bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Photoacoustic Imaging of Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Levi Jelena , Kothapalli Sri-Rajashekar , Bohndiek Sarah , Yoon Joon-Kee , Dragulescu-Andrasi Anca , Nielsen Carsten , Tisma Aleksandra , Bodapati Sunil , Gowrishankar Gayatri , Yan Xinrui , Chan Carmel , Starcevic Daniela , Gambhir Sanjiv Sam
Published: January 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the potential of targeted photoacoustic imaging as a noninvasive method for detection of follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Experimental Design: We determined the presence and activity of two members of matrix metalloproteinase family (MMP), MMP-2 and MMP-9, suggested as biomarkers for malignant thyroid lesions, in FTC133 thyroid tumors subcutaneously implanted in nude mice. The imaging agent used to visualize tumors was MMP-activatable photoacoustic probe, Alexa750-CXeeeeXPLGLAGrrrrrXK-BHQ3. Cleavage of the MMP-activatable agent was imaged after intratumoral and intravenous injections in living mice optically, observing the increase in Alexa750 fluorescence, and photoacoustically, using a dual-wavelength imaging method.

Results: Active forms of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 enzymes were found in FTC133 tumor homogenates, with MMP-9 detected in greater amounts. The molecular imaging agent was determined to be activated by both enzymes in vitro, with MMP-9 being more efficient in this regard. Both optical and photoacoustic imaging showed significantly higher signal in tumors of mice injected with the active agent than in tumors injected with the control, nonactivatable, agent.

Conclusions: With the combination of high spatial resolution and signal specificity, targeted photoacoustic imaging holds great promise as a noninvasive method for early diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinomas. Clin Cancer Res; 19(6); 1494–502. ©2013 AACR.
Immunotherapy with Commercial Venoms Is Efficacious for Anaphylactic Reactions to Vespa orientalis Stings
Authors: Goldberg Arnon , Shefler Irit , Panasoff Josef , Paitan Yossi , Confino-Cohen Ronit
Published: January 2013

Background:Vespa orientalis (VO) stings occasionally induce anaphylaxis. In the absence of commercial VO venom, allergists use commercial venoms for immunotherapy, despite having no indication regarding efficacy. We attempted to examine the effectiveness of immunotherapy with commercial venoms in patients with VO allergy and to identify the venom accountable for this effect. Methods: Patients who unequivocally identified VO as the culprit insect were administered venom immunotherapy with the commercial venoms available in Israel to which they had positive skin tests. Patients were also skin tested with VO venom sac extracts and, after reaching the maintenance dose, were sting challenged by a live insect. The allergenic components in the venom were determined by immunoblotting. Results: Twelve patients were recruited and, based on their skin test results, all were treated with yellow jacket (YJ) venom, either alone or combined with other venoms. All 8 patients who were sting challenged by VO demonstrated positive skin test responses to VO venom. Six of the stung patients tolerated the sting challenge uneventfully. Two patients developed minimal transient symptoms that resolved spontaneously. SDS-PAGE with patient sera suggested cross-reactivity between VO and YJ venoms at molecular weights of 39–42 kDa. Using phospholipases, antigen 5 and hyaluronidase derived from several Vespa, Dolichovespula and Vespula species, hyaluronidase is possibly accountable for inducing the allergic reaction. Conclusion: In the absence of commercial VO venom the practice of treating patients allergic to this insect with available commercial venoms seems to be efficacious and YJ venom is probably responsible for this effect.
Interplay between Population Dynamics and Drug Tolerance of Staphylococcus aureus Persister Cells
Authors: Lechner Sabrina , Patra Pintu , Klumpp Stefan , Bertram Ralph
Published: January 2013

Population dynamics parameters of Staphylococcus aureus strain SA113 were quantified based on growth and killing experiments with batch culture cells in rich medium. Eradication kinetics and the concomitant isolation of a subpopulation of drug-tolerant SA113 persisters upon treatment with super-minimal inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, daptomycin, and tobramycin served as a basis for mathematical analyses. According to a two-state model for stochastic phenotype switching, levels of persister cells and their eradication rates were influenced by the antibiotics used for isolation, clearly indicating a heterogeneous pool of S. aureus persisters. Judging from time-dependent experiments, the persisters’ degree of drug tolerance correlated with the duration of antibiotic challenge. Moreover, cross-tolerance experiments with cells consecutively treated with two different antibiotics revealed that multi-drug tolerance is not a necessary trait of S. aureus persisters isolated by antibiotic challenge. In some cases, the results depended on the order of the two antibiotic treatments, suggesting that antibiotic tolerance may be achieved by a combination of preexisting persisters and an adaptive response to drug exposure. Counts of live cells which had endured drug treatment increased only after lag phases of at least 3 h after the shift to non-selective conditions. Thus, this study provides quantitative insights into population dynamics of S. aureus persisters with regard to antibiotic challenge.
Oral Sodium Thiosulfate as Maintenance Therapy for Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy: A Case Series
Authors: AlBugami Meteb M. , Wilson Jo-Anne , Clarke James R. , Soroka Steven D.
Published: January 2013

Background: Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) is a rare but serious disorder affecting 4% of dialysis patients. Intravenous sodium thiosulfate (IV STS) has been shown as an effective treatment. In Canada, the average cost of IV STS is about CAD 12,000 per month, while the cost of compounded oral STS is CAD 45 per month. Methods: Prospective cohort where all patients diagnosed with CUA during the year 2011 were included. They were treated initially with IV STS. Afterwards, each patient had a baseline bone scan and was started on oral STS for a total of 6 months followed by a repeat bone scan. A single radiologist, blinded to the dates of both scans for a given patient, read all scans. Results: Four patients were studied. The intravenous dose used was 25 g three times a week for an average duration of 131 days. After the maintenance therapy, 2 patients developed further regression of the lesions, 1 had stable lesions, and 1 got worse; however, nonadherence to the drug was confirmed. The oral medication was well tolerated with no reported side effects. Conclusion: Oral STS, after IV STS, seems to stabilize, or even improve CUA lesions, and therefore could be useful as maintenance therapy, especially since its cost is much more reasonable than IV STS and due to the ongoing shortage of the IV formulation.
Solitary Schwannoma of the Cecum: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: de Mesquita Neto JoséWilson Benevides , Leal Renato Mazon Lima Verde , de Brito Eurivaldo Valente , Cordeiro Diego Fonseca , Costa Marcelo Leite Vieira
Published: January 2013

A 78-year-old woman presented with an abdominal mass diagnosed by ultrasound and computed tomography. The patient underwent a laparotomy, during which a retroperitoneal tumor adherent to the cecum wall was identified. Microscopically, it showed spindle-cell proliferation in whorls, with low mitotic count (2 per 50 high-power fields) and was strongly positive for S-100 protein and vimentin. The final diagnosis was benign schwannoma of the cecum and no further treatment was required. Large intestine schwannomas are extremely rare tumors and only a few cases of schwannoma of the cecum have been reported to date.
Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Imaging of Atherosclerotic Plaques in a Mouse Model Using a Liposomal-Iodine Nanoparticle Contrast Agent
Authors: Bhavane Rohan , Badea Cristian , Ghaghada Ketan B. , Clark Darin , Vela Deborah , Moturu Anoosha , Annapragada Akshaya , Johnson G. Allan , Willerson James T. , Annapragada Ananth
Published: January 2013

Background—

The accumulation of macrophages in inflamed atherosclerotic plaques has long been recognized. In an attempt to develop an imaging agent for detection of vulnerable plaques, we evaluated the feasibility of a liposomal-iodine nanoparticle contrast agent for computed tomography imaging of macrophage-rich atherosclerotic plaques in a mouse model.

Methods and Results—

Liposomal-iodine formulations varying in particle size and polyethylene glycol coating were fabricated and shown to stably encapsulate the iodine compound. In vitro uptake studies using optical and computed tomography imaging in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line identified the formulation that promoted maximal uptake. Dual-energy computed tomography imaging using this formulation in apolipoprotein E–deficient (ApoE
−/−
) mice (n=8) and control C57BL/6 mice (n=6) followed by spectral decomposition of the dual-energy images enabled imaging of the liposomes localized in the plaque. Imaging cytometry confirmed the presence of liposomes in the plaque and their colocalization with a small fraction (≈2%) of the macrophages in the plaque.

Conclusions—

The results demonstrate the feasibility of imaging macrophage-rich atherosclerotic plaques using a liposomal-iodine nanoparticle contrast agent and dual-energy computed tomography.
Altered Activation of Endothelial Anti- and Proapoptotic Pathways by High-Density Lipoprotein from Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Riwanto Meliana , Rohrer Lucia , Roschitzki Bernd , Besler Christian , Mocharla Pavani , Mueller Maja , Perisa Damir , Heinrich Kathrin , Altwegg Lukas , von Eckardstein Arnold , Lüscher Thomas F. , Landmesser Ulf
Published: January 2013

Background—

Endothelial dysfunction and injury are thought to play an important role in the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). High-density lipoprotein from healthy subjects (HDL
Healthy
) has been proposed to exert endothelial antiapoptotic effects that may represent an important antiatherogenic property of the lipoprotein. The present study therefore aimed to compare effects of HDL
CAD
and HDL
Healthy
on the activation of endothelial anti- and proapoptotic pathways and to determine which changes of the lipoprotein are relevant for these processes.

Methods and Results—

HDL was isolated from patients with stable CAD (HDL
sCAD
), an acute coronary syndrome (HDL
ACS
), and healthy subjects. HDL
Healthy
induced expression of the endothelial antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein Bcl-xL and reduced endothelial cell apoptosis in vitro and in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice in vivo. In contrast, HDL
sCAD
and HDL
ACS
did not inhibit endothelial apoptosis, failed to activate endothelial Bcl-xL, and stimulated endothelial proapoptotic pathways, in particular, p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase–mediated activation of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 protein tBid. Endothelial antiapoptotic effects of HDL
Healthy
were observed after inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and after delipidation, but not completely mimicked by apolipoprotein A-I or reconstituted HDL, suggesting an important role of the HDL proteome. HDL proteomics analyses and subsequent validations and functional characterizations suggested a reduced clusterin and increased apolipoprotein C-III content of HDL
sCAD
and HDL
ACS
as mechanisms leading to altered effects on endothelial apoptosis.

Conclusions—

The present study demonstrates for the first time that HDL
CAD
does not activate endothelial antiapoptotic pathways, but rather stimulates potential endothelial proapoptotic pathways. HDL-proteome remodeling plays an important role for these altered functional properties of HDL. These findings provide novel insights into mechanisms leading to altered vascular effects of HDL in coronary disease.
Mitigation of Murine Focal Cerebral Ischemia by the Hypocretin/Orexin System is Associated With Reduced Inflammation
Authors: Xiong Xiaoxing , White Robin E. , Xu Lijun , Yang Liya , Sun Xiaoyun , Zou Bende , Pascual Conrado , Sakurai Takeshi , Giffard Rona G. , Xie Xinmin (Simon)
Published: January 2013

Background and Purpose—

Brain ischemia causes immediate and delayed cell death that is exacerbated by inflammation. Recent studies show that hypocretin-1/orexin-A (Hcrt-1) reduces ischemic brain injury, and Hcrt-positive neurons modulate infection-induced inflammation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Hcrt plays a protective role against ischemia by modulating inflammation.

Methods—

Orexin/ataxin-3 (AT) mice, a transgenic strain in which Hcrt-producing neurons degenerate in early adulthood, and wild-type mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Infarct volume, neurological score, and spontaneous home cage activity were assessed. Inflammation was measured using immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and assessment of cytokine mRNA levels.

Results—

Infarct volumes 24 and 48 hours after MCAO were significantly larger, neurological score was worse, and spontaneous activity decreased in AT compared with wild-type mice. Macrophage/microglial infiltration and myeloperoxidase-positive cells were higher in AT compared with wild-type mice. Pre-MCAO intracerebroventricular injection of Hcrt-1 significantly reduced infarct volume and macrophage/microglial infiltration in both genotypes and improved neurological score in AT mice. Post-MCAO treatment decreased infarct size in both wild-type and AT mice, but had no effect on neurological score in either genotype. Microglia express the Hcrt-1 receptor after MCAO. Tumor necrosis factor-α production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglial BV2 cells was significantly reduced by Hcrt-1 pretreatment. Sham AT mice exhibit increased brain tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 mRNA, suggesting chronic inflammation.

Conclusions—

Loss of Hcrt neurons in AT mice resulted in worsened stroke outcomes, which were reversed by administration of exogenous Hcrt-1. The mechanism underlying Hcrt-mediated neuroprotection includes attenuation of inflammatory responses after ischemic insult.
From Self-Defense to an Instrument of War: Dutch Privateering Around the Malay Peninsula in the Early Seventeenth Century
Authors: Borschberg Peter
Published: January 2013

Abstract

This article examines the transition of the Dutch East Indian Company (VOC) from a policy of self-defense into its full espousal of large-scale privateering and plundering. I argue that this shift was driven by both economic and political factors, and can be traced to the very formation of the Company as a unified trading venture. The taking of prizes became a cornerstone not only of the economic fortunes of the company, but the establishment of the Dutch colonial empire in Asia. Of particular interest is not only the instructions emanating from the company directors and the Dutch government in the metropolis, but especially the implementation and adaptation of these directives on the ground. It is this local context that adds a crucial dimension to interpretations of the eager espousal of maritime violence by the VOC and its agents in Asian waters.
Impact of TRMM Data on a Low-Latency, High-Resolution Precipitation Algorithm for Flash-Flood Forecasting
Authors: Kuligowski Robert J. , Li Yaping , Zhang Yu
Published: January 2013

Data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) have made great contributions to hydrometeorology from both a science and an operations standpoint. However, direct application of TRMM data to short-fuse hydrologic forecasting has been challenging because of the data refresh and latency issues inherent in an instrument in low Earth orbit (LEO). To evaluate their potential impact on low-latency satellite rainfall estimates, rain rates from both the TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) and precipitation radar (PR) were ingested into a multisensor framework that calibrates high-refresh, low-latency IR brightness temperature data from geostationary platforms against the more accurate but low-refresh, higher-latency rainfall rates available from microwave (MW) instruments on board LEO platforms. The TRMM data were used in two ways: to bias adjust the other MW data sources to match the distribution of the TMI rain rates, and directly alongside the MW rain rates in the calibration dataset. The results showed a significant reduction in false alarms and also a significant reduction in bias for those pixels for which rainfall was correctly detected. The MW bias adjustment was found to have much greater impact than the direct use of the TMI and PR rain rates in the calibration data, but this is not surprising since the latter represented perhaps only 10% of the calibration dataset.
The Role of High-Latitude Waves in the Intraseasonal to Seasonal Variability of Tropical Upwelling in the Brewer–Dobson Circulation
Authors: Ueyama Rei , Gerber Edwin P. , Wallace John M. , Frierson Dargan M. W.
Published: January 2013

The forcing of tropical upwelling in the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) on intraseasonal to seasonal time scales is investigated in integrations of an idealized general circulation model, ECMWF Interim Re-Analysis, and lower-stratospheric temperature measurements from the (Advanced) Microwave Sounding Unit, with a focus on the extended boreal winter season. Enhanced poleward eddy heat fluxes in the high latitudes (45°–90°N) at the 100-hPa level are associated with anomalous tropical cooling and anomalous warming on the poleward side of the polar night jet at the 70-hPa level and above. In both the model and the observations, planetary waves entering the stratosphere at high latitudes propagate equatorward to the subtropics and tropics at levels above 70 hPa over an approximately 10-day period, exerting a force at sufficiently low latitudes to modulate the tropical upwelling in the upper branch of the BDC, even on time scales longer than the radiative relaxation time scale of the lower stratosphere. To the extent that they force the BDC via downward as opposed to sideways control, planetary waves originating in high latitudes contribute to the seasonally varying climatological mean and the interannual variability of tropical upwelling at the 70-hPa level and above. Their influence upon the strength of the tropical upwelling, however, diminishes rapidly with depth below 70 hPa. In particular, tropical upwelling at the cold-point tropopause, near 100 hPa, appears to be modulated by variations in the strength of the lower branch of the BDC.
Role of the Tibetan Plateau on the Annual Variation of Mean Atmospheric Circulation and Storm-Track Activity*
Authors: Lee Sun-Seon , Lee June-Yi , Ha Kyung-Ja , Wang Bin , Kitoh Akio , Kajikawa Yoshiyuki , Abe Manabu
Published: January 2013

This study reexamines how the Tibetan Plateau (TP) modulates the annual variation of atmospheric circulation and storm-track activity based on the Meteorological Research Institute's atmosphere–ocean coupled model experiments with a progressive TP uplift from 0% to 100% of the present height. Three major roles of the TP on atmospheric circulation and storm-track activity are identified. First, consistent with a previous finding, the TP tends to intensify the upper-level jet and enhance baroclinicity in the North Pacific Ocean but significantly weaken storm-track activity over the TP, East Asia, and the western North Pacific during the cold season. Second, the TP amplifies stationary waves that are closely linked to transient eddies. In particular, the TP enhances the Siberian high and the Aleutian low, which together contribute to the strengthening of the East Asian winter monsoon circulation and the weakening of storm-track activity. Third, the TP significantly modulates the subseasonal variability of the Pacific storm-track (PST) activity. In particular, the TP tends to suppress PST activity during midwinter despite the fact that it strengthens baroclinicity along the Pacific jet. The midwinter suppression of PST activity, which is well reproduced in a control run with a realistic TP, gradually disappears as the TP height decreases. Major factors for the midwinter suppression of the PST associated with the TP include the 1) destructive effect of an excessively strong jet leading to an inefficiency of barotropic energy conversion, 2) reduction of baroclinicity over the northern part of the TP, and 3) subseasonally varying SST change and resulting moist static energy.
The Mean Climate of the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM4) in Forced SST and Fully Coupled Experiments
Authors: Neale Richard B. , Richter Jadwiga , Park Sungsu , Lauritzen Peter H. , Vavrus Stephen J. , Rasch Philip J. , Zhang Minghua
Published: January 2013

The Community Atmosphere Model, version 4 (CAM4), was released as part of the Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4). The finite volume (FV) dynamical core is now the default because of its superior transport and conservation properties. Deep convection parameterization changes include a dilute plume calculation of convective available potential energy (CAPE) and the introduction of convective momentum transport (CMT). An additional cloud fraction calculation is now performed following macrophysical state updates to provide improved thermodynamic consistency. A freeze-drying modification is further made to the cloud fraction calculation in very dry environments (e.g., the Arctic), where cloud fraction and cloud water values were often inconsistent in CAM3. In CAM4 the FV dynamical core further degrades the excessive trade-wind simulation, but reduces zonal stress errors at higher latitudes. Plume dilution alleviates much of the midtropospheric tropical dry biases and reduces the persistent monsoon precipitation biases over the Arabian Peninsula and the southern Indian Ocean. CMT reduces much of the excessive trade-wind biases in eastern ocean basins. CAM4 shows a global reduction in cloud fraction compared to CAM3, primarily as a result of the freeze-drying and improved cloud fraction equilibrium modifications. Regional climate feature improvements include the propagation of stationary waves from the Pacific into midlatitudes and the seasonal frequency of Northern Hemisphere blocking events. A 1° versus 2° horizontal resolution of the FV dynamical core exhibits superior improvements in regional climate features of precipitation and surface stress. Improvements in the fully coupled mean climate between CAM3 and CAM4 are also more substantial than in forced sea surface temperature (SST) simulations.
Western U.S. Extreme Precipitation Events and Their Relation to ENSO and PDO in CCSM4
Authors: DeFlorio Michael J. , Pierce David W. , Cayan Daniel R. , Miller Arthur J.
Published: January 2013

Water resources and management over the western United States are heavily impacted by both local climate variability and the teleconnected responses of precipitation to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO). In this work, regional precipitation patterns over the western United States and linkages to ENSO and the PDO are analyzed using output from a Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4) preindustrial control run and observations, with emphasis on extreme precipitation events. CCSM4 produces realistic zonal gradients in precipitation intensity and duration over the western United States, with higher values on the windward side of the Cascade Mountains and Sierra Nevada and lower values on the leeward. Compared to its predecessor CCSM3, CCSM4 shows an improved teleconnected signal of both ENSO and the PDO to large-scale circulation patterns over the Pacific–North America region and also to the spatial pattern and other aspects of western U.S. precipitation. The so-called drizzle problem persists in CCSM4 but is significantly improved compared to CCSM3. In particular, it is found that CCSM4 has substantially less precipitation duration bias than is present in CCSM3. Both the overall and extreme intensity of wintertime precipitation over the western United States show statistically significant linkages with ENSO and PDO in CCSM4. This analysis provides a basis for future studies using greenhouse gas (GHG)-forced CCSM4 runs.
Erythrocyte NADPH oxidase activity modulated by Rac GTPases, PKC, and plasma cytokines contributes to oxidative stress in sickle cell disease
Authors: George Alex , Pushkaran Suvarnamala , Konstantinidis Diamantis G. , Koochaki Sebastian , Malik Punam , Mohandas Narla , Zheng Yi , Joiner Clinton H. , Kalfa Theodosia A.
Published: January 2013

Key Points

Sickle RBC ROS production is mediated in part by NADPH oxidase activity. Sickle RBC ROS production can be induced by plasma signaling molecules.
The silence of MUC2 mRNA induced by promoter hypermethylation associated with HBV in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ling Yang , Zhu Jing , Gao Lu , Liu Yongping , Zhu Changtai , Li Rong , Wei Lixin , Zhang Changsong
Published: January 2013

Background

To evaluate the promoter methylation status of MUC2 gene and mRNA expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

We analyzed MUC2 methylation by MSP, and MUC2 mRNA by real-time PCR in 74 HCC.

Results

MUC2 mRNA were lower in HCC tissues (Mean -ΔCt = −4.70) than that in Non-HCC tissues (Mean -ΔCt = −2.98). Expression of MUC2 was elevated in only 23 (31.08%) of the 74 HCC patients. MUC2 promoter was hypermethylated in 62.2% (46/74) of HCCs, and in only 18.9% (14/74) of non-tumor samples. MUC2 mRNA were lower in HCC patients with hypermethylation (Mean -ΔΔCt = −2.25) than those with demethylation (Mean -ΔΔCt = −0.22), and there is a decreased tendency for MUC2 mRNA in HCC patients with promoter hypermethylation (p = 0.011). There was a significantly correlation found between MUC2 mRNA and HBV and AFP in HCC. The loss of MUC2 mRNA and hypermethylation could be poor prognostic factors. After treated by 5-Aza-CdR and TSA, we found that MUC2 mRNA induced significantly in 7721, Huh7 and HepG2 cells.

Conclusion

The results suggested that MUC2 mRNA silenced by promoter hypermethylation is associated with high levels HBV in HCC.
A comprehensive investigation of variants in genes encoding adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and its receptors (ADIPOR1/R2), and their association with serum adiponectin, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Peters Kirsten E , Beilby John , Cadby Gemma , Warrington Nicole M , Bruce David G , Davis Wendy A , Davis Timothy ME , Wiltshire Steven , Knuiman Matthew , McQuillan Brendan M , Palmer Lyle J , Thompson Peter L , Hung Joseph
Published: January 2013

Background

Low levels of serum adiponectin have been linked to central obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Variants inADIPOQ, the gene encoding adiponectin, have been shown to influence serum adiponectin concentration, and along with variants in the adiponectin receptors (ADIPOR1andADIPOR2) have been implicated in metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the association of common variants inADIPOQ, ADIPOR1andADIPOR2with serum adiponectin and insulin resistance syndromes in a large cohort of European-Australian individuals.

Methods

Sixty-four tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms inADIPOQ,ADIPOR1andADIPOR2were genotyped in two general population cohorts consisting of 2,355 subjects, and one cohort of 967 subjects with type 2 diabetes. The association of tagSNPs with outcomes were evaluated using linear or logistic modelling. Meta-analysis of the three cohorts was performed by random-effects modelling.

Results

Meta-analysis revealed nine genotyped tagSNPs inADIPOQsignificantly associated with serum adiponectin across all cohorts after adjustment for age, gender and BMI, including rs10937273, rs12637534, rs1648707, rs16861209, rs822395, rs17366568, rs3774261, rs6444175 and rs17373414. The results of haplotype-based analyses were also consistent. Overall, the variants in theADIPOQgene explained <5% of the variance in serum adiponectin concentration. None of theADIPOR1/R2tagSNPs were associated with serum adiponectin. There was no association between any of the genetic variants and insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome. A multi-SNP genotypic risk score forADIPOQalleles revealed an association with 3 independent SNPs, rs12637534, rs16861209, rs17366568 and type 2 diabetes after adjusting for adiponectin levels (OR=0.86, 95% CI=(0.75, 0.99), P=0.0134).

Conclusions

Genetic variation inADIPOQ, but not its receptors, was associated with altered serum adiponectin. However, genetic variation inADIPOQand its receptors does not appear to contribute to the risk of insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome but did for type 2 diabetes in a European-Australian population.
Schizophrenia and potentially preventable hospitalizations in the United States: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Cahoon Elizabeth Khaykin , McGinty Emma E , Ford Daniel E , Daumit Gail L
Published: January 2013

Background

Persons with schizophrenia may face barriers to high quality primary care due to communication difficulties, cognitive impairment, lack of social support, and fragmentation of healthcare delivery services. As a result, this group may be at high risk for ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) hospitalizations, defined as hospitalizations potentially preventable by timely primary care. The goal of this study was to determine if schizophrenia is associated with overall, acute, and chronic ACS hospitalizations in the United States (US).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study. Hospitalization data for the US were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for years 2003–2008. We examined 15,275,337 medical and surgical discharges for adults aged 18–64, 182,423 of which had a secondary diagnosis of schizophrenia. ACS hospitalizations were measured using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Prevention Quality Indicators (PQIs). We developed logistic regression models to obtain nationally-weighted odds ratios (OR) for ACS hospitalizations, comparing those with and without a secondary diagnosis of schizophrenia after adjusting for patient, hospitalization, and hospital characteristics.

Results

Schizophrenia was associated with increased odds of hospitalization for acute ACS conditions (OR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.31, 1.38), as well as for chronic ACS conditions characterized by short-term exacerbations. Schizophrenia was associated with decreased odds of hospitalization for diabetes mellitus long-term complications and diabetes-related lower extremity amputation, conditions characterized by long-term deterioration.

Conclusions

Additional research is needed to determine which individual and health systems factors contribute to the increased odds of hospitalization for acute PQIs in schizophrenia.
Study of Mo (VI) removal from aqueous solution: application of different mathematical models to continuous biosorption data
Authors: Kafshgari Fatemeh , Keshtkar Ali Reza , Mousavian Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2013

Molybdenum (VI) biosorption process was investigated by marine algae Cystoseria indica pretreated with 0.1 M CaCl2 solution in a packed bed column. The biosorbent was characterized by FTIR, BET and SEM analyses. The results showed that Mo (VI) ions should be chelated with the hydroxyl, carboxyl and amine groups of the biomass. The effects of inlet metal concentration and flow rate on biosorption process were investigated and the experimental breakthrough curves were obtained. Results showed that the maximum biosorption capacity of Ca-pretreated C. indica for Mo (VI) was found to be 18.32 mg/g at optimum flow rate of (1.4 mL/min). The controlled-rate step shifted from external to internal mass transfer limitations, as the flow rate increased. Also, it was observed that the breakthrough and exhaustion time decreased from 17.14 hr to 9.05 hr and from 0.006 h to 0.002 hr respectively, with the increase of flow rate from 0.7 to 2.1 ML/min. The increase in the initial concentration of Mo (VI) solution from 30 to 95 ml min-1 increases the adsorption capacity from 18.32 to 30.19 mg/g and decreases the percentage of Mo (VI) removal from 61 to 38%. Also, the treated volume was the greatest (1.42 L) at the lowest inlet concentration. Column data obtained under different conditions were described using the Thomas, Yoon and Nelson, Yan and Belter models. The breakthrough curve predictions by Belter model were found to be very satisfactory.
Carbohydrate co-ingestion with protein does not further augment post-prandial muscle protein accretion in older men
Authors: Hamer Henrike M , Wall Benjamin T , Kiskini Alexandra , de Lange Anneke , Groen Bart B L , Bakker Jaap A , Gijsen Annemie P , Verdijk Lex B , van Loon Luc J C
Published: January 2013

Background

A blunted muscle protein synthetic response to protein ingestion may contribute to the age related loss of muscle tissue. We hypothesized that the greater endogenous insulin release following co-ingestion of carbohydrate facilitates post-prandial muscle protein accretion after ingesting a meal-like bolus of protein in older males.

Methods

Twenty-four healthy older men (75±1 y) were randomly assigned to ingest 20 g intrinsically L-[1-13C] phenylalanine-labeled casein protein with (PRO-CHO) or without (PRO) 40 g carbohydrate. Ingestion of specifically produced intrinsically L-[1-13C] phenylalanine labeled protein allowed us to assess post-prandial incorporation of dietary protein derived amino acids into muscle protein. Blood samples were collected at regular intervals, with muscle biopsies being obtained prior to and 2 and 6 h after protein ingestion.

Results

Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations showed a greater increase in PRO-CHO compared with PRO (P<0.001). Muscle protein-bound L-[1-13C] phenylalanine enrichments tended to increase to a greater extent in PRO-CHO compared with PRO during the first 2 h after protein ingestion (0.0072±0.0013 vs 0.0046±0.010 MPE, respectively; P=0.13). However, 6 h after protein ingestion, differences in muscle protein-bound L-[1-13C] phenylalanine enrichments were no longer observed between experiments (0.0213±0.0024 vs 0.0185±0.0010 MPE, respectively; P=0.30).

Conclusions

This study shows that carbohydrate ingestion may accelerate, but does not further augment post-prandial incorporation of dietary protein derived amino acids into muscle protein in healthy elderly men.
Comparison of trunk and spine deformity in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Carlson Brandon B , Burton Douglas C , Asher Marc A
Published: January 2013

Background

Cobb measurement of standing radiographs is the standard for clinical assessment of coronal spinal deformity. Angle of trunk inclination (ATI) is an accepted clinical measurement of trunk asymmetry, and has variable reported correlations with Cobb angles. Transverse plane spine deformity is most accurately measured using axial computed tomography. Aaro and Dahlbourn’s technique for quantifying apical vertebral rotation with respect to the sagittal plane (RAsag) is commonly reported in the literature. To our knowledge no study has correlated ATI with RAsag. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between commonly used measures of trunk and spine deformity.

Methods

Sixteen females that underwent preoperative apical vertebra(e) CT scans were retrospectively studied. Thoracic and thoracolumbar RAsag measurements were date-matched to clinically obtained ATI and Cobb measurements. Two-tailed Pearson correlations were calculated; α = 0.01.

Results

Median patient age was 14.6 years (11–19); BMI 19.4 (16.0-25.5). Curve patterns: Lenke 1 (5); 2 (5); 3 (1); 4 (1); 5 (2): 6 (2). Twenty-six curves (15T; 11TL) with complete, date-matched data points were analyzed. In thoracic curves, ATI correlated with Cobb (r = 0.711, P < 0.004) and RAsag (r = 0.730, P <0.003). ATI was inversely correlated with Cobb flexibility (r = −0.647, P < 0.01). In thoracolumbar curves, ATI correlated with Cobb (r = 0.789, P < 0.005), and RAsag (r = 0.771, P < 0.006) but not Cobb flexibility (r = − 0.452, P = 0.190).

Conclusions

Trunk and spine thoracic and thoracolumbar transverse plane deformity are correlated, as are trunk transverse plane and spine coronal plane deformity. Increasing trunk deformity limits thoracic, but not thoracolumbar spine flexibility.
Identification and characterization of microRNAs in the pancreatic fluke Eurytrema pancreaticum
Authors: Xu Min-Jun , Wang Chun-Ren , Huang Si-Yang , Fu Jing-Hua , Zhou Dong-Hui , Chang Qiao-Cheng , Zheng Xu , Zhu Xing-Quan
Published: January 2013

Background

Eurytrema pancreaticum is one of the most common flukes, which mainly infects ruminants globally and infects human beings accidentally; causing eurytremiasis that has high veterinary and economic importance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs and are now considered as a key mechanism of gene regulation at the post-transcription level.

Methods

We investigated the global miRNA expression profile of E. pancreaticum adults using next-generation sequencing technology combined with real-time quantitative PCR.

Results

By using the genome of the closely-related species Schistosoma japonicum as reference, we obtained 27 miRNA candidates out of 16.45 million raw sequencing reads, with 13 of them found as known miRNAs in S. japonicum and/or S. mansoni, and the remaining 14 miRNAs were considered as novel. Five out of the 13 known miRNAs coming from one family named as sja-miR-2, including family members from miR-2a to miR-2e. Targets of 19 miRNAs were successfully predicated out of the 17401 mRNA and EST non-redundant sequences of S. japonicum. It was found that a significant high number of targets were related to “chch domain-containing protein mitochondrial precursor” (n = 29), “small subunit ribosomal protein s30e” (n = 21), and “insulin-induced gene 1 protein” (n = 9). Besides, “egg protein cp3842” (n = 2), “fumarate hydratase” (n = 2), “ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme” (n = 2), and “sperm-associated antigen 6” (n = 1) were also found as targets of the miRNAs of E. pancreaticum.

Conclusions

The present study represents the first global characterization of E. pancreaticum miRNAs, which provides novel resources for a better understanding of the parasite, which, in turn, has implications for the effective control of the disease it causes.
Accelerated plane-wave destruction
Authors: Chen Zhonghuan , Fomel Sergey , Lu Wenkai
Published: January 2013

When plane-wave destruction (PWD) is implemented by implicit finite differences, the local slope is estimated by an iterative algorithm. We propose an analytical estimator of the local slope that is based on convergence analysis of the iterative algorithm. Using the analytical estimator, we design a noniterative method to estimate slopes by a three-point PWD filter. Compared with the iterative estimation, the proposed method needs only one regularization step, which reduces computation time significantly. With directional decoupling of the plane-wave filter, the proposed algorithm is also applicable to 3D slope estimation. We present synthetic and field experiments to demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can yield a correct estimation result with shorter computational time.
The effect of kerogen on the elastic anisotropy of organic-rich shales
Authors: Sayers Colin M.
Published: January 2013

The elastic properties of reservoir rocks are important for geomechanics applications; the most important of which are: analysis of stress changes due to production, analysis of rock deformation and failure, wellbore trajectory optimization, and the design of hydraulic fractures. Organic-rich shales are often observed to be strongly anisotropic due to the partial alignment of anisotropic clay minerals and the bedding-parallel lamination of organic material within the shale. Neglecting shale anisotropy may lead to incorrect estimates of the in situ stress or stress changes resulting from production. As a result, isotropic models may fail to describe geomechanical behavior correctly. The distribution of the organic phase plays an important role in determining the elastic properties of organic-rich shales, and this has a significant effect on production-induced stress changes. The presence of kerogen leads to a decrease in all of the elastic moduli, and has a significant effect on the geomechanical behavior of shales. The change in horizontal effective stress for a given change in pore pressure resulting from production is greater for kerogen-rich shales, and the neglect of anisotropy in predicting such stress changes may lead to significant errors.
Adaptive evolution of fish hatching enzyme: one amino acid substitution results in differential salt dependency of the enzyme
Authors: Kawaguchi Mari , Yasumasu Shigeki , Shimizu Akio , Kudo Norio , Sano Kaori , Iuchi Ichiro , Nishida Mutsumi
Published: January 2013

Embryos of medaka Oryzias latipes hatch in freshwater, while those of killifish Fundulus heteroclitus hatch in brackish water. Medaka and Fundulus possess two kinds of hatching enzymes, high choriolytic enzyme (HCE) and low choriolytic enzyme (LCE), which cooperatively digest their egg envelope at the time of hatching. Optimal salinity of medaka HCE was found to be in 0 M NaCl, and the activity was decreased with increased salt concentrations. One of the two Fundulus HCEs, FHCE1, showed the highest activity in 0 M NaCl, the other FHCE2 did in 0.125 M NaCl. The results suggest that the salt dependencies of HCEs are well adapted to each salinity at the time of hatching. Different from HCE, LCEs of both species maintained the activity sufficient for egg envelope digestion in various salinities. The difference of amino acid sequence between FHCE1 and FHCE2 was found in only a single site at position 36 (Gly/Arg), suggesting that this single substitution causes the different salt dependency between the two enzymes. Superimposition of FHCE1 and FHCE2 with the 3D-structure model of medaka HCE revealed that position 36 was located on the surface of HCE molecule, far from its active site cleft. The results suggest a hypothesis that position 36 influences salt dependent activity of HCE not with recognition of primary structure around the cleavage site but with recognition of higher ordered structure of egg envelope protein.
Ontogenesis of expression of metabolic genes and microRNAs in rainbow trout alevins during the transition from the endogenous to the exogenous feeding period
Authors: Mennigen Jan A. , Skiba-Cassy Sandrine , Panserat Stéphane
Published: January 2013

As oviparous fish, rainbow trout change their nutritional strategy during ontogenesis. This change is divided into the exclusive utilization of yolk-sac reserves (endogenous feeding), the concurrent utilization of yolk reserves and exogenous feeds (mixed feeding), and the complete dependence on external feeds (exogenous feeding). The change in food source is accompanied by well-characterized morphologic changes, including the development of adipose tissue as energy storage site, and continuous muscle development to improve foraging. The aim of this study was to investigate underlying molecular mechanisms that contribute to these ontogenetic changes between the nutritional phenotypes in rainbow trout alevins. We therefore analyzed the expression of marker genes of metabolic pathways and microRNAs (miRNAs) important in the differentiation and/or maintenance of metabolic tissues. In exogenously feeding alevins, last enzyme involved in glucose production (g6pca and g6pcb) and lipolytic gene expression (cpt1a and cpt1b) decreased, while that of gk, involved in hepatic glucose use, was induced. This pattern is consistent with a progressive switch from the utilization of stored (gluconeogenic) amino acids and lipids in endogenously feeding alevins to a utilization of exogenous feeds via the glycolytic pathway. A shift towards the utilization of external feeds is further evidenced by the increased expression of omy-miRNA-143, homologue of the mammalian marker of adipogenesis. The expression of its predicted target-gene abdh5, a factor in triglyceride hydrolysis, decreases concurrently, suggesting a potential mechanism in the onset of lipid-deposition. Muscle-specific omy-miRNA-1/133 and myod1 expression decreased in exogenously feeding alevins, a molecular signature consistent with muscle hypertrophy, which may linked to nutritional cues or increased foraging.
An increase in minimum metabolic rate and not activity explains field metabolic rate changes in a breeding seabird
Authors: Green Jonathan A. , Aitken-Simpson Erin J. , White Craig R. , Bunce Ashley , Butler Pat J. , Frappell Peter B.
Published: January 2013

The field metabolic rate (FMR) of a free-ranging animal can be considered as the sum of its maintenance costs (minimum metabolic rate; MMR), and additional costs associated with thermoregulation, digestion, production and activity. However, the relationships between these two quantities and how they relate to behaviour and extrinsic influences is not clear. In seabirds, FMR has been shown to increase during the breeding season. This is presumed to be the result of an increase in foraging activity, stimulated by increased food demands from growing chicks, but few studies have investigated in detail the factors that underlie these increases. We studied free-ranging Australasian gannets (Morus serrator) throughout their five-month breeding season, and evaluated FMR, MMR and activity-related metabolic costs on a daily basis using the heart-rate method. In addition we recorded behaviour (flying and diving) simultaneously in the same individuals. FMR increased steadily throughout the breeding season, increasing by 11% from the incubation period to the long chick-brooding period. However, this was not accompanied by either an increase in flying or diving behaviour, or an increase in the energetic costs of activity. Instead, the changes in FMR could be explained exclusively by a progressive increase in MMR. Seasonal changes in MMR could be due to a change in body composition or a decrease in body condition associated with changing allocation of resources between provisioning adults and growing chicks. Our study highlights the importance of measuring physiological parameters continuously in free-ranging animals in order to fully understand the mechanisms underpinning seasonal changes in physiology and behaviour.
Carbon Combustion over Synthetic Potassium Aluminosilicate with –LIT Structure
Authors: Hiyoshi Norihito , Ikeda Takuji , Nagase Takako
Published: January 2013

The catalytic activity of –LIT zeolite, which has a unique framework topology including hydrogen bonds between silanol and the terminal oxygen bonded to silicon (≡Si–O−···H–O–Si≡), was investigated through temperature-programmed oxidation. The activity of –LIT zeolite was found to be higher than those of other potassium-containing aluminosilicates, i.e., zeolite 3A, K-chabazite, K-L zeolite, and kalsilite. It is suggested that the unique framework topology of –LIT zeolite is responsible for its high catalytic activity.
A New Method for Estimating Surface Band Energies of a Semiconductor Electrode in Contact with an Electrolyte Solution
Authors: Nakato Yoshihiro
Published: January 2013

Surface band energies of a semiconductor electrode are a key quantity for knowing the reactivity of electrons and holes, but no unambiguous understanding has yet been obtained about how they are determined when various kinds of electric charges are present simultaneously near the surface. This letter reports that the problem can be clearly solved by working out a new graphical method to estimate surface band energies definitely and consistently under diverse conditions.
Inclusion Crystals of 3α,7α,12α,24-Tetrahydroxycholane with Haloaromatic Compounds: Pitches and Stability of Herringbone Assemblies in Channels
Authors: Liu Wen-Tzu , Kin Yute , Nakano Kazunori , Hisaki Ichiro , Tohnai Norimitsu , Miyata Mikiji
Published: January 2013

Novel inclusion crystals of 3α,7α,12α,24-tetrahydroxycholane with aromatic compounds are described. Pitches and stability of herringbone assemblies in channels play a big role in the formation of inclusion crystals.