bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D receptor and megalin gene polymorphisms are associated with central adiposity status and changes among US adults
Authors: Beydoun May A. , Tanaka Toshiko , Beydoun Hind A. , Ding Eric L. , Ferrucci Luigi , Zonderman Alan B. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe examined longitudinal associations of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and megalin (LRP2; LDL receptor-related protein-2) gene polymorphisms with central adiposity. We used data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA), an ongoing prospective open cohort study. Study participants consisted of non-Hispanic white adults residing in Baltimore city, with one or more visits at age ≥50 years, and complete data (n609–617). Repeated assessments on waist circumference (WC) and waist:hip ratio (WHR) were available. Multiple linear mixed models were used to estimate mid-follow-up age central adiposity level and annual rate of change with cut-points set at the sex-specific 80th percentile. The four binary outcomes were: ‘elevated central adiposity’ (ECA-WC and ECA-WHR) and ‘significant increase in central adiposity’ (SICA-WC and SICA-WHR). SNP for VDR (four SNP: (1) rs11568820 (CdX-2:T/C); (2) rs1544410 (BsmI:G/A); (3) rs7975232 (ApaI:A/C); (4) rs731236 (TaqI:G/A)) and Megalin (three SNP: (1) rs3755166:G/A; (2) rs2075252:C/T; (3) rs4668123:C/T) genes were selected. SNP latent classes (SNPLC) and SNP haplotypes (SNPHAP) were created. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that, in men, higher ECA-WHR odds were associated with SNPLC Megalin2:rs3755166[–]/rs2075252[TT]/rs4668123[T–] (v. Megalin1:rs3755166[–]/rs2075252[CC]/rs4668123[–]) (OR 2·87; 95 % CI 1·15, 7·12;P = 0·023) and that SNPLC Megalin3:rs3755166[–]/rs2075252[CT]/rs4668123[–] (v. Megalin1) was linked to lower SICA-WC odds (OR 0·48; 95 % CI 0·26, 0·88;P = 0·019) (P > 0·05 for sex × SNPLC). In women, VDR3SNPHAP (GAA:bAT) was related to lower odds of ECA-WC (OR 0·37; 95 % CI 0·16, 0·87;P = 0·023) (P < 0·05 for sex × SNPHAP), VDR1SNPHAP (GCA:baT) was associated with greater odds and VDR3SNPHAP (GAA:bAT) with lower odds of SICA-WC (P > 0·05 for sex × SNPHAP). Vitamin D-related gene polymorphisms were associated with central adiposity status and change. Future mechanistic studies are needed to confirm those polymorphisms' biological significance to central adiposity.
Interrelationships between maternal DHA in erythrocytes, milk and adipose tissue. Is 1 wt% DHA the optimal human milk content? Data from four Tanzanian tribes differing in lifetime stable intakes of fish
Authors: Luxwolda Martine F. , Kuipers Remko S. , Koops Jan-Hein , Muller Stefan , de Graaf Deti , Dijck-Brouwer D. A. Janneke , Muskiet Frits A. J. 
Published: October 2013

Little is known about the interrelationships between maternal and infant erythrocyte-DHA, milk-DHA and maternal adipose tissue (AT)-DHA contents. We studied these relationships in four tribes in Tanzania (Maasai, Pare, Sengerema and Ukerewe) differing in their lifetime intakes of fish. Cross-sectional samples were collected at delivery and after 3 d and 3 months of exclusive breast-feeding. We found that intra-uterine biomagnification is a sign of low maternal DHA status, that genuine biomagnification occurs during lactation, that lactating mothers with low DHA status cannot augment their infants' DHA status, and that lactating mothers lose DHA independent of their DHA status. A maternal erythrocyte-DHA content of 8 wt% was found to correspond with a mature milk-DHA content of 1·0 wt% and with subcutaneous and abdominal (omentum) AT-DHA contents of about 0·39 and 0·52 wt%, respectively. Consequently, 1 wt% DHA might be a target for Western human milk and infant formula that has milk arachidonic acid, EPA and linoleic acid contents of 0·55, 0·22 and 9·32 wt%, respectively. With increasing DHA status, the erythrocyte-DHA content reaches a plateau of about 9 wt%, and it plateaus more readily than milk-DHA and AT-DHA contents. Compared with the average Tanzanian-Ukerewe woman, the average US woman has four times lower AT-DHA content (0·4v.0·1 wt%) and five times lower mature milk-DHA output (301v.60 mg/d), which contrasts with her estimated 1·8–2·6 times lower mobilisable AT-DHA content (19v.35–50 g).
GENDER BARRIERS TO HEALTH PROMOTION IN MIDDLE-AGED IRANIAN WOMEN
Authors: ENJEZAB B. , FARAJZADEGAN Z. , TALEGHANI F. , AFLATOONIAN A. 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThis study explores the perceived socio-cultural factors that might be barriers to health-promoting behaviour in middle-aged women in the city of Yazd in Iran. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the barriers to a healthy lifestyle in middle-aged women. Interviews with women aged 40–60 were audio-taped, transcribed and analysed using content analysis. The interviews focused on socio-cultural factors and five main themes emerged: (a) giving higher priority to non-health-related needs; (b) the dominance of the husband's will in the family; (c) preference of children's needs to own needs; (d) having to fulfil multiple responsibilities; and (e) low access to community resources for health promotion. The multiple responsibilities of family and work, patriarchal societal attitudes and lack of exercise facilities are barriers to health in middle-aged Iranian women.
Differential role of visuospatial working memory in the propensity toward uncertainty in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder and in healthy subjects
Authors: Lambrecq V. , Rotge J.-Y. , Jaafari N. , Aouizerate B. , Langbour N. , Bioulac B. , Liégeois-Chauvel C. , Burbaud P. , Guehl D. 
Published: October 2013

BackgroundObsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with visuospatial working memory deficits. Intolerance of uncertainty is thought to be a core component of OCD symptoms. Recent findings argue for a possible relationship between abilities in visuospatial memory and uncertainty. However, this relationship remains unclear in both OCD patients and healthy subjects. To address this issue, we measured performance in visuospatial working memory and the propensity to express uncertainty during decision making. We assessed their relationship and the temporal direction of this relationship in both OCD patients and healthy subjects.MethodBaseline abilities in visuospatial working memory were measured with the Corsi block-tapping test. A delayed matching-to-sample task was used to identify explicit situations of certainty, uncertainty and ignorance and to assess continuous performance in visuospatial working memory. Behavioural variables were recorded over 360 consecutive trials in both groups.ResultsBaseline scores of visuospatial working memory did not predict the number of uncertain situations in OCD patients whereas they did in healthy subjects. Uncertain trials led to reduced abilities in visuospatial working memory to 65% of usual performance in OCD patients whereas they remained stable in healthy subjects.ConclusionsThe present findings show an opposite temporal direction in the relationship between abilities in working memory and uncertainty in OCD patients and healthy subjects. Poor working memory performance contributes to the propensity to feel uncertainty in healthy subjects whereas uncertainty contributes to decreased continuous performance in working memory in OCD patients.
SEGREGATION IN POST-CIVIL RIGHTS AMERICA
Authors: Rugh Jacob S. , Massey Douglas S. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn this paper we adjudicate between competing claims of persisting segregation and rapid integration by analyzing trends in residential dissimilarity and spatial isolation for African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians living in 287 consistently defined metropolitan areas from 1970 to 2010. On average, Black segregation and isolation have fallen steadily but still remain very high in many areas, particularly those areas historically characterized by hypersegregation. In contrast, Hispanic segregation has increased slightly but Hispanic isolation has risen substantially owing to rapid population growth. Asian segregation has changed little and remains moderate, and although Asian isolation has increased it remains at low levels compared with other groups. Whites remain quite isolated from all three minority groups in metropolitan America, despite rising diversity and some shifts toward integration from the minority viewpoint.Multivariate analyses reveal that minority segregation and spatial isolation are actively produced in some areas by restrictive density zoning regimes, large and/or rising minority percentages, lagging minority socioeconomic status, and active expressions of anti-Black and anti-Latino sentiment, especially in large metropolitan areas. Areas displaying these characteristics are either integrating very slowly (in the case of Blacks) or becoming more segregated (in the case of Hispanics), whereas those lacking these attributes are clearly moving toward integration, often quite rapidly.
Optical control of neuronal excitation and inhibition using a single opsin protein, ChR2
Authors: Liske Holly , Qian Xiang , Anikeeva Polina , Deisseroth Karl , Delp Scott 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe effect of electrical stimulation on neuronal membrane potential is frequency dependent. Low frequency electrical stimulation can evoke action potentials, whereas high frequency stimulation can inhibit action potential transmission. Optical stimulation of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) expressed in neuronal membranes can also excite action potentials. However, it is unknown whether optical stimulation of ChR2-expressing neurons produces a transition from excitation to inhibition with increasing light pulse frequencies. Here we report optical inhibition of motor neuron and muscle activity in vivo in the cooled sciatic nerves of Thy1-ChR2-EYFP mice. We also demonstrate all-optical single-wavelength control of neuronal excitation and inhibition without co-expression of inhibitory and excitatory opsins. This all-optical system is free from stimulation-induced electrical artifacts and thus provides a new approach to investigate mechanisms of high frequency inhibition in neuronal circuits in vivo and in vitro.
Characterization of WZ4003 and HTH-01-015 as selective inhibitors of the LKB1-tumour-suppressor-activated NUAK kinases
Authors: Banerjee Sourav , Buhrlage Sara J. , Huang Hai-Tsang , Deng Xianming , Zhou Wenjun , Wang Jinhua , Traynor Ryan , Prescott Alan R. , Alessi Dario R. , Gray Nathanael S. 
Published: October 2013

The related NUAK1 and NUAK2 are members of the AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) family of protein kinases that are activated by the LKB1 (liver kinase B1) tumour suppressor kinase. Recent work suggests they play important roles in regulating key biological processes including Myc-driven tumorigenesis, senescence, cell adhesion and neuronal polarity. In the present paper we describe the first highly specific protein kinase inhibitors of NUAK kinases namely WZ4003 and HTH-01-015. WZ4003 inhibits both NUAK isoforms (IC50 for NUAK1 is 20 nM and for NUAK2 is 100 nM), whereas HTH-01-015 inhibits only NUAK1 (IC50 is 100 nM). These compounds display extreme selectivity and do not significantly inhibit the activity of 139 other kinases that were tested including ten AMPK family members. In all cell lines tested, WZ4003 and HTH-01-015 inhibit the phosphorylation of the only well-characterized substrate, MYPT1 (myosin phosphate-targeting subunit 1) that is phosphorylated by NUAK1 at Ser445. We also identify a mutation (A195T) that does not affect basal NUAK1 activity, but renders it ~50-fold resistant to both WZ4003 and HTH-01-015. Consistent with NUAK1 mediating the phosphorylation of MYPT1 we find that in cells overexpressing drug-resistant NUAK1[A195T], but not wild-type NUAK1, phosphorylation of MYPT1 at Ser445 is no longer suppressed by WZ4003 or HTH-01-015. We also demonstrate that administration of WZ4003 and HTH-01-015 to MEFs (mouse embryonic fibroblasts) significantly inhibits migration in a wound-healing assay to a similar extent as NUAK1-knockout. WZ4003 and HTH-01-015 also inhibit proliferation of MEFs to the same extent as NUAK1 knockout and U2OS cells to the same extent as NUAK1 shRNA knockdown. We find that WZ4003 and HTH-01-015 impaired the invasive potential of U2OS cells in a 3D cell invasion assay to the same extent as NUAK1 knockdown. The results of the present study indicate that WZ4003 and HTH-01-015 will serve as useful chemical probes to delineate the biological roles of the NUAK kinases.
‘Proficiscere, anima Christiana’: Gerontius and German Mysticism
Authors: Thomson Aidan J. 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThe popularity in Britain of Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius was triggered by the successful reception of the work in Germany in December 1901 and May 1902. By examining some of the writings on Elgar by German critics in this period, I explain that what may particularly have appealed to German audiences was the composer's engagement with mysticism, something that as well as being a distinct strand of German theology since medieval times had acquired a new popularity among German artists in a number of fields, as part of a reaction to the materialism of Wilhelmine Germany. Through a reading of the work that takes into account both its Catholic theology and ideas of mysticism more generally, I propose that the two Parts of the work should be conceived as taking place simultaneously, rather than successively, and that the work is thus best understood as belonging to the genre of epic rather than drama.
Achieving “One-Web” through customization and prioritization
Authors: Shaari Nassiriah , Charters Stuart , Churcher Clare 
Published: October 2013

Purpose
– Accessing web sites from mobile devices has been gaining popularity but may often do not give the same results and experiences as accessing them from a personal computer. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– To address these issues, the paper presents a server-side adaptation approach to prioritising adaptive pages to different devices through prioritisation system. The prioritisation approach allows users to prioritise page items for different devices. The prioritisation engine reorders, shows, and removes items based on its priority set by users or developers.

Findings
– With this approach, the overall web page's structure is preserved and the same terminology, content, and similar location of content are delivered to all devices. A user trial and a performance test were conducted. Results show that adaptive page and prioritisation provides a consistent and efficient web experience across different devices.

Originality/value
– The approach provides advantages over both client-side and proxy and has conducted significant experimentation to determine the applicability and effectiveness of the approach.
A comparison framework for service-oriented software engineering approaches
Authors: Baghdadi Youcef 
Published: October 2013

Purpose
– Many service-oriented software engineering (SOSE) methods from industry and academia claim their compliance with SOA and SO, but there is a lack of framework to assess the existing methods or to provide new ones. First, the paper questions: (Q1) to what extent an approach would consider the three aspect: service, composition, and management to deliver software solutions that are conformed to SO and SOA principles; (Q2) to what extent an approach would consider the aggregates of a method, including representation techniques, assisting tools, and inspection techniques to assess the delivered solution (service and composition), in addition to the process; and (Q3) to what extent an approach would consider the alignment of business and IT through the application of model-driven development by using standards such as model-driven architecture. Then, the paper compares four generic approaches: top-down, bottom-up, green-field, and meet-in-the-middle, within a framework, to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the paper aims to propose a business-oriented approach that focuses on the value a business can add to its customers, whereby the value must be specified in a contract to be largely re-used.

Design/methodology/approach
– This work develops a framework as an abstract model for SOSE generic methods. Then, it uses the framework as an analytical study to compare the generic methods and come up with research issues and a new method for SOSE.

Findings
– A set of guidelines that a SOSE method develops should consider when selecting or developing a new method.

Research limitations/implications
– Comparison of existing SOSE methods within the findings of the proposed framework. The paper has theoretical implications as the open issues provide a research roadmap towards the realization of SOA in accordance with a maturity model.

Practical implications
– This has practical implications as it: provides a better understanding of the approaches, as they are ambiguously used by the existing methods; and assists developers in deciding an approach having the necessary knowledge related to its process, strengths and weaknesses.

Originality/value
– None of the existing comparison framework has raised the level of abstraction up to generic methods such as top-down, green-filed, meet-in-the-middle and bottom-up.
Compliant multi-fingered passively adaptive robotic gripper
Authors: Petkovic´ Dalibor , D. Pavlovic´ Nenad 
Published: October 2013

Purpose
– The paper aims to discuss a new design methodology for multi-fingered robotic grippers.

Design/methodology/approach
– Optimization of the compliant mechanism with underactuation.

Findings
– A new robotic gripper principle without active control.

Originality/value
– Design of multi-fingered robotic gripper as a monolithic structure without joints.
Social media provides a megaphone for organizations intent on shaping the corporate environment
Authors: Mark R. Kennedy Hon., 
Published: October 2013

Purpose
– The author offers a leaders' guide to managing relations with “shapeholders” the political, regulatory, media and activist actors in the firm's operating environment that shape, constrain, or expand a firm's opportunities and raise certain risks.

Design/methodology/approach
– The author, a former US congressman, shows how companies can adopt a program of analysis, foresight and preparation, and successfully engage shapeholders to advance mutual goals and preempt open conflict.

Findings
– The author warns that seeking unjustified advantage for your company or industry often trades transient benefits for long-term risks and reduced standing in seeking a level playing field in international markets.

Practical implications
– The author suggests several practical preparation techniques, citing the need to train for a rapid response to shapeholder pressures in today's hyper-connected world. When a controversy goes viral on social media, it's too late to debate options, policy and tactics.

Originality/value
– Leaders can use the author's WinWin Shapeholders Decision Matrix and other models introduced in the article to analyze and prepare for shapeholder interactions in advance.
Landscape scale variation in nectar amino acid and sugar composition in a Lepidoptera pollinated orchid species and its relation with fruit set
Authors: Gijbels Pieter , Van den Ende Wim , Honnay Olivier 
Published: October 2013

SummaryUnderstanding landscape scale variation in reproductive and pollination success is a major aim of plant population biology. A potential determinant of reproductive success that has received surprisingly little attention so far is variation in nectar chemical composition across plant individuals and populations. Using theLepidoptera pollinated fragrant orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea) as a model species, we aimed at providing a first account of landscape scale variation in nectar amino acid and sugar composition, its environmental drivers, and how it may affect plant fruit set.Nectar was sampled from 986 flowers from 296 individuals across eleven discrete populations of theG. conopsea. The proportions of sugars and amino acids were determined using high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography. Nectar composition was related to soil characteristics of the populations, and to fruit set, using linear mixed models.Approximately, 20% of the variance in nectar traits was situated between populations, whereas the highest proportion of variance (c. 45%) was found among flowers within individuals. Soil carbon and nitrogen content affected both nectar concentration and composition. Furthermore, fruit set ofG. conopseaindividuals was found to be significantly related to nectar amino acid and sugar composition.Synthesis. These results show that landscape scale variation in nectar amino acid and sugar composition should be taken into account in future studies of plant reproductive success. Furthermore, there is also high within‐plant variation in both nectar amino acid and sugar composition. This variation may reduce geitonogamous pollination, but it may also limit rapid pollinator‐mediated selection on nectar composition.
Relationship between platelet volume indices with macrovascular and peripheral neuropathy complications in type 2 diabetic patients (2型糖尿病患者血小板容积参数与大血管及外周神经并发症的相关性研究)
Authors: Xiao Wenjin , Huang Yun , Dong Jixiang , Zhang Xiaoyan , Hu Ji 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship of platelet volume indices including mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) with carotid intima‐media thickness (IMT) as well as vibration perception threshold (VPT) was investigated in type 2 diabetic patients.MethodsA total of 500 type 2 diabetic patients (298 male, 202 female) were enrolled. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from hospital records.ResultsBoth MPV and PDW were significantly associated with carotid IMT, after adjustment for confounding factors including age, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and creatinine (0.833 ± 0.029 mm vs 0.955 ± 0.030 mm; 0.839 ± 0.029 mm vs 0.955 ± 0.030 mm; P = 0.0015 and P = 0.022, respectively). Agreed with carotid IMT analysis results, significant association was found between PDW and VPT as tertiles (15.760 ± 1.091V vs 20.187 ± 1.094V, P = 0.016). In multivariable analysis, both MPV and PDW were significantly associated with VPT (P = 0.021 and P = 0.007, respectively). However, only PDW, but not MPV, was significantly associated with carotid IMT (P = 0.002).ConclusionsThese findings implied the predictive value of platelets volume indices in vascular and peripheral neuropathy complications in type 2 diabetes.
Part 1: MRI features of focal nodular hyperplasia with an emphasis on hepatobiliary contrast agents
Authors: Sutherland Tom , Seale Melanie , Yap Kelvin 
Published: October 2013

SummaryFocal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the second most common benign liver tumour and typically do not require any treatment. An accurate non‐invasive diagnosis is therefore vital to avoid unnecessary intervention and to reassure patients. This article discusses the demographics and pathology of FNH and reviews the appearance of FNH at MRI using liver‐specific contrast agents.