bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Have an Immunomodulatory Effect That Can Control Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Mice
Authors: Jang Moon Ju , Kim Hye-Sun , Lee Hye-Gyn , Kim Gi Jin , Jeon Hwang Gyun , Shin Hyun-Soo , Chang Sei-Kyung , Hur Gin-Hyung , Chong So Young , Oh Doyeun , Chung Hyung-Min
Published: December 2012

Background and Aims: Immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been applied to reduce the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Among the various sources of MSCs that have immunomodulatory effects in vitro, only placenta-derived MSCs (PD-MSCs) have not been evaluated in an in vivo model of GVHD. In this study, we investigated the immunomodulatory properties of PD-MSCs in vitro and evaluated their clinical potential for controlling GVHD in an animal model. Methods: A GVHD animal model was established by transplanting C57BL/6 donor bone marrow cells and spleen cells into lethally irradiated BALB/c recipient mice. To control GVHD, human PD-MSCs were transplanted into recipient mice (5 × 105 or 1 × 106 cells). Results: PD-MSCs suppressed mitogen-stimulated T cell proliferation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PD-MSCs inhibited cytokine secretion (interleukin-12, tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ) of activated T cells. In vivo, the survival rate in the PD-MSC group (transplanted with 1 × 106 cells) was higher than that in the control group and histological scores were low in the PD-MSC group. Conclusion: We present the first evidence that human PD-MSCs can efficiently control GVHD in an HSCT in vivo model.
Identification of Two Novel ERCC6 Mutations in Old Order Amish with Cockayne Syndrome
Authors: Xin B. , Wang H.
Published: December 2012

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by progressive multisystem degeneration and segmental premature aging. Mutations in the DNA repair gene ERCC6 are responsible for the majority of CS cases reported. In this study, we identified 4 patients presenting with CS from 2 Old Order Amish families. Sequence analysis of the ERCC6 gene revealed 2 novel mutations associated with the disorder in these patients. The patients from family 1 were homozygous for a splice-site mutation, c.2709 + 1G>T, in intron 14 of ERCC6, whereas the patients from family 2 were compound heterozygous for c.2709 + 1G>T and a short deletion in exon 5 (c.1293_1320del). Our findings provide evidence of allelic heterogeneity in Old Order Amish, which is extremely uncommon for a rare condition in an isolated founder population.
Treating Anemia in Older Adults With Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction With Epoetin Alfa
Authors: Maurer Mathew S. , Teruya Sergio , Chakraborty Bibhas , Helmke Stephen , Mancini Donna
Published: December 2012

Background—

Anemia is a common comorbidity in older adults with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction and is associated with worse outcomes. We hypothesized that treating anemia with subcutaneous epoetin alfa would be associated with reverse ventricular remodeling and improved exercise capacity and health status compared with placebo.

Methods and Results—

Prospective, randomized, single-blind, 24-week study with blinded end point assessment among anemic (average hemoglobin of 10.4±1 g/dL) older adult patients (n=56; 77±11 years; 68% women) with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction (ejection fraction=63±15%; B-type natriuretic peptide=431±366 pg/mL) was conducted. Treatment with epoetin alfa resulted in significant increases in hemoglobin (
P
<0.0001). Changes in end-diastolic volume (−6±14 versus −4±16 mL;
P
=0.67) at 6 months did not differ between epoetin alfa and placebo, but declines in stroke volume (−5±8 versus 2±10 mL;
P
=0.09) without significant changes in left ventricular mass were observed. Changes in 6-minute walk distance (16±11 versus 5±12 m;
P
=0.52) did not differ. Although quality of life improved by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire and the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire in both cohorts, there were no significant differences between groups.

Conclusions—

Administration of epoetin alfa to older adult patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction compared with placebo did not change left ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular mass nor did it improve submaximal exercise capacity or quality of life.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00286182.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-28 Deletion Exacerbates Cardiac Dysfunction and Rupture After Myocardial Infarction in Mice by Inhibiting M2 Macrophage Activation
Authors: Ma Yonggang , Halade Ganesh V. , Zhang Jianhua , Ramirez Trevi A. , Levin Daniel , Voorhees Andrew , Jin Yu-Fang , Han Hai-Chao , Manicone Anne M. , Lindsey Merry L.
Published: December 2012

Rationale:

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-28 regulates the inflammatory and extracellular matrix responses in cardiac aging, but the roles of MMP-28 after myocardial infarction (MI) have not been explored.

Objective:

To determine the impact of MMP-28 deletion on post-MI remodeling of the left ventricle (LV).

Methods and Results:

Adult C57BL/6J wild-type (n=76) and MMP null (MMP-28

−/−

, n=86) mice of both sexes were subjected to permanent coronary artery ligation to create MI. MMP-28 expression decreased post-MI, and its cell source shifted from myocytes to macrophages. MMP-28 deletion increased day 7 mortality because of increased cardiac rupture post-MI. MMP-28
−/−
mice exhibited larger LV volumes, worse LV dysfunction, a worse LV remodeling index, and increased lung edema. Plasma MMP-9 levels were unchanged in the MMP-28

−/−

mice but increased in wild-type mice at day 7 post-MI. The mRNA levels of inflammatory and extracellular matrix proteins were attenuated in the infarct regions of MMP-28
−/−
mice, indicating reduced inflammatory and extracellular matrix responses. M2 macrophage activation was impaired when MMP-28 was absent. MMP-28 deletion also led to decreased collagen deposition and fewer myofibroblasts. Collagen cross-linking was impaired as a result of decreased expression and activation of lysyl oxidase in the infarcts of MMP-28
−/−
mice. The LV tensile strength at day 3 post-MI, however, was similar between the 2 genotypes.

Conclusions:

MMP-28 deletion aggravated MI-induced LV dysfunction and rupture as a result of defective inflammatory response and scar formation by suppressing M2 macrophage activation.
Long-term Leisure-time Physical Activity and Serum Metabolome
Authors: Kujala Urho M. , Mäkinen Ville-Petteri , Heinonen Ilkka , Soininen Pasi , Kangas Antti J. , Leskinen Tuija H. , Rahkila Paavo , Würtz Peter , Kovanen Vuokko , Cheng Sulin , Sipilä Sarianna , Hirvensalo Mirja , Telama Risto , Tammelin Tuija , Savolainen Markku J. , Pouta Anneli , O’Reilly Paul F. , Mäntyselkä Pekka , Viikari Jorma , Kähönen Mika , Lehtimäki Terho , Elliott Paul , Vanhala Mauno J. , Raitakari Olli T. , Järvelin Marjo-Riitta , Kaprio Jaakko , Kainulainen Heikki , Ala-Korpela Mika
Published: December 2012

Background—

Long-term physical inactivity seems to cause many health problems. We studied whether persistent physical activity compared with inactivity has a global effect on serum metabolome toward reduced cardiometabolic disease risk.

Methods and Results—

Sixteen same-sex twin pairs (mean age, 60 years) were selected from a cohort of twin pairs on the basis of their >30-year discordance for physical activity. Persistently (≥5 years) active and inactive groups in 3 population-based cohorts (mean ages, 31–52 years) were also studied (1037 age- and sex-matched pairs). Serum metabolome was quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We used permutation analysis to estimate the significance of the multivariate effect combined across all metabolic measures; univariate effects were estimated by paired testing in twins and in matched pairs in the cohorts, and by meta-analysis over all substudies. Persistent physical activity was associated with the multivariate metabolic profile in the twins (
P
=0.003), and a similar pattern was observed in all 3 population cohorts with differing mean ages. Isoleucine, α1-acid glycoprotein, and glucose were lower in the physically active than in the inactive individuals (
P
<0.001 in meta-analysis); serum fatty acid composition was shifted toward a less saturated profile; and lipoprotein subclasses were shifted toward lower very-low-density lipoprotein (
P
<0.001) and higher large and very large high-density lipoprotein (
P
<0.001) particle concentrations. The findings persisted after adjustment for body mass index.

Conclusions—

The numerous differences found between persistently physically active and inactive individuals in the circulating metabolome together indicate better metabolic health in the physically active than in inactive individuals.
Aristotle on the Impossibility of Anaximander’s apeiron: On Generation and Corruption, 332a20-25
Authors: Wedin Michael
Published: December 2012

Abstract

In On Generation and Corruption, Aristotle rejects the very possibility of such a thing as Anaximander’s apeiron. Characterized as a kind of intermediate stuff, the apeiron turns out to consist of contraries and as such is impossible. Commentators have rightly noted this point and some have also indicated that Aristotle offers an argument of sorts for his negative estimate. However, the argument has received scant attention, and it is fair to say that it remains unclear exactly why Aristotle rejects Anaximander’s intermediate stuff. Indeed, it is unclear how Aristotle’s argument is supposed to run in the first place. This paper offers a reconstruction of Aristotle’s argument for the impossibility of the apeiron, and on this basis offers to explain Aristotle’s grounds for rejecting Anaximander’s intermediate stuff. This is especially called for in light of the fact that Aristotle himself thinks that there can be intermediate stuffs. Finally, some attention is given to the parallel between the apeiron and Aristotle’s prime matter.
Pythagorean Cosmogony and Vedic Cosmogony (RV 10.129). Analogies and Differences
Authors: Bernabé Alberto , Mendoza Julia
Published: December 2012

Abstract

Allusions to a cosmogony contained in a Vedic hymn (RV 10.129) present striking analogies to a cosmogony attributed to the Pythagoreans by Aristotle, Simplicius and Stobaeus. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the extent to which they are similar and to which their differences respond to different cultural premises.
The thermogenic and metabolic responses to photoperiod manipulations in Apodemus chevrieri
Authors: Zhu Wan-long , Zhang Lin , Wang Zheng-kun
Published: December 2012

Environmental cues play important roles in the regulation of an animal’s physiology and behavior. In the present study, we examined the effects of short photoperiod on body weight as well as on several physiological, hormonal, and biochemical measures indicative of thermogenic capacity to test our hypothesis that short photoperiod stimulates increases in thermogenesis without cold stress in Apodemus chevrieri. A. chevrieri were randomly assigned to either a long or short photoperiod for 4 weeks at constant temperature. The short photoperiod group of A. chevrieri showed increases in resting metabolic rate and nonshivering thermogenesis during the 4-week photoperiod acclimation. At the end, A. chevrieri at short photoperiod had lower body weights, higher levels of mitochondrial protein content and cytochrome C oxidase activity in liver and brown adipose tissues, and had higher levels of mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 contents in brown adipose tissues. No difference in serum leptin levels were found between short and long photoperiod groups, but serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass and body fat mass, and negatively correlated with energy intake and uncoupling protein-1 content in brown adipose tissues, respectively. All results suggest that the short photoperiod may induce an increased thermogenesis capacity in A. chevrieri and that leptin is potentially involved in the photoperiod induced body mass regulation and thermogenesis in A. chevrieri.
Numerical Analysis on the Contribution of Urbanization to Wind Stilling: An Example over the Greater Beijing Metropolitan Area
Authors: Hou Aizhong , Ni Guangheng , Yang Hanbo , Lei Zhidong
Published: December 2012

A decline of surface wind speed (wind stilling) has been observed in many regions of the world. The greater Beijing metropolitan area in China is taken as an example for analyzing the urbanization impact on wind stilling. This study set up five scenarios with different urbanization ratios and the same atmospheric forces and then simulated wind speed under each scenario using the next-generation Weather Research and Forecasting model. The results suggest that the correspondence between the regional average wind speed ratio of decrease Δu and the ratio of urbanized area δurban (%) fits the relation in summer and in winter. During the period 1961–2008, the ratio of urbanized area over the greater Beijing metropolitan area increased from 1.3% to 11.9%, which is speculated as the cause of a 0.4 m s−1 decline in regional average wind speed and the contributor to about 35% wind stilling.
Examination of Isentropic Circulation Response to a Doubling of Carbon Dioxide Using Statistical Transformed Eulerian Mean*
Authors: Wu Yutian , Pauluis Olivier
Published: December 2012

Responses of the atmospheric circulation to a doubling of CO2 are examined in a global climate model, focusing on the circulation on both dry and moist isentropes. The isentropic circulations are reconstructed using the statistical transformed Eulerian mean (STEM), which approximates the isentropic flow from the Eulerian-mean and second-order moments. This approach also makes it possible to decompose the changes in the circulation into changes in zonal mean and eddy statistics.

It is found that, as a consequence of CO2 doubling, the dry isentropic circulation weakens across all latitudes. The weaker circulation in the tropics is a result of the reduction in mean meridional circulation while the reduction in eddy sensible heat flux largely contributes to the slowdown of the circulation in the midlatitudes. The heat transport on dry isentropes, however, increases in the tropics because of the increase in dry effective stratification whereas it decreases in the extratropics following the reduction in eddy sensible heat transport. Distinct features are found on moist isentropes. In the tropics, the circulation weakens, but without much change in heat transport. The extratropical circulation shifts poleward with an intensification (weakening) on the poleward (equatorward) flank, primarily because of the change in eddy latent heat transport. The total heat transport in the midlatitudes also shows a poleward shift but is of smaller magnitude. The differences between the dry and moist circulations reveal that in a warming world the increase in midlatitude eddy moisture transport is associated with an increase in warm moist air exported from the subtropics into the midlatitude storm tracks.
Attribution of Projected Future Changes in Tropical Cyclone Passage Frequency over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Yokoi Satoru , Takayabu Yukari N. , Murakami Hiroyuki
Published: December 2012

This paper performs an attribution analysis of future changes in the frequency of tropical cyclone (TC) passages over the western North Pacific basin projected by seven general circulation models. The models project increases in the passage frequency over the tropical central North Pacific and decreases in regions to the west and northwest, including East Asian countries. The attribution analysis reveals that while changes of the basinwide TC count would decrease the frequency of passages throughout the basin, the gross horizontal contrast in the passage frequency changes is caused by a projected eastward shift of main TC development regions, probably caused by El Niño–like sea surface temperature changes. The change in the frequency of passages is also caused by changes of TC translation vectors and preferable tracks. In particular, the translation vector would rotate clockwise to point in a more easterly direction over oceanic regions south of Japan, decreasing the passage frequency over the Korean peninsula and western Japan while increasing it over eastern Japan. This change in translation direction may be caused by the southward shift of the subtropical jet axis and resultant intensification of westerly steering flows. The El Niño–like change and westerly steering flow change are consistent not only among the seven models but also among a number of other climate models, which suggests the reliability of these results from the viewpoint of intermodel agreement.
Competing principles of agency organization – the reorganization of a reform
Authors: Christensen Tom , Lægreid Per
Published: December 2012

This article analyses the changing principles of structural organization of the governmental agencies in the welfare administration in Norway. Through the use of instrumentally oriented organization theory and empirical data based in public documents and interviews, we analyse how welfare administration changes through the implementation process when organizational principles are rebalanced based on changing actor patterns, negotiations and path dependencies. The study illustrates that contradictions and complexities in organizational design are enduring features of public sector organizations.

Points for practitioners

Administrative reforms may change during the implementation process and are often multi-dimensional because interests and organizational principles are rebalanced when bureaucrats implement what politicians have decided. It seems to be difficult to find a stable balance between different principles of specialization, and specialization increases the need for coordination. Administrative reforms are not only about internal administration but are also a political process where political, administrative and professional logics clash and are balanced and rebalanced. Organizational structures are not only about efficiency but also tend to favour some processes, ideas, clients, users and actors over others.
Drug Use and HIV Risk Among Middle-Class Young People in Guatemala City
Authors: Fortin Isolda , Bertrand Jane T.
Published: December 2012

This qualitative study explored the relationship between drug use and risk for HIV transmission among middle-class young people in Guatemala City. It used the PEER methodology, whereby the interviewers were themselves drug users, and each recruited three friends as informants. The 21 peer interviewers recruited a total of 62 informants who participated in three interviews each. The informants viewed drug use favorably: as the social lubricant that facilitates interactions with friends and provides new, pleasurable experiences, free from the conventions of a conservative society. Drug use was limited almost exclusively to noninjection drugs: cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, lysergic acid diethylamide, and mushrooms. Informants feared pregnancy, detection of their drug use, overdosing, and becoming addicted but did not perceive any risk of HIV. With the recent escalation of drug trafficking in Guatemala, it is important to build the evidence base on drug use in this population and its potential implications for HIV transmission.
Is war declining – and why?
Authors: Gat Azar
Published: December 2012

The article reviews and assesses the recent literature that claims a sharp decrease in fighting and violent mortality rate since prehistory and during recent times. It also inquires into the causes of this decrease. The article supports the view, firmly established over the past 15 years and unrecognized by only one of the books reviewed, that the first massive decline in violent mortality occurred with the emergence of the state-Leviathan. Hobbes was right, and Rousseau was wrong, about the great violence of the human state of nature. The rise of the state-Leviathan greatly reduced in-group violent mortality by establishing internal peace. Less recognized, it also decreased out-group war fatalities. Although state wars appear large in absolute terms, large states actually meant lower mobilization rates and reduced exposure of the civilian population to war. A second major step in the decline in the frequency and fatality of war has occurred over the last two centuries, including in recent decades. However, the exact periodization of, and the reasons for, the decline are a matter of dispute among the authors reviewed. Further, the two World Wars constitute a sharp divergence from the trend, which must be accounted for. The article surveys possible factors behind the decrease, such as industrialization and rocketing economic growth, commercial interdependence, the liberal-democratic peace, social attitude change, nuclear deterrence, and UN peacekeeping forces. It argues that contrary to the claim of some of the authors reviewed, war has not become more lethal and destructive over the past two centuries, and thus this factor cannot be the cause of war's decline. Rather, it is peace that has become more profitable. At the same time, the specter of war continues to haunt the parts of the world less affected by many of the above developments, and the threat of unconventional terror is real and troubling.
Seminar Report: Strengthening of Public Sector Health System for Universal Access to Health Care (UAHC), Council for Social Development Seminar, New Delhi (July 16–17)
Authors: Joshi Poornima
Published: December 2012

The absence of a people-oriented approach in the planning process preceding the framing of the draft health chapter in the 12th Five Year Plan has triggered a widespread debate. In a country where poverty is linked with disease and the mounting cost of health care has pushed large sections of the population further into the abyss of penury, the unfortunate projection of a mere 1.58 per cent of GDP as public health expenditure is exacerbated by a skewed understanding of the basic idea of universal health care in the reports of the High Level Expert Group (HLEG) as well as the steering committee set up by the Planning Commission in the process of drafting of the health chapter in the 12th Plan. This seminar paper presents the various arguments against the proposed ‘managed care’ model of health care provision which necessitates dismantling of the public health system so that people are guided towards insurance.
No Long-term Feeding Toxicities on the Health Status in Rats Fed with Cloned Korean Native Beef Cattle (Hanwoo) Meat
Authors: Lee Nam-Jin , Yang Byoung-Chul , Im Gi-Sun , Lee Sung-Soo , Seong Hwan-Hoo , Park Jin-Ki , Chang Won-Kyong , Kang Jong-Koo , Hwang Seongsoo
Published: December 2012

This study was designed to undertake a risk assessment to identify the health status of rats fed with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-cloned Korean native beef cattle (Hanwoo) meat for 26 weeks. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, each consisting of 12 male (142.6 ± 5.23 g) and 12 female (113.7 ± 6.31 g) rats each. The animals were fed commercial pellets (control), pellets containing 5% (N-5) and 10% (N-10) of normal cattle meat, and diets containing 5% (C-5) and 10% (C-10) of cloned cattle meat. The mortality; clinical signs; body weight; food consumption; urinary, hematology, blood biochemistry, and histopathological analyses; and absolute and relative organ weights were analyzed and compared. During the 26-week test period, health status–related factors of the rats fed on cloned Hanwoo meat were found to have no test substance–related toxicities. The only difference was the increased uterus weight in female C-10 rats as compared to their counterparts counterparts ( p < .05). On the basis of these health status results, it can be postulated that no food consumption risks might arise from the long-term feeding of cloned cattle meat in rats.
Indigenous geographies II
Authors: Coombes Brad , Johnson Jay T. , Howitt Richard
Published: December 2012

Required to negotiate a transcultural present in which their rights and opportunities are circumscribed by the pleadings of multicultural others, Indigenous peoples have attracted attention for their approaches to alliance-building, responsible co-existence and self-determined care. In this second report on Indigenous geographies1, we associate those projects with the geographies of hope but, recognizing that a futuristic gaze on allegedly progressive cases can lapse into naivety, we call for further postcolonial critique of the influences on those cases. We distinguish retrospective and prospective applications of postcolonial theory, suggesting that while geographers initially disregarded the latter they now exaggerate that outlook in hopeful advocacy for Indigenous alternatives. Nonetheless, we conclude with examples of reconciliation and Indigenous service provision which attest to the social significance and aspirational character of Indigenous responses, both from the margins and in the focus of everyday politics.
Urban politics and the social practices of critique and justification
Authors: Fuller Crispian
Published: December 2012

Recent times have witnessed a growing belief in urban spaces as ‘assemblages’ produced through interwoven and spatially differentiated forces that converge at particular sites. There is also continuing interest in the nature of neoliberal tendencies and the rise of post-politics and democracy in urban governance. These accounts typically lack attention towards the comprehensive conceptualization of the heterogeneous logics and mechanics of relations and negotiations between actors. This paper seeks to advance these perspectives by exploring the potential contribution of French pragmatism thinking to how social life is produced through practical dialogue between actors through critique, argumentation and justification.
Multi-sensor information fusion for fault detection in aircraft gas turbine engines
Authors: Sarkar Soumik , Sarkar Soumalya , Mukherjee Kushal , Ray Asok , Srivastav Abhishek
Published: December 2012

The article addresses data-driven fault detection in commercial aircraft gas turbine engines in the framework of multi-sensor information fusion and symbolic dynamic filtering. The hierarchical decision and control structure, adopted in this article, involves construction of composite patterns, namely, atomic patterns extracted from single sensors, and relational patterns representing cross-dependence between a pair of sensors. While the underlying theories are presented along with necessary assumptions, the proposed method is validated on the NASA C-MAPSS simulation test bed of aircraft gas turbine engines; both single-fault and multiple-fault scenarios have been investigated. Since aircraft engines undergo natural degradation during the course of their normal operation, the issue of distinguishing between a fault and natural degradation is also addressed.
An overview of the more electrical aircraft
Authors: Wheeler Patrick W , Clare Jon C , Trentin Andrew , Bozhko Serhiy
Published: December 2012

This article introduces the more electric aircraft concept and investigate the potential benefits of the technology for manned aircraft. Typical aircraft electrical power systems and loads are described as well as the exciting, future challenges for the aerospace industry. The importance of power electronics as an enabling technology for this step change in aircraft design are considered and examples of typical system designs are discussed.
Design and comparison of autopilots of an air-to-surface antitank missile and its terminal guidance study
Authors: Ada Celâl , Kural Ayhan
Published: December 2012

The design of the autopilot is one of the most important algorithms of missiles. Performance of the autopilot and its robustness are significant matters to hit a target accurately. The autopilot should satisfy the desired performance under disturbances. In the scope of this study, three autopilots were offered for tracking pitch acceleration command using different control methods: three-loop classic control, pole-placement control and receding horizon predictive control. The aim of the autopilot designed by employing receding horizon predictive control is to minimize the flight control effort, and to make the close-loop system insensitive against modelling uncertainties and stochastic shattering factors. This study comes up with that the missile is able to move in desired performance under disturbances such as control surface misplacement, thrust misalignment, wind and aerodynamic uncertainties with more robustness, less control effort and minimum miss distance and terminal time using an alternative control method instead of classic and pole-placement control methods which are generally referred by the defence industry.
Post-agrogenic evolution of soils in ancient Greek land use areas in the Herakleian Peninsula, southwestern Crimea
Authors: Lisetskii FN , Stolba VF , Ergina EI , Rodionova ME , Terekhin EA
Published: December 2012

The paper examines the regularities of the post-agrogenic evolution of soils of differing age in the Herakleian Peninsula (southwestern Crimea, Ukraine), which developed under conditions of the sub-Mediterranean climate and have been cultivated since ancient times. Whether developed under steppe or sub-Mediterranean forest vegetation, the Crimean cinnamonic soils display different physico-chemical and geochemical characteristics after 1600 years under no cultivation. It is demonstrated that among 40 examined physico-chemical and geochemical soil characteristics, only ten are sufficiently informative to diagnose the post-agrogenic regime of a soil system. In the geographic and pedogenetic grouping of post-antique long-fallow soils, labile phosphorus content and the hue of soil colour prove to be of primary importance.
Forest soil paludification and mid-Holocene retreat of jack pine in easternmost North America: Evidence for a climatic shift from fire-prone to peat-prone conditions
Authors: Payette Serge , Garneau Michelle , Delwaide Ann , Schaffhauser Alice
Published: December 2012

Soil paludification is the main ecosystem process initiating the formation and development of most peatlands in the Northern Hemisphere. Sandy podzolic soils developed on coarse deposits are among a large variety of substrates overgrown by thick peat layers, particularly along the amphi-atlantic coasts of North America and Europe. Whether the podzolic soils beneath peat layers are remnants of former dry environments allowing the morphogenetic development of forest soils or the progressive outcome of natural succession towards full peatland growth is still debated. We have explored a part of this dual facet in documenting the interface between buried podzol profiles and basal peat. Two paludified sites located at the center and at the edge of an extensive plateau bog along the Gulf of St Lawrence were documented based on radiocarbon-dated tree and charcoal macrofossils. Paleosols beneath thick and relatively old (> 4000 cal. yr BP) peat were composed of slightly cemented, placic B horizons whereas those under thinner and younger (< 2500 cal. yr BP) peat were made of heavily cemented, ortstein B horizons. Forest soil paludification and peat growth at both sites commenced with the cessation of fire occurrence as evidenced by charcoal fragments in the paleosol matrix beneath Sphagnum peat layers devoid of charcoal fragments. Botanically identified charcoal fragments include several tree species, in particular jack pine ( Pinus banksiana) presently absent from this part of the continent. The retreat of the species likely occurred after 5500 cal. BP with the cessation of fire occurrence, an indication of a shift in maritime Québec from dry to wetter conditions initiating peat growth and peatland expansion. It is concluded that the genesis and development of podzols with different degrees of soil cementation (placic and ortstein horizons) preceded the inception and development of the plateau bog which have been facilitated by wetter climatic conditions inimical to fire activity. The progressive lateral growth of large ombrotrophic peatlands during the Holocene is also an additional, possible factor influencing the natural occurrence and spread of fire.
COMNISPA II: Update of a mid-European isotope climate record, 11 ka to present
Authors: Fohlmeister Jens , Vollweiler Nicole , Spötl Christoph , Mangini Augusto
Published: December 2012

We present an update (COMNISPA II) of a precisely dated, high-resolution speleothem δ18O record from the Austrian Alps. COMNISPA II consists of five stalagmites from Spannagel Cave, which have comparable δ18O values within periods of simultaneous growth and show similar δ18O variations on centennial to millennial timescales. This allows combining the five stalagmites to one composite record using a newly developed statistical approach. The COMNISPA II stack differs slightly from the previous version, but is better constrained because of additional stalagmites used for the reconstruction and a more objective method used for constructing the composite record. Furthermore, the record now covers the last 11 ka and shows variations in δ18O values by about 2‰. As previously shown, these variations compare well with other records in central Europe and the North Atlantic, and thus reflect a large-scale climate evolution.
HLA variants rs9271366 and rs9275328 are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility in Malays and Chinese
Authors: Chai HC , Phipps ME , Othman I , Tan LP , Chua KH
Published: December 2012

Background

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antigens and genes have long been reported associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility in many populations. With the advance in technologies such as genome-wide association studies, many newly discovered SLE-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported in recent years. These include HLA-DRB1/HLA-DQA1 rs9271366 and HLA-DQB1/HLA-DQA2 rs9275328. Our aim was to investigate these SNPs in a Malaysian SLE cohort.

Materials and methods

SNPs rs9271366 and rs9275328 were screened across 790 Malaysian citizens from three ethnic groups (360 patients and 430 healthy volunteers) by Taqman SNP genotyping assays. Allele and genotyping frequencies, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, Fisher’s exact test and odds ratio were calculated for each SNP and ethnic group. Linkage disequilibrium and interaction between the two SNPs were also evaluated.

Results

The minor allele G and its homozygous genotype GG of HLA-DRB1/HLA-DQA1 rs9271366 significantly increased the SLE susceptibility in Malaysian patients, including those of Malay and Chinese ethnicity (odds ratio (OR) > 1, p < 0.05). As for HLA-DQB1/HLA-DQA2 rs9275328, the minor allele T and the heterozygous genotype CT conferred protective effect to SLE in Malaysians, as well as in Malays and Chinese, by having OR < 1 and p value <0.05. Both SNPs did not show associations to SLE in Indians. D’ and r2 values for the two SNPs in LD analysis were 0.941 and 0.065, respectively, with haplotype GC and AT being significantly associated with SLE ( p < 5.0 × 10−4) after 10,000 permutations were performed. The MDR test clustered the genotype combinations of GG and CC, and AG and CC of rs9271366 and rs9275328, accordingly, as high-risk group, and the two SNPs interacted redundantly by removing 1.96% of the entropy.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that in addition to some classical HLA variants, rs9271366 and rs9275328 are additional polymorphisms worth considering in the Malaysian and possibly in a larger Asian SLE scenario.
Single nucleotide polymorphism of CD40 region and the risk of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Piotrowski P , Lianeri M , Wudarski M , Olesińska M , Jagodziński PP
Published: December 2012

There is one study on the association of the CD40 G > T (rs4810485) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) as a risk factor of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Therefore, we studied the prevalence of the CD40 G > T SNP in patients with SLE ( n = 261) and controls ( n = 545) in a Polish population. We did not find significant differences between the CD40 G > T genotype and allele frequency in patients with SLE and healthy individuals. However, the frequency of the CD40 TT and GT genotypes was statistically different between patients with arthritis and neurologic manifestations and patients without these symptoms (OR = 0.2009 (95% CI = 0.07547–0.5348, p = 0.0004, pcorr = 0.0068) and OR = 0.2876 (95% CI = 0.1371–0.6031, p = 0.0005, pcorr = 0.0085) respectively). Our observations indicate that the CD40 T variant might be negatively associated with some clinical disease manifestations in patients with SLE.
Validation of the Portuguese Simple Measure of Impact of Lupus Erythematosus in Youngsters (SMILEY) in Brazil
Authors: Moorthy LN , Saad‐Magalhães C , Sato J Oliveira , Len CA , Vasco M Brandão , Appenzeller S , Marini R , Oliveira SK Feitosa de , Rodrigues M , Sztajnbok F , Almeida R Gasparello de , Jesus A Almeida de , Campos LM , Silva CA , Peterson MGE , Hassett AL , Weiss E , Verma S , Dahodwala MQ , Lehman TJA
Published: December 2012

Background and Objective

Simple Measure of the Impact of Lupus Erythematosus in Youngsters (SMILEY) is a health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment tool for pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which has been translated into Portuguese for Brazil. We are reporting preliminary data on cross‐cultural validation and reliability of SMILEY in Portuguese (Brazil).

Methods

In this multi‐center cross‐sectional study, Brazilian children and adolescents 5–18 years of age with SLE and parents participated. Children and parents completed child and parent reports of Portuguese SMILEY and Portuguese Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) Generic and Rheumatology modules. Parents also completed the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ). Physicians completed the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), Physician’s Global Assessment of disease activity (PGA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus International Collaborating Clinics ACR Damage Index (SDI).

Results

99 subjects (84 girls) were enrolled; 93 children and 97 parents filled out the SMILEY scale. Subjects found SMILEY relevant and easy to understand and completed SMILEY in 5–15 minutes. Brazilian SMILEY was found to have good psychometric properties (validity and reliability), and the child–parent agreement was moderate.

Conclusion

SMILEY may eventually be used routinely as a research/clinical tool in Brazil. It may be also adapted for other Portuguese-speaking nations offering critical information regarding the effect of SLE on HRQOL for children with SLE.
Interactions Between Obesity, Parental History of Hypertension, and Age on Prevalent Hypertension
Authors: Katz Eva G. , Stevens June , Truesdale Kimberly P. , Cai Jianwen , North Kari E.
Published: December 2012

Age, family history, and body mass index (BMI) influence the prevalence of hypertension, but very little is known about the interplay of these factors in Chinese populations. The authors examined this issue in Chinese adults (n = 4104) in the People’s Republic of China Study. In young adults (24-39 years), the prevalence of hypertension/1000 persons (95% confidence interval [CI]) at the referent BMI was greater among subjects with a parental history of hypertension (35; 15-54) compared with those without (7; 3-11). Among middle-aged (40-71 years) adults, the prevalence of hypertension was similar regardless of parental history; however, the effect of BMI was modified by parental history status. For example, at BMI = 25 kg/m2, the prevalence difference/1000 persons was 375 (95% CI = 245-506) and 97 (95% CI = 51-144) among subjects with and without a parental history, respectively. These large differences call for further investigation of the genetic and environmental factors that could be driving this interaction.
Fragments, Cityscapes, Modernity. Kracauer on the Cannebière
Authors: Gilloch Graeme
Published: December 2012

Written as a small tribute to David Frisby’s inspiring, pioneering work on Critical Theory and the modern cityscape, this essay explores a number of feuilletons and other textual fragments in which the cultural theorist Siegfried Kracauer expresses his enduring fascination with the French port of Marseilles. It is suggested that this city has a two-fold significance for him: firstly, in the vibrancy of its street-life, Marseilles is an exemplary, indeed inspirational, instance of the cinematic qualities of modern urban environments. It is to Marseilles that Kracauer’s 1960 Theory of Film is indebted not only for its first formulation but also for its central motif of the quotidian ‘flow of life’ to which the film camera must attend. Secondly, this seedy city constitutes the preeminent site of ‘promiscuous modernity’, understood here in two senses: not only as an environment of explicit sexuality and sexual activity/exchange, but also one that is ‘for mixing’ – that is to say, open and inviting to the most eclectic and outré elements. This notion of promiscuity as the continuous co-presence and curious contiguity of heterogeneous populations and incongruous objects also has its filmic aspect – as Kracauer observes elsewhere, such surreal juxtapositions are also to be found off-set in the costumes and props of the film studio. In its fusion of everyday urban energies and extraordinary eccentricities, the cinematic city of Marseilles takes on a dreamlike quality.
Dr. Tulp, I presume
Authors: McClimens Alex , Lewis Robin , Brewster Jacqui
Published: December 2012

In this article, we report on that aspect of our ongoing simulation project which focuses on the cultural needs of a ‘virtual’ young man living with profound and multiple intellectual disabilities, who is British Asian and receives care in a residential setting. We describe our involvement with a local agency who support families from black and minority ethnic populations and who have children with a variety of intellectual disabilities. We then go on to detail the focus group we attended and how we incorporated the data generated into a more comprehensive story for our ‘virtual’ young man, Ahmed.
Primary Ewing sarcoma of the kidney: a symptomatic presentation and review of the literature
Authors: Hakky Tariq S. , Gonzalvo Americo A. , Lockhart Jorge L. , Rodriguez Alejandro R.
Published: December 2012

The objective of this review is to discuss the unique nature of primary renal Ewing sarcoma, including incidence, presentation and management. We also report on a common pattern of presentation, consisting of acute flank pain mimicking a renal stone colic, with or without hydronephrosis, and a renal mass discovered during imaging studies of renal Ewing sarcoma. We present our case of renal Ewing sarcoma along with imaging and pathological analysis. We also performed a retrospective review of all cases of renal Ewing sarcoma using PubMed. A total of 48 cases of renal EWS sarcoma have been reported and analyzed in this review. A mean age of 30.4 years was found along with a 61% male predominance. The mean survival was 26.14 months with a lower median survival in patients with advanced metastatic disease. Primary Ewing sarcoma of the kidney is rare. The diagnosis of primary renal EWS can be difficult and is based on a combination of electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, chromosomal analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and light microscopy.
A Novel Nutritional Approach to Prevent Parenteral Nutrition–Associated Cholestasis in Two Premature Infants with Short Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Woods Christopher W. , Ayers Kathleen , Turner Charles , Pranikoff Thomas , Yang Qing
Published: December 2012

Infusion of soybean oil-based Intralipid is a major risk factor for parenteral nutrition (PN)–associated cholestasis that often occurs in infants treated with prolonged PN for short bowel syndrome. Parenteral fish oil–based lipid emulsion (Omegaven) has been reported to treat this condition, but it is not readily available in the United States and still requires a central venous catheter for administration. Enteral administration of Microlipid has been shown to decrease ostomy output and facilitate weight gain in infants with enterostomies. We describe 2 premature infants with short bowel syndrome who received early supplementation with enteral Microlipid and fish oil after bowel resection, and became independent of PN without cholestasis.
Differential effects of hydroxyurea and INC424 on mutant allele burden and myeloproliferative phenotype in a JAK2-V617F polycythemia vera mouse model
Authors: Kubovcakova Lucia , Lundberg Pontus , Grisouard Jean , Hao-Shen Hui , Romanet Vincent , Andraos Rita , Murakami Masato , Dirnhofer Stephan , Wagner Kay-Uwe , Radimerski Thomas , Skoda Radek C.
Published: December 2012

Key Points

JAK2-V617F cells show a competitive advantage over wild-type cells in BM transplantation assays. A preclinical mouse model allows the examination of the effects of therapeutic agents on blood parameters and JAK2-V617F mutant allele burden.
Pathways associated with reduced quadriceps oxidative fibres and endurance in COPD
Authors: Natanek Samantha A. , Gosker Harry R. , Slot Ilse G.M. , Marsh Gemma S. , Hopkinson Nicholas S. , Moxham John , Kemp Paul R. , Schols Annemie M.W.J. , Polkey Michael I.
Published: December 2012

Reduced quadriceps endurance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with a predominance of type II glycolytic fibres over type I oxidative fibres (fibre shift) and reduced muscle energy stores. The molecular mechanisms responsible for this remain unknown. We hypothesised that expression of known regulators of type I fibres and energy production in quadriceps muscle would differ in COPD patients with and without fibre shift.

We measured lung function, physical activity, exercise performance, quadriceps strength and endurance (nonvolitionally) in 38 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease stage I–IV COPD patients and 23 healthy age-matched controls. Participants underwent a quadriceps biopsy: type I and II fibre proportions were determined using immunohistochemistry and fibre shift defined using published reference ranges. Calcineurin A, phosphorylated AMP kinase (phospho-AMPK)-α, protein kinase A-α catalytic subunits, modulators of calcineurin activity and calmodulin, 14-3-3 proteins were measured by Western blotting, and myocyte-enriched calcineurin-interacting protein-1 mRNA measured by quantitative PCR. Downstream, nuclear myocyte enhancer factor-2 capable of DNA binding was quantified by transcription factor ELISA.

Unexpectedly, calcineurin expression was higher, while phospho-AMPK was lower, in COPD patients with fibre shift compared to COPD patients without fibre shift. Phospho-AMPK levels correlated with quadriceps endurance in patients.

Reduced phospho-AMPK may contribute to reduced quadriceps oxidative capacity and endurance in COPD.