bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased LDL susceptibility to oxidation accelerates future carotid artery atherosclerosis
Authors: Aoki Toshinari , Abe Tsueko , Yamada Eiji , Matsuto Takayuki , Okada Masahiko
Published: January 2012

Background

We analyzed the causal relationship between LDL susceptibility to oxidation and the development of new carotid artery atherosclerosis over a period of 5 years. We previously described the determinants related to a risk of cardiovascular changes determined in a Japanese population participating in the Niigata Study, which is an ongoing epidemiological investigation of the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Methods

We selected 394 individuals (169 males and 225 females) who underwent a second carotid artery ultrasonographic examination in 2001 - 2002 for the present study. The susceptibility of LDL to oxidation was determined as the photometric absorbance and electrophoretic mobility of samples that had been collected in 1996 - 1997. The measurements were compared with ultrasonographic findings obtained in 2001 - 2002.

Results

The multivariate-adjusted model showed that age (odds ratio (OR), 1.034; 95% confidence interval (95%CI), 1.010 - 1.059), HbA1c (OR, 1.477; 95%CI, 0.980 - 2.225), and photometric O/N (OR, 2.012; 95%CI, 1.000 - 4.051) were significant variables that could independently predict the risk of new carotid artery atherosclerosis.

Conclusion

The susceptibility of LDL to oxidation was a significant parameter that could predict new carotid artery atherosclerosis over a 5-year period, and higher susceptibility was associated with a higher incidence of new carotid artery atherosclerosis.
Prediction and characterization of protein-protein interaction networks in swine
Authors: Wang Fen , Liu Min , Song Baoxing , Li Dengyun , Pei Huimin , Guo Yang , Huang Jingfei , Zhang Deli
Published: January 2012

Background

Studying the large-scale protein-protein interaction (PPI) network is important in understanding biological processes. The current research presents the first PPI map of swine, which aims to give new insights into understanding their biological processes.

Results

We used three methods, Interolog-based prediction of porcine PPI network, domain-motif interactions from structural topology-based prediction of porcine PPI network and motif-motif interactions from structural topology-based prediction of porcine PPI network, to predict porcine protein interactions among 25,767 porcine proteins. We predicted 20,213, 331,484, and 218,705 porcine PPIs respectively, merged the three results into 567,441 PPIs, constructed four PPI networks, and analyzed the topological properties of the porcine PPI networks. Our predictions were validated with Pfam domain annotations and GO annotations. Averages of 70, 10,495, and 863 interactions were related to the Pfam domain-interacting pairs in iPfam database. For comparison, randomized networks were generated, and averages of only 4.24, 66.79, and 44.26 interactions were associated with Pfam domain-interacting pairs in iPfam database. In GO annotations, we found 52.68%, 75.54%, 27.20% of the predicted PPIs sharing GO terms respectively. However, the number of PPI pairs sharing GO terms in the 10,000 randomized networks reached 52.68%, 75.54%, 27.20% is 0. Finally, we determined the accuracy and precision of the methods. The methods yielded accuracies of 0.92, 0.53, and 0.50 at precisions of about 0.93, 0.74, and 0.75, respectively.

Conclusion

The results reveal that the predicted PPI networks are considerably reliable. The present research is an important pioneering work on protein function research. The porcine PPI data set, the confidence score of each interaction and a list of related data are available at (http://pppid.biositemap.com/).
Pattern of distant recurrence according to the molecular subtypes in Korean women with breast cancer
Authors: Park Hyung Seok , Kim Shinhyuk , Kim Kiho , Yoo Ho , Chae Byung Joo , Bae Ja Seong , Song Byung Joo , Jung Sang Seol
Published: January 2012

Background

Distant recurrence is one of the most important risk factors in overall survival, and distant recurrence is related to a complex biologic interaction of seed and soil factors. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between the molecular subtypes and patterns of distant recurrence in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

In an investigation of 313 women with breast cancer who underwent surgery from 1994 and 2000, the expressions of estrogen and progestrone receptor (ER/PR), and human epithelial receptor-2 (HER2) were evaluated. The subtypes were defined as luminal-A, luminal-HER2, HER2-enriched, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) according to ER, PR, and HER2 status.

Results

Bone was the most common site of distant recurrence. The incidence of first distant recurrence site was significantly different among the subtypes. Brain metastasis was more frequent in the luminal-HER2 and TNBC subtypes. In subgroup analysis, overall survival in patients with distant recurrence after 24 months after surgery was significantly different among the subtypes.

Conclusions

Organ-specific metastasis may depend on the molecular subtype of breast cancer. Tailored strategies against distant metastasis concerning the molecular subtypes in breast cancer may be considered.
Expression of HOXA11 in the mid-luteal endometrium from women with endometriosis-associated infertility
Authors: Szczepańska Malgorzata , Wirstlein Przemyslaw , Skrzypczak Jana , Jagodziński Paweł P
Published: January 2012

Background

A decrease in HOXA11 expression in eutopic mid-secretory endometrium has been found in women with endometriosis-associated infertility.

Methods

Using Real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) and western blotting analysis we studied the HOXA11 transcript and protein levels in mid-luteal eutopic endometrium from eighteen infertile women with minimal endometriosis, sixteen healthy fertile women and sixteen infertile women with fallopian tubal occlusion from the Polish population. We also evaluated transcript levels of DNA methyltransferases DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B in these groups of women.

Results

There were significantly lower levels of HOXA11 transcripts (p = 0.003, p = 0.041) and protein (p = 0.004, p = 0.001) in women with endometriosis as compared to fertile women and infertile women with tubal occlusion. Moreover, we found significantly higher methylation levels of the CpG region in the first exon of HOXA11 in infertile women with endometriosis compared with fertile women (p < 0.001) and infertile women with tubal occlusion (p < 0.001). We also observed significantly increased levels of DNMT3A transcript in women with endometriosis than fertile women (p = 0.044) and infertile women with tubal occlusion (p = 0.047). However, we did not observe significant differences in DNMT1 and DNMT3B transcript levels between these investigated groups of women.

Conclusions

We confirmed that reduced HOXA11 expression may contribute to endometriosis-associated infertility. Moreover, we found that DNA hypermethylation can be one of the possible molecular mechanisms causing a decrease in HOXA11 expression in the eutopic mid-secretory endometrium in infertile women with endometriosis.
Glutathione and Bcl-2 targeting facilitates elimination by chemoradiotherapy of human A375 melanoma xenografts overexpressing bcl-xl, bcl-2, and mcl-1
Authors: Mena Salvador , Rodriguez María L , Ortega Angel , Priego Sonia , Obrador Elena , Asensi Miguel , Petschen Ignacio , Cerdá Miguel , Brown Bob D , Estrela José M
Published: January 2012

Background

Bcl-2 is believed to contribute to melanoma chemoresistance. However, expression of Bcl-2 proteins may be different among melanomas. Thus correlations among expression of Bcl-2-related proteins and in vivo melanoma progression, and resistance to combination therapies, was investigated.

Methods

Human A375 melanoma was injected s.c. into immunodeficient nude mice. Protein expression was studied in tumor samples obtained by laser microdisection. Transfection of siRNA or ectopic overexpression were applied to manipulate proteins which are up- or down-regulated, preferentially, during melanoma progression. Anti-bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotides and chemoradiotherapy (glutathione-depleting agents, paclitaxel protein-binding particles, daunorubicin, X rays) were administered in combination.

Results

In vivo A375 cells down-regulated pro-apoptotic bax expression; and up-regulated anti-apoptotic bcl-2, bcl-xl, and mcl-1, however only Bcl-2 appeared critical for long-term tumor cell survival and progression in vivo. Reduction of Bcl-2, combined with partial therapies, decreased melanoma growth. But only Bcl-2 targeting plus the full combination of chemoradiotherapy eradicated A375 melanoma, and led to long-term survival (> 120 days) without recurrence in 80% of mice. Tumor regression was not due to immune stimulation. Hematology and clinical chemistry data were within accepted clinical toxicities.

Conclusion

Strategies to target Bcl-2, may increase the effectiveness of antitumor therapies against melanomas overexpressing Bcl-2 and likely other Bcl-2-related antiapoptotic proteins.
Structural characterization and electrochemical properties of Co3O4 anode materials synthesized by a hydrothermal method
Authors: Shin Chorong , Manuel James , Kim Dul-Sun , Ryu Ho-Suk , Ahn Hyo-Jun , Ahn Jou-Hyeon
Published: January 2012

Cobalt oxide [Co3O4] anode materials were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal process, and the reaction conditions were optimized to provide good electrochemical properties. The effect of various synthetic reaction and heat treatment conditions on the structure and electrochemical properties of Co3O4 powder was also studied. Physical characterizations of Co3O4 are investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller [BET] method. The BET surface area decreased with values at 131.8 m2/g, 76.1 m2/g, and 55.2 m2/g with the increasing calcination temperature at 200°C, 300°C, and 400°C, respectively. The Co3O4 particle calcinated at 200°C for 3 h has a higher surface area and uniform particle size distribution which may result in better sites to accommodate Li+ and electrical contact and to give a good electrochemical property. The cell composed of Super P as a carbon conductor shows better electrochemical properties than that composed of acetylene black. Among the samples prepared under different reaction conditions, Co3O4 prepared at 200°C for 10 h showed a better cycling performance than the other samples. It gave an initial discharge capacity of 1,330 mAh/g, decreased to 779 mAh/g after 10 cycles, and then showed a steady discharge capacity of 606 mAh/g after 60 cycles.
Hafnium metallocene compounds used as cathode interfacial layers for enhanced electron transfer in organic solar cells
Authors: Park Keunhee , Oh Seungsik , Jung Donggeun , Chae Heeyeop , Kim Hyoungsub , Boo Jin-Hyo
Published: January 2012

We have used hafnium metallocene compounds as cathode interfacial layers for organic solar cells [OSCs]. A metallocene compound consists of a transition metal and two cyclopentadienyl ligands coordinated in a sandwich structure. For the fabrication of the OSCs, poly[3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene]:poly(styrene sulfonate), poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) + [6, 6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester, bis-(ethylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium(IV) dichloride, and aluminum were deposited as a hole transport layer, an active layer, a cathode interfacial layer, and a cathode, respectively. The hafnium metallocene compound cathode interfacial layer improved the performance of OSCs compared to that of OSCs without the interfacial layer. The current density-voltage characteristics of OSCs with an interfacial layer thickness of 0.7 nm and of those without an interfacial layer showed power conversion efficiency [PCE] values of 2.96% and 2.34%, respectively, under an illumination condition of 100 mW/cm2 (AM 1.5). It is thought that a cathode interfacial layer of an appropriate thickness enhances the electron transfer between the active layer and the cathode, and thus increases the PCE of the OSCs.
Co-existence of multiple strains of porcine circovirus type 2 in the same pig from China
Authors: Zhai Shao-Lun , Chen Sheng-Nan , Wei Zu-Zhang , Zhang Jian-Wu , Huang Lv , Lin Tao , Yue Cheng , Ran Duo-Liang , Yuan Shi-Shan , Wei Wen-Kang , Long Jin-Xue
Published: January 2012

Pigs are often co-infected by different viral strains from the same virus. Up to now, there are few reports about co-existence of different porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strains in China. The aim of this study was to evaluate it in Chinese swine herds. 118 PCV2 positive DNAs isolated from diseased pigs identified by classic PCR were re-detected using a modified differential PCR assay. The results indicated that co-existence rates of PCV2 were 32.2% (38/118) in diseased pigs and 0% (0/41) in asymptomatic pigs. Four PCV2 complete genomes were cloned from two co-infected samples and their nucleotide (nt) identities were 95%-97.3%. The phylogenetic analysis showed that four PCV2 strains were divided into different genotypes, PCV2a, PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2e, respectively. In addition, co-existence were not detected in 41 serum samples from healthy pigs but PCV2 single infection (31.7%, 13/41) existed. These data revealed that the co-existence of different strains of PCV2 might contribute to the development of more severe clinical symptoms for pigs. This is the first report confirming the co-existence of different PCV2 strains in Chinese swine herds. Meanwhile, this study could help us to understand new infection and prevalence forms of PCV2 clinically.
Factors associated with the impact of quality improvement collaboratives in mental healthcare: An exploratory study
Authors: Versteeg Marleen H , Laurant Miranda GH , Franx Gerdien C , Jacobs Annelies J , Wensing Michel JP
Published: January 2012

Background

Quality improvement collaboratives (QICs) bring together groups of healthcare professionals to work in a structured manner to improve the quality of healthcare delivery within particular domains. We explored which characteristics of the composition, participation, functioning, and organization of these collaboratives related to changes in the healthcare for patients with anxiety disorders, dual diagnosis, or schizophrenia.

Methods

We studied three QICs involving 29 quality improvement (QI) teams representing a number of mental healthcare organizations in the Netherlands. The aims of the three QICs were the implementation of multidisciplinary practice guidelines in the domains of anxiety disorders, dual diagnosis, and schizophrenia, respectively. We used eight performance indicators to assess the impact of the QI teams on self-reported patient outcomes and process of care outcomes for 1,346 patients. The QI team members completed a questionnaire on the characteristics of the composition, participation in a national program, functioning, and organizational context for their teams. It was expected that an association would be found between these team characteristics and the quality of care for patients with anxiety disorders, dual diagnosis, and schizophrenia.

Results

No consistent patterns of association emerged. Theory-based factors did not perform better than practice-based factors. However, QI teams that received support from their management and both active and inspirational team leadership showed better results. Rather surprisingly, a lower average level of education among the team members was associated with better results, although less consistently than the management and leadership characteristics. Team views with regard to the QI goals of the team and attitudes towards multidisciplinary practice guidelines did not correlate with team success.

Conclusions

No general conclusions about the impact of the characteristics of QI teams on the quality of healthcare can be drawn, but support of the management and active, inspirational team leadership appear to be important. Not only patient outcomes but also the performance indicators of monitoring and screening/assessment showed improvement in many but not all of the QI teams with such characteristics. More studies are needed to identify factors associated with the impact of multidisciplinary practice guidelines in mental healthcare.
Failure patterns and survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity modulated radiation in Northwest China: A pilot study
Authors: Wang Jianhua , Shi Mei , Hsia Yuesheng , Luo Shanquan , Zhao Lina , Xu Man , Xiao Feng , Fu Xuehai , Li Jianping , Zhou Bin , Long Xiaoli
Published: January 2012

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical outcomes and patterns of failure in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in Northwest China.

Methods and materials

From January 2006 to December 2009, 138 NPC patients were treated at Xijing Hospital. Of them, 25 cases with stage I-II received IMRT only, 113 cases with stage III-IVb received IMRT plus accomplished platinum-based chemotherapy. The IMRT prescribed dose was PTV 68-74 Gy to gross disease in nasopharynx and 66-72 Gy to positive lymph nodes in 30-33 fractions, and high risk and low risk region PTV was 60-63 Gy and 50.4~56 Gy in 30~33 and 28 fractions respectively. Plasma Epstein Barr virus (EBV) DNA load was measured before treatment. The clinical toxicities, outcomes and patterns of failure were observed.

Results

The median follow up time was 23 months (range 2 to 53 months). EBV infection positive was only 15.9%. Overall disease failure developed in 36 patients, 99% belonged to stage III/IV disease. Among these, there were 26 distant metastases, 6 local recurrence, and 4 regional recurrence. The 3-year local control rate(LCR), distant metastasis-free survival (MFS), disease-free survival (DFS) and the overall survival (OS) was 93.9%, 79.5%, 70% and 83.1% respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that age and anemia pre-radiotherapy were independent predictors for OS.

Conclusion

IMRT with or without chemotherapy can improve the long term survival of NPC patients in Northwest China. Distant metastasis becomes the main cause of treatment failure. Age and anemia before radiotherapy were the main prognosis factors of NPC patients.
Cloning and expression of an endo-1,4-β-xylanase from the coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei
Authors: Padilla-Hurtado Beatriz , Flórez-Ramos Claudia , Aguilera-Gálvez Carolina , Medina-Olaya Jefferson , Ramírez-Sanjuan Andrés , Rubio-Gómez José , Acuña-Zornosa Ricardo
Published: January 2012

Background

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei, reproduces and feeds exclusively on the mature endosperm of the coffee seed, which has a cell wall composed mainly of a heterogeneous mixture of hemicellulose polysaccharides, including arabinoxylans. Xylanases are digestive enzymes responsible for the degradation of xylan based polymers, hydrolyzing them into smaller molecules that are easier to assimilate by insects. We report the cloning, expression and enzymatic characterization of a xylanase gene that was identified in the digestive tract of the coffee berry borer.

Methods

The complete DNA sequence encoding a H. hampei xylanase (HhXyl) was obtained using a genome walking technique in a cDNA library derived from the borer digestive tract. The XIP-I gene was amplified from wheat (Triticum aestivum variety Soisson). A Pichia pastoris expression system was used to express the recombinant form of these enzymes. The xylanase activity and XIP-I inhibitory activity was quantified by the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic (DNS). The biological effects of XIP-I on borer individuals were evaluated by providing an artificial diet enriched with the recombinant XIP-I protein to the insects.

Results

The borer xylanase sequence contains a 951 bp open reading frame that is predicted to encode a 317-amino acid protein, with an estimated molecular weight of 34.92 kDa and a pI of 4.84. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that HhXyl exhibits high sequence homology with endo-β-D-xylanases of Streptomyces bingchenggensis from glycosyl hydrolase 10 (GH10). The recombinant xylanase showed maximal activity at pH 5.5 and 37°C. XIP-I expressed as a recombinant protein inhibited HhXyl activity in vitro and caused individual H. hampei mortality in bioassays when included as a supplement in artificial diets.

Conclusion

A xylanase from the digestive tract of the coffee berry borer was identified and functionally characterized. A xylanase inhibitor protein, XIP-I, from wheat was shown to be a potent inhibitor of this xylanase, suggesting that its deployment has potential as a strategy to control coffee berry borer colonization of coffee plants.
Random Walks on Polytopes and an Affine Interior Point Method for Linear Programming
Authors: Kannan Ravindran , Narayanan Hariharan
Published: January 2012

Let K be a polytope in ℝn defined by m linear inequalities. We give a new Markov chain algorithm to draw a nearly uniform sample from K. The underlying Markov chain is the first to have a mixing time that is strongly polynomial when started from a “central” point. We use this result to design an affine interior point algorithm that does a single random walk to solve linear programs approximately.
A Note on the Number of α-Pivotal Players
Authors: Becker Johannes Gerd
Published: January 2012

We show that bounds like those of Al-Najjar and Smorodinsky [Al-Najjar, N. I., R. Smorodinsky. 2000. Pivotal players and the characterization of influence. J. Econom. Theory 92(2) 318–342] as well as of Gradwohl et al. [Gradwohl, R., O. Reingold, A. Yadin, A. Yehudayoff. 2009. Players' effects under limited independence. Math. Oper. Res. 34(4) 971–980] on the number of α-pivotal agents, derived by a combinatorial approach, can be obtained by decomposition of variance, i.e., an orthogonality argument as used in Appendix 1 of Mailath and Postlewaite [Mailath, G. J., A. Postlewaite. 1990. Asymmetric information bargaining problems with many agents. Rev. Econom. Stud. 57(3) 351–367]. All these bounds have a similar asymptotic behavior, up to constant factors. Our bound is weaker than that of Al-Najjar and Smorodinsky, but we require only pairwise independent—rather than independent—types. Our result strengthens the bound of Gradwohl et al.
A Topological Approach to Quitting Games
Authors: Simon Robert Samuel
Published: January 2012

This paper presents a question of topological dynamics and demonstrates that its affirmation would establish the existence of approximate equilibria in all quitting games with only normal players. A quitting game is an undiscounted stochastic game with finitely many players where every player has only two moves, to end the game with certainty or to allow the game to continue. If nobody ever acts to end the game, all players receive payoffs of 0. A player is normal if and only if by quitting alone she receives at least her min-max payoff. This proof is based on a version of the Kohlberg–Mertens [Kohlberg, E., J.-F. Mertens. 1986. On the strategic stability of equilibria. Econometrica 54(5) 1003–1037] structure theorem designed specifically for quitting games.
Evaluation of Plasma Transferred Arc Fe-Al Alloyed Coatings
Authors: Sippel J. F. , D’Oliveira A. S. C. M.
Published: January 2012

Industrial equipment operates under aggressive service conditions aiming at higher efficiencies. In order to attend these demanding operating conditions materials have been developed among which are the FeAl alloys. This work studied Fe-Al coatings developed in situ by the deposition of mixtures of powders by plasma transferred arc on AISI304 plates. The aim was to characterize the effect on the features of coatings of (a) 15 and 30 %wt Al in the deposited mixtures and (b) 18 % Cr and 8 % Ni both individually and together. Characterization included dilution and hardness measurements, microstructure analysis, and exposure at 650°C for 2 h in an air furnace. Abrasive sliding wear tests were used to classify the processed coatings. Coating hardness varied between 400 and 500 Hv0.3 and a columnar solidification structure developed in all coatings but on those processed with the Fe 30 wt% Al powder blend, which presented a dendritic structure. This microstructure evolved to a columnar structure following exposure to temperature. The complex powder mixtures containing FeAlCrNi resulted in a coating with a more stable response when exposed to 650°C and superior wear behavior, whereas coatings developed from the deposition of FeAl blends showed poorer stability and the highest normalized wear.
Isotope dilution gamma spectrometry for Pu using low energy photons
Authors: Paul Sumana , Sarkar Arnab , Alamelu D. , Shah Raju V. , Aggarwal Suresh K.
Published: January 2012

Isotope dilution gamma spectrometry (IDGS) for determination of the Pu concentration, using high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry (HRGS) in the 40–150 keV energy range, is developed and described. The methodology involves purification of Pu by an anion exchange procedure, followed by the determination of Pu isotopic composition using HRGS. For isotope dilution, a pre-calibrated power reactor grade Pu (∼ 70 at. % 239Pu) solution from an Indian PHWR was used as a spike for research reactor grade Pu (∼ 95 at. % 239Pu) samples and vice versa. Changes in 240Pu/239Pu (45.24 keV/51.62 keV) and 241Pu/239Pu (148.57 keV/129.29 keV) activity ratios in the spiked samples were determined by gamma spectrometry. Using the atom ratios calculated from the measured activity ratios, the concentration of Pu in the sample was calculated using two different efficiency calibration methods. The isotopic composition and concentration of Pu samples both from power reactor and research reactor grade agreed well with the values obtained by isotope dilution-thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The present method also shows the superiority of using the 240Pu/239Pu atom ratio against the 241Pu/239Pu atom ratio in IDGS with respect to the accuracy and precision.
On-line gas chromatographic studies of Nb, Ta, and Db bromides
Authors: Lin Mao-Sheng , Fan Fang-Li , Huang W. X. , Yan X. L. , Bai J. , Wu X. L. , Lei F. A. , Ding H. J. , Ma F. , Li G. S. , Zhou H. B. , Guo Jun-Sheng
Published: January 2012

The isothermal gas chromatographic behaviour of the group 5 elements Nb, Ta and Db was investigated in a brominating atmosphere using the OLGA technique. It was found that Db forms a very volatile compound, most likely the pentabromide, being more volatile than similar compounds formed under identical conditions with Nb and Ta, respectively. This observation is in disagreement with previous experimental investigations of the same compound but in agreement with theoretical prediction.
Uranyl complexes formed with a para-t-butylcalix[4]arene bearing phosphinoyl pendant arms on the lower rim. Solid and solution studies
Authors: Ramírez F. de M. , Varbanov S. , Bünzli J.-C. G. , Rivas-Silva J. F. , Ocaña-Bribiesca M. A. , Cortés-Jácome M. A. , Toledo-Antonio J. A.
Published: January 2012

The current interest in functionalized calixarenes with phosphorylated pendant arms resides in their coordination ability towards f elements and capability towards actinide/rare earth separation. Uranyl cation forms 1:1 and 1:2 (M:L) complexes with a tetra-phosphinoylated p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, B4bL4: UO2(NO3)2(B4bL4)
n
· xH2O (n = 1, x = 2, 1; n = 2, x = 6, 2). Spectroscopic data point to the inner coordination sphere of 1 containing one monodentate nitrate anion, one water molecule and the four phosphinoylated arms bound to UO2
2+ while in 2, uranyl is only coordinated to calixarene ligands. In both cases the U(VI) ion is 8-coordinate. Uranyl complexes display enhanced metal-centred luminescence due to energy transfer from the calixarene ligands; the luminescence decays are bi-exponential with associated lifetimes in the ranges 220 μs <τ
s <250 μs and 630 μs <τ
L < 640 μs, pointing to the presence of two species with differently coordinated calixarene, as substantiated by a XPS study of U(4f
5/2,7/2), O(1s) and P(2p) levels on solid state samples. The extraction study of UO2
2+ cation and trivalent rare-earth (Y, La, Eu) ions from acidic nitrate media by B4bL4 in chloroform shows the uranyl cation being much more extracted than rare earths.
Ratio primary reference measurement procedure (RPRMP) for the determination of iron in biological materials by RNAA
Authors: Dybczynski R. S. , Danko B. , Pyszynska M. , Polkowska-Motrenko H.
Published: January 2012

A new ratio primary reference measurement procedure (RPRMP), i.e. a definitive method for the determination of iron in biological materials, was devised. It is based on a combination of neutron activation with selective and quantitative post-irradiation separation of 59Fe from all accompanying radionuclides followed by γ-ray spectrometric measurement. The novel separation scheme, involving the use of column chromatography on two (anion and cation) exchange columns, was extensively checked using radioactive tracers and was shown to be very selective and truly quantitative. High selectivity of the separation scheme was achieved by exploiting the “anomalous” sorption of Fe(III) on medium cross-linked sulfonic cation exchanger from concentrated hydrobromic acid solution. The accuracy of the RPRMP was demonstrated by the analysis of several certified reference materials. The method was used for the analysis of the three INCT CRMs based on tobacco leaves in which Fe was originally not certified, because widely discordant results by different analytical techniques were obtained in world-wide intercomparisons. The results by RPRMP in those materials were in a very good agreement with our own results by INAA. Tentative certified values (TCV) for Fe were proposed as a combination of RPRMP and INAA results. Some possible sources of systematic errors in other analytical methods were discussed.
The Self Assembly of Superhydrophobic Copper Thiolate Films on Copper in Thiol Solutions
Authors: Whitley Martyn , Newton Michael , McHale Glen , Shirtcliffe Neil James
Published: January 2012

It is common to think of thiols as molecules that form self-assembled monolayers on gold or similar metals, they have also been used as corrosion inhibitors on copper and steel, but we show here that if the copper remains in thiol solution corrosion is accelerated and a thick layer of corrosion products with a very rough surface forms. The layer is superhydrophobic; repelling water so effectively that it rolls off leaving the surface completely dry. It is composed of a copper (I) thiolate complex and growth occurs quite rapidly under normal conditions. The film morphology depends upon the solvent and thiol used. The presence of organic amines in the solution alters the reaction leading to the formation of thinner layers by removing corrosion products into solution, allowing the removal of native oxide layers.
Sertoli cell differentiation in rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) is an early event in puberty and precedes attainment of the adult complement of undifferentiated spermatogonia
Authors: Simorangkir D R , Ramaswamy S , Marshall G R , Roslund R , Plant T M
Published: January 2012

In primates, the time course of Sertoli cell proliferation and differentiation during puberty and its relationship with the expansion of undifferentiated type A spermatogonia that occurs at this critical stage of development are poorly defined. Mid and late juvenile and early and late pubertal male rhesus monkeys were studied. Testes were immersion fixed, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned at 5 μm. Sertoli cell number per testis, S-phase labeling (BrdU), and growth fraction (Ki67 labeling) were determined and correlated with corresponding parameters for undifferentiated type A spermatogonia (A dark and A pale). Dual fluorescence labeling was used in addition to histochemistry to monitor spermatogonial differentiation during the peripubertal period using GFRα-1 and cKIT as markers. While the adult complement of Sertoli cells/testis was attained in early pubertal monkeys after only a few weeks of exposure to the elevated gonadotropin secretion characteristic of this developmental stage, the number of undifferentiated type A spermatogonia several months later in mid pubertal monkeys was only 50% of that in adult testes. Both A dark and A pale spermatogonia exhibited high S-phase BrdU labeling at all stages of juvenile and pubertal development. Spermatogonial differentiation, as reflected histochemically and by relative changes in GFRα-1 and cKIT expression, was not observed until after the initiation of puberty. In the rhesus monkey and maybe in other higher primates including human, the pubertal proliferation of undifferentiated spermatogonia is insidious and proceeds in the wake of a surge in Sertoli cell proliferation following termination of the juvenile stage of development.
The C57BL/6J Mouse Strain Background Modifies the Effect of a Mutation in Bcl2l2
Authors: Navarro Stefanie J , Trinh Tuyen , Lucas Charlotte A , Ross Andrea J , Waymire Katrina G , MacGregor Grant R
Published: January 2012

Bcl2l2 encodes BCL-W, an antiapoptotic member of the BCL-2 family of proteins. Intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− mice on a mixed C57BL/6J, 129S5 background produces Bcl2l2 −/− animals with the expected frequency. In contrast, intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− mice on a congenic C57BL/6J background produces relatively few live-born Bcl2l2 −/− animals. Genetic modifiers alter the effect of a mutation. C57BL/6J mice (Mus musculus) have a mutant allele of nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (Nnt) that can act as a modifier. Loss of NNT decreases the concentration of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate within the mitochondrial matrix. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate is a cofactor for glutathione reductase, which regenerates reduced glutathione, an important antioxidant. Thus, loss of NNT activity is associated with increased mitochondrial oxidative damage and cellular stress. To determine whether loss of Bcl2l2 −/− mice on the C57BL/6J background was mediated by the Nnt mutation, we outcrossed Bcl2l2 congenic C57BL/6J (Nnt −/−) mice with the closely related C57BL/6JEiJ (Nnt +/+) strain to produce Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt +/+ and Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt −/− animals. Intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt +/+ mice produced Bcl2l2 −/− with the expected frequency, whereas intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt −/− animals did not. This finding indicates the C57BL/6J strain background, and possibly the Nnt mutation, modifies the Bcl2l2 mutant phenotype. This and previous reports highlight the importance of knowing the genetic composition of mouse strains used in research studies as well as the accurate reporting of mouse strains in the scientific literature.
Whole-Genome Sequencing to Identify Mutants and Polymorphisms inChlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Dutcher Susan K , Li Linya , Lin Huawen , Meyer Leslie , Giddings Thomas H , Kwan Alan L , Lewis Brian L
Published: January 2012

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) provides a new platform for the identification of mutations that produce a mutant phenotype. We used Illumina sequencing to identify the mutational profile of three Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant strains. The three strains have more than 38,000 changes from the reference genome. NG6 is aflagellate and maps to 269 kb with only one nonsynonymous change; the V12E mutation falls in the FLA8 gene. Evidence that NG6 is a fla8 allele comes from swimming revertants that are either true or pseudorevertants. NG30 is aflagellate and maps to 458 kb that has six nonsynonomous changes. Evidence that NG30 has a causative nonsense allele in IFT80 comes from rescue of the nonswimming phenotype with a fragment bearing only this gene. This gene has been implicated in Jeune asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy. Electron microscopy of ift80-1 (NG30) shows a novel basal body phenotype. A bar or cap is observed over the distal end of the transition zone, which may be an intermediate in preparing the basal body for flagellar assembly. In the acetate-requiring mutant ac17, we failed to find a nonsynonymous change in the 676 kb mapped region, which is incompletely assembled. In these strains, 43% of the changes occur on two of the 17 chromosomes. The excess on chromosome 6 surrounds the mating-type locus, which has numerous rearrangements and suppressed recombination, and the changes extend beyond the mating-type locus. Unexpectedly, chromosome 16 shows an unexplained excess of single nucleotide polymorphisms and indels. Overall, WGS in combination with limited mapping allows fast and accurate identification of point mutations in Chlamydomonas.
ManySaccharomyces cerevisiaeCell Wall Protein Encoding Genes Are Coregulated by Mss11, but Cellular Adhesion Phenotypes Appear Only Flo Protein Dependent
Authors: Bester Michael C , Jacobson Dan , Bauer Florian F
Published: January 2012

The outer cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae serves as the interface with the surrounding environment and directly affects cell−cell and cell−surface interactions. Many of these interactions are facilitated by specific adhesins that belong to the Flo protein family. Flo mannoproteins have been implicated in phenotypes such as flocculation, substrate adhesion, biofilm formation, and pseudohyphal growth. Genetic data strongly suggest that individual Flo proteins are responsible for many specific cellular adhesion phenotypes. However, it remains unclear whether such phenotypes are determined solely by the nature of the expressed FLO genes or rather as the result of a combination of FLO gene expression and other cell wall properties and cell wall proteins. Mss11 has been shown to be a central element of FLO1 and FLO11 gene regulation and acts together with the cAMP-PKA-dependent transcription factor Flo8. Here we use genome-wide transcription analysis to identify genes that are directly or indirectly regulated by Mss11. Interestingly, many of these genes encode cell wall mannoproteins, in particular, members of the TIR and DAN families. To examine whether these genes play a role in the adhesion properties associated with Mss11 expression, we assessed deletion mutants of these genes in wild-type and flo11Δ genetic backgrounds. This analysis shows that only FLO genes, in particular FLO1/10/11, appear to significantly impact on such phenotypes. Thus adhesion-related phenotypes are primarily dependent on the balance of FLO gene expression.
Multiplex Chromosomal Exome Sequencing Accelerates Identification of ENU-Induced Mutations in the Mouse
Authors: Sun Miao , Mondal Kajari , Patel Viren , Horner Vanessa L , Long Alyssa B , Cutler David J , Caspary Tamara , Zwick Michael E
Published: January 2012

Forward genetic screens in Mus musculus have proved powerfully informative by revealing unsuspected mechanisms governing basic biological processes. This approach uses potent chemical mutagens, such as N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), to randomly induce mutations in mice, which are then bred and phenotypically screened to identify lines that disrupt a specific biological process of interest. Although identifying a mutation using the rich resources of mouse genetics is straightforward, it is unfortunately neither fast nor cheap. Here we show that detecting newly induced causal variants in a forward genetic screen can be accelerated dramatically using a methodology that combines multiplex chromosome-specific exome capture, next-generation sequencing, rapid mapping, sequence annotation, and variation filtering. The key innovation of our method is multiplex capture and sequence that allows the simultaneous survey of both mutant, parental, and background strains in a single experiment. By comparing variants identified in mutant offspring with those found in dbSNP, the unmutagenized background strains, and parental lines, induced causative mutations can be distinguished immediately from preexisting variation or experimental artifact. Here we demonstrate this approach to find the causative mutations induced in four novel ENU lines identified from a recent ENU screen. In all four cases, after applying our method, we found six or fewer putative mutations (and sometimes only a single one). Determining the causative variant was then easily achieved through standard segregation approaches. We have developed this process into a community resource that will speed up individual labs’ ability to identify the genetic lesion in mutant mouse lines; all of our reagents and software tools are open source and available to the broader scientific community.
Bronchoscopic Findings in Children With Chronic Wet Cough
Authors: Zgherea Daniela , Pagala Sobhan , Mendiratta Monita , Marcus Michael G. , Shelov Steven P. , Kazachkov Mikhail
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVES:

Protracted bacterial bronchitis is defined as the presence of more than 4 weeks of chronic wet cough that resolves with appropriate antibiotic therapy, in the absence of alternative diagnoses. The diagnosis of protracted bacterial bronchitis is not readily accepted within the pediatric community, however, and data on the incidence of bacterial bronchitis in children are deficient. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of bacterial bronchitis in children with chronic wet cough and to analyze their bronchoscopic findings.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective review of charts of children who presented with chronic wet cough, unresponsive to therapy, before referral to the pediatric pulmonary clinic.

RESULTS:

A total of 197 charts and bronchoscopy reports were analyzed. Of 109 children who were 0 to 3 years of age, 33 (30.3%) had laryngomalacia and/or tracheomalacia. The bronchoscopy showed purulent bronchitis in 56% (110) cases and nonpurulent bronchitis in 44% (87). The bronchoalveolar lavage bacterial cultures were positive in 46% (91) of the children and showed nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (49%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (20%), Moraxella catarrhalis (17%), Staphylococcus aureus (12%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 1 patient. The χ2 analysis demonstrated that positive bacterial cultures occurred more frequently in children with purulent bronchitis (74, 69.8%) than in children with nonpurulent bronchitis (19, 19.8%) (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Children who present with chronic wet cough are often found to have evidence of purulent bronchitis on bronchoscopy. This finding is often indicative of a bacterial lower airway infection in these children.
The Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Case Registry: A Method to Improve Surveillance
Authors: Shapiro-Mendoza Carrie K. , Camperlengo Lena T. , Kim Shin Y. , Covington Theresa
Published: January 2012

This article describes a multistate population-based surveillance system for monitoring sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs) known as the SUID Case Registry pilot program. The pilot program represents collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center for Child Death Review (NCCDR), which is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration. The SUID Case Registry builds on existing child death review system activities and protocols. The objectives of the SUID Case Registry are to collect accurate and consistent population-based data about the circumstances and events associated with SUID cases, to improve the completeness and quality of SUID case investigations, and to use a decision-making algorithm with standardized definitions to categorize SUID cases. States who participate in the pilot program commit to review all SUID cases in their state by using their multidisciplinary state and local child death review teams. These teams request and review data from death scene investigators, medical examiners and coroners, law enforcement, social services, pediatric and obstetric providers, and public health per usual, but as part of the pilot program, supplement their SUID case reviews by discussing additional medical, environmental, and behavioral factors, and entering this data using the NCCDR Web-based Case Reporting System. This new surveillance system aims to improve knowledge of factors surrounding SUID events and improve investigation practices. The surveillance system will allow researchers and program planners to create prevention strategies and interventions, ultimately reducing SUIDs and injury-related infant deaths.
Association of Center Volume With Mortality and Complications in Pediatric Heart Surgery
Authors: Pasquali Sara K. , Li Jennifer S. , Burstein Danielle S. , Sheng Shubin , O’Brien Sean M. , Jacobs Marshall L. , Jaquiss Robert D.B. , Peterson Eric D. , Gaynor J. William , Jacobs Jeffrey P.
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE:

Previous analyses have suggested center volume is associated with outcome in children undergoing heart surgery. However, data are limited regarding potential mediating factors, including the relationship of center volume with postoperative complications and mortality in those who suffer a complication. We examined this association in a large multicenter cohort.

METHODS:

Children 0 to 18 years undergoing heart surgery at centers participating in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (2006–2009) were included. In multivariable analysis, we evaluated outcomes associated with annual center volume, adjusting for patient factors and surgical risk category.

RESULTS:

A total of 35 776 patients (68 centers) were included. Overall, 40.6% of patients had ≥1 complication, and the in-hospital mortality rate was 3.9%. The mortality rate in those patients with a complication was 9.0%. In multivariable analysis, lower center volume was significantly associated with higher in-hospital mortality. There was no association of center volume with the rate of postoperative complications, but lower center volume was significantly associated with higher mortality in those with a complication (P = .03 when volume examined as a continuous variable; odds ratio in centers with <150 vs >350 cases per year = 1.59 [95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.18]). This association was most prominent in the higher surgical risk categories.

CONCLUSIONS:

These data suggest that the higher mortality observed at lower volume centers in children undergoing heart surgery may be related to a higher rate of mortality in those with postoperative complications, rather than a higher rate of complications alone.
Oral Sucrose and “Facilitated Tucking” for Repeated Pain Relief in Preterms: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Cignacco Eva L. , Sellam Gila , Stoffel Lillian , Gerull Roland , Nelle Mathias , Anand Kanwaljeet J. S. , Engberg Sandra
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVES:

To test the comparative effectiveness of 2 nonpharmacologic pain-relieving interventions administered alone or in combination across time for repeated heel sticks in preterm infants.

METHODS:

A multicenter randomized controlled trial in 3 NICUs in Switzerland compared the effectiveness of oral sucrose, facilitated tucking (FT), and a combination of both interventions in preterm infants between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation. Data were collected during the first 14 days of their NICU stay. Three phases (baseline, heel stick, recovery) of 5 heel stick procedures were videotaped for each infant. Four independent experienced nurses blinded to the heel stick phase rated 1055 video sequences presented in random order by using the Bernese Pain Scale for Neonates, a validated pain tool.

RESULTS:

Seventy-one infants were included in the study. Interrater reliability was high for the total Bernese Pain Scale for Neonates score (Cronbach’s α: 0.90–0.95). FT alone was significantly less effective in relieving repeated procedural pain (P < .002) than sucrose (0.2 mL/kg). FT in combination with sucrose seemed to have added value in the recovery phase with lower pain scores (P = .003) compared with both the single-treatment groups. There were no significant differences in pain responses across gestational ages.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sucrose with and without FT had pain-relieving effects even in preterm infants of <32 weeks of gestation having repeated pain exposures. These interventions remained effective during repeated heel sticks across time. FT was not as effective and cannot be recommended as a nonpharmacologic pain relief intervention for repeated pain exposure.