bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HTLV-1 bZIP factor impairs cell-mediated immunity by suppressing production of Th1 cytokines
Authors: Sugata Kenji , Satou Yorifumi , Yasunaga Jun-ichirou , Hara Hideki , Ohshima Kouichi , Utsunomiya Atae , Mitsuyama Masao , Matsuoka Masao
Published: November 2011

Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) patients and human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) infected individuals succumb to opportunistic infections. Cell mediated immunity is impaired, yet the mechanism of this impairment has remained elusive. The HTLV-1 basic leucine zipper factor (HBZ) gene is encoded in the minus strand of the viral DNA and is constitutively expressed in infected cells and ATL cells. To test the hypothesis that HBZ contributes to HTLV-1–associated immunodeficiency, we challenged transgenic mice that express the HBZ gene in CD4 T cells (HBZ-Tg mice) with herpes simplex virus type 2 or Listeria monocytogenes, and evaluated cellular immunity to these pathogens. HBZ-Tg mice were more vulnerable to both infections than non-Tg mice. The acquired immune response phase was specifically suppressed, indicating that cellular immunity was impaired in HBZ-Tg mice. In particular, production of IFN-γ by CD4 T cells was suppressed in HBZ-Tg mice. HBZ suppressed transcription from the IFN-γ gene promoter in a CD4 T cell–intrinsic manner by inhibiting nuclear factor of activated T cells and the activator protein 1 signaling pathway. This study shows that HBZ inhibits CD4 T-cell responses by directly interfering with the host cell-signaling pathway, resulting in impaired cell-mediated immunity in vivo.
PlateletWeb: a systems biologic analysis of signaling networks in human platelets
Authors: Boyanova Desislava , Nilla Santosh , Birschmann Ingvild , Dandekar Thomas , Dittrich Marcus
Published: November 2011

Understanding the cellular mechanisms of platelet activation and their pharmacologic modulation is of major interest for basic and clinical research. Here we introduce a comprehensive human platelet repository (PlateletWeb) for systems biologic analysis of platelets in the functional context of integrated networks. Functional, drug, and pathway associations provide a first systemic insight into various aspects of platelet functionality and pharmacologic regulation. Detailed manual curation of recent platelet proteome and transcriptome studies yielded more than 5000 platelet proteins. Integration of protein-protein interactions with kinase-substrate relationships unraveled the platelet signaling network involving more than 70% of all platelet proteins. Analysis of the platelet kinome in the context of the kinase phylogenetic background revealed an over-representation of tyrosine kinase substrates. The extraction and graphical visualization of specific subnetworks allow identification of all major signaling modules involved in activation and inhibition. An in-depth analysis of DOK1 signaling identifies putative signal modulators of the integrin network. Through integration of various information sources and high curation standards, the PlateletWeb knowledge base offers the systems biologic background for the investigation of signal transduction in human platelets (http://plateletweb.bioapps.biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de).
Blindness and Total Ophthalmoplegia
Authors: Johnson Leland P. , Parkin James L.
Published: November 2011

• Unilateral blindness and total ophthalmoplegia developed on the same side on which transantral ligation of the internal maxillary artery was performed for persistent posterior epistaxis. Evaluation with arteriograms and phlebograms showed no compromise of retinal vessels or cavernous sinus thrombosis. At reexploration of the maxillary antrum, marked swelling of previously placed oxidized cellulose gauze was found.

An experimental model, using the rabbit, was designed to determine if implantation of oxidized cellulose gauze adjacent to the optic nerve would produce blindness and ophthalmoplegia.
Tandem Mass Spectrometric Characterization of Fetuin Sialylated Glycopeptides Enriched by TiO2 Microcolumn
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Liu Hui , Li Zhili
Published: November 2011

Sialylation of glycoproteins is vital for the function or physicochemical properties of a protein. It becomes more and more important to develop approaches that can be used to efficiently isolate and identify sialylated glycopeptides or glycoproteins for monitoring changes in glycoproteome. In the present study, we analyze intact structures of the enriched sialylated glycopeptides of bovine fetuin by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS/MS), without any chemical derivation. The experimental data show that the optimal loading buffer for TiO2 as matrix is 80% acetonitrile/2% TFA (trifluoroacetic acid)/100 mg/mL DHB (2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid) which is also compatible with MALDI‐mass spectrometric analysis. This study indicates that the improved enrichment approach combined with MALDI‐MS/MS may be a powerful tool to analyze intact structures and components of the sialylated glycopeptides from complex peptide mixture.
Non‐hydrolytic Sol‐gel Methodology to Prepare a Molecularly Imprinted, Organic‐silica Hybrid‐based Stir Bar for Recognition of Sulfonylurea Herbicides
Authors: Si Bianjing , Zhou Jie
Published: November 2011

Based on a molecularly imprinted organic‐silica hybrid‐based stir bar, a pre‐treatment methodology was developed for enrichment of nicosulfuron in aqueous samples. The molecularly imprinted organic‐silica hybrid‐based coating on the outer surface of a glass stir bar was prepared by in‐situ polymerization using nicosulfuron as a template molecule, α‐methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, methacryloxypropytrimethoxysilane as a cross‐linker in the mixture of acetonitrile and trichloromethane (V/V, 7.5:1). To achieve the selective extraction of the target analyte from aqueous samples, several main parameters, including extraction time, pH value and contents of inorganic salt in the sample matrix were investigated. Evidence was also presented by the scanning electronic microscopic images of the imprinted and non‐imprinted stir bars. Then, the extraction efficiency of the stir bar was tested with separate experiments and competitive sorption experiments. These results showed that using six sulfonylureas as substrates the molecularly imprinted organic‐silica hybrid‐based stir bar gave high selectivity for the template, nicosulfuron compared to the non‐imprinted organic‐silica hybrid‐based stir bar. This sorption extraction was coupled to liquid chromatography ultraviolet detection allowing the determination of nicosulfuron from tap water. The method showed good recoveries and precision, 96.0% (RSD 2.7%, n=3) for tap water spiked with 0.125 nmol (25.00 mL sample), suggesting that the stir bar can be successfully applied to the pre‐concentration of nicosulfuron in real aqueous samples.
Cover Picture: Eur. J. Immunol. 12/11
Authors: Marshall Jennifer L. , Zhang Yang , Pallan Lalit , Hsu Mei‐Chi , Khan Mahmood , Cunningham Adam F. , MacLennan Ian C. M. , Toellner Kai‐Michael
Published: November 2011

The cover image shows immunohistological analysis of a spleen section from QMxB6 mice 96 hours after immunization with NP‐Ficoll. IgD staining (brown) determines the B‐cell follicles and NP‐staining (blue) the antibody‐producing cells; plasmablasts (dark blue regions) are present in the red pulp, and germinal centres (pale blue) can be seen in the follicles; the T zones (which lack B cells) remain unstained. The image is kindly provided by Jennifer Marshall and relates to the study Marshall et al. (pp. 3506–3512) in which it is shown that Ig class‐switch recombination during extrafollicular responses occurs at the B blast rather than the plasmablast stage.
Electrical energy from foods
Authors: Abdalla S. , Al-Ghamdi A. A.
Published: November 2011

Presenting new sources of safe energy sources is not only an urgent need but also a vital input for social and economic development. In this work, we present a novel technology to produce electric energy from food; in particular from commercial potatoes. The food has been sandwiched between two metals; for example, Zn/potatoes/Cu and the open circuit electric potentials Voc have been measured. It has been found that Voc lay in the range Voc 0.32 V < Voc < 1.39 V and decays exponentially by time. The open circuit potential varies from food to another and depends also on the metallic contacts and food thickness. It has been found that Voc is a function of the potatoes thickness, which has a maximum at 1.05 V and the corresponding maximum short circuit current is about 1.7 mA. The internal resistivity for the potatoes battery is about 1.4 × 104 Ω cm and the metallic electrodes resistance is about 57.4 Ω × area for Zn/Cu electrodes. The short circuit current depends on the nature of the metallic electrodes and the food itself. This current is very sensitive to the food thickness. At a critical thickness when the potato slice is about 0.18  cm, the maximum short circuit current density of the potatoes battery is about 15.7  μA/cm2. The maximum electric power, generated at 0.18  cm, equals155 μW/cm2. The Zn/potatoes/Cu battery has electric capacity 2.57 times more efficient than an AA/LR6 1.5 V alkaline Energizer® battery. Also, cost analysis has showed that potatoes-cells generate electric energy 26 fold cheaper than commercially available Energizer® battery. This work presents a new energy source: Safe, economic, durable, and renewable; also it can fit most applications.
Hafnium and tantalum carbides for high temperature solar receivers
Authors: Sani Elisa , Mercatelli Luca , Fontani Daniela , Sans Jean-Louis , Sciti Diletta
Published: November 2011

Solar thermal technology is a safe, sustainable, and cost-effective energy supply. The present paper reports on the comparative high-temperature emissivity characterization of hafnium and tantalum carbide ultra-high temperature ceramics to evaluate their potential as novel absorbing materials for concentrating solar power plants. For a more meaningful property assessment, ultra-high temperature ceramic samples have been compared also with silicon carbide, a material already used in volumetric solar receivers.
Cell death and infection: A double-edged sword for host and pathogen survival
Authors: Ashida Hiroshi , Mimuro Hitomi , Ogawa Michinaga , Kobayashi Taira , Sanada Takahito , Kim Minsoo , Sasakawa Chihiro
Published: November 2011

Host cell death is an intrinsic immune defense mechanism in response to microbial infection. However, bacterial pathogens use many strategies to manipulate the host cell death and survival pathways to enhance their replication and survival. This manipulation is quite intricate, with pathogens often suppressing cell death to allow replication and then promoting it for dissemination. Frequently, these effects are exerted through modulation of the mitochondrial pro-death, NF-κB–dependent pro-survival, and inflammasome-dependent host cell death pathways during infection. Understanding the molecular details by which bacterial pathogens manipulate cell death pathways will provide insight into new therapeutic approaches to control infection.
The GenoType® MTBDRplus assay for detection of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Sweden
Authors: CHRYSSANTHOU ERJA , ÄNGEBY KRISTIAN
Published: November 2011

Chryssanthou E, Ängeby K. The GenoType® MTBDRplus assay for detection of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Sweden. APMIS 2012; 120: 405–9.

The performance of the GenoType®MTBDRplus assay was compared with conventional drug susceptibility testing (DST) in 604 patients with tuberculosis. The study comprised 477 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates and 127 preparations of DNA from clinical specimens which had been tested positive for M. tuberculosis by COBAS®TaqMan® 48. By DST, isoniazid (INH) monoresistance was diagnosed in 56 (9.3%), rifampicin (RMP) monoresistance in 2 (0.3%) and multidrug resistance (MDR) in 21 (3.5%) of the cases. The sensitivity of the MTBDRplus assay was 87.5%, 100% and 95.2% for INH resistance, RMP resistance and MDR respectively. The specificity was 100% for all resistance patterns. The dominating mutations in RMP and INH resistant isolates were in codon 531 of the rpoB gene and codon 315 of the KatG gene. The turnaround time for detection of drug resistance can be shortened from a median of 21 days for DST to 7 days for the MTBDRplus assay. This may have a significant impact on routine work flow of a mycobacteriology laboratory.
Development and resolution of colitis in mice with target deletion of dipeptidyl peptidase IV
Authors: Detel Dijana , Pugel Ester Pernjak , Pucar Lara Baticic , Buljevic Suncica , Varljen Jadranka
Published: November 2011

A role for dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV/CD26) in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease has been proposed owing to its involvement in immune regulation via its expression on immune cells and ability to cleave biologically active molecules. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of DPP IV/CD26 deficiency on development and resolution of dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis in CD26‐deficient (CD26‐/‐) and wild‐type (C57BL/6) mice. Colitis was characterized by clinical and histological changes and infiltration of immune cells in the colonic mucosa. In the acute phase of colitis, loss of body mass and disease activity in C57BL/6 mice was more intensive than in CD26‐/‐ mice, in spite of similar histopathological changes at the local level. Although acute inflammation induced a significant increase in the number of macrophages and dendritic cells in both mouse strains, in CD26‐/‐ mice the increase of macrophages was twice that in C57BL/6 animals (18.0 ± 4.5 versus 41.3 ± 5.8), whereas the increase in dendritic cells was more pronounced in C57BL/6 mice. In the acute phase of colitis, colonic DPP IV/CD26 activity was significantly decreased in C57BL/6 mice compared with healthy animals. The results of our study reveal that DPP IV/CD26 deficiency affects the onset of clinical symptoms and the specific cells infiltrating at the site of inflammation in CD26‐/‐ animals, suggesting a pathophysiological role of DPP IV/CD26 and providing new insights into the nature of the immune response activated during the development of colitis.
Role of innate immunity and the microbiota in liver fibrosis: crosstalk between the liver and gut
Authors: Seki Ekihiro , Schnabl Bernd
Published: November 2011

Abstract  Liver fibrosis occurs as a wound‐healing scar response following chronic liver inflammation including alcoholic liver disease, non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, viral hepatitis, cholestatic liver disease and autoimmune liver diseases. The liver has a unique vascular system within the gastrointestinal tract, as the majority of the liver's blood supply comes from the intestine through the portal vein. When the intestinal barrier function is disrupted, an increase in intestinal permeability leads to the translocation of intestine‐derived bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and unmethylated CpG containing DNA to the liver via the portal vein. These gut‐derived bacterial products stimulate innate immune receptors, namely Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), in the liver. TLRs are expressed on Kupffer cells, endothelial cells, dendritic cells, biliary epithelial cells, hepatic stellate cells, and hepatocytes. TLRs activate these cells to contribute to acute and chronic liver diseases. This review summarizes recent studies investigating the role of TLRs, intestinal microbiota and bacterial translocation in liver fibrosis, alcoholic liver disease and non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Parental Knowledge Regarding Lifelong Congenital Cardiac Care
Authors: Fernandes Susan M. , Verstappen Amy , Ackerman Kathy , Adams Elizabeth E. , Barton Cheryl , Breitinger Petar , Crumb Stephen , Dummer Kirsten , Harada Kana , Khairy Paul , Landzberg Michael J. , Linstead-Goldsmith Rachel , Meadows Allison K. , Nieves Jo Ann , Saidi Arwa , Takahashi Masato , Zhou Jing , Ziniel Sonja , Williams Roberta ,   the Adult Congenital Cardiac Care Associate Research Network
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To assess parental knowledge regarding lifelong congenital cardiac care (LLCCC).

BACKGROUND:

National guidelines recommend that nearly 50% of adult survivors with congenital heart disease (CHD) receive LLCCC; the number of adults who receive such care seems far less. Inadequate parental knowledge of LLCCC might contribute to care interruption.

METHODS:

In this multicenter study, we administered a questionnaire to parents of children with moderate and complex CHD to assess knowledge of LLCCC.

RESULTS:

A total of 500 parents participated; the median age of their children was 10 years (range: 2–18 years). Most parents (81%) understood that their child would need LLCCC, but only 44% recognized that their child's cardiology care should be guided by an adult congenital heart specialist in adulthood. More than half (59%) of the parents stated that their current cardiology team had never spoken to them about LLCCC, but 96% wished to learn more. Variables associated with parental LLCCC knowledge included previous discussions regarding LLCCC, underlying cardiac surgical diagnosis, and level of parental education.

CONCLUSIONS:

A substantial number of parents of children with moderate and complex CHD lack knowledge about LLCCC, but almost all of them have a desire to learn more about the care their child will need as an adult.
Effects of a Night-Team System on Resident Sleep and Work Hours
Authors: Chua Kao-Ping , Gordon Mary Beth , Sectish Theodore , Landrigan Christopher P.
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:

In 2009, Children's Hospital Boston implemented a night-team system on general pediatric wards to reduce extended work shifts. Residents worked 5 consecutive nights for 1 week and worked day shifts for the remainder of the rotation. Of note, resident staffing at night decreased under this system. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of this system on resident sleep and work hours.

METHODS:

We conducted a prospective cohort study in which residents on the night-team system logged their sleep and work hours on work days. These data were compared with similar data collected in 2004, when there was a traditional call system.

RESULTS:

In 2004 and 2009, mean shift length was 15.22 ± 6.86 and 12.92 ± 5.70 hours, respectively (P = .161). Daily work hours were 10.49 ± 6.85 and 8.79 ± 6.42 hours, respectively (P = .08). Nightly sleep time decreased from 6.72 ± 2.60 to 4.77 ± 2.46 hours (P < .001). Total sleep time decreased from 7.50 ± 3.13 to 5.47 ± 2.34 hours (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Implementation of a night-team system was unexpectedly associated with decreased sleep hours. As residency programs create work schedules that are compliant with the 2011 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education duty-hour standards, resident sleep should be monitored carefully.
Gait Retraining for Runners: In Search of the Ideal
Authors: Heiderscheit Bryan
Published: November 2011

For physical therapists, modifying technique is not a novel concept; however, our motives are typically focused on symptom and injury reduction rather than purely performance. These specific modifications are based on minimizing tissue load, while still enabling successful completion of the task. Applying this same rationale to running, an activity in which up to 80% of participants are injured annually, would seem to be a good thing. Yet the idea of using gait retraining in patients without neurological injury/pathology is rather uncommon. However, a few researchers have investigated specific walking retraining strategies to reduce knee joint loading, with the goal of applying these techniques to individuals with knee osteoarthritis. This has led some to use the same concept on runners with patellofemoral pain, with a corresponding improvement in gait and symptoms.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2011;41(12):909–910. doi:10.2519/jospt.2011.0111
Fiberoptic Headlight
Authors: Loré John M.
Published: November 2011

• I describe an optical system that allows an observer exact visualization of the field seen by an examiner or operator of a fiberoptic headlight.
"THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE U. S. ARMY IN THE WORLD WAR"
Authors: de Schweinitz G. E.
Published: November 2011

To the Editor:

—In a review of "The Medical Department of the United States Army in the World War, Volume XI, Surgery, Part Two" (The Journal, August 30, p. 707), the following sentence occurs: "The section on ophthalmology was prepared by Brig. Gen. George E. de Schweinitz, with the aid of Col. Allen Greenwood." This is a misstatement.

Section III, "Ophthalmology in the United States," was written by Dr. de Schweinitz. His sources of information are recorded in the introduction, and the material help he received from many officers on duty in the various ophthalmic sections of the hospitals in the United States is acknowledged in the references at the end of each chapter.

Section IV, "Ophthalmology in the American Expeditionary Forces," was written by Dr. Allen Greenwood, who was, during his service in France, senior consultant in ophthalmology, A. E. F. The references that conclude each chapter of this
When Diversity in Training Improves Dyadic Problem Solving
Authors: Canham Matthew S. , Wiley Jennifer , Mayer Richard E.
Published: November 2011

Students learned how to solve binomial probability problems from either a procedurally based lesson or a conceptually based lesson and then worked in distributed pairs by using a computer‐based chat environment. Cognitively homogeneous dyads (i.e. both members received the same lesson) performed more accurately on standard problems, whereas cognitively diverse dyads (i.e. each member received a different lesson) performed more accurately on transfer problems. The cognitively homogeneous dyads perceived a greater sense of common ground with their partner, but spent a greater proportion of their time communicating about low‐level details (e.g. message verification) whereas the cognitively diverse dyads spent a greater proportion of their time on high‐level discussion (e.g. solution development). Results help to clarify that common training leads to more positive perceptions of collaboration, but only improves performance on problems that are highly similar to those experienced during training, whereas diverse training improves the ability of a dyad to perform well in new situations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ones Catalyzed by Br?nsted‐acidic Ionic Liquids as Highly Efficient and Reusable Catalysts
Authors: Tavakoli‐Hoseini Niloofar , Moloudi Raheleh , Davoodnia Abolghasem , Shaker Mohammad
Published: November 2011

A convenient and efficient method for the synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ones via heterocyclization reaction of 5‐amino‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamides with triethyl orthoesters using two Br?nsted‐acidic ionic liquids, 3‐methyl‐1‐(4‐sulfonic acid)butylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate [MIM+(CH2)4SO3H][HSO4−] or N‐(4‐sulfonic acid)butyl triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate [Et3N+(CH2)4SO3H][HSO4−], as efficient homogeneous catalysts under solvent‐free conditions is described.
The Ego Resiliency Scale Revised
Authors: Alessandri Guido , Vecchione Michele , Caprara Gianvittorio , Letzring Tera D.
Published: November 2011

The present study examined the crosscultural generalizability of the latent structure of the ER89-R, a brief self-report scale that measures ego-resiliency with subjective self-ratings. First, we investigated the measurement invariance of the scale across three Western cultures, namely, Italy (n = 1,020), Spain (n = 452), and the United States (n = 808). Next, we examined the correlations of the ER89-R scale with several measures of adjustment and maladjustment. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis provided evidence of partial configural, metric, and scalar invariance across Italy, Spain, and the United States. Overall, the correlation patterns were stable across countries and sex, with some exceptions. As expected, higher levels of ego-resiliency were strongly and consistently associated with the positive poles of the Big Five. Moreover, ego-resiliency showed a positive correlation with psychological well-being in each country, and negative relations with depression in Spain and Italy, but not in the United States. In light of these results, the potential usefulness and applicability of the ER89-R scale are advanced and discussed.
X-ray interference effects on the determination of structural data in ultrathin La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 epitaxial thin films
Authors: Pesquera D. , Marti X. , Holy V. , Bachelet R. , Herranz G. , Fontcuberta J.
Published: November 2011

We analyze x-ray diffraction data to extract cell parameters of ultrathin films on closely matching substrates. We focus on epitaxial La2/3Sr1/3MnO3 films grown on (001) SrTiO3 single crystalline substrates. It will be shown that, due to extremely high structural similarity of film and substrate, the data analysis must explicitly consider the distinct phase of the diffracted waves by substrate and films to extract reliable unit cell parameters. The implications of this finding for the understanding of strain effects in ultrathin films and interfaces will be underlined.
Subversion of membrane transport pathways by vacuolar pathogens
Authors: Alix Eric , Mukherjee Shaeri , Roy Craig R.
Published: November 2011

Mammalian phagocytes control bacterial infections effectively through phagocytosis, the process by which particles engulfed at the cell surface are transported to lysosomes for destruction. However, intracellular pathogens have evolved mechanisms to avoid this fate. Many bacterial pathogens use specialized secretion systems to deliver proteins into host cells that subvert signaling pathways controlling membrane transport. These bacterial effectors modulate the function of proteins that regulate membrane transport and alter the phospholipid content of membranes. Elucidating the biochemical function of these effectors has provided a greater understanding of how bacteria control membrane transport to create a replicative niche within the host and provided insight into the regulation of membrane transport in eukaryotic cells.
RON is associated with tumor progression via the inhibition of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human gastric cancer
Authors: Song Young‐A. , Park Young‐Lan , Kim Kyu‐Yeol , Myung Eun , Chung Cho‐Yun , Cho Sung‐Bum , Lee Wan‐Sik , Jung Young‐Do , Kweon Sun‐Seog , Joo Young‐Eun
Published: November 2011

The recepteur d'origine nantais (RON) receptor tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in epithelial cancers, including gastric cancer. The aims of the present study were to evaluate whether RON affects tumor cell behaviors and oncogenic signaling pathways, and to document the relationship of its expression with various clinicopathological parameters in gastric cancer. The biological role of RON in tumor cell behaviors and oncogenic signaling pathways was investigated by using small interfering RNA in gastric cancer cell lines including AGS and MKN28. The expression of RON in gastric cancer tissues was investigated by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Knockdown of RON suppressed tumor cell migration and invasion in AGS and MKN28, induced apoptosis through modulation of anti‐apoptotic and pre‐apoptotic genes and induced cell cycle arrest by decreasing cyclin D1, cyclin D3 and CDK4, and by inducing p21 and p27 expression. Signaling cascades, including Akt and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), were significantly blocked by knockdown of RON. Expression of RON was significantly associated with tumor size, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, tumor stage and poor survival. These results indicate that RON is associated with tumor progression via the inhibition of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human gastric cancer.
Evidence of interaction betweenSirex noctilioand other species inhabiting the bole ofPinus
Authors: Ryan Kathleen , de Groot Peter , Smith Sandy M.
Published: November 2011

Sirex noctiliois a woodwasp native to Eurasia and Northern Africa and has recently been found infesting pines in eastern North America. Its pest status in this new range is not yet known, although it is an important pest in other areas where it has been introduced.Pinusspp. in North America are hosts to several native and alien species of subcortical insects. Interactions between the woodwasp and these species may influence its distribution or the characteristics of its life history, thus affecting its population dynamics over time.

SixtyS. noctilio‐infestedPinusspp. were felled in Ontario, Canada, and all phloem‐feeding and woodboring insects were collected and identified from each 1‐m section of the tree.

Sirex noctiliowas in a tree alone 10% of the time but commonly shared the tree with subcortical beetles, such asTomicus piniperda,Pissodes nemorensis,Ips grandicollis,Gnathotrichus materiariusandMonochamus carolinensis. The woodwasp was distributed throughout the tree stem and this distribution overlapped with that of the beetles.

Fewer but largerS. noctiliomales emerged from trees with beetles compared with those without, although there was no statistical difference in females.

These findings suggest that co‐habiting beetles could negatively affectS. noctiliopopulation dynamics over time. The potential mechanisms for this interaction are discussed.
Impact of wild ungulate grazing on Orthoptera abundance and diversity in subalpine grasslands
Authors: SPALINGER LENA C. , HAYNES ALAN G. , SCHÜTZ MARTIN , RISCH ANITA C.
Published: November 2011

Abstract.  1. Grasslands cover approximately 40% of the Earth’s terrestrial landscape, supporting large communities of vertebrate and invertebrate herbivores. Orthoptera play an important role, consuming relatively large amounts of biomass. Their occurrence can be strongly affected by habitat diversity and structure, which can be shaped by large herbivores. Several studies have focused on the impact of livestock on Orthoptera communities, but little is known about how wild ungulates influence the abundance and diversity of these insects in grassland ecosystems.

2. We studied Orthoptera abundance and diversity in subalpine grasslands in the Swiss Alps, where grazing by red deer and chamois has created a mosaic of short‐ and tall‐grass patches. Data on vegetation structure, habitat diversity and plant nitrogen (N) content allowed us to consider how these parameters affected the occurrence of Orthoptera at our study sites.

3. We found a total of nine Orthoptera species with an average density of 2.6 individuals m−2. Neither Orthoptera abundance nor diversity differed between short‐ and tall‐grass patches created by large ungulates. Both Orthoptera abundance and diversity were, however, positively influenced by increasing vegetation height, but negatively by increasing habitat diversity within patches. Increasing plant N content promoted a more even spread of species within the insect assemblage on short‐ but not on tall‐grass patches.

4. Large‐scale habitat alteration by wild ungulates had no direct effect on the abundance and diversity of Orthoptera. However, we observed that they indirectly affected Orthoptera abundance and diversity by altering plant N content and the structure of the habitat at small scales.
Action potential‐triggered somatic exocytosis in mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus neurons in rat brain slices
Authors: Zhang Bo , Zhang Xiao‐Yu , Luo Pi‐Fu , Huang Wei , Zhu Fei‐Peng , Liu Tao , Du Yi‐Ru , Wu Qi‐Hui , Lü Jin , Xiu Yun , Liu Li‐Na , Huang Hong‐Ping , Guo Shu , Zheng Hui , Zhang Claire Xi , Zhou Zhuan
Published: November 2011

Non‐technical summary  Ca2+‐regulated axon terminal exocytosis is essential for neuronal communication in the CNS. Besides, the somata may also undergo Ca2+‐dependent exocytosis in some neurons in the brain. In the present work we recorded activity/Ca2+‐dependent secretion in somata of the mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (MeV). Following nerve activity, somatic secretion signals are recorded as changes in membrane surface area, as measured by the membrane capacitance. The depolarization‐induced somatic exocytosis correlates with transient reduction in the GABA‐mediated postsynaptic currents. These results implicated that the somatic secretion may play a role in bidirectional communication between pre‐ and post‐connected neurons in the sensory MeV brain slice neurons.
Compact tool for deposition of composition spread alloy films
Authors: Priyadarshini Deepika , Kondratyuk Petro , Miller James B. , Gellman Andrew J.
Published: November 2011

Composition spread alloy films (CSAFs) are combinatorial materials libraries that contain broad, continuous composition ranges of binary or higher-order alloys on a single, compact substrate. When characterized for composition and functional properties using spatially resolved methods, CSAF libraries enable rapid determination of composition-property relationships across broad continuous regions of alloy composition space. In this report, we describe the design and operation of a novel offset filament deposition tool for preparation of CSAFs. The spatial distribution of individual alloy component fluxes to the substrate surface, and thus the film composition across the substrate, is controlled by the location and temperature of chemically distinct evaporative line sources. The tool can be used for quantitative deposition of thin (≤100 nm) CSAFs with up to four components. The authors demonstrate the performance of the tool by applying it to preparation of 100 nm thick Pd-Cu CSAFs, with lateral composition gradients that span the range Cu0.05Pd0.95 to Cu0.95Pd0.05, on a 12 mm diameter Mo(110) substrate.
In Vivo
Expression of Helicobacter pylori Virulence Genes in Patients with Gastritis, Ulcer, and Gastric Cancer
Authors: Avilés-Jiménez Francisco , Reyes-Leon Adriana , Nieto-Patlán Erik , Hansen Lori M. , Burgueño Juan , Ramos Irma P. , Camorlinga-Ponce Margarita , Bermúdez Hector , Blancas Juan M. , Cabrera Lourdes , Ribas-Aparicio Rosa María , Solnick Jay V. , Torres-López Javier
Published: November 2011

The best-studied
Helicobacter pylori
virulence factor associated with development of peptic ulcer disease or gastric cancer (GC) rather than asymptomatic nonatrophic gastritis (NAG) is the
cag
pathogenicity island (
cag
PAI), which encodes a type IV secretion system (T4SS) that injects the CagA oncoprotein into host epithelial cells. Here we used real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) to measure the
in vivo
expression of genes on the
cag
PAI and of other virulence genes in patients with NAG, duodenal ulcer (DU), or GC.
In vivo
expression of
H. pylori
virulence genes was greater overall in gastric biopsy specimens of patients with GC than in those of patients with NAG or DU. However, since
in vitro
expression of
cagA
was not greater in
H. pylori
strains from patients with GC than in those from patients with NAG or DU, increased expression in GC
in vivo
is likely a result of environmental conditions in the gastric mucosa, though it may in turn cause more severe pathology. Increased expression of virulence genes in GC may represent a stress response to elevated pH or other environmental conditions in the stomach of patients with GC, which may be less hospitable to
H. pylori
colonization than the acidic environment in patients with NAG or DU.
Sex Differences in the Pressor and Tubuloglomerular Feedback Response to Angiotensin II
Authors: Brown Russell D. , Hilliard Lucinda M. , Head Geoffrey A. , Jones Emma S. , Widdop Robert E. , Denton Kate M.
Published: November 2011

Awareness of sex differences in the pathology of cardiovascular disease is increasing. Previously, we have shown a role for the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT
2
R) in the sex differences in the arterial pressure response to Ang II. Tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) contributes in setting pressure-natriuresis properties, and its responsiveness is closely coupled to renal Ang II levels. We hypothesize that, in females, the attenuated pressor response to Ang II is mediated via an enhanced AT
2
R mechanism that, in part, offsets Ang II–induced sensitization of the TGF mechanism. Mean arterial pressure was measured via telemetry in male and female wild-type (WT) and AT
2
R knockout (AT
2
R-KO) mice receiving Ang II (600 ng/kg per minute SC). Basal 24-hour mean arterial pressure did not differ among the 4 groups. After 10 days of Ang II infusion, mean arterial pressure increased in the male WT (28±6 mm Hg), male AT
2
R-KO (26±2 mm Hg), and female AT
2
R-KO (26±4 mm Hg) mice, however, the response was attenuated in female WT mice (12±4 mm Hg;
P
between sex and genotype=0.016). TGF characteristics were determined before and during acute subpressor Ang II infusion (100 ng/kg per minute IV). Basal TGF responses did not differ between groups. The expected increase in maximal change in stop-flow pressure and enhancement of TGF sensitivity in response to Ang II was observed in the male WT, male AT
2
R-KO, and female AT
2
R-KO but not in the female WT mice (
P
between sex and genotype <0.05; both). In conclusion, these data indicate that an enhanced AT
2
R-mediated pathway counterbalances the hypertensive effects of Ang II and attenuates the Ang II–dependent resetting of TGF activity in females. Thus, the enhancement of the AT
2
R may, in part, underlie the protection that premenopausal women demonstrate against cardiovascular disease.
Pathways to Resilience
Authors: Miller Gregory E. , Lachman Margie E. , Chen Edith , Gruenewald Tara L. , Karlamangla Arun S. , Seeman Teresa E.
Published: November 2011

Children raised in families with low socioeconomic status (SES) go on to have high rates of chronic illness in adulthood. However, a sizable minority of low-SES children remain healthy across the life course, which raises questions about the factors associated with, and potentially responsible for, such resilience. Using a sample of 1,205 middle-aged Americans, we explored whether two characteristics—upward socioeconomic mobility and early parental nurturance—were associated with resilience to the health effects of childhood disadvantage. The primary outcome in our analyses was the presence of metabolic syndrome in adulthood. Results revealed that low childhood SES was associated with higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome at midlife, independently of traditional risk factors. Despite this pattern, half the participants raised in low-SES households were free of metabolic syndrome at midlife. Upward social mobility was not associated with resilience to metabolic syndrome. However, results were consistent with a buffering scenario, in which high levels of maternal nurturance offset the metabolic consequences of childhood disadvantage.
Leaning to the Left Makes the Eiffel Tower Seem Smaller
Authors: Eerland Anita , Guadalupe Tulio M. , Zwaan Rolf A.
Published: November 2011

In two experiments, we investigated whether body posture influences people’s estimation of quantities. According to the mental-number-line theory, people mentally represent numbers along a line with smaller numbers on the left and larger numbers on the right. We hypothesized that surreptitiously making people lean to the right or to the left would affect their quantitative estimates. Participants answered estimation questions while standing on a Wii Balance Board. Posture was manipulated within subjects so that participants answered some questions while they leaned slightly to the left, some questions while they leaned slightly to the right, and some questions while they stood upright. Crucially, participants were not aware of this manipulation. Estimates were significantly smaller when participants leaned to the left than when they leaned to the right.
Practicing What We Teach
Authors: Ruppert Bryan , Green David A.
Published: November 2011

The authors investigate the importance of instructor communication behaviors in a course on business communication, arguing that alignment between instructor behaviors and the precepts of the discipline has a pronounced effect on perceived instructor credibility in this field. Student evaluations were analyzed qualitatively for their comments on instructor communication behaviors and quantitatively for the ratings students gave their instructors. This suggests a relationship between the two. The authors outline two classroom exercises to help students develop best practice in business communication, while also enhancing instructors’ credibility by showing how they apply best practice in their own documents.
Post-transcriptional modification of spliceosomal RNAs is normal in SMN-deficient cells
Authors: Deryusheva Svetlana , Choleza Maria , Barbarossa Adrien , Gall Joseph G. , Bordonné Rémy
Published: November 2011

The survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein plays an important role in the biogenesis of spliceosomal snRNPs and is one factor required for the integrity of nuclear Cajal bodies (CBs). CBs are enriched in small CB-specific (sca) RNAs, which guide the formation of pseudouridylated and 2′-O-methylated residues in the snRNAs. Because SMN-deficient cells lack typical CBs, we asked whether the modification of internal residues of major and minor snRNAs is defective in these cells. We mapped modified nucleotides in the major U2 and the minor U4atac and U12 snRNAs. Using both radioactive and fluorescent primer extension approaches, we found that modification of major and minor spliceosomal snRNAs is normal in SMN-deficient cells. Our experiments also revealed a previously undetected pseudouridine at position 60 in human U2 and 2′-O-methylation of A1, A2, and G19 in human U4atac. These results confirm, and extend to minor snRNAs, previous experiments showing that scaRNPs can function in the absence of typical CBs. Furthermore, they show that the differential splicing defects in SMN-deficient cells are not due to failure of post-transcriptional modification of either major or minor snRNAs.
Concordance, Variance, and Outliers in 4 Contemporary Cardiac Troponin Assays: Implications for Harmonization
Authors: Ungerer Jacobus P J , Marquart Louise , O'Rourke Peter K , Wilgen Urs , Pretorius Carel J
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND

Data to standardize and harmonize the differences between cardiac troponin assays are needed to support their universal status in diagnosis of myocardial infarction. We characterized the variation between methods, the comparability of the 99th-percentile cutoff thresholds, and the occurrence of outliers in 4 cardiac troponin assays.

METHODS

Cardiac troponin was measured in duplicate in 2358 patient samples on 4 platforms: Abbott Architect i2000SR, Beckman Coulter Access2, Roche Cobas e601, and Siemens ADVIA Centaur XP.

RESULTS

The observed total variances between the 3 cardiac troponin I (cTnI) methods and between the cTnI and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) methods were larger than expected from the analytical imprecision (3.0%–3.7%). The between-method variations of 26% between cTnI assays and 127% between cTnI and cTnT assays were the dominant contributors to total variances. The misclassification of results according to the 99th percentile was 3%–4% between cTnI assays and 15%–17% between cTnI and cTnT. The Roche cTnT assay identified 49% more samples as positive than the Abbott cTnI. Outliers between methods were detected in 1 patient (0.06%) with Abbott, 8 (0.45%) with Beckman Coulter, 10 (0.56%) with Roche, and 3 (0.17%) with Siemens.

CONCLUSIONS

The universal definition of myocardial infarction should not depend on the choice of analyte or analyzer, and the between- and within-method differences described here need to be considered in the application of cardiac troponin in this respect. The variation between methods that cannot be explained by analytical imprecision and the discordant classification of results according to the respective 99th percentiles should be addressed.
Quality Control of Soil Compaction Using ASTM Standards
Authors:   Committee D18 on Soil and Rock
Published: November 2011

Description

Get the latest information on the proper application of ASTM standards for soil compaction for various earthworks.

Soil compaction is a critical part of most engineered structures that use the earth or soil as a foundation or a base for support. The soil’s engineering properties, including strength, compressibility, and permeability, can be improved and become more predictable with the proper degree of compaction. The soil may also be a major structural component, as in the case of earth fill dams, levees or dikes, high road fills, and other embankments.

Unique to Manual 70 is the combination of established soil mechanics engineering fundamentals and the discussions on using the latest ASTM standards related to those fundamentals.
Male Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Care
Authors: Marcell Arik V. , Wibbelsman Charles , Seigel Warren M. ,   the Committee on Adolescence
Published: November 2011

Male adolescents' sexual and reproductive health needs often go unmet in the primary care setting. This report discusses specific issues related to male adolescents' sexual and reproductive health care in the context of primary care, including pubertal and sexual development, sexual behavior, consequences of sexual behavior, and methods of preventing sexually transmitted infections (including HIV) and pregnancy. Pediatricians are encouraged to address male adolescent sexual and reproductive health on a regular basis, including taking a sexual history, performing an appropriate examination, providing patient-centered and age-appropriate anticipatory guidance, and delivering appropriate vaccinations. Pediatricians should provide these services to male adolescent patients in a confidential and culturally appropriate manner, promote healthy sexual relationships and responsibility, and involve parents in age-appropriate discussions about sexual health with their sons.
Developing a Nano‐Biosensor for DNA Hybridization Using a New Electroactive Label
Authors: Raoof Jahan Bakhsh , Ojani Reza , Ebrahimi Maryam , Hamidi‐Asl Ezat
Published: November 2011

Development of electrochemical DNA hybridization biosensors based on carbon paste electrode (CPE) and gold nanoparticle modified carbon paste electrode (NGMCPE) as transducers and ethyl green (EG) as a new electroactive label is described. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry techniques were applied for the investigation and comparison of bare CPE and NGMCPE surfaces. Our voltammetric and spectroscopic studies showed gold nanoparticles are enable to facilitate electron transfer between the accumulated label on DNA probe modified electrode and electrode surface and enhance the electrical signals and lead to an improved detection limit. The immobilization of a 15‐mer single strand oligonucleotide probe on the working electrodes and hybridization event between the probe and its complementary sequence as a target were investigated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) responses of the EG accumulated on the electrodes. The effects of some experimental variables on the performance of the biosensors were investigated and optimum conditions were suggested. The selectivity of the biosensors was studied using some non‐complementary oligonucleotides. Finally the detection limits were calculated as 1.35×10−10 mol/L and 5.16×10−11 mol/L on the CPE and NEGCPE, respectively. In addition, the biosensors exhibited a good selectivity, reproducibility and stability for the determination of DNA sequences.