bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of the combined use of a facial cleanser and moisturizers for the care of mild acne patients with sensitive skin
Authors: Isoda Kenichi , Seki Tsuyoshi , Inoue Yosuke , Umeda Koji , Nishizaka Takahiro , Tanabe Hisateru , Takagi Yutaka , Ishida Koichi , Mizutani Hitoshi
Published: December 2014

Acne is a common skin disease that involves the seborrheic area of the face and results from the obstruction of hair follicles followed by inflammation. Careful face washing helps to improve and prevent acne; however, intensive washing has a risk of inducing skin barrier impairment and dry skin, especially in sensitive skin. We hypothesized that skin care combining mild skin cleansing and intensive moisturizing (“combination skin care”) may be effective in the care of acne in subjects with dry skin and/or sensitive skin. We developed a combination skin care with a weakly acidic foaming facial skin cleanser based on a mild detergent, an aqueous lotion with eucalyptus extract and a moisturizing gel containing pseudo‐ceramide and eucalyptus extract. To optimize an ideal facial skin care system for mild acne on sensitive skin, we performed a 4‐week clinical trial with 29 post‐adolescent Japanese women with mild acne with dry and sensitive skin. The acne significantly decreased after this trial accompanied by the improvement of dry skin, a significantly increased endogenous ceramide level in the stratum corneum and an elongated alkyl chain length of the non‐hydroxy acyl sphingosine type ceramide. No adverse events due to the test samples were observed. Based on diagnosis by a dermatologist, 97% of the subjects found the combination skin care to be “useful” or “slightly useful”. Based on these findings, the combined use of a facial skin cleanser and moisturizers is safe and effective for the care of acne in post‐adolescent Japanese women with sensitive skin.
Retrieval of super‐virtual refraction by cross‐correlation
Authors: Qiao Baoping , Guo Ping , Wang Pu , Hu Tianyue
Published: December 2014

Topography and severe variations of near‐surface layers lead to travel‐time perturbations for the events in seismic exploration. Usually, these perturbations could be estimated and eliminated by refraction technology. The virtual refraction method is a relatively new technique for retrieval of refraction information from seismic records contaminated by noise. Based on the virtual refraction, this paper proposes super‐virtual refraction interferometry by cross‐correlation to retrieve refraction wavefields by summing the cross‐correlation of raw refraction wavefields and virtual refraction wavefields over all receivers located outside the retrieved source and receiver pair. This method can enhance refraction signal gradually as the source–receiver offset decreases. For further enhancement of refracted waves, a scheme of hybrid virtual refraction wavefields is applied by stacking of correlation‐type and convolution‐type super‐virtual refractions. Our new method does not need any information about the near‐surface velocity model, which can solve the problem of directly unmeasured virtual refraction energy from the virtual source at the surface, and extend the acquisition aperture to its maximum extent in raw seismic records. It can also reduce random noise influence in raw seismic records effectively and improve refracted waves’ signal‐to‐noise ratio by a factor proportional to the square root of the number of receivers positioned at stationary‐phase points, based on the improvement of virtual refraction's signal‐to‐noise ratio. Using results from synthetic and field data, we show that our new method is effective to retrieve refraction information from raw seismic records and improve the accuracy of first‐arrival picks.
Predicting rates of isotopic turnover across the animal kingdom: a synthesis of existing data
Authors: Thomas Stephen M. , Crowther Thomas W.
Published: December 2014

The stable isotopes of carbon (12C, 13C) and nitrogen (14N, 15N) represent powerful tools in food web ecology, providing a wide range of dietary information in animal consumers. However, identifying the temporal window over which a consumer's isotopic signature reflects its diet requires an understanding of elemental incorporation, a process that varies from days to years across species and tissue types.

Though theory predicts body size and temperature are likely to control incorporation rates, this has not been tested empirically across a morphologically and phylogenetically diverse range of taxa. Readily available estimates of this relationship would, however, aid in the design of stable isotope food web investigations and improve the interpretation of isotopic data collected from natural systems.

Using literature‐derived turnover estimates from animal species ranging in size from 1 mg to 2000 kg, we develop a predictive tool for stable isotope ecologists, allowing for estimation of incorporation rates in the structural tissues of entirely novel taxa.

In keeping with metabolic scaling theory, we show that isotopic turnover rates of carbon and nitrogen in whole organisms and muscle tissue scale allometrically with body mass raised approximately to the power −0·19, an effect modulated by body temperature. This relationship did not, however, apply to incorporation rates in splanchnic tissues, which were instead dependent on the thermoregulation tactic employed by an organism, being considerably faster in endotherms than ectotherms.

We believe the predictive turnover equations we provide can improve the design of experiments and interpretation of results obtained in future stable isotopic food web studies.
Relative density and dispersion pattern of two southern African Asteraceae affect fecundity through heterospecific interference and mate availability, not pollinator visitation rate
Authors: de Waal Caroli , Anderson Bruce , Ellis Allan G.
Published: December 2014

Since co‐flowering plants often share pollinators, their fecundity is likely affected by pollen transfer within and among plant species. Changes in pollinator visitation rates (e.g. through facilitation or competition for pollinators) are usually thought to exert the predominant influence on plant fecundity. However, the transfer of conspecific relative to heterospecific pollen between individuals may also play an important role. Indeed, the relative importance of these determinants of fecundity is expected to depend on the density, relative abundance and spatial arrangement of con‐ and heterospecifics.

We investigated the effects of con‐ and heterospecific density and spatial distribution pattern on pollinator visitation and plant fecundity within and between two annual, self‐incompatible co‐flowering species [Dimorphotheca pinnataandUrsinia cakilefolia(Asteraceae)] by manipulating their relative abundance, overall patch density and dispersion patterns in experimental arrays in Namaqualand, South Africa. We quantified pollinator visitation rates and fruit set in arrays of varying density and aggregation. This enabled us to determine which mechanism(s) were driving variation of fecundity, particularly through their influence on visitation rates, mate availability and heterospecific pollen interference. To test whether autogamy offers reproductive assurance when individuals are scattered among a dense population of heterospecifics, we included an autogamous species (U. anthemoides) in a separate experiment.

We found that increased fecundity with increasing conspecific density was not the result of higher visitation rates, but rather increased mate availability. Furthermore, increased spatial aggregation of conspecifics at low density significantly increased fecundity through reduced heterospecific interference.

In contrast to results for self‐incompatible species, fruit set inU. anthemoideswas consistently high and unaffected by scattered distribution patterns. This suggests that autogamy may offer reproductive assurance when mates are limited and the potential for interspecific pollen transfer (IPT) is high.

Synthesis. In this study of annual daisies, variation in fruit set is primarily driven by factors that affect the transfer of conspecific relative to heterospecific pollen, independent of pollinator visitation rate. Our findings demonstrate that mate limitation andIPTnegatively affect fruit set and that these effects can be mitigated by intraspecific aggregation and the ability to autonomously self‐pollinate.
Canavanine induces insulin release via activation of imidazoline I3 receptors
Authors: Yang Ting‐Ting , Niu Ho‐Shan , Chen Li‐Jen , Ku Po‐Ming , Lin Kao‐Chang , Cheng Juei‐Tang
Published: December 2014

The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of canavanine on the imidazoline receptor because canavanine is a guanidinium derivative that has a similar structure to imidazoline receptor ligands. Transfected Chinese hamster ovary‐K1 cells expressing imidazoline receptors (nischarin (NISCH)‐CHO‐K1 cells) were used to elucidate the direct effects of canavanine on imidazoline receptors. In addition, the imidazoline I3 receptor has been implicated in stimulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cells. Wistar rats were used to investigate the effects of canavanine (0.1, 1 and 2.5 mg/kg, i.v.) on insulin secretion. In addition the a specific I3 receptor antagonist KU14R (4 or 8 mg/kg, i.v.) was used to block I3 receptors. Canavanine decreased blood glucose by increasing plasma insulin in rats. In addition, canavanine increased calcium influx into NISCH‐CHO‐K1 cells in a manner similar to agmatine, the endogenous ligand of imidazoline receptors. Moreover, KU12R dose‐dependently attenuated canavanine‐induced insulin secretion in HIT‐T15 pancreatic β‐cells and in the plasma of rats. The data suggest that canavanine is an agonist of I3 receptors both in vivo and in vitro. Thus, canavanine would be a useful tool in imidazoline receptor research.
Mechanisms underlying the renoprotective effect of GABA against ischaemia/reperfusion‐induced renal injury in rats
Authors: Kobuchi Shuhei , Tanaka Ryosuke , Shintani Takuya , Suzuki Rie , Tsutsui Hidenobu , Ohkita Mamoru , Matsumura Yasuo , Ayajiki Kazuhide
Published: December 2014

Excitation of the renal sympathetic nervous system is important for the development of ischaemic acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. We reported that intravenous treatment with GABA has preventive effects against ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R)‐induced renal dysfunction with histological damage in rats; however, the mechanisms underlying these effects on renal injury remain unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to clarify how GABA mechanistically affects ischaemic AKI in rats. Ischaemic AKI was induced in rats by clamping the left renal artery and vein for 45 min and then reperfusing the kidney to produce I/R‐induced injury. Treatment with the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP52432 (100 nmol/kg, i.v., or 1 nmol/kg, i.c.v.) abolished the suppressive effects of 50 μmol/kg, i.v., GABA on enhanced renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) during ischaemia, leading to elimination of the renoprotective effects of GABA. Intracerebroventricular treatment with 0.5 μmol/kg GABA or i.v. treatment with 1 μmol/kg baclofen, a selective GABAB receptor agonist, prevented the I/R‐induced renal injury equivalent to i.v. treatment with GABA. Conversely, i.v. treatment with 10 μmol/kg bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist, failed to affect the preventive effects of GABA against ischaemic AKI. We therefore concluded that GABAB receptor stimulation in the central nervous system, rather than peripheral GABAB receptor stimulation, mediates the preventive effect of GABA against ischaemic AKI by suppressing the enhanced RSNA induced by renal ischaemia.
Rosiglitazone attenuates indoxyl sulphate‐induced endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Chou Chia‐An , Ng Hwee‐Yeong , Kuo Wei‐Hung , Chiou Ting‐Yu Terry , Pei Sung‐Nan , Li Lung‐Chih , Lee Yueh‐Ting , Lee Chien‐Te
Published: December 2014

Indoxyl sulphate is a protein‐bound uraemic toxin that has deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. Rosiglitazone (RGZ) is an insulin sensitizer used for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes. Rosiglitazone has been shown to be beneficial for cardiovascular disease because of its pleiotropic effects. Whether RGZ can improve indoxyl sulphate‐induced endothelial damage has not been investigated. In the present in vitro study, we examined the effects of RGZ on indoxyl sulphate‐induced endothelial injury. Endothelial cells were exposed to RGZ (5 and 10 μmol/L) and then treated with indoxyl sulphate (100 and 1000 μmol/L) for 48 h. Indoxyl sulphate upregulated intracellular cell adhesion molecule‐1, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 expression. Indoxyl sulphate also increased the abundance of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB. Both extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways were activated after 48 h treatment with indoxyl sulphate. Pretreatment of cells with both concentrations of RGZ improved indices of endothelial injury. In addition, RGZ attenuated the increase in NOX4 and NF‐κB and prevented the activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signalling pathways. We conclude that RGZ ameliorates indoxyl sulphate‐induced endothelial injury.
Contrasting traits, contrasting environments, and considerations on population dynamics under a changing climate: an ecophysiological field study of two co‐dominant tree species
Authors: Bontempo e Silva Edgard A. , Ono Kiyomi , Sumida Akihiro , Uemura Shigeru , Hara Toshihiko
Published: December 2014

The increase in light availability resulting from canopy changes or opening is not always beneficial and can inhibit photosynthesis of tree seedlings already under other environmental stress. Tree seedlings' responses to compounded abiotic stress depend on their life‐history traits, and understanding the variations of such responses is important for understanding population dynamics under a changing climate. In this study we investigate how the photosynthesis of juveniles of two canopy tree species with different life‐history traits, Abies sachalinensis and Betula ermanii, differs in two contrasting sites at a sub‐boreal forest in northern Japan—one under a deciduous canopy (Closed site) and the other at a wide canopy opening (Open site). Seedlings at the Open site had low Fv/Fm (quantum yield of photosystem II) for a longer period than those at the Closed site. Abies sachalinensis at the Closed site showed lower Fv/Fm in spring than those at the Open site, but recovered after the canopy's new leaves flushed, indicating its acclimation to the shaded condition. Mean Pmax (light‐saturated photosynthetic rate at ambient CO2 levels) of A. sachalinensis seedlings was affected by site and air temperature, while B. ermanii seedlings were also affected by precipitation. Only B. ermanii's seedlings presented growth in the period studied, in spite of observed mid‐day drops to Fv/Fm attributed to water‐deficit‐related photoprotection. Results suggest that the climate change predicted for the Hokkaido area may increase the competitive advantage of broad‐leaved deciduous species, such as B. ermanii, in relation to evergreen conifers like A. sachalinensis.
Methodological Considerations When Studying the Association between Patient‐Reported Care Experiences and Mortality
Authors: Xu Xiao , Buta Eugenia , Anhang Price Rebecca , Elliott Marc N. , Hays Ron D. , Cleary Paul D.
Published: December 2014

Objective

To illustrate methodological considerations when assessing the relationship between patient care experiences and mortality.

Data Source

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2000–2005) linked to National Health Interview Survey and National Death Index mortality data through December 31, 2006.

Study Design

We estimated Cox proportional hazards models with mortality as the dependent variable and patient experience measures as independent variables and assessed consistency of experiences over time.

Data Extraction Methods

We used data from respondents age 18 or older with at least one doctor's office or clinic visit during the year prior to the round 2 interview. We excluded subjects who died in the baseline year.

Principal Findings

The association between overall care experiences and mortality was significant for deaths not amenable to medical care and all‐cause mortality, but not for amenable deaths. More than half of respondents were in a different care experience quartile over a 1‐year period. In the five individual experience questions we analyzed, only time spent with the patient was significantly associated with mortality.

Conclusions

Deaths not amenable to medical care and the time‐varying and multifaceted nature of patient care experience are important issues to consider when assessing the relationship between care experience and mortality.
Political Incentives to Suppress Negative Information: Evidence from Chinese Listed Firms
Authors: PIOTROSKI JOSEPH D. , WONG T. J. , ZHANG TIANYU
Published: December 2014

This paper tests the proposition that politicians and their affiliated firms (i.e., firms operating in their province) temporarily suppress negative information in response to political incentives. We examine the stock price behavior of Chinese listed firms around two visible political events—meetings of the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and promotions of high‐level provincial politicians—that are expected to asymmetrically increase the costs of releasing bad news. The costs create an incentive for local politicians and their affiliated firms to temporarily restrict the flow of negative information about the companies. The result will be fewer stock price crashes for the affiliated firms during these event windows, followed by an increase in crashes after the event. Consistent with these predictions, we find that the affiliated firms experience a reduction (an increase) in negative stock return skewness before (after) the event. These effects are strongest in the three‐month period directly preceding the event, among firms that are more politically connected, and when the province is dominated by faction politics and cronyism. Additional tests document a significant reduction in published newspaper articles about affected firms in advance of these political events, suggestive of a link between our observed stock price behavior and temporary shifts in the listed firms’ information environment.
Multicopy integration of mini‐Tn7 transposons into selected chromosomal sites of a Salmonella vaccine strain
Authors: Roos Karen , Werner Esther , Loessner Holger
Published: December 2014

Chromosomal integration of expression modules for transgenes is an important aspect for the development of novel Salmonella vectors. Mini‐Tn7 transposons have been used for the insertion of one such module into the chromosomal site attTn7, present only once in most Gram‐negative bacteria. However, integration of multiple mini‐Tn7 copies might be suitable for expression of appropriate amounts of antigen or combination of different modules. Here we demonstrate that integration of a 9.6 kb mini‐Tn7 harbouring the luciferase luxCDABE (lux) occurs at the natural attTn7 site and simultaneously other locations of the Salmonella chromosome, which were engineered using λ‐Red recombinase to contain one or two additional artificial attTn7 sites (a‐attTn7). Multicopy integration even at closely spaced attTn7 sites was unexpected in light of the previously reported distance‐dependent Tn7 target immunity. Integration of multiple copies of a mini‐Tn7 containing a gfp cassette resulted in increasing green fluorescence of bacteria. Stable consecutive integration of two mini‐Tn7 encoding lacZ and lux was achieved by initial transposition of lacZ‐mini‐Tn7, subsequent chromosomal insertion of a‐attTn7 and a second round of transposition with lux‐mini‐Tn7. Mini‐Tn7 thus constitutes a versatile method for multicopy integration of expression cassettes into the chromosome of Salmonella and possibly other bacteria.
The Rsm regulon of plant growth‐promoting Pseudomonas fluorescens SS101: role of small RNAs in regulation of lipopeptide biosynthesis
Authors: Song Chunxu , van der Voort Menno , van de Mortel Judith , Hassan Karl A. , Elbourne Liam D. H. , Paulsen Ian T. , Loper Joyce E. , Raaijmakers Jos M.
Published: December 2014

The rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens SS101 inhibits growth of oomycete and fungal pathogens, and induces resistance in plants against pathogens and insects. To unravel regulatory pathways of secondary metabolite production in SS101, we conducted a genome‐wide search for sRNAs and performed transcriptomic analyses to identify genes associated with the Rsm (repressor of secondary metabolites) regulon. In silico analysis led to the identification of 16 putative sRNAs in the SS101 genome. In frame deletion of the sRNAs rsmY and rsmZ showed that the Rsm system regulates the biosynthesis of the lipopeptide massetolide A and involves the two repressor proteins RsmA and RsmE, with the LuxR‐type transcriptional regulator MassAR as their most likely target. Transcriptome analyses of the rsmYZ mutant further revealed that genes associated with iron acquisition, motility and chemotaxis were significantly upregulated, whereas genes of the type VI secretion system were downregulated. Comparative transcriptomic analyses showed that most, but not all, of the genes controlled by RsmY/RsmZ are also controlled by the GacS/GacA two‐component system. We conclude that the Rsm regulon of P. fluorescens SS101 plays a critical role in the regulation of lipopeptide biosynthesis and controls the expression of other genes involved in motility, competition and survival in the plant rhizosphere.
Double trouble: The importance of reporting chorionicity and amnionicity in twin pregnancy ultrasound reports
Authors: Constantine Sarah , Wilkinson Chris
Published: December 2014

An obstetric ultrasound report in a twin pregnancy that does not unambiguously determine chorionicity and amnionicity in the first trimester is substandard. This article will assist radiologists to understand the importance of reporting the chorionicity and amnionicity in all twin obstetric scans.
Genotyping‐in‐Thousands by sequencing (GT‐seq): A cost effective SNP genotyping method based on custom amplicon sequencing
Authors: Campbell Nathan R. , Harmon Stephanie A. , Narum Shawn R.
Published: December 2014

Genotyping‐in‐Thousands by sequencing (GT‐seq) is a method that uses next‐generation sequencing of multiplexed PCR products to generate genotypes from relatively small panels (50–500) of targeted single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for thousands of individuals in a single Illumina HiSeq lane. This method uses only unlabelled oligos and PCR master mix in two thermal cycling steps for amplification of targeted SNP loci. During this process, sequencing adapters and dual barcode sequence tags are incorporated into the amplicons enabling thousands of individuals to be pooled into a single sequencing library. Post sequencing, reads from individual samples are split into individual files using their unique combination of barcode sequences. Genotyping is performed with a simple perl script which counts amplicon‐specific sequences for each allele, and allele ratios are used to determine the genotypes. We demonstrate this technique by genotyping 2068 individual steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) samples with a set of 192 SNP markers in a single library sequenced in a single Illumina HiSeq lane. Genotype data were 99.9% concordant to previously collected TaqMan™ genotypes at the same 192 loci, but call rates were slightly lower with GT‐seq (96.4%) relative to Taqman (99.0%). Of the 192 SNPs, 187 were genotyped in ≥90% of the individual samples and only 3 SNPs were genotyped in <70% of samples. This study demonstrates amplicon sequencing with GT‐seq greatly reduces the cost of genotyping hundreds of targeted SNPs relative to existing methods by utilizing a simple library preparation method and massive efficiency of scale.
Adolescent cannabis and tobacco use and educational outcomes at age 16: birth cohort study
Authors: Stiby Alexander I. , Hickman Matthew , Munafò Marcus R. , Heron Jon , Yip Vikki L. , Macleod John
Published: December 2014

Aims

To investigate the relationship between cannabis and tobacco use by age 15 and subsequent educational outcomes.

Design

Birth cohort study.

Setting

England.

Participants

The sample was drawn from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children; a core sample of 1155 individuals had complete information on all the variables.

Measurements

The main exposures were cannabis and tobacco use at age 15 assessed in clinic by computer‐assisted questionnaire and serum cotinine. The main outcomes were performance in standardized assessments at 16 [Key Stage 4, General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)] in English and mathematics (mean scores), completion of five or more assessments at grade C level or higher and leaving school having achieved no qualifications. Analyses were sequentially adjusted for multiple covariates using a hierarchical approach. Covariates considered were: maternal substance use (ever tobacco or cannabis use, alcohol use above recommended limits); life course socio‐economic position (family occupational class, maternal education, family income); child sex; month and year of birth; child educational attainment prior to age 11 (Key Stage 2); child substance use (tobacco, alcohol and cannabis) prior to age 15 and child conduct disorder.

Findings

In fully adjusted models both cannabis and tobacco use at age 15 were associated with subsequent adverse educational outcomes. In general, the dose–response effect seen was consistent across all educational outcomes assessed. Weekly cannabis use was associated negatively with English GCSE results [grade point difference (GPD), –5.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) = –8.34, –3.53] and with mathematics GCSE results (GPD, –6.91, 95% CI = –9.92, –3.89). Daily tobacco smoking was associated negatively with English GCSE (GPD, –11.90, 95% CI = –13.47, –10.33) and with mathematics GCSE (GPD, –16.72, 95% CI = –18.57, –14.86). The greatest attenuation of these effects was seen on adjustment for other substance use and conduct disorder. Following adjustment, tobacco appeared to have a consistently stronger effect than cannabis.

Conclusions

Both cannabis and tobacco use in adolescence are associated strongly with subsequent adverse educational outcomes. Given the non‐specific patterns of association seen and the attenuation of estimates on adjustment, it is possible that these effects arise through non‐causal mechanisms, although a causal explanation cannot be discounted. © 2015 Society for the Study of Addiction
The (mis)matching of resources and assessed need in remote Aboriginal community aged care
Authors: Bell Di , Lindeman Melissa A , Reid John Binda
Published: December 2014

Aim

To examine processes of aged‐care needs assessment for Aboriginal people in remote central Australia to assist development of appropriate models of aged care.

Method

A qualitative study involving 11 semistructured interviews with aged‐care assessors and two focus groups with Aboriginal community members.

Results

This paper reports four major themes concerning how needs assessments relate to realities of service delivery: cultural perspectives on aged care, context of service delivery, equity and access to services, and program (mis)alignments.

Conclusion

Disparities exist between assessment recommendations and service availability, with a potential mismatch between Aboriginal understandings of needs, interpretations by individual assessment staff and program guidelines. Incorporating a conceptual framework, such as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, into service guidelines to ensure structured consideration of a person's holistic needs may assist, as will building the capacity of communities to provide the level and type of services required.
Optical density filters modeling media opacities cause decreased SD‐OCT retinal layer thickness measurements with inter‐ and intra‐individual variation
Authors: Darma Stanley , Kok Pauline H. B. , van den Berg Thomas J. T. P. , Abràmoff Michael D. , Faber Dirk J. , Hulsman Caroline A. , Zantvoord Frank , Mourits Maarten P. , Schlingemann Reinier O. , Verbraak Frank D.
Published: December 2014

Purpose

To assess the effect of media opacities on thickness measurements of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) and macular inner retinal layer (mIRL) performed with spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) using a set of filters with known optical density.

Methods

Spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography volume scans of the optic disc and the macular area were performed in 18 healthy volunteers, using Topcon‐3DOCT‐1000 Mark II. A set of five filters with optical density ranging from 0.04 to 0.69 was used. The correlation was calculated between the percentage change in thickness measurements (%ΔpRNFL and %ΔmIRL) and the change in optical density. All scans and measurements were performed in duplicate by one operator.

Results

Eighteen right eyes of 18 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Percentage decrease in pRNFL and mIRL thickness correlated with change in optical density (Spearman's rho r = 0.82; p < 0.001 and r = 0.89; p < 0.001, respectively). The measured decrease in pRNFL thickness differed from the decrease in mIRL thickness, not only between individuals, but also within the same individual.

Conclusions

Optical coherence tomography thickness measurements of both pRNFL and mIRL are influenced by image degradation caused by optical density filters as a model for media opacities. An underestimation of the thickness of these layers was observed, caused by a shift of retinal layer boundary placement due to image quality loss. This underestimation is not the same for each individual and also differed between the pRNFL and mIRL thickness measurements. These individual and interindividual differences demonstrate that an individual approach will be necessary to correct for this underestimation per layer.
A new approach to estimating weight change and its reference intervals during the first 96 hours of life
Authors: Fonseca MJ , Severo M , Santos AC
Published: December 2014

Aim

We aimed to apply a novel model to estimate weight change and its reference intervals during the first 96 h of life and the time of weight nadir.

Methods

This study involved 1288 full‐term singletons, from the Generation XXI birth cohort. Recruitment occurred between 2005 and 2006 in all five public units providing obstetrical and neonatal care in Porto, Portugal. Birthweight was abstracted from clinical records, and the subsequent newborn anthropometrics were obtained by trained examiners. Longitudinal models to estimate postnatal weight were tested and the weight ratio was calculated as the weight during 96 h of life divided by birthweight.

Results

The chosen model was (weight(t)~ 3241.442 + (−9.378) × t + 0.119 × t2 + 0.000 × t3 + b0i + b1i × t, where t represented the newborn infant's age in hours and bi represented the random coefficients. The curve inflection point (nadir) was achieved at 52.3 h of life, corresponding to a loss of 218 g and a weight ratio of 0.933. We estimated that at six, 12, 24 and 36 h of life the mean weight ratio and 10th–90th percentiles were 0.978 (0.968–0.988), 0.968 (0.953–0.983), 0.951 (0.928–0.974) and 0.939 (0.909–0.969), respectively.

Conclusion

This model allows a more accurate estimate of newborn weight change and its reference intervals, and estimated the nadir at 52.3 h of life, corresponding to a weight ratio of 0.933.
Exporting harm, scavenging value: transnational circuits of e‐waste between Japan, China and beyond
Authors: Kirby Peter Wynn , Lora‐Wainwright Anna
Published: December 2014

Alternately cherished as a valuable resource and reviled as toxic and/or worthless detritus, depending on one's cultural vantage, e‐waste comprises the scratched, dented, tarnished flipside of the lucrative consumer electronics industry. This article focuses attention on flows of e‐waste from Japan to East Asia, scrutinising channels of production, consumption, reuse and conversion. First, the authors interpret the rhetoric of recycling and sustainability mobilised by Japanese interests to facilitate Asian trade in hazardous wastes, creating what detractors say is a pernicious form of ‘waste colonialism’. Next, the researchers scrutinise the discursively linked creation in Japan, since 2001, of a network of state‐of‐the‐art WEEE processing facilities, in particular Panasonic's flagship PETEC, which they studied in 2013. They then turn to the protean material flows and the makeshift configurations engendered by e‐waste itself – not only pollutant when scavenged but frequently lucrative and welcome in de‐manufacturing hotspots in China – and analyse the circulation of scavenged ‘resources’ in the researchers' fieldsite in the world's most notorious e‐waste processing node, in Guangdong Province, where the team conducted ethnographic fieldwork intermittently during 2012–13. China's grand initiative of converting to state‐controlled formal processing, with Panasonic's assistance, facilitates a cross‐cultural comparison of tensions between formal and informal conversion against the backdrop of the flawed Basel Convention regime, relevant to a range of societies. The paper argues that a relatively ‘neutral’ ethnographic approach to e‐waste furnishes significant insight into thorny issues surrounding reckonings of risk and value in varying contexts and responses from those actually immersed in the processing trade, yielding important policy perspective.
Establishment of major histocompatibility complex homozygous gnotobiotic miniature swine colony for xenotransplantation
Authors: Hwang Jeong Ho , Gupta Mukesh Kumar , Park Chan Kyu , Kim Yoon Berm , Lee Hoon Taek
Published: December 2014

To overcome shortages of human donor organs for organ failure patients, we made a commitment to develop gnotobiotic miniature swine as an alternative organ donor source for xenotransplantation. For this, we have constructed an absolute barrier‐sustained gnotobiotic facility. Pregnant sows of gnotobiotic miniature swine, were procured and germfree piglets were obtained by hysterectomy. These were maintained in germfree isolators for about 4 weeks, deprived of colostrum and were fed sterilized soybean milk. They were associated with di‐flora, anaerobic Lactobacillus sp. and Streptococcus sp. After confirmation of successful associations, gnotobiotic piglets were transferred into the facility aseptically. The piglets are maintained on high‐efficiency particle air‐filtered air in and out; maintaining constant room air pressure of 33 ± 3 mmAq, and sterile water and diet. In 10 sessions of hysterectomy, 18 male and 32 female piglets were obtained of which piglets (M six, F eight) died within 5 days. Among live piglets, piglets (M eight, F 12) were confirmed to be germfree by microbiological monitoring. For research of xenotransplantation, one consistent experimental result was essential. Therefore, major histocompatibility complex class II which related innate immunity, homozygotic gnotobiotic miniature swine was developed. As a result, genotyping revealed 14 individuals to be homozygous for major histocompatibility complex class II (DRB, DQB) as 0301, three individuals were homozygous as 0201 and each of two were homozygous for DQB as 0701 and DRB as 0404, respectively. Genetic modifications and immunological research for ideal alternative organ sources are in progress.
Tenderization potential of Hanwoo beef muscles from carcasses with differed genders and loin intramuscular fat content levels during post mortem ageing
Authors: Park Beom Young , Seong Pil Nam , Ba Hoa Van , Park Kyoung Mi , Cho Soo Hyun , Moon Sung Sil , Kang Geun Ho
Published: December 2014

Carcasses from Hanwoo steers (n = 15) and cows (n = 15) were classified into three groups: group 1 (G1), the carcasses had 10% to < 11.5% intramuscular fat (IMF) in loin muscles; group 2 (G2), the carcasses had 13% to < 14.5% IMF in loin muscles; and group 3(G3), the carcasses had 17% to < 18.5% IMF in loin muscles. These were used to evaluate the effects of gender and carcass group on quality traits and Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) of Psoas major (PM), Longissimus thoracis (LT), Longissimus lumborum (LL), Longus colli (LC), Supraspinatus (SS), Latissimus dorsi (LAD), Semimembranosus (SM), Quadriceps femoris (QF), Biceps femoris (BF) and Semitendinosus (ST) muscles. Our results showed that pH values of LT, LL, LC, BF and QF muscles were lower in steers than in cows (P < 0.05). Water holding capacity (WHC) was found higher in LC, SS, LAD and QF muscles of steers (P < 0.05). At day 2 of ageing, gender affected the WBSF values of only PM, LD and QF muscles in G1, and QF muscle in G3; however, with additional ageing, the gender effect was observed for most of the muscles. Most muscles showed ageing responses; however, the rates of ageing response significantly varied depending on gender and carcass groups. The muscles of G1 and G2 had generally higher tenderization potentials than those of G3. Furthermore, most muscles in G3 had generally lower WBSF values than in G1 and G2. These results clearly indicate that ageing has a significant effect on quality and WBSF of beef muscles, and the classification by loin IMF level may be useful for prediction of the tenderness of other muscles.
Early stalked stages in ontogeny of the living isocrinid sea lily Metacrinus rotundus
Authors: Amemiya Shonan , Omori Akihito , Tsurugaya Toko , Hibino Taku , Yamaguchi Masaaki , Kuraishi Ritsu , Kiyomoto Masato , Minokawa Takuya
Published: December 2014

The early stalked stages of an isocrinid sea lily, Metacrinus rotundus, were examined up to the early pentacrinoid stage. Larvae induced to settle on bivalve shells and cultured in the laboratory developed into late cystideans. Three‐dimensional (3D) images reconstructed from very early to middle cystideans indicated that 15 radial podia composed of five triplets form synchronously from the crescent‐shaped hydrocoel. The orientation of the hydrocoel indicated that the settled postlarvae lean posteriorly. In very early cystideans, the orals, radials, basals and infrabasals, with five plates each in the crown, about five columnals in the stalk, and five terminal stem plates in the attachment disc, had already formed. In mid‐cystideans, an anal plate appeared in the crown. Late cystideans cultured in the field developed into pentacrinoids about 5 months after settlement. These pentacrinoids shared many crown structures with adult sea lilies. On the other hand, many features of the stalk differed from those in adult isocrinids, while sharing many characteristics with the stalk of feather star pentacrinoids, including disc‐like proximal columnals, high and slender median columnals, synarthrial articulations developmentally derived from the symplexial articulations, limited formation of cirri only in the proximal columnal(s), and an attachment disc. On the basis of these findings, phylogenetic relationships among extant crinoid orders are discussed.
Confocal immunohistochemistry of the dermal glands and evolutionary considerations in the caecilian, Typhlonectes natans (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)
Authors: Lauriano Eugenia Rita , Żuwała Krystyna , Kuciel Michał , Budzik Karolina A. , Capillo Gioele , Alesci Alessio , Pergolizzi Simona , Dugo Giacomo , Zaccone Giacomo
Published: December 2014

An immunohistochemical study of the cutaneous glands of the caecilian Typhlonectes natans was conducted. Analyses of nerve fibres revealed that adrenergic and galanin‐positive axons innervate the MECs and mediate their contraction. These glands may represent one of the main targets of the adrenergic ganglion cells and reflect the prominent preganglionic cell columns of the species studied. But neurochemical features of the sympathetic ganglia and retrograde tract‐tracing studies are necessary to study the morphology and organization of the sympathetic nervous system of studied species.
Predicting postoperative complications of inguinal lymph node dissection for penile cancer in an international multicentre cohort
Authors: Gopman Jared M. , Djajadiningrat Rosa S. , Baumgarten Adam S. , Espiritu Patrick N. , Horenblas Simon , Zhu Yao , Protzel Chris , Pow‐Sang Julio M. , Kim Timothy , Sexton Wade J. , Poch Michael A. , Spiess Philippe E.
Published: December 2014

Objectives

To assess the potential complications associated with inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) across international tertiary care referral centres, and to determine the prognostic factors that best predict the development of these complications.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted across four international cancer centres. The study population of 327 patients underwent diagnostic/therapeutic ILND. The endpoint was the overall incidence of complications and their respective severity (major/minor). The Clavien–Dindo classification system was used to standardize the reporting of complications.

Results

A total of 181 patients (55.4%) had a postoperative complication, with minor complications in 119 cases (65.7%) and major in 62 (34.3%). The total number of lymph nodes removed was an independent predictor of experiencing any complication, while the median number of lymph nodes removed was an independent predictor of major complications. The American Joint Committee on Cancer stage was an independent predictor of all wound infections, while the patient's age, ILND with Sartorius flap transposition, and surgery performed before the year 2008 were independent predictors of major wound infections.

Conclusions

This is the largest report of complication rates after ILND for squamous cell carcinoma of the penis and it shows that the majority of complications associated with ILND are minor and resolve without prolonged morbidity. Variables pertaining to the extent of disease burden have been found to be prognostic of increased postoperative morbidity.
Structural Basis of Why Nelfinavir‐Resistant D30N Mutant of HIV‐1 Protease Remains Susceptible to Saquinavir
Authors: Prashar Vishal , Bihani Subhash C. , Ferrer Jean‐Luc , Hosur Madhusoodan V.
Published: December 2014

Although anti‐HIV‐1 protease drugs nelfinavir (NFV) and saquinavir (SQV) share common functional groups, D30N is a major resistance mutation against NFV but remains susceptible to SQV. We have determined the crystal structure of D30N mutant‐tethered HIV‐1 protease in complex with SQV to 1.79 Å resolution. Structural analysis showed that SQV forms two direct hydrogen bonds with the main chain atoms of the residues Asp29 and Asp30 that are not observed in the D30N–NFV complex. Apart from maintaining these two main chain hydrogen bonds, the P2‐asparagine of SQV forms an additional hydrogen bond to the mutated side chain of the residue 30. These could be the reasons why D30N is not a drug resistance mutation against SQV. This structure supports the previous studies showing that the interactions between a potential inhibitor and backbone atoms of the enzyme are important to maintain potency against drug‐resistant HIV‐1 protease.
A Conformational Analysis Study on the Melanocortin 4 Receptor Using Multiple Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Shahlaei Mohsen , Mousavi Atefeh
Published: December 2014

Taking into account the uncertainties involved in 3D model of biomolecule developed by homology modeling (HM), it is important to opportunely validate the initial structure before employing for different purposes such as drug design. Extended simulation times and the necessity of correct representation of interactions within the protein and the nearby molecules impose significant limitations on molecular dynamics (MD)‐based refinement of structures developed byHM. Consequently, there is a pressing requirement for more efficient methods forHMand subsequent validation of developed structure. MultipleMDsimulation runs are well suited for producing ensembles of structures. In this context, a computational investigation was presented to study the structure of melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in explicit phospholipids bilayer. SeveralMDruns with different initial velocities were employed to sample conformations in the neighborhood of the native structure of receptor, collecting trajectories spanning 0.21 ms. The coherence between the results, different structural analysis, and the convergence of parameters derived by principal component analysis (PCA) shows that an accurate description of the MC4R conformational space around the native state was achieved by multipleMDtrajectories.
Laser capture microdissection is a valuable tool in the preoperative molecular screening of follicular lesions of the thyroid: an institutional experience
Authors: Bongiovanni M. , Molinari F. , Eszlinger M. , Paschke R. , Barizzi J. , Merlo E. , Giovanella L. , Fasolini F. , Cattaneo F. , Ramelli F. , Mazzucchelli L. , Frattini M.
Published: December 2014

Objectives

The application of molecular tests to thyroid fine needle aspiration (FNA) has been shown to be a valuable tool to better refine the pre‐operative malignant risk of patients with indeterminate cytology results. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using the laser capture microdissection (LCM) technique to obtain DNA and RNA for molecular tests in routine thyroid FNA smears.

Methods

Nine coupled FNA and histological retrospective cases and 31 prospective FNA cases with a follicular neoplasm/suspicious for a follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) diagnosis were included in this study. Both cytological and histological specimens were investigated by direct sequencing and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for BRAF and RAS mutations and for PAX8/PPARG and RET/PTC rearrangements, respectively.

Results

LCM yielded good DNA and RNA quality in all cases (100%) in both series, irrespective of the staining used (Giemsa, Papanicolaou, immunostain for thyroglobulin) and the cytology technique (conventional or liquid‐based preparations). Total mutations found in the FNA and in the corresponding histological specimen in both series were: one PAX8/PPARG rearrangement in a follicular carcinoma (FC), four NRAS mutations [in two FCs, one papillary carcinoma and one follicular adenoma (FA)] and one HRAS mutation in one FA. The sensitivity was 67% and the specificity was 91%.

Conclusions

LCM is a valuable tool to obtain good quality DNA and RNA for molecular tests in cytological material from thyroid FNA, and can be a useful option in the management of patients with an FN/SFN FNA diagnosis.
Introspection on uncertainty and judicious help‐seeking during the preschool years
Authors: Coughlin Christine , Hembacher Emily , Lyons Kristen E. , Ghetti Simona
Published: December 2014

Little is known about the mechanisms underlying a ubiquitous behavior in preschoolers, help‐seeking. We tested the hypothesis that preschoolers' awareness of their own uncertainty is associated with help‐seeking. Three‐, 4‐, and 5‐year‐olds (N = 125) completed a perceptual identification task twice: once independently and once when they could request help from a confederate whose competence level was manipulated. Consistent with our hypothesis, participants sought help more frequently on trials for which, when required to answer independently, they expressed lower confidence. Children in the bad‐helper condition were slower to respond after receiving help than those in the good‐helper condition. Finally, females and children with more advanced theory of mind were more likely to seek help, identifying additional factors that relate to help‐seeking.