bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Double Dissociation Between Inattentive and Impulsive Traits, on Tasks of Visual Processing and Emotion Regulation
Authors: Ben Shalom Dorit , Ronel Ziv , Faran Yifat , Meiri Gal , Gabis Lidia , Kerns Kimberly A.
Published: December 2013

Objective: To dissociate between inattentive and impulsive traits common in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using a non-dichotomous measurment of these traits. Method: 120 university students who completed the Conner’s adult ADHD rating scales (CAARS) were also tested on the Microgenesis task which requires visual attention and on the Cyber Cruiser task which requires emotion regulation. Results: Results show that a measure of inattention was specifically related to a measure of effortful visual processing condition. In addition, a measure of impulsivity was specifically related to the tendency to fail in refueling one’s car on time, although this relation was opposite to the predicted direction. Furthermore, by using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the CAARS’ factor structure was confirmed to be relevant to an Israeli population. Conclusion: The current experiment supports the idea that visual attention may play a part in inattentive symptoms, and that emotion regulation may play a part in impulsivity symptoms.
Shooting for Accuracy
Authors: Huff-Corzine Lin , McCutcheon James C. , Corzine Jay , Jarvis John P. , Tetzlaff-Bemiller Melissa J. , Weller Mindy , Landon Matt
Published: December 2013

Although researchers have questioned their coverage and accuracy, the media routinely are used as sources of data on mass murder in the United States. Databases compiled from media sources such as newspaper and network news programs include the New York Police Department’s Active Shooters file, the Brady Campaign Mass Casualty Shootings data set, and the Mother Jones database. Conversely, official crime data have been underutilized by researchers who study mass murder (for exceptions, see Duwe, 2007; Fox & Levin, 1998). In this study, we compare similarities and differences for mass murder cases in the United States as portrayed by selected mass media sources. Then, we turn our focus to a comparison of the Uniform Crime Reports’ (UCR) Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) and the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Our primary focus is on mass murders involving four or more fatalities—not including the perpetrator—that have occurred between 2001 and 2010. Implications for enhancing the comprehensiveness and quality of mass murder data with the goal of increasing their usefulness for guiding prevention and risk mitigation efforts also are discussed.
Safety Assessment of α-Amino Acids as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Burnett Christina L. , Heldreth Bart , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Andersen F. Alan
Published: December 2013

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel (Panel) reviewed the safety of α-amino acids, which function primarily as hair- and skin-conditioning agents in cosmetic products. The safety of α-amino acids as direct food additives has been well established based on extensive research through acute and chronic dietary exposures. The Panel focused its review on dermal irritation and sensitization data relevant to the use of these ingredients in topical cosmetics. The Panel concluded that α-amino acids were safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentration of this safety assessment.
Amended Safety Assessment of Formaldehyde and Methylene Glycol as Used in Cosmetics
Authors: Boyer Ivan J. , Heldreth Bart , Bergfeld Wilma F. , Belsito Donald V. , Hill Ronald A. , Klaassen Curtis D. , Liebler Daniel C. , Marks James G. , Shank Ronald C. , Slaga Thomas J. , Snyder Paul W. , Andersen F. Alan
Published: December 2013

Formaldehyde and methylene glycol may be used safely in cosmetics if established limits are not exceeded and are safe for use in nail hardeners in the present practices of use and concentration, which include instructions to avoid skin contact. In hair-smoothing products, however, in the present practices of use and concentration, formaldehyde and methylene glycol are unsafe. Methylene glycol is continuously converted to formaldehyde, and vice versa, even at equilibrium, which can be easily shifted by heating, drying, and other conditions to increase the amount of formaldehyde. This rapid, reversible formaldehyde/methylene glycol equilibrium is distinguished from the slow, irreversible release of formaldehyde resulting from the so-called formaldehyde releaser preservatives, which are not addressed in this safety assessment (formaldehyde releasers may continue to be safely used in cosmetics at the levels established in their individual Cosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessments).
Can planning time compensate for individual differences in working memory capacity?
Authors: Nielson Katharine B
Published: December 2013

Language learners with high working memory capacity have an advantage, all other factors being equal, during the second language acquisition (SLA) process; therefore, identifying a pedagogical intervention that can compensate for low working memory capacity would be advantageous to language learners and instructors. Extensive research on the provision of planning time before non-native speakers complete various oral and written tasks in the target language suggests that planning time might provide the processing support needed to overcome the constraints of low working memory capacity. This article reports on an empirical aptitude-treatment interaction (ATI) study of the interaction of working memory capacity and pre-task planning time with a population of English as a second language (ESL) learners in the USA. Learners were asked to complete two different oral, monologic, picture-guided narratives in two conditions: with pre-task planning time and without pre-task planning time. The results did not show an effect for the interaction of working memory capacity with pre-task planning time; that is, the results demonstrate the facilitative effect of planning time on learner fluency for participants with both high and low working memory capacity. In addition, the results demonstrate that learners with pre-task planning time produce more fluent and more complex speech than learners without pre-task planning time, with mixed results for accuracy. Finally, the results suggest that planning time may have a carry-over effect and benefit the fluency and complexity of learners’ speech during subsequent, unplanned tasks.
The more prototypical the better? The allure of being seen as one sees oneself
Authors: Gómez Ángel , Jetten Jolanda , Swann William B.
Published: December 2013

Whereas past research has emphasized people’s desire to be a prototypical group member within valued groups, this research explores people’s competing desire to be seen as prototypical as they see themselves. Results of three studies show that evaluations that verified participants’ self-perceived prototypicality were seen as especially credible and were accepted without evoking compensatory activity. We found evidence for compensatory activity whereby participants labeled as underprototypical were most likely to express similarity to other ingroup members and a desire to engage in behaviors designed to promote the ingroup. Those labeled as overprototypical were less likely to express similarity to other ingroup members and a desire to engage in progroup behaviors. A similar pattern was found on a behavioral measure whereby participants were asked to choose a majority or a minority pen. Contrary to the assumption that people are primarily motivated by a desire for self-enhancement, these findings emerged independent of perceived group desirability. These findings indicate the importance of the alignment between self-perceptions and ingroup perceptions when examining responses to intragroup position. Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical predictions derived from self-verification, self-categorization, and optimal distinctiveness theorizing.
Persistence of socioeconomic differences in adolescents’ environmental tobacco smoke exposure in Finland: 1991–2009
Authors: Raisamo Susanna U , Doku David T , Heloma Antero , Rimpelä Arja H
Published: December 2013

Aims: Socioeconomic differences in children’s exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in favour of those with higher positions are known, but research is scarce on whether differences have persisted when smoking restrictions have been tightened. We examined socioeconomic differences in adolescents’ ETS exposure from 1991 to 2009 in Finland where the tobacco law has gradually restricted smoking of population. Methods: National cross-sectional surveys (1991–2009) in 12–18-year-olds ( N=72,726, response rate 77–56%). An outcome measure was self-reported exposure to ETS (≥1 hour/day). Parents’ socioeconomic and adolescent’s individual social position (school performance/career) were used as independent variables. Across four time periods, associations were studied by logistic regression. Results: Over the study period 1991–2009, the proportion of adolescents exposed to ETS decreased from 17% to 6% ( p≤0.001). There were large and persistent differences between socioeconomic and parents’ smoking groups. The decrease occurred in all groups but was smaller among 16–18-year-olds whose father had a low education. A steeper decline occurred among 16–18-year-olds who were not in school or were in vocational school with poor school performance compared with those with more advanced educational career. Compared with other subgroups, the decline in ETS exposure was greater among those whose parents were smokers. Conclusions: Adolescents’ ETS exposure remarkably decreased over time, when tobacco control measures were tightened, particularly among children of smoking parents. Socioeconomic differences persisted although diminishing differences were observed between educational groups at age 16–18.
Featured Article: Characterization of cultured multipotent zebrafish neural crest cells
Authors: Kinikoglu Beste , Kong Yawei , Liao Eric C
Published: December 2013

The neural crest is a unique cell population associated with vertebrate evolution. Neural crest cells (NCCs) are characterized by their multipotent and migratory potentials. While zebrafish is a powerful genetic model organism, the isolation and culture of zebrafish NCCs would provide a useful adjunct to fully interrogate the genetic networks that regulate NCC development. Here we report for the first time the isolation, in vitro culture, and characterization of NCCs from zebrafish embryos. NCCs were isolated from transgenic sox10:egfp embryos using fluorescence activated cell sorting and cultured in complex culture medium without feeder layers. NCC multilineage differentiation was determined by immunocytochemistry and real-time qPCR, cell migration was assessed by wound healing assay, and the proliferation index was calculated by immunostaining against the mitosis marker phospho-histone H3. Cultured NCCs expressed major neural crest lineage markers such as sox10, sox9a, hnk1, p75, dlx2a, and pax3, and the pluripotency markers c-myc and klf4. We showed that the cultured NCCs can be differentiated into multiple neural crest lineages, contributing to neurons, glial cells, smooth muscle cells, melanocytes, and chondrocytes. We applied the NCC in vitro model to study the effect of retinoic acid on NCC development. We showed that retinoic acid had a profound effect on NCC morphology and differentiation, significantly inhibited proliferation and enhanced cell migration. The availability of high numbers of NCCs and reproducible functional assays offers new opportunities for mechanistic studies of neural crest development, in genetic and chemical biology applications.
Traumatic Complex Splenic Arteriovenous Fistula Causing Prehepatic Portal Hypertension and Variceal Bleeding
Authors: Saddekni Souheil , Anis Karim H. , Hegazi Ahmad A. , Hamed Maysoon F. , Aal Ahmed Kamel Abdel
Published: December 2013

We report a case of a 68-year-old female patient presenting with portal hypertension and variceal bleeding in the absence of any liver disease. After performing a computed tomography angiogram, the cause of her condition was identified to be a splenic arteriovenous fistula (SAVF). After confirming the findings with angiography, we opted to treat the condition with coil embolization as an alternative to a more invasive surgical treatment. Coil embolization of the SAVF was performed successfully resulting in the improvement of the patient’s variceal congestion. Our case highlights the importance of identifying SAVF as a potentially curable cause of variceal bleeding in the absence of liver disease. Seeking this diagnosis is of utmost importance since it completely changes the endovascular approach and management of these patients with variceal bleeding. We describe a minimally invasive endovascular technique for treatment of these critically ill patients.
Scaffolding leadership for learning in school education
Authors: Marsh Scott , Waniganayake Manjula , Gibson Ian W
Published: December 2013

The notion of leadership for learning as a resource for improving student learning in schools has attracted much attention from scholars. However, its use lacks clarity or meaning for teachers implementing this concept in schools. In seeking to pursue a better understanding of leadership for learning based on a comprehensive review of relevant literature a scaffold of key themes was established. This scaffold shows leadership for learning as a liberating process in which whole-school communities actively engage in purposeful interactions that nurture relationships focused on improving learning. In examining the extent to which this conception of leadership for learning was evident in schools, a survey was developed and tested for its veracity. This article presents the results of factor analysis and importantly, introduces two themes not originally included in the scaffold.
Use of Fish Oil–Based Lipid Emulsions in Infants With Intestinal Failure–Associated Liver Disease
Authors: St-Jules David E. , Watters Corilee A. , Iwamoto Lynn M.
Published: December 2013

The use of fish oil–based lipid emulsions (FOLE) in the treatment of intestinal failure–associated liver disease (IFALD) remains investigational. Additional evidence for safety and efficacy, particularly in the neonatal and pediatric populations, is needed. Retrospective chart review was conducted on 10 infants with short bowel syndrome who received FOLE for IFALD. Direct bilirubin concentrations normalized in surviving subjects within 4.1 to 22.7 weeks of starting treatment. Although earlier initiation of FOLE was not associated with more rapid normalization of direct bilirubin concentrations, it trended toward a significant correlation with reduced length of hospital stay ( P = .058). The reduction in direct bilirubin levels and transition from parenteral to enteral feeding were statistically significant within 6 weeks of initiating the FOLE. Subjects did not have impaired growth and did not develop an essential fatty acid deficiency. These infants were discharged from the hospital 7.9 to 42.3 weeks after starting FOLE treatment, and 2 infants had transitioned completely off parenteral nutrition at discharge. In this study, FOLE appeared to be a safe and effective treatment for IFALD in infants with short bowel syndrome. Future studies are necessary to determine whether FOLE can help to prevent or shorten the duration of cholestasis.
Global Drums and Local Masquerades
Authors: Betiang Liwhu
Published: December 2013

TV broadcasting has been in Nigeria for more than 50 years (1959-2009). Its development has brought about a series of local responses to global socioeconomic and political environments and “soft” stimuli. This conclusion is based on a critical, interpretive reading of the history, form, and content of television in Nigeria from Obafemi Awolowo’s Western Nigeria Television in Ibadan through the federal government’s reactive establishment of the national network: the Nigeria Television Authority, and later, states and private television stations. The ultimate deregulation of television broadcasting in 1992, perceived as Babangida’s “politically-correct” reaction to the pressures from the Bretton Woods institutions, opened up national media markets for global penetration, and fast-tracked media globalization and its effects in Nigeria. While television stations in Nigeria have multiplied in numerical terms, programming/content/form have followed the global market/technological determinism turning Nigerian TV into localized versions of commercialized western master-scripts with very little local ideological direction.
Redefining Clinical Science Training
Authors: Shoham Varda , Rohrbaugh Michael J. , Onken Lisa S. , Cuthbert Bruce N. , Beveridge Ryan M. , Fowles Timothy R.
Published: December 2013

The Delaware Project, initiated in a conference at the University of Delaware, aims to redefine psychological clinical science training in ways that emphasize continuity across a spectrum of intervention development activities ranging from basic research to implementation and dissemination. The project generated specific recommendations for elevating dissemination and implementation, both at different stages of clinical science training and in different training settings, and highlighted several experiential training innovations to foster this goal. The project also helped sharpen competing priorities of two broad approaches to intervention science: one emphasizing translation, or moving from basic research to systematic applications in practice, and the other privileging dissemination–implementation per se, where a priority is understanding and maximizing the accessibility, acceptability, adaptability, and sustainability of interventions in the contexts where practitioners deliver them. The training of future clinical scientists will be crucial to reconciling these perspectives on how best to address significant public health problems.
Odd Couple? Reenvisioning the Relation Between Science and Practice in the Dissemination-Implementation Era
Authors: Weisz John R. , Ng Mei Yi , Bearman Sarah Kate
Published: December 2013

Decades of clinical psychological science have produced empirically supported treatments that are now undergoing dissemination and implementation (DI) but with little guidance from a science that is just taking shape. Charting a future for DI science (DIS) and DI practice (DIP), and their complex relationship, will be complicated by significant challenges—the implementation cliff (intervention benefit drops when tested practices are scaled up), low relevance of most clinical research to actual practice, and differing timetables and goals for DIP versus DIS. To address the challenges, and prepare the next generation of clinical psychological scientists, we propose the following: making intervention research look more like practice, solving the “too many empirically supported treatments” problem, addressing mismatches between interventions and their users (e.g., clients, therapists), broadening the array of intervention delivery systems, sharpening outcome monitoring and feedback, incentivizing high-risk/high-gain innovations, designing new professional tracks, and synchronizing and linking the often-insular practice and science of DI.
Reconceptualizing Internship Training Within the Evolving Clinical Science Training Model
Authors: Atkins Marc S. , Strauman Timothy J. , Cyranowski Jill M. , Kolden Gregory G.
Published: December 2013

As changes in health-care delivery impel us to refine clinical science training, the opportunity arises to reconceptualize internship training to align more closely with clinical science values and outcomes. We present observations on the evolution of internship training with a focus on the following issues. First, we highlight the significance of a public-health perspective for clinical science as a basis for refining training goals and practices. Second, we briefly review how internship training evolved (where it has come from) to set the context for continuing evolution (where it might go). Third, we discuss the need for an expanded definition of clinical competence for clinical science training to better align with innovations in health care and to prepare graduates for new career opportunities. Finally, we present examples of new models for internship training that might accommodate the continuing redefinition of internship training in clinical science.
Common fixed point theorems for multi-valued mappings in complex-valued metric spaces
Authors: Azam Akbar , Ahmad Jamshaid , Kumam Poom
Published: December 2013

Azam et al. (Numer. Funct. Anal. Optim. 33(5):590-600, 2012) introduced the notion of complex-valued metric spaces and established a common fixed point result in the context of complex-valued metric spaces. In this paper, the existence of common fixed points is established for multi-valued mappings on the complex-valued metric spaces. Our results unify, generalize and complement the comparable results from the current literature.

MSC:46S40, 47H10, 54H25.
Perturbation analysis of the stochastic algebraic Riccati equation
Authors: Chiang Chun-Yueh , Fan Hung-Yuan , Lin Matthew M , Chen Hsin-An
Published: December 2013

In this paper we study a general class of stochastic algebraic Riccati equations (SARE) arising from the indefinite linear quadratic control and stochasticH∞problems. Using the Brouwer fixed point theorem, we provide sufficient conditions for the existence of a stabilizing solution of the perturbed SARE. We obtain a theoretical perturbation bound for measuring accurately the relative error in the exact solution of the SARE. Moreover, we slightly modify the condition theory developed by Rice and provide explicit expressions of the condition number with respect to the stabilizing solution of the SARE. A numerical example is applied to illustrate the sharpness of the perturbation bound and its correspondence with the condition number.

MSC:Primary 15A24; 65F35; secondary 47H10, 47H14.
Analysis of cell hyperplasia and parietal cell dysfunction induced by Ostertagia ostertagi infection
Authors: Mihi Belgacem , Van Meulder Frederik , Rinaldi Manuela , Van Coppernolle Stefanie , Chiers Koen , Van den Broeck Wim , Goddeeris Bruno , Vercruysse Jozef , Claerebout Edwin , Geldhof Peter
Published: December 2013

Infections in cattle with the gastric nematode Ostertagia ostertagi are associated with decreased acid secretion and profound physio-morphological changes of the gastric mucosa. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the mechanisms triggering these pathophysiological changes. O. ostertagi infection resulted in a marked cellular hyperplasia, which can be explained by increased transcriptional levels of signaling molecules related to the homeostasis of gastric epithelial cells such as HES1, WNT5A, FGF10, HB-EGF, AREG, ADAM10 and ADAM17. Intriguingly, histological analysis indicated that the rapid rise in the gastric pH, observed following the emergence of adult worms, cannot be explained by a loss of parietal cells, as a decrease in the number of parietal cells was only observed following a long term infection of several weeks, but is likely to be caused by an inhibition of parietal cell activity. To investigate whether this inhibition is caused by a direct effect of the parasites, parietal cells were co-cultured with parasite Excretory/Secretory products (ESP) and subsequently analyzed for acid production. The results indicate that adult ESP inhibited acid secretion, whereas ESP from the L4 larval stages did not alter parietal cell function. In addition, our data show that the inhibition of parietal cell activity could be mediated by a marked upregulation of inflammatory factors, which are partly induced by adult ESP in abomasal epithelial cells. In conclusion, this study shows that the emergence of adult O. ostertagi worms is associated with marked cellular changes that can be partly triggered by the worm’s Excretory/secretory antigens.
Vernalization treatment induces site-specific DNA hypermethylation at the VERNALIZATION-A1 (VRN-A1) locus in hexaploid winter wheat
Authors: Khan Abdul Rehman , Enjalbert Jérôme , Marsollier Anne-Charlotte , Rousselet Agnès , Goldringer Isabelle , Vitte Clémentine
Published: December 2013

Background

Certain temperate species require prolonged exposure to low temperature to initiate transition from vegetative growth to flowering, a process known as vernalization. In wheat, winter cultivars require vernalization to initiate flowering, making vernalization requirement a trait of key importance in wheat agronomy. The genetic bases of vernalization response have been largely studied in wheat, leading to the characterization of a regulation pathway that involves the key gene VERNALIZATION1 (VRN1). While previous studies in wheat and barley have revealed the functional role of histone modification in setting VRN1 expression, other mechanisms might also be involved. Here, we were interested in determining whether the cold-induced expression of the wheat VRN-A1 gene is associated with a change in DNA methylation.

Results

We provide the first DNA methylation analysis of the VRN-A1 gene, and describe the existence of methylation at CG but also at non CG sites. While CG sites show a bell-shape profile typical of gene-body methylation, non CG methylation is restricted to the large (8.5 kb) intron 1, in a region harboring fragments of transposable elements (TEs). Interestingly, cold induces a site-specific hypermethylation at these non CG sites. This increase in DNA methylation is transmitted through mitosis, and is reset to its original level after sexual reproduction.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that VRN-A1 has a particular DNA methylation pattern, exhibiting rapid shift within the life cycle of a winter wheat plant following exposure to particular environmental conditions. The finding that this shift occurs at non CG sites in a TE-rich region opens interesting questions onto the possible consequences of this type of methylation in gene expression.
Molecular mechanism of apoptosis induction in skin cancer cells by the centipedegrass extract
Authors: Badaboina Srilatha , Bai Hyoung-Woo , Park Chul-Hong , Jang Dong Min , Choi Bo Yun , Chung Byung Yeoup
Published: December 2013

Background

Centipedegrass extract (CGE) is mainly composed of maysin and its derivatives, which are recognized internationally as natural compounds. Compared to other flavonoids, maysin has a unique structure in that mannose is bound to the flavonoid backbone. CGE exhibits some biological properties in that it can function as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-adipogenic, and insecticidal. Whether CGE has other biological functions, such as anti-cancer activity, is unknown.

Methods

B16F1 (mouse) and SKMEL-5 (human) cells were treated with CGE, and their subsequent survival was determined using MTT assay. We performed a cell cycle analysis using propidium iodide (PI), and detected apoptosis using double staining with annexin V-FITC/PI. In addition, we examined mitochondrial membrane potentials using flow cytometry, as well as signaling mechanisms with an immunoblotting analysis.

Results

CGE inhibited skin cancer cell growth by arresting the cell cycle in the G2/M phase, and increased both early and late apoptotic cell populations without affecting normal cells. Furthermore, we observed mitochondrial transmembrane depolarization, increased cytochrome-c release, caspase-3 and caspase-7 activation, and increased poly ADP-ribose polymerase degradation. CGE also downregulated activation of p-AKT, p-glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and p-BAD in a time-dependent manner. LY294002 inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) significantly sensitized skin cancer cells, which led to an increase in CGE-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions

CGE controlled skin cancer cell growth by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway and activating the effector caspases. This study is the first to demonstrate anti-cancer properties for CGE, and that CGE may be an effective therapeutic agent for treating skin cancer.
Antioxidant and cytoprotective activities of Piper betle, Areca catechu, Uncaria gambir and betel quid with and without calcium hydroxide
Authors: Nur Sazwi Nordin , Nalina Thurairajah , Rahim Zubaidah Haji Abdul
Published: December 2013

Background

Betel quid chewing is a popular habit in Southeast Asia. It is believed that chewing betel quid could reduce stress, strengthen teeth and maintain oral hygiene. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and cytoprotective activities of each of the ingredients of betel quid and compared with betel quid itself (with and without calcium hydroxide). The correlation of their cytoprotective and antioxidant activities with phenolic content was also determined.

Methods

Five samples (betel leaf, areca nut, gambir, betel quid and betel quid containing calcium hydroxide) were extracted in deionized distilled water for 12 hours at 37°C. Antioxidant activities were evaluated for radical scavenging activity using DPPH assay, ferric reducing activity using FRAP assay and lipid peroxidation inhibition activity using FTC assay. Total phenolic content (TPC) was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu procedure. Phenolic composition was analyzed using LC-MS/MS. Cytoprotective activity towards human gingival fibroblast cells was examined using MTT assay.

Results

Among the ingredients of betel quid, gambir demonstrated the highest antioxidant (DPPH - IC50 = 6.4 ± 0.8 μg/mL, FRAP - 5717.8 ± 537.6 μmol Fe(II)/mg), total phenolic content (TPC - 1142.5 ± 106.8 μg TAE/mg) and cytoprotective (100.1 ± 4.6%) activities. Betel quid when compared with betel quid containing calcium hydroxide has higher antioxidant (DPPH - IC50 =59.4 ± 4.4 μg/mL, FRAP - 1022.2 ± 235.7 μmol Fe(II)/mg), total phenolic content (TPC - 140.0 ± 22.3 μg TAE/mg), and cytoprotective (113.5 ± 15.9%) activities. However, all of the five samples showed good lipid peroxidation inhibition compared to vitamin E. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of quinic acid as the major compound of gambir and betel quid. A positive correlation was observed between TPC and radical scavenging (r = 0.972), reducing power (r = 0.981) and cytoprotective activity (r = 0.682).

Conclusions

The betel quid has higher TPC, and antioxidant and cytoprotective activities than betel quid with calcium hydroxide. The quinic acid in betel quid may play an important role in the oral health protection.
Analysis of the effects of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated pesticides on serum lipid levels in residents of Anniston, Alabama
Authors: Aminov Zafar , Haase Richard F , Pavuk Marian , Carpenter David O ,   Anniston Environmental Health Research Consortium
Published: December 2013

Background

Anniston, Alabama, is the site of a former Monsanto plant where polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were manufactured from 1929 until 1971. Residents of Anniston are known to have elevated levels of PCBs. The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that levels of the various lipid components (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides) are differentially associated with concentrations of total PCBs and total pesticides, and further that different congeners, congener groups and different pesticides do not have identical associations in serum samples obtained from Anniston residents in a cross-sectional study.

Methods

Fasting serum samples were obtained from 575 residents of Anniston who were not on any lipid-lowering medication and were analyzed for 35 PCB congeners, nine chlorinated pesticides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Associations between toxicant concentrations and lipid levels were determined using multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

We observed that elevated serum concentrations of lipids were associated with elevated serum concentrations of ΣPCBs and summed pesticides in analyses adjusted for age, race, gender, BMI, alcohol consumption, smoking and exercising status. The strongest associations were seen for PCB congeners with three, four, or at least eight substituted chlorines. Mono-ortho substituted congeners 74 and 156, di-ortho congeners 172 and 194, and tri- and tetra-ortho congeners 199, 196–203, 206 and 209 each were significantly associated with total lipids, total cholesterol and triglycerides. Serum concentrations of HCB and chlordane also had strong associations with lipid components.

Conclusions

Increased concentrations of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides are associated with elevations in total serum lipids, total cholesterol and triglycerides, but the patterns are different for different groups of PCBs and different pesticides. These observations show selective effects of different organochlorines on serum concentrations of different groups of lipids. This elevation in concentrations of serum lipids may be the basis for the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease found in persons with elevated exposures to PCBs and chlorinated pesticides.
Frequency of NFKBIA deletions is low in glioblastomas and skewed in glioblastoma neurospheres
Authors: Patanè Monica , Porrati Paola , Bottega Elisa , Morosini Sara , Cantini Gabriele , Girgenti Vita , Rizzo Ambra , Eoli Marica , Pollo Bianca , Sciacca Francesca L , Pellegatta Serena , Finocchiaro Gaetano
Published: December 2013

The NF-kB family of transcription factors is up-regulated in inflammation and different cancers. Recent data described heterozygous deletions of the NF-kB Inhibitor alpha gene (NFKBIA) in about 20% of glioblastomas (GBM): deletions were mutually exclusive with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification, a frequent event in GBM. We assessed the status of NFKBIA and EGFR in 69 primary GBMs and in corresponding neurospheres (NS). NFKBIA deletion was investigated by the copy number variation assay (CNV); EGFR amplification by CNV ratio with HGF; expression of EGFR and EGFRvIII by quantitative PCR or ReverseTranscriptase PCR. Heterozygous deletions of NFKBIA were present in 3 of 69 primary GBMs and, surprisingly, in 30 of 69 NS. EGFR amplification was detected in 36 GBMs: in corresponding NS, amplification was lost in 13 cases and reduced in 23 (10 vs 47 folds in NS vs primary tumors; p < 0.001). The CNV assay was validated investigating HPRT1 on chromosome X in females and males. Results of array-CGH performed on 3 primary GBMs and 1 NS line were compatible with the CNV assay. NS cells with NFKBIA deletion had increased nuclear activity of p65 (RelA) and increased expression of the NF-kB target IL-6. In absence of EGF in the medium, EGFR amplification was more conserved and NFKBIA deletion less frequent point to a low frequency of NFKBIA deletions in GBM and suggest that EGF in the culture medium of NS may affect frequency not only of EGFR amplifications but also of NFKBIA deletions.
Analysis of 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression in the corpus luteum of the buffalo cow: effect of prostaglandin F2-alpha treatment on circulating 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels
Authors: Sudeshna Tripathy , Anand Kumarasamy , Medhamurthy Rudraiah
Published: December 2013

Background

During female reproductive cycles, a rapid fall in circulating progesterone (P4) levels is one of the earliest events that occur during induced luteolysis in mammals. In rodents, it is well recognized that during luteolysis, P4 is catabolized to its inactive metabolite, 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (20alpha-OHP) by the action of 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20alpha-HSD) enzyme and involves transcription factor, Nur77. Studies have been carried out to examine expression of 20alpha-HSD and its activity in the corpus luteum (CL) of buffalo cow.

Methods

The expression of 20alpha-HSD across different bovine tissues along with CL was examined by qPCR analysis. Circulating P4 levels were monitored before and during PGF2alpha treatment. Expression of 20alpha-HSD and Nur77 mRNA was determined in CL at different time points post PGF2alpha treatment in buffalo cows. The chromatographic separation of P4 and its metabolite, 20alpha-OHP, in rat and buffalo cow serum samples were performed on reverse phase HPLC system. To further support the findings, 20alpha-HSD enzyme activity was quantitated in cytosolic fraction of CL of both rat and buffalo cow.

Results

Circulating P4 concentration declined rapidly in response to PGF2alpha treatment. HPLC analysis of serum samples did not reveal changes in circulating 20alpha-OHP levels in buffalo cows but serum from pseudo pregnant rats receiving PGF2alpha treatment showed an increased 20alpha-OHP level at 24 h post treatment with accompanying decrease in P4 concentration. qPCR expression of 20alpha-HSD in CL from control and PGF2alpha-treated buffalo cows showed higher expression at 3 and 18 h post treatment, but its specific activity was not altered at different time points post PGF2alpha treatment. The Nur77 expression increased several fold 3 h post PGF2alpha treatment similar to the increased expression observed in the PGF2alpha-treated pseudo pregnant rats which perhaps suggest initiation of activation of apoptotic pathways in response to PGF2alpha treatment.

Conclusions

The results taken together suggest that synthesis of P4 appears to be primarily affected by PGF2alpha treatment in buffalo cows in contrast to increased metabolism of P4 in rodents.
Challenges in cardiac device innovation: is neuroimaging an appropriate endpoint? Consensus from the 2013 Yale-UCL Cardiac Device Innovation Summit
Authors: Meller Stephanie M , Baumbach Andreas , Voros Szilard , Mullen Michael , Lansky Alexandra J
Published: December 2013

Background

Neurological events associated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation are major contributors to morbidity and mortality. Choosing an appropriate endpoint to determine neuroprotection device efficacy is a key difficulty inhibiting the translation of the innovation from the laboratory to the bedside. Cost and sample size limitations inhibit the feasibility of using the rate of clinical (such as stroke or other cerebral) events as the primary efficacy endpoint. This paper focuses on consensus opinions from the 2013 Yale-University College London (UCL) Device Innovation Summit.

Discussion

Neuroimaging, specifically diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW MRI), may serve as a surrogate endpoint for clinical studies detecting cerebral events in which cost and sample-size limitations prohibit the use of clinical outcomes. A major limitation of using imaging to prove efficacy in cardiac device studies is that no standardized endpoint exists. Ongoing trials investigating cerebral protection devices for transcatheter aortic valve implantation are utilizing and reporting various qualitative and quantitative DW MRI values; however, single lesion volume, number of new lesions, and total lesion volume have been found to be the most reproducible and prognostically important imaging measures.

DW MRI may be a useful surrogate endpoint for clinical studies detecting cerebral events to determine the device’s success in neurological protection. Consensus from the 2013 Yale-UCL Device Innovation Summit specifically recommends the reporting of mean single lesion volume, number of new lesions, and total volume, and encourages European Union (EU)-US regulatory consensus in the guidance of implementing this endpoint.
Prolongation of life by adoptive cell therapy with cascade primed immune cells in four patients with non-small cell lung cancer stages IIIB and IV and a pancoast tumor: a case series
Authors: Laumbacher Barbara , Gu Songhai , Wank Rudolf
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Despite newer treatment modalities, few patients with non-small cell lung cancer in stages IIIB and IV survive the median of one year. We present four patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with an adjuvant therapy with cascade primed immune cells. The in vitro stimulated expression of cancer information on the patients’ monocytes matures and activates T lymphocytes to destroy cancer cells. The cascade primed immune cell therapy significantly improved the quality of life and the lifespan of all four patients; thus far, three patients survived 40, 55 and 120 months, respectively; and one patient died 39 months after diagnosis.

Case presentation

Patient 1, stage IV (T4N2M1): The adenocarcinoma of the 67-year-old German Caucasian man infiltrated into the mediastinal lymph nodes and iliosacral bones. Chemotherapy modalities were started immediately after diagnosis of cancer, and cascade primed immune cell therapy one year later. The patient survived 39 months.

Patient 2, stage IV (T3N3M1a): The 62-year-old German Caucasian woman presented with adenocarcinoma of the lower lobe with infiltrated lymph nodes of the mediastinum and malignant pleural effusion. Chemotherapy, radiation and the cascade primed immune cell therapy were administered together. The patient is still alive after 40 months.

Patient 3, stage IIIB (T4N1-2M0): The 75-year-old German Caucasian woman presented with an undifferentiated tumor and a separate tumor nodule in the ipsilateral lobe. The patient received only cascade primed immune cell therapy after tumor resection and has survived for the last 55 months.

Patient 4, pancoast tumor (IIIB, T3N3M0): The 77-year-old German Caucasian man presented with an undifferentiated tumor that infiltrated the lymph nodes, the clavicle, one rib and the plexus brachialis. In addition to chemotherapy and radiation, cascade primed immune cells were administered every weekday for one year. After four months, no living tumor cell was detected in the resected lung, the lymph nodes or the bone material. The patient is still alive after 120 months.

Conclusions

The novel adoptive cell therapy with cascade primed immune cells significantly increased the survival rate and maintained the quality of life for four patients with non-small cell lung cancer in stages IIIB and IV. Our findings indicate that tumor resection, chemotherapy and radiation appear to support the cascade primed immune cell therapy.
Effects of grazing intensity on soil labile organic carbon fractions in a desert steppe area in Inner Mongolia
Authors: Cao Jixin , Wang Xiaoping , Sun Xiangyang , Zhang Lin , Tian Yun
Published: December 2013

Grazing can cause changes in soil carbon (C) level. This study aimed to elucidate the response of soil labile organic carbon (SLOC) under four different grazing intensities: non grazing (NG), 0 sheep·ha-1; light grazing (LG), 0.91 sheep·ha-1; moderate grazing (MG), 1.82 sheep·ha-1, and heavy grazing (HG), 2.73 sheep·ha-1. Results showed that there was no significant difference in total soil organic carbon (TOC) and soil inorganic carbon (SIC) content from three soil depths (0-15 cm, 15-30 cm, and 30-45 cm) under different grazing intensities. However, the SLOC including particulate organic carbon (POC), light fraction organic carbon (LFOC), and readily oxidizable carbon (ROC) content at a depth of 0-15 cm decreased with the increasing grazing intensity among LG, MG and HG. The SLOC content at depths of 15-30 cm under the NG and LG were significantly higher than that under the MG and the HG. The TOC and SLOC content decreased with increasing depths of soil horizons, but SIC content increased. The variation trend of the density of different soil carbon fractions and the ratio of individual SLOC fractions to TOC were similar to that of the soil carbon content of corresponding fractions. These results indicated that MG and HG treatments caused C loss at 0-30 cm; and SLOC was more sensitive than TOC in response to different grazing intensities.
Effects of sodium polyacrylate on water retention and infiltration capacity of a sandy soil
Authors: Zhuang Wenhua , Li Longguo , Liu Chao
Published: December 2013

Based on the laboratory study, the effects of sodium polyacrylate (SP) was investigated at 5 rates of 0, 0.08, 0.2, 0.5, and 1%, on water retention, saturated hydraulic conductivity(Ks), infiltration characteristic and water distribution profiles of a sandy soil. The results showed that water retention and available water capacity effectively increased with increasing SP rate. The Ks and the rate of wetting front advance and infiltration under certain pond infiltration was significantly reduced by increasing SP rate, which effectively reduced water in a sandy soil leaking to a deeper layer under the plough layer. The effect of SP on water distribution was obviously to the up layer and very little to the following deeper layers. Considering both the effects on water retention and infiltration capacity, it is suggested that SP be used to the sandy soil at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 0.5%.
Temporal variations of ecological security with soil and water loss stress in black soil region of northeast China: a case study on Baiquan County
Authors: Sun Liying , Liu Zhenju , Zheng Mingguo , Cai Qiangguo , Fang Haiyan
Published: December 2013

The deterioration of ecological situation with serious soil and water loss in black soil region of northeast China has attracted more attention due to its significant role on food security of China. To investigate the temporal characteristics of ecological status in typical black soil areas, Baiquan County is selected. Based on the model of Press-Status-Response (P-S-R), indicators are established and the ecological security situations with soil and water loss of Baiquan County are evaluated for the years of 1979, 1990, 2000 and 2005. The results show that the ecological insecurity indicator changes from 0.701 to 0.435 from 1979 to 2005, with a decrease of 37.9% for Baiquan County. And the contributions of physical and human factors to the temporal variations of the ecological security are discussed in detail. Moreover, several problems are recognized to be the potential threats to the ecological security in Baiquan county, including reduction of the effective thickness, excessive application of the fertilizer and low efficiency of the agricultural irrigation system. It is found that effective soil and water loss control actions have made great contribution to the improvement of the ecological security in Baiquan county. All these results and discussions are very helpful for the further investigation on the quantitative relationship between soil and water loss and ecological security in black soil region of northeast China.