bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new formula for a mild body cleanser: sodium laureth sulphate supplemented with sodium laureth carboxylate and lauryl glucoside
Authors: Takagi Y. , Shimizu M. , Morokuma Y. , Miyaki M. , Kiba A. , Matsuo K. , Isoda K. , Mizutani H.
Published: March 2014

Synopsis

Objective

Sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) is an anionic detergent, which has been used globally for personal care products because of its mildness and good foaming ability. However, SLES is somewhat invasive and stimulatory to the skin, and many consumers with sensitive skin desire milder detergents for daily use skin cleansers. We enhanced the mildness of SLES by formulating it with sodium laureth carboxylate (AEC) and lauryl glucoside (LG).

Methods

In skin soak tests, 5% detergent solutions were applied to the forearms of 10 Japanese healthy volunteers for 30 min followed by washing with tap water once a day for 4 days. Twenty‐four hours after the last treatment, cutaneous capacitance measurements and visual analyses were performed. In a controlled usage study, 16 Japanese healthy volunteers used the test body cleanser for 4 weeks. Assessment of efficacy and mildness was conducted prior to the start of the study and at the end of week 4 by cutaneous conductance, dermoscopic evaluation of the stratum corneum and visual assessment by a dermatologist.

Results

In soak tests, cutaneous capacitance was significantly decreased on the soap‐treated region and on the SLES‐treated region. No significant decrease was identified on the SLES/AEC/LG‐treated region with less induction of erythema or dryness. In the controlled usage study, no significant changes in cutaneous conductance or texture or damage of corneocytes on the forearm and lower thigh were found. However, visual assessment revealed a significant decrease in scaling and erythema on the lower thigh after 4 weeks of usage with an improvement of the discomfort of the consumer. The favourability rating of this formulated detergent in several questionnaire items was very good.

Conclusion

The newly formulated skin cleanser with the combination of anionic surfactants SLES and AEC and the non‐ionic surfactant LG provides a mild surfactant with a satisfactory cleansing activity for body washing.
Photocatalytic Performance of Nitrogen‐Doped and Cu2+ and Ag+ Co‐Doped Sodium Trititanate
Authors: Gundeboina Ravi , Veldurthi Naveen Kumar , Velchuri Radha , Guje Ravinder , Pola Someshwar , Muga Vithal , Nagegownivari R Muniratnam
Published: March 2014

Nano‐sized (i) N‐doped sodium trititanate and (ii) N and Cu2+ (Ag+) co‐doped sodium trititanates CuTi3NO6−x (Ag2Ti3NO6−x) were prepared by a solid‐state and ion‐exchange methods, respectively. The materials were characterized by EDS, PXRD, XPS, FESEM, TEM, UV–visible DRS, and Raman spectroscopy. All the materials were crystallized in monoclinic lattice with P21/m space group. The bandgap energy of all the samples was deduced from their UV–visible DRS profiles. Visible‐light‐induced photocatalytic oxidation of the methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO), cyclohexene and phenol, was examined. The Ag+ co‐doped trititanate exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity among the materials investigated.
Nucleotide sequence and polymorphism ofMHCclassIIDQBexon 2 alleles inChinese yakow (Bos grunniens × Bos taurus)
Authors: Xi D. , Hao T. , He Y. , Leng J. , Sun Y. , Yang Y. , Mao H. , Deng W.
Published: March 2014

The objective of this study is to describe the gene characteristics of the bovine lymphocyte antigen (BoLA)‐DQBexon 2 locus inChinese yakow (Bos grunniens × Bos taurus) and to compare it with previously reported patterns in other bovidae species to investigate genetic factors for disease resistance. The exon 2 of theMHCclass IIDQBgene was cloned and sequenced. It was revealed by sequence analyses that there are 36DQBexon 2 alleles among 44Chinese yakow. These alleles exhibited a high degree of nucleotide and amino acid polymorphism with most amino acid variations occurring at positions forming the peptide‐binding sites (PBS). TheDQBloci were analysed for patterns of synonymous (dS) and nonsynonymous (dN) substitution. The Chinese yakow was observed to be under strong positive selection in theDQBexon 2 peptide‐binding sites (dN = 0.147,P < 0.01). It appears that this variability amongChinese yakow confers the ability to mount immune responses to a wide variety of peptides or pathogens.
Economic Causes and Cures of Social Instability in China
Authors: Knight John
Published: March 2014

China's leaders have often expressed concerns about social instability, viewed as a threat both to the political order and to continued rapid growth. Slower growth might, in turn, further undermine social stability. Using survey data, the present paper examines the economic determinants of social instability. Four main determinants are identified: past and expected growth of income, income inequality, economic insecurity and misgovernance. The paper then considers possible policies to reduce social instability, examining each of the determinants in turn.
Enhancing China's Innovation Performance: The Policy Choices
Authors: Fu Xiaolan , Mu Rongping
Published: March 2014

Transforming China into an innovation‐driven economy has been one of the top priorities of the Chinese Government. This paper examines the policy choices involved in the extended national innovation performance framework for creating an open innovation system. Innovation capabilities, incentives and institutional frameworks are examined. The paper argues that China should continue to increase its investment in R&D and in education, and that there should also be an attempt to strengthen the incentive system at the macro, meso and micro levels. This strengthening may include reforms to: release the power of competition and guide resources towards innovative sectors; adopt appropriate human resource management, such as appraisal and remuneration systems; create effective policies for research funding management; and evaluate the efficiency of research to encourage the creativity of researchers, managers and employees. The paper also discusses the space for industrial policy in the 21st century.
Market Reaction to Corporate Social Responsibility Announcements: Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Liang , Wang Tie‐nan , Fung Hung‐Gay
Published: March 2014

This study uses an event study methodology to examine how the Chinese market reacts to announcements of involvement in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by Southern Weekend (a Chinese newspaper) for Chinese firms from 2008 to 2012. Our results show significant and positive market reactions, supporting the instrumental stakeholder theory. We attribute the positive market response to social capital development and real growth options related to the CSR involvement by the Chinese firms.
A repeated measures study of changes in health‐related quality of life during pregnancy and the relationship with obstetric factors
Authors: Chang Shiow‐Ru , Chen Kuang‐Ho , Lin Ming‐I , Lin Ho‐Hsiung , Huang Lian‐Hua , Lin Wei‐An
Published: March 2014

Aims

To examine changes in health‐related quality of life throughout the course of pregnancy and among three pairs of consecutive periods (pre‐pregnancy to early pregnancy, early to middle pregnancy and middle to late pregnancy), as well as to identify associated obstetric factors during the entire period of pregnancy.

Background

Only sparse data are available concerning the profiles of health‐related quality of life throughout pregnancy.

Design

A within‐subject comparison was undertaken.

Methods

In total, 358 women completed the Taiwanese version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form‐36 Health Questionnaire and a demographic‐obstetric questionnaire at three stages of pregnancy at a medical centre. The participants were recruited between 2009–2010. A generalized estimating equation regression model was employed for the repeated measures.

Results

The scores for physical component summary decreased significantly throughout early, middle and late pregnancy. The scores for mental component summary increased. The scores for physical, mental component summary and the eight domains of health‐related quality of life decreased significantly from pre‐pregnancy to early pregnancy. After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, significant factors predicting physical component summary during pregnancy included stage of pregnancy and previous infertility. The factors predicting mental component summary included stage of pregnancy, parity and medical condition.

Conclusions

The results revealed the dynamic pattern of perceived health status by the Taiwanese pregnant women in their surrounding socio‐cultural context and identified the stage of pregnancy and obstetric factors predicting health‐related quality of life.
Students' perceptions of self‐directed learning and collaborative learning with and without technology
Authors: Lee K. , Tsai P.‐S. , Chai C.S. , Koh J.H.L.
Published: March 2014

This study explored students' perceptions of self‐directed learning (SDL) and collaborative learning (CL) with/without technology in an information and communications technology‐supported classroom environment. The factors include SDL, CL, SDL supported by technology, and CL supported by technology. Based on the literature review, this study hypothesized that students' perceptions of learning without technology positively predict their perceptions of learning supported by technology. An instrument was developed and two studies, a pilot study and a main study, were undertaken. The pilot study surveyed 219 secondary school students and established the factors through exploratory factor analysis with good validity and reliability. The main study surveyed 500 secondary school students to confirm the factors and to establish the relationships between these factors through structural equation modeling. The results validated the four‐factor structure model and revealed that students who reportedly engaged in SDL and CL in face‐to‐face contexts also engaged in these forms of learning in technology‐supported contexts. The findings indicate that students' learning without technology support is related to their use of technology for learning. It may be advisable for teachers to develop students' learning processes in the face‐to‐face context without technology before engaging them in technology‐supported learning.
Regional variation in sex ratios and sex allocation in androdioecious Mercurialis annua
Authors: Pannell J. R. , Eppley S. M. , Dorken M. E. , Berjano R.
Published: March 2014

In androdioecious metapopulations, where males co‐occur with hermaphrodites, the absence of males from certain populations or regions may be explained by locally high selfing rates, high hermaphrodite outcross siring success (e.g. due to high pollen production by hermaphrodites), or to stochastic processes (e.g. the failure of males to invade populations or regions following colonization or range expansion by hermaphrodites). In the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco, the presence of males with hermaphrodites in the wind‐pollinated androdioecious plant Mercurialis annua (Euphorbiaceae) varies both among populations within relatively small regions and among regions, with some regions lacking males from all populations. The species is known to have expanded its range into the Iberian Peninsula from a southern refugium. To account for variation in male presence in M. annua, we test the following hypotheses: (1) that males are absent in areas where plant densities are lower, because selfing rates should be correspondingly higher; (2) that males are absent in areas where hermaphrodites produce more pollen; and (3) that males are absent in areas where there is an elevated proportion of populations in which plant density and hermaphrodite pollen production disfavour their invasion. We found support for predictions two and three in Morocco (the putative Pleistocene refugium for M. annua) but no support for any hypothesis in Iberia (the expanded range). Our results are partially consistent with a hypothesis of sex‐allocation equilibrium for populations in Morocco; in Iberia, the absence of males from large geographical regions is more consistent with a model of sex‐ratio evolution in a metapopulation with recurrent population turnover. Our study points to the role of both frequency‐dependent selection and contingencies imposed by colonization during range expansions and in metapopulations.
Impact of pancreatic stent caliber on post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram pancreatitis rates in patients with confirmed sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
Authors: Ramesh Jayapal , Kim Hwasoon , Reddy Kartika , Varadarajulu Shyam , Wilcox C Mel
Published: March 2014

Background

Despite proven clinical benefit, there are no studies that have examined the relationship between pancreatic stent caliber and its impact on PEP [post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) pancreatitis] in high‐risk patients.

Aim

To study the relationship between stent caliber and PEP rates in patients with confirmed sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD).

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted of ERCP's in patients with SOD from 2002 to 2012 from a prospectively maintained, Institutional Review Board approved database.

Results

A total of 243/7659 (3.2%) patients underwent 3Fr or 5Fr pancreatic stent placement following sphincterotomy for manometry‐proven SOD. Of these, 133 (54.7%) underwent 3Fr stent placement, while 110 (45.3%) underwent 5Fr stent placement. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of baseline characteristics, demographics, and previous cholecystectomy. Cannulation and stent placement success rates were 100% in both groups. There was no significant difference in rates of PEP and overall complications, 12% versus 12.7%; P = 0.89 and 13.5% versus 15.5%; P = 0.54, between the 3Fr and 5Fr cohorts, respectively. There were more mild PEP rates recorded in 5Fr group (93% vs 56% P = 0.0549) that was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

There appears to be no relationship between stent characteristics and the risk or severity of PEP in patients with manometrically proven SOD.
The enzyme lecithin‐cholesterol acyltransferase esterifies cerebrosterol and limits the toxic effect of this oxysterol on SH‐SY5Y cells
Authors: La Marca Valeria , Spagnuolo Maria Stefania , Cigliano Luisa , Marasco Daniela , Abrescia Paolo
Published: March 2014

Cholesterol is mostly removed from the CNS by its conversion to cerebrosterol (24(S)‐hydroxycholesterol, 24(S)OH‐C), which is transported to the circulation for bile formation in liver. A neurotoxic role of this oxysterol was previously demonstrated in cell culture. Here, we provide evidence that the enzyme lecithin‐cholesterol acyltransferase, long known to esterify cholesterol, also produces monoesters of 24(S)OH‐C. Proteoliposomes containing apolipoprotein A‐I or apolipoprotein E were used to stimulate the enzyme activity and entrap the formed esters. Proteoliposomes with apolipoprotein A‐I were found to be more active than those with apolipoprotein E in stimulating the production of oxysteryl esters. Cholesterol and 24(S)OH‐C were found to compete for enzyme activity. High levels of haptoglobin, as those circulating during the acute inflammatory phase, inhibited 24(S)OH‐C esterification. When highly neurotoxic 24(S)OH‐C was treated with enzyme and proteoliposomes before incubation with differentiated SH‐SY5Y cells, the neuron survival improved. The esters of 24(S)OH‐C, embedded into proteoliposomes by the enzyme and isolated from unesterified 24(S)OH‐C by gel filtration chromatography, did not enter the neurons in culture. These results suggest that the enzyme, in the presence of the apolipoproteins, converts 24(S)OH‐C into esters restricted to the extracellular environment, thus preventing or limiting oxysterol‐induced neurotoxic injuries to neurons in culture.

image

24‐hydroxycholesterol (24(S)OH‐C) is neurotoxic. The enzyme lecithin‐cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) synthesizes monoesters of 24(S)OH‐C in reaction mixtures with proteoliposomes containing phospholipids and apolipoprotein A‐I or apolipoprotein E. The esters, also produced by incubation of cerebrospinal fluid only with tritiated 24(S)OH‐C, are embedded into lipoproteins that do not enter neurons in culture. The enzyme activity limits the toxicity of 24‐hydroxycholesterol in neuron culture.
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Over 6 Months Increases the Risk of Bleeding after Biodegradable Polymer‐Coated Sirolimus Eluting Stents Implantation: Insights from the CREATE Study
Authors: ZHANG LEI , LI YI , JING QUAN‐MIN , WANG XIAO‐ZENG , MA YING‐YAN , WANG GENG , XU BO , GAO RUN‐LIN , HAN YA‐LING ,   for the CREATE Investigators
Published: March 2014

Background

The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after drug‐eluting stent (DES) implantation remains controversial. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of optimal DAPT duration on bleeding events between 6 and 12 months after biodegradable polymer‐coated DES implantation. The secondary aim is to determine the predictors and prognostic implications of bleeding.

Methods

This study is a post hoc analysis of the Multi‐Center Registry of EXCEL Biodegradable Polymer Drug Eluting Stents (CREATE) study population. A total of 2,040 patients surviving at 6 months were studied, including 1,639 (80.3%) who had received 6‐month DAPT and 401 (19.7%) who had received DAPT greater than 6 months. Bleeding events were defined according to the bleeding academic research consortium (BARC) definitions as described previously and were classified as major/minor (BARC 2–5) and minimal (BARC 1). A left censored method with a landmark at 6 months was used to determine the incidence, predictors, and impact of bleeding on clinical prognosis between 6 and 12 months.

Results

At 1‐year follow‐up, patients who received prolonged DAPT longer than 6 months had a significantly higher incidence of overall (3.0% vs. 5.5%, P = 0.021) and major/minor bleeding (1.1% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.050) compared to the patients who received 6‐month DAPT. Multivariate analysis showed that being elderly (OR = 1.882, 95% CI: 1.109–3.193, P = 0.019), having diabetes (OR = 1.735, 95% CI: 1.020–2.952, P = 0.042), having a history of coronary artery disease (OR = 2.163, 95% CI: 1.097–4.266, P = 0.026), and duration of DAPT longer than 6 months (OR = 1.814, 95% CI: 1.064–3.091, P = 0.029) were independent predictors of bleeding. Patients with bleeding events had a significantly higher incidence of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and stent thrombosis.

Conclusions

Prolonged DAPT (greater than 6 months) after biodegradable polymer‐coated DES increases the risk of bleeding, and is associated with adverse cardiac events at 1‐year follow‐up. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:119–126)
The fibroblast growth factor‐23 and Vitamin D emerge as nontraditional risk factors and may affect cardiovascular risk
Authors: Masson S. , Agabiti N. , Vago T. , Miceli M. , Mayer F. , Letizia T. , Wienhues‐Thelen U. , Mureddu G. F. , Davoli M. , Boccanelli A. , Latini R. ,   The Investigators of the PREDICTOR study
Published: March 2014

Objectives

Fibroblast growth factor‐23 (FGF‐23) and vitamin D are hormones involved in phosphate homoeostasis. They also directly influence cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We examined whether the relationships between levels of vitamin D or FGF‐23, cardiac phenotype and outcome were independent of established cardiac biomarkers in a large cohort of community‐dwelling elderly subjects.

Design and Setting

Plasma levels of FGF‐23 and vitamin D were measured in 1851 men and women (65–84 years) resident in the Lazio region of Italy. Participants were referred to eight cardiology centres for clinical examination, electrocardiography, comprehensive Doppler echocardiography and blood sampling. All‐cause mortality or hospitalizations were available after a median follow‐up of 47 months with record linkage of administrative data.

Results

Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng mL−1) was found in 72.3% of subjects, but FGF‐23 levels were normal [74 (58–97) RU per mL]. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and morbidities, low concentrations of vitamin D and high levels of FGF‐23 were associated with a higher left ventricular (LV) mass index. Levels of FGF‐23 [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) 1.71 (1.28–2.28), P < 0.0001] but not vitamin D [0.76 (0.57–1.01), P = 0.08] were independently associated with mortality after adjustment for clinical risk factors and two cardiac markers together (N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide and high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T), but did not predict hospital admission. People with above median values of FGF‐23 and below median values of vitamin D had greater LV hypertrophy and higher mortality.

Conclusions

In community‐dwelling elderly individuals with highly prevalent vitamin D deficiency, FGF‐23 levels were associated with LV hypertrophy and predicted mortality independently of two robust cardiac biomarkers. A causal relationship was not demonstrated, but the hormones involved in mineral metabolism emerged as nontraditional risk factors and may affect cardiovascular risk.
Impact on Staff of Improving Access to the School Breakfast Program: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Haesly Blair , Nanney Marilyn S. , Coulter Sara , Fong Sherri , Pratt Rebekah J.
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Project BREAK! was designed to test the efficacy of an intervention to increase student participation in the reimbursable School Breakfast Program (SBP). Two schools developed grab‐n‐go menus, added convenient serving locations, and allowed eating in the hallway. This follow‐up study investigated faculty and staff perspectives of how the SBP changes influenced schools.

METHODS

Project BREAK! high schools were located near Minneapolis, Minnesota, enrolled over 1200 students each and were 70% to 90% white. Interviews with school personnel (N = 11) and focus groups with teachers (N = 16) from the 2 intervention schools were conducted. The Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) framework guided the question development.

RESULTS

Analysis of the interviews identified the following DOI constructs as most prominently mentioned by school personnel and teachers: advantages for students and faculty/staff, minimal staff time required, communication of the changes, support of social relations between students and faculty/staff and trialability of the program.

CONCLUSION

There appears to be numerous advantages for both students and school personnel to improving SBP access. The relative advantages of Project BREAK! appear to outweigh the negatives associated with extra time and effort required by staff. Communication about the changes is an area that needs strengthening.
Can School Choice Improve More Than Just Academic Achievement? An Analysis of Post‐Katrina New Orleans
Authors: Hutchinson Paul L. , Ferrell Natalie , Broussard Marsha , Brown Lisanne , Chrestman Sarah K.
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Recent evaluations of school choice school reforms have focused on improving academic achievement but have ignored associations with adolescent health and the risk of interpersonal violence. The innovative school choice model implemented in post‐Katrina New Orleans provides a unique opportunity to examine these effects.

METHODS

Using a sample of approximately 1700 students from the 2009 School Health Connection Survey, the relationships between the type of school attended and depression, suicide planning, absences attributable to fears for personal safety, and threats of violence at school are examined. Multivariate regression analysis adjusting for self‐selection into the type of school attended—a city‐run high‐performing school, a state‐run failing school, or an independent charter school—estimates the effects of school type on student health.

RESULTS

Relative to students at state‐run schools, students who choose to attend city‐run schools are less likely to plan for suicide or to miss school because they are afraid of becoming victims of violence. These beneficial effects tend to be larger for students traveling from higher violence neighborhoods. The effects for charter schools are similar but less robust.

CONCLUSIONS

Local school jurisdictions that implement reforms allowing adolescents and their families greater freedom in school choice may also improve adolescent health.
Using motivational interviewing for weight feedback to parents of young children
Authors: Dawson Anna M , Brown Deirdre A , Cox Adell , Williams Sheila M , Treacy Lee , Haszard Jill , Meredith‐Jones Kim , Hargreaves Elaine , Taylor Barry J , Ross Jim , Taylor Rachael W
Published: March 2014

Aim

To determine whether a single session of motivational interviewing (MI) for feedback of a child's overweight status promotes engagement in treatment following screening.

Methods

One thousand ninety‐three children aged 4–8 years were recruited through primary and secondary care to attend health screening, including assessment of parenting practices and motivation (questionnaire). Families with normal‐weight children were informed about their child's weight but had no further involvement. Parents of overweight (body mass index ≥85th percentile) children (n = 271) were randomised to receive weight feedback via MI or best practice care (BPC) using a traffic light concept to indicate degree of health risk. Follow‐up interviews were held 2 weeks later to examine intervention uptake, changes to motivation and behaviour, and parental response to feedback.

Results

Recruitment into the intervention was high (76%) and not altered by feedback condition (percentage difference 6.6 (95% confidence interval −2.9, 16.0). High scores on the Health Care Climate Questionnaire (rating of the interviewer) indicated satisfaction with how the information was provided to parents. No differences were observed in multiple indicators of harm. However, self‐determined motivation for healthy life‐styles was significantly higher in the MI condition at follow‐up (0.18: 0.00, 0.35), after only a single session of MI.

Conclusions

MI and BPC were both successful in encouraging parents to participate in a family‐based intervention, with MI offering little significant benefit over BPC. A traffic light approach to weight feedback is a suitable way of providing sensitive information to parents not expecting such news.
Differential expression of Toll‐like receptor 4 in healthy and diseased human gingiva
Authors: Li J.‐P. , Chen Y. , Ng C. H. C. , Fung M.‐L. , Xu A. , Cheng B. , Tsao S. W. , Leung W. K.
Published: March 2014

Background and Objective

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐mediated signaling in host cells involves Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) accessory molecules, including LPS‐binding protein (LBP), cluster of differentiation 14 (CD14) and lymphocyte antigen 96 (MD‐2). However, expression of these innate defense molecules in various compartments of the human periodontium is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression profile of TLR4 in human gingiva.

Material and Methods

Human gingival biopsies were collected from healthy gingival or chronic periodontitis tissue. Primary gingival keratinocytes and fibroblasts were cultured. Immunohistochemical analysis for TLR4 was performed. Transcripts of TLR4, MD‐2, CD14 and LBP, and their protein products, were examined using RT‐PCR, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. The interactions between these molecules in keratinocytes and fibroblasts were investigated by co‐immunoprecipitation.

Results

TLR4 immunoreactivity was found in healthy gingival epithelium and periodontitis tissue, and appeared to be lower in junctional epithelium ( p ≤ 0.01). Fibroblasts and inflammatory cells stained more strongly for TLR4 in diseased periodontal tissues (p < 0.001). Three TLR4 splicing variants, two MD‐2 splicing variants and one CD14 mRNA were expressed by gingival keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Expression of TLR4, CD14 and MD‐2 proteins was detected in keratinocytes and fibroblasts in vitro. TLR4 protein from gingival keratinocytes and fibroblasts could be co‐immunoprecipitated with CD14 or MD‐2, suggesting an association between the related molecules in vivo. LBP transcript was detected in gingival biopsies, but not in primary cultures of gingival keratinocytes or fibroblasts.

Conclusion

TLR4, CD14 and MD‐2, but not LBP, are expressed in human gingival keratinocytes and fibroblasts. The TLR4 expression level in the junctional epithelium appeared to be lowest within the periodontal epithelial barrier.
Pressure or Pamper? The Effects of Power and Trust Dimensions on Supplier Resource Allocation
Authors: Pulles Niels J. , Veldman Jasper , Schiele Holger , Sierksma Henk
Published: March 2014

Leveraging the supply chain for competitive resources remains a key challenge for supply chain management. Drawing on social exchange theory, this study examines SCM practices that help firms to acquire better supplier resources than rival firms that source from the same supplier. We provide a clearer picture of coercive and competence power, and goodwill and competence trust as key mechanisms to improve supplier resource allocation of physical and innovation resources. We analyze survey data of 185 supplying firms using structural equation modeling. Our analyses yield several interesting findings. First, contrary to other studies, we find that coercive tactics do not necessarily affect supplier resource allocation negatively and goodwill trust does not inherently affect supplier resource allocation positively. Second, the results of a multigroup analysis indicate that the dependence of a supplier on the buying firm—in terms of share in turnover—affects the relationship between the trust dimensions and supplier resource allocation more than it does the power dimensions. Third, goodwill trust only affects supplier resource allocation when the buyer has a large share in the supplier's turnover, while competence trust is more effective if buyers account for a small share in the supplier's turnover. The contributions of our study for the supply chain management and social exchange theory literature are discussed.
Pathophysiological analysis of primary biliary cirrhosis focusing on choline/phospholipid metabolism
Authors: Kohjima Motoyuki , Enjoji Munechika , Yada Ryoko , Yoshimoto Tsuyoshi , Nakamura Tsukasa , Fukuizumi Kunitaka , Fukushima Nobuyoshi , Murata Yusuke , Nakashima Manabu , Kato Masaki , Kotoh Kazuhiro , Shirabe Ken , Maehara Yoshihiko , Nakajima Atsushi , Nozaki Yuichi , Honda Akira , Matsuzaki Yasushi , Nakamuta Makoto
Published: March 2014

Background & Aims

Injury to biliary epithelial cells caused by disorders in bile composition may be the initial step in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). We therefore examined choline/phospholipid metabolism in livers of patients with PBC.

Methods

Hepatic levels of mRNA encoded by choline metabolism‐related genes in early stage PBC patients were quantified by real‐time RT‐PCR. Serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in each lipoprotein compartment and serum/tissue choline levels were also measured. OCT1 expression was quantified by genotype (rs683369 and rs622342).

Results

Serum choline concentrations were significantly higher in PBC patients than in normal individuals, with the concentrations in the former lowered by treatment with fibrates. Hepatic choline levels were markedly lower in PBC patients than in controls. The levels of expression of genes associated with choline uptake (OCT1 and CTL1), phosphatidylcholine synthesis (PEMT and BHMT), and phosphatidylcholine transport (MDR3) were significantly upregulated in PBC compared with control livers. Serum cholesterol concentrations and the cholesterol/triglyceride ratio in serum very low density lipoprotein were markedly higher in PBC patients than in controls. In PBC liver, OCT1 protein levels were lower in patients with minor (CG/GG at rs683369 and/or CC at rs622342) than major (CC at rs683369 and AA at rs622342) genotypes of the OCT1 gene.

Conclusion

During early stage PBC, hepatocellular choline uptake and PC synthesis become dysregulated. OCT1 genotypes may influence the pathogenesis of PBC.
Mite species identification in the production of allergenic extracts for clinical use and in environmental samples by ribosomal DNA amplification
Authors: BEROIZ B. , COUSO‐FERRER F. , ORTEGO F. , CHAMORRO M. J. , ARTEAGA C. , LOMBARDERO M. , CASTAÑERA P. , HERNÁNDEZ‐CRESPO P.
Published: March 2014

Abstract.

The identification of allergy‐causing mites is conventionally based on morphological characters. However, molecular taxonomy using ribosomal DNA (rDNA) may be particularly useful in the analysis of mite cultures and purified mite fractions in the production of allergenic extracts. Full‐length internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) were obtained from Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides microceras and Euroglyphus maynei (Astigmata: Pyroglyphidae), Glycyphagus domesticus and Lepidoglyphus destructor (Astigmata: Glycyphagidae), Tyrophagus fanetzhangorum, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Tyrophagus longior, Tyrophagus neiswanderi, Acarus farris and Acarus siro (Astigmata: Acaridae), and Blomia tropicalis (Astigmata: Echymopodidae), using mite‐specific primers. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were digested with HpaII and RsaI restriction enzymes in order to produce species‐specific PCR restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles. A semi‐nested re‐amplification step was introduced before the RFLP in order to apply the method to environmental samples. Results demonstrate that rDNA sequences can be used for the unambiguous identification of mite species. The PCR–RFLP system allows the identification of species in purified mite fractions when the availability of intact adult mite bodies for morphological identification is limited. This reliable and straightforward PCR–RFLP system and the rDNA sequences obtained can be of use in the identification of allergy‐causing mite species.
Inter‐individual variability in dispersal behaviours impacts connectivity estimates
Authors: Palmer Stephen C. F. , Coulon Aurélie , Travis Justin M. J.
Published: March 2014

The importance of landscape connectivity in determining biodiversity outcomes under environmental change has led to indices of connectivity becoming amongst the most widely used measures in conservation. Thus, it is vital that our understanding of connectivity and our use of indices describing it are reliable. Dispersal is the key ecological process involved in determining connectivity, and there is increasing evidence of substantial within‐population variability in dispersal behaviours. Here, we incorporate this inter‐individual variability into two approaches for estimating connectivity, least cost path analysis and stochastic movement simulation. Illustrative results demonstrate that including dispersal variability can yield substantially different estimates of connectivity. While connectivity is typically similar between nearby patches, the frequency of movements between patches further apart is often substantially increased when inter‐individual variability is included. Given the disproportionate role that unusual long‐distance dispersal events play in spatial dynamics, connectivity indices should seek to incorporate variability in dispersal behaviour.
Response of accessions within tomato wild species, Solanum pimpinellifolium to late blight
Authors: Foolad Majid R. , Sullenberger Matthew T. , Ohlson Erik W. , Gugino Beth K.
Published: March 2014

Late blight (LB), caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most devastating diseases of the cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) worldwide. Most commercial cultivars of tomato are susceptible to LB. Previously, three major LB resistance genes (Ph‐1, Ph‐2, Ph‐3) were identified and incorporated into a few commercial cultivars of tomato. Reduced effectiveness and potential breakdown of the resistance genes has necessitated identification, characterization and utilization of new sources of resistance. We evaluated the response of 67 accessions of the wild tomato species, S. pimpinellifolium to LB, under multiple field and greenhouse (GH) conditions and compared them with six control genotypes. Sixteen accessions were identified with strong LB resistance in both field and GH experiments. However, 12 accessions exhibited resistance similar to a control line which was homozygous for Ph‐2 + Ph‐3. Genotyping accessions with molecular markers for Ph‐2 and Ph‐3 were not conclusive, indicating that resistance in these accessions could be due to these or other resistance genes. Strong correlations were observed between field and GH disease response and between foliar and stem infection.
Oxidative stress early in infancy and neurodevelopmental outcome in very low‐birthweight infants
Authors: Shoji Hiromichi , Ikeda Naho , Hosozawa Mariko , Ohkawa Natsuki , Matsunaga Nobuaki , Suganuma Hiroki , Hisata Ken , Tanaka Kyoko , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: March 2014

Background

Reactive oxygen species may be involved in serious diseases in premature infants. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between neurodevelopmental outcome and oxidative stress marker level in the urine of very low‐birthweight (VLBW) infants.

Methods

Spot urine samples were collected from 35 VLBW infants. Urinary excretion of 8‐hydroxy‐2″‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), a marker of oxidative DNA damage, and 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F2α (8‐isoPGF), a marker of lipid peroxidation, was measured at 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of age. Neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months’ corrected age was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID)‐II.

Results

Significant correlations were found between urinary 8‐OHdG at 2 and 4 weeks and the Mental Development Index of the BSID‐II. No significant correlation was found between urinary 8‐isoPGF and indices of the BSID‐II.

Conclusions

In VLBW infants, urinary 8‐OHdG level correlated with mental development rather than psychomotor development at 18 months’ corrected age; urinary 8‐OHdG might be a predictive marker of neurodevelopmental outcome in VLBW infants.
An isolate morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from Botrytis cinerea obtained from withered grapes possibly represents a new species of Botrytis
Authors: Lorenzini M. , Zapparoli G.
Published: March 2014

Grapes kept after harvest for withering in drying fruit rooms (fruttaio) are highly susceptible to Botrytis cinerea infection. A taxonomically undefined isolate (B83) was identified during a survey of B. cinerea populations in these specific environments. This isolate yielded negative results in B. cinerea‐specific PCRs and displayed a different colony morphology on potato dextrose agar. Based on this data, the isolate underwent a taxonomic investigation. Sequencing of the ITS–5·8S–ITS2 region indicated that the isolate belongs to the Botrytis genus. IGS‐RFLP analysis revealed that Botrytis sp. B83 was a different haplotype from genotypes of indigenous B. cinerea strains. Comparative sequence analysis of three housekeeping genes, G3PDH, HSP60 and RPB2, showed that the isolate constitutes a taxon related to Botrytis aclada, distant from B. cinerea. A phylogenetic tree built with NEP genes was in agreement with the combined tree built with G3PDH, HSP60 and RPB2 sequences. Botrytis sp. B83 is morphologically similar to B. aclada. Conversely, its host range indicates that it is polyphagous like B. cinerea, despite its lower virulence. This study provides evidence for the existence of a new species of Botrytis. Nevertheless, the description of only a single isolate and the need for further information on genetic divergence, reproductive isolation and host preference, prevent the classification and formal description of a new taxon.
Leaf‐derived cecidomyiid galls are sinks inMachilus thunbergii(Lauraceae) leaves
Authors: Huang Meng‐Yuan , Huang Wen‐Dar , Chou Hsueh‐Mei , Lin Kuan‐Hung , Chen Chang‐Chang , Chen Pei‐Ju , Chang Yung‐Ta , Yang Chi‐Ming
Published: March 2014

Three relevant hypotheses – nutrition, environment and the enemies hypothesis – often invoked to explore source and sink relationships between galls and their host plants are still under dispute. In this research, chlorophyll fluorescence, gas exchange capacity, stomatal conductance, total carbon and nitrogen, total soluble sugars and starches, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy of two types of galls were used to investigate source–sink relationships. Compared with host leaves, these galls demonstrated slightly lower chlorophyll fluorescence; however, gas exchange capacity and stomatal conductance were not detected at all. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated that the abaxial epidermis of host leaves contain normal amounts of stomata, whereas no stomata were observed on the exterior and interior surfaces of both types of galls. In addition, gall inner surfaces were covered with many kinds of fungal hyphae. Gall total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) levels were lower but the C/N ratio was higher in galls than host leaves. Both types of galls accumulated higher total soluble sugars and starches than host leaves. Transmission electron micrographs also revealed that both types of galls contain plastoglobuli and giant starch granules during gall development. Results strongly indicate that leaf‐derived cecidomyiid galls are sinks inMachilus thunbergiileaves. However, it is perplexing how larvae cycle and balanceCO2andO2in gall growth chambers without stomata.
Addressing the Underreporting of Methane Emissions from Natural Gas Production and Thawing Permafrost
Authors: Wold Chris , Johnston Victoria , Saver Benjamin
Published: March 2014

Reductions of methane, black carbon and tropospheric ozone could halve warming during the 2030s, while a fairly aggressive strategy to reduce carbon dioxide would do little over the next 20–30 years. Concerning methane, governments must act quickly to take advantage of this opportunity. Production of ‘unconventional’ natural gas, such as shale gas, has increased significantly and with conventional sources could meet current consumption levels for over 240 years. However, the benefit of methane as a transitional fuel from coal to renewables is questionable due to methane leakage during production. Also, rising temperatures are releasing methane from melting permafrost, but governments are not required to report these emissions. Thus, countries are farther from meeting their targets and the global community is farther from reaching the goal of limiting warming to 2°C above pre‐industrial levels than emissions data suggest. This article establishes an agenda for fuller accounting of methane in the climate change regime.
The Rising Role of Regional Approaches in International Water Law: Lessons from the UNECE Water Regime and Himalayan Asia for Strengthening Transboundary Water Cooperation
Authors: Moynihan Ruby , Magsig Bjørn‐Oliver
Published: March 2014

The contribution of regional approaches to the international law of transboundary watercourses is currently being investigated with elevated interest. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) area and Himalayan Asia are two key focus regions for testing new legal approaches and enhancing understanding of how existing regional regimes function and contribute to the development of international water law. The UNECE Water Convention, together with an entourage of hard and soft water instruments, appears to be the most sophisticated legal regime addressing freshwater cooperation. Within Himalayan Asia, where the water crisis is augmenting the already tense political situation, the current state of affairs for implementing a more progressive regional approach is examined. Studying the structurally different and challenging Himalayan context furthers our understanding of hurdles regarding the transferability of regional concepts. This article identifies gaps in our current perception of the role for regional approaches in international water law and outlines pathways for addressing them.
Mexico and the United States Assume a Legal Duty to Provide Colorado River Delta Restoration Flows: An Important International Environmental and Water Law Precedent
Authors: Tarlock A. Dan
Published: March 2014

In 2012, Mexico and the United States interpreted a treaty allocating the use of the Colorado River to protect a stressed delta in Mexico by establishing a pilot programme delivering a base flow to the Delta. Minute 319 is a possible first step toward a permanent adaptive management regime for the Delta because it sets three important international water and environmental law precedents. First, it is a de facto implementation of the ecosystem conservation mandates of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non‐navigational Uses of International Watercourses. Second, Minute 319 is equally recognition of the emerging duty of riparian States to cooperate in the long‐term management of shared rivers. Third, although Minute 319 was the product of sovereign‐to‐sovereign negotiations, it was made possible by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). It thus illustrates the important role that NGOs can play in the implementation of international environmental and water law.
Improving International Comparisons of Prices at Basic Heading Level: An Application to theAsia‐Pacific Region
Authors: Hill Robert J. , Syed Iqbal A.
Published: March 2014

The International Comparisons Program (ICP) run by theWorldBank compares prices and real incomes across countries, and plays a pivotal role in the PennWorld Table. Using a unique dataset consisting of over 600,000 price quotes from nine countries in theAsia‐Pacific region, we consider ways of improving the basic heading price indexes that form the building blocks ofICP. CurrentICPmethodology computes these price indexes using the country–product–dummy (CPD) method applied to the country average prices. We contrast this approach with: (i) a weighted version ofCPD; (ii)CPDapplied directly to the individual price quotes; and (iii) extended versions ofCPDthat include adjustments for unrepresentative products, urban–rural price differences, and different outlet‐types. Also considered are newCPD‐based methods for measuring urban–rural price differences, and the implications of our findings for the downward revision inChina'sGDPinICP2005.