bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel interactions between mitochondrial superoxide dismutases and the electron transport chain
Authors: Suthammarak Wichit , Somerlot Benjamin H. , Opheim Elyce , Sedensky Margaret , Morgan Philip G. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryThe processes that control aging remain poorly understood. We have exploited mutants in the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, that compromise mitochondrial function and scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to understand their relation to lifespan. We discovered unanticipated roles and interactions of the mitochondrial superoxide dismutases (mtSODs): SOD‐2 and SOD‐3. Both SODs localize to mitochondrial supercomplex I:III:IV. Loss of SOD‐2 specifically (i) decreases the activities of complexes I and II, complexes III and IV remain normal; (ii) increases the lifespan of animals with a complex I defect, but not the lifespan of animals with a complex II defect, and kills an animal with a complex III defect; (iii) induces a presumed pro‐inflammatory response. Knockdown of a molecule that may be a pro‐inflammatory mediator very markedly extends lifespan and health of certain mitochondrial mutants. The relationship between the electron transport chain, ROS, and lifespan is complex, and defects in mitochondrial function have specific interactions with ROS scavenging mechanisms. We conclude that mtSODs are embedded within the supercomplex I:III:IV and stabilize or locally protect it from reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage. The results call for a change in the usual paradigm for the interaction of electron transport chain function, ROS release, scavenging, and compensatory responses.
Ecophysiological and species‐specific responses to seasonal variations in halophytic species of the chenopodiaceae in a Mediterranean salt marsh
Authors: Barakat Nasser A. M. , Cazzato Eugenio , Nedjimi Bouzid , Kabiel Hanan F. , Laudadio Vito , Tufarelli Vincenzo 
Published: July 2013

AbstractPlants adopt different strategies in response to seasonal variations in their natural biotype. In this study, the responses of seasonal changes on the organic osmolyte contents, ionic homoeostasis, osmotic potential and succulence of native chenopods in a salt marsh of Egypt were studied. Five halophytic species of the chenopodiaceae were collected during the rainy and dry season: Atriplex halimus L., Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.), Salicornia fruticosa (L.), Suaeda pruinosa (Lange) and Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric). Results showed that plants employ an osmoconformer strategy via species specificity of response to seasonal variations. The total ions accumulation in all species was higher during the rainy season compared with the dry season. In particular, during rainy season, A. halimus resulted the higher accumulator species, followed by H. strobilaceum. Conversely, S. fruticosa, S. pruinosa and A. macrostachyum were defined as low‐accumulator species. In each studied species, the effective salinity, biological absorption coefficient as well as leaf succulence were higher during the rainy season. In conclusion, the present study have pointed out the importance that should be accorded with the development of research directed towards agronomic aspects for the uses of halophytic chenopodiaceae in salt marsh. Further, data obtained indicate that the ions accumulator species should be considered for use in phytoremediation of degraded saline lands.
Diffuse opacities in 12‐year‐old Hong Kong children – four cross‐sectional surveys
Authors: Wong Hai Ming , McGrath Colman , King Nigel M. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the prevalence and severity of diffuse opacities among subjects whose maxillary incisors developed during periods with different concentrations of fluoride in the Hong Kong public water supply.MethodsStandardized intra‐oral photographs of random samples of 12‐year‐old children were collected in 1983, 1991, 2001 and 2010 (n = 2658) in Hong Kong and were assessed for diffuse opacities by a calibrated and blinded examiner. The fluoride concentrations in the public water supply at the times when the enamel on their maxillary incisors developed were 1.0, 0.7, 0.5 and 0.5 ppm, respectively.ResultsThe mouth prevalence figures for diffuse opacities of these children (based on the maxillary incisors) were 89.3%, 48.5%, 32.4% and 42.1 in the years 1983, 1991, 2001 and 2010, respectively. Variation in the mouth and tooth prevalences of diffuse opacities was apparent among the four different year groups (P < 0.0001). Marked differences in severity of diffuse opacities, in terms of different subtypes and maximum extent of tooth affected, were also observed in association with the year of study (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe prevalence and severity of diffuse opacities among maxillary incisor teeth of Hong Kong children decreased from 1983 and then increased in 2010; however, this change did not fully correspond to the concentration of fluoride in the drinking water during the time of enamel development.
Anxiety and depression seem less common in patients with autoreactive chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Weller K. , Koti I. , Makris M. , Maurer M. 
Published: July 2013

Summary
Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common and disabling skin disease which is often associated with psychiatric comorbidities such as anxiety and depression. These conditions are widely thought to cause, drive and/or maintain CSU, and have been reported as making an important contribution to the low quality of life in patients with CSU. Almost half of all patients with CSU have autoreactive CSU which can be readily diagnosed by the autologous serum skin test. The prevalence and effects of psychiatric comorbidities in this important subgroup are largely unknown. We carried out a study on two groups of patients with CSU, and found that the anxiety and depression scores were lower in patients with autoreactive CSU than in those with nonautoreactive CSU, the first such finding, to our knowledge. In addition, we found that patients with autoreactive CSU were less likely to have Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores indicative for anxiety or depression compared with patients with nonautoreactive CSU. Our results support the view that autoreactive CSU represents a distinct CSU subgroup with a different disease pattern and a lower rate of psychiatric comorbidities.
Evaluation of Cushing's disease remission after transsphenoidal surgery based on early serum cortisol dynamics
Authors: Costenaro Fabíola , Rodrigues Ticiana C. , Rollin Guilherme A. F. , Ferreira Nelson P. , Czepielewski Mauro A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the ability of post‐transsphenoidal pituitary surgery (TSS) serum cortisol levels (s‐cortisol) to predict surgical remission and recurrence of Cushing's disease (CD).DesignOne hundred and three patients with CD from a tertiary referral centre were prospectively analysed over 6·0 ± 4·8 years of follow‐up. Twenty patients received perioperative glucocorticoids as routine care and had s‐cortisol measured 10–12 days after TSS (Protocol I). Eighty‐six patients (91 surgeries) had s‐cortisol measured at 6, 12, 18, 24, 48 h, and 10–12 days after TSS, and received glucocorticoids only in case of adrenal insufficiency (Protocol II).Main outcomesRemission [clinical signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency (or hypocortisolism) plus cortisol <3 μg/dl on the 1‐mg overnight test (OT) and/or normal free urinary cortisol] during follow‐up. Recurrence was defined as loss of remission criteria at least 1 year after TSS.ResultsThe remission rate after first TSS was 80%; 8% had recurrence. An s‐cortisol nadir ≤3·5 μg/dl within 48 h after TSS had sensitivity of 73%, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 60% and an s‐cortisol nadir ≤5·7 μg/dl within 10–12 days of TSS had specificity and PPV of 100% and sensitivity of 91% NPV of 78% for CD remission.ConclusionAt hospital discharge, the s‐cortisol nadir within 48 h after TSS was already able to predict surgical remission for some patients, and the s‐cortisol nadir within 10–12 days of TSS was able to predict cohort‐wide surgical remission.
Prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency is associated with decreased resting and squeeze pressures in the intact anal sphincter
Authors: Loganathan A. , Schloithe A. C. , Hakendorf P. , Liyanage C. M. , Costa M. , Wattchow D. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAimTo determine the contribution of the pudendal nerve to the anal continence mechanism by determining the correlation between pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) and resting and squeeze anal canal pressures.MethodIn all, 1051 patients were investigated with anorectal physiology studies between January 1998 and July 2010. Of these, 213 patients had intact anal sphincters on endoanal ultrasound and had undergone PNTML testing and anal manometry with measurement of resting and squeeze pressures. The relationship between PNTML and mean resting and squeeze pressures was compared in these patients with an intact anal sphincter. Values were compared using a two‐sample t test with equal variances. A P value of < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsOf these patients 40.8% had normal PNTML bilaterally, 9.9% had slow PNTML bilaterally and 21.6% had a unilateral slow PNTML. Mean resting pressure was significantly reduced in patients with unilateral slow and bilateral slow PNTML compared with normal. The magnitude of the reduction was 28% and 19% respectively. Mean squeeze pressure was significantly reduced in patients with unilateral slow and bilateral slow PNTML compared with normal. The magnitude of the reduction was 18% and 23% respectively.ConclusionIn patients with an intact anal sphincter, either unilaterally or bilaterally prolonged PNTMLs are associated with significantly decreased resting and squeeze pressures. Our results suggest that both internal and external sphincter function is impaired with pudendal nerve injury. The inhibition of internal sphincter function may be due to damage of autonomic, principally sympathetic fibres carried in the pudendal nerve.
Compression as a Universal Principle of Animal Behavior
Authors: Ferrer‐i‐Cancho Ramon , Hernández‐Fernández Antoni , Lusseau David , Agoramoorthy Govindasamy , Hsu Minna J. , Semple Stuart 
Published: July 2013

AbstractA key aim in biology and psychology is to identify fundamental principles underpinning the behavior of animals, including humans. Analyses of human language and the behavior of a range of non‐human animal species have provided evidence for a common pattern underlying diverse behavioral phenomena: Words follow Zipf's law of brevity (the tendency of more frequently used words to be shorter), and conformity to this general pattern has been seen in the behavior of a number of other animals. It has been argued that the presence of this law is a sign of efficient coding in the information theoretic sense. However, no strong direct connection has been demonstrated between the law and compression, the information theoretic principle of minimizing the expected length of a code. Here, we show that minimizing the expected code length implies that the length of a word cannot increase as its frequency increases. Furthermore, we show that the mean code length or duration is significantly small in human language, and also in the behavior of other species in all cases where agreement with the law of brevity has been found. We argue that compression is a general principle of animal behavior that reflects selection for efficiency of coding.
Luminance, but not chromatic visual pathways, mediate amplification of conditioned danger signals in human visual cortex
Authors: Keil Andreas , Miskovic Vladimir , Gray Michael J. , Martinovic Jasna 
Published: July 2013

AbstractComplex organisms rely on experience to optimize the function of perceptual and motor systems in situations relevant to survival. It is well established that visual cues reliably paired with danger are processed more efficiently than neutral cues, and that such facilitated sensory processing extends to low levels of the visual system. The neurophysiological mechanisms mediating biased sensory processing, however, are not well understood. Here we used grating stimuli specifically designed to engage luminance or chromatic pathways of the human visual system in a differential classical conditioning paradigm. Behavioral ratings and visual electroencephalographic steady‐state potentials were recorded in healthy human participants. Our findings indicate that the visuocortical response to high‐spatial‐frequency isoluminant (red–green) grating stimuli was not modulated by fear conditioning, but low‐contrast, low‐spatial‐frequency reversal of grayscale gratings resulted in pronounced conditioning effects. We conclude that sensory input conducted via the chromatic pathways into retinotopic visual cortex has limited access to the bi‐directional connectivity with brain networks mediating the acquisition and expression of fear, such as the amygdaloid complex. Conversely, luminance information is necessary to establish amplification of learned danger signals in hierarchically early regions of the visual system.
7T MR spectroscopic imaging in the localization of surgical epilepsy
Authors: Pan Jullie W. , Duckrow Robert B. , Gerrard Jason , Ong Caroline , Hirsch Lawrence J. , Resor Stanley R. , Zhang Yan , Petroff Ognen , Spencer Susan , Hetherington Hoby P. , Spencer Dennis D. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryPurposeWith the success that surgical approaches can provide for localization‐related epilepsy, accurate seizure localization remains important. Although magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy has had success in earlier studies in medial temporal lobe epilepsy, there have been fewer studies evaluating its use in a broader range of localization‐related epilepsy. With improvements in signal‐to‐noise with ultra‐high field MR, we report on the use of high resolution 7T MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) in 25 surgically treated patients studied over a 3.5‐year period.MethodsPatients were included in this analysis if the region of MRSI study included the surgical resection region. Concordance between region of MRSI abnormalities and of surgical resection was classified into three groups (complete, partial, or no agreement) and outcome was dichotomized by International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) I–III and IV–VI groups. MRSI was performed with repetition time/echo time 1.5 s/40 msec in two‐dimensional (2D) or three‐dimensional (3D) encoding for robust detection of singlets N‐acetyl aspartate (NAA), creatine (Cr), and choline with abnormalities in NAA/Cr determined with correction for tissue content of gray matter.Key FindingsThe concordance between MRSI‐determined abnormality and surgical resection region was significantly related to outcome: Outcome was better if the resected tissue was metabolically abnormal. All 14 patients with complete resection of the region with the most severe metabolic abnormality had good outcome, including five requiring intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) analysis, whereas only 3/11 without complete resection of the most severe metabolic abnormality had good outcome (p < 0.001).SignificanceThis is consistent with the seizure‐onset zone being characterized by metabolic dysfunction and suggests that high resolution MRSI can help define these regions for the purposes of outcome prediction.
Soil organic carbon dust emission: an omitted global source of atmospheric CO2
Authors: Chappell Adrian , Webb Nicholas P. , Butler Harry J. , Strong Craig L. , McTainsh Grant H. , Leys John F. , Viscarra Rossel Raphael A. 
Published: July 2013

AbstractSoil erosion redistributes soil organic carbon (SOC) within terrestrial ecosystems, to the atmosphere and oceans. Dust export is an essential component of the carbon (C) and carbon dioxide (CO2) budget because wind erosion contributes to the C cycle by removing selectively SOC from vast areas and transporting C dust quickly offshore; augmenting the net loss of C from terrestrial systems. However, the contribution of wind erosion to rates of C release and sequestration is poorly understood. Here, we describe how SOC dust emission is omitted from national C accounting, is an underestimated source of CO2 and may accelerate SOC decomposition. Similarly, long dust residence times in the unshielded atmospheric environment may considerably increase CO2 emission. We developed a first approximation to SOC enrichment for a well‐established dust emission model and quantified SOC dust emission for Australia (5.83 Tg CO2‐e yr−1) and Australian agricultural soils (0.4 Tg CO2‐e yr−1). These amount to underestimates for CO2 emissions of ≈10% from combined C pools in Australia (year = 2000), ≈5% from Australian Rangelands and ≈3% of Australian Agricultural Soils by Kyoto Accounting. Northern hemisphere countries with greater dust emission than Australia are also likely to have much larger SOC dust emission. Therefore, omission of SOC dust emission likely represents a considerable underestimate from those nations’ C accounts. We suggest that the omission of SOC dust emission from C cycling and C accounting is a significant global source of uncertainty. Tracing the fate of wind‐eroded SOC in the dust cycle is therefore essential to quantify the release of CO2 from SOC dust to the atmosphere and the contribution of SOC deposition to downwind C sinks.
Concurrent substance abuse is associated with sexual risk behavior among adults seeking treatment for prescription opioid dependence
Authors: Meade Christina S. , Bevilacqua Lisa A. , Moore Elizabeth D. , Griffin Margaret L. , Gardin John G. , Potter Jennifer S. , Hatch‐Maillette Mary , Weiss Roger D. 
Published: July 2013

BackgroundIncreasingly, new HIV infections among people who use drugs are attributed to sexual risk behavior. However, HIV prevention research targeting persons with opioid dependence continues to focus on drug injection practices. Moreover, despite the rising prevalence of prescription opioid dependence in the United States, little is known about HIV risk in this population.MethodsThis study examined the prevalence of sexual risk behavior among patients with opioid dependence who primarily use prescription opioids for non‐medical purposes. As part of a multi‐site clinical trial, participants (N = 653) completed a baseline assessment that included the Risk Behavior Survey.ResultsIn the past month, 74% were sexually active. Of these, most had opposite sex partners (97.3%) and vaginal intercourse (97.1%); anal intercourse was uncommon (3.1%). The majority reported unprotected intercourse (76.5%), but few had multiple partners (11.3%). Unprotected intercourse was associated with history of other substance dependence (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.73), and having multiple partners was associated with concurrent cocaine use (AOR = 2.54). Injection drug use in the past month was rare (2.5%).ConclusionsWhile the majority of sexually active participants engaged in unprotected intercourse, the proportion with multiple sex partners was low relative to other samples of persons who use illicit drugs. Among persons with non‐medical prescription opioid dependence, those who concurrently use other substances may be at elevated risk for HIV infection. Comprehensive assessment of substance abuse history among individuals dependent upon prescription opioids is critical for identifying patients who may require additional clinical interventions to reduce HIV sexual risk behavior. (Am J Addict 2014;23:27–33)
EU–Turkey: Integration without Full Membership or Membership without Full Integration? A Conceptual Framework for Accession Alternatives
Authors: Karakas Cemal 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe EU accession aspirations of the de jure European country Turkey remain a highly contested issue. Due to the national preferences and mainly socio‐cultural resentment in some EU Member States and due to its limited integration capacity, the EU offered Ankara a discriminatory ‘full membership minus’. The current EU law and the various paradigms of ‘differentiated integration’ do not only provide the spatial, temporal and thematic scope for a conceptual framework on accession alternatives, they also limit it. In this context, the gradual integration/membership concept could be an interesting option for both parties. The depreciation of full membership in the case of Turkey has weakened the EU conditionality policy in general. On the other hand, ‘external’ flexibilization can help to overcome deadlock by allowing the Member States and accession candidates such as Turkey to co‐operate at different levels of integration.
The Silence of Ministers: Consensus and Blame Avoidance in the Council of the European Union
Authors: Novak Stéphanie 
Published: July 2013

AbstractAccording to conventional wisdom, in areas where the Council of the European Union is supposed to decide by qualified majority voting, it does not vote but rather decides ‘by consensus’. This article aims to explain why the Council does not vote and what ‘consensus’ means. Given that consensus is often used by international organizations and EU institutional bodies, it is important to explain how it differs from unanimity. The article argues that formal voting is avoided because it would disclose the identity of opponents and would be detrimental to the negotiation process. Furthermore, ministers tend not to register their opposition even when they remain unsatisfied with an adopted measure because they expect to be blamed by their constituencies for having failed to defend national interests. Consensus is not necessarily used to signal that a general agreement is reached. It sometimes results from a strategy of blame avoidance that conflicts with democratic accountability.
Case typologies, chronic illness and primary health care
Authors: Griffiths Frances E. , Lindenmeyer Antje , Borkan Jeffrey , Donner Banzhoff Norbert , Lamb Sarah , Parchman Michael , Sturt Jackie 
Published: July 2013

AbstractRationale and aims and objectivesWhen assessing patients, clinicians use typologies developed through their own particular clinical experience. Our aim was to develop a typology, based on the patient's perspective and not specific to one illness, with the potential to enhance person‐centred clinical follow‐up of those living with chronic illness.MethodsWe applied the qualitative comparative method of analysis to interview data from 37 people living with type 2 diabetes or with chronic back pain, recruited from UK General Practices. Informed by theory on time and complexity, analysis focused on the ongoing adjustments made by individuals living with chronic illness (their dynamic) in current time. Health professionals (n = 20) and people living with diabetes or living with back pain (n = 14) refined and validated the typology in five focus groups.ResultsWe identified the following types of dynamic: past reminders, stuck and struggling, becalmed, and submerged. Among interviewees who provided data at different time points, we found some transformed from one dynamic type to another.ConclusionThis typology may aid personalization of treatment decisions and could be extended to other chronic illness.