bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LGBT Pride as a Cultural Protest Tactic in a Southern City
Authors: Bruce Katherine McFarland
Published: February 2013

In 2009, Pride came to Dixieville. In this unlikely Southern city, 350 people participated in a Pride march to advocate for improved social conditions for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens. Drawing on ethnographic interviews and observations, I reveal that this march did not fit with the contentious politics model of social movements which defines protest tactics as those that target the state for political/legal change. My findings indicate that the march served primarily as a powerful cultural statement enacted by LGBT community advocates. Guided by Verta Taylor’s framework of contestation, intentionality, and collective identity, I explain why the march participants viewed Pride as the most effective means to advocate for LGBT people despite its dissimilarity with state-targeted tactics. I also demonstrate how Pride answered the specific challenges faced by LGBT people in their city by enacting resistance to what participants understood as a damaging cultural cycle of hostility and invisibility. Finally, I show that this cultural protest tactic had rich symbolic meaning that went beyond the predictions of social movement research. Insights from this research can (and should) be applied to study tactics that target nonstate actors but tend to fall outside the scope of social movement research.
Thermal-oxidative stabilization effect of reactive-hindered amine on monomer casting nylon-6
Authors: Shi Kaihua , Ye Lin , Li Guangxian
Published: February 2013

Monomer casting (MC) nylon-6 was a polymeric modified by grafting 4-amion-2,2,6,6-tetramentylniperidine (TEMP) as reactive-hindered amine onto its chain so as to improve the compatibility and stability of the stabilizer in the polymer matrix. The structure of the reactive stabilizer was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses. The effect of TEMP on the thermal stability of MC nylon-6 was studied. It was found that with the increase in TEMP dosage, the thermal weight loss of the samples first decreased and then increased and the preferred dosage of TEMP was about 0.2 mol%. The residual weight percentage ( R) of all the samples decreased with heating time, and it does much more slowly for the grafting sample than that of pure one. The thermal degradation characteristic temperatures of MC nylon-6 were improved by grafting TEMP. The long-term aging of MC nylon-6 indicated that the carboxylic acid concentration of the grafting sample was lower than that of the pure sample, and its end amine group concentration was relatively higher during the whole aging process, presenting more stable chemical structure. Ultraviolet absorption and gel content of MC nylon-6 were also reduced by grafting TEMP. The crystallinity ( Xc) of MC nylon-6 increased, and the crystallization growth rate and melt temperature ( Tm) decreased with aging time, resulting from the annealing process at high temperature and the small molecular products during aging.
Oikonomia in the age of empires
Authors: Leshem Dotan
Published: February 2013

The article reviews the uses of the term ‘oikonomia’ in Greek-speaking antiquity and illustrates how the term was used in all spheres of human existence and in various arts and sciences, usually denoting the prudent dispensation of the field resources. In this era the arts and sciences also received their own economies, and the term oikonomia, designating in most cases the prudent management of resources, appears in political theory, military strategy, law, finance, medicine, literary criticism, architecture, music, history and rhetoric. Among all the spheres, arts and sciences that were economized, the story of oikonomia in the field of rhetoric is at the center of this article’s attention. As shown, the concept of oikonomia took an intermediate form between the realm of thought – that is, the domain of philosophy – and the realm of public speech – the domain of politics.
The mind is a brittle object
Authors: Flatseth Merethe , Madsen Ole Jacob
Published: February 2013

This article takes a historical look at abortion in Norway, especially the parliamentary debates and the legislation on selective abortion. By using metaphor theory and discourse analysis we disclose that mental health issues came into practice as a legitimate cause for selective abortion for women in Norway from the 1960s and recur in more recent debates about important amendments in 1996 and 2003. In order to abort, women must simultaneously adopt a psychological means of self-representation. The history of the discourse on selective abortion in Norway thus illustrates the often ambiguous relationship between reproductive policy and ‘psy’. The analysis also shows that a therapeutic discourse today creates a framework of meaning for all political parties in Norway in the questions regarding abortion, including the Christian Democratic Party traditionally committed to religious motifs. This particular part of the history of abortion in Norway suggests that the psy-sciences and a therapeutic outlook on the self and society came into being in Norway from the 1960s, marking a defining moral shift from the previous religious and moral reasoning to a therapeutic ethos.
Partner-Oriented Self-Regulation Among Bereaved Parents
Authors: Stroebe Margaret , Finkenauer Catrin , Wijngaards-de Meij Leoniek , Schut Henk , van den Bout Jan , Stroebe Wolfgang
Published: February 2013

Bereavement research has focused on individual rather than interdependent processes in coping with loss. Yet bereavement takes place in a social context, and relationship partners are likely to influence each other’s grieving process. We examined the impact of a dynamic, interpersonal phenomenon, partner-oriented self-regulation (POSR): the avoidance of talking about loss and remaining strong in the partner’s presence to protect the partner. Two hundred nineteen couples who had lost a child participated 6, 13, and 20 months after their loss. Consistent with predictions, results showed that one partner’s POSR was associated not only with an increase in his or her own grief, but also with an increase in the other partner’s grief. These relationships persisted over time: Self-reported and partner-reported POSR predicted later grief. These results are paradoxical: Although parents try to protect their partners through POSR, this effort has the opposite of the desired outcome. These findings underline the importance of further investigating interpersonal dynamics of coping with bereavement.
Management of Intractable Hiccups
Authors: Rizzo Camielle , Vitale Caroline , Montagnini Marcos
Published: February 2013

Often thought of as a benign and self-limited condition, hiccups can become persistent or intractable, and thus be associated with substantial morbidity and distress. In such cases, an underlying etiology is often present, and may be overlooked. Debilitating hiccups can present a major challenge to optimal symptom management. Various causes of protracted hiccups have been identified including metabolic abnormalities, central nervous system pathology, malignancy, medications, and disorders attributed to cardiac, pulmonary and gastrointestinal etiologies. We present a case of intractable hiccups in a patient with an advanced hematological malignancy and review specific therapies for the management of persistent hiccups.
Toward an Overlapping Dissensus
Authors: Reiner J. Toby
Published: February 2013

This article explores the connection between political theory and political commentary in the editorial stance of Dissent magazine’s staff, especially Irving Howe, Lewis Coser, and Michael Walzer. It argues that central to the political thought of the Dissent circle was a rejection of ideological Puritanism on the American left. Dissent’s theoretical contribution was to develop a space for a policy-oriented social democratic platform that draws on both liberalism and communism while transforming them. Thus, Howe sought a socialism that drew on valuable liberal insights, while Walzer looked for a permanent uneasy coexistence between social democracy, liberalism, and communitarianism.
Vascular Disruption of the Talus
Authors: Phisitkul Phinit , Haugsdal Jaclyn , Vaseenon Tanawat , Pizzimenti Marc A.
Published: February 2013

Background:

For triple arthrodesis, a single medial incision has been proposed to avoid lateral wound complications and has demonstrated satisfactory fusion rates. This study aimed to compare the disruption to the arterial supply of the talus between the single-medial-incision approach and the 2-incision approach.

Methods:

The 2 approaches for triple arthrodesis were compared by analyzing the disruption of arterial vasculature in 14 cadaveric specimens in randomized fashion. The arterial disruption was determined using CT angiography before and after surgery combined with analysis from dissection. The area of joint preparation from each technique was also analyzed and compared.

Results:

The single-medial-incision approach caused a high incidence of damage to the deltoid artery (6 of 7 specimens, 86%) and the artery of the tarsal canal (7 of 7 specimens, 100%). The 2-incision approach resulted in damage to the artery of the tarsal sinus in all specimens (7 of 7 specimens, 100%), but the medial vasculature was spared given the limited dissection required to access the talonavicular joint. Through the single-medial-incision approach the percentage of debridement of the calcaneocuboid joint (36%) was significantly lower than the debridement using the 2-incision approach (85%, P < .01). There was no significant difference in joint preparation of the talonavicular and subtalar joints between the 2 approaches with the number of specimens available.

Conclusion:

From this cadaveric study, we found that both approaches could result in substantial disruption of the main blood supply to the talus. The single-medial-incision approach consistently disrupted the majority of blood supply to the talar body, while the 2-incision approach caused various degrees of vascular disruption to the talar head and neck. Using the single-medial-incision approach, the calcaneocuboid joint did not show adequate removal of articular cartilage due to difficulty accessing the joint surfaces.

Clinical Relevance:

Vascular sparing to the talus should be considered when selecting an appropriate operative approach for triple arthrodesis. Although the clinical significance of this cadaveric study is limited, the 2-incision approach appeared to cause less vascular disruption to the talar body while allowing more complete joint preparation.
Functional Impairment Mediates the Relationship Between Adult ADHD Inattentiveness and Occupational Outcome
Authors: Gjervan Bjørn , Hjemdal Odin , Nordahl Hans M.
Published: February 2013

Objective: In spite of an expanding use of health-related quality of life assessment in research and treatment of ADHD, there is still limited knowledge about the role of impaired quality of life in symptomatic outcomes. This study investigates how specific functional domains affect the relationship between ADHD symptoms and occupational outcome. Method: A total of 149 referred adults with ADHD participated in the study. We used mediation analyses to test a model with two 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) Mental Component scales, that is, role-emotion function and social function as mediators for the relationship between ADHD inattentiveness and occupational outcome. Results: The relationship between ADHD inattentiveness and occupational outcome was completely mediated by both role-emotion function and social function. Conclusion: Role-emotion function and social function may identify specific aspects of functional impairment as potentially important treatment targets for ADHD patients with impaired occupational function. (J. of Att. Dis. 2016; 20(6) 510-518)
Making sense of risk diagnosis in case of prenatal and reproductive genetic counselling for neuromuscular diseases
Authors: Zaccaro Antonella , Freda Maria Francesca
Published: February 2013

This study explored the processes of significance about the risk communication in prenatal/preconception setting within 1 month to the end of genetic counselling intervention. Participants were all attending a programme of Cardiomyology and Medical Genetics in Naples, Italy, for the first time. Transcripts of 18 semi-structured interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Themes arising included the following: the familiar outcomes of genetic counselling, the risk representation and the impacts on decision-making. The findings suggest the significance of the experience of genetic risk and the implications for the support of individuals and their family after the conclusion of the genetic counselling intervention.
A Psychodynamic Approach to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Closet Narcissism
Authors: Levine Alison B. , Faust Jan
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this article was to increase awareness of an alternative presentation of narcissistic personality disorder, offer treatment strategies specifically geared toward such patients, and demonstrate how an understanding of object relations and defense mechanisms can guide interventions and improve diagnostic refinement. A case study was presented to illustrate this approach. This case study draws mainly from James Masterson’s developmental, self, and object relations approach to the treatment of closet narcissism. Additional psychodynamic theories were also incorporated to provide a more comprehensive conceptualization of the client. Treatment consisted of psychodynamic therapy in which therapeutic neutrality, and analysis of the transference were core features.
Exploring Female Motivations for Drug Smuggling on the Island of Barbados
Authors: Bailey Corin
Published: February 2013

Within international discourse, female motivations for crime have received relatively little attention when compared to male offenders. Feminist contributions have shed light on this underresearched area with the majority of studies being conducted in the developed world. Using a sample of inmates convicted for drug smuggling on the island of Barbados, this article seeks to provide culturally specific data on the subject. Using a qualitative methodology, the study finds that in keeping with feminist research in the field, the motivations of the women were dominated by various forms of victimization that accounted for their present incarceration.
Feasibility of Using Social Networking Technologies for Health Research Among Men Who Have Sex With Men
Authors: Young Sean D. , Jaganath Devan
Published: February 2013

This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of using social networking as a health research platform among men who have sex with men (MSM). Fifty-five MSM (primarily African American and Latino) were invited to join a “secret” group on the social networking website, Facebook. Peer leaders, trained in health education, posted health-related content to groups. The study and analysis used mixed (qualitative and quantitative) methods. Facebook conversations were thematically analyzed. Latino and African American participants voluntarily used social networking to discuss health-related knowledge and personal topics (exercise, nutrition, mental health, disease prevention, and substance abuse) with other group participants ( N = 564 excerpts). Although Latinos comprised 60% of the sample and African Americans 25.5%, Latinos contributed 82% of conversations and African Americans contributed only 15% of all conversations. Twenty-four percent of posts from Latinos and 7% of posts from African Americans were related to health topics. Results suggest that Facebook is an acceptable and engaging platform for facilitating and documenting health discussions for mixed methods research among MSM. An understanding of population differences is needed for crafting effective online social health interventions.
Perpetual trauma and its organizations: Mothers Against Drunk Driving and drunk driving revisited
Authors: Schmidt Inge B
Published: February 2013

In the 1980s, an anti-drunk-driving movement emerged, seemingly out of nowhere. How is it that this movement could flourish and have such dramatic effects? More significantly, how has Mothers Against Drunk Driving continued to flourish even today? In this article, I demonstrate that more than a strong organizational basis, the right historical context, and the appropriate management of material and symbolic resources, the continuing success of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and drunk driving depends on Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s ability to evoke intense emotions and fears surrounding drunk driving. Generalizing from Alexander et al.’s cultural trauma theory, I introduce two concepts: perpetual trauma and the trauma organization. Perpetual trauma is based on potentiality, a sense of future danger, and iconic victims/perpetrators. Beyond an improved understanding of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and drunk driving, perpetual trauma theory offers a sociological explanation for how individuals and societies understand their deepest fears and emotions in postmodern society.
Detecting Symptoms, Early Intervention, and Preventative Education
Authors: Funari Margaret
Published: February 2013

The health of America’s youth is a national priority. With obesity increasing dramatically in adolescents and young children, school lunches have experienced makeovers, and “dieting” and “weight loss” messages have permeated parental concern. Eating disorders among our youth, however, have largely been overlooked despite evidence of its steady increase over the past few decades among younger and younger children. The school nurse can become a resource for parents, students, and teachers in regard to eating disorders and serve in a leadership role advocating for students to live healthy, meaningful lives.
Health Perceptions and Behavior Changes in Survivors of the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Almoosa Khalid F. , Goldenhar Linda M. , Rubin Eileen , Hanania Mona
Published: February 2013

Purpose. Improvements in the management of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have led to an increasing number of survivors who experience chronic adverse effects. Whether these survivors’ subsequent health perceptions and behaviors change after ARDS is unknown and was the focus of our study. Methods. A sequential mixed-methods study was conducted to examine changes in health perceptions and behaviors in ARDS survivors. Respondents were registrants at the ARDS Foundation, a nonprofit patient support and education organization. Data were based on subjects’ recall of their illness and behavior. Results. Findings from interviews conducted with ARDS survivors during the initial qualitative phase were used to construct a quantitative survey instrument, which was completed by 229/513 (45%) registrants. Changes were reported in the following behaviors before and after ARDS: diet (34% and 31% consumed more fruits and vegetables, respectively, now than before ARDS, whereas 4% and 6%, respectively, said they consume less); physical activity (64% exercise now vs 50% before, P < .01); alcohol use (2.3 ± 7.6 drinks/week now vs 4.2 ± 10.6 before; P < .001); and medical care needs (10.6 ± 15.5 doctor visits now vs 3.7 ± 6.8 before, P < .001). Conclusions. ARDS survivors reported mostly positive health perception and behavior changes after their illness. However, the specific population represented and the subjective nature of the study methodology may limit the generalizability of our findings and warrants further study of a broader population.
Hot rolling bonded multilayered composite steels and varied tensile deformation behaviour
Authors: Yin F X , Li L , Tanaka Y , Kishimoto S , Nagai K
Published: February 2013

Multilayered metal composites consisting of alternating metals or alloys have been well developed to obtain the superior mechanical properties different from those in any of the constituent materials. The layer integrated steel and metals research project sponsored by Japan government started from 2006 and aimed to fabricate steel sheets with high strength (>1200 MPa) and superior elongation (>20), through the composite design of high strength steels and ductile steel layers. In the present work, two kinds of hot rolling bonded multilayered composites consisting of austenitic stainless steel/bainite (martensite) steel are focused. The effects of hot rolled microstructure and the annealed microstructure on the tensile behaviour of a 25-layer laminated composite steel are discussed. On the other hand, the tensile deformation microstructure of the hot rolling bonded and annealed 15-layer composite steel is systematically investigated in order to find the reason for the enhanced plasticity of the brittle layer in the composite.
Effects of radial gap and penetration depth on vibration fatigue behaviour of 304L stainless steel piping with socket weld
Authors: Xiu J J , Jing H Y , Han Y D , Zhao L , Xu L Y
Published: February 2013

Fatigue related failures of small bore piping caused by vibration of socket welds often occur at nuclear power plants. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the integrity of the socket weld in nuclear piping under the condition of vibration testing. The specimens were bolted to the shaker table and shaken simultaneously near their resonant frequencies to produce the desired stress. The test results show that the failures at higher stress tend to originate at the toe, while that for the case of lower stress failures tends to occur at the root. The effects of penetration depth and radial gap were also investigated by finite element method. Results show that the higher penetration depth and radial gap can decline the stress distribution in the weld root, which is beneficial to fatigue life. Further, the desired radial gaps can significantly reduce the von Mises stresses, which decrease from 150·4 to 82·7 MPa with the width of radial gap from 0·1 to 0·4 mm.
IL-21–stimulated human plasmacytoid dendritic cells secrete granzyme B, which impairs their capacity to induce T-cell proliferation
Authors: Karrich Julien J. , Jachimowski Loes C. M. , Nagasawa Maho , Kamp Angela , Balzarolo Melania , Wolkers Monika C. , Uittenbogaart Christel H. , Marieke van Ham S. , Blom Bianca
Published: February 2013

Key Points

pDCs functionally express the IL-21 receptor and produce granzyme B in response to IL-21. IL-21–induced granzyme B in pDC impairs pDC's capacity to induce T-cell proliferation.
Phase 2 study of arsenic trioxide followed by autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Yanada Masamitsu , Tsuzuki Motohiro , Fujita Hiroyuki , Fujimaki Katsumichi , Fujisawa Shin , Sunami Kazutaka , Taniwaki Masafumi , Ohwada Akira , Tsuboi Kosuke , Maeda Akio , Takeshita Akihiro , Ohtake Shigeki , Miyazaki Yasushi , Atsuta Yoshiko , Kobayashi Yukio , Naoe Tomoki , Emi Nobuhiko
Published: February 2013

Key Points

We conducted a phase 2 study of ATO followed by autologous HCT for relapsed APL. This sequential treatment is effective and feasible.
The E3 ubiquitin ligase UBR5 is recurrently mutated in mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Meissner Barbara , Kridel Robert , Lim Raymond S. , Rogic Sanja , Tse Kane , Scott David W. , Moore Richard , Mungall Andy J. , Marra Marco A. , Connors Joseph M. , Steidl Christian , Gascoyne Randy D.
Published: February 2013

Key Points

UBR5 is recurrently mutated in mantle cell lymphoma with a C-terminal cluster of deleterious mutations.
Factors influencing diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis after a fragility fracture among postmenopausal women in Asian countries: a retrospective study
Authors: Kung Annie W , Fan Tao , Xu Ling , Xia Wei B , Park Il Hyung , Kim Hak Sun , Chan Siew Pheng , Lee Joon Kiong , Koh Leonard , Soong Yung Kuei , Soontrapa Suppasin , Songpatanasilp Thawee , Turajane Thana , Yates Marc , Sen Shuvayu
Published: February 2013

Background

A vast amount of literature describes the incidence of fracture as a risk for recurrent osteoporotic fractures in western and Asian countries. Osteoporosis evaluation and treatment after a low-trauma fracture, however, has not been well characterized in postmenopausal women in Asia. The purpose of this study was to characterize patient and health system characteristics associated with the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis among postmenopausal women hospitalized with a fragility fracture in Asia.

Methods

Patient surveys and medical charts of postmenopausal women (N=1,122) discharged after a fragility hip fracture from treatment centers in mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007 were reviewed for bone mineral density (BMD) measurement, osteoporosis diagnosis, and osteoporosis treatment.

Results

The mean (SD) age was 72.9 (11.5) years. A BMD measurement was reported by 28.2% of patients, 51.5% were informed that they had osteoporosis, and 33.0% received prescription medications for osteoporosis in the 6 months after discharge. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, prior history of fracture decreased the odds of a BMD measurement (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45-0.88). Having a BMD measurement increased the odds of osteoporosis diagnosis (OR 10.1, 95% CI 6.36-16.0), as did having health insurance (OR 4.95, 95% CI 1.51-16.21 for private insurance with partial self-payment relative to 100% self-payment). A history of fracture was not independently associated with an osteoporosis diagnosis (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.56-1.15). Younger age reduced the odds of receiving medication for osteoporosis (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.36-0.96 relative to age ≥65), while having a BMD measurement increased the odds (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.23-2.61).

Conclusions

Osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment in Asian countries were driven by BMD measurement but not by fracture history. Future efforts should emphasize education of general practitioners and patients about the importance of fracture.
Mitochondrial genome sequences reveal deep divergences among Anopheles punctulatus sibling species in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Logue Kyle , Chan Ernest R , Phipps Tenisha , Small Scott T , Reimer Lisa , Henry-Halldin Cara , Sattabongkot Jetsumon , Siba Peter M , Zimmerman Peter A , Serre David
Published: February 2013

Background

Members of theAnopheles punctulatusgroup (AP group) are the primary vectors of human malaria in Papua New Guinea. The AP group includes 13 sibling species, most of them morphologically indistinguishable. Understanding why only certain species are able to transmit malaria requires a better comprehension of their evolutionary history. In particular, understanding relationships and divergence times amongAnophelesspecies may enable assessing how malaria-related traits (e.g. blood feeding behaviours, vector competence) have evolved.

Methods

DNA sequences of 14 mitochondrial (mt) genomes from five AP sibling species and two species of theAnopheles diruscomplex of Southeast Asia were sequenced. DNA sequences from all concatenated protein coding genes (10,770 bp) were then analysed using a Bayesian approach to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships and date the divergence of the AP sibling species.

Results

Phylogenetic reconstruction using the concatenated DNA sequence of all mitochondrial protein coding genes indicates that the ancestors of the AP group arrived in Papua New Guinea 25 to 54 million years ago and rapidly diverged to form the current sibling species.

Conclusion

Through evaluation of newly described mt genome sequences, this study has revealed a divergence among members of the AP group in Papua New Guinea that would significantly predate the arrival of humans in this region, 50 thousand years ago. The divergence observed among the mtDNA sequences studied here may have resulted from reproductive isolation during historical changes in sea-level through glacial minima and maxima. This leads to a hypothesis that the AP sibling species have evolved independently for potentially thousands of generations. This suggests that the evolution of many phenotypes, such as insecticide resistance will arise independently in each of the AP sibling species studied here.
Numerical approximation to a solution of the modified regularized long wave equation using quintic B-splines
Authors: Karakoc Seydi Battal Gazi , Yagmurlu Nuri Murat , Ucar Yusuf
Published: February 2013

In this work, a numerical solution of the modified regularized long wave (MRLW) equation is obtained by the method based on collocation of quintic B-splines over the finite elements. A linear stability analysis shows that the numerical scheme based on Von Neumann approximation theory is unconditionally stable. Test problems including the solitary wave motion, the interaction of two and three solitary waves and the Maxwellian initial condition are solved to validate the proposed method by calculating error norms

L
2

and

L
∞

that are found to be marginally accurate and efficient. The three invariants of the motion have been calculated to determine the conservation properties of the scheme. The obtained results are compared with other earlier results.

MSC: 97N40, 65N30, 65D07, 76B25, 74S05.
Sodium vanadate combined with l-ascorbic acid delays disease progression, enhances motor performance, and ameliorates muscle atrophy and weakness in mice with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Liu Huei-Chun , Ting Chen-Hung , Wen Hsin-Lan , Tsai Li-Kai , Hsieh-Li Hsiu-Mei , Li Hung , Lin-Chao Sue
Published: February 2013

Background

Proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neurodegenerative disorder that causes infant mortality, has no effective treatment. Sodium vanadate has shown potential for the treatment of SMA; however, vanadate-induced toxicity in vivo remains an obstacle for its clinical application. We evaluated the therapeutic potential of sodium vanadate combined with a vanadium detoxification agent, L-ascorbic acid, in a SMA mouse model.

Methods

Sodium vanadate (200 μM), L-ascorbic acid (400 μM), or sodium vanadate combined with L-ascorbic acid (combined treatment) were applied to motor neuron-like NSC34 cells and fibroblasts derived from a healthy donor and a type II SMA patient to evaluate the cellular viability and the efficacy of each treatment in vitro. For the in vivo studies, sodium vanadate (20 mg/kg once daily) and L-ascorbic acid (40 mg/kg once daily) alone or in combination were orally administered daily on postnatal days 1 to 30. Motor performance, pathological studies, and the effects of each treatment (vehicle, L-ascorbic acid, sodium vanadate, and combined treatment) were assessed and compared on postnatal days (PNDs) 30 and 90. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the survival rate, with P < 0.05 indicating significance. For other studies, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t test for paired variables were used to measure significant differences (P < 0.05) between values.

Results

Combined treatment protected cells against vanadate-induced cell death with decreasing B cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein (Bax) levels. A month of combined treatment in mice with late-onset SMA beginning on postnatal day 1 delayed disease progression, improved motor performance in adulthood, enhanced survival motor neuron (SMN) levels and motor neuron numbers, reduced muscle atrophy, and decreased Bax levels in the spinal cord. Most importantly, combined treatment preserved hepatic and renal function and substantially decreased vanadium accumulation in these organs.

Conclusions

Combined treatment beginning at birth and continuing for 1 month conferred protection against neuromuscular damage in mice with milder types of SMA. Further, these mice exhibited enhanced motor performance in adulthood. Therefore, combined treatment could present a feasible treatment option for patients with late-onset SMA.
New clinical and molecular insights on Barth syndrome
Authors: Ferri Lorenzo , Donati Maria Alice , Funghini Silvia , Malvagia Sabrina , Catarzi Serena , Lugli Licia , Ragni Luca , Bertini Enrico , Vaz Frédéréc M , Cooper David N , Guerrini Renzo , Morrone Amelia
Published: February 2013

Background

Barth syndrome (BS) is an X-linked infantile-onset cardioskeletal disease characterized by cardiomyopathy, hypotonia, growth delay, neutropenia and 3-methylglutaconic aciduria. It is caused by mutations in the TAZ gene encoding tafazzin, a protein involved in the metabolism of cardiolipin, a mitochondrial-specific phospholipid involved in mitochondrial energy production.

Methods

Clinical, biochemical and molecular characterization of a group of six male patients suspected of having BS. Three patients presented early with severe metabolic decompensation including respiratory distress, oxygen desaturation and cardiomyopathy and died within the first year of life. The remaining three patients had cardiomyopathy, hypotonia and growth delay and are still alive. Cardiomyopathy was detected during pregnancy through a routine check-up in one patient. All patients exhibited 3-methylglutaconic aciduria and neutropenia, when tested and five of them also had lactic acidosis.

Results

We confirmed the diagnosis of BS with sequence analysis of the TAZ gene, and found five new mutations, c.641A>G p.His214Arg, c.284dupG (p.Thr96Aspfs*37), c.678_691del14 (p.Tyr227Trpfs*79), g.8009_16445del8437 and g.[9777_9814del38; 9911-?_14402del] and the known nonsense mutation c.367C>T (p.Arg123Term). The two gross rearrangements ablated TAZ exons 6 to 11 and probably originated by non-allelic homologous recombination and by Serial Replication Slippage (SRS), respectively. The identification of the breakpoints boundaries of the gross deletions allowed the direct detection of heterozygosity in carrier females.

Conclusions

Lactic acidosis associated with 3-methylglutaconic aciduria is highly suggestive of BS, whilst the severity of the metabolic decompensation at disease onset should be considered for prognostic purposes. Mutation analysis of the TAZ gene is necessary for confirming the clinical and biochemical diagnosis in probands in order to identify heterozygous carriers and supporting prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Assessment of inhibitory potential of essential oils on natural mycoflora and Fusarium mycotoxins production in wheat
Authors: Sumalan Renata-Maria , Alexa Ersilia , Poiana Mariana-Atena
Published: February 2013

Background

In the last years essential oils from different plants were used in the prevention of fungi and mycotoxins accumulation in cereals. The most attractive aspect derived from using of essential oils as seed grains protectants is due to their non-toxicity. This study was focused on assessment the inhibitory effect of some essential oils: Melissa officinalis (O1), Salvia officinalis (O2), Coriandrum sativum (O3), Thymus vulgaris (O4) Mentha piperita (O5) and Cinnamomum zeylanicum (O6) against natural mycoflora and Fusarium mycotoxins production correlated with their antioxidants properties.

Results

All essential oils showed inhibitory effect on fungal contamination of wheat seeds. This ability was dose-dependent. The highest inhibitory effect on Fusarium and Aspergillus fungi was recorded after 5 days of treatment. Fungi such as yeast (Pichia, Saccharomyces and Hyphopichia) were predominantly on seeds mycoflora after 22 days. Each treatment had a selective inhibitory effect on frequency of fungus genera. After 5 days of treatment the most fungicidal effect was recorder for O4, followed by O1. In terms of essential oils effect on mycotoxins development, the best control on fumonisins (FUMO) production was recorded for O6. The antioxidant properties of essential oils decreased in order: O4 > O1 > O6 > O5 > O2 > O3. Also, our data suggested that there is a significant negative correlation between antioxidant properties and seed contamination index (SCI), but there was not recorded a good correlation between antioxidant properties and FUMO content.

Conclusions

Based on proven antifungal and antimycotoxin effects as well as their antioxidant properties, the essential oils could be recommended as natural preservatives for stored cereals. The highest inhibition of fungal growth was noted after 5 days of treatment and decreased after 22 days.
Role of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 signaling and homer in oxygen glucose deprivation-mediated astrocyte apoptosis
Authors: Paquet Maryse , Ribeiro Fabiola M , Guadagno Jennifer , Esseltine Jessica L , Ferguson Stephen SG , Cregan Sean P
Published: February 2013

Background

Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) are coupled via Gαq/11 to the activation of phospholipase Cβ, which hydrolyzes membrane phospholipids to form inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. In addition to functioning as neurotransmitter receptors to modulate synaptic activity, pathological mGluR5 signaling has been implicated in a number of disease processes including Fragile X, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, and drug addiction. The expression of mGluR5 in astrocytes has been shown to be increased in several acute and chronic neurodegenerative conditions, but little is known about the functional relevance of mGluR5 up-regulation in astrocytes following injury.

Results

In the current study, we investigated primary mouse cortical astrocyte cell death in response to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) and found that OGD induced both necrotic and apoptotic cell death of astrocytes. OGD resulted in an increase in astrocytic mGluR5 protein expression, inositol phosphate formation and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, but only inositol phosphate formation was blocked with the mGluR5 selective antagonist MPEP. Cortical astrocytes derived from mGluR5 knockout mice exhibited resistance to OGD-stimulated apoptosis, but a lack of mGluR5 expression did not confer protection against necrotic cell death. The antagonism of the inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor also reduced apoptotic cell death in wild-type astrocytes, but did not provide any additional protection to astrocytes derived from mGluR5 null mice. Moreover, the disruption of Homer protein interactions with mGluR5 also reduced astrocyte apoptosis.

Conclusion

Taken together these observations indicated that mGluR5 up-regulation contributed selectively to the apoptosis of astrocytes via the activation of phospholipase C and the release of calcium from intracellular stores as well as via the association with Homer proteins.
Gyrification, cortical and subcortical morphometry in neurofibromatosis type 1: an uneven profile of developmental abnormalities
Authors: Violante Inês R , Ribeiro Maria J , Silva Eduardo D , Castelo-Branco Miguel
Published: February 2013

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a monogenic disorder associated with cognitive impairments. In order to understand how mutations in theNF1gene impact brain structure it is essential to characterize in detail the brain structural abnormalities in patients with NF1. Previous studies have reported contradictory findings and have focused only on volumetric measurements. Here, we investigated the volumes of subcortical structures and the composite dimensions of the cortex through analysis of cortical volume, cortical thickness, cortical surface area and gyrification.

Methods

We studied 14 children with NF1 and 14 typically developing children matched for age, gender, IQ and right/left-handedness. Regional subcortical volumes and cortical gyral measurements were obtained using the FreeSurfer software. Between-group differences were evaluated while controlling for the increase in total intracranial volume observed in NF1.

Results

Subcortical analysis revealed disproportionately larger thalami, right caudate and middle corpus callosum in patients with NF1. Cortical analyses on volume, thickness and surface area were however not indicative of significant alterations in patients. Interestingly, patients with NF1 had significantly lower gyrification indices than typically developing children primarily in the frontal and temporal lobes, but also affecting the insula, cingulate cortex, parietal and occipital regions.

Conclusions

The neuroanatomic abnormalities observed were localized to specific brain regions, indicating that particular areas might constitute selective targets forNF1gene mutations. Furthermore, the lower gyrification indices were accompanied by a disproportionate increase in brain size without the corresponding increase in folding in patients with NF1. Taken together these findings suggest that specific neurodevelopmental processes, such as gyrification, are more vulnerable toNF1dysfunction than others. The identified changes in brain organization are consistent with the patterns of cognitive dysfunction in the NF1 phenotype.
Cellular and extracellular matrix changes in anterior cruciate ligaments during human knee aging and osteoarthritis
Authors: Hasegawa Akihiko , Nakahara Hiroyuki , Kinoshita Mitsuo , Asahara Hiroshi , Koziol James , Lotz Martin K
Published: February 2013

Introduction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) degeneration is observed in most osteoarthritis (OA)-affected knee joints. However, the specific spatial and temporal relations of these changes and their association with extracellular matrix (ECM) degeneration are not well understood. The objective of this study was to characterize the patterns and relations of aging-related and OA-associated changes in ACL cells and the ECM.

Methods

Human knee joints from 80 donors (age 23 through 94) were obtained at autopsy. ACL degeneration was assessed histologically by using a quantitative scoring system. Tissue sections were analyzed for cell density, cell organization, ECM components, ECM-degrading enzymes and markers of differentiation, proliferation, and stem cells.

Results

Total cell number in normal ACL decreased with aging but increased in degenerated ACL, because of the formation of perivascular cell aggregates and islands of chondrocyte-like cells. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3, and -13 expression was reduced in aging ACL but increased in degenerated ACL, mainly in the chondrocyte-like cells. Collagen I was expressed throughout normal and degenerated ACL. Collagen II and X were detected only in the areas with chondroid metaplasia, which also expressed collagen III. Sox9, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and scleraxis expression was increased in the chondrocyte-like cells in degenerated ACL. Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of myofibroblasts and the progenitor cell marker STRO-1, decreased with aging in normal ACL. In degenerated ACL, the new cell aggregates were positive for α-SMA and STRO-1.

Conclusions

ACL aging is characterized by reduced cell density and activation. In contrast, ACL degeneration is associated with cell recruitment or proliferation, including progenitor cells or myofibroblasts. Abnormally differentiated chondrocyte-like cell aggregates in degenerated ACL produce abnormal ECM and may predispose to mechanical failure.
SOAPfuse: an algorithm for identifying fusion transcripts from paired-end RNA-Seq data
Authors: Jia Wenlong , Qiu Kunlong , He Minghui , Song Pengfei , Zhou Quan , Zhou Feng , Yu Yuan , Zhu Dandan , Nickerson Michael L , Wan Shengqing , Liao Xiangke , Zhu Xiaoqian , Peng Shaoliang , Li Yingrui , Wang Jun , Guo Guangwu
Published: February 2013

We have developed a new method, SOAPfuse, to identify fusion transcripts from paired-end RNA-Seq data. SOAPfuse applies an improved partial exhaustion algorithm to construct a library of fusion junction sequences, which can be used to efficiently identify fusion events, and employs a series of filters to nominate high-confidence fusion transcripts. Compared with other released tools, SOAPfuse achieves higher detection efficiency and consumed less computing resources. We applied SOAPfuse to RNA-Seq data from two bladder cancer cell lines, and confirmed 15 fusion transcripts, including several novel events common to both cell lines. SOAPfuse is available at http://soap.genomics.org.cn/soapfuse.html.
Immunoenhancing therapy with interleukin-18 against bacterial infection in immunocompromised hosts after severe surgical stress
Authors: Kinoshita Manabu , Miyazaki Hiromi , Ono Satoshi , Seki Shuhji
Published: February 2013

Review on the biological consequences of IL-18 injections on cellular, humoral, and neutrophil-mediated immunity against bacterial infections, even in the immunocompromised hosts.

IL-18 has a potential to up-regulate the Th1 and Th2 immune responses. It is known that IL-18, in synergy with IL-12, augments the Th1 response to bacterial infections, but it also augments the Th2 response to allergic disorders in the absence of IL-12. Although the Th1 and Th2 immune responses cross-regulate each other, our recent murine studies have demonstrated that multiple, alternate-day IL-18 injections (but not a single injection) could augment not only the Th1 immune response but also the Th2 immune response, including IgM production against bacterial infection in mice. In addition, critically ill patients who suffer from severe surgical stresses, e.g., trauma injury, burn injury, and major surgery, are known to be highly susceptible to bacterial infections/sepsis, and their outcomes become extremely poor as a result of infectious complications. Their host defense systems against infections, such as Th1-mediated cellular immunity, Th2-mediated humoral immunity, and neutrophil-mediated immunity, are impaired severely and multifactorially. Although simultaneous enhancement of these immune responses may be ideal for such immunocompromised patients, its achievement appears to be difficult because of the cross-regulating effect of the Th1 and Th2 responses. However, multiple IL-18 injections into mice can effectively restore these impaired immune responses in the immunocompromised mice receiving severe burn injury or splenectomy, thus improving their survival after bacterial infections. Therefore, IL-18 treatment may be an attractive and useful therapeutic tool against bacterial complications in immunocompromised hosts after severe surgical stress.
Diabetes Mellitus Increases Reactive Oxygen Species Production in the Thyroid of Male Rats
Authors: Santos Maria C. S. , Louzada Ruy A. N. , Souza Elaine C. L. , Fortunato Rodrigo S. , Vasconcelos Andressa L. , Souza Kléber L. A. , Castro João P. S. W. , Carvalho Denise P. , Ferreira Andrea C. F.
Published: February 2013

Diabetes mellitus (DM) disrupts the pituitary-thyroid axis and leads to a higher prevalence of thyroid disease. However, the role of reactive oxygen species in DM thyroid disease pathogenesis is unknown. Dual oxidases (DUOX) is responsible for H2O2 production, which is a cosubstrate for thyroperoxidase, but the accumulation of H2O2 also causes cellular deleterious effects. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) is another member of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase family expressed in the thyroid. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the thyroid DUOX activity and expression in DM rats in addition to NOX4 expression. In the thyroids of the DM rats, we found increased H2O2 generation due to higher DUOX protein content and DUOX1, DUOX2, and NOX4 mRNA expressions. In rat thyroid PCCL3 cells, both TSH and insulin decreased DUOX activity and DUOX1 mRNA levels, an effect partially reversed by protein kinase A inhibition. Most antioxidant enzymes remained unchanged or decreased in the thyroid of DM rats, whereas only glutathione peroxidase 3 was increased. DUOX1 and NOX4 expression and H2O2 production were significantly higher in cells cultivated with high glucose, which was reversed by protein kinase C inhibition. We conclude that thyroid reactive oxygen species is elevated in experimental rat DM, which is a consequence of low-serum TSH and insulin but is also related to hyperglycemia per se.