bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomical characterization of bombesin receptor subtype‐3 mRNA expression in the rodent central nervous system
Authors: Zhang Li , Parks Gregory S. , Wang Zhiwei , Wang Lien , Lew Michelle , Civelli Olivier
Published: August 2012

Bombesin receptor subtype‐3 (BRS‐3) is an orphan G‐protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Mice deficient in BRS‐3 develop late‐onset mild obesity with metabolic defects, while synthetic agonists activating BRS‐3 show antiobesity profiles by inhibiting food intake and increasing metabolic rate in rodent models. The molecular mechanisms and the neural circuits responsible for these effects, however, remain elusive and demand better characterization. We report here a comprehensive mapping of BRS‐3 mRNA in the rat and mouse brain through in situ hybridization. Furthermore, to investigate the neurochemical characteristics of the BRS‐3‐expressing neurons, double in situ hybridization was performed to determine whether BRS‐3 colocalizes with other neurotransmitters or neuropeptides. Many, but not all, of the BRS‐3‐expressing neurons were found to be glutamatergic, while few were found to be cholinergic or GABAergic. BRS‐3‐containing neurons do not express some of the well‐characterized neuropeptides, such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), proopiomelanocortin (POMC), orexin/hypocretin, melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH), thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH), gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH), and kisspeptin. Interestingly, BRS‐3 mRNA was found to partially colocalize with corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) and growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH), suggesting novel interactions of BRS‐3 with stress‐ and growth‐related endocrine systems. Our study provides important information for evaluating BRS‐3 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:1020–1039, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Distribution of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor mRNA in the brain of the weakly electric fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus
Authors: Toscano‐Márquez Brenda , Dunn Robert J. , Krahe Rüdiger
Published: August 2012

Various neuromodulators have been shown to be involved in shaping the sensory information available to the brain. Acetylcholine (ACh) modulation, through muscarinic receptors, is a particularly widespread mechanism of controlling sensory information transmission. The precise effects of ACh modulation depend on the subtype of muscarinic ACh receptors that are activated. In weakly electric fish, previous work suggested a role of ACh, via muscarinic receptors, in the modulation of information transmission in the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) of the hindbrain. In this study, we determined which muscarinic receptor (mAChR) subtypes are present in the brain of Apteronotus leptorhynchus as well as their spatial distribution. We partially cloned three subtypes of muscarinic receptors (mAChR2, −3, and −4) from brain tissue of A. leptorhynchus and used in situ hybridization in transverse sections of the brain to determine their distributions. Sites labeled for the three muscarinic receptor mRNAs were found in various brain regions devoted to the processing of different sensory modalities. The mRNA probes for the three receptor types showed differential distribution but also overlapping presence of two or more receptors in particular nuclei. In addition to the presence of mAChR3 in the ELL region, electrosensory nuclei including the nucleus praeeminentialis, dorsal torus semicircularis and optic tectum showed expression of one or more mAChRs. Thus, the overall pattern of mAChR expression found is in agreement with mAChR expression in other species, with additional presence evident in specialized regions of the electrosensory system, which suggests an important modulating role of ACh in this sensory modality. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:1054–1072, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solar‐Light‐Driven Photodegradation and Antibacterial Activity of Hierarchical TiO2/ZnO/CuO Material
Authors: Bai Hongwei , Liu Zhaoyang , Sun Darren Delai
Published: August 2012

Inspired by the highly efficient hierarchical structure of plants that use natural light, the hierarchical “forest‐like” TiO2 nanofiber/ZnO nanorod/CuO nanoparticle ternary material 2 is synthesized by a stepwise process: electrospinning of TiO2 nanofibers, hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods, and photodeposition of CuO nanoparticles. Material 2 has a higher photodegradation rate of acid orange (AO 7) and stronger antibacterial capability under irradiation with solar light in comparison to that of the hierarchical “tree‐like” TiO2 nanofiber/ZnO nanorod material 1 and one dimensional as‐spun TiO2 nanofibers. These enhancements result from the unique hierarchical forest‐ and tree‐like features of materials 1 and 2, which enhance the light absorption capability, increase the specific surface area for mass transfer and bacteria attachment, create more reaction sites, and retard the recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes. A proportional relationship was found between the photocatalytic activity and the hierarchy of the materials. The sizes of the hierarchical nanostructured materials are in the micron range, which provides the opportunity for using these materials in engineering applications.
Improved accuracy and reproducibility of enumeration of platelet–monocyte complexes through use of doublet‐discriminator strategy
Authors: Majumder Bikash , North Janet , Mavroudis Chrysostomos , Rakhit Roby , Lowdell Mark W.
Published: August 2012

Background:

Platelet–monocyte complex (PMC) formation is a marker of in vivo platelet activation and may be readily measured by flow cytometry. Due to the high frequency of free platelets relative to monocytes and PMCs, false‐positive identification through coincidence remains a significant technical problem.To overcome this problem, we evaluated the use of a doublet‐discriminator strategy (DDM) to allow faster sample acquisition whilst significantly reducing aberrant coincidence.

Methods:

Fourteen healthy volunteers and 20 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) gave arterial and/or peripheral venous blood samples (NaCit). Whole blood was labelled in duplicate with anti‐CD61 and anti‐CD14 using a standard lyse/wash protocol. One of each paired sample was serially diluted before analysis; the second was analyzed at full concentration but using FL1‐width to exclude co‐incident platelet and monocyte events. Control experiments were performed with ex vivo thrombin activated samples.

Results:

With the DDM use PMC frequencies in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals and in CAD patients fell significantly [6.27% ± 1.77 (mean ± sd) to 2.57% ± 0.99 (P = 0.02)] and from16.04% (±11.26) to 7.66% (±5.18) (P < 0.01), respectively. DDM use significantly reduced the percentage of PMCs in the ex vivo thrombin activated samples (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Use of DDM effectively reduces the coincidence and enumerates true PMC in the samples of normal individuals and in patients with CAD and in ex vivo thrombin activated samples. © 2012 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Nearest surrounder searching in mobile computing environments
Authors: Chung Jaehwa , Jang Hong Jun , Jung Kyoung‐Ho , Jung Soon‐Young
Published: August 2012

The key issue in mobile computing environments (MCEs) is how to relieve communication congestion and provide accurate information through location‐based services (LBSs). The nearest surrounder (NS) query, used to find all visible objects around a given location, is a type of spatial query that suggests broad application base in LBS domain. However, because existing works for NS query only take into account static query points, the application of the NS query is limited to various LBSs in MCEs requiring frequent location updates. Motivated by this limitation, this paper introduces the continuous nearest surrounder (CNS) query, which uses a decentralized system framework to continuously maintain updated query results in MCEs. In this framework, the LBS server executes an initial NS query to prepare a region, termed non‐provoked polygon (NPP), defines a set of visible objects that cannot be changed. Conversely, a client caches the NPP and does not update request unless it leaves its NPP. We performed extensive experiments using synthetic and real datasets with various data cardinality, and query mobility to validate the accurate performance of the proposed strategy. The results show that the CNS algorithm outperforms NS, in terms of computation and communication costs as well as scalability.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive subcarrier bandwidth and power in OFDM‐based cognitive radio systems for high mobility applications
Authors: He Jian , Xu Changqing , Li Li
Published: August 2012

OFDM‐based cognitive radio systems are spectrally flexible and efficient, but they are vulnerable to intercarrier interference (ICI), especially in high mobility environments. High mobility of the terminal causes large Doppler frequency spread resulting in serious ICI. Such ICI severely degrades the system performance, which is ignored in the existing resource allocation of OFDM‐based cognitive radio systems. In this paper, an adaptive subcarrier bandwidth along with power allocation problem in OFDM‐based cognitive radio systems for high mobility applications is investigated. This adaptive subcarrier bandwidth method should choose the suitable subcarrier bandwidth not only to balance the tradeoff between ICI and intersymbol interference but also to be large enough to tolerate an amount of Doppler frequency spread but less than the coherence bandwidth. The power budget and interference to primary users caused by cognitive radio users are imposed for primary users' protection. With these constraints, a joint optimization algorithm of subcarrier bandwidth and power allocation is proposed to maximize the bandwidth efficiency of OFDM‐based cognitive radio systems in such conditions. Numerical simulation results show that the proposed algorithm could maximize the system bandwidth efficiency and balance this tradeoff while satisfying the constraints. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal and fetal antibrain antibodies in development and disease
Authors: Fox Elizabeth , Amaral David , Van de Water Judy
Published: August 2012

Recent evidence has emerged indicating that the maternal immune response can have a substantial deleterious impact on prenatal development (Croen et al., [2008]: Biol Psychiatry 64:583‐588). The maternal immune response is largely sequestered from the fetus. Maternal antibodies, specifically immunoglobulin G (IgG), are passed to the fetus to provide passive immunity throughout much of pregnancy. However, both protective and pathogenic autoantibodies have equal access to the fetus (Goines and Van de Water [2010]: Curr Opin Neurol 23:111‐117). If the mother has an underlying autoimmune disease or has reactivity to fetal antigens, autoantibodies produced before or during pregnancy can target tissues in the developing fetus. One such tissue is the fetal brain. The blood brainbarrier (BBB) is developing during the fetal period allowing maternal antibodies to have direct access to the brain during gestation (Diamond et al. [2009]: Nat Rev Immunol; Braunschweig et al. [2011]; Neurotoxicology 29:226‐231). It has been proposed that brain injury by circulating brain–specific maternal autoantibodies might underlie multiple congenital, developmental disorders (Lee et al. [2009]: Nat Med 15:91‐96). In this review, we will discuss the current state of research in the area of maternal autoantibodies and the development of autism. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
Reconstruction of cell lineage and spatiotemporal pattern formation of the mesoderm in the amphipod crustacean Orchestia cavimana
Authors: Hunnekuhl Vera S. , Wolff Carsten
Published: August 2012

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Collage of two developmental stages of the amphipod Orchestia cavimana. Both 3D‐reconstrucitons of CLSM image stacks. Lower image shows an early embryo (dorsal view) with labelled mesendodermal precursor cells of the trunk region in red (DiI in‐vivo labelling) and nuclei in blue (DAPI). Blastomeres ba and da were marked at 8‐cell stage. Upper image shows an advanced embryo shortly before hatching (lateral view) with musculature in red (Phalloidin) and nuclei in blue (DAPI). The segmental iterative musculature is a derivative of mesoblast cells which have the highly ordered pattern in earlier embryonic stages (shown below). From Hunnekuhl and Wolff, Developmental Dynamics 241:697–717, 2012.
Understanding the uptake of family‐based treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa: Therapist perspectives
Authors: Couturier Jennifer , Kimber Melissa , Jack Susan , Niccols Alison , Van Blyderveen Sherry , McVey Gail
Published: August 2012

Objective:

To explore and describe therapists' perceptions of the factors affecting their uptake of family‐based treatment (FBT) for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method:

Fundamental qualitative description guided the sampling and data collection in this study. A purposeful sample of 40 therapists providing treatment to youth with AN, completed an in‐depth interview. Conventional content analysis guided the development of initial codes and categories, whereas constant comparison analytic techniques were used to compare and contrast therapist perceptions across contexts. Summative content analysis was used to provide counts of keywords, phrases, and themes.

Results:

Therapists face several barriers to the implementation of FBT, divided broadly into interventional, organizational, interpersonal, patient/family, systemic, and illness factors. Therapists support the implementation of evidence‐based practices, including FBT for AN, but fidelity to this model is not practiced. Specific concerns about the intervention included weighing the patient, providing nutritional advice, and the family meal. Ninety‐five percent of therapists requested further training in the FBT model.

Discussion:

Further investigation into the barriers and facilitating factors to the use of FBT is warranted. Understanding effective dissemination and training strategies is critical to ensuring patients receive the best possible care. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013)
Porous membrane structures as stationary phase for capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Kopeć Karina K. , Wessling Matthias , Stamatialis Dimitrios F.
Published: August 2012

This work presents the application of membrane technology for the fabrication of stationary phase for CEC columns using the technique based on phase inversion of polymer solution. A blend of polyimide P84 and sulphonated poly(ether ether ketone was processed via immersion precipitation dry‐wet spinning into small‐bore porous fiber. The morphology, zeta potential, and performance of the porous structure in the CEC separation were investigated. Noncharged molecules (as markers of the electroosmotic flow) and small organic compounds were injected into the column, driven under the application of voltage, and detected on the electropherogram. The proof of concept of applying porous membrane structure as stationary phase for CEC was shown and possible optimization to improve efficiency and selectivity was suggested.
The in vivo Pig‐a gene mutation assay is useful for evaluating the genotoxicity of ionizing radiation in mice
Authors: Ohtani Shin , Unno Aiko , Ushiyama Akira , Kimoto Takafumi , Miura Daishiro , Kunugita Naoki
Published: August 2012

The in vivo Pig‐a mutation assay has been adapted for measuring mutation in rats, mice, monkeys, and humans. To date, the assay has been used mainly to assess the mutagenicity of chemicals that are known to be powerful point mutagens. The assay has not been used to measure the biological effects associated with ionizing radiation. In this study, we modified the Pig‐a gene mutation assay (Kimoto et al. [2011b]: Mutat Res 723:36‐42) and used 3‐color staining with fluorescently labeled anti‐CD24, anti‐TER‐119, and anti‐CD71 to detect the Pig‐a mutant frequencies in total red blood cells (RBCs) and in reticulocytes (RETs) from X‐irradiated mice. Single exposures to X‐irradiation resulted in dose‐ and time‐dependent increases in Pig‐a mutant frequencies, and these subsequently declined over time returning to background frequencies. The same total amount of radiation, delivered either as a single dose or as four repeat doses at weekly intervals, increased Pig‐a mutant frequencies to comparable levels, reaching maxima 2–3 weeks after the single dose or 2–3 weeks after the last of the repeat doses. These increased frequencies subsequently returned to background levels. Our results indicated that the 3‐color Pig‐a assay was useful for evaluating the in vivo genotoxicity of radiation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Homicide perpetrated by older people
Authors: Overshott Ross , Rodway Cathryn , Roscoe Alison , Flynn Sandra , Hunt Isabelle M. , Swinson Nicola , Appleby Louis , Shaw Jenny
Published: August 2012

Objective

This study aims to describe the circumstances in which older people commit homicide, the form of assessment they undergo and to examine the proportion of those who suffer from mental illness.

Methods

The study was carried out as part of the England and Wales National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness based on a five‐year sample. The Inquiry was notified of the names of those over the age of 60 years convicted of homicide and also the details of the offence, sentencing and outcome in court by the Home Office. The Inquiry collected clinical data of those known to have had contact with mental health services from the responsible service and also retrieved psychiatric reports of those convicted.

Results

Homicide incidents perpetrated by older people typically involve a man killing his partner in an impulsive manner. The most common method was by using a sharp instrument (34%), followed by the use of a blunt instrument (26%). The use of firearms was rare (11%). Perpetrators aged 65 years and older were significantly more likely to kill a current or former spouse/partner and less likely to kill an acquaintance. Forty‐four per cent of perpetrators over 65 years old suffered from depression at the time of the offence, whereas rates of schizophrenia and alcohol dependence were low.

Conclusions

The information used in the study was extracted from a unique national database of homicide perpetrators.

The characteristics and the circumstances of homicides perpetrated by older people are different to other age groups. An older‐people homicide may be preventable if depression is identified early in older people. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Yttrium-90 radioembolization for intermediate-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A phase 2 study
Authors: Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Sposito Carlo , Bhoori Sherrie , Romito Raffaele , Chiesa Carlo , Morosi Carlo , Maccauro Marco , Marchianò Alfonso , Bongini Marco , Lanocita Rodolfo , Civelli Enrico , Bombardieri Emilio , Camerini Tiziana , Spreafico Carlo
Published: August 2012

Yttrium-90 radioembolization (Y90RE) is a novel approach to radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), never tested in phase 2 studies. Fifty-two patients with intermediate (n.17) to advanced (n.35) HCC were prospectively recruited to assess, as the primary endpoint, efficacy of Y90RE on time-to-progression (TTP). Secondary endpoints were tumor response, safety, and overall survival (OS). All patients were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score 0-1, Child-Pugh class A-B7. Y90RE treatments aimed at a lobar delivery of 120 Gy. Retrospective dosimetric correlations were conducted and related to response. Fifty-eight treatments were performed on 52 patients. The median follow-up was 36 months. The median TTP was 11 months with no significant difference between portal vein thrombosis (PVT) versus no PVT (7 versus 13 months). The median OS was 15 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 12-18 months) with a nonsignificant trend in favor of non-PVT versus PVT patients (18 versus 13 months). Five complete responses occurred (9.6%), and the 2 year-progression rate was 62%. Objective response was 40.4%, whereas the disease control rate (78.8%) significantly affected survival (responders versus nonresponders: 18.4% versus 9.1%;

P

= 0.009). Tumor response significantly correlated with absorbed dose in target lesions (

r

= 0.60, 95% CI, 0.41-0.74,

P

< 0.001) and a threshold of 500 Gy predicted response (area under the curve, 0.78). Mortality at 30-90 days was 0%-3.8%. Various grades of reduction in liver function occurred within 6 months in 36.5% of patients, with no differences among stages. On multivariate analysis, tumor response was the sole variable affecting TTP (

P

< 0.001) and the second affecting survival (after Child-Pugh class).

Conclusion:

Y90RE is an effective treatment in intermediate to advanced HCC, particularly in the case of PVT. Further prospective evaluations comparing Y90RE with conventional treatments are warranted.
Deficiency of G-Protein-Coupled Bile Acid Receptor Gpbar1 (TGR5) Enhances Chemically Induced Liver Carcinogenesis
Authors: Chen Wei-Dong , Yu Donna , Forman Barry M. , Huang Wendong , Wang Yan-Dong
Published: August 2012

Gpbar1 (TGR5), a membrane-bound bile acid receptor, is well known for its roles in regulation of energy homeostasis and glucose metabolism. TGR5 activation also inhibits nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-mediated inflammation. Here we show that TGR5 deficiency enhances chemically induced liver carcinogenesis, and that TGR5 is a negative regulator of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Mice lacking TGR5 were much more susceptible to diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced acute liver injury and liver carcinogenesis than wildtype (WT) mice. Consistent with the increasing incidence of liver cancer in TGR5−/− mice, hepatocyte death, compensatory proliferation, and gene expression of certain inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases were more sensitive to DEN induction in the absence of TGR5 signaling.

In vitro

, TGR5 activation greatly inhibited proliferation and migration of human liver cancer cells. We then found that TGR5 activation strongly suppressed STAT3 signaling

in vitro

and

in vivo

. Furthermore, we observed that TGR5 antagonizes the STAT3 pathway through suppressing STAT3 phosphorylation, its transcription activity, and DNA binding activity, which suggests that TGR5 antagonizes liver tumorigenesis at least in part by inhibiting STAT3 signaling.

Conclusion:

These findings identify TGR5 as a novel liver tumor suppressor that may serve as an attractive therapeutic tool for human liver cancer.
Immunoproteomic Analysis of Potentially Severe Non-Graft-Versus-Host Disease Hepatitis After Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplantation
Authors: Beleoken Elvire , Sobesky Rodolphe , Le Caer Jean-Pierre , Le Naour François , Sebagh Mylène , Moniaux Nicolas , Roche Bruno , Mustafa Mohammad Zahid , Guettier Catherine , Johanet Catherine , Samuel Didier , Bouhris Jean-Henri , Duclos-Vallee Jean-Charles , Ballot Eric
Published: August 2012

The development of potentially severe non-graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) hepatitis resembling autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has been reported after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The aim of this study was to better characterize this form of hepatitis, particularly through the identification of autoantigens recognized by patient sera. Five patients who received an allogeneic BMT for the treatment of hematological diseases developed liver dysfunction with histological features suggestive of AIH. Before and during the onset of hepatic dysfunction, sera were tested on immunoblottings performed with cytosolic, microsomal, mitochondrial, and nuclear proteins from rat liver homogenate and resolved by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Antigenic targets were identified by mass spectrometry. During the year that followed BMT, all patients presented with GVHD. Acute hepatitis then occurred after the withdrawal, or during the tapering, of immunosuppressive therapy. At that time, no patients had a history of liver toxic drug absorption, patent viral infection, or any histopathological findings consistent with GVHD. Immunoreactive spots stained by sera collected at the time of hepatic dysfunction were more numerous and more intensely expressed than those stained by sera collected before. Considerable patient-dependent pattern heterogeneity was observed. Among the 259 spots stained exclusively by sera collected at the time of hepatitis, a total of 240 spots were identified, corresponding to 103 different proteins. Twelve of them were recognized by sera from 3 patients.

Conclusions:

This is the first immunological description of potentially severe non-GVHD hepatitis occurring after BMT, determined using a proteomic approach and enabling a discussion of the mechanisms that transform an alloimmune reaction into an autoimmune response. Any decision to withdraw immunosuppression after allogeneic BMT should be made with caution.
Overexpression of Forkhead Box C1 Promotes Tumor Metastasis and Indicates Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Xia Limin , Huang Wenjie , Tian Dean , Zhu Hongwu , Qi Xingshun , Chen Zheng , Zhang Yongguo , Hu Hao , Fan Daiming , Nie Yongzhan , Wu Kaichun
Published: August 2012

Recurrence and metastasis remain the most common causes of lethal outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative resection. Thus, it is critical to discover the mechanisms underlying HCC metastasis. Forkhead box C1 (FoxC1), a member of the Fox family of transcription factors, induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promotes epithelial cell migration. However, the role of FoxC1 in the progression of HCC remains unknown. Here, we report that FoxC1 plays a critical role in HCC metastasis. FoxC1 expression was markedly higher in HCC tissues than in adjacent noncancerous tissues. HCC patients with positive FoxC1 expression had shorter overall survival times and higher recurrence rates than those with negative FoxC1 expression. FoxC1 expression was an independent, significant risk factor for recurrence and survival after curative resection. FoxC1 overexpression induced changes characteristic of EMT and an increase in HCC cell invasion and lung metastasis. However, FoxC1 knockdown inhibited these processes. FoxC1 transactivated Snai1 expression by directly binding to the Snai1 promoter, thereby leading to the inhibition of E-cadherin transcription. Knockdown of Snai1 expression significantly attenuated FoxC1-enhanced invasion and lung metastasis. FoxC1 expression was positively correlated with Snai1 expression, but inversely correlated with E-cadherin expression in human HCC tissues. Additionally, a complementary DNA microarray, serial deletion, site-directed mutagenesis, and a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay confirmed that neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated 9 (NEDD9), which promotes the metastasis of HCC cells, is a direct transcriptional target of FoxC1 and is involved in FoxC1-mediated HCC invasion and metastasis.

Conclusions:

FoxC1 may promote HCC metastasis through the induction of EMT and the up-regulation of NEDD9 expression. Thus, FoxC1 may be a candidate prognostic biomarker and a target for new therapies.
An automated routing methodology to enable direct rainfall in high resolution shallow water models
Authors: Sampson Christopher C. , Bates Paul D. , Neal Jeffrey C. , Horritt Matthew S.
Published: August 2012

Recent high profile flood events have highlighted the need for hydraulic models capable of simulating pluvial flooding in urban areas. This paper presents a constant velocity rainfall routing scheme that provides this ability within the LISFLOOD‐FP hydraulic modelling code. The scheme operates in place of the shallow water equations within cells where the water depth is below a user‐defined threshold, enabling rainfall‐derived water to be moved from elevated features such as buildings or curbstones without causing instabilities in the solution whilst also yielding a reduction in the overall computational cost of the simulation. Benchmarking against commercial modelling packages using a pluvial and point‐source test case demonstrates that the scheme does not impede the ability of LISFLOOD‐FP to match both predicted depths and velocities of full shallow water models. The stability of the scheme in conditions unsuitable for traditional two‐dimensional hydraulic models is then demonstrated using a pluvial test case over a complex urban digital elevation model containing buildings. Deterministic single‐parameter sensitivity analyses undertaken using this test case show limited sensitivity of predicted water depths to both the chosen routing speed within a physically plausible range and values of the depth threshold parameter below 10 mm. Local instabilities can occur in the solution if the depth threshold is >10 mm, but such values are not required even when simulating extreme rainfall rates. The scheme yields a reduction in model runtime of ~25% due to the reduced number of cells for which the hydrodynamic equations have to be solved. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact analysis of river morphology and roughness variability on hydropeaking based on numerical modelling
Authors: Hauer Christoph , Schober Bernhard , Habersack Helmut
Published: August 2012

Hydropeaking due to operations of storage hydropower plants was highlighted as one of the main stresses on aquatic ecology by the European Water Framework Directive. Nevertheless, hydropower must be seen as a high‐value resource in the renewable energy sector. However, very few studies deal with the physical processes behind the artificial unsteady flows, as the variability of local river morphology and roughness in general. Thus, the aim of the present study is to address these issues on the basis of one‐dimensional hydrodynamic numerical modelling. In total, four Austrian rivers have been investigated, which were further divided into 13 sub‐reaches according to their bed slope. From single and multiple linear regression models, it was possible to relate potential retentions of peak flow for peak duration of <2 h and for bed slopes <0.005 to the spatial extent of wetted width between base and peak flows, independent of the selected ramping rate (discharge relationship between base and peak flows). Moreover, the ramping velocity (rate of decreasing water level between peak and base flows) correlated positively with an increase in depth variance during peak flow, which was related further to an increase in mean flow velocities and a higher specific discharge over the 13 selected reaches. Nevertheless, within sensitivity testing, it could be proven that increases in channel roughness cause an increase in peak flow retention and a decrease of the ramping velocities for the decreasing limb. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioactivity and mechanical properties of collagen composite membranes reinforced by chitosan and β‐tricalcium phosphate
Authors: Lee Sang‐Bae , Kwon Jae‐Sung , Lee Yong‐Keun , Kim Kwang‐Mahn , Kim Kyoung‐Nam
Published: August 2012

In this study, we analyzed the effects of varying concentrations of chitosan (CS) and β‐tricalcium phosphate [β‐TCP, Ca3(PO4)2] on the mechanical and cell‐adhesion properties of a collagen (CG) matrix for use in guided bone regeneration (GBR). Three different CS concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2%) and five different contents of β‐TCP (0, 17, 29, 38, and 44%) were investigated. The composite membranes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and cell‐adhesion, flexural‐strength, and tear‐strength assays. The results show that the cell‐adhesion and mechanical properties of the composite membranes improved with increasing β‐TCP and CS contents, yielding suitable levels of the adhesion of cells and adequate mechanical stability to ensure successful GBR. The CS adhered to the microsized β‐TCP, which was distributed uniformly in the composite membranes. The β‐TCP and CS have no negative effect on the cell morphology, viability, and proliferation and possess good biocompatibility. This study demonstrates that β‐TCP/CS/CG composite membranes are good candidates for GBR membranes in future applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Hybrid microparticles for drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Serrano‐Ruiz David , Laurenti Marco , Ruiz‐Cabello Jesús , López‐Cabarcos Enrique , Rubio‐Retama Jorge
Published: August 2012

In this work, we report the synthesis, characterization, and possible application as drug‐delivery system magnetically triggered, of hybrid microparticles formed by magnetic nanoparticles embedded within poly(ε‐caprolactone). The magnetism of the microparticles permits their localization within the body using magnetic resonance imaging, and the biodegradable polymer layer allows entrapping drugs that can be released when temperature increases. The synthesis of the hybrid material was performed using “grafting from” technique of conveniently modified magnetic nanoparticles. Subsequently, the resulting hybrid nanoparticles were assembled into spherical particles of 138 ± 49 nm via precipitation technique. The produced hybrid material was evaluated as stimuli‐responsive drug delivery system in which the release of the drug was triggered by magnetic induction. Furthermore, the microparticles were injected in rats and their localization within the animal was monitored using the local field inhomogeneities generated by the particles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2013.
Does a childhood fracture predict low bone mass in young adulthood?—A 27-year prospective controlled study
Authors: Buttazzoni Christian , Rosengren Bjorn E , Tveit Magnus , Landin Lennart , Nilsson Jan-Åke , Karlsson Magnus K
Published: August 2012

A fracture in childhood is associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), but it is debated whether a fracture at growth also predicts low BMD in young adulthood. The purpose of this work was to gender-specifically evaluate whether children with a fracture are at increased risk of low BMD in young adulthood. Distal forearm BMD (g/cm2) was measured with single-photon absorptiometry (SPA) in 47 boys and 26 girls (mean age 10 years, range 3–16 years) with an index fracture and in 41 boys and 43 girls (mean age 10 years, range 4–16 years) with no fracture. BMD was re-measured mean 27 years later with the same SPA apparatus and with dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA), quantitative ultrasound (QUS), and peripheral computed tomography (pQCT). Individual Z-scores were calculated using the control cohort as reference population. Data are presented as means with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) within brackets and correlation with Pearson's correlation coefficient. Boys with an index fracture had at fracture event a distal forearm BMD Z-score of −0.4 (95% CI, −0.7 to −0.1) and at follow-up −0.4 (95% CI, −0.7 to −0.1). Corresponding values in girls were −0.2 (95% CI, −0.5 to 0.1) and −0.3 (95% CI, −0.7 to 0.1). The deficit in absolute bone mass was driven by men with index fractures in childhood due to low energy rather than moderate or high energy. There were no changes in BMD Z-score during the follow-up period. The BMD deficit at follow-up was in boys with an index fracture verified with all advocated techniques. A childhood fracture in men was associated with low BMD and smaller bone size in young adulthood whereas the deficit in women did not reach statistical significance. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Antennal morphology and sensilla ultrastructure of three tomicus species (coleoptera: Curculionidae, scolytinae)
Authors: Wang Ping‐Yan , Zhang Zhen , Kong Xiang‐Bo , Wang Hong‐Bin , Zhang Su‐Fang , Gao Xing‐Rong , Yuan Su‐Rong
Published: August 2012

The antennal morphology and sensilla ultrastructure of Tomicus yunnanensis, T. minor, and T. brevipilosus were studied by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Eight common sensilla types were recorded: (1) sensilla trichodea (S.tr.) types 1 and 2 were located on the club and were innervated by five and eight dendrites, respectively; (2) sensilla chaetica (S.ch.) types 1 and 2 had no dendrites in the sensilla lymph lumen; (3) sensilla basiconica (S.b.), top‐protuberated S.b. and fluted cones (Fl.c.) occurred on the club; and Böhm bristles (B.b.) occurred on the funicle. S.b. were the most abundant and were innervated by 10–14 dendritic branches. Top‐protuberated S.b., a new sensilla type, were innervated by one dendrite. Fl.c. were innervated by five dendrites. Only three sensilla furcatea were visible on the antennae of female T. yunnanensis. The possible functions of these sensilla are discussed in relation to their morphology and ultrastructure. No statistical differences between sexes were found in the size and numbers of each sensilla type. Although the three species had similar antennal morphology and sensilla type, sensilla on sub‐segments 3 and 4 of the antennal club of T. minor were much sparser than those of T. yunnanensis or T. brevipilosus. Concerning the antennae of T. yunnanensis, there were more S.tr. type 2, S.ch. type 2 and S.b. and the size of S.tr. type 1 and S.b. were significantly greater than those of T. minor. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unusual adhesive production system in the barnacle Lepas anatifera: An ultrastructural and histochemical investigation
Authors: Jonker Jaimie‐Leigh , von Byern Janek , Flammang Patrick , Klepal, Waltraud , Power Anne Marie
Published: August 2012

Adhesives that are naturally produced by marine organisms are potential sources of inspiration in the search for medical adhesives. Investigations of barnacle adhesives are at an early stage but it is becoming obvious that barnacles utilize a unique adhesive system compared to other marine organisms. The current study examined the fine structure and chemistry of the glandular system that produces the adhesive of the barnacle Lepas anatifera. All components for the glue originated from large single‐cell glands (70–180 μm). Staining (including immunostaining) showed that L‐3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine and phosphoserine were not present in the glue producing tissues, demonstrating that the molecular adhesion of barnacles differs from all other permanently gluing marine animals studied to date. The glandular tissue and adhesive secretion primarily consisted of slightly acidic proteins but also included some carbohydrate. Adhesive proteins were stored in cytoplasmic granules adjacent to an intracellular drainage canal (ICC); observations implicated both merocrine and apocrine mechanisms in the transport of the secretion from the cell cytoplasm to the ICC. Inside the ICC, the secretion was no longer contained within granules but was a flocculent material which became “clumped” as it traveled through the canal network. Hemocytes were not seen within the adhesive “apparatus” (comprising of the glue producing cells and drainage canals), nor was there any structural mechanism by which additions such as hemocytes could be made to the secretion. The unicellular adhesive gland in barnacles is distinct from multicellular adhesive systems observed in marine animals such as mussels and tubeworms. Because the various components are not physically separated in the apparatus, the barnacle adhesive system appears to utilize completely different and unknown mechanisms for maintaining the liquid state of the glue within the body, as well as unidentified mechanisms for the conversion of extruded glue into hard cement. J. Morphol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist attenuates blood–brain barrier damage and neurodegeneration in a murine model of traumatic brain injury
Authors: Amenta Peter S. , Jallo Jack I. , Tuma Ronald F. , Elliott Melanie B.
Published: August 2012

After traumatic brain injury (TBI), inflammation participates in both the secondary injury cascades and the repair of the CNS, both of which are influenced by the endocannabinoid system. This study determined the effects of repeated treatment with a cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) agonist on blood–brain barrier integrity, neuronal degeneration, and behavioral outcome in mice with TBI. We also looked for the presence of a prolonged treatment effect on the macrophage/microglial response to injury. C57BL/6 mice underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) and received repeated treatments with a CB2R agonist, 0‐1966, or vehicle. After euthanasia at 6 hr or 1, 2, 3, or 7 days postinjury, brains were removed for histochemical analysis. Blood–brain barrier permeability changes were evaluated by using sodium fluorescein (NaF). Perilesional degenerating neurons, injury volumes, and macrophage/microglia cells were quantified by stereological methods. Rota‐rod and open‐field testing were performed to evaluate motor function and natural exploratory behavior in mice. 0‐1966 Treatment resulted in a significant reduction in NaF uptake and number of degenerating neurons compared with the vehicle‐treated group. 0‐1966‐Treated mice demonstrated improvement on rota‐rod and open‐field testing compared with vehicle‐treated mice. These changes in CCI mice treated with 0‐1966 were associated with a prolonged reduction in macrophage/microglia cell counts. In conclusion, repeated treatments with a CB2R agonist, 0‐1966, result in attenuated blood–brain barrier disruption and neuronal degeneration. In addition, repeated treatment with 0‐1966 shows prolonged treatment effects on behavior and the macrophage/microglia cell response over several days. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regional centennial precipitation variability over Germany from extended observation records
Authors: Brienen Susanne , Kapala Alice , Mächel Hermann , Simmer Clemens
Published: August 2012

The data base of daily precipitation over Germany has been recently extended by digitizing additional historical hand‐written observations. The extension from 65 to 118 stations has increased the density of the available station network to a degree which allows both meaningful regional analyses and less error‐prone trend and return level estimates. In this article first results of the examination of the precipitation behaviour in the winter and summer season throughout the entire 20th century are presented. To assess the spatial scale of similarities or spatial coherence of several precipitation indices from the 118 stations, Principal Component Analysis is used. The extracted leading patterns (six in winter, nine in summer) resemble nicely regions of different geographical characteristics and prevailing wind directions which puts some credibility on the quality of the newly digitized observations. The long‐term linear trends of the regionally averaged time series differ substantially between precipitation indices, regions, seasons, and sub‐periods. For the whole century, significant increases are found for most of the intensity‐related indices in the Southern part of the country in winter and in some of those indices in the Rhineland/Sauerland and Alpine regions in summer. The two halves of the 20th century, are, however, characterized by partly opposite trends in the precipitation indices, and different regions are affected by these changes. An analysis of trend robustness by means of 30‐year moving trends indicates a low stability of the trends during the 20th century, which is partly caused by interdecadal variability of the precipitation characteristics. For 100‐year return levels, changes between the estimates obtained from the entire century and from the first and second 50 years differ in particular in the extent of their confidence intervals. In consequence, the availability of long precipitation records is very important for practical applications, and further extension of data records is recommended.
A learning organization perspective of service quality operations in the IT industry
Authors: Soltani Ebrahim , Chau Vinh Sum , Liao Ying‐Ying
Published: August 2012

High‐tech IT firms are characterized by a path dependency of generative learning (progressive organization), which must be recognized by managers concerned with managing the entirety of service quality operations.
A contextual study of the exercise of personal agency by mobile phone use
Authors: D'Souza Darryl , Kumar Vikas , Judge Miriam , O'Regan Nicholas
Published: August 2012

A number of key factors impact mobile phone use for personal agency in various settings, including non‐conventional ways not thought of before even by the designers and creators of this technology.
Dive Tourism and Local Communities: Active Participation or Subject to Impacts? Case Studies from Malaysia
Authors: Daldeniz Bilge , Hampton Mark P.
Published: August 2012

Dive tourism impacts were examined in three Malaysian islands: Perhentian (backpackers), Redang (package tourism) and Mabul (upmarket dive tourism). Qualitative local participation approaches were applied to investigate whether host communities were merely reactive to dive tourism's impacts.

Dive tourism affected many aspects of community life. Besides physical/ environmental impacts (new infrastructure), research found varied economic impacts including employment/business opportunities and differing economic linkages. Participation varied between locations, and obstacles to increased participation were revealed. Mainly negative socio‐cultural impacts were observed with minimal participation in cultural productions (handicrafts, performances). However, positive educational impacts emerged, especially environmental awareness and English language acquisition. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microstructure‐Controllable Graphene Oxide Hydrogel Film Based on a pH‐Responsive Graphene Oxide Hydrogel
Authors: Qin Si‐Yong , Liu Xiang‐Ji , Zhuo Ren‐Xi , Zhang Xian‐Zheng
Published: August 2012

A graphene oxide hydrogel (GOH) is fabricated via suspending the graphene oxide (GO) in water without any additional processing steps. At the hydrogel/air interface, a well‐defined hydrogel membrane forms once the solvent is removed by vacuum drying. The microstructure of the resulting GOH film can be tailored by different dehydration approaches, as well as by varying the GO concentration in the hydrogel. This GOH exhibited pH‐responsiveness and good mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the GOH presented good adsorption capacity to the organic dye rhodamine B and anionic chromate Cr2O72−. This GOH may find great potential in many fields, such as wastewater treatment, biodetection, etc.
Application of scientific methods to explain the formation of pustules appearing on Duplex coatings
Authors: Friedrich J. , Koppitz F.‐D.
Published: August 2012

Das Auftreten von Lackfilmstörungen durch Pustelbildung stellt in der industriellen Praxis der Pulverbeschichtung verzinkter Stahlbauteile ein wirtschaftliches Problem dar. Mit einer Reihe sich ergänzender wissenschaftlicher Methoden wurden die verursachenden Reagenzien und Entstehungsmechanismen der Pustelbildung erforscht und eine durchgängige Theorie der Pustelbildung entwickelt. Dabei kamen die metallografische Mikroskopie und Analytik ebenso zum Einsatz, wie nasschemische Untersuchungsmethoden, die Glimmentladungsspektroskopie und die Massenspektrometrie. Eine massenspektrometrische Detektion der aus dem Zinküberzug ausströmenden Gase zeigte, dass mit einem Volumenanteil von 82% insbesondere Wasser, gefolgt von 10% Kohlendioxid und 8% Wasserstoff für die Pustelbildung verantwortlich zu machen sind.