bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chlorine‐free plasma‐based vapour growth of GaN
Authors: Siche D. , Kachel K. , Zwierz R. , Golka S. , Vodopyanov A. , Izotov I. , Sennikov P. , Golubev S. , Franke K.‐P. , Sudhoff P. , Gogova D.
Published: November 2011

In pure physical vapour transport process for GaN growth, the liquid Ga source has to be kept at temperatures about 1300‐1400 °C to provide sufficient Ga vapour pressure for reasonably large growth rates. The growth temperature needs to be slightly lower to prevent droplet formation in the Ga vapour. At such high temperatures, however, the early ammonia decomposition prevents the favorable growth with reactive nitrogen in excess. The vapour processes under development in this study aim at overcoming the drawbacks of the reaction of physically or chemically transported Ga and ammonia. For this purpose, the reactive nitrogen will be supplied by plasma excitation of N2. First, the results on ammonia‐based GaN growth and their disadvantages are discussed. Then, the challenges in designing of a new type of plasma sources (a microwave and a dielectric barrier discharge) and the first experimental results on the ammonia‐free process development are presented. The microwave approach seems to be very promising in terms of GaN growth. It has higher growth rates than the dielectric barrier discharge method and therefore it is more cost‐effective. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
MOVPE growth of InGaN on Si(111) substrates with an intermediate range of In content
Authors: Bhuiyan Ashraful G. , Mihara A. , Esaki T. , Sugita K. , Hashimoto A. , Yamamoto A. , Watanabe N. , Yokoyama H. , Shigekawa N.
Published: November 2011

This paper reports on the MOVPE growth of InN and InxGa1‐xN with x up to ∼0.4 on AlN/Si (111) substrates. Good quality InN films are grown after a pretreatment of the substrate surface at 1000 °C in NH3. While pretreatment of the substrate surface in N2results the In droplet formation. Single‐crystalline InxGa1‐xN films with x up to ∼0.4 are successfully grown on Si (111) substrates without phase separation and metallic In incorporation by changing the growth temperature and TMI/(TMI+TEG) molar ratio. Comparative study between the AlN/Si (111) and GaN/α‐Al2O3(0001) substrates shows that the quality of InN, GaN and InGaN with low In contents depends on the quality of the underlying layer. While the quality of InGaN at the intermediate In content range hardly depends on of the underlying layer/substrate. These works will allow us towards the fabrication of the future InGaN‐Si tandem cell using MOVPE. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Surface photovoltage spectroscopy characterization of Al1‐xInxN/AlN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Pandey Saurabh , Cavalcoli Daniela , Fraboni Beatrice , Cavallini Anna
Published: November 2011

We report on MOCVD grown Al1‐xInxN/AlN/GaN heterostructures with different AlN (interlayer) thicknesses, investigated by Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy. The different contributions to SPV spectra from all the layers present within the structure have been analyzed. Below the GaN band gap SPV analysis has been performed, and the observed peaks related to red, yellow and green defect states in GaN. The density of the two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) forming at the interface has been measured. A band gap shift has been detected and its dependence on the 2DEG electron density at the AlN/GaN interface has been analyzed on the basis of the Moss Burstein and renormalization effects. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Surface roughness, waviness, and shape induced effects in angle‐resolved XPS
Authors: Bianchi D. , Katona L. , Brenner J. , Vorlaufer G. , Vernes A. , Werner W. S. M. , Betz G.
Published: November 2011

The experimentally determined topographies of engineering surfaces are decomposed using multiresolution analysis to better understand the impact of surface roughness on angle‐resolved XPS. Multiresolution analysis is a powerful mathematical tool based on wavelets, which allows one to unambiguously distinguish between the roughness, waviness, and shape of any engineering surface. Exploiting exactly these features, here the separate effects of roughness, waviness, and shape on angle‐resolved XPS are computationally investigated in the case of some engineering surfaces by locally (almost pointwise) applying the Beer–Lambert law at various levels of resolution. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visuospatial Associative Memory and Hippocampal Functioning in Congenital Hypothyroidism
Authors: Wheeler Sarah M. , McAndrews Mary Pat , Sheard Erin D. , Rovet Joanne
Published: November 2011

Congenital hypothyroidism is a pediatric endocrine disorder caused by insufficient endogenous thyroid hormone production. Children with congenital hypothyroidism have difficulties with episodic memory and abnormalities in hippocampal structure, suggesting deficient hippocampal functioning. To assess hippocampal activation in adolescents with congenital hypothyroidism (N= 14; age range, 11.5–14.7 years) compared with controls (N= 15; age range, 11.2–15.5 years), a functional magnetic resonance imaging visuospatial memory task was used. In this task, participants had to decide if object pairings were novel or were previously studied or if object pairs were in the same location as they were at study or had switched locations. Despite no group differences in task performance, adolescents with congenital hypothyroidism showed both increased magnitude of hippocampal activation relative to controls and bilateral hippocampal activation when only the left was observed in controls. Furthermore, the increased activation in the congenital hypothyroidism group was correlated with the severity of the hypothyroidism experienced early in life. These results suggest that perinatal deprivation of thyroid hormone has longstanding effects on hippocampal function and may account for memory problems experienced by adolescents with congenital hypothyroidism. (JINS, 2012,18, 49–56)
Laboratory evolution of Geobacter sulfurreducens for enhanced growth on lactate via a single-base-pair substitution in a transcriptional regulator
Authors: Summers Zarath M , Ueki Toshiyuki , Ismail Wael , Haveman Shelley A , Lovley Derek R
Published: November 2011

The addition of organic compounds to groundwater in order to promote bioremediation may represent a new selective pressure on subsurface microorganisms. The ability of Geobacter sulfurreducens, which serves as a model for the Geobacter species that are important in various types of anaerobic groundwater bioremediation, to adapt for rapid metabolism of lactate, a common bioremediation amendment, was evaluated. Serial transfer of five parallel cultures in a medium with lactate as the sole electron donor yielded five strains that could metabolize lactate faster than the wild-type strain. Genome sequencing revealed that all five strains had non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the same gene, GSU0514, a putative transcriptional regulator. Introducing the single-base-pair mutation from one of the five strains into the wild-type strain conferred rapid growth on lactate. This strain and the five adaptively evolved strains had four to eight-fold higher transcript abundance than wild-type cells for genes for the two subunits of succinyl-CoA synthase, an enzyme required for growth on lactate. DNA-binding assays demonstrated that the protein encoded by GSU0514 bound to the putative promoter of the succinyl-CoA synthase operon. The binding sequence was not apparent elsewhere in the genome. These results demonstrate that a single-base-pair mutation in a transcriptional regulator can have a significant impact on the capacity for substrate utilization and suggest that adaptive evolution should be considered as a potential response of microorganisms to environmental change(s) imposed during bioremediation.
Glycocalyx characterisation and glycoprotein expression of Sus domesticus epididymal sperm surface samples
Authors: Fàbrega Anna , Puigmulé Marta , Dacheux Jean-Louis , Bonet Sergi , Pinart Elisabeth
Published: November 2011

The sperm surface is covered with a dense coating of carbohydrate-rich molecules. Many of these molecules are involved in the acquisition of fertilising ability. In the present study, eight lectins (i.e. Arachis hypogae (peanut) agglutinin (PNA), Lens culimaris (lentil) agglutinin-A (LCA), Pisum sativum (pea) agglutin (PSA), Triticum vulgari (wheat) germ agglutinin (WGA), Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA), Phaseolus vulgaris (red kidney bean) leucoagglutinin (PHA-L), Glycine max (soybean) agglutinin (SBA) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I)) were investigated to identify changes in the nature and localisation of glycoproteins in boar spermatozoa migrating along the epididymal duct. Complementary procedures included measurement of global lectin binding over the surface of the viable sperm population by flow cytometry, analysis of lectin localisation on the membrane of individual spermatozoa using fluorescence microscopy and the electrophoretic characterisation of the major sperm surface glycoprotein receptors involved in lectin binding. A significant increase was found in sperm galactose, glucose/mannose and N-acetyl-d-glucosamine residues distally in the epididymis. Moreover, the sperm head, cytoplasmic droplet and midpiece were recognised by most of the lectins tested, whereas only HPA and WGA bound to the principal piece and end piece of the sperm tail. Fourteen sperm surface proteins were observed with different patterns of lectin expression between epididymal regions. The sperm glycocalyx modifications observed in the present study provide an insight into the molecular modifications associated with epididymal maturation, which may be correlated with the degree of maturation of ejaculated spermatozoa.
Assessing prescribing competence
Authors: Mucklow John , Bollington Lynne , Maxwell Simon
Published: November 2011

Prescribing of medicines is the key clinical activity in the working life of most doctors. In recent years, a broad consensus regarding the necessary competencies has been achieved. Each of these is a complex mix of knowledge, judgement and skills. Surveys of those on the threshold of their medical careers have revealed widespread lack of confidence in writing prescriptions. A valid and reliable assessment of prescribing competence, separate from an overall assessment of medical knowledge and skill, would have many benefits for clinical governance and patient safety, and would provide a measure of the success of training programmes in therapeutics. Delivering such an assessment presents many challenges, not least of which are the difficulty in identifying a surrogate marker for competent prescribing in clinical practice and the challenge of ensuring that competence assessed in a controlled environment predicts performance in clinical practice. This review makes the case for an on‐line OSCE as the most valid form of assessment and sets out the requirements for its development, scope, composition and delivery. It describes an on‐going attempt to develop a national assessment of prescribing skills towards the end of undergraduate medical training in the UK.
Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) larval settlement in North Carolina: environmental forcing, recruit–stock relationships, and numerical modeling
Authors: OGBURN MATTHEW B. , HALL MEGAN , FORWARD JR RICHARD B.
Published: November 2011

Ecosystem‐based fishery management requires an understanding of relationships between fisheries and environmental variability. The purposes of this study were to investigate (1) how environmental forcing drives variability in larval settlement of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus, (2) whether larval settlement data are useful for determining recruit–stock relationships, and (3) whether environmental data can be used to predict settlement. Megalopae settling on passive collectors in the Newport River estuary, NC, were collected nightly from September to November for 13 yr from 1993 to 2009. Observed settlement was compared with winds, tides, and predicted settlement (numerical model derived from environmental data) using cross‐correlation analysis. Weather events associated with settlement pulses were also identified. Recruit–stock relationships were developed by comparing observed and predicted settlement indices to lagged NC fishery data. Settlement was positively correlated with winds from the northeast, southeast and south in 12 of 13 yr and with maximum duration nighttime flood tides in all years. Settlement pulses occurred when high pressure systems formed over the southeast USA (58% of pulses) or hurricanes (25%), and nearly all occurred during nighttime flood tides (85%). Significant recruit–stock relationships occurred between observed settlement and fishery landings (r2 = 0.96) and effort (r2 = 0.94) in wet years and catch per unit effort (r2 = 0.98) during dry years. The timing of settlement pulses, but not the magnitude of annual settlement, was successfully predicted using the settlement model. These results suggest that blue crab fisheries in NC are influenced both by larval settlement and post‐settlement processes (freshwater inflow).
Proliferating γδ T cells manifest high and spatially confined caspase‐3 activity
Authors: Koenig Andreas , Fortner Karen A. , King Benjamin R. , Madden Jonathan , Buskiewicz Iwona A. , Budd Ralph C.
Published: November 2011

Caspase‐8 serves two paradoxical roles in T lymphocytes: it initiates apoptosis following death receptor engagement, and is also indispensible for proliferation following T‐cell antigen receptor (TCR) signalling. These opposing processes appear to be controlled by both spatial and quantitative differences in caspase‐8 activation. Given differences in the turnover of T‐cell subsets, we compared caspase activity and susceptibility to cell death following TCR restimulation in murine CD4+ and CD8+αβ T cells and γδ T cells. We observed a spectrum of caspase activity in non‐dying effector T cells in which CD4+ T cells manifested the lowest levels of active caspases whereas γδ T cells manifested the highest levels. Further analysis revealed that most of the difference in T‐cell subsets was the result of high levels of active caspase‐3 in non‐dying effector γδ T cells. Despite this, γδ T cells manifested little spontaneous or CD3 restimulation‐induced cell death as the result of confinement of active caspases to the cell membrane. By contrast, CD4+ T cells were highly sensitive to CD3‐induced cell death, associated with the appearance of active caspases in the cytoplasm and cleavage of the caspase substrates Bid and ICAD. Hence, the location and amount of active caspases distinguishes effector T‐cell subsets and profoundly influences the fate of the T‐cell response.
Roles of cytoplasmic RNP granules in intracellular RNA localization and translational control in the Drosophila oocyte
Authors: Kato Yasuko , Nakamura Akira
Published: November 2011

Intracellular mRNA localization and translation are ways to achieve asymmetric protein sorting in polarized cells, and they play fundamental roles in cell‐fate decisions and body patterning during animal development. These processes are regulated by the interplay between cis‐acting elements and trans‐acting RNA‐binding proteins that form and occur within a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. Recent studies in the Drosophila oocyte have revealed that RNP complex assembly in the nucleus is critical for the regulation of cytoplasmic mRNA localization and translation. Furthermore, several trans‐acting factors promote the reorganization of target mRNAs in the cytoplasm into higher‐order RNP granules, which are often visible by light microscopy. Therefore, RNA localization and translation are likely to be coupled within these RNP granules. Notably, diverse cytoplasmic RNP granules observed in different cell types share conserved sets of proteins, suggesting they have fundamental and common cellular functions.
Nationwide surveillance of circulatory collapse associated with levothyroxine administration in very‐low‐birthweight infants in Japan
Authors: Kawai Masahiko , Kusuda Satoshi , Cho Kazutoshi , Horikawa Reiko , Takizawa Fumihiko , Ono Makoto , Hattori Tetsuo , Oshiro Makoto
Published: November 2011

Background:  Although the administration of levothyroxine sodium (LT4) to premature infants had been considered safe, several cases of late‐onset circulatory collapse (LCC) following the administration of LT4 in very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants have been reported in Japan since 2008. This study was performed to investigate the incidence of LCC associated with the administration of LT4 to VLBW infants.

Methods:  A questionnaire regarding LCC with or without an association with LT4 administration in VLBW infants from 2006 to 2008, was sent to 212 hospitals belonging to the Japan Neonatologist Association.

Results:  Data of 8727 VLBW infants were analyzed, and 46 cases of LCC associated with the administration of LT4 were reported in this surveillance. Especially, an analysis for infants weighing between 1000 and 1499 g at birth revealed that the incidence of LCC with the administration of LT4 was higher than that of those without LT4.

Conclusions:  LT4 is widely used for infants, including VLBW infants, and no major complications have been reported. However, our study revealed that more than a few cases of LCC were associated with the administration of LT4 in VLBW infants. In conclusion, careful attention is necessary when initiating the administration of LT4 to VLBW infants.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR RURAL INDIA
Authors: Ravikrishna R. V.
Published: November 2011

Abstract This paper begins with an introduction to the ancient spiritual tradition of India. The focus is upon aspects of ancient Indian philosophy relevant to modern society. In the Indian context, science and spirituality are complementary. The application of ethical and religious motivations derived from these ideas is delineated with respect to the practical implementation of energy projects. The efforts of religious and social groups in promoting renewable energy in India are included. A few bioenergy technologies relevant to rural communities in developing nations are then described. The paper argues that though scientific research, technology development, community‐based efforts, environmental activism, and renewable energy policy making are important elements in dealing with the energy crisis, they are not sufficient to solve the crisis. The paper closes with the premise that the main wisdom to be drawn from the religious, spiritual, and philosophical traditions concerns the inner transformation that is key to meeting today's energy and environmental crisis.
CONSERVATION: ZERO NET ENERGY HOMES FOR LOW‐INCOME FAMILIES
Authors: Perkins Anne
Published: November 2011

Abstract The Wisdom Way Solar Village in Greenfield, Massachusetts is a zero net energy mixed‐income, mixed‐ability subdivision/condominium of 20 solar homes. It stands as an ethical response to climate change in that it demonstrates that homes in the northern United States can be built to use almost no fossil fuel for heat or electricity and to use very little water. It also demonstrates that small groups of people can learn to work together and to enjoy the benefits of living in a small community.
Multilingual miniskirt discourses in motion: the discursive construction of the female body in public space
Authors: Makoni Busi
Published: November 2011

This paper presents illustrative findings from analysis of taxi inscriptions as gendered discourse. Feminist Critical Discourse analysis is used to explore the ways the female body is discursively constructed in public space, gender as an ideological structure, and the complexity of gender and power relations. Of interest is how discourses on dress, especially the miniskirt, are used as discursive strategies for inscribing power over the female body. Using a corpus of 50 inscriptions, the findings suggest that the inscription writers draw on a local repository of lexical, phrasal, and sentential metaphors that invoke African culture, heritage, or tradition to discursively construct the female body as a subject of intervention or social control and clothing as a means of maintaining inequality and asserting male dominance.

Ce document présente des résultats illustratifs d'analyse des inscriptions sur les taxis comme discours de genre. L'analyse critique du discours féministe est employée pour explorer la façon dont le corps féminin est décrit d'une manière décousue dans l'espace public, le genre comme structure idéologique, et la complexité des relations de genre et de pouvoir. D'intérêt, comment les discours sur l'habillement, particulièrement la mini‐jupe, sont employés comme des stratégies décousues pour affirmer l'autorité sur le corps féminin. Utilisant un recueil de 50 inscriptions, les résultats suggèrent que les auteurs des inscriptions tirent sur une mine locale des métaphores lexicales, syntagmatiques, et des phrases qui invoquent la culture, l'héritage, ou la tradition africaine pour décrire d'une manière décousue le corps féminin comme un sujet d'intervention ou de contrôle social et l'habillement comme un moyen de maintien de l'inégalité et de l'affirmation de la domination masculine.
Latent structure of psychotic experiences in the general population
Authors: Ahmed A. O. , Buckley P. F. , Mabe P. A.
Published: November 2011

Ahmed AO, Buckley PF, Mabe PA. Latent structure of psychotic experiences in the general population.

Objective:  There have been increasing pressures to adopt or incorporate dimensional representations in various sections of DSM‐5 including the psychotic disorders section. Thus far, findings offered as evidence of a continuous distribution of psychosis are limited given their exclusive focus on the manifest rather than latent structure of psychotic experiences. The current study sought to determine whether or not psychotic experiences possess a taxonic or dimensional latent structure.

Method:  We investigated the latent structure of psychotic experiences in the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiological Surveys (CPES) and the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS). We analyzed responses of participants in these surveys with three multivariate taxometric procedures (MAMBAC, MAXEIG, and L‐Mode) after summing responses on the surveys into three indicators of positive psychosis.

Results:  Taxometric results tended to support a dimensional, rather than taxonic structure for psychotic experiences. In the CPES, all taxometric methods produced graphical and numerical support for a dimensional structure. In the NCS, MAMBAC appeared to slightly support a taxonic structure, whereas MAXEIG and L‐Mode supported a dimensional structure.

Conclusion:  There appears to be a dimensional distribution of psychotic experiences in the general population. This supports the incorporation of dimensional representations of psychotic symptoms in the current diagnostic system.
Phenological growth stages of African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)
Authors: Forero D.C. , Hormaza P. , Romero H.M.
Published: November 2011

The aim of this paper was to study the phenology of commercially cultivated representative genotypes of the Elaeis guineensis Jacq. species in two Colombian growing areas. The frequency of observations was daily, weekly or monthly depending on the stage of development under evaluation, over an 18‐month time period. Observations were made on prenursery and nursery plants and on three‐ to five‐year‐old palms starting from the zero leaf (spear leaf), through development of inflorescence, and ending with maturity and harvesting of fruit bunches. Stem observations were made on different age palms of the same cultivars. The duration of each phenological stage was measured in terms of days. The phenological growth stages were coded according to the BBCH scale (Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie), consisting of three digits, because of the inclusion of intermediate stages between the principal and secondary stages in order to provide more accurate details on each development stage.
Soybean Ferritin: Isolation, Characterization, and Free Radical GenerationF
Authors: Galatro Andrea , Robello Elizabeth , Puntarulo Susana
Published: November 2011

The main aim of this work was to assess the multi‐task role of ferritin (Ft) in the oxidative metabolism of soybean (Glycine max). Soybean seeds incubated for 24 h yielded 41 ± 5 μg Ft/g fresh weight. The rate of in vitro incorporation of iron (Fe) into Ft was tested by supplementing the reaction medium with physiological Fe chelators. The control rate, observed in the presence of 100 μM Fe, was not significantly different from the values observed in the presence of 100 μM Fe‐his. However, it was significantly higher in the presence of 100 μM Fe‐citrate (approximately 4.5‐fold) or of 100 μM Fe‐ATP (approximately 14‐fold). Moreover, a substantial decrease in the Trp‐dependent fluorescence of the Ft protein was determined during Fe uptake from Fe‐citrate, as compared with the control. On the other hand, Ft addition to homogenates from soybean embryonic axes reduced endogenously generated ascorbyl radical, according to its capacity for Fe uptake. The data presented here suggest that Ft could be involved in the generation of free radicals, such as hydroxyl radical, by Fe‐catalyzed reactions. Moreover, the scavenging of these radicals by Ft itself could then lead to protein damage. However, Ft could also prevent cellular damage by the uptake of catalytically active Fe.
A Homonuclear Molecule with a Permanent Electric Dipole Moment
Authors: Li W. , Pohl T. , Rost J. M. , Rittenhouse Seth T. , Sadeghpour H. R. , Nipper J. , Butscher B. , Balewski J. B. , Bendkowsky V. , Löw R. , Pfau T.
Published: November 2011

Two rubidium atoms, one in its ground state and the other with a highly excited electron, form a metastable polar molecule.
Global Tracking of Small Animals Gains Momentum
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: November 2011

Next month, ecologists will begin testing whether a new animal tag developed to track animals too small to be monitored globally can eventually communicate with the International Space Station.
How Does the Cell Position Its Proteins?
Authors: Travis John
Published: November 2011

Somehow, a cell must get all its proteins to their correct destinations—and keep these molecules out of the wrong places. The mystery of how cells place their protein repertoire is far from solved.
Does a Gene's Location in the Nucleus Matter?
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: November 2011

How the pattern of chromosomes and subnuclear bodies in the cell nucleus affects gene activity and other cellular functions is an enduring mystery in biology, one that won't be unraveled soon.
Sequence-Divergent Chordopoxvirus Homologs of the O3 Protein Maintain Functional Interactions with Components of the Vaccinia Virus Entry-Fusion Complex
Authors: Satheshkumar P. S. , Moss Bernard
Published: November 2011

Composed of 35 amino acids, O3 is the smallest characterized protein encoded by vaccinia virus (VACV) and is an integral component of the entry-fusion complex (EFC). O3 is conserved with 100% identity in all orthopoxviruses except for monkeypox viruses, whose O3 homologs have 2 to 3 amino acid substitutions. Since O3 is part of the EFC, high conservation could suggest an immutable requirement for interaction with multiple proteins. Chordopoxviruses of other genera also encode small proteins with a characteristic predicted N-terminal α-helical hydrophobic domain followed by basic amino acids and proline in the same relative genome location as that of VACV O3. However, the statistical significance of their similarity to VACV O3 is low due to the large contribution of the transmembrane domain, their small size, and their sequence diversity. Nevertheless,
trans
-complementation experiments demonstrated the ability of a representative O3-like protein from each chordopoxvirus genus to rescue the infectivity of a VACV mutant that was unable to express endogenous O3. Moreover, recombinant viruses expressing O3 homologs in place of O3 replicated and formed plaques as well or nearly as well as wild-type VACV. The O3 homologs expressed by the recombinant VACVs were incorporated into the membranes of mature virions and, with one exception, remained stably associated with the detergent-extracted and affinity-purified EFC. The ability of the sequence-divergent O3 homologs to coordinate function with VACV entry proteins suggests the conservation of structural motifs. Analysis of chimeras formed by swapping domains of O3 with those of other proteins indicated that the N-terminal transmembrane segment was responsible for EFC interactions and for the complementation of infectivity.
Origin and Evolution of the Unique Hepatitis C Virus Circulating Recombinant Form 2k/1b
Authors: Raghwani Jayna , Thomas Xiomara V. , Koekkoek Sylvie M. , Schinkel Janke , Molenkamp Richard , van de Laar Thijs J. , Takebe Yutaka , Tanaka Yasuhito , Mizokami Masashi , Rambaut Andrew , Pybus Oliver G.
Published: November 2011

Since its initial identification in St. Petersburg, Russia, the recombinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) 2k/1b has been isolated from several countries throughout Eurasia. The 2k/1b strain is the only recombinant HCV to have spread widely, raising questions about the epidemiological background in which it first appeared. In order to further understand the circumstances by which HCV recombinants might be formed and spread, we estimated the date of the recombination event that generated the 2k/1b strain using a Bayesian phylogenetic approach. Our study incorporates newly isolated 2k/1b strains from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and has employed a hierarchical Bayesian framework to combine information from different genomic regions. We estimate that 2k/1b originated sometime between 1923 and 1956, substantially before the first detection of the strain in 1999. The timescale and the geographic spread of 2k/1b suggest that it originated in the former Soviet Union at about the time that the world's first centralized national blood transfusion and storage service was being established. We also reconstructed the epidemic history of 2k/1b using coalescent theory-based methods, matching patterns previously reported for other epidemic HCV subtypes. This study demonstrates the practicality of jointly estimating dates of recombination from flanking regions of the breakpoint and further illustrates that rare genetic-exchange events can be particularly informative about the underlying epidemiological processes.
Establishment of a Novel Permissive Cell Line for the Propagation of Hepatitis C Virus by Expression of MicroRNA miR122
Authors: Kambara Hiroto , Fukuhara Takasuke , Shiokawa Mai , Ono Chikako , Ohara Yuri , Kamitani Wataru , Matsuura Yoshiharu
Published: November 2011

The robust cell culture systems for hepatitis C virus (HCV) are limited to those using cell culture-adapted clones (HCV in cell culture [HCVcc]) and cells derived from the human hepatoma cell line Huh7. However, accumulating data suggest that host factors, including innate immunity and gene polymorphisms, contribute to the variation in host response to HCV infection. Therefore, the existingin vitrosystems for HCV propagation are not sufficient to elucidate the life cycle of HCV. A liver-specific microRNA, miR122, has been shown to participate in the efficient replication of HCV. In this study, we examined the possibility of establishing a new permissive cell line for HCV propagation by the expression of miR122. A high level of miR122 was expressed by a lentiviral vector placed into human liver cell lines at a level comparable to the endogenous level in Huh7 cells. Among the cell lines that we examined, Hep3B cells stably expressing miR122 (Hep3B/miR122) exhibited a significant enhancement of HCVcc propagation. Surprisingly, the levels of production of infectious particles in Hep3B/miR122 cells upon infection with HCVcc were comparable to those in Huh7 cells. Furthermore, a line of “cured” cells, established by elimination of HCV RNA from the Hep3B/miR122 replicon cells, exhibited an enhanced expression of miR122 and a continuous increase of infectious titers of HCVcc in every passage. The establishment of the new permissive cell line for HCVcc will have significant implications not only for basic HCV research but also for the development of new therapeutics.
Internal spin trapping of thiyl radical during the complexation and reduction of cobalamin with glutathione and dithiothrietol
Authors: Ramasamy Somasundaram , Kundu Tapan K. , Antholine William , Manoharan Periakaruppan T. , Rifkind Joseph M.
Published: November 2011

The activation of cobalamin requires a reduction from cobalamin(III) to cobalamin(II). The reduction by glutathione and dithiothreitol was followed using visible spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance. In addition the oxidation of glutathione was monitored. Glutathione first reacts with oxidized cobalamin(III). The binding of a second glutathione required for the reduction to cobalamin(II) is presumably located in the dimethyl benzimidazole ribonucleotide ligand cavity. The reduction of cobalamin(III) by dithiothreitol, which contains two thiols, is much faster even though no stable cobalamin(III) complex is formed. The reduction, by both thiol reagents, results in the formation of thiyl radicals, some of which are released to form oxidized thiol products and some of which remain associated with the reduced cobalamin. In the reduced state the intrinsic lower affinity for the benzimidazole base, coupled with a trans effect from the initial glutathione bound to the β-axial site and a possible lowering of the pH results in an equilibrium between base-on and base-off complexes. The dissociation of the base facilitates a closer approach of the thiyl radical to the cobalamin(II) α-axial site resulting in a complex with ferromagnetic exchange coupling between the metal ion and the thiyl radical. This is a unique example of "internal spin trapping" of a thiyl radical formed during reduction. The finding that the reduction involves a peripheral site and that thiyl radicals produced during the reduction remain associated with the reduced cobalamin provide important new insights into our understanding of the formation and function of cobalamin enzymes.
Time-dependent changes in autonomic control of splanchnic vascular resistance and heart rate in ANG II-salt hypertension
Authors: Kuroki Marcos T. , Guzman Pilar A. , Fink Gregory D. , Osborn John W.
Published: November 2011

Previous studies suggest that ANG II-induced hypertension in rats fed a high-salt (HS) diet (ANG II-salt hypertension) has a neurogenic component dependent on an enhanced sympathetic tone to the splanchnic veins and independent from changes in sympathetic nerve activity to the kidney or hind limb. The purpose of this study was to extend these findings and test whether altered autonomic control of splanchnic resistance arteries and the heart also contributes to the neurogenic component. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), superior mesenteric artery blood flow, and mesenteric vascular resistance (MVR) were measured during 4 control days, 14 days of ANG II delivered subcutaneously (150 ng·kg−1·min−1), and 4 days of recovery in conscious rats fed a HS (2% NaCl) or low-salt (LS; 0.1% NaCl) diet. Autonomic effects on MAP, HR, and MVR were assessed by acute ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium (20 mg/kg iv) on day 3 of control, days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 13 of ANG II, and day 4 of recovery. MVR increased during ANG II infusion in HS and LS rats but remained elevated only in HS rats. Additionally, the MVR response to hexamethonium was enhanced on days 10 and 13 of ANG II selectively in HS rats. Compared with LS rats, HR in HS rats was higher during the 2nd wk of ANG II, and its response to hexamethonium was greater on days 7, 10, and 13 of ANG II. These results suggest that ANG II-salt hypertension is associated with delayed changes in autonomic control of splanchnic resistance arteries and the heart.
Reconstruction of Mandibular Defects Using Bone Morphogenic Protein: Can Growth Factors Replace the Need for Autologous Bone Grafts? A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Herford Alan S. , Stoffella Enrico , Tandon Rahul
Published: November 2011

Autogenous bone is still considered the “gold standard” of regenerative and reconstructive procedures involving mandibular defects. However, harvesting of this material can lead to many complications like increasing morbidity, expanding of the surgical time, and incomplete healing of the donor site. In the last few years many authors looked for the development of effective reconstruction procedures using osteoinductive factors without the need for conventional bone grafting. The first-in-human study involving the use of Bone Morphongenic Proteins (rhBMP) for mandibular reconstruction was performed in 2001 by Moghadam. Only few articles have been reported in the literature since then. The purpose of this study was to search and analyze the literature involving the use of rhBMP for reconstruction of mandibular defects. In all the studies reported, authors agree that the use of grown factors may represent the future of regenerative procedures with more research necessary for confirmation.
Multifeed EBG Dual-Band Antenna for Spatial Mission
Authors: Kanso A. , Chantalat R. , Naeem U. , Chreim H. , Thevenot M. , Bila S. , Monediere T.
Published: November 2011

We present the design of a multibeam reflector antenna fed by a multifeed dual-band electromagnetic band gap (EBG) antenna to achieve a high-gain multispot coverage for space applications. First, we design a dual-band EBG antenna in monofeed configuration. This antenna is composed of double-layer frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) arranged in the longitudinal direction and a square horn as a feed. Then, the same antenna in multifeed configuration is studied, and the results are compared to those obtained in monofeed configuration in order to emphasize the problem of coupling, generally encountered in multifeed configuration. Consequently, filters are used in order to reduce the parasitic interferences and obtain good radiation characteristics. As shown in this paper, the same EBG phase center is obtained in both frequency bands. Finally, we have studied the whole system composed of the offset reflector and the multifeed EBG dual-band antenna. An edge of coverage (EOC) gain higher than 42 dBi and sidelobes levels lower than −18 dBi are obtained over all spots.
Progressive Resistance Exercise and Parkinson's Disease: A Review of Potential Mechanisms
Authors: David Fabian J. , Rafferty Miriam R. , Robichaud Julie A. , Prodoehl Janey , Kohrt Wendy M. , Vaillancourt David E. , Corcos Daniel M.
Published: November 2011

This paper reviews the therapeutically beneficial effects of progressive resistance exercise (PRE) on Parkinson's disease (PD). First, this paper discusses the rationale for PRE in PD. Within the first section, the review discusses the central mechanisms that underlie bradykinesia and muscle weakness, highlights findings related to the central changes that accompany PRE in healthy individuals, and extends these findings to individuals with PD. It then illustrates the hypothesized positive effects of PRE on nigro-striatal-thalamo-cortical activation and connectivity. Second, it reviews recent findings of the use of PRE in individuals with PD. Finally, knowledge gaps of using PRE on individuals with PD are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
Exposure to Gene-Environment Interactions before 1 Year of Age May Favor the Development of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Lee Jung-Yong , Seo Ju-Hee , Kwon Ji-Won , Yu Jinho , Kim Byoung-Ju , Lee So-Yeon , Kim Hyo-Bin , Kim Woo-Kyung , Kim Kyung-Won , Shin Yee-Jin , Hong Soo-Jong
Published: November 2011

Background: The aims of this study were to determine (1) the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Seoul, Korea, and (2) the influence of environmental and genetic factors on disease risk. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted in 5,036 primary school children and 4,607 middle school children in 2008. For each child, a modified version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire and a questionnaire assessing exposure to environmental variables were completed. Results: In primary school children, the lifetime prevalence of itchy eczema was 24.3%, the 12-month prevalence of itchy flexural eczema was 18.0%, the lifetime prevalence of AD diagnosis was 31.3%, and the 12-month prevalence of AD treatment was 14.5%. In middle school children, the corresponding rates were 16.0, 10.8, 22.1, and 8.3%, respectively. These rates are significantly higher than those reported in similar studies conducted in 1995 and 2000. In both primary and middle school children, a parental history of allergic disease and a history of having moved into a newly built house before 1 year of age were independently associated with a risk for current AD. For current AD, the prevalence odds ratio was higher in the subgroup with both a genetic and a specific environmental risk factor than in the subgroup with no risk factor or subgroups with only one risk factor. Conclusions: The prevalence of AD in primary and middle school children in Seoul has increased. Its development may be influenced by gene-environment interactions, particularly before 1 year of age.
Association between Maternal Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma on the Prevalence of Atopic Disease in Offspring
Authors: Wang Qiu-Ping , Wu Kun-Min , Li Ze-Qing , Xue Fei , Chen Wei , Ji Han , Wang Bing-Ling
Published: November 2011

Background: Asthma is a common co-morbidity of allergic rhinitis (AR). The prevalence of these two allergic diseases has increased in China and has been shown to cluster in families independently. This study evaluated the association between maternal AR (presenting with or without asthma) and the allergic conditions in offspring. Methods: Women (n = 592) diagnosed with AR were recruited for this study; 379 patients presented with AR and 213 presented with both AR and asthma. Total serum IgE levels and nasal eosinophil counts were analyzed and correlated with disease presentation. Results: The prevalence of allergic conditions in offspring of mothers diagnosed with AR and asthma was significantly higher than the prevalence observed in children born to mothers presenting with AR only. Maternal total serum IgE and eosinophil counts were predictive of atopy in offspring. Children born to mothers presenting with persistent moderate-to-severe AR had the highest risk of developing atopic conditions (OR 6.26, 95% CI 3.26–12.02). Maternal age of 25–30 years at delivery was also associated with a higher risk for the allergic disease in offspring compared to maternal age of 36–40 (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.31–3.47). Conclusions: The severity of maternal AR, asthma co-morbidity, elevated serum IgE levels and nasal eosinophilia were all associated with an increased risk of offspring developing allergic conditions. Children born to older mothers were protected against developing atopic disease.
Safety and Efficacy of Physician-Supervised Self-Managed C1 Inhibitor Replacement Therapy
Authors: Tourangeau Louanne M. , Castaldo Anthony J. , Davis Donna K. , Koziol James , Christiansen Sandra C. , Zuraw Bruce L.
Published: November 2011

Background: C1 inhibitor (C1INH) has recently been approved in the USA for the treatment of acute attacks in hereditary angioedema (HAE) patients. The literature suggests that treatment with C1INH is most effective when administered early in an attack. Home infusion of C1INH allows for the earliest possible intervention since patients can initiate therapy at the first sign of symptoms. Methods: We performed an observational, prospective study on 39 subjects with HAE utilizing two groups of patients: one receiving on-demand C1INH replacement therapy in a medical facility and the other self-managing on-demand C1INH replacement therapy in the home setting under the supervision of a treating physician. All subjects completed online questionnaires weekly for 8 weeks. Results: There were statistically significant decreases in attack duration (p < 0.0001), pain medication use (p < 0.0001) and graded attack severity (p < 0.005) in the subjects who received C1INH in the home setting versus the clinic-based group. Attack frequency was similar between the groups. The home group experienced more frequent injection-related side effects; however, the clinic group noted more severe adverse events from C1INH. Conclusion: Physician-supervised self-managed C1INH replacement therapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with HAE with potential benefits in diminishing attack duration and attack severity.
Uric Acid, Renal Vasoconstriction and Erythropoietin Relationship in IgA Nephropathy Revealed by Dopamine-Induced Glomerular Filtration Response
Authors: Sulikowska Beata , Johnson Richard J. , Odrowąż-Sypniewska Grażyna , Manitius Jacek
Published: November 2011

Background: Elevated serum uric acid experimentally stimulates renal vasoconstriction and activation of the renin- angiotensin system and consequently modulates erythropoietin (EPO) production. We used a dopamine-induced glomerular filtration response test (DIR) to assess whether elevated uric acid is associated with dopamine response and EPO levels in IgA patients. Methods: In 46 non-nephrotic IgA patients (age: 33.7 ± 8.9 years) and 15 controls (age: 33.5 ± 6.9 years) with a glomerular filtration rate of 86.7 ± 17.4 and 118.1 ± 17.2 ml/min, respectively, renal vascular function was estimated based on DIR. DIR was measured using two 120-min creatinine clearances (before and after i.v. administration of 2 µg/kg/min dopamine) and at the same points EPO was measured. Uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, urinary uric acid and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase were measured. Results: Basal EPO was the same in IgA patients and controls (13.5 ± 9.5 vs. 10.6 ± 4.3 mU/ml, respectively; NS); however, EPO correlated with uric acid clearance in IgA patients but not in controls (r = 0.45, p < 0.002 vs. r = 0.25, p < 0.361, respectively), and DIR tended to be lower in IgA nephropathy (p < 0.06). A more pronounced slope between EPO and DIR as well as lower DIR/EPO was found in IgA patients. Conclusions: These results are consistent with greater renal vasoconstriction in IgA nephropathy that would stimulate EPO and reduce urate clearance.
Genome-Wide Association Study of Vascular Dementia
Authors: Schrijvers Elisabeth M.C. , Schürmann Britta , Koudstaal Peter J. , van den Bussche Hendrik , Van Duijn Cornelia M. , Hentschel Frank , Heun Reinhard , Hofman Albert , Jessen Frank , Kölsch Heike , Kornhuber Johannes , Peters Oliver , Rivadeneira Fernando , Rüther Eckart , Uitterlinden André G. , Riedel-Heller Steffi , Dichgans Martin , Wiltfang Jens , Maier Wolfgang , Breteler Monique M.B. , Ikram M. Arfan
Published: November 2011

Background and Purpose—

Most studies investigating the genetics of dementia have focused on Alzheimer disease, but little is known about the genetics of vascular dementia. The aim of our study was to identify new loci associated with vascular dementia.

Methods—

We performed a genome-wide association study in the Rotterdam Study, a large prospective population-based cohort study in the Netherlands. We sought to replicate genome-wide significant loci in 2 independent replication samples.

Results—

In the discovery analysis of 5700 dementia-free individuals, 67 patients developed incident vascular dementia over a mean follow-up time of 9.3±3.2 years. We showed genome-wide significance for rs12007229, which is located on the X chromosome near the androgen receptor gene (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.3–5.8, per copy of the minor allele;
P
=1.3×10
−8
). This association was further confirmed in 2 independent populations (probability value of combined replication samples=0.024).

Conclusions—

Our study shows a novel genetic locus for vascular dementia on the X chromosome. Further replication of this finding is required.