bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas production in the Barnett Shale obeys a simple scaling theory
Authors: Patzek Tad W. , Male Frank , Marder Michael
Published: November 2013

Significance

Ten years ago, US natural gas cost 50% more than that from Russia. Now, it is threefold less. US gas prices plummeted because of the shale gas revolution. However, a key question remains: At what rate will the new hydrofractured horizontal wells in shales continue to produce gas? We analyze the simplest model of gas production consistent with basic physics of the extraction process. Its exact solution produces a nearly universal scaling law for gas wells in each shale play, where production first declines as 1 over the square root of time and then exponentially. The result is a surprisingly accurate description of gas extraction from thousands of wells in the United States’ oldest shale play, the Barnett Shale.
Arctic sea-ice decline archived by multicentury annual-resolution record from crustose coralline algal proxy
Authors: Halfar Jochen , Adey Walter H. , Kronz Andreas , Hetzinger Steffen , Edinger Evan , Fitzhugh William W.
Published: November 2013

Significance

The most concerning example of ongoing climate change is the rapid Arctic sea-ice retreat. While just a few years ago ice-free Arctic summers were expected by the end of this century, current models predict this to happen by 2030. This shows that our understanding of rapid changes in the cryosphere is limited, which is largely due to a lack of long-term observations. Newly discovered long-lived algae growing on the Arctic seafloor and forming tree-ring–like growth bands in a hard, calcified crust have recorded centuries of sea-ice history. The algae show that, while fast short-term changes have occurred in the past, the 20th century exhibited the lowest sea-ice cover in the past 646 years.
Diffusion modifies the connectivity of kinetic schemes for multisite binding and catalysis
Authors: Gopich Irina V. , Szabo Attila
Published: November 2013

Significance

Repeated modification of a multisite protein plays a key role in cell signaling. After an enzyme catalyzes a reaction at one site, it can modify another site before diffusing away. This physical process, which is amplified in the crowded environment of the cell, has been recently shown by stochastic simulations of hundreds of particles to dramatically change the response of a biochemical network. Here we show that the influence of diffusion on multisite protein modification can be described in a much simpler way, by introducing new connections into the kinetic scheme with rates depending on the probability that an enzyme–substrate pair diffuses apart rather than reacts. Our approach is applicable to complex reaction networks.
Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer reveals intrapatient similarity and interpatient heterogeneity of therapeutic kinase targets
Authors: Drake Justin M. , Graham Nicholas A. , Lee John K. , Stoyanova Tanya , Faltermeier Claire M. , Sud Sudha , Titz Björn , Huang Jiaoti , Pienta Kenneth J. , Graeber Thomas G. , Witte Owen N.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) remains incurable due to the lack of effective therapies. The need to identify new actionable targets in CRPC is crucial as we begin to examine the resistance mechanisms related to androgen withdrawal. Here, we report an unbiased quantitative phosphoproteomic approach to identify druggable kinases in metastatic CRPC. These kinase activation patterns revealed intrapatient similarity and interpatient heterogeneity across a large panel of targets. Interestingly, these kinase activities are not a result of mutation but rather pathway activation within the tumors themselves. The observation that similar kinase activities are present in most if not all anatomically disparate metastatic lesions from the same patient suggests that CRPC patients may benefit from individualized, targeted combination therapies.
NFATc1 and NFATc2 repress spontaneous osteoarthritis
Authors: Greenblatt Matthew B. , Ritter Susan Y. , Wright John , Tsang Kelly , Hu Dorothy , Glimcher Laurie H. , Aliprantis Antonios O.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Currently, little is understood about how the transcriptional regulation of cartilage breakdown contributes to pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Here, we report that, within cartilage, the transcription factor Nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) displays selective expression in superficial articular chondrocytes. Accordingly, mice lacking both NFATc1 and NFATc2 in cartilage were generated and found to develop a severe, spontaneous and early-onset OA. These findings establish NFATc1 as a key transcriptional repressor of cartilage breakdown and OA. Additionally, these findings provide a unique model of OA that is an attractive platform for the preclinical development of treatments to alter the course of OA.
Arabidopsis
EDM2 promotes
IBM1
distal polyadenylation and regulates genome DNA methylation patterns
Authors: Lei Mingguang , La Honggui , Lu Kun , Wang Pengcheng , Miki Daisuke , Ren Zhizhong , Duan Cheng-Guo , Wang Xingang , Tang Kai , Zeng Liang , Yang Lan , Zhang Heng , Nie Wenfeng , Liu Pan , Zhou Jianping , Liu Renyi , Zhong Yingli , Liu Dong , Zhu Jian-Kang
Published: November 2013

Significance

The histone 3 lysine 9 demethylase Increase in
BONSAI
Methylation 1 (IBM1) is critical for preventing CHG (H=A, T, or C) methylation in plant genes. We found that the putative chromatin regulator Enhanced Downy Mildew 2 (EDM2) controls genome CHG methylation and transgene silencing by regulating alternative polyadenylation of
IBM1
. EDM2 contains a composite plant homeo domain that simultaneously recognizes both repressive and active histone marks, allowing it to associate specifically with the intronic heterochromatin of
IBM1
and other plant genes so that it may affect polyadenylation by methylating the RNA through an N6-adenine methyltransferase-like activity. This work significantly advances our understanding of the regulation of DNA methylome and mechanisms of antisilencing and alternative polyadenylation of intronic heterochromatin-containing genes.
Genetic regulation of vesiculogenesis and immunomodulation in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Rath Poonam , Huang Chengdong , Wang Tao , Wang Tianzhi , Li Huilin , Prados-Rosales Rafael , Elemento Olivier , Casadevall Arturo , Nathan Carl F.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Bacteria stimulate host cells in part via secreted products, some of which are packaged in membrane vesicles (MV). MV released by the major human pathogen
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(Mtb) carry lipoprotein LpqH, a major agonist for host Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). This study identifies a gene,
rv0431
, which appears to regulate mycobacterial MV formation, and therefore we suggest it be named “vesiculogenesis and immune response regulator” (
virR
). This gene encodes a protein that includes a unique fold, as determined by NMR spectroscopy, and a disordered domain suggestive of participation in a higher-order complex. By restraining the release of most of the material released by Mtb that activates host cells through TLR2, VirR reduces Mtb’s immunostimulatory potential and increases its virulence.
Circular dichroism and site-directed spin labeling reveal structural and dynamical features of high-pressure states of myoglobin
Authors: Lerch Michael T. , Horwitz Joseph , McCoy John , Hubbell Wayne L.
Published: November 2013

Significance

High hydrostatic pressure facilitates the characterization of functionally relevant, but sparsely populated, excited conformational states of proteins by reversibly increasing their equilibrium population. Here, high-pressure instrumentation for circular dichroism and developments in high-pressure site-directed spin-labeling EPR are reported, and a combination of EPR and circular dichroism is used to map pressure-populated structural changes in various states of myoglobin. The data reveal that the high-pressure molten globule (MG) of apomyoglobin at neutral pH retains native-like helical content despite a fluctuating tertiary fold, an MG state of holomyoglobin populated at low pH and high-pressure retains ligand-binding capacity, and a transient folding intermediate of apomyoglobin is populated under similar conditions at equilibrium.
The land grab, finance capital, and food regime restructuring: the case of Egypt
Authors: Dixon Marion
Published: November 2013

The role of Egyptian finance capital in acquiring (and attempting to acquire) agricultural land in southern neighbouring countries since the 2007–2008 food-fuel-financial crisis represents in part the southward expansion of the frontier in Egypt, or new socio-ecological spaces for heightened capital accumulation. This expansion, heralded by processes of financialisation, is the latest wave of corporate consolidation of the country's agri-food system. This paper offers an historical analysis of frontier making in modern-day Egypt and how it has been shaped by relations between Egypt and Sudan within a restructuring hegemonic state system, from the nineteenth century to present-day revolutionary times. Then, a case study of one Egyptian financial firm, Citadel Capital, is detailed to demonstrate that the ‘global land grab’ reflects food regime restructuring with the end of cheap food and oil – and greater food insecurity and political instability in Egypt and in southern neighbouring countries.
Two phases of disulfide bond formation have differing requirements for oxygen
Authors: Koritzinsky Marianne , Levitin Fiana , van den Beucken Twan , Rumantir Ryan A. , Harding Nicholas J. , Chu Kenneth C. , Boutros Paul C. , Braakman Ineke , Wouters Bradly G.
Published: November 2013

Most proteins destined for the extracellular space require disulfide bonds for folding and stability. Disulfide bonds are introduced co- and post-translationally in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) cargo in a redox relay that requires a terminal electron acceptor. Oxygen can serve as the electron acceptor in vitro, but its role in vivo remains unknown. Hypoxia causes ER stress, suggesting a role for oxygen in protein folding. Here we demonstrate the existence of two phases of disulfide bond formation in living mammalian cells, with differential requirements for oxygen. Disulfide bonds introduced rapidly during protein synthesis can occur without oxygen, whereas those introduced during post-translational folding or isomerization are oxygen dependent. Other protein maturation processes in the secretory pathway, including ER-localized N-linked glycosylation, glycan trimming, Golgi-localized complex glycosylation, and protein transport, occur independently of oxygen availability. These results suggest that an alternative electron acceptor is available transiently during an initial phase of disulfide bond formation and that post-translational oxygen-dependent disulfide bond formation causes hypoxia-induced ER stress.
Translational transformations of tensor solutions of the Helmholtz equation and their application to describe interactions in force fields of various physical nature
Authors: Urman Yuri , Kuznetsov Sergey
Published: November 2013

Using group theory and irreducible tensor formalism we derive formulas for translational transformations of the tensor solutions of the Helmholtz equation. These formulas can be used to solve different problems in theoretical and mathematical physics, where it is necessary to relate boundary conditions for two or more spatial bodies. We show that these formulas can be used to perform invariant expansions of the interaction energy of the bodies in force fields of different physical nature. These expansions have a number of advantages and are very efficient and convenient to study force interactions. Examples from celestial mechanics, space vehicle dynamics and electric current interactions are given.
Gradient structures and geodesic convexity for reaction–diffusion systems
Authors: Liero Matthias , Mielke Alexander
Published: November 2013

We consider systems of reaction–diffusion equations as gradient systems with respect to an entropy functional and a dissipation metric given in terms of a so-called Onsager operator, which is a sum of a diffusion part of Wasserstein type and a reaction part. We provide methods for establishing geodesic
λ
-convexity of the entropy functional by purely differential methods, thus circumventing arguments from mass transportation. Finally, several examples, including a drift–diffusion system, provide a survey on the applicability of the theory.
Chlamydia pneumoniae infection induces vascular smooth muscle cell migration via Rac1 activation
Authors: Zhang Junxia , Wang Haiwei , Zhang Lijun , Zhang Tengteng , Wang Beibei , Li Xiankui , Wei Junyan , Zhang Lijun
Published: November 2013

Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been shown to be associated with the development of atherosclerosis by promoting the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, how C. pneumoniae infection induces VSMC migration is not fully understood. A primary role of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) is to generate a protrusive force at the leading edge that contributes to cell migration. Whether Rac1 activation plays a role in C. pneumoniae infection-induced VSMC migration is not well defined. In the present study, we therefore examined Rac1 activation in C. pneumoniae-infected rat primary VSMCs and the role of Rac1 activation in C. pneumoniae infection-induced VSMC migration. Glutathione S-transferase pull-down assay results showed that Rac1 was activated in C. pneumoniae-infected rat primary VSMCs. A Rac1 inhibitor, NSC23766 (50 µM,) suppressed Rac1 activation stimulated by C. pneumoniae infection, and thereby inhibited C. pneumoniae infection-induced VSMC migration. In addition, C. pneumoniae infection-induced Rac1 activation in the VSMCs was blocked by LY294002 (25 µM), an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Taken together, these data suggest that C. pneumoniae infection promotes VSMC migration, possibly through activating Rac1 via PI3K.
Timely deposition of macromolecular structures is necessary for peer review
Authors: Joosten Robbie P. , Soueidan Hayssam , Wessels Lodewyk F. A. , Perrakis Anastassis
Published: November 2013

Most of the macromolecular structures in the Protein Data Bank (PDB), which are used daily by thousands of educators and scientists alike, are determined by X-ray crystallography. It was examined whether the crystallographic models and data were deposited to the PDB at the same time as the publications that describe them were submitted for peer review. This condition is necessary to ensure pre-publication validation and the quality of the PDB public archive. It was found that a significant proportion of PDB entries were submitted to the PDB after peer review of the corresponding publication started, and many were only submitted after peer review had ended. It is argued that clear description of journal policies and effective policing is important for pre-publication validation, which is key in ensuring the quality of the PDB and of peer-reviewed literature.
Spatial variation in the relationship between performance and metabolic rate in wild juvenile Atlantic salmon
Authors: Robertsen Grethe , Armstrong John D. , Nislow Keith H. , Herfindal Ivar , McKelvey Simon , Einum Sigurd
Published: November 2013

Maintenance of metabolic rate (MR, the energy cost of self‐maintenance) is linked to behavioural traits and fitness and varies substantially within populations. Despite having received much attention, the causes and consequences of this variation remain obscure.

Theoretically, such within‐population variation in fitness‐related traits can be maintained by environmental heterogeneity in selection patterns, but for MR, this has rarely been tested in nature.

Here, we experimentally test whether the relationship between MR and performance can vary spatially by assessing survival, growth rate and movement of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) juveniles from 10 family groups differing in MR (measured as egg metabolism) that were stocked in parallel across 10 tributaries of a single watershed.

The relationship between MR and relative survival and growth rate varied significantly among tributaries. Specifically, the effect of MR ranged from negative to positive for relative survival, whereas it was negative for growth rate. The association between MR and movement was positive and did not vary significantly among tributaries.

These results are consistent with a fitness cost of traits associated with behavioural dominance that varies across relatively small spatial scales (within a single watershed). More generally, our results support the hypothesis that spatial heterogeneity in environmental conditions contributes to maintain within‐population variation in fitness‐related traits, such as MR.
Foliar nutrient concentrations and resorption efficiency in plants of contrasting nutrient‐acquisition strategies along a 2‐million‐year dune chronosequence
Authors: Hayes Patrick , Turner Benjamin L. , Lambers Hans , Laliberté Etienne
Published: November 2013

Long‐term pedogenesis leads to important changes in the availability of soil nutrients, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Changes in the availability of micronutrients can also occur, but are less well understood. We explored whether changes in leaf nutrient concentrations and resorption were consistent with a shift from N to P limitation of plant productivity with soil age along a > 2‐million‐year dune chronosequence in south‐western Australia. We also compared these traits among plants of contrasting nutrient‐acquisition strategies, focusing on N, P and micronutrients.

The range in leaf [P] for individual species along the chronosequence was exceptionally large for both green (103–3000 μg P g−1) and senesced (19–5600 μg P g−1) leaves, almost equalling that found globally. From the youngest to the oldest soil, cover‐weighted mean leaf [P] declined from 1840 to 228 μg P g−1, while P‐resorption efficiency increased from 0% to 79%. All species converged towards a highly conservative P‐use strategy on the oldest soils.

Declines in cover‐weighted mean leaf [N] with soil age were less strong than for leaf [P], ranging from 13.4 mg N g−1 on the youngest soil to 9.5 mg N g−1 on the oldest soil. However, mean leaf N‐resorption efficiency was greatest (45%) on the youngest, N‐poor soils. Leaf N:P ratio increased from 8 on the youngest soil to 42 on the oldest soil.

Leaf zinc (Zn) concentrations were low across all chronosequence stages, but mean Zn‐resorption efficiency was greatest (55–74%) on the youngest calcareous dunes, reflecting low Zn availability at high pH.

N2‐fixing species had high leaf [N] compared with other species. Non‐mycorrhizal species had very low leaf [P] and accumulated Mn across all soils. We surmise that this reflects Mn solubilization by organic acids released for P acquisition.

Synthesis. Our results show community‐wide variation in leaf nutrient concentrations and resorption that is consistent with a shift from N to P limitation during long‐term ecosystem development. High Zn resorption on young calcareous dunes supports the possibility of micronutrient co‐limitation. High leaf [Mn] on older dunes suggests the importance of carboxylate release for P acquisition. Our results show a strong effect of soil nutrient availability on nutrient‐use efficiency and reveal considerable differences among plants of contrasting nutrient‐acquisition strategies.
Suitability of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus plantarum as Probiotics Intended for Fruit Juices Containing Citrus Extracts
Authors: Bevilacqua Antonio , Campaniello Daniela , Corbo Maria Rosaria , Maddalena Lucia , Sinigaglia Milena
Published: November 2013

A strain of Lactobacillus plantarum and 4 strains of bifidobacteria were inoculated in apple juice and in a commercial beverage labeled as “red‐fruit juice,” containing citrus extracts as natural preservatives; the suitability of the probiotics was evaluated in relation to their resistance to 2 kinds of citrus extracts (biocitro and lemon extract), survival in juices at 4 and 37 °C, and inhibition of Zygosaccharomyces bailii. Cell count of L. plantarum and bifidobacteria over time was fitted through the Weibull equation, for the evaluation of the first reduction time (δ), death time, and microbiological shelf life (the break‐point was set to 7 log cfu/mL). Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis experienced the highest δ‐value (23.21 d) and death time (96.59 d) in the red‐fruit juice at 4 °C, whereas L. plantarum was the most promising strain in apple juice at 37 °C. Biocitro and lemon extract did not exert a biocidal effect toward probiotics; moreover, the probiotics controlled the growth of Z. bailii and the combination of L. plantarum with 40 ppm of biocitro reduced the level of the yeast after 18 d by 2 log cfu/mL.
Aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1, and G2) Contamination in Rice of Mexico and Spain, from Local Sources or Imported
Authors: Suárez‐Bonnet Elena , Carvajal Magda , Méndez‐Ramírez Ignacio , Castillo‐Urueta Pável , Cortés‐Eslava Josefina , Gómez‐Arroyo Sandra , Melero‐Vara José María
Published: November 2013

Rice is an important cereal but it is often contaminated with aflatoxins (AFs). The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify AF (B1, B2, G1, and G2) in 67 rice samples cultivated in Mexico and Spain, and from imported crops collected in 2008 and 2009. The methodology was validated, the rice samples were concentrated and purified with immunoaffinity columns and were quantified by high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The average total AF (AFt) in the Spanish rice was 37.3 μg/kg, the range was from 1.6 to 1383 μg/kg, the most contaminated samples being from San Juan de Aznalfarache, Sevilla (AFt = 138.6 μg/kg), from Tortosa, Tarragona (AFt = 104.6 μg/kg), and Calasparra, Murcia (AFt = 103.9 μg/kg). The rice imported from France to Spain had AFt of 26.6 μg/kg and from Pakistan AFt of 18.4 μg/kg, showing less AF contamination than the local one. The rice which originated from Mexico contained (AFt = 16.9 μg/kg), and those imported from the United States (AFt = 14.4 μg/kg) and Uruguay (AFt = 15.6 μg/kg). The imported rice had better quality in terms of the presence of AFs.
A resource of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms for rainbow trout generated by restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing of doubled haploids
Authors: Palti Yniv , Gao Guangtu , Miller Michael R. , Vallejo Roger L. , Wheeler Paul A. , Quillet Edwige , Yao Jianbo , Thorgaard Gary H. , Salem Mohamed , Rexroad Caird E.
Published: November 2013

Salmonid genomes are considered to be in a pseudo‐tetraploid state as a result of a genome duplication event that occurred between 25 and 100 Ma. This situation complicates single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery in rainbow trout as many putative SNPs are actually paralogous sequence variants (PSVs) and not simple allelic variants. To differentiate PSVs from simple allelic variants, we used 19 homozygous doubled haploid (DH) lines that represent a wide geographical range of rainbow trout populations. In the first phase of the study, we analysed SbfI restriction‐site associated DNA (RAD) sequence data from all the 19 lines and selected 11 lines for an extended SNP discovery. In the second phase, we conducted the extended SNP discovery using PstI RAD sequence data from the selected 11 lines. The complete data set is composed of 145 168 high‐quality putative SNPs that were genotyped in at least nine of the 11 lines, of which 71 446 (49%) had minor allele frequencies (MAF) of at least 18% (i.e. at least two of the 11 lines). Approximately 14% of the RAD SNPs in this data set are from expressed or coding rainbow trout sequences. Our comparison of the current data set with previous SNP discovery data sets revealed that 99% of our SNPs are novel. In the support files for this resource, we provide annotation to the positions of the SNPs in the working draft of the rainbow trout reference genome, provide the genotypes of each sample in the discovery panel and identify SNPs that are likely to be in coding sequences.
Are sputum eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophils differently associated with clinical and functional findings of asthma?
Authors: Cianchetti S. , Bacci E. , Ruocco L. , Pavia T. , Bartoli M. L. , Cardini C. , Costa F. , Di Franco A. , Malagrinò L. , Novelli F. , Vagaggini B. , Celi A. , Dente F. , Paggiaro P.
Published: November 2013

Background

Sputum eosinophil counts and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels are usually increased in asthmatic patients. The correlation between sputum eosinophils or ECP and clinical findings of asthma has been previously investigated but many of these studies have been performed on small samples of asthmatic patients, considering only few clinical indices and often including patients on oral or inhaled corticosteroids, which might be confounding when interpreting the relationship between disease activity and airway inflammation.

Objective

To assess whether sputum eosinophils and ECP were differently related to functional and clinical parameters of asthma in a large number of steroid‐naïve asthmatic patients, taking into account several potential determinants of activity and chronicity of asthma.

Methods

One hundred and twenty‐nine patients with mild–moderate asthma were studied. Sputum was induced by hypertonic saline inhalation and processed using the whole sample method.

Results

Sputum eosinophils and ECP significantly correlated with each other (r = 0.41, P < 0.001). When patients were grouped on the basis of high/low sputum eosinophils and high/low sputum ECP levels, significant differences were observed among groups, with patients with high sputum eosinophils and ECP showing the greatest asthma severity. In the overall sample, disease duration inversely correlated with sputum eosinophils, whereas FEV1 and peak expiratory flow (PEF) inversely correlated with sputum ECP. Rescue β2‐agonist use and total symptom score positively correlated with both eosinophil counts and sputum ECP. Stepwise regression analysis showed that symptom score and disease duration accounted for 17.6% of sputum eosinophil variance, whereas symptom score and FEV1 accounted for 14.7% of sputum ECP variance.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Both sputum eosinophils and ECP are weakly related to clinical markers of asthma severity. However, ECP was more closely related to lung function parameters than eosinophil counts.
Cluster of patients with Familial Mediterranean fever and heterozygous carriers of mutations in MEFV gene in the Czech Republic
Authors: Šedivá A. , Horváth R. , Maňásek V. , Gregorová A. , Plevová P. , Horáčková M. , Tesařová M. , Toplak N. , Debeljak M.
Published: November 2013

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a well‐described monogenic autosomal recessive disorder with highest occurrence in the Mediterranean region. In this article, we describe the experience of a center in the Czech Republic that follows four families with members bearing mutations in MEFV gene without provable ancestry from the Mediterranean region. We also discuss the clinical picture of the heterozygous variants that were present in our cohort. The typical clinical presentation in heterozygotes corresponds to data described in the international literature. The possibility of combination of mutations and/or polymorphisms in different genes and epigenetic or environmental influences on the clinical symptoms are taken into account.
To drain or not to drain extraperitoneal colorectal anastomosis? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Rondelli F. , Bugiantella W. , Vedovati M. C. , Balzarotti R. , Avenia N. , Mariani E. , Agnelli G. , Becattini C.
Published: November 2013

Aim

Anastomotic leakage is the one of the most serious complications in rectal cancer surgery and is associated with high mortality, morbidity and an increased incidence of local recurrence. Although many studies have compared drained and undrained colorectal anastomoses, to date the role of pelvic drainage in extraperitoneal colorectal anastomosis remains undefined.

Method

We carried out a systematic review of the literature, performing an unrestricted search in MEDLINE and Embase up to 30 October 2012. Reference lists of retrieved articles and review articles were manually searched for other relevant studies. We performed a meta‐analysis of the data currently available on the incidence of extraperitoneal anastomotic leakage, according to the presence or absence of pelvic drainage.

Results

Overall, eight studies – three randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and five non‐RCTs, comprising a total of 2277 patients – were included in the meta‐analysis. Pelvic drainage was demonstrated to reduce both the leak rate and the rate of reintervention in patients who underwent anterior rectal resection with extraperitoneal colorectal anastomosis (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.36–0.73; and OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.18–0.46, respectively) compared with patients without drainage. Overall mortality and infection rates were also evaluated, but a nonsignificant correlation was found with the presence of drainage.

Conclusion

The meta‐analysis shows that the presence of a pelvic drain reduces the incidence of extraperitoneal colorectal anastomotic leakage and the rate of reintervention after anterior rectal resection.
Improving quality of care in people with Type 2 diabetes through the Associazione Medici Diabetologi‐annals initiative: a long‐term cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: Giorda C. B. , Nicolucci A. , Pellegrini F. , Kristiansen C. K. , Hunt B. , Valentine W. J. , Vespasiani G.
Published: November 2013

Aims

The Associazione Medici Diabetologi‐annals initiative is a physician‐led quality‐of‐care improvement scheme that has been shown to improve HbA1c concentration, blood pressure, lipid profiles and BMI in enrolled people with Type 2 diabetes. The present analysis investigated the long‐term cost‐effectiveness of enrolling people with Type 2 diabetes in the Associazione Medici Diabetologi‐annals initiative compared with conventional management.

Methods

Long‐term projections of clinical outcomes and direct costs (in 2010 Euros) were made using a published and validated model of Type 2 diabetes in people with Type 2 diabetes who were either enrolled in the Associazione Medici Diabetologi‐annals initiative or who were receiving conventional management. Treatment effects were based on mean changes from baseline seen at 5 years after enrolment in the scheme. Costs and clinical outcomes were discounted at 3% per annum.

Results

The Associazione Medici Diabetologi‐annals initiative was associated with improvements in mean discounted life expectancy and quality‐adjusted life expectancy of 0.55 years (95% CI 0.54–0.57) years and 0.48 quality‐adjusted life years (95% CI 0.46–0.49), respectively, compared with conventional management. Whilst treatment costs were higher in the Associazione Medici Diabetologi‐annals arm, this was offset by savings as a result of the reduced incidence and treatment of diabetes‐related complications. The Associazione Medici Diabetologi‐annals initiative was found to be cost‐saving over patient lifetimes compared with conventional management [€ 37,289 (95% CI 37,205–37,372) vs € 41,075 (95% CI 40,956–41,155)].

Conclusions

Long‐term projections indicate that the physician‐led Associazione Medici Diabetologi‐annals initiative represents a cost‐saving method of improving long‐term clinical outcomes compared with conventional management of people with Type 2 diabetes in Italy.
Dose response of continuous subcutaneous infusion of recombinant glucagon‐like peptide‐1 in combination with metformin and sulphonylurea over 12 weeks in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Torekov S. S. , Holst J. J. , Ehlers M. R.
Published: November 2013

Aims

Any differences observed between natural glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and studies obtained with analogues might call for renewed considerations concerning the use and design of such analogues. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the dose–response relationship of recombinant glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (7–36) amide (rGLP‐1) administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) in subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We compared the efficacy and safety of three doses of recombinant GLP‐1, ranging from 1.25 to 5.0 pmol/kg/min (pkm) and placebo, given by continuous subcutaneous infusion over 3 months in combination with metformin and sulphonylurea (SU), to lower haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose and weight in 95 type 2 diabetes patients with inadequate glycaemic control.

Results

The mean decreases in HbA1c at endpoint (week 12) were significantly greater for all three rGLP‐1 dose groups when each was compared with the placebo group, with the greatest decrease occurring in the 5.0 pkm dose group (−1.3%, s.d. ± 0.18, p < 0.001). The mean decreases in fasting plasma glucose from baseline to endpoint were significantly greater for all three rGLP‐1 dose groups than for the placebo group, with the greatest decrease occurring in the 5.0 pkm dose group (−26.0 mg/dl, s.d. ± 8.5, p = 0.02). Body weight was significantly reduced by 1.8 kg (s.d. ± 1.3) in the 1.25 pkm dose group only (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Administration of rGLP‐1 by CSCI over a 12‐week period in combination with metformin and an SU had a dose dependent effect in lowering HbA1c and fasting plasma glucose. However, administration of rGLP‐1 by CSCI may be less effective with respect to lowering of body weight compared with the daily and once weekly analogues.
Stepped‐isothermal fatigue analysis of engine piston
Authors: Zhang Qing , Zuo Zhengxing , Liu Jinxiang
Published: November 2013

Stepped‐isothermal fatigue failure is the main failure mechanism of modern engine pistons under bench reliability test condition. This paper presents a methodology for stepped‐isothermal fatigue analysis of engine pistons, which consists of a fatigue criterion, evaluation of temperature and stress distribution by finite element analysis and the final life prediction. The major character of the methodology is the fatigue definition of engine pistons with respect to engine load change cycle and a damage‐based fatigue criterion accounting for the nonlinear creep–fatigue damage. Taking as an example, the fatigue life of an engine piston was predicted by the proposed analysis procedures. The analysis results showed that the most critical area was located in the throat edge. Moreover, the proposed methodology can give a relatively accurate and reasonable life prediction for an engine piston under the loading condition of bench reliability test, with a benefit of decreasing the needed component's reliability tests and design time.
Predicting the sensitivity of butterfly phenology to temperature over the past century
Authors: Kharouba Heather M. , Paquette Sebastien R. , Kerr Jeremy T. , Vellend Mark
Published: November 2013

Studies to date have documented substantial variation among species in the degree to which phenology responds to temperature and shifts over time, but we have a limited understanding of the causes of such variation. Here, we use a spatially and temporally extensive data set (ca. 48 000 observations from across Canada) to evaluate the utility of museum collection records in detecting broad‐scale phenology‐temperature relationships and to test for systematic differences in the sensitivity of phenology to temperature (days °C−1) of Canadian butterfly species according to relevant ecological traits. We showed that the timing of flight season predictably responded to temperature both across space (variation in average temperature from site to site in Canada) and across time (variation from year to year within each individual site). This reveals that collection records, a vastly underexploited resource, can be applied to the quantification of broad‐scale relationships between species' phenology and temperature. The timing of the flight season of earlier fliers and less mobile species was more sensitive to temperature than later fliers and more mobile species, demonstrating that ecological traits can account for some of the interspecific variation in species' phenological sensitivity to temperature. Finally, we found that phenological sensitivity to temperature differed across time and space implying that both dimensions of temperature will be needed to translate species' phenological sensitivity to temperature into accurate predictions of species' future phenological shifts. Given the widespread temperature sensitivity of flight season timing, we can expect long‐term temporal shifts with increased warming [ca. 2.4 days °C−1(0.18 SE)] for many if not most butterfly species.
CCAR1/CoCoA pair‐mediated recruitment of the Mediator defines a novel pathway for GATA1 function
Authors: Mizuta Shumpei , Minami Tomoya , Fujita Haruka , Kaminaga Chihiro , Matsui Keiji , Ishino Ruri , Fujita Azusa , Oda Kasumi , Kawai Asami , Hasegawa Natsumi , Urahama Norinaga , Roeder Robert G. , Ito Mitsuhiro
Published: November 2013

The MED1 subunit of the Mediator transcriptional coregulator complex coactivates GATA1 and induces erythropoiesis. Here, we show the dual mechanism of GATA1‐ and MED1‐mediated transcription. MED1 expression levels in K562 erythroleukemia cells paralleled the levels of GATA1‐targeted gene transcription and erythroid differentiation. An N‐terminal fragment of MED1, MED1(1–602), which is incapable of interacting with GATA1, enhanced GATA1‐targeted gene transcription and erythroid differentiation, and introduction of MED1(1–602) into Med1−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) partially rescued GATA1‐mediated transcription. The C‐terminal zinc‐finger domain of GATA1 interacts with the MED1(1–602)‐interacting coactivator CCAR1, CoCoA and MED1(681–715). CCAR1 and CoCoA synergistically enhanced GATA1‐mediated transcription from the γ‐globin promoter in MEFs. Recombinant GATA1, CCAR1, CoCoA and MED1(1–602) formed a complex in vitro, and GATA1, CCAR1, CoCoA and MED1 were recruited to the γ‐globin promoter in K562 cells during erythroid differentiation. Therefore, in addition to the direct interaction between GATA1 and MED1, CoCoA and CCAR1 appear to relay the GATA1 signal to MED1, and multiple modes of the GATA1‐MED1 axis may help to fine‐tune GATA1 function during GATA1‐mediated homeostasis events.
Porous YSZ Ceramics Reinforced by Different Kinds of Fibers
Authors: Lang Ying , Wang Chang‐An , Tie Shengnian
Published: November 2013

Porous YSZ ceramics reinforced by different fibers were prepared by gel‐casting with 15% solid content and pressureless sintering. The four kinds of fibers (mullite, aluminosilicate, Al2O3, and YSZ fibers) were added into the YSZ ceramics with the same 10% vol content. After sintered at 1500°C for 2 h, aluminosilicate and mullite fibers could not be found in the samples of porous YSZ ceramics, which showed they reacted with YSZ ceramics at high temperature, while YSZ and Al2O3 fibers still kept perfect after sintering. Furthermore, the influences of fiber content, sintering temperature, porosity of matrix materials on compressive strength and porosity of the porous YSZ ceramics were studied. The results showed that Al2O3 fiber showed more obvious reinforcing effect than YSZ fiber on porous YSZ ceramics. The fiber‐reinforcing effects depend on fiber content, sintering temperature, and porosity of matrix materials. The fiber addition can improve the shrinkage behavior of porous ceramics during sintering and strengthen the skeleton of porous ceramics.
Transcriptional regulation of T helper type 2 differentiation
Authors: Lee Gap Ryol
Published: November 2013

Considerable progress has been made in recent years towards our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of T helper type 2 (Th2) cell differentiation. Additional transcription factors and chromatin‐modifying factors were identified and shown to promote Th2 cell differentiation and inhibit differentiation into other subsets. Analyses of mice lacking several cis‐regulatory elements have yielded more insight into the regulatory mechanism of Th2 cytokine genes. Gene deletion studies of several chromatin modifiers confirmed their impact on CD4 T‐cell differentiation. In addition, recent genome‐wide analyses of transcription factor binding and chromatin status revealed unexpected roles of these factors in Th2‐cell differentiation. In this review, these recent findings and their implication are summarized.
Embedded Versus Peripheral CSR From the Perspective of CSR Professionals
Authors: Smith Katherine V. , Bartunek Jean M.
Published: November 2013

This response is being written primarily from the perspective of the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and insights derived from extensive interactions with its members. This enables a different perspective on the focal article by Aguinis and Glavas (2013) than one primarily based on macro/micro distinctions in academic scholarship.
When the Ivory Tower Is Toppled by Reality: The Case of Corporate Social Responsibility Research
Authors: Brumback Gary
Published: November 2013

For decades I tracked and filed information from many different sources on corporate wrongdoing, both the unethical but legal kind (all wrongdoing is unethical and some of the worst of it is made legal by a subservient government) and the illegal kind. After I retired as an industrial–organizational (I–O) psychologist I expanded substantially my archival research and eventually wrote two books that are very pertinent here.
Knot security and tensile strength of suture materials
Authors: Marturello Danielle M. , McFadden Michael S. , Bennett R. Avery , Ragetly Guillaume R. , Horn Gavin
Published: November 2013

Objective

To evaluate knot security and tensile failure load of suture tied in simple interrupted, beginning continuous, and ending continuous patterns for 11 suture materials commonly used in small animal surgery.

Study design

Mechanical study.

Methods

For each of 11 suture material types, and 5 knot sizes (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 throws) 2 surgeons each tied 6 knots (n = 12 for each knot size in 11 suture materials). Three types of patterns were evaluated: a simple interrupted square knot, a square knot beginning a simple continuous pattern, and the knot ending a simple continuous pattern. All knots were incubated in healthy canine donor plasma at 40°C for a minimum of 24 hours. Sutures were evaluated for knot security (knots untied, suture failed by breaking, suture slipped from the clamps, or suture untied before testing) and maximum load carried before knot slippage or knot failure (termed tensile failure load).

Results

Significant differences were found in knot security and tensile failure load among suture types. There was no significant difference between the simple interrupted knots and the knots at the beginning of a simple continuous pattern; however, both were significantly less likely to fail than the knots tied at the end of a simple continuous pattern. The number of throws per knot had a significant effect for knot security and tensile failure load. Surgeon experience had a significant effect on failure mode and tensile failure load.

Conclusions

Suture type, number of throws per knot (knot size), suture pattern, and surgeon experience play an important role in knot security and should be considered when performing surgery.
PATIENTS' EXPERIENCE AND PERCEPTIONS OF POLYPHARMACY IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AND ITS IMPACT ON ADHERENT BEHAVIOUR
Authors: McKillop Gus , Joy Jane
Published: November 2013

Aims

To explore attitudes towards medicines, polypharmacy and adherence in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Background

Polypharmacy is common in CKD and associated with medication non‐adherence.

Methods

As part of a mixed methodology project, a purposive sample of ten participants were recruited and interviewed to explore attitudes to medicines and reasons for adherent and non‐adherent behaviour.

Results

Several reasons for non‐adherence were reported. Interviewees described a variety of attitudes towards medicines. Complex medicine regimes were a frequently cited contributing factor in poor adherence. Concerns about or experience of side effects had a negative impact on adherence. Prioritisation of medicines was evident and the importance of communication with health professionals was a consistent theme.

Conclusions

Non‐adherence with prescribed medicines in CKD is a complex phenomenon, which has implications for clinical outcomes and cost. Adherent behaviour may change over time. Further research in this field is needed. No single intervention is likely to enhance adherence for all and clinicians should consider a variety of options to improve adherence with prescribed medicines.
Characterization of Lablab purpureus Regarding Drought Tolerance, Trypsin Inhibitor Activity and Cyanogenic Potential for Selection in Breeding Programmes
Authors: Guretzki S. , Papenbrock J.
Published: November 2013

Climate change is responsible for the decrease in rainfall in many regions. One consequence is a reduction in arable land for traditional crops. Therefore, we are looking for drought‐tolerant crops from many regions to replace sensitive crops currently in use. Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, which is grown mainly in Africa and South Asia, is considered to be drought tolerant. The species L. purpureus is a member of the Fabaceae family and has multiple functions, for example as food or forage. In this study, L. purpureus genotypes were compared to find the best genotypes adapted to the new climate conditions and with the highest benefits as food and fodder. The drought tolerance of four L. purpureus genotypes was examined. Classical growth parameters, infrared thermography and stomatal conductance were measured after induction of drought stress to monitor the impact of drought on plant growth and development. Significant differences among the genotypes were found in the tested growth stage. The ranking of the most drought‐tolerant genotype was method dependent. To find potentially usable genotypes, the trypsin inhibitor activity was determined and an analysis of the cyanogenic potential (HCNp) was performed. Both trypsin inhibitor activity and HCNp showed significant differences among the genotypes without showing a correlation to each other. In summary, we recommend as selection criteria of the best genotypes for future breeding programmes: (i) a combination of at least two, better three, independent methods for the determination of drought effects on L. purpureus and (ii) the chemical analysis of compounds which are important for the nutritional value.
A theory‐driven investigation of prospective applicants' intentions to submit video résumés
Authors: Gissel Amanda L. , Thompson Lori F. , Pond Samuel B.
Published: November 2013

As a quickly growing trend among job seekers, video résumés represent an area where practice has outpaced research. This study investigated whether the theory of planned behavior (TpB) can be used to understand future job seekers (n = 154) video résumé submission intentions and behaviors. Results supported the TpB model. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted intentions, which in turn predicted video résumé creation behaviors. Compared with perceived behavioral control, attitudes and subjective norms were more important predictors. As one of the first empirical studies on video résumés, this research breaks important new ground. It also extends what is known about the TpB because it is the first study to use a relative importance analysis to statistically compare the influence of the theory's antecedent constructs.