bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Past Information Help Predict Future Price Movements in Emerging Capital Markets? Evidence from the Colombo Securities Exchange
Authors: Vidanage Thushari , Dayaratna-Banda O.G.
Published: November 2012

This article examines as to whether past stock prices in the Colombo Securities Exchange (CSE) exhibit predictability of future prices by using various statistical tests for the period from 1985 to 2009 on daily data. The findings of various statistical tests generated mixed results. The results of tests on serial correlation, runs test, variance ratio test and tests on the day-of-the-week effect rejected the weak-form of Efficient Market Hypothesis, whereas Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test and Phillips Perron (PP) unit root tests as well as the month-of-the-year test failed to reject the presence of random walk. Findings of the ADF and PP test statistics implied that daily changes in stock prices cannot be predicted, so that no investor can earn abnormal profits by exploiting past stock price patterns. This indicates the presence of weak-form efficiency in CSE. However, the results of serial correlation tests, runs test and variance ratio test imply that prices of ASPI do not reflect past prices, indicating that future movements of the stock prices can be predicted by using past price movements. The idea that past price information can only partially predict the future movements of prices/returns indicates that other information is also vital in changing stock prices/returns. The article concludes that the weak-form inefficiency is the normal situation in the CSE.
Indicators of Banking Fragility in India: An Empirical Test
Authors: Bhattacharya Basabi , Roy Tanima Niyogi Sinha
Published: November 2012

The study presents an early warning system for predicting banking fragility in India. Using the index method, distress episodes in the banking system are identified during 1994–2007. On the basis of standard tools of probit regression models, the results indicate growing interlinkages of economic liberalization with the Indian banking sector. Slowdown in real output, increase in headline inflation rate, increase in spread between the central bank policy rate and short-term risk-free rate, increase in proportion of broad money supply to foreign exchange reserves, REER overvaluation from trend and decrease in proportion of trade balance to GDP enhance the probability of banking fragility in India. The behaviour of the identified crucial indicators, cross-checked by the signal extraction approach, reveals adequate signalling power due to their low Noise-to-Signal Ratio. The estimated ‘lead time’ of the indicator variables in signalling banking distress also offers a modest time period to the government to initiate pre-emptive policy action to strengthen the banks.
Transport Sector Driving Economic Activity in Sri Lanka: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Gunaruwan T. Lalithasiri , Jayasekera D. Harshanee W.
Published: November 2012

An expectation to double the per capita income in five years through a sustained GDP growth rate of 9 per cent could only hold ground under very favourable economic conditions. On the one hand, this projected acceleration of economic activity, if practically realized, would demand a substantial amount of investment expenditure which could cause a widening of resource gap leading the economy into a debt trap. On the other hand, if the service sector including the transport sector could not augment to meet up the investments and expected output expansions, the targeted growth itself could be at risk. Neither scenario would be favourable. A way out of this apparent impasse is to increase investment productivity—by way of being observant in capital spending and improving the trickle-down effect of investment expenditure against mere capital accumulation.
Economic Dimension of Peacebuilding: Insights into Post-conflict Economic Recovery and Development in Nepal
Authors: Subedi D.B.
Published: November 2012

This article studies economic dimension of peacebuilding, concentrating on post-conflict economic recovery and development (PCERD) in Nepal. The current peace process in Nepal has a historical opportunity to address economic root causes of the armed conflict and lay a foundation for inclusive economic development. However, the economic dimension of peacebuilding has been sidelined by the contentious transitional politics in the Nepali peace process. Taking a maximalist approach to development, this article argues that PCERD in Nepal should be understood as a multiple-faceted long-term process which might incorporate both short-term and long-term priorities. While the short-term priority should target at delivering the economic dividends of peace in the immediate aftermath of the conflict, the long-term priority should be geared towards addressing the economic root causes of the preceding armed conflict as well as laying the foundation for an inclusive economic development. It should be accomplished by taking into account a wider range of the social, economic, political, psychosocial, and security related needs and aspirations of the conflict-affected people as well as the wider populace. Making an analysis from a political economy perspective, this article also discusses potential barriers to PCERD and finds that lack of commitment by the key political actors to engage in policy debates and discussions around economic recovery and development and dwindling post-conflict public security are the barriers to economic recovery and development in post-conflict Nepal.
Long/Short-Term Performance Test for Evaluating the Reduction of Indoor Formaldehyde Using Sorptive Building Materials
Authors: Seo Janghoo , Ataka Yuji , Kato Shinsuke , Kim Jeong Tai
Published: November 2012

In this paper, a test method for evaluating the ability of sorptive building materials to reduce the concentration of formaldehyde is examined. The authors developed a new method that uses a small chamber to test the suppressive effect of sorptive building material on formaldehyde-emitting materials. Two small chambers were prepared, with the formaldehyde-emitting building material placed in one chamber and a composite building material comprised of sorptive building material attached to the formaldehyde-emitting building material in the other. The formaldehyde emission factors of the two chambers were compared, and the equivalent ventilation rate Qads was calculated. The test method would enable the indoor concentration reducing performance and the suppressive performance of the sorptive building materials to be evaluated at the same time. The suppressive effects of several kinds of sorptive building materials were examined, and accordingly the validity of the test method was verified. The continuous reduction performance of indoor formaldehyde for sorptive building materials using sorption breakthrough capacity method was also evaluated.
Characteristics of Particleboards Using Tannin Resin as Novel Environment-Friendly Adhesion System
Authors: Lee Jeong-Hun , Kim Junhyun , Kim Sumin , Kim Jeong Tai
Published: November 2012

The objective of this study was to develop an environment-friendly adhesion system for particleboard using tannin-based resin. Tannin-based resin was used in the surface layer of particleboard to replace urea-formaldehyde resins. In addition, the additive with various content ratios in particleboard was evaluated to confirm the effect of formaldehyde reduction performance by the perforator and desiccator methods. As the amount of additive was increased, formaldehyde reduction performance would significantly be increased. Manufactured boards containing additive above 3 wt% in the surface layer satisfied grade SE0 in the results of the desiccator method. The mechanical properties of manufactured boards satisfied the minimum requisite quality standard. This study discussed the effects and possibilities of tannin-based resin to reduce formaldehyde emission in indoor environments.
On the shelf life of democracy in journalism scholarship
Authors: Zelizer Barbie
Published: November 2012

Scholarship on journalism has long privileged a journalistic world that is narrower than that which resides on the ground. Perhaps nowhere is this as much the case as with the placement of democracy in discussions of the news and the role it has played in driving and shaping journalism scholarship. This article argues that democracy has long occupied a more central role than it deserves when considering the news, and that its centrality primarily in western scholarship has negatively impacted existing understandings of journalism in their broadest possible parameters. Maintaining that democracy in journalism scholarship has over-extended its shelf life, the article calls for a retirement of the concept as a key term for understanding journalism.
‘I thought it would be tiny little one phrase that we said, in a huge big pile of papers’: children’s reflections on their involvement in participatory research
Authors: Pinter Annamaria , Zandian Samaneh
Published: November 2012

In this article, we report on a follow-up session that was organised to share findings with children about a participatory research project they had been involved in a few months earlier. This was motivated by the ethical concern that it is the children’s right to be informed about the results of the research. In the process of reflecting on the research project, however, the children diverted the researcher’s focus onto aspects of the research that mattered to them. Rather than discussing the results and the benefits of the research, the children were keen to discuss issues of representation, questioning the researcher about pseudonyms, transcribing and their role and presence in the dissertation. The follow-up session opened up a transformational space where both the child participants and the adult researchers gained new understandings about research processes and relationships. We argue that such retrospective reflection can be a beneficial tool to explore children’s post hoc interpretations about the research, while developing researcher reflexivity.
Here We Go Again
Authors: Edmond Maura
Published: November 2012

At the start of the 2000s, there were dire predictions about the future of music videos. Faced with falling industry profits, ballooning production costs, and music television stations that cared more about ratings, music videos no longer enjoyed the industry support they once had. But as music videos were being sidelined by the music and television industries, they were rapidly becoming integral to online video aggregates and social media sites. The “days of the $600,000 video” might be gone, but in recent years, a new music video culture and economy has emerged. Exploring how music videos are being used, how they are being made, and how money is being made from them, the article not only documents the impact that digital convergence has had on music videos but it also describes the lingering role that older music and media industry paradigms might play in shaping the future of online video.
The Jingle Jangle of Employee Engagement
Authors: Shuck Brad , Ghosh Rajashi , Zigarmi Drea , Nimon Kim
Published: November 2012

While research is emerging around the employee engagement construct, evolution is in early stages of development. Presently, some questions remain about how employee engagement differs from other well-researched and documented constructs such as job satisfaction, job involvement, and job commitment. Although such inquiry is seemingly academic in nature, the use of engagement in practice is gaining momentum, and debate remains healthy as to the utility and statistical validity of the engagement construct. To respond, developing clear lines of interpretation and coordination across varied disciplines seems prudent, but an essential first step is a context-specific, conceptual exploration of the construct of employee engagement in relation to other well-researched job attitude and organizational constructs in the literature. This article explores literature on employee engagement, job satisfaction, commitment, and involvement. Implications for organizational learning and workplace performance are examined in a human resource development (HRD) specific context.
Mentors Providing Challenge and Support
Authors: Ghosh Rajashi
Published: November 2012

This article reviews and critiques the literature on mentoring functions and roles in education and business to inform the use of mentoring as a developmental tool in both fields. Specifically, in an effort to expand the current notions of the different mentor roles, this review synthesizes studies exploring teacher mentoring in schools and organizational mentoring in business settings to identify the varied ways in which mentors provide challenge and support to protégés. As the fields of education and business explore mentoring from different lenses, an integrative perspective as offered by this article is required to allow both fields learn from each other and to make mentoring research more inclusive of the diverse perspectives originating from multiple disciplines.
Implicit Motives, Leadership, and Follower Outcomes
Authors: Delbecq Andre , House Robert J. , de Luque Mary Sully , Quigley Narda R.
Published: November 2012

We examined implicit or subconscious antecedents of CEO behavior and the effects on their direct subordinates. Specifically, we explored the relationships between (a) power, achievement, and affiliation motives and (b) charismatic, instrumental, and participative leadership behaviors. We then examined the influence of leadership types on three outcomes: follower motivation, performance, and teamwork. Based on analyses of interviews and surveys of 28 CEOs and 56 of their immediate followers (2 per CEO; members of the senior management team), the results indicate that only charismatic leadership relates positively to all three outcomes. Subconscious power motive relates negatively to charismatic and instrumental leadership; subconscious need for affiliation relates negatively to charismatic leadership; and subconscious need for achievement relates positively to instrumental and participative leadership. We conclude with a discussion of the implications and limitations of the study.
The Effect of Employee Learning Goals and Goal Commitment on Departmental Performance
Authors: Porter Robert L. , Latham Gary P.
Published: November 2012

The relationship between employee goals at the individual level and firm performance at the department level was examined across a variety of industries. Specifically, three types of employee goals—learning, performance, and do-your-best—were studied with regard to department-level performance. Employee learning goals were related to higher levels of department-level performance than were performance or do-your-best goals. The relationship between the level of employee goal commitment and department level performance was also examined, and found to be positive and significant. The theoretical and practical significance of these findings for leaders in an economically turbulent environment are discussed.
The exploded hand syndrome: a report of five industrial injury cases
Authors: Al-Qattan M. M
Published: November 2012

The term ‘exploded hand syndrome’ refers to a specific type of crush injury to the hand in which a high compressive force excessively flattens the hand leading to thenar muscle extrusion through burst lacerations. Out of 89 crushed hands seen over a period of seven years, only five had exploded hand syndrome. They were all male industrial workers ranging in age between 24 and 55 years. All patients had thenar muscle extrusion. Other concurrent injuries included fractures/dislocations, compartment syndrome, and ischaemia. All patients were treated by excision of the extruded intrinsic muscles, as well as primary management of concurrent injuries. All patients had functional assessment including: motor power and sensory testing, range of motion of hand joints, and the quick DASH score. Objective testing showed reduced sensibility in the thumb, reduced grip strength (mean 52% of contralateral hand), reduced pinch strength (mean of 27% of contralateral hand), reduced thumb opposition (the mean Kapandji Score was 5 out of 10), and deficits in the range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the thumb. The quick DASH score ranged from 11 to 49 and only two patients were able to go back to regular manual work.
Crisis in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Barnshaw John , Dolan Kathryn , Apaydin Fulya , Deubel Tara , Greiner Karen , Nguyen Thuy
Published: November 2012

As natural-technological catastrophes become increasingly complex in their severity, scale, and duration, so too must our policy responses. Utilizing the 2010 BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as a case study, this paper explores the ecological, sociocultural, and political challenges from an interdisciplinary perspective. Consistent with prior research on catastrophes, the findings of this study indicate that the severity of disruption substantially influences the social construction of the occasion as policy actors are ill equipped to handle the challenges at all levels of government. Drawing their interdisciplinary backgrounds in history, political science, sociology, anthropology, communications, and literary studies, the authors offer an integrative policy solutions approach predicated on a model of network governance.
Urban and Peri-urban Cultivation in Northern Mozambique
Authors: Companion Michèle
Published: November 2012

This study investigates the impact of small-scale agricultural practices on income-generating activities for female street food vendors in urban and peri-urban areas in northern Mozambique. Female-headed households report greater food resources and income from gathering and cultivation despite longer work days. This creates new economic niches. Cultivation contributes to positive psychological outcomes; it reduces feelings of anomie and eases transitions from rural to urban settings. Cultivation provides a connection to tradition, serves as a cultural identifier, and allows women to earn money in gender-appropriate ways. These findings have policy implications for food security and livelihoods in urban centers, including the need for greater access to water and clean compost material to enhance yield.
Decoupling Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Authors: Zimmerman Kenneth R.
Published: November 2012

Energy efficiency is widely accepted as a tool to achieve reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. And reductions in GHG emissions are necessary in order to control the effects of climate change resulting from increased GHG emissions. With these statements the assemblage that explains the need for energy efficiency is supposedly complete. But that simply is not the case. Energy efficiency is not only pursued for reasons other than GHG emission reductions but is often pursed by actors that actually reject the entire notion of human-caused climate change and/or reject GHG emissions as a cause for climate change. In this paper I explore how and why actual actors decouple energy efficiency from climate change and examine some of the factors actors include in their decisions to pursue energy efficiency that are not related to climate change.
A catalogue of putative unique transcripts from Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) based on 454 transcriptome sequencing of genetically diverse, drought stressed seedlings
Authors: Müller Thomas , Ensminger Ingo , Schmid Karl J
Published: November 2012

Background

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) extends over a wide range of contrasting environmental conditions, reflecting substantial local adaptation. For this reason, it is an interesting model species to study plant adaptation and the effects of global climate change such as increased temperatures and significant periods of drought on individual trees and the forest landscape in general. However, genomic data and tools for studying genetic variation in natural populations to understand the genetic and physiological mechanisms of adaptation are currently missing for Douglas-fir. This study represents a first step towards characterizing the Douglas-fir transcriptome based on 454 sequencing of twelve cDNA libraries. The libraries were constructed from needle and wood tissue of coastal and interior provenances subjected to drought stress experiments.

Results

The 454 sequencing of twelve normalized cDNA libraries resulted in 3.6 million reads from which a set of 170,859 putative unique transcripts (PUTs) was assembled. Functional annotation by BLAST searches and Gene Ontology mapping showed that the composition of functional classes is very similar to other plant transcriptomes and demonstrated that a large fraction of the Douglas-fir transcriptome is tagged by the PUTs. Based on evolutionary conservation, we identified about 1,000 candidate genes related to drought stress. A total number of 187,653 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected by three SNP detection tools. However, only 27,688 SNPs were identified by all three methods, indicating that SNP detection depends on the particular method used. The two alleles of about 60% of the 27,688 SNPs are segregating simultaneously in both coastal and interior provenances, which indicates a high proportion of ancestral shared polymorphisms or a high level of gene flow between these two ecologically and phenotypically different varieties.

Conclusions

We established a catalogue of PUTs and large SNP database for Douglas-fir. Both will serve as a useful resource for the further characterization of the genome and transcriptome of Douglas-fir and for the analysis of genetic variation using genotyping or resequencing methods.
A parallel genome-wide mRNA and microRNA profiling of the frontal cortex of HIV patients with and without HIV-associated dementia shows the role of axon guidance and downstream pathways in HIV-mediated neurodegeneration
Authors: Zhou Li , Pupo Gulietta M , Gupta Priyanka , Liu Bing , Tran Sieu L , Rahme Raany , Wang Bin , Rua Rejane , Rizos Helen , Carroll Adam , Cairns Murray J , Saksena Nitin K
Published: November 2012

Background

HIV-associated dementia (HAD) is the most common dementia type in young adults less than 40 years of age. Although the neurotoxins, oxidative/metabolic stress and impaired activity of neurotrophic factors are believed to be underlying reasons for the development of HAD, the genomic basis, which ultimately defines the virus-host interaction and leads to neurologic manifestation of HIV disease is lacking. Therefore, identifying HIV fingerprints on the host gene machinery and its regulation by microRNA holds a great promise and potential for improving our understanding of HAD pathogenesis, its diagnosis and therapy.

Results

A parallel profiling of mRNA and miRNA of the frontal cortex autopsies from HIV positive patients with and without dementia was performed using Illumina Human-6 BeadChip and Affymetrix version 1.0 miRNA array, respectively. The gene ontology and pathway analysis of the two data sets showed high concordance between miRNA and mRNAs, revealing significant interference with the host axon guidance and its downstream signalling pathways in HAD brains. Moreover, the differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs identified in this study, in particular miR-137, 153 and 218, based on which most correlations were built cumulatively targeted neurodegeneration related pathways, implying their future potential in diagnosis, prognosis and possible therapies for HIV-mediated and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, this relationship between DE miRNAs and DE mRNAs was also reflected in correlation analysis using Bayesian networks by splitting-averaging strategy (SA-BNs), which revealed 195 statistically significant correlated miRNA-mRNA pairs according to Pearson’s correlation test (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Our study provides the first evidence on unambiguous support for intrinsic functional relationship between mRNA and miRNA in the context of HIV-mediated neurodegeneration, which shows that neurologic manifestation in HIV patients possibly occurs through the interference with the host axon guidance and its downstream signalling pathways. These data provide an excellent avenue for the development of new generation of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic intervention strategies for HIV-associated neurodegeneration.
Cross-pollination of research findings, although uncommon, may accelerate discovery of human disease genes
Authors: Duda Marlena , Nelson Tristan , Wall Dennis P
Published: November 2012

Background

Technological leaps in genome sequencing have resulted in a surge in discovery of human disease genes. These discoveries have led to increased clarity on the molecular pathology of disease and have also demonstrated considerable overlap in the genetic roots of human diseases. In light of this large genetic overlap, we tested whether cross-disease research approaches lead to faster, more impactful discoveries.

Methods

We leveraged several gene-disease association databases to calculate a Mutual Citation Score (MCS) for 10,853 pairs of genetically related diseases to measure the frequency of cross-citation between research fields. To assess the importance of cooperative research, we computed an Individual Disease Cooperation Score (ICS) and the average publication rate for each disease.

Results

For all disease pairs with one gene in common, we found that the degree of genetic overlap was a poor predictor of cooperation (r2=0.3198) and that the vast majority of disease pairs (89.56%) never cited previous discoveries of the same gene in a different disease, irrespective of the level of genetic similarity between the diseases. A fraction (0.25%) of the pairs demonstrated cross-citation in greater than 5% of their published genetic discoveries and 0.037% cross-referenced discoveries more than 10% of the time. We found strong positive correlations between ICS and publication rate (r2=0.7931), and an even stronger correlation between the publication rate and the number of cross-referenced diseases (r2=0.8585). These results suggested that cross-disease research may have the potential to yield novel discoveries at a faster pace than singular disease research.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the frequency of cross-disease study is low despite the high level of genetic similarity among many human diseases, and that collaborative methods may accelerate and increase the impact of new genetic discoveries. Until we have a better understanding of the taxonomy of human diseases, cross-disease research approaches should become the rule rather than the exception.
Anti-inflammatory activity of cinnamon water extract in vivo and in vitro LPS-induced models
Authors: Hong Joung-Woo , Yang Ga-Eun , Kim Yoon Bum , Eom Seok Hyun , Lew Jae-Hwan , Kang Hee
Published: November 2012

Background

Cinnamon bark is one of the most popular herbal ingredients in traditional oriental medicine and possesses diverse pharmacological activities including anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties. The goal of this study is to investigate the in vivo and in vitro inhibitory effect of cinnamon water extract (CWE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and its underlying intracellular mechanisms.

Methods

CWE was orally administrated to mice for 6 days prior to intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Serum levels of TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were determined 1 hour after LPS stimulation. Peritoneal macrophages from thioglycollate-injected mice were isolated and assayed for viability, cytokine expression and signaling molecules upon LPS stimulation. CWE was further fractioned according to molecular size, and the levels of total polyphenols and biological activities of each fraction were measured.

Results

The oral administration of CWE to mice significantly decreased the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6. CWE treatment in vitro decreased the mRNA expression of TNF-α. CWE blocked the LPS-induced degradation of IκBα as well as the activation of JNK, p38 and ERK1/2. Furthermore, size-based fractionation of CWE showed that the observed inhibitory effect of CWE in vitro occurred in the fraction containing the highest level of total polyphenols.

Conclusions

Treatment with CWE decreased LPS-induced TNF-α in serum. In vitro inhibition of TNF-α gene by CWE may occur via the modulation of IκBα degradation and JNK, p38, and ERK1/2 activation. Our results also indicate that the observed anti-inflammatory action of CWE may originate from the presence of polyphenols.
Antimicrobial activities of endophytic fungi isolated from Ophiopogon japonicus (Liliaceae)
Authors: Liang Hanqiao , Xing Yongmei , Chen Juan , Zhang Dawei , Guo Shunxing , Wang Chunlan
Published: November 2012

Background

Drug resistance in bacteria has become a global concern and the search for new antibacterial agents is urgent and ongoing. Endophytes provide an abundant reservoir of bioactive metabolites for medicinal exploitation, and an increasing number of novel compounds are being isolated from endophytic fungi. Ophiopogon japonicus, containing compounds with antibacterial activity, is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant used for eliminating phlegm, relieving coughs, latent heat in the lungs, and alleviating diabetes mellitus. We investigated the antimicrobial activities of 30 strains of O. japonicus.

Methods

Fungal endophytes were isolated from roots and stems of O. japonicus collected from Chongqing City, southwestern China. Mycelial extracts (MC) and fermentation broth (FB) were tested for antimicrobial activity using peptide deformylase (PDF) inhibition fluorescence assays and MTT cell proliferation assays.

Results

A total of 30 endophytic strains were isolated from O. japonicus; 22 from roots and eight from stems. 53.33% of the mycelial extracts (MC) and 33.33% of the fermentation broths (FB) displayed potent inhibition of PDF. 80% of MC and 33.33% of FB significantly inhibited Staphylococcus aureus. 70% of MC and 36.67% of FB showed strong activities against Cryptococcus neoformans. None showed influence on Escherichia coli.

Conclusion

The secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi from O. japonicus are potential antimicrobial agents.
Principal component analysis reveals gender-specific predictors of cardiometabolic risk in 6th graders
Authors: Peterson Mark D , Liu Dongmei , IglayReger Heidi B , Saltarelli William A , Visich Paul S , Gordon Paul M
Published: November 2012

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the sex-specific pattern of pediatric cardiometabolic risk with principal component analysis, using several biological, behavioral and parental variables in a large cohort (n = 2866) of 6th grade students.

Methods

Cardiometabolic risk components included waist circumference, fasting glucose, blood pressure, plasma triglycerides levels and HDL-cholesterol. Principal components analysis was used to determine the pattern of risk clustering and to derive a continuous aggregate score (MetScore). Stratified risk components and MetScore were analyzed for association with age, body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity (PA), and parental factors.

Results

In both boys and girls, BMI and CRF were associated with multiple risk components, and overall MetScore. Maternal smoking was associated with multiple risk components in girls and boys, as well as MetScore in boys, even after controlling for children’s BMI. Paternal family history of early cardiovascular disease (CVD) and parental age were associated with increased blood pressure and MetScore for girls. Children’s PA levels, maternal history of early CVD, and paternal BMI were also indicative for various risk components, but not MetScore.

Conclusions

Several biological and behavioral factors were independently associated with children’s cardiometabolic disease risk, and thus represent a unique gender-specific risk profile. These data serve to bolster the independent contribution of CRF, PA, and family-oriented healthy lifestyles for improving children’s health.
The effect of endometrial thickness and pattern measured by ultrasonography on pregnancy outcomes during IVF-ET cycles
Authors: Zhao Jing , Zhang Qiong , Li Yanping
Published: November 2012

Background

To study the effect of endometrial thickness and pattern measured using ultrasound upon pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing IVF-ET.

Method

One thousand nine hundred thirty-three women undergoing IVF treatment participated in the study. We assessed and recorded endometrial patterns and thickness on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration. Receiver operator curves (ROC) were used to determine the predictive accuracy of endometrial thickness. Cycles were divided into 3 groups depending on the thickness (group 1: ≤ 7 mm; group 2: > 7 mm to ≤ 14 mm; group 3: > 14 mm). Each group was subdivided into three groups according to the endometrial pattern as follows: pattern A (a triple-line pattern consisting of a central hyperechoic line surround by two hypoechoic layers); pattern B (an intermediate isoechogenic pattern with the same reflectivity as the surrounding myometrium and a poorly defined central echogenic line); and pattern C (homogenous, hyperechogenic endometrium). Clinical outcomes such as implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were analyzed.

Results

The endometrial thickness predicts pregnancy outcome with high sensitivity and specificity. The cutoff value was 9 mm. The implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate in group 3 were 39.1% and 63.5%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in group 2 (33.8% and 52.1%, respectively) and group 1 (13% and 25.5%, respectively). Among those with Pattern A, the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were 35.3% and 55.2%, respectively, which were significantly higher than among women with Pattern B (32.1% and 50.9%, respectively) and Pattern C (23.4% and 37.4%, respectively). In groups 1 and 3, clinical pregnancy and implantation rates did not show any significant differences between different endometrial patterns (P > 0.05), whereas in group 2, the clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate in women with pattern A were significantly higher than those with pattern B or C (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Endometrial thickness and pattern independently affect pregnant outcomes. Combined endometrial thickness and pattern could not predict the outcome of IVF-ET when endometrial thickness was < 7 mm or >14 mm, while a triple-line pattern with a moderate endometrial thickness appeared to be associated with a good clinical outcome.
Myosin heavy chain 2A and α-Actin expression in human and murine skeletal muscles at feeding; particularly amino acids
Authors: Iresjö Britt-Marie , Lundholm Kent
Published: November 2012

Background

Protein dynamics during non-steady state conditions as feeding are complex. Such studies usually demand combinations of methods to give conclusive information, particularly on myofibrillar proteins with slow turnover. Therefore, time course transcript analyses were evaluated as possible means to monitor changes in myofibrillar biosynthesis in skeletal muscles in conditions with clinical nutrition; i.e. long term exposure of nutrients.

Methods

Muscle tissue from overnight intravenously fed surgical patients were used as a model combined with muscle tissue from starved and refed mice as well as cultured L6 muscle cells. Transcripts of acta 1 (α-actin), mhc2A (myosin) and slc38 a2/Snat 2 (amino acid transporter) were quantified (qPCR) as markers of muscle protein dynamics.

Results

Myosin heavy chain 2A transcripts decreased significantly in skeletal muscle tissue from overnight parenterally fed patients but did not change significantly in orally refed mice. Alpha-actin transcripts did not change significantly in muscle cells from fed patients, mice or cultured L6 cells during provision of AA. The AA transporter Snat 2 decreased in L6 cells refed by all AA and by various combinations of AA but did not change during feeding in muscle tissue from patients or mice.

Conclusion

Our results confirm that muscle cells are sensitive to alterations in extracellular concentrations of AA for induction of protein synthesis and anabolism. However, transcripts of myofibrillar proteins and amino acid transporters showed complex alterations in response to feeding with provision of amino acids. Therefore, muscle tissue transcript levels of actin and myosin do not reflect protein accretion in skeletal muscles at feeding.
Cyclic generalized contractions and fixed point results with applications to an integral equation
Authors: Nashine Hemant Kumar , Sintunavarat Wutiphol , Kumam Poom
Published: November 2012

We set up a new variant of cyclic generalized contractive mappings for a map in a metric space and present existence and uniqueness results of fixed points for such mappings. Our results generalize or improve many existing fixed point theorems in the literature. To illustrate our results, we give some examples. At the same time as applications of the presented theorems, we prove an existence theorem for solutions of a class of nonlinear integral equations.

MSC:47H10, 54H25.
Bioinformatics clouds for big data manipulation
Authors: Dai Lin , Gao Xin , Guo Yan , Xiao Jingfa , Zhang Zhang
Published: November 2012

As advances in life sciences and information technology bring profound influences on bioinformatics due to its interdisciplinary nature, bioinformatics is experiencing a new leap-forward from in-house computing infrastructure into utility-supplied cloud computing delivered over the Internet, in order to handle the vast quantities of biological data generated by high-throughput experimental technologies. Albeit relatively new, cloud computing promises to address big data storage and analysis issues in the bioinformatics field. Here we review extant cloud-based services in bioinformatics, classify them into Data as a Service (DaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and present our perspectives on the adoption of cloud computing in bioinformatics.

Reviewers

This article was reviewed by Frank Eisenhaber, Igor Zhulin, and Sandor Pongor.
IMP3 can predict aggressive behaviour of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Beljan Perak Renata , Durdov Merica Glavina , Capkun Vesna , Ivcevic Veljka , Pavlovic Antonia , Soljic Violeta , Peric Mari
Published: November 2012

Background

Lung cancer most often presents as an inoperable tumour and the diagnosis is usually performed on a small biopsy/cytology specimen. In the group of non small cell lung cancer - not otherwise specified, adenocarcinoma phenotype can be determined immunohistochemically using TTF-1 and Napsin A. Expression of oncofetal protein IMP3 in human cancer is associated with poor differentiation and aggressive behaviour. In the present study expression of IMP3 was correlated with expression of TTF-1 and Napsin A, histological subtype and clinical stage of lung adenocarcinoma. We were interested whether distant metastases are associated with IMP3 overexpression, regardless of the histologic subtype of adenocarcinoma.

Methods

In retrospective study, consecutive series of 105 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma diagnosed from 2006 to 2009 in Clinical Hospital Center Split, Croatia, were analysed. Clinical data were collected from the Pulmology Department and time of death from the Mortality Registry. Paraffin blocks of bronchoscopic biopsies were collected from the Institute of Pathology and 15 cases excluded from the analysis due to insufficient material. Expression of IMP3, Napsin A and TTF-1 were analysed by indirect enzyme immunohistochemistry. Statistical analysis was performed and P values less than 0.05 considered significant.

Results

Of 90 patients, 71 (78%) were males and 19 (22%) females. Median age for males was 61.5 years (min-max 43–83) and for females 61 years (min-max 44–86). Pleural effusion was found in 15 (16.6%) and distant metastases in 45 (50%) cases. According to histological subtypes, there were 34 acinar, 2 lepidic, 2 papillary and 52 solid subtypes. IMP3 overexpression was found in 63 cases (70%) and was correlated with solid subtype (P = 0.002) and negative/weak Napsin A expression (P = 0.004). Strong Napsin A expression correlated with TTF-1 expression (P = 0.003) and lower histological grades (P = 0.031). Patients with IMP3 overexpression more often had distant metastases than patients with negative IMP3, 55.5% versus 33.3% (P = 0.033). Non solid subtypes with IMP3 overexpression developed distant metastasis more common than non solid subtypes with negative IMP3, 72% versus 35% (P = 0.028).

Conclusions

Expression of IMP3 correlates with solid subtype and with distant metastases regardless of histological subtype of lung adenocarcinoma.

Virtual slides

http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1966211581795258
Autworks: a cross-disease network biology application for Autism and related disorders
Authors: Nelson Tristan H , Jung Jae-Yoon , DeLuca Todd F , Hinebaugh Byron K , St Gabriel Kristian Che , Wall Dennis P
Published: November 2012

Background

The genetic etiology of autism is heterogeneous. Multiple disorders share genotypic and phenotypic traits with autism. Network based cross-disorder analysis can aid in the understanding and characterization of the molecular pathology of autism, but there are few tools that enable us to conduct cross-disorder analysis and to visualize the results.

Description

We have designed Autworks as a web portal to bring together gene interaction and gene-disease association data on autism to enable network construction, visualization, network comparisons with numerous other related neurological conditions and disorders. Users may examine the structure of gene interactions within a set of disorder-associated genes, compare networks of disorder/disease genes with those of other disorders/diseases, and upload their own sets for comparative analysis.

Conclusions

Autworks is a web application that provides an easy-to-use resource for researchers of varied backgrounds to analyze the autism gene network structure within and between disorders.

Availability: http://autworks.hms.harvard.edu/
Morphological and genetic changes induced by excess Zn in roots of Medicago truncatula A17 and a Zn accumulating mutant
Authors: Lewis Ricky W , Tang Guiliang , McNear David H
Published: November 2012

Background

Nutrient fluxes associated with legume-rhizobia symbioses are poorly understood and little is known regarding the influence of abiotic stresses on development and maintenance of N-fixing nodules and root system architecture (RSA). We examined effects of Zn on nodule development and structure, root architecture, and expression of nodulation-related miRNAs inMedicago truncatulaand the mutant,raz(requires additional Zn).

Findings

Excess Zn increased root and shoot associated Zn in both genotypes, however,razplants had lower root associated Zn than WT plants. Roots ofrazplants exposed to excess Zn had less volume, surface area, and total length compared to WT plants.Razplants had lower lateral root number than WT plants. Excess Zn was found to increase root diameter in both genotypes. The Mn Translocation Factor (TfMn) increased in response to Zn in both genotypes; this was more pronounced inrazplants. TfZnwas higher inrazplants and reduced in both genotypes in response to Zn. Nodulation was not influenced by Zn treatment or plant genotype. MicroRNA166 was upregulated under excess Zn in WT plants.

Conclusions

Neither therazmutation nor Zn treatment affected nodulation, however,razplants had altered RSA compared with WT and responded differently to Zn, implying the mutation potentially modulates RSA responses to Zn but doesn’t play a direct role in nodulation. MicroRNA166 was significantly induced in WT plants by excess Zn, warranting further investigation into the potential role it plays in controlling RSA.
Advances in toxicology and medical treatment of chemical warfare nerve agents
Authors: Moshiri Mohammd , Darchini-Maragheh Emadodin , Balali-Mood Mahdi
Published: November 2012

Organophosphorous (OP) Nerve agents (NAs) are known as the deadliest chemical warfare agents. They are divided into two classes of G and V agents. Most of them are liquid at room temperature. NAs chemical structures and mechanisms of actions are similar to OP pesticides, but their toxicities are higher than these compounds. The main mechanism of action is irreversible inhibition of Acetyl Choline Esterase (AChE) resulting in accumulation of toxic levels of acetylcholine (ACh) at the synaptic junctions and thus induces muscarinic and nicotinic receptors stimulation. However, other mechanisms have recently been described. Central nervous system (CNS) depression particularly on respiratory and vasomotor centers may induce respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. Intermediate syndrome after NAs exposure is less common than OP pesticides poisoning. There are four approaches to detect exposure to NAs in biological samples: (I) AChE activity measurement, (II) Determination of hydrolysis products in plasma and urine, (III) Fluoride reactivation of phosphylated binding sites and (IV) Mass spectrometric determination of cholinesterase adducts. The clinical manifestations are similar to OP pesticides poisoning, but with more severity and fatalities. The management should be started as soon as possible. The victims should immediately be removed from the field and treatment is commenced with auto-injector antidotes (atropine and oximes) such as MARK I kit. A 0.5% hypochlorite solution as well as novel products like M291 Resin kit, G117H and Phosphotriesterase isolated from soil bacterias, are now available for decontamination of NAs. Atropine and oximes are the well known antidotes that should be infused as clinically indicated. However, some new adjuvant and additional treatment such as magnesium sulfate, sodium bicarbonate, gacyclidine, benactyzine, tezampanel, hemoperfusion, antioxidants and bioscavengers have recently been used for OP NAs poisoning.
Anti-oxidative stress regulator NF-E2-related factor 2 mediates the adaptive induction of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes by lipid peroxidation metabolite 4-hydroxynonenal
Authors: Huang Ying , Li Wenge , Kong Ah-Ng Tony
Published: November 2012

Background

NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) regulates a battery of antioxidative and phase II drug metabolizing/detoxifying genes through binding to the antioxidant response elements (ARE). NRF2-ARE signaling plays a central role in protecting cells from a wide spectrum of reactive toxic species including reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (RONS). 4-hydroxylnonenal (4-HNE) is a major end product from lipid peroxidation of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) induced by oxidative stress, and it is highly reactive to nucleophilic sites in DNA and proteins, causing cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. In this study, we examined the role of NRF2 in regulating the 4-HNE induced gene expression of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes.

Results

When HeLa cells were treated with 4-HNE, NRF2 rapidly transloated into the nucleus, as determined by the distribution of NRF2 tagged with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and increased NRF2 protein in the nuclear fraction. Transcriptional activity of ARE-luciferase was significantly induced by 0.01-10 μM of 4-HNE in a dose-dependent manner, and the induction could be blocked by pretreatment with glutathione (GSH). 4-HNE induced transcriptional expression of glutathione S-transferase (GST) A4, aldoketone reductase (AKR) 1C1 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and the induction was attenuated by knocking down NRF2 using small interfering RNA.

Conclusions

NRF2 is critical in mediating 4-HNE induced expression of antioxidant and detoxifying genes. This may account for one of the major cellular defense mechanisms against reactive metabolites of lipids peroxidation induced by oxidative stress and protect cells from cytotoxicity.