bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional Anatomy of Incisal Biting in Aplodontia rufa and Sciuromorph Rodents – Part 1: Masticatory Muscles, Skull Shape and Digging
Authors: Druzinsky Robert E.
Published: February 2010

Traditionally, rodents have been grouped into suborders distinguished largely on the basis of characteristics of the jaw adductor muscles and other features of the masticatory apparatus. The three classic suborders are: Sciuromorpha (squirrels), Myomorpha (rats and mice), and Hystricomorpha (porcupines and the South American caviomorph rodents). Protrogomorph rodents are thought to represent the primitive condition of rodent masticatory muscles. Aplodontia rufa, the mountain beaver, is the only living protrogomorphous rodent. The present work is a detailed comparison of the masticatory apparatus in A. rufa and Marmota monax, the woodchuck. But the mandibular region of A. rufa appears remarkable, unlike anything found in other rodents. Is A. rufa a reasonable representative of the primitive, protrogomorphous condition? A.rufa is a member of the aplodontoid-sciuroid clade with a wide and flat skull. The large temporalis and mandibular apophyses of A. rufa are features related to its relatively wide skull. Such features are found in less dramatic forms in other sciuromorphous species and the basic arrangement of the masticatory muscles of A. rufa is similar to the arrangement seen in sciuromorphs.
Incremental Predictive Value of Adding Past Blood Pressure Measurements to the Framingham Hypertension Risk Equation
Authors: Kivimäki Mika , Tabak Adam G. , Batty G. David , Ferrie Jane E. , Nabi Hermann , Marmot Michael G. , Witte Daniel R. , Singh-Manoux Archana , Shipley Martin J.
Published: February 2010

Records of repeated examinations of blood pressure are increasingly available for primary care patients, but the use of this information in predicting incident hypertension remains unclear, because cohort studies with repeat blood pressure monitoring are rare. We compared the incremental value of using data on blood pressure history to a single measure as in the Framingham hypertension risk score, a validated hypertension risk prediction algorithm. Participants were 4314 London-based civil servants (1297 women) aged 35 to 68 years who were free from prevalent hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease at baseline examination (the Whitehall II Study). Standard clinical examinations of blood pressure, weight and height, current cigarette smoking, and parental history of hypertension were undertaken on a 5-year basis. A total of 1052 incident (new-onset) cases of hypertension were observed in two 5-year baseline follow-up data cycles. Comparison of the Framingham risk score with a score additionally incorporating 5-year blood pressure history showed, at best, modest improvements in indicators of predictive performance: C statistics (0.796 versus 0.799), predicted:observed ratios (1.04 [95% CI: 0.95 to 1.15] versus 0.98 [95% CI: 0.89 to 1.08]), or Hosmer-Lemeshow χ
2
values (11.5 versus 6.5). The net reclassification improvement with the modified score was 9.3% (95% CI: 4.2% to 14.4%), resulting from a net 17.1% increase in nonhypertensives correctly identified as being at lower risk but a net 7.8% increase in hypertensives incorrectly identified as at lower risk. These data suggest that, despite the net reclassification improvement, the clinical use of adding repeat measures of blood pressure to the Framingham hypertension risk score may be limited.
Accelerated Development of Pressure Overload–Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy and Dysfunction in an RyR2-R176Q Knockin Mouse Model
Authors: van Oort Ralph J. , Respress Jonathan L. , Li Na , Reynolds Corey , De Almeida Angela C. , Skapura Darlene G. , De Windt Leon J. , Wehrens Xander H.T.
Published: February 2010

In response to chronic hypertension, the heart compensates by hypertrophic growth, which frequently progresses to heart failure. Although intracellular calcium (Ca
2+
) has a central role in hypertrophic signaling pathways, the Ca
2+
source for activating these pathways remains elusive. We hypothesized that pathological sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
leak through defective cardiac intracellular Ca
2+
release channels/ryanodine receptors (RyR2) accelerates heart failure development by stimulating Ca
2+
-dependent hypertrophic signaling. Mice heterozygous for the gain-of-function mutation R176Q/+ in
RyR2
and wild-type mice were subjected to transverse aortic constriction. Cardiac function was significantly lower, and cardiac dimensions were larger at 8 weeks after transverse aortic constriction in R176Q/+ compared with wild-type mice. R176Q/+ mice displayed an enhanced hypertrophic response compared with wild-type mice as assessed by heart weight:body weight ratios and cardiomyocyte cross-sectional areas after transverse aortic constriction. Quantitative PCR revealed increased transcriptional activation of cardiac stress genes in R176Q/+ mice after transverse aortic constriction. Moreover, pressure overload resulted in an increased sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
leak, associated with higher expression levels of the exon 4 splice form of regulator of calcineurin 1, and a decrease in nuclear factor of activated T-cells phosphorylation in R176Q/+ mice compared with wild-type mice. Taken together, our results suggest that RyR2-dependent sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca
2+
leak activates the prohypertrophic calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cells pathway under conditions of pressure overload.
Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate Improves Angiotensin II–Induced Vascular Dysfunction via Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1
Authors: Schuhmacher Swenja , Wenzel Philip , Schulz Eberhard , Oelze Matthias , Mang Christian , Kamuf Jens , Gori Tommaso , Jansen Thomas , Knorr Maike , Karbach Susanne , Hortmann Marcus , Mäthner Falk , Bhatnagar Aruni , Förstermann Ulrich , Li Huige , Münzel Thomas , Daiber Andreas
Published: February 2010

The organic nitrate pentaerythritol tetranitrate is devoid of nitrate tolerance, which has been attributed to the induction of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase (HO)-1. With the present study, we tested whether chronic treatment with pentaerythritol tetranitrate can improve angiotensin II–induced vascular oxidative stress and dysfunction. In contrast to isosorbide-5 mononitrate (75 mg/kg per day for 7 days), treatment with pentaerythritol tetranitrate (15 mg/kg per day for 7 days) improved the impaired endothelial and smooth muscle function and normalized vascular and cardiac reactive oxygen species production (mitochondria, NADPH oxidase activity, and uncoupled endothelial NO synthase), as assessed by dihydroethidine staining, lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, and quantification of dihydroethidine oxidation products in angiotensin II (1 mg/kg per day for 7 days)–treated rats. The antioxidant features of pentaerythritol tetranitrate were recapitulated in spontaneously hypertensive rats. In addition to an increase in HO-1 protein expression, pentaerythritol tetranitrate but not isosorbide-5 mononitrate normalized vascular reactive oxygen species formation and augmented aortic protein levels of the tetrahydrobiopterin-synthesizing enzymes GTP-cyclohydrolase I and dihydrofolate reductase in angiotensin II–treated rats, thereby preventing endothelial NO synthase uncoupling. Haploinsufficiency of HO-1 completely abolished the beneficial effects of pentaerythritol tetranitrate in angiotensin II–treated mice, whereas HO-1 induction by hemin (25 mg/kg) mimicked the effect of pentaerythritol tetranitrate. Improvement of vascular function in this particular model of arterial hypertension by pentaerythritol tetranitrate largely depends on the induction of the antioxidant enzyme HO-1 and identifies pentaerythritol tetranitrate, in contrast to isosorbide-5 mononitrate, as an organic nitrate able to improve rather than to worsen endothelial function.
A Case of Open and Shut: The Five Thresholds in 1 Samuel 1:1-7:2
Authors: Meredith Christopher
Published: February 2010

Though scholars have occasionally noted various parings of the five thresholds of 1 Samuel's first six chapters, the overall spatial construction of the text has generally been neglected. This article argues that the five doors form a spatially organised schema that structures both the text and the described universe, it assesses how the text socially (re) produces space within this matrix and poses questions as to how spatial dialectics and character interaction might collude in the processes of constituting and reconstituting the world as marked out by these thresholds.
The Impact of Evaporation on Polarimetric Characteristics of Rain: Theoretical Model and Practical Implications
Authors: Kumjian Matthew R. , Ryzhkov Alexander V.
Published: February 2010

Soon, the National Weather Service’s Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) network will be upgraded to allow dual-polarization capabilities. Therefore, it is imperative to understand and identify microphysical processes using the polarimetric variables. Though melting and size sorting of hydrometeors have been investigated, there has been relatively little focus devoted to the impacts of evaporation on the polarimetric characteristics of rainfall. In this study, a simple explicit bin microphysics one-dimensional rainshaft model is constructed to quantify the impacts of evaporation (neglecting the collisional processes) on vertical profiles of polarimetric radar variables in rain. The results of this model are applicable for light to moderate rain (<10 mm h−1). The modeling results indicate that the amount of evaporation that occurs in the subcloud layer is strongly dependent on the initial shape of the drop size distribution aloft, which can be assessed with polarimetric measurements. Understanding how radar-estimated rainfall rates may change in height due to evaporation is important for quantitative precipitation estimates, especially in regions far from the radar or in regions of complex terrain where low levels may not be adequately sampled. In addition to quantifying the effects of evaporation, a simple method of estimating the amount of evaporation that occurs in a given environment based on polarimetric radar measurements of the reflectivity factor ZH and differential reflectivity ZDR aloft is offered. Such a technique may be useful to operational meteorologists and hydrologists in estimating the amount of precipitation reaching the surface, especially in regions of poor low-level radar coverage such as mountainous regions or locations at large distances from the radar.
Assessing the Impact of Meteorological History on Subtropical Cloud Fraction
Authors: Mauger Guillaume S. , Norris Joel R.
Published: February 2010

This study presents findings from the application of a new Lagrangian method used to evaluate the meteorological sensitivities of subtropical clouds in the northeast Atlantic. Parcel back trajectories are used to account for the influence of previous meteorological conditions on cloud properties, whereas forward trajectories highlight the continued evolution of cloud state. Satellite retrievals from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES), Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT), and Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) provide measurements of cloud properties as well as atmospheric state. These are complemented by meteorological fields from the ECMWF operational analysis model. Observations are composited by cloud fraction, and mean trajectories are used to evaluate differences between each composite.

Systematic differences in meteorological conditions are found to extend through the full 144-h trajectories, confirming the need to account for cloud history in assessing impacts on cloud properties. Most striking among these is the observation that strong synoptic-scale divergence is associated with reduced cloud fraction 0–12 h later. Consistent with prior work, the authors find that cloud cover variations correlate best with variations in lower-tropospheric stability (LTS) and SST that are 36 h upwind. In addition, the authors find that free-tropospheric humidity, along-trajectory SST gradient, and surface fluxes all correlate best at lags ranging from 0 to 12 h. Overall, cloud cover appears to be most strongly impacted by variations in surface divergence over short time scales (<12 h) and by factors influencing boundary layer stratification over longer time scales (12–48 h).

Notably, in the early part of the trajectories several of the above associations are reversed. In particular, when trajectories computed for small cloud fraction scenes are traced back 72 h, they are found to originate in conditions of weaker surface divergence and stronger surface fluxes relative to those computed for large cloud fraction scenes. Coupled with a drier boundary layer and warmer SSTs, this suggests that a decoupling of the boundary layer precedes cloud dissipation. The authors develop an approximation for the stratification of the boundary layer and find further evidence that stratification plays a role in differentiating between developing and dissipating clouds.
The Importance of Climate Variability to Wind-Driven Modulation of Hypoxia in Chesapeake Bay
Authors: Scully Malcolm E.
Published: February 2010

Extensive hypoxia remains a problem in Chesapeake Bay, despite some reductions in estimated nutrient inputs. An analysis of a 58-yr time series of summer hypoxia reveals that a significant fraction of the interannual variability observed in Chesapeake Bay is correlated to changes in summertime wind direction that are the result of large-scale climate variability. Beginning around 1980, the surface pressure associated with the summer Bermuda high has weakened, favoring winds from a more westerly direction, the direction most correlated with observed hypoxia. Regression analysis suggests that the long-term increase in hypoxic volume observed in this dataset is only accounted for when both changes in wind direction and nitrogen loading are considered.
An Adaptive Approach to Mitigate Background Covariance Limitations in the Ensemble Kalman Filter
Authors: Song Hajoon , Hoteit Ibrahim , Cornuelle Bruce D. , Subramanian Aneesh C.
Published: February 2010

A new approach is proposed to address the background covariance limitations arising from undersampled ensembles and unaccounted model errors in the ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF). The method enhances the representativeness of the EnKF ensemble by augmenting it with new members chosen adaptively to add missing information that prevents the EnKF from fully fitting the data to the ensemble. The vectors to be added are obtained by back projecting the residuals of the observation misfits from the EnKF analysis step onto the state space. The back projection is done using an optimal interpolation (OI) scheme based on an estimated covariance of the subspace missing from the ensemble. In the experiments reported here, the OI uses a preselected stationary background covariance matrix, as in the hybrid EnKF–three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) approach, but the resulting correction is included as a new ensemble member instead of being added to all existing ensemble members.

The adaptive approach is tested with the Lorenz-96 model. The hybrid EnKF–3DVAR is used as a benchmark to evaluate the performance of the adaptive approach. Assimilation experiments suggest that the new adaptive scheme significantly improves the EnKF behavior when it suffers from small size ensembles and neglected model errors. It was further found to be competitive with the hybrid EnKF–3DVAR approach, depending on ensemble size and data coverage.
The USA PATRIOT Acts (et al.): Convergent Legislation and Oligarchic Isomorphism in the “Politics of Fear” and State Crime(s) Against Democracy (SCADs)
Authors: Thorne Kym , Kouzmin Alexander
Published: February 2010

The irrelevance of habeas corpus and the abolition of “double jeopardy,” secret and protracted outsourcing of detention and torture, and increasing geographic prevalence of surveillance technologies across Anglo-American “democracies” have many citizens concerned about the rapidly convergent, authoritarian behavior of political oligarchs and the actual destruction of sovereignty and democratic values under the onslaught of antiterrorism hubris, propaganda, and fear. This article examines synchronic legislative isomorphism in responses to 9/11 in the United States, the United Kingdom and European Union, and Australia in terms of enacted terrorism legislation and, also, diachronic, oligarchic isomorphism in the manufacture of fear within a convergent world by comparing the “Politics of Fear” being practiced today to Stalinist—Russian and McCarthyist—U.S. abuse of “fear.” The immediate future of Anglo-American democratic hubris, threats to civil society, and oligarchic threats to democratic praxis are canvassed. This article also raises the question as to whether The USA PATRIOT Acts of 2001/2006, sanctioned by the U.S. Congress, are examples, themselves, of state crimes against democracy. In the very least, any democratically inclined White House occupant in 2009 would need to commit to repealing these repressive, and counterproductive, acts.
Carbon/SiC Hybrid Bonding between Carbon-Carbon Composites
Authors: Koyama Masashi , Fukuda Hiroshi , Ishii Kosuke , Siota Ichiro , Hatta Hiroshi
Published: February 2010

In order to use carbon/carbon composites (C/Cs) in various hot structures, a bonding technique effective at elevated temperatures is frequently required. In the present study, a hybrid bonding technique suitable for C/Cs is proposed. This hybrid bonding involves carbon bonding followed by the infiltration of molten Si into cracks in the carbon bonding-layer. During and after the infiltration, Si was converted to SiC by a chemical reaction with carbon in the bonding layer and the substrates. Thus, the resulting bond was nearly crack-free and exhibited much higher strength than carbon bonds. The bonding strength of the hybrid bond was then evaluated at temperatures up to 2273K in a vacuum, and was compared with the bonding strength of carbon or SiC bonds. These results demonstrated that the hybrid bonding technique, unlike carbon and SiC bonding, has the advantage of simultaneously providing high strength and easy processing.
Give peace a chance: Nonviolent protest and the creation of territorial autonomy arrangements
Authors: Shaykhutdinov Renat
Published: February 2010

This study examines factors that predict the formation of territorial autonomy arrangements for regionally concentrated ethnic communities. Territorial autonomies are institutional arrangements that allow ethnic groups to express their distinct identities while keeping the borders of host states intact. Although an extensive literature has investigated the capacity of autonomy arrangements to manage interethnic disputes, little research has addressed the precise origins of these institutions. The existing literature considers violent tactics as a primary factor that enables ethnic collectivities to attain territorial autonomy. In this study, the reasoning from the extant literature is juxtaposed with the arguments developed in the research on nonviolent opposition. Nonviolent movements enjoy moral advantage vis-à-vis violent groups. Moreover, peaceful tactics have the advantage of garnering attention for the concerns of ethnic groups without the liability of provoking the animosity or distrust created by violent conflict. Based on the analysis of a dataset representing 168 ethnic groups across 87 states from 1945 to 2000, it is found that the peaceful tactics groups employ when seeking greater self-rule is the single strongest predictor of the formation of autonomy arrangements. In particular, this study concludes that groups that rely on peaceful tactics, such as protests and strikes, and demand territorial autonomy, as opposed to an outright independence, have a greater potential to achieve territorial autonomy in comparison to those groups making extreme demands through the use of violence.
The spoiler effect: Framing attitudes and expectations toward peace
Authors: Sheafer Tamir , Dvir-Gvirsman Shira
Published: February 2010

This study analyzes the impact of media framing on aggregate attitudes and expectations of Israelis toward the Oslo peace process with the Palestinians during a time period of eight years (1995—2003). It presents three main contributions: First, it provides a long-term analysis of the impact of media coverage of a peace process on public opinion, while controlling for the influence of real life events. Second, it presents empirical evidence that the strength of media framing effects varies among different facets of public opinion. Specifically, framing effects are stronger on aggregate future expectations compared with their effects on aggregate current attitudes. The fact that the information transmitted by the media evaluative tone was a central source of influence on future expectations underlines the central role of the media in political and social phenomena. Third, in line with previous studies, it shows that the public response to negative framing is much stronger than to positive framing. This may have a negative effect on a government’s ability to rally the public in support of a peace process. Since most media coverage of the peace process and conflict focused on negative developments while ignoring positive ones, the media effect on public opinion was that of peace spoilers.
Preclinical and clinical pharmacology of TPA023B, a GABAAreceptor α2/α3 subtype-selective partial agonist
Authors: Atack JR , Hallett DJ , Tye S , Wafford KA , Ryan C , Sanabria-Bohórquez SM , Eng Wai-si , Gibson RE , Burns HD , Dawson GR , Carling RW , Street LJ , Pike A , De Lepeleire I , Van Laere K , Bormans G , de Hoon JN , Van Hecken A , McKernan RM , Murphy MG , Hargreaves RJ
Published: February 2010

In the accompanying paper we describe how MRK-409 unexpectedly produced sedation in man at relatively low levels of GABAAreceptor occupancy (∼10%). Since it was not clear whether this sedation was mediated via the α2/α3 or α1 GABAAsubtype(s), we characterized the properties of TPA023B, a high-affinity imidazotriazine which, like MRK-409, has partial agonist efficacy at the α2 and α3 subtype but is an antagonist at the α1 subtype, at which MRK-409 has weak partial agonism. TPA023B gave dose- and time-dependent occupancy of rat brain GABAAreceptors as measured using an in vivo [3H]flumazenil binding assay, with 50% occupancy corresponding to a respective dose and plasma drug concentration of 0.09 mg/kg and 19 ng/mL, the latter of which was similar to that observed in mice (25 ng/mL) and comparable to values obtained in baboon and man using [11C]flumazenil PET (10 and 5.8 ng/mL, respectively). TPA023B was anxiolytic in rodent and primate (squirrel monkey) models of anxiety (elevated plus maze, fear-potentiated startle, conditioned suppression of drinking, conditioned emotional response) yet had no significant effects in rodent or primate assays of ataxia and/or myorelaxation (rotarod, chain-pulling, lever pressing), up to doses (10 mg/kg) corresponding to occupancy of greater than 99%. In man, TPA023B was well tolerated at a dose (1.5 mg) that produced occupancy of >50%, suggesting that the sedation previously seen with MRK-409 is due to the partial agonist efficacy of that compound at the α1 subtype, and highlighting the importance of antagonist efficacy at this particular GABAAreceptor population for avoiding sedation in man.
Using Resources: Conceptualizing the Mediation and Reflective Use of Tools and Signs
Authors: Gillespie Alex , Zittoun Tania
Published: February 2010

The idea that culture comprises resources that are used has become a popular means to re-conceptualize the culture—agency antinomy. However, the theorization of using resources is fragmented. The present article reviews several attempts to theorize resources, arguing that there has been too much focus upon the resources themselves, while the notion of use has been neglected. Focusing upon mode of use, as opposed to the resources used, the article underscores the importance of distinguishing between tools, which are used to act upon the world, and signs, which are used to act upon the mind. The article also argues for a distinction between non-reflective use, or mediation, and reflective use of resources. Future research should focus upon the transformation of tools into signs and the transformation of mediation into reflective use. The article concludes by discussing problematic issues that remain in conceptualizing the use of resources.
Commentary: Making Sense of Identity Dialogues
Authors: Märtsin Mariann
Published: February 2010

In this commentary an alternative conceptual model of identity construction is proposed. In this model, identity construction is seen as part of a person’s ongoing sense-making. Identity is perceived as a subjective sense of continuity and sameness that renders one’s being in the world meaningful. Drawing on empirical examples provided in the target articles, it is shown how this model, which is built around the notions of rupture, identity dialogues and striving towards meaningfulness, can be utilized to analyse identity dynamics in different space and time contexts. The importance of examining links between an individual’s sense-making and collective meaning field, in which sense-making is embedded, is also highlighted.
Detection of Fatigue Cracks Using Random Decrement Signatures
Authors: Shiryayev Oleg V. , Slater Joseph C.
Published: February 2010

Damage in structural members usually causes stiffness changes that could be linear or nonlinear. Opening and closing fatigue cracks are usually represented by a bilinear stiffness characteristic. This work describes damage identification approach that is based on the changes in statistical properties of randomdec signatures caused by the onset of nonlinearity. The approach is applied to acceleration data collected from a cracked beam. The results suggest that the method allows to detect the crack if excitation level is high enough. Practical difficulties encountered during implementation are also discussed.
Competency-Based Impact of a Statewide Public Health Leadership Training Program
Authors: Hawley Suzanne R. , St. Romain Theresa , Orr Shirley A. , Molgaard Craig A. , Kabler Bethany S.
Published: February 2010

Previous public health leadership training research has assessed regional or national programs or evaluated program effectiveness qualitatively. Although these methods are valuable, state-level program impact has not been evaluated quantitatively. Public health core and leadership competency assessments are administered pre and post Kansas Public Health Leadership Institute training (N = 94). Wilcoxon signed rank tests note significant increases by each competency domain. Data are stratified by years of experience, level of education, and urban or rural status, and correlations calculated using Spearman’s rho tests in SPSS/PC 14.0. Post training, participants improve significantly in all competency domains (p < .001). Participants with lower education, fewer years of experience, and rural status improve more in certain core competency domains. Lower education and rural status correlate with greater improvement in certain leadership competency domains. Similar assessment methods can be used by other public health education programs to ensure that programs appropriately train specific workforce populations for national accreditation.
Analysis of chick (Gallus gallus) middle ear columella formation
Authors: Wood Jamie L , Hughes Ami J , Mercer Kathryn J , Chapman Susan C
Published: February 2010

Background

The chick middle ear bone, the columella, provides an accessible model in which to study the tissue and molecular interactions necessary for induction and patterning of the columella, as well as associated multiple aspects of endochondral ossification. These include mesenchymal condensation, chondrogenesis, ossification of the medial footplate and shaft, and joint formation between the persistent cartilage of the extracolumella and ossified columella. Middle and external ear defects are responsible for approximately 10% of congenital hearing defects. Thus, understanding the morphogenesis and the molecular mechanisms of the formation of the middle ear is important to understanding normal and abnormal development of this essential component of the hearing apparatus.

Results

The columella, which arises from proximal ectomesenchyme of the second pharyngeal arch, is induced and patterned in a dynamic multi-step process. From the footplate, which inserts into the inner ear oval window, the shaft spans the pneumatic middle ear cavity, and the extracolumella inserts into the tympanic membrane. Through marker gene and immunolabeling analysis, we have determined the onset of each stage in the columella's development, from condensation to ossification. Significantly, a single condensation with the putative shaft and extracolumella arms already distinguishable is observed shortly before initiation of five separate chondrogenic centers within these structures. Ossification begins later, with periosteum formation in the shaft and, unexpectedly, a separate periosteum in the footplate.

Conclusions

The data presented in this study document the spatiotemporal events leading to morphogenesis of the columella and middle ear structures and provide the first gene expression data for this region. These data identify candidate genes and facilitate future functional studies and elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of columella formation.
An enhancer peptide for membrane-disrupting antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Ueno Satoshi , Kusaka Kohtaro , Tamada Yasushi , Zhang Hong , Minaba Masaomi , Kato Yusuke
Published: February 2010

Background

NP4P is a synthetic peptide derived from a natural, non-antimicrobial peptide fragment (pro-region of nematode cecropin P4) by substitution of all acidic amino acid residues with amides (i.e., Glu → Gln, and Asp → Asn).

Results

In the presence of NP4P, some membrane-disrupting antimicrobial peptides (ASABF-α, polymyxin B, and nisin) killed microbes at lower concentration (e.g., 10 times lower minimum bactericidal concentration for ASABF-α against Staphylococcus aureus), whereas NP4P itself was not bactericidal and did not interfere with bacterial growth at ≤ 300 μg/mL. In contrast, the activities of antimicrobial agents with a distinct mode of action (indolicidin, ampicillin, kanamycin, and enrofloxacin) were unaffected. Although the membrane-disrupting activity of NP4P was slight or undetectable, ASABF-α permeabilized S. aureus membranes with enhanced efficacy in the presence of NP4P.

Conclusions

NP4P selectively enhanced the bactericidal activities of membrane-disrupting antimicrobial peptides by increasing the efficacy of membrane disruption against the cytoplasmic membrane.
Effect of anti-glycosphingolipid monoclonal antibodies in pathogenic fungal growth and differentiation. Characterization of monoclonal antibody MEST-3 directed to Manp α1→3Manp α1→2IPC
Authors: Toledo Marcos S , Tagliari Loriane , Suzuki Erika , Silva Claudinei M , Straus Anita H , Takahashi Helio K
Published: February 2010

Background

Studies carried out during the 1990's demonstrated the presence of fungal glycoinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs) with unique structures, some of them showed reactivity with sera of patients with histoplasmosis, paracoccidioidomycosis or aspergillosis. It was also observed that fungal GIPCs were able to inhibit T lymphocyte proliferation "in vitro", and studies regarding the importance of these molecules to fungal survival showed that many species of fungi are vulnerable to inhibitors of sphingolipid biosynthesis.

Results

In this paper, we describe a detailed characterization of an IgG2a monoclonal antibody (mAb), termed MEST-3, directed to the Paracoccidioides brasiliensis glycolipid antigen Pb-2 (Manp α1→3Manp α1→2IPC). mAb MEST-3 also recognizes GIPCs bearing the same structure in other fungi. Studies performed on fungal cultures clearly showed the strong inhibitory activity of MEST-3 on differentiation and colony formation of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, Histoplasma capsulatum and Sporothrix schenckii. Similar inhibitory results were observed when these fungi where incubated with a different mAb, which recognizes GIPCs bearing terminal residues of β-D-galactofuranose linked to mannose (mAb MEST-1). On the other hand, mAb MEST-2 specifically directed to fungal glucosylceramide (GlcCer) was able to promote only a weak inhibition on fungal differentiation and colony formation.

Conclusions

These results strongly suggest that mAbs directed to specific glycosphingolipids are able to interfere on fungal growth and differentiation. Thus, studies on surface distribution of GIPCs in yeast and mycelium forms of fungi may yield valuable information regarding the relevance of glycosphingolipids in processes of fungal growth, morphological transition and infectivity.
Endothelial dysfunction in obese non-hypertensive children without evidence of sleep disordered breathing
Authors: Bhattacharjee Rakesh , Alotaibi Wadha H , Kheirandish-Gozal Leila , Capdevila Oscar Sans , Gozal David
Published: February 2010

Background

Endothelial dysfunction is a complication of both obesity and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), the latter being highly prevalent among obese children. It is unknown whether obesity causes endothelial dysfunction in children in the absence of OSAS. This study examines endothelial function in obese and non-obese children without OSAS.

Methods

Pre-pubertal non-hypertensive children were recruited. Endothelial function was assessed in a morning fasted state, using a modified hyperemic test involving cuff-induced occlusion of the radial and ulnar arteries. The absence of OSAS was confirmed by overnight polysomnography. Anthropometry was also performed.

Results

55 obese children (mean age 8.6 ± 1.4 years, mean BMI z-score: 2.3 ± 0.3) were compared to 50 non-obese children (mean age 8.0 ± 1.6 years, mean BMI z-score 0.3 ± 0.9). Significant delays to peak capillary reperfusion after occlusion release occurred in obese compared to non-obese children (45.3 ± 21.9 sec vs. 31.5 ± 14.1 sec, p < 0.01), but no differences in the magnitude of hyperemia emerged. Time to peak reperfusion and percentage of body fat were positively correlated (r = 0.365, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Our findings confirm that endothelial dysfunction occurs early in life in obese children, even in the absence of OSAS. Thus, mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction in pediatric obesity are operational in the absence of sleep-disordered breathing.
Characterization of two diesel fuel degrading microbial consortia enriched from a non acclimated, complex source of microorganisms
Authors: Zanaroli Giulio , Di Toro Sara , Todaro Daniela , Varese Giovanna C , Bertolotto Antonio , Fava Fabio
Published: February 2010

Background

The bioremediation of soils impacted by diesel fuels is very often limited by the lack of indigenous microflora with the required broad substrate specificity. In such cases, the soil inoculation with cultures with the desired catabolic capabilities (bioaugmentation) is an essential option. The use of consortia of microorganisms obtained from rich sources of microbes (e.g., sludges, composts, manure) via enrichment (i.e., serial growth transfers) on the polluting hydrocarbons would provide bioremediation enhancements more robust and reproducible than those achieved with specialized pure cultures or tailored combinations (co-cultures) of them, together with none or minor risks of soil loading with unrelated or pathogenic allocthonous microorganisms.

Results

In this work, two microbial consortia, i.e., ENZ-G1 and ENZ-G2, were enriched from ENZYVEBA (a complex commercial source of microorganisms) on Diesel (G1) and HiQ Diesel (G2), respectively, and characterized in terms of microbial composition and hydrocarbon biodegradation capability and specificity.

ENZ-G1 and ENZ-G2 exhibited a comparable and remarkable biodegradation capability and specificity towards n-C10 to n-C24 linear paraffins by removing about 90% of 1 g l-1 of diesel fuel applied after 10 days of aerobic shaken flask batch culture incubation at 30°C. Cultivation dependent and independent approaches evidenced that both consortia consist of bacteria belonging to the genera Chryseobacterium, Acinetobacter, Psudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Alcaligenes and Gordonia along with the fungus Trametes gibbosa. However, only the fungus was found to grow and remarkably biodegrade G1 and G2 hydrocarbons under the same conditions. The biodegradation activity and specificity and the microbial composition of ENZ-G1 and ENZ-G2 did not significantly change after cryopreservation and storage at -20°C for several months.

Conclusions

ENZ-G1 and ENZ-G2 are very similar highly enriched consortia of bacteria and a fungus capable of extensively degrading a broad range of the hydrocarbons mainly composing diesel fuels. Given their remarkable biodegradation potential, stability and resistance to cryopreservation, both consortia appear very interesting candidates for bioaugmentation operations on Diesel fuel impacted soils and sites.
COU254, a specific 3-carboxamide-coumarin inhibitor of coagulation factor XII, does not protect mice from acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Kraft Peter , Schwarz Tobias , Pochet Lionel , Stoll Guido , Kleinschnitz Christoph
Published: February 2010

Background

Anticoagulation is an important means to prevent from acute ischemic stroke but is associated with a significant risk of severe hemorrhages. Previous studies have shown that blood coagulation factor XII (FXII)-deficient mice are protected from pathological thrombus formation during cerebral ischemia without bearing an increased bleeding tendency. Hence, pharmacological blockade of FXII might be a promising and safe approach to prevent acute ischemic stroke and possibly other thromboembolic disorders but pharmacological inhibitors selective over FXII are still lacking. In the present study we investigated the efficacy of COU254, a novel nonpeptidic 3-carboxamide-coumarin that selectively blocks FXII activity, on stroke development and post stroke functional outcome in mice.

Methods

C57Bl/6 mice were treated with COU254 (40 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle and subjected to 60 min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) using the intraluminal filament method. After 24 h infarct volumes were determined from 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazoliumchloride(TTC)-stained brain sections and functional scores were assessed. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to estimate the extent of neuronal cell damage. Thrombus formation within the infarcted brain areas was analyzed by immunoblot.

Results

Infarct volumes and functional outcomes on day 1 after tMCAO did not significantly differ between COU254 pre-treated mice or untreated controls (p > 0.05). Histology revealed extensive ischemic neuronal damage regularly including the cortex and the basal ganglia in both groups. COU254 treatment did not prevent intracerebral fibrin(ogen) formation.

Conclusions

COU254 at the given concentration of 40 mg/kg failed to demonstrate efficacy in acute ischemic stroke in this preliminary study. Further preclinical evaluation of 3-carboxamide-coumarins is needed before the antithrombotic potential of this novel class of FXII inhibitors can be finally judged.
Enhanced late-outgrowth circulating endothelial progenitor cell levels in rheumatoid arthritis and correlation with disease activity
Authors: Jodon de Villeroché Vanina , Avouac Jérome , Ponceau Aurélie , Ruiz Barbara , Kahan André , Boileau Catherine , Uzan Georges , Allanore Yannick
Published: February 2010

Introduction

Angiogenesis and vasculogenesis are critical in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as they could be a key issue for chronic synovitis. Contradictory results have been published regarding circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in RA. We herein investigated late outgrowth EPC sub-population using recent recommendations in patients with RA and healthy controls.

Methods

EPCs, defined as Lin-/7AAD-/CD34+/CD133+/VEGFR-2+ cells, were quantified by flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 59 RA patients (mean age: 54 ± 15 years, disease duration: 16 ± 11 years) and 36 controls (mean age: 53 ± 19 years) free of cardiovascular events and of cardiovascular risk factors. Concomitantly, late outgrowth endothelial cell colonies derived from culture of PBMCs were analyzed by colony-forming units (CFUs).

Results

RA patients displayed higher circulating EPC counts than controls (median 112 [27 to 588] vs. 60 [5 to 275]) per million Lin- mononuclear cells;P= 0.0007). The number of circulating EPCs positively correlated with disease activity reflected by DAS-28 score (r = 0.43;P= 0.0028) and lower counts were found in RA patients fulfilling remission criteria (P= 0.0069). Furthermore, late outgrowth CFU number was increased in RA patients compared to controls. In RA, there was no association between the number of EPCs and serum markers of inflammation or endothelial injury or synovitis.

Conclusions

Our data, based on a well characterized definition of late outgrowth EPCs, demonstrate enhanced levels in RA and relationship with disease activity. This supports the contribution of vasculogenesis in the inflammatory articular process that occurs in RA by mobilization of EPCs.
Documenting Citizenship in Medicaid: The Struggle between Ideology and Evidence
Authors: Ku Leighton , Pervez Fouad
Published: February 2010

In 2006 Congress passed, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rapidly issued, regulations requiring states to obtain proof of citizenship from citizens who had applied for Medicaid. This policy was framed as reducing fraud by illegal aliens to preserve benefits for citizens. In fact, evidence indicates there was no significant problem of fraud by immigrants, and the major effect of the policy was to reduce coverage of eligible citizens. This article addresses the reasons why Congress developed this policy and why CMS acted with uncharacteristic haste to implement these counterproductive policies. We note the importance of the policy's symbolic framing—that is, as establishing sanctions against illegal immigration—in congressional passage during a period of rising nativism in Congress and the nation. The regulatory actions reflected the ideological preferences of political appointees and an increasingly adversarial relationship between CMS and state agencies during this period. These haphazard regulatory actions made the policies more convoluted and likely led more eligible citizens to lose coverage. In 2009, Congress amended the law to modify implementation. These issues have continued to persist in the recent debate on national health care reform.
Short-term repeatability of joint space width measurements using a magnetic resonance imaging compatible knee positioning device
Authors: Koff M F , Stanley D W , Weishaar P J , Amrami K K , Kaufman K R
Published: February 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatible knee positioning device to aid in minimizing intratechnologist and intertechnologist differences of minimum joint space width (JSW) measurements. Five subjects were scanned by two separate technologists, with and without an MRI-compatible positioning device. A semi-automated program calculated the minimum JSW of the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints. The scan-to-scan repeatability was evaluated from measurements between serial scans without subject repositioning, and the intratechnologist and intertechnologist repeatabilities were evaluated when the subject was removed from the magnet and repositioned by an individual technologist. The root mean square (RMS) error of the JSW measurements was also calculated. All measures of scan-to-scan repeatability and intratechnologist repeatability were unchanged with the MRI-compatible positioning device. The intertechnologist repeatability decreased from 0.70 to 0.42 mm, and the RMS error was significantly reduced ( P = 0.0006) from 0.26 to 0.15 mm for the tibiofemoral joint. The variability of patellofemoral JSW measurements increased when using the positioning device; however, the increases were not statistically significant. The intertechnologist repeatability increased from 1.55 to 1.79 mm, and the RMS error increased from 0.58 to 0.73 mm. The MRI-compatible positioning device was successful at reducing JSW measurement variability at the tibiofemoral joint. The increase in measurement variability at the patellofemoral joint may be due to local incongruities of the articular surfaces. An MRI-compatible positioning device may be beneficial for quantitative longitudinal studies evaluating knee joint health.
Preparation of Charge-transfer Host Complex Composed of [9,9′-Biphenanthryl]-10,10′-diol Having a Large and Widely π-Conjugated Phenanthrene Ring
Authors: Ukegawa Tatsuya , Kinuta Takafumi , Sato Tomohiro , Tajima Nobuo , Kuroda Reiko , Matsubara Yoshio , Imai Yoshitane
Published: February 2010

A colored supramolecular charge-transfer (CT) host complex composed of racemic rac-[9,9′-biphenanthryl]-10,10′-diol, having a large and widely π-conjugated phenanthrene ring, as an electron donor and 2,5-dimethyl-1,4-benzoquinone as an electron acceptor has been developed. The molecular recognition properties (guest inclusion behavior and color) of the CT complex can be tuned by using electron donor molecules with different steric bulkiness and electron-donating properties.
Photoabsorption Study of Pigments in Mosses: Scopelophila ligulata Has an Abnormally High Formation Rate of Pheophytin
Authors: Nakajima Hiromitsu , Itoh Kiminori , Otake Hideaki , Fujimoto Kenjiro
Published: February 2010

To understand the characteristics of a Fe-accumulating moss Scopelophila ligulata, we compared the photoabsorption spectra of pigments from this and several other mosses and found that some of the absorption bands observed only for S. ligulata can be assigned to pheophytin a. The conversion rate from chlorophyll to pheophytin in S. ligulata was calculated to be 25%. This striking characteristic of S. ligulata could be explained by considering its habitat conditions.
Effect of Coating by Perfluorosulfonated Ionomer Film on Electrochemical Behaviors of Pt(111) Electrode in Acidic Solutions
Authors: Sonsudin Faridah , Masuda Takuya , Ikeda Katsuyoshi , Naohara Hideo , Uosaki Kohei
Published: February 2010

Electrochemical behaviors of bare and perfluorosulfonated ionomer (PFSI) film-coated Pt(111) electrodes in perchloric and sulfuric acid solutions were investigated. While current peaks corresponding to specific adsorption and desorption of anions were clearly observed at the bare electrode, no such peaks were observed at the PFSI-coated electrode, showing that anions do not reach the electrode surface because of the cation-selective nature and/or adsorption of PFSI film. Although no structural change was observed by repetitive potential cycling as far as positive potential limit was more negative than that of oxide formation, significant structural change was noticed during potential cycling if the anodic potential limit was made more positive than oxide formation potential.