bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corporate conceptions of triple bottom line reporting: an empirical analysis into the signs and symbols driving this fashionable framework
Authors: Sridhar Kaushik
Published: July 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical analysis that examines the semiotics of triple bottom line (TBL) and how it has been developed since its inception in the early 1990s.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted over a period of nine months, during which semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 40 organizations around the world that were considered to be organizations having best practices in non‐financial reporting. The key interviewees were managers and heads of the sustainability departments within the organization.

Findings

This study has attempted using semiotics and coding to show parallel themes within how organizations perceive TBL. The codes of language, compliance, integration and limitations provide symbolic attempts by which sustainability managers create and communicate the perception of “corporate sustainability” through TBL reporting in order to satisfy external pressures and stakeholders. A semiotic analysis of TBL has shown that these four codes or concepts do in fact have a common interpretive scheme.

Research limitations/implications

The non‐financial reporting process or TBL reporting process tend to be conducted and developed by a sustainability team within an organization, rather than just by an individual. The interviews conducted in this research paper are with the head of the sustainability departments at each organization and hence this is a potential limitation in terms of understanding the semiotic powers of TBL.

Originality/value

While the codes explained in this paper do not show the entire culture and views on non‐financial reporting, they do capture a major aspect of it through the eyes of TBL and provide examples of how semiotics can be used to study and map the systems of meaning employed by members of a certain occupational setting. Having a semiotic view provides many conclusions about the study of an organizational culture or framework.
Adipocyte chemerin release is induced by insulin without being translated to higher levels in vivo
Authors: Bauer Sabrina , Bala Margarita , Kopp Andrea , Eisinger Kristina , Schmid Andreas , Schneider Sylvia , Neumeier Markus , Buechler Christa
Published: July 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (11): 1213–1220

Background  Chemerin is an adipokine that regulates insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Prolonged hyperinsulinaemia is associated with higher systemic chemerin, and insulin induces adipose tissue chemerin release. These findings led us to hypothesize that systemic chemerin may be associated with post‐prandial glucose metabolism and/or may even be induced after oral glucose load. Therefore, the effect of insulin on adipocyte chemerin levels and systemic chemerin in mice was analysed. Further, systemic levels of chemerin after oral glucose load in nondiabetic individuals were studied.

Design and methods  Chemerin levels were determined in adipocytes after short‐term and long‐term treatment with insulin. Effects of acute hyperinsulinaemia were studied in mice. Chemerin was measured during oral glucose tolerance test in 66 healthy, nondiabetic individuals stratified for established body mass index categories.

Results  Insulin induces chemerin release from adipocytes within 24 h, while cellular levels are not affected. Short‐term hyperinsulinaemia also upregulates adipocyte chemerin in vitro but has no effect on adipose tissue and chemerin serum levels of mice. Systemic chemerin is higher in overweight/obese than normal‐weight controls and positively correlates with total cholesterol. Chemerin is not associated with markers of insulin sensitivity like fasting glucose or insulin. Fasting chemerin levels are similar to concentrations measured 1 and 2 h after oral glucose uptake in overweight and obese donors.

Conclusions  Post‐prandial hyperinsulinaemia does not contribute to higher chemerin levels in nondiabetic individuals.
Rapid degradation of pyrogenic carbon
Authors: Zimmermann Michael , Bird Michael I. , Wurster Christopher , Saiz Gustavo , Goodrick Iain , Barta Jiri , Capek Petr , Santruckova Hana , Smernik Ronald
Published: July 2012

Pyrogenic carbon (PC‐ charcoal, biochar or black carbon) represents a poorly understood component of the global carbon (C) cycle, but one that has considerable potential to mitigate climate change through provision of long‐term soil C sequestration. Mass balance calculations suggest global PC production and stocks are not in balance, indicating a major gap in our understanding of the processes by which PC is re‐mineralized. We collected PC samples derived from the same wood material and exposed to natural environmental conditions for 1 and 11 years. We subjected these materials to repeated laboratory incubation studies at temperatures of up to 60 °C, as ground surface temperatures above 30 °C and up to 60 °C occur regularly over a significant area of the tropics and sub‐tropics. Mineralization rates were not different for the two samples and followed an exponential Arrhenius function that suggest an average turnover time of 67 years for conditions typical of a tropical savannah environment. Microbial biomass as measured by chloroform fumigation and DNA extractions was the same for the two samples, but abiotic CO2 production was lower for the fresh PC sample than that for the aged sample. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, hydrogen pyrolysis and scanning electron microscopy demonstrate that the measured CO2 production originates dominantly from polycyclic aromatic compounds rather than any minor labile components. Therefore, rapid, sub‐centennial rates of re‐mineralization of PC on the soil surface in tropical and sub‐tropical environments may represent a major and hitherto unidentified mechanism for balancing the PC production at the global scale.
Spatial Vote Redistribution in Redrawn Polling Units
Authors: Pavía Jose M. , López-Quílez Antonio
Published: July 2012

A large proportion of electoral analyses using geography are performed on a small area basis. In each new election there are always modifications to the previously existing polling units. The use of past voting results in small area aggregate data electoral forecasting models and political analyses therefore requires establishing a correspondence between old and new polling units. Traditionally, the task of tracking changes to assign an electoral history to the new units properly has been carried out by hand, comparing unit codes and census figures. This is an extremely cumbersome task that cannot always be performed, as when a massive (geographically intense) reorganization of polling unit boundaries takes place. Nowadays, however, assisted by the increasing availability of geographical data, this chore could be easily automated and even improved with the help of spatial statistical software. The paper suggests several methods for allocating votes by using geographical information systems tools and shows the effectiveness of spatial strategies. These approaches will permit electoral pollsters and forecasters to solve the issue efficiently and to apply the most successful electoral forecasting techniques that are currently in use and will help electoral geographers with the problem of comparing spatial aggregate electoral data from different elections. The relevance of the analysis, nevertheless, goes beyond electoral data, as the reallocation of data from one set of administrative units onto another arises in many applications. The geometric approach is proposed as a natural substitute for the classical approach and three additional approaches (centroid, surface and compositional) are also suggested, exploiting the spatial patterns that electoral outcomes display. The relative performance of the various methods is assessed in three real data instances. The results suggest that the surface approach, which obtains past voting outcomes in each polling unit by averaging their vote proportion interpolations, is the most suitable procedure.
High levels of Mn2+ inhibit secretory pathway Ca2+/Mn2+‐ATPase (SPCA) activity and cause Golgi fragmentation in neurons and glia
Authors: Sepúlveda M. Rosario , Wuytack Frank , Mata Ana M.
Published: July 2012

Excess Mn2+ in humans causes a neurological disorder known as manganism, which shares symptoms with Parkinson's disease. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying Mn2+‐neurotoxicity and the involvement of Mn2+‐transporters in cellular homeostasis and repair are poorly understood and require further investigation. In this work, we have analyzed the effect of Mn2+ on neurons and glia from mice in primary cultures. Mn2+ overload compromised survival of both cell types, specifically affecting cellular integrity and Golgi organization, where the secretory pathway Ca2+/Mn2+‐ATPase is localized. This ATP‐driven Mn2+ transporter might take part in Mn2+ accumulation/detoxification at low loads of Mn2+, but its ATPase activity is inhibited at high concentration of Mn2+. Glial cells appear to be significantly more resistant to this toxicity than neurons and their presence in cocultures provided some protection to neurons against degeneration induced by Mn2+. Interestingly, the Mn2+ toxicity was partially reversed upon Mn2+ removal by wash out or by the addition of EDTA as a chelating agent, in particular in glial cells. These studies provide data on Mn2+ neurotoxicity and may contribute to explore new therapeutic approaches for reducing Mn2+ poisoning.
Cholesterol metabolism is associated with soluble amyloid precursor protein production in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Popp Julius , Lewczuk Piotr , Kölsch Heike , Meichsner Sabrina , Maier Wolfgang , Kornhuber Johannes , Jessen Frank , Lütjohann Dieter
Published: July 2012

Disturbances of the cholesterol metabolism are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk and related cerebral pathology. Experimental studies found changing levels of cholesterol and its metabolites 24S‐hydroxycholesterol (24S‐OHC) and 27‐hydroxycholesterol (27‐OHC) to contribute to amyloidogenesis by increasing the production of soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the CSF and circulating cholesterol 24S‐OHC and 27‐OHC, and the sAPP production as measured by CSF concentrations of sAPP forms in humans. The plasma and the CSF concentrations of cholesterol, 24S‐OHC and 27‐OHC, and the CSF concentrations of sAPPα, sAPPβ, and Aß1‐42 were assessed in subjects with AD and controls with normal cognition. In multivariate regression tests including age, gender, albumin ratio, and apolipoprotein E (APOE)ε4 status CSF cholesterol, 24S‐OHC, and 27‐OHC independently predicted the concentrations of sAPPα and sAPPβ. The associations remained significant when analyses were separately performed in the AD group. Furthermore, plasma 27‐OHC concentrations were associated with the CSF sAPP levels. The results suggest that high CSF concentrations of cholesterol, 24S‐OHC, and 27‐OHC are associated with increased production of both sAPP forms in AD.
Sarcoidosis – a clinically orientated review
Authors: Dastoori Mahmoud , Fedele Stefano , Leao Jair C. , Porter Stephen R.
Published: July 2012

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown cause. Sarcoidosis can affect all individuals with any race, sex, or age but commonly affects young‐ and middle‐aged adults and usually presents with bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, pulmonary infiltration, skin and ocular lesions. Other organs can also be affected. Diagnosis is established when clinical and radiological findings are supported by the presence of non‐caseating epithelioid cell granulomas, however, local sarcoid reactions and granulomas of known cause should be excluded. The optimal management has not been well defined yet, although corticosteroids remain the mainstay of treatment, there is little evidence on which to base the indications for treatment including dosage and duration of therapy. Certain clinical features are helpful in the prognosis of the condition that can vary from a self‐limiting course to progressive life‐threatening fibrosis of the vital organs.
Alterations in the immunoexpression of galectins‐1, ‐3 and ‐7 between different grades of oral epithelial dysplasia
Authors: de Vasconcelos Carvalho Marianne , Pereira Joabe dos Santos , Alves Pollianna Muniz , Silveira Ericka Janine Dantas da , de Souza Lélia Batista , Queiroz Lélia Maria Guedes
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) is a potentially malignant lesion characterized by a combination of cytological and architectural anomalies, which are essential for its diagnosis. Galectins are proteins that participate in cell cycle, adhesion and differentiation, apoptosis, and immune responses, as well as in cancer development and progression.

Materials and methods

The aim of this study was to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of galectins‐1, ‐3, and ‐7 in the OED (21 low risk and 29 high risk) and normal oral mucosa (NOM). The binary grading system was used.

Results

Galectin‐1 was expressed in the middle/lower third in most OED cases. Nuclear/cytoplasmic staining was observed in most low‐risk and high‐risk OEDs. All cases of NOM were negative for galectin‐1. Galectin‐3 was expressed in the middle/lower third in most low‐risk cases. Nuclear/cytoplasmic staining was noted in most low‐risk and high‐risk OEDs. Middle/lower third and in membrane staining was detected in four cases of NOM for galectin‐3. Galectin‐7 was expressed in the upper/middle third in most of OED cases. Nuclear/cytoplasmic staining predominated in low‐risk and high‐risk OEDs. Galectin‐7 was detected in four cases of NOM, all of them presenting staining in the upper/middle third and in the membrane.

Conclusion

The differences in the immunoexpression of galactin‐1, ‐3, and ‐7 between different grades of OEDs suggest the involvement of this protein in the progression of dysplasias.
Triclosan alters antimicrobial and inflammatory responses of epithelial cells
Authors: Wallet MA , Calderon NL , Alonso TR , Choe CS , Catalfamo DL , Lalane CJ , Neiva KG , Panagakos F , Wallet SM
Published: July 2012

Periodontal diseases are a class of pathologies wherein oral microbes induce harmful immune responses in a susceptible host. Therefore, an agent that can both reduce microbial burden and lessen pathogenesis of localized inflammation would have beneficial effects in periodontal disease; 2,4,4‐trichloro‐2‐hydroxydiphenyl‐ether [triclosan] is currently used in oral care products owing to broad spectrum antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory properties.

Objective

To determine effects of triclosan on the response of oral epithelial cells to stimulation with the inflammatory microbial product lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a ligand for toll‐like receptor 4 [TLR4].

Materials/Methods

Primary human oral epithelial cells were stimulated with LPS in the presence and/or absence of triclosan after which expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, β‐defensins, micro‐RNAs [miRNAs], or TLR‐signaling pathway proteins were evaluated.

Results

Here, we demonstrate that triclosan is a potent inhibitor of oral epithelial cell LPS‐induced pro‐inflammatory responses by inducing miRNA regulation of the TLR‐signaling pathway. Triclosan was not a pan‐suppresser of oral epithelial cell responses as β‐defensin 2 [βD2] and βD3 were upregulated by triclosan following LPS‐stimulation.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate both a novel antimicrobial mechanism by which triclosan improves plaque control and an additional anti‐inflammatory property, which could have beneficial effects in periodontal disease resolution.
Electric Field Analysis of Simultaneous Evaluation of Crack on an Inner Pipe Surface and Pipe Wall Thickness Using Direct-Current Potential Difference Method of Multiple-Probe Type
Authors: Tada Naoya , Uchida Makoto
Published: July 2012

The direct-current potential difference method (DC-PDM) is a promising nondestructive technique for evaluating cracks in the conductors on the basis of change in current paths or the potential difference due to cracks. In a previous study, the authors proposed a method for the simultaneous evaluation of the location and size of a semi-elliptical crack on the back surface of a plate and the plate thickness. Its theoretical validity and practical utility were shown by numerical analyses and experiments. This study extends the method to the simultaneous evaluation of a crack on the inner surface of a pipe and the pipe wall thickness. The related electric field analyses are performed using the finite element method. The results show that the location, length, and depth of a semi-elliptical crack on the inner surface of the pipe and the pipe wall thickness can be evaluated based on the distribution of the potential difference measured on the outer surface of the pipe. This extension will prove useful for various practical cases, which are often seen in the piping of power-generating and petrochemical plants.
Surface Stress Effect on the Vibrational Response of Circular Nanoplates With Various Edge Supports
Authors: Ansari R. , Gholami R. , Faghih Shojaei M. , Mohammadi V. , Sahmani S.
Published: July 2012

The classical continuum theory cannot be directly used to describe the behavior of nanostructures because of their size-dependent attribute. Surface stress effect is one of the most important size dependencies of structures at this submicron size, which is due to the high surface to volume ratio of nanoscale domain. In the present study, the nonclassical governing differential equation together with corresponding boundary conditions are derived using Hamilton's principle, into which the surface energies are incorporated through the Gurtin-Murdoch elasticity theory. The model developed herein contains intrinsic length scales to take the size effect into account and is used to analyze the free vibration response of circular nanoplates including surface stress effect. The generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method is employed to discretize the governing size-dependent differential equation along with simply supported and clamped boundary conditions. The classical and nonclassical frequencies of circular nanoplates with various edge supports and thicknesses are calculated and are compared to each other. It is found that the influence of surface stress can be different for various circumferential mode numbers, boundary conditions, plate thicknesses, and surface elastic constants.
Inactivation of the
ybdD
Gene in Lactococcus lactis Increases the Amounts of Exported Proteins
Authors: Morello E. , Nouaille S. , Cortes-Perez N. G. , Blugeon S. , Medina L. F. C. , Azevedo V. , Gratadoux J. J. , Bermï¿½dez-Humarï¿½n L. G. , Le Loir Y. , Langella P.
Published: July 2012

Random insertional mutagenesis performed on a
Lactococcus lactis
reporter strain led us to identify
L. lactis ybdD
as a protein-overproducing mutant. In different expression contexts, the
ybdD
mutant shows increased levels of exported proteins and therefore constitutes a new and attractive heterologous protein production host. This study also highlights the importance of unknown regulatory processes that play a role during protein secretion.
Genome Sequences for Six Rhodanobacter Strains, Isolated from Soils and the Terrestrial Subsurface, with Variable Denitrification Capabilities
Authors: Kostka Joel E. , Green Stefan J. , Rishishwar Lavanya , Prakash Om , Katz Lee S. , Mariño-Ramírez Leonardo , Jordan I. King , Munk Christine , Ivanova Natalia , Mikhailova Natalia , Watson David B. , Brown Steven D. , Palumbo Anthony V. , Brooks Scott C.
Published: July 2012

We report the first genome sequences for six strains of
Rhodanobacter
species isolated from a variety of soil and subsurface environments. Three of these strains are capable of complete denitrification and three others are not. However, all six strains contain most of the genes required for the respiration of nitrate to gaseous nitrogen. The nondenitrifying members of the genus lack only the gene for nitrate reduction, the first step in the full denitrification pathway. The data suggest that the environmental role of bacteria from the genus
Rhodanobacter
should be reevaluated.
Genome Sequence of the Antarctic Psychrophile Bacterium Planococcus antarcticus DSM 14505
Authors: Margolles Abelardo , Gueimonde Miguel , Sánchez Borja
Published: July 2012

Planococcus antarcticus
DSM 14505 is a psychrophile bacterium that was isolated from cyanobacterial mat samples, originally collected from ponds in McMurdo, Antarctica. This orange-pigmented bacterium grows at 4°C and may possess interesting enzymatic activities at low temperatures. Here we report the first genomic sequence of
P. antarcticus
DSM 14505.
Post-mortem analysis of bone marrow osteoclasts using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining: does histochemistry work and correlate with time since death?
Authors: Boehm Joachim , Schmidt Ulrike , Porsche Michéle , Veeck Juergen , Schaefer Hans-Eckart
Published: July 2012

Aims

In bone marrow (BM) biopsies, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining represents the gold standard for the characterisation of osteoclasts. TRAP is one of the few enzymes that is histochemically detectable on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. This study investigated whether TRAP is also able to visualise BM osteoclasts in autopsy tissue. It was hypothesised that, due to a progressive loss of enzymatic activity in osteoclasts post-mortem, TRAP staining could allow the time of death of a patient to be determined.

Methods

TRAP-stained BM slides of 96 cases including 51 pathology and 23 forensic autopsies and 22 biopsies were histologically evaluated and their staining intensity (SI) semi-quantitatively graded. In the autopsy cases, the results were correlated with the post-mortem interval (PMI, time span in days between death and autopsy).

Results

TRAP staining intensities (TRAP-SIs) did not differ between men and women and showed a steady decrease with age. TRAP-SIs were significantly stronger in biopsies than in autopsy cases. Among the autopsies, TRAP-SIs were highly variable and not dependent on PMI, except for three forensic cases with PMI ≥7 days which showed a complete loss of TRAP stainability. On the whole, the TRAP-SIs of pathology and forensic cases did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

This study clearly shows that BM osteoclasts stay TRAP-positive for 7 days post-mortem, although with markedly reduced TRAP-SIs compared with biopsies. Since TRAP-SIs were not correlated with the duration of PMI, TRAP staining of BM osteoclasts cannot serve as a tool to determine the time of death of a patient.
Association between microalbuminuria and subclinical atherosclerosis evaluated by carotid artery intima-media in elderly patients with normal renal function
Authors: Kong XiangLei , Jia XiaoYan , Wei Yong , Cui MeiYu , Wang ZunSong , Tang LiJun , Li WenBin , Zhu ZhuXian , Chen Ping , Xu DongMei
Published: July 2012

Background

Moderate to severe renal insufficiency and albuminuria have been shown to be independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, little is known about the direct association between subclinical atherosclerosis evaluated by carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and microalbuminuria in elderly patients with normal renal function.

Methods

Subjects were 272 elderly patients (age  ≥ 60 years) with normoalbuminuria (n = 238) and microalbuminuria (n = 34). Carotid IMT was measured by means of high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 was defined as normal renal function. Those who had macroalbuminuria and atherosclerotic vascular disease were not included.

Results

Compared to subjects with normoalbuminuria, subjects with microalbuminuria had higher mean carotid IMT (1.02 ± 0.38 vs. 0.85 ± 0.28 mm; P < 0.01) and maximal IMT (1.86 ± 0.86 vs. 1.60 ± 0.73 mm; P = 0.06). By a multiple linear regression, microalbuminuria positively correlated with mean carotid IMT after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors including age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, total cholesterol, pulse pressure, waist circumference, serum uric acid. As a categorical outcome, the prevalence of the highest mean cariotid IMT quartile (increased IMT ≥ 1.05 mm) was compared with the lower three quartiles. After adjusted for potential confounders, microalbuminuria was associated with increased carotid IMT, with an odds ratio of 2.95 [95 % confidence interval, 1.22 – 7.10]. eGFR was not significantly associated with mean carotid IMT in our analysis.

Conclusions

A slight elevation of albuminuria is a significant determinant of carotid IMT independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors in our patients. Our study further confirms the importance of intensive examinations for the early detection of atherosclerosis when microalbuminuria is found in elderly patients, although with normal renal function.
Prenatal management and perinatal outcome in giant placental chorioangioma complicated with hydrops fetalis, fetal anemia and maternal mirror syndrome
Authors: García-Díaz Lutgardo , Carreto Práxedes , Costa-Pereira Susana , Antiñolo Guillermo
Published: July 2012

Background

Giant placental chorioangiomas have been associated with a number of severe fetal complications and high perinatal mortality.

Case presentation

We report a case of giant chorioangioma with fetal hydrops, additionally complicated by severe anemia, mild cardiomegaly with hyperdinamic heart circulation and maternal mirror syndrome. Intrauterine blood transfusion and amniodrainage was performed at 29 weeks. Worsening of the fetal and maternal condition prompted us to proceed with delivery at 29 + 5 weeks. The newborn died 3 hours later due to pulmonary hypoplasia and hemodynamic failure. Maternal course was favourable, mirror syndrome resolved in the second day and the patient was discharged four days following delivery.

Conclusions

In the case described here, fetal condition got worse despite of the anemia correction and amniodrainage. Our outcome raises the issue whether additional intrauterine clinical intervention, as intersticial laser, should have been performed to stop further deterioration of the fetal condition when progressive severe hydrops develops.
International collaborative project to compare and track the nutritional composition of fast foods
Authors:   The Food Monitoring Group
Published: July 2012

Background

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of premature death and disability in the world with over-nutrition a primary cause of diet-related ill health. Excess quantities of energy, saturated fat, sugar and salt derived from fast foods contribute importantly to this disease burden. Our objective is to collate and compare nutrient composition data for fast foods as a means of supporting improvements in product formulation.

Methods/design

Surveys of fast foods will be done in each participating country each year. Information on the nutrient composition for each product will be sought either through direct chemical analysis, from fast food companies, in-store materials or from company websites. Foods will be categorized into major groups for the primary analyses which will compare mean levels of saturated fat, sugar, sodium, energy and serving size at baseline and over time. Countries currently involved include Australia, New Zealand, France, UK, USA, India, Spain, China and Canada, with more anticipated to follow.

Discussion

This collaborative approach to the collation and sharing of data will enable low-cost tracking of fast food composition around the world. This project represents a significant step forward in the objective and transparent monitoring of industry and government commitments to improve the quality of fast foods.
Molecular epidemiology of drug resistance markers of Plasmodium falciparum in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Huang Fang , Tang Linhua , Yang Henglin , Zhou Shuisen , Liu Hui , Li Junwei , Guo Shaohua
Published: July 2012

Background

The mutations in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt), multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1), dihydrofolate reductase (pfdhfr), dihydropteroate synthase (pfdhps) and ATPase (pfatp6) genes were associated with anti-malaria drug resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of polymorphisms in pfcrt, pfmdr1, pfdhfr, pfdhps and pfatp6 in Yunnan Province. Finger-prick blood samples were collected from malaria-positive patients from Yunnan Province in 2009-2010. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the resistance-related genes were analysed by various PCR-based methods.

Results

A total of 108 blood samples were collected. Although chloroquine has not been used to treat falciparum malaria for nearly 30 years, 95.3% of the parasites still carried the pfcrt K76T mutation, whereas the majority of isolates displayed the wild-type pfmdr1 N86 and D1246 sequences. The molecular level of sulphadoxine–pyrimethamine resistance in P. falciparum was high. The most prevalent mutation was pfdhfr C59R (95.9%), whereas the frequencies of the quadruple, triple and double mutants were 22.7% (N51I/C59R/S108N/I164L), 51.5% (N51I/C59R/S108N, N51I/C59R/I164L and C59R/S108N/ I164L) and 21.6% (N51I/ C59R, C59R/S108N and C59R/I164L), respectively. A437G (n = 77) and K540E (n = 71) were the most prevalent mutations in pfdhps, and 52.7% of the samples were double mutants, among which A437G/K540E was the most common double mutation (37/49). Quadruple mutants were found in 28.0% (26/93) of samples. A total of 8.6% of isolates (8/93) carried the S436A/A437G/A581G triple mutation. No mutations were found in pfatp6 codons 623 or 769, but another two mutations (N683K and R756K) were found in 4.6% (3/97) and 9.2% (6/97) of parasite isolates, respectively.

Conclusions

This study identified a high frequency of mutations in pfcrt, pfdhfr and pfdhps associated with CQ and SP resistance in P. falciparum and no mutations linked to artemisinin resistance (pfatp6). Molecular epidemiology should be included in routine surveillance protocols and used to provide complementary information to assess the appropriateness of the current national anti-malarial drug policy.
Therapeutic electric stimulation does not affect immune status in healthy individuals – a preliminary report
Authors: Kopitar Andreja N , Kotnik Vladimir , Vidmar Gaj , Ihan Alojz , Novak Primoz , Stefancic Martin
Published: July 2012

Background

Neuromuscular electric stimulation is widely used for muscle strengthening in clinical practice and for preventative purposes. However, there are few reports on the effects of electric stimulation on the immune response of the organism, and even those mainly describe the changes observed immediately after the electrotherapeutic procedures. The objective of our study was to examine the possible immunological consequences of moderate low-frequency transcutaneous neuromuscular electric stimulation for quadriceps muscle strengthening in healthy individuals.

Methods

The study included 10 healthy volunteers (5 males, 5 females, mean age 37.5 years). At the beginning and after a two-week electric stimulation program, muscle strength was measured and peripheral blood was collected to analyse white blood cells by flow cytometry for the expression of cell surface antigens (CD3, CD19, CD4, CD8, CD4/8, DR/3, NK, Th reg, CD25 + CD3+, CD25 + CD4+, CD25 + CD8+, CD69 + CD3+, CD69 + CD4+, CD69 + CD8+) and phagocytosis/oxidative killing function.

Results

Muscle strength slightly increased after the program on the dominant and the nondominant side. No statistically or clinically significant difference was found in any of the measured blood and immune cells parameters as well as phagocytosis and oxidative burst function of neutrophil granulocytes and monocytes one day after the program.

Conclusions

The program of transcutaneous low-frequency electric stimulation slightly strengthened the quadriceps femoris muscle while producing no changes in measured immunological parameters. Hence, therapeutic low-frequency electric stimulation appears not to be affecting the immune response of healthy persons.
Prognostic significance of c-KIT in vulvar cancer: bringing this molecular marker from bench to bedside
Authors: de Melo Maia Beatriz , Lavorato-Rocha André Mourão , Rodrigues Iara Sant’Ana , Baiocchi Glauco , Cestari Flávia Munhoz , Stiepcich Monica Maria , Chinen Ludmila Thomé Domingues , Carvalho Kátia C , Soares Fernando Augusto , Rocha Rafael Malagoli
Published: July 2012

Background

Vulvar carcinomas are rare tumors, and there is limited data regarding molecular alterations. To our knowledge there are no published studies on c-KIT and squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva (VSCC). Although there are a significant number of other tumor types which express c-KIT, there remains controversy as to its relationship to patient outcome. Thus, we wished to investigate such controversial findings to determine the prognostic importance of c-KIT by evaluating its protein and mRNA expression in VSCCs, correlating these findings with clinicopathological features and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

Methods

c-KIT expression was scored by immunohistochemistry (IHC) as positive or negative in 139 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) cases of vulvar carcinomas arrayed in a tissue microarray (TMA) using the DAKO® A4502 rabbit polyclonal c-KIT antibody (diluted 1:100). c-KIT mRNA was evaluated by qRT-PCR in 34 frozen samples from AC Camargo Hospital Biobank (17 tumoral and 17 non-tumoral samples) using TaqMan probes–Applied Biosystems [Hs00174029_m1]. HPV genotyping was assessed in 103 samples using Linear Array® HPV Genotyping Test kit (Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). All results obtained were correlated with clinical and pathological data of the patients.

Results

c-KIT protein was positive by immunohistochemistry in 70.5% of the cases and this was associated with a higher global survival (p = 0.007), a higher recurrence-free survival (p < 0.0001), an absence of associated lesions (p = 0.001), lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0053), and HPV infection (p = 0.034). Furthermore, c-KIT mRNA quantitation revealed higher levels of transcripts in normal samples compared to tumor samples (p = 0,0009).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that those vulvar tumors staining positively for c-KIT present better prognosis. Thus, positivity of c-KIT as evaluated by IHC may be a good predictor for use of more conservative surgery techniques and lymph node dissection in vulvar cancer. So part of the essence of our study is to see the possibility of translating our current results from the bench to the bedside. This will help provide patients a more appropriate, less mutilating treatment, in order to keep the maximum physical and psychic quality as possible to these women.
Zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C status are associated with leptin concentrations and obesity in Mexican women: results from a cross-sectional study
Authors: García Olga Patricia , Ronquillo Dolores , Caamaño María del Carmen , Camacho Mariela , Long Kurt Zane , Rosado Jorge L
Published: July 2012

Background

The prevalence of obesity among Mexican women is high and it could be related to micronutrient status. We evaluated in a cross-sectional study the associations of zinc and vitamins A, C and E concentrations with BMI, central adiposity, body fat and leptin concentration.

Methods

Women aged 37 ± 7.5 years (n = 580) from 6 rural communities in Mexico were evaluated. Anthropometric measurements included weight, height, waist and hip circumference. A fasting blood sample was taken for the analysis of glucose, lipid profile, leptin, zinc, and vitamins A, C and E. Body composition was determined by DEXA (Hologic Mod Explorer).

Results

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 36% (BMI > 25 Kg/m2) and 44% (BMI > 30 Kg/m2), respectively. Prevalence of zinc and vitamins C and E deficiencies were similar in obese, overweight and normal weight women. No vitamin A deficiency was found. Vitamin C was negatively associated with BMI, waist-to-height ratio, and leptin concentrations (p < 0.05).Vitamin A was positively associated with leptin (p < 0.05). When stratifying by BMI, % body fat and waist circumference, high leptin concentrations were associated with lower zinc and lower vitamin C concentrations in women with obesity (p < 0.05) and higher vitamin A concentrations in women without obesity (p < 0.01). Vitamin E status was not associated with any markers of obesity.

Conclusion

Zinc and vitamins A and C are associated with obesity, adiposity and leptin concentration in women from rural Mexico, and may play an important role in fat deposition. The causality of these associations needs to be confirmed.
A blinded randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of enteric coating on enzyme treatment for canine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency
Authors: Mas Aran , Noble Peter-John M , Cripps Peter J , Batchelor Daniel J , Graham Peter , German Alexander J
Published: July 2012

Background

Enzyme treatment is the mainstay for management of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in dogs. ‘Enteric-coated’ preparations have been developed to protect the enzyme from degradation in the stomach, but their efficacy has not been critically evaluated. The hypothesis of the current study was that enteric coating would have no effect on the efficacy of pancreatic enzyme treatment for dogs with EPI.

Thirty-eight client-owned dogs with naturally occurring EPI were included in this multicentre, blinded, randomised controlled trial. Dogs received either an enteric-coated enzyme preparation (test treatment) or an identical preparation without the enteric coating (control treatment) over a period of 56 days.

Results

There were no significant differences in either signalment or cobalamin status (where cobalamin deficient or not) between the dogs on the test and control treatments. Body weight and body condition score increased in both groups during the trial (P<0.001) but the magnitude of increase was greater for the test treatment compared with the control treatment (P<0.001). By day 56, mean body weight increase was 17% (95% confidence interval 11-23%) in the test treatment group and 9% (95% confidence interval 4-15%) in the control treatment group. The dose of enzyme required increased over time (P<0.001) but there was no significant difference between treatments at any time point (P=0.225). Clinical disease severity score decreased over time for both groups (P=0.011) and no difference was noted between groups (P=0.869). No significant adverse effects were reported, for either treatment, for the duration of the trial.

Conclusions

Enteric coating a pancreatic enzyme treatment improves response in canine EPI.
Carbonic anhydrase I (CA1) is involved in the process of bone formation and is susceptible to ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Chang Xiaotian , Zheng Yabing , Yang Qingrui , Wang Lin , Pan Jihong , Xia Yifang , Yan Xinfeng , Han Jinxiang
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is characterized by abnormal bone formation in the spine and the sacroiliac joints. In vitro assays demonstrate that carbonic anhydrase I (CA1) promotes calcium precipitation. This study investigated the function of CA1 for bio-mineralization and determined if common polymorphisms in the CA1 gene might contribute to AS risk.

Methods

Calcification was induced in Saos-2 cells, a human osteosarcoma cell line, with ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate. Calcification was determined by Alizarin Red-S (AR-S) staining. Expressions of CA1, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OCN), osterix (OSX) and runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) were determined by real-time PCR and western blotting. The cells were also treated with acetazolamide, an anti-carbonic anhydrase drug. Genotyping was performed using Illumina VeraCode microarray in a case-control study including 51 AS patients, 267 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 160 healthy controls. The result was confirmed by Taqman assay, including 258 AS patients, 288 RA patients and 288 healthy controls.

Results

Following the induction of calcification, Saos-2 cells produced large amounts of calcium-rich deposits. Increased transcriptions of CA1, ALP, BSP, OCN, OSX and Runx2, essential genes for ossification, were detected in the cultured cells. Following treatmen with acetazolamide, the expression of CA1 obviously declined and mineralized nodule formation was also decreased. Illumina microarray indicates that SNP at rs7841425 also showed significant differences in allelic frequency (P = 0.01396) and genotypic frequency (P = 0.005902) between AS cases and controls. In addition, SNP at rs7827474 showed significant differences in allelic frequency (P = 5.83E-04) and genotypic frequency (P = 0.000186) between RA cases and controls (P values were adjusted to multiple comparisons). The Taqman assay revealed that rs725605 demonstrated statistically significant evidence of allele frequency (P = 0.022307) and gene frequency (P = 0.007731) for association with AS. This SNP did not show significant differences in allelic frequencies and gene frequencies between RA patients and controls.

Conclusions

CA1 may play an essential role in bio-mineralization and new bone formation. The gene encoding CA1 is susceptible to AS.
Novel Catalysis in the Internal Nanocavity of Polyamine Dendrimer for Intramolecular Michael Reaction
Authors: Maeno Zen , Mitsudome Takato , Mizugaki Tomoo , Jitsukawa Koichiro , Kaneda Kiyotomi
Published: July 2012

Poly(propyleneimine) (PPI) dendrimers functionalized with C16 alkyl chains acted as efficient tertiary amine catalysts for an intramolecular Michael reaction. The substrate was accommodated in a reactive conformation within a sterically confined nanocavity consisting of regularly arranged tertiary amino groups of the PPI dendrimers.
One-pot Synthesis of Permethylated α-CD-based Rotaxanes Having Alkylene Chain Axles and Their Structural Characteristics
Authors: Akae Yosuke , Arai Takayuki , Koyama Yasuhito , Okamura Hisashi , Johmoto Kohei , Uekusa Hidehiro , Kuwata Shigeki , Takata Toshikazu
Published: July 2012

Permethylated α-CD-based rotaxanes with short alkylene chains as an axle were synthesized through urea end-capping in one pot: Products were [2]rotaxane and [3]rotaxane. The head-to-head structure of [3]rotaxane obtained as a single isomer was confirmed by the characteristic 1H NMR peak shifts and X-ray single-crystal structure analysis.
The Baumann procedure to correct equinus gait in children with diplegic cerebral palsy
Authors: Svehlík M. , Kraus T. , Steinwender G. , Zwick E. B. , Saraph V. , Linhart W. E.
Published: July 2012

Although equinus gait is the most common abnormality in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) there is no consistency in recommendations for treatment, and evidence for best practice is lacking. The Baumann procedure allows selective fractional lengthening of the gastrocnemii and soleus muscles but the long-term outcome is not known. We followed a group of 18 children (21 limbs) with diplegic CP for ten years using three-dimensional instrumented gait analysis. The kinematic parameters of the ankle joint improved significantly following this procedure and were maintained until the end of follow-up. We observed a normalisation of the timing of the key kinematic and kinetic parameters, and an increase in the maximum generation of power of the ankle. There was a low rate of overcorrection (9.5%, n = 2), and a rate of recurrent equinus similar to that found with other techniques (23.8%, n = 5).

As the procedure does not impair the muscle architecture, and allows for selective correction of the contracted gastrocnemii and soleus, it may be recommended as the preferred method for correction of a mild fixed equinus deformity.
Intertwinings of death and desire in Michele Soavi's Dellamorte Dellamore
Authors: Keesey Douglas
Published: July 2012

This article engages in an in-depth discussion of Michele Soavi's Dellamorte Dellamore/Cemetery Man, a 1993 film based on a bestselling novel and on Italy's most popular comic-book series (Dylan Dog). Close analysis reveals that, rather than being just another forgettable splatter
movie or ridiculous horror comedy, this zombie thriller is a film of great psychosexual complexity, along the lines of Edgar Allan Poe's 'Ligeia' (1838) and Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958). In Dellamorte Dellamore, horror becomes the vehicle for the female character's struggle
with guilt over infidelity to her deceased husband, with fear of phallic sexuality and with masochistic desires linked to the death drive. For the male character, zombies represent his fear of the femme fatale, his haunting by feelings of impotence in relation to older men and his gradual
contamination by cynicism and indifference to life as he loses his faith in love and immortality. This article explores the psychological, sexual and religious aspects of love and death in the minds of the film's male and female protagonists.
Professing the paranormal: The corpus of the academy in Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman's Ghost Stories
Authors: Jones Kelly
Published: July 2012

This article explores the mapping of the lecture theatre onto the theatrical space in Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman's Ghost Stories (2010). In so doing, it investigates how such mapping serves to interrogate the agency of the institutionalized lecture theatre as a space to facilitate
containment and control over the study and surveillance of the paranormal. Whilst attempting to 'keep the secrets of Ghost Stories' as audience members are implored to do at the play's finale, the article focuses on how the lecture theatre itself becomes uncanny in its theatricality,
and how it subsequently reveals the key to reading the twist to the play, offering an understanding of the hauntedness of the play's academic protagonist.
The Gizmo effect: “Japan Inc.”, American nightmares, and the fissure of the symbolic
Authors: Blouin Michael J.
Published: July 2012

This article analyses the phenomenon of 'Japan-bashing' as it emerged in late twentieth-century horror fiction and film. Specifically, the article argues that depictions of 'Japan Inc.' as an object of anxiety shifted from fear of the Other (via a familiar Orientalist discourse)
to a fear of the Same. Placing Joe Dante's Gremlins (1984) in direct conversation with Roland Barthes' Empire of Signs (English translation, 1982) and Karel van Wolferen's (in)famous Enigma of Japanese Power (1990), the article seeks to interrogate broadly the dread
of an American transition into a 'New World Order'; in short, with the gradual loss of a demonized Soviet Union, capitalism was left with nothing to haunt but itself (artificially posited in 'Japan'). Cultural 'Others' in the horror genre were thus radically challenged as the genre moved into
the twenty-first century.
The Clinical Relevance of Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGE) and Recent Developments in Pharmaceutics to Reduce AGE Accumulation
Authors: Smit A J. , Lutgers H. L.
Published: July 2012

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) are a class of compounds resulting from glycation and oxidation of proteins, lipids or nucleic acids. Glycation is the non-enzymatic addition or insertion of saccharide derivatives to these molecules. This leads to the formation of intermediary Schiff bases and Amadori products and finally to irreversible AGE. This classical view has been modified in recent years with recognition of the importance of oxidative and carbonyl stress in endogenous AGE formation. AGE may also have exogenous sources, in certain foods and tobacco smoke. A whole class of specific and non-specific receptors binding AGE has been characterized. Apart from cross-linking of proteins by AGE, the effects of receptor stimulation contribute to the development of chronic complications of conditions like diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and atherosclerosis. Possible interventions to reduce the effects of AGE accumulation include AGE formation inhibitors or breakers, or receptor blockers, but possibly also dietary interventions. Some of the problems with current assay or diagnostic techniques, and several unresolved issues on the role of AGE in disease will be discussed. Our review will focus on the clinical and pharmaceutical implications of these developments.