bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of Determinant Profiles of Cutaneous Tuberculosis in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Muhammad Hasibur , Ansari Nazma Parvin , Ahmed Khondoker Golam Sabbir , Hadiuzzaman Md , Nipa Nahida Islam , Islam Md Shahidul , Bhuyan Mohammod Kamruj Jaman , Mumu Sabrina Alam , Chowdhury Ishrat Jahan
Published: May 2013

The determinant spectra coupled with laboratory parameters of cutaneous tuberculosis in patients attending the Department of Dermatology and VD of the Community Based Medical College, Mymensingh, Bangladesh were studied for a period of over four years. A total of 110 patients (males, 75 and females, 35) having ages between 1 to 60 years were detected to infected. The result evidenced that skin tuberculosis is becoming mostly a disease of young patients between the ages of 16 to 30 years (44.55 %). There was a trend of appearance of Lupus vulgaris as the most common variant (49.09%) followed by Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis (29.09%). Skin tuberculosis was found more frequently in males than females (ratio 15: 7) and all patients belonged to lower socio-economic class. In 64 cases (58.18%) BCG vaccination coverage could not yield protection against cutaneous tuberculosis. Abnormal chest x-ray reports were available in 12 patients. It is interesting to note that enlargement of hilar lymph nodes, pleural effusion, ascites and generalized lymphadenopathy were not detected. Mantoux test revealed positive reactors in 100 patients (90.90%). Raised ESR (>20) was found in all patients. The validity of histopathology associated with FNAC was confirmed in 95 cases of patients (86.36%). There was evidence of Scrofuloderma in 20 patients and ICT indicated 74 positive cases. Bacteriological examination generated negative results in all cases. The response to antitubercular therapy was excellent except in 3 cases which required further monitoring of using additional drug and took much more time. The coexistence of pulmonary tuberculosis was determined in 2 patients.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cbmj.v1i1.13817 Community Based Medical Journal Vol.1(1) 2012 3-7
The Incidence of Cartilago-triticea in Bangladeshi Cadaver
Authors: Ara Anjuma , Rahman Md Mahbubur , Ara Subaida Gulshan , Chowdhury Ashraful Islam , Begum Taslima , Fazilatunnesa Dr , Chowdhury Mamunur Rashid
Published: May 2013

The cross sectional descriptive type of study was done to see the presence of the cartilago-triticea in relation to age and sexes of Bangladeshi people. A total of 60 human larynges (male 29 and female 31) were collected purposively from dead bodies during routine postmortem examination at the autopsy laboratory of Department of Forensic Medicine and stillborn babies from Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department of Mymensingh Medical College, Mymensingh from October' 2008 to March' 2009. Gross and fine dissection was carried out to see the presence of cartilago-triticea. Cartilago-triticea was found in 58.33% cases. It was observed that the prevalence of cartilago-triticea was more common among females than in males and that their incidence increased with age. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cbmj.v1i1.13821 Community Based Medical Journal Vol.1(1) 2012 8-10
Role of Common Contact Sensitizers in the Aetiopathogeneses of Prurigo Nodularis
Authors: Sharma Ashimav Deb
Published: May 2013

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic condition characterized by itchy, papulonodular eruption of unknown etiology. It is a difficult condition to treat and often causes frustration to both the patient and the treating doctor. A variety of systemic conditions have been reported to be associated with Prurigo Nodularis including Allergic Contact Dermatitis. The present study evaluates the role of common contact sensitizers in the aetiopathogeneses of PN. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cbmj.v1i1.13822 Community Based Medical Journal Vol.1(1) 2012 11-13
Serial Excision- an Aesthetically Pleasing Way for Removal of Large Cutaneous Lesions on the Face
Authors: Minu Firdous Quader , Rahman Muhammad Hasibur , Ali Rubaiya , Asifuzzaman Md , Siddiky Sayeed Ahmed
Published: May 2013

Face is a very prominent part of our body. It is the first feature that we notice when we meet someone. When there is a large cutaneous lesion /scar on the face it stands out, and can make a person very self conscious. So it becomes a source of concern and embarrassment for the person involved. As such when a patient with this type of problem presents to a cosmetic surgeon, he has to take great care as to how it can be removed and what will be the aesthetic outcome of the treatment. This is especially important if the patient is young. Different types of flaps like nasolabial flaps, forehead flaps, deltopectoral flaps etc. are commonly used for reconstruction of defects following excision of large lesions. Sometimes tissue expanders are also used. Of course skin grafting is probably the easiest way to cover large areas when flaps cannot be used. But all of these procedures leave big scars which are often not acceptable to the patients. We have found that serial excision is a good way of removal of large lesions or scars especially when it involves the face. Although the patient needs two or more sittings for completion of the procedure, the final outcome is much more acceptable to the patient. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cbmj.v1i1.13823 Community Based Medical Journal Vol.1(1) 2012 14-16
Incidence of accessory spleen in Bangladeshi cadaver
Authors: Chowdhury Md Ashraful Islam , Rahman Md Mahbubur , Ara Subaida Gulshan , Ara Anjuman , Chowdhury Mamunur Rashid , Ahmed Tofayel Uddin , Mukta Taslima Begum , Ansary Nahid Bintay
Published: May 2013

This cross sectional descriptive study was done to find out the incidence of accessory spleen in Bangladeshi people to create awareness of the presence of an accessory spleen in a patient prior to splenectomy. During this study one hundred and twenty human cadaver of which eighty-seven male and thirty- three female of different age group were dissected in the morgue of forensic medicine department of Mymesingh Medical College. This was a cross sectional and descriptive study carried out in the department of anatomy of Mymensingh medical college, from July 2007 to June 2008. Accessory spleen was found in 20% cases where 20.68% cases in male and 18.18% in female. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cbmj.v1i1.13824 Community Based Medical Journal Vol.1(1) 2012 17-19
Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Identification of Associated Risk Factors among Rural Population by Mass Screening
Authors: Hasan Mahmud Javed , Kashem M Abul , Rahman M Hasibur , Qudduhush Ruhul , Rahman Masudur , Sharmeen Atia , Islam Nazrul
Published: May 2013

The prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is rapidly increasing worldwide. Population-based studies on the prevalence of kidney damage are limited in developing countries. The present work relates to a population-based screening study in a rural population. Objectives: The study was performed to investigate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in rural residents and find out the association of the associated risk factors and variables. Methods: This is a descriptive cross sectional study. The demographic variables included were age, sex, marital status, religion, occupation, socioeconomic status, monthly income. The clinical variable was hypertension. The risk factors under the study were Body Mass Index (BMI), smoking habit, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Data pertaining to biochemical investigations were urine for albumin, serum creatinine and random serum glucose. CKD suspected patients were subjected to repeat serum creatinine and urinary albumin testing three months after the initial testing to confirm diagnosis of true CKD. Results: 1240 patients of which 650 were males and 590 females, aged between 18 and 65 years were entered into this study. The result evidenced over-all CKD prevalence 19 % determined by Cockcroft-Gault and 19.5 % MDRD equations. Stage 3 CKD was found to be predominant in both Cockcroft-Gault (12.8%) and MDRD equations (13.2%). The risk factors were thought to be associated with CKD which demonstrated association with hypertension (19.3%), diabetes (4.9%) and others (1.3%). A total of 206(88%) patients determined by Cockcroft-Gault and 210 (89.4%) by MDRD equations were diagnosed as having CKD in 2nd follow up visit (3 months after the 1st visit). Conclusion: It appears from this study that one out of three people in this population at risk remained undiag-nosed as CKD and with poorly controlled CKD risk factors. This is a growing problem and a challenge to this country. On priority basis CKD needs to be addressed through the development of multidisciplinary health teams and establishment of improved communication between traditional health care givers and nephrology services. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cbmj.v1i1.13825 Community Based Medical Journal Vol.1(1) 2012 20-26
Collagen Induction Therapy With Dermaroller
Authors: Bhardwaj Deepali
Published: May 2013

Dermaroller is relatively a new modality for the treatment of acne scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, facial rejuvenation inducing collagen induction by the use of microneedling. Two versions are available: (1) the standard dermaroller version and (2) miniature versions. The principle of using dermaroller modality is to provide collagen induction therapy. Dermaroller is more effective in rolling and boxcar type of scars. It has been shown that rolling with a dermaroller (192 needles, 200 urn length and 70 urn diameter) over an area for 15 times will result in approximately 250 holes/ cm 2 . Microneedling leads to the release of growth factors form new collagen and elastin in the papillary dermis. In addition, new capillaries are formed. The neovascularisation and neocollagenesis lead to reduction of scars. The procedure is aptly called "percutaneous collagen induction therapy" and is also used in the treatment of photoageing. Dermaroller is an extremely effective therapy for post acne scars, even trauma scars. Best results are seen in rolling and box type scars, and even papular scars respond to it. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/cbmj.v1i1.13854 Community Based Medical Journal Vol.1(1) 2012 35-37
Sources of Medical Error in Refractive Surgery
Authors: Moshirfar Majid , Simpson Rachel G. , Dave Sonal B. , Christiansen Steven M. , Edmonds Jason N. , Culbertson William W. , Pascucci Stephen E. , Sher Neal A. , Cano David B. , Trattler William B.
Published: May 2013

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the causes of laser programming errors in refractive surgery and outcomes in these cases.

METHODS:

In this multicenter, retrospective chart review, 22 eyes of 18 patients who had incorrect data entered into the refractive laser computer system at the time of treatment were evaluated. Cases were analyzed to uncover the etiology of these errors, patient follow-up treatments, and final outcomes. The results were used to identify potential methods to avoid similar errors in the future.

RESULTS:

Every patient experienced compromised uncorrected visual acuity requiring additional intervention, and 7 of 22 eyes (32%) lost corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of at least one line. Sixteen patients were suitable candidates for additional surgical correction to address these residual visual symptoms and six were not. Thirteen of 22 eyes (59%) received surgical follow-up treatment; nine eyes were treated with contact lenses. After follow-up treatment, six patients (27%) still had a loss of one line or more of CDVA. Three significant sources of error were identified: errors of cylinder conversion, data entry, and patient identification error.

CONCLUSION:

Twenty-seven percent of eyes with laser programming errors ultimately lost one or more lines of CDVA. Patients who underwent surgical revision had better outcomes than those who did not. Many of the mistakes identified were likely avoidable had preventive measures been taken, such as strict adherence to patient verification protocol or rigorous rechecking of treatment parameters.

[
J Refract Surg.
2013;29(5):303–310.]
Anglais de spécialité en économie de l'énergie
Authors: Percebois Jacqueline
Published: May 2013

Cette communication est fondée sur une expérience de l’enseignement de l’anglais de spécialité aux étudiants d’un DESS d’économie de l’énergie. Elle vise à montrer les caractéristiques de ce langage à travers la méthode d’analyse d’articles de revues spécialisées. Elle étudie également la relation enseignant de langue/apprenant dans ce domaine d’étude spécifique.
Terminologie des indices boursiers
Authors: Van der Yeught Michel
Published: May 2013

Les indices boursiers sont omniprésents en anglais financier. Les plus importants sont universellement familiers mais leur nature et leur fonctionnement restent largement méconnus. Des distinctions (average/index, narrow index/broad index, price-weighted/market value-weighted, all share/ composite/ subindex) permettront à l’angliciste de spécialité d’adapter à chaque indice la terminologie française ou anglaise qui lui correspond. Des remarques sur des erreurs courantes, un mini-glossaire, une liste des principaux indices étudiés et une bibliographie complètent cette étude.
Mechanism of IL-1β Modulation of Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Involves p38 Kinase and Activating Transcription Factor-2 Activation
Authors: Al-Sadi Rana , Guo Shuhong , Ye Dongmei , Dokladny Karol , Alhmoud Tarik , Ereifej Lisa , Said Hamid M. , Ma Thomas Y.
Published: May 2013

The defective intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) barrier has been postulated to be an important pathogenic factor contributing to intestinal inflammation. It has been shown that the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β causes an increase in intestinal permeability; however, the signaling pathways and the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. The major purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the p38 kinase pathway and the molecular processes involved. In these studies, the in vitro intestinal epithelial model system (Caco-2 monolayers) was used to delineate the cellular and molecular mechanisms, and a complementary in vivo mouse model system (intestinal perfusion) was used to assess the in vivo relevance of the in vitro findings. Our data indicated that the IL-1β increase in Caco-2 TJ permeability correlated with an activation of p38 kinase. The activation of p38 kinase caused phosphorylation and activation of p38 kinase substrate, activating transcription factor (ATF)-2. The activated ATF-2 translocated to the nucleus where it attached to its binding motif on the myosin L chain kinase (MLCK) promoter region, leading to the activation of MLCK promoter activity and gene transcription. Small interfering RNA induced silencing of ATF-2, or mutation of the ATF-2 binding motif prevented the activation of MLCK promoter and MLCK mRNA transcription. Additionally, in vivo intestinal perfusion studies also indicated that the IL-1β increase in mouse intestinal permeability required p38 kinase–dependent activation of ATF-2. In conclusion, these studies show that the IL-1β–induced increase in intestinal TJ permeability in vitro and in vivo was regulated by p38 kinase activation of ATF-2 and by ATF-2 regulation of MLCK gene activity.
Markers of Nonselective and Specific NK Cell Activation
Authors: Fogel Leslie A. , Sun Michel M. , Geurs Theresa L. , Carayannopoulos Leonidas N. , French Anthony R.
Published: May 2013

NK cell activation is controlled by the integration of signals from cytokine receptors and germline–encoded activation and inhibitory receptors. NK cells undergo two distinct phases of activation during murine CMV (MCMV) infection: a nonselective phase mediated by proinflammatory cytokines and a specific phase driven by signaling through Ly49H, an NK cell activation receptor that recognizes infected cells. We sought to delineate cell surface markers that could distinguish NK cells that had been activated nonselectively from those that had been specifically activated through NK cell receptors. We demonstrated that stem cell Ag 1 (Sca-1) is highly upregulated during viral infections (to an even greater extent than CD69) and serves as a novel marker of early, nonselective NK cell activation. Indeed, a greater proportion of Sca-1+ NK cells produced IFN-γ compared with Sca-1− NK cells during MCMV infection. In contrast to the universal upregulation of Sca-1 (as well as KLRG1) on NK cells early during MCMV infection, differential expression of Sca-1, as well as CD27 and KLRG1, was observed on Ly49H+ and Ly49H− NK cells late during MCMV infection. Persistently elevated levels of KLRG1 in the context of downregulation of Sca-1 and CD27 were observed on NK cells that expressed Ly49H. Furthermore, the differential expression patterns of these cell surface markers were dependent on Ly49H recognition of its ligand and did not occur solely as a result of cellular proliferation. These findings demonstrate that a combination of Sca-1, CD27, and KLRG1 can distinguish NK cells nonselectively activated by cytokines from those specifically stimulated through activation receptors.
Emerson hard red winter wheat
Authors: Graf R. J. , Beres B. L. , Laroche A. , Gaudet D. A. , Eudes F. , Pandeya R. S. , Badea A. , Randhawa H. S.
Published: May 2013

Graf, R. J., Beres, B. L., Laroche, A., Gaudet, D. A., Eudes, F., Pandeya, R. S., Badea, A. and Randhawa, H. S. 2013. Emerson hard red winter wheat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 741–748. Emerson hard red winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), a cultivar developed using doubled haploid technology, was registered for western Canadian production in 2012. It is eligible for grades of the Canada Western Red Winter (CWRW) wheat market class. Evaluation across western Canada from 2008 to 2010 was relative to CDC Osprey, AC Bellatrix, Radiant, and CDC Buteo, the CWRW wheat checks in the Western Winter Wheat Cooperative Registration trials. Overall, Emerson had significantly lower grain yield than the mean of these checks; however, in the stem rust, leaf rust and fusarium head blight prone eastern prairies the grain yield of Emerson was not significantly different from CDC Buteo and CDC Falcon, which have been the predominant cultivars in this region. Emerson had good winter survival, intermediate maturity, medium height, strong straw, high test weight, and high grain protein concentration. It expressed improved resistance to fusarium head blight, stem rust, leaf rust, and stripe rust relative to the checks. End-use suitability analysis indicated that Emerson had strong dough rheology, and excellent milling and baking properties.
Stride oat
Authors: Fetch J. W. Mitchell , Tekauz A. , Brown P. D. , Ames N. , Chong J. , Fetch T. G. , Haber S. M. , Menzies J. G. , Townley-Smith T. F. , Stadnyk K. D. , Green D. A.
Published: May 2013

Mitchell Fetch, J. W., Tekauz, A., Brown, P. D., Ames, N., Chong, J., Fetch, Jr., T. G., Haber, S. M., Menzies, J. G.,, T. F. Townley-Smith, Stadnyk, K. D. and Green, D. A. 2013. Stride oat. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 749–753. Stride is a white-hulled spring oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivar with moderate resistance to fusarium head blight. It is postulated to carry the crown rust resistance combination Pc39, Pc68 and Pc94, which was effective against the prevalent crown rust races on the Canadian prairies at the time of its release. It has very good resistance to loose and covered smut, moderately good resistance to most of the prairie stem rust races (likely due to the presence of Pg2 and Pg13), and intermediate reaction to barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). Stride has high test weight, but low kernel weight. Stride exhibits high yielding capacity in the oat growing areas of western Canada. Stride was registered (Reg. No. 7180) in Canada 2012 Apr. 23.
Quiver varieties and the character ring of general linear groups over finite fields
Authors: Letellier Emmanuel
Published: May 2013

Given a tuple

(\mathcal X_1,\dots,\mathcal X_k)

of irreducible characters of

\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb F_q)

we define a star-shaped quiver

\Gamma

together with a dimension vector

\mathbf v

. Assume that

(\mathcal X_1,\dots,\mathcal X_k)

is
generic
. Our first result is a formula which expresses the multiplicity of the trivial character in the tensor product

\mathcal X_1\otimes\cdots\otimes\mathcal X_k

as the trace of the action of some Weyl group on the intersection cohomology of some (non-affine) quiver varieties associated to

(\Gamma,\mathbf v)

. The existence of such a quiver variety is subject to some condition. Assuming that this condition is satisfied, we prove our second result: The multiplicity

\langle \mathcal X_1\otimes\cdots\otimes\mathcal X_k,1\rangle

is non-zero if and only if

\mathbf v

is a root of the Kac–Moody algebra associated with

\Gamma

. This is somehow similar to the connection between Horn's problem and the representation theory of

\mathrm{GL}_n(\mathbb C)

.
Spillover Effects of the Uninsured: Local Uninsurance Rates and Medicare Mortality from Eight Procedures and Conditions
Authors: McMorrow Stacey
Published: May 2013

The presence of a large uninsured population may create incentives to providers that affect the care delivered to all individuals in a health care market. Using Current Population Survey data on uninsurance rates and hospital discharge data on Medicare beneficiaries, this study investigates the relationship between the uninsurance rate at the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) level and inpatient quality of care delivered to Medicare beneficiaries, as measured by mortality from eight procedures and conditions. The results do not indicate large or widespread negative effects of the uninsured on Medicare beneficiaries. However, some evidence suggests that the relationship between the local uninsurance rate and Medicare mortality does vary by market size.
States' Commitment to Medicaid before the Affordable Care Act: Trends and Implications
Authors: Cantor Joel C. , Thompson Frank J. , Farnham Jennifer
Published: May 2013

Medicaid insures more than 65 million low-income people, and the Affordable Care Act of 2010 gives states the option to enroll millions more. Historical trends in state Medicaid effort possess important implications for health policy going forward. Nearly all states steadily ratcheted up their Medicaid effort in the period from 1992 to 2009, holding out promise that most will sustain their programs and ultimately participate in the expansion authorized by the Affordable Care Act. But the growth in Medicaid over this period did not appreciably curtail vast geographic disparities in program benefits that threaten to undermine the goals of health reform.
How Do Public Health Expansions Vary by Income Strata? Evidence from Illinois' All Kids Program
Authors: Lo James
Published: May 2013

This paper examines how income levels affected the substitution of public health insurance for private health coverage under expansions of Illinois' State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Building on a technique developed by Abadie and Gardeazabal (2003), I estimate that among children whose family incomes are between 200% and 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL), 35% of those covered by SCHIP would have retained private coverage in the absence of SCHIP. Significant substitution also appears between 300% and 400% FPL, but surprisingly I find evidence that the introduction of SCHIP caused an increase in private health insurance coverage for those with family incomes between 400% and 500% FPL.
Nietzsche's Schadenfreude
Authors: Ure Michael
Published: May 2013

Recent scholarship shows that in the late 1870s and early 1880s Nietzsche attempted to make contemporary naturalism, especially various strands of evolutionary biology, the basis of a new method of historical inquiry and a new style of moral criticism and experimentation. This scholarship demonstrates that nineteenth-century evolutionary thought was crucial to Nietzsche's formulation of his moral and political project. In this article I claim that Nietzsche did not simply draw on and apply contemporary naturalistic theories. Rather I argue that he attempted to refract the ancient model of philosophy and its “spiritual exercises” through the new evolutionary paradigm. In particular, this article argues that Nietzsche tried to hinge one particular ancient spiritual exercise—the “view from above”—to the new evolutionary naturalisms. Nietzsche, I suggest, recast this spiritual exercise in terms of Darwinian evolution. Nietzsche's anchoring of the classical model of philosophy in contemporary naturalisms underpins and explains his claims that joy is the key “philosophical” emotion. By ascending to the Darwinian view from above, as we might call it, Nietzsche suggests that the “joyful” scientist experiences Schadenfreude—he can delight in rather than lament human misfortune and suffering. Nietzsche's fröhliche Wissenschaft derives from and expresses Schadenfreude. I argue that despite his attempt to found his philosophy on the new strands of Darwinian naturalism Nietzsche's own ethical orientation fatally compromises his naturalism.
Disgust, Purity, and a Longing for Companionship: Dialectics of Affect in Nietzsche's Imagined Community
Authors: Faulkner Joanne
Published: May 2013

In his writings, Nietzsche often figured his relationship to his contemporaries using corporeal imagery evocative of disgust. For instance, in On the Genealogy of Morality Nietzsche declares himself (and a hypothetical “we”) to suffer from mankind—which he then proceeds to describe as “maggot”- or wormlike. Nietzsche's philosophical project can be interpreted as a visceral protest against, and attempt to overcome (“digest”), humanity. This article argues that Nietzsche attempted through his writings to create a future community of like-constituted companions in his readers through a transmission of affect and education in taste. This would-be “community” is premised on a curious affective dialectic that seeks to transform disgust for humanity into a pure movement of self-creation. I examine the sociopolitical effects of this dialectic of disgust alongside Nietzsche's co-option of images of purity, in order to evaluate his response to modern nihilism.
Nietzsche, Tristan, and the Rehabilitation of Erotic Distance
Authors: Kuzma Joseph D.
Published: May 2013

Though Nietzsche's lifelong fascination with Wagner's Tristan and Isolde is well documented, its impact upon the developmental trajectory of his philosophy and in particular, his thinking on the nature of eroticism remains far from obvious. This article examines the previously unheralded influence of Wagner's opera on Nietzsche's various attempts, throughout the 1880s, at forging an alternative conception of erotic desire—a conception no longer subordinated to the pursuit for fusional reconciliation but rather linked to the eternal return and the unconditional affirmation of distance itself.
Rapid Generation of Functional Dopaminergic Neurons From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Through a Single-Step Procedure Using Cell Lineage Transcription Factors
Authors: Theka Ilda , Caiazzo Massimiliano , Dvoretskova Elena , Leo Damiana , Ungaro Federica , Curreli Sebastiano , Managò Francesca , Dell'Anno Maria Teresa , Pezzoli Gianni , Gainetdinov Raul R. , Dityatev Alexander , Broccoli Vania
Published: May 2013

Current protocols for in vitro differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to generate dopamine (DA) neurons are laborious and time-expensive. In order to accelerate the overall process, we have established a fast protocol by expressing the developmental transcription factors ASCL1, NURR1, and LMX1A. With this method, we were able to generate mature and functional dopaminergic neurons in as few as 21 days, skipping all the intermediate steps for inducting and selecting embryoid bodies and rosette-neural precursors. Strikingly, the resulting neuronal conversion process was very proficient, with an overall efficiency that was more than 93% of all the coinfected cells. hiPSC-derived DA neurons expressed all the critical molecular markers of the DA molecular machinery and exhibited sophisticated functional features including spontaneous electrical activity and dopamine release. This one-step protocol holds important implications for in vitro disease modeling and is particularly amenable for exploitation in high-throughput screening protocols.
Never tested for HIV in Latin‐American migrants and Spaniards: prevalence and perceived barriers
Authors: Hoyos Juan , Fernández‐Balbuena Sonia , de la Fuente Luis , Sordo Luis , Ruiz Mónica , Barrio Gregorio , José Belza María ,   Madrid Rapid HIV Testing Group
Published: May 2013

Introduction

Increasing the uptake of HIV testing and decreasing the number of undiagnosed people is a priority for HIV prevention. Understanding the barriers that hinder people from testing is vital, particularly when working with especially vulnerable populations like migrants. Most data available on migrants are based on African migrants in the UK, while barriers to HIV testing in Latin‐American migrants living in Europe remain unexplored. Still, they account for a quarter of new diagnosis in Spain and suffer higher rates of delayed diagnosis.

Methods

Between May 2008 and March 2011, a mobile unit offered free rapid HIV tests in different Spanish cities. We compared the prevalence of no previous testing, adjusting for potential confounders by two multivariate logistic models, and described differences in perceived barriers to testing in Latin‐American migrants living in Spain versus Spaniards. Participants included men who have sex with men (MSM), men who have sex exclusively with women (MSW), and women.

Results

Of the 5920 individuals who got tested and answered a self‐administered questionnaire, 36.5% were MSM (20.4% previously untested), 28.9% were MSW (49% previously untested) and 34.6% were women (53% previously untested). Almost one quarter were Latin‐American, of whom 30% had never been tested versus 45% of untested Spaniards. After adjusting for potential confounders, Spaniards were more likely to report no previous testing than Latin‐Americans among women and MSW all together (Odds Ratio (OR)=2.0; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.7–2.4) and among MSM (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.2–2.0). Among the 2455 who had never undergone an HIV test before, main barriers to testing were low perceived risk (54% Spaniards vs. 47% Latin‐American) and concerns arising from the loss of anonymity (19.5% vs. 16.9%). Fear of rejection or discrimination and fear of legal problems were a barrier for <2%.

Conclusions

Latin‐American migrants living in Spain were more likely to get tested than Spaniards. Regardless of nationality, low perceived risk was the main barrier to testing whereas fear of stigma or discrimination and fear of legal problems were merely incidental. However, new Spanish austerity policies regarding healthcare for migrants in response to the economic crisis may reverse this situation.
Expanding Donor Muscle‐Derived Cells for Transplantation
Authors: Parker Maura H. , Tapscott Stephen J.
Published: May 2013

Studies in mice showed tremendous promise for the eventual clinical utility of myoblast transplantation to treat human muscular dystrophies. Initial attempts to translate the murine studies to humans, however, were not successful, due in part to limited engraftability of expanded donor myoblasts. Conventionally, muscle cells have been cultured on collagen‐coated tissue culture‐treated polystyrene. However, this promotes lineage progression and differentiation of cells, which limits engraftment potential. This unit describes the isolation of canine muscle‐derived cells, ex vivo expansion of cells on plates coated with a modified Notch ligand, and the xenotransplant method used to evaluate engraftment potential. Activation of Notch signaling in freshly isolated canine muscle‐derived cells with Delta‐1ext‐IgG inhibits myogenic differentiation, and maintains cells earlier in myogenic lineage progression. Delta‐1ext‐IgG‐expanded cells engraft into the regenerating muscle of NOD/SCID mice more effectively than control cells expanded on human IgG, as evidenced by a significant increase in the number of muscle fibers expressing canine dystrophin in recipient murine muscle. Therefore, this protocol provides the basis for further developing culture conditions for ex vivo expansion of donor muscle cells for transplant. Curr. Protoc. Stem Cell Biol. 25:2C.4.1‐2C.4.16. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Electronic Activation of Cathode Superlattices at Elevated Temperatures – Source of Markedly Accelerated Oxygen Reduction Kinetics
Authors: Chen Yan , Cai Zhuhua , Kuru Yener , Ma Wen , Tuller Harry L. , Yildiz Bilge
Published: May 2013

Solid‐oxide fuel cells are an attractive energy conversion technology for clean electric power production. To render them more affordable, discovery of new cathode materials with high reactivity to oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at temperatures below 700 °C is needed. Recent studies have demonstrated that La0.8Sr0.2CoO3/(La0.5Sr0.5)2CoO4 (LSC113/214) hetero‐interfaces exhibit orders of magnitude faster ORR kinetics compared with either single phase at 500 °C. To obtain a microscopic level understanding and control of such unusual enhancement, we implemented a novel combination of in situ scanning tunneling spectroscopy and focused ion beam milling to probe the local electronic structure at nanometer resolution in model multilayer superlattices. At 200–300 °C, the LSC214 layers are electronically activated through an interfacial coupling with LSC113. Such electronic activation is expected to facilitate charge transfer to oxygen, and concurrent with the anisotropically fast oxygen incorporation on LSC214, quantitatively explains the vastly accelerated ORR kinetics near the LSC113/214 interface. Our results contribute to an improved understanding of oxide hetero‐interfaces at elevated temperatures and identify electronically coupled oxide structures as the basis of novel cathodes with exceptional performance.
Horizontal reactive distillation for multicomponent chiral resolution
Authors: Au‐Yeung Patrick H. , Resnick Sol M. , Witt Paul M. , Frank Timothy C. , Donate Felipe A. , Robbins Lanny A.
Published: May 2013

A novel horizontal reactive distillation apparatus and a new overall process scheme are proposed for continuous multicomponent chiral resolution via reversible enantioselective acylation of a chiral (racemic) substrate by a chiral (racemic) acyl donor. The process enables simultaneous production of up to four enantiomers with enhanced chiral purity. Kinetic studies, miniplant experiments, and process simulation results are described for a model lipase‐catalyzed reaction: (R)‐enantioselective transesterification of (R,S)‐1‐n‐butoxy‐2‐propanol with (R,S)‐1‐methoxy‐2‐acetoxypropane to produce (R)‐1‐n‐butoxy‐2‐acetoxypropane, (R)‐1‐methoxy‐2‐propanol, and the two unreacted (S)‐enantiomers of the (R,S)‐reagents. A horizontal, compartmentalized reactive distillation vessel is specified instead of a conventional reactive distillation column to provide longer liquid‐phase residence time needed for adequate conversion. Low vapor‐traffic pressure drop allows operation under vacuum at reduced temperatures for good enzyme stability and enantioselectivity. The general technology has potential as a means to producing a wide range of chiral synthons used in asymmetric syntheses of chiral pharmaceuticals and other biologically active products. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2603–2620, 2013
Feeding on the edge: δ13C analysis of a macrofauna food web from disappearing seagrass beds in a polluted urban harbour – implications for biomonitoring and restoration efforts
Authors: France R. L.
Published: May 2013

Thirty‐five macrofaunal species were collected from several eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds in Boston Harbour to determine whether food provenance and carbon flow as measured by δ13C analysis differed for a seagrass community exposed to dense urbanization compared with those documented for populations distant from cities, and whether such isotopic determinations might be used for purposes of biomonitoring such disturbance.

In support of other studies and a previous global synthesis, the majority of benthic and epibenthic fauna inhabiting Boston Harbour eelgrass beds were found to have δ13C values within the range, –20 to –17 ‰, indicative of epiphytic algae being the most important food source. However, the proportional abundance‐weighted assessment of the distribution of individual δ13C measurements was found to be quite different from that revealed by non‐quantitative, species‐only assessments.

Because the chink shell, Lacuna vincta, which was the only species to demonstrate primary assimilation of eelgrass δ13C, numerically dominated the benthic food web in Boston Harbour, over three‐quarters of the total abundance of macroinvertebrates were likely to be directly dependent upon eelgrass carbon. Nevertheless, food web transfer, as measured through δ15N analysis, was extremely limited as no direct mechanism appeared to presently exist by which eelgrass carbon could be exclusively passed from chink shells to animals of higher trophic positions.

The dietary fidelity of these animals while experiencing severe habitat loss due to anthropogenic pollution – neither a shift toward increased vascular plant detritivory nor toward increased planktonic algivory occurred – indicates that pathways of carbon flow may offer little use as an early warning biomonitor for gauging either individual stress or community‐level disturbance from coastal development.

Because epiphytic algae are the major food source for most macrobenthos species rather than the vascular plants themselves, the possibility exists that seagrass simulacra might be used as interim installations in order to sustain communities until such time as the aquatic conditions improve to such a degree as to enable the successful restoration of the degraded beds.

Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transcriptome Analysis of Injured Human Meniscus Reveals a Distinct Phenotype of Meniscus Degeneration With Aging
Authors: Rai Muhammad Farooq , Patra Debabrata , Sandell Linda J. , Brophy Robert H.
Published: May 2013

Objective

Meniscus tears are associated with a heightened risk of osteoarthritis. This study aimed to advance our understanding of the metabolic state of injured human meniscus at the time of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy through transcriptome‐wide analysis of gene expression in relation to the patient's age and degree of cartilage chondrosis.

Methods

The degree of chondrosis of knee cartilage was recorded at the time of meniscectomy in symptomatic patients without radiographic osteoarthritis. RNA preparations from resected menisci (n = 12) were subjected to transcriptome‐wide microarray and QuantiGene Plex analyses. Variations in the relative changes in gene expression with age and chondrosis were analyzed, and integrated biologic processes were investigated computationally.

Results

We identified a set of genes in torn menisci that were differentially expressed with age and chondrosis. There were 866 genes that were differentially regulated (≥1.5‐fold difference and P < 0.05) with age and 49 with chondrosis. In older patients, genes associated with cartilage and skeletal development and extracellular matrix synthesis were repressed, while those involved in immune response, inflammation, cell cycle, and cellular proliferation were stimulated. With chondrosis, genes representing cell catabolism (cAMP catabolic process) and tissue and endothelial cell development were repressed, and those involved in T cell differentiation and apoptosis were elevated.

Conclusion

Differences in age‐related gene expression suggest that in older adults, meniscal cells might dedifferentiate and initiate a proliferative phenotype. Conversely, meniscal cells in younger patients appear to respond to injury, but they maintain the differentiated phenotype. Definitive molecular signatures identified in damaged meniscus could be segregated largely with age and, to a lesser extent, with chondrosis.
Two Lanthanide(III)Copper(II) Organic Frameworks Based on {OLn6} Clusters that Exhibited a Large Magnetocaloric Effect and Slow Relaxation of the Magnetization
Authors: Bing Yanmin , Xu Na , Shi Wei , Liu Ke , Cheng Peng
Published: May 2013

Two new 3D lanthanide(III)copper(II) organic frameworks based on unusual {OLn6} clusters have been successfully synthesized and fully characterized. Crystallographic studies showed that the {OLn6} clusters acted as 12‐connected nodes that were linked together by [CuL2] (H2L=3‐hydroxypyrazine‐2‐carboxylic acid) moieties to construct an interesting 4,12‐c net with the point symbol {436.630}{44.62}3. Magnetic studies revealed that these two isostructural heterometallic frameworks exhibited different magnetic properties, depending on the different anisotropies of the lanthanide spin carriers: Gd‐Cu showed a large magnetocaloric effect, with an entropy change (−ΔSm) of 35.76 J kg−1 K−1, which is one of the largest values in high‐dimensional complexes, whilst Dy‐Cu exhibited slow relaxation of the magnetization at low temperatures.
Desulfurization activity and reusability of magnetite nanoparticle–coated Rhodococcus erythropolis FMF and R. erythropolis IGTS8 bacterial cells
Authors: Bardania Hassan , Raheb Jamshid , Mohammad‐Beigi Hossein , Rasekh Behnam , Arpanaei Ayyoob
Published: May 2013

The application of Fe3O4 nanoparticles to the separation of desulfurizing bacterial cells and their influence on the desulfurization activity and reusability of the two bacterial strains Rhodococcus erythropolis FMF and R. erythropolis IGTS8 were investigated. Magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized via the reverse coprecipitation method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the magnetite nanoparticles had sizes of 5.35 ± 1.13 (F1 nanoparticles) and 8.74 ± 1.18 nm (F2 nanoparticles) when glycine was added during the synthesis of nanoparticles and when it was absent from the reaction mixture, respectively. Glycine was added after the synthesis of both F1 and F2 nanoparticles to stabilize the nanoparticle dispersion. TEM images of cells treated with magnetite nanoparticles indicated that F1 nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of bacterial cells more evenly than the F2 nanoparticles. Desulfurization activities of the F1 magnetite nanoparticle–coated R. erythropolis FMF and R. erythropolis IGTS8 cells (with sulfur‐removal percentage values of 70 ± 4 and 73 ± 3, respectively), as examined with the spectrophotometric Gibbs assay (based on dibenzothiophene degradation and sulfur‐removal percentage), were not significantly different from those for the free bacterial cells (67 ± 3 and 69 ± 4, respectively). These results indicate that magnetite nanoparticles cannot affect the desulfurization activity of cells examined in this work. Isolation of bacterial cells from the suspension using a magnet and evaluation of desulfurization activity of separated cells showed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles can provide a high‐efficiency recovery of bacterial cells from a suspension, with the reused magnetite nanoparticle–coated bacterial cells being able to maintain their desulfurization activity efficiently.
Amylase enzyme from Bacillus subtilis S8‐18: A potential desizing agent from the marine environment
Authors: Kalpana Balu Jancy , Sindhulakshmi Muthukrishnan , Pandian Shunmugiah Karutha
Published: May 2013

The present study is aimed at developing an economical medium for the production of α‐amylase from Bacillus subtilis S8‐18, a marine sediment isolate from Palk Bay, with various agricultural by‐products that are cheap and rich in starch. These products include wheat bran, wheat husk, rice bran, rice husk, and potato peel and are used to replace soluble starch present in the Luria Bertani (LB) broth (synthetic medium). The rice husk was found to be the best to influence enzyme production significantly (61,186 IU mL−1) when compared with the yield of 30,026 IU mL−1 obtained by commercial starch. Hence, LB broth containing rice husk was considered an economical medium. In addition, the effect of various nutritional and physiological factors on enzyme production was also investigated. Furthermore, the desizing efficiency of α‐amylases produced by synthetic and economical media was evaluated through various assays like reducing sugar estimation, weight loss assay, drop absorbency assay, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared analyses. In addition, a commercial α‐amylase from B. subtilis was also used in desizing analyses for comparative purposes. It revealed that the α‐amylase from the economical medium was as effective in desizing the cotton fabrics as that of the commercial enzyme and much superior to the enzyme produced through the synthetic medium.
A global view on world ethanol markets and trade flows
Authors: Covrig Claudiu
Published: May 2013

Since the financial crisis and the subsequent global economic recession, the ethanol market has been impacted by increased volatility and change. Dr Claudiu Covrig provides a global view on the ebbs and flows in ethanol markets over the last few years. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Rapid one‐step inactivation of single or multiple genes in Escherichia coli
Authors: Song Chan Woo , Lee Sang Yup
Published: May 2013

Gene knockout experiments are frequently performed for both fundamental and applied biological research. We developed an integration helper plasmid‐based knockout system for more efficient and rapid engineering of Escherichia coli. The integration helper plasmid, pCW611, contains two recombinases that are expressed in the reverse direction by two independent inducible systems. One is Red recombinase under the control of the arabinose‐inducible system to induce a recombination event by using the linear gene knockout DNA fragment, while the other is Cre recombinase, which is controlled by the isopropyl β‐D‐1‐thiogalactopyranoside‐inducible system to obtain markerless mutant strains. The time and effort required can be reduced with this system because iterative transformation and curing steps are not required. We could delete one target gene in three days by using pCW611. To verify the usefulness of this system, deletion experiments were performed to knock out four target genes individually (adhE, sfcA, frdABCD, and ackA) and two genes simultaneously for two cases (adhE–aspA and sfcA–aspA). Also, sequential deletion of four target genes (fumB, iclR, fumA, and fumC) was successfully performed to make a fumaric acid producing strain. This successfully developed and validated rapid and efficient gene manipulation system should be useful for the metabolic engineering of E. coli.
Extending Contact Across Generations: Comparison of Direct and Ancestral Intergroup Contact Effects on Current Attitudes Toward Outgroup Members
Authors: Stasiuk Katarzyna , Bilewicz Michal
Published: May 2013

There is a growing body of evidence that intergroup relations are affected not only by direct contact with outgroup members, but also by extended contact: the mere knowledge that an ingroup member has a positive relationship with an outgroup. The present article focuses on the transgenerationally transmitted effects of contact, namely the impact of knowledge about ancestors’ contact with outgroup members on descendants’ attitudes toward the outgroup. A correlational study in the Polish–Ukrainian borderland region (N = 288) shows that ancestral intergroup contact – independently from direct intergroup contact – plays a crucial role in the process of improving intergroup attitudes. The mediating mechanisms of perceived similarity of the outgroup to the self and of perspective taking are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.