bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting mobile news use among college students: The role of press freedom in four Asian cities
Authors: Wei Ran , Lo Ven-hwei , Xu Xiaoge , Chen Yi-Ning Katherine , Zhang Guoliang
Published: June 2013

This study explores how mobile phone-savvy Asian college students use mobile news, especially news posted on mobile-accessible Twitter-like microblogs, to stay informed about current events. Our survey of more than 3500 college students in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan asks why young people turn to mobile phones for news and how the news-getting behavior is related to the level of press freedom in their respective societies. The results show that using mobile phones to read news and follow news posts on mobile-accessible microblogs is rapidly on the rise and significant differences among respondents in the four cities exist; press freedom was found to be negatively related to reading and following news via mobile phones. Finally, the study discusses the role of press freedom in accounting for these societal-level differences.
Sexual use of the internet: Perceived impact on MSM’s views of self and others
Authors: Nodin Nuno , Carballo-Diéguez Alex , Leal Isabel MP
Published: June 2013

An ongoing scientific and cultural debate has questioned whether using the internet has changed users in relevant ways. We investigated whether men who have sex with men and who use the internet to meet sexual partners consequently perceived any changes in themselves and in others. We interviewed 36 men and conducted a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Results suggest that many men perceived both sexual and non-sexual self-changes, such as a greater acceptance of their sexuality, the exploration of new sexual possibilities, more assertive communication styles and, for a few, the occurrence of an excessive online behavior and diminished emotional availability towards others. Some also tended to be more suspicious of others both on- and offline. We believe our results help build a strong case for the existence of a subjectively perceived internet-related impact on these men’s selves and their perception of others.
Heidegger and socio-ontology: A sociological reading
Authors: Aspers Patrik , Kohl Sebastian
Published: June 2013

This paper uses the work and employs the tools of the German philosopher Martin Heidegger to attempt to improve sociology. Heidegger’s thinking is employed primarily to undo a paradox of sociology. Sociology focuses on the social, but starts with the assumption of essentially non-social egos that somehow generate a social world. This ‘egologism’ has caused sociology to occupy itself with a number of pseudo-problems. We argue that Heidegger develops what we call a ‘socio-ontological’ approach, which means that human beings are always already social and dwell originarily in a social world. To present this ‘social foundation for sociology’ is the contribution of this paper.
Knowledge and the constitution of society: Dead ends and ways forward in the sociology of knowledge
Authors: Walsh Philip
Published: June 2013

This paper discusses the roots of knowledge society theory – an emerging paradigm within theoretical sociology – in classical sociology of knowledge, and draws some conclusions about the former’s validity, relevance and shortcomings. The paper first presents a framework for understanding the development of classical sociology of knowledge, and positions knowledge society theory within this tradition by connecting it to the earlier theory of post-industrial society. It is argued that, while knowledge society theory has much to recommend it in terms of its effectiveness in challenging existing orthodoxies about the relationship between society and knowledge, it has not sufficiently differentiated itself from the theory of post-industrial society and falls prey to some of the problems that it has itself raised against this theory. This problem can, however, be mitigated by connecting knowledge society theory with some of the positive theoretical developments that are beginning to emerge from the agency–structure debate.
Association between eprosartan-based hypertension therapy and improvement in cognitive function score: long-term follow-up from the OSCAR observational study
Authors: Hanon Olivier , Lee Yong-Seok , Pathak Atul ,   on behalf of the OSCAR Publication Group
Published: June 2013

Objective:

The Observational Study on Cognitive function And systolic blood pressure Reduction (OSCAR) was designed to evaluate the impact of eprosartan-based therapy on cognitive function in a cohort of 25,745 hypertensive subjects followed for six months.

Methods:

In this supplementary analysis, we studied the relationship between eprosartan-based therapy and cognitive function (assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)) after 12-month follow-up of 3600 patients (the long-term follow-up on-treatment population).

Results:

Reduction in blood pressure was sustained over 12 months, with mean systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure 130.9/79 mmHg at one year, compared with 164.3/92.8 mmHg at baseline ( p<0.001). The overall mean MMSE score at completion of 12-month follow-up was significantly increased from baseline (27.8±2.7 vs. 26.3±3.5; p<0.001). The increase in MMSE score was observed when the population was stratified by age ( p<0.001) and in a subgroup of patients with cerebrovascular disease at baseline ( n=290) ( p<0.001, 12 months vs. baseline).

Conclusions:

In this cohort of patients, use of eprosartan-based treatment for one year was associated with sustained reduction in blood pressure and stabilization or improvement of MMSE scores. These data are supportive of a role for blood pressure control in the prevention or delay of cognitive decline.
Association between angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and sepsis: A meta-analysis
Authors: Hou Xin , Zhang Pan , Nie Wei , Tang Shunjuan , Wang Jiuyan , Zhang Qiong , Wan Zhengdong , Zhang Botao , Song Bin
Published: June 2013

Background:

Previous studies investigating the association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and sepsis have provided inconsistent results. Thus, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism on sepsis risk and sepsis-related mortality.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was performed. Six case–control studies and two cohort studies were included in this meta-analysis. Odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated using random-effects models.

Results:

Pooled analysis of six case–control studies showed that there was a significant association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and sepsis risk in a recessive genetic model (odds ratio = 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.62–0.91, p = 0.004). However, no significant association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and mortality was observed (odds ratio = 0.84, 95% confidence interval 0.57–1.24, p = 0.38).

Conclusions:

Our meta-analysis confirmed that the angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism was associated with sepsis risk. However, the angiotensin-converting enzyme I/D polymorphism was not associated with sepsis mortality.
Influencing the World Versus Adjusting to Constraints
Authors: Townsend Sarah S. M. , Eliezer Dina , Major Brenda , Mendes Wendy Berry
Published: June 2013

Although higher social class carries mental and physical health benefits, these advantages are less robust among members of racial and ethnic minority groups than among European Americans. We explore whether differential reactions to discrimination may be a factor in explaining why. Working-class and middle-class Latino American women engaged in an evaluative interaction with a European American woman who rejected them and held either prejudiced or unprejudiced attitudes. We examined how participants responded to this rejection by measuring neuroendocrine reactivity, executive functioning, and the affective content of their verbal responses during the interaction. Among middle-class Latinas, rejection from a prejudiced, compared to unprejudiced, out-group member was associated with less adaptive stress responses, greater cognitive depletion, and more feelings of uncertainty. In contrast, among working-class Latinas, neuroendocrine, cognitive, and affective responses were similar across the two sources of rejection. Results suggest that social class is an important moderator of responses to discrimination.
Passive maternal exposure to environmental microbes selectively modulates the innate defences of chicken egg white by increasing some of its antibacterial activities
Authors: Bedrani Larbi , Helloin Emmanuelle , Guyot Nicolas , Réhault-Godbert Sophie , Nys Yves
Published: June 2013

Background

Egg defence against bacterial contamination relies on immunoglobulins (IgY) concentrated in the yolk and antimicrobial peptides/proteins predominantly localized in the egg white (EW). Hens contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms export specific IgYs to the egg (adaptative immunity). No evidence of such regulation has been reported for the antimicrobial peptides/proteins (innate immunity) which are preventively secreted by the hen oviduct and are active against a large range of microbes. We investigated whether the egg innate defences can be stimulated by the environmental microbial contamination by comparing the antimicrobial activity of EW of hens raised in three extreme breeding conditions: Germ-free (GF), Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) and Conventional (C) hens.

Results

The difference in the immunological status of GF, SPF and C hens was confirmed by the high stimulation of IL-1β, IL-8 and TLR4 genes in the intestine of C and SPF groups. EW from C and SPF groups demonstrated higher inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus (13 to 18%) and against Streptococcus uberis (31 to 35%) as compared to GF but showed similar activity against Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Gallinarum, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. To further investigate these results, we explored putative changes amongst the three main mechanisms of egg antimicrobial defence: the sequestration of bacterial nutrients, the inactivation of exogenous proteases and the direct lytic action on microorganisms. Lysozyme activity, chymotrypsin-, trypsin- and papain-inhibiting potential of EW and the expression of numerous antimicrobial genes were not stimulated suggesting that these are not responsible for the change in anti-S. aureus and anti-S. uberis activity. Moreover, whereas the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-8 and TLR4 genes were modified by the breeding conditions in the intestine of C and SPF groups they were not modified in the magnum where egg white is formed.

Conclusions

Altogether, these data revealed that the degree of environmental microbial exposure of the hen moderately stimulated the egg innate defence, by reinforcing some specific antimicrobial activities to protect the embryo and to insure hygienic quality of table eggs.
A unique midgut-associated bacterial community hosted by the cave beetle Cansiliella servadeii(Coleoptera: Leptodirini) reveals parallel phylogenetic divergences from universal gut-specific ancestors
Authors: Paoletti Maurizio G , Mazzon Luca , Martinez-Sañudo Isabel , Simonato Mauro , Beggio Mattia , Dreon Angelo Leandro , Pamio Alberto , Brilli Mauro , Dorigo Luca , Summers Engel Annette , Tondello Alessandra , Baldan Barbara , Concheri Giuseppe , Squartini Andrea
Published: June 2013

Background

Cansiliella servadeii (Coleoptera) is an endemic troglobite living in deep carbonate caves in North-Eastern Italy. The beetle constantly moves and browses in its preferred habitat (consisting in flowing water and moonmilk, a soft speleothem colonized by microorganisms) self-preens to convey material from elytra, legs, and antennae towards the mouth. We investigated its inner and outer microbiota using microscopy and DNA-based approaches.

Results

Abundant microbial cell masses were observed on the external appendages. Cansiliella’s midgut is fully colonized by live microbes and culture-independent analyses yielded nearly 30 different 16S phylotypes that have no overlap with the community composition of the moonmilk. Many of the lineages, dominated by Gram positive groups, share very low similarity to database sequences. However for most cases, notwithstanding their very limited relatedness with existing records, phylotypes could be assigned to bacterial clades that had been retrieved from insect or other animals’ digestive traits.

Conclusions

Results suggest a history of remote separation from a common ancestor that harboured a set of gut-specific bacteria whose functions are supposedly critical for host physiology. The phylogenetic and coevolutionary implications of the parallel occurrences of these prokaryotic guilds appear to apply throughout a broad spectrum of animal diversity. Their persistence and conservation underlies a possibly critical role of precise bacterial assemblages in animal-bacteria interactions.
An exploratory study of associations of physical activity with mental health and work engagement
Authors: van Berkel Jantien , Proper Karin I , van Dam Annelies , Boot Cécile RL , Bongers Paulien M , van der Beek Allard J
Published: June 2013

Background

Previous studies have found moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to be associated with a decreased risk of mental disorders. Although the focus in the field of psychology has shifted towards human strengths and optimal functioning, studies examining associations between MVPA and mental health in general (MH) and between MVPA and well-being are scarce. An indicator of work-related well-being is work engagement (WE). The aim of this study was to explore the associations between MVPA and MH, and between MVPA and WE.

Methods

In this study, a total of 257 employees from two research institutes, self-reported their MVPA, MH and level of WE. In addition, a randomly chosen subgroup (n=100) wore an Actigraph accelerometer for a 1-week period to measure their MVPA objectively. Crude and adjusted associations between MVPA and both WE and MH were analyzed using linear regression analyses.

Results

There was no statistically significant association between self-reported MVPA and mental health, resulting from both the crude (b=0.058, 95% CI -0.118 - 0.235) and adjusted analyses (b=0.026; 95% CI -0.158- 0.210), nor between objectively measured MVPA and mental health for both crude and adjusted analyses (b=-0.144; 95% CI -1.315- 1.027; b=-0.199; 95% CI 1.417- 1.018 respectively). There was also no significant association between self-reported MVPA and work engagement (crude: b=0.005; 95% CI -0.005-0.016, adjusted: b= 0.002; 95% CI -0.010- 0.013), nor between objectively measured MVPA and work engagement (crude: b= 0.012; 95% CI -0.084- 0.060, adjusted: b=0.007; 95% CI -0.083-0.069).

Conclusions

Although the beneficial effects of MVPA on the negative side of MH (i.e. mental disorders) have been established in previous studies, this study found no evidence for the beneficial effects of MVPA on positive side of MH (i.e. well-being). The possible difference in how the physical activity-mental health relationship works for negative and positive sides of MH should be considered in future studies.
Low fat intake is associated with pathological manifestations and poor recovery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yamada Kazuki , Suda Takeshi , Komoro Yuko S , Kanefuji Tsutomu , Kubota Tomoyuki , Murayama Toshiko , Nakayama Hideaki , Aoyagi Yutaka
Published: June 2013

Background

This study aimed to clarify whether dietary deviation is associated with pathological manifestations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods

Dietary intake was estimated in 35 HCC cases before and after hospitalization by referencing digital camera images of each meal. Pathological conditions were evaluated in nitrogen balance, non-protein respiratory quotient (npRQ), neuropsychiatric testing and recovery speed from HCC treatment.

Results

On admission, nitrogen balance and npRQ were negative and less than 0.85, respectively. Five patients were judged to have suffered from minimal hepatic encephalopathy that tended to be associated with a lowered value of npRQ (p = 0.082). The energy from fat intake showed a tendency of positive correlation with npRQ (p = 0.11), and the patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy took significantly fewer energy from fat (p = 0.024). The energy difference from fat between diets at home versus those in the hospital showed a significant positive correlation with npRQ change after admission (p = 0.014). The recovery speed from invasive treatments for HCC showed a significant negative correlation with npRQ alteration after admission (p = 0.0002, r = −0.73).

Conclusions

These results suggest the lower fat intake leads to deterioration of energy state in HCC patients, which associates with poor recovery from invasive treatments and various pathological manifestations.
Over-expression of BCAT1, a c-Myc target gene, induces cell proliferation, migration and invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Wen , Feng Xiangling , Ren Caiping , Jiang Xingjun , Liu Weidong , Huang Wei , Liu Zhihong , Li Zan , Zeng Liang , Wang Lei , Zhu Bin , Shi Jia , Liu Jie , Zhang Chang , Liu Yanyu , Yao Kaitai
Published: June 2013

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignant tumor in southern China and Southeast Asia, but its molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis are poorly understood. Our previous work has demonstrated that BCAT1 mRNA is over expressed in NPC and knocking down its expression in 5-8F NPC cell line can potently inhibit cell cycle progression and cell proliferation. However, the mechanism of BCAT1 up-regulation and its functional role in NPC development remain to be elucidated yet.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was utilized to detect the expression of BCAT1 protein in NPC at different pathological stages. The roles of gene mutation, DNA amplification and transcription factor c-Myc in regulating BCAT1 expression were analyzed using PCR-sequencing, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), IHC, ChIP and luciferase reporter system, respectively. The functions of BCAT1 in colony formation, cell migration and invasion properties were evaluated by RNA interference (RNAi).

Results

The positive rates of BCAT1 protein expression in normal epithelia, low-to-moderate grade atypical hyperplasia tissues, high-grade atypical hyperplasia tissues and NPC tissues were 23.6% (17/72), 75% (18/24 ), 88.9% (8/9) and 88.8% (71/80), respectively. Only one SNP site in exon1 was detected, and 42.4% (12/28) of the NPC tissues displayed the amplification of microsatellite loci in BCAT1. C-Myc could directly bind to the c-Myc binding site in promoter region of BCAT1 and up-regulate its expression. The mRNA and protein of c-Myc and BCAT1 were co-expressed in 53.6% (15/28) and 59.1% (13/22) of NPC tissues, respectively, and BCAT1 mRNA expression was also down-regulated in c-Myc knockdown cell lines. In addition, BCAT1 knockdown cells demonstrated reduced proliferation and decreased cell migration and invasion abilities.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that gene amplification and c-Myc up-regulation are responsible for BCAT1 overexpression in primary NPC, and overexpression of BCAT1 induces cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The results suggest that BCAT1 may be a novel molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of NPC.
Proinflammatory profile of in vitro monocytes in the ageing is affected by lymphocytes presence
Authors: Pinke Karen Henriette , Calzavara Bruno , Faria Patricia Freitas , do Nascimento Magda Paula Pereira , Venturini James , Lara Vanessa Soares
Published: June 2013

Background

Aging is associated with complex and constant remodeling of the immune function, resulting in an increasing susceptibility to infection and others diseases. The infections caused by Gram-negative microorganisms, present in nursing homes and hospitals, constitute one of the most common infections in the elderly, and are mainly combated by innate immune cells. Although the functions of innate immunity seem more preserved during aging than of adaptive immune mechanisms, two systems operate in an integrated way in the body, so that injury in one part of the immune system inevitably affects the other as they are part of a defensive network. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro production of proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, CXCL-8 and MCP-1) and anti-inflammatory (TGF-β and IL-10) cytokines by monocytes, stimulated or not (basal) with lipopolysaccharide, from healthy young and elderly subjects. By means of PBMCs, we also studied if cytokine profile is altered in these different patient groups, in the presence of lymphocytes, under the same experimental conditions.

Results

The monocytes from elderly presented higher basal production of TNF-α, MCP-1 and lower of TGF-β than young monocytes. PBMC showed similar cytokines production, irrespective age or stimulation presence. In the presence of lymphocytes, the spontaneous production of IL-10 was higher and of TGF-β was lower than monocytes, regardless of age. After LPS-stimulation, the presence of lymphocytes resulted in increased IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1 and IL-10 and decreased CXCL-8 and TGF-β in comparison to pure culture of monocytes from young patients. With age, the same differences were observed, except for CXCL-8 and TGF-β which production was the same between monocytes and PBMC stimulated with LPS.

Conclusion

These findings reinforce the systemic state of inflamm-aging frequently reported in elderly and considered a factor of susceptibility to numerous diseases. Still, the cytokine production from just monocytes of the elderly showed alterations, while in the lymphocyte presence not, suggesting an immunomodulator role of lymphocytes on monocytes. In addition, the differences between the production patterns by LPS-stimulated PBMC between young and elderly volunteers can be related with an imbalance in response against Gram-negative bacteria in throughout life.
Towards identification of finger flexions using single channel surface electromyography – able bodied and amputee subjects
Authors: Kumar Dinesh Kant , Poosapadi Arjunan Sridhar , Singh Vijay Pal
Published: June 2013

Background

This research has established a method for using single channel surface electromyogram (sEMG) recorded from the forearm to identify individual finger flexion. The technique uses the volume conduction properties of the tissues and uses the magnitude and density of the singularities in the signal as a measure of strength of the muscle activity.

Methods

SEMG was recorded from the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle during four different finger flexions. Based on the volume conduction properties of the tissues, sEMG was decomposed into wavelet maxima and grouped into four groups based on their magnitude. The mean magnitude and the density of each group were the inputs to the twin support vector machines (TSVM). The algorithm was tested on 11 able-bodied and one trans-radial amputated volunteer to determine the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The system was also tested to determine inter-experimental variations and variations due to difference in the electrode location.

Results

Accuracy and sensitivity of identification of finger actions from single channel sEMG signal was 93% and 94% for able-bodied and 81% and 84% for trans-radial amputated respectively, and there was only a small inter-experimental variation.

Conclusions

Volume conduction properties based sEMG analysis provides a suitable basis for identifying finger flexions from single channel sEMG. The reported system requires supervised training and automatic classification.
An orphan viral TNF receptor superfamily member identified in lymphocystis disease virus
Authors: Pontejo Sergio M , Sánchez Carolina , Martín Rocío , Mulero Victoriano , Alcami Antonio , Alejo Alí
Published: June 2013

Background

Lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) is a large icosahedral dsDNA-containing virus of the Lymphocystivirus genus within the Iridoviridae family that can cause disease in more than 140 marine and freshwater fish species. While several isolates have been charcaterized and classified into distinct genotypes the complete genomic sequence is currently only available from two species, the LCDV-1, isolated from flounder (Platichtys flesus) in Europe and the LCDV-C, isolated from Japanese cultured flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) in China. Analysis of the genome of LCDV-C showed it to encode a protein named LDVICp016 with similarities to the Tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily with immunomodulatory potential.

Findings

We have expressed and purified the recombinant protein LDVICp016 and screened for potential interaction partners using surface plasmon resonance. Commercially available human and mouse members of the TNF superfamily (TNFSF), along with a representative set of fish-derived TNFSF were tested.

We have found the LDVICp016 protein to be secreted and we have identified a second viral TNFR encoded by ORF 095 of the same virus. None of the 42 tested proteins were found to interact with LDVICp016.

Conclusions

We show that LDVICp016 is a secreted protein belonging to the TNF receptor family that may be part of a larger gene family in Lymphocystiviruses. While the ligand of this protein remains unknown, possibly due to the species specific nature of this interaction, further investigations into the potential role of this protein in the blockade of immune responses in its fish host are required.
Conversion of fatty aldehydes into alk (a/e)nes by in vitroreconstituted cyanobacterial aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase with the cognate electron transfer system
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Lu Xuefeng , Li Jian-Jun
Published: June 2013

Background

Biosynthesis of fatty alk(a/e)ne in cyanobacteria has been considered as a potential basis for the sunlight-driven and carbon-neutral bioprocess producing advanced solar biofuels. Aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase (ADO) is a key enzyme involved in that pathway. The heterologous or chemical reducing systems were generally used in in vitro ADO activity assay. The cognate electron transfer system from cyanobacteria to support ADO activity is still unknown.

Results

We identified the potential endogenous reducing system including ferredoxin (Fd) and ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase (FNR) to support ADO activity in Synechococcus elongatus PCC7942. ADO (Synpcc7942_1593), FNR (SynPcc7942_0978), and Fd (SynPcc7942_1499) from PCC7942 were cloned, overexpressed, purified, and characterized. ADO activity was successfully supported with the endogenous electron transfer system, which worked more effectively than the heterologous and chemical ones. The results of the hybrid Fd/FNR reducing systems demonstrated that ADO was selective against Fd. And it was observed that the cognate reducing system produced less H2O2 than the heterologous one by 33% during ADO-catalyzed reactions. Importantly, k

cat
value of ADO 1593 using the homologous Fd/FNR electron transfer system is 3.7-fold higher than the chemical one.

Conclusions

The cognate electron transfer system from cyanobacteria to support ADO activity was identified and characterized. For the first time, ADO was functionally in vitro reconstituted with the endogenous reducing system from cyanobacteria, which supported greater activity than the surrogate and chemical ones, and produced less H2O2 than the heterologous one. The identified Fd/FNR electron transfer system will be potentially useful for improving ADO activity and further enhancing the biosynthetic efficiency of hydrocarbon biofuels in cyanobacteria.
How do chiropractors manage clinical risk? A questionnaire study
Authors: Wangler Martin , Peterson Cynthia , Zaugg Beatrice , Thiel Haymo , Finch Rob
Published: June 2013

Background

The literature on chiropractic safety tends to focus on adverse events and little is known about how chiropractors ensure safety and manage risk in the course of their daily practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate how chiropractors manage potentially risky clinical scenarios. We also sought to establish how chiropractors perceive the safety climate in their workplace and thus whether there is an observable culture of safety within the profession.

Methods

An online questionnaire was designed to determine which of nine management options would be chosen by the respondent in response to four defined clinical case scenarios. Safety climate within the respondent’s practice setting was measured by seeking the level of agreement with 23 statements relating to six different safety dimensions. 260 licensed chiropractors in Switzerland and 1258 UK members of The Royal College of Chiropractors were invited to complete the questionnaire. Questionnaire responses were analysed quantitatively in respect of the four clinical scenarios and the nine management options to determine the likelihood of each option being undertaken, with results recorded in terms of % likelihood. Gender differences in response to the management options for each scenario were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U (MWU) test. Positive agreement with elements comprising each of the six safety dimensions contributed to a composite ‘% positive agreement’ score calculated for each dimension.

Results

Questionnaire responses were received from 76% (200/260) of Swiss participants and 31% (393/1258) of UK members of The Royal College of Chiropractors. There was a general trend for Swiss and UK chiropractors to manage clinical scenarios where treatment appears not to be successful, not indicated, possibly harmful or where a patient is apparently getting worse, by re-evaluating their care. Stopping treatment and/or incident reporting to a safety incident reporting and learning system were generally found to be unlikely courses of action. Gender differences were observed with female chiropractors appearing to be more risk averse.

Conclusions

Swiss and UK chiropractors tend to manage potentially risky clinical scenarios by re-evaluating the case. The unlikeliness of safety incident reporting is probably due to a range of recognised barriers, although Swiss and UK chiropractors are positive about local communication and openness which are important tenets for safety incident reporting. The observed positivity towards key aspects of clinic safety indicates a developing safety culture within the Swiss and UK chiropractic professions.
A study protocol for quantitative targeted absolute proteomics (QTAP) by LC-MS/MS: application for inter-strain differences in protein expression levels of transporters, receptors, claudin-5, and marker proteins at the blood–brain barrier in ddY, FVB, and C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Uchida Yasuo , Tachikawa Masanori , Obuchi Wataru , Hoshi Yutaro , Tomioka Yusuke , Ohtsuki Sumio , Terasaki Tetsuya
Published: June 2013

Proteomics has opened a new horizon in biological sciences. Global proteomic analysis is a promising technology for the discovery of thousands of proteins, post-translational modifications, polymorphisms, and molecular interactions in a variety of biological systems. The activities and roles of the identified proteins must also be elucidated, but this is complicated by the inability of conventional proteomic methods to yield quantitative information for protein expression. Thus, a variety of biological systems remain “black boxes”. Quantitative targeted absolute proteomics (QTAP) enables the determination of absolute expression levels (mol) of any target protein, including low-abundance functional proteins, such as transporters and receptors. Therefore, QTAP will be useful for understanding the activities and roles of individual proteins and their differences, including normal/disease, human/animal, or in vitro/in vivo. Here, we describe the study protocols and precautions for QTAP experiments including in silico target peptide selection, determination of peptide concentration by amino acid analysis, setup of selected/multiple reaction monitoring (SRM/MRM) analysis in liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, preparation of protein samples (brain capillaries and plasma membrane fractions) followed by the preparation of peptide samples, simultaneous absolute quantification of target proteins by SRM/MRM analysis, data analysis, and troubleshooting. An application of QTAP in biological sciences was introduced that utilizes data from inter-strain differences in the protein expression levels of transporters, receptors, tight junction proteins and marker proteins at the blood–brain barrier in ddY, FVB, and C57BL/6J mice. Among 18 molecules, 13 (abcb1a/mdr1a/P-gp, abcc4/mrp4, abcg2/bcrp, slc2a1/glut1, slc7a5/lat1, slc16a1/mct1, slc22a8/oat3, insr, lrp1, tfr1, claudin-5, Na+/K+-ATPase, and γ-gtp) were detected in the isolated brain capillaries, and their protein expression levels were within a range of 0.637-101 fmol/μg protein. The largest difference in the levels between the three strains was 2.2-fold for 13 molecules, although bcrp and mct1 displayed statistically significant differences between C57BL/6J and the other strain(s). Highly sensitive simultaneous absolute quantification achieved by QTAP will increase the usefulness of proteomics in biological sciences and is expected to advance the new research field of pharmacoproteomics (PPx).
Ablation of the Androgen Receptor Gene Modulates Atrial Electrophysiology and Arrhythmogenesis With Calcium Protein Dysregulation
Authors: Tsai Wen-Chin , Yang Liang-Yo , Chen Yao-Chang , Kao Yu-Hsun , Lin Yung-Kuo , Chen Shih-Ann , Cheng Ching-Feng , Chen Yi-Jen
Published: June 2013

Androgen deficiency is important in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation. Androgen regulates cardiac electrophysiology and calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) can modulate atrial electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis with modulation of Ca2+ homeostasis proteins. We used conventional microelectrodes to study the action potential (AP) in left atrium (LA) tissues prepared from wild-type (WT) and ARKO mice (aged 6–10 months) before and after the administration of isoproterenol, hypocalcemic/hypercalcemic solutions, and ouabain. Echocardiography and Western blots were used to evaluate the cardiac function and expression levels of ionic channel proteins in WT and ARKO LAs. ARKO LAs had larger LA diameter with decreased LA fractional shortening than did WT LAs. In the current study, we found that ARKO LAs had a lower negative resting membrane potential and a greater 90% AP duration (APD) than did WT LAs. Isoproterenol increased the incidence and amplitude of delayed afterdepolarizations (DADs) in ARKO LAs but not in WT LAs. Hypocalcemic solutions prolonged APD in WT and ARKO LAs but increased DAD amplitude only in ARKO LAs. Hypercalcemic solutions shortened APD in ARKO LAs but not in WT LAs. Ouabain increased DAD amplitude in ARKO LAs but not in WT LAs. ARKO LAs expressed higher amounts of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, and phosphorylated phospholamban (Ser-16/Thr-17 site) and less Cav1.2, Kir2.1, Kir3.1, and Kv7.1 than WT LAs. These observations indicate that ARKO alters atrial electrophysiology with increased atrial arrhythmogenesis.
Alteration of Mitochondrial Function and Insulin Sensitivity in Primary Mouse Skeletal Muscle Cells Isolated From Transgenic and Knockout Mice: Role of OGG1
Authors: Yuzefovych Larysa V. , Schuler A. Michele , Chen Jemimah , Alvarez Diego F. , Eide Lars , LeDoux Susan P. , Wilson Glenn L. , Rachek Lyudmila I.
Published: June 2013

Recent evidence has linked mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage, increased oxidative stress in skeletal muscle, and insulin resistance (IR). The purpose of this study was to determine the role of the DNA repair enzyme, human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase/apurinic/apyrimidinic lyase (hOGG1), on palmitate-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and IR in primary cultures of skeletal muscle derived from hind limb of ogg1−/− knockout mice and transgenic mice, which overexpress human (hOGG1) in mitochondria (transgenic [Tg]/MTS-hOGG1). Following exposure to palmitate, we evaluated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, mitochondrial function, production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), mitochondrial mass, JNK activation, insulin signaling pathways, and glucose uptake. Palmitate-induced mtDNA damage, mtROS, mitochondrial dysfunction, and activation of JNK were all diminished, whereas ATP levels, mitochondrial mass, insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt (Ser 473), and insulin sensitivity were increased in primary myotubes isolated from Tg/MTS-hOGG1 mice compared to myotubes isolated from either knockout or wild-type mice. In addition, both basal and maximal respiratory rates during mitochondrial oxidation on pyruvate showed a variable response, with some animals displaying an increased respiration in muscle fibers isolated from the transgenic mice. Our results support the model that DNA repair enzyme OGG1 plays a pivotal role in repairing mtDNA damage, and consequently, in mtROS production and regulating downstream events leading to IR in skeletal muscle.
Inducible Knock Out of Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A Gene Expression in the Adult Mouse: Effect on Vascular Injury Response
Authors: Conover Cheryl A. , Bale Laurie K. , Powell David R.
Published: June 2013

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) enhances local IGF signaling through its ability to proteolyze inhibitory IGF binding proteins. In vivo, PAPP-A (like IGF) appears to exhibit antagonistic pleiotropy; ie, it has beneficial effects early in life but detrimental effects later in life. Accordingly, PAPP-A knockout (KO) mice are born as proportional dwarfs and have diminished reproductive vigor and reduced peak bone mass acquisition at puberty. On the other hand, PAPP-A KO mice live approximately 30% longer than their wild-type littermates, with decreased incidence and severity of age-related diseases and resistance to adverse responses of vascular injury. To be able to distinguish the impact of PAPP-A deficiency in the adult from that in early life, we developed a mouse model suitable for inducible Cre recombinase-mediated excision of the PAPP-A gene. In this study, we characterize the conditional PAPP-A KO mouse model for efficacy of tamoxifen-induced floxed PAPP-A excision in various tissues of adult mice and demonstrate a significant (P = .0001) reduction of neointimal formation in these mice after unilateral carotid artery ligation.
Role of SVIL phosphorylation by PLK1 in myosin II activation and cytokinetic furrowing
Authors: Hasegawa Hitoki , Hyodo Toshinori , Asano Eri , Ito Satoko , Maeda Masao , Kuribayashi Hirokazu , Natsume Atsushi , Wakabayashi Toshihiko , Hamaguchi Michinari , Senga Takeshi
Published: June 2013

PLK1 is a widely conserved serine/threonine kinase that regulates progression of multiple stages of mitosis. Although extensive studies about PLK1 functions during cell division have been performed, it still remains elusive how PLK1 regulates myosin II activation at the equatorial cortex and ingression of cleavage furrow. In this report, we show that an actin/myosin II binding protein, supervillin (SVIL), is a novel substrate of PLK1. PLK1 phosphorylates Ser238 of SVIL, which can promote the localization of SVIL to the central spindle and an association with PRC1. Expression of a PLK1 phosphorylation site mutant, S238A-SVIL, inhibited myosin II activation at the equatorial cortex and induced aberrant furrowing. SVIL has both actin and myosin II binding regions in the N-terminus. Expression of ΔMyo-SVIL (deleted of myosin II binding region), but not of ΔAct-SVIL (deleted of actin binding region), reduced myosin II activation and promoted defect in furrowing. Our study indicates a possible role of phosphorylated SVIL as a molecular link between the central spindle and the contractile ring to coordinate the activation of myosin II for the ingression of the cleavage furrow.
The tudor protein survival motor neuron (SMN) is a chromatin-binding protein that interacts with methylated histone H3 lysine 79
Authors: Sabra Mirna , Texier Pascale , El Maalouf Jhony , Lomonte Patrick
Published: June 2013

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a muscular disease characterized by the death of motoneurons, and is a major genetic cause of infant mortality. Mutations in the SMN1 gene, which encodes the protein survival motor neuron (SMN), are responsible for the disease due to compensation deficit. SMN belongs to the Tudor domain protein family, whose members are known to interact with methylated arginine (R) or lysine (K) residues. SMN has well-defined roles in the metabolism of small non-coding ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) and spliceosome activity. We previously showed that SMN relocated to damaged interphase centromeres, together with the Cajal body-associated proteins coilin and fibrillarin, during the so-called interphase centromere damage response (iCDR). Here we reveal that SMN is a chromatin-binding protein that specifically interacts with methylated histone H3K79, a gene expression- and splicing-associated histone modification. SMN relocation to damaged centromeres requires its functional Tudor domain and activity of the H3K79 methyltransferase DOT1-L. In vitro pull-down assays showed that SMN interacts with H3K79me1,2 via its functional Tudor domain. Chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed that SMN binds to H3K79me1,2-containing chromatin in iCDR-induced cells. These data reveal a novel SMN property in the detection of specific chromatin modifications, and shed new light on the involvement of a putative epigenetic dimension to the occurrence of SMA.
Oligomerization is required for normal endocytosis/transcytosis of a GPI-anchored protein in polarized hepatic cells
Authors: Galmes Romain , Delaunay Jean-Louis , Maurice Michèle , Aït-Slimane Tounsia
Published: June 2013

Targeting of GPI-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) in polarized epithelial cells depends on their association with detergent-resistant membrane microdomains called rafts. In MDCK cells, GPI-APs associate with rafts in the trans-Golgi network and are directly delivered to the apical membrane. It has been shown that oligomerization is required for their stabilization in rafts and their apical targeting. In hepatocytes, GPI-APs are first delivered to the basolateral membrane and secondarily reach the apical membrane by transcytosis. We investigated whether oligomerization is required for raft association and apical sorting of GPI-APs in polarized HepG2 cells, and at which step of the pathway oligomerization occurs. Model proteins were wild-type GFP-GPI and a double cysteine GFP-GPI mutant, in which GFP dimerization was impaired. Unlike wild-type GFP-GPI, which was efficiently endocytosed and transcytosed to the apical surface, the double cysteine mutant was basolaterally internalized, but massively accumulated in early endosomes, and reached the bile canaliculi with delayed kinetics. The double cysteine mutant was less resistant to Triton X-100 extraction, and formed less high molecular weight complexes. We conclude from these results that, in hepatocytes, oligomerization plays a key role in targeting GPI-APs to the apical membrane, by increasing their affinity for rafts and allowing their transcytosis.
Drebrin preserves endothelial integrity by stabilizing nectin at adherens junctions
Authors: Rehm Kerstin , Panzer Linda , van Vliet Vanessa , Genot Elisabeth , Linder Stefan
Published: June 2013

Regulation of cell-cell contacts is essential for integrity of the vascular endothelium. Here, a critical role of the F-actin binding protein drebrin in maintaining endothelial integrity is revealed under conditions mimicking vascular flow. Drebrin knockdown leads to weakening of cell-cell contacts, characterized by loss of nectin from adherens junctions and its subsequent lysosomal degradation. Immunoprecipitation, FRAP and mitochondrial retargeting experiments show that nectin stabilization occurs through a chain of interactions: drebrin binding to F-actin, interaction of drebrin and afadin through their polyproline and PR1-2 regions, and recruitment of nectin through afadin's PDZ region. Key elements are drebrin's modules that confer binding to afadin and F-actin. Evidence is provided by constructs containing afadin's PDZ region coupled to drebrin's F-actin binding region or to lifeact, which restore junctional nectin under knockdown of drebrin or of both drebrin and afadin. Drebrin, containing binding sites for both afadin and F-actin, is thus uniquely equipped to stabilize nectin at endothelial junctions and to preserve endothelial integrity under vascular flow.
On the Antioxidant Activity of the Tryptophan Derivatives
Authors: Farmanzadeh Davood , Najafi Meysam
Published: June 2013

The antioxidant activity of ortho- and meta-substituted tryptophan derivatives has been investigated in the gas phase and water. The reaction enthalpies of antioxidant activity of studied derivatives have been calculated and compared with corresponding values of tryptophan. Results show that EWG substituents increase the BDE, IP, and ETE while EDG appendages cause a rise in the PA and PDE. The tryptophan derivatives with lowest BDE, IP, and PA values were identified as the compounds with high antioxidant activity. Results show that the substituents in ortho-position have high potential for synthesis of novel tryptophan derivatives. Results show that EDG-substituted tryptophans can process their protective role via HAT mechanism in gas phase. On the other hand, SPLET mechanism represents the thermodynamically favored process for EWG-substituted tryptophans in water. The calculated reaction enthalpies of the substituted tryptophans have linear dependences with Hammett constants and EHOMO that can be utilized in the selection of suitable substituents for the synthesis novel antioxidants based on tryptophan.
Role of Hydrogen Bond Connecting Ligands for Substrate and Type I Copper in Copper(I) Oxidase CueO
Authors: Kataoka Kunishige , Sakurai Takeshi
Published: June 2013

Mutational and kinetic studies on Asp439, a ligand for the substrate-binding site in the copper(I) oxidase—CueO—and the deletion mutant—Δα5–7 CueO—indicated that the electron transfer from the copper(I) ion as the substrate to the type I copper is performed though the hydrogen bond between Asp439 and His443, a ligand for the type I copper, and also by means of the through-space mechanism directly.
Covalent Conjugation of Fluorescence Probes to Nanoparticles for Signal Enhancement
Authors: Deng Yun , Luo Yu-feng , An Lin-na , Yue Ting , Gilani M Rehan H Shah , Liang Gao-lin
Published: June 2013

Herein, we report the rational design of an AB2-type monomer for sequentially self-assembling nanoparticles and covalently capturing probes to their surfaces for fluorescence enhancement.
Ionic Imprinted Calix[4]resorcinarene Host for Pb(II) Adsorbent Using Diallylaminomethyl–Calix[4]resorcinarene Copolymer
Authors: Yusof Nor Nadiah Mohamad , Kikuchi Yasuaki , Kobayashi Takaomi
Published: June 2013

Novel imprinted calix[4]resorcinarene host diallylaminomethyl–calix[4]resorcinarene was developed and copolymerized with divinylbenzene for selective extraction of Pb(II). In ternary mixture of heavy metal ions, the imprinted polymer showed effective adsorption to Pb(II) obeying the Langmuir isotherm.
Synthesis of a Heparan Sulfate Disaccharide Fluoride for Detection of Heparanase Activity
Authors: Ohmae Masashi , Fujita Yuki , Takada Junko , Kimura Shunsaku
Published: June 2013

A novel heparan sulfate disaccharide fluoride derivative of GlcN(SO3Na)α(1 → 4)GlcAβ-F (1) was designed as a probe for detection of heparanase activity. Compound 1 was successfully prepared via 10-step chemical reactions. Human heparanase-1 effectively recognized 1, which induced liberation of the fluoride ion by hydrolysis via enzyme catalysis. The hydrolysis reaction was easily monitored by 1H NMR measurements, in which the signal from H-1 gradually disappeared.