bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Good offices: grasping the place of law in conflict
Authors: O'Donoghue Aoife
Published: August 2013

In the pantheon of approaches open to participants in the pacific settlement of disputes, good offices holds a noteworthy place. The evolution of good offices over the past century is concurrent with a trend of considerable transformation within international law, including – amongst other changes – a move away from a state-led legal order, including in good offices following the emergence of the heads of international organisations as its prime users, and a process of legalisation and specialisation within the subject that has entirely altered its character. These changes have led to a redefinition of good offices that stresses the actor carrying out the role above the form that it takes. To accompany these changes in practice, there is a need for a transformation in the legal analysis and definition of good offices. One potential option in achieving this end is Bell'slex pacificatoria. If good offices is to continue to play a significant role in the settlement of violent conflicts, a fully developed legal analysis is necessary to grasp both its historical development and its potential future role.
Co-worker Mistreatment in a Singaporean Chinese Firm: The Roles of Third Party Embeddedness and Network Closure
Authors: Ho Violet T.
Published: August 2013

This study integrates research on social networks and interpersonal counterproductive behaviours to examine the role of third party relationships in predicting an individual's susceptibility to co-worker mistreatment, and in moderating the relationship between co-worker mistreatment and job performance. Third party embeddedness and network closure are examined in the formal workflow network and the informal liking network. Results obtained from employees in a family-owned Chinese business in Singapore indicate that an individual is more likely to be mistreated by a co-worker when both parties are strongly embedded in mutual third party relationships in the workflow network, and that the individual is less likely to be mistreated when both parties are strongly embedded in the liking network. At the individual network level, network closure (i.e., the extent to which an individual's contacts are themselves connected to one another) in the workflow network increases the likelihood that a co-worker will mistreat the individual, but closure in the liking network weakens the negative relationship between mistreatment and performance. The findings offer a network-based perspective to understanding interpersonal mistreatment and counterproductive work behaviours, particularly in the context of Confucian Asian firms, and provide practical implications for organizations and individuals to reduce counterproductive behaviours at work.
Stable carbon isotope variability associated with taxonomic composition of lotic benthic algae
Authors: Abe Shin‐ichiro , Sakano Hiroyuki , Kobayashi Sho , Kitano Satoshi
Published: August 2013

We examined the relationship between the δ13C and taxonomic composition of benthic algae collected from a riffle (fast current habitat) of a non‐shaded mountain stream, which is a tributary of the Kiso River, Japan. The benthic algal δ13C ranged from −20.6 to −14.2‰ and tended to be 13C‐depleted with increasing relative abundance of upright filamentous cyanobacteria and 13C‐enriched with increasing relative abundance of prostrate filamentous cyanobacteria. Using isotopic mass balance equations, the relative abundance of the dominant taxa, upright and prostrate filamentous cyanobacteria, small diatoms and others, explained 74% of δ13C variability. This study shows a case where the difference in taxonomic composition is a possible source of the isotopic variability of benthic algae, which is a mixture of taxa with distinct isotopic signatures.
High-Quality Draft Genome Sequences of Two Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum Strains
Authors: Cunnac Sébastien , Bolot Stéphanie , Forero Serna Natalia , Ortiz Erika , Szurek Boris , Noël Laurent D. , Arlat Matthieu , Jacques Marie-Agnès , Gagnevin Lionel , Carrere Sébastien , Nicole Michel , Koebnik Ralf
Published: August 2013

We report high-quality draft genome sequences of two strains (race 18 and 20) of
Xanthomonas citri
pv. malvacearum, the causal agent of bacterial blight of cotton. Comparative genomics will help to decipher mechanisms provoking disease and triggering defense responses and to develop new molecular tools for epidemiological surveillance.
Use of transoesophageal echocardiography in endovascular stenting for superior vena cava syndrome
Authors: Nasser Felipe , Cavalcante Rafael Noronha , Galastri Francisco Leonardo , Affonso Breno Boueri
Published: August 2013

Endovascular stenting is a recommended primary treatment for superior vena cava syndrome in patients with tumours. We describe a case where the vena cava stenosis was located 1 cm above the cavoatrial junction. In order to avoid malpositioning of the stent and its potential complications, such as arrhythmia or cardiac tamponade, transoesophageal echocardiography was used for guidance during the stent deployment.
Cytomegalovirus-associated gastric ulcer: a diagnostic challenge in a patient of fulminant hepatitis with steroid pulse therapy
Authors: Tamura Jiro , Arakaki Shingo , Shibata Daisuke , Maeshiro Tatsuji
Published: August 2013

A 69-year-old woman presented with malaise. She had had organising pneumonia with the treatment of prednisolone. A diagnosis of fulminant hepatitis was made and steroid pulse therapy was initiated. Ten days later, a colonic resection with a colostomy was performed because of the perforated diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon. She presented with epigastric pain and melena after surgery. Despite the administration of the proton pump inhibitor, an endoscopy revealed multiple deep, punched-out ulcers of the stomach. Biopsy specimen showed cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The melena and CMV antigenemia was improved with ganciclovir; however the patient died from worsening of hepatic failure. We emphasise that CMV-associated gastric ulcers should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gastric ulcers in patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs.
The spectre of race in American medicine
Authors: Fofana Mariam O
Published: August 2013

Controversies and debates surrounding race have long been a fixture in American medicine. In the past, the biological concept of race—the idea that race is biologically determined and meaningful—has served to justify the institution of slavery and the conduct of unethical research trials. Although these days may seem far behind, contemporary debates over the race-specific approval of drugs and the significance of genetic differences are evidence that race still yields tremendous influence on medical research and clinical practice. In many ways, the use of race in medicine today reflects the internalisation of racial hierarchies borne out of the history of slavery and state-mandated segregation, and there is still much uncertainty over its benefits and harms. Although using race in research can help elucidate disparities, the reflexive use of race as a variable runs the risk of reifying the biological concept of race and blinding researchers to important underlying factors such as socioeconomic status. Similarly, in clinical practice, the use of race in assessing a patient's risk of certain conditions (eg, sickle cell) turns harmful when the heuristic becomes a rule. Through selected historical and contemporary examples, I aim to show how the biological concept of race that gave rise to past abuses remains alive and harmful, and propose changes in medical education as a potential solution. By learning from the past, today's physicians will be better armed to discern—and correct—the ways in which contemporary medicine perpetuates historical injustices.
British Veterinary Association Annual General Meeting Cardiff, September 26, 2013
Authors: Thorpe D.
Published: August 2013

The 2013 Annual General Meeting of the British Veterinary Association will be held at the City Hall, Cardiff, on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at 15.30.
ADHESIVITY OF COLON CANCER CELLS DURINGIN VITROMETASTASIS
Authors: TANG XIN , SAIF TAHER A.
Published: August 2013

Human colon carcinoma (HCT-8) cells show a stable, metastasis-like phenotype (MLP) when cultured on appropriate soft substrates (21 ~ 47 kPa). Initially epithelial (E) in nature, the HCT-8 cells become rounded (R) and show a number of metastatic hallmarks after only seven days of culture on soft substrate (Tang et al., [2010] "Mechanical force affects expression of an in vitro metastasis-like phenotype in HCT-8 cells," Biophysical Journal99, 2460–2469; Tang et al., [2012a] "Attenuation of cell mechanosensitivity in colon cancer cells during in vitro metastasis," PlosONE7, e50443). Here, we studied the surface nonspecific adhesion of HCT-8 cells throughout the in vitro metastasis process. A novel bio-MEMS force sensor was used to measure the cell-probe nonspecific adhesion. The adhesion characteristics are analyzed using fracture mechanics theory. Our results indicate that the post-metastatic HCT-8 cells (dissociated R cells) display remarkably diminished surface adhesion and are potentially more invasive than original pre-metastatic HCT-8 cells (E cells). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of quantitative data showing the changes in cancer cell adhesion and other cellular mechanical properties during the expression of in vitro metastasis-like phenotype.
A HYBRID PSO-SA OPTIMIZING APPROACH FOR SVM MODELS IN CLASSIFICATION
Authors: JIANG HUIYAN , ZOU LINGBO
Published: August 2013

Support vector machine (SVM) is a widely used tool in the field of image processing and pattern recognition. However, the parameters selection of SVMs is a dilemma in disease identification and clinical diagnosis. This paper proposed an improved parameter optimization method based on traditional particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm by changing the fitness function in the traditional evolution process of SVMs. Then, this PSO method was combined with simulated annealing global searching algorithm to avoid local convergence that traditional PSO algorithms usually run into. And this method has achieved better results which reflected in the receiver-operating characteristic curves in medical images classification and has gained considerable identification accuracy in clinical disease detection.
Disinhibition of RVLM neural circuits and regulation of sympathetic nerve discharge at peak hyperthermia
Authors: Kenney Michael J. , Ganta Chanran K. , Fels Richard J.
Published: August 2013

Hyperthermia is a potent activator of visceral sympathetic nerve discharge (SND), and the functional integrity of the rostral ventral lateral medulla (RVLM) is critically important for sustaining sympathoexcitation at peak hyperthermia. However, RVLM mechanisms mediating SND activation to acute heat stress are not well understood. Because RVLM GABA is tonically inhibitory to sympathetic nerve outflow, it is plausible to hypothesize that disinhibition of RVLM sympathetic neural circuits, via withdrawal of GABAergic tone, may affect SND regulation at peak hyperthermia. The effect of RVLM bicuculline (BIC; GABAA receptor antagonist, 100-200 pmol) microinjections on the level of renal SND in anesthetized rats was determined after internal body temperature (Tc) had been increased to 41.5°C. Temperature-control experiments involved RVLM BIC (100–200 pmol) microinjections, with Tc maintained at 38°C. As expected, acute heating significantly increased renal SND from control levels. Bilateral RVLM BIC microinjections at 41.5°C produced immediate and significant increases in renal SND above heating-induced levels of activation. Bilateral RVLM BIC microinjections at 38°C increased renal SND to similar levels as produced by RVLM BIC microinjections after Tc had been increased to 41.5°C (heating + RVLM BIC). These results demonstrate that a considerable level of RVLM GABAergic inhibition is sustained at peak hyperthermia, an interesting physiological response profile based on the significance of SND activation to cardiovascular regulation during heat stress.
SK-216, an Inhibitor of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1, Limits Tumor Progression and Angiogenesis
Authors: Masuda Takeshi , Hattori Noboru , Senoo Tadashi , Akita Shin , Ishikawa Nobuhisa , Fujitaka Kazunori , Haruta Yoshinori , Murai Hiroshi , Kohno Nobuoki
Published: August 2013

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which can be produced by host and tumor cells in the tumor microenvironment, is intimately involved in tumor progression. In the present study, to pursue the possibility that PAI-1 could be a therapeutic target in the management of malignancy, SK-216, a specific PAI-1 inhibitor, was orally administered to wild-type mice that were subcutaneously implanted or intravenously injected with either PAI-1–secreting Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) or PAI-1–nonsecreting B16 melanoma cells. The systemic administration of SK-216 was found to reduce the size of subcutaneous tumors and the extent of metastases, regardless of PAI-1 secretion levels from the tumor cells. SK-216 also reduced the extent of angiogenesis in the tumors and inhibited VEGF-induced migration and tube formation by human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro. Then, to determine whether host or tumor PAI-1 was more crucial in tumor progression and angiogenesis, PAI-1–deficient or wild-type mice were subcutaneously implanted or intravenously injected with LLC or PAI-1 knockdown LLC cells. Tumor progression was shown to be controlled by the presence of host PAI-1 and not affected by the PAI-1 levels in the tumors. Similarly, host PAI-1 played a more crucial role in tumor angiogenesis than did tumor PAI-1. These observations suggest that regardless of the PAI-1 levels in the tumor, the systemic administration of SK-216 exerts an antitumor effect through its interaction with host PAI-1. This antitumor effect might be mediated by the antiangiogenic properties of SK-216. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(11); 2378–88. ©2013 AACR.
Suspected Viral Maculopapular Eruptions: An Audit of Practice
Authors: Baudoux L. , Ingen-Housz-Oro S. , Corneille J. , Sbidian E. , Duong T.A. , Valeyrie-Allanore L. , Bagot M. , Chosidow O. , Wolkenstein P.
Published: August 2013

Background: Consensus is lacking about investigations to be performed for viral eruptions. Aims: Audit of investigative practices for viral eruption. Methods: Retrospective study of patients hospitalized for viral eruption, divided into 2 groups: suspected viral infection (SV), with a clinical presentation suggesting a specific virus, and nonspecific suspected viral infection (NSV). Investigations of results and costs of virology tests. Results: We included 59 patients, 25 in the SV and 34 in the NSV group. Measles was suspected in 21/25 SV patients and confirmed in 20 (95%). The causal agent was confirmed in 6 NSV cases (17.6%), including 2 HIV infections. The median number of virology tests was 7 (1-14) and the median cost was EUR 144, with no significant differences between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Virology testing is useful when a putative virus is clinically suspected. HIV serology screening should be systematically performed.
Comparison of Interleukin-17- Producing Cells in Different Clinical Types of Alopecia Areata
Authors: Tojo Genichi , Fujimura Taku , Kawano Mitsuko , Ogasawara Kouetsu , Kambayashi Yumi , Furudate Sadanori , Mizuashi Masato , Aiba Setsuya
Published: August 2013

T helper 17 cells, characterized by interleukin-17 (IL-17) production, play a critical role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease, including alopecia areata (AA). In this report, we employed immunohistochemical staining for IL-17-producing cells, as well as interferon-γ-producing cells, granulysin-bearing cells and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, and performed a quantitative analysis of IL-17-producing cells in the lesional skin of several clinical forms of AA by TissueFAXS analysis. Among them, interestingly, the ratio of IL-17-producing cells in acute, diffuse and total alopecia was significantly lower than those of multiple types of AA. Our study sheds light on one of the possible immunological mechanisms of AA.
Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Breast Coexisting with Breast Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Li Jian , Yun Wen , Qin Jianwei , Zhao Jianhua , Liu Xuemin , Wu Jianzhong , Ji Minghua , Tang Jinhai
Published: August 2013

Background: The inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an uncommon low-risk lesion with only a few cases described in the literature. Case Report: Here, we report a unique case of an IMT coexisting with breast cancer. Modified radical mastectomy was performed, followed by TAC chemotherapy (taxotere, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide). At the 2-year follow-up, the patient continues to be disease free. Conclusion: At the preoperative stage, definitive diagnoses of masses are extremely difficult; surgery is advised only after the diagnosis is confirmed by pathological examination.
Endocrine Resistance in Breast Cancer: Focus on the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Peleg Hasson Shira , Rubinek Tami , Ryvo Larysa , Wolf Ido
Published: August 2013

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Up to 75% of breast cancers express the estrogen receptor (ER)α and/or the progesterone receptor (PR). Patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer are typically treated with endocrine therapy. Yet, not all patients with metastatic breast cancer respond to endocrine treatments and are considered to have primary (de novo) resistance. Furthermore, all patients who initially respond to endocrine treatment will eventually develop acquired resistance. Several mechanisms have been linked to the development of endocrine resistance, including reduced expression of ERα, altered regulation of the ER pathway, and activation of various growth factor signaling pathways, among them the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. This pathway is involved in critical processes including cell survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis, and plays a central role in breast cancer development. Recent laboratory and clinical data implicate this pathway as mediating endocrine resistance, and agents directed against critical components of this pathway are either already approved for clinical use in breast cancer patients or are currently being tested in clinical trials. In this review, we describe the interaction between the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and the ER cascade, its role in mediating endocrine resistance, and the clinical implications of this interaction.
Gene Expression Analyses of Mouse Aortic Endothelium in Response to Atherogenic Stimuli
Authors: Erbilgin Ayca , Siemers Nathan , Kayne Paul , Yang Wen-pin , Berliner Judith , Lusis Aldons J.
Published: August 2013

Objective—

Endothelial cells are central to the initiation of atherosclerosis, yet there has been limited success in studying their gene expression in the mouse aorta. To address this, we developed a method for determining the global transcriptional changes that occur in the mouse endothelium in response to atherogenic conditions and applied it to investigate inflammatory stimuli.

Approach and Results—

We characterized a method for the isolation of endothelial cell RNA with high purity directly from mouse aortas and adapted this method to allow for the treatment of aortas ex vivo before RNA collection. Expression array analysis was performed on endothelial cell RNA isolated from control and hyperlipidemic prelesion mouse aortas, and 797 differentially expressed genes were identified. We also examined the effect of additional atherogenic conditions on endothelial gene expression, including ex vivo treatment with inflammatory stimuli, acute hyperlipidemia, and age. Of the 14 most highly differentially expressed genes in endothelium from prelesion aortas, 8 were also perturbed significantly by ≥1 atherogenic conditions:
2610019E17Rik, Abca1, H2-Ab1, H2-D1, Pf4, Ppbp, Pvrl2
, and
Tnnt2
.

Conclusions—

We demonstrated that RNA can be isolated from mouse aortic endothelial cells after in vivo and ex vivo treatments of the murine vessel wall. We applied these methods to identify a group of genes, many of which have not been described previously as having a direct role in atherosclerosis, that were highly regulated by atherogenic stimuli and may play a role in early atherogenesis.
Low Glomerular Filtration Rate, Recurrent Stroke Risk, and Effect of Renin–Angiotensin System Modulation
Authors: Ovbiagele Bruce , Bath Philip M. , Cotton Daniel , Sha Nanshi , Diener Hans-Christoph
Published: August 2013

Background and Purpose—

To investigate the association of low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min with recurrent stroke risk and to evaluate whether add-on renin–angiotensin system modulator therapy is associated with lower recurrent stroke risk in patients with low eGFR.

Methods—

We analyzed the database of a multicenter trial involving 18 666 patients with recent ischemic stroke followed for 2.5 years. Primary outcome was time to first recurrent stroke. Independent associations of low eGFR with outcome in the entire cohort and add-on telmisartan treatment with outcome among those with low eGFR were evaluated.

Results—

Low eGFR was observed in 3630 (20.1%) patients. Patients with low eGFR were older, more likely women, with a known history of hypertension. In unadjusted analyses, patients with low eGFR were more likely to experience a recurrent stroke (hazard ratio, 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–1.49). After adjusting for confounders, low eGFR was still associated with recurrent stroke but to a lesser extent (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.04–1.31). Telmisartan treatment among patients with low eGFR was not independently associated with recurrent stroke (hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.89–1.31).

Conclusions—

Low eGFR is independently associated with a higher risk of recurrent stroke, but short-term add-on telmisartan therapy does not seem to mitigate this risk.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00153062.
Academic “Dirty Work”
Authors: Wilkie Rhoda
Published: August 2013

Human-Animal Studies (has) is an innovative field, tarnished by its politicized mixed-species subject matter. This paper considers how nonhuman animal scholars may also be tainted, for different reasons and to varying degrees, because of the academic “dirty work” they perform withinhas. As the field matures, tensions are emerging among this disparate scholarly group. These tensions are associated with the rise of Critical Animal Studies (cas), the extent to which animal scholars should engage in emancipatory-type scholarship and the appearance of the “animal as such–animal as constructed” axis withinhas. This paper draws on these intrafield tensions to form a potential framework that maps scholarly labor withinhas. As scholars begin to debate what counts as “good” and “bad” human-animal scholarship, this may engender the appearance of academic-moral havens. It is suggested that such enclaves may partly mitigate the personal challenges and professional stigma of working in a tarnished academic field.
World Politics by Other Means? London, City Diplomacy and the Olympics
Authors: Acuto Michele
Published: August 2013

Summary

Drawing on the case of the Olympics, and in particular on the role of London in securing, planning and administering the 2012 Summer Games, this article investigates how cities participate in world politics beyond the traditional avenues of the international system. Tracing how the planning of a sporting mega-event has been woven into London’s international role as a global ‘green’ leader, the article seeks to shed some light on the diplomatic role of cities, as well as on how sport has been used in relation to city diplomacy and urban governance. The Olympics offer a unique window on the multi-scalar reach of these subnational authorities, allowing for substantial public diplomacy initiatives. Major cities such as London, as the article argues, can exert a pervasive diplomatic influence, and planning for sporting events can extend their capacity to link ‘city diplomacy’ with tangible impacts on everyday lives.
Order Thysanoptera Haliday, 1836. In: Zhang, Z.-Q. (Ed.) Animal Biodiversity: An Outline of Higher-level Classification and Survey of Taxonomic Richness (Addenda 2013)
Authors: MOUND LAURENCE A.
Published: August 2013

The world fauna of the insect Order Thysanoptera continues to be poorly sampled, with the tropical and subtropical areas of the southern continents inadequately surveyed (Mound 2014), and an almost complete lack of knowledge of the thrips fauna of New Guinea. In Australia, the number of described thrips species has increased from 400 to over 800 in 10 years, published largely in Zootaxa (Mound 2011a; Mound & Masumoto, 2005 & 2009; Mound & Tree, 2011). The number of described thrips species worldwide has increased 1.3% between 2011 (Mound 2011b) and 2013, and the other geographic areas responsible for this descriptive activity are China and South America. However, these numbers do not reflect the numbers of employed or experienced taxonomists, with the major international collections in Frankfurt, London, San Francisco and Washington no longer employing any thrips specialists.
Phylum Brachiopoda. In: Zhang, Z.-Q. (Ed.) Animal Biodiversity: An Outline of Higher-level Classification and Survey of Taxonomic Richness (Addenda 2013)
Authors: EMIG CHRISTIAN C. , BITNER MARIA ALEKSANDRA , ÁLVAREZ FERNANDO
Published: August 2013

The number of living brachiopod genera and species recorded to date, are 116 and 391, respectively. The phylum Brachiopoda is divided into three subphyla: Linguliformea, Craniiformea and Rhynchonelliformea. Although they were extremely common throughout the Paleozoic, today they are considered a minor phylum, and only five orders have extant representatives: Lingulida, with two families, 6 genera and 25 species; Craniida, with one family, 3 genera and 18 species; Rhynchonellida, with 6 families, 19 genera and 39 species; Thecideida, with two families, 6 genera and 22 species; and Terebratulida, with 18 families, 82 genera, and 287 species.
Phylum Gastrotricha. In: Zhang, Z.-Q. (Ed.) Animal Biodiversity: An Outline of Higher-level Classification and Survey of Taxonomic Richness (Addenda 2013)
Authors: BALSAMO MARIA , GUIDI LORETTA , D’HONDT JEAN-LOUP
Published: August 2013

An updated classification of the two orders of the phylum is provided up to family level, and numbers of genera and species described so far are specified. The phylum is composed of two orders: Macrodasyida, with, 9 families, 33 genera (+1 genus incertae sedis) and 338 species (+1 species incertae sedis), and Chaetonotida, with 8 families, 30 genera and 454 species. Current taxonomy is relatively stable for the order Macrodasyida, except for the presence of a monotypic genus which cannot yet be assigned with certainty to any of the existing families. On the contrary, the taxonomy of the order Chaetonotida has been repeatedly revised in the last decades and is still unstable. An integrate taxonomical approach on morphological and molecular bases appears necessary in order to revise the current classification according to phylogenetic relationships.
Phylum Onychophora Grube, 1853. In: Zhang, Z.-Q. (Ed.) Animal Biodiversity: An Outline of Higher-level Classification and Survey of Taxonomic Richness (Addenda 2013)
Authors: Mayer Georg , Oliveira Ivo de Sena
Published: August 2013

Extant representatives of Onychophora (velvet worms) have been classified into two major subgroups or families, the Peripatidae and the Peripatopsidae. According to our previous estimate, a total of 179 nominal species and twelve additional infraspecific taxa of Onychophora had been described, including numerous “subspecies”, “variations” and “mutations (Mayer & Oliveira 2011). However, the validity of most of these taxa was uncertain. Since this last estimate, a comprehensive world checklist of Onychophora has been published, along with a revision of the nomenclatural status of names (Oliveira et al. 2012a). This study revealed that many previous synonyms and infraspecific taxa might constitute valid species. At the same time, it also has shown that ~10% of the described species of Onychophora show major taxonomical problems and therefore should be regarded as nomina dubia, following the provisions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999).
An Objective Satellite-Based Tropical Cyclone Size Climatology
Authors: Knaff John A. , Longmore Scott P. , Molenar Debra A.
Published: August 2013

Storm-centered infrared (IR) imagery of tropical cyclones (TCs) is related to the 850-hPa mean tangential wind at a radius of 500 km (V500) calculated from 6-hourly global numerical analyses for North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific TCs for 1995–2011. V500 estimates are scaled using the climatological vortex decay rate beyond 500 km to estimate the radius of 5 kt (1 kt = 0.514 m s−1) winds (R5) or TC size. A much larger historical record of TC-centered IR imagery (1978–2011) is then used to estimate TC sizes and form a global TC size climatology. The basin-specific distributions of TC size reveal that, among other things, the eastern North Pacific TC basins have the smallest while western North Pacific have the largest TC size distributions. The life cycle of TC sizes with respect to maximum intensity shows that TC growth characteristics are different among the individual TC basins, with the North Atlantic composites showing continued growth after maximum intensity. Small TCs are generally located at lower latitudes, westward steering, and preferred in seasons when environmental low-level vorticity is suppressed. Large TCs are generally located at higher latitudes, poleward steering, and preferred in enhanced low-level vorticity environments. Postmaximum intensity growth of TCs occurs in regions associated with enhanced baroclinicity and TC recurvature, while those that do not grow much are associated with west movement, erratic storm tracks, and landfall at or near the time of maximum intensity. With respect to climate change, no significant long-term trends are found in the dataset of TC size.
The effects of statins on the mevalonic acid pathway in recombinant yeast strains expressing human HMG-CoA reductase
Authors: Maciejak Agata , Leszczynska Agata , Warchol Ilona , Gora Monika , Kaminska Joanna , Plochocka Danuta , Wysocka-Kapcinska Monika , Tulacz Dorota , Siedlecka Joanna , Swiezewska Ewa , Sojka Maciej , Danikiewicz Witold , Odolczyk Norbert , Szkopinska Anna , Sygitowicz Grazyna , Burzynska Beata
Published: August 2013

Background

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be a useful model for studying cellular mechanisms related to sterol synthesis in humans due to the high similarity of the mevalonate pathway between these organisms. This metabolic pathway plays a key role in multiple cellular processes by synthesizing sterol and nonsterol isoprenoids. Statins are well-known inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), the key enzyme of the cholesterol synthesis pathway. However, the effects of statins extend beyond their cholesterol-lowering action, since inhibition of HMGR decreases the synthesis of all products downstream in the mevalonate pathway. Using transgenic yeast expressing human HMGR or either yeast HMGR isoenzyme we studied the effects of simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin and rosuvastatin on the cell metabolism.

Results

Statins decreased sterol pools, prominently reducing sterol precursors content while only moderately lowering ergosterol level. Expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in sterol biosynthesis was induced, while genes from nonsterol isoprenoid pathways, such as coenzyme Q and dolichol biosynthesis or protein prenylation, were diversely affected by statin treatment. Statins increased the level of human HMGR protein substantially and only slightly affected the levels of Rer2 and Coq3 proteins involved in non-sterol isoprenoid biosynthesis.

Conclusion

Statins influence the sterol pool, gene expression and protein levels of enzymes from the sterol and nonsterol isoprenoid biosynthesis branches and this effect depends on the type of statin administered. Our model system is a cheap and convenient tool for characterizing individual statins or screening for novel ones, and could also be helpful in individualized selection of the most efficient HMGR inhibitors leading to the best response and minimizing serious side effects.
Improvement of the efficacy of dihydroartemisinin with atorvastatin in an experimental cerebral malaria murine model
Authors: Dormoi Jérôme , Briolant Sébastien , Pascual Aurélie , Desgrouas Camille , Travaillé Christelle , Pradines Bruno
Published: August 2013

Background

The medical care of malaria is a clinical emergency because it may develop into severe malaria, which has a high risk of complications and death. One of the major complications of Plasmodium falciparum infections is cerebral malaria (CM), which is responsible for at least 175,000 deaths worldwide each year and has long-term neurological sequelae. Moreover, treatment for CM is only partially effective. Statins are now known to have anti-inflammatory action, to attenuate sepsis and to have neuroprotective effects. In vitro, atorvastatin (AVA) has an anti-malarial activity and has improved the activity of quinine (QN), mefloquine (MQ), and dihydroartemisinin (DHA).

Objectives

This study had two objectives. First, the ability of AVA to enhance DHA efficacy by improving the survival rate for CM and also decreasing signs of CM was evaluated in a murine model of experimental cerebral malaria (ECM), which was designed in C57BL6/N mice. Second, the inflammatory biomarkers were assessed at D6 and D10 in mice treated by DHA and in untreated mice in which clinical signs of CM appear rapidly and death occurs before D12. Both experiments were designed with seven days of treatment with 40 mg/kg AVA combined with five days of 3 mg/kg DHA administered intraperitoneally.

Results

AVA in combination with DHA in a therapeutic scheme leads to a significant delay in mouse death, and it has an effect on the onset of CM symptoms and on the level of parasitaemia. Evaluation of the biomarkers highlights the significant difference between treated and control mice for five cytokines and chemokines (Eotaxin-CCL11, IL-13, LIX-CXCL5, MIP1b-CCL4 and MIP2) that are known to have a role in chemotaxis.

Conclusions

The combination of DHA and AVA seems to be effective as a therapeutic scheme for improving mouse survival but less effective for cytokine modulation, which is associated with protection against CM. These results call for clinical trials of AVA as an adjuvant with anti-malarial therapy, especially with artemisinin-based combination therapy, in CM treatment or prevention.
Reduction in thermal conductivity of Bi thin films with high-density ordered nanoscopic pores
Authors: Kim Gil-Sung , Lee Mi-Ri , Lee Seung-Yong , Hyung Jung-Hwan , Park No-Won , Lee Eun Sun , Lee Sang-Kwon
Published: August 2013

We prepared two-dimensional Bi thin films with high-density ordered nanoscopic pores by e-beam evaporation of Bi metal. For this structure, we used polystyrene beads ranging from 200 to 750 nm in diameter as an etch mask. The typical hole and neck sizes of the Bi thin films with approximately 50 nm in thickness on SiO2/Si substrates were in the range of 135 to 490 nm and 65 to 260 nm, respectively. By measuring the thermal characteristics through a 3ω technique, we found that the thermal conductivities of nanoporous Bi thin films are greatly suppressed compared with those of corresponding bulk materials. With a decrease in pore size to approximately 135 nm, the thermal conductivity decreased significantly to approximately 0.46 W/m·K at 300 K.
Design and descriptive epidemiology of the Infectious Diseases of East African Livestock (IDEAL) project, a longitudinal calf cohort study in western Kenya
Authors: de Clare Bronsvoort Barend Mark , Thumbi Samuel Mwangi , Poole Elizabeth Jane , Kiara Henry , Auguet Olga Tosas , Handel Ian Graham , Jennings Amy , Conradie Ilana , Mbole-Kariuki Mary Ndila , Toye Philip G , Hanotte Olivier , Coetzer JAW , Woolhouse Mark EJ
Published: August 2013

Background

There is a widely recognised lack of baseline epidemiological data on the dynamics and impacts of infectious cattle diseases in east Africa. The Infectious Diseases of East African Livestock (IDEAL) project is an epidemiological study of cattle health in western Kenya with the aim of providing baseline epidemiological data, investigating the impact of different infections on key responses such as growth, mortality and morbidity, the additive and/or multiplicative effects of co-infections, and the influence of management and genetic factors.

A longitudinal cohort study of newborn calves was conducted in western Kenya between 2007-2009. Calves were randomly selected from all those reported in a 2 stage clustered sampling strategy. Calves were recruited between 3 and 7 days old. A team of veterinarians and animal health assistants carried out 5-weekly, clinical and postmortem visits. Blood and tissue samples were collected in association with all visits and screened using a range of laboratory based diagnostic methods for over 100 different pathogens or infectious exposures.

Results

The study followed the 548 calves over the first 51 weeks of life or until death and when they were reported clinically ill. The cohort experienced a high all cause mortality rate of 16% with at least 13% of these due to infectious diseases. Only 307 (6%) of routine visits were classified as clinical episodes, with a further 216 reported by farmers. 54% of calves reached one year without a reported clinical episode. Mortality was mainly to east coast fever, haemonchosis, and heartwater. Over 50 pathogens were detected in this population with exposure to a further 6 viruses and bacteria.

Conclusion

The IDEAL study has demonstrated that it is possible to mount population based longitudinal animal studies. The results quantify for the first time in an animal population the high diversity of pathogens a population may have to deal with and the levels of co-infections with key pathogens such as Theileria parva. This study highlights the need to develop new systems based approaches to study pathogens in their natural settings to understand the impacts of co-infections on clinical outcomes and to develop new evidence based interventions that are relevant.
Asarum pubitessellatum, sp. nov. (sect. Heterotropa, Aristolochiaceae) from Taiwan based on morphological and palynological evidence
Authors: Lu Chang-Tse , Chiou Wen-Liang , Wang Jenn-Che
Published: August 2013

Background

Recently, we discovered an unknownAsarumfrom Taiwan which is closely related toA. crassisepalumS.F. Huang, T.H. Hsieh and T.C. Huang andA. taipingshanianumS.F. Huang, T.H. Hsieh and T.C. Huang by sharing a thick leaf blade, spreading perianth-lobes and a conical to cylindrical perianth-tube. We compared it with other related species and identified this plant as a new species.

Results

This new species differs distinctly from the above two related species by having larger plant body, shortened rhizomes and an inner surface of the perianth-tube that is covered with numerous simple trichomes (vs. glandular trichomes). The pollen tectum in this new species is perforate, which differs from the incomplete reticulate with small supratectate granules inA. crassisepalumand the compact rugulate with small supratectate granules inA. taipingshanianum. Furthermore, these three species are geographically separated from one another.

Conclusions

Asarum pubitessellatumC.T. Lu & J.C. Wang, a new species is described and illustrated. The trichomes on the inner surface of the perianth-tube and pollen micromorphology were the valuable characters in the low-level classification ofHeterotropaspecies in Taiwan.
Inhaled corticosteroid treatment for 6 months was not sufficient to normalize phagocytosis in asthmatic children
Authors: da Silva‐Martins Carmen Lívia Faria , Couto Shirley Claudino , Muniz‐Junqueira Maria Imaculada
Published: August 2013

Background

Corticosteroids are the first‐line therapy for asthma; however, the effect of corticosteroids on the innate immune system remains unclear. This study's objective was to evaluate the effect of inhaled corticosteroid therapy (ICT) on phagocytic functions.

Methods

To evaluate the impact of ICT, the phagocytosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by blood monocytes and neutrophils and the production of superoxide anions were assessed before and after three and six months of ICT treatment in 58 children with persistent asthma and 21 healthy controls.

Results

We showed that the phagocytic capacity of monocytes and neutrophils that occurred via pattern recognition receptors or was mediated by complement and immunoglobulin receptors in asthmatic children before treatment was significantly lower than in healthy controls (p<0.05, Mann–Whitney test) and was not influenced by the severity of the clinical form of the disease. Although there was clinical improvement with treatment, ICT for 6 months was not sufficient to normalize phagocytosis by the phagocytes. Superoxide anion production was also decreased in the asthmatic children before treatment, and ICT normalized the O‐ production only for children with mild persistent asthma when assessed at baseline but caused this function to decrease after stimulation (p<0.05, Kruskal‐Wallis test).

Conclusions

Our data suggest that an immunodeficiency in phagocytes remained even after treatment. However, this immunodeficiency does not appear to correspond with the clinical evolution of asthma because an improvement in clinical parameters occurred.
Cellular stress response and innate immune signaling: integrating pathways in host defense and inflammation
Authors: Muralidharan Sujatha , Mandrekar Pranoti
Published: August 2013

Extensive research in the past decade has identified innate immune recognition receptors and intracellular signaling pathways that culminate in inflammatory responses. Besides its role in cytoprotection, the importance of cell stress in inflammation and host defense against pathogens is emerging. Recent studies have shown that proteins in cellular stress responses, including the heat shock response, ER stress response, and DNA damage response, interact with and regulate signaling intermediates involved in the activation of innate and adaptive immune responses. The effect of such regulation by cell stress proteins may dictate the inflammatory profile of the immune response during infection and disease. In this review, we describe the regulation of innate immune cell activation by cell stress pathways, present detailed descriptions of the types of stress response proteins and their crosstalk with immune signaling intermediates that are essential in host defense, and illustrate the relevance of these interactions in diseases characteristic of aberrant immune responses, such as chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Understanding the crosstalk between cellular stress proteins and immune signaling may have translational implications for designing more effective regimens to treat immune disorders.
Bile acids PKA-dependently induce a switch of the IL-10/IL-12 ratio and reduce proinflammatory capability of human macrophages
Authors: Haselow Katrin , Bode Johannes G , Wammers Marianne , Ehlting Christian , Keitel Verena , Kleinebrecht Laura , Schupp Anna-Kathrin , Häussinger Dieter , Graf Dirk
Published: August 2013

That cholestatic conditions are accompanied by an enhanced susceptibility to bacterial infection in human and animal models is a known phenomenon. This correlates with the observation that bile acids have suppressive effects on cells of innate and adaptive immunity. The present study provides evidence that in human macrophages, bile acids inhibit the LPS-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines without affecting the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. This results in a macrophage phenotype that is characterized by an increased IL-10/IL-12 ratio. Correspondingly, bile acids suppress basal phagocytic activity of human macrophages. These effects of bile acids can be mimicked by cAMP, which is presumably induced TGR5-dependently. The data provided further suggest that in primary human macrophages, modulation of the macrophage response toward LPS by bile acids involves activation of CREB, disturbed nuclear translocation of NF-κB, and PKA-dependent enhancement of LPS-induced cFos expression. The increase in cFos expression is paralleled by an enhanced formation of a protein complex comprising cFos and the p65 subunit of NF-κB. In summary, the data provided suggest that in human macrophages, bile acids induce an anti-inflammatory phenotype characterized by an increased IL-10/IL-12 ratio via activation of PKA and thereby, prevent their activation as classically activated macrophages. This bile acid-induced modulation of macrophage function may also be responsible for the experimentally and clinically observed anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of bile acids.
Novel Intercluster Compounds Composed of a Tetra{phosphanegold(I)}oxonium Cation and an α-Keggin Polyoxometalate Anion Linked by Three Monomeric Phosphanegold(I) Units
Authors: Yoshida Takuya , Matsunaga Satoshi , Nomiya Kenji
Published: August 2013

Using highly negatively charged Keggin polyoxometalates (POMs), [α-XW12O40]5− (X = Al and B), novel intercluster compounds composed of a tetrakis{triphenylphosphanegold(I)}oxonium cation and an α-Keggin POM linked by three monomeric triphenylphosphanegold(I) units were prepared. A single peak was observed in the solution 31P{1H} NMR for these clusters, which is consistent with rapid exchange of the phosphanegold(I) units in the tetra{phosphanegold(I)}oxonium cluster cation with the three monomeric phosphanegold(I) species linked to the POM. Importantly, these compounds may be relevant transition states or intermediates in POM-mediated tetra{phosphanegold(I)}oxonium cluster formation.
Coronal plane partial articular fractures of the distal femoral condyle
Authors: Arastu M. H. , Kokke M. C. , Duffy P. J. , Korley R. E. C. , Buckley R. E.
Published: August 2013

Coronal plane fractures of the posterior femoral condyle, also known as Hoffa fractures, are rare. Lateral fractures are three times more common than medial fractures, although the reason for this is not clear. The exact mechanism of injury is likely to be a vertical shear force on the posterior femoral condyle with varying degrees of knee flexion. These fractures are commonly associated with high-energy trauma and are a diagnostic and surgical challenge. Hoffa fractures are often associated with inter- or supracondylar distal femoral fractures and CT scans are useful in delineating the coronal shear component, which can easily be missed. There are few recommendations in the literature regarding the surgical approach and methods of fixation that may be used for this injury. Non-operative treatment has been associated with poor outcomes. The goals of treatment are anatomical reduction of the articular surface with rigid, stable fixation to allow early mobilisation in order to restore function. A surgical approach that allows access to the posterior aspect of the femoral condyle is described and the use of postero-anterior lag screws with or without an additional buttress plate for fixation of these difficult fractures.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1165–71.