bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytotoxic and Insecticidal Activities of Derivatives of Harmine, a Natural Insecticidal Component Isolated from Peganum harmala
Authors: Zeng Yong , Zhang Yaomou , Weng Qunfang , Hu Meiying , Zhong Guohua
Published: November 2010

In a continuing effort to develop novel β-carbolines endowed with better insecticidal activity, a simple high-yielding method for the synthesis of harmine compounds starting from L-tryptophan has been developed and a series of 1,3-substituted β-carboline derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against insect cultured Sf9 cell line in vitro and insecticidal activities against 4th instar larvae of mosquitos, Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus and mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi. The results demonstrated that 1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (compound 2) and methyl 1-phenyl-β-carboline-3-carboxylate (compound 13) represented the best potential compounds, with Sf9 cells inhibition rates of 71.55% and 60.21% after 24 h treatment at concentrations of 50–200 mg/L, respectively. Both compounds 2 and 13 also showed strong insecticidal activity towards 4th instar larvae of mosquitos with LC50 values of 20.82 mg/L and 23.98 mg/L, and their LC90 values were 88.29 mg/L and 295.13 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the LC50 values of compounds 2 and 13 against mustard aphids were 53.16 mg/L and 68.05 mg/L, and their LC90 values were 240.10 mg/L and 418.63 mg/L after 48 h treatment. The in vitro cytotoxicity of these compounds was consistent with the insecticidal activity in vivo. The results indicated that the 1- and 3-positions of the β-carboline ring deserve further investigation to develop biorational insecticides based on the natural compound harmine as a lead compound.
What is Sustainability?
Authors: Kuhlman Tom , Farrington John
Published: November 2010

Sustainability as a policy concept has its origin in the Brundtland Report of 1987. That document was concerned with the tension between the aspirations of mankind towards a better life on the one hand and the limitations imposed by nature on the other hand. In the course of time, the concept has been re-interpreted as encompassing three dimensions, namely social, economic and environmental. The paper argues that this change in meaning (a) obscures the real contradiction between the aims of welfare for all and environmental conservation; (b) risks diminishing the importance of the environmental dimension; and (c) separates social from economic aspects, which in reality are one and the same. It is proposed instead to return to the original meaning, where sustainability is concerned with the well-being of future generations and in particular with irreplaceable natural resources—as opposed to the gratification of present needs which we call well-being. A balance needs to be found between those two, but not by pretending they are three sides of the same coin. Although we use up natural resources at the expense of future generations, we also generate capital (including knowledge) which raises future well-being. A major question is to what extent the one compensates for the other. This debate centres around the problem of substitutability, which has been cast into a distinction between ‘weak’ and ‘strong’ sustainability. It is argued that these two do not need to be in opposition but complement one another.
Destination Marketing Organizations and Climate Change—The Need for Leadership and Education
Authors: Dodds Rachel
Published: November 2010

Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) operate at many levels ranging from the national to the municipal and have evolved over the years to respond to the geographical and political realities that are associated with tourism supply. Alongside providing information to potential visitors, DMOs work to make a destination attractive by showcasing its unique aspects and attractions. As the appeal of destinations, cost of doing business and the destination brand may be affected by the possible effects of climate change, this study aims to identify opportunities and threats to municipal and provincial/territorial DMOs and their members as well as identify measures they are undertaking to address the potential impacts. A study conducted of Canada’s provincial and municipal large DMOs was conducted in 2009. This research found that awareness of climate change in Canada’s tourism industry is increasing, but more efforts must be undertaken to mitigate climate change. To address climate change and tourism, this paper suggests doing three things: (a) DMOs need to demonstrate leadership about climate change education and mitigation to all their members; (b) government policy and action are needed to provide incentives for industry to address climate change; and (c) industry members require further education to take the steps necessary mitigate risk and to adapt. The internet has changed the DMOs’ roles and how they provide information to the consumer; as such, they have been presented with an opportunity to take on new roles as educational and marketing providers. This paper will outline in the current shifts among Canadian DMOs and will discuss the key issues that are applicable to DMOs worldwide.
Limited Penetration of Perfluorocarbon in Porcine Pancreas Preserved by Two-Layer Method with 19Fluorine Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Headspace Gas Chromatography
Authors: Agrawal Aditya , So Po-Wah , Penman Andy , Powis Steve , Davidson Brian , Press Martin , Fuller Barry
Published: October 2010

The mechanism of the two-layer method (TLM) of pancreas preservation is unclear. Facilitating oxygen diffusion into preserved pancreas has been suggested, but direct measurements of tissue pO2 have yielded conflicting results. The degree of penetration of perfluorocarbon (PFC) into the pancreas during TLM storage is unknown. Segments of porcine pancreas (7.5 cm in length) were preserved either in University of Wisconsin solution (UW) alone ( n = 6) or in TLM for 24 h ( n = 6). Pancreatic samples were analyzed using Varian INOVA 9.4T MR scanner. External PFC standard was introduced for quantification. Four consecutive transverse images of 4 mm thickness were obtained using a spin-echo sequence. 19Fluorine magnetic resonance spectroscopy (19F MRS) was performed with the same parameters except with more averages. MR data were confirmed by headspace chromatography. PFC standard was readily detected in 19F MR images. There was no signal from pancreas in 19F MR images following either UW or TLM storage. 19F MR spectra typical of PFC were not obtained from either UW- or TLM-preserved pancreas with nonlocalized 19F MRS. Mean concentration of PFC in TLM pancreas measured by head space chromatography was 0.011 nl/g (SD ±0.006), not significantly different from background concentration (0.012 nl/g, SD ±0.006) in UW pancreas ( p = 0.42). There was no evidence of penetration of PFC into pancreas tissues investigated either by MR or chromatography in organs preserved at hypothermia by TLM, and mechanisms of TLM remain speculative.
Prevascular Structures Promote Vascularization in Engineered Human Adipose Tissue Constructs upon Implantation
Authors: Verseijden Femke , Sluijs Sandra J. Posthumus-Van , Farrell Eric , Van Neck Johan W. , Hovius Steven E. R. , Hofer Stefan O. P. , Van Osch Gerjo J. V. M.
Published: October 2010

Vascularization is still one of the most important limitations for the survival of engineered tissues after implantation. In this study, we aim to improve the in vivo vascularization of engineered adipose tissue by preforming vascular structures within in vitro-engineered adipose tissue constructs that can integrate with the host vascular system upon implantation. Different cell culture media were tested and different amounts of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were combined in spheroid cocultures to obtain optimal conditions for the generation of prevascularized adipose tissue constructs. Immunohistochemistry revealed that prevascular structures were formed in the constructs only when 20% ASC and 80% HUVEC were combined and cultured in a 1:1 mixture of endothelial cell medium and adipogenic medium. Moreover, the ASC in these constructs accumulated lipid and expressed the adipocyte-specific gene fatty acid binding protein-4. Implantation of prevascularized ASC/HUVEC constructs in nude mice resulted in a significantly higher amount of vessels (37 ± 17 vessels/mm2) within the constructs compared to non-prevascularized constructs composed only of ASC (3 ± 4 vessels/mm2). Moreover, a subset of the preformed human vascular structures (3.6 ± 4.2 structures/mm2) anastomosed with the mouse vasculature as indicated by the presence of intravascular red blood cells. Our results indicate that preformed vascular structures within in vitro-engineered adipose tissue constructs can integrate with the host vascular system and improve the vascularization upon implantation.
Effects of MRI Contrast Agents on the Stem Cell Phenotype
Authors: Crabbe Annelies , Vandeputte Caroline , Dresselaers Tom , Sacido Angel Ayuso , Verdugo Jose Manuel Garcia , Eyckmans Jeroen , Luyten Frank P. , Van Laere Koen , Verfaillie Catherine M. , Himmelreich Uwe
Published: October 2010

The ultimate therapy for ischemic stroke is restoration of blood supply in the ischemic region and regeneration of lost neural cells. This might be achieved by transplanting cells that differentiate into vascular or neuronal cell types, or secrete trophic factors that enhance self-renewal, recruitment, long-term survival, and functional integration of endogenous stem/progenitor cells. Experimental stroke models have been developed to determine potential beneficial effect of stem/progenitor cell-based therapies. To follow the fate of grafted cells in vivo, a number of noninvasive imaging approaches have been developed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a high-resolution, clinically relevant method allowing in vivo monitoring of cells labeled with contrast agents. In this study, labeling efficiency of three different stem cell populations [mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC), rat multipotent adult progenitor cells (rMAPC), and mouse mesenchymal stem cells (mMSC)] with three different (ultra)small superparamagnetic iron oxide [(U)SPIO] particles (Resovist®, Endorem®, Sinerem®) was compared. Labeling efficiency with Resovist® and Endorem® differed significantly between the different stem cells. Labeling with (U)SPIOs in the range that allows detection of cells by in vivo MRI did not affect differentiation of stem cells when labeled with concentrations of particles needed for MRI-based visualization. Finally, we demonstrated that labeled rMAPC could be detected in vivo and that labeling did not interfere with their migration. We conclude that successful use of (U)SPIOs for MRI-based visualization will require assessment of the optimal (U)SPIO for each individual (stem) cell population to ensure the most sensitive detection without associated toxicity.
Comparison of Transplant Efficiency between Spontaneously Derived and Noggin-Primed Human Embryonic Stem Cell Neural Precursors in the Quinolinic Acid Rat Model of Huntington's Disease
Authors: Vazey Elena M. , Dottori Mirella , Jamshidi Pegah , Tomas Doris , Pera Martin F. , Horne Malcolm , Connor Bronwen
Published: October 2010

Human neural precursors (hNP) derived from embryonic stem cells (hESC) may provide a viable cellular source for transplantation therapy for Huntington's disease (HD). However, developing effective transplantation therapy for the central nervous system (CNS) using hESC relies on optimizing the in vitro production of hNP to control appropriate in vivo posttransplantation neuronal differentiation. The current study provides the first direct in vivo comparison of the transplant efficiency and posttransplantation characteristics of spontaneously derived and noggin-primed hNP following transplantation into the quinolinic acid (QA) rat model of HD. We show that spontaneously derived and noggin-primed hNP both survived robustly up to 8 weeks after transplantation into the QA-lesioned striatum of the adult rat. Transplanted hNP underwent extensive migration and large-scale differentiation towards a predominantly neuronal fate by 8 weeks posttransplantation. Furthermore, in vitro noggin priming of hNP specifically increased the extent of neuronal differentiation at both 4 and 8 weeks posttransplantation when compared to spontaneously derived hNP grafts. The results of this study suggest that in vitro noggin priming provides an effective mechanism by which to enhance hNP transplant efficiency for the treatment of HD.
Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and their Derivative, SB623 Cells, Rescue Neural Cells via Trophic Support following in Vitro Ischemia
Authors: Tate Ciara C. , Fonck Carlos , McGrogan Michael , Case Casey C.
Published: October 2010

Cell transplantation is a promising treatment strategy for many neurological disorders, including stroke, which can target multiple therapeutic mechanisms in a sustained fashion. We investigated the ability of human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived SB623 cells to rescue neural cells via trophic support following an in vitro stroke model. Following oxygen glucose deprivation, cortical neurons or hippocampal slices were cocultured with either MSCs or SB623 cells separated by a semiporous membrane (prohibits cell–cell contact) or with MSC- or SB623 cell-conditioned medium. MSCs, SB623 cells, MSC-conditioned media, and SB623 cell-conditioned media all significantly reduced neural cell damage/death compared to untreated conditions, and the rescue effect of the conditioned media was dose dependent. We identified 11 neurotrophic factors secreted by MSCs and/or SB623 cells. This study emphasizes the importance of trophic support provided by marrow-derived cells, which likely contributes to the efficacy of cell therapy for brain injury.
Factors Affecting Residence Time of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) Injected into the Myocardium
Authors: Westrich Jason , Yaeger Peter , He Chufa , Stewart Jeff , Chen Raymond , Seleznik Gitta , Larson Shane , Wentworth Bruce , O'callaghan Michael , Wadsworth Sam , Akita Geoffrey , Molnar Gyongyi
Published: October 2010

The therapeutic mechanism of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction is not well understood. Our goal was to get insights into this mechanism by analyzing the survival kinetics of allogeneic and syngeneic cell transplants under different tissue conditions. Two MSC cell banks, stably and equally expressing the luciferase reporter construct, were developed for these studies and injected directly to the myocardium of Lewis rat recipients under syngeneic or allogeneic transplantation conditions. Cell survival was monitored by real-time fashion for up to 2 weeks, using optical imaging device (IVIS, Xenogen Corp.). We found that both syngeneic and allogeneic grafts reduced significantly in size during the first week of transplantation, either in the normal or in the late infarcted heart (5 days after MI) and allotransplants became always smaller than syngeneic grafts during this period. Low dose of cyclosporine A treatment had a benefit on both allo- and syngeneic graft sizes, suggesting that multiple mechanisms play a role in early graft reduction. The MSC characteristic factors IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and VEGF were well above the control level in the heart tissue at 4 days after cell injection, suggesting that the peak therapeutic effect of MSC can be expected during the first week of the administration. Although allogeneic cells induced immunoglobulin production, their biological effects (cell survival, factor productions) are very similar to the syngeneic transplants and therefore they could deliver the same therapeutic effect as the syngeneic cells. Finally, freshly infarcted tissue (30 min) supported better the survival of MSC than late postischemic tissue (5 days) but only “off the shelf” allogeneic cell transplants fits with this treatment strategy.
Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Glial Precursors as a Vehicle for Sulfamidase Production in the MPS-IIIA Mouse Brain
Authors: Robinson Aaron J. , Zhao Guoying , Rathjen Joy , Rathjen Peter D. , Hutchinson Rhonda G. , Eyre Helen J. , Hemsley Kim M. , Hopwood John J.
Published: October 2010

Pluripotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, have generated much excitement about their prospects for use in cell transplantation therapies. This is largely attributable to their virtually unlimited growth potential, their ability to be precisely genetically altered in culture, and their utility for forming differentiated cell populations with potential clinical applications. Lysosomal storage diseases such as Sanfilippo syndrome (MPS-IIIA) represent ideal candidate diseases for the evaluation of cell therapies in the central nervous system (CNS). These diseases exhibit widespread pathology yet result from a single gene deficiency, in the case of Sanfilippo syndrome the lysosomal enzyme sulfamidase. The aim of this study was to investigate mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived glial precursor cells as a vehicle for sulfamidase delivery in the MPS-IIIA mouse brain. In this study we have created a mouse ES cell line genetically modified to stably express and secrete high levels of human sulfamidase and a protocol for the in vitro derivation of large numbers glial precursors from ES cells. Differentiation of sulfamidase-expressing ES cells resulted in cell populations with sustained secretion of high levels of sulfamidase, comprised primarily of glial precursor cells with minor contaminants of other neural cell phenotypes but not residual pluripotent cells. CNS implantation studies demonstrated that ES cell-derived glial precursor cells formed using this differentiation method were able to engraft and survive for at least 12 weeks following implantation. The percentage of engraftment was quantified in different regions of the brain in 2-, 4-, and 8-week-old normal and MPS-IIIA mice. No teratomas were observed in any of the cell-transplanted animals. The results of this study support the further investigation of sulfamidase-expressing glial precursor cells as a vehicle for delivery of deficient enzyme into the CNS of MPS-IIIA mice.
Endotoxin Deactivation by Transient Acidification
Authors: Ribeiro Melina M. , Xu Xiumin , Klein Dagmar , Kenyon Norma S. , Ricordi Camillo , Felipe Maria Sueli S. , Pastori Ricardo L.
Published: October 2010

Recombinant proteins are an important tool for research and therapeutic applications. Therapeutic proteins have been delivered to several cell types and tissues and might be used to improve the outcome of the cell transplantation. Recombinant proteins are propagated in bacteria, which will contaminate them with the lypopolysacharide endotoxin found in the outer bacterial membrane. Endotoxin could interfere with in vitro biological assays and is the major pathological factor, which must be removed or inactivated before in vivo administration. Here we describe a one-step protocol in which the endotoxin activity on recombinant proteins is remarkably reduced by transient exposure to acidic conditions. Maximum endotoxin deactivation occurs at acidic pH below their respective isoelectric point (pI). This method does not require additional protein purification or separation of the protein from the endotoxin fraction. The endotoxin level was measured both in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro assessment we have utilized Limulus Amebocyte Lysate method for in vivo the pyrogenic test. We have tested the above-mentioned method with five different recombinant proteins, including a monoclonal antibody clone 5c8 against CD154 produced by hybridomas. More than 99% of endotoxin was deactivated in all of the proteins; the recovery of the protein after deactivation varied between maximum 72.9% and minimum 46.8%. The anti-CD154 clone 5c8 activity remained unchanged as verified by the measurement of binding capability to activated lymphocytes. Furthermore, the effectiveness of this method was not significantly altered by urea, commonly used in protein purification. This procedure provides a simple and cost-efficient way to reduce the endotoxin activity in antibodies and recombinant proteins.
The Apelin-APJ Pathway Exists in Cardiomyogenic Cells Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Gao Lian Ru , Zhang Nin Kun , Bai Jing , Ding Qing Ai , Wang Zhi Guo , Zhu Zhi Ming , Fei Yu Xing , Yang Ye , Xu Ru Yi , Chen Yu
Published: October 2010

Our previous study demonstrated that apelin level increased significantly after the treatment of intracoronary implantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs), followed by the improvement of cardiac function in patients with severe ischemic heart failure. The present studies both in vivo and in vitro explored whether mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (BMSCs) activate the apelin-APJ pathway when differentiating into cardiomyogenic cells. Isolated BMSCs from rat femurs and tibias were cultured and expanded for three passages, labeled with DAPI, and treated with 5-azacytidine (5-AZ). BMSCs labeled with ad-EGFP were injected intramyocardially into the peri-infarct area of rat models with acute myocardial infarction. Immunofluorescence staining exposed that CMGs expressed apelin together with myogenic-specific proteins such as α-actin, troponin T, GATA-4, and connexin-43 at 7 days after 5-AZ treatment or EGFP-BMSC injection. RT-PCR revealed that mRNA in CMGs started to express apelin and APJ from day 7 and progressively increased until day 28. Cardiac function, as measured by echocardiography in vivo, was significantly improved in parallel with the extent of apelin expression after BMSC transplantation. Our finding indicated that the expression of the apelin-APJ pathway during differentiation of BMSCs into CMGs may be an important mechanism in regulation of myocardial regeneration and functional recovery after BMSC transplantation.
Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Therapy Led to Alveolar-Capillary Membrane Repair, Improving Lung Mechanics in Endotoxin-Induced Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Prota Luiz Felipe M. , Lassance Roberta M. , Maron-Gutierrez Tatiana , Castiglione Raquel C. , Garcia Cristiane Souza Baez , Santana Maria Cristina Ebole , Souza-Menezes Jackson , Abreu Soraia C. , Samoto Vivian , Santiago Marcelo Felipe , Capelozzi Vera Luiza , Takiya Christina Maeda , Rocco Patricia R. M. , Morales Marcelo M.
Published: October 2010

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMDMC) therapy led an improvement in lung mechanics and histology in endotoxin-induced lung injury. Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups ( n = 6 each). In the acute lung injur;y (ALI) group, Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was instilled intratracheally (40 μg, IT), and control (C) mice received saline (0.05 ml, IT). One hour after the administration of saline or LPS, BMDMC (2 × 107 cells) was intravenously injected. At day 28, animals were anesthetized and lung mechanics [static elastance ( Est), resistive (Δ P1), and viscoelastic (Δ P2) pressures] and histology (light and electron microscopy) were analyzed. Immunogold electron microscopy was used to evaluate if multinucleate cells were type II epithelial cells. BMDMC therapy prevented endotoxin-induced lung inflammation, alveolar collapse, and interstitial edema. In addition, BMDMC administration led to epithelial and endothelial repair with multinucleated type II pneumocytes. These histological changes yielded a reduction in lung Est, Δ P1, and Δ P2 compared to ALI. In the present experimental ALI model, the administration of BMDMC yielded a reduction in the inflammatory process and a repair of epithelium and endothelium, reducing the amount of alveolar collapse, thus leading to an improvement in lung mechanics.
Role of CCL2/MCP-1 in Islet Transplantation
Authors: Melzi Raffaella , Mercalli Alessia , Sordi Valeria , Cantarelli Elisa , Nano Rita , Maffi Paola , Sitia Giovanni , Guidotti Luca G. , Secchi Antonio , Bonifacio Ezio , Piemonti Lorenzo
Published: October 2010

High levels of donor-derived CCL2 have been associated with poor islet allograft outcome in patients with type 1 diabetes. The aim of our work was to determine whether CCL2 secreted by the islet has independent proinflammatory effects that influence engraftment and graft acceptance. Both in mice and humans CCL2 is significantly positively associated with other cytokines/chemokines, in particular with the highly released “proinflammatory” IL-6 and CXCL8 or CXCL1. Transplantation of CCL2-/- islets into syngenic recipients did not improve the transplant function. Transplantation of islets into CCL2-/- syngenic recipients led to a significant improvement of transplant function and partial abrogation of local hepatic inflammation. When evaluated in human islets CCL2 release was strongly related to the immediate local inflammatory response in the liver and impacted short-term human islet function dependently by the induced inflammatory response and independently by the immunosuppressive therapy. The data showed that islet CCL2 release is a sign of “inflamed” islets without having a direct role in graft failure. On the other hand, a causal effect for developing detrimental proinflammatory conditions after transplant was proved for recipient CCL2. Strategies to selectively decrease recipient, but not donor, CCL2 release may increase the success of islet transplantation.
Global Contractility Increment in Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy after Free Wall-Only Intramyocardial Injection of Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells: An Insight over Stem Cells Clinical Mechanism of Action
Authors: Sant'anna Roberto T. , Kalil Renato A. K. , Neto Angelo S. Pretto , Junior Fernando Pivatto , Fracasso James , Sant'anna João R. M. , Marques Maurício , Markoski Melissa , Prates Paulo R. , Nardi Nance B. , Nesralla Ivo A.
Published: October 2010

Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) effects have been investigated in small series of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDC). Left ventricular myocardial contractility improvements occur, but doubt remains about their mechanism of action. We compared contractility changes in areas treated (free wall) and nontreated (septal wall) with BMMC, in selected patients who have showed significant ventricular improvement after free wall-only intramyocardial stem cells injection. From 15 patients with functional class III/IV (NYHA) and LVEF inferior to 35%, who received 9.6 ± 2.6 × 107 BMMC divided into 10 points over the left ventricular free wall, 7 (46.7%) showed LVEF relative improvement greater than 15%. Those patients were selected for further contractility study. BMMC were collected from iliac bone and isolated with Ficoll-Hypaque. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure the systolic thickening of the septal (nontreated) and free wall (treated) before injection and 3 months postoperatively. Mean systolic septal wall thickening increased from 0.46 to 1.23 mm (an absolute 0.77 ± 1.3 mm and relative 167.4% increase) and in the free wall from 1.13 to 1.87 mm (an absolute 0.74 ± 1.5 mm and relative increase of 65.5%). There was no difference in the rate of absolute or relative systolic thickening between the two walls ( p = 0.866 and 1.0, respectively), when cells were injected only in the left ventricular free wall. BMMC transplantation in nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy can improve ventricular function by an overall effect, even in areas that are not directly injected. This finding favors the existence of a diffuse mechanism of action, rather than a local effect, and should be reminded when the pathophysiology of stem cells is considered.
Evaluation of Tumorigenic Risk of Tissue-Engineered Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells by Using Combinational Examinations
Authors: Thépot A. , Morel A. P. , Justin V. , Desanlis A. , Thivillier L. , Hoffman E. , Till M. , Accardi R. , Tommasino M. , Breton P. , Hainaut P. , Damour O.
Published: October 2010

Recently, oral mucosal epithelial cells were proposed as a cell source of the autologous cell transplant therapy for corneal trauma or disease. The question addressed is to know if the biological conditions of grafting could induce certain cellular, molecular, and genetic alterations that might increase the risk of mutations and possibly of cellular transformation. Recent progress in cancer research enables us to depict the generation mechanisms and basic characteristics of human cancer cells from molecular, cytological, and biological aspects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the risk of tumorigenicity of the oral mucosal epithelial culture process in order to mitigate that risk, if any, before clinical application. Oral mucosal epithelial cells from three different human donors were investigated by combinational examinations to detect possible tumorigenic transformation. We investigated (i) clonogenic and karyology types, (ii) the validation of proliferation rate, (iii) the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, (iv) anchorage-independent growth potential, and (v) tumorigenicity on nude mice. Results show that the culture process used in this study presents no risk of tumorigenicity.
The importance of soil microorganisms for maintaining diverse plant communities in tallgrass prairie
Authors: Fitzsimons Michael S. , Miller R. Michael
Published: October 2010

• Premise of the study: According to the “Janzen‐Connell hypothesis,” soil microorganisms have the potential to increase plant community diversity by mediating negative feedback on plant growth. Evidence for such microbe‐driven negative feedback has been found in a variety of terrestrial systems. However, it is currently unknown how general this phenomenon is within most plant communities. Also unknown is the role of mutualists in generating such feedback: do they decrease the influence of soil‐mediated negative feedback on plant fitness or do they increase its effect by proliferating with plant hosts to which they give the least benefit?

• Methods: We investigated soil‐microbe‐mediated feedback via a series of reciprocal transplant experiments in the greenhouse using soil from a restored tallgrass prairie and native tallgrass prairie plant species.

• Key results: We found that negative feedback was very common but that mutualists (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) influence plant growth in opposition to the overall negative feedback trend.

• Conclusions: Widespread microbially mediated negative feedback indicates that plant community diversity and composition in tallgrass prairie are dependent on soil microorganisms. Native soil microorganisms should be considered in restoration efforts of tallgrass prairie and, potentially, other native plant communities.
Intrinsic and extrinsic hydraulic factors in varying sizes of two Amazonian palm species (Iriartea deltoidea and Mauritia flexuosa) differing in development and growing environment
Authors: Renninger Heidi J. , Phillips Nathan
Published: October 2010

• Premise of the study: This study seeks to determine how hydraulic factors vary with ontogeny and whether they begin to limit further height growth in palms. Palms are an attractive group for physiological research because their columnar trunks and simple leaf habit allow key intrinsic and extrinsic hydraulic variables to be estimated more easily than in complex arborescent dicotyledons.

• Methods: We measured various biometric and physiological factors including sap flux, leaf areas, turnover rates, and internode lengths in two Amazonian rainforest species: terra firme Iriartea deltoidea and swamp‐adapted Mauritia flexuosa. These two palm species differ markedly in edaphic conditions, leaf type (pinnately compound vs. palmate), and bole development, making physiological comparisons between them important as well.

• Key results: The species exhibited differing patterns in height growth rate along boles, which appear to relate to their differences in bole development. Growth rates ultimately slowed at the tops of tall palms in both species. We also found a high degree of convergence in total leaf area with height in both species even though they exhibited contrasting patterns in both live frond number and leaf area per frond with height. Sap flux density from leaves was constant with height but four times greater in M. flexuosa than in I. deltoidea.

• Conclusions: Although height growth rates slow considerably in tall palms, neither species shows evidence that hydraulic factors become limiting because they are able to support much greater leaf areas with similar sap flux densities as shorter palms.
Typhoid fever with severe abdominal pain: diagnosis and clinical findings using abdomen ultrasonogram, hematology-cell analysis and the Widal test
Authors: Arjunan Maripandi , Al-Salamah Ali A.
Published: November 2010

A six-year-old boy with high-grade fever and abdominal pain in the epigastric region was examined with ultrasonogram of the abdomen. Hematology-cell analysis, serology (Widal test), urine analysis, and blood cultures were also performed. The ultrasonogram was helpful for the identification of multiple organ involvement with Salmonella typhi. The results revealed mild hepatosplenomegaly, minimal ascitis, and mesenteric lympoadenopathy. Hematological analysis showed a white blood count of 6,300 cells mL-1; a red blood cell count of 4.54 million/cu mm. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 24 mm/1 hr; hemoglobin level of 11.5 g/dl; and a platelet count of 206,000 cells/mL. The patient's serum was agglutinated with lipopolysaccharide (TO), the titre value was 1:320 dilution, and flagellar antigen (TH) titre was 1:640. The patient was diagnosed with typhoid fever. Ceftriaxone was given intravenously for five days and the patient fully recovered.
Genetic characterization of ESBL producing strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae from Tehran hospitals
Authors: Feizabadi Mohammad Mehdi , Mahamadi-Yeganeh Samira , Mirsalehian Akbar , Mirafshar Seyed-Mohammad , Mahboobi Mohaddeseh , Nili Firoozeh , Yadegarinia Davood
Published: November 2010

Introduction: This study was conducted to determine the genetic characterization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing strains of Klebsiella  pneumoniae isolated from Iranian patients in hospitals in Tehran. Methodology: Antibiotic susceptibility of 104 isolates was determined using the disk diffusion test. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of imipenem and meropenem were determined for isolates showing reduced susceptibility to carbapenems. The phenotypic confirmatory test (PCT) was used to screen the isolates for ESBL production. PCR was used to detect blaSHV, blaTEM and blaCTX-M and the amplicons from selected clones were sequenced. Isolates producing ESBLs were analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results:  One isolate showed resistance to imipenem (MIC = 16 µg/ml). Resistance to amikacin and ciprofloxacin was 44.2% and 25.0%, respectively. ESBL production was detected in 72.1% (n = 75) of isolates. The prevalence of blaSHV, blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes among the isolates was 55.7% (n = 58), 30.7% (n = 32) and 45.2% (n = 47), respectively. The sequencing revealed the amplicons corresponding to bla (TEM-1, TEM-79, SHV-1, SHV-12, SHV-31, CTX-M-15) genes. While the blaCTX-M-15 is the dominant gene among the Iranian isolates, we detected the blaSHV-31 and blaTEM-79 genes for the first time in the country.  PFGE differentiated the 71 ESBL-producing isolates into 62 different genotypes. Clonal dissemination of ESBLs was found in the neonatal intensive care unit and intensive care unit of one hospital. Conclusion: The findings are evidence of the spread of multi-resistant clones of ESBL producers in Tehran hospitals.
Insight into the management of non-traumatic perforation of the small intestine
Authors: Jain Bhupendra Kumar , Arora Himanshu , Srivastava Upendra Kumar , Mohanty Debajyoti , Garg Pankaj Kumar
Published: November 2010

Introduction: Management of non-traumatic perforation of the small intestine has always been a consideration for surgeons because of associated enormous morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data on the management of non-traumatic perforation of the small intestine. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted which involved analysis of 192 patients treated for non-traumatic perforation of small intestine in a tertiary care teaching hospital in North India. The clinical profile and management of the patients were studied. Results: The most common cause of non-traumatic perforation of small intestine was typhoid (46.4%), followed by non-specific inflammation (39.2%), tuberculosis (12.8%) and malignant neoplasm (1.6%). Primary repair was the most frequent procedure (44.0%), followed by ileostomy (25.5%) and resection-anastomosis (19.3%). Superficial wound infection was the most frequent postoperative complication (46.8%), followed by wound dehiscence (31.3%). The wound infection rate was reduced significantly following delayed primary closure of skin incision. Enterocutaneous fistula/leak developed in 11.5% patients. Salvage ileostomy for post-operative intestinal leak resulted in a better survival rate as compared to conservative treatment (85.7% vs. 50.0%). The overall mortality rate was 16.6%.   Conclusion: Operative procedures undertaken for the management of non-traumatic perforation of small intestine can be classified into two groups: procedures that leave an intestinal suture line inside the peritoneal cavity and procedures that do not. The no suture line-in procedure seems to be better option in adverse patient conditions.
Further Qualification of a Therapeutic Responder Index for Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain
Authors: BOMBARDIER CLAIRE , EVANS CHRIS J. , KATZ NATHANIEL , MARDEKIAN JACK , ZLATEVA GERGANA , SIMON LEE S.
Published: November 2010

Objective.

Previously, a preliminary patient responder index (RI) in chronic low back pain (CLBP) was developed and validated in 5 placebo-controlled clinical trials. The resulting RI was a > 30% improvement in CLBP and patient global assessment (PGA), and no worsening (< 20%) in the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) total score. Our objective was to provide further characterization of the preliminary RI in a trial with an active control.

Methods.

Data from a 6-week randomized, double-blind study of celecoxib compared to tramadol hydrochloride was analyzed to determine differences by treatment group on the CLBP RI and its components, to compare the CLBP RI with each of its individual components, and to reanalyze the original cutoff points for the responder criteria.

Results.

Of the celecoxib arm, 50.7%, and of the tramadol hydrochloride arm, 43.7% were classified as responders under the CLBP RI (p = 0.043). The PGA is the most important component in the RI (45% of the sample failed to reach the > 30% improvement criteria on the PGA compared to 34% on the low back pain visual analog scale and only 11% on the RMDQ. The agreement among the CLBP RI with each of its 3 components was largest for the PGA component (κ coefficient 0.849) and smallest for the RMDQ component (κ coefficient 0.207).

Conclusion.

The RI appears to be particularly sensitive to the cutoff point used for improvement in the PGA component. Further testing of the index in trials with other active comparators is required to gain a fuller understanding of its performance.
Le sauvage construit
Authors: Berque Augustin
Published: October 2010

Résumé Nous associons généralement le sauvage (silvaticus) à la forêt (silva) et à ses hôtes, les bêtes sauvages et les ermites. L’anthropologie a montré que ces représentations sont toutes relatives, et que, par exemple entre les Bantous et les Pygmées, le sens de la lisière entre les champs et la forêt pouvait s’inverser. Contrairement au bon sens qui voudrait voir à l’origine le sauvage, et par la suite le civilisé, une approche écouménale (centrée sur le sens des milieux humains pour ceux qui les habitent) montre qu’à l’inverse il y a eu naissance de la sauvagerie à partir du moment où il y a eu civilisation, et où les habitants des champs ont voulu se distinguer de ceux des bois, puis ceux des villes se distinguer de ceux des champs. La logique sociale de cette distinction paraît assez simple, mais nous n’en mesurons pas les effets concrets, tant sur nos manières de voir que sur nos comportements. On s’interroge ici en particulier sur le sens de la distinction entre ce qui est dans les murs (la ville) et ce qui est hors les murs (la campagne, la nature), en comparant notamment les cas de civilisations où le mur est synonyme de ville (la Chine…), ou au moins associé à la ville (l’Europe…), avec d’autres où les villes n’avaient pas de murs (le Japon…), pour en tirer quelques perspectives à propos de l’urbain diffus contemporain, où les villes n’ont plus de murs et où les modes de vie les plus artificiels sont vécus comme un retour à la nature.
Un ailleurs au sein de la ville
Authors: Clavel Maïté
Published: October 2010

Résumé Les Buttes-Chaumont à Paris, jardin créé au xix e  siècle, est un lieu de nature, de détente, d’accueil et un lieu plein d’urbanité, profondément différent des autres espaces publics de la ville. Comment rendre compte, par l’écriture et la description, de la singularité et de l’ordinaire des pratiques et des usages réglés et localisés des promeneurs, dans un espace qui permet néanmoins l’évasion et représente un « ailleurs » au sein de la ville ?
L'herbier de pierre
Authors: Bonnin Philippe
Published: October 2010

Résumé Nos villes sont, de plus en plus, minéralisées, affirmant notre libération des contraintes naturelles. Elles parsèment pourtant ce monde - de pierre, de verre et d’acier - de références à une nature perdue, de signes d’une flore regrettée, d’allusions à sa conquête et à sa domination. Montrée aujourd’hui plus souvent sous forme d’images publicitaires labiles, elle le fut pendant des siècles sous une forme « artialisée » qui, urbanisant la nature, enjolivait notre quotidien. C’est à une plaisante herméneutique que nous convie l’auteur.
Les paysagistes sous la bannière de l'écologie urbaine
Authors: Dubost Françoise
Published: October 2010

Résumé L’écologie urbaine, largement popularisée depuis le sommet de Rio (1992), est aujourd’hui promue par bon nombre d’élus et d’aménageurs. Elle intéresse tout particulièrement les paysagistes qui travaillent avec le matériau naturel, le sol, l’air, l’eau, le végétal. Leurs pratiques et leurs discours ont évolué pour répondre à la nouvelle commande publique. Est ici relatée l’une des premières créations paysagistes s’inspirant des notions de l’écologie scientifique, le Jardin naturel à Paris dans le quartier du Père-Lachaise.
À l'abri de la haie dans le bocage pavillonnaire
Authors: Frileux Pauline
Published: October 2010

Résumé Les zones pavillonnaires sont décriées à divers titres : dislocation des villes, banalisation des paysages, rupture du lien social et montée de l’individualisme. L’article en propose une analyse critique à partir de la haie, élément essentiel de la structure pavillonnaire. L’étude s’appuie sur des enquêtes auprès de catégories sociales relativement aisées, dans des lotissements périurbains construits entre 1990 et 2000 à Marne-la-Vallée et à Rennes Métropole. Le processus de fabrication de la trame arborée s’avère extraordinairement contraint. Il est l’expression de politiques urbaines et de logiques commerciales, mais il traduit aussi le rapport à la nature des habitants. Un modèle s’impose aujourd’hui massivement, celui de la haie haute et occlusive, qui protège des regards d’autrui.
Fleurs jardinières et fleurs fleuristes
Authors: Bergues Martine
Published: October 2010

Résumé Objet apparemment mineur, le fleurissement est un bon indicateur du traitement qu’une société opère sur la nature. Les mouvements qui la lient au fait naturel, comme les changements sociétaux, y sont répercutés. On empruntera le parcours que suivent, au long du xx e  siècle, fleurs de jardin et fleurs fleuristes. Ces fleurs, dites d’ornement, sont révélatrices de la société qui les produit, notamment dans leur lien intime à l’urbain, dont elles accompagnent ou au contraire contrebalancent les effets.
L'urbanité des oiseaux
Authors: Malher Frédéric , Magne Jean-François
Published: October 2010

Résumé Contrairement à ce que l’on croit souvent, le nombre d’espèces vivant en ville a beaucoup augmenté depuis un siècle. La ville présente une mosaïque de milieux très variés accueillant quantité d’oiseaux d’origines et d’espèces différentes, et pour certaines inattendues. Il s’agit essentiellement d’oiseaux forestiers, mais aussi de milieux rupestres ou aquatiques et, plus rarement, de milieux ouverts. Ces espèces ont modifié leurs habitudes : site du nid, régime alimentaire, rythme de vie, tolérance à l’espèce humaine. Des menaces pèsent cependant. Il y a la pollution, mais aussi la volonté moderne d’évoluer dans un monde « parfait » : propre, sans défauts ni insectes ou herbes folles. Initiatives individuelles, mesures d’aménagement de la ville ou sensibilisation du grand public tentent aujourd’hui d’y répondre.
Photographier le paysage urbain
Authors: Pousin Frédéric
Published: October 2010

Résumé L’expression « paysage urbain » tend à se répandre assez largement aujourd’hui, sans renvoyer cependant à des objets clairement identifiés. Ce « défaut de référent » incite à interroger les représentations qui contribuent à donner sens à ce terme. La notion a entretenu un rapport privilégié avec la photographie, ce que nous rappelons dans un bref historique. Puis, en nous centrant sur un territoire représentatif des périphéries métropolitaines, le département du Val-de-Marne dont l’identité est difficile à saisir, nous interrogeons une série de pratiques professionnelles, artistiques et pédagogiques qui engagent le regard photographique. Ces différentes expériences témoignent d’une compréhension du paysage qui suppose à la fois une expérience des lieux ainsi que des formes spécifiques de médiatisation. Les approches culturalistes du paysage trouvent ici confirmation. La saisie de l’acte photographique conduit à interroger le lien privilégié entre traversée du territoire et photographie.
Climats urbains
Authors: Tabeaud Martine
Published: October 2010

Résumé La moitié de la population mondiale vit dans les villes. Le réseau international de stations météorologiques a 150 ans. Mais les savoirs sur le climat urbain sont très fragmentaires, et le faire-savoir très standardisé par la télévision. La qualité de l’air urbain s’améliore avec les progrès techniques et avec le développement économique, mais la vulnérabilité face aux aléas météorologiques reste très importante. Des aléas assez ordinaires y créent des épisodes paroxysmiques, causes de dégâts matériels et humains qui seront ensuite coûteusement dédommagés. Comme il ne peut exister de modèle universel de villes « climatiques » et qu’il est impossible de libérer les villes du climat en l’artificialisant totalement, chaque ville doit innover.
Une rivière et deux vieux sakuras à Kyôto
Authors: Bonnin Philippe
Published: October 2010

Résumé La culture japonaise est réputée pour sa sensibilité à la nature. Mais nulle société n’aura autant massacré son patrimoine architectural et naturel en si peu de temps, dans un développement sans retenue. La délicate ville japonaise, qui faisait nature et jardin du moindre espace laissé vacant, est encore en pleine transformation. Pourtant, une telle sensibilité à la nature, une telle capacité à l’urbaniser, peut-elle s’oublier, s’abolir sans trace ni remords ? C’est à une observation des traces lisibles le long d’un parcours dans trois rues de Kyôto, l’ancienne capitale, que l’on voudrait ici convier le lecteur : une description-décryptage où le corps de l’observateur est en jeu plus encore que ses fragiles connaissances de cette ville.
Le climat du chez-soi
Authors: Subrémon Hélène
Published: October 2010

Résumé Faire de chez soi un espace agréable et confortable toute l’année implique de construire un climat intérieur, favorable à la vie familiale et à ses activités. Il s’agit ici de mettre en évidence ces manières d’habiter contemporaines dans leurs dimensions pratiques et symboliques. André Leroi-Gourhan, dans sa classification des actions techniques, ancre ces modes d’habiter au sein de leur milieu de vie et nous autorise, ainsi, à les concevoir comme une condition possible à un être au monde écologique.