bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controllable optomechanical coupling in serially-coupled triple resonators
Authors: Huang Chenguang , Zhao Yunsong , Fan Jiahua , Zhu Lin
Published: December 2014

Radiation pressure can efficiently couple mechanical modes with optical modes in an optical cavity. The coupling efficiency is quite dependent on the interaction between the optical mode and mechanical mode. In this report, we investigate a serially-coupled triple resonator system, where a freestanding beam is placed in the vicinity of the middle resonator. In this coupled system, we demonstrate that the mechanical mode of the free-standing beam can be selectively coupled to different resonance supermodes through the near field interaction.
Is ruminal trans-11-18:1 accumulation a prerequisite for trans-10-18:1 production?
Authors: Vlaeminck B. , Khattab W. , Fievez V.
Published: December 2014

Understanding ruminal biohydrogenation of linoleic and linolenic acid is important in relation to physiological responses in the animal and the fatty acid profile of ruminant meat and milk. Alterations in ruminal biohydrogenation pathways leading to an increased formation of trans-10-18:1 are known to occur with high-concentrate diets and marine supplements. We hypothesised that accumulation of trans-11-18:1 is a prerequisite for trans-10-18:1 production. To evaluate this hypothesis, a batch-culture method, using rumen fluid from wethers, was used which consisted of two periods. Period 1 (10 h) was used to induce changes in trans-11-18:1 accumulation using a 2 × 2 factorial design, with 18:2n-6 (0 vs 6.40 mg) and 22:6n-3 (0 vs 2.50 mg) replicated with three substrates (starch, glucose or cellobiose). As planned, the addition of 18:2n-6 in combination with 22:6n-3 resulted in greater accumulation of trans-11-18:1 than did the other treatments (2.73 ± 0.125 vs 0.37 ± 0.157 mg/flask). After P1, 18:2n-6 (3.20 mg) was added to all flasks and after 14 h of incubation, formation of trans-10-18:1 and trans-11-18:1 was evaluated. The apparent production of both trans-10-18:1 (0.057 vs 0.812 mg/flask) and trans-11-18:1 (–0.013 vs 1.100 mg/flask) for cultures receiving 22:6n-3 in P1 was greater independent of 18:2n-6 addition in P1 (P > 0.10). This lack of a significant interaction suggests that trans-11-18:1 accumulation was not a major factor explaining trans-10-18:1 production under the studied conditions.
Isolation and functional characterisation of CDPKs gene from Arachis hypogaea under salt stress
Authors: Li Yan , Fang Feng , Guo Feng , Meng Jing-Jing , Li Xin-Guo , Xia Guang-Min , Wan Shu-Bo
Published: December 2014

One of salt-induced calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) gene was isolated from Arachis hypogeae L. by RACE method. The cDNA full length was 2241bp deposited in GenBank (number KF437909), designated as AhCDPK. The coding region sequence of AhCDPK was 1629bp and encoded a protein of 542 amino acids. The molecular weight and the theoretical isoelectric point of AhCDPK was 60.96kDa and 5.61 respectively. Amino acid sequence analysis indicated that AhCDPK has highest similarity and homology with Glycine max L. In addition, the AhCDPK amino acids were predicted to encode a hydrophilic protein which localised in the endoplasmic reticulum. AhCDPK seemed to transcript in all peanut organs, and had the highest expression in seeds. The expression of AhCDPK could be strongly induced by both Ca2+ and NaCl. When exposed to salt stress, overexpressing AhCDPK in tobacco could alleviate PSII photoinhibition by improving physiological states, such as reducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), improving the activity of antioxidant defence system enzymes and improving the accumulation of osmotic regulation substance. These results showed that AhCDPK has the same functions as that of G. max, and it could play an important role for peanut to resist salt stress.
Helical buckling of actin inside filopodia generates traction
Authors: Leijnse Natascha , Oddershede Lene B. , Bendix Poul M.
Published: December 2014

Significance

Filopodia are essential membrane protrusions that facilitate cellular sensing and interaction with the environment. The mechanical properties of filopodia are crucial for their ability to push and pull on external objects and are attributed to actin dynamics. We confirm the presence of F-actin inside extended filopodia and reveal a new mechanism by which actin can exert traction forces on external objects. This mechanism is mediated by rotation and helical buckling, which cause shortening and retraction of the actin shaft. By imaging of F-actin and simultaneous force spectroscopy, we reveal and detail how force propagates through this spiral actin structure and show how torsional twist of the actin shaft is translated into a traction force at the filopodial tip.
Notch inhibition induces mitotically generated hair cells in mammalian cochleae via activating the Wnt pathway
Authors: Li Wenyan , Wu Jingfang , Yang Jianming , Sun Shan , Chai Renjie , Chen Zheng-Yi , Li Huawei
Published: December 2014

Significance

Notch signaling is known as a fundamental pathway that regulates the cell-fate determination in the inner ear. In present study, we show that Notch signaling also acts as a negative regulator that inhibits the proliferation of Lgr5
+
progenitors and maintains the homeostasis of cochlear sensory epithelium on cell numbers. More importantly, to our knowledge we provide the first piece of evidence illustrating the interaction between Notch and Wnt in the postal mouse cochlea: Notch inhibition activates the canonical Wnt pathway in the progenitor cells, which leads to mitotic generation of hair cells; but Notch inhibition induced direct supporting cell-to-hair cell transdifferentiation that is Wnt-independent. Our findings may be useful in dissecting the mechanisms regulating mammalian inner ear proliferation and hair cell generation.
Fear and C-reactive protein cosynergize annual pulse increases in healthy adults
Authors: Shenhar-Tsarfaty Shani , Yayon Nadav , Waiskopf Nir , Shapira Itzhak , Toker Sharon , Zaltser David , Berliner Shlomo , Ritov Ya'acov , Soreq Hermona
Published: December 2014

Significance

Increased heart rate predicts all-cause mortality; however, the major causes for elevated basal heart rate values and annual changes in them have not been systematically studied, possibly because of the high individual variability involved. Our study addressed the question, “which physiological and psychological parameters determine basal pulse and its annual changes?,” in a cohort of 17,380 apparently healthy volunteers. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first statistics-based search for the major interactions between physiological and psychological determinants of basal pulse and annual pulse changes; it indicates, perhaps not surprisingly, that consistent exposure to terror threats ignites fear-induced exacerbation of preexisting neuro-immune risks of all-cause mortality and proposes a set of risk-predicting parameters that may have translational value.
Arabidopsis
ribosomal proteins control vacuole trafficking and developmental programs through the regulation of lipid metabolism
Authors: Li Ruixi , Sun Ruobai , Hicks Glenn R. , Raikhel Natasha V.
Published: December 2014

Significance

Auxin is an important phytohormone that regulates almost all aspects of plant growth and development. Ribosome proteins serve as translational regulators of auxin response. This work highlights the significance of lipid metabolism in the downstream of ribosome protein function to link auxin-regulated developmental patterning with endomembrane trafficking. Our work sheds light on a novel link between auxin signaling, ribosome function, and lipid metabolism.
Peer review: still king in the digital age
Authors: NICHOLAS David , WATKINSON Anthony , JAMALI Hamid R. , HERMAN Eti , TENOPIR Carol , VOLENTINE Rachel , ALLARD Suzie , LEVINE Kenneth
Published: December 2014

The article presents one of the main findings of an international study of 4,000 academic researchers that examined how trustworthiness is determined in the digital environment when it comes to scholarly reading, citing, and publishing. The study shows that peer review is still the most trustworthy characteristic of all. There is, though, a common perception that open access journals are not peer reviewed or do not have proper peer‐review systems. Researchers appear to have moved inexorably from a print‐based system to a digital system, but it has not significantly changed the way they decide what to trust. They do not trust social media. Only a minority – although significantly mostly young and early career researchers – thought that social media are anything other than more appropriate to personal interactions and peripheral to their professional/academic lives. There are other significant differences, according to the age of the researcher. Thus, in regard to choosing an outlet for publication of their work, young researchers are much less concerned with the fact that it is peer reviewed.
Changes in the role of the commissioning editor in academic book publishing
Authors: DODDS Francis
Published: December 2014

This article reviews research on the role of the commissioning editor in academic book publishing. It argues that there has been a historic shift from a primarily ‘gatekeeper’ role to a more proactive role in shaping what authors write, driven by the requirements of business strategy, the need to focus more closely on end‐user needs, and, increasingly, by the new challenges of commissioning within a digital environment.
Predatory journals and their article publishing charges
Authors: XIA Jingfeng
Published: December 2014

This study examines the payment policies of a list of standalone predatory open access journals available on scholarlyoa.com. It is found that 72% do charge article publication fees (APCs), which is a higher percentage than found in DOAJ journals. The mean number of articles published during 2013 was 227, but ranged from 4 to 2,286 articles. The majority of journals charge low APCs and can be assumed to have modest annual incomes. There was no correlation between the amount of APC charged and the number of articles published. Comparing the number of journals charging APCs compared to the percentage from DOAJ, the findings suggest a connection between predatory practices and charging author fees. However, a comprehensive assessment of the dynamics of open access journal publishing beyond author charges should be done to avoid using APCs alone as a measure of whether a journal is predatory or not.
TheDictyosteliumprestalk inducer differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) triggers unexpectedly complex global phosphorylation changes
Authors: Sugden Chris , Urbaniak Michael D. , Araki Tsuyoshi , Williams Jeffrey G.
Published: December 2014

Differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) is a polyketide that induces Dictyostelium amoebae to differentiate as prestalk cells. We performed a global quantitative screen for phosphorylation changes that occur within the first minutes after addition of DIF-1, using a triple-label SILAC approach. This revealed a new world of DIF-1–controlled signaling, with changes in components of the MAPK and protein kinase B signaling pathways, components of the actinomyosin cytoskeletal signaling networks, and a broad range of small GTPases and their regulators. The results also provide evidence that the Ca2+/calmodulin–dependent phosphatase calcineurin plays a role in DIF-1 signaling to the DimB prestalk transcription factor. At the global level, DIF-1 causes a major shift in the phosphorylation/dephosphorylation equilibrium toward net dephosphorylation. Of interest, many of the sites that are dephosphorylated in response to DIF-1 are phosphorylated in response to extracellular cAMP signaling. This accords with studies that suggest an antagonism between the two inducers and also with the rapid dephosphorylation of the cAMP receptor that we observe in response to DIF-1 and with the known inhibitory effect of DIF-1 on chemotaxis to cAMP. All MS data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001555.
Transgenic Virus Resistance in Crop-WildCucurbita pepoDoes Not Prevent Vertical Transmission ofZucchini yellow mosaic virus
Authors: Simmons H. E. , Prendeville H. R. , Dunham J. P. , Ferrari M. J. , Earnest J. D. , Pilson D. , Munkvold G. P. , Holmes E. C. , Stephenson A. G.
Published: December 2014

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is an economically important pathogen of cucurbits that is transmitted both horizontally and vertically. Although ZYMV is seed-transmitted in Cucurbita pepo, the potential for seed transmission in virus-resistant transgenic cultivars is not known. We crossed and backcrossed a transgenic squash cultivar with wild C. pepo, and determined whether seed-to-seedling transmission of ZYMV was possible in seeds harvested from transgenic backcrossed C. pepo. We then compared these transmission rates to those of non-transgenic (backcrossed and wild) C. pepo. The overall seed-to-seedling transmission rate in ZYMV was similar to those found in previous studies (1.37%), with no significant difference between transgenic backcrossed (2.48%) and non-transgenic (1.03%) backcrossed and wild squash. Fewer transgenic backcrossed plants had symptom development (7%) in comparison with all non-transgenic plants (26%) and may be instrumental in preventing yield reduction due to ZYMV. Our study shows that ZYMV is seed transmitted in transgenic backcrossed squash, which may affect the spread of ZYMV via the movement of ZYMV-infected seeds. Deep genome sequencing of the seed-transmitted viral populations revealed that 23% of the variants found in this study were present in other vertically transmitted ZYMV populations, suggesting that these variants may be necessary for seed transmission or are distributed geographically via seeds.
Green and Red Light Reduces the Disease Severity byPseudomonas cichoriiJBC1 in Tomato Plants via Upregulation of Defense-Related Gene Expression
Authors: Nagendran Rajalingam , Lee Yong Hoon
Published: December 2014

Light influences many physiological processes in most organisms. To investigate the influence of light on plant and pathogen interaction, we challenged tomato seedlings with Pseudomonas cichorii JBC1 by flood inoculation and incubated the seedlings under different light conditions. Tomato seedlings exposed to green or red light showed a significant reduction in disease incidence compared with those grown under white light or dark conditions. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we investigated the effects of each light wavelength on P. cichorii JBC1 and tomato plants. Treatment with various light wavelengths at 120 µmol m–2s–1revealed no significant difference in growth, swarming motility, or biofilm formation of the pathogen. In addition, when we vacuum-infiltrated P. cichorii JBC1 into tomato plants, green and red light also suppressed disease incidence which indicated that the reduced disease severity was not from direct influence of light on the pathogen. Significant upregulation of the defense-related genes, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and pathogenesis-related protein 1a (PR-1a) was observed in P. cichorii JBC1-infected tomato seedlings grown under green or red light compared with seedlings grown under white light or dark conditions. The results of this study indicate that light conditions can influence plant defense mechanisms. In particular, green and red light increase the resistance of tomato plants to infection by P. cichorii.
Cell adhesion and urothelial bladder cancer: the role of cadherin switching and related phenomena
Authors: Bryan Richard T.
Published: December 2014

Cadherins are mediators of cell–cell adhesion in epithelial tissues. E-cadherin is a known tumour suppressor and plays a central role in suppressing the invasive phenotype of cancer cells. However, the abnormal expression of N- and P-cadherin (‘cadherin switching’, CS) has been shown to promote a more invasive and m̀alignant phenotype of cancer, with P-cadherin possibly acting as a key mediator of invasion and metastasis in bladder cancer. Cadherins are also implicated in numerous signalling events related to embryonic development, tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis. It is these wide ranging effects and the serious implications of CS that make the cadherin cell adhesion molecules and their related pathways strong candidate targets for the inhibition of cancer progression, including bladder cancer. This review focuses on CS in the context of bladder cancer and in particular the switch to P-cadherin expression, and discusses other related molecules and phenomena, including EpCAM and the development of the cancer stem cell phenotype.
Cross-species fertilization: the hamster egg receptor, Juno, binds the human sperm ligand, Izumo1
Authors: Bianchi Enrica , Wright Gavin J.
Published: December 2014

Fertilization is the culminating event in sexual reproduction and requires the recognition and fusion of the haploid sperm and egg to form a new diploid organism. Specificity in these recognition events is one reason why sperm and eggs from different species are not normally compatible. One notable exception is the unusual ability of zona-free eggs from the Syrian golden hamster (
Mesocricetus auratus
) to recognize and fuse with human sperm, a phenomenon that has been exploited to assess sperm quality in assisted fertility treatments. Following our recent finding that the interaction between the sperm and egg recognition receptors Izumo1 and Juno is essential for fertilization, we now demonstrate concordance between the ability of Izumo1 and Juno from different species to interact, and the ability of their isolated gametes to cross-fertilize each other
in vitro
. In particular, we show that Juno from the golden hamster can directly interact with human Izumo1. These data suggest that the interaction between Izumo1 and Juno plays an important role in cross-species gamete recognition, and may inform the development of improved prognostic tests that do not require the use of animals to guide the most appropriate fertility treatment for infertile couples.
Cocrystals of the antibiotic trimethoprim with glutarimide and 3,3-dimethylglutarimide held together by three hydrogen bonds
Authors: Ton Quoc Cuong , Egert Ernst
Published: December 2014

The antibiotic trimethoprim [5-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)pyrimidine-2,4-diamine] was cocrystallized with glutarimide (piperidine-2,6-dione) and its 3,3-dimethyl derivative (4,4-dimethylpiperidine-2,6-dione). The cocrystals,viz.trimethoprim–glutarimide (1/1), C14H18N4O3·C5H7NO2, (I), and trimethoprim–3,3-dimethylglutarimide (1/1), C14H18N4O3·C7H11NO2, (II), are held together by three neighbouring hydrogen bonds (one central N—H...N and two N—H...O) between the pyrimidine ring of trimethoprim and the imide group of glutarimide, with anADA/DADpattern (A= acceptor andD= donor). These heterodimers resemble two known cocrystals of trimethoprim with barbituric acid and its 5,5-diethyl derivative. Trimethoprim shows a conformation in which the planes of the pyrimidine and benzene rings are approximately perpendicular to one another. In its glutarimide coformer, five of the six ring atoms lie in a common plane; the C atom opposite the N atom deviates by about 0.6 Å. The crystal packing of each of the two cocrystals is characterized by an extended network of hydrogen bonds and contains centrosymmetrically related trimethoprim homodimers formed by a pair of N—H...N hydrogen bonds. This structural motif occurs in five of the nine published crystal structures in which neutral trimethoprim is present.
Protein purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis ofL-arabinose isomerase fromLactobacillus fermentumCGMCC2921
Authors: Xu Zheng , Li Sha , Liang Jinfeng , Feng Xiaohai , Xu Hong
Published: December 2014

L-Arabinose isomerase (AI) catalyzes the isomerization of L-arabinose to L-ribulose, as well as that of D-galactose to D-tagatose. A thermophilic AI derived fromLactobacillus fermentumCGMCC2921 (LFAI) was overexpressed inEscherichia coliBL21 (DE3). This enzyme was purified to over 95% purity by nickel affinity, Mono-Q ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The LFAI protein was crystallized from either 0.1 Mbis-tris pH 6.5, 23% PEG 3350, 0.3 MNaCl (form 1 crystals) or 0.1 Mbis-tris pH 6.0, 25% PEG monomethyl ether 5000 (form 2 crystals). Diffraction data from form 1 LFAI crystals were collected to 2.80 Å resolution using synchrotron radiation. The form 1 crystals belonged to the orthorhombic space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 85.11,b= 184.57,c= 186.26 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. The asymmetric unit contained six LFAI subunits, corresponding to a calculated Matthews coefficient of 2.29 Å3 Da−1and a solvent content of 46.22%.
Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of the histone-like HU protein fromSpiroplasma melliferumKC3
Authors: Boyko Konstantin , Gorbacheva Marina , Rakitina Tatiana , Korzhenevskiy Dmitry , Vanyushkina Anna , Kamashev Dmitry , Lipkin Alexey , Popov Vladimir
Published: December 2014

HU proteins belong to the nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) that are involved in vital processes such as DNA compaction and reparation, gene transcriptionetc.No data are available on the structures of HU proteins from mycoplasmas. To this end, the HU protein from the parasitic mycoplasmaSpiroplasma melliferumKC3 was cloned, overexpressed inEscherichia coliand purified to homogeneity. Prismatic crystals of the protein were obtained by the vapour-diffusion technique at 4°C. The crystals diffracted to 1.36 Å resolution (the best resolution ever obtained for a HU protein). The diffraction data were indexed in space groupC2 and the structure of the protein was solved by the molecular-replacement method with one monomer per asymmetric unit.
Overexpression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of SF173 fromShigella flexneri
Authors: Kim Ha-Neul , An Jeong-Gi , Lee Yoo-Sup , Seok Seung-Hyeon , Yoo Hee-Seop , Seo Min-Duk
Published: December 2014

Shigella flexneriis a Gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium in the genusShigellathat can cause diarrhoea in humans. SF173, a hypothetical protein fromS. flexneri5a strain M90T, has been cloned, overexpressed, purified and crystallized as a part of laboratory-scale structural genomics project. The SF173 protein was crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method in the presence of 0.8 Msuccinic acid pH 7.0 at 293 K. Preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the crystal diffracted to 1.47 Å resolution and belonged to space groupI432, with unit-cell parametersa=b=c= 110.245 Å.
Crystal structure of (Z)-1-phenyl-3-styrylundeca-2-en-4,10-diyn-1-ol
Authors: Ganguly Rakesh , Sally  , Chan Philip Wai Hong
Published: December 2014

The molecule of the title compound, C25H24O, obtained by acid-catalysed 1,3-migration of an alcohol group, is T-shaped. The planes of the two phenyl rings are inclined to one another by 81.9 (2)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [001].
Crystal structure of 1-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)urea
Authors: Jayalakshmi L. , Ramalingan C. , Sridhar B. , Selvanayagam S.
Published: December 2014

In the title urea derivative, C9H12N2O, the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the mean plane of the urea group, N—C(=O)—N, is 86.6 (1)°. In the crystal, the urea O atom is involved in three N—H...O hydrogen bonds. Molecules are linkedviapairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers with anR22(8) ring motif. The dimers are linked by further N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming two-dimensional networks lying parallel to (100).
Prey density and distribution drive the three‐dimensional foraging strategies of the largest filter feeder
Authors: Goldbogen Jeremy A. , Hazen Elliott L. , Friedlaender Ari S. , Calambokidis John , DeRuiter Stacy L. , Stimpert Alison K. , Southall Brandon L.
Published: December 2014

Despite their importance in determining the rate of both energy gain and expenditure, how the fine‐scale kinematics of foraging are modified in response to changes in prey abundance and distribution remain poorly understood in many animal ecosystems.

In the marine environment, bulk‐filter feeders rely on dense aggregations of prey for energetically efficient foraging. Rorqual whales (Balaenopteridae) exhibit a unique form of filter feeding called lunge feeding, a process whereby discrete volumes of prey‐laden water are intermittently engulfed and filtered. In many large rorqual species the size of engulfed water mass is commensurate with the whale's body size, yet is engulfed in just a few seconds. This filter‐feeding mode thus requires precise coordination of the body and enlarged engulfment apparatus to maximize capture efficiency.

Previous studies from whale‐borne tags revealed that many rorqual species perform rolling behaviours when foraging. It has been hypothesized that such acrobatic manoeuvres may be required for efficient prey capture when prey manifest in small discrete patches, but to date there has been no comprehensive analysis of prey patch characteristics during lunge feeding events. We developed a null hypothesis that blue whale kinematics are independent of prey patch characteristics.

To test this hypothesis, we investigated the foraging performance of blue whales, the largest filter‐feeding predator and their functional response to variability in their sole prey source, krill using a generalized additive mixed model framework. We used a combination of animal‐borne movement sensors and hydroacoustic prey mapping to simultaneously quantify the three‐dimensional foraging kinematics of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) and the characteristics of targeted krill patches.

Our analyses rejected our null hypothesis, showing that blue whales performed more acrobatic manoeuvres, including 180° and 360° rolling lunges, when foraging on low‐density krill patches. In contrast, whales targeting high‐density krill patches involved less manoeuvring during lunges and higher lunge feeding rates.

These data demonstrate that blue whales exhibit a range of adaptive foraging strategies that maximize prey capture in different ecological contexts. Because first principles indicate that manoeuvres require more energy compared with straight trajectories, our data reveal a previously unrecognized level of complexity in predator–prey interactions that are not accounted for in optimal foraging and energetic efficiency models.
The Perpetually Wedded Wife of God: A Study of Shaykh Musa “Sadā Suhāg” as the Founder of Sadā Suhāgiyya Silsilah
Authors: Anjum Tanvir
Published: December 2014

Some of the sufis have conceptualised the relationship of human beings with God in gendered terms, and identified themselves with the feminine while imagining God in masculine terms. Such a characterisation can be found in sufi poetry, but it also finds manifestation in certain sufi practices as well, such as the male sufis dressing up as women. A fifteenth‐century South Asian sufi, Shaykh Musa “Sadā Suhāg” of Gujarat — the founder of Sadā Suhāgiyya Silsilah — dressed up like a married woman or a bride. His androgynous appearance, soubriquet, and the name of the sufi silsilah he founded, indicate that he ingeniously indigenised the sufi idea of God's bride keeping in view the Indian cultural ethos and social conventions.
A Case Example of Asphyxia Due to Occupational Exposure to Airborne Chemicals and Review of Workplace Fatalities
Authors: Frame Meredith H. , Schandl Cynthia A.
Published: December 2014

Although worker injury and fatalities have decreased since adoption of the Occupational Safety and Health Act in 1970, it remains an important safety issue. This article describes a 27‐year‐old white male who died from occupational exposure to airborne chemicals. Several trends in the last several decades, both in the types of injuries and the occupations associated with fatalities, are noted. Additionally, individual risk factors such as age, gender, chronic disease, smoking, and alcohol and drug use are implicated in worker health and safety. The role of the forensic pathologist in the investigation of workplace deaths is highlighted, in addition to the future of occupational safety and current improvements brought about by such incidents.
Radiation promotes malignant phenotypes through SRC in breast cancer cells
Authors: Kim Rae‐Kwon , Cui Yan‐Hong , Yoo Ki‐Chun , Kim In‐Gyu , Lee Minyoung , Choi Yung Hyun , Suh Yongjoon , Lee Su‐Jae
Published: December 2014

Despite the fact that ionizing radiation (IR) is widely used as a standard treatment for breast cancer, much evidence suggests that IR paradoxically promotes cancer malignancy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying radiation‐induced cancer progression remain obscure. Here, we report that irradiation activates SRC signaling among SRC family kinase proteins, thereby promoting malignant phenotypes such as invasiveness, expansion of the cancer stem‐like cell population, and resistance to anticancer agents in breast cancer cells. Importantly, radiation‐activated SRC induced SLUG expression and caused epithelial–mesenchymal cell transition through phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase B and p38 MAPK signaling. In agreement, either inhibition of SRC or downstream signaling of p38 MAPK or protein kinase B effectively attenuated radiation‐induced epithelial–mesenchymal cell transition along with an increase in the cancer stem‐like cell population. In addition, downregulation of SRC also abolished radiation‐acquired resistance of breast cancer cells to anticancer agents such as cisplatin, etoposide, paclitaxel, and IR. Taken together, our findings suggest that combining radiotherapy with targeting of SRC might attenuate the harmful effects of radiation and enhance the efficacy of breast cancer treatment.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 1,4‐dihydropyridine Derivatives as Potent Antitubercular Agents
Authors: Desai Nisheeth C. , Trivedi Amit R. , Somani Hardik C. , Bhatt Kandarp A.
Published: December 2014

A series of novel 1,4‐dihydropyridine‐3,5‐dicarbamoyl derivatives bearing an imidazole nucleus at C‐4 position were synthesized in excellent yields via multicomponent Hantzsch reaction. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy. The synthesized compounds 3a‐p were screened for antitubercular activity. Among all the screened compounds, compounds 3j and 3m showed most prominent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis with minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.02 μg/mL and SI > 500, making it more potent than first‐line antitubercular drug isoniazid. In addition, these compounds displayed relatively low cytotoxicity.
Compound heterozygous mutations in TTC7A cause familial multiple intestinal atresias and severe combined immunodeficiency
Authors: Yang W. , Lee P.P.W. , Thong M.‐K. , Ramanujam T.M. , Shanmugam A. , Koh M.‐T. , Chan K.‐W. , Ying D. , Wang Y. , Shen J.J. , Yang J. , Lau Y.L.
Published: December 2014

Familial multiple intestinal atresias is an autosomal recessive disease with or without combined immunodeficiency. In the last year, several reports have described mutations in the gene TTC7A as causal to the disease in different populations. However, exact correlation between different genotypes and various phenotypes are not clear. In this study, we report identification of novel compound heterozygous mutations in TTC7A gene in a Malay girl with familial multiple intestinal atresias and severe combined immunodeficiency (MIA‐SCID) by whole exome sequencing. We found two mutations in TTC7A: one that destroyed a putative splicing acceptor at the junction of intron 17/exon 18 and one that introduced a stop codon that would truncate the last two amino acids of the encoded protein. Reviewing the recent reports on TTC7A mutations reveals correlation between the position and nature of the mutations with patient survival and clinical manifestations. Examination of public databases also suggests carrier status for healthy individuals, making a case for population screening on this gene, especially in populations with suspected frequent founder mutations.
Oxidized Titanium Implants Enhance Osseointegration via Mechanisms InvolvingRANK/RANKL/OPGRegulation
Authors: Lennerås Maria , Palmquist Anders , Norlindh Birgitta , Emanuelsson Lena , Thomsen Peter , Omar Omar
Published: December 2014

Background

The role of implant surface properties for bone formation and bone remodeling, that is, the major events during osseointegration, are incompletely understood.

Purpose

This experimental study aimed to investigate the relation between molecular and morphological patterns at the bone interface for machined and oxidized implants.

Materials and Methods

Machined and anodically oxidized titanium implants were inserted in rat tibiae. The implants and surrounding tissue were retrieved at 1, 3, 6, 14, or 28 days for gene expression, histology, histomorphometry, backscatter scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy.

Results

Compared with machined‐surface implants, a higher degree of mineralized bone was found in contact with the oxidized‐surface implants. After 3 days, cells adherent to the oxidized implants demonstrated a markedly higher expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B(RANK), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐Bligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG). Whereas theOPGexpression was higher at the machined implants at 6, 14, and 28 days, a higherRANKL/OPGratio was detected at the oxidized implants. Between 3 and 14 days, both implants demonstrated a temporal increase inRANKL/OPG, corresponding to the remodeling phase at the bone‐implant interface. For both implant types, theRANKL/OPGratio sharply decreased to a low level after 28 days.

Conclusions

The present results show that oxidized implants rapidly promote a high degree of mineralized bone apposition to the surface. As determined by the gene expression data, the mechanisms involve an early induction of osteoclastic differentiation and subsequently more intensive bone remodeling, which accelerates the maturation of the bone‐implant interface. The present study suggests that theRANKL/OPGratio is a sensitive indicator for monitoring the remodeling process during osseointegration.
The exercise heart rate profile in master athletes compared to healthy controls
Authors: Kwon Osung , Park Saejong , Kim Young‐Joo , Min Sun‐Yang , Kim Yoo Ri , Nam Gi‐Byoung , Choi Kee‐Joon , Kim You‐Ho
Published: December 2014

Endurance exercise protects the heart via effects on autonomic control of heart rate (HR); however, its effects on HR indices in healthy middle‐aged men are unclear. This study compared HR profiles, including resting HR, increase in HR during exercise and HR recovery after exercise, in middle‐aged athletes and controls. Fifty endurance‐trained athletes and 50 controls (all male; mean age, 48·7 ± 5·8 years) performed an incremental symptom‐limited exercise treadmill test. The electrocardiographic findings and HR profiles were evaluated. Maximal O2 uptake (52·6 ± 7·0 versus 34·8 ± 4·5 ml kg−1 min−1; P<0·001) and the metabolic equivalent of task (15·4 ± 1·6 versus 12·2 ± 1·5; P<0·001) were significantly higher in athletes than in controls. Resting HR was significantly lower in athletes than in controls (62·8 ± 6·7 versus 74·0 ± 10·4 beats per minute (bpm), respectively; P<0·001). Athletes showed a greater increase in HR during exercise than controls (110·1 ± 11·0 versus 88·1 ± 15·4 bpm; P<0·001); however, there was no significant between‐group difference in HR recovery at 1 min after cessation of exercise (22·9 ± 5·6 versus 21·3 ± 6·7 bpm; P = 0·20). Additionally, athletes showed a lower incidence of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) during exercise (0·0% versus 24·0%; P<0·001). Healthy middle‐aged men participating in regular endurance exercise showed more favourable exercise HR profiles and a lower incidence of PVCs during exercise than sedentary men. These results reflect the beneficial effect of endurance training on autonomic control of the heart.
Effect of organic matter on arsenic(V) and antimony(V) adsorption in soils
Authors: Dousova B. , Buzek F. , Herzogova L. , Machovic V. , Lhotka M.
Published: December 2014

The interaction of toxic oxyanions with organic matter can affect their stability and binding mechanisms in soils. The adsorption/desorption properties of arsenic (AsV)/antimony (SbV) oxyanions were tested with two types of soil with a variable content of natural organic matter (NOM). Sample JEZ (I) represented a locality near a brown‐coal power plant, and therefore formerly exposed to large amounts of atmospheric pollution, while sample LIZ (II) originated in an uncontaminated region without anthropogenic impact. Soil samples were investigated from the organic O and mineral B horizons. Different As/Sb fixations were indicated by their different adsorption affinity to O and B horizons. Arsenic as AsV was strongly adsorbed in B horizons, while antimony as SbV was predominantly bound in O horizons. The sorption followed the Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacities of 1.4 × 10−2 mmol g−1 for As and 1.0 × 10−2 mmol g−1 for Sb adsorptions. The release of As and Sb to distilled water and 0.1 m KCl illustrated the significantly larger stability of As and Sb oxyanions in ionic solutions, where available ions prevented the aggregation of organic matter, thus maintaining the balanced distribution of surface charge. Distilled water with a pH of about 6 supported a negative surface charge density and enhanced the release of As/Sb oxyanions.
Deconstructing environmental predictability: seasonality, environmental colour and the biogeography of marine life histories
Authors: Marshall Dustin J. , Burgess Scott C.
Published: December 2014

Environmental predictability is predicted to shape the evolution of life histories. Two key types of environmental predictability, seasonality and environmental colour, may influence life‐history evolution independently but formal considerations of both and how they relate to life history are exceedingly rare. Here, in a global biogeographical analysis of over 800 marine invertebrates, we explore the relationships between both forms of environmental predictability and three fundamental life‐history traits: location of larval development (aplanktonic vs. planktonic), larval developmental mode (feeding vs. non‐feeding) and offspring size. We found that both dispersal potential and offspring size related to environmental predictability, but the relationships depended on both the environmental factor as well as the type of predictability. Environments that were more seasonal in food availability had a higher prevalence of species with a planktonic larval stage. Future studies should consider both types of environmental predictability as each can strongly affect life‐history evolution.
Can we derive macroecological patterns from primary Global Biodiversity Information Facility data?
Authors: García‐Roselló Emilio , Guisande Cástor , Manjarrés‐Hernández Ana , González‐Dacosta Jacinto , Heine Juergen , Pelayo‐Villamil Patricia , González‐Vilas Luis , Vari Richard P. , Vaamonde Antonio , Granado‐Lorencio Carlos , Lobo Jorge M.
Published: December 2014

Aim

To determine whether the method used to build distributional maps from raw data influences the representation of two principal macroecological patterns: the latitudinal gradient in species richness and the latitudinal variation in range sizes (Rapoport's rule).

Location

World‐wide.

Methods

All available distribution data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) for those fish species that are members of orders of fishes with only marine representatives in each order were extracted and cleaned so as to compare four different procedures: point‐to‐grid (GBIF maps), range maps applying an α‐shape [GBIF‐extent of occurrence (EOO) maps], the MaxEnt method of species distribution modelling (GBIF‐MaxEnt maps) and the MaxEnt method but restricted to the area delimited by the α‐shape (GBIF‐MaxEnt‐restricted maps).

Results

The location of hotspots and the latitudinal gradient in species richness or range sizes are relatively similar in the four procedures. GBIF‐EOO maps and most GBIF‐MaxEnt‐maps provide overestimations of species richness when compared with those present in a priori well‐surveyed cells. GBIF‐EOO maps seem to provide more reasonable world macroecological patterns. MaxEnt can erroneously predict the presence of species in environmentally similar cells of another hemisphere or in other regions that lie outside the range of the species. Limiting this overpredictive capacity, as in the case of GBIF‐MaxEnt‐restricted maps, seems to mimic the frequency of observations derived from a simple point‐to‐grid procedure, with the utility of this procedure consequently being limited.

Main conclusions

In studies of macroecological patterns at a global scale, the simple α‐shape method seems to be a more parsimonious option for extrapolating species distributions from primary data than are distribution models performed indiscriminately and automatically with MaxEnt. GBIF data may be used in macroecological patterns if original data are cleaned, autocorrelation is corrected and species richness figures do not constitute obvious underestimations. Efforts therefore should focus on improving the number and quality of records that can serve as the source of primary data in macroecological studies.
Effect of NAPL Source Morphology on Mass Transfer in the Vadose Zone
Authors: Petri Benjamin G. , Fučík Radek , Illangasekare Tissa H. , Smits Kathleen M. , Christ John A. , Sakaki Toshihiro , Sauck Carolyn C.
Published: December 2014

The generation of vapor‐phase contaminant plumes within the vadose zone is of interest for contaminated site management. Therefore, it is important to understand vapor sources such as non‐aqueous‐phase liquids (NAPLs) and processes that govern their volatilization. The distribution of NAPL, gas, and water phases within a source zone is expected to influence the rate of volatilization. However, the effect of this distribution morphology on volatilization has not been thoroughly quantified. Because field quantification of NAPL volatilization is often infeasible, a controlled laboratory experiment was conducted in a two‐dimensional tank (28 cm × 15.5 cm × 2.5 cm) with water‐wet sandy media and an emplaced trichloroethylene (TCE) source. The source was emplaced in two configurations to represent morphologies encountered in field settings: (1) NAPL pools directly exposed to the air phase and (2) NAPLs trapped in water‐saturated zones that were occluded from the air phase. Airflow was passed through the tank and effluent concentrations of TCE were quantified. Models were used to analyze results, which indicated that mass transfer from directly exposed NAPL was fast and controlled by advective‐dispersive‐diffusive transport in the gas phase. However, sources occluded by pore water showed strong rate limitations and slower effective mass transfer. This difference is explained by diffusional resistance within the aqueous phase. Results demonstrate that vapor generation rates from a NAPL source will be influenced by the soil water content distribution within the source. The implications of the NAPL morphology on volatilization in the context of a dynamic water table or climate are discussed.
A clinicotherapeutic analysis of Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis with an emphasis on the predictive value and accuracy of SCORe of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis
Authors: Bansal Shuchi , Garg Vijay K. , Sardana Kabir , Sarkar Rashmi
Published: December 2014

Background

The SCORTEN scale (SCORe of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis) is widely used to predict mortality in patients with Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Although it is largely a useful tool, the predictive ability of the scale is variable, and modifications to the existing scale have been suggested. In addition, there is controversy regarding the roles of active therapy and conservative management.

Objectives

This study was conducted to assess outcomes in SJS/TEN patients managed conservatively and to analyze the predictive performance of SCORTEN.

Methods

Sixty patients were studied prospectively from October 2008 to September 2011. The accuracy of SCORTEN in predicting mortality was analyzed on days 1, 3, and 5 of admission. All patients were managed conservatively.

Results

The discriminative power of SCORTEN was acceptable, being best on day 5. The agreement between actual and predicted mortality was poor, as indicated by a low P‐value of the Hosmer–Lemeshow statistic. Only three parameters (heart rate, blood urea, and serum bicarbonate) were found to be significant on multivariate analysis, and all of these represented components within the original SCORTEN scale. The mortality rate was 16.7%. All deaths occurred within the first two weeks (8–12 days).

Conclusions

Serial analysis using SCORTEN is better than analysis performed only on day 1. Although the scale is largely useful, its performance is influenced by the demographic profile of the study population; minor modifications based on the population studied may increase the predictive accuracy of the original SCORTEN. In addition, conservative management is a valid therapeutic option, is preferable to treatment with steroids and immunosuppressants, and is highly recommended.
Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations: Secondary Prevention of Stroke Guidelines, Update 2014
Authors: Coutts Shelagh B. , Wein Theodore H. , Lindsay M. Patrice , Buck Brian , Cote Robert , Ellis Paul , Foley Norine , Hill Michael D. , Jaspers Sharon , Jin Albert Y. , Kwiatkowski Brenda , MacPhail Carolyn , McNamara-Morse Dana , McMurtry Michael S. , Mysak Tania , Pipe Andrew , Silver Karen , Smith Eric E. , Gubitz Gord
Published: December 2014

Every year, approximately 62 000 people with stroke and transient ischemic attack are treated in Canadian hospitals. The 2014 update of the Canadian Secondary Prevention of Stroke guideline is a comprehensive summary of current evidence-based recommendations for clinicians in a range of settings, who provide care to patients following stroke. Notable changes in this 5th edition include an emphasis on treating the highest risk patients who present within 48 h of symptom onset with transient or persistent motor or speech symptoms, who need to be transported to the closest emergency department with capacity for advanced stroke care; a recommendation for brain and vascular imaging (of the intra- and extracranial vessels) to be completed urgently using computed tomography/computed tomography angiography; prolonged cardiac monitoring for patients with suspective cardioembolic stroke but without evidence for atrial fibrillation on electrocardiogram or holter monitoring; and de-emphasizing the need for routine echocardiogram. The Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations include a range of supporting materials such as implementation resources to facilitate the adoption of evidence to practice, and related performance measures to enable monitoring of uptake and effectiveness of the recommendations using a standardized approach. The guidelines further emphasize the need for a systems approach to stroke care, involving an interprofessional team, with access to specialists regardless of patient location, and the need to overcome geographical barriers to ensure equity in access within a universal health-care system.