bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of body adiposity index (BAI) and bmi with estimations of % body fat in clinically severe obese women
Authors: Geliebter Allan , Atalayer Deniz , Flancbaum Louis , Gibson Charlisa D.
Published: April 2013

Objective:

Body adiposity index (BAI), a new surrogate measure of body fat (hip circumference/(height1.5 – 18)), has been proposed as an alternative to body mass index (BMI). We compared BAI with BMI, and each of them with laboratory measures of body fat‐derived from bioimpedance analysis (BIA), air displacement plethysmography (ADP), and dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in clinically severe obese (CSO) participants.

Design and Methods:

Nineteen prebariatric surgery CSO, nondiabetic women were recruited (age = 32.6 ± 7.7 SD; BMI = 46.5 ± 9.0 kg/m2). Anthropometrics and body fat percentage (% fat) were determined from BIA, ADP, and DXA. Scatter plots with lines of equality and Bland–Altman plots were used to compare BAI and BMI with % fat derived from BIA, ADP, and DXA. BAI and BMI correlated highly with each other (r = 0.90, P < 0.001).

Results:

Both BAI and BMI correlated significantly with % fat from BIA and ADP. BAI, however, did not correlate significantly with % fat from DXA (r = 0.42, P = 0.08) whereas BMI did (r = 0.65, P = 0.003). BMI was also the single best predictor of % fat from both BIA (r2 = 0.80, P < 0.001) and ADP (r2 = 0.65, P < 0.001). The regression analysis showed that the standard error of the estimate (SEE), or residual error around the regression lines, was greater for BAI comparisons than for BMI comparisons with BIA, ADP, and DXA. Consistent with this, the Bland and Altman plots indicated wider 95% confidence intervals for BAI difference comparisons than for BMI difference comparisons for their respective means for BIA, ADP, and DXA.

Conclusions:

Thus, BAI does not appear to be an appropriate proxy for BMI in CSO women.
Adolescent exergame play for weight loss and psychosocial improvement: A controlled physical activity intervention
Authors: Staiano Amanda E. , Abraham Anisha A. , Calvert Sandra L.
Published: April 2013

Overweight and obese youth, who face increased risk of medical complications including heart disease and type II diabetes, can benefit from sustainable physical activity interventions that result in weight loss.

Objective:

This study examined whether a 20‐week exergame (i.e., videogame that requires gross motor activity) intervention can produce weight loss and improve psychosocial outcomes for 54 overweight and obese African‐American adolescents.

Design and Methods:

Participants were recruited from a public high school and randomly assigned to competitive exergame, cooperative exergame, or control conditions. All exergame participants were encouraged to play the Nintendo Wii Active game for 30‐60 min per school day in a lunch‐time or after‐school program. Cooperative exergame participants worked with a peer to expend calories and earn points together, whereas competitive exergame participants competed against a peer. Control participants continued regular daily activities. Outcome measures included changes in weight, peer support, self‐efficacy, and self‐esteem, measured at baseline, and at ∼10 and 20 weeks.

Results:

Growth curve analysis revealed that cooperative exergame players lost significantly more weight (mean = 1.65 kg; s.d. = 4.52) than the control group, which did not lose weight. The competitive exergame players did not differ significantly from the other conditions. Cooperative exergame players also significantly increased in self‐efficacy compared to the control group, and both exergame conditions significantly increased in peer support more than the control group.

Conclusion:

Exergames, especially played cooperatively, can be an effective technological tool for weight loss among youth.
Effect of reducing the n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid ratio on the maternal and fetal leptin axis in relation to infant body composition
Authors: Brunner Stefanie , Schmid Daniela , Hüttinger Kristina , Much Daniela , Brüderl Monika , Sedlmeier Eva‐Maria , Kratzsch Jürgen , Amann‐Gassner1 Ulrike , Bader Bernhard L , Hauner Hans
Published: April 2013

Objective

To investigate the effect of reducing the n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid ratio in maternal nutrition on the maternal and cord blood leptin axis and their association with infant body composition up to 2 years.

Design and Methods

208 healthy pregnant women were randomized to either a dietary intervention to reduce the n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid ratio from 15th week of gestation until 4 months postpartum or a control group. Leptin, soluble leptin receptor and free leptin index were determined in maternal and cord plasma and related to infant body composition assessed by skinfold thicknesses up to 2 years.

Results

The intervention had no effect on either the maternal or fetal leptin axis. Maternal leptin in late pregnancy was inversely related to infant weight and lean body mass (LBM) up to 2 years, after multiple adjustments. Cord leptin was positively related to weight, body fat, and LBM at birth, and inversely associated with weight, BMI, fat mass, and LBM at 2 years and weight gain up to 2 years. The contribution of cord leptin to infant outcomes was overall stronger compared with maternal leptin.

Conclusions

Both, maternal and fetal leptin were associated with subsequent infant anthropometry with a greater impact of fetal leptin.
Supermarket discounts of low‐energy density foods: Effects on purchasing, food intake, and body weight
Authors: Geliebter Allan , Ang Ian (Yi Han) , Bernales‐Korins Maria , Hernandez Dominica , Ochner Christopher N. , Ungredda Tatiana , Miller Rachel , Kolbe Laura
Published: April 2013

Objective

To assess the effects of a 50% discount on low‐energy density (ED) fruits and vegetables (F&V), bottled water, and diet sodas on shoppers' purchasing, food intake, and body weight.

Design and Methods

A randomized, controlled trial was conducted at two Manhattan supermarkets, in which a 4‐week baseline period (no discounts) preceded an 8‐week intervention period (50% discount), and a 4‐week follow‐up period (no discounts). Twenty‐four hour dietary recall, as well as body weight and body composition measures were obtained every 4 weeks. Participants (n = 47, 33f; 14m) were overweight and obese (BMI ≥ 25) shoppers.

Results

Purchasing of F&V during intervention was greater in the discount group than in the control group (P < 0.0001). Purchasing of these items by the discount group relative to the control group during follow‐up was reduced from intervention (P = 0.002), but still remained higher than during baseline (P = 0.01), indicating a partially sustained effect. Intake of F&V increased from baseline to intervention in the discount group relative to the control group (P = 0.037) and was sustained during follow‐up. Body weight change did not differ significantly between groups, although post hoc analysis indicated a change within the discount group (−1.1 kg, P = 0.006) but not within the control group.

Conclusions

Discounts of low‐ED F&V led to increased purchasing and intake of those foods.
Abnormal motor behavior at 23 weeks in a fetus with Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome (SLOS)
Authors: Hagen Marleen A. , Stuurman Kyra E. , de Vries Johanna I.
Published: April 2013

What's already known about this topic?

Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder in which various organs can be affected and the phenotypic expression varies.

Evaluation of the quality of fetal movements can support the distinction of a specific syndrome in case of multiple affected organs.

What does this study add?

With this case, we add early, in the second trimester of pregnancy, affected motor expression of the central nervous system.
Effect of side‐chain positions on morphology and photovoltaic properties of phenazine‐based donor–acceptor copolymers
Authors: Li Ying , Fu Yingying , Tong Hui , Xie Zhiyuan , Wang Lixiang
Published: April 2013

Two phenazine donor–acceptor‐conjugated copolymers (P1 and P2) with the same polymer backbone but different anchoring positions of alkoxy chain on the phenazine unit were investigated to identify the effect of changing the position of alkoxy chains on their optical, electrochemical, blend film morphology, and photovoltaic properties. Although the optical absorption and frontier orbital energy levels were insensitive to the position of alkoxy chains, the film morphologies and photovoltaic performances changed significantly. P1/PC71BM blend film showed the formation of phase separation with large coarse aggregates, whereas P2/PC71BM blend film was homogeneous and smooth. Accordingly, power conversion efficiency (PCE) of photovoltaic devices increased from 1.50% for P1 to 2.54% for P2. In addition, the PCE of the polymer solar cell based on P2/PC71BM blend film could be further improved to 3.49% by using solvent vapor annealing treatment. These results clearly revealed that tuning the side‐chain position could be an effective way to adjust the morphology of the active layer and the efficiency of the photovoltaic device. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 2910–2918
Structural and functional analysis of perforin mutations in association with clinical data of familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis type 2 (FHL2) patients
Authors: An Omer , Gursoy Attila , Gurgey Aytemiz , Keskin Ozlem
Published: April 2013

Perforin plays a key role in the immune system via pore formation at the target cell membrane in the elimination of virus‐infected and transformed cells. A vast number of observed mutations in perforin impair this mechanism resulting in a rare but fatal disease, familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis type 2 (FHL2). Here we report a comprehensive in silico structural analysis of a collection of 76 missense perforin mutations based on a proposed pore model. In our model, perforin monomers oligomerize having cyclic symmetry in consistent with previously found experimental constraints yet having flexibility in the size of the pore and the number of monomers involved. Clusters of the mutations on the model map to three distinct functional regions of the perforin. Calculated stability (free energy) changes show that the mutations mainly destabilize the protein structure, interestingly however, A91V polymorphism, leads to a more stable one. Structural characteristics of mutations help explain the severe functional consequences on perforin deficient patients. Our study provides a structural approach to the mutation effects on the perforin oligomerization and impaired cytotoxic function in FHL2 patients.
Becoming a Migrant at Home: Subjectivation Processes in Migrant‐Sending Countries Prior to Departure
Authors: Rodriguez Robyn M. , Schwenken Helen
Published: April 2013

Labour emigration is not merely the business of states and governmental policies, but comes with a range of wider societal practices. This includes the production of – and contestation over – the ‘ideal migrant subject’. This paper examines the complex interplay of actors and practices involved in migrant subject‐making processes paying close attention to the pre‐employment temporary labour migration process step by step from screening, recruitment, pre‐departure training up to employment‐matching. It asks how prospective migrants are transformed into ‘ideal’ migrant subjects. This contribution primarily draws from data from the Philippines and India. It is argued that migrants actually become migrants before they ever leave their home country: Labour‐sending states set the regulatory frameworks and co‐produce ‘ideal migrant subjects’ from which other social actors draw or contest. In contrast to most studies on the governance of labour migration, the authors highlight the role of subject formation as an important element of modern migration management. To the scholarship that actually takes into account subjectivation processes, this paper adds material both on the labour‐sending state as well as on non‐state actors. The paper, moreover, draws out subject‐making from previous studies where it is less central and more implicit. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perturbation of initial and boundary conditions for a limited‐area ensemble: multi‐model versus single‐model approach
Authors: Marsigli C. , Montani A. , Paccagnella T.
Published: April 2013

With the aim of developing of an ensemble forecasting system for the short‐range, the validity of a multi‐analysis multi‐model approach for initial‐ and boundary‐condition perturbations has been explored by the Consortium for Small‐scale Modelling (COSMO). This approach has been adopted in the COSMO Short‐Range Ensemble Prediction System (COSMO–SREPS), in which members are driven by a few operational deterministic runs. In this work, we show the extent to which this approach is beneficial with respect to the downscaling of a single‐model global ensemble, adopted by the operational COSMO Limited‐Area Ensemble Prediction System (COSMO–LEPS). Both COSMO–SREPS and COSMO–LEPS are made up of 16 integrations of the COSMO model with 7 km horizontal mesh size. Results based on the 2010–2011 winter season show that the 16 member COSMO–LEPS outperforms the 16 member COSMO–SREPS, which has boundaries perturbed by three global model runs only, but the reverse is true when the three‐member versions of the two systems are compared. Hence, if only a small‐size Limited‐Area Model (LAM) ensemble is feasible, then the multimodel approach for boundaries gives better results. The dependence of the scores on ensemble size is also studied, showing that all the quality measures tend to saturate before the full size is reached. Finally, the impact of combining the two ensembles is assessed, showing that a positive impact results from adding multi‐model‐driven members to COSMO–LEPS.
Identifying Rossby wave trains and quantifying their properties
Authors: Glatt Ilona , Wirth Volkmar
Published: April 2013

A novel method is introduced to automatically identify upper‐level Rossby wave trains and to objectively diagnose their properties. Based on the envelope of the upper tropospheric meridional wind represented in a Hovmöller diagram, the algorithm identifies individual Rossby wave trains as objects. These depend to some extent on user defined parameters.

The utility of the method is demonstrated in two areas of application. First, the skill of a particular numerical weather prediction model is analysed for a specific case of a long‐lived Rossby wave train. For this purpose, a novel diagnostic is designed based on a Hovmöller diagram of the Rossby wave train objects that contains forecast data with the same lead time throughout the diagram. Automatically calculated properties of the different forecast Rossby wave trains are compared. Second, the climatological behaviour of Rossby wave train objects is investigated in long time series from reanalysis data. There are preferred regions for the generation and the decay of Rossby wave trains, and these regions show significant differences for Rossby wave trains of different minimum lifetimes; in addition there are substantial differences between the seasons.
Tandem mass spectra of glycan substructures enable the multistage mass spectrometric identification of determinants on oligosaccharides
Authors: Everest‐Dass Arun V. , Kolarich Daniel , Campbell Matthew P. , Packer Nicolle H.
Published: April 2013

RATIONALE

Glycosylation of proteins and lipids affects many biological processes, such as host–pathogen interactions, cell communication, and initiation of the immune responses. Terminal glycan substructures, or determinants, often govern the function or recognition of the carrier glycoconjugate and modulate these processes. In this study we describe a strategy using multistage mass spectrometry to identify and confirm these glycan substructures.

METHODS

An online tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) spectral fragment library of glycan substructures that typically occur at the non‐reducing terminus of glycoconjugates was created to enable the easier identification and confirmation of glycan determinants on oligosaccharides released from glycoproteins. Oligosaccharides were separated by porous graphitized carbon capillary chromatography and analysed by ion trap MS. Candidate product ions that constitute the glycan substructure mass were identified in the MS2 product ion spectrum, and used as the precursor ion for subsequent MS3 fragmentation. The resulting MS3 spectrum was matched against the MS2 spectral fragment library to identify the glycan substructure(s) that comprise the parent oligosaccharide.

RESULTS

Thirty biologically important terminal glycan determinants commonly observed on glycoconjugates were fragmented by positive and negative ion mass spectrometry and the MS2 product ion masses manually annotated and stored in the UniCarb‐DB online database. Negative ion tandem mass spectra were especially useful in assigning isobaric glycan structures. We have applied this strategy for the identification of the sulphation, blood group antigens and sialic acid linkages on complex N‐and O‐glycans released from glycoproteins.

CONCLUSIONS

We show the potential of these glycan substructure MS2 spectra in the negative ionization mode to facilitate the assignment of determinants on N‐ and O‐linked glycans released from glycoproteins. Comparing the structural feature ions of known glycan reference substructures assists in the annotation of complex glycan product ion spectra, and can remove the need for other orthogonal confirmation analyses such as sequential glycosidase digestion. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric studies on uranyl complex with α‐hydroxyisobutyric acid in water–methanol medium
Authors: Jaison P. G. , Kumar Pranaw , Telmore Vijay M. , Aggarwal Suresh K.
Published: April 2013

RATIONALE

Hydroxycarboxylic acids are extensively used as chelating agents in the liquid chromatographic separation of actinides and lanthanides. They are also used as model compounds to understand the binding characteristics of humic substances. A systematic study of the speciation of uranyl‐α‐hyydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) in water–methanol is essential, as it is important to understand the various mechanisms responsible for the separation of these species in liquid chromatography.

METHODS

ESI‐MS studies were carried out using a tandem quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer in positive and negative ion mode. The effects of solution composition, solute concentration and supporting electrolyte concentration on the ESI‐MS behavior of the uranyl species were studied. Transmission parameters such as the quadrupole ion energy and collision cell energy were optimized for acquiring the spectra of uranyl‐HIBA species, ensuring that the spectra reflect the solution equilibrium conditions.

RESULTS

The solution composition and concentration of the uranyl salt were found to influence the major uncomplexed uranyl species. Although the ESI parameters did not influence the species distribution of uranyl‐HIBA, the transmission parameters did have a significant effect. The overall trend in the complexation reaction between uranyl and HIBA was studied as a function of ligand‐to‐metal ratio. The species distribution obtained in positive ion mode was similar to that obtained in negative ion mode.

CONCLUSIONS

The study presents the optimization of the mobile phase conditions and the ESI‐MS parameters for the speciation of the uranyl‐HIBA system. The methodology was applied to obtaining the distribution of complexed and uncomplexed uranyl species for monitoring the trend in the complexation reaction. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Primacy of Climate Change for Sustainable International Tourism
Authors: Hall C. Michael , Scott Daniel , Gössling Stefan
Published: April 2013

International tourism is portrayed by many agencies and governments as a significant contributor to sustainable development strategies. The economic impacts of international tourism are undoubtedly substantial; however, they need to be framed within a broader understanding of impacts throughout the tourism system. Emissions from tourism and their contribution to climate change therefore set a potentially major challenge for the sustainability of international tourism. Following an examination of the current and forecast growth of emissions from international tourism and the policies and strategies of lead bodies, industry and national governments, tourism is seen as grounded in a pro‐growth paradigm that offers no hope within the foreseeable future of absolute reductions in emissions. Given the potential implications of this finding, it is concluded that a significant reassessment is required of the potential benefits of tourism for sustainable development. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Dual‐camera acquisition for accurate measurement of three‐dimensional eye movements
Authors: Wibirama Sunu , Tungjitkusolmun Supan , Pintavirooj Chuchart
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we suggest a new approach for accurate measurement of three‐dimensional eye movements employing dual‐camera acquisition. Two calibrated mini CCD cameras are used to capture two simultaneous images of one eye. Center‐of‐mass and template‐matching algorithms are utilized to obtain two‐dimensional coordinates of the center of pupil and iris striation. Instead of asking each subject to fulfill intricate calibration steps, a novel and simpler technique to solve geometric distortion is presented by utilizing direct linear transformation (DLT) algorithm which requires only one preliminary calibration procedure for each camera without changing any camera installation. The DLT algorithm is then used to extract three‐dimensional coordinates of the center of the pupil and iris striation from prior two‐dimensional coordinates, allowing the three‐dimensional angular positions of the eye to be computed. Real‐time eyeball visualization based on tracking results is incorporated to help clinicians diagnose eye movements. Experimental results show that our system has high accuracy, as the average errors in the horizontal, vertical, and torsional angular positions were confined to 0.15°, 0.14°, and 0.20°, respectively. Real‐time implementation demonstrates that our system can be used in clinical routines to observe either voluntary or involuntary human eye movements. © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Method for evaluation of fractal properties from data with noisy observational errors
Authors: Kotani Kiyoshi , Ogawa Hajime , Ogata Hisayoshi , Numata Takashi , Nakazawa Kimitaka , Jimbo Yasuhiko
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we propose a method, named cutting detrended fluctuation analysis (cutting DFA), for the evaluation of global and local fractal properties from data containing noisy observational errors. This method evaluates how the Hurst exponent varies by cutting out in the order of the largest deviation from the mean value. An analysis of the simulated fractal signal reveals that cutting DFA exhibits a linear transition of the Hurst exponent with respect to the cutting rate. The mean value and the slope thereof reflect the global and local fractal properties of the time series, respectively. We then analyze the long‐term heart rate variability of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients and healthy subjects with observational errors. It is demonstrated that CHF patients have a higher value in the mean Hurst exponent than healthy subjects, indicating a higher global Hurst exponent. Also, it is demonstrated that healthy subjects have a statistically significant difference in slope from monofractal time series, while CHF patients do not. These results indicate that the local fractal property of healthy subjects is far from monofractal time series, which matches previous findings. Therefore, it is confirmed that cutting DFA extracts fractal properties of original heart rate variability from data containing observational errors. © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Accurate and efficient modeling of complex offshore wind turbine support structures using augmented superelements
Authors: Voormeeren S. N. , van der Valk P. L. C. , Nortier B. P. , Molenaar D‐P. , Rixen D. J.
Published: April 2013

Traditionally, wind turbine dynamics are analyzed using computationally efficient but geometrically coarse aeroelastic models. With ever larger offshore turbines being installed in deeper waters, the wind industry is gradually moving toward more complex foundation types such as jackets and tripods. Even the simplest models of such structures have many more degrees of freedom (DoFs) than the complete wind turbine model, leading to excessive computation times. To cope with this, we can employ reduced ‘superelement’ modeling of the support structure. However, since these structures are subjected to hydrodynamic loading at a large portion of their DoFs, traditional reduction methods fail to properly describe the response to this excitation. In this paper, we therefore propose to combine superelement modeling with the concept of modal truncation augmentation, which consists in extending the reduction basis by adding ‘residual vectors’. Furthermore, we use principal component analysis to find the predominant hydrodynamic loading on the support structure.

A case study is performed on a reference wind turbine model on a jacket structure, revealing both the need for coupled dynamic analysis and the shortcomings of traditional superelement models for offshore support structures. Most importantly, this case study shows that the proposed augmented superelement approach allows to create very compact yet accurate models of the complex support structure, thereby enabling efficient integrated simulation of offshore wind turbines.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of elemental composition of Lake Baikal sponges by wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Chuparina E.V. , Paradina L. Ph. , Trunova V.A.
Published: April 2013

Sponge endemic species inhabit the Lake Baikal from the ancient times. Because the sponges are the biological filters of the Baikal water and they contribute greatly to silicon circulation in the lake, it is crucial to analyze their composition. Only a few publications report the analytical data concerning the element composition of Lake Baikal sponges. However, the analytical data were mainly obtained by destructive methods. No data on the concentrations of some alkaline and volatile elements are available so far. This article describes the application of wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry to study the sponges of Lubomirskia baicalensis, Baikalospongia bacillifera, and Baikalospongia recta species collected at the littoral part of the Beryozovy Cape in the Southern Baikal. The concentrations of 19 elements Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, and Ba have been determined. In this article, we discuss the problem of selecting calibration samples for wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry, because appropriate reference samples are not available. The synthetic specimens, prepared by mixing plant certified reference materials and silicon dioxide in certain proportions, were proposed for calibration. The compositions of sponges cleaned from mineral particles and symbiotic organisms, as well as unwashed sponges, have been compared. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
True versus forged in the cultural heritage materials: the role of PXRF analysis
Authors: Galli A. , Bonizzoni L.
Published: April 2013

Forensic and cultural heritage scientific analyses have several similarities. Indeed, they both deal with unique, ‘precious’ and often quantitatively very limited objects, which have to be preserved as much as possible. Whenever analytical examination is needed, similar requirements have to be met. Furthermore, also in cultural heritage, field scientists are looking for answers about the story behind the artefact, trying to help discovering its provenance, proving its authenticity or supporting a conscious restoration (a wrong knowledge about ancient material caused destructive conservation intervention even in recent times).

Energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence analysis is thus one of the best approaches mainly for the possibility to perform both qualitative and quantitative analyses without losing sample. Moreover, last generation handheld spectrometers allow to perform analytical investigation almost anywhere.

In the present paper, after a brief excursus about the possibility of getting answers through energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence analysis for the most common archaeometric materials, we present a few peculiar case studies in which scientific examination proved to be helpful in solving historical and archaeological uncertainty. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retracted: Gemini Cationic Surfactants: Synthesis and Influence of Chemical Structure on the Surface Activity
Authors: Negm Nabel A. , El‐Hashash Maher A. , Mohamed Dalia E. , Marquis John M. , Khowdiary Manal M.
Published: April 2013

Three cationic gemini surfactants were synthesized and characterized using different methods. Their surface activities were measured using surface and interfacial tension measurements. The effect of the spacer chain length on the surface activity, emulsification power and interfacial tension was studied. The thermodynamic parameters showed the tendency towards micellization and adsorption. The results showed that longer spacers increased the micellization tendencies of the surfactants, while shorter spacers increased the adsorption tendency at the air–water interface.
Flowing maps to minimal surfaces: Existence and uniqueness of solutions
Authors: Rupflin Melanie
Published: April 2013

We study the new geometric flow that was introduced in the paper [12] of Topping and the author that evolves a pair of map and (domain) metric in such a way that it changes appropriate initial data into branched minimal immersions. In the present paper we focus on the existence theory as well as the issue of uniqueness of solutions. We establish that a (weak) solution exists for as long as the metrics remain in a bounded region of moduli space, i.e. as long as the flow does not collapse a closed geodesic in the domain manifold to a point. Furthermore, we prove that this solution is unique in the class of all weak solutions with non-increasing energy. This work complements the paper of Topping and the author [12] where the flow was introduced and its asymptotic convergence to branched minimal immersions is discussed.

Nous étudions le nouveau flot géométrique introduit dans l'article [12] de Topping et de l'auteure, qui transforme un couple formé d'une application d'une surface vers une variété riemannienne et d'une métrique riemannienne du domaine. Ce flot change des données initiales appropriées en des immersions minimales ramifiées. Nous prouvons qu'une solution faible existe tant que le flot ne contracte pas une géodésique fermée du domaine en un point. De plus, nous montrons que cette solution est unique dans la classe des solutions faibles avec énergie décroissante. Ce travail complète l'article de Topping et de l'auteure [12] où le flot est introduit et où sa convergence asymptotique est étudiée.
Globular adiponectin modulates expression of programmed cell death 4 and miR‐21 in RAW 264.7 macrophages through the MAPK/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Subedi Amit , Kim Mi Jin , Nepal Saroj , Lee Eung-Seok , Kim Jung-Ae , Sohn Dong-Hwan , Song Kyung , Lee Sung Hee , Park Won Sang , Jeong Byeong-Seon , Park Pil-Hoon
Published: April 2013

MicroRNA‐21 and programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4), a downstream target of miR‐21, mediate diverse physiological responses. Here we demonstrate that globular adiponectin (gAcrp) modulates expression of miR‐21 and PDCD4 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. These effects were abrogated by inhibitors of ERK1/2, JNK or NF‐κB. Conditioned media collected from gAcrp‐stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages caused similar effects as direct gAcrp treatment, showing the paracrine effect of gAcrp. These data indicate that gAcrp modulates the miR‐21/PDCD4 axis through the ERK and JNK/NF‐κB pathways in RAW 264.7 macrophages and further suggest that the miR‐21/PDCD4 axis may be a novel target mediating adiponectin‐induced biological responses.
Retracted: MicroRNA‐222 promotes tumorigenesis via targeting DKK2 and activating the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Li Qifeng , Shen Ke , Zhao Yang , He Xiaoguang , Ma Chenkai , Wang Lin , Wang Baocheng , Liu Jianwen , Ma Jie
Published: April 2013

MiR‐222 in glioma can regulate cell cycle progression and apoptosis. However, the relationship between miR‐222 and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in glioma remains unknown. Here, we found that the Dickkopf‐2 gene (DKK2) was a direct target of miR‐222 by target prediction analysis and dual luciferase reporter assay. RNA interference silencing of DKK2 proved that miR‐222 overexpression led to constitutive activation of β‐catenin through inhibition of DKK2 expression in glioma cells. Furthermore, miR‐222 siRNA significantly inhibited tumorigenesis in vivo. Finally, Western blot analysis showed that miR‐222 could regulate the expression of β‐catenin and the downstream genes of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings reveal a new regulatory mechanism of miR‐222 and suggest that miR‐222 might be a potential target in glioma therapy.
Potential use of potassium efflux‐deficient yeast for studying trafficking signals and potassium channel functions
Authors: Bernstein Joshua D. , Okamoto Yukari , Kim Minjee , Shikano Sojin
Published: April 2013

The activity of potassium (K+) channels critically depends on their density on the cell surface membrane, which is regulated by dynamic protein–protein interactions that often involve distinct trafficking signals on the cargo proteins. In this paper we explored the possibility of utilizing the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain B31 for identification of the signal motifs that regulate surface expression of membrane proteins and for studying structure–function relationships of K+ channels. B31 cells lack the K+ efflux system and were reported to show overloaded K+‐mediated growth inhibition in high K+ media upon heterologous expression of a mammalian inwardly rectifying K+ channel (Kir2.1). We show that while the expression of wild‐type Kir2.1 channel inhibits the growth of B31 cells in high K+ media, the human disease‐causing mutations of Kir2.1 that abolish K+ conduction (V302M) or surface trafficking (Δ314/315) fully restores the growth. The expression of two‐pore‐domain K+ channel KCNK3 or KCNK9 also inhibited the growth of B31 in high K+ media while C‐terminal mutations that reduce their 14‐3‐3 protein‐dependent cell surface trafficking restored the growth of B31. Finally, the expression of Kir2.1 channels that were C‐terminally fused with known sequence motifs including ER retention/retrieval signals and an endocytosis signal allowed the growth of B31 in high K+ media. These results demonstrate the potential of B31 yeast strain as a unique biological tool to screen the random peptide libraries for novel sequence signals that down‐regulate surface expression of membrane proteins, as well as to systematically identify the structural determinants for cell surface trafficking and/or ion conductance of K+ channels.
Quantitative Evaluation of Aldo–Keto Reductase Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Cell Lines
Authors: Yang Lei , Zhang Ju , Zhang Shenyan , Dong Weiwei , Lou Xiaomin , Liu Siqi
Published: April 2013

The involvement of aldo–keto reductases (AKRs) in tumorigenesis is widely reported, but their roles in the pathological process are not generally recognized due to inconsistent measurements of their expression. To overcome this problem, we simultaneously employed real-time PCR to examine gene expression and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of mass spectrometry (MS) to examine the protein expression of AKRs in five different hepatic cell lines. These include one relatively normal hepatic cell line, L-02, and four hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, HepG2, HuH7, BEL7402 and SMMC7721. The results of real-time PCR showed that expression of genes encoding the AKR1C family members rather than AKR1A and AKR1B was associated with tumor, and most of genes encoding AKRs were highly expressed in HuH7. Similar observations were obtained through MRM. Different from HuH7, the protein abundance of AKR1A and AKR1B was relatively consistent among the other four hepatic cell lines, while protein expression of AKR1C varied significantly compared to L-02. Therefore, we conclude that the abundant distribution of AKR1C proteins is likely to be associated with liver tumorigenesis, and the AKR expression status in HuH7 is completely different from other liver cancer cell lines. This study, for the first time, provided both overall and quantitative information regarding the expression of AKRs at both mRNA and protein levels in hepatic cell lines. Our observations put the previous use of AKRs as a biomarker into question since it is only consistent with our data from HuH7. Furthermore, the data presented herein demonstrated that quantitative evaluation and comparisons within a protein family at both mRNA and protein levels were feasible using current techniques.
From Framework to the Frontline: Designing a Structure and Process for Drug Supply Shortage Planning
Authors: Singleton Richard , Chubbs Katherine , Flynn Jennifer , Kaposy Christopher , Peckham Gary , Penney Jacintha , Pullman Daryl
Published: April 2013

Drug shortages are not new; they have been managed through conservation, procurement of alternatives, and redistribution of stock. The Sandoz shortage in 2012 has caused a radical reduction of generic injectables. In Newfoundland and Labrador, our response has led to the development of the framework, structure, and process outlined in this paper. The efforts have eased the concerns of clinicians and leaders, as they are aware of the decision-making resource for situations of drug and technology shortage.
Le rôle du leadership fondé sur les valeurs dans la préservation d'une culture de bienveillance
Authors: Faith Karen E.
Published: April 2013

Le milieu de la santé est tributaire de valeurs fondamentales comme la bienveillance, la compassion ainsi que le devoir que partagent les organisations de santé, celui de répondre aux besoins de soins des membres de la collectivité qui sont vulnérables, blessés ou malades. Certains analystes politiques du Canada craignent que ces valeurs fondamentales soient contredites par les influences économiques et politiques qui redéfinissent le paysage de la santé au pays. Les influences de l'industrie, de la technologie et du milieu des affaires ont considérablement éloigné le milieu de la santé de ses fondements moraux. Dans bien des milieux de travail, la culture de bienveillance est également menacée par les valeurs et les comportements d'individus qui nuisent au moral du personnel et à la collaboration interprofessionnelle. Pour qu'une culture de bienveillance survive aux critères du contrôle des coûts, aux répercussions des querelles politiques récurrentes et à d'autres influences substantielles, le milieu de la santé doit être dirigé par un leadership engagé et fondé sur les valeurs. Au moyen de présentations de cas, le présent article vise à expliquer les caractéristiques et le rôle des leaders qui se fondent sur les valeurs dans la promotion de valeurs qui inspirent une culture de bienveillance.
Prognostic factors and outcome of undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma treated by multimodal therapy
Authors: Malouf Gabriel G. , Lhommé Catherine , Duvillard Pierre , Morice Philippe , Haie‐Meder Christine , Pautier Patricia
Published: April 2013

Objective

To describe the natural history, prognostic factors, and optimal treatment modalities of undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma (UES).

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of 30 patients with UES treated at Institut Gustave‐Roussy, France, between January 1978 and December 2008. Clinical and pathologic variables, treatment modalities, and outcomes were assessed.

Results

Disease was advanced in most cases: FIGO stage III–IV in 70% of patients. Overall, 29 patients (96.7%) underwent hysterectomy as part of the initial surgical treatment; however, only 18 (60.0%) attained complete macroscopic resection. The incidence of pelvic and/or para‐aortic lymph‐node involvement at primary surgery or first recurrence was 44.4%. Median postoperative follow‐up was 5 years; progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 9.7 and 23 months, respectively. No differences in OS and PFS were observed by staging subgroup (FIGO vs the American Joint Committee on Cancer). Only postoperative pelvic radiotherapy with or without brachytherapy correlated with improved PFS (19.1 vs 6.5 months; P = 0.04) and OS (54.5 vs 16.7 months; P = 0.01) in a univariate analysis.

Conclusion

Neither staging system was optimal for risk stratification. Multimodal therapy was recommended after surgery.
The impact of (global) business cycle risk on the German and British stock markets: Evidence from the first age of globalization
Authors: Nitschka Thomas
Published: April 2013

In the period from 1880 to 1913, time‐varying German and British stock market returns are related to business cycle variables such as the deviation of industrial production from trend. Common British and German business cycle dynamics Granger cause stock returns and explain more than 20% of time variation in one‐year ahead stock market returns. The link between business cycle variables and stock returns is less pronounced in the modern era of financial globalization. A potential explanation for this finding is the fact that during the first globalization period stock indices were dominated by industrial companies and stock prices varied in line with dividends. In the modern era of globalization stock price dynamics predominantly reflect time‐varying risk premia.
From Pantheon to Indian Gallery: Art and Sovereignty on the Early Nineteenth-Century Cultural Frontier
Authors: HUTCHINSON ELIZABETH
Published: April 2013

Between 1821 and 1842, Charles Bird King painted a series of portraits of Native American diplomats for Thomas L. McKenney, founding Superintendent of Indian Affairs. These pictures were hung in a gallery in McKenney's office in the War Department in Washington, DC, and were later copied by lithographers for inclusion in McKenney and James Hall'sHistory of the Indian Tribes of the United States(1836–44). Significantly, the production and circulation of these portraits straddles a period of tremendous change in the diplomatic interactions between the United States and Native tribes. This essay analyzes a selection of these images for their complex messages about the sovereignty of Indian people and their appropriate interactions with European American culture. Paying particular attention to pictures of leaders of southern nations, including the Cherokee, Creek, and Seminole, I discuss the sitters' strategies of self-fashioning within the context of long-standing cultural exchange in the region. In addition, I offer a reading of the meaning of the Indian gallery as a whole that challenges the conventional wisdom that it is an archive produced exclusively to impose US control on the subjects included, arguing instead for the inclusion of portrait-making within this history of interaction.
Offspring psychopathology following preconception, prenatal and postnatal maternal bereavement stress
Authors: Class Q. A. , Abel K. M. , Khashan A. S. , Rickert M. E. , Dalman C. , Larsson H. , Hultman C. M. , Långström N. , Lichtenstein P. , D‘Onofrio B. M.
Published: April 2013

Background

Preconception, prenatal and postnatal maternal stress is associated with increased offspring psychopathology, but findings are inconsistent and need replication. We estimated associations between maternal bereavement stress and offspring autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, suicide attempt and completed suicide.

Method

Using Swedish registers, we conducted the largest population-based study to date examining associations between stress exposure in 738 144 offspring born 1992–2000 for childhood outcomes and 2 155 221 offspring born 1973–1997 for adult outcomes with follow-up to 2009. Maternal stress was defined as death of a first-degree relative during (a) the 6 months before conception, (b) pregnancy or (c) the first two postnatal years. Cox proportional survival analyses were used to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) in unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

Results

Marginal increased risk of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia following preconception bereavement stress was not significant. Third-trimester prenatal stress increased the risk of ASD [adjusted HR (aHR) 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–2.17] and ADHD (aHR 1.31, 95% CI 1.04–1.66). First postnatal year stress increased the risk of offspring suicide attempt (aHR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02–1.25) and completed suicide (aHR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08–2.11). Bereavement stress during the second postnatal year increased the risk of ASD (aHR 1.30, 95% CI 1.09–1.55).

Conclusions

Further research is needed regarding associations between preconception stress and psychopathological outcomes. Prenatal bereavement stress increases the risk of offspring ASD and ADHD. Postnatal bereavement stress moderately increases the risk of offspring suicide attempt, completed suicide and ASD. Smaller previous studies may have overestimated associations between early stress and psychopathological outcomes.
Microlocal defect measures for a degenerate thermoelasticity system
Authors: Atallah-Baraket Amel , Fermanian Kammerer Clotilde
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we study a system of thermoelasticity with a degenerate second-order operator in the heat equation. We analyze the evolution of the energy density of a family of solutions. We consider two cases: when the set of points where the ellipticity of the heat operator fails is included in a hypersurface and when it is an open set. In the first case, and under special assumptions, we prove that the evolution of the energy density is that of a damped wave equation: propagation along the rays of the geometric optic and damping according to a microlocal process. In the second case, we show that the energy density propagates along rays which are distortions of the rays of the geometric optic.
Establishing Test–Retest Reliability of an Adapted [18F]Fallypride Imaging Protocol in Older People
Authors: Dunn Joel T , Clark-Papasavas Chloe , Marsden Paul , Baker Stacey , Cleij Marcel , Kapur Shitij , Kessler Robert , Howard Robert , Reeves Suzanne J
Published: April 2013

[ 18 F]fallyprlde is a high-affinity dopamine D2/3 receptor tracer with the ability to reliably quantify D2/3 receptor sites in both striatal and corticolimbic regions. The translational potential of [ 18 F]fallypride imaging is, however, limited by the lengthy scanning sessions (60–80 minutes duration over a total of 3–4 hours) required by current protocols. The aims of our study were to adapt [ 18 F]fallypride imaging for use in clinical populations with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, by reducing the duration of individual scanning sessions;and to establish the reproducibility and reliability of our adapted protocol in healthy older people. Eight participants (five male and three female;mean age = 75.87 ± 4.39 years) were scanned twice, 4–6 weeks apart. [ 18 F]fallypride binding potential was determined from image data collected during three sampling times: 0-30;60-90;and 210–240 minutes post injection. High reproducibility and reliability (test-retest variability <8%;intraclass correlation coefficient >0.8) were observed in all but the prefrontal regions, and remained so when sampling times were reduced to 20 minutes (0-20;70-90;220-240 minutes). The adapted protocol is feasible for use across neuropsychiatric disorders in which dopamine has been implicated and is sufficiently sensitive to detect within-subject changes between 2.7% and 5.5% in striatal and limbic regions.