bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographical variation and inheritance of the photoperiodic response controlling larval diapause in two distinct voltine ecotypes of the Asian cornborer Ostrinia furnacalis
Authors: HUANG LI‐LI , CHEN CHAO , XIAO LIANG , XIA QIN‐WEN , HU LIANG‐TAO , XUE FANGSEN
Published: March 2013

The Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) enters facultative diapause as fully‐grown larvae in response to short day lengths during autumn. As a result of geographical variations in photoperiodic response, the moths from Nanchang (28.8°N, 115.9°E; NC strain) judge both LD 14 : 10 h and LD 15 : 9 h photocycles as long days and develop directly, whereas moths from Haerbin (44.9°N, 127.2°E; HB strain) judge the same photocycles as short days and enter diapause. Crosses between the two strains are used to evaluate the inheritance of diapause. The critical day lengths for diapause induction in the HB strain are significantly longer than those in the NC strain at all temperatures. The critical day length of F1 progeny is intermediate between the two strains. However, the critical day length in all crosses is significantly longer with HB strain fathers or grandfathers than with NC strain fathers or grandfathers, indicating that the male parent has significantly more influence on the critical day length of subsequent progeny than the female. The results from all crosses under LD 14 : 10 h or LD 15 : 9 h photocycles at 25 °C show that the inheritance of diapause in O. furnacalis does not fit a purely additive hypothesis and that the capacity for diapause is transmitted genetically in the manner of incomplete dominance. The incidence of diapause for F1 progeny under an LD 14 : 10 h photocycle is significantly higher than that under an LD 15 : 9 h photocycle, suggesting that the induction of diapause can be influenced by interactions between the F1 genotype and photoperiod.
Health care Needs of Women Immediately Post‐Incarceration: A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Colbert Alison M. , Sekula L. Kathleen , Zoucha Rick , Cohen Susan M.
Published: March 2013

Objective(s)

This study examined the health status of women with a recent history of incarceration and explored if/how women were accessing health care resources at the time immediately following release.

Design and Sample

This mixed methods study utilized two phases: (1) a quantitative survey; and (2) qualitative interviewing. Thirty‐four women (18 years of age and older, released from incarceration in the last 12 months) participated in the quantitative phase; 11 of those completed the qualitative interviews.

Measures

In phase 1, data were collected on demographics, health history, health status, and health‐promoting behaviors. In the second phase, semi‐structured interviews were used.

Results

Women in the study reported below average health status compared with the general population. The major health issues identified by participants included specific health problems affected by incarceration, mental health needs, routine health promotion and maintenance, recovery from substance abuse as a major health concern, and social and environmental barriers to care.

Conclusions

Women leaving jail or prison have significant and complex health care needs. This period of transition appears to be an opportune time to offer support, services, and other health‐promoting interventions.
Risk of acute postoperative hypertension after topical photodynamic therapy for non‐melanoma skin cancer
Authors: Borroni Riccardo G. , Carugno Andrea , Rivetti Nicolò , Arbustini Eloisa , Brazzelli Valeria
Published: March 2013

Background

Topical photodynamic therapy with methyl aminolevulinate (MAL‐PDT) is a non‐surgical treatment for actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease and basal cell carcinoma. MAL‐PDT is particularly useful in elderly patients, who often present co‐morbidities and/or in whom surgical excision could be contraindicated. MAL‐PDT is generally well tolerated; the most frequent acute adverse events include pain and burning sensation localized to the treatment area. We describe our observation of the occurrence of acute postoperative hypertension (APH) and hypertensive crisis, after a MAL‐PDT.

Methods

BP measurement was taken twice at 2‐min intervals, both before and shortly after the MAL‐PDT session. APH was defined as an increase in systolic BP by more than 20% or an increase in diastolic BP to above 110 mmHg. Hypertensive crisis was defined as a systolic BP ≥ 180 mmHg or a diastolic BP ≥ 110 mmHg, with or without acute target organ involvement.

Results

Prevalence of post‐MAL‐PDT APH was 22%; 11% of patients developed hypertensive crisis after MAL‐PDT, requiring immediate treatment.

Conclusion

We highlight the importance of blood pressure measurement both before and after MAL‐PDT session to identify high‐risk patients and to prevent potentially severe organ involvement subsequent to hypertensive crisis.
Pentachrome vitiligo in a segmental pattern
Authors: Zhang Ru‐Zhi , Zhu Wen‐Yuan
Published: March 2013

We describe a 22‐year‐old male with a pigmentary disorder that first appeared when he was 5 years of age. Examination revealed that these lesions were distributed in a segmental pattern on the left side of his trunk. Five shades of colors – white, tan, medium brown, dark brown, and black – were present. The patient told us there had been no preceding inflammation in the affected areas. A biopsy specimen from the inguinal region showed a complete absence of melanocytes, whereas most of the hyperpigmented areas were characterized by increased amounts of epidermal pigment and numbers of melanocytes. Based on the clinical appearance, pentachrome vitiligo in a segmental type was diagnosed.
Two cases of eczematid‐like purpura of Doucas and Kapetanakis responsive to narrow band ultraviolet B treatment
Authors: Karadag Ayse Serap , Bilgili Serap Gunes , Onder Sevda , Calka Omer
Published: March 2013

Eczematid‐like purpura of Doucas and Kapetanakis is a type of pigmented purpuric dermatoses (PPDs) with eczematous changes in the purpuric surface. A 10‐year‐old male and a 44‐year‐old male patients were admitted to our clinics for itching and flaking of the skin rashes. Based on the clinical and histopathological evaluations, the rashes were identified as eczematid‐like PPDs of Doucas and Kapetanakis. Both patients were treated with narrow band ultraviolet B. The lesions were remarkably regressed following the treatment. These cases reported due its rarity and good response to narrow band ultraviolet B.
Is non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis a predisposing factor to porphyria cutanea tarda?
Authors: Ergen Elizabeth N. , Seidler Elizabeth , Parekh Samir , Parker Sareeta R. S.
Published: March 2013

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a disease caused by a deficiency of the fifth enzyme of the heme biosynthetic pathway in the liver that manifests in the skin as blistering and fragility of predominantly sun‐exposed skin. It occurs in individuals with environmental and/or genetic risk factors such as estrogen use, hepatitis C infection and hemochromatosis gene mutations. This report highlights a case of PCT which manifested in an individual with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis; NASH). We propose that NASH may have been a contributing factor for the development of PCT in our patient.
Maternal Stress/Distress, Hormonal Pathways and Spontaneous Preterm Birth
Authors: Kramer Michael S. , Lydon John , Goulet Lise , Kahn Susan , Dahhou Mourad , Platt Robert W. , Sharma Shakti , Meaney Michael J. , Séguin Louise
Published: March 2013

Background

Although second‐trimester blood corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) levels are robustly associated with preterm birth, the findings with respect to cortisol have been inconsistent, as have been those relating stress hormones to measured stressors and maternal distress.

Methods

We measured plasma CRH, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, cortisol‐binding globulin, oestradiol and progesterone at 24–26 weeks in a nested case–control study of 206 women who experienced spontaneous preterm birth and 442 term controls. We also related the hormonal levels to measures of environmental stressors, perceived stress and maternal distress (also assessed at 24–26 weeks) and to placental histopathology.

Results

With the exception of an unexpectedly low oestradiol : progesterone ratio among cases (adjusted odds ratio = 0.5 [95% confidence interval 0.3, 0.8] for ratios above the median in controls), none of the hormonal measures was independently associated with spontaneous preterm birth; placental histopathological evidence of infection/inflammation, infarction or decidual vasculopathy; or measures of maternal stress or distress. CRH levels were positively associated with cortisol, but not with ACTH, whereas ACTH was also positively associated with cortisol.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest an intact pituitary–adrenal axis and confirm the positive feedback effect of cortisol on (placental) CRH. Neither of these hormonal pathways, however, was strongly linked to maternal stress/distress or to the risk of spontaneous preterm birth.
A Three‐Stage Adoption Process for Social Media Use in Government
Authors: Mergel Ines , Bretschneider Stuart I.
Published: March 2013

Social media applications are slowly diffusing across all levels of government. The organizational dynamics underlying adoption and use decisions follow a process similar to that for previous waves of new information and communication technologies. The authors suggest that the organizational diffusion of these types of new information and communication technologies, initially aimed at individual use and available through markets, including social media applications, follows a three‐stage process. First, agencies experiment informally with social media outside of accepted technology use policies. Next, order evolves from the first chaotic stage as government organizations recognize the need to draft norms and regulations. Finally, organizational institutions evolve that clearly outline appropriate behavior, types of interactions, and new modes of communication that subsequently are formalized in social media strategies and policies. For each of the stages, the authors provide examples and a set of propositions to guide future research.
Understanding the Complex Dynamics of Transparency
Authors: Meijer Albert
Published: March 2013

This article contributes to the growing body of literature on government transparency by developing a model for studying the construction of transparency in interactions between governments and stakeholders. Building on theories about complex decision making, a heuristic model is developed that consists of a strategic, a cognitive, and an institutional perspective. To test the model's value, it is applied to two empirical cases: Dutch schools and the Council of the European Union. Applying the model to the school case provides insights into the connection between the introduction of transparency and the transformation in arrangements for safeguarding school quality. The case of the Council of the European Union highlights the role of transparency in the transformation of the council from a supranational to an intergovernmental body. The article concludes that the heuristic model, together with in‐depth, longitudinal case studies, helps us understand government transparency in relation to broader transformations in the public sector.
Politics, Fiscal Necessity, or Both? Factors Driving the Enactment of Defined Contribution Accounts for Public Employees
Authors: Thom Michael
Published: March 2013

Recent conflicts over public sector defined benefit pension funding have inspired polarized debates about the need for reform, including the utility of replacing pensions with defined contribution accounts, which are popular throughout the private sector. Between 1996 and 2011, 15 American states enacted legislation to implement either mandatory or optional defined contribution accounts for certain public employees. What drove this process? This article investigates the role of political, budgetary, and contagion influences on the diffusion of defined contribution accounts for general state employees. Empirical results suggest that enactments were influenced by Republican legislative, but not executive, partisanship. Gains in state indebtedness also increased the likelihood of enactment independent of political and other factors. There is no evidence of policy learning based on neighboring state activity and no influence from two measures of organized labor power. Both quantitative and qualitative robustness checks largely reinforce these findings.
Funding Global Public Goods: The Dark Side of Multilateralism
Authors: Bayer Patrick , Urpelainen Johannes
Published: March 2013

The funding of global public goods, such as climate mitigation, presents a complex strategic problem. Potential recipients demand side payments for implementing projects that furnish global public goods, and donors can cooperate to provide the funding. We offer a game‐theoretic analysis of this problem. In our model, a recipient demands project funding. Donors can form a multilateral program to jointly fund the project. If no program is formed, bilateral funding remains a possibility. We find that donors rely on multilateralism if their preferences are relatively symmetric and domestic political constraints on funding are lax. In this case, the recipient secures large rents from project implementation. Thus, even donors with strong interests in global public good provision have incentives to oppose institutional arrangements that promote multilateral funding. These incentives have played an important role in multilateral negotiations on climate finance, especially in Cancun (2010) and Durban (2011).
A Review of Systematic Reviews of the Effectiveness of Conservative Interventions for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Authors: Littlewood Chris , May Stephen , Walters Stephen
Published: March 2013

Background

Rotator cuff tendinopathy is common and a wide range of conservative interventions are currently used to treat this problem. The purpose of this review is to systematically review the systematic reviews that evaluate the effectiveness of conservative interventions for rotator cuff tendinopathy.

Methods

An electronic search of PEDro, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library was undertaken and supplemented by hand and citation searching. The AMSTAR checklist was adopted for quality appraisal and a narrative synthesis was undertaken.

Results

Twenty-six systematic reviews were retrieved. Methodological quality was variable. Exercise and multimodal physiotherapy appear to confer superior outcomes over no treatment or placebo, although the clinical significance of these results remains unclear. Surgery does not confer an additional benefit over exercise alone or multimodal physiotherapy. Combining manual therapy with exercise is not currently supported, neither is the use of corticosteroid injections or acupuncture. Other commonly prescribed interventions lack evidence of effectiveness.

Conclusions

Exercise and multimodal physiotherapy might be effective interventions for rotator cuff tendinopathy, although the clinical significance of this effect is unclear. This interpretation is drawn from systematic reviews comprising mainly small randomized controlled trials that frequently measure outcome in a heterogeneous manner, limiting the strength of any conclusions.
Party Government and Variation in Corporate Influence on Agency Decision Making: OSHA Regulation, 1981–2006
Authors: Witko Christopher
Published: March 2013

Objective

To understand how changes in the partisan control of the institutions of government may condition the effect of corporate political activities on bureaucratic decision making.

Methods

I examine the variation in the effectiveness of corporate political expenditures in reducing workplace safety (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) violations across partisan contexts between 1981 and 2006 for a large number of corporations.

Results

Corporate expenditures have a greater suppressant effect on workplace safety violations (but not inspections) when the Republicans control the Congress or presidency.

Conclusions

Corporations are able to influence bureaucratic decision making, but bureaucrats balance the demands of corporations against those of other party constituencies and their political principals. Thus, the partisan control of government importantly conditions corporate influence in the bureaucracy.
PLEASE: a simple model to determine P losses by leaching
Authors: Schoumans O. F. , Van der Salm C. , Groenendijk P.
Published: March 2013

Non‐point phosphorus (P) loss from agricultural land to streams is caused mainly by overland flow and leaching. In many countries P‐index methods are used to identify areas at risk of P loss to streams. In flat areas with shallow groundwater levels, where losses by leaching are important, these index methods have their limitations as leaching is often not described in detail. This study presents a simple model to predict P loss by leaching at the field scale. This model called Phosphorus LEAching from Soils to the Environment (PLEASE) is based on the well‐known kinetics of P in soils and lateral water flux from soils to surface waters. PLEASE was applied using readily available information to a small catchment; and a sensitivity analysis and comparison with two soil P indicators were carried out (soil P test and the phosphate saturation degree). The model predicted a total P load of 4187 kg P in the Schuitenbeek catchment. The result was also a predicted P discharge at the catchment outlet of 2973 kg P corrected by independent assessment of P retention in streams in the catchment (29%). This is comparable to the measured outflow (2770 kg P). The calculated P losses by leaching are highly sensitive to the soil Langmuir parameters, which means that it is important to determine the adsorption isotherm to obtain reliable estimated losses. The PLEASE approach has particular value compared to other soil P indicators for estimating actual P losses by leaching from agricultural land to surface water. These results suggest that PLEASE is a promising method for quantifying differences in P loss by leaching between fields within a catchment.
The implication of transfer faults in foreland basin evolution: application on Pindos foreland basin, West Peloponnesus, Greece
Authors: Konstantopoulos Panagiotis A. , Maravelis Angelos G. , Zelilidis Avraam
Published: March 2013

Pindos foreland basin in west Peloponnesus (Tritea, Hrisovitsi and Finikounda sub‐basins) during Late Eocene to Early Oligocene was an underfilled foreland basin. The basin's geometry was affected by the presence of internal thrusting and transfer faults, causing changes in depth and width. Due to internal thrusting, the foreland basin changed through time from a uniform to non‐uniform configuration, whereas transfer faults have an intensive impact on depositional environments within the basin. Internal thrusting (Gavrovo, internal and middle Ionian thrusts) activated synchronously with the major Pindos Thrust, creating intrabasinal highs that influenced palaeocurrent directions. The transfer faults cross‐cut the intrabasinal highs and produced low relief areas that act as pathways for sediment distribution. The sediments are thicker and sandstone‐rich on the downthrown sides of the transfer faults. In these areas, sandstone reservoirs could be produced. Such tectonically active areas constitute promise for oil and gas reservoirs and traps.
A Computational Modeling Approach on Three‐Digit Number Processing
Authors: Huber Stefan , Moeller Korbinian , Nuerk Hans‐Christoph , Willmes Klaus
Published: March 2013

Recent findings indicate that the constituting digits of multi‐digit numbers are processed, decomposed into units, tens, and so on, rather than integrated into one entity. This is suggested by interfering effects of unit digit processing on two‐digit number comparison. In the present study, we extended the computational model for two‐digit number magnitude comparison of Moeller, Huber, Nuerk, and Willmes (2011a) to the case of three‐digit number comparison (e.g., 371_826). In a second step, we evaluated how hundred‐decade and hundred‐unit compatibility effects were moderated by varying the percentage of within‐hundred (e.g., 539_582) and within‐hundred‐and‐decade filler items (e.g., 483_489). From the results we predict that numerical distance as well as compatibility effects should indeed be modulated by the relevance of tens and units in three‐digit number magnitude comparison: While in particular the hundred distance effect should decrease, we predict hundred‐decade and hundred‐unit compatibility effects to increase with the relevance of tens and units.
Evaluation of histological grade and histologically tumour‐free margins as predictors of local recurrence in completely excised canine mast cell tumours
Authors: Donnelly L. , Mullin C. , Balko J. , Goldschmidt M. , Krick E. , Hume C. , Brown D. C. , Sorenmo K.
Published: March 2013

Completeness of mast cell tumour (MCT) excision is determined by assessment of histologically tumour‐free margins (HTFM). The HTFM width necessary to prevent local recurrence (LR), recognized as histologic safety margin (HSM) in human oncology, has not been defined. We hypothesized that HTFM width would correlate with risk for LR and high‐grade tumours would require wider HTFM than low‐grade tumours. Records of dogs with completely excised MCTs were included. Signalment, two‐tier tumour grade, tumour size, HTFM width, recurrence and therapy data was collected. High‐grade (n = 39) tumours were more likely to recur than low‐grade (n = 51) tumours (35.9% versus 3.9%), P < 0.0001, with no association between HTFM width and LR. Twenty‐nine percent of low‐grade tumours had HTFM less than 3 mm; none recurred. Narrow (≤3 mm) histologic margins are likely adequate to prevent LR of low‐grade tumours. High‐grade tumours have significant risk of LR regardless of HTFM width.
Peripartal alterations of calcitonin gene‐related peptide and minerals in dairy cows affected by milk fever
Authors: Zebeli Qendrim , Beitz Donald C. , Bradford Barry J. , Dunn Suzanna M. , Ametaj Burim N.
Published: March 2013

Background

Milk fever, a metabolic disease of dairy cattle, is associated with perturbations of calcium homeostasis, the pathogenesis of which is not yet completely understood.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate plasma concentrations of calcitonin gene‐related peptide and selected minerals and metabolites in periparturient cows with and without milk fever.

Methods

Plasma concentrations of calcitonin gene‐related peptide, as well as calcium, phosphate, magnesium, iron, glucose, lactate, and cortisol, were determined in multiple plasma samples from Jersey cows with and without spontaneous milk fever.

Results

Cows affected by milk fever (n = 5) had lower concentrations of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (P = .038) and inorganic phosphate (P < .001) in plasma than did the controls (n = 5). Also, these cows tended to have lower calcium concentrations (P = .071). Magnesium, iron, lactate, glucose, and cortisol concentrations were comparable between both groups of cows (P > .10). Around the day of calving, plasma concentrations of lactate, glucose, and cortisol increased and the concentration of iron decreased in all cows (P ≤ .01).

Conclusions

Despite the limited number of cows evaluated, this report is the first to indicate lowered concentrations of calcitonin gene‐related peptide as part of the metabolic changes during milk fever in cows. Further work with a larger cohort of animals is warranted to understand the precise role of calcitonin gene‐related peptide and the potential associations with disturbances in plasma minerals typically observed during milk fever.
Familial renal disease in soft‐coated wheaten terriers
Authors: Vaden Shelly L. , Littman Meryl P. , Cianciolo Rachel E.
Published: March 2013

Objective

To review what is known about the familial renal diseases in soft‐coated wheaten terriers (SCWT), provide an update in developments in this field including the relationship with protein‐losing nephropathy (PLN) and the potential association with protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE).

Data Sources

Information was derived from studies of dogs maintained in the North Carolina State University colony, information contained within an open registry of affected dogs, and data gathered from the general population of wheaten terriers at risk as well as studies performed on banked DNA samples from affected SCWT in the general population and normal geriatric dogs seen at the University of Pennsylvania (PennVet).

Human Data Synthesis

A two‐hit pathogenesis has been proposed in some types of human focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, specifically the subset of cases that are associated with a podocytopathy. At risk podocytes may be predisposed to injury by disease processes that would be reversible in other patients.

Veterinary Data Synthesis

Mutations were found in association with PLN in SCWT, indicating a podocytopathy that causes a change in glomerular permselectivity. This podocytopathy leads to the development of lesions resembling focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. There is also strong evidence supporting a high prevalence of food hypersensitivity reactions in SCWT, although it is unclear if these reactions have a primary or secondary role in the development of PLE. There are also suggestions of immunodysregulation in affected SCWT.

Conclusions

PLN in SCWT is due to a podocytopathy. The cause of PLE has not been identified; however, it is possible that PLE develops from a functional‐structural abnormality in the intestines and food allergies develop as secondary phenomena. It is also possible that inflammatory events that are the result of either immunodysregulation or food allergies might lead to the development of PLE. In either case, PLE most likely exacerbates PLN in affected SCWT.
Stored blood transfusion induces transient pulmonary arterial hypertension without impairing coagulation in an ovine model of nontraumatic haemorrhage
Authors: Fung Y. L. , Tung J. P. , Foley S. R. , Simonova G. , Thom O. , Staib A. , Collier J. , Dunster K. R. , Solano C. , Shekar K. , Chew M. S. , Fraser J. F.
Published: March 2013

Background and Objectives

Transfusion of blood products in particular older products is associated with patient morbidity. Previously, we demonstrated a higher incidence of acute lung injury in lipopolysaccharide‐treated sheep transfused with stored blood products. As transfusion following haemorrhage is more common, we aimed to determine whether a ‘first hit’ of isolated haemorrhage would precipitate similar detrimental effects following transfusion and also disrupt haemostasis.

Materials and Methods

Anaesthetized sheep had 33% of their total blood volume collected into Leukotrap bags (Pall Medical), which were processed into packed red blood cells and cross‐matched for transfusion into other sheep. After 30 mins, the sheep were resuscitated with either: fresh (<5 days old) or stored (35–42 days old) ovine blood followed by 4% albumin to replacement volume, albumin alone or normal saline alone and monitored for 4 h.

Results

The first hit of haemorrhage precipitated substantial decreases in mean arterial pressure however haemostasis was preserved. Transfusion of stored ovine blood induced (1) transient pulmonary arterial hypertension but no oedema and (2) reduced fibrinogen levels more than fresh blood, but neither induced coagulopathy. Thus, transfusion of stored blood affected pulmonary function even in the absence of overt organ injury.

Conclusion

The fact that stored blood transfusions: (1) did not induce acute lung injury in contrast to previous lipopolysaccharide‐primed animal models identifies the ‘first hit’ as an important determinant of the severity of transfusion‐mediated injury; (2) impaired pulmonary dynamics verifies the sensitivity and vulnerability of the pulmonary system to injury.
The evaporative requirement for heat balance determines whole‐body sweat rate during exercise under conditions permitting full evaporation
Authors: Gagnon Daniel , Jay Ollie , Kenny Glen P.
Published: March 2013

Key points

A relative exercise intensity (%) protocol is often used to compare absolute whole‐body sweat rates (WBSRs) during exercise between participants of different aerobic capacity.

Under conditions permitting full evaporation, heat balance theory suggests that exercise intensity should be fixed to elicit the same rate of evaporation required for heat balance (Ereq).

Whole‐body direct calorimetry was employed to measure WBSRs throughout 90 min of exercise across a range of air temperatures and rates of metabolic heat production.

Irrespective of ambient temperature and metabolic heat production, Ereq alone described ∼90% of all variability in WBSR during steady‐state and non‐steady‐state exercise, whereas <2% of variation was independently described by %.

To perform an unbiased comparison of WBSRs (but not necessarily core temperature) between different individuals/groups under conditions allowing full evaporation, future studies should consider using a fixed Ereq irrespective of the % incurred.

Abstract  Although the requirements for heat dissipation during exercise are determined by the necessity for heat balance, few studies have considered them when examining sweat production and its potential modulators. Rather, the majority of studies have used an experimental protocol based on a fixed percentage of maximum oxygen uptake (%). Using multiple regression analysis, we examined the independent contribution of the evaporative requirement for heat balance (Ereq) and % to whole‐body sweat rate (WBSR) during exercise. We hypothesised that WBSR would be determined by Ereq and not by %. A total of 23 males performed two separate experiments during which they exercised for 90 min at different rates of metabolic heat production (200, 350, 500 W) at a fixed air temperature (30°C, n= 8), or at a fixed rate of metabolic heat production (290 W) at different air temperatures (30, 35, 40°C, n= 15 and 45°C, n= 7). Whole‐body evaporative heat loss was measured by direct calorimetry and used to calculate absolute WBSR in grams per minute. The conditions employed resulted in a wide range of Ereq (131–487 W) and % (15–55%). The individual variation in non‐steady‐state (0–30 min) and steady‐state (30–90 min) WBSR correlated significantly with Ereq (P < 0.001). In contrast, % correlated negatively with the residual variation in WBSR not explained by Ereq, and marginally increased (∼2%) the amount of total variability in WBSR described by Ereq alone (non‐steady state: R2= 0.885; steady state: R2= 0.930). These data provide clear evidence that absolute WBSR during exercise is determined by Ereq, not by %. Future studies should therefore use an experimental protocol which ensures a fixed Ereq when examining absolute WBSR between individuals, irrespective of potential differences in relative exercise intensity.
Single Ca2+ channels and exocytosis at sensory synapses
Authors: Kim Mean‐Hwan , Li Geng‐Lin , von Gersdorff Henrique
Published: March 2013

Abstract  Hair cell synapses in the ear and photoreceptor synapses in the eye are the first synapses in the auditory and visual system. These specialized synapses transmit a large amount of sensory information in a fast and efficient manner. Moreover, both small and large signals with widely variable kinetics must be quickly encoded and reliably transmitted to allow an animal to rapidly monitor and react to its environment. Here we briefly review some aspects of these primary synapses, which are characterized by a synaptic ribbon in their active zones of transmitter release. We propose that these synapses are themselves highly specialized for the task at hand. Photoreceptor and bipolar cell ribbon synapses in the retina appear to have versatile properties that permit both tonic and phasic transmitter release. This allows them to transmit changes of both luminance and contrast within a visual field at different ambient light levels. By contrast, hair cell ribbon synapses are specialized for a highly synchronous form of multivesicular release that may be critical for phase locking to low‐frequency sound‐evoked signals at both low and high sound intensities. The microarchitecture of a hair cell synapse may be such that the opening of a single Ca2+ channel evokes the simultaneous exocytosis of multiple synaptic vesicles. Thus, the differing demands of sensory encoding in the eye and ear generate diverse designs and capabilities for their ribbon synapses.
Stiffness Design for a Spatial Three Degrees of Freedom Serial Compliant Manipulator Based on Impact Configuration Decomposition
Authors: Gan Dongming , Tsagarakis Nikos G. , Dai Jian S. , Caldwell Darwin G. , Seneviratne Lakmal
Published: March 2013

This paper proposes a method of stiffness design for a spatial Three Degrees of Freedom (3DOF) serial compliant manipulator with the objective of protecting the compliant joint actuators when the manipulator comes up against impact. System dynamic equations of serial compliant manipulators integrated with an impact model are linearized to identify the maximum joint torques in the impact. Based on this, a general procedure is given in which maximum joint torques are calculated with different directions of end-effector velocity and impact normal in the manipulator workspace based on a given magnitude of end-effector velocity. By tuning the stiffness for each compliant joint to ensure the maximum joint torque does not exceed the maximum value of the actuator, candidate stiffness values are obtained to make the compliant actuators safe in all cases. The theory and procedure are then applied to the spatial 3DOF serial compliant manipulator of which the impact configuration is decomposed into a 2DOF planar serial manipulator and a 1DOF manipulator with a 2DOF link based on the linearized impact-dynamic model. Candidate stiffness of the 3DOF serial compliant manipulator is obtained by combining analysis of the 2DOF and 1DOF manipulators. The method introduced in this paper can be used for both planar and spatial compliant serial manipulators.
MBE growth of ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe quantum-well infrared photodetectors
Authors: Shen Aidong , Pawan Ravikumar Arvind , Chen Guopeng , Zhao Kuaile , Alfaro-Martinez Adrian , Garcia Thor , de Jesus Joel , Tamargo Maria C. , Gmachl Claire
Published: March 2013

The authors report the growth of quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) made from wide band gap II-VI semiconductors. ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe QWIPs in both medium-wave infrared and long-wave infrared regions were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on InP substrates. High-resolution x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements showed that the as-grown samples have high structural and optical quality. Spectral responses with peaks at 8.7 μm and 4.0 μm have been obtained.
Single Crystalline Oxygen-free Titanium Nitride by XPS
Authors: Jaeger Dominik , Patscheider Jörg
Published: March 2013

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra are presented, which are obtained from an oxygen-free single crystalline (sc-) titanium nitride (TiN) sample. The investigated film has been grown on a magnesium oxide (MgO) single crystal with the (001) orientation. Unbalanced Reactive Magnetron Sputter deposition was used to deposit the TiN film in an argon/nitrogen atmosphere at 5 × 10−3 mbar and a temperature of 800 °C. The sample has been transferred in situ from the deposition chamber to the XPS device in order to prevent surface oxidation of the sample. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and angle resolved (AR-) XPS have been used to characterize the sample in detail. This work is dedicated to the XPS characterization of a representative oxygen-free sc-TiN sample. Detailed scans are presented and discussed for the Ti 2p, O 1s, N 1s, Ti 2s, valence band and Ti LMM regions. The spectra contain shake-ups, surface and bulk plasmons, that can be separated and quantified by the presented evaluation procedure.
Mutational Activation of the AmgRS Two-Component System in Aminoglycoside-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Lau Calvin Ho-Fung , Fraud Sebastien , Jones Marcus , Peterson Scott N. , Poole Keith
Published: March 2013

The
amgRS
operon encodes a presumed membrane stress-responsive two-component system linked to intrinsic aminoglycoside resistance in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Genome sequencing of a lab isolate showing modest pan-aminoglycoside resistance, strain K2979, revealed a number of mutations, including a substitution in
amgS
that produced an R182C change in the AmgS sensor kinase product of this gene. Introduction of this mutation into an otherwise wild-type strain recapitulated the resistance phenotype, while correcting the mutation in the resistant mutant abrogated the resistant phenotype, confirming that the
amgS
mutation is responsible for the aminoglycoside resistance of strain K2979. The
amgS
R182
mutation promoted an AmgR-dependent, 2- to 3-fold increase in expression of the AmgRS target genes
htpX
and PA5528, mirroring the impact of aminoglycoside exposure of wild-type cells on
htpX
and PA5528 expression. This suggests that
amgS
R182
is a gain-of-function mutation that activates AmgS and the AmgRS two-component system in promoting modest resistance to aminoglycosides. Screening of several pan-aminoglycoside-resistant clinical isolates of
P. aeruginosa
revealed three that showed elevated
htpX
and PA5528 expression and harbored single amino acid-altering mutations in
amgS
(V121G or D106N) and no mutations in
amgR
. Introduction of the
amgS
V121G
mutation into wild-type
P. aeruginosa
generated a resistance phenotype reminiscent of the
amgS
R182
mutant and produced a 2- to 3-fold increase in
htpX
and PA5528 expression, confirming that it, too, is a gain-of-function aminoglycoside resistance-promoting mutation. These results highlight the contribution of
amgS
mutations and activation of the AmgRS two-component system to acquired aminoglycoside resistance in lab and clinical isolates of
P. aeruginosa
.
Randomized Dose-Ranging Study of the 14-Day Early Bactericidal Activity of Bedaquiline (TMC207) in Patients with Sputum Microscopy Smear-Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Diacon Andreas H. , Dawson Rodney , Von Groote-Bidlingmaier Florian , Symons Gregory , Venter Amour , Donald Peter R. , Conradie Almari , Erondu Ngozi , Ginsberg Ann M. , Egizi Erica , Winter Helen , Becker Piet , Mendel Carl M.
Published: March 2013

Bedaquiline is a new antituberculosis agent targeting ATP synthase. This randomized, double-blinded study enrolling 68 sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients evaluated the 14-day early bactericidal activity of daily doses of 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, and 400 mg bedaquiline, preceded by loading doses of 200 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg, and 700 mg, respectively, on the first treatment day and 100 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, and 500 mg on the second treatment day. All groups showed activity with a mean (standard deviation) daily fall in log
10
CFU over 14 days of 0.040 (0.068), 0.056 (0.051), 0.077 (0.064), and 0.104 (0.077) in the 100-mg, 200-mg, 300-mg, and 400-mg groups, respectively. The linear trend for dose was significant (
P
= 0.001), and activity in the 400-mg dose group was greater than that in the 100-mg group (
P
= 0.014). All of the bedaquiline groups showed significant bactericidal activity that was continued to the end of the 14-day evaluation period. The finding of a linear trend for dose suggests that the highest dose compatible with safety considerations should be taken forward to longer-term clinical studies.
Polymyxin Resistance of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa phoQ
Mutants Is Dependent on Additional Two-Component Regulatory Systems
Authors: Gutu Alina D. , Sgambati Nicole , Strasbourger Pnina , Brannon Mark K. , Jacobs Michael A. , Haugen Eric , Kaul Rajinder K. , Johansen Helle Krogh , Høiby Niels , Moskowitz Samuel M.
Published: March 2013

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
can develop resistance to polymyxin as a consequence of mutations in the PhoPQ regulatory system, mediated by covalent lipid A modification. Transposon mutagenesis of a polymyxin-resistant
phoQ
mutant defined 41 novel loci required for resistance, including two regulatory systems, ColRS and CprRS. Deletion of the
colRS
genes, individually or in tandem, abrogated the polymyxin resistance of a Δ
phoQ
mutant, as did individual or tandem deletion of
cprRS
. Individual deletion of
colR
or
colS
in a Δ
phoQ
mutant also suppressed 4-amino-
l
-arabinose addition to lipid A, consistent with the known role of this modification in polymyxin resistance. Surprisingly, tandem deletion of
colRS
or
cprRS
in the Δ
phoQ
mutant or individual deletion of
cprR
or
cprS
failed to suppress 4-amino-
l
-arabinose addition to lipid A, indicating that this modification alone is not sufficient for PhoPQ-mediated polymyxin resistance in
P. aeruginosa
. Episomal expression of
colRS
or
cprRS
in tandem or of
cprR
individually complemented the Pm resistance phenotype in the Δ
phoQ
mutant, while episomal expression of
colR
,
colS
, or
cprS
individually did not. Highly polymyxin-resistant
phoQ
mutants of
P. aeruginosa
isolated from polymyxin-treated cystic fibrosis patients harbored mutant alleles of
colRS
and
cprS
; when expressed in a Δ
phoQ
background, these mutant alleles enhanced polymyxin resistance. These results define ColRS and CprRS as two-component systems regulating polymyxin resistance in
P. aeruginosa
, indicate that addition of 4-amino-
l
-arabinose to lipid A is not the only PhoPQ-regulated biochemical mechanism required for resistance, and demonstrate that
colRS
and
cprS
mutations can contribute to high-level clinical resistance.
Effect of Farnesol on Growth, Ergosterol Biosynthesis, and Cell Permeability in Coccidioides posadasii
Authors: Brilhante Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira , de Lima Rita Amanda Chaves , Caetano Erica Pacheco , Leite João Jaime Giffoni , Castelo-Branco Débora de Souza Collares Maia , Ribeiro Joyce Fonteles , Bandeira Tereza de Jesus Pinheiro Gomes , Cordeiro Rossana de Aguiar , Monteiro André Jalles , Sidrim José Júlio Costa , Rocha Marcos Fábio Gadelha
Published: March 2013

Coccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungi
Coccidioides
spp. The treatment for chronic and/or disseminated coccidioidomycosis can be prolonged and complicated. Therefore, the search for new drugs is necessary. Farnesol is a precursor in the sterol biosynthesis pathway that has been shown to present antifungal activity. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the
in vitro
antifungal activity of farnesol alone and in combination with antifungal agents against clinical and environmental strains of
Coccidioides posadasii
as well as to determine their effect on the synthesis of ergosterol and on cell permeability. This study employed the broth macrodilution method to determine the MIC of farnesol against 18 strains of
C. posadasii
. Quantification of ergosterol was performed with 10 strains of
C. posadasii
after exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of farnesol. Finally, the activity of farnesol was evaluated in the presence of osmotic stress, induced by the addition of NaCl to the culture medium, during the susceptibility tests. The results showed that farnesol exhibited low MICs (ranging from 0.00171 to 0.01369 mg/liter) against all tested strains. The combination of farnesol with the antifungals showed synergistic effects (fractional inhibitory concentration index [FICI] ≤ 0.5). As for the ergosterol quantification, it was observed that exposure to subinhibitory concentrations of farnesol decreased the amount of ergosterol extracted from the fungal cells. Furthermore, farnesol also showed lower MIC values when the strains were subjected to osmotic stress, indicating the action of this compound on the fungal membrane. Thus, due to the high
in vitro
antifungal activity, this work brings perspectives for the performance of
in vivo
studies to further elucidate the effects of farnesol on the host cells.
Adherence Profiles and Therapeutic Responses of Treatment-Naive HIV-Infected Patients Starting Boosted Atazanavir-Based Therapy in the ANRS 134-COPHAR 3 Trial
Authors: Parienti Jean-Jacques , Barrail-Tran Aurélie , Duval Xavier , Nembot Georges , Descamps Diane , Vigan Marie , Vrijens Bernard , Panhard Xavière , Taburet Anne-Marie , Mentré France , Goujard Cécile
Published: March 2013

The adherence profile of HIV-infected patients predicts the therapeutic outcome, in particular during the early phase of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We conducted a prospective observational multicenter trial monitoring adherence and virological and immunological parameters over the initial 6 months of treatment. Thirty-five subjects were starting a treatment regimen including atazanavir, ritonavir, and emtricitabine-tenofovir. Adherence was assessed using self-completed questionnaires, announced pill counts, and the medication event monitoring system (MEMS) for each drug. Three MEMS measures were defined: the percentages of doses taken, days with the correct dosing, and doses taken on time (±3 h). Dynamic virological suppression (DVS) was defined as a reduction in the plasma HIV-RNA level of >1 log10per month or <40 copies/ml. The cumulative treatment time was 5,526 days. A high level of adherence was observed. The MEMS-defined adherence for correct dosing (−0.68% per 4-week period,P< 0.03) and timing compliance (−1.60% per 4-week period,P< 0.003) decreased significantly over time. The MEMS-defined adherence data were concordant with the pill counts during the trial but not with the data from the questionnaires. The median [range] percentages of doses taken (100% [50 to 102]), days with the correct dosing (95% [41 to 100]), and doses taken on time (86% [32 to 100]) were significantly associated with DVS in separate models. Among these three measures, the percentage of doses taken on time had the greatest ability to predict DVS. Timing compliance should be supported to optimize DVS during the early phase of treatment by once-daily boosted protease inhibitor-based ART. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT00528060.)
A Lactotransferrin Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Demonstrates Biological Activity That Can Reduce Susceptibility to Caries
Authors: Fine Daniel H. , Toruner Gokce A. , Velliyagounder Kabilan , Sampathkumar Vandana , Godboley Dipti , Furgang David
Published: March 2013

Streptococcus mutans
is prominently linked to dental caries. Saliva's influence on caries is incompletely understood. Our goal was to identify a salivary protein with anti-
S. mutans
activity, characterize its genotype, and determine genotypic variants associated with
S. mutans
activity and reduced caries. An
S. mutans
affinity column was used to isolate active moieties from saliva obtained from a subject with minimal caries. The bound and eluted protein was identified as lactotransferrin (LTF) by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis and confirmed by Western blotting with LTF antibody. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that produced a shift from arginine (R) to lysine (K) at amino acid position 47 in the LTF antimicrobial region (rs: 1126478) killed
S. mutans
in vitro
. Saliva from a subject with moderate caries and with the LTF “wild-type” R form at position 47 had no such activity. A pilot genetic study (
n
= 30) showed that KK subjects were more likely to have anti-
S. mutans
activity than RR subjects (
P
= 0.001; relative risk = 3.6; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.5 to 11.13). Pretreatment of KK saliva with antibody to LTF reduced
S. mutans
killing in a dose-dependent manner (
P
= 0.02). KK subjects were less likely to have caries (
P
= 0.02). A synthetic 11-mer LTF/K peptide killed
S. mutans
and other caries-related bacteria, while the LTF/R peptide had no effect (
P
= 0.01). Our results provide functional evidence that the LTF/K variant results in both anti-
S. mutans
activity and reduced decay. We suggest that the LTF/K variant can influence oral microbial ecology in general and caries-provoking microbes specifically.