bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of medical discharge summaries and medical documentation in a metropolitan hospital: impact on diagnostic‐related groups and Weighted Inlier Equivalent Separation
Authors: Chin N. , Perera P. , Roberts A. , Nagappan R.
Published: January 2013

Background

Accurate and comprehensive clinical documentation is crucial for effective ongoing patient care, follow up and to optimise casemix‐based funding. Each Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) is assigned a ‘weight’, leading to Weighted Inlier Equivalent Separation (WIES), a system many public and private hospitals in Australia subscribe to.

Aims

To identify the top DRG in a general medical inpatient service, the completeness of medical discharge documentation, commonly missed comorbidities and system‐related issues and subsequent impact on DRG and WIES allocation.

Methods

One hundred and fifty completed discharge summaries were randomly selected from the top 10 medical DRG in our health service. From a detailed review of the clinical documentation, principal diagnoses, associated comorbidities and complications, where appropriate, the DRG and WIES were modified.

Results

Seventy‐two (48%) of the 150 reviewed admissions resulted in a revision of DRG and WIES equivalent to an increase of AUD 142 000. Respiratory‐based DRG generated the largest revision of DRG and WIES, while ‘Cellulitis’ DRG had the largest relative change. Twenty‐seven per cent of summaries reviewed necessitated a change in coding with no subsequent change in DRG allocation or WIES. Acute renal failure, anaemia and electrolyte disturbances were the most commonly underrepresented entities in clinical discharge documentation. Seven patients had their WIES downgraded.

Conclusion

Comprehensive documentation of principal diagnosis/diagnoses, comorbidities and their complications is imperative to optimal DRG and WIES allocation. Regular meetings between clinical and coding staff improve the quality and timeliness of medical documentation, ensure adequate communication with general practitioners and lead to appropriate funding.
T‐cell memory differentiation: insights from transcriptional signatures and epigenetics
Authors: Youngblood Ben , Hale J. Scott , Ahmed Rafi
Published: January 2013

A critical component of vaccine design is to generate and maintain antigen‐specific memory lymphocytes of sufficient quantity and quality to give the host life‐long protection against re‐infection. Therefore, it is important to understand how memory T cells acquire the ability for self‐renewal while retaining a potential for heightened recall of effector functions. During acute viral infection or following vaccination, antigen‐specific T cells undergo extensive phenotypic and functional changes during differentiation to the effector and memory phases of the immune response. The changes in cell phenotype that accompany memory T‐cell differentiation are predominantly mediated through acquired transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, in part achieved through epigenetic modifications of DNA and histones. Here we review our current understanding of epigenetic mechanisms regulating the off‐on‐off expression of CD8 and CD4 T‐cell effector molecules at naive, effector and memory stages of differentiation, respectively, and how covalent modifications to the genome may serve as a mechanism to preserve ‘poised’ transcriptional states in homeostatically dividing memory cells. We discuss the potential of such mechanisms to control genes that undergo on‐off‐on patterns of expression including homing and pro‐survival genes, and the implications on the development of effector‐memory and central‐memory T‐cell differentiation. Lastly, we review recent studies demonstrating epigenetic modifications as a mechanism for the progressive loss of transcriptional adaptation in antigen‐specific T cells that undergo sustained high levels of T‐cell receptor signalling.
International and National R&D Networks in Unionized Oligopoly
Authors: Kesavayuth Dusanee , Zikos Vasileios
Published: January 2013

We study the endogenous formation of R&D networks between two domestic and one foreign firms in a unionized oligopoly. We find that the equilibrium networks are sensitive to the extent of knowledge spillovers between networked firms. If spillovers are sufficiently low, the complete network will arise in equilibrium; however, if spillovers are sufficiently high, the foreign partial network that includes a domestic and a foreign firm will arise. Moreover, for intermediate spillovers, no equilibrium network emerges. These results have implications for aggregate outcomes: equilibrium networks are not necessarily optimal in terms of aggregate effective R&D and aggregate firm profits.
Cytoskeletal and membrane dynamics during higher plant cytokinesis
Authors: McMichael Colleen M. , Bednarek Sebastian Y.
Published: January 2013

Following mitosis, cytoplasm, organelles and genetic material are partitioned into daughter cells through the process of cytokinesis. In somatic cells of higher plants, two cytoskeletal arrays, the preprophase band and the phragmoplast, facilitate the positioning and de novo assembly of the plant‐specific cytokinetic organelle, the cell plate, which develops across the division plane and fuses with the parental plasma membrane to yield distinct new cells. The coordination of cytoskeletal and membrane dynamics required to initiate, assemble and shape the cell plate as it grows toward the mother cell cortex is dependent upon a large array of proteins, including molecular motors, membrane tethering, fusion and restructuring factors and biosynthetic, structural and regulatory elements. This review focuses on the temporal and molecular requirements of cytokinesis in somatic cells of higher plants gleaned from recent studies using cell biology, genetics, pharmacology and biochemistry.

Contents

Summary
1039

I.
Introduction
1039

II.
The role of the cytoskeleton in cytokinesis
1041

III.
Membrane dynamics during cytokinesis
1046

IV.
Conclusion
1051

Acknowledgements
1051

References
1051
Personality Traits and Political Participation: Evidence from South Korea
Authors: Ha Shang E. , Kim Seokho , Jo Se Hee
Published: January 2013

Using a nationally representative survey fielded in 2009, we analyze the relationships between personality traits and various modes of political participation in South Korea. We find statistically significant relationships between personality (measured by the Five‐Factor Model) and several nonelectoral modes of participation. Openness correlates positively with protest participation, rally attendance, financial contributions to political causes, news media contacts, and political activities via the Internet. Agreeableness correlates negatively with these five participation modes as well as petition signing. Conscientiousness is positively associated with individual political acts (e.g., contacting news media and elected officials and donation), while it is negatively associated with collective actions such as participation in rally. However, we do not find any significant relationship between personality and voter turnout. Reflecting an unusually conflictual political climate of South Korea in 2008, we discuss these findings' implications focusing on the personality‐situation interactions.
Assessing hydric soils in a gallery forest in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Skorupa A. L. A. , Fay M. , Zinn Y. L. , Scheuber M.
Published: January 2013

Hydric soils have important ecological functions such as biodiversity hotspots, hydrological buffering and C storage, but their spatial variability leads to mapping uncertainties. In the Brazilian Cerrado, gallery forests along first‐order streams are used to indicate the occurrence of hydric soils, but this relationship has seldom been tested. This project was designed to determine the occurrence of hydric soils and associated soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in a gallery forest in the Cerrado. Thus, a 19‐km‐long gallery forest was divided into nine transects perpendicular to the stream along which soils were sampled every 10 m with a 1‐m‐depth core sampler. From the 134 cores thus obtained, Munsell colours and redoximorphic features were assessed for each horizon, and the data were used to select the five main soil types for description and characterization. Three soils were well drained (Kandiustox, Plinthic Haplustox and Fluventic Dystrustept), and two were hydric (Plinthaquox and Endoaquent). Hydric soils comprised only 20–30% of the area based on the average transect area where floodplains, mottles, nodules and Munsell values <2 occurred, as well as on calculated hydromorphy indexes. Soil organic carbon stocks to 1 m depth ranged from ca. 120 Mg/ha in well‐drained Oxisols to 860 Mg/ha in the Endoaquent, with overall means between 200 and 400 Mg/ha. Large soil variability is a challenge to mapping hydric soils, which though of limited extent are highly susceptible to degradation following drainage and cultivation.
Hierarchical Analysis of the Release Step in a Nanofabrication Process Using an Adhesion/Atomistic Friction Surface Interaction Model
Authors: Reedy E. D. , Cox J. V.
Published: January 2013

Finite element analysis techniques were used to study the release step in a nanofabrication process. These calculations employed a novel adhesion/atomistic friction surface interaction model to define how the glassy polymer interacts with the hard mold. This model is applicable to solids that interact via relatively weak, van der Waals forces and is applicable to intentionally weakened interfaces (e.g., when a mold release is used). The goal of this effort is to simulate the entire separation process. The release step was studied by performing unit cell calculations for a pattern composed of identical, parallel channels. The interface between the mold and the glassy polymer did not unzip in a continuous, quasi-static manner in these simulations. Instead, there was a complex failure sequence that included multiple dynamic separations and arrest events as well as adhesive reattachment. The sensitivity of the release process to interface and bulk material properties, polymer shrinkage, and feature geometry was then quantified by examining variations from a baseline configuration. Finally, the feasibility of a hierarchical analysis that represents the nanometer-scale pattern by a pattern traction–separation (T–U) relationship, which is defined by a unit cell analysis, was demonstrated.
Ultrasound Assisted Hybrid Carbon Epoxy Composites Containing Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Barua Bipul , Saha Mrinal C.
Published: January 2013

A simple approach has been reported toward the development of hybrid nano/microfiber composite structures with improved mechanical properties. Ultrasound assisted atomization process has been utilized for depositing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the surface of carbon fiber (CF) cloth using dilute solutions of CNTs in N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Dilute solutions with three different CNT concentrations such as 1 × 10−4 g/ml, 5 × 10−4 g/ml, and 10 × 10−4 g/ml were fed into an ultrasonic atomizer probe using a positive displacement syringe pump and sprayed directly on CF cloth rested on a hot plate inside a deposition chamber. Several layers of hybrid CF cloths containing CNTs were used to fabricate composite laminates using a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Although the dispersion of CNTs in DMF was found very well for all three concentrations, the distribution of CNTs on CFs was only found homogeneous for 1 × 10−4 g/ml solution. It was found that the hybrid composite containing 0.3 wt. % CNTs loading fabricated using 1 × 10−4 g/ml solution showed about 25% improvement in flexural strength, although moderate improvement in flexure modulus was achieved for all three concentrations. The improved strength is believed to be due to homogeneous distribution of CNTs, which resulted in increased surface roughness and mechanical interlocking between fibers and matrix.
A Closed-Form Nonlinear Model for the Constraint Characteristics of Symmetric Spatial Beams
Authors: Sen Shiladitya , Awtar Shorya
Published: January 2013

The constraint-based design of flexure mechanisms requires a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the constraint characteristics of flexure elements that serve as constraints. This paper presents the constraint characterization of a uniform and symmetric cross-section, slender, spatial beam—a basic flexure element commonly used in three-dimensional flexure mechanisms. The constraint characteristics of interest, namely stiffness and error motions, are determined from the nonlinear load–displacement relations at the beam end. Appropriate assumptions are made while formulating the strain and strain energy expressions for the spatial beam to retain relevant geometric nonlinearities. Using the principle of virtual work, nonlinear beam governing equations are derived and subsequently solved for general end loads. The resulting nonlinear load–displacement relations capture the constraint characteristics of the spatial beam in a compact, closed-form, and parametric manner. This constraint model is shown to be accurate using nonlinear finite element analysis, within a load and displacement range of practical interest. The utility of this model lies in the physical and analytical insight that it offers into the constraint behavior of a spatial beam flexure, its use in design and optimization of 3D flexure mechanism geometries, and its elucidation of fundamental performance tradeoffs in flexure mechanism design.
Ferroelectric Organic Materials Catch Up with Oxides
Authors: Bonnell Dawn A.
Published: January 2013

An organic salt displays ferroelectric properties comparable to those of barium titanate but should be easier to process in device fabrication.

[Also see Report by

Fu
et al.

]
They Never Saw It Coming
Authors: Augustine Norman R.
Published: January 2013

Recently, a highly regarded newspaper publisher, perhaps thinking of dinosaurs while speaking of his own profession, remarked to me that "We are all dead; some of us just don't realize it yet." He is of course not alone in his lament: Remember videocassette recorders, carbon paper, and mechanical typewriters? Various writers have warned that it is not the strongest of the species that survives, or the most intelligent, but rather the one most adaptable to change.
Promotion of Hendra Virus Replication by MicroRNA 146a
Authors: Stewart Cameron R. , Marsh Glenn A. , Jenkins Kristie A. , Gantier Michael P. , Tizard Mark L. , Middleton Deborah , Lowenthal John W. , Haining Jessica , Izzard Leonard , Gough Tamara J. , Deffrasnes Celine , Stambas John , Robinson Rachel , Heine Hans G. , Pallister Jackie A. , Foord Adam J. , Bean Andrew G. , Wang Lin-Fa
Published: January 2013

Hendra virus is a highly pathogenic zoonotic paramyxovirus in the genus
Henipavirus
. Thirty-nine outbreaks of Hendra virus have been reported since its initial identification in Queensland, Australia, resulting in seven human infections and four fatalities. Little is known about cellular host factors impacting Hendra virus replication. In this work, we demonstrate that Hendra virus makes use of a microRNA (miRNA) designated miR-146a, an NF-κB-responsive miRNA upregulated by several innate immune ligands, to favor its replication. miR-146a is elevated in the blood of ferrets and horses infected with Hendra virus and is upregulated by Hendra virus in human cells
in vitro
. Blocking miR-146a reduces Hendra virus replication
in vitro
, suggesting a role for this miRNA in Hendra virus replication.
In silico
analysis of miR-146a targets identified ring finger protein (RNF)11, a member of the A20 ubiquitin editing complex that negatively regulates NF-κB activity, as a novel component of Hendra virus replication. RNA interference-mediated silencing of RNF11 promotes Hendra virus replication
in vitro
, suggesting that increased NF-κB activity aids Hendra virus replication. Furthermore, overexpression of the IκB superrepressor inhibits Hendra virus replication. These studies are the first to demonstrate a host miRNA response to Hendra virus infection and suggest an important role for host miRNAs in Hendra virus disease.
Congestive hepatopathy secondary to large renal arteriovenous malformation
Authors: Khalife Mohammad , Faraj Walid , Salah Fatima , Haydar Ali A
Published: January 2013

A 75-year-old woman presented with acute onset dyspnoea, and was found to have signs of pulmonary congestion on clinical examination. Imaging revealed cardiomegaly and coincident congestive hepatopathy, secondary to a left renal arteriovenous malformation. The presence of a high flow vascular shunt in the left kidney was possibly the causative factor behind both the high-output cardiac failure and congestive hepatopathy.
A VISUAL SIMPLE REAL-TIME 3D CAD FRAMEWORK
Authors: LI QIANMU , WEI SHIXIANG , HOU JUN , YONG QI
Published: January 2013

This paper designs a visual 3D CAD framework based on Vega Prime/Creator. This framework solves problems such as the customization of Vega Prime application class, establishment of multichannel and multi-view scenes, transmitting method of plenty of view pointers, management of data with diversified source, multithreading communication, movement of the model and its view point controlling. In the end, this paper developed a real-time interactive CAD system using this framework, which verifies the validity of the framework.
Intrinsic physiological properties of the five types of mouse ganglion-cell photoreceptors
Authors: Hu Caiping , Hill DiJon D. , Wong Kwoon Y.
Published: January 2013

In the mammalian retina, some ganglion cells express the photopigment melanopsin and function as photoreceptors. Five morphological types of these intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), M1–M5, have been identified in mice. Whereas M1 specializes in non-image-forming visual functions and drives such behaviors as the pupillary light reflex and circadian photoentrainment, the other types appear to contribute to image-forming as well as non-image-forming vision. Recent work has begun to reveal physiological diversity among some of the ipRGC types, including differences in photosensitivity, firing rate, and membrane resistance. To gain further insights into these neurons' functional differences, we conducted a comprehensive survey of the electrophysiological properties of all five morphological types. Compared with the other types, M1 had the highest membrane resistance, longest membrane time constant, lowest spike frequencies, widest action potentials, most positive spike thresholds, smallest hyperpolarization-activated inwardly-rectifying current-induced “sagging” responses to hyperpolarizing currents, and the largest effects of voltage-gated K+ currents on membrane potentials. M4 and M5 were at the other end of the spectrum for most of these measures, while M2 and M3 tended to be in the middle of this spectrum. Additionally, M1 and M2 cells generated more diverse voltage-gated Ca2+ currents than M3–M5. In conclusion, M1 cells are significantly different from all other ipRGCs in most respects, possibly reflecting the unique physiological requirements of non-image-forming vision. Furthermore, the non-M1 ipRGCs are electrophysiologically heterogeneous, implicating these cells' diverse functional roles in both non-image-forming vision and pattern vision.
Sensorimotor adaptation changes the neural coding of somatosensory stimuli
Authors: Nasir Sazzad M. , Darainy Mohammad , Ostry David J.
Published: January 2013

Motor learning is reflected in changes to the brain's functional organization as a result of experience. We show here that these changes are not limited to motor areas of the brain and indeed that motor learning also changes sensory systems. We test for plasticity in sensory systems using somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). A robotic device is used to elicit somatosensory inputs by displacing the arm in the direction of applied force during learning. We observe that following learning there are short latency changes to the response in somatosensory areas of the brain that are reliably correlated with the magnitude of motor learning: subjects who learn more show greater changes in SEP magnitude. The effects we observe are tied to motor learning. When the limb is displaced passively, such that subjects experience similar movements but without experiencing learning, no changes in the evoked response are observed. Sensorimotor adaptation thus alters the neural coding of somatosensory stimuli.
Identification of FGFR4 as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Advanced-Stage, High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Zaid Tarrik M. , Yeung Tsz-Lun , Thompson Melissa S. , Leung Cecilia S. , Harding Tom , Co Ngai-Na , Schmandt Rosie S. , Kwan Suet-Ying , Rodriguez-Aguay Cristian , Lopez-Berestein Gabriel , Sood Anil K. , Wong Kwong-Kwok , Birrer Michael J. , Mok Samuel C.
Published: January 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic value of fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) protein expression in patients with advanced-stage, high-grade serous ovarian cancer, delineate the functional role of FGFR4 in ovarian cancer progression, and evaluate the feasibility of targeting FGFR4 in serous ovarian cancer treatment.

Experimental Design: Immunolocalization of FGFR4 was conducted on 183 ovarian tumor samples. The collected FGFR4 expression data were correlated with overall survival using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses. The effects of FGFR4 silencing on ovarian cancer cell growth, survival, invasiveness, apoptosis, and FGF1-mediated signaling pathway activation were evaluated by transfecting cells with FGFR4-specific siRNAs. An orthotopic mouse model was used to evaluate the effect of injection of FGFR4-specific siRNAs and FGFR4 trap protein encapsulated in nanoliposomes on ovarian tumor growth in vivo.

Results: Overexpression of FGFR4 protein was significantly associated with decreased overall survival durations. FGFR4 silencing significantly decreased the proliferation, survival, and invasiveness and increased apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. Also, downregulation of FGFR4 significantly abrogated the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and WNT signaling pathways, which are activated by FGF1. Targeting FGFR4 with the FGFR4-specific siRNAs and FGFR4 trap protein significantly decreased ovarian tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions: FGFR4 is a prognostic marker for advanced-stage, high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Silencing FGFR4 and inhibiting ligand-receptor binding significantly decrease ovarian tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that targeting ovarian cancer cells with high levels of FGFR4 protein expression is a new therapeutic modality for this disease and will improve survival of it. Clin Cancer Res; 19(4); 809–20. ©2012 AACR.
Two new species of philometrid nematodes (Nematoda: Philometridae) in Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822) from the South Bali Sea, Indonesia
Authors: DEWI KARTIKA , PALM HARRY W.
Published: January 2013

Based on light and scanning electron microscopy, two new species of philometrid nematodes, Spirophilometra endangae sp. nov. and Philometra epinepheli sp. nov. (Nematoda: Dracunculoidea: Philometridae) are described from Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822) (Perciformes: Serranidae) from the South Bali Sea, Indonesia. Spirophilometra endangae sp. nov. was isolated from the fins of E. coioides. The new species can be distinguished from the most closely related S. eichleri Parukhin, 1971 by a larger total body length and the site of infection in the host. The new species differs from S. centropomi (Caballero, 1974) also in the larger body size of the gravid females and the site of infection in the host. S. en-dangae sp. nov. differs from S. pacifica (Moravec, Santana-Pineros, Gonzales-Solis & Torres-Huerta, 2007) in the struc-ture and arrangement of the spines on the middle part of the body, the infection site of the worm, the type host and the zoogeographical host distribution. Philometra epinepheli sp. nov. differs from all other Philometra spp. congeners so far recorded from Ephinepelus groupers in the total body length and the site of infection. This is the first opercula-infecting species of Philometra described from the fish family Serranidae.
The larvae of Heteragrion majus Selys and H. atrolineatum Donnelly, with a key to known species from Costa Rica (Odonata: Megapodagrionidae)
Authors: RAMÍREZ ALONSO , GUTIÉRREZ-FONSECA PABLO E.
Published: January 2013

The final larval stadium of Heteragrion majus Selys, 1886 and H. atrolineatum Donnelly, 1992 are described and illus-trated for the first time, using reared material from Costa Rica, and compared with other species of the genus known from the country. All species were very similar as larvae, but they can be separated by the presence and distribution of antennal setae, spines on the posterior margin of the abdominal segments, and size. A key to separate all five species known for Costa Rica is provided.
Jet Jumping: Low-Frequency Variability in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Chapman Christopher C. , McC. Hogg Andrew
Published: January 2013

The authors study intrinsic variability in the position of jets in a β-plane channel ocean with simple topography using a quasigeostrophic numerical model. This study links the variability in jet position with abyssal anticyclones that form as a result of interaction of mesoscale eddies and subsurface topography, reminiscent of such flows as the Zapiola anticyclone. A simple dynamical framework explaining this behavior is developed. In this framework, this study shows that the topographic anticyclones form closed regions of homogenized yet time-varying potential vorticity. Neighboring topographic anticyclones are coupled by eddy fluxes. Interaction of a baroclinic jet with these two (or more) anticyclones can drive variability in local jet strength. Predictions of the dynamical framework are then compared with the results of the numerical model, and it is demonstrated that this model has merit in explaining the observed model variability. This study argues that this simple mode of variability has relevance for the ocean.
Transcriptome analysis of bitter acid biosynthesis and precursor pathways in hop (Humulus lupulus)
Authors: Clark Shawn M , Vaitheeswaran Vinidhra , Ambrose Stephen J , Purves Randy W , Page Jonathan E
Published: January 2013

Background

Bitter acids (e.g.humulone) are prenylated polyketides synthesized in lupulin glands of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus) which are important contributors to the bitter flavour and stability of beer. Bitter acids are formed from acyl-CoA precursors derived from branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) degradation and C5 prenyl diphosphates from the methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. We used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to obtain the transcriptomes of isolated lupulin glands, cones with glands removed and leaves from high α-acid hop cultivars, and analyzed these datasets for genes involved in bitter acid biosynthesis including the supply of major precursors. We also measured the levels of BCAAs, acyl-CoA intermediates, and bitter acids in glands, cones and leaves.

Results

Transcripts encoding all the enzymes of BCAA metabolism were significantly more abundant in lupulin glands, indicating that BCAA biosynthesis and subsequent degradation occurs in these specialized cells. Branched-chain acyl-CoAs and bitter acids were present at higher levels in glands compared with leaves and cones. RNA-seq analysis showed the gland-specific expression of the MEP pathway, enzymes of sucrose degradation and several transcription factors that may regulate bitter acid biosynthesis in glands. Two branched-chain aminotransferase (BCAT) enzymes,HlBCAT1andHlBCAT2, were abundant, with gene expression quantification by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR indicating thatHlBCAT1was specific to glands whileHlBCAT2was present in glands, cones and leaves. Recombinant HlBCAT1 and HlBCAT2 catalyzed forward (biosynthetic) and reverse (catabolic) reactions with similar kinetic parameters. HlBCAT1 is targeted to mitochondria where it likely plays a role in BCAA catabolism. HlBCAT2 is a plastidial enzyme likely involved in BCAA biosynthesis. Phylogenetic analysis of the hop BCATs and those from other plants showed that they group into distinct biosynthetic (plastidial) and catabolic (mitochondrial) clades.

Conclusions

Our analysis of the hop transcriptome significantly expands the genomic resources available for this agriculturally-important crop. This study provides evidence for the lupulin gland-specific biosynthesis of BCAAs and prenyl diphosphates to provide precursors for the production of bitter acids. The biosynthetic pathway leading to BCAAs in lupulin glands involves the plastidial enzyme, HlBCAT2. The mitochondrial enzyme HlBCAT1 degrades BCAAs as the first step in the catabolic pathway leading to branched chain-acyl-CoAs.
Rapid screening for Chlamydia trachomatis infection by detecting α-mannosidase activity in urogenital tract specimens
Authors: Wang Ze-yu , Fu Guang-yu , Wang Shan-mei , Qin Dong-chun , Wang Zhong-quan , Cui Jing
Published: January 2013

Background

Chlamydia trachomatis may cause multiple different urogenital tract disorders, but current non-culture assays for rapid screening of C. trachomatis typically use immunochromatography-based methods. We established another new rapid non-culture method for detection of C. trachomatis based on the measurement of α-mannosidase enzymatic activity in urogenital tract specimens.

Method

To evaluate the performance of this method, α-mannosidase activities of C. trachomatis serotype D strain 、 and 29 standard strains related to clinical urogenital pathogens were investigated. Furthermore, 553 urogenital tract specimens were used for clinical assays via cell culture method and ligase chain reaction method (LCR), adopting an expanded gold standard.

Results

Only C. trachomatis was positive for α-mannosidase activity among different types of microbes tested in the research. When prostate fluid specimens, which have some interfering activity, were excluded, the sensitivity and specificity of the enzymatic method were 91.8% (78/85) and 98.3% (409/416), respectively. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

These results showed that α-mannosidase activity could be utilised as a screening marker of C. trachomatis infection.
Lens regeneration in axolotl: new evidence of developmental plasticity
Authors: Suetsugu-Maki Rinako , Maki Nobuyasu , Nakamura Kenta , Sumanas Saulius , Zhu Jie , Del Rio-Tsonis Katia , Tsonis Panagiotis A
Published: January 2013

Background

Among vertebrates lens regeneration is most pronounced in newts, which have the ability to regenerate the entire lens throughout their lives. Regeneration occurs from the dorsal iris by transdifferentiation of the pigment epithelial cells. Interestingly, the ventral iris never contributes to regeneration. Frogs have limited lens regeneration capacity elicited from the cornea during pre-metamorphic stages. The axolotl is another salamander which, like the newt, regenerates its limbs or its tail with the spinal cord, but up until now all reports have shown that it does not regenerate the lens.

Results

Here we present a detailed analysis during different stages of axolotl development, and we show that despite previous beliefs the axolotl does regenerate the lens, however, only during a limited time after hatching. We have found that starting at stage 44 (forelimb bud stage) lens regeneration is possible for nearly two weeks. Regeneration occurs from the iris but, in contrast to the newt, regeneration can be elicited from either the dorsal or the ventral iris and, occasionally, even from both in the same eye. Similar studies in the zebra fish concluded that lens regeneration is not possible.

Conclusions

Regeneration of the lens is possible in the axolotl, but differs from both frogs and newts. Thus the axolotl iris provides a novel and more plastic strategy for lens regeneration.
Expected Firm Altruism, Quality Provision, and Brand Extensions
Authors: Rotemberg Julio J.
Published: January 2013

A setting is considered where consumers keep track of the extent to which brands care about them, which is modeled as altruism of brands toward their target consumers. Consumers who purchase an experience good of high quality reasonably deduce that the supplier of this good is relatively altruistic toward them, and they are therefore more keen to purchase a brand extension that is also directed at them. As a result, the success of brand extensions depends on the overlap between the customers of the original product and the target customers of the extension product. The quality and demand for a brand extension can be higher if the brand is perceived as caring only for its most quality-conscious consumers rather than for all possible buyers of the good.
Crystal structure of hexachloro-bis-((4'-(pyridin-3-yl)-2,2':6',2''- terpyridine)-trizinc(II)-methanol, [Zn3(3-pytpy)2Cl6)]CH3OH, C41H32Cl6N8OZn3
Authors: Gou Lei
Published: January 2013

C41H32Cl6N8OZn3, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 13.8857(8) Å, b = 13.5194(8) Å, c = 23.709(1) Å, β = 106.835(4)°, V = 4260.0 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0375, wRref(F2) = 0.0970, T = 296 K
A note on Molluscan diversity and density of some fish ponds of Lalapatti Village Development Committee (VDC), Saptari district, Nepal
Authors: Subba Bharat Raj , Kumar Prakash , Adhikaree Shaligram
Published: January 2013

Molluscan diversity of six fish ponds and a river of Lalapatti VDC, Saptari district was studied. In total, ten species of freshwater molluscs belonging to seven families and eight genera were recorded. Among them nine species were found in ponds and five species were recorded in the river samples. Maximum average density was recorded of Bellamya bengalensis (30.38/m2) and minimum for Corbicula alata (0.084/m2) DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7463 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 8-10 (2011)
Status of key faunal species in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve after Koshi flood disaster 2008
Authors: Limbu Kul Prasad , Subba Bhara Raj
Published: January 2013

Present survey was carried out from April 16th to December 15th of 2009 with a view to assess the key faunal species of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve such as Birds, Gangetic Dolphin, Wild water buffalo, different species of fish and their habitats after Koshi flood disaster 2008. Several trips were made within the KTWR using boat for surveying dolphin census, to make checklist of birds and fishes and to study wild water buffalo status. Among 120 species of birds belonging to 44 families and 103 genera were sighted, 27 species were found as winter visitor, 4 species as summer visitor and 89 species as resident birds. The census of Gangetic Dolphin was conducted in the Koshi river course starting from Rajabas to Koshi Barrage (36 km) in November-December 2009. The census concluded with a sighting of 6 dolphins in the river section north of Koshi Barrage upto Rajabas and 5 dolphins in the downstream of Koshi Barrage. The status of wild water buffalo was also studied in different areas of KTWR. Regular collection of fish enlisted 64 species belonging to 15 families and 40 genera. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7469 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 41-54 (2011)
Description of new species of leaf miners (Diptera Agromyzidae) associated with leguminous host described from northern India
Authors: Thapa Ram Bahadur
Published: January 2013

A total of 28 species of agromyzid flies belonging to 7 genera have been reared and described on 34 different leguminous host -plants from Pantnagar, Nainital, Northern India. 13 agromyzid flies have been described as new species viz., Japanagromyza species nova (sp.n.) ex leaves of Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth; Liriomyza sp.n. ex leaves of Vicia sativa Linn.; Liriomyza sp.n. ex leaves of Vicia faba Linn.; Malanagromyza sp.n. ex stems of Cassia sp.; Melanagromyza sp.n. ex stems of Pisum sativum Linn. Melanagromyza sp.n. ex stems of Trifolium pratense Linn.; Melanagromyza sp.n. ex stems of Vicia faba Linn.; Ophiomyia sp.n. ex stems of Pueraria Phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth; Ophiomyia sp.n. ex stems of Sesbania aculeata Pers.; Ophiomyiz sp.n. ex stem of Vigna mungo (Linn.) Heeper and Ophiomyia sp.n. ex stems of Vigna mungo (Linn.) Heeper. Large numbers of host plants have been recorded as new host for various agromyzid species. More than one thousand male genitalia slides have been prepared for this study. Variations in morphology and genitalia characters have also been illustrated within the species. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7474 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 66-82 (2011)
Seasonal variations in available N and N-mineralization in relation to fine roots in landslide damaged sites in the sal forest ecosystem of Nepal Himalaya
Authors: Mandal Tej Narayan
Published: January 2013

Seasonal dynamics of available nitrogen and N-mineralization in relation to fine root biomass was studied in five landslide damaged (1 to 58 years old) sites in the moist tropical sal (Shorea robusta) forest ecosystem of Nepal Himalaya. Comparisons were made with an undisturbed mature sal forest site located in the same region. Concentrations of soil available-N (NH4+ and NO3-) increased with the age of site till 40-year old sites and then declined. However, the proportion of NH4+ in total available N increased distinctly with increase in the age of sites. The NH4+: NO3- ratio increased considerably from 1.15 in 1-year site to 2.4 in mature sal forest. On the other hand, the net N-mineralization rate increased consistently until 58 years of age but the proportion of nitrification rate relative to ammonification rate distinctly decreased beyond 40 years indicating the dominance of ammonification over nitrification in the older sites. Fine root biomass and N- mineralization rate both increased but available-N decreased during rainy season. On the other hand fine root biomass and N-mineralization rate both decreased and available N increased during summer season. During the summer season, fine root biomass decreased by 57 - 68% indicating a rapid turnover. High turnover of fine root at the younger sites (1 to 15 yrs old) add more organic matter for the developing vegetation. Fine root biomass was positively correlated with the concentration of available-N and N-mineralization rate. It is concluded that fine root development was facilitated by higher amounts of available-N. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7478 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 114-124 (2011)
Effects of artificial diets on growth and mortality of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) larvae
Authors: Subba Suren , Gubhaju Surya Ratna
Published: January 2013

Trout larvae of average weight of 0.08391 to 0.08907 gm were nursed in 12 floating net cages set in a circular tank. The larvae were fed with 4 different diets- Diet 1 (normal diet), Diet 2 (normal diet with buff liver), Diet 3 (normal diet with chicken liver) and Diet 4 (normal diet with mutton liver). The experiment was conducted at completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications for each diet. Body weight, total length and condition factor of larvae did not show significantly variation at different test diets. The specific growth rate was recorded 3.043% per day which was highest in test diet 3. The highest Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) i.e., 2.8768 was recorded in diet 4. Physico-chemical parameters and the survival rate were also recorded. The correlation coefficient of length and weight relationship was highest (0.972) in diet 3. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v1i0.7481 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 1: 140-147 (2011)
Five new species of Oedogonium Link (Chlorophyta), a freshwater filamentous algae from Nepal
Authors: Raj Shiva Kumar
Published: January 2013

The present paper deals with six species of genus Oedogonium Link, among which five species are being recorded for the first time from Nepal. They are Oedogonium leave Wittrock, O. peipingense Jao, O. pisanum Wittrock, O. plagiostomum Wittrock and O. undulatum (Bréb.) A. Braun in De Bary. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v2i0.7485 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 2 : 17-23 (2012)
Multiple drug resistant Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella and Shigella from Nepalgunj Cholera outbreak and different hospitals of Nepal
Authors: Shah Binod Kumar , Sharma Sapana , Shakya Gita , Upadhyay Bishnu Prasad
Published: January 2013

Diarrhoea is a major health problem throughout the world, and responsible for high morbidity and mortality in Nepal. The crosssectional prospective study was carried out to screen ESBL producer from MDR Vibrio Cholerae, Salmonella and Shigella from 268 diarrhoeal stools from Nepalgunj Cholera outbreak and different hospitals of Nepal during April 2010 to January 2011. The specimens were processed by standard microbiological methods and confirmed with serology. Altogether 14.18% of bacteria were isolated with 8.21% V. cholerae O1 El Tor Ogawa, 2.24% Shigella flexneri B and 3.73% Salmonella spp. Highest bacterial culture (47.36%) were isolated in Kathmandu while highest V. cholerae (77.27%) were isolated in Nepalgunj. The highest number of Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. were isolated from Kanti Children’s Hospital. Highest bacteria isolation (47.36%) and highest V. cholerae isolation (81.81%) were observed in the August. The bacteria isolation was significantly associated with places and months (p<0.05). However, there was no statistical difference in the bacteria isolation with sex (P>0.05). 100% V. cholerae, 100% Shigella spp. and 80% Salmonella spp. were MDR while only one Salmonella Cholerasuis was found ESBL producer. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v2i0.7487 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 2 : 31-39 (2012)
Anthropogenic impacts on Tiger frog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, at Biratnagar and its surroundings, Nepal
Authors: Sah Minu Kumari , Subba Bharat Raj
Published: January 2013

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njbs.v2i0.7505 Nepalese Journal of Biosciences 2 : 156-157 (2012)
Trace-element and physical response to melt percolation in Summit (Greenland) snow
Authors: Wong Gifford J. , Hawley Robert L. , Lutz Eric R. , Osterberg Erich C.
Published: January 2013

Surface melt on a glacier can perturb the glaciochemical record beyond the natural variability. While the centre of the Greenland ice sheet is usually devoid of surface melt, many high-Arctic and alpine ice cores document frequent summertime melt events. Current hypotheses interpreting melt-affected ice-core chemistry rely on preferential elution of certain major ions. However, the precise nature of chemistry alteration is unknown because it is difficult to distinguish natural variability from melt effects in a perennially melt-affected site. We use eight trace-element snow chemistry records recovered from Summit, Greenland, to study spatial variability and melt effects on insoluble trace chemistry and physical stratigraphy due to artificially introduced meltwater. Differences between non-melt and melt-affected chemistry were significantly greater than the spatial variability in chemistry represented by nearest-neighbour pairs. Melt-perturbed trace elements, particularly rare earth elements, retained their seasonal stratigraphies, suggesting that trace elements may serve as robust chemical indicators for annual layers even in melt-affected study areas. Results suggest trace-element transport via meltwater percolation will deposit eluted material down-pit in refrozen areas below the nearest-surface chemistry peak. In our experiments, snow chemistry analyses are more sensitive to melt perturbations than density changes or unprocessed near-infrared digital imagery.
Sound Objects and Sound Products: Standardizing a New Culture of Listening in the First Half of the Twentieth Century
Authors: Hui Alexandra
Published: January 2013

In this chapter I develop the psychological underpinnings of environmental music towards an understanding of how the goals of cognitive and behavioral psychologists contributed to a new kind of listening at the beginning of the twentieth century. I begin with an examination of nineteenth-century concerns about both the physical and psychological effects of music and fraught debate among experimental psychologists of the role of musical expertise in the laboratory. These concerns were, I argue, rooted in the assumption of a direct, corporeal connection between the generation and reception of music, usually bound within a single, individual body. In the twentieth century, new technology liberated the listener from a temporally- and geographically-bound experience of music. The Tone Tests, Re-Creation Recitals, and Mood Change “parties” of Thomas Edison and the psychologist Walter Bingham show that recording technology allowed for a normalization and standardization of listening not previously possible in the music halls and laboratories of the nineteenth century. Rather paradoxically, since it also made music more accessible to the individual listener, recorded music, mobilized by industrial psychologists and record companies alike, created a new sound experience actively designed for the lowest common denominator of mass listening. It also contributed to the cultivation of a new practice of mass listening. The new mass listening practice presents broader questions about the definition of music and its functional role – If the function of music is to be ignored, is it still music?
Regulation of Erythropoietin Receptor Activity in Endothelial Cells by Different Erythropoietin (EPO) Derivatives: An in Vitro Study
Authors: Trincavelli Maria , Da Pozzo Eleonora , Ciampi Osele , Cuboni Serena , Daniele Simona , Abbracchio Maria , Martini Claudia
Published: January 2013

In endothelial cells, erythropoietin receptors (EPORs) mediate the protective, proliferative and angiogenic effects of EPO and its analogues, which act as EPOR agonists. Because hormonal receptors undergo functional changes upon chronic exposure to agonists and because erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are used for the long-term treatment of anemia, it is critical to determine the mechanism by which EPOR responsiveness is regulated at the vascular level after prolonged exposure to ESAs. Here, we investigated EPOR desensitization/resensitization in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) upon exposure to three ESAs with different pharmacokinetic profiles, epoetin alpha (EPOα), darbepoetin alpha (DarbEPO) and continuous EPOR activator (CERA). These agonists all induced activation of the transcription factor STAT-5, which is a component of the intracellular pathway associated with EPORs. STAT-5 activation occurred with either monophasic or biphasic kinetics for EPOα/DarbEPO and CERA, respectively. ESAs, likely through activation of the STAT-5 pathway, induced endothelial cell proliferation and stimulated angiogenesis in vitro, demonstrating a functional role for epoetins on endothelial cells. All epoetins induced EPOR desensitization with more rapid kinetics for CERA compared to EPOα and DarbEPO. However, the recovery of receptor responsiveness was strictly dependent on the type of epoetin, the agonist concentration and the time of exposure to the agonist. EPOR resensitization occurred with more rapid kinetics after exposure to low epoetin concentrations for a short period of desensitization. When the highest concentration of agonists was tested, the recovery of receptor responsiveness was more rapid with CERA compared to EPOα and was completely absent with DarbEPO. Our results demonstrate that these three ESAs regulate EPOR resensitization by very different mechanisms and that both the type of molecule and the length of EPOR stimulation are factors that are critical for the control of EPOR functioning in endothelial cells. The differences observed in receptor resensitization after stimulation with the structurally different ESAs are most likely due different control mechanisms of receptor turnover at the intracellular level.