bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“The qebla of Jāmi is None Other than Tabriz”: ʿAbd al-Rahmān Jāmi and Naqshbandi Sufism at the Aq Qoyunlu Royal Court
Authors: Lingwood Chad G.
Published: December 2011

Abstract

This article addresses the possibility that members of the Naqshbandi Sufi order exerted a greater influence at the royal court of Yaʿqub b. Uzun Hasan, leader of the Aq Qoyunlu dynasty, than previously acknowledged. In order to substantiate this claim, the article cites contemporary and near-contemporary Persian sources, notably theTārikh-eʿālam-ārā-ye amini, theRowzāt al-jenān va jannāt al-janān, and theRashahāt-e ʿayn al-hayāt, each of which attests to the presence of Naqshbandis in the Aq Qoyunlu capital of Tabriz, and notes that the Naqshbandis most closely associated with Yaʿqub shared the distinction of being protégés of the classical Persian poet ʿAbd al-Rahmān Jāmi. In a related vein, the article suggests that it was Jāmi himself, inSalāmān o Absāl, and in a personal letter sent to Yaʿqub from his residence in Timurid Herat, who may have exerted the most significant Naqshbandi influence over the Aq Qoyunlu. The article therefore concludes that the existing historiography, which emphasizes the involvement of the Khalvati order in Aq Qoyunlu affairs, should be revised in order to recognize the probable influence of members of the Naqshbandi order, particularly Jāmi, at the Aq Qoyunlu court.
The Extinct Dialect of Tajrish: Caspian or Persian?
Authors: Borjian Habib
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Once spoken in the Alborz foothills north of Tehran, the vernacular of Shemirān and its administrative center Tajrish was greatly influenced by the Caspian languages spoken northward across the Alborz range, in its valleys and in the Caspian littoral. This study of Tajrishi draws on the texts collected by Valentin Zhukovskii in the 1880s as well as two recent documentations of smaller size. It reveals that Tajrishi and the adjoining vernaculars constitute the southernmost part of the Caspian-Persian linguistic transition zone in Central Alborz.
A Sidelight on Grotius in Paris
Authors: Toomer Gerald J.
Published: December 2011

This article consists of an annotated edition and translation of a previously unpublished Latin letter to G. J. Vossius from Christianus Ravius, refuting the accusation made by Johann Seyffert in his pamphlet attacking Grotius, Classicum Belli Sacri adversus Hugonem Grotium Papistam ([Amsterdam], 1642), that Grotius, while representative of the Swedish government in Paris, had advised Ravius to convert to Catholicism. The historical introduction outlines the details of and probable reasons for Seyffert's published attacks on Grotius, Grotius's attitude towards those attacks (as expressed in his correspondence), and the implications for his relationship with the Swedish government and Baron von Degenfeld, commander of the German Protestant mercenary soldiers in the service of the French crown. It also recounts what is known of Ravius's stay in Paris during which he met Grotius, and raises the question why Ravius delayed making a response to Seyffert until well after Grotius was dead.
Moist Static Energy Budget of MJO-like Disturbances in the Atmosphere of a Zonally Symmetric Aquaplanet
Authors: Andersen Joseph Allan , Kuang Zhiming
Published: December 2011

A Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO)-like spectral feature is observed in the time–space spectra of precipitation and column-integrated moist static energy (MSE) for a zonally symmetric aquaplanet simulated with Superparameterized Community Atmospheric Model (SPCAM). This disturbance possesses the basic structural and propagation features of the observed MJO.

To explore the processes involved in propagation and maintenance of this disturbance, this study analyzes the MSE budget of the disturbance. The authors observe that the disturbances propagate both eastward and poleward. The column-integrated longwave heating is the only significant source of column-integrated MSE acting to maintain the MJO-like anomaly balanced against the combination of column-integrated horizontal and vertical advection of MSE and latent heat flux. Eastward propagation of the MJO-like disturbance is associated with MSE generated by both column integrated horizontal and vertical advection of MSE, with the column longwave heating generating MSE that retards the propagation.

The contribution to the eastward propagation by the column-integrated horizontal advection of MSE is dominated by synoptic eddies. Further decomposition indicates that the advection contribution to the eastward propagation is dominated by meridional advection of MSE by anomalous synoptic eddies caused by the suppression of eddy activity ahead of the MJO convection. This suppression is linked to the barotropic conversion mechanism, with the gradients of the low-frequency wind experienced by the synoptic eddies within the MJO envelope acting to modulate the eddy kinetic energy. The meridional eddy advection’s contribution to poleward propagation is dominated by the mean state’s (meridionally varying) eddy activity acting on the anomalous MSE gradients associated with the MJO.
Improvement of corrosion performance of HVOF MMC coatings by laser surface treatment
Authors: Rakhes M , Koroleva E , Liu Z
Published: December 2011

In order to improve corrosion performance of T800 (Co–Mo–Cr–Si) and T800 based WC HVOF sprayed coatings, laser surface modification was carried out using a high power diode laser to eliminate/reduce the microstructral defects of the coatings by precise control of treatment depth with or without melting. Characterisation of the laser modified surfaces was conducted, in terms of microstructural morphology and phase analysis. Corrosion behaviours of the coatings before and after laser treatment were evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and immersion tests. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of the HVOF coatings can be improved as a result of laser densification of the coatings by elimination of discrete splat structure and porosity. However, the improvement of resistance to microgalvanic corrosion between the WC and Co matrix after laser treatment can be limited depending on the extent of melting occurred to the WC within the coatings.
Modification of fracture toughness parameter K1c following CO2 laser surface treatment of Si3N4 engineering ceramic
Authors: Shukla P P , Lawrence J
Published: December 2011

Surface treatment of a Si3N4 engineering ceramic assisted by a CO2 laser was conducted to identify changes in the fracture toughness parameter K1c. The K1c was determined by using a Vickers macrohardness indentation method before and after the CO2 laser surface treatment. Optical microscopy and infinite focus variation techniques were then adopted to measure the crack length and to investigate the surface morphology as well as the crack geometry within the engineering ceramic. Thereafter, computational and analytical methods were employed to calculate the K1c. Chemical analysis was further conducted to elucidate the change in composition as a result of the CO2 laser surface irradiation. The results showed that a decrease in the near surface hardness of 7 and 44% in the resulting crack lengths was found with the Si3N4 engineering ceramic following the CO2 laser surface treatment. This inherently led to an increase in the K1c. A rise in the K1c of 64% for the Si3N4 engineering ceramics was found (under the applied conditions) in comparison to the as received surface. This occurred due to the Si3N4 engineering ceramic being oxidised and further forming a new surface layer, which was somewhat softer than that of the as received or laser unaffected surface. Compositional analysis showed that the formation of the new surface layer as a result of the CO2 laser surface treatment was found to be SiO2.
CBL mutation in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia secondary to familial platelet disorder with propensity to develop acute myeloid leukemia (FPD/AML)
Authors: Shiba Norio , Hasegawa Daisuke , Park Myoung-ja , Murata Chisato , Sato-Otsubo Aiko , Ogawa Chitose , Manabe Atsushi , Arakawa Hirokazu , Ogawa Seishi , Hayashi Yasuhide
Published: December 2011

Familial platelet disorder with a propensity to develop acute myeloid leukemia (FPD/AML) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by thrombocytopenia, abnormal platelet function, and a propensity to develop myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and AML. So far, > 20 affected families have been reported. Recently, a second RUNX1 alteration has been reported; however, no additional molecular abnormalities have been found so far. We identified an acquired CBL mutation and 11q-acquired uniparental disomy (11q-aUPD) in a patient with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) secondary to FPD with RUNX1 mutation but not in the same patient during refractory cytopenia. This finding suggests that alterations of the CBL gene and RUNX1 gene may cooperate in the pathogenesis of CMML in patients with FPD/AML. The presence of CBL mutations and 11q-aUPD was an important “second hit” that could be an indicator of leukemic transformation of MDS or AML in patients with FPD/AML.
Classification of microarrays; synergistic effects between normalization, gene selection and machine learning
Authors: Önskog Jenny , Freyhult Eva , Landfors Mattias , Rydén Patrik , Hvidsten Torgeir R
Published: December 2011

Background

Machine learning is a powerful approach for describing and predicting classes in microarray data. Although several comparative studies have investigated the relative performance of various machine learning methods, these often do not account for the fact that performance (e.g. error rate) is a result of a series of analysis steps of which the most important are data normalization, gene selection and machine learning.

Results

In this study, we used seven previously published cancer-related microarray data sets to compare the effects on classification performance of five normalization methods, three gene selection methods with 21 different numbers of selected genes and eight machine learning methods. Performance in term of error rate was rigorously estimated by repeatedly employing a double cross validation approach. Since performance varies greatly between data sets, we devised an analysis method that first compares methods within individual data sets and then visualizes the comparisons across data sets. We discovered both well performing individual methods and synergies between different methods.

Conclusion

Support Vector Machines with a radial basis kernel, linear kernel or polynomial kernel of degree 2 all performed consistently well across data sets. We show that there is a synergistic relationship between these methods and gene selection based on the T-test and the selection of a relatively high number of genes. Also, we find that these methods benefit significantly from using normalized data, although it is hard to draw general conclusions about the relative performance of different normalization procedures.
Timing the origin of human malarias: the lemur puzzle
Authors: Pacheco M Andreína , Battistuzzi Fabia U , Junge Randall E , Cornejo Omar E , Williams Cathy V , Landau Irene , Rabetafika Lydia , Snounou Georges , Jones-Engel Lisa , Escalante Ananias A
Published: December 2011

Background

Timing the origin of human malarias has been a focus of great interest. Previous studies on the mitochondrial genome concluded that Plasmodium in primates, including those parasitic to humans, radiated relatively recently during a process where host switches were common. Those investigations, however, assumed constant rate of evolution and tightly bound (fixed) calibration points based on host fossils or host distribution. We investigate the effect of such assumptions using different molecular dating methods. We include parasites from Lemuroidea since their distribution provides an external validation to time estimates allowing us to disregard scenarios that cannot explain their introduction in Madagascar.

Results

We reject the assumption that the Plasmodium mitochondrial genome, as a unit or each gene separately, evolves at a constant rate. Our analyses show that Lemuroidea parasites are a monophyletic group that shares a common ancestor with all Catarrhini malarias except those related to P. falciparum. However, we found no evidence that this group of parasites branched with their hosts early in the evolution of primates. We applied relaxed clock methods and different calibrations points to explore the origin of primate malarias including those found in African apes. We showed that previous studies likely underestimated the origin of malarial parasites in primates.

Conclusions

The use of fossils from the host as absolute calibration and the assumption of a strict clock likely underestimate time when performing molecular dating analyses on malarial parasites. Indeed, by exploring different calibration points, we found that the time for the radiation of primate parasites may have taken place in the Eocene, a time consistent with the radiation of African anthropoids. The radiation of the four human parasite lineages was part of such events. The time frame estimated in this investigation, together with our phylogenetic analyses, made plausible a scenario where gorillas and humans acquired malaria from a Pan lineage.
Recombination hotspots and host susceptibility modulate the adaptive value of recombination during maize streak virus evolution
Authors: Monjane Adérito L , van der Walt Eric , Varsani Arvind , Rybicki Edward P , Martin Darren P
Published: December 2011

Background

Maize streak virus -strain A (MSV-A; Genus Mastrevirus, Family Geminiviridae), the maize-adapted strain of MSV that causes maize streak disease throughout sub-Saharan Africa, probably arose between 100 and 200 years ago via homologous recombination between two MSV strains adapted to wild grasses. MSV recombination experiments and analyses of natural MSV recombination patterns have revealed that this recombination event entailed the exchange of the movement protein - coat protein gene cassette, bounded by the two genomic regions most prone to recombination in mastrevirus genomes; the first surrounding the virion-strand origin of replication, and the second around the interface between the coat protein gene and the short intergenic region. Therefore, aside from the likely adaptive advantages presented by a modular exchange of this cassette, these specific breakpoints may have been largely predetermined by the underlying mechanisms of mastrevirus recombination. To investigate this hypothesis, we constructed artificial, low-fitness, reciprocal chimaeric MSV genomes using alternating genomic segments from two MSV strains; a grass-adapted MSV-B, and a maize-adapted MSV-A. Between them, each pair of reciprocal chimaeric genomes represented all of the genetic material required to reconstruct - via recombination - the highly maize-adapted MSV-A genotype, MSV-MatA. We then co-infected a selection of differentially MSV-resistant maize genotypes with pairs of reciprocal chimaeras to determine the efficiency with which recombination would give rise to high-fitness progeny genomes resembling MSV-MatA.

Results

Recombinants resembling MSV-MatA invariably arose in all of our experiments. However, the accuracy and efficiency with which the MSV-MatA genotype was recovered across all replicates of each experiment depended on the MSV susceptibility of the maize genotypes used and the precise positions - in relation to known recombination hotspots - of the breakpoints required to re-create MSV-MatA. Although the MSV-sensitive maize genotype gave rise to the greatest variety of recombinants, the measured fitness of each of these recombinants correlated with their similarity to MSV-MatA.

Conclusions

The mechanistic predispositions of different MSV genomic regions to recombination can strongly influence the accessibility of high-fitness MSV recombinants. The frequency with which the fittest recombinant MSV genomes arise also correlates directly with the escalating selection pressures imposed by increasingly MSV-resistant maize hosts.
High resolution melting analysis for the detection of EMS induced mutations in wheat Sbella genes
Authors: Botticella Ermelinda , Sestili Francesco , Hernandez-Lopez Antonio , Phillips Andrew , Lafiandra Domenico
Published: December 2011

Background

Manipulation of the amylose-amylopectin ratio in cereal starch has been identified as a major target for the production of starches with novel functional properties. In wheat, silencing of starch branching enzyme genes by a transgenic approach reportedly caused an increase of amylose content up to 70% of total starch, exhibiting novel and interesting nutritional characteristics.

In this work, the functionality of starch branching enzyme IIa (SBEIIa) has been targeted in bread wheat by TILLING. An EMS-mutagenised wheat population has been screened using High Resolution Melting of PCR products to identify functional SNPs in the three homoeologous genes encoding the target enzyme in the hexaploid genome.

Results

This analysis resulted in the identification of 56, 14 and 53 new allelic variants respectively for SBEIIa-A, SBEIIa-B and SBEIIa-D. The effects of the mutations on protein structure and functionality were evaluated by a bioinformatic approach. Two putative null alleles containing non-sense or splice site mutations were identified for each of the three homoeologous SBEIIa genes; qRT-PCR analysis showed a significant decrease of their gene expression and resulted in increased amylose content. Pyramiding of different single null homoeologous allowed to isolate double null mutants showing an increase of amylose content up to 21% compared to the control.

Conclusion

TILLING has successfully been used to generate novel alleles for SBEIIa genes known to control amylose content in wheat. Single and double null SBEIIa genotypes have been found to show a significant increase in amylose content.
Role of aldosterone on lung structural remodelling and right ventricular function in congestive heart failure
Authors: Chabot Andreanne , Jiang Bao Hua , Shi Yanfen , Tardif Jean-Claude , Dupuis Jocelyn
Published: December 2011

Background

The mechanisms of benefit of mineralocorticoid receptors antagonists in congestive heart failure (CHF) are still debated. We hypothesized that aldosterone contributes to pulmonary remodelling and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction associated with CHF by stimulation of lung myofibroblasts (MYFs) proliferation.

Methods

Rats with moderate to large myocardial infarcts (MI) and CHF were studied. Two weeks after MI, spironolactone 100 mg/kg/day (n = 21) or no treatment (n = 24) were given for 3 weeks and compared to sham (n = 8).

Results

Infarct size was similar by ultrasound and pathologic measures in both MI groups.

The MI-untreated group developed important lung remodelling with nearly doubling of dry lung weight (p < 0.01), reduced left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening (16 ± 2% vs. 53 ± 1%; mean ± SEM, p < 0.0001), pulmonary hypertension (RV systolic pressure: 40 ± 3 mmHg vs. 27 ± 1 mmHg, p < 0.01) and RV hypertrophy (RV/(LV + septum): 38 ± 3% vs. 24 ± 1%, p < 0.05). Spironolactone had no effect on these parameters and did not improve LV or RV performance (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and RV myocardial performance index) measured by echocardiography. CHF induced a restrictive respiratory syndrome with histological lung fibrosis: this was also unaffected by spironolactone. Finally, isolated lung MYFs did not proliferate after exposure to aldosterone.

Conclusion

Aldosterone does not significantly contribute to pulmonary remodelling and RV dysfunction associated with CHF. Other mechanisms are responsible for the beneficial effects of spironolactone in CHF.
Chromosomal aberrations and aneuploidy in oral potentially malignant lesions: distinctive features for tongue
Authors: Castagnola Patrizio , Malacarne Davide , Scaruffi Paola , Maffei Massimo , Donadini Alessandra , Di Nallo Emanuela , Coco Simona , Tonini Gian Paolo , Pentenero Monica , Gandolfo Sergio , Giaretti Walter
Published: December 2011

Background

The mucosae of the oral cavity are different at the histological level but appear all equally exposed to common genotoxic agents. As a result of this exposure, changes in the mucosal epithelia may develop giving rise to Oral Potentially Malignant Lesions (OPMLs), which with time may in turn progress to Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas (OSCCs). Therefore, much effort should be devoted to identify features able to predict the likeliness of progression associated with an OPML. Such features may be helpful in assisting the clinician to establish both appropriate therapies and follow-up schedules. Here, we report a pilot study that compared the occurrence of DNA aneuploidy and chromosomal copy number aberrations (CNAs) in the OPMLs from different oral anatomical subsites.

Methods

Samples from histologically diagnosed OPMLs were processed for high resolution DNA flow cytometry (hr DNA-FCM) in order to determine the relative DNA content expressed by the DNA index (DI). Additionally, array-Comparative Genomic Hybridization (a-CGH) analysis was performed on DNA obtained from diploid nuclei suspensions directly. When aneuploid nuclei were detected, these were physically separated from diploid nuclei on the base of their DI values by means of a DNA-FCM-Sorter in order to improve the a-CGH analysis.

Results

Tongue OPMLs were more frequently associated with DNA aneuploidy and CNAs than OPMLs arising from all the other mucosal subsites.

Conclusions

We suggest that the follow-up and the management of the patients with tongue OPMLs should receive a distinctive special attention. Clearly, this hypothesis should be validated in a prospective clinical study.
Pentoxifylline sensitizes human cervical tumor cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis by suppressing NF-kappa B and decreased cell senescence
Authors: Hernandez-Flores Georgina , Ortiz-Lazareno Pablo C , Lerma-Diaz Jose Manuel , Dominguez-Rodriguez Jorge R , Jave-Suarez Luis F , Aguilar-Lemarroy Adriana del C , de Celis-Carrillo Ruth , del Toro-Arreola Susana , Castellanos-Esparza Yessica C , Bravo-Cuellar Alejandro
Published: December 2011

Background

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common causes of cancer in women and represents an important mortality rate. Cisplatin (CIS) is a very important antitumoral agent and can lead tumor cells toward two important cellular states: apoptosis and senescence. In some types of cancers pentoxifylline (PTX) sensitizes these cells to the toxic action of chemotherapeutics drugs such as adriamycin, inducing apoptosis. In the present work, we studiedin vitrowhether PTX alone or in combination with CIS induces apoptosis and/or senescence in cervix cancer HeLa and SiHa cell lines infected with HPV types 16 and 18, respectively, as well as in immortalized keratinocytyes HaCaT cells.

Methods

HeLa (HPV 18+), SiHa (HPV 16+) cervix cancer cells and non-tumorigenic immortalized HaCaT cells (control) were treated with PTX, CIS or both. The cellular toxicity and survival fraction of PTX and CIS were determinate by WST-1 and clonogenic assays respectively. Apoptosis, caspase activation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, p65 (NF-κB), Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL anti-apoptotic proteins were determinated by flow cytometry. Senescence by microscopy. Phosphorylation of IκBα and IκB total were measured by ELISA. Pro-apoptotic, anti-apoptotic and senescence genes, as well as HPV-E6/7 mRNA expression, were detected by RT-PCR.

Results

Our results show that after 24 hours of incubation PTXper seis toxic for cancer cells affecting cell viability and inducing apoptosis. The toxicity in HaCaT cells was minimal. CIS induces apoptosis in HeLa and SiHa cells and its effect was significantly increases when the cells were treated with PTX + CIS. In all studies there was a direct correlation with levels of caspases (-3, -6, -7, -9 and -8) activity and apoptosis. CIS induces important levels of senescence and phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, p65/RELA, and IκBα, and decreased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-XL. Surprisingly these levels were significantly reduced by PTX in tumor cells, and at the same time, increases the expression of pro-apoptotic genes.

Conclusion

PTX sensitizes cervical cancer cells to CIS-induced apoptosis and decreases the CIS-induced senescence in these cells via inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway; diminishes expression of antiapoptotic proteins and the activation of caspases.
Tuberculosis and homelessness in Montreal: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tan de Bibiana Jason , Rossi Carmine , Rivest Paul , Zwerling Alice , Thibert Louise , McIntosh Fiona , Behr Marcel A , Menzies Dick , Schwartzman Kevin
Published: December 2011

Background

Montreal is Canada's second-largest city, where mean annual tuberculosis (TB) incidence from 1996 to 2007 was 8.9/100,000. The objectives of this study were to describe the epidemiology of TB among homeless persons in Montreal and assess patterns of transmission and sharing of key locations.

Methods

We reviewed demographic, clinical, and microbiologic data for all active TB cases reported in Montreal from 1996 to 2007 and identified persons who were homeless in the year prior to TB diagnosis. We genotyped all available Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates by IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism (IS6110-RFLP) and spoligotyping, and used a geographic information system to identify potential locations for transmission between persons with matching isolates.

Results

There were 20 cases of TB in homeless persons, out of 1823 total reported from 1996-2007. 17/20 were Canadian-born, including 5 Aboriginals. Homeless persons were more likely than non-homeless persons to have pulmonary TB (20/20), smear-positive disease (17/20, odds ratio (OR) = 5.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7-20), HIV co-infection (12/20, OR = 14, 95%CI: 4.8-40), and a history of substance use. The median duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was 61 days for homeless persons vs. 28 days for non-homeless persons (P = 0.022). Eleven homeless persons with TB belonged to genotype-defined clusters (OR = 5.4, 95%CI: 2.2-13), and ten potential locations for transmission were identified, including health care facilities, homeless shelters/drop-in centres, and an Aboriginal community centre.

Conclusions

TB cases among homeless persons in Montreal raise concerns about delayed diagnosis and ongoing local transmission.
Who wants a slimmer body? The relationship between body weight status, education level and body shape dissatisfaction among young adults in Hong Kong
Authors: Cheung Yee Tak Derek , Lee Antoinette Marie , Ho Sai Yin , Li Edmund Tsze Shing , Lam Tai Hing , Fan Susan Yun Sun , Yip Paul Siu Fai
Published: December 2011

Background

Body shape dissatisfaction has been thought to have an indispensable impact on weight control behaviors. We investigated the prevalence of body shape dissatisfaction (BSD) and explored its association with weight status, education level and other determinants among young adults in Hong Kong.

Methods

Information on anthropometry, BSD, and socio-demographics was collected from a random sample of 1205 young adults (611 men and 594 women) aged 18-27 in a community-based household survey. BSD was defined as a discrepancy between current and ideal body shape based on a figure rating scale. Cross-tabulations, homogeneity tests and logistic regression models were applied.

Results

The percentages of underweight men and women were 16.5% and 34.9% respectively, and the corresponding percentages of being overweight or obese were 26.7% and 13.2% for men and women respectively. Three-quarters of young adults had BSD. Among women, 30.9% of those underweight and 75.5% of those with normal weight desired a slimmer body shape. Overweight men and underweight women with lower education level were more likely to have a mismatch between weight status and BSD than those with higher education level. After controlling for other determinants, underweight women were found to have a higher likelihood to maintain their current body shapes than other women. Men were found to be less likely to have a mismatch between weight status and BSD than women.

Conclusions

Overweight and obesity in men and underweight in women were prevalent among Hong Kong young adults. Inappropriate body shape desire might predispose individuals to unhealthy weight loss or gain behaviors. Careful consideration of actual weight status in body shape desire is needed in health promotion and education, especially for underweight and normal weight women and those with a low education level.
Biological activities of histidine-rich peptides; merging biotechnology and nanomedicine
Authors: Ferrer-Miralles Neus , Corchero José Luis , Kumar Pradeep , Cedano Juan A , Gupta Kailash C , Villaverde Antonio , Vazquez Esther
Published: December 2011

Histidine-rich peptides are commonly used in recombinant protein production as purification tags, allowing the one-step affinity separation of the His-tagged proteins from the extracellular media or cell extracts. Genetic engineering makes feasible the post-purification His-tag removal by inserting, between the tag and the main protein body, a target site for trans-acting proteases or a self-proteolytic peptide with regulatable activities. However, for technical ease, His tags are often not removed and the fusion proteins eventually used in this form. In this commentary, we revise the powerful biological properties of histidine-rich peptides as endosomolytic agents and as architectonic tags in nanoparticle formation, for which they are exploited in drug delivery and other nanomedical applications. These activities, generally unknown to biotechnologists, can unwillingly modulate the functionality and biotechnological performance of recombinant proteins in which they remain trivially attached.
Down-regulation of DcR2 sensitizes androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis
Authors: Vindrieux David , Réveiller Marie , Chantepie Jacqueline , Yakoub Sadok , Deschildre Catherine , Ruffion Alain , Devonec Marian , Benahmed Mohamed , Grataroli Renée
Published: December 2011

Background

Dysregulation of many apoptotic related genes and androgens are critical in the development, progression, and treatment of prostate cancer. The differential sensitivity of tumour cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis can be mediated by the modulation of surface TRAIL receptor expression related to androgen concentration. Our previous results led to the hypothesis that downregulation of TRAIL-decoy receptor DcR2 expression following androgen deprivation would leave hormone sensitive normal prostate cells vulnerable to the cell death signal generated by TRAIL via its pro-apoptotic receptors. We tested this hypothesis under pathological conditions by exploring the regulation of TRAIL-induced apoptosis related to their death and decoy receptor expression, as also to hormonal concentrations in androgen-sensitive human prostate cancer, LNCaP, cells.

Results

In contrast to androgen-insensitive PC3 cells, decoy (DcR2) and death (DR5) receptor protein expression was correlated with hormone concentrations and TRAIL-induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells. Silencing of androgen-sensitive DcR2 protein expression by siRNA led to a significant increase in TRAIL-mediated apoptosis related to androgen concentration in LNCaP cells.

Conclusions

The data support the hypothesis that hormone modulation of DcR2 expression regulates TRAIL-induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells, giving insight into cell death induction in apoptosis-resistant hormone-sensitive tumour cells from prostate cancer. TRAIL action and DcR2 expression modulation are potentially of clinical value in advanced tumour treatment.
A novel technique for fetal heart rate estimation from Doppler ultrasound signal
Authors: Jezewski Janusz , Roj Dawid , Wrobel Janusz , Horoba Krzysztof
Published: December 2011

Background

The currently used fetal monitoring instrumentation that is based on Doppler ultrasound technique provides the fetal heart rate (FHR) signal with limited accuracy. It is particularly noticeable as significant decrease of clinically important feature - the variability of FHR signal. The aim of our work was to develop a novel efficient technique for processing of the ultrasound signal, which could estimate the cardiac cycle duration with accuracy comparable to a direct electrocardiography.

Methods

We have proposed a new technique which provides the true beat-to-beat values of the FHR signal through multiple measurement of a given cardiac cycle in the ultrasound signal. The method consists in three steps: the dynamic adjustment of autocorrelation window, the adaptive autocorrelation peak detection and determination of beat-to-beat intervals. The estimated fetal heart rate values and calculated indices describing variability of FHR, were compared to the reference data obtained from the direct fetal electrocardiogram, as well as to another method for FHR estimation.

Results

The results revealed that our method increases the accuracy in comparison to currently used fetal monitoring instrumentation, and thus enables to calculate reliable parameters describing the variability of FHR. Relating these results to the other method for FHR estimation we showed that in our approach a much lower number of measured cardiac cycles was rejected as being invalid.

Conclusions

The proposed method for fetal heart rate determination on a beat-to-beat basis offers a high accuracy of the heart interval measurement enabling reliable quantitative assessment of the FHR variability, at the same time reducing the number of invalid cardiac cycle measurements.
Antimutagenic and free radical scavenger effects of leaf extracts from Accacia salicina
Authors: Boubaker Jihed , Mansour Hedi Ben , Ghedira Kamel , Chekir-Ghedira Leila
Published: December 2011

Background

Three extracts were prepared from the leaves of Accacia salicina; ethyl acetate (EA), chloroform (Chl) and petroleum ether (PE) extracts and was designed to examine antimutagenic, antioxidant potenty and oxidative DNA damage protecting activity.

Methods

Antioxidant activity of A. salicina extracts was determined by the ability of each extract to protect against plasmid DNA strand scission induced by hydroxyl radicals. An assay for the ability of these extracts to prevent mutations induced by various oxidants in Salmonella typhimurium TA102 and TA 104 strains was conducted. In addition, nonenzymatic methods were employed to evaluate anti-oxidative effects of tested extracts.

Results

These extracts from leaf parts of A. salicina showed no mutagenicity either with or without the metabolic enzyme preparation (S9). The highest protections against methylmethanesulfonate induced mutagenicity were observed with all extracts and especially chloroform extract. This extract exhibited the highest inhibitiory level of the Ames response induced by the indirect mutagen 2- aminoanthracene. All extracts exhibited the highest ability to protect plasmid DNA against hydroxyl radicals induced DNA damages. The ethyl acetate (EA) and chloroform (Chl) extracts showed with high TEAC values radical of 0.95 and 0.81 mM respectively, against the ABTS.+.

Conclusion

The present study revealed the antimutagenic and antioxidant potenty of plant extract from Accacia salicina leaves.
Drowning - a scientometric analysis and data acquisition of a constant global problem employing density equalizing mapping and scientometric benchmarking procedures
Authors: Groneberg David A , Schilling Ute , Scutaru Cristian , Uibel Stefanie , Zitnik Simona , Mueller Daniel , Klingelhoefer Doris , Kloft Beatrix
Published: December 2011

Background

Drowning is a constant global problem which claims approximately half a million victims worldwide each year, whereas the number of near-drowning victims is considerably higher. Public health strategies to reduce the burden of death are still limited. While research activities in the subject drowning grow constantly, yet there is no scientometric evaluation of the existing literature at the present time.

Methods

The current study uses classical bibliometric tools and visualizing techniques such as density equalizing mapping to analyse and evaluate the scientific research in the field of drowning. The interpretation of the achieved results is also implemented in the context of the data collection of the WHO.

Results

All studies related to drowning and listed in the ISI-Web of Science database since 1900 were identified using the search term "drowning". Implementing bibliometric methods, a constant increase in quantitative markers such as number of publications per state, publication language or collaborations as well as qualitative markers such as citations were observed for research in the field of drowning. The combination with density equalizing mapping exposed different global patterns for research productivity and the total number of drowning deaths and drowning rates respectively. Chart techniques were used to illustrate bi- and multilateral research cooperation.

Conclusions

The present study provides the first scientometric approach that visualizes research activity on the subject of drowning. It can be assumed that the scientific approach to this topic will achieve even greater dimensions because of its continuing actuality.
Endurance exercise is a leptin signaling mimetic in hypothalamus of Wistar rats
Authors: Zhao Jiexiu , Tian Ye , Xu Jincheng , Liu Dongsen , Wang Xiaofang , Zhao Binxiu
Published: December 2011

Background

Endurance exercise is known to promote a substantial effect on the energy balance in rats and humans. However, little is known about the exact mechanisms for the appetite-suppressive effects of endurance exercise. We hypothesized that endurance training might activate signaling cascades in the hypothalamus known to be involved in leptin signaling.

Methods

16 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups: sedentary (n = 8) and exercise groups (n = 8). Animals in the exercise group started treadmill running at 30 m/min, 0% grade, for 1 min/bout. Running time was gradually increased by 2 min/bout every day. The training plan was one bout per day during initial two weeks, and two bouts per day during 3rd-9th week. At the end of nine-week experiment, blood was analyzed for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), free fatty acid (FFA), interleukin (IL)-6, and leptin in both groups. Activations of janus kinase 2-signaling transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2-STAT3), protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular regulated kninase (ERKs), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in hypothalamus were measured in the end of nine weeks of exercise protocol.

Results

Nine-week endurance exercise induced lower concentrations of LDL-C, TG, TC, FFA, and leptin in rats (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Nine-week endurance exercise significantly increased the circulating IL-6 concentration compared with sedentary group (239.6 ± 37.2 pg/ml vs. 151.8 ± 31.5 pg/ml, P < 0.01). Exercise rats showed significant increases in JAK2, STAT3, Akt, ERKs, and SOCS3 phosphorylations compared with sedentary rats (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The data suggest that endurance exercise is a leptin signaling mimetic in hypothalamus of Wistar rats.
Optical characterisation of silicon nanocrystals embedded in SiO2/Si3N4 hybrid matrix for third generation photovoltaics
Authors: Di Dawei , Xu Heli , Perez-Wurfl Ivan , Green Martin A , Conibeer Gavin
Published: December 2011

Silicon nanocrystals with an average size of approximately 4 nm dispersed in SiO2/Si3N4 hybrid matrix have been synthesised by magnetron sputtering followed by a high-temperature anneal. To gain understanding of the photon absorption and emission mechanisms of this material, several samples are characterised optically via spectroscopy and photoluminescence measurements. The values of optical band gap are extracted from interference-minimised absorption and luminescence spectra. Measurement results suggest that these nanocrystals exhibit transitions of both direct and indirect types. Possible mechanisms of absorption and emission as well as an estimation of exciton binding energy are also discussed.
An inexpensive method of small paraffin tissue microarrays using mechanical pencil tips
Authors: Shebl Abdelhadi M , Zalata Khaled R , Amin Maha M , El-Hawary Amira K
Published: December 2011

Background

Tissue microarray technology has provided a high throughput means of evaluating potential biomarkers in archival pathological specimens. This study was carried out in order to produce tissue microarray blocks using mechanical pencil tips without high cost.

Method

Conventional mechanical pencil tips (Rotring Tikky II Mechanical Pencil 1.0 mm) were used to cut out 1 mm wax cylinders from the recipient block, creating from 36 to 72 holes. Three cores of tumor areas were punched out manually by using the mechanical pencil tips from donor paraffin embedded tissue blocks and transferred to the holes of the paraffin tissue microarrays.

Results

This technique was easy and caused little damage to the donor blocks. We successfully performed H&E slides and immunodetection without substantial tissue cylinder loss.

Conclusion

Our mechanical pencil tip technique is the most inexpensive easy technique among the literature. It also takes a reasonable amount of time and reduces antibody consumption during immunohistochemistry
Universal endogenous gene controls for bisulphite conversion in analysis of plant DNA methylation
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Chongnan , Long Yan , Hopkins Clare , Kurup Smita , Liu Kede , King Graham J , Meng Jinling
Published: December 2011

Accurate analysis of DNA methylation by bisulphite sequencing depends on the complete conversion of all cytosines into uracil. Until now there has been no standard or universal gene identified as an endogenous control to monitor the conversion frequency in plants. Here, we report the development of PCR based assays for one nuclear gene IND (INDEHISCENT) and two mitochondrial genes, NAD (NICOTINAMIDE ADENINE DINUCLEOTIDE) and ATP1 (ATPase SUBUNIT 1). We demonstrated their efficacy as bisulphite conversion controls in Brassica and other plant taxa. The target regions amplified by four primer pairs were found to be consistently free from DNA methylation. Primer pairs for IND.a and NAD were effective within Brassica species, whereas two primer pairs for ATP1 provided reliable controls across a representative range of dicot and monocot angiosperm species. These primer sets may therefore be adopted as controls in plant methylation analysis for a wide range of studies.
Animal models for investigating chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Aghdassi Alexander A , Mayerle Julia , Christochowitz Sandra , Weiss Frank U , Sendler Matthias , Lerch Markus M
Published: December 2011

Chronic pancreatitis is defined as a continuous or recurrent inflammatory disease of the pancreas characterized by progressive and irreversible morphological changes. It typically causes pain and permanent impairment of pancreatic function. In chronic pancreatitis areas of focal necrosis are followed by perilobular and intralobular fibrosis of the parenchyma, by stone formation in the pancreatic duct, calcifications in the parenchyma as well as the formation of pseudocysts. Late in the course of the disease a progressive loss of endocrine and exocrine function occurs. Despite advances in understanding the pathogenesis no causal treatment for chronic pancreatitis is presently available. Thus, there is a need for well characterized animal models for further investigations that allow translation to the human situation. This review summarizes existing experimental models and distinguishes them according to the type of pathological stimulus used for induction of pancreatitis. There is a special focus on pancreatic duct ligation, repetitive overstimulation with caerulein and chronic alcohol feeding. Secondly, attention is drawn to genetic models that have recently been generated and which mimic features of chronic pancreatitis in man. Each technique will be supplemented with data on the pathophysiological background of the model and their limitations will be discussed.
Is plasma calcium concentration implicated in the development of critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy?
Authors: Anastasopoulos Dimitri , Kefaliakos Antonios , Michalopoulos Argyris
Published: December 2011

Introduction

This prospective study investigated whether plasma ionized calcium concentration abnormalities and other electrolyte disturbances represent risk factors for the development of critical illness polyneuromyopathy (CIPNM) in ICU patients.

Methods

One hundred and ninety consecutive adult critically ill patients with prolonged ICU stay (longer than 7 days) were prospectively evaluated. Patients with acute weakness and/or weaning difficulties were subjected to extensive electrophysiological measurements in order to establish the diagnosis of CIPNM. All recognized and/or possible risk factors for development of CIPNM were recorded.

Results

The diagnosis of CIPNM was confirmed in 40 patients (21.05%). By applying a logistic regression model, hypocalcemia (P = 0.02), hypercalcemia (P = 0.01) and septic shock (P = 0.04) were independently associated with the development of CIPNM in critically ill patients.

Conclusions

We found that septic shock and abnormal fluctuations of plasma Ca2+ concentration represent significant risk factors for the development of CIPNM in critically ill patients.
Effects of probiotics on serum levels of Th1/Th2 cytokine and clinical outcomes in severe traumatic brain-injured patients: a prospective randomized pilot study
Authors: Tan Min , Zhu Jing-Ci , Du Jiang , Zhang Li-Mei , Yin Hua-Hua
Published: December 2011

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with a profound immunological dysfunction manifested by a severe shift from T-helper type 1 (Th1) to T-helper type 2 (Th2) response. This predisposes patients to infections, sepsis, and adverse outcomes. Probiotic bacteria have been shown to balance the Th1/Th2 cytokines in allergic murine models and patients. For the present study, we hypothesized that the enteral administration of probiotics would adjust the Th1/Th2 imbalance and improve clinical outcomes in TBI patients.

Methods

We designed a prospective, randomized, single-blind study. Patients with severe TBI and Glasgow Coma Scale scores between 5 and 8 were included, resulting in 26 patients in the control group and 26 patients in the probiotic group. All patients received enteral nutrition via a nasogastric tube within 24 to 48 hours following admission. In addition, the probiotic group received 109 bacteria of viable probiotics per day for 21 days. The associated serum levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, nosocomial infections, length of ICU stay, and 28-day mortality rate were studied.

Results

The patients responded to viable probiotics, and showed a significantly higher increase in serum IL-12p70 and IFNγ levels while also experiencing a dramatic decrease in IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations. APACHE II and SOFA scores were not significantly affected by probiotic treatment. Patients in the probiotic group experienced a decreased incidence of nosocomial infections towards the end of the study. Shorter ICU stays were also observed among patients treated with probiotic therapy. However, the 28-day mortality rate was unaffected.

Conclusions

The present study showed that daily prophylactic administration of probiotics could attenuate the deviated Th1/Th2 response induced by severe TBI, and could result in a decreased nosocomial infection rate, especially in the late period.

Trial registration

ChiCTR-TRC-10000835.