bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kisspeptin-10 induces endothelial cellular senescence and impaired endothelial cell growth
Authors: Usui Sayaka , Iso Yoshitaka , Sasai Masahiro , Mizukami Takuya , Mori Hiroyoshi , Watanabe Takuya , Shioda Seiji , Suzuki Hiroshi 
Published: January 2014

The KPs (kisspeptins) are a family of multifunctional peptides with established roles in cancer metastasis, puberty and vasoconstriction. The effects of KPs on endothelial cells have yet to be determined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of KP-10 on endothelial cell growth and the mechanisms underlying those effects. The administration of recombinant KP-10 into the hindlimbs of rats with ischaemia significantly impaired blood flow recovery, as shown by laser Doppler, and capillary growth, as shown using histology, compared with the controls. HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) express the KP receptor and were treated with KP-10 in culture studies. KP-10 inhibited endothelial cell tube formation and proliferation in a significant and dose-dependent manner. The HUVECs treated with KP exhibited the senescent phenotype, as determined using a senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay, cell morphology analysis, and decreased Sirt1 (sirtuin 1) expression and increased p53 expression shown by Western blot analysis. Intriguingly, a pharmacological Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, was found to increase the proliferation of HUVECs and to reduce the number of senescent phenotype cells affected by KP-10. In conclusion, KP-10 suppressed endothelial cells growth both in vivo and in vitro in the present study. The adverse effect of KP on endothelial cells was attributable, at least in part, to the induction of cellular senescence.
Design of dual‐band phase offset line with arbitrary phase shift at two operational frequencies
Authors: Li Jiuchao , Liu Yuanan , Li Shulan , Yu Cuiping , Wu Yongle 
Published: January 2014

A simple and successful design for an arbitrary phase shift at two operational frequencies by using a T‐section with only a single dual‐band stub‐loaded line is presented, and the design equations are derived analytically. For verification, a proposed dual‐band phase offset line is fabricated and measured at 1618.25 and 2491.75 MHz of the ‘COMPASS’. The results show that there is good agreement between the measured and the electromagnetic simulations.
One‐step fabrication of coaxial nanofibres with core (Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4)/sheath (ZnO) via coaxial electrospinning
Authors: Dai Jianfeng , Jiang Yan , Wang Qing , Li Weixue , Dai Yile 
Published: January 2014

One‐dimensional coaxial nanofibres with a core (Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4)/sheath (ZnO) were produced by coaxial electrospinning and calcining. The core/sheath structures were clearly visible by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), because of, respectively, putting chloroform and glycerin into the core and the sheath precursor solutions. Their core/sheath structures, chemical compositions and phase analysis were investigated by means of high‐resolution TEM, scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The results show that its mean diameter is 30 nm; the thickness of the shell is 8 nm; and ZnO promotes the axial growing of Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4.
Nontraumatic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Subluxation: Grisel Syndrome. Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Barcelos Alécio C. E. S. , Patriota Gustavo C. , Netto Arlindo Ugulino 
Published: January 2014

Study Design Case report and literature review. Objective To describe a case of nontraumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (Grisel syndrome) and to review clinical and radiologic aspects, physiopathology, and treatment of this lesion. There is no well-established protocol in the management of patients without spontaneous reduction. The authors discuss the available strategies to achieve reduction and when to operate on these patients. Methods Case presentation of a 7-year-old patient who presented with torticollis ∼1 week after the onset of an upper airway infection. There was no history of head or neck trauma. Computed tomography demonstrated atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation and a normal atlantodental interval. Results The patient was treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics and by progressively increasing the soft cervical collar height. Clinical reduction of the subluxation occurred after 48 hours. He wore the rigid collar for 6 weeks. At that moment, the patient was completely asymptomatic and follow-up cervical spine radiograph demonstrated an anatomical C1–C2 relation. The patient was instructed to return to daily life activities in a gradual manner. Conclusions Grisel syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of torticollis, especially in children. The management can be planned according to the classification of Fielding and Hawkins. The initial treatment involves medicines, injury reduction, and cervical spine immobilization. Surgical treatment is indicated only in cases of failure of conservative treatment, recurrences of subluxation, and irreducible subluxations.
Heavy Episodic Drinking is a Trait-State: A Cautionary Note
Authors: Mushquash Aislin R. , Sherry Simon B. , Mackinnon Sean P. , Mushquash Christopher J. , Stewart Sherry H. 
Published: January 2014

Background Heavy episodic (binge) drinking is common in and problematic for undergraduates. Researchers often assume that an individual's heavy episodic drinking is stable and trait-like. However, this fails to consider fluctuating, state-like variation in heavy episodic drinking. This study proposes and tests a novel conceptualization of heavy episodic drinking as a trait-state wherein the contribution of both trait-like stability and state-like fluctuations are quantified. It was hypothesized that heavy episodic drinking is a trait-state such that individuals have trait-like tendencies to engage in heavy episodic drinking, and state-like differences in the expression of this tendency over time. Methods A sample of 114 first-year undergraduates from a Canadian university completed self-report measures of heavy episodic drinking at 3 time points across 130 days. Hypotheses were tested with repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), test-retest correlations, and generalizability theory analyses. Results A substantial proportion of the variance in heavy episodic drinking is attributable to trait-like stability, with a smaller proportion attributable to state-like fluctuations. Conclusions The heavy episodic drinker seems characterized by a stable, trait-like tendency to drink in a risky manner, and this trait-like tendency seems to fluctuate in degree of expression over time. Findings complement research suggesting that people have trait-like predispositions that increase their risk for heavy episodic drinking. However, despite this stable tendency to drink heavily, the frequency of heavy episodic drinking appears to be at least partly sporadic or situation dependent. These findings serve as a caution to alcohol researchers and clinicians who often assume that a single assessment of heavy episodic drinking captures a person's usual drinking behavior.
Leg stiffness decreases during a run to exhaustion at the speed at O2max
Authors: Hayes Philip R. , Caplan Nicholas 
Published: January 2014

AbstractVertical and leg stiffness are related to running speed. In endurance running, the ability to maintain stiffness might be more important than the absolute stiffness magnitude. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in vertical and leg stiffness during an exhaustive. Six sub‐elite runners (24.2, s = 4.2 years; 1.81, s = 0.03 m; 73.4, s = 4.4 kg) participated in this study. They performed preliminary tests to determine lactate threshold, lactate turnpoint, O2max, sO2max and a series of isokinetic endurance tests. During the run to exhaustion runners were videoed (50 Hz) to determine contact and flight times, from which leg (Kleg) and vertical (Kvert) stiffness were calculated. During the run Kleg showed a significant decrease [P = 0.030, effect size statistics (ES) = 0.74], however, the decrease in Kvert was non‐significant and of a small magnitude (P = 0.051, ES = 0.32). The distance covered during the run was correlated with ΔKleg (r = −0.868) but not ΔKvert (r = 0.684). ΔKleg was very strongly related to Δ ground contact time (r = −0.937) and Δ step length (r = −0.957). The Δ ground contact time had a near perfect relationship with Δ step length (r = 0.995). Isokinetic measures were not significantly correlated with either ΔKleg. The ability to maintain a short ground contact time appears to be a key determinant of maintaining performance during a run to exhaustion. Minimising this is important for maintaining Kleg. Kleg was not significantly related to isokinetic measures.
Host Defenses Associated with Fruit Infection by Colletotrichum Species with an Emphasis on Anthracnose of Blueberries
Authors: Miles Timothy D. , Schilder Annemiek C. 
Published: January 2014

Defense mechanisms in fruit against invasion by fungal pathogens fall into several categories, including fruit physiological factors, passive defense responses, and active defense responses. Colletotrichum spp. are common fruit rot pathogens on a variety of crops. The infection strategy of Colletotrichum pp. varies depending upon the host and the tissue type being colonized and range from hemibiotrophy to necrotrophy. Anthracnose fruit rot caused by C. acutatum is the most important postharvest disease of blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum). In order to better understand host resistance mechanisms in blueberry fruits, the resistant cultivar Elliott was compared with the susceptible cultivar Jersey. Higher levels of hydrogen peroxide and differentially expressed defense-related genes were found in ‘Elliott’ than in ‘Jersey’ fruit after inoculation. Furthermore, higher levels of anthocyanins and flavonols, including two distinctive compounds, were observed in Elliott fruits and two unique flavonols were present in Elliott. Additionally, pH and sugar content were implicated as being involved in host resistance in blueberry fruits. The results from these studies provide a significant contribution to the understanding of the multiple factors that contribute to anthracnose fruit rot resistance in blueberry. Accepted for publication 15 August 2013. Published 25 November 2013.
On productivity differential of export composition: evidence from India
Authors: Debnath Avijit , Roy Niranjan , Dasgupta Priyanka , Mazumder Nazira 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– This paper aims to analyse the relationship between exports and non-export gross domestic product (GDP) in the context of Indian economy during 1988-2012. It considers export both at aggregate and disaggregated levels to examine whether export-led growth (ELG) hypothesis is sensitive to types of goods India exports.Design/methodology/approach– The OLS-based autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model has been employed to analyse the potential long-run equilibrium relationship. Further, the error correction model within the ARDL framework is applied to examine the short-run and long-run causal relationship between non-export GDP, export and other variables. The study is based on secondary data.Findings– The study indicates that at aggregate level, exports do not have any significant impact on output of non-export sector, and therefore, it is maintained that ELG hypothesis is not valid at aggregate level in India; when the authors disaggregate exports into merchandise and services exports, the latter has been found to have positive spillover effects on non-export sector of the economy. However, the association between merchandise export and non-export GDP is found to be statistically insignificant. When the authors further disaggregated merchandise exports, the authors observed that primary-product export has a negative association with non-export GDP, but export of manufacturing products found to have a significant positive impact on non-export GDP. Finally, export of petroleum product shows a negative long-run association with non-export GDP, but the association is statistically insignificant.Originality/value– It is not the case that India can simply increase its exportsper seand be sure of witnessing economic growth, but instead it is the composition and the concentration of these exports that matters.
The sustainability of trade accounts of the ASEAN-5 countries
Authors: Olaolu Richard Olayeni , Kumar Tiwari Aviral 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– The present study aims to analyse the sustainability of the trade deficits in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-5 countries using panel framework during the period from 1965 to 2011.Design/methodology/approach– The paper applied a battery of first- and second-generation panel unit root tests and Pedroni's, Kao and Chiang's, Westerlund, and Di Iorio and Fachin cointegration tests to achieve the objective.Findings– The paper found the evidence of sustainable trade deficit in ASEAN-5 countries while utilizing panel unit root tests as well as panel cointegration tests.Research limitations/implications– The findings have important macroeconomic policies implication for ASEAN-5 countries that these policies had been effective in leading exports and imports to long-run steady-state equilibrium relationship among the ASEAN-5 countries.Originality/value– The main contribution of the paper is to show that the macroeconomic policies of ASEAN-5 countries had been effective in leading exports and imports to long-run steady-state equilibrium relationship. To the authors' best knowledge, in this area, this is the first study in the panel framework for ASEAN countries.
Problematizing Goldman Sachs: indoctrination, paradigm shift and revolving doors
Authors: Bazin Yoann 
Published: January 2014

Purpose
– The aim of this article is to open a dialogue between several books written on Goldman Sachs and the academic literature.

Design/methodology/approach
– Greg Smith's “Why I Left Goldman Sachs” and the French investigation of Marc Roche entitled “THE Bank: How Goldman Sachs Rules the World” are closely studied to identify recurring topics regarding the investment bank.

Findings
– Three major dynamics are identified: the intense socialisation that every new employee encounters (almost an indoctrination), the cultural paradigm shift that Goldman Sachs underwent during the 1990s and 2000s and the intensity of the revolving doors between Goldman Sachs' managers and the public regulatory sector.

Originality/value
– Focusing on revolving door dynamics, this article opens a dialogue with the academic literature allowing for a problematization: the constant circulation of personnel between regulatory institutions and regulated organisations generates a convergence of actors' habitus that weakens regulation as a whole.
Carbon and phosphorus linkages in Daphnia growth are determined by growth rate, not species or diet
Authors: Hood James M. , Sterner Robert W. 
Published: January 2014

Summary

Ecological stoichiometry provides a framework for understanding how fitness relates to acquisition and use of elements. This framework predicts a trade‐off between the ability to grow quickly under good food conditions and to minimize growth depression on low‐phosphorus (P) diets. These traits should both be related in some way to organism P content, a commonly used proxy of P demand.

Previous tests using Daphnia species did not consistently support this prediction, whereas comparisons made across genera or higher taxonomic groups did. One explanation could be that body P content measured at one point in time is a poor indicator of P demand for growth over an interval.

We measured the rate of both mass and phosphorus gain of seven Daphnia species under contrasting food conditions, including low‐ and high‐P algal diets.

Similar to other studies, we found no significant relationship between body P content and maximum growth rate or sensitivity to P limitation. On the other hand, Carbon (C) and P specific growth rates were linearly related (R2 = 0·83) to all treatments and species with a positive intercept and slope less than one. This relationship indicates that rapid growth does require high‐P accrual as predicted by the growth rate hypothesis. These results reveal a fundamental and unexpected relationship between growth and P demand that transcends species and diets.

C and P coupling in growth represents an alternative measure of P demand that confirms theoretical predictions concerning maximum growth rate, sensitivity to P limitation and P demand as well as revealing unpredicted linkages between P demand and the degree of stoichiometric homeostasis. The straight line coupling of C and P in growth represents a new framework for understanding C and P linkages that does not assume strict homeostasis, but does allow generalization across species and diets.
Chemical ecology of fruit defence: synergistic and antagonistic interactions among amides from Piper
Authors: Whitehead Susan R. , Bowers M. D. 
Published: January 2014

Summary

Although ripe, fleshy fruits function primarily to attract seed dispersers, they must also be defended against diverse communities of seed predators and pathogens. For some plants, the concentration and diversity of secondary metabolites in fruits can exceed that of leaves and other plant parts, but little is known about the functional significance of the suites of compounds found in fruits. Fruit secondary metabolites may function in defence, or they may play a variety of other roles in seed development and dispersal.

In this study, we conducted a series of experiments to test the effects of amides, a highly diverse class of secondary metabolites found in Piper fruits, on a variety of antagonistic fruit pests, including an insect seed predator (Sibaria englemani, Pentatomidae) and three unidentified species of fungi isolated from ripe Piper reticulatum (Piperaceae) fruits. We tested the effects of amide‐rich extracts from unripe and ripe fruits of P. reticulatum and the effects of two pure compounds, piperine and piplartine, presented alone and in combination.

Amide‐rich extracts from unripe and ripe fruits had no effect on insect feeding preferences, but strong negative effects on fungal growth rates. A comparison of the relative bioactivity of unripe and ripe fruit extracts, controlling for concentration, showed that the specific composition of compounds in unripe fruits provides a more effective defence than that of ripe fruits against two of the three fungal species tested.

Pure amides had variable effects on insect feeding preferences and strong negative effects on fungal growth rates. Tests of the bioactivity of two pure amides, presented alone and in combination, showed that the same two compounds can interact either synergistically or antagonistically in mixtures depending on the particular consumer involved.

Together, these results suggest that the secondary metabolites in fruits may be a key characteristic contributing to fruit defence and plant reproductive success. Specifically, our results emphasize: (i) the potential for slight changes in the composition of mixtures to alter the efficacy of defence; and (ii) the potential for complex interactions among compounds in mixtures that can alter the bioactivity of secondary metabolites differentially among different consumers.
Landscape configuration of crops and hedgerows drives local syrphid fly abundance
Authors: Haenke Sebastian , Kovács‐Hostyánszki Anikó , Fründ Jochen , Batáry Péter , Jauker Birgit , Tscharntke Teja , Holzschuh Andrea 
Published: January 2014

SummaryHuman‐dominated landscapes are characterized by a mosaic of natural and managed ecosystems, affecting arthropod communities on different spatial scales. Effective landscape management for functionally important organisms suffers from little understanding of organism spillover between semi‐natural habitats and adjacent crops, and of how it is affected by the surrounding landscape.We examined syrphid abundance (Diptera: Syrphidae) in three types of linear semi‐natural habitats, differing in connectedness to annual crops and forest [forest edges (n = 12), forest‐connected hedges (n = 11) and isolated hedges (n = 12)], as well as in the adjacent oilseed rape or winter wheat fields (i.e. altogethern = 70 sites in 35 landscapes). The landscape circles with 1 km radius around the study sites differed in the proportion of oilseed rape (ranging from 0% to 35% oilseed rape) enabling us to test landscape‐scale effects of oilseed rape.Aphidophagous syrphids were more abundant in forest‐connected hedgerows than in forest edges (with isolated hedges being intermediate), and more abundant in crop fields adjacent to hedgerows than adjacent to forest edges, indicating spillover from semi‐natural habitats to the adjacent crop fields. Aphidophagous syrphid abundance was higher in semi‐natural habitats adjacent to oilseed rape fields than adjacent to wheat fields if the proportion of oilseed rape in the landscape was low (indicating local concentration).Synthesis and applications. This study highlights the potential of hedgerows to enhance the abundances of beneficial syrphids and their spillover to adjacent crop fields, especially when they are connected with forests. We provide evidence that this local exchange is moderated by the extent of mass‐flowering crops in the surrounding landscapes due to local concentration. Therefore, measurements for the improvement in local biological functioning should be evaluated by simultaneously investigating local and regional aspects of crop configurations to allow for region‐specific management recommendations. Increasing the total amount of hedgerows in the agricultural matrix under moderate landscape‐scale proportions of mass‐flowering crops may serve best for the conservation of biodiversity and augmentation of important ecosystem services such as biological control and pollination in landscapes dominated by agricultural cultivations.
Marfan syndrome and pregnancy: maternal and neonatal outcomes
Authors: Curry RA , Gelson E , Swan L , Dob D , Babu‐Narayan SV , Gatzoulis MA , Steer PJ , Johnson MR 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo report outcomes in a recent series of pregnancies in women with Marfan syndrome (MFS).DesignRetrospective case note review.SettingTertiary referral unit (Chelsea and Westminster and Royal Brompton Hospitals).SampleTwenty‐nine pregnancies in 21 women with MFS between 1995 and 2010.MethodsMultidisciplinary review of case records.Main outcome measuresMaternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity of patients with MFS and healthy controls.ResultsThere were no maternal deaths. Significant cardiac complications occurred in five pregnancies (17%): one woman experienced a type–A aortic dissection; two women required cardiac surgery within 6 months of delivery; and a further two women developed impaired left ventricular function during the pregnancy. Women with MFS were also more likely to have obstetric complications (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.30–8.34), the most frequent of which was postpartum haemorrhage (OR 8.46, 95% CI 2.52–28.38). There were no perinatal deaths, although babies born to mothers with MFS were delivered significantly earlier than those born to the control group (median 39 versus 40 weeks of gestation, Mann–Whitney U–test, P = 0.04). These babies were also significantly more likely to be small for gestational age (24% in the MFS group versus 6% in the controls; OR 4.95, 95% CI 1.58–15.55).ConclusionsPregnancy in women with MFS continues to be associated with significant rates of maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications. Effective pre‐pregnancy counselling and meticulous surveillance during pregnancy, delivery, and the puerperium by an experienced multidisciplinary team are warranted for women with MFS.