bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-Talk of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligand Signaling With Renin–Angiotensin System in Vascular Calcification
Authors: Osako Mariana Kiomy , Nakagami Hironori , Shimamura Munehisa , Koriyama Hiroshi , Nakagami Futoshi , Shimizu Hideo , Miyake Takashi , Yoshizumi Masao , Rakugi Hiromi , Morishita Ryuichi
Published: April 2013

Objective—

Vascular calcification is accelerated by hypertension and also contributes to hypertension; however, it is an enigma why hypertension and vascular calcification are a vicious spiral. The present study elucidates the cross-talk between renin–angiotensin II system and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) system in vascular calcification.

Approach and Results—

Angiotensin (Ang) II (10
−7
mol/L) significantly increased calcium deposition as assessed by Alizarin Red staining, associated with a significant increase in the expression of RANKL, RANK, and bone-related genes, such as cbfa1 and msx2, in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Infusion of Ang II (100 ng/kg per minute) in ovariectomized ApoE
−/−
mice under high-fat diet significantly increased the expression of RANKL system and calcification in vivo, whereas administration of Ang II receptor blocker (olmesartan, 3 mg/kg per day) decreased the calcification and bone markers’ expression. In addition, male OPG
−/−
mice showed a significant increase in vascular calcification followed by Ang II infusion as compared with wild type. Conversely, RANKL significantly increased Ang II type 1 receptor and angiotensin II–converting enzyme expression in vascular smooth muscle cells via extracellular signal–regulated protein kinase phosphorylation.

Conclusions—

The present study demonstrated that Ang II significantly induced vascular calcification in vitro and in vivo through RANKL activation. In addition, RANKL activated renin–angiotensin II system, especially angiotensin II–converting enzyme and Ang II type 1 receptor. Cross-talk between renin–angiotensin II system and RANKL system might work as a vicious cycle to promote vascular calcification in atherosclerosis. Further studies to inhibit renin–angiotensin II system and RANKL may provide new therapeutic options to prevent and regress vascular calcification.
Religion, Privacy and the Rise of the Modern State
Authors: Führding Steffen
Published: April 2013

Abstract

This article discusses the role of the category Religion in the modern state formation. The liberal private/public religion/state rhetoric plays a central part in the “rise” of the modern state. The binary oppositions of this rhetoric are crucial to the creation of a very unique type of society, which serves as the basis for the formation of the modern state. With reference to Russell McCutcheon, this essay examines this process, drawing on examples from early modern political philosophy (e.g., Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau), before explicitly tackling the question of the role of religion by addressing two German (Fischer and Böckenförde) authors in particular.
Total Heating Characteristics of the ISCCP Tropical and Subtropical Cloud Regimes
Authors: Stachnik Justin P. , Schumacher Courtney , Ciesielski Paul E.
Published: April 2013

Composite profiles of the apparent heat source Q1 and moisture sink Q2 are calculated for the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) cloud regimes (or “weather states”) using sounding observations from 10 field campaigns comprising both tropical and subtropical domains. Distinct heating profiles were determined for each ISCCP cloud regime, ranging from strong, upper-tropospheric heating for mesoscale convective systems (WS1) to integrated cooling for populations typically associated with marine stratus and stratocumulus clouds (WS5, WS6, and WS7). Despite being primarily associated with thin cirrus, the corresponding regime (WS4) has heating maxima in the lower and midtroposphere due to the presence of underlying clouds. Regime-averaged Q2 profiles showed similar transitions with strong drying observed for deep convection and low-level moistening for marine boundary layer clouds. The derived profiles were generally similar over land and ocean with the notable exception of the fair-weather cumulus regime (WS8). Additional midlevel moistening was identified for several weather states over land, suggesting enhanced detrainment and more frequent congestus clouds compared to oceanic domains.

A control simulation using the Community Atmosphere Model, version 4 (CAM4), was similar to the large-scale patterns of diabatic heating at low levels produced by the ISCCP composites. Differences were more pronounced at middle and upper levels and are largely attributed to the uncertainty in the heating profiles for the cumulus regime (WS8). Low-level heating anomalies were calculated for each phase of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and they precede upper-tropospheric heating from deep convection by 3–4 phases. Implications for future research using ISCCP heating reconstructions are also discussed.
Limits to Flood Forecasting in the Colorado Front Range for Two Summer Convection Periods Using Radar Nowcasting and a Distributed Hydrologic Model
Authors: Moreno Hernan A. , Vivoni Enrique R. , Gochis David J.
Published: April 2013

Flood forecasting in mountain basins remains a challenge given the difficulty in accurately predicting rainfall and in representing hydrologic processes in complex terrain. This study identifies flood predictability patterns in mountain areas using quantitative precipitation forecasts for two summer events from radar nowcasting and a distributed hydrologic model. The authors focus on 11 mountain watersheds in the Colorado Front Range for two warm-season convective periods in 2004 and 2006. The effects of rainfall distribution, forecast lead time, and basin area on flood forecasting skill are quantified by means of regional verification of precipitation fields and analyses of the integrated and distributed basin responses. The authors postulate that rainfall and watershed characteristics are responsible for patterns that determine flood predictability at different catchment scales. Coupled simulations reveal that the largest decrease in precipitation forecast skill occurs between 15- and 45-min lead times that coincide with rapid development and movements of convective systems. Consistent with this, flood forecasting skill decreases with nowcasting lead time, but the functional relation depends on the interactions between watershed properties and rainfall characteristics. Across the majority of the basins, flood forecasting skill is reduced noticeably for nowcasting lead times greater than 30 min. The authors identified that intermediate basin areas [~(2–20) km2] exhibit the largest flood forecast errors with the largest differences across nowcasting ensemble members. The typical size of summer convective storms is found to coincide well with these maximum errors, while basin properties dictate the shape of the scale dependency of flood predictability for different lead times.
Connecting Antarctic Cross-Slope Exchange with Southern Ocean Overturning
Authors: Stewart Andrew L. , Thompson Andrew F.
Published: April 2013

Previous idealized investigations of Southern Ocean overturning have omitted its connection with the Antarctic continental shelves, leaving the influence of shelf processes on Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) export unconsidered. In particular, the contribution of mesoscale eddies to setting the stratification and overturning circulation in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is well established, yet their role in cross-shelf exchange of water masses remains unclear. This study proposes a residual-mean theory that elucidates the connection between Antarctic cross-shelf exchange and overturning in the ACC, and the contribution of mesoscale eddies to the export of AABW. The authors motivate and verify this theory using an eddy-resolving process model of a sector of the Southern Ocean. The strength and pattern of the simulated overturning circulation strongly resemble those of the real ocean and are closely captured by the residual-mean theory. Over the continental slope baroclinic instability is suppressed, and so transport by mesoscale eddies is reduced. This suppression of the eddy fluxes also gives rise to the steep “V”-shaped isopycnals that characterize the Antarctic Slope Front in AABW-forming regions of the continental shelf. Furthermore, to produce water on the continental shelf that is dense enough to sink to the deep ocean, the deep overturning cell must be at least comparable in strength to wind-driven mean overturning on the continental slope. This results in a strong sensitivity of the deep overturning strength to changes in the polar easterly winds.
Being Time: Zen, Modernity, the Contemporary
Authors: Redfield James Adam
Published: April 2013

This paper integrates concepts from philosophy and Zen Buddhism in order to define the implications of an American Zen Master’s sermon about the 2009 financial crisis. It interprets three aspects of his sermon: his critique of modernity, his reflection on the experience of Zen meditation (shikan-taza), and his version of Buddhist ontology (tathāgata-garbha). The paper shows that his sermon is an innovative problematization of what it is to be a modern subject or, still more generally, what it is to exist historically. Each of its three aspects indicates a different, perhaps even opposed, response to this problem. Yet they all suggest new configurations of temporality, historicity, and Being. The paper argues that it is precisely this mobile adjacency to the dominant modernist perspective which makes the Zen Master’s sermon both ethically and intellectually effective. Recruiting him into a Nietzschean lineage, it concludes with a programmatic statement of how work in the human sciences could develop his insights.
The Philosophy of History
Authors: Habib Irfan
Published: April 2013

Written in memory of the Indian historian Papiya Ghosh, this article tries to establish a dialogue between two different fields, Philosophy and History, and to see how the History of the past can be reassessed in the light of the modern developments of philosophy. The author analyses the raison d’être of History, which is to Humanity what the personal memory is to the individual. Facts are selected and interpreted as they mirror the historian’s biases and choices (that are never neutral), i.e. his/her personal philosophy, external pressures but also the evolution of the society. All meet a mainstream ideology that must be overcome or, at least, taken into account. Marxism and gender studies for instance re-examined whole parts of History and shed new light on wide aspects for-merly neglected by scholars. Inversely certain trends of Indian historiography such as subaltern studies provide a distorted vision of colonial society and tend to promote cultural nationalism while putting aside universal values that bring human beings together. The historical narrative changes and must change, however, not only according to newly discovered facts but also accord-ing to the evolution of ideas and human values.
A note on G-preinvex functions
Authors: Liu Xiaoling , Yuan Dehui , Xu Chuanqing
Published: April 2013

With the equivalent relationships between the G-generalized invexities and general invexities on the hand, we present two characterizations for G-preinvexity; we also discuss the relationships between different G-generalized invexities such as G-preinvexity, strict G-preinvexity and semistrict G-preinvexity. Note that our results are proved by applying the results from general invexities introduced in the literatures.
Conserved expression of natural antisense transcripts in mammals
Authors: Ling Maurice HT , Ban Yuguang , Wen Hongxiu , Wang San Ming , Ge Steven X
Published: April 2013

Background

Recent studies had found thousands of natural antisense transcripts originating from the same genomic loci of protein coding genes but from the opposite strand. It is unclear whether the majority of antisense transcripts are functional or merely transcriptional noise.

Results

Using the Affymetrix Exon array with a modified cDNA synthesis protocol that enables genome-wide detection of antisense transcription, we conducted large-scale expression analysis of antisense transcripts in nine corresponding tissues from human, mouse and rat. We detected thousands of antisense transcripts, some of which show tissue-specific expression that could be subjected to further study for their potential function in the corresponding tissues/organs. The expression patterns of many antisense transcripts are conserved across species, suggesting selective pressure on these transcripts. When compared to protein-coding genes, antisense transcripts show a lesser degree of expression conservation. We also found a positive correlation between the sense and antisense expression across tissues.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that natural antisense transcripts are subjected to selective pressure but to a lesser degree compared to sense transcripts in mammals.
DNA replication arrest leads to enhanced homologous recombination and cell death in meristems of rice OsRecQl4 mutants
Authors: Kwon Yong-Ik , Abe Kiyomi , Endo Masaki , Osakabe Keishi , Ohtsuki Namie , Nishizawa-Yokoi Ayako , Tagiri Akemi , Saika Hiroaki , Toki Seiichi
Published: April 2013

Background

Mammalian BLM helicase is involved in DNA replication, DNA repair and homologous recombination (HR). These DNA transactions are associated tightly with cell division and are important for maintaining genome stability. However, unlike in mammals, cell division in higher plants is restricted mainly to the meristem, thus genome maintenance at the meristem is critical. The counterpart of BLM in Arabidopsis (AtRecQ4A) has been identified and its role in HR and in the response to DNA damage has been confirmed. However, the function of AtRecQ4A in the meristem during replication stress has not yet been well elucidated.

Results

We isolated the BLM counterpart gene OsRecQl4 from rice and analyzed its function using a reverse genetics approach. Osrecql4 mutant plants showed hypersensitivity to DNA damaging agents and enhanced frequency of HR compared to wild-type (WT) plants. We further analyzed the effect of aphidicolin—an inhibitor of S-phase progression via its inhibitory effect on DNA polymerases—on genome stability in the root meristem in osrecql4 mutant plants and corresponding WT plants. The following effects were observed upon aphidicolin treatment: a) comet assay showed induction of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in mutant plants, b) TUNEL assay showed enhanced DNA breaks at the root meristem in mutant plants, c) a recombination reporter showed enhanced HR frequency in mutant calli, d) propidium iodide (PI) staining of root tips revealed an increased incidence of cell death in the meristem of mutant plants.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that the aphidicolin-sensitive phenotype of osrecql4 mutants was in part due to induced DSBs and cell death, and that OsRecQl4 plays an important role as a caretaker, maintaining genome stability during DNA replication stress in the rice meristem.
A note on ‘A best proximity point theorem for Geraghty-contractions’
Authors: Zhang Jingling , Su Yongfu , Cheng Qingqing
Published: April 2013

In Caballero et al. (Fixed Point Theory Appl. (2012). doi:10.1186/1687-1812-2012-231), the authors prove a best proximity point theorem for Geraghty nonself contraction. In this note, not only P-property has been weakened, but also an improved best proximity point theorem will be presented by a short and simple proof. An example which satisfies weak P-property but not P-property has been presented to demonstrate our results.

MSC:47H05, 47H09, 47H10.
Enhancement of the total horizontal gradient of magnetic anomalies using the tilt angle
Authors: Ferreira Francisco J. F. , de Souza Jeferson , de B. e S. Bongiolo Alessandra , de Castro Luís G.
Published: April 2013

Magnetic anomaly maps reflect the spatial distribution of magnetic sources, which may be located at different depths and have significantly different physical and geometrical properties, complicating the identification of the corresponding geologic structures. Filtering techniques are frequently used to balance anomalies from shallow and deep sources, and to enhance certain features of interest, such as the edges of the causative bodies. Most methods used for enhancing magnetic data are based on vertical or horizontal derivatives of the magnetic anomalies or combinations of them, and the edges or centers of the sources are identified by maxima, minima, or null values in the transformed data. Normalized derivatives methods are used to equalize signals from sources buried at different depths. We present an edge detector method for the enhancement of magnetic anomalies, which is based on the tilt angle of the total horizontal gradient. The notable features of this method are that it produces amplitude maxima over the source edges and that it equalizes signals from shallow and deep sources. The method is applied to synthetic and real data. The effectiveness of the method is evaluated by comparing it with other edge detection methods that have been previously reported in the literature and that make use of derivatives. The results show that our method is less sensitive to variations in the depth of the sources and that it indicates the position of the edges of causative bodies in a more accurate fashion, when compared with previous methods, even for anomalies due to multiple interfering sources. These results demonstrate that the proposed method is a useful tool for the qualitative interpretation of magnetic data.
The Absence of ER-β Results in Altered Gene Expression in Ovarian Granulosa Cells Isolated From In Vivo Preovulatory Follicles
Authors: Binder April K. , Rodriguez Karina F. , Hamilton Katherine J. , Stockton Patricia S. , Reed Casey E. , Korach Kenneth S.
Published: April 2013

Determining the spatial and temporal expression of genes involved in the ovulatory pathway is critical for the understanding of the role of each estrogen receptor in the modulation of folliculogenesis and ovulation. Estrogen receptor (ER)-β is highly expressed in ovarian granulosa cells, and mice lacking ER-β are subfertile due to inefficient ovulation. Previous work has focused on isolated granulosa cells or cultured follicles and, although informative, provides confounding results due to the heterogeneous cell types present including granulosa and theca cells and oocytes and exposure to in vitro conditions. Herein we isolated preovulatory granulosa cells from wild-type (WT) and ERβ-null mice using laser capture microdissection to examine the genomic transcriptional response downstream of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (mimicking FSH) and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin (mimicking LH) stimulation. This allows for a direct comparison of in vivo granulosa cells at the same stage of development from both WT and ERβ-null ovaries. ERβ-null granulosa cells showed altered expression of genes known to be regulated by FSH (Akap12 and Runx2) as well as not previously reported (Arnt2 and Pou5f1) in WT granulosa cells. Our analysis also identified 304 genes not previously associated with ERβ in granulosa cells. LH-responsive genes including Abcb1b and Fam110c show reduced expression in ERβ-null granulosa cells; however, novel genes including Rassf2 and Megf10 were also identified as being downstream of LH signaling in granulosa cells. Collectively, our data suggest that granulosa cells from ERβ-null ovaries may not be appropriately differentiated and are unable to respond properly to gonadotropin stimulation.
A New Strategy for Selective Targeting of Progesterone Receptor With Passive Antagonists
Authors: Khan Junaid A. , Tikad Abdellatif , Fay Michel , Hamze Abdallah , Fagart Jérôme , Chabbert-Buffet Nathalie , Meduri Geri , Amazit Larbi , Brion Jean-Daniel , Alami Mouad , Lombès Marc , Loosfelt Hugues , Rafestin-Oblin Marie-Edith
Published: April 2013

Currently available progesterone (P4) receptor (PR) antagonists, such as mifepristone (RU486), lack specificity and display partial agonist properties, leading to potential drawbacks in their clinical use. Recent x-ray crystallographic studies have identified key contacts involved in the binding of agonists and antagonists with PR opening the way for a new rational strategy for inactivating PR. We report here the synthesis and characterization of a novel class of PR antagonists (APRn) designed from such studies. The lead molecule, the homosteroid APR19, displays in vivo endometrial anti-P4 activity. APR19 inhibits P4-induced PR recruitment and transactivation from synthetic and endogenous gene promoters. Importantly, it exhibits high PR selectivity with respect to other steroid hormone receptors and is devoid of any partial agonist activity on PR target gene transcription. Two-hybrid and immunostaining experiments reveal that APR19-bound PR is unable to interact with either steroid receptor coactivators 1 and 2 (SRC1 and SCR2) or nuclear receptor corepressor (NcoR) and silencing mediator of retinoid acid and thyroid hormone receptor (SMRT), in contrast to RU486-PR complexes. APR19 also inhibits agonist-induced phosphorylation of serine 294 regulating PR transcriptional activity and turnover kinetics. In silico docking studies based on the crystal structure of the PR ligand-binding domain show that, in contrast to P4, APR19 does not establish stabilizing hydrogen bonds with the ligand-binding cavity, resulting in an unstable ligand-receptor complex. Altogether, these properties highly distinguish APR19 from RU486 and likely its derivatives, suggesting that it belongs to a new class of pure antiprogestins that inactivate PR by a passive mechanism. These specific PR antagonists open new perspectives for long-term hormonal therapy.
SULT2B1b Sulfotransferase: Induction by Vitamin D Receptor and Reduced Expression in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Seo Young-Kyo , Mirkheshti Nooshin , Song Chung S. , Kim Soyoung , Dodds Sherry , Ahn Soon C. , Christy Barbara , Mendez-Meza Rosario , Ittmann Michael M. , Abboud-Werner Sherry , Chatterjee Bandana
Published: April 2013

An elevated tumor tissue androgen level, which reactivates androgen receptor in recurrent prostate cancer, arises from the intratumor synthesis of 5α-dihydrotestosterone through use of the precursor steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and is fueled by the steroidogenic enzymes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD1), aldoketoreductase (AKR1C3), and steroid 5-alpha reductase, type 1 (SRD5A1) present in cancer tissue. Sulfotransferase 2B1b (SULT2B1b) (in short, SULT2B) is a prostate-expressed hydroxysteroid SULT that converts cholesterol, oxysterols, and DHEA to 3β-sulfates. DHEA metabolism involving sulfonation by SULT2B can potentially interfere with intraprostate androgen synthesis due to reduction of free DHEA pool and, thus, conversion of DHEA to androstenedione. Here we report that in prostatectomy specimens from treatment-naive patients, SULT2B expression is markedly reduced in malignant tissue (P < .001, Mann-Whitney U test) compared with robust expression in adjacent nonmalignant glands. SULT2B was detected in formalin-fixed specimens by immunohistochemistry on individual sections and tissue array. Immunoblotting of protein lysates of frozen cancer and matched benign tissue confirmed immunohistochemistry results. An in-house–developed rabbit polyclonal antibody against full-length human SULT2B was validated for specificity and used in the analyses. Ligand-activated vitamin D receptor induced the SULT2B1 promoter in vivo in mouse prostate and increased SULT2B mRNA and protein levels in vitro in prostate cancer cells. A vitamin D receptor/retinoid X receptor-α–bound DNA element (with a DR7 motif) mediated induction of the transfected SULT2B1 promoter in calcitriol-treated cells. SULT2B knockdown caused an increased proliferation rate of prostate cancer cells upon stimulation by DHEA. These results suggest that the tumor tissue SULT2B level may partly control prostate cancer growth, and its induction in a therapeutic setting may inhibit disease progression.
miR-21 represses Pdcd4 during cardiac valvulogenesis
Authors: Kolpa Heather J. , Peal David S. , Lynch Stacey N. , Giokas Andrea C. , Ghatak Shibnath , Misra Suniti , Norris Russell A. , MacRae Calum A. , Markwald Roger R. , Ellinor Patrick , Bischoff Joyce , Milan David J.
Published: April 2013

The discovery of small non-coding microRNAs has revealed novel mechanisms of post-translational regulation of gene expression, the implications of which are still incompletely understood. We focused on microRNA 21 (miR-21), which is expressed in cardiac valve endothelium during development, in order to better understand its mechanistic role in cardiac valve development. Using a combination of in vivo gene knockdown in zebrafish and in vitro assays in human cells, we show that miR-21 is necessary for proper development of the atrioventricular valve (AV). We identify pdcd4b as a relevant in vivo target of miR-21 and show that protection of pdcd4b from miR-21 binding results in failure of AV development. In vitro experiments using human pulmonic valve endothelial cells demonstrate that miR-21 overexpression augments endothelial cell migration. PDCD4 knockdown alone was sufficient to enhance endothelial cell migration. These results demonstrate that miR-21 plays a necessary role in cardiac valvulogenesis, in large part due to an obligatory downregulation of PDCD4.
The micronutrient element zinc modulates sperm activation through the SPE-8 pathway inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Liu Zhiyu , Chen Lianwan , Shang Yunlong , Huang Ping , Miao Long
Published: April 2013

Immotile spermatids produced in the testis must undergo a series of poorly understood morphological, physiological and biochemical processes called sperm activation to become motile, fertilization-competent spermatozoa. In Caenorhabditis elegans, the spe-8 group contains sperm-specific genes active in both males and hermaphrodites, although their activity is required only for hermaphrodite self-sperm activation. The activating signal upstream of the SPE-8 signaling cascade remains unknown. Here, we show that the micronutrient zinc is sufficient to trigger sperm activation in vitro, and that extracellular zinc induces the intracellular redistribution of labile zinc. We demonstrate that other activating signals promote the similar redistribution of labile zinc, indicating that zinc might have first and/or second messenger roles during sperm activation. Moreover, zinc-induced sperm activation is SPE-8 pathway dependent. Labile zinc was enriched in the spermatheca, the normal site for self-sperm activation in hermaphrodites. High levels of zinc were also found in the secretory cells in the male gonad, suggesting that zinc might be secreted from these cells during copulation and become a component of seminal fluid, to modulate sperm activation post-copulation. These data indicate that zinc regulates sperm activation in both male and hermaphrodite C. elegans, a finding with important implications for understanding hermaphroditic evolution.
Attachment ability of a clamp-bearing fish parasite, Diplozoon paradoxum (Monogenea) on gills of the common bream Abramis brama
Authors: Wong Wey Lim , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: April 2013

Monogeneans, which are mainly fish ectoparasites, use various types of haptoral (posterior) attachment apparatus to secure their attachment onto their hosts. However, it remains unclear how strongly a monogenean can attach onto its host. In the present study, we aimed for the first time to (1) measure pull-off forces required to detach a pair of clamp-bearing monogeneans, Diplozoon paradoxum from gills of Abramis brama and (2) determine the contribution of muscles to the clamp movements. An average force of 6.1 ± 2.7 mN (about 246 times of the animals’ weight) was required to dislodge a paired D. paradoxum vertically from the gills. There were significant differences (p < 0.05, Tukey test) between the widths of clamp openings in D. paradoxum treated in three different solutions: the widest clamp openings were observed in the monogeneans treated in 100 mM potassium chloride solution (58.26 ± 13.44 µm), followed by those treated in 20 mM magnesium chloride solution (37.91 ± 7.58 µm), and finally those treated in filtered lake water (20.16 ± 8.63 µm). This suggests that the closing of the clamps is probably not due to the continuous contraction of extrinsic muscles but caused by the elasticity of the clamp material and that muscle activity is required for clamp opening.
On the methodological limitations of detecting oxidative stress: effects of paraquat on measures of oxidative status in greenfinches
Authors: Meitern Richard , Sild Elin , Kilk Kalle , Porosk Rando , Hõrak Peeter
Published: April 2013

Oxidative stress (OS) is widely believed to be responsible for generation of trade-offs in evolutionary ecology by means of constraining investment into a number of components of fitness. Yet the progress in understanding the true role of OS in ecology and evolution has remained elusive. Interpretation of current findings is particularly hampered by the scarcity of experiments demonstrating which of the many available parameters of oxidative status respond most sensitively to and are relevant for measuring OS. We addressed these questions in wild-caught captive greenfinches (Carduelis chloris) by experimental induction of OS by administration of the pro-oxidant compound paraquat with drinking water. Treatment induced 50% of mortality and a significant drop in body mass and an increase in oxidative DNA damage and glutathione levels in erythrocytes among the survivors of the high paraquat (0.2 g/L during 7 days) group. Three days after the end of the treatment, paraquat had no effect on peroxidation of lipids (plasma malondialdehyde), carbonylation of proteins (in erythrocytes), parameters of plasma antioxidant protection (TAC and OXY), uric acid or carotenoids. Our findings of an increase in one marker of damage and one marker of protection from the multitude of measured variables indicate that detection of OS is difficult even under most stringent experimental induction of oxidative insult. We hope that this study highlights the need for reconsideration of over-simplistic models of OS and draws attention to the limitations of detection of OS due to time-lagged and hormetic up-regulation of protective mechanisms. This study also underpins the diagnostic value of measurement of oxidative damage to DNA bases and assessment of erythrocyte glutathione levels.
Amination of Phenylketene Revisit. Substituent Effect on Reactivity
Authors: Badal Md Mizanur Rahman , Zhang Min , Kobayashi Shinjiro , Mishima Masaaki
Published: April 2013

The asymmetric stretching frequencies of the ketene group of the m,p-substituted phenylketenes were found to be correlated with σ. The substituent effects for the second-order rate constants of phenylketenes with various amines were not correlated linearly with any single substituent constants. The curved σ°-correlations with a plateau at a high reactivity region were observed for meta-substituents and p-chloro. The substituent effects including para-π-acceptors were described in terms of the Yukawa–Tsuno equation modified by a quadratic term as an approximation. The resultant ρ value decreases significantly from 2.92 for 2,2,2-trifluoroethylamine to 0.83 for benzylamine while an r− value increases from 0.50 to 1.10. The opposite change of ρ and r− with amines was interpreted by the dual electronic interactions between substituents and positive/negative charges at the zwitterionic transition structure. According to this interpretation, benzylamine with small ρ value and large r− value attributes to early transition state and larger ρ value with smaller r− value for 2,2,2-trifluoroethylamine attributes to late transition state.
A Microbial-Mineralization-Inspired Approach for Systematic Syntheses of Copper Oxides with Controlled Morphologies in an Aqueous Solution at Room Temperature
Authors: Oaki Yuya , Ikeda Tatsuya , Imai Hiroaki
Published: April 2013

A microbial-mineralization-inspired approach directed the selective syntheses of copper oxides and related compounds from divalent copper ions in an aqueous solution at room temperature. The systematic syntheses were achieved by three routes; direct, transient-intermediate, and precursor-transformation routes. Inspired by microbial mineralization processes, the oxidation states, crystal phases, and morphologies of copper oxides and related compounds were controlled by the tuning of synthetic conditions. The present approaches facilitated the formation of spherical CuO and Cu2O crystals with hierarchical structures and high specific surface area. The resultant CuO hierarchical spheres showed improved properties as a catalyst for decomposition of an organic molecule in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
A Population-Growth Model for Multiple Generations of Technology Products
Authors: Li Hongmin , Armbruster Dieter , Kempf Karl G.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we consider the demand for multiple, successive generations of products and develop a population-growth model that allows demand transitions across multiple product generations and takes into consideration the effect of competition. We propose an iterative-descent method for obtaining the parameter estimates and the covariance matrix, and we show that the method is theoretically sound and overcomes the difficulty that the units-in-use population of each product is not observable. We test the model on both simulated sales data and Intel's high-end desktop processor sales data. We use two alternative specifications for product strength in this market: performance and performance/price ratio. The former demonstrates better fit and forecast accuracy, likely due to the low price sensitivity of this high-end market. In addition, the parameter estimate suggests that, for the innovators in the diffusion of product adoption, brand switchings are more strongly influenced by product strength than within-brand product upgrades in this market. Our results indicate that compared with the Bass model, Norton–Bass model, and Jun–Park choice-based diffusion model, our approach is a better fit for strategic forecasting that occurs many months or years before the actual product launch.
Crystal structure of [N'-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzylidene)-2-hydroxybenzohydrazido]( methanol)dioxomolybdenum(VI) methanol solvate, C16H16MoN2O7·CH3OH, C17H20MoN2O8
Authors: Jia Xiao-Chuan , Li Jing , Liu Yuan-Yuan , Wang Na , Zhang Hui
Published: April 2013

C17H20MoN2O8, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 6.9004(7) Å, b = 10.225(1) Å, c = 14.332(2) Å, α = 79.346(2)°, β = 82.660(2)°, γ = 77.576(1)°, V = 966.4 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0318, wRref(F2) = 0.0813, T = 298 K.
Crystal structure of poly[diaqua-4-carboxylatephenylacetate-κ2O,O'-1,2- di-(4-pyridyl-κN)-ethane-nickel(II) 0.33 hydrate, Ni(C9H6O4)(C12H10N2)(H2O)2·(H2O)0.33, C21H20.66N2NiO6.33
Authors: Li Gui-Lian , Yin Wen-Dong
Published: April 2013

C21H20.66N2NiO6.33, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 8.8119(9) Å, b = 11.367(1) Å, c = 11.689(2) Å, α = 108.992(2)°, β = 98.580(2)°, γ = 108.045(1)°, V = 1011.2 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0329, wRref(F2) = 0.0935, T = 296 K.
Crystal structure of a new polymorph of iodo-(benzthiazoline-2-thione- κS)-bis(triphenylphosphine-κP)copper(I), [CuI(C7H5NS2)(PPh3)2], C43H35CuINP2S2
Authors: Liu Bin , Qiu Qi-Ming , Yu Yue , Jiang Yu-Han , Jin Qiong-Hua , Zhang Cun-Lin
Published: April 2013

C43H35CuINP2S2, triclinic, P1¯ (no. 2), a = 10.6136(8) Å, b = 12.406(1) Å, c = 16.729(1) Å, α = 96.807(1)°, β = 98.279(1)°, γ = 113.245(2)°, V = 1965.3 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0314, wRref(F2) = 0.0828, T = 298 K.
Crystal structure of aqua-bis(2-(4-carboxyphenyl)acetato-κ2O,O')- bis(1,2-di-(pyridin-4-yl)ethane-κN)-cadmium(II), Cd(C9H7O4)2(C12H12N2)2(H2O), C42H40CdN4O9
Authors: Li Gui-Lian , Yin Wei-Dong
Published: April 2013

C42H40CdN4O9, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 42.518(6) Å, b = 9.945(2) Å, c = 9.062(1) Å, β = 94.674(2)°, V = 3819.2 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0241, wRref(F2) = 0.0613, T = 296 K.
FSH enhances the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells by activating transient receptor potential channel C3
Authors: Tao Xiang , Zhao Naiqing , Jin Hongyan , Zhang Zhenbo , Liu Yintao , Wu Jian , Bast Robert C , Yu Yinhua , Feng Youji
Published: April 2013

Recent studies have suggested that FSH plays an important role in ovarian epithelial carcinogenesis. We demonstrated that FSH stimulates the proliferation and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, inhibits apoptosis and facilitates neovascularisation. Our previous work has shown that transient receptor potential channel C3 (TRPC3) contributes to the progression of human ovarian cancer. In this study, we further investigated the interaction between FSH and TRPC3. We found that FSH stimulation enhanced the expression of TRPC3 at both the mRNA and protein levels. siRNA-mediated silencing of TRPC3 expression inhibited the ability of FSH to stimulate proliferation and blocked apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell lines. FSH stimulation was associated with the up-regulation of TRPC3, while also facilitating the influx of Ca2+ after treatment with a TRPC-specific agonist. Knockdown of TRPC3 abrogated FSH-stimulated Akt/PKB phosphorylation, leading to decreased expression of downstream effectors including survivin, HIF1-α and VEGF. Ovarian cancer specimens were analysed for TRPC3 expression; higher TRPC3 expression levels correlated with early relapse and worse prognosis. Association with poor disease-free survival and overall survival remained after adjusting for clinical stage and grade. In conclusion, TRPC3 plays a significant role in the stimulating activity of FSH and could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ovarian cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women with elevated FSH levels.
Prevalence and Ergonomic Risk Factors of Work‐related Musculoskeletal Injuries amongst Underground Mine Workers in Zambia
Authors: Kunda Richard , Frantz Josè , Karachi Farhana
Published: April 2013

Prevalence and Ergonomic Risk Factors of Work‐related Musculoskeletal Injuries amongst Underground Mine Workers in Zambia: Richard KUNDA, et al. Physiotherapy Department, University of the Western Cape, South Africa—Work‐related musculoskeletal injuries (WMSIs) are common in both developed and third world countries. Most researchers agree that exposure to ergonomic risk factors is a major contributor to these injuries.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and ergonomic risk factors associated with WMSIs amongst underground mine workers in Kitwe, Zambia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional quantitative study was conducted using a sample size of 500 workers. A stratified random sampling method according to mining work activity type was used to obtain the sample. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results were significant at 5%.

Results

A response rate of 40.4% (202) was obtained. The 12month prevalence of WMSIs was 42.6%. The mean age of the workers was 40.31 years (SD +/− 8.57 years). Electricians and mechanics reported the highest injury frequencies. The back was the most affected body part. Ergonomic risk factors consistently reported by workers included poor postures and heavy lifting. There were significant (p=0.020) associations between working with the back bent and sustaining a back injury. Significant (p=0.049) associations were also found between injuries of the wrists/hands and grasping an unsupported object(s).

Conclusions

This study revealed significant associations between WMSIs and ergonomic risk factors like working with the back bent and grasping objects.
Effect on Mental Health of a Participatory Intervention to Improve Psychosocial Work Environment: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial among Nurses
Authors: Uchiyama Ayako , Odagiri Yuko , Ohya Yumiko , Takamiya Tomoko , Inoue Shigeru , Shimomitsu Teruichi
Published: April 2013

Effect on Mental Health of a Participatory Intervention to Improve Psychosocial Work Environment: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial among Nurses: Ayako UCHIYAMA, et al. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Japan—

Objectives

Improvement of psychosocial work environment has proved to be valuable for workers' mental health. However, limited evidence is available for the effectiveness of participatory interventions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on mental health among nurses of a participatory intervention to improve the psychosocial work environment.

Methods

A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in hospital settings. A total of 434 nurses in 24 units were randomly allocated to 11 intervention units (n=183) and 13 control units (n=218). A participatory program was provided to the intervention units for 6 months. Depressive symptoms as mental health status and psychosocial work environment, assessed by the Job Content Questionnaire, the Effort‐Reward Imbalance Questionnaire, and the Quality Work Competence questionnaire, were measured before and immediately after the 6‐month intervention by a self administered questionnaire.

Results

No significant intervention effect was observed for mental health status. However, significant intervention effects were observed in psychosocial work environment aspects, such as Coworker Support (p<0.01) and Goals (p<0.01), and borderline significance was observed for Job Control (p<0.10).

Conclusions

It is suggested that a 6‐month participatory intervention is effective in improving psychosocial work environment, but not mental health, among Japanese nurses.
Effect of Controlled Corrosion Attack With HCl Acid on the Fatigue Endurance of Aluminum Alloy AISI 6063-T5, under Rotating Bending Fatigue Tests
Authors: Domínguez-Almaraz G. M. , Ávila-Ambriz J. L. , Peyraut F. , Cadenas-Calderón E.
Published: April 2013

Corrosion attack is implemented on the aluminum alloy AISI 6063-T5 for six different non corroded and pre-corroded specimens. Concerning pre-corroded specimens, they are divided in two groups; the first one is immersed for 1 and 2 minutes in hydrochloric acid with 20% concentration, and the second group for 2, 4, 6 minutes of immersion but in HCl with 38% of concentration. Rotating bending fatigue tests are carried out on corroded and non-corroded specimens at the frequency of 50 Hz, at room temperature and without control of environmental humidity. Loading conditions are fixed by Finite Element numerical simulation; the loading ranges are 90%, 80%, 70% and 60% of the yield stress of this aluminum alloy. A numerical simulation study is carried out by means of the Ansys software to investigate the stress concentration factor variation induced by the proximity of two close pitting holes: in longitudinal and transversal direction regarding the principal applying loading. Finally, optical microscopy is used to analyze the fracture surfaces in longitudinal and transversal directions, in order to establish possible causes of fatigue fracture.
Nanostructured Ceramic Oxides Containing Ferrite Nanoparticles and Produced by Mechanical Milling.
Authors: Huerta-Ricardo A. , Tsuchiya K. , Umemoto T. , Calderon H. A.
Published: April 2013

This investigation deals with the production process and the characterization of ceramic materials consisting of magnetic particles in an insulating matrix. Composites made of magnetite particles (Fe3O4 or MgFe2O4) in a wüstite or magnesiowüstite matrix (FexO or Mg1-xFexO), respectively, have been produced by means of mechanical milling and spark plasma sintering. As-milled powders have a nanocrystalline structure in both systems. As a function of milling time, low energy milling gives rise to an increasingly higher volume fraction of wüstite in the FexO-Fe3O4 system while it promotes increasing amounts of magnesiowüstite (MgxFe1-xO). Sintering is performed from 673 to 1273 K in vacuum. Sintering at low temperatures allows retention of nanosized grains containing a fine dispersion of magnetic particles in a wüstite and magnesiowüstite matrix. Measurement of magnetic properties reflects the constitution of the sintered samples and the effect of grain size. It also allows determination of the transformation sequence both during mechanical milling and sintering
EFFECTS OF HOLDING TIME ON HAZ-SOFTENING IN RESISTANCE SPOT WELDED DP980 STEELS
Authors: Martínez-González C.J. , López-Ibarra A. , Haro-Rodriguez S. , Baltazar-Hernandez V.H. , Nayak S.S. , Zhou Y.
Published: April 2013

Resistance spot welding (RSW) of dual-phase (DP) steel subjected to various conditions of cooling rate (holding time) is studied in this work. Lap-shear tensile testing is used in order to evaluate the mechanical performance of the weldments. The microstructure is analyzed through optical and electron microscopy and the hardness is obtained through Vickers method. Results indicate an effective tempered region along the sub-critical heat affected zone in all the samples. A broken morphology accompanied with presence of small carbides within tempered martensite phase is consistently observed. Variations in the cooling rate (holding time) indicate minimal effect on the degree of softening and on the mechanical performance of the welds.
Effect of cooling rate on the formation and distribution of carbides in nodular iron alloyed with Cr
Authors: Zenil Ramses , García Jose A. , Ruiz Gerardo A. , Basso Alejandro D. , Sicora Jorge.
Published: April 2013

This investigation deals with the effect of cooling rate on the formation of carbide nodular iron alloyed with 2.2 % Cr and equivalent carbon near 4.3%. In the experimental stage three Y-blocks of 1.5, 3 and 5.5 cm in thickness are poured in green sand molds. Castings are sectioned in two positions (wall and center samples) in order to determine the characteristics of the precipitated carbides (fraction, distribution and relative size) from surface to center and from the bottom to the top of the castings applying quantitative analysis of images. The obtained results show the presence of carbides in all of the castings. Finer carbides are obtained in the thinnest casting but with a high variation between the samples located in the wall and center. All castings present massive carbides in the last freezing zone (LFZ). Therefore the cooling rate associated with casting thick has an important effect on the fraction and distribution of carbides.