bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of the Plasma Membrane Ca2+Pump by CD44 Receptor Activation of Tyrosine Kinases Increases the Action Potential Afterhyperpolarization in Sensory Neurons
Authors: Ghosh Biswarup , Li Yan , Thayer Stanley A.
Published: February 2011

The cytoplasmic Ca2+clearance rate affects neuronal excitability, plasticity, and synaptic transmission. Here, we examined the modulation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ATPase (PMCA) by tyrosine kinases. In rat sensory neurons grown in culture, the PMCA was under tonic inhibition by a member of the Src family of tyrosine kinases (SFKs). Ca2+clearance accelerated in the presence of selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Tonic inhibition of the PMCA was attenuated in cells expressing a dominant-negative construct or shRNA directed to message for the SFKs Lck or Fyn, but not Src. SFKs did not appear to phosphorylate the PMCA directly but instead activated focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Expression of constitutively active FAK enhanced and dominant-negative or shRNA knockdown of FAK attenuated tonic inhibition. Antisense knockdown of PMCA isoform 4 removed tonic inhibition of Ca2+clearance, indicating that FAK acts on PMCA4. The hyaluronan receptor CD44 activates SFK-FAK signaling cascades and is expressed in sensory neurons. Treating neurons with a CD44-blocking antibody or short hyaluronan oligosaccharides, which are produced during injury and displace macromolecular hyaluronan from CD44, attenuated tonic PMCA inhibition. Ca2+-activated K+channels mediate a slow afterhyperpolarization in sensory neurons that was inhibited by tyrosine kinase inhibitors and enhanced by knockdown of PMCA4. Thus, we describe a novel kinase cascade in sensory neurons that enables the extracellular matrix to alter Ca2+signals by modulating PMCA-mediated Ca2+clearance. This signaling pathway may influence the excitability of sensory neurons following injury.
Memory, Visual Discrimination Performance, and the Human Hippocampus
Authors: Kim Soyun , Jeneson Annette , van der Horst Anna S. , Frascino Jennifer C. , Hopkins Ramona O. , Squire Larry R.
Published: February 2011

We evaluated recent proposals that the hippocampus supports certain kinds of visual discrimination performance, for example, when spatial processing is required and the stimuli have a high degree of feature overlap. Patients with circumscribed hippocampal lesions tried to discriminate between images of similar faces or images of similar scenes. In one condition, elements of the stimulus display repeated from trial to trial, and in another condition every trial was unique. In the repeated condition for both faces and scenes, controls gradually improved their performance across testing. In the trial-unique condition, no improvement occurred. The patients were impaired for both faces and scenes in the repeated condition where controls could benefit from learning. However, the patients were fully intact in the trial-unique condition. The results suggest that previous reports of impaired discrimination performance after medial temporal lobe damage may reflect impaired learning rather than impaired visual perception. The findings support the fundamental idea that memory is a distinct cerebral function separable from other perceptual and cognitive abilities.
Ovarian Hormone Deficiency Reduces Intrinsic Excitability and Abolishes Acute Estrogen Sensitivity in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons
Authors: Wu Wendy W. , Adelman John P. , Maylie James
Published: February 2011

Premature and uncompensated loss of ovarian hormones following ovariectomy (OVX) elevates the risks of cognitive impairment and dementia. These risks are prevented with estrogen (E2)-containing hormone replacement therapy initiated shortly following OVX but not after substantial delay. Currently, the cellular bases underlying these clinical findings are unknown. At the cellular level, intrinsic membrane properties regulate the efficiency of synaptic inputs to initiate output action potentials (APs), thereby affecting neuronal communication, hence cognitive processing. This study tested the hypothesis that in CA1 pyramidal neurons, intrinsic membrane properties and their acute regulation by E2require ovarian hormones for maintenance. Whole-cell current-clamp recordings were performed on neurons from ∼7-month-old OVX rats that experienced either short-term (10 d, control OVX) or long-term (5 months, OVXLT) ovarian hormone deficiency. The results reveal that long-term hormone deficiency reduced intrinsic membrane excitability (IE) as measured by the number of evoked APs and firing duration for a given current injection. This was accompanied by AP broadening, an increased slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP), and faster accumulation of NaVchannel inactivation during repetitive firing. In the control OVX neurons, E2acutely increased IE and reduced the sAHP. In contrast, acute regulation of IE by E2was absent in the OVXLTneurons. Since the degree of IE of hippocampal pyramidal neurons is positively related with hippocampus-dependent learning ability, and modulation of IE is observed following successful learning, these findings provide a framework for understanding hormone deficiency-related cognitive impairment and the critical window for therapy initiation.
Two common genetic variants near nuclear-encoded OXPHOS genes are associated with insulin secretion in vivo
Authors: Olsson Anders H , Rönn Tina , Ladenvall Claes , Parikh Hemang , Isomaa Bo , Groop Leif , Ling Charlotte
Published: February 2011

Context

Mitochondrial ATP production is important in the regulation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Genetic factors may modulate the capacity of the β-cells to secrete insulin and thereby contribute to the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify genetic loci in or adjacent to nuclear-encoded genes of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway that are associated with insulin secretion in vivo.

Design and methods

To find polymorphisms associated with glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 1467 non-diabetic individuals, including the Diabetes Genetic Initiative (DGI), was examined. A total of 413 single nucleotide polymorphisms with a minor allele frequency ≥0.05 located in or adjacent to 76 OXPHOS genes were included in the DGI GWAS. A more extensive population-based study of 4323 non-diabetics, the PPP-Botnia, was used as a replication cohort. Insulinogenic index during an oral glucose tolerance test was used as a surrogate marker of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to test genotype–phenotype associations.

Results

Two common variants were identified in the DGI, where the major C-allele of rs606164, adjacent to NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 subunit C2 (NDUFC2), and the minor G-allele of rs1323070, adjacent to cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIIa polypeptide 2 (COX7A2), showed nominal associations with decreased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (P=0.0009, respective P=0.003). These associations were replicated in PPP-Botnia (P=0.002 and P=0.05).

Conclusion

Our study shows that genetic variation near genes involved in OXPHOS may influence glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vivo.
Characteristics of patient pathways in Hungary
Authors: Gresz Miklós
Published: February 2011

Over the past four years, there were nearly 250 million registered visits of insured patients in outpatient services in Hungary according to the database of the National Health Insurance Fund. In the process of renewal of health care system it is extremely important to analyze the characteristics of patient pathways. With the analysis of registered visits between 2007 and 2010 the author shows that 65%-96% (average 86%) of the insured patients used the services of outpatient care in the county of their living. This figure was the lowest (65%) in Pest County, which is the service area of several providers located in Budapest. Author presents and analyses the characteristics of patient pathways in different counties of Hungary. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 338–343.
Seashore Paspalum Seedhead Control and Growth Regulation with Flazasulfuron and Trinexapac-Ethyl
Authors: McCullough Patrick E. , Nutt William , Murphy Tim R. , Raymer Paul
Published: February 2011

Seashore paspalum is used on golf courses in warm temperate regions, but prolific growth and seedhead development may reduce turfgrass quality. Field experiments were conducted to investigate efficacy of flazasulfuron and trinexapac-ethyl on seashore paspalum seedhead suppression, clipping reduction, and canopy height. Flazasulfuron applied from 4.5 to 27 g ai ha−1increased clipping reductions from the untreated by 22 to 75% and seedhead suppression from the untreated by 16 to 86% at 2 to 4 wk after treatment. Trinexapac-ethyl applied alone at 96 g ai ha−1provided erratic levels of seedhead suppression from the untreated, but reduced clippings by approximately 50 to 75% from nontreated by 2 to 4 wk after treatment. On several dates, trinexapac-ethyl enhanced clipping reductions and seedhead suppression from flazasulfuron compared to flazasulfuron alone. Trinexapac-ethyl exacerbated seashore paspalum injury from high flazasulfuron rates (18 to 27 g ha−1) but injury never exceeded 23%. Trinexapac-ethyl reduced seashore paspalum height by 50% in unmowed areas at 16 wk. Flazasulfuron at 16 or 27 g ha−1with trinexapac-ethyl provided consistent seedhead suppression and clipping reductions ranging from approximately 70 to 95% of nontreated. These tank-mixtures have promising implications for use in seashore paspalum golf course fairways.
Evaluation of Cereal and Brassicaceae Cover Crops in Conservation-Tillage, Enhanced, Glyphosate-Resistant Cotton
Authors: Norsworthy Jason K. , McClelland Marilyn , Griffith Griff , Bangarwa Sanjeev K. , Still Joshua
Published: February 2011

Research was conducted for 2 yr at Marianna, AR, to determine whether the fall-planted cover crops rye, wheat, turnip, and a blend of brown and white mustard (Caliente) would aid weed management programs in conservation-tilled, enhanced, glyphosate-resistant cotton. Wheat and rye easily were established both years and turnip and mustard blend stands were better in the second year. The cover crops alone were more suppressive of Palmer amaranth, pitted morningglory, and goosegrass in 2007 than in 2008. Rye was generally superior to wheat in suppressing the three evaluated weeds. Once herbicides were applied, there were seldom differences among cover crops for a particular herbicide program as a result of the highly efficacious herbicide programs. Cotton yields were not affected by wheat, rye, or the mustard blend, but yields were lowest in plots that followed turnip both years, possibly because of allelopathy. Integration of cover crops, especially cereals, into conservation-tilled, glyphosate-resistant cotton aided early-season weed management and could reduce the selection of glyphosate for herbicide resistance.
Evaluation of Annual Bluegrass Control Programs for Bermudagrass Turf Overseeded with Perennial Ryegrass
Authors: McElroy J. Scott , Breeden Greg K. , Wehtje Glenn
Published: February 2011

Few herbicides are available that will selectively control annual bluegrass in a polyculture of bermudagrass overseeded with perennial ryegrass. Research was conducted to evaluate multifaceted annual bluegrass control programs in overseeded bermudagrass. Treatments included various combinations of four herbicides: foramsulfuron applied 2 wk prior to overseeding (WPO); ethofumesate and bispyribac-sodium (bispyribac) applied 12 or 12 followed by (fb) 15 wk after overseeding (WAO); and prodiamine applied 15 WAO to provide continued PRE annual bluegrass control. Foramsulfuron at 0.03 kg ha−1applied 2 WPO controlled annual bluegrass 63% 28 WAO. Foramsulfuron fb ethofumesate or bispyribac applied 12 or 12 fb 15 WAO improved control to 91% or greater. Ethofumesate or bispyribac applied with prodiamine at 1.1 kg ha−1at 15 WAO did not improve annual bluegrass control compared with ethofumesate or bispyribac treatments alone according to pairwise contrasts. Only bispyribac-containing treatments induced unacceptable perennial ryegrass injury. Bispyribac applied with prodiamine reduced perennial ryegrass cover greater than bispyribac alone according to pairwise contrast. These data indicate that ethofumesate or bispyribac applied sequentially 12 and 15 WPO can effectively control annual bluegrass in bermudagrass turf overseeded with perennial ryegrass.
Evaluating Rates and Application Timings of Saflufenacil for Control of Glyphosate-Resistant Horseweed (Conyza canadenis) Prior to Planting No-Till Cotton
Authors: Owen Lucas N. , Mueller Thomas C. , Main Christopher L. , Bond Jason , Steckel Lawrence E.
Published: February 2011

Managing glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed in no-till cotton continues to be a serious challenge for midsouthern producers. Field studies were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate spring burndown applications of saflufenacil on GR horseweed prior to planting cotton. Saflufenacil controlled GR horseweed at least 94% up to 7 d before planting (DBP) without causing significant cotton injury. Saflufenacil applied at 7 or 14 DBP controlled GR horseweed while still providing residual control until planting. Moreover, saflufenacil, on silt loam soil evaluated in this study, showed no more injury than dicamba applied 7 or more DBP. Results indicated that saflufenacil is an option in cotton for controlling GR horseweed much closer to cotton planting than 42 DBP (current saflufenacil label). At 25 g ha−1, which is the standard labeled rate in cotton, saflufenacil provided > 90% control of GR horseweed. Saflufenacil as a GR horseweed burndown, could replace the current dicamba standard every other year to reduce the probability of horseweed developing resistance to dicamba or salflufenacil.
Herbicidal Activity of Brassicaceae Seed Meal on Wild Oat (Avena fatua), Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), Redroot Pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), and Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)
Authors: Handiseni Maxwell , Brown Jack , Zemetra Robert , Mazzola Mark
Published: February 2011

The need for sustainable agricultural-production systems has generated demand for effective, nonsynthetic, alternative weed-control strategies. For some vegetable crops there are few herbicide options available, and there is little prospect of new herbicides being registered for vegetable crops. Brassicaceae seed meal, a residue product of the seed oil extraction process, can provide a resource for supplemental nutrients, disease control, and weed suppression. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different Brassicaceae seed meals and application rates on the emergence of wild oat, Italian ryegrass, prickly lettuce, and redroot pigweed, which are some of the major weeds in vegetable production systems. White mustard seed, Indian mustard seed, and rapeseed meals were used with (intact) or without a functional myrosinase enzyme (denatured). Intact white mustard seed meals applied at a rate of 2000 kg ha−1 significantly reduced weed seedling emergence and weed dry biomass compared with intact rapeseed-meal–amended treatments. Indian mustard showed significantly better herbicidal efficacy on the grassy weeds than did white mustard, which was most effective in controlling broadleaf weeds. In all instances, a 1000 kg ha−1 application rate of either Indian mustard or white mustard exhibited greater herbicidal effect than did the 2000 kg ha−1 application rate of rapeseed meal. These results demonstrate that all glucosinolates are not equal in herbicidal effects. The herbicidal effects of the mustard seed meal could offer vegetable growers a new option for weed control, particularly in organic production systems. In practice, it would seem feasible to treat soils with a blend of Indian mustard and white mustard seed meals so that both grass and broadleaf weeds could be effectively controlled.
The increase of wave velocity with time in concrete piles
Authors: Zhang Mingyi , Liu Junwei
Published: February 2011

Low-strain dynamic pile tests were performed on a number of engineering cases. Analysis of the relationship curves between pile-head velocity and time, and between modulus magnitude of mechanical admittance and frequency, shows that the dynamic wave velocity and pile-soil dynamic stiffness increased with time in the first month or so. The increase is attributed mainly to the enhancement of lateral constraints, corresponding to the thixotropy and consolidation of the surrounding soil. Comparison of the test results shows that the increase in wave velocity is consistent with that in pile-soil dynamic stiffness.
Landslide in the area of the bridge on the Danube in Novi Sad
Authors: Djogo Mitar , Vasic Milinko
Published: February 2011

This paper presents the results of the investigation of the large landslide that endangers the Sloboda Bridge in Novi Sad. At the time of its completion in 1981, this bridge, with pylons and stays in the central plane, was the world's largest central span bridge, with a span of 351 m. It has remained the bridge with the largest central span on the Danube. Its foundations are in a landslide area, and consist of piles that are up to 27 m long. The moving depth determined for the first sliding block is at a maximum depth of around 26 m, and for the second at a maximum of around 35 m. The movements have been measured by seven inclinometer installations. Movements have been minor and slow, yet practically continuous. For these reasons, the project has adopted repair measures in three phases: phase I, slope drainage; phase II, building a bank revetment in the Danube and regrading the slope area; and phase III, counterforts. The main conclusion is that with such large and special landslides, where the displacements are slow and fairly small, repair measures need not all be performed at the same time.
Stabilising peat soil with cement and silica fume
Authors: Kalantari Behzad , Prasad Arun , Huat Bujang B. K.
Published: February 2011

Stabilising soft, wet and unconsolidated peat soil by using cement as binders and silica fume as additive is often cost-effective compared with other ground improvement methods. This study was carried out by adding 5–50% (by weight) cement to peat soil, and silica fume was added at the rate of 5–10% (by weight) of cement. An air-curing technique was used to cure the samples, as it was found that the water content of the untreated peat soil was very high. The air-cured peat samples were tested for unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) for two conditions: soaked and unsoaked. For the soaked condition the samples were submerged in water for a period of 96 h; the samples after 90 days of air curing were considered as being in the unsoaked condition. From the test results, it was observed that the UCS and CBR increased by a factor as high as 11 and 25 respectively as compared with untreated peat soil. The optimum dose of cement and silica fume was also evaluated. It was observed that the upper layer of in situ peat soil can be stabilised with cement and silica fume to increase the strength of sub-base for the pavement.
Analysis of High Impedance Protection Considering CT-Transients and Air Gapped CTs with Setting Recommendations and a New Fast Acting Algorithm for High Impedance Numerical Relays
Authors: Khanna Abhishek
Published: February 2011

This paper scrutinises the present day setting practice for the high impedance type relay and the associated CT dimensioning. It is demonstrated that the present day practice for setting and CT dimensioning can cause delay in the relay operating time particularly if the CTs have residual flux in the direction of flux set up by the fault currents. The paper suggests methods to reduce the relay operation time and the fault clearance time by using the anti remanance CTs. Setting methodology for the anti-remanance CTs is also proposed. To overcome the delay in relay operation due to the poor transient response of the iron cored CTs, two new algorithms are proposed. These algorithms are simple and easily implementable in the numerical relays and can be used in systems where relay replacement is much easier than CT replacement. The concepts proposed in the paper are demonstrated by simulations using non linear mathematical models of CT and surge arrestors.
Documents on early Christian and Byzantine architecture
Authors: Milosevic Predrag
Published: February 2011

There are many models in the entire history of architecture which have
travelled across the world, from one to another part of the big world. For
various reasons, very frequently not at all scientific or professional, in
our part of the world, be it Serbian or Yugoslav, or south Slav, some like to
remain silent, when it comes to the transition of a Byzantine model, which by
nature is rooted in the Orthodox Christian faith at the south east of Europe
and the outmost west of Asia, to their areas, pervaded to a great extent by
the Roman Catholic Christian belief, or Islam. There are numerous evidences
of the transition of a model, one of many which found their new home on the
west-European soil after the fall of Byzantium, mostly after the Crusades,
when looters, but also scientists and artists in Italy, came by new wealth,
and new knowledge, in the capital of the fallen Empire, observing its
magnificent edifices, and taking its parts to their boats and shipping them
to Venice and other cities in Italy and placing them on their buildings and
squares, as they have done with the columns of the Augusteion of
Constantinople, the square dedicated to Justinian's mother Augusta, which now
decorate the square near the famous Venetian church of Saint Marco. Some
other, also numerous accounts, explain how the Ottoman Turkish architecture
in almost the same way, adopted its mosque construction model at the same
place, in the same manner, retaining the actual structures but changing the
religious insignia, or by copying this Byzantine model in building the new
mosques.
Hospital outdoor spaces: Therapeutic benefits and design considerations
Authors: Neducin Dejana , Krkljes Milena , Kurtovic-Folic Nadja
Published: February 2011

The awareness of positive influences of outdoor environment on patients'
healing process has long been present in hospital architecture. Despite the
fact that economic factors had the greatest impact on hospital design during
the past century, which caused a neglect of possible restorative benefits of
hospital surroundings, recently developed and integrated healthcare systems
are more focused on patients' needs regarding the effects of treatments and
services on their satisfaction. With the aim to reduce costs of medical
therapies without sacrificing their quality, this new approach resulted in a
substantial shift in planning and designing of both indoor and outdoor
hospital spaces. This paper presents an analysis of various aspects that need
to be taken into account while planning of hospital outdoor spaces. It
proposes a list of design considerations that may contribute to achieving a
healing environment with positive effects on patients' well-being and
outcomes of their medical treatments, while simultaneously raising the
overall hospital's efficiency. Having in mind specific organizational
structure and functional flows that an institution of this type comprises,
these considerations are determined, preconditioned and set up to meet
strictly defined norms, regulations and criteria. The purpose of this
research is to examine which elements and features and to what extent may
assist in generating a supportive, inviting, secure and non-threatening
atmosphere of the outdoor hospital surroundings that discharges negative
reminiscences, experiences or assumptions on how unpleasant the stay in a
hospital may be.
Functional implications of the elementary schools architectonic plan form
Authors: Tanic Milan , Kondic Slavisa , Kostic Ivan
Published: February 2011

A comprehensive analysis of complex factors affecting the contemporary
approach in the process of planning and organization of elementary schools
particularly addresses the issue of form of the architectonic plan, as one of
the indicators of functional quality accomplishment According to the defined
set of criteria in the field of functional requirements, two basic forms of
the architectonic plan typology have been evaluated - a compact and
developed. The obtained results indicated the advantages and limitations,
both in application of the compact and the developed architectonic plan. On
the basis of the comparative analysis of the determined functional
implications, it was concluded that a compact architectonic plan of an
elementary school is a design providing a wider range of qualitative
potentials.
Rural development and regional policy: Conceptual framework
Authors: Vasilevska Ljiljana
Published: February 2011

The paper treats the potential of incorporation of the rural development into
the planning framework of regulation of a more uniform regional development.
The initial assumption is that the regional, ?medium? level of management is
necessary for a legitimate management of public business and that the
problems of development of rural areas can be adequately regulated within the
regional development policy through an integrated planning approach starting
from the paradigm of sustainable development. The basic assumption, worked
out in detail in the paper, is that the activities related to the rural
development are operationally defined and realized in the framework of the
regional policy, given that the rural areas are one of the resources of the
given region, its potential or limitation, and thus actively participate in
the process of development of a region and in reactivation of its
developmental potentials.
Potential and importance of multi-family housing individualization
Authors: Stoiljkovic Branislava , Jovanovic Goran
Published: February 2011

Single family housing is for many reasons considered a more favorable form of
housing than the multi-family one. Hence, designing of housing in a
multi-family housing structure is a special challenge for designers, because
it is expected that the dwelling comfort offered by the multi-family
structure is as similar to one of living in a house as possible, that is to
seek analogies with the family house when designing a multi-family building.
There is a number of possible ways to individualize a multi-family building,
regarding the apartments, architectonic composition or urban composition,
whose realization would contribute to enhancement of multi-family housing
quality.
Incretin-Related Therapies in Type 2 Diabetes: A Practical Overview
Authors: Robertson Carolyn
Published: February 2011

Progressive deterioration of the incretin system has been shown to be a key component of the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Improved understanding of the physiology underlying incretins has led to the development of new therapies that act through modulation of the incretin system. These agents offer some potential advantages over previous antidiabetes drugs and have been approved for use in type 2 diabetes.

There are two broad classes of incretin-related therapies: dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin and saxagliptin) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (exenatide and liraglutide). Although the two classes have some benefits in common—notably a low risk of hypoglycemia—they can be differentiated in terms of their pharmacology, efficacy and safety profiles, and clinical considerations.

Introducing new therapies into everyday clinical use requires careful consideration of the practical implications of their use and how they fit in with current treatment regimens. With regard to incretin-related therapies, some patients with type 2 diabetes may benefit more from their use than others, whereas their use in a small subset of patients with type 2 diabetes should be avoided. With appropriate provider and patient education about the potential benefits and practicalities of incretin-related therapies, these agents should prove to be a valuable resource in type 2 diabetes management.
Analysis of β-Catenin Expression and Exon 3 Mutations in Pediatric Sporadic Aggressive Fibromatosis
Authors: Bo Ning , Wang Dahui , Wu Bingbing , Chen Lian , Ma Ruixue
Published: February 2011

Aggressive fibromatosis is a benign tumor with a high recurrence rate after surgical resection, particularly in children. Abnormal regulation of β-catenin in the presence or absence of a change of genotype has been identified in adult sporadic aggressive fibromatosis. However, the status of β-catenin expression and mutation remains unclear in pediatric patients. The present study was designed to analyze the expression and mutation status of β-catenin in pediatric aggressive fibromatosis. B-catenin expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 32 samples from pediatric patients withaggressive fibromatosis (21 recurrent cases and 11 primary-onset cases) and 15 control subjects. Somatic point mutations in β-catenin exon 3 were identified by sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products. Nuclear expression of β-catenin was detected in 94% (30/32) of aggressive fibromatosis samples and 13% (2/15) of control samples ( P < 0.001). Mutations in exon 3 of the β-catenin gene were identified in 78% (25/32) of aggressive fibromatosis samples (19/21 recurrent cases, 6/11 primary-onset cases; P = 0.032). The primary mutation in the recurrent cases occurred at codon 45 (S45F), while codon 41 (T41A) was most frequently mutated in the primary-onset cases ( P = 0.002). Abnormal expression of β-catenin appears to occur frequently in pediatric aggressive fibromatosis. Muftations in exon 3 of the β-catenin gene, particularly the S45F mutation, may represent risk factors for recurrence in pediatric patients and could potentially be used as prognostic factors.
Assessment of river water quality in the South Baltic coast by multivariate techniques
Authors: Cieszynska Monika , Wesolowski Marek , Bartoszewicz Maria , Michalska Malgorzata
Published: February 2011

The paper presents an example of using multivariate techniques to interpret a large data set obtained during a 4-year water quality monitoring program in the Gdansk Municipality region, on the southern coast of the Baltic Sea. From 2004 to 2007, 11 physicochemical water parameters were analyzed monthly at 15 sites within eight watercourses. Principal-components analysis and cluster analysis were used to explore the data. Spatio-temporal trends in water quality were evaluated, the variables that determined the data set’s structure and the factors that affected the water’s physicochemical composition identified, with the goal of helping to optimize future monitoring. To reduce the number of analyzed variables, relationships between the analyzed parameters were also identified. The results revealed that the differences in physicochemical water properties among stations were generally smaller than those between the warmer and cooler seasons. It was determined that seasonal intrusions of brackish water from the Gulf of Gdansk can modify the water properties of some watercourses in the study area, but that dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, and total phosphorus were the main parameters responsible for the overall variation in the observed data. These parameters are related to pollution of anthropogenic origin.
Preparation of polymer based sorbents for solid phase extraction of polyphenolic compounds
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad , Stecher Guenther , Huck Christian , Bonn Guenther
Published: February 2011

This article discusses the preparation of different polymeric sorbents for solid phase extraction. Various monomers like acrylamide, methacrylic acid and 4-vinylpyridine (VP), cross-linkers such as divinylbenzene (DVB) and ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (EDMA), porogens like tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) / acetonitrile (ACN) with different ratios were investigated in order to optimize recoveries. Resulting polymers were characterized through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and compared with Oasis HLB (Waters, MA, USA) and Strata-X (Phenomenex, Torrance, USA) on the basis of extraction performance, recovery efficiency and loading capacity. Sample applied was a mixture of flavonoid standards (rutin, myricetin, luteolin, quercetin, apigenin and kaempferol). HPLC hyphenated with PDA was used for the analysis of samples. Results showed that among the prepared SPE materials, 4-VP-co-EDMA produced best results. Comparison of the produced polymers with of Oasis HLB and Strata-X resulted in comparable efficiencies; especially the polymer 4-VP-co-EDMA gave almost similar results for all analytes to those of commercially available SPE materials. A general trend of decrease in retention efficiency with increase in polarity has been observed in both synthesized and already available SPE materials. The newly synthesized polymeric materials can be employed as SPE sorbents for efficient extraction of polyphenolic compounds especially for flavonoid aglycons.
The determination of molybdenum in selected mushrooms by stripping voltammetry
Authors: Piech Robert , Niewiara Ewa , Paczosa-Bator Beata , Szlósarczyk Marek
Published: February 2011

The highly sensitive method of adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV), with differential pulse steps, was performed at a mercury film electrode and has been applied here for the determination of trace molybdenum content in selected wild mushrooms. Fruiting body caps of 12 selected macrofungi species from Basidiomycetes have been investigated. Molybdenum content of investigated samples was determined in the range of 0.006 to 0.38 mg kg−1 of dry matter. The highest value of molybdenum content was found in Leccinum rufum and the lowest in Lactarius deliciosus.
Major elements as possible factors of trace element urban pedochemical anomalies
Authors: Zinkutė Rimantė , Taraškevičius Ričardas , Želvys Tomas
Published: February 2011

The relationship between real total contents of the major elements Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, K, Ca, Ti, Fe and the trace elements Ag, As, B, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V, U, Zn in topsoil from the central part of Vilnius is analysed. The amounts of most elements were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, while amounts of Ag, B, Co were measured by optical atomic emission spectrophotometry. Two factors were distinguished according to major elements: anthropogenic (A) including Ca, Mg, Fe, P, S and clayey (C) including K, Al, Ti. Boron, Mn, Cr and U are significantly correlated with members of both factors, Sb with none of them and other trace elements either with all (Cu, Zn, Pb, Se, Ba, Ni, Co) or with separate (V, Ag, Sn, Mo, As) members of the A-factor. Only B, Mn, Cr, U (partly their additive index Z1) are influenced by the C-factor, while twelve other trace elements (also their additive index Z2) are influenced by the A-factor. The additive index Z of all 17 elements is also affected by the A-factor. Four groups of sites have been distinguished according to normal or higher contents of both factors. The majority of trace element anomalies are related to the sites affected by the A-factor.
Haar system on a product of zero-dimensional compact groups
Authors: Lukomskii Sergei
Published: February 2011

In this work, we study the problem of constructing Haar bases on a product of arbitrary compact zero-dimensional Abelian groups. A general scheme for the construction of Haar functions is given for arbitrary dimension. For dimension d=2, we describe all Haar functions.
Increased vegetative development and sturdiness of storekeeper-transgenic tobacco
Authors: Bömer Moritz , Uhrig Joachim , Jach Guido , Müller Kai
Published: February 2011

The STOREKEEPER (STK) family of DNA-binding proteins work as transcription factors and the ectopic expression of two stk-like genes from Arabidopsis thaliana, stk01 (At1g61730) and stk03 (At4g00238), in tobacco increased the number of vegetative internodes and promoted plant and leaf size, stem diameter and sturdiness. The development of these plants started with rosette formation while pronounced shoot elongation and flowering was delayed. Moreover, when the STK01 and STK03 proteins were fused to the Herpes Simplex Virus VP16 transcriptional activation domain and expressed in tobacco the vigorous storekeeper-phenotype did not appear indicating that transgenic STK-like proteins in part worked as repressors of tobacco reproductive development. Furthermore, Yeast Two-Hybrid screenings proved that STK01 and STK03 can form homodimers and heterodimers with further members of the STKlike family. Therefore, we assume that interactions between transgenic Arabidopsis STKs and resident tobacco STKs could have contributed to the observed developmental changes in transgenic tobacco. Our findings open up promising applications for overexpression of stk-like genes in crops that benefit from increased sturdiness and vegetative organ development, such as tobacco in molecular farming approaches, biomass-based energy crops and medicinal plants that produce bioactive compounds in leaves.
Magnesium substitution effect on porous scaffolds for bone repair
Authors: Craciunescu Oana , Tardei Christu , Moldovan Lucia , Zarnescu Otilia
Published: February 2011

Of great interest in developing artificial bone is the incorporation of magnesium (Mg) ions into the ceramic lattice in order to improve the physico-chemical and structural properties of the material and to increase its morphological affinity towards newly formed osseous tissue. In the present study, we evaluated the morphological and biological properties of composite scaffolds fabricated by mixing a nanopowder of Mg-substituted beta-tricalcium phosphate with collagen type I in two dry weight ratios (variant I and II). We used biochemical methods, and electron and light microscopy to investigate their porosity, biodegradability and morphology. Osteoblast cell culture behavior in the presence of nanocomposite variants was also examined. Variant I scaffold presented a higher percentage of cross-links and a better resistance to collagenase degradation compared to variant II scaffold. Their porosity did not vary significantly. Osteoblasts cultivated in the presence of nanocomposite scaffolds for 72 h exhibited good cell viability and a normal morphology. When osteoblasts were injected into the scaffolds, a slightly higher proportion of adhered cells were observed for Mg-substituted samples after 7 days of cultivation. All these results showed that Mg-containing porous composite scaffolds had controlled degradation, allowed osteoblast proliferation and adhesion and are good candidates for bone repair.
The mitochondria mediate the induction of NOX1 gene expression by aldosterone in an ATF-1-dependent manner
Authors: Fu Yanping , Shi Gang , Wu Yong , Kawai Yasuyuki , Tian Qing , Yue Linlin , Xia Qinjie , Miyamori Isamu , Fan Chunyuan
Published: February 2011

High aldosterone (Ald) levels can induce hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which carries high risks of heart failure. A previous study showed that Ald induces hypertrophy of VSMCs by up-regulating NOX1, a catalytic subunit of NADPH oxidase that produces superoxides. However, the precise mechanism remains unknown. Diphenylene iodonium (DPI) is known as an inhibitor of complex I in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and it was also found to almost completely suppress the induction of NOX1 mRNA and the phosphorylation of activating transcription factor (ATF-1) by PGF2α or PDGF in a rat VSMC cell line. In this study, we found that the Ald-induced phosphorylation of ATF-1 and NOX1 expression was significantly suppressed by DPI. Silencing of ATF-1 gene expression attenuated the induction of NOX1 mRNA expression, and over-expression of ATF-1 restored Ald-induced NOX1 expression. On the basis of this data, we show that the mitochondria mediate aldosterone-induced NOX1 gene expression in an ATF-1-dependent manner.
Enantioselective extraction of terbutaline enantiomers with β-cyclodextrin derivatives as hydrophilic selectors
Authors: Tang Kewen , Zhang Panliang
Published: February 2011

Hydrophilic β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and its derivatives are not soluble in organic liquids but they are highly soluble in water and can interact with enantiomers selectively to form diastereomeric complexes which enable their use as chiral selectors in chiral solvent extraction. In this paper, terbutaline enantiomers were extracted by hydrophilic β-CD derivatives in an aqueous/organic biphasic solvent system with racemic terbutaline in the organic phase and β-CD in the aqueous phase. Five β-CD derivatives, namely: methyl-β-cyclodextrin (Me-β-CD), hydroxyethyl-β-cyclodextrin (HE-β-CD), 2-hydroxyethyl-β-cyclodextrin (2-HE-β-CD), (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and (4-sulfobutylether)-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD) were used as hydrophilic selectors, respectively. Process variables affecting extraction efficiency were investigated, namely influence of the type of organic solvents and β-CD derivatives, concentrations of selectors and terbutaline enantiomers, pH, and temperature. Experimental results show that the efficiency of extraction depends, often strongly, on process variables. All five β-CD derivatives studied preferentially extract the more biologically active (R)-terbutaline from the organic phase; HP-β-CD has the strongest recognition ability. The maximum enantioselectivity (α) of 1.42 was achieved under optimal conditions: pH 7.0 and temperature of 5°C. Utilization of the extraction method for separation of terbutaline enantiomers is expected to be cheap and easy to scale up to commercial scale.
Swelling properties of particles in amphoteric polyacrylamide dispersion
Authors: Wang Chuanxing , Xu Jun , Zhang Jun , Wu Yumin
Published: February 2011

Swelling properties of amphoteric polyacrylamide (AmPAM) dispersions were investigated by measurements of apparent viscosity and particle morphology. AmPAM dispersion was prepared by dispersion polymerization in aqueous solution of ammonium sulphate. Changes of particles during dispersion polymerisation of AmPAM were simulated and compared with anionic and cationic polyacrylamide (APAM and CPAM, respectively). Sample viscosity and particle morphology were obtained using a rotational viscometer and optical microscope. It was found that small molecules or ions enter and swell particles in the AmPAM dispersion when (NH4)2SO4 concentration decreases. Similarly, monomers, including acrylamide, acrylic acid, and methacrylatoethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, have the same effects on the AmPAM dispersion but the effect degree is different. Swelling properties of the AmPAM dispersion were different from those of the APAM and CPAM dispersions due to their different ionic nature, type of stabiliser, media, etc. Particles in the APAM or CPAM dispersions were swelled less than those in the AmPAM dispersion.
Electronic structures and spectroscopic regularities of phenylene-modified SWCNTs
Authors: Huang Xinwei , Tu Zhengyuan , Ma Zipeng , Wu Shi
Published: February 2011

The equilibrium geometries and electronic structures for a series of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) modified with phenylene were studied using the density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Of the four configurations of the phenylene-modified SWCNTs, the v-configuration in which the bond is perpendicular to the main axis of the SWCNT is the most thermodynamically stable. The increase in radii of the modified SWCNTs generally leads to a decrease in the energy gaps. The first absorptions in the electronic spectra of the modified SWCNTs compared with those in the electronic spectra of pristine SWCNTs are basically red-shifted. The chemical shifts of bridged carbon atoms connected with phenylene in the v-configuration are shifted downfield relative to those of the pristine SWCNTs. The aromaticity of the rings in SWCNTs is improved owing to the addition of phenylene.
"The Individual Can . . ."
Authors: Mader D.H.
Published: February 2011

The issue of age of consent for sexual activities has been bedevilled by the absence of any objective standards or criteria for what is meant by or involved in "consent." Despite this absence—or because of it—the social and political response has been to reach for blanket prohibitions on sexual activity by persons under particular ages—ages which have settled in the mid‐ to late teens. At the same time, the percentages of persons aged 15 and under who are sexually active in our societies indicate that young people are regularly consenting to sexual activities. Consent to sexual activity has also been a concern in relation to the lives of the cognitively or mentally impaired. In an attempt to clarify issues surrounding consent there, a significant proposal in regard to objectifying standards for consent was reported by Carrie Hill Kennedy, in her article “Assessing Competency to Consent to Sexual Activity in the Cognitively Impaired Population” (Journal of Forensic Neuropsychology 1:3, 1999), where she developed a two‐part scale for ability to consent, including twelve criteria involving knowledge and five criteria involving personal assertiveness and safety. Kennedy herself has maintained that there is no relevance for her research as applied to minors: adults have sexual rights, minors do not. However, it would seem clear that there is a certain relevance—if not in the use of a similar scale for assessing the competence of a particular minor to consent, then in generally comparing the age at which children attain the developmental level comparable with that implied by Kennedy’s five Safety standards, and using that information to critique the present, obviously unrealistic ages of consent. In relation to the Knowledge scale, the importance of sexual education becomes still clearer.
Social Response to Age-Gap Sex Involving Minors
Authors: Rind Bruce
Published: February 2011

Social response to age‐gap sex involving minors has become increasingly severe. In the US, non‐coercive acts that might have been punished with probation 30 years ago often lead to decades in prison today. Punishment also increasingly includes civil commitment up to life, as well as scarlet‐letter‐like public registries and onerous residence restrictions for released offenders. Advocates and the general public approve, believing that age‐gap sex with minors is uniquely injurious, pathological, and criminal. Critics argue that public opinion and policy have been shaped by moral panic, consisting of unfounded assumptions and invalid science being uncritically promoted by ideology, media sensationalism, and political pandering. This talk critically examines the basic assumptions and does so using a multi‐perspective approach (empirical, historical, cross‐cultural, cross‐species) to overcome the biases inherent in traditional clinical‐forensic reports. Non‐clinical empirical reviews of age‐gap sex involving minors show claims of intense, pervasive injuriousness to be highly exaggerated. Historical and cross‐cultural reviews show that adult‐adolescent sexual relations have been common and frequently socially integrated in other times and places, indicating that present‐day Western conceptualizations are socially constructed to reflect current social and economic arrangements rather than expressions of a priori truths. Analogous relations in primates are commonplace, non‐pathological, and not infrequently functional, contradicting implicit assumptions of a biologically‐based “trauma response” in humans. It is concluded that, though age‐gap sex involving minors is a significant mismatch for contemporary culture—and this talk therefore does not endorse it—attitudes and social policy concerning it have been driven by an upward‐spiraling moral panic, which itself is immoral in its excessive adverse consequences for individuals and society.