bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Global Online Sexuality Survey (GOSS): Male Homosexuality among Arabic-Speaking Internet Users in the Middle East—2010
Authors: Shaeer Osama , Shaeer Kamal
Published: July 2014

Introduction

The prevalence of male homosexuality is difficult to elicit considering the sensitivity of one's sexual orientation. The Global Online Sexuality Survey (GOSS) is an online epidemiologic study of male and female sexuality. The online nature of GOSS allows more confidentiality and wider geographic reach, particularly important in investigating sexual issues within the more conservative societies.

Aim

This study aims to determine the prevalence of male homosexuality among Internet users in the Arabic-speaking Middle East and the unique characteristics of this subset of the population.

Main Outcome Measures

Prevalence of male homosexuality.

Methods

In the year 2010, GOSS was offered to Arabic-speaking web surfers above 18 years of age in the Middle East. Potential participants were invited via advertising on Facebook®. Invitations were dispatched randomly with the exception of geographic region and age, regardless web surfing preferences. GOSS relied in part on validated questionnaires such as the International Index of Erectile Function, as well on other nonvalidated questions.

Results

17.1% reported desire toward the same sex, of whom 5.6% had homosexual encounters, mostly in the form of external stimulation rather than intercourse, and exclusively undercover. An overwhelming majority was ego-dystonic (78.2%).

Conclusion

This is—to our knowledge—the first online survey to address the prevalence of homosexual orientation and practice in the Middle East, discriminating desire from practice, ego-syntonic from ego-dystonic, and investigating the pattern of practice. Homosexual desire is present in the Middle East as it is around the world, and homosexual encounters are as prevalent. Yet, the undercover and ego-dystonic states prevail.
Sexual Bother in Men with Advanced Prostate Cancer Undergoing Androgen Deprivation Therapy
Authors: Benedict Catherine , Traeger Lara , Dahn Jason R. , Antoni Michael , Zhou Eric S. , Bustillo Natalie , Penedo Frank J.
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Men with advanced prostate cancer (APC) undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) often experience distressing sexual side effects. Sexual bother is an important component of adjustment. Factors associated with increased bother are not well understood.

Aims

This study sought to describe sexual dysfunction and bother in APC patients undergoing ADT, identify socio-demographic and health/disease-related characteristics related to sexual bother, and evaluate associations between sexual bother and psychosocial well-being and quality of life (QOL).

Methods

Baseline data of a larger psychosocial intervention study was used. Pearson's correlation and independent samples t-test tested bivariate relations. Multivariate regression analysis evaluated relations between sexual bother and psychosocial and QOL outcomes.

Main Outcome Measures

The Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite sexual function and bother subscales, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—General, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale were the main outcome measures.

Results

Participants (N = 80) were 70 years old (standard deviation [SD] = 9.6) and reported 18.7 months (SD = 17.3) of ADT. Sexual dysfunction (mean = 10.1; SD = 18.0) was highly prevalent. Greater sexual bother (lower scores) was related to younger age (β = 0.25, P = 0.03) and fewer months of ADT (β = 0.22, P = 0.05). Controlling for age, months of ADT, current and precancer sexual function, sexual bother correlated with more depressive symptoms (β = −0.24, P = 0.06) and lower QOL (β = 0.25, P = 0.05). Contrary to hypotheses, greater sexual bother was related to greater dyadic satisfaction (β = −0.35, P = 0.03) and cohesion (β = −0.42, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

The majority of APC patients undergoing ADT will experience sexual dysfunction, but there is variability in their degree of sexual bother. Psychosocial aspects of sexual functioning should be considered when evaluating men's adjustment to ADT effects. Assessment of sexual bother may help identify men at risk for more general distress and lowered QOL. Psychosocial interventions targeting sexual bother may complement medical treatments for sexual dysfunction and be clinically relevant, particularly for younger men and those first starting ADT.
Role of CYP27B1+2838 promoter polymorphism in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B HBeAg negative with PEG‐interferon
Authors: Boglione L. , Cusato J. , De Nicolò A. , Cariti G. , Di Perri G. , D'Avolio A.
Published: July 2014

In HBV‐infected patients, the vitamin D deficiency has been related to chronic liver diseases, progression of hepatic fibrosis and poor response to the treatment. The CYP27B1 gene, which encodes the 1‐α‐hidroxylase and involved in the 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D synthesis, was recently associated to type‐1 diabetes, autoimmune disorders and treatment response in HCV. Then, we aimed to investigate the role of CYP27B1 polymorphisms in HBV treatment with PEG‐IFN. We retrospectively enrolled 190 patients with chronic hepatitis B HBeAg negative treated for 48 weeks with PEG‐IFN α‐2a. We examined the role of rs4646536 CYP27B1 SNP (CYP27B1+2838) according to virological and serological response. Our results showed that the TT genotype of CYP27B1+2838 was significantly prevalent in patients with end‐of‐therapy virological response (37.6%) vs CT/CC (9.4%) (P < 0.001). Virological relapse was prevalent in patients with CT/CC genotype (12.6%) vs TT genotype (2.1%) (P < 0.001). TT genotype was also related to HBsAg loss (P = 0.004) and anti‐HBs appearance (P = 0.002). In the multivariate analysis, the TT genotype resulted to be a good positive predictor of sustained virological response (OR = 5.632, IC = 1.938–16.368, P = 0.001) and serological response (OR = 6.161, IC = 1.856–20.457, P = 0.003). The CYP27B1+2838 polymorphism may be useful as pretreatment factor to selection of patients with higher probability of response to therapy.
Can the pattern of juvenile recruitment and population structure of the speckled swimming crab Arenaeus cribrarius (Decapoda: Brachyura) be determined by geographical variations?
Authors: de Andrade Luciana Segura , Frameschi Israel Fernandes , Castilho Antônio Leão , da Costa Rogério Caetano , Fransozo Adilson
Published: July 2014

This study evaluated the effect of environmental stimuli and selective pressures in different geographical areas along a latitudinal gradient, on the juvenile recruitment, population structure, and sex ratio of the speckled swimming crab Arenaeus cribrarius. Samples were collected monthly during 1 year in three locations along the Brazilian coast: Macaé, state of Rio de Janeiro (MAC, 22°47′ S, 41°45′ W); Ubatuba, São Paulo (UBA, 23°27′ S, 44°58′ W); and São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina (SFS, 26°08′ S, 48°34′ W). The specimens of A. cribrarius were identified, counted, sexed, and measured for maximum carapace width (CW). The largest juvenile found was in UBA (47.7 ± 1.36 mm); and the largest adult females and males in MAC (74.26 ± 0.93 and 77.04 ± 0.79 mm, respectively). Recruitment in MAC was continuous, whereas in UBA and SFS, recruitment showed seasonal characteristics. The sex ratio was skewed toward females only in UBA; in MAC and SFS, males and females were present in equal proportions. These results indicate that geographical variations can cause differences in the recruitment and population structure of A. cribrarius. These regional differences call attention to the necessity for improved management plans and control of shrimp fishing, which can affect population patterns such as juvenile recruitment, population structure and life history of the target species and species that are caught in bycatch from shrimping, such as the swimming crab A. cribrarius.
Inbreeding and inbreeding depression in endangered red wolves (Canis rufus)
Authors: Brzeski Kristin E. , Rabon David R. , Chamberlain Michael J. , Waits Lisette P. , Taylor Sabrina S.
Published: July 2014

In natural populations, the expression and severity of inbreeding depression can vary widely across taxa. Describing processes that influence the extent of inbreeding and inbreeding depression aid in our understanding of the evolutionary history of mating systems such as cooperative breeding and nonrandom mate selection. Such findings also help shape wildlife conservation theory because inbreeding depression reduces the viability of small populations. We evaluated the extent of inbreeding and inbreeding depression in a small, re‐introduced population of red wolves (Canis rufus) in North Carolina. Since red wolves were first re‐introduced in 1987, pedigree inbreeding coefficients (f)increased considerably and almost every wild born wolf was inbred (averagef = 0.154 and maxf = 0.383). The large inbreeding coefficients were due to both background relatedness associated with few founders and numerous close relative matings. Inbreeding depression was most evident for adult body size and generally absent for direct fitness measures such as reproductive success and survival; no lethal equivalents (LE = 0.00) were detected in juvenile survival. The lack of strong inbreeding depression in direct measures of fitness could be due to a founder effect or because there were no outbred individuals for comparison. Our results highlight the variable expression of inbreeding depression across traits and the need to measure a number of different traits when evaluating inbreeding depression in a wild population.
Reproductive clonality in protozoan pathogens—truth or artefact?
Authors: Ramírez Juan David , Llewellyn Martin S.
Published: July 2014

The debate around the frequency and importance of genetic exchange in parasitic protozoa is now several decades old. Recently, fresh assertions have been made that predominant clonal evolution explains the population structures of several key protozoan pathogens. Here, we present an alternative perspective. On the assumption that much apparent clonality may be an artefact of inadequate sampling and study design, we review current research to define why sex might be so difficult to detect in protozoan parasite populations. In doing so, we contrast laboratory models of genetic exchange in parasitic protozoa with natural patterns of genetic diversity and consider the fitness advantage of sex at different evolutionary scales. We discuss approaches to improve the accuracy of efforts to characterize genetic exchange in the field. We also examine the implications of the first population genomic studies for the debate around sex and clonality in parasitic protozoa and discuss caveats for the future.
Structure of the pneumococcal l,d‐carboxypeptidase DacB and pathophysiological effects of disabled cell wall hydrolases DacA and DacB
Authors: Abdullah Mohammed R. , Gutiérrez‐Fernández Javier , Pribyl Thomas , Gisch Nicolas , Saleh Malek , Rohde Manfred , Petruschka Lothar , Burchhardt Gerhard , Schwudke Dominik , Hermoso Juan A. , Hammerschmidt Sven
Published: July 2014

Bacterial cell wall hydrolases are essential for peptidoglycan turnover and crucial to preserve cell shape. The d,d‐carboxypeptidase DacA and l,d‐carboxypeptidase DacB of Streptococcus pneumoniae function in a sequential manner. Here, we determined the structure of the surface‐exposed lipoprotein DacB. The crystal structure of DacB, radically different to that of DacA, contains a mononuclear Zn2+ catalytic centre located in the middle of a large and fully exposed groove. Two different conformations were found presenting a different arrangement of the active site topology. The critical residues for catalysis and substrate specificity were identified. Loss‐of‐function of DacA and DacB altered the cell shape and this was consistent with a modified peptidoglycan peptide composition in dac mutants. Contrary, an lgt mutant lacking lipoprotein diacylglyceryl transferase activity required for proper lipoprotein maturation retained l,d‐carboxypeptidase activity and showed an intact murein sacculus. In addition we demonstrated pathophysiological effects of disabled DacA or DacB activities. Real‐time bioimaging of intranasal infected mice indicated a substantial attenuation of ΔdacB and ΔdacAΔdacB pneumococci, while ΔdacA had no significant effect. In addition, uptake of these mutants by professional phagocytes was enhanced, while the adherence to lung epithelial cells was decreased. Thus, structural and functional studies suggest DacA and DacB as optimal drug targets.
Imagining Consumers: Print Culture and Muslim Advertising in Early Twentieth Century China
Authors: Brown Tristan G.
Published: July 2014

After the People's Republic of China was established in 1949, some of China's Muslim peoples, previously known by the term “Hui” — were officially recognized as members of a “Muslim Nationality,” the “Huizu.” “Huizu” identity became technically inheritable from parent to child, and was thus politically separated from a notion of Islamic belief or religious practice. This short study looks to advertisements in Muslim newspapers and journals as a source of information for this critical period of transformation both for China and the wider Muslim world. Of particular note are the changes in the term qingzhen, a term which was applied to a wide variety of facets of Islamic life in traditional China but which came to take a much narrower meaning during this period. I propose that the advertisements in Republican‐era Muslim periodicals, which were published in every corner of the Chinese cultural area, had to adopt a common language reflecting changes in linguistic regimes within China's minority Muslim communities that later shaped state policies.
Regionally dependent neuromuscular functions of motilin and 5‐HT4 receptors in human isolated esophageal body and gastric fundus
Authors: Broad J. , Hughes F. , Chin‐Aleong J. , Sifrim D. , Sanger G. J.
Published: July 2014

Background

Motilin agonists promote human gastric motility and cholinergic activity, but excitatory and inhibitory actions are reported in the esophagus. The effect of 5‐HT4 agonists in esophagus is also unclear. Perhaps the use of drugs with additional actions explains the variation. The aim, therefore, was to examine how motilin and prucalopride, selective motilin and 5‐HT4 receptor agonists, modulate neuromuscular functions in human esophagus and gastric fundus.

Methods

Electrical field stimulation (EFS) evoked nerve‐mediated contractions of circular and longitudinal muscle from human esophageal body and circular muscle from gastric fundus.

Key Results

In esophageal circular muscle EFS evoked brief contraction, followed by another contraction on termination of EFS, each prevented by atropine. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition facilitated contraction during EFS and the overall contraction became monophasic. In esophagus longitudinal muscle and gastric fundus, EFS evoked cholinergically mediated, monophasic contractions, attenuated by simultaneous nitrergic activation. Motilin (100–300 nM) reduced esophagus circular muscle contractions during EFS, unaffected by L‐NAME or apamin. Motilin 300 nM also reduced EFS‐evoked contractions of longitudinal muscle. Similar concentrations of motilin facilitated cholinergic activity in the fundus and increased baseline muscle tension. Prucalopride facilitated EFS‐evoked contractions in esophagus (tested at 30 μM) and fundus (0.1–30 μM).

Conclusions & Inferences

Selective motilin and 5‐HT4 agonists have different, region‐dependent abilities to modulate human esophageal and stomach neuromuscular activity, exemplified by weak inhibition (motilin) or excitation (5‐HT4) in esophageal body and excitation for both in stomach. In different patients with motility dysfunctions, motilin and 5‐HT4 agonists may reduce gastro‐esophageal reflux in different ways.
Confronting mortality: faith and meaning across cultures
Authors: Paulson Steve , Kellehear Allan , Kripal Jeffrey J. , Leary Lani
Published: July 2014

Despite advances in technology and medicine, death itself remains an immutable certainty. Indeed, the acceptance and understanding of our mortality are among the enduring metaphysical challenges that have confronted human beings from the beginning of time. How have we sought to cope with the inevitability of our mortality? How do various cultural and social representations of mortality shape and influence the way in which we understand and approach death? To what extent do personal beliefs and convictions about the meaning of life or the notion of an afterlife affect how we perceive and experience the process of death and dying? Steve Paulson, executive producer and host of To the Best of Our Knowledge, moderated a discussion on death, dying, and what lies beyond that included psychologist Lani Leary, professor of philosophy and religion Jeffrey J. Kripal, and sociologist Allan Kellehear. The following is an edited transcript of the discussion that occurred February 5, 7:00–8:30 pm, at the New York Academy of Sciences in New York City.
The randomized crossover comparison of airway sealing with the laryngeal mask airway Supreme™ at three different intracuff pressures in children
Authors: Choi Kwan‐Woong , Lee Jeong‐Rim , Oh Jung‐Tak , Kim Dong Wook , Kim Min‐Soo
Published: July 2014

Background

An intracuff pressure of 80 cm H2O in the adult‐sized laryngeal mask airway Supreme has been recommended to obtain a higher oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP). However, the intracuff pressure for the higher OLP in the pediatric laryngeal mask airway Supreme could be different from that in the adult‐sized laryngeal mask airway Supreme. Thus, we measured and compared OLP at three intracuff pressures of 40, 60, and 80 cm H2O in the pediatric laryngeal mask airway Supreme.

Methods

This study was designed as a randomized crossover study and enrolled 36 children, aged 0–108 months and 5–30 kg in weight. After insertion of the laryngeal mask airway Supreme, oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP) was measured at intracuff pressures of 40, 60, and 80 cm H2O according to one of six sequences produced on the basis of 3 × 6 Williams crossover design. During the intraoperative period, the laryngeal mask airway Supreme was maintained using the last intracuff pressure of the allocated sequence. The intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared among three maintenance intracuff pressures.

Results

OLP at the intracuff pressure of 60 cm H2O was significantly higher than that of 40 cm H2O (17.9 ± 3.9 vs 16.9 ± 4.2 cm H2O, P = 0.004) and was comparable with that of 80 cm H2O (17.9 ± 3.9 vs 17.8 ± 4.6 cm H2O, P = 0.938). There were no significant differences of intraoperative and postoperative complications among the three maintenance intracuff pressures.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the use of an intracuff pressure of 60 cm H2O in pediatric laryngeal mask airway Supreme provides a higher OLP compared with 40 cm H2O.
An in vitro and in vivo validation of a novel monitor for intracuff pressure in cuffed endotracheal tubes
Authors: Ramesh Archana S. , Krishna Senthil G. , Denman William T. , Tobias Joseph D.
Published: July 2014

Background

The clinical practice of pediatric anesthesiology has changed with increasing use of cuffed endotracheal tubes (cETTs) in infants and children. To limit the risk of tracheal mucosal damage, regular monitoring of intracuff pressure (CP) is necessary. This study evaluates the efficacy and accuracy of a novel syringe device that provides a digital readout of the CP.

Methods

The study was conducted in two phases. In phase 1, an in vitro study, cETTs of sizes 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 mm ID were placed into polyvinylchloride tubing of appropriate sizes. The cuffs were then inflated, and the CP was measured simultaneously using the syringe device and a manometer. In phase 2, an in vivo study on 200 pediatric patients, the syringe device and the manometer were simultaneously attached to the pilot balloon to measure the CP following endotracheal intubation. Statistical analysis included linear regression analysis and Bland–Altman comparison.

Results

Linear regression analysis of the in vitro study demonstrated an R2 value of 0.9989. Bias and precision were −1.92 ± 0.62 with 95% level of agreement (LOA) ranging from −3.13 to −0.72. For the in vivo study, the linear regression analysis demonstrated an R2 value of 0.9943. The bias and precision were −0.53 ± 0.68 with 95% LOA ranging from −1.86 to 0.81.

Conclusion

The study has demonstrated clinically acceptable correlation between the CPs obtained from the standard manometer and the syringe device both in vitro and in vivo. This device is a simple, reliable, portable, and affordable method to monitor CP.
UVB Irradiation Enhances TiO2 Nanoparticle‐induced Disruption of Calcium Homeostasis in Human Lens Epithelial Cells
Authors: Wu Qiuxin , Guo Dadong , Du Yuxiang , Liu Dongmei , Wang Daoguang , Bi Hongsheng
Published: July 2014

Currently, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) have been widely used in various applications including cosmetics, food additives and biomedicine. However, there are few reports available using TiO2 NPs to treat ocular diseases. Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the most frequent complication after cataract surgery, which is induced by the proliferation and migration of lens epithelial cells. Thus, inhibiting the proliferation of lens epithelial cells will efficiently reduce the occurrence of PCO. In this study, we investigated the effects of TiO2 NPs on HLE B‐3 cells with or without ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation in vitro. We found that TiO2 NPs can inhibit HLE B‐3 cell growth, cause the elevation of intracellular [Ca2+], produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), further reduce Ca2+‐ATPase activity and decrease the expression of plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1 (PMCA1), finally disrupt the intracellular calcium homeostasis and induce cell damage. Importantly, UVB irradiation can apparently enhance these effects on HLE B‐3 cells in the presence of TiO2 NPs. Taken together, the generation of excessive ROS and the disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis may be both involved in TiO2 nanoparticle‐induced HLE B‐3 cell damage under UVB irradiation.
Tranexamic acid suppresses ultraviolet B eye irradiation‐induced melanocyte activation by decreasing the levels of prohormone convertase 2 and alpha‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone
Authors: Hiramoto Keiichi , Yamate Yurika , Sugiyama Daijiro , Takahashi Yumi , Mafune Eiichi
Published: July 2014

Background

Tranexamic acid (trans‐4‐aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid) is a medicinal amino acid used in skin whitening care. This study examined the effects of tranexamic acid on the melanocyte activation of the skin induced by an ultraviolet (UV) B eye irradiation.

Methods

The eye or ear was locally exposed to UVB at a dose of 1.0 kJ/m2 using a 20SE sunlamp after covering the remaining body surface with aluminum foil.

Results

UVB eye irradiation induced melanocyte activation of the skin, similar to that observed following UVB ear irradiation, which was suppressed by the administration of tranexamic acid treatment. The plasma α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) content was increased by UVB irradiation of the eye; however, the increase in α‐MSH was suppressed by tranexamic acid treatment. In addition, UVB eye irradiation induced the up‐regulation of prohormone convertase (PC) 2 in the pituitary gland. Meanwhile, the increase in PC2 induced by UVB eye irradiation was suppressed by tranexamic acid treatment.

Conclusions

These results clearly indicate that tranexamic acid decreases the expression of PC2, which cleavages from proopiomelanocortin to α‐MSH in the pituitary gland, thereby suppressing melanocyte activation.
Unilateral bicep curl hemodynamics: Low‐pressure continuous vs high‐pressure intermittent blood flow restriction
Authors: Brandner C. R. , Kidgell D. J. , Warmington S. A.
Published: July 2014

Light‐load exercise training with blood flow restriction (BFR) increases muscle strength and size. However, the hemodynamics of BFR exercise appear elevated compared with non‐BFR exercise. This questions the suitability of BFR in special/clinical populations. Nevertheless, hemodynamics of standard prescription protocols for BFR and traditional heavy‐load exercise have not been compared. We investigated the hemodynamics of two common BFR exercise methods and two traditional resistance exercises. Twelve young males completed four unilateral elbow flexion exercise trials in a balanced, randomized crossover design: (a) heavy load [HL; 80% one‐repetition maximum (1‐RM)]; (b) light load (LL; 20% 1‐RM); and two other light‐load trials with BFR applied (c) continuously at 80% resting systolic blood pressure (BFR‐C) or (d) intermittently at 130% resting systolic blood pressure (BFR‐I). Hemodynamics were measured at baseline, during exercise, and for 60‐min post‐exercise. Exercising heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and rate–pressure product were significantly greater for HL and BFR‐I compared with LL. The magnitude of hemodynamic stress for BFR‐C was between that of HL and LL. These data show reduced hemodynamics for continuous low‐pressure BFR exercise compared with intermittent high‐pressure BFR in young healthy populations. BFR remains a potentially viable method to improve muscle mass and strength in special/clinical populations.
Assessing the impact of a school‐based latrine cleaning and handwashing program on pupil absence in Nyanza Province, Kenya: a cluster‐randomized trial
Authors: Caruso Bethany A. , Freeman Matthew C. , Garn Joshua V. , Dreibelbis Robert , Saboori Shadi , Muga Richard , Rheingans Richard
Published: July 2014

Objectives

Improving school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions reduces pupil absence and illness. However, these benefits may depend on the conditions of the latrines and availability of consumables. We sought to determine whether a low‐cost, policy‐relevant, environmental‐level latrine cleaning intervention could improve latrine cleanliness, increase its use and reduce absenteeism.

Methods

In a three‐arm, cluster‐randomized trial we assessed absence via periodical roll‐call among 17 564 pupils in 60 schools that had previously received WASH improvements as part of the SWASH+ project. Latrine conditions and use were also assessed using structured observation. Latrine cleanliness increased significantly during the post‐intervention period among schools receiving the latrine cleaning package compared to controls, as did handwashing with soap. We found no difference in latrine use and absence across arms.

Conclusions

The additive impact of cleaning may not have been strong enough to impact absence above and beyond reductions attributable to the original WASH infrastructure improvements and basic hygiene education the schools previously received. Improving latrine conditions is important for the dignity and well‐being of pupils, and investments and strategies are necessary to ensure that school toilets are clean and pupil‐friendly.
Platelet recovery and survival measured in patients by quantitative polymerase chain reaction of mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Doescher Andrea , Petershofen Eduard K. , Hertenstein Bernd , Kraemer Doris , Casper Jochen , Schmidt Jörg‐Peter , Müller Thomas H.
Published: July 2014

Background

Mitochondrial (mt) DNA markers have been identified as potential targets for the quantification of endogenous and allogeneic platelets (PLTs) in the blood of individuals who received transfusions. Our goal was to develop a routine polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for ex vivo monitoring of PLT survival in patients after transfusion.

Study Design and Methods

Targets were selected for real‐time (RT)‐PCR of mt DNA based on the frequency distribution of nucleotide polymorphisms and assay sensitivity in vitro. The assays were then evaluated with ex vivo samples to measure PLT survival and recovery of therapeutic doses of apheresis PLTs in hematooncologic patients with thrombocytopenia.

Results

Nucleotides in two positions (73/310 hypervariable region [HVR] 2) and three positions (295 HVR 2, 16069/16311 HVR 1) had allele frequencies of approximately 0.5 and 0.85, respectively, in a population of 960 Caucasian PLT donors. They provided targets for sensitive assays detecting at least 1 × 103 PLTs per whole blood sample with adequate reproducibility (interassay coefficient of variation <4.0%). Transfusions of single‐donor PLT concentrates in patients with thrombocytopenia (n = 30) were monitored with these markers. The mean 24‐hour corrected count increment was 8.3 and the mean calculated survival time was 3.3 days. Results for a second marker were available for 13 transfusions. The survival time values derived from both markers for the same transfusion were almost identical (linear regression: r2 = 0.957, slope = 0.87).

Conclusion

This RT‐PCR method detects mt DNA polymorphisms in Caucasians for a highly sensitive and reproducible quantification of endogenous and allogeneic PLT numbers in blood samples from transfused patients with thrombocytopenia.
A novel point mutation in the β1‐tubulin gene in asymptomatic macrothrombocytopenic Norfolk and Cairn Terriers
Authors: Gelain Maria Elena , Bertazzolo Walter , Tutino Giuseppina , Pogliani Elena , Cian Francesco , Boudreaux Mary K.
Published: July 2014

Background

An asymptomatic macrothrombocytopenia, phenotypically similar to asymptomatic inherited macrothrombocytopenia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, was described in a group of Norfolk Terriers (NT) from Northern Italy, and isolated cases were also reported in Cairn Terriers (CT).

Objectives

The purpose of this work was to evaluate for the presence of a genetic defect in the β1‐tubulin gene in macrothrombocytopenic NT and CT.

Methods

Samples from 20 healthy dogs (13 NT and 7 CT) were collected at different institutions in Italy (n = 8), United Kingdom (n = 3), and United States (n = 9). Genomic DNA was harvested from EDTA‐anticoagulated blood and all coding areas and exon–intron splice sites in the gene encoding β1‐tubulin were amplified and sequenced.

Results

Twelve dogs (9 NT and 3 CT) showed a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in exon 1 at nucleotide position 5 (G5A) that would result in the change of an arginine to a histidine at amino acid position 2 (R2H). Four dogs (3 NT and one Cairn Terrier) were heterozygous for the SNP, and 4 dogs (one Norfolk Terrier and 3 CT) matched the normal canine genome. Homozygous dogs for the SNP were macrothrombocytopenic with platelet counts ranging from 19,000 to 110,000/μL. Heterozygous and normal dogs had normal platelet counts and morphology. None had the CKCS point mutation.

Conclusions

The β1‐tubulin N‐terminal amino acids form the nucleotide‐binding domain and thus this mutation could affect GTP binding enough to influence platelet formation in homozygous but not in heterozygous dogs. The presence of macrothrombocytopenia only in homozygous affected dogs reveals an association between the SNP and the phenotype.
Atomic layer deposited passivation layers for superlattice photodetectors
Authors: Salihoglu Omer
Published: July 2014

The authors report on the effects of atomic layer deposited Al2O3, TiO2, HfO2, and ZnO layers as a passivation material for type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice midwave infrared photodetectors. Low temperature and plasma free operation with defect free and conformal coating of the atomic layer deposition technique creates an efficient passivation layer. In this study, photodiodes coated with and without passivation layer were compared for their dark current and surface resistivity performances. For Al2O3 coated diodes, the dark current density was improved by more than two orders of magnitude at 77 K under −50 mV bias. As a result, HfO2 and TiO2 passivated diodes are better than reference diodes, but they are not as good as Al2O3 passivated diodes. Low Gibbs free energy of the aluminum oxides helps eliminating conductive native surface oxides in a self cleaning process.
Characteristics of gate leakage current and breakdown voltage of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors after postprocess annealing
Authors: Liu Lu , Xi Yuyin , Ahn Shihyun , Ren Fan , Gila Brent P. , Pearton Stephen J. , Kravchenko Ivan I.
Published: July 2014

The effects of postprocess annealing on the gate leakage current and breakdown voltage characteristics of AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) was investigated. The fabricated AlGaN/GaN HEMTs were postannealed at 250, 300, 350, 400, or 450 °C under a nitrogen (N2) atmosphere by using rapid thermal annealing, and both direct current (dc) and pulsed measurements were performed to characterize the changes in device performance. The reverse gate leakage current (IG) at VG = −10 V was reduced by one order of magnitude and the off-state drain breakdown voltage (Voff) increased by over three-fold after postprocess annealing at 450 °C. The reverse gate leakage current was found to be independent of gate-to-drain potential after annealing. The gate pulse measurements revealed the activation of deep traps during the postannealing at elevated temperatures.
Low‐dose three‐dimensional reconstruction of the femur with unit free‐form deformation
Authors: Zeng Xiangsen , Wang Chentao , Zhou Hai , Wei Shan , Chen Xiaojun
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

This paper describes a low‐dose method for reconstructing three‐dimensional models of femur, using a standard shape model (SSM) and two conventional x‐ray images.

Methods:

The x‐ray images were taken in two orthogonal directions. The x‐ray source and sensor configurations were documented. An optimized algorithm was employed to align the x‐ray image to the three‐dimensional model. A method of direct correspondence building is proposed for linking two‐dimensional images with three‐dimensional projections of a SSM. The reconstruction method proposed in this paper is based on a SSM, which was adapted for x‐ray images of individual bones. The adaption was executed by deforming the template bone shape until its silhouette boundary exactly matched the x‐ray image of the individual bone. A silhouette‐based unit free‐form deformation method was evaluated for its suitability in the adaption of the SSM for x‐ray images. Comprehensive experiments were designed and conducted for 35 specimens.

Results:

The validity of the low‐dose reconstruction method was demonstrated for the femur, with good results for accuracy (mean error of 1.1 mm, root‐mean‐square error of 2.1 mm), reproducibility (intraobservation coefficient of variation of 1.1%, interobservation coefficient of variation of 1.4%), and time consumption (mean of 5 min for a full femur).

Conclusions:

Once this approach has been validatedin vivo, it should be suited to multiple applications of routine clinical and research practices.
Computerized analysis of coronary artery disease: Performance evaluation of segmentation and tracking of coronary arteries in CT angiograms
Authors: Zhou Chuan , Chan Heang‐Ping , Chughtai Aamer , Kuriakose Jean , Agarwal Prachi , Kazerooni Ella A. , Hadjiiski Lubomir M. , Patel Smita , Wei Jun
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

The authors are developing a computer‐aided detection system to assist radiologists in analysis of coronary artery disease in coronary CT angiograms (cCTA). This study evaluated the accuracy of the authors’ coronary artery segmentation and tracking method which are the essential steps to define the search space for the detection of atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods:

The heart region in cCTA is segmented and the vascular structures are enhanced using the authors’ multiscale coronary artery response (MSCAR) method that performed 3D multiscale filtering and analysis of the eigenvalues of Hessian matrices. Starting from seed points at the origins of the left and right coronary arteries, a 3D rolling balloon region growing (RBG) method that adapts to the local vessel size segmented and tracked each of the coronary arteries and identifies the branches along the tracked vessels. The branches are queued and subsequently tracked until the queue is exhausted. With Institutional Review Board approval, 62 cCTA were collected retrospectively from the authors’ patient files. Three experienced cardiothoracic radiologists manually tracked and marked center points of the coronary arteries as reference standard following the 17‐segment model that includes clinically significant coronary arteries. Two radiologists visually examined the computer‐segmented vessels and marked the mistakenly tracked veins and noisy structures as false positives (FPs). For the 62 cases, the radiologists marked a total of 10191 center points on 865 visible coronary artery segments.

Results:

The computer‐segmented vessels overlapped with 83.6% (8520/10191) of the center points. Relative to the 865 radiologist‐marked segments, the sensitivity reached 91.9% (795/865) if a true positive is defined as a computer‐segmented vessel that overlapped with at least 10% of the reference center points marked on the segment. When the overlap threshold is increased to 50% and 100%, the sensitivities were 86.2% and 53.4%, respectively. For the 62 test cases, a total of 55 FPs were identified by radiologist in 23 of the cases.

Conclusions:

The authors’ MSCAR‐RBG method achieved high sensitivity for coronary artery segmentation and tracking. Studies are underway to further improve the accuracy for the arterial segments affected by motion artifacts, severe calcified and noncalcified soft plaques, and to reduce the false tracking of the veins and other noisy structures. Methods are also being developed to detect coronary artery disease along the tracked vessels.
Effects of age and hearing loss on stream segregation based on interaural time differences
Authors: Füllgrabe Christian , Moore Brian C. J.
Published: July 2014

The effect of interaural time differences (ITDs) on obligatory stream segregation for successive tone bursts was investigated for older listeners with normal hearing (ONH) and hearing loss (OHL), by measuring the threshold for detecting a rhythmic irregularity in an otherwise isochronous sequence of interleaved “A” and “B” tones. The A and B tones had equal but opposite ITDs from 0 to 0.5 ms. For some of the ONH listeners, the threshold increased with increasing ITD, but no OHL listener showed an effect of ITD. It is concluded that hearing loss reduces the potency of ITDs in inducing obligatory stream segregation.
Establishing a “Safety Net”: Exploring the Emergence and Maintenance of College Hockey Inc. and NCAA Division I Hockey
Authors: Edwards Jonathon R. , Washington Marvin
Published: July 2014

National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I schools compete with the Canadian Hockey League for top Canadian youth minor hockey players (ages 14–18). To address the challenges of adhering to NCAA’s eligibility and recruitment regulations, the NCAA commissioners created College Hockey Inc. (CHI). One challenge facing new institutions such as CHI is establishing legitimacy as a means of penetrating a crowded organizational field. In this paper we examine what forces, actions, and events contributed to the creation of CHI and what forces, actions, or events contribute to maintaining CHI’s relevance in their attempt to leverage NCAA Division I hockey with Canadian players and parents. Educational Opportunities, Student Life Experiences, Player Development, and Professional Hockey Opportunities were found to be discursive strategies used by CHI to gain pragmatic legitimacy and maintain the institution. Exploration of these strategies makes a number of practical and theoretical contributions to the field of sport management.
Ribosome stalling induced by mutation of a CNS-specific tRNA causes neurodegeneration
Authors: Ishimura Ryuta , Nagy Gabor , Dotu Ivan , Zhou Huihao , Yang Xiang-Lei , Schimmel Paul , Senju Satoru , Nishimura Yasuharu , Chuang Jeffrey H. , Ackerman Susan L.
Published: July 2014

Problems making proteins kills nerve cells

Neurodegeneration is associated with a variety of different diseases, but its cellular roots are often obscure. Ishimura
et al.
find that mutant mice whose brain cells start to die rapidly soon after birth have lost the function of two vital cellular components (see the Perspective by Darnell). The first is a protein that releases stalled ribosomes stuck on messenger RNA (mRNA); the second is a transfer RNA (tRNA), which reads the code for arginine in the mRNA. This tRNA is expressed predominantly in the central nervous system. The lack of the tRNA leads to increased ribosomal stalling at arginine codons, which, when left uncorrected, blocks protein synthesis and proves fatal.

Science
, this issue p.
455
; see also p.
378
Reversing defaunation: Restoring species in a changing world
Authors: Seddon Philip J. , Griffiths Christine J. , Soorae Pritpal S. , Armstrong Doug P.
Published: July 2014

The rate of biodiversity loss is not slowing despite global commitments, and the depletion of animal species can reduce the stability of ecological communities. Despite this continued loss, some substantial progress in reversing defaunation is being achieved through the intentional movement of animals to restore populations. We review the full spectrum of conservation translocations, from reinforcement and reintroduction to controversial conservation introductions that seek to restore populations outside their indigenous range or to introduce ecological replacements for extinct forms. We place the popular, but misunderstood, concept of rewilding within this framework and consider the future role of new technical developments such as de-extinction.
A Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales
Authors: Godefroit Pascal , Sinitsa Sofia M. , Dhouailly Danielle , Bolotsky Yuri L. , Sizov Alexander V. , McNamara Maria E. , Benton Michael J. , Spagna Paul
Published: July 2014

Feathers, not just for the birds?

Theropod dinosaurs, thought to be the direct ancestors of birds, sported birdlike feathers. But were they the only feathery dino group? Godefroit
et al.
describe an early neornithischian dinosaur with both early feathers and scales. This seemingly feathery nontheropod dinosaur shows that feathers were not unique to the ancestors of birds and may even have been quite widespread.

Science
, this issue p.
451
Mechanism of actin filament pointed-end capping by tropomodulin
Authors: Rao Jampani Nageswara , Madasu Yadaiah , Dominguez Roberto
Published: July 2014

Making tropomodulin find the right point

Actin filaments are a key component of the cell's cytoskeleton. Actin filaments have a characteristic polarized architecture with a so-called barbed end and a pointed end—so described because of how the filaments look under the electron microscope when they are coated with tropomyosin. Rao
et al.
describe crystal structures of a protein that uniquely binds and caps the pointed end of actin filaments. This protein, tropomodulin, binds to several actin subunits and to a couple of tropomyosin molecules, which generates a high-affinity specific cap to the filaments by combining low-affinity interactions.

Science
, this issue p.
463
Wildlife decline and social conflict
Authors: Brashares Justin S. , Abrahms Briana , Fiorella Kathryn J. , Golden Christopher D. , Hojnowski Cheryl E. , Marsh Ryan A. , McCauley Douglas J. , Nuñez Tristan A. , Seto Katherine , Withey Lauren
Published: July 2014

Policies aimed at reducing wildlife-related conflict must address the underlying causes
Road hazards threaten rover
Authors: Hand Eric
Published: July 2014

To limit wheel damage from sharp rocks, the Curiosity Mars rover detours into sandy valleys.
LIFE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES: DIGITAL LAB MANAGEMENT
Authors: Tachibana Chris
Published: July 2014

Some scientists keep experimental records on sticky notes. Some groups maintain ordering information in the head of a single technician. But for researchers looking for more stable, searchable, and sharable records, digital options such as electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs) and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) are readily available. Scientists can start with a simple online notebook or choose a complete lab management package to track the entire lifecycle of their projects.
Western blot tips and tricks: Filling the gap between art and science
Authors: Righetti Pier Giorgio , Kurien Biji T. , Thomas Nick
Published: July 2014

Western blotting has been a standard protein analytical technique for over 30 years and is used in practically every life sciences lab by thousands of scientists worldwide. Western blotting data appears in thousands of published papers annually but, despite its popularity, the method remains as much of a skilled art as a science, and it is often a significant challenge to produce reproducible and reliable results. In this webinar we invite three experts to give us their hints and tips of how to get the best possible Western blot data using current techniques as well as take a glimpse into the future of how technological advances could bring the needed standardization to Western blotting.
Critical Analysis of Compositions and Protective Efficacies of Oral Killed Cholera Vaccines
Authors: Kabir Shahjahan
Published: July 2014

Two cholera vaccines, sold as Shanchol and Dukoral, are currently available. This review presents a critical analysis of the protective efficacies of these vaccines. Children under 5 years of age are very vulnerable to cholera and account for the highest incidence of cholera cases and more than half of the resulting deaths. Both Shanchol and Dukoral are two-spaced-dose oral vaccines comprising large numbers of killed cholera bacteria. The former containsVibrio choleraeO1 and O139 cells, and the latter containsV. choleraeO1 cells with the recombinant B subunit of cholera toxin. In a field trial in Kolkata (India), Shanchol, the preferred vaccine, protected 45% of the test subjects in all of the age groups and only 17% of the children under 5 years of age during the first year of surveillance. In a field trial in Peru, two spaced doses of Dukoral offered negative protection in children under 5 years of age and little protection (15%) in vaccinees over 6 years of age during the first year of surveillance. Little is known about Dukoral's long-term protective efficacy. Both of these vaccines have questionable compositions, usingV. choleraeO1 strains isolated in 1947 that have been inactivated by heat and formalin treatments that may denature protein. Immunological studies revealed Dukoral's reduced and short-lived efficacy, as measured by several immunological endpoints. Various factors, such as the necessity for multiple doses, poor protection of children under 5 years of age, the requirement of a cold supply chain, production costs, and complex logistics of vaccine delivery, greatly reduce the suitability of either of these vaccines for endemic or epidemic cholera control in resource-poor settings.
Population Analysis of Streptococcus suis Isolates from Slaughtered Swine by Use of Minimum Core Genome Sequence Typing
Authors: Zheng Han , Ji Shaobo , Lan Ruiting , Liu Zhijie , Bai Xuemei , Zhang Wen , Gottschalk Marcelo , Xu Jianguo
Published: July 2014

Streptococcus suis, an important zoonotic pathogen, is a highly diverse species with only a subset of strains that cause disease in humans. Our previous study proposed a minimum core genome (MCG) sequence typing method and defined seven MCG groups, with MCG group 1 as the prevalent group causing human infections. In this study, we identified a set of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed in six genes that were used to identify the seven MCG groups. The 10 SNPs were typed for 179S. suisisolates collected from slaughtered pigs. The most prevalent groups among the tested isolates were MCG groups 6 and 7. Most of the isolates (147/179) were genotyped asmrpnegative,epfnegative,slynegative, and CDS2157 positive. The 179 isolates were also typed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and divided into 115 sequence types (STs), 111 of which were new. The 6 serotypes (29, 11, 5, 12, 30, and 2) represented 72.3% of the serotyped isolates. Our data show that the typing assay facilitates the application of genome data to the surveillance ofS. suis.