bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical Downscaling Prediction of Sea Surface Winds over the Global Ocean
Authors: Sun Cangjie , Monahan Adam H.
Published: May 2013

The statistical prediction of local sea surface winds from large-scale, free-tropospheric fields is investigated at a number of locations over the global ocean using a statistical downscaling model based on multiple linear regression. The predictands (the mean and standard deviation of both vector wind components and wind speed) calculated from ocean buoy observations on daily, weekly, and monthly scales are regressed on upper-level predictor fields from reanalysis products. It is found that in general the mean vector wind components are more predictable than mean wind speed in the North Pacific and Atlantic, while in the tropical Pacific and Atlantic the difference in predictive skill between mean vector wind components and wind speed is not substantial. The predictability of wind speed relative to vector wind components is interpreted by an idealized model of the wind speed probability density function, which indicates that in the midlatitudes the mean wind speed is more sensitive to the vector wind standard deviations (which generally are not well predicted) than to the mean vector winds. In the tropics, the mean wind speed is found to be more sensitive to the mean vector winds. While the idealized probability model does a good job of characterizing month-to-month variations in the mean wind speed in terms of the vector wind statistics, month-to-month variations in the standard deviation of speed are not well modeled. A series of Monte Carlo experiments demonstrates that the inconsistency in the characterization of wind speed standard deviation is the result of differences of sampling variability between the vector wind and wind speed statistics.
Global Weather States and Their Properties from Passive and Active Satellite Cloud Retrievals
Authors: Tselioudis George , Rossow William , Zhang Yuanchong , Konsta Dimitra
Published: May 2013

In this study, the authors apply a clustering algorithm to International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) cloud optical thickness–cloud top pressure histograms in order to derive weather states (WSs) for the global domain. The cloud property distribution within each WS is examined and the geographical variability of each WS is mapped. Once the global WSs are derived, a combination of CloudSat and Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) vertical cloud structure retrievals is used to derive the vertical distribution of the cloud field within each WS. Finally, the dynamic environment and the radiative signature of the WSs are derived and their variability is examined. The cluster analysis produces a comprehensive description of global atmospheric conditions through the derivation of 11 WSs, each representing a distinct cloud structure characterized by the horizontal distribution of cloud optical depth and cloud top pressure. Matching those distinct WSs with cloud vertical profiles derived from CloudSat and CALIPSO retrievals shows that the ISCCP WSs exhibit unique distributions of vertical layering that correspond well to the horizontal structure of cloud properties. Matching the derived WSs with vertical velocity measurements shows a normal progression in dynamic regime when moving from the most convective to the least convective WS. Time trend analysis of the WSs shows a sharp increase of the fair-weather WS in the 1990s and a flattening of that increase in the 2000s. The fact that the fair-weather WS is the one with the lowest cloud radiative cooling capability implies that this behavior has contributed excess radiative warming to the global radiative budget during the 1990s.
Wave Transformation and Wave-Driven Flow across a Steep Coral Reef
Authors: Monismith Stephen G. , Herdman Liv M. M. , Ahmerkamp Soeren , Hench James L.
Published: May 2013

Observations of waves, setup, and wave-driven mean flows were made on a steep coral forereef and its associated lagoonal system on the north shore of Moorea, French Polynesia. Despite the steep and complex geometry of the forereef, and wave amplitudes that are nearly equal to the mean water depth, linear wave theory showed very good agreement with data. Measurements across the reef illustrate the importance of including both wave transport (owing to Stokes drift), as well as the Eulerian mean transport when computing the fluxes over the reef. Finally, the observed setup closely follows the theoretical relationship derived from classic radiation stress theory, although the two parameters that appear in the model—one reflecting wave breaking, the other the effective depth over the reef crest—must be chosen to match theory to data.
Linear Response of a Ventilated Thermocline to Periodic Wind Forcing
Authors: Kubokawa Atsushi
Published: May 2013

This article presents a solution for the linear response of a 2½-layer ventilated thermocline to large-scale periodic wind forcing, with a fixed outcrop latitude. At the eastern boundary, a Rossby wave whose vertical structure is similar to the first baroclinic mode is generated and propagates westward in the shadow zone. Meanwhile, the wave is unstable and amplified westward in the southern region. In the ventilated zone, in addition to the first-mode Rossby wave generated at the eastern boundary, two waves with second mode–like vertical structures are generated. One wave is generated directly by the wind over the outcrop. This wave has a zero zonal wavenumber and southwestward group velocity, such that the eastern edge of the wave migrates westward as it propagates southward. The other wave is generated by interaction between the westward-propagating, first-mode Rossby wave and the outcrop. The zonal wavenumber is the same as that of the first mode at the outcrop, and the phase of the wave propagates southwestward. The crests and troughs of this wave extend across the ventilated zone from the outcrop to the internal boundary between the shadow zone and the ventilated zone.
Funny, Ha-Ha
Authors: Rill Leslie A. , Cardiel Christopher L. B.
Published: May 2013

The 2012 election season provided increased opportunities for the collaboration among citizens, new media, and democracy. The “social media election” saw a rise in online user-generated political content posted to YouTube. These videos, often satirical in nature, were viewed by millions, making the potential impacts from this new form of political communication deserving of inquiry. Using experimental design, this study explored the relationship between user-generated political satire and “normative” political attitudes. The results revealed that viewing satirical representations of political candidates did not affect individuals’ level of political cynicism or political information efficacy; however, perceptions of candidate credibility and favorability were altered.
Effect of an educational intervention related to health and nutrition on pregnant women in the villages of Central Java Province, Indonesia
Authors: Wijaya-Erhardt Maria , Muslimatun Siti , Erhardt Juergen G
Published: May 2013

Objective:

To assess the effects of a health and nutrition educational intervention on maternal knowledge, attitudes and practices.

Design:

Pre- and post-test design using structured interviews of pregnant women.

Setting:

Thirty-nine villages in Central Java Province, Indonesia.

Method:

Pregnant women ( N = 252) at 12–20 weeks of gestation were randomly allocated at the village level into education intervention and control groups. Women in the intervention group received health and nutrition education, while those in control group did not. Educational sessions were provided monthly until delivery.

Results:

After the intervention, women in the education group had better knowledge about the risks and consequences of getting worm infection and the causes, consequences and prevention of anaemia during pregnancy; expressed stronger intentions to feed colostrum (91.9% vs. 78.2%, P = 0.003); to breastfeed within one hour of birth (80.4% vs. 68.9%, P = 0.004); to breastfeed exclusively for six months (77.2% vs. 62.7%, P = 0.014); to breastfeed for 24 months ( P = 0.06); and also had better knowledge of practices related to the early initiation of breastfeeding (0.5 hour [25th–75th 0.5–6] vs. two hour [0.5–17.5], P = 0.052); of 24-hour exclusive breastfeeding (51.2% vs. 31.1%, P = 0.006); of giving birth at health facilities (71.9% vs. 58%, P = 0.024); and of birth assisted by skilled birth attendants (90.1% vs. 81.5%, P = 0.057) than their control counterparts.

Conclusion:

The reported change in knowledge, attitudes and reported practices may be attributable to the health and nutrition education provided during pregnancy.
Nonverbal Communication
Authors: Battersby Sharyn L. , Bolton Jami
Published: May 2013

Many American schools today have richly diverse classrooms composed of immigrants with a limited vocabulary or little command of the English language. Now more than ever, music educators must explore new, creative, and effective ways to communicate with this ever-changing student population. Although most teachers rely primarily on verbal communication in the classroom, others are introducing nonverbal communication—the process of communicating through sending and receiving wordless messages with their students. This technique has become increasingly helpful in communicating with students when English is not their primary language. Music educators must be prepared to teach students from many cultures. We need to develop effective strategies of communication, which in turn will contribute to the success of our music programs.
Hélène Brion and the missing manuscripts: La Lutte féministe, 1918
Authors: Michallat Wendy
Published: May 2013

Hélène Brion’s journal, La Lutte féministe, ‘organe unique et rigoureusement indépendant du féminisme intégral’ is generally thought to have first appeared in February 1919. However, the discovery of four elegantly handwritten manuscript issues of the same journal in the Sylvia Beach archive at Princeton University Library reveals that Brion had launched an earlier version of La Lutte féministe for limited distribution among an inner-circle of pacifist feminist schoolteachers and fellow political travellers barely a week before the Armistice in November 1918. These manuscript issues which are, to the best of my knowledge, single one-off copies, show Brion and her fellow activists urgently mobilizing around issues of suffrage and peace as the war ended. The manuscripts reveal what motivated Brion’s initial Lutte féministe project and the progressive shifts in theme, content and presentation of the journals provide a fascinating insight into the popularizing strategies Brion rehearsed ahead of a print version aimed at a wider readership. Previously unpublished transcripts of correspondence and personal testimonies offer illuminating insights into the acrimonious relationship between Brion and the mainstream reformist feminist movement and enable a unique and intimate personal and political profiling of Brion and her entourage. This article not only brings to light these fascinating documents but also gives valuable insight into the evolving modalities of feminist publishing at the end of the First World War. It explains just how unemployed schoolteacher Brion managed to produce, circulate and popularize the journal with virtually no financial support. In addition, the article’s examination of editorial choices she made ahead of the print version are revelatory of the proselytizing strategies used by feminists to reach women of the popular classes at a time of great optimism for lasting political and social change.
Linguistic cosmopolitans: Arendt, Čapek, Orwell
Authors: Dubow Jessica , Steadman-Jones Richard D.
Published: May 2013

Political resistance to Fascism in 1930s Europe was often animated by a particular cosmopolitan imaginary. In this article we explore a number of questions concealed within this dynamic. What is the status of language in a space that expands beyond the constraints of the territorial to encompass more mobile allegiances and differently scaled solidarities? Conversely, how does an impulse towards the cosmopolitan turn back to the nation and reframe internal dialogues surrounding the nature of its linguistic constitution? Hannah Arendt’s monograph on the nineteenth-century German-Jewish salonnière Rahel Varnhagen, the Czech novelist Karel Čapek’s sat^ire on twentieth-century totalitarianism, War with the Newts, and George Orwell’s accounts of both the Spanish Civil War and the culture of the English working class, all three written in the mid 1930s, engage with language as it detaches itself from the narrow optics of nationalism and reattaches itself to both a politics of the public and an ethics of friendship beyond the nation-state. That 1936 is the date around which these ideas of language and communication cohere gives them a singular resonance. For these three very different writers, ideas of the cosmopolitan provide not only a potential future for human solidarity, but a means of revisiting the nation itself, at once engaging with its history of linguistic repression and with the danger posed by the sovereign monolingualism of Fascism.
Defining Relatives
Authors: Denison David , Hundt Marianne
Published: May 2013

This article uses a case study of scientific English from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries to test the traditional demarcation between restrictive and nonrestrictive adnominal relatives and to reconsider appropriate methods for analyzing such historical data. After an initial classification of some 1,160 clauses from the ARCHER corpus using the traditional dichotomy, alternative proposals for analyzing relative clauses are reviewed in the light of problematic examples. The concept of “aspective” relatives is adopted: those having most of the formal and pragmatic hallmarks of restrictive relatives while not strictly restrictive in the set-theoretic sense. We identify these with the clauses in present-day English that are not restrictive but that Huddleston, Pullum, and Peterson include under the heading “integrated.” We add a fourth, minor type, “continuative.” Nevertheless our data present problems even for a four-way classification. We demonstrate how some analytic difficulties are the result of changes in text-type-specific style and conventions over time, plus general diachronic change, but also that some examples genuinely resist hard-and-fast classification. We therefore treat our classes as overlapping bands on a one-dimensional gradient, testing the revised classification in detail on our seventeenth-century data. The overlaps are less numerous than any of the three main types (restrictive, aspective, and nonrestrictive), but they help to reduce the number of unclear cases from over a quarter of the total in our initial classification to a mere 1 percent. We distinguish carefully between vagueness (underspecified examples where the interpretation is in no doubt) and ambiguity (involving a choice between interpretations that depends on missing information). We suggest that our classification might be more widely applicable to the study of relative clauses. By and large, modern Sprachgefühl can be used cautiously alongside other, more objective tests to classify relatives in historical scientific texts—a point of more general theoretical relevance.
High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus in the Reproductive Tract of Chickens
Authors: Silva M.Sá e , Rissi D. R. , Pantin-Jackwood M. , Swayne D. E.
Published: May 2013

Infection with high-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) has been associated with a wide range of clinical manifestations in poultry, including severe depression in egg production and isolation of HPAIV from eggs laid by infected hens. To evaluate the pathobiology in the reproductive tract of chickens, adult hens were inoculated intranasally with 3 HPAIV strains. All 3 strains induced lesions in the reproductive tract 36 to 72 hours after inoculation. Positive immunostaining was observed in all segments of the reproductive tract, occurring predominantly in stromal cells and superficial germinal epithelium of the ovary, in mucosal epithelial cells and less often glandular epithelium throughout the oviduct, and in vascular endothelium. This study generates important data and explains previously reported virus isolation from yolk, due to ovarian virus replication, and virus recovery from albumin, due to virus replication in epithelial cells in several segments of the oviduct.
Adolescents’ Recognition of Potential Positive and Negative Outcomes in Risky Dating Situations
Authors: Helms Sarah W. , Sullivan Terri N. , Corona Rosalie , Taylor Katherine A.
Published: May 2013

Risky adolescent behavior represents a significant public health concern, with potential detrimental consequences for youth and society in general. Problem behavior theory suggests that engaging in one type of problem behavior increases the likelihood of other problem behaviors. As a result, understanding how youth perceive common dating risk situations that may place them at risk not only for dating violence but also for a variety of other problem behaviors could inform prevention programming. Using qualitative interviews with 43 urban, predominantly African American adolescents, we assessed risk perceptions via youths’ identification of potential positive and negative outcomes associated with dating situations that may place teens at risk for negative outcomes including violence and risk behaviors. Six themes each of potential positive and negative outcomes emerged, including positive themes related to interpersonal skills, relationship connections, having fun, and improving image, and negative themes related to victimization, control, jealousy, conflict, consequences, and reputation. This research has important implications for youth prevention programs, especially those focused on helping adolescents develop healthy relationships.
Proton exchange membranes from sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) reinforced with silica nanoparticles
Authors: Unnikrishnan Lakshmi , Mohanty Smita , Nayak S. K.
Published: May 2013

The feasibility of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) membranes reinforced with unmodified silica (SiO2) and modified silica (SiO2–SO3H) nanoparticles as proton exchange membranes (PEMs) was investigated here. The sulfonated membranes were characterized for degree of sulfonation, thermal stability, as well as water/methanol uptake properties. The incorporation of SiO2 increased the hydrophilic behavior thus allowing more water retention, which facilitated an easy pathway for proton transfer. However, a reduction in proton conductivity was observed. The strong –SO3H/–SO3H interaction between SPEEK chains and SiO2–SO3H led to ionic cross-linking in the membrane structure, which compensated for this decrement in proton conductivity. The fuel cell performance study revealed the potential of SPEEK/SiO2–SO3H nanocomposite membrane to act as an efficient PEM for fuel cell application.
Gist Memory in the Unconscious-Thought Effect
Authors: Abadie Marlène , Waroquier Laurent , Terrier Patrice
Published: May 2013

The unconscious-thought effect (UTE) occurs when people are better able to make complex decisions after a period of distraction rather than immediately or after a period of conscious deliberation. This finding has often been interpreted as evidence of unconscious thinking. In two experiments, we provided the first evidence that the UTE is accompanied by enhanced memory for the gist of decision-relevant attributes and demonstrated that the cognitive demands of a distraction task moderate its effect on decision making and gist memory. It was only following a low-demand distraction task that participants chose the best alternative more often and displayed enhanced gist memory for decision-relevant attributes. These findings suggest that the UTE occurs only if cognitive resources are available and that it is accompanied by enhanced organization of information in memory, as shown by the increase in gist memory.
A ‘German world’ shared among doctors: a history of the relationship between Japanese and German psychiatry before World War II
Authors: Hashimoto Akira
Published: May 2013

This article deals with the critical history of German and Japanese psychiatrists who dreamed of a ‘German world’ that would cross borders. It analyses their discourse, not only by looking at their biographical backgrounds, but also by examining them in a wider context linked to German academic predominance and cultural propaganda before World War II. By focusing on Wilhelm Stieda, Wilhelm Weygandt and Kure Shuzo, the article shows that the positive evaluation of Japanese psychiatry by the two Germans encouraged Kure, who was eager to modernize the treatment of and institutions for the mentally ill in Japan. Their statements on Japanese psychiatry reflect their ideological and historical framework, with reference to national/ethnic identity, academic position, and the relationship between Germany and Japan.
Catatonia in systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Grover S , Parakh P , Sharma A , Rao P , Modi M , Kumar A
Published: May 2013

Although, neuropsychiatric morbidity is quite high in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), catatonia has been rarely reported. We report a case of a 22-year-old female who presented with catatonic symptoms at the time of relapse of SLE and have discussed the presentation in the context of existing literature with regard to phenomenology of catatonia, psychiatric co-morbidity and treatment of catatonia in patients with SLE.
Predictions in an illness-death model
Authors: Touraine Célia , Helmer Catherine , Joly Pierre
Published: May 2013

Multi-state models allow subjects to move among a finite number of states during a follow-up period. Most often, the objects of study are the transition intensities. The impact of covariates on them can also be studied by specifying regression models. Thus, estimation in multi-state models is usually focused on the transition intensities (or the cumulative transition intensities) and on the regression parameters. However, from a clinical or epidemiological point of view, other quantities could provide additional information and may be more relevant to answer practical questions. For example, given a set of covariates for a subject, it may be of interest to estimate the probability to experience a future event or the expected time without any event. To address these kinds of issues, we need to estimate quantities such as transition probabilities, cumulative probabilities and life expectancies. The purpose of this paper is to review a large number of these quantities in an illness-death model which is perhaps the most common multi-state model in the medical literature, and to propose a way to estimate them in addition to the transition intensities and the regression parameters. An illustration is given using interval-censored data from a large cohort study on cognitive ageing.
Corporate science education: Westinghouse and the value of science in mid-twentieth century America
Authors: Terzian Sevan G. , Shapiro Leigh
Published: May 2013

This study examines a largely neglected aspect of the history of science popularization in the United States: corporate depictions of the value of science to society. It delineates the Westinghouse Electric Corporation’s portrayals of science to its shareholders, employees and consumers, and schoolchildren and educators during World War Two and the postwar era. Annual reports to shareholders, in-house news publications, publicity records, advertising campaigns, and educational pamphlets distributed to schools reveal the company’s distinct, but complementary, messages for different stakeholders about the importance of science to American society. Collectively, Westinghouse encouraged these audiences to rely on scientists’ expert leadership for their nation’s security and material comforts. In an era of military mobilization, the company was able to claim that industry-led scientific research would fortify the nation and create unbounded prosperity.
“The Self,” “I,” and “a Single-Consciousness-and-‘I’”
Authors: Witz Klaus G. , Lee Hyunju
Published: May 2013

This article discusses some thrusts and implications of Witz and Goodwin’s (2012) conception of “a single consciousness-and-‘I’ from childhood to old age” for getting a much larger understanding of the human being in Qualitative Research and Inquiry. Already portraiture tacitly assumes the human being to be essentially unlimited and capable of being subjectively understood by empathy and reflection (Section 1). The bulk of the article argues that the conception of the single consciousness-and-“I” explicates a vision of universal human nature. Namely, it suggests that there is an astronomical amount of subjective experience of “I” (or of “I being,” “I-feeling,” “self-feeling”) that goes on in a person on a scale of seconds, minutes, hours every day and that there is a harmony, a unity, almost oneness between these processes and the unfolding in the individual of self-understanding and higher (moral, metaphysical) aspects and other “quests” connected with this (Section 3).
Contextual and Analytic Qualities of Research Methods Exemplified in Research on Teaching
Authors: Svensson Lennart , Doumas Kyriaki
Published: May 2013

The aim of the present article is to discuss contextual and analytic qualities of research methods. The arguments are specified in relation to research on teaching. A specific investigation is used as an example to illustrate the general methodological approach. It is argued that research methods should be carefully grounded in an understanding of the nature of the investigated phenomena. This makes a case-based description fundamental. It is also argued, that the complexity and uniqueness of phenomena have to be met by a combination of contextual and analytic methodological characteristics, to reach descriptions that give a valid basis for a sustainable development of knowledge. Contextual analysis is presented as a useful methodology meeting those requirements. The aim is to discuss the most fundamental characteristics of contextual analysis and not to give a detailed description of the use of the methodology.
Speaking Barbara
Authors: Phillips Glenn Allen
Published: May 2013

This article (re)constructs the life of Barbara Rose Johns, a pivotal character in the American Civil Rights movement. Through a collection of poems, I tell Barbara’s story from multiple voices and vantage points. I use ethnographic historical fiction to allow both the documented facts and the imagined “truths” to coexist. I use poetry to add vibrancy and breadth to her story while accommodating multiple voices and perspectives. A reflective analysis considers the trouble of wedding fact and fiction. The piece ends with a brief discussion of how poetry can be used to highlight forgotten histories.
To Be Welcome
Authors: Pederson Sarah Nebel
Published: May 2013

In this article, I tell the story of an interview encounter I had in a previous study with a hospice patient. Even though I had prepared for our interaction, Meredith corrected me for all my false steps. I offer my account of the tense beginning of our interview and Meredith’s lectures, which transitioned into an invitational moment and a marked change in our interaction. While I cannot know what was inside Meredith’s mind that day, I read this experience as a lesson in research methods. As such I advocate for restructuring the way we, as health communication researchers, gather patient-centered data. I contend that we must not only allow, but encourage and facilitate patients’ narratives through narrative interviewing. The findings from the current ethnography are offered for use as rationale in future narrative interview studies.
Colonization, Disability, and the Intranet
Authors: Hodkinson Alan
Published: May 2013

The article analyzes teacher’s emplacement of the image of disability within school’s intranet sites in England. The image unearthed within such sites was problematic as it did not display a positive or realistic image of disability or disabled people. Within the article historical archaeology and colonialism are employed as theoretic framework to interpret this artifact of disability. The article also provides an ethnographic subscript to the creation of a space of possibilities and how this became striated by missionary teachers who colonized this brave new intranet world. Deciphering of the organization and representation of the disabled indigene, through this theoretical framework, unearthed a cartography inscribed by the scalpel of old world geometry.
Connectedness and the Sociopolitical Involvement of Same-gender-loving Black Men
Authors: Battle Juan , Harris Angelique
Published: May 2013

Employing a national sample of over 800 same-gender-loving black men, we explore the relative impact of community-level support/comfort and the importance of sexual orientation and racial identity on two dependent variables—sociopolitical involvement within lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities and sociopolitical involvement within people of color (POC) communities. Findings indicate that feelings of connectedness to LBGT communities is the most important predictor of sociopolitical involvement within both LGBT and POC communities; while, counterintuitively, being comfortable within the LGBT community had a negative impact on the sociopolitical involvement of these men. Further, the impact of the importance of identity was negligible.
The agenda-building function of political tweets
Authors: Parmelee John H
Published: May 2013

This article expands the scope of agenda-building research, which has traditionally focused on the ability of press releases, press conferences, and political ads to influence media coverage. In-depth interviews with political reporters and editors at US newspapers during the 2012 campaign found that tweets from political leaders are used by journalists in ways that suggest first- and second-level agenda building. Participants gave examples of how political tweets have shaped their coverage in terms of the events they cover, the sources they interview, the quotes they use, and the background information they rely on to decide how to cover an issue. In addition, political tweets that contribute the most to coverage tend to have several elements in common.
H-rev107 regulates prostaglandin D2 synthase-mediated suppression of cellular invasion in testicular cancer cells
Authors: Shyu Rong-Yaun , Wu Chang-Chieh , Wang Chun-Hua , Tsai Tzung-Chieh , Wang Lu-Kai , Chen Mao-Liang , Jiang Shun-Yuan , Tsai Fu-Ming
Published: May 2013

Background

H-rev107 is a member of the HREV107 type II tumor suppressor gene family which includes H-REV107, RIG1, and HRASLS. H-REV107 has been shown to express at high levels in differentiated tissues of post-meiotic testicular germ cells. Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is conjectured to induce SRY-related high-mobility group box 9 (SOX9) expression and subsequent Sertoli cell differentiation. To date, the function of H-rev107 in differentiated testicular cells has not been well defined.

Results

In the study, we found that H-rev107 was co-localized with prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) and enhanced the activity of PTGDS, resulting in increase of PGD2 production in testis cells. Furthermore, when H-rev107 was expressed in human NT2/D1 testicular cancer cells, cell migration and invasion were inhibited. Also, silencing of PTGDS would reduce H-rev107-mediated increase in PGD2, cAMP, and SOX9. Silencing of PTGDS or SOX9 also alleviated H-rev107-mediated suppression of cell migration and invasion.

Conclusions

These results revealed that H-rev107, through PTGDS, suppressed cell migration and invasion. Our data suggest that the PGD2-cAMP-SOX9 signal pathway might play an important role in H-rev107-mediated cancer cell invasion in testes.
MicroRNA-488 regulates zinc transporter SLC39A8/ZIP8 during pathogenesis of osteoarthritis
Authors: Song Jinsoo , Kim Dongkyun , Lee Chang Hoon , Lee Myeung Su , Chun Churl-Hong , Jin Eun-Jung
Published: May 2013

Background

Even though osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal dysfunction, there are no effective pharmacological treatments to treat OA due to lack of understanding in OA pathology. To better understand the mechanism in OA pathogenesis and investigate its effective target, we analyzed miRNA profiles during OA pathogenesis and verify the role and its functional targets of miR-488.

Results

Human articular chondrocytes were obtained from cartilage of OA patients undergoing knee replacement surgery and biopsy samples of normal cartilage and the expression profile of miRNA was analyzed. From expression profile, most potent miR was selected and its target and functional role in OA pathogenesis were investigated using target validation system and OA animal model system. Among miRNAs tested, miR-488 was significantly decreased in OA chondrocytes Furthermore, we found that exposure of IL-1β was also suppressed whereas exposure of TGF-β3 induced the induction of miR-488 in human articular chondrocytes isolated from biopsy samples of normal cartilages. Target validation study showed that miR-488 targets ZIP8 and suppression of ZIP8 in OA animal model showed the reduced cartilage degradation. Target validation study showed that miR-488 targets ZIP8 and suppression of ZIP8 in OA animal model showed the reduced cartilage degradation.

Conclusions

miR-488 acts as a positive role for chondrocyte differentiation/cartilage development by inhibiting MMP-13 activity through targeting ZIP-8.
Endostatin, an angiogenesis inhibitor, ameliorates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats
Authors: Wan Yun-Yan , Tian Guang-Yan , Guo Hai-Sheng , Kang Yan-Meng , Yao Zhou-Hong , Li Xi-Li , Liu Qing-Hua , Lin Dian-Jie
Published: May 2013

Background

Recent evidence has demonstrated the role of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Endostatin, a proteolytic fragment of collagen XVIII, is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. The aim of our study was to assess whether endostatin has beneficial effects on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

Methods

The rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups: (A) saline only, (B) BLM only, (C) BLM plus early endostatin treatment, (D) BLM plus late endostatin treatment, and (F) BLM plus whole-course endostatin treatment. We investigated the microvascular density (MVD), inflammatory response and alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis in rat lungs in each group at different phases of disease development.

Results

Early endostatin administration attenuated fibrotic changes in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Endostatin treatment decreased MVD by inhibiting the expression of VEGF/VEGFR-2 (Flk-1) and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). Endostatin treatment also decreased the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid during the early inflammatory phase of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, the levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) were reduced by endostatin treatment. Furthermore, endostatin decreased alveolar type II cell apoptosis and had an epithelium-protective effect. These might be the mechanism underlying the preventive effect of endostatin on pulmonary fibrosis.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that endostatin treatment inhibits the increased MVD, inflammation and alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis, consequently ameliorating BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.
Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 produces furanomycin, a non-proteinogenic amino acid with selective antimicrobial properties
Authors: Trippe Kristin , McPhail Kerry , Armstrong Donald , Azevedo Mark , Banowetz Gary
Published: May 2013

Background

Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 has been extensively studied because of its plant growth promoting properties and potential as a biocontrol agent. The genome of SBW25 has been sequenced, and among sequenced strains of pseudomonads, SBW25 appears to be most closely related to P. fluorescens WH6. In the authors’ laboratories, WH6 was previously shown to produce and secrete 4-formylaminooxyvinylglycine (FVG), a non-proteinogenic amino acid with selective herbicidal and antimicrobial activity. Although SBW25 does not have the genetic capacity to produce FVG, we were interested in determining whether this pseudomonad might produce some other type of non-proteinogenic amino acid.

Results

P. fluorescens SBW25 was found to produce and secrete a ninhydrin-reactive compound with selective antimicrobial properties. This compound was purified from SBW25 culture filtrate and identified as the non-proteinogenic amino acid L-furanomycin [2S,2′R,5′S)-2-amino-2-(5′methyl-2′,5′-dihydrofuran-2′-yl)acetic acid].

Conclusions

The identification of furanomycin as a secondary metabolite of SBW25 is the first report of the production of furanomycin by a pseudomonad. This compound was known previously only as a natural product produced by a strain of Streptomyces. This report adds furanomycin to the small list of non-proteinogenic amino acids that have been identified as secondary products of pseudomonads. This study also extends the list of bacteria that are inhibited by furanomycin to include several plant pathogenic bacteria.
PLANEX: the plant co-expression database
Authors: Yim Won Cheol , Yu Yongbin , Song Kitae , Jang Cheol Seong , Lee Byung-Moo
Published: May 2013

Background

The PLAnt co-EXpression database (PLANEX) is a new internet-based database for plant gene analysis. PLANEX (http://planex.plantbioinformatics.org) contains publicly available GeneChip data obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PLANEX is a genome-wide co-expression database, which allows for the functional identification of genes from a wide variety of experimental designs. It can be used for the characterization of genes for functional identification and analysis of a gene’s dependency among other genes. Gene co-expression databases have been developed for other species, but gene co-expression information for plants is currently limited.

Description

We constructed PLANEX as a list of co-expressed genes and functional annotations for Arabidopsis thaliana, Glycine max, Hordeum vulgare, Oryza sativa, Solanum lycopersicum, Triticum aestivum, Vitis vinifera and Zea mays. PLANEX reports Pearson’s correlation coefficients (PCCs; r-values) that distribute from a gene of interest for a given microarray platform set corresponding to a particular organism. To support PCCs, PLANEX performs an enrichment test of Gene Ontology terms and Cohen’s Kappa value to compare functional similarity for all genes in the co-expression database. PLANEX draws a cluster network with co-expressed genes, which is estimated using the k-mean method. To construct PLANEX, a variety of datasets were interpreted by the IBM supercomputer Advanced Interactive eXecutive (AIX) in a supercomputing center.

Conclusion

PLANEX provides a correlation database, a cluster network and an interpretation of enrichment test results for eight plant species. A typical co-expressed gene generates lists of co-expression data that contain hundreds of genes of interest for enrichment analysis. Also, co-expressed genes can be identified and cataloged in terms of comparative genomics by using the ‘Co-expression gene compare’ feature. This type of analysis will help interpret experimental data and determine whether there is a common term among genes of interest.
Risk interaction of obesity, insulin resistance and hormone-sensitive lipase promoter polymorphisms (LIPE-60 C > G) in the development of fatty liver
Authors: Hsiao Pi-Jung , Chen Zhih-Cherg , Hung Wei-Wen , Yang Yi-Hsin Connie , Lee Mei-Yueh , Huang Jee-Fu , Kuo Kung-Kai
Published: May 2013

Background

Hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) promoter (LIPE-60 C > G) polymorphism has been found to be involved in hepatic steatosis, obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia. The precise interactions between these risk factors and genetic susceptibility that may affect non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are still not fully determined.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1056 men. To avoid the confounding effect of plasma glucose, the study population was classified into normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 729) and glucose intolerance (GI, n = 299) groups. NAFLD was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound after ruling out any history of alcohol abuse. A multivariate regression model was used to estimate the impact of these factors on NAFLD.

Results

In the NGT group, subjects with NAFLD often have complicated metabolic abnormalities. The coexistence of NAFLD and GI has been demonstrated to have a synergistic effect raising BMI, serum insulin and HOMA-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). BMI and adipose-insulin resistance (Adipo-IR), but not HOMA-IR, significantly contributed to a greater risk of developing NAFLD. Serum triglyceride was significantly up-regulated in men with the (CG + GG) genotype of HSL promoter polymorphism, NAFLD and Adiopo-IR in sequence.

Conclusion

Adipo-IR, rather than HOMA-IR, appears to be a consistent insulin resistance index in the study of NAFLD. G allele of the HSL promoter polymorphism may contribute the greatest impact raising serum triglyceride in a state of glucose intolerance.
IR/IGF1R signaling as potential target for treatment of high-grade osteosarcoma
Authors: Kuijjer Marieke L , Peterse Elisabeth FP , van den Akker Brendy EWM , Briaire-de Bruijn Inge H , Serra Massimo , Meza-Zepeda Leonardo A , Myklebost Ola , Hassan A Bassim , Hogendoorn Pancras CW , Cleton-Jansen Anne-Marie
Published: May 2013

Background

High-grade osteosarcoma is an aggressive tumor most often developing in the long bones of adolescents, with a second peak in the 5th decade of life. Better knowledge on cellular signaling in this tumor may identify new possibilities for targeted treatment.

Methods

We performed gene set analysis on previously published genome-wide gene expression data of osteosarcoma cell lines (n=19) and pretreatment biopsies (n=84). We characterized overexpression of the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) signaling pathways in human osteosarcoma as compared with osteoblasts and with the hypothesized progenitor cells of osteosarcoma – mesenchymal stem cells. This pathway plays a key role in the growth and development of bone. Since most profound differences in mRNA expression were found at and upstream of the receptor of this pathway, we set out to inhibit IR/IGF1R using OSI-906, a dual inhibitor for IR/IGF1R, on four osteosarcoma cell lines. Inhibitory effects of this drug were measured by Western blotting and cell proliferation assays.

Results

OSI-906 had a strong inhibitory effect on proliferation of 3 of 4 osteosarcoma cell lines, with IC50s below 100 nM at 72 hrs of treatment. Phosphorylation of IRS-1, a direct downstream target of IGF1R signaling, was inhibited in the responsive osteosarcoma cell lines.

Conclusions

This study provides an in vitro rationale for using IR/IGF1R inhibitors in preclinical studies of osteosarcoma.
The expression of cytoglobin as a prognostic factor in gliomas: a retrospective analysis of 88 patients
Authors: Xu Hong-Wu , Huang Yue-Jun , Xie Ze-Yu , Lin Lan , Guo Yan-Chun , Zhuang Ze-Rui , Lin Xin-Peng , Zhou Wen , Li Mu , Huang Hai-Hua , Wei Xiao-Long , Man Kwan , Zhang Guo-Jun
Published: May 2013

Background

Evidence suggests that cytoglobin (Cygb) may function as a tumor suppressor gene.

Methods

We immunohistochemically evaluated the expression of Cygb, phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3K), phosphorylated (p)-Akt, Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 88 patients with 41 high-grade gliomas and 47 low-grade gliomas. Intratumoral microvessel density (IMD) was also determined and associated with clinicopathological factors.

Results

Low expression of Cygb was significantly associated with the higher histological grading and tumor recurrence. A significant negative correlation emerged between Cygb expression and PI3K, p-Akt, IL-6, TNFα or VEGF expression. Cygb expression was negatively correlated with IMD. There was a positive correlation between PI3K, p-Akt, IL-6, TNFα and VEGF expression with IMD.High histologic grade, tumor recurrence, decreased Cygb expression, increased PI3K expression, increased p-Akt expression and increased VEGF expression correlated with patients’ overall survival in univariate analysis. However, only histological grading and Cygb expression exhibited a relationship with survival of patients as independent prognostic factors of glioma by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Cygb loss may contribute to tumor recurrence and a worse prognosis in gliomas. Cygb may serve as an independent predictive factor for prognosis of glioma patients.
Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of triterpenes isolated from leaves of Maytenus undata (Celastraceae)
Authors: Mokoka Tsholofelo Abednego , McGaw Lyndy Joy , Mdee Ladislaus Kakore , Bagla Victor Patrick , Iwalewa Ezekiel Olugbenga , Eloff Jacobus Nicolaas
Published: May 2013

Background

Plants of the genus Maytenus belong to the family Celastraceae and are widely used in folk medicine as anti-tumour, anti-asthmatic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-ulcer agents, and as a treatment for stomach problems. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify active compounds with antifungal activity from Maytenus undata after a preliminary study highlighted promising activity in crude extracts.

Methods

Sequential extracts of M. undata leaves prepared using hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), acetone and methanol (MeOH) were tested for activity against Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungal organism implicated in opportunistic infections. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the hexane extract using C. neoformans as test organism was carried out to isolate antifungal compounds. The cytotoxicity of compounds isolated in sufficient quantities was evaluated using a tetrazolium-based colorimetric cellular assay (MTT) and a haemagglutination assay (HA).

Results

The hexane extract was most active with an MIC of 20 μg/ml against C. neoformans. The triterpene compounds friedelin (1), epifriedelanol (2), taraxerol (3), 3-oxo-11α-methoxyolean-12-ene-30-oic acid (4), 3-oxo-11α-hydroxyolean-12-ene-30-oic acid (5) and 3,11-dihydroxyolean-12-ene-30-oic acid (6) were isolated. Compound 6 was isolated for the first time from a plant species. The antimicrobial activity of compounds 1, 3, 5 and 6 was determined against a range of bacteria and fungi implicated in opportunistic and nosocomial infections. Compounds 5 and 6 were the most active against all the tested microorganisms with MIC values ranging between 24 and 63 μg/ml, except against Staphylococcus aureus which was relatively resistant. Compounds 1 and 3 had a low toxicity with an LC50 > 200 μg/ml towards Vero cells in the MTT assay. Compounds 5 and 6 were toxic with LC50 values of 6.03±0.02 and 2.98±0.01 μg/ml, respectively. Compounds 1 and 3 similarly were not toxic to the red blood cells (RBCs) but compounds 5 and 6 were toxic, showing HA titer values of 1.33 and 0.67 respectively.

Conclusions

Compounds 5 and 6 were the most active but were also relatively cytotoxic to monkey kidney cells and red blood cells, while the other isolated compounds were less active and less cytotoxic.