bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emergency Department Presentation of Children With Tuberculosis
Authors: Cruz Andrea T. , Ong Lydia T. , Starke Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2011

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2011; 18:726–732 © 2011 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  The objectives were to describe emergency department (ED) presentations of children with tuberculosis (TB) disease and assess the utility in children of TB screening tools developed for adults.

Methods:  Children at most 18 years old with confirmed or probable TB seen at the Children’s TB Clinic from 2005 to 2009 who were initially evaluated in the ED for symptoms compatible with TB in the preceding month were included. TB was classified as microbiologically confirmed disease or probable TB disease, as defined by the World Health Organization.

Results:  Sixty children (29 with confirmed TB and 31 with probable TB) were identified after presentation to the ED, representing 35% of all children diagnosed with TB at the two hospitals during this interval. Eighty‐eight percent were previously healthy. Fifty‐five percent were Hispanic, 30% were black or African American, 12% were Asian, and 3% were white. Forty‐four (73%) had intrathoracic disease (37 pulmonary parenchymal or pleural disease, four miliary disease, two endobronchial, one pericarditis). Sixteen (27%) had extrathoracic disease (eight meningitis, five cervical lymphadenopathy, two gastrointestinal, one interstitial keratitis), 11 of whom also had abnormal chest radiographs, including all eight children with TB meningitis. Most (76.7%) were diagnosed at the time of their first ED visit or during their first hospital admission, 12% after their second ED visit, 10% after their third ED visit, and one patient after six ED visits to various facilities. In 33 case (55%), the diagnosis was suspected in the ED because of epidemiologic risk factors (15), radiographic evaluation (11), or symptoms (7). Hemoptysis (12%) and night sweats (10%) were uncommon. Neither cavitary lesions (seen in two children) nor apical lesions (seen in 42%) predominated. The five screening tools validated for adults with pulmonary disease were 77% to 98% sensitive in identifying children with intrathoracic TB and 50% to 100% sensitive for extrathoracic TB.

Conclusions:  The point of entry to health care for many children with TB is the ED. The more protean manifestations of TB in children can decrease the utility of screening tools developed to identify adults with TB. While TB in adults often is a microbiologic diagnosis, childhood TB often is an epidemiologic diagnosis. Therefore, questioning caregivers about TB risk factors in the family may identify a higher percentage of children with possible TB.
Trade liberalization, employment and inequality in India and South Africa
Authors: KUCERA David , RONCOLATO Leanne
Published: July 2011

This article uses social accounting matrices in a Leontief multiplier model to estimate the effects of trade expansion on employment and incomes in India and South Africa. The evaluation focuses on a period of rapid trade liberalization beginning in the early 1990s, distinguishing between trade with developed and developing countries. Employment results identify winning and losing industries and examine sex and skill biases. Income results examine inequality measured by household income distribution (rural and urban). Results are presented in the context of trade theory as regards adjustment mechanisms for bringing trade into balance and implications of specialization for economic development.
HMGB‐1 induces c‐kit+ cell microvascular rolling and adhesion via both toll‐like receptor‐2 and toll‐like receptor‐4 of endothelial cells
Authors: Furlani Dario , Donndorf Peter , Westien Ingeborg , Ugurlucan Murat , Pittermann Erik , Wang Weiwei , Li Wenzhong , Vollmar Brigitte , Steinhoff Gustav , Kaminski Alexander , Ma Nan
Published: July 2011

High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB‐1) is a strong chemo‐attractive signal for both inflammatory and stem cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the mechanisms regulating HMGB‐1–mediated adhesion and rolling of c‐kit+ cells and assess whether toll‐like receptor‐2 (TLR‐2) and toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR‐4) of endothelial cells or c‐kit+ cells are implicated in the activation of downstream migration signals to peripheral c‐kit+ cells. Effects of HMGB‐1 on the c‐kit+ cells/endothelial interaction were evaluated by a cremaster muscle model in wild‐type (WT), TLR‐2 (−/−) and Tlr4 (LPS‐del) mice. The mRNA and protein expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase were determined by quantitative real‐time PCR and immunofluorescence staining. Induction of crucial adhesion molecules for rolling and adhesion of stem cells and leukocytes were monitored in vivo and in vitro. Following local HMGB‐1 administration, a significant increase in cell rolling was detected (32.4 ± 7.1% in ‘WT’ versus 9.9 ± 3.2% in ‘control’, P < 0.05). The number of firmly adherent c‐kit+ cells was more than 13‐fold higher than that of the control group (14.6 ± 5.1 cells/mm2 in ‘WT’ versus 1.1 ± 1.0 cells/mm2 in ‘control’, P < 0.05). In knockout animals, the fraction of rolling cells did not differ significantly from control levels. Firm endothelial adhesion was significantly reduced in TLR‐2 (−/−) and Tlr4 (LPS‐del) mice compared to WT mice (1.5 ± 1.4 cells/mm2 in ‘TLR‐2 (−/−)’ and 2.4 ± 1.4 cells/mm2 in ‘Tlr4 (LPS‐del)’ versus 14.6 ± 5.1 cells/mm2 in ‘WT’, P < 0.05). TLR‐2 (−/−) and Tlr4 (LPS‐del) stem cells in WT mice did not show significant reduction in rolling and adhesion compared to WT cells. HMGB‐1 mediates c‐kit+ cell recruitment via endothelial TLR‐2 and TLR‐4.
Cardiomyocyte death induced by ischaemic/hypoxic stress is differentially affected by distinct purinergic P2 receptors
Authors: Cosentino Simona , Banfi Cristina , Burbiel Joachim C. , Luo Haijian , Tremoli Elena , Abbracchio Maria P.
Published: July 2011

Blood levels of extracellular nucleotides (e.g. ATP) are greatly increased during heart ischaemia, but, despite the presence of their specific receptors on cardiomyocytes (both P2X and P2Y subtypes), their effects on the subsequent myocardial damage are still unknown. In this study, we aimed at investigating the role of ATP and specific P2 receptors in the appearance of cell injury in a cardiac model of ischaemic/hypoxic stress. Cells were maintained in a modular incubator chamber in a controlled humidified atmosphere of 95% N2 for 16 hrs in a glucose‐free medium. In this condition, we detected an early increase in the release of ATP in the culture medium, which was followed by a massive increase in the release of cytoplasmic histone‐associated‐DNA‐fragments, a marker of apoptosis. Addition of either apyrase, which degrades extracellular ATP, or various inhibitors of ATP release via connexin hemichannels fully abolished ischaemic/hypoxic stress‐associated apoptosis. To dissect the role of specific P2 receptor subtypes, we used a combined approach: (i) non‐selective and, when available, subtype‐selective P2 antagonists, were added to cardiomyocytes before ischaemic/hypoxic stress; (ii) selected P2 receptors genes were silenced via specific small interfering RNAs. Both approaches indicated that the P2Y2 and P2χ7 receptor subtypes are directly involved in the induction of cell death during ischaemic/hypoxic stress, whereas the P2Y4 receptor has a protective effect. Overall, these findings indicate a role for ATP and its receptors in modulating cardiomyocyte damage during ischaemic/hypoxic stress.
Fetal death in twins
Authors: MAHONY RHONA , MULCAHY CELIA , MCAULIFFE FIONNUALA , HERLIHY COLM O , CARROLL STEPHEN , FOLEY MICHAEL E.
Published: July 2011

Objective.To examine the pattern and prospective risk of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) in twin pregnancy by chorionicity.Design.Retrospective cohort analysis.Setting.Large national tertiary referral center.Population.All consecutive twin deliveries (1997–2006) ≥24 weeks.Methods. Retrospective review of all consecutive twin deliveries over 10 years to identify patterns of IUFD in twins and calculate gestation‐specific prospective risks of IUFD. Fetal death was defined as intrauterine demise of a fetus ≥24weeks, intertwin birthweight discordance as ≥20% difference and growth restriction as birthweight <5thcentile. Chorionicity was confirmed by postnatal placental examination.Main outcome measures.Fetal death.Results.1094 twin pairs including 276 monochorionic‐diamniotic (MCDA) (25.3%) and 818 dichorionic‐diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies (74.7%) were studied. Twenty‐nine fetal deaths occurred affecting 22 twin pregnancies. The incidence of IUFD (death of one or both fetuses) in MCDA twin pregnancies was three times that in DCDA pregnancies [11/276 (3.9)% vs. 11/818 (1.3%)p<0.001]. The majority of deaths in MCDA twins were associated with twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) prior to 30 weeks. In normally grown twins the prospective risk of IUFD was similarly low in MCDA and DCDA pregnancies after 34 weeks but in pregnancies complicated by abnormal growth, the prospective risk of IUFD was 3.4 in MCDA and 2.0 in DCDA pregnancies.Conclusion.Twin pregnancies complicated by growth restriction or growth discordance were associated with a high risk of IUFD, particularly in affected MCDA twins. Conversely, in normally grown twins the risk was similarly low in MCDA and DCDA pregnancies after 34 weeks.
The healing power of well-being
Authors: Mathew Jobin , Paulose Cheramadathikudyl Scariya
Published: July 2011

Neuroendocrine system plays an important role in modulating our body functions and emotions. At the same time, emotions implicate a pivotal role in the regulation of brain function and neuroendocrine system. Negative affective states such as depression and stress are associated with premature mortality and increase the risk of various fatal diseases. It has been suggested that positive affective states are protective and improve our health and productiveness. Several potential mechanisms have been posited to account for these associations including improved health behaviour, direct physiological benefits, enhanced resistance and recovery from stress among individuals with high versus low positive emotional resources. This review summarises information concerning the neuronal and hormonal systems in mood, impact of negative and positive affective states on the level of cortisol, epinephrine, serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. The functional correlation of neuronal and hormonal systems in the development of diseases and their ability to enhance health-relevant biological processes are also evaluated.
Weight gain in infancy and post‐bronchiolitis wheezing
Authors: Nuolivirta Kirsi , Koponen Petri , Helminen Merja , Korppi Matti
Published: July 2011

Aim:  Low birth weight, high birth weight and excessive weight gain after birth may be risk factors for asthma in childhood, but their associations with wheezing in early childhood are poorly studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate birth weight, weight gain in early infancy and overweight in infancy assessed by weight for length (WFL) as risk factors for wheezing after hospitalization for bronchiolitis in early infancy.

Methods:  In all, 127 full‐term infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis at age <6 months have been followed up until the mean age of 1.5 years. The weights and lengths of the infants were measured on admission to hospital and at the control visit. Birth weights were obtained from the hospital records.

Results:  Both occurrence and recurrence of post‐bronchiolitis wheezing were associated with birth weight >4000 g and the recurrence of post‐bronchiolitis wheezing with WFL >110% at age 1.5 years. The associations were robust to adjustments with gender and allergy. Higher weight gain from birth to hospitalization at age <6 months was associated with wheezing in the subgroup of children with birth weight >4000 g.

Conclusion:  High birth weight and the development of overweight may be associated with post‐bronchiolitis wheezing in infancy.
The Evolution of a Holocene Estuarine Barrier on the Coromandel Coast, New Zealand
Authors: WOODS J.L.D.
Published: July 2011

Whitianga Harbour on the Coromandel Peninsula, North Island, New Zealand is fronted by a broad sandy barrier composed of linear beach ridges. The barrier developed through a process of rollover as sea level rose in the early Holocene with shelly sandy sediment washed inland over estuarine muds. These overwash deposits are present to 3 m below sea level in the back barrier area. Once sea level stabilised and barrier rollover had ceased the barrier continued to prograde in a series of beach ridges. The back barrier area is characterised by estuarine muds, overlain by splay and overwash deposits that are reworked by fluvial and tidal channels. The initial flooding of the estuary occurred at around 7350–7225 years cal BP, reaching modern levels by 6894–6729 years cal BP at the earliest. Infill was rapid as evidenced by estuarine species (crustaceans and bivalves) preserved in life position. From ∼6000 years BP to present, the estuary is characterised by tidal and fluvial reworking, suggesting that modern sediment inputs are bypassing the estuary.
Religious freedom and the ‘right to discriminate’ in the school admissions context: a neo-republican critique
Authors: Daly Eoin , Hickey Tom
Published: July 2011

In law and discourse, it has typically been assumed that the religious freedom of state-funded religious schools must trump any competing right to non-discrimination on grounds of belief. For example, the Irish Constitution has been interpreted as requiring the broad exemption of denominational schools from the statutory prohibition on religious discrimination in school admissions. This stance is mirrored in the UK Equality Act 2010. Thus, religious discrimination in the public education context has been rationalised with reference to a ‘liberty-equality dichotomy’, which prioritises the integrity of faith schools' ‘ethos’, as an imperative of religious freedom. We argue that this familiar conceptual dichotomy generates a novel set of absurdities in this peculiar context. We suggest that the construction of religious freedom and non-discrimination as separate and antagonistic values rests on a conceptually flawed definition of religious freedom itself, which overlooks the necessary dependence of religious freedom on non-discrimination. Furthermore, it overstates the necessity, to religious freedom, of religious schools' ‘right to discriminate’. We argue for an alternative ordering of the values of religious freedom and non-discrimination – which we locate within the neo-republican theory of freedom as non-domination.
Ecological factors influencing group sizes of river dolphins (Inia geoffrensisandSotalia fluviatilis)
Authors: Gomez‐Salazar Catalina , Trujillo Fernando , Whitehead Hal
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Living in groups is usually driven by predation and competition for resources. River dolphins do not have natural predators but inhabit dynamic systems with predictable seasonal shifts. These ecological features may provide some insight into the forces driving group formation and help us to answer questions such as why river dolphins have some of the smallest group sizes of cetaceans, and why group sizes vary with time and place. We analyzed observations of group size forIniaandSotaliaover a 9 yr period. In the Amazon, largest group sizes occurred in main rivers and lakes, particularly during the low water season when resources are concentrated; smaller group sizes occurred in constricted waters (channels, tributaries, and confluences) that receive an influx of blackwaters that are poor in nutrients and sediments. In the Orinoco, the largest group sizes occurred during the transitional water season when the aquatic productivity increases. The largest group size ofIniaoccurred in the Orinoco location that contains the influx of two highly productive whitewater rivers. Flood pulses govern productivity and major biological factors of these river basins. Any threats to flood pulses will likely have an effect on the functionality of these ecosystems and the species living in them.
Whistle characteristics of common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand
Authors: Petrella Vincenzo , Martinez Emmanuelle , Anderson Michael G. , Stockin Karen A.
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Quantifying the vocal repertoire of a species is critical for subsequent analysis of signal functionality, geographic variation, and social relevance. However, the vocalizations of free‐ranging common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) have not previously been described from New Zealand waters. We present the first quantitative analysis of whistle characteristics to be undertaken on the New Zealand population. Acoustic data were collected in the Hauraki Gulf, North Island from 28 independent dolphin group encounters. A total of 11,715 whistles were collected from 105.1 min of recordings. Seven whistle contours were identified containing 29 subtypes. Vocalizations spanned from 3.2 to 23 kHz, with most whistles occurring between 11 and 13 kHz. Whistle duration ranged from 0.01 to 4.00 s (mean ± SD; 0.27 ± 0.32). Of the 2,663 whistles analyzed, 82% have previously been identified within U.K. populations. An additional six contours, apparently unique to New Zealand Delphinus were also identified. Data presented here offer a first insight into the whistle characteristics of New Zealand Delphinus. Comparisons with previously studied populations reveal marked differences in the whistle frequency and modulation of the New Zealand population. Interpopulation differences suggest behavior and the local environment likely play a role in shaping the vocal repertoire of this species.
Food partitioning among three sympatric odontocetes (Grampus griseus, Lagenodelphis hosei, and Stenella attenuata)
Authors: Wang Ming‐Chih , Shao Kwang‐Tsao , Huang Shiang‐Lin , Chou Lien‐Siang
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Food is one of the most important dimensions of resource partitioning for species coexistence. In this study, we investigated the dietary composition and foraging habits of three sympatric odontocetes in order to identify their levels of food niche overlap and ecological separation. Stomach content analysis was performed on samples collected from carcasses confiscated by police or entangled in gill nets from 1994 to 2001, including 27 Risso's dolphins (GG) (Grampus griseus), 27 Fraser's dolphins (LH) (Lagenodelphis hosei), and 45 pantropical spotted dolphins (SA) (Stenella attenuata). GG consumed only cephalopods, with Enoploteuthis chunii accounting for 90.5% of total prey consumed, LH fed on mesopelagic fishes and cephalopods, dominated by hatchetfish, Polyipnus stereope (50.2%), and SA ate both mesopelagic and epipelagic preys, primarily fishes of Myctophum asperum (20.3%) and squids of E. chunii (25.8%). Among the three odontocetes, GG had the narrowest dietary niche width, while SA had the widest width. Both the niche overlap index and the analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) showed significant diet differentiation among these three dolphin species. The depth distribution of their principal prey items further suggests that LH feeds in the deepest waters while SA utilizes prey resources near surface.
The systematics of right whales (Mysticeti: Balaenidae)
Authors: Churchill Morgan , Berta Annalisa , Deméré Thomas
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Balaenidae (right whales) are large, critically endangered baleen whales represented by four living species. The evolutionary relationships of balaenids are poorly known, with the number of genera, relationships to fossil taxa, and position within Mysticeti in contention. This study employs a comprehensive set of morphological characters to address aspects of balaenid phylogeny. A sister‐group relationship between neobalaenids and balaenids is strongly supported, although this conflicts with molecular evidence, which may be an artifact of long‐branch attraction (LBA). Monophyly of Balaenidae is supported, and three major clades are recognized: (1) extinct genus Balaenula, (2) extant and extinct species of the genus Eubalaena, and (3) extant and extinct species of the genus Balaena plus the extinct taxon, Balaenella. The relationships of these clades to one another, as well as to the early Miocene stem balaenid, Morenocetus parvus, remain unresolved. Pliocene taxa, Balaenula astensis and Balaenula balaenopsis, form a clade that is the sister group to the Japanese Pliocene Balaenula sp. Eubalaena glacialis and Pliocene Eubalaena belgica, are in an unresolved polytomy with a clade including E. japonica and E. australis. Extant and fossil species of Balaena form a monophyletic group that is sister group to the Dutch Pliocene Balaenella, although phylogenetic relationships within Balaena remain unresolved.
Individual variation in pup vocalizations and absence of behavioral signs of maternal vocal recognition in Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii)
Authors: Opzeeland Ilse C. Van , Parijs Sofie M. Van , Frickenhaus Stephan , Kreiss Cornelia M. , Boebel Olaf
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Individually stereotyped vocalizations often play an important role in relocation of offspring in gregarious breeders. In phocids, mothers often alternate between foraging at sea and attending their pup. Pup calls are individually distinctive in various phocid species. However, experimental evidence for maternal recognition is rare. In this study, we recorded Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii) pup vocalizations at two whelping patches in Atka Bay, Antarctica, and explored individual vocal variation based on eight vocal parameters. Overall, 58% of calls were correctly classified according to individual. For males (n= 12) and females (n= 9), respectively, nine and seven individuals were correctly identified based on vocal parameters. To investigate whether mothers respond differently to calls of familiar vs. unfamiliar pups, we conducted playback experiments with 21 mothers. Maternal responses did not differ between playbacks of own, familiar, and unfamiliar pup calls. We suggest that Weddell seal pup calls may need to contain only a critical amount of individually distinct information because mothers and pups use a combination of sensory modalities for identification. However, it cannot be excluded that pup developmental factors and differing environmental factors between colonies affect pup acoustic behavior and the role of acoustic cues in the relocation process.
The Cysteine Reaction with Diacetyl under Wine‐Like Conditions: Proposed Mechanisms for Mixed Origins of 2‐Methylthiazole, 2‐Methyl‐3‐thiazoline, 2‐Methylthiazolidine, and 2,4,5‐Trimethyloxazole
Authors: Marchand Stéphanie , Almy John , de Revel Gilles
Published: July 2011

Abstract:  A part of the “bouquet of wines” can be caused by the presence of odorous heterocycles produced by chemical reactions between S‐amino acids and α‐dicarbonyl compounds. Under wine ageing physic‐chemical conditions (20 ± 2 °C, ethanol/water 12% v/v, pH 3.5), products of the diacetyl (DI) reaction with cysteine include a number of 1,3‐N,S and 1–3‐N,O 5 member heterocycles having methyl groups attached at C(2). The origin of this methyl‐C(2) fragment was not clear; it could be supplied from DI or from cysteine. To explore this question, a parallel reaction was run in which DI was replaced by 3,4‐hexanedione. With the C(1) and C(4) carbons of DI thus marked with methyl groups, the product distribution demonstrated that in the DI and cysteine reaction, both DI and cysteine provided the methyl‐C(2) to varying degrees in the formation of 2‐methylthiazole, 2‐methyl‐3‐thiazoline and 2,4,5‐trimethyloxazole but only cysteine supplied this fragment for 2‐methylthiazolidine. The results are interpreted in terms of reaction paths appropriate for the mild conditions. These pathways shed light on the mechanisms leading from dicarbonyls to heterocyclic compounds. Like all the chemical pathways, they anticipate the impact of other compounds and physicochemical parameters on heterocyclic generations the generation of heterocyclics. They also suggest the presence of unexplored odorous compounds.
2,4,6‐Octatrienoic acid is a novel promoter of melanogenesis and antioxidant defence in normal human melanocytes via PPAR‐γ activation
Authors: Flori Enrica , Mastrofrancesco Arianna , Kovacs Daniela , Ramot Yuval , Briganti Stefania , Bellei Barbara , Paus Ralf , Picardo Mauro
Published: July 2011

Given the importance of the tanning response in protecting human skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation, one important research priority is to identify novel molecules that are capable of promoting pigmentation and/or antioxidant defence. Parrodienes share some structural features with carotenoids and retinoids, stimulate cell antioxidant defence and counteract senescence‐like phenotype in fibroblasts. We selected the parrodiene‐derivative 2,4,6‐octatrienoic acid (Octa) to study its impact on key parameters of melanogenesis and antioxidant defence in organ‐cultured human skin and in normal human melanocytes. Octa promoted melanogenesis by up‐regulating tyrosinase and microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor expression. This correlated with an increase of melanin content in both human epidermis in situ and cultured human epidermal melanocytes. Moreover, Octa increased the biological antioxidant potential content and the expression and activity of catalase. Activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ was necessary to evoke these effects. These data strongly encourage the systematic study of Octa as a novel candidate promoter of human skin photoprotection.
Risk Factors for Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Illness in Rural Town Isiolo, Kenya
Authors: Kaindi D. W. M. , Schelling E. , Wangoh J. M. , Imungi J. K. , Farah Z. , Meile L.
Published: July 2011

This study assesses risk factors for food‐borne gastrointestinal illness indicated by diarrhoea and/or vomiting using 14‐day recalls among children and young adults. The study was set in Isiolo, a rural town of Kenya, inhabited mainly by pastoralists of different ethnic groups. The preparation methods of milk at the household level were also investigated. The study was cross‐sectional and involved 900 participants from randomly selected households. They were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. An unmatched nested case‐control study was constructed by randomly selecting three controls for each case. Potential risk factors for gastrointestinal illness were analysed using both univariate and multivariate logistic regression models with random effect on ethnic groups. The study results showed that consumption of mutton, carrots, Irish potatoes, raw camel milk, boiled camel milk and fermented camel milk were important risk factors for diarrhoea and/or vomiting, whereas the consumption of boiled goat milk, boiled cow milk, spinach, washing of hands with soap and the presence of proper drainage system had protective effects (odds ratio < 1). We conclude that in this setting, primarily vegetables and the camel milk market chain pose the greatest risks for symptoms of food‐borne gastrointestinal illness.
Myrrh mediates haem oxygenase-1 expression to suppress the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophages
Authors: Cheng Yu-Wen , Cheah Khoot-Peng , Lin Che-Wei , Li Joe-Sharg , Yu Wen-Yu , Chang Ming Long , Yeh Geng-Chang , Chen Sheng-Hsuan , Choy Cheuk-Sing , Hu Chien-Ming
Published: July 2011

Objectives

To elucidate a novel anti-inflammatory mechanism of myrrh against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation.

Methods

RAW264.7 macrophages were cultured in DMEM and then cells were treated with LPS or LPS plus a myrrh methanol extract (MME) for 24 h. The culture medium was collected for determination of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG)E2, interleukin (IL)-1β, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and cells were harvested by lysis buffer for Western blot analysis.

Key findings

Our data showed that treatment with the MME (1∼100 µg/ml) did not cause cytotoxicity or activate haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein synthesis in RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, the MME inhibited LPS-stimulated NO, PGE2, IL-1β and TNF-α release and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein expression. Zn(II) protoporphyrin IX, a specific inhibitor of HO-1, blocked the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression by the MME.

Conclusions

These results suggest that among mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory response, the MME inhibited the production of NO, PGE2, IL-1β and TNF-α by downregulating iNOS and COX-2 gene expression in macrophages and worked through the action of HO-1.
Mechanical Behavior of Recycled Polypropylene Composites Under Tensile, Bending, and Creep Loading: Experimental and Modeling
Authors: Rogueda-Berriet Cécile , Bahlouli Nadia , Pessey Daniel , Rémond Yves
Published: July 2011

By the 2000/53/CE directive, the European Union leads to develop the recycling process industry, specially the plastic one, for end of life vehicles (ELV). To value these recycled materials by an isofunction use, as for example for car semistructure elements, it is necessary for the mechanical properties to be better known. In this study, the effects of the recycling process on the mechanical behavior of polypropylene (PP)/elastomeric, talc particles filled or not, are presented, through different loading tests: tensile (small and finite strain), bending and creep tests. The failure, plasticity, and elasticity parameters modifications are established. Tensile and bending tests lead to some similar characteristics evolution as, for example elastic modulus values. The creep behavior evolution is more complex to understand. Both materials have a near finite strain macroscopic behavior so that, taking account of each component (talc, EPDM or EPR elastomeric part) the intrinsic behavior can be well described in the mechanical model finally presented.
The Leukemogenicity of AML1-ETO Is Dependent on Site-Specific Lysine Acetylation
Authors: Wang Lan , Gural Alexander , Sun Xiao-Jian , Zhao Xinyang , Perna Fabiana , Huang Gang , Hatlen Megan A. , Vu Ly , Liu Fan , Xu Haiming , Asai Takashi , Xu Hao , Deblasio Tony , Menendez Silvia , Voza Francesca , Jiang Yanwen , Cole Philip A. , Zhang Jinsong , Melnick Ari , Roeder Robert G. , Nimer Stephen D.
Published: July 2011

A protein that drives the growth of leukemia does so only when it carries a specific posttranslational modification.
Google Effects on Memory: Cognitive Consequences of Having Information at Our Fingertips
Authors: Sparrow Betsy , Liu Jenny , Wegner Daniel M.
Published: July 2011

Owing to Internet search, we are more likely to encode “where” aspects of memory rather than “what.”
Dual-colour HER2/Chromosome 17 chromogenic in situ hybridisation assay enables accurate assessment of HER2 genomic status in gastric cancer and has potential utility in HER2 testing of biopsy samples
Authors: Yan Benedict , Yau Ee Xuan , Choo Shoa Nian , Ong Chee Wee , Yong Kol Jia , Pang Brendan , Salto-Tellez Manuel
Published: July 2011

Background

Determination of HER2 protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and genomic status by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) are important in identifying a subset of high HER2-expressing gastric cancers that might respond to trastuzumab. Although FISH is considered the standard for determination of HER2 genomic status, brightfield ISH is being increasingly recognised as a viable alternative. Also, the impact of HER2 protein expression/genomic heterogeneity on the accuracy of HER2 testing has not been well studied in the context of gastric biopsy samples.

Aims/methods

To study the utility of brightfield ISH in the evaluation of HER2 genomic status, the correlation coefficient between dual-colour HER2/Chromosome 17 chromogenic in situ hybridisation (CISH) and FISH was ascertained. To study the impact of intratumoral heterogeneity on the accuracy of HER2 testing, the concordance rate of HER2 protein expression/genomic status between matched biopsies and surgical resection specimens of high HER2-expressing gastric cancers was ascertained.

Results

The dual-colour CISH assay showed a 100% concordance rate with FISH results in 119 samples (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.987, p<0.001). Five of the 11 high-HER2 expressors (defined as IHC 3+ or IHC 2+/FISH-amplified according to Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer trial criteria) showed an IHC 3+ score on matched biopsies (concordance rate 45.5%). Nine of these 11 cases showed HER2 amplification on matched biopsies (concordance rate 81.8%).

Conclusion

Dual-colour CISH is an excellent alternative for the evaluation of HER2 genomic status in gastric cancers. Determination of HER2 status by HER2 IHC alone in limited gastric biopsy samples results in a high false-negative rate, and diagnostic accuracy appears to be improved if HER2 genomic testing, either alone or concurrently with IHC, is performed for HER2 testing.
The prevalence of thec-kitexon 10 variant, M541L, in aggressive fibromatosis does not differ from the general population
Authors: Grabellus Florian , Worm Karl , Sheu Sien-Yi , Siffert Winfried , Schmid Kurt W , Bachmann Hagen S
Published: July 2011

Background

The frequency of thec-kitexon 10 variant, M541L, (c.1621 A>C) in aggressive fibromatosis (AF) was recently determined to be 2.5-fold higher than in healthy controls. It was thus hypothesised that M541L could be associated with the development of AF.

Methods

42 cases of sporadic AF were investigated forc-kitexon 10 alterations, by traditional sequencing. Subsequently, the AF cases and 126 healthy volunteers were screened for the M541L by pyrosequencing.

Results

Genotype frequency of M541L in AF was 16.7% (allele frequencies: A, 0.92 and C, 0.08), which did not differ from the control group. Moreover the M541L variant was found to be not tumour specific.

Conclusions

The result classifies the M541L variant ofc-kitexon 10 as a single nucleotide polymorphism. Because its prevalence does not differ between the AF and general populations, an association with AF tumourigenesis is unlikely.
Conservation and enhancement of wild fish populations: preserving genetic quality versus genetic diversity1This paper is derived from the J.C. Stevenson Memorial Lecture delivered by Bryan Neff at the Canadian Conference for Fisheries Research in Winnipeg, Manitoba, January 2010.
Authors: Neff Bryan D. , Garner Shawn R. , Pitcher Trevor E.
Published: July 2011

Nearly 40% of commercial fisheries have now collapsed or are in serious decline. In response, governments have invested millions of dollars into artificial breeding programs, but many programs have failed to rehabilitate dwindling wild stocks. This failure may in part lie in the lack of knowledge about the genetic architecture of fitness: the genes and genotypes that are associated with individual performance. In this paper we discuss (i) artificial breeding programs, (ii) the genetic architecture of fitness, (iii) additive and nonadditive genetic effects on fitness, (iv) genetic diversity and evolvability, and (v) natural breeding and adaptation. We argue that most breeding programs do not maintain genetic adaptations and may consequently be ineffective at rehabilitating or enhancing wild populations. Moreover, there is no evidence that preserving genetic diversity as measured from neutral genetic markers increases fish performance or population viability outside of populations that experience strong inbreeding depression, and limited data that genetic diversity increases the potential for populations to adapt to changing environments. We suggest that artificial breeding programs should be used only as a last resort when populations face imminent extirpation and that such programs must shift the focus from solely preserving genetic diversity to preserving genetic adaptations.
Benthic and pelagic contributions to Mysis nutrition across Lake Superior
Authors: Sierszen Michael E. , Kelly John R. , Corry Timothy D. , Scharold Jill V. , Yurista Peder M.
Published: July 2011

Quantifying nutritional sources for Mysis diluviana will help to clarify the basis for production in lakes with Mysis and improve models of migration-driven nutrient and contaminant transport. We sampled Mysis, plankton, and benthos across Lake Superior using a stratified-random design that provided a statistically valid representation of the lake across depths. We then estimated nutritional contributions to Mysis using stable isotope ratios of Mysis, zooplankton, Bythotrephes , Diporeia , oligochaetes, and detritus in a multiple-source, dual-isotope mixing model. Lake-wide, small (<1.0 cm) mysids relied almost exclusively upon plankton, whereas large mysids occupied a higher trophic position and obtained nutrition among sources. Model estimates of mean benthic contributions to large Mysis ranged from 27% to 58%. We predicted the importance of benthos to Mysis to track declining benthic biomass with depth. Model results indicated that if Diporeia were the only benthic food eaten, benthic contributions would decline to 40% with depth, but inclusion of detritus in the model resulted in consistent importance of benthic food across depths. The importance of benthos to mysid nutrition suggests strong benthic–pelagic coupling at all lake depths and might limit the ability of Mysis to support fisheries in systems that have lost Diporeia.
A whole-lake density reduction to assess compensatory responses of gizzard shadDorosoma cepedianum
Authors: Catalano Matthew J. , Allen Micheal S.
Published: July 2011

We used a fishery-induced density reduction of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum at a previously unharvested lake to evaluate compensatory density dependence in recruitment processes. We also studied gizzard shad populations at two nearby unharvested lakes to provide contrast with the harvested population. Gizzard shad spawner biomass was reduced by 72% at the harvested lake after 2 years of gill-net removals, although variation in total shad biomass was more modest. We evaluated responses by gizzard shad to the range of biomasses present among the three lakes and 5 years of the study. Annual growth increments varied little over 5 years and were not related to population density across the three lakes. Length-at-maturity differed among lakes and years, but was not related to population density. Despite the range in spawner biomass among the lakes during the study, annual recruitment estimates showed little relationship to the size of the spawner population, suggesting density-dependent prerecruit survival. A spawner–recruit analysis on pooled data from the three lakes indicated that prerecruit survival was negatively related to spawner biomass. Our study provides a rare glimpse of fish compensatory responses following exploitation of a previously unharvested population and has implications for population dynamics theory and fisheries management.
Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) osmoregulatory development plays a key role in sea louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) tolerance
Authors: Sackville M. , Tang S. , Nendick L. , Farrell A.P. , Brauner C.J.
Published: July 2011

Sea lice ( Lepeophtheirus salmonis ) of fish-farm origin have been implicated in reducing populations of pink salmon ( Oncorhynchus gorbuscha ) in British Columbia’s Broughton Archipelago. Owing to the physically disruptive nature of louse attachment to fish skin in a hyperosmotic environment, we hypothesize that the impacts on fish performance are ionoregulatory in origin. Therefore, ionoregulatory status was measured in juvenile pink salmon artificially infected in the laboratory and naturally infected in the wild. Body [Na+] of laboratory-infected fish (∼1 week seawater (SW); 0.2–0.4 g) increased significantly by 12% with a single chalimus-4 louse, and by 23% with 2–3 chalimus-3 lice. Mortality over this 24-day trial was 2.4% for fish initially infected with 1–3 lice. Body [Na+] for fish caught with natural infections (∼4–12 weeks SW; 0.5–1.5 g) did not differ from uninfected controls. Combining data sets revealed a “no effect” threshold of 0.5 g for body [Na+] of fish infected with one chalimus-4 louse. We propose that this size-related louse tolerance is associated with hypo-osmoregulatory development, adding to a previously suggested multifactorial mechanism based on epidermal and immune system development. We suggest management bodies consider this fish-mass threshold when planning to minimize risk to wild fish populations.
An age- and sex-structured assessment model for American eels (Anguilla rostrata) in the Potomac River, Maryland
Authors: Fenske Kari H. , Wilberg Michael J. , Secor David H. , Fabrizio Mary C.
Published: July 2011

American eel ( Anguilla rostrata ) and European eel ( Anguilla anguilla ) populations have declined since the 1980s prompting concern about their status and the causes of decline, but stock assessment approaches to estimate effects of fishing on these populations are lacking. Since 1964, 16% of United States commercial American eel harvest came from the Potomac River, yet American eel abundance, production, and fishing mortality is poorly understood in this system. We developed an age- and sex-structured assessment model for 1980–2008 and compared results with the F50%biological reference point (BRP). The model included natural mortality, fishing mortality, and sex- and age-specific maturation mortality and selectivity. Between 1980 and 2008 estimated recruitment, biomass, and abundance decreased 82%–89%. In all years since 1993, the exploitation rate exceeded the F50%BRP. The model was moderately sensitive to changes in natural mortality, standard deviation for fishery and recruitment catch-per-unit-effort indices, and initial fishing mortality. The multidecadal decline in recruitment in Chesapeake eels matches those reported elsewhere for American and European eels, suggesting large-scale processes have affected anguillid eel recruitment in the North Atlantic.
Water quality changes in south-central Ontario lakes and the role of local factors in regulating lake response to regional stressors
Authors: Palmer Michelle E. , Yan Norman D. , Paterson Andrew M. , Girard Robert E.
Published: July 2011

The long-term monitoring of eight lakes near Dorset, Ontario, indicates that the water quality has changed significantly over the last 30 years. However, trends in the Dorset lakes may not be representative of changes in other south-central Ontario lakes, as the Dorset lakes are within a small area and span a limited gradient of lake and watershed characteristics. To determine the regional extent of water quality changes, we assessed the chemical changes in 36 diverse lakes that were first sampled between 1981 and 1990 and were resampled in 2004–2005. Similar to trends in the Dorset lakes, changes in the regional lakes included decreasing acidity, calcium, conductivity, metals, and phosphorus, and increasing dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen, sodium, and chloride. Water quality changes were driven by regional stressors, including acidic deposition, climate, and lakeshore residential development. However, stressor-induced responses differed among lakes. Increases in sodium and chloride were greater in developed lakes that were close to winter-maintained roads. Site-specific characteristics, such as lake and watershed morphometry, could not explain heterogeneous changes in the remaining water quality parameters. These results indicate that other factors play an important role in regulating individual lake response to regional stressors.
BLACK HOLE STATE COUNTING IN LOOP QUANTUM GRAVITY
Authors: GHOSH A. , MITRA P.
Published: July 2011

The two ways of counting microscopic states of black holes in the U(1) formulation of loop quantum gravity: one counting all allowed spin network labels j, m and the other only m labels, are discussed in some detail. The constraints on m are clarified and the map between the flux quantum numbers and m discussed. Configurations with |m|=j, which are sometimes sought after, are shown to be important only when large areas are involved. The discussion is extended to the SU(2) formulation.
DETERMINING SOURCE CUMULANTS IN FEMTOSCOPY WITH GRAM–CHARLIER AND EDGEWORTH SERIES
Authors: EGGERS H. C. , DE KOCK M. B. , SCHMIEGEL J.
Published: July 2011

Lowest-order cumulants provide important information on the shape of the emission source in femtoscopy. For the simple case of noninteracting identical particles, we show how the fourth-order source cumulant can be determined from measured cumulants in momentum space. The textbook Gram–Charlier series is found to be highly inaccurate, while the related Edgeworth series provides increasingly accurate estimates. Ordering of terms compatible with the Central Limit Theorem appears to play a crucial role even for non-Gaussian distributions.
LOCAL COMMUTATORS AND DEFORMATIONS IN CONFORMAL CHIRAL QUANTUM FIELD THEORIES
Authors: KUKHTINA ANTONIA M. , REHREN KARL-HENNING
Published: July 2011

We study the general form of Möbius covariant local commutation relations in conformal chiral quantum field theories and show that they are intrinsically determined up to structure constants, which are subject to an infinite system of constraints. The deformation theory of these commutators is controlled by a cohomology complex, whose cochain spaces consist of linear maps that are subject to a complicated symmetry property, a generalization of the anti-symmetry of the Lie algebra case.
Doodle in the Classroom
Authors: Näf Michael
Published: July 2011

Online scheduling can be a valuable solution in education, if you are an educator your time is in short supply. Teachers can benefit from tools and practices that save them time and make them more efficient. While students have been proactive in figuring out how they can make Doodle work to their advantage.
Getting Students to Talk in the Online Course
Authors: Everson Michelle
Published: July 2011

What kinds of questions might we pose to actually get students discussing? Too many instructors forget about the importance of discussion assignments, which leads to a lull in student-student interaction. Michelle Everson shares her experiences in generating good discussion.
The Pain of Implementing LINQ Providers
Authors: Eini Oren
Published: July 2011

I remember sitting on the edge of my seat watching the 2005 PDC (Professional Developers Conference) videos that first showed LINQ (Language Integrated Query). I wanted LINQ: it offered just about everything that I could hope for to make working with data easy. The impetus for building queries into the language is quite simple; it is something that is used all the time; and the promise of a unified querying model is good enough, even before you add all the language goodies that were dropped on us. Being able to write in C# and have the database magically understand what I am doing? Awesome! Getting compilation errors from Visual Studio, rather than runtime errors at testing (or worse, production)? Wonderful! Getting rid of most SQL injection issues? Amazing!
File-system Litter
Authors: Neville-Neil George
Published: July 2011

Dear KV, We recently ran out of storage space on a very large file server and upon closer inspection we found that it was just one employee who had used it all up. The space was taken up almost exclusively by small files that were the result of running some data-analysis scripts. These files were completely unnecessary after they had been read once. The code that generated the files had no good way of cleaning them up once they had been created; it just went on believing that storage was infinite. Now we’ve had to put quotas on our file servers and, of course, deal with weekly cries for more disk space. Surely there is a better way of dealing with this problem than clamping down on everyone for fear that one of them will do the wrong thing.