bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete Genome Sequence of the Industrial Strain Bacillus megaterium WSH-002
Authors: Liu Liming , Li Yang , Zhang Jing , Zou Wei , Zhou Zhemin , Liu Jie , Li Xiaomin , Wang Lei , Chen Jian
Published: October 2011

Bacillus megaterium
, an industrial strain, has been widely used in protein production and the vitamin C industry. Here we reported a finished, annotated, and compared 4.14-Mbp high-quality genome sequence of
B. megaterium
WSH-002, which is the companion strain for
Ketogulonicigenium vulgare
in the vitamin C industry and is stocked in our laboratory.
Complete Genome Sequences of Arcobacter butzleri ED-1 and Arcobacter sp. Strain L, Both Isolated from a Microbial Fuel Cell
Authors: Toh Hidehiro , Sharma Vineet K. , Oshima Kenshiro , Kondo Shinji , Hattori Masahira , Ward F. Bruce , Free Andrew , Taylor Todd D.
Published: October 2011

Arcobacter butzleri
strain ED-1 is an exoelectrogenic epsilonproteobacterium isolated from the anode biofilm of a microbial fuel cell.
Arcobacter
sp. strain L dominates the liquid phase of the same fuel cell. Here we report the finished and annotated genome sequences of these organisms.
Complete Genome Sequence of Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Strain 1656-2, Which Forms Sturdy Biofilm
Authors: Park Jin Yeol , Kim Shukho , Kim Sung-Min , Cha Sun Ho , Lim Si-Kyu , Kim Jungmin
Published: October 2011

Acinetobacter baumannii
is a Gram-negative bacterium causing nosocomial infections worldwide. To gain quick insight into the molecular basis of biofilm formation in
A. baumannii
, we determined the complete genome sequence of
A. baumannii
strain 1656-2, which forms sturdy biofilm and is resistant to multiple drugs.
Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus erythropolis XP, a Biodesulfurizing Bacterium with Industrial Potential
Authors: Tao Fei , Zhao Peng , Li Qian , Su Fei , Yu Bo , Ma Cuiqing , Tang Hongzhi , Tai Cui , Wu Geng , Xu Ping
Published: October 2011

Rhodococcus erythropolis
strains have shown excellent characteristics in petroleum oil biodesulfurization. Here we present the first announcement of the draft genome sequence of an efficient biodesulfurizing bacterium named
R. erythropolis
XP (7,229,582 bp). The biodesulfurizing genes
dszABC
are located on a plasmid, while the flavin reductase gene
dszD
is located on the chromosome.
Draft Genome of Streptomyces zinciresistens K42, a Novel Metal-Resistant Species Isolated from Copper-Zinc Mine Tailings
Authors: Lin Yanbing , Hao Xiuli , Johnstone Laurel , Miller Susan J. , Baltrus David A. , Rensing Christopher , Wei Gehong
Published: October 2011

A draft genome sequence of
Streptomyces zinciresistens
K42, a novel
Streptomyces
species displaying a high level of resistance to zinc and cadmium, is presented here. The genome contains a large number of genes encoding proteins predicted to be involved in conferring metal resistance. Many of these genes appear to have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnoses in a Sample of Women with Fibromyalgia
Authors: Mist Scott D , Wright Cheryl L , Jones Kim Dupree , Carson James W
Published: October 2011

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers various treatment modalities guided by TCM diagnoses. In the United States, acupuncture is a commonly employed TCM method for treating a variety of chronic illnesses. Three systematic reviews have been reported recently, reaching differing conclusions about the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). Among the FM acupuncture studies considered in these reviews, none used TCM diagnosis as an inclusion/exclusion criterion or adjusted treatment based on TCM diagnosis. Overlooking TCM diagnosis may be a reason for such disparate results.

Primary study objective

To obtain TCM diagnoses in a sample of women meeting 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM who were recruited for a yoga study and to investigate whether there is significant variability.

Methods/design

Two TCM practitioners conducted baseline TCM diagnostic examinations on 56 women with FM. A consensus diagnosis was reached based on standardised history, palpation and examination. Canonical discriminate analysis identified two baseline items which predicted TCM diagnosis.

Setting

School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University.

Participants

Women, ages 23–75, with FM recruited to a yoga intervention study

Results

Three primary TCM diagnoses were found in the population: Qi and Blood Deficiency (46.4%, CI 33.0% to 60.36%), Qi and Blood Stagnation (26.8%, CI 15.8% to 40.3%), and Liver Qi Stagnation (19.6%, CI 10.2% to 32.4%).

Conclusion

It is likely that previous studies of FM were treating a heterogeneous study population where variable results might be expected. Future acupuncture studies should either control for TCM diagnosis or consider its usefulness as an inclusion/exclusion criterion.
Transfer of tumour necrosis factor‐α via colostrum to foals
Authors: Secor E. J. , Matychak M. B. , Felippe M. J. B.
Published: October 2011

This study aimed to determine whether TNF‐α is transferred to equine neonates via colostrum and the relationship between TNF‐α and IgG concentrations in the equine neonate. Colostrum, presuckle and postsuckle foal serum samples were collected from healthy mares and their foals. Equine TNF‐α ELISA and IgG SRID kits were used to determine the concentrations of TNF‐α and IgG, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman rank correlation. TNF‐α concentrations in all presuckle foal serum were below the limit of detection in 15/16 foals and increased in postsuckle foal serum to a mean concentration of 7.7 x 104 pg/ml. TNF‐α concentrations in postsuckle foal serum and colostrum showed significant correlation (rho=0.668; P=0.005). However, TNF‐α and IgG concentrations in colostrum or postsuckle foal serum did not correlate (rho<−0.016; P>0.05). Ratios of TNF‐α/IgG in colostrum or postsuckle foal serum showed significant correlation (rho=0.750; P=0.0008). These results indicate that TNF‐α is transferred to the foal via colostrum absorption and may play a role in early immunity
Surgical excision and morphological evaluation of altered abdominal scent glands in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)
Authors: Deutschland M. , Denk D. , Skerritt G. , Hetzel U.
Published: October 2011

An effective surgical procedure for the removal of suspected neoplasms of the scent gland in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) is presented. Information on the range of neoplastic processes and their clinical behaviour, based on the excision and morphological examination of localised scent gland abnormalities of 16 privately owned male gerbils is also provided. This report includes the first description of scent gland epitheliomas.
Optical Bistability and Multi-Stability via Quantum Interference in a Four-Level N-Type Atomic System
Authors: Sahrai Mostafa , Memarzadeh Meisam
Published: October 2011

We investigate the optical bistability (OB) and optical multi-stability (OM) in a four-level N-type atomic system. We demonstrate that the quantum interference mechanisms can significantly affect the behavior of OB and OM. It is also found that OM not only can be created via frequency detuning, but also its threshold can be controlled by the intensity of coupling field.
Photocurrent and Persistent Photoconductivity in Zinc Oxide Thin-Film Transistors under Ultraviolet-Light Irradiation
Authors: Furuta Mamoru , Kamada Yudai , Kimura Mutsumi , Shimakawa Shin-ichi , Kawaharamura Toshiyuki , Wang Dapeng , Li Chaoyang , Fujita Shizuo , Hirao Takashi
Published: October 2011

The photocurrent and photoconductive decay of the bottom-gate zinc oxide thin-film transistors (ZnO TFTs) under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation were investigated. A light-shield was formed on the TFTs to generate photoexcited carriers in a limited portion of the channel. It was found that the UV-light irradiated portion in the channel influenced not only the photocurrent but also the photoconductive decay of the ZnO TFTs. On the basis of the experimental and device simulation results, it is safe to say that the positive charges accumulated near the source region play a key role in determining both the photocurrent and photoconductive decay of the ZnO TFTs.
Effect of Hydrogen Dilution on the Metastability of Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon Oxide Solar Cells
Authors: Inthisang Sorapong , Krajangsang Taweewat , Sichanugrist Porponth , Watahiki Tatsuro , Miyajima Shinsuke , Yamada Akira , Konagai Makoto
Published: October 2011

We investigated the effect of H2 dilution on the stability of hydrogenated amorphous silicon oxide (a-Si1-x
O
x
:H) films and solar cells. a-Si1-x
O
x
:H films were prepared by very high frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (VHF-PECVD) using a gas mixture of silane (SiH4), hydrogen (H2), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The degradation results after light soaking for 310 h under AM1.5, 125 mW/cm2 at 48 °C clearly showed that the film and device stabilities were improved substantially with increasing H2 dilution. Our best stable result with a high open-circuit voltage (V
oc) of 1.03 V for a-Si1-x
O
x
:H single-junction solar cells showed a degradation of 16.6%. This result indicates that the stability against the light soaking of the a-Si1-x
O
x
:H material is not inferior to that of a conventional hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) material. The temperature dependences of current–voltage (I–V) characteristics observed before and after light soaking showed that a-Si1-x
O
x
:H solar cells had a similar temperature dependence to conventional a-Si:H solar cells.
Higher-k Scalability and Leakage Current Reduction of SiO2-Doped HfO2 in Direct Tunneling Regime
Authors: Tomida Kazuyuki , Kita Koji , Toriumi Akira
Published: October 2011

The dielectric constant scalability and leakage current reduction of ultrathin SiO2-doped HfO2 (SDH) films are demonstrated. A good linearity of capacitance–physical thickness relationship in metal–insulator–metal capacitors indicates that the high dielectric constant (∼27) of the SDH film is maintained down to 2 nm in the physical thickness. Hence, the capacitance equivalent thickness (CET) is effectively reduced with the higher-k SDH film and a significant leakage current reduction at a given CET is observed in SDH films. In this thickness region, the leakage current density is determined by the physical thickness and is independent of measurement temperature. Those facts indicate the direct tunneling mechanism should dominate the leakage current. In addition, the tunneling effective mass is evaluated to be about 0.2 m
0 (m
0: electron rest mass) by fitting the physical thickness dependence of leakage current to the theoretical calculation.
Quasi-Two-Dimensional Optical Confinement in a Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Infiltrated Optical Fiber
Authors: Ozaki Ryotaro , Uno Nobuhiro , Moritake Hiroshi
Published: October 2011

We investigate cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) orientation in a hollow fiber by microscopic observation and reflection spectrum measurement. The existence of a helical structure in the fiber is confirmed by comparing the reflection spectra of the CLC in the fiber with those of the CLC in a sandwich cell. The results of reflection measurement and microscopic observation indicate that the CLC helix is oriented concentrically in the fiber. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation results also support the experimental results. The concentrically oriented CLC can be regarded as a quasi-two-dimensional photonic crystal despite its one-dimensional CLC helix. Two-dimensional laser emission is achieved by optically pumping the fiber infiltrated with a dye-doped CLC.
Effects of Body Doping in a NAND Flash String without Source/Drain
Authors: Kim Young Min , Cho Il Hwan , Kwon Hyuck-In , Lee Jong-Ho
Published: October 2011

Cell structure using fringing field from control gate (CG) is very promising for a scaled NAND flash memory beyond sub-40 nm node. We investigated a new NAND string structure not with n-type source/drain (S/D) regions but with p-type regions in the space between gates. Even though the NAND string has a p-type region instead of n-type S/D in the space between adjacent two cells, induced layer (virtual source/drain) can be easily formed in the space by the fringing field from the CGs. When comparing a conventional NAND string with n-type S/D, the proposed structure shows better drain induced barrier leakage (DIBL) and subthreshold swing (SS) characteristics, and also shows better immunity against the process variation than conventional structure with n-type S/D. The electrical characteristics of the proposed structure were investigated as parameters of the width and doping concentration at the p/n-type region. As a NAND cell string, the current drivability of the proposed structure was also studied.
Improvement of (1122) Semipolar GaN Crystal Quality with TiN Interlayer by Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy
Authors: Xu Sheng Rui , Hao Yue , Yang Lin An , Zhang Jin Cheng , Xue Jun Shuai , Xue Xiao Yong , Liu Zi Yang , Lin Zhi Yu , Ma Jun Cai , Li Pei Xian , Li Jian Ting , He Qiang
Published: October 2011

The effect of a TiN interlayer on the crystalline quality of (1122) semipolar GaN grown on m-plane sapphire was studied by high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD). Before GaN growth, a TiN interlayer was formed by nitrided the Ti metal on the GaN seed layer. Symmetric and skew-symmetric HRXRD measurements demonstrate that both threading dislocation and basal plane stacking fault densities are reduced. Raman results also show an increased crystalline quality and a decreased threading dislocation density. (1122) semipolar GaN with an optimal Ti thickness of 2 nm has been obtained under the existing growth conditions.
Numerical Simulation Method for Plasma-Induced Damage Profile in SiO2 Etching
Authors: Kuboi Nobuyuki , Tatsumi Tetsuya , Kobayashi Shoji , Komachi Jun , Fukasawa Masanaga , Kinoshita Takashi , Ansai Hisahiro
Published: October 2011

We developed a numerical simulation method for the depth profiles of plasma-induced physical damage to SiO2 and Si layers during fluorocarbon plasma etching. In the proposed method, the surface layer is assumed to consist of two layers: a C–F polymer layer and a reactive layer. Physical and chemical reactions in the reactive layer divided into several thin slabs and in the deposited C–F polymer layer, which depend on etching parameters, such as etching time, gas flow rate, gas pressure, and ion energy (V
pp), are considered in detail. We used our simulation method to calculate the SiO2 etch rate, the thickness of the C–F polymer layer (T
C–F), and the selectivity of SiO2 to Si during C4F8/O2/Ar plasma etching. We confirmed that the calculated absolute values and their behavior are consistent with experimental data. We also successfully predicted depth profiles of physical damage to the Si and SiO2 layers introducing our re-gridding method. We found that much Si damage is generated in the pre- and early stages of the overetching step of SiO2/Si layer etching despite the high selectivity. These simulation results suggest that the T
C–F value and the overetching time must be carefully controlled by process parameters to reduce damage during fluorocarbon plasma etching. The results have also provided us with useful knowledge for controlling the etching process.
Artifact Reduction in Tomographic Images for Nondestructive Testing of Square Billets Using Ultrasonic Computerized Tomography
Authors: Mitsui Hideto , Mizutani Koichi , Wakatsuki Naoto , Norose Yoko
Published: October 2011

To reduce the intensity of artifacts in visualized images for detecting defects in square billets by ultrasonic computerized tomography, we propose a method, which utilizes the crosspower-spectrum phase (CSP) function between a measurement signal and a reference signal, to measure the time-of-flight (TOF) difference. The artifacts arise owing to measurement errors of the TOF difference, which are caused by the effects of propagation characteristics and side lobes in correlation waveforms. The effects of propagation characteristics may be reduced using the reference signal, which contains the same characteristics as those of the measurement signal. The side lobes in correlation waveforms may also be decreased using the CSP method. The results obtained by experiment suggest that the intensity of artifacts was reduced because the proposed method reduced the side lobe level by about -14 dB and the number of measurement errors. The visualized images showed that the defects whose diameter was more than 2.0 mm were detected using the input signal whose wavelength was in the range from 2 to 6 mm.
High-Optical-Power Operation of the Electroabsorption-Modulated Laser and Subsequent Changes in Eye Diagram and 3-dB Bandwidth
Authors: Yang Soohan , Kim Sun-Young , Shin Dong-Soo
Published: October 2011

We present the 10-Gbps eye diagrams of the multiple-quantum-well electroabsorption-modulated laser at high optical powers and analyze the changes in the eye diagrams. Changes in the differential photocurrent resistance and the capacitance of the electroabsorption modulator (EAM) are considered in the analysis. We show that contrary to the previous report of the bandwidth increase with the optical power, the bandwidth of the EAM remains constant with the 50-Ω parallel matching resistor. Since the 3-dB bandwidth is one of the most important design parameters for the high-speed EAM, understanding its behavior under high optical power should be very useful.
Insulin inhibits hepatocyte iNOS expression induced by cytokines by an Akt-dependent mechanism
Authors: Harbrecht Brian G. , Nweze Ikenna , Smith Jason W. , Zhang Baochun
Published: October 2011

Hepatocyte inducible nitric oxide synthese (iNOS) expression is a tightly controlled pathway that mediates hepatic inflammation and hepatocyte injury in a variety of disease states. We have shown that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) regulates cytokine-induced hepatocyte iNOS expression through mechanisms that involve protein kinase B/Akt. We hypothesized that insulin, which activates Akt signaling in hepatocytes, as well as signaling through p38 and MAPK p42/p44, would regulate iNOS expression during inflammation. In primary rat hepatocytes, insulin inhibited cytokine-stimulated nitrite accumulation and iNOS expression in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of MAPK p42/p44 with PD98059 had no effect on iNOS activation, whereas SB203580 to block p38 reversed insulin's inhibitory effect. However, insulin did not increase p38 activation and inhibition of p38 signaling with a dominant negative p38 plasmid had no effect on cytokine- or insulin-mediated effects on iNOS. We found that SB203580 blocked insulin-induced Akt activation. Inhibition of Akt signaling with LY294002 or a dominant negative Akt plasmid increased cytokine-stimulated nitrite production and iNOS protein expression and blocked the inhibitory effects of insulin. NF-κB induces iNOS expression and can be regulated by Akt, but insulin had no effect on cytokine-mediated IκBα levels or NF-κB p65 translocation. Our data demonstrate that insulin inhibits cytokine-stimulated hepatocyte iNOS expression and does so through effects on Akt-mediated signaling.
Comparison of the inhibitory response to tendon and cutaneous afferent stimulation in the human lower limb
Authors: Rogasch Nigel C. , Burne John A. , Türker Kemal S.
Published: October 2011

A powerful early inhibition is seen in triceps surae after transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the Achilles tendon [tendon electrical stimulation (TES)]. The aim of the present study was to confirm results from surface electromyogram (SEMG) recordings that the inhibition is not wholly or partly due to stimulation of cutaneous afferents that may lie within range of the tendon electrodes. Because of methodological limitations, SEMG does not reliably identify the time course of inhibitory and excitatory reflex components. This issue was revisited here with an analysis of changes in single motor unit (SMU) firing rate [peristimulus frequencygram (PSF)] and probability [peristimulus time histogram (PSTH)] to reexamine the time course of inhibitory SMU events that follow purely cutaneous (superficial sural) nerve stimulation. Results were then compared with similar data from TES. When compared with the reflex response to TES, sural nerve stimulation resulted in a longer onset latency of the primary inhibition and a weaker effect on SMU firing probability and rate. PSF also revealed that decreased SMU firing rates persisted during the excitation phase in SEMG, suggesting that the initial inhibition was more prolonged than previously reported. In a further study, the transcutaneous SEMG Achilles tendon response was compared with that from direct intratendon stimulation with insulated needle electrodes. This method should attenuate the SEMG response if it is wholly or partly dependent on cutaneous afferents. However, subcutaneous stimulation of the tendon produced similar components in the SEMG, confirming that cutaneous afferents made little or no contribution to the initial inhibition following TES.
Construction of Exact Parametric or Closed Form Solutions of Some Unsolvable Classes of Nonlinear ODEs (Abel′s Nonlinear ODEs of the First Kind and Relative Degenerate Equations)
Authors: Panayotounakos Dimitrios E. , Zarmpoutis Theodoros I.
Published: October 2011

We provide a new mathematical technique leading to the construction of the exact parametric or closed form solutions of the classes of Abel′s nonlinear differential equations (ODEs) of the first kind. These solutions are given implicitly in terms of Bessel functions of the first and the second kind (Neumann functions), as well as of the free member of the considered ODE; the parameter ν being introduced furnishes the order of the above Bessel functions and defines also the desired solutions of the considered ODE as one‐parameter family of surfaces. The nonlinear initial or boundary value problems are also investigated. Finally, introducing a relative mathematical methodology, we construct the exact parametric or closed form solutions for several degenerate Abel′s equation of the first kind.
Chemical, Mineralogical, and Morphological Properties of Steel Slag
Authors: Yildirim Irem Zeynep , Prezzi Monica
Published: October 2011

Steel slag is a byproduct of the steelmaking and steel refining processes. This paper provides an overview of the different types of steel slag that are generated from basic-oxygen-furnace (BOF) steelmaking, electric-arc-furnace (EAF) steelmaking, and ladle-furnace steel refining processes. The mineralogical and morphological properties of BOF and electric-arc-furnace-ladle [EAF(L)] slag samples generated from two steel plants in Indiana were determined through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies. The XRD patterns of both BOF and EAF(L) slag samples were very complex, with several overlapping peaks resulting from the many minerals present in these samples. The XRD analyses indicated the presence of free MgO and CaO in both the BOF and EAF(L) slag samples. SEM micrographs showed that the majority of the sand-size steel slag particles had subangular to angular shapes. Very rough surface textures with distinct crystal structures were observed on the sand-size particles of BOF and EAF(L) slag samples under SEM. The characteristics of the steel slag samples considered in this study are discussed in the context of a detailed review of steel slag properties.
Atherogenic ω-6 Lipids Modulate PPAR- EGR-1 Crosstalk in Vascular Cells
Authors: Fei Jia , Cook Carla , Gillespie Miriah , Yu Bangning , Fullen Khyra , Santanam Nalini
Published: October 2011

Atherogenicω-6 lipids are physiological ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and elicit pro- and antiatherogenic responses in vascular cells. The objective of this study was to investigate ifω-6 lipids modulated the early growth response-1 (Egr-1)/PPAR crosstalk thereby altering vascular function. Rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) were exposed toω-6 lipids, linoleic acid (LA), or its oxidized form, 13-HPODE (OxLA) in the presence or absence of a PPARαantagonist (MK886) or PPARγantagonist (GW9662) or PPAR-specific siRNA. Our results demonstrate thatω-6 lipids, induced Egr-1 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA and protein levels at the acute phase (1–4 hrs) when PPARαwas downregulated and at subacute phase (4–12 hrs) by modulating PPARγ, thus resulting in altered monocyte adhesion to RASMCs. We provide novel insights into the mechanism of action ofω-6 lipids on Egr-1/PPAR interactions in vascular cells and their potential in altering vascular function.
One‐Signed Periodic Solutions of First‐Order Functional Differential Equations with a Parameter
Authors: Ma Ruyun , Lu Yanqiong
Published: October 2011

We study one‐signed periodic solutions of the first‐order functional differential equation u′(t) = −a(t)u(t) + λb(t)f(u(t − τ(t))), t ∈ ℝ by using global bifurcation techniques. Where a, b ∈ C(ℝ, [0, ∞)) are ω−periodic functions with , , τ is a continuous ω‐periodic function, and λ > 0 is a parameter. f ∈ C(ℝ,ℝ) and there exist two constants s2 < 0 < s1 such that f(s2) = f(0) = f(s1) = 0, f(s) > 0 for s ∈ (0, s1)∪(s1, ∞) and f(s) < 0 for s ∈ (−∞, s2)∪(s2, 0).
Solutions of the Force‐Free Duffing‐van der Pol Oscillator Equation
Authors: Khan Najeeb Alam , Jamil Muhammad , Ali Syed Anwar , Khan Nadeem Alam
Published: October 2011

A new approximate method for solving the nonlinear Duffing‐van der pol oscillator equation is proposed. The proposed scheme depends only on the two components of homotopy series, the Laplace transformation and, the Padé approximants. The proposed method introduces an alternative framework designed to overcome the difficulty of capturing the behavior of the solution and give a good approximation to the solution for a large time. The Runge‐Kutta algorithm was used to solve the governing equation via numerical solution. Finally, to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method, the response of the oscillator, which was obtained from approximate solution, has been shown graphically and compared with that of numerical solution.
Ectopic Pregnancy in the Cervix: A Case Report
Authors: Mohebbi Mohammad R. , Rosenkrans Kurt A. , Luebbert Eric E. , Hunt Tauhni T. , Jung Michael J.
Published: October 2011

Cervical pregnancy is an extremely rare condition with potential grave consequences if not diagnosed and treated early enough. We present a case and an ultrasound image of early cervical ectopic pregnancy with a history of two previous cesarean sections who was successfully treated with suction curettage.
Maternal Behaviors during Pregnancy Impact Offspring Obesity Risk
Authors: Phelan Suzanne , Hart Chantelle , Phipps Maureen , Abrams Barbara , Schaffner Andrew , Adams Angelica , Wing Rena
Published: October 2011

This study investigated the effects of maternal changes during pregnancy in diet, exercise, and psychosocial factors on offspring weight parameters at birth and 6 months. In overweight/obese (OW/OB;n=132) mothers, greater % kcal from sweets early in pregnancy was the strongest, independent predictor of higher weight for age (WFA) (beta=0.19;P=0.004), higher odds of macrosomia (OR = 1.1 (1.0–1.2);P=0.004) andWFA>90th percentile at birth (OR = 1.2 (1.1–1.3);P=0.002) and higher WFA at 6 months (beta=0.30;P=0.002). In normal weight (n=153) mothers, higher intake of soft drinks was the strongest predictor of higher offspring WFA at birth (beta = 0.16;P=0.04) but not at 6 months. Prenatal physical activity, depressive symptoms, and sleep-related variables did not significantly predict offspring weight outcomes. Mothers’ eating behaviors during pregnancy, especially intake of sweets in OW/OB mothers, may have a lasting effect on child weight.
Shorter Telomeres Associate with a Reduced Risk of Melanoma Development
Authors: Nan Hongmei , Du Mengmeng , De Vivo Immaculata , Manson JoAnn E. , Liu Simin , McTiernan Anne , Curb J. David , Lessin Lawrence S. , Bonner Matthew R. , Guo Qun , Qureshi Abrar A. , Hunter David J. , Han Jiali
Published: October 2011

Epidemiologic studies have linked shortened telomeres with the development of many cancers. However, recent studies have suggested that longer telomeres may lead to prolonged senescence in melanocytes, providing increased opportunity for malignant transformation. We therefore examined whether shorter prediagnostically measured relative telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) was associated with a decreased risk of cutaneous melanoma. Telomere length in prospectively collected PBLs was measured in incident melanoma cases and age-matched controls selected from participants in three large prospective cohorts: the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS), the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), and the Nurses' Health Study (NHS). Shorter telomere lengths were associated with decreased risk of melanoma in each cohort. The Ptrend across quartiles was 0.03 in the WHI-OS and 0.008 in the HPFS. When combining these two datasets with published data in the NHS (Ptrend, 0.09), compared with individuals in the fourth quartile (the longest telomere lengths), those in the first quartile had an OR of 0.43 (95% CI: 0.28–0.68; Ptrend, 0.0003). Unlike findings for other tumors, shorter telomeres were significantly associated with a decreased risk of melanoma in this study, suggesting a unique role of telomeres in melanoma development. Cancer Res; 71(21); 6758–6763. ©2011 AACR.
TGFβ1 Inhibition Increases the Radiosensitivity of Breast Cancer CellsIn Vitroand Promotes Tumor Control by RadiationIn Vivo
Authors: Bouquet Fanny , Pal Anupama , Pilones Karsten A. , Demaria Sandra , Hann Byron , Akhurst Rosemary J. , Babb Jim S. , Lonning Scott M. , DeWyngaert J. Keith , Formenti Silvia C. , Barcellos-Hoff Mary Helen
Published: October 2011

Purpose: To determine whether inhibition of TGFβ signaling prior to irradiation sensitizes human and murine cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Experimental Design: TGFβ-mediated growth and Smad phosphorylation of MCF7, Hs578T, MDA-MB-231, and T47D human breast cancer cell lines were examined and correlated with clonogenic survival following graded radiation doses with and without pretreatment with LY364947, a small molecule inhibitor of the TGFβ type I receptor kinase. The DNA damage response was assessed in irradiated MDA-MB-231 cells pretreated with LY364947 in vitro and LY2109761, a pharmacokinetically stable inhibitor of TGFβ signaling, in vivo. The in vitro response of a syngeneic murine tumor, 4T1, was tested using a TGFβ neutralizing antibody, 1D11, with single or fractionated radiation doses in vivo.

Results: Human breast cancer cell lines pretreated with TGFβ small molecule inhibitor were radiosensitized, irrespective of sensitivity to TGFβ growth inhibition. Consistent with increased clonogenic cell death, radiation-induced phosphorylation of H2AX and p53 was significantly reduced in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative breast cancer cells when pretreated in vitro or in vivo with a TGFβ type I receptor kinase inhibitor. Moreover, TGFβ neutralizing antibodies increased radiation sensitivity, blocked γH2AX foci formation, and significantly increased tumor growth delay in 4T1 murine mammary tumors in response to single and fractionated radiation exposures.

Conclusion: These results show that TGFβ inhibition prior to radiation attenuated DNA damage responses, increased clonogenic cell death, and promoted tumor growth delay, and thus may be an effective adjunct in cancer radiotherapy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(21); 6754–65. ©2011 AACR.
A Systems Biology Approach Identifies SART1 as a Novel Determinant of Both 5-Fluorouracil and SN38 Drug Resistance in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Allen Wendy L. , Stevenson Leanne , Coyle Vicky M. , Jithesh Puthen V. , Proutski Irina , Carson Gail , Gordon Michael A. , Lenz Heinz-Josef D. , Van Schaeybroeck Sandra , Longley Daniel B. , Johnston Patrick G.
Published: October 2011

Chemotherapy response rates for advanced colorectal cancer remain disappointingly low, primarily because of drug resistance, so there is an urgent need to improve current treatment strategies. To identify novel determinants of resistance to the clinically relevant drugs 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and SN38 (the active metabolite of irinotecan), transcriptional profiling experiments were carried out on pretreatment metastatic colorectal cancer biopsies and HCT116 parental and chemotherapy-resistant cell line models using a disease-specific DNA microarray. To enrich for potential chemoresistance-determining genes, an unsupervised bioinformatics approach was used, and 50 genes were selected and then functionally assessed using custom-designed short interfering RNA (siRNA) screens. In the primary siRNA screen, silencing of 21 genes sensitized HCT116 cells to either 5-FU or SN38 treatment. Three genes (RAPGEF2, PTRF, and SART1) were selected for further analysis in a panel of 5 colorectal cancer cell lines. Silencing SART1 sensitized all 5 cell lines to 5-FU treatment and 4/5 cell lines to SN38 treatment. However, silencing of RAPGEF2 or PTRF had no significant effect on 5-FU or SN38 sensitivity in the wider cell line panel. Further functional analysis of SART1 showed that its silencing induced apoptosis that was caspase-8 dependent. Furthermore, silencing of SART1 led to a downregulation of the caspase-8 inhibitor, c-FLIP, which we have previously shown is a key determinant of drug resistance in colorectal cancer. This study shows the power of systems biology approaches for identifying novel genes that regulate drug resistance and identifies SART1 as a previously unidentified regulator of c-FLIP and drug-induced activation of caspase-8. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(1); 119–31. ©2011 AACR.
Chronic Nicotine Consumption Does Not Influence 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-Pyridyl)-1-Butanone–Induced Lung Tumorigenesis
Authors: Murphy Sharon E. , von Weymarn Linda B. , Schutten Melissa M. , Kassie Fekadu , Modiano Jaime F.
Published: October 2011

Nicotine replacement therapy is often used to maintain smoking cessation. However, concerns exist about the safety of long-term nicotine replacement therapy use in ex-smokers and its concurrent use in smokers. In this study, we determined the effect of nicotine administration on 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumors in A/J mice. Female mice were administered a single dose of NNK (10 μmol) and 0.44 μmol/mL nicotine in the drinking water. Nicotine was administered 2 weeks prior to NNK, 44 weeks after NNK, throughout the experiment, or without NNK treatment. The average weekly consumption of nicotine-containing water was 15 ± 3 mL per mouse, resulting in an estimated daily nicotine dose of 0.9 μmol (0.15 mg) per mouse. Nicotine administration alone for 46 weeks did not increase lung tumor multiplicity (0.32 ± 0.1 vs. 0.53 ± 0.1 tumors per mouse). Lung tumor multiplicity in NNK-treated mice was 18.4 ± 4.5 and was not different for mice consuming nicotine before or after NNK administration, 21.9 ± 5.3 and 20.0 ± 5.4 tumors per mouse, respectively. Lung tumor multiplicity in animals consuming nicotine both before and after NNK administration was 20.4 ± 5.4. Tumor size and progression of adenomas to carcinomas was also not affected by nicotine consumption. In addition, nicotine consumption had no effect on the level of O6-methylguanine in the lung of NNK-treated mice. These negative findings in a commonly used model of human lung carcinogenesis should lead us to question the interpretation of the many in vitro studies that find that nicotine stimulates cancer cell growth. Cancer Prev Res; 4(11); 1752–60. ©2011 AACR.
The Relation between 6-n-Propylthiouracil Sensitivity and Caries Activity in Schoolchildren
Authors: Öter B. , Ulukapı I. , Ulukapı H. , Topçuoğlu N. , Çıldır Ş.
Published: October 2011

Caries activity tests are being used to assess caries risk in children. In recent years the purpose of most studies has been to develop practical, quick, reliable and economic tests. Clinical studies showed that the difference in sensitivity to the bitter taste of 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) is a heritable trait and may influence children’s nutritional habits and caries development. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between PROP sensitivity and caries activity in schoolchildren, in comparison with different caries activity tests. One hundred and twenty children aged between 7 and 12 years (mean age 9.97 ± 1.59) were investigated to determine socioeconomic status and oral hygiene habits, fluoride consumption, DMFT, DMFS, df, dfs, plaque indexes, and nutritional habits. Children were divided into three groups according to their caries risk status based on the Cariogram. The solution test and the PROP-impregnated filter paper test were used together to determine PROP sensitivity. After all associated factors had been controlled, stepwise regression analyses revealed that DMFT and dfs scores were important determinants of PROP. According to dfs, the sensitivity of the Cariogram and of PROP tests was 0.85 and 0.70, respectively, and specificity was 0.32 and 0.33, respectively. There was an inverse significant relationship between PROP sensitivity and DMFT, DMFS, and dfs results (p < 0.01). In conclusion, PROP nontasters were significantly more likely to have high caries risk than PROP tasters (p < 0.01).
Sex Differences in Myocardial Salvage and Clinical Outcome in Patients With Acute Reperfused ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Eitel Ingo , Desch Steffen , de Waha Suzanne , Fuernau Georg , Gutberlet Matthias , Schuler Gerhard , Thiele Holger
Published: October 2011

Background—

There is conflicting evidence regarding sex-based differences in myocardial salvage and clinical outcome in patients after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are sex-associated differences in infarct characteristics (myocardial salvage, infarct size, microvascular obstruction) and clinical outcome in STEMI patients who are reperfused by primary angioplasty.

Methods and Results—

In this study, we included 96 women and 239 men with STEMI undergoing primary angioplasty <12 hours after symptom onset. T2-weighted and contrast-enhanced cardiac MRI was used to assess myocardial salvage, infarct size, and microvascular obstruction. The primary clinical end point was mortality within 6 months after the index event. The amount of myocardium at risk and final infarct size did not differ significantly between women and men. Consequently, myocardial salvage was similar between groups (
P
=0.36). Women had a higher in-hospital (3% versus 10%;
P
=0.03) and 30-day (5% versus 11%;
P
=0.05) mortality rate than did men. Six months after infarction, no significant sex differences in survival were obvious (11% versus 7%;
P
=0.21). After adjustment for baseline differences (age, diabetes, hypertension), female sex was not an independent predictor of mortality and major adverse cardiac events.

Conclusions—

The efficacy of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (myocardial salvage) in patients with STEMI is not sex dependent. Although women STEMI patients had worse unadjusted in-hospital and 30-day clinical outcomes than did men, multivariate analysis revealed that the observed sex-based differences in early death after STEMI were likely related to differences in baseline risk and clinical characteristics.
Thrombospondin-4 Is Required for Stretch-Mediated Contractility Augmentation in Cardiac Muscle
Authors: Cingolani Oscar H. , Kirk Jonathan A. , Seo Kinya , Koitabashi Norimichi , Lee Dong-ik , Ramirez-Correa Genaro , Bedja Djahida , Barth Andreas S. , Moens An L. , Kass David A.
Published: October 2011

Rationale:

One of the physiological mechanisms by which the heart adapts to a rise in blood pressure is by augmenting myocyte stretch-mediated intracellular calcium, with a subsequent increase in contractility. This slow force response was first described over a century ago and has long been considered compensatory, but its underlying mechanisms and link to chronic adaptations remain uncertain. Because levels of the matricellular protein thrombospondin-4 (TSP4) rapidly rise in hypertension and are elevated in cardiac stress overload and heart failure, we hypothesized that TSP4 is involved in this adaptive mechanism.

Objective:

To determine the mechano-transductive role that TSP4 plays in cardiac regulation to stress.

Methods and results:

In mice lacking TSP4 (
Tsp4
−/−
), hearts failed to acutely augment contractility or activate stretch-response pathways (ERK1/2 and Akt) on exposure to acute pressure overload. Sustained pressure overload rapidly led to greater chamber dilation, reduced function, and increased heart mass. Unlike controls,
Tsp4
−/−
cardiac trabeculae failed to enhance contractility and cellular calcium after a stretch. However, the contractility response was restored in
Tsp4
−/−
muscle incubated with recombinant TSP4. Isolated
Tsp4
−/−
myocytes responded normally to stretch, identifying a key role of matrix-myocyte interaction for TSP4 contractile modulation.

Conclusion:

These results identify TSP4 as myocyte-interstitial mechano-signaling molecule central to adaptive cardiac contractile responses to acute stress, which appears to play a crucial role in the transition to chronic cardiac dilatation and failure.
Systemic Thrombolysis in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke and Internal Carotid ARtery Occlusion
Authors: Paciaroni Maurizio , Balucani Clotilde , Agnelli Giancarlo , Caso Valeria , Silvestrelli Giorgio , Grotta James C. , Demchuk Andrew M. , Sohn Sung-Il , Orlandi Giovanni , Leys Didier , Pezzini Alessandro , Alexandrov Andrei V. , Silvestrini Mauro , Fofi Luisa , Barlinn Kristian , Inzitari Domenico , Ferrarese Carlo , Tassi Rossana , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Consoli Domenico , Baldi Antonio , Bovi Paolo , Luda Emilio , Galletti Giampiero , Invernizzi Paolo , DeLodovici Maria Luisa , Corea Francesco , Del Sette Massimo , Monaco Serena , Marcheselli Simona , Alberti Andrea , Venti Michele , Acciarresi Monica , D'Amore Cataldo , Macellari Federica , Lanari Alessia , Previdi Paolo , Gonzales Nicole R. , Pandurengan Renganayaki K. , Vahidy Farhaan S. , Sline Melvin , Bal Simerpreet S. , Chiti Alberto , Gialdini Gino , Dumont Frederic , Cordonnier Charlotte , Debette Stéphanie , Padovani Alessandro , Cerqua Raffaella , Bodechtel Ulf , Kepplinger Jessica , Nesi Mascia , Nencini Patrizia , Beretta Simone , Trentini Claudia , Martini Giuseppe , Piperidou Charitomeni , Heliopoulos Ioannis , D'Anna Sebastiano , Cappellari Manuel , Donati Edoardo , Bono Giorgio , Traverso Elisabetta , Toni Danilo
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—

The beneficial effect of intravenous thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke attributable to internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in these patients.

Methods—

ICARO was a case-control multicenter study on prospectively collected data. Patients with acute ischemic stroke and ICA occlusion treated with intravenous recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator within 4.5 hours from symptom onset (cases) were compared to matched patients with acute stroke and ICA occlusion not treated with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (controls). Cases and controls were matched for age, gender, and stroke severity. The efficacy outcome was disability at 90 days assessed by the modified Rankin Scale, dichotomized as favorable (score of 0–2) or unfavorable (score of 3–6). Safety outcomes were death and any intracranial bleeding.

Results—

Included in the analysis were 253 cases and 253 controls. Seventy-three cases (28.9%) had a favorable outcome as compared with 52 controls (20.6%; adjusted odds ratio (OR), 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–3.15;
P
=0.037). A total of 104 patients died, 65 cases (25.7%) and 39 controls (15.4%; adjusted OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.36–3.22;
P
=0.001). There were more fatal bleedings (2.8% versus 0.4%; OR, 7.17; 95% CI, 0.87–58.71;
P
=0.068) in the cases than in the controls.

Conclusions—

In patients with stroke attributable to ICA occlusion, thrombolytic therapy results in a significant reduction in the proportion of patients dependent in activities of daily living. Increases in death and any intracranial bleeding were the trade-offs for this clinical benefit.
Angiographic Reconstructions From Whole-Brain Perfusion CT for the Detection of Large Vessel Occlusion in Acute Stroke
Authors: Frölich Andreas M.J. , Psychogios Marios N. , Klotz Ernst , Schramm Ramona , Knauth Michael , Schramm Peter
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—

Multimodal CT imaging consisting of nonenhanced CT, CT angiography (CTA), and whole-brain volume perfusion CT is increasingly used for acute stroke imaging. In these patients, presence of vessel occlusion is an important factor governing treatment decisions and possible endovascular therapy. The goal of this study was to assess the value and diagnostic accuracy of angiographic thin-slice volume perfusion CT reconstructions for the detection of intracranial large vessel occlusion in patients with stroke.

Methods—

Fifty-eight patients with acute stroke received nonenhanced CT, CTA, and volume perfusion CT. All images were obtained on a 128-slice multidetector CT scanner. CT angiographic axial and coronal maximum-intensity projections of the head were reconstructed from conventional CTA and from the peak arterial scan of the volume perfusion CT data set (4-dimensional CTA). Images were assessed for the presence of intracranial vessel occlusion. The distribution of ischemic lesions was analyzed on perfusion parameter maps.

Results—

On CTA, 30 patients (52%) had a total of 33 occluded intracranial artery segments. Twenty-eight occlusions were identified on 4-dimensional CTA, resulting in an 85% sensitivity with a positive predictive value of 97%. When combined with an analysis of the perfusion parameter maps, sensitivity of 4-dimensional CTA increased to 94% with a positive predictive value of 100%.

Conclusions—

In acute stroke, angiographic volume perfusion CT reconstructions may be a feasible option to detect intracranial arterial occlusion and evaluate patients for endovascular therapy. Sensitivity for detection of intracranial arterial occlusion can be increased by simultaneous assessment of perfusion parameter maps. Future studies should assess whether time-resolved 4-dimensional CTA may offer additional diagnostically relevant information compared with single-phase CTA.
Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Images and Stroke Outcome After Thrombolysis
Authors: Ebinger Martin , Kufner Anna , Galinovic Ivana , Brunecker Peter , Malzahn Uwe , Nolte Christian H. , Endres Matthias , Fiebach Jochen B.
Published: October 2011

Background and Purpose—

We investigated if hyperintensities on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences in arteries and parenchyma are associated with poor outcome 3 months after thrombolysis.

Methods—

Consecutive acute stroke patients with known time of symptom onset who had an MRI before and 1 day after thrombolysis were included in this study. Blinded to follow-up imaging and outcome, 2 raters independently judged the presence or absence of arterial and parenchymal FLAIR hyperintensities. Functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale) was assessed after 3 months.

Results—

Out of 90 patients, 22 had parenchymal FLAIR hyperintensities and 42 had hyperintense vessels. The combination of FLAIR hyperintensities in arteries and parenchyma occurred in 15 patients. Stepwise forward regression analysis revealed an adjusted odds ratio of 14.5 for a worse outcome (modified Rankin Scale score >2) in patients with FLAIR hyperintensities in arteries and parenchyma (95% confidence interval, 1.3–158.5;
P
=0.03).

Conclusions—

FLAIR hyperintensities in arteries and parenchyma are an easy-to-use MRI feature in acute ischemic stroke associated with poor outcome 3 months after thrombolysis.