bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA structure-specific priming of ATR activation by DNA-PKcs
Authors: Vidal-Eychenié Sophie , Décaillet Chantal , Basbous Jihane , Constantinou Angelos
Published: July 2013

Three phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase–related protein kinases implement cellular responses to DNA damage. DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated respond primarily to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Ataxia-telangiectasia and RAD3-related (ATR) signals the accumulation of replication protein A (RPA)–covered single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), which is caused by replication obstacles. Stalled replication intermediates can further degenerate and yield replication-associated DSBs. In this paper, we show that the juxtaposition of a double-stranded DNA end and a short ssDNA gap triggered robust activation of endogenous ATR and Chk1 in human cell-free extracts. This DNA damage signal depended on DNA-PKcs and ATR, which congregated onto gapped linear duplex DNA. DNA-PKcs primed ATR/Chk1 activation through DNA structure-specific phosphorylation of RPA32 and TopBP1. The synergistic activation of DNA-PKcs and ATR suggests that the two kinases combine to mount a prompt and specific response to replication-born DSBs.
The oxysterol–CXCR2 axis plays a key role in the recruitment of tumor-promoting neutrophils
Authors: Raccosta Laura , Fontana Raffaella , Maggioni Daniela , Lanterna Claudia , Villablanca Eduardo J. , Paniccia Aida , Musumeci Andrea , Chiricozzi Elena , Trincavelli Maria Letizia , Daniele Simona , Martini Claudia , Gustafsson Jan-Ake , Doglioni Claudio , Feo Safiyè Gonzalvo , Leiva Andrea , Ciampa Maria Grazia , Mauri Laura , Sensi Cristina , Prinetti Alessandro , Eberini Ivano , Mora J. Rodrigo , Bordignon Claudio , Steffensen Knut R. , Sonnino Sandro , Sozzani Silvano , Traversari Catia , Russo Vincenzo
Published: July 2013

Tumor-infiltrating immune cells can be conditioned by molecules released within the microenvironment to thwart antitumor immune responses, thereby facilitating tumor growth. Among immune cells, neutrophils play an important protumorigenic role by favoring neoangiogenesis and/or by suppressing antitumor immune responses. Tumor-derived oxysterols have recently been shown to favor tumor growth by inhibiting dendritic cell migration toward lymphoid organs. We report that tumor-derived oxysterols recruit protumor neutrophils in a liver X receptor (LXR)–independent, CXCR2-dependent manner, thus favoring tumor growth by promoting neoangiogenesis and immunosuppression. We demonstrate that interfering with the oxysterol–CXCR2 axis delays tumor growth and prolongs the overall survival of tumor-bearing mice. These results identify an unanticipated protumor function of the oxysterol–CXCR2 axis and a possible target for cancer therapy.
Musings on the Architecture and Molecular Arrangement of Polymers in Starch Granules Based on Iodine
Authors: Seetharaman Koushik , Bertoft Eric
Published: July 2013

The molecular architecture of starch has been the focus of research for over two centuries. However, studies toward understanding the granular architecture of starch have been limited to the crystalline lamellae, and the composition, structure, and organization of polymers in the amorphous background still remain unclear. This essay summarizes some recent results based on novel experiments with iodine vapor–granular starch interactions that occur in the amorphous regions of the granule. In combination with atomic force microscopy, light microscopy, powder spectrophotometry, and X‐ray diffractometry, iodine binding was used to explore the amorphous structures and the architecture of the granule. Results based on heating starch granules in the presence of iodine and their implications are also presented.
The Performing Protein: Beyond Wheat Proteomics?
Authors: Bonomi Francesco , Iametti Stefania , Mamone Gianfranco , Ferranti Pasquale
Published: July 2013

Substantial progress has been made in breaking down the complex pattern of proteins in wheat, and the constant improvement of “‐omics” approaches has allowed relating the abundance of selected wheat proteins to flour and semolina performance during processing. This strategy has provided some sound molecular basis for the work of geneticists, breeders, and growers. Along with an update on work in this area, this review is meant to highlight that performance‐relevant proteins may need specific structural features to carry out performance‐relevant functions during processing. In this frame, some of the approaches used to investigate structural features of wheat proteins are discussed, with a focus on water‐insoluble gluten proteins and on those approaches that allow minimal disturbance of the protein structure itself. Selected examples of the application of some of these approaches to the study of starting materials and of structural modifications that occur at various processing stages are presented. The effects of process‐induced modifications on the various interactions among macromolecules that govern the physical and sensory features of wheat‐based foods are also briefly discussed.
Developments in the Science of Zein, Kafirin, and Gluten Protein Bioplastic Materials
Authors: Taylor Janet , Anyango Joseph O. , Taylor John R. N.
Published: July 2013

Despite much research, there are very few commercial prolamin bioplastics. The major reason, apart from their high cost, is that they have inferior functional properties compared with synthetic polymer plastics. The inferior functional properties are because the prolamins are complex, each consisting of several classes and subclasses, and the functional properties of their bioplastics are greatly affected by water. Prolamin bioplastics are produced by controlled protein aggregation from a solvent or by thermoplastic processing. Recent research indicates that aggregation occurs by polypeptide self‐assembly into nanostructures. Protein secondary structure in terms of α‐helical and β‐sheet structure seems to play a key but incompletely understood role in assembly. Also, there is inadequate knowledge as to how these nanostructures further assemble and organize into the various forms of prolamin bioplastics such as films, fibers, microparticles, and scaffolds. Many methods have been investigated to improve prolamin bioplastic functionality, including better solvation of the prolamins, plasticization, physical and chemical cross‐linking, derivatization, and blending with synthetic and natural polymers, and some success has been achieved. The most promising area of commercialization is the biomedical field, in which the relative hydrophilicity, compatibility, and biodegradability of, particularly, zein and kafirin are advantageous. With regard to biomedical applications, “supramolecular design” of prolamin bioplastics through control over inter‐ and intramolecular weak interactions and disulfide/sulfhydryl interchange appears to have considerable potential.
Introduction to the Focus Issue
Authors: Hamaker Bruce , Seetharaman Koushik , Bertoft Eric
Published: July 2013

Cereal biomacromolecules are an important source not just of calories but also of functional ingredients in foods and as raw materials for biodegradable nonfood applications. Their important role is evidenced by an ever‐increasing number of peer‐reviewed publications on these topics. Current research is increasingly focused on understanding the fine structure of the macromolecules and their interactions with other ingredients within a food matrix for their impact on health. Furthermore, these learnings about the fine structure and interactions have relevance to functionality in nonfood applications. This focus issue attempts to summarize the state of the knowledge and research gaps related to the three major biomacromolecules in cereals: starch, proteins, and nonstarch polysaccharides (dietary fiber).

Click on Current Issues on left and then July/August 2013 to view the articles in this Focus Issue. (From the Mobile site, go to the July/August 2013 issue.)
Application of the continuous wavelet transform of gravity and magnetic data to estimate sub‐basalt sediment thickness
Authors: Goyal Palkesh , Tiwari V.M.
Published: July 2013

The Continuous Wavelet Transform was recently proposed for the interpretation of gravity and magnetic potential data. We utilize the Continuous Wavelet Transform of gravity and magnetic data to address one of the most common issues in exploration geophysics: mapping of sub‐basaltic sedimentary strata. We observe that the magnetic response of the basaltic layer is dominant in a three‐layer case of a basalt‐sediment‐basement, whereas the gravity signal is dominated by the base of the sediment. Thus the Continuous Wavelet Transform of the magnetic data is related to the thickness of the basalt and the Continuous Wavelet Transform of the gravity data is related mostly to the bottom of the sediment. These observations are demonstrated with a synthetic model and a few field examples. Derived depths using Continuous Wavelet Transform are in good agreement with known vertical cross‐sections. Therefore, Continuous Wavelet Transform analysis of both gravity and magnetic data offers a possibility for primary information of sub‐basaltic sediment thickness, which can provide a basis for further detailed modelling.
Climate and exotic pasture area in landscape determines invasion of forest fragments by two invasive grasses
Authors: Butler Sarah , McAlpine Clive , Fensham Rod , House Alan
Published: July 2013

To date, there has been a focus on biological aspects of invasion rather than landscape‐scale processes within human‐modified landscapes. Applying a multi‐scale approach may improve predictive models of invasion in fragmented landscapes as well as management.

We tested a priori models of the relative importance of landscape (10 000 to 30 000 ha), site‐scale (<0·3 ha) factors and climate gradients, and their interactions, on the cover of exotic grasses in forest fragments. We tested the models for two exotic pasture grasses Cenchrus ciliaris and Panicum maximum in fragmented agricultural landscapes of subtropical eastern Australia. Mixed‐effect models were applied to quantify the multi‐scale effects of land use, forest area and fragmentation, vegetation structure, soil and climate attributes and their interactions on the ground cover of the two exotic grasses.

We used model averaging to account for model and parameter uncertainty and tested for spatial autocorrelation and the model fit in model residuals.

There was strong evidence that the area of exotic pasture grass in the landscape and climate gradients had a strong influence on cover observed at the site scale, but the climate influence was species specific. Cenchrus ciliaris cover was higher in forest sites within landscapes converted to exotic pastures and with high mean minimum temperatures and sites with low canopy cover. In contrast, P. maximum cover was primarily influenced by high mean annual rainfall, with moderate positive effects from area of exotic pasture in the landscape and high minimum temperatures.

Synthesis and applications. This study highlights several key issues that need to be considered when prioritizing management of invasive species in fragmented landscapes. First, the propagule supply in the landscape and climate gradients are key factors influencing the spread of exotic grasses into forest fragments. Second, managing canopy cover is critical to enhancing C. ciliaris invasion resistance, but not for P. maximum. We conclude that a multi‐scale approach provides the conceptual and applied basis for an improved understanding and management of plant invasions in fragmented landscapes.
Contesting the International Illegitimacy of Torture: The Bush Administration's Failure to Legitimate its Preferences within International Society
Authors: Keating Vincent Charles
Published: July 2013

Research Highlights and Abstract

This article,

is a contribution to the theoretical debate over whether the Bush administration's defection from international torture norms led to a norm cascade favouring the Bush administration's preference for a more lenient definition of torture; is a contribution to the theoretical debate over the relationship between material power and the ability to legitimate preferences in international society; is a clarification of the utility of material capabilities with respect to legitimacy; is a detailed historical presentation of the discursive interactions between the United States and other states within international society over the defection of the United States from the torture norm which is currently not present in the literature.

This article examines the effect of Bush administration's human rights preferences during the war on terror with respect to torture by analysing a large-n sample of public legitimation strategies of both the United States and other members of international society. The article asks two questions: first, has the defection of the United States from these human rights norms led to a ‘norm cascade’ that delegitimized the norms? Second, did the material preponderance of the United States help it to legitimate its preferences in international society? The article argues that despite initial ambiguity in the response to the Bush administration's preferences from key liberal states, there is little evidence by the end of the Bush administration's term that a core group of states supported their preferences, nor did its material preponderance help the Bush administration to legitimate its position.
Deliberative Democracy and the Legitimacy of the European Union: A Reappraisal of Conflict
Authors: Crespy Amandine
Published: July 2013

Connecting the relevant literature in sociology, political theory and European studies with original empirical research, this article calls for a reappraisal of conflict when addressing the issue of the democratic legitimacy of the European Union. It offers a critical account of rationalistic and consensus-based deliberative democracy both in the classical theories of deliberative democracy and in the practices institutionalised in the EU. Drawing on the model of ‘discursive democracy’ theorised by John Dryzek, it provides an account of the contentious debate over the EU Services Directive (also known as the Bolkestein Directive). It is argued that the EU can function as a polity where democratic legitimacy is granted by deliberation. However, this holds only under two conditions. First, deliberation must be conflict based; that is, it must allow for the voicing of dissent and its channelling into political institutions. Second, supranational institutions and decision making can only be responsive and engage in alleviating conflict through deliberation when conflict is structured along transnational — as opposed to national — lines.
The Second International: The Impact of Domestic Factors on International Organization Dysfunction
Authors: Cinar Meral Ugur , Cinar Kursat
Published: July 2013

This article explores the role of domestic factors in international organization dysfunction, exemplified by the failure of the Second International to agree on a common stance and policy for the prevention of the First World War. Focusing on the French and German socialist parties, the two most powerful forces in the Second International, it assesses how domestic factors, such as differences in the dependency on the electorate, internal party structure and party—trade union relationships affected the policy preferences of these socialist parties. It concludes that these domestic differences were the source of discrepancy and lack of orchestrated action among the members of the Second International. As a result of these differences, the Second International failed to coordinate and produce a binding resolution that would commit its members to a uniform action against war, hence culminating in international organization dysfunction.
Suicidal Nitrogen Inhalation by use of Scuba Full‐Face Diving Mask
Authors: Straka Lubomir , Novomesky Frantisek , Gavel Anton , Mlynar Juraj , Hejna Petr
Published: July 2013

A 29‐year‐old man was found dead lying on the bed in a hotel room in a famous Slovak mountain resort. He had a full‐face diving mask on his face, connected through a diving breath regulator to a valve of an industrial (nondiving) high‐pressure tank containing pure 100% nitrogen. The breath regulator (open‐circuit type) used allowed inhalation of nitrogen without addition of open air, and the full‐face diving mask assured aspiration of the gas even during the time of unconsciousness. At autopsy, we found the typical signs of suffocation. Toxicological analysis revealed 94.7% content of nitrogen in alveolar air. Following the completion of the police investigation, the manner of death was classified as a suicide. Within the medico‐legal literature, there has been only one similar case of suicidal nitrogen inhalation described (1).
Elevated serum uric acid levels are independent risk factors for diabetic foot ulcer in female Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (血尿酸水平升高是中国女性2型糖尿病患者糖尿病足溃疡的独立危险因素)
Authors: Ye Xiao , Cao Ying , Gao Fang , Yang Qunying , Zhang Qian , Fu Xiajun , Li Jimin , Xue Yaoming
Published: July 2013

Background

To investigate the relationship between elevated serum uric acid levels and the presence of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on 829 outpatients with T2D (478 men, 351 women) who visited the Diabetes Clinic (Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University) from January 2007 to December 2009. Information regarding their clinical history, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory data were collected. Potential confounding variables with P < 0.10 were adjusted for in multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

In univariate analyses, there was a significant difference in serum uric acid levels between female patients with and without DFU (370 ± 128 vs. 313 ± 107 μmol/L, respectively; P < 0.05), but not between male patients with and without DFU (317 ± 100 vs. 348 ± 111 μmol/L, respectively; P = 0.643). The prevalence of DFU among quintiles of uric acid levels (from 1–20% to 80–100%) was 5.3%, 3.9%, 7.7%, 5.5%, and 16.7%, respectively. Using uric acid level as a continuous variable, the multivariate‐adjusted odds ratio for diabetic foot ulcer in female patients was 1.004 (95% confidence interval 1.001–1.008; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Elevated uric acid levels are a significant and independent risk factor for diabetic foot ulcer in female Chinese patients with T2D. Whether serum uric acid is involved in the pathogenesis of DFU in female patients remains to be investigated.
Longevity effect of IGF‐1R+/− mutation depends on genetic background‐specific receptor activation
Authors: Xu Jie , Gontier Géraldine , Chaker Zayna , Lacube Philippe , Dupont Joëlle , Holzenberger Martin
Published: July 2013

Growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) signaling regulates lifespan in mice. The modulating effects of genetic background gained much attention because it was shown that life‐prolonging effects in Snell dwarf and GH receptor knockout vary between mouse strains. We previously reported that heterozygous IGF‐1R inactivation (IGF‐1R+/−) extends lifespan in female mice on 129/SvPas background, but it remained unclear whether this mutation produces a similar effect in other genetic backgrounds and which molecules possibly modify this effect. Here, we measured the life‐prolonging effect of IGF‐1R+/− mutation in C57BL/6J background and investigated the role of insulin/IGF signaling molecules in strain‐dependent differences. We found significant lifespan extension in female IGF‐1R+/− mutants on C57BL/6J background, but the effect was smaller than in 129/SvPas, suggesting strain‐specific penetrance of longevity phenotypes. Comparing GH/IGF pathways between wild‐type 129/SvPas and C57BL/6J mice, we found that circulating IGF‐I and activation of IGF‐1R, IRS‐1, and IRS‐2 were markedly elevated in 129/SvPas, while activation of IGF pathways was constitutively low in spontaneously long‐lived C57BL/6J mice. Importantly, we demonstrated that loss of one IGF‐1R allele diminished the level of activated IGF‐1R and IRS more profoundly and triggered stronger endocrine feedback in 129/SvPas background than in C57BL/6J. We also revealed that acute oxidative stress entails robust IGF‐1R pathway activation, which could account for the fact that IGF‐1R+/− stress resistance phenotypes are fully penetrant in both backgrounds. Together, these results provide a possible explanation why IGF‐1R+/− was less efficient in extending lifespan in C57BL/6J compared with 129/SvPas.
Does rearing an aphid parasitoid on one host affect its ability to parasitize another species?
Authors: Vafaie Erfan K. , Fitzpatrick Sheila M. , Cory Jenny S.
Published: July 2013

Generalist parasitoids are commonly used for the biological control of insect pests; however, they are often reared on a single host species because this is more practical for commercial production. Few studies have investigated the consequences of rearing a generalist parasitoid on a single host species in terms of performance on other target pests.

We investigated the impact of rearing the generalist parasitoid Praon unicum Smith (Hymenoptera: Braconidae, Aphidiinae) on an alternative aphid host Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) with respect to its ability to perform on Ericaphis fimbriata Richards (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a pest of highbush blueberries.

Parasitoids reared on the two aphid hosts did not differ in physical size measurements.

Praon unicum reared on M. persicae had a lower oviposition success over 6 days compared with insects reared on E. fimbriata, mainly as a result of differences early in life.

There was no difference in parasitoid egg size, lifetime fertility, age‐specific fertility, female offspring ratio, development time or calculated intrinsic rate of increase from the two aphid hosts.

We conclude that there were no negative consequences of rearing P. unicum on M. persicae on its ability to parasitize E. fimbriata, although further field studies would need to be performed to investigate whether natal host influences parasitoid preference.
Role of DISC1 Interacting Proteins in Schizophrenia Risk from Genome‐Wide Analysis of Missense SNPs
Authors: Costas Javier , Suárez‐Rama Jose Javier , Carrera Noa , Paz Eduardo , Páramo Mario , Agra Santiago , Brenlla Julio , Ramos‐Ríos Ramón , Arrojo Manuel
Published: July 2013

A balanced translocation affecting DISC1 cosegregates with several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, in a Scottish family. DISC1 is a hub protein of a network of protein–protein interactions involved in multiple developmental pathways within the brain. Gene set‐based analysis has been proposed as an alternative to individual analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to get information from genome‐wide association studies. In this work, we tested for an overrepresentation of the DISC1 interacting proteins within the top results of our ranked list of genes based on our previous genome‐wide association study of missense SNPs in schizophrenia. Our data set consisted of 5100 common missense SNPs genotyped in 476 schizophrenic patients and 447 control subjects from Galicia, NW Spain. We used a modification of the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis adapted for SNPs, as implemented in the GenGen software. The analysis detected an overrepresentation of the DISC1 interacting proteins (permuted P‐value = 0.0158), indicative of the role of this gene set in schizophrenia risk. We identified seven leading‐edge genes, MACF1, UTRN, DST, DISC1, KIF3A, SYNE1, and AKAP9, responsible for the overrepresentation. These genes are involved in neuronal cytoskeleton organization and intracellular transport through the microtubule cytoskeleton, suggesting that these processes may be impaired in schizophrenia.
Asystole in Course of Epileptic Episode
Authors: Mora Guillermo , Rendón Ivan
Published: July 2013

A subgroup of patients with epilepsy die suddenly and ictal bradycardia (IB) has been implicated. We describe a 63‐year‐old man with diagnosis of refractory epilepsy. The patient had long video and EEG/ECG recordings (48 hours) of wakefulness and abnormal sleep due to the presence of seven ictal events, which are associated with complex partial seizures that start on the temporal region. The patient presented a severe dysautonomia ictal, at 10–15 seconds of the start of the event is observed bradycardia and after 25 seconds occurs asystole for 15 seconds. Dual‐chamber pacemaker was implanted with improvement.
Finite Element Modeling of Stress Distribution in Intervertebral Spacers of Different Surface Geometries
Authors: Lee Jae Hyup , Baek Myong‐Hyun , Kim Young Eun , Seo Jun‐Hyuk , Song Dong Ryul , Ryu Hyun‐Seung , Lee Choon‐Ki , Chang Bong‐Soon
Published: July 2013

Intervertebral disc spacers using bioactive ceramics have been used to treat degenerative spinal disease. Tooth‐shaped spacers are commonly used to prevent migration, but there is a possibility of fracture when inserted or after insertion. Intervertebral disc spacers with either an isosceles triangle‐shaped tooth (T1) or a right triangle‐shaped tooth (T2) were used as a control group. The design factors for the experimental group were modified to prevent fractures induced by stress concentration, and the surfaces of the spacers were designed as either an isosceles triangle‐shaped valley (V1) or a right triangle‐shaped valley (V2). Linear analysis using finite element model (FEM) was performed, and Von Mises stress distribution was calculated by applying 1000 N of uniformly distributed load. Samples of the V2 design were made with bioactive glass‐ceramics (BGS‐7) and evaluated for compressive strength, fatigue degree, and impact strength. Von Mises stress was highest at the first tooth from the posterior side for the control group and at the center for the experimental group. Compared with the control group, the experimental group showed 18.4% and 82.5% reduction (V1 vs. T1 and V2 vs. T2, respectively) in the maximum stress at the bottom of the valleys. The FEM analysis revealed that the V2 design had the most even load distribution. The V2 samples with bioactive glass‐ceramics were evaluated for compressive strength, and all six samples were not fractured up to 24 000 N. However, the average impact strength was 19.42 kN, suggesting that momentary force caused damage at a lower load than compression with a steady speed. The BGS‐7 intervertebral disc spacer with V2 design was not fractured during the fatigue test at maximum pressure of 8000 N, R ≥10, 5 Hz, and 5 million cycles. These data confirm that the BGS‐7 spacer with the V2 design may be clinically applicable. Collectively, the modified surface geometry of the experimental group significantly lowered Von Mises stress values at the bottom of the valleys, and thus the possibility of fracture by compressive load was greatly reduced. Also, impact during insertion was confirmed to cause fracture more easily, as the impact strength was lower than the compressive strength in the experimental group.
Psychopharmacological treatment of young people with substance dependence: a survey of prescribing practices in England
Authors: Bateman Johanna , Gilvarry Eilish , Tziggili Maria , Crome Ilana B , Mirza Kah , McArdle Paul
Published: July 2013

Backround

Prescribing for substance‐dependent youth requires expert knowledge of developmental and contextual issues and use of largely unlicensed medicines. This first national survey aimed to determine the nature of pharmacological treatments delivered in England including the extent of maintenance therapy, supervised consumption and specialties prescribing.

Method

Data were gathered regarding opiate substitutes & other medications prescribed for opiate, alcohol & benzodiazepine dependence, drug & alcohol relapse prevention and comorbidities. Evidence of distinct approaches to younger compared with older adolescents was sought.

Results

The overall response rate was 73%. The majority treated were over 16 years. 85% treatments were opiate substitute therapies; many received longer term maintenance therapy. Prescribing for alcohol dependence & comorbidity was low; the largest prescribing group were General Practitioners.

Conclusions

Questions remain about the scale of youth dependence, the use of substitute agents in maintenance treatment and the number of adolescent addiction specialists in the treatment cadre.
Family resources for families of children with cerebral palsy in Jordan: psychometric properties of the Arabic‐Family Resources Scale
Authors: Almasri N. A. , Saleh M. , Dunst C. J.
Published: July 2013

Background

Resource‐based, family‐centred practices are associated with better health, emotional, and social well‐being of children with disabilities. The adequacy of resources available for families of children with disabilities in Middle Eastern countries has not been described adequately in part because of lack of measures that are culturally adapted to be used in Arabic countries. Therefore, this study aims to (1) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic‐Family Resource Scale (A‐FRS) on a sample of families of children cerebral palsy (CP); (2) examine the adequacy of family resources as perceived by parents of children with CP in Jordan; and (3) examine the influence of child and family demographic variables on how parents report resources available to their families.

Method

A cross‐section design was applied. One‐hundred fifteen parents of children with CP with mean age 4.6 years (SD = 4.4) and their parents participated in the study. Research assistants interviewed the participants to complete the A‐FRS, and family and child demographic questionnaire, and determined the Gross Motor Function Classification System level of children.

Results

The principal axis factoring of the A‐FRS yielded a six‐factor solution that accounted for 67.39% of the variance and that is different than the factor structure reported by the developers of the FRS. Cronbach's coefficient alpha of the total score of family resources was 0.86 indicating a good internal consistency and the test–retest reliability for the total scale score was r = 0.92 (P = 0.000) indicating excellent test–retest reliability. Child health and family income were significantly associated with the total score of the A‐FRS.

Conclusions

The A‐FRS is a valid and reliable measure of family resources for Jordanian families of children with CP. Service providers are encouraged to use A‐FRS with families to plan resource‐based interventions in which family resources are mobilized to meet family needs.
Paternal ADHD symptoms and child conduct problems: is father involvement always beneficial?
Authors: Romirowsky A. M. , Chronis‐Tuscano A.
Published: July 2013

Background

Maternal psychopathology robustly predicts poor developmental and treatment outcomes for children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Despite the high heritability of ADHD, few studies have examined associations between paternal ADHD symptoms and child adjustment, and none have also considered degree of paternal involvement in childrearing. Identification of modifiable risk factors for child conduct problems is particularly important in this population given the serious adverse outcomes resulting from this comorbidity.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study examined the extent to which paternal involvement in childrearing moderated the association between paternal ADHD symptoms and child conduct problems among 37 children with ADHD and their biological fathers.

Results

Neither paternal ADHD symptoms nor involvement was independently associated with child conduct problems. However, the interaction between paternal ADHD symptoms and involvement was significant, such that paternal ADHD symptoms were positively associated with child conduct problems only when fathers were highly involved in childrearing.

Conclusions

The presence of adult ADHD symptoms may determine whether father involvement in childrearing has a positive or detrimental influence on comorbid child conduct problems.
Associations between children's socioeconomic status and prefrontal cortical thickness
Authors: Lawson Gwendolyn M. , Duda Jeffrey T. , Avants Brian B. , Wu Jue , Farah Martha J.
Published: July 2013

Childhood socioeconomic status (SES) predicts executive function performance and measures of prefrontal cortical function, but little is known about its anatomical correlates. Structural MRI and demographic data from a sample of 283 healthy children from the NIH MRI Study of Normal Brain Development were used to investigate the relationship between SES and prefrontal cortical thickness. Specifically, we assessed the association between two principal measures of childhood SES, family income and parental education, and gray matter thickness in specific subregions of prefrontal cortex and on the asymmetry of these areas. After correcting for multiple comparisons and controlling for potentially confounding variables, parental education significantly predicted cortical thickness in the right anterior cingulate gyrus and left superior frontal gyrus. These results suggest that brain structure in frontal regions may provide a meaningful link between SES and cognitive function among healthy, typically developing children.
Association between Presystolic Ventricular Flash and Left Ventricular Functional Recovery after Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
Authors: Ito Takahide , Kizawa Shun , Nogi Shimpei , Shimamoto Shinsaku , Yokoyama Kaori , Ishizaka Nobukazu
Published: July 2013

The presence of septal flash (SF), an early inward/outward motion of the ventricular septum, has been reported to predict a fair response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with heart failure. Using speckle tracking echocardiography, we investigated whether the extent of pre‐CRT SF was associated with left ventricular (LV) functional recovery after CRT device implantation. Fifteen patients with left bundle branch block with a mean LV ejection fraction of 23 ± 9% were enrolled in this study. The extent of presystolic ventricular flash (PSVF), which was defined if there was a peak in the radial strain curve in the preejection period, was semiquantified by counting the number of PSVF‐positive segments. Patients underwent radial strain analysis before and between 3 and 6 months after CRT. After CRT device implantation, LV end‐diastolic and end‐systolic volumes were decreased, LV ejection fraction was increased, and LV filling time corrected by RR interval was increased. The number of PSVF‐positive segments at baseline showed a graded association with improvement in both LV ejection fraction and LV filling time. In conclusion, the finding that a larger number of PSVF‐positive segments before CRT predicted fair LV functional recovery after CRT suggests that PSVF may represent a substrate that is amenable to functional response to CRT.
Atrial Electromechanical Interval May Predict Cardioembolic Stroke in Apparently Low Risk Elderly Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Hoshi Yoko , Nozawa Yukinaga , Ogasawara Makoto , Yuda Satoshi , Sato Shoko , Sakasai Takuya , Oka Makoto , Katayama Harumi , Sato Masaya , Kouzu Hidemichi , Nishihara Masahiro , Doi Atsushi , Nishimiya Takatoshi , Miura Tetsuji
Published: July 2013

Background

A considerable number of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) develop cardioembolic stroke (CE) despite low CHADS2 score. We examined the possibility that use of the atrial electromechanical interval (AEMI) improves prediction of CE in patients with paroxysmal AF (PAF), particularly those with low CHADS2 score.

Methods

We consecutively enrolled 108 patients with nonvalvular PAF and 52 healthy subjects as controls. The PAF patients were divided into 2 groups depending on presence (n = 36) or absence (n = 72) of the history of CE. Left atrial (LA) volume index (LAVI), peak myocardial velocity during late diastole (a'), and AEMI as time from onset of P‐wave to onset of lateral a' were measured.

Results

Patients with PAF had significantly larger LAVI, longer AEMI, and lower lateral a' than those in controls. Area under the curves for LAVI, lateral a', and AEMI for identifying patients with PAF were 0.70, 0.69, and 0.88, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, use of antiarrhythmic drugs, and AEMI, but not LAVI or a', were independently associated with history of CE in patients with PAF. PAF patients were categorized into low risk by CHADS2 score (i.e. CHADS2 score = 0 or 1, n = 60), those with prolonged AEMI (>82 msec) had significantly higher rates of CE than those with ≤82 msec (48% vs. 15%, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

As compared with echocardiographic parameters of LA size and LA function, AEMI appears to be more useful for identifying PAF patients. AEMI may enable to detect high risk PAF patients, especially those categorized into low risk by CHADS2 score.
Contrasting effects of necrotrophic and biotrophic plant pathogens on the aphid Aphis fabae
Authors: Al‐Naemi Fatima , Hatcher Paul E.
Published: July 2013

Phytophagous insects have to contend with a wide variation in food quality brought about by a variety of factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the plant. One of the most important factors is infection by plant pathogenic fungi. Necrotrophic and biotrophic plant pathogenic fungi may have contrasting effects on insect herbivores due to their different infection mechanisms and induction of different resistance pathways, although this has been little studied and there has been no study of their combined effect. We studied the effect of the biotrophic rust fungus Uromyces viciae‐fabae (Pers.) Schroet (Basidiomycota: Uredinales: Pucciniaceae) and the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea Pers. (Ascomycota: Helotiales: Sclerotiniaceae) singly and together on the performance of the aphid Aphis fabae Scopoli (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Vicia faba (L.) (Fabaceae). Alone, botrytis had an inhibitory effect on individual A. fabae development, survival, and fecundity, whereas rust infection consistently enhanced individual aphids' performance. These effects varied in linear relation to lesion or pustule density. However, whole‐plant infection by either pathogen resulted in a smaller aphid population of smaller aphids than on uninfected plants, indicating a lowering of aphid carrying capacity with infection. When both fungi were applied simultaneously to a leaf they generally cancelled the effect of each other out, resulting in most performance parameters being similar to the controls, although fecundity was reduced. However, sequential plant infection (pathogens applied 5 days apart) led to a 70% decrease in fecundity and 50% reduction in intrinsic rate of increase. The application of rust before botrytis had a greater inhibitory effect on aphids than applying botrytis before rust. Rust infection increased leaf total nitrogen concentration by 30%, whereas infection by botrytis with or without rust led to a 38% decrease. The aphids' responses to the two plant pathogens individually is consistent with the alteration in plant nutrient content by infection and also the induction of different plant defence pathways and the possible cross‐talk between them. This is the first demonstration of the complex effects of the dual infection of a plant by contrasting pathogens on insect herbivores.
c‐fos down‐regulation inhibits testosterone‐dependent male sexual behavior and the associated learning
Authors: Niessen Neville‐Andrew , Balthazart Jacques , Ball Gregory F. , Charlier Thierry D.
Published: July 2013

Environmental stimulation results in an increased expression of transcription factors called immediate early genes (IEGs) in specific neuronal populations. In male Japanese quail, copulation with a female increases the expression of the IEGs zenk and c‐fos in the medial pre‐optic nucleus (POM), a key nucleus controlling male sexual behavior. The functional significance of this increased IEG expression that follows performance of copulatory behavior is unknown. We addressed this question by repeatedly quantifying the performance of appetitive (learned social proximity response) and consummatory (actual copulation) sexual behavior in castrated, testosterone‐treated males that received daily intra‐cerebroventricular injection of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide targeting c‐fos or control vehicle. Daily antisense injections significantly inhibited the expression of copulatory behavior as well as the acquisition of the learned social proximity response. A strong reduction of the proximity response was still observed in antisense‐treated birds that copulated with a female, ruling out the indirect effect of the absence of interactions with females on the learning process. After a 2‐day interruption of behavioral testing but not of antisense injections, birds were submitted to a final copulatory test that confirmed the behavioral inhibition in antisense‐injected birds. Brains were collected at 90 min after the behavioral testing for quantification of c‐fos‐immunoreactive cells. A significant reduction of the number of c‐fos‐positive cells in the POM but not in other brain regions was observed following antisense injection. Taken together, the data suggest that c‐fos expression in the POM modulates copulatory behavior and sexual learning in male quail.
Whisker motor cortex reorganization after superior colliculus output suppression in adult rats
Authors: Veronesi Carlo , Maggiolini Emma , Franchi Gianfranco
Published: July 2013

The effect of unilateral superior colliculus (SC) output suppression on the ipsilateral whisker motor cortex (WMC) was studied at different time points after tetrodotoxin and quinolinic acid injections, in adult rats. The WMC output was assessed by mapping the movement evoked by intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) and by recording the ICMS‐evoked electromyographic (EMG) responses from contralateral whisker muscles. At 1 h after SC injections, the WMC showed: (i) a strong decrease in contralateral whisker sites, (ii) a strong increase in ipsilateral whisker sites and in ineffective sites, and (iii) a strong increase in threshold current values. At 6 h after injections, the WMC size had shrunk to 60% of the control value and forelimb representation had expanded into the lateral part of the normal WMC. Thereafter, the size of the WMC recovered, returning to nearly normal 12 h later (94% of control) and persisted unchanged over time (1–3 weeks). The ICMS‐evoked EMG response area decreased at 1 h after SC lesion and had recovered its baseline value 12 h later. Conversely, the latency of ICMS‐evoked EMG responses had increased by 1 h and continued to increase for as long as 3 weeks following the lesion. These findings provide physiological evidence that SC output suppression persistently withdrew the direct excitatory drive from whisker motoneurons and induced changes in the WMC. We suggest that the changes in the WMC are a form of reversible short‐term reorganization that is induced by SC lesion. The persistent latency increase in the ICMS‐evoked EMG response suggested that the recovery of basic WMC excitability did not take place with the recovery of normal explorative behaviour.
High frequency oscillations mirror disease activity in patients with focal cortical dysplasia
Authors: Kerber Karolin , LeVan Pierre , Dümpelmann Matthias , Fauser Susanne , Korinthenberg Rudolf , Schulze‐Bonhage Andreas , Jacobs Julia
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The study analyzes the occurrence of high frequency oscillations in different types of focal cortical dysplasia in 22 patients with refractory epilepsy. High frequency oscillations are biomarkers for epileptic tissue, but it is unknown whether they can reflect increasingly dysplastic tissue changes as well as epileptic disease activity.

Methods

High frequency oscillations (80–450 Hz) were visually marked by two independent reviewers in all channels of intracranial implanted grid, strips, and depth electrodes in patients with focal cortical dysplasia and refractory epilepsy. Rates of high frequency oscillations in patients with pathologically confirmed focal cortical dysplasia of Palmini type 1a and b were compared with those in type 2a and b.

Key Findings

Patients with focal cortical dysplasia type 2 had significantly more seizures than those with type 1 (p < 0.001). Rates of high frequency oscillations were significantly higher in patients with focal cortical dysplasia type 2 versus type 1 (p < 0.001). In addition, it could be confirmed that rates of high frequency oscillations were significantly higher in presumed epileptogenic areas than outside (p < 0.001).

Significance

Activity of high frequency oscillations mirrors the higher epileptogenicity of focal cortical dysplasia type 2 lesions compared to type 1 lesions. Therefore, rates of high frequency oscillations can reflect disease activity of a lesion. This has implications for the use of high frequency oscillations as biomarkers for epileptogenic areas, because a detailed analysis of their rates may be necessary to use high frequency oscillations as a predictive tool in epilepsy surgery.
How Do Predators Learn to Recognize a Mimetic Complex: Experiments with Naive Great Tits and Aposematic Heteroptera
Authors: Hotová Svádová Kateřina , Exnerová Alice , Kopečková Michala , Štys Pavel
Published: July 2013

We tested the importance of innate wariness, avoidance learning, memory and generalization for the formation of predatory behaviour in naive great tits (Parus major) towards mimetic complex of four aposematic species of true bugs (Insecta: Hemiptera: Heteroptera): Lygaeus equestris, Spilostethus saxatilis, Pyrrhocoris apterus and Graphosoma lineatum. The birds showed almost no innate wariness against the aposematically coloured bugs, although a hidden wariness elicited by defensive chemicals of some of the bug species is not excluded. Naive birds learned to avoid different species at different rates, which resulted in different prey mortalities. The avoidance learning was faster when the defensive chemicals produced an immediate irritating effect (particularly when squirted into distance – G. lineatum) than when they caused sickness several minutes after the consumption (P. apterus). The experience of birds from learning to avoid a particular species of bug affected their subsequent behaviour to other species – experience with better‐defended species resulted in longer attack latencies, more cautious attacks, broader generalization and lower prey mortality. The least defended species, P. apterus, benefited from the experience of birds with better‐defended species, whereas the birds' experience with P. apterus did not reduce mortality risk of the other species comparably. Judging from the inexperienced young birds, the mimetic relationships are likely to be quasi‐Batesian. However, as wild‐caught great tits avoid all the four species to the same extent, the relationships may become more mutualistic (quasi‐Müllerian) in later phases of learning under natural conditions. The relationships among species in the mimetic complex thus seem to depend on the amount of experience of the bird predators.