bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pressure- versus volume-limited sustained inflations at resuscitation of premature newborn lambs
Authors: Polglase Graeme R , Tingay David G , Bhatia Risha , Berry Clare A , Kopotic Robert J , Kopotic Clinton P , Song Yong , Szyld Edgardo , Jobe Alan H , Pillow Jane J
Published: February 2014

Background

Sustained inflations (SI) are advocated for the rapid establishment of FRC after birth in preterm and term infants requiring resuscitation. However, the most appropriate way to deliver a SI is poorly understood. We investigated whether a volume-limited SI improved the establishment of FRC and ventilation homogeneity and reduced lung inflammation/injury compared to a pressure-limited SI.

Methods

131 d gestation lambs were resuscitated with either: i) pressure-limited SI (PressSI: 0-40 cmH2O over 5 s, maintained until 20 s); or ii) volume-limited SI (VolSI: 0-15 mL/kg over 5 s, maintained until 20 s). Following the SI, all lambs were ventilated using volume-controlled ventilation (7 mL/kg tidal volume) for 15 min. Lung mechanics, regional ventilation distribution (electrical impedance tomography), cerebral tissue oxygenation index (near infrared spectroscopy), arterial pressures and blood gas values were recorded regularly. Pressure-volume curves were performed in-situ post-mortem and early markers of lung injury were assessed.

Results

Compared to a pressure-limited SI, a volume-limited SI had increased pressure variability but reduced volume variability. Each SI strategy achieved similar end-inflation lung volumes and regional ventilation homogeneity. Volume-limited SI increased heart-rate and arterial pressure faster than pressure-limited SI lambs, but no differences were observed after 30 s. Volume-limited SI had increased arterial-alveolar oxygen difference due to higher FiO2 at 15 min (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02 respectively). No other inter-group differences in arterial or cerebral oxygenation, blood pressures or early markers of lung injury were evident.

Conclusion

With the exception of inferior oxygenation, a sustained inflation targeting delivery to preterm lambs of 15 mL/kg volume by 5 s did not influence physiological variables or early markers of lung inflammation and injury at 15 min compared to a standard pressure-limited sustained inflation.
Feeding and smoking habits as cumulative risk factors for early childhood caries in toddlers, after adjustment for several behavioral determinants: a retrospective study
Authors: Majorana Alessandra , Cagetti Maria Grazia , Bardellini Elena , Amadori Francesca , Conti Giulio , Strohmenger Laura , Campus Guglielmo
Published: February 2014

Background

Several maternal health determinants during the first period of life of the child, as feeding practice, smoking habit and socio-economic level, are involved in early childhood health problems, as caries development. The potential associations among early childhood caries, feeding practices, maternal and environmental smoking exposure, Socio-Economic Status (SES) and several behavioral determinants were investigated.

Methods

Italian toddlers (n = 2395) aged 24–30 months were recruited and information on feeding practices, sweet dietary habit, maternal smoking habit, SES, and fluoride supplementation in the first year of life was obtained throughout a questionnaire administered to mothers. Caries lesions in toddlers were identified in visual/tactile examinations and classified using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Associations between toddlers’ caries data and mothers’ questionnaire data were assessed using chi-squared test. Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze associations among caries severity level (ICDAS score), behavioral factors and SES (using mean housing price per square meter as a proxy).

Results

Caries prevalence and severity levels were significantly lower in toddlers who were exclusively breastfed and those who received mixed feeding with a moderate–high breast milk component, compared with toddlers who received low mixed feeding and those exclusively fed with formula (p < 0.01). No moderate and high caries severity levels were observed in an exclusively breastfed children. High caries severity levels were significantly associated with sweet beverages (p < 0.04) and SES (p < 0.01). Toddlers whose mothers smoked five or more cigarettes/day during pregnancy showed a higher caries severity level (p < 0.01) respect to those whose mothers did not smoke. Environmental exposure to smoke during the first year of life was also significantly associated with caries severity (odds ratio =7.14, 95% confidence interval = 6.07-7.28). No association was observed between caries severity level and fluoride supplementation. More than 50% of toddlers belonging to families with a low SES, showed moderate or high severity caries levels (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Higher caries severity levels were observed in toddlers fed with infant formula and exposed to smoke during pregnancy living in area with a low mean housing price per square meter.
The effects of Psychotropic drugs On Developing brain (ePOD) study: methods and design
Authors: Bottelier Marco A , Schouw Marieke LJ , Klomp Anne , Tamminga Hyke GH , Schrantee Anouk GM , Bouziane Cheima , de Ruiter Michiel B , Boer Frits , Ruhé Henricus G , Denys Damiaan , Rijsman Roselyne , Lindauer Ramon JL , Reitsma Hans B , Geurts Hilde M , Reneman Liesbeth
Published: February 2014

Background

Animal studies have shown that methylphenidate (MPH) and fluoxetine (FLX) have different effects on dopaminergic and serotonergic system in the developing brain compared to the developed brain. The effects of Psychotropic drugs On the Developing brain (ePOD) study is a combination of different approaches to determine whether there are related findings in humans.

Methods/Design

Animal studies were carried out to investigate age-related effects of psychotropic drugs and to validate new neuroimaging techniques. In addition, we set up two double-blind placebo controlled clinical trials with MPH in 50 boys (10–12 years) and 50 young men (23–40 years) suffering from ADHD (ePOD-MPH) and with FLX in 40 girls (12–14 years) and 40 young women (23–40 years) suffering from depression and anxiety disorders (ePOD-SSRI). Trial registration numbers are: Nederlands Trial Register NTR3103 and NTR2111. A cross-sectional cohort study on age-related effects of these psychotropic medications in patients who have been treated previously with MPH or FLX (ePOD-Pharmo) is also ongoing. The effects of psychotropic drugs on the developing brain are studied using neuroimaging techniques together with neuropsychological and psychiatric assessments of cognition, behavior and emotion. All assessments take place before, during (only in case of MPH) and after chronic treatment.

Discussion

The combined results of these approaches will provide new insight into the modulating effect of MPH and FLX on brain development.
Histone acetyltransferase-deficient p300 mutants in diffuse large B cell lymphoma have altered transcriptional regulatory activities and are required for optimal cell growth
Authors: Haery Leila , Lugo-Picó Julián G , Henry Ryan A , Andrews Andrew J , Gilmore Thomas D
Published: February 2014

Background

Recent genome-wide studies have shown that approximately 30% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cases harbor mutations in the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) coactivators p300 or CBP. The majority of these mutations reduce or eliminate the catalytic HAT activity. We previously demonstrated that the human DLBCL cell line RC-K8 expresses a C-terminally truncated, HAT-defective p300 protein (p300ΔC-1087), whose expression is essential for cell proliferation.

Methods

Using results from large-scale DLBCL studies, we have identified and characterized a second C-terminally truncated, HAT-defective p300 mutant, p300ΔC-820, expressed in the SUDHL2 DLBCL cell line. Properties of p300ΔC-820 were characterized in the SUDHL2 DLBCL cell line by Western blotting, co-immunoprecipitation, and shRNA gene knockdown, as well by using cDNA expression vectors for p300ΔC-820 in pull-down assays, transcriptional reporter assays, and immunofluorescence experiments. A mass spectrometry-based method was used to compare the histone acetylation profile of DLBCL cell lines expressing various levels of wild-type p300.

Results

We show that the SUDHL2 cell line expresses a C-terminally truncated, HAT-defective form of p300 (p300ΔC-820), but no wild-type p300. The p300ΔC-820 protein has a wild-type ability to localize to subnuclear “speckles,” but has a reduced ability to enhance transactivation by transcription factor REL. Knockdown of p300ΔC-820 in SUDHL2 cells reduced their proliferation and soft agar colony-forming ability. In RC-K8 cells, knockdown of p300ΔC-1087 resulted in increased expression of mRNA and protein for REL target genes A20 and IκBα, two genes that have been shown to limit the growth of RC-K8 cells when overexpressed. Among a panel of B-lymphoma cell lines, low-level expression of full-length p300 protein, which is characteristic of the SUDHL2 and RC-K8 cells, was associated with decreased acetylation of histone H3 at lysines 14 and 18.

Conclusions

The high prevalence of p300 mutations in DLBCL suggests that HAT-deficient p300 activity defines a subtype of DLBCL, which we have investigated using human DLBCL cell lines RC-K8 and SUDHL2. Our results suggest that truncated p300 proteins contribute to DLBCL cell growth by affecting the expression of specific genes, perhaps through a mechanism that involves alterations in global histone acetylation.
Proteomic analysis of post-nuclear supernatant fraction and percoll-purified membranes prepared from brain cortex of rats exposed to increasing doses of morphine
Authors: Ujcikova Hana , Eckhardt Adam , Kagan Dmytro , Roubalova Lenka , Svoboda Petr
Published: February 2014

Background

Proteomic analysis was performed in post-nuclear supernatant (PNS) and Percoll-purified membranes (PM) prepared from fore brain cortex of rats exposed to increasing doses of morphine (10–50 mg/kg) for 10 days.

Results

In PNS, the 10 up (↑)- or down (↓)-regulated proteins exhibiting thelargest morphine-induced changewere selected, excised manually from the gel and identified by MALDI-TOF MS/MS:1-(gi|148747414, Guanine deaminase), ↑2.5×;2-(gi|17105370, Vacuolar-type proton ATP subunit B, brain isoform), ↑2.6×;3-(gi|1352384, Protein disulfide-isomerase A3), ↑3.4×;4-(gi|40254595, Dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2), ↑3.6×;5-(gi|149054470, N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein, isoform CRAa), ↑2.0×;6-(gi|42476181, Malate dehydrogenase, mitochondrial precursor), ↑1.4×;7-(gi|62653546, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), ↑1.6×;8-(gi|202837, Aldolase A), ↑1.3×;9-(gi|31542401, Creatine kinase B-type), ↓0.86×;10-(gi|40538860, Aconitate hydratase, mitochondrial precursor), ↑1.3×. The identified proteins were of cytoplasmic (1, 4, 5, 7, 9), cell membrane (2), endoplasmic reticulum (3) and mitochondrial (6, 8, 10) origin and 9 of them were significantly increased, 1.3-3.6×. The 4 out of 9 up-regulated proteins (4, 6, 7, 10) were described as functionally related to oxidative stress; the 2 proteins participate in genesis of apoptotic cell death.

In PM, the 18 up (↑)- or down (↓)-regulated proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS and were ofplasma membrane[Brain acid soluble protein, ↓2.1×; trimeric Gβ subunit, ↓2.0x],myelin membrane[MBP, ↓2.5×],cytoplasmic[Internexin, ↑5.2×; DPYL2, ↑4.9×; Ubiquitin hydrolase, ↓2.0×; 60S ribosomal protein, ↑2.7×; KCRB, ↓2.6×; Sirtuin-2, ↑2.5×; Peroxiredoxin-2, ↑2.2×; Septin-11, ↑2.2×; TERA, ↑2.1×; SYUA, ↑2.0×; Coronin-1A, ↓5.4×] andmitochondrial[Glutamate dehydrogenase 1, ↑2.7×; SCOT1, ↑2.2×; Prohibitin, ↑2.2×; Aspartate aminotransferase,↓2.2×] origin. Surprisingly, the immunoblot analysis of the same PM resolved by 2D-ELFO indicated that the “active”, morphine-induced pool of Gβ subunits represented just a minor fraction of the total signal of Gβ which was decreased 1.2x only. The dominant signal of Gβ was unchanged.

Conclusion

Brain cortex of rats exposed to increasing doses of morphine is far from being adapted. Significant up-regulation of proteins functionally related to oxidative stress and apoptosis suggests a major change of energy metabolism resulting in the state of severe brain cell “discomfort” or even death.
Enucleation of giant esophageal schwannoma of the upper thoracic esophagus: reports of two cases
Authors: Jeon Hyun Woo , Kim Kyung Soo , Hyun Kwan Yong , Park Jae Kil
Published: February 2014

Benign esophageal tumors are uncommon, leiomyomas being the most frequent. However, esophageal schwannomas are exceedingly rare. We report here on two instances of large esophageal schwannomas treated by enucleation. A 63-year-old male and a 32-year-old female were referred to us for abnormal chest X-rays. Computed tomography of the chest documented sizeable growths in the upper thoracic esophagus, resulting in compression of membranous trachea posteriorly. By positron emission tomography, the tumors appeared hypermetabolic. In both instances, successful surgical enucleation was achieved. Histologic examination confirmed spindle cell tumors positive for S-100 protein by immunostaining.
A new nanosensor composed of laminated samarium borate and immobilized laccase for phenol determination
Authors: Hu Ping , Zhou Xinlin , Wu Qingsheng
Published: February 2014

A new nanosensor composed of laminated samarium borate and immobilized laccase was developed for phenol determination. The laminated samarium borate was synthesized by a mild solid-state-hydrothermal (S-S-H) method without any surfactant or Template. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the samples. The morphology of the as-prepared materials was characterized by SEM, which shows that laminated samarium borate are uniform nanosheets with a layer-by-layer self-assembled single-crystal structure. These laminated samarium borate have typical diameters of 3 ~ 5 μm and the thickness of each layer is in the range of 10 ~ 80 nm. And then, these SmBO3 multilayers were used to immobilize the laccase. The proposed nanosensor composed of laminated samarium borate and immobilized laccase was successfully developed for phenol determination. Cyclic voltammetry were used to study the nanosensor. The proposed nanosensor displayed high sensitivity toward phenolic compounds. The linearity of the nanosensor for the detection of hydroquinone was obtained from 1 to 50 μM with a detection limit of 3 × 10-7 M (based on the S/N = 3).
Identification of core T cell network based on immunome interactome
Authors: Teku Gabriel N , Ortutay Csaba , Vihinen Mauno
Published: February 2014

Background

Data-driven studies on the dynamics of reconstructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks facilitate investigation and identification of proteins important for particular processes or diseases and reduces time and costs of experimental verification. Modeling the dynamics of very large PPI networks is computationally costly.

Results

To circumvent this problem, we created a link-weighted human immunome interactome and performed filtering. We reconstructed the immunome interactome and weighed the links using jackknife gene expression correlation of integrated, time course gene expression data. Statistical significance of the links was computed using the Global Statistical Significance (GloSS) filtering algorithm. P-values from GloSS were computed for the integrated, time course gene expression data. We filtered the immunome interactome to identify core components of the T cell PPI network (TPPIN). The interconnectedness of the major pathways for T cell survival and response, including the T cell receptor, MAPK and JAK-STAT pathways, are maintained in the TPPIN network. The obtained TPPIN network is supported both by Gene Ontology term enrichment analysis along with study of essential genes enrichment.

Conclusions

By integrating gene expression data to the immunome interactome and using a weighted network filtering method, we identified the T cell PPI immune response network. This network reveals the most central and crucial network in T cells. The approach is general and applicable to any dataset that contains sufficient information.
Simvastatin attenuates rhinovirus-induced interferon and CXCL10 secretion from monocytic cells in vitro
Authors: Wickert Lisa E , Karta Maya R , Audhya Anjon , Gern James E , Bertics Paul J
Published: February 2014

RV infections frequently trigger exacerbations of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, yet treatment and intervention options remain limited. Statin drugs are the treatment of choice for dyslipidemia and can also modulate immune cell function. To determine whether statin drugs modify antiviral responses of human monocytic cells, we obtained blood monocytes from donors with allergies and/or asthma and treated the cells with sim prior to challenge with RV. RV-induced secretion of CXCL10 was attenuated significantly, irrespective of RV type (RV-16, -14, or -1A), which corresponded with decreases in IFN-α secretion and pSTAT1. Sim pretreatment also reduced RV-induced CXCL10 secretion from human alveolar macrophages. The addition of mev and GGPP—two intermediates of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway—was able to rescue CXCL10 release fully, demonstrating that effects of sim were related to inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis and not to an off-target effect. In addition, sim pretreatment attenuated IFN-α-induced pSTAT1 and CXCL10 secretion, providing evidence that sim additionally can affect type I IFNR signaling. SOCS1 and 3 mRNA are both induced with RV stimulation, but sim did not elevate SOCS1 or SOCS3 mRNA expression basally or in the presence of RV. Our findings suggest that sim inhibition of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway leads to decreased RV-induced chemokine secretion in monocytes and macrophages. These findings suggest that statin drugs have the potential to curb the inflammatory response to RV infection.
Molecular Basis for the Activation of Gonadotropin-Inhibitory Hormone Gene Transcription by Corticosterone
Authors: Son You Lee , Ubuka Takayoshi , Narihiro Misato , Fukuda Yujiro , Hasunuma Itaru , Yamamoto Kazutoshi , Belsham Denise D. , Tsutsui Kazuyoshi
Published: February 2014

The inhibitory effect of stress on reproductive function is potentially mediated by high concentrations of circulating glucocorticoids (GCs) acting via the GC receptor (GR). Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that inhibits gonadotropin secretion. GnIH may mediate stress-induced reproductive dysfunction. However, it is not yet known whether GC-bound GR is directly involved in GnIH transcription. Here, we demonstrated the localization of GR mRNA in GnIH neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of quail, suggesting that GC can directly regulate GnIH transcription. We next showed that 24 hours of treatment with corticosterone (CORT) increase GnIH mRNA expression in the quail diencephalon. We further investigated the mechanism of activation of GnIH transcription by CORT using a GnIH-expressing neuronal cell line, rHypoE-23, derived from rat hypothalamus. We found the expression of GR mRNA in rHypoE-23 cells and increased GnIH mRNA expression by 24 hours of CORT treatment. We finally characterized the promoter activity of rat GnIH gene stimulated by CORT. Through DNA deletion analysis, we identified a CORT-responsive region at 2000–1501 bp upstream of GnIH precursor coding region. This region included 2 GC response elements (GREs) at −1665 and −1530 bp. Mutation of −1530 GRE abolished CORT responsiveness. We also found CORT-stimulated GR recruitment at the GnIH promoter region containing the −1530 GRE. These results provide a putative molecular basis for transcriptional activation of GnIH under stress by demonstrating that CORT directly induces GnIH transcription by recruitment of GR to its promoter.
Identification of a New Hormone-Binding Site on the Surface of Thyroid Hormone Receptor
Authors: Souza P.C.T. , Puhl A.C. , Martínez L. , Aparício R. , Nascimento A.S. , Figueira A.C.M. , Nguyen P. , Webb P. , Skaf M.S , Polikarpov I.
Published: February 2014

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors involved in cell differentiation, growth, and homeostasis. Although X-ray structures of many nuclear receptor ligand-binding domains (LBDs) reveal that the ligand binds within the hydrophobic core of the ligand-binding pocket, a few studies suggest the possibility of ligands binding to other sites. Here, we report a new x-ray crystallographic structure of TR-LBD that shows a second binding site for T3 and T4 located between H9, H10, and H11 of the TRα LBD surface. Statistical multiple sequence analysis, site-directed mutagenesis, and cell transactivation assays indicate that residues of the second binding site could be important for the TR function. We also conducted molecular dynamics simulations to investigate ligand mobility and ligand-protein interaction for T3 and T4 bound to this new TR surface-binding site. Extensive molecular dynamics simulations designed to compute ligand-protein dissociation constant indicate that the binding affinities to this surface site are of the order of the plasma and intracellular concentrations of the thyroid hormones, suggesting that ligands may bind to this new binding site under physiological conditions. Therefore, the second binding site could be useful as a new target site for drug design and could modulate selectively TR functions.
Software Carpentry: lessons learned
Authors: Wilson Greg
Published: February 2014

Over the last 15 years, Software Carpentry has evolved from a week-long training course at the US National Laboratories into a worldwide volunteer effort to raise standards in scientific computing. This article explains what we have learned along the way, the challenges we now face, and our plans for the future.
Christianity — labour — law: proactive thinking
Authors: Кривой Виктор , Krivoy Victor
Published: February 2014

In this article the author draws attention of the legal (and not only legal) scientific elite to the religious component of the regulation of social relations in order to promote the revival of genuine moral principle in all areas of working life jointly (in union).
Specific Futures of Critical Infrastructures Safety Ensuring
Authors: Резников  , Reznikov D. , Махутов  , Makhutov Nikolay , Петров  , Petrov V.
Published: February 2014

A number of critical infrastructures’ distinctive features which define additional requirements to these infrastructures’ safety

ensuring are considered in this paper. Need of addition of traditional approaches to ensuring the safety of critical infrastructures

in relation to design impacts by a complex of measures, aimed at providing their stability to beyond design basis influences is

proved. Means related to carrying out of critical infrastructures’ stability quantitative assessment are considered.
Engineers Training for Solution of Problems related to Security in Technosphere
Authors: Сазонова  , Sazonova Z. , Трофименко  , Trofimenko Yuri , Федюкина  , Fedyukina T.
Published: February 2014

Technosphere’s security problems solution in the context of continuous growth of technosphere objects number is imperative for life safety and environment protection. In the present paper organizational and psychological-pedagogical conditions for engineers’ professional training related to technospchere’s security problems solution are discussed. An experience acquired in this area at the Moscow State Automobile & Road Technical University – MADI is analyzed.
Employment: Renewed Investments
Authors: Mank David M. , Grossi Teresa A.
Published: February 2014

Supported employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities emerged in the 1980s, clearly showing the untapped potential of people to work productively in integrated jobs. Expanding across the United States and other countries, supported employment was shown to be an effective approach to employment across communities and cultures. While supported employment has expanded little in the last decade, there is a renewed investment nationwide and in some other countries. The renewed developments include improvements in supported employment methods, interest in funding based on outcomes rather than services, concern about the persistence of segregated workshops, the need for qualified supported employment personnel, investment in Employment First policies in states, the emergence of litigation promoting integrated employment over segregation, renewed investment in transition, investments in other countries, and the increasingly clear voice of self-advocates with intellectual and developmental disabilities calling for community jobs and fair pay. While there is renewed interest in supported employment, threats remain to further improvement and expansion that must also be addressed.
Environmental assessment of the Tung cultivation through life cycle analysis
Authors: Bern�l Marcelo , Schneider Rosana , Machado �nio
Published: February 2014

Over the past few decades, conventional agriculture has been facing serious crises caused by numerous factors, including poor soil management and the excessive application of pesticides. Thus, alternative production systems have been developed, including agroforestry systems, especially those that produce both energy and food. The objective of this study was to environmentally evaluate the culture of Aleurites fordii Hemls. (Tung) using the Life Cycle Assessment method with the SimaPro 7.3.2 software. The results revealed that in family farms that use less mechanization to harvest crops, the primary category of environmental impact was land use, which included the removal of animal and vegetable species and ecosystem changes. The full impact of this category was 1741.21 m2yr PDF (potentially disappeared fraction). Subsequently, prognostics were established for the reduction of such impacts, and we conclude that Tung has a high potential for agricultural installation with high responsibility to the environment. Keywords: Environmental factors, Aleurites fordii Hemls, Life Cycle Management, Tung.
Low-cost piezoelectric footswitch system for measuring temporal parameters during walking
Authors: Balbinot Gustavo , Schuch Clarissa Pedrini , Zaro Milton Antonio , Vaz Marco Aur�lio
Published: February 2014

Human walking is one of the most investigated biomechanical events, and gait analysis depends on accurate measurement of heel strike (HS) and toe off (TO). The purpose of this study was to construct and validate a low-cost footswitch system for the measurement of temporal gait parameters. Ten young healthy subjects participated of the validation and test of the footswitch system with two different footwear, Bland-Altman analysis showed 98% and 95% of validation data within the limits of agreement, for HS and TO respectively (mean difference of 16ms1ms and 20ms9ms) and the temporal parameters measured during treadmill walking at a speed of 4.5km.h-1 showed results similar to those found in the literature for normal walking. The outcomes confirm low CoVs for the instrumented athletic and instability shoe, respectively: (1.520.61)% and (1.900.73)% for contact time, (2.170.95)% and (2.570.95)% for balance time, (0.840.28)% and (1.120.53)% for stride time. The low-cost footswitch system described and validated in the present study has an important practical applicability, mostly for emerging and developing countries biomechanics labs. Keywords: Footswitch System, Gait Analysis, Locomotion, Low-Cost, Walk.
Effect of hot water extracted hardwood and softwood chips on particleboard properties
Authors: Pelaez-Samaniego Manuel Raul , Yadama Vikram , Garcia-Perez Tsai , Lowell Eini , Amidon Thomas
Published: February 2014

The affinity of particleboard (PB) to water is one of the main limitations for using PB in moisture-rich environments. PB dimensional stability and durability can be improved by reducing the available hydroxyl groups in wood through hemicellulose removal, for example, by hot water extraction (HWE), which increases wood resistance to moisture uptake. The resulting liquid fraction from HWE is rich in hemicelluloses and can be used for chemicals and fuels, and the solid fraction is less hydrophilic. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of HWE of softwood chips (conducted at 160°C and 90 min) and hardwood chips (160°C and 120 min) on the properties of PB panels. HWE increased compressibility and reduced springback by 34% and 44% for pine and maple chips, respectively, which positively impacted the PB properties. Water absorption of pine PB panels was lowered by 35% and that of maple PB panels by 30%, while reduction of thickness swelling was lowered by 39% for pine PB and 56% for maple PB after 24 h of immersion in water. The mechanical properties were not significantly affected.
Extracellular Calcium Controls the Expression of Two Different Forms of Ripple-Like Hippocampal Oscillations
Authors: Aivar Paloma , Valero Manuel , Bellistri Elisa , Menendez de la Prida Liset
Published: February 2014

Hippocampal high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) are prominent in physiological and pathological conditions. During physiological ripples (100–200 Hz), few pyramidal cells fire together coordinated by rhythmic inhibitory potentials. In the epileptic hippocampus, fast ripples (>200 Hz) reflect population spikes (PSs) from clusters of bursting cells, but HFOs in the ripple and the fast ripple range are vastly intermixed. What is the meaning of this frequency range? What determines the expression of different HFOs? Here, we used different concentrations of Ca2+in a physiological range (1–3 mm) to record local field potentials and single cells in hippocampal slices from normal rats. Surprisingly, we found that this sole manipulation results in the emergence of two forms of HFOs reminiscent of ripples and fast ripples recordedin vivofrom normal and epileptic rats, respectively. We scrutinized the cellular correlates and mechanisms underlying the emergence of these two forms of HFOs by combining multisite, single-cell and paired-cell recordings in slices prepared from a rat reporter line that facilitates identification of GABAergic cells. We found a major effect of extracellular Ca2+in modulating intrinsic excitability and disynaptic inhibition, two critical factors shaping network dynamics. Moreover, locally modulating the extracellular Ca2+concentration in anin vivoenvironment had a similar effect on disynaptic inhibition, pyramidal cell excitability, and ripple dynamics. Therefore, the HFO frequency band reflects a range of firing dynamics of hippocampal networks.
p27 variant and corticotropinoma susceptibility: a genetic and in vitro study
Authors: Sekiya Tomoko , Bronstein Marcello D , Benfini Katiuscia , Longuini Viviane C , Jallad Raquel S , Machado Marcio C , Goncalves Tatiana D , Osaki Luciana H , Higashi Leonardo , Viana-Jr Jose , Kater Claudio , Lee Misu , Molatore Sara , Francisco Guilherme , Chammas Roger , Naslavsky Michel S , Schlesinger David , Gama Patricia , Duarte Yeda A O , Lebrão Maria Lucia , Zatz Mayana , Meirelles Osorio , Liberman Bernardo , Fragoso Maria Candida B V , Toledo Sergio P A , Pellegata Natalia S , Toledo Rodrigo A
Published: February 2014

Germline mutations in p27kip1 are associated with increased susceptibility to multiple endocrine neoplasias (MEN) both in rats and humans; however, the potential role of common polymorphisms of this gene in endocrine tumor susceptibility and tumorigenesis remains mostly unrecognized. To assess the risk associated with polymorphism rs2066827 (p27-V109G), we genotyped a large cohort of Brazilian patients with sporadic endocrine tumors (pituitary adenomas, n=252; pheochromocytomas, n=125; medullary thyroid carcinoma, n=51; and parathyroid adenomas, n=19) and 885 population-matched healthy controls and determined the odds ratios and 95% CIs. Significant associations were found for the group of patients with pituitary adenomas (P=0.01), particularly for those with ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas (P=0.005). In contrast, no association was found with GH-secreting pituitary tumors alone or with the sporadic counterpart of MEN2-component neoplasias. Our in vitro analyses revealed increased colony formation and cell growth rate for an AtT20 corticotropin mouse cell line overexpressing the p27-V109G variant compared with cells transfected with the WT p27. However, the genotypic effects in genetic and in vitro approaches were divergent. In accordance with our genetic data showing specificity for ACTH-secreting pituitary tissues, the overexpression of p27-V109G in a GH3 somatotropin rat cell line resulted in no difference compared with the WT. Pituitary tumors are one of the major clinical components of syndromes associated with the p27 pathogenic mutations MENX and MEN4. Our genetic and in vitro data indicate that the common polymorphism rs2066827 may play a role in corticotropinoma susceptibility and tumorigenesis through a molecular mechanism not fully understood thus far.
MOLECULAR EVOLUTION OF GPCRS: 26Rfa/GPR103
Authors: Ukena Kazuyoshi , Osugi Tomohiro , Leprince Jérôme , Vaudry Hubert , Tsutsui Kazuyoshi
Published: February 2014

Neuropeptides possessing the Arg-Phe-NH2(RFamide) motif at their C-termini (designated as RFamide peptides) have been characterized in a variety of animals. Among these, neuropeptide 26RFa (also termed QRFP) is the latest member of the RFamide peptide family to be discovered in the hypothalamus of vertebrates. The neuropeptide 26RFa/QRFP is a 26-amino acid residue peptide that was originally identified in the frog brain. It has been shown to exert orexigenic activity in mammals and to be a ligand for the previously identified orphan G protein-coupled receptor, GPR103 (QRFPR). The cDNAs encoding 26RFa/QRFP and QRFPR have now been characterized in representative species of mammals, birds, and fish. Functional studies have shown that, in mammals, the 26RFa/QRFP–QRFPR system may regulate various functions, including food intake, energy homeostasis, bone formation, pituitary hormone secretion, steroidogenesis, nociceptive transmission, and blood pressure. Several biological actions have also been reported in birds and fish. This review summarizes the current state of identification, localization, and understanding of the functions of 26RFaQRFP and its cognate receptor, QRFPR, in vertebrates.
Thyroid hormone induced angiogenesis through the integrin αvβ3/protein kinase D/histone deacetylase 5 signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Xin , Zheng Nan , Shi Ya-Nan , Yuan Jihong , Li Lanying
Published: February 2014

Thyroid hormone is reported to induce angiogenesis, which is mediated by the membrane receptor integrin αvβ3, but the precise signaling pathway is still not very clear. Recently, studies have shown that protein kinase D (PKD) regulates the recycling of integrin αvβ3, which is required for cell migration. Moreover, phosphorylated PKD stimulates histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) phosphorylation and nuclear export in endothelial cells. As a potent pro-angiogenic growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF (FGF2)) is a downstream target gene of HDAC5. Therefore, we examined the hypothesis that a novel signaling pathway through integrin αvβ3/PKD/HDAC5 might contribute to thyroxine (T4)-induced angiogenesis. We selected human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) for treatment. Angiogenesis was assessed using wound-healing and tubulogenesis assays. Signaling molecules, including phosphorylated PKD and HDAC5, were measured by western blotting. bFGF mRNA was analyzed by real-time PCR. Our results showed that T4 (100 nmol/l) stimulated the migration and formation of tube-like structures of HUVECs, whereas tetraiodothyroacetic acid (Tetrac, 100 nmol/l) inhibited T4-induced cell migration. Importantly, T4 promoted the phosphorylation of PKD and HDAC5. These effects were inhibited respectively by Tetrac, PKC inhibitor (2.5 μmol/l) and PKD siRNA. Meanwhile, T4 could promote the cytoplasmic accumulation of phosphorylated HDAC5 in HUVECs. In addition, bFGF mRNA expression in HUVECs significantly increased within 2 h of T4 treatment, but was decreased by Tetrac. Our findings indicate that T4 increases the expression of bFGF mRNA via the integrin αvβ3/PKD/HDAC5 signaling pathway, which plays an important role in angiogenesis.
Bisphenol A enhances kisspeptin neurons in anteroventral periventricular nucleus of female mice
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Chang Fei , Bai Yinyang , Chen Fang , Zhang Jun , Chen Ling
Published: February 2014

Bisphenol-A (BPA), an environmental estrogen, adversely affects female reproductive health. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. We found that oral administration (p.o.) of BPA (20 μg/kg) to adult female mice at proestrus, but not at estrus or diestrus, significantly increased the levels of plasma E2, LH and FSH, and Gnrh mRNA within 6 h. The administration of BPA at proestrus, but not at diestrus, could elevate the levels of Kiss1 mRNA and kisspeptin protein in anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) within 6 h. In contrast, the level of Kiss1 mRNA in arcuate nucleus (ARC) was hardly altered by BPA administration. In addition, at proestrus, a single injection (i.c.v.) of BPA dose-dependently enhanced the AVPV-kisspeptin expression within 6 h, this was sensitive to E2 depletion by ovariectomy and an estrogen receptor α (ERα) antagonist. Similarly, the injection of BPA (i.c.v.) at proestrus could elevate the levels of plasma E2, LH, and Gnrh mRNA within 6 h in a dose-dependent manner, which was blocked by antagonists of GPR54 or ERα. Injection of BPA (i.c.v.) at proestrus failed to alter the timing and peak concentration of LH-surge generation. In ovariectomized mice, the application of E2 induced a dose-dependent increase in the AVPV-Kiss1 mRNA level, indicating ‘E2-induced positive feedback’, which was enhanced by BPA injection (i.c.v.). The levels of Erα (Esr1) and Erβ (Esr2) mRNAs in AVPV and ARC did not differ significantly between vehicle-and BPA-treated groups. This study provides in vivo evidence that exposure of adult female mice to a low dose of BPA disrupts the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal reproductive endocrine system through enhancing AVPV-kisspeptin expression and release.
Unexpected Function of the Glucanosyltransferase Gas1 in the DNA Damage Response Linked to Histone H3 Acetyltransferases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Eustice Moriah , Pillus Lorraine
Published: February 2014

Chromatin organization and structure are crucial for transcriptional regulation, DNA replication, and damage repair. Although initially characterized in remodeling cell wall glucans, the β-1,3-glucanosyltransferase Gas1 was recently discovered to regulate transcriptional silencing in a manner separable from its activity at the cell wall. However, the function of Gas1 in modulating chromatin remains largely unexplored. Our genetic characterization revealed that GAS1 had critical interactions with genes encoding the histone H3 lysine acetyltransferases Gcn5 and Sas3. Specifically, whereas the gas1gcn5 double mutant was synthetically lethal, deletion of both GAS1 and SAS3 restored silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The loss of GAS1 also led to broad DNA damage sensitivity with reduced Rad53 phosphorylation and defective cell cycle checkpoint activation following exposure to select genotoxins. Deletion of SAS3 in the gas1 background restored both Rad53 phosphorylation and checkpoint activation following exposure to genotoxins that trigger the DNA replication checkpoint. Our analysis thus uncovers previously unsuspected functions for both Gas1 and Sas3 in DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation.
Neandertal Admixture in Eurasia Confirmed by Maximum-Likelihood Analysis of Three Genomes
Authors: Lohse Konrad , Frantz Laurent A F
Published: February 2014

Although there has been much interest in estimating histories of divergence and admixture from genomic data, it has proved difficult to distinguish recent admixture from long-term structure in the ancestral population. Thus, recent genome-wide analyses based on summary statistics have sparked controversy about the possibility of interbreeding between Neandertals and modern humans in Eurasia. Here we derive the probability of full mutational configurations in nonrecombining sequence blocks under both admixture and ancestral structure scenarios. Dividing the genome into short blocks gives an efficient way to compute maximum-likelihood estimates of parameters. We apply this likelihood scheme to triplets of human and Neandertal genomes and compare the relative support for a model of admixture from Neandertals into Eurasian populations after their expansion out of Africa against a history of persistent structure in their common ancestral population in Africa. Our analysis allows us to conclusively reject a model of ancestral structure in Africa and instead reveals strong support for Neandertal admixture in Eurasia at a higher rate (3.4−7.3%) than suggested previously. Using analysis and simulations we show that our inference is more powerful than previous summary statistics and robust to realistic levels of recombination.
Instrumentation With Ultrasonic Scalers Facilitates Cleaning of the Sandblasted and Acid-Etched Titanium Implants
Authors: Park Jun-Beom , Lee Sung-Hoon , Kim NamRyang , Park Seojin , Jin Seong-Ho , Choi Bong-Kyu , Kim Kack-Kyun , Ko Youngkyung
Published: February 2014

Mechanical instrumentation is widely used to debride dental implants, but this may alter the surface properties of titanium, which in turn may influence bacterial adhesion and make it more difficult to remove the biofilm. This in vitro study was performed (1) to assess the amount of biofilm formation on a sand-blasted and acid-etched titanium fixture treated with ultrasonic scalers with metal, plastic, and carbon tips and (2) to evaluate how this treatment of titanium surfaces affects implant cleaning by brushing with dentifrice. The titanium fixtures were treated with various ultrasonic scaler tips, and surface roughness parameters were measured by confocal microscopy. Biofilm was formed on the treated fixtures by using pooled saliva from 10 subjects, and the quantity of the adherent bacteria was compared with crystal violet assay. The fixture surfaces with biofilm were brushed for total of 30 seconds with a toothbrush with dentifrice. The bacteria remaining on the brushed fixture surfaces were quantified by scanning electron microscopy. Surface changes were evident, and the changes of the surfaces were more discernible when metal tips were used. A statistically significant decrease in roughness value (arithmetic mean height of the surface) was seen in the 2 metal-tip groups and the single plastic-tip group. After brushing with dentifrice, the treated surfaces in all the treatment groups showed significantly fewer bacteria compared with the untreated surfaces in the control group, and the parts of the surfaces left untreated in the test groups. Within the limits of this study, treatment of titanium fixture surfaces with ultrasonic metal, plastic, or carbon tips significantly enhanced the bacterial removal efficacy of brushing. Thorough instrumentation that smooths the whole exposed surface may facilitate maintenance of the implants.
Mecanismos de abertura do sulco e da adubação nitrogenada em arroz de terras altas
Authors: Nascimento Vagner do , Arf Orivaldo , Alves Marlene Cristina , Bonini Carolina dos Santos Batista , Kaneko Flávio Hiroshi , Teixeira Filho Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto
Published: February 2014

A cultura do arroz adapta-se pouco ao sistema plantio direto (SPD) em razão da maior compactação da camada superficial do solo, devido ao intenso tráfego de máquinas e não mobilização do solo. Nesse caso, o mecanismo utilizado na semeadora para a abertura dos sulcos com a finalidade de deposição do adubo pode ter grande importância para facilitar a penetração das raízes e aumentar a porosidade do solo. Diante disso, propôs-se este estudo com o objetivo de avaliar o desenvolvimento e a produtividade do arroz de terras altas em sistema plantio direto, em razão de mecanismos de distribuição do adubo na semeadura e de doses de N em cobertura, em Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, utilizando-se um esquema fatorial 2 x 6, constituído por mecanismos de distribuição do adubo (haste escarificadora e disco duplo) e de doses de N em cobertura (0, 25, 50, 75, 100 e 125 kg ha-1), com quatro repetições. Concluiu-se que os mecanismos de distribuição do fertilizante não interferiram na produtividade de grãos do arroz de terras altas; o mecanismo do tipo haste escarificadora promoveu maior altura de plantas e maior número de grãos cheios nos dois anos de cultivo; a aplicação de nitrogênio em cobertura interferiu em algumas características agronômicas, produtivas e em componentes de rendimento de engenho; a produtividade do arroz aumentou até a dose de 69 kg ha-1 de N, no primeiro ano de cultivo.
Análise do líquido cefalorraquidiano de bugio-ruivo (Alouatta guariba)
Authors: Tranquilim Marcos V. , Cardoso Guilherme S. , Heckler Marta C.T. , Teixeira Carlos R. , Lopes Raimundo S. , Takahira Regina K. , Resende Luiz A.L. , Amorim Rogério M.
Published: February 2014

A presente pesquisa foi realizada com o objetivo de desenvolver e adaptar técnicas diagnósticas em neurologia para primatas não humanos, da espécie Alouatta guariba Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1812 (bugio-ruivo) saudáveis e mantidos em cativeiro. Foram realizadas análises físico-químicas e citológicas do líquido cefalorraquidiano obtido na cisterna magna de oito bugios-ruivos. Para realização dos exames, todos os animais foram contidos quimicamente com associação de cetamina, xilazina e midazolam e anestesia inalatória com isoflurano. Os resultados das análises do líquido cefalorraquidiano demonstraram valores médios de proteína: 16,92mg/dL±9,84; glicose: 131,25mg/dL±106,7; pH: 8,37±0,69; células nucleadas: 0,5/mm³±0,75; hemácias: 49,37/mm³±111,76 e pressão: 7,37cm H2O±1,77. O trabalho demonstrou a segurança e a eficácia da colheita do líquido cefalorraquidiano na cisterna magna de Alouatta guariba e os valores de referência para a espécie.
Quão imperfeita é a competição na indústria brasileira?: estimativas de mark up setorial entre 1996 e 2007
Authors: Lucinda Claudio , Meyer Leandro
Published: February 2014

O uso de medidas de produtividade na avaliação de políticas públicas baseadas na suposição de concorrência perfeita pode levar a conclusões incorretas sobre a sua eficácia. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo busca analisar quão distante da competição perfeita a indústria de transformação brasileira se encontra. Os resultados apontam que, em média, o preço é 2,41 vezes o custo marginal, rejeitando a validade da hipótese de concorrência perfeita e indicando que análises que não levam em conta tal padrão de competição geram conclusões errôneas. Os setores florestal e metalúrgico apresentaram os maiores mark ups (3,81 e 2,95 respectivamente), sendo tal conclusão robusta a retornos de escala e formas alternativas de mensuração.
Uma análise da ciclicidade da política fiscal brasileira
Authors: Gadelha Sérgio Ricardo de Brito , Divino José Angelo
Published: February 2014

Uma vasta literatura teórica e empírica afirma que a política fiscal nos países em desenvolvimento é pró-cíclica, enquanto que em nações industrializadas a política fiscal é anticíclica ou acíclica. Utilizando dados mensais, macroeconômicos e fiscais, abrangendo o período de março de 2002 a julho de 2011, os resultados obtidos a partir de estimações GMM, em modelos estáticos e dinâmicos, indicam comportamento pró-cíclico da política fiscal brasileira, onde as teorias sobre variabilidade da base tributária, corrupção e economia informal contribuem para explicar esse comportamento. Todavia, a teoria sobre restrição ao crédito internacional não encontra respaldo empírico no período analisado.