bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Cruise of the Antarctic to the South Polar Regions
Authors: Bull Henrik Johan
Published: November 2012

The Norwegian businessman, shipping magnate and whaling entrepreneur Henrik Johan Bull (1844–1930) led the first expedition to make a confirmed landing on the Antarctic mainland, at Cape Adare, in January 1895. Bull's highly readable account of the expedition, published in 1896, reveals both the scientific and the commercial motivations for early Antarctic exploration. His voyage, financed by Svend Foyn, the inventor of the harpoon gun, was mainly for commercial purposes, to investigate reports of right whales in the Ross Sea. Bull, however, insisted on aiming for Antarctica, despite encountering technical problems after the vessel ran aground, and the preference of the ship's master for hunting seals to make the trip financially profitable. A part-time scientist on the expedition was Carsten Borchgrevink (1864–1934), who collected the first specimens of vegetation from the Antarctic, and later, with the Southern Cross expedition, set up the first winter base on the continent.
The Theory of Economic Policy in a Strategic Context
Authors: Acocella Nicola , Di Bartolomeo Giovanni , Hughes Hallett Andrew
Published: November 2012

In developing a new and highly innovative theory of economic policy, this book deals with conflicts between strategic actions by public and private agents. It builds on the Lucas critique but also applies the tools introduced by Tinbergen and Theil to dynamic policy games and from there derives a new theory of economic policy. Its main propositions describe such properties in the models currently used for policy-making as neutrality and equilibrium existence, uniqueness, and multiplicity. These properties are key to understanding the impact of concepts such as rational expectations, time inconsistency, communication and the use of policy announcements. As the numerous examples show, they are useful both for model building and for devising optimal institutions. The Theory of Economic Policy in a Strategic Context is an essential but accessible tool for economic researchers involved in policy questions.
Peloponnesus
Authors: Clark William George
Published: November 2012

William George Clark (1821–78) is probably best remembered as the co-editor (with W. Aldis Wright) of the Cambridge Shakespeare (1863–6; also reissued in this series). A fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, he was a classical and literary scholar and editor, but travelled widely in his vacations, and this work, first published in 1858, is an account of a tour of Greece undertaken in 1856 with W. H. Thompson (1810–86), who later succeeded William Whewell as Master of Trinity. Clark's plan was to visit the archaeological sites of the Peloponnese using W. M. Leake's various surveys as a guide and comparing Leake's observations and his own with those of the ancient traveller Pausanias. The result is an engaging combination of travel narrative and serious archaeological and topographical research backed up by a profound knowledge of classical literature. It remains an interesting resource for those studying the history of Greek archaeology.
Accidents of an Antiquary's Life
Authors: Hogarth David George
Published: November 2012

The archaeologist D. G. Hogarth (1862–1927) was, when he died, keeper of the Ashmolean Museum and president of the Royal Geographical Society, whose gold medal he was also awarded. This 1910 book is his account of various episodes in his career from 1897, when he covered the Cretan revolt against Turkey for The Times, to his 1907 excavations in Asyut, Egypt. A mixture of travel writing and archaeological reporting - the volume also contains an academic report on the excavation of Carchemish - this book, a follow-up to his A Wandering Scholar in the Levant (also reissued in this series), and intended for a popular audience, remains a highly readable account of the practicalities behind Hogarth's intellectual career. It also provides background to Hogarth's political involvement with the Near East, as acting director of the Arab Bureau in Cairo during the First World War and an attendee at the Versailles peace conference.
An Introduction to European Law
Authors: Schütze Robert
Published: November 2012

Thought-provoking and accessible in approach, this book offers a classic introduction to European law. Taking a clear structural framework, it guides the student through the subject's core elements from its creation and enforcement to the workings of the internal market. A flowing writing style combines with the use of illustrations and diagrams throughout the text to ensure the student understands even the most complex of concepts. This succinct and enlightening overview is required reading for all students of European law.
Assessing the response of the Gulf Coast to global change
Authors: Anderson John B. , Törnqvist Torbjörn E. , Day John
Published: November 2012

Gulf Coastal Science Consortium Workshop;Houston, Texas, 28–29 June 2012 The newly formed Gulf Coastal Science Consortium held its first workshop at Rice University. The creation of the consortium was prompted by two recent incidents. One incident involved censorship of a book chapter on Galveston Bay by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that omitted all references to climate change and accelerated sea‐level rise. The other incident was the adoption of legislation in North Carolina that requires planners and developers to assume a linear sea‐level rise projection, despite compelling scientific evidence for a multifold increase in sea‐level rise in historical time.
Wetlands the primary source of Amazon Basin methane
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: November 2012

The Amazon basin is an important sink of carbon dioxide, but it is also a substantial source of atmospheric methane. Tropical wetlands, including those in the Amazon, are one of the largest sources of biogenic methane and globally represent roughly 13% of annual emissions of the greenhouse gas. Other sources of methane include fossil fuel or biomass burning. Through two intensive atmospheric methane sampling campaigns, Beck et al. determined the sources of Amazonian methane.
A more “level” mean sea surface height near Australia
Authors: Bhattacharya Atreyee
Published: November 2012

The mean sea level (MSL) around Australia may appear to slope from north to south when compared to the geoid—the mean sea level if Earth's oceans were devoid of currents. Heights measured on land relative to MSL exhibit the same north to south slope. The supposed tilt around Australia, however, could just be an artifact of unaccounted for properties of the ocean itself, a new study finds. The apparent southward slope in mean sea level along the Australian coastline was recognized as early as 1971, but the cause was not immediately apparent. Assigning a zero height to the MSL from 30 tide gauges around Australia has resulted in a slope of the Australian Height Datum (AHD) with respect to the geoid. At present, AHD serves as the datum for all mapping and height measurements in the Australian continent. Since its inception, AHD has been controversial, owing to errors and the resultant inconsistencies in the measurement of MSL and the techniques used to level the continent.
Earthquake in Chile triggers tremors and slips in Mexico
Authors: Bhattacharya Atreyee
Published: November 2012

Scientists recently observed that large earthquakes often trigger tremors in places far away, sometimes thousands of kilometers, from the epicenter. In a new study, researchers have now shown that a major earthquake in Chile in 2010 also could have triggered “slow slips”—events during which large parts of continents move undetected, without leaving any trail in seismograms. Zigone et al. show that the Maule earthquake in Chile (Mw 8.8) on 27 February 2010 generated surface waves (S waves) that within hours induced tremors in the Guerero region of Mexico. They also observed that GPS stations in the region started moving southward coincident with the arrival times of the S waves and the starting of the seismic tremors. The tremors and the southward movement of GPS stations continued for several months following the earthquake.
Origins of tropical‐wide SST biases in CMIP multi‐model ensembles
Authors: Li Gen , Xie Shang‐Ping
Published: November 2012

Long‐standing simulation errors limit the utility of climate models. Overlooked are tropical‐wide errors, with sea surface temperature (SST) biasing high or low across all the tropical ocean basins. Our analysis based on Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) multi‐model ensembles shows that such SST biases can be classified into two types: one with a broad meridional structure and of the same sign across all basins that is highly correlated with the tropical mean; and one with large inter‐model variability in the cold tongues of the equatorial Pacific and Atlantic. The first type can be traced back to biases in atmospheric simulations of cloud cover, with cloudy models biasing low in tropical‐wide SST. The second type originates from the diversity among models in representing the thermocline depth; models with a deep thermocline feature a warm cold tongue on the equator. Implications for inter‐model variability in precipitation climatology and SST threshold for convection are discussed.
Changes in the odds of extreme events in the Atlantic basin depending on the position of the extratropical jet
Authors: Mahlstein Irina , Martius Olivia , Chevalier Clément , Ginsbourger David
Published: November 2012

In this study we establish a link between the position of the extratropical jet over the Atlantic and extreme temperature events (below the local seasonal 5% quantile or above the 95% quantile respectively) and wind events (above the local 98% quantile) in the Atlantic basin for the present climate. The strongest link between temperature extremes and the jet is found for the winter season. Extended areas in Europe, Greenland and North America see an increased or decreased chance of winter cold extremes depending on the jet position, even up to a week after the jet occupied the position of interest. Chances of warm temperature extremes in summer in southeastern Europe are higher several days after the jet was located in the central Atlantic. Chances of wind extremes are higher in Western Europe at the latitude of the jet and reduced to the north and south.
A new look at Greenland flow distortion and its impact on barrier flow, tip jets and coastal oceanography
Authors: Moore G. W. K.
Published: November 2012

A new diagnostic, that partitions the occurrence of high speed surface wind events by wind direction, is described that allows for a more complete view of the atmospheric flow distortion arising from Greenland's high topography. This flow distortion has previously been shown to result in the frequent occurrence of high speed surface wind events in the vicinity of Cape Farewell, Greenland's southernmost point, as well along its southeast coast. This new diagnostic is able to distinguish between easterly and westerly Cape Farewell tip jets. In addition, it clearly identifies the 2 locations along the southeast coast of Greenland where barrier flow is enhanced and confirms previous work that indicated that these locations are collocated with regions of steep coastal topography. It also results in the identification of new regions, the northeast and southwest coasts of Greenland as well as the southeast coast of Iceland, where tip jets and barrier flow also develop. Along the northeast coast, these high speed wind events are proposed to be associated with the formation of the North East Water polynya as well as contributing to the southward advection of sea ice. Along the southwest coast, the high speed wind events, which result in a reversal of the wind direction, may contribute to the enhanced oceanic eddy activity observed to occur in this region.
A micromechanical approach for simulating multiscale fabrics in large‐scale high‐strain zones: Theory and application
Authors: Jiang Dazhi , Bentley Callan
Published: November 2012

Deformation fabrics in Earth's crust and mantle are commonly used to constrain the tectonic history, deformation mechanisms, and rheological properties of the lithosphere. Their formation involves heterogeneous and multiscale deformation processes that current single‐scale models cannot capture. Here we present a micromechanics‐based MultiOrder Power Law Approach (MOPLA) for the simulation of multiscale fabrics in crustal scale high‐strain zones. We consider the progressive deformation in a crustal high‐strain zone on three different scales. On the macroscopic scale, representing the average assemblage of rock units at a point, we regard the rock mass as a continuum made of many first‐order elements. The progressive deformation of first‐order elements in the macroscopic flow field simulates tectonic transposition. On the scale of an individual first‐order element, we regard it as an Eshelby inhomogeneity embedded in a poly element continuum. We apply Eshelby's inhomogeneity formalism for power law materials to relate the flow field inside a first‐order element to the macroscopic flow field. On the scale pertinent to structures observed on the outcrop or smaller scale, the partitioned flow fields inside individual first‐order elements are used to examine the fabric development. We implement MOPLA in MathCad, apply the approach to a natural example of the Cascade Lake shear zone, and discuss the implications of multiscale deformation. Our model predicts lineation patterns observed in natural high‐strain zones that have remained unexplained by single‐scale models.
Dynamics of levitating dust particles near asteroids and the Moon
Authors: Hartzell C. M. , Scheeres D. J.
Published: November 2012

Using a numerically modeled nonmonotonic potential profile plasma sheath, we identify the equilibrium height and charge of levitating dust particles for nanometer to 10 µm sized particles over a five order of magnitude variation in the gravity of an airless central body. The stability and time scales of the dust particle motion about the equilibria are computed. The range of initial velocities that results in levitation of a dust particle is dominated by the particle size and is relatively insensitive to the mass of the central body and the particle's charge. By studying the dynamics of levitating dust particles, we are able to move beyond the point solutions that have been previously considered. This work enables more complete evaluations of the importance of dust levitation in the evolution of airless bodies and the hazard that levitating dust particles pose to exploration vehicles.
nde1 deletion improves mitochondrial DNA maintenance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae coenzyme Q mutants
Authors: Gomes Fernando , Tahara Erich B. , Busso Cleverson , Kowaltowski Alicia J. , Barros Mario H.
Published: November 2012

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has three distinct inner mitochondrial membrane NADH dehydrogenases mediating the transfer of electrons from NADH to CoQ (coenzyme Q): Nde1p, Nde2p and Ndi1p. The active site of Ndi1p faces the matrix side, whereas the enzymatic activities of Nde1p and Nde2p are restricted to the intermembrane space side, where they are responsible for cytosolic NADH oxidation. In the present study we genetically manipulated yeast strains in order to alter the redox state of CoQ and NADH dehydrogenases to evaluate the consequences on mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) maintenance. Interestingly, nde1 deletion was protective for mtDNA in strains defective in CoQ function. Additionally, the absence of functional Nde1p promoted a decrease in the rate of H2O2 release in isolated mitochondria from different yeast strains. On the other hand, overexpression of the predominant NADH dehydrogenase NDE1 elevated the rate of mtDNA loss and was toxic to coq10 and coq4 mutants. Increased CoQ synthesis through COQ8 overexpression also demonstrated that there is a correlation between CoQ respiratory function and mtDNA loss: supraphysiological CoQ levels were protective against mtDNA loss in the presence of oxidative imbalance generated by Nde1p excess or exogenous H2O2. Altogether, our results indicate that impairment in the oxidation of cytosolic NADH by Nde1p is deleterious towards mitochondrial biogenesis due to an increase in reactive oxygen species release.
Direct renin inhibition prevents cardiac dysfunction in a diabetic mouse model: comparison with an angiotensin receptor antagonist and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor
Authors: Thomas Candice M. , Yong Qian Chen , Seqqat Rachid , Chandel Niketa , Feldman David L. , Baker Kenneth M. , Kumar Rajesh
Published: November 2012

Hyperglycaemia up-regulates intracellular AngII (angiotensin II) production in cardiac myocytes, effects of which are blocked more effectively by renin inhibition than ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) or ACEis (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors). In the present study, we determined whether renin inhibition is more effective at preventing diabetic cardiomyopathy than an ARB or ACEi. Diabetes was induced in adult mice for 10 weeks by STZ (streptozotocin). Diabetic mice were treated with insulin, aliskiren (a renin inhibitor), benazeprilat (an ACEi) or valsartan (an ARB) via subcutaneous mini-pumps. Significant impairment in diastolic and systolic cardiac functions was observed in diabetic mice, which was completely prevented by all three RAS (renin–angiotensin system) inhibitors. Hyperglycaemia significantly increased cardiac oxidative stress and circulating inflammatory cytokines, which were blocked by aliskiren and benazeprilat, whereas valsartan was partially effective. Diabetes increased cardiac PRR (prorenin receptor) expression and nuclear translocation of PLZF (promyelocytic zinc finger protein), which was completely prevented by aliskiren and valsartan, and partially by benazeprilat. Renin inhibition provided similar protection of cardiac function to ARBs and ACEis. Activation of PLZF by PRR represented a novel mechanism in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Differential effects of the three agents on oxidative stress, cytokines and PRR expression suggested subtle differences in their mechanisms of action.
Interpersonal self‐support and attentional bias on negative and positive interpersonal information
Authors: Xia Ling‐Xiang , Shi Xu‐Liang , Zhang Yi , Hollon Steven D.
Published: November 2012

Interpersonal self‐support is an indigenous Chinese personality concept. It represents the idealized notion of the kind of personality traits that help individuals deal with interpersonal problems and develop and maintain the harmonic and appropriate social relationships required in China's collectivistic and interdependent culture. It also was assumed to be a protective personality factor with regard to mental health and was found to be negatively related to psychosomatic symptoms. In the current study, cognitive processing of interpersonal information is assumed to be an underlying mechanism that connects interpersonal self‐support with interpersonal relationships and mental health. To test this hypothesis, we conducted two experiments to investigate whether attentional bias on positive and negative interpersonal information was related to high and low interpersonal self‐support. A spatial cueing task and the emotional Stroop task were administered to two samples of high and low interpersonal self‐support Chinese undergraduate students to measure attentional bias. The results from both experiments suggested that high interpersonal self‐support students had an attentional bias toward positive interpersonal information, while low interpersonal self‐support students preferentially attended to negative interpersonal information. Study 1 indicated that attentional bias toward positive interpersonal information was easily engaged in the high interpersonal self‐support group, while attentional bias toward negative interpersonal information was both easy to engage and difficult to disengage in the low interpersonal self‐support students. These results support our hypotheses that high interpersonal self‐support people engage in positive processing of interpersonal information, whereas low interpersonal self‐support people engage in negative processing of interpersonal information. The differential balance between positive and negative processing on interpersonal information may explain why interpersonal self‐support predicts both mental health and interpersonal relationships. In addition, the relational schema may explain why interpersonal self‐support is associated with an attentional bias toward interpersonal information.
Palaeoceanography: motivations and challenges for the future
Authors: Robinson Laura F. , Siddall Mark
Published: November 2012

The ocean interacts with the atmosphere, biosphere and cryosphere in a complex way, modulating climate through the storage and transport of heat, nutrients and carbon. As such, it is important that we understand the ways in which the ocean behaves and the factors that can lead to change. In order to gain this understanding, we need to look back into the past, on time scales from recent decadal-scale change, through the abrupt changes of the Pleistocene and back to times when the Earth's climate was significantly different than the Holocene. A key challenge facing the field of palaeoceanography is to combine data and modelling in a common framework. Coupling palaeo-data and models should improve our knowledge of how the Earth works, and perhaps of more direct societal relevance, might enable us to provide better predictive capabilities in climate modelling. In this discussion paper, we examine the motivations, past successes and challenges facing palaeoceanographic studies. We then suggest a number of areas and approaches that we believe will allow palaeoceanography to continue to provide new insights into processes that affect future climate change.
Changing currents: a strategy for understanding and predicting the changing ocean circulation
Authors: Bryden Harry L. , Robinson Carol , Griffiths Gwyn
Published: November 2012

Within the context of UK marine science, we project a strategy for ocean circulation research over the next 20 years. We recommend a focus on three types of research: (i) sustained observations of the varying and evolving ocean circulation, (ii) careful analysis and interpretation of the observed climate changes for comparison with climate model projections, and (iii) the design and execution of focused field experiments to understand ocean processes that are not resolved in coupled climate models so as to be able to embed these processes realistically in the models. Within UK-sustained observations, we emphasize smart, cost-effective design of the observational network to extract maximum information from limited field resources. We encourage the incorporation of new sensors and new energy sources within the operational environment of UK-sustained observational programmes to bridge the gap that normally separates laboratory prototype from operational instrument. For interpreting the climate-change records obtained through a variety of national and international sustained observational programmes, creative and dedicated UK scientists should lead efforts to extract the meaningful signals and patterns of climate change and to interpret them so as to project future changes. For the process studies, individual scientists will need to work together in team environments to combine observational and process modelling results into effective improvements in the coupled climate models that will lead to more accurate climate predictions.
A perspective on the future of physical oceanography
Authors: Naveira Garabato Alberto C.
Published: November 2012

The ocean flows because it is forced by winds, tides and exchanges of heat and freshwater with the overlying atmosphere and cryosphere. To achieve a state where the defining properties of the ocean (such as its energy and momentum) do not continuously increase, some form of dissipation or damping is required to balance the forcing. The ocean circulation is thought to be forced primarily at the large scales characteristic of ocean basins, yet to be damped at much smaller scales down to those of centimetre-sized turbulence. For decades, physical oceanographers have sought to comprehend the fundamentals of this fractal puzzle: how the ocean circulation is driven, how it is damped and how ocean dynamics connects the very different scales of forcing and dissipation. While in the last two decades significant advances have taken place on all these three fronts, the thrust of progress has been in understanding the driving mechanisms of ocean circulation and the ocean's ensuing dynamical response, with issues surrounding dissipation receiving comparatively little attention. This choice of research priorities stems not only from logistical and technological difficulties in observing and modelling the physical processes responsible for damping the circulation, but also from the untested assumption that the evolution of the ocean's state over time scales of concern to humankind is largely independent of dissipative processes. In this article, I illustrate some of the key advances in our understanding of ocean circulation that have been achieved in the last 20 years and, based on a range of evidence, contend that the field will soon reach a stage in which uncertainties surrounding the arrest of ocean circulation will pose the main challenge to further progress. It is argued that the role of the circulation in the coupled climate system will stand as a further focal point of major advances in understanding within the next two decades, supported by the drive of physical oceanography towards a more operational enterprise by contextual factors. The basic elements that a strategy for the future must have to foster progress in these two areas are discussed, with an overarching emphasis on the promotion of curiosity-driven fundamental research against opposing external pressures and on the importance of upholding fundamental research as the apex of education in the field.
In situ chemistry and microbial community compositions in five deep‐sea hydrothermal fluid samples from Irina II in the Logatchev field
Authors: Perner Mirjam , Gonnella Giorgio , Hourdez Stephane , Böhnke Stefanie , Kurtz Stefan , Girguis Peter
Published: November 2012

We present data on the co‐registered geochemistry (in situ mass spectrometry) and microbiology (pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes; V1, V2, V3 regions) in five fluid samples from Irina II in the Logatchev hydrothermal field. Two samples were collected over 24 min from the same spot and further three samples were from spatially distinct locations (20 cm, 3 m and the overlaying plume). Four low‐temperature hydrothermal fluids from the Irina II are composed of the same core bacterial community, namely specific Gammaproteobacteria and Epsilonproteobacteria, which, however, differs in the relative abundance. The microbial composition of the fifth sample (plume) is considerably different. Although a significant correlation between sulfide enrichment and proportions of Sulfurovum (Epsilonproteobacteria) was found, no other significant linkages between abiotic factors, i.e. temperature, hydrogen, methane, sulfide and oxygen, and bacterial lineages were evident. Intriguingly, bacterial community compositions of some time series samples from the same spot were significantly more similar to a sample collected 20 cm away than to each other. Although this finding is based on three single samples only, it provides first hints that single hydrothermal fluid samples collected on a small spatial scale may also reflect unrecognized temporal variability. However, further studies are required to support this hypothesis.
Optimized dose of imatinib for treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Liu Shang Long , Chen Ge , Zhao Yu Pei , Wu Wen Ming , Zhang Tai Ping
Published: November 2012

Objective

To investigate the efficacy and safety of standard‐dose versus high‐dose imatinib.

Methods

After a systematic review of English language articles, five studies including 2008 patients were eligible for the meta‐analysis. Data extracted from each study were synthesized into overall odds ratios (OR).

Results

The overall OR for the high dose vs standard dose was 1.19 (95% CI 1.00–1.42) and the Z‐score for the overall effect was 1.93 (P = 0.054), suggesting that high‐dose imatinib added no survival benefits. The dose‐related toxicity was also assessed in the same way. The rates of rash, hemorrhage, nausea, vomiting and taste disturbance increased as dose increased (P < 0.05), whereas the incidence of headache, abdominal pain, edema, fatigue, anemia, infection, muscle cramp and constipation was nearly identical and showed no significant difference.

Conclusions

Imatinib at a standard dose produces a similar effect to that at a high dose. The severity of the toxicity is associated with the dose of imatinib. However, larger and randomized studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions.
Alcohol Facilitates HCV RNA Replication Via Up‐Regulation of miR‐122 Expression and Inhibition of Cyclin G1 in Human Hepatoma Cells
Authors: Hou Wei , Bukong Terence N. , Kodys Karen , Szabo Gyongyi
Published: November 2012

Background

Clinical studies demonstrate synergistic liver damage by alcohol and hepatitis C virus (HCV); however, the mechanisms by which alcohol promotes HCV infection remain obscure. The liver‐specific microRNA‐122 (miR‐122) regulates HCV replication and expression of host genes, including Cyclin G1. Here, we hypothesized that alcohol regulates miR‐122 expression and thereby modulates HCV RNA replication.

Methods

The J6/JFH/Huh‐7.5 model of HCV infection was used in this study. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and confocal microscopy were used for experimental analysis.

Results

We found that acute alcohol exposure (25 mM) significantly increased intracellular HCV RNA as well as miR‐122 levels in Huh‐7.5 and Huh‐7.5/CYP2E1 expressing cells in the presence and absence of J6/JFH‐HCV infection. Expression of the miR‐122 target, Cyclin G1, was inhibited by alcohol both in J6/JFH‐infected and uninfected Huh‐7.5 cells. The use of a miR‐122 inhibitor increased Cyclin G1 expression and prevented the alcohol‐induced increase in HCV RNA and protein levels, suggesting a mechanistic role for alcohol‐induced miR122 in HCV replication. We discovered that siRNA‐mediated silencing of Cyclin G1 significantly increased intracellular HCV RNA levels compared with controls, suggesting a mechanistic role for Cyclin G1 in HCV replication. Alcohol‐induced increase in miR‐122 was associated with increased nuclear translocation and DNA binding of the nuclear regulatory factor‐κB and could be prevented by NF‐κB inhibition.

Conclusions

Our novel data indicate a miR‐122‐mediated mechanism for alcohol increasing HCV RNA replication. We show for the first time that Cyclin G1, a miR‐122 target gene, has regulatory effects on HCV replication and that alcohol increases HCV replication by regulating miR‐122 and Cyclin G1.
Pharmacological Characterization of the 20% Alcohol Intermittent Access Model in Sardinian Alcohol‐Preferring Rats: A Model of Binge‐Like Drinking
Authors: Sabino Valentina , Kwak Jina , Rice Kenner C. , Cottone Pietro
Published: November 2012

Background

Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of alcohol drinking that brings blood alcohol levels to 80 mg/dl or above. In this study, we pharmacologically characterized the intermittent access to 20% ethanol (EtOH) model (Wise, Psychopharmacologia 1973;29:203) in Sardinian alcohol‐preferring (sP) rats to determine to which of the compounds known to reduce drinking in specific animal models this binge‐like drinking was sensitive to.

Methods

Adult male sP rats were divided into 2 groups and allowed to drink either 20% v/v alcohol or water for 24 hours on alternate days (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) or 10% v/v alcohol and water for 24 hours every day. After stabilization of their intake, both groups were administered 3 pharmacological agents with different mechanisms of action, naltrexone—an opioid receptor antagonist, SCH 39166—a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, and R121919—a Corticotropin‐Releasing Factor 1 (CRF1) receptor antagonist, and their effects on alcohol and water intake were determined.

Results

Intermittent 20% alcohol (“Wise”) procedure in sP rats led to binge‐like drinking. Alcohol drinking was suppressed by naltrexone and by SCH 39166, but not by R121919. Finally, naltrexone was more potent in reducing alcohol drinking in the intermittent 20% binge‐drinking group than in the 10% continuous access drinking group.

Conclusions

The Wise procedure in sP rats induces binge‐like drinking, which appears opioid‐ and dopamine‐receptor mediated; the CRF1 system, on the other hand, does not appear to be involved. In addition, our results suggest that naltrexone is particularly effective in reducing binge drinking. Such different pharmacological responses may apply to subtypes of alcoholic patients who differ in their motivation to drink, and may eventually contribute to treatment response.
A comparison of clinical practice guidelines for proximal femoral fracture
Authors: Kearns R. J. , Moss L. , Kinsella J.
Published: November 2012

Clinical practice guidelines are designed to assist clinical decision‐making by summarising evidence and forming recommendations. The number of available guidelines is vast and they vary in relevance and quality. We reviewed guidelines relevant to the management of a patient with a fractured neck of femur and explored similarities and conflicts between recommendations. As guidelines are often produced in response to an area of clinical uncertainty, recommendations differ. This can result in a situation where the management of a particular clinical problem will depend upon which guideline is followed. We explore the reasons for such differences.
Review article: herbal and dietary supplement hepatotoxicity
Authors: Bunchorntavakul C. , Reddy K. R.
Published: November 2012

Background

Herbal and dietary supplements are commonly used throughout the World. There is a tendency for underreporting their ingestion by patients and the magnitude of their use is underrecognised by Physicians. Herbal hepatotoxicity is not uncommonly encountered, but the precise incidence and manifestations have not been well characterised.

Aims

To review the epidemiology, presentation and diagnosis of herbal hepatotoxicity. This review will mainly discuss single ingredients and complex mixtures of herbs marketed under a single label.

Methods

A Medline search was undertaken to identify relevant literature using search terms including ‘herbal’, ‘herbs’, ‘dietary supplement’, ‘liver injury’, ‘hepatitis’ and ‘hepatotoxicity’. Furthermore, we scanned the reference lists of the primary and review articles to identify publications not retrieved by electronic searches.

Results

The incidence rates of herbal hepatotoxicity are largely unknown. The clinical presentation and severity can be highly variable, ranging from mild hepatitis to acute hepatic failure requiring transplantation. Scoring systems for the causality assessment of drug‐induced liver injury may be helpful, but have not been validated for herbal hepatotoxicity. Hepatotoxicity features of commonly used herbal products, such as Ayurvedic and Chinese herbs, black cohosh, chaparral, germander, greater celandine, green tea, Herbalife, Hydroxycut, kava, pennyroyal, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, skullcap, and usnic acid, have been individually reviewed. Furthermore, clinically significant herb–drug interactions are also discussed.

Conclusions

A number of herbal medicinal products are associated with a spectrum of hepatotoxicity events. Advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis and the risks involved are needed to improve herbal medicine safety.
Rediscovering the Social Model of Childbirth
Authors: Kitzinger Sheila
Published: November 2012

The assumption is often made that women in a traditional birth culture are bound to benefit by its replacement with a medical system. In a technocratic system, birth usually takes place in an alien environment among strangers, with routine use of invasive procedures that are promoted by multinational drug and equipment companies. For many women, it is an experience comparable to rape that leads to posttraumatic stress disorder. We need to rediscover woman‐to‐woman support, celebrate birth as a social process, and acknowledge that it is a political issue. (BIRTH 39:4 December 2012)
Every Woman Needs a Midwife, and Some Women Need a Doctor Too
Authors: Sandall Jane
Published: November 2012

Global recognition is increasing of the contribution of midwifery services to optimal outcomes for women and babies, and evidence around how to organize services and the roles of maternity providers. However, a sociological analysis can provide some insight into why the role of midwives varies so widely in different countries. Evidence is necessary, but more important is the role of the state in legalizing and financially supporting midwifery practice, how professional boundaries are negotiated in the maternity care domain, and consumer mobilization in support of midwifery and around maternity issues. (BIRTH 39:4 December 2012)
A single‐item measure of social identification: Reliability, validity, and utility
Authors: Postmes Tom , Haslam S. Alexander , Jans Lise
Published: November 2012

This paper introduces a single‐item social identification measure (SISI) that involves rating one's agreement with the statement ‘I identify with my group (or category)’ followed by a 7‐point scale. Three studies provide evidence of the validity (convergent, divergent, and test–retest) of SISI with a broad range of social groups. Overall, the estimated reliability of SISI is good. To address the broader issue of single‐item measure reliability, a meta‐analysis of 16 widely used single‐item measures is reported. The reliability of single‐item scales ranges from low to reasonably high. Compared with this field, reliability of the SISI is high. In general, short measures struggle to achieve acceptable reliability because the constructs they assess are broad and heterogeneous. In the case of social identification, however, the construct appears to be sufficiently homogeneous to be adequately operationalized with a single item.
Intimate violence in a specialist college setting: can students with learning difficulties manage themselves?
Authors: Lee Larry L. , Carson Alexander
Published: November 2012

Accessible summary

Traditional practice, with regard to intimate violence at a specialist college, involves professionals normalising, disciplining and managing students compliance to established norms; however, findings from a 5‐year study indicate students with learning difficulties could manage themselves responsibly if professionals help them increase levels of differentiation from Binary Branding Normality Normalcy, Putative Social Identity and Multi‐dimensional Social Network influences.

Concerned about practice that attempts to manage acts of intimate violence perpetrated by students with learning difficulties in a specialist college setting; I questioned the extent to which they could manage themselves. Following a methodological review of literature, I used critical conversations with focus groups participants and case study interviewees to consider the sense they make of intimate violence and students managing themselves responsibly in learning environments. Thematic analysis yielded five themes relating to different versions of students acting responsibly and/or irresponsibly: I've got a problem, I told staff, I can't, I'm disabled and I'm not normal. Discursive analysis highlighted five variable acts of resistance: Conditioned‐Response, Role Specific, Inner‐Conflicted, Retreating and Higher Order. These correlate with student's levels of differentiation from Binary Branding Normality Normalcy, Putative Social Identity and Multi‐dimensional Social Network influences. In response to their subordinate position in learning environments, some students, via Variable Processes of Learning Disability Culture, use Defensive Disability Language, Defensive Positional Stances and Power Plays to assert their power over professionals; nevertheless, when invited to engage nondefensively, some students could, as evidenced by focus groups discussions and a case study example, manage themselves responsibly.
Tailored immunoconjugate therapy depending on a quantity of tumor stroma
Authors: Yasunaga Masahiro , Manabe Shino , Tarin David , Matsumura Yasuhiro
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to clarify the appropriate combination of targeting antibody and conjugate‐design of anti‐tumor immunoconjugate depending on a quantity of tumor stroma. Most human solid tumors including pancreatic cancer (PC) forming hypovascular and stroma‐rich tumor hinders the penetration of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) into the cells, and that leads to failure of the conventional cell‐targeting immunoconjugate strategy. To overcome this drawback, SN‐38 as topoisomerase 1 inhibitor was conjugated to a mAb to collagen 4, a plentiful component of the tumor stroma via ester‐bond. The immunoconjugate, which was able to release SN‐38 in physiological condition outside the cells, was effective to stroma‐rich PC‐tumor. On the other hand, anti‐CD 20 mAb‐PEG‐SN‐38 via carbamate‐bond as conventional immunoconjugate, enabled SN‐38 to be released by a carboxylesterase inside of the tumor cell following the internalization, showed strong anti‐tumor activity against malignant lymphoma as hypervascular and stroma‐poor tumor. The conjugate‐design, in parallel with the choice of targeting antibodies, should be selected to maximize the therapeutic effect in each individual tumor having a distinct stromal structure.
Exhaled breath analysis by electronic nose in airways disease. Established issues and key questions
Authors: Fens N. , van der Schee M. P. , Brinkman P. , Sterk P. J.
Published: November 2012

Exhaled air contains many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are the result of normal and disease‐associated metabolic processes anywhere in the body. Different omics techniques can assess the pattern of these VOCs. One such omics technique suitable for breath analysis is represented by electronic noses (eNoses), providing fingerprints of the exhaled VOCs, called breathprints. Breathprints have been shown to be altered in different disease states, including in asthma and COPD. This review describes the current status on clinical validation and application of breath analysis by electronic noses in the diagnosis and monitoring of chronic airways diseases. Furthermore, important methodological issues including breath sampling, modulating factors and incompatibility between eNoses are raised and discussed. Next steps towards clinical application of electronic noses are provided, including further validation in suspected disease, assessment of the influence of different comorbidities, the value in longitudinal monitoring of patients with asthma and COPD and the possibility to predict treatment responses. Eventually, a Breath Cloud may be constructed, a large database containing disease‐specific breathprints. When collaborative efforts are put into optimization of this technique, it can provide a rapid and non‐invasive first line diagnostic test.
Autonomic nervous system profile in fibromyalgia patients and its modulation by exercise: a mini review
Authors: Kulshreshtha Poorvi , Deepak Kishore K.
Published: November 2012

This review imparts an impressionistic tone to our current understanding of autonomic nervous system abnormalities in fibromyalgia. In the wake of symptoms present in patients with fibromyalgia (FM), autonomic dysfunction seems plausible in fibromyalgia. A popular notion is that of a relentless sympathetic hyperactivity and hyporeactivity based on heart rate variability (HRV) analyses and responses to various physiological stimuli. However, some exactly opposite findings suggesting normal/hypersympathetic reactivity in patients with fibromyalgia do exist. This heterogeneous picture along with multiple comorbidities accounts for the quantitative and qualitative differences in the degree of dysautonomia present in patients with FM. We contend that HRV changes in fibromyalgia may not actually represent increased cardiac sympathetic tone. Normal muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and normal autonomic reactivity tests in patients with fibromyalgia suggest defective vascular end organ in fibromyalgia. Previously, we proposed a model linking deconditioning with physical inactivity resulting from widespread pain in patients with fibromyalgia. Deconditioning also modulates the autonomic nervous system (high sympathetic tone and a low parasympathetic tone). A high peripheral sympathetic tone causes regional ischaemia, which in turn results in widespread pain. Thus, vascular dysregulation and hypoperfusion in patients with FM give rise to ischaemic pain leading to physical inactivity. Microvascular abnormalities are also found in patients with FM. Therapeutic interventions (e.g. exercise) that result in vasodilatation and favourable autonomic alterations have proven to be effective. In this review, we focus on the vascular end organ in patients with fibromyalgia in particular and its modulation by exercise in general.
Growth differentiation factor 5 modulation of chondrogenesis of self‐assembled constructs involves gap junction‐mediated intercellular communication
Authors: Sun Zhibo , Zhang Yukun , Yang Shuhua , Jia Jie , Ye Shunan , Chen Dong , Mo Fengbo
Published: November 2012

A novel scaffold‐free self‐assembled cartilage construct has been generated and used to repair particular chondral defects effectively. However, the mechanisms related to the construction of these self‐assembled cartilages have not yet been fully elucidated. We hypothesize that gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) plays a critical role in the development of self‐assembled constructs upon GDF‐5 induction. In this study, we investigated the effect of connexin 43 (C×43) mediated GJIC on GDF‐5 modulation of chondrogenesis from two aspects, cell monolayer culture and 3‐D self‐assembly culture. We induced cells or self‐assembled constructs with chondrogenic media (CM), growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF‐5) or 1‐heptanol for 3 weeks. At the end of that time, the results of quantitative fluorescence redistribution after photobleaching (FRAP) assay and immunofluorescence demonstrated that GDF‐5 improved both GJIC and chondrogenic differentiation to a significant degree while 1‐heptanol nearly offset the expected improvements in chondrogenesis. Biochemical assay and histology showed that GDF‐5 can obviously enhance GAG, C×43 and type II collagen expressions. Conversely, we also showed that while 1‐heptanol weakened GAG and type II collagen expression in self‐assembled constructs, it had no effect on C×43 expression. Furthermore, real‐time polymerase chain reaction showed that GDF‐5 enhanced GAG and type II collagen transcription while 1‐heptanol reduced them, but was affectless on C×43 transcription. This suggests that the generation of scaffold‐free self‐assembled cartilage from human mesenchymal stem cells upon GDF‐5 induction may be mediated, at least in part, via the modulation of GJIC.