bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cocaine-induced Impulsive Choices Are Accompanied by Impaired Delay-dependent Anticipatory Activity in Basolateral Amygdala
Authors: Zuo Yanfang , Wang Xinsheng , Cui Cailian , Luo Fei , Yu Peng , Wang XueWei
Published: September 2011

Addicts and drug-experienced animals have decision-making deficits in delayed reinforcement choice task, in which they prefer small immediate rewards over large delayed rewards. Here, we show evidence that this deficit is accompanied by changed coding of delay length in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). A subset of neurons in BLA demonstrated delay-dependent anticipatory activity (either increase or decrease as a function of delay to reward) in naive rats. After 30 days of withdrawal from chronic cocaine treatment (30 mg/kg/day for 10 days ip), the proportion of delay-dependent anticipatory neurons reduced, whereas delay-dependent activity in response to elapsed delay after reward delivery increased, both in the proportion of delay-dependent neurons and in the extent of delay dependence. Cocaine exposure increased, instead of decreased, BLA neuronal expectation for different reward magnitudes. These results indicate that BLA is critical for representing and maintaining the information of delayed reward before its delivery, and cocaine exposure may affect decision-making by impairing perception of delay instead of the ability to assess the differences in reward size.
In vitro nematicidal activity of a garlic extract and salicylaldehyde on the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida
Authors: Danquah Wiseborn B. , Back Matthew A. , Grove Ivan G. , Haydock Patrick P.J.
Published: September 2011

The in vitro nematicidal effects of an aqueous garlic extract, salicylaldehyde, a nonylphenol ethoxylate surfactant and a formulation containing these constituents were evaluated against the potato cyst nematode, Globodera pallida. Newly hatched, infective second-stage juveniles (J2) were placed for 24, 48 and 72 h in solutions containing concentrations of the formulation from 30.080.0 μl l–1 with 20% (v/v) potato root leachate and sterile distilled water controls. The garlic extract, salicylaldehyde and surfactant treatments were assessed at concentrations proportional to their occurrence in the formulation. Hatching assays involved a series of experiments in which G. pallida cysts were incubated for 8 weeks in potato root leachate solution containing different concentrations of the test substances. A second set of experiments involved incubating cysts in different concentrations of the test substances for 2, 4 and 8 weeks prior to hatching in potato root leachate solution to determine how prior exposure to these substances influences hatching and in-egg viability. The formulation caused 100% mortality at 75.0 μl l–1 with an LC50 of 43.6 μl l–1 after 24 h exposure. Salicylaldehyde was the most toxic constituent of the formulation with an LC50 of 6.5 μl l–1 after 24 h, while the garlic extract achieved 50% J2 mortality at 983.0 μl l–1, demonstrating that the formulation and salicylaldehyde are more toxic to G. pallida in vitro than oxamyl but less toxic when compared with aldicarb. The surfactant showed no dose-dependent toxic effects on J2 when compared with the controls. Emergence of J2 from the cysts was significantly reduced by concentrations of the formulation above 688.0 μl l–1 and its equivalent concentration of salicylaldehyde, while concentrations of the formulation above 2752.0 μl l–1 and the corresponding salicylaldehyde concentrations resulted in complete irreversible hatch inhibition. Concentrations of the garlic extract below 137.6 μl l–1 caused 26% more J2 hatch in comparison to the potato root leachate solution. This study has shown that salicylaldehyde is more toxic to nematodes than the garlic extract, and is the first report of a hatch stimulatory effect of a garlic extract on G. pallida under in vitro conditions.
Humanitarian Narratives: Knowledge and the Politics of Mission and Empire
Authors: Ballantyne Tony
Published: September 2011

This essay offers a reassessment of the connections between missionary work and empire building. It focuses on the role of 'humanitarian narratives' in soliciting sympathy amongst British evangelicals and humanitarians for the 'suffering' of Maori during the 1820s and 1830s. Exploring the nature and influence of these narratives not only allows the historian to explore the connections between the empire and British metropolitan culture and politics in this period, but it also provides new insights into why New Zealand was finally incorporated into the British empire in 1840.
Women, Protestant Missions, and American Cultural Expansion, 1800 to 1938: A Historiographical Sketch
Authors: Reeves-Ellington Barbara
Published: September 2011

Over the past forty years, historians' descriptions of American women missionaries have ranged from martyrs to cultural imperialists to social activists engaged with real people around the world to promote the welfare of women and children. New transnational approaches to the study of American missions abroad demonstrate that women missionaries were not a stock homogeneous group but a diverse group of individuals engaged in complex encounters with an equally diverse group of people in multiple settings. As scholars have highlighted the contributions of women missionaries to the projection of American Protestantism across the globe, they have increasingly recognized the importance of the cross-cultural connections that have given new meanings to the Protestant messages in local environments. This essay reviews the scholarship of the last forty years and indicates new avenues of research on American Protestant women in mission.
Daring to be a Daniel
Authors: Flinders Matthew
Published: September 2011

This article attempts to make a bold and provocative argument not just about the state of accountability research as a field of inquiry but also about the gap that has apparently emerged between the governors and the governed (and the professional responsibilities of scholars beyond academe in terms of public engagement). It emphasizes that “too much accountability can be as problematic as too little” and asks whether it is possible that the transition from “representative” to “monitory” democracy, which is reflected in an increasingly dense and aggressive “accountability industry” (constitutional watchdogs, audit processes, ethical guardians, investigatory agencies, regulatory boards, freedom of information legislation, quasi-judicial commissions, etc.), has actually contributed to the erosion of public support for politicians, political processes, and political institutions? It therefore seeks to challenge a number of “self-evident truths” and dares to be a little brave, to fly some kites, and risk the inevitable misunderstanding and deliberate criticism that attempting to say something different entails.
Theoretical clarity is not ‘Manicheanism’: A reply to Marcia Bates
Authors: Hjørland Birger
Published: September 2011

It is argued that in order to establish a new theoretical approach to information science it is necessary to express disagreement with some established views. The ‘social turn’ in information science is not just exemplified in relation to the works of Marcia Bates but in relation to many different researchers in the field. Therefore it should not be taken personally, and the debate should focus on the substance. Professor Bates has contributed considerably to information science. In spite of this, some of her theoretical points of departure may be challenged. It is important to seek theoretical clarity, and this may involve a degree of schematic confrontation that should not be confused with theoretical one-sidedness, ‘Manicheanism’ or lack of respect.
Reconstructing Marital Closeness While Caring for a Spouse With Alzheimer’s
Authors: Boylstein Craig , Hayes Jeanne
Published: September 2011

This study examines how people caring for a spouse with Alzheimer’s disease reconstruct the meaning of closeness within their marriage. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 men and 15 women. The authors discovered that significant changes in the social identity of the impaired spouse may have important implications for how caregivers view their marriage and their ability to reestablish a sense of marital closeness. The majority of caregivers experienced significant disruptions in their marriage as a result of their respective spouse’s dementia. The authors further discovered that the caregiver wives in the study sample were more likely than caregiver husbands to report that perceived changes in the spouses’ identity altered how they identified themselves within their marriage, leading to longer term disruption of marital closeness. The findings suggest that retaining a sense of marital closeness is often quite difficult for caregiving spouses, pointing to the need for specific types of caregiver education and support.
A swarm robot methodology for collaborative manipulation of non-identical objects
Authors: Phan Tuan A , Russell R Andrew
Published: September 2011

In this paper we investigate an algorithm that improves the task completion rate of a swarm of simple robots implementing a leaf-curling task. In this biologically inspired task, robots collaborate to find a suitable place to bend a leaf, which allows them to successfully fold it up. To complete the task simple robots were developed that are not equipped with any direct communication devices. They communicate via sematectonic stigmergy, which means robots can only exchange information via changes they make to their working environment. This type of communication has proved beneficial in helping swarm robots monitor the performance of other swarm members without direct contact, team mate localization or recognition. However, in earlier experiments, implementing the leaf-curling task, information perceived by every robot has not been effectively used to create meaningful collaboration. This disadvantage becomes evident via the low task completion rate. If robots explore their environment, this will improve the outcome by increasing the probability of finding the most suitable part of the leaf to work on. In this paper, an algorithm enabling swarm robots to effectively explore the environment and find the most effective place to perform the leaf-curling task is described in detail. The improvement of completion rate, achieved by this exploring rule, is verified by both simulation and physical experiments with a group of W-AntBots.
On the use of non-cylindrical specimens in a split-Hopkinson pressure bar
Authors: Sen O , Tekalur S A , Maity P
Published: September 2011

Despite the practice of using cylindrical specimens in a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (Kolsky bar) experiment, the use of non-cylindrical prismatic specimens is not uncommon. This is convenient when testing extra-soft materials like brain tissues, muscles, or samples that are brittle and cannot be machined to an exact cylindrical shape (like bone-samples). The use of a non-cylindrical sample with a flat surface also renders the specimen amenable to a two-dimensional image correlation algorithm. This research aims to show the feasibility of using non-cylindrical specimens in a Kolsky bar. For this, experiments were conducted with a model material for different model cross-sections at a nearly constant strain rate in the split-Hopkinson pressure bar. The findings suggest the use of a suitable characteristic cross-section dimension of the specimen to determine the critical slenderness ratio while selecting a non-cylindrical prismatic specimen. It has been shown that if the specimen design is governed by the suggested slenderness criterion, then there is no effect of specimen length or cross-sectional shape on the stress–strain curve of the material. Through the use of a computational code, the research also shows the effect of non-uniform axial stress distribution along the cross-section of the specimen, resulting due to specimen geometry. On quantification of the stress non-uniformity along the cross-section of the specimen, the findings indicate that the magnitude of the non-uniformity is both small and temporary.
Validation of the web-based LUMINA questionnaire for recruiting large cohorts of migraineurs
Authors: van Oosterhout WPJ , Weller CM , Stam AH , Bakels F , Stijnen T , Ferrari MD , Terwindt GM
Published: September 2011

Objective: To assess validity of a self-administered web-based migraine-questionnaire in diagnosing migraine aura for the use of epidemiological and genetic studies.

Methods: Self-reported migraineurs enrolled via the LUMINA website and completed a web-based questionnaire on headache and aura symptoms, after fulfilling screening criteria. Diagnoses were calculated using an algorithm based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-2), and semi-structured telephone-interviews were performed for final diagnoses. Logistic regression generated a prediction rule for aura. Algorithm-based diagnoses and predicted diagnoses were subsequently compared to the interview-derived diagnoses.

Results: In 1 year, we recruited 2397 migraineurs, of which 1067 were included in the validation. A seven-question subset provided higher sensitivity (86% vs. 45%), slightly lower specificity (75% vs. 95%), and similar positive predictive value (86% vs. 88%) in assessing aura when comparing with the ICHD-2-based algorithm.

Conclusions: This questionnaire is accurate and reliable in diagnosing migraine aura among self-reported migraineurs and enables detection of more aura cases with low false-positive rate.
Experimental evaluation of combustion phenomena in and nanoparticle emissions from a side-mounted direct-injection engine with gasoline and liquid-phase liquefied petroleum gas fuel
Authors: Hwang I G , Choi K , Kim J , Myung C-L , Park S
Published: September 2011

This study focuses on the experimental comparison of combustion phenomena and nanoparticle emission characteristics from a wall-guided direct-injection (DI) spark ignition engine for gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). A returnless gasoline direct-injection (GDI) fuel supply system was reworked for the return-type liquid-phase LPG injection fuel supply system that was composed of an LPG tank with a brushless d.c. pump and a low-pressure regulator to supply the stable liquid-phase LPG for the DI engine. To verify the clean combustion characteristics of the LPG DI engine, nanoparticle concentrations obtained with a differential mobility spectrometer and the total hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emission levels were compared with those of a gasoline-fuelled engine. The maximum performance and the part-load combustion phenomena of the two fuels were evaluated. In conclusion, the nanoparticle and exhaust emissions of the LPG DI engine were much lower than those of the GDI engine. Furthermore, the combustion performance of LPG in the full-load condition was comparable with that of the gasoline fuel, and the combustion stability in a part-load condition of LPG was better than that of gasoline because it evaporated very rapidly and mixed well with the air. As a result, a substantial reduction in the fuel wetting in the combustion chamber was achieved.
An optimal traction, braking, and steering coordination strategy for stability and manoeuvrability of a six-wheel drive and six-wheel steer vehicle
Authors: Kim W , Yi K , Lee J
Published: September 2011

This paper describes an optimal traction, braking and steering coordination to improve vehicle lateral stability and manoeuvrability of a six-wheel driving/six-wheel steering (6WD/6WS) vehicle. The optimal coordination controller consists of an upper and lower level controller. The upper level controller determines front, middle steering angle, desired net yaw moment, and longitudinal net force according to the reference velocity and steering angle corresponding to a manual driver. The desired yaw moment is calculated by sliding-mode control theory. Based on the desired longitudinal net force, yaw moment, and tyre force information as inputs from the upper level controller, the lower level controller determines distributed lateral tyre forces and longitudinal tyre force on each wheel in proportion to the size of the friction circle of each wheel. The size of a friction circle is estimated using longitudinal/lateral velocity, yaw rate, wheel torque, and wheel angular velocity. Vehicle–driver–controller closed-loop simulations have been conducted to investigate the improved performance of the proposed optimal coordination controller over a conventional direct yaw moment controller (DYC) of the vehicle equipped with a mechanical drive system.
Robust-extended Kalman filter for small satellite attitude estimation in the presence of measurement uncertainties and faults
Authors: Xing Y , Zhang S , Zhang J , Cao X
Published: September 2011

Attitude estimation is one of the key technologies for satellite navigation, and a traditional Kalman filter (KF) can spit out good estimation results under normal conditions. However, uncertainties or measurement faults may occur and affect estimation accuracy, especially for the small satellite with few sensors. In this article, a robust-extended Kalman filter (REKF) is developed for the attitude estimation of small satellite equipped with only three-axis magnetometer. By adjusting the Kalman gain via single scale factor (SSF), the newly developed filter can compensate the uncertainties or faults. In order to correct different state variables by different factors, a REKF with multiple scale factors (MSFs) is also designed, which uses a diagonal matrix instead of the SSF. Both filters are proved uniformly stochastically stable and applied for small satellite attitude estimation. Three different scenarios are simulated, and the proposed REKF algorithms are approved to be more effective and robust to deal with parameter uncertainties and instantaneous measurement faults.
Parental anxiety and stress during children’s hospitalisation: The StayClose study
Authors: Wray Jo , Lee Kirsty , Dearmun Nettie , Franck Linda
Published: September 2011

The aims of this pilot study were to assess anxiety and stress in parents of children admitted to hospital and identify influencing factors, and assess the feasibility and acceptability of the methodology to parents and hospital staff. Parents of 28 children hospitalised for at least 3 days completed questionnaires assessing psychological functioning after admission, 16 and 13 of whom completed questionnaires at discharge and 3 months after discharge, respectively. Almost two-thirds of parents scored in the borderline/clinical range for anxiety at baseline and discharge. Higher anxiety scores were associated with the use of self-blame, lower optimism scores, higher levels of illness-related uncertainty and a greater number of previous hospital stays. Three months after discharge, 38% had borderline/clinical levels of anxiety, with scores significantly correlated with those at baseline and discharge. Although parents were willing to participate, and the questionnaires were acceptable, this pilot study identified some practical and logistical difficulties that will be addressed in the next phase of the study. Parents experience substantial stress and anxiety when their child is hospitalised. Screening for those at high risk for anxiety and implementing interventions to reduce uncertainty and maladaptive coping strategies may be beneficial.
Influence of ballast starting method and operating cycle on the life of T5 fluorescent tubes and CFLs
Authors: Chondrakis NG , Topalis FV
Published: September 2011

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the life of T5 fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps with non-integrated ballasts. The lamps were operated on five different cycles with either instant start ballasts or electrode preheating ballasts. The influence of the operation time on the lamp life of every start was examined. During both the start and the operation of the lamps, measurements of particular electrical characteristics were carried out. The investigation focused on the effect of the starting and operating characteristics on the lamp lifetime. Lamps operating with ballasts providing preheat at the start up, showed a systematic change in certain electrical characteristics that can help to predict their failure.
The well-being of children of incarcerated mothers: An exploratory study for the Netherlands
Authors: Hissel Sanne , Bijleveld Catrien , Kruttschnitt Candace
Published: September 2011

Little empirical research exists on children whose mothers are incarcerated. We examined Dutch children’s experiences regarding their mother’s incarceration, using a mixed methods approach. We found that, although children stay in various care-giving situations, a large proportion of them were already living apart from their mothers when maternal incarceration started. The children report elevated levels of problem behaviour and decreased well-being. There is evidence that these may also be due to the negative life events they experienced before their mother’s incarceration. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
Conflicts Over the Utilities of Teaching Using Educational Technologies
Authors: Demps Elaine L. , Lincoln Yvonna S. , Cifuentes Lauren
Published: September 2011

Public research universities are experiencing a major transformation today as they become more entrepreneurial and engage in academic capitalism ( Bok, 2003 ; Slaughter & Rhoades, 2004 ). At the same time, faculty members in higher educational institutions are pushed to integrate educational technology into their teaching ( Bennett & Bennett, 2003 ). These two requirements appear to be conflicting demands and affect, among others, faculty performance and job motivation. An interpretive critical inquiry was conducted to understand the faculty experience of attending to the two apparently conflicting demands. Based on the findings, offered are suggestions and recommendations for organizational change that will serve to alleviate the conflicts faculty may experience as well as implications for HRD in public research universities in terms of addressing academic capitalism and teaching using educational technology. The stakeholders at whom this inquiry is aimed include faculty, administrators, students, HRD scholars and practitioners, as well as the system of the public research university.
Videovoice
Authors: Catalani Caricia E. C. V. , Veneziale Anthony , Campbell Larry , Herbst Shawna , Butler Brittany , Springgate Benjamin , Minkler Meredith
Published: September 2011

This study describes a videovoice project implemented in post-Katrina New Orleans during a pivotal time in city rebuilding and revitalization. Videovoice is a health advocacy, promotion, and research method through which people get behind video cameras to research issues of concern, communicate their knowledge, and advocate for change. Using videovoice method, a community–academic–filmmaker partnership engaged 10 Central City neighbors, who took part in an 18-week training and community assessment. The resulting 22-min film premiered before more than 200 city leaders and residents, reached more than 4,000 YouTube viewers during its first 2 months online, and was shared through the distribution of 1,000 DVDs. Viewing further helped mobilize the community for action on three priority issues: affordable housing, education, and economic development. Challenges in using videovoice, including privacy issues and cost considerations in a resource-poor community, are discussed. Despite such challenges, this method may provide community–academic partnerships with the opportunity to equitably engage in research, produce independent media, and mobilize for action.
The Role of Law Clerks in the U.S. Supreme Court’s Agenda-Setting Process
Authors: Black Ryan C. , Boyd Christina L.
Published: September 2011

Do law clerks influence the decisions made by justices on the U.S. Supreme Court? Although numerous studies of law clerk influence exist, none has controlled for alternative factors that lead a justice to behave in a particular way even absent the actions of the law clerk. Turning to the Court’s agenda-setting stage, we draw from archival materials contained in the private papers of Justice Harry A. Blackmun to address this precise issue. Our results suggest that once a justice’s initial voting inclinations in a case are controlled for, the ability of a law clerk to systematically alter a justice’s vote is conditioned on the quality of the petition, the direction of the clerk’s recommendation, and the ideological closeness of the pool clerk and voting justice. Given the closeness of many agenda-setting votes, we suggest that clerk influence could be the determining factor in whether a case is granted review by the Court.
Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Inferior Vena Cava Invading the Right Atrium
Authors: Abdel-Aal Ahmed Kamel , Gaddikeri Santhosh , Saddekni Souheil , Oser Rachel F. , Underwood Edgar , Wei Shi
Published: September 2011

Leiomyosarcoma of inferior vena cava (IVC) is a very rare tumor constituting less than 1% of all malignant tumors. However, it is the most common malignant primary IVC tumor. We report a case of primary leiomyosarcoma involving the entire IVC and extending into the right atrium. We also describe a simple endovascular technique that can be used to biopsy IVC masses through a transvenous approach. Our technique can be used as an alternative to percutaneous biopsy which carries a risk of bleeding when transgressing the IVC wall with a biopsy needle. To our knowledge, the use of this technique to biopsy IVC masses has not been described in literature.
Application of different transient sorption methods to evaluate moisture diffusion coefficients of building materials on the hygroscopic range
Authors: Delgado JMPQ , Ramos NMM , de Freitas VP
Published: September 2011

Typically, moisture transport coefficients are determined either by stationary measurements, as standard cup set-up and modified cup method, or by dynamic measurements, as the means of the type [Formula: see text] rule in the initial phase of adsorption processes, logarithmic procedure in the end stage of adsorption processes, the half-time method, the moment method, and the hybrid 1-term method.

The aim of this work was to test the usability of the five dynamic calculation methods to define the moisture diffusivity in the hygroscopic range of different building materials. The results obtained were compared in order to evaluate the discrepancies between the different calculation techniques. Advantages in time saving using each experimental technique were compared with the feasibility of each process.

Two commonly used building materials are considered in the study, gypsum board and gypsum plaster, for adsorptive measurement of the moisture diffusivity at three different temperatures in three different relative humidity ranges.
Can heparins stimulate bone cancer stem cells and interfere with tumorigenesis?
Authors: Sadaie M. Reza
Published: September 2011

Heparin and heparan sulfate, a variety of negatively charged highly sulfated polysaccharides, can influence the biological functions of human bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Notably, BMPs control numerous essential biological activities and processes, such as bone formation, bone turnover, brain development, tumor initiation, and progression. BMPs also enhance the repair of bone tissue injuries and are used in bone remodeling alongside implantable prosthetic devices. BMPs either potentiate or inhibit the growth of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This dual biological effect appears to depend upon the cell type, underlying cytogenetic and biochemical aberrations in various distinct malignancies. Similarly, heparins may modulate CSCs positively or negatively through BMPs. The primary aims of this review are to investigate whether heparin prophylaxis would likely stimulate the propagation of a chemotherapy-resistant subpopulation of CSCs and aggravate tumor response to treatment, and result in tumor expansion, tumor recurrence and metastasis. The secondary aim is to document whether such detrimental effects surpass their beneficial effects as anticoagulants in primary bone cancers such as osteosarcoma. The current state of scientific knowledge based on key published articles from the standpoint of rigidity of data and identification of data gaps is discussed.
miRNA regulation of cytotoxic effects in mouse Sertoli cells exposed to nonylphenol
Authors: Choi Jin-Sung , Oh Jung-Hwa , Park Han-Jin , Choi Mi-Sun , Park Se-Myo , Kang Seung-Jun , Oh Moon-Ju , Kim Seung Jun , Hwang Seung Yong , Yoon Seokjoo
Published: September 2011

Background

It is known that some environmental chemicals affect the human endocrine system. The harmful effects of endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) nonylphenol (NP) have been studied since the 1980s. It is known that NP adversely affects physiological functions by mimicking the natural hormone 17 beta-estradiol. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of miRNAs and their target genes in mouse Sertoli TM4 cells to better understand the regulatory roles of miRNAs on Sertoli cells after NP exposure.

Methods

Mouse TM4 Sertoli cells were treated with NP for 3 or 24 h, and global gene and miRNA expression were analyzed using Agilent mouse whole genome and mouse miRNA v13 arrays.

Results

We identified genes that were > 2-fold differentially expressed in NP-treated cells and control cells (P < 0.05) and analyzed their functions through Gene Ontology analysis. We also identified miRNAs that were differentially expressed in NP-treated and control cells. Of the 186 miRNAs the expression of which differed between NP-treated and control cells, 59 and 147 miRNAs exhibited 1.3-fold increased or decreased expression at 3 and 24 h, respectively. Network analysis of deregulated miRNAs suggested that Ppara may regulate the expression of certain miRNAs, including miR-378, miR-125a-3p miR-20a, miR-203, and miR-101a, after exposure to NP. Additionally, comprehensive analysis of predicted target genes for miRNAs showed that the expression of genes with roles in cell proliferation, the cell cycle, and cell death were regulated by miRNA in NP-treated TM4 cells. Levels of expression of the miRNAs miR-135a* and miR-199a-5p were validated by qRT-PCR. Finally, miR-135a* target gene analysis suggests that the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following exposure to NP exposure may be mediated by miR-135a* through regulation of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Collectively, these data help to determine NP's actions on mouse TM4 Sertoli cells and increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the adverse effects of xenoestrogens on the reproductive system.
Evaluating the potential of a novel oral lesion exudate collection method coupled with mass spectrometry-based proteomics for oral cancer biomarker discovery
Authors: Kooren Joel A , Rhodus Nelson L , Tang Chuanning , Jagtap Pratik D , Horrigan Bryan J , Griffin Timothy J
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Early diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) increases the survival rate of oral cancer. For early diagnosis, molecular biomarkers contained in samples collected non-invasively and directly from at-risk oral premalignant lesions (OPMLs) would be ideal.

Methods

In this pilot study we evaluated the potential of a novel method using commercial PerioPaper absorbent strips for non-invasive collection of oral lesion exudate material coupled with mass spectrometry-based proteomics for oral cancer biomarker discovery.

Results

Our evaluation focused on three core issues. First, using an "on-strip" processing method, we found that protein can be isolated from exudate samples in amounts compatible with large-scale mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. Second, we found that the OPML exudate proteome was distinct from that of whole saliva, while being similar to the OPML epithelial cell proteome, demonstrating the fidelity of our exudate collection method. Third, in a proof-of-principle study, we identified numerous, inflammation-associated proteins showing an expected increase in abundance in OPML exudates compared to healthy oral tissue exudates. These results demonstrate the feasibility of identifying differentially abundant proteins from exudate samples, which is essential for biomarker discovery studies.

Conclusions

Collectively, our findings demonstrate that our exudate collection method coupled with mass spectrometry-based proteomics has great potential for transforming OSCC biomarker discovery and clinical diagnostics assay development.
Ossification process involving the human thoracic ligamentum flavum: role of transcription factors
Authors: Uchida Kenzo , Yayama Takafumi , Cai Hong-Xin , Nakajima Hideaki , Sugita Daisuke , Guerrero Alexander Rodríguez , Kobayashi Shigeru , Yoshida Ai , Chen Ke-Bing , Baba Hisatoshi
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) of the spine is associated with serious neurologic compromise, but the pathomechanism of this process remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathomechanism of the ossification process, including the roles of various transcriptional factors in the ossification of human thoracic ligamentum flavum.

Methods

Sections of the thoracic ligamentum flavum were obtained from 31 patients with OLF who underwent posterior thoracic decompression, and from six control patients free of OLF. Cultured ligamentum flavum cells (n = 6, each) were examined with real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis for Sry-type high-mobility group box 9 (Sox9), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), muscle segment homeobox 2 (Msx2), Osterix, distal-less homeobox 5 (Dlx5), and AP-1. The harvested sections were examined with hematoxylin-eosin, the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method, and immunohistochemistry for the transcriptional factors.

Results

Compared with the control, the OLF showed disorganization of the elastic fiber bundles and abundant hypertrophic chondrocytes in the ossification front. TUNEL-positive chondrocytes were found near the ossified plaques. The mRNA expression levels of Sox9, Runx2, Msx2, and AP-1 in cultured cells from the ligamentum flavum of OLF patients were significantly different from those of the control. OLF samples were strongly immunoreactive to Sox9, Runx2, and Msx2 at proliferating chondrocytes in the fibrocartilage area. Hypertrophic chondrocytes were positive for Runx2, Osterix, Dlx5, and AP-1.

Conclusions

The ossification process in OLF seems to involve chondrocyte differentiation under the unique expression of transcriptional factors. Accumulation of hypertrophic chondrocytes was evident around the calcified area at the ossification front, and we suggest that the differentiation of these cells seems to be concerned with the ossification process.
The effect of diabetes on mortality in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Siegelaar Sarah E , Hickmann Maartje , Hoekstra Joost BL , Holleman Frits , DeVries J Hans
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Critically ill patients with diabetes are at increased risk for the development of complications, but the impact of diabetes on mortality is unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the effect of diabetes on mortality in critically ill patients, making a distinction between different ICU types.

Methods

We performed an electronic search of MEDLINE and Embase for studies published from May 2005 to May 2010 that reported the mortality of adult ICU patients. Two reviewers independently screened the resultant 3,220 publications for information regarding ICU, in-hospital or 30-day mortality of patients with or without diabetes. The number of deaths among patients with or without diabetes and/or mortality risk associated with diabetes was extracted. When only crude survival data were provided, odds ratios (ORs) and standard errors were calculated. Data were synthesized using inverse variance with ORs as the effect measure. A random effects model was used because of anticipated heterogeneity.

Results

We included 141 studies comprising 12,489,574 patients, including 2,705,624 deaths (21.7%). Of these patients, at least 2,327,178 (18.6%) had diabetes. Overall, no association between the presence of diabetes and mortality risk was found. Analysis by ICU type revealed a significant disadvantage for patients with diabetes for all mortality definitions when admitted to the surgical ICU (ICU mortality: OR [95% confidence interval] 1.48 [1.04 to 2.11]; in-hospital mortality: 1.59 [1.28 to 1.97]; 30-day mortality: 1.62 [1.13 to 2.34]). In medical and mixed ICUs, no effect of diabetes on all outcomes was found. Sensitivity analysis showed that the disadvantage in the diabetic surgical population was attributable to cardiac surgery patients (1.77 [1.45 to 2.16], P < 0.00001) and not to general surgery patients (1.21 [0.96 to 1.53], P = 0.11).

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis shows that diabetes is not associated with increased mortality risk in any ICU population except cardiac surgery patients.
Airway response to acute mechanical stress in a human bronchial model of stretch
Authors: Faisy Christophe , Pinto Francisco M , Le Guen Morgan , Naline Emmanuel , Grassin Delyle Stanislas , Sage Edouard , Candenas Maria-Luz , Devillier Philippe
Published: September 2011

Introduction

Lung inflation may have deleterious effects on the alveoli during mechanical ventilation. However, the consequences of stretch during excessive lung inflation on basal tone and responsiveness of human bronchi are unknown. This study was undertaken to devise an experimental model of acute mechanical stretch in isolated human bronchi and to investigate its effect on airway tone and responsiveness.

Methods

Bronchi were removed from 48 thoracic surgery patients. After preparation and equilibration in an organ bath, bronchial rings were stretched for 5 min using a force (2.5 × basal tone) that corresponded to airway-inflation pressure > 30 cm H2O. The consequences of stretch were examined by using functional experiments, analysis of organ-bath fluid, and ribonucleic acid (RNA) isolation from tissue samples.

Results

Following removal of the applied force the airways immediately developed an increase in basal tone (P < 0.0001 vs. paired controls) that was sustained and it did so without significantly increasing responsiveness to acetylcholine. The spontaneous tone was abolished with a Rho-kinase inhibitor and epithelium removal, a leukotriene antagonist or nitric oxide synthase inhibitors reduced it, whereas indomethacin, sensory nerve inhibitors or antagonists for muscarinic, endothelin and histamine receptors had no effect. Stretch enhanced leukotriene-E4 production during the immediate spontaneous contraction of human bronchi (P < 0.05). Moreover, stretch up-regulated the early mRNA expression of genes involved in wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration-site family (WNT)-signaling and Rho-kinase pathways.

Conclusions

Stretching human bronchi for only 5 min induces epithelial leukotriene release via nitric oxide synthase activation and provokes a myogenic response dependent on Rho-kinase and WNT-signaling pathways. From a clinical perspective, these findings highlight the response of human airway to acute mechanical stress during excessive pulmonary inflation.
Tregs and infections: on the potential value of modifying their function
Authors: Sehrawat Sharvan , Rouse Barry T
Published: September 2011

CD4+ T cells, which express a master transcription factor, Foxp3, have been recognized as bona fide Tregs. These cells are essential to maintain immune homeostasis in healthy as well as infected mice and humans. Extensive investigations in the last decade have provided ways to manipulate the Foxp3+ Treg response therapeutically so the role of such cells in microbe-induced inflammatory reactions can be evaluated. This review focuses on our current understanding of the mechanisms required for the generation and sustenance of Tregs in vivo and the potential value of modulating Tregs to control microbe-induced immunopathological responses.
Intracellular Survival of Staphylococcus aureus in Adipocyte-Like Differentiated 3T3-L1 Cells Is Glucose Dependent and Alters Cytokine, Chemokine, and Adipokine Secretion
Authors: Hanses Frank , Kopp Andrea , Bala Margarita , Buechler Christa , Falk Werner , Salzberger Bernd , Schäffler Andreas
Published: September 2011

Although obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are associated with Gram-positive infections and a worse clinical outcome, it is unknown whether adipocytes can be infected by Gram-positive bacteria. Adipocyte-like differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and Staphylococcus aureus were used for infection experiments under normoglycemic (100 mg/dl) and hyperglycemic (450 mg/dl) conditions in the presence/absence of insulin (1 μm). Intracellular presence and survival of S. aureus was investigated quantitatively. Supernatant cytokines, chemokines, and adipokines were measured by ELISA. Lipid metabolism and cellular morphology of infected adipocytes were investigated by different techniques. The present study provides the proof of principle that adipocyte-like cells can be infected by S. aureus dose dependently for up to 5 d. Importantly, low bacterial inocula did not affect cell viability. Intracellular survival of S. aureus was glucose dependent but not insulin dependent, and insulin receptor expression and insulin receptor signaling were not altered. Infection increased macrophage chemoattractant protein-1, visfatin, and IL-6 secretion, whereas resistin and adiponectin were decreased. Infected adipocytes had higher intracellular triacylglycerol concentrations and larger lipid droplets because of a decreased lipolysis. Taken together, infection of adipocytes by S. aureus is glucose dependent, inhibits cellular lipolysis, and affects the secretion of immunomodulating adipokines differentially. Because cell viability is not affected during infection, adipose tissue might function as a host for chronic infection by bacteria-causing metabolic, proinflammatory, and prodiabetic disturbances.
Cellular Leptin Resistance Impairs the Leptin-Mediated Suppression of Neuropeptide Y Secretion in Hypothalamic Neurons
Authors: Dhillon Sandeep S. , McFadden Sean A. , Chalmers Jennifer A. , Centeno Maria-Luisa , Kim Ginah L. , Belsham Denise D.
Published: September 2011

Evidence shows that neuropeptide Y (NPY) neurons are involved in mediating the anorexigenic action of leptin via neuronal circuits in the hypothalamus. However, studies have produced limited data on the cellular processes involved and whether hypothalamic NPY neurons are susceptible to cellular leptin resistance. To investigate the direct regulation of NPY secretion by leptin, we used novel NPY-synthesizing, immortalized mHypoA-NPY/green fluorescent protein and mHypoA-59 hypothalamic cell lines derived from adult hypothalamic primary cultures. We report that leptin treatment significantly suppressed NPY secretion in the cells by approximately 20%. We found a decrease in c-fos expression upon leptin exposure, indicating deactivation or hyperpolarization of the neurons. Protein analysis indicated that leptin inhibits AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and activates acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase in NPY neurons, supporting the hypothesis of an AMPK-dependent mechanism. Inhibiting both AMPK with Compound C or phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) with 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-1(4H)-1-benzopyran-4-one hydrochloride prevented the leptin-mediated decrease in NPY secretion, indicating both AMPK- and PI3K-mediated mechanisms. Further, NPY secretion was stimulated by 30% by the AMPK activator, aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide. Importantly, prolonged leptin exposure in the mHypoA-NPY/green fluorescent protein cells prevented leptin-induced changes in AMPK phosphorylation and suppression of NPY secretion, indicating that NPY neurons are susceptible to leptin resistance. Our studies indicate that AMPK and PI3K pathways are involved in leptin action in NPY neurons and that leptin resistance blocks the feedback response likely required to maintain energy homeostasis.
Effect of CCN2 on FGF2-Induced Proliferation and MMP9 and MMP13 Productions by Chondrocytes
Authors: Nishida Takashi , Kubota Satoshi , Aoyama Eriko , Janune Danilo , Maeda Azusa , Takigawa Masaharu
Published: September 2011

CCN2 (also known as connective tissue growth factor) interacts with several growth factors involved in endochondral ossification via its characteristic four modules and modifies the effect of such growth factors. Presently we investigated whether CCN2 interacts with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Solid-phase binding assay, immunoprecipitation-Western blot analysis, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy revealed that the C-terminal module of CCN2 (CT) directly bound to FGF2 with a dissociation constant of 5.5 nm. Next, we examined the combinational effects of CCN2 and FGF2 on the proliferation of and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and -13 productions by cultured chondrocytes. FGF2 promoted not only the proliferation but also the production of MMP9 and -13, however, combined of FGF2 with CT module nullified the enhancement of both MMP productions and proliferation. To clarify the mechanism, we investigated the binding of CCN2 or its CT module to FGF receptor 1. As a result, we found that CCN2 bound to FGF receptor 1 with a dissociation constant of 362 nm, whereas the CT module did not. In addition, when we tested FGF signaling in chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells stimulated by the combination of FGF2 with CT module, the level of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation was decreased compared with that found with FGF2 alone. These findings suggest that CCN2 may regulate the proliferation and matrix degradation of chondrocytes by forming a complex with FGF2 as a novel modulator of FGF2 functions.
The Loss of Endoglin Promotes the Invasion of Extravillous Trophoblasts
Authors: Mano Yukio , Kotani Tomomi , Shibata Kiyozumi , Matsumura Hiroko , Tsuda Hiroyuki , Sumigama Seiji , Yamamoto Eiko , Iwase Akira , Senga Takeshi , Kikkawa Fumitaka
Published: September 2011

Endoglin is a coreceptor for TGF-β, which is expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts. The soluble form of endoglin (sEng) has been observed to increase in the serum of preeclamptic patients. Several studies have shown that endoglin is involved in cancer invasion. However, the role of endoglin in extravillous trophoblasts (EVT), which have an invasive phenotype, remains unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the expression and role of endoglin in human EVT. We found that endoglin was mainly expressed on cytotrophoblasts within the cell column during the first trimester and its expression decreased in the EVT by immunohistochemistry and immunocytochemistry. The expression of endoglin significantly increased after treatment with TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 in the human EVT cell line, HTR-8/SVneo, as detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR. To investigate the role of endoglin in EVT, the stable knockdown of endoglin was performed by lentiviral short hairpin RNA transfection into the HTR-8/SVneo cells. Although proliferation was not affected, the motility and invasiveness of the HTR-8/SVneo cells significantly increased by the knockdown of endoglin. Both the mRNA expression and secretion of urokinase-type plasminogen activator significantly increased in endoglin knockdown cells. The secretion of sEng was very low in HTR-8/SVneo, and the treatment of endoglin knockdown cells with 10 ng/ml sEng had no effect on their invasiveness. Therefore, the suppression of sEng was not involved in the increased invasiveness of endoglin knockdown cells. These results suggested that EVT increased their invasive function as a result of decreasing expression of transmembrane endoglin.