bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dry box training with three‐dimensional vision for the assistant surgeon in robot‐assisted urological surgery
Authors: Hinata Nobuyuki , Iwamoto Hideto , Morizane Shuichi , Hikita Katsuya , Yao Akihisa , Muraoka Kuniyasu , Honda Masashi , Isoyama Tadahiro , Sejima Takehiro , Takenaka Atsushi
Published: February 2013

We analyzed whether three‐dimensional vision, practice or previous laparoscopic experience improves the surgical performance of the bedside assistant during robot‐assisted surgery. Six experienced laparoscopic surgeons and 15 novices carried out three skills drills imitating an assistant's maneuvers in robot‐assisted surgery, and times for completing the tasks were recorded. Both the novice and experienced groups showed significantly shorter manipulation times for each drill with three‐dimensional vision compared with two‐dimensional or glassless three‐dimensional vision. The experienced group showed significantly shorter manipulation times than the novice group for all types of vision. A significant improvement was observed 14 out of 18 times in the novice group, but only one out of 18 times in the experienced group. We can conclude that the use of three‐dimensional visualization facilitates the performance of the assistant surgeon, especially if a novice, during robot‐assisted surgery. Laparoscopic experience also improves the performance, whereas training is beneficial for novice assistant surgeons before carrying out actual operations.
Pretreatment and co‐administration of oral anti‐diabetic agent with clomiphene citrate or rFSH for ovulation induction in clomiphene‐citrate‐resistant polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Begum Mosammat Rashida , Akhter Sayeba , Ehsan Mariya , Begum Mosammat Shahina , Khan Farzana
Published: February 2013

Aim

The objective of this study was to explore the result of pretreatment and concomitant use of metformin with clomiphene citrate (CC) and rFSH for ovulation induction in clomiphene‐citrate‐resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Material and Methods

This randomized controlled trial was done in the Dhaka Medical College and Hospital and the Infertility Care and Research Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 165 infertile patients with CC‐resistant PCOS who attended for treatment were the target population for this study. Patients were divided into three groups: groups A and B were given metformin and group C was the control. Along with metformin, group A received CC and group B received rFSH. Group C was treated with only rFSH. Metformin was given 1500 mg daily for 4 weeks. Afterwards CC or rFSH were added for induction of ovulation along with metformin. Six ovulatory cycles were assessed. Treatment was terminated when there was no response with maximum dose of CC and rFSH or after six ovulatory cycles without pregnancy or after achieving pregnancy. A P‐value of <0.5 was considered as significant.

Results

Ovulation (89.09%) and pregnancy (54.55%) rates were higher in group B. Ovulation (74.55%) and pregnancy (29.09%) rates were also satisfactory in group C but a dose of rFSH requirement was significantly higher (P = 0.000). In group A, both ovulation and pregnancy rate were much lower than the other two groups (27.27% and 12.73%, respectively).

Conclusions

Use of metformin increases the response of ovulation‐inducing agents and can be used safely in PCOS.
El Niño southern oscillation and its effects on world vegetable oil prices: assessing asymmetries using smooth transition models
Authors: Ubilava David , Holt Matt
Published: February 2013

In this research, we examine the effects of El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) on market dynamics of major vegetable oil prices. We adopt a smooth transition vector error correction modelling framework to analyse the impacts ofENSOevents on the vegetable oil prices and, more interestingly, to investigate the asymmetric nature of theENSOdynamics and price responses toENSOshocks. The results confirm self‐exciting type nonlinearities in theENSOdynamics, and presence of the so‐called transactions cost band in the system of vegetable oil prices. These nonlinearities yield the history‐specific asymmetries in the vegetable oil price dynamics, wherein effects ofENSOshocks on theENSOdynamics and the vegetable oil prices vary considerably between differentENSOregimes. In general, positive deviations, El Niño events, result in the vegetable oil price increase, while negative deviations, La Niña events, result in decrease in the prices. We illustrate these effects using generalised impulse‐response functions and the derived asymmetry measures.
Intraspecific variation in a predator drives cascading variation in primary producer community composition
Authors: Weis Jerome J. , Post David M.
Published: February 2013

Predation has important cascading impacts on primary producer biomass and community composition in many ecosystems. While most studies have focused on the consequences of interspecific or density differences in predators, it is recognized that phenotypic variation within species can have strong and cascading community and ecosystem consequences at lower trophic levels. In coastal New England lakes, both the presence and life history form of the zooplanktivorous fish alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, have strong influence on the biomass, size structure and community composition of crustacean zooplankton communities. Here we test the hypothesis that alewife presence and life history will have cascading impacts on phytoplankton biomass and community composition in a mesocosm experiment that previously reported strong biomass and compositional differences of crustacean zooplankton communities among alewife treatments. We show that alewife life history led to small but statistically significant differences in phytoplankton community composition among treatments. This compositional difference was driven primarily by an increase in the density of two edible phytoplankton genera associated with lower zooplankton biomass in the anadromous alewife treatment. Our results show that intraspecific variation in a predator can have cascading effects on primary producer communities. However we did not observe significant differences in total algal biomass.
Gambling Spaces and the Racial Dialectics of Social Inclusion: A Case Study of a Remote Australian Casino
Authors: YOUNG MARTIN , DORAN BRUCE , MARKHAM FRANCIS
Published: February 2013

We critically analyse the ways in which a particular gambling space, Lasseters Hotel Casino, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, has incorporated the marginalised Aboriginal population of central Australia into the market economy as consumers, despite the failure of the market and the state to provide meaningful inclusionary alternatives in the realm of production. We explore the ways in which this gambling space has evolved as a synthesis between the imperative of capital accumulation on one hand, and the demands for the reproduction of Aboriginal social life on the other. We examine the dialectical relations between technology and consumption practices, the ideology of chance, and racialised regulation that, in combination, produce a contradictory space of economic exploitation and social inclusion. We argue that the casino has achieved something that the state has failed to do across remote Australia, that is, provide an inclusionary space for Aboriginal people within society, albeit an economically exploitative one.
Mandibular first premolar with four canals
Authors: Du Yi , Lee Angeline H. C. , Zhang Chengfei
Published: February 2013

A case of endodontic treatment of a mandibular first premolar exhibiting a total of four distinct root canals and four apical foramina is described. This occurrence in mandibular first premolar has rarely been reported in the endodontic literature. Endodontic treatment that considers the anatomic variation of root canal morphology is important to ensure a favorable healing outcome, and its identification could be enhanced by careful examination using a dental operating microscope. Obturation of root canals using a warm vertical compaction technique with a highly‐radiopaque root canal sealer, such as AH Plus, after careful ultrasonic activated irrigation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid might allow the flow of sealer into the narrowed but unprepared part of the canal. This offers valuable adjuncts for the successful negotiation of calcified main canals, thereby facilitating optimum chemo‐mechanical debridement of the root canal system.
Differential item functioning of the Spanish version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire
Authors: del Carmen Aguilar‐Díaz Fatima , Foster Page Lyndie A. , Thomson W. Murray , Borges‐Yáñez Socorro Aida
Published: February 2013

Aim

Owing to the greater use of translated and adapted instruments for measuring oral health on children′s quality of life, there is a need to ensure that such scales (and then items) function in the same way, irrespective of age, sex, socioeconomic status, language, or ethnicity, so they can be used validly and reliably in cross‐cultural research. The aim of the present study was to identify whether the Spanish version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11–14 presents differential item functioning.

Methods

Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11–14 data from New Zealand (n = 322) and Mexican (n = 335) school‐based surveys were compared. Ordinal logistic regression was undertaken in order to identify uniform or non‐uniform differential item functioning.

Results

Eleven items showed moderate‐to‐large uniform differential item functioning in the Spanish version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11–14. Non‐uniform differential item functioning was not detected. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire, when removing items showing differential item functioning, showed that the free differential item functioning version was good to excellent.

Conclusions

The Child Perceptions Questionnaire 11–14 Spanish version showed moderate‐to‐large uniform differential item functioning; however, further research is needed to identify the causes of differential item functioning.
Phylogenetic structure of vertebrate communities across the Australian arid zone
Authors: Lanier Hayley C. , Edwards Danielle L. , Knowles L. Lacey
Published: February 2013

Aim

To understand the relative importance of ecological and historical factors in structuring terrestrial vertebrate assemblages across the Australian arid zone, and to contrast patterns of community phylogenetic structure at a continental scale.

Location

Australia.

Methods

We present evidence from six lineages of terrestrial vertebrates (five lizard clades and one clade of marsupial mice) that have diversified in arid and semi‐arid Australia across 37 biogeographical regions. Measures of within‐lineage community phylogenetic structure and species turnover were computed to examine how patterns differ across the continent and between taxonomic groups. These results were examined in relation to climatic and historical factors, which are thought to play a role in community phylogenetic structure. Analyses using a novel sliding‐window approach confirm the generality of processes structuring the assemblages of the Australian arid zone at different spatial scales.

Results

Phylogenetic structure differed greatly across taxonomic groups. Although these lineages have radiated within the same biome – the Australian arid zone – they exhibit markedly different community structure at the regional and local levels. Neither current climatic factors nor historical habitat stability resulted in a uniform response across communities. Rather, historical and biogeographical aspects of community composition (i.e. local lineage persistence and diversification histories) appeared to be more important in explaining the variation in phylogenetic structure. While arid‐zone assemblages show an overall tendency towards phylogenetic clustering, this pattern was less pronounced at finer spatial scales.

Main conclusions

By focusing within different taxonomic groups and between those groups within regions, we show that although the vertebrate lineages we examined exhibited high diversity and low turnover across the arid zone, the underlying phylogenetic structure differs between regions and taxonomic groups, suggesting that taxon‐specific histories are more important than habitat stability in determining patterns of phylogenetic community relatedness.
Tooth loss and periodontitis by socio‐economic status and inflammation in a longitudinal population‐based study
Authors: Buchwald Sabine , Kocher Thomas , Biffar Reiner , Harb Ali , Holtfreter Birte , Meisel Peter
Published: February 2013

Aim

To examine the associations between factors of socio‐economic status (SES), systemic inflammation and the progression of periodontitis and incidence of tooth loss.

Material and Methods

Data of 2566 participants from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) with a 5‐year follow‐up were analysed. We evaluated attachment loss and tooth loss with regard to social variables including education, income, marital status and related risks such as smoking and obesity.

Results

Socio‐economic factors were associated with the progression of attachment level and tooth loss during the follow‐up period. Low education and low income were associated with tooth loss (incidence risk ratio IRR 1.63, p < 0.001 and 1.25, p < 0.001 respectively) and also progression of mean clinical attachment level (p < 0.010 and p = 0.046 respectively). SES as well as smoking and obesity were also associated with increased levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) with effect modifications between SES factors and CRP, also between gender and marital status. Tooth loss was associated with disadvantageous SES, particularly under conditions of high CRP levels (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The progression of periodontal disease is influenced by socio‐economic factors. Effect modifications of socio‐behavioural factors by CRP indicate that under conditions of systemic inflammation adverse SES effects may be aggravated.
Enteral feeding in head and neck cancer patients at a UK cancer centre
Authors: Sheth C. H. , Sharp S. , Walters E. R.
Published: February 2013

Background

Patients undergoing radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer have an increased risk of malnutrition, and may require enteral feeding via nasogastric or gastrostomy tube. The aim of this audit was to examine current enteral feeding practice, mortality, morbidity and 6‐month outcome data of head and neck cancer patients receiving radical (chemo)radiotherapy at a regional cancer centre and to compare the results with a regional head and neck cancer gastrostomy audit.

Methods

A 2‐year audit was conducted (2006–2008). Inclusion criteria were all adult patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, receiving radical radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy treatment. The first‐year data were collected retrospectively, and the second‐year data were collected prospectively. Data were collected on all patients requiring enteral feeding with 6‐month outcome data relating to route of nutrition.

Results

Approximately 14% (n = 32/223) of patients were admitted for nasogastric feeding as a result of inadequate oral alimentation. On admission, 94% were at risk of refeeding syndrome, taking a mean (SD) of 11 (4.9) days to reach full nutritional requirements. Mean (SD) length of hospital stay was 13 (5.1) days. No major complications from nasogastric tube insertion were found. The mean (SD) length of nasogastric feeding was 72 (20.1) days with 89.6% managing full nutritional requirements orally at 6 months.

Conclusions

Patients requiring enteral feeding during treatment were fed via a nasogastric tube, rather than via a prophylactic gastrostomy tube. Compared with the regional gastrostomy audit results, our patients had a lower clinical risk/complication rate, with a greater proportion tolerating full oral intake at 6 months. Therefore, nasogastric feeding, rather than prophylactic gastrostomy tube feeding, could be a more appropriate method of enteral feeding in this patient group.
Single indications of induction of labor with prostaglandins and risk of cesarean delivery: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Gerli Sandro , Favilli Alessandro , Giordano Claudia , Bini Vittorio , Di Renzo Gian Carlo
Published: February 2013

Aim

To determine the risk of cesarean delivery after induction of labor with prostaglandins and to establish if this is influenced by a single indication of induction of labor or any intrinsic characteristic of the woman or labor.

Material and Methods

A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Three hundred and twenty‐four pregnant women who underwent pharmacological induction of labor with prostaglandins were divided into nine groups through indication of labor induction. Statistical analysis was assessed with the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to assess the normal distribution of variables, Kruskal–Wallis test for comparisons of non‐parametric continuous variables, univariate analysis to compare cesarean delivery rates and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

The risk of cesarean section was significantly higher only in prolonged pregnancy (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.18–3.34). Elective induction was associated with the lowest risk of cesarean section (OR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.26–0.81). Maternal age and was directly related (OR = 1.087; 95% CI: 1.016–1.164), while parity (OR = 0.123; 95% CI: 0.051–0.332), Bishop score (OR = 0.703; 95% CI: 0.571–0.884), and duration of labor (OR = 0.995; 95% CI: 0.993–0.998) were inversely correlated with cesarean delivery.

Conclusion

Cesarean delivery rate is not significantly influenced by any indication of induction of labor with prostaglandins, except for prolonged pregnancy. Elective induction is associated with the lowest risk of cesarean section. Increasing maternal age, low parity, low Bishop score and low duration of labor are at higher risk of cesarean section.
Usability and Potential of Geostatistics for Spatial Discrimination of Multiple Sclerosis Lesion Patterns
Authors: Marschallinger Robert , Golaszewski Stefan M. , Kunz Alexander B. , Kronbichler Martin , Ladurner Gunther , Hofmann Peter , Trinka Eugen , McCoy Mark , Kraus Jörg
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In multiple sclerosis (MS) the individual disease courses are very heterogeneous among patients and biomarkers for setting the diagnosis and the estimation of the prognosis for individual patients would be very helpful. For this purpose, we are developing a multidisciplinary method and workflow for the quantitative, spatial, and spatiotemporal analysis and characterization of MS lesion patterns from MRI with geostatistics.

METHODS

We worked on a small data set involving three synthetic and three real‐world MS lesion patterns, covering a wide range of possible MS lesion configurations. After brain normalization, MS lesions were extracted and the resulting binary 3‐dimensional models of MS lesion patterns were subject to geostatistical indicator variography in three orthogonal directions.

RESULTS

By applying geostatistical indicator variography, we were able to describe the 3‐dimensional spatial structure of MS lesion patterns in a standardized manner. Fitting a model function to the empirical variograms, spatial characteristics of the MS lesion patterns could be expressed and quantified by two parameters. An orthogonal plot of these parameters enabled a well‐arranged comparison of the involved MS lesion patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

This method in development is a promising candidate to complement standard image‐based statistics by incorporating spatial quantification. The work flow is generic and not limited to analyzing MS lesion patterns. It can be completely automated for the screening of radiological archives.
Implicit and Explicit Peer Evaluation: Associations With Early Adolescents’ Prosociality, Aggression, and Bullying
Authors: Lansu Tessa A.M. , Cillessen Antonius H.N. , Bukowski William M.
Published: February 2013

Implicit and explicit peer evaluations were assessed among 120 early adolescents (56 boys, 64 girls; M age = 11.1 years). Explicit peer evaluations were round‐robin ratings of likeability; implicit peer evaluations were assessed with an approach‐avoidance task, also using a round‐robin design. Prosocial behavior, aggression, and bullying were assessed with a standard peer nominations procedure. Prosocial behavior predicted explicit positive evaluations given and received. Bullying and physical aggression predicted receiving explicit negative evaluations from peers. Implicit negative biases were found for girls but not boys. Relationally aggressive girls and bullying girls showed a negative implicit bias toward their peers. Possible implications for intervention are discussed.
Nursing care complexity in a psychiatric setting: results of an observational study
Authors: Petrucci C. , Marcucci G. , Carpico A. , Lancia L.
Published: February 2013

Accessible summary

For nurses working in mental health service settings, it is a priority to perform patient assessment to identify patients' general risks.

Patients' clinical status is the primary factor to consider when measuring care complexity, as well as when assessing the required nursing workload.

This study highlights that there is a relationship between the complexity of psychiatric patient care, which was assigned a numerical value after the nursing assessment, and the occurrence of psychiatric adverse events in the recent histories of the patients.

This study provides a useful and effective tool for quantifying the complexity of psychiatric patient nursing care and evaluating the appropriateness of the nursing staff, the number of required nurses, their competence and their skill mix.

For nurses working in mental health service settings, it is a priority to perform patient assessments to identify patients’ general and behavioural risks and nursing care complexity using objective criteria, to meet the demand for care and to improve the quality of service by reducing health threat conditions to the patients’ selves or to others (adverse events). This study highlights that there is a relationship between the complexity of psychiatric patient care, which was assigned a numerical value after the nursing assessment, and the occurrence of psychiatric adverse events in the recent histories of the patients. The results suggest that nursing supervision should be enhanced for patients with high care complexity scores.
Polyphasic evaluation of Xanthidium antilopaeum and Xanthidium cristatum (Zygnematophyceae, Streptophyta) species complex
Authors: Stastny Jan , Skaloud Pavel , Langenbach Dorothee , Nemjova Katarina , Neustupa Jiri
Published: February 2013

We investigated twenty‐six strains of Xanthidium antilopaeum Kütz. and seven strains of X. cristatum Ralfs isolated from various European localities or obtained from public culture collections. A combination of molecular, geometric morphometric, and morphological data were used to reveal the patterns of the phylogenetic and morphological differentiation of these taxonomically very compli‐cated desmid taxa. The molecular data based on trnGucc and ITS rDNA sequences illustrated the monophyly of both the complexes, which indicated that their traditional morphology‐based discriminative criteria, such as the different number of spines, may generally continue to be considered relevant. The single exception was X. antilopaeum var. basiornatum B. Eichler et Raciborski, which was positioned outside the X. antilopaeum/cristatum clade. The independent status of this taxon was also confirmed on the basis of the geometric morphometric data, so that we concluded that it probably represents a separate species. Within X. cristatum complex, the traditional varieties X. cristatum var. cristatum Ralfs, X. cristatum var. uncinatum Ralfs, and X. cristatum var. scrobiculatum Scott et Grönblad turned out to be separate taxa. Conversely, X. cristatum var. bituberculatum Lowe lacked any taxonomical value. Our data on X. antilopaeum illustrated extensive phylogenetic as well as phenotypic variability within this species complex. However, our data did not result in any unambiguous pattern that would allow sound taxonomic classification. Finally, we also found out that the morphologically peculiar Staurastrum tumidum Ralfs belongs to the genus Xanthidium based on the combined rbcL + cox III data set. Consequently, this species was formally transferred to this genus.
Substrate supply for calcite precipitation in Emiliania huxleyi: assessment of different model approaches
Authors: Holtz Lena‐Maria , Thoms Silke , Langer Gerald , Wolf‐Gladrow Dieter A.
Published: February 2013

Over the last four decades, different hypotheses of Ca2+ and dissolved inorganic carbon transport to the intracellular site of calcite precipitation have been put forth for Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) Hay & Mohler. The objective of this study was to assess these hypotheses by means of mathematical models. It is shown that a vesicle‐based Ca2+ transport would require very high intravesicular Ca2+ concentrations, high vesicle fusion frequencies as well as a fast membrane recycling inside the cell. Furthermore, a kinetic model for the calcification compartment is presented that describes the internal chemical environment in terms of carbonate chemistry including calcite precipitation. Substrates for calcite precipitation are transported with different stoichiometries across the compartment membrane. As a result, the carbonate chemistry inside the compartment changes and hence influences the calcification rate. Moreover, the effect of carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity within the compartment is analyzed. One very promising model version is based on a Ca2+/H+ antiport, CO2 diffusion, and a CA inside the calcification compartment. Another promising model version is based on an import of Ca2+ and HCO3− and an export of H+.
Strain variability in fatty acid composition of Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae) and its relation to differing ichthyotoxicity toward rainbow trout gill cells
Authors: Dorantes‐Aranda Juan José , Nichols Peter D. , David Waite Trevor , Hallegraeff Gustaaf M.
Published: February 2013

Lipid profiles of three strains (Mexico, Australia, Japan) of Chattonella marina (Subrahmanyan) Hara et Chihara were studied under defined growth (phosphate, light, and growth phase) and harvest (intact and ruptured cells) conditions. Triacylglycerol levels were always <2%, sterols <7%, free fatty acids varied between 2 and 33%, and polar lipids were the most abundant lipid class (>51% of total lipids). The major fatty acids in C. marina were palmitic (16:0), eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5ω3), octadecatetraenoic (18:4ω3), myristic (14:0), and palmitoleic (16:1ω7c) acids. Higher levels of EPA were found in ruptured cells (21.4–29.4%) compared to intact cells (8.5–25.3%). In general, Japanese N‐118 C. marina was the highest producer of EPA (14.3–29.4%), and Mexican CMCV‐1 the lowest producer (7.9–27.1%). Algal cultures, free fatty acids from C. marina, and the two aldehydes 2E,4E‐decadienal and 2E,4E‐heptadienal (suspected fatty acid‐derived products) were tested against the rainbow trout fish gill cell line RTgill‐W1. The configuration of fatty acids plays an important role in ichthyotoxicity. Free fatty acid fractions, obtained by base saponification of total lipids from C. marina showed a potent toxicity toward gill cells (median lethal concentration, LC50 (at 1 h) of 0.44 μg · mL−1 in light conditions, with a complete loss of viability at >3.2 μg · mL−1). Live cultures of Mexican C. marina were less toxic than Japanese and Australian strains. This difference could be related to differing EPA content, superoxide anion production, and cell fragility. The aldehydes 2E,4E‐decadienal and 2E,4E‐heptadienal also showed high impact on gill cell viability, with LC50 (at 1 h) of 0.34 and 0.36 μg · mL−1, respectively. Superoxide anion production was highest in Australian strain CMPL01, followed by Japanese N‐118 and Mexican CMCV‐1 strains. Ruptured cells showed higher production of superoxide anion compared to intact cells (e.g., 19 vs. 9.5 pmol · cell−1 · hr−1 for CMPL01, respectively). Our results indicate that C. marina is more ichthyotoxic after cell disruption and when switching from dark to light conditions, possibly associated with a higher production of superoxide anion and EPA, which may be quickly oxidized to produce more toxic derivates, such as aldehydes.
The effect of temperature and moisture on the mechanical properties of extruded cornstarch
Authors: Ditudompo Srivikorn , Takhar Pawan S. , Ganjyal Girish M. , Hanna Milford A.
Published: February 2013

The viscoelastic properties of extruded cornstarch were measured as a function of process conditions. The extruded cornstarch samples were conditioned in the moisture range of 12.9–31.2% (dry basis). Dynamic and creep behavior of the extrudate were evaluated using a dynamic mechanical analyzer. The storage (G′) and loss moduli (G″) were determined in the temperature range of 30–100C and oscillation frequency range of 0.1–51 Hz. The G′ and G″ values showed an increasing trend with a decrease in temperature and moisture content and an increase in frequency. This implied an increase in solid‐like behavior when the temperature and moisture content were reduced or the frequency was increased. Rheological parameters based on creep behavior were assessed at 30, 60 and 85C. Creep data, fitted using Burger's model, were highly dependent on both moisture content and temperature.

Practical Applications

The viscoelastic properties obtained in this experimental research can be used for solving the non‐Fickian fluid transport model for studying the expansion of starch during extrusion. The viscoelastic properties also provide an indication about the textural characteristics of starch as a function of extrusion conditions.
Semi‐empirical Relationship between Rupture Properties of Surimi Pastes and Failure Shear Stress of Surimi Gels at Different Moisture Contents
Authors: Park Joo Dong , Park Jae W. , Yoon Won B.
Published: February 2013

Rupture properties, such as yield stress (YS) and the limit of linear viscoelastic region (LLVER), of Alaska pollock surimi pastes and failure shear stress (FSS) of Alaska pollock surimi gels were measured at various moisture contents. The stress‐stain behavior of surimi paste was measured by the small amplitude oscillatory shear test using a dynamic rheometer. The YS values and the applied stress at LLVER (ASLLVER) of surimi paste were analyzed based on the stress‐strain behavior during stress sweep test at 0.1 Hz. The FSS of surimi gels measured by the Hamann Torsion Gelometer showed a strong correlation with the moisture content (r2 = 0.95). YS and ASLLVER showed strong correlations with the moisture contents (r2 = 0.94 and 0.94, respectively). Such good correlations found at varied moisture contents suggest that the rupture properties of surimi paste may help estimate the texture properties of gel products.

Practical Application

Texture properties play a major role in evaluating the quality of final products of surimi seafood, such as kamaboko and crabsticks. Failure shear stress from the torsion test is known as the most reliable value to reflect the hardness of surimi gels. Although the torsion test generates good correlations with sensory results, there are a few inevitable disadvantages: it possesses the complexity of measurements and the laborious sample preparation. Generally, the torsion test requires 1 day for gels and about 2 h for the testing specimen. Our study discovered a strong correlation of FSS of surimi gels with the rupture properties of surimi pastes, such as YS and the LLVER. Since the rupture properties of surimi pastes do not require gelation, it saves the testing time dramatically. Our new finding can be used to partially estimate the gel properties based on the paste properties, when enzymatic reactions in fish proteins are not considered.
Calcineurin inhibitors in liver transplantation – still champions or threatened by serious competitors?
Authors: Beckebaum Susanne , Cicinnati Vito R. , Radtke Arnold , Kabar Iyad
Published: February 2013

Current strategies for immunosuppression in liver transplant (LT) recipients include the design of protocols targeting a more individualized approach to reduce risk factors such as renal failure, cardiovascular complications and malignancies. Renal injury in LT recipients may be often multifactorial and is associated with increased risk of post‐transplant morbidity and mortality. The quest for low toxicity immunosuppressive regimens has been challenging and resulted in CNI minimization protocols or CNI withdrawal and conversion to mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and/or mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor‐based immunosuppressive regimens. Use of antibody induction to delay CNI administration may be an option in particular in immunocompromized, critically ill patients with high MELD scores. Protocols including MMF introduction and concomitant CNI minimization have the potential to recover renal function even in the medium and long term after LT. We review on hot topics in the prevention and management of acute and chronic renal injury in LT patients. For this purpose, we present and critically discuss results from immunosuppressive studies published in the current literature or presented at recent LT meetings.
Liver tissue engineering and cell sources: issues and challenges
Authors: Palakkan Anwar A. , Hay David C. , PR Anil K. , TV Kumary , Ross James A.
Published: February 2013

Liver diseases are of major concern as they now account for millions of deaths annually. As a result of the increased incidence of liver disease, many patients die on the transplant waiting list, before a donor organ becomes available. To meet the huge demand for donor liver, alternative approaches using liver tissue engineering principles are being actively pursued. Even though adult hepatocytes, the primary cells of the liver are most preferred for tissue engineering of liver, their limited availability, isolation from diseased organs, lack of in vitro propagation and deterioration of function acts as a major drawback to their use. Various approaches have been taken to prevent the functional deterioration of hepatocytes including the provision of an adequate extracellular matrix and co‐culture with non‐parenchymal cells of liver. Great progress has also been made to differentiate human stem cells to hepatocytes and to use them for liver tissue engineering applications. This review provides an overview of recent challenges, issues and cell sources with regard to liver tissue engineering.
Are there biases in biopsy sampling? Potential drivers of sex ratio in projectile biopsy samples from two small delphinids
Authors: Kellar Nicholas M. , Trego Marisa L. , Chivers Susan J. , Archer Fredrick I. , Minich Jeremiah J. , Perryman Wayne L.
Published: February 2013

Molecular assays were used to determine the sex of 1,294 biopsied common dolphins (658 long‐beaked common dolphins,Delphinus capensis, and 636 short‐beaked common dolphins,D. delphis) in the Southern California Bight. Sex ratio differed substantially between the two species; females comprised 241 (36.6%) ofD. capensissamples and 410 (64.5%) ofD. delphissamples. All biopsies were taken either from a large research ship or from a small, rigid‐hull inflatable boat (RHIB) launched from the larger ship. When conducting replicate biopsy effort on the same schools from each vessel/platform (“Tandem Biopsy Sampling”), we found evidence that disproportionately more femaleD. capensiswere biopsied from theRHIBthan from the ship but the same was not true forD. delphis. We suspect that these results are driven by bowriding‐behavior differences between the two species. Biopsy duration, geographic location, school size, and Julian date were considered as potential covariates with sex ratio; geographic location was the only one to show strong evidence of correlation. This study also presents an alternative to the erroneous practice of comparing sex ratios to a theoretical assumption of parity (i.e., 50:50 sex ratio) when researchers avoid sampling animals paired with calves.
Secular trends and latitude gradients in sex ratio at birth in Asia during the past 60 years
Authors: Grech Victor
Published: February 2013

Background

Latitude gradients and secular trends in Europe and North America have been found in the male–female ratio at birth (M/F: male births divided by total births), which is anticipated to approximate 0.515.

Methods

Annual national data for Asian countries for male and female live births were obtained from the World Health Organization and analyzed with contingency tables.

Results

A total of 245 938 211 live births were analyzed. An overall increasing trend in M/F was found (P < 0.0001). A latitude gradient was also noted, with more boys being born in southern, warmer latitudes (P < 0.0001). There was an overall deficit of 1 351 757 male births based on an anticipated M/F of approximately 0.515.

Conclusion

M/F is increasing overall in Asia, unlike the decline previously noted in Europe and North America. Moreover, it had been shown that there is a higher incidence of male births in southern Europe than in the north, with the opposite gradient in North America. This paper shows that M/F latitude gradients in Asia are in keeping with those of Europe. The overall M/F in Asia may be rising due to improving socioeconomic conditions, and the interplay of several poorly understood factors is likely.
Intangible Capital and Labor Productivity Growth: Panel Evidence for the EU from 1998–2005
Authors: Roth Felix , Thum Anna‐Elisabeth
Published: February 2013

Using new international comparable data on intangible capital investment by business within a panel analysis between 1998 and 2005 in an EU country sample, a positive and significant relationship between intangible capital investment and labor productivity growth is detected. This relationship proves to be robust to a range of alterations. The empirical analysis confirms previous findings that the inclusion of business intangible capital investment in the asset boundary of the national accounting framework increases the rate of change of output per hour worked more rapidly. In addition, intangible capital is able to explain a significant portion of the unexplained international variance in labor productivity growth, and becomes a dominant source of growth.
Thoughts of Self‐Harm and Help‐Seeking Behavior among Youth in the Community
Authors: Goodwin Renee D. , Mocarski Michelle , Marusic Andrej , Beautrais Annette
Published: February 2013

The association between thoughts of self‐harm and help‐seeking among youth with symptoms of depression was examined. Data were drawn from the Health Behavior of School‐aged Children Study (n = 15, 686), a nationally representative sample of youth in the United States. Analyses focused on comparing help‐seeking behaviors among youth with and without thoughts of deliberate self‐harm (DSH) when depressed. Depressed youth with thoughts of DSH exhibited different patterns of help‐seeking than those without. Both groups most frequently sought help from friends and parents. However, adolescents with thoughts of DSH were statistically more likely than youth without to seek help from friends (DSH: 69.9%; no DSH: 57.8%; AOR = 1.46), but less likely to seek help from parents (DSH: 53.7%; no DSH: 73.1%; AOR = 0.47). Youth with DSH were more likely to seek help from school officials (AOR = 1.05), health professionals (AOR: 1.83), or a counselor (AOR = 1.93) compared with those without thoughts of DSH who were more likely to seek help from a sibling (AOR: 0.77) or other relatives (AOR: 0.78). Results may help inform programs to improve identification of youth at risk of self‐harm in community and school settings.
Cohesive Zone Models: A Critical Review of Traction-Separation Relationships Across Fracture Surfaces
Authors: Park Kyoungsoo , Paulino Glaucio H.
Published: February 2013

One of the fundamental aspects in cohesive zone modeling is the definition of the traction-separation relationship across fracture surfaces, which approximates the nonlinear fracture process. Cohesive traction-separation relationships may be classified as either nonpotential-based models or potential-based models. Potential-based models are of special interest in the present review article. Several potential-based models display limitations, especially for mixed-mode problems, because of the boundary conditions associated with cohesive fracture. In addition, this paper shows that most effective displacement-based models can be formulated under a single framework. These models lead to positive stiffness under certain separation paths, contrary to general cohesive fracture phenomena wherein the increase of separation generally results in the decrease of failure resistance across the fracture surface (i.e., negative stiffness). To this end, the constitutive relationship of mixed-mode cohesive fracture should be selected with great caution.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 5 February 2013
Authors: Randow Felix , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: February 2013

An autophagy receptor specifically targets
Salmonella
for degradation in infected cells.
Surviving Birth
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: February 2013

Knock-in mice reveal a critical role for mTORC1 in stimulating autophagy to survive the hypoglycemic period that follows birth.
The Tribble Threat in Breast Cancer
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: February 2013

The pseudokinase TRB3 stimulates pathways promoting Notch-induced breast cancer progression and metastasis.
In Vitro
Antifungal Susceptibility of Cladophialophora carrionii, an Agent of Human Chromoblastomycosis
Authors: Deng S. , de Hoog G. S. , Badali H. , Yang L. , Najafzadeh M. J. , Pan B. , Curfs-Breuker I. , Meis J. F. , Liao W.
Published: February 2013

A global collection of
Cladophialophora carrionii
strains (
n
= 81) was tested against nine antifungal drugs. MIC
90
s of all strains were as follows in increasing order: itraconazole and posaconazole, 0.063 μg/ml; terbinafine, 0.125 μg/ml; isavuconazole and voriconazole, 0.25 μg/ml; caspofungin, 2 μg/ml; micafungin, 4 μg/ml; amphotericin B, 8 μg/ml; and fluconazole, 64 μg/ml.
Rattusin, an Intestinal α-Defensin-Related Peptide in Rats with a Unique Cysteine Spacing Pattern and Salt-Insensitive Antibacterial Activities
Authors: Patil Amar A. , Ouellette Andre J. , Lu Wuyuan , Zhang Guolong
Published: February 2013

Cationic antimicrobial peptides are essential components of the innate immune system. As a major family of mammalian antimicrobial peptides, defensins are expressed mainly by mucosal epithelial cells and promyelocytes. Despite the capacity to kill a broad spectrum of bacteria through physical disruption of membranes, most defensins show substantially reduced antibacterial activities in the presence of monovalent and divalent cations, thereby limiting their therapeutic potential, particularly for the treatment of systemic infections. Genome-wide computational screening of the rat genome led to the identification of the gene for a novel α-defensin-related peptide that we termed rattusin. Rattusin shares a highly conserved signal and prosequence with mammalian α-defensins, but instead of the canonical α-defensin six-cysteine motif, rattusin consists of five cysteines with a distinctive spacing pattern. Furthermore, rattusin is preferentially expressed in Paneth cells of the distal small intestine with potent antibacterial activity against a broad range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains. The MICs were mostly in the range of 2 to 4 μM, with no appreciable toxicity to mammalian cells at up to 100 μM. In contrast to classical α- and β-defensins, rattusin retained its activity in the presence of physiological concentrations of NaCl and Mg
2+
, making it an attractive antimicrobial candidate for both topical and systemic applications.
Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry and Site-Directed Disulfide Cross-Linking Suggest an Important Dynamic Interface between the Two Lysostaphin Domains
Authors: Lu Hai-Rong , Gu Mei-Gang , Huang Qiang , Huang Jin-Jiang , Lu Wan-Ying , Lu Hong , Huang Qing-Shan
Published: February 2013

Lysostaphin is a peptidoglycan hydrolase secreted by
Staphylococcus simulans
. It can specifically lyse
Staphylococcus aureus
and is being tested as a novel antibacterial agent. The protein contains an N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-terminal cell wall targeting domain. Although the two domains from homologous enzymes were structurally determined, the structural organization of lysostaphin domains remains unknown. We used hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (H/DX-MS) and site-directed disulfide cross-linking to probe the interface between the lysostaphin catalytic and targeting domains. H/DX-MS-mediated comparison of peptides from full-length lysostaphin and the separated domains identified four peptides of lower solvent accessibility in the full-length protein. Cross-linking analysis using cysteine pair substitutions within those peptides showed that two pairs of cysteines can form disulfide bonds, supporting the domain association role of the targeted peptides. The cross-linked mutant exhibited a binding capacity to
S. aureus
that was similar to that of the wild-type protein but reduced bacteriolytic activity probably because of restraint in conformation. The diminished activity was further reduced with increasing NaCl concentrations that can cause contractions of bacterial peptidoglycan. The lytic activity, however, could be fully recovered by reducing the disulfide bonds. These results suggest that lysostaphin may require dynamic association of the two domains for coordinating substrate binding and target cleavage on the elastic peptidoglycan. Our study will help develop site-specific PEGylated lysostaphin to treat systemic
S. aureus
infections.
Potent
In Vitro
Antibacterial Activity of DS-8587, a Novel Broad-Spectrum Quinolone, against Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Higuchi Saito , Onodera Yoshikuni , Chiba Megumi , Hoshino Kazuki , Gotoh Naomasa
Published: February 2013

We investigated the
in vitro
activity of DS-8587, a novel fluoroquinolone, against
Acinetobacter baumannii
. The MICs of DS-8587 against clinical isolates and its inhibitory activity against target enzymes were superior to those of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of DS-8587 was less affected by
adeA
/
adeB
/
adeC
or
abeM
efflux pumps than was that of ciprofloxacin and the frequency of single-step mutations with DS-8587 was lower than that with ciprofloxacin. DS-8587 might be an effective agent against
A. baumannii
infection.