bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of Childhood Glucose Homeostasis Variables in Predicting Adult Diabetes and Related Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Authors: Nguyen Quoc Manh , Srinivasan Sathanur R. , Xu Ji-Hua , Chen Wei , Kieltyka Lyn , Berenson Gerald S.
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the usefulness of childhood glucose homeostasis variables (glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance index [homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance {HOMA-IR}]) in predicting pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes and related cardiometabolic risk factors in adulthood.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study consisted of normoglycemic (n = 1,058), pre-diabetic (n = 37), and type 2 diabetic (n = 25) adults aged 19–39 years who were followed on average for 17 years since childhood.

RESULTS

At least 50% of the individuals who ranked highest (top quintile) in childhood for glucose homeostasis variables maintained their high rank by being above the 60th percentile in adulthood. In a multivariate model, the best predictors of adulthood glucose homeostasis variables were the change in BMI Z score from childhood to adulthood and childhood BMI Z score, followed by the corresponding childhood levels of glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR. Further, children in the top decile versus the rest for insulin and HOMA-IR were 2.85 and 2.55 times, respectively, more likely to develop pre-diabetes; children in the top decile versus the rest for glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR were 3.28, 5.54, and 5.84 times, respectively, more likely to develop diabetes, independent of change in BMI Z score, baseline BMI Z score, and total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio. In addition, children with adverse levels (top quintile versus the rest) of glucose homeostasis variables displayed significantly higher prevalences of, among others, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and metabolic syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Adverse levels of glucose homeostasis variables in childhood not only persist into adulthood but also predict adult pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes and relate to cardiometabolic risk factors.
On an integral transform by R. S. Phillips
Authors: Bjon Sten
Published: December 2009

The properties of a transformation $$
f \mapsto \tilde f_h
$$ by R.S. Phillips, which transforms an exponentially bounded C
0-semigroup of operators T(t) to a Yosida approximation depending on h, are studied. The set of exponentially bounded, continuous functions f: [0, ∞[→ E with values in a sequentially complete L
c-embedded space E is closed under the transformation. It is shown that $$
(\tilde f_h )\widetilde{_k } = \tilde f_{h + k}
$$ for certain complex h and k, and that $$
f(t) = \lim _{h \to 0^ + } \tilde f_h (t)
$$, where the limit is uniform in t on compact subsets of the positive real line. If f is Hölder-continuous at 0, then the limit is uniform on compact subsets of the non-negative real line. Inversion formulas for this transformation as well as for the Laplace transformation are derived. Transforms of certain semigroups of non-linear operators on a subset X of an L
c-embedded space are studied through the C
0-semigroups, which they define by duality on a space of functions on X.
Effect of seed different levels of NPK fertilizers and irrigation on yield and nutritive quality of mulberry leaf
Authors: Paul NK , Qaiyyum MA
Published: December 2009

Experiment was conducted at the research field of Bangladesh Sericulture Research and Training Institute, Rajshahi in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 to investigate the effect of NPK fertilizers and frequency of irrigation on leaf yield, yield components and leaf quality characters of three mulberry varieties. Four levels of NPK fertilizers and three levels of irrigation were adopted. The treatments comprising 300 kg N, 150 kg P, and 100 kg K/ha/yr along with two irrigations in a month was found to be the best for higher leaf yield, leaf moisture and leaf nutrient contents of mulberry plants (var. BM-3). Key Words: Mulberry, NPK fertilizers, irrigation, nutritive quality. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i3.3969 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(3) : 435-442, September 2009
Heterosis in bottle gourd
Authors: Quamruzzaman AKM , Rashid MA , Masud MAT , Uddin M Nazim
Published: December 2009

Heterosis in bottle gourd was studied in a set of 13 F1 with 26 parents. Results indicated highly significant differences for all the characters among the materials studied. Heterosis was higher for yield per plant, number of fruits per plant and individual fruit weight, medium in fruit length and fruit diameter, and lower in days to 1st harvest. Hybrids (F1) 10 x 17 and 19 x 26 manifested highest heterosis over midparent (73.1%) and better parent (61.8%), respectively, for yield per plant. Key Words: Heterosis, bottle gourd, hybrid. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i3.3973 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(3) : 465-472, September 2009
Genetic diversity analysis in Brassica varieties through RAPD markers
Authors: Ghosh KK , Haque ME , Parvin S , Akhter F , Rahim MM
Published: December 2009

This investigation was aimed at exploring the genetic diversity and relationship among nine Brassica varieties, namely BARI Sharisha-12, Agrani, Sampad, BINA Sharisha-4, BINA Sharisha-5, BARI Sharisha-13, Daulot, Rai-5, Alboglabra using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. In total, 59 reproducible DNA bands were generated by four arbitrary selected primers of which 58 (98.03%) bands were proved to be polymorphic. These bands ranged from 212 to 30686 bp in size. The highest proportion of polymorphic loci and gene diversity values were 37.29% and 0.1373, respectively, for BARI Sharisha-12 and the lowest proportion of polymorphic loci and gene diversity values were 8.47% and 0.0318, 8.47% and 0.0382 for BINA Sharisha-4 and Rai-5, respectively. A dendrogram was constructed using unweighted pair group method of arithmetic mean (UPGMA). The result of cluster analysis indicated that the 9 accessions were capable of being classified into 2 major groups. One group consists of BARI Sharisha-12, Agrani, Sampad, Daulot, Rai-5, Alboglabra. where Daulot and Rai-5 showed the lowest genetic distance of 0.049. And another group contains BINA Sharisha-4, BINA Sharisha-5, and BARI Sharisha-1 3, where BINA Sharisha-5 and BARI sharisha-13 showed genetic distance of 0.071. Key Words: RAPD, Brassica, genetic distance, polymorphic band. DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i3.3976 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(3) : 493-5032, September 2009
Field screening of chickpea genotypes against pod borer
Authors: Hossain MD Altaf
Published: December 2009

DOI: 10.3329/bjar.v34i3.3978 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 34(3) : 517-521, September 2009
Noonans Syndrome of a 25 years old female
Authors: Haque M Sirajul , Ahmed Riaz Uddin , Rahman Md Mahmudur
Published: December 2009

Noonan's syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder with a webbed neck that mimics turner syndrome. However, the syndrome has also been found to be genetically heterogeneous. Noonan syndrome is characterized by short stature, hyperkeratosis of skin, distinct facial features, lymphoreticular abnormalities, nail dystrophy. No abnormality in chromosome number has so far been reported. Here we present a 25 year old female who came to Bangladesh Medical College Hospital in May'08, with generalized skin eruptions and left leg swelling. Key words: Noonan's syndrome, genetic disorders DOI: 10.3329/bjms.v8i3.3986 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(3) 2009 p68-71
Infratemporal fossa neurofibroma presenting as a parotid mass
Authors: Irfan M , Halim SA , Khir AM
Published: December 2009

Majority of the tumour of parotid gland is benign in nature. Neurogenic origin of tumor is a rare entity. If it occurs, the tumour usually arises from the main trunk. A well encapsulated mass originated deep to the deep lobe of parotid may manifest itself like a typical pleomorphic adenoma. We reported a case of middle-aged man with infratemporal neurofibroma presenting with asymptomatic parotid mass. Keywords: Parotid mass, asymptomatic, neurofibroma DOI: 10.3329/bjms.v8i3.3987 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(3) 2009 p72-74
Molecular Iodine—An Expedient Reagent for Oxidative Aromatization Reactions of α,β-Unsaturated Cyclic Compounds
Authors: Mphahlele Malose Jack
Published: December 2009

Prompted by the scant attention paid by published literature reviews to the applications of molecular iodine in oxidative aromatization reactions, we decided to review methods developed to-date involving iodine as an oxidant to promote aromatization of α,β-unsaturated cyclic compounds.
Muscle Quality, Architecture, and Activation in Cachectic Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: MATSCHKE VERENA , MURPHY PETER , LEMMEY ANDREW B. , MADDISON PETER J. , THOM JEANETTE M.
Published: December 2009

Objective.

To explore muscle-specific force (force per physiological cross-sectional area, or PCSA) and muscle activation in cachectic patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

In 14 muscle-wasted patients with RA and age and sex matched healthy controls, vastus lateralis (VL) force and voluntary activation capacity were assessed during maximal isometric contractions with electromyography and superimposed electrical stimulations. VL PCSA was determined from ultrasound measures of fiber fascicle length (Lf), pennation angle, and volume, together with assessments of body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and objective physical function.

Results.

Although patients with RA had reduced physical function, lower muscle mass, and VL volume relative to controls, there were no differences in muscle-specific force and activation. PCSA, force, and pennation angle tended to be lower in RA, with no differences in Lf.

Conclusion.

Muscle-specific force and activation are not compromised and thus are unlikely to contribute to reduced function in cachectic patients with RA.
Comparison of the VISX WaveScan and NIDEK OPD-Scan Aberrometers
Authors: Kim David Sungmin , Narváez Julio , Krassin Jabin , Bahjri Khaled
Published: December 2009

Purpose:

To compare measurements obtained with the VISX WaveScan and NIDEK OPD-Scan (ARK 10000).

Methods:

The VISX WaveScan is a wavefront aberrometer that uses Hartmann-Shack technology. The NIDEK OPD-Scan uses time-based retinoscopy (dynamic skiascopy). Measurements taken of 92 eyes from 51 patients using both aberrometers were retrieved and compared. Measurements included sphere, cylinder, axis, and Zernike coefficients of second to sixth radial order aberrations. The Zernike coefficients were normalized to a 6.0-mm pupil and used to calculate the root-mean-square (RMS) values of the radial orders, angular orders, total higher order aberrations, third order trefoil, third order coma, total spherical aberration, and total coma. Paired
t
tests were used to compare differences between measurements.

Results:

Although no significant difference was found between the NIDEK OPD-Scan and subjective manifest refraction in sphere and axis, the NIDEK OPD-Scan measured significantly higher cylinder. No significant difference was found between the VISX WaveScan and subjective manifest refraction. The NIDEK OPD-Scan had significantly lower total higher order, second radial order, third order coma, total spherical aberration, total coma, and second angular order RMS values. The VISX WaveScan had significantly lower cylinder, trefoil, third-angular order, and fifth-angular order RMS values.

Conclusions:

Specific and significant differences were noted between the measurements taken by the VISX WaveScan and NIDEK OPD-Scan wavefront aberrometers. [
J Refract Surg
. 2009;25:429–434.]
Precision of Orbscan II Assessment of Anterior Corneal Curvature and Asphericity
Authors: Douthwaite William Arthur , Parkinson Annette
Published: December 2009

Purpose:

To determine the number of measurements required to produce a representative mean result for corneal apical radius and asphericity and to examine the repeatability of this mean result.

Methods:

The Bausch & Lomb Orbscan II corneal topographer was used to take 10 measurements of right eyes of 20 normal individuals. These were used to determine the number of measurements required to obtain a representative result. The apical radius and
p
-value were derived from the instrument software for the entire surface and also calculated from the raw data for a single meridian.

Results:

Both apical radius and asphericity stabilized as the number of responses contributing to the mean increased. Repeat measurement for the entire surface of a three-measurement mean result was ±0.090 mm for apical radius and ±0.151 for the
p
-value. The results for a single meridian, on repeat measurement, will lie within ±0.069 mm and ±0.051, respectively.

Conclusions:

Little improvement in stability or repeatability was observed after a three-measurement mean. The error and repeatability of the measurement appear to be better in this investigation when only a single meridian is analyzed. Thus, instrument software might be improved by providing analysis of apical radius and asphericity for a single, selectable meridian. [
J Refract Surg
. 2009;25:435–443.]
Anclaje de barras en zapatas de hormigón
Authors: Calavera J.
Published: December 2009

Se analiza la regla simplificada de suponer, que para zapatas, el desarrollo de la longitud de anclaje se cuenta a 0,5 h a partir del extremo de las barras, para la tensión .que tenga la barra en ese punto.
Esta simplificación, está basada en la hipótesis de zapata rígida, pero el Eurocódico EC-2 no lo dice y la Instrucción EHE-08 la fija para zapatas flexibles.
Como para todas las presiones σt de contacto con el suelo, la zapata más económica es la de menor canto posible, para suelos con σt ≤ 0,2 N/mm2 la solución correcta puede diferir notablemente de la regla establecida por ambas Normas.
Cytohesin-1 Regulates the Arf6-Phospholipase D Signaling Axis in Human Neutrophils: Impact on Superoxide Anion Production and Secretion
Authors: El Azreq Mohammed-Amine , Garceau Valérie , Harbour Danielle , Pivot-Pajot Christophe , Bourgoin Sylvain G.
Published: December 2009

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) stimulation with fMLP stimulates small G proteins such as ADP-ribosylation factors (Arfs) Arf1 and Arf6, leading to phospholipase D (PLD) activation and functions such as degranulation and the oxidative burst. However, the molecular links between fMLF receptors and PLD remain unclear. PMNs express cytohesin-1, an Arf-guanine exchange factor that activates Arfs, and its expression is strongly induced during the acquisition of the neutrophilic phenotype by neutrophil-like cells. The role of cytohesin-1 in the activation of the fMLF-Arf-PLD signaling axis, and the accomplishment of superoxide anion production, and degranulation was investigated in PMNs using the selective inhibitor of cytohesin, Sec 7 inhibitor H3 (secinH3). Cytohesin-1 inhibition with secinH3 leads to Arf6 but not Arf1 inhibition, demonstrating the specificity for Arf6, and fMLF-mediated activation of PLD and of the oxidative burst as well. We observed a decrease in fMLF-mediated protein secretion and expression of cell surface markers corresponding to primary (CD63/myeloperoxidase), secondary (CD66/lactoferrin), and tertiary (matrix metalloproteinase-9) granules in PMNs incubated with secinH3. Similarly, silencing cytohesin-1 or Arf6 in PLB-985 cells negatively affected fMLF-induced activation of PLD, superoxide production, and expression of granule markers on the cell surface. In contrast, stable overexpression of cytohesin-1 in PLB-985 cells enhanced fMLF-induced activation of Arf6, PLD, and NADPH oxidase. The results of this study provide evidence for an involvement of cytohesin-1 in the regulation of the functional responses of human PMNs and link these events, in part at least, to the activation of Arf6.
Independent Regulation of Chemokine Responsiveness and Cytolytic Function versus CD8+ T Cell Expansion by Dendritic Cells
Authors: Watchmaker Payal B. , Berk Erik , Muthuswamy Ravikumar , Mailliard Robbie B. , Urban Julie A. , Kirkwood John M. , Kalinski Pawel
Published: December 2009

The ability of cancer vaccines to induce tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in the circulation of cancer patients has been shown to poorly correlate with their clinical effectiveness. In this study, we report that although Ags presented by different types of mature dendritic cells (DCs) are similarly effective in inducing CD8+ T cell expansion, the acquisition of CTL function and peripheral-type chemokine receptors, CCR5 and CXCR3, requires Ag presentation by a select type of DCs. Both “standard” DCs (matured in the presence of PGE2) and type 1-polarized DCs (DC1s) (matured in the presence of IFNs and TLR ligands, which prevent DCs “exhaustion”) are similarly effective in inducing CD8+ T cell expansion and acquisition of CD45RO+IL-7R+IL-15R+ phenotype. However, granzyme B expression, acquisition of CTL activity, and peripheral tissue-type chemokine responsiveness are features exclusively exhibited by CD8+ T cells activated by DC1s. This advantage of DC1s was observed in polyclonally activated naive and memory CD8+ T cells and in blood-isolated melanoma-specific CTL precursors. Our data help to explain the dissociation between the ability of cancer vaccines to induce high numbers of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in the blood of cancer patients and their ability to promote clinical responses, providing for new strategies of cancer immunotherapy.
AIDS Progression Is Associated with the Emergence of IL-17–Producing Cells Early After Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Campillo-Gimenez Laure , Cumont Marie-Christine , Fay Michèle , Kared Hassen , Monceaux Valérie , Diop Ousmane , Müller-Trutwin Michaela , Hurtrel Bruno , Lévy Yves , Zaunders John , Dy Michel , Leite-de-Moraes Maria C. , Elbim Carole , Estaquier Jérôme
Published: December 2009

IL-17 is a potent effector cytokine involved in inflammatory response and antimicrobial defense. We report that SIV infection of rhesus macaques (RMs) results in the emergence of IL-17–expressing cells during the acute phase. This subpopulation appears at day 14 postinfection concomitantly with an increase in TGF-β and IL-18 expression. This subset, which exhibits phenotypic markers of NK T cells (NKT), rather than Th17 CD4 cells, persists during the chronic phase and is higher in noncontrollers SIV-infected RMs compared with controllers SIV-infected RMs. In contrast, in the nonpathogenic model of SIVagm infection of African green monkeys, no change in the level of IL-17–expressing cells is observed in lymphoid organs. Consistent with the emergence of TGF-β and IL-18 during the acute phase in SIV-infected RMs, but not in SIV-infected African green monkeys, we demonstrate that in vitro TGF-β and IL-18 induce the differentiation and expansion of IL-17+NKT+. Altogether, these results demonstrate that IL-17–producing NKT are associated with the pathogenesis of SIV in RMs and suggest that TGF-β and IL-18 play a role in their development.
RNA Interference Screen in Primary Human T Cells Reveals FLT3 as a Modulator of IL-10 Levels
Authors: Astier Anne L. , Beriou Gaëlle , Eisenhaure Thomas M. , Anderton Stephen M. , Hafler David A. , Hacohen Nir
Published: December 2009

Functional studies of human primary immune cells have been hampered by the lack of tools to silence gene functions. In this study, we report the application of a lentiviral RNA interference library in primary human T cells. Using a subgenomic short hair RNA library targeting ∼1000 signaling genes, we identified novel genes that control the levels of IL-10 produced. IL-10 is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine secreted by several cell types, including T regulatory type 1 cells, a subset of T regulatory cells that exert their suppressive activity through IL-10 secretion. FLT3, a known hematopoeitic growth factor, was found to be a negative regulator of IL-10 levels in activated T cells. This was based on several observations. First, FLT3 and its ligand (FL) were both induced by T cell activation. Second, silencing of FLT3 led to increased IL-10 levels, whereas addition of FL suppressed IL-10 secretion and increased FLT3 surface levels. Third, engagement of CD46, a known inducer of T regulatory type 1 cells, upregulated surface FLT3, and secreted FL, which then inhibited IL-10 production by T cells. Hence, FL and FLT3 form a novel regulatory feedback loop that limits IL-10 production in T cells. Our results identified FLT3 as a new regulator of T cell function and offer a strategy to genetically dissect specific pathways in T cells.
PDCA Expression by B Lymphocytes Reveals Important Functional Attributes
Authors: Vinay Dass S. , Kim Chang H. , Chang Kyung H. , Kwon Byoung S.
Published: December 2009

We have demonstrated in this study the existence of a PDCA-expressing functional B cell population (PDCA+ B lymphocytes), which differentiates from activated conventional B (PDCA−IgM+) lymphocytes. Stimulation with anti-μ, LPS, CpG oligodeoxynucleotide, HSV-1, or CTLA-4 Ig activates the PDCA+ B lymphocytes, leading to cell division and induction of type I IFNs and IDO. Notably, the PDCA+ B lymphocytes are capable of Ag-specific Ab production and Ig class switching, which is corroborated by transfer experiments in B- and PDCA+ B lymphocyte-deficient μMT mice. Importantly, in lupus-prone MRL-Faslpr mice, PDCA+ B lymphocytes remain the principal source of autoantibodies. The PDCA+ B lymphocytes have phenotypes with plasmacytoid dendritic cells, but are a distinct cell population in that they develop from C-kit+B220+ pro-B precursors. Thus, our data suggest that not all PDCA+ cells are dendritic cell-derived plasmacytoid dendritic cells and that a significant majority is the PDCA+ B lymphocyte population having distinct phenotype and function.
Hypochlorous Acid: A Natural Adjuvant That Facilitates Antigen Processing, Cross-Priming, and the Induction of Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Prokopowicz Zofia M. , Arce Frederick , Biedron Rafal , Chiang Cheryl L.-L. , Ciszek Marta , Katz David R. , Nowakowska Maria , Zapotoczny Szczepan , Marcinkiewicz Janusz , Chain Benjamin M.
Published: December 2009

The production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a characteristic of granulocyte activation, a hallmark of the early phase of innate immune responses. In this study, we show that, in addition to its well-established role as a microbicide, HOCl can act as a natural adjuvant of adaptive immunity. HOCl enhances the T cell responses to the model Ag OVA, facilitating the processing and presentation of this protein via the class II MHC pathway. HOCl modification also enhances cross-presentation of the tumor Ag tyrosinase-related protein 2 via class I MHC. The adjuvant effects of HOCl are independent of TLR signaling. The enhanced presentation of HOCl-modified OVA is mediated via modification of the N-linked carbohydrate side chain rather than formation of protein aldehydes or chloramines. HOCl-modified OVA is taken up more efficiently by APCs and is degraded more efficiently by proteinases. Atomic force microscopy demonstrated that enhanced uptake is mediated via specific receptor binding, one candidate for which is the scavenger receptor lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor, which shows enhanced binding to chlorinated OVA. A function of HOCl is therefore to target glycoprotein Ags to scavenger receptors on the APC surface. This additional mechanism linking innate and adaptive immunity suggests novel strategies to enhance immunity to vaccines.
Cutting Edge: Lymphatic Vessels, Not Blood Vessels, Primarily Mediate Immune Rejections After Transplantation
Authors: Dietrich Tina , Bock Felix , Yuen Don , Hos Deniz , Bachmann Björn O. , Zahn Grit , Wiegand Stanley , Chen Lu , Cursiefen Claus
Published: December 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of blood vessels (hemangiogenesis) versus lymphatic vessels (lymphangiogenesis) in mediating immunological responses after transplantation. Using the murine model of corneal transplantation, graft survival was compared in differentially prevascularized and avascular recipient beds. Donor corneas (C57BL/6) were transplanted into uninflamed or inflamed avascular, prehemvascularized only or prehemvascularized and prelymphvascularized recipient murine eyes (BALB/C). Selective inhibition of lymphangiogenesis was achieved using antivascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 Abs and anti-integrin α5 small molecules. Grafts placed into only prehemvascularized recipient beds had a similarly good graft survival compared with grafts placed into completely avascular, normal recipients, whereas the pre-existence of lymphatic vessels significantly deteriorated corneal graft survival (p < 0.05). Lymphatic vessels seem to contribute significantly to graft rejection after (corneal) transplantation. That may allow for selective, temporary, perioperative antilymphangiogenic treatment to promote graft survival without affecting blood vessels, even after solid organ transplantation.
Perceptions about civil war in Central Africa: Can war be justified or solve problems?
Authors: Lumbu Kitambala , Van Dyk Peet , Van Dyk Alta
Published: December 2009

Civil war and ethnic violence are major problems in Central Africa and have caused the death and displacement of millions of people over the years. The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of religious leaders, lecturers and students in theology at various tertiary institutions in Central Africa with regard to civil war in the region. A structured questionnaire was used to investigate participants� perceptions about and attitudes towards civil war. The questionnaire was completed by 1 364 participants who originated or lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The results of the study illustrated the severe effect that civil wars had on the participants or their families and further indicated that Rwandans, Tutsis and males were more inclined toward justifying wars and seeing them as solutions for problems. The role of the Church in countering these perceptions is discussed.
An Organic Nanoparticle Transistor Behaving as a Biological Spiking Synapse
Authors: Alibart Fabien , Pleutin Stéphane , Guérin David , Novembre Christophe , Lenfant Stéphane , Lmimouni Kamal , Gamrat Christian , Vuillaume Dominique
Published: December 2009

Molecule‐based devices are envisioned to complement silicon devices by providing new functions or by implementing existing functions at a simpler process level and lower cost, by virtue of their self‐organization capabilities. Moreover, they are not bound to von Neuman architecture and this feature may open the way to other architectural paradigms. Neuromorphic electronics is one of them. Here, a device made of molecules and nanoparticles—a nanoparticle organic memory field‐effect transistor (NOMFET)—that exhibits the main behavior of a biological spiking synapse is demonstrated. Facilitating and depressing synaptic behaviors can be reproduced by the NOMFET and can be programmed. The synaptic plasticity for real‐time computing is evidenced and described by a simple model. These results open the way to rate‐coding utilization of the NOMFET in dynamical neuromorphic computing circuits.
Polymer Field‐Effect Transistors Fabricated by the Sequential Gravure Printing of Polythiophene, Two Insulator Layers, and a Metal Ink Gate
Authors: Voigt Monika M. , Guite Alexander , Chung Dae‐Young , Khan Rizwan U. A. , Campbell Alasdair J. , Bradley Donal D. C. , Meng Fanshun , Steinke Joachim H. G. , Tierney Steve , McCulloch Iain , Penxten Huguette , Lutsen Laurence , Douheret Olivier , Manca Jean , Brokmann Ulrike , Sönnichsen Karin , Hülsenberg Dagmar , Bock Wolfgang , Barron Cecile , Blanckaert Nicolas , Springer Simon , Grupp Joachim , Mosley Alan
Published: December 2009

The mass production technique of gravure contact printing is used to fabricate state‐of‐the art polymer field‐effect transistors (FETs). Using plastic substrates with prepatterned indium tin oxide source and drain contacts as required for display applications, four different layers are sequentially gravure‐printed: the semiconductor poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐2,5‐diyl) (P3HT), two insulator layers, and an Ag gate. A crosslinkable insulator and an Ag ink are developed which are both printable and highly robust. Printing in ambient and using this bottom‐contact/top‐gate geometry, an on/off ratio of >104 and a mobility of 0.04 cm2 V−1 s−1 are achieved. This rivals the best top‐gate polymer FETs fabricated with these materials. Printing using low concentration, low viscosity ink formulations, and different P3HT molecular weights is demonstrated. The printing speed of 40 m min−1 on a flexible polymer substrate demonstrates that very high‐volume, reel‐to‐reel production of organic electronic devices is possible.
Substitution‐ and Elimination‐Free Phosphorylation of Functionalized Alcohols Catalyzed by Oxidomolybdenum Tetrachloride
Authors: Liu Cheng‐Yuan , Pawar Vijay D. , Kao Jun‐Qi , Chen Chien‐Tien
Published: December 2009

Among 14 oxidometallic species examined for catalytic phosphorylation of the tested alcohols, oxidomolybdenum tetrachloride (MoOCl4) was found to be the most efficient with a negligible background reaction mediated by triethylamine (Et3N). The new catalytic protocol can be applied to the chemoselective phosphorylations of primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols as well as the substitution‐free phosphorylations of allylic, propargylic, and benzylic alcohols. Functionalized alcohols bearing acetonide, tetrahydropyranyl ether, tert‐butyldimethylsilyl ether, or ester group are also amenable to the new catalytic protocol. The most difficult scenarios involve substitution‐free phosphorylations of 1‐phenylethanol and 1‐(2‐naphthyl)ethanol which can be effected in 95 and 90% yields, respectively. ESI‐MS, IR, 1H, and 31P NMR spectroscopic analyses of the reaction progress suggest the intermediacy of an alkoxyoxidomolybdenum trichloride‐triethylamine adduct such as [(RO)Mo(O)Cl3‐Et3N] to be responsible for the catalytic turnover.
Effect of concentrating and exposing the bioluminescent bacteria to the non‐luminescent allo‐bacterial extracellular products on their luminescence
Authors: Ravindran J. , Priya G. Geetha , Kannapiran E.
Published: December 2009

Bioluminescence is a biochemical process occurring in many organisms. Bacterial bioluminescence has been investigated extensively that lead to many applications of such knowledge. Quorum sensing in the bioluminescent bacteria is a chemical signal process to recognize the strength of its own population to start luminescence in harmony. There is a mechanism in these bacteria to also recognize inter‐species strength. When there is a higher number of these bacteria, the possibility and frequency of cell–cell physical contact will be high. In this study, the physical proximity was artificially enhanced between cells and the effect on luminescence in the concentrated cells in the normal culture medium and in the presence of other non‐bacterial cell‐free supernatants was investigated. The role of such physical contact in the quorum sensing in the bioluminescence is not known. Increase in the luminescence of V. fischeri when concentrated shows that the presence of physical proximity facilitates the quorum sensing for their bioluminescence. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitive determination of epinephrine in pharmaceutical preparation by flow injection coupled with chemiluminescence detection and mechanism study
Authors: Liu Yanming , Liu Zhuanli , Shi Yanmei
Published: December 2009

A novel, rapid and sensitive method was described for the determination of epinephrine (EP) using flow injection analysis coupled with chemiluminescence (CL) detection, which based on EP enhanced the weak CL emission of luminol–KIO4 system in NaOH solution. Parameters affecting the CL intensity and reproducibility were optimized systematically. Under the optimized experiment conditions, the net CL intensity was proportional to the concentration of EP in the range of 5.0 × 10−8 to 1.5 × 10−6 mol/L with a detection limit of 1.9 × 10−9 mol/L. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was found to be 0.7% for 13 replicate determinations of 3.0 × 10−7 mol/L EP. The applicability of the proposed method was illustrated in the determination of EP in pharmaceutical preparation. The recoveries of EP at different levels in EP hydrochloride injection were between 95.4 and 104.7%. One assay procedure takes only 27 s, and the sampling rate was calculated about to be 130 samples/h. The possible mechanism of the enhanced CL intensity was studied by examining CL spectra and UV–vis spectra. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of substrate stiffness on the phenotype of heart cells
Authors: Bhana Bashir , Iyer Rohin K. , Chen Wen Li Kelly , Zhao Ruogang , Sider Krista L. , Likhitpanichkul Morakot , Simmons Craig A. , Radisic Milica
Published: December 2009

Adult cardiomyocytes (CM) retain little capacity to regenerate, which motivates efforts to engineer heart tissues that can emulate the functional and mechanical properties of native myocardium. Although the effects of matrix stiffness on individual CM have been explored, less attention was devoted to studies at the monolayer and the tissue level. The purpose of this study was to characterize the influence of substrate mechanical stiffness on the heart cell phenotype and functional properties. Neonatal rat heart cells were seeded onto collagen‐coated polyacrylamide (PA) substrates with Young's moduli of 3, 22, 50, and 144 kPa. Collagen‐coated glass coverslips without PA represented surfaces with effectively “infinite” stiffness. The local elastic modulus of native neonatal rat heart tissue was measured to range from 4.0 to 11.4 kPa (mean value of 6.8 kPa) and for native adult rat heart tissue from 11.9 to 46.2 kPa (mean value of 25.6 kPa), motivating our choice of the above PA gel stiffness. Overall, by 120 h of cultivation, the lowest stiffness PA substrates (3 kPa) exhibited the lowest excitation threshold (ET; 3.5 ± 0.3 V/cm), increased troponin I staining (52% positively stained area) but reduced cell density, force of contraction (0.18 ± 0.1 mN/mm2), and cell elongation (aspect ratio = 1.3–1.4). Higher stiffness (144 kPa) PA substrates exhibited reduced troponin I staining (30% positively stained area), increased fibroblast density (70% positively stained area), and poor electrical excitability. Intermediate stiffness PA substrates of stiffness comparable to the native adult rat myocardium (22–50 kPa) were found to be optimal for heart cell morphology and function, with superior elongation (aspect ratio > 4.3), reasonable ET (ranging from 3.95 ± 0.8 to 4.4 ± 0.7 V/cm), high contractile force development (ranging from 0.52 ± 0.2 to 1.60 ± 0.6 mN/mm2), and well‐developed striations, all consistent with a differentiated phenotype. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;105: 1148–1160. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of the deliberation process and jurors' prior legal knowledge on the sentence: the role of psychological expertise and crime scene photo
Authors: Finkelstein Rémi , Bastounis Marina
Published: December 2009

An experiment with simulated juries (N = 198) tested the impact of the deliberation process and two extra legal variables on the determination of sentence. Participants were either social science students without prior instruction in criminal law (prior legal knowledge: low‐level group) or future professional magistrates completing their final year of training (high‐level group). We manipulated the presence versus absence of (i) a non‐diagnostic observation of the defendant by a psychology expert and (ii) a realistic crime scene photograph. After controlling for participants' gender and age, our results show that the high‐level group was both less sensitive to the manipulated variables and more severe in their sentence than low‐level jurors. We observed a post‐deliberation increase in pre‐deliberation bias such that the non‐diagnostic psychological expertise had a stronger post‐deliberation impact on the sentence. Finally, an unexpected effect showed that aggressive responses during the psychological observation tended to operate as exculpatory rather than accusatory evidence. Our results are discussed on the basis of previous research and proposals for future research are made. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peptoid–Peptide Hybrid Backbone Architectures
Authors: Olsen Christian A.
Published: December 2009

Peptidomimetic oligomers and foldamers have received considerable attention for over a decade, with β‐peptides and the so‐called peptoids (N‐alkylglycine oligomers) representing prominent examples of such architectures. Lately, hybrid or mixed backbones consisting of both α‐ and β‐amino acids (α/β‐peptides) have been investigated in some detail as well. The present Minireview is a survey of the literature concerning hybrid structures of α‐amino acids and peptoids, including β‐peptoids (N‐alkyl‐β‐alanine oligomers), and is intended to give an overview of this area of research within the field of peptidomimetic science.
Product Design and Process Engineering using the Example of Flavors
Authors: Uhlemann J. , Reiß I.
Published: December 2009

Recently, formulation processes have become increasingly important in the product design of flavors. Traditionally, the focus of flavorists and the chemists that support them has mostly been on the chemical composition of the flavors, which are generally in liquid form, although product characteristics that can be influenced by process engineering, e.g., shelf life and controlled release, are currently been seen to be just as important. An exact knowledge of the physico‐chemical properties of the flavor and carrier materials is important if process engineering measures are to be used to influence product properties. This review article discusses recent progress in microencapsulation of flavors and presents a detailed discussion of the topic using the processes of spray drying, spray granulation, extrusion and multi‐material nozzles as examples.
Chemical Thermodynamics of Ultrasound Speed in Solutions and Liquid Mixtures
Authors: Reis João Carlos R. , Santos Ângela F. S. , Lampreia Isabel M. S.
Published: December 2009

A comprehensive formalism is developed to treat thermodynamically speed of ultrasound data for solutions and liquid mixtures. For solutions, the apparent speed of ultrasound of a solute is introduced and proposed to take the place of empirically defined quantities. The partial speed of ultrasound of a solute is defined and related to the partial molar volume and partial molar isentropic compression. For liquid mixtures, the concept of speed of sound before mixing pure liquids is presented and used to define the change in speed of ultrasound upon ideal mixing, which is predicted to be generally a negative quantity. A new thermodynamic equation is derived linking the values for excess speed of ultrasound, excess molar volume and excess molar isentropic compression of a mixture, and its applications are discussed. Ideal and excess apparent speeds of ultrasound, as well as ideal and excess partial speeds of ultrasound, are defined for substances making up a liquid mixture. Accurate speeds of ultrasound in 31 mixtures of water with the amphiphile 2‐(ethylamino)ethanol at 293.15 K are reported. These data are used to demonstrate the ability of the apparent speed of ultrasound to describe the impact of solutes on sonic properties of solutions and the advantages of analysing thermodynamic properties of binary liquid mixtures in terms of the dependence on composition of Balankina’s ratios between excess and ideal values. It is concluded that the new thermodynamic functions defined for speeds of ultrasound in solutions and liquid mixtures give, at the least, equivalent information on molecular aspects to the usual functions related to the isentropic compressibility, without needing density data for this purpose.
Thioredoxin suppresses airway inflammation independently of systemic Th1/Th2 immune modulation
Authors: Torii Mie , Wang Linan , Ma Ning , Saito Kanako , Hori Tomohide , Sato‐Ueshima Maremi , Koyama Yoshikazu , Nishikawa Hiroyoshi , Katayama Naoyuki , Mizoguchi Akira , Shiku Hiroshi , Yodoi Junji , Kuribayashi Kagemasa , Kato Takuma
Published: December 2009

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma via the upregulation of local inflammatory mediators and/or promoting Th2‐skewing during Ag sensitization. Thioredoxin (TRX), a 12 kDa redox‐active protein with antioxidative property, has been recently shown to play a protective role in various inflammatory diseases. Using a mouse model of asthma, we show here that IL‐13 and eotaxin production are decreased in TRX‐Tg mice leading to reduced eosinophils recruitment and mucus metaplasia. The reduction in airway inflammation occurs without the attenuation of systemic Th2 immunity in that comparable levels of Th2‐type cytokines and Ig were detected in LN and serum, respectively, from TRX‐Tg and WT mice. Likewise, CD4+ T cells from both strains of mice developed similar Th1 and Th2 responses in vitro. Asthmatic lungs of TRX‐Tg and WT mice contained similar amounts of GATA‐3+ and Foxp3+ T cells. Finally, production of MIF, an upstream modulator of airway inflammation, was significantly reduced in the lungs of TRX‐Tg mice. Our data suggest that TRX suppresses airway inflammation by inhibiting MIF production thereby limiting the downstream recruitment of eosinophils to the lung independently of modulating systemic Th1/Th2 immunity.
GITR contributes to the systemic adjuvanticity of the Escherichia coli heat‐labile enterotoxin
Authors: Tamayo Esther , Postigo Jorge , González Jovanna , Fernández‐Rey Maigualida , Iglesias Marcos , Santiuste Inés , Riccardi Carlo , Rappuoli Rino , Del Giudice Giuseppe , Merino Ramón , Merino Jesús
Published: December 2009

The Escherichia coli heat‐labile enterotoxin (LT) possesses a powerful mucosal and systemic adjuvant effect. However, little is known about the cellular and molecular basis of the immunostimulatory activity of LT at the mucosal level, and even less information is available on the mechanisms underlying its systemic adjuvant activity. In this study, we show that distinct mechanisms are responsible for the parenteral and mucosal adjuvanticity of LT. Indeed, the systemic administration of LT upregulates the expression of glucocorticoid‐induced TNFR‐related protein (GITR), but not other activation markers, in naive T cells. Using WT and GITR‐deficient mice and LT and its enzymatically inactive mutant LTK63 as adjuvants, we show that the induction of GITR expression in T cells accounts for the systemic immunostimulatory capacity of LT, which requires an intact enzymatic activity. In contrast, the mucosal administration of LT does not induce GITR expression on Peyer's patche T cells and accordingly no differences are observed in the mucosal adjuvanticity of LT between WT and GITR‐deficient mice. Altogether, our results demonstrate the distinct effect of LT after parenteral administration when compared with the mucosal delivery, and describe a new mechanism of LT adjuvanticity related to its ability to induce the expression of GITR in CD4+ T cells.
MicroRNA miR‐146a is induced by HTLV‐1 tax and increases the growth of HTLV‐1‐infected T‐cells
Authors: Tomita Mariko , Tanaka Yuetsu , Mori Naoki
Published: December 2009

Human T‐cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) is the causative agent of adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL), which is an aggressive and fatal CD4+ T cell malignancy. MicroRNA (miRNA), a novel class of RNA that regulates gene expression, is involved in many cellular processes such as growth, development and apoptosis. It has recently been linked to several cancer phenotypes. However, aberrant miRNA expression and its pathologic significance in ATL are not well documented. Here, we investigated the role of miRNAs in HTLV‐1‐related leukemogenesis. The results showed that miR‐146a was upregulated in HTLV‐1‐infected T‐cell lines compared to uninfected T‐cell lines. Tax‐induced miR‐146a expression in a NF‐κB‐dependent manner and inhibited the expression of gene harboring the target sequence of miR‐146a on its 3′UTR. Inhibition of miR‐146a function by anti‐miRNA inhibitor reduced the proliferation of HTLV‐1‐infected T‐cell lines but not that of uninfected T‐cell lines. Moreover, overexpression of miR‐146a enhanced the growth of an HTLV‐1‐infected T‐cell line. Our findings suggest that miR‐146a is a potentially suitable therapeutic target of ATL.
Topography of the chorda tympani nerve and the tensor tympani muscle in carnivores provides a new synapomorphy for Herpestidae (Carnivora, Mammalia)
Authors: Ruf Irina , Maier Wolfgang
Published: December 2009

The topographical relationship of the chorda tympani nerve (chorda tympani) to the tensor tympani muscle in the middle ear of carnivores provides new phylogenetic information. The examination of histological serial sections of 16 carnivore species representing most families revealed two distinct character states concerning the course of the chorda tympani: a hypotensoric state with the nerve running below the insertion tendon of the tensor tympani muscle, and an epitensoric state with the nerve running above the tendon. The shift from the plesiomorphic hypotensoric chorda tympani to the apomorphic epitensoric condition occurred once in carnivore phylogeny: Only in the herpestid species under study does the chorda tympani cross above the tensor tympani muscle. Therefore, we introduce the epitensoric pattern as a new synapomorphy for herpestids. Within the herpestids we find the following structural distinctions: Herpestes javanicus and Galerella sanguinea have a chorda tympani running in a sulcus directly above the insertion of the tensor tympani muscle, whereas in the eusocial herpestid species Suricata suricatta and Mungos mungo the chorda tympani lies far above the insertion of the muscle. J. Morphol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of extracts of spices on rumen methanogenesis, enzyme activities and fermentation of feeds in vitro
Authors: Patra Amlan Kumar , Kamra Devki Nandan , Agarwal Neeta
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: An experiment was conducted to study the effects of boiling water, methanol and ethanol extracts (0, 0.25 and 0.50 mL) of seeds of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum (clove), bulbs of Allium sativum (garlic), bulbs of Allium cepa (onion) and roots of Zingiber officinalis (ginger) on rumen methanogenesis, fibrolytic enzyme activities and fermentation characteristics in vitro.

RESULTS: Ethanol and methanol extracts of fennel, clove and garlic at 0.50 mL and clove at 0.25 mL inhibited (P < 0.05) methane production. Carboxymethylcellulase activity was reduced (P < 0.05) by ethanol and methanol extracts (0.50 mL) of fennel and clove (0.25 and 0.50 mL). The extracts of clove reduced (0.25 and 0.50 mL) xylanase and acetylesterase activities, and the fennel extract (0.50 mL) reduced (P < 0.05) xylanase activity. However, the extracts of garlic (0.50 mL) increased (P < 0.05) acetylesterase activity. Concentrations of volatile fatty acids were reduced (P < 0.05) by the extracts of garlic and onion. The extracts of garlic caused a decrease (P < 0.05) in acetate:propionate ratio (A:P) at 0.50 mL, whereas A:P was increased (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of 0.50 mL extracts of clove. Methanol and ethanol extracts of clove decreased (P < 0.05) in vitro organic matter degradability. Extracts (0.50 mL) of clove decreased (P < 0.05) the numbers of total protozoa, small entodiniomorphs and holotrichs, whereas extracts of onion, ginger and garlic enhanced (P < 0.05) protozoal numbers (both entodiniomorphs and holotrichs).

CONCLUSION: Ethanol and methanol extracts of fennel and garlic have potential to inhibit rumen methanogenesis without adversely affecting rumen fermentation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry