bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To Be a Good Food Provider: An Exploratory Study Among Spouses of Persons With Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Fjellström Christina , Starkenberg Åsa , Wesslén Annika , Licentiate M.S. , Tysén Bäckström Ann-Christine , Faxén-Irving Gerd ,   The OmegAD Study Group
Published: August 2010

Large proportions of people with dementia live at home and need help from a relative. The aim of the current study was to examine how people living with persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) perceived everyday life aspects of food choices, cooking, and food-related work. The analyses are based on focus group interviews including women and men acting as caregivers to people with AD and living in Sweden. The main results identified from the data, were how cohabitants to persons with AD struggle with either taking on a new role as a food provider or extending it, but also how they tried to cope as carer, which entailed food being an important part of the treatment of the disease. Those expressing greatest concern were those perceiving themselves as inexperienced food providers and carers, which in this study were all men.
Outcome Analysis of Infrapopliteal Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Bypass Graft Surgery With Nonreversed Saphenous Vein for Individuals With Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Casella Ivan Benaduce , Brochado-Neto Francisco Cardoso , Sandri Giuliano de Almeida , Kalaf Marcelo Jorge , Godoy Marcos Roberto , Costa Vinicius Scalco , Matielo Marcelo Fernando , Sacilotto Roberto
Published: August 2010

Objective: To compare the results of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and bypass graft surgery (BGS) for the treatment of infrapopliteal lesions in individuals presenting with critical limb ischemia (CLI). Method: A total of 48 infrapopliteal PTAs and 50 infrapopliteal BGS were compared retrospectively. All grafts used nonreversed saphenous vein in a single length as a substitute. Results: Secondary patency and limb salvage rates in 24 months for the surgical group were 64.7% and 73.2%, respectively. For PTA group, these values were 63.7% and 68.2%, without differences between groups (log rank; P = .45 and .39, respectively). Bypass graft surgery presented better results of secondary patency (72.9% vs 57.1%) and limb salvage (83.5% vs 53.6%) than PTA for patients with Transatlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) D lesions (P = .04 and P = .01, respectively). Conclusions: Both BGS and PTA provided similar results of patency and limb salvage for individuals with infrapopliteal atherosclerotic disease presenting with CLI. Bypass graft surgery had better results than PTA when TASC D lesions were present.
Vein Tissue Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinase as Biomarker for Hemodialysis Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation
Authors: Lee Eugene S. , Shen Qiang , Pitts Robert L. , Guo Mingzhang , Wu Mack H. , Yuan Sarah Y.
Published: August 2010

Failure of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation is attributed to impaired vein remodeling. The purpose of this study is to identify whether vein matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression and activity is associated with AVF maturation. Patients with renal insufficiency undergoing surgery had their vein segments harvested and snap-frozen at time of AVF construction. Expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, membrane type-1 MMP (MT1-MMP), tissue inhibitor of metallopreoteinases type 2 (TIMP-2), and TIMP-4 were measured using zymography and Western blotting techniques. Of 14 patients enrolled, 9 had successful maturation and 5 had failure of AVF maturation. Significantly higher levels of MT1-MMP (an MMP-2 activator; P = .01), TIMP-2 (an MMP-2 inhibitor; P = .03), MMP-2 latent (P = .02), and MMP-2 total (P = .03) were associated with AVF maturation. There was a trend toward higher levels of TIMP-4 in the successful group (P = .18). These data demonstrate a positive relationship between MMP-2 expression in veins and AVF maturation. MMP-2 could serve as a potential preoperative marker to predict maturation.
Hypoxia stimulates the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in human vascular smooth muscle cells via HIF-1α dependent pathway
Authors: Fu Hua , Luo Fengming , Yang Li , Wu Wenchao , Liu Xiaojing
Published: August 2010

Background

Hypoxia plays an important role in vascular remodeling and directly affects vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) functions. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a well known proinflammatory factor, and recent evidence suggests an important role of MIF in the progression of atherosclerosis and restenosis. However, the potential link between hypoxia and MIF in VSMC has not been investigated. The current study was designed to test whether hypoxia could regulate MIF expression in human VSMC. The effect of modulating MIF expression on hypoxia-induced VSMC proliferation and migration was also investigated at the same time.

Results

Expression of MIF mRNA and protein was up-regulated as early as 2 hours in cultured human VSMCs after exposed to moderate hypoxia condition (3% O2). The up-regulation of MIF expression appears to be dependent on hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1α(HIF-1α) since knockdown of HIF-1α inhibits the hypoxia induction of MIF gene and protein expression. The hypoxia induced expression of MIF was attenuated by antioxidant treatment as well as by inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Under moderate hypoxia conditions (3% O2), both cell proliferation and cell migration were increased in VSMC cells. Blocking the MIF by specific small interference RNA to MIF (MIF-shRNA) resulted in the suppression of proliferation and migration of VSMCs.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that in VSMCs, hypoxia increased MIF gene expression and protein production. The hypoxia-induced HIF-1α activation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and ERK activation might be involved in this response. Both MIF and HIF-1α mediated the hypoxia response of vascular smooth muscle cells, including cell migration and proliferation.
Pax2 and Pax8 cooperate in mouse inner ear morphogenesis and innervation
Authors: Bouchard Maxime , de Caprona Dominique , Busslinger Meinrad , Xu Pinxian , Fritzsch Bernd
Published: August 2010

Background

Pax2;5;8transcription factors play diverse roles in vertebrate and invertebrate organogenesis, including the development of the inner ear. Past research has suggested various cochlear defects and some vestibular defects inPax2null mice but the details of the cochlear defects and the interaction with otherPaxfamily members in ear development remain unclear.

Results

We show thatPax2;8double null mice do not develop an ear past the otocyst stage and show little to no sensory as well as limited and transient neuronal development, thus indicating that these two family members are essential for overall ear morphogenesis and sustained neurosensory development. In support of functional redundancy between Pax proteins,Pax2can be substituted by aPax5minigene, a gene normally not expressed in the embryonic mouse ear. There is no detectable morphological defect inPax8null mice suggesting thatPax2expression can compensate forPax8. Conversely,Pax8cannot compensate forPax2leading to a cochlear phenotype not fully appreciated previously: Cochlear development is delayed until E15.5 when the cochlea extrudes as a large sack into the brain case. Immunocytochemistry and tracing from the brain show that a cochlear spiral ganglia form as a small addition to the inferior vestibular ganglion. However, the empty cochlear sack, devoid of any sensory epithelium development as indicated by the absence of Sox2 or MyoVII expression, nevertheless develop a dense innervation network of small neurons situated in the wall of the cochlear sack.

Conclusions

Combined these data suggest thatPax2is needed for organ of Corti formation and is directly or indirectly involved in the coordination of spiral ganglion formation which is partially disrupted in thePax2null ears. All threePaxgenes can signal redundantly in the ear with their function being determined primarily by the spatio-temporal expression driven by the three distinct promoters of these genes.
Characterisation of the Vitis viniferaPR10 multigene family
Authors: Lebel Sylvain , Schellenbaum Paul , Walter Bernard , Maillot Pascale
Published: August 2010

Background

Genes belonging to the pathogenesis related 10 (PR10) group have been studied in several plant species, where they form multigene families. Until now, such an analysis has not been performed in Vitis vinifera, although three different PR10 genes were found to be expressed under pathogen attack or abiotic stress, and during somatic embryogenesis induction. We used the complete genome sequence for characterising the whole V. vinifera PR10 gene family. The expression of candidate genes was studied in various non-treated tissues and following somatic embryogenesis induction by the auxin 2,4-D.

Results

In addition to the three V. vinifera PR10 genes already described, namely VvPR10.1, VvPR10.2 and VvPR10.3, fourteen different PR10 related sequences were identified. Showing high similarity, they form a single cluster on the chromosome 5 comprising three pseudogenes. The expression of nine different genes was detected in various tissues. Although differentially expressed in non-treated plant organs, several genes were up-regulated in tissues treated with 2,4-D, as expected for PR genes.

Conclusions

PR10 genes form a multigene family in V. vinifera, as found in birch, apple or peach. Seventeen closely related PR10 sequences are arranged in a tandem array on the chromosome 5, probably reflecting small-scale duplications during evolution. Various expression patterns were found for nine studied genes, highlighting functional diversification. A phylogenetic comparison of deduced proteins with PR10 proteins of other plants showed a characteristic low intraspecific variability. Particularly, a group of seven close tandem duplicates including VvPR10.1, VvPR10.2 and VvPR10.3 showed a very high similarity, suggesting concerted evolution or/and recent duplications.
The influence of long-term treadmill exercise on bone mass and articular cartilage in ovariectomized rats
Authors: Chang Ting-Kuo , Huang Chang-Hung , Huang Chun-Hsiung , Chen Hsuan-Chiang , Cheng Cheng-Kung
Published: August 2010

Background

Loss of bone quality and deterioration of articular cartilage are commonly seen after menopause. While exercise may protect against tissue degeneration, a clear link has yet to be established. The aim of the present study is to investigate the influence of long-term treadmill exercise on changes in bone mass and articular cartilage in ovariectomized rats.

Methods

Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized plus treadmill exercise (OVX-RUN), treadmill exercise alone (RUN), and control (CON) groups. After 36 weeks, the following variables were compared among the 4 groups. Bone mass was evaluated by trabecular bone volume and bone mineral density (BMD). Articular cartilage in the knee joints was evaluated by histology analysis and a modified Mankin score.

Results

Rats in the ovariectomized groups (OVX and OVX-RUN) had significantly lower BMD and bone mass than the non-ovariectomized rats (CON and RUN), indicating that exercise did little to preserve bone mass. However, the sedentary OVX group had a significantly worse modified Mankin score (7.7 ± 1.4) than the OVX-RUN group (4.8 ± 1.0), whose scores did not differ significantly from the other 2 non-operated groups. The articular cartilage in the sedentary OVX rats was relatively thinner, hypocellular, and had more clefts than in the other 3 groups.

Conclusion

This study suggests that long-term exercise protects articular cartilage in OVX rats but does not retard the loss of bone mass seen in after menopause.
Compliance and treatment satisfaction of post menopausal women treated for osteoporosis. Compliance with osteoporosis treatment
Authors: Huas Dominique , Debiais Françoise , Blotman Francis , Cortet Bernard , Mercier Florence , Rousseaux Chantal , Berger Véronique , Gaudin Anne-Françoise , Cotté François-Emery
Published: August 2010

Background

Adherence to anti-osteoporosis treatments is poor, exposing treated women to increased fracture risk. Determinants of poor adherence are poorly understood. The study aims to determine physician- and patient- rated treatment compliance with osteoporosis treatments and to evaluate factors influencing compliance.

Methods

This was an observational, cross-sectional pharmacoepidemiological study with a randomly-selected sample of 420 GPs, 154 rheumatologists and 110 gynaecologists practicing in France. Investigators included post-menopausal women with a diagnosis of osteoporosis and a treatment initiated in the previous six months. Investigators completed a questionnaire on clinical features, treatments and medical history, and on patient compliance. Patients completed a questionnaire on sociodemographic features, lifestyle, attitudes and knowledge about osteoporosis, treatment compliance, treatment satisfaction and quality of life. Treatment compliance was evaluated with the Morisky Medication-taking Adherence Scale. Variables collected in the questionnaires were evaluated for association with compliance using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

785 women were evaluated. Physicians considered 95.4% of the sample to be compliant, but only 65.5% of women considered themselves compliant. The correlation between patient and physician perceptions of compliance was low (κ: 0.11 [95% CI: 0.06 to 0.16]). Patient-rated compliance was highest for monthly bisphosphonates (79.7%) and lowest for hormone substitution therapy (50.0%). Six variables were associated with compliance: treatment administration frequency, perceptions of long-term treatment acceptability, perceptions of health consequences of osteoporosis, perceptions of knowledge about osteoporosis, exercise and mental quality of life.

Conclusion

Compliance to anti-osteoporosis treatments is poor. Reduction of dosing regimen frequency and patient education may be useful ways of improving compliance.
Factors affecting costs and utilization of type 2 diabetes healthcare: a cross-sectional survey among 15 hospitals in urban China
Authors: Wang Weibing , Fu Chaowei , Zhuo Haijing , Luo Jianfeng , Xu Biao
Published: August 2010

Background

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects persons of all ages, while also placing heavy economic burdens on national economies and healthcare systems. The study aims to investigate the determinants of direct medical cost (DMC), out-of-pocket (OOP) proportion of the cost, and healthcare utilization associated with T2DM.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in four major cities in China. Eligible subjects were adult outpatients who received treatment at one of 15 sampled secondary or tertiary hospitals and consecutively enrolled between March 2007 and May 2007. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine impact factors associated with DMC and healthcare utilization.

Results

Insurance schemes and receiving insulin therapy were significantly associated with a higher annual DMC of T2DM. For each increase in number of complications, there was about 33% increase in annual DMC. Insurance schemes were significantly associated with the proportions of DMC from pocket. A 7% significantly lower proportion of DMC was paid and 23% more clinic visits (AOR = 1.232, P < 0.001) were made by patients admitted at secondary hospitals than tertiary hospitals. The group with higher income (> 2000 CNY/month) paid 23% less from their pocket, compared with the lower income group. The number of complications also significantly increased the outpatient visits (AOR = 1.064, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

It implies that preventing complications through the use of more effective treatment regimens is important in order to control the healthcare expenditures of the diseases. Healthcare reform needs to be focused on the medical insurance system and redistribution of patients in hospitals of different levels.
Nicotine-induced survival signaling in lung cancer cells is dependent on their p53 status while its down-regulation by curcumin is independent
Authors: Puliyappadamba Vineshkumar T , Cheriyan Vino T , Thulasidasan Arun Kumar T , Bava Smitha V , Vinod Balachandran S , Prabhu Priya R , Varghese Ranji , Bevin Arathy , Venugopal Shalini , Anto Ruby John
Published: August 2010

Background

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer and almost 90% of lung cancer is due to cigarette smoking. Even though nicotine, one of the major ingredients of cigarette smoke and the causative agent for addiction, is not a carcinogen by itself, several investigators have shown that nicotine can induce cell proliferation and angiogenesis. We observed that the proliferative index of nicotine is different in the lung cancer cell lines H1299 (p53-/-) and A549 (p53+/+) which indicates that the mode of up-regulation of survival signals by nicotine might be different in cells with and without p53.

Results

While low concentrations of nicotine induced activation of NF-κB, Akt, Bcl2, MAPKs, AP1 and IAPs in H1299, it failed to induce NF-κB in A549, and compared to H1299, almost 100 times higher concentration of nicotine was required to induce all other survival signals in A549. Transfection of WT-p53 and DN-p53 in H1299 and A549 respectively, reversed the mode of activation of survival signals. Curcumin down-regulated all the survival signals induced by nicotine in both the cells, irrespective of their p53 status. The hypothesis was confirmed when lower concentrations of nicotine induced NF-κB in two more lung cancer cells, Hop-92 and NCI-H522 with mutant p53 status. Silencing of p53 in A549 using siRNA made the cells susceptible to nicotine-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation as in A549 DN-p53 cells.

Conclusions

The present study reveals a detrimental role of nicotine especially in lung cancer patients with impaired p53 status and identifies curcumin as a potential chemopreventive.
Modulation of the major histocompatibility complex by neural stem cell-derived neurotrophic factors used for regenerative therapy in a rat model of stroke
Authors: Sun Chongran , Zhang Han , Li Jin , Huang Hua , Cheng Hongbin , Wang Yajie , Li Ping , An Yihua
Published: August 2010

Background

The relationship between functional improvements in ischemic rats given a neural stem cell (NSC) transplant and the modulation of the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) mediated by NSC-derived neurotrophins was investigated.

Methods

The levels of gene expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) were assayed from cultures of cortical NSC from Sprague-Dawley rat E16 embryos. The levels of translated NGF in spent culture media from NSC cultures and the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of rats with and without NGF injection or NSC transplant were also measured.

Results

We found a significant increase of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 transcripts and NGF proteins in both the NSC cultures and the CSF of the rats. The immunochemical staining for MHC in brain sections and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of CSF were carried out in sham-operated rats and rats with surgically induced focal cerebral ischemia. These groups were further divided into animals that did and did not receive NGF administration or NSC transplant into the cisterna magna. Our results show an up-regulation of class I MHC in the ischemic rats with NGF and NSC administration. The extent of caspase-III immunoreactivity was comparable among three arms in the ischemic rats.

Conclusion

Readouts of somatosensory evoked potential and the trap channel test illustrated improvements in the neurological function of ischemic rats treated with NGF administration and NSC transplant.
A 176 amino acid polypeptide derived from the mumps virus HN ectodomain shows immunological and biological properties similar to the HN protein
Authors: Herrera Emma , Barcenas Patricia , Hernández Rubicela , Méndez Alfonso , Pérez-Ishiwara Guillermo , Barrón Blanca
Published: August 2010

Background

The hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein is the major antigenic determinant of the Mumps virus (MuV) and plays an important role in the viral infectious cycle through its hemagglutination/hemadsorption (HA/HD) and neuraminidase (NA) activities. Objective: analyze the biological and immunological properties of a polypeptide derived from a highly conserved region of the HN ectodomain. Methods: a highly conserved region of the HN gene among several MuV genotypes was chosen to be cloned in a eukaryotic expression vector. The pcDNAHN176-construct was transfected into Vero cells and RNA expression was detected by RT-PCR, while the corresponding polypeptide was detected by immunofluorescence and immunochemistry techniques. The HD and NA activities were also measured. The immunogenic properties of the construct were evaluated using two systems: rabbit immunization to obtain sera for detection of the HN protein and neutralization of MuV infection, and hamster immunization to evaluate protection against MuV infection.

Results

A 567 nucleotide region from the HN gene was amplified and cloned into the plasmid pcDNA3.1. Vero cells transfected with the construct expressed a polypeptide that was recognized by a MuV-hyperimmune serum. The construct-transfected cells showed HD and NA activities. Sera from immunized rabbits in vitro neutralized two different MuV genotypes and also detected both the HN protein and the HN176 polypeptide by western blot. Hamsters immunized with the pcDNAHN176-construct and challenged with MuV showed a mild viral infection in comparison to non-immunized animals, and Th1 and Th2 cytokines were detected in them.

Conclusions

The pcDNAHN176-construct was capable of expressing a polypeptide in Vero cells that was identified by a hyperimmune serum anti Mumps virus, and these cells showed the HD and NA activities of the complete MuV HN protein. The construct also elicited a specific immune response against MuV infection in hamsters.
Antioxidant airway responses following experimental exposure to wood smoke in man
Authors: Sehlstedt Maria , Dove Rosamund , Boman Christoffer , Pagels Joakim , Swietlicki Erik , Löndahl Jakob , Westerholm Roger , Bosson Jenny , Barath Stefan , Behndig Annelie F , Pourazar Jamshid , Sandström Thomas , Mudway Ian S , Blomberg Anders
Published: August 2010

Background

Biomass combustion contributes to the production of ambient particulate matter (PM) in rural environments as well as urban settings, but relatively little is known about the health effects of these emissions. The aim of this study was therefore to characterize airway responses in humans exposed to wood smoke PM under controlled conditions. Nineteen healthy volunteers were exposed to both wood smoke, at a particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration of 224 ± 22 μg/m3, and filtered air for three hours with intermittent exercise. The wood smoke was generated employing an experimental set-up with an adjustable wood pellet boiler system under incomplete combustion. Symptoms, lung function, and exhaled NO were measured over exposures, with bronchoscopy performed 24 h post-exposure for characterisation of airway inflammatory and antioxidant responses in airway lavages.

Results

Glutathione (GSH) concentrations were enhanced in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) after wood smoke exposure vs. air (p = 0.025), together with an increase in upper airway symptoms. Neither lung function, exhaled NO nor systemic nor airway inflammatory parameters in BAL and bronchial mucosal biopsies were significantly affected.

Conclusions

Exposure of healthy subjects to wood smoke, derived from an experimental wood pellet boiler operating under incomplete combustion conditions with PM emissions dominated by organic matter, caused an increase in mucosal symptoms and GSH in the alveolar respiratory tract lining fluids but no acute airway inflammatory responses. We contend that this response reflects a mobilisation of GSH to the air-lung interface, consistent with a protective adaptation to the investigated wood smoke exposure.
Comparison of four phaC genes from Haloferax mediterranei and their function in different PHBV copolymer biosyntheses in Haloarcula hispanica
Authors: Han Jing , Li Ming , Hou Jing , Wu Linping , Zhou Jian , Xiang Hua
Published: August 2010

Background

The halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei is able to accumulate large amounts of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) with high molar fraction of 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) from unrelated carbon sources. A Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase composed of two subunits, PhaCHme and PhaEHme, has been identified in this strain, and shown to account for the PHBV biosynthesis.

Results

With the aid of the genome sequence of Hfx. mediterranei CGMCC 1.2087, three additional phaC genes (designated phaC1, phaC2, and phaC3) were identified, which encoded putative PhaCs. Like PhaCHme (54.8 kDa), PhaC1 (49.7 kDa) and PhaC3 (62.5 kDa) possessed the conserved motifs of type III PHA synthase, which was not observed in PhaC2 (40.4 kDa). Furthermore, the longer C terminus found in the other three PhaCs was also absent in PhaC2. Reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) revealed that, among the four genes, only phaC
Hme was transcribed under PHA-accumulating conditions in the wild-type strain. However, heterologous coexpression of phaE
Hme with each phaC gene in Haloarcula hispanica PHB-1 showed that all PhaCs, except PhaC2, could lead to PHBV accumulation with various 3HV fractions. The three kinds of copolymers were characterized using gel-permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Their thermal properties changed with the variations in monomer composition as well as the different molecular weights (M
w), thus might meet various application requirements.

Conclusion

We discover three cryptic phaC genes in Hfx. mediterranei, and demonstrate that genetic engineering of these newly identified phaC genes has biotechnological potential for PHBV production with tailor-made material properties.
A comprehensive platform for quality control of botanical drugs (PhytomicsQC): a case study of Huangqin Tang (HQT) and PHY906
Authors: Tilton Robert , Paiva Anthony A , Guan Jing-Qu , Marathe Rajendra , Jiang Zaoli , van Eyndhoven Winfried , Bjoraker Jeffrey , Prusoff Zachary , Wang Hailong , Liu Shwu-Huey , Cheng Yung-Chi
Published: August 2010

Background

Establishing botanical extracts as globally-accepted polychemical medicines and a new paradigm for disease treatment, requires the development of high-level quality control metrics. Based on comprehensive chemical and biological fingerprints correlated with pharmacology, we propose a general approach called PhytomicsQC to botanical quality control.

Methods

Incorporating the state-of-the-art analytical methodologies, PhytomicsQC was employed in this study and included the use of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) for chemical characterization and chemical fingerprinting, differential cellular gene expression for bioresponse fingerprinting and animal pharmacology for in vivo validation. A statistical pattern comparison method, Phytomics Similarity Index (PSI), based on intensities and intensity ratios, was used to determine the similarity of the chemical and bioresponse fingerprints among different manufactured batches.

Results

Eighteen batch samples of Huangqin Tang (HQT) and its pharmaceutical grade version (PHY906) were analyzed using the PhytomicsQC platform analysis. Comparative analysis of the batch samples with a clinically tested standardized batch obtained values of PSI similarity between 0.67 and 0.99.

Conclusion

With rigorous quality control using analytically sensitive and comprehensive chemical and biological fingerprinting, botanical formulations manufactured under standardized manufacturing protocols can produce highly consistent batches of products.
Comparison of the multi-drug resistant human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Bel-7402/ADM model established by three methods
Authors: Zhong Xingguo , Xiong Maoming , Meng Xiangling , Gong Renhua
Published: August 2010

Background

To compare the biological characteristics of three types of human hepatocellular carcinoma multi-drug resistant cell sub-lines Bel-7402/ADM models established by three methods.

Methods

Established human hepatocellular carcinoma adriamycin (ADM) multi-drug resistant cell sub-lines models Bel-7402/ADMV, Bel-7402/ADML and Bel-7402/ADMS by three methods of in vitro concentration gradient increased induction, nude mice liver-implanted induction and subcutaneous-implanted induction respectively. Phase contrast microscopy was used to observe the cells and the MTT (methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium) method was used to detect drug resistance of the three different sub-lines of cells.

Results

The three groups of drug resistant cells, Bel-7402/ADMV, Bel-7402/ADML and Bel-7402/ADMS generated cross-resistance to ADM and CDDP (cis-Diaminedichloroplatinum), but showed a significant difference in resistance to Bel-7402 IC50 value (P < 0.01). The doubling times were significantly extended compared to the parent cell line (39 h) and were 65 h (Bel-7402/ADMV), 46 h (Bel-7402/ADML), and 45 h (Bel-7402/ADMS). The excretion rates of ADM were significantly increased compared with the parent cell (34.14%) line and were 81.06% (Bel-7402/ADMV), 66.56% (Bel-7402/ADML) and 61.56% (Bel-7402/ADMS). Expression of P-gp and MRP in the three groups of resistant cells was significantly enhanced (P < 0.01). There was no significant variation in the expression of GSH/GST (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Stable resistance was involved in the resistant cell line model established by the above three methods. Liver implantation was a good simulation of human hepatocellular and proved to be an ideal model with characteristics similar to human hepatocellular biology and the pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs.
Novel strategies in tendon and ligament tissue engineering: Advanced biomaterials and regeneration motifs
Authors: Kuo Catherine K , Marturano Joseph E , Tuan Rocky S
Published: August 2010

Tendon and ligaments have poor healing capacity and when injured often require surgical intervention. Tissue replacement via autografts and allografts are non-ideal strategies that can lead to future problems. As an alternative, scaffold-based tissue engineering strategies are being pursued. In this review, we describe design considerations and major recent advancements of scaffolds for tendon/ligament engineering. Specifically, we outline native tendon/ligament characteristics critical for design parameters and outcome measures, and introduce synthetic and naturally-derived biomaterials used in tendon/ligament scaffolds. We will describe applications of these biomaterials in advanced tendon/ligament engineering strategies including the utility of scaffold functionalization, cyclic strain, growth factors, and interface considerations. The goal of this review is to compile and interpret the important findings of recent tendon/ligament engineering research in an effort towards the advancement of regenerative strategies.
Coordinated sequential action of EGFR and Notch signaling pathways regulates proneural wave progression in theDrosophilaoptic lobe
Authors: Yasugi Tetsuo , Sugie Atsushi , Umetsu Daiki , Tabata Tetsuya
Published: August 2010

During neurogenesis in the medulla of the Drosophila optic lobe, neuroepithelial cells are programmed to differentiate into neuroblasts at the medial edge of the developing optic lobe. The wave of differentiation progresses synchronously in a row of cells from medial to the lateral regions of the optic lobe, sweeping across the entire neuroepithelial sheet; it is preceded by the transient expression of the proneural gene lethal of scute [l(1)sc] and is thus called the proneural wave. We found that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway promotes proneural wave progression. EGFR signaling is activated in neuroepithelial cells and induces l(1)sc expression. EGFR activation is regulated by transient expression of Rhomboid (Rho), which is required for the maturation of the EGF ligand Spitz. Rho expression is also regulated by the EGFR signal. The transient and spatially restricted expression of Rho generates sequential activation of EGFR signaling and assures the directional progression of the differentiation wave. This study also provides new insights into the role of Notch signaling. Expression of the Notch ligand Delta is induced by EGFR, and Notch signaling prolongs the proneural state. Notch signaling activity is downregulated by its own feedback mechanism that permits cells at proneural states to subsequently develop into neuroblasts. Thus, coordinated sequential action of the EGFR and Notch signaling pathways causes the proneural wave to progress and induce neuroblast formation in a precisely ordered manner.
DrosophilaAtaxin 2-binding protein 1 marks an intermediate step in the molecular differentiation of female germline cysts
Authors: Tastan Ömür Y. , Maines Jean Z. , Li Yun , Mckearin Dennis M. , Buszczak Michael
Published: August 2010

In the Drosophila ovary, extrinsic signaling from the niche and intrinsic translational control machinery regulate the balance between germline stem cell maintenance and the differentiation of their daughters. However, the molecules that promote the continued stepwise development of ovarian germ cells after their exit from the niche remain largely unknown. Here, we report that the early development of germline cysts depends on the Drosophila homolog of the human ataxin 2-binding protein 1 (A2BP1) gene. Drosophila A2BP1 protein expression is first observed in the cytoplasm of 4-, 8- and 16-cell cysts, bridging the expression of the early differentiation factor Bam with late markers such as Orb, Rbp9 and Bruno encoded by arrest. The expression of A2BP1 is lost in bam, sans-fille (snf) and mei-P26 mutants, but is still present in other mutants such as rbp9 and arrest. A2BP1 alleles of varying strength produce mutant phenotypes that include germline counting defects and cystic tumors. Phenotypic analysis reveals that strong A2BP1 alleles disrupt the transition from mitosis to meiosis. These mutant cells continue to express high levels of mitotic cyclins and fail to express markers of terminal differentiation. Biochemical analysis reveals that A2BP1 isoforms bind to each other and associate with Bruno, a known translational repressor protein. These data show that A2BP1 promotes the molecular differentiation of ovarian germline cysts.
The Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics to Aid Cost-Effective Hydrodynamic Design of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Authors: Phillips A B , Turnock S R , Furlong M
Published: August 2010

The missions being proposed for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), by both marine scientists and industry, are becoming increasingly complex and challenging. In order to meet these demands the next generation of AUVs will need to be faster, to operate for longer durations, and to be more manoeuvrable than existing vehicles. It is therefore vital that the hydrodynamic forces and moments acting on a self-propelled manoeuvring AUV can be predicted accurately at the initial design stage. In order to achieve this, the use of a computational-fluid-dynamics-based analysis is suggested. The approaches developed are predominantly steady state and suitable for running on a workstation personal computer using a commercial software licence. It is estimated that the proposed simulations would take a competent user less than 1 month for a new concept design. The total cost of these simulations is significantly lower than the cost of building a model and having it commercially tested to capture the same level of detail for the resistance, propulsion, and manoeuvring performance. Based on the validation studies presented, it is estimated that on a 2×106 element structured mesh a competent user should be able to predict hydrodynamic forces to within at least 10 per cent and moments to within 20 per cent of in-service performance.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicles as Tools for Deep-Submergence Archaeology
Authors: Roman C , Mather R
Published: August 2010

Marine archaeology beyond the capabilities of scuba divers is a technologically enabled field. The tool suite includes ship-based systems such as towed side-scan sonars and remotely operated vehicles, and more recently free-swimming autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Each of these platforms has various imaging and mapping capabilities appropriate for specific scales and tasks. Broadly speaking, AUVs are becoming effective tools for locating, identifying, and surveying archaeological sites. This paper discusses the role of AUVs in this suite of tools, outlines some specific design criteria necessary to maximize their utility in the field, and presents directions for future developments. Results are presented for a recent joint AUV—towed system survey and a demonstration of current mine-hunting technologies applied to archaeology.
Web-based survey on the effect of digital storytelling on empowering women to seek help for urogenital atrophy
Authors: Cumming Grant P , Currie Heather D , Moncur Rik , Lee Amanda J
Published: August 2010

Objective

To evaluate an online digital story aimed to empower women suffering from urogenital atrophy to seek health professional advice.

Study design

A questionnaire evaluating a digital story on the UK-based menopause website www.menopausematters.co.uk .

Main outcome measure

Answers to questions on empowerment.

Results

A total of 539 responses were obtained over the 62 weeks that the questionnaire was online. In women who had not previously sought help for urogenital atrophy, 145 were too embarrassed and 105 did not want to bother the health professional. Having watched the video, 73% ( n = 105/143) of women who had been too embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with their doctor would now do so and 87% ( n = 89/102) of women who had not wanted to bother their doctor would also make an appointment. Ninety-six percent ( n = 138/144) of women would be willing to try treatment. Over two-thirds of women favoured webcast information to written information; however, postmenopausal women were less likely than peri- or premenopausal to favour this method of presenting health information.

Conclusion

Using digital stories for health promotion is a new area for research. Our data provide preliminary evidence that women can feel more empowered to seek help for urogenital atrophy using digital storytelling.
The postmenopausal bladder
Authors: Hillard Timothy
Published: August 2010

The bladder and its surrounding structures are rich in estrogen receptors and there are demonstrable physiological and anatomical changes that occur around and immediately after the menopause. The prevalence of many bladder symptoms, such as frequency, urgency and incontinence, does seem to increase around the menopause, but there is continuing debate over whether these effects are due to ageing, menopause or a combination of the two. The impact of the menopause varies with individual symptoms; stress urinary incontinence being associated more with estrogen deficiency than urge incontinence which seems to be more age-related. Both estrogen and progesterone have a variety of effects on the urogenital tract which are reviewed. Based on these effects, it could be anticipated that estrogen replacement would have a positive effect on bladder symptoms. However, the data are far from clear cut on this issue. It seems that topical estrogens do have some positive effects, particularly on symptoms of urgency, frequency and urge incontinence, the prevention of urogenital atrophy and in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections. The role of systemic estrogens is less clear cut with some studies even suggesting they can be associated with a worsening of some symptoms. The possible explanations for this apparent contradiction are explored, but based on current evidence, it would appear preferable to use vaginal estrogens rather than systemic as part of the management of menopause-related bladder problems.
The age of ovarian failure following premenopausal hysterectomy with ovarian conservation
Authors: Read Michael D , Edey Katharine A , Hapeshi Julie , Foy Christopher
Published: August 2010

Objective

To test the hypothesis that premenopausal hysterectomy compromises ovarian function and accelerates ovarian failure.

Design

Longitudinal prospective cohort study. Annual follow-up with serum follicle-stimulating hormone levels with all women being 46 years of age or less at the time of hysterectomy for benign disease.

Setting

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK.

Participants

Five hundred and thirty-one women recruited over a four-year period from 1994 to 1997.

Results

The median age of women in the study was 37 (range 22–46). Women had earlier ovarian failure after unilateral oophorectomy (hazard ratio 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44–4.04) and after vaginal hysterectomy (hazard ratio 2.04, 95% CI 1.33–3.14) compared with abdominal hysterectomy. The mean age of ovarian failure across all groups was 45.87 (±3.58), and 59 (11%) women remained in the study at the end of 10 years who had not yet entered the menopause.

Conclusion

This is the largest number of cases collected prospectively looking at ovarian failure after hysterectomy. Earlier ovarian failure occurred in those women having unilateral oophorectomy or vaginal hysterectomy. Early ovarian failure was not confirmed across the study group with only 2% of women having confirmed ovarian failure by Kaplan–Meier estimate one year after surgery and 14% at five years.
Compliance with estrogen hormone replacement therapy after oophorectomy: a prospective study
Authors: Read Michael D , Edey Katharine A , Hapeshi Julie , Foy Christopher
Published: August 2010

Objective

To quantify compliance with using estrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (HRT) up until the time of mean age of natural menopause in women undergoing either bilateral oophorectomy or removal of one remaining ovary at the time of hysterectomy for benign disease.

Design

Prospective study. Annual questionnaire follow-up for ten years of women undergoing hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy for benign disease aged 46 or less at the time of surgery.

Setting

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Participants

Five hundred and twenty-one women recruited over a four-year period from 1994 to 1997.

Main outcome measures

Compliance with HRT use, changes in HRT preparations and reasons for discontinuation.

Results

The median age of women at the time of hysterectomy was 42 (range 22–46) years; 4.9% ( n = 24) stopped HRT within the first two years and 16.5% ( n = 86) by the end of the study. The majority of women were prescribed HRT tablets (253, 48%) and the next most common being patches. In total, there were 1271 episodes of changing HRT, with the range between 0 and 18 changes per woman over the ten-year period. In all, 32% of changes were to a different route of HRT, 19% were to a different preparation of the same route, 18% were to an increased dose of the same preparation and 7% were to a decreased dose of the same preparation.

Conclusions

Compliance with HRT use was high throughout the study, although responses decreased after five years. Change to HRT preparations was consistently high across all preparations. Women requiring HRT after surgical menopause need to be supported in finding the right preparation for them.
Regulatory RNAs derived from transfer RNA?
Authors: Pederson Thoru
Published: August 2010

Four recent studies suggest that cleavages of transfer RNAs generate products with microRNA-like features, with some evidence of function. If their regulatory functions were to be confirmed, these newly revealed RNAs would add to the expanding repertoire of small noncoding RNAs and would also provide new perspectives on the coevolution of transfer RNA and messenger RNA.
Solving the Curfew Planning Problem
Authors: Nemani Ashish K. , Bog Suat , Ahuja Ravindra K.
Published: August 2010

In this paper, we study the curfew planning problem (CPP) encountered by railroads for the maintenance of their railway tracks. The CPP is to design an optimal annual timetable to complete a given set of repairs and replacement jobs (rail work and tie work) on the railway tracks for a set of crews specialized in rail work (rail crew) or tie work (tie crew). We develop the work schedule for each crew such that the disruptions in train routes because of subdivision curfews are minimized. A subdivision is said to be under curfew if any crew is working in it. The solution to the problem must also satisfy several operational and regulatory requirements such as the crew continuity, time windows, the maximum interproject distance travelled by crews, etc. Our paper presents four solution approaches for the CPP: (i) time-space network model (TSNM), (ii) duty-generation model (DGM), (iii) column-generation model (CGM), and (iv) decomposition-based heuristics. We solve each model using CPLEX and present the computational results based on real-life instances.
European Driver Rules in Vehicle Routing with Time Windows
Authors: Prescott-Gagnon Eric , Desaulniers Guy , Drexl Michael , Rousseau Louis-Martin
Published: August 2010

As of April 2007, the European Union has new regulations concerning driver working hours. These rules force the placement of breaks and rests into vehicle routes when consecutive driving or working time exceeds certain limits. This paper proposes a large neighborhood search method for the vehicle routing problem with time windows and driver regulations. In this method, neighborhoods are explored using a column generation heuristic that relies on a tabu search algorithm for generating new columns (routes). Checking route feasibility after inserting a customer into a route in the tabu search algorithm is not an easy task. To do so, we model all feasibility rules as resource constraints, develop a label-setting algorithm to perform this check, and show how it can be used efficiently to validate multiple customer insertions into a given existing route. We test the overall solution method on modified Solomon instances and report computational results that clearly show the efficiency of our method compared to two other existing heuristics.