bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interleukin‐33 overexpression is associated with liver fibrosis in mice and humans
Authors: Marvie Pierrick , Lisbonne Mariette , L’Helgoualc’h Annie , Rauch Michel , Turlin Bruno , Preisser Laurence , Bourd‐Boittin Katia , Théret Nathalie , Gascan Hugues , Piquet‐Pellorce Claire , Samson Michel
Published: June 2009

Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33), the most recently identified member of the IL‐1 family, induces synthesis of T Helper 2 (Th2)‐type cytokines via its heterodimeric ST2/IL‐1RAcP receptor. Th2‐type cytokines play an important role in fibrosis; thus, we investigated the role of IL‐33 in liver fibrosis. IL‐33, ST2 and IL‐1RAcP gene expression was analysed in mouse and human normal (n= 6) and fibrotic livers (n= 28), and in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n= 22), using real‐time PCR. IL‐33 protein was detected in normal and fibrotic liver sections and in isolated liver cells using Western blotting and immunolocalization approaches. Our results showed that IL‐33 and ST2 mRNA was overproduced in mouse and human fibrotic livers, but not in human HCC. IL‐33 expression correlated with ST2 expression and also with collagen expression in fibrotic livers. The major sources of IL‐33 in normal liver from both mice and human beings are the liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and, in fibrotic liver, the activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Moreover, IL‐33 expression was increased in cultured HSC when stimulated by pro‐inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, IL‐33 is strongly associated with fibrosis in chronic liver injury and activated HSC are a source of IL‐33.
Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester, an Antioxidant from Propolis, Protects Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Competitive Cyclists against Hyperthermal Stress
Authors: Chen Yu‐Jen , Huang Ai‐Chun , Chang Hen‐Hong , Liao Hui‐Fen , Jiang Chii‐Ming , Lai Li‐Yun , Chan Jen‐Te , Chen Yu‐Yawn , Chiang Jasson
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT:  Hyperthermal stress and resulting free radical generation is known to impair endurance capacity and immune cell redistribution during prolonged exercise. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a phenolic compound purified from propolis, has many biological and pharmacological activities including antioxidation. To examine whether CAPE has protective effect against hyperthermal stress in athletes, we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) from competitive cyclists and assessed their response to hyperthermia with or without CAPE pretreatment. We found that pretreatment of cyclists' MNC with CAPE (0, 1, 2, 4 μg/mL) reversed or reduced hyperthermia‐induced survival inhibition, necrosis, superoxide production, glutathione depletion, and intracellular superoxide burst in a dose‐dependent manner. These results suggest that CAPE may enhance the hyperthermal tolerance in immune mononuclear cells of competitive cyclists.
Interactions Between Electromagnetic and Thermal Fields in Microwave Heating of Hardened Type I-Cement Paste Using a Rectangular Waveguide (Influence of Frequency and Sample Size)
Authors: Rattanadecho P. , Suwannapum N. , Cha-um W.
Published: June 2009

Microwave heating-drying of hardened Type I-cement paste using a rectangular waveguide is a relatively new area of cement-based materials research. In order to gain insight into the phenomena that occur within the waveguide together with the temperature distribution in the heated cement paste samples, a detailed knowledge of absorbed power distribution is necessary. In the present paper, a three-dimensional finite difference time domain scheme is used to determine electromagnetic fields (TE10-mode) and microwave power absorbed by solving transient Maxwell’s equations. Two-dimensional heat transport within the cement paste located in rectangular waveguide is used to evaluate the variations of temperature with heating time at different frequencies and sample sizes. A two-dimensional heating model is then validated against experimental results and subsequently used as a tool for efficient computational prototyping.
Auxin-Dependent Patterning and Gamete Specification in the
Arabidopsis
Female Gametophyte
Authors: Pagnussat Gabriela C. , Alandete-Saez Monica , Bowman John L. , Sundaresan Venkatesan
Published: June 2009

Flower Functionalization

The development of the specialized cells that make up the female reproductive unit in flowering plants, the gametophyte, requires the hormone auxin. However, auxin's function and movement to and within these cells are unclear.

Pagnussat
et al.

(p.
1684
, published online 4 June; see the Perspective

Friedman

) provide evidence that auxin is synthesized at specific positions within the female gametophyte and exerts a positional effect and that a gradient of auxin controls patterning of these specialized cells.
GRAPH WAVELET ALIGNMENT KERNELS FOR DRUG VIRTUAL SCREENING
Authors: SMALTER AARON , HUAN JUN , LUSHINGTON GERALD
Published: June 2009

In this paper, we introduce a novel statistical modeling technique for target property prediction, with applications to virtual screening and drug design. In our method, we use graphs to model chemical structures and apply a wavelet analysis of graphs to summarize features capturing graph local topology. We design a novel graph kernel function to utilize the topology features to build predictive models for chemicals via Support Vector Machine classifier. We call the new graph kernel a graph wavelet-alignment kernel. We have evaluated the efficacy of the wavelet-alignment kernel using a set of chemical structure–activity prediction benchmarks. Our results indicate that the use of the kernel function yields performance profiles comparable to, and sometimes exceeding that of the existing state-of-the-art chemical classification approaches. In addition, our results also show that the use of wavelet functions significantly decreases the computational costs for graph kernel computation with more than ten fold speedup.
Galanin inhibits caerulein-stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion via cholinergic nerves and insulin
Authors: Barreto Savio G. , Woods Charmaine M. , Carati Colin J. , Schloithe Ann C. , Jaya Surendra R. , Toouli James , Saccone Gino T. P.
Published: June 2009

Pancreatic exocrine secretion is affected by galanin, but the mechanisms involved are unclear. We aimed to determine the effect and elucidate the mechanism of action of exogenous galanin on basal and stimulated pancreatic amylase secretion in vitro. The effect of galanin on basal-, carbachol-, and caerulein-stimulated amylase secretion from isolated murine pancreatic lobules was measured. Carbachol and caerulein concentration-response relationships were established. Lobules were coincubated with galanin (10−12M to 10−7M), carbachol (10−6M), or caerulein (10−10M). Lobules were preincubated with atropine (10−5M), tetrodotoxin (10−5M), hexamethonium (10−5M), or diazoxide (10−7M and 10−4M) for 30 min followed by incubation with caerulein (10−10M) alone or combined with galanin (10−12M). Amylase secretion was expressed as percent of total lobular amylase. Immunohistochemical studies used the antigen retrieval technique and antisera for galanin receptor (GALR) 1, 2, and 3. Carbachol and caerulein stimulated amylase secretion in a concentration-dependent manner with maximal responses of two- and 1.7-fold over control evoked at 10−6M and 10−10M, respectively. Galanin (10−12M) completely inhibited caerulein-stimulated amylase secretion but had no effect on carbachol-stimulated or basal secretion. Atropine and tetrodotoxin pretreatment abolished the caerulein-stimulated amylase secretion, whereas hexamethonium had no significant effect. Diazoxide significantly reduced caerulein-stimulated amylase secretion by ∼80%. Galanin did not affect caerulein-stimulated amylase secretion in the presence of hexamethonium or diazoxide. Glucose-stimulated amylase secretion was also inhibited by galanin. Immunohistochemistry revealed islet cells labeled for GALR2. These data suggest that galanin may modulate caerulein-stimulated amylase secretion by acting on cholinergic nerves and/or islet cells possibly via GALR2 to regulate insulin release.
Role of hepatic transporters in prevention of bile acid toxicity after partial hepatectomy in mice
Authors: Csanaky Iván L. , Aleksunes Lauren M. , Tanaka Yuji , Klaassen Curtis D.
Published: June 2009

The enterohepatic recirculation of bile acids (BAs) is important in several physiological processes. Although there has been considerable research on liver regeneration after two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx), little is known about how the liver protects itself against BA toxicity during regeneration. In this study, various BAs in plasma and liver, the composition of micelle-forming bile constituents, as well as gene expression of the main hepatobiliary transporters were quantified in sham-operated and PHx mice 24 and 48 h after surgery. PHx did not influence the hepatic concentrations of taurine-conjugated BAs (T-BA) but increased the concentration of glycine-conjugated (G-BA) and unconjugated BAs. Total BA excretion (μg·min−1·g liver wt−1) increased 2.4-fold and was accompanied by a 55% increase in bile flow after PHx. The plasma concentrations of T-BAs (402-fold), G-BAs (17-fold), and unconjugated BAs (500-fold) increased. The mRNA and protein levels of the BA uptake transporter Ntcp were unchanged after PHx, whereas the canalicular Bsep protein increased twofold at 48 h. The basolateral efflux transporter Mrp3 was induced at the mRNA (2.6-fold) and protein (3.1-fold) levels after PHx, which may contribute to elevated plasma BA and bilirubin levels. Biliary phospholipid excretion was nearly doubled in PHx mice, most likely owing to increased mRNA expression of the phospholipid transporter, Mdr2. In conclusion, the remnant liver after PHx excretes 2.5-fold more BAs and three times more phospholipids per gram liver than the sham-operated mouse liver. Upregulation of phospholipid transport may be important in protecting the biliary tract from BA toxicity during PHx.
Short-term heart rate variability and cardiac norepinephrine spillover in patients with depression and panic disorder
Authors: Baumert Mathias , Lambert Gavin W. , Dawood Tye , Lambert Elisabeth A. , Esler Murray D. , McGrane Mariee , Barton David , Sanders Prashanthan , Nalivaiko Eugene
Published: June 2009

Changes in measures of heart rate variability (HRV) have been associated with an increased risk for sudden cardiac death. The mechanisms underlying this association are not known. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the amount of norepinephrine (NE) released from the cardiac sympathetic terminals and short-term HRV. The study comprised 8 healthy subjects, 12 patients with major depression, and 7 patients with panic disorder. Cardiac NE spillover was determined using direct coronary sinus blood sampling coupled with an NE isotope dilution methodology. Short-term HRV was quantified using detrended fluctuation analysis, symbolic dynamics, sample entropy, and standard time and frequency domain measures. Neither HRV nor cardiac NE spillover was significantly different between the analyzed groups. None of the standard HRV metrics was significantly correlated with cardiac NE spillover, but there was a moderate correlation between two complexity measures of HRV (symbolic dynamics) and cardiac NE spillover (patterns with 2 like variations, r = −0.37 and P = 0.05; and patterns with no variations: r = 0.34 and P = 0.06). In conclusion, there is no correlation between standard HRV measures and cardiac NE spillover in humans. Short-term complexity of heart rate is only moderately affected by sympathetic neural outflow. Therefore, the predictive value of most HRV measures for sudden cardiac death may predominantly result from their capacity to capture vagally mediated heart rate modulations.
Effect of prior exercise on pulmonary O2 uptake and estimated muscle capillary blood flow kinetics during moderate-intensity field running in men
Authors: Buchheit Martin , Laursen Paul B. , Ahmaidi Said
Published: June 2009

The effect of prior exercise on pulmonary O2 uptake (V̇o2 p) and estimated muscle capillary blood flow (Q̇m) kinetics during moderate-intensity, field-based running was examined in 14 young adult men, presenting with either moderately fast (16 s < τV̇o2 p < 30 s; MFK) or very fast V̇o2 p kinetics (τV̇o2 p < 16 s; VFK) (i.e., primary time constant, τV̇o2 p). On four occasions, participants completed a square-wave protocol involving two bouts of running at 90–95% of estimated lactate threshold (Mod1 and Mod2), separated by 2 min of repeated supramaximal sprinting. V̇o2 p was measured breath by breath, heart rate (HR) beat to beat, and vastus lateralis oxygenation {deoxy-hemoglobin/myoglobin concentration (deoxy-[Hb+Mb])} using near-infrared spectroscopy. Mean response time of Q̇m (Q̇m MRT) was estimated by rearranging the Fick equation, using V̇o2 p and deoxy-[Hb+Mb] as proxies of muscle O2 uptake (V̇o2) and arteriovenous difference, respectively. HR, blood lactate concentration, total hemoglobin, and Q̇m were elevated before Mod2 compared with Mod1 (all P < 0.05). τV̇o2 p was shorter in VFK compared with MFK during Mod1 (13.1 ± 1.8 vs. 21.0 ± 2.5 s, P < 0.01), but not in Mod2 (12.9 ± 1.5 vs. 13.7 ± 3.8 s, P = 1.0). Q̇m MRT was shorter in VFK compared with MFK in Mod1 (8.8 ± 1.9 vs. 17.0 ± 3.4 s, P < 0.01), but not in Mod2 (10.1 ± 1.8 vs. 10.5 ± 3.5 s, P = 1.0). During Mod2, HR kinetics were slowed, whereas mean deoxy-[Hb+Mb] response time was unchanged. The difference in τV̇o2 p between Mod1 and Mod2 was related to Q̇m MRT measured at Mod1 ( r = 0.71, P < 0.01). Present results suggest that local O2 delivery (i.e., Q̇m) may be a factor contributing to the V̇o2 kinetic during the onset of moderate-intensity, field-based running exercise, at least in subjects exhibiting moderately fast V̇o2 kinetics.
Fetal Monitoring during Labor
Authors: Ingemarsson Ingemar
Published: June 2009

For three decades, cardiotocography has been the basic technique for fetal surveillance during labor, but its impact on fetal well-being remains controversial. The benefits and disadvantages of fetal monitoring with cardiotocography during labor are reviewed. Special reference is made to the possible effect on the rate of neonatal seizures in newborns and their long-term outcome.
Laboratory and Molecular Characteristics of Recessive von Willebrand Disease Type 2C (2A Subtype IIC) of Variable Severity due to Homozygous or Double Heterozygous Mutations in the D1 and D2 Domains
Authors: Michiels Jan Jacques , Gadisseur Alain , van der Planken Marc , Schroyens Wilfried , Berneman Zwi
Published: June 2009

The detection of even tiny amounts of von Willebrand factor (VWF):antigen after desmopressin treatment or in hidden sites like platelets allows the differentiation between patients with recessive von Willebrand disease (VWD) type 3, severe type 1, and 2C (2A subtype IIC). Recessive VWD 2C of various severity displays a characteristic multimeric pattern with pronounced dimer band, absence of triplet structure and lack of large multimers not due to increased proteolysis. Recessive VWD type 2C (2A subtype IIC) is caused by homozygosity or double heterozygosity of missense mutations in the D1 and D2 domains of the VWF propeptide (pp) that catalyzes the multimerization in the D3 domain at the N terminus of mature VWF. In expression studies of recombinant mutant VWF, secretion of VWF mainly consisted of dimers which failed to form intermediate- and high-molecular-weight multimers consistent with the clinical diagnosis of VWD 2C (2A subtype IIC). Carriers of a heterozygous missense mutation in the VWFpp region (D1–D2 domain) of the VWF gene may present mild VWD type 1 and show a typical multimeric pattern with a heavy predominance of VWF dimers.
Recessive von Willebrand Disease Type 2 Normandy: Variable Expression of Mild Hemophilia and VWD Type 1
Authors: Michiels Jan Jacques , Gadisseur Alain , Vangenegten Inge , Schroyens Wilfried , Berneman Zwi
Published: June 2009

Missense mutations in the von Willebrand factor (VWF) gene impairing the binding to factor VIII (FVIII) do not impair the structure of VWF multimers nor the ability of VWF to aggregate platelets but causes an accelerated clearance of FVIII. Recessive VWD type Normandy (N) encompasses all patients with a deficiency in FVIII:coagulant activity (C) caused by a markedly decreased affinity of VWF for FVIII:C due to a FVIII binding defect in VWF but with normal or near normal VWF:antigen (Ag), VWF:ristocetin cofactor activity (RCo) and VWF:collagen binding (CB) levels, normal VWF:RCo/VWF:Ag ratio, normal VWF multimeric pattern and normal VWF-dependent platelet functions including ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation and bleeding time (BT) consistent with VWD type 1. The response to 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) of VWF parameters is usually normal, but the degree of restricted response curves to DDAVP of FVIII:C depends on the severity of the FVIII binding defect to the mutated VWF. The homozygous mutations R816W and R854W are typically associated with severe and mild VWD 1/N, respectively. Homozygous or heterozygous/null mutations of C788, D879N or C1225G do not only dramatically decrease FVIII binding, but also induce a multimerization and secretion defect with a decrease in the large VWF multimers, lack of triplet structure and prolonged BT consistent with severe VWD 2E/N. The missense mutations Y795C and R763G either heterozygous or as a component of recessive VWD (double heterozygous) are responsible for the FVIII binding defect (VWD 1/N) and abnormal banding of VWF multimers leading to the presence of a smeary pattern with the presence of ultralarge VWF multimers.
Graves’ Disease in Childhood: Advances in Management with Antithyroid Drug Therapy
Authors: Kaguelidou Florentia , Carel Jean Claude , Léger Juliane
Published: June 2009

Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in children. Antithyroid drug (ATD) treatment is recommended as the initial treatment, leading to a marked improvement in most symptoms within 1 month of treatment initiation. Remission is achieved in 30% of children after a first course of ATD. Alternative treatments, such as radioactive iodine or thyroidectomy, are considered in cases of relapse, lack of compliance or ATD toxicity. The risk of relapse after a first course of ATD treatment for a median period of 2 years has been shown to be higher in patients with severe biochemical hyperthyroidism at diagnosis, young children and patients of non-Caucasian origin. Relapse risk decreases with the duration of the first course of ATD treatment, highlighting the positive impact of a long period of primary ATD treatment on outcome. The identification of predictive factors has made it possible to stratify patients according to the risk of relapse after ATD treatment, leading to improvements in patient management by facilitating the identification of patients requiring long-term ATD or early alternative therapy. Long-term careful follow-up is needed to determine the efficacy of disease management during childhood.
Angiographic Characteristics of Radiation-Induced Carotid Arterial Stenosis
Authors: Shichita Takashi , Ogata Toshiyasu , Yasaka Masahiro , Yasumori Kotaro , Inoue Tooru , Ibayashi Setsuro , Iida Mitsuo , Okada Yasushi
Published: June 2009

Purpose

This study aimed to clarify the angiographic characteristics of radiation-induced carotid stenosis.

Methods

We evaluated 11 carotid arteries of patients after radiotherapy (radiotherapy group) and 26 carotid arteries of age- and gender-matched patients without a history of radiotherapy (control group). All patients had carotid stenosis detected by digital subtraction angiography (DSA). We developed an original coordinate system on the DSA to determine the accurate length and location of the carotid lesion.

Results

Radiation-induced carotid lesions were significantly longer than carotid lesions caused by atherosclerosis. The maximal stenosis of radiation-induced carotid lesions tended to be at the end of the stenotic area and within a wider range than the nonradiation-induced lesions, including in the proximal common carotid artery (CCA).

Conclusions

Radiation-induced stenotic lesions seem to exist in a wide range of carotid artery, including the CCA, along the vessel, and show maximal stenosis near the end of the stenotic area.
Effects of Achievement Goal Striving on Well-Being: The Moderating Role of the Explicit Achievement Motive
Authors: Job Veronika , Langens Thomas A. , Brandstätter Veronika
Published: June 2009

This research is based on the theoretical conception of motives and goals as distinct motivational concepts. Previous research has demonstrated that discrepancies between implicit motives and goals have negative consequences for well-being. The authors have extended these findings to the explicit motive system, with four studies investigating the moderating role of the explicit achievement motive on the relationship between achievement goal striving and well-being. In line with their expectations, achievement goal striving was accompanied by high positive affect (Studies 1 and 2) and a high number of positive affective experiences (Study 3) only when the explicit achievement motive was high. Longitudinal Study 4 showed that the interaction between the explicit achievement motive and achievement goal commitment predicts changes in subjective well-being and health measured over a 3-month period.
Health geographies II: complexity and health care systems and policy
Authors: Curtis Sarah , Riva Mylène
Published: June 2009

In this second of two progress reports on geographies of health, we continue a discussion framed from the perspective of complexity theory to consider research which is more particularly focused on health care and health policy. Using selected examples, we discuss how health care and policy have been influenced by ideas from complexity theory and consider the scope for more integrated health geography in future research. These studies illustrate changing perspectives in health geography on the integration of different parts of health systems and the implications for those who plan, deliver and receive health-related care and interventions. They show an increasingly sophisticated theorization of the ways in which understandings of ‘therapeutic’ settings are individually and socially constructed, and how to tackle issues of health inequality and achieve health improvement. These studies emphasize research which takes into account the dynamics of health care and health policy in time as well as space. A consideration of complexity theory raises questions about the potential for re-evaluating other theoretical frameworks and treating different theoretical perspectives as complementary rather than competing discourses.
Terminology of long-term geomorphology: a Scandinavian perspective
Authors: Ebert Karin
Published: June 2009

In this paper the terminology used in long-term geomorphology is evaluated. Long-term geomorphology is the study of landforms that are of mostly pre-Quaternary, Cenozoic, Mesozoic or even Palaeozoic age. Many terms have been introduced to name the long-term large-scale landforms that persist to the present. The definitions of many of these terms are ambiguous, have changed over time, and their use and meaning is consequently often unclear. An attempt is made to clarify definitions, when possible, and to facilitate more concise usage of these terms. Long-term geomorphology deals in great parts with the lowering of a land surface to the base level (mostly sea level), leaving a new land surface. The largest group of terms concerns descriptions and genetic models for these kinds of new land surfaces collectively called `base level surfaces' here. Other terms discussed here relate to relict and preglacial landforms and regional terms for stepped surfaces. Terminology is discussed with particular reference to examples from and its use in Scandinavia. There is a long history of long-term geomorphology study in this region. Scandinavia is unique in the respect that pre-Quaternary landforms were repeatedly covered by Quaternary ice sheets but often survived with different degrees of glacial modification.
Successful treatment of massive ascites with intraperitoneal administration of a steroid in a case of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Zhou QG , Yang XB , Hou FF , Zhang X
Published: June 2009

Massive ascites is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and has a poor response to glucocorticoid therapy, probably because of impaired vascular circulation due to persistent peritoneal inflammation. We describe a young woman presenting with massive painless ascites as the predominant manifestation of SLE. Peritoneal effusion was resistant to the oral administration of steroids and the conventional therapies for ascites. Intraperitoneal injection of triamcinolone, an insoluble glucocorticoid, induced dramatic remission of massive ascites, with no adverse event or recurrence.
Autoimmune hepatitis and juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Deen MEJ , Porta G , Fiorot FJ , Campos LMA , Sallum AME , Silva CAA
Published: June 2009

Juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are both autoimmune disorders that are rare in children and have a widespread clinical manifestation. A few case reports have shown a JSLE-AIH associated disorder. To our knowledge, this is the first study that simultaneously evaluated the prevalence of JSLE-AIH in a large JLSE and AIH population in groups of Hepatology and Rheumatology of a tertiary Paediatric University Hospital. In a 24-year period, 228 patients were diagnosed with JSLE (ACR criteria). In the same period, 252 patients were diagnosed with AIH according to the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. In this article, we present the demographic data, clinical features, laboratory exams and treatment of four children with both the diseases. The prevalence was 1.8% in JSLE population and was 1.6% in AIH population. The current median age was 15.5 years and three were females. In three of them, the diagnosis of AIH preceded JSLE. All of them had increased liver enzymes with a characteristic liver biopsy of AIH and responded to the combination of prednisone, azathioprine and antimalarial drugs. In conclusion, the presence of AIH-JSLE associated disorder was rarely observed. The liver biopsy could be necessary in patients with JLSE with a persistent increase of liver enzymes.
Molecular analysis of HLA-DRB1 allelic associations with systemic lupus erythematous and lupus nephritis in Taiwan
Authors: Pan CF , Wu CJ , Chen HH , Dang CW , Chang FM , Liu HF , Chu CC , Lin M , Lee YJ
Published: June 2009

To evaluate the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–DRB1 alleles with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) in the Taiwanese population, and to investigate the possible association of HLA-DRB1 alleles with disease severity in LN. HLA-DRB1 alleles were studied in 105 SLE patients (82 patients with LN, 23 patients without LN) and 855 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction and sequence-based typing assays. The frequency of the HLA class II alleles DRB1*0301 (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.31–3.10, Pc = 0.02) and DRB1*1501 (OR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.36–3.13, Pc = 0.01) were both increased in SLE patients, compared to healthy controls. The frequency of DRB1*1202 was significantly lower in LN patients than in SLE patients without nephritis (OR = 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09–0.57, Pc = 0.01). No specific allele was significantly associated with an increased or decreased risk for severity of LN in this sample. In Taiwanese people, the DRB1*0301 and DRB1*1501 alleles are significant risk factors for SLE, while the DRB1*1202 allele is protective for LN.
A Probabilistic Diagnostic Algorithm for Identification of Multiple Notches Using Digital Damage Fingerprints (DDFs)
Authors: Dong Wang  , Lin Ye  , Ye Lu
Published: June 2009

A probabilistic damage diagnostic algorithm based on correlation analysis was investigated to locate single or multiple damage. To highlight the changes in signals corresponding to the presence of damage, digital damage fingerprints (DDFs) were extracted from the captured Lamb wave signals. The algorithm was validated through experimental studies where dual artificially introduced notches in an aluminum plate were successfully located using the constructed images of the probability of the presence of damage. Damage identification using either the captured wave signals or their DDFs agreed well with the actual situations. The concept of virtual sensing paths (VSPs) was proposed to enhance the performance of the algorithm. The results demonstrated that the correlation-based algorithm with the applications of DDFs and VSPs was capable of identifying multiple damage in plate-like structures.
Fellow eye changes in optic neuritis correlate with the risk of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Klistorner A , Arvind H , Nguyen T , Garrick R , Paine M , Graham S , Yiannikas C
Published: June 2009

Background

Recent studies demonstrate early diffuse central nervous system (CNS) inflammation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The clinically unaffected (fellow) eye of patients with unilateral optic neuritis (ON) may reflect the status of normal-appearing white matter in the CNS, which can be assessed electrophysiologically.

Objective

To study the relationship between electrophysiological parameters in the fellow eye of ON patients, and risk of conversion to MS.

Methods

Forty-eight consecutive patients with acute unilateral ON were examined 12 months after ON of which 14 had MS, 19 remained high risk (HR) for MS, and 15 had low risk (LR) for MS according to McDonald’s criteria. Twenty-five age-matched controls were also tested. Amplitude and latency of multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) in the fellow eyes of patients at 12 months were analyzed and compared with controls.

Results

Average mfVEP amplitude was 240 ± 35, 232 ± 36, 181 ± 38, and 169 ± 48 nV for controls, LR, HR, and MS groups respectively. Average mfVEP latency for controls, LR, HR, and MS patients was 139.7 ± 5.5, 141.7 ± 3.6, 145.9 ± 8.9, and 152.0 ± 9.9 ms respectively.

Conclusions

The magnitude of latency prolongation and amplitude decline 12 months after the initial episode was proportional to the risk of MS. The prognostic significance of these changes as predictors of subsequent MS should be investigated longitudinally.
Review: Portopulmonary hypertension: challenges in diagnosis and management
Authors: Troy Patrick J. , Waxman Aaron B.
Published: June 2009

Portopulmonary hypertension is defined as the combination of pulmonary arterial hypertension with portal hypertension and presents management complications in patients awaiting liver transplantation. The combination of these vascular disorders has a marked impact on mortality. At present the recommendations for management are limited because of the paucity of definitive clinical trials. We have reviewed the available data on prevalence, diagnosis and treatment. It is clearly time to more formally approach the study of this patient population.
Cholesterol-crystal embolism presenting with delayed graft function and impaired long-term function in renal transplant recipients: two case reports
Authors: Pliquett Rainer U , Asbe-Vollkopf Aida , Scheuermann Ernst H , Gröne Elisabeth , Probst Michael , Geiger Helmut , Hauser Ingeborg A
Published: June 2009

Introduction

Impaired renal function and/or pre-existing atherosclerosis in the deceased donor increase the risk of delayed graft function and impaired long-term renal function in kidney transplant recipients.

Case presentation

We report delayed graft function occurring simultaneously in two kidney transplant recipients, aged 57-years-old and 39-years-old, who received renal allografts from the same deceased donor. The 62-year-old donor died of cardiac arrest during an asthmatic state. Renal-allograft biopsies performed in both kidney recipients because of delayed graft function revealed cholesterol-crystal embolism. An empiric statin therapy in addition to low-dose acetylsalicylic acid was initiated. After 10 and 6 hemodialysis sessions every 48 hours, respectively, both renal allografts started to function. Glomerular filtration rates at discharge were 26 ml/min/1.73m2 and 23.9 ml/min/1.73m2, and remained stable in follow-up examinations. Possible donor and surgical procedure-dependent causes for cholesterol-crystal embolism are discussed.

Conclusion

Cholesterol-crystal embolism should be considered as a cause for delayed graft function and long-term impaired renal allograft function, especially in the older donor population.
Recurrent late complications following congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair with prosthetic patches: a case series
Authors: Bekdash Basil , Singh Baljit , Lakhoo Kokila
Published: June 2009

Introduction

Many different prosthetic materials have been used for repair of large posterolateral congenital diaphragmatic hernias, which cannot be primarily repaired. Almost 50% of patch repaired diaphragmatic hernias will recur. The ideal prosthetic material for congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair has yet to be established. We report on two cases with unusual (calcification) and late complications related to the prosthetic material used for diaphragmatic hernia repair.

Case presentation

We report two cases of antenatally diagnosed left-sided diaphragmatic hernia that were repaired with a patch due to total absence of a diaphragm. Both Caucasian patients developed recurrent late graft complications. Case one was repaired on day 17 post-stabilisation and developed recurrence at 14½ months of age and again at 26 months of age. Case 2 underwent surgery on day 13 of life and developed recurrence at 4 months and again at 3 years of age. In the recurrent repairs, both synthetic and biomaterial patches were used. Both patients are well at long-term follow-up of 10 and 7 years, respectively.

Conclusion

The ideal choice of patch material for diaphragmatic hernia repair remains a therapeutic challenge.
A possible variant of Bouveret's syndrome presenting as a duodenal stump obstruction by a gallstone after Roux-en-Y gastrectomy: a case report
Authors: Mittal Shruti , Sutcliffe Robert P , Rohatgi Ashish , Atkinson Simon W
Published: June 2009

Introduction

Bouveret's syndrome is characterized by gastric outlet obstruction due to a gallstone in the duodenum, usually in association with a cholecystoduodenal fistula.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 69-year-old Caucasian man who developed duodenal stump obstruction due to an impacted gallstone after having previously undergone Roux-en-Y gastrectomy.

Conclusions

Duodenal stump obstruction after Roux-en-Y gastrectomy is rare, and may be difficult to manage. Patients who present with upper gastrointestinal or pancreatobiliary pathology after previous gastric surgery should be managed in centres with the availability of appropriate endoscopic and surgical experience.
Full-wave directional illumination analysis in the frequency domain
Authors: Cao Jun , Wu Ru-Shan
Published: June 2009

Directional illumination analysis based on one-way wave equations has been studied extensively; however, its inherent limitations, e.g., one-way propagation, wide-angle error, and amplitude inaccuracy, can severely hinder its applications for accurate survey design and true-reflection imaging corrections in complex media. We have analyzed the illumination in the frequency domain using full two-way wave propagators considering the extensive computation and huge storage required for time-domain methods, and the fact that the illumination is frequency dependent. This full-wave analysis can provide frequency-dependent full-angle true-amplitude illumination not only for the downgoing waves but also for the upgoing waves, including turning waves and reflected waves. Two methods were considered to decompose the full wavefield into the local angle domain: a direct full-dimensional decomposition and more efficient split-step decomposition composed of three lower-dimensional decompositions. The results of illumination analysis demonstrated the advantages of this method. The two decomposition methods produced similar results.
ojoplano-mediated basal constriction is essential for optic cup morphogenesis
Authors: Martinez-Morales Juan Ramon , Rembold Martina , Greger Klaus , Simpson Jeremy C. , Brown Katherine E. , Quiring Rebecca , Pepperkok Rainer , Martin-Bermudo Maria D. , Himmelbauer Heinz , Wittbrodt Joachim
Published: June 2009

Although the vertebrate retina is a well-studied paradigm for organogenesis, the morphogenetic mechanisms that carve the architecture of the vertebrate optic cup remain largely unknown. Understanding how the hemispheric shape of an eye is formed requires addressing the fundamental problem of how individual cell behaviour is coordinated to direct epithelial morphogenesis. Here, we analyze the role of ojoplano (opo), an uncharacterized gene whose human ortholog is associated with orofacial clefting syndrome, in the morphogenesis of epithelial tissues. Most notably,when opo is mutated in medaka fish, optic cup folding is impaired. We characterize optic cup morphogenesis in vivo and determine at the cellular level how opo affects this process. opo encodes a developmentally regulated transmembrane protein that localizes to compartments of the secretory pathway and to basal end-feet of the neuroepithelial precursors. We show that Opo regulates the polarized localization of focal adhesion components to the basal cell surface. Furthermore, tissue-specific interference with integrin-adhesive function impairs optic cup folding,resembling the ocular phenotype observed in opo mutants. We propose a model of retinal morphogenesis whereby opo-mediated formation of focal contacts is required to transmit the mechanical tensions that drive the macroscopic folding of the vertebrate optic cup.
boudinis required for septate junction organisation inDrosophilaand codes for a diffusible protein of the Ly6 superfamily
Authors: Hijazi Assia , Masson Wilfried , Augé Benoit , Waltzer Lucas , Haenlin Marc , Roch Fernando
Published: June 2009

The Ly6 superfamily, present in most metazoan genomes, codes for different cell-surface proteins and secreted ligands containing an extracellular motif called a Ly6 domain or three-finger domain. We report the identification of 36 novel genes coding for proteins of this family in Drosophila. One of these fly Ly6 proteins, coded by the gene boudin (bou), is essential for tracheal morphogenesis in the fly embryo and contributes to the maintenance of the paracellular barrier and the organisation of the septate junctions in this tissue. Bou, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchored membrane protein, is also required for septate junction organisation in epithelial tissues and in the chordotonal organ glial cells, but not in the central nervous system. Our study reveals interesting parallelisms between the Ly6 proteins of flies and vertebrates, such as the CD59 antigen. Similarly to this human protein, Bou travels from cell to cell associated with extracellular particles and, consistently, we show that it is required in a non-cell-autonomous fashion. Our work opens the way for future studies addressing the function of Ly6 proteins using Drosophila as a model system.
Carcinogenesis theory based on estrogen deficiency
Authors: Suba Zsuzsanna
Published: June 2009

Az ösztrogénhormont hosszú ideig a női élettani folyamatok és a szaporodás legfontosabb szereplőjének tartották. Manapság már jól ismert tény, hogy a női nemi hormon döntő szerepet játszik a sejtdifferenciálódás és -proliferáció génregulációjában. A női nemi hormonok és a rák kapcsolatát illetően az irodalmi adatok nem egységesek. A daganatkutatás homlokterében vannak az erősen ösztrogénfüggő daganatok, amelyekről az a vélemény alakult ki, hogy hormonálisan indukálódnak. Ennek ellenére kiderült, hogy az ösztrogén carcinogen hatását bizonyító eredmények ellentmondásosak. Az utóbbi években klinikai vizsgálatok igazolták, hogy a posztmenopauzális nők hormonterápiája jótékony, rákmegelőző hatást fejt ki számos szervben, még a női emlőben is. Az újabban felfedezett kapcsolat az ösztrogénhiány és a szájüregi rák kockázata között ellentétben áll a hagyományos ösztrogénindukált rák koncepciójával. A mérsékelten és erősen ösztrogéndependens tumoroknak eltérő epidemiológiai sajátosságaik vannak. Az úgynevezett dohányzásfüggő daganatok a mérsékelten ösztrogénfüggő szervekből indulnak ki. Túlnyomó többségük a késői posztmenopauzális periódusban jelentkezik, amikor az ovárium ösztrogéntermelése már jelentősen csökkent. Ezzel szemben az erősen ösztrogénfüggő szervek rákjai (például emlő, endometrium és ovárium) premenopauzális és posztmenopauzális esetekben egyaránt jelentkeznek. A különböző epidemiológiai adatok ellenére feltételezhető, hogy a tumoriniciáció hátterében a génregulációs zavar nem alakulhat ki teljesen ellentétes ösvényeken. Feltételezhető, hogy a mérsékelten ösztrogénfüggő szervekben a súlyos, az erősen ösztrogéndependensekben pedig már az enyhe ösztrogénhiány is rákiniciációt provokálhat. Mind a dohányzásfüggő, mind a hormondependens rákokon tapasztalt új megfigyelések ugyanahhoz a konverzióhoz vezetnek; nem az ösztrogén, hanem a hiánya provokálja a rákiniciációt.
The Structure, Role and Flexibility of Grain Boundaries
Authors: Samaras M. , Victoria M. , Hoffelner W.
Published: June 2009

The structure and role of grain boundaries is investigated using an atomic analysis of the grain boundary movement during Molecular Dynamics displacement cascade simulations of bcc Fe. The results show the grain boundary to be a flexible entity. Local restructuring of the GB accommodates the incoming self interstitial atoms with local kinks, or small movements of a few atomic spacings occurring when the grain boundary is engulfed in the displacement cascade. The damage created is investigated using two potentials: the Ackland (non-magnetic) and the Dudarev- Derlet (magnetic) to study the role and influence of magnetism on the results obtained.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Single Crystals of Some Thermoelectric Clathrate Compounds
Authors: Okamoto Norihiko L. , Nakano Takahiro , Kishida Kyosuke , Tanaka Katsushi , Inui Haruyuki
Published: June 2009

The mechanical and thermal properties of single crystals of the type-I clathrate compounds Ba8Ga16Ge30 and Sr8Ga16Ge30 have been investigated by measuring the elastic constants, coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and plastic deformation behavior in compression. The feasibility of these two clathrate compounds as a thermoelectric material in terms of mechanical stability under possible thermal stresses is evaluated by calculating thermal stresses that are expected to develop within these compounds when used as thermoelectric devises.
Plastic Deformations in Single Crystals of FePd with the L10 Structure
Authors: Tanaka Katsushi , Chen Wang , Kishida Kyosuke , Okamoto Norihiko L. , Inui Haruyuki
Published: June 2009

Compressive deformations of L10-ordered single crystals of FePd have been investigated from room temperature to 873 K. The critical resolved shear stress for superlattice dislocations is hard to determine resulting from buckling that occurs after a small amount of conventional plastic deformation. The CRSS for superlattice dislocations determined from yield stress is significantly larger than that of ordinary dislocations. The CRSS for octahedral glide of ordinary and superlattice dislocations are virtually independent of the temperature, and the positive temperature dependence of the yield stress is not observed for both, ordinary and superlattice dislocations, by the present experiments.
Entropic and energetic elasticity in controlling catch-to-slip bonds in cell-adhesion molecules
Authors: Wei Yujie
Published: June 2009

We develop a physical model to describe the kinetic behavior in cell-adhesion molecules. Unbinding of non-covalent biological bonds is decomposed into entropic and energetic controlled debonding. Such a treatment on debonding processes is a space decomposition of bond breaking events. Entropy controlled dissociation under thermal fluctuation is non-directional in a 3-dimensional space, and its energy barrier to escape may be not influenced by a tensile force but the microstates which can lead to dissociation are changed by the tensile force; An applied force effectively lowers the energy barrier to escape along the force direction. Such energetic effect will accelerate dissociate mainly along directions parallel to the loading direction. The lifetime of the biological bond, due to the superimposition of two concurrent off-rates, may grow with increasing tensile force to moderate amount and decrease with further increasing load, as debonding events dominated by entropy transit to those controlled by an applied force. We hypothesize that a catch-to-slip bond transition is a generic feature in biological bonds. The model also predicts that catch bonds in compliant molecular structure have longer lifetimes and may be activated at lower forces [1].
Creep properties of micron-size domains in ethylene glycol modified wood across 4½ decades in strain rate
Authors: Jakes Joseph E. , Frihart Charles R. , Stone Donald S.
Published: June 2009

The hardnesses of secondary cell wall laminae (SCWL) and compound corner middle lamellae (CCML) in wood were measured at indentation strain rates between approximately 7×10-4s-1and 20 s-1, using a new method called broadband nanoindentation creep. The wood was subsequently modified with ethylene glycol (EG) and the properties were re-measured. The SCWL and CCML responded differently to this modification: in the SCWL, hardness decreased uniformly by a factor of 3.7 ± 0.3 across all strain rates, whereas in CCML, the modification had a similar effect at low strain rates. However, at high strain rates, hardness was only lowered by a factor of 1.8. The EG modification also lowered elastic modulus of the SCWL and CCML, swelled the SCWL and CCML, and caused previously placed indents to disappear (CCML) or partly disappear (SCWL).
Field-Induced ESR Spectroscopy on Rubrene Single-Crystal Field-Effect Transistors
Authors: Matsui Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Tatsuo
Published: June 2009

We investigate the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy for the field-induced carriers in rubrene single-crystal field-effect transistors (SC-FETs), and compare the results with those on pentacene thin-film transistors (TFTs). We observe Lorentz-type ESR signal in rubrene SC-FETs whose linewidth is narrowed with increasing gate voltage and temperature. It demonstrates that the ESR linewidth is determined by motional narrowing effect as we reported on pentacene TFTs. Based on the observations, we discuss the multiple trap-and-release (MTR) processes in the two systems with and without grain boundaries.
Low-Temperature Thermal Conductivity of Rubrene Single Crystals: Quantitative Estimation of Defect Density in Bulk and Film Crystals
Authors: Okada Yugo , Uno M. , Takeya Jun
Published: June 2009

Thermal conductivity of rubrene single crystals is measured for both bulk and film-like crystals down to 0.5 K in order to estimate quantitatively density of crystalline defects through their phonon mean free paths. The temperature profile of the bulk rubrene crystals exhibit pronounced peak at ∼ 10 K in the thermal conductivity as the result of very long mean-free paths of their phonons which indicates extremely low-level defect density in the region of 1015-1016 cm−3 depending on different growth methods. The crystals grown from gas phase tend to have less defects than those grown from solution. It turned out that the film-like crystals have a few times more defect density as the result of the measurement by using newly developed devices for minute crystals.