bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Cerebral Hypoxia Promotes Arteriogenic Remodeling Events that can be Identified by Reduced Endoglin (CD105) Expression and a Switch in β1 Integrins
Authors: Boroujerdi Amin , Welser-Alves Jennifer V , Tigges Ulrich , Milner Richard
Published: June 2012

Chronic cerebral hypoxia leads to a strong vascular remodeling response, though little is known about which part of the vascular tree is modified, or whether this response includes formation of new arterial vessels. In this study, we examined this process in detail, analyzing how hypoxia (8% O2 for 14 days) alters the size distribution of vessels, number of arteries/arterioles, and expression pattern of endoglin (CD105), a marker of angiogenic endothelial cells in tumors. We found that cerebral hypoxia promoted the biggest increase in the number of medium to large size vessels, and this correlated with increased numbers of alpha smooth muscle actin ( α-SMA)-positive arterial vessels. Surprisingly, hypoxia induced a marked reduction in CD105 expression on brain endothelial cells (BECs) within remodeling arterial vessels, and these BECs also displayed an angiogenic switch in β1 integrins (from α6 to α5), previously described for developmental angiogenesis. In vitro, transforming growth factor (TGF)- β1 also promoted this switch of BEC β1 integrins. Together, these results show that cerebral hypoxia promotes arteriogenesis, and identify reduced CD105 expression as a novel marker of arteriogenesis. Furthermore, our data suggest a mechanistic model whereby BECs in remodeling arterial vessels downregulate CD105 expression, which alters TGF- β1 signaling, to promote a switch in β1 integrins and arteriogenic remodeling.
The fundamental theorem of calculus for a matroid
Authors: Faris William G.
Published: June 2012

A version of the fundamental theorem of calculus is presented in a matroid context. The main result is a natural formulation of an iterated fundamental theorem of calculus for functions of several variables in which only mixed partial derivatives occur. This generalizes the Brydges-Kennedy-Abdesselam-Rivasseau formula, which is the special case when the matroid is the matroid of a complete graph. The motivation in mathematical physics is that interpolation formulas arising in this way play a role in formulating convergent cluster expansions.
Ionic liquids as oxidic media for electron transfer studies
Authors: Ueno Kazuhide , Angell C. Austen
Published: June 2012

We review the basic ideas underlying the electron free energy level diagrams that have been found useful in considering the thermodynamics of redox processes in molten silicates and related high temperature ionic liquid (IL) solvents, and then show how closely they link to behavior observable in ambient temperature ionic liquids. Much of the information available on redox levels in molten oxides has been gleaned from chemical analysis and spectroscopic species distribution studies, but it is simpler to obtain the data electrochemically. Here, we report some cyclic voltammetry measurements of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox equilibrium in aprotic ionic liquids whose anions provide oxide environments for the redox species that are of different electronic polarizability character from the high temperature solvents, and relate the observations to those of the earlier studies. Quasi-reversible behavior is found in each of the cases studied. As might be expected, the Fe(II)/Fe(III) equilibrium experiences a more basic environment in an acetate IL than it experiences in any of the common glassforming oxide media, while triflate anions contrast by providing a more acid environment than does the most acid of the molten oxide glassformers studied (an alkali phosphate). The difference can amount to well over 1 V, suggesting the possibility of a “basicity cell” where the same redox couple locates in anode and cathode compartments of the cell, and only the anion environment is different.
Entropy principle, non-regular processes, and generalized exploitation procedures
Authors: Triani V. , Cimmelli V. A.
Published: June 2012

The classical Coleman-Noll approach to the exploitation of the entropy principle regards the classical balances of mass, linear and angular momentum and energy as differential constraints for the entropy inequality, and presupposes that the second law of thermodynamics is a restriction on the constitutive equations describing the material properties [B. D. Coleman and W. Noll, “The thermodynamics of elastic materials with heat conduction and viscosity,” Arch. Rational Mech. Anal. 13, 167–178 (1963)10.1007/BF01262690]. In 1996, Muschik and Ehrentraut proved that this presupposition may be confirmed by a rigorous proof, provided that an amendment to the classical second law of thermodynamics, which asserts that, except in equilibria, reversible process directions in state space do not exist, is postulated [“An amendment to the second law,” J. Non-Equilib. Thermodyn. 21, 175–192 (1996)10.1515/jnet.1996.21.2.175]. In their paper, the authors considered regular processes only. In a recent article [V. Triani and V. A. Cimmelli, “Interpretation of second law of thermodynamics in the presence of interfaces,” Continuum. Mech. Thermodyn. 24, 165–174 (2012)10.1007/s00161-011-0231-8], we proved that the result above remains valid in the presence of interfaces across which the unknown fields suffer jump discontinuities. Here, we show that the same conclusions achieved by Muschik and Ehrentraut and Triani and Cimmelli hold when the classical Coleman-Noll and Liu [“Method of Lagrange multipliers for exploitation of the entropy principle,” Arch. Rational Mech. Anal. 46, 131–148 (1972)10.1007/BF00250688] procedures for the exploitation of the second law, are generalized by considering also the gradients of the fundamental balance equations as constraints for the entropy inequality.
Relationships between energy technology patents and CO2 emissions in China: An empirical study
Authors: Wang Zhaohua , Yang Zhongmin , Zhang Yixiang
Published: June 2012

This paper explores dynamic relationships between energy technology patents and CO2 emissions in China during 1985–2009. Based on vector autoregression, cointegration and vector error correction model are adopted to uncover relationships in both long-run and short-run; also dynamic interactions are identified to establish these relationships between variables through impulse response functions and variance decomposition methods. Results show that: (1) the increase of energy technology patents does not reduce CO2 emissions in both long-run and short-run; (2) in the long-run, the increase of energy technology patents helps to reduce CO2 emissions intensity; while it does not for the short term. The present empirical study clearly indicates that Chinese government should attach more importance to investigating and improving energy technology patent system and formulating related energy technology policies for CO2 emissions reduction.
Intracavity and resonant Raman crystal fiber laser
Authors: Lai Chien-Chih , Ke Chih-Peng , Liu Shih-Kun , Lo Chia-Yao , Jheng Dong-Yo , Wang Shih-Chang , Lin Si-Rong , Yeh Pinghui S. , Huang Sheng-Lung
Published: June 2012

We demonstrated an efficient, compact, and continuous-wave Raman crystal fiber laser (RCFL) using an intracavity and resonant χ(3) approach. The gain and nonlinear medium was Cr4+:Y3Al5O12 double-clad crystal fiber grown using the codrawing laser-heated pedestal growth technique. The RCFL threshold was only 50 mW, and the slope efficiency reached 14.3% above a pump power of 350 mW. The result is in good agreement with theory, which indicates a near-100% quantum efficiency of resonant stimulated Raman scattering.
Dielectric elastomer transducers with enhanced force output and work density
Authors: Stoyanov Hristiyan , Brochu Paul , Niu Xiaofan , Della Gaspera Enrico , Pei Qibing
Published: June 2012

We demonstrate that the force output and work density of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) based dielectric elastomer transducers can be significantly enhanced by the addition of high permittivity titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The nanocomposites are capable of maintaining the actuation strain performance of the pure PDMS at relatively low electric fields while increasing the force output and work density due to mechanical reinforcement. A model relating the Maxwell stress to the measured force from the actuator was used to determine the dielectric permittivity at high electric fields thus providing results that can be directly correlated to device performance. This approach toward higher work density materials should enable smaller, lighter, and less intrusive actuator systems ideal for biomedical and robotic devices in particular.
The importance of scattering, surface potential, and vanguard counter-potential in terahertz emission from gallium arsenide
Authors: Cortie D. L. , Lewis R. A.
Published: June 2012

It is well established that under excitation by short (<1 ps), above-band-gap optical pulses, semiconductor surfaces may emit terahertz-frequency electromagnetic radiation via photocarrier diffusion (the dominant mechanism in InAs) or photocarrier drift (dominant in GaAs). Our three-dimensional ensemble Monte Carlo simulations allow multiple physical parameters to vary over wide ranges and provide unique direct insight into the factors controlling terahertz emission. We find for GaAs (in contrast to InAs), scattering and the surface potential are key factors. We further delineate in GaAs (as in InAs) the role of a vanguard counter-potential. The effects of varying dielectric constant, band-gap, and effective mass are similar in both emitter types.
AlSb nucleation induced anisotropic electron mobility in AlSb/InAs heterostructures on GaAs
Authors: Desplanque L. , El Kazzi S. , Codron J.-L. , Wang Y. , Ruterana P. , Moschetti G. , Grahn J. , Wallart X.
Published: June 2012

The influence of the growth conditions at the AlSb/GaAs interface on the electron mobility in AlSb/InAs heterostructures is investigated. We show that an excessive antimony flux during the initial stage of the AlSb buffer growth leads to a strong anisotropy of electron mobility in InAs between [110] and [1-10] crystallographic orientations. This anisotropy is attributed to the formation of trenches oriented along the [1-10] direction in the InAs channel. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that these trenches are directly related to twinning defects originating from the AlSb/GaAs interface.
The electrocaloric effect around the orthorhombic- tetragonal first-order phase transition in BaTiO3
Authors: Bai Yang , Ding Kai , Zheng Guang-Ping , Shi San-Qiang , Cao Jiang-Li , Qiao Lijie
Published: June 2012

This paper demonstrates the electrocaloric effect (ECE) around BaTiO3's orthorhombic-tetragonal first-order phase transition. By manipulating a field-induced transition of a metastable phase in the thermal hysteresis zone, a huge exothermic or endothermic peak appears after first applying or removing electric fields because of the energy change of lattice structure. A large ECE of ΔT/E = 1.4K·m/MV, equaling to latent heat, is achieved under 10kV/cm at 10°C. The entropy change for polarization ordering alone induces an ECE two orders of magnitude lower under the same condition. It confirms the dominant factor to ECE of the energy flow due to the structural phase transition.
Mapping the HLA-DO/HLA-DM complex by FRET and mutagenesis
Authors: Yoon Taejin , Macmillan Henriette , Mortimer Sarah E. , Jiang Wei , Rinderknecht Cornelia H. , Stern Lawrence J. , Mellins Elizabeth D.
Published: June 2012

HLA-DO (DO) is a nonclassic class II heterodimer that inhibits the action of the class II peptide exchange catalyst, HLA-DM (DM), and influences DM localization within late endosomes and exosomes. In addition, DM acts as a chaperone for DO and is required for its egress from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These reciprocal functions are based on direct DO/DM binding, but the topology of DO/DM complexes is not known, in part, because of technical limitations stemming from DO instability. We generated two variants of recombinant soluble DO with increased stability [zippered DOαP11A (szDOv) and chimeric sDO-Fc] and confirmed their conformational integrity and ability to inhibit DM. Notably, we found that our constructs, as well as wild-type sDO, are inhibitory in the full pH range where DM is active (4.7 to ∼6.0). To probe the nature of DO/DM complexes, we used intermolecular fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and mutagenesis and identified a lateral surface spanning the α1 and α2 domains of szDO as the apparent binding site for sDM. We also analyzed several sDM mutants for binding to szDOv and susceptibility to DO inhibition. Results of these assays identified a region of DM important for interaction with DO. Collectively, our data define a putative binding surface and an overall orientation of the szDOv/sDM complex and have implications for the mechanism of DO inhibition of DM.
The actin regulator N-WASp is required for muscle-cell fusion in mice
Authors: Gruenbaum-Cohen Yael , Harel Itamar , Umansky Kfir-Baruch , Tzahor Eldad , Snapper Scott B. , Shilo Ben-Zion , Schejter Eyal D.
Published: June 2012

A fundamental aspect of skeletal myogenesis involves extensive rounds of cell fusion, in which individual myoblasts are incorporated into growing muscle fibers. Here we demonstrate that N-WASp, a ubiquitous nucleation-promoting factor of branched microfilament arrays, is an essential contributor to skeletal muscle-cell fusion in developing mouse embryos. Analysis both in vivo and in primary satellite-cell cultures, shows that disruption of N-WASp function does not interfere with the program of skeletal myogenic differentiation, and does not affect myoblast motility, morphogenesis and attachment capacity. N-WASp–deficient myoblasts, however, fail to fuse. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that myoblast fusion requires N-WASp activity in both partners of a fusing myoblast pair. These findings reveal a specific role for N-WASp during mammalian myogenesis. WASp-family elements appear therefore to act as universal mediators of the myogenic cell-cell fusion mechanism underlying formation of functional muscle fibers, in both vertebrate and invertebrate species.
Aligned hemozoin crystals in curved clusters in malarial red blood cells revealed by nanoprobe X-ray Fe fluorescence and diffraction
Authors: Kapishnikov Sergey , Berthing Trine , Hviid Lars , Dierolf Martin , Menzel Andreas , Pfeiffer Franz , Als-Nielsen Jens , Leiserowitz Leslie
Published: June 2012

The human malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
detoxifies the heme byproduct of hemoglobin digestion in infected red blood cells by sequestration into submicron-sized hemozoin crystals. The crystal is composed of heme units interlinked to form cyclic dimers via reciprocal Fe─O (propionate) bonds. Templated hemozoin nucleation was envisaged to explain a classic observation by electron microscopy of a cluster of aligned hemozoin crystals within the parasite digestive vacuole. This dovetails with evidence that acylglycerol lipids are involved in hemozoin nucleation in vivo, and nucleation of β-hematin, the synthetic analogue of hemozoin, was consistently induced at an acylglycerol–water interface via their {100} crystal faces. In order to ascertain the nature of hemozoin nucleation in vivo, we probed the mutual orientations of hemozoin crystals in situ within RBCs using synchrotron-based X-ray nanoprobe Fe fluorescence and diffraction. The X-ray patterns indicated the presence of hemozoin clusters, each comprising several crystals aligned along their needle
c
axes and exposing {100} side faces to an approximately cylindrical surface, suggestive of nucleation via a common lipid layer. This experimental finding, and the associated nucleation model, are difficult to reconcile with recent reports of hemozoin formation within lipid droplets in the digestive vacuole. The diffraction results are verified by a study of the nucleation process using emerging tools of three-dimensional cellular microscopy, described in the companion paper.
Coevolution between invasive and native plants driven by chemical competition and soil biota
Authors: Lankau Richard A.
Published: June 2012

Although reciprocal evolutionary responses between interacting species are a driving force behind the diversity of life, pairwise coevolution between plant competitors has received less attention than other species interactions and has been considered relatively less important in explaining ecological patterns. However, the success of species transported across biogeographic boundaries suggests a stronger role for evolutionary relationships in shaping plant interactions.
Alliaria petiolata
is a Eurasian species that has invaded North American forest understories, where it competes with native understory species in part by producing compounds that directly and indirectly slow the growth of competing species. Here I show that populations of
A. petiolata
from areas with a greater density of interspecific competitors invest more in a toxic allelochemical under common conditions. Furthermore, populations of a native competitor from areas with highly toxic invaders are more tolerant to competition from the invader, suggesting coevolutionary dynamics between the species. Field reciprocal transplants confirmed that native populations more tolerant to the invader had higher fitness when the invader was common, but these traits came at a cost when the invader was rare. Exotic species are often detrimentally dominant in their new range due to their evolutionary novelty; however, the development of new coevolutionary relationships may act to integrate exotic species into native communities.
Coupling Fish Community Structure with Instream Flow and Habitat Connectivity between Two Hydrologically Extreme Years
Authors: Stanley Charles E. , Taylor Jason M. , King Ryan S.
Published: June 2012

Hydrologic variability and instream habitat connectivity play fundamental roles in structuring fish communities in lotic ecosystems. We collected fish assemblage and physical habitat data from 28 central Texas streams during the summers of 2006 (a drought year with minimal summer precipitation and low stream flow) and 2007 (an exceptionally wet year with periodic flooding in spring and sustained high flows throughout summer). We evaluated the correspondence between the magnitude of physical habitat and fish community composition change in stream reaches sampled in these two contrasting years using ordination, successional vector analysis, and indicator species analysis. In 2006, streams characterized by disconnected pools had different fish community structure and habitat characteristics than streams that had habitats connected by flowing water. The amount of interannual change in both fish community structure and habitat characteristics was greatest between streams that had disconnected pools in 2006 and their paired samples in 2007. Indicator species analysis identified species that had affinities to disconnected habitats during 2006, which included opportunistic life history strategists typical of temporary waters (western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis and blackstripe topminnow Fundulus notatus) and equilibrium strategists that rely on stable pool habitats for nesting (longear sunfish Lepomis megalotis and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides). Conversely, indicator species of connected riffle–pool habitat included fluvial specialists (central stoneroller Campostoma anomalum, spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus, and bullhead minnow Pimephales vigilax). In summer 2007, the numbers of most species of fish declined markedly compared with 2006. Community structure between previously disconnected and connected stream types was also highly variable in 2007. However, strong recruitment of juveniles following spring flooding and sustained high summer flow significantly increased the frequency and abundance of two periodical strategists, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and flathead catfish Pylodictus olivaris in both types of streams in 2007. These findings provide important insights into how individual species’ life history strategies influence the response of fish community structure to extreme hydrologic events, which are likely to increase in frequency in many parts of the world due to climate change.
A Standardized Method and Analytical Approach for Predicting Female Reproductive Stage in Teleosts by Using Ovary Color and Female Characteristics
Authors: Peer A. C. , Selckmann G. M. , Miller T. J.
Published: June 2012

Determining and understanding patterns in the reproductive status of fishes are essential for assessing individual and population reproductive potential. The least biased method for determining reproductive stage is through the use of ovarian histology; however, this method can be time consuming and expensive. To overcome these restrictions, we developed models to predict the reproductive stage of female striped bass Morone saxatilis by using ovary color and other female characteristics. We provide a standardized and calibrated method for quantifying ovary color, and we outline an analytical approach that utilizes binary and ordinal logistic regression. Our results indicated that binary models had high accuracy (<6% error) in distinguishing between the regressing phase (i.e., recently spawned) and the nonregressing phase (i.e., all other reproductive phases); we found even better accuracy (4% error) for ordinal models in discriminating among four nonregressing reproductive phases. All of the best‐fitting models required the inclusion of an ovary color variable and ovary energy density; however, good predictive accuracy was also obtained when we replaced ovary energy density with ovary percent water to produce models requiring minimal laboratory processing time and cost. Although tested on striped bass, our method could be used to develop similar models for other species.
Reinventing the Reel: An Innovative Approach to Resident Skill-Building in Motivational Interviewing for Brief Intervention
Authors: Cole Bonnie , Clark Denice Crowe , Seale J. Paul , Shellenberger Sylvia , Lyme Alan , Johnson J. Aaron , Chhabria Aruna
Published: June 2012

To enhance the skills of primary care residents in addressing substance misuse, residency screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) programs increasingly offer motivational interviewing (MI) training, but seldom include feedback and coaching. This innovative 2-round “Virginia Reel” approach, supplementing 3 hours of basic MI instruction, was designed to teach and coach residents to use MI while providing ongoing medical care. SBIRT/MI-competent facilitators served as both trainers and actors at 8 carefully sequenced Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) stations, providing instruction, role-play practice, and feedback on 17 microskills in 2 successive clinical “visits”/rounds addressing alcohol misuse and diabetes management. Evaluation included OSCE checklists, overall competency assessments, and responses to open-ended questions. Three residents showed improvement between rounds. Resident evaluations were strongly positive, identifying practice of MI skills and receipt of coaching and feedback from MI experts as particularly valuable. Further study is needed to confirm effectiveness of the approach and explore the impact of fewer OSCE stations of longer duration.
Tilling the Soil While Sowing the Seeds: Combining Resident Education with Medical Home Transformation
Authors: Muench John , Jarvis Kelly , Boverman Josh , Hardman Joseph , Hayes Meg , Winkle Jim
Published: June 2012

In order to successfully integrate screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) into primary care, education of clinicians must be paired with sustainable transformation of the clinical settings in which they practice. The SBIRT Oregon project adopted this strategy in an effort to fully integrate SBIRT into 7 primary care residency clinics. Residents were trained to assess and intervene in their patients’ unhealthy substance use, whereas clinic staff personnel were trained to carry out a multistep screening process. Electronic medical record tools were created to further integrate and track SBIRT processes. This article describes how a resident training curriculum complemented and was informed by the transformation of workflow processes within the residents’ home clinics.
A SBIRT Curriculum for Medical Residents: Development of a Performance Feedback Tool to Build Learner Confidence
Authors: Hettema Jennifer E. , Ratanawongsa Neda , Manuel Jennifer K. , Ciccarone Daniel , Coffa Diana , Jain Sharad , Lum Paula J.
Published: June 2012

A major barrier to actualizing the public health impact potential of screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is the suboptimal development and implementation of evidence-based training curricula for healthcare providers. As part of a federal grant to develop and implement SBIRT training in medical residency programs, the authors assessed 95 internal medicine residents before they received SBIRT training to identify self-reported characteristics and behaviors that would inform curriculum development. Residents’ confidence in their SBIRT skills significantly predicted SBIRT practice. Lack of experience dealing with alcohol or drug problems and discomfort in dealing with these issues were significantly associated with low confidence. To target these barriers, the authors revised their SBIRT curriculum to increase residents’ confidence in their skills and developed an innovative SBIRT Proficiency Checklist and Feedback Protocol for skills practice observations. Qualitative feedback suggests that, despite the discomfort residents experience in being observed, a proficiency checklist and feedback protocol appear to boost learner confidence.
scrazzl: semantic technology for evaluating research tools and products in scholarly literature
Authors: KAVANAGH David J. , PHILLIPS Paul
Published: June 2012

Scholarly research content contains vast stores of valuable, untapped knowledge and records the practical experiences of millions of research scientists. Analysis of this data to create useful actionable information promises to yield not only significant benefits for individual researchers, but also to provide a valuable market intelligence tool for companies that view scientists as their main customers. This article outlines some of the work that we are doing to unlock the intrinsic value of research content for the benefit of readers and advertisers. We report some findings of our internal market research, which illustrates the importance of documentary evidence and collegial recommendations to scientists when it comes to evaluating materials for scientific research. Furthermore, we outline some of the steps that we are taking to deliver this valuable, structured information to scientists and customers, in a fashion that is commercially viable and mutually beneficial for our company and the publishers with which we work.
Promotion of research articles to the lay press: a summary of a three‐year project
Authors: MATHELUS Sharon , PITTMAN Ginny , YABLONSKI‐CREPEAU Jill
Published: June 2012

The promotion of scholarly journal articles to journalists and bloggers via the dissemination of press releases generates a positive impact on the number of citations that publicized journal articles receive. Research by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. shows that article‐level publicity efforts and media coverage boosts downloads by an average of 1.8 times and were found to increase citations by as much as 2.0–2.2 times in the articles analyzed in this study. We evaluated scholarly journal articles published in nearly 100 Wiley journals, which were also covered in 296 press releases. The results in this case study suggest a need for greater investment in media support for scholarly journals publishing research that sparks interest to a broad news audience, as it could increase citations.
Response to ‘Comments on “MMFPh: A Maximal Motif Finder for Phosphoproteomics Datasets”’
Authors: Wang Tuobin , Kettenbach Arminja N. , Gerber Scott A. , Bailey-Kellogg Chris
Published: June 2012

Contact:  cbk@cs.dartmouth.edu
First Report of Damping-off Caused by Alternaria japonica on Chinese Cabbage Seedlings in China
Authors: Ren X. X. , Zhang G. Z. , Dai W. A.
Published: June 2012

In May 2011, samples of Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. subsp. chinensis Markino) seedlings at the two-to four-leaf stage with damping-off symptoms were collected from greenhouses in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Infected stems of the seedlings were constricted at or near the soil surface. On diseased stems, a light to dark brown coloration was demarcated from healthy tissue. Damping-off and death of seedlings occurred as the lesions enlarged, resulting in a significant reduction of seedlings. Diseased stems were cut into 3-mm-long segments, surface-sterilized with 3.5% sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, and rinsed in sterilized water three times before being placed on water agar. A fungus frequently isolated from diseased plants was hyphal tipped under a dissecting microscope and transferred onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) to obtain a pure culture. The isolate grew slowly on PDA at 25°C with a 12-h photoperiod. The colony was white at first and gradually turned gray or grayish-green. No conidia or chlamydospores developed. However, conidia were produced on potato-carrot agar. Conidia were yellow-brown, obpyriform or obpyriform with beaks, had two to eight transverse septa, one to three vertical or oblique septa, and were produced solitarily or often in chains of two or three and measured 43.5 to 85.2 × 21.5 to 28.0 μm. A few conidia without beaks were also present and were nearly round and slightly smaller than the conidia with beaks. Several adjacent chlamydospores with thickened walls were often intercalary. The isolate was tentatively identified as Alternaria japonica based on its morphological characteristics (1,2). For molecular analyses, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of ribosomal DNA from the isolate were amplified with universal primers ITS1 and ITS4. The resulting sequence (Accession No. JN654465) submitted to GenBank had a 99% identity to that of A. japonica (Accession No. AY154703.1) isolated from leaves of Raphanus sativus. To confirm the pathogenicity of A. japonica, nine healthy 10-day-old Chinese cabbage seedlings were inoculated at the stem base with one PDA plug from a 6-day-old culture, with nine noninoculated (PDA plus only) seedlings serving as controls. Two days after inoculation, symptoms similar to those on the naturally infected plants developed on the inoculated seedlings. No symptoms developed on the controls. The pathogen was reisolated from the stems of inoculated and diseased seedlings. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. japonica leading to damping off on Chinese cabbage seedlings in China.

References: (1) M. P. Corlett and M. E. Corlett. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 21:298, 1999. (2) T. Y. Zhang. Flora Fungorum Sinicorum: Alternaria (in Chinese) Vol. 16. Science Press, Beijing, 2003.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a novel halotolerant feruloyl esterase identified from a soil metagenomic library
Authors: Chen Shang-ke , Wang Kui , Liu Yuhuan , Hu Xiaopeng
Published: June 2012

Feruloyl esterase cleaves the ester linkage formed between ferulic acid and polysaccharides in plant cell walls and thus has wide potential industrial applications. A novel feruloyl esterase (EstF27) identified from a soil metagenomic library was crystallized and a complete data set was collected from a single cooled crystal using an in-house X-ray source. The crystal diffracted to 2.9 Å resolution and belonged to space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 94.35,b= 106.19,c= 188.51 Å, α = β = γ = 90.00°. A Matthews coefficient of 2.55 Å3 Da−1, with a corresponding solvent content of 51.84%, suggested the presence of ten protein subunits in the asymmetric unit.
Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the human NORE1 SARAH domain
Authors: Kim Hye Jin , Hwang Eunha , Han Young-Hyun , Choi Saehae , Lee Woo Cheol , Kim Hye-Yeon , Jeon Young Ho , Cheong Chaejoon , Cheong Hae-Kap
Published: June 2012

NORE1 is an important tumour suppressor in human cancers that interacts with the pro-apoptotic protein kinase MST1/2 through SARAH domains. The SARAH domain (residues 366–413) of human NORE1 was expressed inEscherichia coli, purified and crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystal diffracted to 2.7 Å resolution and belonged to space groupP6122, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 73.041,c = 66.092 Å, α = β = 90, γ = 120°.
Combiningin situproteolysis and mass spectrometry to crystallizeEscherichia coliPgaB
Authors: Little Dustin J. , Whitney John C. , Robinson Howard , Yip Patrick , Nitz Mark , Howell P. Lynne
Published: June 2012

The periplasmic poly-β-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (PNAG) de-N-acetylase PgaB fromEscherichia coliwas overexpressed and purified, but was recalcitrant to crystallization. Use of thein situproteolysis technique produced crystals of PgaB, but these crystals could not be optimized for diffraction studies. By analyzing the initial crystal hits using SDS–PAGE and mass spectrometry, the boundaries of the protein species that crystallized were determined. The re-engineered protein target crystallized reproducibly without the addition of protease and with significantly increased crystal quality. Crystals of the selenomethionine-incorporated protein exhibited the symmetry of space groupP212121and diffracted to 2.1 Å resolution.
Cytokine and chemokine responses in pediatric patients with severe pneumonia associated with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus
Authors: Matsumoto Yuji , Kawamura Yoshiki , Nakai Hidetaka , Sugata Ken , Yoshikawa Akiko , Ihira Masaru , Ohashi Masahiro , Kato Tomochika , Yoshikawa Tetsushi
Published: June 2012

Severe pneumonia and leukocytosis are characteristic, frequently observed, clinical findings in pediatric patients with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus infection. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of cytokines and chemokines in complicating pneumonia and leukocytosis in patients with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus infection. Forty‐seven patients with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus infection were enrolled in this study. Expression of interleukin (IL)‐10 (P = 0.027) and IL‐5 (P = 0.014) was significantly greater in patients with pneumonia than in those without pneumonia. Additionally, serum concentrations of interferon‐γ (P = 0.009), tumor necrosis factor‐α (P = 0.01), IL‐4 (P = 0.024), and IL‐2 (P = 0.012) were significantly lower in pneumonia patients with neutrophilic leukocytosis than in those without neutrophilic leukocytosis. Of the five serum chemokine concentrations assessed, only IL‐8 was significantly lower in pneumonia patients with neutrophilic leukocytosis than in those without leukocytosis (P = 0.001). These cytokines and chemokines may play important roles in the pathogenesis of childhood pneumonia associated with A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus infection.
Dock3 regulates BDNF‐TrkB signaling for neurite outgrowth by forming a ternary complex with Elmo and RhoG
Authors: Namekata Kazuhiko , Watanabe Hayaki , Guo Xiaoli , Kittaka Daiji , Kawamura Kazuto , Kimura Atsuko , Harada Chikako , Harada Takayuki
Published: June 2012

Dock3, a new member of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor family, causes cellular morphological changes by activating the small GTPase Rac1. Overexpression of Dock3 in neural cells promotes neurite outgrowth through the formation of a protein complex with Fyn and WAVE downstream of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling. Here, we report a novel Dock3‐mediated BDNF pathway for neurite outgrowth. We show that Dock3 forms a complex with Elmo and activated RhoG downstream of BDNF‐TrkB signaling and induces neurite outgrowth via Rac1 activation in PC12 cells. We also show the importance of Dock3 phosphorylation in Rac1 activation and show two key events that are necessary for efficient Dock3 phosphorylation: membrane recruitment of Dock3 and interaction of Dock3 with Elmo. These results suggest that Dock3 plays important roles downstream of BDNF signaling in the central nervous system where it stimulates actin polymerization by multiple pathways.
LIM‐Homeodomain Transcription Factor, Lhx2, is involved in Transcriptional Control of Brain‐Specific Promoter/Exon 1f of the Mouse Aromatase Gene
Authors: Honda S. , Kozako T. , Shimeno H. , Soeda S. , Harada N.
Published: June 2012

Neurosteroidal oestrogen has been proposed to play important roles in a variety of reproductive behaviours. Aromatase, a key enzyme in oestrogen synthesis, is localised in neural nuclei of specific brain regions and is developmentally regulated, with a transient expression peak at the perinatal period. The brain‐specific promoter of the aromatase gene was analysed aiming to determine the transcriptional control mechanisms that could help explain the spatiotemporal expression. We previously reported that a 202‐bp sequence, which is upstream from the transcriptional initiation site, is essential for the basal transcriptional activity. The 202‐bp upstream region of brain‐specific exon 1 comprises at least three types of cis‐acting elements: aro‐AI (Arom‐Aα), aro‐AII (Arom‐Aβ) and aro‐B (Arom‐B). To identify the binding proteins for the cis‐acting elements, a yeast one‐hybrid screen was performed with these cis‐element sequences using a mouse foetal cDNA library. Lhx2, a LIM‐homeodomain protein, was identified as one of the aro‐B binding proteins. The identification was further confirmed using the gel shift assay, which demonstrated binding competition of nuclear proteins to the aro‐B element with a typical Lhx2‐binding element. In addition, a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay with an anti‐Lhx2 antibody demonstrated that Lhx2 bound to the aro‐B site in vivo. A reporter assay of the brain‐specific promoter demonstrated increased Lhx2‐dependent promoter activity. Furthermore, the time‐dependent increase in aromatase mRNA in primary cultured foetal neurones was suppressed by an small‐interfering RNA‐mediated knockdown of Lhx2 expression. These results show that Lhx2 is involved in the transcriptional regulation of aromatase in the rodent brain.
In‐hospital Neonatal Mortality and the Role of Consanguinity
Authors: Charafeddine Lama , Ammous Farah , Kobeissi Loulou , De Ver Dye Timothy , Matar Maroun , Faddous Khalife Marie‐Claude , Yunis Khalid
Published: June 2012

Background:  Consanguinity which increases the risk of genetic disorders has been implicated at times in infant mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the association between consanguinity and in‐hospital mortality in newborns.

Methods:  Data was collected prospectively on all births from 26 hospitals in Lebanon from January 2004 to December 2008 and admitted to the National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network. Secondary analysis was done on 65,402 singletons, after exclusion of stillbirths, infants of multiple gestation and infants of second cousin progeny.

Results:  In‐hospital mortality was 6.7 per 1000 live births (439/65,402). The rate of first cousin marriage was 9.9%. Consanguinity was significantly associated with in‐hospital mortality (odds ratio 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8, 3.1); consanguinity remained a significant predictor of mortality (odds ratio 1.8 [95% CI: 1.2, 2.9]) after adjusting for maternal age and education, crowding index, history of abortion, prenatal care, mode of delivery, gender, birthweight and apgar score at 5 minutes.

Conclusions:  This association of consanguinity with in‐hospital mortality points to potential genetic factors leading to this increased risk. Designing public health interventions, including raising the awareness and taking into consideration such risks in neonatal mortality studies are indicated.
An evaluation of statistical process control techniques applied to blood component quality monitoring with particular reference to CUSUM
Authors: Nightingale M. J. , Madden S. , Curnow E. , Collett D. , Procter S. , Rowe G. P.
Published: June 2012

Background

Statistical process control (SPC) is used to monitor the performance of blood component collection and production processes in the UK and elsewhere. The sensitivity of the applied technique(s) needs to be matched to the clinical importance of the parameter being monitored such that significant deviations in the process mean and/or variability of critical parameters (e.g. the leucocyte content of leucodepleted components) are detected and investigated immediately.

Aims

This study assessed the sensitivity and specificity of a range of techniques for variable and attribute (proportion non‐conforming) data.

Materials and methods

Comparison was based on a range of simulated and ‘live’ blood component quality monitoring data including /R, cumulative sum (CUSUM) procedures, the scan statistic and np charts.

Results

/R and CUSUM could detect shifts of two standard deviations in the process mean within 5 days. Current leucocyte count data (substantially skewed even after log transformation) was found to be better suited to attribute analysis. CUSUM alone was able to detect shifts on the same day when based on 20 or more samples and achieved acceptable specificity.

Conclusions

CUSUM procedures for proportion non‐conforming can usefully augment existing /R techniques for leucodepletion monitoring, provide valid control limits and the required sensitivity. The scan statistic and ‘np’ charts offered no obvious advantages.
Clinical spectrum of MEN2A in a large family caused by the infrequent RET mutation Cys609Phe
Authors: Oriola J , Biarnes J , Hernandez C , Simó R
Published: June 2012

Mutations in RET proto‐oncogene cause multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A (MEN2A). Mutations in codons 609 and 611 are not frequent. We identified two MEN2A families with the Cys609Phe RET mutation, which turned out to be the same family. This mutation has been described a couple of times with no clinical details. We have characterized the clinical phenotype of this large kindred. A 54‐year‐old woman, with a medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and a 33‐year‐old woman, who was operated on for an adrenal pheochromocytoma, were the index cases. 35 relatives were studied. Sixteen turned out to be carriers and 12 of them have been operated on. This family showed eight patients with C‐cell hyperplasia, six patients affected by MTC and two showing pheochromocytoma. A papillary thyroid carcinoma was also found, together with the MTC, in one of the carriers. The phenotype in this large kindred is clearly of MEN2A. In carriers presenting the Cys609Phe mutation, the timing of the presentation of the syndrome is highly unpredictable. Therefore, a strict follow up of MTC must be carried out because of risk, and pheochromocytoma should not be ignored. These results reinforce the scarce data observed on this particular mutation.
Identification of the DDAH2 Protein in Pig Reproductive Tract Mucus: A Putative Oestrus Detection Marker
Authors: Lee WY , Chai SY , Lee KH , Park HJ , Kim JH , Kim B , Kim NH , Jeon HS , Kim IC , Choi HS , Song H
Published: June 2012

Contents

Precisely detecting oestrus is important for artificial insemination. The aims of this study were to identify oestrus‐specific sow mucus proteins to determine the optimal time for artificial insemination. The proestrous‐ and oestrous‐stage mucus proteins were purified and analysed with proteomic tools such as two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization–time‐of‐flight analyses. Among the differentially expressed proteins, the dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 (DDAH2) protein showed a 3.6‐fold increase during the proestrous stage compared to that during the oestrous stage. A western immunoblot study revealed that two of three sow mucus samples clearly showed negative anti‐DDAH2 antibody activity during the oestrous stage. This study demonstrated that the pig DDAH2 mucus protein exists during the proestrous stage, but not during the oestrous stage, suggesting that mucus DDAH2 could be useful as an oestrus detection marker.
Turning off sacral nerve stimulation does not affect gastric and small intestinal motility in patients treated for faecal incontinence
Authors: Worsøe J. , Fassov J. , Schlageter V. , Rijkhoff N. J. M. , Laurberg S. , Krogh K.
Published: June 2012

Aim  Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) reduces symptoms in up to 80% of patients with faecal incontinence (FI). Its effects are not limited to the distal colon and the pelvic floor. Accordingly, spinal or supraspinal neuromodulation have been suggested as part of the mode of action. The effect of SNS on gastric and small‐intestinal motility was studied.

Method  Using the magnet tracking system, MTS‐1, a small magnetic pill was tracked twice through the upper gastrointestinal tract of eight patients with FI successfully treated with SNS. Following a randomized double‐blind crossover design, the stimulator was either left active or was turned off for 1 week before investigations with MTS‐1.

Results  The median (range) frequency of gastric con‐tractions was 3.05 (2.83–3.40) per min during SNS and 3.04 (2.79?–3.76) per min without (P = NS). The median (range) frequency of contractions in the small intestine during the first 2 h after pyloric passage was 10.005 (9.68–10.70) per min during SNS and 10.09 (9.79–10.29) per min without SNS (P = NS). The median (range) velocity of the magnetic pill during the first 2 h in the small intestine was 1.6 (1.2–2.8) cm/min during SNS and 1.7 (0.8–3.7) cm/min without SNS (P = NS). Small‐intestinal propagation mainly occurred during very fast movements (> 15 cm/min), accounting for 51% (42–60%) of the distance 3% (2–4%) of the time during SNS and for 53% (18–73%) of the distance 3% (1–8%) of the time without SNS (P = NS).

Conclusion  Turning off SNS for 1 week did not affect gastric or small‐intestinal motility patterns.
Modeling the isoprene emission rate from leaves
Authors: Monson Russell K. , Grote Rüdiger , Niinemets Ülo , Schnitzler Jörg‐Peter
Published: June 2012

The leaves of many plants emit isoprene (2‐methyl‐1,3‐butadiene) to the atmosphere, a process which has important ramifications for global and regional atmospheric chemistry. Quantitation of leaf isoprene emission and its response to environmental variation are described by empirically derived equations that replicate observed patterns, but have been linked only in some cases to known biochemical and physiological processes. Furthermore, models have been proposed from several independent laboratories, providing multiple approaches for prediction of emissions, but with little detail provided as to how contrasting models are related. In this review we provide an analysis as to how the most commonly used models have been validated, or not, on the basis of known biochemical and physiological processes. We also discuss the multiple approaches that have been used for modeling isoprene emission rate with an emphasis on identifying commonalities and contrasts among models, we correct some mathematical errors that have been propagated through the models, and we note previously unrecognized covariances within processes of the models. We come to the conclusion that the state of isoprene emission modeling remains highly empirical. Where possible, we identify gaps in our knowledge that have prevented us from achieving a greater mechanistic foundation for the models, and we discuss the insight and data that must be gained to fill those gaps.

Contents

Summary
541

I.
Introduction
542

II.
The biochemical control over isoprene emission rate
542

III.
General forms of the models used to predict the leaf isoprene emission rate
543

IV.
Modeling the short‐term responses to photon flux density
545

V.
Resolving problems with the current Guenther algorithm covering the PPFD‐dependence of Ei
546

VI.
The temperature dependence of isoprene emission rate
547

VII.
Clarifying issues with the current Guenther algorithm covering the temperature‐dependence of Ei
549

VIII.
The CO2 dependence of the isoprene emission rate
549

IX.
Modeling the relation between isoprene emission and leaf conductance
551

X.
Modeling the longer‐term processes that control isoprene emission rate
552

XI.
Conclusions
556

References
556