bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revised Healthy Lifestyle‐Diet Index and associations with obesity and iron deficiency in schoolchildren: The Healthy Growth Study
Authors: Manios Y. , Moschonis G. , Papandreou C. , Politidou E. , Naoumi A. , Peppas D. , Mavrogianni C. , Lionis C. , Chrousos G. P. ,   on behalf of the ‘Healthy Growth Study’ group
Published: December 2013

Background

The Healthy Lifestyle‐Diet Index (HLD‐index), previously developed to assess the degree of adherence to dietary and lifestyle guidelines for primary schoolchildren, was revised according to updated recommendations. Τhe association of the revised HLD‐index (R‐HLD‐index) with obesity and iron deficiency (ID) was also examined.

Methods

A representative sample of 2660 primary schoolchildren from Greece (9–13 years old) participating in the ‘Healthy Growth Study’ was examined. Twelve components related to dietary and lifestyle patterns were used to develop the R‐HLD‐index. Scores from 0 up to 4 were assigned to each one of these components, giving a total score ranging from 0 to 48. The associations between the R‐HLD‐index, obesity and ID were examined via logistic regression analysis.

Results

The total score of the R‐HLD‐index calculated for each one of the study participants was found to range between 2 and 32 units, with higher scores being indicative of a healthier lifestyle and better diet quality. After adjusting for potential confounders, logistic regression analysis showed that an increase in the R‐HLD‐index score by one unit was associated with 6% lower odds for obesity. However, no significant association was observed between the R‐HLD‐index score and ID.

Conclusions

The R‐HLD‐index may be a useful tool for public health policy makers and healthcare professionals when assessing diet quality and lifestyle patterns of primary schoolchildren. Identification of children with lower scores in the R‐HLD‐index and its individual components could guide tailored made interventions targeting specific children and behaviors.
Managing Financially Distressed Suppliers: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Bode Christoph , Hübner Denis , Wagner Stephan M.
Published: December 2013

The early anticipation and proactive management of financially distressed suppliers have become crucial for buying firms to protect themselves against supplier default risk. To this end, firms need to be able to read the early warning signals from suppliers that are running into financial distress, to take appropriate remedial actions, and to gather such experiences in repositories of organizational knowledge for future actions. The objective of this study is to explore how and why firms differ in these behaviors and capabilities. We use the organizational information‐processing perspective as a guiding theoretical framework and analyze qualitative data obtained from interviews conducted with 14 global case study manufacturing firms. By comparing these firms', behaviors in terms of scanning and interpreting warning signals, reacting to distressed or defaulting suppliers, and learning from such experiences, we are able to isolate several risk management archetypes and develop four sets of propositions that describe the occurrence of these archetypes.
The Future of Purchasing and Supply Management Research: About Relevance and Rigor
Authors: van Weele Arjan J. , van Raaij Erik M.
Published: December 2013

The Journal of Supply Chain Management (JSCM) is a hallmark in the academic field of operations and supply chain management. During the past 50 years, it has contributed substantially to the recognition and adoption of purchasing and supply management (PSM) as an academic and strategic business domain. Having been invited by the JSCM editors to provide some ideas on the future directions of PSM research, the authors discuss what can be done to further increase both its relevance and rigor. Rigor and relevance in academic research are interconnected. To improve its relevance, the authors argue that future PSM research should better reflect the strategic priorities raised in the contemporary strategic management literature. Next, future PSM research should be much better embedded in a limited number of management theories. Here, stakeholder theory, network theory, the resource‐based view of the firm, dynamic capabilities theory, and the relational view could be considered as interesting candidates. Rigor is connected with robustness of academic research designs and projects. To foster its rigor, future PSM research should allow for an increase in the number of replication studies, longitudinal studies, and meta‐analytical studies. Future PSM research designs should reflect a careful distinction between informants and respondents and a careful sample selection. When discussing the results of quantitative studies, future PSM research should report on effect sizes and confidence intervals, rather than p‐values. Adoption of these ideas would have some important implications for both the academic PSM community and academic journal editors.
Supply Chain Management: It's All About the Journey, Not the Destination
Authors: Ellram Lisa M. , Cooper Martha C.
Published: December 2013

With over three decades of the use of the term “supply chain management,” five academic and practitioner perspectives of supply chain management are described. Much ink has been devoted to defining and developing the concept and analyzing its use or nonuse. The focus of this article is on academic effort, with suggestions of how to proceed in the future.
Deficiency of FK506‐binding protein (FKBP) 51 alters sleep architecture and recovery sleep responses to stress in mice
Authors: Albu Stefana , Romanowski Christoph P. N. , Letizia Curzi M. , Jakubcakova Vladimira , Flachskamm Cornelia , Gassen Nils C. , Hartmann Jakob , Schmidt Mathias V. , Schmidt Ulrike , Rein Theo , Holsboer Florian , Hausch Felix , Paez‐Pereda Marcelo , Kimura Mayumi
Published: December 2013

FK506‐binding protein 51 (FKBP51) is a co‐chaperone of the glucocorticoid receptor, functionally linked to its activity via an ultra‐short negative feedback loop. Thus, FKBP51 plays an important regulatory role in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis necessary for stress adaptation and recovery. Previous investigations illustrated that HPA functionality is influenced by polymorphisms in the gene encoding FKBP51, which are associated with both increased protein levels and depressive episodes. Because FKBP51 is a key molecule in stress responses, we hypothesized that its deletion impacts sleep. To study FKBP51‐involved changes in sleep, polysomnograms of FKBP51 knockout (KO) mice and wild‐type (WT) littermates were compared at baseline and in the recovery phase after 6‐h sleep deprivation (SD) and 1‐h restraint stress (RS). Using another set of animals, the 24‐h profiles of hippocampal free corticosterone levels were also determined. The most dominant effect of FKBP51 deletion appeared as increased nocturnal wake, where the bout length was significantly extended while non‐rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) and rapid eye movement sleep were rather suppressed. After both SD and RS, FKBP51KO mice exhibited less recovery or rebound sleep than WTs, although slow‐wave activity during NREMS was higher in KOs, particularly after SD. Sleep compositions of KOs were nearly opposite to sleep profiles observed in human depression. This might result from lower levels of free corticosterone in FKBP51KO mice, confirming reduced HPA reactivity. The results indicate that an FKBP51 deletion yields a pro‐resilience sleep phenotype. FKBP51 could therefore be a therapeutic target for stress‐induced mood and sleep disorders.
Age and gender differences in the relationship between hepatitis C infection and all stages of Chronic kidney disease
Authors: Li W.‐C. , Lee Y.‐Y. , Chen I.‐C. , Wang S.‐H. , Hsiao C.‐T. , Loke S.‐S.
Published: December 2013

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health issue with heavy economic burden. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common cause of CKD, which can significantly impact the progression and mortality among patients with CKD. The prevalence of both illnesses is high in Taiwan. A multicentre and population‐based cross‐sectional study including 24 642 subjects was conducted to explore the association of HCV infection with the prevalence and severity of CKD. The measurements of metabolic parameters, eGFR and CKD stages were compared between subjects with HCV seropositivity and seronegativity. The analyses of association between HCV infection with CKD stages and evaluation of potential risk factors of CKD were performed by gender and age (≤ and >45 years). HCV‐seropositive subjects accounted for 6.9% and had a significantly older age. The prevalence of CKD increased in those with HCV seropositivity (16.5%). Significantly higher prevalence of CKD stages ≥3 in HCV‐seropositive subjects was noticed (7.8%). Age (>45 year), male gender, alcohol drinking, hypertension, creatinine and HCV infection were the significant factors associated with the presence of CKD. HCV seropositivity was an independent risk factor of developing CKD and associated with an increased risk of having CKD of all stages. The higher prevalence of earlier stage of CKD warrants longitudinal studies with frequent testing on renal function and sufficient duration to determine the changes of eGFR over time. Implementation of effective treatment intervention is also required for these subjects to prevent the progression of CKD to late stages.
Review: The fate of cell grafts for the treatment of Huntington's disease: the post‐mortem evidence
Authors: Cisbani G. , Cicchetti F.
Published: December 2013

The hope that cell transplantation therapies will provide an ideal treatment option for neurodegenerative diseases has been considerably revived with the remarkable advancements in genetic engineering towards active cell fate determination in vitro. However, for disorders such as Huntington's disease (HD), the challenges that we face are still enormous. This autosomal dominant genetic disorder leads, in part, to massive neuronal loss and severe brain atrophy which, despite the cell type used, cannot be easily repaired. And before large clinical trials are even considered, we must take a critical look at the outcomes of the pilot studies already available, not only from a clinical perspective but also by a careful assessment of what we can learn from the autopsies of HD patients who have undergone transplantation. In this review, we summarize and discuss the seven transplantation pilot trials that were initiated worldwide in HD patients more than a decade ago, with a particular emphasis on the post‐mortem analyses of nine unique cases. Moreover, we describe a series of factors, both technical and related to patient selection, that we deem important to predict the outcome of cell grafts in HD therapy.
BOUNDARY DISCONTINUITY IN A CONSTELLATION OF INTERCONNECTED PRACTICES
Authors: KISLOV ROMAN
Published: December 2013

This article uses the theory of ‘communities of practice’ to explore the discontinuity of knowledge sharing across different groups co‐located within a collaborative research partnership. It presents the findings of a qualitative case study conducted within one of the Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRCs)—large‐scale UK‐based knowledge mobilization initiatives bringing together the producers and users of health research. Focusing on the boundaries emerging between and within the research and implementation strands of the CLAHRC, the article describes how differences between communities of practice give rise to discontinuities in knowledge sharing. Its findings highlight the role of fragmented organizational design, divergent meanings and identities, and dysfunctional boundary bridges in the (re)production, legitimization, and protection of boundaries between groups. Finally, the article questions the role of research implementation as a boundary practice bridging the gap between academic research and clinical practice.
Allelic polymorphism and inheritance of MdACS1 and MdACO1 genes in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.)
Authors: Marić Slađana , Lukić Milan
Published: December 2013

The allelic polymorphism and inheritance of MdACS1 and MdACO1 genes were analysed in 28 apple cultivars, which were derived from reciprocal crosses of the following parental pairs: ‘Golden Delicious’ × ‘James Grieve’, ‘Golden Delicious’ × ‘Jonathan’, ‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ × ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Cox's Orange Pippin’ × ‘Jonathan’. Polymorphisms were detected by PCR and the use of two restriction enzymes (BamH1 and RsaI). In addition, new primers were designed for the further discrimination of MdACO1 alleles. Two alleles of MdACS1 gene (MdACS1‐1 and MdACS1‐2) and three alleles of MdACO1 gene (a, b and c) were detected. Cloning and sequencing of MdACO1 alleles confirmed a high conservation and some differences within the coding regions and helped to reconcile between different numbering systems. Observed segregations confirmed that alleles a, b and c belonged to the MdACO1 gene. It is apparent that polymorphisms within the MdACS1 and MdACO1 genes could aid cultivar genotyping and identification and, furthermore, that the MdACS1‐2/2 genotype is correlated with a long apple storage life.
Trade Policy Flexibilities and Turkey: Tariffs, Anti‐dumping, Safeguards and WTO Dispute Settlement
Authors: Bown Chad P.
Published: December 2013

The commitment to lower import tariffs and to maintain tariffs at low levels entails political‐economic trade‐offs. Empirical work examining the relationship between such commitments and the ‘flexibilities’ that policymakers exercise to get around them is still relatively nascent, especially for emerging economies. This paper provides a rich, empirically based assessment of ways that Turkey exercised trade policy flexibilities during the global economic crisis of 2008–11. First, and despite multilateral and customs union commitments that might limit changes to its applied tariffs, Turkey exercised flexibilities during 2008–11 by making changes to both its applied MFN and preferential tariffs that could affect nearly 9 per cent of its manufacturing imports. Second, Turkey's cumulative application of temporary trade barrier (TTB) policies – that is, anti‐dumping, safeguards and countervailing duties – is estimated to impact an additional 4–6 per cent of Turkey's manufacturing imports by 2011. Other surprising results include Turkey's lengthy extensions to the duration of previously imposed anti‐dumping and safeguards beyond expected removal dates, conversion of product coverage from one TTB policy to another, extensive coverage of upstream and downstream segments of important industries and potential deepening of discriminatory preferences already inherent in existing preferential trade agreements.
Numerical Investigations on the Heat Transfer Behavior of Brush Seals Using Combined Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Method
Authors: Qiu Bo , Li Jun
Published: December 2013

Brush seals have been applied in more and more challenging high-temperature locations. The high speed bristle-rotor friction causes a considerable heat generation which accelerates the bristles wear. The frictional heat generation at bristle-rotor interface becomes another major concern in brush seal applications. This study presented detailed investigations on the heat transfer characteristics and contact mechanics of brush seals using a combined computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element method (FEM) brush seal model. The CFD model of brush seal for mass and heat transfer employed Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solutions coupled with non-Darcian porous medium approach. The nonlinear contact model of brush seal was established using FEM with considerations of internal frictions (bristle to rotor, bristle to backing plate, and bristle to bristle) and aerodynamic loads on bristles. The numerical method involved iterations between CFD and FEM models to better evaluate the heat transfer behaviors of the brush seal with consideration of bristle deflections. The frictional heat generation was calculated from the product of bristle-rotor frictional force and sliding velocity. The bristle deflections and temperature distributions of the brush seal were predicted at various operational conditions using the iterative CFD and FEM brush seal model. The effects of pressure differential and rotational speed on the contact behavior, temperature distribution and bristle maximum temperature of brush seals were numerically investigated using the developed approach. The detailed pressure contours and streamline distributions of the brush seal were also illustrated.
A Study of Deposition on a Turbine Vane With a Thermal Barrier Coating and Various Film Cooling Geometries
Authors: Todd Davidson F. , Kistenmacher David A. , Bogard David G.
Published: December 2013

Recent interest has been shown in using synthetic gaseous (syngas) fuels to power gas turbine engines. An important issue concerning these fuels is the potential for increased contaminant deposition that can inhibit cooling designs and expedite the material degradation of vital turbine components. The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed understanding of how contaminants deposit on the surface of a turbine vane with a thermal barrier coating (TBC). The vane model used in this study was designed to match the thermal behavior of real engine components by properly scaling the convective heat transfer coefficients as well as the thermal conductivity of the vane wall. Four different film cooling configurations were studied: round holes, craters, a trench, and a modified trench. The contaminants used in this study were small particles of paraffin wax that were sprayed into the mainstream flow of the wind tunnel. The wax particles modeled both the molten nature of contaminants in an engine as well as the particle trajectory by properly matching the expected range of Stokes number. This study found that the presence of film cooling significantly increased the accumulation of deposits. It was also found that the deposition behavior was strongly affected by the film cooling configuration that was used on the pressure side of the vane. The craters and trench performed the best in mitigating the accumulation of deposits immediately downstream of the film cooling configuration. In general, the presence of deposits reduced the film cooling performance on the surface of the TBC. However, the additional thermal insulation provided by the deposits improved the cooling performance at the interface of the TBC and vane wall.
Optimization of closed ion source for a high-sensitivity residual gas analyzer
Authors: Han Cheolsu , Rok Ahn Jong , Jung Ahn Sang , Joon Park Chang
Published: December 2013

A closed ion source (CIS) has been optimized by investigating the effect of electron entrance slit size and the effect of mesh in the slit. A stainless steel mesh was placed on the electron entrance slits for a uniform potential distribution inside the CIS anode. Sensitivity of the closed ion sources having four different slit sizes with and without the mesh was compared using mass spectra of SF6 gas (97% He gas base) introduced into the CIS anode through a needle valve. For each CIS, isolation of anode potential with a mesh in the slit exhibited a significant sensitivity enhancement, but ion current measured directly behind each CIS showed negligible mesh effect. In order to elucidate the mesh effect, electron trajectories were simulated inside the anode. The computer simulation shows that, with mesh in the slit, more electrons are focused to a central region of the anode. This suggests ions generated in the CIS with mesh should have higher probability of passing through the quadrupole mass filter.
Functional Roles of Pulsing in Genetic Circuits
Authors: Levine Joe H. , Lin Yihan , Elowitz Michael B.
Published: December 2013

A fundamental problem in biology is to understand how genetic circuits implement core cellular functions. Time-lapse microscopy techniques are beginning to provide a direct view of circuit dynamics in individual living cells. Unexpectedly, we are discovering that key transcription and regulatory factors pulse on and off repeatedly, and often stochastically, even when cells are maintained in constant conditions. This type of spontaneous dynamic behavior is pervasive, appearing in diverse cell types from microbes to mammalian cells. Here, we review recent work showing how pulsing is generated and controlled by underlying regulatory circuits and how it provides critical capabilities to cells in stress response, signaling, and development. A major theme is the ability of pulsing to enable time-based regulation analogous to strategies used in engineered systems. Thus, pulsatile dynamics is emerging as a central, and still largely unexplored, layer of temporal organization in the cell.
Genetic Determinants and Cellular Constraints in Noisy Gene Expression
Authors: Sanchez Alvaro , Golding Ido
Published: December 2013

In individual cells, transcription is a random process obeying single-molecule kinetics. Often, it occurs in a bursty, intermittent manner. The frequency and size of these bursts affect the magnitude of temporal fluctuations in messenger RNA and protein content within a cell, creating variation or “noise” in gene expression. It is still unclear to what degree transcriptional kinetics are specific to each gene and determined by its promoter sequence. Alternative scenarios have been proposed, in which the kinetics of transcription are governed by cellular constraints and follow universal rules across the genome. Evidence from genome-wide noise studies and from systematic perturbations of promoter sequences suggest that both scenarios—namely gene-specific versus genome-wide regulation of transcription kinetics—may be present to different degrees in bacteria, yeast, and animal cells.
Structure and Composition of the Plate-Boundary Slip Zone for the 2011 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake
Authors: Chester Frederick M. , Rowe Christie , Ujiie Kohtaro , Kirkpatrick James , Regalla Christine , Remitti Francesca , Moore J. Casey , Toy Virginia , Wolfson-Schwehr Monica , Bose Santanu , Kameda Jun , Mori James J. , Brodsky Emily E. , Eguchi Nobuhisa , Toczko Sean ,   Expedition 343 and 343T Scientists
Published: December 2013

Deep Drilling for Earthquake Clues

The 2011
M
w
9.0 Tohoku-Oki earthquake and tsunami were remarkable in many regards, including the rupturing of shallow trench sediments with huge associated slip (see the Perspective by

Wang and Kinoshita

). The Japan Trench Fast Drilling Project rapid response drilling expedition sought to sample and monitor the fault zone directly through a series of boreholes.

Chester
et al.

(p.
1208
) describe the structure and composition of the thin fault zone, which is predominately comprised of weak clay-rich sediments. Using these same fault-zone materials,

Ujiie
et al.

(p.
1211
) performed high-velocity frictional experiments to determine the physical controls on the large slip that occurred during the earthquake. Finally,

Fulton
et al.

(p.
1214
) measured in situ temperature anomalies across the fault zone for 9 months, establishing a baseline for frictional resistance and stress during and following the earthquake.
MicroRNA-128 Governs Neuronal Excitability and Motor Behavior in Mice
Authors: Tan Chan Lek , Plotkin Joshua L. , Venø Morten T. , von Schimmelmann Melanie , Feinberg Philip , Mann Silas , Handler Annie , Kjems Jørgen , Surmeier D. James , O’Carroll Dónal , Greengard Paul , Schaefer Anne
Published: December 2013

Not Too Much, Not Too Little

The microRNA miR128 is expressed in brain neurons of the mouse.

Lek Tan
et al.

(p.
1254
) now find that miR128 is crucial to stable brain function. Mice deficient in miR128 developed hyperactivity and were susceptible to fatal seizures, whereas overexpression of miR128 correlated with reduced motor activity and reduced susceptibility to proconvulsive drugs. Experiments using ex vivo–isolated adult brain tissues suggested that miR-128 controlled motor activity by governing the signaling network that determines the intrinsic excitability and signal responsiveness of neurons.
Phase Mismatch–Free Nonlinear Propagation in Optical Zero-Index Materials
Authors: Suchowski Haim , O’Brien Kevin , Wong Zi Jing , Salandrino Alessandro , Yin Xiaobo , Zhang Xiang
Published: December 2013

Nonlinear Optics Made Easier

Nonlinear optical materials can change their optical properties in the presence of light. The nonlinearity results from the constructive addition of interacting photons, but the amount of nonlinear light produced is crucially dependent on meeting strict phase-matching conditions of the interacting photon fields.

Suchowski
et al.

(p.
1223
; see the Perspective by

Kauranen

) now show that metamaterials can be designed with optical properties that relax the phase-matching requirements. At a specific wavelength where the metamaterial exhibits zero refractive index, the photons are found to interact nonlinearly with the phasematching done automatically.
Dangers of Being Thin and Weak
Authors: Wang Kelin , Kinoshita Masataka
Published: December 2013

Ocean drilling data show that the large trench-breaching rupture of the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake occurred along a thin and weak fault zone.
Response to Comment on “Poverty Impedes Cognitive Function”
Authors: Mani Anandi , Mullainathan Sendhil , Shafir Eldar , Zhao Jiaying
Published: December 2013

Wicherts and Scholten criticized our study on statistical and psychometric grounds. We show that (i) using a continuous income variable, the interaction between income, and experimental manipulation remains reliable across our experiments; (ii) our results in the cognitive control task do not appear driven by ceiling effects; and (iii) our observed post-harvest improvement is robust to the presence of learning.
Permission to Proliferate
Authors: Frede Julia , Jones Philip H.
Published: December 2013

Epidermal stem cells produce the signals that control tissue homeostasis.
Genes for Extremes
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: December 2013

The first two snake genomes, published this week, reflect the amazing evolutionary tales of a prey-crushing python and a venomous cobra.
The Freek Show
Authors: Enserink Martin
Published: December 2013

Snake scientist Freek Vonk can't choose between research and starring in wildlife documentaries. And so far, he doesn't have to.
Intramuscular Delivery of Adenovirus Serotype 5 Vector Expressing Humanized Protective Antigen Induces Rapid Protection against Anthrax That May Bypass Intranasally Originated Preexisting Adenovirus Immunity
Authors: Wu Shipo , Zhang Zhe , Yu Rui , Zhang Jun , Liu Ying , Song Xiaohong , Yi Shaoqiong , Liu Ju , Chen Jianqin , Yin Ying , Xu Junjie , Hou Lihua , Chen Wei
Published: December 2013

Developing an effective anthrax vaccine that can induce a rapid and sustained immune response is a priority for the prevention of bioterrorism-associated anthrax infection. Here, we developed a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus serotype 5-based vaccine expressing the humanized protective antigen (Ad5-PAopt). A single intramuscular injection of Ad5-PAopt resulted in rapid and robust humoral and cellular immune responses in Fisher 344 rats. Animals intramuscularly inoculated with a single dose of 108infectious units of Ad5-PAopt achieved 100% protection from challenge with 10 times the 50% lethal dose (LD50) of anthrax lethal toxin 7 days after vaccination. Although preexisting intranasally induced immunity to Ad5 slightly weakened the humoral and cellular immune responses to Ad5-PAopt via intramuscular inoculation, 100% protection was achieved 15 days after vaccination in Fisher 344 rats. The protective efficacy conferred by intramuscular vaccination in the presence of preexisting intranasally induced immunity was significantly better than that of intranasal delivery of Ad5-PAopt and intramuscular injection with recombinant PA and aluminum adjuvant without preexisting immunity. As natural Ad5 infection often occurs via the mucosal route, the work here largely illuminates that intramuscular inoculation with Ad5-PAopt can overcome the negative effects of immunity induced by prior adenovirus infection and represents an efficient approach for protecting against emerging anthrax.
A PCR–High-Resolution Melt Assay for Rapid Differentiation of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus haemolyticus
Authors: Pickering Janessa , Binks Michael J. , Beissbarth Jemima , Hare Kim M. , Kirkham Lea-Ann S. , Smith-Vaughan Heidi
Published: December 2013

We have developed a PCR–high-resolution melt (PCR-HRM) assay to discriminate nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHi) colonies from
Haemophilus haemolyticus
. This method is rapid and robust, with 96% sensitivity and 92% specificity compared to the
hpd
#3 assay. PCR-HRM is ideal for high-throughput screening for NTHi surveillance and clinical trials.
Circulating Mycobacterium bovis Peptides and Host Response Proteins as Biomarkers for Unambiguous Detection of Subclinical Infection
Authors: Lamont Elise A. , Janagama Harish K. , Ribeiro-Lima Joao , Vulchanova Lucy , Seth Meetu , Yang My , Kurmi Kiran , Waters W. Ray , Thacker Tyler , Sreevatsan Srinand
Published: December 2013

Bovine tuberculosis remains one of the most damaging diseases to agriculture, and there is also a concern for human spillover. A critical need exists for rapid, thorough, and inexpensive diagnostic methods capable of detecting and differentiatingMycobacterium bovisinfection from other pathogenic and environmental mycobacteria at multiple surveillance levels. In a previous study, Seth et al. (PLoS One 4:e5478, 2009,doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005478) identified 32 host peptides that specifically increased in the blood serum ofM. bovis-infected animals). In the current study, 16M. bovisproteins were discovered in the blood serum proteomics data sets. A large-scale validation analysis was undertaken for selected host andM. bovisproteins using a cattle serum repository containingM. bovis(n= 128),Mycobacterium kansasii(n= 10), andMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis(n= 10), cases exposed toM. bovis(n= 424), and negative controls (n= 38). Of the host biomarkers, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) showed the greatest sensitivity and specificity forM. bovisdetection. CirculatingM. bovisproteins, specifically polyketide synthetase 5, detectedM. bovis-infected cattle with little to no seroreactivity againstM. kansasii- andM. aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis-infected animals. These data indicate that host and pathogen serum proteins can serve as reliable biomarkers for trackingM. bovisinfection in animal populations.
Necessity for Reassessment of Patients with Serogroup 2 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Undetectable Serum HCV RNA
Authors: Moritou Yuki , Ikeda Fusao , Takeuchi Yasuto , Seki Hiroyuki , Nanba Shintaro , Iwasaki Yoshiaki , Yamamoto Kazuhide
Published: December 2013

We encountered a patient positive for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) whose serum HCV RNA was undetectable with the Roche AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HCV assay (CAP/CTM) version 1 but showed a high viral load with the Abbott RealTime HCV assay (ART). Discrepancies in the detectability of serum HCV RNA were investigated among 891 consecutive patients who were positive for anti-HCV. Specific nucleotide variations causing the undetectability of HCV RNA were determined and confirmed by synthesizing RNA coding those variations. Serum samples with the discrepancies were also reassessed by CAP/CTM version 2. Among the 891 anti-HCV-positive patients, 4 patients had serum HCV RNA levels that were undetectable by CAP/CTM version 1 despite having levels of >5 log IU/ml that were detected by ART. All four patients had HCV genotype 2a and high titers of anti-HCV. Sequencing of the HCV 5′ noncoding regions revealed 2 common variations, A at nucleotide (nt) 145 and T at nt 151. Synthesized RNAs of the HCV 5′ noncoding region with standard (NCR145G151C) and variant nucleotides at nt 145 and nt 151 were quantified with CAP/CTM. RNAs of NCR145G151C and NCR145G151T were quantifiable with CAP/CTM version 1, while those of NCR145A151T and NCR145A151C went undetected. The substitution from G to A at nt 145 specifically conferred this undetectability, while this undetectability was reverted in synthesized HCV RNA with correction of this variation. Reassessment of these samples by CAP/CTM version 2 resulted in similar levels of HCV RNA being detected by ART. We conclude that HCV patients with undetectable HCV RNA by CAP/CTM version 1 should be reassessed for viral quantification.
Association of Inconclusive Sera for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection with Malaria and Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in Central Africa
Authors: Mbopi-Keou Francois-Xavier , Ndjoyi-Mbiguino Angélique , Talla Frédéric , Péré Hélène , Kebe Khady , Matta Mathieu , Sosso Maurice Aurelien , Bélec Laurent
Published: December 2013

Among 464 sera from adults in Cameroon, 56 (12.1%) gave inconclusive HIV serology. All were negative for HIV-1 DNA; 44.6% (
n
= 25) were significantly associated with
Plasmodium
(42.8%) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) (17.8%) infections. In Central Africa, sera giving inconclusive results for HIV are frequently associated with malaria, EBV infection, or both.
Interactions between Herpesvirus Entry Mediator (TNFRSF14) and Latency-Associated Transcript during Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Latency
Authors: Allen Sariah J. , Rhode-Kurnow Antje , Mott Kevin R. , Jiang Xianzhi , Carpenter Dale , Rodriguez-Barbosa J. Ignacio , Jones Clinton , Wechsler Steven L. , Ware Carl F. , Ghiasi Homayon
Published: December 2013

Herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) is one of several cell surface proteins herpes simplex virus (HSV) uses for attachment/entry. HVEM regulates cellular immune responses and can also increase cell survival. Interestingly, latency-associated transcript (LAT), the only viral gene consistently expressed during neuronal latency, enhances latency and reactivation by promoting cell survival and by helping the virus evade the host immune response. However, the mechanisms of these LAT activities are not well understood. We show here for the first time that one mechanism by which LAT enhances latency and reactivation appears to be by upregulating HVEM expression. HSV-1 latency/reactivation was significantly reduced inHvem−/−mice, indicating that HVEM plays a significant role in HSV-1 latency/reactivation. Furthermore, LAT upregulated HVEM expression during latencyin vivoand also when expressedin vitroin the absence of other viral factors. This study suggests a mechanism whereby LAT upregulates HVEM expression potentially through binding of two LAT small noncoding RNAs to the HVEM promoter and that the increased HVEM then leads to downregulation of immune responses in the latent microenvironment and increased survival of latently infected cells. Thus, one of the mechanisms by which LAT enhances latency/reactivation appears to be through increasing expression of HVEM.
A Versatile RNA Vector for Delivery of Coding and Noncoding RNAs
Authors: Schmid Sonja , Zony Lum C. , tenOever Benjamin R.
Published: December 2013

The discovery that RNA viruses, lacking any DNA intermediate, can be engineered to express both coding and noncoding RNAs suggests that this platform may have therapeutic value as a delivery vehicle. Here we illustrate that a self-replicating, noninfectious RNA, modeled on influenza virus, provides one such example of a versatile
in vivo
delivery system for silencing and/or expressing a desired RNA for therapeutic purposes.
Tacrolimus-induced encephalopathy and polyneuropathy in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Wu Geru , Weng Francis L , Balaraman Vasanthi
Published: December 2013

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressant frequently used following solid organ transplantation, including renal transplantation. Peripheral neuropathy is an uncommon neurological side effect of tacrolimus and has rarely been reported in renal transplantation. We report a patient who received a living-related donor kidney transplant and presented with altered mental status and new-onset bilateral foot drop. Laboratory tests including cerebrospinal fluid tests excluded infection, and MRI of the brain showed chronic microvascular ischaemic changes. Electromyography and nerve conduction study confirmed bilateral common peroneal nerve demyelination. He was also found to have inadvertently overdosed on tacrolimus at home. After switching from tacrolimus to cyclosporine, the patient's symptoms improved within 5 months. His renal function was maintained with an immunosuppressant regimen of cyclosporine, prednisone and mycophenolic acid. The prompt recognition of tacrolimus as a potential neurotoxic drug in a patient with renal transplant and substituting tacrolimus with a different immunosuppressant may prevent permanent neurological damage.
Adult tethered cord syndrome resembling plantar fasciitis and peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Amiri Amir Reza , Kanesalingam Kavitha , Srinivasan Venkataramanan , Price Rupert Francis
Published: December 2013

Adult tethered cord syndrome without spinal dysraphism is rare, and can present with subtle symptoms that could mimic other pathologies. As a result, timely diagnosis of this condition has proved to be a significant challenge. It is crucial for clinicians to be aware of adult tethered cord syndrome and its presenting symptoms in order to achieve early diagnosis and subsequent management. We present such a case with particular attention to the presenting history and examination. Following diagnosis, the patient underwent a laminectomy and cord untethering, resulting in significant improvement to his symptoms.
Cerebral-autoregulatory dysfunction syndrome
Authors: Garg Ravindra Kumar , Malhotra Hardeep Singh , Patil Tushar B , Agrawal Avinash
Published: December 2013

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome are distinct clinicoradiological disorders which share certain features in terms of aetiology, pathogenesis and symptomatology. We present a case of a young primigravida with eclampsia who developed severe headache, vision loss and hemiparesis in the postpartum phase. MRI of the brain was suggestive of the involvement of anterior as well as posterior circulation and reversibility of widespread angiographic constrictions could be documented on follow-up. Despite the resolution of vascular changes, vision loss did not improve significantly in our case. Such an overlap of findings is unusual and probably represents the spectrum of cerebral-autoregulatory dysfunction occurring in these two syndromes.
Post-traumatic tics and tetrabenazine treatment: a blinded video assessment
Authors: Poulopoulos Markos , Hajjar Mirna
Published: December 2013

Traumatic head injury is a very rare cause of secondary tic disorders. We add another case by describing, for the first time, the response to tetrabenazine in a blinded video assessment. Our patient had a severe traumatic head injury and subsequently developed tics refractory to various agents including neuroleptics. We assessed tetrabenazine treatment by virtue of patient's impression, the treating neurologist's non-blinded (Yale Global Tic Severity Scale) and a second neurologist's blinded assessment (modified Rush Video Scale). The Yale Global Tic Severity Score improved by 24% on 12.5 mg twice daily and 45% on 12.5 mg thrice daily. Subjective improvement was 50% and 70%, respectively. The modified Rush Video scores improved by 21% and 28.5%, respectively. Post-traumatic tourettism can respond to tetrabenazine. The magnitude of benefit though, may be overestimated with open-label observations, thus there is a need for studies examining objectively the effect of tetrabenazine in tic disorders.
Measuring potential predictors of burnout and engagement among young veterinary professionals; construction of a customised questionnaire (the Vet‐DRQ)
Authors: Mastenbroek N. J. J. M. , Demerouti E. , van Beukelen P. , Muijtjens A. M. M. , Scherpbier A. J. J. A. , Jaarsma A. D. C.
Published: December 2013

The Job Demands‐Resources model (JD‐R model) was used as the theoretical basis of a tailormade questionnaire to measure the psychosocial work environment and personal resources of recently graduated veterinary professionals. According to the JD‐R model, two broad categories of work characteristics that determine employee wellbeing can be distinguished: job demands and job resources. Recently, the JD‐R model has been expanded by integrating personal resource measures into the model. Three semistructured group interviews with veterinarians active in different work domains were conducted to identify relevant job demands, job resources and personal resources. These demands and resources were organised in themes (constructs). For measurement purposes, a set of questions (‘a priori scale’) was selected from the literature for each theme. The full set of a priori scales was included in a questionnaire that was administered to 1760 veterinary professionals. Exploratory factor analysis and reliability analysis were conducted to arrive at the final set of validated scales (final scales). 860 veterinarians (73 per cent females) participated. The final set of scales consisted of seven job demands scales (32 items), nine job resources scales (41 items), and six personal resources scales (26 items) which were considered to represent the most relevant potential predictors of work‐related wellbeing in this occupational group. The procedure resulted in a tailormade questionnaire: the Veterinary Job Demands and Resources Questionnaire (Vet‐DRQ). The use of valid theory and validated scales enhances opportunities for comparative national and international research.
Lactide, β-butyrolactone, δ-valerolactone, and ε-caprolactone polymerization with copper diketiminate complexes
Authors: Whitehorne Todd J.J. , Schaper Frank
Published: December 2013

Pseudo-first-order rate constants for the polymerization of rac-lactide with dimeric (nacnacBnCu(μ-OiPr))2 (nacnacBn = deprotonated N,N′-dibenzyl-2-amino-4-imino-pent-2-ene), 1, in acetonitrile, THF, dichloromethane, and toluene are kobs = 2.4(1), 5.3(5), 3.6–4.4, and 10(1) min−1, respectively (25 °C, 1.0 mmol L−1 1). A bimodal polymer molecular weight distribution is obtained in toluene, narrow polydispersities of 1.1 for THF and acetonitrile. Under the same conditions (25 °C, 1.0 mmol L−1 1, CH2Cl2), 1 polymerizes β-butyrolactone, ε-caprolactone, and δ-valerolactone with rate constants of kobs = 3.0(1) × 10−2, 1.2–2.7 × 10−2, and 0.11(1) min−1, respectively. Homopolymers showed narrow polydispersities of approximately 1.1. Sequential addition polymerizations showed evidence for transesterification if β-butyrolactone or ε-caprolactone is introduced after a lactide block.
Reflection of plane waves from a thermo-microstretch elastic solid under the effect of rotation
Authors: Othman Mohamed I.A. , Song Ya Qin
Published: December 2013

A reflection of a plane harmonic wave at the interface of thermo-microstretch elastic half space is studied. The formulation is applied to generalized thermo-elasticity theories, the Lord–Şhulman and Green–Lindsay theories, as well as the classical dynamical coupled theory. Using potential function, the governing equations reduce to ten differential equations. Coefficient ratios of reflection of different waves with the angle of incidence are obtained using continuous boundary conditions. By numerical calculations, the variation of coefficient ratios of reflection with the angle of incidence is illustrated graphically in magnesium crystal micropolar material under three theories. Also the effect of frequency and rotation on the coefficient ratios of reflection is illustrated graphically in the context of Lord–Shulman theory.
DIFFERENTIAL SUBORDINATION RESULTS FOR ANALYTIC FUNCTIONS
Authors: El-Ashwash Rabha M. , Aouf Mohamed K. , Darus Maslina
Published: December 2013

In this paper, a new class of analytic functions is introduced on the unit disk U which is defined by a certain differential operator. Some inclusion properties are discussed. Indeed, three other classes are also introduced and some differential subordination results are obtained.
Foreign Currency Exposure and Hedging: Evidence from Foreign Acquisitions
Authors: Bartram Söhnke M. , Burns Natasha , Helwege Jean
Published: December 2013

We study the exchange rate exposures of a sample of firms that undertake large acquisitions of foreign companies. Using data from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings on their foreign operations and derivatives usage, we examine how the exposures change from before to after the acquisition. We find that these deals generally lead to reduced currency exposure, which reflects the fact that most of the firms already have business in the target's country and the mergers serve as operational hedges. In contrast, we do not find a statistically significant effect for hedging with currency derivatives despite the fact that many of the firms in the sample use such instruments.
Fiber hypertrophy and increased oxidative capacity can occur simultaneously in pig glycolytic skeletal muscle
Authors: Scheffler T. L. , Scheffler J. M. , Park S. , Kasten S. C. , Wu Y. , McMillan R. P. , Hulver M. W. , Frisard M. I. , Gerrard D. E.
Published: December 2013

An inverse relationship between skeletal muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and oxidative capacity suggests that muscle fibers hypertrophy at the expense of oxidative capacity. Therefore, our objective was to utilize pigs possessing mutations associated with increased oxidative capacity [AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPKγ3R200Q)] or fiber hypertrophy [ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1R615C)] to determine if these events occur in parallel. Longissimus muscle was collected from wild-type (control), AMPKγ3R200Q, RyR1R615C, and AMPKγ3R200Q-RyR1R615C pigs. Regardless of AMPK genotype, RyRR615C increased fiber CSA by 35%. In contrast, AMPKγ3R200Q pig muscle exhibited greater citrate synthase and β-hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase activity. Isolated mitochondria from AMPKγ3R200Q muscle had greater maximal, ADP-stimulated oxygen consumption rate. Additionally, AMPKγ3R200Q muscle contained more (∼50%) of the mitochondrial proteins succinate dehydrogenase and cytochrome c oxidase and more mitochondrial DNA. Surprisingly, RyR1R615C increased mitochondrial proteins and DNA, but this was not associated with improved oxidative capacity, suggesting that altered energy metabolism in RyR1R615C muscle influences mitochondrial proliferation and protein turnover. Thus pigs that possess both AMPKγ3R200Q and RyRR615C exhibit increased muscle fiber CSA as well as greater oxidative capacity. Together, our findings support the notion that hypertrophy and enhanced oxidative capacity can occur simultaneously in skeletal muscle and suggest that the signaling mechanisms controlling these events are independently regulated.