bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis andIn VitroAntitumor Activity of Two Mixed-Ligand Oxovanadium(IV) Complexes of Schiff Base and Phenanthroline
Authors: Zhang Yongli , Wang Xiangsheng , Fang Wei , Cai Xiaoyan , Chu Fujiang , Liao Xiangwen , Lu Jiazheng
Published: January 2013

Two oxovanadium(IV) complexes of [VO(msatsc)(phen)], (1) (msatsc = methoxylsalicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone, phen = phenanthroline) and its novel derivative [VO (4-chlorosatsc)(phen)], (2) (4-chlorosatsc = 4-chlorosalicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ES-MS,1H NMR, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Their antitumor effects on BEL-7402, HUH-7, and HepG2 cells were studied by MTT assay. The antitumor biological mechanism of these two complexes was studied in BEL-7402 cells by cell cycle analysis, Hoechst 33342 staining, Annexin V-FITC/PI assay, and detection of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). The results showed that the growth of cancer cells was inhibited significantly, and complexes1and2mainly caused in BEL-7402 cells G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis. Both1and2decreased significantly the ΔΨm, causing the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane. Complex2showed greater antitumor efficiency than that of complex1.
Effects of Electroacupuncture at Auricular Concha Region on the Depressive Status of Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Rat Models
Authors: Liu Ru-Peng , Fang Ji-Liang , Rong Pei-Jing , Zhao Yufeng , Meng Hong , Ben Hui , Li Liang , Huang Zhan-Xia , Li Xia , Ma Ying-Ge , Zhu Bing
Published: January 2013

To explore new noninvasive treatment options for depression, this study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the auricular concha region (ACR) of depression rat models. Depression in rats was induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) combined with isolation for 21 days. Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups: normal, UCMS alone, UCMS with EA-ACR treatment, and UCMS with EA-ear-tip treatment. Rats under inhaled anesthesia were treated once daily for 14 days. The results showed that blood pressure and heart rate were significantly reduced in the EA-ACR group than in the UCMS alone group or the EA-ear-tip group. The open-field test scores significantly decreased in the UCMS alone and EA-ear-tip groups but not in the EA-ACR group. Both EA treatments downregulated levels of plasma cortisol and ACTH in UCMS rats back to normal levels. The present study suggested that EA-ACR can elicit similar cardioinhibitory effects as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and EA-ACR significantly antagonized UCMS-induced depressive status in UCMS rats. The antidepressant effect of EA-ACR is possibly mediated via the normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity.
crcTRP: A Translational Research Platform for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Deng Ning , Zheng Ling , Liu Fang , Wang Li , Duan Huilong
Published: January 2013

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality in both developed and developing countries. Transforming basic research results into clinical practice is one of the key tasks of translational research, which will greatly improve the diagnosis and treatments of colorectal cancer. In this paper, a translational research platform for colorectal cancer, named crcTRP, is introduced. crcTRP serves the colorectal cancer translational research by providing various types of biomedical information related with colorectal cancer to the community. The information, including clinical data, epidemiology data, individual omics data, and public omics data, was collected through a multisource biomedical information collection solution and then integrated in a clinic-omics database, which was constructed with EAV-ER model for flexibility and efficiency. A preliminary exploration of conducting translational research on crcTRP was implemented and worked out a set of clinic-genomic relations, linking clinical data with genomic data. These relations have also been applied to crcTRP to make it more conductive for cancer translational research.
New Cancer Stochastic Models Involving Both Hereditary and Nonhereditary Cancer Cases: A New Approach
Authors: Tan Wai-Yuan , Zhou Hong
Published: January 2013

To incorporate biologically observed epidemics into multistage models of carcinogenesis, in this paper we have developed new stochastic models for human cancers. We have further incorporated genetic segregation of cancer genes into these models to derive generalized mixture models for cancer incidence. Based on these models we have developed a generalized Bayesian approach to estimate the parameters and to predict cancer incidence via Gibbs sampling procedures. We have applied these models to fit and analyze the SEER data of human eye cancers from NCI/NIH. Our results indicate that the models not only provide a logical avenue to incorporate biological information but also fit the data much better than other models. These models would not only provide more insights into human cancers but also would provide useful guidance for its prevention and control and for prediction of future cancer cases.
Architecture and Routing Protocols for Smart Wireless Home Sensor Networks
Authors: Xu Yang , Wu Shuai , Tan Ruochen , Chen Zheng , Zha Min , Tsou Tina
Published: January 2013

As an important application domain of wireless sensor networks (WSN), wireless home sensor network (WHSN) can be built as a traditional WSN. However, when we consider its own character that plug-in sensors are fixed with AC power supply while mobile sensors are battery powered, traditional WSN techniques do not match well. In this paper, we propose a smart wireless home sensor network architecture with improved routing protocols. It is a hierarchical architecture in which AC-powered sensors act as backbone nodes for data retransmission, while battery-powered sensors act as leaves that only transmit data relevant to themselves. Each sensor is assigned with a prime number as its location identifier. For our routing algorithm, the LID is used as routing address and is decomposed to a sequence of prime numbers that indicates the route towards its destination. In addition, we improve existing routing algorithms such as SPIN, LEACH, and DD to incorporate traditional WSN routing algorithms into our smart WHSN architecture, and comparable efficiencies are made between them. Moreover, we propose a network path recovery algorithm for failures that are caused by node mobility or backbone node failures. All our algorithms have been provided with faithful simulations to verify the feasibility and efficiency.
Food Stress in Adelaide: The Relationship between Low Income and the Affordability of Healthy Food
Authors: Ward Paul R. , Verity Fiona , Carter Patricia , Tsourtos George , Coveney John , Wong Kwan Chui
Published: January 2013

Healthy food is becoming increasingly expensive, and families on low incomes face a difficult financial struggle to afford healthy food. When food costs are considered, families on low incomes often face circumstances of poverty. Housing, utilities, health care, and transport are somewhat fixed in cost; however food is more flexible in cost and therefore is often compromised with less healthy, cheaper food, presenting an opportunity for families on low incomes to cut costs. Using a “Healthy Food Basket” methodology, this study costed a week’s supply of healthy food for a range of family types. It found that low-income families would have to spend approximately 30% of household income on eating healthily, whereas high-income households needed to spend about 10%. The differential is explained by the cost of the food basket relative to household income (i.e., affordability). It is argued that families that spend more than 30% of household income on food could be experiencing “food stress.” Moreover the high cost of healthy foods leaves low-income households vulnerable to diet-related health problems because they often have to rely on cheaper foods which are high in fat, sugar, and salt.
Proteomic Analysis of the Effect of Fuzheng Huayu Recipe on Fibrotic Liver in Rats
Authors: Xie Hongdong , Tao Yanyan , Lv Jing , Liu Ping , Liu Chenghai
Published: January 2013

Hepatic fibrosis is a common pathological process of chronic liver diseases and would lead to cirrhosis, and Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) is an effective Chinese herbal product against liver fibrosis. This study observes FZHY influence on proteome of fibrotic liver with differential proteomic approach and aims to understand FZHY multiple action mechanisms on liver fibrosis. The liver fibrosis models were induced with intraperitoneal injection of dimethylnitrosamine for 4 weeks in rats and divided into model control (model) and FZHY-treated (FZHY) groups, while normal rats were used as normal control (normal). After model establishment, rats in FZHY groups were administered 4 g/kg wt of FZHY for 4 weeks, and normal and model groups were given the same volume of saline. The liver proteins in the above 3 groups were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), the differentially expressed spots were analyzed and compared between normal and model or model and FZHY groups, and then the proteins were identified with mass spectrum analysis and validated partially with western blot and real-time PCR. 1000~1200 spots were displayed on each 2D gel, and a total of 61 protein spots were found with significant intensity difference between normal control or FZHY and model control. 23 most obviously differential spots were excised, and in-gel digestion and 21 peptide mass fingerprints (PMF) were obtained with MALDI-TOF MS analysis, and 14 proteins were identified through protein database searching. Among 14 differentially expressed proteins, 8 proteins in normal and FZHY groups had the same tendency of differential expression compared with the ones in model group. And one of them, vimentin, was validated by western blot and real-time PCR analyses. Our study reveals 12 proteins responsible for fibrogenesis induced by DMN in rats, and among them, 8 proteins in fibrotic liver were regulated by FZHY, including aldehyde dehydrogenase, vimentin isoform (CRA_b), gamma-actin, vimentin, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase B, aldo-keto reductase, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase isoform, and HSP90. It indicates that the action mechanism of FZHY antiliver fibrosis may be associated with modulation of proteins associated with metabolism and stress response, as well as myofibroblast activation. The study provides new insights and data for exploring the liver fibrogenesis pathophysiology and FZHY action mechanism against liver fibrosis.
Overcoming the Response Plateau in Multiple Myeloma: A Novel Bortezomib-Based Strategy for Secondary Induction and High-Yield CD34+ Stem Cell Mobilization
Authors: Niesvizky Ruben , Mark Tomer M. , Ward Maureen , Jayabalan David S. , Pearse Roger N. , Manco Megan , Stern Jessica , Christos Paul J. , Mathews Lena , Shore Tsiporah B. , Zafar Faiza , Pekle Karen , Xiang Zhaoying , Ely Scott , Skerret Donna , Chen-Kiang Selina , Coleman Morton , Lane Maureen E.
Published: January 2013

Purpose: This phase II study evaluated bortezomib-based secondary induction and stem cell mobilization in 38 transplant-eligible patients with myeloma who had an incomplete and stalled response to, or had relapsed after, previous immunomodulatory drug-based induction.

Experimental Design: Patients received up to six 21-day cycles of bortezomib plus dexamethasone, with added liposomal doxorubicin for patients not achieving partial response or better by cycle 2 or very good partial response or better (≥VGPR) by cycle 4 (DoVeD), followed by bortezomib, high-dose cyclophosphamide, and filgrastim mobilization. Gene expression/signaling pathway analyses were conducted in purified CD34+ cells after bortezomib-based mobilization and compared against patients who received only filgrastim ± cyclophosphamide. Plasma samples were similarly analyzed for quantification of associated protein markers.

Results: The response rate to DoVeD relative to the pre-DoVeD baseline was 61%, including 39% ≥VGPR. Deeper responses were achieved in 10 of 27 patients who received bortezomib-based mobilization; postmobilization response rate was 96%, including 48% ≥VGPR, relative to the pre-DoVeD baseline. Median CD34+ cell yield was 23.2 × 106 cells/kg (median of 1 apheresis session). After a median follow-up of 46.6 months, median progression-free survival was 47.1 months from DoVeD initiation; 5-year overall survival rate was 76.4%. Grade ≥3 adverse events included thrombocytopenia (13%), hand–foot syndrome (11%), peripheral neuropathy (8%), and neutropenia (5%). Bortezomib-based mobilization was associated with modulated expression of genes involved in stem cell migration.

Conclusion: Bortezomib-based secondary induction and mobilization could represent an alternative strategy for elimination of tumor burden in immunomodulatory drug-resistant patients that does not impact stem cell yield. Clin Cancer Res; 19(6); 1534–46. ©2013 AACR.
Synergistic Activity of Bortezomib and HDACi in Preclinical Models of B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia via Modulation of p53, PI3K/AKT, and NF-κB
Authors: Bastian Lorenz , Hof Jana , Pfau Madlen , Fichtner Iduna , Eckert Cornelia , Henze Günter , Prada Javier , von Stackelberg Arend , Seeger Karl , Shalapour Shabnam
Published: January 2013

Purpose: Relapse of disease and subsequent resistance to established therapies remains a major challenge in the treatment of childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). New therapeutic options, such as proteasome and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) with a toxicity profile differing from that of conventional cytotoxic agents, are needed for these extensively pretreated patients.

Experimental Design: Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of combined HDACi/proteasome inhibitor treatments were analyzed using BCP-ALL monocultures, cocultures with primary mesenchymal stroma cells from patients with ALL, and xenograft mouse models. The underlying molecular mechanisms associated with combined treatment were determined by gene expression profiling and protein validation.

Results: We identified the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib as a promising combination partner for HDACi due to the substantial synergistic antileukemic activity in BCP-ALL cells after concomitant application. This effect was maintained or even increased in the presence of chemotherapeutic agents. The synergistic effect of combined HDACi/BTZ treatment was associated with the regulation of genes involved in cell cycle, JUN/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, p53, ubiquitin/proteasome, and NF-κB pathways. We observed an activation of NF-κB after bortezomib treatment and the induction of apoptosis-related NF-κB target genes such as TNFαRs after concomitant treatment, indicating a possible involvement of NF-κB as proapoptotic mediator. In this context, significantly lower NF-κB subunits gene expression was detected in leukemia cells from patients who developed a relapse during frontline chemotherapy, compared with those who relapsed after cessation of frontline therapy.

Conclusion: These results provide a rationale for the integration of HDACi/BTZ combinations into current childhood BCP-ALL treatment protocols. Clin Cancer Res; 19(6); 1445–57. ©2013 AACR.
First-in-Humans Trial of an RNA Interference Therapeutic Targeting VEGF and KSP in Cancer Patients with Liver Involvement
Authors: Tabernero Josep , Shapiro Geoffrey I. , LoRusso Patricia M. , Cervantes Andres , Schwartz Gary K. , Weiss Glen J. , Paz-Ares Luis , Cho Daniel C. , Infante Jeffrey R. , Alsina Maria , Gounder Mrinal M. , Falzone Rick , Harrop Jamie , White Amy C. Seila , Toudjarska Iva , Bumcrot David , Meyers Rachel E. , Hinkle Gregory , Svrzikapa Nenad , Hutabarat Renta M. , Clausen Valerie A. , Cehelsky Jeffrey , Nochur Saraswathy V. , Gamba-Vitalo Christina , Vaishnaw Akshay K. , Sah Dinah W.Y. , Gollob Jared A. , Burris Howard A.
Published: January 2013

RNA interference (RNAi) is a potent and specific mechanism for regulating gene expression. Harnessing RNAi to silence genes involved in disease holds promise for the development of a new class of therapeutics. Delivery is key to realizing the potential of RNAi, and lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have proved effective in delivery of siRNAs to the liver and to tumors in animals. To examine the activity and safety of LNP-formulated siRNAs in humans, we initiated a trial of ALN-VSP, an LNP formulation of siRNAs targeting VEGF and kinesin spindle protein (KSP), in patients with cancer. Here, we show detection of drug in tumor biopsies, siRNA-mediated mRNA cleavage in the liver, pharmacodynamics suggestive of target downregulation, and antitumor activity, including complete regression of liver metastases in endometrial cancer. In addition, we show that biweekly intravenous administration of ALN-VSP was safe and well tolerated. These data provide proof-of-concept for RNAi therapeutics in humans and form the basis for further development in cancer.

Significance: The findings in this report show safety, pharmacokinetics, RNAi mechanism of action, and clinical activity with a novel first-in-class LNP-formulated RNAi therapeutic in patients with cancer. The ability to harness RNAi to facilitate specific multitargeting, as well as increase the number of druggable targets, has important implications for future drug development in oncology. Cancer Discov; 3(4); 406–17. ©2012 AACR.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 363
Prognostic Significance of Exercise-induced Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Asymptomatic Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation
Authors: Kusunose Kenya , Popović Zoran B. , Motoki Hirohiko , Marwick Thomas H.
Published: January 2013

Background—

The role of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension in decision making regarding surgical timing for asymptomatic chronic mitral regurgitation is controversial. We reasoned that the exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension response could not be interpreted without knowledge of right ventricular (RV) function. The aim of this study was to assess the role of RV measures at rest and during exercise as predictors of prognosis in asymptomatic mitral regurgitation.

Methods and Results—

Comprehensive resting and exercise echocardiography was performed in 196 consecutive patients (56±13 years; 64% male) with isolated moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (effective regurgitant orifice area, 38±18 mm
2
) and preserved left ventricular function in whom initial management was expectant. Left ventricular and RV longitudinal strain were analyzed at rest using velocity vector imaging. Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure were measured at rest and during exercise. Valve surgery was performed in 88 patients (45%) over 27±15 months. After adjustment for age and sex in a Cox proportional-hazards model, exercise tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (hazard ratio, 0.26;
P
<0.001), was associated with valve surgery-free survival, independent of resting left ventricular strain (hazard ratio, 1.09;
P
=0.027), exercise systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (hazard ratio, 1.03;
P
<0.001), and resting RV strain (hazard ratio, 1.10;
P
=0.004). In sequential Cox models, a model based on clinical data and left ventricular strain (χ
2
, 15.9) was improved by RV strain and RV chamber size (χ
2
, 28.8;
P
=0.003) and exercise systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (χ
2
, 40.1;
P
=0.002) and further increased by exercise tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (χ
2
, 52.2;
P
=0.002).

Conclusions—

Exercise-induced RV dysfunction provides important incremental prognostic value in the management of asymptomatic mitral regurgitation.
The Brain Subfornical Organ Mediates Leptin-induced Increases in Renal Sympathetic Activity but not its Metabolic Effects
Authors: Young Colin N. , Morgan Donald A. , Butler Scott D. , Mark Allyn L. , Davisson Robin L.
Published: January 2013

The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin acts within the central nervous system to decrease food intake and body weight and to increase renal and thermogenic brown adipose tissue sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Previous studies have focused on hypothalamic brain regions, although recent findings have identified leptin receptors (ObR) in a distributed brain network, including the circumventricular subfornical organ (SFO), a forebrain region devoid of a blood–brain barrier. We tested the hypothesis that ObR in the SFO are functionally linked to leptin-induced decreases in food intake and body weight and increases in SNA. SFO-targeted microinjections of an adenovirus encoding Cre-recombinase in ObR
flox/flox
mice resulted in selective ablation of ObR in the SFO. Interestingly, deletion of ObR in the SFO did not influence the decreases in either food intake or body weight in response to daily systemic or cerebroventricular administration of leptin. In line with these findings, reduction in SFO ObR did not attenuate leptin-mediated increases in thermogenic brown adipose tissue SNA. In contrast, increases in renal SNA induced by systemic or cerebroventricular administration of leptin were abolished in mice with SFO-targeted deletion of ObR. These results demonstrate that ObR in the SFO play an important role in leptin-induced renal sympathoexcitation, but not in the body weight, food intake, or brown adipose tissue SNA thermogenic effects of leptin. These findings highlight the concept of a distributed brain network of leptin action and illustrate that brain regions, including the SFO, can mediate distinct cardiovascular and metabolic responses to leptin.
Micrmolluscs in molecular systematics: Experiences and best practices
Authors: GEIGER DANIEL L. , THACKER CHRISTINE E.
Published: January 2013

The use of molecular techniques is pervasive in contemporary systematics. We stress the importance of depositing voucher material, particularly for the less well-known micromolluscs, along with images from which specimens can be identifi ed. Appropriate storage is paramount to ensure long-term survival of those voucher specimens. We detail methods of animal extraction that retain the shell as a voucher specimen, and detail salvage of radula and operculum from DNA spin columns. DNA can be extracted from freshly collected micromolluscs, but most dry and wet material in museum collections is not usable for molecular studies. Fixation problems may arise due to bulk collection of material in formalin, washing marine samples in fresh water (osmotic shock), and large surface to volume ratios of micromollusc animals and possible oxidative processes. The most successful strategy to PCR-amplify diffi cult fragments is the use of multiple thermostable DNA polymerase variants.
Erratum: JEAN CLAUDE RAKOTONIRINA & BRIAN L. FISHER (2013) Revision of the Pachycondyla wasmannii- group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from the Malagasy region. Zootaxa, 3609 (2), 101–141.
Authors: RAKOTONIRINA JEAN CLAUDE , FISHER BRIAN L.
Published: January 2013

(Erratum)
Comments on “Erroneous Model Field Representations in Multiple Pseudoproxy Studies: Corrections and Implications”
Authors: Rutherford Scott D. , Mann Michael E. , Wahl Eugene , Ammann Caspar
Published: January 2013

Smerdon et al. report two errors in the climate model grid data used in previous pseudoproxy-based climate reconstruction experiments that do not impact the main conclusions of those works. The errors did not occur in subsequent works and therefore have no impact on the results presented therein. Results presented here for the Climate System Model (CSM) using multiple pseudoproxy noise realizations show that the quantitative differences between the incorrect and corrected results are within the expected variability of the noise realizations. It should also be made clear that the climate reconstruction method used in Smerdon et al. to illustrate the nature of the errors, the Regularized Expectation Maximization method with Ridge Regression (RegEM-Ridge), is known to produce climate reconstructions with considerable variance loss and has been superseded by RegEM-TTLS (TTLS indicates truncated total least squares).
Evaluation of the Hurricane Research Division Doppler Radar Analysis Software Using Synthetic Data
Authors: Lorsolo Sylvie , Gamache John , Aksoy Altug
Published: January 2013

The Hurricane Research Division Doppler radar analysis software provides three-dimensional analyses of the three wind components in tropical cyclones. Although this software has been used for over a decade, there has never been a complete and in-depth evaluation of the resulting analyses. The goal here is to provide an evaluation that will permit the best use of the analyses, but also to improve the software. To evaluate the software, analyses are produced from simulated radar data acquired from an output of a Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) model nature run and are compared against the model “truth” wind fields. Comparisons of the three components of the wind show that the software provides analyses of good quality. The tangential wind is best retrieved, exhibiting an overall small mean error of 0.5 m s−1 at most levels and a root-mean-square error less than 2 m s−1. The retrieval of the radial wind is also quite accurate, exhibiting comparable errors, although the accuracy of the tangential wind is generally better. Some degradation of the retrieval quality is observed at higher altitude, mainly due to sparser distribution of data in the model. The vertical component of the wind appears to be the most challenging to retrieve, but the software still provides acceptable results. The tropical cyclone mean azimuthal structure and wavenumber structure are found to be very well captured. Sources of errors inherent to airborne Doppler measurements and the effects of some of the simplifications used in the simulation methodology are also discussed.
The Regulation and Control of Bail Recovery Agents
Authors: Johnson Brian R. , Stevens Ruth S.
Published: January 2013

This article explores the current status of the licensing and regulation of bail recovery agents in the United States. By reviewing state legislative and administrative codes in all the 50 states, this study found that 24 states control bail recovery agents through licensure or the imposition of other occupational regulations. These state controls include age, criminal history, and pretraining and educational requirements; some states also require continuing education and training for licensure and/or regulation. In contrast, 18 states have no licensing or other occupational requirements for bail recovery agents. These findings raise questions about the actual utility and function of these laws, suggesting that states place minimal controls on this sector of the bail industry, oftentimes, relying upon voluntary self-regulation and governance of recovery agents. As such, the civil liberties of the public and criminal defendants may be at risk from this underregulated profession.
Measurement and investigation of intumescent char strength: Application to polyurethanes
Authors: Muller Maryska , Bourbigot Serge , Duquesne Sophie , Klein Rene A. , Giannini Giacomo , Lindsay Chris I.
Published: January 2013

This work investigates the parameters influencing the mechanical resistance of intumescent chars. A polyurethane matrix containing 30 wt% of ammonium polyphosphate was used in this study as intumescent model system. Three heating devices (rheometer furnace, mass loss calorimeter, and tubular oven) were used as heat treatment scenarios to obtain a charred structure. This char is then analyzed by measuring its compression resistance using a protocol involving a plate–plate rheometer (estimation of the char strength). The study of the char strength reveals that the presence of a flame, the heating type (convective or radiative heating), and the quenching temperature do not modify the mechanical properties of the resulting intumescent char. On the contrary, it was found that the critical parameters involved in the formation of a resistant char are the heating temperature and the heating rate. The strongest charred structure is reached after a heat treatment at 10°C/min until 500°C. Additionally, the modification of the temperature at which the mechanical test is performed (linked to the experimental protocol) leads also to different mechanical resistance of the tested materials.
Comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of all species of swordtails and platies (Pisces: Genus Xiphophorus) uncovers a hybrid origin of a swordtail fish, Xiphophorus monticolus, and demonstrates that the sexually selected sword originated in the ancestral lineage of the genus, but was lost again secondarily
Authors: Kang Ji Hyoun , Schartl Manfred , Walter Ronald B , Meyer Axel
Published: January 2013

Background

Males in some species of the genusXiphophorus, small freshwater fishes from Meso-America, have an extended caudal fin, or sword – hence their common name “swordtails”. Longer swords are preferred by females from both sworded and – surprisingly also, non-sworded (platyfish) species that belong to the same genus. Swordtails have been studied widely as models in research on sexual selection. Specifically, the pre-existing bias hypothesis was interpreted to best explain the observed bias of females in presumed ancestral lineages of swordless species that show a preference for assumed derived males with swords over their conspecific swordless males. However, many of the phylogenetic relationships within this genus still remained unresolved. Here we construct a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of all 26 knownXiphophorusspecies, including the four recently described species (X. kallmani,X. mayae,X. mixeiandX. monticolus). We use two mitochondrial and six new nuclear markers in an effort to increase the understanding of the evolutionary relationships among the species in this genus. Based on the phylogeny, the evolutionary history and character state evolution of the sword was reconstructed and found to have originated in the common ancestral lineage of the genusXiphophorusand that it was lost again secondarily.

Results

We estimated the evolutionary relationships among all known species of the genusXiphophorusbased on the largest set of DNA markers so far. The phylogeny indicates that one of the newly described swordtail species,Xiphophorus monticolus, is likely to have arisen through hybridization since it is placed with the southern platyfish in the mitochondrial phylogeny, but with the southern swordtails in the nuclear phylogeny. Such discordance between these two types of markers is a strong indication for a hybrid origin. Additionally, by using a maximum likelihood approach the possession of the sexually selected sword trait is shown to be the most likely ancestral state for the genusXiphophorus. Further, we provide a well supported estimation of the phylogenetic relationships between the previously unresolved northern swordtail groups.

Conclusions

This comprehensive molecular phylogeny of the entire genusXiphophorusprovides evidence that a second swordtail species,X. monticolus, arose through hybridization. Previously, we demonstrated thatX. clemenciae, another southern swordtail species, arose via hybridization. These findings highlight the potential key role of hybridization in the evolution of this genus and suggest the need for further investigations into how hybridization contributes to speciation more generally.
miR-296-3p, miR-298-5p and their downstream networks are causally involved in the higher resistance of mammalian pancreatic α cells to cytokine-induced apoptosis as compared to β cells
Authors: Barbagallo Davide , Piro Salvatore , Condorelli Angelo G , Mascali Loriana G , Urbano Francesca , Parrinello Nunziatina , Monello Adelina , Statello Luisa , Ragusa Marco , Rabuazzo Agata M , Di Pietro Cinzia , Purrello Francesco , Purrello Michele
Published: January 2013

Background

The molecular bases of mammalian pancreatic α cells higher resistance than β to proinflammatory cytokines are very poorly defined. MicroRNAs are master regulators of cell networks, but only scanty data are available on their transcriptome in these cells and its alterations in diabetes mellitus.

Results

Through high-throughput real-time PCR, we analyzed the steady state microRNA transcriptome of murine pancreatic α (αTC1-6) and β (βTC1) cells: their comparison demonstrated significant differences. We also characterized the alterations of αTC1-6 cells microRNA transcriptome after treatment with proinflammatory cytokines. We focused our study on two microRNAs, miR-296-3p and miR-298-5p, which were: (1) specifically expressed at steady state in αTC1-6, but not in βTC1 or INS-1 cells; (2) significantly downregulated in αTC1-6 cells after treatment with cytokines in comparison to untreated controls. These microRNAs share more targets than expected by chance and were co-expressed in αTC1-6 during a 6–48 h time course treatment with cytokines. The genes encoding them are physically clustered in the murine and human genome. By exploiting specific microRNA mimics, we demonstrated that experimental upregulation of miR-296-3p and miR-298-5p raised the propensity to apoptosis of transfected and cytokine-treated αTC1-6 cells with respect to αTC1-6 cells, treated with cytokines after transfection with scramble molecules. Both microRNAs control the expression of IGF1Rβ, its downstream targets phospho-IRS-1 and phospho-ERK, and TNFα. Our computational analysis suggests that MAFB (a transcription factor exclusively expressed in pancreatic α cells within adult rodent islets of Langerhans) controls the expression of miR-296-3p and miR-298-5p.

Conclusions

Altogether, high-throughput microRNA profiling, functional analysis with synthetic mimics and molecular characterization of modulated pathways strongly suggest that specific downregulation of miR-296-3p and miR-298-5p, coupled to upregulation of their targets as IGF1Rβ and TNFα, is a major determinant of mammalian pancreatic α cells resistance to apoptosis induction by cytokines.
The ICP22 protein selectively modifies the transcription of different kinetic classes of pseudorabies virus genes
Authors: Takács Irma F , Tombácz Dóra , Berta Beáta , Prazsák István , Póka Nándor , Boldogkői Zsolt
Published: January 2013

Background

Pseudorabies virus (PRV), an alpha-herpesvirus of swine, is a widely used model organism in investigations of the molecular pathomechanisms of the herpesviruses. This work is the continuation of our earlier studies, in which we investigated the effect of the abrogation of gene function on the viral transcriptome by knocking out PRV genes playing roles in the coordination of global gene expression of the virus. In this study, we deleted the us1 gene encoding the ICP22, an important viral regulatory protein, and analyzed the changes in the expression of other PRV genes.

Results

A multi-timepoint real-time RT-PCR technique was applied to evaluate the impact of deletion of the PRV us1 gene on the overall transcription kinetics of viral genes. The mutation proved to exert a differential effect on the distinct kinetic classes of PRV genes at the various stages of lytic infection. In the us1 gene-deleted virus, all the kinetic classes of the genes were significantly down-regulated in the first hour of infection. After 2 to 6 h of infection, the late genes were severely suppressed, whereas the early genes were unaffected. In the late stage of infection, the early genes were selectively up-regulated. In the mutant virus, the transcription of the ie180 gene, the major coordinator of PRV gene expression, correlated closely with the transcription of other viral genes, a situation which was not found in the wild-type (wt) virus. A 4-h delay was observed in the commencement of DNA replication in the mutant virus as compared with the wt virus. The rate of transcription from a gene normalized to the relative copy number of the viral genome was observed to decline drastically following the initiation of DNA replication in both the wt and mutant backgrounds. Finally, the switch between the expressions of the early and late genes was demonstrated not to be controlled by DNA replication, as is widely believed, since the switch preceded the DNA replication.

Conclusions

Our results show a strong dependence of PRV gene expression on the presence of functional us1 gene. ICP22 is shown to exert a differential effect on the distinct kinetic classes of PRV genes and to disrupt the close correlation between the transcription kinetics of ie180 and other PRV transcripts. Furthermore, DNA replication exerts a severe constraint on the viral transcription.
Risk and clinical-outcome indicators of delirium in an emergency department intermediate care unit (EDIMCU): an observational prospective study
Authors: Mariz José , Santos Nadine Correia , Afonso Hugo , Rodrigues Pedro , Faria António , Sousa Nuno , Teixeira Jorge
Published: January 2013

Background

Identification of delirium in emergency departments (ED) is often underestimated; within EDs, studies on delirium assessment and relation with patient outcome in Intermediate Care Units (IMCU) appear missing in European hospital settings. Here we aimed to determine delirium prevalence in an EDIMCU (Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal) and assessed routine biochemical parameters that might be delirium indicators.

Methods

The study was prospective and observational. Sedation level was assessed via the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale and delirium status by the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. Information collected included age and gender, admission type, Charlson Comorbidity Index combined condition score (Charlson score), systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria (SIRS), biochemical parameters (blood concentration of urea nitrogen, creatinine, hemoglobin, sodium and potassium, arterial blood gases, and other parameters as needed depending on clinical diagnosis) and EDIMCU length of stay (LOS). Statistical analyses were performed as appropriate to determine if baseline features differed between the ‘Delirium’ and ‘No Delirium’ groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the effect of delirium on the 1-month outcome.

Results

Inclusion and exclusion criteria were met in 283 patients; 238 were evaluated at 1-month for outcome follow-up after EDIMCU discharge (“good” recovery without complications requiring hospitalization or institutionalization; “poor” institutionalization in permanent care-units/assisted-living or death). Delirium was diagnosed in 20.1% patients and was significantly associated with longer EDIMCU LOS. At admission, Delirium patients were significantly older and had significantly higher blood urea, creatinine and osmolarity levels and significantly lower hemoglobin levels, when compared with No Delirium patients. Delirium was an independent predictor of increased EDIMCU LOS (odds ratio 3.65, 95% CI 1.97-6.75) and poor outcome at 1-month after discharge (odds ratio 3.51, CI 1.84-6.70), adjusted for age, gender, admission type, presence of SIRS criteria, Charlson score and osmolarity at admission.

Conclusions

In an EDIMCU setting, delirium was associated with longer LOS and poor outcome at1-month post-discharge. Altogether, findings support the need for delirium screening and management in emergency settings.
Organizational stressors associated with job stress and burnout in correctional officers: a systematic review
Authors: Finney Caitlin , Stergiopoulos Erene , Hensel Jennifer , Bonato Sarah , Dewa Carolyn S
Published: January 2013

Background

In adult correctional facilities, correctional officers (COs) are responsible for the safety and security of the facility in addition to aiding in offender rehabilitation and preventing recidivism. COs experience higher rates of job stress and burnout that stem from organizational stressors, leading to negative outcomes for not only the CO but the organization as well. Effective interventions could aim at targeting organizational stressors in order to reduce these negative outcomes as well as COs’ job stress and burnout. This paper fills a gap in the organizational stress literature among COs by systematically reviewing the relationship between organizational stressors and CO stress and burnout in adult correctional facilities. In doing so, the present review identifies areas that organizational interventions can target in order to reduce CO job stress and burnout.

Methods

A systematic search of the literature was conducted using Medline, PsycINFO, Criminal Justice Abstracts, and Sociological Abstracts. All retrieved articles were independently screened based on criteria developed a priori. All included articles underwent quality assessment. Organizational stressors were categorized according to Cooper and Marshall’s (1976) model of job stress.

Results

The systematic review yielded 8 studies that met all inclusion and quality assessment criteria. The five categories of organizational stressors among correctional officers are: stressors intrinsic to the job, role in the organization, rewards at work, supervisory relationships at work and the organizational structure and climate. The organizational structure and climate was demonstrated to have the most consistent relationship with CO job stress and burnout.

Conclusions

The results of this review indicate that the organizational structure and climate of correctional institutions has the most consistent relationship with COs’ job stress and burnout. Limitations of the studies reviewed include the cross-sectional design and the use of varying measures for organizational stressors. The results of this review indicate that interventions should aim to improve the organizational structure and climate of the correctional facility by improving communication between management and COs.
Factors of accepting pain management decision support systems by nurse anesthetists
Authors: Hsiao Ju-Ling , Wu Wen-Chu , Chen Rai-Fu
Published: January 2013

Background

Pain management is a critical but complex issue for the relief of acute pain, particularly for postoperative pain and severe pain in cancer patients. It also plays important roles in promoting quality of care. The introduction of pain management decision support systems (PM-DSS) is considered a potential solution for addressing the complex problems encountered in pain management. This study aims to investigate factors affecting acceptance of PM-DSS from a nurse anesthetist perspective.

Methods

A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from nurse anesthetists in a case hospital. A total of 113 questionnaires were distributed, and 101 complete copies were returned, indicating a valid response rate of 89.3%. Collected data were analyzed by structure equation modeling using the partial least square tool.

Results

The results show that perceived information quality (γ=.451, p<.001), computer self-efficacy (γ=.315, p<.01), and organizational structure (γ=.210, p<.05), both significantly impact nurse anesthetists’ perceived usefulness of PM-DSS. Information quality (γ=.267, p<.05) significantly impacts nurse anesthetists’ perceptions of PM-DSS ease of use. Furthermore, both perceived ease of use (β=.436, p<.001, R2=.487) and perceived usefulness (β=.443, p<.001, R2=.646) significantly affected nurse anesthetists’ PM-DSS acceptance (R2=.640). Thus, the critical role of information quality in the development of clinical decision support system is demonstrated.

Conclusions

The findings of this study enable hospital managers to understand the important considerations for nurse anesthetists in accepting PM-DSS, particularly for the issues related to the improvement of information quality, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of the system. In addition, the results also provide useful suggestions for designers and implementers of PM-DSS in improving system development.
Identification and physiological characterization of phosphatidic acid phosphatase enzymes involved in triacylglycerol biosynthesis in Streptomyces coelicolor
Authors: Comba Santiago , Menendez-Bravo Simón , Arabolaza Ana , Gramajo Hugo
Published: January 2013

Background

Phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP, EC 3.1.3.4) catalyzes the dephosphorylation of phosphatidate yielding diacylglycerol (DAG), the lipid precursor for triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis. Despite the importance of PAP activity in TAG producing bacteria, studies to establish its role in lipid metabolism have been so far restricted only to eukaryotes. Considering the increasing interest of bacterial TAG as a potential source of raw material for biofuel production, we have focused our studies on the identification and physiological characterization of the putative PAP present in the TAG producing bacteriumStreptomyces coelicolor.

Results

We have identified twoS. coelicolorgenes, namedlppα(SCO1102) andlppβ(SCO1753), encoding for functional PAP proteins. Both enzymes mediate, at least in part, the formation of DAG for neutral lipid biosynthesis. Heterologous expression oflppαandlppβgenes inE. coliresulted in enhanced PAP activity in the membrane fractions of the recombinant strains and concomitantly in higher levels of DAG. In addition, the expression of these genes in yeast complemented the temperature-sensitive growth phenotype of the PAP deficient strain GHY58 (dpp1lpp1pah1). InS. coelicolor, disruption of eitherlppαorlppβhad no effect on TAG accumulation; however, the simultaneous mutation of both genes provoked a drastic reduction inde novoTAG biosynthesis as well as in total TAG content. Consistently, overexpression of Lppα and Lppβ in the wild type strain ofS. coelicolorled to a significant increase in TAG production.

Conclusions

The present study describes the identification of PAP enzymes in bacteria and provides further insights on the genetic basis for prokaryotic oiliness. Furthermore, this finding completes the whole set of enzymes required forde novoTAG biosynthesis pathway inS. coelicolor. Remarkably, the overexpression of these PAPs inStreptomycesbacteria contributes to a higher productivity of this single cell oil. Altogether, these results provide new elements and tools for future cell engineering for next-generation biofuels production.
Energy absorption ability of buckyball C720 at low impact speed: a numerical study based on molecular dynamics
Authors: Xu Jun , Li Yibing , Xiang Yong , Chen Xi
Published: January 2013

The dynamic impact response of giant buckyball C720 is investigated by using molecular dynamics simulations. The non-recoverable deformation of C720 makes it an ideal candidate for high-performance energy absorption. Firstly, mechanical behaviors under dynamic impact and low-speed crushing are simulated and modeled, which clarifies the buckling-related energy absorption mechanism. One-dimensional C720 arrays (both vertical and horizontal alignments) are studied at various impact speeds, which show that the energy absorption ability is dominated by the impact energy per buckyball and less sensitive to the number and arrangement direction of buckyballs. Three-dimensional stacking of buckyballs in simple cubic, body-centered cubic, hexagonal, and face-centered cubic forms are investigated. Stacking form with higher occupation density yields higher energy absorption. The present study may shed lights on employing C720 assembly as an advanced energy absorption system against low-speed impacts.
Acknowledgement of manuscript reviewers, the underappreciated contributors
Authors: Abel Lucy , Bakillah Ahmed , Hussain M Mahmood
Published: January 2013

Contributing reviewers

We and the Editorial Board acknowledge and thank all reviewers for their active participation and contribution during 2012. We greatly appreciate their dedication and behind the scenes contribution. It is largely due to their support and expertise that we have been able to publish high-standard manuscripts. We would also like to thank authors for choosing Nutrition & Metabolism and contributing their cherished work.