bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multidrug-Resistant Enterococci Lack CRISPR-
cas
Authors: Palmer Kelli L. , Gilmore Michael S.
Published: October 2010

Clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) provide bacteria and archaea with sequence-specific, acquired defense against plasmids and phage. Because mobile elements constitute up to 25% of the genome of multidrug-resistant (MDR) enterococci, it was of interest to examine the codistribution of CRISPR and acquired antibiotic resistance in enterococcal lineages. A database was built from 16
Enterococcus faecalis
draft genome sequences to identify commonalities and polymorphisms in the location and content of CRISPR loci. With this data set, we were able to detect identities between CRISPR spacers and sequences from mobile elements, including pheromone-responsive plasmids and phage, suggesting that CRISPR regulates the flux of these elements through the
E. faecalis
species. Based on conserved locations of CRISPR and CRISPR-
cas
loci and the discovery of a new CRISPR locus with associated functional genes, CRISPR3-
cas
, we screened additional
E. faecalis
strains for CRISPR content, including isolates predating the use of antibiotics. We found a highly significant inverse correlation between the presence of a CRISPR-
cas
locus and acquired antibiotic resistance in
E. faecalis
, and examination of an additional eight
E. faecium
genomes yielded similar results for that species. A mechanism for CRISPR-
cas
loss in
E. faecalis
was identified. The inverse relationship between CRISPR-
cas
and antibiotic resistance suggests that antibiotic use inadvertently selects for enterococcal strains with compromised genome defense.

IMPORTANCE
For many bacteria, including the opportunistically pathogenic enterococci, antibiotic resistance is mediated by acquisition of new DNA and is frequently encoded on mobile DNA elements such as plasmids and transposons. Certain enterococcal lineages have recently emerged that are characterized by abundant mobile DNA, including numerous viruses (phage), and plasmids and transposons encoding multiple antibiotic resistances. These lineages cause hospital infection outbreaks around the world. The striking influx of mobile DNA into these lineages is in contrast to what would be expected if a self (genome)-defense system was present. Clustered, regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) defense is a recently discovered mechanism of prokaryotic self-defense that provides a type of acquired immunity. Here, we find that antibiotic resistance and possession of complete CRISPR loci are inversely related and that members of recently emerged high-risk enterococcal lineages lack complete CRISPR loci. Our results suggest that antibiotic therapy inadvertently selects for enterococci with compromised genome defense.
Minimally invasive soft tissue surgery in dogs and cats
Authors: Moore Alasdair Hotston
Published: October 2010

Minimally invasive surgical techniques have grown in prominence in humans and this trend is continuing in veterinary surgery, although the uptake of many procedures has been slower and the overall number of animals treated in this way remains small. The limiting factors are generally lack of experience and the cost and availability of the equipment required. However, the benefits include reduced tissue trauma, faster patient recovery and better visualisation due to magnification and closer access, all of which have already been seen following the use of arthroscopy for the management of joint disorders in horses and dogs. This article outlines the equipment needed for minimally invasive soft tissue surgery and describes the use of laparoscopy for a number of abdominal procedures in dogs and cats. An article to be published in the next issue of In Practice will consider thoracoscopic and urethrocystoscopic surgical techniques in these species.
Combination of morphological feature analysis and immunohistochemistry is useful for screening of EML4-ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Jokoji Ryu , Yamasaki Takashi , Minami Seigo , Komuta Kiyoshi , Sakamaki Yasushi , Takeuchi Kengo , Tsujimoto Masahiko
Published: October 2010

Background

A subset of lung cancers harbours the fusion gene echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like-4–anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK). Recently, immunohistochemistry for ALK has shown sensitivity for the detection of EML4-ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma almost equal to that of the fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) assay.

Aims

To study the clinicopathological features of EML4-ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma in a large number of surgically resected samples using immunohistochemistry, in order to establish a useful screening method for EML4-ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry for ALK was used to screen for EML4-ALK-positive lung adenocarcinomas in 254 cases of surgically resected samples.

Results

EML4-ALK-positive cases were detected in 3.1% of lung adenocarcinomas (8/254). EML4-ALK-positive lung adenocarcinomas showed significant associations with intra- and/or extra-cytoplasmic mucin (p=0.0001), and cribriform pattern with excessive extracytoplasmic mucin (p<0.0001). Signet-ring cell appearance alone lacked significance (p=0.149).

Conclusion

EML4-ALK-positive lung adenocarcinoma has a tendency to express a characteristic morphological pattern. The combined use of morphological feature analysis and immunohistochemistry may be a useful and cost effective screening method for EML4-ALK lung adenocarcinoma.
Regulation of treatment of infants at the edge of viability in Italy: the role of the medical profession?
Authors: Pignotti Maria Serenella , Moratti Sofia
Published: October 2010

In the last few years there has been intense debate in Italy on administration of life-prolonging treatment to premature babies at the edge of viability. In 2006, a group of experts based in Florence drafted recommendations known as Carta di Firenze (CdF) for responsible use of intensive care for premature infants between 22 and 25 weeks of gestational age (GA). The CdF was later endorsed by several medicoprofessional associations, but was followed by recommendations by the Ministry of Health mandating resuscitation for all premature babies regardless of GA and parental consent. Recent statements from medicoprofessional bodies seem to show that the ‘always resuscitate rule’ is not supported by many Italian doctors. We argue that ethically sensitive issues in medicine should be regulated with, and not against, the medical profession and its representative bodies.
Physical therapy students' willingness to report misconduct to protect the patient's interests
Authors: Mansbach Abraham , Bachner Yaacov G , Melzer Itzik
Published: October 2010

This article presents a study on the ethical dilemma of whistleblowing in physical therapy, and suggests some lines for further research on this topic as well as ways for integrating it in the physical therapy curriculum. The study examines the self-reported willingness of physical therapy students to report misconduct, whether internally or externally, to protect the patient's interests. Internal disclosure entails reporting the wrongdoing to an authority within the organisation. External disclosure entails reporting the offence to an outside agency, such as the police, professional organisation, or press. The findings indicate that the students view the acts that are detrimental or cause injustice to the patient in a very serious light. In dilemma situations such as these, the students reported a willingness to act. The students also report considerably greater likelihood of whistleblowing internally than externally. The pattern reveals a desire to correct the misconduct coupled with a marked decline in the willingness to blow the whistle as this act moved from the workplace to an external authority.
Degree of solidarity with lifestyle and old age among citizens in the Netherlands: cross-sectional results from the longitudinal SMILE study
Authors: Bonnie Linda H A , van den Akker Marjan , van Steenkiste Ben , Vos Rein
Published: October 2010

Background and aim

With the increasing interest in lifestyle, health and consequences of unhealthy lifestyles for the healthcare system, a new kind of solidarity is gaining importance: lifestyle solidarity. While it might not seem fair to let other people pay for the costs arising from an unhealthy lifestyle, it does not seem fair either to punish people for their lifestyle. However, it is not clear how solidarity is assessed by people, when considering disease risks or lifestyle risks. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of solidarity with lifestyle as well as with other factors that are related to health outcomes—for example, old age—and the relation between this degree of solidarity and various characteristics.

Methods

This cross-sectional study is part of the Dutch longitudinal SMILE study. Data on the degree of solidarity with different lifestyles and old age, and the relation between the degree of solidarity and various demographic and other variables were obtained in a questionnaire survey.

Results

Solidarity with smokers and overweight people was moderate, as was solidarity with older people. Respondents were ambivalent about athletes. Respondents who were younger, male and highly educated, and those with a healthy lifestyle, a small social network, high quality of life and an internal locus of control, showed low solidarity.

Conclusions

Solidarity with an unhealthy lifestyle and old age is moderate and the degree of solidarity varies among the different subgroups.
Positive rights, negative rights and health care
Authors: Bradley Andrew
Published: October 2010

In the current debate about healthcare reform in the USA, advocates for government-ensured universal coverage assume that health care is a right. Although this position is politically popular, it is sometimes challenged by a restricted view of rights popular with libertarians and individualists. The restricted view of rights only accepts ‘negative’ rights as legitimate rights. Negative rights, the argument goes, place no obligations on you to provide goods to other people and thus respect your right to keep the fruits of your labour. A classic enumeration of negative rights includes life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Positive rights, by contrast, obligate you either to provide goods to others, or pay taxes that are used for redistributive purposes. Health care falls into the category of positive rights since its provision by the government requires taxation and therefore redistribution. Therefore, the libertarian or individualist might argue that health care cannot be a true right. This paper rejects the distinction between positive and negative rights. In fact, the protection of both positive and negative rights can place obligations on others. Furthermore, because of its role in helping protect equality of opportunity, health care can be tied to the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. There is, therefore, good reason to believe that health care is a human right and that universal access should be guaranteed. The practical application, by governments and non-governmental organisations, of several of the arguments presented in this paper is also discussed.
Understanding preferences for disclosure of individual biomarker results among participants in a longitudinal birth cohort
Authors: Wilson Stephen E , Baker Erin R , Leonard Anthony C , Eckman Mark H , Lanphear Bruce P
Published: October 2010

Background

To describe the preferences for disclosure of individual biomarker results among mothers participating in a longitudinal birth cohort.

Methods

We surveyed 343 mothers that participated in the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment Study about their biomarker disclosure preferences. Participants were told that the study was measuring pesticide metabolites in their biological specimens, and that the health effects of these low levels of exposure are unknown. Participants were asked whether they wanted to receive their results and their child's results. In addition, they were asked about their preferred method (letter vs in person) and format (more complex vs less complex) for disclosure of results.

Results

Almost all of the study participants wanted to receive their individual results (340/343) as well as their child's results (342/343). However, preferences for receiving results differed by education level. Mothers with less than a college degree preferred in-person disclosure of results more often than mothers with some college education or a college degree (34.3% vs 17.4% vs 7.9%, p<0.001). Similarly, mothers with less than a college education preferred a less complex disclosure format than mothers with some college education or a college degree (59.7% vs 79.1% vs 86.3%, p<0.0001).

Conclusion

While almost all study participants preferred to receive results of their individual biomarker tests, level of education was a key factor in predicting preferences for disclosure of biomarker results. To ensure effective communication of this information, disclosure of biomarker results should be tailored to the education level of the study participants.
Synthetic biology and the ethics of knowledge: Table 1
Authors: Douglas Thomas , Savulescu Julian
Published: October 2010

Synthetic biologists aim to generate biological organisms according to rational design principles. Their work may have many beneficial applications, but it also raises potentially serious ethical concerns. In this article, we consider what attention the discipline demands from bioethicists. We argue that the most important issue for ethicists to examine is the risk that knowledge from synthetic biology will be misused, for example, in biological terrorism or warfare. To adequately address this concern, bioethics will need to broaden its scope, contemplating not just the means by which scientific knowledge is produced, but also what kinds of knowledge should be sought and disseminated.
A revised life table and survivorship curve for Albertosaurus sarcophagus based on the Dry Island mass death assemblageThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme Albertosaurus.
Authors: Erickson Gregory M. , Currie Philip J. , Inouye Brian D. , Winn Alice A.
Published: October 2010

In 1910 a crew from the American Museum of Natural History discovered a bone bed composed primarily of the large tyrannosaurid Albertosaurus sarcophagus in what is now Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada. Study of the remains from the site allowed the first life table and survivorship curve for a non-avian dinosaur to be created. These have served as a model for subsequent studies of dinosaurian population biology. Since 2006, the discovery and preparation of hundreds of new elements from the bone bed stand to substantially increase the minimum number of individuals (MNI) represented. This would allow testing of previous conclusions regarding the population biology of these animals and refinement of our understanding of the patterns of survivorship. Here, four formerly unrecognized individuals from the Dry Island assemblage are revealed and a revised life table presented. As in the previous analysis, a left skewed age distribution and sigmoidal survivorship pattern were found. Annual mortality rates averaged 3.47% between ages two and 13 and then increased to a mean of 19.5% prior to extinction of the cohort after 28 years of age. Mean life expectancy for individuals surviving to two years of age was 15.19 years. Mid-life increase in attrition corresponds to entrance into the breeding population. The MNI is unlikely to substantially increase, and new individuals are unlikely to affect the pattern of survivorship inferred here. Nevertheless, future excavations stand to reveal more about the anatomical and pathological variance within the Dry Island Albertosaurus population.
Deoxygenation of diarylmethanols with dilute mineral acid
Authors: Hope-Ross Kyle A. , Kadla John F.
Published: October 2010

A new mild and efficient method for the deoxygenation of diarylmethanols is reported. The reaction employs catalytic hydrochloric acid in ethanol at reflux for 48 h. This reaction works on a variety of diarylmethanol substrates and mitigates the need for expensive and toxic reagents such stannanes and silanes used in alternative procedures. In addition, this reaction can be used in tandem with the deprotection of acid-sensitive silyl ether protecting groups in a one-pot procedure.
Bisoxazoline–copper(I)-catalyzed aziridination of diazoacetate with imines — A DFT study
Authors: Meng Qingxi , Wang Fen , Li Ming
Published: October 2010

Density functional theory (DFT) has been used to study bisoxazoline–copper(I)-catalyzed aziridination of diazoacetate with syn-imines or anti-imines. All the intermediates and transition states were optimized completely at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Calculation results confirm that Cu(I)-catalyzed aziridination goes mainly through the catalyst–diazoacetate complex (M1), the copper(I)–carbene intermediate (M2), the copper–carbene–imine complex (M3), and the catalyst–aziridine carboxylate complex (M4). For syn-imines, the reaction mode I (C3–N5 bond attacking the Cu–C1 bond of M2) is more dominant than the reaction mode II (C3–N5 bond attacking the carbene–carbon C1 of M2), and the attack from the si-surface of M2 is prior to the re-surface. For anti-imines, the reaction modes and attacks from the si- or re-surface coexist. The reactivity of syn-imines is stronger than anti-imines. The favorable reaction channel is CA2 → M1b → TS1b → M2 → syn-TS2b → syn-M3b → syn-TS3b → syn-M4b → syn-P2. The dominant product theoretically predicted is of (S,S)-chirality. On the whole, the solvent effect decreases the free energies of the species.
Surface-mediated synthesis of organophosphorus-based hydrazides using basic alumina
Authors: Kavita  , Joshi P. , Sharma N. , Joshi Y. C.
Published: October 2010

The surface-mediated synthesis of O-alkyl alkylphosphorohydrazides and N,N-dialkylamino alkylphosphorohydrazides from phosphoryl chlorides is described. The effect of the presence of chromatographic-grade Al2O3(basic) on the hydrazinolysis of a series of O-alkyl alkylphosphonic chlorides and N,N-dialkylamino alkylphosphonic chlorides has also been investigated. It was observed that higher yields of the less-hindered hydrazides were obtained
LEPTON-FLAVOR-VIOLATING τ DECAYS IN TWO-HIGGS-DOUBLET MODEL III
Authors: LI WEN-JUN , FAN YING-YING , LÜ LIN-XIA , GAO SU-ZHI , LIU GONG-WEI
Published: October 2010

We study the lepton-flavor-violating processes of τ- → μ-PP decays with PP = K+K-, [Formula: see text], π+π-, π0π0 in the framework of two-Higgs-doublet model III by virtue of the chiral perturbation theory. In this model, only three neutral Higgs bosons contribute to these decays. With the current experimental constraints, we show that (a) the contributions of the |λuu(dd)| term are very small for these four decays; (b) we get the correlation between |λss| and |λτμ|; for |λτμ| ~ 10–400, one has |λss| ~ 40–1; (c) in the existing model parameter space, Br (τ- → μ- K+K-) could reach the order of [Formula: see text], but Br (τ → μ-π+π-/π0π0) are too small to be observed.
INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC ORIGINS OF THE POLAR KERR EFFECT IN A CHIRAL p-WAVE SUPERCONDUCTOR
Authors: GORYO JUN
Published: October 2010

Recently, the measurement of the polar Kerr effect (PKE) in the quasi two-dimensional superconductor Sr 2 RuO 4, which is motivated to observe the chirality of px + ipy-wave pairing, has been reported. We clarify that the PKE has intrinsic and extrinsic (disorder-induced) origins. The extrinsic contribution would be dominant in the PKE experiment.
NEW MAGNETIC BEHAVIOR OF LaCoO3 SINGLE CRYSTAL AT LOW TEMPERATURE
Authors: SONG GENG-XIN , LI LIANG , XU DA-PENG
Published: October 2010

The LaCoO 3 single crystal, 4 mm in diameter and 30 mm in length, has been grown by optical floating zone method. The magnetic measurements show that the coercivity and the remanence are 5 Oe and 1.5 × 10-3 emu/g at 5 K, respectively. The ZFC and FC magnetic susceptibility curves overlap and the 1/χ(T) curve shows a linear variation over the interval 5 K < T < 35 K in 1000 Oe. As the temperature increases from 35 K to 90 K, the ZFC curve in 1000 Oe firstly reduces nonlinearly, and then appears as a wave crest. The χ under ZFC is higher than that under FC in the temperature range of 55~90 K. In 50 000 Oe, a slope change of 1/χ(T) at about 12 K is observed.
Evolution of Interferon-Based Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Chen Chun-Hao , Yu Ming-Lung
Published: October 2010

Since 1986, interferon-alfa (IFN-) monotherapy has been administered for patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, sustained response rate is only about 8% to 9%. Subsequent introduction of ribavirin in combination with IFN- was a major breakthrough in the treatment of CHC. Sustained virological responses (SVRs) rate is about 30% in hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (HCV-1) patients, and is about 65% in HCV-2 or -3 patients. After 2000, pegylated interferon (PegIFN) much improved the rates of SVR. Presently, PegIFN--ribavirin combination therapy has been current standard of care for patients infected with HCV. In patients with HCV-1, treatment for 48 weeks is optimal, but 24 weeks of treatment is sufficient in HCV-2 or -3 infected patients. Clinical factors have been identified as predictors for the efficacy of the IFN-based therapy. The baseline factor most strongly predictive of an SVR is the presence of HCV-2 or -3 infections. Rapid virological response (RVR) is the single best predictor of an SVR to PegIFN-ribavirin therapy. If patients can't achieve a RVR but achieve a complete early virological response (cEVR), treatment with current standard of care can provide more than 90% SVR rate. HCV-1 patients who do not achieve an EVR should discontinue the therapy. Recent advances of protease inhibitor may contribute the development of a novel triple combination therapy.
Synthesis, X‐Ray Structure, and Characterization of Catena‐bis(benzoate)bis{N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)glycinate}cadmium(II)
Authors: Katsoulakou Eugenia , Konidaris Konstantis F. , Raptopoulou Catherine P. , Psyharis Vassilis , Manessi-Zoupa Evy , Perlepes Spyros P.
Published: October 2010

The reaction of N, N‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)glycine (bicine; bicH3) with in MeOH yielded the polymeric compound . The complex crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P41212. The lattice constants are a = b = 12.737(5) and c = 18.288(7) Å. The compound contains chains of repeating units. One CdII atom is coordinated by two carboxylate oxygen, four hydroxyl oxygen, and two nitrogen atoms from two symmetry‐related 2.21111 (Harris notation) ligands. The other CdII atom is coordinated by six carboxylate oxygen atoms, four from two ligands and two from the monodentate benzoate groups. Each bicinate(‐1) ligand chelates the 8‐coordinate, square antiprismatic CdII atom through one carboxylate oxygen, the nitrogen, and both hydroxyl oxygen atoms and bridges the second, six‐coordinate trigonal prismatic CdII center through its carboxylate oxygen atoms. Compound 1 is the first structurally characterized cadmium(II) complex containing any anionic form of bicine as ligand. IR data of 1 are discussed in terms of the coordination modes of the ligands and the known structure.
A Metabonomic Comparison of Urinary Changes in Zucker and GK Rats
Authors: Zhao Liang-Cai , Zhang Xiao-Dong , Liao Shi-Xian , Gao Hong-Chang , Wang He-Yao , Lin Dong-Hai
Published: October 2010

To further investigate pathogenesis and pathogenic process of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), we compared the urinary metabolic profiling of Zucker obese and Goto-kakizaki (GK) rats by NMR-based metabonomics. Principal component analysis (PCA) on urine samples of both models rats indicates markedly elevated levels of creatine/creatinine, dimethylamine, and acetoacetate, with concomitantly declined levels of citrate, 2-ketoglurarate, lactate, hippurate, and succinate compared with control rats, respectively. Simultaneously, compared with Zucker obese rats, the GK rats show decreased levels of trimethylamine, acetate, and choline, as well as increased levels of creatine/creatinine, acetoacetate, alanine, citrate, 2-ketoglutarate, succinate, lactate, and hippurate. This study demonstrates metabolic similarities between the two stages of T2DM, including reduced tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and increased ketone bodies production. In addition, compared with Zucker obese rats, the GK rats have enhanced concentration of energy metabolites, which indicates energy metabolic changes produced in hyperglycemia stage more than in insulin resistance stage.
Two Cases of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder
Authors: Nau Peter , Liu James , Dillhoff Mary , Forster Meghan , Hazey Jeffrey , Melvin Scott
Published: October 2010

Small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is a rare disease process with approximately 40 cases reported in the literature. It is most often found in elderly female population and is associated with cholelithiasis and cigarette smoking. A multidisciplinary approach to treatment with wide surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy is the current standard of care. Notwithstanding prompt medical intervention, it is a disease with a poor prognosis. The pathology is characterized by early metastases and extensive local invasion. Herein, we report two cases of small cell carcinoma addressed at our institution. In both cases, a radical resection was performed with subsequent referral to oncology for additional therapy.
On Mixed Problems for Quasilinear Second‐Order Systems
Authors: Cavazzoni Rita
Published: October 2010

The paper is devoted to the study of initial‐boundary value problems for quasilinear second‐order systems. Existence and uniqueness of the solution in the space , with s > d/2 + 3, is proved in the case where Ω is a half‐space of ℜd. The proof of the main theorem relies on two preliminary results: existence of the solution to mixed problems for linear second‐order systems with smooth coefficients, and existence of the solution to initial‐boundary value problems for linear second‐order operators whose coefficients depend on the variables x and t through a function v ∈ Hs(ℜd+1). By means of the results proved for linear operators, the well posedness of the mixed problem for the quasi‐linear system is established by studying the convergence of a suitable iteration scheme.
Coordinate Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Effects of the Insulin Sensitizer Rosiglitazone on Fundamental Metabolic Pathways in Liver, Soleus Muscle, and Adipose Tissue in Diabetic db/db Mice
Authors: Le Bouter Sabrina , Rodriguez Marianne , Guigal-Stephan Nolwen , Courtade-Gaïani Sophie , Xuereb Laura , de Montrion Catherine , Croixmarie Vincent , Umbdenstock Thierry , Boursier-Neyret Claire , Lonchampt Michel , Brun Manuel , Dacquet Catherine , Ktorza Alain , Lockhart Brian-Paul , Galizzi Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2010

Rosiglitazone (RSG), developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, is known to have potent effects on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism leading to the improvement of insulin sensitivity in target tissues. To further assess the capacity of RSG to normalize gene expression in insulin-sensitive tissues, we compared groups of 18-day-treated db/db mice with increasing oral doses of RSG (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg/d) with untreated non-diabetic littermates (db/+). For this aim, transcriptional changes were measured in liver, inguinal adipose tissue (IAT) and soleus muscle using microarrays and real-time PCR. In parallel, targeted metabolomic assessment of lipids (triglycerides (TGs) and free fatty acids (FFAs)) in plasma and tissues was performed by UPLC-MS methods. Multivariate analyses revealed a relationship between the differential gene expressions in liver and liver trioleate content and between blood glucose levels and a combination of differentially expressed genes measured in liver, IAT, and muscle. In summary, we have integrated gene expression and targeted metabolomic data to present a comprehensive overview of RSG-induced changes in a diabetes mouse model and improved the molecular understanding of how RSG ameliorates diabetes through its effect on the major insulin-sensitive tissues.
Anaesthesia for Emergency Caesarean Section in a Patient with Large Anterior Mediastinal Tumour Presenting as Intrathoracic Airway Compression and Superior Vena Cava Obstruction
Authors: Chiang James C. S. , Irwin Michael G. , Hussain A. , Tang Y. K. , Hiong Y. T.
Published: October 2010

Anterior mediastinal mass is an uncommon pathology that presents significant anaesthetic challenges because of cardiopulmonary compromise. We present a case that presented in the third trimester of pregnancy with severe breathlessness, orthopnoea, and symptoms of superior vena cava obstruction. The patient had emergency Caesarean section under epidural anaesthesia with a good outcome. The paper discusses the relevant perioperative considerations for this complex scenario and reviews reports of similar conditions.
Nonlinear Modeling of Azimuth Error for 2D Car Navigation Using Parallel Cascade Identification Augmented with Kalman Filtering
Authors: Iqbal Umar , Georgy Jacques , Korenberg Michael J. , Noureldin Aboelmagd
Published: October 2010

Present land vehicle navigation relies mostly on the Global Positioning System (GPS) that may be interrupted or deteriorated in urban areas. In order to obtain continuous positioning services in all environments, GPS can be integrated with inertial sensors and vehicle odometer using Kalman filtering (KF). For car navigation, low-cost positioning solutions based on MEMS-based inertial sensors are utilized. To further reduce the cost, a reduced inertial sensor system (RISS) consisting of only one gyroscope and speed measurement (obtained from the car odometer) is integrated with GPS. The MEMS-based gyroscope measurement deteriorates over time due to different errors like the bias drift. These errors may lead to large azimuth errors and mitigating the azimuth errors requires robust modeling of both linear and nonlinear effects. Therefore, this paper presents a solution based on Parallel Cascade Identification (PCI) module that models the azimuth errors and is augmented to KF. The proposed augmented KF-PCI method can handle both linear and nonlinear system errors as the linear parts of the errors are modeled inside the KF and the nonlinear and residual parts of the azimuth errors are modeled by PCI. The performance of this method is examined using road test experiments in a land vehicle.
Investigation of a CDDW Hamiltonian to Explore Possibility of Magneto-Quantum Oscillations in Electronic Specific Heat of Hole-Doped Cuprates
Authors: Goswami Partha , Rani Manju
Published: October 2010

We investigate a chiral d-density wave (CDDW) mean field model Hamiltonian in the momentum space suitable for the hole-doped cuprates, such as YBCO, in the pseudogap phase to obtain the Fermi surface (FS) topologies, including the anisotropy parameter() and the elastic scattering by disorder potential (). For , with the chemical potential eV for 10% doping level and (where eV is the first neighbor hopping), at zero/non-zero magnetic field (), the FS on the first Brillouin zone is found to correspond to electron pockets around antinodal regions and barely visible patches around nodal regions. For , we find Pomeranchuk distortion of FS. We next relate our findings regarding FS to the magneto-quantum oscillations in the electronic specific heat. Since the nodal quasiparticle energy values for are found to be greater than for , the origin of the oscillations for nonzero corresponds to the Fermi pockets around antinodal regions. The oscillations are shown to take place in the weak disorder regime (eV) only.
The Extended Tanh Method and the Exp‐Function Method to Solve a Kind of Nonlinear Heat Equation
Authors: Zhang Weimin
Published: October 2010

We study a kind of nonlinear heat equation with temperature‐dependent thermal properties by the aid of the extended Tanh method and the Exp‐function method. We obtain abundant new exact solutions of the equation. By comparing both of the methods, we find that the Exp‐function method gives more solutions in this problem.
From Coherent States in Adjacent Graphene Layers toward Low-Power Logic Circuits
Authors: Register Leonard F. , Basu Dipanjan , Reddy Dharmendar
Published: October 2010

Colleagues and we recently proposed a new type of transistor, a Bilayer PseudoSpin Field Effect Transistor (BiSFET), based on many-body coherent states in coupled electron and hole layers in graphene. Here we review the basic BiSFET device concept and ongoing efforts to determine how such a device, which would be far from a drop-in replacement for MOSFETs in CMOS logic, could be used for low-power logic operation, and to model the effects of engineerable device parameters on the formation and gating of interlayer coherent state.
A Comparative BAC Map for the Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata L.)
Authors: Kuhl Heiner , Sarropoulou Elena , Tine Mbaye , Kotoulas Georgios , Magoulas Antonios , Reinhardt Richard
Published: October 2010

This study presents the first comparative BAC map of the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), a highly valuated marine aquaculture fish species in the Mediterranean. High‐throughput end sequencing of a BAC library yielded 92,468 reads (60.6 Mbp). Comparative mapping was achieved by anchoring BAC end sequences to the three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) genome. BACs that were consistently ordered along the stickleback chromosomes accounted for 14,265 clones. A fraction of 5,249 BACs constituted a minimal tiling path that covers 73.5% of the stickleback chromosomes and 70.2% of the genes that have been annotated. The N50 size of 1,485 “BACtigs” consisting of redundant BACs is 337,253 bp. The largest BACtig covers 2.15 Mbp in the stickleback genome. According to the insert size distribution of mapped BACs the sea bream genome is 1.71‐fold larger than the stickleback genome. These results represent a valuable tool to researchers in the field and may support future projects to elucidate the whole sea bream genome.
Lipid Mediators and Human Leukemic Blasts
Authors: Fiancette Rémi , Vincent-Fabert Christelle , Guerin Estelle , Trimoreau Franck , Denizot Yves
Published: October 2010

Some of the most potent inflammatory mediators share a lipid origin. They regulate a wide spectrum of cellular processes including cell proliferation and apoptosis. However, the precise roles and ways (if any) in which these compounds impact the growth and apoptosis of leukemic blasts remain incompletely resolved. In spite of this, significant advances have been recently made. Here we briefly review the current knowledge about the production of lipid mediators (prostaglandins, leukotrienes, platelet-activating factor) by leukemic blasts, the enzymatic activities (phospholipaseA2, cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases) involved in their productions and their effects (through specific membrane bound receptors) on the growth, and apoptosis of leukemic blasts.
Impact of Weight Loss on Physical Function with Changes in Strength, Muscle Mass, and Muscle Fat Infiltration in Overweight to Moderately Obese Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Santanasto Adam J. , Glynn Nancy W. , Newman Mark A. , Taylor Christopher A. , Brooks Maria Mori , Goodpaster Bret H. , Newman Anne B.
Published: October 2010

Purpose. Evaluate the effects of weight loss on muscle mass and area, muscle fat infiltration, strength, and their association with physical function.Methods. Thirty-six overweight to moderately obese, sedentary older adults were randomized into either a physical activity plus weight loss (PA+WL) or physical activity plus successful aging health education (PA+SA) program. Measurements included body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computerized tomography, knee extensor strength, and short physical performance battery (SPPB).Results. At 6 months, PA+WL lost greater thigh fat and muscle area compared to PA+SA. PA+WL lost 12.4% strength; PA+SA lost 1.0%. Muscle fat infiltration decreased significantly in PA+WL and PA+SA. Thigh fat area decreased 6-fold in comparison to lean area in PA+WL. Change in total SPPB score was strongly inversely correlated with change in fat but not with change in lean or strength.Conclusion. Weight loss resulted in additional improvements in function over exercise alone, primarily due to loss of body fat.
Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use in Patients with Proven or Suspected Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Bin Yu Sun , Kiat Hosen
Published: October 2010

Systematic search of bibliographic databases was conducted to describe the prevalence of dietary supplement use in cardiac patients. Included for review were studies that investigated supplement use in people with cardiovascular risk factors or proven cardiovascular disease. Databases searched were Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, Meditext, H&S and IPA. Over five hundred articles were retrieved and twenty studies met the criteria for this review. Dietary supplements were taken by a median 36% (interquartile range: 26–42%) of cardiac patients; 36% (IQR 18–43%) reported taking a vitamin/mineral supplement and 12% (IQR 7–21%) used herbal supplements. Many users indicated that supplements were taken specifically for heart health and 16–64% of users reported using supplements alongside prescription medications. However 39–95% of treating physicians were unaware of patients’ supplement use. Dietary supplement use in patients with cardiovascular disease appears common, as does the concurrent use of supplements with prescription medicines. This information is often not communicated to doctors and treating physicians may need to be more proactive in asking about supplement use.
Alternative Cyclin D1 Splice Forms Differentially Regulate the DNA Damage Response
Authors: Li Zhiping , Jiao Xuanmao , Wang Chenguang , Shirley L. Andrew , Elsaleh Hany , Dahl Olav , Wang Min , Soutoglou Evi , Knudsen Erik S. , Pestell Richard G.
Published: October 2010

The DNA damage response (DDR) activates downstream pathways including cell cycle checkpoints. The cyclin D1 gene is overexpressed or amplified in many human cancers and is required for gastrointestinal, breast, and skin tumors in murine models. A common polymorphism in the human cyclin D1 gene is alternatively spliced, resulting in cyclin D1a and D1b proteins that differ in their carboxyl terminus. Cyclin D1 overexpression enhances DNA damage–induced apoptosis. The role of cyclin D1 and the alternative splice form in regulating the DDR is not well understood. Herein cyclin D1a overexpression enhanced the DDR as characterized by induction of γH2AX phosphorylation, the assembly of DNA repair foci, specific recruitment of DNA repair factors to chromatin, and G2-M arrest. Cyclin D1 deletion in fibroblasts or small interfering RNA–mediated reduction of endogenous cyclin D1 in colon cancer cells reduced the 5-fluorouracil–mediated DDR. Mechanistic studies showed that cyclin D1a, like DNA repair factors, elicited the DDR when stably associated with chromatin. Cancer Res; 70(21); 8802–11. ©2010 AACR.
H3K9 Histone Methyltransferase G9a Promotes Lung Cancer Invasion and Metastasis by Silencing the Cell Adhesion Molecule Ep-CAM
Authors: Chen Min-Wei , Hua Kuo-Tai , Kao Hsin-Jung , Chi Chia-Chun , Wei Lin-Hung , Johansson Gunnar , Shiah Shine-Gwo , Chen Pai-Sheng , Jeng Yung-Ming , Cheng Tsu-Yao , Lai Tsung-Ching , Chang Jeng-Shou , Jan Yi-Hua , Chien Ming-Hsien , Yang Chih-Jen , Huang Ming-Shyan , Hsiao Michael , Kuo Min-Liang
Published: October 2010

G9a is a mammalian histone methyltransferase that contributes to the epigenetic silencing of tumor suppressor genes. Emerging evidence suggests that G9a is required to maintain the malignant phenotype, but the role of G9a function in mediating tumor metastasis has not been explored. Here, we show that G9a is expressed in aggressive lung cancer cells, and its elevated expression correlates with poor prognosis. RNAi-mediated knockdown of G9a in highly invasive lung cancer cells inhibited cell migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Conversely, ectopic G9a expression in weakly invasive lung cancer cells increased motility and metastasis. Mechanistic investigations suggested that repression of the cell adhesion molecule Ep-CAM mediated the effects of G9a. First, RNAi-mediated knockdown of Ep-CAM partially relieved metastasis suppression imposed by G9a suppression. Second, an inverse correlation between G9a and Ep-CAM expression existed in primary lung cancer. Third, Ep-CAM repression was associated with promoter methylation and an enrichment for dimethylated histone H3K9. G9a knockdown reduced the levels of H3K9 dimethylation and decreased the recruitment of the transcriptional cofactors HP1, DNMT1, and HDAC1 to the Ep-CAM promoter. Our findings establish a functional contribution of G9a overexpression with concomitant dysregulation of epigenetic pathways in lung cancer progression. Cancer Res; 70(20); 7830–40. ©2010 AACR.
CD4+ T-Cell Help in the Tumor Milieu Is Required for Recruitment and Cytolytic Function of CD8+ T Lymphocytes
Authors: Bos Rinke , Sherman Linda A.
Published: October 2010

CD4 help for CD8+ T lymphocytes prevents tolerance and promotes the survival of effector and memory CD8+ T cells. Here, we describe additional helper functions that require CD4+ T cells within the tumor environment. CD8+ T-cell recruitment, proliferation, and effector function within the tumor were greatly enhanced by tumor-specific CD4+ T cells. Recruitment of CD8+ T cells was accelerated by IFN-γ–dependent production of chemokines. Production of interleukin-2 by tumor resident CD4+ T cells enhanced CD8+ T-cell proliferation and upregulated expression of granzyme B. These results highlight a novel role for tumor-specific CD4+ T cells in promoting CD8+ T-cell recruitment and cytolytic function, two previously unappreciated aspects of tumor-specific CD4 help. Cancer Res; 70(21); 8368–77. ©2010 AACR.
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1: An Epithelial Tumor Suppressor Essential to Prevent Spontaneous Prostate Cancer in Aged Mice
Authors: Kladney Raleigh D. , Cardiff Robert D. , Kwiatkowski David J. , Chiang Gary G. , Weber Jason D. , Arbeit Jeffrey M. , Lu Zhi Hong
Published: October 2010

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway regulates mammalian cell growth, survival, and motility and plays a major pathogenetic role in human prostate cancer (PCa). However, the oncogenic contributions downstream of the PI3K pathway made by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)–mediated cell growth signal transduction in PCa have yet to be elucidated in detail. Here, we engineered constitutive mTORC1 activation in prostate epithelium by a conditional genetic deletion of tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (Tsc1), a potent negative regulator of mTORC1 signaling. Epithelial inactivation was not immediately tumorigenic, but Tsc1-deficient mice developed prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (mPIN) in lateral and anterior prostates by 6 months of age, with increasing disease penetrance over time. Lateral prostate lesions in 16- to 22-month-old mutant mice progressed to two types of more advanced lesions, adenomatous gland forming lesion (Type 1) and atypical glands embedded in massively expanded reactive stroma (Type 2). Both Type 1 and Type 2 lesions contained multiple foci of microinvasive carcinoma. Epithelial neoplastic and atypical stromal lesions persisted despite 4 weeks of RAD001 chemotherapy. Rapalogue resistance was not due to AKT or extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation. Expression of the homeobox gene Nkx3.1 was lost in Tsc1-deficient mPIN, and it cooperated with TSC1 loss in mPIN initiation in doubly mutant Tsc1:Nkx3.1 prostatic epithelial knockout mice. Thus, TSC1 inactivation distal to PI3K and AKT activation is sufficient to activate a molecular signaling cascade producing prostatic neoplasia and focal carcinogenesis. Cancer Res; 70(21); 8937–47. ©2010 AACR.
Peptide Vaccination after T-Cell Transfer Causes Massive Clonal Expansion, Tumor Eradication, and Manageable Cytokine Storm
Authors: Ly Long V. , Sluijter Marjolein , Versluis Mieke , Luyten Gre P.M. , van der Burg Sjoerd H. , Melief Cornelis J.M. , Jager Martine J. , van Hall Thorbald
Published: October 2010

Adoptive T-cell transfer (ACT) is successfully applied as a cancer treatment that is based on the activation and effector functions of tumor-specific T cells. Here, we present results from a mouse model in which ACT is combined with a long peptide–based vaccine comprising gp100 T-cell epitopes. Transferred CD8+ T cells expanded up to 1,000-fold after peptide vaccination, leading to a 3-fold increase in white blood cell count and a very high frequency in the generation of antigen-specific memory T cells, the generation of which tended to correlate with effective antitumor responses. An enormous pool of effector T cells spread widely to different tissues, including the skin and the immune-privileged eye, where they mediate tumor eradication. Importantly, these striking T-cell dynamics occurred in immunocompetent mice without prior hematologic conditioning. Continued activation of the specific T-cell pool by vaccination led to strong T-cell–mediated cytokine storm and lethality due to multi-organ failure. However, this immunopathology could be prevented by controlling the rapid biodistribution of the peptide or by using a weakly agonistic peptide. Together, these results identify a peptide vaccination strategy that can potently accentuate effective ACT in non-lymphodepleted hosts. Cancer Res; 70(21); 8339–46. ©2010 AACR.
Which Treatment to Choose for Portal Biliopathy with Extensive Portal Thrombosis?
Authors: Camerlo Antoine , Fara Regis , Barbier Louise , Grégoire Emilie , Le Treut Yves Patrice
Published: October 2010

Background: Portal biliopathy refers to abnormalities of the biliary tract developing in relation to portal hypertension. Portosystemic splenorenal or mesenterico-caval shunting is a safe and effective method to relieve biliary obstruction in symptomatic patients but is unfeasible in cases of extensive thrombosis of the splenic and superior mesenteric veins. In such cases, a makeshift portosystemic shunt between a suitable portal varix and the caval system can be an interesting alternative. Methods: This study describes 3 patients admitted for symptomatic portal biliopathy caused by idiopathic portal cavernoma associated with extensive portal thrombosis. A makeshift portosystemic shunt was carried out after preoperative portal imaging had demonstrated the presence of a suitable splanchnic varix. Results: The makeshift portosystemic shunt was performed by direct anastomosis in 2 patients and by prosthetic interposition in 1 case. Shunting was between a splanchnic varix and the inferior vena cava in 2 cases and the left renal vein in 1 case. Postoperative morbidity was nil and follow-up ranging from 2 to 12 years showed good results with no recurrence of biliary obstruction. Conclusion: In patients presenting symptomatic portal biliopathy associated with extensive thrombosis of the portal system, a makeshift portosystemic shunt is preferable to repeated endoscopic procedures or intrahepatic biliodigestive bypass, provided that a suitable varix is available.