bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymerization Stress of Dental Resin Composite Continues to Develop 12 Hours after Irradiation
Authors: Yamamoto Takatsugu , Hanabusa Masao , Momoi Yasuko , Sakaguchi Ronald L.
Published: February 2014

Objective

This study assessed the development of stress from polymerization of light‐cured dental resin composites for 24 hours after irradiation.

Materials and Methods

Initial cracks were made near the edge of a cylindrical hole in glass, and crack lengths were measured. Revolution Formula 2, Kalore and Venus Diamond were polymerized in the hole. Crack lengths were measured at several intervals after irradiation up to 24 hours. Stresses at the composite‐glass interface were calculated using the crack lengths. Elastic moduli of the composites were measured at the same time intervals.

Results

Interfacial stress and elastic modulus were significantly related to material and time. Stress continued to increase up to 12 hours after irradiation. Significantly lower stresses were measured in Kalore and Venus Diamond than Revolution Formula 2 throughout 24 hours. Stress at 24 hours was two times greater than the stress at 30 minutes. The increase in elastic modulus from 30 minutes to 24 hours ranged from 8 to 24%, which was less than the increase in stress over the same time period.

Conclusions

Interfacial stress and elastic modulus of the composites demonstrated the average increases of 155% and 14%, respectively, from 30 minutes to 24 hours after irradiation.

Clinical Significance

Since the elastic modulus is a measure of stiffness and resistance to load, clinicians might consider advising their patients to avoid heavy occlusal function until the elastic modulus has reached a plateau, which would be 60 minutes for Venus Diamond, 12 hours for Kalore, and 24 hours for Revolution Formula 2.
Factors associated with dropout in a group weight‐loss programme: a longitudinal investigation
Authors: Yackobovitch‐Gavan M. , Steinberg D. M. , Endevelt R. , Benyamini Y.
Published: February 2014

Background

Attrition is a major limitation of most weight management intervention programmes. The present study aimed to conduct an extensive investigation of personal, sociodemographic and treatment‐related factors associated with attrition at different stages of a 10‐week group weight‐loss programme.

Methods

The present study is part of a longitudinal, clinical intervention study comparing three conditions in a 10‐week group programme: Control, Behavioural Intentions and Implementation Intentions. The study included 587 participants with a mean (SD) age of 46 (11) years (range 18–78 years) and a mean (SD) body mass index (BMI) of 31.9 (5.5) kg m–2, with 90% being female. To characterise dropout in each week separately, as well as overall dropout (dropout until week 9, the median time of dropout), we tested several logistic regression models, including multiple imputations to cope with missing data.

Results

The results of the different dropout models consistently showed that a smaller reduction in BMI in the first 2 weeks of the programme was the strongest predictor of dropout. Dropout in the tenth and last week differed from the earlier weeks both in the relatively high dropout rate (56% of total dropout) and in that, in contrast to earlier weeks, the week 10 model included the reduction in BMI during the last 2 weeks before dropout but did not include the reduction in BMI at the initiation of the intervention.

Conclusions

Weight‐loss in the beginning of the programme is a crucial independent determinant of dropout in each week except the last one. This finding is important because it suggests a simple assessment for a major dropout risk factor in adult weight‐loss intervention programmes.
Psychopathology in adults with 22q11 deletion syndrome and moderate and severe intellectual disability
Authors: Evers L. J. M. , van Amelsvoort T. A. M. J. , Candel M. J. J. M. , Boer H. , Engelen J. J. M , Curfs L. M. G.
Published: February 2014

Background

22q11 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is associated with mild or borderline intellectual disability (ID). There are hardly any reports on subjects with 22q11DS with moderate or severe ID, and therefore its behavioural and psychiatric characteristics are unknown.

Method

We describe behavioural and psychiatric characteristics of 33 adults with 22q11DS and a Full‐Scale IQ (FSIQ) below 55. Participants were divided into two groups: one group having a FSIQ ≤ 55 caused by intellectual decline (n = 21) and one group with a FSIQ ≤ 55 who had always functioned at this level (n = 12).

Results

High scores on psychopathology sub‐scales were found for both subgroups. 22q11DS patients with intellectual decline showed higher rates of co‐morbid psychopathology, particularly psychosis. Furthermore, psychosis and intellectual decline were positive correlated.

Conclusion

This is the first report addressing adult patients with 22q11DS and moderate to severe ID. Overall we found high levels of psychopathology with higher scores of psychopathology in the intellectual decline group. Life time psychosis seems to be related to deterioration.
Transradial Versus Transfemoral Method of Two‐Stent Implantation for True Bifurcation Lesions: Comparison of Immediate and Long‐Term Outcomes
Authors: GAO ZHAN , XU BO , YANG YUEJIN , KANDZARI DAVID E. , SUN ZHONGWEI , QIAO SHUBIN , WU YONGJIAN , YAN HONGBING , YUAN JINQING , CHEN JUE , ZHAO YELIN , GAO RUNLIN
Published: February 2014

Background

The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of two‐stent implantation for true bifurcation disease through transradial (TR) versus transfemoral (TF) approaches have not been thoroughly investigated.

Methods and Results

We compared procedural and long‐term outcomes of a two‐stent strategy percutaneous revascularization in 805 consecutive patients with true bifurcation lesions requiring two‐stent implantation via either a TR (n = 508) or TF (n = 297) approach from 2004 to 2009. Clinical and angiographic characteristics, procedural outcomes, and in‐hospital and long‐term clinical events were compared according to vascular access strategy. Using logistic regression to derive a propensity score model, 249 matched patient pairs were compared. The demographic, angiographic, and procedural characteristics were similar between groups, with the exception of less prior percutaneous intervention and left main bifurcation or multivessel disease in the TR group (all P < 0.05). Angiographic success and fluoroscopy time were similar between cohorts. The duration of hospitalization and in‐hospital occurrence of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium defined bleeding (3.9% vs. 9.1%, P < 0.01) were significantly lower in the TR group. During a mean follow‐up period of 55 ± 22 months, in a multivariate regression analysis, the TR method was not predictive of major adverse cardiac events (adjusted hazards ratio [HR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83–2.14), cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.45–1.93), or stent thrombosis.

Conclusion

In comparison to TF vascular access, two‐stent implantation via TR approach for true bifurcation lesions is associated with similar in‐hospital outcomes, shorter hospitalization, reduced bleeding, and comparable long‐term clinical safety and efficacy. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:99–107)
Molecular and cellular cues of diet‐associated oral carcinogenesis—with an emphasis on areca‐nut‐induced oral cancer development
Authors: Li Wan‐Chun , Lee Pei‐Lun , Chou I‐Chiang , Chang Wan‐Jung , Lin Shu‐Chun , Chang Kuo‐Wei
Published: February 2014

In modern times, potent dietary carcinogens are key contributors for neoplastic development. For oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), one of the leading cancer types in developing countries, main oncogenic inducers/enhancers, including areca nut chewing, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption, were shown to promote cancer initiation/progression. Over decades, studies from different laboratories have identified underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms for carcinogen‐induced OSCC. In this review, we will give an overview of where we are in understanding potential oral carcinogenic factors stimulated OSCC tumorigenesis, especially those associated with areca nut chewing in Asians, aiming to provide future scope of possible interception.
Assessment of Global and Individual Reproducibility of Projective Mapping with Consumers
Authors: Vidal Leticia , Silva Cadena Rafael , Correa Silvana , Ábalos Rosa A. , Gómez Beatriz , Giménez Ana , Varela Paula , Ares Gastón
Published: February 2014

The popularity of projective mapping with consumers for sensory characterization has markedly increased in the last 5 years. To have confidence in this methodology, it is necessary to ensure that a similar product profile would emerge if the test was repeated. Also, deciding whether the study should be replicated or not is a key issue in test implementation. In this context, the aim of the present work was to evaluate global and individual reproducibility of projective mapping for sensory characterization with consumers and to evaluate the influence of the size of difference among samples. Six consumer studies were conducted using a test–retest paradigm. In each study, responses from the same group of consumers to the same sample set in two different sessions were compared. Across the six studies, individual reproducibility tended to be low. However, the RV coefficients of consensus sample configurations between sessions were higher than 0.75, suggesting that test–retest reproducibility of projective mapping with consumers proved to be relatively high.

Practical Applications

The present work provides evidence of the reproducibility of projective mapping for sensory characterization with consumers. Although sample configurations were stable, some differences in conclusions regarding similarities and differences among samples were identified between sessions. This indicates that care must be taken when relying on results of projective mapping with consumers obtained without the use of replicates, particularly when working with sample sets with small differences. Results from the present work showed that stability indices of sample configurations based on bootstrapping resampling approaches were related to global reproducibility. These indices could be useful to decide whether or not it is necessary to replicate projective mapping in order to ensure that conclusions regarding similarities and differences among samples would be repeatedly identified. This is of particular interest, considering the difficulty of asking consumers to attend separate sessions.
Moving into a new era of periodontal genetic studies: relevance of large case–control samples using severe phenotypes for genome‐wide association studies
Authors: Vaithilingam R. D. , Safii S. H. , Baharuddin N. A. , Ng C. C. , Cheong S. C. , Bartold P. M. , Schaefer A. S. , Loos B. G.
Published: February 2014

Studies to elucidate the role of genetics as a risk factor for periodontal disease have gone through various phases. In the majority of cases, the initial ‘hypothesis‐dependent’ candidate‐gene polymorphism studies did not report valid genetic risk loci. Following a large‐scale replication study, these initially positive results are believed to be caused by type 1 errors. However, susceptibility genes, such as CDKN2BAS (Cyclin Dependend KiNase 2B AntiSense RNA; alias ANRIL [ANtisense Rna In the Ink locus]), glycosyltransferase 6 domain containing 1 (GLT6D1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), have been reported as conclusive risk loci of periodontitis. The search for genetic risk factors accelerated with the advent of ‘hypothesis‐free’ genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). However, despite many different GWAS being performed for almost all human diseases, only three GWAS on periodontitis have been published – one reported genome‐wide association of GLT6D1 with aggressive periodontitis (a severe phenotype of periodontitis), whereas the remaining two, which were performed on patients with chronic periodontitis, were not able to find significant associations. This review discusses the problems faced and the lessons learned from the search for genetic risk variants of periodontitis. Current and future strategies for identifying genetic variance in periodontitis, and the importance of planning a well‐designed genetic study with large and sufficiently powered case–control samples of severe phenotypes, are also discussed.
Concurrent Diseases and Conditions in Cats with Renal Infarcts
Authors: Hickey M.C. , Jandrey K. , Farrell K.S. , Carlson‐Bremer D.
Published: February 2014

Background

Renal infarcts identified without definitive association with any specific disease process.

Objective

Determine diseases associated with diagnosis of renal infarcts in cats diagnosed by sonography or necropsy.

Animals

600 cats underwent abdominal ultrasonography, necropsy, or both at a veterinary medical teaching hospital.

Methods

Information obtained from electronic medical records. Cats classified as having renal infarct present based on results of sonographic evaluation or necropsy. Time‐matched case‐controls selected from cats that underwent the next scheduled diagnostic procedure.

Results

309 of 600 cats having diagnosis of renal infarct and 291 time‐matched controls. Cats 7–14 years old were 1.6 times (odds ratio, 95%CI: 1.03–2.05,P = .03) more likely to have renal infarct than younger cats but no more likely to have renal infarct than older cats (1.4, 0.89–2.25,P = .14). AllP = .14 are statistically significant. Cats with renal infarcts were 4.5 times (odds ratio, 95%CI: 2.63–7.68,P < .001) more likely to haveHCMcompared to cats without renal infarcts. Cats with renal infarcts were 0.7 times (odds ratio, 95%CI: 0.51–0.99,P = .046) less likely to have diagnosis of neoplasia compared to cats without renal infarcts. Cats with diagnosis of hyperthyroidism did not have significant association with having renal infarct. Cats with renal infarcts were 8 times (odds ratio, 95%CI: 2.55–25.40,P ≤ .001) more likely to have diagnosis of distal aortic thromboembolism than cats without renal infarcts.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Cats with renal infarcts identified on antemortem examination should be screened for occult cardiomyopathy.
Effect of two different habitats on spine and gonad colour in the purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus
Authors: Addis Piero , Moccia Davide , Secci Marco
Published: February 2014

This study investigates the effect of different Mediterranean habitats on spine and gonad colouring and gonadal index in the purple sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). Specimens were collected in winter 2012 in Posidonia oceanica meadows and rocky bottom areas at two sites in Southern Sardinia (Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea). Colorimetric analyses of spines and gonads were conducted with a digital colorimeter using CIELAB colour spaces, which defines the colour in terms of three coordinate values: lightness (L*), redness (a*) and yellowness (b*). Lightness and redness of the spines differed significantly between habitats, whereas colour spaces of the gonads did not. A careful analysis of the gonad index showed it to be significantly affected by habitat, registering higher values in rocky bottom locations. In conclusion, it seems that habitat does affect spine colour but not gonad colour. Spine colour seems to be site‐dependent, whereas the gonad index depends solely on the habitat.
Sex change and morphological transitions in a marine ectoparasite
Authors: Cook Colt , Munguia Pablo
Published: February 2014

The fitness of parasitic organisms is strongly driven by their ability to infect potential hosts. Although transmission to a host organism is a key component to the parasitic lifestyle, surviving and reproducing within a host poses additional challenges. Cymothoa excisa is a parasitic isopod that infects Atlantic croaker, Micropogonias undulatus, along the Texas coast and has evolved mechanisms to successfully survive and reproduce within its host. Cymothoa excisa is known to exhibit sex‐change strategies but limited information exists on morphological changes, reproductive output and the timing at which sex change becomes optimal. This study collected Atlantic croaker during a 22‐month survey period and identified parasite prevalence and intensity in the host fish population. Infection rates were constant throughout the year at 19.88% and intensity increased through the season up to a maximum of four parasites. Following collection, isopod morphological parameters were quantified for each life stage (including female, transitional, male and juvenile), identifying shape and size transitions through ontogeny and sex change. Transitional C. excisa isopods only occurred when only one isopod was present in a fish, suggesting that isopods change sex from male to female if they are the first to recruit to an uninfected host. As isopods transition to females they have a large increase in size, legs, and pleotelson (which influence fecundity and anchoring ability), whereas the gonopod, eyes and uropod show a reduction (which are no longer needed for swimming and finding hosts). Data suggest that C. excisa sex change is related to the timing of infection and brood size increases with female size and host size. Therefore, it would be advantageous to be the first isopod to infect a host, as it could change into a female and increase reproductive potential. We discuss hypotheses that could explain the mating behavior of parasitic isopods.
In Vivo Microscopy Reveals Extensive Embedding of Capillaries within the Sarcolemma of Skeletal Muscle Fibers
Authors: Glancy Brian , Hsu Li‐Yueh , Dao Lam , Bakalar Matthew , French Stephanie , Chess David J. , Taylor Joni L. , Picard Martin , Aponte Angel , Daniels Mathew P. , Esfahani Shervin , Cushman Samuel , Balaban Robert S.
Published: February 2014

Objective

To provide insight into mitochondrial function in vivo, we evaluated the 3D spatial relationship between capillaries, mitochondria, and muscle fibers in live mice.

Methods

3D volumes of in vivo murine TA muscles were imaged by MPM. Muscle fiber type, mitochondrial distribution, number of capillaries, and capillary‐to‐fiber contact were assessed. The role of Mb‐facilitated diffusion was examined in Mb KO mice. Distribution of GLUT4 was also evaluated in the context of the capillary and mitochondrial network.

Results

MPM revealed that 43.6 ± 3.3% of oxidative fiber capillaries had ≥50% of their circumference embedded in a groove in the sarcolemma, in vivo. Embedded capillaries were tightly associated with dense mitochondrial populations lateral to capillary grooves and nearly absent below the groove. Mitochondrial distribution, number of embedded capillaries, and capillary‐to‐fiber contact were proportional to fiber oxidative capacity and unaffected by Mb KO. GLUT4 did not preferentially localize to embedded capillaries.

Conclusions

Embedding capillaries in the sarcolemma may provide a regulatory mechanism to optimize delivery of oxygen to heterogeneous groups of muscle fibers. We hypothesize that mitochondria locate to PV regions due to myofibril voids created by embedded capillaries, not to enhance the delivery of oxygen to the mitochondria.
TGF‐β & BMP Receptors Endoglin and ALK1: Overview of their Functional Role and Status as Antiangiogenic Targets
Authors: Jonker Leon
Published: February 2014

The formation of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, angiogenesis, is facilitated through a host of different signaling processes. Members of the TGF‐β superfamily, TGF‐β1, TGF‐β3, and BMP9, are key propagators of both inhibition and initiation of angiogenesis. HHT, characterized by AVM and capillary bed defects, is caused by germline mutations in the ENG and ACVRL1/ALK1 genes, respectively. Clinical symptoms include epistaxis and GI hemorrhage. The membranous receptors endoglin and ALK1 activate proliferation and migration of endothelial cells during the angiogenic process via the downstream intracellular SMAD signaling pathway. Endothelial cell senescence or activation is dependent on the type of cytokine, ligand concentration, cell–cell interaction, and a multitude of other signaling molecules. Endoglin and ALK1 receptor levels in tumor vasculature correlate inversely with prognosis in humans, whereas in mice, endoglin deficiency decelerates tumor progression. Therefore, endoglin and ALK1 have been identified as potential therapeutic targets for antibody treatment in various cancers. Early phase clinical trials in humans are currently underway to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biological therapy targeting endoglin/ALK1‐mediated cells signaling.
Maf‐dependent bacterial flagellin glycosylation occurs before chaperone binding and flagellar T3SS export
Authors: Parker Jennifer L. , Lowry Rebecca C. , Couto Narciso A. S. , Wright Phillip C. , Stafford Graham P. , Shaw Jonathan G.
Published: February 2014

Bacterial swimming is mediated by rotation of a filament that is assembled via polymerization of flagellin monomers after secretion via a dedicated flagellar Type III secretion system. Several bacteria decorate their flagellin with sialic acid related sugars that is essential for motility. Aeromonas caviae is a model organism for this process as it contains a genetically simple glycosylation system and decorates its flagellin with pseudaminic acid (Pse). The link between flagellin glycosylation and export has yet to be fully determined. We examined the role of glycosylation in the export and assembly process in a strain lacking Maf1, a protein involved in the transfer of Pse onto flagellin at the later stages of the glycosylation pathway. Immunoblotting, established that glycosylation is not required for flagellin export but is essential for filament assembly since non‐glycosylated flagellin is still secreted. Maf1 interacts directly with its flagellin substrate in vivo, even in the absence of pseudaminic acid. Flagellin glycosylation in a flagellin chaperone mutant (flaJ) indicated that glycosylation occurs in the cytoplasm before chaperone binding and protein secretion. Preferential chaperone binding to glycosylated flagellin revealed its crucial role, indicating that this system has evolved to favour secretion of the polymerization competent glycosylated form.
Buxus sirindhorniana sp. nov. (Buxaceae), a bicarpellate species from Thailand
Authors: Soh Wuu Kuang , von Sternburg Maximilian , Hodkinson Trevor R. , Parnell John A. N.
Published: February 2014

A new bicarpellate Buxus species, Buxus sirindhorniana W. K. Soh, M. von Sternburg, Hodk. & J. Parn., is described from northern Thailand. This is the first reported bicarpellate species of Buxus. The pollen morphology and the degree of pollen viability of the species are reported. DNA was extracted from herbarium samples and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA sequenced. The palynological evidence and the phylogenetic reconstruction support the contention that this new species belongs to the genus Buxus. The morphological diversity of reproductive organs in the Buxaceae, in relation to this new species, is briefly discussed.
Involvement of papain and legumain proteinase in the senescence process of Medicago truncatula nodules
Authors: Pierre Olivier , Hopkins Julie , Combier Maud , Baldacci Fabien , Engler Gilbert , Brouquisse Renaud , Hérouart Didier , Boncompagni Eric
Published: February 2014

The symbiotic interaction between legumes and Rhizobiaceae leads to the formation of new root organs called nodules. Within the nodule, Rhizobiaceae differentiate into nitrogen‐fixing bacteroids. However, this symbiotic interaction is time‐limited as a result of the initiation of a senescence process, leading to a complete degradation of bacteroids and host plant cells. The increase in proteolytic activity is one of the key features of this process. In this study, we analysed the involvement of two different classes of cysteine proteinases, MtCP6 and MtVPE, in the senescence process of Medicago truncatula nodules.

Spatiotemporal expression of MtCP6 and MtVPE was investigated using promoter– β‐glucuronidase fusions. Corresponding gene inductions were observed during both developmental and stress‐induced nodule senescence. Both MtCP6 and MtVPE proteolytic activities were increased during stress‐induced senescence.

Down‐regulation of both proteinases mediated by RNAi in the senescence zone delayed nodule senescence and increased nitrogen fixation, while their early expression promoted nodule senescence.

Using green fluorescent protein fusions, in vivo confocal imaging showed that both proteinases accumulated in the vacuole of uninfected cells or the symbiosomes of infected cells. These data enlighten the crucial role of MtCP6 and MtVPE in the onset of nodule senescence.
The Influence of Gender on Heart Rhythm Disease
Authors: DI FUSCO STEFANIA ANGELA , PALAZZO STEFANO , COLIVICCHI FURIO , SANTINI MASSIMO ,   the World Society of Arrhythmias
Published: February 2014

This paper deals with cardiac arrhythmias, focusing on differences between genders. We sought to examine the potential effect of gonadal hormones on heart rhythm disorders, and sex‐related differences in incidence and clinical course of arrhythmias—differences that may require specific approaches to detection and management of heart rhythm disease.
The effect of VRN1 genes on important agronomic traits in high‐yielding Canadian soft white spring wheat
Authors: Kamran Atif , Randhawa Harpinder S. , Yang Rong‐Cai , Spaner Dean
Published: February 2014

For reproductive success, flowering time must synchronize with favourable environmental conditions. Vernalization genes play a major role in accelerating or delaying the time to flowering. We studied how different vernalization (VRN1) gene combinations alter days to flowering and maturity and consequently the effect on grain yield and other agronomic traits. The study focussed on the effect of the VRN1 gene series (Vrn‐A1, Vrn‐B1 and Vrn‐D1) and their combinations. The Vrn gene group Vrn‐A1a, Vrn‐B1, vrn‐D1 was the earliest to flower and mature, while Vrn‐A1b, Vrn‐B1, vrn‐D1 was the latest to flower. Spring wheat lines with vrn‐A1, Vrn‐B1, Vrn‐D1 were the highest yielding and matured at a similar time as those having vernalization genes Vrn‐A1a, Vrn‐B1 and Vrn‐D1. The findings of this study suggest that the presence of Vrn‐D1 has a direct or indirect role in producing higher grain yield. We therefore suggest the introduction of Vrn‐D1 allele into higher‐yielding classes within Canadian spring wheat germplasm.
Efficiency of secondary traits in selecting for improved grain yield in extra‐early maize under Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments
Authors: Badu‐Apraku Baffour , Akinwale Richard O. , Oyekunle Muhydeen
Published: February 2014

A base index involving Striga damage, number of emerged Striga plants and ears per plant is used for selecting for maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield under Striga infestation. There are contradictory reports on the reliability of number of emerged Striga plants for selecting for Striga resistance. The objective of this study was to confirm reliability of the secondary traits for selecting for improved grain yield under Striga infestation. Ten Striga‐resistant extra‐early cultivars were evaluated for 3 years under artificial Striga‐infested and Striga‐free environments in Nigeria. Analysis of variance combined across years and locations showed significant mean squares for genotype, year, location and their interactions for most traits. Sequential path analysis identified ear aspect as the only trait with significant direct effect on yield under artificial Striga infestation, while GGE biplot confirmed ear aspect, ears per plant and Striga damage as the most reliable traits. Ear aspect should be included in the base index for selecting for improved grain yield of extra‐early maize under Striga infestation, while the number of emerged Striga plants should be excluded.
Seed dormancy and germination in three Crocus ser. Verni species (Iridaceae): implications for evolution of dormancy within the genus
Authors: Carta A. , Probert R. , Moretti M. , Peruzzi L. , Bedini G.
Published: February 2014

The aim of this work was to examine whether seed ecophysiological traits in three closely related Crocus species were associated with ecological niche differentiation and species divergence. Seeds of the temperate tetraploid cytotype of Crocus neapolitanus, the sub‐Mediterranean C. etruscus and the Mediterranean C. ilvensis were placed either on agar in the laboratory under different periods of simulated seasonal conditions or in nylon mesh bags buried outdoors to examine embryo growth, radicle and shoot emergence. In agreement with the phenology observed outdoors, in the laboratory embryos required a cool temperature (ca. 10 °C) to grow to full size (embryo length:seed length, E:S ratio ca. 0.75) but only after seeds received a warm stratification; radicle emergence then followed immediately (November). Shoot emergence is a temporally separated phase (March) that was promoted by cold stratification in C. neapolitanus while in the other two species this time lag was attributed to a slow continuous developmental process. These species have similar embryo growth and radicle phenology but differ in their degree of epicotyl dormancy, which is related to the length of local winter. Conclusions from laboratory experiments that only consider root emergence could be misleading; evaluating the phenology of both root and shoot emergence should be considered in order to demonstrate ecologically meaningful differences in germination behaviour and to develop effective propagation protocols. Although these taxa resulted from recent speciation processes, the outcomes suggest an early onset of adaptation to local ecological factors and that phylogeny may represent a significant constraint in the evolution and expression of seed traits in Crocus.
Interaction of Moniliophthora perniciosa biotypes with Micro‐Tom tomato: a model system to investigate the witches' broom disease of Theobroma cacao
Authors: Deganello J. , Leal G. A. , Rossi M. L. , Peres L. E. P. , Figueira A.
Published: February 2014

The miniature tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivar Micro‐Tom (MT) has become an important platform to investigate plant–pathogen interactions. In the case of the witches' broom disease of Theobroma cacao (cacao), the existence of Moniliophthora perniciosa isolates pathogenic to Solanaceae (S‐biotype) may enable the use of MT to circumvent limitations of the cacao host, whereas the availability of a non‐infective cacao C‐biotype allows the evaluation of contrasting responses of MT. Infection of MT by the S‐biotype led to stem swelling and axillary shoot growth to form broom‐like symptoms similar to the biotrophic phase in cacao, but the infected tissues did not progress to necrosis. Conversely, inoculation with the C‐biotype did not cause typical symptoms, but reduced plant height, appearing as a non‐host interaction. Histopathological characterization of the S‐biotype infection of MT by light and electron microscopy indicated limited germ tube penetration, preferentially through wounds at the base of trichomes or actively through the epidermis. No intracellular mycelium was observed, corroborating the lack of the necrotrophic stage of the pathogen. The analysis of gene expression during the interaction between the S‐ or C‐biotype with MT indicated that expression of plant defence‐associated genes differs for kinetics and intensity between a compatible or incompatible M. perniciosa–MT interaction. The pattern of spore germination and low rate of mycelia penetration suggests that the S‐biotype is not a fully adapted tomato pathogen, but possibly a case of broken non‐host resistance, and evidence suggests the occurrence of a non‐host MT response against the C‐biotype.
Three presenile patients in which neuropsychological and neuroimaging examinations suggest possible progression to dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Ota Kazumi , Iseki Eizo , Murayama Norio , Chiba Yuhei , Fujishiro Hiroshige , Kasanuki Koji , Manabe Yuta , Arai Heii , Sato Kiyoshi
Published: February 2014

We report three presenile patients who were initially suspected of having Alzheimer's disease (AD) or being in the prodromal stage of AD, regardless of visuoperceptual dysfunctions in daily living, because they lacked the core features and prodromal non‐motor symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies. Subsequently, progression to dementia with Lewy bodies was suspected based on neuropsychological and neuroimaging findings; additionally, one of the three patients suffered from visual hallucinations. Neuropsychological examinations such as subjective contours, cube copying and block design in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐III revealed visuoperceptual dysfunction in all three patients even when other cognitive functions were rather preserved. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed no significant brain atrophy, including in the parieto‐occipital area and the hippocampus, while brain 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography demonstrated right dominant metabolic reductions in the occipital lobe, including the primary visual cortex, in all three patients. We suggest the possibility of progression to dementia with Lewy bodies, but not AD or posterior cortical atrophy. Regardless of the presence of core features and prodromal non‐motor symptoms, this progression is suggested when there are difficulties only in higher‐level visual processing such as subjective contours and block design in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale‐III, no significant atrophy of the parieto‐occipital area and hippocampus on brain magnetic resonance imaging, and hypometabolism in the occipital lobe including the primary visual cortex on brain 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography.
Autopsy case of concurrent Huntington's disease and neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Kawakami Ito , Katsuse Omi , Aoki Naoya , Togo Takashi , Suzuki Kyoko , Isojima Daisuke , Kondo Daizo , Iseki Eizo , Kosaka Kenji , Akiyama Haruhiko , Hirayasu Yoshio
Published: February 2014

We report here an autopsy case of concurrent Huntington's disease (HD) and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), also known as von Recklinghausen's disease. The patient was a Japanese woman with a significant hereditary burden: seven of her family members within four generations were affected by either NF1 or concurrent HD and NF1. She was diagnosed as having NF1 at age 24. At age 40, she showed signs of irritability, aggressive and childish behaviour, which became progressively worse. At age 48, rigidity and spastic gait were observed. One year later, choreoathetoid involuntary movements became apparent. Diagnosis of HD was made by identification of the abnormally expanded cytosine‐adenine‐guanine repeats in the Huntington's disease gene. Her condition deteriorated gradually to an apallic state and she died at age 60. Post‐mortem examination revealed extensive brain atrophy, which was particularly severe in the frontal and temporal cortices and the striatum. The degree of neurodegenerative change seemed to correspond to grade IV. Polyglutamine positive inclusions were seen frequently in all layers of the cerebral cortex and in the amygdala and hippocampus. Inclusions were also present in the striatum, but there were fewer than in the cortex. Remarkably, neuronal intranuclear inclusions were present in the cerebellum, although they are usually not seen in HD. Features associated with the central nervous system involvement of NF1 were not found in the brain, but HD pathology might have been accelerated by the concurrence of NF1. This is the third report of a case with concurrent HD and NF1 in the world, and the first study in which occurrence of polyglutamine inclusions was confirmed on post‐mortem examination.
Effects of gabapentin enacarbil on restless legs syndrome and leg pain in dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Fujishiro Hiroshige
Published: February 2014

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder. Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Both RLS and DLB can be effectively treated by dopaminergic medications, suggesting the role of dopamine dysfunction in the pathogenesis of both diseases. Here, I report on a Japanese woman with probable DLB and RLS who was treated with gabapentin enacarbil, a non‐dopaminergic agent. Because a dopamine agonist, a first‐line therapy for moderate to severe RLS, caused the occurrence of metamorphopsia, an alternative treatment of gabapentin enacarbil was used; this treatment improved the patient's RLS without worsening her psychiatric symptoms. An alternative treatment is desirable for DLB patients with RLS because they often experience intolerable side‐effects with a dopamine agonist, especially visual hallucinations. Administering gabapentin enacarbil also improved the continuous leg pain that occurred in conjunction with the development of RLS. Although the neurobiological mechanism in the development of pain remains unclear, a range of non‐dopaminergic structures likely mediated pain processing in DLB in the present case based on neuropharmacological results. This is the first report reporting the effects of gabapentin enacarbil for RLS and leg pain in a DLB patient with psychiatric symptoms.
On the Entanglement of Coherence
Authors: Pethick Stephen
Published: February 2014

Although coherence has become one of the key concepts in contemporary legal theory, its meaning is taken almost universally to be elusive, complex and controversial. However, these difficulties are due just to the failure of commentators to distinguish the intension of the notion from other features of its (many) referents in extension. The oversight has caused qualities to be ascribed routinely to coherence that properly attach to various object(s) of which coherence is predicated, and which a theorist happens to have in mind when bringing coherence into view. This conceptual error has significance for the substance of present claims made for the use of the notion in law. Freed from the entanglement, coherence emerges thinner and fitter, better able to be deployed with confidence in legal application.
Why Reflective Equilibrium? I: Reflexivity of Justification
Authors: Eng Svein
Published: February 2014

In A Theory of Justice (1971), John Rawls introduces the concept of “reflective equilibrium.” Although there are innumerable references to and discussions of this concept in the literature, there is, to the present author's knowledge, no discussion of the most important question: Why reflective equilibrium? In particular, the question arises: Is the method of reflective equilibrium applicable to the choice of this method itself? Rawls's drawing of parallels between Kant's moral theory and his own suggests that his concept of “reflective equilibrium” is on a par with Kant's concept of “transcendental deduction.” Treating these two approaches to justification as paradigmatic, I consider their respective merits in meeting the reflexive challenge, i.e., in offering a justification for choice of mode of justification. My enquiry into this topic comprises three parts. In this first part, I raise the issue of the reflexivity of justification and question whether the reflexive challenge can be met within the framework of A Theory of Justice.
Concretized Norm and Sanction qua Fact in the Vienna School's Stufenbaulehre
Authors: Borowski Martin
Published: February 2014

At the bottom level of the hierarchical structure (Stufenbau) of the legal system, the transition from “ought” to “is” has not been given its due. I argue that an additional level, that of fully concretized norms, belongs in the hierarchy. This sheds light on precisely where and how the transition from “ought” to “is” takes place. Whereas the fully concretized norm marks the bottom level in the hierarchy of norms, the coercive act or sanction qua fact is not found in the hierarchy, contrary to what Adolf Julius Merkl and Hans Kelsen would have us believe.
Comparative Trade Policy
Authors: Wiberg Magnus
Published: February 2014

Current research has found ambiguous theoretical and empirical results with respect to the effects of the type of electoral regime on trade policy. The present paper aims to reconcile the different views within a theoretical model. It is shown that the equilibrium level of trade protection can be relatively higher, as well as lower, under a majoritarian electoral rule compared with proportional representation. Trade policy is more (less) protectionist under proportional electoral regimes, as compared with majoritarian institutions, if swing districts are populated by relatively more (less) factor owners with stakes in the exporting sector. It is also shown that politicians optimally apply a lower (higher) level of rent seeking under the majoritarian electoral rule if there are relatively more factor owners in the swing districts with stakes in the exporting (import‐competing) sector.
Measuring Economic Insecurity in Rich and Poor Nations
Authors: Osberg Lars , Sharpe Andrew
Published: February 2014

Worrying about possible future economic dangers subtracts from the present well‐being of individuals, which is why affluent societies have complex systems of private insurance and public social protection to provide a degree of economic security. However, such protections are largely unavailable to the citizens of poor nations (i.e., most of humanity). How can one measure economic security in these very different contexts? This paper examines trends in the IEWB Economic Security Index for four affluent OECD countries and compares a cross‐section of 70 rich and poor countries in 2007/08. To reflect better the reality of developing countries, it revises the IEWB index to: (1) include the volatility of food production in the risk of loss of livelihood; (2) adjust the risks of health care costs to consider the proportion of household spending on food (which is non‐discretionary, and large in poor countries); and (3) add adult male mortality to the risk of divorce in calculation of the risk of single parent poverty.
Or cues knowledge of alternatives: Evidence from priming
Authors: Dumitru Magda L. , J. Taylor Alan
Published: February 2014

Recent research has determined that word meanings can instantly influence the meaning and distribution of other words in the sentence. Here, we manipulated basic carrier sentences with the disjunction or linking two nouns that were either filling the same thematic role or not, and were either semantically related or not. Though previous research has shown that one word can prime a semantically related word even in a sentential context, we predicted that if or cues knowledge about contextually‐relevant alternatives, priming for semantic relatives will only obtain when those words also fill the same thematic role. These predictions were confirmed, as self‐paced reading times of the second alternative in the sentence were faster only when the two alternatives shared the same thematic role and semantic category, suggesting that disjunction words like or function similarly to verbs, which cue knowledge about expected argument structure and sense depending on sentential context. The relevance of these findings for basic reasoning phenomena (i.e., the subadditivity effect) is also discussed.
Medal Shares in Winter Olympic Games by Sport: Socioeconomic Analysis After Vancouver 2010
Authors: Otamendi Javier , Doncel Luis M.
Published: February 2014

Objectives

The quantitative analysis of the medal shares (MSs) in recent Winter Olympic history by sport and country will identify the relevant socioeconomic factors that are likely to derive policy issues.

Methods

Econometric modeling and concentration indices are used to predict and assess MSs by sport and country. The development of a mathematical routine to convert MSs to counts and the proposal of a modified Herfindahl index has added robustness to the analysis.

Results

The deviations of the predictions for Vancouver (2010) 〈http://www.vancouver2010.com/〉 from the observed values pinpoint significant factor differences among the sports. Medal concentrations are different by sport in the number of countries and their names.

Conclusions

Tradition and geography are primary factors affecting the medal‐winning process. Concerning feasible policies for newcomers, nationalization of athletes, development of talent identification systems, and fostering the participation in sports without a “monopolistic” winner could become short ‐ and long‐run successful paths.
A simulation‐based apheresis platelet inventory management model
Authors: Asllani Arben , Culler Elizabeth , Ettkin Lawrence
Published: February 2014

Background

The primary goals of apheresis platelet (AP) inventory management are to meet demand and minimize waste. AP inventory management is complicated by unpredictable demand for a product with a shelf life of only a few days and by hospital requests for APs that match the ABO types of patients identically.

Study Design and Methods

A simulation‐based decision support system was developed to assist blood centers in reducing waste while meeting the demand for ABO‐identical APs. The proposed model is validated using data from a blood center located in a major city in the southeast region of the United States.

Results

Based on data provided by the blood center, the proposed simulation model is able to suggest appropriate collection strategies that can reduce AP waste from 12%‐14% to 6%‐7% and decrease the unmet demand for ABO‐identical APs from 25% to 21%.

Conclusion

The proposed simulation‐based decision‐making model is able to mimic the complexity of the AP inventory management system while reducing waste and predicting the need for ABO‐identical APs.
Sequence analysis of the human fucosyltransferase 1 and 2 genes in Tibetan blood donors: identification of three novel alleles
Authors: Tian Li , Song Ning , Yao Zhi‐Qiang , Li Xiao‐Juan , Zhang Rong
Published: February 2014

Background

The α(1,2)‐fucosyltransferase gene 1 (FUT1) and 2 (FUT2), respectively, regulate H antigen synthesis in red blood cells and body fluids. Genetic polymorphisms of FUT1 and FUT2 are ethnically and geographically specific.

Study Design and Methods

Healthy unrelated Tibetan blood donors (n = 200) from the Tibet Autonomous Region of China were recruited for this study. The entire FUT1 and FUT2 coding regions were amplified and sequenced. The haplotypes including novel single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined by clone sequencing.

Results

In Tibetans, the major FUT1 allele was wild‐type allele with a frequency of 97.75%. One novel FUT1 allele was defined by a novel synonymous mutation (846T>G). The two most common FUT2 alleles were functional allele Se357 with a frequency of 32.75% and nonfunctional allele se357,385 with a frequency of 55%. Two new FUT2 alleles were found at low frequency. They were characterized by two novel SNPs on the basis of se357,385: 617 T>G (V206G) and 841 G>A (G281R).

Conclusion

Three new alleles in FUT1 and FUT2 genes were identified in the study. The allelic polymorphisms of FUT1 and FUT2 in Tibetans show a population‐specific manner.