bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoking reduces circulating CD26hiCD161hi MAIT cells in healthy individuals and patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ammitzbøll Cecilie , Börnsen Lars , Romme Christensen Jeppe , Ratzer Rikke , Romme Nielsen Birgitte , Søndergaard Helle B , von Essen Marina R , Sellebjerg Finn
Published: February 2017

Upon chronic cigarette smoke exposure, inhaled antigens and irritants cause altered lung immune homeostasis. Circulating immune cells are affected, and smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing various disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS). This study was conducted to determine the impact of smoking on circulating immune cell subsets. Furthermore, we determined whether any smoking-associated changes were related to MS. With the use of flow cytometry, CFSE assays, and ELISpot assays, we analyzed circulating immune cell phenotypes and quantified antigen-induced proliferation and cytokine secretion in smokers and nonsmokers in a cohort of 100 healthy individuals (HI). In addition, we analyzed immune cell subsets associated with smoking in 2 independent cohorts of patients with MS. In HI smokers compared with nonsmokers, we found increased blood cell counts of granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes. These cells were not more proinflammatory, autoreactive, or EBV reactive compared with cells from nonsmokers. Phenotypic differences were seen in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and CD8+ T cells as higher percentages of ICOS ligand (ICOSL)+ pDCs and lower percentages of CD26hiCD161hi CD8+ T cells and CCR6+ CD8+ T cells in smokers compared with nonsmokers. In supplemental analyses, we showed that CD26hiCD161hi CD8+ T cells were mainly mucosal-associated invariant T cells (MAITs). Comparable frequencies of ICOSL+ pDCs, CCR6+ CD8+ T cells, and CD26hiCD161hi CD8+ T cells were found between HI and MS patients who were nonsmokers. Our findings suggest general proinflammatory effects from smoking combined with skewing of specific cell populations in HI and MS patients. The function of these cell populations needs further investigation.
Mumbuca: a primeira moeda social digital do Brasil
Authors: Cernev Adrian Kemmer , Proença Bruna Auad
Published: February 2017

Este caso tem como contexto a criação do banco comunitário e de sua moeda social, mumbuca, na municipalidade de Maricá-RJ. A mumbuca foi a primeira moeda social inteiramente digital criada no País. O caso aborda questões relacionadas a governança do projeto, modelos de negócio, replicabilidade de modelo e transferência de know-how, tecnologia da informação, inovações sociais e geração de valor. Essas e outras questões são discutidas à luz de conceitos como economia solidária, impacto social, inserção financeira e desenvolvimento local. O caso intenciona também discutir a introdução de inovações tecnológicas como mobile payments e mobile money.
A novel educational module to teach neural circuits for college and high school students: NGSS-neurons, genetics, and selective stimulations
Authors: Majeed Zana , Koch Felicitas , Morgan Joshua , Anderson Heidi , Wilson Jennifer , Cooper Robin L.
Published: February 2017

This report introduces various approaches to target defined neural pathways for stimulation and to address the effect of particular neural circuits on behavior in a model animal, the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). The objective of this novel educational module described can be used to explain and address principle concepts in neurobiology for high school and college level students. A goal of neurobiology is to show how neural circuit activity controls corresponding behavior in animals. The fruit fly model system provides powerful genetic tools, such as the UAS-Gal4 system, to manipulate expression of non-native proteins in various populations of defined neurons: glutamergic, serotonergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic. The exhibited behaviors in the examples we provide allows teachers and students to address questions from behaviors to details at a cellular level. We provided example sets of data, obtained in a research lab, as well as ideas on ways to present data for participants and instructors. The optogenetic tool, channelrhodpsin 2 (ChR2), is employed to increase the activity of each population of neurons in a spatiotemporal controlled manner in behaving larvae and adult flies. Various behavioral assays are used to observe the effect of a specific neuron population activation on crawling behavior in larvae and climbing behavior in adult flies. Participants using this module become acquainted with the actions of different neurotransmitters in the nervous system. A pre- and post- assessment survey on the content is provided for teachers, as templates, to address learning of content and concepts.
First report of the East African kdr mutation in an Anopheles gambiae mosquito in Côte d’Ivoire
Authors: Chouaïbou Mouhamadou , Kouadio Fodjo Behi , Tia Emmanuel , Djogbenou Luc
Published: February 2017

Background. The intensive use of insecticides in public health and agriculture has led to the development of insecticide resistances in malaria vectors across sub-Saharan Africa countries in the last two decades. The kdr target site point mutation which is among the best characterised resistance mechanisms seems to be changing its distribution patterns on the African continent. The 1014F kdr mutation originally described only in West Africa is spreading to East Africa while the 1014S kdr mutation originally described in East Africa, is spreading to West and Central Africa. However, the East-kdr mutation has not been reported in Côte d'Ivoire so far.

Methods. Immature stages of Anopheles gambiae s.l. were collected from breeding sites at the outskirts of Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire. Emerging 3–5 day old adult female mosquitoes were tested for susceptibility to deltamethrin 0.05%, malathion 5%, bendiocarb 1% and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) 4% according to WHO standard procedures. A total of 50 An. gambiae s.l. specimens were drawn at random for DNA extraction and identification down to the species level. A subsample of 30 mosquitoes was tested for the East-African kdr mutation using a Taqman assay.

Results. The tested mosquito population appeared to be strongly resistant to deltamethrin (1.03% mortality), bendiocarb (38.46% mortality) and DDT (0% mortality) with probable resistance observed for malathion (92.47%). Among the 41 mosquitoes that were successfully characterized, An. coluzzii was predominant (68.3%) followed by An. gambiae s.s. (19.5%) and a few hybrids (7.3%). Out of 30 specimens genotyped for East-kdr, a single hybrid mosquito appeared to be heterozygous for the mutation.

Conclusion. The present study revealed the presence of the East-kdr mutation in Côte d’Ivoire for the first time in An. gambiae and highlights the urgent need to start monitoring the allele and genotype frequencies.
Clinical evaluation of a bioactive beta-glucan gel in the treatment of ‘hard-to-heal’ wounds
Authors: King B. , Barrett S. , Cutting K.F.
Published: February 2017

Objective:

The aim of this evaluation is to assess the effects of a wound healing gel in a wounds of different aetiologies.

Method:

Data was recorded on the wound surface area, tissue type, and patient level of wound pain at baseline (0) and at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8.

Results:

Of the total 39 patients enrolled in the study, 26 patients who complied with the protocol criteria completed the minimum four-week study period. During the 12-week evaluation period, seven of the 26 wounds fully healed and an additional eight wounds showed a reduction in size of more than 50 %. Of the remaining 11, five wounds showed moderate healing progression and six wounds did not respond to treatment. Following the 12 week evaluation time point clinicians reported that a further three wounds healed—a 38 % healing rate.

Conclusion:

The results give promise that this advanced gel, containing a macrophage activating substance, can be a tool in re-activating healing in stalled wounds where standard of care is no longer giving the desired healing progression.
The effects ofTarantula cubensisvenom on open wound healing in rats
Authors: Gul Satar N.Y. , Cangul I.T. , Topal A. , Kurt H. , Ipek V. , Onel G.I.
Published: February 2017

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and histopathological effects of two different dosages of alcohol extract of Tarantula cubensis (Theranekron) on open wounds.

Method:

A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Tarantula cubensis extract (TCE1, n=8) 1/10 diluted, TCE (TCE2, n=8), and (3) vehicle-control (0.2 ml of 96 % ethanol, n=8) groups. Experimental full-thickness 1 x 1cm wounds were created on dorsum skin. TCE or vehicle were given systemically by subcutaneous injections on postoperative days 1 and 4. Wound planimetry and procurement of biopsies was performed on days 4, 8, 12 and 16.

Results:

The mean non-epithelialised wound area in the vehicle-control group was significantly larger than in the TCE1 group on days 4, 8, 12 and 16, and in the TCE2 group on days 8, 12 and 16 (p<0.05). The mean percentage of wound contraction was significantly higher in the TCE1 and TCE2 groups than in the vehicle control group on days 8, 12 and 16 (p<0.05). Histopathologically, wound healing was characterised by a significant decrease in the neutrophil counts and a significant increase in neovascularisation; neither were effected by TCE.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that alcohol extract of Tarantula cubensis accelerates epithelialisation and, thus, has beneficial effects on open wound healing in rats.
Trust and mistrust in the lives of forcibly displaced women and children
Authors: Hynes Patricia
Published: February 2017

This article consider the experiences of displaced women and children during displacement as well as the issue of trust (or mistrust) throughout their journey towards future emplacement. Interpersonal and broader gender-based violence in politicised contexts is also explored. Various stages of displacement are viewed and, through the use of examples from within refugee camps, host countries and countries of asylum, insights into the lived experiences of the displaced women and children are provided. This article therefore draws on research projects and practitioner experience, including research carried out within refugee camps, in the UK on the dispersal of asylum-seekers, qualitative research into agency responses to the trafficking of children and young people, as well as a scoping study involving qualitative research into non-statutory understandings of trafficking.
A Closer Look: Examining Teachers' Language Around UDL, Inclusive Classrooms, and Intellectual Disability
Authors: Lowrey K. Alisa , Hollingshead Aleksandra , Howery Kathy
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the language teachers used to discuss inclusion, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and learners with intellectual disability (ID) in an effort to better understand how teachers describe the relationship between those three. Utilizing a secondary analysis procedure, interview transcripts from seven general education teachers were reanalyzed to identify language used by teachers to refer to inclusive educational settings, the implementation of UDL, and learners with intellectual disability. The identified themes were then juxtaposed against the UDL framework (principles, guidelines, and checkpoints) and the current literature related to UDL and inclusive education. We end with recommendations for future practice and research involving inclusive classrooms, UDL, and learners with ID.
Dynamics in the circular restricted three body problem with perturbations
Authors: Abduljabar Ansari Abdullah , Alam Mehtab
Published: February 2017

This paper presents the dynamics in the restricted problem with perturbations i.e. the circular restricted three body problem by considering one of the primaries as oblate and other one having the solar radiation pressure and all the masses are variable (primaries and infinitesimal body). For finding the autonomized equations of motion, we have used the Meshcherskii transformation. We have drawn the libration points, the time series, the zero velocity curves and Poincare surface of sections for the different values of the oblateness and solar radiation pressure. Finally, we have examined the stability and found that all the libration points are unstable.
Features and properties of viral and non-viral gene delivery systems towards effective gene therapy
Authors: Shettima Abubakar , Ibrahim Muhammad M. , Ibn Abbas Musa
Published: February 2017

Gene therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hereditary and genetic link disorders by consciously swapping, fixing, adding or deleting the genetic sequences responsible for the condition. The culprit cells are altered by inserting purposeful genes and incorporated into their genome for proper expression. Germ line therapy ensures the genotypic changes to be transferred to the next generation (offspring) while the somatic type adequately rest on corrective pedestals and as such not advantageous to the offspring. The earlier was constrained by technical difficulties as well as ethical consideration. The accomplishment of the therapeutic benefits of gene therapy requires a special ferry system â€œvectorsâ€. Vectors are designed to transfer the desired gene into its target cell without exposing it to some degrading enzymes, and must allow transcription to successfully take place. A model vector must not be immunogenic, it must not trigger high immune response detrimental to the patient and a specific tropism must be a pre-requisite. The choice of a vector should be based on safety, cost and availability as well as the accessibility of possible options. Mainly for viral carriers, host immune response trigger are the main concern. Viral vectors most frequently used in gene therapy include adenoviruses, retroviruses, poxviruses, adeno-associated viruses and herpes simplex viruses.
Relational Governance and Control Mechanisms of Export Ventures: An Examination across Relationship Length
Authors: Ju Min , Gao Gerald Yong
Published: February 2017

Relational governance and control mechanisms are important means of managing interfirm relationships. Yet, the effectiveness of different governance mechanisms remains equivocal, especially in the international context. In this study, the authors investigate the value of relational and control governance across relationship length. Using a survey of 217 export ventures from China, they find that relational governance is not effective for short-term relationships but that it becomes effective in the long run. Output control improves export performance across short- and long-term relationships, whereas process control has its limits and weakens export performance for short-term relationships. In addition, the findings show that relational governance positively moderates the effects of output and process control on export performance for long-term relationships.
Endogenous Leadership in Tax Competition: A Combination of the Effects of Market Power and Strategic Interaction
Authors: Pi Jiancai , Chen Xuyang
Published: February 2017

This paper extends Kempf and Rota-Graziosi (2010, “Endogenizing Leadership in Tax Competition.” Journal of Public Economics 94 (9):768–776) and Hindriks and Nishimura (2015, “A Note on Equilibrium Leadership in Tax Competition Models.” Journal of Public Economics 121:66–68) by jointly considering the effects of market power and strategic interaction in tax competition. We depict the regional asymmetry as different slopes and different vertical intercepts of the inverse demand for capital. In our setup, the risk-dominant equilibrium in which the large region leads is regained. Moreover, dissimilar to Kempf and Rota-Graziosi (2010, “Endogenizing Leadership in Tax Competition.” Journal of Public Economics 94 (9):768–776) and Hindriks and Nishimura (2015, “A Note on Equilibrium Leadership in Tax Competition Models.” Journal of Public Economics 121:66–68), we show that with a large market demand and a low capital endowment, the leadership by the large region can still be Pareto-dominant even if the asymmetry is very small.
Structure and function of Aspergillus niger laccase McoG
Authors: Ferraroni Marta , Westphal Adrie H. , Borsari Marco , Tamayo-Ramos Juan Antonio , Briganti Fabrizio , Graaff Leo H. de , Berkel Willem J. H. van
Published: February 2017

The ascomycete Aspergillus niger produces several multicopper oxidases, but their biocatalytic properties remain largely unknown. Elucidation of the crystal structure of A. niger laccase McoG at 1.7 Å resolution revealed that the C-terminal tail of this glycoprotein blocks the T3 solvent channel and that a peroxide ion bridges the two T3 copper atoms. Remarkably, McoG contains a histidine (His253) instead of the common aspartate or glutamate expected to be involved in catalytic proton transfer with phenolic compounds. The crystal structure of H253D at 1.5 Å resolution resembles the wild type structure. McoG and the H253D, H253A and H253N variants have similar activities with 2,2’-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid or N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine sulphate. However, the activities of H253A and H253N with 2-amino-4-methylphenol and 2-amino-4-methoxyphenol are strongly reduced compared to that of wild type. The redox potentials and electron transfer rates (k
Strongly not relatives Kähler manifolds
Authors: Zedda Michela
Published: February 2017

In this paper we study Kähler manifolds that are strongly not relative to any projective Kähler manifold, i.e. those Kähler manifolds that do not share a Kähler submanifold with any projective Kähler manifold even when their metric is rescaled by the multiplication by a positive constant. We prove two results which highlight some relations between this property and the existence of a full Kähler immersion into the infinite dimensional complex projective space. As application we get that the 1-parameter families of Bergman-Hartogs and Fock-Bargmann-Hartogs domains are strongly not relative to projective Kähler manifolds.
Suppression of coherent scattering by coherent population trapping on molecular vibrational levels
Authors: Singh Pooja
Published: February 2017

Raman scattering has been studied in molecular media. The role of rotational levels has been investigated. It is shown that the molecular vibrational coherence strongly depends on the effect of coherent population trapping for rotational levels. The obtained results are important for application of Raman spectroscopy to molecular detection for engineering, chemical, and biological applications.
Changing the rules mid-game. Legislative interference in specific pending cases: separation of powers and fair trial
Authors: Jasiak Anna
Published: February 2017

Legislatures sometimes interfere in judicial proceedings when they expect the outcome to be politically undesirable. The resulting ad hoc laws are applicable in cases known in advance, although they may appear to be neutral, general and prospective. Such laws force the courts to decide the case in favor of the State, making continued litigation pointless for the other party. Legislation of this kind may seriously threaten the rule of law, fundamental rights, including the right to a fair trial and the separation of powers. In this article, recent examples will be presented, explaining and comparing the position of the European Court of Human Rights and the U.S. Supreme Court.
The European Court of Justice and Citizenship of the European Union: New Developments Towards a Truly Fundamental Status
Authors: Hailbronner Michaela , Sánchez Sara Iglesias
Published: February 2017

In two recent, revolutionary decisions, - Janko Rottmann C-135/08 and Ruiz Zambrano C-34/09 - the European Court of Justice has firmly emancipated the status of citizenship of the Union from the “cross-border” requirement and has inaugurated a new area for the protection of rights closely linked to the core of sovereignty of States, - nationality and residence. This Article examines these two judgments and argues that they take the construction of citizenship towards a federal status. The “genuine enjoyment of the substance of citizenship rights” has emerged as a new legal category that is capable of providing a uniform and general protection and entails the affirmation of a core of rights of a supranational nature. This new development raises questions as to whether the ECJ's expansionist reading of citizenship constitutes a legitimate exercise of judicial power and as to what will be the relationship between citizenship and EU fundamental rights. We conclude by exploring the potential of the judgments analyzed in terms of placing Union citizenship at the center of the emergence of a constitutional patriotism in Europe.
Freedom of Communication in the US and Europe
Authors: Tenorio Pedro
Published: February 2017

This paper compares the freedom of communication in the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of the United States and the European Court of Human Rights, departing from the judgments of the Supreme Court of the United States. It is noted that there are differences, as specified herein. Regulatory texts invite to speak of two distinct models, though this may be a far-fetched statement. This paper makes the following concluding remarks: 1) There are many concepts of freedom of expression that are compatible with democracy; the one derived from the Sullivan Judgment in the US (and in Europe from the Lingens Judgment) is not the only one, although it is currently considered the most consist­ent with democracy. This point is not discussed here. 2) Major changes sometimes occur through seemingly small details. In this sense, the shift of the burden of proof in defama­tion cases (Sullivan) has created an earthquake in the legal regime governing the press. The Sullivan doctrine can be summarized as follows: first, errors are inevitable, as freedom of speech requires ‘breathing room’; second, the malice of those accused of defamation must be proven; third, it is necessary to prove the lack of veracity of the slanderer. This doctrine allows the press to play its role as the watchdog of freedom. 3) In Spain, the press also appears to play this role, thus requiring us to ask whether there is, or ever was, a Sullivan Judgment in Spanish jurisprudence. We tend to attribute the privileged position of the press in Spain to the fact that the Constitutional Court has given preferential consid­eration to freedom of speech when it is in conflict with honor, intimacy and self-image privacy. This preference is justified by its connection to democracy. Since the judgment of the Spanish Constitutional Court (STC hereafter) 6/1981 of 16 March, the Spanish Consti­tutional Court has stressed the importance of freedom of information for democracy, and since the STC 159/1986 of 16 December, the Constitutional Court has suggested the pref­erential position of freedom of expression. However, the incorporation of the Sullivan doc­trine into the Spanish system occurred through STC 6/1988 of 21 January, almost ten years after the passage of the Constitution into law.
The Anatomy of China’s Human Rights Regime: A Behaviourally Underpinned Analytical and Evaluative Account
Authors: Mushkat Roda
Published: February 2017

The Chinese politico-legal system, including the human rights component there­of, has long been the subject of intense academic and policy interest, despite its increas­ingly ‘soft’ features. A multiyear economic expansion and active participation in globaliza­tion processes have been accompanied by some loosening of governmental control mecha­nisms but, by Western standards, this has been a distinctly slow journey. The acquisition of power by this rapidly rising international player has also given rise to concerns about the broader implications of a combination of substantial State capabilities and an ambivalent posture towards human rights, as widely conceived. In addition to traditional perspectives, the issue has been addressed by resorting to social science-type methodological tools and employing them in order to gain a better understanding of the workings of a rule-based regime that straddles domestic and global territory. Considerable progress has been made, yet the task has not been approached exhaustively and accumulation of knowledge has been an intermittent affair. An elaborate and structured literature review is undertaken here for the purpose of identifying gaps on this specific front and concrete strategies to narrow them materially.
Foreign Law and Constitutional Rights in the US Courts of Appeals: Findings and Implications
Authors: Simon Stephen A.
Published: February 2017

Judicial reliance on foreign law has been hotly debated since the early 2000s, with commentators staking out competing positions on the role of foreign sources in con­stitutional interpretation. While the literature has been normative in focus, authors fre­quently incorporate empirical assumptions about how judges have used foreign law in practice. Yet scholars have done little empirical work to ground the debate and have fo­cused so predominantly on the Supreme Court that the US Courts of Appeals have been largely ignored. This study analyzes findings from a newly created database containing Courts of Appeals decisions relying on foreign law in deciding constitutional rights issues from the earliest cases to the present day. The surprising results include the low number of overall cases, the dearth of cases using foreign law to challenge accepted principles, and the absence of cases engaging the reasoning behind foreign judicial determinations. The findings serve as a jumping off point for the examination of normative concerns, including the risk of arbitrariness in judges’ decisions to rely on foreign law in particular cases.
Contemporary United States Law Regarding Online Social Media Libel Standards on the 50th Year Anniversary of Times v Sullivan and 40th Year Anniversary of Gertz v Welch
Authors: Azriel Joshua , Mayo Charles
Published: February 2017

2014 marks the 50th anniversary of the US Supreme Court decisions in Times v Sullivan and 40th anniversary of Gertz v Welch. These two decisions by the US Supreme Court had an important legal impact in the United States on federal law pertaining to libel, specifically proving actual malice and who is defined as a public figure or public official. This article analyzes both Supreme Court decisions within the context of present day online social media libel controversies. It also analyzes three recent federal court rulings where judges had to issue decisions based on Sullivan and Gertz’s actual malice and public figure legal principles. The article concludes that both Sullivan and Gertz are still relevant to how other federal, American courts decide issues related to defamation published in social media.
Erosion of Constitutional Rights in EU Law: A Call for ‘Substantive Co-operative Constitutionalism’
Authors: Albi Anneli
Published: February 2017

This two-part paper seeks to invite discussion on a deeply embedded narrative in the European scholarly and public discourse that reduces the protection of national consti­tutions to Eurosceptic, old-fashioned reluctance to relinquish sovereignty. The paper ar­gues that because of the simplistic ‘Eurosceptic’-‘Euro-friendly’ looking glass, the discourse has broadly been oblivious of, and given scholarly legitimacy to, the erosion of a range of classic constitutional rights and rule of law safeguards in EU law. Part 1 of the paper, docu­menting comparative case law in seven areas, posits an emergence at the EU level of the adoption of measures which, if attempted at national level without the constraints of EU law, would in a significant number of national legal orders prompt constitutional courts to voice serious concerns about core European constitutional values. The case studies start with some past criticisms regarding rights protection in the single market, moving then to EU measures that have affected core constitutional values, such as secret anti-terrorist measures, the Data Retention Directive, the European Arrest Warrant system with its nu­merous Kafkaesque elements, the broader move towards imposition of criminal and ad­ministrative sanctions on the basis of teleological interpretation and without a law, and the ESM Treaty. The paper also queries the reduced access to courts, the changing role of courts and an emerging gap in constitutional review. Against this background, Part 2 of the paper calls for recalibrating the discourse towards ‘substantive co-operative constitutional­ism’. The aim is to explore how to better uphold the standards of protection developed by national constitutional and supreme courts for classic, substantive constitutional values, in a context where EU constitutional law has brought about a shift towards a thin, weak, procedural version of constitutionalism, the rule of law and judicial review, with priority given to effectiveness, uniformity, trust and, after Melloni, supremacy over constitutional rights.
The WTO’s Impact on China: A Battle of Administrative Review Settings between Internal and External Regulatory Frameworks
Authors: Tang Nga Kit Christy
Published: February 2017

As a WTO member and one of the largest trading countries, China is subject to a series of rule-of-law related international obligations. Yet, China emphasizes ‘Chinese characteristics’, ‘rule by law’, and recently, ‘socialist ethics’. What is the impact of WTO law on China? This paper examines the WTO and Chinese regulatory frameworks in terms of administrative review settings. Through reviewing the roles of self, law, and government under Confucianism and Chinese Legalism, this study finds that China generally adopts a Confucian internal regulatory framework based on self-regulation, which negates external control. The WTO law, however, assumes a Chinese Legalist like external regulatory framework based on control by rules in the form of checks and balances. The impact of WTO law on China, therefore, is about a battle between these internal and external frameworks at the opposite regulatory directions. On this battlefield, China seems not to be affected by the WTO yet.
Antioxidant Activity Improvement and Evaluation of Structure Changes of SHECN Treated by Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) Technology
Authors: Lin Songyi , Liang Rong , Xing Jie , Li Xingfang , Yu Yali , Wang Jia
Published: February 2017

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between antioxidant activity improvement and structure changes of peptide (Ser-His-Glu-Cys-Asn (SHECN) isolated from soybean treated by pulsed electric field (PEF). The two-factor-at-a–time (TFAT) was performed to investigate interaction of electric field intensity (5, 10, 15 and 20 kV/cm) and pulse frequency (1,800 and 2,400 Hz) on antioxidant activity improvement and structure changes. Compared with untreated peptide, DPPH radical inhibition of SHECN was significantly increased to 95.54 ± 0.16 % at optimal conditions (electric field intensity 15 kV/cm, pulse frequency 1,800 Hz and a retention time of 2 h). Results showed that the primary structure of SHECN had not been changed based on the nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. However, the secondary structure of peptide, especially α-helix can be changed. These results suggested that mechanism of antioxidant activity improvement is related to secondary structure changes.
Effect of Drying Methods on the Rheological Properties of Sugar Beet Pulp Pectin
Authors: Huang Xin , Li Dong , Wang Li-jun , Adhikari Benu , Chen Xiao Dong
Published: February 2017

The effect of drying methods on the rheological properties (apparent viscosity, storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli, creep behavior) of sugar beet pulp pectin (SBPP) was investigated using steady shear, frequency sweep, activation energy and creep-recovery tests. SBPP was extracted from sugar beet and dried using freeze (FD), hot air (HD), vacuum (VD) and spray (SD) drying methods. The HD sample showed highest apparent viscosity and the VD sample had the highest activation energy. The 1 % (w/v) samples had higher activation energy than 2 % (w/v) samples. The G′ and G″ versus angular frequency data followed the Power Law model reasonably well (R
2 > 0.915). The FD sample deformed the most during the creep test.
Comparison of Drying and Quality Characteristics of Pear (Pyrus Communis L.) Using Mid-Infrared-Freeze Drying and Single Stage of Freeze Drying
Authors: Antal Tamás , Tarek-Tilistyák Judit , Cziáky Zoltán , Sinka László
Published: February 2017

This article provides results of an experimental investigation of hybrid- (MIR-FD), mid-infrared- (MIR) and freeze drying (FD) on the drying characteristics, energy consumption and quality parameters of pear. Rehydration ratio, color, texture, water activity, phenolic content and antioxidant activity were measured to evaluate the quality of dried pear products. Mid-infrared-freeze drying (MIR-FD) had the higher drying rate, which reduced the drying time by 14.3–42.9 % compared with FD method. Two empirical models were chosen to fit the drying curves and the models had the suitable R
2 and RMSE values. Temperature characteristics of MIR and MIR-FD dried pear were determined in terms of interior temperature variation. The MIR-FD pear had darker color, better rehydration capacity, similar water activity, lower hardness (except of MIR-FD70°C) and highest content of chemical composition than single stage of FD products. Above all, the MIR50-60°C-FD was suggested as the best drying method for pear in this study.
Does Size Really Matter? The Role of Tonotopic Map Area Dynamics for Sound Learning in Mouse Auditory Cortex
Authors: Brünner Hans Sperup , Rasmussen Rune
Published: February 2017

This commentary centers on the novel findings by Shepard et al. (2016) published ineNeuro. The authors interrogated tonotopic map dynamics in auditory cortex (ACtx) by employing a natural sound-learning paradigm, where mothers learn the importance of pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), allowing Shepard et al. to probe the role of map area expansion for auditory learning. They demonstrate that auditory learning in this paradigm does not rely on map expansion but is facilitated by increased inhibition of neurons tuned to low-frequency sounds. Here, we discuss the findings in light of the emerging enthusiasm for cortical inhibitory interneurons for circuit function and hypothesize how a particular interneuron type might be causally involved for the intriguing results obtained by Shepard et al.
Individual Differences in Resting Corticospinal Excitability Are Correlated with Reaction Time and GABA Content in Motor Cortex
Authors: Greenhouse Ian , King Maedbh , Noah Sean , Maddock Richard J. , Ivry Richard B.
Published: February 2017

Individuals differ in the intrinsic excitability of their corticospinal pathways and, perhaps more generally, their entire nervous system. At present, we have little understanding of the mechanisms underlying these differences and how variation in intrinsic excitability relates to behavior. Here, we examined the relationship between individual differences in intrinsic corticospinal excitability, local cortical GABA levels, and reaction time (RT) in a group of 20 healthy human adults. We measured corticospinal excitability at rest with transcranial magnetic stimulation, local concentrations of basal GABA with magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and RT with a behavioral task. All measurements were repeated in two separate sessions, and tests of reliability confirmed the presence of stable individual differences. There was a negative correlation between corticospinal excitability and RT, such that larger motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) measured at rest were associated with faster RTs. Interestingly, larger MEPs were associated with higher levels of GABA in M1, but not in three other cortical regions. Together, these results suggest that individuals with more excitable corticospinal pathways are faster to initiate planned responses and have higher levels of GABA within M1, possibly to compensate for a more excitable motor system.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThis study brings together physiological, behavioral, and neurochemical evidence to examine variability in the excitability of the human motor system. Previous work has focused on state-based factors (e.g., preparedness, uncertainty), with little attention given to the influence of inherent stable characteristics. Here, we examined how the excitability of the motor system relates to reaction time and the regional content of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Importantly, motor pathway excitability and GABA concentrations were measured at rest, outside a task context, providing assays of intrinsic properties of the individuals. Individuals with more excitable motor pathways had faster reaction times and, paradoxically, higher concentrations of GABA. We propose that greater GABA capacity in the motor cortex counteracts an intrinsically more excitable motor system.
Impact of a Short Evolution Module on Students’ Perceived Conflict between Religion and Evolution
Authors: Barnes M. Elizabeth , Elser James , Brownell Sara E.
Published: February 2017

Evolution has historically been a topic in biology that is fraught with controversy, and a conflict between religion and evolution is often assumed. If students perceive that evolution is in conflict with their religious beliefs, it can have negative ramifications for their learning of evolution and attitudes toward science. However, religion and evolution have been argued to be compatible. An instructor can incorporate a discussion of this compatibility into their teaching, but the impact of this on students’ perceptions of compatibility is still unknown. In this study, we describe a two-week module on evolution with embedded discussion about compatibility between religion and evolution. We surveyed introductory biology students before and after this evolution module about whether they thought evolution and religion could be compatible. We found that the evolution module reduced the number of students who perceived a conflict between evolution and religion by 50 percent. Unexpectedly, perceived conflict between religion and evolution was reduced for both religious and nonreligious students. These results indicate that how instructors present a module on evolution can have an impact on student perceptions of compatibility between religion and evolution.
Analysis of local-scale background concentrations of methane and other gas-phase species in the Marcellus Shale
Authors: Goetz J. Douglas , Avery Anita , Werden Ben , Floerchinger Cody , Fortner Edward C. , Wormhoudt Joda , Massoli Paola , Herndon Scott C. , Kolb Charles E. , Knighton W. Berk , Peischl Jeff , Warneke Carsten , de Gouw Joost A. , Shaw Stephanie L. , DeCarlo Peter F.
Published: February 2017

The Marcellus Shale is a rapidly developing unconventional natural gas resource found in part of the Appalachian region. Air quality and climate concerns have been raised regarding development of unconventional natural gas resources. Two ground-based mobile measurement campaigns were conducted to assess the impact of Marcellus Shale natural gas development on local scale atmospheric background concentrations of air pollution and climate relevant pollutants in Pennsylvania. The first campaign took place in Northeastern and Southwestern PA in the summer of 2012. Compounds monitored included methane (CH4), ethane, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide, and Proton Transfer Reaction Mass Spectrometer (PTR-MS) measured volatile organic compounds (VOC) including oxygenated and aromatic VOC. The second campaign took place in Northeastern PA in the summer of 2015. The mobile monitoring data were analyzed using interval percentile smoothing to remove bias from local unmixed emissions to isolate local-scale background concentrations. Comparisons were made to other ambient monitoring in the Marcellus region including a NOAA SENEX flight in 2013. Local background CH4 mole fractions were 140 ppbv greater in Southwestern PA compared to Northeastern PA in 2012 and background CH4 increased 100 ppbv from 2012 to 2015. CH4 local background mole fractions were not found to have a detectable relationship between well density or production rates in either region. In Northeastern PA, CO was observed to decrease 75 ppbv over the three year period. Toluene to benzene ratios in both study regions were found to be most similar to aged rural air masses indicating that the emission of aromatic VOC from Marcellus Shale activity may not be significantly impacting local background concentrations. In addition to understanding local background concentrations the ground-based mobile measurements were useful for investigating the composition of natural gas emissions in the region.
Hepcidin links gluco-toxicity to pancreatic beta cell dysfunction by inhibiting Pdx-1 expression
Authors: Mao Xuhua , Chen Hucheng , Tang Junmin , Wang Liangliang , Shu Tingting
Published: February 2017

Objective

Gluco-toxicity is a term used to convey the detrimental effect of hyperglycemia on β-cell function through impaired insulin synthesis. Although it is known that the expression and activity of several key insulin transcription regulators is inhibited, other molecular mechanisms that mediate gluco-toxicity are poorly defined. Our objective was to explore the role of hepcidin in β-cell gluco-toxicity.

Design

We first confirmed that high glucose levels inhibited hepcidin expression in the mouse insulinoma cell line, MIN6. The downregulation of hepcidin decreased Pdx-1 expression, which reduced insulin synthesis.

Methods

MIN6 cells were exposed to high glucose concentrations (33.3 mmol/L). Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and serum hepcidin levels were measured by ELISA. The mRNA levels of insulin1, insulin2, Pdx-1 and hepcidin were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot analysis was used to detect the changes in PDX-1 expression. Transient overexpression with hepcidin was used to reverse the downregulation of Pdx-1 and insulin synthesis induced by gluco-toxicity.

Results

Exposure of MIN6 cells to high glucose significantly decreased GSIS and inhibited insulin synthesis as well as Pdx-1 transcriptional activity and expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. High glucose also decreased hepcidin expression and secretion. Hepcidin overexpression in MIN6 cells partially reversed the gluco-toxicity-induced downregulation of Pdx-1 and insulin expression and improved GSIS. The restoration of insulin synthesis by transfection of a hepcidin overexpression plasmid confirmed the role of hepcidin in mediating the gluco-toxic inhibition of insulin synthesis.

Conclusions

Our observations suggest that hepcidin is associated with gluco-toxicity-reduced pancreatic β-cell insulin synthesis in type 2 diabetes by inhibiting Pdx-1 expression.
Risk factors for post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage: a meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jinhao , Sun Wei , Dong Wenwu , Wang Zhihong , Zhang Ping , Zhang Ting , Zhang Hao
Published: February 2017

Background

Post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage is a rare but potentially life-threatening and unpredictable complication of thyroid surgery. In this study, we analysed the potential risk factors for the occurrence of post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage.

Methods

The PubMed and SCIE databases were comprehensively searched for studies published before June 30, 2016. Studies on patients who underwent an open thyroidectomy with or without neck dissection were included, and RevMan 5.3 software was used to analyse the data.

Results

Twenty-five studies and 424 563 patients were included in this meta-analysis, and post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage occurred in 6277 patients (incidence rate = 1.48%). The following variables were associated with an increased risk of post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage: older age (MD = 4.30, 95% CI = 3.09–5.52,P < 0.00001), male sex (OR = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.54–1.94,P < 0.00001), Graves’ disease (OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.44–2.15,P < 0.00001), antithrombotic agents use (OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.55–2.49,P < 0.00001), bilateral operation (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.50–1.96,P < 0.00001), neck dissection (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.11–2.11,P = 0.01) and previous thyroid surgery (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.12–2.34,P = 0.01). Malignant tumours (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.89–1.28,P = 0.46) and drainage device use (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 0.74–2.18,P = 0.4) were not associated with post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage.

Conclusion

Our systematic review identified a number of risk factors for post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage, including older age, male sex, Graves’ disease, antithrombotic agents use, bilateral operation, neck dissection and previous thyroid surgery. Early control of modifiable risk factors could improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.
The GIP/GIPR axis is functionally linked to GH-secretion increase in a significant proportion of gsp− somatotropinomas
Authors: Regazzo D , Losa M , Albiger N M , Terreni M R , Vazza G , Ceccato F , Emanuelli E , Denaro L , Scaroni C , Occhi G
Published: February 2017

Objective

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) overexpression has been recently described in a proportion ofgsp−somatotropinomas and suggested to be associated with the paradoxical increase of GH (GH-PI) during an oral glucose load.

Design and methods

This study was aimed at linking the GIP/GIPR pathway to GH secretion in 25 somatotropinomas-derived primary cultures and correlating molecular with clinical features in acromegalic patients. Given the impairment of the GIP/GIPR axis in acromegaly, an additional aim was to assess the effect of GH/IGF-1 stimulation on GIP expression in the enteroendocrine cell line STC-1.

Results

Nearly 80% ofGIPR-expressing somatotropinomas, all of them negative forgspmutations, show increased GH secretion upon GIP stimulation, higher sensitivity to Forskolin but not to somatostatin analogs. Besides increased frequency of GH-PI,GIPRoverexpression does not appear to affect acromegalic patients’ clinical features. In STC-1 cells transfected with GIP promoter-driven luciferase vector, IGF-1 but not GH induced dose-dependent increase in luciferase activity.

Conclusions

We demonstrate thatGIPRmediates the GH-PI in a significant proportion ofgsp−acromegalic patients. In these cases, the stimulatory effect of IGF-1 on GIP promoter support the hypothesis of a functional GH/IGF-1/GIP axis. Further studies based on larger cohorts and the development of a stable transgenic model with inducible GIPR overexpression targeted to pituitary somatotroph lineage will be mandatory to establish the real role of GIPR in the pathogenesis of somatotropinomas.