bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulation of Land Use Consequences of Urban Corridor in Kolkata: An Integrated Spatial and Expert System Model
Authors: Bardhan Ronita
Published: December 2013

The probability of land use to transform under the influence of transport corridors is an economic measurement unit of a specific land use defined by its accessibility level, economic level and spatial interactions. This study examines land use transitions due to development of transport corridor using expert judgement analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for measuring priority ranking of a particular land use to transit to other use, along the second Vivekananda Bridge- Belghoria Expressway(2VBBE) running through a relatively depressed urban fringe of Kolkata, India. Using the rank scores from AHP, a spatial model-Multivariate Grid Analysis (MVGA) was conceptualized to analyze the probability of transition of land activity in the zone of influence. The model has used data of over a period of 16 years (1999–2006) to find out the Transition Probability Index (TPI) of land use in the congruous lands. MVGA cumulatively uses property values, accessibility, environmental and demographic factors to project the proposed land use structure for 2020. It spatially predicted the land uses which might undergo incredible changes due to the facility development. These results can implicate policies for internalization of benefits of the corridor in urban development of Kolkata Metropolitan Area.
Ecosystem and Livelihood Support: The Story of East Kolkata Wetlands
Authors: Dey Debanjana , Banerjee Sarmila
Published: December 2013

The wetlands in the eastern fringe of Kolkata, popularly known as the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW), work as an absorber of sewage water and excess rainwater runoff from the city. The local people are utilizing this waste water in pisciculture through adoption of a number of traditionally inherited practices. Moreover, pond effluent based paddy cultivation and garbage based vegetable farming are integrated with fishery in the ways that make the production processes complementary to each other. However, since the development of Salt Lake City and the construction of Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, the connectivity of EKW with the main city has improved and pressures of urbanization are leading to the conversion of wetlands into urban settlements. This is disturbing the ecological balance, as well as making traditional economic activities less profitable. This article illustrates this crisis of existence and critically assesses the remedial attempts.
Obstacles and Catalysts Associated with Implementation of LEED-EB® in India
Authors: Jain Meenal , Mital Meenakshi , Syal Matt
Published: December 2013

Transport and buildings are two principal contributors to climate change. One of the biggest challenges to sustainable urban development in India is the lack of green buildings. The authors look at catalysts and hindrances associated with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) as a tool for greening of existing buildings, and determine that prestige, image and reduction in operational costs are major catalysts while better rental value, social responsibility and provision of improved indoor environmental quality are minor to medium catalysts. The high cost of renovation, difficulty in meeting prerequisites and unavailability of required data for LEED-EB submission are presented as the major hindrances. The authors call for sensitization of stakeholders to catalysts and benefits so that the green buildings’ movement can be taken forward to have a more sustainable future.
A concurrent group decision-making framework for selection of business intelligence–based data warehouse architecture
Authors: Zandi Faramak
Published: November 2013

The selection of an appropriate data warehouse architecture from a business intelligence–based perspective is an important decision to achieve organizational strategies. The aim of this article is to develop a concurrent group decision-making framework for the selection of a data warehouse business intelligence–based architecture. In this framework, in order to translate higher level needs into lower level requirements, we develop a four-level concurrent decision-making model to turn (1) critical success factors of business intelligence implementation into key data mining factors at the first level, (2) the key data mining factors into key ontology factors at the second level, and (3) the key ontology factors into key data resource management factors at the third level. Then, these factors are utilized to select the business intelligence data warehouse architecture at the fourth level of the four-level concurrent decision-making model. A case study demonstrates the applicability of the concurrent group decision-making framework.
Voice Assessment of Student Work
Authors: Eckhouse Barry , Carroll Rebecca
Published: December 2013

Although relatively little attention has been given to the voice assessment of student work, at least when compared with more traditional forms of text-based review, the attention it has received strongly points to a promising form of review that has been hampered by the limits of an emerging technology. A fresh review of voice assessment in light of recent technological developments strongly suggests that this form of review is now ready for broad adoption. Favorable student reception of voice assessment and its potential for raising instructor awareness around the review process itself argue further for considering it afresh.
Evolution of growth of interacting near-by micro-cavities and macroscopic damage amplification
Authors: Markenscoff Xanthippi
Published: November 2013

The elastic stress in the ligament between two near-by holes (two-dimensional cylindrical cavities) depends singularly on the ligament thickness small parameter ζ =  δ/ R (where δ is the ligament thickness and R the hole radius), as ζ becomes vanishingly small, with the exponent a of ζ depending on the loading and the geometry. The damage of a solid containing a periodic distribution of pairs of near-by holes is treated within the theory of asymptotic homogenization in a two-scale model. By renormalization of the unit cell with the scale y =  x/ ε, where ε is the periodicity length between the pairs of near-by holes (a characteristic scale of the microstructure), the leading term in the singular amplification of the stress in the ligament between the holes is carried analytically to the macro-scale. The evolution of the growth of the holes (in the micro-scale) is governed by Eshelby mechanics (in this case the Budiansky and Rice path-independent M integral), which can be considered as a dissipation mechanism as the defects evolve. In the unit cell, the rate of change of energy in the (self-similar) growth of the holes balances the rate of change of the strain energy in the volume as the ligament thickness decreases, and this, by the renormalization, is carried to the macroscopic level and defined as the energy-release rate of “damage” at that point. In the strain hardening regime, the amplification of the damage is determined for two cases of distribution of pairs of interacting near-by small holes near large ones, with the larger (singular as ~ ζ−1/2) damage amplification occurring for a pressurized hole near a large unpressurized one, and being larger than the one when the loading is tension at infinity, for the same geometry.
Wave propagation and non-local effects in periodic frame materials: Generalized continuum mechanics
Authors: Chesnais Céline , Boutin Claude , Hans Stéphane
Published: November 2013

Through the analysis of the wave propagation in infinite two-dimensional periodic frame materials, this paper illustrates the complexity of their dynamic behavior. Assuming the frame size is small compared to the wavelength, the homogenization method of periodic discrete media coupled with normalization is used to identify the macroscopic behavior at the leading order. The method is applied on a frame material with the vertical elements stiffer than the horizontal elements. Such a material is highly anisotropic and presents a large contrast between the rigidities of the possible mechanisms. Thus the waves associated with different kinematics appear in different frequency ranges. Moreover, the stiffer elements can deform in bending at the macroscopic scale. The equivalent continuum is a second-grade medium at the leading order and shear waves can be dispersive. A criterion is proposed to easily determine when this bending effect has to be taken into account.
Antimicrobial activity of nisin, thymol, carvacrol and cymene against growth of Candida lusitaniae
Authors: Aznar Arantxa , Fernández Pablo S , Periago Paula M , Palop Alfredo
Published: November 2013

Yeasts are tolerant to acid pH values, are able to grow in anaerobic media and have minimum nutrition requirements. These capabilities enable them to survive and even grow in foods prepared from acid fruits or vegetables. Among yeasts, Candida is one of the genus most frequently isolated from fruit juices. Bacteriocins and essential oils from spices and aromatic herbs are an alternative to preservatives and other technological treatments and have the advantage that their natural origins do not lead to consumer rejection. However, before the food industry uses them on a large scale, it is necessary to know their effects on microorganisms. The objective of this research was to study the effect of different concentrations of nisin, thymol, carvacrol and cymene on the growth of Candida lusitaniae in pH 5 broth at 25 ℃, and their potential uses as food preservatives. The addition of nisin at the concentrations tested (up to 3 µmol L−1) did not affect the yeast growth. Thymol, carvacrol and cymene completely inhibited the yeast growth at concentrations over 1 mM for at least 21 days at 25 ℃. Below this concentration, inhibitions on yeast growth were observed at increasing concentrations. The effect of thymol was also proved in tomato juice. This study indicates the potential use of essential oils for preservation of minimally processed foods.
Risk Assessment of Free Hydroquinone Derived from Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi folium Herbal Preparations
Authors: de Arriba Susana Garcia , Naser Belal , Nolte Klaus-Ulrich
Published: December 2013

Uva-ursi folium (bearberry leaf) has been traditionally used to treat symptoms of lower urinary tract infections. The most representative constituent of this herbal drug is arbutin that is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine and undergoes hepatic conjugation to form hydroquinone (HQ) conjugates. As free HQ is crucial for the safety of the herbal preparation, we reviewed published and unpublished experimental and human studies to clarify some outdated assumptions and to support the safety of therapeutic daily doses of Uva-ursi folium extract. Specifically, data on pharmacokinetics and the human exposure of arbutin and HQ were reviewed. A therapeutic recommended human daily dose of bearberry leaf extract (420 mg hydroquinone derivatives calculated as anhydrous arbutin) liberates free HQ in urine at a maximum exposure level of 11 µg/kg body weight (bw)/d. By means of an experimental no observed effect level value, a permitted daily exposure dose below which there is a negligible risk to human health was estimated for free HQ (100 µg/kg bw/d). Dietary sources of arbutin/HQ that are regularly consumed long term by humans generate comparable free HQ exposure levels. There is no direct evidence, regarding human data, supporting the fact that free HQ causes convulsion, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, or promotion of tumors in humans. Free HQ had no activity promoting pancreatic, bladder, stomach, or liver carcinogenesis. In conclusion, under the recommended use conditions Uva-ursi folium is a safe therapeutic option for treating lower urinary tract infections.
Insights and Perspectives on Emerging Inputs to Weight of Evidence Determinations for Food Safety: Workshop Proceedings
Authors: Bialk Heidi , Llewellyn Craig , Kretser Alison , Canady Richard , Lane Richard , Barach Jeffrey
Published: December 2013

This workshop aimed to elucidate the contribution of computational and emerging in vitro methods to the weight of evidence used by risk assessors in food safety assessments. The following issues were discussed: using in silico and high-throughput screening (HTS) data to confirm the safety of approved food ingredients, applying in silico and HTS data in the process of assessing the safety of a new food ingredient, and utilizing in silico and HTS data in communicating the safety of food ingredients while enhancing the public’s trust in the food supply. Perspectives on integrating computational modeling and HTS assays as well as recommendations for optimizing predictive methods for risk assessment were also provided. Given the need to act quickly or proceed cautiously as new data emerge, this workshop also focused on effectively identifying a path forward in communicating in silico and in vitro data.
Legitimising amateur celebrity chefs’ advice and the discursive transformation of the Slovene national culinary identity
Authors: Tominc Ana
Published: November 2013

This article seeks to discuss the legitimation strategies of the two Slovene amateur celebrity chefs Luka Novaks and Valentina Smej Novak and the consequent call for a discursive transformation of the Slovene culinary identity. Using as a tool Van Leeuwen’s legitimation strategies, it seeks to understand the discursive construction of the chefs’ authority, that is, how do they legitimise their call for a change in Slovene eating habits, focusing on the introductory texts found in their cookbooks. Second, it concludes that by doing this, they have not only constructed themselves as the new authorities in Slovene cooking but also advocated the new middle-class taste as the only acceptable taste in Slovenia, that is, the contemporary Slovene national cuisine. Their call for transformation, however, seems contradictory, as they, on the one hand, draw on tradition and expert authority and, on the other hand, refute this in order to be able to position themselves as equal to these authorities.
Shhh! Noisy cities, anti-noise groups and neoliberal citizenship
Authors: Clifford Rosenberg Buck
Published: November 2013

As the world becomes increasingly urban, with denser cities, residents become subject to greater amounts of noise. Since the late 19th century, people have formed groups to oppose urban noise generated by industrialization, motor vehicles and jet-planes. This article gives the first detailed account of online noise-abatement groups through a case study of Quiet Australia. It maps the key aims of this group, which are to mobilize community support, raise awareness of noise-related problems, gather and exchange expert information, and promote political participation to reduce noise. I argue that there exists a moral geography of noise in which excessive noise-making is seen by Quiet Australia members as morally inappropriate and uncivilized behaviour, which leads to social disintegration. I theorize that such noise-abatement groups seek what I have termed a ‘residential ethics’ or consideration of others through either state-led or neoliberal self-governance to restore social order and uphold social ‘decency’.
Carbon black nanoparticle alignment using magnetic particles creating local percolation spots for electrical conductivity in structural adhesives
Authors: Mette Christoph , Fischer Fabian , Dilger Klaus
Published: November 2013

Due to the rise of structural multi-material concepts in automotive and aerospace industries the role of adhesive bonding is becoming more important in the joining process. In contrast to joining technologies like welding or riveting, an electrical separation of the material by an insulating adhesive layer is given. This might be a problem if humans or electronic devices need to be protected against static discharge. This study investigates the effect of the alignment of non-magnetic spherical carbon black particles by magnetic forces enabled by adding secondary magnetic-sensitive fillers. To achieve this, an epoxy resin filled with carbon black and a small concentration of metal-based particles is used. The metal-based particles are aligned by magnetic forces provided by an external source. During the migration of the metal particles through the viscous epoxy adhesive, the carbon black particles are attached by adhesive forces. It is shown that this effect provides the alignment of non-magnetic carbon black particles, which results in an increased conductivity in carbon black filled epoxy resins.
The Policy Consequences of Motivated Information Processing Among the Partisan Elite
Authors: Anderson Sarah E. , Harbridge Laurel
Published: November 2013

An analysis of U.S. budgetary changes shows that, among subaccounts that are cut, Democrats make more large cuts when they control more lawmaking institutions. This surprising finding is consistent with legislators who are subject to motivated reasoning. In an information-rich world, they disproportionately respond to information in line with their bias unless they must make a large accuracy correction. This article tests, for the first time, motivated information processing among legislators. It finds evidence that Democrats engage in motivated information processing and that the effects of it are felt more on social spending and in off-election years.
Land Privatization in Hawai‘i
Authors: Tamayose Beth C. , Takahashi Lois M.
Published: November 2013

This article examines land governance transitions during the transformation from a monarchy to a western/US private property governance system in the Hawaiian Islands, covering the historical structures through the 1830s, the implementation of the Māhele (division) during the 1840s–1850s, and the immediate consequences. Though the Hawaiian monarchy initiated land reforms in part to protect indigenous Hawaiian commoners from eviction, the institutions and practices created through land reform effectively disadvantaged indigenous Hawaiian commoners from claiming property, and later, even the Hawaiian monarchy lost direct control over lands that the King had set aside. Implications of this analysis for future research and political debate are discussed.
BMUS guidelines for the regular quality assurance testing of ultrasound scanners by sonographers
Authors: Dudley Nick , Russell Stephen , Ward Barry , Hoskins Peter ,   BMUS QA Working Party
Published: November 2013

Quality Assurance of ultrasound systems is necessary to ensure the reliability of results and to check for deterioration in performance; a number of bodies have produced guidelines. Testing has traditionally been the responsibility of Medical Physics Departments but the important role of sonographers has been recognised and recent publications have included tests to be performed by ultrasound users. Since there are differences in approach between these publications the BMUS QA Working Party was established to provide a consistent set of guidelines specifically for sonographers. Three levels of testing are recommended, to include infection control and inspections for scanner and probe damage, basic display checks and further tests to assess drop-out, sensitivity and noise. These tests should form part of a programme that includes more comprehensive testing at longer intervals, perhaps by a Medical Physics Department.
Stock Market Linkages in Emerging Asia-Pacific Markets
Authors: Palamalai Srinivasan , M. Kalaivani , Devakumar Christopher
Published: November 2013

This study examines the stock market integration among major stock markets of emerging Asia-Pacific economies, viz. India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, China, and Indonesia. The Johansen and Juselius multivariate cointegration test, Granger causality/Block exogeneity Wald test based on the vector error correction model (VECM) approach, and variance decomposition analysis were used to investigate the dynamic linkages between markets. Cointegration test confirmed a well-defined long-run equilibrium relationship among the major stock markets, implying that there exists a common force, such as arbitrage activity, which brings these stock markets together in the long run. The results of Granger causality/Block exogeneity Wald test based on VECM and variance decomposition analysis revealed the stock market interdependencies and dynamic interactions among the selected emerging Asia-Pacific economies. This result implies that investors can gain feasible benefits from international portfolio diversification in the short run. On the whole, the study results suggest that although long-term diversification benefits from exposure to these markets might be limited, short-run benefits might exist due to substantial transitory fluctuations.
Corporate social responsibility patterns and conflicts in Nigeria’s oil-rich region
Authors: Aaron Kiikpoye K. , Patrick John M.
Published: December 2013

Corporate–community relations in the Niger Delta region are, almost without exception, framed in the context of conflict, borne out of dysfunctional or misguided corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and practices by oil transnationals. Based on a comparative study of the CSR policies and practices of Shell, Total and Agip in six oil-bearing communities in Rivers State, a core oil-bearing state in the Niger Delta, this paper contests this orthodoxy, pointing out significant variations in the intensity and scale of conflicts between host communities and different oil transnational corportions (TNCs) in the region. The key question explored in the study is: to what extent is the variation in CSR policy and practices implicated in variation in the intensity and scale of conflicts between host communities and oil TNCs in the Niger Delta? We conclude that the intensity and scale of conflict in corporate–community relations in the Niger Delta region are a function of the CSR pattern of the operating oil TNC. The implications of this for CSR policy and practice are explored.
Predictive biomarkers in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer treated with perioperative chemotherapy
Authors: Bergot Emmanuel , Levallet Guénaëlle , Campbell Karine , Dubois Fatéméh , Lechapt Emmanuèle , Zalcman Gérard
Published: November 2013

The aim of this article is to summarise the published data on prognostic and predictive biomarkers for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and discuss how to integrate them into clinical trials. Large phase III trials have been published in resected NSCLC with biomarkers identifying subsets of patients benefitting from perioperative chemotherapy. Initial findings of predictive implications for the DNA repair protein, ERCC1, were not confirmed in a larger series of patients due to the versatility of the commercially available monoclonal ERCC1 antibody. Prediction of survival by RRM1 tumour expression was not confirmed in a prospective phase III trial in 275 patients with stage IV disease, precluding its use in early-stage NSCLC. BRCA1 mRNA tumour content also failed to predict platinum resistance in 287 stage IV NSCLC patients included in a phase II trial, and the results of a similar trial in early-stage patients are still pending. Of the several cDNA gene expression studies in early-stage NSCLC with non-overlapping prognostic signatures, few have been replicated in independent cohorts for prognostic value, and none received external validation for predictive value. Therefore, use of biomarkers predicting chemotherapy efficacy still needs additional validation before becoming routine practice in oncogene-driven pan-negative NSCLC patients.
Pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension: lessons from cancer
Authors: Guignabert Christophe , Tu Ly , Le Hiress Morane , Ricard Nicolas , Sattler Caroline , Seferian Andrei , Huertas Alice , Humbert Marc , Montani David
Published: November 2013

Although the causal pathomechanisms contributing to remodelling of the pulmonary vascular bed in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are still unclear, several analogous features with carcinogenesis have led to the emergence of the cancer-like concept. The major similarities concern the altered crosstalk between cells from different tissue types, unexplained proliferation and survival of pulmonary smooth muscle and endothelial cells, the metabolic (glycolytic) shifts, and the association with the immune system. However, major differences between PAH and cancer exist, including the absence of invasion and metastasis, as well as the pathogenic genes involved and the degrees of angiogenesis impairment and genetic instability. It is clear that PAH is not a cancer, but this cancer-like concept has opened a new field of investigation and raises the possibility that antiproliferative and/or oncological drugs may exert therapeutic effects not only in cancer, but also in PAH. Such analogies and differences are discussed here.
Respiratory manifestations in patients with inherited metabolic diseases
Authors: Santamaria Francesca , Montella Silvia , Mirra Virginia , De Stefano Sara , Andria Generoso , Parenti Giancarlo
Published: November 2013

Growing evidence indicates that inherited metabolic diseases are increasingly being recognised. Life expectancy for many patients is progressively improving because new therapeutic strategies are available. Because most inherited metabolic diseases are systemic disorders, virtually all organs may be involved. Respiratory disease complicates the management of several inherited metabolic diseases, either at presentation or as late-onset features. This review will describe the most exemplary respiratory manifestations of inherited metabolic diseases in childhood and adulthood. Since airways disease worsens the morbidity of many inherited metabolic disorders, leading to increased hospitalisations, mortality and overall healthcare costs, respiratory manifestations of inherited metabolic diseases need to be carefully recognised and treated. All patients with inherited metabolic disease and suspected airway disease should undergo a detailed diagnostic work-up. Current treatments for several inherited metabolic diseases (including enzyme replacement therapy, substrate reduction, bone marrow transplantation, or even more innovative strategies such as pharmacological chaperone or gene therapies) may provide significant benefits for associated respiratory disease. The integration of several specialists dedicated to airway disease management in a multidisciplinary team is essential to provide the most appropriate care to children and adults with inherited metabolic disease.
Comorbidities of COPD
Authors: Cavaillès Arnaud , Brinchault-Rabin Graziella , Dixmier Adrien , Goupil François , Gut-Gobert Christophe , Marchand-Adam Sylvain , Meurice Jean-Claude , Morel Hugues , Person-Tacnet Christine , Leroyer Christophe , Diot Patrice
Published: November 2013

By 2020, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will be the third cause of mortality. Extrapulmonary comorbidities influence the prognosis of patients with COPD. Tobacco smoking is a common risk factor for many comorbidities, including coronary heart disease, heart failure and lung cancer. Comorbidities such as pulmonary artery disease and malnutrition are directly caused by COPD, whereas others, such as systemic venous thromboembolism, anxiety, depression, osteoporosis, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, sleep disturbance and anaemia, have no evident physiopathological relationship with COPD. The common ground between most of these extrapulmonary manifestations is chronic systemic inflammation.

All of these diseases potentiate the morbidity of COPD, leading to increased hospitalisations and healthcare costs. They can frequently cause death, independently of respiratory failure. Comorbidities make the management of COPD difficult and need to be evaluated and treated adequately.
Complex gene expression in the dragline silk producing glands of the Western black widow (Latrodectus hesperus)
Authors: Lane Amanda Kelly , Hayashi Cheryl Y , Whitworth Gregg B , Ayoub Nadia A
Published: December 2013

Background

Orb-web and cob-web weaving spiders spin dragline silk fibers that are among the strongest materials known. Draglines are primarily composed of MaSp1 and MaSp2, two spidroins (spider fibrous proteins) expressed in the major ampullate (MA) silk glands. Prior genetic studies of dragline silk have focused mostly on determining the sequence of these spidroins, leaving other genetic aspects of silk synthesis largely uncharacterized.

Results

Here, we used deep sequencing to profile gene expression patterns in the Western black widow,Latrodectus hesperus. We sequenced millions of 3′-anchored “tags” of cDNAs derived either from MA glands or control tissue (cephalothorax) mRNAs, then associated the tags with genes by compiling a reference database from our newly constructed normalizedL. hesperuscDNA library and publishedL. hesperussequences. We were able to determine transcript abundance and alternative polyadenylation of each of three loci encoding MaSp1. The ratio ofMaSp1:MaSp2transcripts varied between individuals, but on average was similar to the estimated ratio of MaSp1:MaSp2 in dragline fibers. We also identified transcription ofTuSp1in MA glands, another spidroin family member that encodes the primary component of egg-sac silk, synthesized in tubuliform glands. In addition to the spidroin paralogs, we identified 30 genes that are more abundantly represented in MA glands than cephalothoraxes and represent new candidates for involvement in spider silk synthesis.

Conclusions

Modulating expression rates of MaSp1 variants as well as MaSp2 and TuSp1 could lead to differences in mechanical properties of dragline fibers. Many of the newly identified candidate genes likely encode secreted proteins, suggesting they could be incorporated into dragline fibers or assist in protein processing and fiber assembly. Our results demonstrate previously unrecognized transcript complexity in spider silk glands.
Chitotriosidase - a putative biomarker for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Varghese Anu Mary , Sharma Aparna , Mishra Poojashree , Vijayalakshmi Kalyan , Harsha Hindalahalli Chandregowda , Sathyaprabha Talakad N , Bharath Srinivas MM , Nalini Atchayaram , Alladi Phalguni Anand , Raju Trichur R
Published: December 2013

Background

Potential biomarkers to aid diagnosis and therapy need to be identified for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive motor neuronal degenerative disorder. The present study was designed to identify the factor(s) which are differentially expressed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS; ALS-CSF), and could be associated with the pathogenesis of this disease.

Results

Quantitative mass spectrometry of ALS-CSF and control-CSF (from orthopaedic surgical patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia) samples showed upregulation of 31 proteins in the ALS-CSF, amongst which a ten-fold increase in the levels of chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT-1) was seen compared to the controls. A seventeen-fold increase in the CHIT-1 levels was detected by ELISA, while a ten-fold elevated enzyme activity was also observed. Both these results confirmed the finding of LC-MS/MS. CHIT-1 was found to be expressed by the Iba-1 immunopositive microglia.

Conclusion

Elevated CHIT-1 levels in the ALS-CSF suggest a definitive role for the enzyme in the disease pathogenesis. Its synthesis and release from microglia into the CSF may be an aligned event of neurodegeneration. Thus, high levels of CHIT-1 signify enhanced microglial activity which may exacerbate the process of neurodegeneration. In view of the multifold increase observed in ALS-CSF, it can serve as a potential CSF biomarker for the diagnosis of SALS.
Mutated CaV2.1 Channels Dysregulate CASK/P2X3 Signaling in Mouse Trigeminal Sensory Neurons of R192Q Cacna1a Knock-in Mice
Authors: Gnanasekaran Aswini , Bele Tanja , Hullugundi Swathi , Simonetti Manuela , Ferrari Michael D , van den Maagdenberg Arn MJM , Nistri Andrea , Fabbretti Elsa
Published: December 2013

Background

ATP-gated P2X3 receptors of sensory ganglion neurons are important transducers of pain as they adapt their expression and function in response to acute and chronic nociceptive signals. The present study investigated the role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) in controlling P2X3 receptor expression and function in trigeminal ganglia from Cacna1a R192Q-mutated knock-in (KI) mice, a genetic model for familial hemiplegic migraine type-1.

Results

KI ganglion neurons showed more abundant CASK/P2X3 receptor complex at membrane level, a result that likely originated from gain-of-function effects of R192Q-mutated CaV2.1 channels and downstream enhanced CaMKII activity. The selective CaV2.1 channel blocker ω-Agatoxin IVA and the CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 were sufficient to return CASK/P2X3 co-expression to WT levels. After CASK silencing, P2X3 receptor expression was decreased in both WT and KI ganglia, supporting the role of CASK in P2X3 receptor stabilization. This process was functionally observed as reduced P2X3 receptor currents.

Conclusions

We propose that, in trigeminal sensory neurons, the CASK/P2X3 complex has a dynamic nature depending on intracellular calcium and related signaling, that are enhanced in a transgenic mouse model of genetic hemiplegic migraine.
Risk factors for lethal outcome in patients with delirium tremens - psychiatrist's perspective: a nested case-control study
Authors: Ignjatovic-Ristic Dragana , Rancic Nemanja , Novokmet Slobodan , Jankovic Slobodan , Stefanovic Srdjan
Published: December 2013

Background

The aim was to identify potential risk factors for lethal outcome in patients with delirium tremens (DT) treated in the psychiatric setting.

Methods

In a nested case-control study, a total of 190 medical records of patients with DT hospitalized at the Psychiatric Clinic in Serbia between 2002 and 2011 were reviewed and analyzed. The characteristics of patients who died (cases) were compared with those who survived (controls). For each case, two controls (matched for age, gender, and year of hospitalization) were randomly chosen.

Results

Significant differences between cases and controls were found for serum potassium levels (p < 0.001), the number of hospitalizations (p < 0.001), and duration of hospitalization (p < 0.001). A significant association with lethal outcome was found for serum potassium levels even in the normal range (adjusted odds ratio 40.52; 95% CI 1.20, >1,000.00; p = 0.004).

Conclusions

Even though the number and duration of psychiatric hospitalizations were identified as factors determining survival after admission for DT, only serum potassium levels were found to be significant. Patients with an increase in potassium (or absence of hypokalemia) may require more intensive treatment. Monitoring of serum levels of potassium is important not only as an indicator for replacement but also as an indicator of maladaptation.
Improvement of therapeutic index for brain tumors with daily image guidance
Authors: Shields Lisa BE , Coons James M , Dedich Catherine , Ragains Maria , Scalf Kristi , Vitaz Todd W , Spalding Aaron C
Published: December 2013

Background

Image-guidance maximizes the therapeutic index of brain irradiation by decreasing setup uncertainty. As dose-volume data emerge defining the tolerance of critical normal structures responsible for neuroendocrine function and neurocognition, minimizing clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) expansion of targets near these structures potentially lessens long-term toxicity.

Methods

We reviewed the treatment records of 29 patients with brain tumors, with a total of 517 fractions analyzed. The CTV was uniformly expanded by 3 mm to create the PTV for all cases. We determined the effect of patient specific factors (prescribed medications, weight gain, tumor location) and image-guidance technique on setup uncertainty and plotted the mean +/- standard deviation for each factor. ANOVA was used to determine significance between these factors on setup uncertainty. We determined the impact of applying the initial three fraction variation as custom PTV-expansion on dose to normal structures.

Results

The initial 3 mm margin encompassed 88% of all measured shifts from daily imaging for all fractions. There was no difference (p = n.s.) in average setup uncertainty between CBCT or kV imaging for all patients. Vertical, lateral, longitudinal, and 3D shifts were similar (p = n.s.) between days 1, 2, and 3 imaging and later fractions. Patients prescribed sedatives experienced increased setup uncertainty (p < 0.05), while weight gain, corticosteroid administration, and anti-seizure medication did not associate with increased setup uncertainty. Patients with targets near OAR with individualized margins led to decreased OAR dose. No reductions to targets occurred with individualized PTVs.

Conclusions

Daily imaging allows application of individualized CTV expansion to reduce dose to OAR responsible for neurocognition, learning, and neuroendocrine function below doses shown to correlate with long-term morbidity. The demonstrated reduction in dose to OAR in this study has implications for quality of life and provides the motivation to pursue custom PTV expansion.
Correlation between mass transfer coefficient kLa and relevant operating parameters in cylindrical disposable shaken bioreactors on a bench-to-pilot scale
Authors: Klöckner Wolf , Gacem Riad , Anderlei Tibor , Raven Nicole , Schillberg Stefan , Lattermann Clemens , Büchs Jochen
Published: December 2013

Background

Among disposable bioreactor systems, cylindrical orbitally shaken bioreactors show important advantages. They provide a well-defined hydrodynamic flow combined with excellent mixing and oxygen transfer for mammalian and plant cell cultivations. Since there is no known universal correlation between the volumetric mass transfer coefficient for oxygen kLa and relevant operating parameters in such bioreactor systems, the aim of this current study is to experimentally determine a universal kLa correlation.

Results

A Respiration Activity Monitoring System (RAMOS) was used to measure kLa values in cylindrical disposable shaken bioreactors and Buckingham’s π-Theorem was applied to define a dimensionless equation for kLa. In this way, a scale- and volume-independent kLa correlation was developed and validated in bioreactors with volumes from 2 L to 200 L. The final correlation was used to calculate cultivation parameters at different scales to allow a sufficient oxygen supply of tobacco BY-2 cell suspension cultures.

Conclusion

The resulting equation can be universally applied to calculate the mass transfer coefficient for any of seven relevant cultivation parameters such as the reactor diameter, the shaking frequency, the filling volume, the viscosity, the oxygen diffusion coefficient, the gravitational acceleration or the shaking diameter within an accuracy range of +/− 30%. To our knowledge, this is the first kLa correlation that has been defined and validated for the cited bioreactor system on a bench-to-pilot scale.
Involvement of mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 6 in UV induced transcripts accumulation of genes in phytoalexin biosynthesis in rice
Authors: Wankhede Dhammaprakash Pandhari , Kumar Kundan , Singh Pallavi , Sinha Alok Krishna
Published: December 2013

Background

Ultra violet radiation leads to accumulation of phytoalexins (PA) in rice (Oryza sativa) which are typically accumulated when the plants are infected with rice blast pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Although extensive works have been done in elucidating phytoalexin biosynthesis, UV stress signal transduction leading to accumulations of rice phytoalexin is largely unknown.

Results

In the present study, the involvement of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade has been shown in UV induced regulation of genes in phytoalexin biosynthesis in rice. UV induced activation of MAPK and expression of PA biosynthesis genes were shown to be inhibited with staurosporin and MAPK inhibitors. Transcript regulation studies and kinase assays indicated involvement of OsMKK6 in the process. Transgenic rice overexpressing constitutive active OsMKK6

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exhibited higher expression of genes of PA biosynthesis pathway upon UV stress and also upon infection with M. oryzae.

Conclusion

These results suggest a key role of OsMKK6 in regulation of UV responsive expression of genes of PA biosynthesis in rice. This study will help to elucidate the intricate signalling components of UV leading to phytoalexins biosynthesis in rice.
DNA capture and next-generation sequencing can recover whole mitochondrial genomes from highly degraded samples for human identification
Authors: Templeton Jennifer E L , Brotherton Paul M , Llamas Bastien , Soubrier Julien , Haak Wolfgang , Cooper Alan , Austin Jeremy J
Published: December 2013

Background

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) typing can be a useful aid for identifying people from compromised samples when nuclear DNA is too damaged, degraded or below detection thresholds for routine short tandem repeat (STR)-based analysis. Standard mtDNA typing, focused on PCR amplicon sequencing of the control region (HVS I and HVS II), is limited by the resolving power of this short sequence, which misses up to 70% of the variation present in the mtDNA genome.

Methods

We used in-solution hybridisation-based DNA capture (using DNA capture probes prepared from modern human mtDNA) to recover mtDNA from post-mortem human remains in which the majority of DNA is both highly fragmented (<100 base pairs in length) and chemically damaged. The method ‘immortalises’ the finite quantities of DNA in valuable extracts as DNA libraries, which is followed by the targeted enrichment of endogenous mtDNA sequences and characterisation by next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Results

We sequenced whole mitochondrial genomes for human identification from samples where standard nuclear STR typing produced only partial profiles or demonstrably failed and/or where standard mtDNA hypervariable region sequences lacked resolving power. Multiple rounds of enrichment can substantially improve coverage and sequencing depth of mtDNA genomes from highly degraded samples. The application of this method has led to the reliable mitochondrial sequencing of human skeletal remains from unidentified World War Two (WWII) casualties approximately 70 years old and from archaeological remains (up to 2,500 years old).

Conclusions

This approach has potential applications in forensic science, historical human identification cases, archived medical samples, kinship analysis and population studies. In particular the methodology can be applied to any case, involving human or non-human species, where whole mitochondrial genome sequences are required to provide the highest level of maternal lineage discrimination. Multiple rounds of in-solution hybridisation-based DNA capture can retrieve whole mitochondrial genome sequences from even the most challenging samples.
Neurotrophin levels at admission did not change significantly upon alcohol deprivation and were positively correlated with the BMI and LDL levels
Authors: Popa-Wagner Aurel , Furczyk Karolina , Richter Joerg , Irmisch Gisela , Thome Johannes
Published: December 2013

Background

The neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophic factor 3 (NT3) could play a role in addictive behavior. Interactions between BDNF and dopamine transmission influence the alcohol intake. It has been hypothesized that extensive alcohol consumption leads to diminished circulating BDNF levels and impaired BDNF-mediated protective mechanisms. What is more, alcohol dependency causes changes in lipid metabolism which in turn may influence the neurotrophin system.

Methods

In this study, we tested the hypothesis that alcohol withdrawal increases the serum levels of BDNF in alcoholic patients and investigated correlations between serum BDNF and NT3 and alcohol in breath as well as with the body-mass-index (BMI), lipoprotein profiles and lifestyle factors in 110 male in-patients diagnosed with alcohol addiction on the first day after admission and at discharge.

Results

The intoxication level (alcohol in breath at admission) was significantly correlated with liver enzymes and BDNF concentrations (R = .28; p = .004). Patients with positive breath-alcohol test at admission had about 9 times higher NT3 levels and higher liver enzyme concentration levels than nonintoxicated subjects. Alcohol intoxicated patients with pathological aspartate aminase (ASAT) levels had even higher NT3 level (F = 5.41; p = .022). The concentration of NT3 was positively associated with the (BMI) (admission R = .36; p = .004; discharge R = .33; p = .001), and the obese patients had 3 to 5 times higher NT3 concentration than the others. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration levels were found to positively correlate with NT3 concentration levels (admission R = .025; p = .015 discharge R = .24; p = .23).

Conclusion

Other than expected, the levels of NT3 and to a lesser extent BDNF levels, were found to be significantly increased in acute alcohol abuse. Alcohol deprivation did not significantly change the serum neurotrophin levels at admission. NT3 levels were positively correlated with the BMI and LDL levels. Because of expected difference between genders, we recommend investigating these correlations further in patients of both genders.
FISH and tips: a large scale analysis of automated versus manual scoring for sperm aneuploidy detection
Authors: Martinez Guillaume , Gillois Pierre , Le Mitouard Marine , Borye Rémy , Esquerré-Lamare Camille , Satre Véronique , Bujan Louis , Hennebicq Sylviane
Published: December 2013

Background

Approximately 1% of the spermatozoa found in ejaculate of healthy men are aneuploid and this rate increases in the population of subfertile and infertile men. Moreover, fertilization with these aneuploid sperm can lead to impaired embryo development. Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH) is the common cytogenetic tool used for aneuploidy screening on sperm. However, it is a time-consuming technique and cytogenetic or in vitro fertilization laboratories cannot routinely use it and face the increasing demand of such analyses before Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART). As automation can be a clue for routine practice, this study compares manual and automated scoring of sperm aneuploidy rates using a Metafer Metasystems® device. The results obtained also contribute to global data about FISH on sperm cells.

Methods

We recruited 100 men addressed for sperm cryopreservation. They all signed an informed consent to participate in the study. 29 men were donors or consulted before vasectomy (control group) and 71 were suffering of Hodgkin’s disease or non Hodgkin lymphoma (patient group). One semen sample was collected for each patient, analyzed according to WHO criteria and prepared for a triple-color FISH using centromeric probes for chromosomes 18, X and Y. Automated scoring was performed using a Metafer Metasystems® device.

Results

507,019 cells were scored. We found a strong concordance between the automated and the manual reading (d < 0.01 in Bland-Altman test). We also did not find a statistically significant difference between the automated and the manual reading using Wilcoxon test for total aneuploidy rate (p = 0.06), sex chromosomes disomy (p = 0.33), chromosome 18 disomy (p = 0.39) and diploidy (p = 0.21). Cumulative rate of total aneuploidy was 0.78% ± 0.212% for patient group and 0.54% ± 0.15 for control group and among this, sex chromosome XY disomy rate was of 0.54% for patient group and 0.27% for control group.

Conclusion

This study validates the automated reading for FISH on sperm with a Metafer Metasystems® device and allows its use in a laboratory routine.