bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent transposition of yabusame, a novel piggyBac-like transposable element in the genome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Daimon Takaaki , Mitsuhiro Masao , Katsuma Susumu , Abe Hiroaki , Mita Kazuei , Shimada Toru
Published: August 2010

On the W chromosome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori , we found a novel piggyBac-like DNA transposon that potentially encodes an intact transposase (610 amino acid residues), which is flanked by 16-bp perfect inverted terminal repeats and a duplicated TTAA target site. Interestingly, we also identified another intact copy of this transposon on an autosome (chromosome 21), which showed 99.6% identity in the DNA sequence of the transposase (99.3% amino acid identity). These features raised the possibility that this novel piggyBac-like DNA transposon, designated as yabusame, may retain transposition activity. Here we report the identification and characterization of yabusame transposons from the silkworm. We cloned the full length of the yabusame transposon on the W chromosome (yabusame-W) and its autosomal copy (yabusame-1). Southern blot analysis showed that there are interstrain polymorphisms in yabusame elements for their insertion sites and copy number. We also found strong evidence for the recent transposition of yabusame elements in the silkworm genome. Although our in vitro excision assays suggested that the transposition activity of yabusame-1 and yabusame-W has been lost almost entirely, our data will lead to a greater understanding of the characteristics of piggyBac superfamily elements.
Genomic affinities inTurnera(subseriesTurnera, Turneraceae) inferred by in situ hybridization techniques
Authors: López Alicia , Fernández Aveliano , Poggio Lidia
Published: August 2010

Subseries Turnera comprises a polyploid complex with ploidy levels ranging from diploid (2n = 2x = 10) to octoploid (2n = 8x = 40). The use of fluorescent in situ hybridization greatly improved the knowledge of the karyotypes of Turnera species by detecting and mapping rDNA sites. Interspecific variability in the number of sites was detected, but not in correlation with the ploidy level. A chromosome pair with a strong hybridization signal was always visible and this signal corresponded to the secondary constriction detectable by conventional techniques. Genomic in situ hybridization experiments combined with information on meiotic pairing in species and interspecific hybrids revealed that homologies detected by molecular analysis are greater than those detected by chromosome pairing. This suggests that the formation of the allopolyploids could involve species more closely related than previously assumed. Despite the molecular affinity among the genomes, the meiotic pairing is probably controlled by specific genes that restrict homeologous pairing in polyploids.
Introgression of B-genome chromosomes in a doubled haploid population ofBrassica napus ×B. carinata
Authors: Navabi Z. K. , Parkin I. A.P. , Pires J. C. , Xiong Z. , Thiagarajah M. R. , Good A. G. , Rahman M. H.
Published: August 2010

The Brassica B-genome species possess many valuable agronomic and disease resistance traits. To transfer traits from the B genome of B. carinata into B. napus , an interspecific cross between B. napus and B. carinata was performed and a doubled haploid (DH) population was generated from the BC2S3generation. Successful production of interspecific DH lines as identified using B-genome microsatellite markers is reported. Five percent of DH lines carry either intact B-genome chromosomes or chromosomes that have deletions. All of the DH lines have linkage group J13/B7 in common. This was further confirmed using B. nigra genomic DNA in a fluorescent in situ hybridization assay where the B-genome chromosomes were visualized and distinguished from the A- and C-genome chromosomes. The 60 DH lines were also evaluated for morphological traits in the field for two seasons and were tested for resistance to blackleg, caused by Leptosphaeria maculans , under greenhouse conditions. Variation in the DH population followed a normal distribution for several agronomic traits and response to blackleg. The lines with B-genome chromosomes were significantly different (p < 0.01) from the lines without B-genome chromosomes for both morphological and seed quality traits such as days to flowering, days to maturity, and erucic acid content.
Do neuromuscular adaptations occur in endurance-trained boys and men?
Authors: Cohen Rotem , Mitchell Cam , Dotan Raffy , Gabriel David , Klentrou Panagiota , Falk Bareket
Published: August 2010

Most research on the effects of endurance training has focused on endurance training's health-related benefits and metabolic effects in both children and adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the neuromuscular effects of endurance training and to investigate whether they differ in children (9.0–12.9 years) and adults (18.4–35.6 years). Maximal isometric torque, rate of torque development (RTD), rate of muscle activation (Q30), electromechanical delay (EMD), and time to peak torque and peak RTD were determined by isokinetic dynamometry and surface electromyography (EMG) in elbow and knee flexion and extension. The subjects were 12 endurance-trained and 16 untrained boys, and 15 endurance-trained and 20 untrained men. The adults displayed consistently higher peak torque, RTD, and Q30, in both absolute and normalized values, whereas the boys had longer EMD (64.7 ± 17.1 vs. 56.6 ± 15.4 ms) and time to peak RTD (98.5 ± 32.1 vs. 80.4 ± 15.0 ms for boys and men, respectively). Q30, normalized for peak EMG amplitude, was the only observed training effect (1.95 ± 1.16 vs. 1.10 ± 0.67 ms for trained and untrained men, respectively). This effect could not be shown in the boys. The findings show normalized muscle strength and rate of activation to be lower in children compared with adults, regardless of training status. Because the observed higher Q30values were not matched by corresponding higher performance measures in the trained men, the functional and discriminatory significance of Q30remains unclear. Endurance training does not appear to affect muscle strength or rate of force development in either men or boys.
Plasma prekallikrein levels are positively associated with circulating lipid levels and the metabolic syndrome in children
Authors: MacKenzie James A. , Roosa Kristen A. , Gump Brooks B. , Dumas Amy K. , Bendinskas Kestutis G.
Published: August 2010

Plasma prekallikrein (PK) has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors, but these associations have not been investigated in children. The present study examined PK activity in relation to well-established cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of children aged 9–11 years (N = 97). We found a significant and positive association between PK and fasting levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.01), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.01), and triglycerides (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a significant association between PK activity and the metabolic syndrome, a clustering of risk factors considered to have an impact on atherosclerosis and CVD mortality. Finally, we found that children with a family history of CVD had significantly elevated PK activity. These novel findings warrant further investigations into the relationship between circulating PK levels and CVD risk factors because PK may be involved in the progression of the disease state.
Postprandial insulin sensitivity and thermogenesis in frail elderly women
Authors: Goulet Eric D.B. , Khursigara Zareen , Gougeon Réjeanne , Morais José A.
Published: August 2010

The frailty syndrome is associated with inflammation, hypercortisolemia, and cardiovascular diseases, all of which are linked with insulin resistance. But whether frailty is characterized by insulin resistance is unclear, especially in the postprandial state. The prevalence of underweight with frailty is high. We wondered whether hypermetabolism associated with inflammation and hypercortisolemia could increase the thermic effect of food (TEF) and contribute to the frailty-associated body weight loss. In this study, we determined whether insulin sensitivity and TEF responses differ between frail and healthy elderly persons following a meal. Ten healthy and 13 frail elderly women were recruited and studied during the 5 h following the ingestion of a standardized liquid mixed-meal test. Areas under the curve (AUC) for glucose and insulin, and the product of AUC glucose × AUC insulin × 10−6(PGI) were used as indices of insulin sensitivity. TEF was measured by indirect calorimetry. Following the meal, glucose and insulin AUCs and PGI were significantly higher in frail than in healthy elderly women and, except for the insulin AUC; these differences remained significant after adjustment for age, body weight, and physical activity. Physical activity, determined by questionnaire, was the single best predictor of PGI, explaining 27% of its variance. There was no difference in TEF between groups, and it did not correlate with any significant variable measured. Our results suggest that postprandial insulin resistance is higher in frail than in healthy elderly women, and TEF is similar, indicating that both processes do not contribute to the propensity for body weight loss.
Shear strength of disturbed regions with corroded stirrups in reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Suffern Christopher , El-Sayed Ahmed , Soudki Khaled
Published: August 2010

This paper reports experimental data on the structural performance of disturbed regions in reinforced concrete beams with corrosion damage to the embedded steel stirrups. A total of 15 reinforced concrete beams were constructed and tested. The test beams were 350 mm deep, 125 mm wide, and 1850 mm long. The beams were tested in three-point bending under a simply supported span of 1500 mm. Nine beams had the embedded stirrups subjected to accelerated corrosion. The test variables were the corrosion damage level and the shear span-to-depth ratio. The test results indicated that the corroded beams exhibited reduced shear strength in comparison to the uncorroded control specimens. The shear strength reduction was up to 53%. Furthermore, the reduction in shear strength due to the corrosion was found to be greater at smaller shear span-to-depth ratios.
Enhancing construction project supply chains and performance evaluation methods: a case study of a bridge construction project
Authors: Pan Nai-Hsin , Lin Yung-Yu , Pan Nang-Fei
Published: August 2010

Construction supply chain management (cSCM) requires planning such that construction stages and logistics are coordinated and integrated to reduce costs, improve productivity, and generate a win–win situation for different parties. The supply chain operations reference (SCOR), which has been widely applied in other industries, is a standardized operational modeling methodology for analyzing supply chain processes. This study considers construction industry characteristics in applying the SCOR model to develop a dynamic cSCM model using computer simulation. Furthermore, this study developed a novel cSCM performance evaluation method using the SCOR method to evaluate cSCM performance and identify and solve cSCM problems. This study uses a bridge construction project as a case study, which determines the relationships among supply chain participants to enhance communication efficiency and identify problems related to materials management. The case study results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid modeling methodology helps construction supply chain participants identify their roles and communicate easily, helps project managers identify bottlenecks in a supply chain, and significantly improves cSCM performance.
Hybrid fuzzy MADM project-selection model for diversified construction companies
Authors: Ravanshadnia Mehdi , Rajaie Hossein , Abbasian Hamid R.
Published: August 2010

Projects are the life blood of construction companies. Appropriate project selection is a crucial multicriteria decision that influences the future of such organizations. This paper presents a construction project-selection model that notes the influences of the current projects of a company or what is called the portfolio effect. The model applies a multistage fuzzy multi-attribute decision making (MADM) method to determine whether one should offer or not offer a tender. The final output of the model is the decision to be made about selecting a project for bidding considering three probable policies: (1) diversification, (2) concentration, or (3) neutral policy. The model has been applied in a case study. Practitioners perceived the model as a useful tool for their project-selection decisions. The results of a statistical experiment indicate significant results in accordance with the model’s comprehensiveness, applicability, reliability, and user-friendliness.
Do corresponding coupling constants in hydrogen-bonded homo- and hetero-chiral dimers differ?
Authors: Del Bene Janet E. , Alkorta Ibon , Elguero José
Published: August 2010

Ab initio equation-of-motion coupled cluster singles and doubles (EOM–CCSD) calculations have been carried out to evaluate spin–spin coupling constants in six pairs of homo- and hetero-chiral dimers: (HOOH)2, (H2NNH2)2, (FOOH)2, (FHNNH2)2, (HOOOH)2, and (FOOOH)2. Corresponding spin–spin coupling constants in these isomeric pairs of C2and Cisymmetry may differ, but these differences are small and may not be detectable experimentally. For the complexes with O1–H···O and O1–H···F hydrogen bonds,1J(O1–H) has a larger absolute value in the C2isomer. For the same set of complexes,1J(O1–O2) has a larger absolute value in the Ciisomer. No distinguishable patterns could be discerned in the remaining spin–spin coupling constants in the C2and Ciisomers of these complexes, nor in complexes with N–H···N hydrogen bonds.
Prototypical arsine–triel adducts (R3AsEX3 for E = B, Al, and Ga)
Authors: Conrad Eamonn , Pickup Janet , Burford Neil , McDonald Robert , Ferguson Michael J.
Published: August 2010

Complexes of arsine ligands (R3As, R = Me, Et, Ph) and Lewis acids of group-13 elements of the form EX3 (E = B, X = Ph, C6F5; E = Al, X = Cl, Br, I; E = Ga, X = Cl) have been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography, infrared spectroscopy, 1H, 13C{1H}, 11B{1H}, and 27Al NMR spectroscopy. The compounds are compared with rare arsine–triel adducts.
Diagnostics of molecular orbital quality
Authors: Deng Jia , Gilbert Andrew T.B. , Gill Peter M.W.
Published: August 2010

We discuss several measures of the quality of a molecular orbital. Each requires only that the orbital be associated with a well-defined Fock operator and is thus applicable to both Hartree–Fock and density functional orbitals. One of the measures, the γ diagnostic, ranges from γ = 0 (perfect) to γ = π/2 (poor) and is conceptually simple. We illustrate its usefulness by applying it to a number of small atoms and ions.
A DFT study on the catalytic mechanism of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase
Authors: Huang WenJuan , Llano Jorge , Gauld James W.
Published: August 2010

Uridine 5′-diphosphate glucuronic acid (UDPGlcUA) is a key intermediary metabolite in many species, including pathogenic bacteria and humans. It is biosynthesized from UDP-glucose (UDPGlc) by uridine diphosphate glucose dehydrogenase (UDPGlcDH) via a twofold two-electron–one-proton oxidation that successively transforms the 6-hydroxymethyl of glucopyranose into a formyl, and the latter into the final carboxylic function. The catalytic mechanism of UDPGlcDH was investigated using a large enzyme active-site model in combination with the B3LYP method and the polarizable continuum model (IEF-PCM) self-consistent reaction field. The latter was used to correct for the long-range electrostatic effect of the protein environment. The overall mechanism consists of four catalytic steps: (i) NAD+-dependent oxidation of glucose to glucuronaldehyde, (ii) nucleophilic addition of Cys260–SH to glucuronaldehyde to form a 6-thiohemiacetal intermediate, (iii) NAD+-dependent oxidation of the 6-thiohemiacetal to form a 6-thioester intermediate, and finally, (iv) hydrolysis of the 6-thioester to give glucuronic acid. In addition, this study also provides insight into the debated roles of Lys204 and Asp264, and the most likely protonation state of a reactive Michaelis complex of UDPGlcDH.
Nonequilibrium solvent effects in reaction kinetics — Steady-state solutions for the Agmon–Hopfield two-dimensional stochastic model
Authors: Dance Paul , Edwards Essex , Asano Tsutomu , Basilevsky Michael V. , Weinberg Noham
Published: August 2010

We propose an approximate localized-sink approach to the solution of the Agmon–Hopfield two-dimensional stochastic model for reactions in viscous media. The approach yields simple expressions for the sink location and the reaction rate constant, easy to use in the analysis of experimental data, and allows an intuitive phenomenological interpretation of the overall process in terms of a two-step kinetic scheme.
The assessment of density functionals for DNA–protein stacked and T-shaped complexes
Authors: Rutledge Lesley R. , Wetmore Stacey D.
Published: August 2010

The present work uses 129 nucleobase – amino acid CCSD(T)/CBS stacking and T-shaped interaction energies as reference data to test the ability of various density functionals with double-zeta quality basis sets, as well as some semi-empirical and molecular mechanics methods, to accurately describe noncovalent DNA–protein π–π and π+–π interactions. The goal of this work is to identify methods that can be used in hybrid approaches (QM/MM, ONIOM) for large-scale modeling of enzymatic systems involving active-site (substrate) π–π contacts. Our results indicate that AMBER is a more appropriate choice for the lower-level method in hybrid techniques than popular semi-empirical methods (AM1, PM3), and suggest that AMBER accurately describes the π–π interactions found throughout DNA–protein complexes. The M06–2X and PBE-D density functionals were found to provide very promising descriptions of the 129 nucleobase – amino acid interaction energies, which suggests that these may be the most suitable methods for describing high-level regions. Therefore, M06–2X and PBE-D with both the 6–31G(d) and 6–31+G(d,p) basis sets were further examined through potential-energy surface scans to better understand how these techniques describe DNA–protein π–π interactions in both minimum and nonminimum regions of the potential-energy surfaces, which is critical information when modeling enzymatic reaction pathways. Our results suggest that studies of stacked nucleobase – amino acid systems should implement the PBE-D/6–31+G(d,p) method. However, if T-shaped contacts are involved and (or) smaller basis sets must be considered due to limitations in computational resources, then M06–2X/6–31G(d) provides an overall excellent description of both nucleobase – amino acid stacking and T-shaped interactions for a range of DNA–protein π–π and π+–π interactions.
Dynamics of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Enterococcus faecalis during swine manure storage
Authors: Mangalappalli-Illathu Anil , Duriez Patrick , Masson Luke , Diarra Moussa Sory , Scott Andrew , Tien Yuan-Ching , Zhang Yun , Topp Edward
Published: August 2010

In this study we used 2 experimental approaches to evaluate the stability of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) phenotypes, selected AMR genes, and selected virulence genes in Enterococcus faecalis during manure storage on a commercial swine farm. Isolates of E. faecalis were obtained directly from fresh fecal material (n = 120) and from the manure storage facility (n = 85) and compared. Tetracycline resistance and the virulence genes cob, esp, eep, and ccf were detected at lower frequency in manure isolates than in fecal isolates. A second approach consisted of immersing in diffusion chambers pure cultures of E. faecalis that varied in their AMR phenotypes and virulence genotypes in the swine manure storage facility for 8 weeks, sampling periodically, and evaluating the recovered strains for changes in their genotypic or phenotypic characteristics. Enterococcus faecalis populations declined exponentially, with rate constants ranging from 0.011 to 0.022 h–1. Among the AMR and virulence genes examined, 1 AMR gene (sat4) and 7 virulence genes (agrBfs, cob, cpd, cylB, efaAfs, enlA, and esp) were lost at low frequencies in the recovered strains. The AMR phenotypes were stable during the incubation, with minimal loss (P > 0.05) of the streptomycin-resistance phenotype. Overall, these results suggest that some attributes of public health significance in populations of E. faecalis decrease in frequency during manure storage.
Endothelin-1-mediated cerebrovascular remodeling is not associated with increased ischemic brain injury in diabetesThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the two-part special issue entitled 20 Years of Endothelin Research.
Authors: Li Weiguo , Kelly-Cobbs Aisha I. , Mezzetti Erin M. , Fagan Susan C. , Ergul Adviye
Published: August 2010

Diabetes increases the risk of as well as poor outcome after stroke. Matrix metalloprotease (MMP) activation disrupts blood–brain barrier integrity after cerebral ischemia. We have previously shown that type 2 diabetes promotes remodeling of middle cerebral arteries (MCA) characterized by increased media/lumen (M/L) ratio and MMP activity in an endothelin (ET)-1-dependent manner in the Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rat model. In the present study, we examined the effects of ET-1-mediated vascular remodeling on neurovascular damage following cerebral ischemic injury in GK rats 5 and 12 weeks after the onset of diabetes. The MCA structure, cerebral perfusion as well as infarct size, and hemorrhage were measured in control and diabetic rats subjected to transient MCA occlusion. M/L ratio was increased after 12 but not 5 weeks of diabetes. The baseline cerebral perfusion was lower and the infarct volume smaller in diabetic rats in both age groups. The incidence of hemorrhagic transformation was higher after 5 weeks of diabetes as compared to that after 12 weeks or in the control groups. These findings provide evidence that ET-1-mediated cerebrovascular remodeling does not worsen the neurovascular damage of ischemic brain injury in diabetes. It is possible that this early remodeling response is compensatory in nature to regulate vascular tone and integrity, especially when ischemia is layered on diabetic vascular disease.
Short sleep duration is associated with enhanced endothelin-1 vasoconstrictor toneThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the two-part special issue entitled 20 Years of Endothelin Research.
Authors: Weil Brian R. , Mestek Michael L. , Westby Christian M. , Van Guilder Gary P. , Greiner Jared J. , Stauffer Brian L. , DeSouza Christopher A.
Published: August 2010

Short sleep duration is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity. Endothelial vasomotor dysfunction represents a potential mechanism contributing to the increased CVD risk associated with habitual short sleep duration. Endothelin (ET)-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide that is associated with endothelial vasomotor dysfunction and increased CVD risk. Currently, there is no information regarding the influence of short sleep duration on ET-1 vasoconstrictor activity in adults. We tested the hypothesis that ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor activity is greater in adults who sleep less than 7 h/night (short sleep duration) compared with those who sleep 7–9 h/night (normal sleep duration). Forearm blood flow (FBF) responses to intra-arterial infusion of BQ-123 (100 nmol/min for 60 min), a selective ETAreceptor antagonist, were determined in 80 adults: 50 with normal sleep duration (32 males and 18 females; age: 56.6 ± 1.2 years; sleep: 7.6 ± 0.1 h/night) and 30 with short sleep duration (17 males and 13 females; age: 56.5 ± 1.2 years; sleep: 6.1 ± 0.1 h/night). In response to BQ-123, adults reporting short sleep duration had a greater increase in resting FBF compared with adults reporting normal sleep duration (~20% vs. ~8%; P < 0.05). There was an inverse relation between mean nightly sleep duration and the FBF response to BQ-123 at 60 min (r = –0.29, P < 0.05). These findings indicate that habitual short sleep duration is associated with greater ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone. Increased ET-1 vasoconstrictor activity may contribute to the elevated CVD risk associated with chronic reductions in sleep duration.
β-arrestin-1 mediates the endothelin-1-induced activation of Akt and integrin-linked kinaseThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the two-part special issue entitled 20 Years of Endothelin Research.
Authors: Cianfrocca Roberta , Rosanò Laura , Spinella Francesca , Di Castro Valeriana , Natali Pier Giorgio , Bagnato Anna
Published: August 2010

The contribution of the endothelin-1 (ET-1)/ET A receptor (ETAR) axis in tumor growth and progression is investigated in many tumor types, including ovarian carcinoma. In ovarian cancer cells, ET-1 acts as an autocrine growth factor selectively through the ETAR triggering the concomitant activation of multiple pathways. In these cells, the involvement of β-arrestin-1 as signal transducer in ET-1-dependent signalling pathways has been recently highlighted. Because several G protein-coupled receptors have been shown to activate signalling pathways in a β-arrestin-dependent manner, in this study we explored whether β-arrestin-1 is involved in a distinct signalling mechanism linking the ETAR to phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/integrin-linked kinase (ILK)/Akt in HEY ovarian cancer cells. The inhibitory effects of ZD4054 (zibotentan), a specific ETAR antagonist, in ET-1-dependent phosphorylation of ILK, Akt, and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3β) demonstrated the involvement of the ETAR in these effects. By using a kinase assay, we demonstrate that β-arrestin-1 silencing inhibits the ET-1-induced ILK activity in a time-dependent manner and downstream Akt and GSK-3β phosphorylation. These results reveal that β-arrestin-1 is implicated as an ETAR-transducer in the activation of ILK and Akt and in the inactivation of GSK-3β in response to ET-1 and further support the role of β-arrestin-1 as a multifunctional adaptor facilitating interprotein interactions critically involved in ETAR-mediated signalling that regulate invasive and metastatic behaviour of ovarian cancer.
ETA receptors are present in human aortic vascular endothelial cells and modulate intracellular calciumThis article is one of a selection of papers published in the two-part special issue entitled 20 Years of Endothelin Research.
Authors: Avedanian Levon , Riopel Julie , Bkaily Ghassan , Nader Moni , D’Orleans-Juste Pedro , Jacques Danielle
Published: August 2010

Using immunofluorescence and real 3-D confocal microscopy, our results showed the presence of ET-1, ETA, and ETB receptors in isolated human aortic vascular endothelial cells (hVECs). The level of the peptide and its receptors was significantly higher in the nucleus (including the nuclear envelope membranes) than in the cytosol (including the cell membrane). Furthermore, using the Western blot technique we demonstrated the presence of both ETA and ETB receptors. Using intact and isolated human hVECs and the Fura-2 calcium (Ca2+) measurement technique, we showed that ET-1 induced a dose-dependent increase of total intracellular free Ca2+, with an EC50 of 1.3 × 10−10 mol/L. The specific ETA receptor antagonist ABT-627 (10−7 mol/L), but not the ETB receptor antagonist A-192621 (10−7 mol/L), prevented the ET-1 (10−9 mol/L) induced increase of total intracellular Ca2+. In conclusion, these results clearly show that similar to ETB receptors, ETA receptors are also present in human aortic vascular endothelial cells and their levels are higher than ETB in the nucleus when compared with the cytosol. Furthermore, we suggest that ETA, but not ETB, receptors mediate the effect of ET-1 on total intracellular Ca2+ of human aortic vascular endothelial cells.
DISCUSSION ON THE SELF-ABSORPTION OF SODIUM 330.3 NM RESONANCE LINE FOR THE SPHERICAL GEOMETRY PLASMA
Authors: HE JIAN , XIA LIXIN
Published: August 2010

In this letter, self-absorption is discussed using the concept of escape factor. The calculation method of the escape factor for spherical geometry plasma is discussed. For the spherical geometry, the escape factors Λ(r) at any position r in a spherical geometry plasma (with the radius R) for Lorentzian and Holtsmarkian profiles are calculated, and a general expression is obtained. As an example, for the sodium 330.3 nm resonance line, the total radiance and the real radiance are calculated, and the self-absorption for the resonance line is discussed. This discussion will be useful for the study of the relationship of escape factor and the self-absorption of spectral lines for any geometries.
ON THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING PIE IN GRAPHENE
Authors: GIACCONI PAOLA , SOLDATI ROBERTO
Published: August 2010

We investigate the structure of the electromagnetic current density for the pseudorelativistic massless spinor effective model for graphene. It is shown that the pseudorelativistic planar massless Dirac theory in the presence of a constant homogeneous electric field actually leads to the recently measured value for the minimum quantum conductivity.
NONLINEAR RESPONSE INDUCED STRONG ABSORPTANCE OF GRAPHENE IN THE TERAHERTZ REGIME
Authors: XU X. G. , CAO J. C.
Published: August 2010

We have calculated the fifth-order nonlinear optical response at experimentally relevant field strengths within the model of massless Dirac fermions by coupling the massless Dirac fermions to the time-dependent electric field quantum mechanically. It demonstrates that the fifth-order nonlinear optical response plays an important role in the contribution to the optical conductivity of pristine single-layer graphene in the low frequency part of the terahertz regime. The nonlinear effect can enhance the optical activity of single-layer graphene in the terahertz regime and significantly decreases the transmittance of graphene in the regime of frequencies from 0.1 to 0.5 THz. These properties of graphene may be used for photonic and optoelectronic device in the terahertz regime.
FINITE-TEMPERATURE SPIN DYNAMICS OF ULTRACOLD BOSONIC ATOMS IN A DOUBLE WELL
Authors: REN ZHIRU
Published: August 2010

The spin dynamics of ultracold bosonic atoms in a double well at finite temperatures is studied in terms of the spin structure factor within the two-site Bose–Hubbard model. The spin structure factor for positive frequencies reveals spin excitations at two frequencies corresponding two transitions among the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian. It has been found that the temperature effect is quite substantial. At zero temperature, only spin excitations at the low frequency survive, while the spectral weights at the two frequencies become approximately equal at high temperatures. As temperature increases, the spectral weight shifts from the low frequency to the high frequency.
DOUBLE-VALUEDNESS OF THE ELECTRON WAVEFUNCTION AND ROTATIONAL ZERO-POINT MOTION OF ELECTRONS IN RINGS
Authors: HIRSCH J. E.
Published: August 2010

I propose that the phase of an electron's wavefunction changes by π when the electron goes around a loop maintaining phase coherence. Equivalently, that the minimum orbital angular momentum of an electron in a ring is ℏ/2 rather than zero as generally assumed, hence, that the electron in a ring has azimuthal zero point motion. This proposal implies that a spin current exists in the ground state of aromatic ring molecules and suggests an explanation for the ubiquitousness of persistent currents observed in mesoscopic rings.
Representation of Eye Position in the Human Parietal Cortex
Authors: Williams Adrian L. , Smith Andrew T.
Published: August 2010

Neurons that signal eye position are thought to make a vital contribution to distinguishing real world motion from retinal motion caused by eye movements, but relatively little is known about such neurons in the human brain. Here we present data from functional MRI experiments that are consistent with the existence of neurons sensitive to eye position in darkness in the human posterior parietal cortex. We used the enhanced sensitivity of multivoxel pattern analysis (MVPA) techniques, combined with a searchlight paradigm, to isolate brain regions sensitive to direction of gaze. During data acquisition, participants were cued to direct their gaze to the left or right for sustained periods as part of a block-design paradigm. Following the exclusion of saccade-related activity from the data, the multivariate analysis showed sensitivity to tonic eye position in two localized posterior parietal regions, namely the dorsal precuneus and, more weakly, the posterior aspect of the intraparietal sulcus. Sensitivity to eye position was also seen in anterior portions of the occipital cortex. The observed sensitivity of visual cortical neurons to eye position, even in the total absence of visual stimulation, is possibly a result of feedback from posterior parietal regions that receive eye position signals and explicitly encode direction of gaze.
LPS-Toll-Like Receptor-Mediated Signaling on Expression of Protein S and C4b-Binding Protein in the Liver
Authors: Hayashi Tatsuya , Suzuki Koji
Published: August 2010

Protein S (PS), mainly synthesized in hepatocytes and endothelial cells, plays a critical role as a cofactor of anticoagulant activated protein C (APC). PS activity is regulated by C4b-binding protein (C4BP), structurally composed of sevenα-chains (C4BPα) and aβ-chain (C4BPβ). In this paper, based primarily on our previous studies, we review the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced signaling which affects expression of PS and C4BP in the liver. Ourin vivostudies in rats showed that after LPS injection, plasma PS levels are significantly decreased, whereas plasma C4BP levels first are transiently decreased after 2 to 12 hours and then significantly increased after 24 hours. LPS decreases PS antigen and mRNA levels in both hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs), and decreases C4BP antigen and both C4BPαand C4BPβmRNA levels in hepatocytes. Antirat CD14 and antirat Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 antibodies inhibited LPS-induced NFκB activation in both hepatocytes and SECs. Furthermore, inhibitors of NFκB and MEK recovered the LPS-induced decreased expression of PS in both cell types and the LPS-induced decreased expression of C4BP in hepatocytes. These data suggest that the LPS-induced decrease in PS expression in hepatocytes and SECs and LPS-induced decrease in C4BP expression in hepatocytes are mediated by MEK/ERK signaling and NFκB activation and that membrane-bound CD14 and TLR-4 are involved in this mechanism.
A Technique for Measuring Microparticles in Polar Ice Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Sakurai Toshimitsu , Ohno Hiroshi , Horikawa Shinichiro , Iizuka Yoshinori , Uchida Tsutomu , Hondoh Takeo
Published: August 2010

We describe in detail our method of measuring the chemical forms of microparticles in polar ice samples through micro-Raman spectroscopy. The method is intended for solid ice samples, an important point because melting the ice can result in dissociation, contamination, and chemical reactions prior to or during a measurement. We demonstrate the technique of measuring the chemical forms of these microparticles and show that the reference spectra of those salts expected to be common in polar ice are unambiguously detected. From our measurements, Raman intensity of sulfate salts is relatively higher than insoluble dust due to the specific Raman scattering cross-section of chemical forms of microparticles in ice.
Lectures on Walking Technicolor, Holography, and Gauge/Gravity Dualities
Authors: Piai Maurizio
Published: August 2010

Dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking is an appealing, strongly coupled alternative to the weakly coupled models based on an elementary scalar field developing a vacuum expectation value. In Sections 2 and 3 of this set of lectures, I summarize the arguments, based on low‐energy phenomenology, supporting walking technicolor as a realistic realization of this idea. This pedagogical introduction to walking technicolor, and more generally to the physics of extensions of the standard model, makes extensive use of effective field theory arguments, symmetries, and counting rules. The strongly coupled nature of the underlying interactions, and the peculiar quasiconformal behavior of the theory, requires to use nonperturbative methods in order to address many fundamental questions within this framework. The recent development of gauge/gravity dualities provides an ideal set of such nonperturbative instruments. Sections 4 and 5 illustrate the potential of these techniques with two technical examples, one within the bottom‐up phenomenological approach to
holography in five dimensions, the other within a more systematic top‐down construction derived from ten‐dimensional type‐IIB supergravity.
Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer—Can an Old Goal Evolve into a New Standard?
Authors: Schwartz David L. , Dong Lei
Published: August 2010

Current head and neck intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) techniques cause significant toxicity. This may be explained in part by the fact that IMRT cannot compensate for changes in the location of disease and normal anatomy during treatment, leading to exposure of at-risk bystander tissues to higher-than-anticipated doses. Adaptive radiotherapy (ART) is a novel approach to correct for daily tumor and normal tissue variations through online or offline modification of original IMRT target volumes and plans. ART has been discussed on a conceptual level for many years, but technical limitations have hampered its integration into routine care. In this paper, we review the key anatomic, dosimetric, and treatment delivery issues at play in current investigational development of head and neck ART. We also describe pilot findings from initial clinical deployment of head and neck ART, as well as emerging pathways of future research.
TAK-701, a Humanized Monoclonal Antibody to Hepatocyte Growth Factor, Reverses Gefitinib Resistance Induced by Tumor-Derived HGF in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer with an EGFR Mutation
Authors: Okamoto Wataru , Okamoto Isamu , Tanaka Kaoru , Hatashita Erina , Yamada Yuki , Kuwata Kiyoko , Yamaguchi Haruka , Arao Tokuzo , Nishio Kazuto , Fukuoka Masahiro , Jänne Pasi A. , Nakagawa Kazuhiko
Published: August 2010

Most non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors with an activating mutation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are initially responsive to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) such as gefitinib but ultimately develop resistance to these drugs. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) induces EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC cells with such a mutation. We investigated strategies to overcome gefitinib resistance induced by HGF. Human NSCLC cells with an activating EGFR mutation (HCC827 cells) were engineered to stably express HGF (HCC827-HGF cells). HCC827-HGF cells secreted large amounts of HGF and exhibited resistance to gefitinib in vitro to an extent similar to that of HCC827 GR cells, in which the gene for the HGF receptor MET is amplified. A MET-TKI reversed gefitinib resistance in HCC827-HGF cells as well as in HCC827 GR cells, suggesting that MET activation induces gefitinib resistance in both cell lines. TAK-701, a humanized monoclonal antibody to HGF, in combination with gefitinib inhibited the phosphorylation of MET, EGFR, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and AKT in HCC827-HGF cells, resulting in suppression of cell growth and indicating that autocrine HGF-MET signaling contributes to gefitinib resistance in these cells. Combination therapy with TAK-701 and gefitinib also markedly inhibited the growth of HCC827-HGF tumors in vivo. The addition of TAK-701 to gefitinib is a promising strategy to overcome EGFR-TKI resistance induced by HGF in NSCLC with an activating EGFR mutation. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(10); 2785–92. ©2010 AACR.
Resveratrol Modulates Drug- and Carcinogen-Metabolizing Enzymes in a Healthy Volunteer Study
Authors: Chow H-H. Sherry , Garland Linda L. , Hsu Chiu-Hsieh , Vining Donna R. , Chew Wade M. , Miller Jessica A. , Perloff Marjorie , Crowell James A. , Alberts David S.
Published: August 2010

Resveratrol has been shown to exhibit cancer-preventive activities in preclinical studies. We conducted a clinical study to determine the effect of pharmacologic doses of resveratrol on drug- and carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes. Forty-two healthy volunteers underwent baseline assessment of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and phase II detoxification enzymes. CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 enzyme activities were measured by the metabolism of caffeine, dextromethorphan, losartan, and buspirone, respectively. Blood lymphocyte glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity and GST-π level and serum total and direct bilirubin, a surrogate for UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) 1A1 activity, were measured to assess phase II enzymes. After the baseline evaluation, study participants took 1 g of resveratrol once daily for 4 weeks. Enzyme assessment was repeated upon intervention completion. Resveratrol intervention was found to inhibit the phenotypic indices of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9 and to induce the phenotypic index of 1A2. Overall, GST and UGT1A1 activities were minimally affected by the intervention, although an induction of GST-π level and UGT1A1 activity was observed in individuals with low baseline enzyme level/activity. We conclude that resveratrol can modulate enzyme systems involved in carcinogen activation and detoxification, which may be one mechanism by which resveratrol inhibits carcinogenesis. However, pharmacologic doses of resveratrol could potentially lead to increased adverse drug reactions or altered drug efficacy due to inhibition or induction of certain CYPs. Further clinical development of resveratrol for cancer prevention should consider evaluation of lower doses of resveratrol to minimize adverse metabolic drug interactions. Cancer Prev Res; 3(9); 1168–75. ©2010 AACR.
A Dominant-Negative c-jun Mutant Inhibits Lung Carcinogenesis in Mice
Authors: Tichelaar Jay W. , Yan Ying , Tan Qing , Wang Yian , Estensen Richard D. , Young Matthew R. , Colburn Nancy H. , Yin Hulian , Goodin Colleen , Anderson Marshall W. , You Ming
Published: August 2010

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States and worldwide. The identification of key regulatory and molecular mechanisms involved in lung tumorigenesis is therefore critical to increase our understanding of this disease and could ultimately lead to targeted therapies to improve prevention and treatment. Induction of members of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor family has been described in human non–small cell lung carcinoma. Activation of AP-1 can either stimulate or repress transcription of multiple gene targets, ultimately leading to increased cell proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis. In the present study, we show induction of AP-1 in carcinogen-induced mouse lung tumors compared with surrounding normal lung tissue. We then used a transgenic mouse model directing conditional expression of the dominant-negative c-jun mutant TAM67 in lung epithelial cells to determine the effect of AP-1 inhibition on mouse lung tumorigenesis. Consistent with low AP-1 activity in normal lung tissue, TAM67 expression had no observed effects in adult mouse lung. TAM67 decreased tumor number and overall lung tumor burden in chemically induced mouse lung tumor models. The most significant inhibitory effect was observed on carcinoma burden compared with lower-grade lesions. Our results support the concept that AP-1 is a key regulator of mouse lung tumorigenesis, and identify AP-1–dependent transcription as a potential target to prevent lung tumor progression. Cancer Prev Res; 3(9); 1148–56. ©2010 AACR.
Enhanced Induction of Mucin-Depleted Foci in Estrogen Receptor β Knockout Mice
Authors: Saleiro Diana , Murillo Genoveva , Lubahn Dennis B. , Kopelovich Levy , Korach Kenneth S. , Mehta Rajendra G.
Published: August 2010

The role of the estrogen receptor β (ERβ) in the colon has received considerable interest, yet in vivo models are needed to better define its protective actions. In the present study, wild-type (WT), ERα, and ERβ knockout (αERKO and βERKO) mice were injected with azoxymethane, a colon chemical carcinogen. Fourteen weeks after azoxymethane exposure, the incidence of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) was assessed by methylene blue staining. βERKO mice showed significantly higher incidence (P < 0.001) of ACF (15.0 ± 2.5) compared with αERKO (3.4 ± 1.0) and WT (4.6 ± 1.0) mice. The colons in several βERKO mice had increased thickness and loss of normal morphology. It has been reported that ERβ plays a role in the maintenance of the colonic crypt architecture; this may explain the loss of crypt organization in the colonic epithelium of βERKO mice. The presence of mucin-depleted foci (MDF) has been shown, both in humans and in rodents, as an early event in colon cancer. Therefore, to surpass the limitations with ACF scoring, we performed Alcian blue-neutral red staining to assess the presence of MDF. This assay allowed the assessment of precancerous lesions on all the βERKO mice colons (38.3 ± 4.0; P < 0.001), comparing to WT and αERKO mice (6.6 ± 1.5 and 10.0 ± 1.9, respectively), and served to confirm the ACF results. Together, these data support the use of MDF staining as a biomarker for precancerous lesions and the protective role of ERβ in colon carcinogenesis. Cancer Prev Res; 3(9); 1198–204. ©2010 AACR.
Do We Need Imaging before Middle Ear Surgery? When Is Imaging Useful, When Is It Mandatory and When Is It Only Interesting, Profitable or Defensive?
Authors: Montandon Pierre
Published: August 2010

This article summarizes an opinion on preoperative imaging based upon a personal composite of observations and experience in otological and skull base surgery that spans 35 years in several Swiss and US academic centers and 10 years in private practice.
A Hypomorphic Allele in the FGF8 Gene Contributes to Holoprosencephaly and Is Allelic to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Deficiency in Humans
Authors: Arauz R.F. , Solomon B.D. , Pineda-Alvarez D.E. , Gropman A.L. , Parsons J.A. , Roessler E. , Muenke M.
Published: August 2010

Holoprosencephaly (HPE), the most common malformation of the human forebrain, may arise due to interacting genetic and environmental factors. To date, at least 12 contributory genes have been identified. Fibroblast growth factor 8 (Fgf8) belongs to the FGF family of genes expressed in several developmental signaling centers, including the anterior neural ridge, which is implicated in midline anomalies in mice. In humans, FGF8 mutations have been previously reported in facial clefting and in hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, but have not been reported in patients with HPE. We screened 360 probands with HPE for sequence variations in FGF8 using High Resolution DNA Melting (HRM) and sequenced all identified variations. Here we describe a total of 8 sequence variations in HPE patients, including a putative loss-of-function mutation in 3 members of a family with variable forms of classic HPE, and relate these findings to the phenotypes seen in other conditions.