both decreased (or complete loss) and increased imprinted gene expression can lead to human diseases. In the present paper, we discuss the consequence of increased dosage of imprinted genes for brain function, focusing on the PWS (Prader–Willi syndrome) locus on human chromosome 15q11–q13 and how predicted increases in dosage of maternally expressed imprinted genes from this interval are associated with a higher risk of developing psychotic illness. The evidence for this comes from individuals with PWS itself and also non-syndromic cases of psychosis in carriers of a maternally derived copy number variant spanning this locus. Of the known imprinted genes in this region, the prime candidate is maternally expressed UBE3A, which encodes E6-AP (E6-associated protein) ubiquitin ligase and has an influence on a number of important neurotransmitter systems. Furthermore, these findings point to the fact that brain function is exquisitely sensitive to both decreases and increases in the expression of imprinted genes.
CHD4 in the DNA-damage response and cell cycle progression: not so NuRDy now
Authors: O’Shaughnessy Aoife , Hendrich Brian
Published: May 2013

The CHD4 (chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding 4) (or Mi-2β) protein is a founding component of the NuRD (nucleosome remodelling and deacetylation) complex. NuRD has long been known to function in transcriptional regulation, and is conserved throughout the animal and plant kingdoms. In recent years, evidence has steadily accumulated indicating that CHD4 can both function outside of the NuRD complex and also play important roles in cellular processes other than transcriptional regulation. A number of loss-of-function studies have identified important roles for CHD4 in the DNA-damage response and in cell cycle progression through S-phase and into G2. Furthermore, as part of NuRD, it participates in regulating acetylation levels of p53, thereby indirectly regulating the G1/S cell cycle checkpoint. Although CHD4 has a somewhat complicated relationship with the cell cycle, recent evidence indicates that CHD4 may exert some tumour-suppressor functions in human carcinogenesis. CHD4 is a defining member of the NuRD complex, but evidence is accumulating that CHD4 also plays important NuRD-independent roles in the DNA-damage response and cell cycle progression, as well as in transcriptional regulation.
Transgenerational inheritance of non-genetically determined phenotypes
Authors: Holland Michelle L. , Rakyan Vardhman K.
Published: May 2013

Inheritance of non-genetic factors permits ancestral environmental history to inform the development of subsequent generations. This form of soft inheritance has been shown in mammals, yet the molecular underpinnings of this phenomenon are poorly understood. In the present article, we focus on gametic inheritance of non-genetic factors, utilizing examples of paternal transmission to explore the core issues that need to be addressed in order to gain greater insight into the molecular mechanisms. Three essential processes are identified: (i) how the environment affects the germline to establish an altered molecular milieu, (ii) the molecular nature of the inherited mark, and (iii) how this affects genome function in the developing embryo to elicit an alternative developmental outcome.