bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of total protein intake with bone mineral density and bone loss in men and women from the Framingham Offspring Study
Authors: Sahni Shivani , Broe Kerry E , Tucker Katherine L , McLean Robert R , Kiel Douglas P , Cupples L Adrienne , Hannan Marian T
Published: October 2013

Objective

To examine (i) the association of percentage of total energy intake from protein (protein intake %) with bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) and bone loss at the femoral neck, trochanter and lumbar spine (L2–L4) and (ii) Ca as an effect modifier.

Setting

The Framingham Offspring Study.

Subjects

Men (n 1280) and women (n 1639) completed an FFQ in 1992–1995 or 1995–1998 and underwent baseline BMD measurement by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 1996–2000. Men (n 495) and women (n 680) had follow-up BMD measured in 2002–2005.

Design

Cohort study using multivariable regression to examine the association of protein intake % with each BMD, adjusting for covariates. Statistical interaction between protein intake % and Ca (total, dietary, supplemental) intake was examined.

Results

The mean age at baseline was 61 (sd 9) years. In the cross-sectional analyses, protein intake % was positively associated with all BMD sites (P range: 0·02–0·04) in women but not in men. Significant interactions were observed with total Ca intake (<800 mg/d v. ≥800 mg/d) in women at all bone sites (P range: 0·002–0·02). Upon stratification, protein intake % was positively associated with all BMD sites (P range: 0·04–0·10) in women with low Ca intakes but not in those with high Ca intakes. In the longitudinal analyses, in men, higher protein intake % was associated with more bone loss at the trochanter (P = 0·01) while no associations were seen in women, regardless of Ca intake.

Conclusions

This suggests that greater protein intake benefits women especially those with lower Ca intakes. However, protein effects are not significant for short-term changes in bone density. Contrastingly, in men, higher protein intakes lead to greater bone loss at the trochanter. Longer follow-up is required to examine the impact of protein on bone loss.
Pattern recognition receptor‐initiated innate antiviral response in mouse adipose cells
Authors: Yu Lili , Yan Keqin , Liu Peng , Li Nan , Liu Zhenghui , Zhu Weiwei , Chen Yongmei , Han Daishu
Published: October 2013

Although wide range of viruses can infect adipose tissues, innate antiviral response of adipose cells has not been investigated. This study focused on innate antiviral system in mouse adipose cells. Major virus sensors including Toll‐like receptor 3 (TLR3), melanoma differentiation‐associated antigen 5 (MDA5) and retinoic acid‐inducible gene I (RIG‐I) are constitutively expressed in preadipocytes and adipocytes. Poly(I:C), a common agonist of TLR3, MDA5 and RIG‐I, induced the expression of type I interferons (IFN‐α/β) in the two types of adipose cells through the activation of IFN‐regulatory factor 3 and upregulated pro‐inflammatory factors such as TNF‐α and IL‐6 through the activation nuclear factor kappa B. Moreover, poly(I:C) induced multiple antiviral proteins including IFN‐stimulating gene 15, 2′5′‐oligoadenylate synthetase and Mx GTPase 1 in preadipocytes and adipocytes. The poly(I:C)‐induced innate antiviral response was reduced by TLR3 deficiency and knockdown of MDA5 or RIG‐I. Poly(I:C) also inhibited the differentiation of preadipocytes to adipocytes and suppressed the expression of leptin, adiponectin and resistin in mature adipocytes. The results demonstrated that adipose cells are equipped with innate antiviral system, which may modulate the function of adipocytes.
Perceptual Learning of Acoustic Noise by Individuals With Dyslexia
Authors: Agus Trevor R. , Carrión-Castillo Amaia , Pressnitzer Daniel , Ramus Franck
Published: October 2013

Purpose

A phonological deficit is thought to affect most individuals with developmental dyslexia. The present study addresses whether the phonological deficit is caused by difficulties with perceptual learning of fine acoustic details.

Method

A demanding test of nonverbal auditory memory, “noise learning,” was administered to both adults with dyslexia and control adult participants. On each trial, listeners had to decide whether a stimulus was a 1-s noise token or 2 abutting presentations of the same 0.5-s noise token (repeated noise). Without the listener's knowledge, the exact same noise tokens were presented over many trials. An improved ability to perform the task for such “reference” noises reflects learning of their acoustic details.

Results

Listeners with dyslexia did not differ from controls in any aspect of the task, qualitatively or quantitatively. They required the same amount of training to achieve discrimination of repeated from nonrepeated noises, and they learned the reference noises as often and as rapidly as the control group. However, they did show all the hallmarks of dyslexia, including a well-characterized phonological deficit.

Conclusion

The data did not support the hypothesis that deficits in basic auditory processing or nonverbal learning and memory are the cause of the phonological deficit in dyslexia.
Conversational and Narrative Speaking in Adolescents: Examining the Use of Complex Syntax
Authors: Nippold Marilyn A. , Frantz-Kaspar Megan W. , Cramond Paige M. , Kirk Cecilia , Hayward-Mayhew Christine , MacKinnon Melanie
Published: October 2013

Purpose

Few tools are available to examine the narrative speaking ability of adolescents. Hence, the authors designed a new narrative task and sought to determine whether it would elicit a higher level of syntactic complexity than a conversational task in adolescents with typical language development.

Method

Forty adolescents (
M
age
= 14;0 [years;months]; 20 boys and 20 girls) were individually interviewed. Each adolescent participated in a standard conversational task followed by a narrative task that involved listening to fables and retelling the stories. It was predicted that the narrative task would elicit a higher level of syntactic complexity than the conversational task because fables, although superficially simple stories, express rather sophisticated meanings.

Results

The narrative task elicited greater syntactic complexity than the conversational task as measured by mean length of C-unit and clausal density. Additionally, the 2 syntactic measures, mean length of C-unit and clausal density, were closely associated on both tasks.

Conclusion

Fables can elicit a high level of syntactic complexity in adolescents with typical language development. Future studies are needed to build a normative database using fables.
Increase in Speech Recognition due to Linguistic Mismatch Between Target and Masker Speech: Monolingual and Simultaneous Bilingual Performance
Authors: Calandruccio Lauren , Zhou Haibo
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To examine whether improved speech recognition during linguistically mismatched target–masker experiments is due to linguistic unfamiliarity of the masker speech or linguistic dissimilarity between the target and masker speech.

Method

Monolingual English speakers (
n
= 20) and English–Greek simultaneous bilinguals (
n
= 20) listened to English sentences in the presence of competing English and Greek speech. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects regression models to determine differences in English recogition performance between the 2 groups and 2 masker conditions.

Results

Results indicated that English sentence recognition for monolinguals and simultaneous English–Greek bilinguals improved when the masker speech changed from competing English to competing Greek speech.

Conclusion

The improvement in speech recognition that has been observed for linguistically mismatched target–masker experiments cannot be simply explained by the masker language being linguistically unknown or unfamiliar to the listeners. Listeners can improve their speech recognition in linguistically mismatched target–masker experiments even when the listener is able to obtain meaningful linguistic information from the masker speech.
Language Impairment From 4 to 12 Years: Prediction and Etiology
Authors: Hayiou-Thomas Marianna E. , Dale Philip S. , Plomin Robert
Published: October 2013

Purpose

The authors of this article examined the etiology of developmental language impairment (LI) at 4 and 12 years of age, as well as the relationship between the 2.

Method

Phenotypic and quantitative genetic analyses using longitudinal data from the Twins Early Development Study (Oliver & Plomin, 2007) were conducted. A total of 2,923 pairs of twins (1,075 monozygotic [MZ]; 975 dizygotic same sex [DZss]; and 873 dizygotic opposite sex [DZos]) provided data at 4 and 12 years. At 4 years, (a) psychometric LI was defined on the basis of a low parent-reported expressive vocabulary score (−1.25
SD
s; 226 MZ and 115 DZss probands for genetic analysis); and (b) parent referral was defined as having seen a medical professional or speech-language pathologist following parental concern (112 MZ and 104 DZss probands). The 12-year language measure was a composite of 4 web-administered receptive language tests.

Results

(a) Psychometric LI at 4 years is more predictive than parent referral of poor language performance at age 12 years, and (b) parent referral is substantially and significantly more heritable than psychometric LI.

Conclusions

Parents' concern about their child's language development seems to be the marker of a more heritable disorder than poor expressive language skills alone. However, the language difficulties that arouse parental concern in preschool children, although more heritable, are not predictive of language difficulties in early adolescence. Rather, poor expressive language skills at age 4 years, psychometrically defined, are a better predictor than parent referral of continuing language difficulties at age 12 years.
Simulation and fabrication of capillary‐driven meander micromixer for short‐distance mixing
Authors: Chung C.‐K. , Lai C.C. , Shih T.R. , Chang E.C. , Chen S.W.
Published: October 2013

In recent years, the emerging bio‐chip technology has used external powered pumps for fluidic pumping and mixing. The short‐term capillary‐driven micromixers with complex mixing structures also showed large potential for mixing devices. This reported work demonstrates the long‐term capillary‐driven meander micromixer with the planar design, short mixing distance and power‐free rapid fluid, transport functions which is compared with conventional syringe pump micormixers. The surface property of various materials was verified by contact angle measurement. Both intrinsic hydrophilic materials of glass and JSR photoresist were good candidates and selected for fabricating the capillary‐driven meander micromixer using simple photolithography, laser ablation and low‐temperature bonding technology without chemical etching and without the deposition process. The design and simulation of such an effective capillary‐driven micromixer have been performed for understanding the geometry effect on flow and mixing behaviour. The glass–JSR–glass capillary‐driven meander micromixer can improve mixing efficiency up to over 95% at a short distance of only 8 mm, and has potential for the application of power‐free microfluidic chip fabrication and bio‐medical examination in the future.
Suspended magnetic polymer structures fabricated using dose‐controlled ultraviolet exposure
Authors: Kuo Jui‐Chang , Li Chong‐Shuo , Cheng Hsueh‐Chien , Yang Yao‐Joe
Published: October 2013

Presented is a process for fabricating suspended magnetic polymer structures with SU‐8 photoresist dispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles. By controlling the exposure doses of ultraviolet (UV) is shown light, floating structures are patterned during the first UV exposure and then the anchor structures are patterned at the second exposure. It is shown that suspended magnetic polymer structures, such as doubly‐clamped beams, can be successfully fabricated and released using a single development process. In addition, the functionalities and characteristics of these magnetic doubly‐clamped beams are demonstrated and discussed. The resonant frequencies of these structures were measured under a sinusoidal magnetic field at an amplitude of 10.37 mT; the frequencies for structures 5 and 6 mm long were 5.21 and 4.18 kHz, respectively.
Enhancing tumor cell response to chemotherapy through nanoparticle-mediated codelivery of siRNA and cisplatin prodrug
Authors: Xu Xiaoyang , Xie Kun , Zhang Xue-Qing , Pridgen Eric M. , Park Ga Young , Cui Danica S. , Shi Jinjun , Wu Jun , Kantoff Philip W. , Lippard Stephen J. , Langer Robert , Walker Graham C. , Farokhzad Omid C.
Published: October 2013

Significance

The development of acquired chemoresistance is often a clinical problem limiting the successful treatment of cancers. RNAi is showing promising results in human clinical trials. The combination of chemotherapy with RNAi approaches to suppress the expression of proteins involved in the emergence of drug resistance represents a promising synergistic strategy to circumvent or reverse acquired chemoresistance. Such combination therapy approaches require specific delivery vehicles to encapsulate and deliver chemotherapy and siRNA therapeutics simultaneously in a controlled manner. Herein, we describe a nanoparticle technology to codeliver a DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic and siRNAs that impair the cell’s ability to repair the DNA damage. This combination therapeutic approach can sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapeutics and shows superior tumor inhibition compared with monochemotherapy.
Endocannabinoid anandamide mediates hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
Authors: Wenzel Daniela , Matthey Michaela , Bindila Laura , Lerner Raissa , Lutz Beat , Zimmer Andreas , Fleischmann Bernd K.
Published: October 2013

Significance

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is an important physiological reflex, which is only found in the lung and adapts perfusion to ventilation. HPV is potentially involved in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) occurring in respiratory disorders. In this study we show that the endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA) via its fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)-dependent metabolites is involved in HPV and PH. We have identified pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells as the source of hypoxia-induced AEA synthesis. Our results illustrate that the onset of PH is prevented inFAAH−/−mice or by treating wild-type mice with a FAAH antagonist for 3 wk of hypoxia. Thus, we demonstrate a previously undescribed signaling pathway underlying HPV and an alternative strategy for the treatment of common pulmonary diseases.
Large-scale detection of in vivo transcription errors
Authors: Gout Jean-François , Thomas W. Kelley , Smith Zachary , Okamoto Kazufusa , Lynch Michael
Published: October 2013

Significance

Gene expression requires accurate copying of the DNA template into messenger RNA by RNA polymerases. Errors occurring during this transcription process can lead to the production of nonfunctional proteins, which is likely to be deleterious. Therefore, natural selection is expected to enhance the fidelity of transcription. However, very little is known about the transcription error rates of different organisms. Here we present a unique method for the detection of transcription errors by replicated high-throughput sequencing of cDNA libraries. Applying this method to the model organism
Caenorhabditis elegans
, we report a large-scale analysis of transcription errors. Future applications of this method should allow a rapid increase in our knowledge of evolutionary forces acting on transcription fidelity.
Differential expression of olfactory genes in the southern house mosquito and insights into unique odorant receptor gene isoforms
Authors: Leal Walter S. , Choo Young-Moo , Xu Pingxi , da Silva Cherre S. B. , Ueira-Vieira Carlos
Published: October 2013

Significance

Mosquitoes use their acute sense of smell to locate hosts, oviposition sites, and repellents. Here, we investigated by next generation sequencing the key molecular components of the olfactory system of the southern house mosquito—a vector of West Nile virus. We studied differential expression of genes in antennae—the main olfactory organ—and nonolfactory tissues. Additionally, we prospected for unknown genes with transcripts enriched in antennae. Our approach, which was validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, cloning, and deorphanization, led to the identification of a large repertoire of putative olfactory genes. This study paved the way for a better understanding of the sense of smell of this mosquito species and led to a naturally occurring mosquito repellent.
Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen leader protein localizes to promoters and enhancers with cell transcription factors and EBNA2
Authors: Portal Daniel , Zhou Hufeng , Zhao Bo , Kharchenko Peter V. , Lowry Elizabeth , Wong Limsoon , Quackenbush John , Holloway Dustin , Jiang Sizun , Lu Yong , Kieff Elliott
Published: October 2013

Significance

Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA) leader protein (LP) and EBNA2 (E2) up-regulation of virus and cell gene expression is important for human B-lymphocyte conversion to continuous, potentially malignant, lymphoblast cell lines. Although the molecular mechanism(s) underlying LP and E2 regulation of cell gene expression have been partially elucidated, LP ChIP-sequencing studies have now revealed that LP and LP/E2 interact, genome-wide, with human B-cell transcription factors, mostly at or near prepatterned promoter sites, to increase cell transcription factor occupancies, increase activation-associated histone marks, and positively affect cell gene transcription.
Variant of a theorem of Erdős on the sum-of-proper-divisors function
Authors: Pomerance Carl , Yang Hee-Sung
Published: October 2013

In 1973, Erdős proved that a positive proportion of numbers are not of the form

σ
(
n
)
−
n

\sigma (n)-n

, the sum of the proper divisors of

n
n

. We prove the analogous result where

σ
\sigma

is replaced with the sum-of-unitary-divisors function

σ
∗

\sigma ^*

(which sums divisors

d
d

of

n
n

such that

(
d
,
n

/

d
)
=
1

(d, n/d) = 1

), thus solving a problem of te Riele from 1976. We also describe a fast algorithm for enumerating numbers not in the form

σ
(
n
)
−
n

\sigma (n)-n

,

σ
∗

(
n
)
−
n

\sigma ^*(n)-n

, and

n
−
φ
(
n
)

n-\varphi (n)

, where

φ
\varphi

is Euler’s function.
Anthocyanin Content and Composition in Winter Blue Barley Cultivars and Lines
Authors: Diczházi István , Kursinszki László
Published: October 2013

This study focuses on the examination of the total anthocyanin content (TAC) and spectrum of winter barley cultivars with blue caryopsis. Preparation of grain samples was simplified, and extraction was performed with 85% methanol acidified by 1% trifluoroacetic acid. Compared with our previous tests performed with 1% hydrochloric acid in aqueous methanol, the extraction process resulted in higher total anthocyanin content with more acylated derivatives. The TAC measured by spectrophotometry varied in two blue Hungarian cultivars and two lines from 46.9 to 84.4 mg/kg. The anthocyanin spectrum was analyzed by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The predominant anthocyanins were delphinidin‐3‐malonylglucoside and cyanidin‐3‐malonylglucoside, followed by delphinidin‐3‐glucoside and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside. The caryopsis retains the anthocyanins in long‐term storage. The TAC values of the crops over the last 10 years were definable retroactively. The relative abundance of the main anthocyanin components in grains of different harvest years (2000 and 2010) was similar. Statistical analysis revealed a relatively strong negative correlation (r = –0.7439, P < 0.05) between two variables: TAC and rainfall during the grain‐ripening period.
First Report of Anthracnose Stalk Rot of Maize Caused by Colletotrichum graminicola in Switzerland
Authors: Sukno S. A. , Sanz-Martín J. M. , González-Fuente M. , Hiltbrunner J. , Thon M. R.
Published: October 2013

Maize stem samples exhibiting symptoms of anthracnose were collected from a field near Zurich, Switzerland, in September of 2012 and were sent to the fungal genetics laboratory, Centro Hispano-Luso de Investigaciones Agrarias (CIALE) at the University of Salamanca, Spain, for further analysis. The stem samples exhibited glossy, black, and irregularly shaped lesions. Tissue samples, approximately 5 mm2, were dissected from below the epidermis. The tissue samples were surface disinfested for 1 min in 20% sodium hypochlorite and cultured on one half strength acidified PDA supplemented with ampicillin (2). Monoconidial isolates from three different stems were grown on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and had dark gray aerial mycelium with orange spore masses. Conidia were falcate, slightly curved, tapered toward the tips with an average length of 31.77 μm and an average width of 4.76 μm and produced in acervuli with setae, consistent with descriptions of C. graminicola Ces. Wils. Conidial suspensions were prepared for each isolate, and were inoculated onto the leaves of 2-week-old maize plants by laying the plants horizontally in a tray (in pots with their root systems intact) and placing 7.5-μl droplets of a 106 conidial suspension on the leaf surface. The trays were covered and plants were incubated overnight at 23°C. The plants were then returned to their upright position and grown in a growth chamber at 25°C with a 12-h light cycle (3). After 6 days, the inoculated plant leaves exhibited lesions that were elongated and irregularly shaped with necrotic centers and chlorotic margins. The water-inoculated controls did not show symptoms. Microscopic examination revealed the production of conidia on the surface of the leaves, identical to the original isolates. Genomic DNA was extracted using the protocol of Baek and Kenerley (1). A region of the ribosomal DNA repeat was amplified and sequenced using the universal primers ITS4 and ITS5. The resulting sequences were 100% identical to each other and 100% identical to C. graminicola sequences in GenBank. One representative sequence was deposited in GenBank under accession no. KF597538. The 100 most similar sequences in GenBank were used to construct a phylogenetic tree using the neighbor-joining method. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolates clustered within the C. graminicola clade, consistent with their identification as C. graminicola. To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose on maize caused by C. graminicola in Switzerland. Previous reports have demonstrated that the pathogen exists in neighboring countries Germany and France.

References: (1) J.-M. Baek and C. M. Kenerley. Fungal Genet. Biol. 23:34, 1998. (2) S. A. Sukno et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74:823, 2008. (3) W. A. Vargas et al. Plant Physiol. 158:1342, 2012.
Directness and tempo of avian seed dispersal increases emergence of wild chiltepins in desert grasslands
Authors: Carlo Tomás A. , Tewksbury Joshua J.
Published: October 2013

Seed dispersal is thought to be unpredictable and outside a plant's control. But directed seed dispersal by mutualistic birds can increase probabilities of germination and survival by the non‐random deposition of seeds in suitable microhabitats.

In the Sonoran Desert grasslands of southern Arizona (USA), bird‐dispersed wild chiltepin peppers (Capscium annuum var. glabriusculum) grow in non‐random association under bird‐dispersed nurse trees and shrubs that serve as perches. We tested the hypothesis that the pattern is maintained by directional avian seed‐dispersal patterns. Alternatively, post‐dispersal processes, such as differential seed predation and seedling mortality, could create the associations.

For 3 years, we sampled the bird‐generated seed rain under desert trees in four chiltepin subpopulations, comparing seed dispersal into microhabitats of fleshy‐fruited trees and non‐fleshy‐fruited trees. Celtis pallida (fleshy‐fruited) and Prosopis vellutina (non‐fleshy‐fruited) trees accounted for > 90% of the cover available for chiltepin recruitment. We tracked seedling emergence and survival in the two microhabitats and conducted a controlled seed‐addition experiment to measure the effects of microhabitat, seed‐addition density and temporal seed deposition on chiltepin emergence, growth and survival.

Approximately twice as many bird‐dispersed seeds arrived at fleshy‐fruited microhabitats compared with non‐fleshy microhabitats. The numbers of seeds arriving and the number of seedlings emerging in microhabitats the following year were positively correlated. Survival of naturally emerged seedlings was similar at both microhabitats, but the seed‐addition experiment revealed that more seeds are able to emerge under the denser foliage of fleshy‐fruited microhabitats. The experiment also shows a significant effect of temporal deposition: when seeds were added gradually in a microhabitat (emulating repeated avian seed deposition under perches) instead of all at once, seedling emergence increased twofold on average.

Synthesis: Birds dispersed disproportionally high quantities of chiltepin seeds into favourable recruitment microhabitats, showing a case of directed dispersal. Birds also increase seedling emergence through the temporal deposition of seeds under fleshy‐fruited trees, most likely as a result of reducing the odds of seed predation. A coupling between directed seed dispersal with classic facilitative plant–plant interactions leads to the formation of pattern and self‐organization in a plant community.
Community assembly by limiting similarity vs. competitive hierarchies: testing the consequences of dispersion of individual traits
Authors: Herben Tomáš , Goldberg Deborah E.
Published: October 2013

The degree of dispersion of trait values among species in a community has frequently been used to infer processes of community assembly. However, multiple assembly processes can lead to the same pattern of trait dispersion or the same process can lead to different patterns of dispersion. In particular, competitive processes can lead both to trait overdispersion (if the trait controls niche differentiation and only substantial differences allow coexistence) or to trait underdispersion (if the trait controls position in a competitive hierarchy and only similar values enhance coexistence).

Because different traits are likely to contribute to stabilizing (niche differentiation) and equalizing (competitive hierarchies) mechanisms of coexistence, we compare the role of dispersion of a number of individual traits for species diversity by conducting in silico experiments using field‐parameterized spatially explicit models of communities of clonally growing plants. We manipulate both dispersion and means of different traits and examine consequent changes of species diversity in the whole community. We hypothesize that growth traits, which are directly linked to resource acquisition, are likely related to position in competitive hierarchies and thus diversity and trait dispersion will be negatively associated. In contrast, we hypothesize that architectural traits, which control spatial deployment of new plants and are thus less directly linked to resource acquisition, are more likely to be linked to niche differentiation and thus diversity and trait dispersion will be positively associated.

Individual traits differed considerably in effects of trait dispersion on community diversity. Specifically, increasing dispersion in growth traits often decreased diversity, presumably reflecting widening competitive differences and exclusion of weaker competitors, which is consistent with the action of equalizing mechanisms of species coexistence. In contrast, increasing dispersion in architectural traits either increased diversity or had no effect, which possibly indicates niche‐based mechanisms of diversity maintenance. Changes of community‐wide trait means can have large effects on diversity for a given degree of dispersion, although not usually changing the sign of the relationship.

Synthesis. These results suggest inference of community assembly processes from patterns of trait dispersion without understanding how particular traits function in community assembly may often be misleading. Effects of dispersion of traits that are likely associated with position in a competitive hierarchy are very different from those of traits associated with niche differences.
Fertility treatment, twin births, and unplanned pregnancies in women with eating disorders: findings from a population‐based birth cohort
Authors: Micali N , dos‐Santos‐Silva I , De Stavola B , Steenweg‐de Graaf J , Jaddoe V , Hofman A , Verhulst FC , Steegers EAP , Tiemeier H
Published: October 2013

Objective

To investigate fertility treatment, twin births, and unplanned pregnancies in pregnant women with eating disorders in a population‐based sample.

Design

A longitudinal population‐based birth cohort (Generation R).

Setting

Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Sample

Women from the Generation R study who reported a history of (recent or past) anorexia nervosa (n = 160), bulimia nervosa (n = 265), or both (n = 130), and a history of psychiatric disorders other than eating disorders (n = 1396) were compared with women without psychiatric disorders (n = 4367).

Methods

Women were compared on the studied outcomes using logistic regression. We performed crude and adjusted analyses (adjusting for relevant confounding factors).

Main outcome measures

Fertility treatment, twin births, unplanned pregnancies, and women's feelings towards unplanned pregnancies.

Results

Relative to women without psychiatric disorders, women with bulimia nervosa had increased odds (odds ratio, OR, 2.3; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 1.1–5.2) of having undergone fertility treatment. Women with all eating disorders had increased odds of twin births (anorexia nervosa, OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0–7.7; bulimia nervosa, OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1–6.6; anorexia and bulimia nervosa, OR 3.795% CI 1.3–10.7). Anorexia nervosa was associated with increased odds of unplanned pregnancies (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.6) and mixed feelings about these pregnancies (adjusted OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.7–14.4). Pre‐pregnancy body mass index did not explain the observed associations.

Conclusions

Eating disorders are associated with increased odds of receiving fertility treatment and twin births. Women with anorexia nervosa were more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy and have mixed feelings about the unplanned pregnancy. Fertility treatment specialists should be aware that both active and past eating disorders (both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa) might underlie fertility problems.
The cervical mucus plug inhibits, but does not block, the passage of ascending bacteria from the vagina during pregnancy
Authors: Hansen Lea K. , Becher Naja , Bastholm Sara , Glavind Julie , Ramsing Mette , Kim Chong J. , Romero Roberto , Jensen Jørgen S. , Uldbjerg Niels
Published: October 2013

Objective

To evaluate the microbial load and the inflammatory response in the distal and proximal parts of the cervical mucus plug.

Design

Experimental research.

Population

Twenty women with a normal, singleton pregnancy.

Sample

Vaginal swabs and specimens from the distal and proximal parts of the cervical mucus plug.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction and histology.

Results

The total bacterial load (16S rDNA) was significantly lower in the cervical mucus plug compared with the vagina (p = 0.001). Among women harboring Ureaplasma parvum, the median genome equivalents/g were 1574 (interquartile range 2526) in the proximal part, 657 (interquartile range 1620) in the distal part and 60 240 (interquartile range 96 386) in the vagina. Histological examinations and quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed considerable amounts of lactobacilli and inflammatory cells in both parts of the cervical mucus plug. The matrix metalloproteinase‐8 concentration was decreased in the proximal part of the plug compared with the distal part (p = 0.08).

Conclusion

The cervical mucus plug inhibits, but does not block, the passage of Ureaplasma parvum during its ascending route from the vagina through the cervical canal.
1 Home Turf: Archaeology, Territoriality, and Politics
Authors: VanValkenburgh Parker , Osborne James F.
Published: October 2013

Archaeological studies of political life have often assumed that the control of territory is an inherent aspect of social power, particularly within complex polities. Frustration with the rigid territorialism of archaeological approaches to politics has fostered enthusiasm for alternative models of political space, including networks. While we concur with this frustration, we argue that territorial models should still be integral to archaeological studies of political landscapes. However, archaeologists should reframe the control of territory as one of many modalities through which authority can be claimed and reproduced and focus attention on variability in territorial patterns and processes. In this introduction, we review previous approaches to territoriality in anthropology and corollary fields, outline dimensions of variability in territorial behaviors and institutions, and provide a foundation for the series of essays in this volume, which collectively seek to invigorate the study of territoriality in anthropological archaeology. [territoriality, archaeological theory, landscape archaeology]
6 Monumentality, Territoriality, and Networks during the Middle Preclassic in Northwest Honduras
Authors: Urban Patricia , Schortman Edward
Published: October 2013

We propose that relations among hierarchy, political centralization, monumentality, and territoriality are mediated through the actions of people organized in social networks. The ways in which conceptual and tangible assets are continually mobilized within these overlapping webs shape and challenge political formations operating on multiple spatial scales. This network approach to the study of political form and change is used to disentangle the complex relations among power and place that characterized political relations in two adjoining portions of northwest Honduras during the Middle Preclassic (1200–200 B.C.E.). Attention is particularly directed to the variable success enjoyed by would‐be magnates as they sought to mobilize local assets in the form of arable land, perennial water sources, labor, and material styles to fashion hierarchically structured webs focused on specific monumental centers. The implications of this study for understanding ancient political geography are reviewed. [social networks, power contests, Mesoamerica, Middle Preclassic, monumental architecture]
Zinc Protects Human Kidney Cells from Depleted Uranium‐induced Apoptosis
Authors: Hao Yuhui , Ren Jiong , Liu Cong , Li Hong , Liu Jing , Yang Zhangyou , Li Rong , Su Yongping
Published: October 2013

Depleted uranium (DU) is a weak radioactive heavy metal, and zinc (Zn) is an effective antidote to heavy metal poisoning. However, the effect of Zn on DU‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis is not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Zn on DU‐induced cell apoptosis in human kidney cells (HK‐2) and explore its molecular mechanism. Pre‐treatment with Zn significantly inhibited DU‐induced apoptosis. It reduced the formation of reactive oxygen species in the cells, increased the catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations, suppressed the DU‐induced soluble Fas receptor (sFasR) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) overexpression, suppressed the release of cytochrome c and apoptosis inhibitor factor (AIF) from mitochondria to cytoplasm, inhibited the activation of caspase‐9, caspase‐8 and caspase‐3, and induced metallothionein (MT) expression. Furthermore, exogenous MT effectively inhibited DU‐induced cell apoptosis. In conclusion, mitochondrial and FasR‐mediated apoptosis pathways contribute to DU‐induced apoptosis in HK‐2 cells. Through independent mechanisms, such as indirect antioxidant effects, inhibition of the activation of caspase‐9, caspase‐8 and caspase‐3, and induction of MT expression, Zn inhibits DU‐induced apoptosis.
Sex differences in rates of obesity in bipolar disorder: postulated mechanisms
Authors: Baskaran Anusha , Cha Danielle S , Powell Alissa M , Jalil Dalya , McIntyre Roger S
Published: October 2013

Objective

The increased standardized mortality ratio (SMR) from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women with bipolar disorder (BD), relative to men with BD and individuals of both sexes in the general population, provides the impetus to identify factors that contribute to the differential association of obesity with BD in women.

Methods

We conducted a selective PubMed search of English‐language articles published from September 1990 to June 2012. The key search terms were bipolar disorder and metabolic syndrome cross‐referenced with gender, sex, obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The search was supplemented with a manual review of relevant article reference lists. Articles selected for review were based on author consensus, the use of a standardized experimental procedure, validated assessment measures, and overall manuscript quality.

Results

It is amply documented that adults with BD are affected by the metabolic syndrome at a rate higher than the general population. Women with BD, when compared to men with BD and individuals of both sexes in the general population, have higher rates of abdominal obesity. The course and clinical presentation of BD manifest differently in men and women, wherein women exhibit a higher frequency of depression predominant illness, a later onset of BD, more seasonal variations in mood disturbance, and increased susceptibility to relapse. Phenomenological factors can be expanded to include differences in patterns of comorbidity between the sexes among patients with BD. Other factors that contribute to the increased risk for abdominal obesity in female individuals with BD include reproductive life events, anamnestic (e.g., sexual and/or physical abuse), lifestyle, and iatrogenic.

Conclusions

A confluence of factors broadly categorized as broad‐ and sex‐based subserve the increased rate of obesity in women with BD. It remains a testable hypothesis that the increased abdominal obesity in women with BD mediates the increased SMR from CVD. A clinical recommendation that emerges from this review is amplified attention to the appearance, or history, of factors that conspire to increase obesity in female patients with BD.
Implementation of the Exeter Enhanced Recovery Programme for patients undergoing radical cystectomy
Authors: Dutton Thomas J. , Daugherty Mark O. , Mason Robert G. , McGrath John S.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To describe our experience with the implementation and refinement of an enhanced recovery programme (ERP) for radical cystectomy (RC) and urinary diversion.

To assess the impact on length of stay (LOS), complication and readmission rates.

Patients and Methods

In all, 165 consecutive patients undergoing open RC (ORC) and urinary diversion between January 2008 and April 2013 were entered into an ERP.

A retrospective case note review was undertaken.

Outcomes recorded included LOS, time to mobilisation, complication rates within the first 30 days (Clavien‐Dindo classification) and readmissions.

Results

All patients were successfully entered into the ERP.

As enhanced recovery principles became embedded in the unit, LOS reduced from a mean of 14 days over the initial year of the ERP to a mean of 9.2 days.

The complication rate was 6.6% for Clavien ≥3, and 43.5% for Clavien ≤2. The 30‐day mortality rate was 1.2%.

The 30‐day readmission rate was 13.9%.

In the most contemporary subset of 52 patients: the median time after ORC to sit out of bed, mobilise and open bowels was day 1, 2 and 6, respectively.

Conclusions

The ERP described for patients undergoing ORC appears to be safe.

Benefits include early feeding, mobilisation and hospital discharge.

The ERP will continue to develop with the incorporation of advancing evidence and technology, in particular the introduction of robot‐assisted RC.
Effect of phacoemulsification on trabeculectomy function
Authors: Nguyen Dan Q , Niyadurupola Nuwan , Tapp Robyn J , O'Connell Rachael A , Coote Michael A , Crowston Jonathan G
Published: October 2013

Background

To evaluate the effect of phacoemulsification on trabeculectomy function.

Design

Retrospective case–control study.

Participants

Forty‐eight patients who underwent trabeculectomy surgery and had at least 2 years of follow up.

Methods

Patients were classified into two groups: patients who had phacoemulsification subsequent to trabeculectomy (Trab_phaco, n = 18) and patients who were pseudophakic for greater than 6 months preceding their trabeculectomy (Phaco_trab, n = 30). Groups were matched for length of follow up of 2 years from time of trabeculectomy.

Main Outcome Measures

The primary outcome measures were target intraocular pressure of criteria A, ≤12 mmHg; B, ≤15 mmHg; C, ≤18 mmHg with or without additional topical treatment. A separate measure for bleb function failure was also used; with failure defined as the need for additional topical antiglaucoma therapy or surgical intervention to achieve control of intraocular pressure.

Results

There was no significant difference in achieving each intraocular pressure criterion between groups (12 months, P = 1.0; 24 months, P = 0.330). In the first 12 months, significantly more trabeculectomies in the Trab_phaco group failed, requiring additional intervention to control the IOP (39%) compared with the Phaco_trab (10%) group (P = 0.028). Although this trend continued at 24 months, there were no significant differences in failure rates (P = 0.522).

Conclusions

Phacoemulsification performed after trabeculectomy significantly increased rates of bleb failure in the following 12 months but not at 24 months.
Cell‐mediatedBMP‐2 release from a novel dual‐drug delivery system promotes bone formation
Authors: Liu Tie , Wu Gang , Zheng Yuanna , Wismeijer Daniel , Everts Vincent , Liu Yuelian
Published: October 2013

Objectives

In this study, a novel biomimetic calcium phosphate bone substitute (BioCaP) is introduced as a dual‐drug release system with two drug/protein delivery modes: protein is incorporated into (i) the interior ofBioCaP(an internal depot); and (ii) a superficial calcium phosphate coating onBioCaP(a surface‐coated depot). Our aim is to investigate each of the two delivery modes ofBioCaP. Our hypotheses are that (i) both of the drug delivery modes, inin vitroas well asin vivoenvironment, can achieve a sustained cell‐mediated protein release; and (ii)BioCaPwith these two delivery modes with incorporated bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) promotes bone formation.

Materials and Methods

Tablets ofBioCaPwere prepared with different carrying modes using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as model protein. The release of this protein was analysed (n = 6 per group). Granules ofBioCaPwith different carrying modes ofBMP‐2 were implanted subcutaneously in rats (n = 6 animals per group). Samples were collected after 5 weeks for histomorphometric analysis.

Results

In vitrodata showed that the internal and surface‐coated depots ofBSAresulted in a sustained osteoclast‐mediated release, while the adsorbedBSAwas rapidly released, and this release was not affected by osteoclasts.In vivodata showed that the volume densities of bone, bone marrow, and blood vessels were significantly higher in samples whereBMP‐2 was incorporated internally or in the coating compared with granules with adsorbed growth factor. Osteoclast‐like cells were associated with the granules, and resorption lacunae were frequently observed.

Conclusion

It is shown that different modes of incorporation ofBMP‐2 on and in BioCaP granules have a beneficial effect on the formation of ectopic bone. This dual‐drug release system makes BioCaP granule a promising tool for delivering multiple therapeutic agents for different clinical applications.
Effect of implementing the 5As of Obesity Management framework on provider–patient interactions in primary care
Authors: Rueda‐Clausen C. F. , Benterud E. , Bond T. , Olszowka R. , Vallis M. T. , Sharma A. M.
Published: October 2013

What is already known about this subject

Obesity counselling in primary care is positively associated with self‐reported behaviour change in patients with obesity.

Obesity counselling is rare, and when it does occur, it is often of low quality because of poor training and/or competency of providers' obesity management, lack of time and economical disincentives, and negative attitude towards obesity and obesity management.

5As frameworks are routinely used for behaviour‐change counselling and addiction management (e.g. smoking cessation), but few studies have examined its efficacy for weight management.

What this study adds

This study presents pilot data from the implementation and evaluation of an obesity management tool (5As of Obesity Management developed by the Canadian Obesity Network) in a primary care setting.

Results show that the tool facilitates weight management in primary care by promoting physician–patient communications, medical assessments for obesity and plans for follow‐up care.

Obesity remains poorly managed in primary care. The 5As of Obesity Management is a theory‐driven, evidence‐based minimal intervention designed to facilitate obesity counselling and management by primary care practitioners. This project tested the impact of implementing this tool in primary care clinics. Electronic self‐administered surveys were completed by pre‐screened obese subjects at the end of their appointments in four primary care clinics (over 25 healthcare providers [HCPs]). These measurements were performed before (baseline, n = 51) and 1 month after implementing the 5As of Obesity Management (post‐intervention, n = 51). Intervention consisted of one online training session (90 min) and distribution of the 5As toolkit to HCPs of participating clinics. Subjects completing the survey before and after the intervention were comparable in terms of age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, satisfaction and self‐reported health status (P > 0.2). Implementing the 5As of Obesity Management resulted in a twofold increase in the initiation of obesity management (19 vs. 39%, P = 0.03), and caused a statistically significant increase in the perceived follow‐up/coordination efforts (self‐reported Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care components, 45 ± 22 vs. 67 ± 12 points, P = 0.002), as well as two components of the 5As framework: Assess (50 ± 29 vs. 66 ± 15 points, P = 0.03) and Assist (54 ± 26 vs. 72 ± 13 points, P = 0.01). Our results suggest that using the 5As of Obesity Management facilitates weight management in primary care by promoting physician–patient communications, medical assessments for obesity and plans for follow‐up care.