bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legitimacy and Legality
Authors: Dodd Maya
Published: April 2011

By viewing legality as distinct from a state’s legitimacy, we can appreciate the significance of Nehruvian statism on India’s democratic history. The 1950s were regarded as a period of high legitimacy for the Indian state but the schismatic effect of the 1975–77 Emergency crucially informed its decline. The relation between legitimacy and legality would seem to have shifted since colonial rule but upon scrutiny, a different picture emerges. While the Nehruvian period coincided with a consolidation of statism, political trials in colonial courts had reinforced the need for institutions, officials, and legal procedures. Thus, a fundamental faith in the state preceded independence. When charged with sedition, Gandhi, Tilak and Nehru all served prison sentences under an illegitimate state. After Independence, Nehruvian statism appeared to promise a reinvention of state ideology and apparatus ending the duality between good laws and bad states. In fact, the persistence of statism itself derives from an overarching faith in the ability of the state to deliver justice. However, in tracing the antecedents and legacies of Nehruvian statism, we see a twinned staging of individual exceptionalism and mere symbolic justiceability.
Elitism, Factionalism and Separatism
Authors: Gupta Amit Kumar
Published: April 2011

The article deals with the diverse facets of politics in the United Provinces between 1885 and 1920, from the birth of the Indian National Congress to the commencement of the Non-cooperation Movement. Till the tumult in 1920, the public life in the Provinces was unmistakably elitist in character, and monopolized by the representatives of such dominant social categories as the official and educated middle classes, the landed magnates and landlords and the traders and bankers. Religion and language separated the UP elites into Hindus and Muslims, who carried on their factional fights over educational facilities, Government jobs and professional engagements. However, the spirit of reciprocal accommodation survived among the common people and influenced the behaviour of the Congress and the ‘new’ in the Muslim League (1906) leading to compromises over several issues faced during this phase of independence struggle. Dramatically in 1920, Gandhiji in the Congress could mobilise the Indian masses so as to sweep away elitism, factionalism and separatism from India and the Provinces.
Media
Authors: Kumari Abhilasha
Published: April 2011

This article traces the changes in radio policy highlighting the influence of the political economic vision of the Indian state. Emphasising that changes in media policy have followed the same trajectory as economic policy, namely, that of liberalisation, deregulation and globalisation, the article argues that these have contributed to the creation of a depoliticised transnational consumerist media and culture, addressing which requires policy intervention to support alternative structures that could sustain plurality and diversity in the media.
Quinine-induced thrombocytopenia: drug-dependent GPIb/IX antibodies inhibit megakaryocyte and proplatelet production in vitro
Authors: Perdomo José , Yan Feng , Ahmadi Zohra , Jiang Xing-Mai , Stocker Roland , Chong Beng H.
Published: April 2011

The development of immune cytopenias is a well-recognized side effect of many drugs. Quinine- and quinidine-dependent antibodies are classic examples of drug-induced effects that cause severe, life-threatening thrombocytopenia. Whereas the effects of drug-dependent antibodies on platelets have been well documented, their effects on megakaryocyte (Mk) biology are still unclear. We analyzed sera from several quinine-induced thrombocytopenia (QITP) patients on highly pure Mks (98% glycoprotein IIb-positive [GPIIb+]; 92% GPIX+) derived from human CD34+ cells cultured with human thrombopoietin. We demonstrate by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy that QITP IgGs bind Mks efficiently in the presence of quinine. Incubation of day-4 Mks with QITP sera or purified IgG resulted in induction of apoptosis, a significant decrease in cell viability, and an increase in cell death. Furthermore, QITP sera preferentially reduced the number of late GPIX+/GPIbα+ Mks and the number of receptors per cell in the surviving population. Ploidy distribution, lobularity, and average cell size of Mks remained unchanged after treatment. In addition, treated Mks showed a marked decrease in their proplatelet production capacity, suggesting that drug-dependent antibodies hinder platelet production. Therefore, QITP antibodies considerably reduce the proplatelet production capabilities of Mks despite undetectable effects on DNA content, morphology, and cell size.
New markers for minimal residual disease detection in acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Coustan-Smith Elaine , Song Guangchun , Clark Christopher , Key Laura , Liu Peixin , Mehrpooya Mohammad , Stow Patricia , Su Xiaoping , Shurtleff Sheila , Pui Ching-Hon , Downing James R. , Campana Dario
Published: April 2011

To identify new markers for minimal residual disease (MRD) detection in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we compared genome-wide gene expression of lymphoblasts from 270 patients with newly diagnosed childhood ALL to that of normal CD19+CD10+ B-cell progenitors (n = 4). Expression of 30 genes differentially expressed by ≥ 3-fold in at least 25% of cases of ALL (or 40% of ALL subtypes) was tested by flow cytometry in 200 B-lineage ALL and 61 nonleukemic BM samples, including samples containing hematogones. Of the 30 markers, 22 (CD44, BCL2, HSPB1, CD73, CD24, CD123, CD72, CD86, CD200, CD79b, CD164, CD304, CD97, CD102, CD99, CD300a, CD130, PBX1, CTNNA1, ITGB7, CD69, CD49f) were differentially expressed in up to 81.4% of ALL cases; expression of some markers was associated with the presence of genetic abnormalities. Results of MRD detection by flow cytometry with these markers correlated well with those of molecular testing (52 follow-up samples from 18 patients); sequential studies during treatment and diagnosis-relapse comparisons documented their stability. When incorporated in 6-marker combinations, the new markers afforded the detection of 1 leukemic cell among 105 BM cells. These new markers should allow MRD studies in all B-lineage ALL patients, and substantially improve their sensitivity.
Clostridium botulinum group III: a group with dual identity shaped by plasmids, phages and mobile elements
Authors: Skarin Hanna , Håfström Therese , Westerberg Josefina , Segerman Bo
Published: April 2011

Background

Clostridium botulinum strains can be divided into four physiological groups that are sufficiently diverged to be considered as separate species. Here we present the first complete genome of a C. botulinum strain from physiological group III, causing animal botulism. We also compare the sequence to three new draft genomes from the same physiological group.

Results

The 2.77 Mb chromosome was highly conserved between the isolates and also closely related to that of C. novyi. However, the sequence was very different from the human C. botulinum group genomes. Replication-directed translocations were rare and conservation of synteny was high. The largest difference between C. botulinum group III isolates occurred within their surprisingly large plasmidomes and in the pattern of mobile elements insertions. Five plasmids, constituting 13.5% of the total genetic material, were present in the completed genome. Interestingly, the set of plasmids differed compared to other isolates. The largest plasmid, the botulinum-neurotoxin carrying prophage, was conserved at a level similar to that of the chromosome while the medium-sized plasmids seemed to be undergoing faster genetic drift. These plasmids also contained more mobile elements than other replicons. Several toxins and resistance genes were identified, many of which were located on the plasmids.

Conclusions

The completion of the genome of C. botulinum group III has revealed it to be a genome with dual identity. It belongs to the pathogenic species C. botulinum, but as a genotypic species it should also include C. novyi and C. haemolyticum. The genotypic species share a conserved chromosomal core that can be transformed into various pathogenic variants by modulation of the highly plastic plasmidome.
An Outbreak of Varicella among Schoolchildren in Taipei
Authors: Lai Chao-Chih , Chen Szu-Ching , Jiang Donald Dah-Shyong
Published: April 2011

Background

The reported cases with varicella have not decreased and outbreaks of varicella among vaccinated children continue to be reported 9 years after the public vaccination program in Taipei. We investigated an outbreak to determine varicella vaccine coverage and effectiveness.

Methods

An outbreak occurred in an elementary school which located in southern Taipei from April 2007 through May 2007. A retrospect cohort study was performed by using a self-administered questionnaire for parents.

Results

Ten out of sixteen varicella cases were vaccinated. Overall vaccine coverage was 71.2%. The common reasons for not receiving varicella vaccine were that varicella vaccine was unavailable because the student didn't live in Taipei (29.4%) or the children could not be vaccinated due to certain illnesses (23.5%). The sensitivity and specificity of self-reported vaccination status was 0.900 (95% CI: 0.864, 0.935) and 0.611 (95% CI: 0.514, 0.701).

The vaccine effectiveness was 69.3%-100.0% against any disease severity of varicella. Overall vaccine effectiveness against moderate or severe varicella was 85.5%. Attending cram school was associated with the risk of developing the varicella illness (RR: 13.39; 95% CI: 5.38, 33.31). Unvaccinated students tended to show moderate to severe (>50 lesions) afflictions of the disease (RR: 4.17; 95% CI: 1.15, 15.14).

Conclusions

Because of the low vaccination coverage, varicella outbreaks continue to be reported in Taipei. Increasing vaccine coverage and second dose vaccination for increasing vaccine effectiveness may be considered.
Distribution of hepatitis c virus (hcv) genotypes in patients with chronic infection from Rondônia, Brazil
Authors: Vieira Deusilene S , Alvarado-Mora Mónica V , Botelho Lívia , Carrilho Flair J , Pinho João RR , Salcedo Juan M
Published: April 2011

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important human pathogen affecting around 3% of the human population. In Brazil, it is estimated that there are approximately 2 to 3 million HCV chronic carriers. There are few reports of HCV prevalence in Rondônia State (RO), but it was estimated in 9.7% from 1999 to 2005. The aim of this study was to characterize HCV genotypes in 58 chronic HCV infected patients from Porto Velho, Rondônia (RO), Brazil.

Methods

A fragment of 380 bp of NS5B region was amplified by nested PCR for genotyping analysis. Viral sequences were characterized by phylogenetic analysis using reference sequences obtained from the GenBank (n = 173). Sequences were aligned using Muscle software and edited in the SE-AL software. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation (MCMC) to obtain the MCC tree using BEAST v.1.5.3.

Results

From 58 anti-HCV positive samples, 22 were positive to the NS5B fragment and successfully sequenced. Genotype 1b was the most prevalent in this population (50%), followed by 1a (27.2%), 2b (13.6%) and 3a (9.0%).

Conclusions

This study is the first report of HCV genotypes from Rondônia State and subtype 1b was found to be the most prevalent. This subtype is mostly found among people who have a previous history of blood transfusion but more detailed studies with a larger number of patients are necessary to understand the HCV dynamics in the population of Rondônia State, Brazil.
Analgesic Tone Conferred by Constitutively Active Mu Opioid Receptors in Mice Lacking β-Arrestin 2
Authors: Lam Hoa , Maga Matthew , Pradhan Amynah , Evans Christopher J , Maidment Nigel T , Hales Tim G , Walwyn Wendy
Published: April 2011

Hedonic reward, dependence and addiction are unwanted effects of opioid analgesics, linked to the phasic cycle of μ opioid receptor activation, tolerance and withdrawal. In vitro studies of recombinant G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) over expressed in cell lines reveal an alternative tonic signaling mechanism that is independent of agonist. Such studies demonstrate that constitutive GPCR signaling can be inhibited by inverse agonists but not by neutral antagonists. However, ligand-independent activity has been difficult to examine in vivo, at the systems level, due to relatively low levels of constitutive activity of most GPCRs including μ receptors, often necessitating mutagenesis or pharmacological manipulation to enhance basal signaling. We previously demonstrated that the absence of β-arrestin 2 (β-arr2) augments the constitutive coupling of β receptors to voltage-activated Ca2+ channels in primary afferent dorsal root ganglion neurons from β-aar2−/−mice. We used this in vitro approach to characterize neutral competitive antagonists and inverse agonists of the constitutively active wild type u receptors in neurons. We administered these agents to β-arr2−/− mice to explore the role of constitutive β receptor activity in nociception and hedonic tone. This study demonstrates that the induction of constitutive β receptor activity in vivo in β-arr2−/− mice prolongs tail withdrawal from noxious heat, a phenomenon that was reversed by inverse agonists, but not by antagonists that lack negative efficacy. By contrast, the aversive effects of inverse agonists were similar in β-arr2−/− and β-arr2+/+ mice, suggesting that hedonic tone was unaffected.
Peripheral Effects of Morphine and Expression of μ-Opioid Receptors in the Dorsal Root Ganglia during Neuropathic Pain: Nitric Oxide Signaling
Authors: Hervera Arnau , Negrete Roger , Leánez Sergi , Martín-Campos Jesús M , Pol Olga
Published: April 2011

Background:

The local administration of μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists attenuates neuropathic pain but the precise mechanism implicated in this effect is not completely elucidated. We investigated if nitric oxide synthesized by neuronal (NOS1) or inducible (NOS2) nitric oxide synthases could modulate the local antiallodynic effects of morphine through the peripheral nitric oxide-cGMP-protein kinase G (PKG)-ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels signaling pathway activation and affect the dorsal root ganglia MOR expression during neuropathic pain.

Results:

In wild type (WT) mice, the subplantar administration of morphine dose-dependently decreased the mechanical and thermal allodynia induced by the chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve (CCI), which effects were significantly diminished after their co-administration with different subanalgesic doses of a selective NOS1 (N-[(4S)-4-amino-5-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]pentyl]-N′-nitroguanidine tris(trifluoroacetate) salt; NANT), NOS2 (L-N(6)-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine; L-NIL), L-guanylate cyclase (1H-[ 1 , 2 , 4 ]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one; ODQ), PKG ((Rp)-8-(para-chlorophenylthio)guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate; Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPs) inhibitor or a KATP channel blocker (glibenclamide). The evaluation of the expression of MOR in the dorsal root ganglia from sham-operated and sciatic nerve-injured WT, NOS1 knockout (KO) and NOS2-KO mice at 21 days after surgery demonstrated that, although the basal mRNA and protein levels of MOR were similar between WT and both NOS-KO animals, nerve injury only decreased their expression in WT mice.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that the peripheral nitric oxide-cGMP-PKG-KATP signaling pathway activation participates in the local antiallodynic effects of morphine after sciatic nerve injury and that nitric oxide, synthesized by NOS1 and NOS2, is implicated in the dorsal root ganglia down-regulation of MOR during neuropathic pain.
Sensory-motor deficits and neurofilament disorganization in gigaxonin-null mice
Authors: Ganay Thibault , Boizot Alexia , Burrer Renaud , Chauvin Jean Paul , Bomont Pascale
Published: April 2011

Background

Giant Axonal Neuropathy (GAN) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder with early onset characterized by a severe deterioration of the peripheral and central nervous system, involving both the motor and the sensory tracts and leading to ataxia, speech defect and intellectual disabilities. The broad deterioration of the nervous system is accompanied by a generalized disorganization of the intermediate filaments, including neurofilaments in neurons, but the implication of this defect in disease onset or progression remains unknown. The identification of gigaxonin, the substrate adaptor of an E3 ubiquitin ligase, as the defective protein in GAN allows us to now investigate the crucial role of the gigaxonin-E3 ligase in sustaining neuronal and intermediate filament integrity. To study the mechanisms controlled by gigaxonin in these processes and to provide a relevant model to test the therapeutic approaches under development for GAN, we generated a Gigaxonin-null mouse by gene targeting.

Results

We investigated for the first time in Gigaxonin-null mice the deterioration of the motor and sensory functions over time as well as the spatial disorganization of neurofilaments. We showed that gigaxonin depletion in mice induces mild but persistent motor deficits starting at 60 weeks of age in the 129/SvJ-genetic background, while sensory deficits were demonstrated in C57BL/6 animals. In our hands, another gigaxonin-null mouse did not display the early and severe motor deficits reported previously. No apparent neurodegeneration was observed in our knock-out mice, but dysregulation of neurofilaments in proximal and distal axons was massive. Indeed, neurofilaments were not only more abundant but they also showed the abnormal increase in diameter and misorientation that are characteristics of the human pathology.

Conclusions

Together, our results show that gigaxonin depletion in mice induces mild motor and sensory deficits but recapitulates the severe neurofilament dysregulation seen in patients. Our model will allow investigation of the role of the gigaxonin-E3 ligase in organizing neurofilaments and may prove useful in understanding the pathological processes engaged in other neurodegenerative disorders characterized by accumulation of neurofilaments and dysfunction of the Ubiquitin Proteasome System, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Langerhans cells are not required for epidermal Vγ3 T cell homeostasis and function
Authors: Taveirne Sylvie , De Colvenaer Veerle , Van Den Broeck Tina , Van Ammel Els , Bennett Clare L , Taghon Tom , Vandekerckhove Bart , Plum Jean , Clausen Björn E , Kaplan Daniel H , Leclercq Georges
Published: April 2011

This study tested the hypothesis that Vγ3 TCR-bearing T cells are influenced by LCs. Vγ3 T cells and LCs are located in the epidermis of mice. Vγ3 T cells represent the main T cell population in the skin epithelium and play a crucial role in maintaining the skin integrity, whereas LCs are professional APCs. Although Vγ3 T cells and LCs form an interdigitating network in the epidermis, not much is known about their reciprocal influence and/or interdependence. We used two different LC-deficient mouse models, in which LCs are constitutively or inducibly depleted, to investigate the role of LCs in maturation, homeostasis, and function of Vγ3 T cells. We show that Vγ3 T cell numbers are unaltered by LC deficiency, and Vγ3 T cells isolated from LC-deficient mice are phenotypically and upon in vitro stimulation, functionally indistinguishable from Vγ3 T cells isolated from WT mice based on their cytotoxic potential and cytokine production. Additionally, in vivo skin-wounding experiments show no major difference in response of Vγ3 T cells to wounding in the absence or presence of LCs. These observations indicate that Vγ3 T cells develop and function independently of LCs.
A Designed Cell-Permeable Aptamer-Based Corepressor Peptide Is Highly Specific for the Androgen Receptor and Inhibits Prostate Cancer Cell Growth in a Vector-Free Mode
Authors: Reeb Christina A. , Gerlach Claudia , Heinssmann Maria , Prade Ina , Ceraline Jocelyn , Roediger Julia , Roell Daniela , Baniahmad Aria
Published: April 2011

The repression of the androgen receptor (AR) activity is a major objective to inhibit prostate cancer growth. One underlying mechanism for efficient hormone therapy is based on corepressors that inactivate the AR. In line with this, castration-resistant prostate cancer is associated with malfunction or reduced corepressor action. To overcome this, the overexpression of endogenous corepressors, however, affects many other transcription factors. Therefore, an AR-specific corepressor could be of advantage. Using a yeast peptide aptamer two-hybrid screen with the full-length human AR, we identified a short amino acid-stretch that binds specifically to the human AR in yeast and in mammalian cells and not to the closely related progesterone or glucocorticoid receptors. Furthermore, fused to a silencing domain, this aptamer-based corepressor (AB-CoR) exhibits corepressor activity by inhibiting both the AR-mediated transactivation and expression of the AR target gene PSA. Furthermore, stable expression of the AB-CoR inhibits growth of human LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Moreover, we generated a cell-permeable AB-CoR by fusing a protein transduction domain to establish a vector-free transport system. Treatment of LNCaP cells with the bacterially expressed and affinity-purified cell-permeable AB-CoR peptide resulted in a significant inhibition of both AR-mediated transactivation and prostate cancer cell proliferation. Thus, generation of a novel AR-specific aptamer-based corepressor may present a vector-free inhibition of AR-dependent prostate cancer growth as a novel approach.
Projections of Arcuate Nucleus and Rostral Periventricular Kisspeptin Neurons in the Adult Female Mouse Brain
Authors: Yeo Shel-Hwa , Herbison Allan E.
Published: April 2011

The important role of kisspeptin neurons in the regulation of GnRH neuron activity is now well accepted. However, the ways in which kisspeptin neurons located in the arcuate nucleus (ARN) and rostral periventricular area of the third ventricle (RP3V) control GnRH neurons are poorly understood. The present study used anterograde and retrograde tracing techniques to establish the neuronal projection patterns of kisspeptin cell populations in the female mouse brain. Anterograde tracing studies revealed that kisspeptin neurons in the ARN innervated a wide number of hypothalamic and associated limbic region nuclei, whereas RP3V kisspeptin neurons projected to a smaller number of mostly medially located hypothalamic nuclei. Retrograde tracing confirmed a major projection of RP3V kisspeptin neurons to the ARN and showed that kisspeptin neurons located in the rostral half of the ARN projected to the rostral preoptic area. Peripheral administration of Fluorogold was found to label the majority of GnRH neurons but no kisspeptin neurons. Together, these studies highlight the complexity of the brain kisspeptin neuronal system and indicate that both ARN and RP3V kisspeptin neurons participate in a variety of limbic functions. In relation to the GnRH neuronal network, these investigations demonstrate that, alongside the RP3V kisspeptin cells, rostral ARN kisspeptin neurons may also project to GnRH neuron cell bodies. However, no kisspeptin neurons innervate GnRH nerve terminals in the external layer of the median eminence. These studies provide a neuroanatomical framework for the further elucidation of the functions of the ARN and RP3V kisspeptin neuron populations.
The Woman on the Other Side of the Wall: Archiving the Otherwise in Postcolonial Digital Archives
Authors: Povinelli Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2011

This article probes a set of problems in the theory and practice of the postcolonial archive that has emerged as the author and her Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues have struggled to create a new media archive in rural northwest Australia. This archive does not as yet exist. If it existed as it is currently conceived, it would organize mixed (augmented) reality media on the basis of social media and operate it on smart phones. The smart phones would contain a small segment of the archive, which would be geotagged so that it could not run unless the phone was proximate to the site to which the information referred. This article argues that if “archive” is the name we give to the power to make and command what took place here or there, in this or that place, and thus what has an authoritative place in the contemporary organization of social life, the postcolonial new media archive cannot be merely a collection of digital artifacts reflecting a different, subjugated history. Instead, the postcolonial archive must directly address the problem of the endurance of the otherwise within—or distinct from—this form of power.
A competitive hexapeptide inhibitor of annexin A2 prevents hypoxia-induced angiogenic events
Authors: Valapala Mallika , Thamake Sanjay I. , Vishwanatha Jamboor K.
Published: April 2011

Extracellular proteolysis is an indispensable requirement for the formation of new blood vessels during neovascularization and is implicated in the generation of several angiogenic regulatory molecules. Anti-proteolytic agents have become attractive therapeutic strategies in diseases associated with excessive neovascularization. Annexin A2 (AnxA2) is an endothelial cell-surface receptor for the generation of active proteolytic factors, such as plasmin. Here, we show that AnxA2 is abundantly expressed in the neovascular tufts in a murine model of neovascularization. Exposure to hypoxic conditions results in elevation of AnxA2 and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMVECs). We show that the hexapeptide competitive inhibitor LCKLSL, which targets the N-terminal tPA-binding site of AnxA2, binds efficiently to cell-surface AnxA2 compared with binding of the control peptide LGKLSL. Treatment with the competitive peptide inhibits the generation of plasmin and suppresses the VEGF-induced activity of tPA under hypoxic conditions. Application of the competitive peptide in two in vivo models of angiogenesis demonstrated suppression of the angiogenic responses, which was also associated with significant changes in the vascular sprouting. These results suggest that AnxA2-mediated plasmin generation is an important event in angiogenesis and is inhibited by a specific competitive peptide that inhibits the binding of tPA to AnxA2.
Singing the blues: from experimental biology to conservation application
Authors: Settele Josef , Barbero Francesca , Musche Martin , Thomas Jeremy A. , Schönrogge Karsten
Published: April 2011

Chemical communication plays a major role in the organisation of ant societies, and is mimicked to near perfection by certain large blue (Maculinea) butterflies that parasitise Myrmica ant colonies. The recent discovery of differentiated acoustical communication between different castes of ants, and the fact that this too is mimicked by the butterflies, adds a new component of coevolutionary complexity to a fascinating multitrophic system of endangered species, and it could inspire new ways to engage the public in their conservation.
Whole-body kinematics of a fruit bat reveal the influence of wing inertia on body accelerations
Authors: Iriarte-Díaz José , Riskin Daniel K. , Willis David J. , Breuer Kenneth S. , Swartz Sharon M.
Published: April 2011

The center of mass (COM) of a flying animal accelerates through space because of aerodynamic and gravitational forces. For vertebrates, changes in the position of a landmark on the body have been widely used to estimate net aerodynamic forces. The flapping of relatively massive wings, however, might induce inertial forces that cause markers on the body to move independently of the COM, thus making them unreliable indicators of aerodynamic force. We used high-speed three-dimensional kinematics from wind tunnel flights of four lesser dog-faced fruit bats, Cynopterus brachyotis, at speeds ranging from 2.4 to 7.8 m s–1 to construct a time-varying model of the mass distribution of the bats and to estimate changes in the position of their COM through time. We compared accelerations calculated by markers on the trunk with accelerations calculated from the estimated COM and we found significant inertial effects on both horizontal and vertical accelerations. We discuss the effect of these inertial accelerations on the long-held idea that, during slow flights, bats accelerate their COM forward during ‘tip-reversal upstrokes’, whereby the distal portion of the wing moves upward and backward with respect to still air. This idea has been supported by the observation that markers placed on the body accelerate forward during tip-reversal upstrokes. As in previously published studies, we observed that markers on the trunk accelerated forward during the tip-reversal upstrokes. When removing inertial effects, however, we found that the COM accelerated forward primarily during the downstroke. These results highlight the crucial importance of the incorporation of inertial effects of wing motion in the analysis of flapping flight.
Claudin 28b and F-actin are involved in rainbow trout gill pavement cell tight junction remodeling under osmotic stress
Authors: Sandbichler Adolf Michael , Egg Margit , Schwerte Thorsten , Pelster Bernd
Published: April 2011

Permeability of rainbow trout gill pavement cells cultured on permeable supports (single seeded inserts) changes upon exposure to freshwater or treatment with cortisol. The molecular components of this change are largely unknown, but tight junctions that regulate the paracellular pathway are prime candidates in this adaptational process. Using differential display polymerase chain reaction we found a set of 17 differentially regulated genes in trout pavement cells that had been exposed to freshwater apically for 24 h. Five genes were related to the cell–cell contact. One of these genes was isolated and identified as encoding claudin 28b, an integral component of the tight junction. Immunohistochemical reactivity to claudin 28b protein was concentrated in a circumferential ring colocalized to the cortical F-actin ring. To study the contribution of this isoform to changes in transepithelial resistance and Phenol Red diffusion under apical hypo-or hyperosmotic exposure we quantified the fluorescence signal of this claudin isoform in immunohistochemical stainings together with the fluorescence of phalloidin-probed F-actin. Upon hypo-osmotic stress claudin 28b fluorescence and epithelial tightness remained stable. Under hyperosmotic stress, the presence of claudin 28b at the junction significantly decreased, and epithelial tightness was severely reduced. Cortical F-actin fluorescence increased upon hypo-osmotic stress, whereas hyperosmotic stress led to a separation of cortical F-actin rings and the number of apical crypt-like pores increased. Addition of cortisol to the basolateral medium attenuated cortical F-actin separation and pore formation during hyperosmotic stress and reduced claudin 28b in junctions except after recovery of cells from exposure to freshwater. Our results showed that short-term salinity stress response in cultured trout gill cells was dependent on a dynamic remodeling of tight junctions, which involves claudin 28b and the supporting F-actin ring.
The effect of developmental stage on the sensitivity of cell and body size to hypoxia inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Heinrich Erica C. , Farzin Manoush , Klok C. Jaco , Harrison Jon F.
Published: April 2011

Animals reared in hypoxic environments frequently exhibit smaller body sizes than when reared under normal atmospheric oxygen concentrations. The mechanisms responsible for this widely documented pattern of body size plasticity are poorly known. We studied the ontogeny of responses of Drosophila melanogaster adult body size to hypoxic exposure. We hypothesized that there may be critical oxygen-sensitive periods during D. melanogaster development that are primarily responsive to body size regulation. Instead, our results showed that exposure to hypoxia (an atmospheric partial pressure of oxygen of 10 kPa) during any developmental stage (embryo, larvae and pupae) leads to smaller adult size. However, short hypoxic exposures during the late larval and early pupal stages had the greatest effects on adult size. We then investigated whether the observed reductions in size induced by hypoxia at various developmental stages were the result of a decrease in cell size or cell number. Abdominal epithelial cells of flies reared continuously in hypoxia were smaller in mean diameter and were size-limited compared with cells of flies reared in normoxia. Flies reared in hypoxia during the embryonic, larval or pupal stage, or during their entire development, had smaller wing areas than flies reared in normoxia. Flies reared during the pupal stage, or throughout development in hypoxia had smaller wing cells, even after controlling for the effect of wing size. These results suggest that hypoxia effects on the body size of D. melanogaster probably occur by multiple mechanisms operating at various developmental stages.
Rainbow trout consume less oxygen in turbulence: the energetics of swimming behaviors at different speeds
Authors: Taguchi Masashige , Liao James C.
Published: April 2011

Measuring the rate of consumption of oxygen () during swimming reveals the energetics of fish locomotion. We show that rainbow trout have substantially different oxygen requirements for station holding depending on which hydrodynamic microhabitats they choose to occupy around a cylinder. We used intermittent flow respirometry to show that an energetics hierarchy, whereby certain behaviors are more energetically costly than others, exists both across behaviors at a fixed flow velocity and across speeds for a single behavior. At 3.5 L s–1 (L is total body length) entraining has the lowest , followed by Kármán gaiting, bow waking and then free stream swimming. As flow speed increases the costs associated with a particular behavior around the cylinder changes in unexpected ways compared with free stream swimming. At times, actually decreases as flow velocity increases. Entraining demands the least oxygen at 1.8 L s–1 and 3.5 L s–1, whereas bow waking requires the least oxygen at 5.0 L s–1. Consequently, a behavior at one speed may have a similar cost to another behavior at another speed. We directly confirm that fish Kármán gaiting in a vortex street gain an energetic advantage from vortices beyond the benefit of swimming in a velocity deficit. We propose that the ability to exploit velocity gradients as well as stabilization costs shape the complex patterns of oxygen consumption for behaviors around cylinders. Measuring for station holding in turbulent flows advances our attempts to develop ecologically relevant approaches to evaluating fish swimming performance.
Atypical properties of release and short-term depression at a specialized nicotinic synapse in the Mauthner cell network
Authors: Gelman Simon , Grove Charlotte L. , Faber Donald S.
Published: April 2011

Many synapses exhibit temporally complex forms of activity-dependent short-term synaptic plasticity. The diversity of these phenomena reflects the evolutionary specialization of synapses within networks. We examined the properties of transmission and plasticity, in vivo, at an identified, specialized axo-axonic nicotinic synapse between the goldfish Mauthner cell and one of its targets, the cranial relay neuron (CRN), using intracellular paired recordings and low frequency (0.33–2 Hz) train stimulations. Depression of successive excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), which dominates short-term plasticity, had two components. A fast component reduced the amplitude of EPSP2, to less than 50% of EPSP1. A slow component produced an additional 10–30% of amplitude reduction and developed with a time constant of tens of seconds. The latencies of the later depressed responses were ∼0.1 ms longer than that of EPSP1, suggesting a reduced release probability. The Ca2+ chelators EGTA and BAPTA, injected presynaptically, reduced all EPSPs and slowed development of the second component of depression. Interestingly, spike broadening, produced by injecting K+ channel blockers, reduced release, but accelerated the kinetics of the slow component. Finally, Ba2+ in the external medium enhanced release, and reduced the first component and slowed the development of the second component of depression. Taken together, these last two results, which are in contrast to observations at other synapses, and the two-component depression suggest atypical release properties at the output synapses of the Mauthner cell, which triggers an escape behavior. We suggest that the second component of depression provides an additional safety factor to prevent repetitive firing of the CRN.
Synthesis and Properties of 1,3-Dithiole[4]dendralenes, in Which Two Thiophene Rings Are Inserted
Authors: Nishiwaki Masataka , Tezuka Mami , Shirahata Takashi , Misaki Yohji
Published: April 2011

Novel 1,3-dithiole[4]dendralene derivatives 3 with two thiophene spacers were synthesized. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry suggested the dications of most derivatives of 3 have dimeric thiophene–quinoid radical cation structures, while tetramethyltetrakis(methoxycarbonyl) derivative 3Bd adopts a vinylogous TTF dication structure.
Different Chiral Selective Recognition/Extraction of (n,m)Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Copolymers Carrying a Carbazole or Fluorene Moiety
Authors: Ozawa Hiroaki , Fujigaya Tsuyohiko , Song Suhee , Suh Hongsuk , Nakashima Naotoshi
Published: April 2011

We describe the finding that copolymers having a long-double chain carbazole or fluorene group connected to benzothiadiazole with thiophene linkers show a different chiral selective (n,m)single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) solubilization behavior which was revealed by 2D photoluminescence and vis–near IR spectroscopies. We also carried out molecular mechanical simulations to understand the difference in the chiral selective solubilization behavior.
Non-invasive evaluation of the coronary venous system in patients with chronic systolic heart failure by 64-detector computed tomography
Authors: Cubuk Rahmi , Aydin Alper , Tasali Nuri , Yilmazer Serdar , Celik Levent , Dagdeviren Bahadir , Guney Sefik
Published: April 2011

Background

Imaging coronary venous systems to guide transcatheter cardiac interventions are becoming increasingly important, particularly in heart failure patients who are selected for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). Failure of left ventricular (LV) lead placement during the procedure has been attributed to the inability to insert catheters into the coronary sinus and the lack of suitable side branches.

Purpose

To comparatively assess the value of a 64-detector MDCT examination in visualizing the cardiac veins and evaluating the morphological characteristics of the coronary venous system in patients with and without chronic systolic heart failure (SHF).

Material and Methods

A 64-detector MDCT examination of the heart was performed in 26 consecutive patients (five women, 21 men; mean age 57.80 ± 12.05 years; range 27–81 years) with chronic SHF. The morphological characteristics of the coronary venous system, such as the diameter, the distances between the venous tributaries, the angle and the tortuosity, were evaluated. The group was compared with a subgroup of 52 subjects without SHF (LV ejection fraction >40%) matched for age, sex, and the risk factors for coronary artery disease.

Results

The coronary sinus (CS), great cardiac vein (GCV), anterior interventricular vein (AIV), and posterior interventricular vein (PIV) were visualized in all 78 individuals. The posterior vein of the left ventricle (PVLV) (63/78), left marginal vein (LMV) (72/78), and the small cardiac vein (SCV) (50/78) were visualized in SHF and control patients (p = NS). The lengths between venous tributaries were higher (p > 0.05) and more dilated (P < 0.001 for CS, GCV, AIV, PVLV, LMV; p = 0.001 for PIV) in the cases with SHF compared with the control population. The angle between the CS-GCV axis and the venous branches was wider (p = 0.02 for LMV and PIV, p = 0.001 for PVLV) and did not have any correlation with the LV diameter in cases with SHF. There was no difference between the SHF and control groups in terms of the tortuosity of PVLV and LMV (p = NS).

Conclusion

The study demonstrated an increase in the diameters, lengths, and angulations with the CS-GCV axis of the coronary veins in cases with SHF. A 64-detector MDCT is a feasible tool for non-invasive evaluation of the coronary venous system and may provide considerable information regarding numbers and morphology of coronary veins before percutaneous transcatheter cardiac therapy.
Optimization of contrast medium protocol in CT coronary arteriography: constant injection dose rate adapted to body weight
Authors: Cao Lizhen , Du Xiangying , Li Pengyu , Sun Zheng , Zhang Qiuhang , Li Kuncheng
Published: April 2011

Background

Fixed dose contrast medium (CM) injection protocols are often used in CT coronary arteriography (CTCA). However, vascular enhancement is related to body weight and injection dose rate.

Purpose

To compare aortic enhancement and coronary imaging quality between a fixed dose CM injection protocol and one adapted to body weight with a constant injection dose rate in mg I/kg/s.

Material and Methods

One hundred consecutive patients undergoing CTCA were randomized to two groups; group I received 65 mL CM (370 mg I/mL) at 5 mL/s and group II received 0.9 mL CM (370 mg I/mL) per kg during 12 s resulting in a constant injection dose rate of 28 mg I/kg/s.The groups were re-divided according to body weight: IA ≤ 70 kg, IB >70 kg, IIA ≤ 70 kg, IIB >70 kg. Aortic attenuation was measured and coronary imaging quality was graded using a four-grade scale.

Results

The resulting mean CM dose, aortic attenuation and score of coronary imaging quality in groups IA/IB/IIA/IIB were 24/24/19/27 g I, 437/403/448/440 HU and 2.8/2.3/2.7/2.6, respectively. CM dose and aortic attenuation were significantly different between groups IA and IIA ( p < 0.001, p = 0.01), as well as between groups IB and IIB ( p < 0.001, p < 0.001).There was no statistically significant difference regarding coronary imaging quality between groups IA and IIA ( p = 0.30), while there was a significant difference between groups IB and IIB ( p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In CTCA, body weight-adapted CM injection protocols using a constant dose rate can help save CM doses in slimmer patients and improve aortic enhancement and coronary imaging quality in heavier patients compared to fixed dose protocols.
The CT flare response of metastatic bone disease in prostate cancer
Authors: Messiou Christina , Cook Gary , Reid Alison HM , Attard Gerhardt , Dearnaley David , de Bono Johann S , de Souza Nandita M
Published: April 2011

Background

New or worsening bone lesions in patients responding to treatment, known as the flare phenomenon is well described on 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy, but to our knowledge has not previously been described on CT. The appearance of new or worsening bone sclerosis on CT in patients with prostate cancer may therefore be erroneously classified as disease progression.

Purpose

To assess the incidence of osteoblastic healing flare response at 3-month CT assessment in patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer and to identify associated features that enable differentiation from progressive metastatic bone disease at 3 months.

Material and Methods

CT scans of 67 patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer undergoing treatment were reviewed by a radiologist blinded to clinical outcome. Changes in number, size, and density of metastatic bone lesions were documented and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) in soft tissue lesions, alkaline phosphatase, prostate specific antigen, and 99mTc-MDP bone scans were used for correlation.

Results

Of the 39 patients who had 3- and 6-month follow-up, eight patients (21%) demonstrated an increase in number, size, or density of sclerotic lesions on the 3-month CT scan despite improvement in PSA and soft tissue lesions. Three out of eight patients (8%) maintained partial response/remained stable at follow-up and were defined as showing a flare response: in this group bone metastases evident on CT showed a qualitative and quantitative increase in density and no lesions faded at 3 months. In contrast, in all patients who progressed at 3 months by PSA/RECIST criteria ( n = 8) bone lesions showed a mixed pattern with some lesions increasing and others decreasing in density.

Conclusion

The incidence of flare response of metastatic bone disease evident at 3-month post-treatment CT in patients with prostate cancer undergoing systemic treatment is 8%. In patients with falling PSA and stable/responding soft tissue disease at 3 months an increase in bone sclerosis in the absence of fading bone metastases can be interpreted as flare and is likely to represent a response.
Unenhanced fat fraction ratios obtained by MR and enhanced T2* values with liver-specific MR contrast agents for diagnosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in rats
Authors: Okada Masahiro , Katsube Takashi , Kumano Seishi , Kagawa Yuki , Araki Tetsuro , Tsuda Natsuko , Okuaki Tomoyuki , Imaoka Izumi , Tanigawa Noboru , Ishii Kazunari , Murakami Takamichi
Published: April 2011

Background

Non-invasive MR imaging is expected to be used for accurate diagnosis and quantification of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), because NASH is a progressive fatty liver disease. New MR techniques, such as fat fraction ratio (FFR) and T2* value measurement, have attracted an increasing attention, because those techniques can measure quantitative parameters of fibrosis, fat and iron deposition in the liver.

Purpose

To investigate the potential of FFR and T2* value in NASH with pre-enhancement, gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) or super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced MRI.

Material and Methods

Twenty-eight rats were divided equally into four groups (one control group and three NASH groups). All rats underwent unenhanced, Gd-EOB-DTPA, and SPIO-enhanced MRI. The T2* value of the liver was measured for each image sequence, and then changes in T2* values before and after each injection were analyzed using Dunnett's test. The reduction rate of T2* value before and 13 min after injection of Gd-EOB-DTPA or SPIO was analyzed using Mann-Whitney's U test. Moreover, FFR of the liver was measured before enhancement, and the relationship between fat fraction and the calculated fat area percentage on a pathological specimen was examined using Spearman's correlation test.

Results

On pre-enhancement, FFR and T2* value were 26.0% ± 12.0% and 21.5 ± 4.2 ms for all NASH groups, and 0.9% ± 0.5% and 30.8 ±−5.5 ms for control, respectively. Both FFR and T2* values were significantly different between the NASH and control groups. The reduction rate of T2* value was significantly lower in the NASH groups than in the control group on SPIO-enhanced MRI, though there was no significant difference on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI. FFR was correlated with the calculated fat area percentage for the pathological specimen.

Conclusion

Pre-enhancement FFR, T2* value measurement and reduction rate of T2* value on SPIO-enhanced MRI may help estimate the progress of liver fat deposition and fibrosis in NASH.