bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of early growth response 1 in arteriogenesis: Impact on vascular cell proliferation and leukocyte recruitment in vivo
Authors: Ziegelhoeffer Tibor , Heil Matthias , Fischer Silvia , Fernández Borja , Schaper Wolfgang , Preissner Klaus T. , Deindl Elisabeth , Pagel Judith-Irina
Published: February 2012

Based on previous findings that early growth response 1 (Egr-1) participates in leukocyte recruitment and cell proliferation in vitro, this study was designed to investigate its mode of action during arteriogenesis in vivo. In a model of peripheral arteriogenesis, Egr-1 was significantly upregulated in growing collaterals of wild-type (WT) mice, both on mRNA and protein level. Egr-1−/− mice demonstrated delayed arteriogenesis after femoral artery ligation. They further showed increased levels of monocytes and granulocytes in the circulation, but reduced levels in adductor muscles under baseline conditions. After femoral artery ligation, elevated numbers of macrophages were detected in the perivascular zone of collaterals in Egr-1−/− mice and mRNA of leukocyte recruitment mediators was upregulated. Other Egr family members (Egr-2 to -4) were significantly upregulated only in Egr-1−/− mice, suggesting a mechanism of counterbalancing Egr-1 deficiency. Moreover, splicing factor-1, downregulated in WT mice after femoral artery ligation in the process of increased vascular cell proliferation, was upregulated in Egr-1−/− mice. αSM-actin on the other hand, significantly downregulated in WT mice, showed no differential expression in Egr-1−/− mice. While cell cycle regulator cyclin E and cdc20 were upregulated in Egr-1−/− mice, cyclin D1 expression decreased below the detection limit in collaterals, and the proliferation marker ki67 was not differentially expressed. In conclusion, compensation for deficiency in Egr-1 function in leukocyte recruitment can presumably be mediated by other transcription factors; however, Egr-1 is indispensable for effective vascular cell cycle progression in arteriogenesis.
Erythropoietin-induced progenitor cell mobilisation in patients with acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction and restenosis
Authors: Stein Andreas , Mohr Felix , Laux Magdalena , Thieme Stefanie , Lorenz Barbara , Cetindis Mirijam , Hackl Janina , Groha Philipp , Demetz Gabriele , Schulz Stefanie , Mehilli Julinda , Schömig Albert , Kastrati Adnan , Ott Ilka
Published: February 2012

Erythropoietin improves myocardial function and enhances re-endothelialisation. Aim of this study was to analyse progenitor cell mobilisation and restenosis in patients from the Regeneration of Vital Myocardium in ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction by Erythropoietin (REVIVAL-3) study. Patients with STEMI undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomly assigned to Epoetin beta (EPO) (n=68) or placebo (n=70). Drug-eluting stents (DES) were utilised in 93% of patients receiving EPO and in 95% of patients receiving placebo (p=0.83). Serial venous blood samples were drawn; CD133+ progenitor cells were quantified by four-colour flow cytometry and cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha were analysed by cytometric bead array. Fortyeight hours after PCI a significant increase in CD133+ progenitor cells was observed in the EPO group. Yet, no differences in plasma cytokines were found. Quantitative coronary angiography after six months revealed an increase in segment diameter stenosis in the EPO group (32 ± 19% vs. 26 ± 14%, p=0.046). However, this increase in neointima generation was not associated with progenitor cell mobilisation. EPO in patients with STEMI treated with PCI is associated with an increase in diameter stenosis that is not associated with circulating progenitor cells.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00390832
Patients With Syndrome X Have Normal Transmural Myocardial Perfusion and Oxygenation
Authors: Karamitsos Theodoros D. , Arnold Jayanth R. , Pegg Tammy J. , Francis Jane M. , Birks Jacqueline , Jerosch-Herold Michael , Neubauer Stefan , Selvanayagam Joseph B.
Published: February 2012

Background—

The pathophysiology of chest pain in patients with cardiac syndrome X remains controversial. Advances in perfusion imaging with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) now enable absolute quantification of regional myocardial blood flow (MBF). Furthermore, blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) or oxygenation-sensitive CMR provides the unprecedented capability to assess regional myocardial oxygenation. We hypothesized that the combined assessment of regional perfusion and oxygenation with CMR could clarify whether patients with syndrome X show evidence of myocardial ischemia (reduced perfusion and oxygenation) during vasodilator stress compared with normal volunteers.

Methods and Results—

Eighteen patients with syndrome X (chest pain, abnormal exercise treadmill test, normal coronary angiogram without other causes of microvascular dysfunction) and 14 controls underwent CMR scanning at 3 T. Myocardial function, scar, perfusion (2–3 short-axis slices), and oxygenation were assessed. Absolute MBF was measured during adenosine stress (140 μg/kg per minute) and at rest by model-independent deconvolution. For oxygenation, using a T2-prepared BOLD sequence, signal intensity was measured at adenosine stress and rest in the slice matched to the midventricular slice of the perfusion scan. There were no significant differences in MBF at stress (2.35 versus 2.37 mL/min per gram;
P
=0.91), BOLD signal change (17.3% versus 17.09%;
P
=0.91), and coronary flow reserve measurements (2.63 versus 2.53;
P
=0.60) in patients with syndrome X and controls, respectively. Oxygenation and perfusion measurements per coronary territory were also similar between the 2 groups. More patients with syndrome X (17/18 [94%]) developed chest pain during adenosine stress than controls (6/14 [43%];
P
=0.004).

Conclusions—

Patients with syndrome X show greater sensitivity to chest pain compared with controls but no evidence of deoxygenation or hypoperfusion during vasodilatory stress.
Systemic and Vascular Oxidation Limits the Efficacy of Oral Tetrahydrobiopterin Treatment in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Cunnington Colin , Van Assche Tim , Shirodaria Cheerag , Kylintireas Ilias , Lindsay Alistair C. , Lee Justin M. , Antoniades Charalambos , Margaritis Marios , Lee Regent , Cerrato Ruha , Crabtree Mark J. , Francis Jane M. , Sayeed Rana , Ratnatunga Chandi , Pillai Ravi , Choudhury Robin P. , Neubauer Stefan , Channon Keith M.
Published: February 2012

Background—

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) plays a pivotal role in maintaining endothelial function in experimental vascular disease models and in humans. Augmentation of endogenous BH4 levels by oral BH4 treatment has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy in vascular disease states. We sought to determine the mechanisms relating exogenous BH4 to human vascular function and to determine oral BH4 pharmacokinetics in both plasma and vascular tissue in patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results—

Forty-nine patients with coronary artery disease were randomized to receive low-dose (400 mg/d) or high-dose (700 mg/d) BH4 or placebo for 2 to 6 weeks before coronary artery bypass surgery. Vascular function was quantified by magnetic resonance imaging before and after treatment, along with plasma BH4 levels. Vascular superoxide, endothelial function, and BH4 levels were determined in segments of saphenous vein and internal mammary artery. Oral BH4 treatment significantly augmented BH4 levels in plasma and in saphenous vein (but not internal mammary artery) but also increased levels of the oxidation product dihydrobiopterin (BH2), which lacks endothelial nitric oxide synthase cofactor activity. There was no effect of BH4 treatment on vascular function or superoxide production. Supplementation of human vessels and blood with BH4 ex vivo revealed rapid oxidation of BH4 to BH2 with predominant BH2 uptake by vascular tissue.

Conclusions—

Oral BH4 treatment augments total biopterin levels in patients with established coronary artery disease but has no net effect on vascular redox state or endothelial function owing to systemic and vascular oxidation of BH4. Alternative strategies are required to target BH4-dependent endothelial function in established vascular disease states.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00423280.
Intergenerational Transmission of Reproductive Behavior during the Demographic Transition
Authors: Jennings Julia A. , Sullivan Allison R. , Hacker J. David
Published: February 2012

New evidence from the Utah Population Database (updp) reveals that at the onset of the fertility transition, reproductive behavior was transmitted across generations—between women and their mothers, as well as between women and their husbands' family of origin. Age at marriage, age at last birth, and the number of children ever born are positively correlated in the data, most strongly among first-born daughters and among cohorts born later in the fertility transition. Intergenerational ties, including the presence of mothers and mothers-in-law, influenced the hazard of progressing to a next birth. The findings suggest that the practice of parity-dependent marital fertility control and inter-birth spacing behavior derived, in part, from the previous generation and that the potential for mothers and mothers-in-law to help in the rearing of children encouraged higher marital fertility.
Is Sibling Rivalry Fatal? Siblings and Mortality Clustering
Authors: Kippen Rebecca , Walters Sarah
Published: February 2012

Evidence drawn from nineteenth-century Belgian population registers shows that the presence of similarly aged siblings competing for resources within a household increases the probability of death for children younger than five, even when controlling for the preceding birth interval and multiple births. Furthermore, in this period of Belgian history, such mortality tended to cluster in certain families. The findings suggest the importance of segmenting the mortality of siblings younger than five by age group, of considering the presence of siblings as a time-varying covariate, and of factoring mortality clustering into analyses.
Migrants and the Diffusion of Low Marital Fertility in Belgium
Authors: Creighton Mathew , Matthys Christa , Quaranta Luciana
Published: February 2012

Although the diffusion of fertility behavior between different social strata in historical communities has received considerable attention in recent studies, the relationship between the diffusion of fertility behavior and the diffusion of people (migration) during the nineteenth century remains largely underexplored. Evidence from population registers compiled in the Historical Database of the Liège Region, covering the period of 1812 to 1900, reveals that migrant couples in Sart, Belgium, from 1850 to 1874 and from 1875 to 1899 had a reduced risk of conception. The incorporation of geographical mobility, as well as the migrant status of both husbands and wives, into this fertility research sheds light not only on the spread of ideas and behaviors but also on the possible reasons why the ideas and behaviors of immigrants might have been similar to, or different from, those of a native-born population.
Reproductive Behavior during the Pre-Transitional Period: Evidence from Rural Bologna
Authors: Rettaroli Rosella , Scalone Francesco
Published: February 2012

A longitudinal, micro-level study of the effect of socioeconomic transformations on fertility mechanisms in the rural hinterland of Bologna between 1818 and 1900 (the beginning of the demographic transition) demonstrates that the premature death of a last-born child reduces the interval between two consecutive childbirths. Thus does it confirm the importance of breast-feeding in determining birth spacing. Women living in complex sharecropping households experienced a significantly higher risk of childbirth than did women in families headed by daily wage earners. In addition, the reproductive behavior of sharecroppers seemed to be substantially invariant to short-term fluctuations in prices, whereas the laborers' group experienced a negative price effect. Both descriptive and multivariate analyses indicate a slight and gradual decrease in fertility levels during the period in question.
Visual Communication in Times of Crisis: The Fukushima Nuclear Accident
Authors: Hoetzlein Rama C.
Published: February 2012

This paper follows the development of visual communication through information visualization in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. While information aesthetics are often applied to large data sets retrospectively, the author developed new works concurrently with an ongoing crisis to examine the impact and social aspects of visual communication while events continued to unfold. The resulting work, Fukushima Nuclear Accident—Radiation Comparison Map, is a reflection of rapidly acquired data, collaborative on-line analysis and reflective criticism of contemporary news media, resolved into a coherent picture through the participation of an on-line community.
Representing, Performing and Mitigating Climate Change in Contemporary Art Practice
Authors: Giannachi Gabriella
Published: February 2012

Over the last quarter-century, an increasing number of artists have been variously engaging the public in artworks addressing the anthropogenic phenomenon known as climate change. Focusing specifically on works developed in the fields of visual arts, performance and new media, and on a body of theory attempting to distinguish between terms such as nature, landscape, weather, climate and environment, this article aims to offer an exploration of how these works, by adopting, often concurrently, three strategies—representation, performance and mitigation—affect our understanding of our changing relationship to nature and climate.
Multistable Perception of Art-Science Imagery
Authors: Wilson Amanda
Published: February 2012

How do artists, scientists and artist-scientists view images, and how does their cultural background affect their interpretation? The author proposes that artist-scientists may exhibit cultural multistability, akin to the perceptual multistability associated with viewing visual illusions such as the Necker cube. After carrying out a survey, the author suggests that all individuals may exhibit cultural multistability in response to a challenging image. The author postulates a tendency of artist-scientists to use textural descriptions and discusses coming to see her own images in a new light.
Generative Music and Cellular Automata: An Introduction to the Online Bibliography
Authors: Burraston David
Published: February 2012

A full version of this bibliography is available online as part of Leonardo Art, Science and Technology Bibliographies. Select references for Generative Music and Cellular Automata are presented.
Wool is 44% Carbon
Authors: Goel Seema
Published: February 2012

Carbon Footprint is one of the Lovely Weather Donegal Residencies projects initiated by Leonardo/Olats and the Regional Cultural Centre of Donegal. It is a process-based work using Inishowen sheep wool and hand spinning as the primary metaphors to articulate the intrinsic relationship between climate change and economics. This project works to rejuvenate the use of local wool and low-tech/slow-tech making by returning the site of production to the individual. This frames the material and making as political acts, de-coupling the link between green house gas emissions and gross domestic product.
Marbh Chrios
Authors: Taylor Sean , Fernström Mikael
Published: February 2012

Marbh Crhios (Dead Zone) is a multimedia artwork, part of the Lovely Weather Donegal Residencies Project, that reflects upon climate change in the context of a local community in Killybegs in County Donegal, Ireland. The work was based on scientific data about contested marine ‘dead zones’ that the authors represented with algorithmically generated music, sonifications and visualizations in a live performance in Mooney's Boatyard in Killybegs, involving three local ensembles.
Lovely Weather Donegal Residencies: Art and Climate Change as Public Art Project
Authors: Duffy Terre
Published: February 2012

The Lovely Weather Donegal Residencies is a joint project between the Donegal County Council/DCC, the Regional Cultural Centre Letterkenny/RCC and Leonardo/Olats. It is part of a larger Public Art programme of the DCC that focuses on meaningful collaborative projects with local communities.
Repeated Strains, Social Control, Social Learning, and Delinquency
Authors: Bao Wan-Ning , Haas Ain , Chen Xiaojin , Pi Yijun
Published: February 2012

In Agnew’s general strain theory, repeated strains can generate crime and delinquency by reducing social control and fostering social learning of crime. Using a sample of 615 middle- and high-school students in China, this study examines how social control and social learning variables mediate the effect of repeated strains in school and at home on delinquency. The findings from an integrated model support Agnew’s mediating argument in a non-Western society. Repeated negative treatment by teachers promotes delinquent behavior both through weakened conventional bonds and beliefs and through heightened association with delinquent peers. Repeated negative treatment by parents affects delinquency only through weakened conventional bonds. The prominent role of school experiences in the lives of Chinese adolescents is discussed.
Alcohol and the head-injured patient
Authors: Shahin Hazem , Robertson Claudia
Published: February 2012

Alcohol intoxication is a major predisposing factor for trauma in general and head injury in particular. The management of the head-injured patient is highly contingent on the accurate assessment of this patient’s consciousness, which is invariably impaired if the patient is intoxicated. This complicates the decision-making process and impedes the promptness needed in management when the head injury is severe. Furthermore, the prognosis of the head injury can depend on the patient’s degree and pattern of intoxication. This article presents some of the latest epidemiological data about the association of alcohol and head injury. It also highlights some of the challenges posed by alcohol intoxication in the management of head-injured patients, and examines the importance of documenting intoxication in head-injured patients.
Human telomere disease due to disruption of the CCAAT box of the TERC promoter
Authors: Aalbers Anna M. , Kajigaya Sachiko , van den Heuvel-Eibrink Marry M. , van der Velden Vincent H. J. , Calado Rodrigo T. , Young Neal S.
Published: February 2012

Mutations in the coding region of telomerase complex genes can result in accelerated telomere attrition and human disease. Manifestations of telomere disease include the bone marrow failure syndromes dyskeratosis congenita and aplastic anemia, acute myeloid leukemia, liver cirrhosis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we describe a mutation in the CCAAT box (GCAAT) of the TERC gene promoter in a family in which multiple members had typical features of telomeropathy. The genetic alteration in this critical regulatory sequence resulted in reduced reporter gene activity and absent binding of transcription factor NF-Y, likely responsible for reduced TERC levels, decreased telomerase activity, and short telomeres. This is the first description of a pathogenic mutation in the highly conserved CCAAT box and the first instance of a mutation in the promoter region of TERC producing a telomeropathy. We propose that current mutation-screening strategies should include gene promoter regions for the diagnosis of telomere diseases. This clinical trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00071045.
Isometric composition operators on weighted Dirichlet-type spaces
Authors: Geng Li-Gang , Zhou Ze-Hua , Dong Xing-Tang
Published: February 2012

In this article, we characterize the surjective isometric composition operator C

φ
on the weighted Dirichlet-type spaces of the unit disk

D

, where φ is an analytic self-map of

D

, and show that C

φ
is a surjective isometry if and only if φ is a rotation map.

2000 MSC: Primary: 47B33; Secondary: 30D45; 30H30; 30H05; 47B38.
Predictive models for mutations in mismatch repair genes: implication for genetic counseling in developing countries
Authors: Monteiro Santos Erika Maria , Valentin Mev Dominguez , Carneiro Felipe , de Oliveira Ligia Petrolini , de Oliveira Ferreira Fabio , Junior Samuel Aguiar , Nakagawa Wilson Toshihiko , Gomy Israel , de Faria Ferraz Victor Evangelista , da Silva Junior Wilson Araujo , Carraro Dirce Maria , Rossi Benedito Mauro
Published: February 2012

Background

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common form of inherited predisposition to colorectal cancer (CRC), accounting for 2-5% of all CRC. LS is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by mutations in the mismatch repair genes mutL homolog 1 (MLH1), mutS homolog 2 (MSH2), postmeiotic segregation increased 1 (PMS1), post-meiotic segregation increased 2 (PMS2) and mutS homolog 6 (MSH6). Mutation risk prediction models can be incorporated into clinical practice, facilitating the decision-making process and identifying individuals for molecular investigation. This is extremely important in countries with limited economic resources. This study aims to evaluate sensitivity and specificity of five predictive models for germline mutations in repair genes in a sample of individuals with suspected Lynch syndrome.

Methods

Blood samples from 88 patients were analyzed through sequencing MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 genes. The probability of detecting a mutation was calculated using the PREMM, Barnetson, MMRpro, Wijnen and Myriad models. To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the models, receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed.

Results

Of the 88 patients included in this analysis, 31 mutations were identified: 16 were found in the MSH2 gene, 15 in the MLH1 gene and no pathogenic mutations were identified in the MSH6 gene. It was observed that the AUC for the PREMM (0.846), Barnetson (0.850), MMRpro (0.821) and Wijnen (0.807) models did not present significant statistical difference. The Myriad model presented lower AUC (0.704) than the four other models evaluated. Considering thresholds of ≥ 5%, the models sensitivity varied between 1 (Myriad) and 0.87 (Wijnen) and specificity ranged from 0 (Myriad) to 0.38 (Barnetson).

Conclusions

The Barnetson, PREMM, MMRpro and Wijnen models present similar AUC. The AUC of the Myriad model is statistically inferior to the four other models.
Increasing peptide identifications and decreasing search times for ETD spectra by pre-processing and calculation of parent precursor charge
Authors: Sridhara Viswanadham , Bai Dina L , Chi An , Shabanowitz Jeffrey , Hunt Donald F , Bryant Stephen H , Geer Lewis Y
Published: February 2012

Background

Electron Transfer Dissociation [ETD] can dissociate multiply charged precursor polypeptides, providing extensive peptide backbone cleavage. ETD spectra contain charge reduced precursor peaks, usually of high intensity, and whose pattern is dependent on its parent precursor charge. These charge reduced precursor peaks and associated neutral loss peaks should be removed before these spectra are searched for peptide identifications. ETD spectra can also contain ion-types other than c and z˙. Modifying search strategies to accommodate these ion-types may aid in increased peptide identifications. Additionally, if the precursor mass is measured using a lower resolution instrument such as a linear ion trap, the charge of the precursor is often not known, reducing sensitivity and increasing search times. We implemented algorithms to remove these precursor peaks, accommodate new ion-types in noise filtering routine in OMSSA and to estimate any unknown precursor charge, using Linear Discriminant Analysis [LDA].

Results

Spectral pre-processing to remove precursor peaks and their associated neutral losses prior to protein sequence library searches resulted in a 9.8% increase in peptide identifications at a 1% False Discovery Rate [FDR] compared to previous OMSSA filter. Modifications to the OMSSA noise filter to accommodate various ion-types resulted in a further 4.2% increase in peptide identifications at 1% FDR. Moreover, ETD spectra when searched with charge states obtained from the precursor charge determination algorithm is shown to be up to 3.5 times faster than the general range search method, with a minor 3.8% increase in sensitivity.

Conclusion

Overall, there is an 18.8% increase in peptide identifications at 1% FDR by incorporating the new precursor filter, noise filter and by using the charge determination algorithm, when compared to previous versions of OMSSA.
Hepatorenal syndrome: the 8th international consensus conference of the Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) Group
Authors: Nadim Mitra K , Kellum John A , Davenport Andrew , Wong Florence , Davis Connie , Pannu Neesh , Tolwani Ashita , Bellomo Rinaldo , Genyk Yuri S
Published: February 2012

Introduction

Renal dysfunction is a common complication in patients with end-stage cirrhosis. Since the original publication of the definition and diagnostic criteria for the hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), there have been major advances in our understanding of its pathogenesis. The prognosis of patients with cirrhosis who develop HRS remains poor, with a median survival without liver transplantation of less than six months. However, a number of pharmacological and other therapeutic strategies have now become available which offer the ability to prevent or treat renal dysfunction more effectively in this setting. Accordingly, we sought to review the available evidence, make recommendations and delineate key questions for future studies.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review of the literature using Medline, PubMed and Web of Science, data provided by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and the bibliographies of key reviews. We determined a list of key questions and convened a two-day consensus conference to develop summary statements via a series of alternating breakout and plenary sessions. In these sessions, we identified supporting evidence and generated recommendations and/or directions for future research.

Results

Of the 30 questions considered, we found inadequate evidence for the majority of questions and our recommendations were mainly based on expert opinion. There was insufficient evidence to grade three questions, but we were able to develop a consensus definition for acute kidney injury in patients with cirrhosis and provide consensus recommendations for future investigations to address key areas of uncertainty.

Conclusions

Despite a paucity of sufficiently powered prospectively randomized trials, we were able to establish an evidence-based appraisal of this field and develop a set of consensus recommendations to standardize care and direct further research for patients with cirrhosis and renal dysfunction.
Population-specificity of human DNA methylation
Authors: Fraser Hunter B , Lam Lucia L , Neumann Sarah M , Kobor Michael S
Published: February 2012

Background

Ethnic differences in human DNA methylation have been shown for a number of CpG sites, but the genome-wide patterns and extent of these differences are largely unknown. In addition, whether the genetic control of polymorphic DNA methylation is population-specific has not been investigated.

Results

Here we measure DNA methylation near the transcription start sites of over 14, 000 genes in 180 cell lines derived from one African and one European population. We find population-specific patterns of DNA methylation at over a third of all genes. Furthermore, although the methylation at over a thousand CpG sites is heritable, these heritabilities also differ between populations, suggesting extensive divergence in the genetic control of DNA methylation. In support of this, genetic mapping of DNA methylation reveals that most of the population specificity can be explained by divergence in allele frequencies between populations, and that there is little overlap in genetic associations between populations. These population-specific genetic associations are supported by the patterns of DNA methylation in several hundred brain samples, suggesting that they hold in vivo and across tissues.

Conclusions

These results suggest that DNA methylation is highly divergent between populations, and that this divergence may be due in large part to a combination of differences in allele frequencies and complex epistasis or gene × environment interactions.
Predicting the effects of frameshifting indels
Authors: Hu Jing , Ng Pauline C
Published: February 2012

Each human has approximately 50 to 280 frameshifting indels, yet their implications are unknown. We created SIFT Indel, a prediction method for frameshifting indels that has 84% accuracy. The percentage of human frameshifting indels predicted to be gene-damaging is negatively correlated with allele frequency. We also show that although the first frameshifting indel in a gene causes loss of function, there is a tendency for the second frameshifting indel to compensate and restore protein function. SIFT Indel is available at http://sift-dna.org/www/SIFT_indels2.html
Capture of cell-derived microvesicles (exosomes and apoptotic bodies) by human plasmacytoid dendritic cells
Authors: Bastos-Amador Patricia , Pérez-Cabezas Begoña , Izquierdo-Useros Nuria , Puertas Maria C , Martinez-Picado Javier , Pujol-Borrell Ricardo , Naranjo-Gómez Mar , Borràs Francesc E
Published: February 2012

cDCs and pDCs differ in multiple aspects. Among those, antigen capture is a recognized feature of cDCs, whereas pDCs display poor capacity to capture cell-derived antigens. However, animal models of organ transplantation suggested a role for pDCs in tolerance induction via phagocytosis of donor antigens. In a transplantation setting, microvesicles, such as apoptotic bodies and exosomes secreted by the graft, may be potential sources of alloantigen. Here, we tested the capacity of human pDCs to capture exosomes and apoptotic bodies from Jurkat T cells. Exosomes and apoptotic bodies were indeed captured by pDCs, although required longer times of incubation when compared with the highly endocytic cDCs. In cDCs and pDCs, exosome capture was more efficient than apoptotic bodies. Endocytosis inhibitors clearly impaired exosome capture by cDCs, although this could not be verified in pDCs as a result of cellular toxicity. Functionally, capture of Jurkat-derived exosomes did not induce nor prevent pDC maturation, and exosome-loaded pDCs induced T cell proliferation, suggesting a link between capture and presentation. Thus, exosomes and apoptotic bodies may be sources of antigen for human pDCs.
Dupuit and Walras on the Natural Monopoly in Transport Industries: What They Really Wrote and Meant
Authors: Numa Guy
Published: February 2012

In this article, I analyze and compare the contributions of Dupuit and Walras on the natural monopoly of railroads. Both theorists argued that railroads—as opposed to inland waterways—could not be vertically unbundled, a point that previous authors who compared their views failed to point out. Moreover, until now, Dupuit’s analysis of the railroad monopolies before the Société d’économie politique had been overlooked. This article fills this gap in the literature by showing that Dupuit and Walras both concluded that railroads were better managed under the monopoly regime; however, they drew upon different perspectives. I argue that Dupuit was more pragmatic, using the concept of a “de facto monopoly,” while Walras was more ideological, arguing that the railroad industry was a public utility. In so doing, I underline that Dupuit did not oppose government intervention, counter to a few misrepresentations and fallacies in the literature.
Dupuit and the Railroads
Authors: Ekelund Robert B. , Hébert Robert F.
Published: February 2012

Guy Numa is justified in calling attention to our erroneous translation of a passage from Jules Dupuit’s Dictionnaire article of 1853. His conclusions, however, regarding Dupuit’s “global” policy prescriptions on the operation of railroads, and their semi-convergence with the views of Walras, do not withstand scrutiny when examined against the totality of Dupuit’s economic writings. In this article we reaffirm and defend our body of work that depicts Dupuit as an important advocate of market-based principles in the formation and development of his views on economic policy; and we reject Numa’s claims that Dupuit advocated state control of railroads as the optimal course of action.
Role of motoneuron-derived neurotrophin 3 in survival and axonal projection of sensory neurons during neural circuit formation
Authors: Usui Noriyoshi , Watanabe Keisuke , Ono Katsuhiko , Tomita Koichi , Tamamaki Nobuaki , Ikenaka Kazuhiro , Takebayashi Hirohide
Published: February 2012

Sensory neurons possess the central and peripheral branches and they form unique spinal neural circuits with motoneurons during development. Peripheral branches of sensory axons fasciculate with the motor axons that extend toward the peripheral muscles from the central nervous system (CNS), whereas the central branches of proprioceptive sensory neurons directly innervate motoneurons. Although anatomically well documented, the molecular mechanism underlying sensory-motor interaction during neural circuit formation is not fully understood. To investigate the role of motoneuron on sensory neuron development, we analyzed sensory neuron phenotypes in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of Olig2 knockout (KO) mouse embryos, which lack motoneurons. We found an increased number of apoptotic cells in the DRG of Olig2 KO embryos at embryonic day (E) 10.5. Furthermore, abnormal axonal projections of sensory neurons were observed in both the peripheral branches at E10.5 and central branches at E15.5. To understand the motoneuron-derived factor that regulates sensory neuron development, we focused on neurotrophin 3 (Ntf3; NT-3), because Ntf3 and its receptors (Trk) are strongly expressed in motoneurons and sensory neurons, respectively. The significance of motoneuron-derived Ntf3 was analyzed using Ntf3 conditional knockout (cKO) embryos, in which we observed increased apoptosis and abnormal projection of the central branch innervating motoneuron, the phenotypes being apparently comparable with that of Olig2 KO embryos. Taken together, we show that the motoneuron is a functional source of Ntf3 and motoneuron-derived Ntf3 is an essential pre-target neurotrophin for survival and axonal projection of sensory neurons.
The prevalence of coronary artery variations on coronary computed tomography angiography
Authors: Erol Cengiz , Seker Mehmet
Published: February 2012

Background

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) can delineate the coronary artery anatomy precisely. Basic knowledge of the normal coronary artery anatomy and familiarity with its common variations are essential in order to assess CCTA accurately.

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of coronary artery variations detected by 64-slice mutidetector CT.

Material and Methods

CCTA images of 2096 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Relatively unusual coronary artery morphological features that were seen in greater than 1% of the study population were classified as variations.

Results

Coronary artery circulation was right dominant in 86.6%, left dominant in 9.6%, and balanced in 3.8% of patients. The conus artery arose from the right coronary artery in 83%, or directly from the aorta with a separate ostium in 17% of cases which was much more common in men than women. The sinoatrial node artery originated from the right coronary artery (65.6%) or the circumflex artery (33.7%). The atrioventricular node artery originated from the right coronary artery in 86.4% or the circumflex artery in 13.6% of cases. The left main coronary artery was shorter than 0.5 cm in 4.7% of cases and trifurcated into the intermediate artery in 31.3% of cases. A myocardial bridge was observed in 21.6%, coronary ectasia-aneurysm in 2%, dual left anterior descending artery (LAD) type 1 in 1.38%, and a variant of type 1 in 0.1% of cases. The presence of coronary atherosclerosis was higher in patients with coronary ectasia-aneurysm than the patients who did not have coronary ectasia-aneurysm (90.5% vs. 72.2%, P = 0.000).

Conclusion

CCTA is a non-invasive imaging modality for the depiction of variations of the coronary arteries. The incidence of coronary artery variations is high and various, and readers should be familiar and looking for these conditions during interpretation of CCTA examinations.
The organizational stress measure: an integrated methodology for assessing job-stress and targeting organizational interventions
Authors: Spurgeon Peter , Mazelan Patti , Barwell Fred
Published: February 2012

This paper briefly describes the OSM (Organizational Stress Measure) which was developed over a decade ago and has evolved to become a well-established practical method not only for assessing wellbeing at work but also as a cost-effective strategy to tackle workplace stress. The OSM measures perceived organizational pressures and felt individual strains within the same instrument, and provides a rich and subtle picture of both the organizational culture and the personal perspectives of the constituent staff groups. There are many types of organizational pressure that may impact upon the wellbeing and potential effectiveness of staff including skill shortages, ineffective strategic planning and poor leadership, and these frequently result in reduced performance, absenteeism, high turnover and poor staff morale. These pressures may increase the probability of some staff reacting negatively and research with the OSM has shown that increased levels of strain for small clusters of staff may be a leading indicator of future organizational problems. One of the main benefits of using the OSM is the ability to identify ‘hot-spots’, where organizational pressures are triggering high levels of personal strain in susceptible clusters of staff. In this way, the OSM may act as an ‘early warning alarm’ for potential organizational problems.
Sustainable Piling Made of Recycled Polymers: State of the Art Review
Authors: Iskander Magued G.
Published: February 2012

There has been increasing interest in the use of recycled polymer composites as a replacement for timber piling in coastal and waterfront environments. This trend is expected to grow because polymeric piling is more attractive than timber when life cycle costs are factored in, and also because polymeric piling is a creative method for the recycling and reuse of tons of plastic waste. However, composites face obstacles because they do not have a long track record of use in civil engineering structures. Polymeric piling is typically made of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and reinforced with fiber reinforced polymer E-glass (FRP) or steel. This paper summarizes the current state of the art in polymeric piling practice, including (1) the mechanical properties of piling made of recycled polymers; (2) the durability of recycled polymers in aggressive soils; (3) the compressive creep of recycled HDPE and FRP; (4) drivability; (5) design considerations such as skin friction, end bearing, and buckling; and (6) load testing of polymeric piles.
A crystal chemical approach to superconductivity. II. An analysis of local bond-valence distribution in inorganic compounds
Authors: Klein Hans-Joachim , Liebau Friedrich
Published: February 2012

A crystal chemical approach to superconductivity based upon a bond-valence sum analysis of inorganic compounds is extended by an analysis of local bond-valence distribution. The notions of stoichiometric and structural valence together with Pauling’s rule of equal distribution of valences among the ligands of a given atom allow to provide a characterization for the strength of bonds which is used to define structurally distinguished bond paths. Combinations of these paths represent infinite units of strongly overlapping orbitals. Such units are assumed to be the conducting units in superconductors. A large number of crystal-structure data determined at ambient temperature and pressure has been analyzed including data of chalcogenides and pnictides as well as cuprates. It is shown that infinite units of strongly overlapping orbitals always exist in compounds which become superconducting on cooling with or without applied pressure and/or by doping. As a consequence, a systematic search for potential unconventional superconductors in inorganic crystallographic databases seems to be promising.
Taboo Scenarios: How to Think about the Unthinkable
Authors: Schoemaker Paul J.H. , Tetlock Philip E.
Published: February 2012

Taboos are a universal feature of social systems. Even the most avowedly open-minded organizations place tacit constraints on what can be said and even thought. Business leaders ignore these constraints at their peril. This article examines the role of the sacred, profane, and taboo in society, and links these phenomena to the psychology of moral outrage. In public debates, taboos are rarely as absolute as first assumed and can often be reframed as tragic choices. Leaders must perform a delicate balancing act if they are to prevent taboos from blinding managers to either threats or opportunities. On the one hand, leaders who let their intellectual curiosity get the better of them risk paying a steep career price. On the other, leaders who bury their heads in the sand risk even worse consequences. Navigating this dilemma brings into sharp tension the policy prescriptions of advocates of authentic leadership (who see honesty as a trump virtue) and proponents of Realpolitik (who see organizational hypocrisy and obfuscation as unfortunate but unavoidable tactics necessary in an imperfect world.)
Macroscopic aspects of Saimiri sciureus dura mater
Authors: Barcellos José Fernando Marques , Branco Érika , Fioretto Emerson T , Imbeloni Aline A , Muniz José A.P.C , Lima Ana R
Published: February 2012

Saimiri sciureus is a small New World primate (NHP) commonly called macaco-de-cheiro that inhabits the tropical forests of the Amazon basin. Anatomical features are not well studied in most primates, and the encephalic morphology and related structures are still quite unknown. Comparative anatomy of the meninges in South American primates is still scarce. Dura mater, arachnoid and pia mater are a group of stratified layers that surrounds and promotes protection to the medulla spinalis. This study aimed to shed light on the anatomy of dura mater in Samiri sciureus in order to contribute to the neuroscience in primates. We investigated three young females and two males of S. sciureus. Specimens were fixed through perfusion with a 10% formaldehyde aqueous solution. In S. sciureus encephalus few gyrus and circunvolutions, and a very delicate system consisting of eight sinus venosus was found between the dura mater layers. Based on our findings, we can conclude that the Saimiri sciureus dura mater is quite similar to other mammals, however we detected a new sinus venosus formation at the level of parietal bone, named sinus parietalis, what appears to be its first description.
A systematic study of the brain base arteries in the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
Authors: Carvalho Amarílis Díaz de , Campos Rui
Published: February 2012

Thirty heads with neck segments of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were dissected for a systematic study of the arteries. The frequency of the arteries found was: Cerebral carotid artery, intercarotid anastomosis and internal ophthalmic artery (100%). Caudal branch of the cerebral carotid artery to the right (R) vestigial artery (70%) and developed (30%) and to the left (L) developed (70%) and vestigial artery (30%). Ventral tectal mesencephalic artery in (70%) to R and (30%) to L was the direct branch of the cerebral carotid artery to L (70%) and to R (30%) collateral branch of the developed caudal branch. Basilar artery to L in (70%) and to R (30%) formed from the developed caudal branch; rostral ventral cerebellar artery present (86.7%) and absent (13.3%) to R and L. Caudal ventral cerebellar artery to R single (73.3%), double (23.3%) and triple (3.3%); caudal ventral cerebellar artery to L single (73.3%) and double (26.7%). Dorsal spinal artery branch of caudal ventral cerebellar artery to R (80%) and to L (73.3%). The rostral branch of cerebral carotid artery showed as collateral branches the single caudal cerebral artery to R (100%) and to L (96.7%) while in (3.3%) it was double. The middle cerebral artery was single to R and L (100%). Cerebroethmoidal artery to R and L (100%) with its collateral branch to single rostral cerebral artery (90%) to R and (86.7%) to L and double (10%) to R and (13.3%) to L. Ethmoidal artery to R and to L (100%) single. The cerebral arterial circle was rostrally and caudally opened, so that the cerebral blood supply was exclusively made by the carotid system.
O trabalho em grupos no laboratório didático: reflexões a partir de um referencial psicanalítico
Authors: Barolli Elisabeth , Villani Alberto
Published: February 2012

As especificidades que observamos no modo com que alguns grupos de estudantes conduziam seu trabalho num laboratório didático de ensino superior, nos fizeram refletir sobre a possibilidade de compreender a articulação da dinâmica dos grupos, a partir de elementos que se encontravam além do alcance da cognição. Em analogia à visão de W. R. Bion, acerca do funcionamento dos grupos terapêuticos, pudemos dar significado a esses elementos e interpretar o trabalho dos estudantes no laboratório didático, a partir de uma perspectiva mais integrada, por assim dizer, uma vez que procuramos aproximar o campo da subjetividade do campo da cognição. Mais especificamente, a condução e a sustentação da dinâmica dos grupos de estudantes, do ponto de vista da construção do próprio contexto experimental, foram explicitadas com base no interjogo sobre o qual um grupo se estrutura: de um lado as estratégias não conscientes, compartilhadas anonimamente e, de outro, os objetivos conscientes, intenções e esforços dos indivíduos em trabalhar a partir de sua tarefa mais objetiva.
Expectativas sobre desempenho do professor de Física e possíveis conseqüências em suas representações
Authors: Almeida Maria José Pereira Monteiro de
Published: February 2012

Neste artigo focalizamos expectativas quanto ao papel do professor de Física do ensino médio, subentendidas tanto em recursos didáticos, produzidos para esse ensino em seis décadas e associados a diferentes tendências pedagógicas, quanto devidas à produção de resultados de investigações na área de educação em ciência. Supomos que essas expectativas estão relacionadas com representações docentes, entendida a representação na conceituação de Henri Lefebvre. Apontamos a necessidade da reflexão do professor sobre suas próprias representações para chegar à autonomia na organização e execução do seu projeto pedagógico.