bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the effectiveness of transfusion program in dengue patients receiving platelet transfusion
Authors: Kulkarni Nagarekha
Published: October 2012

Aims: Dengue infection is a global health problem affecting an estimated population of 50–100 millions every year. Thrombocytopenia is an essential diagnostic criteria. Platelet transfusion is given in those patients who have haemorrhagic manifestations along with thrombocytopenia. The aim of the study was to know the effectiveness of platelet transfusion in dengue patients.
Methods: The study was conducted during the epidemic of dengue fever from July 2011 to October 2011. Serologically confirmed dengue cases were included in the study.
Results: Two hundred thirty two patients were positive for dengue serological tests of which 195 (84.2%), 35 (15%), 2 (0.8%) were DF, DHF DSS respectively. One hundred eighty two (78.4%) patients received platelet transfusion. One hundred eighteen (51%) cases received single unit of platelet transfusion though platelet count was between 0.2–1.0x10x105/mm3. Sixty four (27.5%) patients who had platelet count <0.2x105/mm3 received multiple platelet transfusions. The patient who received multiple platelet transfusion of 10–12 units showed post transfusion increment of >0.5x105/mm3 and they were discharged after 5–6 days of hospitalization.
Conclusions: This study suggests that 51% platelet transfusions are inappropriate and it is more effective when it is given to patients with platelet count <0.2x105/mm3. Platelet transfusion practice should be based upon platelet count and haemorrhagic manifestations as this decreases hospitalization of the patients and complications of dengue.
Evaluation of X-Chromosome Inactivation Patterns in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia during Remission
Authors: Mortazavi Yousef , Kaviani Saeid , Mirzamohammadi Fatemeh , Alimoghaddam Kamran , Pourfathollah Ali Akbar , Salehi Oveis
Published: October 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the patterns of X-chromosome inactivation during the remission in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the RNA level. Two hundred normal females and 45 female patients with AML entered the study. The frequency of heterozygosity was 48.5% (119/245) for P55, 40% (93/245) for IDS, and only 28.9% (71/245) for G6PD. Some individuals were heterozygous for more than one gene polymorphism. Overall, one hundred normal individuals proved showed to be heterozygous for at least one of the above polymorphisms. 92/100 (92%) normal females showed a polyclonal pattern. Clonal patterns were observed in 44/45 (98%) AML patients at presentation. Of 27 patients who were followed after remission, 23 (85.2%) patients showed a clonal pattern. Ten patients were available for a longer followup (up to 12 months) and the clonal pattern was observed in seven patients. It can be concluded that clonality at remission is a frequent event in AML and does not necessarily mean relapse of the disease. There is also a possibility of conversion of clonality to polyclonality over time.
Journey Westward
Authors: Shovlin Frank
Published: October 2012

This book suggests that James Joyce, like Yeats and his fellow Revivalists, was attracted to the west of Ireland as a place of authenticity and freedom. It shows how his acute historical sensibility is reflected in Dubliners, posing new questions about one of the most enduring collections of short stories ever written. The answers provided are a fusion of history and literary criticism, using close readings that balance techniques of realism and symbolism. The result is an original study that shines new light on Dubliners and Joyces later masterpieces.
Mathematical Lens: A Road for Every Wheel
Authors: Wilcock Douglas
Published: October 2012

Can you imagine riding a tricycle with square wheels? Can you imagine that this tricycle would give you as smooth a ride as a traditional tricycle? A New York Times article (Chang 2011) described a tricycle that had square wheels but that could be ridden “smoothly around a circular path ridged like a flower's petals.” It then explained that the ridged surface on which the tricycle rode undulated such that “the tricycle's axles—and the rider—remain in the same height as they move.”
Using Multiple Representations to Teach Composition of Functions
Authors: Steketee Scott , Scher Daniel
Published: October 2012

Experience with multiple representations fosters students' robust understanding of what functions are, how they behave, and how they can be composed.
Understanding the Derivative through the Calculus Triangle
Authors: Weber Eric , Tallman Michael , Byerley Cameron , Thompson Patrick W.
Published: October 2012

We know derivatives are about rates. Why don't our students?
Exploring Quadrilaterals through Flexible Approaches
Authors: Richardson Kerri , Reynolds Anne , Schwartz Catherine S.
Published: October 2012

Rich mathematical tasks—here, finding and categorizing the quadrilaterals that can be made with vertices on a 4 × 4 grid—can promote adaptability in any classroom.
Delving Deeper: Close Encounters with Stirling Numbers of the Second Kind
Authors: Griffiths Martin
Published: October 2012

Two seemingly unrelated problems—one posed to a class of eighth graders, the other posed to a class of high school juniors—uncover a connection through Stirling numbers of the second kind.
GAC Treatment Delivers Diverse Benefits
Authors: Pohlman Richard , Whitteberry Bruce
Published: October 2012

In the 1970s, the Greater Cincinnati Water Works pioneered the use of granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment to protect against detected and undetected spills in the highly polluted Ohio River. This article discusses how over the years GAC has been and continues to be a reliable treatment method at one of the largest GAC facilities in the United States.
Communities Guard Against Contamination From Oil and Gas Exploration Activities
Authors: Fancher Herb , Craig Kathryn
Published: October 2012

Rifle and Parachute, Colorado, two Western Colorado communities, are proactively tracking potential contamination from oil and gas exploration in their watersheds by continuously monitoring water sources.
Tanks Need a Little TLC
Authors: Henderson Erika
Published: October 2012

An abandoned, deteriorated tank illustrates the value of regular maintenance and professional inspections.
The Past, Present, and Future of Public Health Surveillance
Authors: Choi Bernard C. K.
Published: October 2012

This paper provides a review of the past, present, and future of public health surveillance—the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health action. Public health surveillance dates back to the first recorded epidemic in 3180 B.C. in Egypt. Hippocrates (460 B.C.–370 B.C.) coined the terms endemic and epidemic, John Graunt (1620–1674) introduced systematic data analysis, Samuel Pepys (1633–1703) started epidemic field investigation, William Farr (1807–1883) founded the modern concept of surveillance, John Snow (1813–1858) linked data to intervention, and Alexander Langmuir (1910–1993) gave the first comprehensive definition of surveillance. Current theories, principles, and practice of public health surveillance are summarized. A number of surveillance dichotomies, such as epidemiologic surveillance versus public health surveillance, are described. Some future scenarios are presented, while current activities that can affect the future are summarized: exploring new frontiers; enhancing computer technology; improving epidemic investigations; improving data collection, analysis, dissemination, and use; building on lessons from the past; building capacity; enhancing global surveillance. It is concluded that learning from the past, reflecting on the present, and planning for the future can further enhance public health surveillance.
Teachers and Students’ Preferred Method of Evaluation: An Action Research in Anatomy and Physiology
Authors: Lunar Bernardo C.
Published: October 2012

The proponent, through this study, made a follow-up on the recommendation from the action paper entitled “An Analysis of Two Methods of Instruction in Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Classes” (Lunar, et.al, 2008). It was found out that there was no significant difference in the achievement of students when they were evaluated using the computer-aided examination and move-system examination. This study ascertains the preferred method of evaluation of achievement in Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Class, with the teachers and students as respondents of the study. After the data were gathered and interpreted, the following conclusions are drawn. Computer- aided practical examination is more preferred by both teachers and students. It is because students find it less stressful than the move- system since they are not exposed to actual specimens and they need not go from one station to another. The teachers preferred it for ease of preparation and administration. However, the move system type of test is preferred by some students for the reason that students perceived that physical setting is more controlled in this type of evaluation and they prefer to see actual specimens rather than to see them in slides of power-point presentation. Keywords - achievement in Anatomy, physiology laboratory class, computer-aided practical examination.
Development of the Curriculum Implementation Model of Basic Education for the Secondary School
Authors: Kongthai Kanokrat
Published: October 2012

The academic administration for secondary schools according to the basic education core curriculum A.D.2008 faced the important problem that teachers lacked of the understanding to use the curriculum so that they cannot achieve the goal designed by the curriculum. This study aimed to improve the curriculum implementation model for the secondary schools in the Office of the Basic Education Commission area 41 by creating the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method, Multi-Attribute Consensus Reaching (MACR) method and assessed the result by using Balanced Scorecard (BSC) method. The result was considered in two perspectives; the students’ perspective considered the character education, the achievement and, reading, thinking, analyzing, and writing skills. Another one was the teachers’ perspective considered the practice of teachers’ commitment by testing the curriculum implementation model in Klongklungratrangsan School, Kamphaeng Phet province in semester 2, 2011. The samples were 310 students and 55 teachers. The result found that the model has 4 main parts; the principle, goal, procedure, and assessment. For applying the new model in this school it was found that character education, achievement, reading, thinking, analyzing, and writing skills of students and the practice of teacher’s commitment were better than using the old model. Keywords - Curriculum development, MACR Method, Balanced Scorecard, teachers' commitment
Employers’ Perception of the Law Syllabus Content of Practicum Course in Universiti Utara Malaysia
Authors: Hassan Mumtaj , Yeon Asmah Laili , Shariff Nurretina Ahmad , Hussain Mohammad Azam
Published: October 2012

Practicum courses are guided work experiences that consist of a project undertaken for or in collaboration with an organization. This study is an exploratory research carried out to evaluate objectively the present structure of the practicum course for LL.B students at University Utara Malaysia. The study examined the employer’s perception of the syllabus contents of practicum I and II. The specific aspects of the syllabus contents examined were the employer’s perception towards the objectives of the course, learning outcome and the duration of the course. The items also include the content as to the administrative, report writing, judgment, supervisory aspect and the method of assessment. The study was carried out amongst the experience legal practitioners who were the assessors of the students undergoing practical training at their placements. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire. A total of 51 questionnaires were sent out. The total responses received were 43 (83.31%). The findings indicate that the majority of respondents generally (more than 80%) agree that the syllabus contents were good and suitable for practicum I and II courses. Nevertheless, they are of the opinion that there is a need to extend the existing duration of the practicum training for the students.   Keywords - law syllabus, practicum course, exploratory research
Two Aircraft Carriers’ Perspectives: A Comparative of Control Measures in Shipboard H1N1 Outbreaks
Authors: Harwood Jared L. , LaVan Joseph T. , Brand George J.
Published: October 2012

Background

The USS George Washington (GW) and the USS Ronald Reagan (RR), 2 US Navy aircraft carriers, experienced almost simultaneous outbreaks of novel H1N1 influenza A in the summer of 2009. We compared the respective epidemic control measures taken and subsequent lessons learned.

Methods

Data were collated from both outbreaks to assess various elements including attack rate, isolation/quarantine protocols, and treatment methods. The respective duration of each outbreak was compared with survival curve analysis. The number of personnel affected in each outbreak was compared using χ2 analysis.

Results

Differences were found in the protocols used on the 2 ships. The GW treated about two-thirds of the patients with oseltamivir through day 14 and quarantined all patients meeting case definition throughout the outbreak. Face masks were used throughout. The RR used oseltamivir and quarantined many fewer patients (through days 5 and 3, respectively). No face masks were used after day 5. The outbreaks were similar in duration (GW = 25 days, RR = 27 days, P = .38), but the RR had significantly more cases (n = 253 vs 142, P < .0001). A portion of each group had samples that were confirmed H1N1 by polymerase chain reaction.

Conclusions

GW's protocol, including aggressive oseltamivir treatment of two-thirds of the cases and quarantine throughout the duration decreased the overall number of personnel affected, likely reducing the overall control reproduction number. Both outbreaks were similar in duration. Even though the GW expended significantly more resources than the RR, if the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain had been as clinically severe as the 1918 pandemic, a more stringent treatment protocol may have been the only way to prevent significant operational impact.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:29-35)
Complementary Absorbing Star‐Shaped Small Molecules for the Preparation of Ternary Cascade Energy Structures in Organic Photovoltaic Cells
Authors: Cha Hyojung , Chung Dae Sung , Bae Suk Young , Lee Min‐Jung , An Tae Kyu , Hwang Jihun , Kim Kyung Hwan , Kim Yun‐Hi , Choi Dong Hoon , Park Chan Eon
Published: October 2012

Two anthracene‐based star‐shaped conjugated small molecules, 5′,5″‐(9,10‐bis((4‐hexylphenyl)ethynyl)anthracene‐2,6‐diyl)bis(5‐hexyl‐2,2′‐bithiophene), HBantHBT, and 5′,5″‐(9,10‐bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene‐2,6‐diyl)bis(5‐hexyl‐2,2′‐bithiophene), BantHBT, are used as electron‐cascade donor materials by incorporating them into organic photovoltaic cells prepared using a poly((5,5‐E‐alpha‐((2‐thienyl)methylene)‐2‐thiopheneacetonitrile)‐alt‐2,6‐[(1,5‐didecyloxy)naphthalene])) (PBTADN):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) blend. The small molecules penetrate the PBTADN:PC71BM blend layer to yield complementary absorption spectra through appropriate energy level alignment and optimal domain sizes for charge carrier transfer. A high short‐circuit current (JSC) and fill factor (FF) are obtained using solar cells prepared with the ternary blend. The highest photovoltaic performance of the PBTADN:BantHBT:PC71BM blend solar cells is characterized by a JSC of 11.0 mA cm−2, an open circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.91 V, a FF of 56.4%, and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.6% under AM1.5G illumination (with a high intensity of 100 mW−2). The effects of the small molecules on the ternary blend are investigated by comparison with the traditional poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT):[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) system.
IL‐17F co‐ ;expression improves cell growth characteristics and enhances recombinant protein production during CHO cell line engineering
Authors: Contie Mathias , Leger Olivier , Fouque Nicolas , Poitevin Yves , Kosco‐Vilbois Marie , Mermod Nicolas , Elson Greg
Published: October 2012

The generation of a high productivity cell line is a critical step in the production of a therapeutic protein. Many innovative engineering strategies have been devised in order to maximize the expression rate of production cells for increased process efficiency. Less effort has focused on improvements to the cell line generation process, which is typically long and laborious when using mammalian cells. Based on unexpected findings when generating stable CHO cell lines expressing human IL‐17F, we studied the benefit of expressing this protein during the establishment of production cell lines. We demonstrate that IL‐17F expression enhances the rate of selection and overall number of selected cell lines as well as their transgene expression levels. We also show that this benefit is observed with different parental CHO cell lines and selection systems. Furthermore, IL‐17F expression improves the efficiency of cell line subcloning processes. IL‐17F can therefore be exploited in a standard manufacturing process to obtain higher productivity clones in a reduced time frame. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1153–1163. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design and development of a planar B0‐coil for patient respiratory motion correction in magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Awan Shakil A. , Mcginley John V.M. , Dickinson Robert J. , Angeli Stelios I. , Young Ian R.
Published: October 2012

We detail the design, construction, and testing of a planar B0‐coil which will ultimately be used to reduce artifacts in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) caused by respiratory motion in patients. The B0‐coil combined with a micro‐electro‐mechanical system microcoil detector mounted on a catheter and deployed in an endoscope should in‐principle enable sub‐millimeter resolution MR imaging of cholangiocarcinomas. The B0‐coil has been designed to generate around 300 μT of magnetic field, parallel to the main field of a MRI scanner, and to be homogenous to around 1% in a 150 mm diameter of spherical volume (DSV). Measurements of the field in the DSV reveal that there are no field gradients present (within our experimental resolution of 3 μT) in the region and the field is homogeneous with a mean value of 324.5 ± 4.3 μT (1σ) at 25 A. The B0‐coil was subsequently deployed in MRI experiments on a test phantom to confirm axial and sagittal image slice shifts of ∼ 12 and 3 mm, respectively, using only 5.5 A in the B0‐coil. This clearly demonstrates the principle of image slice shifting by modulating the main field of a MRI magnet using a relatively small field generated in an insert coil. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 41B: 130–138, 2012
Methylation status of TUSC3 is a prognostic factor in ovarian cancer
Authors: Pils Dietmar , Horak Peter , Vanhara Petr , Anees Mariam , Petz Michaela , Alfanz Angela , Gugerell Alfred , Wittinger Michael , Gleiss Andreas , Auner Veronika , Tong Dan , Zeillinger Robert , Braicu Elena‐Ioana , Sehouli Jalid , Krainer Michael
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND.

Current prognostic information in ovarian cancer is based on tumor stage, tumor grade, and postoperative tumor size. Reliable molecular prognostic markers are scarce. In this article, the authors describe epigenetic events in a frequently deleted region on chromosome 8p22 that influence the expression of tumor suppressor candidate 3 (TUSC3), a putative tumor suppressor gene in ovarian cancer.

METHODS.

Messenger RNA expression and promoter hypermethylation of TUSC3 were studied in ovarian cancer cell lines and in tumor samples from 2 large, independent ovarian cancer cohorts using polymerase chain reaction‐based methods.

RESULTS.

The results indicated that TUSC3 expression is decreased significantly because of promoter methylation in malignant ovarian tumors compared with benign controls. Almost 33% of ovarian cancer samples had detectable TUSC3 promoter methylation. Furthermore, methylation status of the TUSC3 promoter had a significant and independent influence on progression‐free and overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS.

TUSC3 hypermethylation predicted progression‐free and overall survival in ovarian cancer. The current observations suggested a role for N‐glycosylating events in ovarian cancer pathogenesis in general and identified the epigenetic silencing of TUSC3 as a prognostic factor in this disease. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Molecular characterization of the subnuclei in rat habenula
Authors: Aizawa Hidenori , Kobayashi Megumi , Tanaka Sayaka , Fukai Tomoki , Okamoto Hitoshi
Published: October 2012

The mammalian habenula is involved in regulating the activities of serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons. It consists of the medial and lateral habenulae, with each subregion having distinct neural connectivity. Despite the functional significance, manipulating neural activity in a subset of habenular pathways remains difficult because of the poor availability of molecular markers that delineate the subnuclear structures. Thus, we examined the molecular nature of neurons in the habenular subnuclei by analyzing the gene expressions of neurotransmitter markers. The results showed that different subregions of the medial habenula (MHb) use different combinations of neurotransmitter systems and could be categorized as either exclusively glutamatergic (superior part of MHb), both substance P‐ergic and glutamatergic (dorsal region of central part of MHb), or both cholinergic and glutamatergic (inferior part, ventral region of central part, and lateral part of MHb). The superior part of the MHb strongly expressed interleukin‐18 and was innervated by noradrenergic fibers. In contrast, the inferior part, ventral region of the central part, and lateral part of the MHb were peculiar in that acetylcholine and glutamate were cotransmitted from the axonal terminals. In contrast, neurons in the lateral habenula (LHb) were almost uniformly glutamatergic. Finally, the expressions of Htr2c and Drd2 seemed complementary in the medial LHb division, whereas they coincided in the lateral division, suggesting that the medial and lateral divisions of LHb show strong heterogeneity with respect to monoamine receptor expression. These analyses clarify molecular differences between subnuclei in the mammalian habenula that support their respective functional implications. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:4051–4066, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of a Urea Bioprobe Based on Platinized Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrodes
Authors: Nicolau Eduardo , Fonseca José J. , Cabrera Carlos R.
Published: October 2012

Urea (CH6ON2) is one of the main human nitrogen‐based metabolic wastes. The concentration of urea in blood lies between 2.5–7 mM for healthy individuals, and is commonly used as an indicator for several diseases that may alter this value. Spectrophotometric methods are employed for the determination of blood urea concentration during clinical assays. Although these methods are sensitive, they make use of toxic reagents and complex reaction schemes. Therefore, in this research we present the bioelectrochemical determination of urea by the use of the protein urease (E.C.3.1.1.5) along with a nano‐platinized boron‐doped diamond electrode. This approach has been proven to be efficient and sensitive providing a platform with detection limits of 1.79 mM (S/N=3). The linear range resulted from 1 mM to 25 mM for the determination of urea, and response time of five minutes.
Modulation of the 13C/12C ratio of vanillin from vanilla beans during curing
Authors: Gassenmeier Klaus , Binggeli Eva , Kirsch Thomas , Otiv Shashank
Published: October 2012

Authenticity of vanilla extracts can be monitored by, for example, analysis of marker compounds and analysis of stable isotope ratios of vanillin using site‐specific natural isotopic fractionation by nuclear magnetic resonance or isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) techniques. In order to improve vanilla bean quality curing technologies were proposed using enzymatic or microbiological processes. However, the influence of process parameters on the 13C/12C ratio of vanillin from vanilla beans was not known. An isotopic shift of vanillin was found in the early stages of traditional vanilla bean curing. In model experiments using acid hydrolysis a δ13CV‐PDB value (where V‐PDB represents the standard Vienna‐Pee Dee Belemnite) of vanillin of −21.5‰ was obtained. In vanilla extracts prepared by an enzymatic curing process δ13CV‐PDB values for vanillin of −21.6 to −22.2‰ were found. These values are significantly more negative than those of vanilla extracts from traditional curing. Data suggest that the less negative δ13CV‐PDB values in traditional extracts are the result of an isotope discriminating degradation of vanillin in the traditional process. The 13C/12C ratios found for some vanilla beans and extracts prepared thereof were outside the reference data set used for authenticity control by IRMS. Because of the implication on vanilla authenticity judgment – although the δ13CV‐PDB data were measured by two independent methods – it is desirable that the experiments are repeated to confirm the results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Herceptin‐decorated salinomycin‐loaded nanoparticles for breast tumor targeting
Authors: Aydın R. Seda Tığlı
Published: October 2012

The use of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs was emerged as challenging for breast cancer therapy, because breast cancer stem cells cannot be destroyed due to their great nature of drug resistance. In this study, a novel nanoparticulate system of Herceptin (HER)‐immobilized salinomycin (SAL)‐encapsulated poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) (HER–SAL–PLGA) nanoparticles were constructed and investigated for breast cancer targeting. SAL‐encapsulated PLGA nanoparticles were characterized for their particle size, morphology, structural and thermal properties, and drug‐encapsulation efficiency. HER–SAL–PLGA nanoparticles were characterized via particle size, surface chemistry, and herceptin‐immobilization efficiency. In vitro release studies were performed for both nontargeting and targeting SAL–PLGA nanoparticles, which demonstrated a controlled release of SAL from nanoparticles. Cellular uptake of the HER–SAL–PLGA nanoparticles was assessed by fluorescence and optical microscopy and flow cytometry, which showed that the HER–SAL–PLGA nanoparticles were successfully uptaken by MCF7 cells. In conclusion, this novel drug‐delivery system, HER–SAL–PLGA, was suggested as a promising targeting system for breast cancer therapy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Influence of the sequence environment and properties of neighboring amino acids on amino‐acetylation: Relevance for structure‐function analysis
Authors: Iqbal Zeeshan , Hoessli Daniel C. , Kaleem Afshan , Munir Jawaria , Saleem Muhammad , Afzal Imran , Shakoori Abdul Rauf , Nasir‐ud‐Din
Published: October 2012

Proteins function is regulated by co‐translational modifications and post‐translational modifications (PTMs) such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, and acetylation, which induce proteins to perform multiple tasks in a specified environment. Acetylation takes place post‐translationally on the ε‐amino group of Lys in histone proteins, allowing regulation of gene expression. Furthermore, amino group acetylation also occurs co‐translationally on Ser, Thr, Gly, Met, and Ala, possibly contributing to the stability of proteins. In this work, the influence of amino acids next to acetylated sites has been investigated by using MAPRes (Mining Association Patterns among preferred amino acid residues in the vicinity of amino acids targeted for PTMs). MAPRes was utilized to examine the sequence patterns vicinal to modified and non‐modified residues, taking into account their charge and polarity. The PTMs data were further sub‐divided according to their sub‐cellular location (nuclear, mitochondrial, and cytoplasmic), and their association patterns were mined. The association patterns mined by MAPRes for acetylated and non‐acetylated residues are consistent with the existing literature but also revealed novel patterns. These rules have been utilized to describe the acetylation and its effects on the protein structure‐function relationship. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 874–887, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Growth factor transgenes interactively regulate articular chondrocytes
Authors: Shi Shuiliang , Mercer Scott , Eckert George J. , Trippel Stephen B.
Published: October 2012

Adult articular chondrocytes lack an effective repair response to correct damage from injury or osteoarthritis. Polypeptide growth factors that stimulate articular chondrocyte proliferation and cartilage matrix synthesis may augment this response. Gene transfer is a promising approach to delivering such factors. Multiple growth factor genes regulate these cell functions, but multiple growth factor gene transfer remains unexplored. We tested the hypothesis that multiple growth factor gene transfer selectively modulates articular chondrocyte proliferation and matrix synthesis. We tested the hypothesis by delivering combinations of the transgenes encoding insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I), fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF‐β1), bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2), and bone morphogenetic protien‐7 (BMP‐7) to articular chondrocytes and measured changes in the production of DNA, glycosaminoglycan, and collagen. The transgenes differentially regulated all these chondrocyte activities. In concert, the transgenes interacted to generate widely divergent responses from the cells. These interactions ranged from inhibitory to synergistic. The transgene pair encoding IGF‐I and FGF‐2 maximized cell proliferation. The three‐transgene group encoding IGF‐I, BMP‐2, and BMP‐7 maximized matrix production and also optimized the balance between cell proliferation and matrix production. These data demonstrate an approach to articular chondrocyte regulation that may be tailored to stimulate specific cell functions, and suggest that certain growth factor gene combinations have potential value for cell‐based articular cartilage repair. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 908–919, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stem cell‐based therapy for Huntington's disease
Authors: Maucksch Christof , Vazey Elena M. , Gordon Renee J. , Connor Bronwen
Published: October 2012

Huntington's disease (HD) is a late‐onset neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive loss of medium spiny neurons in the basal ganglia. The development of stem cell‐based therapies for HD aims to replace lost neurons and/or to prevent cell death. This review will discuss pre‐clinical studies which have utilized stem or progenitor cells for transplantation therapy using HD animal models. In several studies, neural stem and progenitor cells used as allotransplants and xenografts have been shown to be capable of surviving transplantation and differentiating into mature GABAergic neurons, resulting in behavioral improvements. Beneficial effects have also been reported for transplantation of stem cells derived from non‐neural tissue, for example, mesenchymal‐ and adipose‐derived stem cells, which have mainly been attributed to their secretion of growth and neurotrophic factors. Finally, we review studies using stem cells genetically engineered to over‐express defined neurotrophic factors. While these studies prove the potential of stem cells for transplantation therapy in HD, it also becomes clear that technical and ethical issues regarding the availability of stem cells must be solved before human trials can be conducted. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 754–763, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association between human parainfluenza virus type 1 and smoking history in patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Garrafa Emirena , Marengoni Alessandra , Nave Rosalba della , Caimi Luigi , Cervi Edoardo , Giulini Stefano Maria , Imberti Luisa , Bonardelli Stefano
Published: October 2012

Several studies have suggested that infectious agents may induce the development of abdominal aortic aneurysms and/or accelerate their progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of the respiratory‐transmitted viruses such as influenza A and B and parainfluenza type 1 genomes in bioptic fragments of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Furthermore, the association between viral infection and traditional risk factors for aneurysms was investigated employing multivariate logistic regression models. The genome of parainfluenza 1 was detected in 11 out of 57 patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm, influenza A only in one, whereas none of the specimens analyzed resulted positive for influenza B. After adjustment of age, gender, and clinical diagnosis, being current smokers was associated independently with parainfluenza 1 detection in aneurysms. The identification of parainfluenza 1 in aortic aneurysm biopsies supports previous observations of a possible role of viruses in the lesion development. Smoking, by interfering with the respiratory tract's ability to defend itself and predisposing to upper and lower respiratory tract infections may accelerate the onset and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms. J. Med. Virol. 85:99–104, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hepatitis C virus NS2 protease inhibits host cell antiviral response by inhibiting IKKε and TBK1 functions
Authors: Kaukinen Pasi , Sillanpää Maarit , Nousiainen Laura , Melén Krister , Julkunen Ilkka
Published: October 2012

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) encodes for several proteins that can interfere with host cell signaling and antiviral response. Previously, serine protease NS3/4A was shown to block host cell interferon (IFN) production by proteolytic cleavage of MAVS and TRIF, the adaptor molecules of the RIG‐I and TLR3 signaling pathways, respectively. This study shows that another HCV protease, NS2 can interfere efficiently with cytokine gene expression. NS2 and its proteolytically inactive mutant forms were able to inhibit type I and type III IFN, CCL5 and CXCL10 gene promoters activated by Sendai virus infection. However, the CXCL8 gene promoter was not inhibited by NS2. In addition, constitutively active RIG‐I (ΔRIG‐I), MAVS, TRIF, IKKε, and TBK1‐induced activation of IFN‐β promoter was inhibited by NS2. Cotransfection experiments with IKKε or TBK1 together with interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and HCV expression constructs revealed that NS2 in a dose‐dependent manner inhibited IKKε and especially TBK1‐induced IRF3 phosphorylation. GST pull‐down experiments with GST‐NS2 and in vitro‐translated and cell‐expressed IKKε and TBK1 demonstrated direct physical interactions of the kinases with NS2. Further evidence that the IKKε/TBK1 kinase complex is the target for NS2 was obtained from the observation that the constitutively active form of IRF3 (IRF3‐5D) activated readily IFN‐β promoter in the presence of NS2. The present study identified HCV NS2 as a potent interferon antagonist, and describes an explanation of how NS2 downregulates the major signaling pathways involved in the development of host innate antiviral responses. J. Med. Virol. 85:71–82, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dystrophin and utrophin “double knockout” dystrophic mice exhibit a spectrum of degenerative musculoskeletal abnormalities
Authors: Isaac Christian , Wright Adam , Usas Arvydas , Li Hongshuai , Tang Ying , Mu Xiaodong , Greco Nicholas , Dong Qing , Vo Nam , Kang James , Wang Bing , Huard Johnny
Published: October 2012

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a degenerative muscle disorder characterized by the lack of dystrophin expression at the sarcolemma of muscle fibers. In addition, DMD patients acquire osteopenia, fragility fractures, and scoliosis indicating that a deficiency in skeletal homeostasis coexists but little is known about the effects of DMD on bone and other connective tissues within the musculoskeletal system. Recent evidence has emerged implicating adult stem cell dysfunction in DMD myopathogenesis. Given the common mesenchymal origin of muscle and bone, we sought to investigate bone and other musculoskeletal tissues in a DMD mouse model. Here, we report that dystrophin–utrophin double knockout (dko) mice exhibit a spectrum of degenerative changes, outside skeletal muscle, in bone, articular cartilage, and intervertebral discs, in addition to reduced lifespan, muscle degeneration, spinal deformity, and cardiomyopathy previously reported. We also report these mice to have a reduced capacity for bone healing and exhibit spontaneous heterotopic ossification in the hind limb muscles. Therefore, we propose the dko mouse as a model for premature musculoskeletal aging and posit that a similar phenomenon may occur in patients with DMD. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 343–349, 2013
A solution to the Lane–Emden equation in the theory of stellar structure utilizing the Tau method
Authors: Taghavi A. , Pearce S.
Published: October 2012

In this paper, we propose a Tau method for solving the singular Lane–Emden equation—a nonlinear ordinary differential equation on a semi‐infinite interval. We applied collocation, Galerkin, and Tau methods for solving this problem, and according to the results, the solution of Tau method is the most accurate. The operational derivative and product matrices of the modified generalized Laguerre functions are presented. These matrices, in conjunction with the Tau method, are then utilized to reduce the solution of the Lane–Emden equation to that of a system of algebraic equations. We also present a comparison of this work with some well‐known results and show that the present solution is highly accurate. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
μ‐stability of impulsive differential systems with unbounded time‐varying delays and nonlinear perturbations
Authors: Wang Lei , Li Xiaodi
Published: October 2012

This paper is concerned with the problem of μ‐stability of impulsive differential systems with unbounded time‐varying delays and nonlinear perturbations. Some μ‐stability criteria, which depend on the range of distributed delay and the decay rate of discrete delay (not the range), are derived by using Lyapunov–Krasovski functional method. Those criteria are expressed in the form of linear matrix inequalities and they can easily be checked. Two numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the obtained results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A finite element‐based level set method for fluid–elastic solid interaction with surface tension
Authors: Pino Muñoz D. , Bruchon J. , Drapier S. , Valdivieso F.
Published: October 2012

A numerical method for simulating fluid–elastic solid interaction with surface tension is presented. A level set method is used to capture the interface between the solid bodies and the incompressible surrounding fluid, within an Eulerian approach. The mixed velocity–pressure variational formulation is established for the global coupled mechanical problem and discretized using a continuous linear approximation in both velocity and pressure. Three ways are investigated to reduce the spurious oscillations of the pressure that appear at the fluid–solid interface. First, two stabilized finite element methods are used: the MINI‐element and the algebraic subgrid method. Second, the surface integral corresponding to the surface tension term is treated either by the continuum surface force technique or by a surface local reconstruction algorithm. Finally, besides the direct evaluation method proposed by Bruchon et al., an alternative method is proposed to avoid the explicit computation of the surface curvature, which may be a source of difficulty. These different issues are addressed through various numerical examples, such as the two incompressible fluid flow, the elastic inclusion embedded into a Newtonian fluid, or the study of a granular packing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enrichment based multiscale modeling for thermo‐stress analysis of heterogeneous material
Authors: Macri Michael , Littlefield Andrew
Published: October 2012

This paper details a novel new multiscale technique for modeling heterogeneous materials undergoing substantial thermal stresses. The technique is based on an enriched partition of unity approach that incorporates the thermal effects occurring on the microstructure into the global model. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique by implementing it into both the standard finite element method and the octree partition of unity method (OctPUM). The results demonstrate that the technique has uniquely improved accuracy over the homogenization method conditional to the method into which it is implemented in. The multiscale technique, when implemented into either the standard finite element method or OctPUM, increases the accuracy of the strain energy calculation. When the multiscale technique is implemented into OctPUM, it also is able to capture the unique stress fields on the microstructure of the model. Published 2012. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
An adaptive time integration strategy based on displacement history curvature
Authors: Lages E.N. , Silveira E.S.S. , Cintra D.T. , Frery A.C.
Published: October 2012

This work introduces a time‐adaptive strategy that uses a refinement estimator on the basis of the first Frenet curvature. In dynamics, a time‐adaptive strategy is a mechanism that interactively proposes changes to the time step used in iterative methods of solution. These changes aim to improve the relation between quality of response and computational cost. The method here proposed is suitable for a variety of numerical time integration problems, for example, in the study of bodies subjected to dynamical loads. The motion equation in its space‐discrete form is used as reference to derive the formulation presented in this paper. Our method is contrasted with other ones based on local error estimator and apparent frequencies. We check the performance of our proposal when employed with the central difference, the explicit generalized‐ α and the Chung‐Lee integration methods. The proposed refinement estimator demands low computational resources, being easily applied to several direct integration methods. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A synthetic polypeptide conjugate from a 42‐residue polypeptide and salicylhydroxamic acid binds human myeloperoxidase with high affinity
Authors: Sun Xiaojiao , Yang Jie , Norberg Thomas , Baltzer Lars
Published: October 2012

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a 150 kD tetrameric heme protein consisting of two heavy chains and two light chains, which is present in neutrophils, white blood cells, at concentrations between 2% and 5% and plays an important role in the innate immune system. The MPO concentration in serum or plasma has been shown to be linked to the risk for cardiovascular diseases, and MPO is considered to be a high potential diagnostic biomarker. To develop a molecule that binds MPO, salicylhydroxamic acid (SHA), a substrate analog inhibitor of MPO with a KD = 2 μM, was conjugated to a designed set of 42‐residue polypeptide scaffolds via 9‐ and 11‐carbon atom aliphatic spacers to form 20 different protein binder candidates, and their interactions with MPO were evaluated by surface plasmon resonance analysis. The polypeptide conjugate 4C37L34C11SHA was found to bind to MPO with an affinity that could be estimated to have a dissociation constant of around 400 pM, nearly four orders of magnitude higher than that of SHA. Inhibition of binding to MPO by free SHA was observed in competition experiments demonstrating that the binding of the polypeptide conjugate is dominated by the interactions of SHA with the heme cavity. Although still in the future, the discovery of these new synthetic binders for MPO suggests a route to clinical diagnostic tests in vivo or in vitro, independent of antibodies. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction of polypeptide antibiotic gramicidin S with platelets
Authors: Hackl Ellen V. , Berest Vladimir P. , Gatash Sergey V.
Published: October 2012

Gramicidin S (GS) is a cyclic decapeptide antibiotic active against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria as well as against several pathogenic fungi. However, clinical application of GS is limited because of GS hemolytic activity. The large number of GS analogues with potentially attenuated hemolytic activity has been developed over the last two decades. For all new GS derivatives, the antimicrobial test is accompanied with the hemolytic activity assay. At the same time, neither GS nor its analogues were tested against other blood cells. In the present work, the effects of GS on platelets and platelet aggregates have been studied.

GS interaction with platelets is concentration dependent and leads either to platelet swelling or platelet shape change. Effect of GS on platelets is independent of platelet aggregation mechanism.

GS induces disaggregation of platelet aggregates formed in the presence of aggregation agonists. The rate of the GS interaction with platelet membranes depends on membrane lipid mobility and significantly increases with temperature. The interaction of GS with the platelet membranes depends strongly on the state of the membrane lipids. Factors affecting the membrane lipids (temperature, lipid peroxidation and ionising irradiation) modify GS interaction with platelets.

Our results show that GS is active not only against erythrocytes but also against other blood cells (platelets). The estimated numbers of GS molecules per 1 µm2 of a blood cell required to induce erythrocyte hemolysis and disaggregation of platelet aggregates are comparable. This must be considered when developing new antimicrobial GS analogues with improved hemolytic properties. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spin arrangements of the first family line groups
Authors: Lazić Nataša , Milivojević Marko , Damnjanović Milan
Published: October 2012

Magnetic properties of materials are, partly or in some cases completely, determined by the ground state spin arrangements. Their symmetry is, in some cases based on the magnetic groups, but this approach is incapable to include many classes of helimagnets, and a generalization of spin space groups was introduced. On the other hand, geometrical symmetries of regular quasi one‐dimensional systems, including various types of nanotubes, nanowires, or polymers, are gathered into line groups. Concerning magnetic order, it turns out that the atoms carrying spins in helimagnets usually single out quasi one‐dimensional substructure. Therefore spin line groups are necessary tool in description and classification, as well as deep understanding of properties of wide class of helimagnets. Here we derive spin groups associated to the first family line groups, and compare spin arrangements compatible with these and the corresponding magnetic groups. Presented theory is illustrated by several examples of quasi one‐dimensional helimagnets: cuprates, hexaferrites, etc.