bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parameters Influencing Sulfur Speciation in Environmental Samples Using Sulfur K-Edge X-Ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure
Authors: Pongpiachan Siwatt , Thumanu Kanjana , Kositanont Charnwit , Schwarzer Klaus , Prietzel Jörg , Hirunyatrakul Phoosak , Kittikoon Itthipon
Published: November 2012

This paper aims to enhance the credibility of applying the sulfur K-edge XANES spectroscopy as an innovative “fingerprint” for characterizing environmental samples. The sensitivities of sulfur K-edge XANES spectra of ten sulfur compound standards detected by two different detectors, namely, Lytle detector (LyD) and Germanium detector (GeD), were studied and compared. Further investigation on “self-absorption” effect revealed that the maximum sensitivities of sulfur K-edge XANES spectra were achieved when diluting sulfur compound standards with boron nitride (BN) at the mixing ratio of 0.1%. The “particle-size” effect on sulfur K-edge XANES spectrum sensitivities was examined by comparing signal-to-noise ratios of total suspended particles (TSP) and particulate matter of less than 10 millionths of a meter(PM10)collected at three major cities of Thailand. The analytical results have demonstrated that the signal-to-noise ratios of sulfur K-edge XANES spectra were positively correlated with sulfate content in aerosols and negatively connected with particle sizes. The combination of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) has proved that sulfur K-edge XANES spectrum can be used to characterize German terrestrial soils and Andaman coastal sediments. In addition, this study highlighted the capability of sulfur K-edge XANES spectra as an innovative “fingerprint” to distinguish tsunami backwash deposits (TBD) from typical marine sediments (TMS).
Prenatal Diagnosis of a Fetus with Congenital Heart Defect and Ring Chromosome 14
Authors: Sánchez Javier , García-Díaz Lutgardo , Chinchón David , Antiñolo Guillermo
Published: November 2012

Monosomy of chromosome 14 has been reported in only a few prenatal cases. Generally, this monosomy is associated with a mosaicism of ring chromosome 14. Ring chromosome 14 is a rare cytogenetic entity with clinical characteristics that include growth retardation, facial dysmorphia, hypotonia, seizures, and retinitis pigmentosa. Given that the majority of symptoms appear postnatally, few cases have been reported of prenatal diagnosis of mosaicism monosomy/ring chromosome 14. We describe the prenatal diagnosis of a case of chromosomal mosaicism, a cell line with ring chromosome 14, r(14), and a second cell line with monosomy 14, in a fetus with aortic coarctation and chamber asymmetry. This is the first case of a prenatal diagnosis associating mosaicism with ring chromosome 14, monosomy 14, and fetal cardiopathy. We identified the exact breakpoint in ring chromosome 14 in IGH locus, which may provide further insight into the mode of ring formation as well as prenatal findings.
The Influence of Phosphate Buffer on the Formation of N‐Nitrosodimethylamine from Dimethylamine Nitrosation
Authors: Xu Long , Sun Zhi , Liu Qing Ming , Liu Yong Dong , Zhong Ru Gang , Wu Fengchang
Published: November 2012

Buffer solutions were widely used for almost all the investigations concerning N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a member of powerful mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds which are ubiquitous in the environment. However, whether or how the buffer matrixes influence NDMA formation is still unknown. The effect of buffer solutions on NDMA formation from the nitrosation of dimethylamine (DMA) by nitrite (NaNO2) was investigated at pH 6.4 in four kinds of buffer solutions, that is, Na2HPO4/C6H8O7, Na3(C6H5O7)/C6H8O7, NaH2PO4/NaOH, and NaH2PO4/Na2HPO4. Our observations demonstrate an unexpected inhibitory effect of the buffer solutions on NDMA formation and the phosphate buffer plays a more significant role in inhibiting NDMA formation compared to the citrate buffer. Moreover, the amount of the phosphate in the buffer was also found to greatly impact the formation of NDMA. A further investigation indicates that it is the interaction between NaH2PO4 and reactant NaNO2 rather than DMA that leads to the inhibitory effect of phosphate buffer during the DMA nitrosation reaction. This study expands the understanding of the influence of buffer solution on nitrosamines formation through the nitrosation pathway and further gives a hint for water plants to reduce the formation of nitrosamines.
Preventing Cervical Cancer Globally
Authors: Schmeler Kathleen M.
Published: November 2012

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer and cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. More than 85% of cases and deaths occur in the developing world where the availability of effective screening is limited. In this issue of the journal, Pierce and colleagues (beginning on page 1273) describe a novel technique using a high-resolution microendoscope (HRME) to diagnose cervical dysplasia. This perspective reviews the limitations of existing cervical cancer screening methods currently in use in low-resource settings and the potential for HRME imaging to contribute to cervical cancer prevention in the developing world. Cancer Prev Res; 5(11); 1257–9. ©2012 AACR.
Gowers’ Queen Square Case Notes on Chorea: A 21st Century Re-Appraisal
Authors: Vale Thiago Cardoso , Glass Philip George , Lees Andrew , Cardoso Francisco
Published: November 2012

Objective: To analyze the case notes of 127 patients with chorea admitted to the National Hospital at Queen Square, London, under the care of William Richard Gowers and review his contribution to the study of choreas. Methods: We consulted the case books available at the Queen Square Library, from 1878 to 1911, comprising 42 volumes. Results: 97 patients (76.3%) were female and the age of presentation ranged from 4 to 60 years (mean 14.3). 43 patients (33.8%) experienced recurrent attacks of chorea. 29 patients (22.8%) had a family history of chorea. Past history of rheumatic fever was observed in 46 patients (36.2%). 54 patients (42.5%) had speech impairment while a similar number had a cardiac murmur. Generalized chorea occurred in 87.4% and hemichorea in 11.8%. Gowers diagnosed different forms of chorea: Huntington’s disease, paralytic, persistent, recurrent, tetanoid, functional, maniacal, hemichorea and chorea gravidarum. Conclusions: Gowers was one of the pioneers in recognizing chorea as a physical sign found in a myriad of etiologies. He also provided a comprehensive description of the clinical features and natural history of Sydenham’s chorea in his work.
Size of Bladder Cancers: Correlation among Different Types of Measurement
Authors: Racioppi M. , Cappa E. , D'Agostino D. , Filianoti A. , Pugliese D. , Cadeddu C. , De Wore C. , Sacco E. , Pinto F. , D'Addessi A. , Ghera P. , Bassi P.F.
Published: November 2012

Objective: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the accuracy of the measurement of tumor size comparing the objective size with that measured by preoperative cystoscopy, by preoperative ultrasound (US) and with the diameter described by the operator before the transurethral resection. Patients and Methods: This study included 100 patients with bladder papillary endoscopic features of single or multiple neoplasms who were candidates for transurethral resection. The sizes of the same neoplasms measured during preoperative cystoscopy, preoperative US and described by the operator before the transurethral resection were evaluated. A statistical analysis of the errors of measurement was performed if compared with an objective measurement done with an ureteral catheter. Results: The statistical analysis of the data shows that there are no substantial differences between the objective and subjective measurement, and therefore, the measurements reported by individual operators are reliable. On the contrary, the diameters given by preoperative cystoscopy and US differ significantly from the objective measurement. Conclusions: This study shows that the most reliable measurement is the subjective measurement made directly by the urologist in the operating room.
Circulation
Editors' Picks
Authors:   The Editors
Published: November 2012

The following articles are being highlighted as part of
Circulation's
Topic Review series. This series will summarize the most important manuscripts, as selected by the editors, published in
Circulation
and the
Circulation
subspecialty journals. The studies included in this article represent the most read manuscripts published on the topic of obesity and cardiovascular disease within the last two years.
Certification of Professional Ergonomists
Authors: Smith Thomas J.
Published: November 2012

The expansion of interest in ergonomics worldwide, as evidenced by growth in the number of federated societies affiliated with the International Ergonomics Association (IEA), has been accompanied by growing awareness of the need for quality assurance regarding the training and credentials of professional ergonomists. Responsibility for such quality assurance often is assumed by professional ergonomist certifying bodies. This article addresses (a) the current status of professional ergonomist certification programs from an international perspective, as promulgated in a number of countries, and (b) the experience of selected certification programs with the IEA certifying body accreditation process.
Sociology in the USA and beyond
Authors: Turner Bryan S.
Published: November 2012

In this article I trace the fortunes of sociology in the United States, Britain and Australia over the course of some 60 years. I compare the impact of professionalization, migration and institutional location on the character and contents of sociology in these countries. While recognizing the many achievements of professional sociology, I argue that the modern auditing frameworks by which the careers of academic sociologists are measured have had the effect of standardizing teaching and research in sociology to the point of marginalizing the discipline in many institutions. Such marginalization has occasionally encouraged creativity, but it has nonetheless left many sociology offerings in a fragile position. As part of my historical overview I challenge the stereotypical contrast between American empiricism and European theoretical flair.
De-intellectualizing American sociology
Authors: Turner Stephen P.
Published: November 2012

Sociology once debated ‘the social’ and did so with a public readership. Even as late as the Second World War, sociologists commanded a wide public on questions about the nature of society, altruism and the direction of social evolution. As a result of several waves of professionalization, however, these issues have vanished from academic sociology and from the public writings of sociologists. From the 1960s onwards sociologists instead wrote for the public by supporting social movements. Discussion within sociology became constrained both by ‘professional’ expectations and political taboos. Yet the original motivating concerns of sociology and its public, such as the compatibility of socialism and Darwinism, the nature of society, and the process of social evolution, did not cease to be of public interest. With sociologists showing little interest in satisfying the demand, it was met by non-sociologists, with the result that sociology lost both its intellectual public, as distinct from affinity groups, and its claim on these topics.
Maximum voluntary ventilation is more strongly associated with energy expenditure during simple activities of daily living than measures of airflow obstruction or respiratory muscle strength in patients with COPD
Authors: Cavalheri Vinicius , Hill Kylie , Donaria Leila , Camillo Carlos Augusto , Pitta Fabio
Published: November 2012

This is a retrospective analysis of data in which we explored the association between energy expenditure (EE) and lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total of 36 participants ( 20 males; forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of 48 ± 15% predicted) underwent measures of indirect calorimetry whilst performing five simple activities of daily living. Maximal voluntary ventilation was the only lung function parameter associated with EE. These data highlight the limited extent to which the FEV1 is related to the functional performance of patients with COPD.
MCMC-ODPR: Primer design optimization using Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling
Authors: Kitchen James L , Moore Jonathan D , Palmer Sarah A , Allaby Robin G
Published: November 2012

Background

Next generation sequencing technologies often require numerous primer designs that require good target coverage that can be financially costly. We aimed to develop a system that would implement primer reuse to design degenerate primers that could be designed around SNPs, thus find the fewest necessary primers and the lowest cost whilst maintaining an acceptable coverage and provide a cost effective solution. We have implemented Metropolis-Hastings Markov Chain Monte Carlo for optimizing primer reuse. We call it the Markov Chain Monte Carlo Optimized Degenerate Primer Reuse (MCMC-ODPR) algorithm.

Results

After repeating the program 1020 times to assess the variance, an average of 17.14% fewer primers were found to be necessary using MCMC-ODPR for an equivalent coverage without implementing primer reuse. The algorithm was able to reuse primers up to five times. We compared MCMC-ODPR with single sequence primer design programs Primer3 and Primer-BLAST and achieved a lower primer cost per amplicon base covered of 0.21 and 0.19 and 0.18 primer nucleotides on three separate gene sequences, respectively. With multiple sequences, MCMC-ODPR achieved a lower cost per base covered of 0.19 than programs BatchPrimer3 and PAMPS, which achieved 0.25 and 0.64 primer nucleotides, respectively.

Conclusions

MCMC-ODPR is a useful tool for designing primers at various melting temperatures at good target coverage. By combining degeneracy with optimal primer reuse the user may increase coverage of sequences amplified by the designed primers at significantly lower costs. Our analyses showed that overall MCMC-ODPR outperformed the other primer-design programs in our study in terms of cost per covered base.
The adhesion modulation protein, AmpA localizes to an endocytic compartment andinfluences substrate adhesion, actin polymerization and endocytosis invegetative Dictyostelium cells
Authors: Noratel Elizabeth F , Petty Chere’ L , Kelsey Jessica S , Cost Hoa N , Basappa Nisha , Blumberg Daphne D
Published: November 2012

Background

AmpA is a secreted 24Kd protein that has pleiotropic effects onDictyostelium development. Null mutants delay development atthe mound stage with cells adhering too tightly to the substrate. Prestalkcells initially specify as prespore cells and are delayed in their migrationto the mound apex. Extracellular AmpA can rescue these defects, but AmpA isalso necessary in a cell autonomous manner for a nteriorl ike c ells (ALCs) to migrate to the upper cup. The ALCsare only 10% of the developing cell population making it difficult to studythe cell autonomous effect of AmpA on the migration of these cells. AmpA isalso expressed in growing cells, but, while it contains a hydrophobic leadersequence that is cleaved, it is not secreted from growing cells. This makesgrowing cells an attractive system for studying the cell autonomous functionof AmpA.

Results

In growing cells AmpA plays an environment dependent role in cell migration.Excess AmpA facilitates migration on soft, adhesive surfaces but hindersmigration on less adhesive surfaces. AmpA also effects the level of actinpolymerization. Knockout cells polymerize less actin while over expressingcells polymerize more actin than wild type. Overexpression of AmpA alsocauses an increase in endocytosis that is traced to repeated formation ofmultiple endocytic cups at the same site on the membrane. Immunofluorescenceanalysis shows that AmpA is found in the Golgi and colocalizes with calnexinand the slow endosomal recycling compartment marker, p25, in a perinuclearcompartment. AmpA is found on the cell periphery and is endocyticallyrecycled to the perinuclear compartment.

Conclusion

AmpA is processed through the secretory pathway and traffics to the cellperiphery where it is endocytosed and localizes to what has been defined asa slow endosomal recycling compartment. AmpA plays a role in actinpolymerization and cell substrate adhesion. Additionally AmpA influencescell migration in an environment dependent manner. Wild type cells show verylittle variation in migration rates under the different conditions examinedhere, but either loss or over expression of AmpA cause significant substrateand environment dependent changes in migration.
A model system for assessing and comparing the ability of exon microarray and tag sequencing to detect genes specific for malignant B-cells
Authors: Kloster Maria Bro , Bilgrau Anders Ellern , Rodrigo-Domingo Maria , Bergkvist Kim Steve , Schmitz Alexander , Sønderkær Mads , Bødker Julie Støve , Falgreen Steffen , Nyegaard Mette , Johnsen Hans Erik , Nielsen Kåre Lehmann , Dybkaer Karen , Bøgsted Martin
Published: November 2012

Background

Malignant cells in tumours of B-cell origin account for 0.1% to 98% of the total cell content, depending on disease entity. Recently, gene expression profiles (GEPs) of B-cell lymphomas based on microarray technologies have contributed significantly to improved sub-classification and diagnostics. However, the varying degrees of malignant B-cell frequencies in analysed samples influence the interpretation of the GEPs. Based on emerging next-generation sequencing technologies (NGS) like tag sequencing (tag-seq) for GEP, it is expected that the detection of mRNA transcripts from malignant B-cells can be supplemented. This study provides a quantitative assessment and comparison of the ability of microarrays and tag-seq to detect mRNA transcripts from malignant B-cells. A model system was established by eight serial dilutions of the malignant B-cell lymphoma cell line, OCI-Ly8, into the embryonic kidney cell line, HEK293, prior to parallel analysis by exon microarrays and tag-seq.

Results

We identified 123 and 117 differentially expressed genes between pure OCI-Ly8 and HEK293 cells by exon microarray and tag-seq, respectively. There were thirty genes in common, and of those, most were B-cell specific. Hierarchical clustering from all dilutions based on the differentially expressed genes showed that neither technology could distinguish between samples with less than 1% malignant B-cells from non-B-cells. A novel statistical concept was developed to assess the ability to detect single genes for both technologies, and used to demonstrate an inverse proportional relationship with the sample purity. Of the 30 common genes, the detection capability of a representative set of three B-cell specific genes - CD74, HLA-DRA, and BCL6 - was analysed. It was noticed that at least 5%, 13% and 22% sample purity respectively was required for detection of the three genes by exon microarray whereas at least 2%, 4% and 51% percent sample purity of malignant B-cells were required for tag-seq detection.

Conclusion

A sample purity-dependent loss of the ability to detect genes for both technologies was demonstrated. Taq-seq, in comparison to exon microarray, required slightly less malignant B-cells in the samples analysed in order to detect the two most abundantly expressed of the selected genes. The results show that malignant cell frequency is an important variable, with fundamental impact when interpreting GEPs from both technologies.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation with a half-sine wave pulse elicits direction-specific effects in human motor cortex
Authors: Jung Nikolai H , Delvendahl Igor , Pechmann Astrid , Gleich Bernhard , Gattinger Norbert , Siebner Hartwig R , Mall Volker
Published: November 2012

Background

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) commonly uses so-called monophasic pulses where the initial rapidly changing current flow is followed by a critically dampened return current. It has been shown that a monophasic TMS pulse preferentially excites different cortical circuits in the human motor hand area (M1-HAND), if the induced tissue current has a posterior-to-anterior (PA) or anterior-to-posterior (AP) direction. Here we tested whether similar direction-specific effects could be elicited in M1-HAND using TMS pulses with a half-sine wave configuration.

Results

In 10 young participants, we applied half-sine pulses to the right M1-HAND which elicited PA or AP currents with respect to the orientation of the central sulcus.

Measurements of the motor evoked potential (MEP) revealed that PA half-sine stimulation resulted in lower resting motor threshold (RMT) than AP stimulation. When stimulus intensity (SI) was gradually increased as percentage of maximal stimulator output, the stimulus–response curve (SRC) of MEP amplitude showed a leftward shift for PA as opposed to AP half-sine stimulation. Further, MEP latencies were approximately 1 ms shorter for PA relative to AP half-sine stimulation across the entire SI range tested. When adjusting SI to the respective RMT of PA and AP stimulation, the direction-specific differences in MEP latencies persisted, while the gain function of MEP amplitudes was comparable for PA and AP stimulation.

Conclusions

Using half-sine pulse configuration, single-pulse TMS elicits consistent direction-specific effects in M1-HAND that are similar to TMS with monophasic pulses. The longer MEP latency for AP half-sine stimulation suggests that PA and AP half-sine stimulation preferentially activates different sets of cortical neurons that are involved in the generation of different corticospinal descending volleys.
Novel molecular, cytotoxical, and immunological study on promising and selective anticancer activity of Mung bean sprouts
Authors: Hafidh Rand R , Abdulamir Ahmed S , Bakar Fatimah Abu , Jalilian Farid Azizi , Abas Faridah , Sekawi Zamberi
Published: November 2012

Background

The anticancer and immunomodulatory activity of mung bean sprouts (MBS) and the underlying mechanisms against human cervical and hepatocarcinoma cancer cells were explored.

Methods

MBS cytotoxicity and MBS-induced anticancer cytokines, TNF-α and IFN-β from cancer cells, and immunological cytokines, IL-4, IFN-γ, and IL-10 from peripheral mononuclear cells (PMNC) were assessed by MTS and ELISA assays. Apoptotic cells were investigated by flow cytometry. The expression level of apoptotic genes (Bax, BCL-2, Capsases 7–9) and cell cycle regulatory genes (cyclin D, E, and A) and tumor suppressor proteins (p27, p21, and p53) was assessed by real-time qPCR in the cancer cells treated with extract IC50.

Results

The cytotoxicity on normal human cells was significantly different from HeLa and HepG2 cells, 163.97 ± 5.73, 13.3 ± 0.89, and 14.04 ± 1.5 mg/ml, respectively. The selectivity index (SI) was 12.44 ± 0.83 for HeLa and 11.94 ± 1.2 for HepG2 cells. Increased levels of TNF-α and IFN-β were observed in the treated HeLa and HepG2 culture supernatants when compared with untreated cells. MBS extract was shown to be an immunopolarizing agent by inducing IFNγ and inhibiting IL-4 production by PBMC; this leads to triggering of CMI and cellular cytotoxicity. The extract induced apoptosis, in a dose and time dependent manner, in treated HeLa and HepG2, but not in untreated, cells (P < 0.05). The treatment significantly induced cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 in HeLa cells. The percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase of the treated HeLa cells increased from 62.87 ± 2.1%, in untreated cells, to 80.48 ± 2.97%. Interestingly, MBS IC50 induced the expression of apoptosis and tumor suppressor related genes in both HeLa and HepG2 cells. MBS extract succeeded in inducing cdk-inhibitors, p21, p53, and p27 in HeLa cells while it induced only p53 in HepG2 cells (P < 0.05). This is a clue for the cell type- specific interaction of the studied extract. These proteins inhibit the cyclin-cdk complexes apart from the presence of some other components that might stimulate some cyclins such as cyclin E, A, and D.

Conclusion

MBS extract was shown to be a potent anticancer agent granting new prospects of anticancer therapy using natural products.
Relationship among coronary plaque compliance, coronary risk factors and tissue characteristics evaluated by integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound
Authors: Ishihara Yoshiyuki , Kawasaki Masanori , Hattori Arihiro , Imai Hajime , Takahashi Shigekiyo , Sato Hironobu , Kubota Tomoki , Okubo Munenori , Ojio Shinsuke , Nishigaki Kazuhiko , Takemura Genzou , Fujiwara Hisayoshi , Minatoguchi Shinya
Published: November 2012

Background

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of coronary plaques and plaque behavior, and to elucidate the relationship among tissue characteristics of coronary plaques, mechanical properties and coronary risk factors using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS).

Methods

Non-targeted plaques with moderate stenosis (plaque burden at the minimal lumen site: 50-70%) located proximal to the site of the percutaneous coronary intervention target lesions were evaluated by IB-IVUS. Thirty-six plaques (less calcified group: an arc of calcification ≤10°) in 36 patients and 22 plaques (moderately calcified group: 10° < an arc of calcification ≤60°) in 22 patients were evaluated. External elastic membrane volume (EEMV) compliance, lumen volume (LV) compliance, plaque volume (PV) response (difference between PV in systole and diastole), EEM area stiffness index were measured at the minimal lumen site. Relative lipid volume (lipid volume/internal elastic membrane volume) was calculated by IB-IVUS.

Results

In the less calcified group, there was a significant correlation between EEMV compliance and the relative lipid volume (r = 0.456, p = 0.005). There was a significant inverse correlation between EEM area stiffness index and the relative lipid volume (p = 0.032, r = −0.358). The LV compliance and EEM area stiffness index were significantly different in the diabetes mellitus (DM) group than in the non-DM group (1.32 ± 1.49 vs. 2.47 ± 1.79%/10 mmHg, p =0.014 and 28.3 ± 26.0 vs. 15.7 ± 17.2, p =0.020). The EEMV compliance and EEM area stiffness index were significantly different in the hypertension (HTN) group than in the non-HTN group (0.77 ± 0.68 vs. 1.57 ± 0.95%/10 mmHg, p =0.012 and 26.5 ± 24.3 vs. 13.0 ± 16.7, p =0.020). These relationships were not seen in the moderately calcified group.

Conclusion

The present study provided new findings that there was a significant correlation between mechanical properties and tissue characteristics of coronary arteries. In addition, our results suggested that the EEMV compliance and the LV compliance were independent and the compliance was significantly impaired in the patients with DM and/or HTN. Assessment of coronary mechanical properties during PCI may provide us with useful information regarding the risk stratification of patients with coronary heart disease.
Some results on q-difference equations
Authors: Zhang Junchao , Wang Gang , Chen Junjie , Zhao Rongxiang
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we consider the q-difference analogue of the Clunie theorem. We obtain there is no zero-order entire solution of

f
n

(
z
)
+

(

∇
q

f
(
z
)
)

n

=
1

when

n
≥
2

; there is no zero-order transcendental entire solution of

f
n

(
z
)
+
P
(
z
)

(

∇
q

f
(
z
)
)

m

=
Q
(
z
)

when

n
>
m
≥
0

; and the equation

f
n

+
P
(
z
)

∇
q

f
(
z
)
=
h
(
z
)

has at most one zero-order transcendental entire solution f if f is not the solution of

∇
q

f
(
z
)
=
0

, when

n
≥
4

.

MSC:30D35, 30D30, 39A13, 39B12.
Consistent condom use increases spontaneous regression in high-risk non-HPV16 but not in HPV16 CIN2-3 lesions, a prospective population-based cohort study
Authors: Munk Ane Cecilie , Øvestad Irene Tveiterås , Gudlaugsson Einar , Løvslett Kjell , Fiane Bent , van Diermen-Hidle Bianca , Kruse Arnold-Jan , Skaland Ivar , Janssen Emiel AM , Baak Jan PA
Published: November 2012

Background

The major cause of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). Most CIN grade 2 and 3 lesions are treated with cone excision, although a substantial proportion (6-50%) of CIN2-3 lesions will regresses spontaneously. Predictors for regression of CIN2-3 are desirable in order to reduce this overtreatment.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, 145 consecutive women with first-time onset CIN2-3 in colposcopy-directed biopsies and standardized biopsy-cone excision interval were included. The genotype of the high-risk human papillomaviruses (=hr HPV) and clinical factors including sexual behaviour, parity, contraception and smoking were assessed. Patients were divided into two groups according to lesions containing HPV16 (hr HPV16+) and high-risk non-HPV16 (hr HPV16-) genotypes.

Results

Women whose partners consistently used condoms showed a significantly higher regression rate than women using other types of contraception (53% versus 13%, p<0.0001). However, this effect was only seen in hr HPV16- patients (73% regression rate versus 13%, p<0.0001). Hr HPV16+ patients had a significantly higher number of sexual partners and more current smokers compared to hr HPV16- patients. The regression rate was not significantly different in CIN2-3 lesions containing HPV16 (hr HPV16+) versus hr HPV16- genotypes.

Conclusions

Heterogeneity among hr HPV genotypes excists. HPV-genotype analyses can identify women who significantly increase their chance of regression by consistent condom use.
Adipose Genes Down-Regulated During Experimental Endotoxemia Are Also Suppressed in Obesity
Authors: Shah Rachana , Hinkle Christine C. , Haris Lalarukh , Shah Rhia , Mehta Nehal N. , Putt Mary E. , Reilly Muredach P.
Published: November 2012

Context:

Adipose inflammation is a crucial link between obesity and its metabolic complications. Human experimental endotoxemia is a controlled model for the study of inflammatory cardiometabolic responses in vivo.

Objective:

We hypothesized that adipose genes down-regulated during endotoxemia would approximate changes observed with obesity-related inflammation and reveal novel candidates in cardiometabolic disease.

Design, Subjects, and Intervention:

Healthy volunteers (n = 14) underwent a 3 ng/kg endotoxin challenge; adipose biopsies were taken at 0, 4, 12, and 24 h for mRNA microarray. A priority list of highly down-regulated and biologically relevant genes was validated by RT-PCR in an independent sample of adipose from healthy subjects (n = 7) undergoing a subclinical 0.6 ng/kg endotoxemia protocol. Expression of validated genes was screened in adipose of lean and severely obese individuals (n = 11 per group), and cellular source was probed in cultured adipocytes and macrophages.

Results:

Endotoxemia (3 ng/kg) suppressed expression of 353 genes (to <67% of baseline; P < 1 × 10−5) of which 68 candidates were prioritized for validation. In low-dose (0.6 ng/kg) endotoxin validation, 22 (32%) of these 68 genes were confirmed. Functional classification revealed that many of these genes are involved in cell development and differentiation. Of validated genes, 59% (13 of 22) were down-regulated more than 1.5-fold in primary human adipocytes after treatment with endotoxin. In human macrophages, 59% (13 of 22) were up-regulated during differentiation to inflammatory M1 macrophages whereas 64% (14 of 22) were down-regulated during transition to homeostatic M2 macrophages. Finally, in obese vs. lean adipose, 91% (20 of 22) tended to have reduced expression (χ2 = 10.72, P < 0.01) with 50% (11 of 22) reaching P < 0.05 (χ2 = 9.28, P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Exploration of down-regulated mRNA in adipose during human endotoxemia revealed suppression of genes involved in cell development and differentiation. A majority of candidates were also suppressed in endogenous human obesity, suggesting a potential pathophysiological role in human obesity-related adipose inflammation.
Conformational Effects of Adsorbed Polymer on the Swelling Behavior of Engineered Clay Minerals
Authors: Kim Sungho , Motyka Michael A. , Palomino Angelica M. , Podraza Nikolas J.
Published: November 2012

The conformational behavior of polymers in clay-polymer nanocomposites (CPN) is not fully understood because of the many factors involved. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the conformational behavior of a polymer at the micro- and meso-scales in order to predict the behavior of tunable CPN. The study used a pH-responsive polymer, polyacrylamide, which has time-dependent hydrolysis response properties, to examine micro-scale conformational behavior of the polymer adsorbed on representative clay-mineral surfaces, SiO2 and Al2O3. A nanocomposite and a microcomposite were used to link meso-scale CPN behavior to micro-scale polymer conformation. The conformational behavior was characterized using in situ, real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry. The contracted coil conformation of polyacrylamide was observed at pH = 3, while extended conformation was observed at pH = 11.5 on both SiO2 and Al2O3 surfaces. At pH = 11.5, the polymer conformation changed from expanded coil to extended conformation over time. The polymer conformation changed more rapidly with the Al2O3 surface due to mineral dissolution at pH = 3 and 11.5. Swelling tests were conducted as functions of pH and time to link the micro-scale phenomena to meso-scale CPN behavior. The results indicated that the swelling potential of CPN corresponded to the conformation of adsorbed polyacrylamide, which varied with pH and time. The swelling potential of CPN was maximized at pH = 11.5 and decreased with decreasing pH, corresponding to the observed micro-scale conformational behavior.
Variational Bayes Procedure for Effective Classification of Tumor Type with Microarray Gene Expression Data
Authors: Hayashi Takeshi
Published: November 2012

Recently, microarrays that can simultaneously measure the expression levels of thousands of genes have become a valuable tool for classifying tumors. For such classification, where the sample size is usually much smaller than the number of genes, it is essential to construct properly sparse models for accurately predicting tumor types to avoid over-fitting. Bayesian shrinkage estimation is considered a suitable method for providing such sparse models, effectively shrinking estimates of the effects for many irrelevant genes to zero while maintaining those of a small number of relevant genes at significant magnitudes. However, Bayesian analysis usually requires time-consuming computational techniques such as computationally intensive MCMC iterations. This paper describes a computationally effective method of Bayesian shrinkage regression (BSR) incorporating multiple hierarchical structures for constructing a classification model for tumor types using microarray gene expression data. We use a variational approximation method which provides simple approximations of posterior distributions of parameters to reduce computational burden in the Bayesian estimation. This computationally efficient BSR procedure yields a properly sparse model for accurately and rapidly classifying tumor samples. The accuracy of tumor classification is shown to be at least equivalent to that of other methods such as support vector machine and partial least squares using simulated and actual gene expression data sets.
Incorporating Genomic Annotation into a Hidden Markov Model for DNA Methylation Tiling Array Data
Authors: Olbricht Gayla R. , Craig Bruce A. , Doerge Rebecca W.
Published: November 2012

DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that plays an important role in many biological processes. To better understand this epigenetic mechanism, genome-wide investigations of DNA methylation can be conducted via tiling array technology. In such DNA methylation profiling studies, statistical methods are employed to estimate the DNA methylation status of each probe represented on the tiling array. Although many of the current methods account for the inherent dependency between neighboring probes, they do not effectively utilize the wealth of information available in genomic annotation databases. Since previous studies indicate that DNA methylation patterns of some organisms differ by genomic element (e.g., gene, intergenic region), such genomic annotation information may be useful in predicting DNA methylation status. In this work, a novel statistical model is proposed within the hidden Markov model framework to incorporate genomic annotation information in the prediction of DNA methylation status. The advantages of incorporating genomic annotation via the proposed method are investigated through a simulation study and real data applications.
Episodic HIV Risk Behavior Can Greatly Amplify HIV Prevalence and the Fraction of Transmissions from Acute HIV Infection
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Zhong Lin , Romero-Severson Ethan , Alam Shah Jamal , Henry Christopher J. , Volz Erik M. , Koopman James S.
Published: November 2012

A deterministic compartmental model was explored that relaxed the unrealistic assumption in most HIV transmission models that behaviors of individuals are constant over time. A simple model was formulated to better explain the effects observed. Individuals had a high and a low contact rate and went back and forth between them. This episodic risk behavior interacted with the short period of high transmissibility during acute HIV infection to cause dramatic increases in prevalence as the differences between high and low contact rates increased and as the duration of high risk better matched the duration of acute HIV infection. These same changes caused a considerable increase in the fraction of all transmissions that occurred during acute infection. These strong changes occurred despite a constant total number of contacts and a constant total transmission potential from acute infection. Two phenomena played a strong role in generating these effects. First, people were infected more often during their high contact rate phase and they remained with high contact rates during the highly contagious acute infection stage. Second, when individuals with previously low contact rates moved into an episodic high-risk period, they were more likely to be susceptible and thus provided more high contact rate susceptible individuals who could get infected. These phenomena make test and treat control strategies less effective and could cause some behavioral interventions to increase transmission. Signature effects on genetic patterns between HIV strains could make it possible to determine whether these episodic risk effects are acting in a population.
加拿大大学生汉语语音成功习得策略—兼论语言习得关键期假说
Authors: 何, 丽芳
Published: November 2012

提要

本文以笔者所任教的加拿大大学生为研究对象，首先对超过语言习得“关键期”的学习者能够获得母语一样的语音进行验证，然后探讨成年学习者学习汉语语音的成功学习策略。本文的研究证实，成年人若使用适当的学习策略，就能够成功获得标准的现代汉语语音。成功的学习者都有较强的学习动机和主动学习的意识，而学习策略则是学生主动学习的一个工具。同样的课堂教学及教材教法，不同学习者理解、记忆直至获得目的语语音所采用的学习计划安排，及使用的途径方法等有所不同，甚至有明显的差别。在不同的场合情景下选择使用相应的学习策略，能够调动学生的组织能力和自我监控意识，让学生使用已有的知识解决学习中的新问题，通过与同学老师或汉语为母语者的互动，提高语音水平，进而帮助学生完成学习任务实现学习目标。
Strategies for post-grant reviews and other proceedings for challenging an issued patent
Authors: Garsson Ross Spencer , Pham Chinh H.
Published: November 2012

In the past, there have been other means for challenging a patent (or prospective patent) at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). These included preissuance submissions of prior art and ex parte reexaminations, which continue to be available. With the enactment of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) on September 16, 2011, additional means have been provided to entities so that they now have a greater set of potential procedures to challenge and neutralize patents – procedures that are both more economical and will take less time to resolve. Under the AIA, there are two new procedures for challenging a patent after issuance, namely, post-grant review (PGR) and inter partes review (IPR). This article provides an overview of these procedures, including their advantages and disadvantages, so that nanotech-related companies can decide which strategy may best fit them for particular patent invalidity challenges.
Spatial Distribution and Chemical Speciation of Soil Phosphorus in a Band Application
Authors: Kar Gourango , Peak Derek , Schoenau Jeff J.
Published: November 2012

There is limited information on how manure and inorganic fertilizer application in a concentrated band impacts the solubility, mobility, and transformation of the phosphate compounds in Canadian prairie soils. A combination of resin membrane probes, sequential chemical extraction, and synchrotron based techniques were used to reveal the spatial distribution and chemical speciation of soil phosphorus (P) when inorganic fertilizer P or manure is placed in the soil in a band under field conditions. This study was performed at Central Butte and Dixon, SK, Canada. Monoammonium phosphate blended with urea was applied at a rate of 54 kg N ha−1 and 12 kg P ha−1 at Central Butte (Brown Chernozem) and solid cattle manure was applied at rate of 60 t ha−1 yr−1 at Dixon (Black Chernozem). Fertilizer application increased the total and labile P supply at the center of the band and was mainly confined to a relatively small area within about 5 cm of band regardless of slope position. The X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy directly identified different forms of soil P, while chemical extraction results provided indirect support that there are differences in the forms of P in the band center as related to in the landscape position and fertilization type. The XANES analysis results showed that different P retention mechanisms take place depending on both landscape position and fertilizer type. For the inorganic fertilizer application made in calcareous upslope positions, a significant amount of apatite and adsorbed P species were observed at center and near‐band and only apatite was present at large distances from the band; adsorbed P species dominated at all distances from the band at downslope positions. The solid cattle manure applied soil contained dicalcium phosphate (DCP) and organic P at center and near‐band at both slope positions but adsorbed P and calcium phosphate further away at upslope positions and adsorbed P further away at downslope positions. The XANES results also indicated that the movement of organic P was limited as this species was always localized near the band.
Soil Carbon Stability Responds to Land‐Use and Groundcover Management in Southern Appalachian Agroecosystems
Authors: Chapman Samantha K. , Palanivel Reena U. , Langley J. Adam
Published: November 2012

Soil C storage can be altered by land‐use conversion and by agroforestry management techniques such as weed management and fertilization. The Southern Appalachian Mountains have a mosaic of land uses, including Christmas tree [Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir] farms, pastures, and unmanaged forests. We contrasted Christmas tree farm soil C pools with those of adjacent pastures and forests to estimate C storage differences due to land use. We partitioned soil C into fractions delineated by stability, an important determinant of long‐term C sequestration potential. Soil C pools were quantified across a chronosequence of tree farms that varied in cultivation duration (3–51 yr) and interspace groundcover. We found that the duration of tree cultivation did not alter tree farm soil C pools; however, recalcitrant C pools were twice as high when interspace groundcover increased from 35 to 70%. Total, active, slow, and recalcitrant soil C pools were highest in forests compared with pastures and tree farms. Tree farm soils had about 25% lower C concentration than the adjacent forest soils, but because there was no downward trend with duration of cultivation, the reduction probably occurred rapidly following initial clearing. Tree farms and forests had longer mean residence times for active and slow C than pastures, potentially indicating an influence of woody root production. Our findings suggest that maintaining tree farm interspace vegetation, possibly through reduced herbicide use, can enhance soil C sequestration.
Proteomics: State of the Art and its Application in Cardiovascular Research
Authors: Scobioala Sergiu , Klocke Rainer , Michel Gunter , Kuhlmann Michael , Nikol Sigrid
Published: November 2012

The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular dysfunctions are widely unknown. Basically, pathological changes in the cardiovascular system arise from protein alterations. Proteomics comprises a set of tools for the large-scale study of gene expression at the protein level thereby allowing for the identification of protein alterations responsible for the development and the pathological outcome of diseases including those of the cardiovascular system. In principle these alterations include those of suitable candidates for drug targets and disease biomarkers as well as therapeutic proteins / peptides. Since gene therapy depends on the function of a therapeutic protein encoded by a “therapeutic” gene proteomic analyses also provide the basis for the design and application of gene therapies. Proteomic technologies allow to identify not only proteins but also the nature of their posttranslational modifications thus enabling the elucidation of signal transduction pathways and their deregulation under pathological conditions. The linkage of information about proteome changes with functional consequences lead to the development of functional proteomic studies. Functional proteomic analyses will particularly help to better understand the relations between proteome changes and cardiovascular dysfunctions. The storage and administration of experimental data obtained by the application of proteomic analyses is supported by species- and tissue-specific protein databases and specific software. Publications in this field are reviewed in this paper.
Sodium Channel Toxins - Receptor Targeting and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: French Robert J. , Terlau Heinrich
Published: November 2012

Sodium channels underlie propagated electrical signalling in most excitable cells, including neurons and the myocytes of skeletal muscle and heart. These proteins are targeted by a variety of current therapeutic drugs to combat such maladies as pain, myotonias, epilepsies and cardiac arrhythmias. Typically, these problems are associated with overactivity of sodium channels leading to hyperexcitability in the relevant tissue. More than ten distinct but closely related molecular isoforms of mammalian sodium channel are now known to be specifically expressed in different cell types and tissues. Therapeutic attenuation of sodium channel activity must be effected with great precision in both targeting and the degree of reduction in channel activity if a malfunction is to be corrected without introducing deleterious or even catastrophic side effects. Numerous natural toxins have evolved to target sodium channels, either by blocking current through the pore or by modifying channel gating. Among the well studied toxins, the peptide conotoxins from cone snail venoms show a remarkable ability to discriminate among closely related forms of sodium channel, as well as exhibiting a variety of modes of action. Here, we examine the molecular basis of action of different Na channel targeted conotoxins and explore their potential as models for the future design of more specifically targeted drugs.