bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Properties of the HII Regions Derived Using Integral Field Spectroscopy
Authors: Sánchez Sebastian F.
Published: December 2013

Here we review some of our more recent results on the observed properties of HIIregions using Integral Field Spectroscopy. In particular, we illustrate the use of this technique to study in detail the ionization conditions across the nebulae for galactic HIIregions (focused on the Orion Nebula) and the statistical study of large samples of extragalactic HIIregions. We review the reported new scaling relation between the local mass density and the oxygen abundance across the disk galaxies and the recently discovered universal gradient for oxygen abundances. We update our previous results the lack of a dependence of the Mass-Metallicity relation with the starformation rate, including new unpublished data. Finally we discuss on the relation between the ionization conditions in the nebulae and the underlying stellar population. All together our results indicate that disk galaxies present a chemical enrichment dominated by an inside-out growth scenario, with a less evident effect of radial migrations and/or outflows.
Modulation of Antioxidant Enzymatic Activities by Certain Antiepileptic Drugs (Valproic Acid, Oxcarbazepine, and Topiramate): Evidence in Humans and Experimental Models
Authors: Cárdenas-Rodríguez Noemí , Coballase-Urrutia Elvia , Rivera-Espinosa Liliana , Romero-Toledo Arantxa , Sampieri Aristides III , Ortega-Cuellar Daniel , Montesinos-Correa Hortencia , Floriano-Sánchez Esaú , Carmona-Aparicio Liliana
Published: December 2013

It is estimated that at least 100 million people worldwide will suffer from epilepsy at some point in their lives. This neurological disorder induces brain death due to the excessive liberation of glutamate, which activates the postsynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors, which in turn cause the reuptake of intracellular calcium (excitotoxicity). This excitotoxicity elicits a series of events leading to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activation and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Several studies in experimental models and in humans have demonstrated that certain antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) exhibit antioxidant effects by modulating the activity of various enzymes associated with this type of stress. Considering the above-mentioned data, we aimed to compile evidence elucidating how AEDs such as valproic acid (VPA), oxcarbazepine (OXC), and topiramate (TPM) modulate oxidative stress.
Modulation of Conjunctival Goblet Cell Function by Inflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Contreras-Ruiz L. , Ghosh-Mitra A. , Shatos M. A. , Dartt D. A. , Masli S.
Published: December 2013

Ocular surface inflammation associated with Sjögren’s syndrome is characterized by a loss of secretory function and alteration in numbers of mucin secreting goblet cells. Such changes are a prominent feature of ocular surface inflammatory diseases and are attributed to inflammation; however, the exact effect of the inflammatory cytokines on conjunctival goblet cell function remains largely unknown. In this study, we developed a primary culture of mouse goblet cells from conjunctival tissue and evaluated the effects on their function by inflammatory cytokines detected in the conjunctiva of mouse model of Sjögren’s syndrome (Thrombospondin-1 deficient mice). We found that apoptosis of goblet cells was primarily induced by TNF-αand IFN-γ. These two cytokines also inhibited mucin secretion by goblet cells in response to cholinergic stimulation, whereas IL-6 enhanced such secretion. No changes in secretory response were detected in the presence of IL-13 or IL-17. Goblet cells proliferated to varying degrees in response to all the tested cytokines with the greatest response to IL-13 followed by IL-6. Our results therefore reveal that inflammatory cytokines expressed in the conjunctiva during an ocular surface disease directly disrupt conjunctival goblet cell functions, compromising the protective function of tears, thereby contributing to ocular surface damage.
Double Points Local Hardy-Littlewood Maximal Operator
Authors: Song Futao , Ju Na
Published: December 2013

A double points local Hardy-Littlewood maximal operatorMa,b,k,locis defined and investigated in Euclidean spaces. It is proved thatMa,b,k,locis bounded onLpwwhenp>1and fromL1wtoL1,∞wwith weight functionw∈Aa,b,k,loc, the class of double points localApweights which is larger than the MuckenhouptApclass and the localApweights defined by Lin and Stempak.
Synthesis and Characterization of Electrophoretically Deposited Nanostructured LiCoPO4 for Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Priya Nair S. , Jyothsna U. , Praveen P. , Balakrishnan A. , Subramanian K. R. V. , Nair Shantikumar V. , Sivakumar N.
Published: December 2013

Nanosized LiCoPO4 (LCP) was prepared using a simple sol-gel method. For the first time, electrophoretic deposition process was employed to fabricate a LiCoPO4 cathode material in order to improve the electrochemical performance. The prepared powder was deposited on titanium plate by electrophoretic deposition and their electrochemical properties were studied. The electrochemical properties were analyzed by using cyclic voltagramm studies, impedance studies, and charge/discharge tests. The thickness of the prepared cathode material was found to be 11-12 µm by using scanning electron microscope. The initial specific capacity and the charge transfer resistance (Rct) of the prepared cathode was 103 mAh/g and 851 Ω, respectively. The charge/discharge profiles showed moderate columbic efficiency of 70%.
Cytological and Pathological Correlation of FNAC in Assessing Breast Lumps and Axillary Lymph Node Swellings in a Public Sector Hospital in India
Authors: Challa Vasu Reddy , Yale Guru Basavanna Goud , Rangappa Poornima , Deshmane Vijayalakshmi , Gayathri devi. M.
Published: December 2013

Background. Breast lumps have varied pathology, and there are different techniques to prove the diagnosis. The aim of the present study is to analyze the role of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the breast lesions at our center.Methods. We had retrospectively analysed 854 patients who underwent FNAC for primary breast lumps and 190 patients who underwent FNAC for an axillary lymph node in the year 2010.Results. Of 854 patients, histological correlation was available in 723 patients. The analysis was done for 812 patients as medical records were not available for 42 patients. FNAC was false negative in seven cases; 2 cases of phyllodes were reported as fibroadenoma, and 5 cases of carcinoma were diagnosed as atypical hyperplasia. The sensitivity, specificity, and false negative value of FNAC in diagnosing breast lumps were 99% (715/723), 100%, and 1%, respectively. Of 190 patients for whom FNAC was performed for axilla, 170 had proven to have axillary lymph node metastases, and the rest had reactive hyperplasia or inflammatory cells.Conclusions. FNAC is rapid, accurate, outpatient based, and less complicated procedure and helps in diagnosis of breast cancer, benign diseases, and axillary involvement in experienced hands with less chance of false results.
Population-Sequencing as a Biomarker ofBurkholderia malleiandBurkholderia pseudomalleiEvolution through Microbial Forensic Analysis
Authors: Jakupciak John P. , Wells Jeffrey M. , Karalus Richard J. , Pawlowski David R. , Lin Jeffrey S. , Feldman Andrew B.
Published: December 2013

Large-scale genomics projects are identifying biomarkers to detect human disease.B. pseudomalleiandB. malleiare two closely related select agents that cause melioidosis and glanders. Accurate characterization of metagenomic samples is dependent on accurate measurements of genetic variation between isolates with resolution down to strain level. Often single biomarker sensitivity is augmented by use of multiple or panels of biomarkers. In parallel with single biomarker validation, advances in DNA sequencing enable analysis of entire genomes in a single run: population-sequencing. Potentially, direct sequencing could be used to analyze an entire genome to serve as the biomarker for genome identification. However, genome variation and population diversity complicate use of direct sequencing, as well as differences caused by sample preparation protocols including sequencing artifacts and mistakes. As part of a Department of Homeland Security program in bacterial forensics, we examined how to implement whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis as a judicially defensible forensic method for attributing microbial sample relatedness; and also to determine the strengths and limitations of whole genome sequence analysis in a forensics context. Herein, we demonstrate use of sequencing to provide genetic characterization of populations: direct sequencing of populations.
Conservation/Mutation in the Splice Sites of Cytokine Receptor
Genes of Mouse and Human
Authors: Calvello Rosa , Cianciulli Antonia , Panaro Maria Antonietta
Published: December 2013

Conservation/mutation in the intronic initial and terminal hexanucleotides was studied in 26 orthologous cytokine receptor genes of Mouse and Human. Introns began and ended with the canonical dinucleotides GT and AG, respectively. Identical configurations were found in 57% of the 5′ hexanucleotides and 28% of the 3′ hexanucleotides. The actual conservation percentages of the individual variable nucleotides at each position in the hexanucleotides were determined, and the theoretical rates of conservation of groups of three nucleotides were calculated under the hypothesis of a mutual evolutionary independence of the neighboring nucleotides (random association). Analysis of the actual conservation of groups of variable nucleotides showed that, at 5′, GTGAGx was significantly more expressed and GTAAGx was significantly less expressed, as compared to the random association. At 3′, TTTxAG and xTGCAG were overexpressed as compared to a random association. Study of Mouse and Human transcript variants involving the splice sites showed that most variants were not inherited from the common ancestor but emerged during the process of speciation. In some variants the silencing of a terminal hexanucleotide determined skipping of the downstream exon; in other variants the constitutive splicing hexanucleotide was replaced by another potential, in-frame, splicing hexanucleotide, leading to alterations of exon lengths.
Genotyping of ClinicalMycobacterium tuberculosisIsolates Based on IS6110and MIRU-VNTR Polymorphisms
Authors: Żaczek Anna , Brzostek Anna , Wojtasik Arkadiusz , Dziadek Jarosław , Sajduda Anna
Published: December 2013

In this study, 155 clinicalMycobacterium tuberculosisisolates were subject to genotyping with fast ligation-mediated PCR (FLiP). This typing method is a modified mixed-linker PCR, a rapid approach based on the PCR amplification ofHhaI restriction fragments of genomic DNA containing the 3′ end of IS6110and resolving the amplicons by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results were compared with previous data of the more commonly used methods, 15-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number tandem repeat (MIRU-VNTR) typing and, to verify combined FLiP/MIRU-VNTR clusters, the reference IS6110restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). FLiP banding patterns were highly reproducible and polymorphic. This method differentiated 119 types among the study set compared to 108 distinct MIRU-VNTR profiles. The discriminatory power of FLiP was slightly higher than that of MIRU-VNTR analysis (Hunter-Gaston Discriminatory Index = 0.991 and 0.990, resp.). Detailed comparison of the clusters defined by each of the methods revealed, however, a more apparent difference in the discriminatory abilities that favored FLiP. Clustering of strains by using combined results of these two PCR-based methods correlated well with IS6110RFLP-defined clusters, further confirming high discriminatory potential of FLiP typing. These results indicate that FLiP could be an attractive and valuable secondary typing technique for verification of MIRU-VNTR clusters ofM. tuberculosisstrains.
Nonlinear Optical Properties of Novel Mono-O-Hydroxy Bidentate Schiff Base: Quantum Chemical Calculations
Authors: Labidi N. S.
Published: December 2013

The semiempirical AM1 SCF method is used to study the first static hyperpolarizabilities β of some novel mono-O-Hydroxy bidentate Schiff base in which electron donating (D) and electron accepting (A) groups were introduced on either side of the Schiff base ring system. Geometries of all molecules were optimized at the semiempirical AM1. The first static hyperpolarizabilities of these molecules were calculated using Hyperchem package. To understand this phenomenon in the context of molecular orbital picture, we examined the molecular HOMO and molecular LUMO generated via Hyperchem. The study reveals that the mono-O-Hydroxy bidentate Schiff bases have large β values and hence in general may have potential applications in the development of nonlinear optical materials.
Novel Neutralizing Hedgehog Antibody MEDI-5304 Exhibits Antitumor Activity by Inhibiting Paracrine Hedgehog Signaling
Authors: Michaud Neil R. , Wang Youzhen , McEachern Kristen A. , Jordan Jerold J. , Mazzola Anne Marie , Hernandez Axel , Jalla Sanjoo , Chesebrough Jon W. , Hynes Mark J. , Belmonte Matthew A. , Wang Lidong , Kang Jaspal S. , Jovanović Jelena , Laing Naomi , Jenkins David W. , Hurt Elaine , Liang Meina , Frantz Christopher , Hollingsworth Robert E. , Simeone Diane M. , Blakey David C. , Bedian Vahe
Published: December 2013

The hedgehog pathway has been implicated in the tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis of numerous human cancers. We generated the first fully human hedgehog antibody MEDI-5304 and characterized its antitumor activity and preclinical toxicology. MEDI-5304 bound sonic hedgehog (SHH) and Indian hedgehog (IHH) with low picomolar affinity and neutralized SHH and IHH activity in cellular mGLI1 reporter assays. The antibody inhibited transcription of hedgehog target genes and osteoblast differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells. We evaluated the activity of MEDI-5304 in vivo in model systems that allowed us to evaluate two primary hypotheses of hedgehog function in human cancer, paracrine signaling between tumor and stromal cells and cancer stem cell (CSC) self-renewal. MEDI-5304 displayed robust pharmacodynamic effects in stromal cells that translated to antitumor efficacy as a single agent in an HT-29/MEF coimplantation model of paracrine hedgehog signaling. MEDI-5304 also improved responses to carboplatin in the HT-29/MEF model. The antibody, however, had no effect as a single agent or in combination with gemcitabine on the CSC frequency or growth of several primary pancreatic cancer explant models. These findings support the conclusion that hedgehog contributes to tumor biology via paracrine tumor-stromal signaling but not via CSC maintenance or propagation. Finally, the only safety study finding associated with MEDI-5304 was ondontodysplasia in rats. Thus, MEDI-5304 represents a potent dual hedgehog inhibitor suitable for continued development to evaluate efficacy and safety in human patients with tumors harboring elevated levels of SHH or IHH. Mol Cancer Ther; 13(2); 386–98. ©2013 AACR.
Healthy Aging by Staying Selectively Connected: A Mini-Review
Authors: Antonenko Daria , Flöel Agnes
Published: December 2013

Cognitive neuroscience of the healthy aging human brain has thus far addressed age-related changes of local functional and structural properties of gray and white matter and their association with declining or preserved cognitive functions. In addition to these localized changes, recent neuroimaging research has attributed an important role to neural networks with a stronger focus on interacting rather than isolated brain regions. The analysis of functional connectivity encompasses task-dependent and -independent synchronous activity in the brain, and thus reflects the organization of the brain in distinct performance-relevant networks. Structural connectivity in white matter pathways, representing the integrity of anatomical connections, underlies the communication between the nodes of these functional networks. Both functional and structural connectivity within these networks have been demonstrated to change with aging, and to have different predictive values for cognitive abilities in older compared to young adults. Structural degeneration has been found in the entire cerebral white matter with greatest deterioration in frontal areas, affecting whole brain structural network efficiency. With regard to functional connectivity, both higher and lower functional coupling has been observed in the aging compared to the young brain. Here, high connectivity within the nodes of specific functional networks on the one hand, and low connectivity to regions outside this network on the other hand, were associated with preserved cognitive functions in aging in most cases. For example, in the language domain, connections between left-hemisphere language-related prefrontal, posterior temporal and parietal areas were described as beneficial, whereas connections between the left and right hemisphere were detrimental for language task performance. Of note, interactions between structural and functional network properties may change in the course of aging and differentially impact behavioral performance in older versus young adults. Finally, studies using noninvasive brain stimulation techniques like transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to simultaneously modulate behavior and functional connectivity support the importance of ‘selective connectivity' of aging brain networks for preserved cognitive functions. These studies demonstrate that enhancing task performance by tDCS is paralleled by increased connectivity within functional networks. In this review, we outline the network perspective on healthy brain aging and discuss recent developments in this field.
Ring Apophysis Fracture in Pediatric Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Common Entity
Authors: Singhal Ash , Mitra Anish , Cochrane Doug , Steinbok Paul
Published: December 2013

Background/Aims: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) can be associated with ring apophysis fracture (RAF), which is found in 6% of adult cases. However, the incidence and management of RAF in pediatric LDH is not well documented. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of RAF in pediatric LDH, identify risk factors and explore the influence of RAF on the surgical management and outcome of LDH patients. Methods: Hospital records and images were retrospectively reviewed for all pediatric patients (<18 years old) who underwent CT scanning for LDH at BC Children's Hospital from 1985 to 2010. Results: Forty-two patients met the study inclusion criteria. RAF was present in 38% of the pediatric patients with LDH. There was a significant correlation with gender (p = 0.021; 55% of the males had RAF, and 20% of the females) and association with central herniations (p = 0.003). At the last follow-up, 58% of the patients with RAF were symptom free, compared with 68% of the patients with no RAF. Conclusion: RAF is more frequently associated with LDH in children than in adults. Gender and central disc herniation are associated with RAF. Given the frequency of RAF, to properly identify these fractures and anticipate their treatment, preoperative CT would be necessary.
Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography CO2 Reactivity Does Not Predict Recurrent Ischaemic Stroke in Patients with Symptomatic Carotid Artery Occlusion
Authors: Jolink Wilmar M.T. , Heinen Rutger , Persoon Suzanne , van der Zwan Albert , Kappelle L. Jaap , Klijn Catharina J.M.
Published: December 2013

Background: Patients with transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) or minor disabling ischaemic stroke associated with an internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion have a high risk of recurrent stroke in case of compromised cerebral blood flow. Recent studies showed that increased oxygen extraction fraction measured by positron emission tomography (PET) is still an independent predictor of subsequent stroke under current medical treatment, but PET facilities are not widely available. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography CO2 reactivity is a cheap and non-invasive alternative to measure haemodynamic compromise. The aim of our study was to investigate whether TCD CO2 reactivity is an independent predictor of recurrent ischaemic stroke in a large cohort of patients with symptomatic ICA occlusion in a time where rigorous control of vascular risk factors has been widely implemented in clinical practice. Methods: Between July 1995 and December 2009, we included consecutive patients with TIAs or minor disabling ischaemic stroke (modified Rankin Scale ≤3) associated with ICA occlusion who were referred to the University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands. All patients were treated with antiplatelet therapy and received rigorous control of vascular risk factors, including statins, treatment for diabetes and hypertension and lifestyle advices. CO2 reactivity was measured with TCD within 3 months after presentation. We determined the predictive value of TCD CO2 reactivity for recurrent ischaemic stroke using Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results: We included 201 patients with a median follow-up time of 7.1 years. Mean CO2 reactivity was 15% (±20 standard deviation). The annual rate for ipsilateral ischaemic stroke was 2.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-3.2] and for any recurrent stroke 3.2% (95% CI 2.3-4.4). We did not find a significant relationship between CO2 reactivity and the risk of ipsilateral [hazard ratio (HR) for every increase in percentage point 1.01, 95% CI 0.99-1.02] or any recurrent ischaemic stroke (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.998-1.02). Multivariable analysis showed a significant relationship with history of stroke (HR 4.0, 95% CI 1.8-9.0) for ipsilateral recurrent stroke, and age (HR for increase per year 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09) and a history of stroke (HR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7-6.6) for any recurrent stroke. Conclusions: In patients with TIAs or non-disabling stroke associated with occlusion of the carotid artery, the long-term annual risk of stroke is generally low with careful control of vascular risk factors. Impaired CO2 reactivity measured within 3 months after presentation does not identify the subgroup of patients at high risk of recurrent ischaemic stroke.
Combination of the Clock Drawing Test with the Physical Phenotype of Frailty for the Prediction of Mortality and Other Adverse Outcomes in Older Community Dwellers without Dementia
Authors: Forti Paola , Maioli Fabiola , Lega Maria Vittoria , Montanari Laura , Coraini Francesca , Zoli Marco
Published: December 2013

Background: Cognitive assessment is thought to increase the ability of the physical phenotype of frailty to identify older persons at a higher risk for adverse outcomes. Objective: Data from a cohort of dementia-free community dwellers were used to investigate whether the clock drawing test (CDT), a quick and easy cognitive screening test, is associated with adverse health outcomes independently of the physical phenotype of frailty. Methods: This was a prospective population-based cohort study of 766 dementia-free Italian community dwellers aged 65 years or older. Baseline assessment included the physical phenotype of frailty, 3 different CDT protocols [Sunderland, Shulman, and the clock drawing interpretation scale (CDIS)], and several health confounders. Hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratio (OR) along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) from models adjusted for frailty and sociodemographic and health confounders were used to estimate the independent association of the CDT with the 7-year risk of all-cause mortality and the 3-year risk of new and worsening disability, hospitalization, and fractures. Results: After adjustment for confounders, the Sunderland CDT was significantly associated with all-cause mortality independently of the physical phenotype of frailty (HR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.03-2.01, p = 0.031). However, compared to all nonfrail participants with a normal Sunderland CDT, the HR was 1.57 (95% CI 1.09-2.26, p = 0.016) for those with impairment on the Sunderland CDT only, 2.48 (95% CI 1.46-4.20, p = 0.001) for those with frailty only, and 2.52 (95% CI 1.34-4.77, p = 0.004) for those with both frailty and impairment on the Sunderland CDT. Mortality was unrelated to the CDIS CDT (p = 0.359) and the Shulman CDT (p = 0.281). No statistically significant relationship was found between nonlethal outcomes and any CDT protocol, although trends were found for an association of both the Sunderland CDT (p = 0.118) and the CDIS CDT with worsening disability (p = 0.154). Conclusions: In older persons, depending on the scoring system, the CDT may predict the mortality risk independently of the physical phenotype of frailty. However, combining the two measurements does not improve their individual prognostic abilities.
Comparison of the Interleukin-1β-Inducing Potency of Allergenic Spores from Higher Fungi (Basidiomycetes) in a Cryopreserved Human Whole Blood System
Authors: Rivera-Mariani Félix E. , Vysyaraju Kranthi , Negherbon Jesse , Levetin Estelle , Horner W. Elliot , Hartung Thomas , Breysse Patrick N.
Published: December 2013

Background: Spores from basidiomycete fungi (basidiospores) are highly prevalent in the atmosphere of urban and rural settings. Studies have confirmed their potential to affect human health as allergens. Less is known about their potential to serve as stimuli of the innate immune system and induce proinflammatory reactions. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the proinflammatory potential of spores from 11 allergenic basidiomycete species (gilled: Pleurotus ostreatus,Oudemansiella radicata,Armillaria tabescens,Coprinus micaceus,Pluteus cervinus, and Chlorophyllum molybdites, and nongilled: Pisolithus arhizus,Merulius tremellosus,Calvatia cyathiformis,Lycoperdon pyriforme, andBoletus bicolor) based on their potency to induce the release of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β in a cryopreserved human whole blood system. In addition, the roles of morphological features of the spores (surface area, shape, and pigmentation) were examined for their role in the IL-1β-including potency of spores. Peripheral blood from healthy volunteers was collected, pooled, and cryopreserved. After stimulating the cryopreserved pooled blood with 106 to 103 basidiospores/ml, the concentration of IL-1β in culture supernatants was determined with ELISA. Results: Basidiospores manifested concentration-dependent IL-1β-inducing potency, which was more marked among basidiospores from gilled basidiomycetes. At higher concentrations of basidiospores, the IL-1β-inducing potency could be differentiated in the cryopreserved human whole blood system. Morphological features did not correlate with the IL-1β-inducing potency of the basidiospores, suggesting that nonmorphological properties modulate the IL-1β-inducing potency. Conclusion: Our data provide evidence of the proinflammatory potential of basidiospores, and the utility of cryopreserved human whole blood as a human-based in vitro system to study the immune reactivity of allergenic basidiospores.
Cathepsin K Activity Controls Injury-Related Vascular Repair in Mice
Authors: Hu Lina , Cheng Xian Wu , Song Haizhen , Inoue Aiko , Jiang Haiying , Li Xiang , Shi Guo-Ping , Kozawa Eiji , Okumura Kenji , Kuzuya Masafumi
Published: December 2013

Cathepsin K (CatK) is one of the most potent mammalian collagenases. We showed previously the increased expression of CatK in human and animal atherosclerotic lesions. Here, we hypothesized that ablation of CatK mitigates injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia. Male wild-type (CatK
+/+
) and CatK-deficient (CatK
−/−
) mice underwent ligation or a combination of ligation and polyethylene cuff-replacement injuries to the right common carotid artery just proximal to its bifurcation, and they were then processed for morphological and biochemical studies at specific time points. On operative day 28, CatK
−/−
significantly reduced neointimal formation and neovessel formation in both single- and combination-injured arteries compared with the Cat K
+/+
mice. At early time points, CatK
−/−
reduced the lesion macrophage contents and medial smooth muscle cell proliferation, the mRNA levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, toll-like receptor-2, toll-like receptor-4, chemokine ligand-12, and the gelatinolytic activity related to matrix metalloproteinase-2/-9. An aorta-explant assay revealed that smooth muscle cell movement was impaired in the CatK
−/−
mice compared with the CatK
+/+
mice. In addition, the smooth muscle cells and macrophages from CatK
−/−
mice had less invasive ability through a reconstituted basement membrane barrier. This vasculoprotective effect was mimicked by Cat inhibition with
trans
-epoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamido-{4-guanidino} butane (E64
d
). These results demonstrate an essential role of CatK in neointimal lesion formation in response to injury, possibly via the reduction of toll-like receptor-2/-4–mediated inflammation and smooth muscle cell proliferation, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy for the control of endovascular treatment–related restenosis by regulating CatK activity.
Sorbin and SH3 Domain‐Containing Protein 2 Is Released From Infarcted Heart in the Very Early Phase: Proteomic Analysis of Cardiac Tissues From Patients
Authors: Kakimoto Yu , Ito Shinji , Abiru Hitoshi , Kotani Hirokazu , Ozeki Munetaka , Tamaki Keiji , Tsuruyama Tatsuaki
Published: December 2013

Background

Few proteomic studies have examined human cardiac tissue following acute lethal infarction. Here, we applied a novel proteomic approach to formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded human tissue and aimed to reveal the molecular changes in the very early phase of acute myocardial infarction.

Methods and Results

Heart tissue samples were collected from 5 patients who died within 7 hours of myocardial infarction and from 5 age‐ and sex‐matched control cases. Infarcted and control myocardia were histopathologically diagnosed and captured using laser microdissection. Proteins were extracted using an originally established method and analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The label‐free quantification demonstrated that the levels of 21 proteins differed significantly between patients and controls. In addition to known biomarkers, the sarcoplasmic protein sorbin and
SH
3 domain‐containing protein 2 (
SORBS
2) was greatly reduced in infarcted myocardia. Immunohistochemical analysis of cardiac tissues confirmed the decrease, and Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in serum sorbin and
SH
3 domain‐containing protein 2 in acute myocardial infarction patients (n=10) compared with control cases (n=11).

Conclusions

Our advanced comprehensive analysis using patient tissues and serums indicated that sarcoplasmic sorbin and
SH
3 domain‐containing protein 2 is released from damaged cardiac tissue into the bloodstream upon lethal acute myocardial infarction. The proteomic strategy presented here is based on precise microscopic findings and is quite useful for candidate biomarker discovery using human tissue samples stored in depositories.
Reward- and Attention-related Biasing of Sensory Selection in Visual Cortex
Authors: Buschschulte Antje , Boehler Carsten N. , Strumpf Hendrik , Stoppel Christian , Heinze Hans-Jochen , Schoenfeld Mircea A. , Hopf Jens-Max
Published: December 2013

Attention to task-relevant features leads to a biasing of sensory selection in extrastriate cortex. Features signaling reward seem to produce a similar bias, but how modulatory effects due to reward and attention relate to each other is largely unexplored. To address this issue, it is critical to separate top–down settings defining reward relevance from those defining attention. To this end, we used a visual search paradigm in which the target's definition (attention to color) was dissociated from reward relevance by delivering monetary reward on search frames where a certain task-irrelevant color was combined with the target-defining color to form the target object. We assessed the state of neural biasing for the attended and reward-relevant color by analyzing the neuromagnetic brain response to asynchronously presented irrelevant distractor probes drawn in the target-defining color, the reward-relevant color, and a completely irrelevant color as a reference. We observed that for the prospect of moderate rewards, the target-defining color but not the reward-relevant color produced a selective enhancement of the neuromagnetic response between 180 and 280 msec in ventral extrastriate visual cortex. Increasing reward prospect caused a delayed attenuation (220–250 msec) of the response to reward probes, which followed a prior (160–180 msec) response enhancement in dorsal ACC. Notably, shorter latency responses in dorsal ACC were associated with stronger attenuation in extrastriate visual cortex. Finally, an analysis of the brain response to the search frames revealed that the presence of the reward-relevant color in search distractors elicited an enhanced response that was abolished after increasing reward size. The present data together indicate that when top–down definitions of reward relevance and attention are separated, the behavioral significance of reward-associated features is still rapidly coded in higher-level cortex areas, thereby commanding effective top–down inhibitory control to counter a selection bias for those features in extrastriate visual cortex.
Haptic Shape Processing in Visual Cortex
Authors: Snow Jacqueline C. , Strother Lars , Humphreys Glyn W.
Published: December 2013

Humans typically rely upon vision to identify object shape, but we can also recognize shape via touch (haptics). Our haptic shape recognition ability raises an intriguing question: To what extent do visual cortical shape recognition mechanisms support haptic object recognition? We addressed this question using a haptic fMRI repetition design, which allowed us to identify neuronal populations sensitive to the shape of objects that were touched but not seen. In addition to the expected shape-selective fMRI responses in dorsal frontoparietal areas, we observed widespread shape-selective responses in the ventral visual cortical pathway, including primary visual cortex. Our results indicate that shape processing via touch engages many of the same neural mechanisms as visual object recognition. The shape-specific repetition effects we observed in primary visual cortex show that visual sensory areas are engaged during the haptic exploration of object shape, even in the absence of concurrent shape-related visual input. Our results complement related findings in visually deprived individuals and highlight the fundamental role of the visual system in the processing of object shape.
Prefrontal Structural Correlates of Cognitive Control during Adolescent Development: A 4-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Vijayakumar Nandita , Whittle Sarah , Yücel Murat , Dennison Meg , Simmons Julian , Allen Nicholas B.
Published: December 2013

Maturation of cognitive control abilities has been attributed to the protracted structural maturation of underlying neural correlates during adolescence. This study examined the relationship between development of two forms of cognitive control (proactive and reactive control) and structural maturation of the ACC, dorsolateral pFC, and ventrolateral pFC (vlPFC) between early and mid adolescence using a longitudinal design. Adolescents (n = 92) underwent baseline assessments when they were 12 years old and follow-up assessments approximately 4 years later. At each assessment, structural MRI scans were acquired, and a modified Stroop task was performed. Results showed longitudinal improvements in reactive control between early and mid adolescence. Furthermore, magnitude of the improvement in proactive control was associated with reduced thinning of the right vlPFC across the sample, whereas the magnitude of the improvements in reactive control was associated with reduced thinning of the left ACC in men alone. These findings suggest that individual differences in the maturation of ACC and vlPFC underlie the development of two distinct forms of cognitive control between early and mid adolescence as well as highlight sex differences in this relationship.
Magnolia sinostellata and relatives (Magnoliaceae)
Authors: WANG YA-LING , EJDER ERLAND , YANG JIAN-FEN , LIU RAO , YE LI-MING , HE ZI-CAN , ZHANG SHOU-ZHOU
Published: December 2013

Magnolia sinostellata has been considered a synonym of Magnolia stellata by several taxonomists due to many shared morphological characters. With similar leaves and twigs, Magnolia amoena is distributed in areas near M. sinostellata. These three species were studied by comparing morphological, cytological and palynological characters, creating a maximum parsimony phylogenetic tree based on plastid DNA sequences and studying these taxa in the field. The results are as follows: M. sinostellata is a diploid, 2n=2x=38, and there are heterozygotes with paracentric inversion chromosomes in wild populations. Magnolia stellata is also a diploid, and there are heterozygotes with pericentric inversion chromosomes in wild populations. The abnormal chromosome behaviour in meiosis has serious effects on survival of the two species. Magnolia amoena is diploid with more or less normal meiosis except for a few lagging chromosomes in anaphase I and II. Magnolia stellata has a more complicated exine sculpture than the other two; exine structure is different in all three species. Separate species status for M. sinostellata is also supported by results of the plastid DNA phylogenetic study. Distributions, population descriptions and observations are provided, and based on all the evidence presented we conclude that M. sinostellata is a distinct species in M. subgenus Yulania.
A new species of betel nut palm (Areca: Arecaceae) from western New Guinea
Authors: Heatubun Charlie Danny , IWANGGIN MARTHINUS P. , SIMBIAK VICTOR I.
Published: December 2013

A new species of betel nut palm, Areca unipa, is described and illustrated here for the first time. This is the second species of Areca from New Guinea that is closely related to the widespread, cultivated species A. catechu. A discussion of its morphological characters, distribution, ecology, habitat, uses and conservation status is provided.
Revision of the genus Alkindus Distant (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Thyreocoridae: Corimelaeninae)
Authors: MATESCO VIVIANA CAUDURO , GRAZIA JOCELIA
Published: December 2013

The neotropical genus Alkindus Distant is revised based on morphological characters (general morphology, including the external scent efferent system and leg structures, and external genital morphology). The male of Alkindus crassicosta Horvath is here described for the first time. Illustrations, an adapted key to species, and a compiled list of plants associated with both species are provided. Distribution records are expanded to include Guatemala and Brazil (Roraima) for Alkindus atratus Distant and Brazil (Santa Catarina) for A. crassicosta.
A new species of the genus Thoracochirus Bernhauer (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Osoriinae) from Yunnan, China
Authors: LI GUO-FENG , WANG CHUN-MEI , LI ZHONG-WEI , ZHOU DE-QUAN
Published: December 2013

Thoracochirus yunxianius sp. nov. is described from Yunnan, China. Color images of the habitus and aedeagus of the new species are included. A key to the genus Thoracochirus of mainland China species is provided.
A new species of Labiobaetis Novikova & Kluge, 1987 (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Washington, USA
Authors: WEBB J. M.
Published: December 2013

Labiobaetis sonajuventus n.sp. is described from nymphs collected in a tributary of the Okanogan River in north-central Washington, USA. The new species is distinguished from North American congeners by the well-developed keel between the bases of the antennae, the concave lateral margin of labial palp segment 2, the apically expanded submarginal setae on the labrum, and its western Nearctic distribution.
Variability Common to Global Sea Surface Temperatures and Runoff in the Conterminous United States
Authors: McCabe Gregory J. , Wolock David M.
Published: December 2013

Singular value decomposition (SVD) is used to identify the variability common to global sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and water-balance-modeled water-year (WY) runoff in the conterminous United States (CONUS) for the 1900–2012 period. Two modes were identified from the SVD analysis; the two modes explain 25% of the variability in WY runoff and 33% of the variability in WY SSTs. The first SVD mode reflects the variability of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the SST data and the hydroclimatic effects of ENSO on WY runoff in the CONUS. The second SVD mode is related to variability of the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO). An interesting aspect of these results is that both ENSO and AMO appear to have nearly equivalent effects on runoff variability in the CONUS. However, the relatively small amount of variance explained by the SVD analysis indicates that there is little covariation between runoff and SSTs, suggesting that SSTs may not be a viable predictor of runoff variability for most of the conterminous United States.
Rain Attenuation Prediction Model for Lagos at Millimeter Wave Bands
Authors: Yussuff Abayomi Isiaka , Haji Khamis Nor Hisham
Published: December 2013

Lagos, Nigeria (6.35°N, 3.2°E), is a coastal station in the rain forest area of southwestern Nigeria with an altitude of 38 m. Since most communication now takes place above the X band because of congestion of lower bands, it was necessary to look into ways of maximizing X-band usage. There are inadequate data for use in rain propagation studies at microwave frequencies, and even less so at millimeter wave bands where most of the signal depolarization and fading has been discovered to exist. The proposed model is a modification of the International Telecommunication Union–Radio Communication Sector (ITU-R) model combined with locally obtained regression coefficients for estimating specific attenuation as proposed by G. Olalere Ajayi. The Dissanayake, Allnutt, and Haidara (DAH), Simple Attenuation Model (SAM), and ITU-R attenuation prediction models were investigated along with the proposed model. The ITU-R model was observed to produce the best results at 40 GHz, with percentage error values of 0.61%, 0.55%, and 0.49% at 0.1%, 0.01%, and 0.001% of the time, respectively. In comparison, the proposed prediction model showed good performance at 20-GHz down-link frequency, with percentage error values of 3.6%, 3.3%, and 2.9% at 0.1%, 0.01%, and 0.001% of the time, respectively. The obtained results also showed good agreement with other similar works in the open literature. The results presented in this work are valuable for the design and planning of a satellite link in the tropical regions.
Childhood trauma in bipolar disorder
Authors: Watson Stuart , Gallagher Peter , Dougall Dominic , Porter Richard , Moncrieff Joanna , Ferrier I Nicol , Young Allan H
Published: December 2013

Objective:

There has been little investigation of early trauma in bipolar disorder despite evidence that stress impacts on the course of this illness. We aimed to compare the rates of childhood trauma in adults with bipolar disorder to a healthy control group, and to investigate the impact of childhood trauma on the clinical course of bipolar disorder.

Methods:

Retrospective assessment of childhood trauma was conducted using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) in 60 outpatients with bipolar disorder being treated for a depressive episode and 55 control participants across two centres in north-east England and New Zealand.

Results:

Significantly higher rates of childhood trauma were observed in patients with bipolar I and bipolar II disorder compared to controls. Logistic regression, controlling for age and sex, identified emotional neglect to be the only significant CTQ subscale associated with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Childhood history of sexual abuse was not a significant predictor. Associations with clinical severity or course were less clear.

Conclusions:

Childhood emotional neglect appears to be significantly associated with bipolar disorder. Limitations include the relatively small sample size, which potentially increases the risk of type II errors. Replication of this study is required, with further investigation into the neurobiological consequences of childhood trauma, particularly emotional neglect.
‘Leader, you first’: The everyday production of hierarchical space in a Chinese bureaucracy
Authors: Zhang Zhongyuan , Spicer André
Published: December 2013

Recent studies highlight how organizational power relations are materialized in space. However, relatively little is known about how these spatialized power relations are reproduced on a day-to-day basis. Drawing on a ten-month ethnographic study of a large government office in China, we find that hierarchical space is produced through three intertwined processes. It proliferates as employees actively seek out signs of hierarchy in the organization’s space; it becomes familiarized as employees fabricate and circulate fanciful narratives about their spatial environs; and it is ritualized by employees acting out hierarchical relations across the organization’s space. These processes resulted in a hardening of the hierarchical relations of power. The study extends the existing literature by showing how hierarchical organizational space is not just something that is imposed on employees; it is also imposed by the employees themselves.
The Finnish Welfare State in the 1990s
Authors: Vivekanandan B.
Published: December 2013

Finland has an advanced welfare state system, which extends social protection for everyone in the country. The system is anchored in a full-employment policy, a steeply progressive taxation system, and a strong, benevolent and resourceful state, endowed with the authority to regulate the economic and social life of people. This system has been established through the institutionalization of various social insurance schemes and schemes for pensions, health care, childcare, free and compulsory education, etc. In the 1990s, the Finnish state experienced an economic crisis, borne out of flawed economic reforms like the deregulation of the financial market and other changes that aimed at hastening Finland’s European Union (EU) membership. The crisis forced the government to tighten the preconditions for availing of welfare benefits. Some notable changes made during the crisis have not yet been rescinded even after it ended. Nevertheless, the crisis underlined the value of the welfare state system in helping ordinary people to successfully insulate themselves against any serious hardship during the period. As a result, the system is very popular in Finland. The Finnish welfare system today faces new challenges emanating from globalization, the EU, demographic changes and structural unemployment.
Field Research in Conflict Zones
Authors: Dixit Meha
Published: December 2013

This paper focuses on conducting research in conflict or post-conflict areas and dilemmas faced by researchers when visiting these places. It outlines some of the practical, methodological, normative and ethical issues that may engulf a researcher’s mind prior to or while visiting these areas. These include access to the conflict zone, the insider/outsider debate, the feasibility of interviewing civilians and armed combatants, informed consent of the locals, the importance of the socio-cultural context, distinction between victims and perpetrators of violence, assessing trauma in conflict and post-conflict zones, and expectations of the locals. The attempt to highlight these issues does not imply that these are the only questions of concern while conducting research in conflict or post-conflict zones. However, these issues relate to the experiences of the author while travelling to such areas.