bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Does National Resilience Mean in a Democracy? Evidence from the United States and Israel
Authors: Canetti Daphna , Waismel-Manor Israel , Cohen Naor , Rapaport Carmit
Published: March 2013

Given various challenges to national security in democracies, such as terrorism and political violence, a growing need for reconceptualization of the term “resilience” emerges. The interface between national security and resilience is rooted in individuals’ perceptions and attitudes toward institutions and leadership. Therefore, in this article, we suggest that political–psychological features form the basis of citizens’ perceived definitions of national resilience. By comparing national resilience definitions composed by citizens of two democratic countries facing national threats of war and terrorism, the United States and Israel, we found that perceived threats, optimism, and public attitudes such as patriotism and trust in governmental institutions, are the most frequent components of the perceived national resilience. On the basis of these results, a reconceptualization of the term “national resilience” is presented. This can lead to validation of how resilience is measured and provide grounds for further examination of this concept in other democratic countries.
Adjustment and Hybridity in Turkish Family Change
Authors: Kavas Serap , Thornton Arland
Published: March 2013

Since the late Ottoman period, the family has been considered the central element in the modernization process in Turkey. Believing that changes in such institutions as marriage, divorce, and fertility are indices of modern family and modern society, political elites formulated strong aspirations to change Turkish families along Western lines. Turkish families have been characterized by substantial changes in marriage, divorce, and gender roles over the past half-century. Although many explanations have been proposed for these changes, this study offers new explanations based on ideational influences. Our theoretical approach draws on the developmental idealism framework, which throws new light on ideational factors that produce continuity and change in family and demographic behavior.
A meta-model analysis of a finite element simulation for defining poroelastic properties of intervertebral discs
Authors: Nikkhoo Mohammad , Hsu Yu-Chun , Haghpanahi Mohammad , Parnianpour Mohamad , Wang Jaw-Lin
Published: March 2013

Finite element analysis is an effective tool to evaluate the material properties of living tissue. For an interactive optimization procedure, the finite element analysis usually needs many simulations to reach a reasonable solution. The meta-model analysis of finite element simulation can be used to reduce the computation of a structure with complex geometry or a material with composite constitutive equations. The intervertebral disc is a complex, heterogeneous, and hydrated porous structure. A poroelastic finite element model can be used to observe the fluid transferring, pressure deviation, and other properties within the disc. Defining reasonable poroelastic material properties of the anulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus is critical for the quality of the simulation. We developed a material property updating protocol, which is basically a fitting algorithm consisted of finite element simulations and a quadratic response surface regression. This protocol was used to find the material properties, such as the hydraulic permeability, elastic modulus, and Poisson’s ratio, of intact and degenerated porcine discs. The results showed that the in vitro disc experimental deformations were well fitted with limited finite element simulations and a quadratic response surface regression. The comparison of material properties of intact and degenerated discs showed that the hydraulic permeability significantly decreased but Poisson’s ratio significantly increased for the degenerated discs. This study shows that the developed protocol is efficient and effective in defining material properties of a complex structure such as the intervertebral disc.
Death and Discourse: The History of Arguing Against the Homosexual Panic Defense
Authors: Helmers Matthew T.
Published: March 2013

Beginning in the 1960s, American males began to plead the “Homosexual Panic Defense” (HPD) when charged with the murder of a homosexual male. Over the next 50 years, legal and literary academics decried the use of the HPD affirming that it relied on prejudicial stereotypes of “bad” homosexuals as sexual predators. This article revisits these critical debates and shows how these legal critics attempt to gentrify the “homosexual” into a good subject in order to justify his right-to-life. I argue that sexuality should never be considered a justification for murder, regardless of the particular homosexual’s status as good or bad.
Improving thermal and energy performance of buildings in summer with internal phase change materials
Authors: Becker Rachel
Published: March 2013

In warm climates, internally applied phase change materials may substitute insufficient thermal mass in lightweight constructions. A simplified model was developed for devising initial-design data for phase change material products applied on the inner surface of walls. The model enabled estimating the thickness of the phase change material layer that can be fully discharged via night ventilation and, for a given product thickness, the total area required for storing the internal heat gains occurring during the day. Thermal and energy performance of three building types in the Mediterranean climate was further analysed using the dynamic program EnergyPlus. Results showed that intensive night ventilation is essential for discharging daily stored energy. During the hottest period, only a thin layer of several millimetres can be fully discharged overnight. Minimal thicknesses were very effective in reducing cooling energy demand in lightweight offices but much less effective in semi-lightweight classrooms. Increased phase change material thickness increased energy savings, and by reducing surface temperatures during occupancy periods, improved thermal comfort. In heavyweight construction, phase change material improved thermal comfort but not energy performance.
SerpinB1 is critical for neutrophil survival through cell-autonomous inhibition of cathepsin G
Authors: Baumann Mathias , Pham Christine T. N. , Benarafa Charaf
Published: March 2013

Key Points

Serine protease inhibitor serpinB1 protects neutrophils by inhibition of their own azurophil granule protease cathepsin G. Granule permeabilization in neutrophils leads to cathepsin G–mediated death upstream and independent of apoptotic caspases.
A benchmark server using high resolution protein structure data, and benchmark results for membrane helix predictions
Authors: Rath Emma M , Tessier Dominique , Campbell Alexander A , Lee Hong Ching , Werner Tim , Salam Noeris K , Lee Lawrence K , Church W Bret
Published: March 2013

Background

Helical membrane proteins are vital for the interaction of cells with their environment. Predicting the location of membrane helices in protein amino acid sequences provides substantial understanding of their structure and function and identifies membrane proteins in sequenced genomes. Currently there is no comprehensive benchmark tool for evaluating prediction methods, and there is no publication comparing all available prediction tools. Current benchmark literature is outdated, as recently determined membrane protein structures are not included. Current literature is also limited to global assessments, as specialised benchmarks for predicting specific classes of membrane proteins were not previously carried out.

Description

We present a benchmark server at http://sydney.edu.au/pharmacy/sbio/software/TMH_benchmark.shtml that uses recent high resolution protein structural data to provide a comprehensive assessment of the accuracy of existing membrane helix prediction methods. The server further allows a user to compare uploaded predictions generated by novel methods, permitting the comparison of these novel methods against all existing methods compared by the server. Benchmark metrics include sensitivity and specificity of predictions for membrane helix location and orientation, and many others. The server allows for customised evaluations such as assessing prediction method performances for specific helical membrane protein subtypes.

We report results for custom benchmarks which illustrate how the server may be used for specialised benchmarks. Which prediction method is the best performing method depends on which measure is being benchmarked. The OCTOPUS membrane helix prediction method is consistently one of the highest performing methods across all measures in the benchmarks that we performed.

Conclusions

The benchmark server allows general and specialised assessment of existing and novel membrane helix prediction methods. Users can employ this benchmark server to determine the most suitable method for the type of prediction the user needs to perform, be it general whole-genome annotation or the prediction of specific types of helical membrane protein. Creators of novel prediction methods can use this benchmark server to evaluate the performance of their new methods. The benchmark server will be a valuable tool for researchers seeking to extract more sophisticated information from the large and growing protein sequence databases.
Using cited references to improve the retrieval of related biomedical documents
Authors: Ortuño Francisco M , Rojas Ignacio , Andrade-Navarro Miguel A , Fontaine Jean-Fred
Published: March 2013

Background

A popular query from scientists reading a biomedical abstract is to search for topic-related documents in bibliographic databases. Such a query is challenging because the amount of information attached to a single abstract is little, whereas classification-based retrieval algorithms are optimally trained with large sets of relevant documents. As a solution to this problem, we propose a query expansion method that extends the information related to a manuscript using its cited references.

Results

Data on cited references and text sections in 249,108 full-text biomedical articles was extracted from the Open Access subset of the PubMed Central® database (PMC-OA). Of the five standard sections of a scientific article, the Introduction and Discussion sections contained most of the citations (mean = 10.2 and 9.9 citations, respectively). A large proportion of articles (98.4%) and their cited references (79.5%) were indexed in the PubMed® database.

Using the MedlineRanker abstract classification tool, cited references allowed accurate retrieval of the citing document in a test set of 10,000 documents and also of documents related to six biomedical topics defined by particular MeSH® terms from the entire PMC-OA (p-value<0.01).

Classification performance was sensitive to the topic and also to the text sections from which the references were selected. Classifiers trained on the baseline (i.e., only text from the query document and not from the references) were outperformed in almost all the cases. Best performance was often obtained when using all cited references, though using the references from Introduction and Discussion sections led to similarly good results. This query expansion method performed significantly better than pseudo relevance feedback in 4 out of 6 topics.

Conclusions

The retrieval of documents related to a single document can be significantly improved by using the references cited by this document (p-value<0.01). Using references from Introduction and Discussion performs almost as well as using all references, which might be useful for methods that require reduced datasets due to computational limitations. Cited references from particular sections might not be appropriate for all topics. Our method could be a better alternative to pseudo relevance feedback though it is limited by full text availability.
Genes associated with the cis-regulatory functions of intragenic LINE-1 elements
Authors: Wanichnopparat Wachiraporn , Suwanwongse Kulachanya , Pin-on Piyapat , Aporntewan Chatchawit , Mutirangura Apiwat
Published: March 2013

Background

Thousands of intragenic long interspersed element 1 sequences (LINE-1 elements or L1s) reside within genes. These intragenic L1 sequences are conserved and regulate the expression of their host genes. When L1 methylation is decreased, either through chemical induction or in cancer, the intragenic L1 transcription is increased. The resulting L1 mRNAs form RISC complexes with pre-mRNA to degrade the complementary mRNA. In this study, we screened for genes that are involved in intragenic L1 regulation networks.

Results

Genes containing L1s were obtained from L1Base (http://l1base.molgen.mpg.de). The expression profiles of 205 genes in 516 gene knockdown experiments were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo). The expression levels of the genes with and without L1s were compared using Pearson’s chi-squared test. After a permutation based statistical analysis and a multiple hypothesis testing, 73 genes were found to induce significant regulatory changes (upregulation and/or downregulation) in genes with L1s. In detail, 5 genes were found to induce both the upregulation and downregulation of genes with L1s, whereas 27 and 37 genes induced the downregulation and upregulation, respectively, of genes with L1s. These regulations sometimes differed depending on the cell type and the orientation of the intragenic L1s. Moreover, the siRNA-regulating genes containing L1s possess a variety of molecular functions, are responsible for many cellular phenotypes and are associated with a number of diseases.

Conclusions

Cells use intragenic L1s as cis-regulatory elements within gene bodies to modulate gene expression. There may be several mechanisms by which L1s mediate gene expression. Intragenic L1s may be involved in the regulation of several biological processes, including DNA damage and repair, inflammation, immune function, embryogenesis, cell differentiation, cellular response to external stimuli and hormonal responses. Furthermore, in addition to cancer, intragenic L1s may alter gene expression in a variety of diseases and abnormalities.
Prediction of constitutive A-to-I editing sites from human transcriptomes in the absence of genomic sequences
Authors: Zhu Shanshan , Xiang Jian-Feng , Chen Tian , Chen Ling-Ling , Yang Li
Published: March 2013

Background

Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing is recognized as a cellular mechanism for generating both RNA and protein diversity. Inosine base pairs with cytidine during reverse transcription and therefore appears as guanosine during sequencing of cDNA. Current approaches of RNA editing identification largely depend on the comparison between transcriptomes and genomic DNA (gDNA) sequencing datasets from the same individuals, and it has been challenging to identify editing candidates from transcriptomes in the absence of gDNA information.

Results

We have developed a new strategy to accurately predict constitutive RNA editing sites from publicly available human RNA-seq datasets in the absence of relevant genomic sequences. Our approach establishes new parameters to increase the ability to map mismatches and to minimize sequencing/mapping errors and unreported genome variations. We identified 695 novel constitutive A-to-I editing sites that appear in clusters (named “editing boxes”) in multiple samples and which exhibit spatial and dynamic regulation across human tissues. Some of these editing boxes are enriched in non-repetitive regions lacking inverted repeat structures and contain an extremely high conversion frequency of As to Is. We validated a number of editing boxes in multiple human cell lines and confirmed that ADAR1 is responsible for the observed promiscuous editing events in non-repetitive regions, further expanding our knowledge of the catalytic substrate of A-to-I RNA editing by ADAR enzymes.

Conclusions

The approach we present here provides a novel way of identifying A-to-I RNA editing events by analyzing only RNA-seq datasets. This method has allowed us to gain new insights into RNA editing and should also aid in the identification of more constitutive A-to-I editing sites from additional transcriptomes.
Genetic analysis of tolerance to Boron toxicity in the legume Medicago truncatula
Authors: Bogacki Paul , Peck David M , Nair Ramakrishnan M , Howie Jake , Oldach Klaus H
Published: March 2013

Background

Medicago truncatula Gaertn. (barrel medic) is cultivated as a pasture legume for its high protein content and ability to improve soils through nitrogen fixation. Toxic concentrations of the micronutrient Boron (B) in agricultural soils hamper the production of cereal and leguminous crops. In cereals, the genetic analysis of B tolerance has led to the development of molecular selection tools to introgress and maintain the B tolerance trait in breeding lines. There is a comparable need for selection tools in legumes that grow on these toxic soils, often in rotation with cereals.

Results

Genetic variation for B tolerance in Medicago truncatula was utilised to generate two F2 populations from crosses between tolerant and intolerant parents. Phenotyping under B stress revealed a close correlation between B tolerance and biomass production and a segregation ratio explained by a single dominant locus. M. truncatula homologues of the Arabidopsis major intrinsic protein (MIP) gene AtNIP5;1 and the efflux-type transporter gene AtBOR1, both known for B transport, were identified and nearby molecular markers screened across F2 lines to verify linkage with the B-tolerant phenotype. Most (95%) of the phenotypic variation could be explained by the SSR markers h2_6e22a and h2_21b19a, which flank a cluster of five predicted MIP genes on chromosome 4. Three CAPS markers (MtBtol-1,-2,-3) were developed to dissect the region further. Expression analysis of the five predicted MIPs indicated that only MtNIP3 was expressed when leaf tissue and roots were assessed. MtNIP3 showed low and equal expression in the roots of tolerant and intolerant lines but a 4-fold higher expression level in the leaves of B-tolerant cultivars. The expression profile correlates closely with the B concentration measured in the leaves and roots of tolerant and intolerant plants. Whereas no significant difference in B concentration exists between roots of tolerant and intolerant plants, the B concentration in the leaves of tolerant plants is less than half that of intolerant plants, which further supports MtNIP3 as the best candidate for the tolerance trait-defining gene in Medicago truncatula.

Conclusion

The close linkage of the MtNIP3 locus to B toxicity tolerance provides a source of molecular selection tools to pasture breeding programs. The economical importance of the locus warrants further investigation of the individual members of the MIP gene cluster in other pasture and in grain legumes.
Can Brazil play a more important role in global tuberculosis drug production? An assessment of current capacity and challenges
Authors: Gemal Andre , Keravec Joel , Menezes Alexandre , Trajman Anete
Published: March 2013

Background

Despite the existence of effective treatment, tuberculosis is still a global public health issue. The World Health Organization recommends a six-month four-drug regimen in fixed-dose combination formulation to treat drug sensitive tuberculosis, and long course regimens with several second-line drugs to treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. To achieve the projected tuberculosis elimination goal by 2050, it will be essential to ensure a non-interrupted supply of quality-assured tuberculosis drugs. However, quality and affordable tuberculosis drug supply is still a significant challenge for National Tuberculosis Programs.

Discussion

Quality drug production requires a combination of complex steps. The first challenge is to guarantee the quality of tuberculosis active pharmaceutical ingredients, then ensure an adequate manufacturing process, according to international standards, to guarantee final product´s safety, efficacy and quality. Good practices for storage, transport, distribution and quality control procedures must follow. In contrast to other high-burden countries, Brazil produces tuberculosis drugs through a strong network of public sector drug manufacturers regulated by a World Health Organization-certified national sanitary authority. The installed capacity for production surpasses the 71,000 needed treatments in the country. However, in order to be prepared to act as a global supplier, important bottlenecks are to be overcome. This article presents an in-depth analysis of the current status of production of tuberculosis drugs in Brazil and the bottlenecks and opportunities for the country to sustain national demand and play a role as a potential global supplier. Raw material and drug production, quality control, international certification and pre-qualification, political commitment and regulatory aspects are discussed, as well recommendations for tackling these bottlenecks. This discussion becomes more important as new drugs and regimens to treat tuberculosis are expected in a close future.

International manufacturers of raw material for tuberculosis treatment should undergo certification and pre-qualify their active pharmaceutical ingredients as a first step to ensure quality of tuberculosis drugs. At the country level, Brazilian public manufacturers should apply for international certification and tuberculosis drugs should be pre-qualified by international organisms. Finally, only with political commitment and large-scale production will Brazilian public sector manufacturers be able to partially supply the global market.
Is a perceived supportive physical environment important for self-reported leisure time physical activity among socioeconomically disadvantaged women with poor psychosocial characteristics? An observational study
Authors: Cleland Verity J , Ball Kylie , Crawford David
Published: March 2013

Background

Over the past decade, studies and public health interventions that target the physical environment as an avenue for promoting physical activity have increased in number. While it appears that a supportive physical environment has a role to play in promoting physical activity, social-ecological models emphasise the importance of considering other multiple levels of influence on behaviour, including individual (e.g. self-efficacy, intentions, enjoyment) and social (e.g. social support, access to childcare) factors (psychosocial factors). However, not everyone has these physical activity-promoting psychosocial characteristics; it remains unclear what contribution the environment makes to physical activity among these groups. This study aimed to examine the association between the perceived physical environment and self-reported leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among women living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas demonstrating different psychosocial characteristics.

Methods

In 2007–8, 3765 women (18–45 years) randomly selected from low socioeconomic areas in Victoria, Australia, self-reported LTPA, and individual, social and physical environmental factors hypothesised within a social-ecological framework to influence LTPA. Psychosocial and environment scores were created. Associations between environment scores and categories of LTPA (overall and stratified by thirds of perceived environment scores) were examined using generalised ordered logistic regression.

Results

Women with medium and high perceived environment scores had 20-38% and 44-70% greater odds respectively of achieving higher levels of LTPA than women with low environment scores. When stratified by thirds of psychosocial factor scores, these associations were largely attenuated and mostly became non-significant. However, women with the lowest psychosocial scores but medium or high environment scores had 76% and 58% higher odds respectively of achieving ≥120 minutes/week (vs. <120 minutes/week) LTPA.

Conclusions

Acknowledging the cross-sectional study design, the findings suggest that a physical environment perceived to be supportive of physical activity might help women with less favourable psychosocial characteristics achieve moderate amounts of LTPA (i.e. ≥120 minutes/week). This study provides further support for research and public health interventions to target perceptions of the physical environment as a key component of strategies to promote physical activity.
Short-term single treatment of chemotherapy results in the enrichment of ovarian cancer stem cell-like cells leading to an increased tumor burden
Authors: Abubaker Khalid , Latifi Ardian , Luwor Rod , Nazaretian Simon , Zhu Hongjian , Quinn Michael A , Thompson Erik W , Findlay Jock K , Ahmed Nuzhat
Published: March 2013

Over 80% of women diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer die as a result of disease recurrence due to failure of chemotherapy treatment. In this study, using two distinct ovarian cancer cell lines (epithelial OVCA 433 and mesenchymal HEY) we demonstrate enrichment in a population of cells with high expression of CSC markers at the protein and mRNA levels in response to cisplatin, paclitaxel and the combination of both. We also demonstrate a significant enhancement in the sphere forming abilities of ovarian cancer cells in response to chemotherapy drugs. The results of these in vitro findings are supported by in vivo mouse xenograft models in which intraperitoneal transplantation of cisplatin or paclitaxel-treated residual HEY cells generated significantly higher tumor burden compared to control untreated cells. Both the treated and untreated cells infiltrated the organs of the abdominal cavity. In addition, immunohistochemical studies on mouse tumors injected with cisplatin or paclitaxel treated residual cells displayed higher staining for the proliferative antigen Ki67, oncogeneic CA125, epithelial E-cadherin as well as cancer stem cell markers such as Oct4 and CD117, compared to mice injected with control untreated cells. These results suggest that a short-term single treatment of chemotherapy leaves residual cells that are enriched in CSC-like traits, resulting in an increased metastatic potential. The novel findings in this study are important in understanding the early molecular mechanisms by which chemoresistance and subsequent relapse may be triggered after the first line of chemotherapy treatment.
Xenotropic MLV envelope proteins induce tumor cells to secrete factors that promote the formation of immature blood vessels
Authors: Murgai Meera , Thomas James , Cherepanova Olga , Delviks-Frankenberry Krista , Deeble Paul , Pathak Vinay K , Rekosh David , Owens Gary
Published: March 2013

Background

Xenotropic Murine leukemia virus-Related Virus (XMRV) is a γ-retrovirus initially reported to be present within familial human prostate tumors and the blood of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Subsequent studies however were unable to replicate these findings, and there is now compelling evidence that the virus evolved through rare retroviral recombination events in human tumor cell lines established through murine xenograft experiments. There is also no direct evidence that XMRV infection has any functional effects that contribute to tumor pathogenesis.

Results

Herein we describe an additional xenotropic MLV, “B4rv”, found in a cell line derived from xenograft experiments with the human prostate cancer LNCaP cell line. When injected subcutaneously in nude mice, LNCaP cells infected with XMRV or B4rv formed larger tumors that were highly hemorrhagic and displayed poor pericyte/smooth muscle cell (SMC) investment, markers of increased metastatic potential. Conditioned media derived from XMRV- or B4rv-infected LNCaPs, but not an amphotropic MLV control virus infected LNCaPs, profoundly decreased expression of marker genes in cultured SMC, consistent with inhibition of SMC differentiation/maturation. Similar effects were seen with a chimeric virus of the amphotropic MLV control virus containing the XMRV env gene, but not with an XMRV chimeric virus containing the amphotropic MLV env gene. UV-inactivated XMRV and pseudovirions that were pseudotyped with XMRV envelope protein also produce conditioned media that down-regulated SMC marker gene expression in vitro.

Conclusions

Together these results indicate that xenotropic MLV envelope proteins are sufficient to induce the production of factors by tumor cells that suppress vascular SMC differentiation, providing evidence for a novel mechanism by which xenotropic MLVs might alter tumor pathogenesis by disrupting tumor vascular maturation. Although it is highly unlikely that either XMRV or B4Rv themselves infect humans and are pathogenic, the results suggest that xenograft approaches commonly used in the study of human cancer promote the evolution of novel retroviruses with pathogenic properties.
The effects of hepatitis C virus core protein on the expression of miR-122 in vitro
Authors: Li Sujuan , Xing Xiaokang , Yang Qiao , Xu Hangdi , He Jiliang , Chen Zhi , Zhu Haihong
Published: March 2013

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major pathogens of liver diseases. Some studies have previously reported that miR-122 can stimulate replication or translation of HCV. However, the effects of HCV infection on miR-122 expression are not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of HCV core protein on the expression of miR-122 in a cell culture model.

Results

The miR-122 levels in Huh7.5.1 cells infected with HCV for different days or different HCV abundance were measured by real-time PCR. Significant decrease of miR-122 expression was found at late stage of infection and in the high-abundance group. Huh7.5.1 cells transfected with plasmid pEGFP-core or pEGFP were used to detect the effects of HCV core protein on miR-122 expression, the results showed that core protein could down-regulate the miR-122 expression level in a time- and dose- dependent manner, and reduced the susceptibility of Huh7.5.1 cell to HCV.

Conclusions

Down-regulating miR-122 expression by HCV core protein may give a new insight into the interaction between HCV and miR-122 and chronic HCV infection.
Primary pulmonary primitive neuroectodermal tumor metastasis to the pancreas: a rare case with seven-year follow-up
Authors: Shi Lin , Guo Zhanlin , Wu Xinlin
Published: March 2013

There are only nine primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) cases that have arisen in lung parenchyma without pleural or chest wall involvement in the literature. Here, we present a long–term survival case of pulmonary PNET. A pulmonary mass was detected in a 19-year-old man on a chest radiograph and computed tomography image. At the three-year follow-up, the mass had enlarged in diameter by two-fold. The lesion was resected via lower left lobectomy. Histologically, the tumor was composed of uniform cells with round nuclei and scanty cytoplasm arranged in lobules with rosettes and pseudorosettes formation. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for CD99, vimentin, neuron specific enolase and chromogranin A, and negative for cytokeratins, CD3, desmin, and leukocyte common antigen. Pancreatic metastasis occurred sixteen months after the first surgery, which was managed by pancreatectomy. The patient has survived seven years after the mass was initially detected, and four years after the first lobectomy.

Virtual slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1500847644913244
Cardiovascular medicine at face value: a qualitative pilot study on clinical axiology
Authors: de Hoyos Adalberto , Nava-Diosdado Rodrigo , Mendez Jorge , Ricco Sergio , Serrano Ana , Flores Cisneros Carmen , Macías-Ojeda Carlos , Cisneros Héctor , Bialostozky David , Altamirano-Bustamante Nelly , Altamirano-Bustamante Myriam M
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Cardiology is characterized by its state-of-the-art biomedical technology and the predominance of Evidence-Based Medicine. This predominance makes it difficult for healthcare professionals to deal with the ethical dilemmas that emerge in this subspecialty. This paper is a first endeavor to empirically investigate the axiological foundations of the healthcare professionals in a cardiology hospital. Our pilot study selected, as the target population, cardiology personnel not only because of their difficult ethical deliberations but also because of the stringent conditions in which they have to make them. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reconsider clinical ethics and Value-Based Medicine. This study proposes a qualitative analysis of the values and the virtues of healthcare professionals in a cardiology hospital in order to establish how the former impact upon the medical and ethical decisions made by the latter.

Results

We point out the need for strengthening the roles of healthcare personnel as educators and guidance counselors in order to meet the ends of medicine, as well as the need for an ethical discernment that is compatible with our results, namely, that the ethical values developed by healthcare professionals stem from their life history as well as their professional education.

Conclusion

We establish the kind of actions, communication skills and empathy that are required to build a stronger patient-healthcare professional relationship, which at the same time improves prognosis, treatment efficiency and therapeutic adhesion.
A supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor presenting with intracranial hemorrhage in a 42-year-old man: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Papadopoulos Evangelos K , Fountas Kostas N , Brotis Alexandros G , Paterakis Konstantinos N
Published: March 2013

Introduction

We report on a very rare case of a supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor in an adult, which presented with intracerebral hemorrhage, and review the relevant medical literature.

Case presentation

A 42-year-old Caucasian man complained of a sudden headache and nausea-vomiting. The patient rapidly deteriorated to coma. An emergency computed tomography scan showed an extensive intraparenchymal hemorrhage that caused significant mass effect and tonsilar herniation. During surgery, an increased intracranial pressure was recorded and extensive bilateral decompressive craniectomies were performed. A cherry-like intraparenchymal lesion was found in his right frontal lobe and resected. The patient died in the intensive care unit after approximately 48 hours. The resected lesion was identified as a central nervous system primitive neuroectodermal tumor.

Conclusion

Supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors must be considered in the differential diagnosis of space-occupying lesions in adults. Spontaneous supratentorial hemorrhage due to primitive neuroectodermal tumors is an extremely rare but potentially lethal event.
Correlation of circulating C1q and C1q-binding adiponectin concentrations with aging in males: a preliminary report
Authors: Nakatsuji Hideaki , Kishida Ken , Kobayashi Hironori , Nakagawa Tohru , Funahashi Tohru , Shimomura Iichiro
Published: March 2013

Background

Atherosclerosis is an age-related disease. Adiponectin and C1q form a protein complex in human blood, and that serum C1q and C1q-binding adiponectin (C1q-APN) concentrations can be measured. We investigated circulating C1q and C1q-APN levels in Japanese men including elderly men.

Findings

The study subjects were 509 Japanese men including elderly men. Serum levels of total adiponectin (Total-APN), high-molecular weight-adiponectin (HMW-APN), C1q-APN and C1q were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Total-APN, HMW-APN and C1q-APN, but not C1q, correlated significantly and positively with aging (r=0.26, r=0.24, r=0.17, p<0.01, respectively). The HMW-APN/Total-APN ratio correlated significantly and positively with aging (r=0.14, p<0.01). The C1q-APN/Total-APN ratio and C1q-APN/HMW-APN ratio correlated significantly and negatively with aging (r=−0.17, p<0.01, r=−0.12, p=0.01). C1q-APN/C1q correlated significantly and positively with aging (r=0.09, p=0.03). Multiple regression analysis identified age and body mass index as significant determinants of C1q-APN.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that serum HMW-APN, C1q-APN, and Total-APN, but not C1q, correlated positively with aging. These preliminary results could form the basis for future research.

Trial registration

Clinical Trial Registration Number: UMIN000004318
Penetration capacity of the wood-decay fungus Physisporinus vitreus
Authors: Fuhr Matthias Jörg , Schubert Mark , Stührk Chris , Schwarze Francis WMR , Herrmann Hans Jürg
Published: March 2013

Purpose

Bioincising is a biotechnological process for improving the permeability of refractory wood such as Norway spruce heartwood using the wood-decay fungus Physisporinus vitreus. The degradation of the bordered pit membranes by P. vitreus in its first stage of wood colonization enhances the uptake of preservatives and wood modification substances, whereas the strength of the material is not significantly reduced.

Methods

We propose to study bioincising by means of a mathematical model, because many factors affect the growth and effects of P. vitreus in Norway spruce in such a complex way that an evaluation of the optimal incubation conditions (i.e. water activity, temperature or pH) is very expensive or even not possible solely using laboratory experiments.

Results

Using a hyphal growth model we demonstrate here for the first time how to optimize bioincising by linking the microscopic growth behavior of P. vitreus with macroscopic system properties of the wood. Moreover, we propose universal measures of wood-decay fungi, i.e., penetration velocity, penetration work and penetration capacity, which may figure as measures for the efficiency of wood colonization. For example, our simulation shows that an increase of the hyphal growth rate (i.e. changing the incubation conditions) from 1 to 2 μm·d-1 results in an increase of the mycelium’s growth velocity from 0.8 to 1.75 μm·d-1 and an increase of the penetration capacity from 0.5 to 0.6 10-3·mm2·d-1 using a pit degradation rate of 2 μm·d-1.

Conclusions

Information about the penetration velocity, penetration work and penetration capacity is of significance for both its biotechnological use and the study of the colonization strategy of wood-decay fungi in general.
Soil salinity increases survival of freezing in the enchytraeidEnchytraeus albidus
Authors: Patrício Silva Ana L. , Holmstrup Martin , Kostal Vladimir , Amorim Mónica J. B.
Published: March 2013

Enchytraeus albidus is a freeze-tolerant enchytraeid found in diverse habitats, ranging from supra-littoral to terrestrial and spanning temperate to arctic regions. Its freeze-tolerance is well known but the effect of salinity in this strategy is still poorly understood. We therefore studied the combined effect of salinity (0, 15, 35, 50‰ NaCl) and sub-zero temperatures (-5, -14, -20ºC) on the freeze-tolerance of E. albidus collected from two distinct geographical regions (Greenland and Germany). A full factorial design was used to study survival, physiological and biochemical endpoints. The effect of salinity on the reproduction of German E. albidus was also assessed. An exposure of 48h to saline soils prior cold exposure triggered an increase in osmolality and decrease in water content. Worms exposed to saline soils had an improved survival of freezing compared to worms frozen in non-saline soils, particularly at -20ºC (survival more than doubled). DSC measurements showed that the fraction of water frozen at -5° and -14°C was lower in worms exposed to 35‰ NaCl than in control worms. The lowering of ice content by exposure to saline soils was probably the main explanation of a better freeze survival in saline-exposed worms. Glucose increased with decreasing temperature, but was lower in saline than in non-saline soils. Thus, glucose accumulation patterns did not explain differences in freeze survival. Overall, the physiological responses to freezing of E. albidus from Greenland and Germany were similar after exposure to saline soils. Soil salinity up to 30‰ improved reproduction by a factor of ca. 10.
Looming detection by identified visual interneurons during larval development of the locust,Locusta migratoria
Authors: Simmons Peter J. , Sztarker Julieta , Rind Claire
Published: March 2013

Insect larvae clearly react to visual stimuli, but the ability of any visual neuron in a newly hatched insect to respond selectively to particular stimuli has not been directly tested. We characterised a pair of neurons in locust larvae that have been extensively studied in adults, where they are known to respond selectively to objects approaching on a collision course: the lobula giant motion detector (LGMD); and its postsynaptic partner, the descending contralateral motion detector (DCMD). Our physiological recordings of DCMD axon spikes reveal that at the time of hatching the neurons already respond selectively to objects approaching the locust and they discriminate between different stimulus approach speeds with differences in spike frequency. For a particular approaching stimulus, both the number and peak frequency of spikes increase with instar. In contrast, the number of spikes in responses to receding stimuli decreases with instar, so performance in discriminating approaching from receding stimuli improves as the locust goes through successive moults. In all instars, visual movement over one part of the visual field suppresses a response to movement over another part. Electron microscopy demonstrates that the anatomical substrate for the selective response to approaching stimuli is present in all larval instars: small neuronal processes carrying information from the eye make synapses both onto LGMD dendrites and with each other, providing pathways for lateral inhibition that shapes selectivity for approaching objects.
Sleep deprivation attenuates endotoxin-induced cytokine gene expression independent of day length and circulating cortisol in male Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)
Authors: Ashley Noah T. , Walton James C. , Haim Achikam , Zhang Ning , Prince Laura A. , Fruchey Allison M. , Lieberman Rebecca A. , Weil Zachary M. , Magalang Ulysses J. , Nelson Randy J.
Published: March 2013

Sleep is restorative, whereas reduced sleep leads to negative health outcomes, such as increased susceptibility to disease. Sleep deprivation tends to attenuate inflammatory responses triggered by infection or exposure to endotoxin, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Previous studies have demonstrated that Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus), photoperiodic rodents, attenuate LPS-induced fever, sickness behavior, and upstream pro-inflammatory gene expression when adapted to short day lengths. Here, we tested whether manipulation of photoperiod alters the suppressive effects of sleep deprivation upon cytokine gene expression after LPS challenge. Male Siberian hamsters were adapted to long (16 h light (L):8 h dark(D)) or short (8L:16D) photoperiods for >10 weeks, and deprived of sleep for 24 h using the multiple platform method or remained in their home cage. Hamsters received an i.p. injection of LPS or saline (control) 18 h after starting the protocol, and were killed 6 h later. LPS increased liver and hypothalamic interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) gene expression compared to vehicle. Among LPS-challenged hamsters, sleep deprivation reduced IL-1 mRNA levels in liver and hypothalamus, but not TNF. IL-1 attenuation was independent of circulating baseline cortisol, which did not increase after sleep deprivation. Conversely, photoperiod altered baseline cortisol, but not pro-inflammatory gene expression in sleep-deprived hamsters. These results suggest that neither photoperiod nor glucocorticoids influence the suppressive effect of sleep deprivation upon LPS-induced inflammation.
From waste to wealth using green chemistry
Authors: Clark James H. , Pfaltzgraff Lucie A. , Budarin Vitaliy L. , Hunt Andrew J. , Gronnow Mark , Matharu Avtar S. , Macquarrie Duncan J. , Sherwood James R.
Published: March 2013

The availability of chemically rich food supply chain waste (FSCW) gives it
considerable potential as a resource for the manufacture of chemicals including
materials and fuels. By applying clean chemical technologies to the extraction
and conversion of molecules from FSCW, we can aim to produce genuinely green and
sustainable products to help meet the legislative and consumer-oriented demands
of a sustainable society. Low-temperature microwave (MW) processing is a
particularly powerful technology to achieve this aim and is shown to be
effective for several different high-volume, geographically diverse biomass
types.
Metal-free catalytic vicinal diamination of alkenes
Authors: Muñiz Kilian
Published: March 2013

The development of an intramolecular vicinal diamination protocol using metal-free conditions is discussed. The reaction uses a bromide source to generate a Br(I) catalyst in situ from a benign terminal oxidant such as sodium chlorite. The reaction is of great scope and surpasses the transition-metal catalyses developed so far for these types of reactions.
Role of Inhibition in Respiratory Pattern Generation
Authors: Janczewski Wiktor A. , Tashima Alexis , Hsu Paul , Cui Yan , Feldman Jack L.
Published: March 2013

Postsynaptic inhibition is a key element of neural circuits underlying behavior, with 20–50% of all mammalian (nongranule) neurons considered inhibitory. For rhythmic movements in mammals, e.g., walking, swimming, suckling, chewing, and breathing, inhibition is often hypothesized to play an essential rhythmogenic role. Here we study the role of fast synaptic inhibitory neurotransmission in the generation of breathing pattern by blocking GABAAand glycine receptors in the preBötzinger complex (preBötC), a site essential for generation of normal breathing pattern, and in the neighboring Bötzinger complex (BötC). The breathing rhythm continued following this blockade, but the lung inflation-induced Breuer–Hering inspiratory inhibitory reflex was suppressed. The antagonists were efficacious, as this blockade abolished the profound effects of the exogenously applied GABAAreceptor agonist muscimol or glycine, either of which under control conditions stopped breathing in vagus-intact or vagotomized, anesthetized, spontaneously breathing adult rats. In vagotomized rats, GABAAergic and glycinergic antagonists had little, if any, effect on rhythm. The effect in vagus-intact rats was to slow the rhythm to a pace equivalent to that seen after suppression of the aforementioned Breuer–Hering inflation reflex. We conclude that postsynaptic inhibition within the preBötC and BötC is not essential for generation of normal respiratory rhythm in intact mammals. We suggest the primary role of inhibition is in shaping the pattern of respiratory motor output, assuring its stability, and in mediating reflex or volitional apnea, but not in the generation of rhythm per se.
Global Similarity and Pattern Separation in the Human Medial Temporal Lobe Predict Subsequent Memory
Authors: LaRocque Karen F. , Smith Mary E. , Carr Valerie A. , Witthoft Nathan , Grill-Spector Kalanit , Wagner Anthony D.
Published: March 2013

Intense debate surrounds the role of medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures in recognition memory. Using high-resolution fMRI and analyses of pattern similarity in humans, we examined the encoding computations subserved by MTL subregions. Specifically, we tested the theory that MTL cortex supports memory by encoding overlapping representations, whereas hippocampus supports memory by encoding pattern-separated representations. Consistent with this view, the relationship between encoding pattern similarity and subsequent memory dissociated MTL cortex and hippocampus: later memory was predicted by greater across-item pattern similarity in perirhinal cortex and in parahippocampal cortex, but greater pattern distinctiveness in hippocampus. Additionally, by comparing neural patterns elicited by individual stimuli regardless of subsequent memory, we found that perirhinal cortex and parahippocampal cortex exhibited differential content sensitivity for multiple stimulus categories, whereas hippocampus failed to demonstrate content sensitivity. These data provide novel evidence that complementary MTL encoding computations subserve declarative memory.