bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genomic organisation of the seven ParaHox genes of coelacanths
Authors: Mulley John F. , Holland Peter W.H. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTHuman and mouse genomes contain six ParaHox genes implicated in gut and neural patterning. In coelacanths and cartilaginous fish, an additional ParaHox gene exists—Pdx2—that dates back to the genome duplications in early vertebrate evolution. Here we examine the genomic arrangement and flanking genes of all ParaHox genes in coelacanths, to determine the full complement of these genes. We find that coelacanths have seven ParaHox genes in total, in four chromosomal locations, revealing that five gene losses occurred soon after vertebrate genome duplication. Comparison of intergenic sequences reveals that some Pdx1 regulatory regions associated with development of pancreatic islets are older than tetrapods, that Pdx1 and Pdx2 share few if any conserved non‐coding elements, and that there is very high sequence conservation between coelacanth species. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 322B: 352–358, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The storage time, age, and erosion hazard of laterally accreted sediment on the floodplain of a simulated meandering river
Authors: Bradley D. Nathan , Tucker Gregory E. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractA sediment particle traversing the fluvial system may spend the majority of the total transit time at rest, stored in various sedimentary deposits. Floodplains are among the most important of these deposits, with the potential to store large amounts of sediment for long periods of time. The virtual velocity of a sediment grain depends strongly on the amount of time spent in storage, but little is known about sediment storage times. Measurements of floodplain vegetation age have suggested that storage times are exponentially distributed, a case that arises when all the sediment on a floodplain is equally vulnerable to erosion in a given interval. This assumption has been incorporated into sediment routing models, despite some evidence that younger sediment is more likely to be eroded from floodplains than older sediment. We investigate the relationship between sediment age and erosion, which we term the “erosion hazard,” with a model of a meandering river that constructs its floodplain by lateral accretion. We find that the erosion hazard decreases with sediment age, leading to a storage time distribution that is not exponential. We propose an alternate model that requires that channel motion is approximately diffusive and results in a heavy tailed distribution of storage time. The model applies to timescales over which the direction of channel motion is uncorrelated. We speculate that the lower end of this range of time is set by the meander cutoff timescale and the upper end is set by processes that limit the width of the meander belt.
Field observations of syngenetic ice wedge polygons, outer Mackenzie Delta, western Arctic coast, Canada
Authors: Morse P. D. , Burn C. R. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractLow‐centered ice wedge polygons in the Big Lake Delta Plain of the outer Mackenzie Delta are unusual because their bounding ramparts appear to have a single ridge. Twenty‐two ice wedges in the area were examined between 2006 and 2009 to describe their morphology and diagnose their growth processes. The ground above ice wedges had a subtle microtopography, with ridges of 0.12 m relief and 4.0 m total width, bisected by troughs only 0.05 m wide and 0.09 m deep. The troughs, initially obscured by vegetation growth and organic matter, were underlain by ice wedges with average widths that increased downward in the uppermost 1 m of permafrost from 0.03 to 0.95 m. “Shoulders” on the ice wedges indicated vertical growth stages. Temperatures near the top of permafrost were favorable to thermal‐contraction cracking, and ice veins connected to the top of wedge ice were observed in the active layer at five sites. These observations indicate the ice wedges are syngenetic and active, although without dating control, we cannot unequivocally dismiss the possibility that the wedges are epigenetic features that were truncated by a recent thaw unconformity. Muted relief above the ice wedges, which is uncommon above epigenetic ice wedges, was largely due to aggradation of the surface. Secondary ice wedges have not developed within the polygons, suggesting that climate variability has not led to polygon network development in this area. Wedge ice occupied only about 1.5% of the uppermost 1 m of permafrost, a much smaller volumetric proportion than in epigenetic settings.
Optimization of submerged fermentation of Thelephora ganbajun zang
Authors: Zhang Peng , Luo Xue‐Yue , Wu Yang , Chen Yi‐Ming , Xu Wei‐Jian , Yi Xin‐Xin 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe effects of the fermentation conditions on both the biomass yield and the organic selenium yield of Thelephora ganbajun zang were studied. The components most suitable for the submerged fermentation medium were examined using the orthogonal array method; they comprised sucrose at 30 g L−1, carbamide 1 g L−1, corn steep liquor 8 g L−1, MgSO4·7H2O 0.3 g L−1, KH2PO4 0.5 g L−1, and NaCl 5 g L−1. The optimum cultivation conditions that resulted in maximal biomass yield were obtained using the response surface methodology (RSM). The conditions were as follows: initial pH, 5.84; temperature, 26.16 °C; and rotation speed, 170 rpm. Feeding sucrose led to a higher biomass yield, with a maximum of 21.20 g L−1. The biomass yield and the organic Se yield of T. ganbajun could reach 10.8 g L−1 and 3256.07 mg kg−1, respectively, in a culture medium supplemented with 200 mg L−1 sodium selenite (Na2SeO3), which was added to the medium at 36 h after inoculation. Application of the orthogonal array method and RSM gave rise to a significant enhancement in the biomass yield of T. ganbajun. The results of these experiments indicate that T. ganbajun is a promising microorganism for selenium enrichment.
Plant growth promoting properties of Halobacillus sp. and Halomonas sp. in presence of salinity and heavy metals
Authors: Desale Prithviraj , Patel Bhargav , Singh Sukrit , Malhotra Aakshi , Nawani Neelu 
Published: June 2013

AbstractSalinity and heavy metal stress are challenging problems in agriculture. Here we report the plant growth promoting ability of three moderate halophiles, Halobacillus sp. ADN1, Halomonas sp. MAN5, and Halobacillus sp. MAN6, in presence of both salinity and heavy metal stress. Halobacillus sp. ADN1, Halomonas sp. MAN5, and Halobacillus sp. MAN6 can tolerate 25, 21, and 29% NaCl, respectively and grow in presence of 1 mM cobalt, cadmium, and nickel and 0.04 mM mercury and 0.03 mM silver. Halobacillus sp. ADN1, Halomonas sp. MAN5, and Halobacillus sp. MAN6 produced 152.5, 95.3, and 167.3 µg/ml indole acetic acid (IAA) and could solubilize 61, 53, and 75 parts per million (ppm) phosphate, respectively in the presence of 15% NaCl. The production of IAA and solubilization of phosphate was well retained in the presence of salinity and heavy metals like 1 mM cadmium, 0.7 mM nickel, 0.04 mM mercury, and 0.03 mM silver. Besides, the strains showed amylase and protease activities and could produce hydrogen cyanide and ammonia in presence of salinity and heavy metals. A mixture of three strains enhanced the root growth of Sesuvium portulacastrum under saline and heavy metal stress, where the root length increased nearly 4.5 ± 0.6 times and root dry weight increased 5.4 ± 0.5 times as compared to control. These strains can thus be useful in microbial assisted phytoremediation of polluted saline soils.
Responses of photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, and grain yield of maize to controlled‐release urea and irrigation after anthesis
Authors: Shao Guoqing , Li Zengjia , Ning Tangyuan , Zheng Yanhai 
Published: June 2013

AbstractControlled‐release urea (CRU) is a new type of urea, which may increase crop nitrogen (N)‐use efficiency compared with conventional urea (CU), but the conditions where it outperforms urea are not well defined. A field experiment assessing responses of plant growth and grain yield of maize to CRU and irrigation was conducted on a typical agricultural farm in Shandong, China. Five treatments of the two types of urea (75, 150 kg N ha–1, 0 kg N ha–1) were applied as basal fertilizer when sowing maize, and two water treatments (W0 and W1) were used 23 d after anthesis. Net photosynthetic rate (PN) and chlorophyll concentration as well as leaf‐area index (LAI) increased significantly by both CRU and CU application, with the increases being larger in CRU‐treated plants than in CU‐treated plants at grain filling and maturing stages. CRU significantly enhanced the maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv / Fm), PSII coefficient of photochemical fluorescence quenching (qP), and actual quantum yield of PSII electron transformation (ΦPSII) but decreased the nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ). Cob‐leaf N concentration of CRU‐treated plants was significantly higher than that of CU‐treated plants under no irrigation, but not in the irrigation treatment 30 d after anthesis. Significant positive correlations were found between cob‐leaf N concentration and PN both with and without irrigation. Grain yield of maize was significantly higher in the CRU treatment than in the CU treatment under both irrigation conditions. In conclusion, CRU as a basal application appeared to increase the N‐use efficiency for maize relative to CU especially by maintaining N supply after anthesis.
Effect of zinc compounds on Fusarium verticillioides growth, hyphae alterations, conidia, and fumonisin production
Authors: Savi Geovana D , Vitorino Vinícius , Bortoluzzi Adailton J , Scussel Vildes M 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDSeveral strategies are used to eliminate toxigenic fungi that produce fumonisins in grains. Fusarium verticillioides can be controlled by the application of synthetic fungicides in the field or during storage. However, there may also be residuals, which may remain in the foods. Inorganic compounds such as zinc are cheap, stable and could present strong antifungal activity. Some Zn compounds can be utilized as dietary supplements and are authorized for the fortification of foods. Knowing the advantages and that low concentrations of Zn can have antimicrobial activity, our objective was to evaluate the effects of Zn compounds on the growth of F. verticillioides and the production of fumonisin and conidia. In addition, we aimed to verify that Zn compounds cause morphological alterations of the hyphae, mortality and production of reactive oxygen species.RESULTSZn compounds efficiently reduced fungal growth and fumonisin production. Treatment using zinc perchlorate gave the best results. All treatments inhibited conidia production and caused morphological alterations of the hyphae. It was possible to observe cell death and production of reactive oxygen species.CONCLUSIONZn compounds have advantages compared to other antifungal compounds. In particular, they are non‐toxic for the organism in appropriate amounts. They could be studied further as potential fungicides in agriculture. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Changing perception: Facial reanimation surgery improves attractiveness and decreases negative facial perception
Authors: Dey Jacob K. , Ishii Masaru , Boahene Kofi D. O. , Byrne Patrick J. , Ishii Lisa E. 
Published: June 2013

Objectives/HypothesisDetermine the effect of facial reanimation surgery on observer‐graded attractiveness and negative facial perception of patients with facial paralysis.Study DesignRandomized controlled experiment.MethodsNinety observers viewed images of paralyzed faces, smiling and in repose, before and after reanimation surgery, as well as normal comparison faces. Observers rated the attractiveness of each face and characterized the paralyzed faces by rating severity, disfigured/bothersome, and importance to repair. Iterated factor analysis indicated these highly correlated variables measure a common domain, so they were combined to create the disfigured, important to repair, bothersome, severity (DIBS) factor score. Mixed effects linear regression determined the effect of facial reanimation surgery on attractiveness and DIBS score.ResultsFacial paralysis induces an attractiveness penalty of 2.51 on a 10‐point scale for faces in repose and 3.38 for smiling faces. Mixed effects linear regression showed that reanimation surgery improved attractiveness for faces both in repose and smiling by 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67, 1.01) and 1.24 (95% CI: 1.07, 1.42) respectively. Planned hypothesis tests confirmed statistically significant differences in attractiveness ratings between postoperative and normal faces, indicating attractiveness was not completely normalized. Regression analysis also showed that reanimation surgery decreased DIBS by 0.807 (95% CI: 0.704, 0.911) for faces in repose and 0.989 (95% CI: 0.886, 1.093), an entire standard deviation, for smiling faces.ConclusionsFacial reanimation surgery increases attractiveness and decreases negative facial perception of patients with facial paralysis. These data emphasize the need to optimize reanimation surgery to restore not only function, but also symmetry and cosmesis to improve facial perception and patient quality of life. Laryngoscope, 124:84–90, 2014
Epidemiology of sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma: A comprehensive analysis of 4994 patients
Authors: Sanghvi Saurin , Khan Mohemmed N. , Patel Neal R. , Yeldandi Swetha , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson 
Published: June 2013

Objectives/HypothesisTo examine the incidence and survival of patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC) between the years of 1973 and 2009 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study using a national database.MethodsThe SEER registry was utilized to calculate incidence and survival trends for patients with SNSCC between 1973 and 2009. Patient data were then analyzed according to age, sex, and race.ResultsA total of 4,994 cases of SNSCC were identified, composed of 64.44% males and 35.56% females. Incidence trend analysis revealed a significant decrease in yearly rates from 1973 to 2009 for the overall population, females, whites, blacks, and “others” (P < .05). Overall 5‐, 10‐, and 20‐year survival for SNSCC was 52.95%, 44.67%, and 29.37%, respectively. No significant differences (P > .05) were found when comparing survival between the last three decades. Differences in long‐term survival were noted between whites, blacks, and “others,” with whites displaying the highest 20‐year survival. Males and females were found to have similar long‐term survival curves, with 20‐year survival of 30.68% and 26.35%, respectively.ConclusionsThe overall incidence of SNSCC is declining. However, survival has not significantly improved in the last 3 decades. Race seems to influence the overall survival of this tumor. Future studies need to be conducted to investigate these dynamic trends related to SNSCC.Level of Evidence2b. Laryngoscope, 124:76–83, 2014
Regional peak mucosal cooling predicts the perception of nasal patency
Authors: Zhao Kai , Jiang Jianbo , Blacker Kara , Lyman Brian , Dalton Pamela , Cowart Beverly J. , Pribitkin Edmund A. 
Published: June 2013

Objectives/HypothesisNasal obstruction is the principal symptom that drives patients with rhinosinus disease to seek medical treatment. However, patient perception of obstruction often bears little relationship to actual measured physical obstruction of airflow. This lack of an objective clinical tool hinders effective diagnosis and treatment. Previous work has suggested that the perception of nasal patency may involve nasal trigeminal activation by cool inspiratory airflow; we attempt to derive clinically relevant variables following this phenomenon.Study DesignProspective healthy cohort.MethodsTwenty‐two healthy subjects rated unilateral nasal patency in controlled room air using a visual analog scale, followed by rhinomanometry, acoustic rhinometry, and butanol lateralization thresholds (BLTs). Each subject then immediately underwent a computed tomography scan, enabling the construction of a real‐time computational fluid dynamics (CFD) nasal airway model, which was used to simulate nasal mucosa heat loss during steady resting breathing.ResultsAmong all measured and computed variables, only CFD‐simulated peak heat loss posterior to the nasal vestibule significantly correlated with patency ratings (r = −0.46, P < .01). Linear discriminant analysis predicted patency categories with 89% success rate, with BLT and rhinomanometric nasal resistance being two additional significant variables. As validation, CFD simulated nasal resistance significantly correlated with rhinomanometrically measured resistance (r = 0.41, P < .01).ConclusionsThese results reveal that our noses are sensing patency via a mechanism involving localized peak nasal mucosal cooling. The analysis provides a strong rationale for combining the individualized CFD with other objective and neurologic measures to create a novel clinical tool to diagnose nasal obstruction and to predict and evaluate treatment outcomes.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 124:589–595, 2014
Dietary exposure to aflatoxin and fumonisin among Tanzanian children as determined using biomarkers of exposure
Authors: Shirima Candida P. , Kimanya Martin E. , Kinabo Joyce L. , Routledge Michael N. , Srey Chou , Wild Christopher P. , Gong Yun Yun 
Published: June 2013

ScopeThe study aims to evaluate the status of dietary exposure to aflatoxin and fumonisin in young Tanzanian children, using previously validated biomarkers of exposure.Methods and resultsA total of 148 children aged 12–22 months, were recruited from three geographically distant villages in Tanzania; Nyabula, Kigwa, and Kikelelwa. Plasma aflatoxin‐albumin adducts (AF‐alb) and urinary fumonisin B1 (UFB1) were measured by ELISA and LC‐MS, respectively. AF‐alb was detectable in 84% of children, was highest in fully weaned children (p < 0.01) with higher levels being associated with higher maize intake (p < 0.05). AF‐alb geometric mean (95% CI) was 43.2 (28.7–65.0), 19.9 (13.5–29.2), and 3.6 (2.8–4.7) pg/mg albumin in children from Kigwa, Nyabula, and Kikelelwa, respectively. UFB1 was detectable in 96% of children and the level was highest in children who had been fully weaned (p < 0.01). The geometric UFB1 mean (95% CI) was 327.2 (217.1–493.0), 211.7 (161.1–278.1), and 82.8 (58.3–117.7) pg/mL in Kigwa, Nyabula, and Kikelelwa, respectively. About 82% of all the children were exposed to both mycotoxins.ConclusionYoung children in Tanzania are chronically exposed to both aflatoxin and fumonisin through contaminated diet, although the level of exposure varies markedly between the three villages studied.
Olmesartan ameliorates urinary dysfunction in the spontaneously hypertensive rat via recovering bladder blood flow and decreasing oxidative stress
Authors: Shimizu Shogo , Saito Motoaki , Oiwa Harunori , Ohmasa Fumiya , Tsounapi Panagiota , Oikawa Ryo , Dimitriadis Fotios , Martin Darryl T. , Satoh Itaru , Kinoshita Yukako , Tomita Shuhei 
Published: June 2013

AbstractPurposeAs hypertension (HT) is one of the risk factors for lower urinary tract symptoms, we investigated the effect of an angiotensin II type I receptor blocker, olmesartan, on bladder dysfunction in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR).Materials and MethodsTwelve‐week‐old male SHRs were administered perorally with olmesartan (0, 1, or 3 mg/kg/day) or nifedipine (30 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks. Wistar rats were used as normotensive controls. The effects of olmesartan or nifedipine on blood pressure (BP), bladder blood flow (BBF), urodynamic parameters, tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured in the bladder. Localization of 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal (4‐HNE), Nrf2, and NGF in the bladder was shown by immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe SHRs showed significant increase in BP, micturition frequency, and expression of MDA, 4‐HNE, Nrf2, and NGF when compared to the control Wistar rats. Conversely, there was a decrease in BBF and single voided volume in SHRs when compared to Wistar rats. Treatment with olmesartan and nifedipine significantly improved BP. However, only olmesartan significantly ameliorated urodynamic parameters and oxidative damage compared to the non‐treated SHR. The immunoreactivities of 4‐HNE, Nrf2, and NGF in SHR urothelium and blood vessels were increased compared to the control. Treatment with a high dose of olmesartan decreased the expressions of 4‐HNE, Nrf2, and NGF in the bladder.ConclusionOur data suggest that BP, BBF, and oxidative stress may be responsible for the functional changes in HT‐related bladder dysfunction. Olmesartan significantly ameliorated this bladder dysfunction. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:350–357, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Targets for botulinum toxin in the lower urinary tract
Authors: Cruz Francisco 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundBotulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A), one of the seven subtypes of Botulinum toxin, is commercially available naked or complexed to other proteins. Onabotulinum toxin type A is the most extensively studied BoNT/A brand. Dose equivalence studies between the different brands have never been carried out. BoNT/A is internalized by nerve fibers after binding synaptic vesicle proteins, and the final target of action is synaptosome‐associated protein 25 kDa (SNAP‐25), a membrane protein essential for synaptic vesicle fusion with the neuronal membrane.MethodsThe current literature about botulinum toxin mechanisms was reviewed to provide an up to date knowledge about the topic.ResultsImmunoreactivity to cleaved SNAP‐25, the end product of BoNT/A activity, has been identified in parasympathetic (pre‐ and postganglionic), sympathetic, and afferent fibers. A consistent decrease in the release of acetylcholine from parasympathetic, norepinephrine from sympathetic, and glutamate and neuropeptides from sensory neurons follows BoNT/A administration. Immunoreactivity to cleaved SNAP‐25 was not identified in the urothelium or in myofibroblasts. Nevertheless, a decreased release of ATP and neurotrophins from the urothelial cells has been consistently observed after BoNT/A. The toxin does not cause apoptosis in the bladder. However, injection in rat and dog prostates was shown to induce apoptosis in acinar and stromal cells.ConclusionThere is now robust information to support that the mechanism of action of BoNT/A in the bladder involves neurotransmitter release from nerve fibers and urothelial cells. Which neurotransmitter is more relevant is, however, unclear. Likewise, the long duration of effect, the importance of the volume of vehicle injected and the selection of specific injection sites, like the trigone, needs further evaluation. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:31–38, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mehr Farbe!
Authors: Heine Thomas 
Published: June 2013

AbstractNeue Entwicklungen im Bereich der Halbleiterverstärker und der Frequenzverdopplung erweitern das Farbund Leistungsspektrum von durchstimmbaren Diodenlasern. So sind nun Leistungen von mehr als 1000 mW auch bei gelben und orangenen Wellenlängen möglich. Anwendungen wie das Laserkühlen von Natrium, Dysprosium oder Erbium und die Spektroskopie an Ionen seltener Erden in Festkörpern profitieren von den kompakten und einfach zu handhabenden Lasersystemen.