bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A conservative strategy to protect P2P file sharing systems from pollution attacks
Authors: Barcellos Marinho Pilla , Gaspary Luciano Paschoal , da Costa Cordeiro Weverton Luis , Antunes Rodolfo Stoffel
Published: July 2010

Despite being currently one of the main Internet applications, P2P file sharing has been hampered by content pollution attacks. To tackle this problem, we introduce a novel pollution control strategy that consists in adjusting the rate in which content is disseminated, according to content version reputation. The proposed strategy is modeled and evaluated using simplifying assumptions. Then, inspired by classic distributed designs, we propose a pollution control mechanism that implements such a strategy. The mechanism is evaluated in terms of the delays imposed on non‐polluted version dissemination, the effectiveness of reducing dissemination when the version is polluted, and the negative impact that collusion attacks can impose on the reputation system upon which our mechanism is built. Simulation results looking at scenarios with several hundred peers indicate that the pollution control mechanism can effectively reduce pollution without substantially affecting the dissemination of non‐polluted content. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin and functional specializations of DC subsets in the lung
Authors: Plantinga Maud , Hammad Hamida , Lambrecht Bart N.
Published: July 2010

Lung DC bridge innate and adaptive immunity, and depending on the context, induce Th1, Th2 or Th17 response, to optimally clear infections. Conversely, lung DC can also prevent overt and harmful immune responses to harmless inhaled antigens via induction of Treg cells or via induction of neutralizing mucosal IgA antibodies. Here, we propose that these functions are not the result of a single population of DC, and instead, subsets of DC perform specialized functions.
Residue-based mercury dose–response in fish: An analysis using lethality-equivalent test endpoints
Authors: Dillon Tom , Beckvar Nancy , Kern John
Published: July 2010

Dose–response relationships for aquatic organisms have been developed for numerous contaminants using external media exposures (water and sediment). Dose–response relationships based on internal concentrations (tissue residues) are limited. The present study reports Hg dose–response curves for early life stage and juvenile or adult fish based on published tissue-residue toxicity studies. These curves rely primarily on endpoints that can be directly related to mortality, such as survival, reproductive success, and lethal developmental abnormalities. These lethality-equivalent endpoints were linked using the common metric of injury. Uncertainties and potential applications of this mercury dose–response curve are discussed. Major uncertainties include lab to field extrapolations, biological endpoints selected by investigators, interspecific extrapolations, and the paucity of published early life stage residue (dose)–response information. To the extent this curve is based exclusively on laboratory toxicity tests and does not consider other potentially sensitive and ecologically important biological endpoints (e.g., growth and behavior), the magnitude of the adverse effects predicted by the curve may be underestimated. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2559–2565. © 2010 SETAC
Accumulation of current-use and organochlorine pesticides in crab embryos from northern California, USA
Authors: Smalling Kelly L. , Morgan Steven , Kuivila Kathryn K.
Published: July 2010

Invertebrates have long been used as resident sentinels for assessing ecosystem health and productivity. The shore crabs, Hemigrapsus oregonensis and Pachygrapsus crassipes, are abundant in estuaries and beaches throughout northern California, USA and have been used as indicators of habitat conditions in several salt marshes. The overall objectives of the present study were to conduct a lab-based study to test the accumulation of current-use pesticides, validate the analytical method and to analyze field-collected crabs for a suite of 74 current-use and legacy pesticides. A simple laboratory uptake study was designed to determine if embryos could bioconcentrate the herbicide molinate over a 7-d period. At the end of the experiment, embryos were removed from the crabs and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Although relatively hydrophilic (log KOW of 2.9), molinate did accumulate with an estimated bioconcentration factor (log BCF) of approximately 2.5. Following method validation, embryos were collected from two different Northern California salt marshes and analyzed. In field-collected embryos 18 current-use and eight organochlorine pesticides were detected including synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphate insecticides, as well as DDT and its degradates. Lipid-normalized concentrations of the pesticides detected in the field-collected crab embryos ranged from 0.1 to 4 ppm. Pesticide concentrations and profiles in crab embryos were site specific and could be correlated to differences in land-use practices. These preliminary results indicate that embryos are an effective sink for organic contaminants in the environment and have the potential to be good indicators of ecosystem health, especially when contaminant body burden analyses are paired with reproductive impairment assays. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2593–2599. © 2010 SETAC
Altered development and reproduction in western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) found in the Hanxi River, southern China
Authors: Xie Yong-Ping , Fang Zhan-Qiang , Hou Li-Ping , Ying Guang-Guo
Published: July 2010

The current study investigated the development and reproductive health of western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in the Hanxi River, which has been heavily contaminated by municipal wastewaters from towns in Dongguan of southern China. Western mosquitofish collected from four study sites, Songmu (SM), Yangwu (YW), Hengli (HL), and Zhangcun (ZC) of the Hanxi River, as well as a reference site (LX) of the Liuxi River, were dissected and analyzed for development parameters (total length, wet body mass, liver mass, gonad index, and population composition), reproductive parameters (oocyte count and weight of females, and sperm count and viability of males), and morphology (anal fin in males and females, and hemal spines in males). With the exception of the origin site (SM), mosquitofish from the Hanxi River exhibited significantly decreasing development and reproduction levels. Significant correlations were found for the collected mosquitofish between the morphological and reproductive indexes (ratio of perpendicular distance to tip to vertical distance from the tip on the 16th hemal spine) versus the sperm count of males; ratio 16P:16D versus sperm viability of males; segments of anal fin ray 3 versus oocyte count of females; and segments of anal fin ray 3 versus average oocyte mass of females. The results demonstrated that both male and female mosquitofish in the Hanxi River were affected by the discharged wastewaters, as reflected in their morphological changes in comparison with those of mosquitofish from the reference site. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2607–2615. © 2010 SETAC
Liver-Specific Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling-3 Deletion in Mice Enhances Hepatic Insulin Sensitivity and Lipogenesis Resulting in Fatty Liver and Obesity
Authors: Sachithanandan Nirupa , Fam Barbara C. , Fynch Stacey , Dzamko Nicolas , Watt Matthew J. , Wormald Sam , Honeyman Jane , Galic Sandra , Proietto Joseph , Andrikopoulos Sofianos , Hevener Andrea L. , Kay Thomas W.H. , Steinberg Gregory R.
Published: July 2010

Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation and contributes to the development of insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) protein is increased in inflammation and is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of insulin resistance by inhibiting insulin and leptin signaling. Therefore, we studied the metabolic effects of liver-specific SOCS3 deletion

in vivo

. We fed wild-type (WT) and liver-specific SOCS3 knockout (SOCS3 LKO) mice either a control diet or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks and examined their metabolic phenotype. We isolated hepatocytes from WT and SOCS3 LKO mice and examined the effects of tumor necrosis factor α and insulin on Akt phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism and lipogenic gene expression. Hepatocytes from control-fed SOCS3 LKO mice were protected from developing tumor necrosis factor α–induced insulin resistance but also had increased lipogenesis and expression of sterol response element–binding protein-1c target genes. Lean SOCS3 LKO mice fed a control diet had enhanced hepatic insulin sensitivity; however, when fed an HFD, SOCS3 LKO mice had increased liver fat, inflammation, and whole-body insulin resistance. SOCS3 LKO mice fed an HFD also had elevated hypothalamic SOCS3 and fatty acid synthase expression and developed greater obesity due to increased food intake and reduced energy expenditure.

Conclusion:

Deletion of SOCS3 in the liver increases liver insulin sensitivity in mice fed a control diet but paradoxically promotes lipogenesis, leading to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, inflammation, and obesity. (Hepatology 2010.)
Putting Flesh and Polish on Autoimmune Hepatitis and Moving the Disease of Exclusion to Inclusion
Authors: Czaja Albert J.
Published: July 2010

Autoimmune hepatitis emerged during an era when concepts of neonatal immune tolerance, clonal selection of lymphocytes, and “forbidden clones” of activated immune cells were forming. The diagnosis had to be deduced from circumstantial evidence and by exclusion of other conditions. The goals of this review are to demonstrate how a clinician nonscientist can contribute to the maturation of autoimmune hepatitis and to illustrate the principles of clinical investigation that can be applied broadly to other projects. Autoimmune hepatitis initially had to be distinguished from other diseases, and improvements in the tests for viral and immune markers were instrumental in this regard. Diversification of the clinical phenotype to accommodate acute severe, asymptomatic, elderly, and variant forms enhanced the pertinence of the disease, and the formation of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group standardized the diagnosis, interconnected investigators, and promoted global acceptance of the condition. Subsequent studies refined current corticosteroid-based therapies, identified prognostic markers, assessed genetic predispositions, explored new pharmacological agents, and forecast the emergence of cellular and molecular interventions. Good fortune, stimulating mentors, career dedication, practical goal selection, protocol compliance, compulsive record keeping, personal resilience, and strong collaborations were the bases for progress. Autoimmune hepatitis exemplifies an evolutionary process in the science of autoimmunity and the people committed to its study. Lessons derived from this experience can be far-reaching. (Hepatology 2010;52:1177-1184)
A Novel GSK-3 beta–C/EBP alpha–miR-122–Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor Regulatory Circuitry in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zeng Chunxian , Wang Ruizhi , Li Daochuan , Lin Xue-Jia , Wei Qing-Kun , Yuan Yunfei , Wang Qing , Chen Wen , Zhuang Shi-Mei
Published: July 2010

miR-122 is a highly abundant, hepatocyte-specific microRNA. The biomedical significance and regulatory mechanisms of miR-122 remain obscure. We explored the role of miR-122 in tumorigenesis in the context of gene regulatory network. The

miR-122

promoter and its transactivator were identified by way of luciferase reporter system, electrophoretic mobility shift, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. The miR-122 regulatory circuitry and its implication in hepatocarcinogenesis were identified using livers of different development stages, human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and cell lines, and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-transformed cells. We characterized the −5.3 to −4.8 kb region upstream of miR-122 precursor as

miR-122

promoter. Further investigation revealed that deletion of predicted CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) binding sites C/EBPα knockdown significantly reduced miR-122 promoter activity and endogenous miR-122 expression; and C/EBPα directly interacted with the

miR-122

promoter

in vitro

and

in vivo

. These data suggest that C/EBPα is a transactivator for

miR-122

transcription. We further demonstrated that miR-122 suppressed insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) translation and sustained glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) activity. The activated GSK-3β not only repressed cell proliferation, but also activated C/EBPα, which maintained miR-122 levels and thereby enforced IGF-1R suppression. Interestingly, down-regulation of miR-122 and C/EBPα, and up-regulation of IGF-1R were frequently observed in HCC tissues, and decreased miR-122 levels were associated with worse survival of HCC patients. Moreover, AFB1 exposure resulted in decreased activity in GSK-3β, C/EBPα, and miR-122 and increased levels of IGF-1R, whereas restoration of miR-122 suppressed the tumorigenicity of HCC and AFB1-transformed cells.

Conclusion:

We have identified a novel GSK-3β–C/EBPα–miR-122–IGF-1R regulatory circuitry whose dysfunction may contribute to the development of HCC. Our findings provide new insight into miR-122's function and the mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis. (Hepatology 2010;52:1702-1712)
Future climate and runoff projections across New South Wales, Australia: results and practical applications
Authors: Vaze J. , Teng J.
Published: July 2010

This paper describes the rainfall–runoff modelling for New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) under historical climate and the likely changes to runoff around the year 2030 for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) SRES A1B global warming scenario. Results show that the mean annual historical rainfall and runoff, averaged over the entire region, are 516 and 55 mm, respectively. There is considerable uncertainty in the global climate modelling (GCM) of rainfall response in the region to global warming. The majority of GCMs show a decrease in the mean annual rainfall and the median estimate indicates that future mean annual runoff in the region in ∼2030 relative to ∼1990 will be lower by 0–20% in the southern parts, no change to a slight reduction in the eastern parts and higher by 0–20% in the northwest corner. Averaged across the entire region, the median estimate is a 5% decrease in the mean annual runoff and the extreme estimates range from a 14% decrease to a 10% increase in mean annual runoff. This is the first comprehensive study on the hydrological impacts of climate change done in NSW that covers the entire state. Outputs from this study are being used to underpin the hydrology for a number of major climate change impact studies that are presently underway across NSW. The results and output datasets from this study will be available through a web interface and they can be used by all state government agencies and industries in NSW to plan for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate change and future flows of Rocky Mountain rivers: converging forecasts from empirical trend projection and down‐scaled global circulation modelling
Authors: Shepherd Anita , Gill Karen M. , Rood Stewart B.
Published: July 2010

To predict future river flows, empirical trend projection (ETP) analyses and extends historic trends, while hydroclimatic modelling (HCM) incorporates regional downscaling from global circulation model (GCM) outputs. We applied both approaches to the extensively allocated Oldman River Basin that drains the North American Rocky Mountains and provides an international focus for water sharing. For ETP, we analysed monthly discharges from 1912 to 2008 with non‐parametric regression, and extrapolated changes to 2055. For modelling, we refined the physical models MTCLIM and SNOPAC to provide water inputs into RIVRQ (river discharge), a model that assesses the streamflow regime as involving dynamic peaks superimposed on stable baseflow. After parameterization with 1960–1989 data, we assessed climate forecasts from six GCMs: CGCM1‐A, HadCM3, NCAR‐CCM3, ECHAM4 and 5 and GCM2. Modelling reasonably reconstructed monthly hydrographs (R2 about 0·7), and averaging over three decades closely reconstructed the monthly pattern (R2 = 0·94). When applied to the GCM forecasts, the model predicted that summer flows would decline considerably, while winter and early spring flows would increase, producing a slight decline in the annual discharge (−3%, 2005–2055). The ETP predicted similarly decreased summer flows but slight change in winter flows and greater annual flow reduction (−9%). The partial convergence of the seasonal flow projections increases confidence in a composite analysis and we thus predict further declines in summer (about − 15%) and annual flows (about − 5%). This composite projection indicates a more modest change than had been anticipated based on earlier GCM analyses or trend projections that considered only three or four decades. For other river basins, we recommend the utilization of ETP based on the longest available streamflow records, and HCM with multiple GCMs. The degree of correspondence from these two independent approaches would provide a basis for assessing the confidence in projections for future river flows and surface water supplies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thrombin promotes actin stress fiber formation in RPE through Rho/ROCK‐mediated MLC phosphorylation
Authors: Ruiz‐Loredo Ariadna Yolanda , López Edith , López‐Colomé Ana María
Published: July 2010

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) forms the outer blood–retina barrier (BRB). Most retinal diseases involve BRB breakdown, whereupon thrombin contained in serum directly contacts the RPE. Thrombin is known to promote actin stress fiber formation, an important determinant in eye diseases involving the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of RPE cells, such as proliferative vitreoretinopathy. We analyzed thrombin effect on signaling pathways leading to myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation and actin stress fiber formation in primary cultures of rat RPE cells, in order to support a role for thrombin in RPE transdifferentiation. MLC phosphorylation was measured by Western blot; actin cytoskeleton was visualized using immunofluorescent phalloidin, and Rho GTPase activation was assessed by ELISA. We showed that thrombin/PAR‐1 induces the time‐ and dose‐dependent phosphorylation of MLC through the activation of Rho/ROCK and myosin light chain kinase (MLCK). ROCK increased phospho‐MLC by phosphorylating MLC and by inhibiting MLC phosphatase. Thrombin effect was abolished by the ROCK inhibitor Y‐27632, whereas MLCK inhibitor ML‐7 and PLC‐β inhibitor U73122 attenuated MLC phosphorylation by ≈50%, suggesting the activation of MLCK by PLC‐β‐mediated calcium increase. Additionally, thrombin‐induced MLC phosphorylation was blocked by the inhibitory PKCζ pseudosubstrate, wortmannin, and LY294002, indicating IP3/PKCζ involvement in the control of MLC phosphorylation. Moreover, we demonstrated that thrombin effect on MLC induces actin stress fiber formation, since this effect was prevented by inhibiting the pathways leading to MLC phosphorylation. We conclude that thrombin stimulation of MLC phosphorylation and actin stress fiber formation may be involved in thrombin‐induced RPE cell transformation subsequent to BRB dysfunction. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 414–423, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modulation of the development of human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells by lithium chloride
Authors: Liu Ko‐Jiunn , Lee Yueh‐Lun , Yang Yi‐Yuan , Shih Neng‐Yao , Ho Chia‐Chen , Wu Yu‐Chen , Huang Tze‐Sing , Huang Ming‐Chyi , Liu Hsing‐Cheng , Shen Winston W , Leu Sy‐Jye
Published: July 2010

Lithium has been used or explored to treat psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases that are frequently associated with an abnormal immune status. It is likely that lithium may work through modulation of immune responses in these patients. Because dendritic cells (DC) play a central role in regulating immune responses, this study investigated the influence of lithium chloride (LiCl) on the development and function of DC. Exposure to LiCl during the differentiation of human monocyte‐derived immature DCs (iDC) enhances CD86 and CD83 expression and increases the production of IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and TNF‐α. However, the presence of LiCl during LPS‐induced maturation of iDC has the opposite effect. During iDC differentiation, LiCl suppresses the activity of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3β, and activates PI3K and MEK. In addition, LiCl activates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) during iDC differentiation, a pathway not described before. Each of these signaling pathways appears to have distinct impact on the differentiating iDC. The enhanced CD86 expression by LiCl involves the PI3K/AKT and GSK‐3β pathway. LiCl modulates the expression of CD83 in iDC mainly through MEK/ERK, PI3K/AKT, and PPARγ pathways, while the increased production of IL‐1β and TNF‐α mainly involves the MEK/ERK pathway. The effect of LiCl on IL‐6/IL‐8/IL‐10 secretion in iDC is mediated through inhibition of GSK‐3β. We have also demonstrated that PPARγ is downstream of GSK‐3β and is responsible for the LiCl‐mediated modulation of CD86/83 and CD1 expression, but not IL‐6/8/10 secretion. The combined influence of these molecular signaling pathways may account for certain clinical effect of lithium. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 424–433, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Brain natriuretic peptide modulates the delayed rectifier outward K+current and promotes the proliferation of mouse schwann cells
Authors: Fei Xiao‐Wei , Pan Chen‐Jie , He Yan‐Lin , Fang Yan‐Jia , Zhuang Jia‐Li , Mei Yan‐Ai
Published: July 2010

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) may act as a neuromodulator via its associated receptors (natriuretic peptide receptors, NPRs) in the central nervous system (CNS), but few studies have reported its activity in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). In this study, we observed that BNP increased the tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA)‐sensitive delayed rectifier outward potassium current (IK) in mouse Schwann cells (SCs) using whole‐cell recording techniques. At concentrations of 1–100 nM, BNP reversibly activated IKin a dose‐dependent manner, with modulating its steady‐state activation and inactivation properties. The effect of BNP on IKwas abolished by preincubation with the specific antagonist of NPR‐A, and could not be mimicked by application of NPR‐C agonist. These results were supported by immunocytochemical findings indicating that NPR‐A was expressed in SCs. The application of 8‐Br‐guanosine 3′,5′‐monophosphate (8‐Br‐cGMP) mimicked the effect of BNP on IK, but BNP was unable to further increase IKafter the application of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Genistein blocked IKand also completely eliminated the effects of BNP and cGMP on IK. The selective KV2.1 subunit blocker, Jingzhaotoxin‐III (JZTX‐III), reduced IKamplitude by 30%, but did not abolish the increase effect of BNP on IKamplitude. In addition, BNP significantly stimulated SCs proliferation and this effect could be partly inhibited by TEA. Together these results suggest that BNP modulated IKprobably via cGMP‐ and tyrosine kinase‐dependent pathways by activation of NPR‐A. This effect of BNP on IKin SCs might partly explain its effect on cell proliferation. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 440–449, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The skin of Osedax (Siboglinidae, Annelida): An ultrastructural investigation of its epidermis
Authors: Katz Sigrid , Klepal Waltraud , Bright Monika
Published: July 2010

The symbiotic polychaetes of the genus Osedax living on the bones of whale carcasses have become known as bone‐eating worms. It is believed that whale bones are the source of nutrition for those gutless worms and that fatty acids are produced by their symbionts and transferred to the host. However, the symbionts are of the heterotrophic group Oceanospirillales and as such are not able to synthesize organic carbon de novo. Also, they are not housed in close contact to the bone material. We studied the ultrastructure of the integument overlying the symbiont housing trophosome in the ovisac region and the roots region and of the symbiont‐free trunk region of Osedax to investigate the host's possible contribution in feeding for the whole symbiosis. The epidermis differs conspicuously between the three regions investigated and clearly points to being correlated with different functions carried out by those regions. The ultrastructure of the integument of the root region changed towards the ovisac region and corresponds with the change of the ultrastructure observed in the Osedax trophosome. We suggest that the epidermis in the root region is tightly linked to bone degradation and nutrient uptake. The trunk region possess two types of unicellular gland cells, at least one of which seems to be involved in secretion of the gelatinous tube of adult Osedax females. J. Morphol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
KARL STORZ's unconventional intercontinental journey to lean
Authors: Delisle Rachel , Turner Rosanne
Published: July 2010

A U.S. medical devices manufacturer successfully executed a rapid lean implementation that defied conventional wisdom and then helped a Swiss sister company do the same, proving that lean can transcend cultures. The authors describe the burning platform of operational issues and what led to the decision to use a reversed sequence of pull system–product flow–waste reduction–process stabilization for the initiatives in both facilities. They also discuss the challenges that arose from cultural differences and similarities and the complex customer‐supplier relationship between the two manufacturing sites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Narrative 360° assessment and stakeholder analysis: How a powerful tool drives executive coaching engagements
Authors: Koonce Richard
Published: July 2010

A process of in‐depth targeted interviews and analysis goes where a traditional 360° assessment cannot, revealing cultural, political, and other subtle organizational and performance factors that can make or break an executive. Rich, real‐time contextual feedback helps leaders and their coaches to focus on those areas most critical to performance in a particular role and organization. The author describes the process and instrument and illustrates its use and value through two case studies. He also examines the benefits of pairing the process with the concepts of social economics and social theater and with a number of other coaching tools. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
M&A scorecard: Lessons from American‐Dutch mergers
Authors: Grotenhuis Frits D. J.
Published: July 2010

This article provides a framework for cross‐border merger‐and‐acquisition (M&A) activity. Based on an extensive study into American‐Dutch merger processes, a number of lessons can be drawn. Where many studies result in shortlists of merger “best practices,” dealing with part of the problem, this article provides an enhanced, more integral approach. Lessons learned are structured and integrated into a modified version of the Balanced Scorecard: the M&A Scorecard. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Corrosion inhibition with different protective layers in tinplate cans for food preservation
Authors: Grassino Antonela Ninčević , Grabarić Zorana , Pezzani Aldo , Squitieri Giuseppe , Berković Katarina
Published: July 2010

BACKGROUND: In this work the influence of essential onion oil (EOO) on the protection of tinplates was compared with dioctyl sebacate oil (DOS) and epoxy phenolic lacquers, which are frequently used in the food canning industry.

RESULTS: When EOO as the protective layer instead of DOS oil was used, tinplate porosity, measured electrochemically (7.58 ± 1.97 µA cm−2 and 23.0 ± 1.3 µA cm−2, respectively), and iron coating mass, calculated from AAS data (1.52 ± 0.15 mg m−2 and 3.14 ± 0.42, respectively), was much lower indicating better corrosion protection. At higher storing temperature (36 °C) the addition of EOO to canned tomato purée enhanced the formation of hydrogen with time. The increasing volume fraction of H2 (from 34.0 to 90.9% for cans without nitrates, and from 33.8 to 89.2% for cans with nitrates) is an indicator that corrosion takes place.

CONCLUSION: As the use of EOO improves the protection of tinplate compared with DOS oil, and is almost as effective as epoxy phenolic lacquer, the addition of EOO can be recommended due to lower cost of canned food production and enhanced organoleptic properties, but the storage temperature has to be lower then 36 °C. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Predictors of cardiovascular events after liver transplantation
Authors: Coss Elizabeth , Watt Kymberly D. S. , Pedersen Rachel , Dierkhising Ross , Heimbach Julie K. , Charlton Michael R.
Published: July 2010

Cardiovascular complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. Identifying candidates at highest risk of postoperative complications is a cornerstone of optimizing outcomes and utility. Using traditional cardiac risk factors in addition to C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, troponin levels, and echocardiographic parameters before transplantation, we sought to define cardiac risk so that we could predict cardiovascular events after transplantation. From December 1998 to December 2001, 230 adult patients who underwent liver transplantation with a median follow-up of 8.2 years were studied. The risk factors for cardiac disease were as follows: male gender with a mean age of approximately 50 years (57%), smoking history (60%), diabetes (23%), hypertension (19%), elevated troponin (25%), elevated CRP (25%), and preexisting cardiac disease (16%). Fifty-nine cardiac events occurred over 8.2 years. Risk factors (univariate analysis) for first cardiac events included age in decades [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.31, P = 0.047], diabetes (HR = 2.20, P = 0.004), prior cardiovascular disease (HR = 4.77, P < 0.0001), a troponin I level > 0.07 ng/mL (HR = 2.00, P = 0.023), left ventricular hypertrophy (HR = 2.06, P = 0.047), stress wall abnormalities (HR = 2.25, P = 0.018), and ischemia on stress imaging (HR = 2.89, P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis confirmed age, diabetes, a troponin I level > 0.07, and prior cardiac disease as independent risk factors for posttransplant cardiac events. In conclusion, pretransplant elevated troponin levels, diabetes, and a history of cardiovascular disease, alone or in combination, are strongly associated with the occurrence of posttransplant cardiovascular events. Liver Transpl 17:23-31, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
Safety and tolerability of high‐dosage coenzyme Q10 in Huntington's disease and healthy subjects
Authors:   The Huntington Study Group Pre2CARE Investigators
Published: July 2010

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a potential neuroprotective compound, was previously investigated at a dosage of 600 mg/day in Huntington's disease (HD) patients and demonstrated a trend toward slowing disease progression. Higher CoQ10 dosages may prove beneficial. We investigated the tolerability and blood levels associated with 1,200, 2,400, and 3,600 mg/day of CoQ10 in HD and healthy subjects. Twenty‐eight subjects (20 HD, 8 healthy) enrolled in a 20‐week open‐label trial. Subjects started on 1,200 mg/day of CoQ10, increasing every 4 weeks by 1,200 mg to a maximum dosage of 3,600 mg/day. Monthly evaluations included review of adverse events and CoQ10 blood levels. Twenty‐three subjects (82%) achieved the target dosage of 3,600 mg/day. Six subjects (2 healthy, 4 HD) withdrew prematurely (gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in 3, worsening HD in 2, and 1 because of a fall). All three serious adverse events occurred in a single subject, and were deemed unrelated to CoQ10. The most common adverse events seen were GI symptoms. Mean (± SD) CoQ10 blood levels achieved over the course of the trial were as follows: 1.26 ± 1.27 μg/mL (baseline, n = 28), 5.59 ± 2.24 μg/mL (1,200 mg/day, week 4, n = 26), 6.38 ± 3.25 μg/mL (2,400 mg/day, week 8, n = 25), 7.49 ± 4.09 μg/mL (3,600 mg/day, week 12, n = 23), and 6.78 ± 3.36μg/mL (3,600 mg/day, week 20, n = 20). CoQ10 was well tolerated with over 80% of subjects achieving the target dosage. Dosages of 2,400 mg/day may provide the best balance between tolerability and blood level achieved. Further studies examining the efficacy of 2,400 mg/day are planned. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.
Specific pattern of early white‐matter changes in pure hereditary spastic paraplegia
Authors: Duning Thomas , Warnecke Tobias , Schirmacher Anja , Schiffbauer Hagen , Lohmann Hubertus , Mohammadi Siawoosh , Young Peter , Deppe Michael
Published: July 2010

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are genetically and clinically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders. Most MR studies on HSP include very heterogeneous samples of patients, and findings were inconsistent. Here, we examined six patients with pure HSP and SPG4 mutations by clinical evaluation, detailed neuropsychological testing, and neuroimaging analyses, including conventional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and brain volumetry. Differences of voxel‐wise statistics and ROI‐based analysis of DTI data between patients and 32 healthy volunteers were evaluated. Although conventional MRI and brain volumetry were normal, DTI revealed widespread disturbance of white matter (WM) integrity (P < 0.001), mainly affecting the corticospinal tract. With longer disease duration, frontal regions were also involved. The WM changes were also present in subclinical subjects harbouring the pathogenic mutation. These subtle WM abnormalities have functional relevance because they correlated with clinical symptoms. Thus, early alterations of nerve fibres, which can be detected by DTI, might serve as a biological marker in HSP, in particular with respect to future longitudinal studies. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Typical cerebral metabolic patterns in neurodegenerative brain diseases
Authors: Teune Laura K. , Bartels Anna L. , de Jong Bauke M. , Willemsen Antoon T. M. , Eshuis Silvia A. , de Vries Jeroen J. , van Oostrom Joost C. H. , Leenders Klaus L.
Published: July 2010

The differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases on clinical grounds is difficult, especially at an early disease stage. Several studies have found specific regional differences of brain metabolism applying [18F]‐fluoro‐deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET), suggesting that this method can assist in early differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases.

We have studied patients who had an FDG‐PET scan on clinical grounds at an early disease stage and included those with a retrospectively confirmed diagnosis according to strictly defined clinical research criteria. Ninety‐six patients could be included of which 20 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), 21 multiple system atrophy (MSA), 17 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), 10 corticobasal degeneration (CBD), 6 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), 15 Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 7 frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FDG PET images of each patient group were analyzed and compared to18 healthy controls using Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM5).

Disease‐specific patterns of relatively decreased metabolic activity were found in PD (contralateral parietooccipital and frontal regions), MSA (bilateral putamen and cerebellar hemispheres), PSP (prefrontal cortex and caudate nucleus, thalamus, and mesencephalon), CBD (contralateral cortical regions), DLB (occipital and parietotemporal regions), AD (parietotemporal regions), and FTD (frontotemporal regions).

The integrated method addressing a spectrum of various neurodegenerative brain diseases provided means to discriminate patient groups also at early disease stages. Clinical follow‐up enabled appropriate patient inclusion. This implies that an early diagnosis in individual patients can be made by comparing each subject's metabolic findings with a complete database of specific disease related patterns. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Physical activity and sedentary behavior in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Michaliszyn Sara Fleet , Faulkner Melissa Spezia
Published: July 2010

The purpose of this study was to describe the associations between levels of physical activity measured by accelerometry and changes in fitness, body composition, lipids, and glucose control (i.e., glycosolated hemoglobin [A1C]) in a sample of 16 adolescents with type 1 diabetes participating in a personalized exercise program. More sedentary activity was associated with lower fitness and fat free mass and increased total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL‐c), and triglycerides (p < .05). Greater amounts of moderate to vigorous activity were associated with higher fitness and fat free mass, and decreased total cholesterol, LDL‐c, triglycerides, and A1C (p < .05). Findings support the beneficial effects of increased moderate activity and decreased sedentary behavior to reduce cardiovascular risks and improve glucose control in adolescents with type 1 diabetes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:441–449, 2010
Impact of molecular structure on intermolecular interactions and organic solid state luminescence in supramolecular systems
Authors: Anthony Savarimuthu Philip , Varughese Sunil , Draper Sylvia M.
Published: July 2010

Supramolecular chemistry provides a versatile approach to tune organic solid state luminescence by controlling the molecular organization through weak interactions. In this study, we have successfully tuned the solid state luminescence of 2‐cyano‐3(4‐(diphenylamino)phenyl)acrylic acid (CDPA) by co‐crystallizing with substituted pyridines. The position of methyl group on the pyridine (4‐picoline, 3‐picoline, and 2‐picoline) has a dramatic effect on the supramolecular interactions formed, from usual carboxylic acid–pyridine interactions to deprotonation of CDPA in the crystal lattice and that allows to tune the CDPA solid state luminescence from 587 to 548 nm gradually. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the BCPT Symptom Checklist with a sample of breast cancer patients before and after adjuvant therapy
Authors: Terhorst Lauren , Blair‐Belansky Heather , Moore Paul J. , Bender Catherine
Published: July 2010

Objective: The purpose of this analysis was to provide psychometric information related to the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) Symptom Checklist in women with breast cancer prior to the initiation of adjuvant therapy and 6 months post‐initiation of therapy.

Methods: This investigation was a secondary analysis of baseline data from the Anastrozole Use in Menopausal Women (AIM) Study (R01 CA 107408). The data used in this study were obtained from women diagnosed with Stage I, II, and IIIa breast cancer and who received adjuvant therapy that included chemotherapy alone, anastrozole alone, and chemotherapy plus anastrozole. Data were examined before adjuvant therapy (n=278), and at 6 months post‐adjuvant therapy (n=195). Construct validity was examined through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the internal consistency of each resulting subscale was computed. Discriminant validity evidence was obtained by correlating BCPT subscales with subscales from the MOS SF‐36.

Results: A seven‐factor structure was extracted from the 42 items at baseline; an eight‐factor structure was found using 6‐month data. CFA was performed to compare the baseline and 6‐month models as well as an eight‐factor model recommended by Cella et al. Findings revealed that the two eight‐factor models best represented the data. Low negative correlations with the subscales of the MOS SF‐36 provided discriminant validity evidence.

Conclusion: This analysis provides evidence for the reliability, discriminant validity, and factor structure of the BCPT Symptom Checklist. Further testing of this instrument is needed to confirm the factor structure of this measure. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Galectin‐3 is a substrate for prostate specific antigen (PSA) in human seminal plasma
Authors: Saraswati Sarika , Block Ashley S. , Davidson Mari. K. , Rank Roger. G. , Mahadevan Maha , Diekman Alan B.
Published: July 2010

BACKGROUND

Galectin‐3 is a multivalent carbohydrate‐binding protein involved in cell adhesion, cell cycle control, immunomodulation, and cancer progression, including prostate cancer. Galectin‐3 function is regulated by proteolytic cleavage that destroys galectin‐3 multivalency while preserving carbohydrate‐binding activity. In human semen, galectin‐3 is present in seminal plasma and is also associated with prostasomes, exosome‐like vesicles secreted by the prostate. In the current study, we characterized the proteolytic activity that cleaves galectin‐3 in human seminal plasma.

METHODS

An in vitro assay was developed to investigate galectin‐3 cleavage in seminal plasma. The effect of protease inhibitors, divalent ion chelators, and Zn2+ on the cleavage activity was determined. Proteases enriched from seminal plasma were tested for their ability to cleave galectin‐3. Affinity purification and microsequence analysis were used to identify the cleavage site in galectin‐3.

RESULTS

Galectin‐3 was identified in human seminal plasma in an intact and truncated form. Gelatinases enriched from seminal plasma did not cleave galectin‐3. Inhibitor studies indicated that the galectin‐3 cleavage activity in seminal plasma is a Zn2+ sensitive, serine protease. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) was demonstrated to cleave galectin‐3 between tyrosine107‐glycine108 and produce a functionally active, monovalent lectin.

CONCLUSIONS

PSA is a chymotrypsin‐like serine protease secreted by the prostatic epithelium and normally functions in liquefaction of semen following ejaculation. Furthermore, PSA is implicated in the promotion of localized prostate tumors and bone metastases by its roles in immunomodulation, invasion, and apoptosis. Our results indicate that PSA regulates galectin‐3 in human semen and may regulate galectin‐3 function during prostate cancer progression. Prostate 71: 197–208, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of ADAM9 expression induces epithelial phenotypic alterations and sensitizes human prostate cancer cells to radiation and chemotherapy
Authors: Josson Sajni , Anderson Cynthia S. , Sung Shian‐Ying , Johnstone Peter A.S. , Kubo Hiroyuki , Hsieh Chia‐Ling , Arnold Rebecca , Gururajan Murali , Yates Clayton , Chung Leland W.K.
Published: July 2010

INTRODUCTION

Recent studies demonstrated the importance of ADAM9 in prostate cancer relapse upon therapy. In this study, we determined the role of ADAM9 in the therapeutic resistance to radiation and chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ADAM9 was either transiently or stably knocked down in C4‐2 prostate cancer cells. The sensitivity of ADAM9 knockdown cells toward radiation and chemotherapeutic agents were determined. Additionally, the effects of ADAM9 knockdown on prostate cancer cell morphology, biochemical and functional alterations were accessed.

RESULTS

Both transient and stable knockdown of ADAM9 resulted in increased apoptosis and increased sensitivity to radiation. ADAM9 knockdown also increased prostate cancer sensitivity to several chemotherapeutic drugs. ADAM9 knockdown resulted in increased E‐cadherin and altered integrin expression and underwent phenotypic epithelial transition. These were reflected by the morphological, biochemical, and functional alterations in the ADAM9 knockdown cells.

CONCLUSIONS

ADAM9 plays a crucial role in prostate cancer progression and therapeutic resistance in part by altering E‐cadherin and integrin expression. ADAM9 is an important target for the consideration of treating prostate cancer patients who developed therapeutic resistance and disease relapse. Prostate 71:232–240, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hot Forging of C45 using PVD (Ti,Al)N/γ‐Al2O3 Coated Dies
Authors: Bobzin K. , Hirt G. , Springorum F. , Zitz U. , Steinhof F. , Bagcivan N. , Baadjou R. , Ewering M. , Immich P.
Published: July 2010

The process of hot forging with permanent moulds is a challenge in respect to the very high thermal, mechanical and tribological loads on tools. Ensuring sufficient lifetime application of protective films can be beneficial. Initial screening experiments using PVD coated compression plates show that one of the metastable phases of alumina, the γ‐phase, exhibits high strength and toughness and fulfils the requirements for a protective coating. The next important step in the development towards an industrial application is the implementation on complex tool shapes and verification in real forming experiments. After coating deposition using an industrial coating unit, coated dies were tested in forming experiments under industrial conditions. The forming experiments show an improvement of the wear resistance after 1000 forming cycles for the coated dies compared to the uncoated dies.
Atomic force microscopy of biological samples
Authors: Allison David P. , Mortensen Ninell P. , Sullivan Claretta J. , Doktycz Mitchel J.
Published: July 2010

The ability to evaluate structural–functional relationships in real time has allowed scanning probe microscopy (SPM) to assume a prominent role in post genomic biological research. In this mini‐review, we highlight the development of imaging and ancillary techniques that have allowed SPM to permeate many key areas of contemporary research. We begin by examining the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) by Binnig and Rohrer in 1982 and discuss how it served to team biologists with physicists to integrate high‐resolution microscopy into biological science. We point to the problems of imaging nonconductive biological samples with the STM and relate how this led to the evolution of the atomic force microscope (AFM) developed by Binnig, Quate, and Gerber, in 1986. Commercialization in the late 1980s established SPM as a powerful research tool in the biological research community. Contact mode AFM imaging was soon complemented by the development of non‐contact imaging modes. These non‐contact modes eventually became the primary focus for further new applications including the development of fast scanning methods. The extreme sensitivity of the AFM cantilever was recognized and has been developed into applications for measuring forces required for indenting biological surfaces and breaking bonds between biomolecules. Further functional augmentation to the cantilever tip allowed development of new and emerging techniques including scanning ion‐conductance microscopy (SICM), scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM), Kelvin force microscopy (KFM) and scanning near field ultrasonic holography (SNFUH). WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2010 2 618–634

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Cells at the Nanoscale

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Bis(methanesulfonyl) Peroxide, CH3S(O)2OOS(O)2CH3: Spectroscopic, Structural, and Thermal Properties
Authors: Zeng Xiaoqing , Beckers Helmut , Willner Helge , Lehmann Christian W.
Published: July 2010

Bis(methanesulfonyl)peroxide, CH3S(O)2OOS(O)2CH3, was fully characterized by NMR, UV, and vibrational spectroscopy (ATR, matrix IR, and Raman), mass spectrometry, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and DFT calculations. Three gauche conformers were theoretically predicted, and probably due to the stabilization of intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions the G+G– conformer was found to be most stable. G+/– designates anticlock/clockwise rotation around the O–S bonds at either end of the O–O linkage. Evidence for this most stable conformer was found for the matrix‐isolated molecules. Two other conformers G+G+ and G–G– were calculated to be 9.0 and 4.0 kJ·mol–1 higher in energy at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory. In the crystal structure of CH3S(O)2OOS(O)2CH3 [monoclinic, P21/c, a = 8.1214(17) Å, b = 8.9443(19) Å, c = 10.298(2) Å, α = γ = 90°, β = 110.815(4)°] the less stable G–G– conformer is stabilized due to strong intermolecular interactions. The crystalline solid explodes at 79 °C with a large enthalpy release of 266 kJ·mol–1 as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).