bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trait and state corticostriatal dysfunction in bipolar disorder during emotional face processing
Authors: Liu Jie , Blond Benjamin N , van Dyck Laura I , Spencer Linda , Wang Fei , Blumberg Hilary P
Published: April 2012

Liu J, Blond BN, van Dyck LI, Spencer L, Wang F, Blumberg HP. Trait and state corticostriatal dysfunction in bipolar disorder during emotional face processing.  Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 432–441. © 2012 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Objectives:  Convergent evidence supports limbic, anterior paralimbic, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) abnormalities in emotional processing in bipolar disorder (BD) and suggests that some abnormalities are mood‐state dependent and others persist into euthymia. However, few studies have assessed elevated, depressed, and euthymic mood states while individuals processed emotional stimuli of varying valence to investigate trait‐ and state‐related neural system responses. Here, regional brain responses to positive, negative, and neutral emotional stimuli were assessed in individuals with BD during elevated, depressed, and euthymic mood states.

Methods:  One hundred and thirty‐four subjects participated in functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning while processing faces depicting happy, fearful, and neutral expressions: 76 with BD (18 in elevated mood states, 19 depressed, 39 euthymic) and 58 healthy comparison (HC) individuals. Analyses were performed for BD trait‐ and mood state‐related features.

Results:  Ventral anterior cingulate cortex (VACC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and ventral striatum responses to happy and neutral faces were decreased in the BD group, compared to the HC group, and were not influenced by mood state. Elevated mood states were associated with decreased right rostral PFC activation to fearful and neutral faces, and depression was associated with increased left OFC activation to fearful faces.

Conclusions:  The findings suggest that abnormal VACC, OFC, and ventral striatum responses to happy and neutral stimuli are trait features of BD. Acute mood states may be associated with additional lateralized abnormalities of diminished right rostral PFC responses to fearful and neutral stimuli in elevated states and increased left OFC responses to fearful stimuli in depressed states.
Effect of Feeding Fescue Seed Containing Ergot Alkaloid Toxins on Stallion Spermatogenesis and Sperm Cells
Authors: Fayrer‐Hosken R , Stanley A , Hill N , Heusner G , Christian M , De La Fuente R , Baumann C , Jones L
Published: April 2012

Contents

The cellular effects of tall fescue grass–associated toxic ergot alkaloids on stallion sperm and colt testicular tissue were evaluated. This was a continuation of an initial experiment where the effects of toxic ergot alkaloids on the stallion spermiogram were investigated. The only spermiogram parameter in exposed stallions that was affected by the toxic ergot alkaloids was a decreased gel‐free volume of the ejaculate. This study examined the effect of toxic ergot alkaloids on chilling and freezing of the stallion sperm cells. The effect of toxic ergot alkaloids on chilled extended sperm cells for 48 h at 5°C was to make the sperm cells less likely to undergo a calcium ionophore–induced acrosome reaction. The toxic ergot alkaloids had no effect on the freezability of sperm cells. However, if yearling colts were fed toxic ergot alkaloids, then the cytological analysis of meiotic chromosome synapsis revealed a significant increase in the proportion of pachytene spermatocytes showing unpaired sex chromosomes compared to control spermatocytes. There was little effect of ergot alkaloids on adult stallions, but there might be a significant effect on yearling colts.
GABAergic interneuron migration and the evolution of the neocortex
Authors: Nakajima Kazunori
Published: April 2012

A neocortex is present in all mammals but is not present in other classes of vertebrates, and the neocortex is extremely elaborate in humans. Changes in excitatory projection neurons and their progenitors within the developing dorsal pallium in the most recent common ancestor of mammals are thought to have been involved in the evolution of the neocortex. Our recent findings suggest that changes in the migratory ability of inhibitory interneurons derived from outside the neocortex may also have been involved in the evolution of the neocortex. In this article we review the literature on the migratory profile of inhibitory interneurons in several different species and the literature on comparisons between the intrinsic migratory ability of interneurons derived from different species. Finally, we propose a hypothesis about the mammalian‐specific evolution of the migratory ability of interneurons and its potential contribution to the establishment of a functional neocortex.
THE EFFECT OF OWNERSHIP IN NGOS’ COMMERCIAL VENTURES
Authors: LY Pierre
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT: Amidst pressure to become self‐financing, Non‐Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have become increasingly involved in profit‐generating business ventures. Because NGOs are traditionally financed by donations with the expectation that they focus on their social mission, the commercialization of NGOs has generated criticism. This paper examines the effect of ownership on investment incentives in NGOs’ commercial ventures, using an incomplete contracts framework. NGO‐ownership helps minimize the tension between primary social mission and managerial decisions. However, external ownership provides better incentives to invest in mission‐enhancing innovations. Finally, because relationships with firms are repeated, NGOs may use relational contracts to align their ventures’ incentives. However, such contracts need to be credible to work.
A Matter of Reputation and Pride: Associations between Perceived External Reputation, Pride in Membership, Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intentions
Authors: Helm Sabrina
Published: April 2012

This study investigates how job satisfaction and turnover intentions are related to external reputation as perceived by employees and their pride in membership. Based on a cross‐sectional survey including 439 employees, it also provides insights into external reputation as a possible source of collective pride. Study results indicate that, in agreement with social identity theory, outsiders' views of the organization are closely associated with employees' pride in organizational membership as well as job satisfaction. Both pride and job satisfaction mediate the relationship between perceived external reputation and turnover intentions. Hence, a favourable reputation matters in managing turnover intentions and is closely related to employee pride and satisfaction. Tenure of employees is positively associated with pride while intensive customer contact is negatively related to perceived external reputation and pride. Implications pinpoint the need for alignment of reputation management and human resources management. Furthermore, managers need to focus on new staff and employees with frequent customer contact and should implement pride‐building strategies according to the tenure of employees and intensity of customer contact.
Moraic Feet in Prakrit Metrics: A Constraint‐Based Approach
Authors: Ollett Andrew
Published: April 2012

The traditional description of thegaṇacchandasfamily of metres of Sanskrit and Prakrit literature, of which theāryāmetre is the best known, refers togaṇas or ‘groups’ ofmātrās.Mātrās correspond to the ‘moras’ of modern phonology. In this paper theāryāis given a detailed analysis on the basis of the traditional description and the empirical data provided by its use in an early Prakrit anthology, theSattasaī. Several new metrical phenomena are identified, and the incidence of syllabic patterns, rhythmic structures, word boundaries, and stress are considered. The prosodic foot is shown to play an important role in the regulation of theāryā’s categorical and gradient patterns. This analysis uses Optimality Theory to account for both kinds of patterns and supports recent research that holds partially ranked constraints responsible for gradient patterns in metrical corpora. Other theories, which derive metrical structure by bottom‐up rules, fail to account for theāryā’s characteristic patterns.
Corporate Political Activity: A Literature Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Lawton Thomas , McGuire Steven , Rajwani Tazeeb
Published: April 2012

This paper reviews the diverse literature on corporate political activity (CPA) and develops a framework that details and integrates existing research in this field. A systematic analysis of extant CPA literatures is conducted to order them into domains that have implications for organizational performance. The paper is structured into three such domain emphases, which require further research investigation: resources and capabilities focus; institutional focus; and political environment focus. The contribution of each to an understanding of CPA in pursuit or defence of corporate competitive advantage is discussed. The authors also suggest that the internationalization of business, including the more recent emergence of developing country economies and companies, presents scholars with the challenge of understanding CPA in more varied institutional settings. CPA practices continue to expand as commerce goes increasingly global and, consequently, involves a wider array of political actors and institutions. The paper contributes by increasing the clarity of CPA classification, reflecting on the implications of a multi‐polar world for CPA research and advancing future agendas for scholars in this research community.
Evaluation of selection criteria for validating paired umbilical cord blood gas samples: an observational study
Authors: White CRH , Doherty DA , Kohan R , Newnham JP , Pennell CE
Published: April 2012

Please cite this paper as: White C, Doherty D, Kohan R, Newnham J, Pennell C. Evaluation of selection criteria for validating paired umbilical cord blood gas samples: an observational study. BJOG 2012;119:857–865.

Objective  To compare six validation criteria for umbilical cord blood gas (UCBG) values in vigorous and nonvigorous neonates.

Design  Retrospective cohort study.

Setting  Single tertiary obstetric centre, King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH), Perth, Western Australia.

Sample  A total of 37 763 consecutive deliveries at >23 weeks of gestation.

Methods  Six validation criteria were compared to evaluate the proportion of deliveries with ‘valid’ UCBG data; and the proportion of vigorous and nonvigorous neonates with metabolic acidaemia.

Main outcomes  Proportion of deliveries with ‘valid’ UCBG values; proportions of vigorous and nonvigorous neonates with normal, borderline and abnormal UCBG values.

Results  The criteria based on KEMH 5th centile arteriovenous pH and Pco2 differences resulted in a higher proportion of neonates with ‘valid’ UCBG values than the previously described Westgate and Kro criteria. The increase in ‘valid’ UCBG values occurred across the entire study population including vigorous and nonvigorous neonates. Among neonates with short‐term neonatal complications there was an increase in nonvigorous neonates with umbilical artery metabolic acidaemia. There was no corresponding increase in vigorous neonates diagnosed with abnormal UCBG values.

Conclusions  Use of the KEMH criteria results in an increase in the proportion of nonvigorous term neonates with UCBG data considered ‘valid’ to aid clinicians in the management of the neonate shortly after delivery. This change occurs without increasing the rate of false‐positive diagnoses of acidaemia in vigorous neonates. The KEMH ‘validation’ criteria were developed from an entire presenting population and provide a simple algorithm that can be universally applied to identify neonates with nonphysiological UCBG values.
Effect of Foam Properties on Heat Transfer in High Temperature Open‐Cell Foam Inserts
Authors: Tseng Charles C. , Sikorski Ruth L. , Viskanta Raymond , Chen Ming Y.
Published: April 2012

Light weight materials such as foams can be used in thermal protection and/or thermal insulation systems. At high temperature (>1000 K), thermal radiation may be important or dominate heat transfer in the foam; however, studies based on more detailed thermal radiation analysis are limited. In this study, foams are considered to be semitransparent, because radiation can penetrate through the pore (or void) space and/or foam skeleton (solid matrix), depending on the materials from which the foams are made. Of particular interest in this study is to understand how the properties such as foam material, porosity, pore size, etc. affect thermal and radiant energy transfer. Physical and mathematical models are developed to account for conduction and radiation (absorption, emission and scattering) in the porous material. The spectral extinction coefficients of SiC foams are measured experimentally in the laboratory at room temperature, and the radiative transfer equation is solved using the spherical harmonics P1‐approximation. The predicted radiative heat fluxes in foams are compared with those based on the Rosseland diffusion approximation. Parametric calculations have been carried out, and the results are reported in the article for a range of parameters characterizing heat transfer in SiC foams of different porosities to identify desirable conditions for effectively reducing heat transfer in potential thermal protection concepts.
Synthesis and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Zn3B2O6 Ceramics for Substrate Application
Authors: Wu Xin‐Guang , Wang Hong , Chen Yue‐Hua , Zhou Di
Published: April 2012

A novel microwave dielectric ceramics of Zn3B2O6 for substrate application with low sintering temperature was synthesized by the solid‐state reaction method. The sintering temperature ranges from 875°C to 950°C. The best microwave dielectric properties were obtained in the ceramic sintered at 925°C for 4 h with a permittivity ~6.7, a Q × f value about 58, 500 GHz and a temperature coefficient value of −58 ppm/°C. From the X‐ray diffraction, backscattered electron imaging results of the co‐fired sample with 20 wt% silver additive, the Zn3B2O6 ceramic was found not to react with Ag at 950°C. The microwave dielectric properties and low sintering temperature of Zn3B2O6 ceramic make it a promising candidate for Low temperature co‐fired ceramic applications as substrate.
Pregnant woman with fatal complication after laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass
Authors: RENAULT KRISTINA , GYRTRUP HANS JØRGEN , DAMGAARD KAREN , HEDEGAARD MORTEN , SØRENSEN JETTE LED
Published: April 2012

In Europe, an increasing number of women have bariatric surgery; therefore, obstetricians are likely to encounter these patients. We report a 22‐year‐old woman, who had previously undergone uncomplicated laparoscopic Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass. She was admitted with severe abdominal pain at 35 weeks of gestation. A cesarean section with delivery of a healthy baby in combination with an exploratory laparotomy was performed. Internal herniation was suspected, but not identified during surgery. Three days later she died of a severely gangrenous small bowel secondary to internal herniation. This fatal case illustrates a potential complication and difficulties in the managment of pregnant women who have undergone Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass. In these women, observation and investigations based on a multidisciplinary approach are vital if abdominal pain develops, with involvement of intestinal surgeons experienced in bariatric surgery, as well as radiologists with specific knowledge of relevant imaging procedures.
Mesh‐related complications in urogynecology – a multidisciplinary challenge
Authors: REISENAUER CHRISTL , VIERECK VOLKER
Published: April 2012

Diagnoses of complications in women who underwent pelvic floor surgery using meshes and the multidisciplinary management of these cases at two national referral urogynecological centers between January and June 2011 are presented in a series of cases of mesh complications, which provide an indication of the wide range of symptoms and, at times, the long time span over which they may be encountered. Complications included infection, erosion (extrusion/exposure), fistulas, perforation into the surrounding organs (such as urethra, bladder and/or bowel), chronic pelvic pain (often radiating into buttocks, groins and/or thighs), dysuria, dyschezia, voiding difficulties, constipation, stool evacuation difficulties, de novo overactive bladder, urinary and fecal incontinence and prolapse recurrences. Although meshes have the ability to provide adequate anatomical support, the emergence of such a multitude of complications has resulted in restrictions for their use, as well as being a multidisciplinary challenge.
Complete versus partial macrophyte removal: the impacts of two drain management strategies on freshwater fish in lowland New Zealand streams
Authors: Greer Michael J. C. , Closs Gerard P. , Crow Shannan K. , Hicks Andy S.
Published: April 2012

Complete macrophyte removal to maintain drainage performance in lowland streams can have a negative effect on resident fish communities, but few studies have quantified this impact. Moreover, limited research has been carried out exploring alternative approaches for macrophyte removal that minimise the impact on the resident fish community. The aims of this study were (i) to determine how the current practice of removing almost 100% of available macrophyte cover affects native fish populations in lowland New Zealand streams and (ii) to see whether this impact can be reduced by limiting macrophyte removal to alternating 50‐m sections of the waterway. Native fish populations were surveyed before and after experimental macrophyte removal for the following three treatments: (i) complete macrophyte removal, (ii) macrophyte removal from alternating 50‐m reaches and (iii) control with no macrophyte removal. Radiotelemetry was used to monitor the behavioural response of individual giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus) to the different treatments. The results of this study suggest that current drain management practices reduceCPUEof fish by 60%. Although limiting macrophyte removal to alternating 50‐m sections did not minimise the community impacts of drain clearing, large giant kokopu did benefit from this strategy. All tagged giant kokopu remained in stream reaches partially cleared of macrophytes, while in completely cleared reaches all individuals were displaced. These results demonstrate the threat current drain management practices pose to New Zealand native fish and highlight the value of trialling alternative methods of macrophyte removal.
Diet selection of African elephant over time shows changing optimization currency
Authors: Pretorius Y. , Stigter J. D. , de Boer W. F. , van Wieren S. E. , de Jong C. B. , de Knegt H. J. , Grant C. C. , Heitkönig I. , Knox N. , Kohi E. , Mwakiwa E. , Peel M. J. S. , Skidmore A. K. , Slotow R. , van der Waal C. , van Langevelde F. , Prins H. H. T.
Published: April 2012

Multiple factors determine diet selection of herbivores. However, in many diet studies selection of single nutrients is studied or optimization models are developed using only one currency. In this paper, we use linear programming to explain diet selection by African elephant based on plant availability and nutrient and deterrent content over time. Our results indicate that elephant at our study area maximized intake of phosphorus throughout the year, possibly in response to the deficiency of this nutrient in the region. After adjusting the model to incorporate the effects of this deficiency, elephant were found to maximize nitrogen intake during the wet season and energy during the dry season. We reason that the increased energy requirements during the dry season can be explained by seasonal changes in water availability and forage abundance. As forage abundance decrease into the dry season, elephant struggle to satisfy their large absolute food requirements. Adding to this restriction is the simultaneous decrease in plant and surface water availability, which force the elephant to seek out scarce surface water sources at high energy costs. During the wet season when food becomes more abundant and energy requirements are satisfied easier, elephant aim to maximize nitrogen intake for growth and reproduction. Our study contributes to the emerging theory on understanding foraging for multiple resources.
Inferring local competition intensity from patch size distributions: a test using biological soil crusts
Authors: Bowker Matthew A. , Maestre Fernando T.
Published: April 2012

Dryland vegetation is inherently patchy. This patchiness goes on to impact ecology, hydrology, and biogeochemistry. Recently, researchers have proposed that dryland vegetation patch sizes follow a power law which is due to local plant facilitation. It is unknown what patch size distribution prevails when competition predominates over facilitation, or if such a pattern could be used to detect competition. We investigated this question in an alternative vegetation type, mosses and lichens of biological soil crusts, which exhibit a smaller scale patch‐interpatch configuration. This micro‐vegetation is characterized by competition for space. We proposed that multiplicative effects of genetics, environment and competition should result in a log‐normal patch size distribution. When testing the prevalence of log‐normal versus power law patch size distributions, we found that the log‐normal was the better distribution in 53% of cases and a reasonable fit in 83%. In contrast, the power law was better in 39% of cases, and in 8% of instances both distributions fit equally well. We further hypothesized that the log‐normal distribution parameters would be predictably influenced by competition strength. There was qualitative agreement between one of the distribution's parameters (μ) and a novel intransitive (lacking a ‘best’ competitor) competition index, suggesting that as intransitivity increases, patch sizes decrease. The correlation of μ with other competition indicators based on spatial segregation of species (the C‐score) depended on aridity. In less arid sites, μ was negatively correlated with the C‐score (suggesting smaller patches under stronger competition), while positive correlations (suggesting larger patches under stronger competition) were observed at more arid sites. We propose that this is due to an increasing prevalence of competition transitivity as aridity increases. These findings broaden the emerging theory surrounding dryland patch size distributions and, with refinement, may help us infer cryptic ecological processes from easily observed spatial patterns in the field.
Predator‐induced morphological defences as by‐products of prey behaviour: a review and prospectus
Authors: Bourdeau Paul E. , Johansson Frank
Published: April 2012

Predator‐induced morphological defences (PIMDs) are ubiquitous. Many PIMDs may be mediated by prey behaviour rather than directly cued by predators. A survey of 92 studies indicated 40 that quantified prey behaviour, all of which document positive associations between defence production and activity reduction. Thus, PIMDs are associated with changes in prey activity, which could have caused the morphological change. We propose two possible mechanisms: 1) decreased activity reduces feeding rate, resulting in lower growth and morphological change; and 2) activity reduction conserves energy, which is reallocated for growth, subsequently changing morphology. Resource availability also causes similar morphological change to predator presence, suggesting confounding effects of resources and predators with current methodology. Future studies should estimate food ingestion, assimilation efficiency, and growth rate in the presence and absence of predators, crossing predator presence with resource levels. Not all PIMDs will be behaviourally‐mediated, but consideration of causal linkages between prey behaviour and PIMDs is warranted.
Drivers of compartmentalization in a Mediterranean pollination network
Authors: Martín González Ana M. , Allesina Stefano , Rodrigo Anselm , Bosch Jordi
Published: April 2012

We study compartmentalization in a Mediterranean pollination network using three different analytical approaches: unipartite modularity (UM), bipartite modularity (BM) and the group model (GM). Our objectives are to compare compartments obtained with these three approaches and to explore the role of several species attributes related to pollination syndromes, species phenology, abundance and connectivity in structuring compartmentalization. BM could not identify compartments in our network. By contrast, UM revealed four modules composed of plants and pollinators, and GM four groups of plants and five of pollinators. Phenology had a major influence on compartmentalization, and compartments (both UM and GM) had distinct phenophases. Compartments were also strongly characterized by species degree (number of connections) and betweenness centrality. These two attributes were highly related to each other and to phenophase duration. Differences among compartments in abundance were only apparent with GM. We attribute this to the fact that abundance is strongly correlated with Degree, and the GM algorithm is particularly powerful at discriminating species based on degree. On the other hand, the role of pollination syndrome‐related features in compartmentalization mostly emerged with UM. Only UM compartments differed in corolla length and pollen production. Both UM and GM compartments differed in their pollinator spectra. We found inconsistent reciprocity between plant attributes and pollinator spectra, thus it is difficult to conclude compartments follow clear‐cut syndromes. Also, both UM and GM identified a compartment composed of pollinators with long activity periods that acted as connectors, linking all compartments providing cohesiveness to the network.
Efficacy of short‐term adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline in diabetic patients – randomized study
Authors: Gilowski Ł , Kondzielnik P , Wiench R , Płocica I , Strojek K , Krzemiński TF
Published: April 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 763–770

Objective:  To investigate the effectiveness of short‐term adjunctive subantimicrobial dose doxycycline (SDD) treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and chronic periodontitis (CP).

Methods:  Thirty‐four patients with CP and type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in the placebo‐controlled, double‐blind study. After scaling and root planing (SRP), patients were randomly assigned to two groups, receiving either SDD or placebo bid for 3 months. The probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), approximal plaque index, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected at baseline and after 3‐month therapy for the estimation of matrix metalloproteinase‐8 levels.

Results:  Clinical attachment level, PD, and BOP improved significantly in both groups after therapy (P < 0.05). The statistically significant difference between the two groups after the therapy was observed only in PD in tooth sites with initial PD ≥ 4 mm (SRP + placebo: 3.41 ± 0.6 mm vs SRP + SDD: 2.92 ± 0.5 mm, P < 0.05). GCF matrix metalloproteinase‐8 levels were significantly reduced only in SRP + SDD group (P < 0.01). There were no changes in HbA1c levels after therapy.

Conclusion:  The short‐term administration of SDD gives significant benefit at tooth sites with moderate disease (PD ≥ 4 mm) when compared to SRP alone in patients with diabetes and CP.
Plant species richness increases resistance to invasion by non‐resident plant species during grassland restoration
Authors: Oakley Clinton A. , Knox John S.
Published: April 2012

Questions

During restoration of bare subsoil, are planted grassland communities with low species richness more susceptible to invasion by non‐residents than communities augmented by additional species? What are the mechanisms of invasion resistance in early succession?

Location

Lexington, Virginia, USA (37.8°N, −79.4°W).

Methods

We planted 62 3 × 3 m plots on compacted clay subsoil with 20–21 replicates of three, 12 and 24 native species. Plots were sampled non‐destructively using a stratified random point‐intercept method each summer for 5 yr to determine number of species and percentage cover per species, which were classified as residents (planted), internal non‐residents (planted in other plots) or external non‐residents.

Results

A negative relationship between planted species richness and invasion developed by the fourth year after planting and strengthened thereafter. Plots consisting of a single, highly dominant, resident C3 grass species were vulnerable to invasion. With the exception of one species, which seems to have overcome resistance with a high seed rain, external non‐resident species were less diverse and less abundant in higher diversity plots.

Conclusions

Increased planted species richness was correlated with increased resistance to invasion by non‐residents, and we attribute this effect to a combination of the sampling effect and species complementarity, potentially augmented by high species dominance/low evenness in the low species richness plots.
Triple‐negative breast cancer: making the most of a misnomer
Authors: MCCARTHY Nicole , MITCHELL Gillian , BILOUS Michael , WILCKEN Nicholas , LINDEMAN Geoffrey J.
Published: April 2012

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is defined by its lack of (or minimal) estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor expression, together with the absence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpression or gene amplification. It can be a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer, often characterized by early systemic relapse. This subtype, absent from traditional pathology classifications, has quietly crept into the oncologist's lexicon over the last decade and aroused considerable research interest. Based on tumor pathology, immunohistochemistry and gene profiling studies, TNBC is likely to represent a heterogeneous mix of breast cancer subtypes. This observation will have important implications for the selection of optimal therapies, which are yet to be defined. This article reviews recent insights in the classification and ontogeny of TNBC, current approaches to its management and promising therapeutic targets that are forming the basis for innovative early and late phase clinical trials.
Somatic Embryogenesis Receptor Kinases Control Root Development Mainly via Brassinosteroid‐Independent Actions in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Du Junbo , Yin Hongju , Zhang Shasha , Wei Zhuoyun , Zhao Baolin , Zhang Jinghua , Gou Xiaoping , Lin Honghui , Li Jia
Published: April 2012

Brassinosteroids (BRs), a group of plant steroidal hormones, play critical roles in many aspects of plant growth and development. Previous studies showed that BRI1‐mediated BR signaling regulates cell division and differentiation during Arabidopsis root development via interplaying with auxin and other phytohormones. Arabidopsis somatic embryogenesis receptor‐like kinases (SERKs), as co‐receptors of BRI1, were found to play a fundamental role in an early activation step of BR signaling pathway. Here we report a novel function of SERKs in regulating Arabidopsis root development. Genetic analyses indicated that SERKs control root growth mainly via a BR‐independent pathway. Although BR signaling pathway is completely disrupted in the serk1 bak1 bkk1 triple mutant, the root growth of the triple mutant is much severely damaged than the BR deficiency or signaling null mutants. More detailed analyses indicated that the triple mutant exhibited drastically reduced expression of a number of genes critical to polar auxin transport, cell cycle, endodermis development and root meristem differentiation, which were not observed in null BR biosynthesis mutant cpd and null BR signaling mutant bri1‐701.
Can Metabolic Syndrome Presence Predict Carotid Intima‐Media Thickness?
Authors: Timóteo Ana T. , Carmo Miguel M. , Ferreira Rui C.
Published: April 2012

The aim of this investigation was to analyze metabolic syndrome (MS) impact on carotid intima‐media thickness (cIMT). Prospective study of 300 patients with suspected coronary artery disease admitted for an elective coronary angiography were evaluated. Patients with previously known cardiac disease were excluded. In the population, 23.0% were diabetics and 40.5% had MS (but no diabetes). cIMT was not significantly different in patients with MS, but was significantly higher in diabetic patients compared with MS and control patients. Independent predictors of cIMT were age, male gender, insulin, and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the last one with an inverse association). In patients without MS, only age and HDL cholesterol were associated. In patients with MS, independent predictors were age, male gender, and glucose, and abdominal obesity showed an inverse relationship. In patients with stable angina, MS is not an independent predictor of cIMT. Nonmodifiable variables (age and gender) are the most important determinants of cIMT, as well as blood glucose, in MS patients. Abdominal obesity was protective. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012;00:00–00. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Plasma Endothelial Microparticles and Their Correlation With the Presence of Hypertension and Arterial Stiffness in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Chen Yinghua , Feng Bo , Li Xu , Ni Yafang , Luo Yun
Published: April 2012

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 14:455–460. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Microparticles (MPs) are associated with several cardiovascular complications. As multifunction biomarkers, they may contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes‐associated vascular diseases. A total of 39 patients with diabetes and hypertension, 24 patients with diabetes without hypertension, and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Flow cytometry was applied to detect plasma MPs, including endothelial MPs (EMPs), annexin V+MPs, platelet‐derived MPs (PMPs), and leukocyte‐derived MPs (LMPs). Brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was also performed in admission. Plasma EMPs, annexin V+MPs, PMPs, and LMPs in diabetics with or without hypertension were higher than those in control patients. Among diabetics, only EMPs in patients with hypertension was higher than in those without hypertension. Correlation analysis showed that systolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure were positively correlated with EMPs. Multivariant analysis demonstrated that EMP was an independent risk factor for the presence of hypertension in diabetics (odds ratio, 2.822; 95% confidence interval, 1.265–6.296; P=.011). Furthermore, baPWV in diabetics with hypertension (1910±355 cm/s) was higher than that in control patients (1441±198 cm/s) and diabetics without hypertension (1727±2 cm/s). Multivariant analysis identified EMP as a potent contributor to the development of impaired artery elasticity in diabetics (odds ratio, 4.401; 95% confidence interval, 1.529–12.673; P=.006). Plasma EMP was associated with the presence of hypertension and impaired arterial stiffness in type 2 diabetes.
The effect of mold sensitization and humidity upon allergic asthma
Authors: Hayes, Jr Don , Jhaveri Manan A. , Mannino David M. , Strawbridge Heather , Temprano James
Published: April 2012

Introduction:  Humidity is commonly associated with increased airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma.

Objective:  To examine mold sensitization in patients with allergic asthma or allergic rhinitis and self‐reports of humidity as exacerbating factors of clinical symptoms.

Methods:  A retrospective, cross‐sectional study at a University hospital outpatient allergy and asthma clinic was performed. A total of 106 patients with either allergic asthma or allergic rhinitis completed standard prick‐puncture skin testing with 17 allergens and controls and completed standardized forms addressing trigger factors for clinical symptoms.

Results:  Allergic asthmatics sensitized to Cladosporium were more likely to have a more severe asthma severity class (odds ratio = 4.26, confidence interval = 1.30–16.93). Sensitization to Alternaria, Cladosporium, Helminthosporium, Aspergillus and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in asthma was associated with higher likelihood for previous hospitalization, while sensitization to Cladosporium, Helminthosporium, Aspergillus, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and cockroach in asthma was associated with higher likelihood of having reduced pulmonary function based on forced expiratory volume in 1 s. Furthermore, allergic asthmatics more commonly reported humidity as an exacerbating factor of symptoms than did patients only with allergic rhinitis (68.42% vs 42.86%, respectively; P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Mold sensitization is highly associated with more severe asthma, while humidity is more of an exacerbating factor in patients with allergic asthma as compared with allergic rhinitis alone. Further delineation between mold sensitization and humidity is needed to determine whether these are independent factors in asthma.

Please cite this paper as: Hayes D Jr, Jhaveri MA, Mannino DM, Strawbridge H and Temprano J. The effect of mold sensitization and humidity upon allergic asthma. Clin Respir J 2013; 7: 135–144.
Clinical 24 month experience of the first MRgFUS Unit for treatment of uterine fibroids in Australia
Authors: Dobrotwir Andrew , Pun Emma
Published: April 2012

Aim: To describe and evaluate treatment of uterine fibroids using Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) during its first 24 months of use at The Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne.

Methods: One hundred Victorian women were treated with MRgFUS using the ExAblate 2000 system. Treatment outcomes based on fibroid volume shrinkage measured at 4 and 12 months post‐treatment and symptom severity score assessment (Symptom Severity Score Quality of Life – SSS‐QOL) pre‐ and post‐ (4–6 weeks, 4, 6 and 12 months) treatment.

Results: Mean non‐perfused volume of the treated fibroids were 67% ± 25% (n = 100) immediately post‐treatment. At 4 months post‐treatment, the treated fibroids demonstrated an average volume reduction of 29% ± 32% (n = 74) and at 12 months 38% ± 45% (n = 32).

Mean symptom severity scores (SSS‐QOL) improved by 51% from 59 ± 21 (n = 97) at baseline to 29 ± 17 (n = 36) by 12 months.

Conclusion: From our experience, we believe there is a role for MRgFUS in the treatment of uterine fibroids in selected women.
Fracking and the Neoliberalization of the Hydro‐Social Cycle in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale
Authors: Finewood Michael H. , Stroup Laura J.
Published: April 2012

Oil and gas firms are utilizing a controversial drilling technique, hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, to access unconventional natural gas reserves in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale. The potential impacts of fracking are creating sharp tensions between stakeholders over the costs and benefits of drilling within their communities. In particular, much contention has emerged over water resources as the process both uses and degrades billions of gallons of water. This paper takes a critical look at the way multi‐scale neoliberal discourses obfuscate comprehensive understandings of fracking's effect on water resources. We turn to the neoliberal environments literature as a way to situate the economic logic that normalizes the impacts of fracking on resources, particularly in the absence of an effective regulatory framework. We argue that neoliberal pro‐fracking arguments are (re)defining the relationship among people, the environment, and institutions, which in turn normalizes the impacts on communities and the resources on which they depend.
Two types of extracellular action potentials recorded with narrow‐tipped pipettes in skeletal muscle of frog, Rana temporaria
Authors: Kubasov Igor V. , Dobretsov Maxim
Published: April 2012

Key points

Two types of extracellular action potentials, bi‐ and tri‐phasic, were recorded within the same fibre of skeletal muscle of frog.

Unlike bi‐phasic, tri‐phasic action potentials were very sensitive to the potassium channel blocker barium, and to a frequency of stimulation of muscle preparation.

It is suggested that currents generated in a specialized t‐tubular compartment of a muscle fibre form the third phase of these action potentials and studies of tri‐phasic action potentials may provide a new tool for evaluating the role of t‐tubules in skeletal muscle contractility.
Linking NAADP to Ion Channel Activity: A Unifying Hypothesis
Authors: Guse Andreas H.
Published: April 2012

NAADP-mediated regulation of ion channels may occur through intermediary binding partners.
The Role of EHD Proteins at the Neuronal Synapse
Authors: Ioannou Maria S. , Marat Andrea L.
Published: April 2012

The Eps15 homology domain promotes synaptic vesicle formation by limiting the extent of dynamin helix formation.
Glucose-Induced Isoform of ChREBP
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: April 2012

A glucose-induced alternative isoform of ChREBP, a transcription factor that promotes lipogenesis, may be a target for diabetes therapy.
Susceptibility of Herpes Simplex Virus Isolated from Genital Herpes Lesions to ASP2151, a Novel Helicase-Primase Inhibitor
Authors: Katsumata Kiyomitsu , Weinberg Adriana , Chono Koji , Takakura Shoji , Kontani Toru , Suzuki Hiroshi
Published: April 2012

ASP2151 (amenamevir) is a helicase-primase inhibitor against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus. To evaluate the anti-HSV activity of ASP2151, susceptibility testing was performed on viruses isolated from patients participating in a placebo- and valacyclovir-controlled proof-of-concept phase II study for recurrent genital herpes. A total of 156 HSV strains were isolated prior to the dosing of patients, and no preexisting variants with less susceptibility to ASP2151 or acyclovir (ACV) were detected. ASP2151 inhibited HSV-1 and HSV-2 replication with mean 50% effective concentrations (EC
50
s) of 0.043 and 0.069 μM, whereas ACV exhibited mean EC
50
s of 2.1 and 3.2 μM, respectively. Notably, the susceptibilities of HSV isolates to ASP2151 and ACV were not altered after dosing with the antiviral agents. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ASP2151 inhibits the replication of HSV clinical isolates more potently than ACV, and HSV resistant to this novel helicase-primase inhibitor as well as ACV may not easily emerge in short-term treatment for recurrent genital herpes patients.
Metabolic Activation of the Anti-Hepatitis C Virus Nucleotide Prodrug PSI-352938
Authors: Niu Congrong , Tolstykh Tatiana , Bao Haiying , Park Yeojin , Babusis Darius , Lam Angela M. , Bansal Shalini , Du Jinfa , Chang Wonsuk , Reddy P. Ganapati , Zhang Hai-Ren , Woolley Joseph , Wang Li-Quan , Chao Piyun B. , Ray Adrian S. , Otto Michael J. , Sofia Michael J. , Furman Phillip A. , Murakami Eisuke
Published: April 2012

PSI-352938 is a novel cyclic phosphate prodrug of β-
d
-2′-deoxy-2′-α-fluoro-2′-β-
C
-methylguanosine-5′-monophosphate with potent anti-HCV activity. In order to inhibit the NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, PSI-352938 must be metabolized to the active triphosphate form, PSI-352666. During
in vitro
incubations with PSI-352938, significantly larger amounts of PSI-352666 were formed in primary hepatocytes than in clone A hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicon cells. Metabolism and biochemical assays were performed to define the molecular mechanism of PSI-352938 activation. The first step, removal of the isopropyl group on the 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate moiety, was found to be cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 dependent, with other CYP isoforms unable to catalyze the reaction. The second step, opening of the cyclic phosphate ring, was catalyzed by phosphodiesterases (PDEs) 2A1, 5A, 9A, and 11A4, all known to be expressed in the liver. The role of these enzymes in the activation of PSI-352938 was confirmed in primary human hepatocytes, where prodrug activation was reduced by inhibitors of CYP3A4 and PDEs. The third step, removal of the
O
6
-ethyl group on the nucleobase, was shown to be catalyzed by adenosine deaminase-like protein 1. The resulting monophosphate was consecutively phosphorylated to the diphosphate and to the triphosphate PSI-352666 by guanylate kinase 1 and nucleoside diphosphate kinase, respectively. In addition, formation of nucleoside metabolites was observed in primary hepatocytes, and ecto-5′-nucleotidase was able to dephosphorylate the monophosphate metabolites. Since CYP3A4 is highly expressed in the liver, the CYP3A4-dependent metabolism of PSI-352938 makes it an effective liver-targeted prodrug, in part accounting for the potent antiviral activity observed clinically.
Development of Novel PCR Assays To Detect Azole Resistance-Mediating Mutations of theAspergillus fumigatus cyp51AGene in Primary Clinical Samples from Neutropenic Patients
Authors: Spiess Birgit , Seifarth Wolfgang , Merker Natalia , Howard Susan J. , Reinwald Mark , Dietz Anne , Hofmann Wolf-Karsten , Buchheidt Dieter
Published: April 2012

The increasing incidence of azole resistance inAspergillus fumigatuscausing invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised/hematological patients emphasizes the need to improve the detection of resistance-mediatingcyp51Agene mutations from primary clinical samples, particularly as the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis is rarely based on a positive culture yield in this group of patients. We generated primers from the unique sequence of theAspergillus fumigatus cyp51Agene to establish PCR assays with consecutive DNA sequence analysis to detect and identify theA. fumigatus cyp51Atandem repeat (TR) mutation in the promoter region and the L98H and M220 alterations directly in clinical samples. After testing of the sensitivity and specificity of the assays using serially dilutedA. fumigatusand human DNA,A. fumigatus cyp51Agene fragments of about 150 bp potentially carrying the mutations were amplified directly from primary clinical samples and subsequently DNA sequenced. The determined sensitivities of the PCR assays were 600 fg, 6 pg, and 4 pg ofA. fumigatusDNA for the TR, L98H, and M220 mutations, respectively. There was no cross-reactivity with human genomic DNA detectable. Sequencing of the PCR amplicons forA. fumigatuswild-type DNA confirmed thecyp51Awild-type sequence, and PCR products from one azole-resistantA. fumigatusisolate showed the L98H and TR mutations. The second azole-resistant isolate revealed an M220T alteration. We consider our assay to be of high epidemiological and clinical relevance to detect azole resistance and to optimize antifungal therapy in patients with IA.