bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects on Biomass of Cubaris murina Brandt (Crustacea: Isopoda) Exposed to Soil Contaminated With Glyphosate in Laboratory Studies
Authors: Niemeyer Júlia Carina , Vilaça D. , Da-Silva E. M.
Published: March 2010

Terrestrial isopods play an important role in the cycling of nutrients, contributing to the first processes of litter decomposition. In this work, organisms of Cubaris murina from laboratory cultures were used in ecotoxicity tests, to assess their sensibility to glyphosate how it affects their biomass. The contaminant solutions were prepared by herbicide Roundup®. The initial nominal concentrations were 4.8, 9.6, 14.4 and 19.2 mg glyphosate/g soil. Ten offspring of 2 to 4 days old were exposed in each treatment and in one control. All the treatments, in quadruplicate, received regularly sprays of distilled water. After five weeks, the isopods were weighed, and the mean weight of the isopods of each treatment was compared to the control, using ANOVA. Significant differences in relation to control (p < 0.001) were encountered on 14.4 and 19.2 mg gli/g soil in two repetitions of the experiment. Effects on biomass showed more sensibility than 7-d-LC50 of glyphosate to C. murina (35.5 mg gli/g soil).
Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Daphnia: is It a Good Biomarker of Environmental Contamination?
Authors: Printes Liane Biehl , Callaghan A.
Published: March 2010

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity has been employed as a biomarker of environmental contamination. However, for invertebrates, additional studies are required to determine the role of AChE activity in biological monitoring. Thus, a series of experiments was performed to evaluate the interference of developmental and environmental factors on AChE activity in D. magna and D. similis. In addition, the relationships between AChE activity, acute toxicity and population level effects were evaluated for D. magna. An inverse relationship between body length and AChE activity has been demonstrated for D. magna. Also, juveniles of D. similis (= 72 h) kept in diluted mineral water had lower AChE activity than those kept in ASTM water. Our findings have as well indicated that the associations between AChE activity and higher level effects in D. magna are not always straightforward. Exposure to parathion, propoxur, malathion, chlorpyrifos, and acephate resulted in the ratio between EC50 and IC50 varying from 0.31 to 0.90. Furthermore, we found that genotypic variation will interfere with the link between AChE activity and population growth rate in D. magna pos-exposed to acephate. Therefore, the use of this biomarker in environmental assessment programmes should be made with caution. On one hand, it is very sensitive, and keeping strict standard conditions it can give a good indication of exposure to organophosphates and carbamates. On the other hand, its use as a predictive tool is limited, and should only be made in association with complementary measurements.
Extending a model of precarious employment: A qualitative study of immigrant workers in Spain
Authors: Porthé Victoria , Ahonen Emily , Vázquez M. Luisa , Pope Catherine , Agudelo Andrés Alonso , García Ana M. , Amable Marcelo , Benavides Fernando G. , Benach Joan
Published: March 2010

Background

Since the 1980s, changes in the labor market have modified power relations between capital and labor, leading to greater levels of precarious employment among workers. Globalization has led to a growth in migration, as people leave their countries in search of work. We aimed to describe the dimensions of precarious employment for immigrant workers in Spain.

Methods

Qualitative study using analytic induction. Criterion sampling was used to recruit 129 immigrant workers in Spain with documented and undocumented administrative status. Data quality was ensured by triangulation.

Results

Immigrant workers reported that precarious employment is characterized by high job instability, a lack of power for negotiating employment conditions, and defenselessness against high labor demands. They described insufficient wages, long working hours, limited social benefits, and difficulty in exercising their rights. Undocumented workers reported greater defenselessness and worse employment conditions.

Conclusions

This study allowed us to describe the dimensions of precarious employment in immigrant workers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:417–424, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Common variants in the TPH1 and TPH2 regions are not associated with persistent ADHD in a combined sample of 1,636 adult cases and 1,923 controls from four European populations
Authors: Johansson Stefan , Halmøy Anne , Mavroconstanti Thegna , Jacobsen Kaya K. , Landaas Elisabeth T. , Reif Andreas , Jacob Christian , Boreatti‐Hümmer Andrea , Kreiker Susanne , Lesch Klaus‐Peter , Kan Cornelis C. , Kooij J.J. Sandra , Kiemeney Lambertus A. , Buitelaar Jan K. , Franke Barbara , Ribasés Marta , Bosch Rosa , Bayés Mònica , Casas Miguel , Ramos‐Quiroga Josep Antoni , Cormand Bru , Knappskog Per , Haavik Jan
Published: March 2010

The tryptophan hydroxylase 1 and 2 (TPH1 and TPH2) genes encode the rate‐limiting enzymes in the serotonin biosynthesis. Genetic variants in both genes have been implicated in several psychiatric disorders. For attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, the results are conflicting, and little is known about their role in adult ADHD patients. We therefore first genotype‐tagged all common variants within both genes in a Norwegian sample of 451 patients with a diagnosis of adult ADHD and 584 controls. Six of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were subsequently genotyped in three additional independent European Caucasian samples of adult ADHD cases and controls from the International Multicenter persistent ADHD Collaboration (IMpACT). None of the SNPs reached formal study‐wide significance in the total meta‐analysis sample of 1,636 cases and 1,923 controls, despite having a power of >80% to detect a variant conferring an OR = 1.25 at P = 0.001 level. Only the TPH1 SNP rs17794760 showed nominal significance [OR = 0.84 (0.71–1.00), P = 0.05]. In conclusion, in the single largest ADHD genetic study of TPH1 and TPH2 variants presented to date (n = 3,559 individuals), we did not find consistent evidence for a substantial effect of common genetic variants on persistent ADHD. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lack of shunt response in suspected idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus with Alzheimer disease pathology
Authors: Hamilton Roy , Patel Sunil , Lee Edward B. , Jackson Eric M. , Lopinto Joanna , Arnold Steven E. , Clark Christopher M. , Basil Anuj , Shaw Leslie M. , Xie Sharon X. , Grady M. Sean , Trojanowski John Q.
Published: March 2010

To determine the impact of cortical Alzheimer disease pathology on shunt responsiveness in individuals treated for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), 37 patients clinically diagnosed with iNPH participated in a prospective study in which performance on neurologic, psychometric, and gait measures before and 4 months after shunting was correlated with amyloid β plaques, neuritic plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles observed in cortical biopsies obtained during shunt insertion. No complications resulted from biopsy acquisition. Moderate to severe pathology was associated with worse baseline cognitive performance and diminished postoperative improvement on NPH symptom severity scales, gait measures, and cognitive instruments compared to patients lacking pathology. ANN NEUROL 2010
Effect of line shooter and mainline tension on the sink rates of pelagic longlines and implications for seabird interactions
Authors: Robertson Graham , Candy Steven G. , Wienecke Barbara
Published: March 2010

1. The likelihood that seabirds will be hooked and drowned in longline fisheries increases when baited hooks sink slowly. Fishermen target different fishing depths by setting the mainline through a line shooter, which controls the tension (or slackness) in the line. An experiment was conducted in Australia's pelagic longline fishery to test the hypothesis of no difference in sink rates of baited hooks attached to mainline set under varying degrees of tension.

2. Mainline was set in three configurations typically used in the fishery: (a) surface set tight with no slackness astern; (b) surface set loose with 2 s of slack astern; and (c) deep set loose with 7 s of slack astern.

3. Tension on the mainline had a powerful effect on sink rates. Baited hooks on branch lines attached to tight mainlines reached 2 m depth nearly twice as fast as those on the two loose mainline tensions, averaging 5.8 s (0.35 m s−1) compared with 9.9 s (0.20 m s−1) and 11.0 s (0.18 m s−1) for surface set loose and deep set loose tensions, respectively.

4. The likely reason for the difference is propeller turbulence. Tight mainline entered the water aft of the area affected by turbulence whereas the two loose mainlines and the clip ends of branch lines were set directly into it about 1 m astern of the vessel. The turbulence presumably slowed the sink rates of baited hooks at the other end of the branch lines.

5. The results suggest that mainline deployed with a line shooter (as in deep setting) into propeller turbulence at the vessel stern slows the sink rates of baited hooks, potentially increasing their availability to seabirds. Unless mainline can be set to avoid propeller turbulence the use of line shooters for deep setting should not be promoted as an effective deterrent to seabirds. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical optical coherence tomography of early articular cartilage degeneration in patients with degenerative meniscal tears
Authors: Chu Constance R. , Williams Ashley , Tolliver David , Kwoh C. Kent , Bruno Stephen , Irrgang James J.
Published: March 2010

Objective

Quantitative and nondestructive methods for clinical diagnosis and staging of articular cartilage degeneration are important to the evaluation of potential disease‐modifying treatments in osteoarthritis (OA). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel imaging technology that can generate microscopic‐resolution cross‐sectional images of articular cartilage in near real‐time. This study tested the hypotheses that OCT can be used clinically to identify early cartilage degeneration and that OCT findings correlate with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 values and arthroscopy results.

Methods

Patients undergoing arthroscopy for degenerative meniscal tears were recruited under Institutional Review Board–approved protocols. Thirty consecutive subjects completing preoperative 3.0T MRI, arthroscopy, and intraoperative OCT comprised the study group. Qualitative and quantitative OCT results and MRI T2 values were compared with modified Outerbridge cartilage degeneration scores (0–4 scale) assigned at arthroscopy.

Results

Arthroscopic grades showed cartilage abnormality in 23 of the 30 patients. OCT grades were abnormal in 28 of the 30 patients. Both qualitative and quantitative OCT strongly correlated with the arthroscopy results (P = 0.004 and P = 0.0002, respectively, by Kruskal‐Wallis test). Neither the superficial nor the deep cartilage T2 values correlated with the arthroscopy results. The quantitative OCT results correlated with the T2 values in the superficial cartilage (Pearson's r = 0.39, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

These data show that OCT can be used clinically to provide qualitative and quantitative assessments of early articular cartilage degeneration that strongly correlate with arthroscopy results. The correlation between the quantitative OCT values and T2 values for the superficial cartilage further supports the utility of OCT as a clinical research tool, providing quantifiable microscopic resolution data on the articular cartilage structure. New technologies for nondestructive quantitative assessment of human articular cartilage degeneration may facilitate the development of strategies to delay or prevent the onset of OA.
Spinal tumor necrosis factor α neutralization reduces peripheral inflammation and hyperalgesia and suppresses autonomic responses in experimental arthritis: A role for spinal tumor necrosis factor α during induction and maintenance of peripheral inflammation
Authors: Boettger Michael Karl , Weber Konstanze , Grossmann David , Gajda Mieczyslaw , Bauer Reinhard , Bär Karl‐Jürgen , Schulz Steffen , Voss Andreas , Geis Christian , Bräuer Rolf , Schaible Hans‐Georg
Published: March 2010

Objective

In addition to the sensitization of pain fibers in inflamed tissues, the increased excitability of the spinal cord is an important mechanism of inflammatory pain. Furthermore, spinal neuronal excitability has been suggested to play a role in modulating peripheral inflammation. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that spinal actions of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) add significantly to both hyperalgesia and maintenance of peripheral inflammation.

Methods

Rats with antigen‐induced arthritis (AIA) were treated intrathecally with the TNFα‐neutralizing compound etanercept continuously during the complete time course of AIA, which was 3 days for the acute phase and 21 days for the chronic phase. During this time, inflammation and pain‐related behavior were monitored. Since a role for autonomic control of inflammation was proposed, measures from heart rate time series were obtained in the acute phase. Findings were compared with those in vehicle‐treated animals and in animals receiving etanercept intraperitoneally.

Results

Spinally administered etanercept acutely reduced pain‐related behavior, attenuated both the development and the maintenance of inflammation, and was superior to systemic administration. Parameters indicating autonomic modulation showed a shift toward a sympathetically dominated state in vehicle‐treated animals, which was prevented by intrathecal etanercept.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that spinal TNFα plays an important role in both pain signaling and modulation of peripheral inflammation. Thus, neutralizing this cytokine at the spinal site not only represents a putative therapeutic option for different pain syndromes, but may be directly used to attenuate peripheral inflammation.
Anti–citrullinated protein antibodies bind surface‐expressed citrullinated Grp78 on monocyte/macrophages and stimulate tumor necrosis factor α production
Authors: Lu Ming‐Chi , Lai Ning‐Sheng , Yu Hui‐Chun , Huang Hsien‐Bin , Hsieh Song‐Chou , Yu Chia‐Li
Published: March 2010

Objective

Anti–citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), which are the most specific autoantibody marker in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), correlate with disease activity; however, the role of ACPAs in RA pathogenesis has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that ACPAs may directly stimulate mononuclear cells to produce inflammatory cytokines. Thus, we identified cognate antigens of ACPAs on monocyte/macrophages and examined their immunopathologic roles in the pathogenesis of RA.

Methods

ACPAs were purified from pooled ACPA‐positive RA sera by cyclic citrullinated peptide–conjugated affinity column. After coculture of U937 cells with ACPAs, the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) production and NF‐κB DNA binding activity of the cells were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The cognate antigens of ACPAs on the U937 cell surface were probed by ACPAs, and the reactive bands were examined via proteomic analysis.

Results

ACPAs specifically enhanced TNFα production and increased the DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB in U937 cells. Proteomic analysis revealed that Grp78 protein (72 kd) was one of the cognate antigens of ACPAs. The truncated form of cell surface–expressed Grp78 (55 kd) on U937 cells contained citrulline capable of binding with ACPAs. After citrullination, glutathione S‐transferase–tagged recombinant Grp78 (97.52 kd) became a 72‐kd fragment and bound with ACPAs. ACPAs also bound to human monocytes and lymphocytes to promote TNFα production.

Conclusion

We clearly demonstrated that ACPAs enhance NF‐κB activity and TNFα production in monocyte/macrophages via binding to surface‐expressed citrullinated Grp78.
Incorporating radiology into medical gross anatomy: Does the use of cadaver CT scans improve students' academic performance in anatomy?
Authors: Lufler Rebecca S. , Zumwalt Ann C. , Romney Carla A. , Hoagland Todd M.
Published: March 2010

Radiological images show anatomical structures in multiple planes and may be effective for teaching anatomical spatial relationships, something that students often find difficult to master. This study tests the hypotheses that (1) the use of cadaveric computed tomography (CT) scans in the anatomy laboratory is positively associated with performance in the gross anatomy course and (2) dissection of the CT‐scanned cadaver is positively associated with performance on this course. One hundred and seventy‐nine first‐year medical students enrolled in gross anatomy at Boston University School of Medicine were provided with CT scans of four cadavers, and students were given the opportunity to choose whether or not to use these images. The hypotheses were tested using logistic regression analysis adjusting for student demographic characteristics. Students who used the CT scans were more likely to score greater than 90% as an average practical examination score (odds ratio OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.4, 9.2), final course grade (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.01, 6.8), and on spatial anatomy examination questions (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.03, 5.6) than were students who did not use the CT scans. There were no differences in performance between students who dissected the scanned cadavers and those who dissected a different cadaver. These results demonstrate that the use of CT scans in medical gross anatomy is predictive of performance in the course and on questions requiring knowledge of anatomical spatial relationships, but it is not necessary to scan the actual cadaver dissected by each student. Anat Sci Educ 3: 56–63, 2010. © 2010 American Association of Anatomists.
Comparative efficacy of group and individual feedback in gross anatomy for promoting medical student professionalism
Authors: Camp Christopher L. , Gregory Jeremy K. , Lachman Nirusha , Chen Laura P. , Juskewitch Justin E. , Pawlina Wojciech
Published: March 2010

Professionalism is a core competency of medical training that requires students to develop the skills of providing and receiving feedback. Our study evaluated the effectiveness of delivering feedback in a group setting compared with an individual setting. The first‐year class of Mayo medical students (n= 49) enrolled in gross anatomy (in dissection teams), completed weekly anonymous evaluations of themselves and their teammates regarding seven aspects of professionalism (altruism, compassion, respect, honesty/integrity, responsibility, commitment to excellence, and self‐reflection). Professionalism scores from these surveys were calculated using a six‐point Likert scale. Students were also asked to comment on strengths and possible areas for improvement on each peer. At the midpoint of the course, peer comments and professionalism scores were shared with students in debriefing sessions either individually or with their team. Analysis of preintervention and postintervention professionalism scores indicated that the students receiving feedback in a one‐on‐one setting (student and instructor) were more likely to demonstrate higher scores on subsequent evaluations as compared with those students receiving feedback in a group setting (all team members and one instructor). Our findings suggest that providing feedback to first‐year medical students on an individual basis is the best way to improve professional attitudes and behaviors. Anat Sci Educ 3: 64–72, 2010. © 2010 American Association of Anatomists.
Decomposition and Model Selection for Large Contingency Tables
Authors: Dahinden Corinne , Kalisch Markus , Bühlmann Peter
Published: March 2010

Large contingency tables summarizing categorical variables arise in many areas. One example is in biology, where large numbers of biomarkers are cross‐tabulated according to their discrete expression level. Interactions of the variables are of great interest and are generally studied with log–linear models. The structure of a log–linear model can be visually represented by a graph from which the conditional independence structure can then be easily read off. However, since the number of parameters in a saturated model grows exponentially in the number of variables, this generally comes with a heavy computational burden. Even if we restrict ourselves to models of lower‐order interactions or other sparse structures, we are faced with the problem of a large number of cells which play the role of sample size. This is in sharp contrast to high‐dimensional regression or classification procedures because, in addition to a high‐dimensional parameter, we also have to deal with the analogue of a huge sample size. Furthermore, high‐dimensional tables naturally feature a large number of sampling zeros which often leads to the nonexistence of the maximum likelihood estimate. We therefore present a decomposition approach, where we first divide the problem into several lower‐dimensional problems and then combine these to form a global solution. Our methodology is computationally feasible for log–linear interaction models with many categorical variables each or some of them having many levels. We demonstrate the proposed method on simulated data and apply it to a bio‐medical problem in cancer research.
In vivo bioassay to detect irinotecan‐stabilized DNA/topoisomerase I complexes in rats
Authors: Barth Stephan W. , Briviba Karlis , Watzl Bernhard , Jäger Nicole , Marko Doris , Esselen Melanie
Published: March 2010

Irinotecan is an anticancer agent that stabilizes topoisomerase I/DNA complexes. So far, no test system has been reported for directly determining irinotecan‐induced stabilization of topoisomerase I/DNA complexes in organs in vivo. We adapted an ‘in vivo complexes of enzyme to DNA’ (ICE) bioassay to assess irinotecan activity in the stomach, duodenum, colon and liver of male Wistar rats after a single treatment with irinotecan (100 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). This was compared to the control group receiving 0.9% sodium chloride intraperitoneally. In addition, the DNA strand breaking properties of irinotecan were measured in mucosal cells from the distal colon by single‐cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) to investigate the association of topoisomerase poisoning and DNA damage in vivo. A single dose of irinotecan significantly increased amounts of topoisomerase I covalently bound to DNA in stomach, duodenum, colon and liver. Concomitantly, the irinotecan‐treated group showed significantly higher amounts of DNA strand breaks in colon mucosa cells compared to the control group. The ICE bioassay and the comet assay represent two test systems for investigating the impact of topoisomerase I poisons on DNA integrity in colon tissues of Wistar rats.
Highly efficient gene transfer into hepatocyte‐like HepaRG cells: New means for drug metabolism and toxicity studies
Authors: Laurent Veronique , Fraix Aurore , Montier Tristan , Cammas‐Marion Sandrine , Ribault Catherine , Benvegnu Thierry , Jaffres Paul‐Alain , Loyer Pascal
Published: March 2010

HepaRG progenitor cells are capable of differentiating into hepatocyte‐like cells that express a large set of liver‐specific functions. These cells, however, only express small amounts of an important cytochrome P450, the CYP2E1, which limits their use for toxicological studies of drugs metabolized by this pathway. Our aim was to establish an efficient transfection protocol to increase CYP2E1 expression in HepaRG cells. Transfection protocols of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene were evaluated using electroporation and cationic lipids belonging to the lipophosphonates, lipophosphoramidates and lipids derived from glycine betaine. Following optimization of the charge ratios, plasmid DNA and formulations with neutral co‐lipids, the lipophosphoramidate compounds KLN47 and BSV10, allowed expression of the GFP in ∼50% of adherent progenitor HepaRG cells, while electroporation targeted GFP expression in ∼85% of both progenitor and differentiated cells in suspension. Transient enforced expression of active CYP2E1 was also achieved in progenitors and/or differentiated HepaRG cells using the electroporation and the lipophosphoramidate compound BSV10. Importantly, in electroporated cells, CYP2E1 expression level was correlated with a significant increase in CYP2E1‐specific enzymatic activity, which opens new perspectives for this CYP‐dependent drug metabolism and toxicity studies using HepaRG cells.
Sugar‐Based Synthesis of Tamiflu and Its Inhibitory Effects on Cell Secretion
Authors: Ma Jimei , Zhao Yanying , Ng Simon , Zhang Jing , Zeng Jing , Than Aung , Chen Peng , Liu Xue‐Wei
Published: March 2010

Tamiflu is currently the most effective drug for the treatment of influenza, but the insufficient supply and side‐effects of this drug demand urgent solutions. We present a practical synthesis of Tamiflu by using novel synthetic routes, cheap reagents, and the abundantly available starting material D‐glucal. The strategy features a Claisen rearrangement of hexose to obtain the cyclohexene backbone and introduction of diamino groups through tandem intramolecular aziridination and ring opening. In addition, this synthetic protocol allows late‐stage functionalization for the flexible synthesis of Tamiflu analogues. By using the synthesized Tamiflu and its active metabolite (oseltamivir carboxylate), we investigated their influences on neuroendocrine PC12 cells in various aspects. It was discovered that oseltamivir carboxylate significantly inhibits the vesicular exocytosis (regulated secretion) of PC12 cells, and suggests a mechanism underlying the Tamiflu side‐effects, in particular its possible adverse influences on neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system.
Hybrid rheological model for non‐Newtonian turbulent pipe flow
Authors: Wilson K. C. , Thomas A. D.
Published: March 2010

Many slurry rheograms do not follow the Bingham model, but are curved (convex upwards) at low‐strain rates. Alternate models such as the yield‐power law (YPL), provide a good fit to the low‐strain rate data, but they tend to underestimate apparent viscosities at high‐strain rates. The current paper considers a hybrid rheological model consisting of a cubic‐spline fit to the low‐strain rate data merging into a Bingham linear model above a limiting strain rate. This model predicts turbulent flow well, depending only on the area difference between the Bingham rheogram and the cubic spline.
A multiscale model for quantifying helium diffusion in porous unsintered glass
Authors: Doorwar Shashvat , Chakraborty Saikat , Neogi Sudarsan
Published: March 2010

Helium‐aided sintering of porous unsintered glass is a complex multiscale process, characterised by three different timescales, namely, that of helium diffusion, heat conduction, and radial shrinkage of the glass core. This work presents a multiscale model for quantifying heat and helium diffusion in a shrinking core system by decoupling the timescales based on their orders of magnitude. We obtain analytical solutions of our model, which allow us to quantify the spatio‐temporal profiles of temperature and helium concentration in the glass during the sintering process. Our results show that the introduction of helium increases the sintering rate of glass, and we conclude that pre‐sintering heating followed by helium‐aided sintering is better than simultaneous heating and helium diffusion. We also show that the pre‐sintering heating process for a standard glass sample should not be longer than an hour for the sake of heat economy, following which we may switch to the helium‐aided sintering process, where the sintering should occur under isothermal conditions for approximately 6 h. We perform dynamic simulations using glass porosity as a parameter, and find the sintering rate to be directly proportional to the initial porosity of the glass sample.
Smectic phases of liquid crystals based on dinuclear palladium(II) complexes with carboxylato bridge
Authors: Cîrcu V. , Simonescu C. M.
Published: March 2010

In this paper we present the preparation and the investigation of the liquid crystal properties of a series of dinuclear carboxylato bridge Pd(II) complexes bearing six alkoxy peripheral chains in the molecule. Their structures were assigned based on elemental analysis, IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy whereas the thermal behaviour was investigated by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The monotropic smectic A phase displayed by these materials was identified by miscibility studies with a previously reported mesogen. It was found that the transition temperatures and the SmA mesophase stability depend on the alkyl chain length of the carboxylato bridge. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Metastasis of colon cancer to the thyroid gland: A case diagnosed on fine‐needle aspirate by a combined cytological, immunocytochemical, and molecular approach
Authors: Cozzolino Immacolata , Malapelle Umberto , Carlomagno Chiara , Palombini Lucio , Troncone Giancarlo
Published: March 2010

Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) with cytological evaluation reliably diagnoses primary and secondary thyroid neoplasms. However, identifying the primary origin of a metastatic process involving the thyroid gland is challenging. In particular, metastasis of colon cancer to the thyroid gland is very rare. In this case report, a right lobe solid thyroid nodule in a 66‐year‐old male was aspirated. FNA cytology showed necrosis and atypical tall columnar cells; since, the patient at age 60 had undergone surgery for a sigmoid‐rectal cancer metastasizing to the liver and subsequently to the lung, a suspicion of metastasis from colon cancer was raised. This was corroborated by cell‐block immunocytochemistry showing a cytokeratin (CK) 7 negative/CK20‐positive staining pattern; thyreoglobulin and TTF‐1 were both negative. Since KRAS codon 12/13 mutations frequently occur in colon cancer, whereas they are extremely uncommon in primary thyroid tumors, DNA was extracted from the aspirated cells, and KRAS mutational analysis was carried out. The codon 12 G12D mutation was found; the same mutation was evident in the primary cancer of the colon and in its liver and lung metastasis. Thus, a combined cytological, immunocytochemical and molecular approach unquestionably correlated metastatic adenocarcinoma cells aspirated from the thyroid to a colo‐rectal origin. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010;38:932–935. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A dual systems model of adolescent risk‐taking
Authors: Steinberg Laurence
Published: March 2010

It has been hypothesized that reward‐seeking and impulsivity develop along different timetables and have different neural underpinnings, and that the difference in their timetables helps account for heightened risk‐taking during adolescence. In order to test these propositions, age differences in reward‐seeking and impulsivity were examined in a socioeconomically and ethnically diverse sample of 935 individuals between the ages of 10 and 30, using self‐report and behavioral measures of each construct. Consistent with predictions, age differences in reward‐seeking follow a curvilinear pattern, increasing between preadolescence and mid‐adolescence, and declining thereafter. In contrast, age differences in impulsivity follow a linear pattern, with impulsivity declining steadily from age 10 on. Heightened vulnerability to risk‐taking in middle adolescence may be due to the combination of relatively higher inclinations to seek rewards and still maturing capacities for self‐control. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 52: 216–224, 2010
E(nos)/CG4699 required for nanos function in the female germ line of Drosophila
Authors: Yu Lin , Song Yan , Wharton Robin P.
Published: March 2010

Reduction of Nanos activity causes germ line stem cell failure in the Drosophila ovary. Only a few cysts with Vasa‐positive (green) differentiating germ line cells remain. The adducin‐like molecule Hts, which marks membranes, is red and DNA is blue. See the article by Yu et al. in this issue.
The maize milkweed pod1 mutant reveals a mechanism to modify organ morphology
Authors: Johnston Robyn , Candela Héctor , Hake Sarah , Foster Toshi
Published: March 2010

Plant lateral organs, such as leaves, have three primary axes of growth–proximal‐distal, medial‐‐lateral and adaxial‐abaxial (dorsal‐ventral). Although most leaves are planar, modified leaf forms, such as the bikeeled grass prophyll, can be found in nature. A detailed examination of normal prophyll development indicates that polarity is established differently in the keels than in other parts of the prophyll. Analysis of the maize HD‐ZIPIII gene rolled leaf1 (rld1) suggests that altered expression patterns are responsible for keel outgrowth. Recessive mutations in the maize (Zea mays) KANADI (KAN) gene milkweed pod1 (mwp1), which promotes abaxial cell identity, strongly affect development of the prophyll and silks (fused carpels). The prophyll is reduced to two unfused midribs and the silks are narrow and misshapen. Our data indicate that the prophyll and other fused organs are particularly sensitive to disruptions in adaxial‐abaxial polarity. In addition, lateral and proximal‐distal growth of most lateral organs is reduced in the mwp1‐R mutant, supporting a role for the adaxial‐abaxial boundary in promoting growth along both axes. We propose that the adaxial‐abaxial patterning mechanism has been co‐opted during evolution to generate diverse organ morphologies. genesis 48:416–423, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Murine visceral leishmaniasis: IgM and polyclonal B‐cell activation lead to disease exacerbation
Authors: Deak Eszter , Jayakumar Asha , Cho Ka Wing , Goldsmith‐Pestana Karen , Dondji Blaise , Lambris John D. , McMahon‐Pratt Diane
Published: March 2010

In visceral leishmaniasis, the draining LN (DLN) is the initial site for colonization and establishment of infection after intradermal transmission by the sand fly vector; however, little is known about the developing immune response within this site. Using an intradermal infection model, which allows for parasite visceralization, we have examined the ongoing immune responses in the DLN of BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania infantum. Although not unexpected, at early times post‐infection there is a marked B‐cell expansion in the DLN, which persists throughout infection. However, the characteristics of this response were of interest; as early as day 7 post‐infection, polyclonal antibodies (TNP, OVA, chromatin) were observed and the levels appeared comparable to the specific anti‐leishmania response. Although B‐cell‐deficient JhD BALB/c mice are relatively resistant to infection, neither B‐cell‐derived IL‐10 nor B‐cell antigen presentation appear to be primarily responsible for the elevated parasitemia. However, passive transfer and reconstitution of JhD BALB/c with secretory immunoglobulins, (IgM or IgG; specific or non‐specific immune complexes) results in increased susceptibility to L. infantum infection. Further, JhD BALB/c mice transgenetically reconstituted to secrete IgM demonstrated exacerbated disease in comparison to WT BALB/c mice as early as 2 days post‐infection. Evidence suggests that complement activation (generation of C5a) and signaling via the C5a receptor (CD88) is related to the disease exacerbation caused by IgM rather than cytokine levels (IL‐10 or IFN‐γ). Overall these studies indicate that polyclonal B‐cell activation, which is known to be associated with human visceral leishmaniasis, is an early and intrinsic characteristic of disease and may represent a target for therapeutic intervention.
Aberrant splicing of the milk fat globule‐EGF factor 8 (MFG‐E8) gene in human systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Fujimoto Takashi , Nakamura Shinobu , Ohmura Koichiro , Mimori Tsuneyo , Matsuda Fumihiko , Nagata Shigekazu
Published: March 2010

Milk fat globule‐EGF factor 8 (MFG‐E8) promotes the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by serving as a bridging molecule between apoptotic cells and phagocytes. Many apoptotic cells are left unengulfed in the germinal centers of the spleen of MFG‐E8−/− mice, which develop a human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐like autoimmune disease. Here, we analyzed the MFG‐E8 gene in human SLE patients, and found in two out of 322 female patients a heterozygous intronic mutation, which caused a cryptic exon from intron 6 to be included in the transcript. The cryptic exon contained a premature termination codon, generating a C‐terminally truncated MFG‐E8 protein. The mutant MFG‐E8 was aberrantly glycosylated and sialylated, but bound to phosphatidylserine and enhanced the phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. When intravenously injected into mice, the mutant MFG‐E8 was sustained longer in the blood circulation than wild‐type MFG‐E8. Repeated administrations of the mutant MFG‐E8 protein induced the production of autoantibodies, such as anti‐cardiolipin and anti‐nuclear antibodies, at a lower dose than that required for the wild‐type protein. These results suggested that the intronic mutation in the human MFG‐E8 gene can lead to the development of SLE.
Single Cell Isolation of Bacteria from Microbial Fuel Cells and Potomac River Sediment
Authors: Ringeisen B. R. , Lizewski S. E. , Fitzgerald L. A. , Biffinger J. C. , Knight C. L. , Crookes‐Goodson W. J. , Wu P. K.
Published: March 2010

Electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) are prominently found in aquatic environmental sediment samples and wastewater streams, which are known to contain several different types of microorganisms. Even though microbial consortia are found to enhance both Coulombic efficiency and total power output in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), it is currently unknown how many different EAB contribute to current generation in these systems. It is also difficult to track the relative population of different species during MFC operation. We used biological laser printing (BioLP) to isolate different bacterium from complex environmental samples and MFC anolytes. BioLP can be used to print droplets containing a single cell directly from liquid culture, thereby enabling EAB to be sorted from unmodified environmental or MFC samples. Isolated species were identified through 16S rDNA analysis of pure cultures derived from the printed samples. These experiments demonstrate how cell printing can be used as a single‐step method to separate and identify microorganisms from complex environmental samples and operating MFCs.
Recalcitrant hypocalcemia in a lactating woman after total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Lassig Amy Anne D. , Donatelli Paul E. , Teknos Theodoros N.
Published: March 2010

Background

The risk of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy is well‐described in the literature. Recalcitrant hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy in a lactating woman is uncommon and may require multiple strategies to correct.

Methods

We present a case report of a lactating woman with papillary thyroid carcinoma requiring total thyroidectomy and neck dissections.

Results

Postoperatively the patient suffered from recalcitrant hypocalcemia which necessitated multiple medical maneuvers to rectify. The medical treatment required to correct the calcium levels is described herein.

Conclusion

With the incidence of thyroid cancer on the rise and the increased identification of thyroid lesions during pregnancy, the number of lactating women undergoing thyroidectomy will likely increase. Surgeons performing thyroid surgery in this patient population should be aware of the risk of severe hypocalcemia and the tools necessary to correct it. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Overexpression of Aspartyl-(Asparaginyl)-β-Hydroxylase in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Is Associated With Worse Surgical Outcome
Authors: Wang Kui , Liu Jian , Yan Zhen-Lin , Li Jun , Shi Le-Hua , Cong Wen-Ming , Xia Yong , Zou Qi-Fei , Xi Tao , Shen Feng , Wang Hong-Yang , Wu Meng-Chao
Published: March 2010

The association between the overexpression of aspartyl-(asparaginyl)-β-hydroxylase (AAH) and the invasiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

in vitro

has been reported. However, the prognostic value of AAH expression in HCC remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between AAH expression, tumor recurrence, and patient survival. We identified AAH as the most overexpressed gene in HCC by way of complementary DNA microarray hybridization. A prospective study of 233 patients undergoing curative resection indicated that AAH expression was an independent factor affecting recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 3.161, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.115-4.724,

P

< 0.001) and survival (HR 2.712, 95% CI 1.734-4.241,

P

< 0.001). Patients with AAH overexpression had a poorer prognosis than those with AAH underexpression (

P

< 0.001 for both recurrence and survival). In Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage A patients with AAH overexpression or underexpression, the tumor recurrence and survival rates were also statistically different (45% and 85% versus16% and 33% in 1- and 3-year cumulative recurrence rates, respectively; 73% and 37% versus 90% and 80% in 1- and 3-year survival rates, respectively;

P

< 0.001 for both). Furthermore, in stage A patients with tumors measuring ≤5 cm in diameter, the time to recurrence was 26.7 ± 1.6 versus 51.9 ± 2.8 months, and the 1- and 3- year survival rates were 97% and 52% versus 100% and 90% in AAH overexpression and underexpression patients, respectively (

P

< 0.001 for both).

Conclusion:

AAH overexpression in HCC is strongly correlated with worse surgical outcome, and this molecule likely provides a more precise prognostic predictor in early stage HCCs. Hepatology 2010
Enhanced angiogenesis of modified porcine small intestinal submucosa with hyaluronic acid‐poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanoparticles: From fabrication to preclinical validation
Authors: Mondalek Fadee G. , Ashley Richard A. , Roth Christopher C. , Kibar Yusuf , Shakir Nabeel , Ihnat Michael A. , Fung Kar‐Ming , Grady Brian P. , Kropp Bradley P. , Lin Hsueh‐Kung
Published: March 2010

Hyaluronic acid‐poly(de‐co‐glycolide) nanoparticles (HA‐PLGA NPs) were synthesized to stabilize the porous structure of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS), to improve surface biocompatibility and to enhance performance in tissue regeneration. HA‐PLGA NPs were characterized for size, zeta potential, surface morphology, and HA loading. Human microvascular endothelial cells responded to HA‐PLGA NPs and HA‐PLGA modified SIS (HA‐PLGA‐SIS) with elevated cell proliferation. HA‐PLGA‐SIS significantly enhanced neo‐vascularization in an in ovo chorioallantoic membrane angiogenesis model. The angiogenic capability of the newly fabricated HA‐PLGA‐SIS was tested in a canine bladder augmentation model. Urinary bladder augmentation was performed in beagle dogs following hemi‐cystectomy using HA‐PLGA‐SIS. The regenerated bladder was harvested at 10 weeks post augmentation and vascularization was evaluated using CD31 immunohistochemical staining. Bladder regenerated with HA‐PLGA‐SIS had significantly higher vascular ingrowth compared to unmodified SIS. This study shows that HA‐PLGA NPs may represent a new approach for modifying naturally derived SIS biomaterials in regenerative medicine. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010
Vasostatin 1 activates eNOS in endothelial cells through a proteoglycan‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Ramella Roberta , Boero Ombretta , Alloatti Giuseppe , Angelone Tommaso , Levi Renzo , Gallo Maria Pia
Published: March 2010

Accumulating evidences point to a significant role for the chromogranin A (CgA)‐derived peptide vasostatin 1 (VS‐1) in the protective modulation of the cardiovascular activity, because of its ability to counteract the adrenergic signal. We have recently shown that VS‐1 induces a PI3K‐dependent‐nitric oxide (NO) release by endothelial cells, contributing to explain the mechanism of its cardio‐suppressive and vasodilator properties. However, the cellular processes upstream the eNOS activation exerted by this peptide are still unknown, as typical high‐affinity receptors have not been identified. Here we hypothesize that in endothelial cells VS‐1 acts, on the basis of its cationic and amphipathic properties, as a cell penetrating peptide, binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and activating eNOS phosphorylation (Ser1179) through a PI3K‐dependent, endocytosis‐coupled mechanism. In bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAE‐1 cells) endocytotic vesicles trafficking was quantified by confocal microscopy with a water‐soluble membrane dye; caveolin 1 (Cav1) shift from plasma membrane was studied by immunofluorescence staining; VS‐1‐dependent eNOS phosphorylation was assessed by immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis. Our experiments demonstrate that VS‐1 induces a marked increase in the caveolae‐dependent endocytosis, (115 ± 23% endocytotic spots/cell/field in VS‐1‐treated cells with respect to control cells), that is significantly reduced by both heparinase III (HEP, 17 ± 15% above control) and Wortmannin (Wm, 7 ± 22% above control). Heparinase, Wortmannin, and methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) abolish the VS‐1‐dependent eNOS phosphorylation (PSer1179eNOS). These results suggest a novel signal transduction pathway for endogenous cationic and amphipathic peptides in endothelial cells: HSPGs interaction and caveolae endocytosis, coupled with a PI3K‐dependent eNOS phosphorylation. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 70–79, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional expression of double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase in rat intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Sato Nagahiro , Morimoto Hiroyuki , Baba Ryoko , Nakamata Junichi , Doi Yoshiaki , Yamaguchi Koji
Published: March 2010

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are exposed to external environment, microbial and viral products, and serve as essential barriers to antigens. Recent studies have shown that IECs express Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and respond to microbial components. The antimicrobial and antiviral barriers consist of many molecules including TLRs. To investigate the further component of this barrier in intestine, we examined the expression of double‐stranded RNA‐dependent protein kinase (PKR). PKR is a player in the cellular antiviral response and phosphorylates α‐subunit of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF‐2α) to block protein synthesis and induces apoptosis. In this study, we showed that the expression of PKR was restricted to the cytoplasm of absorptive epithelial cells in the intestine of adult rat. We also demonstrated that PKR was expressed in the cultured rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC‐6). The level of PKR protein expression and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased in the cultured IEC‐6 cells in a time‐dependent manner. Inhibition of PKR by the 2‐aminopurine treatment decreased ALP activity in the IEC‐6 cells. Treatment of IEC‐6 cells with synthetic double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) induced cell death in a dose‐dependent manner. The addition of hydrocortisone also provoked suppression of PKR expression and ALP activity. This modulation might be mediated by signal transducers and activators of transcription‐1 (STAT‐1) protein. We concluded that PKR is expressed in IECs as potent barriers to antigens and is a possible modulator of the differentiation of rat IECs. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 104–111, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.