bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxonomic Revision of Annual Species of Astragalus (Fabaceae) in Turkey
Authors: Taeb Fatemeh , Ekici Murat , Podlech Dieter
Published: September 2012

A revision of the 17 annual species of Astragalus L. occurring in Turkey is presented. A determination key is provided together with complete descriptions, distribution maps, illustrations of diagnostic floral characters, notes on geography and ecology and an enumeration of all Turkish specimens located (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
3D staggered Lagrangian hydrodynamics scheme with cell‐centered Riemann solver‐based artificial viscosity
Authors: Loubère Raphaël , Maire Pierre‐Henri , Váchal Pavel
Published: September 2012

The aim of the present work is the 3D extension of a general formalism to derive a staggered discretization for Lagrangian hydrodynamics on unstructured grids. The classical compatible discretization is used; namely, momentum equation is discretized using the fundamental concept of subcell forces. Specific internal energy equation is obtained using total energy conservation. The subcell force is derived by invoking the Galilean invariance and thermodynamic consistency. A general form of the subcell force is provided so that a cell entropy inequality is satisfied. The subcell force consists of a classical pressure term plus a tensorial viscous contribution proportional to the difference between the node velocity and the cell‐centered velocity. This cell‐centered velocity is an extra degree of freedom solved with a cell‐centered approximate Riemann solver. The second law of thermodynamics is satisfied by construction of the local positive definite subcell tensor involved in the viscous term. A particular expression of this tensor is proposed. A more accurate extension of this discretization both in time and space is also provided using a piecewise linear reconstruction of the velocity field and a predictor‐corrector time discretization. Numerical tests are presented in order to assess the efficiency of this approach in 3D. Sanity checks show that the 3D extension of the 2D approach reproduces 1D and 2D results. Finally, 3D problems such as Sedov, Noh, and Saltzman are simulated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increasing prevalence of comorbidity in patients with colorectal cancer in the South of the Netherlands 1995–2010
Authors: van Leersum N.J. , Janssen‐Heijnen M.L.G. , Wouters M.W.J.M. , Rutten H.J.T. , Coebergh J.W. , Tollenaar R.A.E.M. , Lemmens V.E.P.P.
Published: September 2012

Comorbidity has large impact on colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment and outcomes and may increase as the population ages. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and time trends of comorbid diseases in patients with CRC from 1995 to 2010. The Eindhoven Cancer Registry registers comorbidity in all patients with primary CRC in the South of the Netherlands. We analyzed the prevalence of serious comorbid diseases in four time frames from 1995 to 2010. Thereby, we addressed its association with age, gender and socio‐economic status (SES). The prevalence of comorbidity was registered in 27,339 patients with primary CRC. During the study period, the prevalence of comorbidity increased from 47% to 62%, multimorbidity increased from 20% to 37%. Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases were most prevalent and increased largely over time (respectively 16–29% and 12–24%). Pulmonary diseases increased in women, but remained stable in men. Average age at diagnosis increased from 68.3 to 69.5 years (p = 0.004). A low SES and male gender were associated with a higher risk of comorbidity (not changing over time). This study indicates that comorbidity among patients with CRC is common, especially in males and patients with a low SES. The prevalence of comorbidity increased from 1995 to 2010, in particular in presumably nutritional diseases. Ageing, increased life expectancy and life style changes may contribute to more comorbid diseases. Also, improved awareness among health care providers on the importance of comorbidity may have resulted in better registration. The increasing burden of comorbidity in patients with CRC emphasizes the need for more focus on individualized medicine.
Targeted imaging of breast tumor progression and therapeutic response in a human uMUC‐1 expressing transgenic mouse model
Authors: Ghosh Subrata K. , Uchida Masashi , Yoo Byunghee , Ross Alana W. , Gendler Sandra J. , Gong Jianlin , Moore Anna , Medarova Zdravka
Published: September 2012

The ability to monitor breast cancer initiation and progression on the molecular level would provide an effective tool for early diagnosis and therapy. In the present study, we focused on the underglycosylated MUC‐1 tumor antigen (uMUC‐1), which is directly linked to tumor progression from pre‐malignancy to advanced malignancy in breast cancer and has been identified as the independent predictor of local recurrence and tumor response to chemotherapy. We investigated whether changes in uMUC‐1 expression during tumor development and therapeutic intervention could be monitored non‐invasively using molecular imaging approach with the uMUC‐1‐specific contrast agent (MN‐EPPT) detectable by magnetic resonance and fluorescence optical imaging. This was done in mice that express human uMUC‐1 tumor antigen (MMT mice) and develop spontaneous mammary carcinoma in a stage‐wise fashion. After the injection of MN‐EPPT there was a significant reduction in average T2 relaxation times of the mammary fat pad between pre‐malignancy and cancer. In addition, T2 relaxation times were already altered at pre‐malignant state in these mice compared to non‐tumor bearing mice. This indicated that targeting uMUC‐1 could be useful for detecting pre‐malignant transformation in the mammary fat pad. We also probed changes in uMUC‐1 expression with MN‐EPPT during therapy with doxorubicin (Dox). We observed that tumor delta‐T2s were significantly reduced by treatment with Dox indicating lower accumulation of MN‐EPPT. This correlated with a lower level of MUC‐1 expression in the Dox‐treated tumors, as confirmed by immunoblotting. Our study could provide a very sensitive molecular imaging approach for monitoring tumor progression and therapeutic response.
The biological regulation of ABCE1
Authors: Tian Ye , Han Xu , Tian Da‐li
Published: September 2012

ATP binding cassette E1 (ABCE1) protein, also named RLI or HP68, is one member of ATP binding cassette superfamily. By forming a heterodimer with RNase L, ABCE1 protein inhibits the IFN‐depended 2‐5A/RNase L system and regulates a broad range of biological functions including viral infection, tumor cell proliferation, and antiapoptosis. As a highly conserved protein, recent studies have mainly focused that ABCE1 protein is involving in the fields of HIV virus capsids assembly and important roles in translation. Our manuscript will review the studies which revealed the biological regulation of ABCE1. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(10): 795–800, 2012
Copolymer cell/scaffold constructs for bone tissue engineering: Co‐culture of low ratios of human endothelial and osteoblast‐like cells in a dynamic culture system
Authors: Xing Zhe , Xue Ying , Finne‐Wistrand Anna , Yang Zhuang‐Qun , Mustafa Kamal
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of different ratios of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on osteogenic activity of human osteoblast‐like cells (HOB) and capillary‐like structure (CLS), seeded into copolymer scaffolds in a dynamic culture system. HOB and HUVEC were co‐cultured into poly(L‐lactide)‐co‐(1,5‐dioxepan‐2‐one) [poly(LLA‐co‐DXO)] scaffolds at ratios of 5:1 (5:1 group) and 2:1 (2:1 group). Samples were collected after 5, 15, and 25 days. Cross‐sections were processed and the CLS from HUVEC was disclosed in both groups. Cell viability was determined by dsDNA assay. Cells seeded at the ratio of 5:1 had good viability. Total RNA was isolated and the reverse transcription reaction was performed. The influences on the expression of several osteogenic genes were various with regarding to different ratios of HUVEC demonstrated by the PCR array. The RT‐PCR results was in consistent with the PCR array results that several osteogenesis related genes had higher expression in the 5:1 group than in the 2:1 group, especially at day 25, such as alkaline phosphatase, insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and so forth. ELISA showed that the production of IGF1 after 25 days of incubation were higher in cells co‐cultured at the 5:1 ratio than at the 2:1 ratio. The results show that under dynamic culture conditions, co‐culture of HOB with a low ratio of HUVEC in copolymer scaffolds results in CLS formation and significantly influenced the expression of osteogenic markers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Periosteum, bone's “smart” bounding membrane, exhibits direction-dependent permeability
Authors: Evans Sarah F , Parent Jonathan B , Lasko Colin E , Zhen Xiaowen , Knothe Ulf R , Lemaire Thibault , Knothe Tate Melissa L
Published: September 2012

The periosteum serves as bone's bounding membrane, exhibits hallmarks of semipermeable epithelial barrier membranes, and contains mechanically sensitive progenitor cells capable of generating bone. The current paucity of data regarding the periosteum's permeability and bidirectional transport properties provided the impetus for the current study. In ovine femur and tibia samples, the periosteum's hydraulic permeability coefficient, k, was calculated using Darcy's Law and a custom-designed permeability tester to apply controlled, volumetric flow of phosphate-buffered saline through periosteum samples. Based on these data, ovine periosteum demonstrates mechanically responsive and directionally dependent (anisotropic) permeability properties. At baseline flow rates comparable to interstitial fluid flow (0.5 µL/s), permeability is low and does not exhibit anisotropy. In contrast, at high flow rates comparable to those prevailing during traumatic injury, femoral periosteum exhibits an order of magnitude higher permeability compared to baseline flow rates. In addition, at high flow rates permeability exhibits significant directional dependence, with permeability higher in the bone to muscle direction than vice versa. Furthermore, compared to periosteum in which the intrinsic tension (pre-stress) is maintained, free relaxation of the tibial periosteum after resection significantly increases its permeability in both flow directions. Hence, the structure and mechanical stress state of periosteum influences its role as bone's bounding membrane. During periods of homeostasis, periosteum may serve as a barrier membrane on the outer surface of bone, allowing for equal albeit low quiescent molecular communication between tissue compartments including bone and muscle. In contrast, increases in pressure and baseline flow rates within the periosteum resulting from injury, trauma, and/or disease may result in a significant increase in periosteum permeability and consequently in increased molecular communication between tissue compartments. Elucidation of the periosteum's permeability properties is key to understanding periosteal mechanobiology in bone health and healing, as well as to elucidate periosteum structure and function as a smart biomaterial that allows bidirectional and mechanically responsive fluid transport. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Role of COUP‐TFI during retinoic acid‐induced differentiation of P19 cells to endodermal cells
Authors: Pickens Brandy S. , Teets Bryan W. , Soprano Kenneth J. , Soprano Dianne Robert
Published: September 2012

Retinoic acid (RA) is a positive regulator of P19 cell differentiation. Silencing of pre‐B cell leukemia transcription factors (PBXs) expression in P19 cells (AS cells) results in a failure of these cells to differentiate to endodermal cells upon RA treatment. Chicken Ovalbumin Upstream Promoter Transcription Factor I (COUP‐TFI) is an orphan member of the steroid‐thyroid hormone superfamily. RA treatment of wild type P19 cells results in a dramatic increase in the expression of COUP‐TFI; however, COUP‐TFI mRNA levels fail to be elevated upon RA treatment of AS cells indicating that PBX expression is required for elevation in COUP‐TFI expression. To study the role of COUP‐TFI during RA‐dependent differentiation of P19 cells, AS cells that inducibly express various levels of COUP‐TFI were prepared. Exogenous expression of COUP‐TFI in AS cells, in a dose‐dependent fashion, leads to growth inhibition, modest cell cycle disruption, and early apoptosis. Furthermore, AS cells can overcome the blockage in RA‐dependent differentiation to endodermal cells when either pharmacological levels of COUP‐TFI are expressed or a combination of both the expression of physiological levels of COUP‐TFI and RA treatment. Additionally, the mRNA level of several pluripotency associated genes including OCT‐4, DAX‐1, and SF‐1 in the COUP‐TFI expressing AS cells are reduced. Moreover, analysis of the expression of primary RA response genes indicates that COUP‐TFI is involved in the regulatory modulation of the expression of at least two genes, CYP26A1 and HoxA1. These studies demonstrate that COUP‐TFI functions as a physiologically relevant regulator during RA‐mediated endodermal differentiation of P19 cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 791–800, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
p53 regulates epithelial–mesenchymal transition induced by transforming growth factor β
Authors: Termén Stefan , Tan E‐Jean , Heldin Carl‐Henrik , Moustakas Aristidis
Published: September 2012

Epithelial plasticity characterizes embryonic development and diseases such as cancer. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a reversible and guided process of plasticity whereby embryonic or adult epithelia acquire mesenchymal properties. Multiple signaling pathways control EMT, and the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) pathway plays a central role as its inducer. Here, we analyzed the role of the tumor suppressor protein p53 in TGFβ‐induced EMT in a well‐established mammary epithelial cell model. We found that diploid NMuMG mammary cells bi‐allelically express a wild type and a missense mutant (R277C) form of p53. Global reduction of both forms of p53 led to an enhanced EMT response to TGFβ. Conversely, stabilization of wild type p53 using the compound nutlin had a negative impact on EMT. After silencing both p53 forms, rescue experiments using either wild type or R277C mutant p53 revealed that wild type p53 inhibited, whereas the R277C mutant did not significantly affect, the TGFβ‐driven EMT response. Under serum‐free culture conditions, silencing of total p53 levels led to higher numbers of mammospheres characterized by larger size. Rescue of the silenced endogenous p53 with R277C mutant p53, in contrast, suppressed both size and numbers of the mammospheres. This work proposes that wild type p53 controls the efficiency by which mammary epithelial cells undergo EMT in response to TGFβ. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 801–813, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional coupling of TRPC2 cation channels and the calcium‐activated anion channels in rat thyroid cells: Implications for iodide homeostasis
Authors: Viitanen Tero M. , Sukumaran Pramod , Löf Christoffer , Törnquist Kid
Published: September 2012

The initial step in a synthesis of thyroid hormones is the uptake of iodide from the circulation. Iodide (I−) is transported into thyroid cells via a Na+/I− symporter (NIS), which is electrogenic and thus sensitive to alterations in membrane potential (Vm). I− is then released to the lumen of thyroid follicles where the hormones are synthesised and stored. The mechanisms of I− release to follicle lumen are poorly characterised. Our whole‐cell voltage clamp recordings revealed the presence of a Ca2+ activated Cl− current (CaCC) in Fisher rat thyroid cell line 5 (FRTL‐5). Transcripts of anoctamin 1 (ANO1) and anoctamin 10 (ANO10), putative molecular constituents of CaCC, were detected. The anion channels underlying CaCC are highly permeable to I−. Both niflumic acid (NFA) and 2‐aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2‐APB), antagonists of CaCC and transient receptor potential channels, respectively, inhibited CaCC. Canonical transient receptor potential channel 2 (TRPC2) is the only TRPC member present in FRTL‐5 cells. The activation rate of CaCC was markedly slower in shTRPC2 knock‐down cells, indicating that Ca2+ entry via TRPC2 contributes to CaCC activation. The uptake of iodide was enhanced and the resting Vm was more depolarised in TRPC2 knock‐down cells. We suggest that the interplay between TRPC2 and ANO1 may have dual effects on iodide transport, modulating I− release via ANO channels and I− uptake via the Vm sensitive NIS. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 814–823, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of acute exercise over heart proteome from monogenic obese (ob/ob) mice
Authors: Petriz Bernardo A. , Cunha Verusca N. , Villeth Gabriela R.C. , Mehta Ângela , Rocha Luiz A.O. , Silva Osmar N. , Almeida Jeeser A. , Morais Pamella K. , Simões Herbert G. , Franco Octávio L.
Published: September 2012

Exercise is recognized to prevent and attenuate several metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Obesity is commonly related to cardiovascular diseases, frequently resulting in heart failure and death. To elucidate the effects of acute exercise in heart tissue from obese animals, 12‐week‐old C57BL6/J obese (ob/ob) and non‐obese (ob/OB) mice were submitted to a single bout of swimming and had their hearts analyzed by proteomic techniques. Mice were divided into three groups: control (ob/ob, n = 3; ob/OB, n = 3); a moderate intensity consisting of 20 min of swimming around 90% of Maximal Lactate Steady State (ob/ob, n = 3; ob/OB, n = 3), and a high intensity exercise performed as an incremental overload test (ob/ob, n = 3; ob/OB, n = 3). Obesity modulations were analyzed by comparing ob/ob and ob/OB control groups. Differential 2‐DE analysis revealed that single session of exercise was able to up‐regulate: myoglobin (ob/ob), aspartate aminotransferase (ob/OB) and zinc finger protein (ob/OB) and down‐regulate: nucleoside diphosphate kinase B (ob/OB), mitochondrial aconitase (ob/ob and ob/OB) and fatty acid binding protein (ob/ob). Zinc finger protein and α‐actin were up‐regulated by the effect of obesity on heart proteome. These data demonstrate the immediate response of metabolic and stress‐related proteins after exercise so as contractile protein by obesity modulation on heart proteome. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 824–834, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mitochondrial‐targeted nitroxides disrupt mitochondrial architecture and inhibit expression of peroxiredoxin 3 and FOXM1 in malignant mesothelioma cells
Authors: Cunniff Brian , Benson Kira , Stumpff Jason , Newick Kheng , Held Paul , Taatjes Douglas , Joseph Joy , Kalyanaraman Balaraman , Heintz Nicholas H.
Published: September 2012

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an intractable tumor of the peritoneal and pleural cavities primarily linked to exposure to asbestos. Recently, we described an interplay between mitochondrial‐derived oxidants and expression of FOXM1, a redox‐responsive transcription factor that has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in solid malignancies. Here we have investigated the effects of nitroxides targeted to mitochondria via triphenylphosphonium (TPP) moieties on mitochondrial oxidant production, expression of FOXM1 and peroxiredoxin 3 (PRX3), and cell viability in MM cells in culture. Both Mito‐carboxy‐proxyl (MCP) and Mito‐TEMPOL (MT) caused dose‐dependent increases in mitochondrial oxidant production that was accompanied by inhibition of expression of FOXM1 and PRX3 and loss of cell viability. At equivalent concentrations TPP, CP, and TEMPOL had no effect on these endpoints. Live cell ratiometric imaging with a redox‐responsive green fluorescent protein targeted to mitochondria (mito‐roGFP) showed that MCP and MT, but not CP, TEMPOL, or TPP, rapidly induced mitochondrial fragmentation and swelling, morphological transitions that were associated with diminished ATP levels and increased production of mitochondrial oxidants. Mdivi‐1, an inhibitor of mitochondrial fission, did not rescue mitochondria from fragmentation by MCP. Immunofluorescence microscopy experiments indicate a fraction of FOXM1 coexists in the cytoplasm with mitochondrial PRX3. Our results indicate that MCP and MT inhibit FOXM1 expression and MM tumor cell viability via perturbations in redox homeostasis caused by marked disruption of mitochondrial architecture, and suggest that both compounds, either alone or in combination with thiostrepton or other agents, may provide credible therapeutic options for the management of MM. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 835–845, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Why imatinib remains an exception of cancer research
Authors: Horne Steven D. , Stevens Joshua B. , Abdallah Batoul Y. , Liu Guo , Bremer Steven W. , Ye Christine J. , Heng Henry H.Q.
Published: September 2012

The archetype driving the drug targeting approach to cancer therapy is the success of imatinib against chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML‐CP). Molecular targeting success of this magnitude has yet to be repeated for most solid tumors. To answer why imatinib remains an exception of cancer research, we summarize key features and patterns of evolution that contrast CML‐CP from prostate cancer, an example of a solid tumor that also shares a signature fusion gene. Distinctive properties of CML‐CP include: a large cell population size that is not geographically constrained, a highly penetrant dominant oncogene that sweeps the entire cell population, subsequent progressive and ordered clonal genetic changes, and the effectiveness of molecular targeting within the chronic phase, which is comparable to the benign phase of solid tumors. CML‐CP progression resembles a clonal, stepwise model of evolution, whereas the pattern of solid tumor evolution is highly dynamic and stochastic. The distinguishing features and evolutionary pattern of CML‐CP support why the success of imatinib does not carry over to most solid tumors. Changing the focus of cancer research from a gene‐based view to a genome‐based theory will provide insight into solid tumor evolutionary dynamics. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 665–670, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
EGFR through STAT3 modulates ΔN63α expression to sustain tumor‐initiating cell proliferation in squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Ripamonti Francesca , Albano Luisa , Rossini Anna , Borrelli Serena , Fabris Sonia , Mantovani Roberto , Neri Antonino , Balsari Andrea , Magnifico Alessandra , Tagliabue Elda
Published: September 2012

Many squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are characterized by high levels of EGFR and by overexpression of the ΔNp63α isoform. Here, we investigated the regulation of ΔNp63α expression upon EGFR activation and the role of the EGFR–ΔNp63α axis in proliferation of SCC tumor‐initiating cells (TICs). SCC cell lines A‐431, Cal‐27, and SCC‐25 treated with EGF showed a time‐dependent increase in ΔNp63α expression at the protein and mRNA levels, which was blocked by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) Lapatinib. RNA interference experiments suggested the role of STAT3 in regulating ΔNp63α expression downstream of EGFR. Inactivation of EGFR by the monoclonal antibody Cetuximab and RNA interference against STAT3 or ΔNp63α impaired the TICs ability to grow under non‐differentiating conditions. Radiation treatment, which triggers EGFR activation, induced ΔNp63α accumulation without affecting TICs proliferation, whereas the combination Cetuximab plus radiation significantly reduced TICs growth under non‐differentiating conditions. Together, our findings provide evidence that ΔNp63α expression is regulated by EGFR activation through STAT3 and that the EGFR–ΔNp63α axis is crucial for proliferation of TICs present in SCCs. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 871–878, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HOX and TALE signatures specify human stromal stem cell populations from different sources
Authors: Picchi Jacopo , Trombi Luisa , Spugnesi Laura , Barachini Serena , Maroni Giorgia , Brodano Giovanni Barbanti , Boriani Stefano , Valtieri Mauro , Petrini Mario , Magli Maria Cristina
Published: September 2012

Human stromal stem cell populations reside in different tissues and anatomical sites, however a critical question related to their efficient use in regenerative medicine is whether they exhibit equivalent biological properties. Here, we compared cellular and molecular characteristics of stromal stem cells derived from the bone marrow, at different body sites (iliac crest, sternum, and vertebrae) and other tissues (dental pulp and colon). In particular, we investigated whether homeobox genes of the HOX and TALE subfamilies might provide suitable markers to identify distinct stromal cell populations, as HOX proteins control cell positional identity and, together with their co‐factors TALE, are involved in orchestrating differentiation of adult tissues. Our results show that stromal populations from different sources, although immunophenotypically similar, display distinct HOX and TALE signatures, as well as different growth and differentiation abilities. Stromal stem cells from different tissues are characterized by specific HOX profiles, differing in the number and type of active genes, as well as in their level of expression. Conversely, bone marrow‐derived cell populations can be essentially distinguished for the expression levels of specific HOX members, strongly suggesting that quantitative differences in HOX activity may be crucial. Taken together, our data indicate that the HOX and TALE profiles provide positional, embryological and hierarchical identity of human stromal stem cells. Furthermore, our data suggest that cell populations derived from different body sites may not represent equivalent cell sources for cell‐based therapeutical strategies for regeneration and repair of specific tissues. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 879–889, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Involvement of Akt2/protein kinase B β (PKBβ) in the 8‐Cl‐cAMP‐induced cancer cell growth inhibition
Authors: Choi Ki Young , Ahn Young Ho , Ahn Hae Won , Cho Young Jun , Hong Seung Hwan
Published: September 2012

8‐chloro‐cyclic AMP (8‐Cl‐cAMP), which induces differentiation, growth inhibition, and apoptosis in various cancer cells, has been investigated as a putative anti‐cancer drug. However, the exact mechanism of 8‐Cl‐cAMP functioning in cancer cells is not fully understood. Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) genes (Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3) encode enzymes belonging to the serine/threonine‐specific protein kinase family. It has been suggested that Akt/PKB enhances cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis. Recently, we showed that 8‐Cl‐cAMP and 5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) inhibited cancer cell growth through the activation of AMPK and p38 MAPK. Therefore, we anticipated that the phosphorylation of Akt/PKB would be decreased upon treatment with 8‐Cl‐cAMP. However, treatment with 8‐Cl‐cAMP and AICAR induced the phosphorylation of Akt/PKB, which was inhibited by ABT702 (an adenosine kinase inhibitor) and NBTI (an adenosine transporter inhibitor). Furthermore, whereas Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor), AMPK‐DN (AMPK‐dominant negative) mutant, and SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) did not block the 8‐Cl‐cAMP‐induced phosphorylation of Akt/PKB, TCN (an Akt1/2/3 specific inhibitor) and an Akt2/PKBβ‐targeted siRNA inhibited the 8‐Cl‐cAMP‐ and AICAR‐mediated phosphorylation of AMPK and p38 MAPK. TCN also reversed the growth inhibition mediated by 8‐Cl‐cAMP and AICAR. Moreover, an Akt1/PKBα‐targeted siRNA did not reduce the phosphorylation of AMPK and p38 MAPK after treatment with 8‐Cl‐cAMP. These results suggest that Akt2/PKBβ activation promotes the phosphorylation of AMPK and p38 MAPK during the 8‐Cl‐cAMP‐ and AICAR‐induced growth inhibition. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 890–902, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
THE ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS IN VIETNAM: A CASE STUDY OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Authors: Torm Nina
Published: September 2012

On the basis of matched employer–employee data from 2007 to 2009, this paper examines the union wage gap among small and medium non‐state manufacturing enterprises in Vietnam. Controlling for both worker and firm characteristics, the results provide evidence that union members earn higher wages than non‐members, and are more likely to receive social benefits. Within unionised firms, a substantial wage premium is revealed for workers employed in Southern firms, a finding which among other factors may be attributed to historical differences between the North and South of Vietnam. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyimide‐free LCD by dissolving dendrimers
Authors: Momoi Yuichi , Kwak Musun , Choi Donsik , Choi Youngseok , Jeong Kyongdeuk , Koda Tomonori , Haba Osamu , Yonetake Koichiro
Published: September 2012

Vertical alignment (VA) and in‐plane switching modes have been widely used for liquid crystal displays (LCDs). They require a polyimide (PI) alignment layer in the pixel structure. PI‐free LCDs have been proposed to exploit the VA of liquid crystals (LCs) obtained by dissolving dendrimers without PI. In this paper, we report a new PI‐free VA mode with a pixel structure that has in‐plane electrodes. The PI‐free VA is achieved by dissolving an LC dendrimer in a positive LC mixture. We measured the test cell properties and obtained a lower voltage and a higher brightness in the voltage–brightness curve. In addition, we analyzed the alignment surface of LC dendrimer by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy observations. We found that dendrimer molecules are uniformly adsorbed on the glass surface and that the layer was generally one molecule thick. These properties are responsible for the lower voltage and higher brightness of the PI‐free VA mode. The use of dendrimers allows the PI process to be omitted and reduces the power consumption of the VA mode. It is thus possible to reduce the high manufacturing costs and improve the performance of the VA mode.
Recovery and immobilization of lead in cathode ray tube funnel glass by a combination of reductive and oxidative melting processes
Authors: Okada Takashi , Inano Hiroyuki , Hiroyoshi Naoki
Published: September 2012

Reductive melting treatment has been reported to be an effective method to recover lead from funnel glass in used cathode ray tubes, but a small amount of lead, a potential contaminant, remains in the treated glass. This paper applied a combination process of reductive and oxidative melting to the funnel glass to recover and immobilize lead in the glass. The funnel glass was melted in a lab‐scale reactor changing the atmosphere, and the effects of the temperature and the Na2CO3 dosage on the efficiencies of the lead recovery and immobilization were investigated. In the reductive melting, the lead recovery was promoted by increasing the Na2CO3 dosage, however the lead extraction from the glass into water and hydrochloric acid was increased. Although the content of lead in the glass after the reductive melting was low, the lead extraction into water and the acid was larger than 0.01 mg‐Pb/L‐water and 150 mg‐Pb/kg‐glass, respectively (Japanese environmental criteria). The lead extraction was decreased by the oxidative melting with SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, and NaNO3. In the proposed method, metallic lead was recovered from the funnel glass with high lead recovery, and the lead remaining in the glass was immobilized to meet the Japanese environmental criteria.
Preparation of a stationary phase with quaternary ammonium embedded group for selective separation of alkaloids based on ion‐exclusion interaction
Authors: Liu Qiaoxia , Liang Tu , Li Kuiyong , Ke Yanxiong , Jin Yu , Liang Xinmiao
Published: September 2012

A stationary phase (named QA C10) with quaternary ammonium embedded between a propyl and a decyl chain was synthesized by immobilization of N,N‐dimethyldecylamine on chloropropyl–silica surface. A set of representative neutral, basic, and acidic compounds was employed to evaluate its chromatographic properties. The results illustrated that QA C10 was a mixed‐mode stationary phase possessing both hydrophobic and ionic characteristics. The QA C10 stationary phase was further used for selective separation of alkaloids from Cortex phellodendri. Under acidic condition, alkaloids could be eluted in first 8 min, while other neutral and acidic fractions were retained better on QA C10 column. Then, obtained alkaloid fraction was analyzed by LC‐MS/MS and 22 alkaloids were identified. Our study confirmed the advantages and application potential of the QA C10 stationary phase for alkaloids separation.
The effects of predator removal on mallard production and population change in northeastern North Dakota
Authors: Amundson Courtney L. , Pieron Matthew R. , Arnold Todd W. , Beaudoin Laura A.
Published: September 2012

In 1994, Delta Waterfowl Foundation began trapping mammalian meso‐predators in North Dakota during the breeding season in an attempt to increase waterfowl nest success and enhance recruitment into the fall flight and subsequent breeding population. Multiple studies on these sites demonstrated that removing predators results in near doubling of nest success, which previous simulation modeling suggests is the most influential vital rate influencing the population growth rate of mid‐continent mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). We present an assessment of the impact of predator removal on mallard production using population models. We conducted this study on 9 township‐sized (93.2 km2) sites (4–8 sites annually per vital rate) in northeastern North Dakota from 2006–2008. Trappers removed mammalian meso‐predators on 5 sites and the other 4 served as unmanaged reference sites. To estimate recruitment, we used derived estimates and process variance of pair numbers, hen success (nest survival corrected for renesting), initial brood size, pre‐fledging survival, and post‐fledging survival, along with previously published estimates of breeding propensity and adult female survival rates. Trapped sites had greater hen success (H = 0.69, ${\rm {\hat {\sigma }}}$ = 0.03) than reference sites (H = 0.53, ${\rm {\hat {\sigma }}}$ = 0.06), but similar indicated breeding pairs, initial brood size, and pre‐fledging survival. We estimated that females on trapped sites added 140 more mallards of both sexes to the fall flight than females on reference sites, at an approximate cost of $74.29 per incremental mallard. Additionally, trapping predators provided a marginal increase (0.04) in finite population growth. We found that predator removal targeted at mammalian nest predators did not produce as many incremental mallards as previously thought and may not be a viable strategy for increasing mallard productivity under conditions similar to those observed during this study. We conducted a sensitivity analysis and determined that pre‐fledging survival was the most influential factor regulating mallard population growth. Although hen success increased as a result of trapping, duckling survival became a limiting factor. We suggest that waterfowl managers assess multiple vital rates to determine the likelihood that management actions focused on a single parameter, such as nest success, will yield desired population level effects. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
The link between feeding ecology and lead poisoning in white‐tailed eagles
Authors: Nadjafzadeh Mirjam , Hofer Heribert , Krone Oliver
Published: September 2012

Lead poisoning affects numerous threatened raptors and is a major cause of death in white‐tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla). A major reason for intoxication is assumed to be lead fragments ingested while feeding on game animals killed by lead‐based projectiles. However, empirical evidence on the relevance of carrion in raptor diets remains scarce. We therefore investigated the link between raptor feeding ecology and lead poisoning, with white‐tailed eagles as a model species for scavenging birds. We collected data on seasonal diet composition and food availability of 7 territorial white‐tailed eagle pairs in northeastern Germany. We also analyzed stomach contents (SCs) of 126 eagles found dead from 1996 to 2008 throughout Germany. Multiple regression models revealed that fish were the primary prey for eagles, and waterfowl and carcasses of game mammals comprised a large portion of alternative diet components. Eagles used individual foraging tactics, adjusted to local food supply, to maximize profitability. They showed a type II functional response to fish availability. When fish availability sharply declined, eagles switched to waterfowl and carrion. The consumption of game mammal carrion increased over autumn and winter and was positively correlated with a concomitant seasonal increase in the incidence of lead poisoning in eagles throughout Germany. The stomachs of lead‐poisoned eagles predominantly contained game ungulate remains. These results indicate that carcasses of game mammals were the major sources of lead fragments. The link between raptor feeding ecology and lead poisoning is the specific functional response of raptors to changing food availability or poor habitat quality, leading to scavenging on lead‐contaminated carrion. This shows that carrion constitutes a considerable threat to white‐tailed eagles and other birds with similar feeding habits as long as it contains lead bullet fragments. Conservation management of scavenging birds would be substantially improved if carrion was free of lead bullet fragments. One method to achieve this is the widespread introduction of lead‐free ammunition. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Density dependence: Applications in wildlife management
Authors: Guthery Fred S. , Shaw James H.
Published: September 2012

Knowledge of density‐dependent processes is regarded as important for making decisions on the management of wildlife populations. Using published data on ungulates and upland game birds, we discuss density‐dependent effects on population growth, harvest management under the logistic model, and management to increase or decrease survival and production. Empirical data show density‐dependent growth for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), ring‐necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), and northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), although the logistic model provided, at best, an approximation of growth. Managing harvest according to logistic theory is rare for ungulates and upland game; we suspect this owes to scarce data on population growth and complexity in density‐dependent processes. Under density dependence, managing to increase production or survival may be self‐defeating because an increase in 1 demographic variable entails a decrease in the other for sustaining populations (λ = 1). The problem can be addressed by providing space for population growth (λ > 1), at least until growth re‐establishes the density‐dependent response (λ = 1). © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Variation in elk response to roads by season, sex, and road type
Authors: Montgomery Robert A. , Roloff Gary J. , Millspaugh Joshua J.
Published: September 2012

Despite the near universal recognition that roads negatively affect wildlife, the mechanisms that elicit animal responses to roads are often ambiguous or poorly understood. We conducted a multi‐year, multi‐season study to assess the relative influence of roads on elk (Cervus elaphus) in a human‐dominated landscape in South Dakota. We evaluated the effects of habitat covariates including security cover, forage quality, distance to roads (primary, secondary, and tertiary), and visibility from roads at the home range scale. We radio‐collared 28 elk (21 adult females and 7 adult males) and calculated seasonal (winter, spring, summer, and autumn) utilization distributions (UDs). We assigned habitat covariates to use percentiles within the UDs (1% increments; from 1 to 98 percentiles) and used spatially explicit mixed linear regression to model the relationship between use percentile and habitat covariates. For each season and sex, we evaluated 15 candidate models and used Akaike's Information Criterion weights (ωi) to identify top‐ranking models. We plotted influential coefficients from these models with 95% confidence intervals to examine the magnitude of effects. Our analysis revealed fundamental differences in response to roads, by road type, between sexes, and across seasons. Male elk established home ranges near roads devoid of vehicle traffic in winter, spring, and autumn. In summer, coinciding with peak vehicle traffic levels, male elk reduced their use of habitat that was both visible from and close to primary roads. Female elk subherds similarly responded to primary roads in spring and autumn, during times of year when they were calving and mating, respectively. In spring and summer, female elk subherds selected habitat near roads that were closed to vehicle traffic. Forage quality and security cover were influential in the periphery (>50th use percentile) of elk home ranges, whereas road covariates were more influential towards the core of elk home ranges. This analysis further demonstrates the utility of visibility from road metrics and suggests that the retention of vegetation structures that screen visibility potential from roads could be important components of elk management strategies. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Characteristics of laser stimulation by near infrared pulses of retinal and vestibular primary neurons
Authors: Bec Jean‐Michel , Albert Emmanuelle S. , Marc Isabelle , Desmadryl Gilles , Travo Cécile , Muller Agnès , Chabbert Christian , Bardin Fabrice , Dumas Michel
Published: September 2012

Background and Objective

The optical stimulation of neurons from pulsed infrared lasers has appeared over the last years as an alternative to classical electric stimulations based on conventional electrodes. Laser stimulation could provide a better spatial selectivity allowing single‐cell stimulation without prerequisite contact. In this work we present relevant physical characteristics of a non‐lethal stimulation of cultured mouse vestibular and retinal ganglion neurons by single infrared laser pulses.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Vestibular and retinal ganglion neurons were stimulated by a 100–400 mW pulsed laser diode beam (wavelengths at 1,470, 1,535, 1,875 nm) launched into a multimode optical fiber positioned at a few hundred micrometers away from the neurons. Ionic exchange measurements at the neuron membrane were achieved by whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings. Stimulation and damage thresholds, duration and repetition rate of stimulation and temperature were investigated.

Results

All three lasers induced safe and reproducible action potentials (APs) on both types of neurons. The radiant exposure thresholds required to elicit APs range from 15 ± 5 to 100 ± 5 J cm−2 depending on the laser power and on the pulse duration. The damage thresholds, observed by a vital dye, were significantly greater than the stimulation thresholds. In the pulse duration range of our study (2–30 milliseconds), similar effects were observed for the three lasers. Measurements of the local temperature of the neuron area show that radiant exposures required for reliable stimulations at various pulse durations or laser powers correspond to a temperature increase from 22°C (room temperature) to 55–60°C. Stimulations by laser pulses at repetition rate of 1, 2, and 10 Hz during 10 minutes confirmed that the neurons were not damaged and were able to survive such temperatures.

Conclusion

These results show that infrared laser radiations provide a possible way to safely stimulate retinal and vestibular ganglion neurons. A similar temperature threshold is required to trigger neurons independently of variable energy thresholds, suggesting that an absolute temperature is required. Lasers Surg. Med. 44: 736–745, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sub‐cellular tumor identification and markerless differentiation in the rat brain in vivo by multiphoton microscopy
Authors: Riemann Iris , Le Harzic Ronan , Mpoukouvalas Konstantinos , Heimann Axel , Kempski Oliver , Charalampaki Patra
Published: September 2012

Objective/Background

Aim of the current study was to localize and differentiate between tumor (glioma) and healthy tissue in rat brains on a cellular level. Near‐infrared multiphoton microscopy takes advantage of the simultaneous absorption of two or more photons to analyze various materials such as cell and tissue components via the observation of endogenous fluorophores such as NAD(P)H, FAD, porphyrins, melanin, elastin, and collagen, with a very high resolution, without inducing the problems of photo‐bleaching on out‐of‐focus areas.

Methods

In vitro and in vivo studies on healthy rat brains as well as C6 glioma cell line allografts have been performed. Near‐infrared laser pulses (λ = 690–1060 nm, τ ∼140 fs) generated by an ultrafast Ti:Sapphire tunable laser system (Chameleon, Coherent GmbH, Santa Clara, CA) were coupled into a laser scanning microscope (LSM 510 META, Carl Zeiss, Germany) to observe high quality images.

Results

Several image acquisitions have been performed by varying the zoom scale of the multiphoton microscope, image acquisition time and the wavelength (765, 840 nm) to detect various tissue components. With a penetration depth of ∼200 µm in vitro and about 30–60 µm in vivo into the brain tissue it was possible to differentiate between tumor and healthy brain tissue even through thin layers of blood.

Conclusion

Near‐infrared multiphoton microscopy allows the observation and possibly differentiation between tumor (glioma) and healthy tissue in rat brains on a cellular level. Our findings suggest that a further miniaturization of this technology might be very useful for scientific and clinical applications in neurosurgery. Lasers Surg. Med. 44: 719–725, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glioma cell growth inhibition following photochemical internalization enhanced non‐viral PTEN gene transfection
Authors: Mathews Marlon S. , Shih En‐Chung , Zamora Genesis , Sun Chung‐Ho , Cho Soo Kyung , Kwon Young Jik , Hirschberg Henry
Published: September 2012

Background and Objective

One of many limitations for cancer gene therapy is the inability of the therapeutic gene to transfect a sufficient number of tumor cells. Photochemical internalization (PCI) is a photodynamic therapy‐based approach for improving the delivery of macromolecules and genes into the cell cytosol. The utility of PCI for the delivery of the GFP reporter gene on the same plasmid as a tumor suppressor gene (PTEN) was investigated in monolayers of U251 human glioma cells and muticell U87 glioma spheroids.

Materials and Methods

U251 monolayers or U87 spheroids were incubated in AlPcS2a and non‐viral vector polyplexes for 18 hours. In all cases, light treatment was performed with a diode laser at a wavelength of 670 nm. The non‐viral transfection agents, branched polyethylenimine (bPEI), or protamine sulfate (PS), were used with the plasmid constructs GFP/PTEN or GFP.

Results

PS/GFP polyplexes were much less toxic to the glioma cells compared to bPEI/GFP polyplexes but were highly inefficient at gene transfection if used alone. PCI resulted in a 5‐ to 10‐fold increase in GFP protein expression compared to controls. PCI‐bPEI/PTEN or PCI‐PS/PTEN transfection of either U251 monolayers or U87 spheroids significantly inhibited their growth. but had no effect on MCF‐7 cells containing a wild‐type PTEN gene. In addition PCI‐GFP transfection of gliomas cells had no effect on their growth pattern.

Conclusions

Collectively, the results suggest that AlPcS2a‐mediated PCI can be used to enhance cell growth inhibition via transfection of tumor suppressor genes in glioma cells containing mutant PTEN genes. Lasers Surg. Med. 44: 746–754, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.