bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mechanism of Action of Mercuric Chloride on the Isolated Perfused Rat Kidney
Authors: Russell S.B.
Published: March 2011

Abstract. Studies on 80 rat kidneys, perfused at constant flow, showed that mercuric chloride produced a marked increase in perfusion pressure within five minutes of administration. Adrenergic blocking agents (phentolamine and propranolol), angiotensin sensitivity depletion, bradykinin and low concentrations of mannitol had no effect on this increase in resistance. Perfusion of the kidney with 5 % mannitol solution, however, significantly reduced the increase of vascular resistance induced by mercuric chloride. Evidence is presented that mercuric chloride may evoke an increase in vascular resistance by inducing endothelial cell swelling, an action antagonised by the hypertonic effect of mannitol. Other possible contributory mechanisms are also discussed.
Plasma free N‐terminal fibronectin 30‐kDa domain as a marker of endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: ŠKRHA J. , VACKOVÁ I. , KVASNIČKA J. , STIBOR V. , ŠTOLBA P. , RICHTER H. , HÖRMANN H.
Published: March 2011

The plasma free N‐terminal fibronectin 30‐kDa domain was measured in 44 type 1 diabetic patients and in 20 healthy subjects. A significantly raised mean concentration of a free N‐terminal fibronectin 30‐kDa domain was found in plasma of diabetic patients with proliferative retinopathy as compared with healthy persons (P < 0·001). A positive correlation was observed between free N‐terminal fibronectin 30‐kDa domain and von Willebrand factor in plasma of all examined subjects (r = 0·62, P < 0·01). A similar correlation was present between 30‐kDa domain and albuminuria (r = 0·56, P < 0·01). However, no relationship was found between fibronectin 30‐kDa domain and control of diabetes as assessed by fructosamine concentration. The free N‐terminal fibronectin 30‐kDa domain may be used as a marker of actual endothelial cell dysfunction in diabetes.
Role of Fos‐related antigen 1 in the progression and prognosis of ductal breast carcinoma
Authors: Logullo Angela Flavia , Stiepcich Mônica Maria Ágata , de Toledo Osório Cintia Aparecida Bueno , Nonogaki Sueli , Pasini Fátima Solange , Rocha Rafael Malagoli , Soares Fernando Augusto , Brentani Maria M
Published: March 2011

Logullo A F, Stiepcich M M Á, de Toledo Osório C A B, Nonogaki S, Pasini F S, Rocha R M, Soares F A & Brentani M M (2011) Histopathology 58, 617–625 Role of Fos‐related antigen 1 in the progression and prognosis of ductal breast carcinoma

Aims:  Fos‐related antigen 1 (Fra‐1) is a member of the activator protein 1 (AP‐1) transcription factor family. Our objective was to evaluate the role of Fra‐1 expression in breast carcinoma progression and prognosis.

Methods and results:  Fra‐1 expression was investigated by immunohistochemistry in two tissue microarrays containing, respectively, 85 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 771 invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) samples. Staining was observed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of the carcinomas, but only nuclear staining was considered to be positive. Fibroblasts associated with IDC were also Fra‐1‐positive. The frequency of Fra‐1 positivity in IDC (22.8%) was lower than that in DCIS (42.2%). No association was found between Fra‐1 and clinico‐pathological variables in DCIS. In IDC, Fra‐1 expression correlated with aggressive phenotype markers, including: high grade, oestrogen receptor negativity and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER‐2) positivity (P = 0.001, 0.015 and 0.004, respectively), and marginally with the presence of metastasis (P = 0.07). Fra‐1 was more frequently positive in basal‐like (34%) and in HER‐2‐positive (38.5%) subtypes than in luminal subtypes. Fra‐1 presence did not correlate with survival.

Conclusions:  A high frequency of Fra‐1 in DCIS tumours may be associated with early events in breast carcinogenesis. Although Fra‐1 expression correlated with features of a more aggressive phenotype in IDC, no relationship with overall survival was found.
Damage to the glycoshield activates PMT‐directed O‐mannosylation via the Msb2–Cek1 pathway in Candida albicans
Authors: Cantero Pilar D. , Ernst Joachim F.
Published: March 2011

Protein‐O‐mannosyltransferases (Pmt) transfer mannosyl residues to secretory proteins. Five isoforms of Pmt proteins in the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans have distinct functions in growth, morphogenesis and antifungal resistance. We found that PMT genes encoding the major isoforms Pmt1, Pmt2, Pmt4 are regulated differently in response to impaired glycostructures. While the PMT1 transcript level increased in cell wall mutants and under inhibition of N‐glycosylation by tunicamycin, PMT2 and PMT4 transcripts were upregulated only by inhibition of Pmt1 activity. Reporter fusions revealed specific promoter sequences to be required for PMT1 repression in undamaged cells, which was de‐repressed by tunicamycin. Constitutive PMT1 de‐repression was observed in mutants lacking the Cek1 MAP kinase and its upstream sensor Msb2. In contrast, in msb2 and cek1 mutants, upregulation of PMT2/PMT4 by Pmt1 inhibition did not occur and basal expression of both transcripts were decreased. We identified Ace2 as a novel transcription factor, which upregulates PMT basal expression and induction in response to glycostructure damage. Mutants lacking Msb2, Cek1 and Ace2 were supersensitive to glycosylation and cell wall inhibitors. We propose that a Msb2, Cek1 and Ace2 signalling pathway addresses PMT genes as downstream targets and that different modes of regulation have evolved for PMT1 and PMT2/PMT4 genes.
How does the oxidative burst of macrophages kill bacteria? Still an open question
Authors: Slauch James M.
Published: March 2011

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical components of the antimicrobial repertoire of macrophages, yet the mechanisms by which ROS damage bacteria in the phagosome are unclear. The NADH‐dependent phagocytic oxidase produces superoxide, which dismutes to form H2O2. The Barras and Méresse labs use a GFP fusion to an OxyR regulated gene to show that phagocyte‐derived H2O2 is gaining access to the Salmonella cytoplasm. However, they have also shown previously that Salmonella has redundant systems to detoxify this H2O2. Although Salmonella propagate in a unique vacuole, their data suggest that ROS are not diminished in this modified phagosome. These recent results are put into the context of our overall understanding of potential oxidative bacterial damage occurring in macrophages.
Getting the balance right: thick and thin approaches to harmonizing state particularism and the human right to health
Authors: Buetow Stephen
Published: March 2011

Context  The right to health requires States to achieve the highest standard of health attainable for all. A culturally sensitive approach is needed to respect States’ interpretation and implementation of the universal right to health, and document their progress.

Objective  This viewpoint suggests how to harmonize the (i) human right to health and (ii) the particularism of State values and interests.

Strategy  I describe the ‘thickness’ with which individual States recognize the right to health, as a dimension of universality, and then implement that recognition, as a dimension of particularism. Recognition and implementation by States need to be thick to demonstrate ‘glocal’ rationality, as characterizes the right to health as a Webberian ideal type. Examples of variation in the thickness of States’ interpretation and implementation of the right to health are discussed.

Conclusion  It is possible to work towards harmonizing the right to health, and State particularism, by maximizing the thickness with which individual States recognize this right and progressively implement it.
Characterisation, immunolocalisation and antifungal activity of a lipid transfer protein from chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) seeds with novel α‐amylase inhibitory properties
Authors: Diz Mariângela S. , Carvalho Andre O. , Ribeiro Suzanna F. F. , Da Cunha Maura , Beltramini Leila , Rodrigues Rosana , Nascimento Viviane V. , Machado Olga L. T. , Gomes Valdirene M.
Published: March 2011

Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) were thus named because they facilitate the transfer of lipids between membranes in vitro. This study was triggered by the characterization of a 9‐kDa LTP from Capsicum annuum seeds that we call Ca‐LTP1. Ca‐LTP1 was repurified, and in the last chromatographic purification step, propanol was used as the solvent in place of acetonitrile to maintain the protein's biological activity. Bidimensional electrophoresis of the 9‐kDa band, which corresponds to the purified Ca‐LTP1, showed the presence of three isoforms with isoelectric points (pIs) of 6.0, 8.5 and 9.5. Circular dichroism (CD) analysis suggested a predominance of α‐helices, as expected for the structure of an LTP family member. LTPs immunorelated to Ca‐LTP1 from C. annuum were also detected by western blotting in exudates released from C. annuum seeds and also in other Capsicum species. The tissue and subcellular localization of Ca‐LTP1 indicated that it was mainly localized within dense vesicles. In addition, isolated Ca‐LTP1 exhibited antifungal activity against Colletotrichum lindemunthianum, and especially against Candida tropicalis, causing several morphological changes to the cells including the formation of pseudohyphae. Ca‐LTP1 also caused the yeast plasma membrane to be permeable to the dye SYTOX green, as verified by fluorescence microscopy. We also found that Ca‐LTP1 is able to inhibit mammalian α‐amylase activity in vitro.
The effects of high levels of rumen degradable protein on rumen pH and histamine concentrations in dairy cows
Authors: Pilachai R. , Schonewille J. Th. , Thamrongyoswittayakul C. , Aiumlamai S. , Wachirapakorn C. , Everts H. , Hendriks W. H.
Published: March 2011

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that the supplementation of crude protein (CP) results in rumen acidosis and increased histamine concentrations in dairy cows. Six ruminally fistulated, non‐pregnant dry cows were fed three experimental rations in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The CP contents in the low‐CP, the high rumen undegradable protein (high‐RUP) and the high rumen degradable protein (high‐RDP) rations were 112, 259 and 266 g/kg dry matter (DM) respectively. The cows were fed 7.7 kg DM of the concentrates and 2.7 kg DM of rice straw. High levels of RDP in the ration significantly increased the ammonia, total volatile fatty acid (VFA) and histamine concentrations in the rumen fluid. However, supplemental CP, whether degradable or undegradable, did not significantly affect the pH of rumen fluid. Plasma urea nitrogen concentration was higher in both high‐RDP and high‐RUP in relation to cows fed the low‐CP ration. The rise in ruminal histamine concentrations was physiologically non‐relevant, most likely because rumen pH was not affected by supplemental CP at the installed level of DM intake. Therefore, it can be concluded that the issue of supplemental CP, rumen pH and ruminal histamine concentrations has not yet been settled. Further research is warranted to understand these relationships.
Term angular pregnancy: Successful expectant management
Authors: Alves Júlio Augusto Gurgel , Alves Nádia Gurgel , Alencar Júnior Carlos Augusto , Feitosa Francisco Edson Lucena , da Silva Costa Fabrício
Published: March 2011

Interstitial pregnancy sometimes is mistakenly referred to as cornual pregnancy and is frequently confused with angular pregnancy. A strict distinction among these three conditions is clinically important because their findings, management and outcomes are different. We report an unusual case of pregnancy where interstitial pregnancy was diagnosed at 6 weeks of pregnancy, located close to the right cornual portion of the uterus. Prenatal monitoring was carried out until birth at 36 weeks' gestation with uterine conservation. Ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance imaging were realized to confirm the diagnosis and to monitor the evolution.
Governance Transparency and Capital Allocation: A Note
Authors: HE WEN
Published: March 2011

Habib (2008) shows that financial transparency, but not governance transparency, is related to efficiency in capital allocation. I argue that governance transparency is more likely to facilitate capital allocation in declining industries where agency problems intensify. Empirical evidence from a sample of 39 countries supports this argument.
Sickle cell, habitual dys‐positions and fragile dispositions: young people with sickle cell at school
Authors: Dyson Simon M. , Atkin Karl , Culley Lorraine A. , Dyson Sue E. , Evans Hala
Published: March 2011

The experiences of young people living with a sickle cell disorder in schools in England are reported through a thematic analysis of forty interviews, using Bourdieu’s notions of field, capital and habitus. Young people with sickle cell are found to be habitually dys‐positioned between the demands of the clinic for health maintenance through self‐care and the field of the school, with its emphases on routines, consistent attendance and contextual demands for active and passive pupil behaviour. The tactics or dispositions that young people living with sickle cell can then employ, during strategy and struggle at school, are therefore fragile: they work only contingently, transiently or have the unintended consequences of displacing other valued social relations. The dispositions of the young people with sickle cell are framed by other social struggles: innovations in school procedures merely address aspects of sickle cell in isolation and are not consolidated into comprehensive policies; mothers inform, liaise, negotiate and advocate in support of a child with sickle cell but with limited success. Reactions of teachers and peers to sickle cell have the enduring potential to drain the somatic, cultural and social capital of young people living with sickle cell.
Riemann Manifold Langevin and Hamiltonian Monte Carlo Methods
Authors: Girolami Mark , Calderhead Ben
Published: March 2011

The paper proposes Metropolis adjusted Langevin and Hamiltonian Monte Carlo sampling methods defined on the Riemann manifold to resolve the shortcomings of existing Monte Carlo algorithms when sampling from target densities that may be high dimensional and exhibit strong correlations. The methods provide fully automated adaptation mechanisms that circumvent the costly pilot runs that are required to tune proposal densities for Metropolis–Hastings or indeed Hamiltonian Monte Carlo and Metropolis adjusted Langevin algorithms. This allows for highly efficient sampling even in very high dimensions where different scalings may be required for the transient and stationary phases of the Markov chain. The methodology proposed exploits the Riemann geometry of the parameter space of statistical models and thus automatically adapts to the local structure when simulating paths across this manifold, providing highly efficient convergence and exploration of the target density. The performance of these Riemann manifold Monte Carlo methods is rigorously assessed by performing inference on logistic regression models, log-Gaussian Cox point processes, stochastic volatility models and Bayesian estimation of dynamic systems described by non-linear differential equations. Substantial improvements in the time-normalized effective sample size are reported when compared with alternative sampling approaches. MATLAB code that is available from http://www.ucl.ac.uk/statistics/research/rmhmc allows replication of all the results reported.
REVOLTING PASSIONS
Authors: DIXON THOMAS
Published: March 2011

This article looks again at the significance of the shift from theories of passions and affections to a new scientific psychology of “emotions” in the nineteenth century. It recovers religious, moral, medical and political ideas about the pathology of the passions, and situates those ideas among the more differentiated affective typologies of earlier periods, with reference to both secular and theological writers including Seneca, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Francis Hutcheson, Jonathan Edwards, and Edmund Burke. The place of the emotions in the writings of nineteenth‐century figures from Thomas Brown and Charles Darwin to Oscar Wilde and G. E. Moore is explored with particular reference to transformations in ethical thought, in which emotions could be thought of as providing either a moral compass or the very goal of life. The article concludes by emphasising the reflexive relationships between social history, psychological language and emotional experience, and by asking, with reference to Martha Nussbaum's work, whether there is any place today for the ancient ideals of philosophical detachment and dispassion.
Paraprofessionals and caring practice: negotiating the use of self
Authors: Kubiak Chris , Sandberg Fredrik
Published: March 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 653–660

Paraprofessionals and caring practice: negotiating the use of self

Responding to increasing concerns with the quality of care in both Sweden and England, this paper explores the way in which caring practice emerges out of the interplay between personal and social agency. Working from a socio‐cultural perspective, results from an English and a Swedish study conducted independently of each other were used to explore the construction of caring practice. The English study drew on practice observations and four interviews conducted at monthly intervals collecting data on life history and critical incidents. The Swedish study drew on group interviews and two interviews with each participant – one at the beginning of an in‐service recognition of prior learning process and one at the end. Interview data was transcribed and thematic analysis identified common themes. The findings from both studies suggest that caring practice involves the intentional use of self to build relationships, understand users and provide personalised interventions. Although practice presented as personal and individualistic, it took place within an organisational context requiring co‐configured activity. The practitioners' negotiations with work teams were often conflictual or contested. It is argued that workplaces may enhance caring practice by enabling affordances for the use of self through the design of in‐house training programmes, supervision and the organisation of teams. Reflexive practice may also be an important part of the effective use of self.
Donor understanding and attitudes about current and potential deferral criteria for high‐risk sexual behavior
Authors: Goldman Mindy , Yi Qi‐Long , Ye Xibiao , Tessier Lorna , O'Brien Sheila F.
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: Few donor criteria are as contentious as the deferral of men who have had sex with men (MSM). We performed an anonymous donor survey to determine attitudes toward current screening and the feasibility and acceptability of adoption of alternate donor criteria for MSM.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Donors who had successfully donated to Canadian Blood Services were randomly mailed an anonymous questionnaire several weeks after donation; there were 40,000 donors sampled, evenly split between first‐time and repeat donors.

RESULTS: The response rate was 45.5%. The vast majority of donors found the current screening questions and clinic environment acceptable. Attention to clinic educational materials was poor. A total of 53% felt that the MSM criteria should be changed; many were supportive of criteria based on specific behaviors rather than a period of abstinence. Gender‐neutral questions such as number of sexual partners would result in deferral of large numbers of donors.

CONCLUSION: Many donors would support a change in MSM deferral policy. Implementation of strategies based on donor attention to additional material would be challenging. Universal use of simple gender‐neutral questions would result in very high donor loss and are therefore not an acceptable option. The acceptability and feasibility of various screening approaches should be explored further with both donors and advocacy groups.
Prognostic Value of Tissue Doppler Echocardiographic Imaging in Elderly Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Snopek Grażyna , Drewniak Wojciech , Borys Marcin , Dabrowski Marek
Published: March 2011

Background: The ratio of mitral end‐diastolic velocity and mitral annular early diastolic motion velocity (E/e’) has predictive value in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Both E and e’ velocities change with age. The prognostic value of E/e’ in elderly patients with ACS has not been established yet. The aim of the study was to assess the prognostic significance of E/e’ in patients over 65 with ACS. Method: The study involved 168 patients, mean age 79 years. Echocardiography was performed within first 24 hours of ACS. Clinical evaluation, 6‐minute walk test, echocardiography and plasma level of NT pro‐BNP were performed 12 months later. Results: Patients, who were still alive after 1‐year follow‐up had significantly lower E/e’ during hospitalization: 11.1 ± 3 versus 15.1 ± 5 (P < 0.05). The optimal cutoff value of E/e’ differentiating survivors and nonsurvivors after 12 month follow‐up was 12. Initial E/e’ was an independent predictor of mortality during 1‐year follow‐up. E/e’ ratio during hospitalization significantly correlated with NT pro‐BNP concentration (r = 0.48, P < 0.001) and 6‐minute walking distance: (r =–0.32, P < 0.05) after 1‐year follow‐up. Conclusions: (1) In patients over 65 with myocardial infarction, E/e’ above 12 is an independent predictor of death during 1‐year follow‐up. (2) E/e’ ratio in acute phase of myocardial infarction correlated significantly with N pro‐BNP level and 6‐minute walking distance after 1‐year follow‐up. (Echocardiography 2011;28:298‐302)
Analysis of αv integrin protein expression in human eyelid and periorbital squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Hsu Adam , Esmaeli Bita , Hayek Brent , Hossain Mohammad G. , Shinder Roman , Lazar Alexander J. , McCarty Joseph H.
Published: March 2011

Background: Alpha v integrins are receptors for many extracellular matrix (ECM) protein ligands, including latent transforming growth factor betas (TGFβs). Various studies in mice have shown that ablation of genes encoding αv integrin or TGFβ signaling pathway components leads to spontaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in the conjunctiva and periocular skin. Here, we have analyzed patterns of αv integrin protein expression and TGFβ signaling in human eyelid and periorbital SCC samples.

Methods: An anti‐αv integrin antibody was used to immunostain 19 eyelid and periorbital SCC samples. Additionally, tissue lysates from resected normal eyelid and SCC samples were analyzed by immunoblotting for αv integrin protein. Tumor sections were also immunostained with an antibody directed against Smad2, an intracellular signaling protein that is phosphorylated by TGFβ receptors.

Results: Alpha v integrin protein was highly expressed in the invasive and less‐differentiated components of human SCCs. Lower levels of αv integrin protein were detected in more differentiated components of tumors, as well as in SCC in situ. Patterns of phosphorylated Smad2 immunoreactivity correlated with levels αv integrin expression.

Conclusions: Alpha v integrin was expressed at robust levels in tumor cells representing less differentiated, more invasive components of SCC; by contrast, well‐differentiated cells as well as SCC in situ expressed low levels of αv integrin protein.

Hsu A, Esmaeli B, Hayek B, Hossain MG, Shinder R, Lazar AJ, McCarty JH. Analysis of αv integrin protein expression in human eyelid and periorbital squamous cell carcinomas.
Effect of calcitonin on adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion stimulated by corticotropin‐releasing hormone in the hen anterior pituitary
Authors: NAKAYAMA Hiroyuki , TAKAHASHI Tetsuya , NAKAGAWA‐MIZUYACHI Kaori , KAWASHIMA Mitsuo
Published: March 2011

The presence of a receptor for calcitonin (CT) and the effect of chicken CT (cCT) on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion stimulated by rat/human corticotropin‐releasing hormone (rhCRH) in the hen anterior pituitary were studied. The specific [125I]cCT binding component was present in the plasma membrane of hen anterior pituitary and this binding component had properties of a receptor which has binding specificity to cCT, reversibility, saturable binding, high affinity and limited capacity. When anterior pituitary cells were incubated in vitro, cCT increased the maximal secretion of chicken ACTH stimulated by rhCRH. These results suggest that CT may act directly on the anterior pituitary via its receptor binding and enhances the ACTH secretion by CRH.
COMPARISON OF SONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF BENIGN AND NEOPLASTIC DEEP LYMPH NODES IN DOGS
Authors: DE SWARTE MARIE , ALEXANDER KATE , RANNOU BENOIT , D'ANJOU MARC‐ANDRE , BLOND LAURENT , BEAUCHAMP GUY
Published: March 2011

The differentiation of benign vs. neoplastic lymph nodes impacts patient management. Specific sonographic features are typically considered when assessing lymph nodes in dogs. However, the usefulness of these criteria in distinguishing benign vs. malignant lymph nodes remains largely unknown, especially for deep lymph nodes. Our aim was to compare sonographic features in benign and neoplastic deep lymph nodes with the hope of identifying predictive criteria. Thirty‐one deep lymph nodes (16 mesenteric, 10 medial iliac, three hepatic, one sternal, and one cranial mediastinal) in 31 dogs were examined prospectively with B‐mode and Color flow Doppler. Lymph nodes were aspirated using ultrasound‐guidance and final diagnosis were established based on cytologic and/or histopathologic interpretation. Prevalence of each sonographic feature and combinations of two features was calculated for each group and compared using a χ2‐test or Student's t‐test for unequal variances. Ten lymph nodes were benign (hyperplastic and/or inflammatory) and 21 were neoplastic. All were hypoechoic, except for one neoplastic lymph node. Maximal short‐axis diameter (P=0.0006) and long‐axis diameter (P=0.01), and SA/LA ratio (P=0.008) were increased significantly for neoplastic (2.8, 5.5 cm, and 0.50, respectively) vs. benign (1.2, 3.8 cm, and 0.34, respectively) lymph nodes. The prevalence of other features was similar between groups. Doppler evaluation was possible in 77% of lymph nodes, but there was no significant difference between groups. When any two ultrasound features were combined, the only difference between benign and neoplastic lymph nodes was for the combination of contour regularity and appearance of the perinodal fat (P=0.03).
HEPATIC AND PANCREATICOBILIARY MRI AND MR CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY WITH AND WITHOUT SECRETIN STIMULATION IN NORMAL CATS
Authors: MAROLF ANGELA J. , STEWART JEFFREY A. , DUNPHY THOMAS R. , KRAFT SUSAN L.
Published: March 2011

Magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiopancreatography is useful in humans to diagnose biliary and pancreatic diseases. Some of these protocols incorporate the use of secretin, which stimulates the exocrine pancreas to release bicarbonate with secondary dilation of the pancreatic duct. We compared the utility and quality of multiple hepatic‐pancreaticobiliary MR imaging sequences before and after secretin stimulation of the pancreatic duct in five healthy cats. Multiple MR sequences were evaluated, including fast Spoiled Gradient Recalled in‐ and out‐of‐phase, Single Shot Fast Spin Echo (SSFSE), T2 Fast Spin Echo, MR cholangiopancreatography (pre‐ and postsecretin administration), and Fast Acquisition with Multiphase Efgre (FAME) (postsecretin and before and after gadolinium administration). The MR cholangiopancreatography protocol with secretin stimulation was feasible and yielded high‐contrast maps of the biliary ductal anatomy but the pancreactic duct was seen inconsistently. The FAME series most consistently provided visualization of biliary and postsecretin pancreatic ductal anatomy, combined with very good depiction of the liver and pancreas. The remaining sequences each had satisfactory utility and diagnostic quality, with the exception of the SSFSE sequences. Secretin improved the conspicuity of the pancreatic duct.
Gene cloning, expression and characterization of avian cathelicidin orthologs, Cc‐CATHs, from Coturnix coturnix
Authors: Feng Feifei , Chen Chen , Zhu Wenjuan , He Weiyu , Guang Huijuan , Li Zheng , Wang Duo , Liu Jingze , Chen Ming , Wang Yipeng , Yu Haining
Published: March 2011

Cathelicidins comprise a family of antimicrobial peptides sharing a highly conserved cathelin domain, which play a central role in the early innate host defense against infection. In the present study, we report three novel avian cathelicidin orthologs cloned from a constructed spleen cDNA library of Coturnix coturnix, using a nested‐PCR‐based cloning strategy. Three coding sequences containing ORFs of 447, 465 and 456 bp encode three mature antimicrobial peptides (named Cc‐CATH1, 2 and 3) of 26, 32 and 29 amino acid residues, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that precursors of Cc‐CATHs are significantly conserved with known avian cathelicidins. Synthetic Cc‐CATH2 and 3 displayed broad and potent antimicrobial activity against most of the 41 strains of bacteria and fungi tested, especially the clinically isolated drug‐resistant strains, with minimum inhibitory concentration values in the range 0.3–2.5 μm for most strains with or without the presence of 100 mm NaCl. Cc‐CATH2 and 3 showed considerable reduction of cytotoxic activity compared to other avian cathelicidins, with average IC50 values of 20.18 and 17.16 μm, respectively. They also exerted a negligible hemolytic activity against human erythrocytes, lysing only 3.6% of erythrocytes at a dose up to 100 μg·mL−1. As expected, the recombinant Cc‐CATH2 (rCc‐CATH2) also showed potent bactericidal activity. All these features of Cc‐CATHs encourage further studies aiming to estimate their therapeutic potential as drug leads, as well as coping with current widespread antibiotic resistance, especially the new prevalent and dangerous ‘superbug’ that is resistant to almost all antibiotics.
North—south asymmetry in the solar coronal rotation
Authors: Vats Hari Om , Chandra Satish
Published: March 2011

The solar images at 17 GHz by the Nobeyama Radio Heliograph and in X-rays by the soft X-ray telescope (SXT) on board the Yohkoh satellite have been of particular interest for the estimation of solar coronal rotation using the flux modulation approach. These studies established that the solar corona rotates differentially. The radio images estimate an equatorial rotation period lower than those estimated by the X-ray images. The latitude profiles of the coronal rotation have temporal variability. It is very interesting that the space–time plots of sidereal rotation period clearly reveal north–south (NS) asymmetry. The asymmetry appears to change its sign in odd and even activity cycles of the Sun.
Transit timing variations in the HAT-P-13 planetary system
Authors: Pál András , Sárneczky Krisztián , Szabó Gyula M. , Szing Attila , Kiss László L. , Mező György , Regály Zsolt
Published: March 2011

In this Letter we present observations of recent HAT-P-13b transits. The combined analysis of published and newly obtained transit epochs shows evidence for significant transit timing variations (TTVs) since the last publicly available ephemerides. Variation of transit timings results in a sudden switch of transit times. The detected full range of TTV spans≈0.015d, which is significantly more than the known TTV events exhibited by hot Jupiter. If we have detected a periodic process, its period should be at least≈3yr because there are no signs of variations in the previous observations. This argument makes unlikely that the measured TTV is due to perturbations by HAT-P-13c.
Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischaemic Stroke: Effective Blood Pressure Control Matters
Authors: Tsivgoulis Georgios , Kotsis Vasilios , Giannopoulos Sotirios
Published: March 2011

In this Leading opinion we summarise the observational evidence endorsing current guidelines that advocate effective blood pressure control before and during an rtPA infusion and indicate that a more active blood pressure-lowering approach immediately after intravenous thrombolysis appears to be a promising therapeutic option that should be formerly evaluated in a randomised clinical trial setting. Acute ischaemic stroke is a highly treatable neuroemergency and the efficacy of the available treatment is not only related to the speed by which it is administered but also by the effective control of modifiable adverse outcome predictors including elevated blood pressure levels.
Glucose intolerance in the West African Diaspora: a skeletal muscle fibre type distribution hypothesis
Authors: Nielsen J. , Christensen D. L.
Published: March 2011

In the United States, Black Americans are largely descendants of West African slaves; they have a higher relative proportion of obesity and experience a higher prevalence of diabetes than White Americans. However, obesity rates alone cannot explain the higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance and beta‐cell dysfunction. We hypothesize that the higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes in African Americans (as compared to White Americans) is facilitated by an inherited higher percentage of skeletal muscle fibre type II and a lower percentage of skeletal muscle fibre type I. Skeletal muscle fibre type II is less oxidative and more glycolytic than skeletal muscle fibre type I. Lower oxidative capacity is associated with lower fat oxidation and a higher disposal of lipids, which are stored as muscular adipose tissue in higher amounts in Black compared to White Americans. In physically active individuals, the influence of muscle fibre composition will not be as detrimental as in physically inactive individuals. This discrepancy is caused by the plasticity in the skeletal muscle fibre characteristics towards a higher activity of oxidative enzymes as a consequence of physical activity. We suggest that a higher percentage of skeletal muscle fibre type II combined with physical inactivity has an impact on insulin sensitivity and high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Blacks of West African ancestry.
Crustacean parasites associated with hermit crabs from the western Mediterranean Sea, with first documentation of egg predation by the burrowing barnacle Trypetesa lampas (Cirripedia: Acrothoracica: Trypetesidae)
Authors: WILLIAMS Jason D. , GALLARDO Alejandra , MURPHY Angela E.
Published: March 2011

Parasitic isopods (family Bopyridae) and burrowing barnacles (family Trypetesidae) infesting hermit crabs were investigated from shallow subtidal collections made along the southeastern coast of Spain in 2009. A total of 713 specimens of Clibanarius erythropus (Latreille, 1818) and 82 Calcinus tubularis (L., 1767) were examined. Gastropod shells and worm tubes inhabited by hermit crabs were collected by hand while snorkeling and were cracked to determine host species, size, sex and presence of eggs. Two species of bopyrid isopods were found on C. erythropus: the branchial parasite Bopyrissa fraiseii (Carayon, 1943) and the abdominal parasite Parathelges cardonae Codreanu and Codreanu in Codreanu, 1968. Among all C. erythropus examined, Bopyrissa fraiseii was found on 0.6% of hermit crabs and P. cardonae was found on 0.3%. A redescription of P. cardonae is provided and the species is documented with light and scanning electron microscopy for the first time. No Calcinus tubularis harbored parasitic isopods, but one specimen was parasitized by an unidentified rhizocephalan barnacle of the genus Septosaccus (1.2%). The burrowing barnacle Trypetesa lampas (Hancock, 1849) was found associated with both hermit crab species and evidence of predation on host eggs by this barnacle is shown for the first time. Trypetesa lampas was found in 4.2% of the shells collected. The present study expands our knowledge of the parasite fauna of hermit crabs from the Mediterranean Sea and indicates that additional research is needed to determine the impact of trypetesid egg predators on hermit crab populations.
Online monitoring of flu in Belgium
Authors: Devroey Dirk , Semaille Pascal , Vansintejan Johan , Vandevoorde Jan , Van De Vijver Erwin
Published: March 2011

Please cite this paper as: Devroey et al. (2011) Online monitoring of flu in Belgium. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 5(5), 351–356.

Background  The diagnosis and treatment of patients with the A(H1N1) pandemic flu caused some serious burden for general practitioners (GPs) in the summer and autumn of 2009.

Objective  The aim of this study was to track the incidence of influenza and influenza‐like illness (ILI) in Belgium and to describe the characteristics of the affected patients.

Methods  In July 2009, the Belgian online influenza surveillance system (BOISS) was set up to monitor the spread of influenza and ILI. Registrations were made by 93 GPs from all 10 Belgian provinces who participated at least 1 week during the first 12 months of the registration. Only patients who met the WHO criteria for flu were recorded.

Results  In total, 1254 patients (53% men) with influenza or ILI were included. Mainly younger persons were affected: 43% was under the age of 20 years. A risk factor for influenza‐related complications was determined in 19% of cases, mainly patients with chronic respiratory problems. A treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir was prescribed in 13%, and 3% of the patients was admitted to a hospital. The time of the peak incidence (44th week) and the magnitude (623 cases per week per 100 000 inhabitants) corresponded with the figures of the existing paper‐based registration network. The small sample size and possible reporting biases may have influenced the findings of the study.

Conclusions  The BOISS provides a good alternative to conduct surveillance activities for influenza and ILI in Belgium. It provides complementary information regarding ILI compared to the existing data capturing.
Development of Novel Oral Formulations Prepared via Hot Melt Extrusion for Targeted Delivery of Photosensitizer to the Colon
Authors: Cassidy Corona M. , Tunney Michael M. , Caldwell Deborah L. , Andrews Gavin P. , Donnelly Ryan F.
Published: March 2011

Colon‐residing bacteria, such as vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Bacteroides fragilis, can cause a range of serious clinical infections. Photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT) may be a novel treatment option for these multidrug resistant organisms. The aim of this study was to formulate a Eudragit®‐based drug delivery system, via hot melt extrusion (HME), for targeting colonic release of photosensitizer. The susceptibility of E. faecalis and B. fragilis to PACT mediated by methylene blue (MB), meso‐tetra(N‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl)porphine tetra‐tosylate (TMP), or 5‐aminolevulinic acid hexyl‐ester (h‐ALA) was determined, with tetrachlorodecaoxide (TCDO), an oxygen‐releasing compound, added in some studies. Results show that, for MB, an average of 30% of the total drug load was released over a 6‐h period. For TMP and h‐ALA, these values were 50% and 16% respectively. No drug was released in the acidic media. Levels of E. faecalis and B. fragilis were reduced by up to 4.67 and 7.73 logs, respectively, on PACT exposure under anaerobic conditions, with increased kill associated with TCDO. With these formulations, photosensitizer release could potentially be targeted to the colon, and colon‐residing pathogens killed by PACT. TCDO could be used in vivo to generate oxygen, which could significantly impact on the success of PACT in the clinic.
Patterns of postoperative pain medication prescribing after invasive dental procedures
Authors: Barasch Andrei , Safford Monika M. , McNeal Sandre F. , Robinson Michelle , Grant Vivian S. , Gilbert Gregg H.
Published: March 2011

We investigated disparities in the prescription of analgesics following dental procedures that were expected to cause acute postoperative pain. Patients over the age of 19 years who had been treated by surgical and/or endodontic dental procedures were included in this study. We reviewed 900 consecutive charts and abstracted data on procedures, patients, and providers. We used chi‐square and logistic regression models for analyses. There were 485 White subjects, 357 African American subjects included in this review; 81% of the African American and 78% of White patients received a postoperative narcotic prescription (p= .56). In multivariate regression models, patients over age 45 (p= .003), those with insurance that covered medication and those with preexisting pain (p= .004) were more likely to receive narcotic analgesics. Students prescribed more narcotics than residents (p= .001). No differences were found by race in prescribing analgesics.
Posterior segment diseases
Authors: NELL B. , WALDE I.
Published: March 2011

Diseases of the vitreous, fundus and optic nerve are described and illustrated according to their ophthalmological appearance. Vitreal alterations are commonly of developmental, degenerative, age related, traumatic or inflammatory origin and of minor clinical relevance. In contrast, those affecting the fundus, may be accompanied by visual deficits or blindness. Fundic lesions of inflammatory (multifocal or peripapillary chorioretinitis, haemorrhage, retinal detachment) and traumatic origin have to be differentiated from congenital (congenital stationary night blindness, colobomatous defects, retinal dysplasia), degenerative (cystic retinal degeneration), metabolic (equine motor neuron disease), neoplastic and age related alterations (senile retinopathy). Inflammation (acute neurochorioretinitis) and ischaemia (ischaemic neuro‐chorioretinopathy) involving the optic nerve will lead to blindness. The optic disc can be aplastic/hypoplastic or excavated due to coloboma or glaucoma, affected by ligation of the carotid and palatine arteries. Optic disc masses may arise due to inflammation, severe systemic haemorrhage, neoplasia or trauma. Lesions of the retrobulbar optic nerve can be caused by Borna virus infection, fungal granuloma, toxic insult, halicephalobiasis, trauma, severe blood loss and infection of the sphenopalatine sinus.
Uniaxial Strain and Stress-Controlled Cyclic Responses of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene: Experiments and Model Simulations
Authors: Hassan Tasnim , Çolak Ozgen U. , Clayton Patricia M.
Published: March 2011

Thermoplastics such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are used for a wide variety of applications, such as bearing material in total replacement of knee and hip components, seals, gears, and unlubricated bearing. Accurate prediction of stresses and deformations of UHMWPE components under service conditions is essential for the design and analysis of these components. This, in turn, requires a cyclic, viscoplastic constitutive model that can simulate cyclic responses of UHMWPE under a wide variety of uniaxial and multiaxial, strain, and stress-controlled cyclic loading. Such a constitutive model validated against a broad set of experimental responses is not available mainly because of the lack of experimental data of UHMWPE. Toward achieving such a model, this study conducted a systematic set of uniaxial experiments on UHMWPE thin-walled, tubular specimens by prescribing strain and stress-controlled cyclic loading. The tubular specimen was designed so that both uniaxial and biaxial experiments can be conducted using one type of specimen. The experimental responses developed are presented for demonstrating the cyclic and ratcheting responses of UHMWPE under uniaxial loading. The responses also are scrutinized for determining the applicability of the thin-walled, tubular specimen in conducting large strain cyclic experiments. A unified state variable theory, the viscoplasticity theory based on overstress for polymers (VBOP) is implemented to simulate the recorded uniaxial responses of UHMWPE. The state of the VBOP model simulation is discussed and model improvements needed are suggested.
Molecular beam epitaxy of metamorphic InyGa1−yP solar cells on mixed anion GaAsxP1−x/GaAs graded buffers
Authors: Tomasulo Stephanie , Simon John , Simmonds Paul J. , Biagiotti Jonathan , Lee Minjoo L.
Published: March 2011

The authors have grown metamorphic InyGa1−yP on optimized GaAsxP1−x/GaAs graded buffers via solid source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) for multijunction solar cell applications. In this work, the authors show that a previously developed kinetic growth model can be used to predict the composition of mixed anion GaAsxP1−x alloys on GaAs as a function of substrate temperature and group-V flux. The advantages of using a high growth temperature of 700 °C are then described, including the minimized dependence of composition on small temperature variations, a linear dependence of film composition on incident group-V flux ratio, and the ability to attain low threading dislocation densities of ≤106 cm−2. The authors then discuss the effect of faceted trenches, a morphological defect specific to tensile strain relaxation, on minority carrier properties, as well as strategies to eliminate them. Growth temperature effects, phase separation, and difficulties encountered in n-type doping of InAlP:Si are then described in the context of InyGa1−yP solar cell growth. The MBE growth techniques presented here have enabled the demonstration of 2.00 eV band gap metamorphic In0.39Ga0.61P solar cells, exhibiting open-circuit voltages as high as 1.42 V. These results indicate that metamorphic InyGa1−yP is a promising material for future multijunction solar cells.
Establishing the Secretion Hierarchy
Authors: Stamm Luisa M. , Goldberg Marcia B.
Published: March 2011

A large complex of type III protein secretion system components helps bacteria to invade their hosts.
Molecular Characterization of Tomato Leaf Curl China Virus, Infecting Tomato Plants in China, and Functional Analyses of Its Associated Betasatellite
Authors: Yang Xiuling , Guo Wei , Ma Xinying , An Qianli , Zhou Xueping
Published: March 2011

A novel tomato-infecting begomovirus from Guangxi province, China, was identified and characterized, for which the name
Tomato leaf curl China virus
(ToLCCNV) was proposed. Phylogenetic and recombination analyses of the virus genomic sequences suggested that ToLCCNV may have arisen by recombination among
Tomato leaf curl Vietnam virus
(ToLCVV),
Tomato leaf curl Gujarat virus
(ToLCGV), and an unknown virus. A betasatellite molecule was found to be associated with ToLCCNV (ToLCCNB), and its complete nucleotide sequences were determined. Infectious clones of ToLCCNV and ToLCCNB were constructed and then used for agro-inoculation of plants; ToLCCNV alone infected
Nicotiana benthamiana
,
Nicotiana glutinosa
,
Petunia hybrida
, and
Solanum lycopersicum
plants, but no symptoms were induced. ToLCCNB was required for induction of leaf curl disease in these hosts. The βC1 protein of ToLCCNB was identified as a suppressor of RNA silencing and accumulated primarily in the nucleus. Deletion mutagenesis of βC1 showed that the central part of βC1 (amino acids 44 to 74) was responsible for both the suppressor activity and nuclear localization.
Construction and Application of a Functional Library of Cytochrome P450 Monooxygenases from the Filamentous Fungus Aspergillus oryzae
Authors: Nazir K. H. M. Nazmul Hussain , Ichinose Hirofumi , Wariishi Hiroyuki
Published: March 2011

A functional library of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases from
Aspergillus oryzae
(AoCYPs) was constructed in which 121 isoforms were coexpressed with yeast NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
. Using this functional library, novel catalytic functions of AoCYPs, such as catalytic potentials of CYP57B3 against genistein, were elucidated for the first time. Comprehensive functional screening promises rapid characterization of catalytic potentials and utility of AoCYPs.