bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteasomal degradation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α is mediated by Homer‐3 via the proteasomal S8 ATPase
Authors: Rezvani Khosrow , Baalman Kelli , Teng Yanfen , Mee Maureen P. , Dawson Simon P. , Wang Hongmin , De Biasi Mariella , Mayer R. John
Published: April 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 24–37.

The metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) fine‐tune the efficacy of synaptic transmission. This unique feature makes mGluRs potential targets for the treatment of various CNS disorders. There is ample evidence to show that the ubiquitin proteasome system mediates changes in synaptic strength leading to multiple forms of synaptic plasticity. The present study describes a novel interaction between post‐synaptic adaptors, long Homer‐3 proteins, and one of the 26S proteasome regulatory subunits, the S8 ATPase, that influences the degradation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1α (mGluR1α). We have shown that the two human long Homer‐3 proteins specifically interact with human proteasomal S8 ATPase. We identified that mGluR1α and long Homer‐3s immunoprecipitate with the 26S proteasome both in vitro and in vivo. We further found that the mGluR1α receptor can be ubiquitinated and degraded by the 26S proteasome and that Homer‐3A facilitates this process. Furthermore, the siRNA mediated silencing of Homer‐3 led to increased levels of total and plasma membrane‐associated mGluR1α receptors. These results suggest that long Homer‐3 proteins control the degradation of mGluR1α receptors by shuttling ubiquitinated mGluR‐1α receptors to the 26S proteasome via the S8 ATPase which may modulate synaptic transmission.
Effect of venipuncture quality on thromboelastography
Authors: Garcia‐Pereira Brandi L. , Scott Michael A. , Koenigshof Amy M. , Brown Andrew J.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To determine if the quality of venipuncture impacts thromboelastography (TEG) results and if an initial discard tube mitigates any effects of traumatic venipuncture.

Design

Prospective, observational study.

Setting

Veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Fifteen privately owned and research colony adult dogs.

Measurements

Samples were collected from each jugular vein using 1 of 2 venipuncture techniques per vein. The venipuncture technique was randomized to the vein as follows: (1) “clean” venipuncture (CV) from 1 jugular vein, and (2) suboptimal venipuncture (SOV) from the opposite jugular vein. CV was defined as a direct entry into the vein on the first attempt. SOV was defined as needle insertion adjacent to the vein with redirection at least once to enter the vein. Two consecutive samples were collected from each venipuncture without removal of the needle, yielding 4 samples: CV1, CV2, SOV1, and SOV2. TEG was performed on each blood sample and the TEG parameters R, K, α, and MA were recorded.

Results

Mean ± SD of R for the SOV1 group (4.1 ± 1.3 s) was significantly shorter than that of the CV1 group (5.7 ± 1.4 s) and the SOV2 group (5.5 ± 1.9 s), P< 0.05. There was no difference in R between CV1 and CV2 groups, or between SOV2 and either CV1 or CV2. There was no significant difference in α, K, or MA among groups.

Conclusions

Mild‐to‐moderate venipuncture trauma had little effect on TEG overall, but R was significantly affected. Poorer quality collection resulted in a more rapid initiation of clot formation. However, the effect was mild and mitigated by testing samples in a second collection tube after discard of an initial sample.
CHARACTERIZATION OF A RABE (RAS GENE FROM RAT BRAIN E) GTPASE EXPRESSED DURING MORPHOGENESIS IN THE UNICELLULAR GREEN ALGA MICRASTERIAS DENTICULATA (ZYGNEMATOPHYCEAE, STREPTOPHYTA)1
Authors: Vannerum Katrijn , De Rycke Riet , Pollier Jacob , Goossens Alain , Inzé Dirk , Vyverman and Wim
Published: April 2012

Rab GTPases are central regulators of cell shape in land plants by coordinating vesicle trafficking during morphogenesis. To date, relatively little is known about the role of these ubiquitous signaling proteins during cell growth in microalgae, in particular in the related charophyte algae. This article identifies the first charophyte Rab GTPase, MdRABE1, in Micrasterias denticulata Bréb., a convenient model organism for studying morphogenesis. Its expression correlated with the onset of morphogenesis, and structural analysis indicated that it belongs to the RABE (Ras gene from rat brain E) subclass. Confocal fluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) of transiently GFP‐MdRABE1 overexpressing interphase cells demonstrated that the GFP‐MdRABE1 protein was localized to the endoplasmic reticulum, dictyosomes, exocytotic vesicles, the cell margin, the membranes of cell organelles, and in the isthmus zone around the nucleus. Although overexpression phenotyping of both N‐ and C‐terminal green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions failed to indicate additional functional evidence of the MdRABE1 protein due to mortality of those transgenic cells, its expression profile, bioinformatics, and intracellular localization suggest a role in vesicle trafficking during morphogenesis.
Coronary Sinus Isolation: No Myth But Reality
Authors: NAYYAR SACHIN , ABED HANY , ROBERTS‐THOMSON KURT C. , SANDERS PRASHANTHAN
Published: April 2012

Coronary sinus (CS) has muscular connections with atria and is often targeted to complete left atrial ablation for curing atrial fibrillation; however, complete CS isolation is difficult to achieve with hard end points. We present a distinctive case of complete isolation of CS that had an unusual muscular connection. (PACE 2012; 35:e322–e324)
The influence of habitat fragmentation on genetic diversity of a rare bird species that commonly faces environmental fluctuations
Authors: Canales‐Delgadillo Julio Cesar , Scott‐Morales Laura , Korb Judith
Published: April 2012

Habitat loss and fragmentation is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss. Rare species are generally thought to be more sensitive to habitat fragmentation than common ones as small populations become even smaller. We did a population genetic study on a rare bird, the Worthen's sparrow Spizella wortheni which is endemic to semi‐arid and arid regions of northeast Mexico. Its population numbers suffer greatly from the transformation of grassland into farmland that leads to a patchy distribution with locally small population sizes. Our data show that its genetic diversity is nevertheless high, few to no differentiation between study localities was found, and gene flow was high. Although we can not exclude that is too early to see an impact on the genetic level, we think that these results might be explained by the species’ biology: like many other birds living in arid areas, the Worthen's sparrow has a nomadic life style; depending on local conditions individuals flexibly move between areas. This behavior could enhance their ability to find suitable habitat patches in a fragmented landscape. Our results imply that nomadic behavior, which is an adaptation to high temporal variability in environmental conditions, may make species more resilient to spatial variability caused by habitat fragmentation. This insight contributes to identifying common factors such as nomadism that predict a species’ sensitivity to habitat fragmentation.
Emotional intelligence of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry postgraduate students in India
Authors: Bhaskar D. J. , Aruna D. S. , Rajesh G. , Suganna M. , Suvarna M.
Published: April 2012

Introduction:  Whilst the corporate world seems to have embraced the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) as a predictor of worker success, its role in the dental profession needs to be explored; this study provides an Indian context. Hence, the EI of postgraduate (PG) students of Paedodontics and Preventive Dentistry was assessed.

Aims:  To measure EI amongst Paedodontics PG students in India, to assess any gender differences in EI and associated dimensions amongst them.

Materials and methods:  A total of 300 PG students from various dental institutions across India participating in their specialty national conference at I.T.S. Centre for Dental Studies and Research, Muradnagar, were included. EI was measured by the inventory developed by Singh (2004), based on Goleman’s model (1998).

Results:  Overall, 240 questionnaires (80% response rate) were completed by 142 male and 98 female PG students and analysed. Results showed that 19% and 58% of the respondents had very high and high EI scores, respectively. None of the students had poor or very poor scores. Results indicated that both males and females had high EI scores of 230.4 (±10.38) and 222.6 (±12.04), respectively. However, males had higher scores for dimensions of self‐awareness (P < 0.01), social awareness (P < 0.01) and social skills (P < 0.001) than their female counterparts.

Conclusions:  Both male and female paedodontic postgraduate students in India had high EI scores. This study provides valuable baseline information on EI in an Indian context.
Interaction with a Kinesin‐2 Tail Propels Choline Acetyltransferase Flow Towards Synapse
Authors: Sadananda Aparna , Hamid Runa , Doodhi Harinath , Ghosal Debnath , Girotra Mukul , Jana Swadhin Chandra , Ray Krishanu
Published: April 2012

Bulk flow constitutes a substantial part of the slow transport of soluble proteins in axons. Though the underlying mechanism is unclear, evidences indicate that intermittent, kinesin‐based movement of large protein‐aggregates aids this process. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), a soluble enzyme catalyzing acetylcholine synthesis, propagates toward the synapse at an intermediate, slow rate. The presynaptic enrichment of ChAT requires heterotrimeric kinesin‐2, comprising KLP64D, KLP68D and DmKAP, in Drosophila. Here, we show that the bulk flow of a recombinant Green Fluorescent Protein‐tagged ChAT (GFP::ChAT), in Drosophila axons, lacks particulate features. It occurs for a brief period during the larval stages. In addition, both the endogenous ChAT and GFP::ChAT directly bind to the KLP64D tail, which is essential for the GFP::ChAT entry and anterograde flow in axon. These evidences suggest that a direct interaction with motor proteins could regulate the bulk flow of soluble proteins, and thus establish their asymmetric distribution.
N‐Glycolyl GM3 ganglioside immunoexpression in oral mucosal melanomas of Chinese
Authors: Zhong Y , Wu Y , Li C , Tang J , Wang X , Ren G , Carr A , Pérez R , Guo W
Published: April 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 741–747

Objective:  The aim of this study was to determine the expression of N‐Glycolyl GM3 (NeuGcGM3) ganglioside in oral mucosal melanomas.

Materials and Methods:  To assess the presence of cytidine monophospho‐N‐acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) mRNA, an RT‐PCR assay was performed in melanoma cell line (ME), an oral mucosal ME, and two fresh oral mucosal melanoma tissues. Expression of NeuGcGM3 ganglioside was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 44 primary oral mucosal melanomas and 10 oral melanotic nevi. Also, the expression of NeuGcGM3 was examined in ME by immunocytochemistry.

Results:  We first checked the expression of CMAH in ME and two fresh oral mucosal melanoma tissues. Presence of NeuGcGM3 ganglioside was evident in 37 of 44 cases (84.1%), showing a diffuse cytoplasmic and membranous staining. Patients with primary occurrence showed high levels of NeuGcGM3 ganglioside compared to patients with secondary occurrence. On the other hand, negative immunoreaction was evidenced in oral melanotic nevi. ME also presented the expression of NeuGcGM3 by immunocytochemistry.

Conclusions:  In this work, we for the first time evaluated the expression of 14F7 MAb immunorecognition in oral mucosal melanomas. Our results were in agreement with the assumption that NeuGcGM3 ganglioside may be considered as target for passive and active immunotherapy in oral mucosal melanomas expressing this molecule and indicate less risk of recurrence and a better prognosis. Moreover, ME provides a platform for more studies on the specific function of NeuGcGM3 in oral mucosal melanomas.
Derivation of the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile in Spanish (OHIP‐EE‐14)
Authors: Castrejón‐Pérez Roberto C. , Borges‐Yáñez S. Aída
Published: April 2012

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00613.x
 
Derivation of the short form of the Oral Health Impact Profile in Spanish (OHIP‐EE‐14)

Background and Objective:  The Oral Health Impact Profile is the most frequently used and validated of the Oral Health Quality of Life instruments. Several short versions have been developed; and a validation of the OHIP‐49 in Spanish has been published. The objective was to develop the short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile in Spanish (OHIP‐EE‐14).

Methods:  Cross‐sectional study. One hundred and thirty‐one persons aged ≥60 years attending a social centre for the elderly, residents of a nursing home and persons seeking dental care at a dental school in Mexico City were interviewed and examined. The validity of each of the 49 questions was evaluated, and, to construct the short version, 14 items were selected. The perceived need for dental treatment, number of teeth, presence of coronal caries, root caries, presence of dental plaque and utilisation of removable prosthesis were measured. Internal consistency, repeatability and discriminant validity were calculated.

Results:  The OHIP‐EE‐14 was reliable (Cronbach’s‐α = 0.918, ICC = 0.825). Significant associations were found between OHIP‐EE‐14 and the number of teeth and perceived need for dental treatment.

Conclusions:  The OHIP‐EE‐14 is a reliable and valid instrument and can be used in subjects aged 60 years and over from Mexico City.
Antimalarial Drugs and Drug Targets Specific to Fatty Acid Metabolic Pathway of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Qidwai Tabish , Khan Feroz
Published: April 2012

Plasmodium falciparum, a causitive agent of malaria, is the third most prevalent factor for mortility in the world. Falciparum malaria is an example of evolutionary and balancing selection. Because of mutation and natural selection, the parasite has developed resistance to most of the existing drugs. Under such circumstances, there is a growing need to develop new molecular targets in P. falciparum. A four membrane bound organelles called apicoplast, very much similar to that of chloroplast of plants, have been found in parasite. Therefore, the proteins involved in metabolic pathways of apicoplasts are important drug targets. Among the pathways in apicoplast, fatty acid biosynthetic pathway is the most important metabolic pathway in P. falciparum. Several studies have explored the role of different proteins involved in this pathway and antimalarial compounds against this target. In this review, we have studied the role of different proteins in fatty acid metabolism and designing, synthesis and evaluation of compounds against the targets identified in fatty acid metabolic pathway.
Intraoperative parathyroid hormone concentration to confirm removal of hypersecretory parathyroid tissue and time to postoperative normocalcaemia in nine dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Graham KJ , Wilkinson M , Culvenor J , Dhand NK , Churcher RK
Published: April 2012

Objective  To determine (1) whether the intraoperative parathyroid hormone concentration ([PTH]) during parathyroidectomy (PTX) can be used to indicate cure in dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism and (2) the time taken for postoperative serum calcium concentration to normalise.

Design  Retrospective study (2005–10) from a private referral hospital in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Procedure  Nine client‐owned dogs underwent surgical PTX for naturally occurring primary hyperparathyroidism. [PTH] was measured from serum samples taken immediately post‐induction (pre‐PTX]) and at least 20 min after adenoma removal (post‐PTX) for all dogs, and during parathyroid gland manipulation (intra‐PTX) for six dogs. The concentration of ionised calcium (iCa) was measured at various time points postoperatively until it normalised, then stabilised or decreased below reference ranges. Statistical analysis compared the mean pre‐, intra‐ and post‐PTX [PTH] and the average rate of decline of iCa concentration postoperatively.

Results  All dogs demonstrated a significant decrease from mean pre‐PTX [PTH] (168.51 pg/mL) to mean post‐PTX [PTH] (29.20 pg/mL). There was a significant increase in mean intra‐PTX [PTH] (279.78 pg/mL). The average rate of decline of iCa concentration postoperatively to within the reference range (1.12–1.40 mmol/L) occurred after 24 h.

Conclusion  Intraoperative measurements of [PTH] can be used clinically to determine cure of primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroid hormone increases significantly during parathyroid gland manipulation. Plasma iCa concentration returns to within the reference range on average 24 h after successful PTX. Not all dogs require vitamin D or calcium supplementation pre‐ or postoperatively.
Comparison of five point‐of‐care D‐dimer assays with the standard laboratory method
Authors: ANTOVIC J. P. , HÖÖG HAMMARSTRÖM K. , FORSLUND G. , EINTREI J. , STEN‐LINDER M.
Published: April 2012

Introduction:  D‐dimer (DD) assays are effective for the exclusion of deep‐vein thrombosis (DVT), but point‐of‐care (POC) DD assays have not been fully evaluated.

Methods:  We have compared five POC DD assays (Pathfast, Cardiac, Vidas, Stratus and NycoCard) with our routine DD method (Tinaquant), testing 60 samples from patients with suspected DVT.

Results:  Using 0.5 μg/mL as a cut‐off value, four samples tested negative with Tinaquant were positive with Pathfast. There were no Tinaquant‐positive samples tested negative with Pathfast, while the overall agreement (k = 0.81) was very good. Four samples were discrepant between Tinaquant and Cardiac (cut‐off, 0.4 μg/mL), while k = 0.72. One of two Tinaquant‐negative samples was shown to be positive for either Vidas (cut‐off, 0.5 μg/mL) or Stratus (cut‐off, 0.4 μg/mL), respectively. The agreement with Tinaquant was excellent for both Vidas (k = 0.92) and Stratus (k = 0.94). Total CV was <10% for all four assays. Eight samples (of 27) were negative with NycoCard although they were positive with Tinaquant, while CV was 41%.

Conclusion:  Vidas cannot be considered a POC assay because the sample has to be centrifuged before testing. Our findings have also shown that the use of NycoCard is inappropriate. Stratus and Pathfast have a similar analytical profile in comparison with the Tinaquant method. Cardiac is potentially less sensitive but may still be acceptable for use. It seems that the employment of these three assays for rapid bed‐side analysis offers a possibility to adequately rule out DVT in outpatients within minutes after admission.
The design and cross‐population application of a genome‐wide SNP chip for the great tit Parus major
Authors: Van BERS NIKKIE E. M. , SANTURE ANNA W. , Van OERS KEES , DE CAUWER ISABELLE , DIBBITS BERT W. , MATEMAN CHRISTA , CROOIJMANS RICHARD P. M. A. , SHELDON BEN C. , VISSER MARCEL E. , GROENEN MARTIEN A. M. , SLATE JON
Published: April 2012

The vast amount of phenotypic information collected in some wild animal populations makes them extremely valuable for unravelling the genetics of ecologically important traits and understanding how populations adapt to changes in their environment. Next generation sequencing has revolutionized the development of large marker panels in species previously lacking genomic resources. In this study, a unique genomics toolkit was developed for the great tit (Parus major), a model species in ecology and behavioural biology. This toolkit consists of nearly 100 000 SNPs, over 250 million nucleotides of assembled genomic DNA and more than 80 million nucleotides of assembled expressed sequences. A SNP chip with 9193 SNP markers expected to be spaced evenly along the great tit genome was used to genotype 4702 birds from two of the most intensively studied natural vertebrate populations [Wytham Woods/Bagley Woods (United Kingdom) and de Hoge Veluwe/Westerheide (The Netherlands)]. We show that (i) SNPs identified in either of the two populations have a high genotyping success in the other population, (ii) the minor allele frequencies of the SNPs are highly correlated between the two populations and (iii) despite this high correlation, a large number of SNPs display significant differentiation (FST) between the populations, with an overrepresentation of genes involved in cardiovascular development close to these SNPs. The developed resources provide the basis for unravelling the genetics of important traits in many long‐term studies of great tits. More generally, the protocols and pitfalls encountered will be of use for those developing similar resources.
Outside Directors, Litigation Environment, and Management Earnings Forecasts
Authors: Tinaikar Surjit
Published: April 2012

This study examines whether outside directors factor in litigation costs for the firm while monitoring optimal disclosure policy. It investigates the association of management earnings forecast disclosure and the proportion of outside directors across two regimes with unequal litigation costs, the United States and Canada. I find that the positive association between forecast frequency/ precision and the proportion of outside directors is stronger in Canada. This suggests that outside directors are more likely to encourage disclosure in less litigious Canada. I also find that firm‐level governance mechanisms such as outside directors and country‐level litigation environment act as governance substitutes in determining unbiased forecasts. Specifically, the negative association between forecast bias and the proportion of outside directors is stronger in Canada. I also revisit the effect of legal regime on forecast disclosure in a non‐U.S. context. Recent legislation has increased the likelihood of class‐action lawsuits in Canada. The passage of these laws has decreased the precision in forecasts by Canadian firms.
Markers of potential malignancy in chronic hyperplastic candidiasis
Authors: Darling Mark R. , McCord Christina , Jackson‐Boeters Linda , Copete Maria
Published: April 2012

Aim:  To examine the presence of markers associated with malignancy, including p53, p21 cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, murine double minutes‐2, and others, in chronic hyperplastic candidiasis.

Methods:  Immunohistochemical methods were used to examine the expression of p53, murine double minutes‐2, p21 cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1A, metallothionein, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in 42 chronic hyperplastic candidiasis lesions and 11 non‐infected control tissues. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated digoxigenin‐dUTP nick‐end labeling was used to examine apoptosis, which was correlated with p53 expression. These markers were measured in lesions of chronic hyperplastic candidiasis that did not show any epithelial dysplasia or histological signs of malignancy.

Results:  p53 scores were higher in chronic hyperplastic candidiasis than in controls (P = 0.0046). Murine double‐minutes 2 levels were not elevated. p21 cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1A was increased in parabasal (P < 0.0001) and basal epithelial cells. Chronic hyperplastic candidiasis lesions showed a similar basal/parabasal metallothionein staining pattern to that seen in normal squamous epithelium. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen was increased (P = 0.0007), as was apoptosis (P = 0.0033).

Conclusion:  Increased p53 in oral chronic hyperplastic candidiasis suggests an increased potential for malignant change in the epithelium, above that of normal tissues. Further functional investigation is required, as well as clinical follow‐up studies.
Total glucosides of Danggui Buxue Tang attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via inhibition of extracellular matrix remodelling
Authors: Gao Jian , Feng Li-jie , Huang Yan , Li Ping , Xu Du-juan , Li Jun , Wu Qiang
Published: April 2012

Objectives

This study was designed to investigate the antifibrosis effects and possible mechanism of action of total glucosides of Danggui Buxue Tang (DBTG) on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

Methods

DBTG was extracted from Radix Astragali and Radix Angelicae Sinensis. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin (5 mg/kg) in Wistar rats. Subsequently, the rats received daily intragastric administration of DBTG (16, 32 or 64 mg/kg per day) or cortisone (3 mg/kg) 1 day after bleomycin instillation for 4 weeks. Histological changes in the lung were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Markers of fibrosis in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. The mRNA expression of metalloproteinases 1 and 9 (MMP-1, MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in lung tissue were detected by reverse transcription PCR.

Key findings

DBTG administration attenuated the degree of alveolitis and lung fibrosis, and markedly reduced the elevated levels of hyaluronic acid, laminin, type III procollagen and type IV collagen in serum. DBTG decreased the mRNA levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. MMP-1 expression was only moderately decreased by DBTG.

Conclusions

DBTG had an inhibitory effect on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and its effect may be associated with the ability of DBTG to inhibit the synthesis of extracellular matrix and balance the MMP/TIMP-1 system.
Inhibitory effects of Zataria multiflora essential oil and its main components on nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages
Authors: Kavoosi Gholamreza , Teixeira da Silva Jaime A , Saharkhiz Mohammad J
Published: April 2012

Objectives

Zataria multiflora is an aromatic plant that is used in flavouring and preserving foods and also used as an antispasmodic, anaesthetic and antinociceptive agent. In this study, the effects of Z. multiflora essential oil on nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages was investigated.

Methods

Z. multiflora essential oil was extracted by water-distillation, analysed by GC-MS and then the effect of the essential oil on NO and H2O2 production was investigated.

Key findings

Carvacrol (52%), thymol (16%) and p-cymene (10%) were the main components of the oil. The IC50 (concentration providing 50% inhibition) for reactive oxygen scavenging was estimated to be 5.7, 3 and 4.2 µg/ml for the essential oil, thymol and carvacrol, respectively, while the corresponding IC50 values for reactive nitrogen scavenging were estimated to be 8.6, 4.7 and 6.6 µg/ml. Z. multiflora essential oil, thymol, and carvacrol significantly reduced NO and H2O2 production as well as NO synthase and NADH oxidase activity in LPS-stimulated murine macrophages while p-cymene did not show any antioxidant activity.

Conclusions

Z. multiflora essential oil has the potential to be used in the therapy of oxidative damage.
Elastic Displacement and Stress Fields Induced by a Dislocation of Polygonal Shape in an Anisotropic Elastic Half-Space
Authors: Chu H. J. , Pan E. , Wang J. , Beyerlein I. J.
Published: April 2012

The elastic displacement and stress fields due to a polygonal dislocation within an anisotropic homogeneous half-space are studied in this paper. Simple line integrals from 0 to π for the elastic fields are derived by applying the point-force Green’s functions in the corresponding half-space. Notably, the geometry of the polygonal dislocation is included entirely in the integrand easing integration for any arbitrarily shaped dislocation. We apply the proposed method to a hexagonal shaped dislocation loop with Burgers vector along [1¯ 1 0] lying on the crystallographic (1 1 1) slip plane within a half-space of a copper crystal. It is demonstrated numerically that the displacement jump condition on the dislocation loop surface and the traction-free condition on the surface of the half-space are both satisfied. On the free surface of the half-space, it is shown that the distributions of the hydrostatic stress (σ11 + σ22)/2 and pseudohydrostatic displacement (u1 + u2)/2 are both anti-symmetric, while the biaxial stress (σ11 − σ22)/2 and pseudobiaxial displacement (u1 − u2)/2 are both symmetric.
Aerodynamics of a Rugby Ball
Authors: Vance A. J. , Buick J. M. , Livesey J.
Published: April 2012

This paper describes the aerodynamic forces on a rugby ball traveling at speeds between 5 and 15 ms−1. This range is typical of the ball speed during passing play and a range of kicking events during a game of rugby, and complements existing data for higher velocities. At the highest speeds considered here, the lift and drag coefficients are found to be compatible with previous studies at higher velocities. In contrast to these higher speed investigations, a significant variation is observed in the aerodynamic force over the range of velocities considered. Flow visualizations are also presented, indicating how the flow pattern, which is responsible for the aerodynamic forces, changes with the yaw angle of the ball. This flow and, in particular, the position of the separation points, is examined in detail. The angular position of the separation point is found to vary in a linear manner over much of the surface of the rugby ball; however, this behavior is interrupted when the separation point is close to the ‘tip’ of the ball.
A Dispersive Homogenization Model Based on Lattice Approximation for the Prediction of Wave Motion in Laminates
Authors: Carta G. , Brun M.
Published: April 2012

The propagation of elastic waves in a periodic laminate is considered. The stratified medium is modeled as a homogenized material where the stress depends on the strain and additional higher order strain gradient terms. The homogenization scheme is based on a lattice model approximation tuned on the dispersive properties of the real laminate. The long-wave asymptotic approximation of the model shows that, despite the simplicity of the parameters identification, the proposed approach agrees well with the exact solution in a wide range of elastic impedance contrasts, also in comparison with different approximations. The effect of increasing order of approximation is also investigated. A final example of a finite structure under an impact excitation proves that the model behaves well when applied in the transient regime and that it can be considered a simple but consistent approach to build efficient algorithms for the numerical analysis of elastodynamics problems.
Stabilization of field electron emission from carbon nanofibers using ballast resistance
Authors: Kita Shigetomo , Sakai Yusuke , Endo Takeshi , Sugimoto Wataru , Goto Hiromu
Published: April 2012

Stabilization of field emission (FE) from carbon nanofibers grown on a metal tip has been extensively studied using ballast resistances of 1 ≤ R ≤ 1500 MΩ at electron currents of 1≲I≲100μA. The FE current stability ɛ(R) = ΔI(R)/Im strongly depends on the mean current Im, while the data points of the relative stability Γ(R) = ɛ(R)/ɛ(0) plotted as a function of R multiplied by Im could be crudely reduced into a curve. In the stabilization studied here, extracting voltage fluctuation ΔV(R) was weakly induced by the current fluctuation ΔI(R). The current stability ɛ(R) and the voltage fluctuation ΔV(R) could be interpreted by employing a dynamical impedance of z = (dI/dV)−1 evaluated from the experimental I–V curve. The optimum current stability of ɛ(R) ∼ 0.002 was achieved using the resistance of R ∼ 10 MΩ around the highest FE current of Im = 80 μA, while the extracting voltage stability was η(R) = ΔV(R)/V ∼ 0.001 [ΔV(R) ∼ 2 V] at R ∼ 10 MΩ and Im ∼ 80 μA.
Neural Mechanisms of Foraging
Authors: Kolling Nils , Behrens Timothy E. J. , Mars Rogier B. , Rushworth Matthew F. S.
Published: April 2012

Looking for Greener Pastures

Humans, like other animals, have evolved to forage. Brain-imaging studies by

Kolling
et al.

(p.
95
) suggest that activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex supplies a continuous signal of environmental richness predicted by foraging theory. The signal exhibits a frame of reference that is tied to the key foraging decision of whether to engage with the current choice or to search for alternatives. The same strategy is used when humans are making other types of decisions. In contrast, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, a brain region that lacks any signals pertinent to foraging, encodes choice values in a manner uninfluenced by environmental richness.
Mechanical Writing of Ferroelectric Polarization
Authors: Lu H. , Bark C.-W. , Esque de los Ojos D. , Alcala J. , Eom C. B. , Catalan G. , Gruverman A.
Published: April 2012

Changing Polarization with Applied Stress

The direction of electric polarization in ferroelectric materials can be switched with an applied field, but mechanical stresses can also couple to the polarization, forming the basis for piezoelectric effects. In principle, it should be possible to change the polarization of a ferroelectric material mechanically through stress gradients.

Lu
et al.

(p.
59
; see the Perspective by

Gregg

) demonstrate such switching for nanoscale-sized regions created by the stress induced with an atomic force microscope. The substrates are single-crystalline barium titanate films that have a vertically aligned dipole moment created by compressive stresses in the film. This approach may lead to memory devices in which bits are written mechanically but read electrically.
Stressing Ferroelectrics
Authors: Gregg J. Marty
Published: April 2012

Applying pressure with a scanning probe microscope tip causes the polarization state of a ferroelectric material to switch.
Validation and Field Evaluation of a Competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Diagnosis of Babesia bovis Infections in Argentina
Authors: Dominguez Mariana , Echaide Ignacio , de Echaide Susana Torioni , Wilkowsky Silvina , Zabal Osvaldo , Mosqueda Juan J. , Schnittger Leonhard , Florin-Christensen Monica
Published: April 2012

Infections by
Babesia bovis
limit cattle production and cause important economic losses in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Monitoring of calf sera can be used to detect unprotected cattle herds and to decide on strategic control measures, as well as for epidemiological studies. Merozoite surface antigen 2c (MSA-2c) is an immunodominant surface protein expressed in
B. bovis
merozoites and sporozoites and contains B-cell epitopes that are conserved among geographic isolates. A monoclonal antibody against recombinant MSA-2c (rMSA-2c) was previously shown to inhibit the binding of anti-
B. bovis
antibodies to a parasite B-cell epitope in a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) format. In the work at hand, the parameters of this cELISA were reevaluated and adjusted when necessary, and a cutoff value was determined by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of a total of 357 bovine sera of known reactivity, as assessed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT). The established rMSA-2c cELISA demonstrated a specificity of 98% and a sensitivity of 96.2%. An additional set of 303 field bovine sera from regions where ticks are endemic and tick-free regions of Argentina was tested by both rMSA-2c cELISA and IFAT, and the results were shown to be in very good agreement (kappa index, 0.8325). The performance shown by rMSA-2c cELISA in the detection of
B. bovis
-specific antibodies and its suitability for standardization and large-scale production, as well as the possibility of its application in most veterinary diagnostic laboratories, make the assay a powerful tool for the surveillance of herd immunity as a strategic measure for the control of bovine babesiosis.
Live Oral Typhoid Vaccine Ty21a Induces Cross-Reactive Humoral Immune Responses against Salmonella enterica Serovar Paratyphi A andS. Paratyphi B in Humans
Authors: Wahid Rezwanul , Simon Raphael , Zafar Shah J. , Levine Myron M. , Sztein Marcelo B.
Published: April 2012

Enteric fever caused bySalmonella entericaserovar Paratyphi A infection has emerged as an important public health problem. Recognizing that in randomized controlled field trials oral immunization with attenuatedS. entericaserovar Typhi live vaccine Ty21a conferred significant cross-protection againstS. Paratyphi B but notS. Paratyphi A disease, we undertook a clinical study to ascertain whether humoral immune responses could explain the field trial results. Ty21a immunization of adult residents of Maryland elicited predominantly IgA antibody-secreting cells (ASC) that recognizeS. Typhi lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cross-reactivity toS. Paratyphi A LPS was significantly lower than that toS. Paratyphi B LPS. ASC producing IgG and IgA that bind LPS from each of theseSalmonellaserovars expressed CD27 and integrin α4β7 (gut homing), with a significant proportion coexpressing CD62L (secondary lymphoid tissue homing). No significant differences were observed in serum antibody against LPS of the different serovars. Levels of IgA B memory (BM) cells toS. Typhi LPS were significantly higher than those againstS. Paratyphi A or B LPS, with no differences observed betweenS. Paratyphi A and B. The response of IgA BMto outer membrane proteins (OMP) fromS. Typhi was significantly stronger than that to OMP ofS. Paratyphi A but similar to that to OMP ofS. Paratyphi B. The percentages of IgG or IgA BMresponders to LPS or OMP from theseSalmonellastrains were similar. Whereas cross-reactive humoral immune responses toS. Paratyphi A or B antigens are demonstrable following Ty21a immunization, they cannot explain the efficacy data gleaned from controlled field trials.
New Real-Time PCR Assay Using Allelic Discrimination for Detection and Differentiation of Equine Herpesvirus-1 Strains with A
2254
and G
2254
Polymorphisms
Authors: Smith Kathryn L. , Li Yanqiu , Breheny Patrick , Cook R. Frank , Henney Pamela J. , Sells Stephen , Pronost Stéphane , Lu Zhengchun , Crossley Beate M. , Timoney Peter J. , Balasuriya Udeni B. R.
Published: April 2012

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (A
2254
or G
2254
) in open reading frame 30 (ORF30) has been linked to the neuropathogenic phenotype of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Identification of this polymorphism led to the development of a real-time PCR (rPCR) assay using allelic discrimination (E
2
) to distinguish between potentially neuropathogenic and nonneuropathogenic EHV-1 strains (G. P. Allen, J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 19:69–72, 2007). Although this rPCR assay can detect and genotype EHV-1 strains, subsequent studies demonstrated that it lacks the sensitivity for the routine detection of viral nucleic acid in clinical specimens. Therefore, a new allelic discrimination EHV-1 rPCR assay (E
1
) was developed by redesigning primers and probes specific to ORF30. The E
1
and E
2
rPCR assays were evaluated using 76 archived EHV isolates and 433 clinical specimens from cases of suspected EHV-1 infection. Nucleotide sequence analysis of ORF30 was used to confirm the presence of EHV-1 and characterize the genotype (A
2254
or G
2254
) in all archived isolates plus 168 of the clinical samples. The E
1
assay was 10 times more sensitive than E
2
, with a lower detection limit of 10 infectious virus particles. Furthermore, all A
2254
and G
2254
genotypes along with samples from three cases of dual infection (A
2254
+G
2254
) were correctly identified by E
1
, whereas E
2
produced 20 false dual positive results with only one actual mixed A
2254
+G
2254
genotype confirmed. Based on these findings, E
1
offers greater sensitivity and accuracy for the detection and A/G
2254
genotyping of EHV-1, making this improved rPCR assay a valuable diagnostic tool for investigating outbreaks of EHV-1 infection.
Technology adoption and implementation in organisations: comparative case studies of 12 English NHS Trusts
Authors: Kyratsis Yiannis , Ahmad Raheelah , Holmes Alison
Published: April 2012

Objectives

To understand organisational technology adoption (initiation, adoption decision, implementation) by looking at the different types of innovation knowledge used during this process.

Design

Qualitative, multisite, comparative case study design.

Setting

One primary care and 11 acute care organisations (trusts) across all health regions in England in the context of infection prevention and control.

Participants and data analysis

121 semistructured individual and group interviews with 109 informants, involving clinical and non-clinical staff from all organisational levels and various professional groups. Documentary evidence and field notes were also used. 38 technology adoption processes were analysed using an integrated approach combining inductive and deductive reasoning.

Main findings

Those involved in the process variably accessed three types of innovation knowledge: ‘awareness’ (information that an innovation exists), ‘principles’ (information about an innovation's functioning principles) and ‘how-to’ (information required to use an innovation properly at individual and organisational levels). Centralised (national, government-led) and local sources were used to obtain this knowledge. Localised professional networks were preferred sources for all three types of knowledge. Professional backgrounds influenced an asymmetric attention to different types of innovation knowledge. When less attention was given to ‘how-to’ compared with ‘principles’ knowledge at the early stages of the process, this contributed to 12 cases of incomplete implementation or discontinuance after initial adoption.

Conclusions

Potential adopters and change agents often overlooked or undervalued ‘how-to’ knowledge. Balancing ‘principles’ and ‘how-to’ knowledge early in the innovation process enhanced successful technology adoption and implementation by considering efficacy as well as strategic, structural and cultural fit with the organisation's context. This learning is critical given the policy emphasis for health organisations to be innovation-ready.
Combining process indicators to evaluate quality of care for surgical patients with colorectal cancer: are scores consistent with short-term outcome?
Authors: Kolfschoten N E , Gooiker G A , Bastiaannet E , van Leersum N J , van de Velde C J H , Eddes E H , Marang-van de Mheen P J , Kievit J , van der Harst E , Wiggers T , Wouters M W J M , Tollenaar R A E M ,   On behalf of the Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit group
Published: April 2012

Objective

To determine if composite measures based on process indicators are consistent with short-term outcome indicators in surgical colorectal cancer care.

Design

Longitudinal analysis of consistency between composite measures based on process indicators and outcome indicators for 85 Dutch hospitals.

Setting

The Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit database, the Netherlands.

Participants

4732 elective patients with colon carcinoma and 2239 with rectum carcinoma treated in 85 hospitals were included in the analyses.

Main outcome measures

All available process indicators were aggregated into five different composite measures. The association of the different composite measures with risk-adjusted postoperative mortality and morbidity was analysed at the patient and hospital level.

Results

At the patient level, only one of the composite measures was negatively associated with morbidity for rectum carcinoma. At the hospital level, a strong negative association was found between composite measures and hospital mortality and morbidity rates for rectum carcinoma (p<0.05), and hospital morbidity rates for colon carcinoma.

Conclusions

For individual patients, a high score on the composite measures based on process indicators is not associated with better short-term outcome. However, at the hospital level, a good score on the composite measures based on process indicators was consistent with more favourable risk-adjusted short-term outcome rates.
The impact of implementing the single provider model of emergency medicine in a paediatric hospital: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Crosby Bradley J , Mannelli Francesco , Nisavic Mladen , Passannante Alberto , Cline David M , Gillespie Charles P , Messineo Antonio , Ban Kevin M
Published: April 2012

Study Objective

The Meyer Pediatric Hospital in Florence, Italy recently implemented the single provider model of emergency medicine. Prior to these changes, patients were triaged to a paediatric surgeon or paediatrician based on the complaint. The authors assess the outcomes of patients evaluated by surgeons prior to this change and compare them with those of patients seen by emergency physicians.

Methods

A retrospective, cohort study was performed reviewing patients seen in the emergency department between 2005 and 2008 for the three most common surgical complaints encountered before the systems change: head trauma, testicular pain and abdominal pain. Outcomes include misdiagnoses, consultation rates, dispositions, imaging, interventions and surgeries.

Results

A total of 2415 patient visits were included. Emergency physicians saw more patients (1388 vs 1027) and obtained more consultations (25.6% vs 8.1%) than surgeons. Patients triaged directly to surgeons were more likely to be admitted to the hospital (10.3% vs 7.6%), undergo urgent interventions (9.5% vs 6.7%), undergo surgery (8.0% vs 4.8%), have more radiographic images to evaluate head trauma (12.1% vs 5.3%), be misdiagnosed (1.0% vs 0.3%) and have more plain films for abdominal pain (3.1% vs 1.3%). There is an overall trend towards fewer missed diagnoses by emergency physicians (0.3% vs 0.9%), but this difference is only statistically significant in the abdominal pain subset analysis (p=0.032, combined data p=0.052).

Conclusions

The single provider model of emergency medicine where emergency physicians manage all patients presenting to the emergency department appears to be a safe and efficient model of emergency medical care.
COMPARISON OF MEAN VARIANCE LIKE STRATEGIES FOR OPTIMAL ASSET ALLOCATION PROBLEMS
Authors: WANG J. , FORSYTH P. A.
Published: April 2012

We determine the optimal dynamic investment policy for a mean quadratic variation objective function by numerical solution of a nonlinear Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) partial differential equation (PDE). We compare the efficient frontiers and optimal investment policies for three mean variance like strategies: pre-commitment mean variance, time-consistent mean variance, and mean quadratic variation, assuming realistic investment constraints (e.g. no bankruptcy, finite shorting, borrowing). When the investment policy is constrained, the efficient frontiers for all three objective functions are similar, but the optimal policies are quite different.
IONS IN FLUCTUATING CHANNELS: TRANSISTORS ALIVE
Authors: EISENBERG BOB
Published: April 2012

Ion channels are proteins with a hole down the middle embedded in cell membranes. Membranes form insulating structures and the channels through them allow and control the movement of charged particles, spherical ions, mostly Na+, K+, Ca++, and Cl-. Membranes contain hundreds or thousands of types of channels, fluctuating between open conducting and closed insulating states. Channels control an enormous range of biological function by opening and closing in response to specific stimuli using mechanisms that are not yet understood in physical language. Open channels conduct current of charged particles following laws of Brownian movement of charged spheres rather like the laws of electrodiffusion of quasi-particles in semiconductors. Open channels select between similar ions using a combination of electrostatic and "crowded charge" (Lennard-Jones) forces. The specific location of atoms and the exact atomic structure of the channel protein seem much less important than certain properties of the structure, namely the volume accessible to ions and the effective density of fixed and polarization charge. There is no sign of other chemical effects like delocalization of electron orbitals between ions and the channel protein. Channels play a role in biology as important as transistors in computers, and they use rather similar physics to perform part of that role. Understanding their fluctuations awaits physical insight into the source of the variance and mathematical analysis of the coupling of the fluctuations to the other components and forces of the system.