bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active vibration control of rotor imbalance in active magnetic bearing systems
Authors: Fang Jiancheng , Xu Xiangbo , Xie Jinjin
Published: July 2013

Rotor imbalance causes undesirable synchronous vibrations of displacement, force and torque. An active vibration control (AVC) method achieving the minimum vibration force and torque within a desired vibration displacement is presented in an active magnetic bearing (AMB) system. First, the dynamics of the AMB system with static imbalance and dynamic imbalance are introduced, and the dimensional displacement relationships of the rotation, geometric and inertial axes of the rotor are described. Demands of the AVC are analyzed, and the results indicate that the rotation axis has to be controlled to move along the center line and the inclination direction of the geometric axis and the inertial axis, respectively. Then the synchronous vibration displacement is identified with a general notch filter, and a feedforward controller is designed to control the rotation axis by providing a synchronous control current. A gain phase modifier (GPM) is proposed to achieve a precise synchronous control current and to compensate the gain and phase errors caused by the power amplifier. The GPM is incorporated into the feedforward controller to formulate two closed loops, which can adaptively tune the gain and phase of the synchronous control current, respectively. Finally, simulations and experiments have been carried out to indicate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, which can be widely used since vibrations of displacement, force and torque can be controlled simultaneously to satisfy various requirements.
Study on chaotic vibration and high vibration intensity of a multi-level partial blocks excitation system
Authors: Yang Xiaolan , Liu Jifeng , Zhang Luoming , Gao Haitao , Zhu Dasheng
Published: July 2013

A multi-level partial blocks excitation system was proposed to meet the special requirement of vibration equipment. The dynamic mechanical model was analyzed using Lagrange equations to obtain angular displacement equations of higher level partial block. The instantaneous vibration intensity and amplitude were also found. The simulation test was performed using MATLAB in order to obtain the motion curves, phase-trajectory and Poincare maps of higher level partial block. Due to the fact that the existence of the initial sensitivity, nonrepeatability and complexity of the phase trajectory, and flake points set and many discrete points in Poincare maps, the vibration system exhibited many characteristics of chaotic vibration. It was found that the chaotic excitation system with a strongly nonlinear and wide frequency band could achieve some special exciting vibration properties, such as intermittent high vibration intensity, transient super-high vibration intensity and large vibrating amplitude. Based on these analyses, the vibration mill was developed. The research showed that these measured vibration intensity [Formula: see text] and amplitude [Formula: see text] curves were consistent with theoretical analysis and the simulation of the motion curves, phase-trajectory and Poincare maps. In the field of vibration engineering, the special inertial properties are important to overcome work barriers and solve current technological bottlenecks.
Vibration analysis of laminated composite skew cylindrical shells using higher order shear deformation theory
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Chakrabarti Anupam , Bhargava Pradeep
Published: July 2013

A C0 finite element (FE) formulation based on higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT) is developed for free vibration analysis of composite skew cylindrical shells. The problem of C1 continuity associated with the HSDT has been overcome quite efficiently in the present FE model. The curved isoparametric element used in the model consists of nine nodes with seven nodal unknowns per node. Use of shear correction factor is avoided by assuming a realistic parabolic variation of transverse shear strain through the shell thickness. The transverse shear stresses are taken as zero at the shell top and bottom. Sander’s approximations are considered in the FE formulation to include the effect of three curvature terms in the strain components of composite shells. Since there is no result available in the literature on the problem of skew composite cylindrical shell based on HSDT, the present results are validated with some results available on composite plates/shells. Many new results are presented on free vibration response of laminated composite skew cylindrical shells considering different geometry, boundary conditions, ply orientation and skew angles.
Specialization In and Within Sexual Offending in England and Wales
Authors: Howard Philip D. , Barnett Georgia D. , Mann Ruth E.
Published: July 2013

Existing evidence suggests that offenders tend not to specialize in sexual offending in general but that there is some specialization in particular types of sexual offending. This study examined the sexual histories and reoffending of a large, national data set of offenders convicted of a sexual offense and managed in England and Wales by the National Offender Management Service ( N = 14,804). The study found that specialization in sexual offending compared to nonsexual offending was most evident for offenders with convictions for accessing indecent images. We also found considerable evidence of specialization within sexual offending, most notably for noncontact offenders, especially again indecent images offenders. Crossover between sexual offense types was very rare for those with contact adult offenses and for noncontact offenders although those with child contact offenses sometimes crossed over to indecent images reoffending. If specialization within sexual offending exists, the use of single risk assessment instruments to predict all types of sexual recidivism may be less effective than previously assumed. A comparison of different prediction models indicated that some items presently used in one-size-fits-all risk tools to predict any sexual reoffending only effectively predict certain subtypes of sexual offending. Statistically there appear to be some potential benefits to creating specialist risk predictors for different subtypes of offending, but further work is needed to justify the implementation demands that would be caused by abandoning one-size-fits-all tools.
Playground Designs to Increase Physical Activity Levels During School Recess
Authors: Escalante Yolanda , García-Hermoso Antonio , Backx Karianne , Saavedra Jose M.
Published: July 2013

School recess provides a major opportunity to increase children’s physical activity levels. Various studies have described strategies to increase levels of physical activity. The purpose of this systematic review is therefore to examine the interventions proposed as forms of increasing children’s physical activity levels during recess. A systematic search of seven databases was made from the July 1 to July 5, 2012, leading to a final set of eight studies (a total of 2,383 subjects—599 “preschoolers” and 1,784 “schoolchildren”) meeting the inclusion criteria. These studies were classified according to the intervention used: playground markings, game equipment, playground markings plus physical structures, and playground markings plus game equipment. The results of these studies indicate that the strategies analyzed do have the potential to increase physical activity levels during recess. The cumulative evidence was ( a) that interventions based on playground markings, game equipment, or a combination of the two, do not seem to increase the physical activity of preschoolers and schoolchildren during recess and (ii) that interventions based on playground markings plus physical structures do increase the physical activity of schoolchildren during recess in the short to medium term.
Walking Back Into Creation
Authors: Sheridan Joe ,   Roronhiakewen “He Clears the Sky” Dan Longboat
Published: July 2013

Although the field of environmental studies has grown consistently over the past 50 years in Canada, it still remains distanced from Indigenous cultures, resulting in a lopsided and biased understanding of Indigenous knowledges. Haudenosaunee tradition configured the first treaty in North America, the Two Row Wampum, which is based on the principle of sharing land and knowledge. Honoring the original spirit and intention of the Two Row Wampum Treaty would involve duty not alliegance to whatever treaty pertains to the traditional territory environmental studies buildings now occupy. Refusal to recognize the spirit of traditional territories also indicates an unwillingness to extend this respect to include Indigenous knowledge practitioners, which further cements the apartheid practiced in environmental studies in North America. Environmental studies originated on Turtle Island with Indigenous peoples teaching settlers minobimadziwin: the good life of the bush. Lack of due acknowledgment of Indigenous cultures sustains environmental apartheid and so preserves the colonial legacy of environmental studies.
Comprehensive analysis of microRNA profiles in multiple sclerosis including next-generation sequencing
Authors: Keller Andreas , Leidinger Petra , Steinmeyer Florian , Stähler Cord , Franke Andre , Hemmrich-Stanisak Georg , Kappel Andreas , Wright Ian , Dörr Jan , Paul Friedemann , Diem Ricarda , Tocariu-Krick Beatrice , Meder Benjamin , Backes Christina , Meese Eckart , Ruprecht Klemens
Published: July 2013

Background:

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, noncoding RNAs with gene regulatory functions whose expression profiles may serve as disease biomarkers.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive analysis of miRNA expression profiles in blood of patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) including next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Methods:

miRNA expression was analyzed in whole blood samples from treatment-naïve patients with CIS ( n = 25) or RRMS ( n = 25) and 50 healthy controls by NGS, microarray analysis, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results:

In patients with CIS/RRMS, NGS and microarray analysis identified 38 and eight significantly deregulated miRNAs, respectively. Three of these miRNAs were found to be significantly up- (hsa-miR-16-2-3p) or downregulated (hsa-miR-20a-5p, hsa-miR-7-1-3p) by both methods. Another five of the miRNAs significantly deregulated in the NGS screen showed the same direction of regulation in the microarray analysis. qRT-PCR confirmed the direction of regulation for all eight and was significant for three miRNAs.

Conclusions:

This study identifies a set of miRNAs deregulated in CIS/RRMS and reconfirms the previously reported underexpression of hsa-miR-20a-5p in MS. hsa-miR-20a-5p and the other validated miRNAs may represent promising candidates for future evaluation as biomarkers for MS and could be of relevance in the pathophysiology of this disease.
Academic–industry collaborations and knowledge co-production in the social sciences
Authors: Cherney Adrian
Published: July 2013

Academic–industry collaborations are seen as a way to improve the translation and uptake of social science research. The ideal model is that of knowledge co-production, which regards effective collaboration as a reciprocal process between academic researchers and industry partners that is underpinned by jointly produced research outcomes. However academic–industry research partnerships can be inherently problematic, with poor collaborations impeding the translation and uptake of academic research. This article sets out to explore the realities of academic–industry collaborations in the social sciences through a study of Australian Research Council Linkage projects. Based on interviews with academic chief investigators and industry partners ( n = 54) the article examines factors that influence the dynamics of research collaborations. Findings indicate that collaborations are inhibited and enhanced by particular individual and organisational factors and that the benefits of academic–industry collaborations go beyond simply improving the uptake of social science research.
Discussions in the comments section: Factors influencing participation and interactivity in online newspapers’ reader comments
Authors: Weber Patrick
Published: July 2013

Posting comments on the news is one of the most popular forms of user participation in online newspapers, and there is great potential for public discourse that is associated with this form of user communication. However, this potential arises only when several users participate in commenting and when their communication becomes interactive. Based on an adaption of Galtung and Ruge’s theory of newsworthiness, we hypothesized that a news article’s news factors affect both participation levels and interactivity in a news item’s comments section. The data from an online content analysis of political news are consistent with the hypotheses. This article explores the ways in which news factors affect participation levels and interactivity, and it discusses the theoretical, normative, and practical implications of those findings.
Indigenous knowledge: A false dawn for development theory and practice?
Authors: Briggs John
Published: July 2013

Recent debates on indigenous knowledge have tended to focus on building up even more case study material of good practice in indigenous knowledge at the local level; the integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge; and the trend towards increased co-option of indigenous knowledge into the current neoliberal discourse. However, indigenous knowledge may have reached something of an impasse in that it has had little impact on development practice. A way around the impasse may be to conceptualize indigenous knowledge more as a way of knowing, or as a process or practice, with less emphasis on content and more on epistemology.
Book Review: Love in the time of AIDS: Inequality, gender and rights in South Africa
Authors: Kapadia Karin
Published: July 2013

Hunter, M. 2010: Love in the time of AIDS: Inequality, gender and rights in South Africa. Bloomington/Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. xviii + 303 pp. £16.99 paperback, £49 hardback. ISBN: 978-0-253-22239-8 paperback. ISBN: 978-0-253-35533 hardback.
Book Review: Relational accountability – Complexities of structural injustice
Authors: Ghosh Sujay
Published: July 2013

Moncrieffe, Joy. 2011: Relational accountability – Complexities of structural injustice. London and New York: Zed Books. 195 pp. £19.99/$35.95 paperback. ISBN: 97-1-84813-466-9 paperback.
Incorporation of structural health monitoring data on load effects in the reliability and redundancy assessment of ship cross-sections using Bayesian updating
Authors: Zhu Benjin , Frangopol Dan M
Published: July 2013

This article presents an approach for improving the accuracy in the reliability and redundancy assessment of ship cross-sections by using the Bayesian updating method. The vertical bending moments associated with ultimate failure and first failure for a given ship cross-section are evaluated using an optimization-based method and the progressive collapse method, respectively. The prior information on the wave-induced load effects is calculated based on the linear theory. Having extracted the hogging and sagging peaks from the low-frequency structural health monitoring signals, the Bayesian method is used to update the Rayleigh-distributed prior load effects. The original and updated reliability and redundancy indexes of the ship cross-sections are evaluated, and the results are displayed in polar plots.
Effectiveness of Statewide Advertising Campaigns in Promoting the QUITPLAN® Services Brand
Authors: Lee Jeong Kyu , Mowery Andrea , Depue Jacob , Luxenberg Michael , Schillo Barbara
Published: July 2013

The current study explored the role of advertising in building an effective cessation service brand in Minnesota, United States. Using data from a ClearWay MinnesotaSM campaign evaluation ( N = 1,361), this study examined how mass media advertising works to reinforce recognition of the QUITPLAN Services brand, brand favorability, and brand attributes. Respondents with confirmed awareness of television campaign ads were significantly more likely to report ever hearing of the brand than those who were not aware of the ads (odds ratio [OR] = 4.28, p < .001). In addition, confirmed ad awareness correlated with brand favorability (β = .37, p < .001) and attributes (personalized: β = .50, p < .001; respectful: β = .43, p < .001; proven: β = .42, p < .001; accessible: β = .46, p < .001), and there was a significant relationship between brand favorability and intention to quit among smokers (OR = 2.44, p = .001). The findings in this study contribute to the literature on social marketing and health branding by demonstrating effective strategies for establishing a cessation service brand. Practical implications, research limitations, and future directions are discussed.
Latina Resilience in Higher Education
Authors: Graff Cristina Santamaria , McCain Terrence , Gomez-Vilchis Veronica
Published: July 2013

Many Latina students overcome multiple obstacles to earn university degrees. Five married Latina women with children and seasonal farmworker backgrounds are the focus of this study which is analyzed through resiliency theory to understand factors contributing to their academic resilience. Variables connected to academic success are explored and include supportive familial networks, self-efficacy, and participants’ desires to instill the value of education in their children. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Conditional ablation of LYVE-1+ cells unveils defensive roles of lymphatic vessels in intestine and lymph nodes
Authors: Jang Jeon Yeob , Koh Young Jun , Lee Seung-Hun , Lee Junyeop , Kim Kyoo Hyun , Kim Daesoo , Koh Gou Young , Yoo Ook Joon
Published: July 2013

Key Points

Intact lymphatic vessels are required for structural and functional maintenance of surrounding tissues in the intestine and lymph nodes.
Revised response criteria for myelofibrosis: International Working Group-Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research and Treatment (IWG-MRT) and European LeukemiaNet (ELN) consensus report
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew , Cervantes Francisco , Mesa Ruben , Passamonti Francesco , Verstovsek Srdan , Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Gotlib Jason , Dupriez Brigitte , Pardanani Animesh , Harrison Claire , Hoffman Ronald , Gisslinger Heinz , Kröger Nicolaus , Thiele Juergen , Barbui Tiziano , Barosi Giovanni
Published: July 2013

Key Points

Treatment response criteria for MF must capture drug benefit in terms of symptom burden. The current document includes stricter definitions of red cell transfusion need and independence.
Loss of CARM1 is linked to reduced HuR function in replicative senescence
Authors: Pang Lijun , Tian Haiyan , Chang Na , Yi Jie , Xue Lixiang , Jiang Bin , Gorospe Myriam , Zhang Xiaowei , Wang Wengong
Published: July 2013

Background

The co-activator-associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1) catalyzes the methylation of HuR. However, the functional impact of this modification is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the influence of HuR methylation by CARM1 upon the turnover of HuR target mRNAs encoding senescence-regulatory proteins.

Results

Changing the methylation status of HuR in HeLa cells by either silencing CARM1 or mutating the major methylation site (R217K) greatly diminished the effect of HuR in regulating the turnover of mRNAs encoding cyclin A, cyclin B1, c-fos, SIRT1, and p16. Although knockdown of CARM1 or HuR individually influenced the expression of cyclin A, cyclin B1, c-fos, SIRT1, and p16, joint knockdown of both CARM1 and HuR did not show further effect. Methylation by CARM1 enhanced the association of HuR with the 3′UTR of p16 mRNA, but not with the 3′UTR of cyclin A, cyclin B1, c-fos, or SIRT1 mRNAs. In senescent human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs), reduced CARM1 was accompanied by reduced HuR methylation. In addition, knockdown of CARM1 or mutation of the major methylation site of HuR in HDF markedly impaired the ability of HuR to regulate the expression of cyclin A, cyclin B1, c-fos, SIRT1, and p16 as well to maintain a proliferative phenotype.

Conclusion

CARM1 represses replicative senescence by methylating HuR and thereby enhancing HuR’s ability to regulate the turnover of cyclin A, cyclin B1, c-fos, SIRT1, and p16 mRNAs.
Furosemide-induced severe hypokalemia with rhabdomyolysis without cardiac arrest
Authors: Ruisz Wolfgang , Stöllberger Claudia , Finsterer Josef , Weidinger Franz
Published: July 2013

Background

Hypokalemia induced by diuretic abuse is a life-threatening emergency.

Case presentation

A 22-years-old female nurse with a body mass index 18 suffered from myalgias, vomiting and diarrhea. Blood tests revealed hypokalemia with a lowest value of 1.1 mmol/l, moderate hyponatremia, metabolic alkalosis, mild renal insufficiency and creatinphosphokinase-elevation. Since hypokalemia and alkalosis were unexplained, she was asked for diuretic-intake. She confessed that she has taken 250 mg furosemide/day for the last 4 months to improve the shape of her muscles. Furosemide tablets were given to her by a physician attending the gym where she exercised. After electrolyte substitution, laboratory abnormalities regressed and no cardiac arrests were observed. Psychiatric investigation diagnosed an adjustment disorder.

Conclusion

Furosemide abuse has to be considered even in underweight individuals, especially if they have a psychiatric instability or work in health care institutions.
A modular framework for implementing joint wireless network coding and scheduling algorithms
Authors: Broustis Ioannis , Paschos Georgios S , Syrivelis Dimitris , Georgiadis Leonidas , Tassiulas Leandros
Published: July 2013

Intersession network coding (NC) can provide significant performance benefits via mixing packets at wireless routers; these benefits are especially pronounced when NC is applied in conjunction with intelligent scheduling. NC, however, imposes certain processing operations, such as encoding, decoding, copying, and storage. When not utilized carefully, all these operations can induce tremendous processing overheads in practical settings. Our testbed measurements suggest that such processing operations can severely degrade the router throughput, especially at high bit rates. Motivated by this, we design network coding framework for rate adaptive wireless links (NCRAWL). The design of NCRAWL facilitates low overhead NC operations, thereby effectively approaching the theoretically expected throughput benefits of joint NC and scheduling. We implement and evaluate NCRAWL on a wireless testbed. Our experiments demonstrate that NCRAWL meets the theoretical predicted throughput gain while requiring much less CPU processing, compared to related frameworks.
PKCγ Receptor Mediates Visceral Nociception and Hyperalgesia following Exposure to PTSD-Like Stress in the Spinal Cord of Rats
Authors: He Yu-Qin , Chen Qiang , Ji Lei , Wang Zheng-Guo , Bai Zhi-Hong , Stephens Robert L , Yang Min
Published: July 2013

Background

Clinical studies indicate that patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently share comorbidity with numerous chronic pain conditions. However, the sustained effects of PTSD-like stress over time on visceral nociception and hyperalgesia have been rarely studied, and the underlying mechanisms of stress-induced modulation of visceral hyperalgesia remain elusive. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characterization of visceral nociception and hyperalgesia over time in rats exposed to PTSD-like stress, and to explore the potential role of protein kinase C gamma (PKCγ) in mediating visceral hyperalgesia following exposure to PTSD-like stress.

Results

On day 1, the rats exposed to single-prolonged stress (SPS, an established animal model for PTSD) exhibited an analgesic response and its visceromotor response (VMR) to graded colorectal distention (CRD) at 40 and 60 mmHg was reduced compared with the control group (all P < 0.05). On day 6, the VMR returned to the baseline value. However, as early as 7 days after SPS, VMR dramatically increased compared with its baseline value and that in the controls (all P < 0.001) and this increase persisted for 28 days, with the peak on day 9. Abdomina withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores were higher in SPS rats than in controls on days 7, 9, 14, 21 and 28 (all P < 0.001). ntrathecal administration of GF109203X (an inhibitor of PKC gamma), attenuated the SPS-induced increase in both VMR and AWR scores on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 (all P < 0.05). PKCγ protein expression determined by immunofluorescence was reduced in the spinal cord within 3 days after the exposure to SPS ( P < 0.01), which returned to normal levels between days 4 and 6, and significantly increased from day 7, and this increase was maintained on days 14, 21, and 28 (all P < 0.001), with the peak on day 9. In addition, Western blotting showed a consistent trend in the changes of PKCγ protein expression.

Conclusions

The modified SPS alters visceral sensitivity to CRD, and contributes to the maintenance of visceral hyperalgesia, which is associated with enhanced PKCγ expression in the spinal cord. Functional blockade of the PKCγ receptors attenuates SPS-induced visceral hyperalgesia. Thus, the present study identifies a specific molecular mechanism for visceral hyperalgesia which may pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies for PTSD-like conditions.
Dosimetric impact of inter-observer variability for 3D conformal radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy: the rectal tumor target definition case
Authors: Lobefalo Francesca , Bignardi Mario , Reggiori Giacomo , Tozzi Angelo , Tomatis Stefano , Alongi Filippo , Fogliata Antonella , Gaudino Anna , Navarria Piera , Cozzi Luca , Scorsetti Marta , Mancosu Pietro
Published: July 2013

Background

To assess the dosimetric effect induced by inter-observer variability in target definition for 3D-conformal RT (3DCRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy by RapidArc (RA) techniques for rectal cancer treatment.

Methods

Ten patients with rectal cancer subjected to neo-adjuvant RT were randomly selected from the internal database. Four radiation oncologists independently contoured the clinical target volume (CTV) in blind mode. Planning target volume (PTV) was defined as CTV + 7 mm in the three directions. Afterwards, shared guidelines between radiation oncologists were introduced to give general criteria for the contouring of rectal target and the four radiation oncologists defined new CTV following the guidelines. For each patient, six intersections (I) and unions (U) volumes were calculated coupling the contours of the various oncologists. This was repeated for the contours drawn after the guidelines. Agreement Index (AI = I/U) was calculated pre and post guidelines. Two RT plans (one with 3DCRT technique using 3–4 fields and one with RA using a single modulated arc) were optimized on each radiation oncologist’s PTV. For each plan the PTV volume receiving at least 95% of the prescribed dose (PTV V95%) was calculated for both target and non-target PTVs.

Results

The inter-operator AI pre-guidelines was 0.57 and was increased up to 0.69 post-guidelines. The maximum volume difference between the various CTV couples, drawn for each patient, passed from 380 ± 147 cm3 to 137 ± 83 cm3 after the introduction of guidelines. The mean percentage for the non-target PTV V95% was 93.7 ± 9.2% before and 96.6 ± 4.9%after the introduction of guidelines for the 3DCRT, for RA the increase was more relevant, passing from 86.5 ± 13.8% (pre) to 94.5 ± 7.5% (post). The OARs were maximally spared with VMAT technique while the variability between pre and post guidelines was not relevant in both techniques.

Conclusions

The contouring inter-observer variability has dosimetric effects in the PTV coverage. The introduction of guidelines increases the dosimetric consistency for both techniques, with greater improvements for RA technique.
Prevalence Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis and malaria co-infection among pregnant women and risk factors in Gilgel Gibe dam Area, Southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Getachew Million , Tafess Ketema , Zeynudin Ahmed , Yewhalaw Delenesaw
Published: July 2013

Background

Malaria and Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH) are co-endemic and major public health problems in Ethiopia. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malaria and STHs co-infection and to determine the association risk factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional community based study was conducted on 388 pregnant women living in three districts around Gilgel Gibe Dam area, southwestern Ethiopia. Socio-demographic and socio-economic data, single stool sample and blood sample were collected from each participant.

Results

The prevalence of STH and malaria was 159 (41%) and 45 (11.6%), respectively and the prevalence of STHs/malaria co-infection was 30 (7.7%). Hookworm was the most prevalent 114 (29.4%) soil transmitted helminthiasis infection followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (A. lumbricoides) 58 (15%) and Trichuris trichiura (T. trichiura) 13 (3.4%). Habit of eating soil (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 4.64, 95% CI: 1.50-14.36, P=0.008), presence of stagnant water near study participants’ house (AOR=2.99, 95% CI: 1.28-6.99, P=0.012) and habit of using human feces as a fertilizer (AOR= 5.34, 95% CI: 1.99-14.28, P<0.001) were found to be significantly associated with malaria and STH co-infection among the pregnant women. Hookworm parasitic load was positively correlated with malaria parasitic load (r = 0.299, P<0.001) while A. lumbricoides parasitic load was negatively correlated with malaria parasitic load (r = −0.095, P<0.001).

Conclusion

Intestinal parasite and/or malaria co-infection is a health problem among pregnant women living around Gilgel Gibe dam area. Therefore, intervention including improving sanitation, removing stagnant water, and health education to the pregnant women should be given.
Control and target gene selection for studies on UV-induced genotoxicity in whales
Authors: Martinez-Levasseur Laura M , Gendron Diane , Knell Robert J , Acevedo-Whitehouse Karina
Published: July 2013

Background

Despite international success in reducing ozone-depleting emissions, ultraviolet radiation (UV) is not expected to decrease for several decades. Thus, it is pressing to implement tools that allow investigating the capacity of wildlife to respond to excessive UV, particularly species like cetaceans that lack anatomical or physiological protection. One approach is to examine epidermal expression of key genes involved in genotoxic stress response pathways. However, quantitation of mRNA transcripts requires previous standardization, with accurate selection of control and target genes. The latter is particularly important when working with environmental stressors such as UV that can activate numerous genes.

Results

Using 20 epidermal biopsies from blue, fin and sperm whale, we found that the genes encoding the ribosomal proteins L4 and S18 (RPL4 and RPS18) were the most suitable to use as controls, followed by the genes encoding phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) and succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A (SDHA). A careful analysis of the transcription pathways known to be activated by UV-exposure in humans and mice led us to select as target genes those encoding for i) heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) an indicator of general cell stress, ii) tumour suppressor protein P53 (P53), a transcription factor activated by UV and other cell stressors, and iii) KIN17 (KIN), a cell cycle protein known to be up-regulated following UV exposure. These genes were successfully amplified in the three species and quantitation of their mRNA transcripts was standardised using RPL4 and RPS18. Using a larger sample set of 60 whale skin biopsies, we found that the target gene with highest expression was HSP70 and that its levels of transcription were correlated with those of KIN and P53. Expression of HSP70 and P53 were both related to microscopic sunburn lesions recorded in the whales’ skin.

Conclusion

This article presents groundwork data essential for future qPCR-based studies on the capacity of wildlife to resolve or limit UV-induced damage. The proposed target genes are HSP70, P53 and KIN, known to be involved in genotoxic stress pathways, and whose expression patterns can be accurately assessed by using two stable control genes, RPL4 and RPS18.
Lipase mediated transesterification of Simarouba glauca oil: a new feedstock for biodiesel production
Authors: Garlapati Vijay Kumar , Kant Ravi , Kumari Annapurna , Mahapatra Paramita , Das Premananda , Banerjee Rintu
Published: July 2013

Background

Immobilized lipase mediated tranesterification process for new feed stock Simarouba glauca oil for biodiesel production has been developed by utilizing the greener aspects of immobilized biocatalyst in n-hexane solvent system. The presence of solvent system helps to overcome the negative effects of methanol and glycerol, the end product. Effect of methanol to oil ratio, reaction time, methanol to hexane ratio, reaction temperature, agitation speed and immobilized lipase on final molar conversion were investigated.

Results

A maximum yield of 91.5 % fatty acid methyl esters with a 62.23 % molar conversion with respect to methyl oleate has been achieved with oil: methanol molar ratio of 1:1, using 10 U of immobilized lipase/g of oil and with methanol to oil ratio of 1:0.6 in a reaction time of 36 h at 34 °C and 200 rpm. Immobilized lipase has been reused successfully up to 6 recycles with retaining relative activity of more than 95 %.

Conclusion

Lipase mediated tranesterification of new feedstock Simarouba glauca oil for biodiesel production has been successfully carried out under n-hexane solvent system. Utilization of immobilized lipase, which facilitates reuse helps considerably for the economy of the process. The introduced new feedstock with a green tinge seems to be a very promising to the biofuel sector for biodiesel production through sustainable approach.
Clinical correlates of a subset of anti-CENP-A antibodies cross-reacting with FOXE3p53-62 in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Perosa Federico , Favoino Elvira , Cuomo Giovanna , Digiglio Liboria , Dammacco Franco , Prete Marcella , Valentini Gabriele , Racanelli Vito
Published: July 2013

Introduction

In a subset of patients with limited cutaneous (lc) systemic sclerosis (SSc), anti-CENP-A antibodies (Ab) cross-react with a peptide (FOXE3p53-62) that presents striking homology with one of the two immunodominant epitopes of CENP-A (Ap17-30). We searched for clinical correlates of anti-FOXE3p53-62 Ab by measuring their levels along with those of Ab to Ap17-30 and to the second immunodominant epitope of CENP-A, namely Ap1-17.

Methods

Serum samples were obtained from 121 patients with SSc, 46 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 25 healthy blood donors (HBD). The reactivity of serum IgG to Ap1-17, Ap17-30 and FOXE3p53-62 was measured by ELISA. The corresponding anti-peptide Ab were affinity-purified from pooled SSc sera and used to establish standard curves for quantifying these Ab in patients and HBD. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis, comparing SSc patients who were positive for anti-CENP Ab (ACA+) to those who were negative, was used to find cut-off points for dichotomizing the anti-peptide Ab levels into positive and negative. Clinical records were reviewed to extract demographic data and information about organ involvement and disease activity.

Results

Of 121 SSc sera, 75 were ACA+; 88.0% of these samples reacted with Ap1-17, 82.6% with Ap17-30 and 53.3% with FOXE3p53-62. Among the 46 ACA- SSc sera, 2.2% reacted with Ap1-17, 4.3% with Ap17-30 and 11% with FOXE3p53-62. The levels of these Ab were low in ACA-, SLE and HBD groups and not significantly different among them. When ACA+ SSc patients were divided into subgroups positive or negative for anti-FOXE3p53-62 Ab, the only variables that were significantly different between groups were the levels of anti-Ap17-30 Ab and disease activity index (DAI). There was a significant association between negativity for anti-FOXE3p53-62 Ab and active disease defined as either DAI ≥3 (Fisher exact test, P = 0.045) or less restrictive DAI≥2.5 (P = 0.009).

Conclusions

ACA+-Anti-FOXE3p53-62+Ab identifies a subgroup of patients with lcSSc who are less likely to develop active disease. In lc SSc patients at presentation, anti-FOXE3p53-62+ can be a marker with prognostic significance.
Adipogenesis of adipose-derived stem cells may be regulated via the cytoskeleton at physiological oxygen levels in vitro
Authors: Schiller Zachary A , Schiele Nathan R , Sims James K , Lee Kyongbum , Kuo Catherine K
Published: July 2013

Introduction

Obesity, which is excessive expansion of white adipose tissue, is a major risk factor for several serious health issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Efforts to combat obesity and related diseases require understanding the basic biology of adipogenesis. However, in vitro studies do not result in lipid composition and morphology that are typically seen in vivo, likely because the in vitro conditions are not truly representative of in vivo adipose tissue formation. In vitro, low oxygen tension and cytoskeletal tension have been shown to independently regulate adipogenesis, but in vivo, these two factors simultaneously influence differentiation.

Methods

The purpose of our study was to examine the influence of physiological oxygen tension on cytoskeletal tension-mediated adipogenesis. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were differentiated under both ambient (20%) and physiological (5%) oxygen conditions and treated with cytoskeletal inhibitors, cytochalasin D or blebbistatin. Adipogenesis was assessed on the basis of gene expression and adipocyte metabolic function.

Results

Adipose tissue metabolic markers (glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) and triglycerides) were significantly down-regulated by physiological oxygen levels. Reducing cytoskeletal tension through the use of chemical inhibitors, either cytochalasin D or blebbistatin, resulted in an up-regulation of adipogenic gene expression (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4)) and metabolic markers, regardless of oxygen levels. Cytochalasin D and blebbistatin treatment altered cytoskeletal organization and associated tension via different mechanisms; however, both conditions had similar effects on adipogenesis, suggesting that physiological oxygen-mediated regulation of adipogenesis in ASCs is modulated, in part, by cytoskeletal tension.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that interactions between the cytoskeleton and oxygen tension influence adipogenic differentiation of ASCs.
PARAMOUNT: Final Overall Survival Results of the Phase III Study of Maintenance Pemetrexed Versus Placebo Immediately After Induction Treatment With Pemetrexed Plus Cisplatin for Advanced Nonsquamous Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Paz-Ares Luis G. , de Marinis Filippo , Dediu Mircea , Thomas Michael , Pujol Jean-Louis , Bidoli Paolo , Molinier Olivier , Sahoo Tarini Prasad , Laack Eckart , Reck Martin , Corral Jesús , Melemed Symantha , John William , Chouaki Nadia , Zimmermann Annamaria H. , Visseren-Grul Carla , Gridelli Cesare
Published: July 2013

Purpose

In the phase III PARAMOUNT trial, pemetrexed continuation maintenance therapy reduced the risk of disease progression versus placebo (hazard ratio [HR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.79; P < .001). Here we report final overall survival (OS) and updated safety data.

Patients and Methods

In all, 939 patients with advanced nonsquamous non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) received four cycles of pemetrexed-cisplatin induction therapy; then, 539 patients with no disease progression and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1 were randomly assigned (2:1) to maintenance pemetrexed (500 mg/m2 on day 1 of 21-day cycles; n = 359) or placebo (n = 180). Log-rank test compared OS between arms as measured from random assignment (α = .0498).

Results

The mean number of maintenance cycles was 7.9 (range, one to 44) for pemetrexed and 5.0 (range, one to 38) for placebo. After 397 deaths (pemetrexed, 71%; placebo, 78%) and a median follow-up of 24.3 months for alive patients (95% CI, 23.2 to 25.1 months), pemetrexed therapy resulted in a statistically significant 22% reduction in the risk of death (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.96; P = .0195; median OS: pemetrexed, 13.9 months; placebo, 11.0 months). Survival on pemetrexed was consistently improved for all patient subgroups, including induction response: complete/partial responders (n = 234) OS HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.59 to 1.11 and stable disease (n = 285) OS HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.01). Postdiscontinuation therapy use was similar: pemetrexed, 64%; placebo, 72%. No new safety findings emerged. Drug-related grade 3 to 4 anemia, fatigue, and neutropenia were significantly higher in pemetrexed-treated patients.

Conclusion

Pemetrexed continuation maintenance therapy is well-tolerated and offers superior OS compared with placebo, further demonstrating that it is an efficacious treatment strategy for patients with advanced nonsquamous NSCLC and good performance status who did not progress during pemetrexed-cisplatin induction therapy.
Ovulation Involves the Luteinizing Hormone-Dependent Activation of Gq/11 in Granulosa Cells
Authors: Breen Shawn M. , Andric Nebojsa , Ping Tai , Xie Fang , Offermans Stefan , Gossen Jan A. , Ascoli Mario
Published: July 2013

The LH receptor (LHR) activates several families of heterotrimeric G proteins, but only the activation of Gs and subsequent generation of cAMP are universally accepted as important mediators of LH actions. To examine the involvement of the Gq/11 family on the actions of LH, we crossed Cyp19Cre and Gαqf/f;Gα11−/− mice to generate mice with a granulosa cell-specific deletion of Gαq in the context of a global deletion of Gα11. Granulosa cells from Gαqf/f;Gα11−/−;Cre+ mice have barely detectable levels of Gαq/11, have a normal complement of LHR, and respond to LHR activation with a transient increase in cAMP accumulation, but they fail to respond with increased inositol phosphate accumulation, an index of the activation of Gαq/11. The LHR-provoked resumption of meiosis, cumulus expansion, and luteinization are normal. However, the Gαqf/f;Gα11−/−;Cre+ mice display severe subfertility because many of the oocytes destined for ovulation become entrapped in preovulatory follicles or corpora lutea. Because follicular rupture is known to be dependent on the expression of the progesterone receptor (Pgr), we examined the LHR-induced expression of Pgr and 4 of its target genes (Adamts-1, Ctsl1, Edn2, and Prkg2). These actions of the LHR were impaired in the ovaries of the Gαqf/f;Gα11−/−;Cre+ mice. We conclude that the defect in follicular rupture is secondary to the failure of the LHR to fully induce the expression of the Pgr. This is the first conclusive evidence for the physiological importance of the activation of Gq/11 by the LHR and for the involvement of Gαq/11 in ovulation.
Origin of fundus hyperautofluorescent spots and their role in retinal degeneration in a mouse model of Goldmann-Favre syndrome
Authors: Wang Nan-Kai , Lai Chi-Chun , Liu Chi-Hsiu , Yeh Lung-Kun , Chou Chai Lin , Kong Jian , Nagasaki Takayuki , Tsang Stephen H. , Chien Chung-Liang
Published: July 2013

Goldmann-Favre syndrome, also known as enhanced S-cone syndrome, is an inherited retinal degeneration in which a gain of photoreceptor cell types results in retinal dysplasia and degeneration. Although microglia have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases, the fundamental role of these cells in this disease is unknown. In the current study, sequential analyses suggest that microglia are recruited and appear after outer nuclear layer folding. By crossing rd7 mice (a model for hereditary retinal degeneration owing to NR2e3 mutation) with mice carrying the macrophage Fas-induced apoptosis (Mafia) transgene, we generated double-mutant mice and studied the role of the resident retinal microglia. Microglial cells in these double-mutant mice express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and a suicide gene that can trigger Fas-mediated apoptosis via systemic treatment with AP20187 (FK506 dimerizer). We demonstrated that more than 80% of the EGFP+ cells in retinas from rd7/rd7;Tg/Tg mice express Iba-1 (a microglial marker), and resident microglia are still present in the retina because AP20187 does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Hence, only circulating bone marrow (BM)-derived microglia are depleted. Depletion of circulating BM-derived microglia accelerates retinal degeneration in rd7 mice. An increased number of autofluorescent (AF) spots is a consequence of resident microglia proliferation which in turn establishes an inflammatory cytokine milieu via the upregulation of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNFα expression. This inflammation is likely to accelerate retinal degeneration. This study not only identifies inflammation as a crucial step in the pathogenesis of retinal degeneration, but also highlights the involvement of specific cytokine genes that could serve as future treatment targets in retinal degenerations.
Potential for near Infrared Sensor-Based Sorting of Hydrothermally-Formed Minerals
Authors: Iyakwari Shekwonyadu , Glass Hylke J. , Kowalczuk Przemyslaw B.
Published: July 2013

Dry processing of minerals is increasingly attractive in a mining environment where water is a scarce commodity. Sensor-based sorting has the potential to perform dry separation of ore from gangue at an early stage of the processing, also helping to reduce energy consumption due to downstream crushing. In order to develop a sensor-based sorting process, selection of a suitable sensor is of critical importance. In practice, a near infrared sensor can measure characteristic features of carbonate, hydroxyl and water groups contained in minerals and rocks. This paper examines the process of establishing the suitability of a near infrared sensor for distinguishing hydrothermally-formed minerals. It is concluded that characteristic absorption features in near infrared spectra offer a more robust route to separating out minerals than the level of absorption.