bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Physical Consequences of Gynecologic Cancer Surgery and Their Impact on Sexual, Emotional, and Quality of Life Issues
Authors: Carter Jeanne , Stabile Cara , Gunn Abigail , Sonoda Yukio
Published: February 2013

Introduction

Surgical management of gynecologic cancer can cause short- and long-term effects on sexuality, reproductive function, and overall quality of life (QOL) (e.g., sexual dysfunction, infertility, lymphedema). However, innovative approaches developed over the past several decades have improved oncologic outcomes and reduced treatment sequelae.

Aim

To provide an overview of the standards of care and major advancements in gynecologic cancer surgery, with a focus on their direct physical impact, as well as emotional, sexual, and QOL issues. This overview will aid researchers and clinicians in the conceptualization of future clinical care strategies and interventions to improve sexual/vaginal/reproductive health and QOL in gynecologic cancer patients.

Main Outcome Measures

Comprehensive overview of the literature on gynecologic oncology surgery.

Methods

Conceptual framework for this overview follows the current standards of care and recent surgical approaches to treat gynecologic cancer, with a brief overview describing primary management objectives and the physical, sexual, and emotional impact on patients. Extensive literature support is provided.

Results

The type and radicality of surgical treatment for gynecologic cancer can influence sexual function and play a significant role in QOL. Psychological, sexual, and QOL outcomes improve as surgical procedures continue to evolve. Procedures for fertility preservation, laparoscopy, sentinel lymph node mapping, and robotic and risk-reducing surgery have advanced the field while reducing treatment sequelae. Nevertheless, interventions that address sexual and vaginal health issues are limited.

Conclusions

It is imperative to consider QOL and sexuality during the treatment decision-making process. New advances in detection and treatment exist; however, psycho-educational interventions and greater patient–physician communication to address sexual and vaginal health concerns are warranted. Large, prospective clinical trials including patient-reported outcomes are needed in gynecologic oncology populations to identify subgroups at risk. Future study designs need clearly defined samples to gain insight about sexual morbidity and foster the development of targeted interventions.
Addressing Female Sexual Function after Cancer by Internists and Primary Care Providers
Authors: Bober Sharon L. , Carter Jeanne , Falk Sandy
Published: February 2013

Introduction

There are now almost 14 million cancer survivors in the United States, and for the majority of survivors, the bulk of post-cancer medical care is provided by community primary care providers (PCPs). Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common and distressing quality of life issues facing female cancer survivors yet it has become increasingly evident that women’s cancer-related sexual dysfunction often goes unaddressed, including in primary care treatment setting.

Aim

Building on a model that calls for an integrative approach to treatment, the aim is to concisely review barriers and challenges of managing cancer-related female sexual dysfunction for PCPs and to offer specific and effective strategies that PCPs may use to treat common sexual problems in their female cancer survivors.

Methods

Literature was reviewed for relevant publications on the topic of treating cancer-related sexual dysfunction and primary care, and interviews were conducted with experts on state-of-the-art methods for treating cancer-related sexual dysfunction.

Main Outcome Measure

Clinical evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of simple strategies to manage cancer-related female sexual dysfunction.

Results

Cancer-related female sexual dysfunction does not seem to be appropriately acknowledged and addressed in primary care treatment settings. There is evidence to show that simple and effective strategies exist to ameliorate many of these problems.

Conclusions

PCPs provide the bulk of survivorship care and are therefore in a critical position to initiate assessment and treatment for female survivors with cancer-related sexual dysfunction. Although PCPs are in need of increased support and preparation to manage this aspect of survivorship care, simple and effective strategies are available for PCPs to offer women as part of their clinical practice.
Preparing for Survivorship: Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors
Authors: Gao Jennifer , Dizon Don S.
Published: February 2013

Introduction

Breast cancer affects over 200,000 women each year; however, with earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment, patients are living longer, even in the presence of metastatic disease. Current estimates place patients with breast cancer as the largest population of cancer survivors in the United States. Given the successes in treatment, quality of life (QOL) of breast cancer survivors has become a more important consideration.

Aim

The aim of this study is to examine QOL throughout the cancer journey.

Methods

The cancer journey will be conceptualized across disease states.

Main Outcome Measures

Understanding of the longitudinal journey associated with dynamic changes in physical, mental, and psychosocial spheres that occur with cancer, cancer treatment, and the sequelae of both. Conceptualization of changes is shown through the QOL as the survivor moves through the phases of cancer.

Results

QOL is not a static concept, and breast cancer survivors undergo dynamic changes in QOL starting at diagnosis, as they progress through treatment and enter posttreatment. Some domains that make up QOL (i.e., sexual functioning and role functioning) can show persistent detriments related to cancer and its treatment.

Conclusions

In this article, we will provide a snapshot of some research performed to better understand the QOL of breast cancer survivors using a disease states model of breast cancer.
DNA methylation patterns of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma gene associated with liver fibrosis and inflammation in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Zhao Q. , Fan Y. ‐C. , Zhao J. , Gao S. , Zhao Z. ‐H. , Wang K.
Published: February 2013

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) is a nuclear receptor that regulates gene expression of inflammatory mediators in liver injury. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) suppresses the PPAR gamma‐mediated transactivation in liver cancerous cell lines. However, the role of PPAR gamma in patients with chronic HBV infection has not fully demonstrated. Our present study was firstly to determine the clinical relevance of peripheral PPAR gamma mRNA levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and then, the DNA methylation of PPAR gamma promoter was investigated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 91 CHB patients and 18 healthy controls. The mRNA level of PPAR gamma was determined by quantitative real‐time PCR; meanwhile, the CpG island methylation was assessed by methylation‐specific PCR. CHB patients showed significantly lower mRNA level of PPAR gamma than healthy controls (P = 0.005). The mRNA level was decreased in HBV‐DNA‐positive group than HBV‐DNA‐negative group (P = 0.041). Interaction analysis demonstrated that the DNA methylation pattern was responsible for the suppression of peripheral PPAR gamma transcription in CHB patients (P = 0.003). Furthermore, the hypermethylation of PPAR gamma gene promoter was significantly associated with liver inflammation and fibrosis in CHB. In conclusion, DNA methylation patterns were responsible for the decreased mRNA level of peripheral PPAR gamma in CHB patients. Liver inflammation and fibrosis were found to be associated with hypermethylation of PPAR gamma promoter.
The presence of resistance mutations to protease and polymerase inhibitors in Hepatitis C virus sequences from the Los Alamos databank
Authors: Alves R. , Queiroz A. T. L. , Pessoa M. G. , da Silva E. F. , Mazo D. F. C. , Carrilho F. J. , Carvalho‐Filho R. J. , de Carvalho I. M. V. G.
Published: February 2013

Several new direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) drugs are in development for chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection, and NS3‐NS4A serine protease and the NS5B RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase have been the major targets. HCV variants displaying drug‐resistant phenotypes have been observed both in vitro and during clinical trials. Our aim was to characterize amino acid changes at positions previously associated with resistance in protease (NS3) and polymerase (NS5B) regions from treatment‐naïve HCV patients infected with genotypes 1a, 1b and 3a. All 1383 NS3 protease sequences (genotype 1a = 680, 1b = 498 and 3a = 205) and 806 NS5B polymerase sequences (genotypes 1a = 471, 1b = 329, 3a = 6) were collected from Los Alamos databank. Genotype 3a protease sequences showed the typical low‐level resistance mutation V36L. NS3 sequences from other genotypes presented mutations on positions 36, 39, 41, 43, 54, 80, 109, 155 and 168 in a frequency lower than 2%, except for the mutation Q80R found in 35% of genotype 1a isolates. Polymerase sequences from genotype 3a patients showed five typical mutations: L419I, I424V, I482L, V499A and S556G. Two positions presented high polymorphism in the NS5B region from genotype 1a (V499A) and genotype 1b (C316N) subjects. Our results demonstrated a natural profile of genotype 3a that can be associated with the pre‐existence of HCV variants resistant to first‐generation protease inhibitors and to non‐nucleoside polymerase inhibitors. Likewise, genotype 1b isolates and genotype 1a sequences exhibited pre‐existing mutations associated with resistance to Palm II and Thumb I polymerase inhibitors, respectively.
Asymmetric growth and division in Mycobacterium spp.: compensatory mechanisms for non‐medial septa
Authors: Singh Bhupender , Nitharwal Ram Gopal , Ramesh Malavika , Pettersson B. M. Fredrik , Kirsebom Leif A. , Dasgupta Santanu
Published: February 2013

Mycobacterium spp., rod‐shaped cells belonging to the phylum Actinomycetes, lack the Min‐ and Noc/Slm systems responsible for preventing the placement of division sites at the poles or over the nucleoids to ensure septal assembly at mid‐cell. We show that the position for establishment of the FtsZ‐ring in exponentially growing Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium smegmatis cells is nearly random, and that the cells often divide non‐medially, producing two unequal but viable daughters. Septal sites and cellular growth disclosed by staining with the membrane‐specific dye FM4‐64 and fluorescent antibiotic vancomycin (FL‐Vanco), respectively, showed that many division sites were off‐centre, often over the nucleoids, and that apical cell growth was frequently unequal at the two poles. DNA transfer through the division septum was detected, and translocation activity was supported by the presence of a putative mycobacterial DNA translocase (MSMEG2690) at the majority of the division sites. Time‐lapse imaging of single live cells through several generations confirmed both acentric division site placement and unequal polar growth in mycobacteria. Our evidence suggests that post‐septal DNA transport and unequal polar growth may compensate for the non‐medial division site placement in Mycobacterium spp.
The actin‐regulating kinase homologue MoArk1 plays a pleiotropic function in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Wang Jiamei , Du Yan , Zhang Haifeng , Zhou Chen , Qi Zhongqiang , Zheng Xiaobo , Wang Ping , Zhang Zhengguang
Published: February 2013

Endocytosis is an essential cellular process in eukaryotic cells that involves concordant functions of clathrin and adaptor proteins, various protein and lipid kinases, phosphatases and the actin cytoskeleton. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ark1p is a member of the serine/threonine protein kinase (SPK) family that affects profoundly the organization of the cortical actin cytoskeleton. To study the function of MoArk1, an Ark1p homologue identified in Magnaporthe oryzae, we disrupted the MoARK1 gene and characterized the ΔMoark1 mutant strain. The ΔMoark1 mutant exhibited various defects ranging from mycelial growth and conidial formation to appressorium‐mediated host infection. The ΔMoark1 mutant also exhibited decreased appressorium turgor pressure and attenuated virulence on rice and barley. In addition, the ΔMoark1 mutant displayed defects in endocytosis and formation of the Spitzenkörper, and was hyposensitive to exogenous oxidative stress. Moreover, a MoArk1‐green fluorescent protein (MoArk1‐GFP) fusion protein showed an actin‐like localization pattern by localizing to the apical regions of hyphae. This pattern of localization appeared to be regulated by the N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins MoSec22 and MoVam7. Finally, detailed analysis revealed that the proline‐rich region within the MoArk1 serine/threonine kinase (S_TKc) domain was critical for endocytosis, subcellular localization and pathogenicity. These results collectively suggest that MoArk1 exhibits conserved functions in endocytosis and actin cytoskeleton organization, which may underlie growth, cell wall integrity and virulence of the fungus.
Clinical utility of colonic manometry in slow transit constipation
Authors: Singh S. , Heady S. , Coss‐Adame E. , Rao S. S. C.
Published: February 2013

Background

The clinical significance of colorectal sensorimotor evaluation in patients with slow transit constipation (STC) is unclear. We investigated whether colonic manometric evaluation is useful for characterizing colonic sensorimotor dysfunction and for guiding therapy in STC.

Methods

24‐h ambulatory colonic manometry was performed in 80 patients (70 females) with STC by placing a six sensor solid‐state probe, along with assessment of colonic sensation with barostat. Anorectal manometry was also performed. Manometrically, patients were categorized as having colonic neuropathy or myopathy based on gastrocolonic response, waking response and high amplitude propagated contractions (HAPC); and based on colonic sensation, as colonic hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity. Clinical response to pharmacological, biofeedback, and surgical treatment was assessed at 1 year and correlated with manometric findings.

Key Results

Forty seven (59%) patients who had abnormal colonic manometry, with features suggestive of neuropathy (26%), and myopathy (33%); 41% had normal colonic manometry. Patients who had abnormal colonic sensation were 74% and 61% had overlapping dyssynergic defecation. Patients with neuropathy were more likely to have colonic hyposensitivity. Sixty‐four percent of patients with colonic myopathy or normal manometry improved with medical/biofeedback therapy when compared to 15% with colonic neuropathy (P < 0.01). Selected patients with colonic neuropathy had excellent response to surgery, but many developed bacterial overgrowth.

Conclusions & Inferences

Colonic manometry demonstrates significant colonic sensorimotor dysfunction in STC patients and reveals considerable pathophysiological heterogeneity. It can be useful for characterizing the underlying pathophysiology and for guiding clinical management in STC, especially surgery.
Genomic evaluation of HLA‐DR3+ haplotypes associated with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Kaur Gurvinder , Tandon Nikhil , Kanga Uma , Mehra Narinder K.
Published: February 2013

We have defined three sets of HLA‐DR3+ haplotypes that provide maximum risk of type 1 disease development in Indians: (1) a diverse array of B8‐DR3 haplotypes, (2) A33‐B58‐DR3 haplotype, and (3) A2‐B50‐DR3 occurring most predominantly in this population. Further analysis has revealed extensive diversity in B8‐DR3 haplotypes, particularly at the HLA‐A locus, in contrast to the single fixed HLA‐A1‐B8‐DR3 haplotype (generally referred to as AH8.1) reported in Caucasians. However, the classical AH8.1 haplotype was rare and differed from the Caucasian counterpart at multiple loci. In our study, HLA‐A26‐B8‐DR3 (AH8.2) was the most common B8‐DR3 haplotype constituting >50% of the total B8‐DR3 haplotypes. Further, A2‐B8‐DR3 contributed the maximum risk (RR = 48.7) of type 1 diabetes, followed by A2‐B50‐DR3 (RR = 9.4), A33‐B58‐DR3 (RR = 6.6), A24‐B8‐DR3 (RR = 4.5), and A26‐B8‐DR3 (RR = 4.2). Despite several differences, the disease‐associated haplotypes in Indian and Caucasian populations share a frozen DR3‐DQ2 block, suggesting a common ancestor from which multiple haplotypes evolved independently.
Cardiovascular disease and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: now that the dust is settling from large clinical trials
Authors: Giorgino Francesco , Leonardini Anna , Laviola Luigi
Published: February 2013

The relationship between glucose control and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes has been a matter of controversy over the years. Although epidemiological evidence exists in favor of an adverse role of poor glucose control on cardiovascular events, intervention trials have been less conclusive. The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study, the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease (ADVANCE) study, and the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT) have shown no beneficial effect of intensive glucose control on primary cardiovascular endpoints in type 2 diabetes. However, subgroup analysis has provided evidence suggesting that the potential beneficial effect largely depends on patients’ characteristics, including age, diabetes duration, previous glucose control, presence of cardiovascular disease, and risk of hypoglycemia. The benefit of strict glucose control on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality may be indeed hampered by the extent and frequency of hypoglycemic events and could be enhanced if glucose‐lowering medications, capable of exerting favorable effects on the cardiovascular system, were used. This review examines the relationship between intensive glucose control and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes, addressing the need for individualization of glucose targets and careful consideration of the benefit/risk profile of antidiabetes medications.
Practical approach to nutrition and dietary intervention in pediatric food allergy
Authors: Groetch Marion , Nowak‐Wegrzyn Anna
Published: February 2013

Although the need for nutritional and dietary intervention is a common thread in food allergy management, the type of food allergic disorder and the identified food allergen will influence the approach to dietary intervention. A comprehensive nutrition assessment with appropriate intervention is warranted in all children with food allergies to meet nutrient needs and optimize growth. However, dietary elimination in food allergy may also have undesirable consequences. Frequently, an elimination diet is absolutely necessary to prevent potentially life‐threatening food allergic reactions. Allergen elimination can also ease chronic symptoms, such as atopic dermatitis, when a food is proven to trigger symptoms. However, removing a food with proven sensitivity to treat chronic symptoms may increase the risk of an acute reaction upon reintroduction or accidental ingestion after long‐term avoidance, so it is not without risk. Additionally, it is not recommended to avoid foods in an attempt to control chronic symptoms such as AD and EoE when allergy to the specific food has not been demonstrated. Ultimately, allergen elimination goals are to prevent acute and chronic food allergic reactions in the least restrictive, but also the safest environment to supply a balanced diet that promotes health and growth and development in children.
Rupatadine oral solution in children with persistent allergic rhinitis: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Potter Paul , Maspero Jorge F. , Vermeulen Jan , Barkai László , Németh Ildikó , Baillieau Rene A. , Garde Jesús M. , Giralt Josep , Doménech Alejandro , Izquierdo Iñaki , Nieto Antonio
Published: February 2013

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood. No large, multicentre clinical trials in children with persistent allergic rhinitis (PER) have previously been performed. Rupatadine, a newer second‐generation antihistamine, effective and safe in adults, is a promising treatment for children with AR. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new rupatadine oral solution in children aged 6–11 yr with PER.

Methods

A multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study was carried out worldwide. Patients between 6 and 11 yr with a diagnosis of PER according to ARIA criteria were randomized to receive either rupatadine oral solution (1 mg/ml) or placebo over 6 wk. The primary efficacy end‐point was the change from baseline of the total nasal symptoms score (T4SS) after 4 wk of treatment.

Results

A total of 360 patients were randomized to rupatadine (n = 180) or placebo (n = 180) treatment. Rupatadine showed statistically significant differences vs. placebo for the T4SS reduction both at 4 (−2.5 ± 1.9 vs. −3.1 ± 2.1; p = 0.018) and 6 wk (−2.7 ± 1.9 vs. −3.3 ± 2.1; p = 0.048). Rupatadine also showed a statistically better improvement in the children's quality of life compared with placebo. Adverse reactions were rare and non‐serious in both treatment groups. No QTc or laboratory test abnormalities were reported.

Conclusions

Rupatadine oral solution (1 mg/ml) was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing nasal symptoms at 4 and 6 wk and was well tolerated overall. This is the first large clinical report on the efficacy of an H1 receptor antagonist in children with PER in both symptoms and quality of life.
Ulinastatin as a neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory agent in infant piglets model undergoing surgery on hypothermic low‐flow cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Wang Xiaocou , Xue Qinghua , Yan Fuxia , Li Lihuan , Liu Jinping , Li Shoujun , Hu Shengshou
Published: February 2013

Objective

Infants are potentially more susceptible to brain injury mediated via cell death attributed to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) especially with prolonged hypothermic low flow (HLF). We hypothesized that a human urinary protease inhibitor (ulinastatin), by its anti‐inflammatory effect, would reduce central nervous system (CNS) injury during HLF.

Methods

Fifteen general‐type infant piglets were randomized to ulinastatin group (Group U, n = 5), control group (Group C, n = 5), and sham operation group (Group S, n = 5). Routine CPB was established after median thoracotomy in Group U and C under anesthesia. When the temperature of infant piglets dropped down to 25°C, low‐flow CPB (50 ml·kg−1·min−1) was instituted. After 120 min of aortic cross‐clamping and 20‐ to 30‐min rewarming, the aortic cross‐clamp was removed and finally the piglet was weaned from CPB. Five thousand units per killogram of ulinastatin and equivalently normal saline were, respectively, given at the beginning of and at aortic declamping in Group U and Group C. Group S just received sham median thoracotomy. Venous blood samples were taken immediately after anesthesia induction in all three groups, 5‐ and 120‐min post CPB in both Group U and C, respectively; plasma markers of inflammation and CNS injury were compared. Pathology results of hippocampus were observed by light microscopy.

Results

Statistically significant differences between Group C and U were noted in the expression of inflammatory markers such as IL‐10, TNF‐α and neuron‐specific enolase at 120‐min post CPB. Brain injuries were observed in both groups (index cases and controls) and were milder in Group U.

Conclusions

In our study, HLF CPB on infant piglets resulted in brain injury, and ulinastatin might reduce the extent of such injury.
The interplay between P uptake pathways in mycorrhizal peas: a combined physiological and gene‐silencing approach
Authors: Grønlund Mette , Albrechtsen Merete , Johansen I. Elisabeth , Hammer Edith C. , Nielsen Tom H. , Jakobsen Iver
Published: February 2013

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have a key role in plant phosphate (Pi) uptake by their efficient capture of soil phosphorus (P) that is transferred to the plant via Pi transporters in the root cortical cells. The activity of this mycorrhizal Pi uptake pathway is often associated with downregulation of Pi transporter genes in the direct Pi uptake pathway. As the total Pi taken up by the plant is determined by the combined activity of mycorrhizal and direct pathways, it is important to understand the interplay between these, in particular the actual activity of the pathways. To study this interplay we modulated the delivery of Pi via the mycorrhizal pathway in Pisum sativum by two means: (1) Partial downregulation by virus‐induced gene silencing of PsPT4, a putative Pi transporter gene in the mycorrhizal pathway. This resulted in decreased fungal development in roots and soil and led to reduced plant Pi uptake. (2) Changing the percentage of AMF‐colonized root length by using non‐, half‐mycorrhizal or full‐mycorrhizal split‐root systems. The combination of split roots, use of 32P and 33P isotopes and partial silencing of PsPT4 enabled us to show that the expression of PsPT1, a putative Pi transporter gene in the direct pathway, was negatively correlated with increasing mycorrhizal uptake capacity of the plant, both locally and systemically. However, transcript changes in PsPT1 were not translated into corresponding, systemic changes in actual direct Pi uptake. Our results suggest that AMF have a limited long‐distance impact on the direct pathway.
Nitric oxide mediates cold‐ and dehydration‐induced expression of a novel MfHyPRP that confers tolerance to abiotic stress
Authors: Tan Jiali , Zhuo Chunliu , Guo Zhenfei
Published: February 2013

Hybrid proline‐rich proteins (HyPRPs) are cell wall‐localized proteins, and are frequently responsive to environmental stresses. The coding sequence of a HyPRP cDNA was isolated from Medicago falcata, a forage crop that shows cold and drought tolerance. The predicted MfHyPRP contains a proline‐rich domain at N‐terminus after the signal peptide and a conserved eight‐cysteine motif at the C‐terminus. Higher level of MfHyPRP transcript was observed in leaves than in stems and roots under control conditions, while more MfHyPRP transcript was induced in leaves and stems than in roots after cold treatment. Levels of MfHyPRP transcript and MfHyPRP protein in leaves were induced by cold, dehydration, abscisic acid (ABA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO), but not responsive to salt stress. The cold‐ or dehydration‐induced expression of MfHyPRP was blocked by scavenger of NO, but not affected by inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis or scavenger of H2O2. The results indicated that NO, but not ABA and H2O2, was essential in the cold‐ and dehydration‐induced expression of MfHyPRP. Overexpression of MfHyPRP in tobacco led to increased tolerance to freezing, chilling and osmotic stress as well as methyl viologen‐induced oxidative stress. The increased cold and osmotic stress tolerance was proposed to be associated with improved protection against oxidative damages. It is suggested that NO mediates cold‐ and dehydration‐induced expression of MfHyPRP that confers tolerance to abiotic stress.
Controversies in Implicit Race Bias Research
Authors: Tinkler Justine E.
Published: February 2013

Advances in measurement have allowed researchers to empirically distinguish between explicit attitudes, which are conscious and controllable, and implicit attitudes, which are activated automatically without cognitive effort or even awareness. Researchers using these methods have shown that although survey data reveal unprecedented declines in Americans’ expressions of overtly racist attitudes, most Americans continue to harbor an implicit pro‐White bias relative to other racial minority groups. This research has generated a great deal of controversy. The primary focus of the controversy has been on the findings that have come out of studies using the Implicit Association Test or IAT – a response‐time computer software program that records the speed with which positive and negative evaluations of different racial groups come to mind. This paper addresses the following questions that continue to divide researchers: (1) What does the IAT measure? (2) How do implicit attitudes as measured by the IAT relate to people’s race‐related judgments and behaviors? (3) What are the political and legal implications of being able to measure implicit racial bias?
Assessing Television’s ‘Political Dramas’
Authors: Richardson Kay , Corner John
Published: February 2013

Because drama is so important to the television schedules, and because television remains a ubiquitous and pervasive medium, TV drama is a constant cultural presence. Some of its stories are about politics, featuring the work of government, the contestation of elections, party rivalry and negotiation, and so on, with a cast of characters including leaders, advisors, journalists, celebrities and citizens: they echo, refract, replay, model and feed into narratives about real‐world politics in a variety of ways. Dramatic stories of this kind are important for the sake of their potential contribution to what citizens believe ‐ and feel ‐ about politics itself. Dramatised political stories and characters appear in a wide range of genres, from factually based docudramas to situation comedy and soap opera, and have become the focus of international academic attention for a number of scholars in politics departments as well as those working from within media and cultural studies. This article looks at a range of approaches to studying political drama on television, raising questions about generic variety, the ideas and the kinds of analysis that have been applied and the varying assessments that have been put forward.
The Co‐evolution of Residential Segregation and the Built Environment at the Turn of the 20th Century: A Schelling Model
Authors: Spielman Seth , Harrison Patrick
Published: February 2013

To what degree does the built environment of cities shape the social environment? In this article we use a Schelling‐like agent‐based model to consider how changes to the built environment of cities relate to changes in residential segregation by income and ethnicity. To develop this model we exploit insights from a high resolution historical GIS which maps 100% of the population of Newark, NJ in 1880. Newark in 1880 had a complex social landscape characterized by areas of significant social and economic segregation and areas of relative integration. We develop a Schelling model capable of reproducing these residential patterns. We use this model to explore the decentralization of housing, a specific phenomenon associated with the demise of the walking city in the late 19th century. Holding agent preferences constant, but allowing the landscape of the Schelling model to evolve in ways that reflect historical changes to the built environment, produces changes to the social landscape that are also consistent with history. Our work suggests that changes in residential segregation do not necessarily imply changes to individual attitudes and preferences. Changes in residential segregation can be generated by changes to the built environment, specifically the geographic distribution of housing.
Arabidopsis COBRA‐LIKE 10, a GPI‐anchored protein, mediates directional growth of pollen tubes
Authors: Li Sha , Ge Fu‐Rong , Xu Ming , Zhao Xin‐Ying , Huang Guo‐Qiang , Zhou Liang‐Zi , Wang Jia‐Gang , Kombrink Anja , McCormick Sheila , Zhang Xian Sheng , Zhang Yan
Published: February 2013

Successful reproduction of flowering plants requires constant communication between female tissues and growing pollen tubes. Female cells secrete molecules and peptides as nutrients or guidance cues for fast and directional tube growth, which is executed by dynamic changes of intracellular activities within pollen tubes. Compared with the extensive interest in female cues and intracellular activities of pollen tubes, how female cues are sensed and interpreted intracellularly in pollen is poorly understood. We show here that COBL10, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored protein, is one component of this pollen tube internal machinery. Mutations in COBL10 caused gametophytic male sterility due to reduced pollen tube growth and compromised directional sensing in the female transmitting tract. Deposition of the apical pectin cap and cellulose microfibrils was disrupted in cobl10 pollen tubes. Pollen tube localization of COBL10 at the apical plasma membrane is critical for its function and relies on proper GPI processing and its C‐terminal hydrophobic residues. GPI‐anchored proteins are widespread cell sensors in mammals, especially during egg‐sperm communication. Our results that COBL10 is critical for directional growth of pollen tubes suggest that they play critical roles in cell‐cell communications in plants.
Antagonistic Control of Lysosomal Fusion by Rab14 and the Lyst‐Related Protein LvsB
Authors: Kypri Elena , Falkenstein Kristin , De Lozanne Arturo
Published: February 2013

While loss of the protein Lyst causes abnormal lysosomes in patients with Chediak–Higashi syndrome, the contribution of Lyst to lysosome biology is not known. Previously we found that the Dictyostelium ortholog of Lyst, LvsB, is a cytosolic protein that associates with lysosomes and post‐lysosomes to prevent their inappropriate fusion. Here we provide three lines of evidence that indicate that LvsB contributes to lysosome function by antagonizing the function of DdRab14, a protein that promotes homotypic fusion among lysosomes. (1) Instead of restricting DdRab14 to lysosomes, cells that lack LvsB expand DdRab14 localization to include post‐lysosomes. (2) Expression of activated DdRab14 phenocopies the loss of LvsB, causing inappropriate heterotypic fusion between lysosomes and post‐lysosomes and their subsequent enlargement. (3) Conversely, expression of inactivated DdRab14 suppresses the phenotype of LvsB null cells and restores their lysosomal size and segregation from post‐lysosomes. Our data suggest a scenario where LvsB binds to late lysosomes and promotes the inactivation of DdRab14. This inactivation allows the lysosomes to mature into post‐lysosomes for eventual secretion. We propose that human Lyst may function similarly to regulate Rab‐dependent fusion of lysosomal compartments.
Novel alginate three‐dimensional static and rotating culture systems for effective ex vivo amplification of human cord blood hematopoietic stem cells and in vivo functional analysis of amplified cells in NOD/SCID mice
Authors: Yuan Yan , Sin Wai‐Yee , Xue Bofu , Ke Yan , Tse Kai‐Tai , Chen Zi , Xie Yi , Xie Yong
Published: February 2013

Background

Autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantations serve as effective therapy for a variety of hematologic and other diseases. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an important source of HSCs. However, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient number of HSCs with complete self‐renewal capability derived from a single unit of UCB for use in adult transplantation. In this study, we investigated two novel three‐dimensional (3D) culture systems (static and rotating) for ex vivo expansion of HSCs from UCB.

Study Design and Methods

We encapsulated the human cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) in alginate 3D static and rotating culture systems, compared the cell number amplification, the proportion of CD34+ cells, and the colony‐forming capacity of these systems to those of the conventional two‐dimensional (2D) system. The amplified cells were transplanted into nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice to confirm the hematopoiesis reconstruction capacity of the cells.

Results

The increase in the cell number and the proportion of CD34+ cells in the CBMCs was more effective in these 3D alginate culture systems than in the conventional 2D culture system under the same conditions (p < 0.05). The stem cell maintenance capability was confirmed by flow cytometry and colony‐forming assay ex vivo and NOD/SCID mice xenogeneic transplantation model in vivo.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that these 3D alginate culture systems are an efficient way to amplify cord blood HSCs for extended periods without having them lose their self‐renewal capacity in vivo. These novel 3D alginate culture systems are promising for the amplification of UCB‐derived HSCs for clinical application in the future.
Human Factor in Equipment Safety of Hard Disk Manufacturing
Authors: Ahmad Arshad , Ling Yeoh Phooi , W Ali Mohamad , Ripin Adnan , Haron Saharudin
Published: February 2013

The focus of this paper is on the human factors aspect of equipment safety focusing on process hazard analysis and safety programs. The objectives of this study are to determine the level of awareness, involvement and perceptions on occupational safety and health among workers. These are accomplished by conducting a survey using questionnaire and interviews involving 98 respondents in two hard disk manufacturing companies. Majority of the respondents were executives with high academic qualifications and possessed high level of safety awareness. The results conclude that despite the existence of various legislations, human factors and its interactions with facilities and management system is the main contributor to incidents. It is also found that most of the incidents involved power driven machineries. For the improvement of equipment safety, it is recommended that Process Hazard Analysis techniques be used to play significant role, along with both engineering and administrative control measures and safety programs.

Keywords: Equipment safety; industrial incidents; process hazard analysis; hard disk industry
Removal of Colour from Waste Water Using Coconut Shell Activated Carbon (CSAC) and Commercial Activated Carbon (CAC)
Authors: Jibril Mohammed , Noraini Jaafar , Poh Lai Shiou , Mohammed Evuti Abdullahi
Published: February 2013

Dalam kajian ini, satu siri eksperimen penjerapan berkelompok telah dijalankan untuk menyiasat kecekapan penyingkiran warna oleh CSAC dan CACs daripada air sisa. Kecekapan penjerapan telah dinilai dengan mengukur peratus penyingkiran warna. Kesan larutan pH, kepekatan adsorben, masa betindak balas dan kepekatan warna asal terhadap kecekapan penyingkiran warna juga telah disiasat.
Penjerapan warna optimum dicapai pada pH rendah (pH 1.68), kepekatan warna asal yang rendah (50mg/l) dan 12g/l dos karbon dengan kecekapan penyingkiran sebanyak 75% untuk CAC dan 45% bagi CSAC, dengan pergolakan selama satu jam. Kecekapan penyingkiran warna yang rendah iaitu 25% untuk CAC dan 17% untuk CSAC telah diperoleh pada pH tinggi (ph 9-12), kepekatan warna asal yang tinggi iaitu 100mg/l dan dos karbon yang rendah untuk tempoh penahanan yang sama. Perbandingan antara model isotherm Langmuir dan Freundlich ke atas data penjerapan menunjukkan bahawa model isotermal Langmuir menunjukkan keputusan yang lebih baik dengan pekali korelasi, R2 yang lebih tinggi.
Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa CSAC boleh digunakan sebagai alternatif kos rendah untuk CAC untuk menyingkirkan pewarna daripada air sisa tetapi kecekapannya penyingkirannya adalah lebih rendah berbanding CAC.

Kata kunci: Warna pengeluaran; air sisa; arang batu; kelapa shell; karbon teraktif; Adsorpsi sesuhu

In this study, series of batch adsorption experiment were conducted to examine the color removal efficiency of CSAC and CACs from waste water. The CAC is coal base activated carbon while the CSAC was manufactured in the laboratory. Yellow dye colour (Tartrazine E102) was utilized as the colourant.
The adsorption efficiencies of the adsorbents were evaluated and compared by measuring the percentage of color removed. The effects of solution pH, adsorbent concentration, contact time as well as initial color concentration on the colour removal efficiency were also investigated. The optimum adsorption of color was achieved at low pH (pH 1.68), low initial color concentration (50mg/L) and 12g/l carbon dosage with
removal efficiency of 75% for CAC and 45% for CSAC, with one hour agitation. Lower colour removal efficiency of 25% for CAC and 17% for CSAC were obtained at higher pH (pH 9-12), higher initial color concentration (100mg/L) and low carbon dosage, under the same retention time. A comparison of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models of the adsorption data shows that Langmuir isotherm shows higher correlation coefficient, R2. The results indicate that CSAC has the potential as a low cost alternative for colour removal but the efficiency is lower than CSAC.

Keywords: Color removal; waste water; coal; coconut shell; activated carbon; adsorption isotherm
Effect of Particle Size on the Oil Yield and Catechin Compound Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction
Authors: Che Yunus Mohd Azizi , Hasan Manzurudin , Othman Norasikin , Mohd-Setapar Siti Hamidah , Md.-Salleh Liza , Ahmad-Zaini Muhammad Abbas , Idham Zuhaili , Zhari Salman
Published: February 2013

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji kesan saiz zarah ke atas pengekstrakan sebatian catechin daripada biji Areca catechu L. dengan menggunakan Pengekstrakan Pelarut Terpecut (PPT). Saiz zarah biji Areca catechu dipelbagaikan dari 75 μm sehingga 500 μm. Pengekstrakan telah dijalankan padaparameter tetap iaitu suhu (140oC), tekanan (1500 psi), masa (10 minit), isipadu semburan (60%) dan satu kitaran pengekstrakan, masing-masing. Hasil minyak peratusan yang lebih tinggi adalah 300 mg minyak / gram sampel (30.00% pati minyak) ditemui pada 125 μm. Walaubagaimanapun, kandungan catechin dalam pati minyak hanya 0.0375 mg catechin / gram sampel. Saiz zarah yang terbaik dalam julat uji kaji ini telah dikenal pasti pada 500 μm yang memberikan kandungan catechin yang tinggi iaitu 0.0515 mg catechin /
gram sampel dari 247.5 mg minyak / gram sampel (24.75% pati minyak).

Kata kunci: Saiz zarah; catechin; LC-MS-TOF; pengekstrakan pelarut terpecut

The purpose of this work is to investigate the effects of particle size on the extraction of catechincompound from Areca catechu L. seeds by using Accelerated Solvent Extraction (ASE). The particle sizes of Areca catechu L. seeds are varied from 75 µm until 500 µm. The extraction is conducted at fixed parameters which are temperature (140oC), pressure (1500 psi), extraction time (10 minutes), flush volume (60%) and the static cycle is done for 1 extraction cycle respectively. Higher percentage oil yield of 300mg oil/gram of sample (30.00% oil yield) is found at 125 µm. However, the amount of catechin in oil yields is only 0.0375 mg of catechin/gram of sample. The best of particle size within the experimental range has been identified at 500 µm which gives a high content of catechin with 0.0515 mg Catechin/gram of sample from 247.5 mg oil/gram of sample (24.75% oil yield).

Keywords: Particle size; catechin; LC-MS-TOF; accelerated solvent extraction
CRLB Analysis for Cognitive IR-UWB with Imperfect Sensing
Authors: Hosseini Haleh , Fisal Norsheila , Syed-Yusof Sharifah Kamilah
Published: February 2013

Cognitive ultra wideband (UWB) technology has ability to sense the environment, and offers an adaptive system with low transmission power and high throughput for wireless communications. Impulse radio UWB (IR-UWB) supports flexible modulations, with short mono-pulses, in which channel estimation has
a critical role. However, imperfect sensing in cognitive IR-UWB introduces the channel estimation errors associated to the interfering primary users. Two main schemes of channel parameters identification are known as pilot-aided and blind methods. In this paper, the effect of primary user interference is considered for channel estimation based on maximum-likelihood (ML) criterion. Cramer-Rao lower band (CRLB) analysis is derived, and performance analysis is simulated to compare both pilot-aided and blind methods in cognitive IR-UWB system. The results verify the better performance of the pilot-aided estimation, and also show the negative effect of increasing the number of primary users and paths on the performance. At SNR=10 dB, for pilot-aided method with 10 users and 3 paths, the CRLB square root of gain is and that of delay is less than blind method. Besides, when the number of primary users is 20, and the paths are 7, this gap is for gain, and for delay.

Keywords: Cognitive radio; ultra wideband communications; Cramer–Rao lower band; channel estimation
Effect of Extraction Process Parameters on the Yield of Bioactive Compounds from the Roots of Eurycoma Longifolia
Authors: Mohamad Mardawani , Ali Mohamad Wijayanuddin , Ripin Adnan , Ahmad Arshad
Published: February 2013

Kesan-kesan parameter proses pengekstrakan iaitu masa pengekstrakan (15-45 min), suhu (40-110oC), saiz partikel (akar Tongkat Ali dalam bentuk serpihan dan serbuk), kelajuan putaran (200-400 rpm) dan nisbah pelarut kepada pepejal (10:1, 20:1 and 30:1) ke atas hasil pengekstrakan daripada Eurycoma longifolia telah diselidik yang memfokus kepada eurycomanone, asid benzoik dan asid galik sebagai produk. Kepekatan komponen-komponen bioaktif tersebut diukur dengan menggunakan pemisahan sebatian cecair berprestasi tinggi (HPLC). Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa hasil pengekstrakan meningkat apabila saiz partikel semakin berkurang dan suhu, nisbah pelarut kepada pepejal dan kelajuan putaran semakin meningkat. Suhu pengekstrakan yang optimum untuk memaksimumkan hasil eurycomanone, asid benzoic dan asid galik adalah pada 100oC, 50oC and 80oC. Hasil maksimum
pengekstrakan adalah apabila proses pengekstrakan dijalankan selama 45 minit, dengan nisbah pelarut kepada pepejal ialah 20 to 1, kelajuan putaran pada 400 rpm dan saiz partikel yang kecil digunakan (akar Tongkat Ali dalam bentuk serbuk). Keputusan yang didapati memberikan informasi yang berguna bagi memastikan proses tersebut adalah boleh dilaksanakan dari segi ekonomi dan terutamanya apabila pencarian komponen-komponen bioaktif yang lain masih diteruskan.

Kata kunci: Eurycoma longifolia; pengekstrakan; eurycomanone; asid benzoik; asid galik; HPLC

The effects of extraction process parameters, i.e., extraction time (15-45 min), temperature (40-110oC), particle size (Tongkat Ali roots in chip and powder form), agitation speed (200-400 rpm) and solvent to solid ratio (10:1, 20:1 and 30:1) on the extraction yields from Eurycoma longifolia were investigated, focusing on eurycomanone, benzoic acid and gallic acid as the product of interests. The concentrations of these bioactive compounds were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The
results obtained showed that the extraction yields increased with reduced particle size and increased of temperature, solvent to solid ratio and agitation speed. The optimum extraction temperature for maximizing yields of eurycomanone, benzoic acid and gallic acid were 100oC, 50oC and 80oC respectively. The highest yields were obtained when the process was run at 45 minutes, with a solvent to solid ratio of 20 to 1, agitation speed of 400 rpm and a smaller particle size (Tongkat Ali roots in powder form) was used. The results provided useful insights for making the process economically feasible and in particular, when the search of other bioactive components is to be continued.

Keywords: Eurycoma longifolia; extraction; eurycomanone; benzoic acid; gallic acid; HPLC