bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonsilver treatment vs. silver sulfadiazine in treatment of partial‐thickness burn wounds in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rashaan Zjir M. , Krijnen Pieta , Klamer Rachel R. M. , Schipper Inger B. , Dekkers Olaf M. , Breederveld Roelf S.
Published: June 2014

The evidence for application of silver‐containing dressings and topicals in the treatment of partial‐thickness burns in pediatric patients is largely based on clinical trials involving adult patients despite the important differences between the skin of children and adults. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed of all randomized controlled trials comparing nonsilver treatment with silver‐containing dressings and silver topical agents in children with partial‐thickness burns in the acute stage. Endpoints were wound healing, grafting, infection, pain, number of dressing changes, length of hospital stay, and scarring. Seven randomized controlled trials were included involving 473 participants. All trials used silver sulfadiazine as control in comparison with five different nonsilver treatments. Most trials were of moderate quality with high risk of bias. Use of nonsilver treatment led to shorter wound healing time (weighted mean difference: −3.43 days, 95% confidence interval: −4.78, −2.07), less dressing changes (weighted mean difference: −19.89 dressing changes, 95% confidence interval: −38.12, −1.66), and shorter length of hospital stay (weighted mean difference: −2.07 days, 95% confidence interval: −2.63, −1.50) compared with silver sulfadiazine treatment, but no difference in the incidence of wound infection or grafting was found. In conclusion, nonsilver treatment may be preferred over silver sulfadiazine, but high‐quality randomized controlled trials are needed to validly confirm the effectiveness of silver containing preparations, in particular silver‐containing dressings, above nonsilver treatments.
Dysregulation of collagen production in diabetes following recurrent skin injury: Contribution to the development of a chronic wound
Authors: Caskey Robert C. , Zgheib Carlos , Morris Michael , Allukian Myron , Dorsett‐Martin Wanda , Xu Junwang , Wu Wenjie , Liechty Kenneth W.
Published: June 2014

Recurrent injury has been implicated in the development of chronic diabetic wounds. We have developed a chronic diabetic wound model based upon recurrent injury in diabetic mice. We hypothesized that dysregulation of collagen production at both the mRNA and microRNA levels contributes to the development of chronic diabetic wounds. To test this, both diabetic and nondiabetic mice were made to undergo recurrent injury. Real‐time PCR for TGF‐β1, SMAD‐3, Col1α1, Col3α1, microRNA‐25, and microRNA‐29a and Western blot for collagen I and III were performed 7 days following each injury. Diabetic wounds displayed decreased collagen at all time points. This was associated with dysregulated collagen production at both the gene and microRNA levels at all time points. Following the final injury, however, diabetic collagen production significantly improved. This appeared to be due to a substantial decrease in both microRNAs as well as an increase in the expression of collagen pathway genes. That dysregulated collagen production progressed throughout the course of wounding suggests that this is one factor contributing to the development of chronic diabetic wounds. Future studies using this model will allow for the determination of other factors that may also contribute to the development and/or persistence of chronic diabetic wounds.
Role of IL‐17 and TGF‐β in peritoneal adhesion formation after surgical trauma
Authors: Wang Geng , Wu Ke , Li Wei , Zhao Ende , Shi Liang , Wang Jiliang , Shuai Xiaoming , Cai Kailin , Lu Xiaoming , Tao Kaixiong , Wang Guobin
Published: June 2014

Peritoneal adhesions are fibrous tissues formed after surgery. Both cytokines and transforming growth factors (TGFs) are involved in this process. The objective of this study was to investigate the cross talk between these entities. Peritoneal drainage fluid after surgery from patients and rodent models was examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and fluorescence‐activated cell sorter. Data showed that the concentrations of interferon (IFN)‐γ and interleukin (IL)‐17 reached their peaks 6–12 hours after surgery, whereas TGF‐β1 concentrations showed two postoperative peak time points at 2 and 72–96 hours. By neutralizing IFN‐γ, IL‐17 6–12 hours, and TGF‐β1 72–96 hours after surgery, the degree of adhesion reduced significantly. However, neutralizing TGF‐β1 2 hours after surgery did not affect adhesion formation. Furthermore, in vitro studies showed that compared with the fibroblasts that were directly stimulated with TGF‐β1, the prestimulation of IL‐17 promoted plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 production while inhibiting tissue‐type plasminogen activator production. Moreover, additional stimulation with IFN‐γ enhanced this effect. Together, these data indicate that IL‐17 may promote adhesion formation by increasing the reaction of fibroblasts against TGF‐β1. Blocking IL‐17 might have a therapeutic potential in preventing adhesion formation after surgery.
Dynamic 3D cell culture via a chemoselective photoactuated ligand
Authors: Westcott Nathan P. , Luo Wei , Goldstein Jeffrey , Yousaf Muhammad N.
Published: June 2014

A new strategy to create a dynamic scaffold for three-dimensional (3D) cell experiments based on a photo-activated cell adhesive peptide ligand is described. After polymerization, the inert matrix becomes cell adhesive by chemoselective modification through the conjugation of oxyamine-terminated ligands. Furthermore, spatial and temporal control of cell culture within the 3D matrix was achieved by the use of a biospecific photoprotected peptide and visualized by confocal microscopy.
Handgrip Strength Does Not Represent an Appropriate Measure to Evaluate Changes in Muscle Strength During an Exercise Intervention Program in Frail Older People
Authors: Tieland Michael , Verdijk Lex B. , de Groot Lisette C.P.G.M. , van Loon Luc J.C.
Published: June 2014

Introduction:

Although handgrip strength is considered a strong predictor of negative health outcomes, it is unclear whether handgrip strength represents a useful measure to evaluate changes in muscle strength following resistance-type exercise training in older people. We assessed whether measuring handgrip strength provides proper insight in the efficacy of resistance-type exercise training to increase muscle mass, strength, and physical performance in frail older people.

Methods:

Prefrail and frail older people (≥ 65 y) were either conducting a 24-week resistance-type exercise training or no exercise training. Before, during, and after the intervention, handgrip strength (JAMAR), lean body mass (DXA), leg strength (1-RM), and physical performance (SPPB) were assessed.

Results:

Handgrip strength correlated with appendicular lean mass (r = 0.68; p < .001) and leg strength (r = 0.67; p < .001). After 24 weeks of whole body resistance-type exercise training, leg extension strength improved significantly better when compared with the control group (57 ± 2–78 ± 3 kg vs 57 ± 3–65 ± 3 kg: p < .001). Moreover, physical performance improved significantly more in the exercise group (8.0 ± 0.4–9.3 ± 0.4 points) when compared with the control group (8.3 ± 0.4–8.9 ± 0.4 points: p < .05). These positive changes were not accompanied with any significant changes in handgrip strength (26.3 ± 1.2–27.6 ± 1.2 kg in the exercise group vs 26.6 ± 1.2–26.3 ± 1.3 kg in the control group: p = .71).

Conclusion:

Although handgrip strength strongly correlates with muscle mass and leg strength in frail older people, handgrip strength does not provide a valid means to evaluate the efficacy of exercise intervention programs to increase muscle mass or strength in an older population.
No Effect of Short-Term Green Tea Extract Supplementation on Metabolism at Rest or During Exercise in the Fed State
Authors: Martin Brian J. , Tan Rachel B. , Gillen Jenna B. , Percival Michael E. , Gibala Martin J.
Published: June 2014

Supplementation with green tea extract (GTE) in animals has been reported to induce numerous metabolic adaptations including increased fat oxidation during exercise and improved performance. However, data regarding the metabolic and physiological effects of GTE during exercise in humans are limited and equivocal.

Purpose:

To examine the effects of short-term GTE treatment on resting energy expenditure (REE), wholebody substrate utilization during exercise and time trial performance.

Methods:

Fifteen active men (24 ± 3 y; VO2peak = 48 ± 7 ml·kg·min−1; BMI = 26 ± 3 kg·m2(–1)) ingested GTE (3x per day = 1,000 mg/d) or placebo (PLA) for 2 day in a double-blind, crossover design (each separated by a 1 week wash-out period). REE was assessed in the fasted state. Subjects then ingested a standardized breakfast (~5.0 kcal·kg-1) and 90 min later performed a 60 min cycling bout at an intensity corresponding to individual maximal fat oxidation (44 ± 11% VO2peak), followed by a 250 kJ TT.

Results:

REE, whole-body oxygen consumption (VO2) and substrate oxidation rates during steady-state exercise were not different between treatments. However, mean heart rate (HR) was lower in GTE vs. PLA (115 ± 16 vs. 118 ± 17 beats·min−1; main effect, p = .049). Mixed venous blood [glycerol] was higher during rest and exercise after GTE vs. PLA (p = .006, main effect for treatment) but glucose, insulin and free-fatty acids were not different. Subsequent time trial performance was not different between treatments (GTE = 25:38 ± 5:32 vs. PLA = 26:08 ± 8:13 min; p = .75).

Conclusion:

GTE had minimal effects on whole-body substrate metabolism but significantly increased plasma glycerol and lowered heart rate during steady-state exercise, suggesting a potential increase in lipolysis and a cardiovascular effect that warrants further investigation.
Exploring the Popularity, Experiences, and Beliefs Surrounding Gluten-Free Diets in Nonceliac Athletes
Authors: Lis Dana M. , Stellingwerff Trent , Shing Cecilia M. , Ahuja Kiran D.K. , Fell James W.
Published: June 2014

Adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD) for nonceliac athletes (NCA) has become increasingly popular despite a paucity of supportive medical or ergogenic evidence. This study aimed to quantify the demographics of NCA and determine associated experiences, perceptions, and sources of information related to GFD. Athletes (n = 910, female = 528, no gender selected = 5) completed a 17-question online survey. Forty-one percent of NCA respondents, including 18-world and/or Olympic medalists, follow a GFD 50–100% of the time (GFD > 50): only 13% for treatment of reported medical conditions with 57% self-diagnosing their gluten sensitivity. The GFD > 50 group characteristics included predominantly endurance sport athletes (70.0%) at the recreationally competitive level (32.3%), between 31 and 40 years of age (29.1%). Those who follow a GFD > 50 reported experiencing, abdominal/gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms alone (16.7%) or in conjunction with two (30.7%) or three (35.7%) additional symptoms (e.g., fatigue) believed to be triggered by gluten. Eighty-four percent of GFD > 50 indicated symptom improvement with gluten-removal. Symptom-based and non-symptom-based self-diagnosed gluten-sensitivity (56.7%) was the primary reason for adopting a GFD. Leading sources of GFD information were online (28.7%), trainer/coach (26.2%) and other athletes (17.4%). Although 5–10% of the general population is estimated to benefit clinically from a GFD a higher prevalence of GFD adherence was found in NCA (41.2%). Prescription of a GFD among many athletes does not result from evidence-based practice suggesting that adoption of a GFD in the majority of cases was not based on medical rationale and may be driven by perception that gluten removal provides health benefits and an ergogenic edge in NCA.
Beta-Alanine Supplementation Improves Jumping Power and Affects Severe-Intensity Performance in Professional Alpine Skiers
Authors: Gross Micah , Bieri Kathrin , Hoppeler Hans , Norman Barbara , Vogt Michael
Published: June 2014

Introduction:

Supplementation with beta-alanine may have positive effects on severe-intensity, intermittent, and isometric strength-endurance performance. These could be advantageous for competitive alpine skiers, whose races last 45 to 150 s, require metabolic power above the aerobic maximum, and involve isometric muscle work. Further, beta-alanine supplementation affects the muscle force-frequency relationship, which could influence explosiveness. We explored the effects of beta-alanine on explosive jump performance, severe exercise energy metabolism, and severe-intensity ski-like performance.

Methods:

Nine male elite alpine skiers consumed 4.8 g/d beta-alanine or placebo for 5 weeks in a double-blind fashion. Before and after, they performed countermovement jumps (CMJ), a 90-s cycling bout at 110% VO2max (CLT), and a maximal 90-s box jump test (BJ90).

Results:

Beta-alanine improved maximal (+7 ± 3%, d = 0.9) and mean CMJ power (+7 ± 2%, d = 0.7), tended to reduce oxygen deficit (-3 ± 8%, p = .06) and lactate accumulation (-12 ± 31%) and enhance aerobic energy contribution (+1.3 ± 2.9%, p = .07) in the CLT, and improved performance in the last third of BJ90 (+7 ± 4%, p = .02). These effects were not observed with placebo.

Conclusions:

Beta-alanine supplementation improved explosive and repeated jump performance in elite alpine skiers. Enhanced muscle contractility could possibly explain improved explosive and repeated jump performance. Increased aerobic energy production could possibly help explain repeated jump performance as well.
Nutrition for Recovery in Aquatic Sports
Authors: Burke Louise M. , Mujika Inigo
Published: June 2014

Postexercise recovery is an important topic among aquatic athletes and involves interest in the quality, quantity, and timing of intake of food and fluids after workouts or competitive events to optimize processes such as refueling, rehydration, repair, and adaptation. Recovery processes that help to minimize the risk of illness and injury are also important but are less well documented. Recovery between workouts or competitive events may have two separate goals: (a) restoration of body losses and changes caused by the first session to restore performance for the next and (b) maximization of the adaptive responses to the stress provided by the session to gradually make the body become better at the features of exercise that are important for performance. In some cases, effective recovery occurs only when nutrients are supplied, and an early supply of nutrients may also be valuable in situations in which the period immediately after exercise provides an enhanced stimulus for recovery. This review summarizes contemporary knowledge of nutritional strategies to promote glycogen resynthesis, restoration of fluid balance, and protein synthesis after different types of exercise stimuli. It notes that some scenarios benefit from a proactive approach to recovery eating, whereas others may not need such attention. In fact, in some situations it may actually be beneficial to withhold nutritional support immediately after exercise. Each athlete should use a cost–benefit analysis of the approaches to recovery after different types of workouts or competitive events and then periodize different recovery strategies into their training or competition programs.
Nutrition and Training Adaptations in Aquatic Sports
Authors: Mujika Iñigo , Stellingwerff Trent , Tipton Kevin
Published: June 2014

The adaptive response to training is determined by the combination of the intensity, volume, and frequency of the training. Various periodized approaches to training are used by aquatic sports athletes to achieve performance peaks. Nutritional support to optimize training adaptations should take periodization into consideration; that is, nutrition should also be periodized to optimally support training and facilitate adaptations. Moreover, other aspects of training (e.g., overload training, tapering and detraining) should be considered when making nutrition recommendations for aquatic athletes. There is evidence, albeit not in aquatic sports, that restricting carbohydrate availability may enhance some training adaptations. More research needs to be performed, particularly in aquatic sports, to determine the optimal strategy for periodizing carbohydrate intake to optimize adaptations. Protein nutrition is an important consideration for optimal training adaptations. Factors other than the total amount of daily protein intake should be considered. For instance, the type of protein, timing and pattern of protein intake and the amount of protein ingested at any one time influence the metabolic response to protein ingestion. Body mass and composition are important for aquatic sport athletes in relation to power-to-mass and for aesthetic reasons. Protein may be particularly important for athletes desiring to maintain muscle while losing body mass. Nutritional supplements, such as b-alanine and sodium bicarbonate, may have particular usefulness for aquatic athletes’ training adaptation.
Combined Physical Activity/Sedentary Behavior Associations With Indices of Adiposity in 8- to 10-Year-Old Children
Authors: Herman Katya M. , Chaput Jean-Philippe , Sabiston Catherine M. , Mathieu Marie-Eve , Tremblay Angelo , Paradis Gilles
Published: June 2014

Objective:

Individuals may achieve high physical activity (PA) yet also be highly sedentary (SED). This study assessed adiposity in children classified by PA/SED groups.

Methods:

Participants were 520 8- to 10-year-old children with ≥ 1 obese parent. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and SED were measured by accelerometer, and screen-time was measured by self-report. Height, weight, waist circumference (WC), body fat percentage (BF%), and VO2peak were objectively measured; energy intake was measured by dietary recall. Elevated adiposity was defined as BMI ≥ 85th percentile, WC ≥ 90th percentile, BF% ≥ 85th percentile, or waist-to-height ratio (WHR) ≥ 0.5.

Results:

Up to 27% of boys and 15% of girls were active/SED. Adiposity was lowest for active/non-SED, highest for inactive/SED, and intermediate and similar for active/SED and inactive/non-SED. Using 60 min/d MVPA and 2 h/d screen-time cut-offs, prevalence ranges for elevated adiposity in the active/non-SED, active/SED, inactive/non-SED, and inactive/SED groups were 0% to 14%, 15% to 44%, 16% to 40%, and 32% to 51%, respectively. Corresponding odds and 95% confidence intervals of being overweight/obese for the latter groups were 3.8 (95% CI, 1.7−8.4), 3.8 (1.8−8.2), and 4.9 (2.3−10.3) versus active/non-SED. PA/SED-adiposity associations were mediated by fitness but not energy intake.

Conclusions:

Combined PA/SED levels are strongly associated with adiposity in children, but associations are mediated by fitness. Active children who accumulate >2 h/d of screen time and inactive children are equally likely to be overweight/obese.
Bicycle Commuting and Exposure to Air Pollution: A Questionnaire-Based Investigation of Perceptions, Symptoms, and Risk Management Strategies
Authors: Cole-Hunter Tom , Morawska Lidia , Solomon Colin
Published: June 2014

Background:

An increase in bicycle commuting participation may improve public health and traffic congestion in cities. Information on air pollution exposure (such as perception, symptoms, and risk management) contributes to the responsible promotion of bicycle commuting participation.

Methods:

To determine perceptions, symptoms, and willingness for specific exposure risk management strategies of exposure to air pollution, a questionnaire-based cross-sectional investigation was conducted with adult bicycle commuters (n = 153; age = 41 ± 11 years; 28% female).

Results:

Frequency of acute respiratory signs and symptoms were positively associated with in-commute and postcommute compared with precommute time periods (P < .05); there was greater positive association with respiratory disorder compared with healthy, and female compared with male, participants. The perception (but not signs or symptoms) of in-commute exposure to air pollution was positively associated with the estimated level of in-commute proximity to motorized traffic. The majority of participants indicated a willingness (which varied with health status and gender) to adopt risk management strategies (with desired features) if shown to be appropriate and effective.

Conclusions:

While acute signs and symptoms of air pollution exposure are indicated with bicycle commuting, and more so in susceptible individuals, there is willingness to manage exposure risk by adopting effective strategies with desired features.
Factors Influencing Break-Time Physical Activity of South African Primary School Learners From Low-Income Communities
Authors: Uys Monika , Draper Catherine Elizabeth , Hendricks Sharief , de Villiers Anniza , Fourie Jean , Steyn Nelia , Lambert Estelle Victoria
Published: June 2014

Background:

The purpose of this study was to assess factors that influence physical activity (PA) levels during break-times in South African primary school children.

Methods:

The System for Observing Play and Leisure Activities in Youth (SOPLAY) was used to observe PA levels during break-times at low-income schools (4 intervention, 4 control). The intervention was based on action-planning including: school environment, curriculum, and family involvement. Categories of observed activity included Sedentary, Eating, Walking, or Vigorous PA. Contextual factors assessed included teacher supervision, equipment, and crowding. Chi-square tests were used to determine associations between PA levels and contextual factors.

Results:

In the 970 observations made, 31% of learners were sedentary, 14% were eating, 29% were walking, and 26% were engaged in vigorous PA. There were no differences in break-time PA between intervention and control groups (NS). With supervision, children were more likely to eat and less likely to do vigorous PA (P = .035). Playground crowding was associated with lower levels of vigorous activity and more sedentary behavior (P = .000).

Conclusions:

PA during break-time was adversely affected by over-crowding and lower with supervision. The results suggest that interventions may be targeted at the school policy environment to reduce these barriers to PA.
Implementing a Public Bicycle Share Program: Impact on Perceptions and Support for Public Policies for Active Transportation
Authors: Bélanger-Gravel Ariane , Gauvin Lise , Fuller Daniel , Drouin Louis
Published: June 2014

Background:

Favorable public opinion and support for policies are essential to favor the sustainability of environmental interventions. This study examined public perceptions and support for active living policies associated with implementing a public bicycle share program (PBSP).

Methods:

Two cross-sectional population-based telephone surveys were conducted in 2009 and 2010 among 5011 adults in Montréal, Canada. Difference-in-differences analyses tested the impact of the PBSP on negative perceptions of the impact of the PBSP on the image of the city, road safety, ease of traveling, active transportation, health, and resistance to policies.

Results:

People living closer to docking stations were less likely to have negative perceptions of the effect of the PBSP on the image of the city (OR = 0.5; 95% CI, 0.4−0.8) and to be resistant to policies (OR = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.6−1.0). The likelihood of perceiving negative effects on road safety increased across time (OR = 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2−1.8). Significant interactions were observed for perceptions of ease of traveling (OR = 0.5; 95% CI, 0.4−0.8), active transportation (OR = 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4−1.0), and health (OR = 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4−0.8): likelihood of negative perceptions decreased across time among people exposed.

Conclusion:

Findings indicate that negative perceptions were more likely to abate among those living closer to the PBSP.
Factors That Influence Park Use and Physical Activity in Predominantly Hispanic and Low-Income Neighborhoods
Authors: Dolash Karry , He Meizi , Yin Zenong , Sosa Erica T.
Published: June 2014

Background:

Park features’ association with physical activity among predominantly Hispanic communities is not extensively researched. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with park use and physical activity among park users in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods.

Methods:

Data were collected across 6 parks and included park environmental assessments to evaluate park features, physical activity observations to estimate physical activity energy expenditure as kcal/kg/minute per person, and park user interviews to assess motivators for park use. Quantitative data analysis included independent t tests and ANOVA. Thematic analysis of park user interviews was conducted collectively and by parks.

Results:

Parks that were renovated had higher physical activity energy expenditure scores (mean = .086 ± .027) than nonrenovated parks (mean = .077 ± .028; t = −3.804; P < .01). Basketball courts had a significantly higher number of vigorously active park users (mean = 1.84 ± .08) than tennis courts (mean = .15 ± .01; F = 21.9, η2 = 6.1%, P < .01). Thematic analysis of qualitative data revealed 4 emerging themes—motivation to be physically active, using the play spaces in the park, parks as the main place for physical activity, and social support for using parks.

Conclusion:

Renovations to park amenities, such as increasing basketball courts and trail availability, could potentially increase physical activity among low-socioeconomic-status populations.
Determinants and Strategies for Physical Activity Maintenance in Chronic Health Conditions: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Scott Sarah E. , Breckon Jeff D. , Copeland Robert J. , Hutchison Andrew
Published: June 2014

Background:

Physical activity is promoted to help adults manage chronic health conditions, but evidence suggests that individuals relapse after intervention cessation. The objective of this study was to explore the determinants and strategies for successful and unsuccessful physical activity maintenance.

Methods:

A qualitative study using semistructured interviews was conducted with 32 participants. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 20 successful and 12 unsuccessful maintainers. Adults with chronic health conditions were recruited having completed a physical activity referral scheme 6 months before study commencement. The IPAQ and SPAQ were used to categorize participants according to physical activity status. Data were analyzed using framework analysis.

Results:

Eleven main themes emerged: 1) outcome expectations, 2) experiences, 3) core values, 4) trial and error, 5) social and practical support, 6) attitudes toward physical activity, 7) environmental barriers, 8) psychological barriers, 9) physical barriers, 10) cognitive-behavioral strategies for physical activity self-management (eg, self-monitoring), and 11) condition management (eg, pacing).

Conclusions:

The findings identified determinants and strategies for successful maintenance and highlighted the processes involved in physical activity disengagement. Such findings can guide the development of physical activity maintenance interventions and increase activity engagement over the long-term in adults with chronic health conditions.
Waist-Worn Actigraphy: Population-Referenced Percentiles for Total Activity Counts in U.S. Adults
Authors: Wolff-Hughes Dana L. , Fitzhugh Eugene C. , Bassett David R. , Churilla James R.
Published: June 2014

Background:

Accelerometer-derived total activity count is a measure of total physical activity (PA) volume. The purpose of this study was to develop age- and gender-specific percentiles for daily total activity counts (TAC), minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and minutes of light physical activity (LPA) in U.S. adults.

Methods:

Waist-worn accelerometer data from the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for this analysis. The sample included adults >20 years with >10 hours accelerometer wear time on >4 days (N = 6093). MVPA and LPA were defined as the number of 1-minute epochs with counts >2020 and 100 to 2019, respectively. TAC represented the activity counts acquired daily. TAC, MVPA, and LPA were averaged across valid days to produce a daily mean.

Results:

Males in the 50th percentile accumulated 288 140 TAC/day, with 357 and 22 minutes/day spent in LPA and MVPA, respectively. The median for females was 235 741 TAC/day, with 349 and 12 minutes/day spent in LPA and MVPA, respectively.

Conclusions:

Population-referenced TAC percentiles reflect the total volume of PA, expressed relative to other adults. This is a different approach to accelerometer data reduction that complements the current method of looking at time spent in intensity subcategories.
Emerging approaches, challenges and opportunities in life cycle assessment
Authors: Hellweg Stefanie , Milà i Canals Llorenç
Published: June 2014

In the modern economy, international value chains—production, use, and disposal of goods—have global environmental impacts. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) aims to track these impacts and assess them from a systems perspective, identifying strategies for improvement without burden shifting. We review recent developments in LCA, including existing and emerging applications aimed at supporting environmentally informed decisions in policy-making, product development and procurement, and consumer choices. LCA constitutes a viable screening tool that can pinpoint environmental hotspots in complex value chains, but we also caution that completeness in scope comes at the price of simplifications and uncertainties. Future advances of LCA in enhancing regional detail and accuracy as well as broadening the assessment to economic and social aspects will make it more relevant for producers and consumers alike.
Humanity’s unsustainable environmental footprint
Authors: Hoekstra Arjen Y. , Wiedmann Thomas O.
Published: June 2014

Within the context of Earth’s limited natural resources and assimilation capacity, the current environmental footprint of humankind is not sustainable. Assessing land, water, energy, material, and other footprints along supply chains is paramount in understanding the sustainability, efficiency, and equity of resource use from the perspective of producers, consumers, and government. We review current footprints and relate those to maximum sustainable levels, highlighting the need for future work on combining footprints, assessing trade-offs between them, improving computational techniques, estimating maximum sustainable footprint levels, and benchmarking efficiency of resource use. Ultimately, major transformative changes in the global economy are necessary to reduce humanity’s environmental footprint to sustainable levels.
The science of sustainable supply chains
Authors: O’Rourke Dara
Published: June 2014

Recent advances in the science and technology of global supply chain management offer near–real-time demand-response systems for decision-makers across production networks. Technology is helping propel “fast fashion” and “lean manufacturing,” so that companies are better able to deliver products consumers want most. Yet companies know much less about the environmental and social impacts of their production networks. The failure to measure and manage these impacts can be explained in part by limitations in the science of sustainability measurement, as well as by weaknesses in systems to translate data into information that can be used by decision-makers inside corporations and government agencies. There also remain continued disincentives for firms to measure and pay the full costs of their supply chain impacts. I discuss the current state of monitoring, measuring, and analyzing information related to supply chain sustainability, as well as progress that has been made in translating this information into systems to advance more sustainable practices by corporations and consumers. Better data, decision-support tools, and incentives will be needed to move from simply managing supply chains for costs, compliance, and risk reduction to predicting and preventing unsustainable practices.
Electrically driven nuclear spin resonance in single-molecule magnets
Authors: Thiele Stefan , Balestro Franck , Ballou Rafik , Klyatskaya Svetlana , Ruben Mario , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang
Published: June 2014

Electrical control of nuclear spin qubits

Quantum bits of information (qubits) that are based on spins of atomic nuclei are an attractive option for quantum information processing. It can sometimes be tricky to manipulate these qubits using magnetic fields directly. Thiele
et al.
developed a technique for electrically controlling a nuclear spin qubit in the single-molecule magnet TbPc
2
. When they hit the qubit with a microwave pulse, the microwave's electric field generated effective magnetic fields much larger than those available previously.

Science
, this issue p.
1135
Comment on “Engineering coherence among excited states in synthetic heterodimer systems”
Authors: Halpin Alexei , Johnson Philip J. M. , Miller R. J. Dwayne
Published: June 2014

Hayes
et al
. (Reports, 21 June 2013, p. 1431) used two-dimensional (2D) electronic spectroscopy to study molecular heterodimers and reported a general mechanism for the prolongation of electronic coherences, consistent with previous interpretations of 2D spectra for light-harvesting systems. We argue that the dynamics attributed to electronic coherences are inconclusive based on experimental inconsistencies arising from limited sample characterization and insufficient control measurements.
Response to Comment on “Engineering coherence among excited states in synthetic heterodimer systems”
Authors: Hayes Dugan , Griffin Graham B. , Engel Gregory S.
Published: June 2014

Halpin, Johnson, and Miller contest our assignment of quantum beating signals observed in the two-dimensional electronic spectra of a series of fluorescein heterodimers to electronic coherences. Here, we present resonance Raman spectra, statistical analysis on multiple data sets, and an explanation of differences between the family of molecules described in our Report and the homodimer examined by the commenters. We contend that these results all support our assignment of the beating signals to electronic coherences.
Protracted core formation and rapid accretion of protoplanets
Authors: Kruijer T. S. , Touboul M. , Fischer-Gödde M. , Bermingham K. R. , Walker R. J. , Kleine T.
Published: June 2014

The chronology of planetary embryos

Protoplanets, or early planetary embryos such as iron meteorite parent bodies, formed in the early protoplanetary disk from dust, debris, and planetesimals. Defining the precise chronology of accretion and differentiation—including core formation—of these planetary embryos will aid in a richer understanding of the chemical evolution of the solar system. Through high-precision tungsten isotope measurements, Kruijer
et al.
show that the timing of accretion and core formation for iron meteorite groups falls within 0.6 to 2 million years of the age of the solar system (see the Perspective by Elliott). Differences of timing within this group are probably a function of volatile contents of the parent bodies or spatial and chemical heterogeneity within the protoplanetary disk.

Science
, this issue p.
1150
; see also p.
1086
Marine teleost locates live prey through pH sensing
Authors: Caprio John , Shimohara Mami , Marui Takayuki , Harada Shuitsu , Kiyohara Sadao
Published: June 2014

Hold your breath or the catfish will find you

Finding prey is hard enough in the light of day, but animals that are nocturnal or live in murky conditions face even greater challenges. Caprio
et al.
describe a sense that allows a marine catfish to detect the mere “breathing” of their prey target. External sensors on the catfish's whiskers detect pH changes generated by hidden, respiring polychaete worms.

Science
, this issue p.
1154
Caspase-mediated cleavage of phospholipid flippase for apoptotic phosphatidylserine exposure
Authors: Segawa Katsumori , Kurata Sachiko , Yanagihashi Yuichi , Brummelkamp Thijn R. , Matsuda Fumihiko , Nagata Shigekazu
Published: June 2014

How cells haul down their “eat me” flags

Dead and dying cells expose a membrane lipid called phosphatidylserine (PS) on their cell surface as a sort of “eat me” signal. Segawa
et al.
identified the membrane enzyme responsible for flipping any PS that inadvertently makes it way from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane lipid bilayer. Without the enzyme, macrophages gobbled up healthy cells.

Science
, this issue p.
1164
EU agricultural reform fails on biodiversity
Authors: Pe'er G. , Dicks L. V. , Visconti P. , Arlettaz R. , Báldi A. , Benton T. G. , Collins S. , Dieterich M. , Gregory R. D. , Hartig F. , Henle K. , Hobson P. R. , Kleijn D. , Neumann R. K. , Robijns T. , Schmidt J. , Shwartz A. , Sutherland W. J. , Turbé A. , Wulf F. , Scott A. V.
Published: June 2014

Extra steps by Member States are needed to protect farmed and grassland ecosystems
Disrupting dissolving ions at surfaces with fluid flow
Authors: Waychunas Glenn A.
Published: June 2014

Flowing solvent over a surface can dramatically change the rate of surface reactions and influence water structure.

[Also see Report by

Lis
et al.

]
Memories—getting wired during sleep
Authors: Euston David R. , Steenland Hendrik W.
Published: June 2014

Sleep gives dendritic spines staying power.

[Also see Report by

Yang
et al.

]
Minority voice
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: June 2014

Richard Tapia has prepared generations of minority students for academic jobs, but he says they still aren't welcome.
Rethinking the global supply chain
Authors: Wible Brad , Mervis Jeffrey , Wigginton Nicholas S.
Published: June 2014

How traceability, measurement, and standardization might tame an unwieldy web
The information highway gets physical
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: June 2014

The Physical Internet would move goods the way its namesake moves data.
Evaluation of a New Protocol for Retrospective Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis by Use of Guthrie Cards
Authors: Marangoni Antonella , Capretti Maria Grazia , De Angelis Morena , Nardini Paola , Compri Monica , Foschi Claudio , Orlandi Azzurra , Marsico Concetta , Righetti Francesca , Faldella Giacomo , Cevenini Roberto
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of IgM Western blotting (WB), IgA enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and DNA amplification by real-time PCR on Guthrie cards to retrospectively establish the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis (CT). To this purpose, Guthrie cards were collected from 18 infants born to mothers with primary
Toxoplasma gondii
infection during pregnancy. Moreover, the analytical sensitivity of
T. gondii
PCR was assessed by testing mock dried blood specimens set up with several known DNA dilutions. IgM WB was demonstrated to be the most sensitive method. When the results of
T. gondii
DNA detection and specific IgM recovery were combined, retrospective CT diagnosis by using Guthrie cards was established in 3 out of 6 infected infants (sensitivity, 50%; 95% confidence interval, 26.8% to 73.2%). No positive PCR or serologic results were found in the group of 12 uninfected infants, demonstrating the excellent specificity of the three methods (95% confidence interval, 78.1% to 99.5%). The findings of the present study suggest that, in cases of missed diagnosis of CT at birth, analysis of Guthrie cards for children with compatible clinical findings after the perinatal period, in particular the combination of recovery of specific IgM antibodies and
T. gondii
DNA amplification, could be helpful. Nevertheless, since suboptimal conditions of storage of dried blood specimens can seriously affect sensitivity, negative results cannot rule out CT diagnosis. In contrast, because of the excellent specificity shown by IgM serologic testing and
T. gondii
DNA amplification on Guthrie cards, positive results obtained by either of the two methods should be considered diagnostic.
Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme versus Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis for Typing Mycobacterium abscessus Isolates
Authors: Machado Gabriel Esquitini , Matsumoto Cristianne Kayoko , Chimara Erica , Duarte Rafael da Silva , de Freitas Denise , Palaci Moises , Hadad David Jamil , Lima Karla Valéria Batista , Lopes Maria Luiza , Ramos Jesus Pais , Campos Carlos Eduardo , Caldas Paulo César , Heym Beate , Leão Sylvia Cardoso
Published: June 2014

Outbreaks of infections by rapidly growing mycobacteria following invasive procedures, such as ophthalmological, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, plastic, and cardiac surgeries, mesotherapy, and vaccination, have been detected in Brazil since 1998. Members of the
Mycobacterium chelonae-Mycobacterium abscessus
group have caused most of these outbreaks. As part of an epidemiological investigation, the isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). In this project, we performed a large-scale comparison of PFGE profiles with the results of a recently developed multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for
M. abscessus
. Ninety-three isolates were analyzed, with 40
M. abscessus
subsp.
abscessus
isolates, 47
M. abscessus
subsp.
bolletii
isolates, and six isolates with no assigned subspecies. Forty-five isolates were obtained during five outbreaks, and 48 were sporadic isolates that were not associated with outbreaks. For MLST, seven housekeeping genes (
argH
,
cya
,
glpK
,
gnd
,
murC
,
pta
, and
purH
) were sequenced, and each isolate was assigned a sequence type (ST) from the combination of obtained alleles. The PFGE patterns of DraI-digested DNA were compared with the MLST results. All isolates were analyzable by both methods. Isolates from monoclonal outbreaks showed unique STs and indistinguishable or very similar PFGE patterns. Thirty-three STs and 49 unique PFGE patterns were identified among the 93 isolates. The Simpson's index of diversity values for MLST and PFGE were 0.69 and 0.93, respectively, for
M. abscessus
subsp.
abscessus
and 0.96 and 0.97, respectively, for
M. abscessus
subsp.
bolletii
. In conclusion, the MLST scheme showed 100% typeability and grouped monoclonal outbreak isolates in agreement with PFGE, but it was less discriminative than PFGE for
M. abscessus
.
Mucosal Disease-Like Syndrome in a Calf Persistently Infected by Hobi-Like Pestivirus
Authors: Decaro Nicola , Lanave Gianvito , Lucente Maria Stella , Mari Viviana , Varello Katia , Losurdo Michele , Larocca Vittorio , Bozzetta Elena , Cavaliere Nicola , Martella Vito , Buonavoglia Canio
Published: June 2014

A calf persistently infected with Hobi-like pestivirus displayed severe clinical signs and subsequently died. Gross lesions and histopathological changes were suggestive of hemorrhagic and necrotic inflammation involving several tissues. A Hobi-like pestivirus pair was isolated from the dead calf, i.e., cytopathogenic (CP) and noncytopathogenic (NCP) strains strictly related to each other and to Italian prototype isolates at the genetic level. Two biotype-specific real-time reverse transcription-PCR assays determined the time of the emergence of the CP virus as 1 month before the calf's death. This highest RNA titers were reached in lymphoid and nervous system tissues, whereas only traces of CP viral RNA were found in blood. In contrast, great NCP virus loads were present in all tissues and biological fluids. The present report provides new insights into the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of this emerging group of pestiviruses.
New PCR-Based Open Reading Frame Typing Method for Easy, Rapid, and Reliable Identification of Acinetobacter baumannii International Epidemic Clones without Performing Multilocus Sequence Typing
Authors: Suzuki Masahiro , Hosoba Eriko , Matsui Mari , Arakawa Yoshichika
Published: June 2014

Antimicrobial resistance issues have become a global health concern. The rapid identification of multidrug-resistant microbes, which depends on microbial genomic information, is essential for overcoming growing antimicrobial resistance challenges. However, genotyping methods, such as multilocus sequence typing (MLST), for identifying international epidemic clones of
Acinetobacter baumannii
are not easily performed as routine tests in ordinary clinical laboratories. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel genotyping method that can be performed in ordinary microbiology laboratories. Several open reading frames (ORFs) specific to certain bacterial genetic lineages or species, together with their unique distribution patterns on the chromosomes showing a good correlation with the results of MLST, were selected in
A. baumannii
and other
Acinetobacter
spp. by comparing their genomic data. The distribution patterns of the ORFs were visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis after multiplex PCR amplification and digitized.
A. baumannii
sequence types (STs) corresponding to international clones I and II were successfully discriminated from other STs and
Acinetobacter
species by detecting the distribution patterns of their ORFs using the multiplex PCR developed here. Since bacterial STs can be easily expressed as digitized numeric data with plus (+) expressed as 1 and minus (−) expressed as 0, the results of the method can be easily compared with those obtained by different tests or laboratories. This PCR-based ORF typing (POT) method can easily and rapidly identify international epidemic clones of
A. baumannii
and differentiate this microbe from other
Acinetobacter
spp. Since this POT method is easy enough to be performed even in ordinary clinical laboratories, it would also contribute to daily infection control measures and surveillance.
GyrB Polymorphisms Accurately Assign Invasive Viridans Group Streptococcal Species
Authors: Galloway-Peña Jessica , Sahasrabhojane Pranoti , Tarrand Jeffrey , Han Xiang Y. , Shelburne Samuel A.
Published: June 2014

Viridans group streptococci (VGS) are a heterogeneous group of medically important bacteria that cannot be accurately assigned to a particular species using conventional phenotypic methods. Although multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) is considered the gold standard for VGS species-level identification, MLSA is not yet feasible in the clinical setting. Conversely, molecular methods, such as
sodA
and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, are clinically practical but not sufficiently accurate for VGS species-level identification. Here, we present data regarding the use of an ∼400-nucleotide internal fragment of the gene encoding DNA gyrase subunit B (GyrB) for VGS species-level identification. MLSA, internal
gyrB
,
sodA
, full-length, and 5′ 16S gene sequences were used to characterize 102 unique VGS blood isolates collected from 2011 to 2012. When using the MLSA species assignment as a reference, full-length and 5′ partial 16S gene and
sodA
sequence analyses failed to correctly assign all strains to a species. Precise species determination was particularly problematic for
Streptococcus mitis
and
Streptococcus oralis
isolates. However, the internal
gyrB
fragment allowed for accurate species designations for all 102 strains. We validated these findings using 54 VGS strains for which MLSA, 16S gene,
sodA
, and
gyrB
data are available at the NCBI, showing that
gyrB
is superior to 16S gene and
sodA
sequence analyses for VGS species identification. We also observed that specific polymorphisms in the 133-amino acid sequence of the internal GyrB fragment can be used to identify invasive VGS species. Thus, the GyrB amino acid sequence may offer a more practical and accurate method for classifying invasive VGS strains to the species level.