bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mental Health Status of Chinese Medical Peacekeepers in Lebanon
Authors: Li Jing , Shao Yongcong , Yun Mingdong , Yan Zhang , Yu Ke , Li Minggao
Published: April 2012

We investigated the mental health status of Chinese medical peacekeepers in Lebanon. In total, 59 peacekeepers completed the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS; Zung, 1965), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS; Zung, 1971), and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90; Wang, 1984) 1 week after their
arrival in Lebanon. These data were compared with those of 62 military personnel (control group 1) and 58 medical workers (control group 2). Significant differences were found between the peacekeeping group and control group 1 concerning sum scores on the SDS and SAS, and a number of SCL-90
factors. Although peacekeepers had good mental health status 1 week after arrival, this needs to be assessed longitudinally in future research.
Team Cognition, Collective Efficacy, and Performance in Strategic Decision-Making Teams
Authors: Chou Huey-Wen , Lin Yu-Hsun , Chou Shyan-Bin
Published: April 2012

With the growing use of teamwork for strategic decision making in organizations, an understanding of the teamwork dynamics in the strategic decision-making process is critical for both researchers and practitioners. By conceptualizing team cognition in terms of a transactive memory
system (TMS) and collective mind, in this study we explored the relationships among TMS, collective mind, and collective efficacy and the impact of these variables on team performance. Longitudinal data collected from 98 undergraduates were analyzed. Neither the TMS–team performance
relationship nor the collective mind–team performance relationship was significant. Collective efficacy was found to play a mediating role in such relationships. We concluded that team cognition with collective efficacy is beneficial for understanding teamwork dynamics in strategic
decision making.
Segmentation of Users of Social Networking Websites
Authors: Lorenzo-Romero Carlota , Alarcón-del -Amo María-del -Carmen
Published: April 2012

The typology of networked consumers in The Netherlands presented in this study, was based on an online survey and obtained using latent segmentation analysis. This approach is based on the frequency with which users perform different activities, their sociodemographic variables, social
networking experience, and patterns of interaction. The findings present new insights for marketing strategists wishing to use the communication potential of online social networks and for marketers willing to explore the potential of online networking as a low-cost, efficient alternative
to traditional networking approaches. The findings also present researchers of social behavior with interesting insights into the role of online social networks as a platform for social interaction and communication.
Do Korean Young Children's Daily Routines and Their Mothers' Parenting Stress Differ According to Socioeconomic Status?
Authors: Seo SoJung , Moon Hyukjun
Published: April 2012

We examined the differences in Korean children's daily routines and their mothers' perceived level of parenting stress according to socioeconomic status (SES). Mothers from low-income (239) and high-income (338) families with young children completed questionnaires regarding their perceived
level of parenting stress and the daily routines of their children. We found significant differences between the 2 SES subgroups in terms of some of the dimensions of their children's daily routines. In addition, the low-income mothers experienced higher levels of maternal parenting stress
compared to their high-income counterparts. Implications for research and parenting are discussed.
Evaluating the Chinese Soldier Personality Questionnaire in Terms of Assessing Schizotypal Personality Proneness
Authors: Wang Xiaoguang , Zhang Ying , Liu Xufeng , Zhu Xia , Wu Shengjun , Miao Danmin
Published: April 2012

The Chinese Soldier Personality Questionnaire (CSPQ; Xiao, Miao, Xiao, Wu, & Li, 2007) was evaluated to assess its effectiveness in identifying schizotypal-personality-prone individuals. CSPQ scores of 1,153 schizotypal-personality-prone individuals were compared with those of 991
nonschizotypal-personality-prone individuals. The results suggested that setting the cut-off point for the comprehensive scores of the CSPQ at 150 could differentiate schizotypal personality proneness in individuals and control more effectively for this condition.
The Ideal Diabetes Therapy: What Will It Look Like? How Close Are We?
Authors: Rotenstein Lisa S. , Kozak Benjamin M. , Shivers Joseph P. , Yarchoan Mark , Close John , Close Kelly L.
Published: April 2012

IN BRIEF

Although the number of diabetes treatments has substantially increased in the past two decades, today's therapies are considered far from ideal. Yet, what constitutes an ideal therapy is not readily clear, as diabetes drug therapies are regularly judged both by their effects on glycemia and by a wide variety of nonglycemic metrics. This review describes the characteristics of an ideal diabetes therapy from the perspective of patients, physicians, payors, and financial analysts and examines how well currently available therapies and several late-stage candidates meet these guideposts.
Etiology and Risk Factors of Febrile Seizure  An Update
Authors: Kundu Gopen Kumar , Rabin F , Nandi ER , Sheikh Naveen , Akhter Shaheen
Published: April 2012

Febrile seizures (FS) are the most common convulsive event in children. This condition has been described since the time of Hippocrates. The etiology of the febrile seizures are still unclear. In FS, there is a strong familial predisposition. This does not exclude infections as a causative factor because subtle genetic polymorphisms have been demonstrated to affect the course of infections. In an earlier review of the world literature (1924-1964), except for roseola infantum, viral infections as a cause of febrile seizures were rarely diagnosed. Reports of viral infections in the etiology of febrile seizures have increased in number in the past decade. In the first half of the twentieth century, infections identified with febrile seizures were mainly upper respiratory in type and the etiologic agent was unknown or bacterial. We review i) the role of infection  viral and bacterial; ii) the role of genetic and environmental factors; iii) the role of electrolyte and metabolic factors; and iv) the role of cytokines. With the help of new diagnostic tools such as PCR, the viral agents are detected in CSF far more often than previously thought, even in the absence of pleocytosis of the CSF. This makes it difficult to distinguish FS from acute encephalitis. FS may be caused by neuroinvasion or intracerebral activation of viruses. By reviewing etiology and risk factors of FS we can identify the points to be focused in therapeutic interventions and trials and also the fields of future studies will be explored. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v34i3.10361 BJCH 2010; 34(3): 103-112
A Family With Marfanoid Features and Cardiac Anomaly Inconsistent with Marfan Syndrome
Authors: Absar M Nurul , Hossain Md Iqbal , Zaman Mostafa
Published: April 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v34i3.10363 BJCH 2010; 34(3): 118-121
Abstract from Current Literature v34i3
Authors: Editor The
Published: April 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v34i3.10364 BJCH 2010; 34(3): 122-123
Neurosurgical Management of Intractable Temporal Lobe Epilepsy by Amygdalohippocampectomy Plus Anterior Temporal Lobectomy: Report of Initial Three Pediatric Cases with Short Literature Review
Authors: Chowdhury FH , Haque MR , Chowdhury SMNK , Dey AR , Sarker AC , Islam MS
Published: April 2012

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common surgical epilepsy that is usually resistant to antiepileptic drugs and surgery is the treatment of choice. This type of epilepsy may be due to Mesial Temporal Sclerosis (MTS), tumors [i.e. low grade glioma, Arterio-Venous Malformation (AVM) etc],trauma, infection (Tuberculosis),parasitic infestation (e.g. Schistosomiasis) etc. Here we report three cases of surgically treated TLE in pediatric age that was due to MTS and low grade ganglioglioma. In all three cases the only presenting symptom was complex partial seizure (Psychomotor epilepsy) for which all underwent scalp electro-encephalography (EEG) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of Brain. All three patients were managed by amygdalohippocampectomy plus standard anterior lobectomy. In post operative period the cases were seizure and disease free till last follow up. We did not face any nominal dysphasia, memory disturbances, hemi paresis or visual field defect. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v35i1.10370 BJCH 2011; 35(1): 26-31
Adrenal Carcinoma - A Case Report
Authors: Mutanabbi Mahbub , Rahman Md Atiar , Billah SM Baqui , Helal Md Al , Mamun Md Hafizal , Arefin Khandaker Ahsanul
Published: April 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v35i1.10371 BJCH 2011; 35(1): 32-35
The Impact of Maternal and Household Characteristics on Childhood Impairments and Disabilities in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Naila Z , Ferdous Shamim , Mahbub Mustafa , Mobarak Reaz , Parveen Monowara , Mont Daniel , Durkin Maureen
Published: April 2012

Objective: To examine the risk factors associated with impairments and disabilities in children in Bangladesh.Methods: A two-stage methodology for identifying children with disabilities was employed in the Kishoreganj district of Bangladesh in 2001-2002. Ordered and generalized logit regressions were used to examine the correlation of childhood impairment and disability with a number of potential risk factors.Results: Children with consanguineous parents were 43.5% more likely to have an impairment; and poor children were 23.1% more likely. Maternal education reduced the chances of impairments developing into disabilities by 35%. Differences in risk factors existed between mild and severe disabilities. For example, boys were 66% more likely to have mild disabilities but not severe ones.Conclusions: Consanguinity and poverty are major factors associated with impairments, but maternal education might be an important tool towards limiting the probability of those impairments progressing to disabilities. Evidence also suggests that the causes of severe disabilities are significantly different from those causing mild disabilities.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v35i2.10353  Bangladesh J Child Health 2011; VOL 35 (2): 41-48
Lowest Birth Weight Baby Survived in Abha General Hospital, Abha, K S A
Authors: Rahman AFMM , Solanky J , Mrdha MA , Amrei AA
Published: April 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v35i2.10381Bangladesh J Child Health 2011; Vol 35 (2): 71-74
Early Origins of Child Obesity: Bridging Disciplines and Phases of Development - September 30–October 1, 2010
Authors: Christoffel Katherine Kaufer , Wang Xiaobin , Binns Helen J.
Published: April 2012

This report summarizes a conference: “Early Origins of Child Obesity: Bridging Disciplines and Phases of Development”, held in Chicago on September 30–October 1, 2010. The conference was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the Williams Heart Foundation, to achieve the conference objective: forging a next-step research agenda related to the early origins of childhood obesity. This research agenda was to include working with an array of factors (from genetic determinants to societal ones) along a continuum from prenatal life to age 7, with an emphasis on how the developing child deals with the challenges presented by his/her environment (prenatal, parental, nutritional, etc.). The conference offered a unique opportunity to facilitate communication and planning of future work among a variety of researchers whose work separately addresses different periods in early life. Over the span of two days, speakers addressed existing, critical research topics within each of the most-studied age ranges. On the final day, workshops fostered the discussion needed to identify the highest priority research topics related to linking varied early factor domains. These are presented for use in planning future research and research funding.
Can We Modify the Intrauterine Environment to Halt the Intergenerational Cycle of Obesity?
Authors: Adamo Kristi B. , Ferraro Zachary M. , Brett Kendra E.
Published: April 2012

Child obesity is a global epidemic whose development is rooted in complex and multi-factorial interactions. Once established, obesity is difficult to reverse and epidemiological, animal model, and experimental studies have provided strong evidence implicating the intrauterine environment in downstream obesity. This review focuses on the interplay between maternal obesity, gestational weight gain and lifestyle behaviours, which may act independently or in combination, to perpetuate the intergenerational cycle of obesity. The gestational period, is a crucial time of growth, development and physiological change in mother and child. This provides a window of opportunity for intervention via maternal nutrition and/or physical activity that may induce beneficial physiological alternations in the fetus that are mediated through favourable adaptations to in utero environmental stimuli. Evidence in the emerging field of epigenetics suggests that chronic, sub-clinical perturbations during pregnancy may affect fetal phenotype and long-term human data from ongoing randomized controlled trials will further aid in establishing the science behind ones predisposition to positive energy balance.
A Pilot Study of a Pictorial Bilingual Nutrition Education Game to Improve the Consumption of Healthful Foods in a Head Start Population
Authors: Piziak Veronica
Published: April 2012

The prevalence of early childhood obesity has increased dramatically particularly among the Mexican American population. Obesity leads to earlier onset of related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The Head Start population of Texas is largely Mexican American. Dietary intake in this population demonstrated a diet very low in fiber, high in salt, and containing excessive calories with a low intake of fruit and vegetables. This study was performed in a Texas Head Start population to evaluate a bilingual pictorial nutrition education game. Acceptance of the bilingual concept and the game had been previously studied in a Head Start population in five Texas counties. The effectiveness in producing a change in eating habits was studied as a pilot project 413 children and their parents at the Bastrop County Head Start. Parents were asked to supply data about at home food frequency at the beginning and the end of the school year and the results compared. The parents were given a demonstration of the educational objectives and the students played the game throughout the year. By the end of the school year there was a statistically significant increase in the vegetables offered to this population both during the week at home (p = 0.009) and on the weekends (p = 0.02).
Mitochondrial Genome-Knockout Cells Demonstrate a Dual Mechanism of Action for the Electron Transport Complex I Inhibitor Mycothiazole
Authors: Meyer Kirsten J. , Singh A. Jonathan , Cameron Alanna , Tan An S. , Leahy Dora C. , O’Sullivan David , Joshi Praneta , La Flamme Anne C. , Northcote Peter T. , Berridge Michael V. , Miller John H.
Published: April 2012

Mycothiazole, a polyketide metabolite isolated from the marine sponge Cacospongia mycofijiensis, is a potent inhibitor of metabolic activity and mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I in sensitive cells, but other cells are relatively insensitive to the drug. Sensitive cell lines (IC50 0.36–13.8 nM) include HeLa, P815, RAW 264.7, MDCK, HeLa S3, 143B, 4T1, B16, and CD4/CD8 T cells. Insensitive cell lines (IC50 12.2–26.5 μM) include HL-60, LN18, and Jurkat. Thus, there is a 34,000-fold difference in sensitivity between HeLa and HL-60 cells. Some sensitive cell lines show a biphasic response, suggesting more than one mechanism of action. Mitochondrial genome-knockout ρ0 cell lines are insensitive to mycothiazole, supporting a conditional mitochondrial site of action. Mycothiazole is cytostatic rather than cytotoxic in sensitive cells, has a long lag period of about 12 h, and unlike the complex I inhibitor, rotenone, does not cause G2/M cell cycle arrest. Mycothiazole decreases, rather than increases the levels of reactive oxygen species after 24 h. It is concluded that the cytostatic inhibitory effects of mycothiazole on mitochondrial electron transport function in sensitive cell lines may depend on a pre-activation step that is absent in insensitive cell lines with intact mitochondria, and that a second lower-affinity cytotoxic target may also be involved in the metabolic and growth inhibition of cells.
A Historical Overview of Natural Products in Drug Discovery
Authors: Dias Daniel A. , Urban Sylvia , Roessner Ute
Published: April 2012

Historically, natural products have been used since ancient times and in folklore for the treatment of many diseases and illnesses. Classical natural product chemistry methodologies enabled a vast array of bioactive secondary metabolites from terrestrial and marine sources to be discovered. Many of these natural products have gone on to become current drug candidates. This brief review aims to highlight historically significant bioactive marine and terrestrial natural products, their use in folklore and dereplication techniques to rapidly facilitate their discovery. Furthermore a discussion of how natural product chemistry has resulted in the identification of many drug candidates; the application of advanced hyphenated spectroscopic techniques to aid in their discovery, the future of natural product chemistry and finally adopting metabolomic profiling and dereplication approaches for the comprehensive study of natural product extracts will be discussed.
Regioselectivity in the Ring Opening of Epoxides for the Synthesis of Aminocyclitols from D-(-)-Quinic Acid
Authors: Shih Tzenge-Lien , Yang Shu-Yu
Published: April 2012

Efficient syntheses of four aminocyclitols are reported. Each synthesis is accomplished in eight steps starting from D-(-)-quinic acid. The key step involves a highly regioselective ring opening of epoxides by sodium azide.
Large-Scale Solvent-Free Chlorination of Hydroxy-Pyrimidines, -Pyridines, -Pyrazines and -Amides Using Equimolar POCl3
Authors: Wang Han , Wen Kun , Wang Le , Xiang Ye , Xu Xiaocheng , Shen Yongjia , Sun Zhihua
Published: April 2012

Chlorination with equimolar POCl3 can be efficiently achieved not only for hydroxypyrimidines, but also for many other substrates such as 2-hydroxy-pyridines, -quinoxalines, or even -amides. The procedure is solvent-free and involves heating in a sealed reactor at high temperatures using one equivalent of pyridine as base. It is suitable for large scale (multigram) batch preparations.
Ivabradine Prevents Heart Rate Acceleration in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Coronary Heart Disease after Salbutamol Inhalation
Authors: Zulkarneev Rustem , Zagidullin Naufal , Abdrahmanova Guzel , Hoppe Uta C. , Zagidullin Shamil
Published: April 2012

Accelerated sinus rhythm is an important side effect of inhaled salbutamol which is especially harmful in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and coronary heart disease (CHD). Cross-over, randomized, open label study design. 20 patients (18 males and two females) with COPD stage II–IV and comorbide CHD NYHA class I–III were included. Spirometry with 400 mg salbutamol inhalation was performed at two consecutive days of the study. Patients in group I were prescribed 5 mg ivabradine per os 3 h before salbutamol inhalation solely on the first day of the study and patients of group II received 5 mg ivabradine only on the second day of the study. Salbutamol caused a significant increase of HR by 5.5 bpm (95% CI 0.8; 10.2, p < 0.03). After ivabradine ingestion salbutamol did not change HR significantly by −2.4 bpm (−7.0; 2.3, p = 0.33). The attenuation of HR elevation by ivabradine was significant, p < 0.01. Salbutamol alone increased FEV1 by 6.0% (2.7; 9.3, p < 0.01). This effect was not impaired by ivabradine (FEV1 increase by 7.7% (2.8; 12.6, p < 0.01 versus baseline, p = 0.5 versus no ivabradine). Ivabradine 5 mg per os prevents heart rate acceleration after inhalation of 400 mg salbutamol. Ivabradine has no impact on lung function in patients with moderate-to-very-severe COPD and CHD comorbidity.
Maniplexes: Part 1: Maps, Polytopes, Symmetry and Operators
Authors: Wilson Steve
Published: April 2012

This paper introduces the idea of a maniplex, a common generalization of map and of polytope. The paper then discusses operators, orientability, symmetry and the action of the symmetry group.
Welcome to Systems — A New Interdisciplinary Open Access Journal for Systems Science and Engineering
Authors: Huynh Thomas
Published: April 2012

Natural and human-made systems abound around us. Our solar system, the human body, the food chain, and ecosystems are some examples of natural systems. Some human-made systems are transportation systems, weapon systems, computer systems, software systems, satellite communications systems, ships, missile defense systems, health care systems, the internet, financial systems, and regional economies. Understanding of natural systems is essential to the survival of the human species, which is intertwined with the survival of other species on earth. Having the knowledge and ability to build human-made systems is critical to the employment of systems that effectively serve the needs of their users. To gain such understanding and to acquire such knowledge and ability, it is necessary that cutting-edge research in systems science, systems engineering, and systems-related fields continue. This open access journal aims to achieve quick and global dissemination of results of such research. [...]
Mutagenicity of Ochratoxin A and Its Hydroquinone Metabolite in the SupF Gene of the Mutation Reporter Plasmid Ps189
Authors: Akman Steven A. , Adams Marissa , Case Doug , Park Gyungse , Manderville Richard A.
Published: April 2012

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin that enhances renal tumor formation in the outer medulla of male rat kidney. Direct DNA damage and subsequent mutagenicity may contribute to these processes. In this study we have determined whether OTA in the absence or presence of activated rat liver microsomes (RLM) or redox-active transition metals (Fe(III) or Cu(II)) causes promutagenic DNA damage in the supF gene of the mutation reporter plasmid pS189 replicating in human Ad293 cells. In addition, we have assessed the mutagenicity of the hydroquinone metabolite (OTHQ) of OTA in the absence or presence of cysteine without added cofactors. Our results show that oxidation of OTA, either by RLM or by transition metal ions, activates OTA to a directly genotoxic mutagen(s). The Fe(III)/OTA system was the most potent mutagen in our experimental system, causing a 32-fold increase in mutant fraction (MF) above the spontaneous control MF. The Cu(II)/OTA system caused a 9-fold increase in MF, while a 6–10-fold increase in MF was observed for OTA in the presence of RLM. The OTHQ metabolite is also mutagenic, especially in the presence of cysteine, in which a 6-fold increase in MF was observed. Our data provide further insight into OTA bioactivation that may account for its in vivo mutagenicity in male rat kidney.
RNA-Sequencing Analysis of 5' Capped RNAs Identifies Many New Differentially Expressed Genes in Acute Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Papic Neven , Maxwell Christopher I. , Delker Don A. , Liu Shuanghu , Heale Bret S. E. , Hagedorn Curt H.
Published: April 2012

We describe the first report of RNA sequencing of 5' capped (Pol II) RNAs isolated from acutely hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected Huh 7.5 cells that provides a general approach to identifying differentially expressed annotated and unannotated genes that participate in viral-host interactions. We identified 100, 684, and 1,844 significantly differentially expressed annotated genes in acutely infected proliferative Huh 7.5 cells at 6, 48, and 72 hours, respectively (fold change ≥ 1.5 and Bonferroni adjusted p-values < 0.05). Most of the differentially expressed genes (>80%) and biological pathways (such as adipocytokine, Notch, Hedgehog and NOD-like receptor signaling) were not identified by previous gene array studies. These genes are critical components of host immune, inflammatory and oncogenic pathways and provide new information regarding changes that may benefit the virus or mediate HCV induced pathology. RNAi knockdown studies of newly identified highly upregulated FUT1 and KLHDC7B genes provide evidence that their gene products regulate and facilitate HCV replication in hepatocytes. Our approach also identified novel Pol II unannotated transcripts that were upregulated. Results further identify new pathways that regulate HCV replication in hepatocytes and suggest that our approach will have general applications in studying viral-host interactions in model systems and clinical biospecimens.
Genipin-Cross-Linked Microencapsulated Human Adipose Stem Cells Augment Transplant Retention Resulting in Attenuation of Chronically Infarcted Rat Heart Fibrosis and Cardiac Dysfunction
Authors: Paul Arghya , Chen Guangyong , Khan Afshan , Rao Vijayaraghava T. S. , Shum-Tim Dominique , Prakash Satya
Published: April 2012

Stem cell transplantation has been widely acknowledged for their immense potential in regenerative medicine. In these procedures, the implanted cells need to maintain both their viability and functional properties for effective therapeutic outcomes. This has long been a subject of major concern and intensive studies. Microencapsulation of stem cells within polymeric microcapsules can be an efficient approach to achieve this goal, particularly for heart diseases. This study reports the use of biocompatible, fluorogenic genipin-cross-linked alginate chitosan (GCAC) microcapsules in delivery of human adipose stem cells (hASCs) with an aim to increase the implant retention in the infarcted myocardium for maximum clinical benefits. In vitro results show, under hypoxic conditions, the microencapsulated cells overexpressed significantly higher amount of biologically active vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We investigated on the in vivo potential using immunocompetent female rats after induction of myocardial infarction. For this, animal groups ( n = 8) received empty control microcapsules, 1.5 × 106 free male hASCs, or 1.5 × 106 microencapsulated male hASCs. Results show significant retention (3.5 times higher) of microencapsulated hASCs compared to free hASCs after 10 weeks of transplantation. Microencapsulated hASCs showed significantly attenuated infarct size compared to free hASCs and empty microcapsule group (21.6% ± 1.1% vs. 27.2% ± 3.1% vs. 33.3% ± 3.2%; p < 0.05), enhanced vasculogenesis, and improved cardiac function (fractional shortening: 24.2% ± 2.1% vs. 19.1% ± 0.5% vs. 12.0% ± 4.0%; p < 0.05). These data suggest that microencapsulated hASCs can contribute significantly to the improvement in cardiac functions. Their greater retentions exhibit reduced fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction in experimental animals. However, further research is needed to fully comprehend the underlying biological and immunological effects of microencapsulated hASCs, which jointly play important roles in cardiac repair.
Low Temperature Condition Prevents Hypoxia-Induced Islet Cell Damage and HMGB1 Release in a Mouse Model
Authors: Itoh Takeshi , Sugimoto Koji , Takita Morihito , Shimoda Masayuki , Chujo Daisuke , Sorelle Jeff A. , Naziruddin Bashoo , Levy Marlon F. , Matsumoto Shinichi
Published: April 2012

One of the major issues in clinical islet transplantation is the poor efficacy of islet isolation. During pancreas preservation and islet isolation, islets suffer from hypoxia as islets are highly sensitive to hypoxic conditions. Cold preservation has been applied to minimize hypoxia-induced cell damage during organ preservation. However, the studies related to hypoxia-induced islet cell damage during islet isolation are limited. Recently, we demonstrated that mouse islets contain high levels of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), and during proinflammatory cytokine-induced damage, islets release HMGB1 outside the cell. The released HMGB1 is involved in the initial events of early islet loss. In the present study, we hypothesize that low temperature conditions could prevent both hypoxia induced islet cell damage and HMGB1 release from islets in a mouse model. Isolated mouse islets underwent normoxic condition (95% air and 5% CO2) at 37°C or hypoxic conditions (1% O2, 5% CO2, and 94% N2) at 37°C (hypoxia-37°C islets), 22°C (hypoxia-22°C islets), or 4°C (hypoxia-4°C islets) for 12 h. In vitro and in vivo viability and functionality tests were performed. HMGB1, IL-6, G-CSF, KC, RANTES, MCP-1, and MIP-1 α levels in the medium were measured. Low temperature conditions substantially reduced hypoxia-induced necrosis ( p < 0.05) and apoptosis ( p < 0.05). In addition, low temperature islet culture significantly increased the insulin secretion from islets by high glucose stimulation ( p < 0.05). All of the recipient mice reversed diabetes after receiving the hypoxia-4°C islets but not after receipt of hypoxia-37°C or 22°C islets. The amounts of released HMGB1, IL-6, G-CSF, KC, RANTES, MCP-1, and MIP-1 α were significantly reduced in the hypoxia-4°C islets compared to those of the hypoxia-37°C islets ( p <0.05). In conclusion, low temperature conditions could prevent hypoxia-induced islet cell damage, inflammatory reactions in islets, and HMGB1 release and expression. Low temperature conditions should improve the efficacy of isolated islets.
Alteration of Cardiac Progenitor Cell Potency in GRMD Dogs
Authors: Cassano M. , Berardi E. , Crippa S. , Toelen J. , Barthelemy I. , Micheletti R. , Chuah M. , Vandendriessche T. , Debyser Z. , Blot S. , Sampaolesi M.
Published: April 2012

Among the animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the Golden Retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD) dog is considered the best model in terms of size and pathological onset of the disease. As in human patients presenting with DMD or Becker muscular dystrophies (BMD), the GRMD is related to a spontaneous X-linked mutation of dystrophin and is characterized by myocardial lesions. In this respect, GRMD is a useful model to explore cardiac pathogenesis and for the development of therapeutic protocols. To investigate whether cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) isolated from healthy and GRMD dogs may differentiate into myocardial cell types and to test the feasibility of cell therapy for cardiomyopathies in a preclinical model of DMD, CPCs were isolated from cardiac biopsies of healthy and GRMD dogs. Gene profile analysis revealed an active cardiac transcription network in both healthy and GRMD CPCs. However, GRMD CPCs showed impaired self- renewal and cardiac differentiation. Population doubling and telomerase analyses highlighted earlier senescence and proliferation impairment in progenitors isolated from GRMD cardiac biopsies. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that only wt CPCs showed efficient although not terminal cardiac differentiation, consistent with the upregulation of cardiac-specific proteins and microRNAs. Thus, the pathological condition adversely influences the cardiomyogenic differentiation potential of cardiac progenitors. Using PiggyBac transposon technology we marked CPCs for nuclear dsRed expression, providing a stable nonviral gene marking method for in vivo tracing of CPCs. Xenotransplantation experiments in neonatal immunodeficient mice revealed a valuable contribution of CPCs to cardiomyogenesis with homing differences between wt and dystrophic progenitors. These results suggest that cardiac degeneration in dystrophinopathies may account for the progressive exhaustion of local cardiac progenitors and shed light on cardiac stemness in physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, we provide essential information that canine CPCs may be used to alleviate cardiac involvement in a large preclinical model of DMD.
Feasibility of Intracoronary GLP-1 Eluting CellBead™ Infusion in Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Houtgraaf Jaco H. , De Jong Renate , Monkhorst Kim , Tempel Dennie , Van De Kamp Esther , Den Dekker Wijnand K. , Kazemi Kushan , Hoefer Imo , Pasterkamp Gerard , Lewis Andrew L. , Stratford Peter W. , Wallrapp Christine , Zijlstra Felix , Duckers Henricus J.
Published: April 2012

Cell therapy is a field of growing interest in the prevention of post acute myocardial infarction (AMI) heart failure. Stem cell retention upon local delivery to the heart, however, is still unsatisfactory. CellBeads were recently developed as a potential solution to this problem. CellBeads are 170-μm alginate microspheres that contain mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) genetically modified to express glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) supplementary to inherent paracrine factors. GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that has both antiapoptotic and cardioprotective effects. Transplanting CellBeads in the post-AMI heart might induce cardiomyocyte salvage and ultimately abrogate adverse cardiac remodeling. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of intracoronary infusion of CellBeads in a large animal model of AMI. Four pigs were used in a pilot study to assess the maximal safe dose of CellBeads. In the remaining 21 animals, an AMI was induced by balloon occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery for 90 min. During reperfusion, 60,000 CellBeads ( n = 11), control beads ( n = 4), or lactated Ringers' ( n = 6) were infused. Animals were sacrificed after 2 or 7 days, and the hearts were excised for histological analyses. Intracoronary infusion did not permanently affect coronary flow in any of the groups. Histological analysis revealed CellBeads containing viable MSCs up to 7 days. Viability and activity of the MSCs was confirmed by qPCR analysis that showed expression of recombinant GLP-1 and human genes after 2 and 7 days. CellBeads reduced inflammatory infiltration by 29% ( p = 0.001). In addition, they decreased the extent of apoptosis by 25% ( p = 0.001) after 2 days. We show that intracoronary infusion of 5 million encapsulated MSCs is safe and feasible. Also, several parameters indicate that the cells have paracrine effects, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit of this new approach.
Nestin Overexpression Precedes Caspase-3 Upregulation in Rats Exposed to Controlled Cortical Impact Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Kaneko Yuji , Tajiri Naoki , Yu Seongjin , Hayashi Takuro , Stahl Christine E. , Bae Eunkyung , Mestre Humberto , Franzese Nicholas , Rodrigues Antonio , Rodrigues Maria C. , Ishikawa Hiroto , Shinozuka Kazutaka , Hethorn Whitney , Weinbren Nathan , Glover Loren E. , Tan Jun , Achyuta Anilkumar Harapanahalli , Van Loveren Harry , Sanberg Paul R. , Shivsankar Sundaram , Borlongan Cesar V.
Published: April 2012

Our understanding of biological mechanisms and treatment options for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is limited. Here, we employed quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR) and immunohistochemical analyses to determine the dynamic expression of cell proliferation and apoptosis in an effort to provide insights into the therapeutic window for developing regenerative strategies for TBI. For this purpose, young adult Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to experimental TBI using a controlled cortical impactor and then euthanized 1–48 h after TBI for QRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. QRT-PCR revealed that brains from TBI-exposed rats initially displayed nestin mRNA expression that modestly increased as early as 1 h post-TBI, then significantly peaked at 8 h, but thereafter reverted to pre-TBI levels. On the other hand, caspase-3 mRNA expression was slightly elevated at 8 h post-TBI, which did not become significantly upregulated until 48 h. Immunofluorescent microscopy revealed a significant surge in nestin-immunoreactive cells in the cortex, corpus callosum, and subventricular zone at 24 h post-TBI, whereas a significant increase in the number of active caspase-3-immunoreactive cells was only found in the cortex and not until 48 h. These results suggest that the injured brain attempts to repair itself via cell proliferation immediately after TBI but this endogenous regenerative mechanism is not sufficient to abrogate the secondary apoptotic cell death. Treatment strategies designed to amplify cell proliferation and to prevent apoptosis are likely to exert maximal benefits when initiated at the acute phase of TBI.
Stereoselective, nitro-Mannich/lactamisation cascades for the direct synthesis of heavily decorated 5-nitropiperidin-2-ones and related heterocycles
Authors: Jakubec Pavol , Cockfield Dane M , Helliwell Madeleine , Raftery James , Dixon Darren J
Published: April 2012

A versatile nitro-Mannich/lactamisation cascade for the direct stereoselective synthesis of heavily decorated 5-nitropiperidin-2-ones and related heterocycles has been developed. A highly enantioenriched substituted 5-nitropiperidin-2-one was synthesised in a four component one-pot reaction combining an enantioselective organocatalytic Michael addition with the diastereoselective nitro-Mannich/lactamisation cascade. Protodenitration and chemoselective reductive manipulation of the heterocycles was used to install contiguous and fully substituted stereocentres in the synthesis of substituted piperidines.
Acoustical Instability of Inhomogeneous Gas Flows With Distributed Heat Release
Authors: Galimov R. N. , Molevich N. E. , Troshkin N. V.
Published: April 2012

Acoustical instability of the inhomogeneous heat-emitted gas flow in dependence on the Mach number is investigated. Obtained acoustical equations for perturbations of velocity, density, pressure, and temperature have diff erent forms in inhomogeneous media. Growth increments for these
perturbations diff er from each other as well. They are significantly dependent on the Mach number and the flow direction. The features of sub- and supersonic acoustics are considered.
Single Equivalent Approximation for Multiple Contact Structure-Borne Sound Sources in Buildings
Authors: Mayr A. R. , Gibbs B. M.
Published: April 2012

The work reported in the paper addresses structure-borne sound transmission between multiple contact sources and non homogeneous plate receiver structures. This study concentrates on a practical method of predicting the installed structure-borne sound power from mechanical installations
in lightweight buildings. The structure-borne sound power is a function of source activity, source mobility and receiver mobility, and all three quantities must be known to some degree. It is rarely practical to consider all transmission paths individually and in detail, and therefore, reduced
data sets and less computationally demanding procedures are proposed. The paper examines how source data can be used to assemble single equivalent values, using spatial averages and magnitudes. Single equivalent values of receiver mobility also are proposed for lightweight, point-connected
ribbed plate constructions. In case studies, the single equivalent values are used for predicting the structure-borne power in the installed condition.
A Study of Wideband Absorbers in a Non-Environment Control Room: Normal Absorption Coefficient Measurement and Analysis
Authors: Torres-Guijarro Soledad , Pena Antonio , Pérez-Cabo David , Degara-Quintela Norberto
Published: April 2012

This contribution concludes the study initiated in [1] about the wideband absorbers of the rear wall in a nonenvironment control room at the “Universidade de Vigo”. The specific acoustic impedance will be calculated from microphone signals of a p-p intensity probe, and the
H2 estimator will demonstrate that it provides the best estimate both at fixed measuring points and in scanning. The absorption coefficient calculated from the specific acoustic impedance is related to the sound field characterisation in the vicinity of the panels: in the
very low frequency region it presents maxima and minima attributable to the behaviour of the channels between panels as open-closed tubes, and also shows the effect of the first transverse standing wave in fixed point measurements performed in the centre of the channel opening. This effect
disappears in the scanning measurement providing an average absorption curve in a wide area in front of the absorbers. A simple model can be made from the results for the absorption of the wideband absorbers of the rear wall of the room.
Suprathreshold Perception of Tonal Components in Noise Under Conditions of Masking Release
Authors: Verhey Jesko L. , Heise Stephan J.
Published: April 2012

Many technical sounds contain tonal components in a noise background. The present study investigates how such tonal components embedded in noise are perceived under conditions of enhanced detectability of the tone due to (i) amplitude modulation of the noise background or (ii) interaural
disparities in the signal's phase. To quantify the sensation elicited by a tonal component in these masking-release conditions, the listeners are asked to adjust the level of the tone to have the same magnitude of tonal content (German “Tonhaltigkeit”) or to be perceived as equally
loud as a tone which is masked by an unmodulated noise and presented diotically (baseline condition). For both sensations the signal-to-noise ratio at equal magnitude of the sensation is lower for the tone in the masking-release conditions than for the baseline condition. This is mainly due
to the lower masked threshold of the tone in masking-release conditions. The eff ect is most prominent at low levels and decreases towards higher levels. A high correlation is observed between the data for the magnitude of tonal content and the partial loudness of the tone, demonstrating the
similarity between these two sensations.
Zurich Aircraft Noise Index: An Index for the Assessment and Analysis of the Effects of Aircraft Noise on the Population
Authors: Schäffer Beat , Thomann Georg , Huber Philipp , Brink Mark , Plüss Stefan , Hofmann Robert
Published: April 2012

This article reports on the Zurich Aircraft Noise Index (ZFI), a noise eff ect index describing the integral eff ects of aircraft noise (annoyance and sleep disturbance) on the population in the vicinity of Zurich airport, integrating the considered noise eff ects to a single
number valid for the whole airport. In the year 2007 the ZFI became operational as an eff ect-oriented monitoring tool serving noise abatement policy in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. During its development, various exposure–response relationships and parameter settings were
studied as a basis to establish the official calculation rule. The official calculation rule was then applied to a time series of 12 years, and reasons for changes in the ZFI were studied by means of sensitivity analyses, taking into account the air traffic operations and population
development around Zurich airport in great detail. The article presents the concept and implementation of the ZFI, its development, its application, and insights obtained so far. Based on the obtained results, the potential and limitations of the index to express the number of aff ected
persons, its sensitivity to changes in population figures and air traffic as well as the possibilities to separate diff erent influencing parameters, and the scientific shortcomings of the index are discussed.
Genetic Ancestry, Serum Interferon-α Activity, and Autoantibodies in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: KO KICHUL , FRANEK BEVERLY S. , MARION MIRANDA , KAUFMAN KENNETH M. , LANGEFELD CARL D. , HARLEY JOHN B. , NIEWOLD TIMOTHY B.
Published: April 2012

Objective.

To investigate and refine the relationships among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and related autoantibodies, interferon-α (IFN-α), and various ancestral backgrounds.

Methods.

We investigated quantitatively defined genetic ancestry through principal component analysis in place of self-reported ancestry.

Results.

African ancestry was found to be associated with presence of anti-RNP antibody (p = 0.0026), and anti-RNP was correlated with high levels of IFN-α (p = 2.8 × 10−5).

Conclusion.

Our data support a model in which African ancestry increases the likelihood of SLE-associated autoantibody formation, which subsequently results in higher levels of serum IFN-α.
Urinary Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule, But Not Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin, Is Associated with Lupus Nephritis
Authors: KIANI ADNAN N. , WU TIANFU , FANG HONG , ZHOU XIN J. , AHN CHUL W. , MAGDER LAURENCE S. , MOHAN CHANDRA , PETRI MICHELLE
Published: April 2012

Objective.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), an adhesion molecule, is involved in the progression of glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), a member of the lipocalin superfamily, has been shown to rise in both acute and chronic kidney damage. Both VCAM-1 and NGAL have been found at high levels in the urine of patients with active lupus nephritis. We investigated both as potential biomarkers for lupus nephritis.

Methods.

VCAM-1 and NGAL were measured by ELISA during 1 to 8 clinic visits in 107 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE; 91% women, 51% black, 36% white, 4% Asian, 4% Hispanic, and 5% others) for a total of 190 visits. Patients’ mean age was 41 years. We analyzed the relationship between these potential urine biomarkers and the urine protein/creatinine ratio (urine Pr/Cr), the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) renal activity score, SLE Disease Activity Index renal descriptors, and other clinical variables.

Results.

VCAM-1 levels were strongly associated with the physician’s global estimate of disease activity (p = 0.0002), the renal visual analog scale (p < 0.0001), the urine Pr/Cr (p < 0.0001), and SLICC renal activity score (p < 0.0001). VCAM-1 levels were also associated with a urine Pr/Cr ≥ 0.5 (p < 0.0001). NGAL was not associated with any measure of disease activity or with lupus serologies.

Conclusion.

Urine VCAM-1 had a strong association with measures of disease activity, including multiple renal activity descriptors. In contrast to previous SLE studies, NGAL failed to show any association with lupus nephritis.
Rituximab Therapy Leads to Reduced Imprints of Receptor Revision in Immunoglobulin κ and λ Light Chains
Authors: PALANICHAMY ARUMUGAM , MUHAMMAD KHALID , ROLL PETRA , KLEINERT STEFAN , DÖRNER THOMAS , TONY HANS-PETER
Published: April 2012

Objective.

Transient B cell depletion by rituximab (RTX) has become a specific treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although phenotypic repopulation kinetics of B cell subsets are well documented, precise molecular analyses of the reconstituting immunoglobulin (Ig) genes encoding the B cell receptor in RA are sparse.

Methods.

A total of 708 individual CD19+CD27+ (memory) and CD19+CD27– (naive) B cells from 2 patients with RA were analyzed at baseline and 7 months after RTX at B cell repopulation. Ig light chain variable kappa (Vκ) and lambda (Vλ) light chain gene rearrangements were amplified, sequenced, and analyzed with a focus on receptor revision.

Results.

The naive as well as the memory repertoire repopulated polyclonally with diverse use of variable light chain gene families and minigenes. During the reconstitution phase, B cells used significantly fewer Jκ distal Vκ genes (p = 0.0006), with a higher frequency of somatic hypermutation of rearrangements employing Jκ5 compared to baseline in memory B cells. The use of Vλ rearrangements in regenerating B cells was also biased toward use of Vλ genes of the proximal cassette. In general, reemerging CD27+ Ig light chain genes were substantially more highly mutated than before RTX therapy (p < 0.0001, baseline vs during reconstitution).

Conclusion.

Our data indicate that RTX therapy leads to generation of distinct Vκ/Jκ and Vλ/Jλ gene repertoires consistent with replenishment of antigen-experienced B cells by germinal centers. At baseline, the imprints of receptor revision appeared to be more striking, which indicates that receptor revision is active in patients with RA and can be reduced by RTX.