bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure of a myosin•adaptor complex and pairing by cargo
Authors: Shi Hang , Singh Nimisha , Esselborn Filipp , Blobel Günter
Published: February 2014

Significance

To navigate large cargo through the viscous cytoplasm, cells use a variety of energy-consuming machines that, akin to ropewalkers, move on intracellular “tracks” in a stepwise “bipedal” fashion. To prevent waste of energy by futile walking, several control mechanisms have evolved. In the case described here for one group of yeast myosins, crystallographic and biophysical analyses revealed that a single myosin molecule associates with an intertwined middle region of two “adaptor” molecules. The adaptor also contains distinct binding sites for cargo. Only when cargo is attached to the myosin-bound adaptor are two of the myosin–adaptor complexes joined into a pair, akin to converting a uniped (unable to walk) into a biped (able to walk).
Logarithmic Frobenius manifolds, hypergeometric systems and quantum 𝒟-modules
Authors: Reichelt Thomas , Sevenheck Christian
Published: February 2014

We describe mirror symmetry for weak Fano toric manifolds as an equivalence of filteredD\mathcal {D}-modules. We discuss in particular the logarithmic degeneration behavior at the large radius limit point and express the mirror correspondence as an isomorphism of Frobenius manifolds with logarithmic poles. The main tool is an identification of the Gauß-Manin system of the mirror Landau-Ginzburg model with a hypergeometricD\mathcal {D}-module, and a detailed study of a natural filtration defined on this differential system. We obtain a solution of the Birkhoff problem for lattices defined by this filtration and show the existence of a primitive form, which yields the construction of Frobenius structures with logarithmic poles associated to the mirror Laurent polynomial. As a final application, we show the existence of a pure polarized non-commutative Hodge structure on a Zariski open subset of the complexified Kähler moduli space of the variety.
A pathway linking oxidative stress and the Ran GTPase system in progeria
Authors: Datta Sutirtha , Snow Chelsi J. , Paschal Bryce M.
Published: February 2014

Maintaining the Ran GTPase at a proper concentration in the nucleus is important for nucleocytoplasmic transport. Previously we found that nuclear levels of Ran are reduced in cells from patients with Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS), a disease caused by constitutive attachment of a mutant form of lamin A (termed progerin) to the nuclear membrane. Here we explore the relationship between progerin, the Ran GTPase, and oxidative stress. Stable attachment of progerin to the nuclear membrane disrupts the Ran gradient and results in cytoplasmic localization of Ubc9, a Ran-dependent import cargo. Ran and Ubc9 disruption can be induced reversibly with H2O2. CHO cells preadapted to oxidative stress resist the effects of progerin on Ran and Ubc9. Given that HGPS-patient fibroblasts display elevated ROS, these data suggest that progerin inhibits nuclear transport via oxidative stress. A drug that inhibits pre–lamin A cleavage mimics the effects of progerin by disrupting the Ran gradient, but the effects on Ran are observed before a substantial ROS increase. Moreover, reducing the nuclear concentration of Ran is sufficient to induce ROS irrespective of progerin. We speculate that oxidative stress caused by progerin may occur upstream or downstream of Ran, depending on the cell type and physiological setting.
Concentration-dependent lamin assembly and its roles in the localization of other nuclear proteins
Authors: Guo Yuxuan , Kim Youngjo , Shimi Takeshi , Goldman Robert D. , Zheng Yixian
Published: February 2014

The nuclear lamina (NL) consists of lamin polymers and proteins that bind to the polymers. Disruption of NL proteins such as lamin and emerin leads to developmental defects and human diseases. However, the expression of multiple lamins, including lamin-A/C, lamin-B1, and lamin-B2, in mammals has made it difficult to study the assembly and function of the NL. Consequently, it has been unclear whether different lamins depend on one another for proper NL assembly and which NL functions are shared by all lamins or are specific to one lamin. Using mouse cells deleted of all or different combinations of lamins, we demonstrate that the assembly of each lamin into the NL depends primarily on the lamin concentration present in the nucleus. When expressed at sufficiently high levels, each lamin alone can assemble into an evenly organized NL, which is in turn sufficient to ensure the even distribution of the nuclear pore complexes. By contrast, only lamin-A can ensure the localization of emerin within the NL. Thus, when investigating the role of the NL in development and disease, it is critical to determine the protein levels of relevant lamins and the intricate shared or specific lamin functions in the tissue of interest.
Embedding Big Business. The Political Economy of the 1938 Corporate Tax Reform in Sweden
Authors: Eriksson Martin
Published: February 2014

This article examines the business–government relations during the policy and decision-making processes that preceded the 1938 corporate tax reform in Sweden. This reform involved creating a new tax system under the turbulent economic conditions of the interwar period. But while literature on tax history has found that such circumstances often disable actors from agreeing on tax policies, a constructive outcome was still reached in the Swedish case. In this regard, it is demonstrated that one crucial factor behind the creation of the 1938 corporate tax reform was the formation of a coalition between the Social Democratic party and the business peak associations around a number of areas where their taxation interests coincided. Here, the Social Democrats agreed to shelter profits from corporations as long as they were managed according to the intentions of their countercyclical economic policy that encouraged industrial investments and employment expansion.
Impact of Five Cover Crop Green Manures and Actinovate on Fusarium Wilt of Watermelon
Authors: Himmelstein J. C. , Maul J. E. , Everts K. L.
Published: February 2014

Triploid watermelon cultivars are grown on more than 2,023 ha in Maryland and in Delaware. Triploid watermelon cultivars have little host resistance to Fusarium wilt of watermelon (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum). The effects of four different fall-planted cover crops (Vicia villosa, Trifolium incarnatum, Secale cereale, and Brassica juncea) that were tilled in the spring as green manures, and bare ground, were evaluated alone and in combination with the biocontrol product Actinovate (Streptomyces lydicus) on Fusarium wilt severity and watermelon fruit yield and quality. Six field experiments were conducted over 3 years in Beltsville and Salisbury, MD and Georgetown, DE. Both V. villosa and T. incarnatum significantly suppressed Fusarium wilt of watermelon as much as 21% compared with watermelon in nonamended plots. However, no suppression of Fusarium wilt occurred at low disease levels or where low cover crop biomass was present. In general, Beltsville, MD had lower disease levels than Salisbury, MD and Georgetown, DE. T. incarnatum was the only cover crop that yielded significantly more fruit than nonamended treatments (129% more fruit per hectare) but only for one field trial. The Actinovate product either did not reduce Fusarium wilt or the magnitude of the reduction was nominal. Actinovate significantly reduced Fusarium wilt by 2% in 2009 and as much as 7% in 2010, and increased Fusarium wilt severity by 2.5% in 2011. Actinovate significantly increased yield for one field trial but only when applied to nonamended or Secale cereal-amended plots. This is the first report of a reduction in Fusarium wilt following a T. incarnatum cover crop incorporated as a green manure.
First Report of Fusarium succisae Causing Flower Rot on Thread-leaf Coreopsis
Authors: Choi H.-W. , Hong S. K. , Lee Y. K. , Kim W. G.
Published: February 2014

In July 2010, flower rot of thread-leaf coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata) was found in a garden in the Icheon City, Korea. The disease affected about 20 to 50% of a 100 m2 area. The disease was characterized by the appearance of pinkish mycelia on the stigmata and inflorescences of flowers. In some cases, flowers failed to bloom or turned brown before opening fully. Fragments (each 5 × 5 mm) of the symptomatic tissue were surface-sterilized with 1% NaOCl for 1 min, and then rinsed twice in sterilized distilled water. The tissue pieces were placed on water agar (WA) and incubated at 25°C for 4 to 6 days. Twenty-two isolates of Fusarium species were obtained from the diseased flowers. All isolates were identified as Fusarium succisae based on their morphological characteristics on carnation leaf agar (CLA) medium and DNA sequences of the translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (1). Macroconidia and sporodochia were sparsely produced on CLA medium. Microconidia were abundant, borne in false heads, oval or allantoid and sometimes pyriform, and measured 4.2 to 13 × 2.2 to 5.4 μm. Chlamydospores were absent. The EF-1α gene was amplified from three isolates by PCR assay and the amplification products were sequenced (2). The nucleotide sequences obtained were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers KF514658, KF514659, and KF514660. BLASTn analysis showed 99% homology with the EF-1α sequence of F. succisae NRRL13613 (GenBank Accession No. AF160291). Pathogenicity tests were conducted with inoculation of flowers on Coreopsis verticillata. Spore suspension was prepared by flooding 7-day-old cultures on potato dextrose agar with sterilized 2% (w/v) sugar solution. When the plants started to have buds, the isolates were inoculated by placing one drop (20 μl) of spore suspension (1 × 106 spores ml−1) into the buds. Fifteen buds of the plants were arranged into three replications. The control was treated with sterilized 2% sugar solution. Inoculated plants were kept in a greenhouse at 25/20°C (12 h/12 h). Three weeks after inoculation, the symptoms were observed on buds with mycelial production. Control plants had no mycelia on buds. F. succisae was re-isolated from the inoculated flowers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of flower rot of thread-leaf coreopsis caused by F. succisae.

References: (1) J. F. Leslie and B. A. Summerell. The Fusarium Laboratory Manual. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, IA, 2006. (2) K. O'Donnell et al. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 95:2044, 1998.
Patterns of Opioid Utilization in Pregnancy in a Large Cohort of Commercial Insurance Beneficiaries in the United States
Authors: Bateman Brian T. , Hernandez-Diaz Sonia , Rathmell James P. , Seeger John D. , Doherty Michael , Fischer Michael A. , Huybrechts Krista F.
Published: February 2014

Background:

There are few data regarding the utilization of opioids during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to define the prevalence and patterns of opioid use in a large cohort of pregnant women who were commercial insurance beneficiaries.

Methods:

Data for the study were derived from a deidentified research database of women from across the United States who had both medical and prescription benefits. By using diagnostic codes, the authors defined a cohort of 534,500 women with completed pregnancies who were enrolled in a commercial insurance plan from 6 months before pregnancy through delivery.

Results:

Overall, 76,742 women (14.4%) were dispensed an opioid at some point during pregnancy. There were 30,566 women (5.7%) dispensed an opioid during the first trimester, 30,434 women (5.7%) during the second trimester, and 34,906 women (6.5%) during the third trimester. Of these, 11,747 women (2.2%) were dispensed opioids three or more times during pregnancy. The most commonly dispensed opioids during pregnancy were hydrocodone (6.8%), codeine (6.1%), and oxycodone (2.0%). The prevalence of exposure at anytime during pregnancy decreased slightly during the study period from 14.9% for pregnancies that delivered in 2005 to 12.9% in 2011. The prevalence of exposure varied significantly by region and was lowest in the Northeast and highest in the South.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates that opioids are very common exposures during pregnancy. Given the small and inconsistent body of literature on their safety in pregnancy, these findings suggest a need for research in this area.
Breaking dogmas: the plant vascular pathogenXanthomonas albilineansis able to invade non-vascular tissues despite its reduced genome
Authors: Mensi Imène , Vernerey Marie-Stéphanie , Gargani Daniel , Nicole Michel , Rott Philippe
Published: February 2014

Xanthomonas albilineans, the causal agent of sugarcane leaf scald, is missing the Hrp type III secretion system that is used by many Gram-negative bacteria to colonize their host. Until now, this pathogen was considered as strictly limited to the xylem of sugarcane. We used confocal laser scanning microscopy, immunocytochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the localization ofX. albilineansin diseased sugarcane. Sugarcane plants were inoculated with strains of the pathogen labelled with a green fluorescent protein. Confocal microscopy observations of symptomatic leaves confirmed the presence of the pathogen in the protoxylem and metaxylem; however,X. albilineanswas also observed in phloem, parenchyma and bulliform cells of the infected leaves. Similarly, vascular bundles of infected sugarcane stalks were invaded byX. albilineans. Surprisingly, the pathogen was also observed in apparently intact storage cells of the stalk and in intercellular spaces between these cells. Most of these observations made by confocal microscopy were confirmed by TEM. The pathogen exits the xylem following cell wall and middle lamellae degradation, thus creating openings to reach parenchyma cells. This is the first description of a plant pathogenic vascular bacterium invading apparently intact non-vascular plant tissues and multiplying in parenchyma cells.
A CENP-S/X complex assembles at the centromere in S and G2 phases of the human cell cycle
Authors: Dornblut Carsten , Quinn Nadine , Monajambashi Shamci , Prendergast Lisa , van Vuuren Chelly , Münch Sandra , Deng Wen , Leonhardt Heinrich , Cardoso M. Cristina , Hoischen Christian , Diekmann Stephan , Sullivan Kevin F.
Published: February 2014

The functional identity of centromeres arises from a set of specific nucleoprotein particle subunits of the centromeric chromatin fibre. These include CENP-A and histone H3 nucleosomes and a novel nucleosome-like complex of CENPs -T, -W, -S and -X. Fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) revealed that human CENP-S and -X exist principally in complex in soluble form and retain proximity when assembled at centromeres. Conditional labelling experiments show that they both assemble
de novo
during S phase and G2, increasing approximately three- to fourfold in abundance at centromeres. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements documented steady-state exchange between soluble and assembled pools, with CENP-X exchanging approximately 10 times faster than CENP-S (
t
1/2
∼ 10 min versus 120 min). CENP-S binding to sites of DNA damage was quite distinct, with a FRAP half-time of approximately 160 s. Fluorescent two-hybrid analysis identified CENP-T as a uniquely strong CENP-S binding protein and this association was confirmed by FRET, revealing a centromere-bound complex containing CENP-S, CENP-X and CENP-T in proximity to histone H3 but not CENP-A. We propose that deposition of the CENP-T/W/S/X particle reveals a kinetochore-specific chromatin assembly pathway that functions to switch centromeric chromatin to a mitosis-competent state after DNA replication. Centromeres shuttle between CENP-A-rich, replication-competent and H3-CENP-T/W/S/X-rich mitosis-competent compositions in the cell cycle.
Sphingomonas oligoaromativorans sp. nov., an oligotrophic bacterium isolated from a forest soil
Authors: Han Song-Ih , Lee Jae-Chan , Ohta Hiroyuki , Whang Kyung-Sook
Published: February 2014

A halo- and organo-sensitive oligotrophic bacterium, designated strain SY-6T, was isolated from humus forest soil at Gyeryong mountain in Korea. Cells of the strain were Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile rods and the strain formed yellow-pigmented colonies on 100-fold-diluted nutrient broth. Strain SY-6T grew at pH 6.0–7.0 (optimal growth at pH 7.0), at 10–37 °C (optimal growth at 28 °C) and at salinities of 0–0.5 % (w/v) NaCl, growing optimally at 0.01 % (w/v) NaCl. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain SY-6T was shown to belong to the genus

Sphingomonas

and showed the closest phylogenetic similarity to

Sphingomonas polyaromaticivorans

B2-7T (96.7 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid. The predominant ubiquinone and polyamine were Q-10 and sym-homospermidine, respectively. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content of the novel isolate was 65.3 mol%. On the basis of the evidence from this polyphasic study, strain SY-6T represents a novel species of the genus

Sphingomonas

, for which the name Sphingomonas oligoaromativorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SY-6T ( = KACC 12948T = NBRC 105508T).
A prediction model for real-time PCR results in blood samples from febrile patients with suspected sepsis
Authors: Leli Christian , Cardaccia Angela , D’Alò Francesco , Ferri Carla , Bistoni Francesco , Mencacci Antonella
Published: February 2014

Sepsis, a systemic, deleterious host response to infection that leads to organ dysfunction, is a potentially deadly condition needing prompt identification of the causative organisms and early appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Among non-culture-based diagnostic methods, SeptiFast(SF) can be employed to speed bacterial and fungal DNA detection, but it suffers from poor sensitivity and high cost. The aim of the present study, performed in 285 febrile patients, was to develop a prediction model to restrict the SF assay to clinical cases with a high probability of positive SF results. The prevalence of SF results positive for a pathogen was 17.2 %. Independent predictors of positive results were: blood sampling within 12 h after the onset of fever [odds ratio (OR) 20.03; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 6.87–58.38;P<0.0001]; ≥0.5 ng serum procalcitonin (PCT) ml−1(OR 18.52; 95 % CI 5.12–67.02;P<0.0001); body temperature ≥38 °C (OR 3.78; 95 % CI 1.39–10.25;P = 0.009); ≤3 g serum albumin dl−1(OR 3.40; 95 % CI 1.27–9.08;P = 0.014); and ≥13 000 white blood cells mm−3(OR 2.75; 95 % CI 1.09–7.69;P = 0.05). The model showed good calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow chi-squared 1.61;P = 0.978). Area under the receiving operating characteristic curve was 0.944 (95 % CI 0.914–0.973;P<0.0001). These results suggest that a prediction model based on PCT and a few other routinely available laboratory and clinical variables could be of help in selecting patients with a high probability of SF-positive results.
Metabolic composition of anode community predicts electrical power in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Grüning André , Beecroft Nelli J. , Avignone-Rossa Claudio
Published: February 2014

Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for organic waste treatment and sustainable bioelectricity production. Inoculated with natural communities, they present a complex microbial ecosystem with syntrophic interactions between microbes with different metabolic capabilities. From this point of view, they are similar to anaerobic digesters, however with methanogenesis replaced by anaerobic respiration with the anode as terminal electron acceptor. Bio-electrochemically they are similar to classical fuel cells where however the electrogenic redox reaction is part of the microbial metabolism rather than mediated by an inorganic catalyst.

In this paper, we analyse how electric power production in MFCs depends on the composition of the anodic biofilm in terms of metabolic capabilities of identified sets of species. MFCs were started with a natural inoculum and continuously fed with sucrose, a fermentable carbohydrate. The composition of the community, power and other environmental data were sampled over a period of a few weeks during the maturation of the anodic biofilm, and the community composition was determined down to the species level including relevant metabolic capabilities.

Our results support the hypothesis that an MFCs with natural inoculum and fermentable feedstock is essentially a two stage system with fermentation followed by anode-respiration. Our results also show that under identical starting and operating conditions, MFCs with comparable power output can develop different anodic communities with no particular species dominant across all replicas. It is only important for good power production that all cells contain a sufficient fraction of low-potential anaerobic respirators, that is respirators that can use terminal electron acceptors with a low redox potential. We conclude with a number of hypotheses and recommendations for the operation of MFCs to ensure good electric yield.
The roles of standing genetic variation and evolutionary history in determining the evolvability of anti-predator strategies
Authors: O’Donnell Daniel R , Fish Jordan A , Parigi Abhijna , Dworkin Ian , Wagner Aaron P
Published: February 2014

Standing genetic variation and the historical environment in which that variation arises (evolutionary history) are both potentially significant determinants of a population’s capacity for evolutionary response to a changing environment. We evaluated the relative importance of these two factors in influencing the evolutionary trajectories in the face of sudden environmental change. We used the open-ended digital evolution software Avida to examine how historic exposure to predation pressures, different levels of genetic variation, and combinations of the two, impact anti-predator strategies and competitive abilities evolved in the face of threats from new, invasive, predator populations. We show that while standing genetic variation plays some role in determining evolutionary responses, evolutionary history has the greater influence on a population’s capacity to evolve effective anti-predator traits. This adaptability likely reflects the relative ease of repurposing existing, relevant genes and traits, and the broader potential value of the generation and maintenance of adaptively flexible traits in evolving populations.
Within the fortress: A specialized parasite of ants is not evicted
Authors: Gracia Emilia S. , de Bekker Charissa , Russell Jim , Manlove Kezia , Hanks Ephraim , Hughes David P.
Published: February 2014

Every level of biological organization from cells to societies require that composing units come together to form parts of a bigger unit (1). Our knowledge of how behavioral manipulating parasites change social interactions between social hosts is limited. Here we use an endoparasite to observe changes in social interactions between infected and healthy ants, using trophallaxis (liquid food exchange) and spatial data as proxies for food sharing and social segregation. We found no change in trophallaxis (p-value = 0.5156). By using K-function and nearest neighbor analyses we did see a significant difference in spatial segregation on day 3 (less than 8 millimeters; p-value < 0.05). These results suggest healthy individuals are unable to detect the parasite within the host.
Upregulation of interleukin‐33 in the epidermis of two Japanese patients with Netherton syndrome
Authors: Konishi Tomoko , Tsuda Tatsuya , Sakaguchi Yoshiko , Imai Yasutomo , Ito Takashi , Hirota Seiichi , Yamanishi Kiyofumi
Published: February 2014

Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder which is caused by mutations in the SPINK5 gene encoding the serine‐protease inhibitor LEKTI. Characteristic symptoms of NS include erythroderma with diffuse desquamation, hair abnormalities and atopic manifestations. Here, we report two Japanese patients with NS, one of whom had a novel mutation in the SPINK5 gene which leads to p.C367Lfs*3. The upregulation of interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) was evident in basal and thickened lower spinous layers of the epidermis in those cases. This suggests that IL‐33 may be involved in the pathophysiology of NS as well as in atopic dermatitis.
Individual and sex‐specific differences in intrinsic growth rate covary with consistent individual differences in behaviour
Authors: Biro Peter A. , Adriaenssens Bart , Sampson Portia
Published: February 2014

The evolutionary causes of consistent individual differences in behaviour are currently a source of debate. A recent hypothesis suggests that consistent individual differences in life‐history productivity (growth and/or fecundity) may covary with behavioural traits that contribute to growth‐mortality trade‐offs, such as risk‐proneness (boldness) and foraging activity (voraciousness). It remains unclear, however, to what extent individual behavioural and life‐history profiles are set early in life, or are a more flexible result of specific environmental or developmental contexts that allow bold and active individuals to acquire more resources.

Longitudinal studies of individually housed animals under controlled conditions can shed light on this question. Since growth and behaviour can both vary within individuals (they are labile), studying between‐individual correlations in behaviour and growth rate requires repeated scoring for both variables over an extended period of time. However, such a study has not yet been done.

Here, we repeatedly measured individual mass seven times each, boldness 40 times each and voracity eight times each during the first 4 months of life on 90 individually housed crayfish (Cherax destructor). Animals were fed ad libitum, generating a context where individuals can express their intrinsic growth rate (i.e. growth capacity), but in which bold and voracious behaviour is not necessary for high resource acquisition (crayfish can and do hoard food back to their burrow).

We show that individuals that were consistently bold over time during the day were also bolder at night, were more voracious and maintained higher growth rates over time than shy individuals. Independent of individual differences, we also observed that males were faster‐growing, bolder and more voracious than females.

Our findings imply that associations between bold behaviour and fast growth can occur in unlimited food contexts where there is no necessary link between bold behaviour and resource acquisition – offering support for the ‘personality–productivity’ hypothesis. We suggest future research should study links between consistent individual differences in behaviour and life history under a wider range of contexts, in order to shed light on the role of biotic and abiotic conditions in the strength, direction and stability of their covariance.
Narrow band imaging: Application for early‐stage gastrointestinal neoplasia
Authors: Zhu Ling Yin , Li Xiao Bo
Published: February 2014

Narrow‐band imaging (NBI) is an imaging technique for endoscopy using optical filters to narrow the bandwidth of spectral transmittance. Through this narrow spectrum, NBI contrasts surface structure and microvascular architecture of various lesions. In this article we focus on the application of NBI for early‐stage neoplasia in the esophagus, stomach and colon with a three‐step strategy of endoscopic diagnosis: (i) the detection of abnormality; (ii) the differentiation between non‐neoplasia and neoplasia; and (iii) staging for tumor extension and depth of invasion.
Comparison of the Vaginal environment of Macaca mulatta and Macaca nemestrina Throughout the Menstrual Cycle
Authors: Hadzic Sarah V. , Wang Xiaolei , Dufour Jason , Doyle Lara , Marx Preston A. , Lackner Andrew A. , Paulsen Daniel B. , Veazey Ronald S.
Published: February 2014

Problem

Pigtail macaques, Macaca nemestrina (PT), are more susceptible to vaginal transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) than rhesus macaques (RM). However, comparative studies to explore the reasons for these differences are lacking.

Method of Study

Here, we compared differences in hormone levels and vaginal mucosal anatomy and thickness of RM and PT through different stages of the menstrual cycle. Concentrations of plasma estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) were determined weekly, and vaginal biopsies examined at days 0 and 14 of the menstrual cycle.

Results

Consistent changes in vaginal epithelial thickness occurred at different stages of the menstrual cycle. In both species, the vaginal epithelium was significantly thicker in the follicular than in luteal phase. Keratinized epithelium was strikingly much more prominent in RM, especially during the luteal phase. Further, the vaginal epithelium was significantly thinner, and the P4:E2 ratio was higher in PT during luteal phase than RM.

Conclusions

Striking anatomic differences in the vaginal epithelium between rhesus and pigtail macaques combined with differences in P4:E2 ratio support the hypothesis that thinning and less keratinization of the vaginal epithelium may be involved in the greater susceptibility of pigtail macaques to vaginal transmission of SIV or other STD.
The impact of cytomegalovirus reactivation and its treatment on the course of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Delvincourt M. , Lopez A. , Pillet S. , Bourrier A. , Seksik P. , Cosnes J. , Carrat F. , Gozlan J. , Beaugerie L. , Roblin X. , Peyrin‐Biroulet L. , Sokol H.
Published: February 2014

Background

Consequences of latent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection reactivation on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) flare, as a flare‐worsening factor or simple bystander, are debated. Impact of anti‐viral treatment on IBD course is poorly known.

Aim

To assess the impact of CMV reactivation on patients hospitalised for IBD flare and the effect of anti‐viral treatment on IBD flare in patients with CMV reactivation.

Methods

First, a population of UC patients from Saint‐Antoine hospital, in flare with positive blood CMV PCR without anti‐viral treatment (n = 26), were compared to matched patients with negative blood CMV PCR in a case–control study. Secondly, a total of 110 hospitalisations between October 2003 and May 2012 for IBD flare‐up with CMV reactivation (80 diagnosed on blood PCR, 33 on tissue PCR) were identified in three French referral centres. Evolution following CMV reactivation diagnosis was compared between patients receiving anti‐viral treatment and those who did not.

Results

In the case–control study, no differences were observed between the two groups regarding length of hospital stay and colectomy rate. Comparing treated and untreated patients, no differences were observed at inclusion regarding age, gender, IBD type, immunosuppressant, CRP and haemoglobin level. No differences were observed regarding CRP level decrease at 10 days and colectomy rate at 3 months. Anti‐viral treatment was associated with lower serum albumin level at inclusion and longer hospitalisation.

Conclusions

CMV reactivation does not appear to alter the course of IBD flare. CMV treatment does not seem to impact the course of IBD. These results should be confirmed prospectively.
Analysis of unique liver volume restoration after laparoscopic fenestration of liver cysts
Authors: Iimuro Yuji , Okada Toshihiro , Kondo Yuichi , Suzumura Kazuhiro , Uyama Naoki , Uda Yugo , Yamanaka Junichi , Fujimoto Jiro
Published: February 2014

Introduction

Laparoscopic fenestration is a standard procedure for the treatment of non‐parasitic liver cysts. After fenestration, the remnant liver often restores its volume. However, no systematic analysis of the phenomenon exists. In the present study, the pattern of liver volume restoration after laparoscopic fenestration of liver cysts was analyzed, and the mechanism for the unique restoration was investigated.

Methods

Seven patients with giant non‐parasitic liver cysts underwent laparoscopic fenestration. Liver volume restoration in each section and changes in the diameter of the portal branch were analyzed after fenestration with CT or MRI. In two patients, regional liver volume restoration was assessed in detail using region‐growing software, and change in portal flow distribution was estimated using computational fluid dynamics. Then, the regional liver volume restoration rate was compared with the portal hemodynamic changes.

Results

Liver volume restoration after fenestration was dependent on the size and position of the cysts; it not uniform throughout the remnant liver. The liver volume restoration in sections that had been compressed by giant cysts was significantly greater than in other areas after fenestration. This volume restoration was accompanied by an increase in the diameters of the portal branches in these sections. In addition, a strong correlation between the regional liver volume restoration rate and the changes in portal flow distribution existed in the computationally analyzed cases.

Conclusion

Liver volume restoration after the fenestration of giant liver cysts non‐uniformly occurs in the remnant liver. Improved portal vein circulation in the hepatic area adjacent to the excised giant liver cysts most likely regulates the greater regional volume restoration rate in the area.
Confocal imaging and phylogenetic considerations of the subcutaneous neurons in the Atlantic hagfish Myxine glutinosa
Authors: Zaccone Giacomo , Fudge Douglas S. , Winegard Timothy M. , Capillo Gioele , Kuciel Michal , Funakoshi Kengo , Lauriano Eugenia Rita
Published: February 2014

We used confocal microscopy and immunohistochemistry to characterize the morphology of the subcutaneous neurons and the innervation of the slime glands and striated muscles in the hagfish Myxine glutinosa. A rich plexus of 5HT‐, ChAT‐ and TH‐positive neurons is described in the capsule of the slime glands. These neurons, like those of the subcutaneous plexus, receive pericellular terminations from the axons of central cells. Capsular neurons receive innervation from 5HT‐positive and nNOS‐positive nerve fibres. Other nerve endings belonging to two separate nerve populations are identified in the striated muscles. They contain TH and nNOS immunoreactivity. Due to the lack of any topographical labelling, the cell origin and the projections of the neurons into the cranial and spinal nerves are unknown. This study provides anatomical evidence of multiple (5HT and nNOS) peripheral innervation of the neurons. However, it does not provide information about the function of these neurons in the hagfish. We suggest that hagfish neurons have a phylogenetic relationship with the spinal group of the dorsal cells of lampreys and the supramedullary cells of teleosts.
Locomotion pattern and trunk musculoskeletal architecture among Urodela
Authors: Omura Ayano , Ejima Ken‐Ichiro , Honda Kazuya , Anzai Wataru , Taguchi Yuki , Koyabu Daisuke , Endo Hideki
Published: February 2014

We comparatively examined the trunk musculature and prezygapophyseal angle of mid‐trunk vertebra in eight urodele species with different locomotive modes (aquatic Siren intermedia, Amphiuma tridactylum, Necturus maculosus and Andrias japonicus; semi‐aquatic Cynops pyrrhogaster, Cynops ensicauda; and terrestrial Hynobius nigrescens, Hynobius lichenatus and Ambystoma tigrinum). We found that the more terrestrial species were characterized by larger dorsal and abdominal muscle weight ratios compared with those of the more aquatic species, whereas muscle ratios of the lateral hypaxial musculature were larger in the more aquatic species. The lateral hypaxial muscles were thicker in the more aquatic species, whereas the M. rectus abdominis was more differentiated in the more terrestrial species. Our results suggest that larger lateral hypaxial muscles function for lateral bending during underwater locomotion in aquatic species. Larger dorsalis and abdominal muscles facilitate resistance against sagittal extension of the trunk, stabilization and support of the ventral contour line against gravity in terrestrial species. The more aquatic species possessed a more horizontal prezygapophyseal angle for more flexible lateral locomotion. In contrast, the more terrestrial species have an increasingly vertical prezygapophyseal angle to provide stronger column support against gravity. Thus, we conclude trunk structure in urodeles differs clearly according to their locomotive modes.
Adrenalin, noradrenalin and heart rate responses to psychosocial stress in young adults born preterm at very low birthweight
Authors: Kaseva Nina , Pyhälä Riikka , Wehkalampi Karoliina , Feldt Kimmo , Pesonen Anu‐Katriina , Heinonen Kati , Hovi Petteri , Järvenpää Anna‐Liisa , Eriksson Johan G. , Andersson Sture , Räikkönen Katri , Kajantie Eero
Published: February 2014

Objective

Adults born preterm at very low birthweight (VLBW; ≤1500 g) have high levels of cardiovascular risk factors and altered responses to psychosocial stress including higher blood pressure and lower cortisol. Our aim was to investigate adrenalin (A), noradrenalin (NA) and heart rate (HR) responses to psychosocial stress in adults born preterm at VLBW.

Design and participants

We studied 50 young adults, aged 19–27 years, born at VLBW and 39 term‐born controls, group‐matched for age, sex and birth hospital. They underwent a standardized psychosocial stress test, the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST).

Measurements

During TSST, A, NA (baseline and 0, 10 and 90 min after stress) and HR were measured. Data were analysed with mixed‐effects and linear regression models, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, hormonal contraception, time of day and highest parental educational attainment.

Results

Baseline concentrations, peak after stress, increments and area under the curve for A and NA were similar in VLBW and control groups. In women, NA concentrations were 27·7% lower (95% CI; 3·1–52·2) in VLBW compared with control women; in men, there was no significant difference. A concentrations were similar for VLBW and control groups in both sexes. Mean HR at baseline, task and HR reactivity was also similar in VLBW and control groups.

Conclusions

Very low‐birthweight women seem to have a lower NA response to stress compared with term‐born peers. If replicated, this could be a protective characteristic for cardiovascular diseases.
Anal fistula plug: a prospective evaluation of success, continence and quality of life in the treatment of complex fistulae
Authors: Adamina M. , Ross T. , Guenin M. O. , Warschkow R. , Rodger C. , Cohen Z. , Burnstein M.
Published: February 2014

Aim

Curing complex anal fistula without compromising continence can be extremely challenging. This study investigated the healing rate, continence and quality of life of patients after treatment of complex anal fistula of cryptoglandular origin with a bioprosthetic plug.

Method

Consecutive patients were prospectively followed in four referral centres. Following seton conditioning, a bioprosthetic plug was inserted into the fistula and sutured to the anal sphincter. Clinical evaluation was performed at 10 days, 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery, and was completed by telephone interviews. Anal continence and quality of life were evaluated using the Fecal Incontinence Score Index and the Short Form‐36 Health Survey, version 2 (SF‐36 v2) questionnaire.

Results

Forty‐six patients presenting with a complex anal fistula and a median of three previous fistula surgeries were included. The 6‐month recurrence rate was 30.7% (95%CI: 15.9–42.8%), increasing to 48.0% (95%CI: 30.6–61.1%) after 2 years. Follow up was continued for a median of 68.1 months, and 26 (56.5%) recurrences were identified. Anal continence improved from a median of 19 points to 12 points at 6 months of follow up (P = 0.008). Quality of life markedly improved in all scales. The physical summary score increased from 47.2 to 56.2 (P < 0.001), and the mental summary score increased from 48.5 to 55.3 (P = 0.013).

Conclusion

The bioprosthetic fistula plug demonstrated a healing rate close to 50% in complex cryptoglandular fistula. Also, it markedly improved anal continence and quality of life. These data support the use of a bioprosthetic plug as first‐line therapy for complex fistula instead of more aggressive and potentially debilitating surgical options.
Uncommon aetiologies of chylothorax: superior vena cava syndrome and thoracic aortic aneurysm
Authors: Gomes Ana O. , Ribeiro Sofia , Neves João , Mendonça Teresa
Published: February 2014

Background

Chylothorax, an uncommon cause of pleural effusion, results from the accumulation of lymph in the pleural space due to damage or obstruction of the thoracic duct. The high content of triglycerides and the presence of chylomicrons in the pleural fluid sets the diagnosis.

Objective

To present a case report of a chylothorax due to superior vena cava compression or a thoracic aortic aneurysm, discuss the particularities, the investigation of chylothorax as well as its treatment options.

Methods

A review of the literature on chylothorax was performed using PubMed to assess the different aetiologies, investigation and treatments usually performed.

Conclusion

Chylothorax is usually secondary to malignancy, trauma, congenital diseases and infections. However, less common causes are also described, as the ones described in our case report. The gold standard for diagnosis is the identification of chylomicrons in the pleural fluid. Conservative management is recommended in most cases of chylothorax.
Political Economy of Service Delivery: Monitoring Versus Contestation
Authors: Hausken Kjell , Ncube Mthuli
Published: February 2014

Many communities suffer limited public goods provision due to civil servants (doctors, teachers, etc.) supplementing their low income with moonlighting activities. Monitors of civil servants commonly also earn low salaries from monitoring and may prefer political contestation for power and prestige. We determine an internal equilibrium for how monitors strike a balance between monitoring and political contestation, and a corner solution where an unresourceful monitor does not monitor. Multiple characteristics, including the intensity of political contestation, are accounted for. Survey data from Tanzania and Senegal are used to show the significance of poor service delivery within education and healthcare services.
Ligustilide attenuates inflammatory pain via inhibition of NFκB‐mediated chemokines production in spinal astrocytes
Authors: Zhao Lin‐Xia , Jiang Bao‐Chun , Wu Xiao‐Bo , Cao De‐Li , Gao Yong‐Jing
Published: February 2014

Ligustilide (LIG) is a major component of Radix Angelica Sinensis, and reportedly has neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory effects. Recent studies have demonstrated that spinal astrocyte‐mediated neuroinflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain. Here we investigated the anti‐nociceptive effect of systemic treatment with LIG on chronic inflammatory pain and explored possible mechanisms. Unilateral hindpaw injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced persistent pain hypersensitivity. Repeated daily intravenous treatment with LIG, either before or after CFA injection, attenuated CFA‐induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. The same treatment also inhibited CFA‐induced keratinocyte‐derived chemokine (KC) and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) mRNA and protein increases in astrocytes of the spinal cord. In vitro study showed LIG dose‐dependently reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced upregulation of KC and MCP‐1 mRNA in astrocyte cultures. Interestingly, LIG treatment did not affect CFA‐ or LPS‐induced glial fibrillary acidic protein upregulation, but did inhibit CFA‐induced phosphorylated nuclear factor‐κB (p‐NFκB) upregulation in spinal astrocytes. Furthermore, intrathecal injection of NFκB inhibitor attenuated CFA‐induced pain hypersensitivity and upregulation of KC and MCP‐1 in the spinal cord. Finally, single intravenous injection of LIG attenuated intrathecal injection of LPS‐induced mechanical allodynia. The same treatment also decreased LPS‐induced NFκB activation and KC and MCP‐1 upregulation in the spinal cord. These data indicate that LIG attenuates chronic inflammatory pain potentially via inhibiting NFκB‐mediated chemokines production in spinal astrocytes. These results provide direct evidence of the anti‐nociceptive and anti‐inflammatory effects of LIG, suggesting a new application of LIG for the treatment of chronic inflammatory pain.
Migraine is associated with a higher risk of transient global amnesia: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Lin K.‐H. , Chen Y.‐T. , Fuh J.‐L. , Li S.‐Y. , Chen T.‐J. , Tang C.‐H. , Wang S.‐J.
Published: February 2014

Background and purpose

The association between migraine and transient global amnesia (TGA) is not determined. Only two clinic‐based studies showed that TGA patients had a higher frequency of migraine history. Our population‐based study aimed to investigate whether migraine patients were associated with a higher risk of developing TGA.

Methods

Patients with migraine aged ≥18 years were identified from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database between 2005 and 2009. Each migraine patient was randomly matched to one subject without migraine or other headache disorders based on age, sex and cardiovascular comorbidities. Patients with antecedent stroke, epilepsy or TGA were excluded. Both cohorts were followed up until the end of 2010. The incidence rates of TGA were compared and risk factors were identified.

Results

A total of 158 301 patients in the migraine cohort and 158 301 patients in the matched control cohort were enrolled. During a mean follow‐up of 3.0 years (range 0–6 years), the migraine cohort had a greater risk of developing TGA than the control cohort [7.59 vs. 3.06 per 100 000 person‐years, incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 2.48, P = 0.002]. Compared with the matched cohort, only female migraine patients aged 40–60 years showed a significantly higher risk of TGA [IRR = 3.18 (1.31–8.82), P = 0.005]. Of note, the incidence rates did not differ between migraine patients with and without aura.

Conclusions

This population‐based study demonstrates that migraine is associated with an increased risk of TGA, particularly in female patients aged 40–60 years.
Absence of CD4 or CD8 lymphocytes changes infiltration of inflammatory cells and profiles of cytokine expression in skin wounds, but does not impair healing
Authors: Chen Lin , Mehta Nisha D. , Zhao Yan , DiPietro Luisa A.
Published: February 2014

The involvement of lymphocytes in skin wound healing has not been studied extensively. This study shows that CD4 and CD8 cells are present in significant numbers in skin wounds with peak levels at days 5–10 and 7–10, respectively. Both subsets expressed inflammatory and/or regulatory cytokines. To examine the function of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes in tissue repair, wound healing was examined in mice deficient for either CD4 or CD8 cells. Wounds in CD4 deficient mice exhibited an initial delayed infiltration of CD8 cells followed by a relative increase in CD8 cells at day 10 and thereafter. Wounds in CD4 deficient mice also displayed up‐regulated expression of IL1β, IL‐6, IL‐17, IFN‐γ, CXCL‐1 and down‐regulated expression of IL‐4 as compared to wild‐type mice. In contrast, wounds in CD8 deficient mice showed significantly decreased infiltration of CD4+ cells, neutrophils, and macrophages along with down‐regulated expression of IL1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, CXCL‐1, CCL‐2 and up‐regulated expression of IL‐4 as compared to wild‐type mice. Despite these significant changes in cytokine expression and inflammatory cell infiltrate, the rate of wound closure, wound breaking strength, collagen content and angiogenesis in either CD4 or CD8 deficiency showed no significant difference from that of wild‐type mice. The results suggest that, despite being present and involved in wound inflammation, neither CD4+ nor CD8+ cells play critical roles in the healing process of skin wounds. Further studies are needed to investigate whether these cells might play critical roles in wounds that experience stress such as ischemia or infection.