bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Polymers and Permeation Enhancers: Specialized Components of Mucoadhesives
Authors: Alexander Amit , Ajazuddin M , Swarna M , Sharma Mukesh , Tripathi DK
Published: November 2011

Mucoadhesive polymers have recently gained interest among pharmaceutical scientists as a means of improving drug delivery by promoting dosage form residence time and contact time with the mucous membranes. Mucoadhesion occurs between two surfaces, one of which is a mucous membrane and another is drug delivery system. Pharmaceutical aspects of mucoadhesion have been the subject of great interest during recent years because mucoadhesion could be a solution for bioavailability problems that result from a too short length of stay of the pharmaceutical dosage form at the absorption site within the gastro-intestinal tract. It has been a great challenge to the pharmaceutical sciences in order to enhance localised drug delivery or to deliver ‘difficult’ molecules (proteins and oligonucleotides) into the systemic circulation. Mucoadhesive systems remain in close contact with the absorption tissue, the mucous membrane, releasing the drug at the site of action leading to increase in bioavailability (both local and systemic effects). Extending the residence time of a dosage form at a particular site and controlling the release of drug from the dosage form are useful especially for achieving controlled plasma level of the drug as well as improving bioavailability. The present review describes mucoadhesion, mucoadhesive polymers and use of these polymers in designing different types of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.   Key words: Mucoadhesion; Mucoadhesive polymers; Mucoadhesive force; Bioadhesive property. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sjps.v4i1.8878 SJPS 2011; 4(1): 91-95
Wittgenstein in Recent French Poetics: Henri Meschonnic and Jacques Roubaud
Authors: Muresan Maria Rusanda
Published: November 2011

Two recent French poets, Henri Meschonnic and Jacques Roubaud, have found in Wittgenstein's philosophy an alternative to post-structuralist poetics. Meschonnic's poetry and his theoretical writings show a sustained critical engagement with Wittgenstein, whom he reads in conjunction with Emile Benveniste. The writers inform his theory of poetic rhythm and his practice of biblical translation. Roubaud's use of Wittgenstein, by contrast, here examined in the collection Quelque chose noir (1984), is linked partly with the poet's grief following the death of his wife Alix Cléo Roubaud, a photographer and an avid reader of Wittgenstein. In Roubaud, Wittgenstein opens up the space for a meditation on disappearance and absence. Roubaud reformulates passages from Wittgenstein's On Certainty (Wittgenstein's last philosophical text written when he was already seriously ill) in poems evoking Alix's memory.
Turbulent Flow Inside and Above a Wind Farm: A Wind-Tunnel Study
Authors: Chamorro Leonardo P. , Porté-Agel Fernando
Published: November 2011

Wind-tunnel experiments were carried out to better understand boundary layer effects on the flow pattern inside and above a model wind farm under thermally neutral conditions. Cross-wire anemometry was used to characterize the turbulent flow structure at different locations around a 10 by 3 array of model wind turbines aligned with the mean flow and arranged in two different layouts (inter-turbine separation of 5 and 7 rotor diameters in the direction of the mean flow by 4 rotor diameters in its span). Results suggest that the turbulent flow can be characterized in two broad regions. The first, located below the turbine top tip height, has a direct effect on the performance of the turbines. In that region, the turbulent flow statistics appear to reach equilibrium as close as the third to fourth row of wind turbines for both layouts. In the second region, located right above the first one, the flow adjusts slowly. There, two layers can be identified: an internal boundary layer where the flow is affected by both the incoming wind and the wind turbines, and an equilibrium layer, where the flow is fully adjusted to the wind farm. An adjusted logarithmic velocity distribution is observed in the equilibrium layer starting from the sixth row of wind turbines. The effective surface roughness length induced by the wind farm is found to be higher than that predicted by some existing models. Momentum recovery and turbulence intensity are shown to be affected by the wind farm layout. Power spectra show that the signature of the tip vortices, in both streamwise and vertical velocity components, is highly affected by both the relative location in the wind farm and the wind farm layout.
Enhanced Differentiation of Three-Gene-Reprogrammed Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Adipocytes via Adenoviral-Mediated PGC-1α Overexpression
Authors: Huang Pin-I , Chou Yueh-Ching , Chang Yuh-Lih , Chien Yueh , Chen Kuan-Hsuan , Song Wen-Shin , Peng Chi-Hsien , Chang Chin-Hong , Lee Shin-Da , Lu Kai-Hsi , Chen Yi-Jen , Kuo Chia-Hua , Hsu Chuan-Chih , Lee Hsin-Chen , Yung Ming-Chi
Published: November 2011

Induced pluripotent stem cells formed by the introduction of only three factors, Oct4/Sox2/Klf4 (3-gene iPSCs), may provide a safer option for stem cell-based therapy than iPSCs conventionally introduced with four-gene iPSCs. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) plays an important role during brown fat development. However, the potential roles of PGC-1α in regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and the differentiation of iPSCs are still unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of adenovirus-mediated PGC-1α overexpression in 3-gene iPSCs. PGC-1α overexpression resulted in increased mitochondrial mass, reactive oxygen species production, and oxygen consumption. Microarray-based bioinformatics showed that the gene expression pattern of PGC-1α-overexpressing 3-gene iPSCs resembled the expression pattern observed in adipocytes. Furthermore, PGC-1α overexpression enhanced adipogenic differentiation and the expression of several brown fat markers, including uncoupling protein-1, cytochrome C, and nuclear respiratory factor-1, whereas it inhibited the expression of the white fat marker uncoupling protein-2. Furthermore, PGC-1α overexpression significantly suppressed osteogenic differentiation. These data demonstrate that PGC-1α directs the differentiation of 3-gene iPSCs into adipocyte-like cells with features of brown fat cells. This may provide a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of mitochondrial disorders and obesity.
Pu-erh Tea Inhibits Tumor Cell Growth by Down-Regulating Mutant p53
Authors: Zhao Lanjun , Jia Shuting , Tang Wenru , Sheng Jun , Luo Ying
Published: November 2011

Pu-erh tea is a kind of fermented tea with the incorporation of microorganisms’ metabolites. Unlike green tea, the chemical characteristics and bioactivities of Pu-erh tea are still not well understood. Using water extracts of Pu-erh tea, we analyzed the tumor cell growth inhibition activities on several genetically engineered mouse tumor cell lines. We found that at the concentration that did not affect wild type mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) growth, Pu-erh tea extracts could inhibit tumor cell growth by down-regulated S phase and cause G1 or G2 arrest. Further study showed that Pu-erh tea extracts down-regulated the expression of mutant p53 in tumor cells at the protein level as well as mRNA level. The same concentration of Pu-erh tea solution did not cause p53 stabilization or activation of its downstream pathways in wild type cells. We also found that Pu-erh tea treatment could slightly down-regulate both HSP70 and HSP90 protein levels in tumor cells. These data revealed the action of Pu-erh tea on tumor cells and provided the possible mechanism for Pu-erh tea action, which explained its selectivity in inhibiting tumor cells without affecting wild type cells. Our data sheds light on the application of Pu-erh tea as an anti-tumor agent with low side effects.
Examination of Marine-Based Cultivation of Three Demosponges for Acquiring Bioactive Marine Natural Products
Authors: Bergman Oded , Mayzel Boaz , Anderson Matthew A. , Shpigel Muki , Hill Russell T. , Ilan Micha
Published: November 2011

Marine sponges are an extremely rich and important source of natural products. Mariculture is one solution to the so-called “supply problem” that often hampers further studies and development of novel compounds from sponges. We report the extended culture (767 days) at sea in depths of 10 and 20 m of three sponge species: Negombata magnifica, Amphimedon chloros and Theonella swinhoei that produce latrunculin-B, halitoxin and swinholide-A, respectively. Since sponge-associated microorganisms may be the true producers of many of the natural products found in sponges and also be linked to the health of the sponges, we examined the stability of the bacterial communities in cultured versus wild sponges. Growth rate of the sponges (ranging from 308 to 61 and −19 (%)(year−1) in N. magnifica, A. chloros and T. swinhoei, respectively) differed significantly between species but not between the two depths at which the species were cultivated. Survivorship varied from 96% to 57%. During culture all species maintained the content of the desired natural product. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of the sponge-associated bacterial consortia revealed that differences existed between cultured and wild sponges in T. swinhoei and A. chloros but the communities remained quite stable in N. magnifica. The cultivation technique for production of natural products was found to be most appropriate for N. magnifica, while for T. swinhoei and A. chloros it was less successful, because of poorer growth and survival rates and shifts in their bacterial consortia.
Particle Based Alloying by Accumulative Roll Bonding in the System Al-Cu
Authors: Schmidt Christian W. , Knödler Patrick , Höppel Heinz Werner , Göken Mathias
Published: November 2011

The formation of alloys by particle reinforcement during accumulative roll bonding (ARB), and subsequent annealing, is introduced on the basis of the binary alloy system Al-Cu, where strength and electrical conductivity are examined in different microstructural states. An ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 430 MPa for Al with 1.4 vol.% Cu was reached after three ARB cycles, which almost equals UTS of the commercially available Al-Cu alloy AA2017A with a similar copper content. Regarding electrical conductivity, the UFG structure had no significant influence. Alloying of aluminum with copper leads to a linear decrease in conductivity of 0.78 µΩ∙cm/at.% following the Nordheim rule. On the copper-rich side, alloying with aluminum leads to a slight strengthening, but drastically reduces conductivity. A linear decrease of electrical conductivity of 1.19 µΩ∙cm/at.% was obtained.
Assessing Soil Quality in Areas Affected by Sulfide Mining. Application to Soils in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain)
Authors: González Isabel , Galán Emilio , Romero Antonio
Published: November 2011

The characterization, evaluation and remediation of polluted soils is one of the present environmental challenges to be addressed in the coming years. The origin of trace elements in soils can be either geogenic or anthropogenic, but only the latter is interesting from a legal point of view. The hazard of the pollutants in the soils not only depends on their total concentration, but particularly on their availability. The mobility of the trace elements depends on their speciation, and it is also affected by several soil parameters. Mining activity is one of the most important anthropogenic causes of soil pollution. As a case study, this work is focused in the Riotinto mining area (Iberian Pyrite Belt, IPB, SW Spain). The IPB is one of the most important metallogenic provinces in the world and it has been exploited for thousands of years. The disposal of mining residues has produced important sources of contamination by trace elements and acidic waters affecting soils and rivers. In addition to these problems, the closure of mines in the Pyrite Belt at the end of the 20th Century has led to a great loss of employment, which has caused the development of an intensive agriculture of citrus fruits as a new source of income. The intensive growing of citrus fruits and the traditional subsistence agriculture have been developed surrounding the mining areas and on floodplains near to mining sites. The level of soil pollution has not been taken into account in these cases, nor has its impact on the health of the inhabitants of these areas. Therefore, it is of great interest to study the current state of the cultivated soils and the sources and types of contaminants derived from mining activity in order to program its decontamination, where appropriate, according to legislation. In order to know the present and future hazard posed by the soils chemical and mineralogical speciation has been carried out, given that the availability of a metal depends on the phase in which it is found. The results showed that mining activity has caused high levels of As, Cu, Pb and Zn in several cultivated soils. Moreover, Cu, Pb and Zn showed a high bioavailability. This suggests that at least other studies are necessary to preserve health in the inhabitants of this area. The methodology carried out in this work allowed to select potentially polluted areas where agricultural activities are not recommended.
Effect of the Lectin of Bauhinia variegata and Its Recombinant Isoform on Surgically Induced Skin Wounds in a Murine Model
Authors: Neto Luiz Gonzaga do Nascimento , Pinto Luciano da Silva , Bastos Rafaela Mesquita , Evaristo Francisco Flávio Vasconcelos , Vasconcelos Mayron Alves de , Carneiro Victor Alves , Arruda Francisco Vassiliepe Sousa , Porto Ana Lúcia Figueiredo , Leal Rodrigo Bainy , Júnior Valdemiro Amaro da Silva , Cavada Benildo Sousa , Teixeira Edson Holanda
Published: November 2011

Lectins are a structurally heterogeneous group of highly specific carbohydrate-binding proteins. Due to their great biotechnological potential, lectins are widely used in biomedical research. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the healing potential of the lectin of Bauhinia variegata (nBVL) and its recombinant isoform (rBVL-1). Following surgical creation of dorsal skin wounds, seven groups of mice were submitted to topical treatment for 12 days with lectin, D-galactose, BSA and saline. The animals were anesthetized and euthanized on POD 2, 7 and 12 in order to evaluate the healing potential of each treatment. The parameters considered included wound size, contraction rate, epithelialization rate and histopathological findings. Wound closure was fastest in animals treated with rBVL-1 (POD 7). nBVL was more effective than the controls. All skin layers were reconstructed and keratin deposition increased. Our findings indicate that the lectin of Bauhinia variegata possesses pro-healing properties and may be employed in the treatment of acute skin wounds.
Chemical Constituents and Biological Studies of the Leaves of Grevillea robusta
Authors: Chuang Ta-Hsien , Chan Hsiu-Hui , Wu Tian-Shung , Li Chien-Fu
Published: November 2011

Three new compounds: Graviquinone (1), cis-3-hydroxy-5-pentadecylcyclohexanone (2), and methyl 5-ethoxy-2-hydroxycinnamate (3), and thirty-eight known compounds were isolated and identified from the leaves of Grevillea robusta. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic and chemical transformation methods. Graviquinone (1) showed the strongest cytotoxicity against MCF-7, NCI-H460, and SF-268 cell lines. Methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (4), graviphane (13), and dehydrograviphane (14) exhibited very potent DPPH scavenging activity compared with α-tocopherol. Methyl 2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (4) and bis-norstriatol (17) demonstrated strong inhibition of L-DOPA oxidation by mushroom tyrosinase compared with kojic acid.
Fusion of High Resolution Aerial Multispectral and LiDAR Data: Land Cover in the Context of Urban Mosquito Habitat
Authors: Hartfield Kyle A. , Landau Katheryn I. , Leeuwen Willem J. D. van
Published: November 2011

Remotely sensed multi-spectral and -spatial data facilitates the study of mosquito-borne disease vectors and their response to land use and cover composition in the urban environment. In this study we assess the feasibility of integrating remotely sensed multispectral reflectance data and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)-derived height information to improve land use and land cover classification. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analyses were used to compare and contrast the enhancements and accuracy of the multi-sensor urban land cover classifications. Eight urban land-cover classes were developed for the city of Tucson, Arizona, USA. These land cover classes focus on pervious and impervious surfaces and microclimate landscape attributes that impact mosquito habitat such as water ponds, residential structures, irrigated lawns, shrubs and trees, shade, and humidity. Results show that synergistic use of LiDAR, multispectral and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data produced the most accurate urban land cover classification with a Kappa value of 0.88. Fusion of multi-sensor data leads to a better land cover product that is suitable for a variety of urban applications such as exploring the relationship between neighborhood composition and adult mosquito abundance data to inform public health issues.
Simplistic Attachment and Multispectral Imaging with Semiconductor Nanocrystals
Authors: Jennings Travis L. , Triulzi Robert C. , Tao Guoliang , Louis Zachary E. St. , Becker-Catania Sara G.
Published: November 2011

Advances in spectral deconvolution technologies are rapidly enabling researchers to replace or enhance traditional epifluorescence microscopes with instruments capable of detecting numerous markers simultaneously in a multiplexed fashion. While significantly expediting sample throughput and elucidating sample information, this technology is limited by the spectral width of common fluorescence reporters. Semiconductor nanocrystals (NC’s) are very bright, narrow band fluorescence emitters with great potential for multiplexed fluorescence detection, however the availability of NC’s with facile attachment chemistries to targeting molecules has been a severe limitation to the advancement of NC technology in applications such as immunocytochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Here we report the development of simple, yet novel attachment chemistries for antibodies onto NC’s and demonstrate how spectral deconvolution technology enables the multiplexed detection of 5 distinct NC-antibody conjugates with fluorescence emission wavelengths separated by as little as 20 nm.
Kinematics of Gait: New Method for Angle Estimation Based on Accelerometers
Authors: Djurić-Jovičić Milica D. , Jovičić Nenad S. , Popović Dejan B.
Published: November 2011

A new method for estimation of angles of leg segments and joints, which uses accelerometer arrays attached to body segments, is described. An array consists of two accelerometers mounted on a rigid rod. The absolute angle of each body segment was determined by band pass filtering of the differences between signals from parallel axes from two accelerometers mounted on the same rod. Joint angles were evaluated by subtracting absolute angles of the neighboring segments. This method eliminates the need for double integration as well as the drift typical for double integration. The efficiency of the algorithm is illustrated by experimental results involving healthy subjects who walked on a treadmill at various speeds, ranging between 0.15 m/s and 2.0 m/s. The validation was performed by comparing the estimated joint angles with the joint angles measured with flexible goniometers. The discrepancies were assessed by the differences between the two sets of data (obtained to be below 6 degrees) and by the Pearson correlation coefficient (greater than 0.97 for the knee angle and greater than 0.85 for the ankle angle).
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Therapeutic Strategy to Support Islet Transplantation in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Busch Sarah A. , Van Crutchen Saskia T. J. , Deans Robert J. , Ting Anthony E.
Published: November 2011

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that leads to destruction of pancreaticβ islet cells and is a growing global health issue. While insulin replacement remains the standard therapy for type 1 diabetes, exogenous insulin does not mimic the physiology of insulin secretion. Transplantation of pancreatic islets has the potential to cure this disease; however, there are several major limitations to widespread implementation of islet transplants. The use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in the treatment of type 1 diabetes has been investigated as an adjunct therapy during islet graft administration to prevent initial islet loss and promote engraftment and revascularization of islets. In this review we will discuss the results of recent MSC studies in animal models of diabetes with a focus on islet transplantation and explore the potential for these findings to be extended to clinical use for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
New Approaches to Prophylactic Human Papillomavirus Vaccines for Cervical Cancer Prevention
Authors: Gersch Elizabeth D , Gissmann Lutz , Garcea Robert L
Published: November 2011

The currently licensed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are safe and highly effective at preventing HPV infection for a select number of papillomavirus types, thus decreasing the incidence of precursors to cervical cancer. It is expected that vaccination will also ultimately reduce the incidence of this cancer. The licensed HPV vaccines are, however, type restricted and expensive, and also require refrigeration, multiple doses and intramuscular injection. Second-generation vaccines are currently being developed to address these shortcomings. New expression systems, viral and bacterial vectors for HPV L1 capsid protein delivery, and use of the HPV L2 capsid protein will hopefully aid in decreasing cost and increasing ease of use and breadth of protection. These second-generation vaccines could also allow affordable immunization of women in developing countries, where the incidence of cervical cancer is high.
Common Inherited Mitochondrial Dna Mutations and Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor-Induced Severe Hyperlactataemia in HIV-Infected Adults: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Arenas-Pinto Alejandro , Weller Ian , Ekong Rosemary , Grant Alison , Karstaedt Alan , Reiss Peter , Telisinghe Lilanganee , Weber Rainer , Bolhaar Martine , Bradman Neil , Ingram Catherine
Published: November 2011

Background

Genetic predisposition to dideoxynucleoside-induced mitochondrial dysfunction might be related to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms. Severe hyperlactataemia is probably the best model to assess such a predisposition.

Methods

For this exploratory study in White European and Black African HIV-infected adults, hypervariable region 1 of mtDNA samples from peripheral blood mono-nuclear cells or buccal smears of patients who have developed confirmed severe hyperlactataemia was sequenced. Additionally, 21 single nucleotide polymorphisms and a 9 bp deletion were genotyped to assign mtDNA haplogroups. Finally, entire mtDNA sequencing was performed in a subset of European samples. Samples were obtained from Black African cases and controls recruited from a single centre in Johannesburg, South Africa and from white European cases from Amsterdam, London and Zurich.

Results

A total of 40 cases and 38 controls from Johannesburg were included. All of the cases and 33 controls were receiving stavudine-based therapy at the time of the index date ( P=0.024). The distribution of mtDNA haplotypes was not different between cases and controls ( P=0.137), and neither were the predicted haplogroups ( P=0.751). In total, 11 of the 12 European cases were on stavudine and/or didanosine at the time of the event. No hypervariable region 1 haplotype was consistently found in the European cases. Sequencing of the entire mtDNA from three of these cases supported the absence of any shared mutations other than major alleles frequently seen in the mtDNA database.

Conclusions

We did not find an association between homoplasmic inherited mtDNA polymorphisms and severe hyperlactataemia. Our data do not support the existence of non-synonymous mtDNA mutations that explain an increased predisposition to dideoxynucleoside-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
Correlates of Community Participation among Families Transitioning from Part C Early Intervention Services
Authors: Khetani Mary Alunkal , Orsmond Gael , Cohn Ellen , Law Mary C. , Coster Wendy
Published: November 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that best discriminated among families based on their level of community participation when transitioning from Part C early intervention services. Data were drawn from 2,003 families enrolled in the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study and who completed a 40-minute computerized telephone interview. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis was used to examine correlates of full and limited community participation among these families from variables representing child, family, and service factors. Two classification trees were developed that suggest difficulty in managing behavior is a significant barrier to community participation and is associated with degree of social support. Based on this association, occupational therapists could elicit information from caregivers about their strategies to manage problematic behavior during community events to identify whether families experience participation restriction. Future studies should examine whether problematic behavior restricts young children's participation in activities other than community events.
Pancreatic Islets Engineered with SA-FasL Protein Establish Robust Localized Tolerance by Inducing Regulatory T Cells in Mice
Authors: Yolcu Esma S. , Zhao Hong , Bandura-Morgan Laura , Lacelle Chantale , Woodward Kyle B. , Askenasy Nadir , Shirwan Haval
Published: November 2011

Allogeneic islet transplantation is an important therapeutic approach for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Clinical application of this approach, however, is severely curtailed by allograft rejection primarily initiated by pathogenic effector T cells regardless of chronic use of immunosuppression. Given the role of Fas-mediated signaling in regulating effector T cell responses, we tested if pancreatic islets can be engineered ex vivo to display on their surface an apoptotic form of Fas ligand protein chimeric with streptavidin (SA-FasL) and whether such engineered islets induce tolerance in allogeneic hosts. Islets were modified with biotin following efficient engineering with SA-FasL protein that persisted on the surface of islets for >1 wk in vitro. SA-FasL–engineered islet grafts established euglycemia in chemically diabetic syngeneic mice indefinitely, demonstrating functionality and lack of acute toxicity. Most importantly, the transplantation of SA-FasL–engineered BALB/c islet grafts in conjunction with a short course of rapamycin treatment resulted in robust localized tolerance in 100% of C57BL/6 recipients. Tolerance was initiated and maintained by CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, as their depletion early during tolerance induction or late after established tolerance resulted in prompt graft rejection. Furthermore, Treg cells sorted from graft-draining lymph nodes, but not spleen, of long-term graft recipients prevented the rejection of unmodified allogeneic islets in an adoptive transfer model, further confirming the Treg role in established tolerance. Engineering islets ex vivo in a rapid and efficient manner to display on their surface immunomodulatory proteins represents a novel, safe, and clinically applicable approach with important implications for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
CpG Protects Human Monocytic Cells against HIV-Vpr–Induced Apoptosis by Cellular Inhibitor of Apoptosis-2 through the Calcium-Activated JNK Pathway in a TLR9-Independent Manner
Authors: Saxena Mansi , Busca Aurelia , Pandey Sunita , Kryworuchko Marko , Kumar Ashok
Published: November 2011

Monocytic cells survive HIV replication and consequent cytopathic effects because of their decreased sensitivity to HIV-induced apoptosis. However, the mechanism underlying this resistance to apoptosis remains poorly understood. Lymphocytic cells are exposed to microbial products because of their translocation from the gut in persons with chronic HIV infections or following coinfections. We hypothesized that activation of monocytic cells by such microbial products through interaction with corresponding TLRs may confer antiapoptotic signals. Using HIV-viral protein R (Vpr)(52–96) peptide as a model apoptosis-inducing agent, we demonstrated that unlike monocyte-derived macrophages, undifferentiated primary human monocytes and promonocytic THP-1 cells are highly susceptible to Vpr(52–96)-induced apoptosis. Interestingly, monocytes and THP-1 cells stimulated with TLR9 agonist CpG induced almost complete resistance to Vpr(52–96)-induced apoptosis, albeit through a TLR9-independent signaling pathway. Moreover, CpG selectively induced the antiapoptotic cellular inhibitor of apoptosis (c-IAP)-2 protein and inhibition of the c-IAP-2 gene by either specific small interfering RNA or synthetic second mitochondrial activator of caspases mimetic reversed CpG-induced resistance against Vpr(52–96)-mediated apoptosis. We demonstrated that c-IAP-2 is regulated by the JNK and calcium signaling pathway, in particular calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II. Furthermore, inhibition of JNK and the calcium signaling including the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-II by either pharmacological inhibitors or their specific small interfering RNAs reversed CpG-induced protection against Vpr(52–96)-mediated apoptosis. We also show that CpG induced JNK phosphorylation through activation of the calcium signaling pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that CpG-induced protection may be mediated by c-IAP-2 through the calcium-activated JNK pathway via what appeared to be TLR9-independent signaling pathways.
Development and Validation of Spectrophotometric, Atomic Absorption and Kinetic Methods for Determination of Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride
Authors: Abdellaziz Lobna M. , Hosny Mervat M.
Published: November 2011

Three simple spectrophotometric and atomic absorption spectrometric methods are developed and validated for the determination of moxifloxacin HCl in pure form and in pharmaceutical formulations. Method (A) is a kinetic method based on the oxidation of moxifloxacin HCl by Fe3+ ion in the presence of 1,10 o-phenanthroline (o-phen). Method (B) describes spectrophotometric procedures for determination of moxifloxacin HCl based on its ability to reduce Fe (III) to Fe (II), which was rapidly converted to the corresponding stable coloured complex after reacting with 2,2’ bipyridyl (bipy). The formation of the tris-complex formed in both methods (A) and (B) were carefully studied and their absorbance were measured at 510 and 520 nm respectively. Method (C) is based on the formation of ion- pair associated between the drug and bismuth (III) tetraiodide in acidic medium to form orange—red ion- pair associates. This associate can be quantitatively determined by three different procedures. The formed precipitate is either filtered off, dissolved in acetone and quantified spectrophotometrically at 462 nm (Procedure 1), or decomposed by hydrochloric acid, and the bismuth content is determined by direct atomic absorption spectrometric (Procedure 2). Also the residual unreacted metal complex in the filtrate is determined through its metal content using indirect atomic absorption spectrometric technique (Procedure 3). All the proposed methods were validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines, the three proposed methods permit the determination of moxifloxacin HCl in the range of (0.8-6, 0.8-4) for methods A and B, (16-96, 16-96 and 16-72) for procedures 1-3 in method C. The limits of detection and quantitation were calculated, the precision of the methods were satisfactory; the values of relative standard deviations did not exceed 2%. The proposed methods were successfully applied to determine the drug in its pharmaceutical formulations without interference from the common excipients. The results obtained by the proposed methods were comparable with those obtained by the reference method.
The Use of the Processes of Change across the Exercise Stages of Change and across Varying Intensities and Frequencies of Exercise Behavior
Authors: Wadsworth Danielle D. , Hallam Jeffrey S.
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

Determine the use of the processes of change (POC) across the exercise stages of change and across varying intensities and frequencies of exercise behavior.

Design.

Cross-sectional design.

Setting.

University setting.

Subjects.

Questionnaires were collected from 699 college-aged individuals.

Measures.

Data were collected for exercise stages of change, POC and exercise behavior. Self-report exercise data were categorized as 0 days, 1 to 2 days, and 3 or more days per week of moderate and vigorous exercise.

Analysis.

MANOVA assessed differences in the use of the 10 POC across the stages of change and across varying frequencies of moderate and vigorous exercise behavior.

Results.

Results showed all 10 POC were significant between the exercise stages of change and differing frequencies of moderate and vigorous exercise behavior. Post hoc analysis identified 7 significant processes between adjacent exercise stages of change, 10 significant processes between differing frequencies of moderate exercise behavior, and 9 significant processes between differing frequencies of vigorous exercise behavior.

Conclusions.

The results for this study suggest that intensity and frequency may be factors in the use of the POC. The use of the POC showed a linear increase across stage, which deviates from the proposed Transtheoretical Model framework and previous research. Additional investigation into the processes and stages of change, and their role in changing exercise behavior is needed.
Realistic Expectations: Investing in Organizational Capacity Building for Chronic Disease Prevention
Authors: Robinson Kerry , Farmer Tracy , Riley Barb , Elliott Susan J. , Eyles John
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

This article presents findings that explore investment in organizational capacity building for chronic disease prevention. Specifically, this analysis examines variation in investment inputs, intervention outputs, and capacity changes to inform expectations of health-promotion capacity-building investment.

Design/Setting.

This multiple case study involving both qualitative and quantitative data is based on seven provincial dissemination projects involved in the Canadian Heart Health Initiative.

Methods.

Data on investment, number, and type of capacity-building activities and capacity changes come from a questionnaire, key informant interviews, and project report analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and for trends, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically.

Results.

Per capita investments in capacity building ranged from a low of $0.21 in Ontario to $167.41 in Prince Edward Island. Multiple, tailored capacity-building interventions were used in each project. Mostly positive but modest changes were observed in at least five dimensions of capacity in all but one project.

Conclusion.

These findings reveal that capacity building for chronic disease prevention requires a long-term investment and is context specific. Even limited investment can produce interventions that appear to positively influence capacity for chronic disease prevention. The findings also suggest an urgent need to expand surveillance to include indicators of capacity-building investments and interventions to allow policy makers to make more informed decisions about investments in public health.
Selected Barriers and Incentives for Worksite Health Promotion Services and Policies
Authors: Kruger Judy , Yore Michelle M. , Bauer Deborah R. , Kohl Harold W.
Published: November 2011

Purpose.

To assess employees' attitudes toward potential barriers to and incentives for their likely use of worksite health promotion services.

Methods.

Data from the 2004 HealthStyles Survey, a volunteer mail survey, were used to examine selected barriers to, incentives for, and potential use of worksite health promotion programs among adults employed full-time or part-time outside the home (n = 2337).

Results.

Respondents were 72.7% white and 52.1% female; 36.5% were college graduates, 30.7% had a body mass index of at least 30, and 35.6% were regularly active. The most common reported barriers to use of worksite services were no time during the workday (42.5%) and no time before or after work (39.4%). More than 70% of employees responded that the following incentives would promote their interest in participating in a free worksite wellness program: convenient time, convenient location, and employer-provided paid time off during the workday. Preferred health promotion services reported by respondents were fitness centers (80.6%), weight loss programs (67.1%), and on-site exercise classes (55.2%). Policy practices of paid time to exercise at work and healthy vending or cafeteria food choices were preferred by almost 80% of employees.

Conclusions.

These HealthStyles Survey data, in combination with needs data from an employer's own workforce, may help employers design wellness programs to include features that attract employees.
Influence of aerosols and thin cirrus clouds on the GOSAT-observed CO2: a case study over Tsukuba
Authors: Uchino O. , Kikuchi N. , Sakai T. , Morino I. , Yoshida Y. , Nagai T. , Shimizu A. , Shibata T. , Yamazaki A. , Uchiyama A. , Kikuchi N. , Oshchepkov S. , Bril A. , Yokota T.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Lidar observations of vertical profiles of aerosols and thin cirrus clouds were made at Tsukuba (36.1° N, 140.1° E), Japan, to investigate the influence of aerosols and thin cirrus clouds on the column-averaged dry-air mole fraction of carbon dioxide (XCO2) retrieved from observation data of the Thermal And Near-infrared Sensor for carbon Observation Fourier Transform Spectrometer, measured in the Short-Wavelength InfraRed band (TANSO-FTS SWIR), onboard the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT). The lidar system measured the backscattering ratio, depolarization ratio, and/or the wavelength exponent of atmospheric particles. The lidar observations and ground-based high-resolution FTS measurements at the Tsukuba Total Carbon Column Observing Network (Tsukuba TCCON) site were recorded simultaneously during passages of GOSAT over Tsukuba. GOSAT SWIR XCO2 data (version 01.xx) released in August 2010 were compared with the lidar and Tsukuba TCCON data. High-altitude aerosols and thin cirrus clouds had a large impact on the GOSAT SWIR XCO2 results. By taking into account the observed aerosol/cirrus vertical profiles and using a more adequate solar irradiance database in the GOSAT SWIR retrieval, the difference between the GOSAT SWIR XCO2 data and the Tsukuba TCCON data was greatly reduced.
Temporal trend and sources of speciated atmospheric mercury at Waliguan GAW station, northwestern China
Authors: Fu X. W. , Feng X. , Liang P. ,   Deli-Geer, Zhang H. , Ji J. , Liu P.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Measurements of speciated atmospheric mercury were conducted at a remote mountain-top station (WLG) at the edge of northeastern part of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, western China. Mean concentrations of total gaseous mercury (TGM), particulate mercury (PHg), and reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) during the whole sampling campaign were 1.98 ± 0.98 ng m−3, 19.4 ± 18.1 pg m−3, and 7.4 ± 4.8 pg m−3, respectively. Levels of speciated Hg at WLG were slightly higher than those reported from remote areas of North America and Europe. Both regional emissions and long-rang transport played a remarkable role in the distribution of TGM and PHg in ambient air at WLG, whereas RGM showed major links to the regional sources, likely as well as the in-situ productions by photochemical processes. Regional sources for speciated Hg were mostly located to the east of WLG, which is the most developed areas of Qinghai province and accounted for most of the province's anthropogenic Hg emissions. Potential source contribution function (PSCF) results showed a strong impact of long-range transport from eastern Gansu, western Ningxia and Shanxi Province, with good accordance with locations of urban areas and industrial centers. Moreover, we found that northern India was also an important source region of WLG during the sampling campaign, and this is the first time of direct evidence of long-range transport of atmospheric Hg from India to northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Seasonal and diurnal variations of TGM were in contrast with most of the previous studies in China, with relatively higher levels in warm seasons and night, respectively. The temporal trend of TGM also highlighted the impact of long-range transport on the distribution of TGM in ambient air at WLG.
1-D-Var retrieval of daytime total columnar water vapour from MERIS measurements
Authors: Lindstrot R. , Preusker R. , Diedrich H. , Doppler L. , Bennartz R. , Fischer J.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. A new scheme for the retrieval of total columnar water vapour from measurements of MERIS (Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) on ENVISAT (ENVIronmental SATellite) is presented. The algorithm is based on a fast forward model of the water vapour transmittance around 900 nm, including a correction for atmospheric scattering. It provides the water vapour column amount for cloud-free scenes above land and ocean at a spatial resolution of 0.25 km × 0.3 km and 1 km × 1.2 km, depending on whether applied to the "full resolution" or the operational "reduced resolution" mode of MERIS. Uncertainties are provided on a pixel-by-pixel basis, taking into account all relevant sources of error. An extensive validation against various sources of ground-based reference data reveals a high accuracy of MERIS water vapour above land (root mean square deviations between 1 mm and 2.7 mm), apart from a wet bias of MERIS between 5 and 10% that is found in all comparison studies. This wet bias might be caused by spectroscopic uncertainties, such as the description of the water vapour continuum. Above ocean the accuracy is reduced, due to the uncertainty introduced by the unknown atmospheric scattering. Consequently, an increased root mean square deviation of ≥5 mm was found by comparing MERIS total columnar water vapour above ocean against SSM/I and ENVISAT MWR data. An increased wet bias of 2–3 mm is found over ocean, potentially du to a not properly working atmospheric correction scheme.
Evolution of the seasonal temperature cycle in a transient Holocene simulation: orbital forcing and sea-ice
Authors: Fischer N. , Jungclaus J. H.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Changes in the Earth's orbit lead to changes in the seasonal and meridional distribution of insolation. We quantify the influence of orbitally induced changes on the seasonal temperature cycle in a transient simulation of the last 6000 years – from the mid-Holocene to today – using a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (ECHAM5/MPI-OM) including a land surface model (JSBACH). The seasonal temperature cycle responds directly to the insolation changes almost everywhere. In the Northern Hemisphere, its amplitude decreases according to an increase in winter insolation and a decrease in summer insolation. In the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is true. Over the Arctic Ocean, decreasing summer insolation leads to an increase in sea-ice cover. The insulating effect of sea ice between the ocean and the atmosphere leads to decreasing heat flux and favors more "continental" conditions over the Arctic Ocean in winter, resulting in strongly decreasing temperatures. Consequently, there are two competing effects: the direct response to insolation changes and a sea-ice insulation effect. The sea-ice insulation effect is stronger, and thus an increase in the amplitude of the seasonal temperature cycle over the Arctic Ocean occurs. This increase is strongest over the Barents Shelf and influences the temperature response over northern Europe. We compare our modeled seasonal temperatures over Europe to paleo reconstructions. We find better agreements in winter temperatures than in summer temperatures and better agreements in northern Europe than in southern Europe, since the model does not reproduce the southern European Holocene summer cooling inferred from the paleo reconstructions. The temperature reconstructions for northern Europe support the notion of the influence of the sea-ice insulation effect on the evolution of the seasonal temperature cycle.
Corrigendum to "Upper ocean climate of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea during the Holocene Insolation Maximum – a model study" published in Clim. Past, 7, 1103–1122, 2011
Authors: Adloff F. , Mikolajewicz U. , Kučera M. , Grimm R. , Maier-Reimer E. , Schmiedl G. , Emeis K.-C.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Nine thousand years ago (9 ka BP), the Northern Hemisphere experienced enhanced seasonality caused by an orbital configuration close to the minimum of the precession index. To assess the impact of this "Holocene Insolation Maximum" (HIM) on the Mediterranean Sea, we use a regional ocean general circulation model forced by atmospheric input derived from global simulations. A stronger seasonal cycle is simulated by the model, which shows a relatively homogeneous winter cooling and a summer warming with well-defined spatial patterns, in particular, a subsurface warming in the Cretan and western Levantine areas. The comparison between the SST simulated for the HIM and a reconstruction from planktonic foraminifera transfer functions shows a poor agreement, especially for summer, when the vertical temperature gradient is strong. As a novel approach, we propose a reinterpretation of the reconstruction, to consider the conditions throughout the upper water column rather than at a single depth. We claim that such a depth-integrated approach is more adequate for surface temperature comparison purposes in a situation where the upper ocean structure in the past was different from the present-day. In this case, the depth-integrated interpretation of the proxy data strongly improves the agreement between modelled and reconstructed temperature signal with the subsurface summer warming being recorded by both model and proxies, with a small shift to the south in the model results. The mechanisms responsible for the peculiar subsurface pattern are found to be a combination of enhanced downwelling and wind mixing due to strengthened Etesian winds, and enhanced thermal forcing due to the stronger summer insolation in the Northern Hemisphere. Together, these processes induce a stronger heat transfer from the surface to the subsurface during late summer in the western Levantine; this leads to an enhanced heat piracy in this region, a process never identified before, but potentially characteristic of time slices with enhanced insolation.
A Case of Intravesical Migration of an Intrauterine Device Detected 14 Years Later
Authors: Piras Dorino , Pedalino Marco , Di Primio Otello , Vella Riccardo , Cagnazzi Eugenio , Marino Gaetano
Published: November 2011

We report the case of a patient arrived because of urological symptoms characterized by terminal hematuria, strangury and dysuria due to migration into the bladder of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) placed 14 years before and penetrated into the bladder with formation of lithiasis. These cases have already been described in literature, but the particular feature of this case is that the patient had been pregnant and had a eutocic delivery, she never voluntarily removed the IUD and nor was it found during a gynecologic laparoscopy. The patient underwent the surgical removal of the IUD and of the bladder stone, without detecting adjacent connective routes between uterus and bladder.