bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age-related cataract and drug therapy: opportunities and challenges for topical antioxidant delivery to the lens
Authors: Abdelkader Hamdy , Alany Raid G , Pierscionek Barbara
Published: February 2015

Objectives

The search for anticataract drugs has been continuing for decades; some treatments no longer exist but antioxidants are still of much interest.

Key findings

The primary function of the human lens, along with the cornea, is to refract light so that it is correctly focused onto the retina for optimum image quality. With age, the human lens undergoes morphological, biochemical and physical changes leading to opacification. Age-related or senile cataract is one of the main causes of visual impairment in the elderly; given the lack of access to surgical treatment in many parts of the world, cataract remains a major cause of sight loss. Surgical treatment is the only means of treating cataract; this approach, however, has limitations and complications.

This review discusses the anatomy and physiology of the lens and the changes that are understood to occur with ageing and cataract formation to identify potential areas for effective therapeutic intervention. Experimental techniques and agents used to induce cataract in animal models, the advantages and disadvantages of potential pharmacological treatments specific barriers to delivery of exogenous antioxidants to the lens and the prospects for future research are discussed.
Enhancing the Resilience of Parents of Adults With Intellectual Disabilities through Volunteering: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Wong Phyllis K. S. , Fong K. W. , Lam T. L.
Published: January 2015

The resilience of parents of people with intellectual disability (ID) has increasingly become a concern in the field. However, very little research has focused on resilience interventions. InHongKong, the authors attempted to enhance the resilience level of parents of adults withIDthrough their participation in a volunteer program. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between participation in the volunteer program and the resilience protective factors of parents. A pretest–posttest design was used involving 36 of the participants who were recruited from the 6‐month volunteer program. A 24‐itemResilienceMeasuringScale developed from theResilienceScale and thePurpose inLifeTest was used to measure the changes in the participants after the intervention. The results showed that the participants achieved positive changes in the protective factors of social resources and meaning of life after joining the volunteer program. The findings provide initial evidence of the relationship between volunteering and the resilience protective factors for middle‐ to old‐agedChinese parents. The factors of the program that facilitated resilience enhancement included using a group format, providing a situation to appreciate problems that others have, and frequent debriefings enabling integration and internalization of the experience. The authors posit some implications on the interventions for this population and make recommendations for further studies.
Puerarin decreases bone loss and collagen destruction in rats with ligature‐induced periodontitis
Authors: Yang X. , Zhang H. , Wang J. , Zhang Z. , Li C.
Published: February 2015

Background and Objective

Puerarin, the most abundant isoflavonoid in kudzu root, shows various bioactivities, including bone‐sparing, anti‐inflammatory and antiproteinase properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of puerarin in a rat model of ligature‐induced periodontitis.

Material and Methods

Rat models of periodontitis were developed by bilaterally placing ligatures around the first mandibular molars. Puerarin was administrated daily by gavage at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, starting a day before the placement of ligatures. Rats were humanely killed 7 d after the induction of periodontitis. Micro‐computed tomography and sirius red staining were used to evaluate alveolar bone loss and collagen destruction, respectively. Histomorphometrical analysis was used to assess the inflammatory cell infiltration. Immunohistochemistry and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase were used to detect receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand and osteoprotegerin expressions, and osteoclast activity in the gingiva and alveolar bone. The activation of nuclear factor‐kappa B, production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐1β, glycosylation of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer, and production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9 in the gingiva were assessed by Western blot.

Results

Puerarin at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the alveolar bone loss compared with the vehicle group. Collagen destruction and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly less in the puerarin‐treated group (200 mg/kg) compared with that of the vehicle group. Puerarin (200 mg/kg) also reduced the ratio of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand/osteoprotegerin and osteoclast activity. Western blot analysis showed that puerarin (200 mg/kg) inhibited the activation of nuclear factor‐kappa B p65, which is associated with lower IL‐1β and TNF‐α production, and reduced the glycosylation of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer, which is associated with lower levels of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9.

Conclusions

Puerarin reduced the alveolar bone loss and collagen destruction in rats with ligature‐induced periodontitis by inhibiting the production of RANKL, IL‐1β, TNF‐α, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9. Thus, puerarin can be considered a promising agent for adjunctive therapy of periodontitis.
Effect of Orally Administered Cisapride, Bethanechol, and Erythromycin on the Apparent Efficiency of Colostral IgG Absorption in Neonatal Holstein‐Friesian Calves
Authors: Ghoreishi S.M. , Nouri M. , Rasooli A. , Ghorbanpour M. , Mokhber‐Dezfouli M.R. , Constable P.D.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To evaluate the effect of orally administered cisapride, bethanechol, and erythromycin on the absorption of colostralIgGin dairy calves.

Animals

Twenty‐four healthy neonatal Holstein‐Friesian calves.

Procedures

Calves were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: 0.9% NaCl solution (2 mL, PO; negative control); erythromycin lactobionate (20 mg/kg BW, PO; anticipated to be a positive control); cisapride (0.5 mg/kg BW, PO); bethanechol chloride (0.5 mg/kg BW, PO). Calves were fed 3 L of pooled bovine colostrum containing acetaminophen (50 mg/kg) by suckling and oroesophageal intubation 30 minutes after each treatment was administered. Jugular venous blood samples were obtained periodically after the start of feeding and plasma total IgG, protein, acetaminophen, and glucose concentrations determined. Abomasal emptying rate was assessed by the time to maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration.

Results

Oral administration of cisapride facilitated the absorption of colostral IgG and protein. The effect of cisapride on abomasal emptying rate could not be evaluated because cisapride appeared to interfere with acetaminophen metabolism. Based on the total IgG and total protein concentration‐time relationships, the beneficial effects of cisapride appeared to occur early after oral administration and were transient.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Additional studies appear indicated to characterize the effect of cisapride dose on the magnitude and duration of its effect on facilitating the absorption of colostral IgG and protein. Identification of a nonantimicrobial method for increasing abomasal emptying rate, such as cisapride, will potentially provide a practical and effective method for facilitating transfer of passive immunity in colostrum‐fed dairy calves.
Regional intravenous limb perfusion compared to systemic intravenous administration for marimastat delivery to equine lamellar tissue
Authors: Underwood C. , Collins S. N. , Mills P. C. , Van Eps A. W. , Allavena R. E. , Medina Torres C. E. , Pollitt C. C
Published: January 2015

Pharmaceutical agents with potential for laminitis prevention have been identified. Many of these, including theMMPinhibitor marimastat, are impractical for systemic administration. This study compared local delivery of marimastat by regional limb perfusion (RLP) to systemic intravenous bolus dosing (SIVB), and established whetherRLPresults in local lamellar drug delivery. Six adult horses received 0.23 mg/kg of marimastat byRLPfollowed by 0.23 mg/kg marimastat bySIVB, with a 24‐h washout period. Lamellar ultrafiltration probes sampled lamellar interstitial fluid as lamellar ultrafiltrate (LUF).LUFand plasma marimastat concentrations (LUF[M]and P[M], respectively) were measured for 24 h after each treatment. Regional pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental analyses. TheLUFCmaxfollowingRLPwas 232 [34–457] times that followingSIVB.LUF[M]afterRLPwere higher than those obtained afterSIVBfor 18 h (P < 0.03). MedianLUF[M]were > IC90of equine lamellarMMP‐2 andMMP‐9 for 9 h after tourniquet removal.RLPappeared superior toSIVBfor lamellar marimastat delivery (higherLUFCmax,,AUCand T > IC90of lamellarMMPs). However, frequent dosing is necessary to achieve therapeutic lamellar concentrations.RLPcould be used to investigate whether marimastat prevents experimentally induced laminitis. Further refinement of the technique and dosing interval is necessary before clinical application.
Are Transcutaneous Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Determinations of Value in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?
Authors: Tonelli Adriano R. , Alkukhun Laith , Cikach Frank , Ahmed Mostafa , Dweik Raed A.
Published: January 2015

Background

We hypothesized that transcutaneous gas determinations of O2 and CO2 (TcPO2 and TcPCO2) are associated with the severity of PAH.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, we included consecutive patients with PAH (group 1 PH; n = 34). Transcutaneous gas determinations were compared to those of age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls (n = 14), nongroup 1 PH (n = 19) or patients with high estimated RVSP on echocardiography but without hemodynamic evidence of PH (n = 12).

Results

In patients with PAH, TcPO2, and TcPCO2 were significantly associated with PaO2 (R = 0.44, p = 0.03) and PaCO2 (R = 0.77, p < 0.001), respectively. TcPO2/FiO2 (mean difference: −65.0 [95% CI: −121.3, −8.7]) and TcPCO2 (mean difference: −7.4 [95% CI: −11.6, −3.1]) were significantly lower in patients with PAH than healthy controls. TcPCO2 was useful in discriminating PAH patients from other individuals (AUC: 0.74 [95% CI: 0.62, 0.83]). TcPO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly associated with mean PAP, TPG, PVR, CI, SVI, DLCO, six‐minute walk distance and components of the CAMPHOR questionnaire.

Conclusions

Transcutaneous pressure of CO2 was lower in patients with PAH. Transcutaneous pressure of O2 over inspired fraction of O2 ratio was inversely associated with severity of disease in patients with PAH.
LiZIP3 is a cellular zinc transporter that mediates the tightly regulated import of zinc in Leishmania infantum parasites
Authors: Carvalho Sandra , Barreira da Silva Rosa , Shawki Ali , Castro Helena , Lamy Márcia , Eide David , Costa Vítor , Mackenzie Bryan , Tomás Ana M.
Published: February 2015

Cellular zinc homeostasis ensures that the intracellular concentration of this element is kept within limits that enable its participation in critical physiological processes without exerting toxic effects. We report here the identification and characterization of the first mediator of zinc homeostasis in Leishmania infantum, LiZIP3, a member of the ZIP family of divalent metal‐ion transporters. The zinc transporter activity of LiZIP3 was first disclosed by its capacity to rescue the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains deficient in zinc acquisition. Subsequent expression of LiZIP3 in Xenopus laevis oocytes was shown to stimulate the uptake of a broad range of metal ions, among which Zn2+ was the preferred LiZIP3 substrate (K0.5 ≈ 0.1 μM). Evidence that LiZIP3 functions as a zinc importer in L. infantum came from the observations that the protein locates to the cell membrane and that its overexpression leads to augmented zinc internalization. Importantly, expression and cell‐surface location of LiZIP3 are lost when parasites face high zinc bioavailability. LiZIP3 decline in response to zinc is regulated at the mRNA level in a process involving (a) short‐lived protein(s). Collectively, our data reveal that LiZIP3 enables L. infantum to acquire zinc in a highly regulated manner, hence contributing to zinc homeostasis.
N‐terminal lysines are essential for protein translocation via a modified ERAD system in complex plastids
Authors: Lau Julia B. , Stork Simone , Moog Daniel , Sommer Maik S. , Maier Uwe G.
Published: February 2015

Nuclear‐encoded pre‐proteins being imported into complex plastids of red algal origin have to cross up to five membranes. Thereby, transport across the second outermost or periplastidal membrane (PPM) is facilitated by SELMA (symbiont‐specific ERAD‐like machinery), an endoplasmic reticulum‐associated degradation (ERAD)‐derived machinery. Core components of SELMA are enzymes involved in ubiquitination (E1 – E3), a Cdc48 ATPase complex and Derlin proteins. These components are present in all investigated organisms with four membrane‐bound complex plastids of red algal origin, suggesting a ubiquitin‐dependent translocation process of substrates mechanistically similar to the process of retro‐translocation in ERAD. Even if, according to the current model, translocation via SELMA does not end up in the classical poly‐ubiquitination, transient mono‐/oligo‐ubiquitination of pre‐proteins might be required for the mechanism of translocation. We investigated the import mechanism of SELMA and were able to show that protein transport across the PPM depends on lysines in the N‐terminal but not in the C‐terminal part of pre‐proteins. These lysines are predicted to be targets of ubiquitination during the translocation process. As proteins lacking the N‐terminal lysines get stuck in the PPM, a ‘frozen intermediate’ of the translocation process could be envisioned and initially characterized.
Isolated mitochondrial stroke‐like episodes in an elderly patient with the MT‐ND3 gene mutation
Authors: Mukai Masako , Sugaya Keizo , Ozawa Tadashi , Goto Yu‐ichi , Yagishita Akira , Matsubara Shiro , Bokuda Kota , Miyakoshi Akinori , Nakano Imaharu
Published: January 2015

Stroke‐like episode represents a clinical hallmark of mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke‐like episodes. Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke‐like episodes are usually suspected based on clinical symptoms, such as lactic acidosis, deafness, diabetes, short stature, myopathy, and cognitive decline, often with a maternal inheritance pattern of family history. We describe an elderly woman with recurrent stroke‐like episodes, who had only a faint concomitant signs, but no family history of mitochondrial disease. Sequence analysis of the mitochondrial genome extracted from biopsied muscle showed a heteroplasmic 10158T>C mutation in the mitochondrial complex I subunit gene, MT‐ND3. This is the first adult‐onset case harboring the m.10158T>C mutation, which is known to cause lethal infant‐onset Leigh syndrome. The unique manifestations of sporadic, elderly‐onset, and isolated stroke‐like episodes suggest that it is an important differential diagnosis for ischemic stroke and extend the clinical and mutational spectrum of mitochondrial stroke‐like episodes.
Pattern of clinical presentation of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract among infants and children
Authors: Soliman Neveen A , Ali Reham I , Ghobrial Emad E , Habib Enmar I , Ziada Ali M
Published: February 2015

Aim

Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) comprise various entities of structural malformations that result from defects in morphogenesis of the kidney and/or urinary tract. These anomalies are the most commonly diagnosed malformations in the prenatal period and constitute the leading cause of end‐+stage renal disease (ESRD) in children, worldwide. This prospective study was performed to report the patterns of clinical presentation and diagnosis of infants and children with such malformations.

Methods

Patients with suggestive features of CAKUT, presenting to Cairo University Children Hospital over one year duration were investigated and categorized based on underlying renal structural/functional malformation and associated extra‐renal anomalies.

Results

One hundred and seven CAKUT children were enrolled in the study. Familial clustering was identified in 14% of the cohort and syndromic CAKUT accounted for 31.8% of cases. Different anomaly entities have been identified; posterior urethral valves (PUV) being the commonest detected abnormality (36.4%). Of note, 9.3% of cohort patients had ESRD at presentation, of which 60% had PUV as their primary renal disease. Obstructive cases were noted to present significantly earlier and attain advanced CKD stages rather than non‐obstructive ones.

Conclusion

CAKUT is a clinically heterogeneous group of diseases with diverse clinical phenotypes. More efforts should be aimed at improving antenatal detection as well as classification with comprehensive reference to the clinical, genetic and molecular features of the diseases. The high frequency of familial and syndromic CAKUT among studied patients is seemingly a convincing reason to pursue the underlying genetic defect in future studies.
Clinical Impact of Mapping Strategies for Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardias in Patients with Structural Heart Disease
Authors: MAKIMOTO HISAKI , NAKAJIMA IKUTARO , MIYAMOTO KOJI , YAMADA YUKO , OKAMURA HIDEO , NODA TAKASHI , AIBA TAKESHI , KAMAKURA SHIRO , KUSANO KENGO , SHIMIZU WATARU , SATOMI KAZUHIRO
Published: January 2015

Background

Substrate‐based catheter ablation (CA) can be applied to more complicated cases such as hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia (VT). We aimed to compare the efficacy between substrate‐based and activation/entrainment‐based ablation.

Methods

We investigated 85 consecutive patients (62 male, 53 ± 16 years) who underwent CA of VT to analyze the relationship between the ablation strategy and clinical outcome. The patients included 34 individuals with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, 16 with ischemic heart disease, 14 with dilated cardiomyopathy, 11 with sarcoidosis, and 10 with other heart diseases. The primary strategy was activation/entrainment mapping (Group‐AE, N = 35); otherwise, substrate‐based strategy was adopted (Group‐S, N = 50) because of non‐inducibility of VT or hemodynamic instability. Successful CA was defined as the non‐inducibility of any VT at the end of the procedure in those with inducible clinical VT before ablation, and substrate elimination in those without.

Results

There were no significant differences in the left ventricular function, percentage of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator implantations, results of CA, and number of radiofrequency applications between Group‐S and Group‐AE. During 5 years of follow‐up, there were no significant differences in sustained VT recurrences (15/50 vs. 15/35, P = 0.22), and cardiac death (2/50 vs. 3/35, P = 0.38). In patients with inducible VT before ablation, the elimination of the VT inducibility was associated with a lower recurrence rate (12/47 vs. 16/26, P = 0.003).

Conclusions

The substrate‐based strategy adopted as an alternative option when the activation/entrainment‐based strategy was unable to be performed resulted in a comparable VT recurrence rate. The extinction of VT inducibility achieved a favorable prognosis in structural heart disease patients.
Rhinovirus‐induced airway cytokines and respiratory morbidity in severely premature children
Authors: Perez Geovanny F. , Pancham Krishna , Huseni Shehlanoor , Jain Amisha , Rodriguez‐Martinez Carlos E. , Preciado Diego , Rose Mary C. , Nino Gustavo
Published: January 2015

Background

Rhinovirus (RV) has been linked to the pathogenesis of asthma. Prematurity is a risk factor for severe RV infection in early life, but is unknown if RV elicits enhanced pro‐asthmatic airway cytokine responses in premature infants. This study investigated whether young children born severely premature (<32 wks gestation) exhibit airway secretion of Th2 and Th17 cytokines during natural RV infections and whether RV‐induced Th2–Th17 responses are linked to more respiratory morbidity in premature children during the first 2 yrs of life.

Methods

We measured Th2 and Th17 nasal airway cytokines in a retrospective cohort of young children aged 0–2 yrs with PCR‐confirmed RV infection or non‐detectable virus. Protein levels of IL‐4, IL‐13, TSLP, and IL‐17 were determined with multiplex immunoassays. Demographic and clinical variables were obtained by electronic medical record (EMR) review.

Results

The study comprised 214 children born full term (n = 108), preterm (n = 44) or severely premature (n = 62). Natural RV infection in severely premature children was associated with elevated airway secretion of Th2 (IL‐4 and IL‐13) and Th17 (IL‐17) cytokines, particularly in subjects with history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Severely premature children with high RV‐induced airway IL‐4 had recurrent respiratory hospitalizations (median 3.65 hosp/yr; IQR 2.8–4.8) and were more likely to have at least one pediatric intensive care unit admission during the first 2 yrs of life (OR 8.72; 95% CI 1.3–58.7; p = 0.02).

Conclusions

Severely premature children have increased airway secretion of Th2 and Th17 cytokines during RV infections, which is associated with more respiratory morbidity in the first 2 yrs of life.
Safety and effect on reported symptoms of depigmented polymerized allergen immunotherapy: a retrospective study of 2927 paediatric patients
Authors: Pfaar Oliver , Sager Angelika , Robinson Douglas S.
Published: January 2015

Background

Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is effective treatment for allergic diseases, and subcutaneous use of depigmented polymerized extracts may allow rapid up‐dosing and safe therapy. To date, there is little information on their safety and clinical effects for children and adolescents with allergic disease.

Methods

We performed a retrospective survey of patient notes of 2927 children and adolescents across 136 centres who had received subcutaneous AIT (SCIT) with depigmented polymerized extracts to pollen or mite allergens for at least 1 yr to collect documentation on safety and clinical symptoms.

Results

16.3% percent of patients had local reactions, of these 148 were larger than 12 cm in diameter. Systemic reactions were documented in 1.6% of children and in 0.8% of adolescents. There were no documented cases of anaphylactic shock. There were significant reductions in the frequency of patients with recorded nasal symptoms over time of treatment. Moreover, the prescribing rate of rescue medication was reduced over the course of SCIT.

Conclusion

These ‘real‐life’ data from a large retrospective analysis including 2927 children and adolescents with pollen‐ and/or mite‐induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with/or without allergic asthma indicate that AIT with depigmented polymerized extracts is well tolerated, and they are compatible with clinical response.
Heritable site‐specific mutagenesis using TALENs in maize
Authors: Char Si Nian , Unger‐Wallace Erica , Frame Bronwyn , Briggs Sarah A. , Main Marcy , Spalding Martin H. , Vollbrecht Erik , Wang Kan , Yang Bing
Published: February 2015

Transcription activator‐like effector nuclease (TALEN) technology has been utilized widely for targeted gene mutagenesis, especially for gene inactivation, in many organisms, including agriculturally important plants such as rice, wheat, tomato and barley. This report describes application of this technology to generate heritable genome modifications in maize. TALENs were employed to generate stable, heritable mutations at the maize glossy2 (gl2) locus. Transgenic lines containing mono‐ or di‐allelic mutations were obtained from the maize genotype Hi‐II at a frequency of about 10% (nine mutated events in 91 transgenic events). In addition, three of the novel alleles were tested for function in progeny seedlings, where they were able to confer the glossy phenotype. In a majority of the events, the integrated TALEN T‐DNA segregated independently from the new loss of function alleles, producing mutated null‐segregant progeny in T1 generation. Our results demonstrate that TALENs are an effective tool for genome mutagenesis in maize, empowering the discovery of gene function and the development of trait improvement.
A genetic strategy generating wheat with very high amylose content
Authors: Regina Ahmed , Berbezy Pierre , Kosar‐Hashemi Behjat , Li Suzhi , Cmiel Mark , Larroque Oscar , Bird Anthony R. , Swain Steve M. , Cavanagh Colin , Jobling Stephen A. , Li Zhongyi , Morell Matthew
Published: February 2015

Resistant starch (RS), a type of dietary fibre, plays an important role in human health; however, the content of RS in most modern processed starchy foods is low. Cereal starch, when structurally manipulated through a modified starch biosynthetic pathway to greatly increase the amylose content, could be an important food source of RS. Transgenic studies have previously revealed the requirement of simultaneous down‐regulation of two starch branching enzyme (SBE) II isoforms both located on the long arm of chromosome 2, namely SBEIIa and SBEIIb, to elevate the amylose content in wheat from ~25% to ~75%. The current study revealed close proximity of genes encoding SBEIIa and SBEIIb isoforms in wheat with a genetic distance of 0.5 cM on chromosome 2B. A series of deletion and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loss of function alleles in SBEIIa, SBEIIb or both was isolated from two different wheat populations. A breeding strategy to combine deletions and SNPs generated wheat genotypes with altered expression levels of SBEIIa and SBEIIb, elevating the amylose content to an unprecedented ~85%, with a marked concomitant increase in RS content. Biochemical assays were used to confirm the complete absence in the grain of expression of SBEIIa from all three genomes in combination with the absence of SBEIIb from one of the genomes.
Adding Expert Contributions to the Spatiotemporal Modelling of Avalanche Activity Under Different Climatic Influences
Authors: Lavigne A. , Eckert N. , Bel L. , Parent E.
Published: February 2015

We address the question of introducing expert knowledge in a hierarchical Bayesian spatiotemporal model. Specifically, we combine avalanche count data and an expert prior judgement about avalanche climatology to cluster French Alpine townships into two coherent groups. A spatial regression defines the a priori probability of belonging to each group and an innovative method is proposed to elicit its parameters by working with an expert on replicates of simulated maps. As a benefit of the extra data knowledge, we show the existence of robust north–south clusters of decreasing–increasing avalanche activity resulting from the interaction of local climate change patterns with altitude distribution. Spatial dependence of avalanche activity has also been inferred and is characterized by an anisotropy, with longer dependence along the north-west–south-east axis.
Sibling dynamics and sport expertise
Authors: Hopwood M. J. , Farrow D. , MacMahon C. , Baker J.
Published: January 2015

Family members are known to be highly influential in the development of sport expertise. To date, much of the research in this area has focused on parents, with less known about sibling influences on expertise. This investigation explored associations between sport expertise, sibling characteristics, and sibling participation in sport and physical activity. Athletes representing three skill levels provided details of sibling characteristics and participation in sport and physical activity via the Developmental History of Athletes Questionnaire. Elite athletes were more likely to be later‐born children, while pre‐elite and non‐elite athletes were more likely to be first‐born. Compared with siblings of non‐elite athletes, siblings of elite athletes were more likely to have participated in regular physical activity and were more likely to have participated in sport at the pre‐elite and elite levels. These results suggest siblings may play a key role in sport expertise development.
Stress responses to short‐term intensified and reduced training in competitive weightlifters
Authors: Storey A. G. , Birch N. P. , Fan V. , Smith H. K.
Published: January 2015

We sought to identify and evaluate the tolerance to, and consequences of, short‐term variations in training load in competitive weightlifters. Seven international‐level lifters performed 1 week of initial training followed by 2 weeks of intensified (INT: +100%, 36.5 ± 11.3 × 103 kg/week) and 1 week of subsequently reduced (RED: −25%) training within their annual program. After INT, but not RED, 90 min of weightlifting increased mRNA levels of chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 4 (CCL4), chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) and cellular stress‐associated DNA‐damage‐inducible transcript 4 (DDIT4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by 40–240%. Resting‐ and weightlifting‐induced changes in plasma protein carbonyls, indicative of oxidative stress, but not pro‐inflammatory CCL4 concentrations differed between INT and RED. Symptoms of stress (Daily Analysis of Life Demands of Athletes questionnaire) were reported as worse than normal more frequently during INT and RED than initial training. Global (negative) mood state increased during INT and declined during RED. Maximal snatch (−4.3 ± 3.7%) and vertical jump (−7.2 ± 6.5%), but not clean and jerk, were reduced after INT and restored after RED. Chemokine signaling may thus be part of the stress response to intense weightlifting and short‐term reductions in training load support recovery from periodic INT training in weightlifters.
The effectiveness of the nationwide BokSmart rugby injury prevention program on catastrophic injury rates
Authors: Brown J. C. , Verhagen E. , Knol D. , Van Mechelen W. , Lambert M. I.
Published: January 2015

Rugby Union (“rugby”) participants have a higher than average risk of injury compared with participants of other popular team sports. BokSmart, a nationwide injury prevention program was launched in South Africa in mid‐2009, with the goal of reducing catastrophic head/neck (serious) injuries in players. The program provides injury prevention information to coaches and referees. This study investigated if BokSmart has been associated with a reduction in these injuries. The BokSmart program collected data on all South African rugby‐related serious injuries since 2008. Using a Poisson regression, injury numbers were compared pre‐BokSmart (2008–2009) to the years post‐implementation (2010–2013). Player numbers were assumed to be constant throughout this evaluation: junior = 529 483; senior = 121 663. In junior players, the “post‐BokSmart” period had 2.5 less annual serious injuries than “pre‐BokSmart” (incidence rate ratio: 0.6, 95% confidence interval: 0.5–0.7, P < 0.000). In contrast, there was no significant difference in these periods in seniors. The absence of effect in seniors may be a result of fewer players or of differences in effectiveness of BokSmart in this group – future studies should investigate these questions.
Reconfiguring indigeneity in the mainland Gulf country: Mimicry, mimesis, and the colonial exchange of difference
Authors: Martin Richard J.
Published: January 2015

This paper explores the meaning of indigeneity in the southern Gulf country by focusing upon a group of Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal people who claim as a common ancestor a pioneering non‐Aboriginal pastoralist. This early settler established a large cattle property on the Northern Territory/Queensland border at the end of the nineteenth century, where he participating in frontier violence as well as attempts to resolve such violence and promote more peaceable relations through various kinds of exchange, including the common‐law marriage of his part‐Aboriginal son to the daughter of a local Aboriginal leader. Drawing on Taussig's reflections on the economy of mimesis and alterity in colonial exchange, I analyse the ways in which different kinds of connections to the property in question have been phrased by Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal descendants of this man, as well as other local people, from first settlement in the 1860s through to the contemporary moment, when multiple and overlapping assertions of indigenous belonging by Aboriginal people intersect with articulations of an emergent autochthony amongst non‐Aboriginal Australians with long histories of residence in the area.
Crystal structures and inhibitor binding properties of plant class V chitinases: the cycad enzyme exhibits unique structural and functional features
Authors: Umemoto Naoyuki , Kanda Yuka , Ohnuma Takayuki , Osawa Takuo , Numata Tomoyuki , Sakuda Shohei , Taira Toki , Fukamizo Tamo
Published: February 2015

A class V (glycoside hydrolase family 18) chitinase from the cycad Cycas revoluta (CrChiA) is a plant chitinase that has been reported to possess efficient transglycosylation (TG) activity. We solved the crystal structure of CrChiA, and compared it with those of class V chitinases from Nicotiana tabacum (NtChiV) and Arabidopsis thaliana (AtChiC), which do not efficiently catalyze the TG reaction. All three chitinases had a similar (α/β)8 barrel fold with an (α + β) insertion domain. In the acceptor binding site (+1, +2 and +3) of CrChiA, the Trp168 side chain was found to stack face‐to‐face with the +3 sugar. However, this interaction was not found in the identical regions of NtChiV and AtChiC. In the DxDxE motif, which is essential for catalysis, the carboxyl group of the middle Asp (Asp117) was always oriented toward the catalytic acid Glu119 in CrChiA, whereas the corresponding Asp in NtChiV and AtChiC was oriented toward the first Asp. These structural features of CrChiA appear to be responsible for the efficient TG activity. When binding of the inhibitor allosamidin was evaluated using isothermal titration calorimetry, the changes in binding free energy of the three chitinases were found to be similar to each other, i.e. between −9.5 and −9.8 kcal mol−1. However, solvation and conformational entropy changes in CrChiA were markedly different from those in NtChiV and AtChiC, but similar to those of chitinase A from Serratia marcescens (SmChiA), which also exhibits significant TG activity. These results provide insight into the molecular mechanism underlying the TG reaction and the molecular evolution from bacterial chitinases to plant class V chitinases.
Incidence of gammopathies in long‐term plasmapheresis donors at Canadian Blood Services
Authors: Palmer Douglas S. , Scalia Vito , O'Toole Joan , Welch Christine , Yi Qilong , Goldman Mindy
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

To investigate the long‐term consequences of repeated plasmapheresis on donor health, their donation histories and demographic data were reviewed to determine the frequency of development of monoclonal (Mc) gammopathies or other gamma globulin abnormalities (OGGAs).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Samples from apheresis plasma donors collected at Canadian Blood Services were tested initially and every 4 months for total protein (TP) followed by serum protein electrophoresis (SPE). Out‐of‐range samples or those showing abnormal band patterns were forwarded to a hospital laboratory for additional investigation.

RESULTS

Of 52,972 donors who donated 471,446 apheresis plasmas over 9 years, 89,490 samples were sent for TP and SPE testing. Of 3005 samples forwarded for further investigation, abnormal immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) results were found in 209 (0.4%) donors, 85 from first‐time (FT) and 124 from repeat (RPT) plasma donors during participation in the program. There were 167 donors with Mc gammopathies (73 FT, 94 RPT) and 42 with OGGAs (12 FT, 30 RPT). FT or RPT donors with Mc gammopathies or OGGAs were significantly older than those with normal SPEs. RPT donors with Mc gammopathies or OGGAs also had a longer donation period than donors with normal SPEs.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of Mc gammopathies (2.41 per 1000 donors) did not significantly increase from 2004 to 2012. Older donors had a higher incidence of Mc gammopathies and longer donation periods than their healthy counterparts. Overall, gammopathy rates were below those reported over the same age range in the general population.
Predictors of hemoglobin in Danish blood donors: results from the Danish Blood Donor Study
Authors: Kotzé Sebastian R. , Pedersen Ole B. , Petersen Mikkel S. , Sørensen Erik , Thørner Lise W. , Sørensen Cecilie J. , Rigas Andreas S. , Hjalgrim Henrik , Rostgaard Klaus , Ullum Henrik , Erikstrup Christian
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

It is well known that blood donors are at increased risk of iron deficiency and subsequent development of iron deficiency anemia. We aimed to investigate the effect of factors influencing hemoglobin (Hb) levels.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Initiated in 2010, the Danish Blood Donor Study is a population‐based study and biobank. We performed multivariable linear regression analysis to assess the effects of donation activity, physiologic and lifestyle factors, and diet on Hb levels among 15,197 donors. We also performed multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the effects of these factors on the risk of having low Hb (defined as Hb below the 10th percentile among men and women, respectively) and of a decrease in Hb greater than 0.5 mmol/L (0.8 g/dL) between successive donations. All analyses were performed stratified for sex and smoking status. We also tested a previously used model for the prediction of Hb.

RESULTS

The strongest predictors of Hb and risk of low Hb were low ferritin (<15 ng/mL) and current use of iron supplementation (yes/no). No dietary factors were found to be consistently significant in multivariable models predicting Hb levels, risk of having low Hb, or risk of a decrease in Hb greater than 0.5 mmol/L. We found similar effects to previous studies of factors in the predictive model, with little additional effect of including smoking status and ferritin.

CONCLUSIONS

As ferritin was the strongest predictor of Hb, this study supports the implementation of regular ferritin measurement as a method of risk assessment among blood donors.
Osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines from patients with differing serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations display minimal differences in gene expression patterns
Authors: Rodrigues L. C. de Sá , Holmes K. E. , Thompson V. , Piskun C. M. , Lana S. E. , Newton M. A. , Stein T. J.
Published: February 2015

Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentration is a prognostic factor for osteosarcoma in multiple studies, although its biological significance remains incompletely understood. To determine whether gene expression patterns differed in osteosarcoma from patients with differing serumALPconcentrations, microarray analysis was performed on 18 primary osteosarcoma samples and six osteosarcoma cell lines from dogs with normal and increased serumALPconcentration. No differences in gene expression patterns were noted between tumours or cell lines with differing serumALPconcentration using a gene‐specific two‐samplet‐test. Using a more sensitive empirical Bayes procedure, defective in cullin neddylation 1 domain containing 1 (DCUN1D1) was increased in both the tissue and cell lines of the normalALPgroup. Using quantitative PCR (qPCR), differences inDCUN1D1expression between the two groups failed to reach significance. The homogeneity of gene expression patterns of osteosarcoma associated differing serumALPconcentrations are consistent with previous studies suggesting serumALPconcentration is not associated with intrinsic differences of osteosarcoma cells.
Recurrence rates and clinical outcome for dogs with gradeIImast cell tumours with a lowAgNORcount and Ki67 index treated with surgery alone
Authors: Smith J. , Kiupel M. , Farrelly J. , Cohen R. , Olmsted G. , Kirpensteijn J. , Brocks B. , Post G.
Published: February 2015

GradeIImast cell tumours (MCT) are tumours with variable biologic behaviour. Multiple factors have been associated with outcome, including proliferation markers. The purpose of this study was to determine if extent of surgical excision affects recurrence rate in dogs with gradeII MCTwith low proliferation activity, determined by Ki67 and argyrophilic nucleolar organising regions (AgNOR). Eighty‐six dogs with cutaneousMCTwere evaluated. All dogs had surgical excision of theirMCTwith a low Ki67 index and combinedAgNORxKi67(Ag67) values. Twenty‐three (27%) dogs developed local or distant recurrence during the median follow‐up time. Of these dogs, six (7%) had local recurrence, one had complete and five had incomplete histologic margins. This difference in recurrence rates between dogs with complete and incomplete histologic margins was not significant. On the basis of this study, ancillary therapy may not be necessary for patients with incompletely excised gradeII MCTwith low proliferation activity.
Some geometric facets of the Langlands correspondence for real groups
Authors: Virk R.
Published: January 2015

This note concerns geometric aspects of the local Langlands correspondence for real groups as extended from Langlands’ original work by Adams–Barbasch–Vogan, and further (conjectural) formulations by W. Soergel. The main result concerns purity (in the sense of weights in Hodge theory) of equivariant extension groups between simple objects on the Adams–Barbasch–Vogan geometric parameter space (for trivial infinitesimal character).
Optimal Periodic Control of an Ideal Stirling Engine Model
Authors: Craun Mitchel , Bamieh Bassam
Published: January 2015

We consider an optimal control problem for a model of a Stirling engine that is actively controlled through its displacer piston motion. The framework of optimal periodic control (OPC) is used as the setting for this active control problem. We use the idealized isothermal Schmidt model for the system dynamics and formulate the control problem so as to maximize mechanical power output while trading off a penalty on control (displacer motion) effort. An iterative first-order algorithm is used to obtain the optimal periodic motion of the engine and control input. We show that optimal motion is typically nonsinusoidal with significant higher harmonic content, and that a significant increase in the power output of the engine is possible through the optimal scheduling of the displacer motion. These results indicate that OPC may provide a framework for a large class of energy conversion and harvesting problems in which active actuation is available.
A Study on Micromixing Utilizing Marangoni Effect Induced on Gas–Liquid Free Interfaces
Authors: Yamada Takashi , Ono Naoki
Published: January 2015

Traditionally, micromixing has been thought to be governed by molecular diffusion. However, the authors consider that advection is important in the mixing enhancement and applicable to micromixing devices in many industrial fields. Here, the Marangoni convection, a type of shear flow induced at gas–liquid free interfaces, is introduced as an additional source for micromixing. To evaluate the proposal, two liquids with different surface tensions values were mixed in a capillary channel fabricated by the photolithography technique. The utility of Marangoni convection was confirmed in rapid mixing by the flow experiments.
Theoretical and Experimental Study of Metallic Dot Agglomeration Induced by Thermal Dewetting
Authors: Yoshino Masahiko , Li Zhenxing , Terano Motoki
Published: January 2015

The authors previously developed a new fabrication method for a metal nanodot array, by combination of nanogroove grid patterning and thermal dewetting of metal deposited on a substrate. However, a comprehensive understanding of the thermal dewetting mechanism is necessary to improve the quality and control the variation of the metallic nanodot array. In this study, thermal dewetting-induced nanodot agglomeration mechanism is studied from a theoretical point of view. An analytical model is proposed, based on the total free energy of a dot and substrate system. The theoretical minimum and natural dot sizes show the same trend with an increase of contact angle. The theoretical model is validated by the experimental results.
Vibration Analysis of Thin/Thick, Composites/Metallic Spinning Cylindrical Shells by Refined Beam Models
Authors: Carrera E. , Filippi M.
Published: January 2015

This paper evaluates the vibration characteristics of thin/thick rotating cylindrical shells made of metallic and composite materials. A previous theory of the authors is extended here to include the effects of geometrical stiffness due to rotation. To this end, variable kinematic one-dimensional (1D) models obtained by applying the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) were used. The components of the displacement fields are x, z polynomials of arbitrary order N, making it possible to go beyond the rigid cross section assumptions of the classical beam theories. A significant contribution of this formulation consists in the possibility to include the in-plane cross-sectional deformations allowing the introduction of the in-plane initial stress effects, e.g., the effect of the geometrical stiffness. Equations of motions, including both Coriolis and in-plane initial stress contributions, were solved through the finite element method. Several analyses were carried out on both thin and thick cylinders made of either metallic or composite materials with different boundary conditions. The results are compared with analytical and numerical shell formulations and three-dimensional solutions available in the literature. Various laminate lay-up have been considered in the case of composites shells. Numerical evaluations of the effect of geometric stiffness are provided, demonstrating its importance in the analyses presented. The 1D models appear very effective to investigate the dynamics of spinning shells and, contrary to shell theories, they do not require any amendments with thick shell geometry. From the computational point of view, the present refined beam models are less expensive than the shell and solid counterparts.
Passivation and Performance of Inorganic Aqueous Solutions in a Grooved Aluminum Flat Heat Pipe
Authors: Stubblebine Michael J. , Catton Ivan
Published: February 2015

Aluminum heat pipes have traditionally been incompatible with water and water-based fluids because they quickly react to generate noncondensable hydrogen gas (NCG). Two different inorganic aqueous solutions (IAS) are tested in a flat heat pipe (FHP). Grooved aluminum plates were used as the heat pipe wick and the tests were run with the heating section raised above the condenser. Compatibility between the working fluid and the aluminum heat pipe was established by running the device to dryout and observing thermal resistance results along the way. De-ionized (DI) water was also tested, as a baseline for comparison, to establish that it did indeed fail as expected. Operating performance of each mixture was obtained from zero heat input until dryout was reached for two angles of inclination. The data suggest that both IAS mixtures are compatible with aluminum heat pipes and exhibit performance similar to that of a copper and water heat pipe. It is demonstrated that IAS and aluminum heat pipes show potential for replacing existing copper and water devices for some applications and provide alternative options for heat pipe designers who value both the thermophysical property advantages of water and reduced weight of aluminum devices.
The Control and Synchronization of a Rotational Relativistic Chaotic System With Parameter Uncertainties and External Disturbance
Authors: Luo Runzi , Zeng Yanhui
Published: February 2015

This paper investigates the control and synchronization of a rotational relativistic chaotic system with parameter uncertainties and external disturbance. By using the proper coordinate transformation, some novel criteria for control or synchronization are proposed via a single input. Numerical simulations are given to show the robustness and efficiency of the proposed approach.