bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two new marine flatworms (Platyhelminthes: Rhabditophora: Proseriata) of the genus Otoplana Du Plessis, 1889 from the upper Tuscany sandy shores (Italy)
Authors: MEINI GIANLUCA
Published: January 2013

Two new otoplanid species, from the interstitial habitats of the North-Western Mediterranenan sea coast, are described. The specimens show the typical morphological peculiarities of the subfamily Otoplaninae ("Turbellaria", Otoplanidae), but clearly differ from other species described in this group. Otoplana labronica sp. nov. is characterized by a body length of 1.2–1.5 mm, different features of the testes and vitellaries, the male sclerotic apparatus composed of a median aculeus (52–53 μm long) and 16 peculiar spines (19–44 μm long). This new species has the smallest number of spines (17) and the smaller body length, in comparison to all the species of the genus. Otoplana falcataspina sp. nov. is characterized by a body length of 2.3–2.4 mm, distinctive dimensions and arrangement of the vitellaries, the male sclerotic apparatus composed of a median aculeus (50–51 μm long) and 20–21 spines (22–44 μm long). This new species has a limited body length, and only the sexually mature specimens of the new species O. labronica exhibit a smaller size. They were collected below the low water mark on the sandy beaches at Calambrone and Marina di Vecchiano (Pisa, Ligurian Sea, Italy), respectively.
TGFβ signaling regulates lipogenesis in human sebaceous glands cells
Authors: McNairn Adrian J , Doucet Yanne , Demaude Julien , Brusadelli Marion , Gordon Christopher B , Uribe-Rivera Armando , Lambert Paul F , Bouez Charbel , Breton Lionel , Guasch Géraldine
Published: January 2013

Background

Sebaceous glands are components of the skin essential for its normal lubrication by the production of sebum. This contributes to skin health and more importantly is crucial for the skin barrier function. A mechanistic understanding of sebaceous gland cells growth and differentiation has lagged behind that for keratinocytes, partly because of a lack of an in vitro model that can be used for experimental manipulation.

Methods

We have developed an in vitro culture model to isolate and grow primary human sebocytes without transformation that display functional characteristics of sebocytes. We used this novel method to probe the effect of Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) signaling on sebocyte differentiation, by examining the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis upon treatment with TGFβ1. We also repressed TGFβ signaling through knockdown of the TGFβ Receptor II to address if the effect of TGFβ activation is mediated via canonical Smad signal transduction.

Results

We find that activation of the TGFβ signaling pathway is necessary and sufficient for maintaining sebocytes in an undifferentiated state. The presence of TGFβ ligand triggered decreased expression in genes required for the production of characteristics sebaceous lipids and for sebocyte differentiation such as FADS2 and PPARγ, thereby decreasing lipid accumulation through the TGFβ RII-Smad2 dependent pathway.

Conclusion

TGFβ signaling plays an essential role in sebaceous gland regulation by maintaining sebocytes in an undifferentiated state. This data was generated using a novel method for human sebocyte culture, which is likely to prove generally useful in investigations of sebaceous gland growth and differentiation. These findings open a new paradigm in human skin biology with important implications for skin therapies.
C3G forms complexes with Bcr-Abl and p38α MAPK at the focal adhesions in chronic myeloid leukemia cells: implication in the regulation of leukemic cell adhesion
Authors: Maia Vera , Ortiz-Rivero Sara , Sanz María , Gutierrez-Berzal Javier , Álvarez-Fernández Indira , Gutierrez-Herrero Sara , de Pereda Jose María , Porras Almudena , Guerrero Carmen
Published: January 2013

Background

Previous studies by our group and others have shown that C3G interacts with Bcr-Abl through its SH3-b domain.

Results

In this work we show that C3G and Bcr-Abl form complexes with the focal adhesion (FA) proteins CrkL, p130Cas, Cbl and Abi1 through SH3/SH3-b interactions. The association between C3G and Bcr-Abl decreased upon Abi1 or p130Cas knock-down in K562 cells, which suggests that Abi1 and p130Cas are essential partners in this interaction. On the other hand, C3G, Abi1 or Cbl knock-down impaired adhesion to fibronectin, while p130Cas silencing enhanced it. C3G, Cbl and p130Cas-SH3-b domains interact directly with common proteins involved in the regulation of cell adhesion and migration. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies revealed that C3G form complexes with the FA proteins paxillin and FAK and their phosphorylated forms. Additionally, C3G, Abi1, Cbl and p130Cas regulate the expression and phosphorylation of paxillin and FAK. p38α MAPK also participates in the regulation of adhesion in chronic myeloid leukemia cells. It interacts with C3G, CrkL, FAK and paxillin and regulates the expression of paxillin, CrkL and α5 integrin, as well as paxillin phosphorylation. Moreover, double knock-down of C3G/p38α decreased adhesion to fibronectin, similarly to the single silencing of one of these genes, either C3G or p38α. These suggest that C3G and p38α MAPK are acting through a common pathway to regulate cell adhesion in K562 cells, as previously described for the regulation of apoptosis.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that C3G-p38αMAPK pathway regulates K562 cell adhesion through the interaction with FA proteins and Bcr-Abl, modulating the formation of different protein complexes at FA.
Research Resource: The Endometrium Database Resource (EDR)
Authors: Darlington Yolanda , Jeong Jae-Wook , Lee Kevin Y. , Franco Heather L. , Chen Edward S. , McOwiti Apollo , Mistretta Toni-Ann , Steffen David , Becnel Lauren , DeMayo Francesco J.
Published: January 2013

In order to understand the biology of the endometrium and potentially develop new diagnostic tools and treatments for endometrial diseases, the highly orchestrated gene expression/regulation that occurs within the uterus must first be understood. Even though a wealth of information on endometrial gene expression/regulation is available, this information is scattered across several different resources in formats that can be difficult for the average bench scientist to query, integrate, and utilize. The Endometrium Database Resource (EDR) was created as a single evolving resource for protein- and micro-RNA-encoding genes that have been shown by gene expression microarray, Northern blot, or other experiments in the literature to have their expression regulated in the uterus of humans, mice, rats, cows, domestic pigs, guinea pigs, and sheep. Genes are annotated in EDR with basic gene information (eg, gene symbol and chromosome), gene orthologs, and gene ontologies. Links are also provided to external resources for publication/s, nucleic and amino acid sequence, gene product function, and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) phase expression graph information. The resource also allows for direct comparison of relative gene expression in different microarray experiments for genes shown in the literature to be differentially expressed in the uterus. It is available via a user-friendly, web-based interface and is available without charge or restriction to the entire scientific community. The EDR can be accessed at http://edr.research.bcm.edu.
A tolvajok istene? Megjegyzések a homérosi Hermés-himnuszhoz
Authors: Adorjáni Zsolt
Published: January 2013

A tanulmány a homérosi Hermés-himnusz néhány nevezetes szövegkritikai és értelmezési kérdésével foglalkozik. Az első fejezet a szandálkészítő jelenet (82–86) kapcsán Hermés leleményes tettének valódi indokát keresi, és megoldást kínál a romlott 86. sor javítására, a második egység a tettetési epizód összefüggésében a csecsemő isten színészképességeit vizsgálja, és javítja a szintén hibásan hagyományozódott 242. sort, végül az utolsó fejezet arra keresi a választ, hogyan alakul át Hermés a himnusz befejező részében ravasz tolvajból ihletett dalnokká, miközben mégis megőrzi eredeti tulajdonságait.
„Aki az állattal kegyetlen, nem lehet emberséges ember”. Ponori Thewrewk Emil és az állatvédelem a régi görögöknél
Authors: Gaál Balázs
Published: January 2013

Ponori Thewrewk Emil, akit a magyar klasszika-filológia első nagy alakjának és megalapítójának tekintünk, egyúttal az egyetlen olyan magyar tudós is, aki foglalkozott az ókori görögök állatvédelmével. A téma iránti érdeklődése azzal a hatással magyarázható, amelyet szellemi környezete gyakorolt rá, közeli rokonságára és ismerőseire. A kor állatvédő mozgalmainak érvelése, amely aza minore ad maiuselvén alapszik („aki kíméletlen az állatokkal, az kíméletlen lesz az emberekkel is”), megragadható Ponori Thewrewk rövid cikkében, amely különbséget tesz az állati élet megkíméléséhez vezető, régi vallásos hiedelmek és azon törvényes athéni esetek között, amelyekben az állatokkal szembeni kegyetlenséget megbüntették mint az emberekkel szembeni, jövőbeni kegyetlenség előjelét. Tanulmányom első felében (I–II. rész) megkísérlem feltárni Ponori Thewrewk személyes indíttatását és kapcsolatait, amelyek a kor állatvédő mozgalmaihoz fűzték, majd a III. részben sorra veszem azokat a Ponori Thewrewk által említett, ókori vallásos és törvényi megfontolásokat, amelyek az állatokkal való kíméletes bánásmódhoz vezettek, hogy teljes képet nyerjünk az ókori görögök állatvédelmi törekvéseiről és arról, ahogyan ezt Ponori Thewrewk és kortársai látták.
Germinação in vitro e desenvolvimento pós-seminal de plântulas de Pilosocereus aurisetus (Werderm.) Byles & G.D. Rowley (Cactaceae)
Authors: Reis Michele Valquíria dos , Pêgo Rogério Gomes , Paiva Patrícia Duarte de Oliveira , Artioli-Coelho Fabiane Aparecida , Paiva Renato
Published: January 2013

Pilosocereus aurisetus é uma espécie de cactos de importância econômica e ambiental que se encontra em risco de extinção. A propagação em áreas naturais ocorre, principalmente, de forma sexuada; entretanto, não há registro da germinação e viabilidade de sementes e morfologia pós-seminal de plântulas dessa espécie. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a germinação de sementes e descrever a morfologia do desenvolvimento pós-seminal de plântulas de P. aurisetus. Para isso, sementes, armazenadas em condições ambientais por 19 meses, foram submetidas aos tratamentos: embebição em água por 24 horas; pré-resfriamento; imersão em solução de giberelina, nas concentrações de 250 mg L-1 e 500 mg L-1; e um tratamento controle. As sementes foram colocadas para germinar em meio de cultura MS, por 30 dias, quando se avaliou a percentagem de germinação. O delineamento estatístico foi o inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, sendo dispostas 25 sementes por parcela. A caracterização pós-seminal foi realizada por um período de 60 dias, utilizando-se microscópio binocular, com base nas Regras para Análise de Sementes. Maior percentagem da germinação de sementes ocorreu no controle, ou quando embebidas por 24 horas, sendo observados 90% e 83%, respectivamente. A morfologia do desenvolvimento pós-seminal indicou que a germinação é do tipo epígea, com hipocótilo de reserva; suas plântulas sofrem modificações na região do colo, para a emissão de raízes, e apresentam cerdas no ápice caulinar, mesmo na fase inicial da expansão cotiledonar. A diferenciação e início da formação das costelas iniciam-se aos 60 dias após a germinação, com o desenvolvimento do epicótilo.
Seleção precoce em plantas segregantes de feijoeiro para resistência à murcha de Curtobacterium
Authors: Morais Pedro Patric Pinho , Toaldo Diego , Andrade Luciano Rogério Braatz de , Guidolin Altamir Frederico , Coimbra Jefferson Luís Meirelles
Published: January 2013

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram estimar a eficiência da seleção, em populações segregantes de feijoeiro, para a resistência à murcha de Curtobacterium, e indicar o melhor período do ciclo da cultura para se proceder à seleção das plantas resistentes. Foram realizados os cruzamentos convergentes IAC-Carioca Aruã x SCS Guará, IAC-Carioca Pyatã x SCS Guará e IAC-Carioca Pyatã x Pérola, dando origem às gerações F1, F2, F2:3, F3:4, que foram inoculadas com Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens isolado 2634. A resistência foi avaliada segundo escala de notas referentes aos sintomas comuns da doença aos 20, 40 e 60 dias após a inoculação. Os resultados indicaram que as gerações segregantes de Aruã x Guará, Pyatã x Guará e Pyatã x Pérola possuem comportamento semelhante em relação à resistência aos sintomas da murcha de Curtobacterium. A seleção foi efetiva para as gerações oriundas de Aruã x Guará e Pyatã x Pérola e o período entre 40 e 60 dias após a inoculação é o mais adequado para seleção de plantas segregantes para resistência.
Efeito protetor do per-condicionamento isquêmico remoto nas lesões da síndrome de isquemia e reperfusão renal em ratos
Authors: Yamaki Vitor Nagai , Gonçalves Thiago Barbosa , Coelho João Vitor Baia , Pontes Ruy Victor Simões , Costa Felipe Lobato da Silva , Brito Marcus Vinicius Henriques
Published: January 2013

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito protetor do per-condicionamento isquêmico remoto nas lesões de isquemia e reperfusão renal induzida. MÉTODOS: Quinze ratos (Rattus Novergicus) foram randomizados em três grupos (n=5): Grupo Normalidade (GN), Grupo Controle - Isquemia e Reperfusão (GIR) e Grupo Per-condicionamento isquêmico remoto (GPER). Com exceção do grupo GN, todos os demais foram submetidos à isquemia renal de 30 minutos. No grupo GPER, foi realizado o per-condicionamento isquêmico remoto, constituído de três ciclos de isquemia e reperfusão de cinco minutos cada aplicado, durante o período de isquemia, no membro posterior esquerdo dos ratos, por meio de torniquete. Para quantificar as lesões, foram dosados os níveis séricos de ureia e creatinina, bem como, analisada a histopatologia renal. RESULTADOS: O grupo GPER apresentou-se com melhores níveis de ureia (83,74 ± 14,58%) e creatinina (0,72 ± 26,14%) quando comparado ao grupo GIR, se aproximando do grupo GN. Na histopatologia, os menores níveis de degeneração hidrópica e congestão medular foram encontrados no grupo GPER. CONCLUSÃO: O per-condicionamento isquêmico remoto apresentou importante efeito protetor na lesão de isquemia e reperfusão renal.
Fotografia e fantasmagoria em Dom Casmurro
Authors: Carvalho Carolina Sá
Published: January 2013

O artigo investiga o papel do retrato fotográfico no romance Dom Casmurro, de Machado de Assis. Embora esteja presente em outras obras do escritor, como em Memorial de Aires ou Esaú e Jacó, apenas em Dom Casmurro a fotografia assume uma função determinante na estrutura da narrativa. A hipótese é a de que, nesta autobiografia ficcional de um personagem obcecado por reconstituir os laços entre o presente e o passado, as aparências e a realidade, o rosto e a alma, Machado põe em jogo questões comuns ao imaginário fotográfico do século XIX, quando os retratos adentram as casas burguesas. Dentre essas questões está o tema - propriamente moderno - da identidade, da divisão do sujeito e do desdobramento da personalidade, tema caro aos estudos de Machado, dentre os quais os de Antonio Candido, Augusto Meyer e, mais recentemente, José Luiz Passos.
"Paz doméstica": figuração do casamento em Ressurreição
Authors: Herane Amanda Rios
Published: January 2013

Este artigo consiste em uma abordagem de Ressurreição (1872), primeiro romance de Machado de Assis. Na obra, o comportamento do protagonista Félix é visto pelo narrador como fruto da natureza singular do personagem. Félix teria um caráter incongruente que o tornaria propenso a desconfiar, em razão do que sentiria ciúmes infundados de Lívia e teria dúvidas quanto a se casar com ela. O narrador parte da premissa de que o matrimônio seria um benefício inquestionável, de modo que somente um desconfiado como Félix o refutaria. No entanto, esse mesmo narrador entra em contradição ao expor que o casamento poderia ter aspectos problemáticos para alguns pares do romance. O texto que se segue buscará explorar essa contradição.
Crônica e brasilidade: a catação do mínimo e do escondido
Authors: Luz Eduardo
Published: January 2013

Entre 1892 e 1897, Machado de Assis escreveu as 246 crônicas de "A Semana". À época, já sofrera uma série de decepções: entre elas, não frutificara a cena brasileira nos moldes do teatro realista francês; a literatura não se constituíra numa forma de intervenção social; e a política tornara-se sinônimo de crise moral. Machado, então, orientou sua atenção para a crônica, onde assentaria suas reflexões sobre nossos rituais de convivência urbana. Intrigado com a configuração cultural que lhe escapava, impôs-se a ele buscar os traços psicossociais do brasileiro. Este artigo apresenta alguns resultados do esforço de Machado de Assis pela compreensão da brasilidade.
On the failure of BD-ℕ and BD, and an application to the anti-specker property
Authors: Lubarsky Robert S.
Published: January 2013

We give the natural topological model for ¬BD-ℕ, and use it to show that the closure of spaces with the anti-Specker property under product does not imply BD-ℕ. Also, the natural topological model for ¬BD is presented. Finally, for some of the realizability models known indirectly to falsify BD-ℕ, it is brought out in detail how BD-ℕ fails.
Sero-diagnosis of Dengue virus in Different Hospitals of Nepal
Authors: Shah Y , Khadka G , Gupta GP , Adhikari N , Poudel A , Pant KP , Dahal B , Pandey BD
Published: January 2013

INTRODUCTION: Dengue fever (DF) is an emerging mosquito borne viral disease and important public health problem in low land Terai region which is also moving towards hilly region Nepal. This study was designed to determine the sero-prevalence of dengue virus infection in patients visiting hospitals of Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted during period (June-November) of 2010 in Nepalese patients with fever visiting hospitals of Birganj, Damouli, Biratanagar, Dhading Besi and Chitwan. The sero-prevalence of dengue virus specific IgM was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum samples were collected from 289 patients visiting hospitals with history of fever and clinically suspected dengue fever. RESULTS: The anti-dengue IgM positivity was found to be 8.99%. The positive dengue cases were higher in male (10.8%) as compared to female (7.1%) though it was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Among different age groups, the highest positive cases (12.3%) were from age group below 15 years followed by above 50 years 8.3%. Out of 5 hospitals, the highest positive cases were in Tanahu hospital, Damouli (23.8%) followed by Bharatpur hospital and Chitwan (22.2%). Age and gender were found to be independent predictors. The highest numbers of dengue positive cases were in occupation group business (13.3%) followed by agriculture (12.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of dengue virus infection is increasing and proper control measure should be provided. IgM capture ELISA was used for laboratory analysis and remains as a reliable and inexpensive method for the diagnosis of dengue. Hence, the IgM capture ELISA has become the most accepted technique for the diagnosis of dengue in developing countries like Nepal. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijim.v1i2.7003 Int J Infect Microbiol 2012;1(1):58-62
Effect of Repetitive Lysine-Tryptophan Motifs on the Eukaryotic Membrane
Authors: Gopal Ramamourthy , Lee Jong , Lee Jun , Kim Young , Oh Gwang , Seo Chang , Park Yoonkyung
Published: January 2013

In a previous study, we synthesized a series of peptides containing simple sequence repeats, (KW)n–NH2 (n = 2,3,4 and 5) and determined their antimicrobial and hemolytic activities, as well as their mechanism of antimicrobial action. However, (KW)5 showed undesirable cytotoxicity against RBC cells. In order to identify the mechanisms behind the hemolytic and cytotoxic activities of (KW)5, we measured the ability of these peptides to induce aggregation of liposomes. In addition, their binding and permeation activities were assessed by Trp fluorescence, calcein leakage and circular dichrorism using artificial phospholipids that mimic eukaryotic liposomes, including phosphatidylcholine (PC), PC/sphingomyelin (SM) (2:1, w/w) and PC/cholesterol (CH) (2:1, w/w). Experiments confirmed that only (KW)5 induced aggregation of all liposomes; it formed much larger aggregates with PC:CH (2:1, w/w) than with PC or PC:SM (2:1, w/w). Longer peptide (KW)5, but not (KW)3 or (KW)4, strongly bound and partially inserted into PC:CH compared to PC or PC:SM (2:1, w/w). Calcein release experiments showed that (KW)5 induced calcein leakage from the eukaryotic membrane. Greater calcein leakage was induced by (KW)5 from PC:CH than from PC:SM (2:1, w/w) or PC, whereas (KW)4 did not induce calcein leakage from any of the liposomes. Circular dichroism measurements indicated that (KW)5 showed higher conformational transition compared to (KW)4 due to peptide-liposome interactions. Taken together, our results suggest that (KW)5 reasonably mediates the aggregation and permeabilization of eukaryotic membranes, which could in turn explain why (KW)5 displays efficient hemolytic activity.
Drama & Demigods: Kingship and Charisma in Shakespeare’s England
Authors: Bezio Kristin
Published: January 2013

Shakespearean charisma, with its medieval roots in both religion and politics, served as a precursor to Max Weber’s later understanding of the term. The on-stage portrayal of charismatic kingship in the twilight of the Tudor dynasty was not coincidental; facing the imminent death of a queen, the English nation was concerned about the future of the monarchy. Through the depiction of the production and deterioration of royal charisma, Shakespeare presents the anxiety of a population aware of the latent dangers of charismatic authority; while Elizabeth managed to perpetuate an unprecedented degree of long-term charismatic rule, there could be no certainty that her successor would be similarly capable. Shakespeare’s second tetralogy — known as the Henriad — examines this royal charisma as it appears both under crisis and in the process of what Weber would later characterize as routinization. While Henry IV (Bolingbroke) originally makes use of charisma to ensure his succession to Richard II’s throne, he loses his charismatic authority in the process. Henry V, by contrast, makes use of deliberate crisis — his claim to the French crown — in order to restore royal charisma. Henry V’s success, however, cannot last, and his son’s reign is a disastrous reminder that charisma is, as Weber will later argue, inherently unstable.
Keratoconus associated with Corneal Guttata
Authors: Ramos Isaac C , Valbon Bruno F , Pimentel Leonardo N , Caldas Diogo L
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To describe clinical findings of cases with keratoconus and concomitant corneal guttata.

Setting

Rio de Janeiro Corneal Tomography and Biomechanics Study Group, Brazil.

Materials and methods

In a retrospective study including 138 patients with clinical keratoconus, 22 eyes from 11 (8%) patients with keratoconus were identified with the presence of corneal guttata. Complete ophthalmologic examination was performed in all patients, including Scheimpflug rotation tomography (Pentacam HR, Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany), biomechanical study associated with noncontact tonometry [ocular response analyzer (ORA); Reichert, Depew, USA], and specular microscopy (LSM 12000, Bio-Optics, Oregon, USA). The amount of guttata was correlated with biomechanical and tomographic parameters by nonparametric Spearman test.

Results

The mean age was 51.8 ± 20.9 (from 25 to 81) years, nine patients were female (81.9%). The mean of corrected distance visual acuity was 0.20 (20/32) ± 0.49 [from 0 (20/20) to 1.9 (10/800)] LogMar. Eleven eyes had corneal guttae grade I, six eyes grade II, four eyes grade III, and one eye grade IV. The average central keratometric readings were 44.45 ± 2.54 (from 39.70 to 50.60) for flattest K (K1), 46.08 ± 2.69 (from 42.40 to 53.50) for steepest K (K2) and 45.24 ± 2.52 (from 42.00 to 52.20) for average K (Km). Maximal keratometric value (Kmax) averaged 47.63 ± 3.10 (from 43.5 to 55.8) D. The mean CCT was 482.54 ± 52.13 µm (from 398 to 585) and in the thinnest point 474.45 ± 50.32 µm (from 387 to 577). The mean of pachymetric progression indices were 0.83 ± 0.41 (from 0.2 to 2.03) (PPI Min), 1.24 ± 0.53 (from 0.7 to 2.73) (PPI Avg), and 1.79 ± 0.92 (from 0.88 to 4.67) (PPI Max). The mean of ART Min was 710.54 ± 372.47 (from 190.64 to 1985), of ART Avg was 433.18 ± 140.96 (from 141.75 to 678.37), and of ART Max was 315.64 ± 122.69 (from 102.78 to 539.78). The mean of front and back elevation at the thinnest point (using best fit sphere to 8 mm) was 5.35 ± 6.77 (from −4 to 20) and 19.15 ± 16.41 (from 1 to 50) respectively. Belin-Ambrósio deviation index (BAD D) was 3.05 ± 3 (from −0.34 to 11.55). The mean corneal hysteresis (CH) was 8.23 ± 2.05 (from 4.1 to 10.9), corneal resistance factor (CRF) was 7.67 ± 2.4 (from 3.4 to 11.3). The amount of guttata was statistically correlated with Km and K1 (Spearman, p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Keratoconus and cornea guttata can coexist in the same patient. This association can camouflage corneal thinning and protrusion associated with ectasia, but elevation, relational thickness, along with combined tomographic indices and biomechanical properties are altered. The diagnosis should be considered in the complete ophthalmic examination, including corneal topography, and tomographic characterization, along specular documentation of corneal endothelium.

How to cite this article

Ramos IC, Belin MW, Valbon BF, Luz A, Pimentel LN, Caldas DL, Ambrósio R Jr. Keratoconus associated with Corneal Guttata. Int J Kerat Ect Cor Dis 2012;1(3):173-178.
Mass movement deposits in the 3.6 Ma sediment record of Lake El'gygytgyn, Far East Russian Arctic: classification, distribution and preliminary interpretation
Authors: Sauerbrey M. A. , Juschus O. , Gebhardt A. C. , Wennrich V. , Nowaczyk N. R. , Melles M.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. This paper focuses on the characterization and genesis of mass movement deposits (MMD) in the Quaternary and Pliocene sediments of Lake El'gygytgyn, Far East Russian Arctic. The 320 m long sediment record was drilled by three partly overlapping holes at ICDP Site 5011-1 in the lake basin, representing the Quaternary almost completely, and the Pliocene down to 3.6 Ma with 52% recovery. Mass movement deposits were investigated in all three cores, based on macroscopical core descriptions, radiographic images, and high-resolution magnetic susceptibility and gamma-ray density. Five different types of MMDs were identified: turbidites, grain flow deposits, debrites, slumps and slides. These are formed by transitional mass movement processes, and thus, can be co-generic. An initial slope failure is thought to transform into a debris flow, deforms frontal sediments and partly disintegrates and dilutes into a turbidity flow. Turbidites are by far the most frequent MMD type in the lake center. They occur throughout the record in all pelagic sedimentary facies, but they are thinner in facies formed during cold climate conditions. All other MMDs, by contrast, incise exclusively the pelagic facies deposited during warm climates. In the 123 m thick Quaternary sediment record 238 mass movement events are identified, comprising 37% of the sediment length. Turbidites contribute 92% of the number of Quaternary MMDs, but only 32% of their thickness. In the Pliocene sediments between 123 and 320 m, additional 185 mass movement deposits are identified, which constitute 32% of the recovered sediments. The mean recurrence rate for MMDs is 11 ka and 5 ka in the Quaternary and Pliocene, respectively.
Collaborative damage mapping for emergency response: the role of Cognitive Systems Engineering
Authors: Kerle N. , Hoffman R. R.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Remote sensing is increasingly used to assess disaster damage, traditionally by professional image analysts. A recent alternative is crowdsourcing by volunteers experienced in remote sensing, using internet-based mapping portals. We identify a range of problems in current approaches, including how volunteers can best be instructed for the task, ensuring that instructions are accurately understood and translate into valid results, or how the mapping scheme must be adapted for different map user needs. The volunteers, the mapping organizers, and the map users all perform complex cognitive tasks, yet little is known about the actual information needs of the users. We also identify problematic assumptions about the capabilities of the volunteers, principally related to the ability to perform the mapping, and to understand mapping instructions unambiguously. We propose that any robust scheme for collaborative damage mapping must rely on Cognitive Systems Engineering and its principal method, Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA), to understand the information and decision requirements of the map and image users, and how the volunteers can be optimally instructed and their mapping contributions merged into suitable map products. We recommend an iterative approach involving map users, remote sensing specialists, cognitive systems engineers and instructional designers, as well as experimental psychologists.
Comparison of Pantoprazole, Omeprazole and Ranitidine in Children Requiring Acid Suppression: A Prospective Pilot Study
Authors: Cuttica Claire E. , Chicella Michael F. , Butler Dawn E. , Kaul Ajay
Published: January 2013

This study compared the safety and efficacy of enterally administered pantoprazole, omeprazole and ranitidine at raising gastric pH above 4 in children with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Children with gastrostomy tubes that were being treated with one of the three drugs were included. Caregivers were taught to measure gastric pH. Dose, time of last meal, time of last dose, and time of gastric pH were collected. Four weekly pH measurements were compared among the groups. Seventeen patients were enrolled. Six received ranitidine, 6 received omeprazole, and 5 received pantoprazole. Mean doses were: ranitidine 6.8 mg/kg/day, omeprazole 1.4 mg/kg/day and pantoprazole 1.3 mg/kg/day. Mean gastric pH was 3, 4.3, and 4 for the ranitidine, omeprazole and pantoprazole groups, respectively. Twenty-nine percent of pH readings in the ranitidine, 66% in the omeprazole, and 60% in the pantoprazole group were above 4. Comparing pH to time since last dose, ranitidine failed to routinely achieve pH > 4. Pantoprazole and omeprazole achieved this, but by 12 hours after the dose both failed to maintain pH > 4. Pantoprazole and omeprazole appear more effective at controlling gastric pH than ranitidine. Pantoprazole appears safe, however doses of 1–1.5 mg/kg/day once daily may not be effective in maintaining gastric pH > 4 in children with GERD.
Mathematical Lens: How Much Can You Bench?
Authors: Bolognese Chris A.
Published: January 2013

Students analyze a photograph to solve mathematical questions related to the images captured in the photograph. This month the mathematics behind the photograph includes finding areas of regular polygons, right triangle trigonometry, the Pythagorean theorem, special right triangles, and similarity and scale factors.
Whaling and whale killing methods
Authors: Bass CL , Brakes P
Published: January 2013

Subsistence whale hunting dates back to 400AD (Perrinet al2009). Large-scale industrialised whaling to provide whale oil commenced in the late nineteenth century. Hunts escalated in the early 20th century and reports to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) show that over two million great whales were killed in hunts in the Southern Ocean between 1925 and 1985 and that unreported ‘pirate’ whaling was also widespread (Clapham & Ivashenko 2009). In 1982, as several whale species neared extinction, the IWC agreed an international moratorium on commercial whaling, which took effect in 1986.
MOGUĆI EFEKTI PRIMJENE BASELA III U BANKARSKOM SEKTORU BIH
Authors: Galijašević Zumreta , Vujnović-Gligorić Bogdana
Published: January 2013

Analiza primjene Basela III svodi se na spremnost da banke usvoje i provedu nove kapitalne zahtjeve, zahtjeve likvidnosti i leveragea koji su njime definirani. U ovom radu bit će prikazani osnovni principi Basela III i mogućnost njegove implementacije u uslovima nedovoljno razvijenog tržišta. Analizirat će se, takođe, šanse i prijetnje Basela III za banke kao poslovne subjekte, te bankarski sistem BiH. Rad će dati osnovne smjernice na putu usvajanja i potpune implementacije novog okvira u uslovima pozitivnih i negativnih implikacija koje se sa globalnog nivoa prenose na BiH.
The Impacts of Cation Stoichiometry and Substrate Surface Quality on Nucleation, Structure, Defect Formation, and Intermixing in Complex Oxide Heteroepitaxy–LaCrO3 on SrTiO3(001)
Authors: Qiao L. , Zhang K. H. L. , Bowden M. E. , Varga T. , Shutthanandan V. , Colby R. , Du Y. , Kabius B. , Sushko P. V. , Biegalski M. D. , Chambers S. A.
Published: January 2013

The ability to design and fabricate electronic devices with reproducible properties using complex oxides is critically dependent on our ability to controllably synthesize these materials in thin‐film form. Structure‐property relationships are intimately tied to film and interface composition. Here the effect of cation stoichiometry on structural quality and defect formation in LaCrO3 heteroepitaxial films prepared using molecular beam epitaxy is reported. From first principles the regions of stability of various candidate defects, along with the predicted effects of these defects on structural parameters, are calculated as a function of Cr and O chemical potential. Epitaxial LaCrO3 films readily nucleate and remain coherently strained on SrTiO3(001) over a wide range of La‐to‐Cr atom ratios, but La‐rich films are of considerably lower structural quality than stoichiometric and Cr‐rich films. Cation imbalances are accompanied by anti‐site defect formation. Cation mixing occurs at the interface for all La‐to‐Cr ratios investigated and is not quenched by deposition on SrTiO3(001) at ambient temperature. Indiffused La atoms occupy Sr sites. Intermixing is effectively quenched by using molecular beam epitaxy to deposit LaCrO3 at ambient temperature on defect free Si(001). However, analogous pulsed laser deposition on Si is accompanied by cation mixing.
Photochemical Transformation of Fullerenes
Authors: Wang Jia , Enevold Jenny , Edman Ludvig
Published: January 2013

Experimental findings and associated theoretical insights regarding the photochemical transformation of fullerenes are reported, which challenge the conventional wisdom in the field and point out a viable path towards improved fullerene‐based electronic devices. It is shown that the efficiency of the photochemical monomer‐to‐dimer transformation of the fullerene [6,6′]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) is strongly dependent on the light intensity, and this is utilized to demonstrate that direct patterning of an electroactive PCBM film can be effectuated by sub‐second UV‐light exposure followed by development in a tuned developer solution. By straightforward analytical reasoning, it is demonstrated that the observed intensity‐dependent monomer‐to‐dimer transformation dictates that a significant back‐reaction to the ground state must be in effect, which presumably originates from the excited‐triplet state. By a combination of numerical modeling and analytical argumentation, it is further shown that the final dimer formation must constitute a bi‐excited reaction between two neighboring monomers photo‐excited to the triplet state.
Possible Chelating Agents for Iron and Aluminium – 4‐Hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐ and 4‐Hydroxy‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3‐pyridinecarboxylic Acid
Authors: Dean Annalisa , Sija Éva , Zsigó Éva , Ferlin Maria Grazia , Marton Daniele , Gandin Valentina , Marzano Cristina , Badocco Denis , Pastore Paolo , Venzo Alfonso , Bertani Roberta , Kiss Tamás , Di Marco Valerio
Published: January 2013

4‐Hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐3‐pyridinecarboxylic acid (DQ5) and 4‐hydroxy‐1,5‐dimethyl‐3‐pyridinecarboxylic acid (DQ715) were synthesized and evaluated for possible application in iron and aluminium chelation therapy. Metal ion/ligand solution chemistry, electrochemistry, cytotoxicity and chelation efficiency in vitro were studied. The solution chemistry of each ligand with FeIII or AlIII was investigated in aqueous NaCl solution (0.6 m) at 25 °C by means of potentiometric titrations, UV/Vis spectrophotometry, ESI‐MS and (in the case of AlIII) by 1H NMR measurements. Accordingly, the effects of the 5‐methyl substitution of 4‐hydroxy‐3‐pyridinecarboxylic acid on the stability of Fe and Al complexes were rationalized. Electrochemical measurements allowed to obtain the standard reduction potentials of some FeIII/DQ715 complexes and their kinetic constants. These results indicate that FeIII/DQ715 complexes do not redox cycle in vivo and complex formation is not kinetically limited. The lack of cytotoxicity of DQ715 was demonstrated on human embryonic kidney cells (HEK‐293): the IC50 values calculated from the dose–survival curves were 1.4 (after 24 h treatment) and 0.8 mmol/L (after 48 h treatment). The treatment of cells with DQ715 in the presence of FeIII sensibly reduced antiproliferative activity promoted by the metal ion, which suggests an FeIII chelate effect induced by DQ715. According to our results, DQ715 is a chelator for both metal ions, whereas DQ5 is more suitable as a selective Al chelator.
Influence of the Morphology of Lithiated Copper(I) Sulfides with the Formal Composition “Li2Cu4S3” on Their Stability in Electrochemical Cycling
Authors: Eichhöfer Andreas , Sommer Heino , Andrushko Vasyl , Indris Sylvio , Malik Sharali
Published: January 2013

Two different approaches were developed for the synthesis of lithiated copper(I) sulfide with the formal composition “Li2Cu4S3”. In the first approach, thiolato‐bridged copper cluster complexes [Li(dme)3]2[Cu4(SPh)6] (dme = dimethoxyethane) and [Li(diglyme)2]2[Cu4(SPh)6] (diglyme = diethylene glycol dimethyl ether) were decomposed/thermolized at 400 °C to form the lithiated copper(I) sulfides upon cleavage of the ether ligands and 3 equiv. of SPh2. In the second approach, Li2S and 2 equiv. of Cu2S were allowed to react in quartz ampoules sealed under vacuum at 400 °C. The as‐synthesized powders reveal complex room‐temperature XRD powder patterns with clear differences between the two materials. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the material synthesized by thermolysis of the cluster material is composed of a porous network of agglomerated nanoparticles, whereas the other material is composed of compact micron‐sized crystals. The initial specific capacities for galvanostatic charging and discharging of nanostructured and porous “Li2Cu4S3” cathodes vs. lithium metal anodes in a limited range between 1.7 and 3 V are ca. 143 A h kg–1. This is 97.3 % of the theoretical value for the exchange of two lithium ions and 5 % higher than for the compact material at ca. 136 A h kg–1. However, we observed that upon prolonged cycling the capacity of the nanostructured and porous “Li2Cu4S3” fades much faster than that of the compact material. This means that after 100 cycles the nanostructured and porous material had faded by 67 %, whereas the compact material still reaches a specific capacity of 109 A h kg–1.
Crystal‐Structure Studies of Mononuclear Iron(II) Complexes with Two‐Step Spin Crossover: [Fe{5‐NO2‐sal‐N(1,4,7,10)}] Revisited
Authors: Kusz Joachim , Nowak Maria , Gütlich Philipp
Published: January 2013

In the region of the spin transition of spin‐crossover (SCO) compounds there coexist molecules in both high‐spin (HS) and low‐spin (LS) states. In the case of two‐step spin transition, theoretical predictions and computer simulations have shown that HS and LS complex molecules should be ordered in the plateau region. Several examples that support this hypothesis are already presented in the literature. Herein, we discuss a mononuclear complex of iron(II) with two‐step spin transition in terms of long‐range ordering of HS and LS molecules. In such compounds, spin transition is associated with the formation of a superstructure. However, previous studies of the [Fe{5‐NO2‐sal‐N(1,4,7,10)}] [5‐NO2‐sal‐N(1,4,7,10) = 5‐nitrosalicylaldehyde–1,4,7,10‐tetraazadecane] coordination complex have not revealed the occurrence of the satellite reflections in the SCO plateau region as a typical sign of the formation of a superstructure. Re‐investigations of this complex by using strong X‐ray sources and a charge‐coupled device (CCD) camera show that satellite reflections appear in the plateau region. This is evidence that also in this case the superstructure is formed in the plateau region with long‐range ordering of the HS and LS molecules. The two‐step spin transition is connected to the change of the conformer and a dramatic change in the hydrogen‐bonding system.
Intronic deletion and duplication proximal of the EXT1 gene: A novel causative mechanism for multiple osteochondromas
Authors: Waaijer Cathelijn J. F. , Winter Marcel G. T. , Reijnders Christianne M. A. , de Jong Daniëlle , John Ham S. , Bovée Judith V. M. G. , Szuhai Károly
Published: January 2013

Multiple osteochondromas (MO) is a syndrome in which benign cartilage‐capped neoplasms develop at the surface of the long bones. Most cases are caused by exonic changes in EXT1 or EXT2, but 15% are negative for these changes. Here we report for the first time a family of MO patients with germline genomic alterations at the EXT1 locus without detectable mutations or copy number alterations of EXT exonic sequences. Array‐CGH showed an 80.7 kb deletion of Intron 1 of EXT1 and a 68.9 kb duplication proximal of EXT1. We identified a breakpoint between the distal end of the duplicated region and a sequence distal of the deleted region in the first intron. This breakpoint was absent in non‐affected family members. The configuration of the breakpoint indicates a direct insertion of the duplicated region into the deletion. However, no other breakpoint was found, which suggests a more complex genomic rearrangement has occurred within the duplicated region. Our results reveal intronic deletion and duplication as a new causative mechanism for MO not detected by conventional diagnostic methods. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Salt bridge exchange binding mechanism between streptavidin and its DNA aptamer – thermodynamics and spectroscopic evidences
Authors: Kuo Tai‐Chih , Lee Peng‐Chen , Tsai Ching‐Wei , Chen Wen‐Yih
Published: January 2013

Protein‐nucleic acids binding driven by electrostatic interactions typically are characterized by the release of counter ions, and the salt‐inhibited binding association constant (Ka) and the magnitude of exothermic binding enthalpy (ΔH). Here, we report a non‐classical thermodynamics of streptavidin (SA)–aptamer binding in NaCl (140–350 mM) solutions near room temperatures (23–27 °C). By using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and circular dichroism (CD)/fluorescence spectroscopy, we found that the binding was enthalpy driven with a large entropy cost (ΔH −20.58 kcal mol−1, TΔS −10.99 kcal mol−1, and Ka 1.08 × 107 M−1 at 140 mM NaCl 25 °C). With the raise of salt concentrations, the ΔH became more exothermic, yet the Ka was almost unchanged (ΔH −26.29 kcal mol−1 and Ka 1.50 × 107 M−1 at 350 mM NaCl 25 °C). The data suggest that no counter Na+ was released in the binding. Spectroscopy data suggest that the binding, with a stoichiometry of 2, was accompanied with substantial conformational changes on SA, and the changes were insensitive to the variation of salt concentrations. To account for the non‐classical results, we propose a salt bridge exchange model. The intramolecular binding‐site salt bridge(s) of the free SA and the charged phosphate group of aptamers re‐organize to form the binding complex by forming a new intermolecular salt bridge(s). The salt bridge exchange binding process requires minimum amount of counter ions releasing but dehydration of the contacting surface of SA and the aptamer. The energy required for dehydration is reduced in the case of binding solution with higher salt concentration and account for the higher binding exothermic mainly. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop for simultaneous determination of alachlor and atrazine in aqueous samples
Authors: Pirsaheb Meghdad , Fattahi Nazir , Shamsipur Mojtaba , Khodadadi Tarokh
Published: January 2013

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop coupled with HPLC‐UV detection as a fast and inexpensive technique was applied to the simultaneous extraction and determination of traces of two common herbicides, alachlor and atrazine, in aqueous samples. The critical experimental parameters, including type of the extraction and disperser solvents as well as their volumes, sample pH, salt addition, and extraction time were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graphs found to be linear in the range of 0.1–200 μg/L with LOD in the range of 0.02–0.05 μg/L. The RSDs were in the range of 4.2–5.3% (n = 5). The relative recoveries of well, tap, and river water samples which have been spiked with different levels of herbicides were 94.0–106.0, 99.0–105.0, and 88.5–97.0%, respectively.
Wildlife conservation planning under the United States Forest Service's 2012 planning rule
Authors: Schultz Courtney A. , Sisk Thomas D. , Noon Barry R. , Nie Martin A.
Published: January 2013

In 2012, the United States Forest Service (USFS) promulgated new planning regulations in accordance with the National Forest Management Act (NFMA). These regulations represent the most significant change in federal forest policy in decades and have sweeping implications for wildlife populations. We provide a brief overview of the history of the NFMA planning regulations and their wildlife provisions and review the current science on planning for effective wildlife conservation at the landscape scale. We then discuss the approach to wildlife conservation planning in the 2012 rule and compare it to alternatives that were not selected and previous iterations of the planning rule. The new planning rule is of concern because of its highly discretionary nature and the inconsistency between its intent on the one hand and operational requirements on the other. Therefore, we recommend that the USFS include in the Directives for implementing the rule commitments to directly monitor populations of selected species of conservation concern and focal species and to maintain the viability of both categories of species. Additional guidance must be included to ensure the effective selection of species of conservation concern and focal species, and these categories should overlap when possible. If the USFS determines that the planning unit is not inherently capable of maintaining viable populations of a species, this finding should be made available for scientific review and public comment, and in such cases the USFS should commit to doing nothing that would further impair the viability of such species. In cases where extrinsic factors decrease the viability of species, the USFS has an increased, not lessened, responsibility to protect those species. Monitoring plans must include trigger points that will initiate a review of management actions, and plans must include provisions to ensure monitoring takes place as planned. If wildlife provisions in forest plans are implemented so that they are enforceable and ensure consistency between intent and operational requirements, this will help to prevent the need for additional listings under the Endangered Species Act and facilitate delisting. Although the discretionary nature of the wildlife provisions in the planning rule gives cause for concern, forward‐thinking USFS officials have the opportunity under the 2012 rule to create a robust and effective framework for wildlife conservation planning. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.