bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Androgen depletion augments antibacterial prostate host defences in rats
Authors: Quintar A. A. , Leimgruber C. , Pessah O. A. , Doll A. , Maldonado C. A.
Published: June 2012

The defence of the male reproductive tract against microorganisms is critical for fertilization. The prostate gland has been reported to express several molecules of the innate immune system. However, little information is available about how androgens may modulate host defences within the prostate. We therefore aimed to examine in the rat the expression of the TLR4 system, which is strongly involved in pathogen recognition, and the secretion of the antibacterial substances rBD‐1 and SP‐D after androgen withdrawal. Immunoblotting and immunocytochemical analysis revealed a time‐dependent increase in these molecules after orchiectomy, with epithelial and stromal cells being an important source of prostatic host defence proteins. In view of this, we evaluated the potential improvement in antibacterial ability of the prostatic fluid from orchiectomized animals ex vivo. Only samples from rats at 5 days post‐orchiectomy showed a slight inhibition ofEscherichia coligrowth. Finally,E. coliwas inoculated into the ventral prostate of orchiectomized or control rats, with bacterial growth being counted at 5 days after infection. Animals with androgen depletion presented a lower bacterial count, and showed few histological signs of prostatic inflammation compared with controls. In vitro studies confirmed that isolated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated prostatic cells in the absence of testosterone increased SP‐D. Moreover, media from these cells showed a higher antimicrobial activity than supernatants from testosterone‐ and LPS‐treated cells. Our findings indicate that testosterone maintains a reduced expression of key elements for innate immunity and diminishes the antibacterial ability of the rat prostate. These data may represent an important mechanism underlying the immunosuppressive activity of testosterone in the gland. However, this immunosuppressive function of androgens is understandable as a means of avoiding uncontrolled immune responses against the haploid male gamete in the reproductive tract.
A randomised, controlled clinical trial comparing chlorhexidine gel and low‐dose fluoride toothpaste to prevent early childhood caries
Authors: PUKALLUS MARGARET L. , PLONKA KATHRYN A. , BARNETT ADRIAN G. , WALSH LAURENCE J. , HOLCOMBE TREVOR F. , SEOW W. KIM
Published: June 2012

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013; 23: 216–224

Objectives.  This randomised, controlled trial compared the effectiveness of 0.12% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel and 304% fluoride toothpaste to prevent early childhood caries (ECC) in a birth cohort by 24 months.

Methods.  The participants were randomised to receive either (i) twice daily toothbrushing with toothpaste and once daily 0.12% CHX gel (n = 110) or (ii) twice daily toothbrushing with toothpaste only (study controls) (n = 89). The primary outcome measured was caries incidence and the secondary outcome was percentage of children with mutans streptococci (MS). All mothers were contacted by telephone at 6, 12, and 18 months. At 24 months, all children were examined at a community dental clinic.

Results.  At 24 months, the caries prevalence was 5% (3/61) in the CHX and 7% (4/58) in the controls (P = 0.7). There were no differences in percentages of MS‐positive children between the CHX and control groups (54%vs 53%). Only 20% applied the CHX gel once daily and 80% less than once daily.

Conclusions.  Toothbrushing using 304% fluoride toothpaste with or without the application of chlorhexidine gel (0.12%) reduces ECC from 23% found in the general community to 5–7%. The lack of effect with chlorhexidine is likely to be due to low compliance.
Evaluation of a family nursing intervention for distressed pregnant women and their partners: a single group before and after study
Authors: Thome Marga , Arnardottir Stefanía B.
Published: June 2012

Thome M. & Arnardottir S.B. (2013) Evaluation of a family nursing intervention for distressed pregnant women and their partners: a single group before and after study. Journal of Advanced Nursing 69(4), 805–816. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.06063.x

Aim.  To report a study of the effects of an antenatal family nursing intervention for emotionally distressed women and their partners.

Background.  High levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety are common in pregnant women, and their partners are likely to suffer from a higher degree of these symptoms than those of non‐distressed women. Maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms influence the development of the foetus and child negatively. Distress‐reducing interventions for couples are scarce.

Design.  The design was a pre‐ and post‐test single group quasi‐experiment.

Methods.  All women distressed during the last two trimesters of pregnancy were referred by midwives to a family nursing home‐visiting service in a primary care setting in Iceland. They were invited to participate in the study from November 2007–September 2009. The final sample was 39 couples. Assessment of distress was through self‐reporting of depressive symptoms and anxiety, self‐esteem, and dyadic adjustment. The couple received four home visits that were guided by the Calgary Family Nursing Model.

Results.  Women experienced a higher degree of distress than men before the intervention. Couple’s distress was interrelated, and improvement was significant on all indicators after the intervention.

Conclusion.  Healthcare professionals who care for distressed expectant women should attend to their partners’ mental health status. The Calgary Family Nursing Model is an appropriate guide for nursing care of distressed prospective couples in a primary care setting.
Apelin and Vasopressin: Two Work Better than One
Authors: Llorens‐Cortes Catherine , Moos Francoise
Published: June 2012

Water retention in the kidney is known to be an active phenomenon, controlled by a neuropeptide: vasopressin. Water excretion was assumed to be a passive phenomenon, as a result of vasopressin release blockade. This simplistic view is incorrect because water excretion is also controlled by a diuretic neuropeptide, apelin, produced not only by several peripheral tissues, but also by hypothalamic neurones, in particular the vasopressin ones projecting to the posterior pituitary.
Inhibition of sensory afferents activation and visceral pain by a brominated algal diterpene
Authors: Chatter R. , Cenac N. , Roussis V. , Kharrat R. , Vergnolle N.
Published: June 2012

Background  In the search of new therapeutic options for the treatment of pain, isolation, and testing of secondary metabolites from plant extracts has raised significant attention. We have investigated the effects of the brominated diterpene O1115‐ cyclo‐14‐bromo‐14,15‐dihydrorogiol‐3,11‐diol (that we have named VLC5), extracted from the Mediterranean red algae Laurencia glandulifera.

Methods  The pure extract was tested on primary afferent calcium signals induced by high concentration of KCl, transcient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV)1 (capsaicin) or TRPV4 agonists, histamine, or protease‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR2) agonist. It was also tested in mice in a model of mustard oil‐induced colonic hypersensitivity.

Key Results  VLC5 was inhibited PAR2 agonist or histamine‐induced calcium mobilization in mouse primary afferents, but did not modify calcium signals induced by high concentrations of KCl, TRPV1 or TRPV4 agonists. The effect of VLC5 on histamine‐induced calcium signal in primary afferent was inhibited by pertussis toxin pretreatment and was dependent on the activation of mu‐ or kappa‐opioid receptor agonists, as it was inhibited by selective antagonists of those two receptors, but not by selective antagonist of the delta‐opioid receptor. Intraperitoneal treatment of mice with VLC5 (10 mg kg−1) significantly reduced visceral pain behaviors induced by the intracolonic administration of mustard oil, in an opioid receptor‐dependent manner.

Conclusions & Inferences  We have demonstrated significant analgesic properties for the algal metabolite VLC5, which is able to signal directly to primary afferents, through a mechanism dependent on the activation of opioid receptors. This identifies a new natural compound capable of activating peripheral opioidergic systems, exerting analgesic properties.
Imatinib mesylate alleviates diarrhea in a mouse model of intestinal allergy
Authors: Vaali K. , Lappalainen J. , Lin A. H. , Mäyränpää M. I. , Kovanen P. T , Berstad A. , Eklund K. K.
Published: June 2012

Background  When sensitized epicutaneously and challenged orally with ovalbumin, Balb/c mice develop allergen‐induced diarrhea. As mast cells play important roles in diarrhea, we studied whether allergic diarrhea could be alleviated with imatinib mesylate.

Methods  Balb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin and treated orally with imatinib. Cytokine mRNA expressions were determined with quantitative RT‐PCR and numbers of small intestinal mast cells determined by staining for chloroacetate esterase and mucosal mast cell protease‐1. Immunofluorescence staining was used to assess the intestinal CCL1 expression.

Key Results  Ovalbumin‐sensitized and challenged Balb/c mice developed diarrhea, which was associated with increased number of mast cells and expression of interleukin (IL)‐4 and ‐13, and chemokines CCL1 and CCL17 in the small intestine. Treatment with imatinib reduced the incidence of diarrhea, inhibited the development of mastocytosis and jejunal mRNA expression of IL‐13, CCL1, CCL17 and CCL22. Mast cell‐deficient W/W‐V mice, and surprisingly, also their mast cell‐competent control (+/+) littermates failed to develop diarrhea as a response to ovalbumin. This strain‐dependent difference was associated with the inability of +/+ and W/W‐V mice to increase the number of intestinal mast cells and expression of IL‐4, IL‐13, CCL1 and CCL17 after ovalbumin challenge.

Conclusions & Inferences  Development of allergic diarrhea is associated with the ability of mice to develop intestinal mastocytosis. Imatinib inhibited the development of intestinal mastocytosis, reduced the incidence of diarrhea, and reduced the expression of IL‐13, CCL1, and CCL17. Targeting intestinal mast cells could be a feasible approach to treat allergic diarrhea.
Breeding Strategies for Adaptation of Pearl Millet and Sorghum to Climate Variability and Change in West Africa
Authors: Haussmann B. I. G. , Fred Rattunde H. , Weltzien‐Rattunde E. , Traoré P. S. C. , vom Brocke K. , Parzies H. K.
Published: June 2012

Semi‐arid and subhumid West Africa is characterized by high inter‐annual rainfall variability, with variable onset of the rainy season, somewhat more predictable endings, and drought or excess water occurrence at any time during the growing season. Climate change is predicted to increase this variability. This article summarizes options for plant breeders to enhance the adaptation of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) to climate variability in West Africa. Developing variety types with high degrees of heterozygosity and genetic heterogeneity for adaptation traits helps achieving better individual and population buffering capacity. Traits that potentially enhance adaptive phenotypic plasticity or yield stability in variable climates include photoperiod‐sensitive flowering, plastic tillering, flooding tolerance, seedling heat tolerance and phosphorus efficiency. Farmer‐participatory dynamic gene pool management using broad‐based populations and diverse selection environments is useful to develop new diverse germplasm adapted to specific production constraints including climate variability. For sustainable productivity increase, improved cultivars should respond to farmer‐adoptable soil fertility management and water harvesting techniques. Larger‐scale, on‐farm participatory testing will enable assessments of varietal performance under evolving climatic variability, provide perspective on needs and opportunities and enhance adoption. Strengthening seed systems will be required to achieve sustainable impacts.
The early contribution of cerebrovascular factors to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Pimentel‐Coelho Pedro M. , Rivest Serge
Published: June 2012

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cerebrovascular disorders are the leading causes of dementia in our ageing population. Given that the progression of neuropathological changes in the brains of AD patients initiates several years, and even decades, before the diagnosis of dementia, a great effort has been made to identify potentially modifiable factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of sporadic late‐onset AD. Among these factors, cerebrovascular disease and microvascular alterations seem to bilaterally interact with the underlying AD pathology, affecting the progression of cognitive deficits. In addition, cerebrovascular dysfunction has emerged as an early event in AD, encompassing changes in virtually all cell types of the neurovascular unit, including bone marrow‐derived cells, astrocytes, pericytes, vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. In this review, we discuss recent studies implicating cerebrovascular factors in the pathogenesis of AD. We also discuss how the impairment of mechanisms of brain regeneration, such as neurogenesis and angiogenesis, might be related to the vascular dysfunction. Finally, we briefly discuss several therapeutic options targeting the vascular system, which might represent an interesting strategy for preventing or delaying the onset of dementia in AD.
Neonatal seizures: controversies and challenges in translating new therapies from the lab to the isolette
Authors: Chapman Kevin E. , Raol Yogendra H. , Brooks‐Kayal Amy
Published: June 2012

Neonatal seizures have unique properties that have proved challenging for both clinicians and basic science researchers. Clinical therapies aimed at neonatal seizures have proven only partially effective and new therapies are slow to develop. This article will discuss neonatal seizures within the framework of the barriers that exist to the development of new therapies, and the challenges inherent in bringing new therapies from the bench to the bedside. With the European Union and USA creating national collaborative project infrastructure, improved collaborative resources should advance clinical research on urgently needed new therapies for this disorder.
Extrusion of misfolded and aggregated proteins – a protective strategy of aging neurons?
Authors: Doehner Jana , Genoud Christel , Imhof Claudine , Krstic Dimitrije , Knuesel Irene
Published: June 2012

Cellular senescence is the consequence of repetitive exposures to oxidative stress, perturbed energy homeostasis, accumulation of damaged proteins and lesions in their nucleic acids. Whereas mitotic cells are equipped with efficient cell replacement strategies; postmitotic neurons have ‐ with a few exceptions ‐ no mechanism to substitute dysfunctional cells within a complex neuronal network. Here we propose a potential strategy by which aging neurons contend against abnormal accumulation of damaged/misfolded proteins. The suggested mechanism involves the formation of ‘budding‐like’ extrusions and their subsequent clearance by glia. This hypothesis emerged from our previous investigations of the aged hippocampus revealing layer‐specific accumulations of Reelin, a glycoprotein with fundamental roles during brain development and adult synaptic plasticity. We showed that Reelin deposits constitute a conserved neuropathological feature of aging, which is significantly accelerated in adult wild‐type mice prenatally exposed to a viral‐like infection. Here, we employed two‐ and three‐dimensional immunoelectron microscopy to elucidate their morphological properties, localization and origin in immune challenged vs. control mice. In controls, Reelin‐positive deposits were dispersed in the neuropil, some being engulfed by glia. In immune challenged mice, however, significantly more Reelin‐immunoreactive deposits were associated with neuritic swellings containing mitochondria, vacuoles and cellular debris, pointing to their intracellular origin and suggesting that ‘budding‐like’ neuronal extrusions of misfolded proteins and glial clearance may represent a protective strategy to counteract aging‐associated impairments in proteosomal/lysosomal degradation. Neurons exposed to chronic neuroinflammation with increased levels of misfolded/damaged proteins, however, may fail to combat intraneuronal protein accumulations, a process probably underlying neuronal dysfunction and degeneration during aging.
Cholinergic responses in GABAergic and non‐GABAergic neurons in the intermediate gray layer of mouse superior colliculus
Authors: Sooksawate Thongchai , Yanagawa Yuchio , Isa Tadashi
Published: June 2012

Neurons in the intermediate gray layer (SGI) of the mammalian superior colliculus (SC) receive dense cholinergic innervations from the brainstem parabrachial region. Such cholinergic inputs may influence execution of orienting behaviors. To obtain deeper insights into how the cholinergic inputs modulate the SC local circuits, we analysed the cholinergic responses in identified γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic and non‐GABAergic neurons using SC slices obtained from GAD67‐GFP knock‐in mice. The responses of SGI neurons to cholinergic agonists were various combinations of fast inward currents mediated mainly via α4β2 and partly by α7 nicotinic receptors (nIN), slow inward currents caused by activation of M1 plus M3 muscarinic receptors (mIN), and slow outward currents caused by activation of M2 muscarinic receptors (mOUT). The most common cholinergic responses in non‐GABAergic neurons was nIN + mIN + mOUT (38/68), followed by nIN + mIN (16/68), nIN + mOUT (11/68), nIN only (2/68), and no response (1/68). On the other hand, the major response pattern in GABAergic neurons was either nIN only (26/54) or nIN + mIN (21/54), followed by nIN + mOUT (4/54), mOUT only (2/54), and no response (1/54). Thus, major effects of cholinergic inputs to both SGI GABAergic and non‐GABAergic neurons are excitatory, but the response patterns in these two types of SGI neurons are different. Thus, actions of the cholinergic inputs to non‐GABAergic and GABAergic SGI neurons are not simple push–pull mechanisms, like excitation vs inhibition, but might cooperate to balance the level of excitation and inhibition for setting the state of the response property of the local circuit.
Statistics poster challenge for schools
Authors: Payne Brad , Freeman Jenny , Stillman Eleanor
Published: June 2012

The analysis and interpretation of data are important life skills. A poster challenge for schoolchildren provides an innovative outlet for these skills and demonstrates their relevance to daily life. We discuss our Statistics Poster Challenge and the lessons we have learned.
A day in the life of a statistical knowledge for teaching course
Authors: Groth Randall E.
Published: June 2012

The article illustrates how statistical content and pedagogical reasoning were taught in tandem in an undergraduate course. A typical day in the course is described. It is also suggested that practising teachers can benefit from strategies used in the course.
Medical literature searches: a comparison of PubMed and Google Scholar
Authors: Nourbakhsh Eva , Nugent Rebecca , Wang Helen , Cevik Cihan , Nugent Kenneth
Published: June 2012

Background

Medical literature searches provide critical information for clinicians. However, the best strategy for identifying relevant high‐quality literature is unknown.

Objectives

We compared search results using PubMed and Google Scholar on four clinical questions and analysed these results with respect to article relevance and quality.

Methods

Abstracts from the first 20 citations for each search were classified into three relevance categories. We used the weighted kappa statistic to analyse reviewer agreement and nonparametric rank tests to compare the number of citations for each article and the corresponding journals' impact factors.

Results

Reviewers ranked 67.6% of PubMed articles and 80% of Google Scholar articles as at least possibly relevant (P = 0.116) with high agreement (all kappa P‐values < 0.01). Google Scholar articles had a higher median number of citations (34 vs. 1.5, P < 0.0001) and came from higher impact factor journals (5.17 vs. 3.55, P = 0.036).

Conclusions

PubMed searches and Google Scholar searches often identify different articles. In this study, Google Scholar articles were more likely to be classified as relevant, had higher numbers of citations and were published in higher impact factor journals. The identification of frequently cited articles using Google Scholar for searches probably has value for initial literature searches.
Cyanobacterial diversity and activity in modern conical microbialites
Authors: Bosak T. , Liang B. , Wu T.‐D. , Templer S. P. , Evans A. , Vali H. , Guerquin‐Kern J.‐L. , Klepac‐Ceraj V. , Sim M. S. , Mui J.
Published: June 2012

Modern conical microbialites are similar to some ancient conical stromatolites, but growth, behavior and diversity of cyanobacteria in modern conical microbialites remain poorly characterized. Here, we analyze the diversity of cyanobacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences in conical microbialites from 14 ponds fed by four thermal sources in Yellowstone National Park and compare cyanobacterial activity in the tips of cones and in the surrounding topographic lows (mats), respectively, by high‐resolution mapping of labeled carbon. Cones and adjacent mats contain similar 16S rRNA gene sequences from genetically distinct clusters of filamentous, non‐heterocystous cyanobacteria from Subsection III and unicellular cyanobacteria from Subsection I. These sequences vary among different ponds and between two sampling years, suggesting that coniform mats through time and space contain a number of cyanobacteria capable of vertical aggregation, filamentous cyanobacteria incapable of initiating cone formation and unicellular cyanobacteria. Unicellular cyanobacteria are more diverse in topographic lows, where some of these organisms respond to nutrient pulses more rapidly than thin filamentous cyanobacteria. The densest active cyanobacteria are found below the upper 50 μm of the cone tip, whereas cyanobacterial cells in mats are less dense, and are more commonly degraded or encrusted by silica. These spatial differences in cellular activity and density within macroscopic coniform mats imply a strong role for diffusion limitation in the development and the persistence of the conical shape. Similar mechanisms may have controlled the growth, morphology and persistence of small coniform stromatolites in shallow, quiet environments throughout geologic history.
Australia's oldest Anseriform fossil: a quadrate from the Early Eocene Tingamarra Fauna
Authors: ELZANOWSKI ANDRZEJ , BOLES WALTER E.
Published: June 2012

Abstract:  A partial quadrate (essentially the otic part) from the nonmarine, earliest Eocene (54.6 Ma) Tingamarra Local Fauna in Queensland, Australia, has been identified as the oldest Australian anseriform fossil. The Tingamarra quadrate shows a combination of plesiomorphic anseriform characters with a unique synapomorphic character complex of the Anhimidae (screamers), which today are endemic to South America. In concert with the basal position of the Anhimidae among the crown‐group anseriforms, this set of characters suggests a stem group of the Anhimidae, raising a possibility of the Transantarctic migration of stem anhimids to South America. The quadrate morphology supports palaeognathous rather than recently claimed anhimid relationships of the Dromornithidae and identifies Sylviornis as an anseriform rather than a galliform.
Health‐related quality of life and ambulation in children with myelomeningocele in a Swedish population
Authors: Bartonek Åsa , Saraste Helena , Danielsson Aina
Published: June 2012

Aim:  The aim was to study health‐related quality of life (HRQL) in Swedish children with myelomeningocele (MMC) with respect to ambulatory function.

Methods:  A physical examination of the lower limbs was performed, and occurrence of orthopaedic deformities and shunted hydrocephalus was documented. A questionnaire on general health‐related quality of life Child Health Questionnaire‐50 Parent Form (CHQ‐PF50) was answered by the parents of 62 children, mean age 12.5 (3.1) years.

Results:  The non‐ambulatory children had significantly more frequent spasticity in the lower limbs, more often joint contractures as well as hip dislocation or spine deformity compared with ambulating patients. Thirty‐two per cent of the ambulators managed without wheelchair use. All non‐ambulators were wheelchair users, of which 60% used both a manual and a powered wheelchair. The children with MMC perceived significantly lower HRQL of all subscales of CHQ compared with the healthy control group. Physical function was significantly higher in ambulatory patients, PF = 57.1 compared with 22.2 for non‐ambulatory patients.

Conclusion:  A Swedish population of children with MMC perceived lower HRQL compared with healthy children, but similar HRQL irrespective of ambulatory function except for the physical domain was reported.
Erythroid differentiation‐associated gene interacts with NPM1 (nucleophosmin/B23) and increases its protein stability, resisting cell apoptosis
Authors: Zhang Mei‐Jiang , Ding Ya‐Li , Xu Cheng‐Wang , Yang Yang , Lian Wen‐Xi , Zhan Yi‐Qun , Li Wei , Xu Wang‐Xiang , Yu Miao , Ge Chang‐Hui , Ning Hong‐Mei , Li Chang‐Yan , Yang Xiao‐Ming
Published: June 2012

Erythroid differentiation‐associated gene (EDAG) is a haematopoietic tissue‐specific transcription regulator that plays a key role in maintaining the homeostasis of haematopoietic lineage commitment. In acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients, the high expression level of EDAG is associated with poor prognosis. NPM1 (nucleophosmin/B23), a ubiquitous nucleolar phosphoprotein, comprises a multifunctional protein that is involved in several cellular processes, including ribosome biogenesis, centrosome duplication, cell cycle progression, cell growth and transformation. Various studies have implicated NPM1 overexpression in promoting tumour cell proliferation, blocking the differentiation of leukaemia cells and resisting apoptosis. In the present study, using co‐immunoprecipitation, we characterized EDAG as a physiological binding partner of NPM1; The N‐terminal (amino acids 1–124) region of EDAG interacts with the N‐terminal (amino acids 118–187) of NPM1. Under cycloheximide treatment, the stability of NPM1 protein was enhanced by EDAG overexpression, whereas knockdown of EDAG by lentivirus‐mediated small interfering RNA resulted in an increased degradation rate of NPM1 in K562 cells. During 4β‐phorbol l2‐myristate 13‐acetate‐induced K562 megakaryocytic differentiation, overexpression of EDAG prevented the down‐regulation of NPM1 proteins, whereas knockdown of EDAG accelerated the down‐regulation of NPM1. EDAG deletion mutant lacking the binding domain with NPM1 lost the ability to stabilize NPM1 protein. Furthermore, knockdown of EDAG in K562 cells led to increased cell apoptosis induced by imatinib, and re‐expression of NPM1 attenuated the increased apoptosis. These results suggest that EDAG enhances the protein stability of NPM1 via binding to NPM1, which plays a critical role in the anti‐apoptosis of leukaemia cells.

Structured digital abstract

 NPM1 physically interacts with EDAG by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)

 EDAG physically interacts with HSPA1A, UBTF, SP100, NPM1, HNRPA3, MCM3 ,UBE1, FBL, ZnF20, ZnF25 and MNDA by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)

 EDAG physically interacts with NPM1 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2, 3)

 EDAG and NPM1 colocalize by fluorescence microscopy (View Interaction: 1, 2)
Abdominal Aortic Calcification is an Independent Predictor of Cardiovascular Events in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients
Authors: Martino Francesca , Di Loreto Pierluigi , Giacomini Dario , Kaushik Manish , Rodighiero Maria Pia , Crepaldi Carlo , Ronco Claudio
Published: June 2012

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is reported as a predictor for cardiovascular events in general population and in hemodialysis patients. At present, there are no AAC data in peritoneal dialysis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic role of AAC score on cardiovascular events in peritoneal dialysis patients. Seventy‐four peritoneal dialysis patients were enrolled. AAC was measured on baseline lateral abdomen radiographs by the semi‐quantitative method as described by Kauppila. The other cardiovascular risk factors were obtained from patient history and blood examination. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to evaluate freedom from cardiovascular events, and differences were assessed with the log‐rank statistic. Multivariate Cox regression models addressed time to cardiovascular events. The median period of follow‐up was 30.5 months (IQR 19.4–32.7). During follow‐up, there were 29 cardiovascular events (39.2%). In univariable analysis, patient's age (HR = 1.050; P = 0.001), urine output (HR = 0.999; P = 0.02), and AAC stratified by tertiles (overall P‐value < 0.001) were significantly associated with cardiovascular events. In multivariable regression analysis, AAC score stratified by tertiles was the only independent predictor for cardiovascular events (overall P‐value <0.001). To our knowledge, we have shown for the first time that AAC score is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in peritoneal dialysis patients. Risk stratification by assessment of AAC score may provide important information for the management of cardiovascular disease in peritoneal dialysis patients without any additional expense, because these patients have several abdominal X‐ray scans to evaluate the catheter position.
CHANGES IN ACID AND HEAT RESISTANCE OF SALMONELLA NEWPORT AND SALMONELLA SAINTPAUL STORED IN MANGO AND PINEAPPLE JUICES
Authors: YANG YISHAN , TEO JIA HAN , BANG WOO‐SUK , YUK HYUN‐GYUN
Published: June 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate survival of Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Saintpaul in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) at pH 1.9 or at 56C after storage in mango or pineapple juice at 4 or 24C for 24 h. In SGF, only Salmonella Saintpaul adapted to mango juice at 4C significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced its acid resistance with D value of 3.88 min, whereas both serovars stored in mango juice at 24C had significantly lower D values with 0.88 and 0.72 min, respectively. The D56C values of both serovars adapted to juices significantly decreased compared with nonadapted cells, except for Salmonella Newport stored in pineapple juice at 24C. Overall, two Salmonella serovars tested in this study did not show the enhanced acid or heat resistance after storage in these two tropical fruit juices, indicating that introduction of Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Saintpaul to mango and pineapple juices is unlikely to enhance their survival during gastric transit or thermal processing.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Salmonella spp., one of the leading causative agents of gastroenteritis, are a major public health concern in the world. It has been reported that Salmonella spp. can survive in unpasteurized orange juice or apple cider and become more resistant to subsequent exposure to acid or heat conditions. However, there is limited information in the literature on the effect of survival of Salmonella spp. in tropical fruit juices on their acid and heat resistance. This research was conducted to investigate the survivability of Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Saintpaul in simulated gastric fluid at pH 1.9 or at 56C after adaptation in mango or pineapple juice. The results of this study would enrich our understanding on the stress response of Salmonella spp. in these juices, as well as provide guidance to developing intervention technology to eliminate Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Saintpaul in mango and pineapple juices.
Asset and Protective Factors for Asian American Children's Mental Health Adjustment
Authors: Zhou Qing , Tao Annie , Chen Stephen H. , Main Alexandra , Lee Erica , Ly Jennifer , Hua Michelle , Li Xiaowei
Published: June 2012

Asian Americans (AAs) are the second largest foreign‐born population in the United States. Contrary to the “model minority” stereotype that this group is unitarily well adjusted and high achieving, recent research has revealed substantial differences in mental health adjustment amongAAchildren. Although research to identify the risk processes for mental health problems amongAAchildren is underway, it has paid little attention to related asset and protective processes. This article selectively reviews the theory and empirical evidence on a set of child‐, family‐, and neighborhood‐level characteristics for their potential asset or protective roles inAAchildren's mental health adjustment. These characteristics include (a) child factors (maintenance of heritage culture, bilingualism, coping, and emotion regulation), (b) family factors (authoritative parenting and parental support), and (c) a neighborhood factor (ethnic community). Overall, systematic efforts to identify asset and protective factors forAAchildren's mental health and understand the underlying developmental mechanisms are nascent. Directions for future research in this area are also discussed.
Permeability and corrosion in ZrO2/Al2O3 nanolaminate and Al2O3 thin films grown by atomic layer deposition on polymers
Authors: Carcia Peter F. , McLean Robert S. , Li Zhigang G. , Reilly Michael H. , Marshall Will J.
Published: June 2012

The authors studied moisture permeation and corrosion in Al2O3 and Al2O3/ZrO2 nanolaminate (NL) thin films grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) at 100 °C on polyester substrates. A percolation model accurately described the dependence of permeation on the volume fraction of ZrO2 in the nanolaminates. As the fraction of ZrO2 was reduced to ∼0.5, moisture permeation in the NLs approached the measurement limit ∼1 × 10−4 g-H2O/m2-day, equivalent to Al2O3 with the same total thickness. However, resistance to corrosion by water was modestly better for Al2O3 than for the NL, and we proposed that corrosion in ALD Al2O3 films was associated with hydrogen incorporation and a consequent film chemical composition that is an oxy-hydroxide, AlOx(OH)3−2x. The authors present x-ray diffraction evidence for conversion of ALD Al2O3 to hydroxide corrosion products, AlO(OH) and Al(OH)3, after aging films in damp heat (85 °C/85% relative humidity) for two weeks.
Oxygen incorporation and dipole variation in tantalum nitride film used as metal-gate electrode
Authors: Lima Lucas P. B. , Diniz José A. , Doi Ioshiaki , Miyoshi Juliana , Silva Audrey R. , Godoy Fo José , Radtke Claudio
Published: June 2012

Tantalum nitride (TaN) films were used as gate electrodes in MOS capacitors fabricated with 8-nm-thick SiO2 as gate dielectric, and also used in Schottky diodes on n-type Si (100) substrates. TaN films with 20- and 100-nm-thick layers presented electrical resistivity of 439 and 472 μΩ cm, respectively. XPS measurements on these TaN film surfaces show oxygen incorporation, which can be related to air exposure. MOS capacitors with TaN/SiO2/Si/Al and Al/TaN/SiO2/Si/Al structures, and Schottky diodes with TaN/Si/Al and Al/TaN/Si/Al structures, were fabricated on the same substrates. These devices were electrically characterized by capacitance–voltage (C–V) and current–voltage (I–V) measurements after sintering in a conventional furnace in a forming gas environment at 450 °C, for different times between 0 and 30 min. From C–V measurements of the MOS capacitors, the extracted TaN work function, effective charge densities, and flatband voltage values were found to be between 4.23 and 4.42 eV, −1011 and −1012 cm−2, and −0.12 and 0.25 V, respectively. From I–V measurements of the Schottky diodes, work function and ideality factor values between 4.40 and 4.53 eV, and 1.0 and 1.9, respectively, were extracted. The variation of the TaN work function (extracted from C–V and I–V curves), flatband voltage, and ideality factor values were related to dipole variations (at the TaN/SiO2 interface), Ta and N vacancies in the TaN film, and oxygen incorporation on the TaN film surface. These results can contribute to work function engineering area for MOS technology.
Histone Deacetylases 6 and 9 and Sirtuin-1 Control Foxp3
+
Regulatory T Cell Function Through Shared and Isoform-Specific Mechanisms
Authors: Beier Ulf H. , Wang Liqing , Han Rongxiang , Akimova Tatiana , Liu Yujie , Hancock Wayne W.
Published: June 2012

Combined inhibition of distinct histone deacetylases enhances the suppressive effects of regulatory T cells.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 19 June 2012
Authors: Ingraham Holly A. , Blind Raymond D. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: June 2012

Modification of a bound lipid modulates the activity of a nuclear receptor.
Dynamic Responses
Authors: Vinson Valda K.
Published: June 2012

After DNA damage, pulses of p53 allow recovery, whereas sustained levels lead to senescence.
How Smoking Leads to Aneurysms
Authors: Andrianantoandro Ernesto
Published: June 2012

Nicotine activates AMPK-α2, leading to abdominal aortic aneurysms in mice.
Characterization of a Streptococcus suis tet(O/W/32/O)-Carrying Element Transferable to Major Streptococcal Pathogens
Authors: Palmieri Claudio , Magi Gloria , Mingoia Marina , Bagnarelli Patrizia , Ripa Sandro , Varaldo Pietro E. , Facinelli Bruna
Published: June 2012

Mosaic tetracycline resistance determinants are a recently discovered class of hybrids of ribosomal protection
tet
genes. They may show different patterns of mosaicism, but their final size has remained unaltered. Initially thought to be confined to a small group of anaerobic bacteria, mosaic
tet
genes were then found to be widespread. In the genus
Streptococcus
, a mosaic
tet
gene [
tet
(O/W/32/O)] was first discovered in
Streptococcus suis
, an emerging drug-resistant pig and human pathogen. In this study, we report the molecular characterization of a
tet
(O/W/32/O) gene-carrying mobile element from an
S. suis
isolate.
tet
(O/W/32/O) was detected, in tandem with
tet
(40), in a circular 14,741-bp genetic element (39.1% G+C; 17 open reading frames [ORFs] identified). The novel element, which we designated 15K, also carried the macrolide resistance determinant
erm
(B) and an aminoglycoside resistance four-gene cluster including
aadE
(streptomycin) and
aphA
(kanamycin). 15K appeared to be an unstable genetic element that, in the absence of recombinases, is capable of undergoing spontaneous excision under standard growth conditions. In the integrated form, 15K was found inside a 54,879-bp integrative and conjugative element (ICE) (50.5% G+C; 55 ORFs), which we designated ICE
Ssu32457
. An ∼1.3-kb segment that apparently served as the
att
site for excision of the unstable 15K element was identified. The novel ICE was transferable at high frequency to recipients from pathogenic
Streptococcus
species (
S. suis
,
Streptococcus pyogenes
,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, and
Streptococcus agalactiae
), suggesting that the multiresistance 15K element can successfully spread within streptococcal populations.
Borrelia burgdorferi Harbors a Transport System Essential for Purine Salvage and Mammalian Infection
Authors: Jain Sunny , Sutchu Selina , Rosa Patricia A. , Byram Rebecca , Jewett Mollie W.
Published: June 2012

Borrelia burgdorferi
is the tick-borne bacterium that causes the multistage inflammatory disease Lyme disease.
B. burgdorferi
has a reduced genome and lacks the enzymes required for
de novo
synthesis of purines for synthesis of RNA and DNA. Therefore, this obligate pathogen is dependent upon the tick vector and mammalian host environments for salvage of purine bases for nucleic acid biosynthesis. This pathway is vital for
B. burgdorferi
survival throughout its infectious cycle, as key enzymes in the purine salvage pathway are essential for the ability of the spirochete to infect mice and critical for spirochete replication in the tick. The transport of preformed purines into the spirochete is the first step in the purine salvage pathway and may represent a novel therapeutic target and/or means to deliver antispirochete molecules to the pathogen. However, the transport systems critical for purine salvage by
B. burgdorferi
have yet to be identified. Herein, we demonstrate that the genes
bbb22
and
bbb23
, present on
B. burgdorferi
's essential plasmid circular plasmid 26 (cp26), encode key purine transport proteins. BBB22 and/or BBB23 is essential for hypoxanthine transport and contributes to the transport of adenine and guanine. Furthermore,
B. burgdorferi
lacking
bbb22-23
was noninfectious in mice up to a dose of 1 × 10
7
spirochetes. Together, our data establish that
bbb22-23
encode purine permeases critical for
B. burgdorferi
mammalian infectivity, suggesting that this transport system may serve as a novel antimicrobial target for the treatment of Lyme disease.
EVALUATING THE MOTIVES OF INFORMAL ENTREPRENEURS IN KOFORIDUA, GHANA
Authors: ADOM KWAME , WILLIAMS COLIN C.
Published: June 2012

In recent years, there has been growing recognition in the entrepreneurship literature that many entrepreneurs operate in the informal economy and that not all these informal entrepreneurs are doing so out of economic necessity and because of a lack of choice. Instead, it has been asserted that some of these informal entrepreneurs choose to exit the formal economy and trade on an off-the-books basis more as a matter of choice. However, until now most research displaying this has been conducted in advanced western and post-socialist economies. Little has been written on whether this is also the case in third (majority) world countries. This paper starts to fill this gap by evaluating informal entrepreneurs' motives in sub-Saharan Africa. Reporting the results of face-to-face structured interviews with 80 informal entrepreneurs in Ghana, the finding is that the majority, especially the women informal entrepreneurs, are predominantly necessity-driven while those who are principally intentional participants in informal entrepreneurship are men. However, many women who initially entered informal entrepreneurship out of necessity have over time become more opportunity-driven entrepreneurs. The outcome is a call for wider research in other global regions on informal entrepreneurs' motives and whether similar gender variations prevail.
IN SEARCH OF BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP: WHY IS THERE A LACK OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTIVITY AMONG THE BLACK POPULATION IN SOUTH AFRICA?
Authors: PREISENDÖRFER PETER , BITZ ANSGAR , BEZUIDENHOUT FRANS J.
Published: June 2012

Compared to other ethnic groups, the black population of South Africa has a low participation rate in entrepreneurship activities. The research question of this article is to explain this empirical fact. Based on twenty-four expert interviews, five patterns of explanation are presented and elaborated: a historical apartheid explanation, a financial resources explanation, a human capital explanation, a traits and mindset explanation and a social capital and network explanation. The historical apartheid explanation cannot be qualified independently of the other explanations as a distinctive explanation of its own. Although missing financial resources and shortages of human capital are the factors most often mentioned by the experts, and probably the most important ones, the remaining two explanations (mindset and social network) also deserve attention. A point argued in the conclusion of this article is that socio-cultural values, and the concept of "social capital" in particular, merit further investigation with respect to the question of why there is a lack of black entrepreneurship in South Africa.
PRECURSOR DYNAMICS OFPb(B1/2B′1/2)O3-TYPE RELAXOR FERROELECTRICS STUDIED BY BROADBAND MICRO-BRILLOUIN SCATTERING
Authors: KOJIMA SEIJI , AHART MUHTAR , SIVASUBRAMANIAN VENKATASUBRAMANIAN , BOKOV ALEXEI. A. , YE ZUO-GUANG
Published: June 2012

This paper reviews the recent progress in the understanding of the dynamics of Pb(B1/2B′1/2)O3-type relaxor ferroelectrics using of broadband micro-Brillouin scattering spectroscopy, which covers a large frequency range from 1 to 1000 GHz by a tandem multi-pass Fabry–Perot interferometer. In contrast to Pb(B1/3B′2/3)O3-type relaxors, there is no frustration on the B-site of perovskite structure and the degree of order of B-site cations depends on heat treatment. Remarkable softening of sound velocity and an intense central peak are observed above the Curie temperature TCowing to the polarization fluctuations in polar nanoregions (PNRs). Unlike the Pb(B1/3B′2/3)O3relaxors, Pb(B1/2B′1/2)O3does not undergoes a typical diffuse phase transition without lead vacancies on A-site which enhances random fields. For the (1-x) Pb ( B1/2B ′1/2) O3–x PbTiO3solid solutions, the long range polar order increases as the PbTiO3content increases. Nevertheless, a central peak owing to dynamic PNRs still remains even for the composition near the MPB, and a critical slowing down is clearly observed in the vicinity of TC.
NEUTRON DIFFUSE SCATTERING IN LEAD-BASED RELAXOR FERROELECTRICS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE ULTRA-HIGH PIEZOELECTRICITY
Authors: GEHRING PETER M.
Published: June 2012

A brief review is presented that summarizes recent neutron diffuse scattering measurements on single crystal PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3 (PMN) and PbZn1/3Nb2/3O3 (PZN) doped with PbTiO3 (PT). Emphasis is placed on results that suggest that the short-range, polar correlations observed in these systems are connected to the anomalous relaxor dielectric properties, and in particular to the large values of the piezoelectric coefficient d33 near the morphotropic phase boundary.
Nanoelectrodes: Recent Advances and New Directions
Authors: Cox Jonathan T. , Zhang Bo
Published: June 2012

This article reviews recent work involving the development and application of nanoelectrodes in electrochemistry and related areas. We first discuss common analytical methods for characterizing the size, shape, and quality of nanoelectrodes, including electron microscopy, steady-state cyclic voltammetry, scanning electrochemical microscopy, and surface modification. We then emphasize recent developments in fabrication techniques that have led to structurally well-defined nanoelectrodes. We highlight recent advances in the application of nanoelectrodes in important analytical chemistry areas, such as single-molecule studies, single-nanoparticle electrochemistry, and measurements of neurotransmitters from single neuronal cells.
Endoscopic-Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Sampling Facilitates the Detection of Local Recurrence and Extra Pelvic Metastasis in Pelvic Urologic Malignancy
Authors: Gleeson Ferga C. , Clain Jonathan E. , Karnes R. Jeffrey , Rajan Elizabeth , Topazian Mark D. , Wang Kenneth K. , Levy Michael J.
Published: June 2012

Pelvic lymph node dissection is the gold standard for assessing nodal disease in prostate or bladder cancer and is superior to CT, MRI and PET staging. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provides an alternative, less invasive method of cytohistologic material acquisition, but its performance in pelvic urologic malignancy is unknown. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EUS guided tissue sampling for these malignancies when compared to a composite cytohistologic and surgical gold standard. A median of 3 FNA passes were performed (n=19 patients) revealing a sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of 94.4% (72–99), 100% (2–100), 100% (80–100) and 50% (1–98) respectively. The perirectal space was the most frequently sampled location irrespective of the primary urological cancer origin. Final diagnosis established by EUS tissue sampling included bladder cancer (n=1), bladder cancer local recurrence (n=8), bladder cancer extra pelvic metastases (n=1), prostate cancer (n=2), prostate cancer local recurrence (n=4), prostate cancer extra pelvic metastases (n=1), testicular cancer extra pelvic metastases (n=1) and a benign seminal vesicle (n=1). EUS guided sampling of the gut wall, lymph nodes, or perirectal space yields suitable diagnostic material to establish the presence of primary, local recurrence or extra pelvic metastases of pelvic urologic malignancy.