bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suspended slab and photonic crystal waveguides in lithium niobate
Authors: Si Guangyuan , Teo Ee Jin , Bettiol Andrew A. , Teng Jinghua , Danner Aaron J.
Published: March 2010

Suspended waveguides have been widely applied to silicon-on-insulator structures because they are easily fabricated with processing techniques similar to those of integrated circuit design. However, it is difficult to fabricate such structures in lithium niobate, which is also a very important material for optoelectronics. One main challenge is the difficulty of etching lithium niobate. In this work, the authors show a method to fabricate suspended slab waveguides in lithium niobate by combining ion implantation, focused ion beam milling, and selective wet etching techniques. The method does not involve wafer bonding or crystal ion slicing and is entirely monolithic. Lattice damage can be introduced to a buried thin layer of a certain depth beneath the sample surface by ion implantation, resulting in a considerable wet etching selectivity to bulk material. The etching rate has been investigated to control the size of the suspended membrane. Fabrication of suspended photonic crystal waveguides has also been demonstrated. The results show an effective method of fabricating suspended devices in lithium niobate, which enables new applications such as waveguides, modulators, and infrared detectors.
High-Level Congruence of
Myrionecta rubra
Prey and
Dinophysis
Species Plastid Identities as Revealed by Genetic Analyses of Isolates from Japanese Coastal Waters
Authors: Nishitani Goh , Nagai Satoshi , Baba Katsuhisa , Kiyokawa Susumu , Kosaka Yuki , Miyamura Kazuyoshi , Nishikawa Tetsuya , Sakurada Kiyonari , Shinada Akiyoshi , Kamiyama Takashi
Published: March 2010

We analyzed cryptophyte nucleomorph 18S rRNA gene sequences retained in natural
Myrionecta rubra
cells and plastid 16S rRNA gene and
psbA
sequences retained in natural cells of several
Dinophysis
species collected from Japanese coastal waters. A total of 715 nucleomorph sequences obtained from 134
M. rubra
cells and 564 plastid 16S rRNA gene and 355
psbA
sequences from 71
Dinophysis
cells were determined. Almost all sequences in
M. rubra
and
Dinophysis
spp. were identical to those of
Teleaulax amphioxeia
, suggesting that
M. rubra
in Japanese coastal waters preferentially ingest
T
.
amphioxeia
. The remaining sequences were closely related to those of
Geminigera cryophila
and
Teleaulax acuta
. Interestingly, 37 plastid 16S rRNA gene sequences, which were different from
T. amphioxeia
and amplified from
Dinophysis acuminata
and
Dinophysis norvegica
cells, were identical to the sequence of a
D. acuminata
cell found in the Greenland Sea, suggesting that a widely distributed and unknown cryptophyte species is also preyed upon by
M. rubra
and subsequently sequestered by
Dinophysis
. To confirm the reliability of molecular identification of the cryptophyte
Teleaulax
species detected from
M. rubra
and
Dinophysis
cells, the nucleomorph and plastid genes of
Teleaulax
species isolated from seawaters were also analyzed. Of 19 isolates, 16 and 3 clonal strains were identified as
T. amphioxeia
and
T. acuta
, respectively, and no sequence variation was confirmed within species.
T. amphioxeia
is probably the primary source of prey for
M. rubra
in Japanese coastal waters. An unknown cryptophyte may serve as an additional source, depending on localities and seasons.
Isolation and Characterization of a Mutant of the Marine Bacterium
Alcanivorax borkumensis
SK2 Defective in Lipid Biosynthesis
Authors: Manilla-Pérez Efraín , Lange Alvin Brian , Hetzler Stephan , Wältermann Marc , Kalscheuer Rainer , Steinbüchel Alexander
Published: March 2010

In many microorganisms, the key enzyme responsible for catalyzing the last step in triacylglycerol (TAG) and wax ester (WE) biosynthesis is an unspecific acyltransferase which is also referred to as wax ester synthase/acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA):diacylglycerol acyltransferase (WS/DGAT; AtfA). The importance and function of two AtfA homologues (AtfA1 and AtfA2) in the biosynthesis of TAGs and WEs in the hydrocarbon-degrading marine bacterium
Alcanivorax borkumensis
SK2 have been described recently. However, after the disruption of both the AtfA1 and AtfA2 genes, reduced but substantial accumulation of TAGs was still observed, indicating the existence of an alternative TAG biosynthesis pathway. In this study, transposon-induced mutagenesis was applied to an
atfA1 atfA2
double mutant to screen for
A. borkumensis
mutants totally defective in biosynthesis of neutral lipids in order to identify additional enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these lipids. At the same time, we have searched for a totally TAG-negative mutant in order to study the function of TAGs in
A. borkumensis
. Thirteen fluorescence-negative mutants were identified on Nile red ONR7a agar plates and analyzed for their abilities to synthesize lipids. Among these, mutant 2 M
131
was no longer able to synthesize and accumulate TAGs if pyruvate was used as the sole carbon source. The transposon insertion was localized in a gene encoding a putative cytochrome
c
family protein (ABO_1185). Growth and TAG accumulation experiments showed that the disruption of this gene resulted in the absence of TAGs in 2 M
131
but that growth was not affected. In cells of
A. borkumensis
SK2 grown on pyruvate as the sole carbon source, TAGs represented about 11% of the dry weight of the cells, while in the mutant 2 M
131
, TAGs were not detected by thin-layer and gas chromatography analyses. Starvation and lipid mobilization experiments revealed that the lipids play an important role in the survival of the cells. The function of neutral lipids in
A. borkumensis
SK2 is discussed.
Constitutive Expression of the Proteorhodopsin Gene by a Flavobacterium Strain Representative of the Proteorhodopsin-Producing Microbial Community in the North Sea
Authors: Riedel Thomas , Tomasch Jürgen , Buchholz Ina , Jacobs Jenny , Kollenberg Mario , Gerdts Gunnar , Wichels Antje , Brinkhoff Thorsten , Cypionka Heribert , Wagner-Döbler Irene
Published: March 2010

Proteorhodopsin (PR), a photoactive proton pump containing retinal, is present in approximately half of all bacteria in the ocean, but its physiological role is still unclear, since very few strains carrying the PR gene have been cultured. The aim of this work was to characterize PR diversity in a North Sea water sample, cultivate a strain representative of North Sea PR clusters, and study the effects of light and carbon concentration on the expression of the PR gene. A total of 117 PR sequences, of which 101 were unique, were obtained from a clone library of PCR-amplified PR gene fragments. Of the North Sea PRs, 97% were green light absorbing, as inferred from the amino acid at position 105; 67% of the PR protein fragments showed closest similarity to PRs fromAlphaproteobacteria, 4% showed closest similarity to PRs fromGammaproteobacteria, and 29% showed closest similarity to PRs from “Bacteroidetes”/Flavobacteria. The dominant PR cluster (comprising 18% of all PRs) showed a high degree of similarity to the PR from the cultivatedRoseobacterstrain HTCC2255. The relative abundances of the North Sea PR clusters were confirmed by quantitative PCR. They were detected in metagenomic fragments from coastal oceans worldwide with various degrees of abundance. Several hundred bacterial strains from the North Sea water sample were cultivated on oligocarbophilic media. By screening with degenerate primers, two strains carrying the PR gene were identified. Their 16S rRNA gene sequences were identical and affiliated with aBacteroidetessubcluster from the North Sea. The PR sequence of isolate PRO95 was completed by chromosomal walking. It was 76% identical to that ofDokdonia donghaensisMED134 and was functional, as indicated by the signature amino acids. PRO95 expressed its PR gene in liquid media containing between 9.7 and 121 mM carbon, both in the light and in the dark. Growth was not enhanced by light. Thus, the detection of the physiological role of PR may require more sensitive methods.
DNA Probes for Unambiguous Identification of
Listeria monocytogenes
Epidemic Clone II Strains
Authors: Cheng Ying , Kim J.-W. , Lee S. , Siletzky R. M. , Kathariou S.
Published: March 2010

Listeria monocytogenes
epidemic clone II (ECII) strains have been responsible for two major multistate outbreaks of food-borne listeriosis in the United States, but their prevalence and ecology remain poorly understood. In this study, we describe DNA probes that unambiguously identify this clonal group. These probes were able to differentiate ECII strains of outbreak, sporadic, or environmental origin from other
L. monocytogenes
strains of the same serotype (4b).
Noroviruses as a Cause of Diarrhea in Travelers to Guatemala, India, and Mexico
Authors: Koo Hoonmo L. , Ajami Nadim J. , Jiang Zhi-Dong , Neill Frederick H. , Atmar Robert L. , Ericsson Charles D. , Okhuysen Pablo C. , Taylor David N. , Bourgeois A. Louis , Steffen Robert , DuPont Herbert L.
Published: March 2010

Noroviruses (NoVs) are increasingly being recognized as an important enteric pathogen of gastroenteritis worldwide. The prevalence of NoVs as a cause of diarrhea acquired by travelers in developing countries is not well known. We examined the prevalence and importance of NoV infection in three international traveler cohorts with diarrhea acquired in three developing regions of the world, Mexico, Guatemala, and India. We also characterized the demographics and symptoms associated with NoV diarrhea in these travelers. Stool samples from 571 international travelers with diarrhea were evaluated for traditional enteropathogens. NoVs were identified using reverse transcription-PCR and probe hybridization. NoVs were identified in 10.2% of cases of travelers' diarrhea and, overall, was the second most common pathogen, following diarrheagenic
Escherichia coli.
The detection of NoV diarrhea significantly varied over the three study time periods in Guadalajara, Mexico, ranging from 3 of 98 (3.0%) diarrheal stools to 12 of 100 (12.0%) fecal specimens (
P
= 0.03). The frequency of NoV diarrhea was also dependent upon the geographic region, with 17 of 100 (17.0%) travelers to Guatemala, 23 of 194 (11.9%) travelers to India, and 3 of 79 (3.8%) travelers to Mexico testing positive for NoVs from 2002 to 2003 (
P
= 0.02). NoVs are important pathogens of travelers' diarrhea in multiple regions of the world. Significant variation in the prevalence of NoV diarrhea and in the predominant genogroup infecting travelers was demonstrated, dependent upon the specific geographic location and over time.
Managing acute behavioural disturbance in a neurology ward
Authors: Carson Alan , Ryan Tracy
Published: March 2010

Episodes of behavioural disturbance are commonplace on neurology wards. The key to their safe management is prior planning, including securing the safety of the ward environment, and a formal risk assessment. Protocols which define staff roles and the unit strategy for the management of behavioural disturbance should be formally agreed and appropriate training provided. The commonest cause of disturbed behaviour in neurology—and neurosurgical wards—is delirium. This presents with fluctuating orientation, grossly impaired attention and disruption of the sleep–wake cycle. The cause is generally multifactorial with a combination of pre-existing vulnerabilities and acute precipitants. Management reflects this and depends on a multifaceted approach to medical care, including basic supportive measures, minimising polypharmacy and promoting orientation, early mobilisation and nutritional status, as well as treating the underlying medical conditions. Antipsychotic medication has a specific treatment effect but never as the only approach to the management of the delirious patient.
Virtual Population Analysis (VPA) Equations for Nonhomogeneous Populations, and a Family of Approximations Including Improvements on Pope's Cohort Analysis
Authors: MacCall Alec D.
Published: March 2010

A set of "backward" virtual population analysis (VPA) equations relates catch (Ct) from continuous fishing between times t and t + 1 to population n size (Nt, Nt+1) when a portion of the stock is unavailable to fishing. The usual VPA equations become a special case where the entire stock is available (i.e. the stock is homogeneous). A close approximation to the VPA equations is Nt = Nt+1 exp(M) + CtM/(1 − exp(−M)), which has properties similar to Pope's "cohort analysis" and is somewhat more accurate in the case of a continuous fishery, especially if the natural mortality rate (M) is large. Much closer simple approximations are possible if the seasonal pattern of catches is known.
Analysis of Long-Term Ecological Data Using Categorical Time Series Regression
Authors: Rose K. A. , Summers J. K. , Cummins R. A. , Heimbuch D. G.
Published: March 2010

We propose a time series analysis method based on the use of categorized variables and ordinary least squares regression. It has several advantages over Box–Jenkins models and time series regression with continuous variables, including model specification based on ecological information, parsimonious representations of the functional forms of model terms and interactions, robust treatment of the high uncertainty associated with long-term ecological data, and interpretive features based on linear combinations of the regression coefficients. Aspects of model building, significance testing, and interpretation of results are discussed and illustrated with a fisheries example involving an annual measure of white perch (Morone americana) stock size in the Delaware River/Bay from 1929 to 1974. Variation in white perch dynamics is analyzed using the following explanatory variables: lagged values of stock, hydrographic variables (freshwater flow and water temperature), and pollution-related variables (sewage loading, dredging activity, and dissolved oxygen). Potential statistical problems with the new method involving multicollinearity, autocorrelated errors, and other violations of ordinary least squares are identified.
Family Size and Effective Population Size in a Hatchery Stock of Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)
Authors: Simon Raymond C. , McIntyre John D. , Hemmingsen A. R.
Published: March 2010

Means and variances of family size measured in five year-classes of wire-tagged coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were linearly related. Population effective size was calculated by using estimated means and variances of family size in a 25-yr data set. Although numbers of age 3 adults returning to the hatchery appeared to be large enough to avoid inbreeding problems (the 25-yr mean exceeded 4500), the numbers actually contributing to the hatchery production may be too low. Several strategies are proposed to correct the problem perceived. Argument is given to support the contention that the problem of effective size is fairly general and is not confined to the present study population.
Sequential Tests for Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus in Individuals and Populations of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Authors: Mulcahy Dan M. , Pascho Ron J.
Published: March 2010

The incidence and titer distribution of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in cavity fluid from spent female sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) varied little when fish from a naturally spawning population were sampled three times on alternate days. However, when prespawning female sockeye salmon from a second population were individually tagged, penned, and sampled daily, the incidence and proportion of fish with high virus titer rose over a 6-d period. In 10 instances, consecutive cavity fluid samples from the same fish reverted from virus-positive to virus-negative. We suggest that spent fish should be sampled when accurate and quantitative data on the incidence and level of the virus are required.
Prediction of Emergent and Floating-Leaved Macrophyte Cover in Central Swedish Lakes
Authors: Smith Val H. , Wasllsten Maud
Published: March 2010

From multiple regression analysis of data from Central Swedish lakes, we suggest that the peak areal cover (hectares) of emergent vegetation is predictable from lake surface area, mean depth, and annual mean total nitrogen concentration in the lake water. The data also suggest that the percent cover of emergent macrophytes is predictable from mean depth and total nitrogen. However, the factors influencing floating-leaved macrophyte cover are not as clear.
Relation longueur/écaille allométrique chez le saumon atlantique (Salmo salar) durant la phase marine
Authors: Tremblay Gilles , Giguère Louis A.
Published: March 2010

The body/scale relationship of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) was determined for the stock of the St. Jean River, near Gaspé, Québec. A covariance analysis shows that the isometric relationship generally admitted for the marine phase holds when we use adult scales only, but must be rejected when smolt scales are included in the analysis. These results suggest a curvature of the body/scale relationship during the first year at sea. A semi-logarithmic fit (Y = e2.15+0.57X; P < 0.01, R2 = 0.988) allows correct backcalculation of length at smolting for adult salmon of the St. Jean River. The difference between observed and backcalculated distribution of smolt length suggests a length-related selective mortality for smolts at the beginning of their marine life.
Population Structure of Female and Immature Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus) off the Galápagos Islands
Authors: Whitehead Hal , Waters Susan , Lyrholm Thomas
Published: March 2010

The structure of the population of female and immature sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) in the region of the Galápagos Islands was studied using individual photographic identifications of 1285 animals collected between 1985 and 1989. Population parameters were estimated using a maximum-likelihood mark–recapture estimate permitting emigration from the study area in which identifications are collected and then reimmigration back into it. Because permanent associations among whales violated assumptions of independence, confidence intervals for the estimates were constructed using Monte-Carlo population simulation. The analysis suggested that there is a population of very approximately 200 whales in the study area around the islands at any time. These were part of a larger population numbering between 2600 and 5300 individuals (95% confidence interval). An average of 39–94% (95% confidence interval) of the whales left the study area in any month, with a similar number immigrating.
Benthic Boundary Layer Macrofauna of Browns Bank, Northwest Atlantic, as Potential Prey of Juvenile Benthic Fish
Authors: Wildish D. J. , Wilson A. J. , Frost B.
Published: March 2010

A first quantitative description is provided of the drifting or swimming macrofauna present within the benthic boundary layer (BBL) over the hard sediments of Browns Bank in the northwest Atlantic. Major categories of identified animals include drift epi- or infauna, zooplankters, fish larvae and eggs, and suprabenthic animals. Suprabenthic amphipods were good indicators of the type of sediment/flow environment that they were associated with. Although zooplanktonic copepods were by far the most abundant and suprabenthos the most diverse group of the BBL macrofauna, they appear to be ignored as a source of food by juvenile haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), which are known to feed on prey classified herein either as in situ, or drifted, epi- or infauna. Unfortunately, the BBL sled used in our study could not sample animals at < 33 cm from the sediment–water interface. Our results imply that juvenile haddock feed either directly on animals living in, or at the sediment interface, or on drifting animals present within the BBL at heights < 33 cm above the bottom
Assessing Trends in Fishery Resources and Lake Water Aluminum from Paleolimnological Analyses of Siliceous Algae
Authors: Kingston J. C. , Birks H. J. B. , Uutala A. J. , Cumming B. F. , Smol J. P.
Published: March 2010

Lake water aluminum concentrations have a significant influence on the composition of microfossil assemblages of diatoms and chrysophytes deposited in lake sediments. With the paleolimnological approach of multilake datasets in the Adirondack region of New York, USA, we use canonical correspondence analysis to describe past trends in lake water Al. Four lakes, previously investigated regarding acidification and fishery trends, are used to demonstrate that paleolimnological assessment can also provide direction, timing, and magnitude of trends for both toxic metals and fish resources. Additionally, we use weighted averaging regression and calibration to obtain quantitative reconstructions of past lake water Al concentrations. Such reconstructions provide further insight into fishery resource damage and can be compared with modelling results. According to paleolimnological reconstructions, some (albeit few) of the naturally most acidic lakes in the Adirondack region had preindustrial lake water concentrations of inorganic monomeric Al near 4 μmol∙L−1. Although these high concentrations are surprising from a geochemical point of view, they may partially explain the preindustrial absence of fish, as has been independently determined by paleolimnological analysis of phantom midges (Chaoborus). Fishery resource deterioration in acidified Adirondack lakes was coincident with major increases in lake water Al concentrations.
AN EMPIRICAL INQUIRY INTO "ACADEMY-RUN ENTERPRISES" IN CHINA: UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS AND EVOLUTIONARY CHANGES
Authors: EUN JONG-HAK , LEE KEUN
Published: March 2010

This study analyzes the academy-run enterprises (AREs) in China, which have played an important role in the development of high-tech industries in China, but have rarely been deeply addressed in previous studies. The AREs, despite ostensibly sharing some similarities with the academic spin-offs (ASOs) found in other countries, have distinct historical origins and characteristics in China. In this study, we try to clarify the distinct features of Chinese AREs, particularly in terms of their relationship with their mother institutions, using questionnaire survey data collected from 102 AREs and subsequent follow-up interviews with the ARE managers. This study finds that, while the AREs have enjoyed an exclusive right to exploit various assets of their mother institutions, they have suffered from the interventions of the mother institutions and ambiguous property right arrangements with the mother institutions. More recently, AREs have begun to evolve in response to the changing environment. Furthermore, recently initiated reform measures are expected to accelerate this evolution. Using the survey results, this study assesses the short-term and long-term impact of the reform on Chinese AREs, and the subsequent impact on the academia-industry relationship and the national innovation system (NIS) in China.
A Genomic Approach to Human Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Pascual Virginia , Chaussabel Damien , Banchereau Jacques
Published: March 2010

The past decade has seen an explosion in the use of DNA-based microarrays. These techniques permit assessment of RNA abundance on a genome-wide scale. Medical applications emerged in the field of cancer, with studies of both solid tumors and hematological malignancies leading to the development of tests that are now used to personalize therapeutic options. Microarrays have also been used to analyze the blood transcriptome in a wide range of diseases. In human autoimmune diseases, these studies are showing potential for identifying therapeutic targets as well as biomarkers for diagnosis, assessment of disease activity, and response to treatment. More quantitative and sensitive high-throughput RNA profiling methods are starting to be available and will be necessary for transcriptome analyses to become routine tests in the clinical setting. We expect this to crystallize within the coming decade, as these methods become part of the personalized medicine armamentarium.
Intestinal Bacteria and the Regulation of Immune Cell Homeostasis
Authors: Hill David A. , Artis David
Published: March 2010

The human intestine is colonized by an estimated 100 trillion bacteria. Some of these bacteria are essential for normal physiology, whereas others have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory diseases including IBD and asthma. This review examines the influence of signals from intestinal bacteria on the homeostasis of the mammalian immune system in the context of health and disease. We review the bacterial composition of the mammalian intestine, known bacterial-derived immunoregulatory molecules, and the mammalian innate immune receptors that recognize them. We discuss the influence of bacterial-derived signals on immune cell function and the mechanisms by which these signals modulate the development and progression of inflammatory disease. We conclude with an examination of successes and future challenges in using bacterial communities or their products in the prevention or treatment of human disease.
HMGB1 and RAGE in Inflammation and Cancer
Authors: Sims Gary P. , Rowe Daniel C. , Rietdijk Svend T. , Herbst Ronald , Coyle Anthony J.
Published: March 2010

The immune system has evolved to respond not only to pathogens, but also to signals released from dying cells. Cell death through necrosis induces inflammation, whereas apoptotic cell death provides an important signal for tolerance induction. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a DNA-binding nuclear protein, released actively following cytokine stimulation as well as passively during cell death; it is the prototypic damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule and has been implicated in several inflammatory disorders. HMGB1 can associate with other molecules, including TLR ligands and cytokines, and activates cells through the differential engagement of multiple surface receptors including TLR2, TLR4, and RAGE. RAGE is a multiligand receptor that binds structurally diverse molecules, including not only HMGB1, but also S100 family members and amyloid-β. RAGE activation has been implicated in sterile inflammation as well as in cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. While HMGB1 through interactions with TLRs may also be important, this review focuses on the role of the HMGB1-RAGE axis in inflammation and cancer.
The Role of ThPOK in Control of CD4/CD8 Lineage Commitment
Authors: He Xi , Park Kyewon , Kappes Dietmar J.
Published: March 2010

During αβ T cell development, cells diverge into alternate CD4 helper and CD8+cytotoxic T cell lineages. The precise correlation between a T cell's CD8 and CD4 choice and its TCR specificity to class I or class II MHC was noted more than 20 years ago, and establishing the underlying mechanism has remained a focus of intense study since then. This review deals with three formerly discrete topics that are gradually becoming interconnected: the role of TCR signaling in lineage commitment, the regulation of expression of the CD4 and CD8 genes, and transcriptional regulation of lineage commitment. It is widely accepted that TCR signaling exerts a decisive influence on lineage choice, although the underlying mechanism remains intensely debated. Current evidence suggests that both duration and intensity of TCR signaling may control lineage choice, as proposed by the kinetic signaling and quantitative instructive models, respectively. Alternate expression of the CD4 and CD8 genes is the most visible manifestation of lineage choice, and much progress has been made in defining the responsible cis elements and transcription factors. Finally, important clues to the molecular basis of lineage commitment have been provided by the recent identification of the transcription factor ThPOK as a key regulator of lineage choice. ThPOK is selectively expressed in class II–restricted cells at the CD4+8lostage and is necessary and sufficient for development to the CD4 lineage. Given the central role of ThPOK in lineage commitment, understanding its upstream regulation and downstream gene targets is expected to reveal further important aspects of the molecular machinery underlying lineage commitment.
MnSOD protects against COX1-mediated endothelial dysfunction in chronic heart failure
Authors: Miller Jordan D. , Peotta Veronica A. , Chu Yi , Weiss Robert M. , Zimmerman Kathy , Brooks Robert M. , Heistad Donald D.
Published: March 2010

Endothelial function is impaired by oxidative stress in chronic heart failure (HF). Mechanisms that protect against increases in oxidative stress in HF are not clear. The goal of this study was to determine whether manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) plays a key role in protecting against endothelial dysfunction in HF. Endothelial function and gene expression were examined in aorta from wild-type mice (MnSOD+/+) and mice deficient in MnSOD (MnSOD+/−) 12 wk after ligation of the left coronary artery (LCA). LCA ligation produced similar size myocardial infarctions in MnSOD+/+ and MnSOD+/− mice and reduced ejection fraction to ∼20% in both groups. Maximal relaxation in response to acetylcholine was 78 ± 3% (mean ± SE) and 66 ± 8% in sham-operated MnSOD+/+ and MnSOD+/− mice, respectively. Expression of antioxidant enzymes increased in MnSOD+/+ mice with HF, and maximal relaxation to acetylcholine was slightly impaired (68 ± 4%). Greater endothelial dysfunction was observed in MnSOD+/− mice with HF (46 ± 5%, P < 0.05), which was significantly improved by polyethylene glycol-catalase but not Tempol. Incubation with the nonspecific cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin or the COX1 inhibitor valeryl salicylate, but not the COX-2 inhibitor NS-398, significantly improved relaxation to acetylcholine in HF mice (maximum relaxation = 74 ± 5, 91 ± 1, and 58 ± 5%). These data suggest that MnSOD plays a key role in protecting against endothelial dysfunction in HF. A novel mechanism was identified whereby chronic increases in oxidative stress, produced by mitochondrial SOD deficiency, impair vascular function via a hydrogen peroxide-dependent, COX1-dependent, endothelium-derived contracting factor.
Roles for Nox4 in the contractile response of bovine pulmonary arteries to hypoxia
Authors: Ahmad Mansoor , Kelly Melissa R. , Zhao Xiangmin , Kandhi Sharath , Wolin Michael S.
Published: March 2010

Hypoxia appears to promote contraction [hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV)] of bovine pulmonary arteries (BPA) through removal of a peroxide-mediated relaxation. This study examines the roles of BPA Nox oxidases and mitochondria in the HPV response. Inhibitors of Nox2 (0.1 mM apocynin and 50 μM gp91-dstat) and mitochondrial electron transport (10 μM antimycin and rotenone) decreased superoxide generation in BPA without affecting contraction to 25 mM KCl or the HPV response. Transfection of BPA with small inhibitory RNA (siRNA) for Nox2 and Nox4 decreased Nox2 and Nox4 protein expression, respectively, associated with an attenuation of superoxide detection, without affecting 25 mM KCl contraction. However, Nox4 siRNA, but not Nox2, attenuated HPV in BPA. A Nox4 inhibitor plumbagin (10 μM) increased basal force, decreased superoxide detection and peroxide release, and caused BPA to relax under hypoxia. Although acute removal of peroxide with 0.1 mM ebselen increased 25 mM KCl contraction and decreased hypoxic contraction, prolonged treatment with ebselen only decreased hypoxic contraction without affecting 25 mM KCl contraction, suggesting basal peroxide levels also maintain a contractile mechanism not removed by acute hypoxia. Organ culture of BPA with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 (4 nM) increased Nox4 expression, superoxide, peroxide, and the HPV response. Thus Nox2 and mitochondria are sources for superoxide generation in BPA, which do not appear to influence the HPV response. However, peroxide derived from superoxide generated by Nox4 appears to maintain a basal relaxation in BPA under normoxic conditions, which is removed under hypoxia leading to HPV. Peroxide generated by Nox4 may also function to maintain a contractile mechanism, which is not reversed by acute hypoxia.
The Generalized Julia Set Perturbed by Composing Additive and Multiplicative Noises
Authors: Wang Xingyuan , Jia Ruihong , Sun Yuanyuan
Published: March 2010

This paper contrastively researches the structural characteristic and the fission‐evolution law of four different kinds of generalized Julia set (generalized J set in short) with different parameter c, which includes the generalized J set without any perturbation, the generalized J set perturbed by additive noises, the generalized J set perturbed by multiplicative noise, and the generalized J set perturbed by composing additive and multiplicative noises, analyzes the effect of random perturbation to the generalized J set, and illuminates the stability of the generalized J set.
Construction and Characterization of a Novel Fusion Protein MG7-scFv/SEB against Gastric Cancer
Authors: Tong Qiang , Liu Ke , Lu Xiao-Ming , Shu Xiao-Gang , Wang Guo-Bin
Published: March 2010

Antibody-targeted superantigen has been developed into a new strategy to treat many malignant tumors. In this study, for specific targeting to gastric cancer cell, superantigen SEB (Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B) was genetically fused to the single-chain variable fragment of gastric carcinoma-associated antibody MG7(MG7-scFv) that recognizes the MG7 antigen frequently expressed in gastric cancer cell. The recombinant MG7-scFv/SEB fusion proteins are expressed in E. coli as inclusion bodies, and the purified MG7-scFv/SEB retains high binding affinity with gastric cancer cell SGC-7901 (positive MG7 antigen expression). When incubated with effector cell—peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), MG7-scFv/SEB could effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of SGC-7901. After being treated with MG7-scFv/SEB, PBMCs remarkably increased the production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-2), and slightly increased the production of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) in vitro. It was observed that gastric-tumor-bearing rats administrated with MG7-scFv/SEB showed more inflammatory cell infiltration, more significant tumor inhibition, and longer survival time than those of rats treated with SEB or NS (Normal Saline). The data indicated that MG7-scFv/SEB fusion protein could specifically target gastric cancer cell, enhance the activity of T cells and induce tumor cell apoptosis to exert the antitumor effect on gastric cancer.
From TORTORA to MegaTORTORA—Results and Prospects of Search for Fast Optical Transients
Authors: Beskin Grigory , Bondar Sergey , Karpov Sergey , Plokhotnichenko Vladimir , Guarnieri Adriano , Bartolini Corrado , Greco Giuseppe , Piccioni Adalberto , Shearer Andrew
Published: March 2010

To study short stochastic optical flares of different objects (GRBs, SNs, etc.) of
unknown localizations as well as NEOs it is necessary to monitor large regions
of sky with high‐time resolution. We developed a system consisting of widefield
camera with field of view of 400–600 sq.deg. which uses TV‐CCD with
0.13 s temporal resolution to record and classify optical transients, and a fast
robotic telescope aimed to perform their spectroscopic and photometric investigation
just after detection. Such two‐telescope complex, combining wide‐field
camera TORTORA and robotic telescope REM, operated from May 2006 at
La Silla ESO observatory. Some results of its operation, including first high
time resolution study of optical transient accompanying GRB and discovery
of its fine time structure, are presented. Also, prospects for improving the
efficiency of such observations are given, and a project of a next generation
wide field monitoring system, the MegaTORTORA, is described.
Comparison of the Clinical Use of Macintosh and Miller Laryngoscopes for Orotracheal Intubation by Second-Month Nurse Students in Anesthesiology
Authors: Amornyotin Somchai , Prakanrattana Ungkab , Vichitvejpaisal Phongthara , Vallisut Thantima , Kunanont Neunghathai , Permpholprasert Ladda
Published: March 2010

Aim. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical feasibility of Macintosh and Miller laryngoscopes for tracheal intubation in non-experienced users in anesthetized patients.Patients and Methods. 119 patients were randomized into the Macintosh group (59) and the Miller group (60). The primary outcome variable was successful tracheal intubation. The secondary outcome variables were number of insertion attempt, intubation time needed, total time to intubation, hemodynamic change and complications.Results. All patients were successfully intubated using the Macintosh, whereas 13 patients (21.6%) were failed with the Miller (). The Macintosh significantly reduced the mean total time to intubation (). There were significant differences in the mean blood pressure at 2 minutes after laryngoscope insertion, immediately, and 2 minutes after tracheal intubation and in the mean heart rate at the laryngoscope insertion, immediately, and at 2 minutes after tracheal intubation between the two groups. Overall complications in both were not significantly different.Conclusion. Orotracheal intubation using the Macintosh is an effective and safe technique in non-experienced hands with significantly increased success rate as well as decreased mean total time to intubation as compare to the Miller. However, these intubations only apply to selected patients deemed to have normal airways.
Distribution of Major Basic Protein on Human Airway following In Vitro Eosinophil Incubation
Authors: Xue Ailing , Wang John , Sieck Gary C. , Wylam Mark E.
Published: March 2010

Major basic protein (MBP) released from activated eosinophils may influence airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) by either direct effects on airway myocytes or by an indirect effect. In this study, human bronchi, freshly isolated human eosinophils, or MBP purified from human eosinophil granules were incubated for studying eosinophil infiltration and MBP localization. Eosinophils immediately adhered to intact human airway as well as to cultured human airway myocytes and epithelium. Following incubation 18–24 h, eosinophils migrated into the airway media, including the smooth muscle layer, but had no specific recruitment to airway neurons. Eosinophils released significant amounts of MBP within the airway media, including areas comprising the smooth muscle layer. Most deposits of MBP were focally discrete and restricted by immunologic detection to a maximum volume of∼300 μm3about the eosinophil. Native MBP applied exogenously was immediately deposited on the surface of the airway, but required at least 1 h to become detected within the media of the airway wall. Tissue MBP infiltration and deposition increased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, these findings suggest that eosinophil-derived cationic proteins may alter airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in vivo by an effect that is not limited to the bronchial epithelium.
An Optimized Dynamic Scene Change Detection Algorithm for H.264/AVC Encoded Video Sequences
Authors: Rascioni Giorgio , Spinsante Susanna , Gambi Ennio
Published: March 2010

Scene change detection plays an important role in a number of video applications, including video indexing, semantic features extraction, and, in general, pre- and post-processing operations. This paper deals with the design and performance evaluation of a dynamic scene change detector optimized for H.264/AVC encoded video sequences. The detector is based on a dynamic threshold that adaptively tracks different features of the video sequence, to increase the whole scheme accuracy in correctly locating true scene changes. The solution has been tested on suitable video sequences resembling real-world videos thanks to a number of different motion features, and has provided good performance without requiring an increase in decoder complexity. This is a valuable issue, considering the possible application of the proposed algorithm in post-processing operations, such as error concealment for video decoding in typical error prone video transmission environments, such as wireless networks.
Portfolio Optimization of Equity Mutual Funds—Malaysian Case Study
Authors: Kılıçman Adem , Sivalingam Jaisree
Published: March 2010

We focus on the equity mutual funds offered by three Malaysian banks, namely Public Bank Berhad, CIMB, and Malayan Banking Berhad. The equity mutual funds or equity trust is grouped into four clusters based on their characteristics and categorized as inferior, stable, good performing, and aggressive funds based on their return rates, variance and treynor index. Based on the cluster analysis, the return rates and variance of clusters are represented as triangular fuzzy numbers in order to reflect the uncertainty of financial market. To find the optimal asset allocation in each cluster we develop a hybrid model of optimization and fuzzy based on return rates, variance. This was done by maximizing the fuzzy return for a tolerable fuzzy risk and minimizing the fuzzy risk for a desirable fuzzy return separately at different confidence levels.
Existence of Multiple Solutions of a Second‐Order Difference Boundary Value Problem
Authors: Zheng Bo , Xiao Huafeng
Published: March 2010

This paper studies the existence of multiple solutions of the second‐order difference
boundary value problem Δ2u(n − 1) + V′(u(n)) = 0, n ∈ ℤ(1, T), u(0) = 0 = u(T + 1).
By applying Morse theory, critical groups, and the mountain pass theorem, we prove
that the previous equation
has at least three nontrivial solutions when the problem is resonant at the
eigenvalue λk  (k ≥ 2) of linear difference problem
Δ2u(n − 1) + λu(n) = 0, n ∈ ℤ(1, T),
u(0) = 0 = u(T + 1)
near infinity and the trivial solution of the first equation is a local minimizer under some assumptions
on V.
Endometrial Polyps: Symptomatology, Menopausal Status and Malignancy
Authors: Golan Abraham , Cohen-Sahar Bina , Keidar Ran , Condrea Alexander , Ginath Shimon , Sagiv Ron
Published: March 2010

Aims: To assess the frequency of premalignant and malignant endometrial polyps in symptomatic and asymptomatic women. Methods: Retrospective registration of 1,124 patients who underwent hysteroscopic resection of endometrial polyps. Patient characteristics included age, menopausal status, presence or absence of symptoms, and use of hormonal medication. Histological diagnoses and complications were also analyzed. Results: 641 (57%) of 1,124 women with endometrial polyps were postmenopausal and 483 (43%) premenopausal. Abnormal uterine bleeding was reported by 548 women: 226 (49%) postmenopausal and 322 (51%) premenopausal. 576 (51%) women were asymptomatic. There were 16 patients with malignancy or premalignant conditions among the symptomatic patients (2.7%) compared to 7 such patients among the asymptomatic patients (1.3%; p = 0.17). Pathologic evaluation disclosed 7 cases of malignancy and 4 cases of atypical hyperplasia among bleeding postmenopausal women (11/263, 4%) and 2 malignancies and 3 cases of hyperplasia with atypia among asymptomatic postmenopausal women (5/378, 1.3%). Conclusion: We found premalignancy and malignancy in each patient group – pre- and postmenopausal, as well as symptomatic and asymptomatic. We recommend removal of any verified endometrial polyp.
Resveratrol Attenuates Renal Hypertrophy in Early-Stage Diabetes by Activating AMPK
Authors: Ding Da-Fa , You Na , Wu Xiao-Mei , Xu Jia-Rong , Hu Ai-Ping , Ye Xiao-Long , Zhu Qun , Jiang Xiu-Qing , Miao Heng , Liu Chao , Lu Yi-Bing
Published: March 2010

Background: Recent studies suggest the involvement of the adenosine monophosphate-activated serine/threonine protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Resveratrol, an agent that activates AMPK, may have the potential to protect against the development of DN. This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects of resveratrol on renal hypertrophy in early-stage diabetes and the underlying mechanisms. Method: Molecular and structural changes involved in the pathogenesis of DN were tested in a rat model of early-stage diabetes. Renal mesangial cells (RMCs) were cultured in media containing different concentrations of glucose with or without resveratrol. Cellular DNA synthesis was assayed by measuring 3H-thymidine incorporation. The phosphorylation status of AMPK, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), and phospho- ribosomal protein S6 (S6) was analyzed by Western blot. Results: Resveratrol reduced plasma creatinine and urinary albumin excretion and attenuated renal hypertrophy without affecting blood glucose levels. Moreover, resveratrol activated AMPK and inhibited phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6 in diabetic rat kidneys. In vitro, resveratrol blocked high glucose-induced dephosphorylation of AMPK and phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and S6 and strongly inhibited both the DNA synthesis and proliferation of RMCs. Conclusion: These findings suggest the possibility that resveratrol exerts antiproliferative, antihypertrophic effects by activating AMPK and reducing 4E-BP1 and S6 phosphorylation, thus suppressing the development and progression of DN.
Cross-Talk between Human Dendritic Cell Subsets Influences Expression of RNA Sensors and Inhibits Picornavirus Infection
Authors: Kramer Matthijs , Schulte Barbara M. , Eleveld-Trancikova Dagmar , van Hout-Kuijer Maaike , Toonen Liza W.J. , Tel Jurjen , de Vries I. Jolanda M. , van Kuppeveld Frank J.M. , Jansen Bastiaan J.H. , Adema Gosse J.
Published: March 2010

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that provide a link between innate and adaptive immunity. Multiple DC subsets exist and their activation by microorganisms occurs through binding of conserved pathogen-derived structures to so-called pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). In this study we analyzed the expression of PRRs responding to viral RNA in human monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) under steady-state or pro-inflammatory conditions. We found that mRNA and protein levels for most PRRs were increased under pro-inflammatory conditions, with the most pronounced increases in the RIG-like helicase (RLH) family. Additionally, freshly isolated human plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) displayed significantly higher levels of TLR7, RIG-I, MDA5 and PKR as compared to myeloid DCs and moDCs. Finally, we demonstrate for the first time that cross-talk between TLR-matured or virus-stimulated pDCs and moDCs leads to a type I interferon-dependent antiviral state in moDCs. This antiviral state was characterized by enhanced RLH expression and protection against picornavirus infection. These findings might represent a novel mechanism by which pDCs can preserve the function and viability of myeloid DCs that are attracted to a site with ongoing infection, thereby optimizing the antiviral immune response.