bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy Security and Climate Change
Authors: May Bernhard
Published: November 2010

There is a broad agreement in the international academic community as well as among the major political leaders in the world that burning fossil fuels is a major cause for global warming. This article focuses, first, on the linkage between energy security and climate change; second, on the responsibilities of national governments on the one hand and the responsibilities of the international community on the other hand; and third, on the importance of the role of leaders in today’s globalising world, especially with respect to energy security and climate change. The hypothesis of this article is that a globalising world requires global governance. To create global governance mechanisms, we need leadership. Leadership, however, requires not only leaders but also followers, as well as an understanding of the challenges to and the opportunities for the world we are living in.
The Future of Energy Security through a Global Restructuring
Authors: Pant Girijesh
Published: November 2010

The base and superstructure of the present energy regime are becoming unsustainable. With billions joining the energy market, supplies have to expand exponentially. The expansion of energy supplies from new sources becomes the necessary condition for global energy security. The scale of expansion required to construct a new global energy mix can only be accomplished through a global approach. It is a global question because the concerned stakeholders are located in different regions consisting of different globalising economies. Increasing integration and interdependence among the energy suppliers and consumers, and the location of the energy industry in the globalising market, has necessitated the redefinition of energy security both at the conceptual and policy level. The future of energy security has to be defined in terms of global energy systems and regime. A global restructuring of energy system would inevitably assume global engagement, global partnership and global norms and institutions.
Governance of Water
Authors: Iyer Ramaswamy R.
Published: November 2010

The term ‘water governance’ encompasses a wide range of issues of water policy, management, sharing, rights, conflicts, social justice and equity, conservation, sustainability and so on; and almost all of them involve legal questions. This article provides a broad overview, both explanatory and prescriptive, of some of the legal issues relating to water. These will include the question of ownership of water; the relationship between the state and civil society; the doctrine of public trust; the distinction between the right to water (that is, water as life-support) and water rights (use rights such as for agriculture, industry, etc.); water-related disputes of all kinds (including river water disputes) and the principles, entitlements, relative priorities and institutional arrangements needed for avoiding or resolving them; water markets and the question of privatisation of water; the regulation of water use in the interest of equity, social justice, harmony and sustainability and so on.
The Spelling Sensitivity Score: Noting Developmental Changes in Spelling Knowledge
Authors: Masterson Julie J. , Apel Kenn
Published: November 2010

Spelling is a language skill supported by several linguistic knowledge sources, including phonemic, orthographic, and morphological knowledge. Typically, however, spelling assessment procedures do not capture the development and use of these linguistic knowledge sources. The purpose of this article is to describe a new assessment system, the Spelling Sensitivity Score (SSS), and then demonstrate initial evidence of its usefulness for detecting developmental changes in spelling knowledge. Two studies that examined spelling knowledge across an academic year in kindergarten, first-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students using the SSS and a traditional correct/incorrect scoring are reported. For all grades, the SSS system, unlike traditional scoring, was able to reveal specific increases in the children’s linguistic knowledge across time. Furthermore, for the kindergarten children, the SSS metric was more sensitive than traditional scoring for noting general and specific developmental changes across the year. Collectively, the SSS appears to be a viable tool for documenting changes in underlying linguistic knowledge that children apply to their spelling.
Prolonged Exposure With a World War II Veteran: 60 Years of Guilt and Feelings of Inadequacy
Authors: Yoder Matthew S. , Tuerk Peter W. , Acierno Ron
Published: November 2010

There is extensive empirical support for the use of exposure therapy in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, there is little documented research on the use of these treatments with older adults. Questions exist regarding the appropriateness of exposure therapy with this population, given that the treatment is intense and often involves autonomic nervous system arousal. The current case study details a course of prolonged exposure (PE) therapy in an 88-year-old, World War II veteran, diagnosed with PTSD. The patient was found to respond remarkably well to the treatment and his posttraumatic stress symptoms decreased to subclinical levels in seven sessions. Concerns regarding the appropriateness of using PE to treat older adults are addressed.
FTY720-induced human pulmonary endothelial barrier enhancement is mediated by c-Abl
Authors: Wang L. , Chiang E.T. , Simmons J.T. , Garcia J.G.N. , Dudek S.M.
Published: November 2010

Strategies to improve pulmonary endothelial barrier function are needed to reverse the devastating effects of vascular leak in acute respiratory distress syndrome. FTY720 is a pharmaceutical analogue of the potent barrier-enhancing phospholipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P). FTY720 decreases vascular permeability by an incompletely characterised mechanism that differs from S1P. Here, we describe its barrier-promoting effects on intracellular signalling and junctional assembly formation in human pulmonary endothelium.

Permeability of cultured human pulmonary endothelial cells was assessed using transendothelial electrical resistance and dextran transwell assays. Junctional complex formation was assessed using membrane fractionation and immunofluorescence. Pharmacological inhibitors and small interfering (si)RNA were utilised to determine the effects of individual components on permeability.

Unlike S1P, FTY720 failed to induce membrane translocation of adherens junction or tight junction proteins. β-catenin, occludin, claudin-5 or zona occludens protein (ZO)-1/ZO-2 siRNAs did not alter FTY720-induced barrier enhancement. FTY720 induced focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation and focal adhesion formation, with FAK siRNA partially attenuating the prolonged phase of barrier enhancement. Inhibition of Src, protein kinase (PK)A, PKG, PKC or protein phosphatase 2A failed to alter FTY720-induced barrier enhancement. FTY720 increased c-Abl tyrosine kinase activity and c-Abl siRNA attenuated peak barrier enhancement after FTY720.

FTY720 enhances endothelial barrier function by a novel pathway involving c-Abl signalling.
The oxidation induced by antimyeloperoxidase antibodies triggers fibrosis in microscopic polyangiitis
Authors: Guilpain P. , Chéreau C. , Goulvestre C. , Servettaz A. , Montani D. , Tamas N. , Pagnoux C. , Hachulla E. , Weill B. , Guillevin L. , Mouthon L. , Batteux F.
Published: November 2010

Lung fibrosis is considered a severe manifestation of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). Antimyeloperoxidase (anti-MPO) antibodies in MPA patients’ sera can activate MPO and lead to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). While high levels of ROS are cytotoxic, low levels can induce fibroblast proliferation. Therefore, we hypothesised that the oxidative stress induced by anti-MPO antibodies could contribute to lung fibrosis.

24 MPA patients (45 sera) were enrolled in the study, including nine patients (22 sera) with lung fibrosis. Serum advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), MPO-induced hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and serum-induced fibroblast proliferation were assayed.

AOPP levels, MPO-induced HOCl production and serum-induced fibroblast proliferation were higher in patients than in healthy controls (p<0.0001, p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0005, respectively). Increased HOCl production was associated with active disease (p = 0.002). Serum AOPP levels and serum-induced fibroblast proliferation were higher in patients with active MPA and lung fibrosis (p<0.0001). A significant linear relationship between fibroblast proliferation, AOPP levels and HOCl production was observed only in patients with lung fibrosis.

Oxidative stress, in particular the production of HOCl through the interaction of MPO with anti-MPO antibodies, could trigger the fibrotic process observed in MPA.
Epistatic QTL pairs associated with meat quality and carcass composition traits in a porcine Duroc × Pietrain population
Authors: Große-Brinkhaus Christine , Jonas Elisabeth , Buschbell Heiko , Phatsara Chirawath , Tesfaye Dawit , Jüngst Heinz , Looft Christian , Schellander Karl , Tholen Ernst
Published: November 2010

Background

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analyses in pig have revealed numerous individual QTL affecting growth, carcass composition, reproduction and meat quality, indicating a complex genetic architecture. In general, statistical QTL models consider only additive and dominance effects and identification of epistatic effects in livestock is not yet widespread. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize epistatic effects between common and novel QTL regions for carcass composition and meat quality traits in pig.

Methods

Five hundred and eighty five F2pigs from a Duroc × Pietrain resource population were genotyped using 131 genetic markers (microsatellites and SNP) spread over the 18 pig autosomes. Phenotypic information for 26 carcass composition and meat quality traits was available for all F2animals. Linkage analysis was performed in a two-step procedure using a maximum likelihood approach implemented in the QxPak program.

Results

A number of interacting QTL was observed for different traits, leading to the identification of a variety of networks among chromosomal regions throughout the porcine genome. We distinguished 17 epistatic QTL pairs for carcass composition and 39 for meat quality traits. These interacting QTL pairs explained up to 8% of the phenotypic variance.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the significance of epistasis in pigs. We have revealed evidence for epistatic relationships between different chromosomal regions, confirmed known QTL loci and connected regions reported in other studies. Considering interactions between loci allowed us to identify several novel QTL and trait-specific relationships of loci within and across chromosomes.
Prenatal exposure of ethanol induces increased glutamatergic neuronal differentiation of neural progenitor cells
Authors: Kim Ki Chan , Go Hyo Sang , Bak Hae Rang , Choi Chang Soon , Choi Inha , Kim Pitna , Han Seol-Heui , Han So Min , Shin Chan Young , Ko Kwang Ho
Published: November 2010

Background

Prenatal ethanol exposure during pregnancy induces a spectrum of mental and physical disorders called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). The central nervous system is the main organ influenced by FASD, and neurological symptoms include mental retardation, learning abnormalities, hyperactivity and seizure susceptibility in childhood along with the microcephaly. In this study, we examined whether ethanol exposure adversely affects the proliferation of NPC and de-regulates the normal ratio between glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal differentiation using primary neural progenitor culture (NPC) andin vivoFASD models.

Methods

Neural progenitor cells were cultured from E14 embryo brain of Sprague-Dawley rat. Pregnant mice and rats were treated with ethanol (2 or 4 g/kg/day) diluted with normal saline from E7 to E16 forin vivoFASD animal models. Expression level of proteins was investigated by western blot analysis and immunocytochemical assays. MTT was used for cell viability. Proliferative activity of NPCs was identified by BrdU incorporation, immunocytochemistry and FACS analysis.

Results

Reduced proliferation of NPCs by ethanol was demonstrated using BrdU incorporation, immunocytochemistry and FACS analysis. In addition, ethanol induced the imbalance between glutamatergic and GABAergic neuronal differentiationviatransient increase in the expression of Pax6, Ngn2 and NeuroD with concomitant decrease in the expression of Mash1. Similar pattern of expression of those transcription factors was observed using anin vivomodel of FASD as well as the increased expression of PSD-95 and decreased expression of GAD67.

Conclusions

These results suggest that ethanol induces hyper-differentiation of glutamatergic neuron through Pax6 pathway, which may underlie the hyper-excitability phenotype such as hyperactivity or seizure susceptibility in FASD patients.
EcoTILLING in Capsicum species: searching for new virus resistances
Authors: Ibiza Vicente P , Cañizares Joaquín , Nuez Fernando
Published: November 2010

Background

The EcoTILLING technique allows polymorphisms in target genes of natural populations to be quickly analysed or identified and facilitates the screening of genebank collections for desired traits. We have developed an EcoTILLING platform to exploit Capsicum genetic resources. A perfect example of the utility of this EcoTILLING platform is its application in searching for new virus-resistant alleles in Capsicum genus. Mutations in translation initiation factors (eIF4E, eIF(iso)4E, eIF4G and eIF(iso)4G) break the cycle of several RNA viruses without affecting the plant life cycle, which makes these genes potential targets to screen for resistant germplasm.

Results

We developed and assayed a cDNA-based EcoTILLING platform with 233 cultivated accessions of the genus Capsicum. High variability in the coding sequences of the eIF4E and eIF(iso)4E genes was detected using the cDNA platform. After sequencing, 36 nucleotide changes were detected in the CDS of eIF4E and 26 in eIF(iso)4E. A total of 21 eIF4E haplotypes and 15 eIF(iso)4E haplotypes were identified. To evaluate the functional relevance of this variability, 31 possible eIF4E/eIF(iso)4E combinations were tested against Potato virus Y. The results showed that five new eIF4E variants (pvr2

10
, pvr2

11
, pvr2

12
, pvr2

13
and pvr2

14
) were related to PVY-resistance responses.

Conclusions

EcoTILLING was optimised in different Capsicum species to detect allelic variants of target genes. This work is the first to use cDNA instead of genomic DNA in EcoTILLING. This approach avoids intronic sequence problems and reduces the number of reactions. A high level of polymorphism has been identified for initiation factors, showing the high genetic variability present in our collection and its potential use for other traits, such as genes related to biotic or abiotic stresses, quality or production. Moreover, the new eIF4E and eIF(iso)4E alleles are an excellent collection for searching for new resistance against other RNA viruses.
Single-cell qPCR on dispersed primary pituitary cells -an optimized protocol
Authors: Hodne Kjetil , Haug Trude M , Weltzien Finn-Arne
Published: November 2010

Background

The incidence of false positives is a potential problem in single-cell PCR experiments. This paper describes an optimized protocol for single-cell qPCR measurements in primary pituitary cell cultures following patch-clamp recordings. Two different cell harvesting methods were assessed using both the GH4 prolactin producing cell line from rat, and primary cell culture from fish pituitaries.

Results

Harvesting whole cells followed by cell lysis and qPCR performed satisfactory on the GH4 cell line. However, harvesting of whole cells from primary pituitary cultures regularly produced false positives, probably due to RNA leakage from cells ruptured during the dispersion of the pituitary cells. To reduce RNA contamination affecting the results, we optimized the conditions by harvesting only the cytosol through a patch pipette, subsequent to electrophysiological experiments. Two important factors proved crucial for reliable harvesting. First, silanizing the patch pipette glass prevented foreign extracellular RNA from attaching to charged residues on the glass surface. Second, substituting the commonly used perforating antibiotic amphotericin B with β-escin allowed efficient cytosol harvest without loosing the giga seal. Importantly, the two harvesting protocols revealed no difference in RNA isolation efficiency.

Conclusion

Depending on the cell type and preparation, validation of the harvesting technique is extremely important as contaminations may give false positives. Here we present an optimized protocol allowing secure harvesting of RNA from single cells in primary pituitary cell culture following perforated whole cell patch clamp experiments.
The use of opioids at the end of life: the knowledge level of Dutch physicians as a potential barrier to effective pain management
Authors: Rurup Mette L , Rhodius Christiaan A , Borgsteede Sander D , Boddaert Manon SA , Keijser Astrid GM , Pasman H Roeline W , Onwuteaka-Philipsen Bregje D
Published: November 2010

Background

Pain is still one of the most frequently occurring symptoms at the end of life, although it can be treated satisfactorily in most cases if the physician has adequate knowledge. In the Netherlands, almost 60% of the patients with non-acute illnesses die at home where end of life care is coordinated by the general practitioner (GP); about 30% die in hospitals (cared for by clinical specialists), and about 10% in nursing homes (cared for by elderly care physicians).

The research question of this study is: what is the level of knowledge of Dutch physicians concerning pain management and the use of opioids at the end of life?

Methods

A written questionnaire was sent to a random sample of physicians of specialties most often involved in end of life care in the Netherlands. The questionnaire was completed by 406 physicians, response rate 41%.

Results

Almost all physicians were aware of the most basal knowledge about opioids, e.g. that it is important for treatment purposes to distinguish nociceptive from neuropathic pain (97%). Approximately half of the physicians (46%) did not know that decreased renal function raises plasma concentration of morphine(-metabolites) and 34% of the clinical specialists erroneously thought opioids are the favoured drug for palliative sedation.

Although 91% knew that opioids titrated against pain do not shorten life, 10% sometimes or often gave higher dosages than needed with the explicit aim to hasten death. About half felt sometimes or often pressured by relatives to hasten death by increasing opioiddosage.

The large majority (83%) of physicians was interested in additional education about subjects related to the end of life, the most popular subject was opioid rotation (46%).

Conclusions

Although the basic knowledge of physicians was adequate, there seemed to be a lack of knowledge in several areas, which can be a barrier for good pain management at the end of life. From this study four areas emerge, in which it seems likely that an improvement can improve the quality of pain management at the end of life for many patients in the Netherlands: 1)palliative sedation; 2)expected effect of opioids on survival; and 3) opioid rotation.
Effects of heliox as carrier gas on ventilation and oxygenation in an animal model of piston-type HFOV: a crossover experimental study
Authors: Zeynalov Bakhtiyar , Hiroma Takehiko , Nakamura Tomohiko
Published: November 2010

Objective

This study aimed to compare gas exchange with heliox and oxygen-enriched air during piston-type high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV). We hypothesized that helium gas would improve both carbon dioxide elimination and arterial oxygenation during piston-type HFOV.

Method

Five rabbits were prepared and ventilated by piston-type HFOV with carrier 50% helium/oxygen (heliox50) or 50% oxygen/nitrogen (nitrogen50) gas mixture in a crossover study. Changing the gas mixture from nitrogen50 to heliox50 and back was performed five times per animal with constant ventilation parameters. Arterial blood gas, vital function and respiratory test indices were recorded.

Results

Compared with nitrogen50, heliox50 did not change PaCO2 when stroke volume remained constant, but significantly reduced PaCO2 after alignment of amplitude pressure. No significant changes in PaO2 were seen despite significant decreases in mean airway pressure with heliox50 compared with nitrogen50.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that heliox enhances CO2 elimination and maintains oxygenation at the same amplitude but with lower airway pressure compared to air/O2 mix gas during piston-type HFOV.
3D ultra shallow seismic imaging of buried pipe using dense receiver array: Practical and theoretical considerations
Authors: Bachrach Ran , Reshef Moshe
Published: November 2010

Direct 3D imaging of a [Formula: see text] pipe, buried at a depth of [Formula: see text], using portable dense receiver array shows that small objects associated with large impedance contrast can be precisely imaged. Detailed velocity analysis applied to backscattered wavefield from small buried objects provides resolution of less than [Formula: see text]. Comparison of backscattered wavefield observations to analytical solutions show a generally good match. Theoretical calculations also show that the object can be detected with wavelengths much larger than its size due to the large contrast associated with its hollow shape. Dense spatial sampling is needed to capture the energy emitted from the scattering object and successfully focus it by diffraction imaging. Portable dense receiver array can provide a cost-effective solution for such tasks.
The effect of body size on the wing movements of pteropodid bats, with insights into thrust and lift production
Authors: Riskin Daniel K. , Iriarte-Díaz José , Middleton Kevin M. , Breuer Kenneth S. , Swartz Sharon M.
Published: November 2010

In this study we compared the wing kinematics of 27 bats representing six pteropodid species ranging more than 40 times in body mass (Mb=0.0278–1.152 kg), to determine whether wing posture and overall wing kinematics scaled as predicted according to theory. The smallest species flew in a wind tunnel and the other five species in a flight corridor. Seventeen kinematic markers on the midline and left side of the body were tracked in three dimensions. We used phylogenetically informed reduced major axis regression to test for allometry. We found that maximum wingspan (bmax) and maximum wing area (Smax) scaled with more positive allometry, and wing loading (Qs) with more negative allometry (bmax∝Mb0.423; Smax∝Mb0.768; Qs∝Mb0.233) than has been reported in previous studies that were based on measurements from specimens stretched out flat on a horizontal surface. Our results suggest that larger bats open their wings more fully than small bats do in flight, and that for bats, body measurements alone cannot be used to predict the conformation of the wings in flight. Several kinematic variables, including downstroke ratio, wing stroke amplitude, stroke plane angle, wing camber and Strouhal number, did not change significantly with body size, demonstrating that many aspects of wing kinematics are similar across this range of body sizes. Whereas aerodynamic theory suggests that preferred flight speed should increase with mass, we did not observe an increase in preferred flight speed with mass. Instead, larger bats had higher lift coefficients (CL) than did small bats (CL∝Mb0.170). Also, the slope of the wingbeat period (T) to body mass regression was significantly more shallow than expected under isometry (T∝Mb0.180), and angle of attack (α) increased significantly with body mass [α∝log(Mb)7.738]. None of the bats in our study flew at constant speed, so we used multiple regression to isolate the changes in wing kinematics that correlated with changes in flight speed, horizontal acceleration and vertical acceleration. We uncovered several significant trends that were consistent among species. Our results demonstrate that for medium- to large-sized bats, the ways that bats modulate their wing kinematics to produce thrust and lift over the course of a wingbeat cycle are independent of body size.
The effect of fin ray flexural rigidity on the propulsive forces generated by a biorobotic fish pectoral fin
Authors: Tangorra James L. , Lauder George V. , Hunter Ian W. , Mittal Rajat , Madden Peter G. A. , Bozkurttas Meliha
Published: November 2010

A biorobotic pectoral fin was developed and used to study how the flexural rigidities of fin rays within a highly deformable fish fin affect the fin's propulsive forces. The design of the biorobotic fin was based on a detailed analysis of the pectoral fin of the bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). The biorobotic fin was made to execute the kinematics used by the biological fin during steady swimming, and to have structural properties that modeled those of the biological fin. This resulted in an engineered fin that had a similar interaction with the water as the biological fin and that created close approximations of the three-dimensional motions, flows, and forces produced by the sunfish during low speed, steady swimming. Experimental trials were conducted during which biorobotic fins of seven different stiffness configurations were flapped at frequencies from 0.5 to 2.0 Hz in flows with velocities that ranged from 0 to 270 mm s–1. During these trials, thrust and lift forces were measured, kinematics were recorded in three dimensions, and digital particle image velocimetry was used to evaluate flow hydrodynamics. The results of the trials revealed that slight changes to the fin's mechanical properties or to the operating conditions can have significant impact on the direction, magnitude and time course of the propulsive forces. In general, the magnitude of the 2-D (thrust and lift) propulsive force scaled with fin ray stiffness, and increased as the fin's flapping speed increased or as the velocity of the flow decreased.
Treasure Islands
Authors: Hines James R
Published: November 2010

In movies and novels, tax havens are often settings for shady international deals; in practice, they are rather less flashy. Tax havens, also known as “offshore financial centers” or “international financial centers,” are countries and territories that offer low tax rates and favorable regulatory policies to foreign investors. For example, tax havens typically tax inbound investment at zero or very low rates and further encourage investment with telecommunications and transportation facilities, other business infrastructure, favorable legal environments, and limited bureaucratic hurdles to starting new firms. Tax havens are small; most are islands; all but a few have populations below one million; and they have above-average incomes. The United States and other higher-tax countries frequently express concerns over how tax havens may affect their economies. Do they erode domestic tax collections; attract economic activity away from higher-tax countries; facilitate criminal activities; or reduce the transparency of financial accounts and so impede the smooth operation and regulation of legal and financial systems around the world. Do they contribute to excessive international tax competition? These concerns are plausible, albeit often founded on anecdotal rather than systematic evidence. Yet tax haven policies may also benefit other economies and even facilitate the effective operation of the tax systems of other countries. This paper evaluates evidence of the economic effects of tax havens.
Activist Fiscal Policy
Authors: Auerbach Alan J , Gale William G , Harris Benjamin H
Published: November 2010

During and after the “Great Recession” that began in December 2007 the U.S. federal government enacted several rounds of activist fiscal policy. In this paper, we review the recent evolution of thinking and evidence regarding the effectiveness of activist fiscal policy. Although fiscal interventions aimed at stimulating and stabilizing the economy have returned to common use, their efficacy remains controversial. We review the debate about the traditional types of fiscal policy interventions, such as broad-based tax cuts and spending increases, as well as more targeted policies. While there have been improvements in estimates of the effects of broad-based policies, much of what has been learned recently concerns how such multipliers might vary with respect to economic conditions, such as the credit market disruptions and very low interest rates that were central features of the Great Recession. The eclectic and innovative interventions by the Federal Reserve and other central banks during this period highlight the imprecise divisions between monetary and fiscal policy and the many channels through which fiscal policies can be implemented.
The exozyme model: A continuum of functionally distinct complexes
Authors: Kiss Daniel L. , Andrulis Erik D.
Published: November 2010

Exosome complexes are composed of 10 to 11 subunits and are involved in multiple facets of 3′ → 5′ RNA processing and turnover. The current paradigm stipulates that a uniform, stoichiometric core exosome, composed of single copies of each subunit, carries out all RNA metabolic functions in vivo. While core composition is well established in vitro, available genetic, cell biological, proteomic, and transcriptomic data raise questions about whether individual subunits contribute to RNA metabolic functions exclusively within the complex. Here, we recount the current understanding of the core exosome model and show predictions of the core model that are not satisfied by the available evidence. To resolve this discrepancy, we propose the exozyme hypothesis, a novel model stipulating that while exosome subunits can and do carry out certain functions within the core, subsets of exosome subunits and cofactors also assemble into a continuum of compositionally distinct complexes—exozymes—with different RNA specificities. The exozyme model is consistent with all published data and provides a new framework for understanding the general mechanisms and regulation of RNA processing and turnover.
Stable, Dispersible Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrate Capable of Detecting Molecules Bound to Silica-Immobilized Ligands
Authors: Poston Pete E. , Harris Joel M.
Published: November 2010

A stable surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate is developed through immobilization of gold sols onto aminated silica beads. The plasmon resonance is established by spacing of gold sols on the bead surface and remains stable over extended periods of time due to the large number of amine groups that provide stable anchoring of gold to the surface. Unlike planar supports, this substrate can be dispersed in a sample, providing high surface area for detection and efficient transport of analytes to its surface. This substrate can be used to detect the binding of a molecule to ligands on the silica surface, which avoids the stability limitations of thiol-bound ligands on gold. Chemical modification of the amine groups on the silica surface with benzoic anhydride could be readily detected in Raman scattering enhanced by the neighboring gold sols, with nearly the same sensitivity as benzylthiol bound directly to the gold surfaces. This result suggests future work involving the immobilization of other ligands through the residual amine groups to the silica, which could be used to selectively attract target analytes to the SERS-active surface.
Sequence Capture and Next-Generation Resequencing of Multiple Tagged Nucleic Acid Samples for Mutation Screening of Urea Cycle Disorders
Authors: Amstutz Ursula , Andrey-Zürcher Gisela , Suciu Dominic , Jaggi Rolf , Häberle Johannes , Largiadèr Carlo R
Published: November 2010

BACKGROUND

Molecular genetic testing is commonly used to confirm clinical diagnoses of inherited urea cycle disorders (UCDs); however, conventional mutation screenings encompassing only the coding regions of genes may not detect disease-causing mutations occurring in regulatory elements and introns. Microarray-based target enrichment and next-generation sequencing now allow more-comprehensive genetic screening. We applied this approach to UCDs and combined it with the use of DNA bar codes for more cost-effective, parallel analyses of multiple samples.

METHODS

We used sectored 2240-feature medium-density oligonucleotide arrays to capture and enrich a 199-kb genomic target encompassing the complete genomic regions of 3 urea cycle genes, OTC (ornithine carbamoyltransferase), CPS1 (carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1, mitochondrial), and NAGS (N-acetylglutamate synthase). We used the Genome Sequencer FLX System (454 Life Sciences) to jointly analyze 4 samples individually tagged with a 6-bp DNA bar code and compared the results with those for an individually sequenced sample.

RESULTS

Using a low tiling density of only 1 probe per 91 bp, we obtained strong enrichment of the targeted loci to achieve ≥90% coverage with up to 64% of the sequences covered at a sequencing depth ≥10-fold. We observed a very homogeneous sequence representation of the bar-coded samples, which yielded a >30% increase in the sequence data generated per sample, compared with an individually processed sample. Heterozygous and homozygous disease-associated mutations were correctly detected in all samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of DNA bar codes and the use of sectored oligonucleotide arrays for target enrichment enable parallel, large-scale analysis of complete genomic regions for multiple genes of a disease pathway and for multiple samples simultaneously. This approach thus may provide an efficient tool for comprehensive diagnostic screening of mutations.
Is it possible to avoid hypopituitarism after irradiation of pituitary adenomas by the Leksell gamma knife?
Authors: Marek Josef , Ježková Jana , Hána Václav , Kršek Michal , Bandúrová L'ubomíra , Pecen Ladislav , Vladyka Vilibald , Liščák Roman
Published: November 2010

Objective

Radiation therapy is one of the treatment options for pituitary adenomas. The most common side effect associated with Leksell gamma knife (LGK) irradiation is the development of hypopituitarism. The aim of this study was to verify that hypopituitarism does not develop if the maximum mean dose to pituitary is kept under 15 Gy and to evaluate the influence of maximum distal infundibulum dose on the development of hypopituitarism.

Design and methods

We followed the incidence of hypopituitarism in 85 patients irradiated with LGK in 1993–2003. The patients were divided in two subgroups: the first subgroup followed prospectively (45 patients), irradiated with a mean dose to pituitary <15 Gy; the second subgroup followed retrospectively 1993–2001 and prospectively 2001–2009 (40 patients), irradiated with a mean dose to pituitary >15 Gy. Serum TSH, free thyroxine, testosterone or 17β-oestradiol, IGF1, prolactin and cortisol levels were evaluated before and every 6 months after LGK irradiation.

Results

Hypopituitarism after LGK irradiation developed only in 1 out of 45 (2.2%) patients irradiated with a mean dose to pituitary <15 Gy, in contrast to 72.5% patients irradiated with a mean dose to pituitary >15 Gy. The radiation dose to the distal infundibulum was found as an independent factor of hypopituitarism with calculated maximum safe dose of 17 Gy.

Conclusion

Keeping the mean radiation dose to pituitary under 15 Gy and the dose to the distal infundibulum under 17 Gy prevents the development of hypopituitarism following LGK irradiation.
PACAP-mediated sperm–cumulus cell interaction promotes fertilization
Authors: Tanii Ichiro , Aradate Tadashi , Matsuda Kouhei , Komiya Akira , Fuse Hideki
Published: November 2010

The developing acrosome in spermatids contains pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP). However, the role of the acrosomal PACAP remains unclear because it has not been detected in mature spermatids and sperm. We reinvestigated whether the sperm acrosome contains PACAP. An antiserum produced against PACAP reacted to the anterior acrosome in epididymal sperm fixed under mild conditions, suggesting that PACAP acts on oocytes and/or cumulus cells at the site of fertilization. Immunolabeling and RT-PCR demonstrated the presence of PACAP type I receptor, a PACAP-specific receptor, in postovulatory cumulus cells. To investigate the role of PACAP in fertilization, we pretreated cumulus–oocyte complexes with the polypeptide. At a low concentration of sperm, the fertilization rate was significantly enhanced by PACAP in a dose-dependent manner. Sperm penetration through the oocyte investment, cumulus layer, and zona pellucida was also enhanced by PACAP. The enhancement was probably due to an enhancement in sperm motility and the zona-induced acrosome reaction, which were stimulated by a cumulus cell-releasing factor. Indeed, PACAP treatment increased the secretion of progesterone from the cumulus–oocyte complexes. These results strongly suggest that in response to PACAP, cumulus cells release a soluble factor that probably stimulates sperm motility and the acrosome reaction, thereby promoting fertilization.
Insula, a “mysterious” island in our brain – minireview
Authors: Palkovits Miklós
Published: November 2010

A közelmúltig az insula az agykéreg kevésbé ismert területei közé tartozott. A képalkotó eljárások (pozitronemissziós tomográfia, a funkcionális mágneses rezonancia vizsgálat) döntő változást hoztak az insula funkcionális aktivitásának megismerésében. Igazolást nyert, hogy az insulának a szaglás és ízérzés feldolgozásán kívül jelentős szerepe van az interoceptióban, belső miliőnk állandó érzékelésében, a viszceroszenzoros és szomatoszenzoros információk analízisében, az akut és krónikus fájdalom megélésében. Igazolták az insula szerepét a beszéd kialakításában, a szavak és kifejezések megválasztásában, a beszéd korrekt artikulálásában. Mindezen tevékenységhez szükséges a megfelelő figyelem, empátia és emocionális állapot, illetve emocionális válaszok. Az insula mindezen tevékenységét a szomszédos területekkel (operculumokkal) együtt végzi, és az anterior cingularis, valamint az entorhinalis kéreggel való kapcsolata révén szorosan együttműködik a prefrontális, premotoros és limbicus áreákkal. Az insula mai felfogásunk szerint primer, unimodális központja a szaglásnak, ízérzésnek és viszceroszenzoros információknak, ugyanakkor mint multimodális asszociációs kérgi área jelentős szerepe van az agy emocionális, kognitív, limbicus és autonóm rendszereinek működésében. Orv. Hetil., 2010,
47,
1924–1929.
Understanding Peri-implantitis: A Strategic Review
Authors: Singh Preetinder
Published: November 2010

The high survival rate of osseointegrated dental implants is well documented, but it is becoming increasingly clear that successfully integrated implants are susceptible to disease conditions that may lead to loss of the implant. Although placement and restoration usually are included in the domain of the periodontal, oral and maxillofacial surgery, or prosthetic specialist, given the increasing numbers of patients treated with osseointegrated fixtures, it is increasingly likely that maintenance of these implants by the general dentist will become much more common. However, the surrounding tissues may be subject to inflammatory conditions similar to periodontal disease and so require maintenance. This article discusses the background, cause, and diagnosis of peri-implant disease, as well as the maintenance, care, and treatment of peri-implant infection in osseointegrated implants.
Impact of previous insulin therapy on the prognosis of diabetic patients with acute coronary syndromes
Authors: António Natália , Soares Francisco , Lourenço Carolina , Saraiva Fátima , Gonçalves Francisco , Monteiro Pedro , Gonçalves Lino , Freitas Mário , Providência Luís A.
Published: November 2010

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether previous insulin treatment independently influences subsequent outcomes in diabetic patients with ACS (acute coronary syndromes). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 375 diabetic patients with ACS, divided in 2 groups: Group A (n = 69) - previous insulin and Group B (n = 306) - without previous insulin. Predictors of 1-year mortality and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were analyzed by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Group A had more previous stroke (17.4% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.047) and peripheral artery disease (13.0% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.005). They had significantly higher admission glycemia and lower LDL cholesterol. There were no significant differences in the type of ACS, in 1-year mortality (18.2% vs. 10.4%, p = 0.103) or MACE (32.1% vs. 23.0%, p = 0.146) between groups. In multivariate analysis, insulin treatment was neither an independent predictor of 1-year mortality nor of MACE. CONCLUSION: Despite the more advanced atherosclerotic disease, diabetics under insulin had similar outcomes to those without insulin. Insulin may protect diabetics from the expected poor adverse outcome of an advanced atherosclerotic disease.
Questionário de Atividades de Autocuidado com o Diabetes: tradução, adaptação e avaliação das propriedades psicométricas
Authors: Michels Murilo José , Coral Marisa Helena César , Sakae Thiago Mamôru , Damas Tanise Balvedi , Furlanetto Letícia Maria
Published: November 2010

OBJETIVOS: Traduzir para o português, adaptar culturalmente e avaliar as propriedades psicométricas do Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Questionnaire - SDSCA. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O processo seguiu as normas internacionais para adaptação e avaliação das propriedades psicométricas. O alfa de Cronbach (α) foi utilizado para avaliar a consistência interna (correlação interitens) e a confiabilidade (teste-reteste e correlação interavaliador). RESULTADOS: A correlação interitens variou de α = 0,09 a α = 0,86. Na avaliação teste-reteste, a menor correlação foi para o item "ingerir doces" (α = 0,15) e a maior, para os itens sobre o uso do cigarro (α = 1,00). As correlações interavaliador variaram de α = 0,29 a α = 1,00. CONCLUSÕES: O questionário adaptado apresentou propriedades psicométricas semelhantes às do SDSCA. Sua versão para o Brasil fornece um questionário confiável e válido para avaliar a aderência ao autocuidado nos diabéticos em nosso meio.
Organização da educação nacional: sistema e conselho nacional de educação, plano e fórum nacional de educação
Authors: Saviani Dermeval
Published: November 2010

Este artigo analisa a organização da educação nacional a partir da forma como está disposta na atual LDB, indicando os elementos para a implantação do Sistema Nacional de Educação com sua instância normativa e deliberativa representada pelo Conselho Nacional de Educação, em articulação com o Plano Nacional de Educação e com seu órgão de acompanhamento e avaliação constituído pelo Fórum Nacional de Educação.
Características funcionais de folhas de sol e sombra de espécies arbóreas em uma mata de galeria no Distrito Federal, Brasil
Authors: Rossatto Davi Rodrigo , Takahashi Frederico Scherr Caldeira , Silva Lucas de Carvalho Ramos , Franco Augusto César
Published: November 2010

As matas de galeria são formações florestais que ocupam cerca de 10% da área dos cerrados e representam 1/3 da diversidade de espécies arbóreas ali encontradas. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado a importância dessas florestas em regiões do Brasil central, mas pouco se sabe sobre a fisiologia e plasticidade de espécies de mata de galeria em relação a variantes ambientais, como a irradiação solar. No presente estudo, foram comparados in situ aspectos fisiológicos e nutricionais de folhas de sol e sombra, em dez espécies arbóreas comumente encontradas em matas de galeria. Folhas de sol apresentaram maiores valores de assimilação de CO2 em base de área (Aarea), condutância estomática (gs), rendimento quântico do fotossistema II (ΦFSII) e uma maior fração de centros de reação abertos (qL), enquanto folhas de sombra apresentaram uma maior área foliar específica. Diferenças não foram encontradas para potencial hídrico foliar, assimilação de CO2 em base de massa e para a concentração foliar de macronutrientes. Dos atributos foliares analisados, a abertura estomática e o rendimento quântico do fotossistema II foram os principais fatores atuantes na Aarea em folhas de sol, enquanto em folhas de sombra apenas ΦFSII foi influente. As diferenças encontradas demonstram que, assim como em outras formações florestais, em mata de galeria as espécies arbóreas possuem a capacidade de se aclimatarem às condições contrastantes de sombreamento que ocorrem neste tipo de ambiente.
Phenological relationships between two insect galls and their host plants: Aspidosperma australe and A. spruceanum (Apocynaceae)
Authors: Campos Priscila Tolentino , Costa Maria Cecília Dias , Isaias Rosy Mary dos Santos , Moreira Ana Sílvia Franco Pinheiro , Oliveira Denis Coelho de , Lemos-Filho José Pires de
Published: November 2010

Although gall diversity in the Neotropical region is immense, comparative studies on the phenology of host plants and their galls are scarce. Gall systems generally require high levels of phenological synchrony between the associated organisms. The relationships between the phenology of two leaf galls induced by an unidentified Cecidomyiidae in Aspidosperma spruceanum Benth. ex Müell. Arg. and by Pseudophacopteron sp. in A. australe Müell. Arg. were investigated. The investigation was performed on ten individuals per species in 15-day intervals taking into consideration the percentage of galled leaves. In a one-year study, three distinct phenophases for the leaf galls and four phenophases for host plants were observed. The maximum percentage of leaf galls (80%) on A. australe occurred just after the peak of leaf sprouting. In A. spruceanum, the percentage of leaf galls was always over 50%, which can be related to continuous leaf production and gall induction in this species. In both species, developing galls were observed over the entire year, indicating multivoltinism. The ability to induce galls at young and mature sites seems to be a good strategy for galling species survivorship.
Experimentalismo e democracia em Unger
Authors: Teixeira Carlos Sávio
Published: November 2010

Este trabalho analisa o processo através do qual Roberto Mangabeira Unger desenvolve a dimensão explicativa de sua obra num esforço para imaginar novos arranjos institucionais e formular proposições programáticas. O conceito que melhor descortina essa intersecção de pensamento explicativo com imaginação institucional é o de experimentalismo democrático, dirigido às esferas da política e da economia. Sustento que esse esforço do pensamento ungeriano contribui para diminuir a dificuldade histórica que a teoria política da esquerda sempre teve com a questão institucional. Desse modo, Unger tenta reabilitar a ideia de que a contínua reinvenção das instituições é a base da democracia.
A cidadania sob o signo do desvio: Para uma crítica da "tese de excepcionalidade brasileira"
Authors: Tavolaro Sergio B. F. , Tavolaro Lília G. M.
Published: November 2010

O propósito central do artigo consiste em realizar uma consideração crítica do que denominamos de "tese da excepcionalidade normativa brasileira". As duas principais questões orientadoras são: em primeiro lugar, haveria alguma desvantagem, do ponto de vista analítico, em manter-se orientado pela noção conforme a qual a experiência da cidadania no Brasil é algo particular em relação ao "centro da modernidade"? Em segundo lugar, é possível vislumbrar outra maneira profícua de refletir a respeito da experiência da cidadania no Brasil para além da "tese da excepcionalidade normativa"?