bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Water Rights Trading Approach to Increasing Inflows to the Aral Sea
Authors: Bekchanov Maksud , Ringler Claudia , Bhaduri Anik 
Published: April 2015

AbstractTremendous development of irrigation since the 1960s combined with unbalanced water resources management led to the destruction of the ecosystems in the delta zone and the gradual desiccation of the Aral Sea, once the fourth largest freshwater lake of the world. Command‐and‐control‐based water management in the Aral Sea basin inherited from Soviet times did not create any incentives for investing in improved irrigation infrastructure, adopt water‐wise approaches, and thus maintain flows into the Aral Sea. This study examined the potential for market‐based water allocation to increase inflows to the Aral Sea while maintaining stable agricultural incomes. We find that a water trading system can improve inflows to the Aral Sea but would require significant compensation for agricultural producers. Agricultural producers can use the compensation payments to cope with reduced water supply by improving irrigation and conveyance efficiencies and by developing alternative rural activities such as livestock grazing, agro‐processing, and cultivation of low water‐consumptive crops. We also find that a water trading system would be more efficient if it includes both trade among irrigation sites and between sites and instream uses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proinflammatory Pathways: The Modulation by Flavonoids
Authors: Ribeiro Daniela , Freitas Marisa , Lima José L. F. C. , Fernandes Eduarda 
Published: April 2015

AbstractInflammation is a natural, carefully orchestrated response of the organism to tissue damage, involving various signaling systems and the recruitment of inflammatory cells. These cells are stimulated to release a myriad of mediators that amplify the inflammatory response and recruit additional cells. These mediators present numerous redundancies of functions, allowing a broad and effective inflammatory response, but simultaneously make the understanding of inflammation pathways much difficult. The extent of the inflammatory response is usually self‐limited, although it depends on the balance between the pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory signals. When that equilibrium is dislocated, a more widespread inflammatory response may take place. Flavonoids have been shown to be possible alternatives to the traditionally molecules used as anti‐inflammatory agents. In fact, the biological activities of flavonoids include the modulation of the diverse phases of inflammatory processes, from the gene transcription and expression to the inhibition of the enzymatic activities and the scavenging of the reactive species. In the present review, the inflammatory network is widely revised and the flavonoids’ broad spectrum of action in many of the analyzed inflammatory pathways is revised. This kind of integrated revision is original in the field, providing the reader the simultaneous comprehension of the inflammatory process and the potential beneficial activities of flavonoids.
Targeted disruption of the spermatid‐specific gene Spata31 causes male infertility
Authors: Wu Yuan‐Yi , Yang Yong , Xu Yong‐De , Yu Hua‐Liang 
Published: April 2015

SUMMARYSpata31, a novel testis‐specific gene, was first isolated from the testis of a vitamin A‐deficient rat model. To gain insight into its physiological function, Spata31‐targeted knockout mice were generated by homologous recombination. Spata31‐deficient (Spata31flox/flox; Vasa‐Cre) male mice exhibited low sperm count and premature shedding of germ cells into the lumen, ultimately causing azoospermia and male sterility. Mechanistically, the Spata31 deficiency resulted in reduced expression of the adhesion protein nectin‐3 and cytoskeletal protein β‐actin at the apical ectoplasmic specialization. Our findings demonstrate that the disruptions to the SPATA31 ortholog could be linked to human male infertility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 432–440, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mean‐strain eight‐node hexahedron with optimized energy‐sampling stabilization for large‐strain deformation
Authors: Krysl P. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryA method for stabilizing the mean‐strain hexahedron for applications to anisotropic elasticity was described by Krysl (2015). The technique relied on a sampling of the stabilization energy using the mean‐strain quadrature and the full Gaussian integration rule. This combination was shown to guarantee consistency and stability. The stabilization energy was expressed in terms of input parameters of the real material, and the value of the stabilization parameter was fixed in a quasi‐optimal manner by linking the stabilization to the bending behavior of the hexahedral element (Krysl, submitted). Here, the formulation is extended to large‐strain hyperelasticity (as an example, the formulation allows for inelastic behavior to be modeled). The stabilization energy is expressed through a stored‐energy function, and contact with input parameters in the small‐strain regime is made. As for small‐strain elasticity, the stabilization parameter is determined to optimize bending performance. The accuracy and convergence characteristics of the present formulations for both solid and thin‐walled structures (shells) compare favorably with the capabilities of mean‐strain and other high‐performance hexahedral elements described in the open literature and also with a number of successful shell elements. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Highly Efficient Synthesis of Optically Pure (S)‐1‐phenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol by a Self‐Sufficient Whole Cell Biocatalyst
Authors: Chen Xi , Mei Ting , Cui Yunfeng , Chen Qijia , Liu Xiangtao , Feng Jinhui , Wu Qiaqing , Zhu Dunming 
Published: April 2015

AbstractTerminal vicinal diols are important chiral building blocks and intermediates in organic synthesis. Reduction of α‐hydroxy ketones provides a straightforward approach to access these important compounds. In this study, it has been found that asymmetric reduction of a series of α‐hydroxy aromatic ketones and 1‐hydroxy‐2‐pentanone, catalyzed by Candida magnolia carbonyl reductase (CMCR) with glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) from Bacillus subtilis for cofactor regeneration, afforded 1‐aryl‐1,2‐ethanediols and pentane‐1,2‐diol, respectively, in up to 99 % ee. In order to evaluate the efficiency of the bioreduction, lyophilized recombinant Escherichia coli whole cells coexpressing CMCR and GDH genes were used as the biocatalyst and α‐hydroxy acetophenone as the model substrate, and the reaction conditions, such as pH, cosolvent, the amount of biocatalyst and the presences of a cofactor (i.e., NADP+), were optimized. Under the optimized conditions (pH 6, 16 h), the bioreduction proceeded smoothly at 1.0 m substrate concentration without the external addition of cofactor, and the product (S)‐1‐phenyl‐1,2‐ethanediol was isolated with 90 % yield and 99 % ee. This offers a practical biocatalytic method for the preparation of these important vicinal diols.
Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome/X‐linked thrombocytopenia in China: Clinical characteristic and genotype–phenotype correlation
Authors: Liu Da‐Wei , Zhang Zhi‐Yong , Zhao Qin , Jiang Li‐Ping , Liu Wei , Tu Wen‐Wei , Song Wen‐Xia , Zhao Xiao‐Dong 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundWiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and X‐linked thrombocytopenia (XLT) are caused by mutations of the WAS gene. The genotype–phenotype association of WAS and XLT have not been fully elucidated. Here, we established the largest database of WAS in China to further determine the potential correlation between genotype and phenotype and long‐term outcome.ProceduresWe collected clinical data of 81 WAS/XLT patients, analyzed mutations of WAS gene at the genomic DNA and transcriptional/translational levels, and quantified three different patterns of WAS protein (WASp) expression in PBMCs by flow cytometry.ResultsThere were 60 unique mutations identified, including 20 novel mutations and eight hotspots, from 75 unrelated families with a total of 81 affected members. Nearly all the patients with XLT had missense mutations and were WASp‐positive in the peripheral cells, while only half of the patients with missense mutations exhibited the XLT phenotype and detectable WASp. In contrast, patients with nonsense mutations, deletions, insertions, and complex mutations were WASp‐negative and developed the classic WAS phenotype. An equal number of patients with splice anomalies were either WASp‐positive or WASp‐negative. Long‐term survival rates were lower in WASp‐negative patients compared to WASp‐positive patients.ConclusionsThe clinical phenotype of classic WAS or milder XLT and long‐term outcome are potentially influenced by the effect of these defects on gene transcription and translation. Patients with missense mutations allowing expression of mutated WASp and those with splice anomalies, which result in generation of multiple products, including normal WASp, present the attenuated XLT phenotype and show better prognosis. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1601–1608. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The acute and chronic toxic effect of cypermethrin, propetamphos, and their combinations in rats
Authors: Eraslan Gökhan , Kanbur Murat , Siliğ Yavuz , Karabacak Mürsel , Soyer Sarica Zeynep , Şahin Serap 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThis study was aimed at determining the acute and chronic toxic effects of cypermethrin, propetamphos, and combined cypermethrin and propetamphos. Four groups, each comprising 10 animals, were established for the acute (a) and chronic (b) toxicity trials, and in total, 80 male Wistar albino rats were used. In the acute toxicity trial, the first group was maintained for control purposes, and groups 2a, 3a, and 4a were administered only once with 80 mg/kg.bw of cypermethrin, 25 mg/kg.bw of propetamphos and 80 mg/kg.bw of cypermethrin combined with 25 mg/kg.bw of propetamphos, respectively, by gavage directly into the stomach. In the chronic toxicity trial, the first group was also maintained for control purposes, while groups 2b, 3b, and 4b were administered daily with 12 mg/kg.bw of cypermethrin, 4 mg/kg.bw of propetamphos, and 12 mg/kg.bw of cypermethrin combined with 4 mg/kg.bw of propetamphos respectively, by gavage directly into the stomach for 60 days. Blood and tissue (liver, kidney, brain, spleen, and testis) samples were taken 24 h after pesticide administration in the acute toxicity trial and at the end of day 60 in the chronic toxicity trial. Oxidative stress (MDA, NO, SOD, CAT, GSH‐Px, and G6PD) parameters, serum biochemical parameters (glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, BUN, creatinine, AST, ALT, ALP, protein, and albumin) and hepatic drug‐metabolizing parameters (CYP2E1, CYPB5, CYTC, GST, and GSH) were investigated in the samples. When administered either alone or in combination, both pesticides inhibited the antioxidant enzymes and increased MDA and NO levels. For the drug‐metabolizing parameters investigated, particularly in the chronic period, either increase (CYP2E1, CYPB5, and CYTC) or decrease (GST and GSH) was observed. Furthermore, some negative changes were detected in the serum biochemical parameters. In result, cypermethrin and propetamphos combinations and long‐term exposure to these combinations produced a greater toxic effect than the administration of these insecticides alone. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1415–1429, 2016.
Roles of CYP2e1 in 1,2‐dichloroethane‐induced liver damage in mice
Authors: Sun Qi , Wang Gaoyang , Gao Lanyue , Shi Lei , Qi Ying , Lv Xiuqiang , Jin Yaping 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to explore the roles of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in 1,2‐dichloroethane (1,2‐DCE)‐induced liver damage. Two parts were included in this study: first, effect of 1,2‐DCE on microsomal expression of CYP2E1, and second, potential of an inhibitor of CYP2E1 to reduce 1,2‐DCE‐induced liver damage. In part one, mice were exposed to 0, 0.225, 0.45, or 0.9 g/m3 1,2‐DCE for 10 days, 3.5 h per day through static inhalation. In part two, mice were divided into blank control, solvent control, inhibitor control, 1,2‐DCE‐poisoned group, and low or high intervention group. In part one, compared to the control, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in 0.9 g/m3 1,2‐DCE group, and microsomal CYP2E1 protein expression and activity in both 0.45 and 0.9 g/m3 1,2‐DCE groups increased significantly; conversely, hepatic nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) levels in both 0.45 and 0.9 g/m3 1,2‐DCE groups and hepatic SOD activities in 0.9 g/m3 1,2‐DCE group decreased significantly. In part two, microsomal CYP2E1 protein expression and activity decreased significantly in both low and high intervention groups compared to 1,2‐DCE‐poisoned group. Along with the changes of CYP2E1, hepatic MDA levels and serum ALT activities decreased; conversely, hepatic NPSH levels and SOD activities increased significantly in high intervention group. Taken together, our results suggested that 1,2‐DCE could enhance CYP2E1 protein expression and enzymatic activity, which could cause oxidative damage in liver, serving as an important mechanism underlying 1,2‐DCE‐induced liver damage. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1430–1438, 2016.
Genetics and Personal Insurance: the Perspectives of Canadian Cancer Genetic Counselors
Authors: Lane Michelle , Ngueng Feze Ida , Joly Yann 
Published: April 2015

AbstractGenetic discrimination in the context of genetic testing has been identified as a concern for symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals for more than three decades. Genetic counselors are often the health care professionals who discuss risks and benefits of genetic testing with patients, thereby making them most appropriate to address patient concerns about genetics and personal insurance (i.e., life, life as related to mortgage or group insurance, disability, critical illness and travel). A pilot study was conducted to ascertain the current practices of Canadian cancer genetic counselors in regard to their discussions with patients about genetic testing and access to personal insurance. Among the 36 counselors surveyed, 100 % reported discussing the issue of genetic testing and personal insurance with their patients. Several factors influenced the content, depth and length of these discussions including age, cancer status, family members, and patients’ current and future insurance needs. Counselors reported discussing with patients the possible impact of genetic test results on access to personal insurance, possible access and use of patient genetic information by insurance companies, and whom patients should contact if they have additional questions. The most commonly reported inquiries from patients included questions about the possible impact of genetic testing on their ability to obtain insurance, and the insurability of family members. While 28 % of counselors reported having been contacted by an insurer requesting access to patient information, only one counselor was aware of or could recall the outcome of such a request. This pilot study revealed that issues concerning genetics and personal insurance are commonly discussed in Canadian cancer genetic counseling sessions. Counselors furthermore expressed a need for additional educational resources on the topic of genetics and personal insurance for themselves and their patients.
Patients' Preferences regarding the Delivery of Health Care in a Hand Surgical Practice
Authors: Caggiano Nicholas M. , Fegley Mark W. , Matullo Kristofer S. 
Published: April 2015

Background The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 includes patient satisfaction scores in the calculation of reimbursement for services provided. The Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Care Record Incentive Program mandate that physicians provide electronic communication with patients. Little data exists regarding patient preferences that might guide the physician adhering to these guidelines. We performed a survey study to examine patients' attitudes regarding the delivery of their health care. Methods We provided an anonymous survey to all outpatient hand surgery patients within a 1-month period at our level I academic center. The survey was structured to ascertain patients' attitudes toward outpatient wait times as well as delivery of patient-specific healthcare-related information. One-hundred and ninety-six surveys were available for review. Results Of the 196 patients surveyed, 106 (54 %) were between the ages of 45 and 64. Patients aged 25 to 44 were the least willing to wait for an initial outpatient appointment. The majority of patients in all age groups demonstrated unwillingness to wait more than 1 week for evaluation of a new problem. One hundred and forty patients (71 %) were willing to wait longer for an appointment with an upper extremity specialist rather than have an earlier appointment with a non-upper extremity specialist. Wait times of 30 min after arrival in the office were acceptable to 174 patients (89 %) while 40 patients (20 %) were willing to wait an hour or more. Patients preferred a typed handout detailing their specific problem as opposed to referral to a website or an e-mail containing information. Conclusions The results of our study indicate that patients prefer typed information as opposed to e-mail or websites regarding their health care. Our study also suggests that patients are willing to endure longer wait times if they can be given a sooner appointment, and most prefer a specialist for their problems. These results will provide some guidance to the physician regarding what patients find most appealing.
Acute Intake of Plant Stanol Esters Induces Changes in Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism‐Related Gene Expression in the Liver and Intestines of Mice
Authors: De Smet Els , Mensink Ronald P. , Konings Maurice , Brufau Gemma , Groen Albert K. , Havinga Rick , Schonewille Marleen , Kerksiek Anja , Lütjohann Dieter , Plat Jogchum 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe kinetics of plant stanol uptake and routing in 8‐week‐old C57BL/6J mice were determined after a plant stanol ester gavage. In addition, acute changes in intestinal and hepatic gene expression were investigated. Mice were fed a plant sterol/stanol poor diet from weaning. At the age of 8 weeks, they received an oral gavage consisting of 0.25 mg cholesterol + 50 mg plant stanol esters dissolved in olive oil. Animals were euthanized at different time points. In a second comparable set‐up, mesenteric lymph‐cannulated versus sham‐operated mice received the same oral gavage, which was now deuterium labeled. Intestinal and hepatic sitostanol concentrations increased within 15 min post‐gavage. This rapid hepatic appearance was absent in lymph‐cannulated mice, suggesting a very fast lymph‐mediated uptake. Hepatic mRNA expression of SREBP2 and its target genes rapidly decreased, whereas expression of LXR target genes increased. The intestinal SREBP2 pathway was increased, whereas the expression of LXR target genes hardly changed. The fivefold and sixfold increased expression of intestinal LDLr and PCSK9 is suggestive of TICE activation. We conclude that in C57BL/6J mice plant stanol kinetics are fast, and affect intestinal and hepatic gene expression within 15 min postprandial after lymph‐mediated uptake.
Thieves, Fools, Fraudsters, and Gamblers? The Ambivalence of Moral Criticism in the Credit Crunch of 2008
Authors: Münnich Sascha 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis article examines public debates on the legitimacy of banking profits in the 2008 credit crunch. A content analysis of 957 newspaper articles published in Germany and theUKin the early weeks after the Lehman Brothers collapse examines critical statements directed at illegitimate forms of financial profit in order to identify the cultural legitimacy of financial capitalism. The conceptual framework provided by the French sociology of justification points to the role of shared orders of value as a normative reference for public discourses. In both national debates, four important boundaries for legitimate profits were drawn that concerned the problems of ownership, risk-management capacities of traders, fraudulent client relations, and speculative gambling. The meaning of this classical moral criticism of banks was transformed in the context of the 2008 crisis: a line between “normal” and “excessive” financial profits was drawn, defining an area of legitimate profit-seeking that hewed to the basic assumptions of the market model. Economic theory was used as a scheme of public economic morality. The seemingly harsh critical debate effectively reproduced a legitimate image of a functioning financial market, deflecting public attention away from the structural ambivalences of financial profit-seeking and granting legitimacy to the institutional status quo of financial capitalism.
Wither Diversity of Post-Socialist Welfare Capitalist Cultures? Crisis and Change in Estonia and Slovenia
Authors: Lindstrom Nicole 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe paper considers the impact of the current economic crisis on post-socialist welfare capitalist states through an examination of two most different cases: neo-liberal Estonia and neo-corporatist Slovenia. The crisis prompted the most sustained political contestation with respect to each model in two decades. Considering national public sphere discussions within a broader European context, the paper shows how transnational advocates of austerity reinforced Estonia’s neoliberal model but emboldened critics of the Slovenian model to roll back the state. While public sphere debates within small, peripheral states must be understood within transnational contexts, in both cases we can observe more continuity than change in the collective ideas underlying each model.
Negative emotional reactivity as a marker of vulnerability in the development of borderline personality disorder symptoms
Authors: Stepp Stephanie D. , Scott Lori N. , Jones Neil P. , Whalen Diana J. , Hipwell Alison E. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractNegative emotionality is a distinguishing feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, this person-level characteristic has not been examined as a marker of vulnerability in the development of this disorder. The current study utilized a multimethod approach to examine the interplay between negative emotional reactivity and cumulative exposure to family adversity on the development of BPD symptoms across 3 years (ages 16–18) in a diverse, at-risk sample of adolescent girls (N= 113). A latent variable of negative emotional reactivity was created from multiple assessments at age 16: self-report, emotion ratings to stressors from ecological assessments across 1 week, and observer-rated negative affectivity during a mother–daughter conflict discussion task. Exposure to family adversity was measured cumulatively between ages 5 and 16 from annual assessments of family poverty, single parent household, and difficult life circumstances. The results from latent growth curve models demonstrated a significant interaction between negative emotional reactivity and family adversity, such that exposure to adversity strengthened the association between negative emotional reactivity and BPD symptoms. In addition, family adversity predicted increasing BPD symptoms during late adolescence. These findings highlight negative emotional reactivity as a marker of vulnerability that ultimately increases risk for the development of BPD symptoms.