bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Funding fairness
Authors: Schmuecker Katie , Woods Paul
Published: June 2011

Katie Schmuecker and Paul Woods highlight the broken nature of England's local authority funding model, an opaque process that produces often inequable results, and set out four principles to guide reform of local government funding.
Global warming: Finding a compromise on the sharing of responsibility
Authors: Howard Peter
Published: June 2011

Peter Howard proposes an ‘income–carbon convergence’ formula, as a means of measuring and weighting the relative carbon reduction obligations and performance of all countries – wealthy, developing and poor alike – in the hope that such a framework might achieve a greater level of global political and popular support.
Rising oil prices: The cost of revolution and the course of true love
Authors: Roos Jérôme E
Published: June 2011

Jérôme E Roos lays out the economic and political ramifications, in the UK and globally, of high, rising and volatile oil prices, and argues for a state‐led drive to establish a stable new relationship with alternative energy technologies.
Measuring the dark matter equation of state
Authors: Serra Ana Laura , Romero Mariano Javier L. Domínguez
Published: June 2011

The nature of the dominant component of galaxies and clusters remains unknown. While the astrophysics community supports the cold dark matter (CDM) paradigm as a clue factor in the current cosmological model, no direct CDM detections have been performed. Faber & Visser have suggested a simple method for measuring the dark matter equation of state that combines kinematic and gravitational lensing data to test the widely adopted assumption of pressureless dark matter. Following this formalism, we have measured the dark matter equation of state for the first time using improved techniques. We have found that the value of the equation-of-state parameter is consistent with pressureless dark matter within the errors. Nevertheless, the measured value is lower than expected because, typically, the masses determined with lensing are larger than those obtained through kinematic methods. We have tested our techniques using simulations and we have also analysed possible sources of error that could invalidate or mimic our results. In light of this result, we can now suggest that understanding the nature of requires a complete general relativistic analysis.
A Gas Chromatography‐Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Policosanols in Commercial Vegetable Oils
Authors: Jung Dong Min , Lee Mi Jin , Yoon Suk Hoo , Jung Mun Yhung
Published: June 2011

Abstract:  Reportedly policosanols (PCs) have various beneficial functionalities on health. A gas chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS) with a low limit of detection (LOD), and high specificity, recovery, and precision was successfully established for the PC analysis in vegetable oils. The LODs for the PCs were in the range of 0.002 to 0.016 μg/mL. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for the repeated analysis of PCs was less than 3.356%. The mean recoveries for spiked heptacosanol and octacosanol in vegetable oil were 102.3% and 106.3%, respectively. The total PC contents in the vegetable oils varied from 3.01 to 427.83 mg/kg oil. Perilla seed, grape seed, and rice bran oils were found to be highly rich sources of PCs, containing 427.83, 245.15, and 171.17 mg PCs/kg oil, respectively. Corn, sesame, and soybean oils contained only a negligible quantity of PCs. The PC composition in vegetable oils was greatly source dependent. In perilla seed oil, octacosanol was the single most predominant component, representing 55.93% of the total PC. In grape seed oil, however, hexacosanol is the most abundant PC, followed by octacosanol, tetracosanol, and triacontanol in a decreasing order. The major PCs in rice bran oil were triacontanol, octacosanol, hexacosanol, and tetracosanol, which constituted over 87.3% of the total PC. This represents the 1st report on the composition and contents of PC in most vegetable oils analyzed here.

Practical Application:  The information might be used for the development of vegetable oil products with beneficial functionality.
Oil Migration in Chocolate and Almond Product Confectionery Systems
Authors: Altan Aylin , Lavenson David M. , McCarthy Michael J. , McCarthy Kathryn L.
Published: June 2011

Abstract:  Oil migration from high oil content almond confections into adjacent chocolate causes changes in product quality. The objective of this study was to quantify the oil migration from almond products to dark chocolate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to monitor spatial and temporal changes of liquid lipid content. A multislice spin echo pulse (MSSE) sequence was used to acquire images with a 7.8‐ms echo time and a 1000‐ms repetition time using a 1.03T Aspect AI MRI spectrometer. Samples were prepared as a 2‐layer model system of chocolate and almond confection. Six different almond products and 1 type of dark chocolate were used. Samples were stored at 20, 25, and 30°C for a time frame of several months. Rate and extent of migration were quantified by a kinetic expression based on the linear dependence of oil uptake by chocolate and the square root of the time. Samples showed distinctly different rate and extent of oil migration, as evidenced by quantitative differences in the kinetic rate constants and equilibrium uptake for the different sample types. This work will be helpful to design formulations for almond and almond‐based products in confections.

Practical Application:  This work will be helpful to design formulations for almond use in confections.
Free Radical Scavenging, Cytotoxic, and Hemolytic Activities of an Active Antioxidant Compound Ethyl Gallate from Leaves of Acacia Nilotica (L.) Wild. Ex. Delile Subsp. Indica (Benth.) Brenan
Authors: Kalaivani T. , Rajasekaran C. , Mathew Lazar
Published: June 2011

Abstract:  In the present study, free radical scavenging, cytotoxic, and hemolytic activities of the polyphenolic compound ethyl gallate isolated from ethanol extract of Acacia nilotica Wild. Ex. Del. leaves were determined. The free radical‐scavenging activities of the ethyl gallate were demonstrated in several in vitro assays in order to evaluate the possible antioxidant mechanism. The results revealed ethyl gallate as hydrogen donor, metal chelator, and free radical scavenger. Ethyl gallate was effective in scavenging 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and the IC50 value was lower than all the positive controls used in this study. Deoxyribose degradation assay revealed that ethyl gallate had more iron‐chelating ability than the direct hydroxyl radical‐scavenging ability. The results of the cytotoxic study revealed that the compound was moderately active and IC50 value was found to be >100 μg/mL for Vero cell lines and 72 μg/mL for Hela cell lines. The compound possessed no hemolytic activity against rat and human erythrocytes revealing its cytotoxic mechanism and nontoxicity. The results from this work will provide an important information for the food and pharmacological industries with respect to the use of the compound as an antioxidant and a health‐related drug.

Practical Application:  Antioxidant from plant sources is safe to use, as compared to synthetic products. It also can be used as a supplement to alleviate most of the diseases because of its free radical‐scavenging activity.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection for colonic lesions: Why and how should we do it?
Authors: LAI Larry H , CHAN Francis KL
Published: June 2011

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for large non‐polypoid colonic lesions and early colorectal carcinoma. In this article, we discuss the development, efficacy and safety of ESD. As the incidence of colorectal cancer is rapidly increasing in Asia, we advocate standardization of ESD program, including patient selection, hardware prerequisites, and training of operators.
Hypertension and Coronary Artery Disease: A Summary of the American Heart Association Scientific Statement
Authors: Rosendorff Clive ,   on behalf of the Writing Committee
Published: June 2011

The American Heart Association scientific statement on the treatment of hypertension in the prevention and management of ischemic heart disease was published recently. The main recommendations were as follows: (1) For most adults with hypertension, the blood pressure (BP) goal is <140/90 mm Hg but should be <130/90 mm Hg in patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, known coronary artery disease (CAD), CAD equivalents (carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurism, and peripheral vascular disease), or 10‐year Framingham risk score of ≥10%. For those with left ventricular dysfunction, the recommended BP target is <120/80 mm Hg. (2) For primary CAD prevention, any effective antihypertensive drug or combination is indicated, but preference is given to angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and thiazide diuretics. (3) For the management of hypertension in patients with established CAD (stable or unstable angina, non–ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction), β‐blockers and ACE inhibitors (or ARBs) are the basis of treatment. If further BP lowering is needed, a thiazide diuretic and/or a dihydropyridine CCB (not verapamil or diltiazem) can be added. If a β‐blocker is contraindicated or not tolerated, diltiazem or verapamil can be substituted. (4) If there is left ventricular dysfunction, recommended therapy consists of an ACE inhibitor or ARB, a β‐blocker, and either a thiazide or loop diuretic. In patients with more severe heart failure, an aldosterone antagonist and hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate (in black patients) should be considered.
Similar potency of catechin and its enantiomers in alleviating 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells
Authors: Ruan Hao-lan , Yang Yi , Zhu Xiao-nan , Wang Xue-lan , Chen Ru-zhu
Published: June 2011

Objectives

Previously, the flavonoid (±)-catechin was shown to exert potent neuroprotective action in the mouse 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's disease model. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the different enantiomers of catechin ((+)-catechin, (−)-catechin and (±)-catechin, a 50 : 50 mixture of (+)-catechin and (−)-catechin) could protect SH-SY5Y cells against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) toxicity by decreasing the generation of oxygen free radicals. The inhibitive effect of (±)-catechin on JNK/c-Jun activation was investigated.

Methods

The effects of (+)-catechin, (−)-catechin or (±)-catechin in protecting against MPP+ toxicity were evaluated and compared in SH-SY5Y cells by testing the release of lactate dehydrogenase. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by immunochemistry and the phosphorylation level of JNK/c-Jun was determined by Western blotting.

Key findings

In SH-SY5Y cells, (+)-catechin, (−)-catechin or (±)-catechin reduced apoptosis induced by MPP+ and decreased ROS generation caused by MPP+. Different enantiomers of catechin showed protective effects at similar potency. Moreover (±)-catechin decreased JNK/c-Jun phosphorylation which was increased by MPP+.

Conclusions

Catechin and its two enantiomers could protect SH-SY5Y cells against MPP+ cytotoxicity at a similar potency. Antioxidative stress and inhibition of the JNK/c-Jun signalling pathway might have been involved in the neuroprotective mechanisms of catechin against MPP+ cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells.
Statistical learning as a basis for social understanding in children
Authors: Ruffman Ted , Taumoepeau Mele , Perkins Chris
Published: June 2011

Many authors have argued that infants understand goals, intentions, and beliefs. We posit that infants’ success on such tasks might instead reveal an understanding of behaviour, that infants’ proficient statistical learning abilities might enable such insights, and that maternal talk scaffolds children's learning about the social world as well. We also consider which skills and insights are likely to be innate, and why it is difficult to say exactly when children understand mental states as opposed to behaviours.
Regulation of bradykinin‐induced activation of volume‐sensitive outwardly rectifying anion channels by Ca2+ nanodomains in mouse astrocytes
Authors: Akita Tenpei , Okada Yasunobu
Published: June 2011

Non‐technical summary  Cell volume regulation is an essential function involved not only in homeostasis, but also in cell migration, fission and programmed cell death. The volume‐sensitive outwardly rectifying (VSOR) anion channel provides the main pathway for anion transport across the cell membrane during the regulation. We previously demonstrated that an inflammatory mediator, bradykinin, activates the VSOR channels in the major glial cells, astrocytes, in the brain derived from mice and the channels send signals to adjacent neurons through the release of glutamate. Here we demonstrate that this activation is controlled in the immediate vicinity of Ca2+‐permeable channel proteins in the astrocytes via high concentrations of intracellular Ca2+, so‐called ‘Ca2+ nanodomains’. This mechanism would provide a basis for responding quickly and certainly to even a minute amount of bradykinin released from surrounding tissues (e.g. slightly damaged blood vessel walls) with local control of cell shape changes and signal transmission by astrocytes.
Reflexes from pulmonary arterial baroreceptors in dogs: interaction with carotid sinus baroreceptors
Authors: Moore Jonathan P. , Hainsworth Roger , Drinkhill Mark J.
Published: June 2011

Non‐technical summary  Specialized nerve endings in the walls of various blood vessels are sensitive to alterations in the distending pressure. An increase in the blood pressure inside several arteries, including aorta, carotid and coronary arteries, generates sensory activity which causes reflex changes in the heart and circulation to reduce blood pressure. They operate as a negative feedback control and stabilise blood pressure. In this study we show that stimulation of pressure receptors in the walls of the pulmonary artery (low pressure) results in responses that differ from those originating from high pressure arteries. Instead of causing decreases in blood pressure and vascular resistance, their effect is to increase them. We also show that the effects on nervous activity to the kidney are different; stimulation of arterial receptors decreases renal nerve activity whereas stimulation of pulmonary arterial receptors increases it. There is interaction between the two reflexes. In other words, the level of stimulation of one reflex affects the responses from the other. We suggest that pulmonary arterial receptors are likely to have important physiological and pathophysiological consequences; they could contribute to causing the blood pressure increase during exercise as well as being involved in blood pressure control as the body changes orientation. They may also be involved in blood pressure control in heart failure and in the high pulmonary arterial pressures that are seen, for example, at high altitudes.
Subthalamic nucleus high‐frequency stimulation generates a concomitant synaptic excitation–inhibition in substantia nigra pars reticulata
Authors: Bosch Clémentine , Degos Bertrand , Deniau Jean‐Michel , Venance Laurent
Published: June 2011

Non‐technical summary  Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative pathology, causes motor and cognitive impairments such as tremor at rest, muscle rigidity and depression. An efficient surgical therapy, deep brain stimulation, allows treatment of most symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The principle of deep brain stimulation is to stimulate electrically, at high frequency and low intensity, the subthalamic nucleus. However, how deep brain stimulation works is still not fully elucidated. We investigated the mechanism of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus by recording the activity of neurons that are directly under the control of subthalamic nucleus neurons. We demonstrate that deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus activates local subthalamic glutamatergic neurons as well as GABAergic fibres travelling through this structure inducing a synaptic excitation–inhibition balance in the output structure. Thus, we conclude that deep brain stimulation restores the activity of the pathological brain network by providing a proper excitation–inhibition balance.
Reductions in cerebral blood flow during passive heat stress in humans: partitioning the mechanisms
Authors: Nelson Michael D. , Haykowsky Mark J. , Stickland Michael K. , Altamirano‐Diaz Luis A. , Willie Christopher K. , Smith Kurt J. , Petersen Stewart R. , Ainslie Philip N.
Published: June 2011

Non‐technical summary  Heat stress reduces brain blood flow and impairs orthostatic tolerance. Brain blood flow is largely controlled by the partial pressure of arterial . Indeed, hyperthermia‐induced over‐breathing and related reductions in arterial account for ∼50% of the reduction in brain blood flow. This investigation tested the unique hypothesis that the distribution of cardiac output during heat stress (challenged by thermoregulatory increases in skin blood flow and sweat loss) contributes to the remaining 50%. We show that cardiac output is not related to brain blood flow, but rather arterial plays a much larger role than previously suggested. These findings help us understand the mechanisms relating heat stress with an increased likelihood of fainting, and are also relevant to pathological conditions that are accompanied by elevations in body temperature.
Predicting the Profile Loss of High-Lift Low Pressure Turbines
Authors: Coull John D. , Hodson Howard P.
Published: June 2011

The overall efficiency of low pressure turbines is largely determined by the two-dimensional profile loss, which is dominated by the contribution of the suction surface boundary layer. This boundary layer typically features a laminar separation bubble and is subjected to an inherently unsteady disturbance environment. The complexity of the flow behavior makes it difficult to numerically predict the profile loss. To address this problem, an empirical method is proposed for predicting the boundary layer integral parameters at the suction surface trailing edge, allowing the profile loss to be estimated. Extensive measurements have been conducted on a flat plate simulation of the suction surface boundary layer. The disturbance environment of real machines was modeled using a moving bar wake generator and a turbulence grid. From this data set, empirically based methods have been formulated using physical principles for the prediction of the momentum thickness and shape factor at the suction surface trailing edge. The predictions of these methods may be used to estimate the profile loss of a given cascade, which achieves reasonable agreement with the available data. By parameterizing the shape of the suction surface velocity distribution, the method is recast as a preliminary design tool. Powerfully, this may be used to guide the selection of the key design parameters (such as the blade loading and velocity distribution shape) and enables a reasonable estimation of the unsteady profile loss to be made at a very early stage of design. To illustrate the capabilities of the preliminary design tool, different styles of velocity distribution are evaluated for fixed blade loading and flow angles. The predictions suggest that relatively “flat-top” designs will have the lowest profile loss but good performance can also be achieved with front-loaded “peaky” distributions. The latter designs are more likely to have acceptable incidence tolerance.
Evaluation of SrTi1−xCoxO3 Perovskites (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) as Interconnect Materials for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Mori Masashi , Wang Zhenwei , Serizawa Nobuyuki , Itoh Takanori
Published: June 2011

The compatibility of SrTi1−xCoxO3 perovskites (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) was evaluated for use as interconnect materials in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Although SrTi1−xCoxO3 perovskites have a single perovskite phase in the range of 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2, it was observed for SrTi0.8Co0.2O3 that Co element agglomerated at the grain boundary during sintering. The dense SrTi0.8Co0.2O3 sample was destroyed and included Sr2TiO4 as a secondary phase after reducing treatment at 1000 °C. As a result of Co doping, the linear thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) increased remarkably with increasing Co content, but the TEC of SrTi0.9Co0.1O3 was comparable with those of SOFC cathodes and anodes. Co doping of SrTiO3 effectively increased electrical conductivity in air, whereas the conductivity of Co-doped SrTiO3 in a reducing atmosphere was much lower than that in air. This suggests that the Co ions3+/4+ in the perovskites were earlier reduced into Co2+ ions, compared to Ti4+ ions.
Development of a Dynamic Cathode Ejector Model for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell-Gas Turbine Hybrid Systems
Authors: Maclay James D. , Brouwer Jacob , Samuelsen G. Scott
Published: June 2011

Solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine (SOFC-GT) hybrid systems are attractive for future power generation with ultra-low criteria pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. One of the challenges for SOFC-GT systems is to sufficiently pre-heat incoming air before it enters the fuel cell cathode. An ejector for cathode exhaust recirculation has the benefits of reliability, low maintenance, and cost compared to either recuperators or cathode recirculation blowers, which may be also be used for air pre-heating. In this study, a dynamic Simulink model of an ejector for cathode exhaust recirculation to pre-heat incoming fuel cell air has been developed. The ejector is to be utilized within a 100 MW SOFC-GT dynamic model operating on coal syngas. A thorough theoretical development is presented. Results for the ejector were found to be in good agreement with those reported in literature.
A fast three‐dimensional gamma evaluation using a GPU utilizing texture memory for on‐the‐fly interpolations
Authors: Persoon Lucas C. G. G. , Podesta Mark , van Elmpt Wouter J. C. , Nijsten Sebastiaan M. J. J. G. , Verhaegen Frank
Published: June 2011

Purpose: A widely accepted method to quantify differences in dose distributions is the gamma (γ) evaluation. Currently, almost all γ implementations utilize the central processing unit (CPU). Recently, the graphics processing unit (GPU) has become a powerful platform for specific computing tasks. In this study, we describe the implementation of a 3D γ evaluation using a GPU to improve calculation time.Methods: The γ evaluation algorithm was implemented on an NVIDIA Tesla C2050 GPU using the compute unified device architecture (cuda). First, several cubic virtual phantoms were simulated. These phantoms were tested with varying dose cube sizes and set‐ups, introducing artificial dose differences. Second, to show applicability in clinical practice, five patient cases have been evaluated using the 3D dose distribution from a treatment planning system as the reference and the delivered dose determined during treatment as the comparison. A calculation time comparison between the CPU and GPU was made with varying thread‐block sizes including the option of using texture or global memory.Results: A GPU over CPU speed‐up of 66 ± 12 was achieved for the virtual phantoms. For the patient cases, a speed‐up of 57 ± 15 using the GPU was obtained. A thread‐block size of 16 × 16 performed best in all cases. The use of texture memory improved the total calculation time, especially when interpolation was applied. Differences between the CPU and GPU γs were negligible.Conclusions: The GPU and its features, such as texture memory, decreased the calculation time for γ evaluations considerably without loss of accuracy.
First assessment of three‐dimensional quantitative photoacoustic tomography for in vivo detection of osteoarthritis in the finger joints
Authors: Sun Yao , Sobel Eric S. , Jiang Huabei
Published: June 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot clinical study is to assess three‐dimensional (3‐D) quantitative photoacoustic tomography (qPAT) for in vivo detection of osteoarthritis (OA) in the finger joints.Methods: All subject data were handled in compliance with the rules and regulations concerning the privacy and security of protected health information under HIPAA. Seven female subjects (two OA patients and five healthy controls) entered the study and their distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints were examined by a 3‐D photoacoustic scanner. 3‐D optical absorption coefficient images of all the photoacoustically examined joints were recovered using a 3‐D qPAT reconstruction algorithm.Results: The recovered quantitative photoacoustic images revealed obvious difference in the optical absorption coefficient of the joint cavity (cartilage and synovial fluid) between the OA and healthy joints. Quantitative analysis of the joints also indicated an apparent difference in the recovered joint spacing between the OA and healthy subjects.Conclusion: This initial clinical evaluation suggests that it is feasible to detect osteoarthritis in the finger joints with our 3‐D qPAT approach, which has paved the way to further statistically evaluate the diagnostic performance of the 3‐D qPAT approach in comparison with radiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a sample of hand osteoarthritis.
Modeling the TrueBeam linac using a CAD to Geant4 geometry implementation: Dose and IAEA‐compliant phase space calculations
Authors: Constantin Magdalena , Perl Joseph , LoSasso Tom , Salop Arthur , Whittum David , Narula Anisha , Svatos Michelle , Keall Paul J.
Published: June 2011

Purpose: To create an accurate 6 MV Monte Carlo simulation phase space for the Varian TrueBeam treatment head geometry imported from cad (computer aided design) without adjusting the input electron phase space parameters.Methods: geant4 v4.9.2.p01 was employed to simulate the 6 MV beam treatment head geometry of the Varian TrueBeam linac. The electron tracks in the linear accelerator were simulated with Parmela, and the obtained electron phase space was used as an input to the Monte Carlo beam transport and dose calculations. The geometry components are tessellated solids included in geant4 as gdml (generalized dynamic markup language) files obtained via STEP (standard for the exchange of product) export from Pro/Engineering, followed by STEP import in Fastrad, a STEP–gdml converter. The linac has a compact treatment head and the small space between the shielding collimator and the divergent arc of the upper jaws forbids the implementation of a plane for storing the phase space. Instead, an IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) compliant phase space writer was implemented on a cylindrical surface. The simulation was run in parallel on a 1200 node Linux cluster. The 6 MV dose calculations were performed for field sizes varying from 4 × 4 to 40 × 40 cm2. The voxel size for the cm3 water phantom was mm3. For the cm2 field, surface buildup calculations were performed using mm3 voxels within 20 mm of the surface.Results: For the depth dose curves, 98% of the calculated data points agree within 2% with the experimental measurements for depths between 2 and 40 cm. For depths between 5 and 30 cm, agreement within 1% is obtained for 99% (), 95% (), 94% ( and ), and 89% () of the data points, respectively. In the buildup region, the agreement is within 2%, except at 1 mm depth where the deviation is 5% for the cm2 open field. For the lateral dose profiles, within the field size for fields up to cm2, the agreement is within 2% for depths up to 10 cm. At 20 cm depth, the in‐field maximum dose difference for the cm2 open field is within 4%, while the smaller field sizes agree within 2%. Outside the field size, agreement within 1% of the maximum dose difference is obtained for all fields. The calculated output factors varied from for the cm2 field to for the cm2 field. Their agreement with the experimental output factors is within 1%.Conclusions: The authors have validated a geant4 simulated IAEA‐compliant phase space of the TrueBeam linac for the 6 MV beam obtained using a high accuracy geometry implementation from cad. These files are publicly available and can be used for further research.
Partners in Crime: Ubiquitin-Mediated Degradation and Autophagy
Authors: Sriram Shashikanth M. , Han Dong Hoon , Kim Sung Tae
Published: June 2011

Toll-like receptor 4 signaling provides insights into the molecular mechanism of ubiquitin-dependent selective autophagy.
Molecular Clockwork
Authors: Ray L. Bryan
Published: June 2011

New cogs in the mammalian circadian clock are identified.
An Open-Label Crossover Study To Evaluate Potential Pharmacokinetic Interactions between Oral Oseltamivir and Intravenous Zanamivir in Healthy Thai Adults
Authors: Pukrittayakamee Sasithon , Jittamala Podjanee , Stepniewska Kasia , Lindegardh Niklas , Chueasuwanchai Sunee , Leowattana Wattana , Phakdeeraj Aphiradee , Permpunpanich Sutatip , Hanpithakpong Warunee , Pan-Ngum Wirichada , Fukuda Caroline , Panapipat Salwaluk , Singhasivanon Pratap , White Nicholas J. , Day Nicholas P. J.
Published: June 2011

There is no parenteral formulation of the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir, the most widely used anti-influenza virus drug. Oseltamivir resistance is an increasing problem. Zanamivir is effective against the most prevalent oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses. A parenteral formulation of zanamivir is in development for the treatment of severe influenza. It is not known if there is any pharmacokinetic interaction between the two drugs. Sixteen healthy Thai adult volunteers were studied in an open-label, four-period, randomized two-sequence crossover pharmacokinetic study in which zanamivir was given by constant-rate infusion or slow intravenous injection either alone or together with oral oseltamivir. Plasma concentration profiles of oseltamivir, the active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate, and zanamivir were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry. Both drugs were well tolerated alone and in combination. The maximum plasma concentrations and the areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) of oseltamivir and oseltamivir carboxylate were not significantly different when oseltamivir was given separately or together with zanamivir. Maximum plasma concentrations of zanamivir were 10% (95% confidence interval, 7 to 12%) higher when zanamivir was infused concurrently with oral oseltamivir than with infusions before or after oral oseltamivir. The plasma zanamivir total AUC was positively correlated with the total oseltamivir carboxylate AUC (Pearson's correlation coefficient [

r
P

] = 0.720,
P
= 0.002,
n
= 16) but not with the oseltamivir AUC (

r
p

= 0.121,
n
= 16). There is no clinically significant pharmacokinetic interaction between oseltamivir and zanamivir.
Impact of Derepressed AmpC β-Lactamase ACT-9 on the Clinical Efficacy of Ertapenem
Authors: Lee Yi-Tzu , Chen Te-Li , Siu Leung-Kei , Chen Chien-Pei , Fung Chang-Phone
Published: June 2011

An
in vivo
development of
Pantoea agglomerans
mutants (isolates PA2 to PA4) with reduced ertapenem susceptibility from that of isolate PA1 was associated with an inadequate clinical response to ertapenem therapy. All four isolates harbored the
bla
ACT-9
AmpC β-lactamase gene. However, a loss-of-function mutation in the
ampD
gene in PA2 to PA4, but not PA1, led to derepressed ACT-9. The reduced ertapenem susceptibility caused by derepressed ACT-9 was confirmed with an
ampD
knockout mutant of PA1.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility to Azithromycin among Salmonella enterica Isolates from the United States
Authors: Sjölund-Karlsson Maria , Joyce Kevin , Blickenstaff Karen , Ball Takiyah , Haro Jovita , Medalla Felicita M. , Fedorka-Cray Paula , Zhao Shaohua , Crump John A. , Whichard Jean M.
Published: June 2011

Due to emerging resistance to traditional antimicrobial agents, such as ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and chloramphenicol, azithromycin is increasingly used for the treatment of invasive
Salmonella
infections. In the present study, 696 isolates of non-Typhi
Salmonella
collected from humans, food animals, and retail meats in the United States were investigated for antimicrobial susceptibility to azithromycin. Seventy-two
Salmonella enterica
serotype Typhi isolates from humans were also tested. For each isolate, MICs of azithromycin and 15 other antimicrobial agents were determined by broth microdilution. Among the non-Typhi
Salmonella
isolates, azithromycin MICs among human isolates ranged from 1 to 32 μg/ml, whereas the MICs among the animal and retail meat isolates ranged from 2 to 16 μg/ml and 4 to 16 μg/ml, respectively. Among
Salmonella
serotype Typhi isolates, the azithromycin MICs ranged from 4 to 16 μg/ml. The highest MIC observed in the present study was 32 μg/ml, and it was detected in three human isolates belonging to serotypes Kentucky, Montevideo, and Paratyphi A. Based on our findings, we propose an epidemiological cutoff value (ECOFF) for wild-type
Salmonella
of ≤16 μg/ml of azithromycin. The susceptibility data provided could be used in combination with clinical outcome data to determine tentative clinical breakpoints for azithromycin and
Salmonella enterica
.
In Vitro
Evaluation of the Type of Interaction Obtained by the Combination of Terbinafine and Itraconazole, Voriconazole, or Amphotericin B against Dematiaceous Molds
Authors: Biancalana Fernanda Simas Corrêa , Lyra Luzia , Schreiber Angélica Zaninelli
Published: June 2011

In vitro
associations using the checkerboard microdilution method indicated lower MIC ranges and MIC median values for each drug (terbinafine, itraconazole, voriconazole, and amphotericin B) in association than those obtained for each single drug. Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FIC) results showed 100% synergism in the association of terbinafine with voriconazole, 96.5% in the association of terbinafine with amphotericin B, and 75.9% in the association of terbinafine with itraconazole. Drug combinations may be useful for treatment of dematiaceous mold infections as an alternative treatment to enhance the effectiveness of each drug.
Synergistic Effect of Antituberculosis Drugs and Azoles
In Vitro
against Histoplasma capsulatum var. capsulatum
Authors: Cordeiro Rossana de Aguiar , Marques Francisca Jakelyne de Farias , Brilhante Raimunda Sâmia Nogueira , Rocha de Castro e Silva Kylvia , Mourão Charles Ielpo , Caetano Érica Pacheco , Fechine Maria Auxiliadora Bezerra , Ribeiro Joyce Fonteles , Castelo-Branco Débora de Souza Collares Maia , de Lima Rita Amanda Chaves , Mesquita Jacó Ricarte Lima , Monteiro Andre Jalles , Rocha Francisco Airton Castro , Rocha Marcos Fábio Gadelha , Sidrim José Júlio Costa
Published: June 2011

This study evaluated
in vitro
interactions of antituberculosis drugs and triazoles against
Histoplasma capsulatum
. Nine drug combinations, each including an antituberculosis drug (isoniazid, pyrazinamide, or ethambutol) plus a triazole (itraconazole, fluconazole, or voriconazole), were tested against both growth forms of
H. capsulatum
. Stronger synergistic interactions were seen in isoniazid or pyrazinamide plus triazoles for the mold form and ethambutol plus voriconazole for the yeast-like form. Further studies should evaluate these combinations
in vivo
.
Proteomics and Pathway Analyses of the Milk Fat Globule in Sheep Naturally Infected by Mycoplasma agalactiae Provide Indications of the
In Vivo
Response of the Mammary Epithelium to Bacterial Infection
Authors: Addis Maria Filippa , Pisanu Salvatore , Ghisaura Stefania , Pagnozzi Daniela , Marogna Gavino , Tanca Alessandro , Biosa Grazia , Cacciotto Carla , Alberti Alberto , Pittau Marco , Roggio Tonina , Uzzau Sergio
Published: June 2011

Milk fat globules (MFGs) are vesicles released in milk as fat droplets surrounded by the endoplasmic reticulum and apical cell membranes. During formation and apocrine secretion by lactocytes, various amounts of cytoplasmic crescents remain trapped within the released vesicle, making MFGs a natural sampling mechanism of the lactating cell contents. With the aim of investigating the events occurring in the mammary epithelium during bacterial infection, the MFG proteome was characterized by two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE), SDS-PAGE followed by shotgun liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GeLC-MS/MS), label-free quantification by the normalized spectral abundance factor (NSAF) approach, Western blotting, and pathway analysis, using sheep naturally infected by
Mycoplasma agalactiae
. A number of protein classes were found to increase in MFGs upon infection, including proteins involved in inflammation and host defense, cortical cytoskeleton proteins, heat shock proteins, and proteins related to oxidative stress. Conversely, a strikingly lower abundance was observed for proteins devoted to MFG metabolism and secretion. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing proteomic changes occurring in MFGs during sheep infectious mastitis. The results presented here offer new insights into the
in vivo
response of mammary epithelial cells to bacterial infection and open the way to the discovery of protein biomarkers for monitoring clinical and subclinical mastitis.
Immune Activation and Suppression by Group B Streptococcus in a Murine Model of Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Kline Kimberly A. , Schwartz Drew J. , Lewis Warren G. , Hultgren Scott J. , Lewis Amanda L.
Published: June 2011

Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a common commensal of the gastrointestinal and vaginal mucosa and a leading cause of serious infections in newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised populations. GBS also causes infections of the urinary tract. However, little is known about host responses to GBS urinary tract infection (UTI) or GBS virulence factors that participate in UTI. Here we describe a novel murine model of GBS UTI that may explain some features of GBS urinary tract association in the human host. We observed high titers and heightened histological signs of inflammation and leukocyte recruitment in the GBS-infected kidney. However, extensive inflammation and leukocyte recruitment were not observed in the bladder, suggesting that GBS may suppress bladder inflammation during cystitis. Acute GBS infection induced the localized expression of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1α (IL-1α), macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), MIP-1β, and IL-9, as well as IL-10, more commonly considered an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Using isogenic GBS strains with different capsule structures, we show that capsular sialic acid residues contribute to GBS urinary tract pathogenesis, while high levels of sialic acid O-acetylation attenuate GBS pathogenesis in the setting of UTI, particularly in direct competition experiments.In vitrostudies demonstrated that GBS sialic acids participate in the suppression of murine polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) bactericidal activities, in addition to reducing levels of IL-1α, tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1β, MIP-1α, and KC produced by PMNs. These studies define several basic molecular and cellular events characterizing GBS UTI in an animal model, showing that GBS participates simultaneously in the activation and suppression of host immune responses in the urinary tract.
The Poly-γ-
d
-Glutamic Acid Capsule of Bacillus anthracis Enhances Lethal Toxin Activity
Authors: Jang Jeyoun , Cho Minhui , Chun Jeong-Hoon , Cho Min-Hee , Park Jungchan , Oh Hee-Bok , Yoo Cheon-Kwon , Rhie Gi-eun
Published: June 2011

The poly-γ-
d
-glutamic acid (PGA) capsule is one of the major virulence factors of
Bacillus anthracis
, which causes a highly lethal infectious disease. The PGA capsule disguises
B. anthracis
from immune surveillance and allows its unimpeded growth in the host. The PGA capsule recently was reported to be associated with lethal toxin (LT) in the blood of experimentally infected animals (M. H. Cho, et al., Infect. Immun. 78:387-392, 2010). The effect of PGA, either alone or in combination with LT, on macrophages, which play an important role in the progression of anthrax disease, has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we investigated the effect of PGA on LT cytotoxicity using the mouse macrophage cell line J774A.1. PGA produced a concentration-dependent enhancement of the cytotoxicity of LT on J774A.1 cells through an enhancement in the binding and accumulation of protective antigen to its receptors. The increase of LT activity was confirmed using Western blot analysis, which showed that the combination of PGA and LT produced a greater degree of degradation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases and an increased level of the activation of the proform of caspase-1 to its processed form compared to the effects of LT alone. In addition, mice that received a tail vein injection of both PGA and LT had a significantly increased rate of death compared to that of mice injected with LT alone. PGA had no effect when added to cultures or administered to mice in the absence of LT. These results emphasize the importance of PGA in the pathogenesis of anthrax infection.
Prognostic associations of clinical and histopathological features in renal amyloidosis
Authors: Min Kyueng-Whan , Na Woong , Jang Se Min , Park Moon Hyang
Published: June 2011

Aim

This retrospective study was conducted to assess the relationship between renal functional parameters and histolopathological findings in patients with renal amyloidosis.

Methods

A total of 40 patients with biopsy-proven renal amyloidosis, which was diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Hanyang University Hospital, between 1986 and 2010, were investigated. Renal biopsy specimens were evaluated in various histochemical and immunohistochemical stains using light, immunofluorescence and electron microscopes, and renal function was determined by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (ml/min/1.73 m2) using the method proposed by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study. Glomerular amyloid deposits were classified into four groups: none, mild, segmental and diffuse types. The vascular, tubular and interstitial deposits were subdivided into the negative and positive groups.

Results

In simple regression analysis, 24-hour protein excretion, serum blood urea nitrogen and eGFR were found to significantly correlate with the increased extent of glomerular amyloid deposit. In multiple regression analysis, a decrease in eGFR was significantly associated with an increase in glomerular amyloid deposits (p=0.024), but there was no significant correlation with an increase in 24-hour protein excretion and blood urea nitrogen (p=0.119 and 0.184, respectively).

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that the increased extent of glomerular amyloid deposits may be associated with the decline of GFR in patients with renal amyloidosis.
Spontaneous haemopneumothorax: current management
Authors: Ng Calvin S H , Wong Randolph H L , Wan Innes Y P , Lau Rainbow W H , Hsin Michael K Y , Yeung Eugene C L , Wan Song , Underwood Malcolm J
Published: June 2011

Spontaneous haemopneumothorax (SHP) can be life threatening and is an important cause for unexplained signs of significant hypovolaemia. There is still some debate relating to patient selection and timing of surgery, particularly in those who become stable following chest tube insertion without further blood loss. Review of the literature over the past decade in the management of SHP are presented and discussed. Surgery should be considered early in the management of SHP to reduce morbidity associated with continued haemorrhage and inadequate drainage. Lower postoperative complications and shorter hospital stay following video assisted thoracic surgery compared with thoracotomy have led to its increased acceptance as an alternative approach for SHP patients who are haemodynamically stable.
ABLATION PROPERTY OF SiC-TaSi2 COATED CARBON/CARBON COMPOSITES
Authors: LI SHUPING , LI KEZHI , LI HEJUN
Published: June 2011

To prevent the carbon/carbon (C/C) composites from ablation, a new type of ablation protective coating was prepared on the surface of the C/C composites by a step pack cementation technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis show, the coatings obtained by pack cementation were silicon carbide/tantalum silicide ( SiC-TaSi 2). The ablation behavior of the coated samples were evaluated by the oxyacetylene flame. The results show that, the SiC-TaSi 2 coating can improve the anti-ablative properties of C/C composites effectively. The mass ablation rate for the coated C/C composites was only 7.7 × 10-4 g/s, which was lower by 79% than that of the C/C composites after ablation for 30 s.
ABSENCE OF CO DISSOCIATION ON Mo(110): TPD AND DFT STUDY
Authors: PETROVA N. V. , OSOVSKII V. D. , BALAKIN D. YU , PTUSHINSKII YU G. , YAKOVKIN I. N.
Published: June 2011

The problem of the CO dissociation on Mo (110) has been addressed by means of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and density-functional (DFT) calculations. The TPD spectra show a first-order CO desorption, which indicates the desorption from a "virgin" state, not a recombinative form of desorption. The height of the potential barrier for the dissociation (2.75 eV), estimated from DFT calculations, substantially exceeds the energy of CO chemisorption (2.1 eV), which makes the thermally induced CO dissociation on Mo improbable. Monte Carlo simulations of TPD spectra, performed using estimated chemisorption energies, are in good agreement with experiment and demonstrate that the two-peak shape of the spectra can be explained without involving the CO dissociation. Thus, the results of the present study finally refute the concept of a dissociative form of CO adsorption on Mo surfaces.
STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF ZnO SYNTHESIZED BY TEMPERATURE GRADIENT THERMAL OXIDATION
Authors: YAM F. K. , TNEH S. S. , CHAI Y.-Q. , LAU W. S. , HASSAN Z. , SAW K. G.
Published: June 2011

In this work, a series of polycrystalline ZnO samples have been synthesized from Zn thin films deposited on Si (100) substrates by using thermal oxidation technique. The ZnO thin film samples grown by this technique were then characterized by a variety of structural and optical characterization tools. The results revealed that the use of novel annealing process i.e. the application of temperature gradient in the thermal treatment could enhance the structural and optical quality of the ZnO thin films significantly as compared to the normal annealing process, i.e. a fixed temperature under different durations. Apart from the improvement of structural and optical properties of ZnO thin films, another striking feature of this novel annealing process was the promotion of the growth of ZnO nanostructures.
PREPARATION AND FERROELECTRIC PROPERTY OF (100)-ORIENTED Ca0.4Sr0.6Bi4Ti4O15 THIN FILM ON Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si SUBSTRATE
Authors: FAN SUHUA , CHE QUANDE , ZHANG FENGQING
Published: June 2011

The (100)-oriented Ca0.4Sr0.6Bi4Ti4O15(C0.4S0.6BTi ) thin film was successfully prepared by a sol-gel method on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrate. The orientation and formation of thin films under different annealing schedules were studied using XRD and SEM. XRD analysis indicated that (100)-oriented C0.4S0.6BTi thin film with degree of orientation of I(200)/I(119) = 1.60 was prepared by preannealing the film at 400°C for 3 min followed by rapid thermal annealing at 800°C for 5 min. SEM analysis further indicated that the (100)-oriented C0.4S0.6BTi thin film with a thickness of about 800 nm was mainly composed of equiaxed grains. The remanent polarization and coercive field of the film were 16.1 μC/cm2 and 85 kV/cm, respectively.