bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The application of brain tissue deformation values in assessing the safety performance of ice hockey helmets
Authors: Hoshizaki Thomas B , Walsh Evan , Post Andrew , Rousseau Philippe , Kendall Marshall , Karton Clara , Oeur Anna , Foreman Scott , Gilchrist Michael D
Published: June 2012

This research was undertaken to examine a new method for assessing the performance of ice hockey helmets. It has been proposed that the current centric impact standards for ice hockey helmets, measuring peak linear acceleration, have effectively eliminated traumatic head injuries in the sport, but that angular acceleration and brain tissue deformation metrics are more sensitive to the conditions associated with concussive injuries, which continue to be a common injury. Ice hockey helmets were impacted using both centric and non-centric impact protocols at 7.5 m/s using a linear impactor. Dynamic impact responses and brain tissue deformations from the helmeted centric and non-centric head form impacts were assessed with respect to proposed concussive injury thresholds from the literature. The results of the helmet impacts showed that the method used was sensitive enough to distinguish differences in performance between helmet models. The results have shown that peak linear acceleration yielded low magnitudes of response to an impact, but peak angular acceleration and brain deformation metrics consistently reported higher magnitudes, reflecting a high risk for incurring a mild traumatic brain injury.
Faith communities and their assets for health promotion: the views from health professionals and faith leaders in Dundee, in Scotland
Authors: Fagan Donna M. , Kiger Alice , van Teijlingen Edwin
Published: June 2012

Within the European Union, as well as in Canada and the United States (US), health promoters employ a number of strategies to encourage community-based health improvements. This involves the creation of innovative health promotion partnerships to support and enable people to choose and engage in healthy living practices. Compared to the US, in other Western countries, such as the United Kingdom, faith communities have largely been ignored in health promotion partnerships. This study established existing evidence about health promotion in faith communities in Scotland by examining the perceptions and attitudes concerning health promotion among faith leaders and health promotion professionals. We conducted 33 semi-structured interviews with health promotion professionals ( n = 9) and representatives of Christian and non-Christian faith communities ( n = 24). The majority of participants expressed an interest in the concept of health promotion in a faith community and could readily envision its application in their area of work. Both groups identified multiple physical assets, as well as social supports within faith communities that could be directed towards healthy living activities. Faith groups and church organisations may constitute potential partners and new settings to increase community capacity for health promotion. Further research and funding for demonstration projects may be particularly helpful to provide evidence of the strengths and limitations of faith-based health promotion in Scotland, which in turn could inform health promotion practice and policy.
The epidemiology of osteoporosis and fractures in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Sambrook Philip N. , Geusens Piet
Published: June 2012

Bone is a target in many inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Inflammation leads to a wide range of changes in bone, and especially bone remodeling. In ankylosing spondylitis (AS) bone loss has been documented, but measuring bone density in the spine is hampered by new bone formation in syndesmophytes, periost and within the vertebrae. The risk of vertebral fractures is increased in AS. The diagnosis of vertebral fractures requires imaging and adequate evaluation of vertebral heights. In addition, in the ankysosed spine segments, additional imaging is often needed to diagnose spinal fractures at unusual locations (cervical spine) or in the posterior arch structures. Risk factors for vertebral fractures are helpful for case finding. Fracture prevention is indicated in high risk patients with AS, especially when they have already a vertebral fracture or in the presence of osteoporosis.
Heterozygosity for Roquinsan leads to angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma-like tumors in mice
Authors: Ellyard Julia I. , Chia Tiongsun , Rodriguez-Pinilla Socorro-Maria , Martin Jaime L. , Hu Xin , Navarro-Gonzalez Manuel , Garcia Juan F. , Delfau-Larue Marie-Helene , Montes-Moreno Santiago , Gaulard Philippe , Cook Matthew C. , Walters Giles , Piris Miguel A. , Vinuesa Carola G.
Published: June 2012

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is the second most common peripheral T-cell lymphoma with unusual clinical and pathologic features and a poor prognosis despite intensive chemotherapy. Recent studies have suggested AITL derives from follicular helper T (TFH) cells, but the causative molecular pathways remain largely unknown. Here we show that approximately 50% of mice heterozygous for the “san” allele of Roquin develop tumors accompanied by hypergammaglobulinemia by 6 months of age. Affected lymph nodes displayed the histologic features diagnostic of AITL, except for the presence of expanded FDC networks. Accumulation of TFH cells preceded tumor development, and clonal rearrangements in the TCR-β genes were present in most tumors. Furthermore, TFH cells exhibited increased clonality compared with non-TFH cells from the same lymph nodes, even in the absence of tumors. Genetic manipulations that prevent TFH development, such as deletion of ICOS, CD28, and SAP, partially or completely abrogated tumor development, confirming a TFH-derived origin. Roquinsan/+ mice emerge as a useful model to investigate the molecular pathogenesis of AITL and for preclinical testing of therapies aimed at targeting dysregulated TFH cells or their consequences.
How I treat hematologic emergencies in adults with acute leukemia
Authors: Zuckerman Tsila , Ganzel Chezi , Tallman Martin S. , Rowe Jacob M.
Published: June 2012

Acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia remain devastating diseases. Only approximately 40% of younger and 10% of older adults are long-term survivors. Although curing the leukemia is always the most formidable challenge, complications from the disease itself and its treatment are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Such complications, discussed herein, include tumor lysis, hyperleukocytosis, cytarabine-induced cellebellar toxicity, acute promyelocytic leukemia differentiation syndrome, thrombohemorrhagic syndrome in acute promyelocytic leukemia, L-asparaginase-associated thrombosis, leukemic meningitis, neutropenic fever, neutropenic enterocolitis, and transfussion-associated GVHD. Whereas clinical trials form the backbone for the management of acute leukemia, emergent clinical situations, predictable or not, are common and do not readily lend themselves to clinical trial evaluation. Furthermore, practice guidelines are often lacking. Not only are prospective trials impractical because of the emergent nature of the issue at hand, but clinicians are often reluctant to randomize such patients. Extensive practical experience is crucial and, even if there is no consensus, management of such emergencies should be guided by an understanding of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.
A note on the existence and uniqueness of the solutions to SFDES
Authors: Cho Yeol JE , Dragomir Sever S , Kim Young-Ho
Published: June 2012

In this paper, we establish a new proof of the existence and uniqueness of solution to stochastic functional differential equations with infinite delay at phase space BC((-∞, 0]: R

d
) which denotes the family of bounded continuous R

d
-valued functions φ defined on (-∞, 0] with norm ||φ|| = sup-∞ < θ≤0|φ(θ)|.

Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 60H05, 60H10.
Histone deacetylase-4 is required during early cranial neural crest development for generation of the zebrafish palatal skeleton
Authors: DeLaurier April , Nakamura Yukio , Braasch Ingo , Khanna Vishesh , Kato Hiroyuki , Wakitani Shigeyuki , Postlethwait John H , Kimmel Charles B
Published: June 2012

Background

Histone deacetylase-4 (Hdac4) is a class II histone deacetylase that inhibits the activity of transcription factors. In humans, HDAC4 deficiency is associated with non-syndromic oral clefts and brachydactyly mental retardation syndrome (BDMR) with craniofacial abnormalities.

Results

We identify hdac4 in zebrafish and characterize its function in craniofacial morphogenesis. The gene is present as a single copy, and the deduced Hdac4 protein sequence shares all known functional domains with human HDAC4. The zebrafish hdac4 transcript is widely present in migratory cranial neural crest (CNC) cells of the embryo, including populations migrating around the eye, which previously have been shown to contribute to the formation of the palatal skeleton of the early larva. Embryos injected with hdac4 morpholinos (MO) have reduced or absent CNC populations that normally migrate medial to the eye. CNC-derived palatal precursor cells do not recover at the post-migratory stage, and subsequently we found that defects in the developing cartilaginous palatal skeleton correlate with reduction or absence of early CNC cells. Palatal skeletal defects prominently include a shortened, clefted, or missing ethmoid plate, and are associated with a shortening of the face of young larvae.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that Hdac4 is a regulator of CNC-derived palatal skeletal precursors during early embryogenesis. Cleft palate resulting from HDAC4 mutations in human patients may result from defects in a homologous CNC progenitor cell population.
Widespread uncoupling between transcriptome and translatome variations after a stimulus in mammalian cells
Authors: Tebaldi Toma , Re Angela , Viero Gabriella , Pegoretti Ilaria , Passerini Andrea , Blanzieri Enrico , Quattrone Alessandro
Published: June 2012

Background

The classical view on eukaryotic gene expression proposes the scheme of a forward flow for which fluctuations in mRNA levels upon a stimulus contribute to determine variations in mRNA availability for translation. Here we address this issue by simultaneously profiling with microarrays the total mRNAs (the transcriptome) and the polysome-associated mRNAs (the translatome) after EGF treatment of human cells, and extending the analysis to other 19 different transcriptome/translatome comparisons in mammalian cells following different stimuli or undergoing cell programs.

Results

Triggering of the EGF pathway results in an early induction of transcriptome and translatome changes, but 90% of the significant variation is limited to the translatome and the degree of concordant changes is less than 5%. The survey of other 19 different transcriptome/translatome comparisons shows that extensive uncoupling is a general rule, in terms of both RNA movements and inferred cell activities, with a strong tendency of translation-related genes to be controlled purely at the translational level. By different statistical approaches, we finally provide evidence of the lack of dependence between changes at the transcriptome and translatome levels.

Conclusions

We propose a model of diffused independency between variation in transcript abundances and variation in their engagement on polysomes, which implies the existence of specific mechanisms to couple these two ways of regulating gene expression.
Efficient Production of an Engineered Apoptin from Chicken Anemia Virus in a Recombinant E. coli for Tumor Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Lee Meng-Shiou , Sun Fang-Chun , Huang Chi-Hung , Lien Yi-Yang , Feng Shin-Huei , Lai Guan-Hua , Lee Meng-Shiunn , Chao Jung , Chen Hsi-Jien , Tzen Jason T C , Cheng Hao-Yuan
Published: June 2012

Background

Apoptin, a nonstructural protein encoded by the VP3 gene of chicken anemia virus (CAV), has been shown to not only induce apoptosis when introduced into the precursors of chicken thymocytes, but has been found to specifically kill human cancer cells, tumor cell and transformed cells without affecting the proliferation of normal cells. This tumor-specific apoptotic characteristic of the protein potentially may allow the development of a protein drug that has applications in tumor therapy. However, several major problems, which include poor expression and poor protein solubility, have hampered the production of apoptin in bacteria.

Results

Significantly increased expression of recombinant full-length apoptin that originated from chicken anemia virus was demonstrated using an E. coli expression system. The CAV VP3 gene was fused with a synthetic sequence containing a trans-acting activator of transcription (TAT) protein transduction domain (PTD). The resulting construct was cloned into various different expression vectors and these were then expressed in various E. coli strains. The expression of the TAT-Apoptin in E. coli was significantly increased when TAT-Apoptin was fused with GST-tag rather than a His-tag. When the various rare amino acid codons of apoptin were optimized, the expression level of the GST-TAT-Apoptinopt in E. coli BL21(DE3) was significantly further increased. The highest protein expression level obtained was 8.33 g/L per liter of bacterial culture after induction with 0.1 mM IPTG for 4 h at 25 °C. Moreover, approximately 90% of the expressed GST-TAT-Apoptinopt under these conditions was soluble. After purification by GST affinity chromatography, the purified recombinant TAT-Apoptinopt protein was used to evaluate the recombinant protein’s apoptotic activity on tumor cells. The results demonstrated that the E. coli-expressed GST-TAT-apoptinopt showed apoptotic activity and was able to induce human premyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells to enter apoptosis.

Conclusions

On expression in E. coli, purified recombinant TAT-Apoptinopt that has been fused to a GST tag and had its codons optimized, was found to have great potential. This protein may in the future allow the development of a therapeutic protein that is able to specifically kill tumor cells.
Reduced osteoblast activity in the mice lacking TR4 nuclear receptor leads to osteoporosis
Authors: Lin Shin-Jen , Ho Hsin-Chiu , Lee Yi-Fen , Liu Ning-Chun , Liu Su , Li Gonghui , Shyr Chih-Rong , Chang Chawnshang
Published: June 2012

Background

Early studies suggested that TR4 nuclear receptor might play important roles in the skeletal development, yet its detailed mechanism remains unclear.

Methods

We generated TR4 knockout mice and compared skeletal development with their wild type littermates. Primary bone marrow cells were cultured and we assayed bone differentiation by alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining. Primary calvaria were cultured and osteoblastic marker genes were detected by quantitative PCR. Luciferase reporter assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) were performed to demonstrate TR4 can directly regulate bone differentiation marker osteocalcin.

Results

We first found mice lacking TR4 might develop osteoporosis. We then found that osteoblast progenitor cells isolated from bone marrow of TR4 knockout mice displayed reduced osteoblast differentiation capacity and calcification. Osteoblast primary cultures from TR4 knockout mice calvaria also showed higher proliferation rates indicating lower osteoblast differentiation ability in mice after loss of TR4. Mechanism dissection found the expression of osteoblast markers genes, such as ALP, type I collagen alpha 1, osteocalcin, PTH, and PTHR was dramatically reduced in osteoblasts from TR4 knockout mice as compared to those from TR4 wild type mice. In vitro cell line studies with luciferase reporter assay, ChIP assay, and EMSA further demonstrated TR4 could bind directly to the promoter region of osteocalcin gene and induce its gene expression at the transcriptional level in a dose dependent manner.

Conclusions

Together, these results demonstrate TR4 may function as a novel transcriptional factor to play pathophysiological roles in maintaining normal osteoblast activity during the bone development and remodeling, and disruption of TR4 function may result in multiple skeletal abnormalities.
Potential immunological consequences of pharmacological suppression of gastric acid production in patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Biswas Sangita , Benedict Stephen H , Lynch Sharon G , LeVine Steven M
Published: June 2012

Corticosteroids are standard treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis experiencing acute relapse. Because dyspeptic pain is a common side effect of this intervention, patients can be given a histamine receptor-2 antagonist, proton pump inhibitor or antacid to prevent or ameliorate this disturbance. Additionally, patients with multiple sclerosis may be taking these medications independent of corticosteroid treatment. Interventions for gastric disturbances can influence the activation state of the immune system, a principal mediator of pathology in multiple sclerosis. Although histamine release promotes inflammation, activation of the histamine receptor-2 can suppress a proinflammatory immune response, and blocking histamine receptor-2 with an antagonist could shift the balance more towards immune stimulation. Studies utilizing an animal model of multiple sclerosis indicate that histamine receptor-2 antagonists potentially augment disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis. In contrast, proton pump inhibitors appear to favor immune suppression, but have not been studied in models of multiple sclerosis. Antacids, histamine receptor-2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors also could alter the intestinal microflora, which may indirectly lead to immune stimulation. Additionally, elevated gastric pH can promote the vitamin B12 deficiency that patients with multiple sclerosis are at risk of developing. Here, we review possible roles of gastric acid inhibitors on immunopathogenic mechanisms associated with multiple sclerosis.
First isolation and characterization of Chryseobacterium shigense from rainbow trout
Authors: Zamora Leydis , Vela Ana I , Palacios Mª Angel , Domínguez Lucas , Fernández-Garayzábal José Francisco
Published: June 2012

Background

There have been an increasing number of infections in fish associated with different species of Chryseobacterium, being considered potentially emerging pathogens. Nevertheless the knowledge of the diversity of species associated with fish disease is partial due to the problems for a correct identification at the species level based exclusively on phenotypic laboratory methods.

Results

Chryseobacterium shigense was isolated from the liver, kidney and gills of diseased rainbow trout in different disease episodes that occurred in a fish farm between May 2008 and June 2009. Identity of the isolates was confirmed by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing and phenotypic characterization. Isolates represented a single strain as determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis.

Conclusions

This is the first description of the recovery of C. shigense from clinical specimens in trout, a very different habitat to fresh lactic acid beverage where it was initially isolated.
Comparative study on factors affecting anaerobic digestion of agricultural vegetal residues
Authors: Cioabla Adrian Eugen , Ionel Ioana , Dumitrel Gabriela-Alina , Popescu Francisc
Published: June 2012

Background

Presently, different studies are conducted related to the topic of biomass potential to generate through anaerobic fermentation process alternative fuels supposed to support the existing fossil fuel resources, which are more and more needed, in quantity, but also in quality of so called green energy. The present study focuses on depicting an optional way of capitalizing agricultural biomass residues using anaerobic fermentation in order to obtain biogas with satisfactory characteristics.. The research is based on wheat bran and a mix of damaged ground grains substrates for biogas production.

Results

The information and conclusions delivered offer results covering the general characteristics of biomass used , the process parameters with direct impact over the biogas production (temperature regime, pH values) and the daily biogas production for each batch relative to the used material.

Conclusions

All conclusions are based on processing of monitoring process results , with accent on temperature and pH influence on the daily biogas production for the two batches. The main conclusion underlines the fact that the mixture batch produces a larger quantity of biogas, using approximately the same process conditions and input, in comparison to alone analyzed probes, indicating thus a higher potential for the biogas production than the wheat bran substrate.

Adrian Eugen Cioabla, Ioana Ionel, Gabriela-Alina Dumitrel and Francisc Popescu contributed equally to this work
Development of a luciferase-based reporter of transcriptional gene silencing that enables bidirectional mutant screening in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Won So Youn , Li Shengben , Zheng Binglian , Zhao Yuanyuan , Li Dongming , Zhao Xin , Yi Huilan , Gao Lei , Dinh Thanh Theresa , Chen Xuemei
Published: June 2012

Background

Cytosine methylation is an important chromatin modification that maintains genome integrity and regulates gene expression through transcriptional gene silencing. Major players inde novomethylation guided by siRNAs (known as RNA-directed DNA methylation, or RdDM), maintenance methylation, and active demethylation have been identified inArabidopsis. However, active demethylation only occurs at a subset of RdDM loci, raising the question of how the homeostasis of DNA methylation is achieved at most RdDM loci. To identify factors that regulate the levels of cytosine methylation, we aimed to establish a transgenic reporter system that allows for forward genetic screens inArabidopsis.

Results

We introduced a dual35 Spromoter (d35S) drivenluciferasereporter,LUCH, intoArabidopsisand isolated a line with a moderate level of luciferase activity.LUCHproduced transgene-specific 24 nucleotide siRNAs and itsd35Scontained methylated cytosine in CG, CHG and CHH contexts. Treatment of the transgenic line with an inhibitor of cytosine methylation de-repressed luciferase activity. Mutations in several components of the RdDM pathway but not the maintenance methylation genes resulted in reducedd35Smethylation, especially CHH methylation, and de-repression of luciferase activity. A mutation inMOM1, which is known to cooperate with RdDM to silence transposons, reducedd35SDNA methylation and de-repressedLUCHexpression. A mutation in ROS1, a cytosine demethylation enzyme, increasedd35Smethylation and reducedLUCHexpression.

Conclusion

We developed a luciferase-based reporter,LUCH, which reports both DNA methylation directed by small RNAs and active demethylation by ROS1 inArabidopsis. The moderate basal level ofLUCHexpression allows for bi-directional genetic screens that dissect the mechanisms of DNA methylation as well as demethylation.
Interleukin-7-aggravated joint inflammation and tissue destruction in collagen-induced arthritis is associated with T-cell and B-cell activation
Authors: Hartgring Sarita AY , Willis Cynthia R , Bijlsma Johannes WJ , Lafeber Floris PJG , van Roon Joel AG
Published: June 2012

Introduction

We sought to investigate the capacity of interleukin (IL)-7 to enhance collagen-induced arthritis and to study by what mechanisms this is achieved.

Methods

Mice received multiple injections with IL-7 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a control. Arthritis severity and incidence were determined by visual examination of the paws. Joint destruction was determined by assessing radiographs and immunohistochemistry of the ankle joints. Total cellularity and numbers of T-cell and B-cell subsets were assessed, as well as ex vivo production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-17, and IL-4. Proinflammatory mediators were measured in serum with multianalyte profiling.

Results

IL-7 increased arthritis severity and radiology-assessed joint destruction. This was consistent with IL-7-increased intensity of cell infiltrates, bone erosions, and cartilage damage. Splenic CD19+ B cells and CD19+/GL7+ germinal center B cells, as well as CD4 and CD8 numbers, were increased by IL-7. IL-7 expanded memory T cells, associated with increased percentages of IFN-γ-, IL-4-, and IL-17-producing CD4+ T cells. On antigen restimulation of draining lymph node cells in vitro IL-7 treatment was found to increase IFN-γ and IL-17 production, whereas IL-4 was reduced. IL-7 also increased concentrations of proinflammatory mediators, indicative of T-cell activation (sCD40L), vascular activation (VCAM-1, VEGF), tissue destruction (fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF-b), LIF), and chemotaxis (MIP-1γ, MIP-3β, lymphotactin, MDC, and MCP-5).

Conclusions

In arthritic mice, IL-7 causes expansion of T and B cells, associated with increased levels of proinflammatory mediators. IL-7 intensifies arthritis severity and joint destruction, accompanied by increased Th1 and Th17 activity. These data indicate that IL-7 could be an important mediator in arthritic conditions and that targeting IL-7 or its receptor represent novel therapeutic strategies.
Retinoblastoma protein induction by HIV viremia or CCR5 in monocytes exposed to HIV-1 mediates protection from activation-induced apoptosis: ex vivo and in vitro study
Authors: Gekonge Bethsebah , Raymond Andrea D , Yin Xiangfan , Kostman Jay , Mounzer Karam , Collman Ronald G , Showe Louise , Montaner Luis J
Published: June 2012

Identification of Rb1 induction in chronic asymptomatic HIV-1 infection as a mediator of apoptosis resistance in monocytes, in association with protective autophagy.

We have previously described an antiapoptotic steady-state gene expression profile in circulating human monocytes from asymptomatic viremic HIV+ donors, but the mechanism associated with this apoptosis resistance remains to be fully elucidated. Here, we show that Rb1 activation is a dominant feature of apoptosis resistance in monocytes exposed to HIV-1 in vivo (as measured ex vivo) and in vitro. Monocytes from asymptomatic viremic HIV+ individuals show a positive correlation between levels of hypophosphorylated (active) Rb1 and VL in conjunction with increases in other p53-inducible proteins associated with antiapoptosis regulation, such as p21 and PAI-1 (SERPINE1), when compared with circulating monocytes from uninfected donors. Monocytes exposed in vitro to HIV-1 R5 isolates but not X4 isolates showed lower caspase-3 activation after apoptosis induction, indicating a role for the CCR5 signaling pathway. Moreover, monocytes exposed to R5 HIV-1 or MIP-1β induced Rb1 and p21 expression and an accumulation of autophagy markers, LC3 and Beclin. The inhibition of Rb1 activity in HIV-1 R5 viral-exposed monocytes using siRNA led to increased apoptosis sensitivity, thereby confirming a central role for Rb1 in the antiapoptotic phenotype. Our data identify Rb1 induction in chronic asymptomatic HIV-1 infection as a mediator of apoptosis resistance in monocytes in association with protective autophagy and contributing to monocyte survival during immune activation and/or HIV-1 viremia.
Refeeding-Activated Glutamatergic Neurons in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus (PVN) Mediate Effects of Melanocortin Signaling in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (NTS)
Authors: Singru Praful S. , Wittmann Gábor , Farkas Erzsébet , Zséli Györgyi , Fekete Csaba , Lechan Ronald M.
Published: June 2012

We previously demonstrated that refeeding after a prolonged fast activates a subset of neurons in the ventral parvocellular subdivision of the paraventricular nucleus (PVNv) as a result of increased melanocortin signaling. To determine whether these neurons contribute to satiety by projecting to the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), the retrogradely transported marker substance, cholera toxin-β (CTB), was injected into the dorsal vagal complex of rats that were subsequently fasted and refed for 2 h. By double-labeling immunohistochemistry, CTB accumulation was found in the cytoplasm of the majority of refeeding-activated c-Fos neurons in the ventral parvocellular subdivision of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVNv). In addition, a large number of refeeding-activated c-Fos-expressing neurons were observed in the lateral parvocellular subdivision (PVNl) that also contained CTB and were innervated by axon terminals of proopiomelanocortin neurons. To visualize the location of neuronal activation within the NTS by melanocortin-activated PVN neurons, α-MSH was focally injected into the PVN, resulting in an increased number of c-Fos-containing neurons in the PVN and in the NTS, primarily in the medial and commissural parts. All refeeding-activated neurons in the PVNv and PVNl expressed the mRNA of the glutamatergic marker, type 2 vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT2), indicating their glutamatergic phenotype, but only rare neurons contained oxytocin. These data suggest that melanocortin-activated neurons in the PVNv and PVNl may contribute to refeeding-induced satiety through effects on the NTS and may alter the sensitivity of NTS neurons to vagal satiety inputs via glutamate excitation.
Increased Marrow Adiposity in Premenopausal Women with Idiopathic Osteoporosis
Authors: Cohen Adi , Dempster David W. , Stein Emily M. , Nickolas Thomas L. , Zhou Hua , McMahon Donald J. , Müller Ralph , Kohler Thomas , Zwahlen Alexander , Lappe Joan M. , Young Polly , Recker Robert R. , Shane Elizabeth
Published: June 2012

Context:

We have previously reported that premenopausal women with idiopathic osteoporosis based on fractures (IOP) or idiopathic low bone mineral density (ILBMD) exhibit markedly reduced bone mass, profoundly abnormal trabecular microstructure, and significant deficits in trabecular bone stiffness. Bone remodeling was heterogeneous. Those with low bone turnover had evidence of osteoblast dysfunction and the most marked deficits in microstructure and stiffness.

Objective:

Because osteoblasts and marrow adipocytes derive from a common mesenchymal precursor and excess marrow fat has been implicated in the pathogenesis of bone fragility in anorexia nervosa, glucocorticoid excess, and thiazolidinedione exposure, we hypothesized that marrow adiposity would be higher in affected women and inversely related to bone mass, microarchitecture, bone formation rate, and osteoblast number.

Design:

We analyzed tetracycline-labeled transiliac biopsy specimens in 64 premenopausal women with IOP or ILBMD and 40 controls by three-dimensional micro-computed tomography and two-dimensional quantitative histomorphometry to assess marrow adipocyte number, perimeter, and area.

Results:

IOP and ILBMD subjects did not differ with regard to any adipocyte parameter, and thus results were combined. Subjects had substantially higher adipocyte number (by 22%), size (by 24%), and volume (by 26%) than controls (P < 0.0001 for all). Results remained significant after adjusting for age, body mass index, and bone volume. Controls demonstrated expected direct associations between marrow adiposity and age and inverse relationships between marrow adiposity and bone formation, volume, and microstructure measures. No such relationships were observed in the subjects.

Conclusions:

Higher marrow adiposity and the absence of expected relationships between marrow adiposity and bone microstructure and remodeling in women with IOP or ILBMD suggest that the relationships between fat and bone are abnormal; excess marrow fat may not arise from a switch from the osteoblast to the adipocyte lineage in this disorder. Whether excess marrow fat contributes to the pathogenesis of this disorder remains unclear.
How the Pace of Change Affects the Scope of Reform: Pharmaceutical Insurance in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom
Authors: Boothe Katherine
Published: June 2012

When policy change is considered, what determines its success or failure? Why do plans for broad reforms often fall short, and why do certain types of change become more difficult over time? This article addresses these questions by examining health policy development in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom — specifically, why Canada alone failed to adopt nationwide, public pharmaceutical insurance. It demonstrates that the pace of change has significant implications for the scope of policy development. It provides new mechanisms to explain why incremental reforms stall based on the reciprocal relationship between elite ideas and public expectations and suggests that similar factors can explain how barriers to policy change develop and the conditions under which those barriers may be overcome.
Maizemultiple archesporial cells 1(mac1), an ortholog of riceTDL1A, modulates cell proliferation and identity in early anther development
Authors: Wang Chung-Ju Rachel , Nan Guo-Ling , Kelliher Timothy , Timofejeva Ljudmilla , Vernoud Vanessa , Golubovskaya Inna N. , Harper Lisa , Egger Rachel , Walbot Virginia , Cande W. Zacheus
Published: June 2012

To ensure fertility, complex somatic and germinal cell proliferation and differentiation programs must be executed in flowers. Loss-of-function of the maize multiple archesporial cells 1 (mac1) gene increases the meiotically competent population and ablates specification of somatic wall layers in anthers. We report the cloning of mac1, which is the ortholog of rice TDL1A. Contrary to prior studies in rice and Arabidopsis in which mac1-like genes were inferred to act late to suppress trans-differentiation of somatic tapetal cells into meiocytes, we find that mac1 anthers contain excess archesporial (AR) cells that proliferate at least twofold more rapidly than normal prior to tapetal specification, suggesting that MAC1 regulates cell proliferation. mac1 transcript is abundant in immature anthers and roots. By immunolocalization, MAC1 protein accumulates preferentially in AR cells with a declining radial gradient that could result from diffusion. By transient expression in onion epidermis, we demonstrate experimentally that MAC1 is secreted, confirming that the predicted signal peptide domain in MAC1 leads to secretion. Insights from cytology and double-mutant studies with ameiotic1 and absence of first division1 mutants confirm that MAC1 does not affect meiotic cell fate; it also operates independently of an epidermal, Ocl4-dependent pathway that regulates proliferation of subepidermal cells. MAC1 both suppresses excess AR proliferation and is responsible for triggering periclinal division of subepidermal cells. We discuss how MAC1 can coordinate the temporal and spatial pattern of cell proliferation in maize anthers.
Un Excerptum del Quod Animi Mores di Galeno trascritto da Poliziano (clm 807, ff. 74v–75v). Edizione, traduzione e commento
Authors: Savino Christina
Published: June 2012

Among the witnesses of Galen’s Quod animi mores has been not yet employed the excerptum contained in the miscellaneous codex of Munich Clm 807, written in 1491 by the well-known humanist Angelo Poliziano. This excerptum seems to depend on the same model as the 1525 editio princeps, the so–called Aldina, which is currently supposed to be lost. It thus represents the only instrument of control for this traditional branch as well as a precious witness to the interest aroused by this Galen’s work and its circulation among classical scholars in the Renaissance Italy. This article provides a critical edition of the excerptum, including with identification, translation and commentary.
Homère dans la rhétorique latine: l’exemple du de eloquentia et du de orationibus de Fronton
Authors: Méthy Nicole
Published: June 2012

Seven mentions of Homer, Homeric characters or passages are contained in Fronto’s De orationibus and his five letters known as De eloquentia. Although these references might seem surprising in rhetorical texts, they form in fact a rather coherent corpus which features the famous epic poet in a singular fashion. His poems are however neither quoted nor commented upon at length. On the contrary the references are closely related to Fronto’s aims and thoughts and the poet as represented is different from both the actual and the traditional Homer. He is deprived of his own characteristics and becomes a rhetor and one of the most important orators. He is thus to be considered and followed by someone trying to define which is the best oratorical style in general and the best type of eloquence for an emperor in particular. Even if this sort of metamorphosis is not without precedent in Latin literature and oratory, the Frontonian Homer, whose perfect style is a model of purity and naturalness, is a new Homer reflecting a second-century rhetorician’s thinking.
NPPC/NPR2 signaling is essential for oocyte meiotic arrest and cumulus oophorus formation during follicular development in the mouse ovary
Authors: Kiyosu Chiyo , Tsuji Takehito , Yamada Kaoru , Kajita Shimpei , Kunieda Tetsuo
Published: June 2012

Natriuretic peptide type C (NPPC) and its high affinity receptor, natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (NPR2), have been assumed to be involved in female reproduction and have recently been shown to play an essential role in maintaining meiotic arrest of oocytes. However, the overall role of NPPC/NPR2 signaling in female reproduction and ovarian function is still less clear. Here we report the defects observed in oocytes and follicles of mice homozygous for Nppclbab or Npr2cn, mutant alleles of Nppc or Npr2 respectively to clarify the exact consequences of lack of NPPC/NPR2 signaling in female reproductive systems. We found that: i) Npr2cn/Npr2cn female mice ovulated a comparable number of oocytes as normal mice but never produced a litter; ii) all ovulated oocytes of Npr2cn/Npr2cn and Nppclbab/Nppclbab mice exhibited abnormalities, such as fragmented or degenerated ooplasm and never developed to the two-cell stage after fertilization; iii) histological examination of the ovaries of Npr2cn/Npr2cn and Nppclbab/Nppclbab mice showed that oocytes in antral follicles prematurely resumed meiosis and that immediately before ovulation, oocytes showed disorganized chromosomes or fragmented ooplasm; and iv) ovulated oocytes and oocytes in the periovulatory follicles of the mutant mice were devoid of cumulus cells. These findings demonstrate that NPPC/NPR2 signaling is essential for oocyte meiotic arrest and cumulus oophorus formation, which affects female fertility through the production of oocytes with developmental capacity.
Cell Polarization and Cytokinesis in Budding Yeast
Authors: Bi Erfei , Park Hay-Oak
Published: June 2012

Asymmetric cell division, which includes cell polarization and cytokinesis, is essential for generating cell diversity during development. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae reproduces by asymmetric cell division, and has thus served as an attractive model for unraveling the general principles of eukaryotic cell polarization and cytokinesis. Polarity development requires G-protein signaling, cytoskeletal polarization, and exocytosis, whereas cytokinesis requires concerted actions of a contractile actomyosin ring and targeted membrane deposition. In this chapter, we discuss the mechanics and spatial control of polarity development and cytokinesis, emphasizing the key concepts, mechanisms, and emerging questions in the field.
Thin-Film Phototransistor with nc-Si:H/a-Si:H Bilayer Channel
Authors: Vygranenko Y. , Sazonov A. , Fernandes M. , Vieira M. , Nathan A.
Published: June 2012

There is significant interest in optical sensors whose fabrication process is fully compatible with existing flat panel display thin film transistor (TFT) technology. Here, we report a field-effect phototransistor with a channel comprising a thin nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) transport layer and a thicker hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) absorption layer. The implementation of nc-Si:H layer improves device stability in comparison with a-Si:H phototransistors, resulting in reduced threshold voltage shift. Semiconductor and dielectric layers were deposited by radio-frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition at 280°C. The device characterization included the dark and light transfer characteristics, spectral-response and dynamic measurements. The external quantum efficiency was measured as a function of incident photon flux at different biasing conditions. The phototransistor with channel length of 24 microns and photosensitive area of 1.4 mm2shows an off-current of about 1 pA, and photo-conductive gain up to 200 at low incident intensities. Thus, the results demonstrate the feasibility of the phototransistor for low light level detection.
Citoyenneté, Suffrage Universel et Franc-maçonnerie
Authors: Maes Anaïs
Published: June 2012

This article investigates the evolution of ideas and representations concerning universal suffrage and participative citizenship within Belgian freemasonry in the second half of the long nineteenth century. As Belgium evolved from a system of census suffrage (1831) to tempered universal suffrage (1893), the masons put their ideas, definitions and representations of citizenship up for discussion. To better understand this process of questioning and redefining of notions of suffrage, capacity, citizenship and sovereignty of the nation, use is made of theoretical insights provided by Pierre Rosanvallon and Siep Stuurman. Their models and hypotheses will contribute to a better understanding of the interactions between masons of different political tendencies and their positions towards the developments outside temple walls.
Association, Patronizing and Autonomy
Authors: Tyssens Jeffrey
Published: June 2012

In the 1860s and 1870s Belgian Masonic lodges actively organized cooperative societies which were people’s kitchens and people’s banks. Being dissatisfied with classical Masonic charity, a series of urban lodges wanted to engage in a broader and more efficient social action. Through association they hoped to foster self-help, thrift and autonomy among workers. These values would eventually allow the lower classes to accumulate possessions and to emancipate themselves. In time this would lead to an integration of at least the more ‘decent’ or moralized parts of the working classes into the community of active citizenry. This citizenship model of the ‘productive virtue’ was carried by radical liberals who were strongly present in the Belgian lodges that engaged into cooperative ventures. Most Masonic cooperatives did not last, with the exception of the Brussels people’s kitchen. They also failed to attract those social groups for which they were intended.
Freemasonry and the Press in Twentieth-century Britain
Authors: Calderwood Paul Richard
Published: June 2012

The following article—based upon a doctoral thesis that was approved by the University of London in 2011—represents a study of British media coverage of freemasonry in the twentieth-century. It considers how and why the public image of freemasonry changed from that of a highly respected élite organization, at the centre of public life in 1900, to a position on the fringes in the 1990s, regarded with suspicion and disapproval by many. It focuses exclusively on national newspapers. This article describes how the press projected a positive message of the organization for almost 40 years, based on a mass of news, which the author believes—and shows—emanated from the organization itself (making it an unexpected pioneer in modern public relations practice). It concludes that the change of image and public regard, which occurred during the twentieth-century, was due, mainly—but not solely—to masonic withdrawal from the public sphere. It considers—and finds wanting—the suggestion that this withdrawal was a response to fascist persecution and it offers a number of additional explanations. Freemasonry’s reluctance to engage with the media after 1936 powerfully assisted its critics, who grew in strength as a result of developments within the media and the churches. In the second-half of the century, greater competition spawned a more challenging form of journalism and accelerated the decline of deference. Concurrently, the rise of secularism and religious pluralism in Britain provided Christianity with increased competition and led some adherents to re-define freemasonry and to treat it as a rival. Throughout the period, ‘Conspiracy culture’ remained strong, rendering the secrecy of freemasonry a major handicap to public understanding. The history of freemasonry in twentieth-century Britain is largely an unexplored field and, in examining the fraternity’s media profile, this study also illuminates the organization’s collisions with nationalism, communism and state welfare provision.
Persistent carry‐over effects of planktonic exposure to ocean acidification in the Olympia oyster
Authors: Hettinger Annaliese , Sanford Eric , Hill Tessa M. , Russell Ann D. , Sato Kirk N. S. , Hoey Jennifer , Forsch Margaux , Page Heather N. , Gaylord Brian
Published: June 2012

Predicting impacts of global environmental change is challenging due to the complex life cycles that characterize many terrestrial and aquatic taxa. Different life stages often interact with the physical environment in distinct ways, and a growing body of work suggests that stresses experienced during one life stage can “carry over” to influence subsequent stages. Assessments of population responses to environmental perturbation must therefore consider how effects might propagate across life‐history transitions. We investigated consequences of ocean acidification (decreased pH and carbonate saturation) for early life stages of the Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida), a foundation species in estuaries along the Pacific coast of North America. We reared oysters at three levels of seawater pH, including a control (8.0) and two additional levels (7.9 and 7.8). Oysters were cultured through their planktonic larval period to metamorphosis and into early juvenile life. Larvae reared under pH 7.8 exhibited a 15% decrease in larval shell growth rate, and a 7% decrease in shell area at settlement, compared to larvae reared under control conditions. Impacts were even more pronounced a week after settlement, with juveniles that had been reared as larvae under reduced pH exhibiting a 41% decrease in shell growth rate. Importantly, the latter effect arose regardless of the pH level the oysters experienced as juveniles, indicating a strong carry‐over effect from the larval phase. Adverse impacts of early exposure to low pH persisted for at least 1.5 months after juveniles were transferred to a common environment. Overall, our results suggest that a stringent focus on a single phase of the life cycle (e.g., one perceived as the “weakest link”) may neglect critical impacts that can be transferred across life stages in taxa with complex life histories.
Racial Differences in Breast Cancer Stage at Diagnosis in the Mammography Era
Authors: Chatterjee Neal A. , He Yulei , Keating Nancy L.
Published: June 2012

Objectives. We assessed racial differences in breast cancer mortality by stage at diagnosis, since mammography became available.

Methods. We calculated adjusted odds of distant (versus local or regional) tumors for 143 249 White and 13 571 Black women aged 50 to 69 years, diagnosed with breast cancer between 1982 and 2007 and living in a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results region. We compared linear trends in stage at diagnosis before and after 1998.

Results. Distant-stage cancer was diagnosed in 5.8% of White and 10.2% of Black participants. The Black–White disparity in distant tumors narrowed until 1998 (1998 adjusted difference = 0.65%), before increasing. Between 1982 and 1997, the proportion of distant tumors decreased for Blacks (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]/y = 0.973; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.960, 0.987) and Whites (AOR/y = 0.978; 95% CI = 0.973, 0.983), with no racial differences (P = .47). From 1998 to 2007, the odds of distant versus local or regional tumors increased for Blacks (AOR/y = 1.036; 95% CI = 1.013, 1.060) and Whites (AOR/y = 1.011; 95% CI = 1.002, 1.021); the rate of increase was greater for Blacks than Whites (P = .04).

Conclusions. In the mammography era, racial disparities remain in stage at diagnosis.