bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recognition of fungal RNA by TLR7 has a nonredundant role in host defense against experimental candidiasis
Authors: Biondo Carmelo , Malara Antonio , Costa Alessandro , Signorino Giacomo , Cardile Francesco , Midiri Angelina , Galbo Roberta , Papasergi Salvatore , Domina Maria , Pugliese Michela , Teti Giuseppe , Mancuso Giuseppe , Beninati Concetta
Published: July 2012

Despite convincing evidence for involvement of members of the Toll‐like receptor (TLR) family in fungal recognition, little is known of the functional role of individual TLRs in antifungal defenses. We found here that TLR7 was partially required for the induction of IL‐12 (IL‐12p70) by Candida albicans or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Moreover, the IL‐12p70 response was completely abrogated in cells from 3d mice, which are unable to mob‐ilize TLRs to endosomal compartments, as well as in cells from mice lacking either the TLR adaptor MyD88 or the IRF1 transcription factor. Notably, purified fungal RNA recapitulated IL‐12p70 induction by whole yeast. Although RNA could also induce moderate TLR7‐dependent IL‐23 and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) secretion, TLR7 and other endosomal TLRs were redundant for IL‐23 or TNF‐α induction by whole fungi. Importantly, mice lacking TLR7 or IRF1 were hypersusceptible to systemic C. albicans infection. Our data suggest that IRF1 is downstream of a novel, nonredundant fungal recognition pathway that has RNA as a major target and requires phagosomal recruitment of intracellular TLRs. This pathway differs from those involved in IL‐23 or TNF‐α responses, which we show here to be independent from translocation of intracellular TLRs, phagocytosis, or phagosomal acidification.
Targeting of CD22‐positive B‐cell lymphoma cells by synthetic divalent sialic acid analogues
Authors: Schweizer Astrid , Wöhner Miriam , Prescher Horst , Brossmer Reinhard , Nitschke Lars
Published: July 2012

CD22 is an inhibitory co‐receptor of the B‐cell receptor (BCR) on B cells. Since CD22 is ubiquitously expressed in the B‐cell lineage and CD22 endocytosis can be triggered efficiently, antibodies and antibody‐based immunotoxins against CD22 are used to target B cells both in B‐cell lymphomas and leukemias, as well as in autoimmune diseases. CD22 recognizes α2,6‐linked sialic acids as endogenous ligands. We have developed new synthetic sialosides as ligands for human CD22. These sialosides bind CD22 on human B cells with high affinity and can efficiently enhance IgM‐triggered Ca2+ signaling. We coupled these sialosides to Pseudomonas exotoxin A to generate a novel CD22 ligand‐based immunotoxin. This sialoside‐exotoxin‐A construct can specifically kill CD22‐positive B‐cell lymphoma cells. It binds specifically to CD22‐positive B‐cell lymphoma cells and is dominant over endogenous cis‐ligands on the B‐cell surface. The sialoside‐exotoxin‐A construct is efficiently internalized by endocytosis into B‐cell lymphoma cell lines. Thus we show the development of a new therapeutic compound for targeting CD22 on human B cells, both for B‐cell lymphoma, as well as for B‐cell‐mediated autoimmune diseases.
An Iterative Method for the Synthesis of Symmetric Polyynes
Authors: DeCicco Racquel C. , Black Allison , Li Lei , Goroff Nancy S.
Published: July 2012

An iterative synthetic route for obtaining symmetric polyynes was developed, consisting of a series of iodination and Stille coupling reactions. The starting materials employed in this pathway are simple and can be prepared easily. Polyynes containing up to seven C≡C bonds were synthesized using this method. This route is particularly effective for accessing polyynes with an odd number of C≡C bonds and has allowed for the synthesis of a new iodine‐capped polyyne, diiododecapentayne.
SupraBox: Chiral Supramolecular Oxazoline Ligands
Authors: Durini Marco , Russotto Eleonora , Pignataro Luca , Reiser Oliver , Piarulli Umberto
Published: July 2012

A new class of oxazoline ligands, named SupraBox, was studied. These ligands possess an additional urea functionality to generate supramolecular bidentate ligands in transition‐metal complexes, by the establishment of hydrogen bonds between the urea N‐hydrogens of one ligand and the carbonyl oxygen of a second one. A library of 16 SupraBox ligands was prepared using 5 differently substituted oxazoline nuclei, 4 linkers and 3 different urea substituents. The formation of copper(II) and palladium(II) complexes was investigated by MS, UV/Vis and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The SupraBox library was screened in the copper‐catalyzed asymmetric benzoylation of vic‐diols. Good selectivities were obtained in the kinetic resolution of racemic hydrobenzoin [up to 86 % ee and selectivity (s) = 28] and in the desymmetrization of meso‐hydrobenzoin (up to 88 % ee).
Changes in strawberry volatile sulfur compounds due to genotype, fruit maturity and sample preparation
Authors: Du Xiaofen , Whitaker Vance , Rouseff Russell
Published: July 2012

Nineteen volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), including ten thioesters and eight alkyl sulfides, were quantified using solid phase microextraction–gas chromatography–pulsed flame photometric detection in 12 Florida strawberry cultivars. The major headspace VSCs in all 12 cultivars were methanethiol and methyl thioacetate, together comprising 77–95% of the total VSCs. Concentrations for the 13 major strawberry VSCs were determined at five maturity stages. Puréed fruit produced 10–20 times more headspace volatiles than did intact berries. The relative distribution between total alkyl sulfides and total thioesters was similar from both sample preparation methods but the relative distribution of individual sulfides, especially alkyl sulfides, was appreciably different. VSCs found in the highest concentrations from intact fruit included methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide. In puréed fruit, highest VSCs included hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide and methional. The comparison of concentrations with odour threshold in water suggests that methanethiol was the predominant aroma active VSC at all maturity stages. Total volatile sulfurs (y) increased dramatically during the final two maturity stages (x = 3,4) as described by y = 92.929x2 − 111.41x + 28.457 (R2 = 0.996). ‘Strawberry Festival’ and ‘Florida Radiance’ were distinguished from 10 other cultivars in principal component analysis (PCA) score plots, primarily due to high thioester concentrations. ‘Dover’, ‘Rosa Linda’ and ‘Florida Belle’ were the oldest cultivars and formed a distinct group in the PCA score plot characterized by relatively high sulfide and low thioester concentrations. Relative VSC composition appears to be a genetically controlled trait. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ruthenium Supported on Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Mabena L. F. , Modibedi R. M. , Sinha Ray S. , Coville N. J.
Published: July 2012

Nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes (N‐CNTs) prepared via thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD), were used to support ruthenium (Ru) nanoparticles made using a microwave assisted reduction technique. The amount of Ru deposited on N‐CNTs was varied between 0 and 10 wt.%. The activity of the prepared nanocatalysts toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was characterized using the rotating disk electrode and voltammetry techniques. The ORR activity was higher at lower concentrations of Ru on N‐CNTs. The four electron pathway of ORR is more favorable on 2Ru/N‐CNTs and 5Ru/N‐CNTs than 10Ru/N‐CNTs.
Interleukin-33 Is hepatoprotective during liver ischemia/reperfusion in mice
Authors: Sakai Nozomu , Van Sweringen Heather L. , Quillin Cutler R. , Schuster Rebecca , Blanchard John , Burns Justin M. , Tevar Amit D. , Edwards Michael J. , Lentsch Alex B.
Published: July 2012

Interleukin (IL)-33 is a recently identified member of the IL-1 family that binds to the receptor, ST2L. In the current study, we sought to determine whether IL-33 is an important regulator in the hepatic response to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 90 minutes of partial hepatic ischemia, followed by up to 8 hours of reperfusion. Some mice received recombinant IL-33 (IL-33) intraperitoneally (IP) before surgery or anti-ST2 antibody IP at the time of reperfusion. Primary hepatocytes and Kupffer cells were isolated and treated with IL-33 to assess the effects of IL-33 on inflammatory cytokine production. Primary hepatocytes were treated with IL-33 to assess the effects of IL-33 on mediators of cell survival in hepatocytes. IL-33 protein expression increased within 4 hours after reperfusion and remained elevated for up to 8 hours. ST2L protein expression was detected in healthy liver and was up-regulated within 1 hour and peaked at 4 hours after I/R. ST2L was primarily expressed by hepatocytes, with little to no expression by Kupffer cells. IL-33 significantly reduced hepatocellular injury and liver neutrophil accumulation at 1 and 8 hours after reperfusion. In addition, IL-33 treatment increased liver activation of nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), cyclin D1, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), but reduced serum levels of CXC chemokines.

In vitro

experiments demonstrated that IL-33 significantly reduced hepatocyte cell death as a result of increased NF-κB activation and Bcl-2 expression in hepatocytes.

Conclusion:

The data suggest that IL-33 is an important endogenous regulator of hepatic I/R injury. It appears that IL-33 has direct protective effects on hepatocytes, associated with the activation of NF-κB, p38 MAPK, cyclin D1, and Bcl-2 that limits liver injury and reduces the stimulus for inflammation. (Hepatology 2012)
Effects of anxiolytic treatment on potentiated startle during aversive image anticipation
Authors: Acheson Dean T. , Stein Murray B. , Paulus Martin P. , Ravindran Lakshmi , Simmons Alan N. , Lohr James B. , Risbrough Victoria B.
Published: July 2012

Objective

Heightened anticipation of future events has been characterized as a feature of certain anxiety disorders. In functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, anticipation of fearful/threatening images has been shown to robustly activate the insular cortex and amygdala in healthy subjects, in subjects with high trait anxiety, and in some with anxiety disorders. Blood oxygenation level dependent activation in response to negative image anticipation is also sensitive to anxiolytic treatment, suggesting that image anticipation probes anxiety systems. It is not clear, however, if behavioral responses to image anticipation are also sensitive to anxiolytics. This study tested the hypothesis that anxiety behaviors during anticipation of negative images are sensitive to anxiolytic treatment.

Method

This study examined the effects of alprazolam and pregabalin treatment on potentiated startle during affective image anticipation.

Results

There was an effect of anticipation type (negative versus neutral versus positive) on startle reactivity and subjective ratings, suggesting that the task was effective in assaying negative anticipatory arousal. Both treatments significantly reduced overall startle magnitude. However, neither treatment specifically affected potentiated startle during aversive anticipation.

Conclusion

These data suggest that potentiated startle in response to anticipation of aversive images is not sensitive to anxiolytic treatments in a healthy population, limiting its use as a predictive model of anxiolytic activity. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Spectrophotometric measurements of human tissues for the detection of subjacent blood vessels in an endonasal endoscopic surgical approach
Authors: Ernstberger Markus , Boeswetter Pascal , Baselt Tobias , Ebert Frank , Basan Fabiola , Steinke Hanno , Hammer Niels , Grunert Ronny , Hartmann Peter
Published: July 2012

Thin slices of human tissues are characterized concerning reflection and transmission in a wavelength range from 400 to 1700 nm. The results are primarily useful to find a wavelength for the detection of subjacent blood vessels during surgical procedures, especially neurological surgery. The measurements have been conducted using a customized measuring station, utilizing two halogen bulb lamps and two spectrometers. This paper focuses on creating a data base with the optical properties of artery, brain, bone, nasal mucosa, and nerve. The spectral distributions are compared among each other, similarities and differences are pointed out. Each tissue has got unique spectral characteristics, whereas typical absorption bands can be found in the overall tissues, especially hemoglobin and water absorption bands. The reflectivity maxima are typically located in the red or near‐infrared. All the transmission maxima are located between 1075 nm and 1100 nm. The measurements have been conducted at the Institute of Anatomy at the University of Leipzig. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
RMC_POT: A computer code for reverse monte carlo modeling the structure of disordered systems containing molecules of arbitrary complexity
Authors: Gereben Orsolya , Pusztai László
Published: July 2012

An approach has been devised and tested for preserving the molecular dynamics molecular geometry taking into account energetic considerations during Reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) modeling. Instead of the commonly used fixed neighbor constraints, where molecules are held together by constraining distance ranges available for the specified atom pairs, here molecules are kept together via bond, angle, and dihedral potential energies. The scaled total potential energy contributes to the measure of the goodness‐of‐fit, thus, the atoms can be prevented from drifting apart. In some of the calculations (Lennard‐Jones and Coulombic) nonbonding potentials were also applied. The algorithm was successfully tested for the X‐ray structure factor‐based structure study of liquid dimethyl trisulfide, for which material now significantly more sensible results have been obtained than during previous attempts via any earlier version of RMC modeling. It is envisaged that structural modeling of a large class of materials, primarily liquids and amorphous solids containing molecules of up to about 100 atoms, will make use of the new code in the near future. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of the basis set and the level of quantum mechanical theory in the prediction of the structure and reactivity of cisplatin
Authors: Paschoal Diego , Marcial Bruna L. , Lopes Juliana Fedoce , De Almeida Wagner B. , Dos Santos Hélio F.
Published: July 2012

In this article, we conducted an extensive ab initio study on the importance of the level of theory and the basis set for theoretical predictions of the structure and reactivity of cisplatin [cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cDDP)]. Initially, the role of the basis set for the Pt atom was assessed using 24 different basis sets, including three all‐electron basis sets (ABS). In addition, a modified all‐electron double zeta polarized basis set (mDZP) was proposed by adding a set of diffuse d functions onto the existing DZP basis set. The energy barrier and the rate constant for the first chloride/water exchange ligand process, namely, the aquation reaction, were taken as benchmarks for which reliable experimental data are available. At the B3LYP/mDZP/6‐31+G(d) level (the first basis set is for Pt and the last set is for all of the light atoms), the energy barrier was 22.8 kcal mol−1, which is in agreement with the average experimental value, 22.9 ± 0.4 kcal mol−1. For the other accessible ABS (DZP and ADZP), the corresponding values were 15.4 and 24.5 kcal mol−1, respectively. The ADZP and mDZP are notably similar, raising the importance of diffuse d functions for the prediction of the kinetic properties of cDDP. In this article, we also analyze the ligand basis set and the level of theory effects by considering 36 basis sets at distinct levels of theory, namely, Hartree‐Fock, MP2, and several DFT functionals. From a survey of the data, we recommend the mPW1PW91/mDZP/6‐31+G(d) or B3PW91/mDZP/6‐31+G(d) levels to describe the structure and reactivity of cDDP and its small derivatives. Conversely, for large molecules containing a cisplatin motif (for example, the cDDP‐DNA complex), the lower levels B3LYP/LANL2DZ/6‐31+G(d) and B3LYP/SBKJC‐VDZ/6‐31+G(d) are suggested. At these levels of theory, the predicted energy barrier was 26.0 and 25.9 kcal mol−1, respectively, which is only 13% higher than the actual value. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical harmonic modeling of long coupled transmission lines using matrix series theory and recursive approach
Authors: Weng Hua , Xu Zheng
Published: July 2012

To improve the efficiency of the harmonic analysis, this paper presents a direct phase‐domain harmonic model for long coupled transmission lines, which can take the parameter frequency dependence, the configuration asymmetry, and the untransposition of the line into consideration. The steps of the proposed modeling method are as follows. First, in the direct phase domain and on the basis of the travelling wave equation, the coupled transmission line model was derived in a nodal admittance matrix form. Then the matrix series theory was adopted to realize the numerical calculation of the nodal admittance matrix without relying on the eigenvalue and eigenvector calculations of the propagation matrix. Finally, a recursive approach was proposed to handle the nodal equation of the network containing long transmission lines. Both the accuracy and the efficiency of the proposed approach were verified by comparing with the exact method in which it is necessary to calculate the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the propagation matrix. The computation time and memory consumption analysis indicates that the proposed approach excels the exact method in saving computation time and memory. It should be emphasized that, by utilizing the recursive approach, the proposed approach is always numerically stable and can also be applied to DC transmission lines. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pectin methyl esterase treatment on high‐methoxy pectin for making fruit jam with reduced sugar content
Authors: Wang Yuh‐Tai , Lien Ling‐Lan , Chang Ya‐Chu , Wu James Swi‐Bea
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND: Pectin methyl esterase (PME) has been postulated to catalyse the transacylation reaction between pectin molecules. The present study aimed to prove the occurrence of this reaction. The feasibility of applying PME‐catalysed transacylation between high‐methoxy pectin molecules in making fruit jam with reduced sugar content was also investigated.

RESULTS: PME treatment increased the turbidity and particle size in pectin solution and the molecular weight of pectin, while it decreased the number of methoxy ester linkages and the intensity of the CH3 absorption peak in the Fourier transform infrared spectrum without changes in the number of total ester linkages in pectin molecules. These findings support the occurrence of PME‐catalysed transacylation between pectin molecules. Higher values of hardness, gumminess and chewiness were found in a jam containing PME‐treated citrus pectin (10 g L−1) and sugar (350 g L−1) as compared with either a jam containing untreated citrus pectin (10 g L−1) and sugar (350 g L−1) or strawberry jam containing pectin (10 g L−1) from the fruit and sugar (650 g L−1).

CONCLUSION: The demand for sugar in jam making can be greatly reduced by the use of PME‐treated high‐methoxy pectin. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Direct Correlation Between Electric and Structural Properties During Solidification of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Drop‐Cast Films
Authors: Grodd Linda , Pietsch Ullrich , Grigorian Souren
Published: July 2012

Structural and electrical properties of semicrystalline P3HT cast films onto Si/SiO2 surface are studied during the solidification under applied electric field in lateral OFET geometry. During evaporation of the solvent, the formation of P3HT crystallites is monitored simultaneously by time‐resolved X‐ray diffraction and by source‐drain current measurements. The electrical current is reaching its maximum in two pronounced regimes already before complete solidification of the polymer as detected by X‐ray diffraction intensities. The monitored complex time dependence of current and X‐ray intensities reveals a highest conducting level for the gel‐like state.
On the Virtues of Hiring Lemons
Authors: Gürtler Oliver , Kräkel Matthias
Published: July 2012

Recruiting high‐ability workers and implementing optimal efforts are among the key objectives of a firm's personnel policy. We show that, if the firm applies a tournament scheme—that is, a competitive career system—selection and incentive issues are strictly interrelated, thus leading to a fundamental conflict: if the firm is primarily interested in balanced worker competition, there will be a rationale for hiring low‐ability workers (‘lemons’). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exponential stability of a network of elastic and thermoelastic materials
Authors: Shel Farhat
Published: July 2012

In this paper, we study the stability of a network of some elastic and thermoelastic edges. We establish the exponential decay rate of the whole system. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimum coupling and multimode excitation of traveling‐waves in a whole‐body 9.4T scanner
Authors: Geschewski Frank H. , Brenner Daniel , Felder Jörg , Jon Shah N.
Published: July 2012

Given the absence of a body coil, the radio frequency screen of a whole‐body 9.4T magnetic resonance imaging scanner can be used as a circular waveguide. In the unloaded case, the screen allows propagation of the dominant TE11‐ as well as the TM01‐mode. In the first part of this study, the optimum coupling of a circular polarized TE11‐mode was determined empirically for excitation and reception with a rectangular patch antenna. Employing full‐wave simulations, two simulation models and two phantoms, different patch positions were tested to find the optimum position with respect to coupled power and homogenous excitation field. The best simulation results were validated with measurements. The second part of this study describes the design and measurements of a multimode excitation device. Using the parallel transmit system of the MR scanner, all propagable traveling wave modes could be excited and detected independently. The performance of the multimode device related to field of view, B1+‐efficiency and radio frequency shimming was assessed by phantom measurements. Initial results show that three modes are sufficient to homogeneously excite regions of interest at 9.4 T. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving the Standard of Care for People with Ankylosing Spondylitis and a New Approach to Developing Specialist ESP‐Led AS Clinics
Authors: Van Rossen Liz , Withrington Robin H.
Published: July 2012

Objectives

In the UK, there is a wide variation in the quality of care that people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) receive. People with AS require early diagnosis and referral to a specialist team to commence treatment and optimize outcome.

Methods

At East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, a specialist clinic led by an extended scope practitioner (ESP) physiotherapist has been set up for the assessment and monitoring of patients with AS. This report describes the service provided by the AS clinic.

Results

Over eight years, the number of patients seen has risen from 62 to 352, and annual consultations from 186 to 986, with an average of 2.8 visits per patient per year. Ninety‐seven patients have started treatment with a Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) blocker. The service has expanded by the addition of a support worker and biologic clinics.

Conclusion

For the Trust, the specialist service provides an improved quality of care and cost‐effective use of staff resources. Evaluation has demonstrated that patients welcome the new service. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GAG layer replenishment therapy for chronic forms of cystitis with intravesical glycosaminoglycans—A review
Authors: Madersbacher Helmut , van Ophoven Arndt , van Kerrebroeck Philip E.V.A.
Published: July 2012

Aims

Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer replenishment is a cornerstone in the therapy of interstitial cystitis (IC). During the last years intravesical GAG layer replenishment has proven to be an effective treatment for overactive bladder (OAB), radiation cystitis, and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Methods

Examination of different substances available for intravesical GAG replenishment and evaluation of the evidence for the treatment of the above‐mentioned conditions.

Results

We searched the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) database for studies on intravesical GAG replenishment. A total of 27 clinical studies remain relevant to this topic, many of them with mixed patient selection and suboptimal definition of symptom improvement/success. Two placebo controlled studies with hyaluronic acid failed to show superiority and have not been published. One active controlled randomized study has been published showing that chondroitin sulphate 0.2% has a clear benefit for OAB patients. Another study with chondroitin sulphate 2.0% failed to show statistically significant evidence, but was underpowered.

Conclusions

A short number of randomized controlled studies confirm efficacy of intravesical GAG layer replenishment therapy. Concluded from the study background (which comprises also uncontrolled studies), so far chondroitin sulphate 0.2% is in favor for intravesical GAG layer replenishment therapy. In general, large‐scale trials are urgently needed to underline the benefit of this type of therapy. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 9–18, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of Zn1−xSnxOy buffer layer thickness in 18.0% efficient Cd‐free Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells
Authors: Lindahl J. , Wätjen J. T. , Hultqvist A. , Ericson T. , Edoff M. , Törndahl T.
Published: July 2012

The influence of the thickness of atomic layer deposited Zn1−xSnxOy buffer layers and the presence of an intrinsic ZnO layer on the performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells are investigated. The amorphous Zn1−xSnxOy layer, with a [Sn]/([Sn] + [Zn]) composition of approximately 0.18, forms a conformal and in‐depth uniform layer with an optical band gap of 3.3 eV. The short circuit current for cells with a Zn1−xSnxOy layer are found to be higher than the short circuit current for CdS buffer reference cells and thickness independent. On the contrary, both the open circuit voltage and the fill factor values obtained are lower than the references and are thickness dependent. A high conversion efficiency of 18.0%, which is comparable with CdS references, is attained for a cell with a Zn1−xSnxOy layer thickness of approximately 13 nm and with an i‐ZnO layer. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolution of gene expression changes in newborn rats after mechanical ventilation with reversible intubation
Authors: Trummer‐Menzi Eliane , Gremlich Sandrine , Schittny Johannes Constantin , Dénervaud Valérie , Stampanoni Marco , Post Martin , Gerber Stefan , Roth‐Kleiner Matthias
Published: July 2012

Mechanical ventilation (MV) is life‐saving but potentially harmful for lungs of premature infants. So far, animal models dealt with the acute impact of MV on immature lungs, but less with its delayed effects. We used a newborn rodent model including non‐surgical and therefore reversible intubation with moderate ventilation and hypothesized that there might be distinct gene expression patterns after a ventilation‐free recovery period compared to acute effects directly after MV. Newborn rat pups were subjected to 8 hr of MV with 60% oxygen (O2), 24 hr after injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), intended to create a low inflammatory background as often recognized in preterm infants. Animals were separated in controls (CTRL), LPS injection (LPS), or full intervention with LPS and MV with 60% O2 (LPS + MV + O2). Lungs were recovered either directly following (T:0 hr) or 48 hr after MV (T:48 hr). Histologically, signs of ventilator‐induced lung injury (VILI) were observed in LPS + MV + O2 lungs at T:0 hr, while changes appeared similar to those known from patients with chronic lung disease (CLD) with fewer albeit larger gas exchange units, at T:48 hr. At T:0 hr, LPS + MV + O2 increased gene expression of pro‐inflammatory MIP‐2. In parallel anti‐inflammatory IL‐1Ra gene expression was increased in LPS and LPS + MV + O2 groups. At T:48 hr, pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory genes had returned to their basal expression. MMP‐2 gene expression was decreased in LPS and LPS + MV + O2 groups at T:0 hr, but no longer at T:48 hr. MMP‐9 gene expression levels were unchanged directly after MV. However, at T:48 hr, gene and protein expression increased in LPS + MV + O2 group. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the feasibility of delayed outcome measurements after a ventilation‐free period in newborn rats and may help to further understand the time‐course of molecular changes following MV. The differences obtained from the two time points could be interpreted as an initial transitory increase of inflammation and a delayed impact of the intervention on structure‐related genes. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:1204–1214. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A randomized trial of a brief intervention to promote smoking cessation for parents during child hospitalization
Authors: Ralston Shawn , Grohman Charmaine , Word Dana , Williams Janet
Published: July 2012

Background

Parental smoking significantly increases the risk of child hospitalization for multiple illnesses. Parenting smokers may not have easy access to smoking cessation services elsewhere and a few interventions with this population in the inpatient setting have shown promising results.

Methods

We sought to evaluate the efficacy of a brief intervention with smoking parents on smoking cessation rates after child hospitalization with a randomized, controlled trial.

Results

Sixty smoking parents participated in the study. The majority of study participants were uninsured women under age 30 who smoked approximately half of a pack per day. There were no statistically significant differences between control and intervention groups for our outcomes. However, 45% (CI: 33–57%) of all participants reported at least one quit attempt during the 2‐month study period and 18% (CI: 10–30%) of participants were quit at study conclusion.

Conclusions

Willingness to quit smoking was much higher than expected in this population of parenting smokers. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:608–613. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exhaled eicosanoid profiles in children with atopic asthma and healthy controls
Authors: Glowacka Edyta , Jedynak‐Wasowicz Urszula , Sanak Marek , Lis Grzegorz
Published: July 2012

Rationale

Chronic endobronchial inflammation is a hallmark of pediatric asthma and involves the arachidonic acid pathway. Its non‐volatile metabolites can be quantified in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC), and single substances have been studied as non‐invasive biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of children with asthma. The aim of this study was to compare the content and profile of a wider range of eicosanoids in the EBC between patients and a control group.

Materials and Methods

EBC was sampled from 33 children (aged 12.4 ± 3.1 years) with stable atopic asthma (26 on inhaled steroid treatment) and 25 healthy controls (11.8 ± 3.2 years). Validated high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometry platform (HPLC‐MS2) was used to measure 13 different compounds. In addition, exhaled nitric oxide levels (FeNO) were measured and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) was assessed by an exercise challenge test in all subjects. An analytical approach was used for multivariate regression modeling of disease status using the most relevant variables.

Results

The levels of PGEM (P < 0.001), PGD2 (P < 0.001), 6keto‐PGF1α (P = 0.03), LTC4 (P < 0.001), trans‐LTC4 (P = 0.04), and 5HETE (P = 0.02) were significantly higher in asthmatics compared to healthy children, while 11‐dehydro TXB2 was significantly less abundant (P = 0.02). The Eicosanoids Asthma Classification Ratio (EACR) was computed as the logistic regression function using four variables: PGEM, PGD2, LTC4, and 5HETE. This composite parameter discriminated asthmatic from healthy children better than FEV1, FeNO, or BHR.

Conclusion

Complementary measurements of PGEM, PGD2, LTC4, and 5HETE in small‐volume EBC samples are feasible by HPLC‐MS2 and showed a specific profile in our study population. EACR should be evaluated further in the context of diagnosing and monitoring childhood asthma. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:324–335. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of the prostate cancer susceptibility gene KLF6 in human and mouse prostate cancers
Authors: Chiam Karen , Ryan Natalie K. , Ricciardelli Carmela , Day Tanya K. , Buchanan Grant , Ochnik Aleksandra M. , Murti Krisna , Selth Luke A. ,   Australian Prostate Cancer BioResource, Butler Lisa M. , Tilley Wayne D. , Bianco‐Miotto Tina
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND

Krüppel‐like factor (KLF) 6 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer, but the mechanisms contributing to its loss of expression are poorly understood. We characterized KLF6 expression and DNA methylation status during prostate tumorigenesis in humans and mice.

METHODS

KLF6 expression was assessed in matched human non‐malignant (NM) and tumor prostate tissues (n = 22) by quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) and in three independent human prostate cancer cohorts bioinformatically. QPCR for KLF6 expression and methylation‐sensitive PCR (MSP) were performed in human prostate LNCaP cancer cells after 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine treatment. Klf6 protein levels and DNA promoter methylation were assessed in TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) tumors by immunohistochemistry and MSP, respectively.

RESULTS

KLF6 splice variants expression was increased (P = 0.0015) in human prostate tumors compared to NM tissues. Overall, KLF6 was decreased in metastatic compared to primary prostate cancers and reduced expression in primary tumors was associated with a shorter time to relapse (P = 0.0028). Treatment with the demethylating agent 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine resulted in up‐regulation of KLF6 expression (two‐fold; P = 0.002) and a decrease in DNA methylation of the KLF6 promoter in LNCaP cells. Klf6 protein levels significantly decreased with progression in the TRAMP model of prostate cancer (P < 0.05), but there was no difference in Klf6 promoter methylation.

CONCLUSION

KLF6 expression was decreased in both clinical prostate cancer and the TRAMP model with disease progression, but this could not be explained by DNA methylation of the KLF6 promoter. Prostate 73: 182–193, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Core–shell InGaN nanorod light emitting diodes: Electronic and optical device properties
Authors: Kölper Christopher , Sabathil Matthias , Römer Friedhard , Mandl Martin , Strassburg Martin , Witzigmann Bernd
Published: July 2012

In this theoretical study, we investigate both electronic and optical properties of core–shell InGaN nanorods (NRs) for light emitting diodes (LEDs). These structures feature active layers wrapped around high aspect ratio NR cores, thus allowing for an enormous increase in active area. Hence, efficiency may be increased by operating at lower carrier densities, mitigating efficiency droop known to limit conventional InGaN LEDs. Due to poor conductivity of the outer pGaN shell, current spreading along the entire NR length is challenging and requires an additional cover of transparent conductive oxide in order to fully exploit the active area. At the same time, quantum wells (QWs) on core–shell NRs are grown on m‐plane rather than conventional c‐plane GaN facets. The calculations show that the absence of piezoelectric fields on these non‐polar facets results in strong reabsorption of the emitted photons. A comprehensive numerical model is applied, linking internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and light extraction via the process of photon recycling. In summary, increasing optical absorption and photon recycling losses limit extraction efficiency. While this partially compensates the gain in IQE with increasing active area, a net improvement of the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of +10% is achievable by the proposed design of a novel core–shell NR LED.
Atomic‐layer‐deposited ZnO thin‐film transistors with various gate dielectrics
Authors: Yang Jaehyun , Park Joong Keun , Kim Sunkook , Choi Woong , Lee Sangyoon , Kim Hyoungsub
Published: July 2012

We have investigated the effects of gate dielectric layers having different microstructures on the crystallographic properties and device performances of atomic‐layer‐deposited (ALD) ZnO thin‐film transistors (TFTs) in a bottom‐gated structure. Among three gate dielectric materials (thermally grown SiO2, ALD‐HfO2, and ALD‐Al2O3), the ALD‐ZnO layer on Al2O3 exhibited the best crystallinity and surface morphology due to the excellent surface roughness and/or hydrophilic surface polarity of the amorphous Al2O3 layer. As a result, it showed the best TFT performance, including field‐effect mobility (∼3.9 cm2/Vs), subthreshold swing (∼1.35 V/decade), and on/off ratio (∼5 × 107).
Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry for the rapid identification of four highly hazardous pesticides in agrochemicals
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhao Pengyue , Zhang Fengzu , Li Yanjie , Pan Canping
Published: July 2012

RATIONALE

Direct analysis in real time (DART) is a new ion source technique, which is conducted in the open air under ambient conditions, applied to the rapid and direct analysis of any material (gases, liquids, and solids) with minimal or no sample preparation. In order to take advantage of the capacity of DART mass spectrometry for the real‐time analysis of hazardous ingredients in commercial agrochemicals, a pilot study of rapid qualitative determination of hazardous pesticides was performed.

METHODS

Highly hazardous pesticides were identified by DART ionization coupled to a single‐quadrupole mass spectrometer (DART‐MS). Acetonitrile was chosen for dissolving samples prior to the analysis. Samples were analyzed by this technique in as little as 5 s.

RESULTS

Phorate, carbofuran, ethoprophos and fipronil were be detected directly from commercial agrochemicals. The ionization‐related parameters (DART temperature, grid voltage and MS fragment) of these compounds were optimized to obtain highly response. Isotope patterns were taken into consideration for qualitative identification. Relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 5) of 2.3–15.0% were obtained by measuring the relative abundance of selected isotopes.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that DART‐MS technology was able to qualitatively determine the existence of highly hazardous pesticides in commercial pesticide formulations. It is suggested that this technology should be applied for routine monitoring in the market. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of monoisotopic masses of chimera spectra from high‐resolution mass spectrometric data by use of isotopic peak intensity ratio modeling
Authors: Niu Ming , Mao Xinli , Ying Wantao , Qin Weijie , Zhang Yangjun , Qian Xiaohong
Published: July 2012

RATIONALE

Chimera spectra make it challenging to identify proteins in complex mixtures by LC/MS/MS. Approximately half of the spectra collected are chimera spectra even when high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry is used. Chimera spectra are generated from the co‐fragmentation of different co‐elute peptides, and it is often difficult to distinguish monoisotopic precursors of these peptides from each other.

METHODS

In this paper, we propose a peak intensity ratio‐based monoisotopic peak determination algorithm (PIRMD) to distinguish different monoisotopic precursors of chimera spectra. Monoisotopic peaks in non‐overlapping clusters are detected by the edge features of the isotopic peak intensity ratios. For multiple overlapping clusters grouped as one cluster, monoisotopic peaks can be detected by an advanced estimation of the similarity between the estimated and the experimental isotopic distribution based on the isotopic peak intensity ratios.

RESULTS

High‐resolution mass spectrometric datasets acquired from mixtures of 30 synthetic peptides and mixtures of 18 proteins were used to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of PIRMD. The results indicate that PIRMD can recognize monoisotopic precursors from the chimera spectra containing non‐overlapping and overlapping isotopic clusters. Compared to several published algorithms, PIRMD identifies approximately 2 ~ 14% more spectra and has fewer false positives.

CONCLUSIONS

The results on standard datasets and actual samples demonstrated that PIRMD could notably improve the successful identification rates of the spectra by identifying more chimera spectra, and of the identified spectra, approximately 25% are chimera spectra. This novel algorithm will help to interpret spectra produced by shotgun strategy in proteomics. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving intrusion detection for imbalanced network traffic
Authors: Thomas Ciza
Published: July 2012

The acceptability and usability of intrusion detection systems get seriously affected with data imbalance in network traffic. A large number of false alarms mean a lot in terms of the acceptability of intrusion detection systems. The reason for the increase in false alerts is that the normal traffic abound. Even with highly accurate intrusion detection systems, the effective detection rate of the minority attack types will be unacceptably low, and those attack types are often the most serious ones. Thus, high accuracy is not necessarily an indicator of high model quality, and therein lays the accuracy paradox of predictive analytics. The cost of missing an attack is higher than the cost of false alarms. The aim of this work is to provide an architecture that enables available intrusion detection systems to work together towards creating a more realistic model of the state of a network. The data‐dependent decision fusion architecture presented in this paper learns from the data and then appropriately gives weighting to the decisions of various intrusion detection systems. The fusion enriches these weighted decisions to provide a single decision, which is better than those of the existing intrusion detection systems. It is also shown that our technique is more flexible and also outperforms other existing fusion techniques such as OR, AND, SVM, and ANN. This method reduces the false positive rate and improves the overall detection rate and, also, the detection rate of minority class types in particular. For illustrative purposes, two different data sets, namely the DARPA 1999 data set as well as the real‐time network traffic embedded with attacks, have been used. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facile Aqueous‐Phase Synthesis of Biocompatible and Fluorescent Ag2S Nanoclusters for Bioimaging: Tunable Photoluminescence from Red to Near Infrared
Authors: Wang Chuanxi , Wang Yu , Xu Lin , Zhang Dan , Liu Mingxia , Li Xiangwei , Sun Hongchen , Lin Quan , Yang Bai
Published: July 2012

Low toxicity and fluorescent nanomaterials have many advantages in biological imaging. Herein, a novel and facile aqueous‐phase approach to prepare biocompatible and fluorescent Ag2S nanoclusters (NCs) is designed and investigated. The resultant Ag2S NCs show tunable luminescence from the visible red (624 nm) to the near infrared (NIR; 724 nm) corresponding to the increasing size of the NCs. The key for preparing tunable fluorescent Ag2S NCs is the proper choice of capping reagent, glutathione (GSH), and the novel sulfur‐hydrazine hydrate complex as the S2− source. As a naturally occurring and readily available tripeptide, GSH functions as an important scaffold to prevent NCs from growing large nanoparticles. Additionally, GSH is a small biomolecule with several functional groups, including carboxyl and amino groups, which suggests the resultant Ag2S NCs are well‐dispersed in aqueous solution. These advantages make the as‐prepared Ag2S NCs potentially applicable to biological labeling as well. For example, the resultant Ag2S NCs are used as a probe for MC3T3‐EI cellular imaging.
A review of middleware approaches for energy management in distributed environments
Authors: Noureddine Adel , Rouvoy Romain , Seinturier Lionel
Published: July 2012

Energy management solutions and approaches for computer systems are becoming broadly available as energy concerns are becoming mainstream. Many approaches have been proposed to manage the energy consumption of the hardware, operating system, or software layers. The widespread usage of ubiquitous devices and the high coverage of networks (Wi‐Fi and 3G) have led to a new generation of communicating and mobile devices that uses complex middleware platform functionalities. Therefore, energy management has emerged as a topic of research interest in the middleware layer, and solutions specific to this layer are proposed along the more traditional ones existing at the other levels. In this article, we report on a review of state‐of‐the‐art approaches for energy management middleware platforms. This article defines also an architectural taxonomy and compares existing approaches on the basis of this taxonomy. In particular, we review middleware platforms and detail a number of approaches where energy management is handled. Finally, we review application scenarios where the energy management concepts at the middleware layer are applied in intelligent environments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor-Initiating Cells of Various Tumor Types Exhibit Differential Angiogenic Properties and React Differently to Antiangiogenic Drugs
Authors: Benayoun Liat , Gingis-Velitski Svetlana , Voloshin Tali , Segal Ehud , Segev Rotem , Munster Michal , Bril Rotem , Satchi-Fainaro Ronit , Scherer Stefan J. , Shaked Yuval
Published: July 2012

Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) are a subtype of tumor cells believed to be critical for initiating tumorigenesis. We sought to determine the angiogenic properties of TICs in different tumor types including U-87MG (glioblastoma), HT29 (colon), MCF7 (breast), A549 (non-small-cell lung), and PANC1 (pancreatic) cancers. Long-term cultures grown either as monolayers (“TIC-low”) or as nonadherent tumor spheres (“TIC-high”) were generated. The TIC-high fractions exhibited increased expression of stem cell surface markers, high aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, high expression of p21, and resistance to standard chemotherapy in comparison to TIC-low fractions. Furthermore, TICs from U-87MG and HT29 but not from MCF7, A549, and PANC1 tumor types possess increased angiogenic activity. Consequently, the efficacy of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) neutralizing antibody is limited only to those tumors that are dependent on VEGF-A activity. In addition, such therapy had little or reversed antiangiogenic effects on tumors that do not necessarily rely on VEGF-dependent angiogenesis. Differential angiogenic activity and antiangiogenic therapy sensitivity were also observed in TICs of the same tumor type, suggesting redundant angiogenic pathways. Collectively, our results suggest that the efficacy of antiangiogenic drugs is dependent on the angiogenic properties of TICs and, therefore, can serve as a possible biomarker to predict antiangiogenic treatment efficacy.