bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sulforhodamine B interacts with albumin to lower surface tension and protect against ventilation injury of flooded alveoli
Authors: Kharge Angana Banerjee , Wu You , Perlman Carrie E.
Published: November 2014

In the acute respiratory distress syndrome, alveolar flooding by proteinaceous edema liquid impairs gas exchange. Mechanical ventilation is used as a supportive therapy. In regions of the edematous lung, alveolar flooding is heterogeneous, and stress is concentrated in aerated alveoli. Ventilation exacerbates stress concentrations and injuriously overexpands aerated alveoli. Injury degree is proportional to surface tension, T. Lowering T directly lessens injury. Furthermore, as heterogeneous flooding causes the stress concentrations, promoting equitable liquid distribution between alveoli should, indirectly, lessen injury. We present a new theoretical analysis suggesting that liquid is trapped in discrete alveoli by a pressure barrier that is proportional to T. Experimentally, we identify two rhodamine dyes, sulforhodamine B and rhodamine WT, as surface active in albumin solution and investigate whether the dyes lessen ventilation injury. In the isolated rat lung, we micropuncture a surface alveolus, instill albumin solution, and obtain an area with heterogeneous alveolar flooding. We demonstrate that rhodamine dye addition lowers T, reduces ventilation-induced injury, and facilitates liquid escape from flooded alveoli. In vitro we show that rhodamine dye is directly surface active in albumin solution. We identify sulforhodamine B as a potential new therapeutic agent for the treatment of the acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Guggulsterone, a Plant-Derived Inhibitor of NF-TB, Suppresses CDX2 and COX-2 Expression and Reduces the Viability of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Yamada Takanori , Osawa Satoshi , Ikuma Mutsuhiro , Kajimura Masayoshi , Sugimoto Mitsushige , Furuta Takahisa , Iwaizumi Moriya , Sugimoto Ken
Published: November 2014

Background/Aims: Induction by bile acid of caudal type homeobox 2 (CDX2) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression via nuclear factor-TB (NF-TB) activation is a critical event in the development of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Guggulsterone (GS) is a plant sterol that inhibits NF-TB activity. Here, we evaluated whether GS has either or both chemopreventive or therapeutic effects against EAC. Methods: Two EAC cells lines were treated with deoxycholic acid (DCA) in the presence of GS or vehicle. The levels of transcription and translation of ITBE, CDX2, and COX-2 were determined. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels, cell viability, and cell cycle distribution were assessed as well. Results: GS inhibited DCA-induced ITBE phosphorylation. GS and the NF-TB inhibitor BAY11-7085 suppressed DCA-induced CDX2 and COX-2 expression in EAC cells. GS also suppressed basal transcription levels of CDX2 and COX-2 and reduced constitutive synthesis of COX-2 and PGE2. Further, GS reduced the viability of EAC cells, increased their numbers in the apoptotic sub-G1 fraction. Conclusion: GS suppressed DCA-induced and NF-TB-dependent activation of CDX2 and COX-2 expression. Further, GS also reduced the viability of EAC cells. GS may serve as candidate for preventing and treating EAC and BE. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Resin Infiltration of Fissure Caries with Various Techniques of Pretreatment in vitro
Authors: Lausch Julian , Paris Sebastian , Selje Timo , Dörfer Christof E. , Meyer-Lueckel Hendrik
Published: November 2014

The resin infiltration technique might be used for occlusal caries lesions in order to arrest their progression. This in vitro study evaluated the influence of various modifications of the infiltration technique on the penetration abilities of the infiltrant into occlusal lesions. Extracted human molars and premolars (n = 140) with non-cavitated white spot lesions were randomly allocated to 7 groups. As control, specimens were etched with 15% hydrochloric acid (HCl) gel for 120 s and resin infiltrated for 180 s (Icon; DMG). As modification HCl gel reduced in surface tension and viscosity with and without abrasives was applied using 3 different types of brushes either to oscillate or rub the HCl gel onto the enamel surface. The median maximum lesion depth was 1,232 µm (interquartile range 882-1,513). Compared with the control procedure [23% (16/50)] a higher percentage penetration was observed if the HCl gel was mixed with a small amount of abrasives were rubbed into the fissures using a modified brush with stiff bristles that were adjusted to the fissure relief for either 120 s [100% (64/100)] or 30 s [98% (61/100); p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney test]. All other experimental treatments resulted in penetration results in-between. It can be concluded that the use of an abrasive HCl gel in conjunction with a modified brush mostly enhances resin infiltration into fissure caries lesions. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Thalidomide as Palliative Treatment in Patients with Advanced Secondary Glioblastoma
Authors: Hassler Marco Ronald , Sax Cornelia , Flechl Birgit , Ackerl Michael , Preusser Matthias , Hainfellner Johannes Andreas , Woehrer Adelheid , Dieckmann Karin Ute , Rössler Karl , Prayer Daniela , Marosi Christine
Published: November 2014

Background: For its numerous abilities including sedation, we have been using thalidomide (TH) as the ‘last therapeutic option' in patients with advanced gliomas. We noticed that a small subgroup, i.e. patients with secondary glioblastoma (GBM, whose GBM has evolved over several months or years from a less malignant glioma), survived for prolonged periods. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of patients with secondary GBM treated with TH at our centre. Patients and Methods: Starting in the year 2000, we have studied 23 patients (13 females, 10 males, with a median age of 31.5 years) with secondary GBM who have received palliative treatment with TH 100 mg at bedtime. All patients had previously undergone radiotherapy and received at least 1 and up to 5 regimens of chemotherapy. Results: The median duration of TH administration was 4.0 months (range 0.8-32). The median duration of overall survival after the start of TH therapy was 18.3 months (range 0.8-57). Eleven patients with secondary GBM survived longer than 1 year. Symptomatic improvement was most prominent in the restoration of a normal sleep pattern. Conclusion: The palliative effects of TH, especially the normalization of a sleep pattern, were highly valued by patients and families. The prolongation of survival of patients with secondary GBM has not been reported previously. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumor Arising from Ciliary Body Treated by Local Resection
Authors: Goto Hiroshi , Usui Yoshihiko , Nagao Toshitaka
Published: November 2014

Aims: Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a mesenchymal neoplasm originating from perivascular myoid cells. We report a case of PEComa arising from the ciliary body. Methods: Case report. Results: A 13-year-old girl was referred to our department with a clinical diagnosis of ciliary body melanoma in her right eye. Her visual acuity was 20/600 OD. Slit-lamp examination revealed a brown tumor behind the iris. The ocular fundus could not be observed due to a cataract. Ultrasonography depicted an oval mass approximately 10 mm in diameter at the ciliary body. The tumor was successfully treated by local resection, and the patient's visual acuity improved to 20/20. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of the excised tumor were compatible with the diagnosis of PEComa of the ciliary body. No local recurrence of the tumor was observed for over 4 years after surgery. Conclusion: A very rare case of PEComa of the ciliary body was successfully treated by local resection, with favorable visual outcome and no recurrence for several years. PEComa can be differentiated from other ciliary body tumors by immunohistochemical study. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Effects of Prostacyclin on Cerebral Blood Flow and Vasospasm After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Rasmussen Rune , Wetterslev Jørn , Stavngaard Trine , Juhler Marianne , Skjøth-Rasmussen Jane , Grände Per Olof , Olsen Niels Vidiendal
Published: November 2014

Background and Purpose—

Delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DINDs) are a major contributing factor for poor outcome in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage. In this trial, we investigated the therapeutic potential of prostacyclin, an endogen substance with known effect on vascular tone and blood flow regulation, on factors related to DIND.

Methods—

This trial is a single-center, randomized, blinded, clinical, pilot trial with 3 arms. Ninety patients were randomized to continuous infusion of prostacyclin 1 ng/kg per minute, prostacyclin 2 ng/kg per minute, or placebo. The intervention was initiated day 5 after subarachnoid hemorrhage and discontinued day 10. Primary outcome was the difference in change from baseline in global cerebral blood flow. Secondary outcome measures were occurrence of DIND, angiographic vasospasm, and clinical outcome at 3 months.

Results—

No statistically significant difference in change of global cerebral blood flow was found between the intervention groups. The observed incidence of DIND and angiographic vasospasm was markedly higher in the placebo group, although this difference was not statistically significant. No statistically significant differences in safety parameters or clinical outcome were found between the 3 groups.

Conclusions—

Administration of prostacyclin to patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage may be safe and feasible. Global cerebral blood flow after subarachnoid hemorrhage is not markedly affected by administration of prostacyclin in the tested dose range. It may be possible that the observed reduction in the point estimates of DIND and vasospasm in the prostacyclin groups represents an effect of prostacyclin as this trial was not powered to investigate the effect of prostacyclin on these outcomes.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01447095.
Old Habits, New Consequences: Pakistan's Posture toward Afghanistan since 2001
Authors: Nadiri Khalid Homayun
Published: November 2014

Since September 11, 2001, Pakistan has pursued seemingly incongruous courses of action in Afghanistan. It has participated in the U.S. and international intervention in Afghanistan at the same time as it has permitted much of the Afghan Taliban's political leadership and many of its military commanders to visit or reside in Pakistani urban centers. This incongruence is all the more puzzling in light of the expansion of indiscriminate and costly violence directed against Islamabad by Pakistani groups affiliated with the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan's policy is the result not only of its enduring rivalry with India but also of historically rooted domestic imbalances and antagonistic relations with successive governments in Afghanistan. Three critical features of the Pakistani political system—the militarized nature of foreign policy making, ties between military institutions and Islamist networks, and the more recent rise of grassroots violence—have contributed to Pakistan's accommodation of the Afghan Taliban. Additionally, mutual suspicion surrounding the contentious Afghanistan-Pakistan border and Islamabad's long record of interference in Afghan politics have continued to divide Kabul and Islamabad, diminishing the prospect of cooperation between the two capitals. These determinants of Pakistan's foreign policy behavior reveal the prospects of and obstacles to resolving the numerous issues of contention that characterize the Afghanistan-Pakistan relationship today.
On the Fullness of Salvation
Authors: Zorgdrager Heleen E.
Published: November 2014

This essay addresses the need for a fuller, more integral and embodied understanding of salvation in Protestant, especially Reformed theology. Specifically, it makes a case for retrieving the early Eastern Christian notion of theosis/deification for contemporary Reformed theology. After reviewing classical formulations of theosis and other notions of salvation in the broader Christian tradition, it considers conventional Reformed objections to theosis. Then it explores new directions in Calvin research indicated by Carl Mosser, J. Todd Billings, and Julie Canlis, as well as the constructive theology of incarnation presented by Wendy Farley, with a view to determining their potential to assist in this retrieval. In the end, the author formulates some ‘grammar rules’ for articulating theosis in a Reformed-ecumenical, gender-sensitive discourse.
Memory, Orality, and the Fourth Gospel
Authors: Porter Stanley E. , Ong Hughson T.
Published: November 2014

This article examines and responds to the arguments made by Paul Foster in a recent article in jshj regarding social-memory theory, orality, and the Fourth Gospel, where he argues that recent research in these areas are dead-ends for historical Jesus research. We do not necessarily wish to defend the research he criticizes, but we respond to Foster by pointing out some of the limitations in his analysis and provide further comments to move discussion of these research areas forward. Our comments address his assumption that form- and redaction-criticism accomplish the purposes that he envisions for historical Jesus research and a number of other problematic arguments he raises regarding each of these areas.
Memory, Orality, and the Fourth Gospel
Authors: Foster Paul
Published: November 2014

At the invitation of the editors, this article interacts with Stan Porter and Hughson Ong’s response to one of my previous articles that appeared in this journal. The original article critiqued the validity of three newer approaches now being applied to historical Jesus research. I am very grateful to Porter and Ong for their discussion and constructive response to that article. In large part, in this article I seek to more fully explain the reasons for the positions stated in the original article, or to clarify points where Porter and Ong have misunderstood my comments or attributed to me positions I do not hold. However, this article extends the earlier discussion by seeking to clarify the nature of the central concerns of historical Jesus research. I am delighted to have received such a detailed response that engages with my earlier work, and I thank Porter and Ong for engaging in this important conversation.
Reconstructing Syntactic Variation in Proto-Indo-European
Authors: Viti Carlotta
Published: November 2014

This paper discusses the problem of linguistic reconstruction in the Indo-European languages with particular attention to syntax. While many scholars consider syntactic reconstruction as being in principle impossible, other scholars simply apply to syntax the same tenets of the Comparative Method and of Internal Reconstruction, which were originally used in Indo-European studies for reconstructing phonology and morphology. Accordingly, it is assumed that synchronically anomalous syntactic structures are more ancient than productive syntactic constructions; the former are considered as being residues of an early stage of Proto-Indo-European, where they were also more regular and took part in a consistent syntactic system. Various hypotheses of Proto-Indo-European as a syntactically consistent language, which in the last years have witnessed resurgence, are here discussed and criticized. We argue that syntactic consistency is nowhere attested in the Indo-European languages, which in their earliest records rather document an amazing structural variation. Accordingly, we reconstruct Proto-Indo-European as an inconsistent syntactic system in the domains of word order, agreement, configurationality, and alignment, and we consider inconsistency and structural variation to be an original condition of languages. Moreover, we make some proposals for the appropriate use of typology in linguistic reconstruction, with some examples of what can or cannot be reconstructed in syntax.
Les « printemps arabes » au miroir du Ḥizb Allāh
Authors: Mazzucotelli Francesco
Published: November 2014

This essay analyzes how Ḥizb Allāh frames its reading of the ‘Arab Spring’ and the ongoing Syrian conflict within the lines of a global interpretation of regional politics. The Middle East is seen as the battleground between ‘the American-Zionist axis’ and its local proxies, on the one hand, and the ‘axis of opposition and rejection’ (al-mumānaʿah), on the other hand. According to Ḥizb Allāh’s thought, the Arab uprisings should be assessed according to the role that they can play in the ongoing conflict between the ‘logic of hegemony’ of the American-Israeli policies in the region and the ‘anti-imperialist resistance’. Therefore in this binary logic, the key element of evaluation is not democracy per se but the position of existing regimes and opposition movements vis-à-vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and theus-Israeli plans in the Region.
Morphology and ultrastructure of Hippodonta qinghainensis sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), a new diatom from Lake Qinghai, China
Authors: PENG YUMEI , RIOUAL PATRICK , LEVKOV ZLATKO , WILLIAMS DAVID M. , JIN ZHANGDONG
Published: November 2014

A new medium-sized species of Hippodonta (Bacillariophyceae) is described from Lake Qinghai, China. The morphology and ultrastructure of Hippodonta qinghainensis sp. nov. are described using light and scanning electron microscopy. This new species is compared with similar species of Hippodonta using conventional and geometric morphometric analyses. Hippodonta qinghainensis can be separated from the other species of Hippodonta by a unique combination of characters that include an elliptic-lanceolate to rhombic-lanceolate valve shape, non protracted apices, the absence of fascia, relatively coarse, uniseriate striae and the presence of two rows of lineolae around the valves apices.
Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Perioperative Complications and Hospital Outcomes After Ankle Arthrodesis and Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Schipper Oliver N. , Jiang Jimmy J. , Chen Lan , Koh Jason , Toolan Brian C.
Published: November 2014

Background:

The aim of this investigation was to analyze a nationally representative admissions database to evaluate the effect of diabetes mellitus on the rate of perioperative complications and hospitalization outcomes after ankle arthrodesis (AAD) and total ankle arthroplasty (TAA).

Methods:

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, 12 122 patients who underwent AAD and 2973 patients who underwent TAA were identified from 2002 to 2011 based on ICD-9 procedure codes. The perioperative complications and hospitalization outcomes were compared between diabetic and nondiabetic patients for each surgery during the index hospital stay.

Results:

The overall complication rate in the AAD group was 16.4% in diabetic patients and 7.0% in nondiabetic patients ( P < .001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that diabetes mellitus was independently associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (relative risk [RR] = 3.2, P = .008), urinary tract infection (RR = 4.6, P < .001), blood transfusion (RR = 3.0, P < .001), irrigation and debridement (RR = 1.9, P = .001), and overall complication rate (RR = 2.7, P < .001). Diabetes was also independently associated with a statistically significant increase in length of hospital stay (difference = 0.35 days, P < .001), more frequent nonhome discharge (RR = 1.69, P < .001), and higher hospitalization charges (difference = $1908, P = .04). The overall complication rate in the TAA group was 7.8% in diabetic patients and 4.7% in nondiabetic patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that diabetes was independently associated with increased risk of blood transfusion (RR = 9.8, P = .03) and overall complication rate (RR = 4.1, P = .02). Diabetes was also independently associated with a statistically significant increase in length of stay (difference = 0.41 days, P < .001) and more frequent nonhome discharge (RR = 1.88, P < .001), but there was no significant difference in hospitalization charges ( P = .64).

Conclusion:

After both AAD and TAA, diabetes mellitus was independently associated with a significantly increased risk of perioperative complications, nonhome discharge, and length of hospital stay during the index hospitalization.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, comparative series.
Approximation methods for solutions of generalized multi-valued mixed quasi-variational inclusion systems
Authors: Lan Heng-you , Li Fang , Abdou Afrah AN , Cho YJ
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this paper is to introduce new approximation methods for solutions of generalized non-accretive multi-valued mixed quasi-variational inclusion systems involving(A,η)-accretive mappings inq-uniformly smooth Banach spaces and, by using the new resolvent operator technique associated with(A,η)-accretive mappings, Nadler’s fixed point theorem and Liu’s inequality, we prove some existence theorems of solutions for our systems by constructing the new Mann iterative algorithm. Further, we study the stability of the iterative sequence generated by the perturbed iterative algorithms. The results presented in this paper improve and generalize the corresponding results of recent works given by some authors.
Predictive models for kidney disease: improving global outcomes (KDIGO) defined acute kidney injury in UK cardiac surgery
Authors: Birnie Kate , Verheyden Veerle , Pagano Domenico , Bhabra Moninder , Tilling Kate , Sterne Jonathan A , Murphy Gavin J
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) risk prediction scores are an objective and transparent means to enable cohort enrichment in clinical trials or to risk stratify patients preoperatively. Existing scores are limited in that they have been designed to predict only severe, or non-consensus AKI definitions and not less severe stages of AKI, which also have prognostic significance. The aim of this study was to develop and validate novel risk scores that could identify all patients at risk of AKI.

Methods

Prospective routinely collected clinical data (n = 30,854) were obtained from 3 UK cardiac surgical centres (Bristol, Birmingham and Wolverhampton). AKI was defined as per the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) Guidelines. The model was developed using the Bristol and Birmingham datasets, and externally validated using the Wolverhampton data. Model discrimination was estimated using the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Model calibration was assessed using the Hosmer–Lemeshow test and calibration plots. Diagnostic utility was also compared to existing scores.

Results

The risk prediction score for any stage AKI (AUC = 0.74 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.72, 0.76)) demonstrated better discrimination compared to the Euroscore and the Cleveland Clinic Score, and equivalent discrimination to the Mehta and Ng scores. The any stage AKI score demonstrated better calibration than the four comparison scores. A stage 3 AKI risk prediction score also demonstrated good discrimination (AUC = 0.78 (95% CI 0.75, 0.80)) as did the four comparison risk scores, but stage 3 AKI scores were less well calibrated.

Conclusions

This is the first risk score that accurately identifies patients at risk of any stage AKI. This score will be useful in the perioperative management of high risk patients as well as in clinical trial design.
The Harvest suite for rapid core-genome alignment and visualization of thousands of intraspecific microbial genomes
Authors: Treangen Todd J , Ondov Brian D , Koren Sergey , Phillippy Adam M
Published: November 2014

Whole-genome sequences are now available for many microbial species and clades, however existing whole-genome alignment methods are limited in their ability to perform sequence comparisons of multiple sequences simultaneously. Here we present the Harvest suite of core-genome alignment and visualization tools for the rapid and simultaneous analysis of thousands of intraspecific microbial strains. Harvest includes Parsnp, a fast core-genome multi-aligner, and Gingr, a dynamic visual platform. Together they provide interactive core-genome alignments, variant calls, recombination detection, and phylogenetic trees. Using simulated and real data we demonstrate that our approach exhibits unrivaled speed while maintaining the accuracy of existing methods. The Harvest suite is open-source and freely available from: http://github.com/marbl/harvest.
Macro- and micronutrient disposition in an ex vivo model of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Estensen Kristine , Shekar Kiran , Robins Elissa , McDonald Charles , Barnett Adrian G , Fraser John F
Published: November 2014

Background

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuits have been shown to sequester circulating blood compounds such as drugs based on their physicochemical properties. This study aimed to describe the disposition of macro- and micronutrients in simulated ECMO circuits.

Methods

Following baseline sampling, known quantities of macro- and micronutrients were injected post oxygenator into ex vivo ECMO circuits primed with the fresh human whole blood and maintained under standard physiologic conditions. Serial blood samples were then obtained at 1, 30 and 60 min and at 6, 12 and 24 h after the addition of nutrients, to measure the concentrations of study compounds using validated assays.

Results

Twenty-one samples were tested for thirty-one nutrient compounds. There were significant reductions (p < 0.05) in circuit concentrations of some amino acids [alanine (10%), arginine (95%), cysteine (14%), glutamine (25%) and isoleucine (7%)], vitamins [A (42%) and E (6%)] and glucose (42%) over 24 h. Significant increases in circuit concentrations (p < 0.05) were observed over time for many amino acids, zinc and vitamin C. There were no significant reductions in total proteins, triglycerides, total cholesterol, selenium, copper, manganese and vitamin D concentrations within the ECMO circuit over a 24-h period. No clear correlation could be established between physicochemical properties and circuit behaviour of tested nutrients.

Conclusions

Significant alterations in macro- and micronutrient concentrations were observed in this single-dose ex vivo circuit study. Most significantly, there is potential for circuit loss of essential amino acid isoleucine and lipid soluble vitamins (A and E) in the ECMO circuit, and the mechanisms for this need further exploration. While the reductions in glucose concentrations and an increase in other macro- and micronutrient concentrations probably reflect cellular metabolism and breakdown, the decrement in arginine and glutamine concentrations may be attributed to their enzymatic conversion to ornithine and glutamate, respectively. While the results are generally reassuring from a macronutrient perspective, prospective studies in clinical subjects are indicated to further evaluate the influence of ECMO circuit on micronutrient concentrations and clinical outcomes.
Purification of DP 6 to 8 chitooligosaccharides by nanofiltration from the prepared chitooligosaccharides syrup
Authors: Dong Huizhong , Wang Yaosong , Zhao Liming , Zhou Jiachun , Xia Quanming , Jiang Lihua , Fan Liqiang
Published: November 2014

Background

Chitooligosaccharides (COS) with degrees of polymerization (DP) 6 to 8 are degraded from chitosan, which possess excellent bioactivities. However, technologies that could purify them from hydrolysis mixtures in the narrow DP range (984 to 1,306 Da) are absent. The objective of this research is to purify DP 6 to 8 COS by nanofiltration on the basis of appropriate adjustments of the feed condition.

Methods

Syrup containing DP 6 to 8 COS at different concentrations (19.0 to 46.7 g/L) was prepared. A commercial membrane (QY-5-NF-1812) negatively charged was applied. Experiments were carried out in full recycle mode, so that the observed COS retentions were investigated at various transmembrane pressures (6.0 to 20.0 bar), temperatures (10°C to 50°C), and pHs (5.0 to 9.0). Then, the feasibility of separation of DP 6 to 8 COS was further studied by concentration ratio under optimum conditions.

Results

The results indicate that the purification of DP 6 to 8 COS by nanofiltration NF is feasible. It was found that the permeate flux was 95.0 L/(m2 h) at 10.0 bar, while it reached to 140.0 L/(m2 h) at 20.0 bar, and it increased with feed temperature, but the membrane pores were also swelled by heating and led to an irreversible wastage of target oligomers. Additionally, the retention behaviors of chitooligosaccharides are significantly influenced by pH.

Conclusions

Although glucosamine and dimer were permeatable at low pH, their retention ratios were remarkably varied from 0.458 to 0.864 when pH was 9.0. With the interaction of hydrogen bonds, structural curling and overlapping of chitooligosaccharides were formed. Consequently, the rejection of chitooligosaccharides at various pHs is variable. Spray-dried products were finally characterized by the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrum. The spectrum identified the distributions of hexamer, heptamer, and octamer. Combined with high-performance liquid chromatography profiles, the purity and yield of DP 6 to 8 chitooligosaccharides were up to 82.2% and 73.9%, respectively.
Regulation of CXCR2 expression and function by a disintegrin and metalloprotease-17 (ADAM17)
Authors: Mishra Hemant K , Long Chunmei , Bahaie Nooshin S , Walcheck Bruce
Published: November 2014

The chemokine receptor CXCR2 is expressed at high levels on circulating neutrophils and is critical for directing their migration to sites of inflammation. CXCR2 surface levels are rapidly modulated by 2 mechanisms—cell internalization and recycling upon ligand binding—and by a metalloprotease activity following overt neutrophil activation by nonligand stimuli. The latter process has only been described in human neutrophils, and essentially, nothing is known about its functional relevance and the specific protease involved. We show that targeting ADAM17 in mouse and human neutrophils blocks CXCR2 down-regulation induced by nonligand stimuli but not by chemokine ligands. This was determined by use of a selective ADAM17 inhibitor, an ADAM17 function-blocking antibody, and ADAM17 gene-targeted mice. CXCR2 is known to undergo a marked down-regulation during various inflammatory disorders, and this is associated with impaired neutrophil recruitment. We show that blocking ADAM17 activity reduced CXCR2 down-regulation on circulating neutrophils and enhanced their recruitment during acute inflammation, which was reversed by a CXCR2 inhibitor. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that unlike CXCR2 internalization, ADAM17 induction down-regulates the receptor in an irreversible manner and may serve as a master switch in controlling CXCR2 function, but may also contribute to neutrophil dysfunction during excessive inflammation.
Estradiol Modulation of Neurotrophin Receptor Expression in Female Mouse Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons In Vivo
Authors: Milne Michael R. , Haug Christopher A. , Ábrahám István M. , Kwakowsky Andrea
Published: November 2014

The neuroprotective effect of estradiol (E2) on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) has been suggested to occur as a result of E2 modulation of the neurotrophin system on these neurons. The present study provides a comprehensive examination of the relationship between E2 and neurotrophin signaling on BFCNs by investigating the effect of E2 deficiency on the expression levels of neurotrophin receptors (NRs), TrkA, TrkB, and p75 on BFCNs. The number of TrkA receptor-expressing choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons was significantly reduced in the medial septum (MS) in the absence of E2. A significant reduction in TrkB-expressing choline acetyltransferase-positive cells was also observed in ovariectomized mice in the MS and nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). p75 receptor expression was reduced in the NBM and striatum but not in the MS. We also showed that estrogen receptor (ER)-α was expressed by a small percentage of TrkA- and TrkB-positive neurons in the MS (12%) and NBM (19%) and by a high percentage of TrkB-positive neurons in the striatum (69%). Similarly, ERα was expressed at low levels by p75 neurons in the MS (6%) and NBM (9%) but was not expressed on striatal neurons. Finally, ERα knockout using neuron-specific estrogen receptor-α knockout transgenic mice abolished all E2-mediated changes in the NR expression on BFCNs. These results indicate that E2 differentially regulates NR expression on BFCNs, with effects depending on the NR type and neuroanatomical location, and also provide some evidence that alterations in the NR expression are, at least in part, mediated via ERα.
Muscle intermediate filaments form a stress-transmitting and stress- signaling network in muscle
Authors: Palmisano Michelle G. , Bremner Shannon N. , Hornberger Troy A. , Meyer Gretchen A. , Domenighetti Andrea A. , Shah Sameer B. , Kiss Balázs , Kellermayer Miklos , Ryan Allen F. , Lieber Richard L.
Published: November 2014

A fundamental requirement of cells is their ability to transduce and interpret their mechanical environment. This ability contributes to regulation of growth, differentiation and adaptation in many cell types. The intermediate filament (IF) system not only provides passive structural support to the cell, but recent evidence points to IF involvement in active biological processes such as signaling, mechanotransduction and gene regulation. However, the mechanisms that underlie these processes are not well known. Skeletal muscle cells provide a convenient system to understand IF function since the major muscle specific IF, desmin, is expressed in high abundance and is highly organized. Here we show that desmin plays both structural and regulatory roles in muscle cells by demonstrating that desmin is required for the maintenance of myofibrillar alignment, nuclear deformation, stress production and JNK-mediated stress sensing. Finite element modeling of the muscle IF system suggests that desmin immediately below the sarcolemma is the most functionally significant. This demonstration of biomechanical integration by the desmin IF system suggests that it plays an active biological role in muscle in addition to its accepted structural role.
N-terminal acetylation and replicative age affect proteasome localization and cell fitness during aging
Authors: van Deventer Sjoerd , Menendez-Benito Victoria , van Leeuwen Fred , Neefjes Jacques
Published: November 2014

Specific degradation of proteins is essential for virtually all cellular processes and carried out predominantly by the proteasome. The proteasome is important for clearance of damaged cellular proteins. Damaged proteins accumulate over time and excess damaged proteins may aggregate and induce death of old cells. In yeast, the localization of the proteasome changes dramatically during aging, possibly in response to altered proteasome activity requirements. We followed two key parameters of this process: the distribution of proteasomes in nuclear and cytosolic compartments and the formation of cytoplasmic aggregate-like structures called proteasome storage granules (PSGs). While replicative young cells efficiently relocalized proteasomes from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and formed PSGs, replicative old cells are less efficient in relocalizing the proteasome and show less PSG. By a microscopy-based genome-wide screen, we identified genetic factors involved in these processes. Both relocalization of the proteasome and PSG formation were affected by two of the three N-acetylation complexes. These N-acetylation complexes also had different effects on the longevity of cells, indicating that each N-acetylation complex has different roles in proteasome location and aging.
Nuclear pore targeting of the yeast Pom33 nucleoporin depends on karyopherin- and lipid-binding
Authors: Floch Aurélie G. , Tareste David , Fuchs Patrick , Chadrin Anne , Naciri Ikrame , Leger Thibaut , Schlenstedt Gabriel , Palancade Benoit , Doye Valérie
Published: November 2014

Pom33 is an integral membrane protein of the yeast nuclear pore complex (NPC), required for proper NPC distribution and assembly. To characterize Pom33 NPC-targeting determinants, we performed immunoprecipitation experiments followed by mass spectrometry analyses. This identified a novel Pom33 partner, the nuclear import factor Kap123. In vitro experiments revealed a direct interaction between Pom33 C-terminal domain (CTD) and Kap123. In silico analysis predicted the presence of two amphipathic α-helices within Pom33-CTD. Circular dichroism and liposome co-flotation assays showed that this domain is able to fold into α-helices in the presence of liposomes and preferentially binds to highly curved lipid membranes. When expressed in yeast, under conditions abolishing Pom33-CTD membrane association, this domain behaves as a Kap123-dependent nuclear localization signal (NLS). While deletion of Pom33 C-terminal domain (Pom33ΔCTD-GFP) impairs Pom33 stability and NPC targeting, mutants affecting either Kap123 binding or the amphipathic properties of the α-helices do not display any detectable defect. However, combined impairment of lipid and Kap123 binding affects Pom33 targeting to NPCs. These data highlight the requirement of multiple determinants and mechanisms for proper NPC localization of Pom33.
Flotillins in intercellular adhesion – from cellular physiology to human diseases
Authors: Bodin Stéphane , Planchon Damien , Rios Morris Eduardo , Comunale Franck , Gauthier-Rouvière Cécile
Published: November 2014

Flotillin 1 and 2 are ubiquitous and highly conserved proteins. They were initially discovered in 1997 as being associated with specific caveolin-independent cholesterol- and glycosphingolipid-enriched membrane microdomains and as being expressed during axon regeneration. Flotillins have a role in a large number of physiopathological processes, mainly through their function in membrane receptor clustering and in the regulation of clathrin-independent endocytosis. In this Commentary, we summarize the research performed so far on the role of flotillins in cell–cell adhesion. Recent studies have demonstrated that flotillins directly regulate the formation of cadherin complexes. Indeed, flotillin microdomains are required for the dynamic association and stabilization of cadherins at cell–cell junctions and also for cadherin signaling. Moreover, because flotillins regulate endocytosis and also the actin cytoskeleton, they could have an indirect role in the assembly and stabilization of cadherin complexes. Because it has also recently been shown that flotillins are overexpressed during neurodegenerative diseases and in human cancers, where their upregulation is associated with metastasis formation and poor prognosis, understanding to what extent flotillin upregulation participates in the development of such pathologies is thus of particular interest, as well as how, at the molecular level, it might affect cell adhesion processes.
Phosphorylation of CLIP-170 by LRRK1 regulates EGFR trafficking by promoting recruitment of p150Glued to MT plus-ends
Authors: Kedashiro Shin , Pastuhov Strahil I. , Nishioka Tomoki , Watanabe Takashi , Kaibuchi Kozo , Matsumoto Kunihiro , Hanafusa Hiroshi
Published: November 2014

Ligand-induced activation of the EGF receptor (EGFR) initiates trafficking events that relocalize the receptors from the cell surface to intracellular endocytic compartments. Early endosomes containing activated EGFR migrate along microtubules as they mature into late endosomes. We have recently shown that LRRK1, which is related to the familial Parkinsonism gene product Park8/LRRK2, regulates this EGFR transport in a manner dependent on LRRK1 kinase activity. However, the downstream targets of LRRK1 that may modulate this transport function have not been identified. Here, we identify CLIP-170, a microtubule plus-end protein, as a substrate of LRRK1. LRRK1 phosphorylates CLIP-170 at Thr-1384, located in its C-terminal zinc knuckle motif, and this promotes its association with dynactin–dynein complexes. We find that LRRK1 phosphorylation of CLIP-170 causes the accumulation of p150Glued, a subunit of dynactin, at microtubule plus-ends, thereby facilitating the migration of EGFR-containing endosomes. Thus, our findings provide new mechanistic insights into the dynein-driven transport of EGFR.
Selecting relevant nodes and structures in biological networks. BiNAT: a new plugin for Cytoscape
Authors: Cumbo Fabio , Felici Giovanni , Bertolazzi Paola
Published: November 2014

Summary: In order to understand a network function, it’s necessary the understanding of its topology, since the topology is designed to better undertake the function, and the efficiency of network function is influenced by its topology. For this reason, topological analysis of complex networks has been an intensely researched area in the last decade.

Results: Here we propose BiNAT, a Cytoscape [1] plugin able to perform network analysis, providing a full set of useful tools to discover the most significant nodes and structures in a network.

Conclusions: The plugin has been approved on the official Cytoscape plugins repository and it is downloadable directly from this site: http://dmb.iasi.cnr.it/binat.php where a full guide is also available.
Compartment-cluster modeling of uncertainties according to determinism
Authors: Бурыкин  , Burykin Yu. , Даянова  , Dayanova D. , Козупица  , Kozupitsa G. , Берестин  , Berestin D.
Published: November 2014

Transition from determinism to stochastic sand further to chaos (self-organization) in the study of biomechanical systems leads to the problem of chaotic dynamics modeling of a post- ural tremor. In general, there is a problem of identifying the voluntary human movements. In other words biophysics of complex systems has approached the global challenges of voluntary and involuntary performance of any motor functions. The possibility of modeling these processes qualitatively and quantitativelyisdiscussed. Specific models demonstrate the effectiveness of the compartment-cluster modeling of biosystems and possibilities of controlof such models from the neural networks of the brain. Comparative analysis of the simulated and real recorded signals has shown a high consistent dynamics of simulated and real signals of complex biological systems. In particular, changes in tremor parameters can be described by the change in quasi-attractors which essentially depend on the mental state of a person. In experiments it is shown in the form of sight effects, which are considered in the report as a test model on experimental data.
Marketplace or Reseller?
Authors: Hagiu Andrei , Wright Julian
Published: November 2014

Intermediaries can choose between functioning as a marketplace (in which suppliers sell their products directly to buyers) or as a reseller (by purchasing products from suppliers and selling them to buyers). We model this as a decision between whether control rights over a noncontractible decision variable (the choice of some marketing activity) are better held by suppliers (the marketplace mode) or by the intermediary (the reseller mode). Whether the marketplace or the reseller mode is preferred depends on whether independent suppliers or the intermediary have more important information relevant to the optimal tailoring of marketing activities for each specific product. We show that this trade-off is shifted toward the reseller mode when marketing activities create spillovers across products and when network effects lead to unfavorable expectations about supplier participation. If the reseller has a variable cost advantage (respectively, disadvantage) relative to the marketplace, then the trade-off is shifted toward the marketplace for long-tail (respectively, short-tail) products. We thus provide a theory of which products an intermediary should offer in each mode. We also provide some empirical evidence that supports our main results.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2042 .

This paper was accepted by Bruno Cassiman, business strategy.
‘The apotheosis of man, the forgotten peacock’
Authors: Takis
Published: November 2014

The interdisciplinary practice-based research project, ‘The apotheosis of man, the forgotten peacock; from deconstruction to reconstruction to re-proposal of the male suit’, through a series of workshops and an interactive performance installation, aims to challenge the persisting conventional tradition of designing and wearing the male suit, proposing alternative perspectives by researcher – performance designer. The investigation focuses on the tools and means of processing the male suit in practice. It explores how to overcome conventions, generate artistic ideas, and how to apply this to something wearable. This visual essay demonstrates how the outcomes of three workshops fed on the creation of the experimental research driven suits. In all the workshops the participants were set the task to create a series of male garments by questioning and reinterpreting the notion of the masculinity and by using concepts and methods representative of deconstruction. Every participant designed and made a male garment by recycling a male suit jacket. The first presented workshop took place in May 2007, at the University of the Arts Bucharest, Romania and the participants were the second-year fashion design students. The second took place in September 2013 at the ‘World Stage Design Exhibition’, as part of the ‘Costume in Action series – Upcycling Costume: DeReconstructing Masculinity’. The participants were a mixture of student and professional international performance designers. The final two pages demonstrate the Plus Series suits, based on the addition of design elements to the suit.
Uncovered – Performing everyday clothes
Authors: Penna Xristina
Published: November 2014

Uncovered is an interactive installation based on a simple yet complex performance system that uses the participants’ clothes as a springboard for devising material for the show ad hoc. Everyday clothes are performing in Uncovered and consist the material for the show. They are the objects that tranverse from a ‘silent existence’ to an ‘oral state’ open to appropriation (Barthes [1957] 2009: 131). Gaston Bachelard would argue that ‘immensity is an intimate dimension’ (Bachelard [1958] 1994: 194) and also that ‘immensity is a philosophical category of a daydream’ ([1958] 1994: 183). During an interview session the audience/participant encounters the projected image of one of his or her clothes and re-thinks, rejects, remembers, reflects, resists with this image. The artist makes a rough copy of the garment using white fabric while the sound designer picks up sound from the clothes and composes a short sound piece. The team of three (performer, sound designer and the artist) with the use of projection, live camera feed, sound, the body of the performer and the piece of clothing itself, present a two-minute improvisation to each one of the audience/participants. The audience are invited in an intimate space to daydream and reflect by looking at the image of one of their clothes. In this visual essay I will use the metaphor of zooming in the network-like-texture of a fabric in an attempt to communicate the experience of Uncovered: the layers and immense weaving of thoughts, emotions, memories that was triggered by the delimiting image of the participants’ clothes.