bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of p38 MAPK isoforms for drug resistance study using systems biology approach
Authors: Peng Huiming , Peng Tao , Wen Jianguo , Engler David A. , Matsunami Risë K. , Su Jing , Zhang Le , Chang Chung-Che (Jeff) , Zhou Xiaobo
Published: March 2014

Motivation: p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation plays an important role in resistance to chemotherapeutic cytotoxic drugs in treating multiple myeloma (MM). However, how the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway is involved in drug resistance, in particular the roles that the various p38 isoforms play, remains largely unknown.

Method: To explore the underlying mechanisms, we developed a novel systems biology approach by integrating liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and reverse phase protein array data from human MM cell lines with computational pathway models in which the unknown parameters were inferred using a proposed novel algorithm called modularized factor graph.

Results: New mechanisms predicted by our models suggest that combined activation of various p38 isoforms may result in drug resistance in MM via regulating the related pathways including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and NFкB pathway. ERK pathway regulating cell growth is synergistically regulated by p38δ isoform, whereas nuclear factor kappa B (NFкB) pathway regulating cell apoptosis is synergistically regulated by p38α isoform. This finding that p38δ isoform promotes the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in MM cells treated with bortezomib was validated by western blotting. Based on the predicted mechanisms, we further screened drug combinations in silico and found that a promising drug combination targeting ERK1/2 and NFκB might reduce the effects of drug resistance in MM cells. This study provides a framework of a systems biology approach to studying drug resistance and drug combination selection.

Availability and implementation: RPPA experimental Data and Matlab source codes of modularized factor graph for parameter estimation are freely available online at http://ctsb.is.wfubmc.edu/publications/modularized-factor-graph.php

Contact:  xizhou@wakehealth.edu or zhanglcq@swu.edu.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
FISH: fast and accurate diploid genotype imputation via segmental hidden Markov model
Authors: Zhang Lei , Pei Yu-Fang , Fu Xiaoying , Lin Yong , Wang Yu-Ping , Deng Hong-Wen
Published: March 2014

Motivation: Fast and accurate genotype imputation is necessary for facilitating gene-mapping studies, especially with the ever increasing numbers of both common and rare variants generated by high-throughput-sequencing experiments. However, most of the existing imputation approaches suffer from either inaccurate results or heavy computational demand.

Results: In this article, aiming to perform fast and accurate genotype-imputation analysis, we propose a novel, fast and yet accurate method to impute diploid genotypes. Specifically, we extend a hidden Markov model that is widely used to describe haplotype structures. But we model hidden states onto single reference haplotypes rather than onto pairs of haplotypes. Consequently the computational complexity is linear to size of reference haplotypes. We further develop an algorithm ‘merge-and-recover (MAR)’ to speed up the calculation. Working on compact representation of segmental reference haplotypes, the MAR algorithm always calculates an exact form of transition probabilities regardless of partition of segments. Both simulation studies and real-data analyses demonstrated that our proposed method was comparable to most of the existing popular methods in terms of imputation accuracy, but was much more efficient in terms of computation. The MAR algorithm can further speed up the calculation by several folds without loss of accuracy. The proposed method will be useful in large-scale imputation studies with a large number of reference subjects.

Availability: The implemented multi-threading software FISH is freely available for academic use at https://sites.google.com/site/lzhanghomepage/FISH .

Contact:  zlbio12@gmail.com ; pyf0419@gmail.com ; hdeng2@tulane.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
SDSS J114657.79+403708.6: the third most distant blazar at z = 5.0
Authors: Ghisellini G. , Sbarrato T. , Tagliaferri G. , Foschini L. , Tavecchio F. , Ghirlanda G. , Braito V. , Gehrels N.
Published: March 2014

The radio-loud quasar SDSS J114657.79+403708.6 at a redshift z = 5.0 is one of the most distant radio-loud objects. The IR-optical luminosity and spectrum suggest that its black hole has a very large mass: M = (5 ± 1) × 109 M⊙. The radio-loudness (ratio of the radio to optical flux) of the source is large (around 100), suggesting that the source is viewed at small angles from the jet axis, and could be a blazar. The X-ray observations fully confirm this hypothesis, due to the high level and hardness of the flux. This makes SDSS J114657.79+403708.6 the third most distant blazar known, after Q0906+693 (z = 5.47) and B2 1023+25 (z = 5.3). Among those, SDSS J114657.79+403708.6 has the largest black hole mass, setting interesting constraints on the mass function of heavy (>109 M⊙) black holes at high redshifts.
Inhibition of p38 Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Attenuates Butyrate‐Induced Intestinal Barrier Impairment in a Caco‐2 Cell Monolayer Model
Authors: Huang Xiao‐Zhong , Li Zhong‐Rong , Zhu Li‐Bin , Huang Hui‐Ya , Hou Long‐Long , Lin Jing
Published: March 2014

Objectives:

Butyrate is well known to induce apoptosis in differentiating intestinal epithelial cells. The present study was designed to examine the role of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) in butyrate‐induced intestinal barrier impairment.

Methods:

The intestinal barrier was determined by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) in a Caco‐2 cell monolayer model. The permeability was determined by measuring transepithelial passage of fluorescein isothiocyanate‐conjugated inulin (inulin‐FITC). The morphology of the monolayers was examined with scanning electron microscopy. The apoptosis status was determined by annexin V–FITC labeling and flow cytometry. The activity of p38 MAPK was determined by the phosphorylation status of p38 with Western blotting.

Results:

Butyrate at 5 mM increases the apoptosis rate of Caco‐2 cells and induces impairment of intestinal barrier functions as determined by decreased TER and increased inulin‐FITC permeability. Butyrate treatment activates p38 MAPK in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. SB203580, a specific p38 inhibitor, inhibits butyrate‐induced Caco‐2 cell apoptosis. Treatment of SB203580 significantly attenuates the butyrate‐induced impairment of barrier functions in the Caco‐2 cell monolayer model.

Conclusions:

p38 MAPK can be activated by butyrate and is involved in the butyrate‐induced apoptosis and impairment of intestinal barrier function. Inhibition of p38 MAPK can significantly attenuate butyrate‐induced intestinal barrier dysfunction.
Swimming against the tide: resilience of a riverine turtle to recurrent extreme environmental events
Authors: Jergenson Abigail M. , Miller David A. W. , Neuman-Lee Lorin A. , Warner Daniel A. , Janzen Fredric J.
Published: March 2014

Extreme environmental events (EEEs) are likely to exert deleterious effects on populations. From 1996 to 2012 we studied the nesting dynamics of a riverine population of painted turtles (
Chrysemys picta
) that experienced seven years with significantly definable spring floods. We used capture–mark–recapture methods to estimate the relationships between more than 5 m and more than 6 m flood events and population parameters. Contrary to expectations, flooding was not associated with annual differences in survival, recruitment or annual population growth rates of the adult female segment of the population. These findings suggest that female
C. picta
exhibit resiliency to key EEE, which are expected to increase in frequency under climate change.
A ‘crying wolf’ game of interspecific kleptoparasitic mutualism
Authors: Golubski Antonio J. , O'Connell Nathaniel S. , Schwartz Jesse A. , Ellermeyer Sean F.
Published: March 2014

We model a potentially mutualistic interaction between a species making antipredator alarm calls and a species which eavesdrops on those calls. Callers may or may not make deceptive alarm calls in order to kleptoparasitize food from eavesdroppers, which in turn may either heed or ignore all alarm calls. The two most likely outcomes in our model are either maximally deceptive callers and maximally trusting eavesdroppers, or persistently cycling strategy frequencies. The latter is favoured by low predator density, low density of any alternative honest alarm-calling species, ability of eavesdroppers to preferentially heed calls when costs of doing so are low and, in some cases, low food availability.
Mathematical and computational models of drug transport in tumours
Authors: Groh C. M. , Hubbard M. E. , Jones P. F. , Loadman P. M. , Periasamy N. , Sleeman B. D. , Smye S. W. , Twelves C. J. , Phillips R. M.
Published: March 2014

The ability to predict how far a drug will penetrate into the tumour microenvironment within its pharmacokinetic (PK) lifespan would provide valuable information about therapeutic response. As the PK profile is directly related to the route and schedule of drug administration, an
in silico
tool that can predict the drug administration schedule that results in optimal drug delivery to tumours would streamline clinical trial design. This paper investigates the application of mathematical and computational modelling techniques to help improve our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying drug delivery, and compares the performance of a simple model with more complex approaches. Three models of drug transport are developed, all based on the same drug binding model and parametrized by bespoke
in vitro
experiments. Their predictions, compared for a ‘tumour cord’ geometry, are qualitatively and quantitatively similar. We assess the effect of varying the PK profile of the supplied drug, and the binding affinity of the drug to tumour cells, on the concentration of drug reaching cells and the accumulated exposure of cells to drug at arbitrary distances from a supplying blood vessel. This is a contribution towards developing a useful drug transport modelling tool for informing strategies for the treatment of tumour cells which are ‘pharmacokinetically resistant’ to chemotherapeutic strategies.
Flow induced by ependymal cilia dominates near-wall cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in the lateral ventricles
Authors: Siyahhan Bercan , Knobloch Verena , de Zélicourt Diane , Asgari Mahdi , Schmid Daners Marianne , Poulikakos Dimos , Kurtcuoglu Vartan
Published: March 2014

While there is growing experimental evidence that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow induced by the beating of ependymal cilia is an important factor for neuronal guidance, the respective contribution of vascular pulsation-driven macroscale oscillatory CSF flow remains unclear. This work uses computational fluid dynamics to elucidate the interplay between macroscale and cilia-induced CSF flows and their relative impact on near-wall dynamics. Physiological macroscale CSF dynamics are simulated in the ventricular space using subject-specific anatomy, wall motion and choroid plexus pulsations derived from magnetic resonance imaging. Near-wall flow is quantified in two subdomains selected from the right lateral ventricle, for which dynamic boundary conditions are extracted from the macroscale simulations. When cilia are neglected, CSF pulsation leads to periodic flow reversals along the ventricular surface, resulting in close to zero time-averaged force on the ventricle wall. The cilia promote more aligned wall shear stresses that are on average two orders of magnitude larger compared with those produced by macroscopic pulsatile flow. These findings indicate that CSF flow-mediated neuronal guidance is likely to be dominated by the action of the ependymal cilia in the lateral ventricles, whereas CSF dynamics in the centre regions of the ventricles is driven predominantly by wall motion and choroid plexus pulsation.
Clonal selection and therapy resistance in acute leukaemias: mathematical modelling explains different proliferation patterns at diagnosis and relapse
Authors: Stiehl Thomas , Baran Natalia , Ho Anthony D. , Marciniak-Czochra Anna
Published: March 2014

Recent experimental evidence suggests that acute myeloid leukaemias may originate from multiple clones of malignant cells. Nevertheless, it is not known how the observed clones may differ with respect to cell properties, such as proliferation and self-renewal. There are scarcely any data on how these cell properties change due to chemotherapy and relapse. We propose a new mathematical model to investigate the impact of cell properties on the multi-clonal composition of leukaemias. Model results imply that enhanced self-renewal may be a key mechanism in the clonal selection process. Simulations suggest that fast proliferating and highly self-renewing cells dominate at primary diagnosis, while relapse following therapy-induced remission is triggered mostly by highly self-renewing but slowly proliferating cells. Comparison of simulation results to patient data demonstrates that the proposed model is consistent with clinically observed dynamics based on a clonal selection process.
Models for elastic shells with incompatible strains
Authors: Lewicka Marta , Mahadevan L. , Pakzad Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2014

The three-dimensional shapes of thin lamina, such as leaves, flowers, feathers, wings, etc., are driven by the differential strain induced by the relative growth. The growth takes place through variations in the Riemannian metric given on the thin sheet as a function of location in the central plane and also across its thickness. The shape is then a consequence of elastic energy minimization on the frustrated geometrical object. Here, we provide a rigorous derivation of the asymptotic theories for shapes of residually strained thin lamina with non-trivial curvatures, i.e. growing elastic shells in both the weakly and strongly curved regimes, generalizing earlier results for the growth of nominally flat plates. The different theories are distinguished by the scaling of the mid-surface curvature relative to the inverse thickness and growth strain, and also allow us to generalize the classical Föppl–von Kármán energy to theories of prestrained shallow shells.
Martingales and fixation probabilities of evolutionary graphs
Authors: Monk T. , Green P. , Paulin M.
Published: March 2014

Evolutionary graph theory is the study of birth–death processes that are constrained by population structure. A principal problem in evolutionary graph theory is to obtain the probability that some initial population of mutants will fixate on a graph, and to determine how that fixation probability depends on the structure of that graph. A fluctuating mutant population on a graph can be considered as a random walk. Martingales exploit symmetry in the steps of a random walk to yield exact analytical expressions for fixation probabilities. They do not require simplifying assumptions such as large population sizes or weak selection. In this paper, we show how martingales can be used to obtain fixation probabilities for symmetric evolutionary graphs. We obtain simpler expressions for the fixation probabilities of star graphs and complete bipartite graphs than have been previously reported and show that these graphs do not amplify selection for advantageous mutations under all conditions.
On the status of the species name Streptomyces ruanii Kumar and Goodfellow 2008.
Authors: Tindall B. J.
Published: March 2014

The species name

Streptomyces ruanii

Kumar and Goodfellow 2008 was published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology in 2008. It is generally treated as a legitimate and validly published name. However, closer examination of the publication indicates that this name is contrary to the Rules of the Nomenclatural Code dealing with prokaryotes and is both illegitimate and not validly published.
Development of a bent Laue beam-expanding double-crystal monochromator for biomedical X-ray imaging
Authors: Martinson Mercedes , Samadi Nazanin , Belev George , Bassey Bassey , Lewis Rob , Aulakh Gurpreet , Chapman Dean
Published: March 2014

The Biomedical Imaging and Therapy (BMIT) beamline at the Canadian Light Source has produced some excellent biological imaging data. However, the disadvantage of a small vertical beam limits its usability in some applications. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging requires multiple scans to produce a full projection, and certain dynamic imaging experiments are not possible. A larger vertical beam is desirable. It was cost-prohibitive to build a longer beamline that would have produced a large vertical beam. Instead, it was proposed to develop a beam expander that would create a beam appearing to originate at a source much farther away. This was accomplished using a bent Laue double-crystal monochromator in a non-dispersive divergent geometry. The design and implementation of this beam expander is presented along with results from the micro-CT and dynamic imaging tests conducted with this beam. Flux (photons per unit area per unit time) has been measured and found to be comparable with the existing flat Bragg double-crystal monochromator in use at BMIT. This increase in overall photon count is due to the enhanced bandwidth of the bent Laue configuration. Whilst the expanded beam quality is suitable for dynamic imaging and micro-CT, further work is required to improve its phase and coherence properties.
Hidradenoma papilliferum of the vulva in association with an anogenital mammary‐like gland
Authors: Kurashige Yuta , Kishida Kosuke , Kurashige Kumiko , Minemura Tokuya , Nagatani Tetsuo
Published: March 2014

Hidradenoma papilliferum (HP) is a benign adnexal neoplasm which preferentially develops in the anogenital region of women. Although the origin of HP was previously thought to be an apocrine sweat gland, recent studies have suggested that it may derive from the anogenital mammary‐like gland (MLG). In this paper, we present a 43‐year‐old Japanese woman with hidradenoma papilliferum of the vulva. The lesion developed 7 years prior to her visit, and clinically appeared as a skin‐colored cystic nodule. Histopathological examination revealed that the neoplasm was formed by the tubular structures consisting of two types of pleomorphic cells, columnar cells in the luminal layer and cuboidal cells in the basal layer. Further, the surgical specimen contained a wide, divergent, lobular ductal structure located in the vicinity of the neoplastic lesion, which was consistent with MLG.
Systemic sclerosis with sarcoidosis: Case report and review of the published work
Authors: Senda Satoko , Igawa Ken , Nishioka Megumi , Murota Hiroyuki , Katayama Ichiro
Published: March 2014

Sarcoidosis and systemic sclerosis (SSc) rarely coexist. Here, we report a Japanese female SSc patient who developed systemic sarcoidosis. Her SSc was a limited type negative for anti‐Scl‐70 antibody and positive for anticentromere antibody (ACA). Moreover, we performed a review of the English‐language published work that described cases of concurrent SSc and sarcoidosis. Then, we found that most SSc and sarcoidosis concurrent patients positive for anti‐Scl‐70 antibody were male (77.8%). On the other hand, most patients positive for ACA were female (87.5%). These results suggest some relationships between autoantibody profiles and sex in SSc and sarcoidosis concurrence.
Grazing intensity affects insect diversity via sward structure and heterogeneity in a long‐term experiment
Authors: Jerrentrup Jana Sabrina , Wrage‐Mönnig Nicole , Röver Klaus‐Ulrich , Isselstein Johannes
Published: March 2014

In the past, insect diversity in grasslands showed a severe decline due to management intensification or abandonment. In this study, we investigate the long‐term influence of grazing and the potential for spatial patterns created by different grazing intensities to enhance insect diversity.

In a long‐term experiment (2002–2011), three grazing intensities were applied to 1‐ha paddocks in a triplicate block design: moderate grazing (MC), lenient grazing (LC) and very lenient grazing (VLC, since 2005). The experiment was conducted in a moderately species‐rich grassland at the edge of the Solling Uplands in Lower Saxony, Germany. Orthoptera (grasshoppers) and Lepidoptera (butterflies) on three 50‐m transects per paddock were counted in 2002–2004 and again in 2010 and 2011. Statistics were performed using linear mixed modelling.

Grasshopper diversity measures (species richness and abundance) were significantly affected by grazing intensity; abundance increased from 2002 to 2011 more strongly in the LC than in the MC treatment. Butterfly species richness response to grazing intensity varied among years. Data from 2010 and 2011 did not reveal any advantage of the lowest grazing intensity (VLC) compared to the intermediate grazing intensity treatment (LC) in either insect group.

Multiple regressions were used to investigate diversity patterns. Along with compressed sward height, spatial patchiness was important for grasshopper species richness and abundance as well as for butterfly species numbers. Butterfly abundance was mainly influenced by vertical sward height heterogeneity in addition to the significant effects of thistle abundance and number of nectar plant species.

Synthesis and applications. Cattle grazing intensity affects the proportions and spatial heterogeneity of short and tall sward patches on pastures. The less mobile grasshoppers particularly benefitted from the structural modifications created by cattle at lenient grazing levels (stocking rate 1·14 SLU ha−1, standard livestock unit (SLU) = 500 kg). In the final study years, areas with intermediate grazing intensity revealed high diversity indices and the most distinct patchiness, therefore a further reduction in grazing intensity is not recommended. This indicates that commercial livestock production may be compatible with conservation targets.
The Regime of Excellence and the Erosion of Ethos in Critical Management Studies
Authors: Butler Nick , Spoelstra Sverre
Published: March 2014

The regime of excellence – manifested in journal rankings and research assessments – is coming to increasing prominence in the contemporary university. Critical scholars have responded to the encroaching ideology of excellence in various ways: while some seek to defend such measures of academic performance on the grounds that they provide accountability and transparency in place of elitism and privilege, others have criticized their impact on scholarship. The present paper contributes to the debate by exploring the relationship between the regime of excellence and critical management studies (CMS). Drawing on extensive interviews with CMS professors, we show how the regime of excellence is eroding the ethos of critical scholars. As a result, decisions about what to research and where to publish are increasingly being made according to the diktats of research assessments, journal rankings and managing editors of premier outlets. This suggests that CMS researchers may find themselves inadvertently aiding and abetting the rise of managerialism in the university sector, which raises troubling questions about the future of critical scholarship in the business school.
Evaluation of Allium and its Seasoning on Toxigenic, Nutritional, and Sensorial Profiles of Groundnut Oil
Authors: Murugan Kasi , Anandaraj K. , Al‐Sohaibani Saleh A.
Published: March 2014

Mitigation of xerophilic storage fungi‐associated aflatoxin threat in culinary oil will be a new technology advantage to food industries. Groundnut oil isolate Aspergillus flavus MTCC 10680 susceptibility to Allium species (A. sativum L., A. cepa L., and A. cepa var. aggregatum) extracts, composition, and in silico confirmation of extract's phytoconstituent aflatoxin synthesis inhibition were determined. The behavior of seasoning carrier medium groundnut oil in the presence of Allium was also determined. All the Allium species extracts exhibited concentration dependent in vitro inhibition on mycelial biomass, radial growth, and toxin elaboration. The gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry revealed the presence of 28, 16, and 9 compounds in the extracts of A. sativum, A. cepa, A. cepa var. aggregatum, respectively. The Allium phytocostituents‐like hexadecanoic acid, 5‐Octanoyl‐2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)‐pyrimidinetrione, Guanosine, and so on, showed higher binding energy with aflatoxin synthesis key enzyme ver1. Allium seasoning increased the typical nutty odor of the groundnut oil with sweet aroma note as well as intensification of pale yellow color. Allium seasoning exhibited the highest aflatoxin detoxification and aroma development without any nutritional loss. Culinary oil Allium seasoning has anti‐aflatoxin and food additive potential for use in food industries.
Rapid Detection of Acetamiprid in Foods using Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)
Authors: Wijaya Wisiani , Pang Shintaro , Labuza Theodore P. , He Lili
Published: March 2014

Acetamiprid is a neonicotinoid pesticide that is commonly used in modern farming. Acetamiprid residue in food commodities can be a potential harm to human and has been implicated in the honey bee hive die off crisis. In this study, we developed rapid, simple, and sensitive methods to detect acetamiprid in apple juice and on apple surfaces using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). No pretreatment of apple juice sample was performed. A simple surface swab method was used to recover acetamiprid from the apple surface. Samples were incubated with silver dendrites for several minutes and SERS spectra were taken directly from the silver surface. Detection of a set of 5 apple juice samples can be done within 10 min. The swab‐SERS method took 15 min for a set of 5 samples. Resulting spectral data were analyzed using principal component analysis. The highest acetamiprid peak at 634 cm−1 was used to detect and quantify the amount of acetamiprid spiked in 1:1 water–methanol solvent, apple juice, and on apple surface. The SERS method was able to successfully detect acetamiprid at 0.5 μg/mL (0.5 ppm) in solvent, 3 μg/mL (3 ppm) in apple juice, and 0.125 μg/cm2 on apple surfaces. The SERS methods provide simple, rapid, and sensitive ways to detect acetamiprid in beverages and on the surfaces of thick skinned fruits and vegetables.
Incorporation of Essential Oils and Nanoparticles in Pullulan Films to Control Foodborne Pathogens on Meat and Poultry Products
Authors: Morsy Mohamed K. , Khalaf Hassan H. , Sharoba Ashraf M. , El‐Tanahi Hassan H. , Cutter Catherine N.
Published: March 2014

The incorporation of essential oils and nanotechnology into edible films has the potential to improve the microbiological safety of foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pullulan films containing essential oils and nanoparticles against 4 foodborne pathogens. Initial experiments using plate overlay assays demonstrated that 2% oregano essential oil was active against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium, whereas Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were not inhibited. Two percent rosemary essential oil was active against S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, and S. Typhimurium, when compared with 1%. Zinc oxide nanoparticles at 110 nm were active against S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, and S. Typhimurium, when compared with 100 or 130 nm. Conversely, 100 nm silver (Ag) nanoparticles were more active against S. aureus than L. monocytogenes. Using the results from these experiments, the compounds exhibiting the greatest activity were incorporated into pullulan films and found to inhibit all or some of the 4 pathogens in plate overlay assays. In challenge studies, pullulan films containing the compounds effectively inhibited the pathogens associated with vacuum packaged meat and poultry products stored at 4 °C for up to 3 wk, as compared to control films. Additionally, the structure and cross‐section of the films were evaluated using electron microscopy. The results from this study demonstrate that edible films made from pullulan and incorporated with essential oils or nanoparticles may improve the safety of refrigerated, fresh or further processed meat and poultry products.
Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities in Extracts of Fully Grown Cladodes of 8 Cultivars of Cactus Pear
Authors: Sánchez E. , Dávila‐Aviña J. , Castillo S. L. , Heredia N. , Vázquez‐Alvarado R. , García S.
Published: March 2014

The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of some cultivars of the nopal cactus have not been determined. In this study, 8 cultivars of nopal cacti from Mexico were assayed for phenolic content, antioxidant activities, and antimicrobial activities against Campylobacter Jejuni, Vibrio cholera, and Clostridium Perfringens. Plant material was washed, dried, and macerated in methanol. Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were determined using the broth microdilution method. Antioxidant activities were quantitatively determined using spectrophotometric methods. The MCBs of the nopal cacti ranged from 1.1 to 12.5 mg/mL for c. jejuni, 4.4 to 30 mg/mL for V. cholera, and 0.8 to 16 mg/mL for C. perfringens in the cultivars Cardon Blanco, Real de Catorce, and Jalpa, respectively. High quantities of total phenols and total flavonoids were found in the Jalpa cacti (3.80 mg of gallic acid equivalent GAE/g dry weight [DW] and 36.64 mg of quercetin equivalents [QE]/g DW, respectively). 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities (RSA) were correlated to bioactive compound contents. The Villanueva cacti had the highest %RSA at 42.31%, and the lowest activity was recorded in Copena V1 at 19.98%. In conclusion, we found that some of the 8 cactus pear cultivars studied may be used for their antioxidant compounds or antimicrobials to control or prevent the contamination of foods.
The Effect of pH and Chloride Concentration on the Stability and Antimicrobial Activity of Chlorine‐Based Sanitizers
Authors: Waters Brian W. , Hung Yen‐Con
Published: March 2014

Chlorinated water and electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water solutions were made to compare the free chlorine stability and microbicidal efficacy of chlorine‐containing solutions with different properties. Reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was greatest in fresh samples (approximately 9.0 log CFU/mL reduction). Chlorine loss in “aged” samples (samples left in open bottles) was greatest (approximately 40 mg/L free chlorine loss in 24 h) in low pH (approximately 2.5) and high chloride (Cl−) concentrations (greater than 150 mg/L). Reduction of E. coli O157:H7 was also negatively impacted (<1.0 log CFU/mL reduction) in aged samples with a low pH and high Cl−. Higher pH values (approximately 6.0) did not appear to have a significant effect on free chlorine loss or numbers of surviving microbial cells when fresh and aged samples were compared. This study found chloride levels in the chlorinated and EO water solutions had a reduced effect on both free chlorine stability and its microbicidal efficacy in the low pH solutions. Greater concentrations of chloride in pH 2.5 samples resulted in decreased free chlorine stability and lower microbicidal efficacy.
When can noninvasive samples provide sufficient information in conservation genetics studies?
Authors: Smith O. , Wang J.
Published: March 2014

Noninvasive sampling, of faeces and hair for example, has enabled many genetic studies of wildlife populations. However, two prevailing problems common to these studies are small sample sizes and high genotyping errors. The first problem stems from the difficulty in collecting noninvasive samples, particularly from populations of rare or elusive species, and the second is caused by the low quantity and quality ofDNAextracted from a noninvasive sample. A common question is therefore whether noninvasive sampling provides sufficient information for the analyses commonly conducted in conservation genetics studies. Here, we conducted a simulation study to investigate the effect of small sample sizes and genotyping errors on the precision and accuracy of the most commonly estimated genetic parameters. Our results indicate that small sample sizes cause little bias in measures of expected heterozygosity, pairwiseFSTand population structure, but a large downward bias in estimates of allelic diversity. Allelic dropouts and false alleles had a much smaller effect than missing data, which effectively reduces sample size further. Overall, reasonable estimates of genetic variation and population subdivision are obtainable from noninvasive samples as long as error rates are kept below a frequency of 0.2. Similarly, unbiased estimates of population clustering can be made with genotyping error rates below 0.5 when the populations are highly differentiated. These results provide a useful guide for researchers faced with studying the conservation genetics of small, endangered populations from noninvasive samples.
Effect of Switch to the Highest Dose of Rosuvastatin Versus Add‐on‐Statin Fenofibrate Versus Add‐on‐Statin Nicotinic Acid/Laropiprant on Oxidative Stress Markers in Patients with Mixed Dyslipidemia
Authors: Kei Anastazia , Tellis Constantinos , Liberopoulos Evangelos , Tselepis Alexandros , Elisaf Moses
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Oxidative stress plays an important role in atherosclerosis. Both F2‐isoprostane (8‐iso‐PGF2a) and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) have emerged as biomarkers of oxidative stress and have been proposed as useful biomarkers that could potentially be used as indicators of cardiovascular disease.

Methods

This is a prespecified analysis of a prospective, randomized, open‐label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01010516). Patients (N = 100) with mixed dyslipidemia on a standard statin dose (10–40 mg simvastatin or 10–20 mg atorvastatin or 5–10 mg rosuvastatin) who had not achieved lipid targets were randomized to switch to the highest dose of rosuvastatin (40 mg/day) or to add‐on‐statin extended release nicotinic acid (ER‐NA)/laropiprant (LRPT) (1000/20 mg/day for the first 4 weeks followed by 2000/40 mg/day for the next 8 weeks) or to add‐on‐statin micronized fenofibrate (200 mg/day) for a total of 3 months. Levels of plasma and urine F2‐isoprostane and plasma ox‐LDL were assessed at baseline and 3 months later.

Results

Plasma F2‐isoprostane levels decreased similarly in all groups. On the other hand, both ox‐LDL and urine F2‐isoprostane levels decreased similarly in the add‐on ER‐NA/LRPT and rosuvastatin monotherapy group, while a less pronounced decrease was observed in the add‐on fenofibrate group.

Conclusions

All treatment interventions reduced the concentration of the assessed oxidative stress markers, but the reduction was more pronounced in the add‐on ER‐NA/LRPT and rosuvastatin monotherapy groups, compared with add‐on fenofibrate. Specifically designed studies should address the abovementioned risk factors modulation in terms of cardiovascular risk.
Low insulin‐like growth factor‐1 level predicts survival in humans with exceptional longevity
Authors: Milman Sofiya , Atzmon Gil , Huffman Derek M. , Wan Junxiang , Crandall Jill P. , Cohen Pinchas , Barzilai Nir
Published: March 2014

Attenuated growth hormone and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (GH/IGF‐1) signaling is associated with extended lifespan in several animal models. However, the effect of diminished GH/IGF‐1 activity on survival in humans has not been confirmed. We tested the hypothesis that IGF‐1 levels in nonagenarians (n = 184), measured at study enrollment, predict the duration of their incremental survival. In the Kaplan–Meier analysis, females with IGF‐1 levels below the median (≤ 96 ng mL−1) had significantly longer survival compared with females with levels above the median, P < 0.01. However, this survival advantage was not observed in males (P = 0.83). On the other hand, in both males and females with a history of cancer, lower IGF‐1 levels predicted longer survival (P < 0.01). IGF‐1 level remained a significant predictor of survival duration in linear regression models after multivariable adjustment in females (P = 0.01) and individuals with a history of cancer (P < 0.01). We show for the first time that low IGF‐1 levels predict life expectancy in exceptionally long‐lived individuals.
Target Capital Structure and Adjustment Speed in Asia
Authors: Getzmann André , Lang Sebastian , Spremann Klaus
Published: March 2014

Studies on the capital structure of Asian corporations are rare, and most of those studies support different explanations of financing decisions compared to the ones accepted for theUSAand Europe. We test relationships that are typical of the Tradeoff Theory and the Pecking Order Theory, and analyze the speed of adjustment toward target capital structures for 1239 companies with capitalizations of more thanUS$1 billion listed on 11 Asian stock exchanges and belonging to eight industrial sectors. Our results are based on generalized method of moments (GMM) estimations for the determinants of capital structures and system‐GMMestimations for the speed of adjustment, and robustness is checked using book leverage and market leverage on the basis of ordinary least squares estimations and two‐stage least squares estimations. We contribute to the literature by finding strong evidence that companies in Asia pursue target capital structures, as predicted by the Tradeoff Theory. Only in one respect does the Pecking Order Theory demonstrate superior explanatory power. We further show that the convergence to target capital structures is consistent with international evidence, estimated at an annual adjustment speed of 24–45% of original leverage levels. Finally, our comparison among eight industries shows that the capital structure choice in Asia is influenced by fixed effects.
Informational Frictions, Syndicate Structure, and Loan Pricing: New Evidence from International Lending
Authors: Bae Sung C. , Chong Byung‐Uk , Kim Yura
Published: March 2014

We examine how syndicate structure affects loan pricing in international syndicated lending. Using extensive syndicated loan data across 103 countries from 1982 to 2012, we find that both measures of syndicate structure, the proportional number of lead arrangers, and the proportion of loan amount retained by lead arrangers in syndication, are significantly negatively related to loan risk premiums after controlling for contract and country characteristics. These findings indicate that, under informational frictions, as the riskiness of a borrower increases, the syndicate structure becomes more diversified in a way that lead arrangers and participating banks share the loan amount and the associated credit risk in syndication. Hence, syndicate participants collaboratively determine higher loan spreads to align higher compensation for active commitments and greater risk sharing of participating banks in syndication. Our results offer new evidence strongly supporting the diversified nature of syndicate structure but contradicting the concentrated nature of syndicate structure prevailing in existing studies.
Attacks without Consequence? Candidates, Parties, Groups, and the Changing Face of Negative Advertising
Authors: Dowling Conor M. , Wichowsky Amber
Published: March 2014

Prior work finds that voters punish candidates for sponsoring attack ads. What remains unknown is the extent to which a negative ad is more effective if it is sponsored by a party or an independent group instead. We conducted three experiments in which we randomly assigned participants to view a negative ad that was identical except for its sponsor. We find that candidates can benefit from having a party or group “do their dirty work,” but particularly if a group does, and that the most likely explanation for why this is the case is that many voters simply do not connect candidates to the ads sponsored by parties and groups. We also find that in some circumstances, a group‐sponsored attack ad produces less polarization than one sponsored by a party. We conclude by discussing the implications our research has for current debates about the proper role of independent groups in electoral politics.
Proton pump inhibitor use may not prevent high‐grade dysplasia and oesophageal adenocarcinoma in Barrett's oesophagus: a nationwide study of 9883 patients
Authors: Hvid‐Jensen F. , Pedersen L. , Funch‐Jensen P. , Drewes A. M.
Published: March 2014

Background

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) may potentially modify and decrease the risk for development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma in Barrett's oesophagus (BO).

Aim

To investigate if the intensity and adherence of PPI use among all patients with BO in Denmark affected the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.

Methods

We performed a nationwide case–control study in Denmark among 9883 patients with a new diagnosis of BO. All incident oesophageal adenocarcinomas and high‐grade dysplasias were identified, and risk ratios were estimated on the basis of prior use of PPIs. Sex‐ and age‐matched BO patients without dysplasia or malignancies in a 10:1 ratio were used for comparison. Conditional logistic regression was used for analysis, adjusting for low‐grade dysplasia, gender and medication.

Results

We identified 140 cases with incident oesophageal adenocarcinomas and/or high‐grade dysplasia, with a median follow‐up time of 10.2 years. The relative risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma or high‐grade dysplasia was 2.2 (0.7–6.7) and 3.4 (95% CI: 1.1–10.5) in long‐term low‐ and high‐adherence PPI users respectively.

Conclusions

No cancer‐protective effects from PPI's were seen. In fact, high‐adherence and long‐term use of PPI were associated with a significantly increased risk of adenocarcinoma or high‐grade dysplasia. This could partly be due to confounding by indication or a true negative effect from PPIs. Until the results from future studies hopefully can elucidate the association further, continuous PPI therapy should be directed at symptom control and additional modalities considered as aid or replacement.
Parametric modulation of neural activity during face emotion processing in unaffected youth at familial risk for bipolar disorder
Authors: Brotman Melissa A , Deveney Christen M , Thomas Laura A , Hinton Kendra E , Yi Jennifer Y , Pine Daniel S , Leibenluft Ellen
Published: March 2014

Objectives

Both patients with pediatric bipolar disorder (BD) and unaffected youth at familial risk (AR) for the illness show impairments in face emotion labeling. Few studies, however, have examined brain regions engaged in AR youth when processing emotional faces. Moreover, studies have yet to explore neural responsiveness to subtle changes in face emotion in AR youth.

Methods

Sixty‐four unrelated youth, including 20 patients with BD, 15 unaffected AR youth, and 29 healthy comparisons (HC), completed functional magnetic resonance imaging. Neutral faces were morphed with angry or happy faces in 25% intervals. In specific phases of the task, youth alternatively made explicit (hostility) or implicit (nose width) ratings of the faces. The slope of blood oxygenated level‐dependent activity was calculated across neutral to angry and neutral to happy face stimuli.

Results

Behaviorally, both subjects with BD (p ≤ 0.001) and AR youth (p ≤ 0.05) rated faces as less hostile relative to HC. Consistent with this, in response to increasing anger on the face, patients with BD and AR youth showed decreased modulation in the amygdala and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG; BA 46) compared to HC (all p ≤ 0.05). Amygdala dysfunction was present across both implicit and explicit rating conditions, but IFG modulation deficits were specific to the explicit condition. With increasing happiness, AR youth showed aberrant modulation in the IFG, which was also sensitive to task demands (all p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

Decreased amygdala and IFG modulation in patients with BD and AR youth may be pathophysiological risk markers for BD, and may underlie the social cognition and face emotion labeling deficits observed in BD and AR youth.
Exploring the process of writing about and sharing traumatic birth experiences online
Authors: Blainey Sarah H. , Slade Pauline
Published: March 2014

Objective

This study aimed to explore the experience of writing about a traumatic birth experience and sharing it online.

Method

Twelve women who had submitted their stories about traumatic birth experiences to the Birth Trauma Association for online publication were interviewed about their experiences. Women were interviewed shortly after writing but before posting and again 1 month after the story was posted online. All participants completed both interviews. These were transcribed and analysed using template analysis.

Results

Women described varied reasons for writing and sharing their stories, including wanting to help themselves and others. The process of writing was described as emotional, however was generally seen as a positive thing. Aspects of writing that were identified as helpful included organizing their experiences into a narrative, and distancing themselves from the experience.

Conclusion

Writing and posting online about a traumatic birth is experienced positively by women. It may be a useful self‐help intervention and is worthy of systematic evaluation. The mechanisms through which writing is reported to have impacted as described in the interviews link to the mechanisms of change in cognitive‐behavioural approaches to post‐traumatic symptoms.

Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Some women develop post‐traumatic stress disorder‐like symptoms following birth. These can impact on both themselves and their family, yet these women may not seek professional help. Writing about a traumatic event may be a useful approach for reducing post‐traumatic stress symptoms, but the impact of online sharing is unknown.

What does this study add?

This study demonstrates that women report benefits from writing about their birth experiences.

Writing enabled organizing the experience into a narrative and distancing from the trauma, which was helpful.

Sharing the story online was an emotional experience for participants, however was generally seen positively.
Constructing sexual identities: people with intellectual disability talking about sexuality
Authors: Azzopardi‐Lane Claire , Callus Anne‐Marie
Published: March 2014

Accessible summary

People with intellectual disability need to be able to talk about the things that are important to them in their lives.

This includes talking about their sexuality and the type of relationships they would like to have.

A self‐advocacy group did research about this subject with our support.

Together we found that sexuality is an important topic for many people with intellectual disability.

There are those who would like to have more opportunities to have sexual relationships.

This paper presented research undertaken in collaboration with a self‐advocacy group using inclusive research methods and puts forward the views of people with intellectual disability on the topics of sexuality and relationships. The paper presents the perceptions of sexuality of the people with intellectual disability and how these are influenced by social and cultural norms. Using Judith Bulter's concept of performativity, the analysis of the findings shows how some people with intellectual disability accept the sexual norms that are ascribed to them, while others resist them. The paper also shows how the inclusive research process itself enabled the people with intellectual disability who took part to articulate their acceptance or resistance of these norms.