bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The apoptotic effect of a high dose of toluene on liver tissue during the acute phase: an experimental study
Authors: Ayan Murat , Tas Ufuk , Sogut Erkan , Kuloglu Tuncay , Cayli Sevil , Kocaman Nevin , Karaca Zafer Ismail , Sahin Mehmet
Published: April 2012

The aim of this study is to investigate the acute toxic effects of high-dose toluene and its mechanisms on the liver tissue of toluene-treated rats. In this study, 16 adult male Wistar albino rats (200–220 g) were divided into two equal groups. Group I was used as a control group, while group II was exposed to high dose of toluene, 5200 mg/kg (6 ml/kg per gavage). After the 3-hour experimental period, blood samples and liver tissues were taken from the euthanized animals. Serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels were assayed. Liver tissues were fixed in 10% neutral formalin, then embedded in paraffin and sectioned (5 μm thickness). Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological examination. A terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay was also done for the determination of apoptosis in liver tissues. For the determination of Bax and caspase-3 immunoreactivity, the sections were stained using avidin–biotin–peroxidase immunohistochemical method. The level of plasma transaminase was found to be increased in toluene administered rats. Additionally, slight degeneration of hepatocyte and mononuclear cell infiltration was observed in the liver tissue sections and a high (+++) immunoreactivity for Bax and caspase-3 protein was observed in the toluene group. This study showed that the high dose of toluene triggers apoptosis in the liver of rats via the mitochondrial pathway in acute period.
Men’s Alcohol Intoxication and Condom Use During Sexual Assault Perpetration
Authors: Davis Kelly Cue , Kiekel Preston A. , Schraufnagel Trevor J. , Norris Jeanette , George William H. , Kajumulo Kelly F.
Published: April 2012

We assessed the association between alcohol consumption and condom use during penetrative sexual assault acts perpetrated by young adult men. Men aged 21 to 35 who reported inconsistent condom use and heavy episodic drinking ( N = 225) completed a questionnaire assessing their perpetration of sexual assault since the age of 15, their consumption of alcohol prior to these acts, and their use of condoms during acts involving penetration. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to examine the simultaneous use of alcohol and condom nonuse during penetrative sexual assault acts. More than one third of respondents reported perpetrating at least one penetrative sexual assault 35.6% ( n = 79). Condoms were not used in 70.0% of penetrative sexual assaults. When they had consumed alcohol, perpetrators were significantly less likely to use condoms. The sexual assaults reported by this sample typically consisted of perpetrator alcohol consumption and the nonuse of condoms. Programs targeting sexual health and assault risk reduction would be enhanced by addressing this interplay of alcohol, violence, and risk.
Protection Orders Protect Against Assault and Injury
Authors: Kothari Catherine L. , Rhodes Karin V. , Wiley James A. , Fink Jeffrey , Overholt Scott , Dichter Melissa E. , Marcus Steven C. , Cerulli Catherine
Published: April 2012

The objective of this study was to measure the efficacy of protection orders (POs) in reducing assault and injury-related outcomes using a matched comparison group and tracking outcomes over time. This study was a retrospective review of police, emergency department, family court, and prosecutor administrative records for a cohort of police-involved female IPV victims; all events over a 4-year study period were abstracted. Victims who obtained POs were compared with a propensity-score-based match group without POs over three time periods: Before, During, and After the issuance of a PO. Having a PO in place was associated with significantly more calls to police for nonassaultive incidents and more police charging requests that were of multiple-count and felony-level. Comparing outcomes, PO victims had police incident rates that were more than double the matched group prior to the PO but dropped to the level of the matched group during and after the order. ED visits dropped over time for both groups. This study confirmed the protective effect of POs, which are associated with reduced police incidents and emergency department visits both during and after the order and reduced police incidents compared with a matched comparison group.
Organizational Image, Identification, and Cynical Distance
Authors: Frandsen Sanne
Published: April 2012

This study examines how a negative organizational image influences organizational identification among prestigious professionals working in a low-prestige organization. A communicative perspective on identification is used to illustrate previously unexplored processes of cynical distancing and shifts in identification targets as ways for business professionals to cope with discrepancies between the organizational identity and the organizational image. These concurrent processes allow professionals successfully to diminish the potentially harmful impact of the negative image on their well-being and their positive work identity. On this basis, the article questions the assumption that the organizational image plays a pivotal role in impelling collective identity change process, as the findings here suggest that the business professionals’ communicative acts may uphold the negative organizational image.
Assessing the Scope of Immigrant Organizations
Authors: Gleeson Shannon , Bloemraad Irene
Published: April 2012

We examine the official scope and actual coverage of immigrant civil society in seven California cities using a widely employed 501(c)3 database. First, we code immigrant organizations in official data and compare their number and proportion with population statistics; we find substantially fewer immigrant organizations than we would expect. Second, we measure the organizational undercount of immigrant civil society by calculating the number of publicly present immigrant organizations not captured in official data. We do this for four immigrant-origin communities (Indian, Mexican, Portuguese, and Vietnamese) using 160 key informant interviews and extensive examination of directories and media (ethnic and mainstream). We find a notable undercount, which varies by city and immigrant group. Considering both underrepresentation and undercounts, Mexican-origin organizations seem at a particular disadvantage. Our findings carry important implications for resource inequalities and advocacy capacity in minority communities, underscoring the need for further research on the vitality of immigrant civil society.
Doing leadership in political speech: Semantic processes and pragmatic inferences
Authors: Fetzer Anita , Bull Peter
Published: April 2012

The interactional organization of leadership was examined in the context of 15 political speeches, delivered by leading politicians from the three major political parties in Britain. The study utilized a sociopragmatic methodology, supplemented by corpus linguistics and social psychology. Leadership was conceptualized in interactional –sociolinguistic terms, as brought in and brought out in the interaction through self-references collocating with four main verb forms (event, communication, subjectification and intention); these generate implicatures targeting political competence and responsiveness. Event and subjectification verbs were found to occur the most frequently, and communication verbs the least frequently, with little variation between politicians from different political parties. It was proposed that action and intention verbs primarily target competence, while subjectification and communication verbs primarily target responsiveness; overall, each of the four principal verb forms may be utilized to perform leadership throughout a political speech as a whole.
The interactional negotiation of group membership and ethnicity: The case of an interview with a former slave
Authors: Van De Mieroop Dorien , Clifton Jonathan
Published: April 2012

We examine the way group membership and its relation with ethnicity is interactionally constructed in an interview between an interviewer who presents himself as favorable towards black music and black people and an interviewee who is a former slave. The interview, which took place in the 1940s Deep South in a context in which racial inequality was still institutionally embedded, focused both on the interviewee’s memories of slave life and on current life and opinions about music. The discussion of each period is characterized by a different genre: while extended turns and lengthy stories occur while discussing the antebellum period, the discussion of the postbellum period is characterized by short and heavily negotiated question and answer sequences. However, throughout the entire interview, the interviewee maintains coherence by frequently shifting alignments and basing group memberships on quite diverse criteria, as such challenging its relation with ethnicity as initiated by the interviewer.
Politicizing identity: Code choice and stance-taking during the Egyptian revolution
Authors: Bassiouney Reem
Published: April 2012

This study aims to offer a fresh look at the relationship between identity, stance-taking and code choice. The study provides three examples of different forms of Egyptian public discourse related directly to identity that took place during the 2011 revolution of Egypt, a time when state TV media stations cast doubt on the identity of the protestors by utilizing linguistic resources. This article argues that during the process of stance-taking speakers employ linguistic resources, discourse resources and structural resources. These linguistic resources include the associations and indexes of different languages and varieties, in this case Standard Arabic (SA), Egyptian Colloquial Arabic (ECA) and English. This stance-taking process depends on code-switching as a mechanism that lays claims to different indexes and thus appeals to different ideologies and different facets of identity. Second, this study also shows how speakers use public discourse in order to construe language as a classification category and an identity builder.
Location, Timing, and Social Structure Patterns Related to Physical Activity Participation in Weight Loss Programs
Authors: Gay Jennifer L. , Trevarthen Grace
Published: April 2012

Less than half of the adults in the United States meet national guidelines for physical activity. Physical activity programs can induce short-term improvements in physical activity. To develop effective interventions, researchers and practitioners should consider the timing, location, and social structure patterns of participants. Using a pretest, posttest study design, 329 adults in a weight loss program completed surveys on their patterns and physical activity participation. Men preferred weight lifting, cycling, and jogging, whereas women preferred walking and aerobics. Black participants preferred being active in the home. Additionally, participating in a mix of group and individual activities compared with individual-only activities was predictive of posttest moderate-to-vigorous intensity and total physical activity. Providing a variety of activities for adults in both location and social structure may lead to sustained physical activity participation.
Teaching sociology seminars through The Simpsons: Homer under C. Wright Mills’ Eye
Authors: Nefes Türkay Salim
Published: April 2012

The academic literature on the use of television shows in sociology education has successfully highlighted the value of the practice, but has not afforded any examples from seminar teaching. This article contributes to the discussion by demonstrating how The Simpsons, an American animated television sitcom, assists in teaching sociology seminars. The article suggests that using The Simpsons in group-based, participatory teaching and the learning environments of seminars helps students to understand sociological theories and develop their sociological imagination. It shows the application of the cartoon series to seminars of a Sociology of Belonging module and tests the value of the practice by drawing on responses to student satisfaction surveys and in-class observations. The results illustrate that the cartoon helps to highlight sociological theories and improve students’ sociological imagination. The research concludes that the sociology curriculum would benefit from developing particular ways of using The Simpsons according to course content.
Centre stage diagrams: a new method to develop constructivist grounded theory – late-stage Parkinson’s disease as a case exemplar
Authors: Williams Sion , Keady John
Published: April 2012

A recent advance to the ‘classic’ grounded theory approach of Glaser and Strauss’ seminal work has been the development of constructivist grounded theory. While constructivist grounded theory has significant utility, centre stage diagrams were developed by the authors to help integrate ‘storied meaning’ and diagramming into a method of data collection, analysis and theory development/presentation. Centre stage diagrams are co-constructed by the researcher and participant and use the participant’s own life course, language and conceptual visualization of their subjective experience and are created over prolonged engagement. Centre stage diagrams are reached by the researcher and participant mutually engaged and interacting with two inter-related questions: i) what is the centre stage storyline in the lived representation of the phenomenon under study? and ii) who is centre stage in that lived experience? Our work in late-stage Parkinson’s disease is used to illustrate this approach to theory building and generating constructivist grounded theory. Centre stage diagrams have potential for development as a practice tool and/or as an independent research method.
Using internet technologies (such as Skype) as a research medium: a research note
Authors: Hanna Paul
Published: April 2012

This article presents a brief account of research which embraced the notion of research participant choice by adopting a flexible approach to the medium through which the semi-structured interviews were conducted. The following short paper provides an insight into the ways in which using Skype as a research medium can allow the researcher to reap the well-documented benefits of traditional face-to-face interviews in qualitative research, while also benefiting from the aspects Holt suggests telephone interviews bring to such research.
Density estimation using non-parametric and semi-parametric mixtures
Authors: Wang Yong , Chee Chew-Seng
Published: April 2012

This article presents a general framework for univariate non-parametric density estimation, based on mixture models. Similar to kernel-based estimation, the proposed approach uses bandwidth to control the density smoothness, but each density estimate for a fixed bandwidth is determined by non-parametric likelihood maximization, with bandwidth selection carried out as model selection. This leads to simple models, yet with higher accuracy, especially in terms of the Kullback–Leibler or the Hellinger risk. The particular problem of estimating a symmetric density function is investigated. Both simulation study and real-world data examples suggest that the mixture-based estimators outperform their kernel-based counterparts.
Health Promotion in Megachurches
Authors: Bopp Melissa , Webb Benjamin
Published: April 2012

Introduction.

In the United States, megachurches (churches with 2,000+ attendance) represent a community institution with extensive reach within the population. Despite this potential for reach, the current health promotion practices of megachurches are unknown. This study aimed to document current health promotion activities and resources for health promotion in megachurches.

Method.

Staff at megachurches were recruited to take an online survey of health promotion programs, health promotion–related beliefs, barriers, and existing resources.

Results.

Respondents (n = 110 churches) indicated that churches were primarily Baptist (23.6%) or nondenominational (21.1%), had 2,500 to 4,999 congregation members (44.5%), primarily White congregation members (83.5%), and 31 to 60 employees (45.4%). Churches reported 4.73 ± 2.54 activities/year, most commonly reporting clubs or teams related to physical activity (74.5%), hands-on classes (65.5%), and educational activities (59.1%). Most churches (39.1%) reported their primary faith leader was minimally involved in health-related activities. The most common barrier was competition for time/space with other church activities (46.2%). Churches reported several employee health–related policies. Respondents reported a budget of $0 to $499/year for health-related programs (44.4%).

Conclusion.

These findings provide insight regarding the current status of health promotion in megachurches. These large churches are a potential health promotion partner for researchers and practitioners for developing culturally tailored interventions.
Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition Containing Calcium Chloride and Sodium Phosphate
Authors: Huston Robert K. , McCulley Elizabeth A. , Markell Andrea M. , Heisel Carl F. , Lewallen Patrick K.
Published: April 2012

Objective. The authors’ objectives were to determine mineral as well as Al intakes for ≤1000 g birth weight (ELBW) infants supported with parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions containing calcium chloride (CaCl) and sodium phosphate (NaPhos). Study design. This study was a prospective cohort study of 32 ELBW infants. Nutrient and Al intakes were recorded based on actual fluid intakes and concentrations of nutrients and Al in PN solutions. Growth velocities and peak alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels during the hospital stay were recorded. Result. Mean (±standard deviation) weight, length, and head circumference gains and AP were 13.7 ± 1.8 g/kg/d, 1.0 ± 0.2 cm/wk, 0.7 ± 0.1 cm/wk, and 636 ± 227 U/L, respectively. Al intake was 0.27 ± 0.07 µmol/kg/d (7.2 ± 1.8 µg/kg/d) in infants receiving PN with low Al content. This study documented average parenteral Ca and P intakes of 1.15 to 1.20 and 1.19 to 1.29 mmol/kg/d, (46-48 and 37-40 mg/kg/d), respectively, with PN fluid intakes of 90 to 100 mL/kg/d. Conclusion. AP and growth in ELBW infants receiving PN solutions containing CaCl are comparable to those reported in the literature for ELBW infants. Ca and P intakes approaching those reported for preterm infants receiving PN containing calcium gluconate can be provided with PN solutions containing CaCl. Fluid restriction is a significant factor limiting mineral intakes. Al intake can be limited to near FDA recommended intakes in PN solutions containing CaCl.
A novel osteogenesis technique: The expansible guided bone regeneration
Authors: Zakaria Osama , Madi Marwa , Kasugai Shohei
Published: April 2012

Guided bone regeneration is a unique osteogenesis technique that requires a barrier membrane under periosteum to create space for bone regeneration. However, creating sizeable spaces is clinically not commonly feasible. A titanium plate and a thin silicone membrane were surgically layered on each calvaria of eight rabbits. Then, the periphery of the silicone membrane was fixed by a plastic ring to the underlying bone using titanium micro screws. After 1 week, a 5-mm-length titanium screw was used to elevate the titanium plate, which in turn elevated the silicone membrane together with overlying soft tissue in a rate of 1 mm/day for 5 days to create a secluded space. Animals were killed at 2 months (n = 4, group 1) and 4 months (n = 4, group 2) after the elevation. Histological and microradiographical analyses demonstrated creation of an amount of de novo bone formation (68.2 ± 22 mm3 in group 1 and 70.3 ± 14 mm3 in group 2) in the sizeable created spaces (207.1 ± 31 mm3 in group 1 and 202 ± 21 mm3 in group 2) without exposure of the device. This novel osteogenesis technique, “expansible guided bone regeneration,” created a substantial in vivo incubator without applying growth factors or osteoprogenitor cells. Creating a growing space over the secluded surface allowed the development of normal biological healing process occurring on the bone surface into a regenerative process, generating bone outside the genetically determined skeletal bone. This technique is a new tissue engineering approach stimulating endogenous tissue repair without applying cells or factors exogenously.
Osteogenic stimulatory conditions enhance growth and maturation of endothelial cell microvascular networks in culture with mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Pedersen Torbjorn O , Blois Anna L , Xue Ying , Xing Zhe , Cottler-Fox Michele , Fristad Inge , Leknes Knut N , Lorens James B , Mustafa Kamal
Published: April 2012

To optimize culture conditions for in vitro prevascularization of tissue-engineered bone constructs, the development of organotypic blood vessels under osteogenic stimulatory conditions (OM) was investigated. Coculture of endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells was used to assess proangiogenic effects of mesenchymal stem cells on endothelial cells. Four different culture conditions were evaluated for their effect on development of microvascular endothelial cell networks. Mineralization, deposition of extracellular matrix, and perivascular gene expression were studied in OM. After 3 days, endothelial cells established elongated capillary-like networks, and upregulated expression of vascular markers was seen. After 15 days, all parameters evaluated were significantly increased for cultures in OM. Mature networks developed in OM presented lumens enveloped by basement membrane-like collagen IV, with obvious mineralization and upregulated perivascular gene expression from mesenchymal stem cells. Our results suggest osteogenic stimulatory conditions to be appropriate for in vitro development of vascularized bone implants for tissue engineering.
Chronic myelogenous leukemia stem and progenitor cells demonstrate chromosomal instability related to repeated breakage-fusion-bridge cycles mediated by increased nonhomologous end joining
Authors: Chakraborty Sujata , Stark Jeremy M. , Sun Can-Lan , Modi Hardik , Chen WenYong , O'Connor Timothy R. , Forman Stephen J. , Bhatia Smita , Bhatia Ravi
Published: April 2012

Chromosomal aberrations are an important consequence of genotoxic exposure and contribute to pathogenesis and progression of several malignancies. We investigated the susceptibility to chromosomal aberrations in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) progenitors after exposure to ionizing radiation. In normal progenitors, ionizing radiation induced both stable and unstable chromosomal lesions, but only stable aberrations persisted after multiple divisions. In contrast, radiation of chronic phase CML progenitors resulted in enhanced generation of unstable lesions that persisted after multiple divisions. CML progenitors demonstrated active cell cycle checkpoints and increased nonhomologous end joining DNA repair, suggesting that persistence of unstable aberrations was the result of continued generation of these lesions. CML progenitors demonstrated enhanced susceptibility to repeated cycles of chromosome damage, repair, and damage through a breakage-fusion-bridge mechanism. Perpetuation of breakage-fusion-bridge cycles in CML progenitors was mediated by classic nonhomologous end joining repair. These studies reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism of chromosomal instability in leukemia progenitors because of continued generation of unstable chromosomal lesions through repeated cycles of breakage and repair of such lesions.
CLIPS-1D: analysis of multiple sequence alignments to deduce for residue-positions a role in catalysis, ligand-binding, or protein structure
Authors: Janda Jan-Oliver , Busch Markus , Kück Fabian , Porfenenko Mikhail , Merkl Rainer
Published: April 2012

Background

One aim of the in silico characterization of proteins is to identify all residue-positions, which are crucial for function or structure. Several sequence-based algorithms exist, which predict functionally important sites. However, with respect to sequence information, many functionally and structurally important sites are hard to distinguish and consequently a large number of incorrectly predicted functional sites have to be expected. This is why we were interested to design a new classifier that differentiates between functionally and structurally important sites and to assess its performance on representative datasets.

Results

We have implemented CLIPS-1D, which predicts a role in catalysis, ligand-binding, or protein structure for residue-positions in a mutually exclusive manner. By analyzing a multiple sequence alignment, the algorithm scores conservation as well as abundance of residues at individual sites and their local neighborhood and categorizes by means of a multiclass support vector machine. A cross-validation confirmed that residue-positions involved in catalysis were identified with state-of-the-art quality; the mean MCC-value was 0.34. For structurally important sites, prediction quality was considerably higher (mean MCC = 0.67). For ligand-binding sites, prediction quality was lower (mean MCC = 0.12), because binding sites and structurally important residue-positions share conservation and abundance values, which makes their separation difficult. We show that classification success varies for residues in a class-specific manner. This is why our algorithm computes residue-specific p-values, which allow for the statistical assessment of each individual prediction. CLIPS-1D is available as a Web service at http://www-bioinf.uni-regensburg.de/.

Conclusions

CLIPS-1D is a classifier, whose prediction quality has been determined separately for catalytic sites, ligand-binding sites, and structurally important sites. It generates hypotheses about residue-positions important for a set of homologous proteins and focuses on conservation and abundance signals. Thus, the algorithm can be applied in cases where function cannot be transferred from well-characterized proteins by means of sequence comparison.
Assessment of prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke by cotinine in cord blood for the evaluation of smoking control policies in Spain
Authors: Puig Carme , Vall Oriol , García-Algar Óscar , Papaseit Esther , Pichini Simona , Saltó Esteve , Villalbí Joan R
Published: April 2012

Background

Over the last few years a decreasing trend in smoking has occurred not only in the general population but also during pregnancy. Several countries have implemented laws requiring all enclosed workplace and public places to be free of second hand smoke (SHS). In Spain, legislation to reduce SHS was implemented in 2005. The present study examines the possible effect of this legislation on prenatal SHS exposure.

Methods

Mothers and newborns were recruited from 3 independent studies performed in Hospital del Mar (Barcelona) and approved by the local Ethics Committee: 415 participated in a study in 1996-1998, 283 in 2002-2004 and 207 in 2008. A standard questionnaire, including neonatal and sociodemographic variables,tobacco use and exposure during pregnancy, was completed at delivery for all the participants in the three study groups. Fetal exposure to tobacco was studied by measuring cotinine in cord blood by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

Results

32.8% of the pregnant women reported to smoke during pregnancy in 1996-1998, 25.9% in 2002-2004 and 34.1% in 2008. In the most recent group, the percentage of no prenatal SHS exposure (cord blood cotinine 0.2-1 ng/mL) showed an increase compared to the previous groups while the percentages of both: low (1.1-14 ng/mL) and very high (> 100 ng/mL) prenatal SHS exposure showed a decrease.

Discussion

The results of the three study periods (1996-2008) demonstrated a significant increase in the percentage of newborns free from SHS exposure and a decrease in the percentage of newborns exposed to SHS during pregnancy, especially at the very high levels of exposure. A significant maternal smoking habit was noted in this geographical area with particular emphasis on immigrant pregnant smoking women.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that there is a significant maternal smoking habit in this geographical area. Our recommendation is that campaigns against smoking should be directed more specifically towards pregnant women with particular emphasis on non-native pregnant smokers due to the highest prevalence of tobacco consumption in the immigrant women.
Comprehensive predictions of target proteins based on protein-chemical interaction using virtual screening and experimental verifications
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroki , Harada Hiroko , Nakamura Masaomi , Futamura Yushi , Ito Akihiro , Yoshida Minoru , Iemura Shun-ichiro , Shin-ya Kazuo , Doi Takayuki , Takahashi Takashi , Natsume Tohru , Imoto Masaya , Sakakibara Yasubumi
Published: April 2012

Background

Identification of the target proteins of bioactive compounds is critical for elucidating the mode of action; however, target identification has been difficult in general, mostly due to the low sensitivity of detection using affinity chromatography followed by CBB staining and MS/MS analysis.

Results

We applied our protocol of predicting target proteins combining in silico screening and experimental verification for incednine, which inhibits the anti-apoptotic function of Bcl-xL by an unknown mechanism. One hundred eighty-two target protein candidates were computationally predicted to bind to incednine by the statistical prediction method, and the predictions were verified by in vitro binding of incednine to seven proteins, whose expression can be confirmed in our cell system.

As a result, 40% accuracy of the computational predictions was achieved successfully, and we newly found 3 incednine-binding proteins.

Conclusions

This study revealed that our proposed protocol of predicting target protein combining in silico screening and experimental verification is useful, and provides new insight into a strategy for identifying target proteins of small molecules.
Retracted: A moment-based optimization method for energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Zhang Yong , Li Keqiu , Huang Dan , Jin Yingwei , Yang Dongwei
Published: April 2012

Retraction

"The authors would like to retract this article as several portions of this manuscript were published previously by Gu, Wu, and Rao ("Optimizing Cluster Heads for Energy Efficiency in Large-Scale Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks, International Journal of Distributed Sensor Networks 2010, 961591). The authors would like to apologise to Editors and readers."

This article proposes a novel moment-based local cluster division optimization method in wireless sensor networks, and improves the energy efficiency of local cluster area with uneven nodes distribution. In the proposed method, first, each node estimates the higher moment of local sensors' coordinates. Second, the current cluster zone is divided into four quadrant zones with cluster head's (CH) coordinates as central point. Finally, among the divided quadrant zones, the slave CH is selected according to the higher moment to help the master CH optimize data transmission in the local area. To use the higher moment effectively in segmentation of zone, we present a hybrid higher moment method by computing the kurtosis coefficient of the sensors' coordinates. When the coordinates of sensors in a quadrant zone have higher kurtosis coefficient than a threshold, the quadrant zone is considered to be a zone needed to be a slave CH. The simulation results show that the proposed method can increase system throughput, decrease delay and packet loss rate, and enhance the energy efficiency.
A novel anti-EMMPRIN function-blocking antibody reduces T cell proliferation and neurotoxicity: relevance to multiple sclerosis
Authors: Agrawal Smriti M , Silva Claudia , Wang Janet , Tong Jade Pui-Wai , Yong V Wee
Published: April 2012

Background

Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN; CD147, basigin) is an inducer of the expression of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). We reported previously that blocking EMMPRIN activity reduced neuroinflammation and severity of disease in an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Methods

To improve upon EMMPRIN blockade, and to help unravel the biological functions of EMMPRIN in inflammatory disorders, we have developed several anti-EMMPRIN monoclonal antibodies.

Results

Of these monoclonal antibodies, a particular one, clone 10, was efficient in binding mouse and human cells using several methods of detection. The specificity of clone 10 was demonstrated by its lack of staining of EMMPRIN-null embryos compared to heterozygous and wild-type mouse samples. Functionally, human T cells activated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 elevated their expression of EMMPRIN and the treatment of these T cells with clone 10 resulted in decreased proliferation and matrix metalloproteinase- 9 (MMP-9) production. Activated human T cells were toxic to human neurons in culture and clone 10 pretreatment reduced T cell cytotoxicity correspondent with decrease of granzyme B levels within T cells.In vivo, EAE mice treated with clone 10 had a markedly reduced disease score compared to mice treated with IgM isotype control.

Conclusions

We have produced a novel anti-EMMPRIN monoclonal antibody that blocks several aspects of T cell activity, thus highlighting the multiple roles of EMMPRIN in T cell biology. Moreover, clone 10 reduces EAE scores in mice compared to controls, and has activity on human cells, potentially allowing for the testing of anti-EMMPRIN treatment not only in EAE, but conceivably also in MS.
Translational Investigation and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Xu Bo , Descalzi Giannina , Ye Hai-Rong , Zhuo Min , Wang Ying-Wei
Published: April 2012

Neuropathic pain develops from a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system. Translational investigations of neuropathic pain by using different animal models reveal that peripheral sensitization, spinal and cortical plasticity may play critical roles in neuropathic pain. Furthermore, descending facilitatory or excitatory modulation may also act to enhance chronic pain. Current clinical therapy for neuropathic pain includes the use of pharmacological and nonpharmacological (psychological, physical, and surgical treatment) methods. However, there is substantial need to better medicine for treating neuropathic pain. Future translational researchers and clinicians will greatly facilitate the development of novel drugs for treating chronic pain including neuropathic pain.
Resolution of volatile fuel compound profiles from Ascocoryne sarcoides: a comparison by proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry and solid phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Mallette Natasha D , Knighton W Berk , Strobel Gary A , Carlson Ross P , Peyton Brent M
Published: April 2012

Volatile hydrocarbon production byAscocoryne sacroideswas studied over its growth cycle. Gas-phase compounds were measured continuously with a proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) and at distinct time points with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using head space solid phase microextraction (SPME). The PTR-MS ion signal permitted temporal resolution of the volatile production while the SPME results revealed distinct compound identities. The quantitative PTR-MS results showed the volatile production was dominated by ethanol and acetaldehyde, while the concentration of the remainder of volatiles consistently reached 2,000 ppbv. The measurement of alcohols from the fungal culture by the two techniques correlated well. Notable compounds of fuel interest included nonanal, 1-octen-3-ol, 1-butanol, 3-methyl- and benzaldehyde. Abiotic comparison of the two techniques demonstrated SPME fiber bias toward higher molecular weight compounds, making quantitative efforts with SPME impractical. Together, PTR-MS and SPME GC-MS were shown as valuable tools for characterizing volatile fuel compound production from microbiological sources.
GABA receptor ameliorates ventilator-induced lung injury in rats by improving alveolar fluid clearance
Authors: Chintagari Narendranath Reddy , Liu Lin
Published: April 2012

Introduction

Mechanical ventilators are increasingly used in critical care units. However, they can cause lung injury, including pulmonary edema. Our previous studies indicated that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors are involved in alveolar-fluid homeostasis. The present study investigated the role of GABA receptors in ventilator-induced lung injury.

Methods

Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to high-tidal-volume ventilation of 40 ml/kg body weight for 1 hour, and lung injuries were assessed.

Results

High-tidal-volume ventilation resulted in lung injury, as indicated by an increase in total protein in bronchoalveolar fluid, wet-to-dry ratio (indication of pulmonary edema), and Evans Blue dye extravasation (indication of vascular damage). Intratracheal administration of GABA before ventilation significantly reduced the wet-to-dry ratio. Further, histopathologic analysis indicated that GABA reduced ventilator-induced lung injury and apoptosis. GABA-mediated reduction was effectively blocked by the GABAA-receptor antagonist, bicuculline. The GABA-mediated effect was not due to the vascular damage, because no differences in Evans Blue dye extravasation were noted. However, the decrease in alveolar fluid clearance by high-tidal-volume ventilation was partly prevented by GABA, which was blocked by bicuculline.

Conclusions

These results suggest that GABA reduces pulmonary edema induced by high-tidal-volume ventilation via its effects on alveolar fluid clearance and apoptosis.
Moderate glucose control results in less negative nitrogen balances in medical intensive care unit patients: a randomized, controlled study
Authors: Hsu Chien-Wei , Sun Shu-Fen , Lin Shoa-Lin , Huang Hsiu-Hua , Wong Kam-Fai
Published: April 2012

Introduction

Hyperglycemia and protein loss are common in critically ill patients. Insulin can be used to lower blood glucose and inhibit proteolysis. The impact of moderate insulin therapy on protein metabolism in critically ill patients has not been evaluated. We compared urinary nitrogen excretion, nitrogen balance, serum albumin concentrations, prealbumin concentrations, and clinical outcomes between patients receiving moderate insulin therapy (MIT) and conventional insulin therapy (CIT) in a medical ICU.

Methods

Patients were randomly divided into groups and treated with MIT (glucose target 120 to 140 mg/dl) or CIT (glucose target 180 to 200 mg/dl). Calories and protein intake were recorded each day. On days 3, 7 and 14, the 24-hour urinary nitrogen excretion, nitrogen balance, and serum albumin and prealbumin concentrations were measured. Clinical outcomes data were collected.

Results

A total of 112 medical ICU patients were included, with 55 patients randomized to the MIT group and 57 patients randomized to the CIT group. Patients treated with MIT showed a trend towards increased nitrogen balance (P = 0.070), significantly lower urinary nitrogen excretion (P = 0.027), and higher serum albumin (P = 0.047) and prealbumin (P = 0.001) concentrations than patients treated with CIT. The differences between the two groups were most significant on day 3, when all factors showed significant differences (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Moderate glucose control results in less negative nitrogen balances in medical ICU patients. Differences are more significant in the early stages compared with the late stages of critical illness.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrial.Gov NCT01227148
Generalized Hilbert transforms of the effect of single magnetic sources
Authors: Guspí Fernando , Novara Iván
Published: April 2012

The generalized Hilbert transforms of potential fields, particularly magnetic fields, provide a useful resource for improving interpretation. Even though [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-Hilbert transforms of a potential field on a plane can be approximately computed from the whole observed field, they are locally independent of the observations when working on reduced areas of the plane, and therefore, on those areas, Hilbert transforms can be combined with them to better constrain and stabilize local inversions. Extended Euler deconvolution, based on Euler’s homogeneity equation, makes extensive use of this principle. We investigated closed-form expressions for evaluating in the space domain the generalized [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-Hilbert transforms of magnetic fields generated by single point sources, given in the form of dipoles, monopoles, and Newtonian potential type sources. Apart from providing a way to calculate Hilbert transforms via equivalent sources, this approach, adding little computer effort, can be applied to solve local inverse problems as a way to improve the definition of a model previous to an inversion over a large area; the solution is modeled by point sources, and it enables matching not only the observations, but also the Hilbert transforms, thus providing stronger constraints. A synthetic example with noisy data demonstrated the resolving power of this approach in locally inverting for magnetization intensities of prismatic bodies using data windows either above or displaced from the sources. In an example from a magnetic anomaly over Sierra de San Luis, Argentina, the magnetization intensities of the basement are locally inverted for at each solution point of an extended Euler deconvolution. Results indicated a more coherent pattern when the Hilbert transforms were incorporated to the inversion, illustrating how local inversions with Hilbert transforms, which do not involve time-consuming operations, can accompany extended Euler deconvolutions to better outline characteristics of a model.
Interleukin-1β Promotes Proliferation and Inhibits Differentiation of Chondrocytes through a Mechanism Involving Down-Regulation of FGFR-3 and p21
Authors: Simsa-Maziel Stav , Monsonego-Ornan Efrat
Published: April 2012

The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β is elevated in many childhood chronic inflammatory diseases as well as obesity and can be associated with growth retardation. Here we show that IL-1β affects bone growth by directly disturbing the normal sequence of events in the growth plate, resulting in increased proliferation and widening of the proliferative zone, whereas the hypertrophic zone becomes disorganized, with impaired matrix structure and increased apoptosis and osteoclast activity. This was also evident in vitro: IL-1β increased proliferation and caused a G1-to-S phase shift in the cell cycle in ATDC5 chondrocytes, accompanied by a reduction in fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR-3) and its downstream gene, the cell-cycle inhibitor p21 and its family member p57, whereas the cell-cycle promoter E2F-2 was increased. The reduction in FGFR-3, p21, and p57 was followed by delayed cell differentiation, manifested by decreases in proteoglycan synthesis, mineralization, alkaline phosphatase activity, and the expression of Sox9, RunX2, collagen type II, collagen type X, and other matrix proteins. Taken together, we suggest that IL-1β alters normal chondrogenesis and bone growth through a mechanism involving down-regulation of FGFR-3 and p21.
Involvement of Doublecortin-Expressing Cells in the Arcuate Nucleus in Body Weight Regulation
Authors: Werner Lars , Müller-Fielitz Helge , Ritzal Manuela , Werner Tim , Rossner Moritz , Schwaninger Markus
Published: April 2012

Hypothalamic functions, including feeding behavior, show a high degree of plasticity throughout life. Doublecortin (DCX) is a marker of plasticity and neuronal migration expressed in the hypothalamus. Therefore, we wanted to map the fate of DCX+ cells in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus. For this purpose, we generated a BAC transgenic mouse line that expresses the inducible recombinase CreERT2 under control of the DCX locus. Crossing this line with the Rosa26 or Ai14 reporter mouse lines, we found reporter+ cells in the ARC upon tamoxifen treatment. They were born prenatally and expressed both DCX and the plasticity marker TUC-4. Immediately after labeling, reporter+ cells had an enlarged soma that normalized over time, suggesting morphological remodeling. Reporter+ cells expressed β-endorphin and BSX, neuronal markers of the feeding circuit. Furthermore, leptin treatment led to phosphorylation of STAT3 in reporter+ cells in accordance with the concept that they are part of the feeding circuits. Indeed, we found a negative correlation between the number of reporter+ cells and body weight and epididymal fat pads. Our data suggest that DCX+ cells in the ARC represent a cellular correlate of plasticity that is involved in controlling energy balance in adult mice.
A Lack of Ovarian Function Increases Neuroinflammation in Aged Mice
Authors: Benedusi Valeria , Meda Clara , Della Torre Sara , Monteleone Giuseppina , Vegeto Elisabetta , Maggi Adriana
Published: April 2012

Although several lines of evidence have indicated that menopause is associated with increased susceptibility to neurological disorders, the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon remain to be elucidated. Because neuroinflammation is a common feature of a number of brain diseases, we hypothesized that the cessation of ovarian functions and the consequent decrease in estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated antiinflammatory activity may represent a trigger for postmenopausal brain dysfunctions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aging and surgical menopause on the activity of ER in neuroinflammation. The present study shows that ER genes are expressed in the hippocampus, but ER transcriptional activity decreases significantly beginning at 12 months of age in intact and ovariectomized mice. With ovariectomy, we observe an age-dependent accumulation of mRNA encoding inflammatory mediators (e.g. TNFα, IL1β, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2) and changes in the morphology of astroglia and microglia. In addition, we show that aging itself is coupled with an exaggerated response to acute inflammatory stimuli with a major accumulation of TNFα, IL1β, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA in response to lipopolysaccharide administration. The response to acute inflammatory stimuli appears to be differentially modulated by the duration of hormone deprivation in 12-month-old mice. Taken together, the present results show that aging is associated with decreased ER activity, despite continuous ER synthesis, and that age-dependent neuroinflammation is strongly influenced by hormone deprivation.
Acetyliminopyridineiron(III) Complexes Immobilized in Fluorotetrasilicic Mica Interlayer as Efficient Catalysts for Oligomerization of Ethylene
Authors: Kondo Takashi , Yamamoto Kazuhiro , Sakuragi Tsutomu , Kurokawa Hideki , Miura Hiroshi
Published: April 2012

As new heterogeneous catalysts, the 2-acetyl-6-{1-[(2,3,6-trisubstituted phenyl)imino]ethyl}pyridineiron(III) complexes immobilized in the fluorotetrasilicic mica interlayers were prepared by the reaction of acetyliminopyridine and Fe3+-exchanged fluorotetrasilicic mica. The catalysts showed a high activity for the ethylene oligomerization with a high selectivity to linear α-olefins in the presence of R′3Al (R′ = Et and i-Bu) as an activator.