bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of the visceromotor reflex by a lumbosacral ventral root avulsion injury and repair in rats
Authors: Chang Huiyi H. , Havton Leif A.
Published: June 2012

Increased abdominal muscle wall activity may be part of a visceromotor reflex (VMR) response to noxious stimulation of the bladder. However, information is sparse regarding the effects of cauda equina injuries on the VMR in experimental models. We studied the effects of a unilateral L6-S1 ventral root avulsion (VRA) injury and acute ventral root reimplantation (VRI) into the spinal cord on micturition reflexes and electromyographic activity of the abdominal wall in rats. Cystometrogram (CMG) and electromyography (EMG) of the abdominal external oblique muscle (EOM) were performed. All rats demonstrated EMG activity of the EOM associated with reflex bladder contractions. At 1 wk after VRA and VRI, the duration of the EOM EMG activity associated with reflex voiding was significantly prolonged compared with age-matched sham rats. However, at 3 wk postoperatively, the duration of the EOM responses remained increased in the VRA series but had normalized in the VRI group. The EOM EMG duration was normalized for both VRA and VRI groups at 8–12 wk postoperatively. CMG recordings show increased contraction duration at 1 and 3 wk postoperatively for the VRA series, whereas the contraction duration was only increased at 1 wk postoperatively for the VRI series. Our studies suggest that a unilateral lumbosacral VRA injury results in a prolonged VMR to bladder filling using a physiological saline solution. An acute root replantation decreased the VMR induced by VRA injury and provides earlier sensory recovery.
Review of Metabolic Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes in Patients with a BMI < 35 kg/m2
Authors: Shimizu Hideharu , Timratana Poochong , Schauer Philip R. , Rogula Tomasz
Published: June 2012

Bariatric/metabolic surgery is considered an accepted treatment option for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with body mass index (BMI)  ≧  35 kg/m2. Mounting evidence also shows that metabolic surgery is effective for T2DM with BMI  <  35 kg/m2. To evaluate current status of metabolic surgery, we reviewed the available clinical studies which described surgical treatment for T2DM with mean BMI  <  35 kg/m2. 18 studies with 477 patients were identified. 30% of the patients was insulin users. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 216 months. The weight loss effect was reasonable, not excessive. Mean BMI decreased from 30.4 to 24.8 kg/m2. Remission of T2DM was achieved in 64.7% of the patients with fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin approaching slightly above normal range. Clinical T2DM status was an important factor when selecting the eligible candidates for metabolic surgery. Postoperative complication rate of 10.3% with mortality of 0% in the studies has been acceptable. Even though it would be premature at this point to state that metabolic surgery is an accepted treatment option for T2DM with BMI < 35 kg/m2, it is clear that a high proportion of T2DM patients will derive substantial benefit from metabolic surgery.
Neural and Molecular Features on Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Plasticity and Therapy
Authors: Juárez Paula , Palau Francesc
Published: June 2012

In the peripheral nervous system disorders plasticity is related to changes on the axon and Schwann cell biology, and the synaptic formations and connections, which could be also a focus for therapeutic research. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) represents a large group of inherited peripheral neuropathies that involve mainly both motor and sensory nerves and induce muscular atrophy and weakness. Genetic analysis has identified several pathways and molecular mechanisms involving myelin structure and proper nerve myelination, transcriptional regulation, protein turnover, vesicle trafficking, axonal transport and mitochondrial dynamics. These pathogenic mechanisms affect the continuous signaling and dialogue between the Schwann cell and the axon, having as final result the loss of myelin and nerve maintenance; however, some late onset axonal CMT neuropathies are a consequence of Schwann cell specific changes not affecting myelin. Comprehension of molecular pathways involved in Schwann cell-axonal interactions is likely not only to increase the understanding of nerve biology but also to identify the molecular targets and cell pathways to design novel therapeutic approaches for inherited neuropathies but also for most common peripheral neuropathies. These approaches should improve the plasticity of the synaptic connections at the neuromuscular junction and regenerate cell viability based on improving myelin and axon interaction.
Oxidative Stress: A Pathogenic Mechanism for Niemann-Pick Type C Disease
Authors: Vázquez Mary Carmen , Balboa Elisa , Alvarez Alejandra R. , Zanlungo Silvana
Published: June 2012

Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease is a neurovisceral atypical lipid storage disorder involving the accumulation of cholesterol and other lipids in the late endocytic pathway. The pathogenic mechanism that links the accumulation of intracellular cholesterol with cell death in NPC disease in both the CNS and the liver is currently unknown. Oxidative stress has been observed in the livers and brains of NPC mice and in different NPC cellular models. Moreover, there is evidence of an elevation of oxidative stress markers in the serumof NPC patients. Recent evidence strongly suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in NPC pathogenesis and that mitochondria could be a significant source of oxidative stress in this disease. In this context, the accumulation of vitamin E in the late endosomal/lysosomal compartments in NPC could lead to a potential decrease of its bioavailability and could be another possible cause of oxidative damage. Another possible source of reactive species in NPC is the diminished activity of different antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, because NPC is mainly caused by the accumulation of free cholesterol, oxidized cholesterol derivatives produced by oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease.
Nonlinear Blind Identification with Three‐Dimensional Tensor Analysis
Authors: Cherif I. , Abid S. , Fnaiech F.
Published: June 2012

This paper deals with the analysis of a third‐order tensor composed of a fourth‐order output cumulants used for blind identification of a second‐order Volterra‐Hammerstein series. It is demonstrated that this nonlinear identification problem can be converted in a multivariable system with multiequations having the form of Ax + By = c. The system may be solved using several methods. Simulation results with the Iterative Alternating Least Squares (IALS) algorithm provide good performances for different signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) levels. Convergence issues using the reversibility analysis of matrices A and B are addressed. Comparison results with other existing algorithms are carried out to show the efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Journey of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Homing: Strategies to Enhance Efficacy and Safety of Stem Cell Therapy
Authors: Kang Sung Keun , Shin Il Seob , Ko Myung Soon , Jo Jung Youn , Ra Jeong Chan
Published: June 2012

Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) communicate with other cells in the human body and appear to “home” to areas of injury in response to signals of cellular damage, known as homing signals. This review of the state of current research on homing of MSCs suggests that favorable cellular conditions and thein vivoenvironment facilitate and are required for the migration of MSCs to the site of insult or injuryin vivo. We review the current understanding of MSC migration and discuss strategies for enhancing both the environmental and cellular conditions that give rise to effective homing of MSCs. This may allow MSCs to quickly find and migrate to injured tissues, where they may best exert clinical benefits resulting from improved homing and the presence of increased numbers of MSCs.
Plasmonic Titania Photocatalysts Active under UV and Visible-Light Irradiation: Influence of Gold Amount, Size, and Shape
Authors: Kowalska Ewa , Rau Sven , Ohtani Bunsho
Published: June 2012

Plasmonic titania photocatalysts were prepared by titania modification with gold by photodeposition. It was found that for smaller amount of deposited gold (≤0.1 wt%), anatase presence and large surface area were beneficial for efficient hydrogen evolution during methanol dehydrogenation. After testing twelve amounts of deposited gold on large rutile titania, the existence of three optima for 0.5, 2 and >6 wt% of gold was found during acetic acid degradation. Under visible light irradiation, in the case of small gold NPs deposited on fine anatase titania, the dependence of photoactivity on gold amount was parabolic, and large gold amount (2 wt%), observable as an intensively coloured powder, caused photoactivity decrease. While for large gold NPs deposited on large rutile titania, the dependence represented cascade increase, due to change of size and shape of deposited gold with its amount increase. It has been thought that spherical/hemispherical shape of gold NPs, in comparison with rod-like ones, is beneficial for higher level of photoactivity under visible light irradiation. For all tested systems and regardless of deposited amount of gold, each rutile Au/TiO2photocatalyst of large gold and titania NPs exhibited much higher photoactivity than anatase Au/TiO2of small gold and titania NPs.
Effects of Oral L-Carnitine Supplementation on Lipid Profile, Anemia, and Quality of Life in Chronic Renal Disease Patients under Hemodialysis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Emami Naini Afsoon , Moradi Mahnaz , Mortazavi Mojgan , Amini Harandi Asghar , Hadizadeh Mehdi , Shirani Farhad , Basir Ghafoori Hamed , Emami Naini Pardis
Published: June 2012

In patients on maintenance hemodialysis several factors reduce the body stored carnitine which could lead to dyslipidemia, anemia, and general health in these patients. We evaluated the effect of oral L-carnitine supplementation on lipid profiles, anemia, and quality of life (QOL) in hemodialysis patients. In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis received either L-carnitine 1 g/d (n=24) or placebo (27 patients) for 16 weeks. At the end of the study, there was a significant decrease in triglyceride (-31.1±38.7 mg/dL,P=0.001) and a significant increase in HDL (3.7±2.8 mg/dL,P<0.001) levels in the carnitine group. Decrease in total cholesterol (−6.6±16.0 mg/dL,P=0.075) and increase in hemoglobin (0.7±1.7 g/dL,P=0.081) concentrations in the carnitine group were not significant. There was no statistically significant changes in LDL in any group (P>0.05). Erythropoietin dose was significantly decreased in both the carnitine (-4750±5772 mg,P=0.001) and the placebo group (-2000±4296 mg,P<0.05). No improvement was observed in QOL scores of two groups. In ESRD patients under maintenance hemodialysis, oral L-carnitine supplementation may reduce triglyceride and cholesterol and increase HDL and hemoglobin and subsequently reduce needed erythropoietin dose without effect on QOL.
Comparison Functions and Fixed Point Results in Partial Metric Spaces
Authors: Hussain Nawab , Kadelburg Zoran , Radenović Stojan , Al-Solamy Falleh
Published: June 2012

The aim of this article is to clearly formulate various possible assumptions for a comparison function in contractive conditions and to deduce respective (common) fixed point results in partial metric spaces. Since standard metric spaces are special cases, these results also apply for them. We will show by examples that there exist situations when a partial metric result can be applied, while the standard metric one cannot.
Potential Role of Garcinol as an Anticancer Agent
Authors: Saadat Nadia , Gupta Smiti V.
Published: June 2012

Garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone, is extracted from the rind of the fruit ofGarcinia indica, a plant found extensively in tropical regions. Although the fruit has been consumed traditionally over centuries, its biological activities, specifically its anticancer potential is a result of recent scientific investigations. The anticarcinogenic properties of garcinol appear to be moderated via its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and proapoptotic activities. In addition, garcinol displays effective epigenetic influence by inhibiting histone acetyltransferases (HAT 300) and by possible posttranscriptional modulation by mi RNA profiles involved in carcinogenesis.In vitroas well as somein vivostudies have shown the potential of this compound against several cancers types including breast, colon, pancreatic, and leukemia. Although this is a promising molecule in terms of its anticancer properties, investigations in relevant animal models, and subsequent human trials are warranted in order to fully appreciate and confirm its chemopreventative and/or therapeutic potential.
IGF1 as a Potential Treatment for Rett Syndrome: Safety Assessment in Six Rett Patients
Authors: Pini Giorgio , Scusa Maria Flora , Congiu Laura , Benincasa Alberto , Morescalchi Paolina , Bottiglioni Ilaria , Di Marco Pietro , Borelli Paolo , Bonuccelli Ubaldo , Della-Chiesa Andrea , Prina-Mello Adriele , Tropea Daniela
Published: June 2012

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a devastating neurodevelopmental disorder that affects one in ten thousand girls and has no cure. The majority of RTT patients display mutations in the gene that codes for the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Clinical observations and neurobiological analysis of mouse models suggest that defects in the expression of MeCP2 protein compromise the development of the central nervous system, especially synaptic and circuit maturation. Thus, agents that promote brain development and synaptic function, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), are good candidates for ameliorating the symptoms of RTT. IGF1 and its active peptide, (1–3) IGF1, cross the blood brain barrier, and (1–3) IGF1 ameliorates the symptoms of RTT in a mouse model of the disease; therefore they are ideal treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders, including RTT. We performed a pilot study to establish whether there are major risks associated with IGF1 administration in RTT patients. Six young girls with classic RTT received IGF1 subcutaneous injections twice a day for six months, and they were regularly monitored by their primary care physicians and by the unit for RTT in Versilia Hospital (Italy). This study shows that there are no risks associated with IGF1 administration.
The Point Zoro Symmetric Single‐Step Procedure for Simultaneous Estimation of Polynomial Zeros
Authors: Monsi Mansor , Hassan Nasruddin , Rusli Syaida Fadhilah
Published: June 2012

The point symmetric single step procedure PSS1 has R‐order of convergence at least 3. This procedure is modified by adding another single‐step, which is the third step in PSS1. This modified procedure is called the point zoro symmetric single‐step PZSS1. It is proven that the R‐order of convergence of PZSS1 is at least 4 which is higher than the R‐order of convergence of PT1, PS1, and PSS1. Hence, computational time is reduced since this procedure is more efficient for bounding simple zeros simultaneously.
Separation of Polyphenols from Jordanian Olive Oil Mill Wastewater
Authors: Deeb Ahmad A. , Fayyad Manar K. , Alawi Mahmoud A.
Published: June 2012

This research aims at separation of polyphenols from Jordanian olive mill wastewater which have possible applications in pharmaceutical industry. The phenolic compounds were isolated using silica column chromatography based on using different solvents after extracting the acidified solution with n-hexane and ethyl acetate. The structural elucidation of the separated compounds was achieved using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and mass spectrometry. The concentrations of these compounds were determined by GC-MS after derivatization with N, O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). The concentrations of the main isolated phenolic compounds in the Jordanian olive mill wastewater were ferulic acid (93.6 mg/L), trans-cinnamic acid (105.3 mg/L), p-coumaric acid (117.0 mg/L), vanillic acid (128.7 mg/L), caffeic acid (140.4 mg/L), tyrosol (210.6 mg/L), and hydroxytyrosol (315.9 mg/L).
In Vivo Assessment of Osseous Wound Healing Using a Novel Bone Putty Containing Lidocaine in the Surgical Management of Tooth Extractions
Authors: Kumarswamy Akshay , Moretti Antonio , Paquette David , Padilla Ricardo , Everett Eric , Nares Salvador
Published: June 2012

Objective. This preclinical pilot study evaluated the systemic, radiographic, and histological responses to bone putty containing lidocaine in a canine tooth extraction model.Methods. In five beagle dogs the right mandibular premolars were extracted and sockets grafted with (1) xenograft particulate bone and a collagen sponge plug (control), (2) bone putty alone, (3) bone putty mixed with xenograft (3 : 1), or (4) xenograft sandwiched between bone putty. At 6 weeks post-op, the systemic and local responses were evaluated using a blood chemistry panel, micro-CT, and histological analyses.Results. No significant differences in blood chemistries were noted at 6 weeks postgrafting compared to baseline. Sockets grafted with either bone putty formulation demonstrated comparable radiographic and histologic evidence of bone healing compared to control sockets.Conclusions. Our preclinical results indicate that this bone putty appears to be a safe biocompatible device that may be useful in the postoperative management of tooth extractions.
The Antibody-Based Delivery of Interleukin-12 to the Tumor Neovasculature Eradicates Murine Models of Cancer in Combination with Paclitaxel
Authors: Pasche Nadine , Wulhfard Sarah , Pretto Francesca , Carugati Elisa , Neri Dario
Published: June 2012

Purpose: Interleukin-12 (IL12) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine with antitumor activity. Its heterodimeric nature makes it compatible with a large variety of different immunocytokine formats. Here we report the design, production, and characterization of a novel immunocytokine, based on the fusion of the F8 antibody (specific to the alternatively spliced EDA domain of fibronectin, a marker of tumor neovasculature) with IL12 (termed IL12-F8-F8).

Experimental Design: We developed a novel immunocytokine based on the sequential fusion of interleukin-12 as a single polypeptide with two F8 antibodies in single-chain Fv (scFv) format. The fusion protein was characterized in vitro, and its targeting performance was assessed in vivo. The immunocytokine antitumor activity was studied as monotherapy as well as in combination therapies in three different murine tumor models. Moreover, depletion experiments and tumor analysis revealed a dominant role of natural killer cells for the mechanism of action.

Results: IL12-F8-F8 can be produced in mammalian cells, yielding a product of good pharmaceutical quality, capable of selective localization on the tumor neovasculature in vivo, as judged by quantitative biodistribution analysis with radioiodinated protein preparations. The protein potently inhibited tumor growth in three different immunocompetent syngeneic models of cancer. The treatment was generally well tolerated. Moreover, the IL12-F8-F8 fusion protein could be produced both with murine IL12 (mIL12) and with human IL12 (hIL12).

Conclusions: The potent antitumor activity of mIL12-F8-F8, studied alone or in combination with paclitaxel in different tumor models, paves the way to the clinical development of the fully human immunocytokine. Clin Cancer Res; 18(15); 4092–103. ©2012 AACR.
Breast Cancer Cell Targeting by Prenylation Inhibitors Elucidated in Living Animals with a Bioluminescence Reporter
Authors: Chinault Sharon L. , Prior Julie L. , Kaltenbronn Kevin M. , Penly Anya , Weilbaecher Katherine N. , Piwnica-Worms David , Blumer Kendall J.
Published: June 2012

Purpose: Inhibitors of protein prenylation, including prenyltransferase inhibitors and aminobisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid, are being investigated intensively as therapeutics in cancer and other diseases. Determining whether prenylation inhibitors directly or indirectly target tumor and/or host cells is key to understanding therapeutic mechanisms.

Experimental Design: To determine which cell types can be targeted directly by distinct classes of prenylation inhibitors in vivo, we describe herein the development and implementation of a sensitive and pharmacologically specific bioluminescence-based imaging reporter that is inducible by prenylation inhibitors.

Results: In mouse xenograft models of breast cancer, using reporter-bearing mammary fat pad- or bone-localized tumor cells, we show that a prenyltransferase inhibitor robustly induces reporter activity in vivo. In contrast, zoledronic acid, a bone-associated aminobisphosphonate that exerts adjuvant chemotherapeutic activity in patients with breast cancer, fails to induce reporter activity in tumor cells of either model.

Conclusions: Although a prenyltransferase inhibitor can directly target breast cancer cells in vivo, zoledronic acid and related aminobisphosphonates are likely to exert antitumor activity indirectly by targeting host cells. Accordingly, these findings shift attention toward the goal of determining which host cell types are targeted directly by aminobisphosphonates to exert adjuvant chemotherapeutic activity. Clin Cancer Res; 18(15); 4136–44. ©2012 AACR.
Wt1 and Epicardial Fate Mapping
Authors: Rudat Carsten , Kispert Andreas
Published: June 2012

Rationale:

The embryonic epicardium is a crucial cell source of the cardiac fibrous skeleton as well as of the coronary system. Genetic lineage tracing systems based on
Wt1
regulatory sequences provided evidence that epicardium-derived cells also adopt a myocardial fate in the mouse.

Objective:

To define the adequacy of
Wt1
-based lineage tracing systems for epicardial fate mapping.

Methods and Results:

Using in situ hybridization analysis and immunofluorescence on tissue sections, we detected endogenous expression of
Wt1
mRNA and Wt1 protein in the proepicardium and epicardium and also in endothelial cells throughout cardiogenesis. Expression analysis of a sensitive GFP reporter showed that recombination mediated by cre recombinase in the
Wt1

creEGFP

line occurs randomly and sporadically in all cells of the embryo. Recombination in cardiomyocytes was found in the linear heart tube before establishment of a (pro)epicardium. In contrast, the tamoxifen-inducible
Wt1

creERT2

mouse line mediated poor and variable recombination in the epicardium. Recombination in cardiomyocytes was not detected in this case.

Conclusions:

Frequently used
Wt1
based cre-mediated lineage tracing systems are not suitable for epicardial fate mapping because of endogenous endothelial expression of Wt1, ectopic recombination (
Wt1

creEGFP

), and poor recombination efficiency (
Wt1

creERT2

) in the developing heart. We conclude that claims of a cardiomyocyte fate of epicardial cells in the mouse are not substantiated.
Glycine Exerts Dual Roles in Ischemic Injury Through Distinct Mechanisms
Authors: Yao Wen , Ji Fang , Chen Zheng , Zhang Nan , Ren Si-Qiang , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Liu Su-Yi , Lu Wei
Published: June 2012

Background and Purpose—

We characterized the differential effects of glycine at different levels in the induction of postischemic long-term potentiation, as well as in the neuronal damage induced by focal ischemia.

Methods—

Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were obtained from rat hippocampal slice preparations. In vitro ischemia and postischemic long-term potentiation were induced by oxygen and glucose deprivation. In vivo ischemia was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Results—

In both in vitro and in vivo ischemia models, glycine at low level exerts deleterious effects in postischemic long-term potentiation and ischemic neuronal injury by modulation of the N-methyl-
d
-aspartate receptor coagonist site; whereas glycine at high level exerts neuroprotective effects by activation of glycine receptor and subsequent differential regulation of N-methyl-
d
-aspartate receptor subunit components.

Conclusions—

Our results provide a molecular basis for the dual roles of glycine in ischemic injury through distinct mechanisms, and they suggest that glycine receptors could be a potential target for clinical treatment of stroke.
Long-term Excess Mortality in Pediatric Patients With Cerebral Aneurysms
Authors: Koroknay-Pál Päivi , Laakso Aki , Lehto Hanna , Seppä Karri , Kivisaari Riku , Hernesniemi Juha , Niemelä Mika
Published: June 2012

Background and Purpose—

Knowledge of the long-term excess mortality in pediatric aneurysm patients is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term excess mortality of 102 pediatric patients with cerebral aneurysm treated at the department of neurosurgery at Helsinki University Central Hospital between 1937 and 2009.

Methods—

Patients were followed from diagnosis until death or the end of the year 2010. Relative survival ratio provided the measure of excess mortality in these patients compared with mortality of the general Finnish population matched by age, sex, and calendar time.

Results—

A majority of the patients (n=89) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Aneurysms (n=118) were treated operatively (n=79), endovascularly (n=1), or conservatively (n=36). The mean follow-up time was 26.8 years (range, 0–55.6 years). By the end of follow-up, 34 of the 102 patients had died; 26 of these deaths (76%) were aneurysm-related. There was overall excess mortality of 10% (cumulative relative survival ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.80–0.96) and 19% (cumulative relative survival ratio, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.66–0.91) at 20 and 40 years after the diagnosis among the 1-year subarachnoid hemorrhage survivors, respectively. The excess mortality was particularly high in boys. There was no long-term excess mortality among patients with unruptured aneurysms. Aneurysm-related deaths included rebleedings from open or partially occluded aneurysms, epileptic seizures, de novo and recurrent aneurysms, or sequelae of subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Conclusions—

There is long-term excess mortality in pediatric patients with aneurysm even decades after successful treatment of a ruptured aneurysm, especially among boys. The excess mortality is mainly aneurysm-related.
A New Approach to Modeling Vehicle-Induced Heat and Its Thermal Effects on Road Surface Temperature
Authors: Fujimoto Akihiro , Saida Akira , Fukuhara Teruyuki
Published: June 2012

The distribution of vehicle-induced wind velocity in the transversal direction of roads is measured. A statistical analysis is also performed to find the vehicle stopping time and stopping position at traffic signals. These results are used to build a heat-balance model to predict the road surface temperature resulting from the thermal effects of vehicles. To validate the model, measured and calculated road surface temperatures for a free-running (single path) location and a traffic-signal location are compared. The contributions of meteorological and vehicle-induced heat fluxes to the road surface temperature are quantitatively analyzed. For the present traffic and meteorological conditions, the calculated and measured road surface temperatures were in agreement for both the free-running and traffic-signal locations. Furthermore, the thermal contribution of vehicles to the road surface temperature was found to be nonnegligible at both locations.
Lightweight damping of composite sandwich beams: Experimental analysis
Authors: Fotsing ER , Sola M , Ross A , Ruiz Edu
Published: June 2012

The purpose of this article is to experimentally study the damping of composite sandwich beams with lightweight honeycomb core. The top and bottom facesheets are made of carbon/epoxy layers with partial interleaved viscoelastic layers. A new damping approach consisting of selectively targeting the inflection points of the bending mode shapes is proposed. At the nodes, the shearing deformation in the beam is maximal, and so is the strain in the viscoelastic layers. The experimental investigation of damping is made by means of standard impact tests using an instrumented hammer performed on beam specimens. The nodes are determined experimentally by moving a small accelerometer along the beam axis and by measuring the amplitude of the acceleration at each point. This novel damping approach keeps the damping ratio as high as the ratio obtained with standard (full coverage) surface damping treatment while reducing the added mass by almost 50%. A comparison of the results obtained in this study with experimental and numerical results found in the literature leads to the conclusion that the most efficient way of damping this type of sandwich structure is to modify and/or improve the viscoelastic properties of the core.
Social policy in hard times: The case of Greece
Authors: Matsaganis Manos
Published: June 2012

The current Greek crisis started off in 2009 as a fiscal crisis, soon turned into a sovereign debt crisis, then mutated into a full-blown recession, unprecedented in depth and duration. The article offers an early analysis of the impact of the crisis on the labour market and the distribution of incomes, showing that the need for social protection is now much greater than ever before. It then critically reviews social policy responses in a context of both cuts to social spending and reforms in social programmes, arguing that the Greek welfare state is poorly equipped to meet the challenge. The article concludes by discussing prospects for social policy in an era of permanent austerity.
Effect of partial sodium replacement on physicochemical parameters of smoked sea bass during storage
Authors: Fuentes A , Fernández-Segovia I , Serra JA , Barat JM
Published: June 2012

The objective of this work was to study the effect of partial sodium replacement by potassium and packaging conditions on the physicochemical properties of smoked sea bass during cold storage. Sea bass fillets were salted with 100% NaCl (Na samples) or with 50% NaCl–50% KCl (Na:K samples), smoked, packaged under three different conditions (air, vacuum and modified atmosphere) and stored at 4 °C for 42 days. Physicochemical parameters, color and texture were periodically determined in the raw material and in smoked samples during cold storage. The smoking process led to a reduction in moisture, pH and aw values, and an increase in water holding capacity, ash and mineral contents. Smoked fish exhibited significant differences in color and texture as compared to fresh fish. The type of packaging had an effect on the pH, water holding capacity and texture. Samples in air exhibited the highest pH values and water holding capacity in these samples gradually decreased during storage. Textural parameters decreased during storage in samples packaged in vacuum and modified atmosphere. The pH of Na samples was initially higher than in Na:K samples, and this difference remained over the rest of the study. The type of salt did not affect the texture or other physicochemical parameters.
Effect of storage time and natural corrosion inhibitor on carbohydrate and carboxylic acids content in canned tomato purée
Authors: Grassino A Ninčević , Grabarić Z , Sio F De , Cacace D , Pezzani A , Squitieri G
Published: June 2012

In this research compositional changes of tinplate-canned tomato purées, with or without the addition of essential onion oil were investigated. The study was focused on the analyses of carbohydrates and carboxylic acids in two groups of canned samples (with or without nitrates) to determine whether their chemical composition was affected with storage time. The measurements were performed by high performance liquid chromatography, during six months of storage. The contents of glucose, fructose and two major organic acids, citric and malic, were found in the concentration range 1.77–1.97%, 1.86–2.09%, 0.60–0.75% and 0.23–0.30%, respectively, in all canned samples. Compared to carbohydrates and organic acids, amino acids were found in minor quantities, among them, as most abundant ones were glutamic acid, arginine, aspartic and γ-amino butyric acids. The results show that contents of carbohydrates and carboxylic acids are significantly affected by the change of storage time in majority of analyzed samples. The results also indicated that the influence of essential onion oil on composition of canned tomato purée is within the range of changes due to storage time measured for all other types of cans. Therefore the addition of essential onion oil as natural efficient corrosion inhibitor, as it was found in our previous work, can be recommended for canned tomato purée.
The Fragile Force of Law: Mediation, Stratification, and Law’s Material Life
Authors: McGee Kyle
Published: June 2012

This paper argues that law and humanities scholarship as well as socio-legal studies can benefit tremendously by rethinking systematically the modes of expression of law. The force of law passes through a wide variety of media – to name only a few: spoken or written words, gestures, visual images, technical objects, human bodies. Intuitively, we may sense that each of these different sorts of mediators has some effect on the nature of the legality or normative force that it conducts and makes pass. The jurisprudential temptation is to reduce these media out of existence and to theorize, for instance, the essence of legal form apart from the substances that give it reality and materiality. The paper sketches the outlines of an anti-jurisprudence that shifts the focus to those forgotten but undeniable substances, asking how they inflect the force of law differently in each case. The paper’s most important resources are the concept of mediation in Bruno Latour’s actor-network theory and the theory of stratification worked out in the mid-20th century by Danish linguist Louis Hjelmslev, which offers a diagram of expression that can be converted for legal-theoretical application. The upshot of this reflection on the force of law, legal stratification, and the vincula juris through which law passes is that we are obliged to take seriously the media of law’s expression: it is there that law makes society and is itself made.
New Zealand Research Ethics Committee Matters
Authors: Moore Andrew
Published: June 2012

New Zealand's health (and disability) ethics committees are children of public inquiries: the ‘Cartwright’ ministerial inquiry of 1988, the ‘Gisborne’ cervical screening ministerial inquiry of 2001, and the Health Select Committee clinical trials inquiry of 2011. The Cartwright inquiry strengthened external scrutiny of research. The Gisborne Inquiry strengthened ethics committee accountability and expertise, and greatly streamlined review process. The Health Select Committee inquiry is further sharpening accountability and process. Under-discussed systemic issues also persist, including: how to keep the ethical primacy of the researcher-participant relationship and of researcher responsibility for good study conduct; whether the point of ethics committees is to facilitate good research as well as to protect participants; and whether ethics committees are just standard public bodies - to be given powers and limitations just like any other administrative tribunal or licensing board.
Comparison of Waiting and Consultation Times in Convenient Care Clinics and Physician Offices
Authors: Patwardhan Avinash , Davis Jeffery , Murphy Patricia , Ryan Sandra Festa
Published: June 2012

This study measures waiting times and consultation times at convenient care clinics (CCCs), and compares them with equivalent times in traditional, family practice, physician offices. The analysis was limited to conditions most commonly treated at CCCs. It was found that patients using CCCs had significantly shorter waiting times from check-in to seeing a clinician than the equivalent waiting times reported by patients at family practice physicians’ offices and that CCC patients had significantly longer consultation times with the clinician than those reported by family practice patients. Applying a correction factor to adjust for potential differences between real waiting times and perceived waiting times did not substantially alter the conclusions. Shorter waiting times may increase satisfaction and thereby encourage patients to seek care; and spending additional time with the clinician may help ensure that all of a patient’s concerns or questions are addressed. This study provides objective evidence from a large database that CCCs provide prompt, satisfying care.
3D Volume Assessment of a Cornual Heterotopic Double Anembryonic Gestation and Response to Methotrexate Treatment
Authors: Hall Rebecca , Byrn Francis W. , Philippides Stephanie
Published: June 2012

A pregnancy developing in the cornu is rare and accounts for less than 1% to 4% of ectopic pregnancies. This case describes a cornual heterotopic gestation occurring as a first pregnancy where both gestational sacs were anembryonic. Presented are subsequent 2D and 3D sonographic findings with laboratory changes following treatment in an ectopic systemic methotrexate protocol.
The Clothing and Footwear Industries and Professional Football Clubs in England, 1950–1975
Authors: Bailey Ann
Published: June 2012

The paper focuses on the trade that existed between the English clothing and footwear industries and various professional football clubs in England from 1950 to 1975. It examines the sponsorship deals and advertisements that featured players wearing agreed garments and accessories during high-profile media events, and questions the importance of such occasions. The events included prestigious occasions such as the Football Association (FA) Cup Final and a growing number of international competitions. Unpicking the meanings of the business relationships that developed offers an opportunity to better understand how success on the football field offered the potential for increased trade to the clothiers in a constantly shifting marketplace. 1
Impaired peripheral blood T-follicular helper cell function in HIV-infected nonresponders to the 2009 H1N1/09 vaccine
Authors: Pallikkuth Suresh , Parmigiani Anita , Silva Sandra Y. , George Varghese K. , Fischl Margaret , Pahwa Rajendra , Pahwa Savita
Published: June 2012

The generation of Ab-secreting plasma cells depends critically on CD4 T-follicular helper (TFH) cells during the germinal center reaction. Germinal center TFH cells share functional properties with circulating CXCR5+ CD4 T cells, referred to herein as peripheral TFH (pTFH) cells. Because deficient Ab production and CD4 T-cell loss are recognized features of HIV infection, in the present study, we investigated pTFH cells in 25 HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. pTFH frequency was equivalent in patients and healthy controls (HCs), and these cells displayed a central memory phenotype. Sixteen patients and 8 HCs in this group were given a single dose of H1N1/09 influenza vaccine during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak. In the vaccine responders (n = 8) and HCs, pTFH cells underwent expansion with increased IL-21 and CXCL13 secretion in H1N1-stimulated PBMC culture supernatants at week 4 (T2). These changes were not seen in vaccine nonresponders (n = 8). In coculture experiments, sorted pTFH cells supported HIN1-stimulated IgG production by autologous B cells only in vaccine responders. At T2, frequencies of pTFH were correlated with memory B cells, serum H1N1 Ab titers, and Ag-induced IL-21 secretion. Characterization of pTFH cells may provide additional insight into cellular determinants of vaccine-induced Ab response, which may have relevance for vaccine design.
Differential mRNA expression of seven genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and transport in the liver of atherosclerosis-susceptible and -resistant Japanese quail strains
Authors: Li Xinrui , Schulte Patricia , Godin David V , Cheng Kimberly M
Published: June 2012

Background

Two atherosclerosis-susceptible and -resistant Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) strains obtained by divergent selection are commonly used as models to study atherosclerosis, but no genetic characterization of their phenotypic differences has been reported so far. Our objective was to examine possible differences in the expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and transport in the liver between these two strains and to evaluate the value of this model to analyze the gene system affecting cholesterol metabolism and transport.

Methods

A factorial study with both strains (atherosclerosis-susceptible versus atherosclerosis-resistant) and two diets (control versus cholesterol) was carried out. The mRNA concentrations of four genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis (HMGCR, FDFT1, SQLE and DHCR7) and three genes in cholesterol transport (ABCG5, ABCG8 and APOA1) were assayed using real-time quantitative PCR. Plasma lipids were also assayed.

Results

Expression of ABCG5 (control diet) and ABCG8 (regardless of dietary treatment) and expression of HMGCR, FDFT1 and SQLE (regardless of dietary treatment) were significantly higher in the atherosclerosis-resistant than in the atherosclerosis-susceptible strain. Plasma triglyceride and LDL levels, and LDL/HDL ratio were significantly higher in the atherosclerosis-susceptible than in the atherosclerosis-resistant strain fed the cholesterol diet. In the atherosclerosis-susceptible strain, ABCG5 expression regressed significantly and positively on plasma LDL level, whereas DHCR7 and SQLE expression regressed significantly and negatively on plasma triglyceride level.

Conclusions

Our results provide support for the hypothesis that the atherosclerosis-resistant strain metabolizes and excretes cholesterol faster than the atherosclerosis-susceptible strain. We have also demonstrated that these quail strains are a useful model to study cholesterol metabolism and transport in relation with atherosclerosis.
Identification and characterization of peptide: N- glycanase from Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Gosain Anuradha , Lohia Rakhee , Shrivastava Anju , Saran Shweta
Published: June 2012

Background

Peptide: N- glycanase (PNGase) enzyme cleaves oligosaccharides from the misfolded glycoproteins and prepares them for degradation. This enzyme plays a role in the endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD) pathway in yeast and mice but its biological importance and role in multicellular development remain largely unknown.

Results

In this study, the PNGase from the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd PNGase) was identified based on the presence of a common TG (transglutaminase) core domain and its sequence homology with the known PNGases. The domain architecture and the sequence comparison validated the presence of probable functional domains in Dd PNGase. The tertiary structure matched with the mouse PNGase. Here we show that Dd PNGase is an essential protein, required for aggregation during multicellular development and a knockout strain of it results in small sized aggregates, all of which did not form fruiting bodies. The in situ hybridization and RT-PCR results show higher level of expression during the aggregate stage. The expression gets restricted to the prestalk region during later developmental stages. Dd PNGase is a functional peptide:N-glycanase enzyme possessing deglycosylation activity, but does not possess any significant transamidation activity.

Conclusions

We have identified and characterized a novel PNGase from D. discoideum and confirmed its deglycosylation activity. The results emphasize the importance of PNGase in aggregation during multicellular development of this organism.
β-catenin/Tcf-signaling appears to establish the murine ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) and remains active in selected postnatal OSE cells
Authors: Usongo Macalister , Farookhi Riaz
Published: June 2012

Background

Wnts are a family of secreted signaling molecules involved in a number of developmental processes including the establishment of cell fate, polarity and proliferation. Recent studies also implicate wnts in epithelial adult stem cell maintenance, renewal and differentiation. Wnts transduce their signal through one of three signaling pathways. The best studied, the wnt/β-catenin pathway, leads to an increase in intracellular β-catenin which acts as a co-transcription factor with members of the Tcf/Lef family. A number of wnts are expressed in the ovary, specifically in the membrana granulosa and ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). We investigated the spatio-temporal pattern of β-catenin/Tcf expression in the OSE using responsive transgenic (TopGal) mice.

Results

The generated β-galactosidase response (lacZ+) identified the cell population that overlies the medio-lateral surface of the indifferent gonad at embryonic day (E) 11.5. From E12.5 onwards, lacZ expression disappeared in cells covering the testis but remained with ovary development. LacZ+ OSE cells were present throughout embryonic and postnatal ovarian development but demonstrated an age-dependent decrease to a small proportion when animals were weaned and remained at this proportion with aging. Flow cytometric (FACS) and ovarian section analyses showed lacZ+ cells constitute approximately 20% of OSE in postnatal (day 1) mice which fell to 8% in 5 day-old animals while in prepubertal and adult mice this accounted for only 0.2% of OSE. Apoptosis was undetected in OSE of neonates and β-catenin/Tcf-signaling cells were proliferative in neonatal mice indicating that neither cell death nor proliferation failure was responsible for the proportion alteration. It appeared that lacZ+ cells give rise to lacZ- cells and this was confirmed in cell cultures. The DNA-binding dye DyeCycle Violet was used to set up the side population (SP) assay aimed at identifying subpopulations of OSE cells with chemoresistance phenotype associated with ABCG2 transporter activity. FACS analysis revealed lacZ+ cells exhibit cytoprotective mechanisms as indicated by enrichment within the SP.

Conclusions

The study raises the possibility that wnt/β-catenin-signaling cells constitute a progenitor cell population and could underlie the pronounced histopathology observed for human ovarian cancer.
Sweat output measurement of the post-ganglion sudomotor response by Q-Sweat Test: a normative database of Chinese individuals
Authors: Chen Shu-Fang , Chang Ya-Ting , Lu Cheng-Hsien , Huang Chi-Ren , Tsai Nei-Wen , Chang Chiung-Chih , Huang Chih-Cheng , Chuang Yao-Chung , Chang Wen-Neng
Published: June 2012

Background

Q-Sweat is a model used for evaluating the post-ganglionic sudomotor function by assessing sweat response. This study aimed to establish the normative database of Q-Sweat test among Chinese individuals since this type of information is currently lacking.

Results

One hundred and fifty (150) healthy volunteers, 76 men and 74 women with age range of 22–76 years were included. Skin temperature and sweat onset latency measured at the four sites (i.e., the forearm, proximal leg, distal leg, and the foot) did not significantly correlate with age, gender, body height (BH), body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI) but the total sweat volume measured in all four sites significantly correlated with sex, BH, and BW. Except for the distal leg, the total sweat volume measured at the other three sites had a significant correlation with BMI. In terms of gender, men had larger total sweat volume, with median differences at the forearm, proximal leg, distal leg, and foot of 0.591 μl, 0.693 μl, 0.696 μl, and 0.358 μl, respectively. Regarding BW difference (≥62 and < 62 Kg), those with BW ≥62 Kg had larger total sweat volume. Median differences at the forearm, proximal leg, distal leg, and foot were 0.538 μl, 0.744 μl, 0.695 μl, and 0.338 μl, respectively. There was an uneven distribution of male and female participants in the two BW groups. In all conditions, the total sweat volume recorded at the foot site was the smallest.

Conclusion

This is the first report to show the normative database of sweat response in Chinese participants evaluated using Q-Sweat device. This normative database can help guide further research on post-ganglionic sudomotor or related clinical practice involving a Chinese population.