bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exercise improves quality of life in bariatric surgery candidates: Results from the Bari‐Active trial
Authors: Bond Dale S. , Thomas J. Graham , King Wendy C. , Vithiananthan Sivamainthan , Trautvetter Jennifer , Unick Jessica L. , Ryder Beth A. , Pohl Dieter , Roye G. Dean , Sax Harry C. , Wing Rena R.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To examine the impact of a pre‐bariatric surgery physical activity intervention (PAI), designed to increase bout‐related (≥10 min) moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

Analyses included 75 adult participants (86.7% female; BMI = 45.0 ± 6.5 kg m−2) who were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of PAI (n = 40) or standard pre‐surgical care (SC; n = 35). PAI received 6 individual weekly counseling sessions to increase walking exercise. Participants wore an objective PA monitor for 7 days and completed the SF‐36 Health Survey at baseline and post‐intervention to evaluate bout‐related MVPA and HRQoL changes, respectively.

Results

PAI increased bout‐related MVPA from baseline to post‐intervention (4.4 ± 5.5 to 21.0 ± 21.4 min day−1) versus no change (7.9 ± 16.6 to 7.6 ± 11.5 min day−1) for SC (P = 0.001). PAI reported greater improvements than SC on all SF‐36 physical and mental scales (P < 0.05), except role‐emotional. In PAI, better baseline scores on the physical function and general health scales predicted greater bout‐related MVPA increases (P < 0.05), and greater bout‐related MVPA increases were associated with greater post‐intervention improvements on the physical function, bodily pain, and general health scales (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Increasing PA preoperatively improves physical and mental HRQoL in bariatric surgery candidates. Future studies should examine whether this effect improves surgical safety, weight loss outcomes, and postoperative HRQoL.
Bariatric surgery and diabetes: Implications of type 1 versus insulin‐requiring type 2
Authors: Maraka Spyridoula , Kudva Yogish C. , Kellogg Todd A. , Collazo‐Clavell Maria L. , Mundi Manpreet S.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To report the impact of bariatric surgery on metabolic outcomes in patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1) versus insulin‐requiring type 2 diabetes mellitus (IRDM2).

Methods

Ten subjects with DM1 were compared with 118 subjects with IRDM2 at baseline and at 1 and 2 years post‐bariatric surgery for: anthropometric measures, HbA1c, and number of medications (anti‐hyperglycemic, anti‐hypertensive, lipid‐lowering).

Results

DM1 and IRDM2 groups lost similar amounts of weight 2 years post‐bariatric surgery (39.5 ± 14.7 kg vs. 40.3 ± 24.4 kg). IRDM2 subjects had significant improvements in HbA1c (7.8% ± 1.4% vs. 6.8% ± 1.4%, P value <0.0001) and decreases in number of anti‐hyperglycemic (2.4 ± 0.8 vs. 0.7 ± 0.8, P value <0.0001), anti‐hypertensive (2.2 ± 1.3 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2, P value <0.0001), and lipid‐lowering (1.1 ± 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 0.6, P value <0.0001) medications. DM1 subjects had no improvement in HbA1c (8.2% ± 1.6% vs. 7.8% ± 0.9%) or use of anti‐hypertensive medications (2.1 ± 1.4 vs. 2.3 ± 1.5). Their use of lipid‐lowering medications improved (1.0 ± 0.5 vs. 0.5 ± 0.8, P value 0.04).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that improved glycemic control may not be an expected outcome when considering bariatric surgery in patients with DM1; however, additional investigation is warranted.
Changes in gut hormones and leptin in military personnel during operational deployment in Afghanistan
Authors: Hill Neil E. , Fallowfield Joanne L. , Delves Simon K. , Ardley Christian , Stacey Michael , Ghatei Mohammad , Bloom Stephen R. , Frost Gary , Brett Stephen J. , Wilson Duncan R. , Murphy Kevin G.
Published: January 2015

Objective

Understanding the mechanisms that drive weight loss in a lean population may elucidate systems that regulate normal energy homeostasis. This prospective study of British military volunteers investigated the effects of a 6‐month deployment to Afghanistan on energy balance and circulating concentrations of specific appetite‐regulating hormones.

Methods

Measurements were obtained twice in the UK (during the Pre‐deployment period) and once in Afghanistan, at Mid‐deployment. Body mass, body composition, food intake, and appetite‐regulatory hormones (leptin, active and total ghrelin, PYY, PP, GLP‐1) were measured.

Results

Repeated measures analysis of 105 volunteers showed body mass decreased by 4.9% ± 3.7% (P < 0.0001) during the first half of the deployment. Leptin concentrations were significantly correlated with percentage body fat at each time point. The reduction in percentage body fat between Pre‐deployment and Mid‐deployment was 8.6%, with a corresponding 48% decrease in mean circulating leptin. Pre‐deployment leptin and total and active ghrelin levels correlated with subsequent change in body mass; however. no changes were observed in the anorectic gut hormones GLP‐1, PP, or PYY.

Conclusions

These data suggest that changes in appetite‐regulating hormones in front line military personnel occur in response to, but do not drive, reductions in body mass.
Adipose tissue as an immunological organ
Authors: Grant Ryan W. , Dixit Vishwa Deep
Published: January 2015

Objective

This review will focus on the immunological aspects of adipose tissue and its potential role in development of chronic inflammation that instigates obesity‐associated comorbidities.

Methods

The review used PubMed searches of current literature to examine adipose tissue leukocytosis.

Results and Conclusions

The adipose tissue of obese subjects becomes inflamed and contributes to the development of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Numerous immune cells including B cells, T cells, macrophages, and neutrophils have been identified in adipose tissue, and obesity influences both the quantity and the nature of immune cell subtypes, which emerges as an active immunological organ capable of modifying whole‐body metabolism through paracrine and endocrine mechanisms. Adipose tissue is a large immunologically active organ during obesity and displays hallmarks of both and innate and adaptive immune response. Despite the presence of hematopoietic lineage cells in adipose tissue, it is unclear whether the adipose compartment has a direct role in immune surveillance or host defense. Understanding the interactions between leukocytes and adipocytes may reveal the clinically relevant pathways that control adipose tissue inflammation and is likely to reveal mechanisms by which obesity contributes to increased susceptibility to both metabolic and certain infectious diseases.
Field‐evolved resistance to imidacloprid and ethiprole in populations of brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens collected from across South and East Asia
Authors: Garrood William T , Zimmer Christoph T , Gorman Kevin J , Nauen Ralf , Bass Chris , Davies Thomas GE
Published: January 2015

BACKGROUND

We report on the status of imidacloprid and ethiprole resistance in Nilaparvata lugens Stål collected from across South and East Asia over the period 2005–2012.

RESULTS

A resistance survey found that field populations had developed up to 220‐fold resistance to imidacloprid and 223‐fold resistance to ethiprole, and that many of the strains collected showed high levels of resistance to both insecticides. We also found that the cytochrome P450 CYP6ER1 was significantly overexpressed in 12 imidacloprid‐resistant populations tested when compared with a laboratory susceptible strain, with fold changes ranging from ten‐ to 90‐fold. In contrast, another cytochrome P450 CYP6AY1, also implicated in imidacloprid resistance, was underexpressed in ten of the populations and only significantly overexpressed (3.5‐fold) in a single population from India compared with the same susceptible strain. Further selection of two of the imidacloprid‐resistant field strains correlated with an approximate threefold increase in expression of CYP6ER1.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that overexpression of CYP6ER1 is associated with field‐evolved resistance to imidacloprid in brown planthopper populations in five countries in South and East Asia. © 2015 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Imperatives and the More Generalised Tarski Thesis
Authors: Clark-Younger Hannah ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: January 2015

J.C. Beall and Greg Restall’s (2006) Generalised Tarski Thesis (GTT) is a generalisation of the seemingly diverse conceptions of logical consequence. However, even their apparently general account of consequence makes necessary truth-preservation a necessary condition. Sentences in the imperative mood pose a problem for any truth-preservationist account of consequence, because imperatives are not truth-apt but seem to be capable of standing in the relation of logical consequence. In this paper, I show that an imperative logic can be formulated that solves the problem of imperative consequence by leading naturally to a further generalisation of the GTT.
Attitudes and Perceptions of Urban African Americans of a “Dirty Bomb” Radiological Terror Event: Results of a Qualitative Study and Implications for Effective Risk Communication
Authors: Bass Sarah Bauerle , Greener Judith R. , Ruggieri Dominique , Parvanta Claudia , Mora Gabriella , Wolak Caitlin , Normile Rebecca , Gordon Thomas F.
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Radiological terror presents a real threat, but little is known about how low-income, urban African Americans may respond to such threats. The aim of this study was to understand the unique challenges of this group and to explore their knowledge of what a “dirty bomb” is, their intended behaviors should one occur, and their barriers to complying with “shelter in place” recommendations.

Methods

Thirty-seven 18-65-year-olds who were users of community centers in disadvantaged areas participated in 3 focus groups in Philadelphia. Results were analyzed by using the Krueger method of analyzing narrative text.

Results

The responses highlighted little knowledge or concern about a dirty bomb. Lack of trust in local authorities was expressed, with participants indicating that they did not feel their needs were addressed. While shelter in place was understood, most said they would still check on family or talk with others to get the “whole truth” because the most trusted information sources were neighbors and community leaders.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that a risk communication intervention for urban minorities may support desirable behaviors in the event of a dirty bomb, but successful communication will require establishing a local leader as a spokesperson to convince people of the importance of sheltering in place.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;0:1-10)
Inertial migration of a rigid sphere in three-dimensional Poiseuille flow
Authors: Hood Kaitlyn , Lee Sungyon , Roper Marcus
Published: January 2015

Inertial lift forces are exploited within inertial microfluidic devices to position, segregate and sort particles or droplets. However, the forces and their focusing positions can currently only be predicted by numerical simulations, making rational device design very difficult. Here we develop theory for the forces on particles in microchannel geometries. We use numerical experiments to dissect the dominant balances within the Navier–Stokes equations and derive an asymptotic model to predict the lateral force on the particle as a function of particle size. Our asymptotic model is valid for a wide array of particle sizes and Reynolds numbers, and allows us to predict how focusing position depends on particle size.
Dietary fat and carbohydrate have different effects on body weight, energy expenditure, glucose homeostasis and behaviour in adult cats fed to energy requirement
Authors: Gooding Margaret A. , Atkinson Jim L. , Duncan Ian J. H. , Niel Lee , Shoveller Anna K.
Published: January 2015

The effects of dietary carbohydrate and fat on feline health are not well understood. The effects of feeding diets moderately high in fat (HF; n 10; 30 % fat, 26 % carbohydrate as fed) or carbohydrate (HC; n 10; 11 % fat, 47 % carbohydrate), for 84 d, were investigated in healthy, adult cats (3·5 (sd 0·5) years). Data on indirect calorimetry, blood biomarkers, activity, play and cognition were collected at baseline, and at intervals throughout the study. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and on day 85. There were no significant main effects of diet on body weight and composition. When data were analysed over study day within diet, cats fed HF diets experienced a significant increase in body fat (P = 0·001) and body weight (P = 0·043) in contrast to cats consuming the HC diet that experienced no change in body fat or body weight (P = 0·762) throughout the study. Overall, energy expenditure was similar between diets (P = 0·356 (fasted), P = 0·086 (postprandial)) and respiratory quotient declined with exposure to the HF diet and increased with exposure to the HC diet (P < 0·001; fasted and postprandial). There was no difference in insulin sensitivity as an overall effect of diet (P = 0·266). Activity declined from baseline with exposure to both diets (HC: P = 0·002; HF: P = 0·01) but was not different between diets (P = 0·247). There was no effect of diet on play (P = 0·387) and cats consuming either the HF or HC diet did not successfully learn the cognitive test. Overall, cats adapt to dietary macronutrient content, and the implications of feeding HC and HF diets on risk for adiposity as driven by metabolic and behavioural mechanisms are discussed.
High dietary intake of vitamin C suppresses age-related thymic atrophy and contributes to the maintenance of immune cells in vitamin C-deficient senescence marker protein-30 knockout mice
Authors: Uchio Ryusei , Hirose Yoshitaka , Murosaki Shinji , Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Ishigami Akihito
Published: January 2015

Vitamin C (VC) is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animals. It has antioxidant properties and has been reported to ameliorate oxidative damage to lipids, DNA and proteins. However, the effects of VC on immune function are poorly understood, especially the influence of long-term high-dose VC intake on the number and function of immune cells. In the present study, to evaluate the immune effects of VC, VC-deficient senescence marker protein-30 knockout (SMP30KO) mice were fed a diet containing the recommended level of VC (20 mg/kg per d; 0·02 % VC) or a high level of VC (200 mg/kg per d; 0·2 % VC) for 1 year. The plasma VC concentration of the 0·02 % group was the same as that of age-matched C57BL/6 mice after 1 year of feeding; however, plasma VC concentration and thymus weight were significantly higher in the 0·2 % VC group than in the 0·02 % VC group. The total counts of leucocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes and monocytes in the peripheral blood, as well as the number of splenocytes and thymocytes, were all significantly higher in the 0·2 % VC group than in the 0·02 % VC group. In addition, the number of naive T cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes, the number of memory T-cell populations in splenocytes, and the number of cluster of differentiation (CD)4+CD8+or CD4+CD8−or CD4−CD8+T cells in thymocytes were all markedly higher in the 0·2 % VC group than in the 0·02 % VC group after 1 year of dietary treatment. These results suggest that a long-term high-dose intake of VC is effective in the maintenance of immune cells, partly through the suppression of age-related thymic involution in VC-deficient SMP30KO mice.
A MIDDLE FORMATIVE ARTIFACT EXCAVATED AT ARROYO PESQUERO, VERACRUZ
Authors: Wendt Carl J. , Bernard Henri Noel , Delsescaux Jeffery
Published: January 2015

During a recent underwater archaeological survey of the Arroyo Pesquero, members of the Proyecto Arqueológico Arroyo Pesquero discovered an extraordinary and unusual archaeological specimen made of mottled brown and white jadeite. This artifact, most likely dating to the Middle Formative period (900–400 b.c.), is significant for two reasons. Firstly, because this object is the first find discovered at the site during a systematic archaeological investigation and thus has archaeological provenience and, secondly, because of the iconographic elements it possesses and its one-of-a-kind form. This article begins with a short background on the Arroyo Pesquero site, including its discovery, history of looting, and archaeological investigations. We then briefly describe the present investigation and the discovery of the artifact itself. This is followed by a description of the artifact—its form, iconography, and its possible functions. We conclude with some comments on the specimen within the framework of Middle Formative Olmec iconography.
TERMINAL LONG COUNT DATES AND THE DISINTEGRATION OF CLASSIC PERIOD MAYA POLITIES
Authors: Ebert Claire E. , Prufer Keith M. , Macri Martha J. , Winterhalder Bruce , Kennett Douglas J.
Published: January 2015

Analyses of terminal long count dates from stone monuments in the Maya lowlands have played a central role in characterizing the rise and “collapse” of polities during the Late and Terminal Classic periods (a.d.730–910). Previous studies propose a directional abandonment of large political centers from west-to-east. We retest the west-to-east hypothesis, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and spatial statistics to analyze an updated dataset of 89 terminal dates from the Maya Hieroglyphic Database (MHD). Our results do not support a directional collapse, but instead suggest a contraction of Terminal Classic polities around seven core areas in the Maya lowlands. Three regions demonstrate distinct subregional abandonments of monument carving over a period of 24 to 127 years, consistent with independent archaeological data for each region. Advances in GIS, spatial statistics, and related methods applied to an increasingly detailed and comprehensive epigraphic and archaeological database provide a foundation for examining long-term sociopolitical dynamics in the Maya lowlands.
HOUSES OF STYLE: CONSUMPTION, ADORNMENT, AND IDENTITY IN FORMATIVE TLAXCALAN HOUSEHOLDS
Authors: Carballo David M. , Carballo Jennifer , Lesure Richard G.
Published: January 2015

The households of Formative period central Mexico represent critical loci for understanding major social transformations during a millennium (900b.c.–a.d.100) that witnessed the expansion and contraction of several macro-regional stylistic and economic networks, formalization of enduring political and religious institutions, and initial urbanization and state formation. Households and their constituent members used style to articulate important elements of their identity through practices of group consumption and personal adornment. In this study we consider style within the context of ceramic serving vessels and portable adornments primarily from sites in the state of Tlaxcala. We evaluate the manner in which dimensions of stylistic expression in these material goods contributed to shifting conceptualizations of household and individual identity and their articulation with community and supra-community social networks, noting the generally collective or affinitive manipulation of styles with means of socially differentiating age, status, and other dimensions of identity.
AREAL SHIFTS IN CLASSIC MAYAN PHONOLOGY
Authors: Law Danny , Robertson John , Houston Stephen , Zender Marc , Stuart David
Published: January 2015

Advances in hieroglyphic decipherment and in language contact typology provide new data and theories with which to investigate and reassess prior interpretations of Mayan linguistic history. The present study considers the shift from proto-Mayan*kand *k'to /ch/ and /ch'/, a sound change that affected several Mayan languages in different phonological contexts. This sound change, with a very particular set of conditions, has been highlighted as a defining feature of the Cholan-Tseltalan branch of the Mayan language family. New evidence suggests that this sound change was shared as a result of contact around the time of the Classic period, rather than reflecting an inherited sound change that would have taken place at a much earlier stage of the language family. Hieroglyphic data provide further evidence that this sound change was adopted in the hieroglyphic language in a word-by-word fashion, rather than applying to all similar phonological contexts at the same time.
EVERYDAY ACTION AND THE RISE AND DECLINE OF ANCIENT POLITIES: HOUSEHOLD STRATEGY AND POLITICAL CHANGE IN POSTCLASSIC XALTOCAN, MEXICO
Authors: De Lucia Kristin , Overholtzer Lisa
Published: January 2015

Household archaeology conducted at the site of Xaltocan, an important regional center in the northern Basin of Mexico, illustrates how the everyday actions of ordinary people contribute to the rise and decline of ancient polities. Through a study of long-term change and variation from multiple household contexts, this article reconstructs how the economic and political activities of ordinary households were central to the construction and reproduction of political institutions, social structures, and regional systems of exchange from the period of Xaltocan's founding arounda.d.900 through its conquest ina.d.1395. Along with the other contributors to this volume we emphasize that households are not simply influenced by broader processes of change and development in a trickle-down fashion, but rather that micro- and macro-structures are mutually constituted, with household decisions and actions having both intended and unintended consequences at the macroscale.
Secondary dormancy inBrassica napusis correlated with enhancedBnaDOG1transcript levels
Authors: Née Guillaume , Obeng-Hinneh Evelyn , Sarvari Pourya , Nakabayashi Kazumi , Soppe Wim J.J.
Published: January 2015

Dormancy has evolved in plants to restrict germination to favourable growth seasons. Seeds from most crop plants have low dormancy levels due to selection for immediate germination during domestication. Seed dormancy is usually not completely lost and low levels are required to maintain sufficient seed quality.Brassica napuscultivars show low levels of primary seed dormancy. However,B. napusseeds are prone to the induction of secondary dormancy, which can lead to the occurrence of volunteers in the field in subsequent years after cultivation. TheDELAY OF GERMINATION 1(DOG1) gene has been identified as a major dormancy gene in the model plantArabidopsis thaliana.DOG1is a conserved gene and has been shown to be required for seed dormancy in various monocot and dicot plant species. We have identified threeB. napusgenes with high homology toAtDOG1, which we namedBnaA.DOG1.a,BnaC.DOG1.aandBnaC.DOG1.b. The transcripts of these genes could only be detected in seeds and showed a similar expression pattern during seed maturation asAtDOG1. In addition, theBnaDOG1genes showed enhanced transcript levels after the induction of secondary dormancy. These results suggest a role forDOG1in the induction of secondary dormancy inB. napus.
The potential impact of animal protein intake on global and abdominal obesity: evidence from the Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg (ORISCAV-LUX) study
Authors: Alkerwi Ala’a , Sauvageot Nicolas , Buckley Jonathan D , Donneau Anne-Françoise , Albert Adelin , Guillaume Michèle , Crichton Georgina E
Published: January 2015

Objective

To examine the association of total animal protein intake and protein derived from different dietary sources (meat; fish and shellfish; eggs; milk products) with global and abdominal obesity among adults in Luxembourg.

Design

Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between animal protein intake (as a percentage of total energy intake) and global obesity (BMI≥30·0 kg/m2) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥102 cm for men and ≥88 cm for women), after controlling for potential confounders.

Setting

Observation of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Luxembourg (ORISCAV-LUX) study.

Subjects

The study population was derived from a national cross-sectional stratified sample of 1152 individuals aged 18–69 years, recruited between November 2007 and January 2009.

Results

There was an independent positive association between total animal protein intake and both global (OR=1·18; 95 % CI 1·12, 1·25) and abdominal obesity (OR=1·14; 95 % CI 1·08, 1·20) after adjustment for age, gender, education, smoking, physical activity and intakes of total fat, carbohydrate, fibre, and fruit and vegetables. Protein intakes from meat, fish and shellfish were positively associated with global and abdominal obesity with further adjustment for vegetal protein and other sources of animal-derived protein (all P<0·01). Protein derived from eggs or milk products was unrelated to global or abdominal obesity.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that protein derived from animal sources, in particular from meat, fish and shellfish, may be associated with increased risk of both global and abdominal obesity among presumably healthy adults in Luxembourg. These findings suggest that lower animal protein intakes may be important for maintenance of healthy body weight.
The conserved Trp114 residue of thioredoxin reductase 1 has a redox sensor-like function triggering oligomerization and crosslinking upon oxidative stress related to cell death
Authors: Xu J , Eriksson S E , Cebula M , Sandalova T , Hedström E , Pader I , Cheng Q , Myers C R , Antholine W E , Nagy P , Hellman U , Selivanova G , Lindqvist Y , Arnér E S J
Published: January 2015

The selenoprotein thioredoxin reductase 1 (TrxR1) has several key roles in cellular redox systems and reductive pathways. Here we discovered that an evolutionarily conserved and surface-exposed tryptophan residue of the enzyme (Trp114) is excessively reactive to oxidation and exerts regulatory functions. The results indicate that it serves as an electron relay communicating with the FAD moiety of the enzyme, and, when oxidized, it facilitates oligomerization of TrxR1 into tetramers and higher multimers of dimers. A covalent link can also be formed between two oxidized Trp114 residues of two subunits from two separate TrxR1 dimers, as found both in cell extracts and in a crystal structure of tetrameric TrxR1. Formation of covalently linked TrxR1 subunits became exaggerated in cells on treatment with the pro-oxidant p53-reactivating anticancer compound RITA, in direct correlation with triggering of a cell death that could be prevented by antioxidant treatment. These results collectively suggest that Trp114 of TrxR1 serves a function reminiscent of an irreversible sensor for excessive oxidation, thereby presenting a previously unrecognized level of regulation of TrxR1 function in relation to cellular redox state and cell death induction.
The BH3-only protein Bad is dispensable for TNF-mediated cell death
Authors: Ottina E , Sochalska M , Sgonc R , Villunger A
Published: January 2015

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a key signaling molecule orchestrating immune and inflammatory responses and possesses the capacity to trigger apoptotic as well as necroptotic cell death. Apoptotic cell death elicited by TNF has been demonstrated to engage pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, most prominently the BH3-only protein Bid, a key substrate of caspase-8, the key effector protease downstream of TNF receptor I. Most recently, the BH3 domain-containing protein Bad (Bcl-2-antagonist of cell death) has been shown to be rate limiting for TNF-mediated cell death, suggesting possible synergy with Bid, but genetic analyses presented here demonstrate that it is dispensable for this process.
Whole-exome sequencing reveals the mutational spectrum of testicular germ cell tumours
Authors: Litchfield Kevin , Summersgill Brenda , Yost Shawn , Sultana Razvan , Labreche Karim , Dudakia Darshna , Renwick Anthony , Seal Sheila , Al-Saadi Reem , Broderick Peter , Turner Nicholas C. , Houlston Richard S. , Huddart Robert , Shipley Janet , Turnbull Clare
Published: January 2015

Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most common cancer in young men. Here we perform whole-exome sequencing (WES) of 42 TGCTs to comprehensively study the cancer's mutational profile. The mutation rate is uniformly low in all of the tumours (mean 0.5 mutations per Mb) as compared with common cancers, consistent with the embryological origin of TGCT. In addition to expected copy number gain of chromosome 12p and mutation of KIT, we identify recurrent mutations in the tumour suppressor gene CDC27 (11.9%). Copy number analysis reveals recurring amplification of the spermatocyte development gene FSIP2 (15.3%) and a 0.4 Mb region at Xq28 (15.3%). Two treatment-refractory patients are shown to harbour XRCC2 mutations, a gene strongly implicated in defining cisplatin resistance. Our findings provide further insights into genes involved in the development and progression of TGCT.
Mutual information reveals multiple structural relaxation mechanisms in a model glass former
Authors: Dunleavy Andrew J. , Wiesner Karoline , Yamamoto Ryoichi , Royall C. Patrick
Published: January 2015

Among the key challenges to our understanding of solidification in the glass transition is that it is accompanied by little apparent change in structure. Recently, geometric motifs have been identified in glassy liquids, but a causal link between these motifs and solidification remains elusive. One ‘smoking gun’ for such a link would be identical scaling of structural and dynamic lengthscales on approaching the glass transition, but this is highly controversial. Here we introduce an information theoretic approach to determine correlations in displacement for particle relaxation encoded in the initial configuration of a glass-forming liquid. We uncover two populations of particles, one inclined to relax quickly, the other slowly. Each population is correlated with local density and geometric motifs. Our analysis further reveals a dynamic lengthscale similar to that associated with structural properties, which may resolve the discrepancy between structural and dynamic lengthscales.
Determination of the quantized topological magneto-electric effect in topological insulators from Rayleigh scattering
Authors: Ge Lixin , Zhan Tianrong , Han Dezhuan , Liu Xiaohan , Zi Jian
Published: January 2015

Topological insulators (TIs) exhibit many exotic properties. In particular, a topological magneto-electric (TME) effect, quantized in units of the fine structure constant, exists in TIs. Here, we theoretically study the scattering properties of electromagnetic waves by TI circular cylinders particularly in the Rayleigh scattering limit. Compared with ordinary dielectric cylinders, the scattering by TI cylinders shows many unusual features due to the TME effect. Two proposals are suggested to determine the TME effect of TIs simply by measuring the electric-field components of scattered waves in the far field at one or two scattering angles. Our results could also offer a way to measure the fine structure constant.
PACT/RAX Regulates the Migration of Cerebellar Granule Neurons in the Developing Cerebellum
Authors: Yong Yue , Meng Ya , Ding Hanqing , Fan Zhiqin , Tang Yifen , Zhou Chenghua , Luo Jia , Ke Zun-Ji
Published: January 2015

PACT and its murine ortholog RAX were originally identified as a protein activator for the dsRNA-dependent, interferon-inducible protein kinase PKR. Recent studies indicated that RAX played a role in embryogenesis and neuronal development. In this study, we investigated the expression of RAX during the postnatal development of the mouse cerebellum and its role in the migration of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). High expression of RAX was observed in the cerebellum from postnatal day (PD) 4 to PD9, a period when the CGNs migrate from the external granule layer (EGL) to the internal granule layer (IGL). The migration of the EGL progenitor cells in vivo was inhibited by RAX knockdown on PD4. This finding was confirmed by in vitro studies showing that RAX knockdown impaired the migration of CGNs in cerebellar microexplants. PACT/RAX-regulated migration required its third motif and was independent of PKR. PACT/RAX interacted with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and PACT/RAX knockdown disturbed the FAK phosphorylation in CGNs. These findings demonstrated a novel function of PACT/RAX in the regulation of neuronal migration.
Electroanalytical detection of pindolol: comparison of unmodified and reduced graphene oxide modified screen-printed graphite electrodes
Authors: Cumba Loanda R. , Smith Jamie P. , Brownson Dale A. C. , Iniesta Jesús , Metters Jonathan P. , do Carmo Devaney R. , Banks Craig E.
Published: January 2015

We demonstrate, for the first time, that the electroanalytical quantification of pindolol is actually possible using bare (unmodified) screen-printed graphite electrodes (SPEs).
Spectropathology for the next generation: Quo vadis?
Authors: Byrne Hugh J. , Baranska Malgorzata , Puppels Gerwin J. , Stone Nick , Wood Bayden , Gough Kathleen M. , Lasch Peter , Heraud Phil , Sulé-Suso Josep , Sockalingum Ganesh D.
Published: January 2015

Vibrational spectroscopy for biomedical applications has shown great promise although its translation into clinical practice has, as yet, been relatively slow. This Editorial assesses the challenges facing the field and the potential way forward.
σ-Alkenyl endo-palladacycle formation via regiospecific functionalisation of an unreactive NHC-tethered C(sp2)–H bond
Authors: Chapman Michael R. , Pask Christopher M. , Ariafard Alireza , Willans Charlotte E.
Published: January 2015

A highly unusual cyclometallation reaction in which an aliphatic vinylic C(sp2)–H bond is activated to form a σ-vinyl palladacyclic–NHC complex is reported.
pH and light-controlled self-assembly of bistable [c2] daisy chain rotaxanes
Authors: Wolf Adrian , Moulin Emilie , Cid Juan-José , Goujon Antoine , Du Guangyan , Busseron Eric , Fuks Gad , Giuseppone Nicolas
Published: January 2015

Triarylamine – [c2] daisy chain rotaxane conjugates behave as logic-gates controlled by pH and light modulations to self-assemble in supramolecular fibers.
Growth of single-crystalline nickel silicide nanowires with excellent physical properties
Authors: Lin Jen-Yi , Hsu Hsiu-Ming , Lu Kuo-Chang
Published: January 2015

Single-crystalline NiSi2, Ni2Si and Ni31Si12 nanowires with outstanding characteristics were synthesized through a nickel transport chemical vapor deposition method.
Mechanism of a molecular photo-switch adsorbed on Si(100)
Authors: Bazarnik Maciej , Jurczyszyn Leszek , Czajka Ryszard , Morgenstern Karina
Published: January 2015

We present a combined scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory study of a compact molecular photoswitch on a Si(100) surface.
Nanostructure of mixtures of protic ionic liquids and lithium salts: effect of alkyl chain length
Authors: Méndez-Morales Trinidad , Carrete Jesús , Rodríguez Julio R. , Cabeza Óscar , Gallego Luis J. , Russina Olga , Varela Luis M.
Published: January 2015

The bulk structure of mixtures of two protic ionic liquids, propylammonium nitrate and butylammonium nitrate, with a salt with a common anion, is analyzed using small angle X-ray scattering and classical molecular dynamics simulations.
Semiconductor–metal transition induced by nanoscale stabilization
Authors: Hörmann Nicolas G. , Gross Axel , Kaghazchi Payam
Published: January 2015

The structure of tin (Sn) nanoparticles as function of size and temperature has been studied using density functional theory and thermodynamic considerations.
N-alkylation of organo-imido substituted polyoxometalates: an efficient and stoichiometric approach for the easy post-modification of polyoxometalates
Authors: Khan Rao Naumaan Nasim , Lv Chunlin , Zhang Jin , Hao Jian , Wei Yongge
Published: January 2015

A high-yield post-functionalization protocol developed here provides an easy inclusion of the desired organic groups on a POM's highly negative surface.
Preparation of octahydro- and tetrahydro-[1,10]phenanthroline zirconium and hafnium complexes for olefin polymerization
Authors: Hwang Eun Yeong , Park Geun Ho , Lee Chun Sun , Kang Yi Young , Lee Junseong , Lee Bun Yeoul
Published: January 2015

A zirconium complex with an unusual binding mode was constructed from octahydro[1,10]phenanthroline, which is a potent catalyst for the production of wax-like low-molecular weight polyethylene (Mn: ∼5000).
Food derived microRNAs
Authors: Wagner Anika E. , Piegholdt Stefanie , Ferraro Martin , Pallauf Kathrin , Rimbach Gerald
Published: January 2015

Dietary factors have been shown to target mammalian microRNAs.
Room temperature selective oxidation of aniline to azoxybenzene over a silver supported tungsten oxide nanostructured catalyst
Authors: Ghosh Shilpi , Acharyya Shankha S. , Sasaki Takehiko , Bal Rajaram
Published: January 2015

Heterogeneous catalysts comprising silver nanoparticles supported on nanostructured tungsten oxide were applied for room temperature oxidative coupling of aniline to azoxybenzene, an important chemical intermediate and a chemical of industrial interest.
Solvent effects in heterogeneous selective hydrogenation of acetophenone: differences between Rh/C and Rh/Al2O3 catalysts and the superiority of water as a functional solvent
Authors: Yoshida Hiroshi , Onodera Yuichi , Fujita Shin-ichiro , Kawamori Hiroki , Arai Masahiko
Published: January 2015

Strong solvent effects appear in different manners for Rh/C and Rh/Al2O3 catalysts. However, these give the highest yields of phenylethanol in the presence of water.
The mapping and differentiation of biological and environmental elemental signatures in the fossil remains of a 50 million year old bird
Authors: Egerton Victoria M. , Wogelius Roy A. , Norell Mark A. , Edwards Nicholas P. , Sellers William I. , Bergmann Uwe , Sokaras Dimosthenis , Alonso-Mori Roberto , Ignatyev Konstantin , van Veelen Arjen , Anné Jennifer , van Dongen Bart , Knoll Fabien , Manning Phillip L.
Published: January 2015

Synchrotron analysis of a 50 million year old bird from the Green River Formation (USA) reveals the chemistry of preservation.
Synthesis of indoles, benzofurans, and related heterocycles via an acetylene-activated SNAr/intramolecular cyclization cascade sequence in water or DMSO
Authors: Hudson R. , Bizier N. P. , Esdale K. N. , Katz J. L.
Published: January 2015

The synthesis of 2-substituted indoles and benzofurans was achieved by nucleophilic aromatic substitution, followed by subsequent 5-endo-dig cyclization between the nucleophile and an ortho acetylene.
Synthesis and DNA binding profile of N-mono- and N,N′-disubstituted indolo[3,2-b]carbazoles
Authors: Panesar Harmanpreet Kaur , Solano Jennifer , Minehan Thomas G.
Published: January 2015

N-Monosubstituted andN,N′-disubstituted indolo[3,2-b]carbazole derivatives bind DNA with micromolar to submicromolar affinities and a preference for intercalation at purine-pyrimidine steps.
Abietane diterpenoid of Salvia sahendica Boiss and Buhse potently inhibits MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells by suppression of the PI3K/AKT pathway
Authors: Kafil Vala , Eskandani Morteza , Omidi Yadollah , Nazemiyeh Hossein , Barar Jaleh
Published: January 2015

Ketoethiopinone and ortho-diacetate aethiopinone were identified from the roots of S. sahendica and evaluated for their anti-cancer activity in MCF-7 breast cell lines. The type of cell death and the mechanism by which MCF-7 proliferation was limited were investigated.
Synthesis of surfactant-free SnS nanorods by a solvothermal route with better electrochemical properties towards supercapacitor applications
Authors: Chauhan Himani , Singh Manoj K. , Hashmi S. A. , Deka Sasanka
Published: January 2015

First use of a surfactant-free SnS nanorods synthesized by a solvothermal method in supercapacitor applications having high specific capacitance.
Cellular binding of nanoparticles disrupts the membrane potential
Authors: Warren Emilie A. K. , Payne Christine K.
Published: January 2015

The cellular binding of nanoparticles depolarizes cells demonstrating that nanoparticles can alter the biological system they are designed to probe.
Tunable spectra and charge transfer process of benzodifurandione-based polymer by sulfur substitution
Authors: Sun Chaofan , Qi Dawei , Li Yuanzuo , Yang LinPo
Published: January 2015

The ground state geometry, optical and charge transport properties of benzodifurandione-based PPV (BDPPV) have been studied with density functional theory methods.
Fe(iii) induced structural, optical, and dielectric behavior of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide stabilized strontium stannate nanoparticles synthesized by a facile wet chemistry route
Authors: Kumar Astakala Anil , Kumar Ashok , Quamara J. K. , Dillip G. R. , Joo Sang Woo , Kumar Jitendra
Published: January 2015

Correlation between the structural, optical and dielectric behavior of Fe doped perovskite strontium stannate nanoparticles synthesized by a facile wet chemistry route.
Electrochemical DNA sensor for specific detection of picomolar Hg(ii) based on exonuclease III-assisted recycling signal amplification
Authors: Gan Xiaorong , Zhao Huimin , Chen Shuo , Quan Xie
Published: January 2015

An ultrasensitive methodology was successfully developed for the quantitative detection of picomolar Hg2+ based on the combination of thymine–Hg2+–thymine (T–Hg2+–T) coordination chemistry and exonuclease III-aided recycling signal amplification.
Electromagnetic wave absorption and dielectric-modulation of metallic perovskite lanthanum nickel oxide
Authors: Jiang J. J. , Li D. , Li S. J. , Wang Z. H. , Wang Y. , He J. , Liu W. , Zhang Z. D.
Published: January 2015

Metallic LaNiO3 powder shows excellent EM absorption due to arc-discharge effect, which can modulate the complex permittivity of LNO–FeCo/C composites.
All Cues Are Not Created Equal: The Case for Facilitating the Acquisition of Typical Weighting Strategies in Children With Hearing Loss
Authors: Lowenstein Joanna H. , Nittrouer Susan
Published: January 2015

Purpose

One task of childhood involves learning to optimally weight acoustic cues in the speech signal in order to recover phonemic categories. This study examined the extent to which spectral degradation, as associated with cochlear implants, might interfere. The 3 goals were to measure, for adults and children, (a) cue weighting with spectrally degraded signals, (b) sensitivity to degraded cues, and (c) word recognition for degraded signals.

Method

Twenty-three adults and 36 children (10 and 8 years old) labeled spectrally degraded stimuli from /bɑ/-to-/wɑ/ continua varying in formant and amplitude rise time (FRT and ART). They also discriminated degraded stimuli from FRT and ART continua, and recognized words.

Results

A developmental increase in the weight assigned to FRT in labeling was clearly observed, with a slight decrease in weight assigned to ART. Sensitivity to these degraded cues measured by the discrimination task could not explain variability in cue weighting. FRT cue weighting explained significant variability in word recognition; ART cue weighting did not.

Conclusion

Spectral degradation affects children more than adults, but that degradation cannot explain the greater diminishment in children's weighting of FRT. It is suggested that auditory training could strengthen the weighting of spectral cues for implant recipients.
Predicting Vocabulary Growth in Children With and Without Specific Language Impairment: A Longitudinal Study From 2;6 to 21 Years of Age
Authors: Rice Mabel L. , Hoffman Lesa
Published: January 2015

Purpose

Children with specific language impairment (SLI) often have vocabulary impairments. This study evaluates longitudinal growth in a latent trait of receptive vocabulary in affected and unaffected children ages 2;6 (years;months) to 21 years and evaluates as possible predictors maternal education, child gender, and nonverbal IQ.

Method

A sample of 519 participants (240 with SLI; 279 unaffected) received an average of 7 annual assessments for a total of 3,012 latent trait Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) observations. Unconditional and conditional multilevel growth models were estimated to evaluate growth trajectories and predictor relationships over time.

Results

Children with SLI had lower levels of receptive vocabulary throughout the age range assessed. They did not close the gap with age peers. Children with higher nonverbal IQs had better PPVT performance, as did children of mothers with higher education. Child gender showed an advantage for young girls that leveled out with age and then became an advantage for boys from ages 10 to 21 years. All children's rate of vocabulary acquisition slowed around 12 years of age.

Conclusions

The outcomes of the study have implications for hypothesized causal pathways for individual differences; predictions differ for children under 5 years, 6–10 years, and later ages.
Correlation matrices in kriging assisted optimisation of electromagnetic devices
Authors: Xiao Song , Rotaru Mihai , Sykulski Jan K.
Published: January 2015

Kriging surrogate modelling facilitates efficient decision making regarding where to place the next point for evaluation during optimisation. This is particularly helpful in the design of electromagnetic devices where computationally expensive numerical field modelling needs to be used. The disadvantage, however, is that correlation matrices are required which, for problems with many design variables and multiple objectives, may grow in size leading to the need for page swapping and thus slowing down of what in principle should be a very fast process. In this study several methodologies to reduce the computational resources required in such problems are proposed. The efficiency of the proposed approach is demonstrated using an example of a large multi‐parameter optimisation problem where kriging coupled with the average gradient value method is employed.
Clostridium-difficile-Infektionen – Ein zunehmendes Problem in deutschen Krankenhäusern
Authors: Dormann Arno , Weinke Thomas
Published: January 2015

Die Inzidenz durch Clostridium difficile ausgelöster Enterokolitiden (C.-difficile-Infektionen, CDI) hat in den letzten Jahren in deutschen Krankenhäusern deutlich zugenommen. Abhängig von verschiedenen Risikofaktoren kann die Infektion sehr schwer oder sogar lebensbedrohlich verlaufen. Tritt also eine nosokomiale Diarrhö auf, sollte daher immer an eine Infektion mit Clostridium difficile gedacht und die Diagnostik und gegebenenfalls eine angemessene Therapie zeitnah eingeleitet werden. Eine besondere Herausforderung sind die mit einer C.-difficile-Infektion einhergehenden hohen Rückfallraten. Dabei unterscheiden sich die bei schweren Verläufen oder erhöhtem Rückfallrisiko empfohlenen Antibiotika Vancomycin und Fidaxomicin hinsichtlich der Wahrscheinlichkeit eines Rückfalls. Einer der Hauptrisikofaktoren für eine CDI ist der Einsatz von Breitspektrumantibiotika, weshalb ihr sorgsamer und differenzierter Einsatz empfohlen wird, um Clostridium-difficile-Infektionen möglichst einzudämmen. Hygienemaßnahmen wie das gründliche Waschen der Hände mit Wasser und Seife tragen dazu bei, die Verbreitung der C.-difficile-Sporen zu verhindern.