bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hazard of Incident and Progressive Knee and Hip Radiographic Osteoarthritis and Chronic Joint Symptoms in Individuals with and without Limb Length Inequality
Authors: GOLIGHTLY YVONNE M. , ALLEN KELLI D. , HELMICK CHARLES G. , SCHWARTZ TODD A. , RENNER JORDAN B. , JORDAN JOANNE M.
Published: July 2010

Objective.

To examine the hazard of incident and progressive radiographic osteoarthritis (rOA) and chronic joint symptoms at the hip and knee by limb length inequality (LLI) in a large, community-based sample.

Methods.

A longitudinal cohort completed baseline (1991–97) clinical evaluation and identical followup assessment (1999–2003) (median followup time 5.9 yrs, range 3.0–13.1 yrs). LLI was defined at baseline as a measured difference between limbs ≥ 2 cm. The study groups with LLI data comprised 1583 participants with paired (baseline and followup) knee radiographs and 1453 participants with paired hip radiographs. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to examine the hazard of incident and progressive knee and hip rOA and chronic joint symptoms, with adjustment for demographic and clinical factors.

Results.

The hazard of developing incident knee or hip rOA was 20%–30% higher and of developing progressive knee or hip rOA was 35%–83% higher among participants with LLI, but results were only statistically significant for progressive knee rOA (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.83, 95% CI 1.10–3.05). The hazards of progressive chronic knee symptoms and incident and progressive chronic hip symptoms were 13%–59% higher among participants with LLI, but were not statistically significant.

Conclusion.

LLI was associated with progressive knee rOA and was nonsignificantly associated with incident knee or hip rOA and progressive hip rOA, progressive chronic knee symptoms, and incident and progressive chronic hip symptoms. Longer studies may strengthen these associations and help determine whether LLI is a risk factor or marker of these outcomes.
Double Jeopardy
Authors: Beattie Elizabeth , Pachana Nancy A. , Franklin Sara J.
Published: July 2010

Comorbid depression and anxiety in late life present challenges for geriatric mental health care providers. These challenges include identifying the often complex diagnostic presentations both clinically and in a research context. This potent comorbidity can be conceived as double jeopardy in older adults, further diminishing their quality of life. Geriatric health care providers need to understand psychiatric comorbidity of this type for accurate diagnosis and early referral to specialists, and to coordinate interdisciplinary care. Researchers in the field also need to recognize potential multiple impacts of comorbidities with respect to assessment and treatment domains. This article describes the prevalence of late-life depression and anxiety disorders and reviews studies on this comorbidity in older adults. Risk factors and protective factors for anxiety and depression in later life are reviewed, and information is provided about comparative symptoms, the selection of assessment tools, and challenges to the provision of interdisciplinary, evidence-based care.
Regulation of the IL-21 Gene by the NF-κB Transcription Factor c-Rel
Authors: Chen Guobing , Hardy Kristine , Bunting Karen , Daley Stephen , Ma Lina , Shannon M. Frances
Published: July 2010

IL-21 is a member of the common γ-chain–dependent cytokine family and is a key modulator of lymphocyte development, proliferation, and differentiation. IL-21 is highly expressed in activated CD4+ T cells and plays a critical role in the expansion and differentiation of the Th cell subsets, Th17 and follicular helper T (TFH) cells. Because of its potent activity in both myeloid and lymphoid cell immune responses, it has been implicated in a number of autoimmune diseases and has also been used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of some cancers. In this study, we demonstrate that c-Rel, a member of the NF-κB family of transcription factors, is required for IL-21 gene expression in T lymphocytes. IL-21 mRNA and protein levels are reduced in the CD4+ cells of rel−/− mice when compared with rel+/+ mice in both in vitro and in vivo models. A c-Rel binding site identified in the proximal promoter of il21 is confirmed to bind c-Rel in vitro and in vivo and to regulate expression from the il21 promoter in T cells. Downstream of IL-21 expression, Th17, TFH, and germinal center B cell development are also impaired in rel−/− mice. The administration of IL-21 protein rescued the development of TFH cells but not germinal center B cells. Taken together, c-Rel plays an important role in the expression of IL-21 in T cells and subsequently in IL-21-dependent TFH cell development.
In Hepatic Fibrosis, Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells Acquire Enhanced Immunogenicity
Authors: Connolly Michael K. , Bedrosian Andrea S. , Malhotra Ashim , Henning Justin R. , Ibrahim Junaid , Vera Valery , Cieza-Rubio Napoleon E. , Hassan Burhan U. , Pachter H. Leon , Cohen Steven , Frey Alan B. , Miller George
Published: July 2010

The normal liver is characterized by immunologic tolerance. Primary mediators of hepatic immune tolerance are liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). LSECs block adaptive immunogenic responses to Ag and induce the generation of T regulatory cells. Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by both intense intrahepatic inflammation and altered hepatic immunity. We postulated that, in liver fibrosis, a reversal of LSEC function from tolerogenic to proinflammatory and immunogenic may contribute to both the heightened inflammatory milieu and altered intrahepatic immunity. We found that, after fibrotic liver injury from hepatotoxins, LSECs become highly proinflammatory and secrete an array of cytokines and chemokines. In addition, LSECs gain enhanced capacity to capture Ag and induce T cell proliferation. Similarly, unlike LSECs in normal livers, in fibrosis, LSECs do not veto dendritic cell priming of T cells. Furthermore, whereas in normal livers, LSECs are active in the generation of T regulatory cells, in hepatic fibrosis LSECs induce an immunogenic T cell phenotype capable of enhancing endogenous CTLs and generating potent de novo CTL responses. Moreover, depletion of LSECs from fibrotic liver cultures mitigates the proinflammatory milieu characteristic of hepatic fibrosis. Our findings offer a critical understanding of the role of LSECs in modulating intrahepatic immunity and inflammation in fibro-inflammatory liver disease.
Identification of Regulatory Foxp3+ Invariant NKT Cells Induced by TGF-β
Authors: Monteiro Marta , Almeida Catarina F. , Caridade Marta , Ribot Julie C. , Duarte Joana , Agua-Doce Ana , Wollenberg Ivonne , Silva-Santos Bruno , Graca Luis
Published: July 2010

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells were shown to prevent the onset of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice following administration of their specific TCR agonist α-galactosylceramide. We found that this protection was associated with the emergence of a Foxp3+ iNKT cell population in cervical lymph nodes. We demonstrate that the differentiation of these cells is critically dependent on TGF-β in both mice and humans. Moreover, in vivo generation of Foxp3+ iNKT cells was observed in the TGF-β–rich environment of the murine gut. Foxp3+ iNKT cells displayed a phenotype similar to that of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, and they suppress through a contact-dependent, glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-mediated mechanism. Nevertheless, Foxp3+ iNKT cells retain distinctive NKT cell characteristics, such as promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein expression and preferential homing to the liver following adoptive transfer, where they stably maintained Foxp3 expression. Our data thus unveil an unexpected capacity of iNKT cells to acquire regulatory functions that may contribute to the establishment of immunological tolerance.
P2X7 Receptor-Mediated Release of Cathepsins from Macrophages Is a Cytokine-Independent Mechanism Potentially Involved in Joint Diseases
Authors: Lopez-Castejon Gloria , Theaker Jill , Pelegrin Pablo , Clifton Andrew D. , Braddock Martin , Surprenant Annmarie
Published: July 2010

The ATP-gated P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) is a promising therapeutic target in chronic inflammatory diseases with highly specific antagonists currently under clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis. Anti-inflammatory actions of P2X7R antagonists are considered to result from inhibition of P2X7R-induced release of proinflammatory cytokines from activated macrophages. However, P2X7Rs are also expressed in resting macrophages, suggesting that P2X7R may also signal via cytokine-independent mechanisms involved in joint disease. In this study, we examined P2X7R function in resting human lung macrophages and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and found that ATP induced rapid release of the lysosomal cysteine proteases cathepsin B, K, L, and S and that was independent of the presence of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. Cathepsins released into the medium were effective to degrade collagen extracellular matrix. ATP-induced cathepsin release was abolished by P2X7R antagonists, absent from P2X7R−/− mouse macrophages, and not associated with cell death. Our results suggest P2X7R activation may play a novel and direct role in tissue damage through release of cathepsins independently of its proinflammatory actions via IL-1 cytokines.
Inhibitory Role for d-Alanylation of Wall Teichoic Acid in Activation of Insect Toll Pathway by Peptidoglycan of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Tabuchi Yukichika , Shiratsuchi Akiko , Kurokawa Kenji , Gong Ji Hee , Sekimizu Kazuhisa , Lee Bok Luel , Nakanishi Yoshinobu
Published: July 2010

Pathogenic bacteria mitigate host immunity to establish infections, but the mechanism of this bacterial action has not been fully elucidated. To search for cell wall components that modulate innate immune responses in host organisms, we examined Staphylococcus aureus mutants, which were deficient in components of the cell wall, for pathogenicity in Drosophila. A mutation of dltA, which is responsible for the d-alanylation of teichoic acids, brought about an increase in the survival rate of adult flies that had received a septic infection with the bacteria. The growth of dltA-deficient S. aureus in adult flies was less efficient than that of the parental strain. The level of mRNA of Toll pathway-dependent antimicrobial peptides was higher in flies infected with the dltA mutant than that observed after the infection with the parental strain. The defective phenotype associated with the mutation of dltA, reduced pathogenicity and growth, was not evident in flies lacking the Toll pathway. Finally, a fraction of peptidoglycan prepared from the dltA mutant induced the expression of mRNA of a Toll-dependent antimicrobial peptide in flies and was bound by peptidoglycan recognition protein-SA in vitro more effectively than that obtained from the parental strain, and this difference was lost after the removal of wall teichoic acid from peptidoglycan. Taken together, we conclude that d-alanylated wall teichoic acid of S. aureus mitigates a Toll-mediated humoral response in Drosophila interfering with the recognition of peptidoglycan by a pattern recognition receptor.
B7-H1 (Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1) Is Required for the Development of Multifunctional Th1 Cells and Immunity to Primary, but Not Secondary, Salmonella Infection
Authors: Lee Seung-Joo , O’Donnell Hope , McSorley Stephen J.
Published: July 2010

Robust Ab and CD4 T cell responses are required for the resolution of Salmonella infection in susceptible mice. In this study, we examined the role of B7-H1 (programmed cell death ligand 1) in resistance to primary Salmonella infection. Infected B7-H1–deficient mice had significantly higher bacterial burdens at day 21 and day 35 postinfection compared with wild-type mice, demonstrating that B7-H1 plays an important role in immunity to Salmonella. B7-H1–deficient and wild-type mice both generated Salmonella-specific IgM and IgG2c Ab responses to infection, and clonal expansion of endogenous and adoptively transferred Salmonella-specific CD4 T cells was similar in both groups. However, although Salmonella-specific IFN-γ–producing Th1 CD4 T cells were generated in Salmonella-infected B7-H1–deficient mice, these cells did not expand to the level observed in wild-type mice. Furthermore, fewer multifunctional Th1 cells that simultaneously secreted IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 were detected in Salmonella-infected B7-H1–deficient mice. Together, these data demonstrate that B7-H1 is required for the generation of multifunctional Th1 responses and optimal protective immunity to primary Salmonella infection.
Qualitatively Different Memory CD8+ T Cells Are Generated after Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus and Influenza Virus Infections
Authors: Mueller Scott N. , Langley William A. , Li Guimei , García-Sastre Adolfo , Webby Richard J. , Ahmed Rafi
Published: July 2010

Viral infections often induce robust T cell responses that are long-lived and protective. However, it is unclear to what degree systemic versus mucosal infection influences the generation of effector and memory T cells. In this study, we characterized memory CD8+ T cells generated after respiratory influenza virus infection and compared the phenotypic and functional qualities of these cells with memory T cells generated after systemic infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Using a recombinant influenza virus expressing the LCMV gp33–41 epitope and TCR transgenic CD8+ T cells with a fixed TCR, we compared responses to the same Ag delivered by mucosal or systemic viral infection. Memory cells generated postinfection with either virus showed only a few phenotypic differences. Yet, influenza memory T cells produced lower amounts of effector cytokines upon restimulation and displayed reduced proliferation compared with LCMV-induced memory cells. Strikingly, we observed reduced expansion of spleen- and, in particular, lung-derived influenza memory cells after recall in vivo, which correlated with reduced early protection from secondary infection. These findings suggest that qualitatively different memory CD8+ T cells are generated after respiratory or systemic virus infections.
The systems psychodynamic leadership coaching experiences of nursing managers
Authors: Cilliers Frans , Terblanche Landa
Published: July 2010

The mostly linear and mechanistic nature of the nursing manager role is rapidly becoming more dynamic and systemic. The change involves task and people management within a constantly changing organisational identity, taking up multiple leadership roles, having to authorise oneself and others in a complex matrix system, and managing conscious and unconscious psychological boundaries within and between conflicting systems. The aim of this study was to describe the systems psychodynamic learning experiences of nursing managers during leadership coaching. The coaching task was to provide learning opportunities to the individual leader, towards gaining insight into conscious and unconscious leadership dynamics in terms of anxiety, task, role, authorisation, boundaries and identity. A qualitative research design was used. Six nursing managers attended ten leadership coaching sessions over ten weeks. Field notes and reflective essays were analysed using systems psychodynamic discourse analysis. The findings indicated clarity and authorisation in the participants’ primary task and normative roles; anxiety and de-authorisation in their experiential and phenomenal roles; anxiety in boundary management related to the misuse of power by others; and the continuous exploration of their leadership role identity towards achieving integration. Participants’ learning experiences were evaluated in terms of criteria for organisational learning, after which a general hypothesis was formulated.OpsommingDie meestal liniêre en meganistiese aard van die verpleegbestuursrol is vinnig besig om na ’n meer dinamiese en sistemiese rol te verander. Die verandering behels taak- en mensbestuur binne 'n steeds veranderende organisasie-identiteit, waar 'n verskeidenheid rolle opgeneem word, die self en ander in 'n komplekse matrikssisteem bemagtig word, en waartydens bewuste en onbewuste sielkundige grense in en tussen botsende sisteme bestuur word. Die doel van hierdie studie was om die sisteem-psigodinamiese leerervaringe van verpleegbestuurders tydens leierskapafrigting te beskryf. Die afrigtingstaak was om leergeleenthede aan die individuele leier beskikbaar te stel vir die ontwikkeling van insig in bewuste en onbewuste leierskapsdinamika in terme van angs, taak, rol, outoriteit, grense en identiteit. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik. Ses verpleegbestuurders het tien leierskapafrigtingsessies oor tien weke bygewoon. Veldnotas en besinnende opstelle is deur middel van sisteem-psigodinamiese gespreksanalise ontleed. Die bevindinge dui op duidelikheid oor en bemagtiging in hulle primêre taak en normatiewe rol; angs en ontmagtiging in hulle ervarings- en fenomenale rolle; angs in grenshandhawing wat verband hou met magsmisbruik deur andere; en die voortdurende ondersoek en integrasie van leierskapsrolidentiteit. Deelnemers se leerervarings is na aanleiding van kriteria vir organisasieleer geëvalueer, waarna die algemene hipotese geformuleer is.
Test Results for a High Power Thermal Management System
Authors: Wrenn Kimberly R. , Wolf David A.
Published: July 2010

In response to the identified needs of emerging high power spacecraft applications, a multiple evaporator Hybrid Loop Heat Pipe (H-LHP) was developed and tested as part of a Dual Use Science and Technology (DUS&T) program co-sponsored by ATK and AFRL/PRP. During the course of the DUS&T program, a two-kilowatt system with three evaporators was developed and tested to identify viable system architectures and characterize system performance capabilities as a function of heat load profiles and spatial distribution of the evaporators. Following the successful development of the two-kilowatt system, a 10-kilowatt system with six evaporators was fabricated and tested. Tests were performed with the system operating in a totally passive, capillary-pumped mode, where applying a small amount of power to a sweepage evaporator provides the auxiliary flow through the primary evaporators, and as a self-regulating, capillary-controlled mechanically pumped system. This paper will provide a description of the 10-kilowatt multi-evaporator system and present the results of the passive and mechanically pump test programs.
Wastewater Brine Dewatering Technology Assessment and Development Roadmap
Authors: Thomas Evan
Published: July 2010

Concentrated wastewater brines, produced by primary stage spacecraft water recovery systems, can be further processed to recover additional usable water supply. The Lunar Surface Systems Project at NASA-JSC identified brine dewatering technologies as a critical technology need. In response, the Exploration Life Support Office commissioned a study to summarize the technologies currently available, and recommend a development roadmap for future resources. This paper reviews some of the technologies under development within the government, in academia, and private industry, and outlines a proposed development strategy to meet technology needs for the Lunar Outpost.
Temporal variations of black carbon in Guangzhou, China, in summer 2006
Authors: Verma R. L. , Sahu L. K. , Kondo Y. , Takegawa N. , Han S. , Jung J. S. , Kim Y. J. , Fan S. , Sugimoto N. , Shammaa M. H. , Zhang Y. H. , Zhao Y.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. In situ measurements of the mass concentration of black carbon (BC) and mixing ratios of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were made at Guangzhou, an urban measurement site in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), China, in July 2006. The average ± standard deviation (SD) concentrations of BC, CO, and CO2 were 4.7± 2.3 μgC m−3, 798± 459 ppbv, and 400± 13 ppmv, respectively. The trends of these species were mainly controlled by synoptic-scale changes in meteorology during the campaign. Based on back trajectories, data are analyzed separately for two different air mass types representing northerly and southerly flows. The northerly air masses, which constituted ~25% of the campaign, originated mostly in the PRD and hence represent observations on regional scales. On the other hand, during southerly flow (~75%), the measurements were influenced by dilution due to cleaner marine air. The diurnal patterns of BC, CO, and CO2 exhibited peak concentrations during the morning and evening hours coinciding with rush-hour traffic. The ratios of OC/BC were lower during the morning hour peaks in the concentrations of primary pollutants due to their fresh emissions mainly from vehicular traffic in Guangzhou. The diurnal variations of BC observed in southerly air masses tended to follow the traffic patterns of heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) in Guangzhou, while the roles of other sources need to be investigated. The slopes of ΔBC/ΔCO, ΔBC/ΔCO2, and ΔCO/ΔCO2 observed during northerly flows were 0.0045 μgC m−3/ppbv, 0.13 μgC m−3/ppmv, and 49.4 ppbv/ppmv, respectively, agreeing reasonably with their respective emission ratios derived from regional emission inventories.
Humic-like substances in fresh emissions of rice straw burning and in ambient aerosols in the Pearl River Delta Region, China
Authors: Lin P. , Engling G. , Yu J. Z.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. HUmic-LIke Substances (HULIS) are an abundant unresolved mixture of organic compounds present in atmospheric samples. Biomass burning (BB) has been recognized as an important primary source of HULIS, but measurements of HULIS in various fresh BB particles are lacking. In this work, HULIS in emissions of rice straw burning was measured in a number of field and chamber experiments. The average HULIS/OC ratio was 0.34±0.05 in μg/μgC, showing small variance among emissions under different burning conditions. The influence of BB on ambient HULIS levels was investigated by examining the spatial and temporal variation of HULIS and other aerosol constituents and interspecies relations in ambient PM2.5. The PM2.5 samples were collected at an urban and a suburban location in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), China over a period of one year. The HULIS concentrations in the ambient PM2.5 were significantly higher in air masses originating from regions influenced by BB. Significant correlations between HULIS and water-soluble K+ concentrations at both sites further support that BB was an important source of HULIS. Ambient concentrations of HULIS also correlated well with those of sulfate, oxalate, and oxidant (the sum of O3 and NO2). The HULIS/OC ratios in BB-influenced ambient aerosols (~0.6) were much higher than those in the fresh BB emissions (0.34), implying that secondary formation was also an important source of HULIS in the atmosphere. The annual average HULIS concentrations were 4.9 μg m−3 at the urban site and 7.1 μg m−3 at the suburban site while the annual average concentrations of elemental carbon were 3.3 μg m−3 and 2.4 μg m−3, respectively. The urban-suburban spatial gradient of HULIS was opposite to that of elemental carbon, negating vehicular exhaust as a significant primary emission source of HULIS.
Satellite observations of long range transport of a large BrO plume in the Arctic
Authors: Begoin M. , Richter A. , Weber M. , Kaleschke L. , Tian-Kunze X. , Stohl A. , Theys N. , Burrows J. P.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Ozone Depletion Events (ODE) during polar springtime are a well known phenomenon in the Arctic and Antarctic boundary layer. They are caused by the catalytic destruction of ozone by halogens producing reactive halogen oxides like bromine monoxide (BrO). The key halogen bromine can be rapidly transferred into the gas phase in an autocatalytic process – the so called "Bromine Explosion". However, the exact mechanism, which leads to an initial bromine release as well as the influence of transport and chemical processes on BrO, is still not clearly understood. In this study, BrO measurements from the satellite instrument GOME-2 are used together with model calculations with the dispersion model FLEXPART to study an arctic BrO event in March 2007, which could be tracked over several days and a large area. Full BrO activation was observed within one day east of Siberia with subsequent transport to Hudson Bay. The event was linked to a cyclone with very high surface wind speeds, which could have been involved in the production and lifting of aerosols or blowing snow. Considering the short life time of BrO, transported aerosols or snow can also provide the surface for BrO recycling within the plume for several days. The evolution of the BrO plume could be reproduced by FLEXPART simulations of a passive tracer indicating that the activated air mass was transported all the way from Siberia to Hudson Bay. To localise the most probable transport height, model runs initialised in different heights have been performed showing similar transport patterns throughout the troposphere but best agreement with the measurements between the surface and 3 km. The influence of changes in tropopause height on measured BrO values has been considered, but cannot completely explain the observed high BrO values. Backward trajectories from the area of BrO initialisation show upward lifting from the surface up to 3 km and no indication for intrusion of stratospheric air. These observations are consistent with a scenario in which bromine in the air mass was activated on the surface within the cyclone, lifted upwards and transported over several thousand kilometres to Hudson Bay.
A comparison of ship and satellite measurements of cloud properties with global climate model simulations in the southeast Pacific stratus deck
Authors: Brunke M. A. , de Szoeke S. P. , Zuidema P. , Zeng X.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Here, liquid water path (LWP), cloud fraction, cloud top height, and cloud base height retrieved by a suite of A-train satellite instruments (the CPR aboard CloudSat, CALIOP aboard CALIPSO, and MODIS aboard Aqua) are compared to ship observations from research cruises made in 2001 and 2003–2007 into the stratus/stratocumulus deck over the southeast Pacific Ocean. It is found that CloudSat radar-only LWP is generally too high over this region and the CloudSat/CALIPSO cloud bases are too low. This results in a relationship (LWP~h9) between CloudSat LWP and CALIPSO cloud thickness (h) that is very different from the adiabatic relationship (LWP~h2) from in situ observations. Such biases can be reduced if LWPs suspected to be contaminated by precipitation are eliminated, as determined by the maximum radar reflectivity Zmax>−15 dBZ in the apparent lower half of the cloud, and if cloud bases are determined based upon the adiabatically-determined cloud thickness (h~LWP1/2). Furthermore, comparing results from a global model (CAM3.1) to ship observations reveals that, while the simulated LWP is quite reasonable, the model cloud is too thick and too low, allowing the model to have LWPs that are almost independent of h. This model can also obtain a reasonable diurnal cycle in LWP and cloud fraction at a location roughly in the centre of this region (20° S, 85° W) but has an opposite diurnal cycle to those observed aboard ship at a location closer to the coast (20° S, 75° W). The diurnal cycle at the latter location is slightly improved in the newest version of the model (CAM4). However, the simulated clouds remain too thick and too low, as cloud bases are usually at or near the surface.
Refugia of marine fish in the Northeast Atlantic during the Last Glacial Maximum: concordant assessment from archaeozoology and palaeotemperature reconstructions
Authors: Kettle A. J. , Morales-Muñiz A. , Roselló-Izquierdo E. , Heinrich D. , Vøllestad L. A.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Archaeozoological finds of the remains of marine and amphihaline fish from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) ca. 21 ka ago show evidence of very different species ranges compared to the present. We show how an ecological niche model (ENM) based on palaeoclimatic reconstructions of sea surface temperature and bathymetry can be used to effectively predict the spatial range of marine fish during the LGM. The results indicate that the ranges of marine fish species that are now in Northwestern Europe were almost completely displaced southward from the modern distribution. Significantly, there is strong evidence that there was an invasion of fish of current economic importance into the Western Mediterranean through the Straits of Gibraltar, where they were exploited by Palaeolithic human populations. There has been much recent interest in the marine glacial refugia to understand how the ranges of the economically important fish species will be displaced with the future climate warming. Recent ENM studies have suggested that species ranges may not have been displaced far southward during the coldest conditions of the LGM. However, archaeozoological evidence and LGM ocean temperature reconstructions indicate that there were large range changes, and certain marine species were able invade the Western Mediterranean. These findings are important for ongoing studies of molecular ecology that aim to assess marine glacial refugia from the genetic structure of living populations, and they pose questions about the genetic identity of vanished marine populations during the LGM. The research presents a challenge for future archaeozoological work to verify palaeoclimatic reconstructions and delimit the glacial refugia.
Sources of uncertainty in climate change impacts on river discharge and groundwater in a headwater catchment of the Upper Nile Basin, Uganda
Authors: Kingston D. G. , Taylor R. G.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. The changing availability of freshwater resources is likely to be one of the most important consequences of projected 21st century climate change for both human and natural systems. However, substantial uncertainty remains regarding the precise impacts of climate change on water resources, due in part due to uncertainty in GCM projections of climate change. Here we explore the potential impacts of climate change on freshwater resources in a humid, tropical catchment (the River Mitano) in the Upper Nile Basin of Uganda. Uncertainty associated with GCM structure and climate sensitivity is explored, as well as parameter specification within hydrological models. These aims are achieved by running pattern-scaled output from seven GCMs through a semi-distributed hydrological model of the catchment (developed using SWAT). Importantly, use of pattern-scaled GCM output allows investigation of specific thresholds of global climate change including the purported 2 °C threshold of "dangerous" climate change. In-depth analysis of results based on the HadCM3 GCM climate scenarios shows that annual river discharge first increases, then declines with rising global mean air temperature. A coincidental shift from a bimodal to unimodal discharge regime also results from a projected reduction in baseflow (groundwater discharge). Both of these changes occur after a 4 °C rise in global mean air temperature. These results are, however, highly GCM dependent, in both the magnitude and direction of change. This dependence stems primarily from projected differences in GCM scenario precipitation rather than temperature. GCM-related uncertainty is far greater than that associated with climate sensitivity or hydrological model parameterisation.
Dynamic neural networks for real-time water level predictions of sewerage systems-covering gauged and ungauged sites
Authors:   Yen-Ming Chiang,   Li-Chiu Chang,   Meng-Jung Tsai,   Yi-Fung Wang,   Fi-John Chang
Published: July 2010

Abstract. In this research, we propose recurrent neural networks (RNNs) to build a relationship between rainfalls and water level patterns of an urban sewerage system based on historical torrential rain/storm events. The RNN allows signals to propagate in both forward and backward directions, which offers the network dynamic memories. Besides, the information at the current time-step with a feedback operation can yield a time-delay unit that provides internal input information at the next time-step to effectively deal with time-varying systems. The RNN is implemented at both gauged and ungauged sites for 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-min-ahead water level predictions. The results show that the RNN is capable of learning the nonlinear sewerage system and producing satisfactory predictions at the gauged sites. Concerning the ungauged sites, there are no historical data of water level to support prediction. In order to overcome such problem, a set of synthetic data, generated from a storm water management model (SWMM) under cautious verification process of applicability based on the data from nearby gauging stations, are introduced as the learning target to the training procedure of the RNN and moreover evaluating the performance of the RNN at the ungauged sites. The results demonstrate that the potential role of the SWMM coupled with nearby rainfall and water level information can be of great use in enhancing the capability of the RNN at the ungauged sites. Hence we can conclude that the RNN is an effective and suitable model for successfully predicting the water levels at both gauged and ungauged sites in urban sewerage systems.
Variability of heat and salinity content in the North Atlantic in the last decade
Authors: Ivchenko V. O. , Wells N. C. , Aleynik D. L. , Shaw A. G. P.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. The analysis of the heat and salinity contents has been made for the Northern Atlantic for the decade between January 1999 and December 2008. This analysis is based on the Argo profiling data for the upper 2000 m. Basin-averaged values of heat content deviation (HCD) and salinity content deviation (SCD) are robust and stable. The HCD and SCD demonstrate positive trends in the last decade in the upper 2000 m of the North Atlantic. The linear trend of HCD and SCD are (11.14±3.17)×1020 J/yr, and (2.80±1.17)×1013 kg/yr, respectively. Both trends are significant at 95% level of significance.
Twins with omphalocele in Denmark (1970–1989)
Authors: Bugge Merete
Published: July 2010

Seven pairs of twins, two monozygotic (MZ), two dizygotic (DZ), and three like‐sex pairs of unknown zygosity are described. The twin pairs were all discordant for omphalocele except for one pair of conjoined twins. The 8 infants with omphalocele represent 3.1% of the 253 infants with omphalocele, ascertained in an almost complete nationwide data set of live‐ and stillborn infants with abdominal wall defects in two decades in Denmark (1970–1989). The occurrence of twins with omphalocele was not significantly different from the occurrence of twins in the Danish population in the same period. To our knowledge this is the first report of the occurrence of twins with omphalocele in a systematic nationwide epidemiological study. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Giuffrè–Tsukahara syndrome: Evidence for X‐linked dominant inheritance and review
Authors: Dalal Ashwin B. , Sarkar Anujit , Priya T. Padma , Nandineni Madhusudan R.
Published: July 2010

We report on a girl with Giuffrè–Tsukahara syndrome manifesting microcephaly, mental retardation, radio‐ulnar synostosis, short stature and scoliosis. Skewed X‐inactivation was not observed in our patient. We reviewed previous reports and provide evidence in support of X‐linked dominant inheritance of this condition. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Double‐blind therapeutic trial in Angelman syndrome using betaine and folic acid
Authors: Peters Sarika U. , Bird Lynne M. , Kimonis Virginia , Glaze Daniel G. , Shinawi Lina M. , Bichell Terry Jo , Barbieri‐Welge Rene , Nespeca Mark , Anselm Irina , Waisbren Susan , Sanborn Erica , Sun Qin , O'Brien William E. , Beaudet Arthur L. , Bacino Carlos A.
Published: July 2010

Angelman syndrome (AS) is caused by reduced or absent expression of the maternally inherited ubiquitin protein ligase 3A gene (UBE3A), which maps to chromosome 15q11–q13. UBE3A is subject to genomic imprinting in neurons in most regions of the brain. Expression of UBE3A from the maternal chromosome is essential to prevent AS, because the paternally inherited gene is not expressed, probably mediated by antisense UBE3A RNA. We hypothesized that increasing methylation might reduce expression of the antisense UBE3A RNA, thereby increasing UBE3A expression from the paternal gene and ameliorating the clinical phenotype. We conducted a trial using two dietary supplements, betaine and folic acid to promote global levels of methylation and attempt to activate the paternally inherited UBE3A gene. We performed a number of investigations at regular intervals including general clinical and developmental evaluations, biochemical determinations on blood and urine, and electroencephalographic studies. We report herein the data on 48 children with AS who were enrolled in a double‐blind placebo‐controlled protocol using betaine and folic acid for 1 year. There were no statistically significant changes between treated and untreated children; however, in a small subset of patients we observed some positive trends. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of 90 patients referred for molecular cytogenetic analysis using aCGH uncovers previously unsuspected anomalies of imprinting
Authors: Poole Rebecca L. , Baple Emma , Crolla John A. , Temple I. Karen , Mackay Deborah J.G.
Published: July 2010

This study was an investigation of 90 patients referred to the Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory for and negative by molecular cytogenetic analysis using array comparative genomic hybridization. This patient cohort represents typical referrals to a regional genetic centre. Methylation analysis was performed at 13 imprinted loci [PLAGL1, IGF2R, MEST, GRB10, H19, IGF2 DMR2 (IGF2P0), KCNQ1OT1 (KvDMR), MEG3, SNRPN, PEG3, GNAS (GNAS exon 1a and NESP55) and GNASAS]. In total 6/90 (6.67%) were shown to have a methylation defect, 2 of which were associated with known imprinting disorders: 1 patient had isolated hypomethylation at IGF2P0, an atypical epigenotype associated with Russell–Silver syndrome, and 1 showed hypomethylation at KvDMR consistent with a diagnosis of Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome. A further 4 patients, 3 exhibiting complete hypermethylation, and 1 partial hypomethylation, had aberrations at IGF2R, the clinical significance of which remains unclear. This study demonstrates the potential utility of epigenetic investigation in routine diagnostic testing. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aortic dissection and moyamoya disease in Turner syndrome
Authors: Jagannath Anand D. , Rastogi Ujjwal , Spooner Amy E. , Lin Angela E. , Agnihotri Arvind K.
Published: July 2010

Aortic dilation and dissection are well‐recognized cardiac abnormalities in women with Turner syndrome (TS), although the underlying pathophysiology is not fully understood. We report on a 46‐year‐old Hispanic woman who was previously diagnosed with moyamoya disease on magnetic resonance imaging after a presentation with stroke‐like symptoms. Her features were consistent with TS and chromosome analysis revealed mosaicism in which 17% of the cells showed a pseudoisodicentric Y chromosome: 45,X (25)/46,X psu idic (Y)(11.2) (5). A preceding screening transthoracic echocardiogram had shown a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with an aortic diameter of 3.2 cm; at the time of moyamoya diagnosis, the aorta was 3.5 cm with mild aortic stenosis and mild aortic regurgitation. Four years later, the patient had had an acute aortic dissection, Stanford type A, which was repaired successfully. This case report is the third individual with TS associated with moyamoya disease and the first associated with dissection. The small number of cases does not allow detailed analysis other than noting patient age (two older than 40 years), karyotype (two others associated with isochrome Xq), and associated cardiac risk factors (one with BAV). Although this may be a chance occurrence, we hypothesize that moyamoya disease could be a manifestation of the vasculopathy in TS. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Arterial rupture in classic Ehlers–Danlos syndrome with COL5A1 mutation
Authors: Borck Guntram , Beighton Peter , Wilhelm Christian , Kohlhase Jürgen , Kubisch Christian
Published: July 2010

The vascular type of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS IV) is associated with a high risk of life‐threatening medical complications, including ruptures of large arteries, the intestine, and the uterus during pregnancy. An arterial rupture occurring in an individual with EDS is regarded as almost diagnostic of EDS IV, which is caused by heterozygous mutations in COL3A1. Here however, we report on a man with skin lesions typical of EDS, easy bruising and recurrent inguinal hernias who had a spontaneous rupture of the left common iliac artery at the age of 42 years but in whom we detected no COL3A1 mutation. As he clinically fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for classic EDS (EDS I), we sequenced the major EDS I gene COL5A1 and identified a heterozygous de novo nonsense mutation, c.3184C>T (p.R1062X). As, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with COL5A1 mutation‐positive classic EDS and rupture of a large artery, we suggest that arterial rupture might be a rare complication of classic EDS. This finding has potential implications for genetic counseling and molecular genetic testing in Ehlers–Danlos syndrome. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fulminant hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation in 22q13.3 deletion syndrome
Authors: Bartsch Oliver , Schneider Eberhard , Damatova Natalja , Weis Roger , Tufano Maria , Iorio Raffaele , Ahmed Alischo , Beyer Vera , Zechner Ulrich , Haaf Thomas
Published: July 2010

We report on a 4‐year‐old girl with severe developmental delay, absent speech, and chromosome 22q13.3 deletion (Phelan–McDermid syndrome), karyotype 46,XX.ish del(22)(q13.31qter)(ARSA‐,N85A‐,SHANK3‐). At the age of 3 years, she needed an emergency liver transplantation because of fulminant hepatic failure, most likely caused by hyperacute autoimmune hepatitis triggered by a viral infection. This is the second report of a patient with 22q13.3 deletion and fulminant liver failure. By array‐CGH we identified in this patient a 5.675 Mb terminal deletion (22q13.31 → qter; including ∼55 genes; from NUP50 to RABL2B) and in the previous patient a 1.535 Mb deletion (22q13.32 → qter; including ∼39 genes; from BRD1 to RABL2B). PIM3 is a prime candidate gene for the fulminant hepatic failure in the two patients; SHANK3/PROSAP2 could be another candidate gene. We recommend liver function tests and array‐CGH in the management of patients with Phelan–McDermid syndrome. This patient showed a developmental catch‐up following the liver transplantation, possibly suggesting that chronic hepatic disease could contribute to the developmental delay in a subset of these patients. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reinforcement and antioxidation effects of fullerenol‐containing natural rubber
Authors: Kondo Hiroaki , Ohtake Yoshito
Published: July 2010

Natural rubber (NR) containing fullerenol, C60‐OH, was prepared by two methods; one by mixing C60‐OH aqueous solution to NR latex followed by coagulation (wet method) and the other by mixing C60‐OH powder with solid rubber by an open roll mixer (dry method). C60‐OH mixed by wet method was homogeneously dispersed in the rubber, while one mixed by dry method was particles in the size up to 70 μm. The former exhibited large reinforcing and antiaging effect than the latter. The large antiaging effect was explained by the finding that C60‐OH had large radical scavenging ability and gel forming ability during heat treatment. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Preparation of shish‐kebab and nanofiber polyethylene with chromium/Santa Barbara amorphous silica‐15 catalysts
Authors: Ahmadi Ebrahim , Haghighi Mehdi Nekoomanesh , Mohamadnia Zahra , Ramazani Ali
Published: July 2010

Cr/SBA‐15 catalysts were prepared by the grafting of chromium nitrate nonahydrate [Cr(NO3)3·9H2O] complexes onto SBA‐15 mesoporous materials. Shish‐kebab and nanofiber polyethylenes (PEs) were prepared under different temperatures via ethylene extrusion polymerization with the Cr(NO3)3·9H2O catalytic system. The diameter of a single nanofiber was 100–250 nm. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the polymer obtained from the SBA‐15‐supported catalyst under different polymerization temperatures produced nanofiber and/or shish‐kebab morphologies. X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry were used to characterize microstructures of the materials. Polymers obtained with all of the catalysts showed a melting temperature, bulk density, and high load melt index; this indicated the formation of linear high‐density PE. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Anatomical Sciences Education vol.3, issue 4, 2010 cover image
Authors: Goldman Evan
Published: July 2010

Students use a new gross anatomy laboratory facility at Philadelphia University that used to be a lecture room. The details of this efficient and effective conversion are described in the article by Goldman in the current issue of ASE
Evaluation of serum‐free differentiation conditions for C2C12 myoblast cells assessed as to active tension generation capability
Authors: Fujita Hideaki , Endo Akiko , Shimizu Kazunori , Nagamori Eiji
Published: July 2010

We have compared several serum‐free media for the differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts and assessed the extent of differentiation in several ways including as to active tension generation capability. C2C12 cells were allowed to differentiate in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing Ham's F‐12 (F‐12), AIM‐V (AIM), 0.2% Ultroser‐G in DMEM (Ult‐G), and 0.1% Sericin in DMEM (Sericin), compared with in DMEM supplemented with 2% horse serum (HS) or 2% calf serum (CS). C2C12 differentiation was assessed as the extent of myotube formation, glucose metabolism, protein expression, sarcomere formation, and active tension generation. All serum‐free media examined were capable of inducing myotube formation and the expression of muscle‐specific proteins. All serum‐free media except for F‐12 gave the sarcomere structure. Active tension generation was observed for cells that differentiated in AIM and Ult‐G, but the active tension generated by C2C12 cells that differentiated in Ult‐G was only ∼25% in the case of myotubes that formed in HS. The addition of Ult‐G to the AIM resulted in improvement of the active tension generation capability, the active tension generated being ∼3.4× compared to that in HS. The approach for assessing muscle cell differentiation presented in this study will be suitable for other studies that involve the differentiation of muscle cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 894–901. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integrative analysis using proteome and transcriptome data from yeast to unravel regulatory patterns at post‐transcriptional level
Authors: Olivares‐Hernández Roberto , Usaite Renata , Nielsen Jens
Published: July 2010

Exist several studies on the correlation between proteome and transcriptome and these studies have shown that generally there is only a weak positive correlation between these two omes, which means that post‐transcriptional events play an important role in determining the protein levels in the cell. In this study we combined proteome and transcriptome data from six different published dataset to identify patterns that can provide new insight into the reasons for these deviations. By using a categorization method and integrating genome‐scale information we found that the relation between protein and mRNA is related to the gene function. We could further identify that for genes belonging to amino acid biosynthetic pathways there is no translational regulation, meaning that there is generally a good correlation between mRNA and protein levels. We also found that there is generally translational control for large proteins and there also evidence for a role of conserved motifs in the 3′ untranslated regions in the mRNA‐protein correlation, probably by controlling the level of mRNA. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 865–875. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.