bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of SSR markers associated with saccharification yield using pool-based genome-wide association mapping in sorghum
Authors: Wang Yi-Hong , Poudel Durga D. , Hasenstein Karl H.
Published: November 2011

Saccharification describes the conversion of plant biomass by cellulase into glucose. Because plants have never been selected for high saccharification yield, cellulosic ethanol production faces a significant bottleneck. To improve saccharification yield, it is critical to identify the genes that affect this process. In this study, we used pool-based genome-wide association mapping to identify simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with saccharification yield. Screening of 703 SSR markers against the low and high saccharification pools identified two markers on the sorghum chromosomes 2 (23-1062) and 4 (74-508c) associated with saccharification yield. The association was significant at 1% using either general or mixed linear models. Localization of these markers based on the whole genome sequence indicates that 23-1062 is 223 kb from a β–glucanase (Bg) gene and 74-508c is 81 kb from a steroid-binding protein (Sbp) gene. Bg is critical for cell wall assembly and degradation, but Sbp can suppress the expression of Bg as demonstrated in Arabidopsis (Yang et al. 2005). These markers are found physically close to genes encoding plant cell wall synthesis enzymes such as xyloglucan fucosyltransferase (149 kb from 74-508c) and UDP-d-glucose 4-epimerase (46 kb from 23-1062). Genetic transformation of selected candidate genes is in progress to examine their effect on saccharification yield in plants.
Comparative genome analysis suggests characteristics of yeast inverted repeats that are important for transcriptional activity
Authors: Humphrey-Dixon Emily L. , Sharp Richard , Schuckers Michael , Lock Robin
Published: November 2011

Inverted repeats are sequences of DNA that, when read in the 5′ to 3′ direction, have the same sequence on both strands (palindromic portion), with the exception of a small number of nucleotides in the exact center (nonpalindromic spacer). They have been implicated in various DNA-mediated processes including replication, transcription, and genomic instability. At least some of these sequences are capable of forming an alternative DNA structure, called a cruciform, that may be important for mediating these functions. We generated a list of inverted repeats in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome and determined which of them are conserved in three related yeasts. We have identified characterisitics of inverted repeats that make them more likely to be conserved than the surrounding DNA and characteristics, such as position and base composition, that make the genes they are associated with likely to be more actively transcribed. This is an important step in determining the functions of this group of genomic elements.
Development and molecular characterization of wheat –Aegilops kotschyiaddition and substitution lines with high grain protein, iron, and zinc
Authors: Rawat Nidhi , Neelam Kumari , Tiwari Vijay K. , Randhawa Gursharn S. , Friebe Bernd , Gill Bikram S. , Dhaliwal Harcharan S.
Published: November 2011

Over two billion people, depending largely on staple foods, suffer from deficiencies in protein and some micronutrients such as iron and zinc. Among various approaches to overcome protein and micronutrient deficiencies, biofortification through a combination of conventional and molecular breeding methods is the most feasible, cheapest, and sustainable approach. An interspecific cross was made between the wheat cultivar ‘Chinese Spring’ and Aegilops kotschyi Boiss. accession 396, which has a threefold higher grain iron and zinc concentrations and about 33% higher protein concentration than wheat cultivars. Recurrent backcrossing and selection for the micronutrient content was performed at each generation. Thirteen derivatives with high grain iron and zinc concentrations and contents, ash and ash micronutrients, and protein were analyzed for alien introgression. Morphological markers, high molecular weight glutenin subunit profiles, anchored wheat microsatellite markers, and GISH showed that addition and substitution of homoeologous groups 1, 2, and 7 chromosomes of Ae. kotschyi possess gene(s) for high grain micronutrients. The addition of 1U/1S had high molecular weight glutenin subunits with higher molecular weight than those of wheat, and the addition of 2S in most of the derivatives also enhanced grain protein content by over 20%. Low grain protein content in a derivative with a 2S-wheat translocation, waxy leaves, and absence of the gdm148 marker strongly suggests that the gene for higher grain protein content on chromosome 2S is orthologous to the grain protein QTL on the short arm of group 2 chromosomes.
Quantitative magnetic resonance measurements of low moisture content wood1This article is a contribution to the series The Role of Sensors in the New Forest Products Industry and Bioeconomy.
Authors: MacMillan Bryce , Veliyulin Emil , Lamason Clevan , Balcom Bruce J.
Published: November 2011

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging are well established analytical tools with ever-increasing ranges of application. They are, however, generally underutilized in the areas of forestry and wood science. This is in part due to the complex nature of wood and wood–water interactions and also to the need of wood scientists for quantitative measurements of moisture content, fluid flow, wood structure, etc. Furthermore, magnetic resonance instruments have historically been large, sophisticated, and expensive and not generally compatible with wood production facilities. In this paper, we discuss the limitations of magnetic resonance to applications such as wood and describe how, with recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging technology, these limitations can be overcome. We highlight our own work with quantitative moisture content measurements and outline progress in the development of simpler, lightweight, and mobile magnetic resonance instruments. These are promising devices for routine portable magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging, with the potential to finally extend these powerful techniques to the world of foresters and wood scientists.
Potential of near-infrared spectroscopy to characterize wood products1This article is a contribution to the series The Role of Sensors in the New Forest Products Industry and Bioeconomy.
Authors: Cooper P.A. , Jeremic D. , Radivojevic S. , Ung Y.T. , Leblon B.
Published: November 2011

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has high potential as a rapid nondestructive approach to identifying wood species and estimating properties that affect their utilization. This study found that NIRS could differentiate certain wood species groups. True firs (balsam fir ( Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) and subalpine fir ( Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.)) could be distinguished from pine and spruce in eastern and western spruce–pine–fir, respectively, more than 95% of the time. Western hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) could be differentiated from amabilis fir ( Abies amabilis Douglas ex J. Forbes) in the Hem–Fir species group with about 90% accuracy. Average wood moisture content (MC) of air-dried southern pine and western redcedar ( Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) samples wood could be estimated by NIRS ±10%–30% at high moisture contents and more accurately (±2%–5%) below 30% MC. Conditioned samples of amabilis fir had predicted MCs within 2%–3% of measured values in the 0%–30% MC range. However, the broad applicability and response of NIRS to a number of factors may be its greatest weakness, since measurements for a specific response, such as MC or species differentiation, may be confounded by the effects of other variables, such as surface roughness and localized density differences. It is recommended that instrumentation with a relatively large probe (large illumination area) be used to average such variables in the sample.
On the use of X-ray computed tomography for determining wood properties: a review1This article is a contribution to the series The Role of Sensors in the New Forest Products Industry and Bioeconomy.
Authors: Wei Qiang , Leblon Brigitte , La Rocque Armand
Published: November 2011

In several processes of the forest products industry, an in-depth knowledge of log and board internal features is required and their determination needs fast scanning systems. One of the possible technologies is X-ray computed tomography (CT) technology. Our paper reviews applications of this technology in wood density measurements, in wood moisture content monitoring, and in locating internal log features that include pith, sapwood, heartwood, knots, and other defects. Annual growth ring measurements are more problematic to be detected on CT images because of the low spatial resolution of the images used. For log feature identification, our review shows that the feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural network is the most efficient CT image processing method. There are also some studies attempting to reconstruct three-dimensional log or board images from two-dimensional CT images. Several industrial prototypes have been developed because medical CT scanners were shown to be inappropriate for the wood industry. Because of the high cost of X-ray CT scanner equipment, other types of inexpensive sensors should also be investigated, such as electric resistivity tomography and microwaves. It also appears that the best approach uses various different sensors, each of them having its own strengths and weaknesses.
The role of sensors in the new forest products industry and forest bioeconomy
Authors: Trung Thanh , Leblon Brigitte
Published: November 2011

Forests are a natural resource of major economic significance to Canada, contributing $13.5 billion (2006) to the Canadian economy. However, the forest products industry is essentially an export industry and must compete locally and globally. The development of new and emerging products including biofuel and biomaterial derived from woody biomass will further drive up wood costs. As such, new products and process innovation are required to reduce production costs and gain market share. In this editorial, we summarize the role of sensors and how the use of sensors could provide means for cost reduction and new product development.
A holistic approach to aesthetic enhancement of photographs
Authors: Bhattacharya Subhabrata , Sukthankar Rahul , Shah Mubarak
Published: November 2011

This article presents an interactive application that enables users to improve the visual aesthetics of their digital photographs using several novel spatial recompositing techniques. This work differs from earlier efforts in two important aspects: (1) it focuses on both photo quality assessment and improvement in an integrated fashion, (2) it enables the user to make informed decisions about improving the composition of a photograph. The tool facilitates interactive selection of one or more than one foreground objects present in a given composition, and the system presents recommendations for where it can be relocated in a manner that optimizes a learned aesthetic metric while obeying semantic constraints. For photographic compositions that lack a distinct foreground object, the tool provides the user with crop or expansion recommendations that improve the aesthetic appeal by equalizing the distribution of visual weights between semantically different regions. The recomposition techniques presented in the article emphasize learning support vector regression models that capture visual aesthetics from user data and seek to optimize this metric iteratively to increase the image appeal. The tool demonstrates promising aesthetic assessment and enhancement results on variety of images and provides insightful directions towards future research.
Exploiting online music tags for music emotion classification
Authors: Lin Yu-Ching , Yang Yi-Hsuan , Chen Homer H.
Published: November 2011

The online repository of music tags provides a rich source of semantic descriptions useful for training emotion-based music classifier. However, the imbalance of the online tags affects the performance of emotion classification. In this paper, we present a novel data-sampling method that eliminates the imbalance but still takes the prior probability of each emotion class into account. In addition, a two-layer emotion classification structure is proposed to harness the genre information available in the online repository of music tags. We show that genre-based grouping as a precursor greatly improves the performance of emotion classification. On the average, the incorporation of online genre tags improves the performance of emotion classification by a factor of 55% over the conventional single-layer system. The performance of our algorithm for classifying 183 emotion classes reaches 0.36 in example-based f-score.
VlogSense
Authors: Biel Joan-Isaac , Gatica-Perez Daniel
Published: November 2011

We introduce the automatic analysis of conversational vlogs (VlogSense, for short) as a new research domain in social media. Conversational vlogs are inherently multimodal, depict natural behavior, and are suitable for large-scale analysis. Given their diversity in terms of content, VlogSense requires the integration of robust methods for multimodal analysis and for social media understanding. We present an original study on the automatic characterization of vloggers' audiovisual nonverbal behavior, grounded in work from social psychology and behavioral computing. Our study on 2,269 vlogs from YouTube shows that several nonverbal cues are significantly correlated with the social attention received by videos.
Use of Multifunctional Sigma-2 Receptor Ligand Conjugates to Trigger Cancer-Selective Cell Death Signaling
Authors: Spitzer Dirk , Simon Peter O. , Kashiwagi Hiroyuki , Xu Jinbin , Zeng Chenbo , Vangveravong Suwanna , Zhou Dong , Chang Katherine , McDunn Jonathan E. , Hornick John R. , Goedegebuure Peter , Hotchkiss Richard S. , Mach Robert H. , Hawkins William G.
Published: November 2011

One major challenge in the development of cancer therapeutics is the selective delivery of the drugs to their cellular targets. In the case of pancreatic cancer, the σ-2 receptor is a unique target that triggers apoptosis upon activation. We have previously developed a series of chemical compounds with high affinity for the σ-2 receptor and showed rapid internalization of the ligands. One particular specific ligand of the σ-2 receptor, SV119, binds to pancreatic cancer cells and induces target cell death in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we characterized the ability of SV119 to selectively deliver other death-inducing cargos to augment the cytotoxic properties of SV119 itself. When conjugated to SV119, small molecules that are known to interfere with intracellular prosurvival pathways retained their ability to induce cell death, the efficiency of which was enhanced by the combinatorial effect of SV119 delivered with its small molecule cargo. Our findings define a simple platform technology to increase the tumor-selective delivery of small molecule therapeutics via σ-2 ligands, permitting chemotherapeutic synergy that can optimize efficacy and patient benefit. Cancer Res; 72(1); 201–9. ©2011 AACR.
Regulation of CXCL8/IL-8 Expression by Zonula Occludens-1 in Human Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Brysse Anne , Mestdagt Mélanie , Polette Myriam , Luczka Emilie , Hunziker Walter , Noël Agnès , Birembaut Philippe , Foidart Jean-Michel , Gilles Christine
Published: November 2011

Accumulating data now suggest that ZO-1, once delocalized from tight junctions, could be implicated in the regulation of tumor-promoting genes. Because of their major implication in different steps of tumor progression, we investigated here the influence of ZO-1 on chemokines expression in breast cancer cells. Using GeneArray analysis to compare chemokine mRNA expression in breast tumor cells transfected with a siRNA against ZO-1, we identified CXCL-8IL-8 as a major potential target of ZO-1 signaling, being strongly downregulated following ZO-1 siRNA transfection. Examining further the relationship between ZO-1 and interleukin-8 (CXCL8/IL-8), we first showed that CXCL8/IL-8 expression correlates with a relocalization of ZO-1 in several breast cancer cell lines. Moreover, CXCL8/IL-8 is downregulated in invasive BT549 cells transfected with three different ZO-1 siRNA and overexpressed in noninvasive BT20 and SKBR3 cells transfected with vectors expressing ZO-1. We also provide evidence for an activation of the CXCL8/IL-8 promoter by ZO-1. Finally, we show that the regulation of CXCL8/IL-8 by ZO-1 is independent of the β-catenin pathway. Our results thus clearly show an implication of ZO-1 in CXCL8/IL-8 regulation. Because of the major implications of CXCL8/IL-8 in tumor invasion, such a regulation could play an important role in breast cancer progression. Mol Cancer Res; 10(1); 121–32. ©2011 AACR.
MiR-126 Acts as a Tumor Suppressor in Pancreatic Cancer Cells via the Regulation of ADAM9
Authors: Hamada Shin , Satoh Kennichi , Fujibuchi Wataru , Hirota Morihisa , Kanno Atsushi , Unno Jun , Masamune Atsushi , Kikuta Kazuhiro , Kume Kiyoshi , Shimosegawa Tooru
Published: November 2011

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical step for pancreatic cancer cells as an entry of metastatic disease. Wide variety of cytokines and signaling pathways are involved in this complex process while the entire picture is still cryptic. Recently, miRNA was found to regulate cellular function including EMT by targeting multiple mRNAs. We conducted comprehensive analysis of miRNA expression profiles in invasive ductal adenocarcinoma (IDA), intraductal papillary mucinous adenoma, intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma, and human pancreatic cancer cell line to elucidate essential miRNAs which regulate invasive growth of pancreatic cancer cells. Along with higher expression of miR-21 which has been shown to be highly expressed in IDA, reduced expression of miR-126 in IDA and pancreatic cancer cell line was detected. The miR-126 was found to target ADAM9 (disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 9) which is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer. The direct interaction between miR-126 and ADAM9 mRNA was confirmed by 3′ untranslated region assay. Reexpression of miR-126 and siRNA-based knockdown of ADAM9 in pancreatic cancer cells resulted in reduced cellular migration, invasion, and induction of epithelial marker E-cadherin. We showed for the first time that the miR-126/ADAM9 axis plays essential role in the inhibition of invasive growth of pancreatic cancer cells. Mol Cancer Res; 10(1); 3–10. ©2011 AACR.
Silencing of DLC1 Upregulates PAI-1 Expression and Reduces Migration in Normal Prostate Cells
Authors: Shih Yi-Ping , Takada Yoshikazu , Lo Su Hao
Published: November 2011

Deleted in liver cancer 1 (DLC1) is a GTPase-activating protein (GAP) domain containing tumor suppressor that localizes to focal adhesions. In cancer cells, loss of DLC1 is known to enhance cancer cell migration. However, the role of DLC1 in normal cell migration has not been well studied. Here, we show that silencing of DLC1 (shDLC1) in normal prostate epithelial cells reduces cell migration in both Transwell and wound-healing assays. This migration defect is mainly due to upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1). Silencing of PAI-1 rescues the shDLC1-reduced migration phenotype. Reexpression of DLC1 suppresses PAI-1 and restores the migration defect as well. In contrast, DLC1-K714E (GAP inactive) mutant neither decreases the PAI-1 level nor rescues the shDLC1 migration defect. Interestingly, DLC1-Y442F (tensin-binding and focal adhesion–localizing defective) mutant is able to suppress PAI-1 expression but does not restore the migration defect. Furthermore, PAI-1 upregulation in shDLC1 cells is EGFR-MEK pathway dependent and is able to promote in vitro angiogenesis. Together, our results show that at least the following two new mechanisms are involved in DLC1-mediated normal cell migration: (i) DLC1 modulates the expression of PAI-1, which is a negative regulator for cell migration, in a GAP domain and EGFR-MEK–dependent manner and (ii) Independent of PAI-1, the interaction of DLC1 with tensin members positively regulates cell migration. Mol Cancer Res; 10(1); 34–9. ©2011 AACR.
Genetic and Epigenetic Inactivation of Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Promotes an Invasive Phenotype in Human Lung Cancer by Disrupting ECM Homeostasis
Authors: Teoh-Fitzgerald Melissa L.T. , Fitzgerald Matthew P. , Jensen Taylor J. , Futscher Bernard W. , Domann Frederick E.
Published: November 2011

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD) is an important superoxide scavenger in the lung in which its loss, sequence variation, or abnormal expression contributes to lung diseases; however, the role of EcSOD in lung cancer has yet to be studied. We hypothesized that EcSOD loss could affect malignant progression in lung, and could be either genetic or epigenetic in nature. To test this, we analyzed EcSOD expression, gene copy number, promoter methylation, and chromatin accessibility in normal lung and carcinoma cells. We found that normal airway epithelial cells expressed abundant EcSOD and had an unmethylated promoter, whereas EcSOD-negative lung cancer cells displayed aberrant promoter hypermethylation and decreased chromatin accessibility. 5-aza-dC induced EcSOD suggesting that cytosine methylation was causal, in part, to silencing. In 48/50 lung tumors, EcSOD mRNA was significantly lower as early as stage I, and the EcSOD promoter was hypermethylated in 8/10 (80%) adenocarcinomas compared with 0/5 normal lung samples. In addition, 20% of the tumors showed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of EcSOD. Reexpression of EcSOD attenuated the malignant phenotype of lung carcinoma cells by significantly decreasing invasion and survival. Finally, EcSOD decreased heparanase and syndecan-1 mRNAs in part by reducing NF-κB. By contrast, MnSOD and CuZnSOD showed no significant changes in lung tumors and had no effect on heparanase expression. Taken together, the loss of EcSOD expression is unique among the superoxide dismutases in lung cancer and is the result of EcSOD promoter methylation and LOH, suggesting that its early loss may contribute to ECM remodeling and malignant progression. Mol Cancer Res; 10(1); 40–51. ©2011 AACR.
Body Mass Index at 11–13 Weeks’ Gestation and Pregnancy Complications
Authors: Syngelaki Argyro , Bredaki Foteini E. , Vaikousi Eirini , Maiz Nerea , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: November 2011

Objective: To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) at 11–13 weeks’ gestation and a wide range of adverse pregnancy outcomes after adjustment for confounding factors in obstetric history and maternal characteristics. Methods: This was a prospective screening study for adverse obstetric outcomes in women with singleton pregnancies attending for their first routine hospital visit at 11+0–13+6 weeks of gestation. The maternal weight and height were measured and the BMI was calculated. Regression analysis was performed to examine the association between BMI and each of the adverse pregnancy outcomes. Results: We examined 41,577 pregnancies with a live fetus at 11–13 weeks. There was a significant contribution from maternal BMI, in addition to maternal characteristics and obstetric history, in the prediction of subsequent miscarriage, stillbirth, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, delivery of small and large for gestational age neonates, and both elective and emergency cesarean section, but not spontaneous preterm delivery. The risk for each pregnancy complication increased exponentially with BMI, except for delivery of small for gestational age neonates which decreased with BMI. Conclusions: Maternal BMI at 11–13 weeks can be combined with other maternal characteristics and obstetric history to estimate patient-specific risks for many pregnancy complications.
The Virulence Regulator Agr Controls the Staphylococcal Capacity to Activate Human Neutrophils via the Formyl Peptide Receptor 2
Authors: Kretschmer Dorothee , Nikola Nele , Dürr Manuela , Otto Michael , Peschel Andreas
Published: November 2011

The Agr quorum-sensing system represents the master regulator for staphylococcal virulence factors and is known to have a strong impact on the release of pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) molecules. Among the various staphylococcal PAMPs, phenol-soluble modulin (PSM) peptides have attracted increasing interest because they are crucial for staphylococcal virulence and have neutrophil-recruiting properties. The latter depend on recognition of PSMs by the neutrophil formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2/ALX), for which PSMs are highly efficient agonists. We demonstrate that Agr inactivation in Staphylococcus aureus or S. epidermidis leads to strongly reduced neutrophil responses, which is in agreement with the previously reported strict control of PSM expression by Agr. Agr had a distinct and profound impact on activation of FPR2/ALX but not of the related FPR1 receptor that senses bacterial formylated peptides. S. epidermidis PSMs had similar FPR2/ALX-activating properties but differed in their dependence on N-terminal formylation compared to S. aureus PSMs. Moreover, S. aureus and S. epidermidis PSMs upregulated the neutrophil complement receptor CD11b via FPR2/ALX stimulation in an Agr-dependent fashion. Hence, Agr controls the capacity of staphylococcal pathogens to activate FPR2/ALX-dependent neutrophil responses, underscoring the crucial role of FPR2/ALX and PSMs in staphylococcus-host interaction.
Prevalence and Significance of Alterations in Cardiac Structure and Function in Patients With Heart Failure and a Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Zile Michael R. , Gottdiener John S. , Hetzel Scott J. , McMurray John J. , Komajda Michel , McKelvie Robert , Baicu Catalin F. , Massie Barry M. , Carson Peter E.
Published: November 2011

Background—

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of abnormalities in cardiac structure and function present in patients with heart failure and a preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) and to determine whether these alterations in structure and function were associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Methods and Results—

The Irbesartan in HFPEF trial (I-PRESERVE) enrolled 4128 patients; echocardiographic determination of left ventricular (LV) volume, mass, left atrial (LA) size, systolic function, and diastolic function were made at baseline in 745 patients. The primary end point was death or protocol-specific cardiovascular hospitalization. A secondary end point was the composite of heart failure death or heart failure hospitalization. Associations between baseline structure and function and patient outcomes were examined using univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard analyses. In this substudy, LV hypertrophy or concentric remodeling was present in 59%, LA enlargement was present in 66%, and diastolic dysfunction was present in 69% of the patients. Multivariable analyses controlling for 7 clinical variables (including log N-terminal pro-B–type natriuretic peptide) indicated that increased LV mass, mass/volume ratio, and LA size were independently associated with an increased risk of both primary and heart failure events (all
P
<0.05).

Conclusions—

Left ventricular hypertrophy or concentric remodeling, LA enlargement, and diastolic dysfunction were present in the majority of patients with HFPEF. Left ventricular mass and LA size were independently associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The presence of structural remodeling and diastolic dysfunction may be useful additions to diagnostic criteria and provide important prognostic insights in patients with HFPEF.

Clinical Trial Registration—

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00095238.
Benefit of Transferring ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Compared With Administration of Onsite Fibrinolytic Declines as Delays Increase
Authors: Pinto Duane S. , Frederick Paul D. , Chakrabarti Anjan K. , Kirtane Ajay J. , Ullman Edward , Dejam Andre , Miller Dave P. , Henry Timothy D. , Gibson C. Michael
Published: November 2011

Background—

Although randomized trials suggest that transfer for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (X-PCI) in ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction is superior to onsite fibrinolytic therapy (O-FT), the generalizability of these findings to routine clinical practice is unclear because door-to-balloon (XDB) times are rapid in randomized trials but are frequently prolonged in practice. We hypothesized that delays resulting from transfer would reduce the survival advantage of X-PCI compared with O-FT.

Methods and Results—

ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients enrolled in the National Registry of Myocardial Infarction (NRMI) within 12 hours of pain onset were identified. Propensity matching of patients treated with X-PCI and O-FT was performed, and the effect of PCI-related delay on in-hospital mortality was assessed. PCI-related delay was calculated by subtracting the XDB from the door-to-needle time in each matched pair. Conditional logistic regression adjusted for patient and hospital variables identified the XDB door-to-needle time at which no mortality advantage for X-PCI over O-FT was present. Eighty-one percent of X-PCI patients were matched (n=9506) to O-FT patients (n=9506). In the matched cohort, X-PCI was performed with delays >90 minutes in 68%. Multivariable analysis found no mortality advantage for X-PCI over O-FT when XDB door-to-needle time exceeded ≈120 minutes.

Conclusion—

PCI-related delays are extensive among patients transferred for X-PCI and are associated with poorer outcomes. No differential excess in mortality was seen with X-PCI compared with O-FT even with long PCI-related delays, but as XDB door-to-needle time times increase, the mortality advantage for X-PCI over O-FT declines.
Identification of a Danger-Associated Peptide From Apolipoprotein B100 (ApoBDS-1) That Triggers Innate Proatherogenic Responses
Authors: Ketelhuth Daniel F.J. , Rios Francisco J.O. , Wang Yajuan , Liu Huiqing , Johansson Maria E. , Fredrikson Gunilla N. , Hedin Ulf , Gidlund Magnus , Nilsson Jan , Hansson Göran K. , Yan Zhong-qun
Published: November 2011

Background—

Subendothelial deposited low-density lipoprotein particles are a known inflammatory factor in atherosclerosis. However, the causal components derived from low-density lipoprotein are still poorly defined. Apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100) is the unexchangeable protein component of low-density lipoprotein, and the progression of atherosclerosis is associated with immune responses to ApoB100-derived peptides. In this study, we analyzed the proinflammatory activity of ApoB100 peptides in atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results—

By screening a peptide library of ApoB100, we identified a distinct native peptide referred to as ApoB100 danger-associated signal 1 (ApoBDS-1), which shows sequence-specific bioactivity in stimulation of interleukin-8, CCL2, and interleukin-6. ApoBDS-1 activates mitogen-activated protein kinase and calcium signaling, thereby effecting the expression of interleukin-8 in innate immune cells. Ex vivo stimulation of carotid plaques with ApoBDS-1 enhances interleukin-8 and prostaglandin E
2
release. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ApoBDS-1–positive peptide fragments are present in atherosclerotic lesions using immunoassays and that low-molecular-weight fractions isolated from plaque show ApoBDS-1 activity inducing interleukin-8 production.

Conclusions—

Our data show that ApoBDS-1 is a previously unrecognized peptide with robust proinflammatory activity, contributing to the disease-promoting effects of low-density lipoprotein in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Placental Ischemia Impairs Middle Cerebral Artery Myogenic Responses in the Pregnant Rat
Authors: Ryan Michael J. , Gilbert Emily L. , Glover Porter H. , George Eric M. , Masterson C. Warren , McLemore Gerald R. , LaMarca Babbette , Granger Joey P. , Drummond Heather A.
Published: November 2011

One potential mechanism contributing to the increased risk for encephalopathies in women with preeclampsia is altered cerebral vascular autoregulation resulting from impaired myogenic tone. Whether placental ischemia, a commonly proposed initiator of preeclampsia, alters cerebral vascular function is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that placental ischemia in pregnant rats (caused by reduced uterine perfusion pressure [RUPP]) leads to impaired myogenic responses in middle cerebral arteries. Mean arterial pressure was increased by RUPP (135±3 mm Hg) compared with normal pregnant rats (103±2 mm Hg) and nonpregnant controls (116±1 mm Hg). Middle cerebral arteries from rats euthanized on gestation day 19 were assessed in a pressure arteriograph under active (+Ca
2+
) and passive (0 Ca
2+
) conditions, whereas luminal pressure was varied between 25 and 150 mm Hg. The slope of the relationship between tone and pressure in the middle cerebral artery was 0.08±0.01 in control rats and was similar in normal pregnant rats (0.05±0.01). In the RUPP model of placental ischemia, this relationship was markedly reduced (slope=0.01±0.00;
P
<0.05). Endothelial dependent and independent dilation was not different between groups, nor was there evidence of vascular remodeling assessed by the wall:lumen ratio and calculated wall stress. The impaired myogenic response was associated with brain edema measured by percentage of water content (RUPP
P
<0.05 versus control and normal pregnant rats). This study demonstrates that placental ischemia in pregnant rats leads to impaired myogenic tone in the middle cerebral arteries and that the RUPP model is a potentially important tool to examine mechanisms leading to encephalopathy during preeclamptic pregnancies.
Vascular Biomarkers in the Prediction of Clinical Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Roman Mary J. , Kizer Jorge R. , Best Lyle G. , Lee Elisa T. , Howard Barbara V. , Shara Nawar M. , Devereux Richard B.
Published: November 2011

We compared the ability of separately measured intimal-medial thickness and atherosclerotic plaque to predict incident cardiovascular disease. American Indian men and women from the Strong Heart Study who were free of cardiovascular disease were evaluated with carotid ultrasound and cardiovascular disease risk factor assessment. End-diastolic intimal-medial thickness of the common carotid arteries was measured and averaged. Arterial mass (cross-sectional area) was calculated from intimal-medial thickness and end-diastolic diameter. Atherosclerosis was defined by focal plaque (discrete thickening >50% relative to the adjacent wall) and the number of carotid segments containing plaque (plaque score); 2441 participants (age 63±8 years) were followed-up for a mean of 7.7±2.8 years, during which time 495 experienced incident cardiovascular disease events. Time-to-event analyses were performed in groups stratified according to diabetes and hypertension status. Cardiovascular disease events were predicted by presence and extent of atherosclerosis in all groups; intima-medial thickness and arterial mass were only associated with outcomes when neither hypertension nor diabetes was present. Unequivocal evidence of atherosclerosis (plaque) and its extent (plaque score) are independently associated with incident cardiovascular disease events in individuals without preexisting cardiovascular disease regardless of diabetes and hypertension status. Hypertension-related increases in intima-media thickness and arterial mass appear to limit their use as measures of early or diffuse atherosclerosis and, hence, association with cardiovascular disease outcomes. These findings support the utility of separate assessment of focal atherosclerosis and intimal-medial thickness in epidemiological studies, trials, and risk stratification protocols.
Effects of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Administration on Human Encoding and Recall Memory Function: A Pharmacological fMRI Study
Authors: Bossong Matthijs G. , Jager Gerry , van Hell Hendrika H. , Zuurman Lineke , Jansma J. Martijn , Mehta Mitul A. , van Gerven Joop M. A. , Kahn René S. , Ramsey Nick F.
Published: November 2011

Deficits in memory function are an incapacitating aspect of various psychiatric and neurological disorders. Animal studies have recently provided strong evidence for involvement of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in memory function. Neuropsychological studies in humans have shown less convincing evidence but suggest that administration of cannabinoid substances affects encoding rather than recall of information. In this study, we examined the effects of perturbation of the eCB system on memory function during both encoding and recall. We performed a pharmacological MRI study with a placebo-controlled, crossover design, investigating the effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) inhalation on associative memory-related brain function in 13 healthy volunteers. Performance and brain activation during associative memory were assessed using a pictorial memory task, consisting of separate encoding and recall conditions. Administration of THC caused reductions in activity during encoding in the right insula, the right inferior frontal gyrus, and the left middle occipital gyrus and a network-wide increase in activity during recall, which was most prominent in bilateral cuneus and precuneus. THC administration did not affect task performance, but while during placebo recall activity significantly explained variance in performance, this effect disappeared after THC. These findings suggest eCB involvement in encoding of pictorial information. Increased precuneus activity could reflect impaired recall function, but the absence of THC effects on task performance suggests a compensatory mechanism. These results further emphasize the eCB system as a potential novel target for treatment of memory disorders and a promising target for development of new therapies to reduce memory deficits in humans.
Interaction between Visual- and Goal-related Neuronal Signals on the Trajectories of Saccadic Eye Movements
Authors: White Brian J. , Theeuwes Jan , Munoz Douglas P.
Published: November 2011

During natural viewing, the trajectories of saccadic eye movements often deviate dramatically from a straight-line path between objects. In human studies, saccades have been shown to deviate toward or away from salient visual distractors depending on visual- and goal-related parameters, but the neurophysiological basis for this is not well understood. Some studies suggest that deviation toward is associated with competition between simultaneously active sites within the intermediate layers of the superior colliculus (SC), a midbrain structure that integrates sensory and goal-related signals for the production of saccades. In contrast, deviation away is hypothesized to reflect a higher-level process, whereby the neural site associated with the distractor isactively suppressed via a form of endogenous, top–down inhibition. We tested this hypothesis by measuring presaccadic distractor-evoked activation of SC visuomotor neurons while monkeys performed a simple task configured specifically to induce a high degree of saccades that deviate away. In the SC, cognitive processes such as top–down expectation are represented as variation in the sustained, low-frequency presaccadic discharge. We reasoned that any inhibition at the distractor-related locus associated with saccade deviation should affect the excitability of the neuron, thereby affecting the discharge rate. We found that, although the task produced robust deviation away, there was no evidence of a relationship between saccade deviation and distractor-evoked activation outside a short perisaccadic window that began no earlier than 22 msec before saccade onset. This indicates that deviation away is not adequately explained by a form of sustained, top–down inhibition at the distractor-related locus in the SC. The results are discussed in relation to the primary sources of inhibition associated with saccadic control.
Relational leadership
Authors: Cunliffe Ann L , Eriksen Matthew
Published: November 2011

This article aims to extend contemporary work on relational leadership theory by conceptualizing leadership as embedded in the everyday relationally-responsive dialogical practices of leaders. Relational leadership requires a way of engaging with the world in which the leader holds herself/himself as always in relation with, and therefore morally accountable to others; recognizes the inherently polyphonic and heteroglossic nature of life; and engages in relational dialogue. This way of theorizing leadership also has practical implications in helping sensitize leaders to the importance of their relationships and to features of conversations and everyday mundane occurrences that can reveal new possibilities for morally-responsible leadership. We develop and illustrate the notion of relational leadership by drawing on the work of Bakhtin and Ricoeur, and on an empirical study of Federal Security Directors.
A Creative Approach to Development
Authors: Ankomah Paul , Larson Trent , Roberson Venita , Rotich Jerono
Published: November 2011

As globalization intensifies and economic competition grows fiercer, African countries are seeking new avenues to be relevant in the world economy. Through the adoption of new economic development models, these countries hope to diversify their economies and spur economic growth. A strategy that countries could explore for economic development is the pursuit of a policy that systematically and deliberately courts the active participation of members of the African diaspora in the development plans and programs of such countries. This article focuses on diaspora engagement strategy in Ghana for economic development and is divided into three sections. The first section reviews literature on world diaspora and also examines this issue in Africa. Additionally, the section discusses African diaspora in Ghana, specifically, the policies and efforts undertaken to encourage diaspora active involvement in the country. The second section describes potential advantages to be derived from the diaspora engagement strategy. The section also outlines problems likely to result from the diaspora involvement efforts. The final section offers some suggestions to address these potential problems likely to impede the success of the diaspora strategy.
Effective Literacy Instruction for Adults With Specific Learning Disabilities
Authors: Hock Michael F.
Published: November 2011

Adults with learning disabilities (LD) attending adult basic education, GED programs, or community colleges are among the lowest performers on measures of literacy. For example, on multiple measures of reading comprehension, adults with LD had a mean reading score at the third grade level, whereas adults without LD read at the fifth grade level. In addition, large numbers of adults perform at the lowest skill levels on quantitative tasks. Clearly, significant instructional challenges exist for adults who struggle with literacy issues, and those challenges can be greater for adults with LD. In this article, the literature on adults with LD is reviewed, and evidenced-based instructional practices that significantly narrow the literacy achievement gap for this population are identified. Primary attention is given to instructional factors that have been shown to affect literacy outcomes for adults with LD. These factors include the use of explicit instruction, instructional technology, and intensive tutoring in skills and strategies embedded in authentic contexts.
The Effect of Residential Location on Retirement Age: Theory and Some Evidence on Male Behaviour in the US
Authors: Chapela Jorge González
Published: November 2011

Retirement age choice is introduced into a conventional model of residential location to show that the retirement age of workers who do not move after retirement can be influenced by the urban variation of leisure and housing prices. A retirement demand equation that incorporates commuting characteristics is estimated on a sample of US urban male owners interviewed by the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. It is found that commuters retire around two years earlier than comparable home-based workers, although the evidence provides no support for this gap to be the result of differences in leisure or housing prices across both groups.
Mindful storytellers: Emerging pragmatics and theory of mind development
Authors: Fernández Camila
Published: November 2011

Emerging pragmatic language skills involve social, cognitive and linguistic abilities, including children’s awareness of the conversational partner’s mental states. The present study investigated the relation between children’s theory of mind (ToM) and features of pragmatic language skills assessed through narrative discourse. One hundred and fifteen Spanish-speaking children attending preschool and first grade (57 girls, 58 boys) participated. Children completed a standardized measure of receptive language, narrated a wordless picture book and completed first- and second-order ToM tasks. ToM was significantly related to various pragmatic language features. Hierarchical regression analyses showed that second-order ToM scores were a significant predictor of pragmatic language skills. Findings suggest that children’s communicative competence in social contexts, to some extent, requires the development of higher-order social-cognitive reasoning.
Contemporary Trends in Procedural Volume for Adult Facial Trauma, 1996‐2006
Authors: Lee Linda N. , Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: November 2011

Objectives

To determine how rates of operative facial fractures may have changed between 1996 and 2006 and to determine the potential impact of such change on otolaryngology residency surgical key indicator cases.

Study Design

Historical cohort study.

Setting

Academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods

The National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) and National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery (NSAS) 1996 and 2006 cases were reviewed, extracting all cases of adult nasal, malar/zygomatic, maxillary, and mandibular fracture reductions in inpatient and outpatient settings, respectively. Procedure rates for each facial fracture were tabulated and compared between 1996 and 2006.

Results

Overall in 1996, there were an estimated 113,041 ± 3740 operative facial fracture repairs performed. Among the 3 key indicator fracture repairs most relevant to otolaryngologists, there were 15,810 ± 2143 open nasal fracture reductions, 9360 ± 1742 open zygomaticomaxillary (ZMC) fracture reductions, and 20,214 ± 2585 open mandibular fracture repairs. Overall in 2006, there were 120,463 ± 7554 total facial fracture procedures, with 11,613 ± 2846 open nasal fracture reductions, 10,216 ± 2881 open ZMC fracture reductions, and 17,965 ± 3171 open mandibular repairs. Comparing cohorts, there was no significant change in number of open nasal, ZMC, or mandibular fracture repairs (P =. 24, P =. 58, P =. 80, respectively).

Conclusion

Facial fracture procedure rates have remained largely stable over the past 10 years. These data have implications for otolaryngology training programs and could help guide resident education in facial trauma.