bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between physical fitness and game behaviours in rugby union players
Authors: Smart Daniel , Hopkins Will G. , Quarrie Kenneth L. , Gill Nicholas
Published: December 2011

The physical preparation of team sport athletes should reflect the degree to which each component of fitness is relied upon in competition. The aim of the study was therefore to establish the relationship between fitness‐test data and game behaviours known or thought to be important for successful play in rugby union matches. Fitness‐test measures from 510 players were analysed with game statistics, from 296 games within the 2007 and 2008 calendar years. Sprint times over 10, 20 and 30 m had moderate to small negative correlations (r) with line breaks (~0.26), metres advanced (~0.22), tackle breaks (~0.16) and tries scored (~0.15). The average time of 12 repeated sprints and percentage body fat in the forwards, and repeated sprint fatigue in the backs had moderate to small correlations with a measure of activity rate on and around the ball (−0.38, –0.17 and –0.17, respectively). These low correlations are partly due to uniformly high physical fitness as a result of selection pressures at the elite level and leave room for the identification of other key predictors. Nonetheless, physical conditioning programmes should be adapted to reflect the importance of speed, repeated sprint ability and body composition in the performance of key game behaviours during competition.
Interrelationships between different loads in resisted sprints, half‐squat 1 RM and kinematic variables in trained athletes
Authors: Martínez‐Valencia María Asunción , González‐Ravé José M. , Santos‐García Daniel Juárez , Alcaraz Ramón Pedro E. , Navarro‐Valdivielso Fernando
Published: December 2011

Resisted sprint running is a common training method for improving sprint‐specific strength. It is well‐known that an athlete's time to complete a sled‐towing sprint increases linearly with increasing sled load. However, to our knowledge, the relationship between the maximum load in sled‐towing sprint and the sprint time is unknown, The main purpose of this research was to analyze the relationship between the maximum load in sled‐towing sprint, half‐squat maximal dynamic strength and the velocity in the acceleration phase in 20‐m sprint. A second aim was to compare sprint performance when athletes ran under different conditions: un‐resisted and towing sleds. Twenty‐one participants (17.86±2.27 years; 1.77±0.06 m and 69.24±7.20 kg) completed a one repetition maximum test (1 RM) from a half‐squat position (159.68±22.61 kg) and a series of sled‐towing sprints with loads of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30% body mass (Bm) and the maximum resisted sprint load. No significant correlation (P<0.05) was found between half‐squat 1 RM and the sprint time in different loaded conditions. Conversely, significant correlations (P<0.05) were found between maximum load in resisted sprint and sprint time (20‐m sprint time, r=−0.71; 5% Bm, r=−0.73; 10% Bm, r=−0.53; 15% Bm, r=−0.55; 20% Bm, r=−0.65; 25% Bm, r=−0.44; 30% Bm, r=−0.63; MaxLoad, r= 0.93). The sprinting velocity significantly decreased by 4–22% with all load increases. Stride length (SL) also decreased (17%) significantly across all resisted conditions. In addition, there were significant differences in stride frequency (SF) with loads over 15% Bm. It could be concluded thatthe knowledge of the individual maximal load in resisted sprint and the effects on the sprinting kinematic with different loads, could be interesting to determinate the optimal load to improve the acceleration phase at sprint running.
Michael Overholtzer: Answering existential questions on entosis
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: December 2011

Overholtzer is working to understand how and why tumor cells invade one another.
Osh4p exchanges sterols for phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate between lipid bilayers
Authors: de Saint-Jean Maud , Delfosse Vanessa , Douguet Dominique , Chicanne Gaëtan , Payrastre Bernard , Bourguet William , Antonny Bruno , Drin Guillaume
Published: December 2011

Osh/Orp proteins transport sterols between organelles and are involved in phosphoinositide metabolism. The link between these two aspects remains elusive. Using novel assays, we address the influence of membrane composition on the ability of Osh4p/Kes1p to extract, deliver, or transport dehydroergosterol (DHE). Surprisingly, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI(4)P) specifically inhibited DHE extraction because PI(4)P was itself efficiently extracted by Osh4p. We solve the structure of the Osh4p–PI(4)P complex and reveal how Osh4p selectively substitutes PI(4)P for sterol. Last, we show that Osh4p quickly exchanges DHE for PI(4)P and, thereby, can transport these two lipids between membranes along opposite routes. These results suggest a model in which Osh4p transports sterol from the ER to late compartments pinpointed by PI(4)P and, in turn, transports PI(4)P backward. Coupled to PI(4)P metabolism, this transport cycle would create sterol gradients. Because the residues that recognize PI(4)P are conserved in Osh4p homologues, other Osh/Orp are potential sterol/phosphoinositol phosphate exchangers.
Fluid simulation of the phase-shift effect in hydrogen capacitively coupled plasmas: I. Transient behaviour of electrodynamics and power deposition
Authors: Zhang Yu-Ru , Xu Xiang , Bogaerts Annemie , Wang You-Nian
Published: December 2011

A two-dimensional self-consistent fluid model coupled with the full set of Maxwell equations is established to investigate the phase-shift effect on the transient behaviour of electrodynamics and power deposition in a hydrogen capacitively coupled plasma. The effect has been examined at 13.56 MHz and 100 MHz, respectively, because of the different phase-shift modulation when the electromagnetic effects are dominant. The results indicate that the spatiotemporal distributions of the plasma characteristics obtained for various phase-shift cases are obviously different both in shape and especially in absolute values. Indeed, when the phase difference varies from 0 to π, there is an increase in the electron flux, thus the power deposition becomes more pronounced. At the frequency of 13.56 MHz, the axial electron flux in the bulk plasma becomes uniform along the z-axis, and the radial electron flux exhibits two peaks within one period at the reverse-phase case, whereas the oscillation is less pronounced at the in-phase case. Furthermore, in the very high frequency discharge, the radial electron flux is alternately positive and negative with four peaks during one period, and the ionization mainly occurs in the sheath region, due to the prominent power deposition there at a phase difference equal to π.
Quantification of passivation layer growth in inert anodes for molten salt electrochemistry byin situenergy-dispersive diffraction
Authors: Rowles Matthew R. , Styles Mark J. , Madsen Ian C. , Scarlett Nicola V. Y. , McGregor Katherine , Riley Daniel P. , Snook Graeme A. , Urban Andrew J. , Connolley Thomas , Reinhard Christina
Published: December 2011

Anin situenergy-dispersive X-ray diffraction experiment was undertaken on operational titanium electrowinning cells to observe the formation of rutile (TiO2) passivation layers on Magnéli-phase (TinO2n−1;n= 4–6) anodes and thus determine the relationship between passivation layer formation and electrolysis time. Quantitative phase analysis of the energy-dispersive data was undertaken using a crystal-structure-based Rietveld refinement. Layer formation was successfully observed and it was found that the rate of increase in layer thickness decreased with time, rather than remaining constant as observed in previous studies. The limiting step in rutile formation is thought to be the rate of solid-state diffusion of oxygen within the anode structure.
Synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments with a prototype hybrid pixel detector
Authors: Le Bourlot C. , Landois P. , Djaziri S. , Renault P.-O. , Le Bourhis E. , Goudeau P. , Pinault M. , Mayne-L'Hermite M. , Bacroix B. , Faurie D. , Castelnau O. , Launois P. , Rouzière S.
Published: December 2011

A prototype X-ray pixel area detector (XPAD3.1) has been used for X-ray diffraction experiments with synchrotron radiation. The characteristics of this detector are very attractive in terms of fast readout time, high dynamic range and high signal-to-noise ratio. The prototype XPAD3.1 enabled various diffraction experiments to be performed at different energies, sample-to-detector distances and detector angles with respect to the direct beam, yet it was necessary to perform corrections on the diffraction images according to the type of experiment. This paper is focused on calibration and correction procedures to obtain high-quality scientific results specifically developed in the context of three different experiments, namely mechanical characterization of nanostructured multilayers, elastic–plastic deformation of duplex steel and growth of carbon nanotubes.
SP2: a computer program for plotting stereographic projection and exploring crystallographic orientation relationships
Authors: Liu Hongwei , Liu Jiangwen
Published: December 2011

Stereographic projection is one of the most powerful research tools for crystallography in materials science. A new program for full operation of stereographic projections and in-depth exploration of crystallographic orientation relationships is described. It is specifically designed for materials researchers who are in need of tools for extensive crystallographic analysis. The difference from other popular commercial software for crystallography is that this program provides new options for users to plot and fully control stereographic projections of an arbitrary pole centre for an arbitrary crystal structure and to illustrate composite stereographic projections, which are necessary to explore the orientation relationships between two phases. The program is able to perform a range of essential crystallographic calculations.
Opening a larger window onto forest elephant ecology
Authors: Wrege Peter H. , Rowland Elizabeth D. , Bout Nicolas , Doukaga Modeste
Published: December 2011

African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) can be observed reliably in forest clearings but are difficult to observe directly in their otherwise forested habitat. To obtain data on population demography and activity cycles, conservation programmes commit considerable human and financial resources to observations at clearings. However, individual elephants spend only a tiny proportion of their annual activity budget in a particular clearing, and there may be demographic differences between daytime and nighttime populations. Using acoustic monitoring tools to assess elephant numbers continuously for long time periods at multiple clearings, we show that daytime‐only observations are likely to be biased. In this study, (i) 79% of all elephant visitation occurred at night, (ii) sometimes large changes in nocturnal elephant numbers occurred without proportional changes in daytime elephant numbers, and (iii) there were indications that a different demographic of the population visits clearings at night compared with the day. These results suggest that acoustic monitoring should be incorporated into forest elephant monitoring programmes to augment direct observation and that more study is needed to explicitly identify any biases inherent in daytime‐only observation.
Current treatment of severe asthma
Authors: Hashimoto S. , Bel E. H.
Published: December 2011

Severe asthma is considered a heterogeneous disease in which a variety of clinical, physiological and inflammatory markers determine disease severity. Pivotal studies in the last 5 years have led to substantial progress in many areas, ranging from a more accurate definition of truly severe, refractory asthma, to classification of the disease into distinct clinical phenotypes, and introduction of new therapies. This review focuses on three common clinical phenotypes of severe asthma in adults (early onset severe allergic asthma, late onset non‐atopic eosinophilic asthma, late onset non‐eosinophilic asthma with obesity), and provides an overview of recent developments regarding treatment options that are best suited for each of these phenotypes.
Glucocorticoid replacement therapy and fibrinolysis in patients with hypopituitarism
Authors: Peacey Steven R. , Wright Dianne , Aye Mo , Moisey Robert
Published: December 2011

Background  Hypopituitarism is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, and it has been suggested that unphysiological glucocorticoid replacement regimens might contribute to this risk. Traditional glucocorticoid replacement regimens have often led to excessive serum cortisol levels. The hypercortisolaemia of Cushing’s syndrome is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism.

Objective  To examine whether short‐term higher‐dose hydrocortisone replacement regimens adversely affect the fibrinolytic system.

Design  Crossover study comparing tailored low‐dose (LD) glucocorticoid regimen (mean, 17·5 mg hydrocortisone daily), with a traditional high‐dose (HD, 30‐mg hydrocortisone daily) regimen for 2 weeks.

Patients  Ten patients with hypopituitarism and ACTH deficiency – median (range) age, 59 (41–75) years – and 10 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Nine patients had growth hormone deficiency (five replaced), nine patients had TSH deficiency (nine replaced), eight had gonadotrophin deficiency (five replaced). During the study, other pituitary hormone replacement therapy remained unchanged. Patients with acromegaly and Cushing’s syndrome were excluded.

Measurements  Hourly serum cortisol for 11 h, plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and fibrinogen levels after 2 weeks of treatment with both LD and HD regimens.

Results  No overall significant differences were found between the three groups using the Kruskal–Wallis test: PAI‐1: [median (range)] HD, 25 (5–53) ng/ml; LD, 21 (4–56) ng/ml; controls, 27 (8–51); P = 0·3; tPA: HD, 10 (5–15) ng/ml; LD, 10 (4–13) ng/ml; controls 10 (3–13); P = 0·46; and fibrinogen: HD, 2·5 (1·8–3·5) g/l; LD, 3·0 (2·3–4·4) g/l; controls, 2·6 (1·6–3·2): P = 0·97 In addition, no significant differences between HD and LD using Wilcoxon’s paired test; PAI‐1 (P = 0·91), tPAag (P = 0·47) and fibrinogen (P = 0·09).

Conclusions  An increased dose of hydrocortisone for 2 weeks creates excessive glucocorticoid exposure, but does not significantly affect fibrinolytic‐coagulation parameters.
Possibilities of increasing the residual water‐soluble carbohydrate concentration and aerobic stability of low dry‐matter perennial ryegrass silage through additive and cultivar use
Authors: Conaghan P. , O’Kiely P. , O’Mara F. P.
Published: December 2011

Increasing the residual water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentration in silage may improve the nutritional value but impair aerobic stability. Our aim was to determine whether the residual WSC concentration and aerobic stability of low dry‐matter (<135 g kg−1) perennial ryegrass silage could be manipulated through the judicious use of additive and cultivar. Seven additive treatments, including three innovative treatments, were compared across four consecutive harvests of the cultivars AberDart (bred to accumulate high concentrations of herbage WSC) and Fennema (control). The standard of fermentation of silage ensiled without additive (untreated) ranged from very bad to excellent. Application of ammonium tetraformate, at 3 and 6 L t−1, or homofermentative lactic acid bacteria (LAB) alone had an inconsistent effect on the fermentation and aerobic stability, and negligible effect on residual WSC concentration. A mixture ofLactobacillus buchneriand homofermentative LAB was not an effective silage additive, producing generally poorly fermented silage. An antimicrobial mixture of sodium benzoate, sodium propionate, sodium nitrite and hexamethylenetetramine, applied at 2·5 and 5 L t−1, frequently improved the standard of fermentation, but the effects were subject to the application rate. The high application rate was the most effective additive evaluated at improving the fermentation and increasing residual WSC concentration and consistently produced silage of excellent standard of fermentation. However, the antimicrobial mixture was not effective at protecting against aerobic instability. The effects of additive treatment were largely inconsistent across cultivars. Overall, AberDart had a negligible effect on the silage fermentation, residual WSC concentration and aerobic stability compared with Fennema.
Impact of deferred grazing and fertilizer on plant population density, ground cover and soil moisture of native pastures in steep hill country of southern Australia
Authors: Nie Z. N. , Zollinger R. P.
Published: December 2011

The impact of deferred grazing (no defoliation of pastures for a period generally from spring to autumn) and fertilizer application on plant population density, ground cover and soil moisture in a hill pasture (annual grass dominated, with Australian native grasses being the major perennial species) were studied in a large‐scale field experiment from 2002 to 2006 in southern Australia. Three deferred grazing strategies were used: short‐term deferred grazing (no defoliation between October and January each year), long‐term deferred grazing (no defoliation from October to the autumn break, that is the first significant rainfall event of the winter growing season) and optimized deferred grazing (withholding time from grazing depends on morphological development of the plants). These treatments were applied with two fertilizer levels (nil fertilizer and 50 kg P ha−1 plus lime) and two additional treatments [continuous grazing (control) and no grazing for year 1]. Deferred grazing increased (P < 0·05) perennial grass tiller density compared with the control. On average, the tiller density of the three deferred grazing treatments was 27–88% higher than the control. There was a negative (P < 0·01) relationship between perennial and annual grass tiller density. Fertilizer application increased (P < 0·05) legume plant density. The densities of annual grasses, legumes, onion grass (Romulea rosea) and broadleaf weeds varied between years, but perennial grass density and moss cover did not. The ground cover of the deferred grazing treatments in autumn was on average 27% higher than the control. Soil moisture differed between treatments at 15–30 cm depth, but not at 0–15 depth over autumn and winter. The results imply that deferred grazing can be an effective tool for rejuvenating degraded native pastures through increases in native grass tiller density and population and through improving farm productivity and sustainability.
Penetration depths of an infiltrant into proximal caries lesions in primary molars after different application times in vitro
Authors: PARIS SEBASTIAN , SOVIERO VERA MENDES , SEDDIG SUSANNE , MEYER‐LUECKEL HENDRIK
Published: December 2011

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2012; 22: 349–355

Background.  Caries infiltration aims to inhibit lesion progression, by occluding the porosities within the lesion body with low‐viscosity resins. The ability in hampering lesion progression is correlated with the penetration depth (PD) of the infiltrant.

Aim.  This study aimed to compare the infiltration depths into proximal lesions in primary molars after different application times.

Design.  Noncavitated natural caries lesions (n = 83) were etched with 15% HCl for 2 min and infiltrated for 0.5, 1, 3, or 5 min. Specimens were sectioned and PD at the maximum lesion depth (LDmax) were analysed using dual fluorescence confocal microscopy.

Results.  Percentage penetrations (PD/LDmax) were significantly higher after 3 or 5 min compared with 0.5‐min application (P < 0.05; Mann–Whitney test). For LDmax <400 μm, no significant differences were observed between application times (P > 0.05). For LDmax≥400 μm, 3‐ and 5‐min application resulted in significantly deeper infiltration compared with 0.5 min (P < 0.05). After 1‐min application, PD was significantly lower than 5 min (P < 0.05), PD/LDmax did not differ from all other groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions.  Natural noncavitated proximal lesions in primary molars were deeply infiltrated after 1‐min application in vitro. For deeper lesions, however, more consistent results were obtained after 3 min.
Biological traits predict shifts in geographical ranges of freshwater invertebrates during climatic warming and drying
Authors: Chessman Bruce C.
Published: December 2011

Aim  To test the ability of biological traits to predict climate‐related changes in geographical ranges of running‐water invertebrates.

Location  The Australian state of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Methods  I analysed data from 8928 biomonitoring samples collected during a 16‐year period of generally rising air temperatures and declining precipitation. I used quantile regression to test for expansions and contractions on the climatically cooler, warmer, drier and wetter edges of the ranges of 120 invertebrate taxa, and correlated these shifts with the traits of thermophily (degree of preference for high versus low temperature) and rheophily (preference for flowing versus still water).

Results  The most commonly inferred range shifts were cool‐edge expansion plus warm‐edge contraction (71 taxa) and wet‐edge expansion plus dry‐edge contraction (71), but contractions from both cool and warm extremes (36) and from both dry and wet extremes (28) were also frequent. High‐temperature preference was associated with cool‐edge expansion and low‐temperature preference with wet‐edge expansion and contraction from all other extremes. A preference for flow was associated with wet‐edge expansion and dry‐edge contraction.

Main conclusions  Trait analysis has potential for predicting which species will expand their ranges and which will contract, but needs to be coupled with assessment of how the landscape provides each species with opportunities to track or avoid climate change. Improved quantification of climatically relevant traits and integration of trait analysis with species distribution modelling are likely to be beneficial.
Perception of quality of care: comparison of the views of patients’ with lung cancer and their family members
Authors: Henoch Ingela , Lövgren Malin , Wilde‐Larsson Bodil , Tishelman Carol
Published: December 2011

Aims and objectives.  To explore potential differences within dyads of patients’ with lung cancer and family members’ judgment of different aspects of quality of care and relationships between quality of care and personal and health‐related characteristics.

Background.  High quality of care is important for acceptable quality of life in patients in palliative care. If patients are unable to participate in quality of care assessments or decision‐making, family members might often act as proxies, despite the complicated nature of their own situation.

Design.  Cross‐sectional survey design.

Method.  A patient and family member version of the abbreviated questionnaire Quality from Patients’ Perspective, with additional items about perceived health and opinions about care, was mailed to members of the Swedish lung cancer Patient Organisation. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to identify potential differences within 51 patient–family member dyads’ quality of care ratings. Relationships between Quality from Patients’ Perspective dimensions and demographic and health‐related variables were examined with Spearman’s correlations.

Results.  Patient–family member dyads had high levels of agreement in ratings of perceived reality of quality of care. Family members generally rated the subjective importance of individual items higher than did the patient in the dyad, with significant difference in the dimension ‘socio‐cultural approach’. Older patients were found to rate the physical–technical conditions higher than younger patients, in relation to perceived reality but not subjective importance. Women family members were found to rate the subjective importance of medical–technical competence, identity‐oriented approach and socio‐cultural approach significantly higher than men did.

Conclusions.  Patients with lung cancer and their family members agree in ratings of the perceived reality, but they differ more in ratings of the subjective importance of quality of care. When patients are unable to communicate their preferences, family members’ opinions could be used as proxies concerning concrete aspects of quality of care. Concerning more subjective aspects, family members’ ratings should be interpreted with precaution, as it could diverge from patients’ own opinion.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The perceptions of the importance of different aspects of quality of care were less related to health status than were judgments of quality of care received. This might suggest that the care patients received fulfilled neither the patients’ nor family members’ expectations, which is an important message to healthcare professionals and which would demand further exploration.
The Behavior Problems Inventory‐Short Form for individuals with intellectual disabilities: Part I: development and provisional clinical reference data
Authors: Rojahn J. , Rowe E. W. , Sharber A. C. , Hastings R. , Matson J. L. , Didden R. , Kroes D. B. H. , Dumont E. L. M.
Published: December 2011

Background  The Behavior Problems Inventory‐01 (BPI‐01) is an informant‐based behaviour rating instrument that was designed to assess maladaptive behaviours in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). Its items fall into one of three sub‐scales: Self‐injurious Behavior (14 items), Stereotyped Behavior (24 items), and Aggressive/Destructive Behavior (11 items). Each item is rated on a frequency scale (0 = never to 4 = hourly), and a severity scale (0 = no problem to 3 = severe problem). The BPI‐01 has been successfully used in several studies and has shown acceptable to very good psychometric properties. One concern raised by some investigators was the large number of items on the BPI‐01, whichhas reduced its user friendliness for certain applications. Furthermore, researchers and clinicians were often uncertain how to interpret their BPI‐01 data without norms or a frame of reference.

Methods  The Behavior Problems Inventory‐Short Form (BPI‐S) was empirically developed, based on an aggregated archival data set of BPI‐01 data from individuals with ID from nine locations in the USA, Wales, England, the Netherlands, and Romania (n = 1122). The BPI‐S uses the same rating system and the same three sub‐scales as the BPI‐01, but has fewer items: Self‐injurious Behavior (8 items), Stereotyped Behavior (12 items), and Aggressive/Destructive Behavior (10 items). Rating anchors for the severity scales of the Self‐injurious Behavior and the Aggressive/Destructive Behavior sub‐scales were added in an effort to enhance the objectivity of the ratings.

Results  The sensitivity of the BPI‐S compared with the BPI‐01 was high (0.92 to 0.99), and so were the correlations between the analogous BPI‐01 and the BPI‐S sub‐scales (0.96 to 0.99). Means and standard deviations were generated for both BPI versions in a Sex‐by‐age matrix, and in a Sex‐by‐ID Level matrix. Combined sex ranges are also provided by age and level of ID.

Conclusion  In summary, the BPI‐S is a very useful alternative to the BPI‐01, especially for research and evaluation purposes involving groups of individuals.
A scanning electron microscope based new method for determining degree of substitution of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
Authors: SINGH R.K. , KHATRI O.P.
Published: December 2011

Na‐CMC or sodium carboxylmethyl cellulose is a water soluble anionic polymer obtained by introducing carboxymethyl groups along the cellulose chain. Na‐CMC is usually synthesized by the alkali catalyzed reaction of cellulose with monochloroacetic acid. The functional properties of Na‐CMC depend on the degree of substitution of the cellulose structure (i.e. how many of the hydroxyl groups are substituted per monomer unit), and also on the chain length of the cellulose backbone. The degree of substitution of Na‐CMC is usually determined according to ASTM D1439 which evolves the conversion of the Na‐CMC to free acid then again forming Na‐CMC by adding excess alkali and finally titrating the excess alkali with standard hydrochloric acid (0.3 N). The used volume of the standard alkali determines the degree of substitution. These existing chemical methods for determining the degree of substitution are not very convenient and very time‐consuming involving the use of hazardous chemicals. In this research, we have evaluated that the scanning electron microscope equipped with Energy Dispersive X‐Ray Analysis can be used to directly determine the degree of substitution.
Sex differences in the association between sleep duration, diet and body mass index: a birth cohort study
Authors: TATONE‐TOKUDA FABIOLA , DUBOIS LISE , RAMSAY TIMOTHY , GIRARD MANON , TOUCHETTE EVELYNE , PETIT DOMINIQUE , MONTPLAISIR JACQUES Y.
Published: December 2011

Sex differences in the effects of sleep duration on dietary intake and eating behaviours were examined prospectively in relation to overweight/obesity at ages 6 and 7. Using data from a representative sample (QLSCD 1998–2010) of children born in the province of Québec (Canada), 1106 children were followed to age 6 and 1015 to 7 years. Average nocturnal sleep duration was surveyed annually from 2.5–6 years, food‐frequency and eating behaviour questionnaires were administered at age 6, and body weight and height were measured at 6 and 7 years. Associations were examined longitudinally and mediation examined with adjustments for potential confounders. In boys and girls, shorter sleep duration patterns were associated significantly with less favourable dietary intakes at 6 years: boys consumed vegetables and fruits less frequently and meats/alternatives more frequently than boys with longer sleep patterns; and girls consumed vegetables, fruits and milk products less frequently and soft‐drinks more frequently than girls with longer sleep patterns. However, boys with shorter sleep patterns were also more likely to eat at irregular hours or to eat too much/fast at 6 years. These behaviours, and not dietary intake, mediated an inverse association between sleep duration and overweight/obesity in boys. Sleep duration did not associate with any problem eating behaviours or overweight/obesity in girls. Shorter sleep in early childhood appears to associate with problematic eating behaviours in boys and diet quality in both sexes, regardless of an association with overweight/obesity. This is important for public health and should be considered in relation to other diet‐related diseases.
Sleep disturbance is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders
Authors: GRANDNER MICHAEL A. , JACKSON NICHOLAS J. , PAK VICTORIA M. , GEHRMAN PHILIP R.
Published: December 2011

Existing research has demonstrated associations between sleep duration and obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mortality. Sleep disorders research has shown that sleep apnoea, insomnia and other sleep disorders confer risk for cardiometabolic disease, particularly in the presence of reduced sleep duration. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between general sleep disturbance, operationalized as ‘difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much’ as measured in a large, nationally representative sample, and self‐reported history of myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary artery disease, diabetes and obesity. Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analysed. Complete data were available for 138 201 individuals. A hierarchical logistic regression analysis examined associations before and after adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, medical and psychological factors. After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic and health risk factors, sleep duration was associated with obesity [odds ratio (OR) = 1.18, P < 0.0005), diabetes (OR = 1.18, P < 0.005), myocardial infarction (OR = 1.36, P < 0.0005), stroke (OR = 1.22, P < 0.05) and coronary artery disease (OR = 1.59, P < 0.0005). In fully adjusted models that included physical health, significant relationships remained for obesity (OR = 1.14, P < 0.0005), myocardial infarction (OR = 1.23, P < 0.005) and coronary artery disease (OR = 1.43, P < 0.0005). Sleep disturbance is a significant risk factor for obesity, diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke and coronary artery disease, and effects for obesity, myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease are the most robust after adjustment. This study demonstrates that sleep disturbance is a novel risk factor that is potentially modifiable. Future research should determine whether sleep intervention could reduce the cardiometabolic consequences of sleep disturbance.
Identification of forensically important flesh flies based on a shorter fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene in China
Authors: GUO Y. D. , CAI J. F. , MENG F. M. , CHANG Y. F. , GU Y. , LAN L. M. , LIANG L. , WEN J. F.
Published: December 2011

With the development of molecular identification, there has been a great deal of discussion about the feature of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments. Although longer fragments may minimize stochastic variation across taxa and be more likely to reflect broader patterns of nucleotide divergence, shorter fragments have many advantages, such as quick, easy and economical. Extensive application of long mtDNA segments for species identification cannot always be achieved as a result of constraints in time and money. In the present study, a molecular identification method involving the sequencing of a 272‐bp ‘barcode’ fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from 55 specimens, representing 7 Chinese sarcophagid species from varying populations, was evaluated. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequenced segments showed that all sarcophagid specimens were properly assigned into seven species, which indicated the possibility of separation congeneric species with the short fragments. The results of this research will be instrumental for the implementation of the Chinese Sarcophagidae database.
The conjugation protein TcpC from Clostridium perfringens is structurally related to the type IV secretion system protein VirB8 from Gram‐negative bacteria
Authors: Porter Corrine J. , Bantwal Radhika , Bannam Trudi L. , Rosado Carlos J. , Pearce Mary C. , Adams Vicki , Lyras Dena , Whisstock James C. , Rood Julian I.
Published: December 2011

Bacterial conjugation is important for the acquisition of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. We investigated the mechanism of conjugation in Gram‐positive pathogens using a model plasmid pCW3 from Clostridium perfringens. pCW3 encodes tetracycline resistance and contains the tcp locus, which is essential for conjugation. We showed that the unique TcpC protein (359 amino acids, 41 kDa) was required for efficient conjugative transfer, localized to the cell membrane independently of other conjugation proteins, and that membrane localization was important for its function, oligomerization and interaction with the conjugation proteins TcpA, TcpH and TcpG. The crystal structure of the C‐terminal component of TcpC (TcpC99–359) was determined to 1.8‐Å resolution. TcpC99–359 contained two NTF2‐like domains separated by a short linker. Unexpectedly, comparative structural analysis showed that each of these domains was structurally homologous to the periplasmic region of VirB8, a component of the type IV secretion system from Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Bacterial two‐hybrid studies revealed that the C‐terminal domain was critical for interactions with other conjugation proteins. The N‐terminal region of TcpC was required for efficient conjugation, oligomerization and protein–protein interactions. We conclude that by forming oligomeric complexes, TcpC contributes to the stability and integrity of the conjugation apparatus, facilitating efficient pCW3 transfer.
The BB0646 protein demonstrates lipase and haemolytic activity associated with Borrelia burgdorferi, the aetiological agent of Lyme disease
Authors: Shaw Dana K. , Hyde Jenny A. , Skare Jon T.
Published: December 2011

The etiological agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes genus and, if untreated, can cause significant morbidity in affected individuals. Recent reports have shown that polyunsaturated fatty acids in the B. burgdorferi cell envelope are potential targets for oxidative damage, which can be lethal. How B. burgdorferi responds to this assault is not known. Herein we report evidence that bb0646 codes for a lipase that is located within the bosR operon and that has specificity for both saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, strains harbouring mutated copies of the lipase, either in the form of an insertionally inactivated construct or site‐directed mutations within the active site, demonstrated attenuated lipolytic and haemolytic phenotypes when compared with the isogenic parent and trans‐complements. In vivo analysis showed that while the bb0646 mutant remains infectious, the spirochaetal load is significantly lower than both the isogenic parent and the complemented mutant strains. Taken together, these data demonstrate that BB0646 is a broad substrate specific lipase that contributes to lipolytic and haemolytic activity in vitro and is required for optimal B. burgdorferi infection.
Dissecting the role of glutathione biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Patzewitz Eva‐Maria , Wong Eleanor H. , Müller Sylke
Published: December 2011

Glutathione (γ‐glutamylcysteinyl‐glycine, GSH) has vital functions as thiol redox buffer and cofactor of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes. Plasmodium falciparum possesses a functional GSH biosynthesis pathway and contains mM concentrations of the tripeptide. It was impossible to delete in P. falciparum the genes encoding γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (γGCS) or glutathione synthetase (GS), the two enzymes synthesizing GSH, although both gene loci were not refractory to recombination. Our data show that the parasites cannot compensate for the loss of GSH biosynthesis via GSH uptake. This suggests an important if not essential function of GSH biosynthesis pathway for the parasites. Treatment with the irreversible inhibitor of γGCS L‐buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) reduced intracellular GSH levels in P. falciparum and was lethal for their intra‐erythrocytic development, corroborating the suggestion that GSH biosynthesis is important for parasite survival. Episomal expression of γgcs in P. falciparum increased tolerance to BSO attributable to increased levels of γGCS. Concomitantly expression of glutathione reductase was reduced leading to an increased GSH efflux. Together these data indicate that GSH levels are tightly regulated by a functional GSH biosynthesis and the reduction of GSSG.
The Arabidopsis aquaporin PIP1;2 rules cellular CO2 uptake
Authors: UEHLEIN NORBERT , SPERLING HENRIK , HECKWOLF MARLIES , KALDENHOFF RALF
Published: December 2011

The membrane CO2 flux into Arabidopsis mesophyll cells was studied using a scanning pH microelectrode. Arabidopsis thaliana mesophyll cells were exposed to photosynthesis‐triggering light intensities, which induced cellular CO2 uptake. Data obtained on a AtPIP1;2 T‐DNA insertion line indicated that under these conditions, cellular CO2 transport was not limited by unstirred layer effects but was dependent on the expression of the aquaporin AtPIP1;2. Complementation of the AtPIP1;2 knockout restored membrane CO2 transport levels to that of controls. The results provide new arguments for the ongoing debate about the validity of the lipid bilayer model system and the Meyer – Overton rule for cellular gas transport. In conclusion, we suggest a modified model of molecular gas transport mechanisms in living cells.
Evaluation of a Flow Cytometry‐Based Assay for Natural Killer Cell Activity in Clinical Settings
Authors: Valiathan R. , Lewis J. E. , Melillo A. B. , Leonard S. , Ali K. H. , Asthana D.
Published: December 2011

Natural killer (NK) cells are not only important in first line defence against viral and bacterial infections, but also in immune surveillance of malignant cells and thus NK cell cytotoxicity is primary indicator of immune function. Although chromium release assay is recognized as ‘gold standard’ for measuring NK cell activity, it has disadvantages like use of radioactive compounds, poor loading and high spontaneous release. It is difficult to perform this assay in clinical laboratory because of difficulties with disposal of radioactive waste and standardization problems. We describe a flow cytometry‐based assay for the measurement of NK cell activity by incorporating fluorescent dye, DiO, into membranes of target cells. NK cell activity was measured at baseline, 1 and 4 weeks follow‐up in 20 normal healthy individuals on a dietary supplement immunomodulator to enhance NK cell function. Mean baseline NK cell activity percentage (21.5; SD = 9.3) increased significantly to a maximum level at 1 week (31.3%; SD = 7.9; P = 0.007) and then returned to baseline level at 4 weeks (21.5; SD = 8.3). An important feature of flow cytometry‐based assays is its ability to discriminate effector cells from target cells, and potential for explaining molecular interactions underlying target cell lysis. Under clinical settings, this assay will be of interest for frequently monitoring immunological status of patients on treatment for various diseases that affect their immune status. The assay is easy to perform without using radioactive material and thus could become a tool for monitoring pathogenesis and immune reconstitution.
Profile of gay men in Mexico City: results of a survey of meeting sites
Authors: Gutiérrez Juan Pablo
Published: December 2011

Objective  To describe the distribution, size and characteristics of formal and non‐formal meeting places for gay men in Mexico City, the general characteristics of this population, and the factors influencing HIV status and sexual behaviour among gay men.

Methods  Meeting sites for gay men in Mexico City were mapped, and the results were used as a sampling frame for an individual‐level survey. For the survey, a random sample of sites was selected using a selection probability proportional to size, with the aim of interviewing approximately 3000 gay men. Multivariate logistic models were constructed to analyse the correlations between the population profile, and characteristics and behaviours related to HIV status.

Results  Mapping produced an estimated population attending these meeting places in Mexico City of about 6000–14 000 gay men, who were mostly young and economically active individuals with higher educational and socioeconomic levels than the average levels of the population as a whole. Approximately 67% of these men reported being tested for HIV at least once, and 30% of the men reported being HIV‐positive.

Discussion  Participants’ profile depicted the gay population in Mexico City as a highly educated community with a relatively high socioeconomic level. Despite their exposure to prevention efforts, members of this community reported unsafe behaviours consistent with the high prevalence of self‐reported HIV infection.
Sublingual allergen immunotherapy: mode of action and its relationship with the safety profile
Authors: Calderón M. A. , Simons F. E. R. , Malling H.‐J. , Lockey R. F. , Moingeon P. , Demoly P.
Published: December 2011

To cite this article: Calderón MA, Simons FER, Malling H‐J, Lockey RF, Moingeon P, Demoly P. Sublingual allergen immunotherapy: mode of action and its relationship with the safety profile. Allergy 2012; 67: 302–311.

Allergen immunotherapy reorients inappropriate immune responses in allergic patients. Sublingual allergen immunotherapy (SLIT) has been approved, notably in the European Union, as an effective alternative to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) for allergic rhinitis patients. Compared with SCIT, SLIT has a better safety profile. This is possibly because oral antigen‐presenting cells (mostly Langerhans and myeloid dendritic cells) exhibit a tolerogenic phenotype, despite constant exposure to danger signals from food and microbes. This reduces the induction of pro‐inflammatory immune responses leading to systemic allergic reactions. Oral tissues contain relatively few mast cells and eosinophils (mostly located in submucosal areas) and, in comparison with subcutaneous tissue, are less likely to give rise to anaphylactic reactions. SLIT‐associated immune responses include the induction of circulating, allergen‐specific Th1 and regulatory CD4+ T cells, leading to clinical tolerance. Although 40–75% of patients receiving SLIT experience mild, transient local reactions in the oral mucosa, these primary reactions rarely necessitate dose reduction or treatment interruption. We discuss 11 published case reports of anaphylaxis (all nonfatal) diagnosed according to the World Allergy Organization criteria and relate this figure to the approximately 1 billion SLIT doses administered worldwide since 2000. Anaphylaxis risk factors associated with SCIT and/or SLIT should be characterized further.
Results of live donor liver transplantation in patients with hepatitic C virus infection: the HCV 3 trial experience
Authors: Sher Linda , Jennings Linda , Rudich Steven , Alexopoulos Sophoclis P. , Netto George , Teperman Lewis , Kinkhabwala Milan , Brown Robert S. , Pomfret Elizabeth , Klintmalm Goran ,   HCV‐3 Study Group
Published: December 2011

Sher L, Jennings L, Rudich S, Alexopoulos SP, Netto G, Teperman L, Kinkhabwala M, Brown RS Jr, Pomfret E, Klintmalm G; HCV‐3 Study Group. Results of live donor liver transplantation in patients with hepatitic C virus infection: the HCV 3 trial experience.  Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011.01561.x.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common disease indication for liver transplantation (LT). Outcomes are compromised by near universal recurrence of HCV. A prospective multi‐center randomized study to evaluate immunosuppressive strategies in HCV+ transplant recipients provided the opportunity to assess impact of live donor (LD) LT. Two hundred and ninety‐five patients undergoing LT for HCV (260 deceased donor [DD] recipients/35 LD recipients), randomized to three regimens, were followed for two yr for patient and graft survival and rate and severity of recurrent HCV. Biopsies were performed at baseline, 3, 12, and 24 months. One‐ and two‐yr patient survival for LD recipients was 88.1% and 81.1% vs. 90.5% and 84.6% for DD recipients (p = 0.5665). One‐ and two‐yr graft survival for LD recipients was 82.9% and 76.2% vs. 87.9% and 81.7% for DD recipients (p = 0.3921). Recurrent HCV did not account for more deaths or graft losses in the LD recipients. In this prospective study, controlled for immunosuppression, use of LD organs did not increase the rate or severity of HCV recurrence. The more elective nature of LDLT affords an opportunity to manipulate donor and recipient factors that can impact upon outcomes.