bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Counter Electrode in Electroformation of Giant Vesicles
Authors: Okumura Yukihisa , Oana Shuuhei
Published: November 2011

Electroformation of cell-sized lipid membrane vesicles (giant vesicles, GVs), from egg yolk phosphatidylcholine, was examined varying the shape of the counter electrode. Instead of a planar ITO (indium tin oxide) electrode commonly used, platinum wire mesh was employed as a counter electrode facing lipid deposit on a planar formation electrode. The modification did not significantly alter GV formation, and many GVs of 30–50 µm, some as large as 100 µm, formed as with the standard setup, indicating that a counter electrode does not have to be a complete plane. When the counter electrode was reduced to a set of two parallel platinum wires, GV formation deteriorated. Some GVs formed, but only in close proximity to the counter electrode. Lower electric voltage with this setup no longer yielded GVs. Instead, a large onion-like multilamellar structure was observed. The deteriorated GV formation and the formation of a multilamellar structure seemed to indicate the weakened effect of the electric field on lipid deposit due to insufficient coverage with a small counter electrode. Irregular membranous objects formed by spontaneous swelling of lipid without electric voltage gradually turned into multilamellar structure upon following application of voltage. No particular enhancement of GV formation was observed when lipid deposit on a wire formation electrode was used in combination with a large planar counter electrode.
Santé et politique étrangère
Authors: Kouchner Bernard , Veber Florence
Published: November 2011

Résumé La France a pris une part déterminante dans la modification du paysage institutionnel de la santé internationale, survenue à partir des années 2000 dans le cadre de la mondialisation et des Objectifs du millénaire pour le développement. Mais, aujourd’hui, les coupes budgétaires ont conduit à diminuer la participation française aux organisations onusiennes qui suivent la santé et les mécanismes de financement des acteurs français impliqués à l’international sont extrêmement limités. Restent des engagements forts dans l’aide multilatérale (Fonds mondial de lutte contre le sida, la tuberculose et le paludisme, Gavi et Unitaid qui bénéfice de la taxe obligatoire sur les billets d’avion). La période 2007-2011 n’a pas permis de garder des crédits suffisants pour l’aide bilatérale, pourtant indispensable à une efficacité renforcée des fonds multilatéraux.
Le bilan des lois de financement de la sécurité sociale dans le domaine de la santé
Authors: Dufour Anne-Claire
Published: November 2011

Résumé Une des spécificités des lois de financement de la sécurité sociale instituées en 1996 consiste en la fixation pour l’année à venir d’un objectif national de dépenses de l’assurance maladie (Ondam). Systématiquement dépassé depuis 1997, l’Ondam a enfin été respecté lors de l’exercice 2010. Le mandat Sarkozy a en effet été marqué par d’importants efforts de maîtrise des dépenses de santé, lesquels sont notamment inscrits en loi de financement. Les nouvelles conséquences de la procédure d’alerte en cas de dépassement de l’Ondam méritent également d’être soulignées.
Une approche de la complementation verbale guidee par les corpus
Authors: Fabre Cécile , Rebeyrolle Josette
Published: November 2011

Résumé Nous adoptons une approche principalement corpus-driven pour réexaminer la question de la complémentation verbale indirecte en proposant de substituer aux tests linguistiques de grammaticalité permettant de déterminer la fonction des syntagmes prépositionnels arguments ou circonstants) des mesures statistiques visant à apprécier, dans l’espace d’un corpus, le degré d’autonomie de ces syntagmes vis-à-vis du verbe. Nous montrons notamment comment de tels calculs permettent de guider la description linguistique en faisant émerger des types de fonctionnement particuliers, comme par exemple, des situations intermédiaires entre arguments et circonstants. La masse d’informations qui se trouve synthétisée à partir de deux corpus permet également de dégager des tendances générales et des usages différenciés d’un corpus à l’autre.
De quoi la littérature de guerre est-elle la source ?
Authors: Beaupré Nicolas
Published: November 2011

Résumé Les écrits de guerre continuent, en France, à nourrir des débats autour de leur véracité et de leur qualité de source documentant l’expérience de guerre. Ces écrits, très nombreux dès les années de guerre, sont souvent assimilés à leur fonction testimoniale. Les écrivains combattants, qui entendent légitimer leur production en se référant à leur expérience vécue, et les instances de réception, pendant puis après la guerre, contribuent à forger l’idée que ces textes constituent avant tout des témoignages de l’expérience de guerre. L’œuvre critique de Jean Norton Cru représente un palier supplémentaire à cette interprétation, dans la mesure où elle réfute tout autre fonction que testimoniale à cette production. La réception historiographique reprit à son tour, parfois de manière acritique, l’idée que la production des écrivains combattants aurait une finalité exclusivement testimoniale. Or, une historicisation critique de ce phénomène social, littéraire et culturel montre que ses enjeux vont bien au-delà du seul témoignage.
Maintenir l'ordre en France occupée
Authors: Lieb Peter , Paxton Robert O.
Published: November 2011

Résumé Le nombre de troupes allemandes affectées au maintien de l’ordre en France entre 1940 et 1944 est vivement discuté et souvent surestimé. Ce nombre n’est pas facile à déterminer et il varie au cours de la guerre. D’abord les troupes d’Occupation, chargées de maintenir l’ordre, doivent être distinguées des troupes de combat, chargées de repousser un débarquement ennemi. C’est seulement après juin 1944 qu’une petite partie de celles-ci combat la Résistance. Les troupes d’Occupation représentent 40 000 hommes à leur minimum, soit au milieu de l’année 1942. Ce nombre remonte à presque 100 000 hommes à la fin de l’année 1943. Cependant, la grande majorité de ces soldats remplit des tâches de garde. Le nombre de soldats allemands activement engagés contre le maquis ne dépassa jamais 30 000 hommes. Ces troupes suffirent à faire souffrir la population civile et les maquis mais, même avec le concours de la police de Vichy, elles ne maîtrisèrent jamais pleinement le territoire français.
L'édition française dans la tourmente de la Seconde Guerre mondiale
Authors: Mollier Jean-Yves
Published: November 2011

Résumé Fondé sur un dépouillement systématique de sources neuves, celles de la Librairie Hachette d’un côté, du Syndicat national de l’édition de l’autre, cet article revient sur l’attitude des éditeurs français pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. S’ils acceptèrent aussi facilement le diktat des autorités allemandes et l’épuration de leurs catalogues, c’est qu’ils avaient préparé eux-mêmes leurs propres listes de proscription. Ceci facilita la confection des listes Otto et permit une collaboration qui se révéla exemplaire dans bien des cas. Il y eut cependant des éditeurs résistants, mais la plupart d’entre eux durent passer la main à la Libération et, dès 1947, le paysage éditorial avait retrouvé sa physionomie d’avant guerre. L’incapacité des nouvelles autorités à briser la puissance des Messageries Hachette, objet des convoitises nazies en 1940, traduit la capacité de résilience d’une profession habituée depuis des siècles à se soumettre aux ordres du pouvoir, quel qu’il soit.
A Molecular Mechanism for TNF-α–Mediated Downregulation of B Cell Responses
Authors: Frasca Daniela , Romero Maria , Diaz Alain , Alter-Wolf Sarah , Ratliff Michelle , Landin Ana Marie , Riley Richard L. , Blomberg Bonnie B.
Published: November 2011

B cell function with age is decreased in class switch recombination (CSR), activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), and stability of E47 mRNA. The latter is regulated, at least in part, by tristetraprolin (TTP), which is increased in aged B cells and also negatively regulates TNF-α. In this study, we investigated whether B cells produce TNF-α, whether this changes with age, and how this affects their function upon stimulation. Our hypothesis is that in aging there is a feedback mechanism of autocrine inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α) that lowers the expression of AID and CSR. Our results showed that unstimulated B cells from old BALB/c mice make significantly more TNF-α mRNA and protein than do B cells from young mice, but after stimulation the old make less than the young; thus, they are refractory to stimulation. The increase in TNF-α made by old B cells is primarily due to follicular, but not minor, subsets of B cells. Incubation of B cells with TNF-α before LPS stimulation decreased both young and old B cell responses. Importantly, B cell function was restored by adding anti–TNF-α Ab to cultured B cells. To address a molecular mechanism, we found that incubation of B cells with TNF-α before LPS stimulation induced TTP, a physiological regulator of mRNA stability of the transcription factor E47, which is crucial for CSR. Finally, anti–TNF-α given in vivo increased B cell function in old, but not in young, follicular B cells. These results suggest new molecular mechanisms that contribute to reduced Ab responses in aging.
IL-17 Silencing Does Not Protect Nonobese Diabetic Mice from Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Joseph Julie , Bittner Stefan , Kaiser Fabian M. P. , Wiendl Heinz , Kissler Stephan
Published: November 2011

The long-held view that many autoimmune disorders are primarily driven by a Th1 response has been challenged by the discovery of Th17 cells. Since the identification of this distinct T cell subset, Th17 cells have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Type 1 diabetes has also long been considered a Th1-dependent disease. In light of the emerging role for Th17 cells in autoimmunity, several recent studies investigated the potential of this subset to initiate autoimmune diabetes. However, direct evidence supporting the involvement of Th17 cells in actual pathogenesis, particularly during spontaneous onset, is lacking. In this study, we sought to directly address the role of IL-17, the cytokine by which Th17 cells are primarily characterized, in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes. We used lentiviral transgenesis to generate NOD mice in which IL-17 is silenced by RNA interference. The loss of IL-17 had no effect on the frequency of spontaneous or cyclophosphamide-induced diabetes. In contrast, IL-17 silencing in transgenic NOD mice was sufficient to reduce the severity of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, consistent with reports that IL-17 deficiency is protective in this experimental model of multiple sclerosis. We concluded that IL-17 is dispensable, at least in large part, in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes.
Distinct Regulation of Murine Lupus Susceptibility Genes by the IRF5/Blimp-1 Axis
Authors: Panchanathan Ravichandran , Liu Hongzhu , Liu Hongqi , Fang Chee-Mun , Erickson Loren D. , Pitha Paula M. , Choubey Divaker
Published: November 2011

Genome-wide association studies have identified lupus susceptibility genes such as IRF5 and PRDM1 (encoding for IFN regulatory factor 5 [IRF]5 and Blimp-1) in the human genome. Accordingly, the murine Irf5 and Prdm1 genes have been shown to play a role in lupus susceptibility. However, it remains unclear how IRF5 and Blimp-1 (a transcriptional target of IRF5) contribute to lupus susceptibility. Given that the murine lupus susceptibility locus Nba2 includes the IFN-regulated genes Ifi202 (encoding for the p202 protein), Aim2 (encoding for the Aim2 protein), and Fcgr2b (encoding for the FcγRIIB receptor), we investigated whether the IRF5/Blimp-1 axis could regulate the expression of these genes. We found that an Irf5 deficiency in mice decreased the expression of Blimp-1 and reduced the expression of the Ifi202. However, the deficiency increased the expression of Aim2 and Fcgr2b. Correspondingly, increased expression of IRF5 in cells increased levels of Blimp-1 and p202 protein. Moreover, Blimp-1 expression increased the expression of Ifi202, whereas it reduced the expression of Aim2. Interestingly, an Aim2 deficiency in female mice increased the expression of IRF5. Similarly, the Fcgr2b-deficient mice expressed increased levels of IRF5. Moreover, increased expression of IRF5 and Blimp-1 in lupus-prone C57BL/6.Nba2, New Zealand Black, and C57BL/6.Sle123 female mice (as compared with age-matched C57BL/6 female mice) was associated with increased levels of the p202 protein. Taken together, our observations demonstrate that the IRF5/Blimp-1 axis differentially regulates the expression of Nba2 lupus susceptibility genes, and they suggest an important role for the IRF5/Blimp-1/p202 axis in murine lupus susceptibility.
Jomo Kenyatta: An Epitome of Indigenous Pan-Africanism, Nationalism and Intellectual Production in Kenya
Authors: Kenneth O. Nyangena
Published: November 2011

This paper discusses the late Jomo Kenyatta, founding President and Head of State of the Republic of Kenya. The paper focuses on Kenyatta as a pioneer and giant African Pan-Africanist, nationalist and intellectual. As a pan-Africanist, the late Kenyatta together with other founding presidents Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Patrice Lumumba of the Republic of Congo, Leopold Senghor of Senegal among others joined hands in spreading the message and values of pan-Africanism which emphasized a form of intellectualism, and political and economic co-operation that would lead to the political unity of Africa. The pan-Africanist spirit, advocated that riches of Africa be used for the benefit, upliftment, development and enjoyment of African people. It is the outstanding African scholars, political scientists, historians and philosophers living in Africa and the Diaspora who developed pan-Africanism that was conceived in the womb of Africa and a product made in Africa by Africans. The paper will focus on Kenyatta`s role in fostering pan-African ideologies for the continent of Africa. Having been influenced by nationalism, Kenyatta sought to address the inter-related issues of power, identity politics, self-assertion and autonomy for Kenya, himself and the African continent. His activities in his struggle for independence and democratic governance in Kenya evidence this. His role in initiating the spirit of Harambee (development through collective pooling of resources ) among the diverse ethnic groups of Kenya is particularly well recognized, appreciated and approved by Kenyans. This paper will also seek to give a critical examination of the challenges faced
Arthroscopic Repair of Delaminated Acetabular Articular Cartilage Using Fibrin Adhesive. Results at One to Three Years
Authors: Stafford Giles H. , Bunn Jonathan R. , Villar Richard N.
Published: November 2011

We describe one- to three-year results of a novel use of fibrin glue in the treatment of cartilage damage by arthroscopy in the hip. This technique uses the microfracture technique and fibrin adhesive to bond delaminated articular cartilage to the underlying subchondral bone. This is generally performed in conjunction with treatment of underlying pathology such as femoroacetabular impingement.

Patients were assessed using the modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) pre- and post-operatively, and statistical significance determined by Student's t-test. We report the mid-term results of 43 patients with femoroacetabular impingement who have undergone this technique for re-attachment of delaminated chondral flaps.

There was a statistically significant improvement in MHHS at a mean of 28 months (16 to 42 months) after surgery (p<0.0001). The MHHS for pain improved significantly from 21.8 (95% CI 19.0 to 24.7) pre-operatively to 35.8 (95% CI 32.6 to 38.9) post-operatively (p<0.0001). The MHHS for function also showed significant, although more modest, improvements from 40.0 (95% CI 37.7 to 42.3) pre-operatively to 43.6 (95% CI 41.4 to 45.8) post-operatively (p=0.0006). There were three patients who had early (within 12 months of the index procedure) revision arthroscopy for iliopsoas pathology. Arthroscopic repair of delaminated acetabular articular cartilage using fibrin adhesive is a useful technique in the treatment of early cartilage damage. We have seen encouraging mid-term results, although further studies are warranted.
Dual-Mobility Cup and Cemented Femoral Component: 6 Year Follow-Up Results
Authors: Prudhon Jean Louis
Published: November 2011

Use of a dual-mobility acetabular cup is associated with a lower risk of dislocation compared with conventional hip implants. The seleXys® DS acetabular cup combines the advantages of Charnley low-friction arthroplasty with those of dual mobility. We performed a non-randomised, prospective study of patients receiving primary hip arthroplasty, including an uncemented seleXys® DS dual-mobility acetabular cup with hydroxyapatite coating (Mathys AG, Bettlach, Switzerland) and a cemented femoral component (Stallion femoral stem Groupe Lepine, Lyon, France). The objective of the study was to evaluate longevity of the implant and the risk of dislocation. All operations were performed by a single surgeon using a posterior approach, with patients lying in the lateral decubitus position. The stem had a modular head diameter of 22.2 mm and was cemented in all patients. A total of 53 patients were studied, and the median duration of follow-up was 78.9 months. Implant survival 6 years after surgery was 98.4% (n=47; 95% CI: 89.3–99.8). There was one revision for sepsis 29 months after surgery, and one dislocation. The results of this study appear to demonstrate excellent implant survival and a low rate of dislocation using the chosen implants.
Immunosuppressive Factor MNSFβRegulates Cytokine Secretion by Mouse Lymphocytes and Is Involved in Interactions between the Mouse Embryo and Endometrial CellsIn Vitro
Authors: He Yaping , Sun Zhaogui , Shi Yan , Jiang Yahong , Jia Zhefu , Du Yanbo , Salamonsen Lois A. , Li Zhuoya , Wang Jian
Published: November 2011

Immune tolerance at the fetomaternal interface must be established during the processes of implantation and pregnancy. Monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor beta (MNSFβ) is a secreted protein that possesses antigen-nonspecific immune-suppressive function. It was previously reported that intrauterine immunoneutralization of MNSFβsignificantly inhibited embryo implantation in mice. In the present study, MNSFβprotein expression was up- or downregulated by overexpression or RNA interference, respectively, in HCC-94 cells and the culture supernatants used to determine effects of MNSFβon the secretion of IL-4 and TNFαfrom mouse lymphocytes as detected by ELISA. A coculture model of mouse embryos and endometrial stromal cells was also utilized to determine the effects of a specific anti-MNSFβantibody on hatching and growth of embryosin vitro. The results show that MNSFβinduced secretion of IL-4 and inhibited secretion of TNFαfrom mouse lymphocytes. Following immunoneutralization of MNSFβprotein in the HCC-94 supernatant, the stimulatory effect of MNSFβon IL-4 secretion from mouse lymphocytes was reduced, while the inhibitory effect on secretion of TNFαwas abrogated. Expression of MNSFβwas detected in both embryonic and endometrial stromal cells, and its immunoneutralization inhibited the hatching and spreading of embryos in anin vitrococulture model. These results indicated that MNSFβmay play critical roles during the peri-implantation process by regulating cytokine secretion of lymphocytes and by mediating the crosstalk between embryonic cells and endometrial stromal cells.
Partial characterization of a novel amphibian hemoglobin as a model for graduate student investigation on peptide chemistry, mass spectrometry, and atomic force microscopy
Authors: Bemquerer Marcelo P. , Macedo Jéssica K. A. , Ribeiro Ana Carolina J. , Carvalho Andréa C. , Silva Débora O. C. , Braz Juliana M. , Medeiros Kelliane A. , Sallet Lunalva A. P. , Campos Pollyanna F. , Prates Maura V. , Silva Luciano P.
Published: November 2011

Graduate students in chemistry, and in biological and biomedical fields must learn the fundamentals and practices of peptide and protein chemistry as early as possible. A project‐oriented approach was conducted by first‐year M.Sc and Ph.D students in biological sciences. A blind glass slide containing a cellular smear and an aqueous cellular extract were offered to the students. Qualitative and quantitative cell morphological parameters were analyzed by atomic force microscopy. The fractionation of the aqueous extract was conducted by reversed‐phase chromatography followed by analysis of the isolated and partially purified proteins and peptides by mass spectrometry (MS). The proteins were treated by peptidases and the obtained peptide fragments were sequenced by de novo MS/MS, together with peptides already present in the extract. The most abundant protein fractions were identified as the alpha and beta chains of hemoglobin from an amphibian of the Leptodactylus genera. Two of the peptides sequenced by the students were synthesized by the solid‐phase methodology, one of those being obtained by the split‐and‐pool library synthesis method. Thus, the students were able to learn some advanced principles and practices of protein chemistry and bionanotechnology in a 6‐weeks project‐oriented approach.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Fluorinated Ethanolamines
Authors: Fustero Santos , Cuñat Ana C. , Flores Sonia , Báez Claribel , Oliver Judit , Cynamon Michael , Gütschow Michael , Mertens Matthias D. , Delgado Oscar , Tresadern Gary , Trabanco Andrés A.
Published: November 2011

The preparation of novel fluorinated allylamines and their use as key fragments for the stereoselective synthesis of hydroxyethyl secondary amine (HEA)‐type peptidomimetics is described. Our strategy employs chiral sulfinyl imines as synthesis intermediates, by treatment of hemiaminal precursors with two equivalents of vinylmagnesium bromide. The subsequent oxidation of the allylic amines to the corresponding epoxides was achieved by treatment with methyl(trifluoromethyl)dioxirane. Finally, epoxide ring opening with a range of nitrogen nucleophiles provided a library of HEA‐derived peptidomimetics with a phenyldifluoromethylene moiety. The biological evaluation of these derivatives revealed compounds with remarkable BACE1 inhibitory activity. Docking studies revealed the influence of the fluorine atoms in the binding mode of the synthesized ligands. Furthermore, the biological evaluation of our final products and synthesis intermediates led to the discovery of compounds with antimicrobial activity against Mycobacterium and Nocardia species.
Fiber‐reinforced calcium phosphate cement formulations for cranioplasty applications: A 52‐week duration preclinical rabbit calvaria study
Authors: Kim Jinku , McBride Sean , Fulmer Mark , Harten Robert , Garza Zach , Dean David D. , Sylvia Victor L. , Doll Bruce , Wolfgang Tahlia L , Gruskin Elliott , Hollinger Jeffrey O.
Published: November 2011

The in vivo tissue response to a newly developed fiber‐reinforced calcium phosphate cement (CPC) formulation was assessed using a well‐established rabbit calvarial defect model. Bilateral subcritical sized (8‐mm diameter) defects were surgically created in the parietal bones of each rabbit (a total of 48 rabbits), and randomized to be filled with either the new fiber‐reinforced formulation, a conventional CPC (positive control), or left unfilled (negative control). The implant sites were subsequently retrieved after 12, 24, and 52 weeks postsurgery. Each specimen, including the parietal bone craniotomy and underlying brain, were recovered at necropsy and the tissue responses were assessed by histology. The resulting histological slides indicated that there was no evidence of severe inflammatory responses or osteolysis. The data showed new dural and pericranial bone formation along the implants, as well as excellent bone‐to‐implant interfaces in all of the CPC‐filled defects. These results suggest that the biologic response to the new fiber‐reinforced CPC formulations and conventional nonreinforced CPC are very similar, and both demonstrate excellent biocompatibility as well as an overall osteophylic response. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Contact fatigue response of porcelain‐veneered alumina model systems
Authors: Stappert Christian F. J. , Baldassarri Marta , Zhang Yu , Stappert Dina , Thompson Van P.
Published: November 2011

Fatigue damage modes and reliability of hand‐veneered (HV) and over‐pressed (OP) aluminum‐oxide layer structures were compared. Influence of luting cement thickness on mechanical performance was investigated. Sixty‐four aluminum‐oxide plates (10 × 10 × 0.5 mm) were veneered with hand built‐up or pressed porcelain (0.7 mm) and adhesively luted (50‐ or 150‐μm cement thickness) to water‐aged composite resin blocks (12 × 12 × 4 mm). Single‐load‐to‐failure and fatigue tests were performed with a spherical tungsten carbide indenter (d = 6.25 mm) applied in the center of the veneer layer. Specimens were inspected with polarized‐reflected‐light and scanning electron microscopy. Use‐level probability Weibull curves were plotted with two‐sided 90% confidence bounds, and reliability at 75,000 cycles and 250 N load was calculated. For all specimens but two OP with 50‐μm cement thickness, failure was characterized by flexural radial cracks initiating at the bottom surface of the alumina core and propagating into the veneering porcelain before cone cracks could extend to the porcelain/alumina interface. HV specimens showed higher reliability compared to OP. Those with 50‐μm cement thickness were more reliable relative to their 150‐μm counterparts (HV_50 μm: 95% (0.99/0.67); HV_150 μm: 55% (0.92/0.01); OP_50 μm: 69% (0.84/0.48); OP_150 μm: 15% (0.53/0.004)). Similar failure modes were observed in HV and OP specimens. Radial cracks developing in the core and spreading into the veneer are suggested to cause bulk fracture, which is the characteristic failure mode for alumina core crowns. However, the highest resistance to fatigue loading was found for the HV specimens with thin cement thickness, while the lowest occurred for the OP with thick cement layer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 100B: 508–515, 2012.
Epitaxial growth of GaN films on Si(110) substrates by rf‐MBE
Authors: Shen X. Q. , Ide T. , Shimizu M.
Published: November 2011

GaN films grown by rf‐MBE on Si(110) substrates using AlN buffer layers are investigated. Single crystalline AlN films are obtained by Al pre‐deposition during the buffer layer growth. 2‐dimensional epitaxial growth mode of GaN is confirmed by in‐situ RHEED observations. HRXRD results show that the FWHM values of diffraction peaks decrease with the increase of the film thickness. Atomically flat GaN surface morphology with mono‐layer steps is obtained and crack‐free GaN films until 2 μm are successfully achieved. Micro‐Raman measurements show that the tensile strain in the GaN films on Si(110) substrates is reduced compared to those on conventional Si(111) substrates. It is expectable that high‐quality III‐nitrides can be grown by rf‐MBE technique for device applications. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reliability Analysis of Zero‐Failure Data with Poor Information
Authors: Xia Xintao
Published: November 2011

For costly and dangerous experiments, growing attention has been paid to the problem of the reliability analysis of zero‐failure data, with many new findings in world countries, especially in China. The existing reliability theory relies on the known lifetime distribution, such as the Weibull distribution and the gamma distribution. Thus, it is ineffective if the lifetime probability distribution is unknown. For this end, this article proposes the grey bootstrap method in the information poor theory for the reliability analysis of zero‐failure data under the condition of a known or unknown probability distribution of lifetime. The grey bootstrap method is able to generate many simulated zero‐failure data with the help of few zero‐failure data and to estimate the lifetime probability distribution by means of an empirical failure probability function defined in this article. The experimental investigation presents that the grey bootstrap method is effective in the reliability analysis only with the few zero‐failure data and without any prior information of the lifetime probability distribution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Millets, Rice, Social Complexity, and the Spread of Agriculture to the Chengdu Plain and Southwest China
Authors: d’Alpoim Guedes Jade
Published: November 2011

Southwest China played a pivotal role in the spread of agriculture across East and Southeast Asia. Both rice and millet were important in the spread of populations and the expansion of agriculture into this region. Recent finds in the mountainous peripheries of Sichuan Province show that the earliest inhabitants of this region practiced a combination of broomcorn and foxtail millet agriculture (ca 4000–2500 BC). These crops are adapted to high altitude and arid environments, which facilitated their movement across this region and eventually into the Tibetan Plateau. At around 2700 BC, a combined system of rice and foxtail millet agriculture appears suddenly in sites of the Baodun culture on the Chengdu Plain. The use of this double cropping system provided advantages to the inhabitants of this region in both risk reduction and yield. I argue that this had important consequences for spurring population growth, facilitating expansion into new territories and the development of social complexity.
Observing competence in CBT supervision: a systematic review of the available instruments
Authors: Milne Derek L. , Reiser Robert P.
Published: November 2011

Government policy, like evaluations of clinical practice, indicates the growing importance of supervision in fostering practitioner development and in improving the fidelity of therapies. However, instruments with which to measure competent supervision are often problematic, thereby hampering these key activities (e.g. they are rare, rely on self-ratings by participants, and psychometric data can be limited). To contribute to progress, this paper reviews the current options for measuring competent clinical supervision by means of direct observation, a favoured approach within cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). We systematically reviewed 10 existing instruments that were designed to observe and quantify competent supervision, focusing on three broad criteria for sound measurement (i.e. an instrument's Design, Implementation, and Yield: DIY). Suggestions for future research on instruments that can fulfil the functions that are provided distinctively through direct observation are outlined.
A novel and versatile computational tool to model translation
Authors: Chu Dominique , Zabet Nicolae , von der Haar Tobias
Published: November 2011

Motivation: Much is now known about the mechanistic details of gene translation. There are also rapid advances in high-throughput technologies to determine quantitative aspects of the system. As a consequence-realistic and system-wide simulation models of translation are now feasible. Such models are also needed as devices to integrate a large volume of highly fragmented data known about translation.

Software: In this application note, we present a novel, highly efficient software tool to model translation. The tool represents the main aspects of translation. Features include a representation of exhaustible tRNA pools, ribosome–ribosome interactions and differential initiation rates for different mRNA species. The tool is written in Java, and is hence portable and can be parameterized for any organism.

Availability: The model can be obtained from the authors or directly downloaded from the authors' home-page (http://goo.gl/JUWvI).

Contact:  d.f.chu@kent.ac.uk
Inhibition of the organic anion‐transporting polypeptide 1B1 by quercetin: an in vitro and in vivo assessment
Authors: Wu Lan‐Xiang , Guo Cheng‐Xian , Chen Wang‐Qing , Yu Jing , Qu Qiang , Chen Yao , Tan Zhi‐Rong , Wang Guo , Fan Lan , Li Qing , Zhang Wei , Zhou Hong‐Hao
Published: November 2011

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• OATP1B1 is a liver‐specific expression drug transporter and mediates the uptake of a broad range of compounds into hepatocytes. Modulation the activity of OATP1B1 may alter the pharmacokinetics of its substrate drugs, causing potential drug–drug interactions. As a popular dietary supplement in the United States, quercetin has been shown to interact with some drug transporters and efficiently influences their activity, but the effect of quercetin on OATP1B1 activity is not well known.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Quercetin inhibits the OATP1B1‐mediated transport of E3S and pravastatin in vitro, and also has a modest inhibitory influence on the pharmacokinetics of pravastatin in healthy Chinese‐Han male volunteers.

AIM

To investigate the effect of quercetin on organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) activities in vitro and on the pharmacokinetics of pravastatin, a typical substrate for OATP1B1 in healthy Chinese‐Han male subjects.

METHODS

Using human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells stably expressing OATP1B1, we observed the effect of quercetin on OATP1B1‐mediated uptake of estrone‐3‐sulphate (E3S) and pravastatin. The influence of quercetin on the pharmacokinetics of pravastatin was measured in 16 healthy Chinese‐Han male volunteers receiving a single dose of pravastatin (40 mg orally) after co‐administration of placebo or 500 mg quercetin capsules (once daily orally for 14 days).

RESULTS

Quercetin competitively inhibited OATP1B1‐mediated E3S uptake with a Ki value of 17.9 ± 4.6 µm and also inhibited OATP1B1‐mediated pravastatin uptake in a concentration dependent manner (IC50, 15.9 ± 1.4 µm). In healthy Chinese‐Han male subjects, quercetin increased the pravastatin area under the plasma concentration – time curve (AUC(0,10 h) and the peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax) to 24% (95% CI 15, 32%, P < 0.001) and 31% (95% CI 20, 42%, P < 0.001), respectively. After administration of quercetin, the elimination half‐life (t1/2) of pravastatin was prolonged by 14% (95% CI 4, 24%, P = 0.027), with no change in the time to reach Cmax (tmax). Moreover, quercetin decreased the apparent clearance (CL/F) of pravastatin by 18% (95% CI 75, 89%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that quercetin inhibits the OATP1B1‐mediated transport of E3S and pravastatin in vitro and also has a modest inhibitory influence on the pharmacokinetics of pravastatin in healthy Chinese‐Han male volunteers. The effects of quercetin on other OATP1B1 substrate drugs deserve further investigation.
Gender differences in maximum voluntary lip‐closing force during lip pursing in healthy young adults
Authors: MURAKAMI M. , ADACHI T. , NAKATSUKA K. , KATO T. , OISHI M. , MASUDA Y.
Published: November 2011

Summary  The objectives of this study were to quantitatively evaluate the gender differences in the lip‐closing force (LCF) generated during pursing‐like lip‐closing movement using a multidirectional LCF measurement system in healthy young adults. In 40 healthy subjects (20 women, 20 men; median age = 26·5 years, range = 22–41 years), LCF was recorded in eight directions during the performance of a voluntary pursing‐like lip‐closing task in four measurement sessions. The correlations between the total sum of the forces generated in all eight directions [total LCF (TLCF)] and each directional LCF (DLCF) and those between opposing DLCF were statistically analysed. The TLCF obtained from the highly reproducible measurements acquired in the four different sessions was normally distributed in both genders. The TLCF in men was significantly greater than that in women. Among the eight pairs of opposing DLCF, seven pairs of opposing DLCF showed significant correlations in men, while five pairs were significantly correlated in women. In men, no significant difference was observed between opposing DLCF; however, three pairs of opposing DLCF were significantly different in women. The present results quantitatively indicate that there are gender differences in the magnitude and directional specificity of the LCF produced during pursing‐like lip‐closing movement in healthy young adults.
Outcomes of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia infections in pediatric heart transplant recipients
Authors: Ng Benton , Dipchand Anne , Naftel David , Rusconi Paolo , Boyle Gerard , Zaoutis Theo , Edens R. Erik
Published: November 2011

Ng B, Dipchand A, Naftel D, Rusconi P, Boyle G, Zaoutis T, Erik Edens R. Outcomes of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia infections in pediatric heart transplant recipients.  Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 844–848. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  PJP is known to cause significant morbidity and rarely death in immunosuppressed patients. The prevalence and outcomes of PJP in pediatric solid‐organ transplant patients are not well established. This study utilizes data from the PHTS to establish the prevalence and outcome of PJP in pediatric heart transplant recipients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the PHTS, including data from 24 institutions between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 2004. Infections that occur in PHTS subjects are recorded in a standardized data collection form. The prevalence and outcomes of PJP in pediatric heart transplant recipients were determined. There were a total of 18 patients (1%) with PJP out of the 1854 pediatric heart transplant recipients in the PHTS database. A majority of PJP occurred two months to two yr post‐transplant, and patients with PJP had a significantly decreased mortality compared with other fungal infections. PJP is an infrequent complication experienced by pediatric heart transplant recipients. Patients that have experienced PJP have an increased survival compared to patients with other fungal infections, and most PJP occurred within two yr of transplant.
Validation and comparison of the two Kattan nomograms in patients with prostate cancer treated with 125iodine brachytherapy
Authors: Kaplan Alan , German Larissa , Chen Juza , Matzkin Haim , Mabjeesh Nicola J.
Published: November 2011

Study Type – Prognostic (cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Nomograms are based on large patient population. Their applicability should be externally validated.

Among 747 brachytherapy patients we evaluated two kattan nonograms and conclude that they have limited value to predict PSA‐free survival.

OBJECTIVE

To validate and compare the preoperative and postoperative Kattan prediction nonograms for prostate cancer recurrence after brachytherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients (n= 747) treated with 125I‐brachytherapy were evaluated.

Both nomograms were used to calculate the prediction of 5‐year biochemical‐freedom from failure (BFFF) based on clinical stage, Gleason score, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, receipt of androgen deprivation therapy and the post‐implant dosimetry variable D90 (values of the minimal dose received by 90% of the prostate volume).

The predicted values using the Kattan nomograms and the observed values were compared.

Predictive accuracy was determined using the concordance index.

RESULTS

The 5‐year BFFF probability was 94% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92–96%) for the modified American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) definition and 97% (95% CI, 95–98%) for the Phoenix definition using Kaplan–Meier analysis.

The predicted values of BFFF using both Kattan nomograms were lower than the observed rates in our cohort.

The concordance index values were 0.51 and 0.52 for preoperative and postoperative nomograms, respectively.

Concordance correlation coefficient between the two nomograms was 0.15.

CONCLUSIONS

In our population, the 5‐year BFFF outcomes rates were superior to nomogram predictions.

Neither nomogram predicted outcomes after 125I‐brachytherapy in this non‐US cohort.

The postoperative nomogram was also a poor predictor, although it included D90 dosimetry values, as a variable of treatment quality.

Strict inclusion criteria, perhaps more favourable than the ones on which the Kattan nomograms were based, could be the explanation for these discrepancies.
Altered bladder function in elastin‐deficient mice at baseline and in response to partial bladder outlet obstruction
Authors: Jiang Xiaogang , Luttrell Ian , Li Dean Y. , Yang Claire C. , Chitaley Kanchan
Published: November 2011

Study Type – Aetiology (case control)

Level of Evidence 3b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

As one of the major components of the extracellular matrix, elastic fibres are believed to enhance tissue compliance. However, the role of elastic fibres in normal bladder function and dysfunction remains speculative. Although transgenic mice overexpressing elastin showed increased bladder compliance, the findings in patients with non‐compliant bladders are inconsistent.

Using transgenic elastin‐deficient mouse models, this study provides the first direct evidence that sufficient elastin content is critical for healthy bladder function, and elastin is involved in the detrusor response to partial bladder outlet obstruction.

OBJECTIVE

To examine functional and molecular changes of the bladders from elastin‐haploinsufficient mice (Eln+/−) at baseline as well as in response to partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female Eln+/− and wild type (Wt) mice (3–4 months old) were studied.

The bladder elastin content was quantified by measuring desmosine.

Mice were divided into two groups to undergo surgery to create pBOO or to undergo sham surgery. Three days after surgery, bladder function was evaluated by in vivo cystometry, and the contractile response of bladder strips exposed to electrical field stimulation (EFS) and carbachol was examined by ex vivo myography.

RESULTS

The Eln+/−‐sham mice had a 33.6% decrease in bladder elastin compared with Wt‐sham mice.

Cystometry showed significantly decreased bladder compliance and capacity in Eln+/−‐sham vs Wt‐sham mice; pBOO increased bladder compliance and capacity to a greater extent in Eln+/− mice compared with Wt mice.

Bladder strips from Eln+/−‐sham mice showed a significantly heightened contractile response to both EFS and carbachol compared with Wt‐sham mice.

A significantly increased contractile response to carbachol was detected in Wt‐pBOO vs Wt‐sham but not between Eln+/−‐pBOO and Eln+/−‐sham mice.

CONCLUSION

The results that elastin‐deficient mice had decreased bladder compliance and capacity and increased bladder contractility; and that Wt‐pBOO mice showed an enhanced contractile response to carbachol, but Eln+/−‐pBOO mice did not, suggest that elastin is critical for normal bladder function and is involved in bladder response to pBOO.
Asymptotic Analysis of Two Coupled Queues with Vastly Different Arrival Rates and Finite Customer Capacities
Authors: Knessl Charles , Morrison John A.
Published: November 2011

We consider two coupled queues, with each having a finite capacity of customers. When both queues are nonempty they evolve independently, but when one becomes empty the service rate in the other changes. Such a model corresponds to a generalized processor sharing (GPS) discipline. We study the joint distribution p(m, n) of finding (m, n) customers in the (first, second) queue, in the steady state. We study the problem in an asymptotic limit of “heavy traffic,” where also the arrival rate to the second queue is assumed to be small relative to that of the first. The capacity of the first queue is scaled to be large, while that of the second queue is held constant. We consider several different scalings, and in each case obtain limiting differential and/or difference equation for p(m, n), and these we explicitly solve. We show that our asymptotic approximations are quite accurate numerically. This work supplements previous investigations into this GPS model, which assumed infinite capacities/buffers. The present model corresponds to a random walk in a lattice rectangle, where p(m, n) satisfies a different boundary condition on each edge.
Response to Comment on “Hydrogen Mapping of the Lunar South Pole Using the LRO Neutron Detector Experiment LEND”
Authors: Mitrofanov I. G. , Boynton W. V. , Litvak M. L. , Sanin A. B. , Starr R. D.
Published: November 2011

Critical comments from Lawrence
et al
. are considered on the capability of the collimated neutron telescope Lunar Exploration Neutron Detector (LEND) on NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) for mapping lunar epithermal neutrons, as presented in our paper. We present two different analyses to show that our previous estimated count rates are valid and support the conclusions of that paper.
Humans Are Driving Extreme Weather; Time to Prepare
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: November 2011

An international scientific assessment finds for the first time that human activity has driven increases in some extreme weather and climate events around the world in recent decades.
Do Lipid Rafts Exist?
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: November 2011

Many scientists argue that the molecular platforms that sail on the cell's outer membrane, known as lipid rafts, either don't exist or have no biological relevance, but their supporters insist the idea remains afloat.
Human Annexin A6 Interacts with Influenza A Virus Protein M2 and Negatively Modulates Infection
Authors: Ma Huailiang , Kien François , Manière Maxime , Zhang Yang , Lagarde Nadège , Tse Kong San , Poon Leo Lit Man , Nal Béatrice
Published: November 2011

The influenza A virus M2 ion channel protein has the longest cytoplasmic tail (CT) among the three viral envelope proteins and is well conserved between different viral strains. It is accessible to the host cellular machinery after fusion with the endosomal membrane and during the trafficking, assembly, and budding processes. We hypothesized that identification of host cellular interactants of M2 CT could help us to better understand the molecular mechanisms regulating the M2-dependent stages of the virus life cycle. Using yeast two-hybrid screening with M2 CT as bait, a novel interaction with the human annexin A6 (AnxA6) protein was identified, and their physical interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation assay and a colocalization study of virus-infected human cells. We found that small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of AnxA6 expression significantly increased virus production, while its overexpression could reduce the titer of virus progeny, suggesting a negative regulatory role for AnxA6 during influenza A virus infection. Further characterization revealed that AnxA6 depletion or overexpression had no effect on the early stages of the virus life cycle or on viral RNA replication but impaired the release of progeny virus, as suggested by delayed or defective budding events observed at the plasma membrane of virus-infected cells by transmission electron microscopy. Collectively, this work identifies AnxA6 as a novel cellular regulator that targets and impairs the virus budding and release stages of the influenza A virus life cycle.