bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein is involved in endocytosis in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Hoshi Hiro-omi , Zheng Lu , Ohta Akinori , Horiuchi Hiroyuki
Published: February 2016

Endocytosis is vital for hyphal tip growth in filamentous fungi and is involved in the tip localization of various membrane proteins. To investigate the function of a Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) in endocytosis of filamentous fungi, we identified a WASP ortholog-encoding gene, wspA, in Aspergillus nidulans and characterized it. The wspA product, WspA, localized to the tips of germ tubes during germination and actin rings in the subapical regions of mature hyphae. wspA is essential for the growth and functioned in the polarity establishment and maintenance during germination of conidia. We also investigated its function in endocytosis and revealed that endocytosis of SynA, a synaptobrevin ortholog that is known to be endocytosed at the subapical regions of hyphal tips in A. nidulans, did not occur when wspA expression was repressed. These results suggest that WspA plays roles in endocytosis at hyphal tips and polarity establishment during germination.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the regulation of myoblast proliferation and differentiation
Authors: Wen Fengyun , Zheng Jin , Yu Jing , Gao Mingju , Gao Sumin , Zhou Yingying , Liu Jianyu , Yang Zaiqing
Published: February 2016

Obesity is documented to be a state of chronic mild inflammation associated with increased macrophage infiltration into adipose tissue and liver and skeletal muscle. As a pleiotropic inflammatory mediator, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is associated with metabolic disease, so MIF may signal molecular links between adipocytes and myocytes. MIF expression was modified during myoblast differentiation, but the role of MIF during this process is unclear. C2C12 cells were transfected with MIF to investigate their role during differentiation. MIF expression attenuated C2C12 differentiation. It did not change proliferation, but downregulated cyclin D1 and CDK4, causing cell accumulation in the G1 phase. p21 protein was increased significantly and MyoD, MyoG, and p21 mRNA also increased significantly in the C2C12 cells treated with ISO-1, suggesting that inhibition of MIF promotes differentiation. MIF inhibits the myoblast differentiation by affecting the cell cycle progression, but does not affect proliferation.
Switching septins spurs sporulation
Authors: Short Ben
Published: February 2016

Researchers investigate how developmental changes in subunit composition allow septins to perform different functions.
Contributions of protein kinases and β-arrestin to termination of protease-activated receptor 2 signaling
Authors: Jung Seung-Ryoung , Seo Jong Bae , Deng Yi , Asbury Charles L. , Hille Bertil , Koh Duk-Su
Published: February 2016

Activated Gq protein–coupled receptors (GqPCRs) can be desensitized by phosphorylation and β-arrestin binding. The kinetics and individual contributions of these two mechanisms to receptor desensitization have not been fully distinguished. Here, we describe the shut off of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2). PAR2 activates Gq and phospholipase C (PLC) to hydrolyze phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) into diacylglycerol and inositol trisphosphate (IP3). We used fluorescent protein–tagged optical probes to monitor several consequences of PAR2 signaling, including PIP2 depletion and β-arrestin translocation in real time. During continuous activation of PAR2, PIP2 was depleted transiently and then restored within a few minutes, indicating fast receptor activation followed by desensitization. Knockdown of β-arrestin 1 and 2 using siRNA diminished the desensitization, slowing PIP2 restoration significantly and even adding a delayed secondary phase of further PIP2 depletion. These effects of β-arrestin knockdown on PIP2 recovery were prevented when serine/threonine phosphatases that dephosphorylate GPCRs were inhibited. Thus, PAR2 may continuously regain its activity via dephosphorylation when there is insufficient β-arrestin to trap phosphorylated receptors. Similarly, blockers of protein kinase C (PKC) and G protein–coupled receptor kinase potentiated the PIP2 depletion. In contrast, an activator of PKC inhibited receptor activation, presumably by augmenting phosphorylation of PAR2. Our interpretations were strengthened by modeling. Simulations supported the conclusions that phosphorylation of PAR2 by protein kinases initiates receptor desensitization and that recruited β-arrestin traps the phosphorylated state of the receptor, protecting it from phosphatases. Speculative thinking suggested a sequestration of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5 kinase (PIP5K) to the plasma membrane by β-arrestin to explain why knockdown of β-arrestin led to secondary depletion of PIP2. Indeed, artificial recruitment of PIP5K removed the secondary loss of PIP2 completely. Altogether, our experimental and theoretical approaches demonstrate roles and dynamics of the protein kinases, β-arrestin, and PIP5K in the desensitization of PAR2.
An alternative class of targets for microRNAs containing CG dinucleotide
Authors: Yan Zheng , Zhang Bin , Hu Haiyang , Xie Gangcai , Guo Song , Khaitovich Philipp , Chen Yi-Ping Phoebe
Published: February 2016

Background

MicroRNAs are endogenous ∼23nt RNAs which regulate mRNA targets mainly through perfect pairing with their seed region (positions 2-7). Several instances of bulge UTR sequence can also be recognized by miRNA as their target. But such non-Watson-Crick base pairings are incompletely understood.

Results

We found a group of miRNAs which had very few conservative targets while potentially having a subclass of bulge message RNA targets. Compared with the canonical target, these bulge targets had a lower negative correlation with the miRNA expression, and either were downregulated in the miRNA overexpression experiment or upregulated in the miRNA knock-down experiment.

Conclusions

We proved that the bulge target exists widely in certain groups of miRNAs and such non-canonical targets can be recoginized by miRNA. Incorporating these bulge targets, combined with evolutionary conservation, will reduce the false-positive rate of microRNA computational target prediction.
A Dendritic Disinhibitory Circuit Mechanism for Pathway-Specific Gating
Authors: Yang Guangyu Robert , Murray John D. , Wang Xiao-Jing
Published: February 2016

In this work we propose that a disinhibitory circuit motif, which recently gained experimental support, can instantiate flexible routing of information flow along selective pathways in a complex system of cortical areas according to behavioral demands (pathway-specific gating). We developed a network model of pyramidal neurons and three classes of interneurons, with connection probabilities constrained by data. If distinct input pathways cluster on separate dendritic branches of pyramidal neurons, then a pathway can be gated-on by disinhibiting targeted dendrites. We show that this branch-specific disinhibition can be achieved despite dense in-terneuronal connectivity, even under the assumption of random connections. We found clustering of input pathways on dendrites can emerge through synaptic plasticity regulated by disinhibition. This gating mechanism in a neural circuit is further demonstrated by performing a context-dependent decision-making task. Our findings suggest a microcircuit architecture that harnesses dendritic computation and diverse inhibitory neuron types to subserve cognitive flexibility.
A log-likelihood-gain intensity target for crystallographic phasing that accounts for experimental error
Authors: Read Randy J. , McCoy Airlie J.
Published: February 2016

The crystallographic diffraction experiment measures Bragg intensities; crystallographic electron-density maps and other crystallographic calculations in phasing require structure-factor amplitudes. If data were measured with no errors, the structure-factor amplitudes would be trivially proportional to the square roots of the intensities. When the experimental errors are large, and especially when random errors yield negative net intensities, the conversion of intensities and their error estimates into amplitudes and associated error estimates becomes nontrivial. Although this problem has been addressed intermittently in the history of crystallographic phasing, current approaches to accounting for experimental errors in macromolecular crystallography have numerous significant defects. These have been addressed with the formulation of LLGI, a log-likelihood-gain function in terms of the Bragg intensities and their associated experimental error estimates. LLGI has the correct asymptotic behaviour for data with large experimental error, appropriately downweighting these reflections without introducing bias. LLGI abrogates the need for the conversion of intensity data to amplitudes, which is usually performed with the French and Wilson method [French & Wilson (1978),Acta Cryst.A35, 517–525], wherever likelihood target functions are required. It has general applicability for a wide variety of algorithms in macromolecular crystallography, including scaling, characterizing anisotropy and translational noncrystallographic symmetry, detecting outliers, experimental phasing, molecular replacement and refinement. Because it is impossible to reliably recover the original intensity data from amplitudes, it is suggested that crystallographers should always deposit the intensity data in the Protein Data Bank.
Factors related to supply chain network members in SMEs
Authors: Awheda Abdulghadar , Ab Rahman Mohd Nizam , Ramli Rizauddin , Arshad Haslina
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to give a clear picture of the evidence for small and medium enterprises of what the key factors are affecting the performance of supply chain members (SCMs) and their impact.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors conducted a survey of small and medium automotive enterprises. After a comprehensive search of the literature on effective factors requirements of supply chain actors (supplier, manufacturer, inventory, distribution, and information flow) 23 factors were identified, and collected data were analysed using SPSS software.

Findings

– The results show that among the 23 factors, the inventory level is the most significant factor for inventory with the highest percentage (91 per cent). This is followed by productivity to fill the order (88 per cent) and lead time of manufacturing (86 per cent) for manufacturer, and transportation flexibility (84 per cent) for distribution section.

Research limitations/implications

– Study limitation was that only the companies related to automotive sector were selected, and the number of usable questionnaires was fairly small.

Practical implications

– The results can help further by introducing a much better perception of effective factors that result in optimizing the practices of supply chain management techniques in order to enhance business performance. The findings also help build a new initiative to be performed by top management when attempting to strengthen partnership and integration among members.

Originality/value

– This research draws from institutional theory to contribute to the growing body of practical field and conceptual literature on supply chain integration and provides knowledge in assisting small- and medium-sized enterprises to clarify factors that affect SCMs in order to enhance and manage their operational processes.
Servitized manufacturing firms competing through remote monitoring technology
Authors: Grubic Tonci , Peppard Joe
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– Remote monitoring technology (RMT) is widely acknowledged as an important enabler of servitisation however, there is a dearth of understanding about how RMT is used by manufacturing firms to support servitised strategies. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to this important yet somewhat ignored topic in servitisation research. It attempts to address the following questions: what has constrained, and what has enabled the exploitation of RMT in the context of servitised strategies?

Design/methodology/approach

– The research adopts an exploratory multiple-case study design. Four in-depth descriptive case studies of companies operating in aerospace, industrial equipment, marine, and transport sectors were conducted. The collected data were analysed and synthesised, drawing out conclusions.

Findings

– The study describes how four manufacturers are using RMT and identifies ten factors that have enabled and constrained the realisation of expected outcomes. The enabling factors identified include: skills, experience, and knowledge; support from customers and other complementary data sources, processes, and structures; operations centres; historical data; and presence of in-house knowledge and capabilities. While the constraining factors include: defining benefits of RMT; limitations of RMT; limited understanding about true capabilities of RMT; knowledge management; and lack of alignment between services and manufacturing strategies.

Research limitations/implications

– While considerable attention and effort have been invested in designing and conducting the research and analysing the data from the case studies, more empirical work is required to validate and enrich findings and conclusions. For this purpose several research questions to guide further theory development in this area are formulated.

Originality/value

– This paper is an in-depth study examining the role of RMT in supporting servitised strategies. In particular, it explores how this technology is used in practice to support service-oriented value propositions of manufacturers and identifies the factors that are key to successfully executing this strategy. As such it qualifies as one of the first studies of this kind.
A conceptual model for automation of product dynamic pricing and sales promotion for a retail organization
Authors: Kumar Anup
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to capture the dynamic variations in sales of a product based upon the dynamic estimation of the time series data and propose a model that imitates the price discounting and promotion strategy for a product category in a retail organization. A modest attempt has been made in the study to capture the relationship between the sales promotion, price discount and the batch procurement strategy of a particular product category to maximize sales volume and profitability.

Design/methodology/approach

– Time series data relating to sales have been used to model the sales estimates using moving average and proportional and derivative control; thereafter a sales forecast is generated to estimate the sales of a particular product category. This provides valuable inputs for taking lot sizing decisions regarding procurement of the products that considerably impact the sales promotion and intelligent pricing decisions. A conceptual framework is developed for modeling the dynamic price discounting strategy in retail using fuzzy logic.

Findings

– The model captures the lag effect of sales promotion and price discounting strategy; other strategies have been formulated based upon the sales forecast that was done for taking the lot sizing decisions regarding procurement of products in the selected category. This has helped minimize the inventory cost thereby keeping the profitability of the retail organization intact.

Research limitations/implications

– There is no appropriate empirical data to verify the models. In light of the research approach (modeling based upon historical time series data of a particular product category) that was undertaken, there is a possibility that the research results may be valid for the product category that was selected. Therefore, the researchers are advised to test the proposed propositions further for other product categories.

Originality/value

– The study provides valuable insight on how to use the real-time sales data for designing a dynamic automated model for product sales promotion and price discounting strategy using fuzzy logic for a retail organization.
System dynamics to turnaround an Indian microfinance institution
Authors: Singh Ritika , Bhar Chandan
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a policy comparison tool for Indian Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) so that they can choose the best policy for implementation. It provides for turnaround of a troubled MFI by analyzing the performance of different policies.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper has done a web survey to identify the need of a strategic tool for MFI. It has built a Decision Support System (DSS) using system dynamics. A corporate model of MFI has been constructed using iThink 10.0.2 software. A quantitative validity test has been done to find the robustness of the model. Finally four policies are tested and the performance indicators have been used to suggest the best policy. Apart from this DSS is used to test the implementation range of a policy.

Findings

– “Integration of Microfinance with country’s mainstream financial system along with provisioning 1 percent of outstanding loans” is recommended for the MFI as this will increase the financial performance.

Research limitations/implications

– In its present form the corporate model developed for MFI is not applicable for judging social performance. Therefore MFIs might be sceptic toward it. However, incorporation of certain performance indicators such as financial-self-sufficiency ratio might help in overcoming this reluctance.

Practical implications

– “Integration of Microfinance with country’s mainstream financial system along with restricting provision” will generate better performance for the MFI. Therefore this policy should be implemented by the MFI. There are other considerations which need to be taken into account while implementing this policy. The integration may require outsourcing of certain operations to banks, utilization of bank branches to disseminate knowledge related to the conduct of transactions, usage of customized bank software to handle the day-to-day business, development of new softwares for mobile messaging to help poor customers avail of schemes run by the banks, fill loan application forms online, send reminders for loan recovery; provide incentives such as upgradation of poor customers to become regular customers of banks.

Social implications

– By improving the health of the MFI a bigger goal to reach the poor will be achieved in the long run. The MFI has around five million clients at present and if the company becomes insolvent then the future of these clients is going to be impacted. The organization has interacted closely with these clients and therefore knows how to upgrade their financial state.

Originality/value

– The tool is first of its kind in the microfinance industry. So far the microfinance technology providers have dealt with Management Information System and Information and Communication Technology. The tool has been built to present a quantitative model for overall operations of the MFI. The simulation of this model helps in predicting future scenarios.
The four modes of coexistence in psychology and group dynamics
Authors: Nechansky Helmut
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show how behavioral descriptions in psychology and group dynamics can be related to four goal-setting processes and to four mode of existence.

Design/methodology/approach

– Some person A can approach a person B with an inclination to realize one of four goal-setting processes: (1) A sets goals for B; (2) A sets no own goals; (3) A pursues own goals alone; (4) A and B develop mutual goals. Depending on their choice of inclinations an interaction of A and B can lead to four modes of coexistence: (1) Conflict – A and B fight; (2) Hierarchy – A submits to B; (3) Independence in niches – A and B do not interact; (4) Cooperation – A and B work together. The paper investigates how these theoretical options – four inclinations for different goal-set processes and four modes of coexistence – show in behavioral descriptions in psychology and group dynamics.

Findings

– Psychic states studied in psychology (e.g. by Freud, Berne, Horney) can be related to one of the four inclinations. Interaction patterns studied in group dynamics (e.g. by Steiner, Schindler, Bion) describe aspects of the four modes of coexistence.

Practical implications

– Behavioral descriptions of various schools of psychology and group dynamics can be classified according to theoretically derivable basic options of goal-orientated behavior.

Originality/value

– The paper shows the application of a theoretical framework covering all options of goal-orientated behavior available in the behavioral sciences.
Human being – organization homomorphism: between autopoiesis and allopoiesis
Authors: Tarride Mario Iván
Published: February 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss the condition of human beings and organizations producing goods and/or services as autopoietic and allopoietic machines, with the aim of establishing a functional homomorphism between the productive system of an organization and the productive system of human beings, a matter that involves reflecting on what human beings do that is distinguished as allopoietic by an observer.

Design/methodology/approach

– Use is made of Ashby’s concept of functional homomorphism to establish similarities between human beings and organizations. The definitions of autopoietic and allopoietic machine of Maturana and Varela are used to distinguish similarities and differences between what organizations do and what human beings do.

Findings

– As a result of using the autopoietic/allopoietic viewpoint, it is proposed to homologate the human nervous system with the production system of an organization, defining the latter as a world-creating energy/communication processing system.

Research limitations/implications

– A homomorphism is established here between a human nervous system and the production system of an organization; it remains pending the other homomorphisms that can be made between the systems of the human body and the organization.

Practical implications

– A proposal is made to understand an organization as a world-creating energy/communication processing system, and it is estimated that this would imply displacing attention, at present strongly centered on the generated products and/or services, toward the sense that they have for both persons and society, restating the question on the world we construct/live in, from the organizational standpoint.

Originality/value

– Human beings are seen as allopoietic machines, aiming to contribute to the discussion about what it is that we call human, homologating it with the work of an organization. As a result a new definition of organization is proposed.
Sevoflurane postconditioning affects post‐ischaemic myocardial mitochondrial ATP‐sensitive potassium channel function and apoptosis in ageing rats
Authors: Jiang Jing‐Jing , Li Chao , Li Heng , Zhang Lei , Lin Zong‐Hang , Fu Bao‐Jun , Zeng Yin‐Ming
Published: February 2016

This study investigated the effect of sevoflurane postconditioning on post‐ischaemic cardiac function, infarct size, myocardial mitochondrial ATP‐sensitive potassium channel (mitoKATP) function and apoptosis in ageing rats to determine the possible mechanism underlying the cardioprotective property of sevoflurane. Ageing rat hearts were isolated and attached to a Langendorff apparatus. The hearts were then exposed or not to sevoflurane postconditioning in the presence or absence of 100 μmol/L 5‐hydroxydecanoate (5‐HD), a selective mitoKATP inhibitor. The infarct size was measured by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Mitochondrial morphology was observed by electron microscopy and scored using FlaMeng semiquantitative analysis. In addition, the expression levels of Bax, Bcl‐2, and cytochrome‐C (Cyt‐C) were determined by Western blot analysis at the end of reperfusion. Sevoflurane postconditioning increased coronary flow, improved functional recovery, reduced Bax/Bcl‐2 and Cyt‐C phosphorylation levels, and decreased mitochondrial lesion severity and the extent of apoptosis. The protective effects of sevoflurane postconditioning were prevented by the mitoKATP inhibitor 5‐HD. Sevoflurane postconditioning significantly protected the function of ageing hearts that were subjected to ischaemia and reperfusion, and these protective effects were mediated by mitoKATP opening.
Meeting a Forensic Podiatry Admissibility Challenge: A Daubert Case Study
Authors: Nirenberg Michael
Published: February 2016

This article is an introduction to the United States Supreme Court's standard of admissibility of forensic evidence and testimony at trial, known as the Daubert standard, with emphasis on how this standard applies to the field of forensic podiatry. The author, a forensic podiatrist, provided law enforcement with evidence tying a bloody sock‐clad footprint found at the scene of a homicide to the suspect. In 2014, the author testified at a pretrial hearing, known as “a Daubert hearing,” to address the admissibility of this evidence in court. This was the first instance of forensic podiatry being the primary subject of a Daubert hearing. The hearing resulted in the court ordering this evidence admissible. The expert's testimony contributed to the suspect's conviction. This article serves as a reference for forensic podiatrists and experts in similar fields that involve impression evidence, providing evidentiary standards and their impact on expert evidence and testimony.
The Application of Voltammetric Analysis of Δ9‐THC for the Reduction of False Positive Results in the Analysis of Suspected Marijuana Plant Matter
Authors: Balbino Marco A. , de Oliveira Laura S. , Eleotério Izabel C. , Oiye Erica N. , Ribeiro Maria F.M. , McCord Bruce R. , Ipolito Antonio J. , de Oliveira Marcelo F.
Published: February 2016

The development of methodologies using inexpensive, fast, and reliable instrumention is desirable in illicit drug analysis. The purpose of this study was based on cyclic voltammetry technique to differentiate the electrochemical behavior of ∆9‐THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana, and five different extract plants to yield false positive results after analysis protocol for cannabinoids using thin‐layer chromatography and Fast Blue B salt. After applying a deposition potential of −0.5 V in a glassy carbon working electrode, the results indicated an anodic peak current at 0.0 V versus Ag/AgCl after addition of ∆9‐THC solution in the electrochemical cell, and limits of detection and quantification were 1.0 ng mL−1 and 3.5 ng mL−1, respectively. Other interfering plants showed distinct amperometric responses. This methodology was useful to detect ∆9‐THC even in the presence of the Fast Blue B salt, which avoided false positive results for all the studied extract plants.
Mitochondrial DNA Profiling of Illegal Tortoiseshell Products Derived from Hawksbill Sea Turtles
Authors: Foran David R. , Ray Rebecca L.
Published: February 2016

The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a highly endangered species, commonly poached for its ornate shell. “Tortoiseshell” products made from the shell are widely, although illegally, available in many countries. Hawksbills have a circumglobal distribution; thus, determining their origin is difficult, although genetic differences exist geographically. In the research presented, a procedure was developed to extract and amplify mitochondrial DNA from tortoiseshell items, in an effort to better understand where the species is being poached. Confiscated tortoiseshell items were obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and DNA from 56 of them was analyzed. Multiple mitochondrial haplotypes were identified, including five not previously reported. Only one tortoiseshell item proved to be of Atlantic origin, while all others corresponded to genetic stocks in the Indo‐Pacific region. The developed methodology allows for unique, and previously unattainable, genetic information on the illegal poaching of sea turtles for the decorative tortoiseshell trade.
Asymmetrical introgression patterns between rusty‐necklaced partridge (Alectoris magna) and chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) in China
Authors: CHEN Yanke , AN Bei , LIU Naifa
Published: February 2016

The rusty‐necklaced partridge (Alectoris magna) and the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) are the most common gamebirds in northern China. Previous comparisons of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have revealed an introgression phenomenon between 2 species of partridge in the Liupan Mountain region of China. mtDNA is maternally inherited, making it difficult to determine the origin of parental genes. We assessed the genetic variation and gene flow between these 2 species of partridges using 8 microsatellite loci as neutral diagnostic markers in 171 samples from the hybrid zone. Our data revealed an extensive divergence of genetic structure between populations of rusty‐necklaced partridges and chukar partridges. In this study, we found that 19 samples had been previously morphologically identified as rusty‐necklaced partridge were genetically identified as hybrids through Bayesian analysis using STRUCTURE analysis. These hybrids exhibited a mosaic of alleles that were derived from both parental lineages. However, chukar partridges did not present the genotype of the rusty‐necklaced partridge. Thus, our findings demonstrate that the hybridization between the 2 species was the result of asymmetrical introgression, with gene flow occurring only from the chukar partridge to the rusty‐necklaced partridge. In addition, we also note the high linkage disequilibrium in populations of the rusty‐necklaced partridge. These results indicate that although unidirectional introgression did not reduce genetic diversity of the Alectoris partridges, it affected the balance of gene flow between populations. The data from microsatellite DNA prompted our concern about the genetic integrity of the rusty‐necklaced partridge.
An extract of Pueraria tuberosa tubers attenuates diabetic nephropathy by upregulating matrix metalloproteinase‐9 expression in the kidney of diabetic rats
Authors: Tripathi Yamini B. , Shukla Rashmi , Pandey Nidhi , Pandey Vivek , Kumar Mohan
Published: February 2016

Background

Currently, no drug is available to directly target the signaling molecules involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN); only antihypertensive and antidiabetic drugs are in clinical use. In the present study, the therapeutic effects of a active fraction of tubers from Pueraria tuberosa (hereafter referred to as PTY‐2) were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic rats with DN, with particular emphasis on its effects on extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and matrix metalloproteinase (Mmp)‐9 expression in kidney tissue.

Methods

Rats were injected with 55 mg/kg, i.p., STZ. After 40 days, rats were divided into groups as follows (n = 6 per group): Group 1, age‐matched rats not injected with STZ (non‐diabetic control); Group 2, STZ‐diabetic DN rats; and Group 3, PTY‐2 (30 mg/100 g, p.o.)‐treated DN rats. After 20 days treatment, the effects of PTY‐2 on serum urea and creatinine concentrations, urinary levels of glucose, creatinine, protein, and ketone bodies, and urine pH were determined. Kidney tissue was evaluated for Mmp‐9 expression and histological changes.

Results

Blood glucose, serum urea, creatinine, and urine protein levels were significantly higher, and creatinine clearance was significantly lower, in Group 2 versus Group 1 rats. There was a higher degree of glomerulosclerosis, expansion of the mesangial matrix, and excess ECM deposition and eosinophilic casts in kidneys from Group 2 versus Group 1 rats. Furthermore, Mmp‐9 activity and expression were significantly reduced in kidney homogenate of Group 2 versus Group 1 rats. Interestingly, PTY‐2 treatment significantly reversed all these changes in DN rats.

Conclusion

Treatment of DN rats with PTY‐2 significantly attenuated the severity of DN by increasing the expression and activity of Mmp‐9, consequently degrading the ECM accumulated in kidney tissue.
Expression of NO Synthase Under Medication with Cyclosporine A, Mycophenolate Mofetil, and Tacrolimus during Development of Transplant Vasculopathy on Rat Cardiac Allograft
Authors: Bogossian Harilaos , Frommeyer Gerrit , Ninios Ilias , Bandorski Dirk , Seyfarth Melchior , Matzaroglou Charalampos , Lemke Bernd , Eckardt Lars , Zarse Markus , Kafchitsas Konstantinos
Published: February 2016

Objective

The transplant vasculopathy as a sign of chronic graft rejection affects both the epicardial and the intramyocardial arteries of the graft. This is at least partially mediated by NO synthases. The aim of this study was to assess possible protective effects of cyclosporine A (CsA), tacrolimus (FK506), and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on the expression of NO synthases in an experimental transplant rat model.

Aims

Heart transplantation was performed in 322 rats. These were randomly assigned to four equal groups (control, CsA, FK506, MMF). Recipients were monitored up to 60 days after transplantation, while transplanted hearts were recovered at certain time points for analysis. Expression and staining intensity for endothelial nitric oxide synthases (e‐nos) and inducible nitric oxide synthases (i‐nos) were analyzed in epicardial and intramyocardial vessels in each group.

Results

All employed drugs led to a significant reduction of expression or staining intensity of i‐nos and e‐nos. MMF was most effective in reduction in expression of both NO synthases.

Conclusions

These results imply that all described drugs prevent endothelial impairment induced by toxicity of NO and thereby prevent transplant vasculopathy. MMF seems to be the most effective drug.
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia biofilm reduction by Bdellovibrio exovorus
Authors: Chanyi Ryan M. , Koval Susan F. , Brooke Joanna S.
Published: February 2016

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a bacterium ubiquitous in the environment, is also an opportunistic, multidrug‐resistant human pathogen that colonizes tissues and medical devices via biofilm formation. We investigated the ability of an isolate from sewage of the bacterial predator Bdellovibrio exovorus to disrupt preformed biofilms of 18 strains of S. maltophilia isolated from patients, hospital sink drains and water fountain drains. B. exovorus FFRS‐5 preyed on all S. maltophilia strains in liquid co‐cultures and was able to significantly disrupt the biofilms of 15 of the S. maltophilia strains tested, decreasing as much as 76.7% of the biofilm mass. The addition of ciprofloxacin and kanamycin in general reduced S. maltophilia biofilms but less than that of B. exovorus alone. Furthermore, when antibiotics and B. exovorus were used together, B. exovorus was still effective in the presence of ciprofloxacin whereas the addition of kanamycin reduced the effectiveness of B. exovorus. Overall, B. exovorus was able to decrease the mass of preformed biofilms of S. maltophilia in the presence of clinically relevant antibiotics demonstrating that the predator may prove to be a beneficial tool to reduce S. maltophilia environmental or clinically associated biofilms.
Virus‐host interplay in high salt environments
Authors: Atanasova Nina S. , Bamford Dennis H. , Oksanen Hanna M.
Published: February 2016

Interaction of viruses and cells has tremendous impact on cellular and viral evolution, nutrient cycling and decay of organic matter. Thus, viruses can indirectly affect complex processes such as climate change and microbial pathogenicity. During recent decades, studies on extreme environments have introduced us to archaeal viruses and viruses infecting extremophilic bacteria or eukaryotes. Hypersaline environments are known to contain strikingly high numbers of viruses (∼109 particles per ml). Halophilic archaea, bacteria and eukaryotes inhabiting hypersaline environments have only a few cellular predators, indicating that the role of viruses is highly important in these ecosystems. Viruses thriving in high salt are called haloviruses and to date more than 100 such viruses have been described. Virulent, temperate, and persistent halovirus life cycles have been observed among the known isolates including the recently described SNJ1‐SNJ2 temperate virus pair which is the first example of an interplay between two haloviruses in one host cell. In addition to direct virus and cell isolations, metagenomics have provided a wealth of information about virus‐host dynamics in hypersaline environments suggesting that halovirus populations and halophilic microorganisms are dynamic over time and spatially distributed around the highly saline environments on the Earth.
Dolphin sociality, distribution and calving as important behavioural patterns informing management
Authors: Smith H. , Frère C. , Kobryn H. , Bejder L.
Published: February 2016

Conservation management typically focuses on protecting wildlife habitat that is linked to important behaviours such as resting, breeding or caring for young. However, development of conservation strategies of social species would benefit from inclusion of social dynamics, particularly for species where social relationships influence fitness measures such as survival and reproduction. We combined the study of dolphin sociality, distribution and calving to identify important behavioural and ecological patterns to inform management. Over 3 consecutive years, 231 boat‐based photo‐identification surveys were conducted to individually identify adult female bottlenose dolphins over a 120 km2 area in Bunbury, Western Australia. The density distribution of female dolphins was highest in the inner waters during December–February (austral summer) and March (early autumn), which also coincided in time with the majority of calving. The temporal stability of social bonds between adult females was measured (using lagged association rates) and remained stable over multiple years. A cyclic model best described female–female associations with an annual peak occurring each austral summer (Dec–Jan–Feb). These results informed the implementation of a legislative no‐go area and vessel speed restriction areas. In addition to conventional management approaches of protecting important habitat and breeding periods, our measure of dolphin sociality provides a new metric to consider in conservation efforts. We encourage studies on socially complex species to incorporate social dynamics when evaluating possible impacts of anthropogenic activities.
Clinical outcomes and toxicity of postoperative intensity‐modulated versus three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Lan Mei‐Ling , Yu Xian , Xiao He , Zhou Peng , Hu Nan , Li Jian , Wang Ge
Published: February 2016

Aim

To compare the clinical outcomes and toxicity of pelvic intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D‐CRT) as adjuvant postoperative treatment in patients with cervical cancer.

Methods

Between April 2008 and December 2013, 115 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages IA–IIB cervical cancer were initially treated with radical hysterectomy and underwent adjuvant pelvic external‐beam radiation therapy (EBRT) without brachytherapy. The median postoperative pelvic EBRT dose was 50 Gy (range, 45–50 Gy). Twenty‐six patients received IMRT and 89 patients underwent 3D‐CRT. Chemotherapy consisted of two to four courses of platinum‐based treatment. Locoregional control, disease‐free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and treatment‐related complications were compared between the two groups. No significant difference in clinical data was observed between groups.

Results

With a median follow‐up of 28.6 months, 2‐year OS rates were 90.3% in the 3D‐CRT group and 91.6% in the IMRT group (P = 0.674), and DFS rates were 88.8% and 86.0%, respectively (P = 0.722). The rates of acute gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity were lower in the IMRT group than in the 3D‐CRT group (GI, 50% vs 84.3%, P = 0.009; GU, 19.2% vs 56.2%, P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that IMRT not only significantly reduced the rate of toxicity, but also provided good clinical outcomes consistent with those achieved with 3D‐CRT. However, further studies with more patients and longer follow‐up times are warranted to confirm the benefits of IMRT.
Does a distal perfusion cannula reduce ischaemic complications of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation?
Authors: Ma Robert Wai‐Leung , Huilgol Ravi L. , Granger Emily , Jackson Andrew , Saling Samantha , Dower Ashraf , Nivison‐Smith Ian
Published: February 2016

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides support to patients with severe but reversible cardiac or pulmonary failure. Vascular complications of ECMO are well recognized.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of 70 patients (mean age 48 years; 15–85) who received peripheral veno‐arterial ECMO from 2004 to 2010 in a single centre. For statistical analysis, chi‐squared test and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used to assess for association between response variables (i.e. limb ischaemia, ECMO site bleeding and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) and possible predictive variables.

Results

There were 14 (20%) cases of acute limb ischaemia with no statistically significant relationship between acute limb ischaemia and independent variables. Thirty‐three patients received distal limb cannulas (47%). There was no statistically significant association between limb ischaemia and presence of distal limb cannula (P = 0.8). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified insertion by cutdown as a predictor of lower probability of insertion site bleeding (n = 12, odds ratio 0.24, P = 0.04). Seven cases of DVT were identified; multivariate binary logistic regression analysis identified insertion by cutdown (odds ratio 0.08, P = 0.03) and days of ECMO less than five (odds ratio 0.08, P = 0.04) as predictive factors for reduced rates of DVT.

Conclusion

Ischaemic complications of ECMO are common and occur despite the presence of a distal limb‐perfusing cannula; however in our study the distal limb cannula was a limb‐salvaging intervention in six patients. Prolonged time on ECMO is a risk factor for DVT, and a high index of suspicion must be maintained. Percutaneous insertion was associated with higher rates of bleeding and DVT.
Bicycle helmet use to reduce the impact of head injuries in ladder users
Authors: Warren Leigh R. , Harley Simon , Dutschke Jeffrey , van den Berg Andrew , Dobbins Christopher
Published: February 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to determine if wearing a bicycle helmet during ladder use could reduce the incidence and severity of head injury in the event of a fall.

Methods

A headform model with inbuilt accelerometers was used to determine the Head Injury Criterion (HIC) score of head impact by dropping 41 helmeted and unhelmeted headforms from eight heights. These results were compared.

Results

There was a statistically significant difference between averaged HIC scores in helmeted and unhelmeted drops (P < 0.001). Unhelmeted HIC scores ranged from 387 at 0.25 m to 2121 at 0.6 m. Helmeted HIC scores ranged from 29 at 0.25 m to 1199 at 2.5 m. At a height of 0.5 m, the risk of severe brain injury (AIS ≥4) from direct frontal head impact is predicted to reduce from >50% to <5% with helmet use.

Conclusion

There was a significant decrease in the HIC scores when helmets are used and it is likely that the benefits would be seen in the clinical setting. These results provide an argument for the use of a bicycle helmets by all ladder users, in particular those over age 50 who are at increased risk of head injuries. We recommend that bicycle helmet use be incorporated into ladder injury prevention strategies.
Impact of a clinical decision making module on the attitudes and perceptions of surgical trainees
Authors: Bhatt Nikita R. , Doherty Eva M. , Mansour Ehab , Traynor Oscar , Ridgway Paul F.
Published: February 2016

Background

Decision making, a cognitive non‐technical skill, is a key element for clinical practice in surgery. Specific teaching about methods in clinical decision making (CDM) is a very recent addition to surgical training curricula in the UK and Ireland. Baseline trainee opinion on decision‐making modules is unknown. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland's postgraduate training boot camp inaugural CDM module was investigated to elucidate the impact on the attitudes of CDM naïf trainees.

Methods

Three standardized two‐hour workshops for three trainee groups were delivered. The trainees were assessed by an anonymous questionnaire before and after the module. Change in attitude of the trainees was determined by comparing Likert scale ratings using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test.

Results

Fifty‐seven newly appointed basic surgical trainees attended these workshops. A statistically significant rise in the proportion of candidates recognizing the importance of being taught CDM skills (P == 0.002) revealed the positive impact of the module, as did the increased understanding of different aspects of CDM like shared decision making (P == 0.035) and different styles of decision making (P == 0.013).

Conclusion

These observed positive changes in trainee understanding and attitude toward CDM teaching supports the adoption of standardized modules into the curricula. More study is needed to define whether these modules will have measurable sustained enhancements of CDM skills.
Antinociceptive fatty acid patterns differ in children with psychosomatic recurrent abdominal pain and healthy controls
Authors: Alfven Gösta , Strandvik Birgitta
Published: February 2016

Aim

Stress is considered to trigger psychosomatic recurrent abdominal pain (RAP), but the mechanism behind the pain is unclear. Because the essential fatty acids, omega‐6 and omega‐3, are involved in pain, by regulating lipid mediators, we analysed the fatty acid patterns in children with RAP compared to healthy children.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of plasma phospholipid fatty acids in 22 consecutively included children with RAP, aged six to 16 years, at an outpatient clinic specialising in RAP. The controls were 100 healthy children previously reported on and analysed in the same laboratory.

Results

The children with psychosomatic RAP showed higher mean concentrations of saturated fatty acids than the controls (49.0 mol% versus 47.4 mol%) but lower mean levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (38.6 mol% versus 39.9 mol%). Omega‐3 fatty acids were lower in children with psychosomatic RAP, resulting in higher ratios of linoleic to alpha‐linolenic acids (p < 0.001) and arachidonic to eicosapentaenoic acids (p = 0.01), despite a lower concentration of arachidonic acid in children with RAP (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

The results suggested an imbalance between nociceptive omega‐6 fatty acids and antinociceptive omega‐3 fatty acids in psychosomatic RAP. Further studies, including lipid mediators and oxidative products, are necessary to confirm an association.
Antioxidant and antiplatelet activity by polyphenol‐rich nutrients: focus on extra virgin olive oil and cocoa
Authors: Loffredo Lorenzo , Perri Ludovica , Nocella Cristina , Violi Francesco
Published: February 2016

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in the Western world. In the last decades nutraceutical approaches have been proposed to counteract atherosclerotic complications. In particular, polyphenols, a class of bio‐active molecules prevalently contained in foods such as cocoa, fruits, vegetables, wine and tea, have been widely studied for their beneficial properties. Several epidemiological and interventional studies have shown that polyphenol‐rich nutrients, as in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and cocoa, are associated with a risk reduction of cardiovascular events and/or modulation of cardiovascular risk factors. Definition of the mechanisms accounting for this putative cardio‐protective effect is still elusive. This review focuses on the mechanisms that may be implicated in the beneficial effects of EVOO and cocoa, including down‐regulation of oxidative stress and platelet aggregation, improvement of endothelial function and cardiovascular risk factor such as blood pressure, serum cholesterol and insulin sensitivity.