bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resource polymorphism and diversity of Arctic charrSalvelinus alpinusin a series of isolated lakes
Authors: Woods P. J. , Young D. , Skúlason S. , Snorrason S. S. , Quinn T. P.
Published: January 2013

Morphological, dietary and life‐history variation in Arctic charrSalvelinus alpinuswere characterized from three geographically proximate, but isolated lakes and one large lake into which they drain in south‐western Alaska. Polymorphism was predicted to occur in the first three lakes becauseS. alpinustend to become polymorphic in deep, isolated lakes with few co‐occurring species. Only one morph was evident in the large lake and two of the three isolated lakes. In the third isolated lake, Lower Tazimina Lake, small and large morphs were found, the latter including two forms differing in growth rate. The small morph additionally differed from the two large forms by having more gill rakers and a deeper body than same‐sized individuals of the large morph, consuming more limnetic and fewer benthic resources, having a greater gonado‐somatic index and maturing at a smaller size. The two large forms consumed only slightly different foods (more terrestrial insects were consumed by the medium‐growth form; more snails by the high‐growth form). Trends in consumption of resources with body shape also differed between lakes. Variability in life history ofS. alpinusin these Alaskan lakes was as broad as that found elsewhere. This variability is important for understanding lake ecosystems of remote regions where this species is commonly dominant.
Using a wiki platform to promote guidelines internationally and maintain their currency: evidence‐based guidelines for the nutritional management of adult patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Brown T. , Findlay M. , von Dincklage J. , Davidson W. , Hill J. , Isenring E. , Talwar B. , Bell K. , Kiss N. , Kurmis R. , Loeliger J. , Sandison A. , Taylor K. , Bauer J.
Published: January 2013

Background

The present study describes the development of evidence‐based practice guidelines for the nutritional management of adult patients with head and neck cancer using a wiki platform to enable wide international stakeholder consultation and maintain currency.

Methods

A dietitian steering committee and a multidisciplinary steering committee were established for consultation. Traditional methods of evidence‐based guideline development were utilised to perform the literature review, assess the evidence and produce a draft document. This was transferred to a wiki platform for stakeholder consultation and international endorsement processes in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Data were collected on website traffic utilising Google Analytics.

Results

In addition to broad stakeholder consultation through the steering committees, an additional twenty comments were received via the wiki by twelve individuals covering six different professions from three different countries, compared to four comments by e‐mail. The guidelines were subsequently endorsed by the dietetic associations of Australia, New Zealand and the UK. During a 4‐month period monitoring the use of the guidelines, there were 2303 page views to the landing page from 33 countries. The average number of pages accessed per visit was five and the duration of time spent on the website was approximately 6 min.

Conclusions

Using a wiki platform for guideline development and dissemination is a successful method for producing high‐quality resources that can undergo wide international stakeholder review and include open public consultation. This can replace conventional methods whereby guidelines can quickly become outdated.
Breastfeeding and infant sleep patterns: an Australian population study
Authors: Galbally Megan , Lewis Andrew J , McEgan Kerri , Scalzo Katherine , Islam FM Amirul
Published: January 2013

Objective

Our purpose was to determine if babies breastfed at 6 months of age were more likely to wake at night and less likely to sleep alone than formula‐fed babies.

Patients and Methods

Data were drawn from the first wave of The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, an ongoing, nationally representative study of the growth and development of Australia's children. The 4507 participants met the criteria for this study. The measures examined infant sleep problems as the outcome and breastfeeding at 6 months of age as the exposure in addition to the demographic data, maternal mental health, infant birthweight and gestational age at delivery.

Results

After adjustment for covariates, reports by mothers of infants that breastfed at 6 months of age suggested infants were 66% more likely to wake during the night and 72% more likely to report difficulty sleeping alone. However, breastfeeding had a strongly protective effect on wheezing, coughing, snoring and breathing problems, and it was not associated with restless sleep or problems getting to sleep for the infant.

Conclusions

Breastfeeding was found to be associated with increased night waking and this is consistent with other studies. There are biological reasons why this might be required to ensure breastfeeding continues to 6 months and beyond. The current low rates of sustained breastfeeding in many Western countries needs to be reconsidered in relation to parental and public health practices promoting prolonged nocturnal infant sleep patterns.
Cross‐sectional study to investigate the health‐related quality of life in children with severe lower limb trauma in Victoria
Authors: Lim Aik H , Thomas Damon , Graham Kerr H
Published: January 2013

Aims

The aim of this study is to investigate the health‐related quality of life in children with severe lower limb trauma after at least 12 months post‐injury and to assess patient and injury characteristics in association with the health‐related quality of life scores.

Methods

All children in the state of Victoria, who were 18 years of age or younger, suffering from severe lower limb injury before 2006 were studied. Patient and injury characteristics were abstracted from medical records. The health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) scores were obtained using the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory.

Results

Thirty‐two out of 64 eligible patients participated in this study. All aspects of health‐related quality of life in children with severe lower limb trauma after at least 12 months post‐injury were significantly poorer compared with non‐affected children, particularly in the physical health domain (difference: −12.51 ± 7.43: P < 0.05). It was observed that bilateral limb involvement and the need for soft tissue management were related to poor physical functioning (P < 0.05). Other characteristics such as traumatic amputation, gender, growth plate injury, joint bony injury and accident mechanism did not affect the overall HRQOL scores (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The HRQOL in children with severe lower limb trauma was significantly impaired even after 12 months post‐injury, notably in patient group with bilateral limb involvement and need for soft tissue management. Traumatic amputation, gender, growth plate injury, joint bony injury and accident mechanism did not have an impact on quality of life.
A Measure Of The Trade‐Off Between Responsiveness and Nondictatorship for Arrovian Social Welfare Functions
Authors: CAMPBELL DONALD E. , KELLY JERRY S.
Published: January 2013

If individuals are never indifferent between distinct alternatives then for any transitive‐valued social welfare function satisfying IIA, and any fraction t, either the set of pairs of alternatives that are socially ordered without consulting more than one individual's preferences comprises at least the fraction t of all pairs, or else the fraction of pairs that have their social ordering determined independently of everyone's s preferences exceeds, or is very close to, 1 −t. The Pareto criterion is not imposed. (There is also a version of this result for the domain of preferences that admit indifference.)
Pierce's Disease of Grapevines in Taiwan: Isolation, Cultivation and Pathogenicity of Xylella fastidiosa
Authors: Su Chiou‐Chu , Chang Chung Jan , Chang Che‐Ming , Shih Hsien‐Tzung , Tzeng Kuo‐Ching , Jan Fuh‐Jyh , Kao Chin‐Wen , Deng Wen‐Ling
Published: January 2013

Characteristic symptoms of Pierce's disease (PD) in grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) were observed in 2002 in the major grape production fields of central Taiwan. Disease severity in vineyards varied, and all investigated grape cultivars were affected. Diseased tissues were collected from fields for subsequent isolation and characterization of the causal agent of the disease (Xylella fastidiosa). Koch's postulates were fulfilled by artificially inoculating two purified PD bacteria to grape cultivars Kyoho, Honey Red and Golden Muscat. The inoculated plants developed typical leaf‐scorching symptoms, and similar disease severity developed in the three cultivars from which the bacterium was readily re‐isolated, proving that the leaf scorch of grapevines in Taiwan is caused by the fastidious X. fastidiosa. This confirmed PD of grapevines is also the first report from the Asian Continent. Phylogenetic analyses were performed by comparing the 16S rRNA gene and 16S‐23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region (16S‐23S ITS) of 12 PD strains from Taiwan with the sequences of 13 X. fastidiosa strains from different hosts and different geographical areas. Results showed that the PD strains of Taiwan were closely related to the American X. fastidiosa grape strains but not to the pear strains of Taiwan, suggesting that the X. fastidiosa grape and pear strains of Taiwan may have evolved independently from each other.
Morphological, ecological and genetic aspects associated with endemism in the Fly Orchid group
Authors: Triponez Yann , Arrigo Nils , Pellissier Loïc , Schatz Bertrand , Alvarez Nadir
Published: January 2013

The European genus Ophrys (Orchidaceae) is famous for its insect‐like floral morphology, an adaptation for a pseudocopulatory pollination strategy involving Hymenoptera males. A large number of endemic Ophrys species have recently been described, especially within the Mediterranean Basin, which is one of the major species diversity hotspots. Subtle morphological variation and specific pollinator dependence are the two main perceptible criteria for describing numerous endemic taxa. However, the degree to which endemics differ genetically remains a challenging question. Additionally, knowledge regarding the factors underlying the emergence of such endemic entities is limited. To achieve new insights regarding speciation processes in Ophrys, we have investigated species boundaries in the Fly Orchid group (Ophrys insectifera sensu lato) by examining morphological, ecological and genetic evidence. Classically, authors have recognized one widespread taxon (O. insectifera) and two endemics (O. aymoninii from France and O. subinsectifera from Spain). Our research has identified clear morphological and ecological factors segregating among these taxa; however, genetic differences were more ambiguous. Insights from cpDNA sequencing and amplified fragment length polymorphisms genotyping indicated a recent diversification in the three extant Fly Orchid species, which may have been further obscured by active migration and admixture across the European continent. Our genetic results still indicate weak but noticeable phylogeographic clustering that partially correlates with the described species. Particularly, we report several isolated haplotypes and genetic clusters in central and southeastern Europe. With regard to the morphological, ecological and genetic aspects, we discuss the endemism status within the Fly Orchid group from evolutionary, taxonomical and conservation perspectives.
On the role of TolC in multidrug efflux: the function and assembly of AcrAB–TolC tolerate significant depletion of intracellular TolC protein
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Ganesh , Tikhonova Elena B. , Dhamdhere Girija , Zgurskaya Helen I.
Published: January 2013

TolC channel provides a route for the expelled drugs and toxins to cross the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. The puzzling feature of TolC structure is that the periplasmic entrance of the channel is closed by dense packing of 12 α‐helices. Efflux pumps exemplified by AcrAB are proposed to drive the opening of TolC channel. How interactions with AcrAB promote the close‐to‐open transition in TolC remains unclear. In this study, we investigated in vivo the functional and physical interactions of AcrAB with the closed TolC and its conformer opened by mutations in the periplasmic entrance. We found that the two conformers of TolC are readily distinguishable in vivo by characteristic drug susceptibility, thiol modification and proteolytic profiles. However, these profiles of TolC variants respond neither to the in vivo stoichiometry of AcrAB:TolC nor to the presence of vancomycin, which is used often to assess the permeability of TolC channel. We further found that the activity and assembly of AcrAB–TolC tolerates significant changes in amounts of TolC and that only a small fraction of intracellular TolC is likely used to support efflux needs of E. coli. Our findings explain why TolC is not a good target for inhibition of multidrug efflux.
Reduction and the intracellular translocation of EphB2 in Tg2576 mice and the effects of β‐amyloid
Authors: Qu M. , Jiang J. , Liu X‐P. , Tian Q. , Chen L‐M. , Yin G. , Liu D. , Wang J‐Z. , Zhu L‐Q.
Published: January 2013

Aims

EphB2 is a member of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) family that is essential for the cell adhesion, neural crest migration, axon guidance and synaptogenesis in the nervous system. Recent studies show that preservation of EphB2 in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rescues the cognitive deficit, suggesting a crucial role of EphB2 in AD. However, the expression and distribution profiles of EphB2 in the early stage of AD have not been reported.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry, immunoblot and immunofluorescence were used to analyse the level of EphB2 in Tg2576 mice at different ages and in cultured neurones with Aβ treatment at different times.

Results

EphB2 was reduced in an age‐dependent manner in the olfactory bulb and the hippocampus of Tg2576 mice. The decrease of EphB2 appeared earlier in the olfactory bulb than the hippocampus, and reduction of EphB2 appeared earlier than that of MAP2, a dendritic cytoskeleton marker. In the cortex, EphB2 displayed a significant translocation from the neuronal processes to the cell bodies with ageing. In primary hippocampal neuronal cultures, Aβ42 treatment also induced the decrement of EphB2 that was prior to the decline of MAP2.

Conclusions

Our findings provide the first evidence for an age‐ and region‐dependent reduction and intracellular translocation of EphB2 in Tg2576 mice, and the foremost decrement of EphB2 in the olfactory bulb may represent an early sign of AD.
Review: The role of vitamin D in nervous system health and disease
Authors: DeLuca G. C. , Kimball S. M. , Kolasinski J. , Ramagopalan S. V. , Ebers G. C.
Published: January 2013

Vitamin D and its metabolites have pleomorphic roles in both nervous system health and disease. Animal models have been paramount in contributing to our knowledge and understanding of the consequences of vitamin D deficiency on brain development and its implications for adult psychiatric and neurological diseases. The conflation of in vitro, ex vivo, and animal model data provide compelling evidence that vitamin D has a crucial role in proliferation, differentiation, neurotrophism, neuroprotection, neurotransmission, and neuroplasticity. Vitamin D exerts its biological function not only by influencing cellular processes directly, but also by influencing gene expression through vitamin D response elements. This review highlights the epidemiological, neuropathological, experimental and molecular genetic evidence implicating vitamin D as a candidate in influencing susceptibility to a number of psychiatric and neurological diseases. The strength of evidence varies for schizophrenia, autism, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and is especially strong for multiple sclerosis.
Food‐related impulsivity in obesity and Binge Eating Disorder – a systematic review
Authors: Schag K. , Schönleber J. , Teufel M. , Zipfel S. , Giel K. E.
Published: January 2013

Impulsivity towards food has been recognized as a potential factor leading to increased food intake in obesity. Patients suffering from binge eating disorder (BED) form a specific subgroup of obese people that might be characterized by increased impulsivity. These assumptions, although, have yet to be verified. Therefore, this review evaluates evidence for food‐related impulsivity in obese people with and without BED and examines possible differences between both populations. More precisely, evidence for the two components of impulsivity is analyzed separately: evidence for reward sensitivity, specifically, the urge for appetitive stimuli and evidence for rash‐spontaneous behaviour such as acting disinhibited with no regard for the consequences. Our search resulted in 51 articles demonstrating generally increased food‐related impulsivity. We found particular emphasis on increased reward sensitivity in obese people, which appeared to be more pronounced in people with BED. There was little and conflicting evidence, however, concerning increased rash‐spontaneous behaviour in obese people without BED, but consistent evidence of an increase in obese people with BED. All in all, the evidence supports the view that BED represents a specific phenotype of obesity with increased food‐related impulsivity. Taking these specific deficits into account can enhance the effectiveness of weight reduction programmes and psychotherapy.
Asthma severity, polymorphisms in 20p13 and their interaction with tobacco smoke exposure
Authors: Bukvic Blazenka Kljaic , Blekic Mario , Simpson Angela , Marinho Susana , Curtin John A. , Hankinson Jenny , Aberle Neda , Custovic Adnan
Published: January 2013

Background

We investigated the association between genetic variation in chromosomal region 20p13‐p12 (ADAM33 and flanking genes ATRN, GFRA4, SIGLEC1 and HSPA12B) and asthma. Amongst asthmatics, we then investigated the association between genetic variants and asthma severity. We evaluated the effect of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in the context of genetic variants.

Methods

In a case–control study, we recruited 423 asthmatic children and 414 non‐asthmatic controls (age 5–18 yr). Amongst asthmatics, we measured lung function and extracted data on hospitalisation for asthma exacerbation from medical records. Early‐life ETS exposure was assessed by questionnaire. We included 85 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the analysis.

Results

Seventeen SNPs were significantly associated with asthma; one (rs41534847 in ADAM33) remained significant after correction for multiple testing. Thirty‐six SNPs were significantly associated with lung function, of which 15 (six ARTN, three ADAM33, five SIGLEC1 and one HSPA12B) remained significant after correction. We observed a significant interaction between 23 SNPs and early‐life ETS exposure in relation to lung function measures. For example, for rs512625 in ADAM33, there was significant interaction with ETS exposure in relation to hospitalisations (pint = 0.02) and lung function (pint = 0.03); G‐allele homozygotes had a 9.15‐fold [95% CI 2.28–36.89] higher risk of being hospitalized and had significantly poorer lung function if exposed to ETS, with no effect of ETS exposure amongst A‐allele carriers.

Conclusion

We demonstrated several novel significant interactions between polymorphisms in 20p13‐p12 and early‐life ETS exposure with asthma presence and, amongst asthmatics, a significant association with the severity of their disease.
Subcutaneous immunoglobulin: rapid push vs. infusion pump in pediatrics
Authors: Shapiro Ralph S.
Published: January 2013

Background

Subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIG) therapy is gaining favor for the management of primary immunodeficiency disease (PIDD) in adults and children.

Methods

A retrospective chart review captured data on 96 pediatric patients with PIDD using SCIG (16% or 20%) delivered by infusion pump or SC rapid push over 620 clinic visits. Patients previously using intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) were converted to SCIG dosing on a 1:1 basis. Patients/caregivers voluntarily chose an administration technique.

Results

Although mean SCIG dosing was lower on a g/kg/month basis compared with prior IVIG dosing, mean steady‐state serum IgG levels during SCIG administration were about 100–200 mg/dl higher than IVIG trough values. On average, much more rapid infusion was achieved with the SC rapid push method, with 49% of patients reporting infusion times of 9 min or less; median duration of infusion pump administration was 45 min. The use of 20% SCIG increased dosing efficiency compared with 16% SCIG, allowing for a smaller weekly mean SCIG volume and fewer dosing days per week. Adverse event (AE) rates were lower in the pediatric subgroup compared with adults (15.8% vs. 18.8% of visits), and the majority of AEs were local. SC rapid push was reported most frequently for patients under age 2; its use decreased between ages 2 and <10 yr and then increased in adolescence and into adulthood. Only one of the pediatric patients returned to IVIG use.

Conclusions

Administration of replacement Ig via SC rapid push is a safe and viable option in pediatric patients with PIDD.
Herpesvirus infections and allergic sensitization in children of families with anthroposophic and non‐anthroposophic lifestyle – the ALADDIN birth cohort
Authors: Hesla Helena Marell , Gutzeit Cindy , Stenius Fredrik , Scheynius Annika , Dahl Helena , Linde Annika , Alm Johan
Published: January 2013

Background

Growing up in families with an anthroposophic lifestyle has been associated with reduced risk of allergic disease in children. The aim of this report was to assess whether children with this lifestyle are infected earlier with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), which has been associated with reduced risk of allergic disease, and three other herpesviruses potentially involved in allergy development, namely Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6), Human herpesvirus 7 (HHV7) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Methods

Within the ALADDIN (Assessment of Lifestyle and Allergic Disease During Infancy), birth cohort study 157 children were categorized according to lifestyle into anthroposophic and non‐anthroposophic. IgG‐levels for EBV, HHV6, HHV7 and CMV were determined in plasma samples collected at ages 12 and 24 months and from parents. IgE levels against seven common allergens were analyzed at 24 months.

Results

No significant differences in seroprevalence of EBV, HHV7 or CMV were detected at any age between the two lifestyle groups. The seroprevalence of HHV6 was significantly lower in the anthroposophic group at 24 months of age (74.6% vs. 87.5%, p‐value 0.048). Further, no significant associations between allergic sensitization and seropositivity to any of the viruses were detected; however, an interaction effect of lifestyle could not be ruled out.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that there is no strong influence of exposure to the anthroposophic lifestyle on the time for infection with EBV, HHV6, HHV7 or CMV. These infections can therefore not be assumed to be important factors in the allergy‐protective effect of this lifestyle.
Safety of mometasone furoate nasal spray in the treatment of nasal polyps in children
Authors: Chur Victor , Small Catherine B. , Stryszak Paul , Teper Ariel
Published: January 2013

Background

Mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) improves nasal symptoms and reduces polyp size in adults with nasal polyposis. This 4‐month, multinational, randomized, double‐blind study was conducted to assess the safety of MFNS in pediatric subjects aged 6–17 yr.

Methods

Subjects aged 6–11 yr with bilateral nasal polyps received MFNS 100 μg once or twice daily or placebo; those aged 12–17 yr received MFNS 200 μg once or twice daily or placebo. End‐points included change in 24‐h urinary free cortisol (primary), change in 24‐h urinary free cortisol corrected for creatinine (key secondary), and adverse events. Efficacy parameters included polyp size, nasal symptoms, and investigator‐evaluated therapeutic response, although the study was not powered for statistical analysis of efficacy.

Results

Least squares baseline mean urinary free cortisol level (nmol/24 h) for both age groups combined (N = 127) was 49.5 in the MFNS once‐daily group, 39.6 in the MFNS twice‐daily group, and 49.8 in the placebo group. Change in 24‐h urinary free cortisol did not significantly differ among MFNS‐ and placebo‐treated subjects. Least squares mean 24‐h urinary free cortisol levels corrected for creatinine also showed no significant differences among MFNS‐ and placebo‐treated subjects. No safety issues emerged.

Conclusions

Results of this study confirm the safety profile of MFNS in pediatric patients with bilateral nasal polyps over 4 months, even at double the recommended pediatric dosage for allergic rhinitis.
Maternal drug use during pregnancy and asthma risk among children
Authors: Källén Bengt , Finnström Orvar , Nygren Karl‐Gösta , Otterblad Olausson Petra
Published: January 2013

Background

Maternal use of some drugs, notably paracetamol and drugs for gastroesophageal reflux, has been associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma in the child. We wanted to analyze these associations with consideration to the confounding of maternal asthma.

Methods

Childhood asthma was identified from the Swedish National Prescription Register and maternal drug use during the latter part of pregnancy from antenatal records, computerized in the Swedish Medical Birth Register. Risks were estimated as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals, using Mantel–Haenszel technique with adjustment for year of birth, maternal age, parity, smoking habits, and BMI.

Results

A statistical association between maternal use of many different drugs, including paracetamol, and childhood asthma existed but was mainly due to concomitant drug use, related to maternal asthma. The only associations that appeared to be true were with drugs for gastroesophageal reflux (adjusted (OR) = 1.32, 95% CI, 1.18–1.54) and with opiates (adjusted OR = 1.56 (96% CI, 1.05–2.34).

Conclusions

Maternal use of paracetamol did not seem to increase the risk of childhood asthma, but the previously described association with drugs for gastroesophageal reflux was supported. The analysis is complicated by the confounding from maternal asthma.
Dynamic secretion changes in the salt glands of the mangrove tree speciesAvicennia officinalisin response to a changing saline environment
Authors: TAN WEE‐KEE , LIN QINGSONG , LIM TIT‐MENG , KUMAR PRAKASH , LOH CHIANG‐SHIONG
Published: January 2013

The specialized salt glands on the epidermis of halophytic plants secrete excess salts from tissues by a mechanism that is poorly understood. We examined the salt glands as putative salt and water bi‐regulatory units that can respond swiftly to altering environmental cues. The tropical mangrove tree species (Avicennia officinalis) is able to grow under fluctuating salinities (0.7–50.0 dS m−1) at intertidal zones, and its salt glands offer an excellent platform to investigate their dynamic responses under rapidly changing salinities. Utilizing a novel epidermal peel system, secretion profiles of hundreds of individual salt glands examined revealed that these glands could secrete when exposed to varying salinities. Notably, rhythmic fluctuations observed in secretion rates were reversibly inhibited by water channel (aquaporin) blocker, and two aquaporin genes (PIPandTIP) preferentially expressed in the salt gland cells were rapidly induced in response to increasing salt concentration. We propose that aquaporins are involved and contribute to the re‐absorption of water during salt removal inAvicennia officinalissalt glands. This constitutes an adaptive feature that contributes to salt balance of trees growing in saline environments where freshwater availability is limited.
Broader autistic phenotype in parents of children with autism: Autism Spectrum Quotient–Turkish version
Authors: Kose Sezen , Bora Emre , Erermiş Serpil , Özbaran Burcu , Bildik Tezan , Aydın Cahide
Published: January 2013

Aims

The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a self‐assessment screening instrument for measuring the degree to which an individual of normal intelligence shows autistic traits. Genetic factors could be responsible for the relatives of individuals with autism exhibiting higher than normal rates of autism‐related impairments, referred to as the ‘broader autism phenotype’ (BAP). The aim of this study was to test whether there is a difference between the parents of autistic and those of typically developing children (TDC) on AQ scores in a Turkish sample.

Method

The AQ total and subscale scores of the 100 parents (47 fathers, 53 mothers) of children with autistic disorder (AD) were compared with the 100 parents (48 fathers, 52 mothers) of TDC.

Results

The parents of AD children scored significantly higher than the TDC parents on total AQ score, and two of five subscale scores; social skills, and communication. The other three subscales (attention to detail, attention switching, imagination) did not differentiate groups. There was no significant difference between mothers and fathers on any AQ scores, neither in the AD nor TDC group. The group × gender interaction was not significant on the total or the five subscale scores of AQ.

Conclusion

Social skill and communication subscales differentiate AD parents more successfully, and are more sensitive, as reported in other studies. The present findings confirm that social skill and communication impairments in parents of children with autism spectrum disorders are indicators of BAP.
Self‐awareness of executive dysfunction in Huntington's disease: Comparison with Parkinson's disease and cervical dystonia
Authors: Sitek Emilia J. , Sołtan Witold , Wieczorek Dariusz , Schinwelski Michał , Robowski Piotr , Harciarek Michał , Guzińska Katarzyna , Sławek Jarosław
Published: January 2013

This study assessed self‐awareness of executive deficits in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) in comparison to patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and with cervical dystonia (CD). Eighty‐nine patient–proxy pairs participated in the study (23 with HD, 25 with advanced PD, 21 with mild PD and 20 with CD). Executive function was assessed with the Stroop test and the Dysexecutive Questionnaire. Insight into executive impairment in HD is mildly affected, when compared to PD and CD.
Processing of ultrasound in a bush cricket's brain
Authors: OSTROWSKI TIM D. , STUMPNER ANDREAS
Published: January 2013

The processing and categorization of conspecific and heterospecific acoustic signals is an important task of the central nervous system. In orthopteran species, carrier frequency (besides temporal cues) is one of the major discriminators. In the bush cricket species Ancistrura nigrovittata Brunner von Wattenwyl (Phaneropteridae, Barbitistini), ultrasound has potentially different meanings and may elicit vastly different behaviours depending on the context it is perceived in. In the present study, data are presented of the morphology and neuronal responses of three local brain neurones (LBNs) that respond best to ultrasound. All neurones show dense arborizations in the lateral protocerebrum, where ascending interneurones terminate. The LBN2 and LBN9 neurones are entirely restricted to one side of the brain, whereas LBN5 crosses the midline, thereby linking both hemispheres. The response maxima for LBN2 overlap closely with the peak carrier frequencies found in a species‐specific duet, which consists of sonic (16 kHz, male), as well as ultrasonic (24–28 kHz, female) sound. By contrast, LBN9 responds only to ultrasound in the range of the female reply, whereas the male song induces exceptionally long‐lasting inhibition. The LBN5 neurone shows strongest spike activity to a broad range of ultrasonic frequencies, as long as the pulse duration remains short. All three brain neurones respond to ultrasound in a unique way and may be involved in the shaping of different behavioural outcomes.
Colluvial sedimentation in a hyperarid setting (Atacama Desert, northern Chile): Geomorphic controls and stratigraphic facies variability
Authors: Ventra Dario , Dìaz Guillermo Chong , De boer Poppe l.
Published: January 2013

Research on colluvial depositional systems has recently emphasized periglacial and high‐altitude settings, and the relations between Quaternary slope stratigraphy and climate change. This article examines the role of variable slope morphology, surface hydrology and microclimate in controlling colluvial sedimentation along a coastal tract of the hyperarid Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Direct accessibility of active surfaces is accompanied by uninterrupted stratigraphic exposures along the base of slopes, allowing direct comparisons between surface processes and the resulting sedimentary record. Four slope sectors are identified, based on differences in morphology and processes over active surfaces. Colluvial sedimentation is controlled by complex interactions of slope gradients and profiles, exposure to dominant winds, and potential runoff pathways, which vary considerably between different sectors. Major differences are evident between these hyperarid deposits and slope sedimentation in periglacial and temperate settings, including the complete absence of pedogenic activity and clay minerals; the volume of aeolian deposits and their role in controlling processes which redistribute sediment downslope, extending colluvial aprons; and the occurrence of runoff processes only where favoured by particular topographic configurations. Depositional surfaces range from steep talus cones, to debris‐flow‐dominated and aeolian‐dominated colluvial aprons, to an aeolian ramp subject to reworking by mass flows and flash floods. Consequently, facies associations and architectures at outcrop are highly variable and highlight the importance of spatial variations in slope morphology and processes in producing distinct, coeval colluvial stratigraphies within a single environmental context. Discrepancies between active processes and the corresponding stratigraphic signatures are also evident in some sectors; for example, preservation of alluvial and aeolian facies in stratigraphic sections does not always reflect the dominant processes over active slopes. Together with the spatial variability in processes and deposits along these slopes, this suggests that caution is required when extracting palaeoenvironmental information from analyses of colluvial successions.
Novel factors interfering with human immunodeficiency virus‐type 1 replication in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Vicenzi E. , Poli G.
Published: January 2013

The strategy of all retroviral infections is based on establishing an equilibrium between virus replication and proviral latency in the infected host. The human immunodeficiency virus‐type 1 (HIV‐1), belonging to the subfamily of lentiviridae, adds an additional level of sophistication to this general rule by encoding two regulatory genes (tat and rev) and four accessory genes (nef, vif, vpr and vpu); HIV‐2, structurally similar to HIV‐1 but characterized by lower pathogenicity in vivo, encodes another accessory gene, vpx. The function of these accessory genes has become clear in recent years: they serve as countermeasures to host‐cell restriction factors that prevent or curtail the capacity of HIV to productively infect its target cells (typically, CD4+ T lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells). Some of the best characterized restriction factors for HIV‐1 are Tripartite Motif‐5α (TRIM5α), preventing infection of nonhuman primates, although not being effective in humans, and apolipoprotein B mRNA‐editing, enzyme‐catalytic, polypeptide‐like 3G (APOBEC 3G), counteracted by the viral accessory protein Vif. In addition, several other molecules are under scrutiny for their mechanism of action and potential exploitation as novel anti‐HIV agents. This review will summarize the recently emerging knowledge on these novel factors and their potential relevance for the discovery of new anti‐HIV agents targeting not only the replicative, but also the latent state of HIV infection.
The long chain fatty acid oleate activates mouse intestinal afferent nerves in vitro
Authors: Webster W. Andrew , Beyak Michael J.
Published: January 2013

Vagal afferents innervating the gastrointestinal tract serve an important nutrient-sensing function, and these signals contribute to satiety. Detection of nutrients occurs largely through the release of mediators from specialized enteroendocrine cells within the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. The signaling pathways leading to vagal afferent activation are not clear; however, previous in-vivo studies have implicated a role for cholecystokinin (CCK). We used an in vitro intestinal afferent extracellular recording preparation to study the effect of luminal perfusion of the long chain fatty acid oleate on mouse intestinal afferent activity. Oleate activated intestinal afferents in a concentration-dependent fashion, with an EC50 value of approximately 25 mmol/L. The L-type calcium channel blocker nicardipine attenuated the effect of oleate. Vagotomy resulted in a significant (>60%) reduction of the responses to both oleate and CCK. The CCK-1 receptor antagonist lorglumide nearly abolished responses to CCK and oleate. Our experiments therefore suggest that oleate activates intestinal afferents, with vagal afferents primarily involved; however, nonvagal fibres also contribute. The activation is dependent on CCK release, likely via activation of L-type channels on mucosal enteroendocrine cells, finally resulting in activation of CCK-1 receptors on the afferent terminals.
Effects of glycated low-density lipoprotein on cell viability, proliferation, and growth factors of mouse embryo fibroblasts
Authors: Zhao Ruozhi , Xie Xueping , Shen Garry X.
Published: January 2013

The predominant cause of death in diabetic patients is atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD). Major gross cellular changes in the vascular wall of persons with CAD include endothelial injury and foam cell formation, as well as smooth muscle cell and fibroblast proliferation. This study examined the effects of glycated low density lipoprotein (glyLDL), a biochemical marker of diabetes, on cell viability, proliferation, and the expression of multiple growth factors in mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF). The results demonstrated that exposure to ≥150 μg/mL of glyLDL for 24 h or 100 μg/mL of glyLDL for ≥48 h either significantly reduced cell viability or increased DNA fragmentation in MEF. GlyLDL treatment (25–100 μg/mL for up to 12 h) significantly increased the abundance of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and achieved a peak after 4 h exposure to glyLDL. Abundances of fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF), and platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF) in MEF reached maximal levels after 2 h exposure to 50 μg/mL of glyLDL. The maximal increase of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected in MEF after 4 h of exposure to 50 μg/mL of glyLDL. Inhibitors for FGF (AZD4547), VEGF, or PDGF receptors (Axitinib), but not that for TGF receptor (LY364947), significantly decreased the abundance of (PCNA) in endothelial cells. The findings suggest that early exposure to a low dosage of glyLDL transiently increases the proliferation of MEF through the upregulation of FGF, VEGF, and (or) PDGF, and prolonged exposure to high concentrations of glyLDL reduced cell viability, which possibly accelerates atherogenesis under diabetic condition.
COMPUTATIONAL CONSTRUCTION OF SPECIALIZED BIOLOGICAL NETWORKS
Authors: LEE HANG-MAO , DIETZ KARL-JOSEF , HOFESTÄDT RALF
Published: January 2013

Today we have access to more than 1500 molecular database systems inside the internet. Based on these databases and information systems, computer scientists developed and implemented different methods for the automatic integration and prediction of biological networks. The idea is to use such methods for the automatic prediction and expansion of rudimentary molecular knowledge. However, the inherent data deficiency problem concerning the properties of specialized network hampers the database- and text-mining-based network construction. This paper presents the concept concerning the computational network expansion, namely for the specific biological network–thiol-disulfide redox regulatory network. Besides, a network-contexted document retrieval system (ncDocReSy) is also introduced to assist the network reduction by providing indirectly relevant literature for user's manual curation. NcDocReSy combines literature search with biological network and ranks the retrieved literature according to the network topology. NcDocReSy is implemented as a Cytoscape plugin.
AN APPLICATION OF THE ES-FEM IN SOLID DOMAIN FOR DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF 2D FLUID–SOLID INTERACTION PROBLEMS
Authors: NGUYEN-THOI T. , PHUNG-VAN P. , RABCZUK T. , NGUYEN-XUAN H. , LE-VAN C.
Published: January 2013

An edge-based smoothed finite element method (ES-FEM-T3) using triangular elements was recently proposed to improve the accuracy and convergence rate of the existing standard finite element method (FEM) for the solid mechanics analyses. In this paper, the ES-FEM-T3 is further extended to the dynamic analysis of 2D fluid–solid interaction problems based on the pressure-displacement formulation. In the present coupled method, both solid and fluid domain is discretized by triangular elements. In the fluid domain, the standard FEM is used, while in the solid domain, we use the ES-FEM-T3 in which the gradient smoothing technique based on the smoothing domains associated with the edges of triangles is used to smooth the gradient of displacement. This gradient smoothing technique can provide proper softening effect, and thus improve significantly the solution of coupled system. Some numerical examples have been presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed coupled method compared with some existing methods for 2D fluid–solid interaction problems.
Inhibitory Effect of Aqueous Extract of Stem Bark of Cissus populnea on Ferrous Sulphate- and Sodium Nitroprusside-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat’s Testes In Vitro
Authors: Akomolafe Seun F. , Oboh Ganiyu , Akindahunsi Afolabi A. , Akinyemi Ayodele J. , Tade Oluwatosin G.
Published: January 2013

Cissus populnea are plants associated with a myriad of medicinal uses in different parts of the world and are good sources of carotenoids, triterpenoids, and ascorbic acid. The antioxidant properties and inhibitory effect of water extractible phytochemicals from stem bark of C. populnea on FeSO4 and sodium nitroprusside- (SNP-) induced lipid peroxidation in rat testes were investigated in vitro. The results revealed that the extract was able to scavenge DPPH radical, chelate Fe2+ and also had a high reducing power. Furthermore, the incubation of the testes tissue homogenate in the presence of FeSO4 and SNP, respectively, caused a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the testes. However, the aqueous extract of the stem bark of C. populnea caused a significant decrease in the MDA contents of both Fe2+ (EC50 = 0.027 mg/mL) and SNP- (EC50 = 0.22 mg/mL) induced lipid peroxidation in the rat testes homogenates in a dose-dependent manner. The water extractible phytochemicals from C. populnea protect the testes from oxidative stress and this could be attributed to their high antioxidant activity: DPPH-scavenging ability, Fe2+-chelating and -reducing power. Therefore, oxidatively stress in testes could be potentially managed/prevented by this plant.
Pedicle-Screw-Based Dynamic Systems and Degenerative Lumbar Diseases: Biomechanical and Clinical Experiences of Dynamic Fusion with Isobar TTL
Authors: Barrey Cédric , Perrin Gilles , Champain Sabina
Published: January 2013

Dynamic systems in the lumbar spine are believed to reduce main fusion drawbacks such as pseudarthrosis, bone rarefaction, and mechanical failure. Compared to fusion achieved with rigid constructs, biomechanical studies underlined some advantages of dynamic instrumentation including increased load sharing between the instrumentation and interbody bone graft and stresses reduction at bone-to-screw interface. These advantages may result in increased fusion rates, limitation of bone rarefaction, and reduction of mechanical complications with the ultimate objective to reduce reoperations rates. However published clinical evidence for dynamic systems remains limited. In addition to providing biomechanical evaluation of a pedicle-screw-based dynamic system, the present study offers a long-term (average 10.2 years) insight view of the clinical outcomes of 18 patients treated by fusion with dynamic systems for degenerative lumbar spine diseases. The findings outline significant and stable symptoms relief, absence of implant-related complications, no revision surgery, and few adjacent segment degenerative changes. In spite of sample limitations, this is the first long-term report of outcomes of dynamic fusion that opens an interesting perspective for clinical outcomes of dynamic systems that need to be explored at larger scale.
Blood Cells and Interferon-Gamma Levels Correlation in Latent Tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Takenami Iukary , Loureiro Camila , Machado Almério , Emodi Krisztina , Riley Lee W. , Arruda Sérgio
Published: January 2013

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) infection is largely spread in world's population. Most infected individuals develop latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) are the available tests to detect the infection. It has been reported that some individuals take a longer period of time to develop the infection than others with the same exposure level. It is suggested that the innate immunity, in which neutrophils have an important protective role, is responsible for this. Many hematologic abnormalities have been described as common findings during severe disease. To investigate if these changes are related to LTBI development and if they interfere in TST and IFN-γ production, we recruited 88 household contacts of tuberculosis (TB) pulmonary patients and compared blood cell counts with these tests' results. There were no statistically significant changes in hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets, global leukocyte, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, typical lymphocytes, atypical lymphocytes, and monocytes counts between infected and noninfected individuals. Also, there was no correlation between TST or IGRA and blood cell counts. These results suggest that blood cell counts are not LTBI markers and do not interfere in TST results or IFN-γ levels obtained by IGRA.
Accountability in Enterprise Mashup Services
Authors: Zou Joe , Pavlovski Chris
Published: January 2013

As a result of the proliferation of Web 2.0 style web sites, the practice of mashup services has become increasingly popular in the web development community. While mashup services bring flexibility and speed in delivering new valuable services to consumers, the issue of accountability associated with the mashup practice remains largely ignored by the industry. Furthermore, realizing the great benefits of mashup services, industry leaders are eagerly pushing these solutions into the enterprise arena. Although enterprise mashup services hold great promise in delivering a flexible SOA solution in a business context, the lack of accountability in current mashup solutions may render this ineffective in the enterprise environment. This paper defines accountability for mashup services, analyses the underlying issues in practice, and finally proposes a framework and ontology to model accountability. This model may then be used to develop effective accountability solutions for mashup environments. Compared to the traditional method of using QoS or SLA monitoring to address accountability requirements, our approach addresses more fundamental aspects of accountability specification to facilitate machine interpretability and therefore enabling automation in monitoring.