bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidence and prevalence of adult systemic lupus erythematosus in a large US managed-care population
Authors: Furst DE , Clarke AE , Fernandes AW , Bancroft T , Greth W , Iorga SR
Published: October 2012

Objective

The objective of this paper is to determine the incidence and prevalence of adult systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a large US managed-care population.

Methods

Subject inclusion in the incidence cohort required a medical claim with an SLE diagnosis and a service date from 2003 to 2008 that satisfied the following criteria: 1) ≥18 years on service date; 2) continuously enrolled for 24 months before and 12 months after service date; 3) in the 12 months after service date, ≥ one inpatient claim or ≥ two office or ER visits with an SLE diagnosis; 4) no SLE diagnosis 24 months prior to service date; and 5) no SLE medications 12 months prior to service date. Prevalence cohort subjects were identified using a similar algorithm and were not required to satisfy criteria 4) and 5).

Results

A total of 1,557 subjects were included in the incidence cohort, and 15,396 were included in the prevalence cohort. The overall age- and gender-adjusted SLE incidence rate (2003–2008) was 7.22 cases per 100,000 person-years. The annual prevalence of SLE (per 100,000 individuals) varied from 81.07 in 2003 to 102.94 in 2008.

Conclusion

The SLE incidence in this large managed-care plan with geographic diversity was slightly higher than previous estimates, and the prevalence was within the range of previous estimates.
The Effect of Gender and Ethnicity on the Sexual Behaviors of Adolescents
Authors: R-Almendarez Ruby , Wilson Angie D.
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the sexual behaviors of African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic adolescent males and females. The data utilized for this study were collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) using the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). African American adolescents and males reported higher levels of sexual activity than Caucasian and Hispanic youth and females. At the conclusion of this study, a comparison was made between the results of the 2007 and the 2009 YRBSS.
Lung Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Weyker Paul D. , Webb Christopher A. J. , Kiamanesh David , Flynn Brigid C.
Published: October 2012

Lung ischemia reperfusion injury (LIRI) is a pathologic process occurring when oxygen supply to the lung has been compromised followed by a period of reperfusion. The disruption of oxygen supply can occur either via limited blood flow or decreased ventilation termed anoxic ischemia and ventilated ischemia, respectively. When reperfusion occurs, blood flow and oxygen are reintroduced to the ischemic lung parenchyma, facilitating a toxic environment through the creation of reactive oxygen species, activation of the immune and coagulation systems, endothelial dysfunction, and apoptotic cell death. This review will focus on the mechanisms of LIRI, the current supportive treatments used, and the many therapies currently under research for prevention and treatment of LIRI.
The Use of Archival Proxies in Strategic Management Studies
Authors: Ketchen David J. , Ireland R. Duane , Baker LaKami T.
Published: October 2012

Archival proxies have long played a central role within strategic management research, but the degree to which archival proxies are construct valid measures of theoretical constructs remains a source of concern. In some cases, there does not appear to be a close association between an archival proxy and the construct that the proxy is meant to capture. In this brief commentary, we discuss the use of three prominent archival proxies (research and development intensity, patent counts, and patent citations) within recent articles in three leading journals. Each of these measures has been used to represent a wide variety of constructs, which creates challenges when interpreting findings. We then offer three suggestions for improving the use of archival proxies. Implementation of these suggestions would enhance knowledge development within the strategic management field.
The association between high recreational physical activity and physical activity as a part of daily living in adolescents and availability of local indoor sports facilities and sports clubs
Authors: Niclasen Birgit , Petzold Max , Schnohr Christina W.
Published: October 2012

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine how vigorous physical activity (recreational physical activity) (VPA) and moderate to vigorous physical activity as a part of daily life (MVPA) is associated with structural characteristics (availability of sports facilities and sports clubs with child members) in Greenlandic adolescents. Material and methods: Data from the 2006 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey including 2,430 children aged 11–17 years was used. Logistic regression models were developed with dichotomous measures on VPA and MVPA as outcomes, number of indoor sports facilities and of sports clubs with child members as independent variables, and adjusted for age, gender, family affluence (FAS), and type of habitation (capital, town or village). Results: High VPA increased with access to indoor facilities, while high MVPA was less likely (odds ratio (OR) 0.54 (0.42-0.70)) if indoor sports facilities were present, both unadjusted and adjusted. Access to a local sports club increased OR for high VPA both unadjusted and adjusted to about 2.3 for five or more clubs, while access to sports clubs was not associated with unadjusted MVPA, negatively associated if adjusted for age, gender and FAS but positively associated if also adjusted for indoor sports facilities. Conclusions: Access to indoor sports facilities itself had a positive association with high VPA, but was persistently negatively associated with high MVPA. Presence of sports clubs with child members was positively associated with high VPA while the association with high MVPA was more complex. The findings have implications for public health planning.
Job insecurity and sickness absence: Correlations between attrition and absence in 36 occupational groups
Authors: Blekesaune Morten
Published: October 2012

Aims: To investigate how job insecurity, as indicated by attrition rates out of employment, affects sickness absence among remaining workers. Methods: A longitudinal analysis investigated how the percentage of workers absent due to sickness was affected by attrition out of employment in Norwegian Labour Force Surveys from 1997 to 2005, between 31 quarterly observations at the level of 36 occupational groups. Results: Rising attrition is associated with more sickness absence. Conclusions: Previous research has argued that job insecurity can lead to more absence because of a stressor effect as well as to less absence because of a disciplinary effect. This research indicates that the stressor effect is stronger than the disciplinary effect.
Are there educational differences in the association between self-rated health and mortality in Norway? The HUNT Study
Authors: Dalen Joakim D. , Huijts Tim , Krokstad Steinar , Eikemo Terje A.
Published: October 2012

Aims: The aim of this study was to test whether the association between self-rated health and mortality differs between educational groups in Norway, and to examine whether health problems and health-related behaviour can explain any of these differences within a previously unexplored contextual setting. Methods: The study used data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study 84-86 (HUNT) with a 20-year follow up. The analyses were performed for respondents between 25–101 years at baseline ( n = 56,788). The association between self-rated health and mortality was tested using Cox regression. Results: The results indicate that although self-rated health is associated with mortality there is no difference in the association between self-rated health and mortality between educational groups. Introducing health-related variables did not have an impact on the result. Conclusions: Given the small educational differences in the association between self-rated health and mortality, this supports the reliability of self-reported health as a measurement for objective health.
Parenting stress and emotional wellbeing in mothers and fathers of preschool children
Authors: Skreden Marianne , Skari Hans , Malt Ulrik F. , Pripp Are H. , Björk Merethe D. , Faugli Anne , Emblem Ragnhild
Published: October 2012

Aims: The aims of the study were to compare parenting stress and emotional wellbeing in mothers and fathers of preschool children, to look for predictors of different aspects of parenting stress in mothers and fathers, and to discriminate parenting stress from psychological distress and anxiety. Methods: We studied 256 mothers and 204 fathers of children aged 1–7 years. The Swedish Parenthood Stress Questionnaire (SPSQ) assesses stress related to parenting. Emotional wellbeing was defined by the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the State Anxiety Inventory (STAI-X1) that measures psychological distress and anxiety, respectively. Results: Fathers reported significantly more social isolation than mothers ( P < 0.001). On all other parameters mothers, had higher scores, representing more stress and less wellbeing than fathers. Anxiety and psychological stress were strong predictors of parental stress in both mothers and fathers. Furthermore, maternal parental stress was predicted by birth of subsequent children and younger child age. Higher educational attainment predicted increased role restriction in fathers and more health problems in mothers. A principal component analysis (PCA) of the SPSQ, GHQ-28, and STAI-X1 showed that all endpoints of the analysis are positively correlated. Conclusions: Fathers reported significantly more social isolation, but less role restriction, incompetence and state anxiety than mothers. The SPSQ together with GHQ-28 and STAI-X1 allow a targeted screening aimed at contrasting parents who experience reduced emotional wellbeing with those who struggle with stress directly related to their parenting role.
Low-grade inflammation and depressive symptoms as predictors of abdominal obesity
Authors: Valtonen Maarit K. , Laaksonen David E. , Laukkanen Jari A. , Tolmunen Tommi , Viinamäki Heimo , Lakka Hanna-Maaria , Lakka Timo A. , Niskanen Leo , Kauhanen Jussi
Published: October 2012

Aim: Abundant evidence suggests that depression is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Systemic low-grade inflammation and evolving abdominal obesity are hypothesised to be underlying mechanisms explaining the relationship. To test this hypothesis we examined the association of depressive symptoms and inflammation in developing abdominal obesity. Methods: The subjects were 726 non-diabetic men, 42–60 of age at baseline, participating in the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study. The follow-up data was collected 11 years after the baseline. Low-grade inflammation was defined as serum C-reactive protein ≥2 mg/l and depressive symptoms were assessed by the Human Population Laboratory Depression Scale. Incident abdominal obesity was defined as waist girth >102 cm. Results: Men with low-grade inflammation and depressive symptoms were more likely (OR 4.28, 95% CI 1.93–12.01) to develop abdominal obesity during the 11-year follow-up than in men not having either of these conditions, adjusting for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, prevalent cardiovascular disease, physical activity and socioeconomic status. These men were also more likely (OR 3.94, 95% CI 1.38–11.26) to develop metabolic syndrome. Conclusions: The presence of systemic low-grade inflammation together with depressive symptoms seems to detect men at a particularly high risk of developing abdominal obesity over a long period of time.
Evaluation of Portable Household and In-Car Air Cleaners for Air Cleaning Potential and Ozone-Initiated Pollutants
Authors: Ongwandee Maneerat , Kruewan Artiya
Published: October 2012

Portable air cleaners are designed to remove airborne pollutants, but some types of air cleaners can emit or induce pollutants. This research was aimed at evaluating the performance of portable air cleaners in terms of a clean air delivery rate ( CADR) for removal of fine particles and to measure ozone emission. The study was extended to investigate ozone-initiated pollutants from the use of an in-car ion generator in the presence of synthetic and natural air fresheners. The tested air cleaners included four household brands and two in-car brands. The experiments were conducted in an 8 m3 chamber. The CADRs and ozone emission rates of the tested air cleaners were determined by fitting time-dependent concentrations to mass balance models using a least-squares method. The CADRs for the household air cleaners using the HEPA and electrostatic precipitator ranged from 14 to 62 m3 h−1, while the ozone generator and the in-car ion generators were found to have negligible CADRs. The ozone generator, ion generators, and electrostatic precipitator emitted ozone at the rates of 55.7, 1.94, and 0.92 mg h−1, respectively. The use of the lemon-scented air fresheners in the presence of the in-car ion generator resulted in the substantial increases of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, and PM2.5, while screw pine leaves and camphor did not increase the pollutants.
Effect of Temperature on Aerosol Formation Potential for a Terpene-Rich Air Freshener in the Presence of Ozone
Authors: Vu Thai Phuong , Lee Seung-Bok , Bae Gwi-Nam
Published: October 2012

The temperature dependence of secondary organic aerosol (SOAs) formation resulting from reactions of ozone with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from a terpene-rich air freshener was investigated in a temperature-controlled chamber. To assess the contribution of the air freshener to SOAs related to indoor air pollution, a new concept of aerosol formation potential (AFP) is proposed to replace the traditional SOA yield (Y). The AFP is defined as aerosol mass formed per unit ozone reacted. The AFP of the air freshener is simple to use for ozone-initiated SOA formation, because only the amount of reacted ozone is used, instead of the reacted amount of a large number of VOCs. The AFP of the air freshener was higher at lower temperature. The AFP at 10℃ was 1.3, 2.3, and 3.4 times higher than those at 20, 31, and 36℃, respectively. The AFP is more dependent on temperature than on injected ozone concentration under the experimental conditions of this study. The AFP approach provides a simple tool that can be applied to examine SOAs formation potential from reactions of ozone with VOCs emitted from household consumer products.
ACE I/D and eNOS E298D gene polymorphisms in Saudi subjects with hypertension
Authors: Ali Ahmad , Alghasham Abdullah , Ismail Hisham , Dowaidar Moataz , Settin Ahmad
Published: October 2012

Background:

Hypertension has a multifactorial background based on genetic and environmental interactive factors.

Objectives:

We aimed to test for the association of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms with hypertension.

Subjects and methods:

Participants included 120 Saudi patients with hypertension and 250 normal healthy controls. For all participants, DNA was processed for characterization of ACE I/D and eNOS E298D gene polymorphisms.

Results:

Hypertensive cases showed a significantly higher frequency of the ACE mutant D allele carriage (98.3% vs. 92.4%, p = 0.028, OR = 4.8). Cases with hypertension associated with diabetes and obesity showed 100% mutant D allele carriage. Regarding the eNOS E298D polymorphism, the frequency of the mutant D allele carriage was only observed to be higher among cases with hypertension associated with diabetes and obesity, in comparison with controls, yet not reaching statistical significance (41.2% vs. 34%, p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

There is increased frequency of ACE and eNOS mutant allele carriage among Saudi patients affected with hypertension, particularly if accompanied by obesity and diabetes.
Public Welfare Spending and Private Social Services in U.S. States
Authors: Lowry Robert C.
Published: October 2012

Social services in the United States are supplied by both the public and private sectors. Previous political science research has focused on public transfers or Medicaid; I study “Other Public Welfare” programs that include contracts and grants to private social services providers, focusing on the relationship between the two sectors. My results imply that an increase in either Other Public Welfare spending or private individual and family services employees leads to an increase in the other sector. I find weaker evidence of similar relationships involving private residential care or day care services, and private social services employment is generally independent of public spending on transfers and Medicaid. My results have implications for the full effects of changes in public welfare spending, including the effects on the private sector, as well as the effects of organized interests on public welfare spending.
Immigrant Social Policy in the American States: Race Politics and State TANF and Medicaid Eligibility Rules for Legal Permanent Residents
Authors: Filindra Alexandra
Published: October 2012

This article examines differences in the drivers of state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid immigrant eligibility policies, determined in the wake of the 1996 Welfare Reform. The findings show that differences in the incentive structures of the two programs may affect the way race politics influence each. Specifically, race is a strong negative correlate for TANF inclusion of immigrants as states with large African American populations were more likely to exclude legal permanent residents from the program. In the case of Medicaid, the size of the immigrant population is a strong positive correlate for inclusion. The effect of the size of the black population, although negative, is small and not significant. The study confirms extant research findings that ideological factors play an important role in the formation of both policies.
From Competition to Cooperation
Authors: Minkoff Scott L.
Published: October 2012

This paper explores the conditions under which local governments are likely to engage in formalized intergovernmental developmental cooperation. The author theorizes that policy competition, informational and divisional transaction costs, and resources condition the likelihood of institutional collective action. Data from a variety of sources—including a unique author-conducted survey of local officials in Colorado—are used to test hypotheses in a dyadic model of local cooperation. Results indicate that agreements are more likely in competitive policymaking environments and when jurisdictions have more informational resources.
Who Rebelled? An Analysis of the Motivations of the Republicans Who Voted Against Speaker Cannon
Authors: Miller Susan M. , Squire Peverill
Published: October 2012

One of the most important events in U.S. congressional history is the 1910 revolt against Speaker Cannon. The rebellion had myriad ramifications for the inner workings of the House of Representatives and dramatically altered the chamber’s power structure. Despite its significance, we do not have a clear understanding of the character of the revolt and why the 42 Republican insurgents revoked their allegiance to Cannon and their party. Did the insurgents rebel because of their strong progressive ideals or for more pragmatic reasons, such as political survival or retribution? Using data gathered from Cannon’s personal papers and other sources, we systematically explore disparate explanations credited for the revolt. For the progressive core of the insurgency, our analysis indicates that policy differences drove their behavior. These early insurgents were later joined by a group of less progressive members who appear to have supported the rebellion for electoral and retaliative reasons.
Sequential multiple methods as a contemporary method in learning disability nursing practice research
Authors: Mafuba Kay , Gates Bob
Published: October 2012

This paper explores and advocates the use of sequential multiple methods as a contemporary strategy for undertaking research. Sequential multiple methods involve the use of results obtained through one data collection method to determine the direction and implementation of subsequent stages of a research project (Morse, 1991; Morgan, 1998). This paper will also explore the significance of how triangulating research at the epistemological, theoretical and methodological levels could enhance research. Finally the paper evaluates the significance of sequential multiple method in learning disability nursing research practice.
Formatt: Correcting protein multiple structural alignments by incorporating sequence alignment
Authors: Daniels Noah M , Nadimpalli Shilpa , Cowen Lenore J
Published: October 2012

Background

The quality of multiple protein structure alignments are usually computed and assessed based on geometric functions of the coordinates of the backbone atoms from the protein chains. These purely geometric methods do not utilize directly protein sequence similarity, and in fact, determining the proper way to incorporate sequence similarity measures into the construction and assessment of protein multiple structure alignments has proved surprisingly difficult.

Results

We present Formatt, a multiple structure alignment based on the Matt purely geometric multiple structure alignment program, that also takes into account sequence similarity when constructing alignments. We show that Formatt outperforms Matt and other popular structure alignment programs on the popular HOMSTRAD benchmark. For the SABMark twilight zone benchmark set that captures more remote homology, Formatt and Matt outperform other programs; depending on choice of embedded sequence aligner, Formatt produces either better sequence and structural alignments with a smaller core size than Matt, or similarly sized alignments with better sequence similarity, for a small cost in average RMSD.

Conclusions

Considering sequence information as well as purely geometric information seems to improve quality of multiple structure alignments, though defining what constitutes the best alignment when sequence and structural measures would suggest different alignments remains a difficult open question.
Evidence for 5S rDNA Horizontal Transfer in the toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus (Schneider, 1801) based on the analysis of three multigene families
Authors: Merlo Manuel A , Cross Ismael , Palazón José L , Úbeda-Manzanaro María , Sarasquete Carmen , Rebordinos Laureana
Published: October 2012

Background

The Batrachoididae family is a group of marine teleosts that includes several species with more complicated physiological characteristics, such as their excretory, reproductive, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Previous studies of the 5S rDNA gene family carried out in four species from the Western Atlantic showed two types of this gene in two species but only one in the other two, under processes of concerted evolution and birth-and-death evolution with purifying selection. Here we present results of the 5S rDNA and another two gene families in Halobatrachus didactylus, an Eastern Atlantic species, and draw evolutionary inferences regarding the gene families. In addition we have also mapped the genes on the chromosomes by two-colour fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

Results

Two types of 5S rDNA were observed, named type α and type β. Molecular analysis of the 5S rDNA indicates that H. didactylus does not share the non-transcribed spacer (NTS) sequences with four other species of the family; therefore, it must have evolved in isolation. Amplification with the type β specific primers amplified a specific band in 9 specimens of H. didactylus and two of Sparus aurata. Both types showed regulatory regions and a secondary structure which mark them as functional genes. However, the U2 snRNA gene and the ITS-1 sequence showed one electrophoretic band and with one type of sequence. The U2 snRNA sequence was the most variable of the three multigene families studied. Results from two-colour FISH showed no co-localization of the gene coding from three multigene families and provided the first map of the chromosomes of the species.

Conclusions

A highly significant finding was observed in the analysis of the 5S rDNA, since two such distant species as H. didactylus and Sparus aurata share a 5S rDNA type. This 5S rDNA type has been detected in other species belonging to the Batrachoidiformes and Perciformes orders, but not in the Pleuronectiformes and Clupeiformes orders. Two hypotheses have been outlined: one is the possible vertical permanence of the shared type in some fish lineages, and the other is the possibility of a horizontal transference event between ancient species of the Perciformes and Batrachoidiformes orders. This finding opens a new perspective in fish evolution and in the knowledge of the dynamism of the 5S rDNA. Cytogenetic analysis allowed some evolutionary trends to be roughed out, such as the progressive change in the U2 snDNA and the organization of (GATA)n repeats, from dispersed to localized in one locus. The accumulation of (GATA)n repeats in one chromosome pair could be implicated in the evolution of a pair of proto-sex chromosomes. This possibility could situate H. didactylus as the most highly evolved of the Batrachoididae family in terms of sex chromosome biology.
Identification, characterization, and utilization of genome-wide simple sequence repeats to identify a QTL for acidity in apple
Authors: Zhang Qiong , Ma Baiquan , Li Hui , Chang Yuansheng , Han Yuanyuan , Li Jing , Wei Guochao , Zhao Shuang , Khan Muhammad Awais , Zhou Ying , Gu Chao , Zhang Xingzhong , Han Zhenhai , Korban Schuyler S , Li Shaohua , Han Yuepeng
Published: October 2012

Background

Apple is an economically important fruit crop worldwide. Developing a genetic linkage map is a critical step towards mapping and cloning of genes responsible for important horticultural traits in apple. To facilitate linkage map construction, we surveyed and characterized the distribution and frequency of perfect microsatellites in assembled contig sequences of the apple genome.

Results

A total of 28,538 SSRs have been identified in the apple genome, with an overall density of 40.8 SSRs per Mb. Di-nucleotide repeats are the most frequent microsatellites in the apple genome, accounting for 71.9% of all microsatellites. AT/TA repeats are the most frequent in genomic regions, accounting for 38.3% of all the G-SSRs, while AG/GA dimers prevail in transcribed sequences, and account for 59.4% of all EST-SSRs. A total set of 310 SSRs is selected to amplify eight apple genotypes. Of these, 245 (79.0%) are found to be polymorphic among cultivars and wild species tested. AG/GA motifs in genomic regions have detected more alleles and higher PIC values than AT/TA or AC/CA motifs. Moreover, AG/GA repeats are more variable than any other dimers in apple, and should be preferentially selected for studies, such as genetic diversity and linkage map construction. A total of 54 newly developed apple SSRs have been genetically mapped. Interestingly, clustering of markers with distorted segregation is observed on linkage groups 1, 2, 10, 15, and 16. A QTL responsible for malic acid content of apple fruits is detected on linkage group 8, and accounts for ~13.5% of the observed phenotypic variation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that di-nucleotide repeats are prevalent in the apple genome and that AT/TA and AG/GA repeats are the most frequent in genomic and transcribed sequences of apple, respectively. All SSR motifs identified in this study as well as those newly mapped SSRs will serve as valuable resources for pursuing apple genetic studies, aiding the apple breeding community in marker-assisted breeding, and for performing comparative genomic studies in Rosaceae.
A one-step cloning method for the construction of somatic cell gene targeting vectors: application to production of human knockout cell lines
Authors: Liu Yi , Li Shangze , Zhang Huihui , Wan Zurong , Zhang Xiaodong , Du Runlei
Published: October 2012

Background

Gene targeting is a powerful method that can be used for examining the functions of genes. Traditionally, the construction of knockout (KO) vectors requires an amplification step to obtain two homologous, large fragments of genomic DNA. Restriction enzymes that cut at unique recognitions sites and numerous cloning steps are then carried out; this is often a time-consuming and frustrating process.

Results

We have developed a one-step cloning method for the insertion of two arms into a KO vector using exonuclease III. We modified an adeno-associated virus KO shuttle vector (pTK-LoxP-NEO-AAV) to yield pAAV-LIC, which contained two cassettes at the two multiple-cloning sites. The vector was digested with EcoRV to give two fragments. The two homologous arms, which had an overlap of 16 bases with the ends of the vector fragments, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. After purification, the four fragments were mixed and treated with exonuclease III, then transformed into Escherichia coli to obtain the desired clones. Using this method, we constructed SirT1 and HDAC2 KO vectors, which were used to establish SirT1 KO cells from the colorectal cancer cell line (HCT116) and HDAC2 KO cells from the colorectal cancer cell line (DLD1).

Conclusions

Our method is a fast, simple, and efficient technique for cloning, and has great potential for high-throughput construction of KO vectors.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of selected Chinese medicinal plants and their relation with antioxidant content
Authors: Ravipati Anjaneya S , Zhang Lin , Koyyalamudi Sundar Rao , Jeong Sang Chul , Reddy Narsimha , Bartlett John , Smith Paul T , Shanmugam Kirubakaran , Münch Gerald , Wu Ming Jie , Satyanarayanan Manavalan , Vysetti Balaram
Published: October 2012

Background

The main aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of forty four traditional Chinese medicinal herbal extracts and to examine these activities in relation to their antioxidant content.

Methods

The antioxidant activities were investigated using DPPH radical scavenging method and yeast model. The anti-inflammatory properties of the herbal extracts were evaluated by measuring their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 macrophages activated by LPS and IFN- γ, respectively. The cytotoxic effects of the herbal extracts were determined by Alomar Blue assay by measuring cell viability. In order to understand the variation of antioxidant activities of herbal extracts with their antioxidant contents, the total phenolics, total flavonoids and trace metal (Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Se and Mo) quantities were estimated and a correlation analysis was carried out.

Results

Results of this study show that significant levels of phenolics, flavonoids and trace metal contents were found in Ligustrum lucidum, Paeonia suffuticosa, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Sanguisorba officinalis, Spatholobus suberectus, Tussilago farfara and Uncaria rhyncophylla, which correlated well with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Some of the plants displayed high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities but contained low levels of phenolics and flavonoids. Interestingly, these plants contained significant levels of trace metals (such as Zn, Mg and Se) which are likely to be responsible for their activities.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the phenolics, flavonoids and trace metals play an important role in the antioxidant activities of medicinal plants. Many of the plants studied here have been identified as potential sources of new antioxidant compounds.
Methanolic extracts of Withania somnifera leaves, fruits and roots possess antioxidant properties and antibacterial activities
Authors: Alam Nadia , Hossain Monzur , Mottalib Md Abdul , Sulaiman Siti Amrah , Gan Siew Hua , Khalil Md Ibrahim
Published: October 2012

Background

Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, is an important herb in ayurvedic and indigenous medical systems. The present study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of an 80% aqueous methanolic extract of W. somnifera roots (WSREt), fruits (WSFEt) and leaves (WSLEt).

Methods

Several assays were performed to determine the antioxidant properties of this herb including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), ferrous chelation and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching.

Results

The values for DPPH, FRAP, ferrous chelation and inhibition of β carotene bleaching for the three types of extracts ranged from 101.73-801.93 μg/ml, 2.26-3.29 mM Fe/kg, 0.22-0.65 mg/ml and 69.87-79.67%, respectively, indicating that W. somnifera, particularly the leaves, possesses significant antioxidant properties. The mean ascorbic acid content was 20.60-62.60 mg/100 g, and the mean anthocyanin content was 2.86-12.50 mg/100 g. Antibacterial activities were measured using the agar well diffusion method and five pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The leaf extracts displayed the highest activity against S. typhi (32.00 ± 0.75 mm zone of inhibition), whereas the lowest activity was against K. pneumoniae (19.00 ± 1.48 mm zone of inhibition). The lowest minimum inhibitory concentration value was 6.25 mg/ml, which was against S. typhi, followed by 12.5 mg/ml against E. coli.

Conclusion

In addition to its antioxidant properties, W. somnifer a exhibited significant antibacterial activities against Gram-negative bacteria, particularly S. typhi.
High expression of CXCR4, CXCR7 and SDF-1 predicts poor survival in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Linhui , Chen Wei , Gao Li , Yang Qing , Liu Bing , Wu Zhenjie , Wang Yang , Sun Yinghao
Published: October 2012

Background

Chemokines and their receptors are known to play important roles in the tumorigenesis of many malignancies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the expression of the chemokine SDF-1 and its receptors CXCR4 and CXCR7 in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Methods

The expression of CXCR4, CXCR7 and SDF-1 in specimens from 97 renal cell carcinoma patients was evaluated by immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray. These results were correlated with the clinicopathological parameters and survival of the patients.

Results

CXCR4 and CXCR7 were expressed in all patients, whereas SDF-1 was expressed in 61 patients (62.9%). No association was observed between the expression of CXCR4, CXCR7 or SDF-1 and the clinical or pathological data except between SDF-1 expression and Fuhrman’s grade (P = 0.015). Patients with high expression of CXCR4, CXCR7 and SDF-1 had shorter overall survival and recurrence-free survival than those with low expression. In a multivariate analysis, the high expression of CXCR4, CXCR7 and SDF-1 correlated with poor overall survival and recurrence-free survival independent of gender, age, AJCC stage, lymph node status, metastasis, histologic variant and Fuhrman’s grade.

Conclusions

High levels of CXCR4, CXCR7 and SDF-1 were associated with poor overall survival and recurrence-free survival in renal cell carcinoma patients. CXCR4, CXCR7 and SDF-1 may serve as useful prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for renal cell carcinoma.
Thermal conductivity in porous silicon nanowire arrays
Authors: Weisse Jeffrey M , Marconnet Amy M , Kim Dong Rip , Rao Pratap M , Panzer Matthew A , Goodson Kenneth E , Zheng Xiaolin
Published: October 2012

The nanoscale features in silicon nanowires (SiNWs) can suppress phonon propagation and strongly reduce their thermal conductivities compared to the bulk value. This work measures the thermal conductivity along the axial direction of SiNW arrays with varying nanowire diameters, doping concentrations, surface roughness, and internal porosities using nanosecond transient thermoreflectance. For SiNWs with diameters larger than the phonon mean free path, porosity substantially reduces the thermal conductivity, yielding thermal conductivities as low as 1 W/m/K in highly porous SiNWs. However, when the SiNW diameter is below the phonon mean free path, both the internal porosity and the diameter significantly contribute to phonon scattering and lead to reduced thermal conductivity of the SiNWs.
Pain in experimental autoimmune encephalitis: a comparative study between different mouse models
Authors: Lu Jianning , Kurejova Martina , Wirotanseng Laura N , Linker Ralf A , Kuner Rohini , Tappe-Theodor Anke
Published: October 2012

Background

Pain can be one of the most severe symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS) and develops with varying levels and time courses. MS-related pain is difficult to treat, since very little is known about the mechanisms underlying its development. Animal models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mimic many aspects of MS and are well-suited to study underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Yet, to date very little is known about the sensory abnormalities in different EAE models. We therefore aimed to thoroughly characterize pain behavior of the hindpaw in SJL and C57BL/6 mice immunized with PLP139-151 peptide or MOG35-55 peptide respectively. Moreover, we studied the activity of pain-related molecules and plasticity-related genes in the spinal cord and investigated functional changes in the peripheral nerves using electrophysiology.

Methods

We analyzed thermal and mechanical sensitivity of the hindpaw in both EAE models during the whole disease course. Qualitative and quantitative immunohistochemical analysis of pain-related molecules and plasticity-related genes was performed on spinal cord sections at different timepoints during the disease course. Moreover, we investigated functional changes in the peripheral nerves using electrophysiology.

Results

Mice in both EAE models developed thermal hyperalgesia during the chronic phase of the disease. However, whereas SJL mice developed marked mechanical allodynia over the chronic phase of the disease, C57BL/6 mice developed only minor mechanical allodynia over the onset and peak phase of the disease. Interestingly, the magnitude of glial changes in the spinal cord was stronger in SJL mice than in C57BL/6 mice and their time course matched the temporal profile of mechanical hypersensitivity.

Conclusions

Diverse EAE models bearing genetic, clinical and histopathological heterogeneity, show different profiles of sensory and pathological changes and thereby enable studying the mechanistic basis and the diversity of changes in pain perception that are associated with distinct types of MS.
Survey of B-spline functions to approximate the solution of mathematical problems
Authors: Rashidinia Jalil , Sharifi Sh
Published: October 2012

Purpose

In the present paper, we describe a survey of B-spline techniques which have been used for numerical solutions of mathematical problems recently.

Methods

Here, we discussed the definition of B-splines of various degrees by two different approaches to generate the recurrence relation to drive the formulation of B-splines.

Results

Cubic B-spline applied on two test equations and absolute errors in interpolation are compared with cubic and quintic splines. Some remarks have been included.

Conclusions

Numerical results are tabulated in tables; these tables show that the results obtained by cubic B-spline are considerable and accurate with respect to the cubic spline and more or less similar to the quintic spline.
Correlation of C-reactive protein haplotypes with serum C-reactive protein level and response to anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in UK rheumatoid arthritis patients: results from the Biologics in Rheumatoid Arthritis Genetics and Genomics Study Syndicate cohort
Authors: Plant Darren , Ibrahim Ibrahim , Lunt Mark , Eyre Stephen , Flynn Edward , Hyrich Kimme L , Morgan Ann W , Wilson Anthony G , Isaacs John D ,   BRAGGGSS, Barton Anne
Published: October 2012

Introduction

In many European countries, restrictions exist around the prescription of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) treatments for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Eligibility and response to treatment is assessed by using the disease activity score 28 (DAS28) algorithm, which incorporates one of two inflammatory markers, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) or C-reactive protein (CRP). Although DAS28-CRP provides a more reliable measure of disease activity, functional variants exist within the CRP gene that affect basal CRP production.

Therefore, we aimed to determine the relation between functional genetic variants at the CRP gene locus and levels of serum CRP in RA patients, and whether these variants, alone or in combination, are correlated with DAS28-CRP and change in DAS28-CRP after anti-TNF treatment.

Methods

DNA samples from the Biologics in Rheumatoid Arthritis Genetics and Genomics Study Syndicate (BRAGGSS) were genotyped for rs1205, rs1800947, and rs3091244 by using either TaqMan or the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX system.

Estimated haplotypes were constructed for each sample by using the expectation maximization algorithm implemented in the haplo.stats package within the R statistical program.

CRP values were log transformed, and the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), haplotypes of SNPs and baseline CRP, baseline DAS28-CRP, and change in DAS28-CRP were evaluated by using linear regression in STATA v.10.

Results

Baseline CRP measurements were available for 599 samples with 442 also having data 6 months after treatment with an anti-TNF. For these 442 samples, the study had > 80% power to detect a clinically meaningful difference of 0.6 DAS28 Units for an allele frequency of 5%. Estimated haplotype frequencies corresponded with previous frequencies reported in the literature. Overall, no significant association was observed between any of the markers investigated and baseline CRP levels. Further, CRP haplotypes did not correlate with baseline CRP (P = 0.593), baseline DAS28-CRP (P = 0.540), or change in DAS28-CRP after treatment with an anti-TNF over a 6-month period (P = 0.302).

Conclusions

Although CRP genotype may influence baseline CRP levels, in patients with very active disease, no such association was found. This suggests that genetic variation at the CRP locus does not influence DAS28-CRP, which may continue to be used in determining eligibility for and response to anti-TNF treatment, without adjusting for CRP genotype.
Sequential phosphorylation of GRASP65 during mitotic Golgi disassembly
Authors: Tang Danming , Yuan Hebao , Vielemeyer Ole , Perez Franck , Wang Yanzhuang
Published: October 2012

GRASP65 phosphorylation during mitosis and dephosphorylation after mitosis are required for Golgi disassembly and reassembly during the cell cycle. At least eight phosphorylation sites on GRASP65 have been identified, but whether they are modified in a coordinated fashion during mitosis is so far unknown. In this study, we raised phospho-specific antibodies that recognize phosphorylated T220/T224, S277 and S376 residues of GRASP65, respectively. Biochemical analysis showed that cdc2 phosphorylates all three sites, while plk1 enhances the phosphorylation. Microscopic studies using these antibodies for double and triple labeling demonstrate sequential phosphorylation and dephosphorylation during the cell cycle. S277 and S376 are phosphorylated from late G2 phase through metaphase until telophase when the new Golgi is reassembled. T220/224 is not modified until prophase, but is highly modified from prometaphase to anaphase. In metaphase, phospho-T220/224 signal localizes on both Golgi haze and mitotic Golgi clusters that represent dispersed Golgi vesicles and Golgi remnants, respectively, while phospho-S277 and S376 labeling is more concentrated on mitotic Golgi clusters. Expression of a phosphorylation-resistant GRASP65 mutant T220A/T224A inhibited mitotic Golgi fragmentation to a much larger extent than the expression of the S277A and S376A mutants. In cytokinesis, T220/224 dephosphorylation occurs prior to that of S277, but after S376. This study provides evidence that GRASP65 is sequentially phosphorylated and dephosphorylated during mitosis at different sites to orchestrate Golgi disassembly and reassembly during cell division, with phosphorylation of the T220/224 site being most critical in the process.
The bacterial and cellular determinants controlling the recruitment of mTOR to the Salmonella-containing vacuole
Authors: Tattoli Ivan , Philpott Dana J. , Girardin Stephen E.
Published: October 2012

Bacterial invasion results in the rapid induction of an acute state of cytosolic amino acid (AA) starvation, provoked by host membrane damage. Bacteria-induced AA starvation, in turn, down-regulates mTOR signaling while triggering autophagy and the integrated stress response pathway dependent on GCN2, eIF2α and ATF3. In Salmonella-infected cells, we now demonstrate that the host AA starvation response program depended on the Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-1, the activity of which was required to damage the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) in the early stage of infection. At a later stage (3–4 hour post-infection), the progressive recruitment of mTOR to the surface of the SCV appeared to be independent of the activity of SPI-2 and of SCV positioning in the cell. Instead, mTOR localization to the SCV required the activity of host AA transporters SLC1A5, SLC3A2 and SLC7A5, resulting in bacterial escape from autophagy. These results expand our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the AA starvation response in Salmonella-infected cells.
Study of Liquid–Liquid Equilibria of Toluene + (Hexane, Heptane, or Cyclohexane) with 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Ethylsulfate at 308.15 K
Authors: Martínez-Reina Marlon , Amado-González Eliseo , Muñoz-Muñoz Yonny Mauricio
Published: October 2012

The extraction of toluene from hydrocarbons (hexane, heptane, and cyclohexane) was analyzed by liquid extraction with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate [EMim][EtSO4] ionic liquid, as a solvent. The experimental liquid + liquid equilibrium (LLE) data were determined at T = 308.15 K and atmospheric pressure. Selectivity and distribution coefficient, derived from the tie-lines, were used to determine the ability of [EMim][EtSO4] as solvent for the separation of toluene from its mixtures with alkanes and cycloalkane. The degree of consistency of the experimental LLE data was ascertained using the Othmer–Tobias equation. The experimental data for LLE of the ternary systems were correlated with the nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL) and universal quasi-chemical (UNIQUAC) thermodynamic models.