bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ASURA (PHB2) Interacts with Scc1 through Chromatin
Authors: Equilibrina I. , Matsunaga S. , Morimoto A. , Hashimoto T. , Uchiyama S. , Fukui K.
Published: March 2013

Sister chromatid cohesion mediated by the cohesin complex is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. Previously we reported that PHB2 (prohibitin2/ASURA), a multifunctional protein, has a role in sister chromatid cohesion. Nevertheless, how ASURA is involved in sister chromatid cohesion still remains unclear. The present co-immunoprecipitation analysis reveals that ASURA interacts with cohesin subunit Scc1 in vivo. We show that ASURA associates with chromatin in a similar manner as Scc1 throughout the cell cycle. Furthermore, our observation using the Fucci (fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator) system indicates that ASURA is important for cohesin maintenance at early mitosis. We have also identified that the conserved PHB domain is responsible for chromatin targeting of ASURA. Our results suggest that the regulation of sister chromatid cohesion is mediated by ASURA binding to chromatin, where ASURA might be involved in cohesin protection through ASURA-Scc1 interactions.
Bilateral Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant for Retinitis Pigmentosa-Related Macular Edema
Authors: Saatci Ali Osman , Selver Ozlem Barut , Seymenoglu Goktug , Yaman Aylin
Published: March 2013

Purpose: To report the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in a patient with retinitis pigmentosa and bilateral cystoid macular edema unresponsive to topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Case Report: A 36-year-old man with bilateral cystoid macular edema associated with retinitis pigmentosa that was unresponsive to topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors underwent bilateral 0.7-mg intravitreal dexamethasone implants two weeks apart. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography revealed resolution of macular edema one week following each injection in both eyes and his visual acuity improved. However, macular edema recurred two months later in OS and three months later in OD. Second implant was considered for both eyes. No implant-related complication was experienced during the follow-up of seven months. Conclusion: Inflammatory process seems to play a role in retinitis pigmentosa. Intravitreal dexamethasone implant may offer retina specialists a therapeutic option especially in cases unresponsive to other treatment regimens in eyes with retinitis pigmentosa-related macular edema.
Salvage Total Pelvic Exenteration with Bilateral V-Y Advancement Flap Reconstruction for Locally Recurrent Rectal Cancer
Authors: Tashiro Jo , Yamaguchi Shigeki , Ishii Toshimasa , Suwa Hirokazu , Kondo Hiroka , Suzuki Asami , Miyazawa Mitsuo , Koyama Isamu
Published: March 2013

Total pelvic exenteration for locally recurrent rectal cancer typically requires extensive excision of the pelvic floor with perineal skin. Due to the extensiveness of the procedure and its non-curative nature, it is controversial as purely palliative therapy. A 66-year-old male patient who had undergone abdominoperineal resection at another hospital 8 years prior was admitted to our hospital. During radiation and chemotherapy for 2 years, he complained of perineal pain, discharge, cacosmia and bleeding from a recurrent tumor. The 10 × 8 cm recurrent tumor was exposed on the perineum and the patient suffered from serious discomfort in his daily life during walking or sitting. We performed total pelvic exenteration with partial sacrectomy, after which the large perineal defect was reconstructed with a bilateral V-Y gluteus maximus advancement flap in approximately 120 min. The patient's postoperative course was satisfactory and his quality of life markedly improved.
Understanding India's Representation of North–South Climate Politics
Authors: Joshi Shangrila
Published: March 2013

This paper examines India's role in perpetuating North-South imaginaries in global climate politics. A Global South perspective on climate politics is premised on the differential contribution of developed and developing countries towards climate change, differential adaptive capacities, and the overriding need of developing countries to focus on poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Meanwhile, the North-South binary has been extensively critiqued in the literature for the heterogeneity of each category, narrowing gaps between North and South, and the state-centrism implicit in such a categorization. Based on the understanding that the reproduction of the North-South frame in climate discourses is inherently political, I examine the politics behind their reproduction, rather than focus on the validity of these categories. Based on fieldwork in Delhi and Copenhagen, my paper provides insight into the spatial politics of climate policy negotiations. The categories North and South, developed and developing, or First World and Third World constitute powerful spatial imaginaries that strongly influence the negotiating positions of Indian officials in global climate politics, even as India's image as a developing country is increasingly questioned in light of its status as an emerging economy and major emitter. The self-identification of Indian officials with the imaginary of the Global South is a crucial feature of global climate politics.
Organizational Modes of Mesoscale Convective Systems over Central East China
Authors: Zheng Linlin , Sun Jianhua , Zhang Xiaoling , Liu Changhai
Published: March 2013

Composite reflectivity Doppler radar data from June to September of 2007–2010 were used to classify mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) over central east China into seven morphologies. The morphologies included one nonlinear mode (NL) and six linear modes: convective lines with no stratiform precipitation (NS), trailing stratiform precipitation (TS), leading stratiform precipitation (LS), parallel stratiform precipitation (PS), bow echoes (BE), and embedded lines (EL). Nonlinear and linear systems composed 44.7% and 55.3% of total MCSs, respectively, but there was no primary linear mode. All MCS morphologies attained their peak occurrence in July, except BE systems, which peaked in June. On average, TS and PS modes had relatively longer lifespans than did other modes.

Significant differences in MCS-produced severe weather existed between dry and moist environments. High winds and hail events were mainly observed in dry environments, and in contrast, short-term intense precipitation occurred more frequently in moist environments. BE systems generated the most severe weather on average, while most TS systems were attendant with short-term intense precipitation and high winds. EL and PS systems were most frequently associated with extreme short-time intense precipitation (≥50 mm h−1) as these systems preferentially developed in moist environments. BE systems generally occurred under strong low-level shear and intermediately moist conditions. LS systems were observed in weak low-level shear, whereas EL systems often developed in relatively stable conditions and weak low- to middle-level shear. The largest instability was present in the environment for NS systems. The environmental parameters for TS systems featured the largest differences between the dry and moist cases.
Clearing a Path through Jesus of the Deep Forest: Intercultural Perspectives on Christian Praise and Public Witness in Afua Kuma’s Akan Oral Epic
Authors: Young Richard Fox
Published: March 2013

First, an ideal is articulated, that African “mother-tongue” theologies would be good not only for Africa, intraculturally, but also for theologies of the global North, interculturally. Second, a hermeneutical problem is identified, that of reading (translated) theological texts from the African vernaculars out of context, without regard for African traditional religion as the matrix from which they emerge. Third, a (partial) solution is adumbrated, taking as a case study an oral epic potentially challenging to theologies of the global North. As the article unfolds, assumptions about the key concepts—“Christian,” “praise,” “public,” and “witness”—and what these might look like from an African perspective are implicitly interrogated.
Painful Praise: Exploring the Public Proclamation of the Hymns of Revelation
Authors: Powery Luke A.
Published: March 2013

In light of the present infatuation with praise music and prosperity preaching within some sectors of the church, this article attempts to complicate simplistic notions of praise and correct faulty conceptions of preaching. It does so by demonstrating the interrelationship of praise, preaching, and public life via an exploration of the hymns of Revelation 5. The public proclamation of these hymns reveals how praise, pain, and politics interface within a historical setting of Roman oppression. The article concludes with some implications of how this biblical “hymnic homiletic” can shape contemporary homiletics.
The role of early visual attention in social development
Authors: Wagner Jennifer B. , Luyster Rhiannon J. , Yim Jung Yeon , Tager-Flusberg Helen , Nelson Charles A.
Published: March 2013

Faces convey important information about the social environment, and even very young infants are preferentially attentive to face-like over non-face stimuli. Eye-tracking studies have allowed researchers to examine which features of faces infants find most salient across development, and the present study examined scanning of familiar (i.e., mother) and unfamiliar (i.e., stranger) static faces at 6, 9, and 12 months of age. Infants showed a preference for scanning their mother’s face as compared to a stranger’s face, and displayed increased attention to the eye region as compared to the mouth region. Infants also showed patterns of decreased attention to eyes and increased attention to mouths between 6 and 12 months. Associations between visual attention at 6, 9, and 12 months and the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales DP (CSBS-DP) at 18 months were also examined, and a significant positive relation between attention to eyes at 6 months and the social subscale of the CSBS-DP at 18 months was found. This effect was driven by infants’ attention to their mother’s eyes. No relations between face scanning in 9- and 12-month-olds and social outcome at 18 months were found. The potential for using individual differences in early infant face processing to predict later social outcome is discussed.
Poverty alleviation through strategic public library services in Nigeria in the 21st century: a model
Authors: Abubakar Bappah Magaji
Published: March 2013

This paper attempts to discuss the strategic roles of public libraries in Nigeria in poverty alleviation programmes in the 21st century. The various poverty alleviation programmes aimed at combating poverty that have been put in place by the successive Federal Governments of Nigeria are brought to light. Despite the poverty reduction schemes introduced by the successive governments, the soaring rate of poverty in the country is still very alarming. Furthermore, the roles of libraries, particularly, the public libraries, have not been realized in that regard. Within this context, the paper examines the strategic roles of the public libraries in reducing the rate of poverty in the country. It concludes by making some recommendations that can assist the Nigerian public libraries to actively play their deserved roles, and/or participate fully in the poverty reduction programmes.
Form@doct
Authors: Malingre Marie-Laure ,   In collaboration with, Serres Alexandre , Sainsot Alain , Men Hervé Le
Published: March 2013

At a time when information literacy is a growing subject in doctoral programs, it appears necessary to assess the benefits of online education in this field and its suitability for PhD students, considering their specific working conditions and learning methods. The purpose of this communication is fourfold: to show how Form@doct, an online portal for PhD students, uses its resources to respond to this need, to describe the challenges faced in e-learning, to explain the final structure that learning content, general architecture and online teaching could take and to assess, by a first analysis, whether the use made of this portal validates our approach.
Academic librarians and research data services: preparation and attitudes
Authors: Tenopir Carol , Sandusky Robert J. , Allard Suzie , Birch Ben
Published: March 2013

Research funding bodies recognize the importance of infrastructure and services to organize and preserve research data, and academic research libraries have been identified as locations in which to base these research data services (RDS). Research data services include data management planning, digital curation (selection, preservation, maintenance, and archiving), and metadata creation and conversion. We report the results of an empirical investigation into the RDS practices of librarians in US and Canadian academic research libraries, establishing a baseline of the engagement of librarians at this early stage of widespread service development. Specifically, this paper examines the opinions of the surveyed librarians regarding their preparedness to provide RDS (background, skills, and education), their attitudes regarding the importance of RDS for their libraries and institutions, and the factors that contribute to or inhibit librarian engagement in RDS.
Living out our differences: Reflections on Mandela, Marx and my country: An interview with Jakes Gerwel
Authors: Higgins John
Published: March 2013

This article takes the form of an exchange between Cape Town academic John Higgins and Jakes Gerwel, respected South African citizen and formerly chief aide to the country’s first democratically-elected president, Nelson Mandela. The conversation covers a wide canvas which ranges from Gerwel’s rural childhood to his recollection of working for Mandela. But there is also an exploration of the role played by South African Marxism in the struggle to end apartheid; on the place of education (and its failure) in the post-apartheid years; on the role of universities both prior and after the ending of apartheid. The important role of the humanities in educating is considered and the rise of technically-inclined forms of education are analysed; in this context, the idea that the citizen has been replaced by the entrepreneur is also raised. The issues of race and class in the context of South Africa’s past and present are also discussed.
Marxisms past and present
Authors: Helliker Kirk , Vale Peter
Published: March 2013

Marxism was central to the understanding of South Africa’s struggle for freedom. This article provides a critical analysis of Marxist literature on South Africa since the 1970s, drawing out its relevance for contemporary analyses of the post-apartheid state and for radical politics today. It suggests that while the literature offered important insights into the character of the apartheid state, it failed to provide a critical appraisal of the state per se. Moreover, the capturing of state power by the liberation movement was not grounded in an understanding of the oppressive character of the state-form. The undermining of mainstream Marxism under neo-liberalizing conditions in post-apartheid South Africa has opened up the prospects for anti-statist radical libertarian thinking (including autonomist Marxism), and this thinking is consistent with the practices of certain autonomist popular politics currently emerging. Social theorizing on South Africa has had a complex relationship with Marxism. This article is interested in drawing on this experience in an effort to understand its implications for the ‘new’ South Africa where, 20 years after apartheid’s formal ending, social transformation remains caught in the logic not of Marxism but neo-liberalizing capitalism.
The cradle to the grave
Authors: Maré Gerhard
Published: March 2013

Despite a constitutional and oft-stated political commitment to an undefined notion of non-racialism, South Africans continue to operate in formal and informal ways with ‘race’ as the common-sense organizing principle of legal systems, ways of thinking, social identities, constructing arguments or closing debate, organizational and mobilizing strategies, policy development and execution, and interaction in daily life. This state of affairs is regrettable and dangerous, often questioned and rejected, but objections are waged and alternatives suggested against the tide of societal trends. What the organizing principle of race thinking does is to close the mind to alternative possibilities – of thought, social practice and ways of living. Here I explore an overview of racialism as it permeates and shapes the life cycles of citizens from birth to death. I make an argument for a way of thinking that is necessarily utopian, as one of few options of escaping a social world made in the image of apartheid.
Conjunctural remarks on the political significance of ‘the local’
Authors: Pithouse Richard
Published: March 2013

Popular protest is occurring on a remarkable scale in South Africa. Nonetheless, there is a significant degree to which it tends to be organized and articulated through the local. This contribution argues that while the political limitations of purely local modes of organization are clear, it should not be assumed that local struggles are some sort of misguided distraction from building a broader progressive movement. It is suggested that, on the contrary, the best prospects for the emergence of a broader popular struggle lie in building, sustaining and linking local struggles.
Children First
Authors: Schwean Vicki , Rodger Susan
Published: March 2013

Although the importance of healthy mental development in children and youth is not disputed, the mental health needs of far too many Canadian children are being ignored. Within the context of recent federal and provincial calls for systemic reform of the mental health care systems for children and youth, we underscore the necessity for ongoing innovation, development, education, and evaluation. This article describes our aims to establish demonstration and research sites focused on promising frameworks that draw from systems of care, public health, and resiliency approaches.
Political opportunities, citizenship models and political claim-making over Islam
Authors: Cinalli Manlio , Giugni Marco
Published: March 2013

This article engages with the systematic analysis of two main dimensions of political opportunities—namely institutional opportunities and discursive opportunities—so as to appraise their impact upon claim-making in the field of Islam. We account for cross-national variations of claim-making in terms of (1) visibility of Muslims, (2) use of collective action, and (3) salience of cultural issues in five main European countries of Muslim settlement, that is Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. In addition, we propose a conceptual framework that tackles a crucial conundrum that one finds in the scholarly literature, namely the variable (dis)alignment that may exist between the restrictive/expansionist stance of institutions and policy actors on the one hand and the restrictive/expansionist discursive position that prevails in the public domain on the other hand. Emphasis is also placed on a number of unexpected findings, such as the divergence between Britain and the Netherlands, the not so universalistic approach of French republicanism, and the small steps that Germany has walked towards multiculturalism.
Discursive framing and the reproduction of integration in the public sphere: A comparative analysis of France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany
Authors: Koomen Maarten , Tillie Jean , van Heelsum Anja , van Stiphout Sjef
Published: March 2013

In this article we present a cross-national comparison of the discursive framing of political claims on Muslims and Islam in four European countries. We explore these issues empirically and relate the cross-national differences found in the data to a diverging logic in the different integration debates. We argue that persistent variations in discursive framing can be understood by looking at the unique conceptualisation of group categorisation and distinction used in the national integration debates. It is, furthermore, argued that these discursive and symbolic trends do not relate directly to observed differences in integration policies.
A novel vibration-based monitoring technique for bridge pier and abutment scour
Authors: Fisher Murray , Atamturktur Sez , Khan Abdul A
Published: March 2013

Scouring degrades the overall health of a bridge by removing the bed material surrounding the piers and abutments. If undetected, scour may lead to the catastrophic failure of a bridge resulting in hundreds of millions in repair costs. The loss of a bridge due to undetected scour formations can also hinder emergency evacuations since riverbed scouring typically occurs in peak flow periods such as hurricane or flood events. To take requisite precautions against such catastrophic events, a monitoring system that can reliably detect scour formation, without being adversely affected by the environmental conditions, is essential. This article presents a novel scour monitoring technique that exploits the differences between the low-frequency ambient excitations exerted on a thin, flexible plate located in the flow versus the same device located in the sediment. The underlying principle is that a flexible plate excited by the turbulent flow vibrates at significantly higher amplitudes compared to an identical plate surrounded by sediment. To validate this principle, a simplified numerical model is developed to guide the design of the scaled laboratory device; next, a prototype model is built in the laboratory and tested in an indoor flume. The energy content of the sensor in the flow is measured to be one to two orders of magnitude greater than the sensor in sediment. The findings obtained at various flow conditions indicate that this technique can supply reliable information on the water/sediment interface, and thus scour and refill processes. Experimental results also demonstrate that the presence of a scour hole further improves the ability to detect the interface location. Additionally, the results show that maximum slope of the sensor energy content as a function of the sensor depth can be used as a feature to estimate the water/sediment interface.
"Equation missing" -ternary 3-derivations on "Equation missing" -ternary algebras
Authors: Dehghanian Mehdi , Mosadegh Seyed Mohammad Sadegh Modarres , Park Choonkil , Shin Dong Yun
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we prove the Hyers-Ulam stability of

C
∗

-ternary 3-derivations and of

C
∗

-ternary 3-homomorphisms for the functional equation

f
(

x
1

+

x
2

,

y
1

+

y
2

,

z
1

+

z
2

)
=

∑

1
≤
i
,
j
,
k
≤
2

f
(

x
i

,

y
j

,

z
k

)

in

C
∗

-ternary algebras.

MSC:17A40, 39B52, 46Lxx, 46K70, 46L05, 46B99.
Mouse Tenm4 is required for mesoderm induction
Authors: Nakamura Hisashi , Cook Rita N , Justice Monica J
Published: March 2013

Background

Tenm4 is a mouse homolog of the Drosophila gene Tenascin-m (Ten-m (Odd oz)), which functions in motor neuron routing. Recently, a genome-wide association analysis for bipolar disorder identified a new susceptibility locus at TENM4 increasing the importance of understanding Tenm4. A series of Tenm4 mouse alleles showing a broad range of phenotypes were isolated after ENU mutagenesis. Here, we examine the timing and features of gastrulation failure in a loss of function allele.

Results

Embryonic mesoderm did not form in loss of function Tenm4

m1/m1
mutant embryos. Genes normally expressed in embryonic mesoderm were not expressed in the mutant, the primitive streak did not form, and markers of the anteroposterior axis were not expressed or were mislocalized. The lack of embryonic mesoderm could not be attributed to poor proliferation of the epiblast, as normal numbers of dividing cells were observed. Epiblast cells maintained expression of Pou5f1 suggesting that they remain pluripotent, but they did not have the capacity to form any germ layer derivatives in teratomas, showing that the inability to induce mesoderm is cell autonomous. Misexpression of E-cadherin and N-cadherin suggest that the embryos did not undergo an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In addition, Wnt signaling did not occur in the mutants, as assessed by the TOPGAL reporter assay, while a GSK3β inhibitor partially rescued the mutant embryos, and rescued TOPGAL reporter expression.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that Tenm4 mutants fail to form a primitive streak and to induce embryonic mesoderm. Markers of anterior posterior patterning fail to be expressed or are mislocalized. Further, Tenm4 mutants lack the ability to differentiate in a cell autonomous manner. Together, our data suggest that embryos become impaired prior to E6.5 and as a result, Wnt signaling fails to occur; however, the involvement of other signaling pathways remains to be examined.
Three-dimensional whole-liver perfusion magnetic resonance imaging in patients with hepatocellular carcinomas and colorectal hepatic metastases
Authors: Rao Sheng-Xiang , Chen Cai-Zhong , Liu Hao , Zeng Meng-Su , Qu Xu-Dong
Published: March 2013

Background

Three-dimensional (3D) whole-liver perfusion magnetic resonance(MR) imaging with parallel imaging, a novel imaging method to characterize tumor vascularization in vivo, has recently been applied to comprehensively image perfusion changes in large tumors. Coupled with new perfusion software, this technique enables motion correction, registration, and evaluation of perfusion MR parameters. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of 3D whole-liver perfusion MR, for imaging hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and colorectal hepatic metastases (CRHM).

Methods

26 patients with hepatic tumors (10 HCC; 16 CRHM) were subjected to 3D whole-liver perfusion MR with a temporal resolution of 3.7 seconds. The following estimated perfusion parameters were measured: the volume transfer constant Ktrans (min-1); the volume (Ve) of extravascular extracellular space (EES) per volume unit of tissue; and the flux rate constant between EES and plasma Kep (min-1). Statistical analysis was conducted to investigate inter-observer characteristics and significance of the measured parameters.

Results

Inter-observer agreement analysis (95% limits of agreement) yielded a mean difference of −0.0048 min-1 (−0.0598 ~ 0.0502) for Ktrans , -0.0630 ml (−0.5405 ~ 0.4145) for Ve, and −0.0031 min-1 (−0.0771 ~ 0.0709) for Kep respectively. When comparing images from patients with HCC vs. CRHM, significant differences were seen for the mean Ktrans (p = 0.017), but not for Ve(p = 0.117) or Kep(p = 0.595).

Conclusion

Herein we show that 3D whole-liver MR perfusion imaging with semi-automatic data analysis is feasible and enables the reliable quantitative evaluation of the perfusion parameters for HCCs and CRHMs.
Genome-wide methylation profiling of the bronchial mucosa of asthmatics: relationship to atopy
Authors: Kim Yoon-Jeong , Park Sung-Woo , Kim Tae-Hoon , Park Jong-Sook , Cheong Hyun Sub , Shin Hyoung Doo , Park Choon-Sik
Published: March 2013

Background

Asthma is a common respiratory disease that is characterized by bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway obstruction due to chronic airway inflammation. Atopic asthma is a typical IgE-mediated disease in which the enhanced production of IgE is driven by the activation of Th2 cells, which release a distinct pattern of cytokines, including interleukin 4 (IL4) and IL3, in response to specific antigen presentation. To evaluate the methylation status of the whole genomes of bronchial mucosa tissues from subjects who lacked or had sensitization to Dermatophagoides farina (Df) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp).

Methods

The genome-wide DNA methylation levels in the bronchial mucosa tissues of atopic asthmatics (N = 10), non-atopic asthmatics (N = 7), and normal controls (N = 7) were examined using microarrays.

Results

In the bronchial mucosa of atopic asthmatics, hypermethylation was detected at 6 loci in 6 genes, while hypomethylation was detected at 49 loci in 48 genes compared to those of non-atopic asthmatics. Genes that were assigned the ontologies of multicellular organismal process, response to organic substance, hormone metabolic process, and growth factor receptor binding were hypomethylated. The methylation levels in the mucosa of asthmatics and normal controls were similar.

Conclusions

The bronchial mucosa of asthmatics who are atopic to Df or Dp have characteristic methylation patterns for 52 genes. The genes and pathways identified in the present study may be associated with the presence of atopy in asthmatics and therefore represent attractive targets for future research.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 genotypes and haplotypes influence the survival of prostate cancer patients with bone metastasis at initial diagnosis
Authors: Tsuchiya Norihiko , Narita Shintaro , Inoue Takamitsu , Saito Mitsuru , Numakura Kazuyuki , Huang Mingguo , Hatakeyama Shingo , Satoh Shigeru , Saito Seiichi , Ohyama Chikara , Arai Yoichi , Ogawa Osamu , Habuchi Tomonori
Published: March 2013

Background

The insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays an important role in growth of prostate cancer (PCa) cells and facilitating the development and progression of PCa. This study aimed to evaluate the association of polymorphisms in three linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks of the IGF-1 on the survival of metastatic PCa patients.

Methods

A total of 215 patients with bone metastases at initial presentation were included in this study. The cytosine-adenine (CA) repeat polymorphism and rs12423791 were selected as representative polymorphisms in the LD blocks 1 and 2, respectively. Haplotype in the LD block 3 was analyzed using two tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs6220 and rs7136446. Cancer-specific survival rate was estimated from the Kaplan-Meier curve, and the survival data were compared using the log-rank test.

Results

Cancer-specific survival was significantly associated with theCArepeat polymorphism, rs12423791, and rs6220 (P = 0.013, 0.014, and 0.014, respectively). Although rs7136446 had no significant association with survival, the haplotype in the LD block 3 was significantly associated with cancer-specific survival (P = 0.0003). When the sum of the risk genetic factors in each LD block (19-repeat allele,Callele of rs12423791, orC-Thaplotype) was considered, patients with all the risk factors had significantly shorter cancer specific-survival than those with 0–2 risk factors (P = 0.0003).

Conclusions

Polymorphisms in theIGF-1, especially a haplotype in the LD block 3, are assumed to be genetic markers predicting the outcome of metastatic PCa.
Baculovirus-mediated gene transfer in butterfly wings in vivo: an efficient expression system with an anti-gp64 antibody
Authors: Dhungel Bidur , Ohno Yoshikazu , Matayoshi Rie , Otaki Joji M
Published: March 2013

Background

Candidate genes for color pattern formation in butterfly wings have been known based on gene expression patterns since the 1990s, but their functions remain elusive due to a lack of a functional assay. Several methods of transferring and expressing a foreign gene in butterfly wings have been reported, but they have suffered from low success rates or low expression levels. Here, we developed a simple, practical method to efficiently deliver and express a foreign gene using baculovirus-mediated gene transfer in butterfly wings in vivo.

Results

A recombinant baculovirus containing a gene for green fluorescent protein (GFP) was injected into pupae of the blue pansy butterfly Junonia orithya (Nymphalidae). GFP fluorescence was detected in the pupal wings and other body parts of the injected individuals three to five days post-injection at various degrees of fluorescence. We obtained a high GFP expression rate at relatively high virus titers, but it was associated with pupal death before color pattern formation in wings. To reduce the high mortality rate caused by the baculovirus treatment, we administered an anti-gp64 antibody, which was raised against baculovirus coat protein gp64, to infected pupae after the baculovirus injection. This treatment greatly reduced the mortality rate of the infected pupae. GFP fluorescence was observed in pupal and adult wings and other body parts of the antibody-treated individuals at various degrees of fluorescence. Importantly, we obtained completely developed wings with a normal color pattern, in which fluorescent signals originated directly from scales or the basal membrane after the removal of scales. GFP fluorescence in wing tissues spatially coincided with anti-GFP antibody staining, confirming that the fluorescent signals originated from the expressed GFP molecules.

Conclusions

Our baculovirus-mediated gene transfer system with an anti-gp64 antibody is reasonably efficient, and it can be an invaluable tool to transfer, express, and functionally examine foreign genes in butterfly wings and also in other non-model insect systems.
Mifepristone improves chemo-radiation response in glioblastoma xenografts
Authors: Llaguno-Munive Monserrat , Medina Luis Alberto , Jurado Rafael , Romero-Piña Mario , Garcia-Lopez Patricia
Published: March 2013

Background

We have investigated the ability of Mifepristone, an anti-progestin and anti-glucocorticoid drug, to modulate the antitumor effect of current standard clinical treatment in glioblastoma xenografts.

Methods

The effect of radiation alone or combined with Mifepristone and Temozolamide was evaluated on tumor growth in glioblastoma xenografts, both in terms of preferentially triggering tumor cell death and inhibiting angiogenesis. Tumor size was measured once a week using a caliper and tumor metabolic-activity was carried out by molecular imaging using a microPET/CT scanner. The effect of Mifepristone on the expression of angiogenic factors after concomitant radio-chemotherapy was determined using a quantitative real-time PCR analysis of VEGF gene expression.

Results

The analysis of the data shows a significant antitumoral effect by the simultaneous administration of radiation-Mifepristone-Temozolamide in comparison with radiation alone or radiation-Temozolamide.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that Mifepristone could improve the efficacy of chemo-radiotherapy in Glioblastoma. The addition of Mifepristone to standard radiation-Temozolamide therapy represents a potential approach as a chemo-radio-sensitizer in treating GBMs, which have very limited treatment options.
Optimal linear precoding for opportunistic spectrum sharing under arbitrary input distributions assumption
Authors: Zhu Rui , Zhao Yifei , Li Yunzhou , Wang Jing , Hong Hao
Published: March 2013

Cognitive radio network with multiple-input multiple-output is an effective method to improve not only spectrum efficiency, but also energy efficiency. In this article, a linear precoding matrix optimization algorithm, named gradient-aided mutual information optimization (GAMIO), is designed to maximize the secondary users’ spectrum efficiency. Unlike the previous algorithms which were developed under a specific input assumption, the GAMIO algorithm can work without imposing any input assumption. Furthermore, a framework is also proposed to develop the energy-efficient algorithm which can work with arbitrary spectrum-efficient algorithm. In this way, an energy-efficient algorithm, which can work under arbitrary input assumption, be developed based on the GAMIO algorithm (EEGAMIO). Numerical results indicate that either the GAMIO algorithm or the EEGAMIO algorithm shows the best performance at the present time.
Fast mode decision based on human noticeable luminance difference and rate distortion cost for H.264/AVC
Authors: Li Mian-Shiuan , Chen Mei-Juan , Tai Kuang-Han , Sue Kuen-Liang
Published: March 2013

This article proposes a fast mode decision algorithm based on the correlation of the just-noticeable-difference (JND) and the rate distortion cost (RD cost) to reduce the computational complexity of H.264/AVC. First, the relationship between the average RD cost and the number of JND pixels is established by Gaussian distributions. Thus, the RD cost of the Inter 16 × 16 mode is compared with the predicted thresholds from these models for fast mode selection. In addition, we use the image content, the residual data, and JND visual model for horizontal/vertical detection, and then utilize the result to predict the partition in a macroblock. From the experimental results, a greater time saving can be achieved while the proposed algorithm also maintains performance and quality effectively.
Pulmonary surfactant is indispensable in order to simulate the in vivo situation
Authors: Schleh Carsten , Kreyling Wolfgang G , Lehr Claus-Michael
Published: March 2013

The article of Gasser et al. [Part Fibre Toxicol. 24; 9:17, 2012] describes the interaction of carbon nanotubes with cells within a complex cell culture model. Besides various toxicity parameters, the influence of coating with pulmonary surfactant was investigated. Pulmonary surfactant covers the entire alveolar region with the main function of decreasing the surface tension in the alveoli to prevent alveolar collapse. Although each inhaled nanoparticle, reaching the alveoli, will come into contact with pulmonary surfactant which will probably lead to a surfactant coating, pulmonary surfactant components are not commonly integrated in in vitro systems. Gasser and co-workers have shown that this surfactant coating is able to influence the further interaction with cellular systems. Hence, each scientist, working with in vitro systems and nanoparticles, should think of integrating pulmonary surfactant structures in order to harmonize the in vitro systems with the in vivo situation. In the present commentary we discuss the most important points of the manuscript of Gasser et al. and discuss where the usage of pulmonary surfactant can be further optimized.
Analysis of HAX-1 gene expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Min , Tang Yue , Zang Wenqiao , Xuan Xiaoyan , Wang Na , Ma Yunyun , Wang Yuanyuan , Dong Ziming , Zhao Guoqiang
Published: March 2013

Objective

To explore the expression of HAX-1 mRNA and protein in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its relation with the prognosis of patients with ESCC.

Methods

The expression of HAX-1 mRNA and protein were detected with quantitative real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method in 112 ESCC samples and 112 corresponding non-neoplastic samples. Survival curves were made with follow-up data. The relations of the prognosis with clinical and pathological characteristics were analyzed.

Results

The expression level of HAX-1 mRNA and the strong positive rate of HAX-1 protein were significantly higher in ESCC samples (0.527 ± 0.060 and 45.54%) than that in non-neoplastic samples (0.121 ± 0.017 and 0.00%), and in ESCC samples with lymph node metastasis (0.554 ± 0.054 and 71.11%) than that in ESCC samples without lymph node metastasis (0.509 ± 0.058 and 28.36%) (allP < 0.01). HAX-1 mRNA expression level was a risk factor of lymph node metastasis in patients with ESCC (P = 0.000). There were significant differences in survival curves between lymph node metastatic group and non-metastatic group (P = 0.000), and among groups of HAX-1 protein expression +, ++and +++(,P = 0.000); but no statistical significance between male patients and female patients (P = 0.119), and between ≥60 years old patients and <60 years old patients (P = 0.705). The level of HAX-1 mRNA (P = 0.000) and protein (P = 0.005) were risk factors of survival, but lymph node metastasis (P = 0.477) was not.

Conclusion

There is HAX-1 over-expression in ESCC tissue and HAX-1 mRNA level is a risk factor of lymph node metastasis. The level of HAX-1 mRNA and protein were risk factors of survival in patients with ESCC. HAX-1 may be a novel therapeutic target for ESCC treatment.

Virtual slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/5130393079296037
Comparison of vascular smooth muscle cells in canine great vessels
Authors: Isayama Noriko , Matsumura Goki , Yamazaki Kenji
Published: March 2013

Background

Elucidating the histological characteristics of normal vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is important for understanding mechanisms of development, disease etiology and the remodeling and/or regeneration process of the vessel. However, knowledge regarding VSMCs is focused primarily on the artery. Although the characteristics of each great vessel are documented, few studies have examined VSMCs in parallel within each great vessel. The present study focused on comparing characteristics of canine VSMCs within the aorta (Ao), branch pulmonary artery (bPA), main pulmonary artery (mPA) and inferior vena cava (IVC), simultaneously.

Results

Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to determine VSMC protein content for alpha smooth muscle actin (ASMA), calponin, myosin heavy chain (MHC) and its isozyme SM2, and non-muscle myosin heavy chain B (SMemb). Thickness and ratio of the VSMC layer were also measured. Expression levels of ASMA, calponin and SM2 significantly differed between vessels, except between mPA and either bPA, Ao and IVC vessels. Expression levels of MHC were significantly different in all vessels, whilst expression of SMemb was significantly different in the Ao compared with either bPA and mPA vessels. All vessels were significantly different with respect to total wall and VSMC layer thickness. The ratio between VSMC layer and total wall thickness was significantly different for each vessel, except between bPA and mPA vessels. Histological analysis of the IVC revealed that the VSMC layer does not line evenly and continuously through the long axis or transverse sections. With respect to the pulmonary artery, calponin was expressed to a greater extent in the mPA compared with the bPA (P < 0.01*). In contrast, MHC and SM2 were expressed to a greater extent in the bPA compared with the mPA (P < 0.01*). Differences in VSMC distribution indicate structural differences in the proximal and distal pulmonary artery bifurcation.

Conclusion

Our results show that the VSMC expression pattern in each great vessel is unique and suggestive of the developmental differences between great vessels. We believe this study provides basic data for the pathology, etiology and regenerative capability of the vessels.
Neuropathic midfoot deformity: associations with ankle and subtalar joint motion
Authors: Sinacore David R , Gutekunst David J , Hastings Mary K , Strube Michael J , Bohnert Kathryn L , Prior Fred W , Johnson Jeffrey E
Published: March 2013

Background

Neuropathic deformities impair foot and ankle joint mobility, often leading to abnormal stresses and impact forces. The purpose of our study was to determine differences in radiographic measures of hind foot alignment and ankle joint and subtalar joint motion in participants with and without neuropathic midfoot deformities and to determine the relationships between radiographic measures of hind foot alignment to ankle and subtalar joint motion in participants with and without neuropathic midfoot deformities.

Methods

Sixty participants were studied in three groups. Forty participants had diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral neuropathy (PN) with 20 participants having neuropathic midfoot deformity due to Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN), while 20 participants did not have deformity. Participants with diabetes and neuropathy with and without deformity were compared to 20 young control participants without DM, PN or deformity. Talar declination and calcaneal inclination angles were assessed on lateral view weight bearing radiograph. Ankle dorsiflexion, plantar flexion and subtalar inversion and eversion were assessed by goniometry.

Results

Talar declination angle averaged 34±9, 26±4 and 23±3 degrees in participants with deformity, without deformity and young control participants, respectively (p< 0.010). Calcaneal inclination angle averaged 11±10, 18±9 and 21±4 degrees, respectively (p< 0.010). Ankle plantar flexion motion averaged 23±11, 38±10 and 47±7 degrees (p<0.010). The association between talar declination and calcaneal inclination angles with ankle plantar flexion range of motion is strongest in participants with neuropathic midfoot deformity. Participants with talonavicular and calcaneocuboid dislocations result in the most severe restrictions in ankle joint plantar flexion and subtalar joint inversion motions.

Conclusions

An increasing talar declination angle and decreasing calcaneal inclination angle is associated with decreases in ankle joint plantar flexion motion in individuals with neuropathic midfoot deformity due to CN that may contribute to excessive stresses and ultimately plantar ulceration of the midfoot.
ETSI compliant GeoNetworking protocol layer implementation for IVC simulations
Authors: Taysi Ziya Cihan , Yavuz Ali Gokhan
Published: March 2013

Inter-Vehicle Communication (IVC) is an important component of the ITS architecture, that enables Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communications. GeoNet project brought the IVC one step further by enabling transparent IP connectivity between vehicles and the infrastructure. Specifications produced by the GeoNet project have been incorporated into several ETSI standards, which define the geonetworking protocol layer and the IPv6-over-geonetworking adaptation layer. In this paper, we propose an ETSI complaint geonetworking protocol layer on the well known NCTUns simulation framework. We discuss the architecture of our implementation as well as NCTUns specific issues encountered during the implementation. We believe that, with this contribution, the researchers are provided with a scalable and flexible framework with Berkeley socket API access to applications and SQL based performance logging for post simulation evaluations.
The genetic study utility of a hexaploid wheat DH population with non-recombinant A- and B-genomes
Authors: Hao Ming , Chen Jixiang , Zhang Lianquan , Luo Jiangtao , Yuan Zhongwei , Yan Zehong , Zhang Bo , Chen Wenjie , Wei Yuming , Zhang Huaigang , Zheng Youliang , Liu Dengcai
Published: March 2013

To study the D-genome of the wild wheat relative Aegilops tauschii Cosson at the hexaploid level, we developed a synthetic doubled-haploid (DH) hexaploid wheat population, SynDH3. This population was derived from the spontaneous chromosome doubling of triploid F1 hybrid plants obtained from a cross between Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccon PI377655 and A. tauschii ssp. strangulata AS66 × ssp. tauschii AS87. SynDH3 is a diploidization-hexaploid DH population containing recombinant D chromosomes from two different A. tauschii genotypes, with A and B chromosomes from T. turgidum being homogenous across the entire population. Using this population, we constructed a genetic map. Of the 440 markers used to construct the map, 421 (96%) were assigned to 12 linkage groups; these included 346 Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT) and 75 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The total map length of the seven D chromosomes spanned 916.27 cM, with an average length of 130.90 cM per chromosome and an average distance between markers of 3.47 cM. Seven segregation distortion regions were detected on seven linkage groups. Out of 50 markers shared with those on a common wheat map, 37 showed a consistent order. The utility of the diploidization-hexaploid DH population for mapping qualitative trait genes was confirmed using the dominant glaucousness-inhibiting gene W2

I
as an example.