bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual pathway‐related horizontal reference plane for three‐dimensional craniofacial analysis
Authors: Kang Y. H. , Kim B. C. , Park K. R. , Yon J. Y. , Kim H. J. , Tak H. J. , Piao Z. , Kim M. K. , Lee S. H.
Published: August 2012

Kang Y. H., Kim B. C., Park K. R., Yon J. Y., Kim H. J., Tak H. J., Piao Z., Kim M. K., Lee S. H. Visual pathway‐related horizontal reference plane for three‐dimensional craniofacial analysis  Orthod Craniofac Res 2012;15:245–254. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Structured Abstract

Authors –  Kang YH, Kim BC, Park KR, Yon JY, Kim HJ, Tak HJ, Piao Z, Kim MK, Lee SH

Objectives –  To construct three‐dimensional (3D) horizontal reference planes based on visual pathway and to determine their stability and reliability by analyzing the structural patterns of normal and dysmorphology for 3D craniofacial analysis.

Setting and Sample Population –  Thirty‐six subjects with maxillofacial dysmorphology and malocclusion, and eight normal controls.

Materials and Methods Population –  On the 3D computed tomographic images of the subjects, the visual pathway‐based planes, including the orbital axis plane (OAP), visual axis plane (VAP), and the optical axis plane (OpAP), were constructed and evaluated.

Results –  The OAP, but not the VAP and OpAP, showed the ideal relationship between the midsagittal and posterior maxillary plane, and properly described the different patterns of maxillofacial dysmorphology with craniofacial plane 1 of Delaire’s analysis and the occlusal plane.

Conclusions –  The proposed visual pathway‐related horizontal reference planes, and in particular the OAP, seem to correctly express the visual axis and the position of the head in natural head position and can be used as a horizontal reference plane for the 3D analysis of craniofacial dysmorphology and anthropology.
Disentangling the role of edaphic variability, flooding regime and topography of Amazonian white‐sand vegetation
Authors: Damasco Gabriel , Vicentini Alberto , Castilho Carolina V. , Pimentel Tânia P. , Nascimento Henrique E.M.
Published: August 2012

Question

How much variation in plant community structure and composition can be predicted using soil, flooding and topography in white‐sand vegetation of northern Amazonia?

Location

Brazil, northern Amazon, Roraima State, Viruá National Park (01°46′34″ N, 61°02′06″ W).

Methods

Data from 17, 1‐ha permanent plots distributed across a 25 km2 landscape within the Viruá National Park, northern Amazonia, was used to assess the soil, flooding and topography effects on tree species composition, diversity and structure. Our analyses were based on 16 599 trees (DBH ≥ 1 cm) belonging to 303 species. Principal components analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the dimensionality of soil variables, whereas dimensionality of floristic composition assemblage was reduced using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Multiple regression analysis was used to test combined effects of soil, flooding and topography on floristic composition, diversity, basal area and tree density.

Results

Depending on the diameter class or the type of data (qualitative or quantitative), NMDS axis 1 explained 45–84% of total variation in species composition among plots. The first and second axes from PCA explained, respectively, 54.8% and 15.1% of the variation related to soil gradients. Soil texture and fertility (PCA axis 1) were the most important predictors of the variation in tree composition, diversity and structure for the three different size classes analysed (DBH ≥ 1 cm, 1 cm ≤ DBH ≤ 9.9 cm and DBH ≥ 10 cm). Overall, plots on more fertile clayey soils showed higher tree diversity and basal area than those on well‐drained sandy soils. Although flooding had little effect on the tree community, the water level was higher in high‐stature forests established on more clayey and fertile soils.

Conclusions

Even though soils in the study area are predominantly sandy and oligotrophic, our findings highlight the importance of soil in structuring plant communities of seasonally flooded white‐sand vegetation at mesoscales in the Amazon Basin.
Changes in fire intensity have carry‐over effects on plant responses after the next fire in southern California chaparral
Authors: Moreno José M. , Torres Iván , Luna Belén , Oechel Walter C. , Keeley Jon E.
Published: August 2012

Question

Do variations in fire intensity within a stand determine changes in fire intensity and plant demographics in a subsequent fire?

Location

San Diego (CA, USA); chaparral dominated by Adenostoma fasciculatum (resprouter) and Ceanothus greggii (seeder).

Methods

In 2003, a wildfire burned a young (16‐yr‐old) stand containing a set of experimental plots burned in 1987 with various levels of fire intensity. In 2004, all the 1987 plots were sampled for Adenostoma survival and the recruitment of both species. Similar measures were carried out in the adjacent old (75‐yr) stand. Fire intensity in 2003 was estimated by a surrogate fire severity measure [minimum diameter of burned branches (branch diameter)].

Results

In the young stand, branch diameter in 2003 was similar to the control plots in 1987, but lower than in the old stand. Fire intensity in 1987 did not significantly affect branch diameter in 2003. Survival of Adenostoma in the young stand was very low, much lower than after the 1987 burn and that in the old stand. Fire intensity in 1987 did not affect Adenostoma survival. Recruitment in Adenostoma increased, and in Ceanothus decreased, with increased fire intensity in 1987.

Conclusions

We demonstrate that there is a carry‐over effect of fire intensity across a whole fire cycle on plant recruitment of the two dominant species. The 2003 fire partially reversed the relative effects on recruitment caused by elevated fire intensity in 1987. Arguably, this effect was driven by the contrasted relationships of the two species to fire intensity. Adenostoma survival in the young stand was much lower in 2003 than in 1987, despite similar branch diameter, and was also lower than in the old stand, despite higher branch diameter in this case. The causes of such mortality are unknown.
MicroRNA‐133b inhibits the growth of non‐small‐cell lung cancer by targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Liu Lingxiang , Shao Xiaoyan , Gao Wen , Zhang Zhi , Liu Ping , Wang Rongsheng , Huang Puwen , Yin Yongmei , Shu Yongqian
Published: August 2012

Both the deregulation of microRNAs and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are emerging as important factors in non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, miR‐133b was found to be associated with tumor stage, the extent of regional lymph node involvement, stage, visceral pleura or vessel invasion and EGFR mRNA expression in Chinese patients with NSCLC. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR‐133b can interact specifically with the 3′‐UTR of EGFR mRNA. Functionally, miR‐133b transfection showed regulatory activity in translationally repressing EGFR mRNA. Moreover, miR‐133b transfection may modulate apoptosis, invasion and sensitivity to EGFR‐TKI through the EGFR signaling pathways, especially in EGFR‐addicted NSCLC cells. Taken together, our findings show that miR‐133b can inhibit cell growth of NSCLC through targeting EGFR and regulating its downstream signaling pathway. This finding has important implications for the development of targeted therapeutics for a number of EGFR‐addicted cancers.
Functional and structural studies of the disulfide isomerase DsbC from the plant pathogen Xylella fastidiosa reveals a redox‐dependent oligomeric modulation in vitro
Authors: Santos Clelton A. , Toledo Marcelo A. S. , Trivella Daniela B. B. , Beloti Lilian L. , Schneider Dilaine R. S. , Saraiva Antonio M. , Crucello Aline , Azzoni Adriano R. , Souza Alessandra A. , Aparicio Ricardo , Souza Anete P.
Published: August 2012

Xylella fastidiosa is a Gram‐negative bacterium that grows as a biofilm inside the xylem vessels of susceptible plants and causes several economically relevant crop diseases. In the present study, we report the functional and low‐resolution structural characterization of the X. fastidiosa disulfide isomerase DsbC (XfDsbC). DsbC is part of the disulfide bond reduction/isomerization pathway in the bacterial periplasm and plays an important role in oxidative protein folding. In the present study, we demonstrate the presence of XfDsbC during different stages of X. fastidiosa biofilm development. XfDsbC was not detected during X. fastidiosa planktonic growth; however, after administering a sublethal copper shock, we observed an overexpression of XfDsbC that also occurred during planktonic growth. These results suggest that X. fastidiosa can use XfDsbC in vivo under oxidative stress conditions similar to those induced by copper. In addition, using dynamic light scattering and small‐angle X‐ray scattering, we observed that the oligomeric state of XfDsbC in vitro may be dependent on the redox environment. Under reducing conditions, XfDsbC is present as a dimer, whereas a putative tetrameric form was observed under nonreducing conditions. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the overexpression of XfDsbC during biofilm formation and provide the first structural model of a bacterial disulfide isomerase in solution.

Structured digital abstract

XfDsbC and XfDsbC bind by x ray scattering (View Interaction: 1, 2)

XfDsbC and XfDsbC bind by molecular sieving (View interaction)

XfDsbC and XfDsbC bind by comigration in non denaturing gel electrophoresis (View interaction)

XfDsbC and XfDsbC bind by cross‐linking study (View Interaction: 1, 2)

XfDsbC and XfDsbC bind by dynamic light scattering (View Interaction: 1, 2)
The proline‐rich tetramerization peptides in equine serum butyrylcholinesterase
Authors: Biberoglu Kevser , Schopfer Lawrence M. , Tacal Ozden , Lockridge Oksana
Published: August 2012

Soluble, tetrameric, plasma butyrylcholinesterase from horse has previously been shown to include a non‐covalently attached polyproline peptide in its structure. The polyproline peptide matched the polyproline‐rich region of human lamellipodin. Our goal was to examine the tetramer‐organizing peptides of horse butyrylcholinesterase in more detail. Horse butyrylcholinesterase was denatured by boiling, thus releasing a set of polyproline peptides ranging in mass from 1173 to 2098 Da. The peptide sequences were determined by fragmentation in MALDI‐TOF‐TOF and linear ion trap quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometers. Twenty‐seven polyproline peptides grouped into 13 families were identified. Peptides contained a minimum of 11 consecutive proline residues and as many as 21. Many of the peptides had a non‐proline amino acid at the N‐terminus. A search of the protein databanks matched peptides to nine proteins, although not all peptides matched a known protein. It is concluded that polyproline peptides of various lengths and sequences are included in the tetramer structure of horse butyrylcholinesterase. The function of these polyproline peptides is to serve as tetramer‐organizing peptides.

Structured digital abstract

http://mint.bio.uniroma2.it/mint/search/interaction.do?interactionAc=MINT-7260296

BChE and BChE bind by comigration in non denaturing gel electrophoresis (View interaction)

BChE and BChE bind by comigration in sds page (View interaction)
Hepatitis B virus X protein and c‐Myc cooperate in the upregulation of ribosome biogenesis and in cellular transformation
Authors: Shukla Surendra Kumar , Kumar Vijay
Published: August 2012

Viral and cellular oncogenes are well known to enhance rRNA synthesis, leading to increased ribosome biogenesis and cell proliferation. Our study on the molecular underpinnings of the interaction between viral HBx and c‐Myc, which is implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, showed a marked increase in the biosynthesis of rRNA, ribosomes and protein in hepatoma cells. A profound alteration in the nucleolar morphology and biochemical content of these cells was also observed. Increased biosynthetic activity was associated with increased cell proliferation and transformation of immortalized human hepatocytes. Furthermore, inhibition of RNA polymerase III activity impaired the proliferative advantage of hepatoma cells and transformation of immortalized hepatocytes as effectively as cisplatin treatment. These findings were corroborated in a transgenic HBx–myc microenvironment, in which an elevated hepatic level of rRNA was associated with conspicuous morphological and biochemical changes in the hepatocytic nucleoli. Thus, HBx and c‐Myc seem to work cooperatively to support ribosome biogenesis and cellular transformation.
A novel trafficking pathway in Plasmodium falciparum for the organellar localization of glutathione peroxidase‐like thioredoxin peroxidase
Authors: Chaudhari Rahul , Narayan Aishwarya , Patankar Swati
Published: August 2012

Although common in plants, very few proteins are currently known to be localized to both the plastid and the mitochondrion in Plasmodium falciparum. One such protein is P. falciparum glutathione peroxidase‐like thioredoxin peroxidase (PfTPxGl) which we show, by immunofluorescence imaging and bioinformatics predictions, is localized to the apicoplast, the mitochondrion and the cytosol. The distribution of PfTPxGl was random in the population, with the protein localizing to any one organelle in some parasites and to both in others. It has been proposed that targeting to each organelle occurs via independent pathways that do not proceed via the Golgi. However, for PfTPxGl, both incubation at low temperature (15 °C) and Brefeldin A treatment reversibly blocked targeting to these organelles, suggesting the involvement of a novel trafficking route, most probably via the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. This idea is further supported by the lack of cleavage of the putative N‐terminal signal sequence of PfTPxGl, and this N‐terminal extension did not compromise PfTPxGl enzyme activity. In the context of evolution, a common pathway for the dual localization of a single gene product, such as the primitive endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi route, may have been retained as opposed to optimization for individual organellar import pathways.
Type II Diabetes Mellitus Is a Risk Factor for Heart Failure in Pre‐Dialysis Patients
Authors: Kuwahara Michio , Ishigami Junichi , Shikuma Satomi , Akita Wataru , Mori Yoshihiro , Asai Tomoki , Tsukamoto Yusuke , Adachi Susumu , Noda Yumi , Rai Tatemitsu , Uchida Shinichi , Sasaki Sei
Published: August 2012

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure (HF) and ischemic heart disease (IHD). The characteristics of patients with CKD complicated with HF at the time of starting hemodialysis have not yet been evaluated. We enrolled 347 patients in this study and compared gender, age, body mass index, laboratory data, causative disease, complications, and echocardiographic findings between groups with (n = 105) and without (n = 242) HF. Type II diabetic nephropathy and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; mL/min/1.73 m2) were the independent factors for HF (OR: 3.004, 95% CI: 1.754 to 5.146 and OR: 1.215, 95% CI: 1.101 to 1.330, [per 1 mL/min/1.73 m2 increase], respectively). The higher GFR appeared to be not a risk factor for HF, probably because the HF group included patients who required periodic dialysis to prevent fatal HF, even if their renal function was not extremely deteriorated. The prevalence of hypertension, IHD and values of body mass index, triglycerides, and LDL‐cholesterol did not differ between these two groups. Echocardiographic data showed that left ventricular mass index was an independent risk factor for HF (OR: 1.006, 95% CI: 1.001 to 1.012, per 1 g/m2 increase) and more than half of the patients appeared to have left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Our findings suggest that not only CKD, but also type II DM, is a potent risk for left ventricular dysfunction, which causes HF and IHD in pre‐dialysis patients with CKD.
Manifold-driven spirals in N-body barred galaxy simulations
Authors: Athanassoula E.
Published: August 2012

We discuss the properties of spiral arms in an N-body simulation of a barred galaxy and present evidence that these are manifold driven. The strongest evidence comes from following the trajectories of individual particles. Indeed, these move along the arms while spreading out a little. In the neighbourhood of the Lagrangian points they follow a variety of paths, as expected by manifold-driven trajectories. Further evidence comes from the properties of the arms themselves, such as their shape and growth pattern. The shape of the manifold arms changes considerably with time, as expected from the changes in the bar strength and pattern speed. In particular, the radial extent of the arms increases with time, thus bringing about a considerable increase of the disc size, by as much as 50 per cent in about 1 Gyr.
The communicative power of nurse practitioners in multidisciplinary primary healthcare teams
Authors: Quinlan Elizabeth , Robertson Susan
Published: August 2012

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to explore the role of the nurse practitioner (NP) in facilitating knowledge exchange within multidisciplinary primary healthcare teams. The rationale for the study is that most knowledge transfer and exchange literature is from a single profession perspective; yet, an increasing number of healthcare practitioners work in the context of multidisciplinary teams. There is little research examining the mechanisms by which knowledge crosses professional and disciplinary boundaries.

Data source

The study's data source is a survey administered to NPs in urban, rural, and remote primary healthcare teams in Saskatchewan. The mapping techniques of social network analysis are applied to the survey data.

Conclusions

The study's conclusions concern the structure of the intrateam knowledge‐exchange behaviors and, in particular, the role of the NP as knowledge boundary spanner.

Implications for practice

The study hypothesizes that the hallmark of well‐functioning multidisciplinary teams is the effective intrateam knowledge exchange and that Saskatchewan's new NPs bring a “boundary‐spanning” capacity to the knowledge exchange of the province's multidisciplinary primary healthcare teams. The study fills this gap in the conceptual and empirical research within the evolving context of the reorganization of primary health care.
Does the School Performance Variable Used in the International Health Behavior in School‐Aged Children (HBSC) Study Reflect Students' School Grades?
Authors: Felder‐Puig Rosemarie , Griebler Robert , Samdal Oddrun , King Matthew A. , Freeman John , Duer Wolfgang
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND: Given the pressure that educators and policy makers are under to achieve academic standards for students, understanding the relationship of academic success to various aspects of health is important. The international Health Behavior in School‐Aged Children (HBSC) questionnaire, being used in 41 countries with different school and grading systems, has contained an item assessing perceived school performance (PSP) since 1986. Whereas the test‐retest reliability of this item has been reported previously, we determined its convergent and discriminant validity.

METHODS: This cross‐sectional study used anonymous self‐report data from Austrian (N = 266), Norwegian (N = 240), and Canadian (N = 9,717) samples. Students were between 10 and 17 years old. PSP responses were compared to the self‐reported average school grades in 6 subjects (Austria) or 8 subjects (Norway), respectively, or to a general, 5‐category‐based appraisal of most recent school grades (Canada).

RESULTS: Correlations between PSP and self‐reported average school grade scores were between 0.51 and 0.65, representing large effect sizes. Differences between the median school grades in the 4 categories of the PSP item were statistically significant in all 3 samples. The PSP item showed predominantly small associations with some randomly selected HBSC items or scales designed to measure different concepts.

CONCLUSIONS: The PSP item seems to be a valid and useful question that can distinguish groups of respondents that get good grades at school from those that do not. The meaning of PSP may be context‐specific and may have different connotations across student populations from different countries with different school systems.
Identifying a role of the actin capping protein CapZ in β‐adrenergic receptor signalling
Authors: Gaikis L. , Stewart D. , Johnson R. , Pyle W. G.
Published: August 2012

Aim

β‐Adrenergic receptor activation increases myocardial contractility, in part through protein kinase A (PKA)‐dependent modification of cardiac myofilaments. PKA regulation of cardiac myofilaments is contingent influenced by protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation of troponin I (TnI). Reductions in the cardiac Z‐disc protein CapZ attenuate PKC regulation of myofilament activation. We hypothesized that CapZ‐deficient transgenic mouse hearts respond poorly to β‐adrenergic receptor activation, as a result of impaired PKC activation.

Methods

Wild‐type and CapZ‐deficient transgenic mice were treated with the β‐adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol (ISO) and whole heart function assessed by echocardiography. Cardiac myofilaments were isolated post‐ISO treatment and subjected to an actomyosin MgATPase assay and protein phosphorylation gels.

Results

CapZ‐deficient transgenic mouse hearts exhibited increased contractility and myofilament calcium sensitivity at baseline, as compared to wild‐type mice. In wild‐type mice, ISO increased myocardial contractility and decreased myofilament calcium sensitivity, along with an increase in TnI phosphorylation. CapZ‐deficient transgenic mice responded to ISO treatment, and myocardial functional differences between transgenic and wild‐type mice were abolished. ISO‐dependent changes in myofilament activation in transgenic mice were similar to those observed in wild‐type. TnI phosphorylation was similarly increased in wild‐type and transgenic mice following ISO treatment, while CapZ‐deficient transgenic mouse myofilaments also exhibited increased myosin‐binding protein C phosphorylation. Differences in myofilament protein phosphorylation patterns suggest the intracellular mechanisms utilized by β‐adrenergic receptor activation are different than that seen in wild‐type hearts.

Conclusions

These data further support the concept that the cardiac Z‐disc protein is a regulator of myofilament function and intracellular signalling transduction.
Impact of Infrared Finishing on the Mechanical and Sensorial Properties of Wheat Donuts
Authors: Melito Helen S. , Farkas Brian E.
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  Infrared radiation may be used to simulate an immersion frying heat flux and create products with fried‐like textures but lower fat contents. The objective of this study was to determine the process parameters needed to produce partially‐fried, infrared‐finished donuts comparable to fully‐fried (control) donuts. A total of 8 different sets of infrared oven parameters (emitter height and belt speed) were tested. Instrumental analysis showed that all infrared‐finished donuts had significantly (P≤ 0.05) lower fat content (25.6% to 30.6%) than the control (33.7%). Setting the infrared emitters in a height gradient from 70 to 50 mm or at a constant height of 60 mm above the belt produced donuts that were most instrumentally similar to the control. Infrared‐finished donuts had comparable (P≤ 0.05) overall acceptance scores to the control, 5.28 to 5.85 versus 5.83, respectively. Infrared radiation may be used to finish‐fry partially‐fried donuts, yielding a product similar to a fully‐fried donut but with significantly lower fat content.

Practical Applications:  The partial‐frying, infrared‐finishing process detailed in this article may be used for other deep‐fried foods. It is likely that these foods will also have a lower fat content when prepared with this process than when they are deep‐fried. This process provides a method of lowering the fat content of fried foods without changing the food formulation.
Myrtus communis L. Infusions: The Effect of Infusion Time on Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities
Authors: Messaoud Chokri , Laabidi Abdelmonoem , Boussaid Mohamed
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  In traditional medicine, myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) is frequently consumed as an infusion and decoction. In this study, we investigate the phenolic and volatile compositions and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of leaf infusions prepared during 3 different times. The total phenolics contents (146.74 to 179.55 mg GAE/g DM) varied significantly between infusions. Eleven phenolic compounds were identified by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. Phenolic acids (7.64 to 14.28 μmol/g DM) and flavonol glycosides (7.05 to 12.11 μmol/g DM) were the major phenolic fractions of infusions. Significant quantitative variation in 6 phenolic components was observed between infusions. Sixteen volatile components were identified by gas chromatography (GC) and GC mass spectrometry analyses. The main constituents were 1,8‐cineole (42.58% to 51.39%), α‐terpineol (9.45% to 9.72%), methyl eugenol (6.69% to 7.11%), and linalool (5.91% to 6.06%). Quantitative variations of the volatile components of the analyzed oils in relation to the infusion time were observed. The antioxidant properties of infusions, assayed through DPPH (2,2‐ diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) method, β‐carotene bleaching test, chelating effect on ferrous ions, and ferric reducing power method, were considerable and varied according to the infusion time. Myrtle infusions exhibited a substantial antimicrobial activity against 6 tested bacteria.
Genetics of Food Preferences: A First View from Silk Road Populations
Authors: Pirastu Nicola , Robino Antonietta , Lanzara Carmela , Athanasakis Emmanouil , Esposito Laura , Tepper Beverly J. , Gasparini Paolo
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  Food preferences are the main factor driving food intake and choice. There are good reasons to suspect some genetic influence on food acceptance, not least because genetic factors are implicated in a number of factors that are likely to be related to food choice. In addition, some food dislikes show themselves early in life, before there is any evidence for aversive experiences. Although taste has been widely studied in regards of pure tastes such as bitter or sweet perception, the relationship between taste‐related genes and food preferences has seldom been explored. In this work we investigated relationship of 37 taste‐related genes with food preferences. The study was carried out during a scientific expedition through Caucasus and Central Asia (Silk Road) analyzing more than 400 samples from 5 different countries. A food preference questionnaire was administered to each participant and a DNA sample was obtained. Other information, such as age, sex, life style and anthropometrical measures, were also collected. We found significant associations with variants of: (1) TAS1R2 [Correction added after initial online publication on 27 Aug 2012. TAS1R3 was changed to TAS1R2.] gene and liking of Vodka (P= 1.6 × 10−3), white wine (P= 4.0 × 10−4) and lamb meat (P= 1.6 × 10−3); (2) PCLB2 gene and preference for Hot Tea (P= 8.0 × 10−4); (3) TPRV1 gene and beet liking (P= 3.8 × 10−5); and (4) ITPR3 gene and liking of both lamb meat (5.8 × 10−4) and sheep cheese (8.9×10−4). These findings give a new insight on a better understanding, of genetic factors influencing food preferences which is critical to the development of effective dietary interventions, especially for people that may be genetically not predisposed for liking specific nutrients.
Response Surface Methodology for Meat‐like Odorants from Maillard Reaction with Glutathione I: the Optimization Analysis and the General Pathway Exploration
Authors: Yang C. , Song H. L. , Chen F.
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  This study is about reaction condition optimization and exploration of the general pathway of GSH‐participating Maillard reaction. Response surface methodology (RSM) is used to define the reaction condition for optimal meat flavor product generation from synthetic oligopeptides via the Maillard reaction. The optimal reaction condition is: (A) temperature: 131.53 °C, (B) reaction time: 94.85 min, (C) volume of 0.2M phosphate buffer: 49.61 mL and (D) initial pH of reactants: 4.79. The priority sequence is: A > D > C > B, and the verification score was 9.1. A preliminarily pathway scheme using CAMOLA has been constructed to suggest a reaction mechanism for meat‐like aroma product formation. In addition, a 2‐pathway and 3‐stage formation scheme of the GSH‐participating Maillard reaction has been constructed.
Target localisation for tumour bed radiotherapy in early breast cancer
Authors: Hansen Carmen J , de Winton Emma , Guglani Sam , Vamvakas Evi , Willis David , Chua Boon H
Published: August 2012

Introduction: To compare clinical and CT techniques in localisation of the tumour bed in patients undergoing adjuvant breast radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Methods: Patients were CT scanned in the treatment position following clinical delineation of the whole breast, surgical scar and boost volume. Computed tomography boost volumes were contoured in three dimensions. A definitive treatment plan was generated to encompass the CT‐localised planning target volume (PTV) with ≥90% isodose using electrons. A hypothetical plan was also generated to cover the clinically determined boost field for comparison. The primary end point was the difference in PTV coverage by the 90% isodose between the plans based on clinically and CT localised boost volumes.

Results: The plans for 50 patients were evaluated. The median percentage of PTV encompassed by the 90% isodose using the clinical and CT techniques was 29% (range 5–90%) and 83% (range 25–100%), respectively. PTV coverage by the 90% isodose using the clinical technique was at least 10% less than that using CT technique in 88% of patients (95% confidence interval 77–95%; P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Tumour bed boost PTV coverage was insufficient using clinical determination as compared with CT localisation. This study supports CT planning for target volume localisation of the tumour bed boost in patients treated with breast‐conserving therapy for breast cancer.
Bacteriophages of Staphylococcus aureus efficiently package various bacterial genes and mobile genetic elements including SCCmec with different frequencies
Authors: Mašlaňová Ivana , Doškař Jiří , Varga Marian , Kuntová Lucie , Mužík Jan , Malúšková Denisa , Růžičková Vladislava , Pantůček Roman
Published: August 2012

Staphylococcus aureus is a serious human and veterinary pathogen in which new strains with increasing virulence and antimicrobial resistance occur due to acquiring new genes by horizontal transfer. It is generally accepted that temperate bacteriophages play a major role in gene transfer. In this study, we proved the presence of various bacterial genes of the S. aureus COL strain directly within the phage particles via qPCR and quantified their packaging frequency. Non‐parametric statistical analysis showed that transducing bacteriophages φ11, φ80 and φ80α of serogroup B, in contrast to serogroup A bacteriophage φ81, efficiently package selected chromosomal genes localized in 4 various loci of the chromosome and 8 genes carried on variable elements, such as staphylococcal cassette chromosome SCCmec, staphylococcal pathogenicity island SaPI1, genomic islands vSaα and vSaβ, and plasmids with various frequency. Bacterial gene copy number per ng of DNA isolated from phage particles ranged between 1.05 × 102 for the tetK plasmid gene and 3.86 × 105 for the SaPI1 integrase gene. The new and crucial finding that serogroup B bacteriophages can package concurrently ccrA1 (1.16 × 104) and mecA (1.26 × 104) located at SCCmec type I into their capsids indicates that generalized transduction plays an important role in the evolution and emergence of new methicillin‐resistant clones.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus in Connecticut Swine and Swine Farmers
Authors: Osadebe L. U. , Hanson B. , Smith T. C. , Heimer R.
Published: August 2012

This study explores the characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in swine and their human handlers in a convenience sample of 35 farms in Connecticut. Husbandry practices are clearly different from better‐known concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) with less intensive rearing conditions. Nasal samples were collected from 263 pigs and nine humans on 35 farms during the 2010 rearing season. Samples were analysed using established microbiology methods, and resulting methicillin‐sensitive (MSSA) and resistant (MRSA) isolates were typed by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and spa typing. PCR was used to detect the presence of the Panton‐Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) gene, a cytotoxin usually associated with CA‐MRSA infection. A farm assessment form and questionnaire were used to obtain the information about husbandry practices and human exposure risk, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus colonized swine and humans were found in 51% (18/35) of the farms sampled at a rate of 30% (85/259) and 22% (2/9), respectively. Eight pigs and two humans were MRSA positive on five farms. MRSA in swine was related to healthcare‐associated (HA), community‐associated (CA) or livestock‐associated (LA) MRSA strains, whereas humans were colonized with HA‐MRSA. On the basis of spa typing, there was evidence of human–animal transmission thereby signifying humanosis/reverse zoonoses. The PVL gene was found in 88% (7/8) of MRSA swine isolates, the first time this gene has been seen in colonized pigs sampled on US farm. MSSA isolates belonged to six spa types: t337 (41%), t034 (12%), t334 (12%), t4529 (12%), t8760 (18%) and t1166 (6%) including LA strains. This is the first time spa type t8760 has been reported and the only MSSA with the PVL gene. In summary, MRSA including LA strains (LA‐MRSA) can be found on small farms with different husbandry practices from CAFOs, suggesting that preventive measures for zoonotic MRSA infection should address a range of animal production.
Help‐Seeking for Suicidal Thoughts and Self‐Harm in Young People: A Systematic Review
Authors: Michelmore Lisa , Hindley Peter
Published: August 2012

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that only a minority of young people experiencing suicidal thoughts or self‐harm present to any health services. This is of concern given that young people with suicidal thoughts or self‐harm often require treatment for mental illness as well as to reduce their risk of completed suicide. We reviewed previously published international community epidemiological studies examining help‐seeking for suicidal thoughts or self‐harm in young people up to the age of 26. The studies confirm that the majority of these young people do not seek professional help, and this includes seeking medical help after an overdose. The majority of young people studied do, however, seek help from social networks that most commonly are peers. Factors influencing and barriers to help‐seeking are discussed and highlight a need for further research into the role that peers and family play in the help‐seeking process for young people with suicidal thoughts or self‐harm.
Creatureliness priming reduces aggression and support for war
Authors: Motyl Matt , Hart Joshua , Cooper Douglas P. , Heflick Nathan , Goldenberg Jamie , Pyszczynski Tom
Published: August 2012

Terror management theory (TMT) posits that humans distance themselves from, or elevate themselves above, other animals as a way of denying their mortality. The present studies assessed whether the salience of aggressive tendencies that humans share with other animals make thoughts of death salient and whether depicting human aggression as animalistic can mitigate aggressive behaviour and support for aggression. In Study 1, participants primed with human–animal similarities (i.e., human creatureliness) exhibited elevated death‐thought accessibility (DTA) after hitting a punching bag. In Studies 2a and 2b, creatureliness priming caused participants to hit a punching bag with less frequency, perceived force, and comfort. In Study 3, participants primed to view violence as animalistic exhibited increased DTA and reported less support for war against Iran. These studies suggest that portraying violence as creaturely may reduce the intensity of aggressive actions and support for violent solutions to international conflicts.
Characterization of NODs and TLRs in innate immune response of human cementoblast cells
Authors: Ahn MY , Yoon H‐E , Park J‐H , Lee J , Min S‐K , Ahn S‐G , Yoon J‐H
Published: August 2012

Objectives

Microbial Pattern‐recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and the nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domains (NODs), are essential for mammalian innate immune response. In this study, we examined the characterization of NODs and TLRs on innate immune responses in human cementoblast (HCEM) cells.

Materials and Methods

The gene expression of NODs and TLRs was examined by RT‐PCR. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) productions in culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the degradation of IκB‐α and Mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in response to their agonist.

Results

The levels of NODs and TLRs were apparently expressed in HCEM cells. Although a few gene levels were weak in intact cells, the stimulation by their agonists increased the gene expression of TLRs. NODs and TLRs led to the production of IL‐6 or IL‐8 and the degradation of IκB‐α and MAPK activation in HCEM cells. Combination treatment of NOD1 or NOD2 agonists with TLRs agonists did not influence the production of IL‐6 and IL‐8 in HCEM cells.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that NODs and TLRs are functionally expressed in HCEM cells and can trigger innate immune responses. However, NOD1 and NOD2 may not be cooperated with TLRs to elicit an immune response in HCEM cells.
Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Taha Aza A M , Tee Kim Huat Augustine
Published: August 2012

A 47-year-old male smoker admitted complaining of progressive bilateral lower-limb and upper-limb weakness, without any numbness. He also complained of productive cough and fever for the last 2 weeks before admission. There were no nasal symptoms, sore throat, night sweats, loss of appetite and weight, nor did he have any gastrointestinal symptoms.
Motor radiculopathy
Authors: Khan Afsha , Camilleri Jeremy
Published: August 2012

A 48-year-old immunosuppressed woman presented to a rheumatology follow-up clinic after suffering from herpes zoster infection. She had manifestations of foot drop 3 months after the initial infection. She was diagnosed with motor radiculopathy following herpes zoster infection that was effectively managed by physiotherapy and amitriptyline.
Primary malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac
Authors: Li Yang-Jun , Zhu Shao-Jun , Yan Hong , Han Jing , Wang Dan , Xu Shuang
Published: August 2012

Primary malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac is extremely rare. It is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage after excision or biopsy of a tumour. We treated a 59-year-old man with tearing and bloody discharge from the right eye. Clinical examination revealed a firm, localised mass at the inner canthus consistent with a lacrimal sac swelling. Sac washout demonstrated obstruction to entry into the lacrimal sac with a reflux of blood-stained fluid. The pathological findings and the immunohistochemical studies showed a malignant melanoma of the lacrimal sac. We performed radical surgery and radiation therapy. Follow-up 4 months after surgery revealed no evidence of recurrence. Because this tumour often presents with symptoms similar to dacryocystitis and may masquerade as a chronic dacryocystitis, ophthalmologists should be aware of this disease entity when encountered with patients with epiphora and mass in the medial canthal area.
Unusual intracranial spread of anaplastic oligodendroglioma
Authors: Akhavan Ali , Binesh Fariba , Navabii Hossein
Published: August 2012

Oligodendrogliomas are the third most common type of glioma. Oligodendrogliomas are typically indolent tumours, yet the majority of them are incurable and most patients will ultimately die. Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas are important to recognise from other primary brain tumours, since they have unique molecular, histological and clinical features. Oligodendroglioma, especially the anaplastic type, has a tendency to intracranial and extracranial metastasis. In this paper, we present an unusual manifestation of anaplastic oligodendroglioma.
Minocycline-induced renal polyarteritis nodosa
Authors: Tabriziani Hossein , Wilcox Christopher S , Gilbert Olivia N , Lipkowitz Michael S
Published: August 2012

Minocycline is a bacteriostatic, long-acting, lipid-soluble tetracycline that is generally well tolerated, but has been associated with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). This is a case report of a 21-year-old woman presented to her primary care physician with several months of fatigue, mylagias, weight loss and intermittent severe bi-temporal headaches without changes in vision. Her medications included an Ortho-Tri-Cyclen Lo and Minocycline, which she started 2 years prior for acne. On presentation, she was tachycardic and severely hypertensive. Initial laboratory evaluation showed hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia as well as elevation of inflammatory markers. Autoimmune work-up was positive for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies. Renal arteriogram was characteristic of PAN and along with her other symptoms, she fulfilled the necessary criteria of American College of Rheumatology for diagnosis of PAN. Minocycline as a possible causative agent was discontinued since it was reported to cause cutaneous PAN in the literature. Cyclophosphamide and prednisone were initiated for treatment of her vasulculitis. Her symptoms and hypertension improved over the next several months. This is the first report of the minocycline-induced renal PAN.
MAGNETIC AND TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OFPr0.7Sr0.3MnO3/La0.5Ca0.5MnO3/Pr0.7Sr0.3MnO3TRILAYERS
Authors: WANG H. O. , DAI P. , LIU H. , TAN W. S. , XU F. , WU X. S. , JIA Q. J. , HU G. J. , GAO J.
Published: August 2012

All-manganites Pr0.7Sr0.3MnO3/ La0.5Ca0.5MnO3/ Pr0.7Sr0.3MnO3(PSMO/LCMO/PSMO) trilayers were deposited on (001)-oriented single crystal MgO by pulsed laser deposition. The thickness of both PSMO layers was 36 nm while the thickness of LCMO layer varied from 6 to 36 nm. High resolution X-ray diffraction patterns indicated that trilayers were well (001)-oriented grown with high crystalline quality, and that PSMO layers were fully-strain-relaxed while LCMO spacer was partially strained. Studies on transport and magnetic properties of trilayers indicated that metal-insulator transition temperature TMIincreased from 200 K to 260 K and the saturation magnetization was suppressed with decreasing thickness of LCMO spacer from 36 to 6 nm. Transport properties of trilayers are associated with enhancement of volume fraction of ferromagnetic clusters in charge ordered and magnetic phase separated LCMO spacer. Interestingly, exchange bias (EB) was not observed in PSMO/LCMO/PSMO trilayers. It was believed that preferential distribution of metallic ferromagnetic clusters in LCMO layer may result in disappearance of EB.
UNSUPERVISED CLUSTERING ANALYSIS: A MULTISCALE COMPLEX NETWORKS APPROACH
Authors: GRANELL CLARA , GÓMEZ SERGIO , ARENAS ALEX
Published: August 2012

Unsupervised clustering, also known as natural clustering, stands for the classification of data according to their similarities. Here we study this problem from the perspective of complex networks. Mapping the description of data similarities to graphs, we propose to extend two multiresolution modularity based algorithms to the finding of modules (clusters) in general data sets producing a multiscales' solution. We show the performance of these reported algorithms to the classification of a standard benchmark of data clustering and compare their performance.
TOPOLOGICAL VERSUS DYNAMICAL ROBUSTNESS IN A LEXICAL NETWORK
Authors: BORGE-HOLTHOEFER JAVIER , MORENO YAMIR , ARENAS ALEX
Published: August 2012

Semantic memory is the cognitive system devoted to the storage of conceptual knowledge. Empirical semantic networks constructed from adult generated free word association data represent a good map for this system. Concepts, represented as words, link each other with a certain weight representing the strength of their relation. Everyday experience shows that word search and retrieval processes, which can be assimilated to traversals on a semantic network, provide fluent and coherent speech, i.e. are efficient and robust. Brain pathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease or schizophrenia, severely damage neural structures and associated capacities. Thus, semantic networks must also undergo disruption, but the question is how long cognitive processes, which depend on the underlying structures, can operate before collapsing. Interestingly, we find that degradation of the original structure has a dramatic impact on the topology of semantic network, whereas the dynamics upon it evidence much higher resilience. We define this problem in the framework of percolation theory.
A MODEL TO CLASSIFY USERS OF SOCIAL NETWORKS BASED ON PAGERANK
Authors: PEDROCHE FRANCISCO
Published: August 2012

In this paper, we present a model to classify users of Social Networks. In particular, we focus on Social Network Sites. The model is based on the PageRank algorithm. We use the personalization vector to bias the PageRank to some users. We give an explicit expression of the personalization vector that allows the introduction of some typical features of the users of SNSs. We describe the model as a seven-step process. We illustrate the applicability of the model with two examples. One example is based on real links of a Facebook network. We also indicate how to take into account real actions of Facebook users to implement the model.
A POST-PROCESSING METHOD FOR INTEREST POINT LOCATION IN IMAGES BY USING WEIGHTED LINE-GRAPH COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: CRIADO REGINO , ROMANCE MIGUEL , SÁNCHEZ ÁNGEL
Published: August 2012

The theory and tools of Complex Networks have not been much applied to Image Analysis and Computer Vision problems. This paper introduces a new method for detecting interest points in digital images making use of Complex Network Analysis. This analysis includes a self-consistent post-processing procedure that improves the localization of the initially detected interest points in the image. We propose a general post-processing localization method based on centrality measures on a weighted version of the line-graph L(G) after the association of a spatial and weighted complex network G to each image with a prescribed geometrical structure. The practical testing of this fast-computable post-processing method shows that it is self-consistent since the distribution of the centrality measures in the weighted line-graph give us the intrinsic thresholds of interest of each region in the digital image.
EFFECTS OF TRAFFIC PROPERTIES AND DEGREE HETEROGENEITY IN FLOW FLUCTUATIONS ON COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: MELONI SANDRO , GÓMEZ-GARDEÑES JESÚS , LATORA VITO , MORENO YAMIR
Published: August 2012

Communication networks are nowadays crucial in our lives and the study of the traffic features yields important advantages. In both network and traffic design, the understanding of the relationship between the traffic on a node and its fluctuations plays a key role. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between the mean traffic flow experienced by a node and its standard deviation via numerical simulations and real data analysis. In particular, we show the great influence that the degree heterogeneity of real communication systems has on the patterns of flow fluctuations observed across complex communication networks. To this end, we derive an analytical law connecting the standard deviation of flows and their mean values, we prove it via extensive numerical simulations and by means of a realistic internet traffic simulator software: NS-3. We also show that our results are robust under different assumptions regarding network topology, routing strategy and packets injection distributions.