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Background and Purpose: Heart failure is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and new therapeutic targets are needed. Preclinical data suggest that pharmacological activation of protein kinase G (PKG) can reduce maladaptive ventricular remodelling and cardiac dysfunction in the stressed heart. However, clinical trial results have been mixed and the effects of long‐term PKG activation in the heart are unknown. Experimental Approach We characterized the cardiac phenotype of mice carrying a heterozygous knock‐in mutation of PKG1 (Prkg1R177Q/+), which causes constitutive, cGMP‐independent activation of the kinase. We examined isolated cardiac myocytes and intact mice, the latter after stress induced by surgical transaortic constriction or angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion. Key Results: Cardiac myocytes from Prkg1R177Q/+ mice showed altered phosphorylation of sarcomeric proteins and reduced contractility in response to electrical stimulation, compared to cells from wild type mice. Under basal conditions, young PKG1R177Q/+ mice exhibited no obvious cardiac abnormalities, but aging animals developed mild increases in cardiac fibrosis. In response to angiotensin II infusion or fixed pressure overload induced by transaortic constriction, young PKGR177Q/+ mice exhibited excessive hypertrophic remodelling with increased fibrosis and myocyte apoptosis, leading to increased left ventricular dilation and dysfunction compared to wild type litter mates. Conclusion and Implications: Long‐term PKG1 activation in mice may be harmful to the heart, especially in the presence of pressure overload and neurohumoral stress. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on cGMP Signalling in Cell Growth and Survival. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.11/issuetoc [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To increase survival of diverse Columbia River salmon populations and life history types, we developed a landscape framework for habitat restoration to assess and reduce habitat fragmentation, and thereby improve habitat functions. For the last two decades, aquatic habitat has been restored in the Columbia River Estuary (U.S.A.) to aid salmon and steelhead (Oncorhynchus spp.) listed under the Endangered Species Act. The 234‐km long estuary exhibits tidal to fluvial gradients in hydrology, sedimentology, and ecology, punctuated by large tributary rivers, cities, and land uses; it has lost two‐thirds of its historical floodplains and wetlands to development. Since 2009, an expert panel has assessed potential benefits of proposed restoration projects based on habitat "opportunity" (accessibility to juvenile salmon) and "capacity" (attributes supporting salmon production). These criteria favored large restoration projects located near the mainstem river, but they were insufficient for assessing a project's benefits due to geographic location relative to existing habitat. Our landscape framework applies the concept of restoring and conserving habitat "stepping stones" of appropriate size and location to benefit juvenile salmon growth and survival throughout their estuary residency and migration. We also compared contemporary and historical landscape conditions to identify restoration priorities. We improved our restoration project assessments by evaluating each project's benefits to juvenile salmon according to its location in the estuary relative to other habitat. Our approach operationalizes landscape ecology‐based decisions within the Columbia River Estuary for migratory salmon and is applicable to other large estuary systems with migratory aquatic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Currently, calculations of proton range in proton therapy patients are based on a conversion of CT Hounsfield units of patient tissues into proton relative stopping power. Uncertainties in this conversion necessitate larger proximal and distal planned target volume margins. Proton CT can potentially reduce these uncertainties by directly measuring proton stopping power. We aim to demonstrate proton CT imaging with complex porcine samples, to analyze in detail three‐dimensional regions of interest, and to compare proton stopping powers directly measured by proton CT to those determined from x‐ray CT scans. Methods: We have used a prototype proton imaging system with single proton tracking to acquire proton radiography and proton CT images of a sample of porcine pectoral girdle and ribs, and a pig's head. We also acquired close in time x‐ray CT scans of the same samples and compared proton stopping power measurements from the two modalities. In the case of the pig's head, we obtained x‐ray CT scans from two different scanners and compared results from high‐dose and low‐dose settings. Results: Comparing our reconstructed proton CT images with images derived from x‐ray CT scans, we find agreement within 1% to 2% for soft tissues and discrepancies of up to 6% for compact bone. We also observed large discrepancies, up to 40%, for cavitated regions with mixed content of air, soft tissue, and bone, such as sinus cavities or tympanic bullae. Conclusions: Our images and findings from a clinically realistic proton CT scanner demonstrate the potential for proton CT to be used for low‐dose treatment planning with reduced margins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managers often move, or translocate, organisms into habitats that are assumed to be suitable; however, the consequences of these translocations are usually not rigorously assessed. Robust assessment of these management experiments should consider impacts to both donor and recipient populations and compare the cost‐effectiveness of translocations to other actions.Here we evaluate the translocations of a federally listed fish species, humpback chub within a tributary to the Colorado River in its Grand Canyon reach (Arizona, USA). We analyse mark–recapture data with multistate models to estimate vital rates (growth, survival and movement) for the donor and recipient populations while accounting for substantial temporal variation in vital rates. We then use stochastic matrix projections to quantify the impact of translocations on adult population size. Lastly, we compare the costs of translocations to another, legally required management action, non‐native fish removal, by modifying an existing bioeconomic model.We estimate that six of eight translocations during the study period positively impacted adult abundance and that the overall population impact was positive. Population projections suggest that each chub translocated per year increases the equilibrium adult population size by 1.2 (95% CI: 0.4–2.2) adults, lessening the need for non‐native fish removal.The continuation of translocations at the current rate is expected to save managers ~$50,000 per year by decreasing the annual probability of removals from 0.26 to 0.15. Further savings and decreases in removals could be attained by avoiding translocations in years when there has been no winter/spring runoff and modifying the number of translocated individuals based on the estimates of juvenile production in the lower Little Colorado River.Synthesis and applications. Translocations that increase the abundance of a rare species can sometimes be viewed as a hedge against future declines that might necessitate more costly interventions. Quantifying population benefits and economic costs of management actions like translocations and comparing alternative actions can lead to cost‐effective conservation that is more easily sustained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Verification of patient‐specific proton stopping powers obtained in the patient's treatment position can be used to reduce the distal and proximal margins needed in particle beam planning. Proton radiography can be used as a pretreatment instrument to verify integrated stopping power consistency with the treatment planning CT. Although a proton radiograph is a pixel by pixel representation of integrated stopping powers, the image may also be of high enough quality and contrast to be used for patient alignment. This investigation quantifies the accuracy and image quality of a prototype proton radiography system on a clinical proton delivery system. Methods: We have developed a clinical prototype proton radiography system designed for integration into efficient clinical workflows. We tested the images obtained by this system for water‐equivalent thickness (WET) accuracy, image noise, and spatial resolution. We evaluated the WET accuracy by comparing the average WET and rms error in several regions of interest (ROI) on a proton radiograph of a custom peg phantom. We measured the spatial resolution on a CATPHAN Line Pair phantom and a custom edge phantom by measuring the 10% value of the modulation transfer function (MTF). In addition, we tested the ability to detect proton range errors due to anatomical changes in a patient with a customized CIRS pediatric head phantom and inserts of varying WET placed in the posterior fossae of the brain. We took proton radiographs of the phantom with each insert in place and created difference maps between the resulting images. Integrated proton range was measured from an ROI in the difference maps. Results: We measured the WET accuracy of the proton radiographic images to be ±0.2 mm (0.33%) from known values. The spatial resolution of the images was 0.6 lp/mm on the line pair phantom and 1.13 lp/mm on the edge phantom. We were able to detect anatomical changes producing changes in WET as low as 0.6 mm. Conclusion: The proton radiography system produces images with image quality sufficient for pretreatment range consistency verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To demonstrate a proton‐imaging system based on well‐established fast scintillator technology to achieve high performance with low cost and complexity, with the potential of a straightforward translation into clinical use. Methods: The system tracks individual protons through one (X, Y) scintillating fiber tracker plane upstream and downstream of the object and into a 13‐cm ‐thick scintillating block residual energy detector. The fibers in the tracker planes are multiplexed into silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) to reduce the number of electronics channels. The light signal from the residual energy detector is collected by 16 photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). Only four signals from the PMTs are output from each event, which allows for fast signal readout. A robust calibration method of the PMT signal to residual energy has been developed to obtain accurate proton images. The development of patient‐specific scan patterns using multiple input energies allows for an image to be produced with minimal excess dose delivered to the patient. Results: The calibration of signals in the energy detector produces accurate residual range measurements limited by intrinsic range straggling. We measured the water‐equivalent thickness (WET) of a block of solid water (physical thickness of 6.10 mm) with a proton radiograph. The mean WET from all pixels in the block was 6.13 cm (SD 0.02 cm). The use of patient‐specific scan patterns using multiple input energies enables imaging with a compact range detector. Conclusions: We have developed a prototype clinical proton radiography system for pretreatment imaging in proton radiation therapy. We have optimized the system for use with pencil beam scanning systems and have achieved a reduction of size and complexity compared to previous designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used translocation as a conservation measure to promote the recovery of an endangered freshwater fish species. We collected juvenile Humpback Chub Gila cypha from the lower 9.6 km of the Little Colorado River (LCR), Arizona, and translocated them upriver above a natural travertine structure called Chute Falls where the species was absent. The translocated fish were released at river kilometer (RKM) 16.2 above the mouth of the LCR. We measured growth rates across 14 size‐classes of Humpback Chub in three contiguous reaches of the LCR. Growth rates were usually highest in the 3.8‐km‐long reach above Chute Falls (translocation reach), slightly lower in a short 0.53‐km reach immediately below Chute Falls (Atomizer reach), and lowest in the lower 13.57 km of the LCR (lower reach). Most base flow of the LCR originates from relatively warm springs (20.6–22.8°C) that are located upriver from the translocation release site. The grand mean annual water temperature differences across eight years averaged 1.1°C/d warmer at RKM 16.2 than at RKM 1.05 and reflected a higher correlation to the growth rates of Humpback Chub in the translocation reach than in the lower reach. Moreover, this and other studies found that Humpback Chub's food base of prey fishes was also higher in the translocation reach than in the lower reach. High growth rates of juvenile Humpback Chub in the translocation and Atomizer reaches resulted in most reaching adulthood (200 mm TL) by age 2, a year earlier than most Humpback Chub in the lower reach did. Because higher growth rates of Humpback Chub in the translocation and Atomizer reaches provide a substantial head start for adult reproduction to commence, we suggest that translocating juvenile Humpback Chub to above Chute Falls is a management action that enhances recovery efforts of Humpback Chub in Grand Canyon, potentially at the population level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate models project overall a reduction in rainfall amounts and shifts in the timing of rainfall events in mid‐latitudes and sub‐tropical dry regions, which threatens the productivity and diversity of grasslands. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi may help plants to cope with expected changes but may also be impacted by changing rainfall, either via the direct effects of low soil moisture on survival and function or indirectly via changes in the plant community.In an Australian mesic grassland (former pasture) system, we characterized plant and AM fungal communities every 6 months for nearly 4 years to two altered rainfall regimes: (a) ambient, (b) rainfall reduced by 50% relative to ambient over the entire year and (c) total summer rainfall exclusion. Using Illumina sequencing, we assessed the response of AM fungal communities sampled from contrasting rainfall treatments and evaluated whether variation in AM fungal communities was associated with variation in plant community richness and composition.We found that rainfall reduction influenced the fungal communities, with the nature of the response depending on the type of manipulation, but that consistent results were only observed after more than 2 years of rainfall manipulation. We observed significant co‐associations between plant and AM fungal communities on multiple dates. Predictive co‐correspondence analyses indicated more support for the hypothesis that fungal community composition influenced plant community composition than vice versa. However, we found no evidence that altered rainfall regimes were leading to distinct co‐associations between plants and AM fungi. Overall, our results provide evidence that grassland plant communities are intricately tied to variation in AM fungal communities. However, in this system, plant responses to climate change may not be directly related to impacts of altered rainfall regimes on AM fungal communities.Synthesis. Our study shows that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities respond to changes in rainfall but that this effect was not immediate. The AM fungal community may influence the composition of the plant community. However, our results suggest that plant responses to altered rainfall regimes at our site may not be resulting via changes in the AM fungal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stream restoration is a common conservation strategy for salmonids, but evidence that it has improved watershed scale habitat conditions or fish population abundance, survival, or spatial distribution is rare. We employed an intensively monitored watershed approach to measure the responses of both the habitat and Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch to a culvert replacement (2002) and a three‐phase large woody debris (LWD) addition (2007, 2009, and 2016) in Little Anderson Creek (LA), a small stream in western Washington. Following the replacement of a fish barrier culvert with a channel‐spanning bridge near the mouth of the creek, average smolt abundance for Coho Salmon more than tripled (910 vs. 275), demonstrating a significant increase in production capacity. In evaluating the habitat responses to the LWD placement, a series of mixed effects models indicated a modest, reach‐scale increase in LWD density and a statistically divergent trend in spawning gravel and pool frequency, whereby both metrics increased at a slightly lower rate in treated sites than in reference sites. However, substantial interannual habitat variation appeared be driven by regional processes rather than treatment effects, as habitat change among years was consistent between the treatment and reference watersheds. Although we observed more Coho Salmon smolts after the 2009 LWD placement (364 fish), this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.22) and neither parr abundance nor parr‐to‐smolt survival increased. Also, we did not detect a change in density‐dependent growth dynamics or the spatial distribution of redds. Our results suggest that increasing accessibility through barrier removal can provide an immediate boost to freshwater fish production, but measurably improving population performance by adding LWD requires greater treatment magnitudes or more time for response than was examined in our study. Our ability to detect a fish response also may have been limited by low population abundance, which appeared to be below carrying capacity in most years following the LWD treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolomics is the untargeted measurement of the metabolome, which is composed of the complement of small molecules detected in a biological sample. As such, metabolomic analysis produces a global biochemical phenotype. It is a technology that has been utilized in the research setting for over a decade. The metabolome is directly linked to and is influenced by genetics, epigenetics, environmental factors, and the microbiome--all of which affect health. Metabolomics can be applied to human clinical diagnostics and to other fields such as veterinary medicine, nutrition, exercise, physiology, agriculture/plant biochemistry, and toxicology. Applications of metabolomics in clinical testing are emerging, but several aspects of its use as a clinical test differ from applications focused on research or biomarker discovery and need to be considered for metabolomics clinical test data to have optimum impact, be meaningful, and be used responsibly. In this review, we deconstruct aspects and challenges of metabolomics for clinical testing by illustrating the significance of test design, accurate and precise data acquisition, quality control, data processing, n-of-1 comparison to a reference population, and biochemical pathway analysis. We describe how metabolomics technology is integral to defining individual biochemical phenotypes, elaborates on human health and disease, and fits within the precision medicine landscape. Finally, we conclude by outlining some future steps needed to bring metabolomics into the clinical space and to be recognized by the broader medical and regulatory fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Buckwheat is an important alternative crop and a raw material for functional food formulation. Phase II detoxification proteins/enzymes provide cytoprotective roles against oxidative stress and inflammation originating from various stressors. We aimed to identify and characterize potential phase II enzyme inducers from methanolic extracts of buckwheat flour, using an activity‐guided fractionation based on the induction of quinone reductase (QR) (EC 1.6.5.2) in Hepa 1c1c7 cells. RESULTS: We isolated the QR inducers N‐trans‐feruloyltyramine (I), syringic acid (II), quercetin (III) and myricetin (IV). The relative QR‐inducing ability, as well as the concentration required to double QR specific activity (CD values, in parentheses), decreased in the order: quercetin (3.0 µmol L–1) > N‐trans‐feruloyltyramine (24 µmol L–1) > myricetin (58 µmol L–1) > syringic acid (5.4 mmol L–1). Quercetin and N‐trans‐feruloyltyramine exhibited the greatest extent of QR induction of an approximately four‐fold maximum induction and these compounds also exhibited the greatest values for the ratio of IC50 (i.e. level to reduce viability by 50%): CD values of 11 and > 8.3, respectively, among the four QR inducers isolated. Isobologram analyses for binary combinations of compounds I–IV revealed primarily antagonistic interactions for QR induction. CONCLUSION: These findings add to our understanding of the nutraceutical potential of buckwheat as a chemoprophylactic dietary component. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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ABSTRACT This study characterizes the metabolic profile of synovial fluid after intra-articular ankle fracture with an emphasis on changes in the lipid profile. Bilateral ankle synovial fluid from 19 patients with unilateral intra-articular ankle fracture was submitted for metabolic profiling. Contralateral ankle synovial fluid from each patient served as a matched control. Seven patients participated in a second bilateral synovial fluid collection after 6 months. Random forest classification, matched pairs t-tests ( α < 0.01), repeated measures ANOVA with post-test contrasts ( α < 0.01), correlation to cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, and fracture and injury classification analyses yielded key lipid biomarkers in synovial fluid following intra-articular fracture. Free fatty acids, sphingomyelins, and lysolipids demonstrated significant elevation in fractured ankles at baseline. Fatty acids and sphingomyelins showed a significant decrease 6 months post-surgery. Random forest analysis showed predominantly fatty acids differentiating between groups. Significant correlations included fatty acids, sphingomyelins, and lysolipids with inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. Fracture classification showed increased fatty acids, lysolipids, and inositol metabolites as fracture severity increased. Fatty acid and sn-1 lysolipid elevation could be detrimental to the joint, as these strongly correlated with matrix metalloproteinases and TNF-α. This elevation also suggests involvement of phospholipase A2, a potential target for therapeutic intervention. Together with elevated 2-hydroxyl fatty acids, these findings suggest elevated sn-1 lysolipids, sphingomyelins, and subsequent lipid metabolites in synovial fluid as biomarkers of ankle injury. Reversal of this signature after 6 months suggests temporary involvement of these metabolites in disease progression, although they may activate signaling pathways which drive progression to osteoarthritis. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:657-666, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction selectivities were determined in multi-competitive reactions mediated by Rhizomucor miehei (RM)lipase at water activity of 0.19 in hexane. Saturated FA (C4-C18 even chain) and oleic acid (C18:1) were reacted with a single alcohol, glycerol, or α- or β-MAG containing C4, C10, C16, or C18:1 individually as alcohol cosubstrate. Similar patterns of broad FA selectivity toward C8-C18 FA were generally observed for esterification into specific acylglycerol (AG) pools with the different α/β-CX-MAG cosubstrates. Exceptions were enrichment of C18 in the MAG pool with α-C16-MAG substrate, and a general suppression of C4/C6 FA reactivity and a specific discrimination toward > C8 FA incorporation into the TAG pool, both for reactions with α-C10- and α-C16-MAG. RM lipase selectivity toward MAG was in descending order: β- C18:1-MAG > α/β-C4-MAG ˜ β-C10-MAG ˜ β-C16-MAG > α- C18:1-MAG > α-C10-MAG ˜ α-C16-MAG. Selectivity in channeling CX of the original CX-MAG substrates into higher AG species was in descending order: α-C10-MAG ˜ &alpha-C16-MAG > β-C10-MAG ˜ β-C16-MAG > α-C18:1 -MAG > β-C18:1 -MAG α/β-C4-MAG. Aside from their characteristic FA selectivity, Burkholderia cepacia (PS-30) and RM lipases behaved similarly in terms of MAG selectivity as well as a general conservation of FA selectivity throughout the sequential steps of TAG assembly from FA and glycerol for processes designed to yield specifically structured TAG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last few years have seen the emergence of a new additive manufacturing alternative to spinning for the production of ceramic fibers. This approach--called a "Digital Spinneret" (DS)--causes multiple filaments to grow in a single step using a massively parallel laser driven chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) process. To date, it has been used to demonstrate the fabrication of stoichiometric silicon carbide (SiCf), boron carbide, boron, tungsten carbide, and carbon fibers. The DS introduces a manufacturing paradigm shift with significant ramifications for the design of Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs), not the least of which is a potentially game-changing domestic source of high-performance SiCf. This discussion focuses first on a presentation of state-of-the-art knowledge of SiCf produced by the DS. Next, the anticipated impact that such fibers are expected to have on CMC fabrication is explained, with a particular attention to nuclear applications. Finally, the new design opportunities afforded by additive manufacturing of fibers is explored, illustrated by an example of a functional microstructure embedded within the fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise is dependent on adequate oxygen supply for mitochondrial respiration in both cardiac and locomotor muscle. To determine whether skeletal myofiber VEGF is critical for regulating exercise capacity, independent of VEGF function in the heart, ablation of the VEGF gene was targeted to skeletal myofibers (skmVEGF−/−) during embryogenesis (∼ E9.5), leaving intact VEGF expression by all other cells in muscle. In adult mice, VEGF levels were decreased in the soleus (by 65%), plantaris (94%), gastrocnemius (74%), EDL (99%) and diaphragm (64%) ( P < 0.0001, each muscle). VEGF levels were unchanged in the heart. Treadmill speed (WT 86 ± 4 cm/sec, skmVEGF−/− 70 ± 5 cm/sec, P = 0.006) and endurance (WT 78 ± 24 min, skmVEGF−/− 18 ± 4 min, P = 0.0004) were severely limited in skmVEGF−/− mice in contrast to minor effect of conditional skmVEGF gene deletion in the adult. Body weight was also reduced (WT 22.8 ± 1.6 g, skmVEGF−/−, 21.1 ± 1.5, P = 0.02), but the muscle mass/body weight ratio was unchanged. The capillary/fiber ratio was lower in skmVEGF−/− plantaris (WT 1.51 ± 0.12, skmVEGF−/− 1.16 ± 0.20, P = 0.01), gastrocnemius (WT 1.61 ± 0.08, skmVEGF−/− 1.39 ± 0.08, P = 0.01), EDL (WT 1.36 ± 0.07, skmVEGF−/− 1.14 ± 0.13, P = 0.03) and diaphragm (WT 1.39 ± 0.18, skmVEGF−/− 0.79 ± 0.16, P = 0.0001) but, not in soleus. Cardiac function (heart rate, maximal pressure, maximal dP/dt, minimal dP/dt,) in response to dobutamine was not impaired in anesthetized skmVEGF−/− mice. Isolated soleus and EDL fatigue times were 16% and 20% ( P < 0.02) longer, respectively, in skmVEGF−/− mice than the WT group. These data suggest that skeletal myofiber VEGF expressed during development is necessary to establish capillary networks that allow maximal exercise capacity. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 505-511, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanolic extracts of bran from black glutinous rice cultivars were screened for potential health benefits using cellular bioassays for quinone reductase ( QR) induction in murine hepatoma cells and inhibition of NO production in lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Fractionation of the crude extract by semi-preparative HPLC afforded respective fractions enriched in phenolic acids, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. The relative potency of QR induction was phenolic acids > proanthocyanidins > anthocyanins, and the activity of the crude extract was conserved among the aggregate of these fractions. In contrast, all three fractions were more potent than the crude extract in terms of anti-inflammatory effect. This suggests synergism effects among anti-inflammatory agents through partial purification. Inhibition of macrophage NO production by binary mixtures of gallic acid or caffeic acid with the anthocyanin-rich fraction indicated potential synergism. These results warrant further efforts to identify the active agents and substantiate synergistic interactions through isobologram analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We quantified tag retention, survival, and growth in juvenile, captive-reared Humpback ChubGila cyphamarked with three different tag types: (1) Biomark 12.5-mm, 134.2-kHz, full duplex PIT tags injected into the body cavity with a 12-gauge needle; (2) Biomark 8.4-mm, 134.2-kHz, full duplex PIT tags injected with a 16-gauge needle; and (3) Northwest Marine Technology visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags injected under the skin with a 29-gauge needle. Estimates of tag loss, tagging-induced mortality, and growth were evaluated for 60 d with each tag type for four different size-groups of fish: 40–49 mm, 50–59 mm, 60–69 mm, and 70–79 mm TL. Total length was a significant predictor of the probability of PIT tag retention and mortality for both 8-mm and 12-mm PIT tags, and the smallest fish had the highest rates of tag loss (12.5–30.0%) and mortality (7.5–20.0%). Humpback Chub of sizes 40–49 mm TL and tagged with VIE tags had no mortality but did have a 17.5% tag loss. Growth rates of all tagged fish were similar to controls. Our data indicate Humpback Chub can be effectively tagged using either 8-mm or 12-mm PIT tags with little tag loss or mortality at sizes as low as 65 mm TL. Received July 24, 2014; accepted October 31, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lungworm, Angiostrongylus vasorum, was first reported in indigenous dogs in southwestern England in 1980 and has since been recorded in Wales, southeastern England and, more recently, in the West Midlands, northern England and Scotland. The nationwide distribution of the parasite was evaluated using a postal questionnaire sent to 3950 small animal practices during 2009. Information was sought on the location of each practice, awareness of the parasite locally, number of cases diagnosed over the past year and whether diagnosis was based on clinical signs alone or supported by additional tests. 1419 practices returned a usable response, the majority being located in a city/town. Nearly one-third of responding practices were aware of the parasite locally, 20.7 per cent had seen at least one confirmed case and 0.3 per cent >20 confirmed cases over the past year. The most widely used tests were faecal examination and any type of imaging. Existing clusters of infection were detected in southeastern England and south Wales; infection was also found to be widespread in central England, though patchy in northern England and Scotland. Using distribution of clinical cases as an indicator of parasite distribution, this study confirmed that A. vasorum has spread beyond traditional UK endemic foci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This prospective randomized phase II study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of deferasirox in preventing iatrogenic iron overload in patients receiving induction/consolidation chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia ( AML) ize. Serum ferritin, transferrin saturation and CRP were measured pre-, mid- and post- each chemotherapy cycle. Patients were randomized to receive either therapy with deferasirox vs. no deferasirox therapy once serum ferritin increased to >500 μg/l. The trial was stopped prematurely due to excess gastrointestinal ( GI) and infectious toxicity demonstrable in the deferasirox arm, after 10 patients had been randomized to deferasirox and 6 patients to the control arm. Overall, deferasirox was poorly tolerated, with median maximum tolerated dose only 13·8 mg/kg/d and no patient able to tolerate doses >20 mg/kg/d. Median duration of deferasirox therapy was only 72 d (range 19-130 d), with 9/10 patients requiring unplanned dose interruptions and 4/10 patients unable to continue the drug predominantly due to GI effects. Although all 3 treatment-related deaths occurred in the deferasirox arm ( P = 0·25), median overall survival was similar between treatment arms. Use of deferasirox to prevent iatrogenic iron overload in AML patients undertaking induction/consolidation is poorly tolerated and appears to be associated with excess GI and infectious toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of processing conventional and pigmented corn into masa, tortilla and tortilla chips on the ability to scavenge nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) was investigated. The level of retention of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite (mediated for inhibition of nitrite formation scavenging capacity for masa, tortilla and tortilla chips) ranged 56.2-78.2%, 67.4-45%, 40.3-62.0% (for nitric oxide) and 38.6-81.7%, 23.3-47.7%, 19.3-67.2% (for inhibition of nitrite formation), respectively. The antinitrosative activities were affected significantly ( P > 0.05) by nixtamalisation, but not by processing masa into tortilla and tortilla chips ( P > 0.05). The yellow variety and its corresponding products showed the greatest capacity to scavenge nitric oxide and inhibition of nitrite formation among conventional varieties and the purple variety ranked highest among the pigmented varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To test acute effects of the corticotropin-releasing factor-related peptide urocortin 2 (Ucn2) on left ventricular (LV) function and the propensity for ventricular arrhythmias in the isolated heart of an animal model of hypertension-induced heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The medical usefulness of smartphones continues to evolve as third-party applications exploit and expand on the smartphones' interface and capabilities. This technical report describes smartphone still-image capture techniques and video-sequence recording capabilities during postmortem monocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. Using these devices and techniques, practitioners can create photographic documentation of fundal findings, clinically and at autopsy, without the expense of a retinal camera. Smartphone image acquisition of fundal abnormalities can promote ophthalmological telemedicine-especially in regions or countries with limited resources-and facilitate prompt, accurate, and unbiased documentation of retinal hemorrhages in infants and young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is required for vasculogenesis and angiogenesis during embryonic and early postnatal life. However the organ-specific functional role of VEGF in adult life, particularly in skeletal muscle, is less clear. To explore this issue, we engineered skeletal muscle-targeted VEGF deficient mice (mVEGF−/−) by crossbreeding mice that selectively express Cre recombinase in skeletal muscle under the control of the muscle creatine kinase promoter (MCK cre mice) with mice having a floxed VEGF gene (VEGF LoxP mice). We hypothesized that VEGF is necessary for regulating both cardiac and skeletal muscle capillarity, and that a reduced number of VEGF-dependent muscle capillaries would limit aerobic exercise capacity. In adult mVEGF−/− mice, VEGF protein levels were reduced by 90 and 80% in skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius) and cardiac muscle, respectively, compared to control mice ( P < 0.01). This was accompanied by a 48% ( P < 0.05) and 39% ( P < 0.05) decreases in the capillary-to-fibre ratio and capillary density, respectively, in the gastrocnemius and a 61% decrease in cardiac muscle capillary density ( P < 0.05). Hindlimb muscle oxidative (citrate synthase, 21%; β-HAD, 32%) and glycolytic (PFK, 18%) regulatory enzymes were also increased in mVEGF−/− mice. However, this limited adaptation to reduced muscle VEGF was insufficient to maintain aerobic exercise capacity, and maximal running speed and endurance running capacity were reduced by 34% and 81%, respectively, in mVEGF−/− mice compared to control mice ( P < 0.05). Moreover, basal and dobutamine-stimulated cardiac function, measured by transthoracic echocardiography and left ventricular micromanomtery, showed only a minimal reduction of contractility (peak +d P/d t) and relaxation (peak –d P/d t, τE). Collectively these data suggests adequate locomotor muscle capillary number is important for achieving full exercise capacity. Furthermore, VEGF is essential in regulating postnatal muscle capillarity, and that adult mice, deficient in cardiac and skeletal muscle VEGF, exhibit a major intolerance to aerobic exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present and compare demographic data for cerulean warblers (Dendroica cerulea) from 5 study sites across the range of the species from 1992 to 2006. We conducted field studies to collect data on daily nest survival, nest success, and young fledged per successful nest, and we used data to estimate fecundity. Daily nest survival, nest success, young fledged, and fecundity varied widely across the cerulean range and among years. Study sites in agriculture-dominated landscapes (Mississippi Alluvial Valley, IN, and MI, USA) had negative growth rates in all years monitored because measured values of nest success and young produced per successful nest were incapable of offsetting apparent mortality. Ontario (Canada) and Tennessee (USA) populations had greater nest success and fecundity but still appeared to be incapable of producing stable populations (λ = 1) under field-measured and assumed conditions. We had survival data only for one site (Ontario); thus, additional survival data are greatly needed to enable more reliable estimates of population growth. Conservation strategies for cerulean warblers in agriculture-dominated landscapes (e.g., Mississippi Alluvial Valley, IN, and MI) may require major landscape-level habitat reconfiguration to change agriculture-dominated landscapes to forest-dominated landscapes to increase fecundity. Conservation strategies in predominantly forested landscapes in the core of the range (e.g., TN) require a focus on minimizing habitat loss and developing management prescriptions capable of improving fecundity. In both cases, based on sensitivity and elasticity analyses, efforts to improve survival during the nonbreeding season would have the greatest positive effect on population growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength that predisposes the patient to an increased risk for fracture. Elements of bone strength include bone mineralization, architecture, turnover, size, and bone mineral density (BMD). Measurement of BMD is the most readily available, noninvasive method for assessing osteoporotic fracture risk and is used by the World Health Organization for diagnostic purposes. Because low BMD is predictive of increased fracture risk, it was believed that changes in BMD during pharmacologic therapy for osteoporosis would strongly predict observed fracture risk reductions. We examined the relationship between changes in BMD and reduction in fracture risk during pharmacologic therapy in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The correlation between BMD increases and fracture risk reduction during treatment is not consistent; larger increases in BMD do not necessarily correlate with greater reductions in fracture risk. Multiple factors, in addition to BMD, appear to contribute to the increased bone strength and decreased fracture risk achieved with approved drug therapies for osteoporosis. Until the exact relationship of these factors is fully understood, clinicians should continue to evaluate drug efficacy for osteoporosis based on the fracture risk reductions from well-designed clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction selectivities were determined in multi-competitive reactions mediated by Burkholderia cepacia lipase (Amano PS-30) at a water activity of 0.19 in hexane. Saturated FA (C4-C18 even chain) and oleic acid (C18:1) were reacted with a single alcohol, glycerol, or α- or β-MAG, containing C4, C10, C16, or C18:1 individually as alcohol cosubstrate. Similar ordinal patterns of FA selectivity, with C8, C10, and C16 preferred over others, were generally observed for incorporation of FA into specific acylglycerol (AG) pools of the 24 specific cases evaluated. The three exceptions were enrichment of C14 and C18 in the MAG pool with α-C16-MAG substrate, and a general suppression of >C8 incorporation into the TAG pool for reactions with α-C10- and α-C16-MAG. PS-30 lipase selectivity toward MAG was in descending order: α/β-C4-MAG > β-C10-MAG > β-C16-MAG > α/β-C18:1-MAG > α-C10-MAG > α-C16-MAG. Selectivity in channeling CX of the original CX-MAG substrates into higher AG species was in descending order: α-C10-MAG ˜ α-C1 6-MAG > α-C18:1-MAG > β-C10-MAG ˜ β-C16-MAG ˜ β-C18:1-MAG > α/β-C4-MAG. Generally, MAG were better acyl donors than FA for esterification reactions leading to DAG formation. These observations are relevant to the design of biocatalytic processes intended to yield specifically structured TAG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the question: Does the physical environment of service delivery settings influence customers' evaluations of the service experience and subsequent behavioral intentions? Theoretical and empirical data from environmental psychology suggests that customer reactions to the tangible physical environment may be more emotional than cognitive, particularly when involving hedonic consumption. This article integrates environmental psychology into SERVQUAL (a current measure of service quality) to enable a fuller assessment of the role of the tangible aspects of service delivery. Based on consumer surveys in three leisure service settings, the findings are that the tangible physical environment plays an important role in generating excitement in leisure settings; excitement, in turn, plays a significant role in determining customers repatronage intentions and willingness to recommend. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on Xylem embolism in ring-porous, diffuse-porous, and coniferous trees of Northern Utah and Alaska. Effect of freeze-thaw cycles; Vulnerability factors; Measurement of embolism; Dye perfusions; Seasonal embolism patterns.

This article provides a discussion of the relationship between the geometric and arithmetic mean of a target radar cross section (RCS). A plot of the expected difference between the geometric and arithmetic means of data sets from a log-normal probability density function (pdf) versus the standard deviation of the data set is presented. This is followed by results from a subset of actual test data, which indicate that, for a T-72 (Russian tank) measured at 35 GHz, the difference between these two computations may be less than 1 dB. A larger data set of several different types of ground vehicles is then used to test the robustness of the transformation. These data showed a wider variation between the two means, and the result of the transformation shows deviations as large as 2 dB, suggesting that transformation of the means for data that are not truly log-normal can induce noticeable errors. A complete derivation of the transformation between the two different means, when the data are log-normal distributed and the standard deviation is known, is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which aims to optimize environmental and compositional parameters in support of gel-entrapped lipase-mediated glycerolysis reactions with butteroil to yield monoacylglycerols (MAG). Transformation of butteroil into MAG; Evaluation of the effects of enzyme loading; Effects of greater pore sizes in the diffusion of substrates and products.

Storage of Norgold and Russet Burbank tubers at 3°C in air led to accumulation of sucrose and hexose and a decline in chip color quality to unacceptable levels (Hunter L values less than 40) within 2 wk. Storage in modified atmospheres of 1000 ppm ethylene in air and low oxygen delayed decline in color by 6-8 wk compared with storage in air. Storage in 1000 ppm ethylene apparently reduced rate of conversion of sucrose to hexose. The low oxygen atmosphere appeared to reduce extent of sucrose accumulation and rate of sucrose conversion to hexose during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discoloration of canned beet root slices resulted after 5-10 min exposure of beet roots to live steam, and subsequent incubation of slices in air at least 20 min. The "black ring" of discoloration moved radially toward the center of the slice as time of steam-peeling was increased. Dipping slices (prepared after steam-peeling) in solutions of inhibitors of PPO before incubation in air inhibited or prevented discoloration. Based on these data, thermal stability of PPO and POX, heat penetration profiles, and location of the discoloration zone, a model to explain discoloration was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of chilling injury in cucumbers stored at 4°C and 95% RH was evaluated. Irreversible damage due to chilling required 7 to 10 days as indicated by increases in tissue electrolyte leakage (from 30 to 70%), stress ethylene production (to 30-60 pMol g-1 hr-1) and visual manifestations of injury. Low levels of ethane evolution (<1 pMol g-1 hr-1) were observed for unchilled and continuously chilled fruits. Upon rewarming, ethane evolution was stimulated by an order of magnitude following a prior chilling exposure of at least 7 days. These results indicate that the potentiation of lipid peroxidation in chilled cucumbers is associated with the onset of irreversible injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method is reported for removing epi-progoitrin, the major glucosinolate, from crambe seed meal. Defatted meal was cooked and water extracted or treated with soda ash and then water extracted. Although soda ash aided destruction and removal of glucosinolate factors, there was a 28% reduction in total lysine. In animal feeding tests designed to reflect differences due to toxic factors, soda ash treated and water extracted meals gave the best results. No toxicity was apparent in rats and chicks fed these meals in nutritionally adequate diets. The rat diet included 30% crambe meal for 90 days; the chick diet, 20% crambe meal for 4 weeks. Pathological examinations in both series showed no organ damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the summer and fall of 1985, several day-long sets of foliage temperature measurements were obtained for healthy and potentially transpiring water hyacinth, cotton, and alfalfa plants growing in a sealed and unventilated greenhouse at Phoenix, Arizona, along with concurrent measurements of air temperature, vapor pressure and net radiation, plus, in the case of the water hyacinths, leaf diffusion resistance measurements. Some data for these plants were additionally obtained out of doors under natural conditions, while dead, nontranspiring stands of alfalfa and water hyacinth were also monitored, both out of doors and within the greenhouse. Analyses of the data revealed that plant nonwater-stressed baselines, i.e., plots of foliage-air temperature differential versus air vapor pressure deficit for potentially transpiring vegetation, were (1) curvilinear, as opposed to the straight lines which have so often appeared to be the case with much smaller and restricted data sets, and (2) that these baselines are accurately described by basic theory, utilizing independently measured values of plant foliage and aerodynamic resistances to water vapor transport. These findings lead to some slight adjustments in the procedure for calculating the Idso-Jackson plant water stress index and they suggest that plants can adequately respond to much greater atmospheric demands for evaporation than what has been believed possible in the past. In addition, they demonstrate that the likely net radiation enhancement due to a doubling of the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration will have little direct effect on vegetation temperatures, but that the antitranspirant effect of atmospheric CO2 enrichment on foliage temperature may be substantial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transcription factor HNF3 and linker histones H1 and H5 possess winged-helix DNA-binding domains, yet HNF3 and other fork head-related proteins activate genes during development whereas linker histones compact DNA in chromatin and repress gene expression. We compared how the two classes of factors interact with chromatin templates and found that HNF3 binds DNA at the side of nucleosome cores, similarly to what has been reported for linker histone. A nucleosome structural binding site for HNF3 is occupied at the albumin transcriptional enhancer in active and potentially active chromatin, but not in inactive chromatin in vivo. While wild-type HNF3 protein does not compact DNA extending from the nucleosome, as does linker histone, site-directed mutants of HNF3 can compact nucleosomal DNA if they contain basic amino acids at positions previously shown to be essential for nucleosomal DNA compaction by linker histones. The results illustrate how transcription factors can possess special nucleosome-binding activities that are not predicted from studies of factor interactions with free DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]