bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic interaction between astrocytes and infiltrating PBMCs in context of neuroAIDS
Authors: Richards Maureen H. , Narasipura Srinivas D. , Kim Stephanie , Seaton Melanie S. , Lutgen Victoria , Al‐Harthi Lena
Published: October 2014

HIV‐mediated neuropathogenesis is a multifaceted process involving several players, including resident brain cells (neurons, astrocytes, and microglia) and infiltrating cells [peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)]. We evaluated the dynamic interaction between astrocytes and infiltrating PBMCs as it impacts HIV in the CNS. We demonstrate that human primary‐derived astrocytes (PDAs) predominantly secrete Wnt 1, 2b, 3, 5b, and 10b. Wnts are small secreted glycoproteins that initiate either β‐catenin‐dependent or independent signal transduction. The Wnt pathway plays a vital role in the regulation of CNS activities including neurogenesis, neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and memory consolidation. We show that HIV infection of PDAs altered astrocyte Wnt profile by elevating Wnts 2b and 10b. Astrocyte conditioned media (ACM) inhibited HIV replication in PBMCs by 50%. Removal of Wnts from ACM abrogated its ability to suppress HIV replication in PBMCs. Inversely, PBMCs supernatant activated PDAs, as demonstrated by a 10‐fold increase in HLA‐DR and a 5‐fold increase in IFNγ expression, and enhanced astrocyte susceptibility to HIV by 2‐fold, which was mediated by IFNγ in a Stat‐3‐dependent manner. Collectively, these data demonstrate a dynamic interaction between astrocytes and PBMCs, whereby astrocyte‐secreted Wnts exert an anti‐HIV effect on infected PBMCs and PBMCs, in turn, secrete IFNγ that enhance astrocyte susceptibility to productive HIV infection and mediate their activation. GLIA 2015;63:441–451
Attractive action of FGF‐signaling contributes to the postnatal developing hippocampus
Authors: Cuccioli V. , Bueno C. , Belvindrah R. , Lledo P.‐M. , Martinez S.
Published: October 2014

During brain development neural cell migration is a crucial, well‐orchestrated, process, which leads to the proper whole brain structural organization. As development proceeds, new neurons are continuously produced, and this protracted neurogenesis is maintained throughout life in specialized germinative areas inside the telencephalon: the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. In the anterior SVZ, newly generated neurons migrate through long distances, along the rostral migratory stream (RMS), before reaching their final destinations in the olfactory bulb (OB). Intriguingly, recent observations pointed out the existence of other postnatal tangential routes of migration alternative to the RMS but still starting from the SVZ. The presence of such dynamic and heterogeneous cell movements contributes to important features in the postnatal brain such as neural cell replacement and plasticity in cortical regions. In this work, we asked whether a caudal migratory pathway starting from the caudal SVZ continues through life. Strikingly, in vivo analysis of this caudal migration revealed the presence of a postnatal contribution of SVZ to the hippocampus. In vitro studies of the caudal migratory stream revealed the role of FGF signaling in attracting caudally the migrating neuroblasts during postnatal stages. Our findings demonstrate a postnatal neuronal contribution from the caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE) CGE‐SVZ to the hippocampus through an FGF‐dependent migrating mechanism. All together our data emphasizes the emerging idea that a developmental program is still operating in discrete domains of the postnatal brain and may contribute to the regulation of neural cell replacement processes in physiological plasticity and/or pathological circumstances. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stereochemical Aspects of Pharmacotherapy
Authors: Brocks Dion R. , Jamali Fakhreddin
Published: October 2014

Over the past 15 years stereoselectivity has become a well‐recognized consideration in clinical pharmacology. Drugs that have an asymmetric center or plane of symmetry within their molecular structure are said to be chiral. They are available as pairs of nonsuperimposable mirror images, called enantiomers, that share essentially the same physicochemical properties. These three‐dimensional structural differences, however, can translate into enantiospecific pharmacologic or pharmacokinetic properties, which may be important in understanding the clinical pharmacology of chiral drugs. Most chiral drugs are available as the racemate, in which equal proportions of the two enantiomers are administered concurrently. The pharmacologic and disposition properties of many chiral drugs are documented to be stereo‐specific, and this has influenced the regulatory requirements for the approval of new drug candidates. Due to this influence on new drug development, the possible issues surrounding racemic drugs will undoubtedly affect the types of pharmaceuticals that are used clinically in the next century. Accordingly, considerable advances have been made in producing optically pure drug. It should be emphasized, however, that stereochemically pure drugs are not necessarily superior to the respective racemates.
Analysis of Pain Management in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Whipple Julianne K. , Lewis Kelly S. , Quebbeman Edward J. , Wolff Marie , Gottlieb Mark S. , Medicus‐Bringa Maggie , Hartnett Kathleen R. , Graf Maria , Ausman Robert K.
Published: October 2014

We analyzed the adequacy of pain control for 17 trauma patients during the initial part of their stay in the intensive care unit, and assessed reasons for inadequate analgesia, if it occurred. Patients, and physicians, and nurses were interviewed. A verbal pain intensity scale was used to determine whether patients received adequate analgesia. Patients were asked if the pain hindered their activities, and whether they requested pain medication from their caregivers. Caregivers were questioned whether patients received adequate analgesia. Prescribed morphine regimens and the amount of narcotic administered were analyzed. Twenty‐seven percent of patients rated pain intensity as moderate and 47% as severe. Ninety‐five percent of housestaff and 81% of nurses reported the patients received adequate pain control. Forty‐seven percent of the patients who had moderate or severe pain asked their physician for more pain medication, and 65% asked the nurse. Thirteen residents did not order a larger dose of morphine due to concern about respiratory depression or hypotension. Morphine dosages ranged from 1–8 mg intravenously every 1–2 hours as necessary. Nurses administered less than the maximum amount ordered 58% of the time. The mean dosing interval was 2.3 hours. Barriers to adequate pain management were disparity in the perception of pain between patients and caregivers; patients not requesting more analgesia despite despite the presence of moderate to severe pain; and physician and nurse concerns about patients' adverse physiologic response to increased dosages.
Hesperetin Inhibit Adipocyte Differentiation and Enhance Bax‐ and p21‐Mediated Adipolysis in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Adipogenesis
Authors: Subash‐Babu, Pandurangan , Alshatwi Ali A
Published: October 2014

We aimed to explore the antiadipogenic and adipolysis effect of hesperetin in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs)–induced adipogenesis. IC50 value of hesperetin was higher for hMSCs such as 149.2 ± 13.2 μmol for 24 h and 89.4 ± 11.4 μmol in 48 h, whereas in preadipocytes was 87.6 ± 9.5 μmol and 72.4 ± 5.6 μmol in 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Hesperetin treatment (5, 10, and 20 μmol) to adipogenesis‐induced hMSCs (Group 1) and preadipocytes (Group 2) resulted in a significantly (p < 0.05) increased lipolysis. The treatment with hesperetin decreased the expression of resistin, adiponectin, aP2, LPL, PPAR‐γ, and TNF‐α in Groups 1 and 2, whereas a significant increase was observed in Bcl, Bax, and p21 expression in Group 2 compared to untreated preadipocytes. hMSCs cultured in adipogenic medium along with hesperetin significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and increased the proapoptotic gene expression levels in preadipocyte. Our result indicates the antiadipogenic and adipolysis effects of hesperetin.
Purification and Characterization of Carbonic Anhydrase from Ağrı Balık Lake Trout Gill (Salmo trutta labrax) and Effects of Sulfonamides on Enzyme Activity
Authors: Demirdag Ramazan , Comakli Veysal , Kuzu Muslum , Yerlikaya Emrah , Şentürk Murat
Published: October 2014

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) was purified from Ağrı Balık Lake trout gill (fCA) by affinity chromatography on a sepharose 4B‐tyrosine‐sulfanilamide column. The fCA enzyme was purified with about a 303.9 purification factor, a specific activity 4130.4 EU (mg‐protein)–1, and a yield of 79.3 by using sepharose‐4B‐l tyrosine‐sulfanilamide affinity gel chromatography. The molecular weight determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) was found to be about 29.9 kDa. The kinetic parameters, KM and Vmax were determined for the 4‐nitrophenyl acetate hydrolysis reaction. Some sulfonamides were tested as inhibitors against the purified CA enzymes. The Ki constants for mafenide (1), p‐toluenesulfonamide (2), 2‐bromo‐benzene sulfonamide (3), 4‐chlorobenzene sulfonamide (4), 4‐amino‐6‐chloro‐1–3 benzenedisulfonamide (5), sulfamethazine (6), sulfaguanidine (7), sulfadiazine (8), and acetozazolamide (9) were in the range of 7.5–108.75 μM.
Sociosexual investigation in sexually experienced, hormonally manipulated male leopard geckos: Relation with phosphorylated DARPP‐32 in dopaminergic pathways
Authors: Huang Victoria , Hemmings Hugh C. , Crews David
Published: October 2014

Dopaminergic activity is both associated with sociosexual exposure and modulated by sexual experience and hormonal state across vertebrate taxa. Mature leopard geckos, a reptile with temperature‐dependent sex determination, have dopaminoceptive nuclei that are influenced by their embryonic environment and sensitive to adult hormonal manipulation. In this study, we exposed hormonally manipulated male leopard geckos from different incubation temperatures to conspecifics and measured their sociosexual investigation, as well as phosphorylated DARPP‐32 at Threonine 34 (pDARPP‐32) immunoreactivity as a marker for D1 dopamine receptor activity in the nucleus accumbens, striatum, and preoptic area. Social investigation time by males of different incubation temperatures was modulated in opposite directions by exogenous androgen treatment. Males exposed to novel stimuli spent a greater proportion of time investigating females of different incubation temperatures. The time spent investigating females was positively correlated to pDARPP‐32 immunoreactivity in the preoptic area. This is the first study quantifying pDARPP‐32 in a lizard species, and suggests the protein as a potential marker to measure differences in the dopaminergic pathway in a social setting with consideration of embryonic environment and hormonal state. J. Exp. Zool. 321A: 595–602, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Delineation of the climatic rainfall regions of South Korea based on a multivariate analysis and regional rainfall frequency analyses
Authors: Nam Woosung , Shin Hongjoon , Jung Younghun , Joo Kyungwon , Heo Jun‐Haeng
Published: October 2014

Regional frequency analysis (RFA) may provide more accurate estimates of rainfall quantiles than at‐site frequency analysis (ASFA), especially in regions with short records. In this study, RFA is applied to 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, 6‐, 9‐, 12‐, 15‐, 18‐, 24‐, and 48‐h annual maximum rainfall series at 67 sites in South Korea. Procrustes analysis is used to select 33 rainfall‐related and geographical variables that represent most of the statistical information from among 42 candidate variables. Both factor analysis and cluster analysis, such as fuzzy c‐means (FCM) and Ward's method, are used to identify the homogeneous regions, and five regions are identified through heterogeneity measures. It is found that FCM‐based regions are more appropriate to the precipitation in South Korea in terms of the homogeneity of the identified regions. To investigate the effectiveness of FCM‐based regions, region‐of‐influence approach was applied. It is shown that the spatial pattern of rainfall is affected by main mountain ranges, the prevailing Westerlies, and the proximity of the coast. Six distributions are applied, and the generalized extreme value distribution is selected as the best‐fit distribution from goodness‐of‐fit measures. RFAs, such as the index flood method (IFM) and regional shape estimation based on the regional L‐moments algorithm, are applied to determine the growth curves of regions. Using Monte‐Carlo simulations, it is concluded that RFA is more accurate than ASFA for the annual maximum rainfall data of South Korea. The IFM provides more accurate estimates than regional shape estimation in homogeneous regions, while regional shape estimation is more appropriate for use in heterogeneous regions and in homogeneous regions with a lower L‐CV (coefficient of L‐variation) and for the estimation of quantiles in higher tails over a 100‐year return period for the applied data.
A Study of Service Innovation Management in the Malaysian Telecommunications Industry
Authors: Taghizadeh Seyedeh Khadijeh , Jayaraman Krishnaswamy , Ismail Ishak , Rahman Syed Abidur
Published: October 2014

To what extent does service innovation management influence performance in the telecommunications industry? That is the primary question addressed in a study of 249 managers in two leading Malaysian telecom firms. Researchers used the SPOTS model, which links five dimensions of service innovation management—strategy, process, organization, tools/technology, and system—to the three dimensions of performance—market performance, service development, and delivery process performance. Of the 15 hypotheses proposed, six were supported by the research findings. The analysis finds that the combined effect of strategy, process, organization, and system (SPOS) has an impact on service performance. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Using Organizational Learning to Increase Operational and Conceptual Mental Models Within Professional Learning Communities
Authors: Boone Shawn
Published: October 2014

Professional learning communities (PLCs) have become a ubiquitous concept within modern school reform. PLCs, which developed out of business models of learning communities, neglect to incorporate organizational learning within the PLC culture. This mixed‐methods study investigated one large urban middle school's PLC implementation. Quantitative data consisted of 52 participant responses from the School Professional Staff as Learning Community Questionnaire (SPSLCQ). Qualitative data consisted of one‐on‐one interviews. Data analysis revealed dissatisfaction with PLC experiences. This article identifies strategies that integrate operational and conceptual learning mental models for restructuring implementation of PLCs to increase the culture of collaboration between schools and districts and to enhance professional learning behaviors district‐wide. To effectuate successful PLC cultures, districts should engage in professional behaviors focused on five critical practices: ownership in decision making, reculturing the organization and professional staff, establishing organizational learning theory protocols, evaluating organizational learning theory practices, and creating a sustainability plan. Adherence to these five practices would institute operational and conceptual learning consistent with organizational learning theory and create a culture of professional learning district‐wide. Transference of this model is plausible for all organizations that seek to build cultures of success.
The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Successful Sales Performance in the Puerto Rico Market
Authors: De La Cruz Harry , D'Urso Patricia A. , Ellison Audrey
Published: October 2014

Developing and achieving sales success demands significant emotional strength to manage interpersonal exchanges and job requirements. Emotional intelligence positively affects the level of performance in the workplace. This study was designed to examine whether a relationship exists between emotional intelligence (EI) and sales professionals’ performance. Conducted in Puerto Rico, which has a similar economic and market structure to the United States, the study used a Hispanic and Latin American cultural background that provided a diverse environment for research. Data analysis indicated that EI had a statistically significant relationship to successful sales performance; the correlation between the variables was moderate and not as strong as proposed in existing literature. The study included moderating variables of age, gender, and experience that did not yield significant variation to the original result. EI is not a determining factor, but EI significantly relates to sales success in Puerto Rico.
β‐Alanine as a factor influencing the content of bioactive dipeptides in muscles of Hubbard Flex chickens
Authors: Łukasiewicz Monika , Puppel Kamila , Kuczyńska Beata , Kamaszewski Maciej , Niemiec Jan
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of various doses of β‐alanine administered in feed mixtures and of heat treatment on changes in the contents of dipeptides anserine and carnosine in meat of fast‐growing Hubbard Flex chickens.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated a significant effect of dietary administration of β‐alanine on anserine content in breast muscles and on carnosine content in leg muscles of the chickens. A successive increase in dipeptide content was observed with increasing β‐alanine content in the feed mixture. As a result of heat treatment, a significant (P ≤ 0.01) increase was observed in the anserine content of both breast and leg muscles: over twofold higher anserine content was detected in heat‐treated muscles compared with raw muscles. The study showed that interesting effects might occur during β‐alanine administration to feed mixtures for chickens, especially including increased contents of anserine and carnosine in skeletal muscles of the birds.

CONCLUSION

Taking into account the well‐documented health‐promoting effect of histidine dipeptides and possibilities of increasing their contents in the body by supplementation with β‐alanine, anserine and carnosine might be considered as potential components of functional foods. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Clinical outcomes of and patient satisfaction with different incision methods for donor hepatectomy in living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Suh Suk‐Won , Lee Kwang‐Woong , Lee Jeong‐Moo , Choi YoungRok , Yi Nam‐Joon , Suh Kyung‐Suk
Published: October 2014

With the decrease in the average donor age and the increase in the proportion of female donors, both donor safety and cosmetic appearance are major concerns for some living donors in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) because a large abdominal incision is needed that may influence the donor's quality of life. In all, 429 donors who underwent donor hepatectomy for LDLT from April 2010 to February 2013 were included in the study. Donors were divided into 3 groups based on the type of incision: conventional inverted L incision (n = 268; the C group), upper midline incision (n = 147; the M group), and transverse incision with laparoscopy (n = 14; the T group). Demographics, perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications for donors and recipients, and questionnaire‐derived donor satisfaction with cosmetic appearance were compared. The mean age was lower (P < 0.001), the female ratio was higher (P < 0.001), and the body mass index (BMI) was lower (P = 0.017) in the M and T groups versus the C group. The operation time (P < 0.001) and the hospital stay duration (P = 0.010) were lowest in the M group. The postoperative complications did not differ by the type of incision and also did not show any significant effect in a multivariate analysis (P = 0.867). In the assessment of questionnaire‐derived donor satisfaction matched by age (±5 years), sex, graft, height, weight, and BMI, a more satisfactory cosmetic result and more self‐confidence were noted in the M and T groups versus the C group. In conclusion, the use of a minimal incision is technically feasible for some donor hepatectomy cases with a favorable safety profile. The patient satisfaction levels were greater with improved cosmetic outcomes in cases of minimal incision versus cases of conventional incision. Liver Transpl 21:72‐78, 2015. © 2014 AASLD.
Improving l‐dopa therapy: The development of enzyme inhibitors
Authors: Gershanik Oscar S.
Published: October 2014

The introduction of levodopa produced a monumental change in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Limitations in its bioavailability and tolerability led to the search for drugs that could improve its pharmacokinetics and safety profile. Dopa‐decarboxylase inhibitors were the first such drugs that were developed, and their use in combination with l‐dopa has become standard practice. Increasing knowledge on the metabolism of l‐dopa allowed the identification of additional targets for intervention in an attempt to improve the symptomatic efficacy of l‐dopa. Monoamineoxidase inhibitors, enhancing the central bioavailability of dopamine by blocking its metabolism, were the next step, and despite controversies regarding their efficacy, they have remained as valuable adjuncts to l‐dopa in the treatment of PD. More recently, the introduction of potent, selective catechol‐O‐methyl transferase inhibitors have found their place in the therapeutic armamentarium of PD and are prescribed in combination with l‐dopa to prolong the duration of its action. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
An Optimized Encoding Scheme for Planning Vessel‐Encoded Pseudocontinuous Arterial Spin Labeling
Authors: Berry Eleanor S. K. , Jezzard Peter , Okell Thomas W.
Published: October 2014

Purpose

Vessel‐encoded pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling allows the acquisition of vessel‐selective angiograms and vascular territory perfusion maps. The technique generates a periodic variation in inversion efficiency across space that can be manipulated to encode specific combinations of vessels. Currently, the choice of these encodings is limited to scenarios with few vessels and may not optimize the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Here we present an automated, rapid method for calculating a minimal number of SNR optimal encodings for any number and arrangement of vessels.

Theory and Methods

The proposed optimized encoding scheme (OES) is a Fourier‐based method that finds SNR optimized encodings to best match the ideal encodings for a set of vessels. For nine or fewer vessels, the calculation takes less than 3 s.

Results

In simulations, the OES method produces encodings for a range of vessel geometries that, on average, have an SNR efficiency 37% greater than that for random encoding. When labeling vessels in the neck in healthy subjects, the OES encodings result in images with higher SNR than other encoding methods.

Conclusion

The OES results in a minimal number of encodings with a higher SNR efficiency than other encoding methods, regardless of the number or geometry of the vessels. Magn Reson Med 74:1248–1256, 2015. © 2014 The Authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society of Medicine in Resonance.
Impaired alveolarization and intra‐uterine growth restriction in rats: a postnatal genome‐wide analysis
Authors: Zana‐Taieb E , Pham H , Franco‐Montoya ML , Jacques S , Letourneur F , Baud O , Jarreau PH , Vaiman D
Published: October 2014

Intra‐uterine growth restriction (IUGR) dramatically increases the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm babies, a disease characterized by arrested alveolarization and abnormal microvascular angiogenesis. We have previously described a rodent low protein diet (LPD) model of IUGR inducing impaired alveolarization, but failed to demonstrate any modification of the classical factors involved in lung development. We performed a genome‐wide microarray analysis in 120 rat pups with LPD‐induced IUGR and their controls, at three key time points of the alveolarization process: postnatal day 4 (P4): start of alveolarization; P10: peak of the alveolarization process and P21: end of the alveolarization process. Results were analysed using Arraymining, DAVID and KEGG software and validated by qRT–PCR and western blots. Considering a cut‐off of 2:1 as significant, 67 transcripts at P4, 102 transcripts at P10 and 451 transcripts at P21 were up‐regulated, and 89 transcripts at P4, 25 transcripts at P10 and 585 transcripts at P21 were down‐regulated. Automatic functional classification identified three main modified pathways, 'cell adhesion molecules', 'cardiac muscle contraction' and 'peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor' (PPAR). Protein analysis confirmed involvement of the PPAR pathway, with an increase of FABP4, an activator of this pathway, at P4 and an increase of adiponectin at P21. Other data also suggest involvement of the PPAR pathway in impaired alveolarization. Our results show that deregulation of the PPAR pathway may be an important component of the mechanism inducing impaired alveolarization observed in IUGR. The complete dataset is available as GEO profiles on the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (
www.ncbi.nih.gov/geo/, GEO Accession No. GSE56956). Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐frequency impedance of single‐walled carbon nanotube networks on transparent flexible substrate
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Zahir , Pérez‐Puigdemont Jordi , Eom Jonghwa , Ferrer‐Anglada Nuria
Published: October 2014

Transparent and flexible networks with randomly distributed single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are emerging as novel materials for various applications, particularly as electronic materials. We investigate the frequency‐dependent impedance measurements up to 20 GHz, of single‐walled carbon nanotube networks on transparent and flexible substrates, by using two different techniques: two probe and Corbino reflectometry setups. The thickness and roughness of the thin film of SWCNT are examined by AFM. The impedance measurements show the cut‐off frequency increases with increasing the density of SWCNT. The log–log plot of low frequency impedance as a function of the cut‐off frequency shows the same slope in both measuring techniques. The slope is independent on sample geometries, which is characteristic of a totally disordered system. The cut‐off frequencies observed by the Corbino reflectometry technique are 3 orders of magnitude higher than those observed by two‐probe technique even for the same SWCNTs density network.
Certificateless and certificate‐based signatures from lattices
Authors: Tian Miaomiao , Huang Liusheng
Published: October 2014

Certificateless signature and certificate‐based signature are two attractive replacements of regular signature and identity‐based signature because they can alleviate the vexing certificate management problem in regular signatures and can also eliminate the inherent key escrow problem in identity‐based signatures. Although a number of certificateless signatures and certificate‐based signatures from bilinear pairings have been proposed, their lattice‐based counterparts still remain unrealized. In this paper, we present the first constructions of certificateless signature and certificate‐based signature from lattices. Both constructions are proven to be secure in the random oracle model under conventional small integer solution assumption that is as hard as approximating several standard lattice problems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
With a Book in Their Hands
Authors: Heitkamp Lauren
Published: October 2014

View From the Chalkboard essays share readers' reflections on teaching experiences, advice for new teachers, and perspectives on current issues.
Mapping QTL for chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics parameters at seedling stage as indicators of heat tolerance in wheat
Authors: Azam Farooq i , Chang Xiaoping , Jing Ruilian
Published: October 2014

High temperature or heat stress is one of the most important abiotic stresses that affect wheat production in almost every part of the world. Parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics (PCFKs) are the most powerful and reliable characters available to understand the impact of various abiotic stresses on plant physiological processes and heat tolerance. The present research was aimed to identify genomic regions controlling PCFKs at early growth stages of wheat through quantitative trait loci analysis by applying heat stress for different duration of time. A doubled haploid population derived from the cross of two Chinese wheat cultivars Hanxuan 10 and Lumai 14 was exposed to 38 °C for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h of heat stress and PCFKs (initial fluorescence, maximum fluorescence, variable fluorescence and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystem II) were measured. A total of 37 QTLs were identified for the target traits, among which 13 were detected under normal temperature of 25 °C and the remaining 24 under the stressful temperature of 38 °C. Stable or consistently expressed QTLs for initial, maximum and variable fluorescence were detected on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2B, 4A and 7D. In addition, 24 QTLs were clustered in 9 clusters on chromosomes 1A, 1B, 2B, 3B, 3D, 4A, 5A and 7D. These QTL hot spot regions along with stable QTLs should be targeted for better understanding the genetic basis of chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics parameters in future mapping studies.
A functional‐trait approach reveals community diversity and assembly processes responses to flood disturbance in a subtropical wetland
Authors: Fu Hui , Zhong Jiayou , Yuan Guixiang , Guo Chunjing , Ding Huijun , Feng Qian , Fu Qun
Published: October 2014

Despite the strong effects of disturbance on plant community diversity and assembly, we do not fully understand how different aspects of taxonomic or functional diversity respond to disturbance or how different assembly processes change along a disturbance gradient. In this study, plant communities were sampled and the distributions of three functional traits were measured in 45 plots across a flood disturbance gradient in Poyang Lake wetland in China. We examined the within‐community means, ranges, variances, kurtoses, and other parameters of trait values. Results showed that the effects of disturbance depended largely on the aspects of diversity considered. Along the flood disturbance gradient, taxonomic/functional richness did not change, while Shannon–Wiener diversity and evenness and functional evenness and dispersion showed significant unimodal patterns. Communities experiencing the highest disturbance levels tended to have significantly shorter shoot heights with lower specific leaf area (SLA). We also found a significant non‐random functional trait distribution: a significant reduction in the range and variance of SLA and a more even distribution of the measured traits compared with the null model. Our results highlight that niche‐based assembly processes play structuring roles in wetland plant community response to flood disturbance gradients and that both environmental filtering and limiting similarity can work on the same traits (e.g., SLA) through hierarchical effects on the distribution of functional traits within communities.
The Huntington procedure: Still a reasonable option for large tibial defects in paediatric patients
Authors: Gupta Som P. , Garg Gaurav
Published: October 2014

Background

Management of gap nonunion of tibia is technically difficult, time consuming, physically and psychologically demanding for the patient with unpredictable results. Various techniques have been described in literature for the treatment of gap nonunions, but each one has its own limitations.

Purpose

This study reports the outcomes of ipsilateral fibular transposition for reconstruction of tibial defects in paediatric age group.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed records of 14 patients who underwent surgery for gap nonunion tibia with ipsilateral tibialization of fibula. Fibula is transferred to tibia as pedicle graft in two-staged procedure. Due to retained blood supply to one end of the transplant, the graft easily takes up and hypertrophies upon weight bearing over a period of time.

Results

Average time of radiographic union was 13.35 weeks. Guarded partial weight bearing was started at an average of 16.5 weeks with gradual progression to full weight bearing. The leg length discrepancy at final follow-up ranged from 0 to 7 cms with an average of 2.60 cms. Hypertrophy of tibialized fibula was observed in all patients, with 8 patients showed grafted fibula reaching the diameter of opposite tibia. On subjective assessment, 9 patients were highly satisfied, 4 patients were satisfied and one patient was dissatisfied with the procedure.

Conclusions

Huntington procedure is a simple, cost-effective and easy procedure for large tibial defects in paediatric patients which does not require any specialized team and implants, and can be performed in moderately equipped hospital. Leg length discrepancy may be addressed, after the transferred fibula is well developed.
Dipyridamole treatment is associated with improved renal outcome and patient survival in advanced chronic kidney disease
Authors: Hung Chi‐Chih , Yang Mei‐Li , Lin Ming‐Yen , Lin Hugo You‐Hsien , Lim Lee‐Moay , Kuo Hung‐Tien , Hwang Shang‐Jyh , Tsai Jer‐Chia , Chen Hung‐Chun
Published: October 2014

Dipyridamole has been shown to decrease proteinuria and improve renal function progression especially in early chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with glomerulonephropathy. A combination therapy of dipyridamole with aspirin could prevent second strokes in the general population. Whether these effects of dipyridamole are also true in advanced CKD patients and whether dipyridamole could improve renal outcomes or patient survival is unknown. We retrospectively analyzed an observational cohort of 3074 participants with CKD stage 3–5 from southern Taiwan, of whom 871 (28.3%) had received dipyridamole treatment ≥50 mg/d for ≥3 months and more than half of the observation period. The mean age was 63.6 ± 13.4 years and the mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 25.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. After inverse probability of treatment weighted adjustment by propensity score, there were no differences between the dipyridamole‐treated and untreated groups. Dipyridamole treatment was associated with decreased odds for rapid eGFR decline [odds ratio, 0.755; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.595–0.958; p = 0.007] and progression of urine protein‐to‐creatinine ratio (odds ratio, 0.655; 95% CI, 0.517–0.832; p = 0.002). In survival analysis, the dipyridamole‐treated group was also associated with a decreased risk for end‐stage renal disease (hazard ratio, 0.847; 95% CI, 0.733–0.980; p = 0.011) and all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio, 0.765; 95% CI, 0.606–0.971; p = 0.001) but not for cardiovascular events. Our findings demonstrate that dipyridamole treatment is significantly associated with better renal outcomes and patient survival in patients with CKD stage 3–5. Further investigations are warranted to confirm these independent positive effects.
Dynamically consistent entrainment laws for depth-averaged avalanche models
Authors: Issler Dieter
Published: October 2014

The bed entrainment rate in a gravity mass flow (GMF) is uniquely determined by the properties of the bed and the flow. In depth-averaging, however, critical information on the flow variables near the bed is lost and empirical assumptions usually are made instead. We study the interplay between bed and flow assuming a perfectly brittle bed, characterized by its shear strength ${\it\tau}_{c}$, and erosion along the bottom surface of the flow; frontal entrainment is neglected here. The brittleness assumption implies that the shear stress at the bed surface cannot exceed ${\it\tau}_{c}$. For quasi-stationary flows in a simplified setting, analytic solutions are found for Bingham and frictional–collisional (FC) fluids. Extending this theory to non-stationary flows requires some assumptions for the velocity profile. For the Bingham fluid, the profile of a ‘proxy’ quasi-stationary eroding flow is used; the rheological parameters are chosen to match the instantaneous velocity and shear-layer depth of the non-stationary flow. For the FC fluid, a two-parameter family of functions that closely match the profiles obtained in depth-resolved numerical simulations is assumed; the boundary conditions determine the instantaneous parameter values and allow computation of the erosion rate. Preliminary tests with the FC erosion formula incorporated in a simple slab model indicate that the non-stationary erosion formula matches the depth-resolved simulations asymptotically, but differs in the start-up phase. The non-stationary erosion formulae are valid only up to a limit velocity (and to a limit flow depth if there is Coulomb friction). This appears to mark the transition to another erosion regime – to be described by a different model – where chunks of bed material are intermittently ripped out and gradually entrained into the flow.
First record of the anisakid nematode Anisakis nascettii in the Gervais' beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus from Brazil
Authors: Di Azevedo M.I.N. , Carvalho V.L. , Iñiguez A.M.
Published: October 2014

Anisakid nematodes are parasites with an indirect life cycle, involving many hosts, including cetaceans that act as definitive hosts. Identification at species level is crucial for a better understanding of the epidemiology and ecology of these parasites, but an accurate diagnosis based only on morphology is difficult. In Brazil, genetic characterization of anisakids is still rare, with Anisakis typica and A. physeteris being the only two species identified by genetic markers until now. The definitive hosts of A. nascettii are Mesoplodon grayi, M. bowdoini, M. layardii and M. mirus. Geographical locations of A. nascettii include the coasts of New Zealand, South Africa and Europe. In this study, a nematode was collected from a Gervais' beaked whale, Mesoplodon europaeus, stranded in Ceará State, north-east Brazil. Genetic analysis based on 18S rDNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and mtDNA cox2 gene revealed 100% identity with Anisakis sp. U94365, 99% with Anisakis sp. (MP-2005 EU718477 A. nascettii) and 99% with A. nascettii DQ116431, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and cox2 sequences using both neighbour-joining and maximum-likelihood methods provided strong support for a clade with only A. nascettii specimens. This study demonstrated for the first time the identification of A. nascettii in the Brazilian Atlantic Coast, revealing a wider geographical distribution of this parasite worldwide and extending the range of its definitive hosts to a new Mesoplodon species, M. europaeus, the Gervais' beaked whale.
English for all? Neoliberalism, globalization, and language policy in Taiwan
Authors: Price Gareth
Published: October 2014

This article examines the nexus of neoliberalism, globalization, and the spread of English, using English-language education (ELE) policies in Taiwan between 2000 and 2008 as a case study. Data from ethnographic work, including interviews with school principals and education managers, is contextualized using recent theoretical innovations in the sociolinguistics of globalization and language and neoliberalism. Neoliberalism venerates the ideals of ‘choice’, ‘competition’, and the ‘free market’. For students and parents, English proficiency is less a ‘choice’ than a necessity for success in education and employment. ‘English for all’ policies are thus imperatives rather than opportunities when individuals, schools, and regions are put into deleterious ‘competition’ with each other in public education, and when public education is pressured by a parallel ‘free’ market private education sector. The structural function of English as a valued capital is examined alongside language ideologies regarding the ‘earlier-the-better’ argument for L2 acquisition and the idealization of the native-speaking teacher. (Taiwan, neoliberalism, globalization, English, sociolinguistics, language policy)*
Non-Suicidal Self Injury, Psychopathology and Attachment: A Study with University Students
Authors: Braga Cátia , Gonçalves Sónia
Published: October 2014

Conducted with a community sample, this study first tested the hypothesis that the constant association of Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI) with various psychopathological states may be overrepresented because many of the studies reporting these associations used clinical samples. Secondly, the study aimed to test the emotional regulation model of NSSI by exploring the functions, the affective antecedents and consequences of NSSI episodes and to understand this emotion regulation role of NSSI in the light of Attachment Theory by differentiating self-injurers and non-self-injurers on relevant romantic attachment dimensions. A third purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that individuals currently performing NSSI could be differentiated on these dimensions from those who had ceased engaging in NSSI. Pursuing these purposes, 518 university students (171 males and 347 females), aged 17 to 62 years old completed theSelf-Injury Questionnaire – Treatment Related(Claes & Vandereycken, 2007), theBrief Symptom Inventory(Derogatis, 1982) and theAdult Attachment Scale(Collins & Read, 1990). Individuals with NSSI scored significantly higher on all BSI subscales (allp< .001). Results also revealed the existence of significant differences between participants with and without NSSI on Anxiety (Z= –2.92,p< .01) and Comfort with Proximity (Z= –3.18,p< .01), and significant differences between past self-injurers and current self-injurers on Trust in Others (Z= –2.40,p< .05). These results are discussed by linking NSSI and Attachment Theory literatures.
The atypical chemokine receptor ACKR2 suppresses Th17 responses to protein autoantigens
Authors: Hansell Chris AH , MacLellan Lindsay M , Oldham Rachel S , Doonan James , Chapple Katie J , Anderson Elinor JR , Linington Christopher , McInnes Iain B , Nibbs Robert JB , Goodyear Carl S
Published: October 2014

Chemokine‐directed leukocyte migration is a critical component of all innate and adaptive immune responses. The atypical chemokine receptor ACKR2 is expressed by lymphatic endothelial cells and scavenges pro‐inflammatory CC chemokines to indirectly subdue leukocyte migration. This contributes to the resolution of acute inflammatory responses in vivo. ACKR2 is also universally expressed by innate‐like B cells, suppressing their responsiveness to the non‐ACKR2 ligand CXCL13, and controlling their distribution in vivo. The role of ACKR2 in autoimmunity remains relatively unexplored, although Ackr2 deficiency reportedly lessens the clinical symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced by immunization with encephalogenic peptide (MOG35–55). This was attributed to poor T‐cell priming stemming from the defective departure of dendritic cells from the site of immunization. However, we report here that Ackr2‐deficient mice, on two separate genetic backgrounds, are not less susceptible to autoimmunity induced by immunization, and in some cases develop enhanced clinical symptoms. Moreover, ACKR2 deficiency does not suppress T‐cell priming in response to encephalogenic peptide (MOG35–55), and responses to protein antigen (collagen or MOG1–125) are characterized by elevated interleukin‐17 production. Interestingly, after immunization with protein, but not peptide, antigen, Ackr2 deficiency was also associated with an increase in lymph node B cells expressing granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), a cytokine that enhances T helper type 17 (Th17) cell development and survival. Thus, Ackr2 deficiency does not suppress autoreactive T‐cell priming and autoimmune pathology, but can enhance T‐cell polarization toward Th17 cells and increase the abundance of GM‐CSF+ B cells in lymph nodes draining the site of immunization.
Selection on soil microbiomes reveals reproducible impacts on plant function
Authors: Panke-Buisse Kevin , Poole Angela C , Goodrich Julia K , Ley Ruth E , Kao-Kniffin Jenny
Published: October 2014

Soil microorganisms found in the root zone impact plant growth and development, but the potential to harness these benefits is hampered by the sheer abundance and diversity of the players influencing desirable plant traits. Here, we report a high level of reproducibility of soil microbiomes in altering plant flowering time and soil functions when partnered within and between plant hosts. We used a multi-generation experimental system using Arabidopsis thaliana Col to select for soil microbiomes inducing earlier or later flowering times of their hosts. We then inoculated the selected microbiomes from the tenth generation of plantings into the soils of three additional A. thaliana genotypes (Ler, Be, RLD) and a related crucifer (Brassica rapa). With the exception of Ler, all other plant hosts showed a shift in flowering time corresponding with the inoculation of early- or late-flowering microbiomes. Analysis of the soil microbial community using 16 S rRNA gene sequencing showed distinct microbiota profiles assembling by flowering time treatment. Plant hosts grown with the late-flowering-associated microbiomes showed consequent increases in inflorescence biomass for three A. thaliana genotypes and an increase in total biomass for B. rapa. The increase in biomass was correlated with two- to five-fold enhancement of microbial extracellular enzyme activities associated with nitrogen mineralization in soils. The reproducibility of the flowering phenotype across plant hosts suggests that microbiomes can be selected to modify plant traits and coordinate changes in soil resource pools.
Consequences of tropical land use for multitrophic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
Authors: Barnes Andrew D. , Jochum Malte , Mumme Steffen , Haneda Noor Farikhah , Farajallah Achmad , Widarto Tri Heru , Brose Ulrich
Published: October 2014

Our knowledge about land-use impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is mostly limited to single trophic levels, leaving us uncertain about whole-community biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships. We analyse consequences of the globally important land-use transformation from tropical forests to oil palm plantations. Species diversity, density and biomass of invertebrate communities suffer at least 45% decreases from rainforest to oil palm. Combining metabolic and food-web theory, we calculate annual energy fluxes to model impacts of land-use intensification on multitrophic ecosystem functioning. We demonstrate a 51% reduction in energy fluxes from forest to oil palm communities. Species loss clearly explains variation in energy fluxes; however, this relationship depends on land-use systems and functional feeding guilds, whereby predators are the most heavily affected. Biodiversity decline from forest to oil palm is thus accompanied by even stronger reductions in functionality, threatening to severely limit the functional resilience of communities to cope with future global changes.