bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mothers' responses to children's negative emotions and child emotion regulation: The moderating role of vagal suppression
Authors: Perry Nicole B. , Calkins Susan D. , Nelson Jackie A. , Leerkes Esther M. , Marcovitch Stuart
Published: November 2011

The current study examined the moderating effect of children's cardiac vagal suppression on the association between maternal socialization of negative emotions (supportive and nonsupportive responses) and children's emotion regulation behaviors. One hundred and ninety‐seven 4‐year‐olds and their mothers participated. Mothers reported on their reactions to children's negative emotions and children's regulatory behaviors. Observed distraction, an adaptive self‐regulatory strategy, and vagal suppression were assessed during a laboratory task designed to elicit frustration. Results indicated that children's vagal suppression moderated the association between mothers' nonsupportive emotion socialization and children's emotion regulation behaviors such that nonsupportive reactions to negative emotions predicted lower observed distraction and lower reported emotion regulation behaviors when children displayed lower levels of vagal suppression. No interaction was found between supportive maternal emotion socialization and vagal suppression for children's emotion regulation behaviors. Results suggest physiological regulation may serve as a buffer against nonsupportive emotion socialization. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals,Inc. Dev Psychobiol 54: 503–513, 2012.
Long‐term effects of differential early rearing in rhesus macaques: Behavioral reactivity in adulthood
Authors: Corcoran Christopher A. , Pierre Peter J. , Haddad Tyler , Bice Christina , Suomi Stephen J. , Grant Kathleen A. , Friedman David P. , Bennett Allyson J.
Published: November 2011

Adverse early experiences are associated with a range of deleterious health outcomes in humans, including higher risk for affective disorders. Studies using a long‐standing model of nonhuman primate model of early adversity have demonstrated that nursery‐reared (NR) monkeys exhibit alterations in multiple aspects of biobehavioral development; however, few studies have evaluated the persistence of socioaffective behavioral changes through adulthood. We evaluated the effects of early rearing experience on adult animals' response to a well‐validated assessment of anxiety‐like behavior, the human intruder paradigm (HIP). We tested 22 rhesus monkeys who were either nursery‐reared (NR) or reared with their mothers (mother‐reared; MR). NR monkeys were inhibited in their behavior compared to MR monkeys, with reduced locomotion and exploratory behaviors. NR animals showed a marginal increase in freezing. Together these findings demonstrate that the consequences of differential infant rearing experience on socioaffective behavior persist into adulthood, with evidence of greater inhibition in NR monkeys. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals,Inc. Dev Psychobiol 54: 546–555, 2012.
Role of TLR2 in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes and its therapeutic implication
Authors: Lee Myung‐Shik , Kim Do‐Hoon , Lee June‐Chul , Kim Sunshin , Kim Hun Sik
Published: November 2011

Recently, a couple of articles suggested the possibility that apoptosis of pancreatic β‐cells induces inflammatory/immune responses to β‐cells. Such a theory is based on the assumption that apoptotic cells can, under certain circumstances, induce immune responses, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, which is in contrast to the dogma that apoptotic cells result in immunosuppression and necrotic cells provoke inflammation/immunity. We observed that late apoptotic β‐cells with secondary necrosis elicited inflammatory responses in macrophages through the toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2)/MyD88/nuclear factor‐κB signalling pathway. Late apoptotic cells also induced TLR2‐dependent maturation of dendritic cells and then activation of autoreactive T‐cells. TLR2 knockout mice showed defective priming of diabetogenic T‐cells by apoptotic β‐cells in the pancreatic lymph nodes. Furthermore, TLR2 deficiency conferred a significant protection against type 1 diabetes (T1D) and insulitis in T1D animal models. These findings present evidence suggesting that apoptosis of pancreatic β‐cells could be one of the initial events in T1D and provide a novel strategy for therapeutic or preventive intervention in T1D. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interleukin‐6 treatment induces beta‐cell apoptosis via STAT‐3‐mediated nitric oxide production
Authors: Oh Yoon Sin , Lee Youn‐Jung , Park Eun Young , Jun Hee‐Sook
Published: November 2011

Background

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by progressive beta‐cell failure and apoptosis is probably the main form of beta‐cell death in this disease. It was reported that circulating levels of interleukin‐6 are elevated in type 2 diabetic patients, but whether this is involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is still debated. In this study, we examined whether interleukin‐6 can induce beta‐cell damage in vitro and elucidated its mechanisms.

Methods

To examine the effect of interleukin‐6 on beta cells, glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) method and cell apoptosis by propidium iodide and annexin‐V staining were measured in a rat beta‐cell line (INS‐1 or INS‐832/13) after treatment with interleukin‐6. The expression of apoptosis‐related molecules was measured using western blotting and nitric oxide (NO) production was measured using Griess assay. AG490 and N‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine were used to inhibit Janus kinase‐mediated signal transducers and activators of transcription signalling and NO production, respectively.

Results

Exposure (48 h) of INS‐1 cells to 20 ng/mL interleukin‐6 significantly decreased GSIS as well as cell viability. We found that sub‐G1/G0 population was increased as compared with untreated cells and expression of cleaved caspase‐3, cleaved poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase, phosphorylated p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase and phosphorylated nuclear factor‐κB was increased in interleukin‐6‐treated INS‐1 cells. Interleukin‐6 increased the amount of early apoptotic cells; this increase was blocked by AG490 or N‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine treatment. Moreover, NO production, which is known to induce apoptosis, was increased by interleukin‐6 treatment but abrogated in AG490‐treated cells.

Conclusion

Our results show that exposure to interleukin‐6 for 48 h can induce beta‐cell death, in part via signal transducers and activators of transcription‐3‐mediated NO production. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The combination of metallothionein and superoxide dismutase protects pancreatic β cells from oxidative damage
Authors: Park Leejin , Min Dongsoo , Kim Hyunok , Park Jinseu , Choi Sooyoung , Park Yongsoo
Published: November 2011

Background

Reactive oxygen species are considered an important cause of the death of pancreatic β cells, thereby triggering the development of type 2 diabetes as well as failure of islet transplantation. The biological properties of metallothionein (MT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) are likely to be related to their antioxidant and free‐radical scavenging abilities, but their access across biological membranes is limited.

Methods

We investigated whether Tat‐MT and Tat‐SOD fusion protein could be introduced into islets by a novel protein transduction technology and protect them from oxidative damage. We used 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Annexin V/propidium iodide assays to analyse cell viability, and assessed expression of apoptosis marker proteins by Western blotting. We examined the protective effect of Tat‐MT and Tat‐SOD on the development of diabetes and on graft failure after syngeneic islet transplantation into Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats and Imprinting Control Region (ICR) mice, respectively.

Results

Tat‐MT and Tat‐SOD were successfully delivered into the rat islets, and reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, glucolipotoxicity‐induced cell death, cytokine injury, and DNA fragmentation due to ischaemia‐reperfusion in pancreatic β cells were significantly reduced. In addition Tat‐MT and Tat‐SOD treatment protected OLETF rats from developing diabetes, and enhanced the survival of antioxidant‐treated islets transplanted into the renal capsules of diabetic mice.

Conclusions

Transduction of Tat‐MT and Tat‐SOD proteins offers a new strategy for protecting against the development of diabetes by relieving oxidative stress. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased expression of microRNA miR‐326 in type 1 diabetic patients with ongoing islet autoimmunity
Authors: Sebastiani Guido , Grieco Fabio Arturo , Spagnuolo Isabella , Galleri Letizia , Cataldo Dorica , Dotta Francesco
Published: November 2011

Background

The current paradigm that microRNAs represent a new layer of gene regulation has generated much interest in this field. MicroRNAs have emerged as important regulatory factors involved in the developmental processes and in the regulation of insulin secretion and signalling. Furthermore, recent studies revealed an altered microRNA profiling in lymphocytes of patients with autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, in which a hyperexpression of miR‐326 was reported. Here, we analysed the expression levels of miR‐326 in peripheral blood lymphocytes from type 1 diabetic (T1D) patients in relationship with ongoing islet autoimmunity.

Methods

Peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained from 19 T1D patients; 4/19 patients were positive for both glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and islet cell antigen 512 autoantibodies; 10/19 were single GAD or IA‐2 Ab positive and 5/19 were GAD antibodies and IA‐2 antibodies (IA‐2A) negative. Quantitative analysis of miR‐326 was performed using specific stem–loop primers followed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. All values were normalized to endogenous control U6.

Results

miR‐326 resulted increased in Ab‐positive versus Ab‐negative T1D subjects. Its expression levels were 2.05 ± 0.38‐fold increased in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients expressing both GADA and IA‐2A and 2.93 ± 0.46‐fold increased in single Ab‐positive versus Ab‐negative individuals (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have shown that miR‐326 is expressed at higher levels in T1D subjects with ongoing islet autoimmunity, similar to what has been observed in multiple sclerosis, in which levels of this microRNA were highly correlated with disease severity. Interestingly, an online search of miR‐326 predicted targets revealed vitamin D receptor and Erythroblastosis virus E26 oncogene homologue 1, two molecules highly involved in immune regulation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor along with HLA‐C ligand genes are associated with type 1 diabetes in Chinese Han population
Authors: Zhi Dijing , Sun Chengjun , Sedimbi Saikiran K. , Luo Feihong , Shen Shuixian , Sanjeevi Carani B.
Published: November 2011

Objective

Killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) genes and their putative ligands human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐C genes have been associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D). We hypothesize that KIR genes and their ligands HLA‐C genes are important in T1D aetiology.

Research design and methods

KIR and HLA‐C ligand genotyping was performed in 259 T1D patients and 262 healthy children.

Results

No significant difference was observed in the distribution of KIR genes between T1D patients and healthy controls. However, frequency of HLA‐C1 gene and HLA‐C2 gene (marginal association) was higher in patient group. The combinations 2DL2 − /HLA‐C1+; 2DL3 + /HLA‐C1+; 2DS2 − /HLAC1+ were positively associated with T1D. The combinations 2DL1 + /HLA‐C2−; 2DL2 − /HLA‐C1−; 2DL3 + /HLA‐C1−; 2DS2 − /HLAC1− were found to be negatively associated with T1D. Among the genes we tested, a combination of HLA‐C1 and ‐C2 conferred the strongest association with T1D and the strength of this association was higher than that of HLA‐C1 alone. The frequencies of KIR 2DL1, 2DL2 and 2DL3 and HLA‐C1 were higher in T1D patients positive for GAD65 autoantibody; frequency of KIR 2DS4 is higher in T1D patients positive for IA‐2 autoantibody. The association between KIR/HLA‐C gene and autoantibody status was not statistically significant after applying Bonferroni correction.

Conclusion

In our study of a Han population (East China), we found no direct association of KIR genes with T1D. However, a combination of HLA‐C1 and ‐C2 showed a positive association with T1D. Different combinations of HLA‐C and KIR showed positive and negative association with T1D. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An improved method for growing and analysing human antigen‐specific CD4+ T‐cell clones
Authors: Ciantar Joseph P. , Mannering Stuart I.
Published: November 2011

Background

T‐cell clones are valuable tools for investigating T‐cell specificity in type 1 diabetes. Efficient methods for isolating T‐cell clones have been developed, but growing enough cells to undertake a detailed analysis remains a challenge.

Methods

We optimized the conditions for isolating and growing antigen‐specific human CD4+ effector T‐cell clones. T‐cell clones were isolated by FACS sorting antigen‐responsive cells identified by carboxylfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) dilution. The cloning efficiency was compared between T cells cloned in the presence of 21 different combinations of cytokines. Following cloning, the growth of cloned T cells in the presence of seven different combinations of cytokines was compared. Finally, we sought a quicker and more sensitive assay to measure cloned T cells' responses to antigen.

Results

IL‐2 + IL‐4 were optimal for cloning antigen‐specific CD4+ T cells. Following cloning, the most antigen‐specific CD4+ T‐cell clones grew in the presence of IL‐15 + IL‐21. Antigen recognition by T cells cloned and grown under these conditions was readily detected by the increase in the expression of CD25. Induction of CD25 was a more sensitive measure of antigen recognition than 3H‐thymidine incorporation assays. These findings were confirmed with two proinsulin‐specific CD4+ T‐cell clones isolated from an individual with type 1 diabetes.

Conclusion

The optimal cytokines for isolating, and growing, proinsulin‐specific human, CD4+ T‐cell clones are IL‐2 + IL‐4 and IL‐15 + IL‐21, respectively. Antigen recognition, by clones isolated and grown under these conditions is best detected by the induction of CD25. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preservation of recall immunity in anti‐CD3‐treated recent onset type 1 diabetes patients
Authors: Alkemade Gonnie M. , Hilbrands Robert , Vandemeulebroucke Evy , Pipeleers Daniel , Waldmann Herman , Mathieu Chantal , Keymeulen Bart , Roep Bart O.
Published: November 2011

Background

The safety of any immune modulating agent in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) involves its selectivity on autoimmunity and its preservation of recall and tumour immunity.

Methods

We performed lymphocyte proliferation tests on seven recent onset diabetic patients treated with anti‐CD3 (Otelixizumab; ChAglyCD3) and five recent onset diabetic patients treated with placebo, on average 2 years after therapy.

Results

Proliferative responses towards common viral, bacterial and yeast antigens upon in vitro stimulation with a range of recall antigens in anti‐CD3‐treated T1DM patients were highly similar to those in placebo‐treated T1DM patients. Similarly, T‐cell responses towards autoantigens were equally low between the two groups, several years after diagnosis of T1DM. The proliferative response upon stimulation with the human suppressor protein p53 was invariably high in both anti‐CD3‐ and placebo‐treated patients, implying preserved anti‐tumour immunity in anti‐CD3 treatment.

Conclusions

As long‐term focus on side effects is key, we demonstrate in this sub‐cohort of recent onset T1DM patients treated with Otelixizumab that recall immunity is preserved in spite of high‐dose anti‐CD3 treatment, adding to the safety of anti‐CD3 treatment as an immune‐modulatory agent in the treatment of T1DM. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of vitamin D supplementation on peripheral regulatory T cells and β cell function in healthy humans: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bock Gerlies , Prietl Barbara , Mader Julia K. , Höller Evelyne , Wolf Michael , Pilz Stefan , Graninger Winfried B. , Obermayer‐Pietsch Barbara M. , Pieber Thomas R.
Published: November 2011

Background

Increasing evidence supports the role of vitamin D (vitD) in modifying the risk to develop type 1 diabetes (T1D) and other autoimmune diseases. VitD3 might stimulate regulatory T cells (Tregs), a central player in the maintenance of self‐tolerance. In addition, direct effects of vitD on β‐cell function are postulated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of a high dose vitD supplementation on Tregs frequency (%Tregs) and β‐cell function assessed by a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT) in healthy humans.

Methods

A double‐blind, placebo controlled trial was performed in 59 healthy adult subjects (49% females). Subjects received oral vitD3 (140 000 IU monthly) or placebo for 3 months. %Tregs within 20 000 CD4+ T cells of peripheral blood was determined by multi‐parametric FACS‐analysis. A liquid MMTT was carried out before and after treatment.

Results

%Tregs increased significantly in the vitD group, but remained unchanged in the placebo group. Fasting C‐peptide concentrations did not change significantly in either group. Similarly, the mean AUC for C‐peptide after 3 months and the change in mean values from baseline to the end of the treatment were comparable in both groups.

Conclusions

A short time high dose vitD3 supplementation significantly increased the frequency of Tregs, but did not further improve β‐cell function in apparently healthy subjects. The immunomodulatory potential of vitD might be an important mechanistic link for the association of vitD and T1D. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental manipulation shows that the white wing patch in collared flycatchers is a male sexual ornament
Authors: de Heij Maaike E. , Gustafsson Lars , Brommer Jon E.
Published: November 2011

Descriptive analysis suggests that a conspicuous white wing patch in dichromatic (black and white) pied and collared flycatchers is under sexual selection. Here, we use an experimental approach to test whether this trait is indeed the target of selection. We caught 100 collared flycatcher Ficedula albicollis males soon after their arrival on the breeding site. We reduced (blackened) part of the white wing patch in half of these males and recorded their mating success and within and extra‐pair offspring production. Reduction of the size of the white wing patch lowered a male's probability to attract a secondary social female, but not a primary female. However, primary females paired to males with a reduced wing patch were smaller (in tarsus), suggesting that male choice of partner or female–female competition over mates occurs in this species. The probability of pairing with a primary female (but not other components of male reproductive success) declined with arrival time (proxied by the date of capture). Males with a reduced wing patch size tended to sire less extra‐pair offspring, although this relationship was reversed in one of the three study plots, suggesting that mating dynamics are context dependent. While our findings show that wing patch size is the target of sexual selection, the pathways and the strength of selection on this ornament differed markedly from a previous descriptive study. Nonexperimental studies of sexual selection in the wild may overestimate its importance because male fitness and ornamentation both depend positively on environmental conditions.
Digital compensation of transmitter leakage in FDD zero‐IF receivers
Authors: Frotzscher A. , Fettweis G.
Published: November 2011

Transmitter leakage (TxL) has a significant impact on the performance of frequency division duplex devices using zero‐IF receivers and thus requires a suitable compensation. In contrast to analog approaches, digital TxL compensation approaches can easily be reconfigured and therefore are highly attractive for multiband mobile devices. In this contribution, we present a system model, describing the TxL impact on the received digital baseband signal. Furthermore, we show analytically that TxL causes an additional, irreversible signal‐to‐noise loss due to the quantisation in the analog‐to‐digital converter, which limits the applicability of a digital TxL compensation. However, this signal‐to‐noise ratio loss remains negligibly small as long as the TxL interference does not exceed significantly the desired received signal. For TxL to be compensated digitally, the TxL channel needs be estimated. In this work, we present two TxL channel estimation approaches suitable for frequency flat and frequency selective channels. It is shown that the usage of these approaches mitigates effectively the TxL impact on the system performance. Thus, the system designer can allow much stronger TxL, which significantly relaxes the requirements on the transmitter–receiver isolation of the duplexer and the linearity of the analog receiver frontend. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study of fire performance of textile membranes used as building components
Authors: Blomqvist Per , Andersson Petra
Published: November 2011

The advantages of textile materials as building components include low weight, and in the case of textile membranes, the advantages include translucency and architectural possibilities. A common disadvantage, however, is the fire property of textile materials, which highlights the importance of fire safety assessments for building application of such materials. The work presented in this paper was conducted within the European project contex‐T, ‘Textile Architecture – Textile Structures and Buildings of the Future’.

This paper presents the results of reaction‐to‐fire tests required for European Standard (EN) 13501–1 classification conducted with a number of textile membranes. The classification results are compared for a selection of these membranes with the information gained from a large‐scale reference test that was designed within the project. The reference test was based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9705 room test. It was seen that the reference test could separate the performance of the different types of membranes investigated and the repeatability of duplicate tests performed was acceptable. However, the classification of the materials by test results from the Single Burning Item (SBI) test (EN 13823) and the small flame test (EN ISO 11925–2) did not reflect the performance of the membranes in the large‐scale test properly in all aspects important for fire safety. Most significantly, the ‘burn‐through’ and the associated opening of a hole in the polyvinyl chloride/polyester membranes tested ventilated the hot smoke gases out of the reference room that resulted in limited flame spread and heat production. This mechanism is not modelled correctly by the SBI test, which leads to a discrepancy between classification and large‐scale behaviour. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous effects of induced magnetic field and heat and mass transfer on the peristaltic motion of second‐order fluid in a channel
Authors: Mekheimer K. S. , Saleem N. , Hayat T. , Hendi A. A.
Published: November 2011

In this article, we investigate the influence of heat and mass transfer on the peristaltic flow of magnetohydrodynamic second‐order fluid in a channel when the induced magnetic field effects are present. Problem formulation in a wave frame of reference is presented. The governing nonlinear analysis is carried out under the assumption of small wave number. Explicit expressions of the pressure gradient, the stream function, the magnetic force function, the axial induced magnetic field, the current density distribution, the temperature, and the concentration distribution are derived. The effects of embedded parameters are also examined. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementation of ADER scheme for a bore on an unsaturated permeable slope
Authors: Steenhauer K. , Pokrajac D. , O'Donoghue T.
Published: November 2011

The paper details the implementation of the Godunov‐type finite volume Arbitrary high order schemes using Derivatives (ADER) scheme for the case of a large source term in the continuity equation of the nonlinear shallow water equations. The particular application is the movement of a bore on a highly permeable slope. The large source term is caused by the infiltration into the initially unsaturated slope material. Infiltration is modelled as vertical downwards piston‐like flow with Forchheimer quadratic parameterisation of the resistance law. The corresponding ODE is solved using the fourth‐order Runge–Kutta method. The surface and subsurface flow models have been tested by comparison with analytical solutions. Example predictions of surface bore propagation and wetting front propagation are presented for a range of slope permeabilities. The effects of permeability on bore run‐up, water depths and velocities are illustrated. The ADER scheme is capable of handling the source term, including the extreme case when this term dominates the volume balance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nowcasting Business Cycles Using Toll Data
Authors: Askitas Nikolaos , Zimmermann Klaus F.
Published: November 2011

Nowcasting has been a challenge in the recent economic crisis. We introduce the Toll Index, a new monthly indicator for business cycle forecasting, and demonstrate its relevance using German data. The index measures the monthly transportation activity performed by heavy transport vehicles across the country and has highly desirable availability properties (insignificant revisions, short publication lags) as a result of the innovative technology underlying its data collection. It is coincident with production activity due to the prevalence of just‐in‐time delivery. The Toll Index is a good early indicator of production as measured, for instance, by the German Production Index, provided by the German Statistical Office, which is a well‐known leading indicator of the gross national product. The proposed new index is an excellent example of technological, innovation‐driven economic telemetry, which we suggest should be established more around the world. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GFAP‐independent inflammatory competence and trophic functions of astrocytes generated from murine embryonic stem cells
Authors: Kuegler Philipp B. , Baumann Bettina A. , Zimmer Bastian , Keller Sascha , Marx Andreas , Kadereit Suzanne , Leist Marcel
Published: November 2011

The directed generation of pure astrocyte cultures from pluripotent stem cells has proven difficult. Generation of defined pluripotent‐stem‐cell derived astrocytes would allow new approaches to the investigation of plasticity and heterogeneity of astrocytes. We here describe a two‐step differentiation scheme resulting in the generation of murine embryonic stem cell (mESC) derived astrocytes (MEDA), as characterized by the upregulation of 19 astrocyte‐associated mRNAs, and positive staining of most cells for GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein), aquaporin‐4 or glutamine synthetase. The MEDA cultures could be cryopreserved, and they neither contained neuronal, nor microglial cells. They also did not react to the microglial stimulus lipopolysaccharide, while inflammatory activation by a complete cytokine mix (CCM) or its individual components (TNF‐α, IL1‐β, IFN‐γ) was readily observed. MEDA, stimulated by CCM, became susceptible to CD95 ligand‐induced apoptosis and produced NO and IL‐6. This was preceded by NF‐kB activation, and up‐regulation of relevant mRNAs. Also GFAP‐negative astrocytes were fully inflammation‐competent. Neurotrophic support by MEDA was found to be independent of GFAP expression. In summary, we described here the generation and functional characterization of microglia‐free murine astrocytes, displaying phenotypic heterogeneity as is commonly observed in brain astrocytes. © 2011 WiWiley Periodicals, Inc.
Personalities of adults with traumatic childhood separations
Authors: Malone Johanna C. , Westen Drew , Levendosky Alytia A.
Published: November 2011

Objectives: This study examined personality characteristics and identified personality subtypes of adults with childhood histories of traumatic separations from a parent. Previous work from attachment theory and developmental psychopathology suggests that distinct developmental trajectories might lead to different styles of personality adaptation after an attachment disruption. Design: Randomly selected psychologists and psychiatrists provided data on 203 adults with histories of traumatic separations using a personality pathology instrument designed for use by clinically experienced observers, the Shedler‐Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP‐II). Results: Using a Q‐factor analysis, 5 distinct personality subtypes were identified: internalizing/avoidant, psychopathic, emotionally dysregulated, hostile/paranoid, and resilient. Initial support for the validity of the subtypes was established, based on Axis I and Axis II pathology, adaptive functioning, developmental history, and family history variables. Conclusions: Both therapeutic interventions and case formulation might be strengthened by considering an individual's personality features and match to one of the identified subtypes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 67:1–24, 2011.
Three‐dimensional repositioning tasks show differences in joint position sense between active and passive shoulder motion
Authors: Erickson R. I. Carl , Karduna Andrew R.
Published: November 2011

Proprioception is important in maintaining shoulder joint stability. Previous studies investigated the effects of unconstrained multiplanar motion, with subjects able to move freely in space, on repositioning tasks for active shoulder motion but not passive motion. We sought to further explore joint position sense with 3D passive, robot‐guided motions. We hypothesized that target repositioning error would be greater in the case of passively placed targets than for actively placed targets. To investigate, 15 healthy individuals participated (8 female, 7 male), who were at most 6 ft (183 cm) tall to accommodate the equipment, and who had no history of shoulder injury, surgery, or significant participation in throwing sports. Target orientations were centered at 44° of elevation and 32° of horizontal rotation from the frontal plane. Two sets of 10 trials were performed. The first set involved active placement followed by active replacement, and the second set involved passive, robot‐guided, placement followed by active replacement. Repositioning error was greater following passive placement than active placement (p < 0.001). These results further our understanding of the differences between active and passive joint position sense at the shoulder. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:787–792, 2012
Effect of partial meniscectomy at the medial posterior horn on tibiofemoral contact mechanics and meniscal hoop strains in human knees
Authors: Seitz Andreas Martin , Lubomierski Anja , Friemert Benedikt , Ignatius Anita , Dürselen Lutz
Published: November 2011

We examined the influence of partial meniscectomy of 10 mm width on 10 human cadaveric knee joints, as it is performed during the treatment of radial tears in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, on maximum contact pressure, contact area (CA), and meniscal hoop strain in the lateral and medial knee compartments. In case of 0° and 30° flexion angle, 20% and 50% partial meniscectomy did not influence maximum contact pressure and area. Only in case of 60° knee flexion, 50% partial resection increased medial maximum contact pressure and decreased the medial CA statistically significant. However, 100% partial resection increased maximum contact pressure and decreased CA significantly in the meniscectomized medial knee compartment in all tested knee positions. No significant differences were noted for meniscal hoop strain. From a biomechanical point of view, our in vitro study suggests that the medial joint compartment is not in danger of accelerated cartilage degeneration up to a resection limit of 20% meniscal depth and 10 mm width. Contact mechanics are likely to be more sensitive to partial meniscectomy at higher flexion angles, which has to be further investigated. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:934–942, 2012
Simplified equations for the determination of the hydraulic properties of horticultural substrates by one‐step outflow experiments
Authors: Valiantzas John D. , Londra Paraskevi A.
Published: November 2011

Simplified algebraic equations are derived to calculate directly the Brooks and Corey model parameters using data obtained from one‐step outflow experiments and saturated hydraulic conductivity. The suggested method has been demonstrated only for horticultural substrates and is verified experimentally for four substrates with satisfactory agreement of the results.
Processing and characterization of braided NiTi microstents for medical applications
Authors: Frotscher M. , Schreiber F. , Neelakantan L. , Gries T. , Eggeler G.
Published: November 2011

In the present exploratory study we investigate the processing of NiTi microstents, which were produced by braiding. We give a short description of the braiding of microstents using 0.1 mm pseudoelastic NiTi wires. We compare our braided microstents with microstents which were produced, using the traditional tube making and laser cutting technology. We outline why braiding may avoid some of the inherent problems related with the traditional procedure and highlight its cost effectiveness. We report on the thermal, chemical and mechanical properties of braided microstents. Most importantly, we provide information on the elementary damage processes which characterize displacement controlled fatigue loading up to 30·106 cycles. The results presented in this work provide information on a research field, which links the engineering manufacturing field braiding (as a potential new processing technology for NiTi stents) with state‐of‐the‐art materials science techniques for the characterization of pseudoelastic NiTi shape memory alloys.
Improving long term oxidation protection for γ‐TiAl substrates
Authors: Bobzin K. , Schläfer T. , Warda T. , Brühl M. , Linke T. F.
Published: November 2011

In previous work, a thermal spray multilayer system consisting of Zirconia (ZrO2) and MCrAlY top coat showed promising results regarding the oxidation behavior of the Gamma Titanium Aluminides substrates tested, which encouraged further research activities. Diffusion of substrate material was successfully inhibited by a ceramic Zirconia coating. A building up of a dense and stable oxide layer could be achieved by additional application of an MCrAlY top coat, leading to improved oxidation resistance and thus showing feasibility. In this work the main focus for development was put on enhancing adhesion and lowering residual stresses of the coatings in order to allow long term and cyclic testing without delamination taking place. Being a very brittle material, Gamma Titanium Aluminides require special surface treatment to enable roughening which is crucial for a strong mechanical bond between substrate and coating. Alternatives to conventional grit blasting as a standard preparation method were investigated. These were micro‐abrasive blasting and blasting at elevated temperature (≈300–550°C) to allow a more ductile behavior. The paper will highlight the implications by means of these measures and will also show the present development status of the multilayer system.
PVD coated rolling bearings under dry running conditions
Authors: Jacobs G. , Rombach V. , Plogmann M. , van Lier H. , Bobzin K. , Bagcivan N. , Theiß S. , Weiß R.
Published: November 2011

Beim Betrieb eines Wälzlagers unter extremen Umgebungs‐ und Betriebsbedingungen wie z.B. im Vakuum, bei hohen Temperaturen oder in der Lebensmittelbranche ist die Verwendung von Schmierstoffen unerwünscht oder nicht möglich. Durch den ungeschmierten Betrieb ergeben sich hohe tribologische Beanspruchungen für die einzelnen Komponenten eines Wälzlagers. Um eine annehmbare Gebrauchsdauer unter diesen Bedingungen zu erreichen, sind alternative Werkstofflösungen erforderlich. Eine mögliche Lösung besteht in der Nutzung von PVD‐Beschichtungstechnologien. Die Eigenschaften PVD‐beschichteter Hybrid‐Wälzlager im Trockenlauf wurden durch Versuche mit unterschiedlichen Belastungskollektiven untersucht und analysiert. Anhand der Ergebnisse konnten das Potenzial der PVD‐Beschichtungen in Bezug auf eine Verschleiß‐ und Reibungsreduzierung im ungeschmierten Lager aufgezeigt und dominierende Schadensmechanismen herausgestellt werden.
Effect of heat treatment on the hardness of micro deep drawn cups of Al‐2Sc
Authors: von Bargen R. , Hu Z. , Zoch H.‐W. , Vollertsen F.
Published: November 2011

Continuous miniaturisation of products e. g. for the automotive or the microelectronic sector necessitates process chains, which allow the manufacturing of microscopically small components in high quantities. The development of required processes and technologies is the aim of the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 747 “Micro Cold Forming” of the German Research Foundation. Besides micro cold forming another necessary step in the manufacturing process chain is the heat treatment process that enables the adjustment of materials properties being suitable for cold forming. Finally the application properties also have to be adjusted e. g. by precipitation hardening of aluminium alloys to increase the strength above the strain hardened level. Within the CRC an advanced Al‐Sc alloy with 2 mass‐% Scandium was developed to achieve particular properties. According to the very high Sc content dissolved a greater number of fine and homogeneously distributed precipitates causing a significant strengthening effect will be formed during artificial ageing. To meet the requirements of a high production rate the ageing of the micro deep drawn cups (1 mm in diameter) was performed in very short time in a drop‐down tube furnace. Before and after ageing the cups were characterised by ultra micro hardness measurements.
Synthesis, spectral and conformational studies of some N‐arylsulfonyl‐t(3)‐isopropyl‐r(2),c(6)‐diarylpiperidin‐4‐ones
Authors: Manimekalai A. , Sivakumar S.
Published: November 2011

A series of N‐arylsulfonyl‐t(3)‐isopropyl‐r(2),c(6)‐diarylpiperidin‐4‐ones 1–8 were synthesized and characterized unambiguously by 1H, 13C NMR, 2D‐COSY and HSQC NMR spectroscopy. The conformational preferences of 1–8 have been discussed on the basis of the coupling constants, and they suggest normal chair conformation with equatorial orientations of all the substituents in 1–8. The preferred conformation of aryl sulfonyl group at nitrogen and isopropyl group at C–3 was determined theoretically using density functional calculations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevention of Retained Surgical Items
Authors: Feldman David L.
Published: November 2011

Reduction in retained surgical items is an important part of any operating room patient‐safety effort. Any item used in an operation can result in a retained surgical item, but sponges are the most frequent and the abdomen is the most common location. Retained sponges can cause significant morbidity, and the costs associated with both prevention and treatment of retained surgical items, including legal costs, can be considerable. This review will examine counting, teamwork, radiography, and new technology as methods used to prevent retained surgical items. Even though none of these techniques individually is likely to completely prevent retained surgical items, when used together the numbers can be reduced. Mt Sinai J Med 78:865–871, 2011. © 2011 Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Nonlinear Tamm states in layered metal–dielectric metamaterials
Authors: Iorsh Ivan , Shadrivov Ilya V. , Belov Pavel A. , Kivshar Yuri S.
Published: November 2011

We study nonlinear surface modes at the edge of metal–dielectric nanostructured metamaterial with a nonlinear surface layer. We demonstrate that such semi‐infinite structures can support transverse electric (TE) polarized surface states with subwavelength localization near the surface, an optical analogue of the Tamm states, even in the cases when the surface modes do not exist in the linear regime. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Estimating lean mass over a wide range of body composition: a calibration of deuterium dilution in the arctic ground squirrel
Authors: Lee Trixie N. , Fridinger Robert W. , Barnes Brian M. , Loren Buck C. , O'Brien Diane M.
Published: November 2011

Calculating body water through isotope dilution has become a useful way to nondestructively estimate body composition in many species. The most accurate estimates using this method require calibration against proximate chemical analysis of body composition for individual species, but no studies to our knowledge have calibrated this method on a hibernating mammal that seasonally undergoes dramatic changes in body composition. We use deuterium oxide to estimate total body water in captive arctic ground squirrels,Urocitellus parryii, and compare two approaches of calculating lean mass from total body water, both calibrated against lean mass based on proximate analysis. The first method uses a single tissue hydration constant to calculate lean mass from total body water; the second method uses a predictive equation to calculate lean mass from total body water and body mass. We found that the predictive equation performs better over the large range of body composition common to this species. Distillation of blood samples did not affect lean mass estimates from either calculation method. These findings indicate that isotope dilution using a predictive equation should work well as an alternative to destructive methods in other small mammals that undergo radical changes in body composition across their annual cycle. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mammalian DNA δ15N exhibits 40‰ intramolecular variation and is unresponsive to dietary protein level
Authors: Strable Maggie S. , Tschanz Carolyn L. , Varamini Behzad , Chikaraishi Yoshito , Ohkouchi Naohiko , Brenna J. Thomas
Published: November 2011

We report the first high‐precision characterization of molecular and intramolecular δ15N of nucleosides derived from mammalian DNA. The influence of dietary protein level on brain amino acids and deoxyribonucleosides was determined to investigate whether high protein turnover would alter amino acid 15 N or 13 C values. Pregnant guinea pig dams were fed control diets, or high or low levels of dietary protein throughout gestation, and all pups were fed control diets. The cerebellar DNA of offspring was extracted at 2 and 120 days of life, nucleosides isolated and δ15N and δ13C values characterized. Mean diet δ15N was 0.45 ± 0.33‰, compared with cerebellar whole tissue and DNA δ15N = +4.1 ± 0.7‰ and −4.5 ± 0.4‰, respectively. Cerebellar deoxythymidine (dT), deoxycytidine (dC), deoxyadenosine (dA), and deoxyguanosine (dG) δ15N were +1.4 ± 0.4, –2.1 ± 0.9, –7.2 ± 0.3, and −10.4 ± 0.5‰, respectively. There were no changes in amino acid or deoxyribonucleoside δ15N values due to dietary protein level. Using known metabolic relationships, we developed equations to calculate the intramolecular δ15N values originating from aspartate (asp) in purines (pur) or pyrimidines (pyr), glutamine (glu), and glycine (gly) to be δ15NASP‐PUR, δ15NASP‐PYR, δ15NGLN, and δ15NGLY +11.9 ± 2.3‰, +7.0 ± 2.0‰, –9.1 ± 2.4‰, and −31.8 ± 8.9‰, respectively. A subset of twelve amino acids from food and brain had mean δ15N values of 4.3 ± 3.2‰ and 13.8 ± 3.1‰, respectively, and δ15N values for gly and asp were 12.6 ± 2.2‰ and 15.2 ± 0.8‰, respectively. A separate isotope tracer study detected no significant turnover of cerebellar DNA in the first six months of life. The large negative δ15N difference between gly and cerebellar purine N at the gly (7) position implies either that there is a major isotope effect during DNA synthesis, or that in utero gly has a different isotope ratio during rapid growth and metabolism from that in adult life. Our data show that cerebellar nucleoside intramolecular δ15N values vary over more than 40‰ and are not influenced by dietary protein level or age. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐Assembly of Graphenelike ZnO Superstructured Nanosheets and Their Application in Hybrid Photoconductors
Authors: Yan Han , Yu Zai , Lu Kun , Zhang Yajie , Wei Zhixiang
Published: November 2011

Photoconductors require high charge‐carrier mobilities, sensitivity over a wide range of light levels, and good stability. Combining an organic semiconductor with environmentally benign inorganic nanoparticles is a rational means to develop photoconductors with such properties. However, an inhomogeneous distribution of nanoparticles in the active layer restricts both charge‐carrier mobility and charge collection at an electrode. In this paper, ultrathin ZnO superstructured nanosheets are successfully synthesized by a solvothermal method. Time‐dependent investigations show that the superstructured nanosheets assemble in solution during the growth process. Given that high‐quality ZnO nanosheets are obtained, a hybrid photoconductor device with P3HT is fabricated and investigated. Sensitivity above 200% under simulated sunlight is obtained with good air stability. This study demonstrates a general approach to design photoconductors using hybrid nanomaterials.
Bridging the Gap with an Ileocolonic Graft after Extensive Colorectal Resections
Authors: Dauser B. , Riss S. , Stopfer J. , Herbst F.
Published: November 2011

Background

Ileocecal interposition (ICI) for first‐line reconstruction after low anterior colorectal resection was introduced by von Flüe and Harder in 1994 (Dis Colon Rectum 37:1160–1162, 1994). We report our experience using this technique to bridge colonic gaps after significant loss of bowel length.

Patients and methods

Between 1999 and 2009 the left‐sided colon was too short for traditional isoperistaltic reconstruction in six patients treated in our hospital. Reasons for extensive bowel loss were a deficient (n = 3) or torn (n = 1) marginal artery with ischemia or repeat colorectal resections (n = 2). An ICI was done to bridge the gap and enable restoration of intestinal continuity.

Results

No patient died. Whenever performing a coloanal anastomosis (4/6) a loop ileostomy was raised. One patient with colonic diversion experienced graft‐related complications: ischemic colitis of the interposed colonic segment, anastomotic stenosis, and a presacral sinus were observed and managed nonoperatively. Subsequent closure of the stoma was possible in all cases. A median Vaizey incontinence score of 9 (range: 4–14) was recorded in the patient with coloanal anastomosis. The average number of bowel movements per day was 1.5 (range: 0.5–6).

Conclusions

When the descending colon does not reach the rectal stump or anal canal in reoperative cases or after vascular complication, ICI is a useful salvage procedure resulting in good bowel function.