bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endometrial stromal beta-catenin is required for steroid-dependent mesenchymal-epithelial cross talk and decidualization
Authors: Zhang Ling , Patterson Amanda L , Zhang Lihua , Teixeira Jose M , Pru James K
Published: September 2012

Background

Beta-catenin is part of a protein complex associated with adherens junctions. When allowed to accumulate to sufficient levels in its dephosphorylated form, beta-catenin serves as a transcriptional co-activator associated with a number of signaling pathways, including steroid hormone signaling pathways.

Methods

To investigate the role of beta-catenin in progesterone (P4) signaling and female reproductive physiology, conditional ablation of Ctnnb1 from the endometrial mesenchymal (i.e. stromal and myometrial), but not epithelial, compartment was accomplished using the Amhr2-Cre mice. Experiments were conducted to assess the ability of mutant female mice to undergo pregnancy and pseudopregnancy by or through oil-induced decidualization. The ability of uteri from mutant female mice to respond to estrogen (E2) and P4 was also determined.

Results

Conditional deletion of Ctnnb1 from the mesenchymal compartment of the uterus resulted in infertility stemming, in part, from complete failure of the uterus to decidualize. E2-stimulated epithelial cell mitosis and edematization were not altered in mutant uteri indicating that the mesenchyme is capable of responding to E2. However, exposure of ovariectomized mutant female mice to a combined E2 and P4 hormone regimen consistent with early pregnancy revealed that mesenchymal beta-catenin is essential for indirectly opposing E2-induced epithelial proliferation by P4 and in some mice resulted in development of endometrial metaplasia. Lastly, beta-catenin is also required for the induced expression of genes that are known to play a fundamental role in decidualization such as Ihh, Ptch1, Gli1 and Muc1

Conclusions

Three salient points derive from these studies. First, the findings demonstrate a mechanistic linkage between the P4 and beta-catenin signaling pathways. Second, they highlight an under appreciated role for the mesenchymal compartment in indirectly mediating P4 signaling to the epithelium, a process that intimately involves mesenchymal beta-catenin. Third, the technical feasibility of deleting genes in the mesenchymal compartment of the uterus in an effort to understand decidualization and post-natal interactions with the overlying epithelium has been demonstrated. It is concluded that beta-catenin plays an integral role in selective P4-directed epithelial-mesenchymal communication in both the estrous cycling and gravid uterus.
Unique and differential protein signatures within the mononuclear cells of HIV-1 and HCV mono-infected and co-infected patients
Authors: Boukli Nawal M , Shetty Vivekananda , Cubano Luis , Ricaurte Martha , Coelho-dos-Reis Jordana , Nickens Zacharie , Shah Punit , Talal Andrew H , Philip Ramila , Jain Pooja
Published: September 2012

Background

Pathogenesis of liver damage in patients with HIV and HCV co-infection is complex and multifactorial. Although global awareness regarding HIV-1/HCV co-infection is increasing little is known about the pathophysiology that mediates the rapid progression to hepatic disease in the co-infected individuals.

Results

In this study, we investigated the proteome profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HIV-1 mono-, HCV mono-, and HIV-1/HCV co-infected patients. The results of high-resolution 2D gel electrophoresis and PD quest software quantitative analysis revealed that several proteins were differentially expressed in HIV-1, HCV, and HIV-1/HCV co-infection. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and Mascot database matching (LC-MS/MS analysis) successfully identified 29 unique and differentially expressed proteins. These included cytoskeletal proteins (tropomyosin, gelsolin, DYPLSL3, DYPLSL4 and profilin-1), chaperones and co-chaperones (HSP90-beta and stress-induced phosphoprotein), metabolic and pre-apoptotic proteins (guanosine triphosphate [GTP]-binding nuclear protein Ran, the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST) and Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor (Rho-GDI), proteins involved in cell prosurvival mechanism, and those involved in matrix synthesis (collagen binding protein 2 [CBP2]). The six most significant and relevant proteins were further validated in a group of mono- and co-infected patients (n = 20) at the transcriptional levels.

Conclusions

The specific pro- and anti- apoptotic protein signatures revealed in this study could facilitate the understanding of apoptotic and protective immune-mediated mechanisms underlying HIV-1 and HCV co-infection and their implications on liver disease progression in co-infected patients.
Biomimetic multi-resolution analysis for robust speaker recognition
Authors: Nemala Sridhar Krishna , Zotkin Dmitry N , Duraiswami Ramani , Elhilali Mounya
Published: September 2012

Humans exhibit a remarkable ability to reliably classify sound sources in the environment even in presence of high levels of noise. In contrast, most engineering systems suffer a drastic drop in performance when speech signals are corrupted with channel or background distortions. Our brains are equipped with elaborate machinery for speech analysis and feature extraction, which hold great lessons for improving the performance of automatic speech processing systems under adverse conditions. The work presented here explores a biologically-motivated multi-resolution speaker information representation obtained by performing an intricate yet computationally-efficient analysis of the information-rich spectro-temporal attributes of the speech signal. We evaluate the proposed features in a speaker verification task performed on NIST SRE 2010 data. The biomimetic approach yields significant robustness in presence of non-stationary noise and reverberation, offering a new framework for deriving reliable features for speaker recognition and speech processing.
Prognostic value of pretreatment and recovery duration of cranial nerve palsy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Mo Hao-Yuan , Sun Rui , Sun Jian , Zhang Qing , Huang Wen-Jin , Li Yan-Xian , Yang Jing , Mai Hai-Qiang
Published: September 2012

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of cranial nerve (CN) palsy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on CN involvement using medical records of 178 consecutive patients with histologically diagnosed, non-disseminated NPC.

Results

In 178 NPC patients with CN palsy, the 5-year survival rates were as follows: overall survival (OS), 61.0%; disease-specific survival (DSS), 69.6%; local relapse-free survival (LRFS), 75.2%; distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), 73.4%; and disease-free survival (DFS), 55.3%. Significant differences were observed in the 5-year OS rates between patients with single and multiple CN palsy (69.8% vs. 54.3%; P = 0.033) and the OS rates between patients with different pretreatment durations (68.7% vs. 43.3%, P = 0.007). However, no significant differences were observed in OS, DSS, LRFS and DFS rates between patients with upper and lower CN palsy (P = 0.581, P = 0.792, P = 0.729 and P = 0.212, respectively). The results showed that recovery duration was an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR = 2.485; P < 0.001), DSS (HR = 2.065; P = 0.016), LRFS (HR = 3.051; P = 0.001) and DFS (HR = 2.440; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Recovery duration is an independent prognostic factor for NPC patients with CN palsy and is related to recurrence, which leads to poor survival. Recovery duration requires close surveillance and different treatment regimens.
Reference percentiles for FEV1 and BMI in European children and adults with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Boëlle Pierre-Yves , Viviani Laura , Busson Pierre-Francois , Olesen Hanne V , Ravilly Sophie , Stern Martin , Assael Baroukh M , Barreto Celeste , Drevinek Pavel , Thomas Muriel , Krivec Uros , Mei-Zahav Meir , Vibert Jean-François , Clement Annick , Mehta Anil , Corvol Harriet
Published: September 2012

Background

The clinical course of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is usually measured using the percent predicted FEV1 and BMI Z-score referenced against a healthy population, since achieving normality is the ultimate goal of CF care. Referencing against age and sex matched CF peers may provide valuable information for patients and for comparison between CF centers or populations. Here, we used a large database of European CF patients to compute CF specific reference equations for FEV1 and BMI, derived CF-specific percentile charts and compared these European data to their nearest international equivalents.

Methods

34859 FEV1 and 40947 BMI observations were used to compute European CF specific percentiles. Quantile regression was applied to raw measurements as a function of sex, age and height. Results were compared with the North American equivalent for FEV1 and with the WHO 2007 normative values for BMI.

Results

FEV1 and BMI percentiles illustrated the large variability between CF patients receiving the best current care. The European CF specific percentiles for FEV1 were significantly different from those in the USA from an earlier era, with higher lung function in Europe. The CF specific percentiles for BMI declined relative to the WHO standard in older children. Lung function and BMI were similar in the two largest contributing European Countries (France and Germany).

Conclusion

The CF specific percentile approach applied to FEV
1
and BMI allows referencing patients with respect to their peers. These data allow peer to peer and population comparisons in CF patients.
Twenty-year cytogenetic and molecular follow-up of a patient with ring chromosome 15: a case report
Authors: Guilherme Roberta S , Meloni Vera de FA , Takeno Sylvia S , Pellegrino Renata , Brunoni Decio , Kulikowski Leslie D , Melaragno Maria I
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Ring chromosome 15 is a rare disorder, with only a few over 40 cases reported in the literature. There are only two previous reports of cases where patients with ring chromosome 15 have been followed-up.

Case presentation

We report here on the 20-year clinical and cytogenetic follow-up of a patient with a ring chromosome 15. Our patient, a Caucasoid Asian woman, presented with short stature, microcephaly, minor dysmorphic features, hyperextensible knees, generalized hirsutism, café-au-lait and small hypochromic spots spread over her face and the front of her chest and abdomen, dorsolumbar scoliosis and mild intellectual disability. She was followed-up from the age of eight to 28 years. When she was 27 years old, she was reported by her mother to present with compulsive overeating and an aggressive mood when challenged. Karyotyping revealed that the majority of her cells harbored one normal chromosome and one ring chromosome. Silver staining revealed the presence of the nucleolar organizer region in the ring chromosome. Ring loss and/or secondary aberrations exhibited a slight increase over time, from 4.67% in 1989 to 7.67% in 2009, with the presence of two monocentric rings, cells with interlocked rings, a dicentric ring, and broken or open rings. A genome-wide array technique detected a 5.5Mb deletion in 15q26.2.

Conclusions

We observed that some phenotypic alterations in our patient can be associated with gene loss and haploinsufficiency. Other features may be related to different factors, including ring instability and epigenetic factors.
Bovine fasciolosis at increasing altitudes: Parasitological and malacological sampling on the slopes of Mount Elgon, Uganda
Authors: Howell Alison , Mugisha Lawrence , Davies Juliet , LaCourse E James , Claridge Jennifer , Williams Diana JL , Kelly-Hope Louise , Betson Martha , Kabatereine Narcis B , Stothard J Russell
Published: September 2012

Background

To clarify the extent and putative transmission zone of bovine fasciolosis on the slopes of Mount Elgon, Uganda, conjoint parasitological and malacological surveys, inclusive of inspection of animals at slaughter, were undertaken at increasing altitudes.

Results

A total of 239 cattle were sampled across eight locations ranging in elevation from 1112-2072 m. Faecal material was examined for presence of Fasciola eggs and sera were tested by ELISA for antibodies against Fasciola antigens. Bolstering this, 38 cattle at slaughter from 2 abattoir sites at 1150 m and 1947 m were inspected; in addition, wild buffalo stool (n = 10) opportunistically picked within Mount Elgon National Park (MENP) at 3640 m was examined. By faecal egg detection, prevalence of Fasciola gigantica at low (<1500 m) and high (>1500 m) altitude sites was 43.7% (95% CI 35.4-52.2) and 1.1% (95% CI 0.0-6.0), respectively, while by ELISA was much higher, low altitude - 77.9% (95% CI 69.7-85.4) and high altitude - 64.5% (95% CI 51.3-76.3). The decline in prevalence with increasing altitude was corroborated by abattoir sampling. Thirty seven aquatic habitats, ranging from 1139-3937 m in altitude were inspected for freshwater snails, 12 of which were within MENP. At lower altitudes, Lymnaea (Radix) natalensis was common, and often abundant, but at higher altitudes became much rarer ceasing to be found above 1800 m. On the other hand, Lymnaea (Galba) truncatula was found only at altitudes above 3000 m and within MENP alone. The snail identifications were confirmed by DNA analysis of the ribosomal 18S gene.

Conclusions

Active infections of F. gigantica in cattle are common in lower altitude settings but appear to diminish with increasing elevation. This is likely due to a growing paucity of intermediate hosts, specifically populations of L. natalensis for which a natural boundary of 1800 m appeared. Although F. hepatica was not encountered, the presence of several populations of L. truncatula at elevations over 3000 m point towards a potential transmission zone within MENP should this parasite be introduced.
Classification of human genomic regions based on experimentally determined binding sites of more than 100 transcription-related factors
Authors: Yip Kevin Y , Cheng Chao , Bhardwaj Nitin , Brown James B , Leng Jing , Kundaje Anshul , Rozowsky Joel , Birney Ewan , Bickel Peter , Snyder Michael , Gerstein Mark
Published: September 2012

Background

Transcription factors function by binding different classes of regulatory elements. The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project has recently produced binding data for more than 100 transcription factors from about 500 ChIP-seq experiments in multiple cell types. While this large amount of data creates a valuable resource, it is nonetheless overwhelmingly complex and simultaneously incomplete since it covers only a small fraction of all human transcription factors.

Results

As part of the consortium effort in providing a concise abstraction of the data for facilitating various types of downstream analyses, we constructed statistical models that capture the genomic features of three paired types of regions by machine-learning methods: firstly, regions with active or inactive binding; secondly, those with extremely high or low degrees of co-binding, termed HOT and LOT regions; and finally, regulatory modules proximal or distal to genes. From the distal regulatory modules, we developed computational pipelines to identify potential enhancers, many of which were validated experimentally. We further associated the predicted enhancers with potential target transcripts and the transcription factors involved. For HOT regions, we found a significant fraction of transcription factor binding without clear sequence motifs and showed that this observation could be related to strong DNA accessibility of these regions.

Conclusions

Overall, the three pairs of regions exhibit intricate differences in chromosomal locations, chromatin features, factors that bind them, and cell-type specificity. Our machine learning approach enables us to identify features potentially general to all transcription factors, including those not included in the data.
Elastic finite-difference modeling of volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits: A case study from Half Mile Lake, New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Bellefleur Gilles , Malehmir Alireza , Müller Christof
Published: September 2012

We present elastic finite-difference modeling results over a geologically realistic 2D representation of the Half Mile Lake volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposit, New Brunswick, Canada. The model is constrained by geologic information from surface mapping and boreholes, whereas petrophysical properties are provided by wireline logging data acquired in two boreholes intersecting different parts of the deposit. We analyzed the P-P, P-S, S-P, and S-S responses of the lower and deep mineralized zones and assessed some compositional effects by substituting massive sulfides with gabbro properties in the model. Finite-difference modeling results predict complex scattering signature associated with the lower and deep sulfide zones. Both zones scattered back P-P, P-S, S-P, and S-S waves generally having strongest amplitudes in the stratigraphy down-dip direction. The P-S, S-P, and S-S scattered waves, if properly recorded on multicomponent data, represent useful signal that could help the targeting of deep sulfide mineralization. Finite-difference simulations further reveal phase-reversals on P-P wavefields scattered at the lower and deep zones. The phase reversals are not observed for gabbro inclusions, suggesting that this signature could be used to discriminate gabbro units from sulfide mineralization. The finite-difference simulation successfully reproduces many events of the VSP data, in particular P-S and S-S events on the radial component and P-P and S-P events on the vertical component. Comparison with 3D data is rather poor and only shows weak correlation with P-P events from the lower and deep zones. Despite the poor correlation, a prestack time migrated S-P section displays an amplitude anomaly at the location of the deep zone, suggesting that S-P waves were recorded on the 3D data, although this survey was acquired with explosive sources and vertical geophones.
Seismic methods in mineral exploration and mine planning: A general overview of past and present case histories and a look into the future
Authors: Malehmir Alireza , Durrheim Raymond , Bellefleur Gilles , Urosevic Milovan , Juhlin Christopher , White Donald John , Milkereit Bernd , Campbell Geoff
Published: September 2012

Due to high metal prices and increased difficulties in finding shallower deposits, the exploration for and exploitation of mineral resources is expected to move to greater depths. Consequently, seismic methods will become a more important tool to help unravel structures hosting mineral deposits at great depth for mine planning and exploration. These methods also can be used with varying degrees of success to directly target mineral deposits at depth. We review important contributions that have been made in developing these techniques for the mining industry with focus on four main regions: Australia, Europe, Canada, and South Africa. A wide range of case studies are covered, including some that are published in the special issue accompanying this article, from surface to borehole seismic methods, as well as petrophysical data and seismic modeling of mineral deposits. At present, high-resolution 2D surveys mostly are performed in mining areas, but there is a general increasing trend in the use of 3D seismic methods, especially in mature mining camps.
Realism and the Irish Immigrant: Documentary, Fiction, and Postwar Irish Labor
Authors: Wills Clair
Published: September 2012

Irish realism of the 1960s has often been interpreted as a continuation and rejuvenation of the tradition of Irish naturalism, particularly in its concern to undermine the perceived romanticism of revivalist myths in postindependence Ireland. While Irish realist social critique was indeed an important strand of 1960s fiction, especially in the work of John McGahern, this essay argues that it was cross-fertilized by other realist narrative modes, including British documentary writing of the 1950s and 1960s. The Irish New Wave, however, differs in important respects from its British counterpart. Irish fiction registers the ambiguous class position of the Irish in Britain, and narrative strategies common to working-class realist texts, such as the delineation of the relationship between place and community and the representation of social mobility, proved inadequate for articulating lives lived within the Irish community in Britain. Focusing on the figure of the male laborer as represented in contemporary sociological texts and in the work of Donall Mac Amhlaigh and Tom Murphy, the essay examines the development of contrasting narratives of class and community informed both by traditional Irish discourses of emigration and by newly emergent documentary realism.
Rules of engagement: centrosome–nuclear connections in a closed mitotic system
Authors: Leo Meredith , Santino Diana , Tikhonenko Irina , Magidson Valentin , Khodjakov Alexey , Koonce Michael P.
Published: September 2012

The assembly of a functional mitotic spindle is essential for cell reproduction and requires a precise coordination between the nuclear cycle and the centrosome. This coordination is particularly prominent in organisms that undergo closed mitosis where centrosomes must not only respond to temporal signals, but also to spatial considerations, e.g. switching from the production of cytoplasmic microtubule arrays to the generation of dynamic intra-nuclear microtubules required for spindle assembly. We utilize a gene knockout of Kif9, a Dictyostelium discoideum Kin-I kinesin, to destabilize the physical association between centrosomes and the nuclear envelope. This approach presents a unique opportunity to reveal temporal and spatial components in the regulation of centrosomal activities in a closed-mitosis organism. Here we report that centrosome–nuclear engagement is not required for the entry into mitosis. Although detached centrosomes can duplicate in the cytoplasm, neither they nor nuclei alone can produce spindle-like microtubule arrays. However, the physical association of centrosomes and the nuclear envelope is required to progress through mitosis beyond prometaphase.
Foxk1 promotes cell proliferation and represses myogenic differentiation by regulating Foxo4 and Mef2 factors
Authors: Shi Xiaozhong , Wallis Alicia M. , Gerard Robert D. , Voelker Kevin A. , Grange Robert W. , DePinho Ronald A. , Garry Mary G. , Garry Daniel J.
Published: September 2012

In response to severe injury, adult skeletal muscle exhibits a remarkable regenerative capacity due to a resident muscle stem/progenitor cell population. While a number of factors are expressed in the muscle progenitor cell (MPC) population, the molecular networks that govern this cell population remain an area of active investigation. In this study, utilizing knockdown techniques and overexpression of Foxk1 in the myogenic lineage, we observed dysregulation of Foxo and Mef2 downstream targets. Utilizing an array of technologies, we establish that Foxk1 represses the transcriptional activity of Foxo4 and Mef2 and physically interacts with Foxo4 and Mef2, thus promoting MPC proliferation and antagonizing the myogenic lineage differentiation program, respectively. Correspondingly, knockdown of Foxk1 in C2C12 myoblasts results in cell cycle arrest, and Foxk1 overexpression in C2C12CAR-myoblasts retards muscle differentiation. Collectively, we have established that Foxk1 promotes MPC proliferation by repressing Foxo4 transcriptional activity and inhibits myogenic differentiation by repressing Mef2 activity. These studies enhance our understanding of the transcriptional networks that regulate the MPC population and muscle regeneration.
Inn1 and Cyk3 regulate chitin synthase during cytokinesis in budding yeasts
Authors: Devrekanli Asli , Foltman Magdalena , Roncero Cesar , Sanchez-Diaz Alberto , Labib Karim
Published: September 2012

The chitin synthase that makes the primary septum during cell division in budding yeasts is an important therapeutic target with an unknown activation mechanism. We previously found that the C2-domain of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Inn1 protein plays an essential but uncharacterised role at the cleavage site during cytokinesis. By combining a novel degron allele of INN1 with a point mutation in the C2-domain, we screened for mutations in other genes that suppress the resulting defect in cell division. In this way we identified 22 dominant mutations of CHS2 (Chitin Synthase II) that map to two neighbouring sites in the catalytic domain. Whereas Chs2 in isolated cell membranes is normally almost inactive, unless protease treatment is used to bypass inhibition, the dominant suppressor allele Chs2-V377I has enhanced activity in vitro. We show that Inn1 associates with Chs2 in yeast cell extracts, and interacts in the yeast two-hybrid assay with the amino-terminal 65% of Chs2 that contains the catalytic domain. In addition to compensating for mutations in the Inn1 C2-domain, the dominant CHS2 alleles also suppress cytokinesis defects produced by lack of the Cyk3 protein, and our data support a model whereby the C2-domain of Inn1 acts in conjunction with Cyk3 to regulate the catalytic domain of Chs2 during cytokinesis. These findings suggest novel approaches for developing future drugs against important fungal pathogens.
CXCL12 receptor preference, signal transduction, biological response and the expression of 5T4 oncofoetal glycoprotein
Authors: McGinn Owen J. , Marinov Georgi , Sawan Saladin , Stern Peter L.
Published: September 2012

CXCL12 is a pleiotropic chemokine capable of eliciting multiple signal transduction cascades and functions, via interaction with either CXCR4 or CXCR7. Factors that determine CXCL12 receptor preference, intracellular signalling route and biological response are poorly understood but are of central importance in the context of therapeutic intervention of the CXCL12 axis in multiple disease states. We have recently demonstrated that 5T4 oncofoetal glycoprotein facilitates functional CXCR4 expression leading to CXCL12 mediated chemotaxis in mouse embryonic cells. Using wild type (WT) and 5T4 knockout (5T4KO) murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), we now show that CXCL12 binding to CXCR4 activates both the ERK and AKT pathways within minutes, but while these pathways are intact they are non-functional in 5T4KO cells treated with CXCL12. Importantly, in the absence of 5T4 expression, CXCR7 is upregulated and becomes the predominant receptor for CXCL12, activating a distinct signal transduction pathway with slower kinetics involving transactivation of the EGFR, eliciting proliferation rather than chemotaxis. Thus the surface expression of 5T4 marks the use of the CXCR4 rather than the CXCR7 receptor, with distinct consequences for CXCL12 exposure, relevant to the spread and growth of a tumour. Consistent with this hypothesis we have identified human small cell lung carcinoma cells with similar 5T4/CXCR7 reciprocity that is predictive of biological response to CXCL12 and determined that 5T4 expression is required for functional chemotaxis in these cells.
Intracellular chloride channel protein CLIC1 regulates macrophage functions via modulation of phagosomal acidification
Authors: Jiang Lele , Salao Kanin , Li Hui , Rybicka Joanna M. , Yates Robin M. , Luo Xu Wei , Shi Xin Xin , Kuffner Tamara , Tsai Vicky Wang-Wei , Husaini Yasmin , Wu Liyun , Brown David A. , Grewal Thomas , Brown Louise J. , Curmi Paul M. G. , Breit Samuel N.
Published: September 2012

Intracellular chloride channel protein 1 (CLIC1) is a 241 amino acid protein of the glutathione S transferase fold family with redox and pH dependent membrane association and chloride ion channel activity. Whilst CLIC proteins are evolutionarily conserved in metazoa, indicating an important role, little is known about their biology.

CLIC1 was first cloned on the basis of increased expression in activated macrophages. We therefore examined its subcellular localisation in murine peritoneal macrophages by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. In resting cells, CLIC1 is observed in punctate cytoplasmic structures that do not colocalise with markers for endosomes or secretory vesicles. However, when these macrophages phagocytose serum opsonized zymosan, CLIC1 translocates onto the phagosomal membrane. Macrophages from CLIC1−/− mice display a defect in phagosome acidification as determined by imaging live cells phagocytosing zymosan tagged with the pH sensitive fluorophore Oregon Green. This altered phagosomal acidification was not accompanied by a detectable impairment in phagosomal-lysosomal fusion. However, consistent with a defect in acidification, CLIC1−/− macrophages also displayed impaired phagosomal proteolytic capacity and reduced reactive oxygen species production. Further, CLIC1−/− mice were protected from development of serum transfer induced K/BxN arthritis.

These data all point to an important role for CLIC1 in regulating macrophage function via its ion channel activity and suggest it may be a suitable target for the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Inverse regulation of target genes at the brink of the BMP morphogen activity gradient
Authors: Ziv Oren , Finkelstein Rutie , Suissa Yaron , Dinur Tama , Deshpande Girish , Gerlitz Offer
Published: September 2012

BMP-dependent patterning in the Drosophila melanogaster wing imaginal disc serves as a paradigm to understand how morphogens specify cell fates. The observed profile of the transcriptional response to the graded signal of BMP relies upon two counter-active gradients of pMad and Brinker (Brk). This patterning model is inadequate to explain the expression of target genes, like vestigial and spalt, in lateral regions of the wing disc where BMP signals decline and Brk levels peak. Here, we show that in contrast to the reciprocal repressor gradient mechanism, where Brk represses BMP targets in medial regions, target expression in lateral regions is downregulated by BMP signalling and activated by Brk. Brk induces lateral expression indirectly, apparently through repression of a negative regulator. Our findings provide a model explaining how the expression of an established BMP target is differentially and inversely regulated along the anterior-posterior axis of the wing disc.
Development of Organic Conductors with Self-Assembled Architectures of Biomolecules: Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Nucleobase-Functionalized Tetrathiafulvalene Derivatives
Authors: Murata Tsuyoshi , Miyazaki Eigo , Maki Suguru , Umemoto Yoshikazu , Ohmoto Makoto , Nakasuji Kazuhiro , Morita Yasushi
Published: September 2012

Supramolecular assemblies and charge-transfer complexes of new nucleobase-functionalized tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives were investigated. Stille-type cross-coupling reaction between tributylstannylated TTF and iodinated nucleobase derivatives yielded mono- and bisnucleobase-substituted TTF derivatives. The electrochemical measurements revealed that the uracil- and cytosine-substituted derivatives possessed strong electron-donating abilities comparable to that of pristine TTF, and the electron-deficient features of adenine and guanine caused high potential shifts of the oxidation waves. In the solution-state electronic spectra, the intramolecular charge-transfer absorption bands were observed at a low-energy region. In the crystal structures, the donor molecules constructed supramolecular polymers by the complementary hydrogen-bonds inherent in nucleobases; a one-dimensional zigzag chain in the adenine-substituted derivative and a linear chain in the bis(uracil)-substituted derivative. The tetracyanoquinodimethane complexes of uracil- and cytosine-substituted derivatives possessed a mixed valence state exhibiting high conductivities (room-temperature conductivities = 10−2–10−1 S cm−1). In the cyananilic acid complexes, cytosine- and adenine-substituted TTF acted as electron-donors and proton-acceptors to yield simultaneous charge- and proton-transfer complexes.
Briarenolides H and I: New 8-Hydroxybriarane Diterpenoids from a Formosan Octocoral Briareum sp. (Briareidae)
Authors: Su Yin-Di , Hwang Tsong-Long , Lin Nai-Cheng , Chen Yung-Husan , Wu Yang-Chang , Sheu Jyh-Horng , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: September 2012

Chemical investigation on a Formosan octocoral identified as Briareum sp. has led to the isolation of two new 8-hydroxybriarane diterpenoids, briarenolides H (1) and I (2). The structures of briaranes 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the spectroscopic data with those of known briarane analogues. Briarenolide H (1) was proven to be the first 6-methoxybriarane derivative. Briarenolide I (2) displayed an inhibitory effect on the generation of superoxide anion by human neutrophils.
Papaya epicarp extract protects against aluminum-induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Waly Mostafa I , Guizani Nejib , Ali Amanat , Rahman Mohammad Shafiur
Published: September 2012

In a previous study, we demonstrated the ability of papaya epicarp extract (PEE) to protect against oxidative stress-induced insult in human SH-SY5Y neuronal cells in a mechanism that appeared to be by means of PEE potent antioxidant properties. To further understand this relationship, we examined the effect of PEE intervention on aluminum (Al)-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. The results indicated that PEE was effective in protecting against Al-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. PEE restored the Al-induced inhibition of folate-dependent methionine synthase activity and the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidases and superoxide dismutase). PEE ameliorated the Al-induced impairment of intracellular glutathione and total antioxidant capacity. Together, these findings indicate that PEE supplementation can play a neuroprotective role in ameliorating the changes in redox status of SH-SY5Y cells exposed to Al, a well-known environmental toxin that is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Priapism: pathophysiology and the role of the radiologist
Authors: Halls J E , Patel D V , Walkden M , Patel U
Published: September 2012

Priapism is defined as a penile erection that persists for 4 h or longer and is unrelated to sexual activity. Its identification is important as lack of timely treatment (particularly of the low flow/ischaemic subgroup) can result in persisting erectile dysfunction as a consequence of irreversible corporal fibrosis. This review describes the physiology and anatomy of the normal erection, the aetiology and pathophysiology of the different types of priapism, and the role of the radiologist in the management of the condition. The treatment of iatrogenic priapism following intracavernosal injection of pharmacostimulant is discussed.
Dynamic Pricing Competition with Strategic Customers Under Vertical Product Differentiation
Authors: Liu Qian , Zhang Dan
Published: September 2012

We consider dynamic pricing competition between two firms offering vertically differentiated products to strategic customers who are intertemporal utility maximizers. We show that price skimming arises as the unique pure-strategy Markov perfect equilibrium in the game under a simple condition. Our results highlight the asymmetric effect of strategic customer behavior on quality-differentiated firms. Even though the profit of either firm decreases as customers become more strategic, the low-quality firm suffers substantially more than the high-quality firm. Furthermore, we show that unilateral commitment to static pricing by either firm generally improves profits of both firms. Interestingly, both firms enjoy higher profit lifts when the high-quality firm commits rather than when the low-quality firm commits.

This paper was accepted by Yossi Aviv, operations management.
A Driver Behavior-Based Lane-Changing Model for Urban Arterial Streets
Authors: Sun Daniel (Jian) , Elefteriadou Lily
Published: September 2012

Lane-changing algorithms have attracted increased attention during recent years. However, limited research has been conducted to address the probability of changing lanes as a function of driver characteristics and lane-changing scenarios. This study contributes to the development of a comprehensive framework for modeling drivers' lane-changing maneuver on arterials by using driver behavior-related data. Focus group studies and “in-vehicle” driving tests were performed to investigate the effects of driver type under various lane changes on urban arterials and to collect microscopic vehicular data. With these field collected values, a model was developed to estimate the probability of changing lanes under various lane-changing scenarios and to estimate the corresponding gap acceptance characteristics. The lane-changing probability for each scenario was modeled as a function of the factors identified from the focus group discussions, as well as the driver types. In the gap acceptance modeling, a sequence of “hand-shaking negotiations” was introduced to describe vehicle interactions that may occur during lane-changing maneuvers. The proposed lane-changing model was implemented in the CORSIM (CORrider SIMulation) micro-simulator. The simulation capabilities of the newly developed model were compared to the original lane-changing algorithm in CORSIM and to the field observations. The validation results indicated that the new model better replicates the observed traffic under various levels of flow.
Algebraic supergroups of Cartan type
Authors: Gavarini Fabio
Published: September 2012

I present a construction of connected affine algebraic supergroups 𝐆
V
associated with simple Lie superalgebras 𝔤 of Cartan type and with 𝔤-modules V. Conversely, I prove that every connected affine algebraic supergroup whose tangent Lie superalgebra is of Cartan type is necessarily isomorphic to one of the supergroups 𝐆
V
that I introduced. In particular,
the supergroup associated in this way with

𝔤
=
W
(
n
)

$ \mathfrak {g}= W(n) $

and its standard representation is described.
Optimal shape for a nozzle design problem using an arbitrary
Lagrangian–Eulerian finite element method
Authors: Li Jingzhi , Liu Hongyu
Published: September 2012

This paper is concerned with the investigation of mathematical and
numerical methods to find the optimal shape of a nozzle by means of
shape optimization. The non-viscous, incompressible potential field
within the nozzle is assumed to satisfy the Laplace PDE with mixed
boundary conditions. We try to track the geometry of the nozzle to
match the resulting velocity field with a prescribed one in some given
critical subdomain. The problem is reformulated as an output least-squares
minimization problem with the nozzle boundary being the control variable. The shape gradient of the cost functional is derived by combining
the adjoint method and the techniques in the Lie derivative framework
proposed by Hiptmair and Li (2012). An arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian finite
element method is proposed to numerically solve the problem in an
efficient way. Numerical experiments are presented to demonstrate
the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Integrin Dynamics Produce a Delayed Stage of Long-Term Potentiation and Memory Consolidation
Authors: Babayan Alex H. , Kramár Enikö A. , Barrett Ruth M. , Jafari Matiar , Häettig Jakob , Chen Lulu Y. , Rex Christopher S. , Lauterborn Julie C. , Wood Marcelo A. , Gall Christine M. , Lynch Gary
Published: September 2012

Memory consolidation theory posits that newly acquired information passes through a series of stabilization steps before being firmly encoded. We report here that in rat and mouse, hippocampus cell adhesion receptors belonging to the β1-integrin family exhibit dynamic properties in adult synapses and that these contribute importantly to a previously unidentified stage of consolidation. Quantitative dual immunofluorescence microscopy showed that induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) by theta burst stimulation (TBS) activates β1 integrins, and integrin-signaling kinases, at spine synapses in adult hippocampal slices. Neutralizing antisera selective for β1 integrins blocked these effects. TBS-induced integrin activation was brief (<7 min) and followed by an ∼45 min period during which the adhesion receptors did not respond to a second application of TBS. Brefeldin A, which blocks integrin trafficking to the plasma membrane, prevented the delayed recovery of integrin responses to TBS. β1 integrin-neutralizing antisera erased LTP when applied during, but not after, the return of integrin responsivity. Similarly, infusions of anti-β1 into rostral mouse hippocampus blocked formation of long-term, object location memory when started 20 min after learning but not 40 min later. The finding that β1 integrin neutralization was effective in the same time window for slice and behavioral experiments strongly suggests that integrin recovery triggers a temporally discrete, previously undetected second stage of consolidation for both LTP and memory.
Morfologia e anatomia das domácias em Coffea arabica L.
Authors: Barros Myrthes Apparecida Adâmoli de
Published: September 2012

1. A presente contribuição trata do estudo morfológico e anatômico das domácias que ocorrem em 21 variedades e 4 formas da espécie Coffea arabica L. 2. Além da revisão da literatura, que se cingiu unicamente aos trabalhos que focalizam o assunto em aprêço, constam, na introdução, algumas obras que se referem às domácias existentes em outras famílias. 3. A fim de apreciar convenientemente os conceitos que os diferentes autores expediram a respeito das domácias, desde que se tornaram conhecidas, foram registradas, no capítulo correspondente, as funções e as diversas denominações que lhes foram atribuidas. 4. As principais classificações das domácias propostas são de CHEVALIER, LEBRUM e DE WILDEMAN. As domácias das variedades e formas de Coffea arabica L., se enquadram no tipo b, isto é, domácias em fenda, segundo a classificação de CHEVALIER. 5. O material utilizado no presente estudo, constante de ramos com fôlhas de várias idades, proveio do Instituto Agronômico de Campinas e da Secção de Agricultura Especial da E.S.A. "Luiz de Queiroz". As observações morfológicas das domácias foram feitas com o auxílio do microscópio estereoscópico e constam do Quadro I e II. A estrutura anatômica foi apreciada em cortes transversais medianos da domácia, coloridos pelo violeta cristal e eritrosina, com espessura de 18 micra, cujos dados acham-se anotados nos Quadros de n.os III a XI. 6. No capítulo referente à morfologia e à anatomia das domácias, para melhor apreciação do assunto foi introduzida a estrutura anatômica da fôlha adulta da variedade typica. 7. Morfològicamente as domácias foram examinadas nas suas duas faces, isto é, superior e inferior, anotando-se-lhes os aspectos apresentados, bem como a sua localização no limbo, isto é, na axila formada pelas nervuras principal e secundárias. No geral a sua distribuição vai desde a base do limbo até aos 2/3, aproximadamente, do seu comprimento. Na face ventral da fôlha, as domácias exibem uma elevação abaulada e na dorsal situam-se na área da axila, e em um plano um pouco mais elevado que o limbo, mostrando no centro um orifício de forma variável. Em cortes medianos, a domácia revela-se constituida de uma câmara embutida no mesofilo, a qual se comunica com o exterior por um canal; êste por sua vez, termina numa bôca que se abre na epiderme inferior do limbo. Histològicamente a domácia consta de uma epiderme, procedente do limbo e da nervura, e de um tecido parênquimatoso envolvente, composto de algumas camadas de células, o qual confina com os tecidos do mesofilo. Topogràficamente a domácia situa-se entre os seguintes tecidos da estrutura foliar: sistema vascular principal, nervura secundária, parênquima lacunoso lateral e parênquima lacunoso superior. Sua posição com relação às regiões mencionadas fica perfeitamente definida, determinando-se as distâncias que vão do centro da câmara até elas.
Fermentação de carbohidratos por células desaccharomyces carlsbergensis adaptadas à "Emulsan Al"
Authors: Ayres G. C. de Mello , Camargo R. de
Published: September 2012

Células de Saccharomyces carlsbergensis (IZ-1834) foram crescidas e adaptadas, progressivamente ao meio de caldo de cana esterilizado e contendo 0,001%, 0,002%, 0,003%, 0,004% e 0,00% de emulsan Al (v/v) além do tratamento testemunho isento de Emulsan Al. Estas células, levadas a Warburg fermentaram: glicose, rafinose. Não fermentaram: galactose, maltose e lactose. Não exibiram praticamente fermentação endógena. Glicose e caldo de cana tiveram seus rendimentos elevados, no caso das células utilizadas serem aquelas adaptadas aos diferentes teores de Emulsan Al. A fermentação da rafinose sofreu notável aceleração quando as células utilizadas foram adaptadas à Emulsan Al, sendo que a aceleração foi da ordem de 2 a 3 vêzes àquela observada no experimento com células crescidas em meio isento de Emulsan Al. A diferença da permeabilidade entre um e outro tipo de célula parece explicar o fenômeno.
A precipitação do estrôncio na forma de cromato em meio amoniacal e hidroalcoolico
Authors: Catani R. A. , Perez J. T. , Bergamin Filho H.
Published: September 2012

O presente trabalho relata os dados relativos a análise qualitativa e quantitativa do precipitado, que se forma quando se adiciona a uma solução contendo estrôncio, dicromato de potássio, em meio amoniacal e hidroalcoólico. Em lugar de se formar cromato de estrôncio simples, SrCrO4, forma-se um cromato que além do estrôncio, contém os ions amônio e potássio. Soluções padrões contendo desde 1, 8 até 50,5 mg de estrôncio, foram tratadas com solução de dicromato de potássio 2 normal, amoníaco e solução hidroalcoólica com 95% de álcool absoluto. O precipitado foi pesado e a equação de regressão que relaciona o peso do estrôncio colocado e o peso do precipitado obtido, e a seguinte: Y = 4,58 X + 0, 84, onde: X é o pêso em miligramas, do estrôncio colocado Y é o pêso em miligramas, do precipitado A composição provável do precipitado parece ser 6 SrCrO4 (NH4)2 CrO4. 6K2CrO4
Distribuição espaço-temporal e sucesso reprodutivo de Eretmochelys imbricata nas praias do Ipojuca, Pernambuco, Brasil
Authors: Moura Carina C. de M. , Guimarães Elisângela da S. , Moura Geraldo J. B. de , Amaral Getúlio J. A. do , Silva Arley C. da
Published: September 2012

Este estudo objetivou verificar a distribuição temporal e espacial de Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus, 1766) e aspectos de sua biologia reprodutiva, tais como tempo de incubação, sucesso reprodutivo, biometria das fêmeas, número de ninhos e fecundidade. Os dados foram coletados de 2007 a 2010 nas praias de Muro Alto, Cupe, Merepe, Porto de Galinhas e Maracaípe, todas elas localizadas no município do Ipojuca, estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. Foram analisados comparativamente parâmetros relativos à biologia reprodutiva e áreas de nidificação da espécie. Eretmochelys imbricata foi registrada nidificando entre os meses de outubro a maio, totalizando 350 ninhos monitorados em três temporadas. Os picos de desova ocorreram de janeiro a março, revelando um padrão sazonal das desovas. Houve diferença significativa entre o número de ninhos nas temporadas. A praia de Merepe apresentou uma ocorrência elevada de ninhos (46 ninhos/km) em relação às demais praias monitoradas. Quanto aos aspectos da biologia reprodutiva, o sucesso reprodutivo foi 65,6%, e o intervalo do tempo de incubação de 54 a 56 dias. As medidas biométricas foram coletadas de 59 espécimes, e apresentaram média de 92,5 cm ± 4,5 para o comprimento curvilíneo da carapaça e de 83,4 cm ± 5 para a largura curvilínea da carapaça. Os resultados podem ser utilizados para subsidiar planos de conservação e demonstram que as praias registradas neste estudo têm relevância como áreas de nidificação para E. imbricata.