bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gill pathology in Scottish farmed Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., associated with the microsporidian Desmozoon lepeophtherii Freeman et Sommerville, 2009
Authors: Matthews C G G , Richards R H , Shinn A P , Cox D I
Published: March 2013

Gill disorders have emerged in recent years as a significant problem in the production of marine‐stage Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. The multi‐aetiological condition ‘proliferative gill inflammation’ (PGI) has been reported to cause heavy losses in western Norway, yet reports of Scottish cases of the disease have remained anecdotal. In the present study, histopathological material from a marine production site in the Scottish Highlands experiencing mortalities due to a seasonal gill disease with proliferative‐type pathology was examined using light microscopy, special staining techniques and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microsporidian Desmozoon lepeophtherii Freeman et Sommerville, 2009 (syn. Paranucleospora theridion) was identified by staining using a Gram Twort method and TEM associated with distinctive proliferative and necrotic pathology confined to the interlamellar Malpighian cell areas of the primary filaments. Epitheliocystis was not a feature of the gill pathology observed. It is believed this is the first report of D. lepeophtherii being identified associated with pathology in a Scottish gill disease case, and supports anecdotal reports that a disease at least partly synonymous with PGI as described by Norwegian researchers is present in Scottish aquaculture.
Rosmarinic acid administration attenuates diabetes-induced vascular dysfunction of the rat aorta
Authors: Sotnikova Ruzena , Okruhlicova Ludmila , Vlkovicova Jana , Navarova Jana , Gajdacova Beata , Pivackova Lenka , Fialova Silvia , Krenek Peter
Published: March 2013

Objectives

Oxidative stress as well as inflammation processes are engaged in diabetic vascular complications. Rosmarinic acid, a natural phenol antioxidant carboxylic acid, was found to have multiple biological activity, including anti-inflammatory and antitumour effects, which are a consequence of its inhibition of the inflammatory processes and of reactive oxygen species scavenging. The aim of this work was to study effects of rosmarinic acid administration on vascular impairment induced by experimental diabetes in rats.

Methods

Diabetes was induced by streptozocin (3 × 30 mg/kg daily, i.p.) in Wistar rats. Rosmarinic acid was administered orally (50 mg/kg daily). Ten weeks after streptozocin administration, the aorta was excised for functional studies, evaluation by electron microscopy and real time PCR analysis.

Key findings

In the aorta of diabetic rats, decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation was accompanied by overexpression of interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α, preproendothelin-1 and endothelin converting enzyme-1. Structural alterations in the endothelium, detected by electron microscopy, indicated aortic dysfunction caused by diabetes. The diabetes-induced aortic disorders were prevented by rosmarinic acid administration.

Conclusions

Rosmarinic acid protected aortic endothelial function and ultrastructure against diabetes-induced damage. Both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of rosmarinic acid seemed to participate in the mechanism of this protection.
Recovery Education: a tool for psychiatric nurses
Authors: Knutson M. B. , Newberry S. , Schaper A.
Published: March 2013

Accessible summary

Recovery Education is a series of innovative lessons used by nurses to teach groups of patients in an inpatient Behavioral Health Unit.

The programme is based on a recovery model promoting hope, security, support/managing symptoms, empowerment, relationships, coping and finding meaning.

Recovery Education aims to help patients move forward step‐by‐step on their recovery journey and become healthier and more able to prevent relapse.

Making the group process for psychoeducation more consistently therapeutic was an example of research in action on our unit.

Patient teaching is vital for nursing care of psychiatric patients. This paper describes the process of developing Recovery Education as a tool for nurses who lead daily patient education groups. Gundersen Lutheran's Recovery Model developed for the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit includes seven Elements of Recovery – Hope, Security, Support/Managing Symptoms, Empowerment, Relationships, Coping and Finding Meaning. Concepts of cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness and case‐based education were woven through recovery lessons in ready‐to‐use folders. Statistics on patient satisfaction and patient outcome data were positive. Education for self‐management can move patients forward to improve health and healing on their recovery journey.
Interactions of Sexual Activity, Gender, and Depression with Immunity
Authors: Lorenz Tierney , van Anders Sari
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Depression can suppress immune function, leading to lower resistance against infection and longer healing times in depressed individuals. Sexuality may also influence immune function, with evidence that sexual activity is associated with lowered immune function in women and mixed results in men. Immune mediators like immunoglobulin A (IgA) are immediately relevant to sexual health, since they are the first line of defense against pathogens at mucous membranes like the vagina.

Aim

This study aims to determine if and how depression, sexual activity, and their interaction impact salivary IgA (SIgA) in men and women.

Methods

In Study 1, a community-based sample of 84 women and 88 men provided saliva samples and completed questionnaires on their demographic background, level of depression, and frequency of partnered and solitary sexual activity. Study 2, conducted separately in an undergraduate student sample of 54 women and 52 men, had similar methods.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome measures were scores on the General Well-Being Schedule depression subscale, reported frequency of sexual activity, and SIgA levels as measured by enzyme immunoassay.

Results

Across studies, higher levels of partnered sexual activity were associated with lower SIgA for women with high depression scores, but not for women with low depression scores. In contrast, higher levels of partnered sexual activity were associated with higher SIgA for men with high depression scores, but not for men with low depression scores.

Conclusion

Our results show that partnered sexual activity is a risk factor for lowered immunity in women with depressive symptoms but a possible resilience factor for men with depressive symptoms. This suggests a role for sexual activity in determining the impact of depression on physical health parameters.
Ursodeoxycholic acid increases differentiation and mineralization and neutralizes the damaging effects of bilirubin on osteoblastic cells
Authors: Dubreuil Marta , Ruiz‐Gaspà Silvia , Guañabens Nuria , Peris Pilar , Álvarez Luisa , Monegal Ana , Combalia Andrés , Parés Albert
Published: March 2013

Background

Osteoporosis resulting from decreased bone formation is a common complication in patients with chronic cholestasis. Lithocholic acid (LCA) and bilirubin may play a role in osteoporosis given that both substances have detrimental effects on survival of human osteoblasts, the cells involved in bone formation.

Aims

As ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) improves cholestasis, we have assessed if this bile acid may neutralize the harmful effects of LCA, bilirubin and sera from jaundiced patients on osteoblastic cells.

Methods

The experiments were performed in primary human osteoblasts and human osteosarcoma cell line (Saos‐2) at different times and concentrations of UDCA, LCA, cholic acid (CA), bilirubin and sera from jaundiced patients to assess cell viability, differentiation and mineralization.

Results

UDCA significantly decreased cell survival at concentrations 10 times higher (1 mM) than that observed with LCA, whereas CA did not decrease osteoblast survival. UDCA (100 μM) neutralized the damaging effects of bilirubin (50 μM) and sera from jaundiced patients on survival. Moreover, UDCA (1 μM and 10 μM) increased osteoblast differentiation in cells treated with harmful concentrations of LCA or bilirubin. UDCA (100 μM) increased cell differentiation in osteoblasts cultured with a mix of serum from cholestatic patients by 23%. Furthermore, UDCA increased osteoblast mineralization by 35% and neutralized the negative consequences of 50 μM bilirubin.

Conclusions

UDCA increases osteoblast differentiation and mineralization, and neutralizes the detrimental effects of lithocholic acid, bilirubin and sera from jaundiced patients on osteoblastic cells. Therefore, UDCA may exert a favourable effect on bone in patients which chronic cholestasis.
Enforcing Regulation: Robert Kagan's Contribution—And Some Questions
Authors: Hawkins Keith
Published: March 2013

Robert Kagan has been at the forefront of sociolegal research into regulation for more than thirty years. His work addresses in general the extent to which law fosters or impedes economic activity, and the conditions under which people and organizations both comply with the law and sometimes fail to comply with it. This article analyzes his contributions and suggests some questions for further inquiry prompted by Kagan's work. The survey takes as its starting point Kagan's books Regulatory Encounters (ed. with Axelrad 2000) and Shades of Green (with Gunningham and Thornton 2003), before going on to consider his more recent research, which probes in some detail into the impact of enforcement and the ideas of compliance and deterrence.
Writing Human Rights History—And Social Science Encounters
Authors: Savelsberg Joachim J.
Published: March 2013

This review essay on Aryeh Neier'sThe International Human Rights Movement:A History(Princeton University Press, 2012) discusses Neier's central themes: the origins and maturation of the movement and its effects, including the expansion of human rights and humanitarian law, enhanced criminal accountability for human rights crimes, and the appearance of criminal tribunals, culminating in the International Criminal Court. An overview is interspersed by imaginary conversations between Neier and scholars who speak to his themes, especially legal scholar Jenny Martinez, political scientists Margaret Keck and Kathryn Sikkink, historians Devin Pendas and Tomaz Jardim, and sociologists John Hagan, Daniel Levy, Natan Sznaider, Joachim Savelsberg, and Ryan D. King. Linking a practitioner's account with scholarly analyses yields some benefits of “Pasteur's Quadrant.”
The 2010 independence jubilees: the politics and aesthetics of national commemoration in Africa
Authors: Lentz Carola
Published: March 2013

In 2010, as many as seventeen African states celebrated their independence jubilees. The debates surrounding the organisation of these celebrations, and the imagery and performances they employed, reflect the fault lines with which African nation‐building has to contend, such as competing political orientations as well as religious, regional and ethnic diversity. The celebrations represented constitutive and cathartic moments of nation‐building, aiming to enhance citizens' emotional attachments to the country and inviting to remember, re‐enact and re‐redefine national history. They became a forum of debate about what should constitute the norms and values that make‐up national identity and, in the interstices of official ceremonies, provided space for the articulation of new demands for public recognition. A study of the independence celebrations thus allows us to explore contested processes of nation‐building and images of nationhood and to study the role of ritual and performance in the (re)production of nations.
Identification of β‐haemolysin‐encoding genes in Streptococcus anginosus
Authors: Asam D. , Mauerer S. , Walheim E. , Spellerberg B.
Published: March 2013

Streptococcus anginosus is an emerging pathogen, but little is known about its virulence factors. To detect the genes responsible for β‐haemolysis we performed genomic mutagenesis of the β‐haemolytic S. anginosus type strain ATCC 12395 using the vector pGhost9:ISS1. Integration site analysis of 15 non‐haemolytic mutants identified a gene cluster with high homology to the genes of the streptolysin S (SLS) encoding sag gene cluster of S. pyogenes. The gene cluster harbours 10 open reading frames displaying significant similarities to the S. pyogenes genes sagA‐sagI, with the identities on protein level ranging from 38 to 87%. Complementation assays of S. anginosus sagB and sagD integration mutants with the respective genes confirmed their importance for β‐haemolysin production and suggest the presence of post‐translational modifications in S. anginosus SLS similar to SLS of S. pyogenes. Characterization of the S. anginosus haemolysin in comparison to the S. pyogenes SLS showed that the haemolysin is surface bound, but in contrast to S. pyogenes neither fetal calf serum nor RNA was able to stabilize the haemolysin of S. anginosus in culture supernatants. Inhibition of β‐haemolysis by polyethylene glycol of different sizes was carried out, giving no evidence of a pore‐forming haemolytic mechanism. Analysis of a whole genome shotgun sequence of Streptococcus constellatus, a closely related streptococcal species that belongs to the S. anginosus group, revealed a similar sag gene cluster. Employing a genomic mutagenesis strategy we were able to determine an SLS encoding gene cluster in S. anginosus and demonstrate its importance for β‐haemolysin production in S. anginosus.
Detecting gene expression in buccal mucosa in subjects with asthma versus subjects without asthma
Authors: Vyhlidal Carrie A. , Riffel Amanda K. , Dai Hongying , Rosenwasser Lanny J. , Jones Bridgette L.
Published: March 2013

Background

Differences in mRNA expression for inflammatory markers have been observed between subjects with asthma vs. controls and in relation to corticosteroid response. However, these studies utilized methods (e.g., bronchoscopy) that are too invasive to be used routinely in children and in the clinic. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of obtaining RNA of adequate quantity and quality from buccal mucosa of children and adults for gene expression studies. Secondly, this study aimed to determine whether gene expression patterns in buccal mucosa are similar to those that have been observed in respiratory epithelium.

Methods

We enrolled 94 subjects with and without asthma between 5 and 54 years of age. Relative gene expression in buccal mucosa was determined with quantitative RT‐PCR for the following genes: CCL2, EDN1, FKBP5, IL8, IFNAR2, NFKB1, RELA, SERPINB2, DENND1B, HRH1, ICAM1, ORMDL3, NR3C1, CLCA1, CRHR1, MUC5B, FCER2, POSTN, GAPDH, PPIA.

Results

mRNA Expression of the following genes was detected in buccal mucosa: CCL2, EDN1, FKBP5, IL8, IFNAR2, NFKB1, RELA, SERPINB2, DENND1B, HRH1, ICAM1, ORMDL3, NR3C1, GAPDH, PPIA. HRH1 was differentially expressed in adults with asthma vs. controls (p = 0.04), and EDN1 was differentially expressed in children with asthma vs. controls 12–18 years old (p = 0.03). A similar trend for HRH1 was observed in children 12–18 years old.

Conclusions

Buccal mucosa sampling is a reliable method for detecting changes in gene expression in patients with asthma. This non‐invasive technique may serve as a valuable tool for diagnosing asthma and evaluating therapeutic response.
Bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws: analysis of a case series at a dental school
Authors: Mathias Duarte Luiz Fernando Scalli , dos Reis Heitor Batista , Tucci Renata , Dib Luciano Lauria
Published: March 2013

Bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) is an adverse effect of drugs used to treat bone metabolism diseases, such as osteoporosis and bone metastases. The present study retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics and evolution of BRONJ cases that were diagnosed and treated at a dental school from 2004 to 2011. During that period, 13 patients met the criteria of the study among a population of 2,342 patients with oral lesions. Of the 13 patients, 12 were females. Ten were intravenous bisphosphonate users, and nine had breast cancer as the primary disease. Eight mandibular cases were observed. Eight patients interrupted the use of the bisphosphonates temporarily during the treatment. Surgical treatment was conducted in 10 patients, which was associated with platelet‐rich plasma in six cases, which led to a regression to Stage I in 50% of these and cure in 33.3%. Of the total sample, four (30.8%) cases were cured, six (46.1%) regressed to Stage I, and three (23.1%) remained in Stage II after treatment. Dental rehabilitation occurred in seven patients. Dissemination of knowledge among professionals is essential for prevention and early diagnosis of BRONJ. Dental schools must act as reference centers and participate in the multidisciplinary care of bisphosphonate users.
Interesting detector shapes for third generation CT scanners
Authors: Kachelrieß Marc
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

To discuss options in designing detector shapes in third generation CT and to quantify potential cost savings for compact third generation CT systems, and to extend the work from two‐dimensional fan‐beam CT to three‐dimensional cone‐beam CT for circular, sequential, and spiral scan trajectories.

Methods:

Third generation CT scanners typically comprise detectors which are flat or whose shape is the segment of a cylinder or a sphere that is focused onto the focal spot of the x‐ray source. There appear to be two design criteria that favor this choice of detector shape. One is the possibility of performing fan‐beam and cone‐beam filtered backprojection in the native geometry (without rebinning) and the other criterion could be to enable the early use of focused antiscatter grids. It is less known, however, that other detector shapes may also have these properties. While these designs have been evaluated for 2D CT from a theoretical standpoint more than one decade ago the authors revisit and generalize these considerations, extend them to 3D circular, sequential, and spiral cone‐beam CT and propose an optimal design in terms of detector costs while keeping image quality constant. Their considerations and conclusions are based on considering the sampling density of the x‐rays, including the effects of finite focal spot and finite detector element size. Proposing image reconstruction algorithms or numerically evaluating the results by reconstructing simulated projection data is not within the scope of this work.

Results:

If the detector arc is curved to be nearly concentric with the circle describing the edge of the field of measurement significantly less detector area and detector pixels are required compared to today's third generation CT systems where the detector arc is centered about the focal spot. Combined with a detector that just covers the spiral Tam window cost savings of 60% or more are possible in compact CT systems. In terms of practicability the new designs appear to be nearly as easy to realize as today's third generation systems.

Conclusions:

Compact CT systems, which require the focal spot to be mounted close to the edge of the field of measurement, may significantly benefit from using detector shapes other than the typical equiangular detector that is focused onto the focal spot.
A filtered backprojection algorithm with ray‐by‐ray noise weighting
Authors: Zeng Gengsheng L. , Zamyatin Alex
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

This paper derives a ray‐by‐ray weighted filtered backprojection (rFBP) algorithm, based on our recently developed view‐by‐view weighted, filtered backprojection (vFBP) algorithm.

Methods:

The rFBP algorithm directly extends the vFBP algorithm by letting the noise weighting vary from channel to channel within each view. The projection data can be weighted in inverse proportion to their noise variances. Also, an edge‐preserving bilateral filter is suggested to perform post filtering to further reduce the noise. The proposed algorithm has been implemented for the circular‐orbit cone‐beam geometry based on Feldkamp's algorithm.

Results:

Image reconstructions with computer simulations and clinical cadaver data are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed algorithm. The new FBP‐type algorithm is able to significantly reduce or remove the noise texture, which the conventional FBP is unable to do. The computation time of the proposed rFBP algorithm is approximately the same as the conventional FBP algorithm.

Conclusions:

A ray‐based noise‐weighting scheme is introduced to the FBP algorithm. This new FBP‐type algorithm significantly reduces or removes the streaking artifacts in low‐dose CT.
Technical Note: Skin thickness measurements using high‐resolution flat‐panel cone‐beam dedicated breast CTa)
Authors: Shi Linxi , Vedantham Srinivasan , Karellas Andrew , O'Connell Avice M.
Published: March 2013

Purpose:

To determine the mean and range of location‐averaged breast skin thickness using high‐resolution dedicated breast CT for use in Monte Carlo‐based estimation of normalized glandular dose coefficients.

Methods:

This study retrospectively analyzed image data from a clinical study investigating dedicated breast CT. An algorithm similar to that described by Huang et al. [“The effect of skin thickness determined using breast CT on mammographic dosimetry,” Med. Phys. 35(4), – (2008) 10.1118/1.2841938] was used to determine the skin thickness in 137 dedicated breast CT volumes from 136 women. The location‐averaged mean breast skin thickness for each breast was estimated and the study population mean and range were determined. Pathology results were available for 132 women, and were used to investigate if the distribution of location‐averaged mean breast skin thickness varied with pathology. The effect of surface fitting to account for breast curvature was also studied.

Results:

The study mean (± interbreast SD) for breast skin thickness was 1.44 ± 0.25 mm (range: 0.87–2.34 mm), which was in excellent agreement with Huanget al. Based on pathology, pair‐wise statistical analysis (Mann‐Whitney test) indicated that at the 0.05 significance level, there were no significant difference in the location‐averaged mean breast skin thickness distributions between the groups: benign vs malignant (p = 0.223), benign vs hyperplasia (p = 0.651), hyperplasia vs malignant (p = 0.229), and malignant vs nonmalignant (p = 0.172).

Conclusions:

Considering this study used a different clinical prototype system, and the study participants were from a different geographical location, the observed agreement between the two studies suggests that the choice of 1.45 mm thick skin layer comprising the epidermis and the dermis for breast dosimetry is appropriate. While some benign and malignant conditions could cause skin thickening, in this study cohort the location‐averaged mean breast skin thickness distributions did not differ significantly with pathology. The study also underscored the importance of considering breast curvature in estimating breast skin thickness.
Plant-Pollinator Interactions over 120 Years: Loss of Species, Co-Occurrence, and Function
Authors: Burkle Laura A. , Marlin John C. , Knight Tiffany M.
Published: March 2013

Honeybees Can't Do It Alone

The majority of food crops require pollination to set fruit with the honeybee providing a pollination workhorse, with both feral and managed populations an integral component of crop management (see the Perspective by

Tylianakis

, published online 28 February).

Garibaldi
et al.

(p.
1608
, published online 28 February) now show that wild pollinators are also a vital part of our crop systems. In more than 40 important crops grown worldwide, wild pollinators improved pollination efficiency, increasing fruit set by twice that facilitated by honeybees.

Burkle
et al.

(p.
1611
, published online 28 February) took advantage of one of the most thorough and oldest data sets available on plant-pollinator interaction networks and recollected data on plant-pollinator interactions after more than 120 years of climate change and landscape alteration. The historical data set consists of observations collected by Charles Robertson near Carlinville, Illinois (USA), in the late 1800s on the phenology of plants and their pollinating insects, as well as information about which plants and pollinators interacted with one another. Many sites were revisited in the early 1970s and in 2009 and 2010 to collect similar plant-pollinator data. Pollinator function has declined through time, with bees showing lower visitation rates and lower fidelity to individual plant species.
Draft Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Strain ATCC 23502 (Serovar O5:K4:H4)
Authors: Cress Brady F. , Greene Zachary R. , Linhardt Robert J. , Koffas Mattheos A. G.
Published: March 2013

We report the 4.682-Mbp high-quality draft assembly of the
Escherichia coli
strain ATCC 23502 (serovar O5:K4:H4, also known as NCDC U1-41) genome. This uropathogenic strain, commonly referred to as
E. coli
K4, produces a glycosaminoglycan-like capsular polysaccharide with a backbone similar in structure to unsulfated chondroitin, a precursor to the nutraceutically and potentially pharmaceutically valuable compound chondroitin sulfate. Metabolic reconstruction of this genome will enable prediction of genetic engineering strategies leading to increased chondroitin production.
Functional Analysis of the Murine Coronavirus Genomic RNA Packaging Signal
Authors: Kuo Lili , Masters Paul S.
Published: March 2013

Coronaviruses selectively package genomic RNA into assembled virions, despite the great molar excess of subgenomic RNA species that is present in infected cells. The genomic packaging signal (PS) for the coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) was originally identified as an element that conferred packaging capability to defective interfering RNAs. The MHV PS is an RNA structure that maps to the region of the replicase gene encoding the nonstructural protein 15 subunit of the viral replicase-transcriptase complex. To begin to understand the role and mechanism of action of the MHV PS in its native genomic locus, we constructed viral mutants in which this
cis
-acting element was altered, deleted, or transposed. Our results demonstrated that the PS is pivotal in the selection of viral genomic RNA for incorporation into virions. Mutants in which PS RNA secondary structure was disrupted or entirely ablated packaged large quantities of subgenomic RNAs, in addition to genomic RNA. Moreover, the PS retained its function when displaced to an ectopic site in the genome. Surprisingly, the PS was not essential for MHV viability, nor did its elimination have a severe effect on viral growth. However, the PS was found to provide a distinct selective advantage to MHV. Viruses containing the PS readily outcompeted their otherwise isogenic counterparts lacking the PS.
APOBEC3 Inhibition of Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Infection: the Role of Cytidine Deamination versus Inhibition of Reverse Transcription
Authors: MacMillan Alyssa L. , Kohli Rahul M. , Ross Susan R.
Published: March 2013

The apolipoprotein B editing complex 3 (APOBEC3) family of proteins is a group of intrinsic antiviral factors active against a number of retroviral pathogens, including HIV in humans and mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) in mice. APOBEC3 restricts its viral targets through cytidine deamination of viral DNA during reverse transcription or via deaminase-independent means. Here, we used virions from the mammary tissue of MMTV-infected inbred wild-type mice with different allelic APOBEC3 variants (APOBEC3
BALB
and APOBEC3
BL/6
) and knockout mice to determine whether cytidine deamination was important for APOBEC3's anti-MMTV activity. First, using anti-murine APOBEC3 antiserum, we showed that both APOBEC3 allelic variants are packaged into the cores of milk-borne virions produced
in vivo
. Next, using an
in vitro
deamination assay, we determined that virion-packaged APOBEC3 retains its deamination activity and that allelic differences in APOBEC3 affect the sequence specificity. In spite of this
in vitro
activity, cytidine deamination by virion-packaged APOBEC3 of MMTV early reverse transcription DNA occurred only at low levels. Instead, the major means by which
in vivo
virion-packaged APOBEC3 restricted virus was through inhibition of early reverse transcription in both cell-free virions and
in vitro
infection assays. Moreover, the different wild-type alleles varied in their ability to inhibit this step. Our data suggest that while APOBEC3-mediated cytidine deamination of MMTV may occur, it is not the major means by which APOBEC3 restricts MMTV infection
in vivo
. This may reflect the long-term coexistence of MMTV and APOBEC3 in mice.
1918 Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin (HA) and the Viral RNA Polymerase Complex Enhance Viral Pathogenicity, but Only HA Induces Aberrant Host Responses in Mice
Authors: Watanabe Tokiko , Tisoncik-Go Jennifer , Tchitchek Nicolas , Watanabe Shinji , Benecke Arndt G. , Katze Michael G. , Kawaoka Yoshihiro
Published: March 2013

The 1918 pandemic influenza virus was the most devastating infectious agent in human history, causing fatal pneumonia and an estimated 20 to 50 million deaths worldwide. Previous studies indicated a prominent role of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene in efficient replication and high virulence of the 1918 virus in mice. It is, however, still unclear whether the high replication ability or the 1918 influenza virus HA gene is required for 1918 virus to exhibit high virulence in mice. Here, we examined the biological properties of reassortant viruses between the 1918 virus and a contemporary human H1N1 virus (A/Kawasaki/173/2001 [K173]) in a mouse model. In addition to the 1918 influenza virus HA, we demonstrated the role of the viral RNA replication complex in efficient replication of viruses in mouse lungs, whereas only the HA gene is responsible for lethality in mice. Global gene expression profiling of infected mouse lungs revealed that the 1918 influenza virus HA was sufficient to induce transcriptional changes similar to those induced by the 1918 virus, despite difference in lymphocyte gene expression. Increased expression of genes associated with the acute-phase response and the protein ubiquitination pathway were enriched during infections with the 1918 and 1918HA/K173 viruses, whereas reassortant viruses bearing the 1918 viral RNA polymerase complex induced transcriptional changes similar to those seen with the K173 virus. Taken together, these data suggest that HA and the viral RNA polymerase complex are critical determinants of Spanish influenza pathogenesis, but only HA, and not the viral RNA polymerase complex and NP, is responsible for extreme host responses observed in mice infected with the 1918 influenza virus.
MicroRNA-27a Regulates Lipid Metabolism and Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus Replication in Human Hepatoma Cells
Authors: Shirasaki Takayoshi , Honda Masao , Shimakami Tetsuro , Horii Rika , Yamashita Taro , Sakai Yoshio , Sakai Akito , Okada Hikari , Watanabe Risa , Murakami Seishi , Yi MinKyung , Lemon Stanley M. , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: March 2013

The replication and infectivity of the lipotropic hepatitis C virus (HCV) are regulated by cellular lipid status. Among differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs), we found that miR-27a was preferentially expressed in HCV-infected liver over hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected liver. Gene expression profiling of Huh-7.5 cells showed that miR-27a regulates lipid metabolism by targeting the lipid synthetic transcription factor RXRα and the lipid transporter ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1. In addition, miR-27a repressed the expression of many lipid metabolism-related genes, including
FASN
,
SREBP1
,
SREBP2
,
PPAR
α, and
PPAR
γ, as well as
ApoA1
,
ApoB100
, and
ApoE3
, which are essential for the production of infectious viral particles. miR-27a repression increased the cellular lipid content, decreased the buoyant density of HCV particles from 1.13 to 1.08 g/cm
3
, and increased viral replication and infectivity. miR-27a overexpression substantially decreased viral infectivity. Furthermore, miR-27a enhanced
in vitro
interferon (IFN) signaling, and patients who expressed high levels of miR-27a in the liver showed a more favorable response to pegylated IFN and ribavirin combination therapy. Interestingly, the expression of miR-27a was upregulated by HCV infection and lipid overload through the adipocyte differentiation transcription factor C/EBPα. In turn, upregulated miR-27a repressed HCV infection and lipid storage in cells. Thus, this negative feedback mechanism might contribute to the maintenance of a low viral load and would be beneficial to the virus by allowing it to escape host immune surveillance and establish a persistent chronic HCV infection.
Higher maternal education is associated with favourable growth of young children in different countries
Authors: Lakshman Rajalakshmi , Zhang Jing , Zhang Jianduan , Koch Felix S , Marcus Claude , Ludvigsson Johnny , Ong Ken K , Sobko Tanja
Published: March 2013

Background

Childhood growth affects long-term health and could contribute to health inequalities that persist throughout life.

Methods

We compared growth data of 4-year-old to 6-year-old children born 1997–2002 in UK (n=15 168), Sweden (n=6749) and rural China (n=10 327). SD scores (SDS) were calculated against the WHO Growth Standard. Obesity and overweight were defined by the International Obesity Taskforce cut-offs, and stunting, underweight and thinness by height, weight or body mass index (BMI)<−2 SDS. Associations with maternal education were standardised by calculating the Slope Index of Inequality (SII).

Results

Mean SDS height, weight and BMI in the UK (−0.01, 0.42, 0.62, respectively) and Sweden (0.45, 0.59, 0.45) were higher than in China (−0.98, −0.82, −0.29). Higher maternal education was consistently associated with taller offspring height SDS (SII: UK 0.25; Sweden 0.17; China 1.06). Underweight and stunting were less common in the UK (prevalence: 0.6% and 2.2%, respectively) and Sweden (0.3% and 0.6%) than in China (9.5% and 16.4%), where these outcomes were inversely associated with maternal education (SII: −25.8% and −12.7%). Obesity prevalence in the UK, Sweden and China was 4.8%, 3.7% and 0.4%, respectively. Maternal education was inversely associated with offspring obesity in the UK (SII: −3.3%) and Sweden (−2.8%), but not in China (+0.3%).

Conclusions

Higher maternal education was associated with more favourable growth in young children: lower obesity and overweight in the UK and Sweden, and lower stunting and underweight in rural China. Public health strategies to optimise growth in early childhood need to acknowledge socioeconomic factors, but possibly with a different emphasis in different settings.
INDUCED QUASI-ARITHMETIC UNCERTAIN LINGUISTIC AGGREGATION OPERATOR
Authors: YANG WEI
Published: March 2013

Induced quasi-arithmetic aggregation operators are considered to aggregate uncertain linguistic information by using order inducing variables. We introduce the induced correlative uncertain linguistic aggregation operator with Choquet integral and we also present the induced uncertain linguistic aggregation operator by using the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence. The special cases of the new proposed operators are investigated. Many existing linguistic aggregation operators are special cases of our new operators and more new uncertain linguistic aggregation operators can be derived from them. Decision making methods based on the new aggregation operators are proposed and architecture material supplier selection problems are presented to illustrate the feasibility and efficiency of the new methods.
ESTIMATION OF PURITY FOR A QUANTUM HARMONIC OSCILLATOR INITIALLY PREPARED IN A DISPLACED THERMAL STATE
Authors: BRUNELLI MATTEO , OLIVARES STEFANO , PATERNOSTRO MAURO , PARIS MATTEO G. A.
Published: March 2013

We address the estimation of purity for a quantum oscillator initially prepared in a displaced thermal state and probed by a suitably prepared qubit interacting with the oscillator via Jaynes–Cummings Hamiltonian without the rotating-wave approximation. We evaluate the quantum Fisher information (QFI) and show that optimal estimation of purity can be achieved by measuring the population of the qubit after a properly chosen interaction time. We also address the estimation of purity at fixed total energy and show that the corresponding precision is independent of the presence of a coherent amplitude.
β-DEFORMED MATRIX MODELS AND NEKRASOV PARTITION FUNCTION
Authors: OOTA TAKESHI
Published: March 2013

The β-deformed matrix models of Selberg type are introduced. They are exactly calculable by using the Macdonald-Kadell formula. With an appropriate choice of the integration contours and interactions, the partition function of the matrix model can be identified with the Nekrasov partition function for SU(2) gauge theory with Nf = 4. Known properties of good q-expansion basis for the matrix model are summarized.
LARGE-N RENORMALIZATION GROUP ON FUZZY SPHERE
Authors: KAWAMOTO SHOICHI , TOMINO DAN , KUROKI TSUNEHIDE
Published: March 2013

We study the large-N renormalization group of scalar field theory on a fuzzy sphere. We carry out perturbative analysis and formulate the renormalization group equation. We then search for fixed points and investigate their properties.
A PKG inhibitor increases Ca2+-regulated exocytosis in guinea pig antral mucous cells: cAMP accumulation via PDE2A inhibition
Authors: Tanaka Saori , Tanaka Rina , Harada Saeko , Kohda Yuka , Matsumura Hitoshi , Shimamoto Chikao , Sawabe Yukinori , Marunaka Yoshinori , Kuwabara Hiroko , Takahashi Yuko , Ito Shigenori , Nakahari Takashi
Published: March 2013

In antral mucous cells, acetylcholine (ACh, 1 μM) activates Ca2+-regulated exocytosis, consisting of an initial peak that declines rapidly (initial transient phase) followed by a second slower decline (late phase) lasting during ACh stimulation. The addition of 8-bromo-cGMP (8-BrcGMP) enhanced the initial phase, which was inhibited by the protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothoiate, β-phenyl-1, N2-etheno-8-bromo, Rp-isomer, sodium salt (Rp-8-BrPETcGMPS, 100 nM). However, Rp-8-BrPETcGMPS produced a delayed, but transient, increase in the exocytotic frequency during the late phase that was abolished by a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor (PKI-amide), suggesting that Rp-8-BrPETcGMPS accumulates cAMP. The cGMP-dependent phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2), which degrades cAMP, may exist in antral mucous cells. The PDE2 inhibitor BAY-60-7550 (250 nM) mimicked the effect of Rp-8-BrPETcGMPS on ACh-stimulated exocytosis. Measurement of the cGMP and cAMP contents in antral mucosae revealed that ACh stimulates the accumulation of cGMP and that BAY-60-7550 accumulates cAMP similarly to Rp-8-BrPETcGMPS during ACh stimulation. Analyses of Western blot and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that PDE2A exists in antral mucous cells. In conclusion, Rp-8-BrPETcGMPS accumulates cAMP by inhibiting PDE2 in ACh-stimulated antral mucous cells, leading to the delayed, but transient, increase in the frequency of Ca2+-regulated exocytosis. PDE2 may prevent antral mucous cells from excessive mucin secretion caused by the cAMP accumulation.
CCR2 knockout exacerbates cerulein-induced chronic pancreatitis with hyperglycemia via decreased GLP-1 receptor expression and insulin secretion
Authors: Nakamura Yuji , Kanai Takanori , Saeki Keita , Takabe Miho , Irie Junichiro , Miyoshi Jun , Mikami Yohei , Teratani Toshiaki , Suzuki Takahiro , Miyata Naoteru , Hisamatsu Tadakazu , Nakamoto Nobuhiro , Yamagishi Yoshiyuki , Higuchi Hajime , Ebinuma Hirotoshi , Hozawa Shigenari , Saito Hidetsugu , Itoh Hiroshi , Hibi Toshifumi
Published: March 2013

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) promotes insulin release; however, the relationship between the GLP-1 signal and chronic pancreatitis is not well understood. Here we focus on chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and its receptor (CCR2) axis, which regulates various immune cells, including macrophages, to clarify the mechanism of GLP-1-mediated insulin secretion in chronic pancreatitis in mice. One and multiple series of repetitive cerulein administrations were used to induce acute and chronic cerulein pancreatitis, respectively. Acute cerulein-administered CCR2-knockout (KO) mice showed suppressed infiltration of CD11b+Gr-1low macrophages and pancreatic inflammation and significantly upregulated insulin secretion compared with paired wild-type (WT) mice. However, chronic cerulein-administered CCR2-KO mice showed significantly increased infiltration of CD11b+/Gr-1− and CD11b+/Gr-1high cells, but not CD11b+/Gr-1low cells, in pancreas with severe inflammation and significantly decreased insulin secretion compared with their WT counterparts. Furthermore, although serum GLP-1 levels in chronic cerulein-administered WT and CCR2-KO mice were comparably upregulated after cerulein administrations, GLP-1 receptor levels in pancreases of chronic cerulein-administered CCR2-KO mice were significantly lower than in paired WT mice. Nevertheless, a significantly higher hyperglycemia level in chronic cerulein-administered CCR2-KO mice was markedly restored by treatment with a GLP-1 analog to a level comparable to the paired WT mice. Collectively, the CCR2/CCL2 axis-mediated CD11b+-cell migration to the pancreas is critically involved in chronic pancreatitis-mediated hyperglycemia through the modulation of GLP-1 receptor expression and insulin secretion.
Development of a Prognostic Score Using the Complete Blood Cell Count for Survival Prediction in Unselected Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Chongliang Fang , Yuzhong Li , Qian Shi , Xiliang Liu , Hui Liu
Published: March 2013

Objective. The purpose of this study was to develop a new prognostic scoring system for critically ill patients using the simple complete blood cell count (CBC).Methods. CBC measurements in samples from 306 patients in an intensive care unit were conducted with automated analyzers, including levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and platelets. The time of sampling and the time of death were recorded.Zvalues were calculated according to the measured values, reference mean values, and standard deviations. The prognostic score was equivalent to the median of theZvalue of each of the measured parameters.Results. There was a significant correlation between survival time and neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet levels (P<0.05). Prognostic scores were calculated from theZvalue of these three parameters. Survival times decreased as the prognostic score increased.Conclusions. This study suggests that a model that uses levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and platelets is potentially useful in the objective evaluation of survival time or disease severity in unselected critically ill patients.
Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy for Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusInfection
Authors: Fu Xiu-jun , Fang Yong , Yao Min
Published: March 2013

Nowadays methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is one of the most common multidrug resistant bacteria both in hospitals and in the community. In the last two decades, there has been growing concern about the increasing resistance to MRSA of the most potent antibiotic glycopeptides. MRSA infection poses a serious problem for physicians and their patients. Photosensitizer-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) appears to be a promising and innovative approach for treating multidrug resistant infection. In spite of encouraging reports of the use of antimicrobial PDT to inactivate MRSA in large in vitro studies, there are only few in vivo studies. Therefore, applying PDT in the clinic for MRSA infection is still a long way off.
Development of Galerkin Method for Solving the Generalized Burger's-Huxley Equation
Authors: El-Kady M. , El-Sayed S. M. , Fathy H. E.
Published: March 2013

Numerical treatments for the generalized Burger's—Huxley GBH equation are presented. The treatments are based on cardinal Chebyshev and Legendre basis functions with Galerkin method. Gauss quadrature formula and El-gendi method are used to convert the problem into a system of ordinary differential equations. The numerical results are compared with the literatures to show efficiency of the proposed methods.
Vasculogenic Cytokines in Wound Healing
Authors: Wong Victor W. , Crawford Jeffrey D.
Published: March 2013

Chronic wounds represent a growing healthcare burden that particularly afflicts aged, diabetic, vasculopathic, and obese patients. Studies have shown that nonhealing wounds are characterized by dysregulated cytokine networks that impair blood vessel formation. Two distinct forms of neovascularization have been described: vasculogenesis (driven by bone-marrow-derived circulating endothelial progenitor cells) and angiogenesis (local endothelial cell sprouting from existing vasculature). Researchers have traditionally focused on angiogenesis but defects in vasculogenesis are increasingly recognized to impact diseases including wound healing. A more comprehensive understanding of vasculogenic cytokine networks may facilitate the development of novel strategies to treat recalcitrant wounds. Further, the clinical success of endothelial progenitor cell-based therapies will depend not only on the delivery of the cells themselves but also on the appropriate cytokine milieu to promote tissue regeneration. This paper will highlight major cytokines involved in vasculogenesis within the context of cutaneous wound healing.
Serum Prohepcidin Levels Are Lower in Patients with Atrophic Gastritis
Authors: Kim Hyung-Keun , Jang Eun-Chul , Yeom Ju-Ok , Kim Sun-Young , Cho Hyunjung , Kim Sung Soo , Chae Hiun-Suk , Cho Young-Seok
Published: March 2013

Background/Aim. Hepcidin, an iron regulatory hormone, is increased in response to inflammation and some infections. We investigated the relationships among serum prohepcidin, iron status,Helicobacter pyloriinfection status, and the presence of gastric mucosal atrophy.Methods. Seventy subjects undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy underwent multiple gastric biopsies, and the possibility ofH. pyloriinfection and the degree of endoscopic and histologic gastritis were investigated. In all subjects, serum prohepcidin and iron parameters were evaluated.Results. No correlations were observed between serum prohepcidin levels and the other markers of anemia, such as hemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin, and total iron binding capacity. Serum prohepcidin levels were not significantly different between theH. pylori-positive group and theH. pylori-negative group. Serum prohepcidin levels in atrophic gastritis patients were significantly lower than those in subjects without atrophic gastritis irrespective ofH. pyloriinfection.Conclusion. Serum prohepcidin levels were not altered byH. pyloriinfection. Serum prohepcidin levels decrease in patients with atrophic gastritis, irrespective ofH. pyloriinfection. It suggests that hepcidin may decrease due to gastric atrophy, a condition that causes a loss of hepcidin-producing parietal cells. Further investigations with a larger number of patients are necessary to substantiate this point.
A Hybrid Reasoning Model for “Whole and Part” Cardinal Direction Relations
Authors: Kor Ah-Lian , Bennett Brandon
Published: March 2013

We have shown how the nine tiles in the projection-based model for cardinal directions can be partitioned into sets based on horizontal and vertical constraints (called Horizontal and Vertical Constraints Model) in our previous papers (Kor and Bennett, 2003 and 2010). In order to come up with an expressive hybrid model for direction relations between two-dimensional single-piece regions (without holes), we integrate the well-known RCC-8 model with the above-mentioned model. From this expressive hybrid model, we derive 8 basic binary relations and 13 feasible as well as jointly exhaustive relations for the x- and y-directions, respectively. Based on these basic binary relations, we derive two separate 8×8 composition tables for both the expressive and weak direction relations. We introduce a formula that can be used for the computation of the composition of expressive and weak direction relations between “whole or part” regions. Lastly, we also show how the expressive hybrid model can be used to make several existential inferences that are not possible for existing models.