bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chinese migrants in New York: Explaining inequalities with transnational positions and capital conversions in transnational spaces
Authors: Plüss Caroline
Published: January 2013

This article puts forward the concept of ‘transnational positions’ as an important part of a new analytical framework to deconstruct and explain the inequalities that 22 Chinese transnational migrants – who had links to Singapore and who lived in New York – perceived they experienced when attempting to access resources in the transnational spaces they formed by living in several societies. Emphasis is on analyzing their experiences in New York and in Singapore. Transnational positions are the migrants’ subjective and retrospective accounts of their relations with people and institutions controlling access to desired resources in the different countries and places in which they lived. This new framework uses Bourdieu’s ideas of capital conversions to deconstruct and analyze the Chinese migrants’ transnational positions. The article shows that these positions express and reflect the migrants’ perceptions of their inequalities when they attempted to access resources in their transnational spaces, and that these inequalities are the intersections of cultural, social, economic, and political characteristics, with roots in different places, which the Chinese migrants saw as the opportunities and constraints with accessing resources in their transnational spaces. The relevance of this new analytical framework, and the data analysis, to explain cultural hybridity and cosmopolitanism are discussed.
Migrants’ social positioning and inequalities: The intersections of capital, locations, and aspirations
Authors: Plüss Caroline
Published: January 2013

This special set of articles promotes new studies and conceptualizations of migrants’ social positioning in the contexts that they form by living in new locations, and/or by being simultaneously connected to several locations. In different ways, the contributors explain the migrants’ social positioning as consisting of the intersections of the migrants’ various forms of capital, the characteristics of the different locations and of the social actors in these locations that control access to resources, and the migrants’ different aspirations about accessing various resources. The migrants’ social positioning is presented as an important indicator of their experiences of inequalities. The articles are highly relevant for conceptualizations and studies of capital conversions in multi-place contexts, migrants’ social integration and non-integration, the intersections of characteristics explaining migrants’ inequalities in place-specific and transnational locations, and for conceptualizations of cultural hybridity.
The high harm score of alcohol. Time for drug policy to be revisited?
Authors: van Amsterdam Jan , van den Brink Wim
Published: January 2013

The aim of this paper is to create awareness of the negative health impact and economic burden and benefits associated to alcohol consumption. Worldwide about two billion people consume alcohol. Low intake of alcohol has a minor protective cardiovascular effect. On the other hand, even moderate alcohol consumption appears to be weakly, but significantly, associated to a limited number of chronic diseases. Alcohol causes a considerable economic burden to society due to the high absolute number of alcohol consumers. As such, alcohol abuse is more harmful for public health and society than illicit drug use. Some 3.7% of alcohol consumers (worldwide 76 million people) have an alcohol use disorder leading to 60–70% of the societal costs related to alcohol. Therefore, policy measures should, in addition to regulatory measures to reduce alcohol use, aim at closing the treatment gap and improving treatment effectiveness of people with an alcohol use disorder. The key message is that policy-makers unjustifiably focus on the harm of illicit drugs, whereas they underestimate the harm of alcohol use. Policy makers should therefore consider alcohol to be at least as harmful as illicit drugs and invest more in prevention and harm reduction strategies for alcohol abuse and dependence.
What Happened to the Public Organization? A Bibliometric Analysis of Public Administration and Organization Studies
Authors: Vogel Rick
Published: January 2013

Despite their common roots in the early theories of organization, public administration and organization studies have evolved separately. This article explores the conditions that favor and initiate the cross-boundary exchange of knowledge between these two fields. The study applies bibliometric methodology and advances standard methods of science-mapping by combining different levels of analysis in a two-mode network, drawing on citation data from 16 European and North American top journals in organization studies and public administration, spanning the period 2000 to 2010. None of the 18 clusters of current research extracted from these data can be traced in both organization studies and public administration, however closer analysis reveals two strong links between these fields and indicates that the boundaries between them are semipermeable, allowing the unidirectional, rather than bidirectional, transfer of knowledge from organization studies to public administration. This study argues for greater rapprochement between these two fields and suggests ways in which this could be achieved.
Study on constructional design and structural analysis of poly(amide-imide)/ZnO nanocomposites containing pyromellitoyl-bis-l-isoleucine moieties
Authors: Mallakpour Shadpour , Hatami Mehdi
Published: January 2013

Hybrid nanocomposites (NCs) produced by the dispersion of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) in thermoplastic poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) are designed and synthesized using ultrasonic-assisted technology. ZnO NPs were functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) coupling agent to increase the hydrophobic nature of NPs. Reaction of diamine containing N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) benzamide and a diacid chloride comprising pyromellitoyl-bis-l-isoleucine segments at low temperature provided the polymeric matrix with well-designed groups. Surface treatments of ZnO NPs gave a better dispersion and enhancing possible interactions of NPs with functional units of polymer matrix. The surface-modified ZnO NPs were dispersed uniformly in the PAIs matrix using ultrasonic irradiation. The obtained NCs were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray powder diffraction, atomic force microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetry analysis. The FE-SEM and TEM pictures confirmed the globular-like structures for NCs.
Palliative Sedation
Authors: Vayne-Bossert Petra , Zulian Gilbert B.
Published: January 2013

Palliative sedation (PS) is a treatment option in case of refractory symptoms at the end of life. The emotional impact on nurses and doctors has been widely studied. We explore the experience of family members during a PS procedure. Method: An anonymous questionnaire was sent to the closest family members (n = 17) of patients who died while receiving palliative sedation. Results: The response rate was 59% (10 of 17). Nine relatives were sufficiently informed about PS. In all, 70% evaluated the chosen moment for initiation of PS as adequate. All the relatives noticed a significant improvement in the refractory symptom with a mean reduction in the estimated suffering of 6.25 points on a visual analog scale. Conclusions: Palliative sedation should be performed in the best possible way for the patient and his family in order to efficiently reduce a refractory symptom.
Dynamical one-dimensional models of passive piezoelectric sensors
Authors: Bellis Cédric , Imperiale Sébastien
Published: January 2013

This study concerns the mathematical modeling of anisotropic and transversely inhomogeneous slender piezoelectric bars. Such rod-like structures are employed as passive sensors aimed at measuring the displacement field on the boundary of an underlying elastic medium excited by an external source. Based on the coupled three-dimensional dynamical equations of piezoelectricity in the quasi-electrostatic approximation, a set of limit problems is derived using formal asymptotic expansions of the electric potential and elastic displacement fields. The nature of these problems depends strongly on the choice of boundary conditions, therefore, an appropriate set of constrains is introduced in order to derive one-dimensional models that are relevant to the measurement of a displacement field imposed at one end of the bar. The structure of the first-order electric and displacement fields as well as the associated coupled limit equations are determined. Moreover, the properties of the homogenized material parameters entering these equations are investigated in various configurations. The obtained one-dimensional models of piezoelectric sensors are analyzed, and it is finally shown how they enable the identification of the boundary displacement associated with the probed elastic medium.
Historical Control Data of Spontaneous Tumors in Transgenic CByB6F1-Tg(HRAS)2Jic (Tg.rasH2) Mice
Authors: Paranjpe Madhav G. , Elbekaei Reem H. , Shah Sudhir A. , Hickman Michelle , Wenk Martin L. , Zahalka Eias A.
Published: January 2013

The Tg.rasH2 mouse is a hemizygous transgenic mouse, approved by regulatory agencies for carcinogenicity assessment. However, the absence of a historical database for the incidence of spontaneous neoplasms has subsequently led to reluctance by some pharmaceutical companies to adopt the use of this short-term carcinogenicity assay. Our laboratory has generated a database summarizing the mortality, body weights, and the incidence of spontaneous tumors in 1420 male and female mice assigned to 26 studies conducted at our facility. In addition, we present the incidence of tumors in positive control mice treated with urethane from these studies. Mortality in the vehicle-treated Tg.rasH2 mouse was low (average of 1% in each study). The most common spontaneous tumors in the Tg.rasH2 mice were alveolar bronchiolar adenoma of the lungs (10.14% in males and 5.77% in females) and hemangiosarcoma of the spleen (3.66% in both males and females). The incidence of all other tumors was generally very low. In the positive control, urethane-treated animals, the incidence of alveolar bronchiolar adenomas and alveolar bronchiolar carcinomas in the lungs was 93.69% and 42.88% in males and 92.43% and 72.79% in females, respectively. In addition, the incidence of splenic hemangiosarcomas in urethane-treated males was 89.18% and 92.25% in females. The 6-month Tg.rasH2 assay is more precise, faster, and more economical than the conventional 2-year mouse assays because of the low incidence of background tumors, very high survival, shorter duration, and the lower number of animals used.
Reflections on Communication and Sport
Authors: Bruce Toni
Published: January 2013

In this essay, Toni Bruce considers key cultural and social issues at play in the relationship between mediated sport and women. The treatment reflects on over 30 years of research and assesses not only central tendencies and changes in the way media covers women’s sporting events and achievements but also considers how this coverage interplays with women’s sense of their place in and relationship to sport. The essay opens with core arguments about the cultural importance of the communication and sport intermix. The second section reflects on the author’s personal and scholarly journey with sport, touching on key themes and concerns in a gender- and sport-focused research agenda. The focus section “On Women and Femininities” considers diverse research from across the globe using different theoretical and methodological approaches. Highlighted in this section are research programs that illuminate the media’s central tendencies in covering women’s sports and the cultural and professional barriers to meaningful change. The closing section of the article focuses on the prospects for and challenges to change in the cultural discourses that media rely upon in framing understandings of women and sport.
Essentials of Th17 cell commitment and plasticity
Authors: Muranski Pawel , Restifo Nicholas P.
Published: January 2013

CD4+ T helper (Th) cells exist in a variety of epigenetic states that determine their function, phenotype, and capacity for persistence. These polarization states include Th1, Th2, Th17, and Foxp3+ T regulatory cells, as well as the more recently described T follicular helper, Th9, and Th22 cells. Th17 cells express the master transcriptional regulator retinoic acid–related orphan receptor γ thymus and produce canonical interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F cytokines. Th17 cells display a great degree of context-dependent plasticity, as they are capable of acquiring functional characteristics of Th1 cells. This late plasticity may contribute to the protection against microbes, plays a role in the development of autoimmunity, and is necessary for antitumor activity of Th17 cells in adoptive cell transfer therapy models. Moreover, plasticity of this subset is associated with higher in vivo survival and self-renewal capacity and less senescence than Th1 polarized cells, which have less plasticity and more phenotypic stability. New findings indicate that subset polarization of CD4+ T cells not only induces characteristic patterns of surface markers and cytokine production but also has a maturational aspect that affects a cell’s ability to survive, respond to secondary stimulation, and form long-term immune memory.
Significance of FAB subclassification of “acute myeloid leukemia, NOS” in the 2008 WHO classification: analysis of 5848 newly diagnosed patients
Authors: Walter Roland B. , Othus Megan , Burnett Alan K. , Löwenberg Bob , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Ossenkoppele Gert J. , Hills Robert K. , van Montfort Kees G. M. , Ravandi Farhad , Evans Anna , Pierce Sherry R. , Appelbaum Frederick R. , Estey Elihu H.
Published: January 2013

Key Points

The FAB type (ie, M0-M7) does not provide prognostic information for cases of “AML, NOS” in the 2008 WHO classification.
Transcriptional profiling of the Arabidopsis abscission mutant hae hsl2by RNA-Seq
Authors: Niederhuth Chad E , Patharkar O Rahul , Walker John C
Published: January 2013

Background

Abscission is a mechanism by which plants shed entire organs in response to both developmental and environmental signals.Arabidopsis thaliana, in which only the floral organs abscise, has been used extensively to study the genetic, molecular and cellular processes controlling abscission. Abscission in Arabidopsis requires two genes that encode functionally redundant receptor-like protein kinases,HAESA(HAE) andHAESA-LIKE 2(HSL2). Doublehae hsl2mutant plants fail to abscise their floral organs at any stage of floral development and maturation.

Results

Using RNA-Seq, we compare the transcriptomes of wild-type andhae hsl2stage 15 flowers, using the floral receptacle which is enriched for abscission zone cells. 2034 genes were differentially expressed with a False Discovery Rate adjusted p < 0.05, of which 349 had two fold or greater change in expression. Differentially expressed genes were enriched for hydrolytic, cell wall modifying, and defense related genes. Testing several of the differentially expressed genes inINFLORESCENCE DEFICIENT IN ABSCISSION(ida) mutants shows that many of the same genes are co-regulated by IDA and HAE HSL2 and support the role of IDA in the HAE and HSL2 signaling pathway. Comparison to microarray data from stamen abscission zones show distinct patterns of expression of genes that are dependent onHAE HSL2and revealHAE HSL2- independent pathways.

Conclusion

HAE HSL2-dependent andHAE HSL2-independent changes in genes expression are required for abscission.HAEandHSL2affect the expression of cell wall modifying and defense related genes necessary for abscission. TheHAE HSL2-independent genes also appear to have roles in abscission and additionally are involved in processes such as hormonal signaling, senescence and callose deposition.
Urine IL-18, NGAL, IL-8 and serum IL-8 are biomarkers of acute kidney injury following liver transplantation
Authors: Sirota Jeffrey C , Walcher Angela , Faubel Sarah , Jani Alkesh , McFann Kim , Devarajan Prasad , Davis Connie L , Edelstein Charles L
Published: January 2013

Background

AKI is common following liver transplantation and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Biomarkers of AKI have not been well established in this setting but are needed to help guide patient care and facilitate development of novel therapeutics.

Methods

Serum creatinine, cystatin C, IL-6, and IL-8 and urine IL-18, NGAL, IL-6, and IL-8 were measured before and within 24 hours after liver transplantation in 40 patients. AKI was defined as a ≥50% sustained increase in creatinine above pre-operative values occurring within 24 hours of transplantation and persisting for at least 24 hours.

Results

Seven patients met criteria for AKI (17.5%), with mean creatinines of 0.81 mg/dL pre-operatively and 1.75 mg/dL post-operatively. While pre-operative biomarker levels in patients with AKI were similar to those in patients without AKI, differences were seen between the groups with regard to median post-operative serum IL-8 (pg/mL) (242.48 vs. 82.37, p = 0.0463) and urine NGAL (ng/mL) (386.86 vs. 24.31, p = 0.0039), IL-6 (pg/mL) (52 vs. 7.29, p=0.0532), IL-8 (pg/mL) (14.3 vs. 0, p = 0.0224), and IL-18 (pg/mL) (883.09 vs. 0, p = 0.0449). The areas under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were 0.749 for urine IL-18, 0.833 for urine NGAL, 0.745 for urine IL-6, 0.682 for serum IL-6, 0.773 for urine IL-8, and 0.742 for serum IL-8. Post-operative cystatin C was not significantly different between AKI and no AKI groups.

Conclusion

Serum IL-8 and urine IL-18, NGAL, IL-6, and IL-8 are elevated in AKI within the first 24 hours following liver transplantation.
A greater number of somatic pain sites is associated with poor mental health in adolescents: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ando Shuntaro , Yamasaki Syudo , Shimodera Shinji , Sasaki Tsukasa , Oshima Norihito , Furukawa Toshi A , Asukai Nozomu , Kasai Kiyoto , Mino Yoshio , Inoue Shimpei , Okazaki Yuji , Nishida Atsushi
Published: January 2013

Background

Identifying indicators of poor mental health during adolescence is a significant public health issue. Previous studies which suggested an association between the number of somatic pains and depression have mainly focused on adults or have employed samples with a narrow age range. To date, results from previous studies have been inconsistent regarding the association between somatic pain and academic impairment. Therefore, the main aims of the present study were to 1) investigate the association between the number of somatic pain sites and poor mental health using a community sample of adolescents aged 12 to 18 years and employing a simple method of assessment, and 2) examine the association between the number of somatic pain sites and perceived academic impairment.

Methods

Data analysis was conducted using a large cross-sectional survey of adolescents in grades 7 to 12. The one-month prevalence rates for three sites of somatic pain including head, neck and shoulders, and abdomen were examined. Poor mental health was evaluated using the General Health Questionnaire, and perceived academic impairment was measured using a self-report questionnaire.

Results

A total of 18,104 adolescents participated in the survey. A greater number of pain sites was associated with poor mental health, and this association was consistent across age and gender. There was no difference in effect on mental health between any of the pain sites. Although there was an association between the number of somatic pain sites and perceived academic impairment, the results suggested that the association was mediated by poor mental health.

Conclusions

Simple reporting methods for assessing the number of pain sites may be a feasible indicator of poor mental health in adolescents. Professionals working with adolescents should consider the possibility of poor mental health, especially when students report multiple somatic pains.
Are religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism associated with disability and salivary cortisol in office workers with chronic low back pain?
Authors: Sooksawat Annop , Janwantanakul Prawit , Tencomnao Tewin , Pensri Praneet
Published: January 2013

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is common among office workers. A number of studies have established a relationship between Christianity and physical and mental health outcomes among chronic pain patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism and disability and psychological stress in office workers with chronic LBP.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a self-administered questionnaire delivered by hand to 463 office workers with chronic LBP. Saliva samples were collected from a randomly selected sub-sample of respondents (n=96). Disability due to LBP was assessed using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire and psychological stress was assessed based on salivary cortisol. Two hierarchical regression models were built to determine how much variance in disability and psychological stress could be explained by religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism variables after controlling for potential confounder variables.

Results

Only 6% of variance in psychological stress was accounted for by the religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism. Those with high religiousness experienced lower psychological stress. No association between the religious beliefs and practices of Buddhism and disability level was found. Depressive symptoms were attributed to both psychological stress and disability status in our study population.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that, although being religious may improve the psychological condition in workers with chronic LBP, its effect is insufficient to reduce disability due to illness. Further research should examine the role of depression as a mediator of the effect of psychological stress on disability in patients with chronic LBP.
Myocardial impulse propagation is impaired in right ventricular tissue of Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats
Authors: Olsen Kristine Boisen , Axelsen Lene Nygaard , Braunstein Thomas Hartig , Sørensen Charlotte Mehlin , Andersen Claus B , Ploug Thorkil , Holstein-Rathlou Niels-Henrik , Nielsen Morten Schak
Published: January 2013

Background

Diabetes increases the risk of cardiovascular complications including arrhythmias, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be established. Decreased conduction velocity (CV), which is an independent risk factor for re-entry arrhythmias, is present in models with streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 1 diabetes. Whether CV is also disturbed in models of type 2 diabetes is currently unknown.

Methods

We used Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats, as a model of type 2 diabetes, and their lean controls Zucker Diabetic Lean (ZDL) rats to investigate CV and its response to the anti-arrhythmic peptide analogue AAP10. Gap junction remodeling was examined by immunofluorescence and western blotting. Cardiac histomorphometry was examined by Masson`s Trichrome staining and intracellular lipid accumulation was analyzed by Bodipy staining.

Results

CV was significantly slower in ZDF rats (56±1.9 cm/s) compared to non-diabetic controls (ZDL, 66±1.6 cm/s), but AAP10 did not affect CV in either group. The total amount of Connexin43 (C×43) was identical between ZDF and ZDL rats, but the amount of lateralized C×43 was significantly increased in ZDF rats (42±12 %) compared to ZDL rats (30±8%), p<0.04. Judged by electrophoretic mobility, C×43 phosphorylation was unchanged between ZDF and ZDL rats. Also, no differences in cardiomyocyte size or histomorphometry including fibrosis were observed between groups, but the volume of intracellular lipid droplets was 4.2 times higher in ZDF compared to ZDL rats (p<0.01).

Conclusion

CV is reduced in type 2 diabetic ZDF rats. The CV disturbance may be partly explained by increased lateralization of C×43, but other factors are likely also involved. Our data indicates that lipotoxicity potentially may play a role in development of conduction disturbances and arrhythmias in type 2 diabetes.
Inhibition of clathrin by pitstop 2 activates the spindle assembly checkpoint and induces cell death in dividing HeLa cancer cells
Authors: Smith Charlotte M , Haucke Volker , McCluskey Adam , Robinson Phillip J , Chircop Megan
Published: January 2013

Background

During metaphase clathrin stabilises the mitotic spindle kinetochore(K)-fibres. Many anti-mitotic compounds target microtubule dynamics. Pitstop 2™ is the first small molecule inhibitor of clathrin terminal domain and inhibits clathrin-mediated endocytosis. We investigated its effects on a second function for clathrin in mitosis.

Results

Pitstop 2 did not impair clathrin recruitment to the spindle but disrupted its function once stationed there. Pitstop 2 trapped HeLa cells in metaphase through loss of mitotic spindle integrity and activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint, phenocopying clathrin depletion and aurora A kinase inhibition.

Conclusions

Pitstop 2 is therefore a new tool for investigating clathrin spindle dynamics. Pitstop 2 reduced viability in dividing HeLa cells, without affecting dividing non-cancerous NIH3T3 cells, suggesting that clathrin is a possible novel anti-mitotic drug target.
The effect of high vacuum on the mechanical properties and bioactivity of collagen fibril matrices
Authors: Anderton Christopher R , DelRio Frank W , Bhadriraju Kiran , Plant Anne L
Published: January 2013

The extracellular matrix (ECM) environment plays a critical role in organism development and disease. Surface sensitive microscopy techniques for studying the structural and chemical properties of ECMs are often performed in high vacuum (HV) environments. In this report, we examine the affect HV conditions have on the bioactivity and mechanical properties of type I collagen fibrillar matrices. We find that HV exposure has an unappreciable affect on the cell spreading response and mechanical properties of these collagen fibril matrices. Conversely, low vacuum environments cause fibrils to become mechanically rigid as indicated by force microscopy, resulting in greater cell spreading. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry results show no noticeable spectral differences between HV-treated and dehydrated matrices. While previous reports have shown that HV can denature proteins in monolayers, these observations indicate that HV-exposure does not mechanically or biochemically alter collagen in its supramolecular configuration. These results may have implication for complex ECM matrices such as decellularized scaffolds.
Stromal protein degradation is incomplete in Arabidopsis thaliana autophagy mutants undergoing natural senescence
Authors: Lee Travis A , Vande Wetering Scott W , Brusslan Judy A
Published: January 2013

Background

Degradation of highly abundant stromal proteins plays an important role in the nitrogen economy of the plant during senescence. Lines of evidence supporting proteolysis within the chloroplast and outside the chloroplast have been reported. Two extra-plastidic degradation pathways, chlorophagy and Rubisco Containing Bodies, rely on cytoplasmic autophagy.

Results

In this work, levels of three stromal proteins (Rubisco large subunit, chloroplast glutamine synthetase and Rubisco activase) and one thylakoid protein (the major light harvesting complex protein of photosystem II) were measured during natural senescence in WT and in two autophagy T-DNA insertion mutants (atg5 and atg7). Thylakoid-localized protein decreased similarly in all genotypes, but stromal protein degradation was incomplete in the two atg mutants. In addition, degradation of two stromal proteins was observed in chloroplasts isolated from mid-senescence leaves.

Conclusions

These data suggest that autophagy does contribute to the complete proteolysis of stromal proteins, but does not play a major degenerative role. In addition, support for in organello degradation is provided.
Sodium selenite alters microtubule assembly and induces apoptosis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Shi Kejian , Jiang Qian , Li Zhushi , Shan Lei , Li Feng , An JiaJia , Yang Yang , Xu Caimin
Published: January 2013

Background

Previous studies demonstrated that selenite induced cancer-cell apoptosis through multiple mechanisms; however, effects of selenite on microtubules in leukemic cells have not been demonstrated.

Methods

The toxic effect of selenite on leukemic HL60 cells was performed with cell counting kit 8. Selenite effects on cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction were determined by flow cytometry. The contents of cyclin B1, Mcl-1, AIF, cytochrome C, insoluble and soluble tubulins were detected with western blotting. Microtubules were visualized with indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. The interaction between CDK1 and Mcl-1 was assessed with immunoprecipitation. Decreasing Mcl-1 and cyclin B1 expression were carried out through siRNA interference. The alterations of Mcl-1 and cyclin B1 in animal model were detected with either immunohistochemical staining or western blotting. In situ detection of apoptotic ratio was performed with TUNEL assay.

Results

Our current results showed that selenite inhibited the growth of HL60 cells and induced mitochondrial-related apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that microtubule assembly in HL60 cells was altered, those cells were arrested at G2/M phase, and Cyclin B1 was up-regulated and interacted with CDK1, which led to down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1. Finally, in vivo experiments confirmed the in vitro microtubule disruption effect and alterations in Cyclin B1 and Mcl-1 levels by selenite.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results from our study indicate that microtubules are novel targets of selenite in leukemic HL60 cells.
Determination of the role of calcium on instability of neurotoxic metabolite of ecstasy by HPTLC-mass
Authors: Jamali Bardia , Ardakani Yalda Hosseinzadeh , Rouini Mohammad-Reza , Foroumadi Alireza , Amidi Salimeh , Aghdam Vahid Hossein Zadeh , Kobarfard Farzad
Published: January 2013

Background

Ecstasy is one of the popular illicit drugs in the world and its usage has been recently increased in Iran. This compound can destroy the serotonergic neurons and produces cognitive and psychopathology diseases. 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine (HHMA) which is the main metabolite of this compound, seems to be responsible for this effect. However, no consensus has been reached among the researchers about its role. This disagreement between the researches may be due to failure in determination of HHMA as free form in physiological fluids. In this study, the stability of this crucial metabolite of ecstasy was examined in different mediums.

Methods

The stability of HHMA was studied in the perfusion medium and water at 100 and 10 ng/mL concentrations. Moreover, the effect of temperature (0–25°C), pH (3–10), calcium chloride (0–150 g/L) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the stability of HHMA was also examined.

Results

Our result suggested that the free form of HHMA could be degraded in the perfusion medium. The rate of this degradation has direct proportion to temperature (at 25°C = 0.037 min-1and at 0°C = 0.002 min-1). Calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate are two responsible components in this instability. Moreover, the alkaline pHs and increasing the shaking time can accelerate this effect. Although, while degradation was prevented at pH=3, EDTA could only reduce this rate about 30%.

Conclusions

Calcium cation can act as an accelerator of HHMA degradation. Therefore, the perfusion medium should not contain Ca2+and the pH of medium is better to be adjusted at acidic range. Since, the internal cellular source of calcium is endoplasmic reticulum system, it can be assumed that, this cation may change HHMA and dopamine to reactive compounds that can bind covalently to the cysteinyl group of biological compounds and damage cellular components.
Scoring radiographic progression in ankylosing spondylitis: should we use the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS) or the Radiographic Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (RASSS)?
Authors: Ramiro Sofia , van Tubergen Astrid , Stolwijk Carmen , Landewé Robert , van de Bosch Filip , Dougados Maxime , van der Heijde Désirée
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Radiographic damage is one of the core outcomes in axial SpA and is usually assessed with the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) Spine Score (mSASSS). Alternatively, the Radiographic AS Spinal Score (RASSS) is proposed, which includes the lower thoracic vertebrae, under the hypothesis that most progression occurs in these segments. We aimed to compare the mSASSS and RASSS with regard to performance.

Methods

Two-yearly spinal radiographs from patients followed in the Outcome in AS International Study (OASIS) were used (scored independently by two readers). A total of 195 patients had at least one radiograph (12-year follow-up) to be included. We assessed the accessibility of vertebral corners (VCs) for scoring, as well as status and 2-year progression scores of both scoring methods. To assess the potential additional value of including the thoracic segment in the score, the relative contribution (in %) to the 2-year total RASSS progression of each spinal segment (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) was determined, and compared to the expected contribution, under the assumption that a balanced segmental progression would occur, proportional to the number of sites per segment.

Results

The mSASSS could be scored in a total of 809 radiographs and the RASSS in 78% of these. In 58% of the latter, the score was based on one to two available thoracic VCs scores, and the remaining two to three were imputed because they were missing. There were 520 two-year mSASSS intervals available, and in 63% of them RASSS progression could be assessed. The mean (SD) 2-year interval progression score (330 intervals) was 2.0 (3.6) for the mSASSS and 2.4 (4.4) for the RASSS, yielding a similar effect size (mSASSS 0.57 and RASSS 0.55). Exclusive progression of the thoracic segment occurred in only 5% of the cases. There was no significant difference between the observed (14%) and expected (16%) contribution to progression of the thoracic segment (P = 0.70).

Conclusions

The determination of RASSS for radiographic damage of the spine is frequently impossible or strongly influenced by non-contributory imputation. In comparison to the mSASSS, the contribution of thoracic VCs in the RASSS method is negligible, and does not justify the additional scoring efforts.
The efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 for severe sepsis (ETASS): a multicenter, single-blind, randomized and controlled trial
Authors: Wu Jianfeng , Zhou Lixin , Liu Jiyun , Ma Gang , Kou Qiuye , He Zhijie , Chen Juan , Ou-Yang Bin , Chen Minying , Li Yinan , Wu Xiaoqin , Gu Baochun , Chen Lei , Zou Zijun , Qiang Xinhua , Chen Yuanyuan , Lin Aihua , Zhang Guanrong , Guan Xiangdong
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Severe sepsis is associated with a high mortality rate despite implementation of guideline recommendations. Adjunctive treatment may be efficient and require further investigation. In light of the crucial role of immunologic derangement in severe sepsis, thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) is considered as a promising beneficial immunomodulatory drug. The trial is to evaluate whether Tα1 improves 28-day all-cause mortality rates and immunofunction in patients with severe sepsis.

Methods

We performed a multicenter randomized controlled trial in six tertiary, teaching hospitals in China between May 12, 2008 and Dec 22, 2010. Eligible patients admitted in ICU with severe sepsis were randomly allocated by a central randomization center to the control group or Tα1 group (1:1 ratio). The primary outcome was death from any cause and was assessed 28 days after enrollment. Secondary outcomes included dynamic changes of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR (mHLA-DR) on day 0, 3, 7 in both groups. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis.

Results

A total of 361 patients were allocated to either the control group (n = 180) or Tα1 (n = 181) group. The mortalities from any cause within 28 days in the Tα1 group and control group were 26.0% and 35.0% respectively with a marginal P value (nonstratified analysis, P = 0.062; log rank, P = 0.049); the relative risk of death in the Tα1 group as compared to the control group was 0.74 (95% CI 0.54 to 1.02). Greater improvement of mHLA-DR was observed in the Tα1 group on day 3 (mean difference in mHLA-DR changes between the two groups was 3.9%, 95% CI 0.2 to 7.6%, P = 0.037) and day 7 (mean difference in mHLA-DR changes between the two groups was 5.8%, 95% CI 1.0 to 10.5%, P = 0.017) than in the control group. No serious drug-related adverse event was recorded.

Conclusions

The use of Tα1 therapy in combination with conventional medical therapies may be effective in improving clinical outcomes in a targeted population of severe sepsis.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00711620.
Haloperidol prophylaxis in critically ill patients with a high risk for delirium
Authors: van den Boogaard Mark , Schoonhoven Lisette , van Achterberg Theo , van der Hoeven Johannes G , Pickkers Peter
Published: January 2013

Introduction

Delirium is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We implemented a delirium prevention policy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with a high risk of developing delirium, and evaluated if our policy resulted in quality improvement of relevant delirium outcome measures.

Methods

This study was a before/after evaluation of a delirium prevention project using prophylactic treatment with haloperidol. Patients with a predicted risk for delirium of ≥ 50%, or with a history of alcohol abuse or dementia, were identified. According to the prevention protocol these patients received haloperidol 1 mg/8 h. Evaluation was primarily focused on delirium incidence, delirium free days without coma and 28-day mortality. Results of prophylactic treatment were compared with a historical control group and a contemporary group that did not receive haloperidol prophylaxis mainly due to non-compliance to the protocol mostly during the implementation phase.

Results

In 12 months, 177 patients received haloperidol prophylaxis. Except for sepsis, patient characteristics were comparable between the prevention and the historical (n = 299) groups. Predicted chance to develop delirium was 75 ± 19% and 73 ± 22%, respectively. Haloperidol prophylaxis resulted in a lower delirium incidence (65% vs. 75%, P = 0.01), and more delirium-free-days (median 20 days (IQR 8 to 27) vs. median 13 days (3 to 27), P = 0.003) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Cox-regression analysis adjusted for sepsis showed a hazard rate of 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.66 to 0.98) for 28-day mortality. Beneficial effects of haloperidol appeared most pronounced in the patients with the highest risk for delirium. Furthermore, haloperidol prophylaxis resulted in less ICU re-admissions (11% vs. 18%, P = 0.03) and unplanned removal of tubes/lines (12% vs. 19%, P = 0.02). Haloperidol was stopped in 12 patients because of QTc-time prolongation (n = 9), renal failure (n = 1) or suspected neurological side-effects (n = 2). No other side-effects were reported. Patients who were not treated during the intervention period (n = 59) showed similar results compared to the untreated historical control group.

Conclusions

Our evaluation study suggests that prophylactic treatment with low dose haloperidol in critically ill patients with a high risk for delirium probably has beneficial effects. These results warrant confirmation in a randomized controlled trial.

Trial registration

clinicaltrial.gov Identifier: NCT01187667.
Low plasma citrulline levels are associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with severe sepsis
Authors: Ware Lorraine B , Magarik Jordan A , Wickersham Nancy , Cunningham Gary , Rice Todd W , Christman Brian W , Wheeler Arthur P , Bernard Gordon R , Summar Marshall L
Published: January 2013

Introduction

The role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is not well understood. Inducible NOS is upregulated during physiologic stress; however, if NOS substrate is insufficient then NOS can uncouple and switch from NO generation to production of damaging peroxynitrites. We hypothesized that NOS substrate levels are low in patients with severe sepsis and that low levels of the NOS substrate citrulline would be associated with end organ damage including ARDS in severe sepsis.

Methods

Plasma citrulline, arginine and ornithine levels and nitrate/nitrite were measured at baseline in 135 patients with severe sepsis. ARDS was diagnosed by consensus definitions.

Results

Plasma citrulline levels were below normal in all patients (median 9.2 uM, IQR 5.2 - 14.4) and were significantly lower in ARDS compared to the no ARDS group (6.0 (3.3 - 10.4) vs. 10.1 (6.2 - 16.6), P = 0.002). The rate of ARDS was 50% in the lowest citrulline quartile compared to 15% in the highest citrulline quartile (P = 0.002). In multivariable analyses, citrulline levels were associated with ARDS even after adjustment for covariates including severity of illness.

Conclusions

In severe sepsis, levels of the NOS substrate citrulline are low and are associated with ARDS. Low NOS substrate levels have been shown in other disease states to lead to NOS uncoupling and oxidative injury suggesting a potential mechanism for the association between low citrulline and ARDS. Further studies are needed to determine whether citrulline supplementation could prevent the development of ARDS in patients with severe sepsis and to determine its role in NOS coupling and function.
Nka Roundtable III: Contemporary African Art and the Museum
Authors: Okeke-Agulu Chika
Published: January 2013

This panel discussion examines the role of museums in bringing the work of African artists to the consciousness of the contemporary world. The topics covered include the participants’ first meaningful encounters with contemporary African art, the role of the curator of contemporary African art in the museum, and the age-old question about presenting contemporary African art in art and/or ethnology museums. The panelists also examine questions relating to accessioning and (re) presentation of African artists in the permanent collection, and they cover the place of contemporary African art relative to the “traditional” and Western contemporary.
From Asia to Africa: Tretchikoff, the People’s Painter
Authors: Nwafor Okechukwu
Published: January 2013

This article reviews an exhibition of the works of Vladimir Griegorovich Tretchikoff (1913–2006) that was mounted at the Iziko South African National Gallery in May 2011. Nwafor suggests that the posthumous show marked a turning point in Tretchikoff’s artistic career by bringing his works, for the first time, into the art establishment that initially rejected him.
Genome-wide maps of polyadenylation reveal dynamic mRNA 3′-end formation in mammalian cell lineages
Authors: Wang Li , Dowell Robin D. , Yi Rui
Published: January 2013

Post-transcriptional regulation, often mediated by miRNAs and RNA-binding proteins at the 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of mRNAs, is implicated in important roles in the output of transcriptome. To decipher this layer of gene regulation, it is essential to measure global mRNA expression quantitatively in a 3′-UTR-specific manner. Here we establish an experimental and bioinformatics pipeline that simultaneously determines 3′-end formation by leveraging local nucleotide composition and quantitatively measures mRNA expression by sequencing polyadenylated transcripts. When applied to purified mouse embryonic skin stem cells and their daughter lineages, we identify 18,060 3′ UTRs representing 12,739 distinct mRNAs that are abundantly expressed in the skin. We determine that ∼78% of UTRs are formed by using canonical A[A/U]UAAA polyadenylation signals, whereas ∼22% of UTRs use alternative signals. By comparing to relative and absolute mRNA abundance determined by qPCR, our RNA-seq approach can precisely measure mRNA fold-change and accurately determine the expression of mRNAs over four orders of magnitude. Surprisingly, only 829 out of 12,739 genes show differential 3′-end usage between embryonic skin stem cells and their immediate daughter cells, whereas the numbers increase to 933 genes when comparing embryonic skin stem cells with the more remotely related hair follicle cells. This suggests an evolving diversity instead of switch-like dynamics in 3′-end formation during development. Finally, core components of the miRNA pathway including Dicer, Dgcr8, Xpo5, and Argonautes show dynamic 3′-UTR formation patterns, indicating a self-regulatory mechanism. Together, our quantitative analysis reveals a dynamic picture of mRNA 3′-end formation in tissue stem cell lineages in vivo.
The plasticity of a structural motif in RNA: Structural polymorphism of a kink turn as a function of its environment
Authors: Daldrop Peter , Lilley David M.J.
Published: January 2013

The k-turn is a widespread structural motif that introduces a tight kink into the helical axis of double-stranded RNA. The adenine bases of consecutive G•A pairs are directed toward the minor groove of the opposing helix, hydrogen bonding in a typical A-minor interaction. We show here that the available structures of k-turns divide into two classes, depending on whether N3 or N1 of the adenine at the 2b position accepts a hydrogen bond from the O2′ at the −1n position. There is a coordinated structural change involving a number of hydrogen bonds between the two classes. We show here that Kt-7 can adopt either the N3 or N1 structures depending on environment. While it has the N1 structure in the ribosome, on engineering it into the SAM-I riboswitch, it changes to the N3 structure, resulting in a significant alteration in the trajectory of the helical arms.
Role of kinin B2 receptors in opioid-induced hyperalgesia in inflammatory pain in mice
Authors: Grastilleur Sébastien , Mouledous Lionel , Bedel Jerome , Etcheverry Jonathan , Bader Michael , Girolami Jean-Pierre , Fourcade Olivier , Frances Bernard , Minville Vincent
Published: January 2013

Postoperative pain management is a clinical challenge that can be complicated by opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH). Kinin receptors could mediate both the acute and chronic phases of inflammation and pain. A few recent studies suggest that dynorphin A could maintain neuropathic pain by activating the bradykinin (BK) receptor. Thus, the effect of a single administration of sufentanil (a μ-opioid receptor agonist) was investigated in a model of carrageenan-induced inflammatory pain using three strains of mice, i.e., knockout mice for one kinin receptor, B1R or B2R (B1KO, B2KO), and wild-type C57/BL6J mice (WT) treated with either a B1R (R954) or a B2R antagonist (HOE140) or a KKS inhibitor (aprotinin). Pain was assessed and compared between the different groups using two behavioral tests exploring mechanical (von Frey filaments) and thermal (Hargreaves test) sensitivity. Pretreatment with sufentanil induced a sustained increase in pain sensitivity with a delayed return to baseline values characterizing an OIH in carrageenan-injected mice only. Sufentanil-induced OIH was not observed in B2KO but persisted in B1KO and was blunted by aprotinin and the B2R antagonist only. Collectively, our data indicate that the B2R receptor and BK synthesis or availability are essential peripheral steps in the mechanism leading to OIH in a pain context.