bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Prewarming and/or Delayed Light Activation on Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Bond Strength to Tooth Structures
Authors: Khoroushi M , Karvandi TM , Sadeghi R
Published: September 2011

Clinical Relevance

Bond strength might improve by delaying the light activation procedure when a cavity conditioner is used for bonding RMGI to enamel. Conversely, delaying the light activation and/or prewarming of RMGI compromises bond strength to dentin and should be avoided.
Association of Diabetes Mellitus and Smoking with Ischaemic Stroke
Authors: Kirtania K , Sultana N , Hossain MZ , Ahmed S , Khatun A
Published: September 2011

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for ischemic stroke.Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for atherosclerotic disease. There is a strong relationship between diabetes mellitus and cigarette smoking with ischemic stroke. A case control study was designed to see the association of diabetes mellitus and cigarette smoking with ischaemic stroke. The study was done from January 2009 to December 2009. Sixty subjects were selected as study population which were taken from Dhaka medical college hospital, Dhaka. Among them 30 were diagnosed case of ischemic stroke and 30 were age and sex matched control. The study showed that 33.33% patients of case group and 10 % respondents of control group had diabetes mellitus. It also revealed that 56.66% of case group and 53.33% of control group were smoker and the mean duration of smoking was 27.41 ± 2.98 years in case group and 15.63 ± 2.85 years in control group. The study suggests that diabetes mellitus is significantly associated with ischemic stroke and longer duration of smoking is also associated with ischaemic stroke. Key words: Ischemic stroke; cigarette smoking; diabetes mellitus. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdmc.v20i1.8565 J Dhaka Med Coll. 2011; 20(1) : 12-14
Computed Tomography Guided Transthoracic Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnosis of Sonographically Non-Approachable Intrathoracic Masses  A Study of 100 Cases
Authors: Sarjer RN , Rabbi AF , Hossain A , Quddus MA , Chowdhury N , Sarker T , Kumu FK , Azad KAK
Published: September 2011

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of computed tomography (CT) guided transthoracic fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of intrathoracic masses not approachable by ultrasound. Materials and Methods: CT guided FNAC of intrathoracic masses was done in 100 patients and they were followed up to the final diagnosis. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the procedures were calculated. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of CT guided transthoracic FNAC were 93.85%, 100%, 96%, 100% & 89.74% respectively for the diagnosis of sonographically nonapproachable malignant intrathoracic masses and 94.29%, 98.46%, 97%%, 97.06% & 96.97% respectively for benign intrathoracic masses. Conclusion: CT guided transthoracic FNAC is a highly sensitive and specific procedure in the diagnosis of intrathoracic masses that are not approachable by ultrasound. Keywords: Computed tomography; Fine needle aspiration cytology; Intrathoracic masses. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdmc.v20i1.8568 J Dhaka Med Coll. 2011; 20(1) :25-31
Acute Megakaryocytic Leukemia (FAB M7)
Authors: Ara T , Zaman MK , Afrose S , Islam MS , Biswas AR , Khan MA , Rahman MM
Published: September 2011

Acute megakaryocytic leukemia (AML M7) is a rare type of acute leukemia often presented with myelofibrosis.This report describes a 65 years old female who presented with progressive weakness and fatigue. She was diagnosed as a case of de novo AMLM-7 on the basis of peripheral blood finding, bone marrow examination report and immunophenotyping. She refused chemotherapy, received only supportive therapy and died after two months of diagnosis. Key Words: Acute megakaryocytic leukemia; thrombocytosis; immunophenotyping. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jdmc.v20i1.8590 J Dhaka Med Coll. 2011; 20(1) :89-92
The Improved K-Means Algorithm in Intrusion Detection System Research
Authors: Zhang Hong Bo , Jiang Yi
Published: September 2011

To improve the efficiency of Internet intrusion detection, data mining is adopted in intrusion detection. The paper introduces the concept of intrusion detection and k-means algorithm. For the defect of K-means algorithm, it proposes an improved K-means algorithm. Experiments show that the improved k-means algorithm can get a better detection rate.
Design of Embedded Automated Fingerprint Identification System Based on DSP
Authors: Sun Hong
Published: September 2011

The automated fingerprint identification algorithm has high time and space complexity in the embedded system. How to reduce the complexity is one of the hot research topics. The process of fingerprint identification and choice of algorithm platform are analyzed in the paper. Design of embedded fingerprint identification hardware system based on DSP, including the selection of microprocessor and fingerprint sensor and the communication between them, is introduced in detail. In additional, main software composition and flow are explained. At last, serial peripheral interface communication is simulated.
Bone Regeneration around Dental Implants as a Treatment for Peri-Implantitis: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Subramani Karthikeyan , Mathew Reji , Hosseinkhani Hossein , Hosseinkhani Mohsen
Published: September 2011

This manuscript discusses peri-implantitis around dental implants and the current methodologies of surgical and non-surgical approaches towards treating peri-implantitis. Mechanical, chemical cleansing and reactivation of infected implant surface along with recent advances like the use of Laser and Photodynamic therapy (PDT) have also been reviewed in this literature. Bone regenerative treatment methods for the treatment of peri-implantitis using non-resorbable membranes (Guided Bone Regeneration), autogenous bone grafts and bone substitute materials with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and other growth factors have also been reviewed in this manuscript.
A Field Guide to Radical Post‐Modernism
Authors:   FAT
Published: September 2011

Sean Griffiths, Charles Holland and Sam Jacob of FAT curate and classify the work of a diverse and international grouping of Radical Post‐Modern architects. They range from the recently defunct Foreign Office Architects (FOA), known for their proclivity for pattern and ornament, to Tokyo‐based Atelier Bow‐Wow who are rigorous in their pursuit of the ordinary. They run the gamut of the highly figurative, as exemplified by Melbourne‐based practice ARM, to the expressive austerity of Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Having a son or daughter with Down syndrome: Perspectives from mothers and fathers
Authors: Skotko Brian G. , Levine Susan P. , Goldstein Richard
Published: September 2011

This study asks parents who have children with Down syndrome (DS) how they feel about their lives so that such information could be shared with expectant couples during prenatal counseling sessions. A valid and reliable survey instrument was mailed to 4,924 households on the mailing lists of six non‐profit DS organizations. Of the 2,044 respondents, 99% reported that they love their son or daughter; 97% were proud of them; 79% felt their outlook on life was more positive because of them; 5% felt embarrassed by them; and 4% regretted having them. The parents report that 95% of their sons or daughters without DS have good relationships with their siblings with DS. The overwhelming majority of parents surveyed report that they are happy with their decision to have their child with DS and indicate that their sons and daughters are great sources of love and pride. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonlinear transport through quantum dots studied by the time‐dependent DMRG
Authors: Kirino S. , Ueda K.
Published: September 2011

Recent developments on studies of transport through quantum dots obtained by applying the time‐dependent density matrix renormalization group method are summarized. Some new aspects of Kondo physics which appear in nonequilibrium steady states are discussed both for the single dot case and for the serially coupled double‐quantum‐dot case.
Electron‐lattice correlations and phase transitions in CMR manganites
Authors: Moshnyaga V. , Samwer K.
Published: September 2011

Interrelations between global and local structure and magnetism and transport in three‐dimensional perovskite manganites is reviewed and compared with recent studies on thin films and superlattices. The concept of correlated Jahn‐Teller (JT) polarons is discussed within the phase separation scenario; their role in the local and global structural modifications of manganites is demonstrated. Polaron correlations, affected by external control parameters (temperature, electric and magnetic fields, doping, light, strain) may be very efficient to modify the ground state of manganites. Examples of electronic control of the structure by means of interface modifications, electric field and mechanical strain are highlighted.
RNA interference of cofilin in Chinese hamster ovary cells improves recombinant protein productivity
Authors: Hammond Stephanie , Lee Kelvin H.
Published: September 2011

RNA interference (RNAi) has been recently applied to improve the yield and quality of recombinant proteins produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, the most commonly used mammalian cell line for production of complex biopharmaceuticals. Proteomic profiling of CHO cells undergoing gene amplification identified cofilin, a key regulatory protein of actin cytoskeletal dynamics, as a cellular target for genetic engineering studies. Transient reduction of cofilin by small interfering RNA (siRNA) enhanced specific productivity in recombinant CHO cells by up to 80%. CHO cell lines expressing cofilin‐specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vectors showed up to a 65% increase in specific productivity. These results suggest that modulation of cofilin, and its regulatory pathways, may be a new approach to enhance recombinant protein productivity in CHO cells. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:528–535. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zinc‐Catalyzed Chemoselective Reduction of Tertiary and Secondary Amides to Amines
Authors: Das Shoubhik , Addis Daniele , Junge Kathrin , Beller Matthias
Published: September 2011

General and convenient procedures for the catalytic hydrosilylation of secondary and tertiary amides under mild conditions have been developed. In the presence of inexpensive zinc catalysts, tertiary amides are easily reduced by applying monosilanes. Key to success for the reduction of the secondary amides is the use of zinc triflate and disilanes with dual SiH moieties. The presented hydrosilylations proceed with excellent chemoselectivity in the presence of sensitive ester, nitro, azo, nitrile, olefins, and other functional groups, thus making the method attractive for organic synthesis.
Diffusion tensor imaging of the optic radiations after optic neuritis
Authors: Kolbe Scott , Bajraszewski Clare , Chapman Caron , Nguyen Tan , Mitchell Peter , Paine Mark , Butzkueven Helmut , Johnston Leigh , Kilpatrick Trevor , Egan Gary
Published: September 2011

Trans‐synaptic degeneration could exacerbate neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to assess whether anterograde trans‐synaptic degeneration could be identified in the primary visual pathway in vivo. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to assess the optic radiations in 15 patients with previous optic nerve inflammation and 9 healthy volunteers. A probabilistic atlas of the optic radiations was created from healthy diffusion tractography data. Lengthwise profiles for DTI parameters (axial [λ||], radial [λ⟂] and mean diffusivity [MD], fractional anisotropy [FA] and the angle of deviation of the principal eigenvector [α]) were analyzed for patients and controls. Patients also underwent multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) assessments to characterize the latency and amplitude of cortical potentials. Correlations were performed between mfVEP latency and amplitude in the left and right visual hemi‐fields and DTI parameters in the contra‐lateral optic radiations. Patients displayed a significant decrease in λ|| within the body of both optic radiations, which significantly correlated with loss of mfVEP amplitude. Abnormal λ⟂ and FA were detected bilaterally throughout the optic radiations in patients but the abnormality was not associated with amplitude reduction or latency prolongation of the mfVEP. An abnormal α value was observed in the left optic radiations of patients, and the α value in the body of the optic radiations also correlated with mfVEP amplitude loss. The assocation between bilateral DTI abnormalities within the optic radiations and loss of afferent electrical activity could indicate anterograde trans‐synaptic degeneration occurs following optic neuritis. Hum Brain Mapp 33:2047–2061, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Palytoxin causes nonoxidative necrotic damage to PC12 cells in culture
Authors: Sagara Takefumi , Nishibori Naoyoshi , Itoh Mari , Morita Kyoji , Her Song
Published: September 2011

Palytoxin (PTX) is a potent marine toxin that causies serious damage to various tissues and organs. It has been reported to affect the transport of cations across the plasma membranes, which is commonly recognized as being the principal mechanism of its highly toxic action on mammals, including humans. However, although some marine toxins have been shown to cause toxic effects on the nervous system by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses, the effect of PTX on neuronal cells has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, the toxic action of PTX on PC12 cells was examined as an in vitro model experiment to elucidate the neurotoxic properties of this toxin, and PTX was shown to reduce the viability of PC12 cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. The cytotoxic action of PTX was not significantly altered by the presence of the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine and reduced‐form glutathione in the cultures. Fluorescence staining of the cells and the electrophoretic analysis of genomic DNA showed that PTX failed to cause chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation within the cells. On the other hand, the exposure to PTX caused positive staining of the cytoplasmic space of the cells with propidium iodide and the release of lactate dehydrogenase into the culture medium. Based on these observations, PTX is considered to cause cell death as a consequence of disrupting the plasma membranes, thus causing nonoxidative necrotic damage to PC12 cells. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion‐Accelerated Solvent Extraction for Determination of OCP Residues in Fish Muscles
Authors: Shen Zhong‐Lan , Yuan Dong , Zhang Hui , Hu Mei , Zhu Jian‐Hua , Zhang Xi‐Qi , Suc Qing‐De
Published: September 2011

A rapid, sensitive and accurate matrix solid phase dispersion‐accelerated solvent extraction (MSPD‐ASE) method for selective determination of sixteen organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in fish samples has been developed and validated. 2 g fresh fish muscle was dispersed with 10 g anhydrous sodium sulfate and 2 g acid alumina thoroughly, and loaded into the stainless‐steel extraction cell containing 6 g of acid alumina and 10 g anhydrous sodium sulfate. The temperature 60 °C and two extraction cycles of 5 min gave adequate extraction efficiency using DCM‐hexane (3:7, v/v) mixture as solvent. Not only the lipids, but also other co‐extracts, which peaks mostly located in the forepart of chromatograms and maybe interfere the identification or quantitation of analytes, were eliminated exhaustively, while analytes were extracted selectively. Sixteen OCPs were identified by retention time of standards and quantified using mirex as internal standards. These detected OCPs were confirmed by GC‐MS in real samples. The performance of proposed method was evaluated and validated: the detection limits were 0.008‐0.05 ng g‐1, relative standard deviations were 1.9‐5.0%, and recoveries were 91.0‐104.1% spiked at 10 ng g‐1 level. The accuracy and precision of proposed method were equal to or better than that of traditional Soxhlet extraction method.
Synthesis of Biginelli Compounds Using Cobalt Hydrogen Sulfate
Authors: Memarian Hamid Reza , Ranjbar Mahnaz
Published: September 2011

Efficient synthesis of various 2‐oxo(thioxo)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyrimidines containing acetyl, carboethoxy, carbomethoxy and carboxamide groups on 5‐position of the N1‐substituted and N1‐unsubstituted heterocyclic ring was achieved using cobalt hydrogen sulfate Co(HSO4)2 under thermal conditions. Good to high yield, shorter reaction times, easy work up and simple preparation of Co(HSO4)2 are the advantages using this synthetic method.
Lamivudine resistance mutations in European patients with hepatitis B and patients co‐infected with HIV and hepatitis B
Authors: Taramasso Lucia , Caligiuri Patrizia , Di Biagio Antonio , Bruzzone Bianca , Rosso Raffaella , Icardi Giancarlo , Viscoli Claudio
Published: September 2011

Evaluation of resistance pattern in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Retrospective study of hepatitis B virus (HBV) resistance mutations in patients found viraemic after first‐line treatment. HBV viral load was determined by a real‐time polymerase chain reaction and the substitutions in HBV‐DNA were studied by polymerase sequencing test. First line treatment had failed in 12 out of 33 patients (36%) receiving anti‐HBV drugs. The 12 patients with persistent viraemia were all lamivudine (LAM) experienced and 7 had a polymerase sequencing test available. LAM substitution mutations L180M + M204V/I were found in six out of seven cases, with an accompanying V173L mutation in three cases. These mutations were also related with changes in HBsAg. The use of potent drugs in the first line anti‐HBV therapy may reduce the resistance mutations in the future. J. Med. Virol. 83:1905–1908, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High prevalence of intermediate‐risk human papillomavirus infection in uterine cervices of kenyan women infected with human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Rahman Mosfequr , Sasagawa Toshiyuki , Yamada Rika , Kingoro Alan , Ichimura Hiroshi , Makinoda Satoru
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate an association between certain human papillomavirus (HPV) types and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Sexually active females (n = 487; 19–61 years old) were enrolled in the study. Subjects underwent Pap testing and evaluations of HIV and HPV infection status on uterine cervical cell samples. HPV genotyping was performed using a Kurabo GeneSQUARE DNA microarray test. Overall, 23 HPV genotypes were detected, and the most prevalent HPV genotype was HPV‐52, followed by HPV‐39, ‐54, ‐45, ‐56, ‐53, ‐31, ‐42, ‐16, ‐68, and ‐51. HPV‐30, ‐53, ‐54, ‐61, and ‐66, which are associated with abnormal cytology, are categorized as intermediate‐risk in this study. Detection of both high‐ and intermediate‐risk HPV types was significantly associated with cervical abnormality and HIV infection. Multivariate analysis revealed that some high‐risk HPV types (HPV‐31, ‐45, ‐51, ‐56, and ‐59) and most intermediate‐risk HPV types were associated with HIV infection, while the high‐risk types (HPV‐16, ‐18, ‐33, ‐35, ‐39, ‐52, ‐58, and ‐68) were not. The oncogenic effect of the most malignant HPV types (e.g., HPV‐16 and ‐18) appear to be lower, while that of intermediate‐risk types are greater, in areas with a high prevalence of HIV infection. J. Med. Virol. 83:1988–1996, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The dynamics of a novel method coupling high‐performance liquid chromatography with resonance Rayleigh scattering
Authors: Zhang Lei , Peng Jingdong , Liu Shaopu , Cao Huihui
Published: September 2011

The dynamics of a novel method coupling high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) is presented in the paper. The method was employed in the detection of fluoroquinolones (FQs) of urine samples from healthy human beings, by forming ion‐association complexes between the components separated from HPLC and [Ce(OH)3]+ as the molecular recognition probe. The RRS signal was measured at λex=λem=365 nm. It was applied to detect three FQs and obtained satisfactory results. The RRS spectral characteristics of the analytes and the kinetics of flow rate, proportion of organic phase, reaction time and the aggregation level of ion‐association complexes were investigated, which provided a new basis for the development of the hyphenated techniques. It was established that the presence of HPLC‐RRS would open up a new field in the determination of analytes in the absence of UV or fluorescence.
Short path evaporation for the production of premium quality oils
Authors: Skaliotis Leon
Published: September 2011

The Centritherm® RM Series evaporator (CTRM) has been designed specifically for short path (molecular distillation) applications in the Oils & Fats Industry. It can be used for a range of applications such as pesticide removal from citrus oils to omega‐3 production from fish oils. The following article describes the CTRM, its benefits and applications in more detail.
The photonic perspective of organic light‐emitting transistors
Authors: Muccini M. , Koopman W. , Toffanin S.
Published: September 2011

This article will give an overview of the current state‐of‐the‐art of OLETs from the point of view of their photonic characteristics. In particular, the different device structures realized, the materials used and the strategies implemented to integrate optical resonators and waveguiding structures into light‐emitting field‐effect transistors will be reviewed and the main findings discussed. (Picture: Courtesy of E. T. C. srl)
Beam engineering of quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Yu N. , Wang Q. , Capasso F.
Published: September 2011

This paper reviews beam engineering of mid‐infrared and terahertz quantum cascade lasers (QCLs), based on two approaches: designer plasmonic structures and deformed microcavities. The plasmonic structures couple laser emission into surface waves and control the laser wavefront in the near‐field, thereby greatly increasing beam collimation or introducing new functionalities to QCLs. The plasmonic designs overall preserve laser performance in terms of operating temperature and power output. The deformed microcavity QCLs operate primarily on whispering‐gallery modes, which have much higher quality factors than other modes, leading to lower threshold current densities. Cavity deformations are carefully controlled to greatly enhance directionality and output power.
Impairment of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system and oxidative stress in liver of crucian carp (Carassius auratus L.) exposed to microcystins
Authors: Zhao Yanyan , Xie Ping , Fan Huihui , Zhao Sujuan
Published: September 2011

Hepatotoxic microcystins (MCs) are produced by cyanobacteria in diverse water bodies and the pathophysiology includes induction of reactive oxygen species and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion in cells. In this study, we evaluated MCs induced changes in the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system in mitochondria of crucian carp liver. Fish were subdivided into two groups that were intraperitoneally injected with two doses of MCs (50 and 200 MC‐LReq μg/kg bw) and were sacrificed at 1, 3, 12, 24, and 48 h postinjection. The activities of five enzyme complexes of electron transport chain and mRNA expression of mitochondrial‐encoded genes (cox1, cox2, cox3, and atp6) were significantly reduced in a time‐dependent pattern after injection. There were also changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure, decreases in ATPase activities and reduction in antioxidant level after MCs exposure. Disorder in the OXPHOS system and decreased activities of antioxidative enzymes might contribute to bioenergy deficiency and consequent hepatocyte damage induced by MCs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 30–39, 2014.
Catalytic Activity of [2]Borametallocenophanes
Authors: Braunschweig Holger , Dörfler Rainer , Friedrich Maria , Kraft Mario , Oechsner Andreas
Published: September 2011

Several „2”︁borametallocenophanes of group IV were used as catalysts for ethylene polymerization reactions. The obtained polymers were characterized by GPC and DSC analyses. Furthermore, we investigated on the copolymerization of ethylene and 1‐hexene catalyzed by „2”︁borazircocenophanes.
Chronic ( − )-epicatechin improves vascular oxidative and inflammatory status but not hypertension in chronic nitric oxide-deficient rats
Authors: Gómez-Guzmán Manuel , Jiménez Rosario , Sánchez Manuel , Romero Miguel , O'Valle Francisco , Lopez-Sepulveda Rocío , Quintela Ana María , Galindo Pilar , Zarzuelo María José , Bailón Elvira , Delpón Eva , Perez-Vizcaino Francisco , Duarte Juan
Published: September 2011

The present study analysed the effects of the flavanol ( − )-epicatechin in rats after chronic inhibition of NO synthesis with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), at doses equivalent to those achieved in the studies involving human subjects. Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1) control-vehicle, (2) l-NAME, (3) l-NAME-epicatechin 2 (l-NAME-Epi 2) and (4) l-NAME-epicatechin 10 (l-NAME-Epi 10). Rats were daily given by oral administration for 4 weeks: vehicle, ( − )-epicatechin 2 or 10 mg/kg. Animals in the l-NAME groups daily received l-NAME 75 mg/100 ml in drinking-water. The evolution in systolic blood pressure and heart rate, and morphological and plasma variables, proteinuria, vascular superoxide, reactivity and protein expression at the end of the experiment were analysed. Chronic ( − )-epicatechin treatment did not modify the development of hypertension and only weakly affected the endothelial dysfunction induced by l-NAME but prevented the cardiac hypertrophy, the renal parenchyma and vascular lesions and proteinuria, and blunted the prostanoid-mediated enhanced endothelium-dependent vasoconstrictor responses and the cyclo-oxygenase-2 and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) up-regulation. Furthermore, ( − )-epicatechin also increased Akt and eNOS phosphorylation and prevented the l-NAME-induced increase in systemic (plasma malonyldialdehyde and urinary 8-iso-PGF2α) and vascular (dihydroethidium staining, NADPH oxidase activity and p22phox up-regulation) oxidative stress, proinflammatory status (intercellular adhesion molecule-1, IL-1β and TNFα up-regulation) and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. The present study shows for the first time that chronic oral administration of ( − )-epicatechin does not improve hypertension but reduced pro-atherogenic pathways such as oxidative stress and proinflammatory status of the vascular wall induced by blockade of NO production.
Human Capital and Technological Transition: Insights from the U.S. Navy
Authors: J. Glaser Darrell , S. Rahman Ahmed
Published: September 2011

We explore the effects of human capital on workers during the latter nineteenth century by examining the U.S. Navy. Naval officers belonged either to a regular or an engineer corps and had tasks assigned for their specialized training. We compile education and career data for officers from Naval Academy and navy registers for the years 1858 to 1907. Wage premia for “engineer-skilled” officers deteriorated over their careers; more traditionally skilled officers enjoyed higher gains in earnings and more frequent promotions. This compelled those with engineering skills to leave the service early, hindering the navy's capacity to further technologically develop.
Money, States, and Empire: Financial Integration and Institutional Change in Central Europe, 1400–1520
Authors: Chilosi David , Volckart Oliver
Published: September 2011

By analyzing a newly compiled database of exchange rates, this article finds that in Central Europe money markets integrated cyclically during the fifteenth century. The cycles were associated with monetary debasements. Long-distance financial integration progressed in connection with the rise of the territorial state, facilitated by the synergy between princes and emperor, which helped to avoid coordination failures. For Central Europe, theories of state formation and market integration should therefore take interstate actors into account.
Dependence of laser accelerated protons on laser energy following the interaction of defocused, intense laser pulses with ultra-thin targets
Authors: Brenner C.M. , Green J.S. , Robinson A.P.L. , Carroll D.C. , Dromey B. , Foster P.S. , Kar S. , Li Y.T. , Markey K. , Spindloe C. , Streeter M.J.V. , Tolley M. , Wahlström C.-G. , Xu M.H. , Zepf M. , McKenna P. , Neely D.
Published: September 2011

The scaling of the flux and maximum energy of laser-driven sheath-accelerated protons has been investigated as a function of laser pulse energy in the range of 15–380 mJ at intensities of 1016–1018 W/cm2. The pulse duration and target thickness were fixed at 40 fs and 25 nm, respectively, while the laser focal spot size and drive energy were varied. Our results indicate that while the maximum proton energy is dependent on the laser energy and laser spot diameter, the proton flux is primarily related to the laser pulse energy under the conditions studied here. Our measurements show that increasing the laser energy by an order of magnitude results in a more than 500-fold increase in the observed proton flux. Whereas, an order of magnitude increase in the laser intensity generated by decreasing the laser focal spot size, at constant laser energy, gives rise to less than a tenfold increase in observed proton flux.
Distance-dependence of the coupling between split-ring resonators and single-quantum-well gain
Authors: Meinzer N. , König M. , Ruther M. , Linden S. , Khitrova G. , Gibbs H. M. , Busch K. , Wegener M.
Published: September 2011

We present low-temperature femtosecond pump-probe experiments on arrays of silver split-ring resonators coupled to single quantum wells, in which we vary the geometrical separation between the two components to study the variation of coupling with distance. Its strength is found to decrease exponentially with increasing separation with a 1/e length on the order of 8 nm. We further link our experimental results to numerical calculations of the near fields which show the same distance-dependence as the coupling strength in the experiment. Together, this confirms the assumption of a near-field-assisted coupling mechanism.
The Photolysis of Dimethylhydrazine
Authors: Kay William L. , Taylor H. Austin
Published: September 2011

The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of dimethylhydrazine has been shown to exhibit a continuum extending from 2800A to beyond 2000A. Despite the absence of structure the continuum is probably experimental and indicates predissociation. The photolysis using various light sources, at several pressures and wave-lengths, has been studied. The over-all quantum yield is 0.3. The principal initial rupture of the molecule involves the scission of a hydrogen atom. Analytically three molecules of the hydrazine give one molecule each of H2, N2, CH4, NH3, CH3NH2, and (CH3N:CH2)2. The low quantum yield is accounted for by addition of hydrogen to the radical produced in the initial split.
Assessing the health risks of natural CO
2
seeps in Italy
Authors: Roberts Jennifer J. , Wood Rachel A. , Haszeldine R. Stuart
Published: September 2011

Industrialized societies which continue to use fossil fuel energy sources are considering adoption of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology to meet carbon emission reduction targets. Deep geological storage of CO
2
onshore faces opposition regarding potential health effects of CO
2
leakage from storage sites. There is no experience of commercial scale CCS with which to verify predicted risks of engineered storage failure. Studying risk from natural CO
2
seeps can guide assessment of potential health risks from leaking onshore CO
2
stores. Italy and Sicily are regions of intense natural CO
2
degassing from surface seeps. These seeps exhibit a variety of expressions, characteristics (e.g., temperature/flux), and location environments. Here we quantify historical fatalities from CO
2
poisoning using a database of 286 natural CO
2
seeps in Italy and Sicily. We find that risk of human death is strongly influenced by seep surface expression, local conditions (e.g., topography and wind speed), CO
2
flux, and human behavior. Risk of accidental human death from these CO
2
seeps is calculated to be 10-8 year-1 to the exposed population. This value is significantly lower than that of many socially accepted risks. Seepage from future storage sites is modeled to be less that Italian natural flux rates. With appropriate hazard management, health risks from unplanned seepage at onshore storage sites can be adequately minimized.
Cortico-subcortical visual, somatosensory, and motor activations for perceiving dynamic whole-body emotional expressions with and without striate cortex (V1)
Authors: Van den Stock Jan , Tamietto Marco , Sorger Bettina , Pichon Swann , Grézes Julie , de Gelder Beatrice
Published: September 2011

Patients with striate cortex damage and clinical blindness retain the ability to process certain visual properties of stimuli that they are not aware of seeing. Here we investigated the neural correlates of residual visual perception for dynamic whole-body emotional actions. Angry and neutral emotional whole-body actions were presented in the intact and blind visual hemifield of a cortically blind patient with unilateral destruction of striate cortex. Comparisons of angry vs. neutral actions performed separately in the blind and intact visual hemifield showed in both cases increased activation in primary somatosensory, motor, and premotor cortices. Activations selective for intact hemifield presentation of angry compared with neutral actions were located subcortically in the right lateral geniculate nucleus and cortically in the superior temporal sulcus, prefrontal cortex, precuneus, and intraparietal sulcus. Activations specific for blind hemifield presentation of angry compared with neutral actions were found in the bilateral superior colliculus, pulvinar nucleus of the thalamus, amygdala, and right fusiform gyrus. Direct comparison of emotional modulation in the blind vs. intact visual hemifield revealed selective activity in the right superior colliculus and bilateral pulvinar for angry expressions, thereby showing a selective involvement of these subcortical structures in nonconscious visual emotion perception.
Testing hypotheses on the rate of molecular evolution in relation to gene expression using microRNAs
Authors: Shen Yang , Lv Yang , Huang Lei , Liu Wensheng , Wen Ming , Tang Tian , Zhang Rui , Hungate Eric , Shi Suhua , Wu Chung-I
Published: September 2011

There exists an inverse relationship between the rate of molecular evolution and the level of gene expression. Among the many explanations, the “toxic-error” hypothesis is a most general one, which posits that processing errors may often be toxic to the cells. However, toxic errors that constrain the evolution of highly expressed genes are often difficult to measure. In this study, we test the toxic-error hypothesis by using microRNA (miRNA) genes because their processing errors can be directly measured by deep sequencing. A miRNA gene consists of a small mature product (≈22 nt long) and a “backbone.” Our analysis shows that (
i
) like the mature miRNA, the backbone is highly conserved; (
ii
) the rate of sequence evolution in the backbone is negatively correlated with expression; and (
iii
) although conserved between distantly related species, the error rate in miRNA processing is also negatively correlated with the expression level. The observations suggest that, as a miRNA gene becomes more highly (or more ubiquitously) expressed, its sequence evolves toward a structure that minimizes processing errors.
microRNA regulation in megakaryocytopoiesis
Authors: Li Huiyuan , Zhao Haifeng , Wang Donghai , Yang Renchi
Published: September 2011

Megakaryocytopoiesis is governed by a complex network of haematopoietic growth factors that regulate the different stages of the process, in which haematopoietic stem cells undergo megakaryocytic lineage commitment, proliferation, maturation, and functional activation to produce platelets. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of about 22‐nucleotide noncoding RNAs that have been highly conserved during evolution and play a significant role in haematopoiesis, including differentiation and lineage commitment of megakaryocyte. This review summarizes the miRNAs which have changed expression during megakaryocytopoiesis, and their positive and negative functions on megakaryocytic differentiation. In addition, the abnormal miRNA expression profiles in megakaryocytic disorders are reviewed.
The tropical history and future of the Mediterranean biota and the West African enigma
Authors: Vermeij Geerat J.
Published: September 2011

Aim  Since the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, many tropical taxa from the Indo‐West Pacific (IWP) realm have entered the Mediterranean Sea, which is experiencing rising temperatures. My aims are: (1) to compare biogeographically this tropical transformation of the Mediterranean biota with the tropical faunas of the Mediterranean and adjacent southern European and West African seas during the Late Oligocene to Pliocene interval; (2) to infer the relative contributions of the tropical eastern Atlantic and IWP to the tropical component of the marine biota in southern Europe; and (3) to understand why West Africa is not now a major source of warm‐water species.

Location  Southern Europe, including the Mediterranean Sea, and the coast of tropical West Africa.

Methods  I surveyed the literature on fossil and living shell‐bearing molluscs to infer the sources and fates of tropical subgenus‐level taxa living in southern Europe and West Africa during the Late Oligocene to Pliocene interval.

Results  Ninety‐four taxa disappeared from the tropical eastern Atlantic (including the Mediterranean) but persisted elsewhere in the tropics, mainly in the IWP (81 taxa, 86%) and to a lesser extent in tropical America (36 taxa, 38%). Nine taxa inferred to have arrived in the tropical eastern Atlantic from the west after the Pliocene did not enter the Mediterranean. The modern West African fauna is today isolated from that of other parts of the marine tropics.

Main conclusions  Taxa now entering the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal are re‐establishing a link with the IWP that last existed 16 million years ago. This IWP element, which evolved under oligotrophic conditions and under a regime of intense anti‐predatory selection, will continue to expand in the increasingly warm and increasingly oligotrophic Mediterranean. The IWP source fauna contrasts with the tropical West African biota, which evolved under productive conditions and in a regime of less anti‐predatory specialization. Until now, the post‐Pliocene West African source area has been isolated from the Mediterranean by cold upwelling. If further warming should reduce this barrier, as occurred during the productive and warm Early Pliocene, the Mediterranean could become a meeting place for two tropical faunas of contrasting source conditions.
High‐resolution impedance manometry findings in patients with nutcracker esophagus
Authors: Hoshino Masato , Sundaram Abhishek , Juhasz Arpad , Yano Fumiaki , Tsuboi Kazuto , Lee Tommy H , Mittal Sumeet K
Published: September 2011

Background and Aim:  The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between high‐resolution manometry (HRM) and impedance findings and symptoms in patients with nutcracker esophagus (NE).

Methods:  After institutional review board approval retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified patients who were diagnosed with NE as per the Chicago classification (distal contractile integral [DCI] > 5000 mmHg‐s‐cm) at Creighton University between October 2008 and October 2010. Patients with achalasia or a history of previous foregut surgery were excluded. NE patients were sub‐divided into: (i) Segmental (mean distal esophageal amplitude [DEA] at 3 and 8 cm above lower esophageal sphincter [LES] < 180 mmHg) (ii) Diffuse (mean DEA at 3 and 8 cm above LES > 180 mmHg) and (iii) Spastic (DCI > 8000 mmHg‐s‐cm).

Results:  Forty‐one patients (segmental: 13, diffuse: 4, spastic: 24) satisfied study criteria. Patients with segmental NE would have been missed by conventional manometry criteria as their DEA < 180 mmHg. A higher percentage of patients with spastic NE (63%) had chest pain when compared to patients with segmental NE (23%) and diffuse NE (25%). There was a significant positive correlation between chest pain severity score and DCI while there was no significant correlation between dysphagia severity and DCI.

Conclusions:  In patients diagnosed with NE using the Chicago classification presence and intensity of chest pain increases with increasing DCI. The present criteria (> 5000 mmHg‐s‐cm) seems to be too sensitive and has poor symptom correlation. Adjusting the criteria to 8000 mmHg‐s‐cm is more relevant clinically.
A novel brood‐site pollination mutualism?: the root holoparasite Thonningia sanguinea (Balanophoraceae) and an inflorescence‐feeding fly in the tropical rainforests of West Africa
Authors: GOTO RYUTARO , YAMAKOSHI GEN , MATSUZAWA TETSURO
Published: September 2011

The Balanophoraceae is a unique angiosperm family that fully parasitizes the roots of trees. Although the pollination systems of several genera in this family have been reported, little is known of their diversity. In the present study, we investigated the pollination biology of Thonningia sanguinea (Balanophoraceae) in the tropical rainforests of Guinea, West Africa. Female flies of the families Muscidae and Calliphoridae as well as Technomyrmex ants frequently visited flowers to consume nectar secreted from inflorescences. While feeding, their bodies attached to anthers or pollen grains. The most abundant flower‐visiting fly, Morellia sp. (Muscidae), was observed laying eggs on T. sanguinea, and the larvae fed only on the vegetative tissue of decaying male inflorescences. Our findings provide a new candidate of pollination mutualism involving plants that provide brood sites for their pollinators.
On the suitability of short reads of 16S rRNA for phylogeny‐based analyses in environmental surveys
Authors: Jeraldo Patricio , Chia Nicholas , Goldenfeld Nigel
Published: September 2011

Pyrosequencing platforms have been widely used in 16S rRNA deep sequencing of organisms sampled from environmental surveys. Despite the massive number of reads generated by these platforms, the reads only cover short regions of the gene, and the use of these short reads has recently been called into question for phylogeny‐based and diversity analyses. We explore the limits of the use of short reads by quantifying the loss of information, and its effect on phylogeny. Using available nearly‐full‐length reads from published clone libraries and databases, and simulated short reads created from these reads, we show that for selected regions of the gene, short reads contain a surprisingly high amount of biological information, making them suitable to resolve an approximate phylogeny. In particular, we find that the V6 region is significantly poorer than the V1–V3 region in its representation of phylogenetic relationships. We conclude that the use of short reads, combined with a careful choice of the gene region used, and a thorough alignment procedure, can yield phylogenetic information comparable with that obtained from nearly‐full‐length 16S rRNA reads.
Psychological status of Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes: data review of Diabcare‐China studies
Authors: Pan C. , Yang W. , Jia W. , Weng J. , Liu G. , Luo B. , Li X. , Fu Z. , Tian H.
Published: September 2011

Diabet. Med. 29, 515–521 (2012)

Aim  To describe the status of glycaemic control, self‐reported adherence to treatments, psychological well‐being and quality of life in Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes in 2006.

Methods  Subjects having registered for care for > 12 months at a diabetes clinic were enrolled in this study. Glycaemic control was determined by HbA1c and plasma glucose levels; information about self‐reported adherence to treatments was obtained by questionnaire; psychological well‐being was assessed by use of a modified World Health Organization‐5 Well‐being Index; and quality of life was measured by use of a modified Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN) survey. All data were tabulated and statistical analyses were performed.

Results  A total of 2702 patients were enrolled during 2006. Only 23% of patients achieved an HbA1c level of < 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) as per the 2007 China guideline for Type 2 diabetes and only 16.2% followed all treatment recommendations from healthcare providers. Of the patients, 46.0–68.6% of the patients showed positive psychological well‐being. A quality‐of‐life survey showed that 28.5–50.6% of the patients experienced various diabetes‐related emotional problems. Large percentages (approximately 50%) of patients were experiencing psychological insulin resistance.

Conclusions  Although in China therapies for Type 2 diabetes are more effective and available than ever before, the patient outcomes remain disappointing. Problems with glycaemic control, self‐reported adherence to treatments, psychological well‐being and quality of life, all of which are key to diabetes control, are common among Chinese patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Potent anti‐inflammatory effect of a novel furan‐2,5‐dione derivative, BPD, mediated by dual suppression of COX‐2 activity and LPS‐induced inflammatory gene expression via NF‐κB inactivation
Authors: Shin Ji‐Sun , Park Seung‐Jae , Ryu Suran , Kang Han Byul , Kim Tae Woo , Choi Jung‐Hye , Lee Jae‐Yeol , Cho Young‐Wuk , Lee Kyung‐Tae
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We previously reported that 3‐(benzo[d]‐1,3‐dioxol‐5‐yl)‐4‐phenylfuran‐2,5‐dione (BPD) showed strong inhibitory effects on PGE2 production. However, the exact mechanism for the anti‐inflammatory effect of BPD is not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism involved in the effects of BPD on inflammatory mediators in LPS‐stimulated macrophages and animal models of inflammation.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The expressions of COX‐2, inducible NOS (iNOS), TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β, in LPS‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages, were determined by Western blot and/or qRT‐PCR, respectively. NF‐κB activation was investigated by EMSA, reporter gene assay and Western blotting. Anti‐inflammatory effects of BPD were evaluated in vivo in carrageenan‐induced paw oedema in rats and LPS‐induced septic shock in mice.

KEY RESULTS BPD not only inhibited COX‐2 activity but also reduced the expression of COX‐2. In addition, BPD inhibited the expression of iNOS, TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐1β at the transcriptional level. BPD attenuated LPS‐induced DNA‐binding activity and the transcription activity of NF‐κB; this was associated with a decrease in the phosphorylation level of inhibitory κB‐α (IκB‐α) and reduced nuclear translocation of NF‐κB. Furthermore, BPD suppressed the formation of TGF‐β‐activated kinase‐1 (TAK1)/TAK‐binding protein1 (TAB1), which was accompanied by a parallel reduction of phosphorylation of TAK1 and IκB kinase (IKK). Pretreatment with BPD inhibited carrageenan‐induced paw oedema and LPS‐induced septic death.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Taken together, our data indicate that BPD is involved in the dual inhibition of COX‐2 activity and TAK1‐NF‐κB pathway, providing a molecular basis for the anti‐inflammatory properties of BPD.