bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A substructure shaking table test for reproduction of earthquake responses of high‐rise buildings
Authors: Ji Xiaodong , Kajiwara Kouichi , Nagae Takuya , Enokida Ryuta , Nakashima Masayoshi
Published: February 2009

When subjected to long‐period ground motions, high‐rise buildings' upper floors undergo large responses. Furniture and nonstructural components are susceptible to significant damage in such events. This paper proposes a full‐scale substructure shaking table test to reproduce large floor responses of high‐rise buildings. The response at the top floor of a virtual 30‐story building model subjected to a synthesized long‐period ground motion is taken as a target wave for reproduction. Since a shaking table has difficulties in directly reproducing such large responses due to various capacity limitations, a rubber‐and‐mass system is proposed to amplify the table motion. To achieve an accurate reproduction of the floor responses, a control algorithm called the open‐loop inverse dynamics compensation via simulation (IDCS) algorithm is used to generate a special input wave for the shaking table. To implement the IDCS algorithm, the model matching method and the H∞ method are adopted to construct the controller. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the open‐loop IDCS algorithm and compare the performance of different methods of controller design. A series of full‐scale substructure shaking table tests are conducted in E‐Defense to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method and examine the seismic behavior of furniture. The test results demonstrate that the rubber‐and‐mass system is capable of amplifying the table motion by a factor of about 3.5 for the maximum velocity and displacement, and the substructure shaking table test can reproduce the large floor responses for a few minutes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance analysis of optically preamplified DC‐coupled burst mode receivers
Authors: Zuo T. J. , Ma R. , Phillips A. J. , Sujecki S.
Published: February 2009

Bit error rate and threshold acquisition penalty evaluation is performed for an optically preamplified DC‐coupled burst mode receiver using a moment generating function (MGF) description of the signal plus noise. The threshold itself is a random variable and is also described using an appropriate MGF. Chernoff bound (CB), modified Chernoff bound (MCB) and the saddle‐point approximation (SPA) techniques make use of the MGF to provide the performance analyses. This represents the first time that these widely used approaches to receiver performance evaluation have been applied to an optically preamplified burst mode receiver and it is shown that they give threshold acquisition penalty results in good agreement with a prior existing approach, whilst having the facility to incorporate arbitrary receiver filtering, receiver thermal noise and non‐ideal extinction ratio. A traditional Gaussian approximation (GA) is also calculated and comparison shows that it is clearly less accurate (it exceeds the upper bounds provided by CB and MCB) in the realistic cases examined. It is deduced, in common with the equivalent continuous mode analysis, that the MCB is the most sensible approach. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prion protein and its ligand stress inducible protein 1 regulate astrocyte development
Authors: Arantes Camila , Nomizo Regina , Lopes Marilene H. , Hajj Glaucia N. M. , Lima Flavia R. S. , Martins Vilma R.
Published: February 2009

Prion protein (PrPC) interaction with stress inducible protein 1 (STI1) mediates neuronal survival and differentiation. However, the function of PrPC in astrocytes has not been approached. In this study, we show that STI1 prevents cell death in wild‐type astrocytes in a protein kinase A‐dependent manner, whereas PrPC‐null astrocytes were not affected by STI1 treatment. At embryonic day 17, cultured astrocytes and brain extracts derived from PrPC‐null mice showed a reduced expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and increased vimentin and nestin expression when compared with wild‐type, suggesting a slower rate of astrocyte maturation in PrPC‐null animals. Furthermore, PrPC‐null astrocytes treated with STI1 did not differentiate from a flat to a process‐bearing morphology, as did wild‐type astrocytes. Remarkably, STI1 inhibited proliferation of both wild‐type and PrPC‐null astrocytes in a protein kinase C‐dependent manner. Taken together, our data show that PrPC and STI1 are essential to astrocyte development and act through distinct signaling pathways. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A systematic review of the prevalence and covariates of dementia or relative cognitive impairment in the older African‐Caribbean population in Britain
Authors: Adelman Simon , Blanchard Martin , Livingston Gill
Published: February 2009

Objectives

To collate evidence regarding the prevalence and predictors of dementia or relative cognitive impairment in older, African‐Caribbean people in Britain, as compared to their white, British peers.

Design

We conducted a systematic literature review by searching electronic databases, contacting experts in the field and searching the references of identified papers for studies fulfilling our predefined inclusion criteria. They were divided into those measuring the prevalence or incidence of dementia or cognitive impairment, and those investigating risk factors. Each study selected for inclusion, was evaluated by two of the three authors using a standardised checklist and assigned a numerical score for quality.

Results

Eleven papers fulfilled the selection criteria. Two cross‐sectional surveys had calculated prevalence of dementia in a sample of British African‐Caribbean people. A further prevalence study had estimated dementia prevalence in a mixed sample of African and African‐Caribbean participants. All the comparative studies found an excess of dementia in African‐Caribbean people when compared to the indigenous, white population but in one study, this was not statistically significant. Seven studies investigated potential predictive factors for cognitive impairment or cognitive decline. One study investigated the association between hypertension, dementia and country of birth.

Conclusions

The published research in this area is limited. The available studies consistently indicate an excess of dementia in older African‐Caribbean people when compared to the indigenous white population. However, the magnitude of this difference and the associated risk factors are not clear, and warrant further investigation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When all hypotheses are right: A multifocal account of dyslexia
Authors: Pernet Cyril , Andersson Jesper , Paulesu Eraldo , Demonet Jean Francois
Published: February 2009

Many hypotheses have been proposed about the brain underpinnings of developmental dyslexia, but none of them accommodates the variable deficits observed. To address the issue of anatomical deficits in dyslexia; total and partial volumes, lateralization indices (LI), and local gray matter volumes (LGMV) were measured. Analyses were performed in large samples of control and dyslexic subjects, and in correlation with their performance on phonological, reading, and spelling tests. Results indicate an absence of net differences in terms of volumes but significant continuities and discontinuities between groups in their correlations between LI, LGMV, and performances. Structural connectivity also highlighted correlations between areas showing (dis)continuities between control and dyslexic subjects. Overall, our data put forward the idea of a multifocal brain abnormalities in dyslexia with a major implication of the left superior temporal gyrus, occipital‐temporal cortices, and lateral/medial cerebellum, which could account for the diverse deficits predicted by the different theories. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A method to fuse fMRI tasks through spatial correlations: Applied to schizophrenia
Authors: Michael Andrew M. , Baum Stefi A. , Fries Jill F. , Ho Beng‐Choon , Pierson Ronald K. , Andreasen Nancy C. , Calhoun Vince D.
Published: February 2009

Single task analysis methods of functional MRI brain data, though useful, are not able to evaluate the joint information between tasks. Data fusion of multiple tasks that probe different cognitive processes provides knowledge of the joint information and may be important in order to better understand complex disorders such as schizophrenia. In this article, we introduce a simple but effective technique to fuse two tasks by computing the histogram of correlations for all possible combinations of whole brain voxels. The approach was applied to data derived from healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia from four different tasks, auditory oddball (target), auditory oddball (novel), Sternberg working memory, and sensorimotor. It was found that in four out of six task combinations patients' intertask correlations were more positively correlated than controls', in one combination the controls showed more positive correlations and in another there was no significant difference. The robustness of this result was checked with several testing techniques. The four task combinations for which patients had more positive correlation occurred at different scanning sessions and the task combination that showed the opposite result occurred within the same scanning session. Brain regions that showed high intertask correlations were found for both groups and regions that correlated differently between the two groups were identified. The approach introduced finds interesting results and new differential features that cannot be achieved through traditional methods. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pheromone signal transduction in humans: What can be learned from olfactory loss
Authors: Savic Ivanka , Hedén‐Blomqvist Ebba , Berglund Hans
Published: February 2009

Because humans seem to lack neuronal elements in the vomeronasal organ (VNO), many scientists believe that humans are unable to detect pheromones. This view is challenged by the observations that pheromone‐like compounds, 4,16‐androstadien‐3‐one (AND) and oestra‐1,3,5(10),16‐tetraen‐3‐ol (EST), activate the human hypothalamus. Whether these activations are mediated via VNO, venous blood or olfactory mucosa is presently unknown. To disentangle between the three alternatives, we conducted activation studies in 12 heterosexual males with chronic anosmia because of nasal polyps. Polyposis hampers signal transduction via the olfactory mucosa without interfering with the VNO or the pheromone transport via venous blood. Twelve healthy men served as controls. Subjects were investigated with 15OH2O PET during smelling of odorless air (base line), AND, EST, vanillin, and acetone. Smelling of EST activated the anterior hypothalamus in controls, but not anosmics. Neither did the anosmics display cerebral activations with AND or vanillin. Clusters were detected only with the trigeminal odorant acetone, and only in the thalamus, brainstem, the anterior cingulate, and parts of the sensorimotor cortex. Direct comparisons with controls (controls–anosmics) showed clusters in the olfactory cortex (amygdala and piriform cortex) with AND, vanillin, and acetone, and in the anterior hypothalamus with EST. The observed absence of olfactory and presence of trigeminal activations in anosmics indicates that polyposis primarily affected signal processing via the olfactory mucosa. The anosmics inability to activate the hypothalamus with EST, therefore, suggests that in healthy men EST signals were primarily transmitted via the olfactory system. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Handedness, motor skills and maturation of the corticospinal tract in the adolescent brain
Authors: Hervé Pierre‐Yves , Leonard Gabriel , Perron Michel , Pike Bruce , Pitiot Alain , Richer Louis , Veillette Suzanne , Pausova Zdenka , Paus Tomáš
Published: February 2009

With anatomical magnetic resonance imaging, the signal intensity of the corticospinal tract (CST) at the level of the internal capsule is often paradoxically similar to that of grey matter. As shown previously in histological studies, this is likely due to the presence of very large axons. We measured the apparent grey‐matter density (aGMd) of the putative CST (pCST) in a large cohort of adolescents (n = 409, aged 12–18 years). We tested the following hypotheses: (1) The aGMd in the pCST shows a hemispheric asymmetry that is, in turn, related to hand preference; (2) the maturation of the CST during adolescence differs between both sexes, due to the influence of testosterone; (3) variations in aGMd in the pCST reflect inter‐individual differences in manual skills. We confirmed the first two predictions. Thus, we found a strong left > right hemispheric asymmetry in aGMd that was, on average, less marked in the 40 left‐handed subjects. Apparent GMd in the pCST increased with age in adolescent males but not females, and this was particularly related to rising plasma levels of testosterone in male adolescents. This finding is compatible with the idea that testosterone influences axonal calibre rather than myelination. The third prediction, namely that of a relationship between age‐related changes in manual skills and maturation of the pCST, was not confirmed. We conclude that the leftward asymmetry of the pCST may reflect an early established asymmetry in the number of large corticomotoneuronal fibres in the pCST. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Salivary acetaldehyde increase due to alcohol‐containing mouthwash use: A risk factor for oral cancer
Authors: Lachenmeier Dirk W. , Gumbel‐Mako Szidönia , Sohnius Eva‐Maria , Keck‐Wilhelm Andrea , Kratz Evamaria , Mildau Gerd
Published: February 2009

Increasing evidence suggests that acetaldehyde, the first and genotoxic metabolite of ethanol, mediates the carcinogenicity of alcoholic beverages. Ethanol is also contained in a number of ready‐to‐use mouthwashes typically between 5 and 27% vol. An increased risk of oral cancer has been discussed for users of such mouthwashes; however, epidemiological evidence had remained inconclusive. This study is the first to investigate acetaldehyde levels in saliva after use of alcohol‐containing mouthwashes. Ready‐to‐use mouthwashes and mouthrinses (n = 13) were rinsed in the mouth by healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (n = 4) as intended by the manufacturers (20 ml for 30 sec). Saliva was collected at 0.5, 2, 5 and 10 min after mouthwash use and analyzed using headspace gas chromatography. The acetaldehyde content in the saliva was 41 ± 15 μM, range 9–85 μM (0.5 min), 52 ± 14 μM, range 11–105 μM (2 min), 32 ± 7 μM, range 9–67 μM (5 min) and 15 ± 7 μM, range 0–37 μM (10 min). The contents were significantly above endogenous levels and corresponding to concentrations normally found after alcoholic beverage consumption. A twice‐daily use of alcohol‐containing mouthwashes leads to a systemic acetaldehyde exposure of 0.26 μg/kg bodyweight/day on average, which corresponds to a lifetime cancer risk of 3E−6. The margin of exposure was calculated to be 217,604, which would be seen as a low public health concern. However, the local acetaldehyde contents in the saliva are reaching concentrations associated with DNA adduct formation and sister chromatid exchange in vitro, so that concerns for local carcinogenic effects in the oral cavity remain. © 2009 UICC
CXC‐chemokine/CXCR2 biological axis promotes angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Matsuo Yoichi , Raimondo Massimo , Woodward Timothy A. , Wallace Michael B. , Gill Kanwar R. , Tong Zhimin , Burdick Marie D. , Yang Zhijian , Strieter Robert M. , Hoffman Robert M. , Guha Sushovan
Published: February 2009

Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. Although ELR+‐CXC‐chemokines and their corresponding receptor, CXC‐receptor 2 (CXCR2), are known mediators of angiogenesis, little is known about their role in pancreatic cancer (PaCa). The aim of our study was to determine the role of ELR+‐CXC‐chemokine/CXCR2 biological axis in promoting PaCa angiogenesis. We prospectively collected secretin‐stimulated exocrine pancreatic secretions (SSEPS) from normal individuals (NP) and PaCa patients. We showed that summed concentrations of ELR+‐CXC‐chemokines in SSEPS from PaCa patients were significantly higher than in those from NP (p = 0.002). We measured ELR+‐CXC‐chemokine levels in supernatants from multiple PaCa cell lines and confirmed that BxPC‐3, Colo‐357 and Panc‐28 had significantly higher expression compared with an immortalized human pancreatic ductal epithelial (HPDE) cell line. After confirming lack of autocrine effects of ELR+‐CXC‐chemokines on PaCa cells (due to absence of CXCR2 expression), we investigated paracrine effects of these chemokines on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Both recombinant ELR+‐CXC‐chemokines and co‐culturing with BxPC‐3 significantly enhanced proliferation, invasion, and tube formation of HUVEC (p < 0.05). These biological effects were significantly inhibited by treatment with a neutralizing antibody against CXCR2 (anti‐CXCR2 Ab) (p < 0.05). Finally, anti‐CXCR2 Ab significantly reduced tumor volume (p < 0.05), Ki‐67 proliferation index (p = 0.043) and Factor VIII+ microvessel density (p = 0.004) in an orthotopic nude mouse PaCa model. Our results show that ELR+‐CXC‐chemokines promote PaCa tumor‐associated angiogenesis through CXCR2, suggesting that CXCR2 is an anti‐angiogenic target in PaCa. © 2009 UICC
Changes in DNA methylation of tandem DNA repeats are different from interspersed repeats in cancer
Authors: Choi Si Ho , Worswick Scott , Byun Hyang‐Min , Shear Talia , Soussa John C. , Wolff Erika M. , Douer Dan , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Liang Gangning , Yang Allen S.
Published: February 2009

Hypomethylation of DNA repetitive elements is a common finding in cancer, but very little is known about the DNA methylation changes of different types of DNA repetitive elements, such as interspersed repeats (LINE1 and Alu Yb8) and tandem repeats (Sat‐α, NBL‐2 and D4Z4). We used bisulfite‐PCR Pyrosequencing to quantitatively measure the DNA methylation of five different DNA repetitive elements in normal tissue and cancer. In all we studied 10 different tissues from four individuals undergoing autopsy, 34 paired normal and tumor tissues from patients with bladder cancer, 58 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia and 23 patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia. We found that the DNA methylation of interspersed repeats (LINE1 and Alu Yb8) was very consistent from person to person and tissue to tissue while tandem DNA repeats appeared more variable in normal tissues. In bladder cancer we found clear hypomethylation of LINE1, Alu Yb8, Sat‐α and NBL‐2. Conversely, we found an increase in the DNA methylation levels of D4Z4 from normal to cancer. In contrast leukemia showed no significant changes in the DNA methylation of LINE1 and Alu Yb8, but DNA methylation increases in NBL‐2 and D4Z4 tandem repeats. Our findings show that the changes in DNA methylation levels of individual DNA repetitive elements are unique for each repetitive element, which may reflect distinct epigenetic factors and may have important implications in the use of DNA methylation of repetitive elements as global DNA methylation biomarkers. © 2009 UICC.
Lifetime and baseline alcohol intake and risk of cancer of the upper aero‐digestive tract in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study
Authors: Weikert Cornelia , Dietrich Thomas , Boeing Heiner , Bergmann Manuela M. , Boutron‐Ruault Marie Christine , Clavel‐Chapelon Francoise , Allen Naomi , Key Tim , Lund Eiliv , Olsen Anja , Tjønneland Anne , Overvad Kim , Rohrmann Sabine , Linseisen Jakob , Pischon Tobias , Trichopoulou Antonia , Weinehall Lars , Johansson Ingegerd , Sánchez Maria‐José , Agudo Antonio , Barricarte Aurelio , Amiano Pilar , Chirlaque Maria‐Dolores , Quirós J. Ramón , Wirfalt Elisabet , Peeters Petra H. , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H. Bas , Vrieling Alina , Pala Valeria , Palli Domenico , Vineis Paolo , Tumino Rosario , Panico Salvatore , Bingham Sheila , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Norat Teresa , Jenab Mazda , Ferrari Pietro , Slimani Nadia , Riboli Elio
Published: February 2009

Recent alcohol consumption is an established risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the upper aero‐digestive tract. In contrast, the role of lifetime exposure to alcohol with regard to risk of SCC is not well established. Historical data on alcohol use are available in 271,253 participants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). During 2,330,381 person years, 392 incident SCC cases (279 men and 113 women) were identified. Cox regression was applied to model sex‐specific associations between lifetime alcohol intake and SCC risk adjusting for potential confounders including smoking. Compared to men who drank 0.1–6.0 g/day alcohol at lifetime, the relative risks (RR) for developing SCC were significantly increased for men who drank 30.1–60.0 g/day (RR 1.65, 95% confidence interval:1.00–2.71), 60.1–96.0 g/day (RR 2.20, 95%CI 1.23–3.95), and >96.0 g/day, (RR 4.63, 95% CI 2.52–8.48), and for former drinkers (RR 4.14, 95%CI 2.38–7.19). These risk estimates did not considerably change when baseline alcohol intake was analyzed. Compared to women who drank 0.1–6.0 g/day alcohol intake at lifetime, the RR were significantly increased for women who drank >30 g/d (RR 6.05, 95%CI 2.98–12.3). Applying similar categories, the relative risk for baseline alcohol intake was 3.26 (95%CI 1.82–5.87). We observed a stronger association between alcohol intake at lifetime and risk of SCC in women compared to men (p for interaction = 0.045). The strong dose‐response relation for lifetime alcohol use underscores that alcohol is an important risk factor of SCC of the upper aero‐digestive tract throughout life. © 2009 UICC
In vitro reactivity to implant metals demonstrates a person‐dependent association with both T‐cell and B‐cell activation
Authors: Hallab Nadim James , Caicedo Marco , Epstein Rachel , McAllister Kyron , Jacobs Joshua J.
Published: February 2009

Hypersensitivity to metallic implants remains relatively unpredictable and poorly understood. We initially hypothesized that metal‐induced lymphocyte proliferation responses to soluble metal challenge (ions) are mediated exclusively by early T‐cell activation (not B‐cells), typical of a delayed‐type‐hypersensitivity response. We tested this by comparing proliferation (6 days) of primary lymphocytes with early T‐cell and B‐cell activation (48 h) in three groups of subjects likely to demonstrate elevated metal reactivity: group 1 (n = 12) history of metal sensitivity with no implant; group 2a (n = 6) well performing metal‐on‐metal THRs, and group 2b (n = 20) subjects with poorly performing metal‐on‐polymer total joint arthroplasties (TJA). Group 1 showed 100% (12/12) metal reactivity (stimulation index > 2) to Ni. Groups 2a and 2b were 83% (5/6) and 75% (15/22) metal reactive (to Co, Cr, or Ni), respectively. Of the n = 32 metal‐reactive subjects to Co, Cr, or Ni (SI > 2), n = 22/32 demonstrated >2‐fold elevations in % of T‐cell or B‐cell activation (CD25+, CD69+) to metal challenge when compared with untreated control. 18/22 metal‐activated subjects demonstrated an exclusively T‐cell or B‐cell activation response to metal challenge, where 6/18 demonstrated exclusively B‐cell activation and 12/18 demonstrated a T‐cell only response, as measured by surface activation markers CD25+ and CD69+. However, there was no direct correlation (R2 < 0.1) between lymphocyte proliferation and % T‐cell or B‐cell activation (CD25+:CD69+). Proliferation assays (LTT) showed greater ability to detect metal reactivity than did subject‐dependent results of flow‐cytometry analysis of T‐cell or B‐cell activation. The high incidence of lymphocyte reactivity and activation indicate that more complex than initially hypothesized immune responses may contribute to the etiology of debris‐induced osteolysis in metal‐sensitive individuals. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
On the amicability of orthogonal designs
Authors: Holzmann W. H. , Kharaghani H.
Published: February 2009

Although it is known that the maximum number of variables in two amicable orthogonal designs of order 2np, where p is an odd integer, never exceeds 2n+2, not much is known about the existence of amicable orthogonal designs lacking zero entries that have 2n+2 variables in total. In this paper we develop two methods to construct amicable orthogonal designs of order 2np where p odd, with no zero entries and with the total number of variables equal or nearly equal to 2n+2. In doing so, we make a surprising connection between the two concepts of amicable sets of matrices and an amicable pair of matrices. With the recent discovery of a link between the theory of amicable orthogonal designs and space‐time codes, this paper may have applications in space‐time codes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 17: 240‐252, 2009
Cyclotomic constructions of external difference families and disjoint difference families
Authors: Huang B. , Wu D.
Published: February 2009

External difference families (EDFs) are a type of new combinatorial designs originated from cryptography. Some results had been obtained by Chang and Ding, the connection between EDFs and disjoint difference families (DDFs) was also established. In this paper, further cyclotomic constructions of EDFs and DDFs are presented, and several classes of EDFs and DDFs are obtained. Answers to problems 1 and 4 by Chang and Ding are also given. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 17: 333–341, 2009
Epigenetic control
Authors: Delcuve Geneviève P. , Rastegar Mojgan , Davie James R.
Published: February 2009

Epigenetics refers to mitotically and/or meiotically heritable variations in gene expression that are not caused by changes in DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms regulate all biological processes from conception to death, including genome reprogramming during early embryogenesis and gametogenesis, cell differentiation and maintenance of a committed lineage. Key epigenetic players are DNA methylation and histone post‐translational modifications, which interplay with each other, with regulatory proteins and with non‐coding RNAs, to remodel chromatin into domains such as euchromatin, constitutive or facultative heterochromatin and to achieve nuclear compartmentalization. Besides epigenetic mechanisms such as imprinting, chromosome X inactivation or mitotic bookmarking which establish heritable states, other rapid and transient mechanisms, such as histone H3 phosphorylation, allow cells to respond and adapt to environmental stimuli. However, these epigenetic marks can also have long‐term effects, for example in learning and memory formation or in cancer. Erroneous epigenetic marks are responsible for a whole gamut of diseases including diseases evident at birth or infancy or diseases becoming symptomatic later in life. Moreover, although epigenetic marks are deposited early in development, adaptations occurring through life can lead to diseases and cancer. With epigenetic marks being reversible, research has started to focus on epigenetic therapy which has had encouraging success. As we witness an explosion of knowledge in the field of epigenetics, we are forced to revisit our dogma. For example, recent studies challenge the idea that DNA methylation is irreversible. Further, research on Rett syndrome has revealed an unforeseen role for methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 (MeCP2) in neurons. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 243–250, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
News and views from the 8th annual meeting of the Italian Society of Virology
Authors: Sartori Elena , Salata Cristiano , Calistri Arianna , Palù Giorgio , Parolin Cristina
Published: February 2009

The 8th annual meeting of the Italian Society of Virology (SIV) took place in Orvieto, Italy from the 21st to the 23rd of September 2008. The meeting covered different areas of Virology and the scientific sessions focused on: general virology and viral genetics; viral oncology, virus–host interaction and pathogenesis; emerging viruses and zoonotic, foodborne and environmental pathways of transmission; viral immunology and vaccines; viral biotechnologies and gene therapy; medical virology and antiviral therapy. The meeting had an attendance of about 160 virologists from all Italy. In this edition, a satellite workshop on “Viral biotechnologies” was organized in order to promote the role of virologists in the biotechnological research and teaching fields. A summary of the plenary lectures and oral selected presentations is reported. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 797–799, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell cycle and developmental control of hematopoiesis by Runx1
Authors: Friedman Alan D.
Published: February 2009

Runx1 binds DNA in cooperation with CBFβ to activate or repress transcription, dependent upon cellular context and interaction with a variety of co‐activators and co‐repressors. Runx1 is required for emergence of adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) during embryonic development and for lymphoid, myeloid, and megakaryocyte lineage maturation from HSC in adult marrow. Runx1 levels vary during the cell cycle, and Runx1 regulates G1 to S cell cycle progression. Both Cdk and ERK phosphorylate Runx1 to influence its interaction with co‐repressors, and the Wnt effector LEF‐1/TCF also modulates Runx1 activities. These links likely allow cytokines and signals from adjacent cells to influence HSC proliferation versus quiescence and the rate of progenitor expansion, in response to developmental or environmental demands. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 520–524, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) regulates growth and invasion of endometrial cancer cells
Authors: Haughian James M. , Bradford Andrew P.
Published: February 2009

The etiology of endometrial cancers remains poorly understood, particularly with respect to signal transduction pathways underlying the development and progression of the more aggressive, type II steroid‐independent tumors. Protein kinase C alpha (PKCα) regulates cellular processes critical to malignancy and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancers. The objective of these studies was to determine the functional role of PKCα in endometrial cancer cell proliferation, anchorage‐independent growth, and invasion. PKCα expression in endometrial cancer cell lines was examined by Western blotting. PKCα levels were increased in type II HEC‐50, HEC‐1‐A and HEC‐1‐B cell lines relative to the type I Ishikawa and RL‐95‐2 lines. Retroviral constructs were used to either overexpress PKCα or selectively knockdown levels by shRNA in Ishikawa and HEC 50 cells, respectively. Knockdown of PKCα expression in HEC‐50 cells resulted in a diminished growth rate and attenuation of anchorage‐independent growth. Correspondingly, Ishikawa cells overexpressing PKCα protein exhibited increased proliferation, resistance to growth factor deprivation and enhanced anchorage‐independent growth. Consistent with the observed changes in cell proliferation, PKCα also modulated cyclin D1 promoter activity in both cell lines. A reduction in PKCα levels rendered HEC‐50 cells significantly less invasive, whereas PKCα overexpression enhanced invasion of Ishikawa cells. These data indicate that PKCα promotes growth and invasion of endometrial cancer cells, suggesting that PKCα dependent signaling pathways could provide novel prognostic indicators or therapeutic targets, particularly in clinically aggressive type II endometrial tumors. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 112–118, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dewatering of microalgal culture for biodiesel production: exploring polymer flocculation and tangential flow filtration
Authors: Danquah Michael K. , Ang Li , Uduman Nyomi , Moheimani Navid , Forde Gareth M.
Published: February 2009

BACKGROUND: Conventional biodiesel production relies on trans‐esterification of lipids extracted from vegetable crops. However, the use of valuable vegetable food stocks as raw material for biodiesel production makes it an unfeasibly expensive process. Used cooking oil is a finite resource and requires extra downstream processing, which affects the amount of biodiesel that can be produced and the economics of the process. Lipids extracted from microalgae are considered an alternative raw material for biodiesel production. This is primarily due to the fast growth rate of these species in a simple aquaculture environment. However, the dilute nature of microalgae culture puts a huge economic burden on the dewatering process especially on an industrial scale. This current study explores the performance and economic viability of chemical flocculation and tangential flow filtration (TFF) for the dewatering of Tetraselmis suecica microalgae culture.

RESULT: Results show that TFF concentrates the microalgae feedstock up to 148 times by consuming 2.06 kWh m−3 of energy while flocculation consumes 14.81 kWh m−3 to concentrate the microalgae up to 357 times. Economic evaluation demonstrates that even though TFF has higher initial capital investment than polymer flocculation, the payback period for TFF at the upper extreme of microalgae revenue is ∼1.5 years while that of flocculation is ∼3 years.

CONCLUSION: These results illustrate that improved dewatering levels can be achieved more economically by employing TFF. The performances of these two techniques are also compared with other dewatering techniques. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Validation of two dual fluorescence techniques for confocal microscopic visualization of resin penetration into enamel caries lesions
Authors: Paris Sebastian , Bitter Kerstin , Renz Herbert , Hopfenmuller Werner , Meyer‐Lueckel Hendrik
Published: February 2009

Fluorescence confocal microscopy is a useful tool to analyze the infiltration of enamel caries lesions with low‐viscosity resins (infiltrants) in vitro. The conventionally used staining technique, which comprises dye labeling of the resin, has been shown to be limited by chromatographic separation of the resin‐dye‐mixture during penetration. The aim of this study was to develop an improved dual staining technique and to compare validity and reproducibility of both methods. Human molars with proximal white spots were cut across the demineralizations. After varnishing the cut surfaces, paired lesion halves were infiltrated with an infiltrant using either one of two different staining techniques. For the conventional direct technique (A) the infiltrant was labeled with rhodamine isothiocyanate (RITC) prior to application. Using the new indirect technique (B) lesions were stained with RITC solution and subsequently infiltrated with pure infiltrant. After light curing, unbound dye was bleached by immersion in hydrogen peroxide. Remaining lesion pores were stained with sodium fluorescein solution. Penetration depths (PD) and lesion depths (LD) were evaluated by five examiners using confocal microscopy and compared with the results of scanning electron microscopic (SEM; PD) and microradiographic (TMR; LD) analysis. The indirect technique showed better correlation (intraclass coefficients) with SEM (0.990) and TMR (0.982) compared with the direct technique (SEM: 0.513; TMR: 0.702). Inter‐ and intrarater reliability was higher for technique B compared with technique A. The new indirect technique yields to more valid and reliable results to visualize infiltrant penetration into natural enamel caries lesions compared with the conventional method. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Does the ability to metabolically downregulate alter the hypoxia tolerance of fishes?: a comparative study using cunner (T. adspersus) and Greenland cod (G. ogac)
Authors: Corkum Chris P. , Gamperl A. Kurt
Published: February 2009

In this study, the metabolic response and tolerance of cunner (a temperate wrasse species capable of metabolic depression) to graded hypoxia (water O2 saturation 100–10%) was measured at two temperatures (∼1 and 8°C), and compared with that of the Greenland cod (Gadus ogac). Cunner had significantly lower oxygen consumption (MO2) values at both 1 (21.2±2.4 mg O2 kg−0.83 hr−1) and 8°C (31.6±1.5 mg O2 kg−0.83 hr−1) as compared with the Greenland cod (64.0±4.3 and 92.5±6.3 mg O2 kg−0.83 hr−1, respectively) when measured under normoxia. In addition, this species was considerably more hypoxia tolerant than Greenland cod, as evidenced by an ability to tolerate lower water O2 saturations and their significantly lower critical oxygen saturation (Scrit) values (16.9 and 21.4% vs. 40.4 and 54.8% water O2 saturation at 1 and 8°C, respectively). Surprisingly, the normoxic Q10 value for cunner MO2 (1.77) was not indicative of a hypometabolic state at 1°C (based on previous experiments on this species). However, 1°C cunner immediately decreased their MO2 to a new steady state (44% below normoxic levels) when water O2 saturation was lowered, and this resulted in a Q10 of ∼4.5 at oxygen levels between 80 and 20% saturation. This study provides the first data to suggest that fish capable of metabolic depression have an enhanced hypoxia tolerance, and that the cunner's hypometabolic state at cold temperatures is plastic and dependent on other environmental parameters. J. Exp. Zool. 311A:231–239, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
2‐Thioxo‐1,3‐thiazepan‐4‐ones, a novel class of cyclic dithiourethanes with a 7‐membered ring system
Authors: Hanefeld Wolfgang , Schütz Harald
Published: February 2009

Reaction of isothiocyanates 1 with γ‐thiobutyrolactone (2) in alkaline medium yielded 4‐thiocarbamoylthiobutyric acids 3 after acidification, which could be cyclized to the 2‐thioxo‐1,3‐thiazepan‐4‐ones 6. Additional reactions were observed with the formation of 6t from p‐phenylenediisothiocyanate (1s) and with the formation of 6w from benzyl isothiocyanate (1t). 3‐Acetylamino‐γ‐thiobutyrolactone (7) could also be used in this reaction yielding the butyric acid derivatives 3u‐3w. Cyclization yielded the 1,3‐thiazepane derivatives 6x, y which rearranged under ring contraction to the 1,3‐thiazinanes 8a, b.
A new scaffold for dipeptide β‐turn mimetics: Expeditious synthesis of an unsaturated 6,5‐fused bicyclic lactam
Authors: Millet Régis , Houssin Raymond , Hénichart Jean‐Pierre , Rigo Benoît
Published: February 2009

Reported here is an easy and short synthesis of 6‐acetamido‐5‐oxo‐1,2,3,5,6,7‐hexahydro‐3‐indolizine‐carboxylic acid, originating from β‐enaminoesters derived from pyroglutamic acid. This key compound has been used as a scaffold in the synthesis of dipeptido mimetics.
Understanding leadership for cross‐cultural knowledge management
Authors: Nguyen Nhu T. B. , Umemoto Katsuhiro
Published: February 2009

This article examines the role of leadership in cross‐cultural knowledge management (CCKM) because both knowledge management and cross‐cultural management are now regarded as popular topics in both academic and practical research in the age of globalization. We discuss the existing literature on the relationship between leadership and cross‐cultural management as well as the relationship between leadership and knowledge management to illustrate the importance of leadership in each field. The concept of cross‐cultural knowledge management—an ambiguous term—will be presented from Nguyen, Umemoto, and Medeni's (2007) work, establishing an expanded role of cross‐cultural management, which could be viewed as a subset of knowledge management. To emphasize the impact of leadership on CCKM, we discuss the influence of leadership on each factor in the theoretical model of CCKM. Our understanding of the role of leadership in CCKM suggests that international leaders should pay careful attention to managing fragmentation, integration, and differentiation when they want to create and manage the cross‐cultural knowledge of their employees.
A historical perspective on nonverbal communication in debates: Implications for elections and leadership
Authors: Gentry William A. , Duke Marshall P.
Published: February 2009

Nonverbal communication has been a focus in both the realms of politics and leadership. Since 1960 commentaries about political debates have led to the conclusion that inept nonverbal communication may have been a telling sign as to who lost the eventual election. This article will give a brief recount of the nonverbal ineptitude associated with several televised debates throughout history, a short research note about how nonverbal communication in a debate may predict the loser of an election, and a set of recommendations that may help leaders. In essence, as nonverbal communication may not necessarily help candidates in a debate and subsequent election, but rather hurt them, the same can be said for leaders in general: nonverbal communication may not necessarily help leaders become their very best, but it can definitely hurt them and their effectiveness as leaders.
Dose sparing strategy with intradermal influenza vaccination in patients with solid cancer
Authors: Jo Yu Mi , Song Joon Young , Hwang In Sook , Lee Jacob , Oh Sang Cheul , Kim Jun Suk , Kim Sung Ran , Kim Woo Joo , Cheong Hee Jin
Published: February 2009

Influenza vaccine is considered to reduce influenza‐related morbidity and mortality in patients with underlying chronic medical conditions. Because of fear of vaccine shortage during an influenza pandemic, several antigen sparing strategies have been investigated. The immunogenicity of intradermal influenza vaccination with one half the antigenic contents was compared to that of conventional intramuscular vaccination in patients with solid cancer, and adverse events were assessed after vaccination. There was no significant difference between the injection routes in the hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) response and increase in the titer of A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B 4–6 weeks after the vaccination; seroconversion factors increased by more than 2.5‐fold. Seroresponse rates were more than 40% and seroprotection rates were above 70% against all three influenza strains irrespective of the vaccination routes. No serious events were observed, and local skin reactions were more frequent in the intradermal injection recipients than in the intramuscular recipients (32.7% vs. 9.1%). This study shows that intradermal injection of one half the dose of a commercial influenza vaccine elicits immune responses comparable to those elicited by a full dose of intramuscular vaccine among cancer patients, and it can be tolerated without serious adverse reactions. J. Med. Virol. 81:722–727, 2009 © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular detection and genotyping of human papillomavirus in cervical carcinoma biopsies in an area of high incidence of cancer from Moroccan women
Authors: khair M. Meftah el , Mzibri M. El , Mhand R. Ait , Benider A. , Benchekroun N. , fahime E.M. El , Benchekroun M.N. , Ennaji M.M.
Published: February 2009

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in developing countries, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked etiologically to cervical cancer. Eighty nine cervical carcinoma biopsies collected from women visiting the Oncologic Center in Casablanca (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ibn Rochd, Morocco) for cervical cancer symptoms, were screened for HPV DNA by polymerase chain reaction amplification with subsequent typing by hybridization with specific oligonucleotides for HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, and 59. Using very high stringency hybridization the HPV types could be easily distinguished. After preliminary clinical sorting, 92% (82/89) of the samples were found to be HPV‐positive. Among the samples infected by a single HPV, type 16 was the most frequent 36.6% (30/82) of the positive samples, followed by HPV 18; 19.5% (16/82). Double or even multiple infections by the different HPV types were also detected (35.5% of the positive samples); dual infections were the more frequent, with the following combinations of HPVs: HPV16/HPV18 (21% of the positives samples) and HPV16/HPV45 (8.5%). J. Med. Virol. 81:678–684, 2009 © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Full‐length sequence of genotype 3 hepatitis E virus derived from a pig in Thailand
Authors: Siripanyaphinyo Uamporn , Laohasinnarong Dusit , Siripanee Juthamas , Kaeoket Kampon , Kameoka Masanori , Ikuta Kazuyoshi , Sawanpanyalert Pathom
Published: February 2009

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in pigs was investigated in two principal swine farming areas in Thailand. Anti‐HEV antibodies and HEV RNA in sera were examined in 258 pigs reared on five commercial farms from age 1 to 6.5 months and sows. Overall, 167 of 258 (64.7%) pigs were positive for anti‐HEV IgG, while 20 of 258 (7.75%) had detectable HEV RNA. Sequence analysis of 20 HEV isolates obtained from viremic pigs revealed that they were 92.3–100% identical to each other and had 82.2–88.2% nucleotide similarity to other reported genotype 3 isolates in 415 nucleotide sequences within ORF2 region. Further characterization by sequencing the complete genome of the Thai swine HEV isolate (named Thai‐swHEV07) and phylogenetic analysis showed that Thai‐swHEV07 segregated into a cluster consisting of swine isolates from Japan, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan within the HEV genotype 3. The Thai‐swHEV07 had a genomic length of 7,229 nt excluding the polyadenylated region at 3′ terminus of the genome. Comparison of Thai‐swHEV07 and 27 reported strains of genotype 3 revealed 80.4–85.9% nucleotide identity, with the highest identity of 85.9% to the novel swHEV strain from Mongolia. These findings suggest that genotype 3 HEV isolates are markedly heterogeneous. J. Med. Virol. 81:657–664, 2009 © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cervical infections by multiple human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes: Prevalence and impact on the risk of precancerous epithelial lesions
Authors: Bello Barbara Dal , Spinillo Arsenio , Alberizzi Paola , Cesari Stefania , Gardella Barbara , D'Ambrosio Gioacchino , Roccio Marianna , Silini Enrico Maria
Published: February 2009

A large proportion of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections is sustained by multiple genotypes. The effect of multiple infections on the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and the potential efficacy of vaccine on these infections are controversial. We performed viral typing by SFP10‐LIPA on a consecutive series of 1,323 women undergoing colposcopy, 69% of whom had cervical biopsy, and correlated CIN severity with the type and number of HPVs. Overall prevalence of HPV‐DNA was 68.9%, 97.3% in CIN1, and 98.1% in CIN≥2. HPV positivity correlated with younger age (35.9 vs. 37.3 years, P = 0.026) and history of CIN (P < 0.001). Multiple types were detected in 44.2% of cases, including 63.1% CIN1 and 80.8% CIN≥2. Twenty‐three different types were detected, HPV‐16, 31 and 52 being the most frequent. Infections by HPV‐6, 11, 16, or 18 occurred in 59.4% of CIN1 and 71.3% of CIN≥2. Number of viral types and class of oncogenic risk were linearly correlated with CIN severity (P < 0.0001) by univariate and multivariate analyses controlling for age and history of CIN. The effect of the number of HPV types was maintained after exclusion from the model of infections by HPV‐6, 11, 16, and 18. Frequency, distribution, and clinical correlates of multiple HPV infections highlight the importance of assessing individual types in the management and the prediction of outcome of women with abnormal baseline cytology and point to potential limitations in current vaccine strategies. J. Med. Virol. 81:703–712, 2009 © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.