bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface‐Imprinted Nanofilaments for Europium‐Amplified Luminescent Detection of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics
Authors: Zdunek Jolanta , Benito‐Peña Elena , Linares Ana , Falcimaigne‐Cordin Aude , Orellana Guillermo , Haupt Karsten , Moreno‐Bondi María C.
Published: June 2013

The development and characterization of novel, molecularly imprinted polymer nanofilament‐based optical sensors for the analysis of enrofloxacin, an antibiotic widely used for human and veterinary applications, is reported. The polymers were prepared by nanomolding in porous alumina by using enrofloxacin as the template. The antibiotic was covalently immobilized on to the pore walls of the alumina by using different spacers, and the prepolymerization mixture was cast in the pores and the polymer synthesized anchored onto a glass support through UV polymerization. Various parameters affecting polymer selectivity were evaluated to achieve optimal recognition, namely, the spacer arm length and the binding solvent. The results of morphological characterization, binding kinetics, and selectivity of the optimized polymer material for ENR and its derivatives are reported. For sensing purposes, the nanofilaments were incubated in solutions of the target molecule in acetonitrile/HEPES buffer (100 mM, pH 7.5, 50:50, v/v) for 20 min followed by incubation in a 10 mM solution of europium(III) ions to generate a europium(III)–enrofloxacin complex on the polymer surface. The detection event was based on the luminescence of the rare‐earth ion (λexc=340 nm; λem=612 nm) that results from energy transfer from the antibiotic excited state to the metal‐ion emitting excited state. The limit of detection of the enrofloxacin antibiotic was found to be 0.58 μM.
Mechanisms of Postecdysis‐Associated Programmed Cell Death of Peptidergic Neurons in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Lee Gyunghee G. , Kikuno Keiko , Nair Sudershana , Park Jae H.
Published: June 2013

Crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP)‐expressing neurons undergo programmed cell death (PCD) within 24 hours after adult eclosion. A subset of the doomed CCAP neurons in the ventral nerve cord also expressed the neuropeptide bursicon and thus are referred to as bursCCAP neurons. In this study, we undertook comprehensive genetic and transgenic analyses to dissect the PCD mechanisms of bursCCAP neurons. Expression of a versatile caspase inhibitor, p35, blocked PCD of bursCCAP neurons, suggesting caspase‐dependent apoptosis. Further genetic analyses showed that Dronc/Dark and Drice are key caspases, but they are not sufficient to carry out the PCD fully. We did not find a role for other known caspases, Strica, Dredd, Damm, or Decay. Of interest, Dcp‐1 is required not for the death of bursCCAP neurons per se but for the removal of neural projections. DIAP1 is an important survival factor that inhibits premature death of bursCCAP neurons. We found that grim functions as a principal death inducer, whereas other death genes, hid, reaper, and sickle, show no endogenous function. Taken together with other studies, our work supports the role of grim as a major death inducer particularly for the removal of obsolete larval neurons during CNS metamorphosis. Results from the ectopic expression of the mutant grim lacking either N‐terminal IBM or internal GH3 domain indicated that both domains are necessary to induce CCAP cell death. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:3972–3991, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of Hydrogen Molecules Trapped inside C70 Fullerene Cages
Authors: Mamone Salvatore , Concistrè Maria , Heinmaa Ivo , Carravetta Marina , Kuprov Ilya , Wall Gary , Denning Mark , Lei Xuegong , Chen Judy Y.‐C. , Li Yongjun , Murata Yasujiro , Turro Nicholas J. , Levitt Malcolm H.
Published: June 2013

We present a solid‐state NMR study of H2 molecules confined inside the cavity of C70 fullerene cages over a wide range of temperatures (300 K to 4 K). The proton NMR spectra are consistent with a model in which the dipole–dipole coupling between the ortho‐H2 protons is averaged over the rotational/translational states of the confined quantum rotor, with an additional chemical shift anisotropy δHCSA=10.1 ppm induced by the carbon cage. The magnitude of the chemical shift anisotropy is consistent with DFT estimates of the chemical shielding tensor field within the cage. The experimental NMR data indicate that the ground state of endohedral ortho‐H2 in C70 is doubly degenerate and polarized transverse to the principal axis of the cage. The NMR spectra indicate significant magnetic alignment of the C70 long axes along the magnetic field, at temperatures below ∼10 K.
Nonmonotonous variation of DNA angular separation during asymmetric pulsed field electrophoresis
Authors: Nazemifard Neda , Bhattacharjee Subir , Masliyah Jacob H. , Harrison D. Jed
Published: June 2013

Asymmetric pulsed field electrophoresis within crystalline arrays is used to generate angular separation of DNA molecules. Four regimes of the frequency response are observed, a low frequency rise in angular separation, a plateau, a subsequent decline, and a second plateau at higher frequencies. It is shown that the frequency response for different sized DNA is governed by the relation between pulse time and the reorientation time of DNA molecules. The decline in angular separation at higher frequencies has not previously been analyzed. Real‐time videos of single DNA molecules migrating under high frequency‐pulsed electric field show the molecules no longer follow the head to tail switching, ratchet mechanism seen at lower frequencies. Once the pulse period is shorter than the reorientation time, the migration mechanism changes significantly. The molecule reptates along the average direction of the two electric fields, which reduces the angular separation. A freely jointed chain model of DNA is developed where the porous structure is represented with a hexagonal array of obstacles. The model qualitatively predicts the variation of DNA angular separation with respect to frequency.
Evaluation of DNA bending models in their capacity to predict electrophoretic migration anomalies of satellite DNA sequences
Authors: Matyášek Roman , Fulneček Jaroslav , Kovařík Aleš
Published: June 2013

DNA containing a sequence that generates a local curvature exhibits a pronounced retardation in electrophoretic mobility. Various theoretical models have been proposed to explain relationship between DNA structural features and migration anomaly. Here, we studied the capacity of 15 static wedge‐bending models to predict electrophoretic behavior of 69 satellite monomers derived from four divergent families. All monomers exhibited retarded mobility in PAGE corresponding to retardation factors ranging 1.02–1.54. The curvature varied both within and across the groups and correlated with the number, position, and lengths of A‐tracts. Two dinucleotide models provided strong correlation between gel mobility and curvature prediction; two trinucleotide models were satisfactory while remaining dinucleotide models provided intermediate results with reliable prediction for subsets of sequences only. In some cases, similarly shaped molecules exhibited relatively large differences in mobility and vice versa. Generally less accurate predictions were obtained in groups containing less homogeneous sequences possessing distinct structural features. In conclusion, relatively universal theoretical models were identified suitable for the analysis of natural sequences known to harbor relatively moderate curvature. These models could be potentially applied to genome wide studies. However, in silico predictions should be viewed in context of experimental measurement of intrinsic DNA curvature.
Alterations of the Olfactory–Gustatory Functions in Patients with Eating Disorders
Authors: Dazzi Federico , Nitto Serena De , Zambetti Giampietro , Loriedo Camillo , Ciofalo Andrea
Published: June 2013

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess olfactory–gustatory function impairment in patients with eating disorders.

Methods

Nineteen patients with a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, 18 patients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and a control sample of 19 healthy subjects were recruited from the day hospital service of the Complex Operative Unit for Alimentary Conduct Disorders of the Policlinico Umberto I in Rome. Evaluation of olfactory and gustatory functions was performed on patients through the ‘Sniffin' Sticks’ method in order to assess the olfactory threshold, the capacity for discriminating and identifying olfactory stimuli, and the overall olfactory function, and through the ‘taste strip’ kit method in order to assess the gustatory function. The results were processed statistically to assess differences between patients with anorexia nervosa, patients with bulimia nervosa and healthy controls.

Results

The two groups of patients with bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa showed a poorer olfactory and gustatory function compared with the healthy controls; discrimination of olfactory stimuli and overall olfactory function were reduced in both samples, as well as the overall gustatory function and the perception of bitter stimuli, whereas olfactory threshold was altered only in patients with bulimia nervosa. In both samples, scores for olfactory function fell within the range of hyposmia.

Discussion

Our data suggest that patients with eating disorders have an altered perception of olfactory and gustatory stimuli. The alterations observed are worth further investigation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
PTHrP Produced by Myeloma Plasma Cells Regulates Their Survival and Pro-Osteoclast Activity For Bone Disease Progression
Authors: Cafforio Paola , Savonarola Annalisa , Stucci Stefania , De Matteo Monica , Tucci Marco , Brunetti Anna Elisabetta , Vecchio Vita Mariagrazia , Silvestris Francesco
Published: June 2013

To promote their survival and progression in the skeleton, osteotropic malignancies of breast, lung, and prostate produce parathyroid hormone–related protein (PTHrP), which induces hypercalcemia. PTHrP serum elevations have also been described in multiple myeloma (MM), although their role is not well defined. When we investigated MM cells from patients and cell lines, we found that PTHrP and its receptor (PTH-R1) are highly expressed, and that PTHrP is secreted both as a full-length molecule and as small subunits. Among these subunits, the mid-region, including the nuclear localization sequence (NLS), exerted a proliferative effect because it was accumulated in nuclei of MM cells surviving in starvation conditions. This was confirmed by increased transcription of several genes enrolled in proliferation and apoptosis control. PTHrP was also found to stimulate PTH-R1 in MM cells. PTH-R1's selective activation by the full-length PTHrP molecule or the NH2-terminal fragment resulted in a significant increase of intracellular Ca2+ influx, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content, and expression of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Our data definitely clarify the role of PTHrP in MM. The PTHrP peptide is functionally secreted by malignant plasma cells and contributes to MM tumor biology and progression, both by intracrine maintenance of cell proliferation in stress conditions and by autocrine or paracrine stimulation of PTH-R1, which in turn reinforces the production of osteoclastogenic factors. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Eruptions at Lone Star Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, USA: 1. Energetics and eruption dynamics
Authors: Karlstrom Leif , Hurwitz Shaul , Sohn Robert , Vandemeulebrouck Jean , Murphy Fred , Rudolph Maxwell L. , Johnston Malcolm J. S. , Manga Michael , McCleskey R. Blaine
Published: June 2013

Geysers provide a natural laboratory to study multiphase eruptive processes. We present results from a 4 day experiment at Lone Star Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, USA. We simultaneously measured water discharge, acoustic emissions, infrared intensity, and visible and infrared video to quantify the energetics and dynamics of eruptions, occurring approximately every 3 h. We define four phases in the eruption cycle (1) a 28±3 min phase with liquid and steam fountaining, with maximum jet velocities of 16–28 m s−1, steam mass fraction of less than ∼0.01. Intermittently choked flow and flow oscillations with periods increasing from 20 to 40 s are coincident with a decrease in jet velocity and an increase of steam fraction; (2) a 26±8 min posteruption relaxation phase with no discharge from the vent, infrared (IR), and acoustic power oscillations gliding between 30 and 40 s; (3) a 59±13 min recharge period during which the geyser is quiescent and progressively refills, and (4) a 69±14 min preplay period characterized by a series of 5–10 min long pulses of steam, small volumes of liquid water discharge, and 50–70 s flow oscillations. The erupted waters ascend from a 160–170°C reservoir, and the volume discharged during the entire eruptive cycle is 20.8±4.1 m3. Assuming isentropic expansion, we calculate a heat output from the geyser of 1.4–1.5 MW, which is <0.1% of the total heat output from Yellowstone Caldera.
Clinicopathologic analysis of undifferentiated carcinoma of the gallbladder
Authors: Park Hyo Jun , Jang Kee‐Taek , Choi Dong Wook , Heo Jin Seok , Choi Seong Ho
Published: June 2013

Background

Undifferentiated carcinoma (UC) of the gallbladder (GB) is a rare malignant neoplasm and there have only been sparse case reports without precise description. We analyzed eight cases of UC of GB and compared with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) in the aspects of clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis.

Methods

We found eight UC cases out of 238 surgically resected GBCs. Patients with stage‐matched GBC were selected (1:4) for comparative analysis of the clinicopathologic features and survival of UC.

Results

Histologically, UC cases were composed of four sarcomatoid, two pleomorphic, one small cell, and one osteoclast‐like giant cell types. There was no difference between UC and ordinary GBC in clinicopathologic parameters, except for tumor size. It was significantly larger in UC (median; 5.0 cm, ranging 1.3–10.0 cm) compared to GBC (median; 3.0 cm, ranging 1.5–9.0 cm, P = 0.01). UC presented frequent intraluminal polypoid mass (87.5%: 7/8). UC showed significantly poor overall survival rate (37.5%, 37.5% and 18.8% at 1, 3, and 5 years), than GBC (84.4%, 65.6% and 52.1%, respectively) (P = 0.005). Pathologic findings of UC were an independent prognostic factor for poor survival in GBC (HR 7.242, 95% confidence interval: 1.799–29.147).

Conclusions

Undifferentiated carcinoma of the gallbladder was a rare highly malignant neoplasm and frequently presented a large intraluminal polypoid tumor. It showed a significantly larger tumor size and poorer survival than GBC.
Functional properties of a cross‐linked soy protein–gelatin composite towards limited tryptic digestion of two extents
Authors: Sheng Wen‐Wen , Zhao Xin‐Huai
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND

Both enzymatic cross‐linking and hydrolysis are used to treat food proteins for functionality modification. The present study aimed to reveal the impact of limited tryptic digestion on some functional properties of a cross‐linked composite generated from soy protein isolate and gelatin by transglutaminase.

RESULTS

The composite was digested by trypsin for 1.5 and 4 h to produce two hydrolyzed composites with degrees of hydrolysis of 1% and 2%, respectively. Electrophoretic and chemical analysis showed that only part of the composite was degraded, and the gelatin fraction in the composite was more sensitive to tryptic digestion than the soy protein fraction. The hydrolyzed composites exhibited higher protein dispersion index atpH4.5 or 7.0 and surface hydrophobicity, better digestibilityin vitro, emulsifying property and oil absorption capacity, but lower water holding capacity and rheological properties (apparent viscosity, storage and loss modulus) than the composite. Compared to soy protein isolate, the hydrolyzed composites had better rheological properties, and higher water‐holding capacity and emulsion stability index.

CONCLUSION

The applied tryptic digestion conferred some improved properties on the hydrolyzed composites compared with the composite or soy protein isolate, and has potential for obtaining a new functional ingredient for processed foods. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Accelerated solvent extraction and pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatographic purification of yunaconitine and 8‐deacetylyunaconitine from Aconitum vilmorinianumKom
Authors: Shu Xi‐Kai , Li Jia , Liu Feng , Lin Xiao‐Jing , Wang Xiao , Song Chun‐Xia
Published: June 2013

This study aimed to seek an efficient method to extract and purify yunaconitine and 8‐deacetylyunaconitine from Aconitum vilmorinianum Kom. by accelerated solvent extraction combined with pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography. The major extraction parameters for accelerated solvent extraction were optimized by an orthogonal test design L9 (3)4. Then a separation and purification method was established using pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography with a two‐phase solvent system composed of petroleum ether/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (5:5:2:8, v/v) with 10 mM triethylamine in the upper phase and 10 mM HCl in the lower phase. From 2 g crude extract, 224 mg of 8‐deacetylyunaconitine (I) and 841 mg of yunaconitine (II) were obtained with a purity of over 98.0%. The chemical structures were identified by ESI‐MS and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.
Forming Crystalline Polymer‐Nano Interphase Structures for High‐Modulus and High‐Tensile/Strength Composite Fibers
Authors: Meng Jiangsha , Zhang Yiying , Song Kenan , Minus Marilyn L.
Published: June 2013

PVA/single‐walled nanotube (SWNT) composite fibers are fabricated using a steady shear‐flow gel‐spinning method. The resultant fibers show excellent tensile strength, modulus, and toughness of 4.9 GPa, 128 GPa, and 202 J · g−1, respectively. Templated interfacial crystallization of PVA in the vicinity of SWNT is controlled by tailoring the degree of undercooling of PVA during the composite solution preparation. WAXD shows that the templated crystallization behavior of the PVA at the SWNT interfacial region is new. PVA/SWNT fibers that exhibit interfacial structure show a predominant crystallization plane of (001) as compared to the (101) plane seen in PVA/SWNT fibers without a distinct interfacial structure. This demonstrates that the PVA interfacial region around SWNT has denser crystalline chain‐packing.

image
Bell polynomial approach to an extended Korteweg–de Vries equation
Authors: Wang Hui , Xia Tiecheng
Published: June 2013

Under investigation in this paper is an extended Korteweg–de Vries equation. Via Bell polynomial approach and symbolic computation, this equation is transformed into two kinds of bilinear equations by choosing different coefficients, namely KdV–SK‐type equation and KdV–Lax‐type equation. On the one hand, N‐soliton solutions, bilinear Bäcklund transformation, Lax pair, Darboux covariant Lax pair, and infinite conservation laws of the KdV–Lax‐type equation are constructed. On the other hand, on the basis of Hirota bilinear method and Riemann theta function, quasiperiodic wave solution of the KdV–SK‐type equation is also presented, and the exact relation between the one periodic wave solution and the one soliton solution is established. It is rigorously shown that the one periodic wave solution tend to the one soliton solution under a small amplitude limit. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of calendar period on the association between BMI and coronary heart disease: A meta‐analysis of 31 cohorts
Authors: de Hollander Ellen L. , Bogers Rik P. , Boshuizen Hendriek C. , Rosengren Annika , Shipley Martin J. , Knekt Paul , Ducimetière Pierre , Menotti Alessandro , de Groot Lisette CPGM , Bemelmans Wanda J.E. ,   for the BMI‐CHD collaboration investigators
Published: June 2013

Objective:

The association between obesity and coronary heart disease (CHD) may have changed over time, for example due to improved pharmacological treatment of CHD risk factors. This meta‐analysis of 31 prospective cohort studies explores the influence of calendar period on CHD risk associated with body mass index (BMI).

Design and Methods:

The relative risks (RRs) of CHD for a five‐BMI‐unit increment and BMI categories were pooled by means of random effects models. Meta‐regression analysis was used to examine the influence of calendar period (>1985 v ≤1985) in univariate and multivariate analyses (including mean population age as a covariate).

Results:

The age, sex, and smoking adjusted RR (95% confidence intervals) of CHD for a five‐BMI‐unit increment was 1.28(1.22:1.34). For underweight, overweight and obesity, the RRs (compared to normal weight) were 1.11(0.91:1.36), 1.31(1.22:1.41), and 1.78(1.55:2.04), respectively. The univariate analysis indicated 31% (95%CI: −56:0) lower RR of CHD associated with a five‐BMI‐unit increment and a 51% (95%CI: −78: −14)) lower RR associated with obesity in studies starting after 1985 (n = 15 and 10, respectively) compared to studies starting in or before 1985 (n = 16 and 10). However, in the multivariate analysis, only mean population age was independently associated with the RRs for a five‐BMI‐unit increment and obesity (−29(95%CI: −55: −5)) and −31(95%CI: −66:3), respectively) per 10‐year increment in mean age).

Conclusion:

This study provides no consistent evidence for a difference in the association between BMI and CHD by calendar period. The mean population age seems to be the most important factor that modifies the association between the risk of CHD and BMI, in which the RR decreases with increasing age.
Risk factors and outcomes of maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy
Authors: Gaillard Romy , Durmuş Büşra , Hofman Albert , Mackenbach Johan P. , Steegers Eric A.P. , Jaddoe Vincent W.V.
Published: June 2013

Objective:

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age is increasing. We aimed to determine risk factors and maternal, fetal and childhood consequences of maternal obesity and excessive gestational weight gain.

Design and Methods:

The study was embedded in a population‐based prospective cohort study among 6959 mothers and their children. The study was based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (2001–2005).

Results:

Maternal lower educational level, lower household income, multiparity, and FTO risk allel were associated with an increased risk of maternal obesity, whereas maternal European ethnicity, nulliparity, higher total energy intake, and smoking during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of excessive gestational weight gain (all p‐values <0.05). As compared to normal weight, maternal obesity was associated with increased risks of gestational hypertension (OR 6.31 (95% CI 4.30, 9.26)), preeclampsia (OR (3.61, (95% CI 2.04, 6.39)), gestational diabetes (OR 6.28 (95%CI 3.01, 13.06)), caesarean delivery (OR 1.91 (95% CI 1.46, 2.50)), delivering large size for gestational age infants (OR 2.97 (95% CI 2.16, 4.08)), and childhood obesity (OR 5.02 (95% CI:2.97, 8.45)). Weaker associations of excessive gestational weight gain with maternal, fetal and childhood outcomes were observed, with the strongest effects for first trimester weight gain.

Conclusions:

Our study shows that maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy are associated with socio‐demographic, lifestyle, and genetic factors and with increased risks of adverse maternal, fetal and childhood outcomes. As compared to prepregnancy overweight and obesity, excessive gestational weight gain has a limited influence on adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Weight bias in graduate school admissions
Authors: Burmeister Jacob M. , Kiefner Allison E. , Carels Robert A. , Musher‐Eizenman Dara R.
Published: June 2013

Objective:

Whether weight bias occurs in the graduate school admissions process is explored here. Specifically, we examined whether body mass index (BMI) was related to letter of recommendation quality and the number of admissions offers applicants received after attending in‐person interviews.

Design and Methods:

Participants were 97 applicants to a psychology graduate program at a large university in the United States. They reported height, weight, and information about their applications to psychology graduate programs. Participants' letters of recommendation were coded for positive and negative statements as well as overall quality.

Results:

Higher BMI significantly predicted fewer post‐interview offers of admission into psychology graduate programs. Results also suggest this relationship is stronger for female applicants. BMI was not related to overall quality or the number of stereotypically weight‐related adjectives in letters of recommendation. Surprisingly, higher BMI was related to more positive adjectives in letters.

Conclusions:

The first evidence that individuals interviewing applicants to graduate programs may systematically favor thinner applicants is provided here. A conscious or unconscious bias against applicants with extra body weight is a plausible explanation. Stereotype threat and social identity threat are also discussed as explanations for the relationship between BMI and interview success.
Adiposity, blood pressure, and carotid intima‐media thickness in greek adolescents
Authors: Kollias Anastasios , Psilopatis Isidoros , Karagiaouri Eirini , Glaraki Maria , Grammatikos Evangelos , Grammatikos Emmanouel E. , Garoufi Anastasia , Stergiou George S.
Published: June 2013

Objective:

In children and adolescents with cardiovascular risk factors, the assessment of subclinical target‐organ damage is of paramount importance. This study investigated factors associated with carotid intima‐media thickness (cIMT) in adolescents.

Design and Methods:

A cross‐sectional study was performed in 448 apparently healthy adolescents recruited from schools (mean age 14 ± 2.2 years, 211 boys), which involved cIMT measurements (common carotid artery) and assessment of lipid profile, glucose, and blood pressure (BP).

Results:

The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 28.1%/12.7% and of BP ≥95th percentile 19.6%. Left cIMT was correlated with age (r = 0.10), waist circumference (WC) (0.15), and BP (0.21/0.13, systolic/diastolic) (all P < 0.05). Right cIMT was correlated with waist to hip ratio (WHR) (0.10), whereas the mean of left and right cIMT was correlated with WC (0.12), WHR (0.12), and systolic BP (0.14) (all P < 0.05). After the age of 13 years, boys tended to have higher cIMT than girls, which was significant in the 13‐15 years subgroup (P < 0.05). In stepwise multivariate analysis (independent variables: age, gender, WC, WHR, body mass index z‐score, lipid parameters, glucose, BP), left cIMT was independently associated with systolic BP; right cIMT with WHR; mean left and right cIMT with WC. Adolescents with BP ≥90th percentile had higher left cIMT than those <90th percentile (0.63 ± 0.09 vs. 0.61 ± 0.09 mm respectively, P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Central adiposity and systolic BP appear to be independently associated with increased cIMT values in apparently healthy adolescents. Left side cIMT appears to be superior to right side measurements in terms of association with cardiovascular risk factors.
Efficacy and tolerability of a novel herbal formulation for weight management
Authors: Stern J.S. , Peerson J. , Mishra A.T. , Sadasiva Rao M.V. , Rajeswari K.P.
Published: June 2013

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of an herbal blend.

Design and Methods:

A randomized, double‐blind, clinical trial in 60 subjects with body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 40 kg/m2. Participants were randomized into two groups receiving either 400 mg herbal capsules or 400 mg placebo capsules twice daily. The herbal blend comprises of extracts from Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana. Participants received a standard diet (2,000 kcal per day) and walked 30 min 5 days per week.

Results:

After 8 weeks, significant net reductions in body weight (3.74 kg; P < 0.0001), BMI (1.61 kg/m2; P < 0.0001), and waist circumference (5.44 cm; P < 0.05) were observed in the herbal group compared with placebo. Additionally, a significant increase in serum adiponectin concentration was found in the herbal group versus placebo (P = 0.001). Adverse events were mild and were equally distributed between the two groups. In vitro studies in the 3T3‐L1 adipocyte cell line showed that the herbal extract markedly downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma, adipocyte‐differentiation related protein, and cluster of differentiation 36 but increased adiponectin expression. The herbal extract also reduced the expression and the recruitment of perilipin onto the membrane of lipid droplets.

Conclusion:

Supplementation with the herbal blend resulted in a greater degree of weight loss than placebo over 8 weeks.
Potential role of ventricular tumor markers in CNS germ cell tumors
Authors: Legault Geneviève , Allen Jeffrey C.
Published: June 2013

Background

There is increasing reliance on oncoprotein assays such as the β‐subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β‐hCG) and alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) for diagnosis or confirmation of histology of central nervous system (CNS) germ cell tumors (GCT), but the relative diagnostic sensitivity and reliability of assays from serum (S), lumbar (L), and ventricular (V) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are uncertain.

Procedure

A total of 86 patients with CNS GCT were identified from our database. Fourteen patients had contemporaneous β‐hCG and/or AFP measurements from serum, ventricular, and lumbar CSF at diagnosis (n = 13) or relapse (n = 1), constituting the subjects for this report. Their primary tumor sites were: pineal (n = 8), suprasellar (n = 1), or both (n = 5). Their mean age at diagnosis was 16.0 years (range 9.1–25.9). The male:female sex ratio was 13:1.

Results

For the germinoma‐treated patients (n = 8), the median (range) β‐hCG values (S, V, L) were 0 (0–6.9), 7.0 (0–57.4), 8.3 (0–34.0) mIU/ml. For patients managed as mixed malignant GCT (MMGCT) (n = 6), the median (range) β‐hCG values (S, V, L) were 3.9 (0–58.0), 3.6 (0–147.0), 61.8 (0–358.0) mIU/ml. The median (range) AFP values were 7.5 (0–27,400.0), 2.0 (0–2,981.0), 3.0 (0–14,015.0) ng/ml. Lumbar CSF β‐hCG values were equal or greater than those in ventricular CSF or serum in 12 of 13 cases (92.3%). All patients with MMGCT had lumbar AFP equal or greater than the ventricular CSF values, while serum AFP values remained highest.

Conclusions

Ventricular CSF values cannot be considered a replacement for lumbar CSF. Lumbar CSF is the most reliable source of tumor markers to establish baseline and follow‐up diagnostic endpoints. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:1647–1650. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Representativity error for temperature and humidity using the Met Office high‐resolution model†
Authors: Waller J. A. , Dance S. L. , Lawless A. S. , Nichols N. K. , Eyre J. R.
Published: June 2013

The observation‐error covariance matrix used in data assimilation contains contributions from instrument errors, representativity errors and errors introduced by the approximated observation operator. Forward model errors arise when the observation operator does not correctly model the observations or when observations can resolve spatial scales that the model cannot. Previous work to estimate the observation‐error covariance matrix for particular observing instruments has shown that it contains signifcant correlations. In particular, correlations for humidity data are more significant than those for temperature. However it is not known what proportion of these correlations can be attributed to the representativity errors. In this article we apply an existing method for calculating representativity error, previously applied to an idealised system, to NWP data. We calculate horizontal errors of representativity for temperature and humidity using data from the Met Office high‐resolution UK variable resolution model. Our results show that errors of representativity are correlated and more significant for specific humidity than temperature. We also find that representativity error varies with height. This suggests that the assimilation scheme may be improved if these errors are explicitly included in a data assimilation scheme.
Empirical determination of solar proton access to the atmosphere: Impact on polar flight paths
Authors: Neal Jason J. , Rodger Craig J. , Green Janet C.
Published: June 2013

Violent expulsions on the Sun's surface release high energy solar protons that ultimately affect HF communication used by aircraft. The geomagnetic field screens the low altitude equatorial region, but these protons can access the atmosphere over the poles. The latitudes over which the solar protons can reach vary with geomagnetic indices such as Kp and Dst. In this study we use observations from low Earth orbit to determine the atmospheric access of solar protons and hence the flights paths most likely to be affected. Observations taken by up to six polar orbiting satellites during 15 solar proton events are analyzed. From this we determine 16,850 proton rigidity cutoff estimates across three energy channels. Empirical fits are undertaken to estimate the most likely behavior of the cutoff dependence with geomagnetic activity. The changing Kp value is found to lead the variation in the cutoffs by ~3 h. We provide simple equations by which the geomagnetic latitude at which the protons impact the atmosphere can be determined from a given Kp or Dst value. The variation found in the cutoff with Kp is similar to that used in existing operational models, although we suggest that a ~1–2° equatorward shift in latitude would provide greater accuracy. We find that a Kp predictive model can provide additional warning to the variation in proton cutoffs. Hence, a prediction of the cutoff latitudes can be made ~3 h to as much as 7 h into the future, meeting suggested minimum planning times required by the aviation industry.
Evaluating the Environmental Impacts of Poultry Farming on Stream Water Quality: A Study From Abeokuta, Nigeria
Authors: Taiwo Adewale M. , Arowolo Toyin A. , Adekunle Iheoma M. , Adetunji Michael T.
Published: June 2013

Balancing farming practices and environmental protection to promote human health
Impact of parental emotional support and coercive control on adolescents' self‐esteem and psychological distress: Results of a four‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Boudreault‐Bouchard Anne‐Marie , Dion Jacinthe , Hains Jennifer , Vandermeerschen Jill , Laberge Luc , Perron Michel
Published: June 2013

This study aims at investigating the impact of parental practices on youths' adjustment. In all, 605 adolescents completed questionnaires at ages 14, 16 and 18. Self‐esteem, psychological distress as well as parental emotional support and coercive control were measured. Analyses based on individual growth models revealed that self‐esteem increased with age, but psychological distress remained stable over time. Boys reported higher levels of self‐esteem and lower levels of psychological distress than girls. Maternal and paternal emotional support reinforced self‐esteem over time. Maternal coercive control undermined self‐esteem, but only at ages 16 and 18. Psychological distress decreased with parental emotional support but increased with parental coercive control at ages 14, 16 and 18. Overall, these results indicate that positive parental practices are related to youths' well‐being. These findings support the importance of establishing intervention strategies designed to promote best practices among parents of teenagers to help them develop into well‐adjusted adults.
A Phe‐rich region in short‐wavelength sensitive opsins is responsible for their aggregation in the absence of 11‐cis‐retinal
Authors: Zhang Tao , Fu Yingbin
Published: June 2013

Human blue and mouse S‐opsin are prone to aggregation in the absence of 11‐cis‐retinal, which underlie the rapid cone degeneration in human patients and animal models of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). By in silico analysis and domain swapping experiments, we show that a Phe‐rich region in short‐wavelength sensitive (SWS) opsins, but not in medium/long‐wavelength sensitive opsins, is responsible for SWS opsin aggregation. Mutagenesis studies suggest that Phe residues in this region are critical in mediating protein aggregation. Fusing the Phe‐rich region of SWS opsins to GFP causes the latter to aggregate. Our findings suggest that new therapeutics can be designed to disrupt the Phe‐rich region in preventing cone degeneration due to S‐opsin aggregation in LCA.
Dehumanization and Social Class
Authors: Loughnan Steve , Haslam Nick , Sutton Robbie M. , Spencer Bettina
Published: June 2013

Three studies examined whether animality is a component of low-SES stereotypes. In Study 1a–c, the content of “white trash” (USA), “chav” (UK), and “bogan” (Australia) stereotypes was found to be highly consistent, and in every culture it correlated positively with the stereotype content of apes. In Studies 2a and 2b, a within-subjects approach replicated this effect and revealed that it did not rely on derogatory labels or was reducible to ingroup favoritism or system justification concerns. In Study 3, the “bogan” stereotype was associated with ape, rat, and dog stereotypes independently of established stereotype content dimensions (warmth, competence, and morality). By implication, stereotypes of low-SES people picture them as primitive, bestial, and incompletely human.
Microbial minorities modulate methane consumption through niche partitioning
Authors: Bodelier Paul L E , Meima-Franke Marion , Hordijk Cornelis A , Steenbergh Anne K , Hefting Mariet M , Bodrossy Levente , von Bergen Martin , Seifert Jana
Published: June 2013

Microbes catalyze all major geochemical cycles on earth. However, the role of microbial traits and community composition in biogeochemical cycles is still poorly understood mainly due to the inability to assess the community members that are actually performing biogeochemical conversions in complex environmental samples. Here we applied a polyphasic approach to assess the role of microbial community composition in modulating methane emission from a riparian floodplain. We show that the dynamics and intensity of methane consumption in riparian wetlands coincide with relative abundance and activity of specific subgroups of methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB), which can be considered as a minor component of the microbial community in this ecosystem. Microarray-based community composition analyses demonstrated linear relationships of MOB diversity parameters and in vitro methane consumption. Incubations using intact cores in combination with stable isotope labeling of lipids and proteins corroborated the correlative evidence from in vitro incubations demonstrating γ-proteobacterial MOB subgroups to be responsible for methane oxidation. The results obtained within the riparian flooding gradient collectively demonstrate that niche partitioning of MOB within a community comprised of a very limited amount of active species modulates methane consumption and emission from this wetland. The implications of the results obtained for biodiversity–ecosystem functioning are discussed with special reference to the role of spatial and temporal heterogeneity and functional redundancy.
Aggrephagy: lessons from C. elegans
Authors: Lu Qun , Wu Fan , Zhang Hong
Published: June 2013

Autophagy is a lysosome-mediated degradation process that involves the formation of an enclosed double-membrane autophagosome. Yeast genetic screens have laid the groundwork for a molecular understanding of autophagy. The process, however, exhibits fundamental differences between yeast and higher eukaryotes. Very little is known about essential autophagy components specific to higher eukaryotes. Recent studies have shown that a variety of protein aggregates are selectively removed by autophagy (a process termed aggrephagy) during Caenorhabditis elegans embryogenesis, establishing C. elegans as a multicellular genetic model to delineate the autophagic machinery. The genetic screens were carried out in C. elegans to identify essential autophagy genes. In addition to conserved and divergent homologues of yeast Atg proteins, several autophagy genes conserved in higher eukaryotes, but absent from yeast, were isolated. The genetic hierarchy of autophagy genes in the degradation of protein aggregates in C. elegans provides a framework for understanding the concerted action of autophagy genes in the aggrephagy pathway.
Flavanoids induce expression of the suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3) gene and suppress IL-6-activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Wiejak Jolanta , Dunlop Julia , Mackay Simon P. , Yarwood Stephen J.
Published: June 2013

The atherogenic cytokine IL-6 (interleukin-6) induces pro-inflammatory gene expression in VECs (vascular endothelial cells) by activating the JAK (Janus kinase)/STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) signalling pathway, which is normally down-regulated by the STAT3-dependent induction of the E3 ubiquitin ligase component SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signalling 3). Novel treatments based on the regulation of SOCS3 protein levels could therefore have value in the treatment of diseases with an inflammatory component, such as atherosclerosis. To this end we carried out a screen of 1031 existing medicinal compounds to identify inducers of SOCS3 gene expression and identified the flavanoids naringenin and flavone as effective inducers of SOCS3 protein, mRNA and promoter activity. This was in contrast with the action of traditional JAK/STAT3 inhibitors and the polyphenol resveratrol, which effectively suppress SOCS3 gene expression. Both naringenin and flavone also effectively suppressed IL-6-stimulated phosphorylation of STAT3 (Tyr705) which led to suppression of IL-6-induction of the atherogenic STAT3 target gene MCP1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1), suggesting that their ability to induce SOCS3 gene expression is STAT3-independent. Supporting this idea was the observation that the general kinase inhibitor compound C inhibits flavone- and cAMP-dependent, but not JAK-dependent, SOCS3 induction in VECs. Indeed, the ability of flavanoids to induce SOCS3 expression requires activation of the ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase)-dependent transcription factor SP3, and not STAT3. In the present paper we therefore describe novel molecular actions of flavanoids, which control SOCS3 gene induction and suppression of STAT3 signalling in VECs. These mechanisms could potentially be exploited to develop novel anti-atherogenic therapies.
AKT-ing out: SGK kinases come to the fore
Authors: Moniz Larissa S. , Vanhaesebroeck Bart
Published: June 2013

The success of targeted therapies in treating cancer over the last decade has been tempered by acquired drug resistance that follows long-term treatment. There is also emerging evidence for innate mechanisms of cancer cell resistance to targeted therapy that pre-exist as parallel signalling pathways. This aspect is explored by the Alessi group and collaborators from AstraZeneca in this issue of the Biochemical Journal, who identify a subset of breast cancer cell lines that are intrinsically resistant to Akt inhibition through constitutive up-regulation of the related AGC serine/threonine kinase SGK1 (serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 1). The study could help to profile tumours for sensitivity to Akt inhibitors and once more highlights the therapeutic complexity of cancer and the importance of exploring combination therapies in the clinic.
Relation of Perceived Breathiness to Laryngeal Kinematics and Acoustic Measures Based on Computational Modeling
Authors: Samlan Robin A. , Story Brad H. , Bunton Kate
Published: June 2013

Purpose

In this study, the authors sought to determine (a) how specific vocal fold structural and vibratory features relate to breathy voice quality and (b) the relation of perceived breathiness to 4 acoustic correlates of breathiness.

Method

A computational, kinematic model of the vocal fold medial surfaces was used to specify features of vocal fold structure and vibration in a manner consistent with breathy voice. Four model parameters were altered: vocal process separation, surface bulging, vibratory nodal point, and epilaryngeal constriction. Twelve naïve listeners rated breathiness of 364 samples relative to a reference. The degree of breathiness was then compared to (a) the underlying kinematic profile and (b) 4 acoustic measures: cepstral peak prominence (CPP), harmonics-to-noise ratio, and two measures of spectral slope.

Results

Vocal process separation alone accounted for 61.4% of the variance in perceptual rating. Adding nodal point ratio and bulging to the equation increased the explained variance to 88.7%. The acoustic measure CPP accounted for 86.7% of the variance in perceived breathiness, and explained variance increased to 92.6% with the addition of one spectral slope measure.

Conclusion

Breathiness ratings were best explained kinematically by the degree of vocal process separation and acoustically by CPP.
Spatially‐coupled communication system for the correlated erasure channel
Authors: Ashrafi Reza A. , Pusane Ali Emre
Published: June 2013

Low implementation complexity, low delay and close‐to‐optimal performance over a wide variety of channels are some of the advantages of spatially‐coupled low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) codes. However, the error performance of the sliding window decoding scheme that is used to decode these codes is considerably degraded over channels with memory, such as the correlated erasure channel. Employing a block interleaver to encounter this situation is not always a viable option, since it introduces a large amount of delay and cancels out the low‐delay property of the sliding window decoder. Another way to reduce the effects of erasure bursts is to construct a more robust code ensemble by presenting additional code design rules. However, this approach results in additional constraints on the already complicated code construction process. The authors propose a novel communication system that combats the effects of the erasure bursts through the use of a convolutional interleaver. The proposed system combines the inherent convolutional nature of the spatially‐coupled LDPC codes with that of a convolutional interleaver to achieve very low overall delay. The performance of the proposed approach is analysed using the density evolution technique and the performance improvement is demonstrated as a function of the interleaving delay via computer simulations.
Predicting the thermodynamics by using state-dependent interactions
Authors: D'Adamo Giuseppe , Pelissetto Andrea , Pierleoni Carlo
Published: June 2013

We reconsider the structure-based route to coarse graining in which the coarse-grained model is defined in such a way to reproduce some distribution functions of the original system as accurately as possible. We consider standard expressions for pressure and chemical potential applied to this family of coarse-grained models with density-dependent interactions and show that they only provide approximations to the pressure and chemical potential of the underlying original system. These approximations are then carefully compared in two cases: we consider a generic microscopic system in the low-density regime and polymer solutions under good-solvent conditions. Moreover, we show that the state-dependent potentials depend on the ensemble in which they have been derived. Therefore, care must be used in applying canonical state-dependent potentials to predict phase lines, which is typically performed in other ensembles.