bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge Translation in Family Nursing
Authors: Svavarsdottir Erla Kolbrun , Tryggvadottir Gudny Bergthora , Sigurdardottir Anna Olafia
Published: June 2012

In an effort to examine translation of family nursing knowledge to practice, the Landspitali University Hospital Family Nursing Implementation Project (2007-2011), was thoughtfully initiated in Reykjavik, Iceland and systematically evaluated. The mission was to implement family nursing in every department of the hospital. This publication is the first formal research report from this landmark project. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of a short-term therapeutic conversation intervention with families who were receiving health care services at the Children’s Hospital at Landspitali University Hospital in Iceland related to childhood and adolescent acute and chronic illnesses. The therapeutic conversation was guided by Family Systems Nursing and used the Calgary Family Assessment and Intervention Models (Wright & Leahey, 2005, 2009). Families ( N = 76) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (short-term therapeutic conversation: n = 41) or to a control group (traditional care: n = 35). Parents in the experimental group reported significantly higher family support after the intervention, compared to the parents in the control group. Differences were noted between families experiencing acute versus chronic illnesses. Recommendations are made for conducting and designing intervention research with families experiencing the hospitalization of a child or adolescent.
Human Blood and Plasma Partition Coefficients for C4-C8 n-alkanes, Isoalkanes, and 1-alkenes
Authors: Mochalski Paweł , King Julian , Kupferthaler Alexander , Unterkofler Karl , Hinterhuber Hartmann , Amann Anton
Published: June 2012

Human blood:air and plasma:air partition coefficients for C4-C8 n-alkanes, isoalkanes, and 1-alkenes were determined using multiple headspace extraction coupled with solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography. Mean blood:air partition coefficients expressed in the form of dimensionless blood-to-air concentration ratio (g/mLb/g/mLa) were 0.183, 0.416, 1.08, 2.71, and 5.77 for C4-C8 n-alkanes; 0.079, 0.184, 0.473, 1.3, and 3.18 for C4-C8 isoalkanes; and 0.304, 0.589, 1.32, 3.5, and 7.01 for C4-C8 1-alkenes, respectively (n = 8). The reported partition coefficient values increased exponentially with boiling points, molecular weights, and the carbon atoms in the particle. The solubility of 1-alkenes in blood was higher than in plasma, whereas the blood:air and plasma:air partition coefficients of n-alkanes and isoalkanes did not differ significantly. Consequently, additional interactions of 1-alkenes with whole blood seem to occur. The presented findings are expected to be particularly useful for assessing the uptake, distribution, and elimination of hydrocarbons in human organism.
Law’s knowledge: On the susceptibility and resistance of legal practices to security matters
Authors: Krasmann Susanne
Published: June 2012

Contrary to the prevailing debate on the governance of security with its focus on emergency and exception, a Foucauldian perspective enables us to capture how law transforms in a rather gradual and unnoticed manner. As a practice, law constitutes itself through knowledge. Relying upon knowledge, it is notoriously susceptible to security matters. This will be illustrated by analysing the rationality of pre-emptive action that is facilitated by automated surveillance technologies. Taking a recent torture debate as an extreme example elucidates that a conception of law as practice also serves as a tool of critique and articulating dissent.
Video analysis and the temporality of inscriptions within social interaction: the case of architects at work
Authors: Mondada Lorenza
Published: June 2012

This article shows how artefacts – and more specifically documents and visualizations such as images, maps and plans – can be analysed in detail within an ethnomethodological and conversation analytic perspective focusing on the way in which they are manipulated within social activities. The aim is double. On the one hand, the article deals with the way in which the temporal and interactional feature of inscriptions in interaction can be preserved and analysed on the basis of video data, highlighting some of the challenges of producing adequate video recordings and video transcriptions of these phenomena. On the other hand, the article offers an empirical study of a professional activity in which participants manipulate texts, plans and other visualizations. Thus, it analyses in detail a meeting video recorded in an architectural office, in which three architects read, discuss, and draw plans, as well as explore and discover ideas by formulating, gesticulating, and sketching them.
State Legislative Committees and Economic Connections: Expertise and Industry Service
Authors: Battista James Coleman
Published: June 2012

American state legislators commonly remain connected to the market, giving them the potential for unique expertise on how policy affects the industries they are connected to and the opportunity to help enact laws favoring those industries. This paper describes the extent to which state legislative committees are populated by legislators with economic connections to their jurisdiction, and analyzes appointment patterns to help distinguish stacking to tap expertise from stacking to serve an industry. I find that a substantial minority of committees are stacked with connected legislators. Appointment patterns show limited evidence for expertise in education and health care, for industry service in banking, and for both in agriculture.
Innumerable Bilateral Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations
Authors: Abdel-Aal Ahmed Kamel , Saddekni Souheil , Underwood Edgar , Oser Rachel F. , Vattoth Surgith
Published: June 2012

We report an unusual and distinct case of innumerable bilateral pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) in a 42-year-old patient presenting with significant right-to-left shunt resulting in severe dyspnea and with a history of stroke due to paradoxical embolization related to his PAVM. Because it was impossible to treat all his PAVMs, our aim was to treat those with a feeding artery measuring 3 mm or more in diameter, aiming to improve the patient’s dyspnea and decrease the risk of paradoxical embolization. We safely and successfully embolized 8 of the patient’s PAVMs, using a single Amplatzer vascular plug for each PAVM. The procedure did not result in significant improvement of the patient’s symptoms. In similar cases with innumerable PAVMs, the expectations of symptom relief should be lowered and the patient should be informed that treatment will only offer protection from paradoxical embolization. To our knowledge, there are no similar cases previously described in the literature.
Giant True Brachial Artery Aneurysm
Authors: Wong Sydney Sek Ning , Roche-Nagle Graham
Published: June 2012

True brachial artery aneurysms (BAAs) are uncommon peripheral vessel aneurysms that typically occur in the setting of injury. While its relationship with trauma and infectious etiologies are well defined, the association between arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and BAA is less well understood. We present a case of a giant true BAA that presented several years post-AVF ligation. A review of BAA, its association with AVF, and its management follows.
Retroperitoneal Trapdoor Endarterectomy for Paravisceral “Coral-reef” Aortic Plaque
Authors: DeRubertis Brian G. , Jabori Sinan O. , Quinones-Baldrich William , Lawrence Peter F.
Published: June 2012

A 67-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with progressive claudication, chest pain, and flash-pulmonary edema. Her past medical history was significant for poorly controlled hypertension requiring multiple antihypertensive medications, renal insufficiency, and tobacco abuse. Diagnostic evaluation revealed an extensive exophytic plaque localized to the paravisceral aorta resulting in high-grade stenoses of the proximal aorta as well as the celiac, superior mesenteric, and left renal arteries. She underwent surgical revascularization through a retroperitoneal aortic exposure and trapdoor aortic endarterectomy, the technical conduct of which is described in this manuscript. The patient recovered uneventfully and experienced resolution of her claudication and pulmonary symptoms, improved blood pressure control, and normalization of her creatinine. Review of the medical literature pertaining to management of proximal occlusive disease of the abdominal aorta is discussed.
Predictions of tool forces in friction stir welding of AZ91 magnesium alloy
Authors: Zhang Z , Wan Z Y
Published: June 2012

Adaptive remeshing technique based finite element model of friction stir welding was used for the investigation of tool forces in the welding processes. Results indicate that the maximum tool forces occur at the initial time in the translational stage. In the tool forces in the three directions, the axial force is the maximum. The tool force in the direction perpendicular to the welding line is the minimum. The tool forces in the three directions are all increased with the increase in transverse speed and decreased with the increase in angular velocity.
Fabrication of aluminium matrix composites reinforced by submicrometre and nanosize Al2O3 via accumulative roll bonding
Authors: Rezayat M , Akbarzadeh A
Published: June 2012

Aluminium matrix composites reinforced with submicrometre and nanosize Al2O3 particles were successfully manufactured in the form of sheets through eight cycles of accumulative roll bonding process. The mechanical properties of the produced composite are compared with accumulative roll bonded commercially pure aluminium. It is shown that only 1 vol.- of submicrometre or nanosize alumina particles as reinforcement in the structure can significantly improve the yield and ultimate tensile strengths. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that particles have a random and uniform distribution in the matrix especially in the less volume fraction of alumina particles, and strong mechanical bonding occurs at the interface of the particle matrix. According to the results of the tensile tests, it is observed that with less alumina content, the composite reinforced by nanosize particles has higher strength than that by submicrometre size particles. However, more reinforcement up to 3 vol.- of submicrometre particles, as a result of including fewer microstructural defects, leads to better mechanical properties in comparison to the nanoparticle composite.
Using the Kelvin–Voigt model for nanoindentation creep in Sn-C/PVDF nanocomposites
Authors: Hackney S. A. , Aifantis K. E. , Tangtrakarn A. , Shrivastava S.
Published: June 2012

In the present work, nanoindentation was used to examine the creep behaviour of nanostructured Sn-C/polyvinylidene fluoride composites, which are promising anodes for next generation Li ion batteries. Modifying the Kelvin–Voigt model using the stresses and strains that develop upon constant load nanoindentation allowed for an analysis that fits the experimental data. The resulting fits provided estimates for the elastic modulus and viscosity. The modulus and viscosity are found to vary significantly with position on the sample but are within range of accepted values. A comparison of the Kelvin–Voigt derived modulus with the Maxwell solid derived creep corrected Oliver–Pharr method was of the same order, but the trends did not match between the two models. The dissipated creep strain energy (DCSE), which has been used as a measure of damage in viscous–elastic composites, was examined for the Kelvin–Voigt model derived modulus and viscosity. The DCSE may be a relevant parameter for Li ion anode lifetime prediction.
Extruded microstructure of Zn–5 wt-Al eutectic alloy processed by twin screw extrusion
Authors: Ji S , Fan Z
Published: June 2012

Semisolid extrusion with twin screw extruder has been successfully developed for eutectic alloy. In this process, the eutectic melt is sheared and cooled down inside the twin screw extruder to a semisolid state and simultaneously extruded through an open die at a temperature close to solidus. The accurate control of heat balance in the extruder results in the formation of two solid phases and one liquid phase in the Zn–5 wt-Al eutectic alloy. A little plastic deformation in the extruded alloy can be introduced by twin screw extrusion. In semisolid extrusion, the particle size in Zn–5 wt-Al eutectic alloy is close to 40 μm for Zn rich particles and 25 μm for Al rich particles. Two solid particles are at the similar size in longitudinal and transverse directions and distribute uniformly and independently on the whole cross-section of the extruded bar. The remnant liquid can act as lubricant for reducing extrusion force during extrusion and solidify in lamellar morphology between Al rich and Zn rich particles.
Hedgehog signaling via a calcitonin receptor-like receptor can induce arterial differentiation independently of VEGF signaling in zebrafish
Authors: Wilkinson Robert N. , Koudijs Marco J. , Patient Roger K. , Ingham Philip W. , Schulte-Merker Stefan , van Eeden Fredericus J. M.
Published: June 2012

Multiple signaling pathways control the specification of endothelial cells (ECs) to become arteries or veins during vertebrate embryogenesis. Current models propose that a cascade of Hedgehog (Hh), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Notch signaling acts instructively on ECs to control the choice between arterial or venous fate. Differences in the phenotypes induced by Hh, VEGF, or Notch inhibition suggest that not all of the effects of Hh on arteriovenous specification are mediated by VEGF. We establish that full derepression of the Hh pathway in ptc1;ptc2 mutants converts the posterior cardinal vein into a second arterial vessel that manifests intact arterial gene expression, intersegmental vessel sprouting, and HSC gene expression. Importantly, although VEGF was thought to be absolutely essential for arterial fates, we find that normal and ectopic arterial differentiation can occur without VEGF signaling in ptc1;ptc2 mutants. Furthermore, Hh is able to bypass VEGF to induce arterial differentiation in ECs via the calcitonin receptor-like receptor, thus revealing a surprising complexity in the interplay between Hh and VEGF signaling during arteriovenous specification. Finally, our experiments establish a dual function of Hh during induction of runx1+ HSCs.
Assessment of anti-depressant effect of nelumbinis semen on rats under chronic mild stress and its subchronic oral toxicity in rats and beagle dogs
Authors: Chung Hwan-Suck , Lee Hye Jeong , Shim Insop , Bae Hyunsu
Published: June 2012

Background

Previously, we examined the antidepressant effects of Nelumbinis Semen (NS). In this study, we assessed the anti-depressant effects of NS in the forced swimming test and chronic mild stress (CMS) models of depression and its oral toxicity in rats and dogs.

Methods

In the forced swimming test, NS was intraperitoneally injected before 24 h, 5 h and 1 h of forced swimming test. And the rats were forced to swim for 5 min, the duration of immobility was observed. In CMS models, animals were exposed to a variety of CMS for 8 weeks in order to induce depression-like symptoms. They were treated with NS for the last four weeks of the 8-week CMS and then an open field test was conducted. The anti-depression effects were evaluated based on a measured index, which consisted of visiting counts, start latency, rearing number and grooming time. In the toxicological studies, NS was administered to rats by gavages for 13 weeks at doses of 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg/day. To assess the toxicity of NS in beagle dogs, NS was administered orally for 28 days at doses of 0, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg/day.

Results

400 mg/kg of NS had the lowest immobility times in forced swimming test. And NS significantly reversed the decreased visiting counts, rearing number and grooming time caused by CMS. In addition, NS treatment significantly decreased the start latency. No treatment-related toxicity was detected during 13 weeks administration in rats and 28 days administration in dogs.

Conclusions

Based on the results of this study and previous reports that have examined the anti-depressive effects of NS, NS holds great promise for use in the treatment of depression without causing any adverse effects or toxicities.
Hospital costs of nosocomial multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquisition
Authors: Morales Eva , Cots Francesc , Sala Maria , Comas Mercè , Belvis Francesc , Riu Marta , Salvadó Margarita , Grau Santiago , Horcajada Juan P , Montero Maria Milagro , Castells Xavier
Published: June 2012

Background

We aimed to assess the hospital economic costs of nosocomial multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa acquisition.

Methods

A retrospective study of all hospital admissions between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2006 was carried out in a 420-bed, urban, tertiary-care teaching hospital in Barcelona (Spain). All patients with a first positive clinical culture for P. aeruginosa more than 48 h after admission were included. Patient and hospitalization characteristics were collected from hospital and microbiology laboratory computerized records. According to antibiotic susceptibility, isolates were classified as non-resistant, resistant and multi-drug resistant. Cost estimation was based on a full-costing cost accounting system and on the criteria of clinical Activity-Based Costing methods. Multivariate analyses were performed using generalized linear models of log-transformed costs.

Results

Cost estimations were available for 402 nosocomial incident P. aeruginosa positive cultures. Their distribution by antibiotic susceptibility pattern was 37.1% non-resistant, 29.6% resistant and 33.3% multi-drug resistant. The total mean economic cost per admission of patients with multi-drug resistant P. aeruginosa strains was higher than that for non-resistant strains (15,265 vs. 4,933 Euros). In multivariate analysis, resistant and multi-drug resistant strains were independently predictive of an increased hospital total cost in compared with non-resistant strains (the incremental increase in total hospital cost was more than 1.37-fold and 1.77-fold that for non-resistant strains, respectively).

Conclusions

P. aeruginosa multi-drug resistance independently predicted higher hospital costs with a more than 70% increase per admission compared with non-resistant strains. Prevention of the nosocomial emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms is essential to limit the strong economic impact.
Proteins differentially expressed in elicited cell suspension culture of Podophyllum hexandrum with enhanced podophyllotoxin content
Authors: Bhattacharyya Dipto , Sinha Ragini , Ghanta Srijani , Chakraborty Amrita , Hazra Saptarshi , Chattopadhyay Sharmila
Published: June 2012

Background

Podophyllotoxin (PTOX), the precursor for semi-synthesis of cancer therapeutics like etoposide, teniposide and etophos, is primarily obtained from an endangered medicinal herb, Podophyllum hexandrum Royle. PTOX, a lignan is biosynthetically derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. The aim of this study is to investigate changes in the P. hexandrum cell proteome potentially related to PTOX accumulation in response to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) elicitation. High-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by colloidal Coomassie staining and mass spectrometric analysis was used to detect statistically significant changes in cell’s proteome.

Result

The HPLC analysis showed approximately 7–8 fold change in accumulation of PTOX, in the 12day old cell suspension culture (i.e. after 9days of elicitation) elicited with 100 μM MeJA as compared to the control. Using 2-DE a total of 233 spots was detected, out of which 105 spots were identified by MALDI TOF-TOF MS/MS. Data were subjected to functional annotation from a biological point of view through KEGG. The phenylpropanoid and monolignol pathway enzymes were identified, amongst these, chalcone synthase, polyphenol oxidase, caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase, S-adenosyl-L-methionine-dependent methyltransferases, caffeic acid-O-methyl transferase etc. are noted as important. The relation of other differentially accumulated proteins with varied effects caused by elicitors on P. hexandrum cells namely stress and defense related protein, transcription and DNA replication and signaling are also discussed.

Conclusions

Elicitor-induced PTOX accumulation in P. hexandrum cell cultures provides a responsive model system to profile modulations in proteins related to phenylpropanoid/monolignol biosynthesis and other defense responses. Present findings form a baseline for future investigation on a non-sequenced medicinal herb P. hexandrum at molecular level.
Ferroelectric memory based on nanostructures
Authors: Liu Xingqiang , Liu Yueli , Chen Wen , Li Jinchai , Liao Lei
Published: June 2012

In the past decades, ferroelectric materials have attracted wide attention due to their applications in nonvolatile memory devices (NVMDs) rendered by the electrically switchable spontaneous polarizations. Furthermore, the combination of ferroelectric and nanomaterials opens a new route to fabricating a nanoscale memory device with ultrahigh memory integration, which greatly eases the ever increasing scaling and economic challenges encountered in the traditional semiconductor industry. In this review, we summarize the recent development of the nonvolatile ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET) memory devices based on nanostructures. The operating principles of FeFET are introduced first, followed by the discussion of the real FeFET memory nanodevices based on oxide nanowires, nanoparticles, semiconductor nanotetrapods, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Finally, we present the opportunities and challenges in nanomemory devices and our views on the future prospects of NVMDs.
Efficacy, safety and tolerability of ongoing statin plus ezetimibe versus doubling the ongoing statin dose in hypercholesterolemic Taiwanese patients: an open-label, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Yu Chih-Chieh , Lai Wen-Ter , Shih Kuang-Chung , Lin Tsung-Hsien , Lu Chieh-Hua , Lai Hung-Jen , Hanson Mary E , Hwang Juey-Jen
Published: June 2012

Background

Reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is associated with reduced risk for major coronary events. Despite statin efficacy, a considerable proportion of statin-treated hypercholesterolemic patients fail to reach therapeutic LDL-C targets as defined by guidelines. This study compared the efficacy of ezetimibe added to ongoing statins with doubling the dose of ongoing statin in a population of Taiwanese patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Methods

This was a randomized, open-label, parallel-group comparison study of ezetimibe 10 mg added to ongoing statin compared with doubling the dose of ongoing statin. Adult Taiwanese hypercholesterolemic patients not at optimal LDL-C levels with previous statin treatment were randomized (N = 83) to ongoing statin + ezetimibe (simvastatin, atorvastatin or pravastatin + ezetimibe at doses of 20/10, 10/10 or 20/10 mg) or doubling the dose of ongoing statin (simvastatin 40 mg, atorvastatin 20 mg or pravastatin 40 mg) for 8 weeks. Percent change in total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides, and specified safety parameters were assessed at 4 and 8 weeks.

Results

At 8 weeks, patients treated with statin + ezetimibe experienced significantly greater reductions compared with doubling the statin dose in LDL-C (26.2% vs 17.9%, p = 0.0026) and total cholesterol (20.8% vs 12.2%, p = 0.0003). Percentage of patients achieving treatment goal was greater for statin + ezetimibe (58.6%) vs doubling statin (41.2%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.1675). The safety and tolerability profiles were similar between treatments.

Conclusion

Ezetimibe added to ongoing statin therapy resulted in significantly greater lipid-lowering compared with doubling the dose of statin in Taiwanese patients with hypercholesterolemia. Studies to assess clinical outcome benefit are ongoing.

Trial registration

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00652327
Implications of endotracheal tube biofilm in ventilator-associated pneumonia response: a state of concept
Authors: Gil-Perotin Sara , Ramirez Paula , Marti Veronica , Sahuquillo Jose Miguel , Gonzalez Eva , Calleja Isabel , Menendez Rosario , Bonastre Juan
Published: June 2012

Introduction

Biofilm in endotracheal tubes (ETT) of ventilated patients has been suggested to play a role in the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Our purpose was to analyze the formation of ETT biofilm and its implication in the response and relapse of VAP.

Methods

We performed a prospective, observational study in a medical intensive care unit. Patients mechanically ventilated for more than 24 hours were consecutively included. We obtained surveillance endotracheal aspirates (ETA) twice weekly and, at extubation, ETTs were processed for microbiological assessment and scanning electron microscopy.

Results

Eighty-seven percent of the patients were colonized based on ETA cultures. Biofilm was found in 95% of the ETTs. In 56% of the cases, the same microorganism grew in ETA and biofilm. In both samples the most frequent bacteria isolated were Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nineteen percent of the patients developed VAP (N = 14), and etiology was predicted by ETA in 100% of the cases. Despite appropriate antibiotic treatment, bacteria involved in VAP were found in biofilm (50%). In this situation, microbial persistence and impaired response to treatment (treatment failure and relapse) were more frequent (100% vs 29%, P = 0.021; 57% vs 14%, P = 0.133).

Conclusions

Airway bacterial colonization and biofilm formation on ETTs are early and frequent events in ventilated patients. There is microbiological continuity between airway colonization, biofilm formation and VAP development. Biofilm stands as a pathogenic mechanism for microbial persistence, and impaired response to treatment in VAP.
ERβ-Mediated Estradiol Enhances Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition of Lung Adenocarcinoma through Increasing Transcription of Midkine
Authors: Zhao Guangfeng , Nie Yunzhong , Lv Mingming , He Lingfang , Wang Tingting , Hou Yayi
Published: June 2012

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a specific role in the migration of tumor cells. Both estrogen and midkine (MK) have been thought to be important factors in promoting the progression of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and can enhance EMT. Some evidence indicated the correlation between estradiol (E2) and MK, but the precise mechanism on their interreaction is unknown. Here, we try to clarify whether and how E2 regulates MK expression to promote EMT. We found that E2 increased MK mRNA expression in lung adenocarcinoma cells LTEP-a2 and A549 in a time-dependent manner. E2-induced MK expression was inhibited by the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780 and tamoxifen but not by phosphoinositide-3 kinase and MAPK inhibitors, suggesting a genomic mechanism of E2 on the regulation of MK transcription. Moreover, luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays exhibited that E2 induced ERβ recruitment to the estrogen response element in the MK promoter. Small interfering RNA to ERα and ERβ revealed that ERβ mainly mediated E2-induced MK transcription. Interestingly, E2 enhanced MK expression in accordance with increase of EMT, whereas knockdown of MK could block EMT under E2 stimulation. Importantly, through analyzing lung adenocarcinoma tissues, there was indeed a correlation among levels of E2, MK, and EMT-related protein expression. Taken together, we reported a previously unrecognized mechanism on E2 in the regulation of MK expression and proved that MK plays a pivotal role in progression of E2-regulated EMT.
Negative Regulation of Pancreatic and Duodenal Homeobox-1 by Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 5
Authors: Zhou Guisheng , Liu Shi-He , Shahi Kelly M. , Wang Hua , Duan Xueyan , Lin Xia , Feng Xin-Hua , Li Min , Fisher William E. , DeMayo Francesco J. , Dawson David , Brunicardi F. Charles
Published: June 2012

Somatostatin receptor subtype 5 (SSTR5) mediates the inhibitory effect of somatostatin and its analogs on insulin expression/secretion and islet cell proliferation. We provide biochemical and genetic evidence that SSTR5 exerted its physiological actions via down-regulating pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1), a β-cell-specific homeodomain-containing transcription factor. Cotransfection of SSTR5 with PDX-1 resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of PDX-1 expression in human embryonic kidney 293 cells. SSTR5 agonist RPL-1980 inhibited PDX-1 expression and abolished glucagon-like peptide 1-stimulated PDX-1 expression in mouse insulinoma β-TC-6 cells. SSTR5 knockdown by short hairpin RNA led to increased PDX-1 expression that was accompanied by enhanced insulin secretion stimulated by high glucose in β-TC6 cells and alternated expressions of cell cycle proteins that favor cell proliferation in mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that cotransfected SSTR5 inhibited PDX-1 mRNA expression, whereas knockdown of SSTR5 increased PDX-1 mRNA expression. In addition, we found that cotransfected wild-type SSTR5 increased PDX-1 ubiquitination in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, whereas SSTR5 P335L, a hypofunctional single nucleotide polymorphism of SSTR5, inhibited PDX-1 ubiquitination. SSTR5 knockout resulted in increased expression of PDX-1, insulin, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the islets of sstr−/− mice. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SSTR5 P335L was associated with elevated expression of PDX-1 in human pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Taken together, our studies demonstrated that SSTR5 is a negative regulator for PDX-1 expression and that SSTR5 may mediate the inhibitory effects of somatostatin and its analogs on insulin expression/secretion and cell proliferation via down-regulating PDX-1 at both transcriptional and posttranslational levels.
Omcg1 is critically required for mitosis in rapidly dividing mouse intestinal progenitors and embryonic stem cells
Authors: Léguillier Teddy , Vandormael-Pournin Sandrine , Artus Jérôme , Houlard Martin , Picard Christel , Bernex Florence , Robine Sylvie , Cohen-Tannoudji Michel
Published: June 2012

Recent studies have shown that factors involved in transcription-coupled mRNA processing are important for the maintenance of genome integrity. How these processes are linked and regulated in vivo remains largely unknown. In this study, we addressed in the mouse model the function of Omcg1, which has been shown to participate in co-transcriptional processes, including splicing and transcription-coupled repair. Using inducible mouse models, we found that Omcg1 is most critically required in intestinal progenitors. In absence of OMCG1, proliferating intestinal epithelial cells underwent abnormal mitosis followed by apoptotic cell death. As a consequence, the crypt proliferative compartment of the small intestine was quickly and totally abrogated leading to the rapid death of the mice. Lack of OMCG1 in embryonic stem cells led to a similar cellular phenotype, with multiple mitotic defects and rapid cell death. We showed that mutant intestinal progenitors and embryonic stem cells exhibited a reduced cell cycle arrest following irradiation, suggesting that mitotic defects may be consecutive to M phase entry with unrepaired DNA damages. These findings unravel a crucial role for pre-mRNA processing in the homeostasis of the small intestine and point to a major role of OMCG1 in the maintenance of genome integrity.
Coordination of bat sonar activity and flight for the exploration of three-dimensional objects
Authors: Genzel Daria , Geberl Cornelia , Dera Thomas , Wiegrebe Lutz
Published: June 2012

The unique combination of flight and echolocation has opened the nocturnal air space as a rich ecological niche for bats. By analysing echoes of their sonar emissions, bats discriminate and recognize three-dimensional (3-D) objects. However, in contrast to vision, the 3-D information that can be gained by ensonifying an object from only one observation angle is sparse. To date, it is unclear how bats synchronize echolocation and flight activity to explore the 3-D shape of ensonified objects. We have devised an experimental design that allows creating 3-D virtual echo-acoustic objects by generating in real-time echoes from the bat's emissions that depend on the bat's position relative to the virtual object. Bats were trained to evaluate these 3-D virtual objects differing in their azimuthal variation of either echo amplitude or spectral composition. The data show that through a very effective coordination of sonar and flight activity, bats analyse an azimuthal variation of echo amplitude with a resolution of approximately 16 dB and a variation of echo centre frequency of approximately 19%. Control experiments show that the bats can detect not only these variations but also perturbations in the spatial arrangement of these variations. The current experimental paradigm shows that echolocating bats assemble echo-acoustic object information – acquired sequentially in flight – to reconstruct the 3-D shape of the ensonified object. Unlike previous approaches, the recruitment of virtual objects allows for a direct quantification of this reconstruction success in a highly controlled experimental approach.
The role of elastic energy storage and recovery in downhill and uphill running
Authors: Snyder Kristine L. , Kram Rodger , Gottschall Jinger S.
Published: June 2012

In level running, humans and other animals store and recover elastic energy during each step. What role does elastic energy play during downhill and uphill running? We measured the fluctuations of the mechanical energy of the center of mass (CoM) of 15 human participants running at 3 m s–1 on the level, downhill and uphill on a force-measuring treadmill mounted at 3, 6 and 9 deg. In level running, nearly symmetrical decreases and increases of the combined gravitational potential and kinetic (GPE+KE) energy of the CoM indicated equal possible elastic energy storage and recovery. However, asymmetrical fluctuations during hill running indicate reduced maximum possible elastic energy storage and return. We analyzed mechanical energy generation and dissipation during level and hill running by quantifying the anatomically estimated elastic energy storage (AEEE) in the arch and Achilles' tendon using peak ground reaction forces and anatomical characteristics. AEEE did not change with grade. At shallow downhill grades, the body must generate mechanical energy, though it dissipates more than it generates. At steeper downhill grades, little to no energy generation is required and only mechanical energy dissipation must occur. The downhill grade at which mechanical energy must no longer be generated occurs at approximately –9 deg, near the metabolically optimal running grade. At shallow uphill grades, mechanical energy must be generated to raise the CoM, and at steeper grades, additional energy must be generated to offset reduced elastic energy storage and return.
Spectral sensitivity of phototaxis in the dinoflagellateKryptoperidinium foliaceumand their reaction to physical encounters
Authors: Moldrup Morten , Garm Anders
Published: June 2012

The dinoflagellate Kryptoperidinium foliaceum possesses one of the largest eyespots among the autotrophic dinoflagellates. Until now they were believed to be negatively phototactic using a non-opsin photopigment. Here we provide evidence that in newly established cultures they are positively phototactic and that the dynamic range of phototaxis is ∼2.5 log units. Additionally, we find that the spectral sensitivity of the phototaxis agrees reasonably well with the absorption curve of a theoretical opsin, with a peak sensitivity around 500 nm. The sensitivity in the short wavelength end of the tested spectrum is unexpectedly low, but this is probably due to selective filtering. Interestingly, the phototaxis could be temporarily overruled by tactile stimuli. After physical contact with the light guide, the cells escaped the area, and we suggest that this may serve as predator avoidance.
Pheromone mediated modulation of pre-flight warm-up behavior in male moths
Authors: Crespo José G. , Goller Franz , Vickers Neil J.
Published: June 2012

An essential part of sexual reproduction typically involves the identification of an appropriate mating partner. Males of many moth species utilize the scent of sex pheromones to track and locate conspecific females. However, before males engage in flight, warm-up by shivering of the major flight muscles is necessary to reach a thoracic temperature suitable to sustain flight. Here we show that Helicoverpa zea males exposed to an attractive pheromone blend (and in some instances to the primary pheromone component alone) started shivering earlier and took off at a lower thoracic temperature than moths subjected to other incomplete or unattractive blends. This resulted in less time spent shivering and faster heating rates. Two interesting results emerge from these experiments. First, the rate of heat generation can be modulated by different olfactory cues. Second, males detecting the pheromone blend take off at lower thoracic temperatures than males exposed to other stimuli. The take-off temperature of these males was below that for optimal power production in the flight muscles, thus generating a trade-off between rapid departure and suboptimal flight performance. Our results shed light on thermoregulatory behaviour of unrestrained moths associated with the scramble competition for access to females and suggest ecological trade-offs between rapid flight initiation and sub-optimal flight performance.
Development of cardiovascular function in the marine gastropodLittorina obtusata(Linnaeus)
Authors: Bitterli Tabitha S. , Rundle Simon D. , Spicer John I.
Published: June 2012

The molluscan cardiovascular system typically incorporates a transient extracardiac structure, the larval heart, early in development, but the functional importance of this structure is unclear. We documented the ontogeny and regulatory ability of the larval heart in relation to two other circulatory structures, the true heart and the velum, in the intertidal gastropod Littorina obtusata. There was a mismatch between the appearance of the larval heart and the velum. Velar lobes appeared early in development (day 4), but the larval heart did not begin beating until day 13. The beating of the larval heart reached a maximum on day 17 and then decreased until the structure itself disappeared (day 24). The true heart began to beat on day 17. Its rate of beating increased as that of the larval heart decreased, possibly suggesting a gradual shift from a larval heart-driven to a true heart-driven circulation. The true heart was not sensitive to acutely declining PO2 shortly after it began to beat, but increased in activity in response to acutely declining PO2 by day 21. Larval heart responses were similar to those of the true heart, with early insensitivity to declining PO2 (day 13) followed by a response by day 15. Increased velum-driven rotational activity under acutely declining PO2 was greatest in early developmental stages. Together, these findings point to cardiovascular function in L. obtusata larvae being the result of a complex interaction between velum, larval and true heart activities, with the functions of the three structures coinciding but their relative importance changing throughout larval development.
The discerning predator: decision rules underlying prey classification by a mosquito-eating jumping spider
Authors: Nelson Ximena J. , Jackson Robert R.
Published: June 2012

Evarcha culicivora is an East African jumping spider that feeds indirectly on vertebrate blood by choosing blood-fed female Anopheles mosquitoes as prey. Previous studies have shown that this predator can identify its preferred prey even when restricted to using only visual cues. Here, we used lures and virtual mosquitoes to investigate the optical cues underlying this predator's prey-choice behaviour. We made lures by dissecting and then reconstructing dead mosquitoes, combining the head plus thorax with different abdomens. Depending on the experiment, lures were either moving or motionless. Findings from the lure experiments suggested that, for E. culicivora, seeing a blood-fed female mosquito's abdomen on a lure was a necessary, but not sufficient, cue by which preferred prey was identified, as cues from the abdomen needed to be paired with cues from the head and thorax of a mosquito. Conversely, when abdomens were not visible or were identical, spiders based their decisions on the appearance of the head plus thorax of mosquitoes, choosing prey with female characteristics. Findings from a subsequent experiment using animated 3D virtual mosquitoes suggest that it is specifically the mosquito's antennae that influence E. culicivora's prey-choice decisions. Our results show that E. culicivora uses a complex process for prey classification.
Inter-animal variability in the effects of C-type allatostatin on the cardiac neuromuscular system in the lobster Homarus americanus
Authors: Wiwatpanit Teerawat , Powers Brian , Dickinson Patsy S.
Published: June 2012

Although the global effects of many modulators on pattern generators are relatively consistent among preparations, modulators can induce different alterations in different preparations. We examined the mechanisms that underlie such variability in the modulatory effects of the peptide C-type allatostatin (C-AST; pQIRYHQCYFNPISCF) on the cardiac neuromuscular system of the lobster Homarus americanus. Perfusion of C-AST through the semi-intact heart consistently decreased the frequency of ongoing contractions. However, the effect of C-AST on contraction amplitude varied between preparations, decreasing in some preparations and increasing in others. To investigate this variable effect, we examined the effects of C-AST both peripherally and centrally. When contractions of the myocardium were elicited by controlled stimuli, C-AST did not alter heart contraction at the periphery (myocardium or neuromuscular junction) in any hearts. However, when applied either to the semi-intact heart or to the cardiac ganglion (CG) isolated from hearts that responded to C-AST with increased contraction force, C-AST increased both motor neuron burst duration and the number of spikes per burst by about 25%. In contrast, CG output was increased only marginally in hearts that responded to C-AST with a decrease in contraction amplitude, suggesting that the decrease in amplitude in those preparations resulted from decreased peripheral facilitation. Our data suggest that the differential effects of a single peptide on the cardiac neuromuscular system are due solely to differential effects of the peptide on the pattern generator; the extent to which the peptide induces increased burst duration is crucial in determining its overall effect on the system.
Formation of Porous Pt Nanoparticles through Core–Shell Pt–Al Nanoalloys and Wet Chemical Etching
Authors: Shen Zhongrong , Matsuki Yasuo , Higashimine Koichi , Miyake Mikio , Shimoda Tatsuya
Published: June 2012

We introduce a strategy for preparation of porous Pt nanoparticles with high catalytic activity and large surface area by changing the morphology of large-sized Pt nanoparticle into Pt–Al nanoalloy, then following a simple wet-chemical etching to remove partial Al.
User satisfaction with maritime telemedicine
Authors: Dehours Emilie , Vallé Baptiste , Bounes Vincent , Girardi Claire , Tabarly Julien , Concina François , Pujos Michel , Ducassé Jean- Louis
Published: June 2012

We assessed the satisfaction of onboard caregivers with the maritime telehealth service provided by the Centre de Consultations Médicales Maritimes (CCMM). We conducted a survey of captains and caregivers by email. Of the 385 surveys sent out, 165 (43%) were completed. Eighty four percent of responders ( n = 110) thought that waiting time was satisfactory or very satisfactory, and 97% ( n = 128) were satisfied or very satisfied with their relationship with the remote physician. Thirty eight per cent of participants ( n = 50) considered that the physician understood the medical problem very well; understanding was good in 58% of cases ( n = 76) and bad in only 4% of cases ( n = 5). Sixty two per cent of participants ( n = 83) sent pictures before consultation. The respondents were also satisfied with the telephone advice overall, the competence of the physicians providing the advice, the length of time spent waiting, the verbal prescription and the medical advice given. Onboard caregivers were generally well satisfied with the maritime teleconsultations and the advice provided by the CCMM physicians.
An evaluation of diabetes self-management applications for Android smartphones
Authors: Demidowich Andrew P , Lu Kevin , Tamler Ronald , Bloomgarden Zachary
Published: June 2012

We reviewed diabetes apps for Android smartphones. We compiled a list of free and paid apps in April 2011 by searching the Android Market for apps which could track self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), diabetes medications or calculate prandial insulin dosages. Two reviewers independently evaluated six features per app, using a five-point Likert scale. The sum of the six ratings was the composite usability score, and the mean score of an app's features was the average usability score. Of the 80 Android diabetes apps identified, 42 unique apps were eligible for the study. SMBG recording was present in 36 (86%) of the apps, a tool to track insulin or oral diabetic medications was found in 19 (45%) apps, and a prandial insulin dose calculator existed for 11 (26%) apps. Eighteen apps were free of charge and the other 24 apps had a mean purchase price of $2.86 (range 0.99–6.99). The mean composite usability score was 11.3 out of a possible 30. The mean average usability score was 3.0 out of a possible 5.0. Only four of the 42 apps had a composite usability score above 20 and none offered direct data input from glucometers, suggesting that few provided a comprehensive method of diabetes management. The apps Glucool Diabetes, OnTrack Diabetes, Dbees and Track3 Diabetes Planner were the highest rated. Clinicians may find it useful to recommend these apps.
Twenty years of telemedicine in chronic disease management – an evidence synthesis
Authors: Wootton Richard
Published: June 2012

A literature review was conducted to obtain a high-level view of the value of telemedicine in the management of five common chronic diseases (asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart failure, hypertension). A total of 141 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was identified, in which 148 telemedicine interventions of various kinds had been tested in a total of 37,695 patients. The value of each intervention was categorised in terms of the outcomes specified by the investigators in that trial, i.e. no attempt was made to extract a common outcome from all studies, as would be required for a conventional meta-analysis. Summarizing the value of these interventions shows, first, that most studies have reported positive effects ( n = 108), and almost none have reported negative effects ( n = 2). This suggests publication bias. Second, there were no significant differences between the chronic diseases, i.e. telemedicine seems equally effective (or ineffective) in the diseases studied. Third, most studies have been relatively short-term (median duration 6 months). It seems unlikely that in a chronic disease, any intervention can have much effect unless applied for a long period. Finally, there have been very few studies of cost-effectiveness. Thus the evidence base for the value of telemedicine in managing chronic diseases is on the whole weak and contradictory.