bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noble Metal Recovering by Electroless Displacement Deposition on Silicon Powder
Authors: Fukuda Kenji , Yae Shinji , Fukumuro Naoki , Sakamoto Susumu , Matsuda Hitoshi
Published: October 2013

We have developed a low-cost and efficient method to recover all noble metals, gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, platinum, osmium, ruthenium, and iridium, from those aqueous solutions by simply adding hydrofluoric acid (HF) and silicon (Si) powder. The recovery rate depends on the specific surface area of Si, concentration of HF, and temperature of solution. This method can selectively recover noble metals and copper from mixture solution of noble and base metal ions, such as nickel, cobalt, and iron, and obtain pure noble metal powder by dissolving Si. The Si powder and HF solution are expected to be supplied from semiconductor industries, such as sawdust Si of wafering or dicing and waste HF solution of wafer cleaning or etching. Thus, we can say that this new method recovers noble metal from waste (urban mines) by using other waste, and it is a green electroless deposition.
Nitinol Modified by Calcium Phosphate Coatings Prepared by Sol-Gel and Electrodeposition Methods
Authors: Katić Jozefina , Metikoš-Huković Mirjana , Babić Ranko
Published: October 2013

Titanium and its alloys, such as Nitinol, are preferred materials for load-bearings implants and the properties of the implant surface are important variable in implant design. In this work, surface of Nitinol was modified by calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings using the electrochemically assisted deposition and sol-gel method. Chronoamperometry was used for in situ study of initial step of electrodeposition process of an acid CaP (brushite film) that occurs via 3D progressive nucleation and growth mechanism. Electrodeposited film was converted to hydroxyapatite coating (HA) by acid-base reaction. The Nitinol surface was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). CaP coatings deposited on the Nitinol surface by electrochemically assisted process were more macroscopically homogenous with good internal cohesion and lower residual stresses in the coating and provide better adhesion to the implant surface in comparison to the sol-gel deposited CaP coatings.
Radiation Effects on the Performance of Proton Exchange Membranes in Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Li Hongqiang , Krishnaswamy Kannan , Suppiah Sam , Philippi Natalie , Reeves-Tate Dionne , Ratnayake Aruna
Published: October 2013

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are being studied for tritium separation applications involving electrochemical processes. The effects of γ- and β-radiation on Nafion 112 membrane are discussed in this paper. The fluoride and sulfate release from Nafion 112 membrane increases with increase in γ-dose. Oxygen promotes the total organic carbon (TOC) release while hydrogen suppresses sulfur release. A β-radiation dose of 200 kGy from tritium causes minor damage to the membrane, comparable to the effect of γ-radiation at similar dose. The FTIR spectrum of tritium-exposed membranes is similar to that of the reference samples except for a weak peak of C=O stretch observed at 1740 cm-1. The conductivity and electrochemical performance of the tritium-exposed and reference membrane samples are not significantly different during the fuel cell and water electrolysis tests. It is believed that β-radiation is likely to attack the carbon chain in Nafion 112 membrane.
Potential Drop Based Model to Analyze Electrode Passivation by Fouling from Phenolic Compounds
Authors: Yang Xiaoyun , Kirsch Jeffrey , Zhang Yuanyuan , Fergus Jeffrey W. , Simonian Aleksandr
Published: October 2013

Dielectric interface would be formed on the electrode surface during the analysis or disposal of many phenolic compounds due to electro-polymerization. This could cause electrode passivation, or called electrode fouling, which is indicated by the continuously decaying current signal. This paper proposed a model based on the potential drop across the fouling layer, which is helpful for deep understanding of the electrode passivation/fouling process. This model successfully fitted the experimental results.
Combined acute hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic clamp induced profibrotic and proinflammatory responses in the kidney
Authors: Mariappan Meenalakshmi M. , DeSilva Kristin , Sorice Gian Pio , Muscogiuri Giovanna , Jimenez Fabio , Ahuja Seema , Barnes Jefferey L. , Choudhury Goutam Ghosh , Musi Nicolas , DeFronzo Ralph , Kasinath Balakuntalam S.
Published: October 2013

Increase in matrix protein content in the kidney is a cardinal feature of diabetic kidney disease. While renal matrix protein content is increased by chronic hyperglycemia, whether it is regulated by acute elevation of glucose and insulin has not been addressed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether short duration of combined hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, mimicking the metabolic environment of prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes, induces kidney injury. Normal rats were subjected to either saline infusion (control, n = 4) or 7 h of combined hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp (HG+HI clamp; n = 6). During the clamp, plasma glucose and plasma insulin were maintained at about 350 mg/dl and 16 ng/ml, respectively. HG+HI clamp increased the expression of renal cortical transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and renal matrix proteins, laminin and fibronectin. This was associated with the activation of SMAD3, Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes, and ERK signaling pathways and their downstream target events in the initiation and elongation phases of mRNA translation, an important step in protein synthesis. Additionally, HG+HI clamp provoked renal inflammation as shown by the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and infiltration of CD68-positive monocytes. Urinary F2t isoprostane excretion, an index of renal oxidant stress, was increased in the HG+HI clamp rats. We conclude that even a short duration of hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia contributes to activation of pathways that regulate matrix protein synthesis, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the kidney. This finding could have implications for the control of short-term rises in blood glucose in diabetic individuals at risk of developing kidney disease.
Temperature influences neuronal activity and CO2/pH sensitivity of locus coeruleus neurons in the bullfrog,Lithobates catesbeianus
Authors: Santin Joseph M. , Watters Kayla C. , Putnam Robert W. , Hartzler Lynn K.
Published: October 2013

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a chemoreceptive brain stem region in anuran amphibians and contains neurons sensitive to physiological changes in CO2/pH. The ventilatory and central sensitivity to CO2/pH is proportional to the temperature in amphibians, i.e., sensitivity increases with increasing temperature. We hypothesized that LC neurons from bullfrogs, Lithobates catesbeianus, would increase CO2/pH sensitivity with increasing temperature and decrease CO2/pH sensitivity with decreasing temperature. Further, we hypothesized that cooling would decrease, while warming would increase, normocapnic firing rates of LC neurons. To test these hypotheses, we used whole cell patch-clamp electrophysiology to measure firing rate, membrane potential ( Vm), and input resistance ( Rin) in LC neurons in brain stem slices from adult bullfrogs over a physiological range of temperatures during normocapnia and hypercapnia. We found that cooling reduced chemosensitive responses of LC neurons as temperature decreased until elimination of CO2/pH sensitivity at 10°C. Chemosensitive responses increased at elevated temperatures. Surprisingly, chemosensitive LC neurons increased normocapnic firing rate and underwent membrane depolarization when cooled and decreased normocapnic firing rate and underwent membrane hyperpolarization when warmed. These responses to temperature were not observed in nonchemosensitive LC neurons or neurons in a brain stem slice 500 μm rostral to the LC. Our results indicate that modulation of cellular chemosensitivity within the LC during temperature changes may influence temperature-dependent respiratory drive during acid-base disturbances in amphibians. Additionally, cold-activated/warm-inhibited LC neurons introduce paradoxical temperature sensitivity in respiratory control neurons of amphibians.
A 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonist, sarpogrelate, reduces renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis by suppressing PAI-1
Authors: Hamasaki Yoshifumi , Doi Kent , Maeda-Mamiya Rui , Ogasawara Emi , Katagiri Daisuke , Tanaka Tamami , Yamamoto Tokunori , Sugaya Takeshi , Nangaku Masaomi , Noiri Eisei
Published: October 2013

A selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A receptor antagonist sarpogrelate (SG) blocks serotonin-induced platelet aggregation. It has been used clinically for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease. SG might be able to improve chronic ischemia, which contributes to renal fibrosis progression by maintaining renal microcirculation. This study investigated whether SG suppresses renal fibrosis. C57BL/6 mice fed a 0.2% adenine-containing diet for 6 wk developed severe tubulointerstitial fibrosis with kidney dysfunction. Subsequent SG treatment (30 mg·kg−1·day−1) for 4 wk improved these changes significantly by increasing peritubular blood flow in the fibrotic area, as evaluated by intravital microscopy and decreasing fibrin deposition. Urinary L-type fatty acid-binding protein, up-regulated by renal hypoxia, was also reduced by SG. Additionally, results showed that mRNA expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), which is known to promote fibrosis by mediating and enhancing transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 signaling, was suppressed by SG treatment in the kidney. In vitro experiments using cultured murine proximal tubular epithelial (mProx) cells revealed that incubation with TGF-β1 and 5-HT increased PAI-1 mRNA expression; SG significantly reduced it. In conclusion, SG reduces renal fibrosis not only by the antithrombotic effect of maintaining peritubular blood flow but also by suppressing PAI-1 expression in renal tubular cells.
Gamma subunit second transmembrane domain contributes to epithelial sodium channel gating and amiloride block
Authors: Shi Shujie , Kleyman Thomas R.
Published: October 2013

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is comprised of three homologous subunits. Channels composed solely of α- and β-subunits (αβ-channels) exhibit a very high open probability ( Po) and reduced sensitivity to amiloride, in contrast to channels composed of α- and γ-subunits or of all three subunits (i.e., αγ- and αβγ-channels). A mutant channel comprised of α- and β-subunits, and a chimeric γ-subunit where the region immediately preceding (β12 and wrist) and encompassing the second transmembrane domain (TM2) was replaced with the corresponding region of the β-subunit (γ-βTM2), displayed characteristics reminiscent of αβ-channels, including a reduced amiloride potency of block and a loss of Na+ self-inhibition (reflecting an increased Po). Substitutions at key pore-lining residues of the γ-βTM2 chimera enhanced the Na+ self-inhibition response, whereas key γ-subunit substitutions reduced the response. Furthermore, multiple sites within the TM2 domain of the γ-subunit were required to confer high amiloride potency. In summary, we have identified novel pore-lining residues of the γ-subunit of ENaC that are important for proper channel gating and its interaction with amiloride.
An auditory colliculothalamocortical brain slice preparation in mouse
Authors: Llano Daniel A. , Slater Bernard J. , Lesicko Alexandria M. H. , Stebbings Kevin A.
Published: October 2013

Key questions about the thalamus are still unanswered in part because of the inability to stimulate its inputs while monitoring cortical output. To address this, we employed flavoprotein autofluorescence optical imaging to expedite the process of developing a brain slice in mouse with connectivity among the auditory midbrain, thalamus, thalamic reticular nucleus, and cortex. Optical, electrophysiological, anatomic, and pharmacological tools revealed ascending connectivity from midbrain to thalamus and thalamus to cortex as well as descending connectivity from cortex to thalamus and midbrain and from thalamus to midbrain. The slices were relatively thick (600–700 μm), but, based on typical measures of cell health (resting membrane potential, spike height, and input resistance) and use of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, the slices were as viable as thinner slices. As expected, after electrical stimulation of the midbrain, the latency of synaptic responses gradually increased from thalamus to cortex, and spiking responses were seen in thalamic neurons. Therefore, for the first time, it will be possible to manipulate and record simultaneously the activity of most of the key brain structures that are synaptically connected to the thalamus. The details for the construction of such slices are described herein.
Spatial constant equi-affine speed and motion perception
Authors: Maoz Uri , Flash Tamar
Published: October 2013

The two-thirds power law, postulating an inverse local relation between the velocity and cubed root of curvature of planar trajectories, is a long-established simplifying principle of human hand movements. In perception, the motion of a dot along a planar elliptical path appears most uniform for speed profiles closer to those predicted by the power law than to constant Euclidean speed, a kinetic-visual illusion. Mathematically, complying with this law is equivalent to moving at constant planar equi-affine speed, while unconstrained three-dimensional drawing movements generally follow constant spatial equi-affine speed. Here we test the generalization of this illusion to visual perception of spatial motion for a dot moving along five differently shaped paths, using stereoscopic projection. The movements appeared most uniform for speed profiles closer to constant spatial equi-affine speed than to constant Euclidean speed, with path torsion (i.e., local deviation from planarity) directly affecting the speed profiles perceived as most uniform, as predicted for constant spatial equi-affine speed. This demonstrates the dominance of equi-affine geometry in spatial motion perception. However, constant equi-affine speed did not fully account for the variability among the speed profiles selected as most uniform for different shapes. Moreover, in a followup experiment, we found that viewing distance affected the speed profile reported as most uniform for the extensively studied planar elliptical motion paths. These findings provide evidence for the critical role of equi-affine geometry in spatial motion perception and contribute to the mounting evidence for the role of non-Euclidean geometries in motion perception and production.
An Exploratory Study of Respiratory Quotient Calibration and Association with Postmenopausal Breast Cancer
Authors: Prentice Ross L. , Neuhouser Marian L. , Tinker Lesley F. , Pettinger Mary , Thomson Cynthia A. , Mossavar-Rahmani Yasmin , Thomas Fridtjof , Qi Lihong , Huang Ying
Published: October 2013

Background: The respiratory quotient (RQ), defined as the ratio of carbon dioxide exhaled to oxygen uptake, reflects substrate utilization when energy is expended. Fat and alcohol have RQ values of approximately 0.7, compared with 1.0 for carbohydrate, and approximately 0.8 for protein. Here, the association between RQ and postmenopausal breast cancer risk is studied.

Methods: Paired RQ measurements were obtained, separated by approximately 6 months, for women in the reliability subset of a Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment Study. Linear regression of the average of the paired log RQ assessments on a corresponding log food quotient (FQ) average and other study subject characteristics, including age, body mass index, race, and education, yielded calibration equations for predicting RQ.

Results: Calibration equations, using any of food frequency, food record, or dietary recall data, explained an appreciable fraction of measured log RQ variation, and these were used to compute calibrated RQ estimates throughout WHI cohorts. Calibrated RQ estimates using 4-day food record (4DFR) data related inversely (P = 0.004) to (invasive) breast cancer risk in the WHI Dietary Modification trial comparison group, and corresponding RQ estimates using food-frequency data related inversely (P = 0.002) to breast cancer incidence in this cohort combined with the larger WHI observational study.

Conclusion: Although preliminary, these analyses suggest a substantially higher postmenopausal breast cancer risk among women having relatively low RQ.

Impact: RQ elevation could provide a novel target for breast cancer risk reduction. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2374–83. ©2013 AACR.
Circulating Soluble CD27 and CD30 in Workers Exposed to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)
Authors: Saberi Hosnijeh Fatemeh , Portengen Lützen , Bueno-de-Mesquita H. Bas , Heederik Dick , Vermeulen Roel
Published: October 2013

Previous studies suggest that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure may be associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) but findings remain inconclusive. There is a need for mechanistic studies to evaluate the biologic plausibility of this association. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated changes in plasma levels of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1RA) and soluble (s)CD27 and sCD30 which have been found to be predictive of lymphoma, among workers of a cohort occupationally exposed to TCDD. Eighty-five workers who had been exposed to TCDD more than 30 years before blood collection were included in the current investigation. Plasma level of the markers was measured by ELISA. Current plasma levels of TCDD were determined by high-resolution gas chromatography/isotope dilution high-resolution mass spectrometry. TCDD blood levels at time of last exposure were estimated using a one-compartment first order kinetic model. Exposure-response analyses showed no significant association between blood levels of sCD27, and sCD30 and current and estimated TCDD levels at time of last exposure. IL1RA showed a borderline significant decrease with increasing plasma TCDD levels (P = 0.07), which reached formal statistical significance when excluding subjects with chronic diseases. In conclusion, no clear dose–response relationship was observed between the measured markers and TCDD level. However, there was a suggestion that markers in particular IL1RA tended to decrease with increasing TCDD levels. This observation is consistent with our earlier observation on decreasing cytokine levels, suggesting immunosuppression, with increasing exposures. These findings possibly provide new insights in the etiology of NHL and the mechanisms through which TCDD can increase lymphoma risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2420–4. ©2013 AACR.
Parity and Kidney Cancer Risk: Evidence from Epidemiologic Studies
Authors: Guan Hong-Bo , Wu Qi-Jun , Gong Ting-Ting
Published: October 2013

Background: Observational studies have reported conflicting results between parity and kidney cancer risk. To our knowledge, a comprehensive and quantitative assessment of the association between parity and kidney cancer has not been reported. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of published epidemiologic studies to summarize the evidence of this association.

Methods: Relevant published studies of parity and kidney cancer were identified using MEDLINE (PubMed) database through end of June 2013. Two authors independently assessed eligibility and extracted data. Six prospective and eight case–control studies reported relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of kidney cancer associated with parity or parity number. Fixed- or random-effects models were used to estimate summary relative risk.

Results: The summary relative risk of kidney cancer for the parity versus nulliparous was 1.23 (95% CI, 1.10–1.36; Q = 12.41; P = 0.413; I2 = 3.3%). In addition, significant association was also found for the highest versus lowest parity number, with summary RR = 1.36 (95% CI, 1.19–1.56; Q = 8.24; P = 0.766; I2 = 0%). In the dose–response analysis, the summary per one live birth relative risk was 1.08 (95% CI: 1.05–1.10; Q = 9.34; P = 0.500; I2 = 0%), also indicating the positive effect of parity on kidney cancer risk. No evidence of publication bias and significant heterogeneity between subgroups was detected by meta-regression analyses.

Conclusions: In summary, findings from this meta-analysis suggest that ever parity and higher parity number is significantly associated with increased risk of kidney cancer.

Impact: The present results suggest a positive association between parity and kidney cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2345–53. ©2013 AACR.
Small Molecule Inhibition of PAX3-FOXO1 through AKT Activation Suppresses Malignant Phenotypes of Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Jothi Mathivanan , Mal Munmun , Keller Charles , Mal Asoke K.
Published: October 2013

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma comprises a rare highly malignant tumor presumed to be associated with skeletal muscle lineage in children. The hallmark of the majority of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is a chromosomal translocation that generates the PAX3-FOXO1 fusion protein, which is an oncogenic transcription factor responsible for the development of the malignant phenotype of this tumor. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells are dependent on the oncogenic activity of PAX3-FOXO1, and its expression status in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma tumors correlates with worst patient outcome, suggesting that blocking this activity of PAX3-FOXO1 may be an attractive therapeutic strategy against this fusion-positive disease. In this study, we screened small molecule chemical libraries for inhibitors of PAX3-FOXO1 transcriptional activity using a cell-based readout system. We identified the Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases (SERCA) inhibitor thapsigargin as an effective inhibitor of PAX3-FOXO1. Subsequent experiments in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells showed that activation of AKT by thapsigargin inhibited PAX3-FOXO1 activity via phosphorylation. Moreover, this AKT activation appears to be associated with the effects of thapsigargin on intracellular calcium levels. Furthermore, thapsigargin inhibited the binding of PAX3-FOXO1 to target genes and subsequently promoted its proteasomal degradation. In addition, thapsigargin treatment decreases the growth and invasive capacity of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells while inducing apoptosis in vitro. Finally, thapsigargin can suppress the growth of an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma xenograft tumor in vivo. These data reveal that thapsigargin-induced activation of AKT is an effective mechanism to inhibit PAX3-FOXO1 and a potential agent for targeted therapy against alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Mol Cancer Ther; 12(12); 2663–74. ©2013 AACR.
SIRT1 Is Downregulated in Gastric Cancer and Leads to G1-phase Arrest via NF-κB/Cyclin D1 Signaling
Authors: Yang Qing , Wang Bo , Gao Wei , Huang Shanying , Liu Zhifang , Li Wenjuan , Jia Jihui
Published: October 2013

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a class III histone/protein deacetylase, and its activation status has been well documented to have physiologic benefits in human health. However, the function of SIRT1 in cancer remains controversial. Here, the expression and role of SIRT1 in gastric cancer is delineated. SIRT1 was present in all normal gastric mucosa specimens; however, it was only present in a portion of the matched gastric cancer tumor specimens. In SIRT1-positive tumors, both mRNA and protein levels were downregulated as compared with the corresponding nonneoplastic tissue. Ectopic expression of SIRT1 inhibited cell proliferation, diminished clonogenic potential, and induced a G1-phase cell-cycle arrest, the effects of which were not apparent when a catalytic-domain mutant form of SIRT1 was introduced, suggesting that SIRT1 functions in gastric cancer are dependent on its deacetylase activity. Further evidence was obtained from depletion of SIRT1. At the molecular level, SIRT1 inhibited the transcription of Cyclin D1 (CCND1), and inhibition of NF-κB in SIRT1-depleted cells rescued Cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, inhibition of either NF-κB or Cyclin D1 in SIRT1-depleted cells reversed the inhibitory effects of SIRT1. The inhibitory role of SIRT1 was also verified in vivo using xenografts. This work characterizes SIRT1 status and demonstrates its inhibitory function in gastric cancer development, which involves NF-κB/Cyclin D1 signaling, offering a therapeutic role for SIRT1 activators.

Implications: The inhibitory functions of SIRT1, which involve NF-κB/Cyclin D1 signaling, suggest the utility of SIRT1 activators in the prevention and therapy of gastric cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 11(12); 1497–507. ©2013 AACR.
An Abscopal Response to Radiation and Ipilimumab in a Patient with Metastatic Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Golden Encouse B. , Demaria Sandra , Schiff Peter B. , Chachoua Abraham , Formenti Silvia C.
Published: October 2013

A posteriori evidence suggests that radiotherapy to a targeted tumor can elicit an immune-mediated abscopal (ab-scopus, away from the target) effect in nontargeted tumors, when combined with an anti-CTL antigen-4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibody. Concurrent radiotherapy and CTLA-4 blockade induced immune-mediated abscopal effects in poorly immunogenic preclinical tumor models and patients with metastatic melanoma. However, no such reports exist for patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. We report the first abscopal response in a treatment-refractory lung cancer patient treated with radiotherapy and ipilimumab (a human anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody). A posttreatment increase in tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic lymphocytes, tumor regression, and normalization of tumor markers was observed. One year after treatment with concurrent radiotherapy and ipilimumab, the patient is without evidence of disease. Cancer Immunol Res; 1(6); 365–72. ©2013 AACR.
CCR6 selectively promotes monocyte mediated inflammation and atherogenesis in mice
Authors: Manthey Helga D. , Cochain Clément , Barnsteiner Stefanie , Karshovska Ela , Pelisek Jaroslav , Koch Miriam , Chaudhari Sweena M. , Busch Martin , Eckstein Hans-Henning , Weber Christian , Koenen Rory R. , Zernecke Alma
Published: October 2013

The chemokine receptor CCR6 is expressed by various cell subsets implicated in atherogenesis, such as monocytes, Th17 and regulatory T cells. In order to further define the role of CCR6 in atherosclerosis, CCR6-deficient (Ccr6
-/-) mice were crossed with low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (Ldlr
-/-) mice to generate atherosclerosis-prone mice deficient in CCR6. Compared to Ldlr
-/- controls, atherosclerotic burden in the aortic sinus and aorta were reduced in Ccr6
-/-
Ldlr
-/- mice fed a high fat diet, associated with a profound depression in lesional macrophage accumulation. Local and systemic distributions of T cells, including frequencies of Th1, Th17 and regulatory T cells were unaltered. In contrast, circulating counts of both Gr-1high and Gr1low monocytes were reduced in Ccr6
-/-
Ldlr
-/- mice. Moreover, CCR6 was revealed to promote monocyte adhesion to inflamed endothelium in vitro and leukocyte adhesion to carotid arteries in vivo. Finally, CCR6 selectively recruited monocytes but not T cells in an acute inflammatory air pouch model. We here show that CCR6 functions on multiple levels and regulates the mobilisation, adhesion and recruitment of monocytes/macrophages to the inflamed vessel, thereby promoting atherosclerosis, but is dispensable for hypercholesterolaemia-associated adaptive immune priming. Targeting CCR6 or its ligand CCL20 may therefore be a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate atherosclerosis.

Note: The review process for this manuscript was fully handled by G. Y. H. Lip, Editor in Chief.
Extracellular haemoglobin upregulates and binds to tissue factor on macrophages: Implications for coagulation and oxidative stress
Authors: Bahl Neha , Winarsih Imelda , Tucker-Kellogg Lisa , Ding Jeak Ling
Published: October 2013

The mechanisms of crosstalk between haemolysis, coagulation and innate immunity are evolutionarily conserved from the invertebrate haemocyanin to the vertebrate haemoglobin (Hb). In vertebrates, extracellular Hb resulting from haemolytic infections binds bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to unleash the antimicrobial redox activity of Hb. Because bacterial invasion also upregulates tissue factor (TF), the vertebrate coagulation initiator, we asked whether there may be functional interplay between the redox activity of Hb and the procoagulant activity of TF. Using real-time PCR, TF-specific ELISA, flow cytometry and TF activity assay, we found that Hb upregulated the expression of functional TF in macrophages. ELISA, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence microscopy showed binding between Hb and TF, in isolation and in situ. Bioinformatic analysis of Hb and TF protein sequences showed co-evolution across species, suggesting that Hbβ binds TF. Empirically, TF suppressed the LPS-induced activation of Hb redox activity. Furthermore, Hb desensitised TF to the effects of antioxidants like glutathione or serum. This bi-directional regulation between Hb and TF constitutes a novel link between coagulation and innate immunity. In addition, induction of TF by Hb is a potentially central mechanism for haemolysis to trigger coagulation.
Nitroxyl (HNO)
Authors: Sabbah Hani N. , Tocchetti Carlo Gabriele , Wang Mengjun , Daya Samantapudi , Gupta Ramesh C. , Tunin Richard S. , Mazhari Reza , Takimoto Eiki , Paolocci Nazareno , Cowart Douglas , Colucci Wilson S. , Kass David A.
Published: October 2013

Background—

The nitroxyl (HNO) donor, Angeli’s salt, exerts positive inotropic, lusitropic, and vasodilator effects in vivo that are cAMP independent. Its clinical usefulness is limited by chemical instability and cogeneration of nitrite which itself has vascular effects. Here, we report on effects of a novel, stable, pure HNO donor (CXL-1020) in isolated myoctyes and intact hearts in experimental models and in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods and Results—

CXL-1020 converts solely to HNO and inactive CXL-1051 with a t
1/2
of 2 minutes. In adult mouse ventricular myocytes, it dose dependently increased sarcomere shortening by 75% to 210% (50–500 μmol/L), with a ≈30% rise in the peak Ca
2+
transient only at higher doses. Neither inhibition of protein kinase A nor soluble guanylate cyclase altered this contractile response. Unlike isoproterenol, CXL-1020 was equally effective in myocytes from normal or failing hearts. In anesthetized dogs with coronary microembolization-induced HF, CXL-1020 reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and myocardial oxygen consumption while increasing ejection fraction from 27% to 40% and maximal ventricular power index by 42% (both
P
<0.05). In conscious dogs with tachypacing-induced HF, CXL-1020 increased contractility assessed by end-systolic elastance and provided venoarterial dilation. Heart rate was minimally altered. In patients with systolic HF, CXL-1020 reduced both left and right heart filling pressures and systemic vascular resistance, while increasing cardiac and stroke volume index. Heart rate was unchanged, and arterial pressure declined modestly.

Conclusions—

These data show the functional efficacy of a novel pure HNO donor to enhance myocardial function and present first-in-man evidence for its potential usefulness in HF.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifiers: NCT01096043, NCT01092325.
A Survey of Arabic Named Entity Recognition and Classification
Authors: Shaalan Khaled
Published: October 2013

As more and more Arabic textual information becomes available through the Web in homes and businesses, via Internet and Intranet services, there is an urgent need for technologies and tools to process the relevant information. Named Entity Recognition (NER) is an Information Extraction task that has become an integral part of many other Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks, such as Machine Translation and Information Retrieval. Arabic NER has begun to receive attention in recent years. The characteristics and peculiarities of Arabic, a member of the Semitic languages family, make dealing with NER a challenge. The performance of an Arabic NER component affects the overall performance of the NLP system in a positive manner. This article attempts to describe and detail the recent increase in interest and progress made in Arabic NER research. The importance of the NER task is demonstrated, the main characteristics of the Arabic language are highlighted, and the aspects of standardization in annotating named entities are illustrated. Moreover, the different Arabic linguistic resources are presented and the approaches used in Arabic NER field are explained. The features of common tools used in Arabic NER are described, and standard evaluation metrics are illustrated. In addition, a review of the state of the art of Arabic NER research is discussed. Finally, we present our conclusions. Throughout the presentation, illustrative examples are used for clarification.
Writing about the “Other”: Israel in Recent Iraqi Novels
Authors: Zeidel Ronen
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Writing about Israel is extremely rare in the Arab world. For many in the Arab World, Israel is the ultimate “Other”. This article will discuss several recent Iraqi novels in which part or the entire plot takes place in Israel. The books were written by leading Arab Iraqi novelists and were published by publishers in Iraq and the Arab world. Despite their small number, the books originate from a significant change in Iraqi intellectual life, especially after 2003: the emergence of a new literary generation “The Generation of the 1990s” (ğīl al-tisʿīnāt), challenging the basics of Iraqi national culture. The article will explore this development from the point of view of the “Other”: an Israeli scholar.
Dysfunctional family environment in affected versus unaffected offspring of parents with bipolar disorder
Authors: Ferreira Guilherme S , Moreira Carolina RL , Kleinman Ana , Nader Edmir CGP , Gomes Bernardo Carramão , Teixeira Ana Maria A , Rocca Cristiana C Almeida , Nicoletti Mark , Soares Jair C , Busatto Geraldo F , Lafer Beny , Caetano Sheila C
Published: October 2013

Objective:

Children of parents with bipolar disorder (BD) are at heightened risk for developing mood and other psychiatric disorders. We proposed to evaluate the environment of families with at least one parent with BD type I (BDF) with affected offspring (aBDF) and unaffected offspring (uBDF) compared with control families without a history of DSM-IV Axis I disorder (CF).

Method:

We used the Family Environment Scale (FES) to evaluate 47 BDF (aBDF + uBDF) and 30 CF. Parents were assessed through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Diagnosis of the offspring was determined through the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children/Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL) interview.

Results:

There were statistically significant differences between aBDF, uBDF and CF in cohesion ( p = 0.003), intellectual-cultural orientation ( p = 0.01), active-recreational orientation ( p = 0.007), conflict ( p = 0.001), control ( p = 0.01), moral-religious emphasis ( p = 0.01) and organization ( p = 0.001). The aBDF showed higher levels of control ( p = 0.02) when compared to the uBDF.

Conclusions:

Families with a BD parent presented more dysfunctional interactions among members. Moreover, the presence of BD or other psychiatric disorders in the offspring of parents with BD is associated with higher levels of control. These results highlight the relevance of psychosocial interventions to improve resilience and family interactions.
A Paradox of International Criminal Justice: The Biafra Genocide
Authors: Njoku Carol Ijeoma
Published: October 2013

Although early exploits of the international criminal tribunals seem promising, a unique empirical evaluation of its impact in global applications of criminal justice proves defective. A well-intentioned pursuit of criminal justice will ensure consistency and stability in the enforcement of the international humanitarian laws and principles to prevent impunity in situations of war or armed conflict. This study makes a trans-national evaluation of effectiveness of the criminal justice system with particular reference to issues that derive from the Nigeria–Biafra (Biafra) war. The framework of analyses is based on genocidal issues and incidences of war crimes highlighted in Chinua Achebe’s There was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra and related literature on the Biafra war.
Chinua Achebe on Biafra: An Elaborate Deconstruction
Authors: Ejiogu EC
Published: October 2013

A properly contextualized historiography in Chinua Achebe’s personal history of Biafra is necessary for shaping his discourse on Biafra clearly for a better understanding. British colonial intervention was a crass endeavor that repositioned clearly distinct peoples inhabiting the parts of the Niger basin that became Nigeria in an unhealthy social, economic and political arrangement that enabled the series of unfortunate events that included the pogroms of the Igbo and, of course, the genocidal Biafra war.
The clothing economy of Earl Lovelace’s The Dragon Can’t Dance
Authors: Cohen Hella Bloom
Published: October 2013

This article positions chapter three, “The Dragon”, as the crux of Trinidadian novelist Earl Lovelace’s postcolonial novel, The Dragon Can’t Dance. Chapter three chronicles the ancestral narrative of protagonist and King of Carnival, Aldrick, in and through his carnival costume’s construction, demonstrating that the handicraft tradition of Carnival is central to understanding the sense of loss permeating the novel’s Afro-Trinidadian space. I use aesthetics and the anthropological concepts of symbolic capital and inalienable possessions to explore the tension expressed by the fact that costumes and clothing exist both inside and outside of capital. I consider why the economy of the fictional Calvary Hill neighbourhood restricts fiscal exhibition but uses clothing and costuming to articulate social condition, and how Lovelace invokes neoliberal economics threatening native costume craft traditions.
Load capacity and chloride resistance of circular concrete columns with repair mortars
Authors: Hong Sungnam , Park Sun-Kyu
Published: October 2013

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the structural behavior and chloride penetration characteristic of reinforced concrete columns to which patch repair was applied. A total of 24 reinforced concrete columns were fabricated. Four repair materials, with different types and contents of admixtures, were selected. The contents of the three admixtures (silica fume, zeolite, and polymer dispersion) were 0%, 10%, and 15%, based on the weights of the admixture and cement. For the experimental methods, a chloride penetration test and an axial compression test were used. As a result of the experiments, compression failure occurred in the control column. For the repaired columns, however, interfacial failure was observed, as the concrete core and repair material were debonded. The repair material that showed the greatest effect was mortar, for which polymer dispersion was used as the admixture. The ultimate strength and the strain at ultimate strength of the column that was repaired with this mortar increased by 40% and 80%, respectively, compared to the control column. Furthermore, the repair mortars that were mixed with the admixture showed much lower chloride concentrations than the control column. In particular, the chloride concentration of the mortar that was mixed with 15% polymer dispersion decreased by 95%, in the section with a depth of 20–30 mm from the column surface.
Low-velocity impact performance of lattice structure core based sandwich panels
Authors: Shen Yiou , Cantwell Wesley , Mines Robert , Li Yan
Published: October 2013

This paper outlines the findings of a study on a range of stainless steel and titanium alloy lattice structures manufactured using the selective laser melting technique. The effect of varying key manufacturing parameters on the properties of lattice strands was studied through a series of single-filament tensile tests. The resulting failure mechanisms were investigated using a scanning electron microscope. The resulting observations have shown that the properties of these lattice strands are determined by the laser energy during the manufacturing process, which in turn is controlled by the laser power and laser exposure time. The quasi-static and low-velocity penetration behaviour of lattice core-based sandwich panels has been examined, and an aluminium foam and an aluminium honeycomb were chosen to benchmark their performance. The impact resistance of the lattice core-based sandwich structures were shown to be dependent on both the manufacturing parameters and lattice unit-cell geometry of the lattice structure. The impact resistances were improved by increasing manufacturing laser energy and lattice core density. A series of drop-weight tests at velocities up to 6 m/s have shown that the penetration behaviour of the titanium alloy lattice cores and the aluminium honeycomb cores is similar.
At the Intersection of Math and Reading Disabilities
Authors: Mann Koepke Kathleen , Miller Brett
Published: October 2013

Individuals with comorbid disabilities in mathematics and reading face significant challenges in acquiring the componential skills related to each domain. Persons with these comorbid conditions are significantly understudied and this paucity of work limits how effective practitioners can be at addressing the needs of this population. In the United States, roughly 7% of all children suffer from math disability; of these, an estimated 17% to 66% also has a comorbid reading disability. Underspecification of current conceptualizations of math and reading disabilities, including how to best identify and classify individuals with one or more of these disabilities, hampers our efforts to intervene effectively. To conceptualize how to move forward in these areas, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development held a workshop focused on examining the etiology, classification, and remediation of comorbid math and reading disabilities. This special issue, titled At the Intersection of Math and Reading Disabilities, continues that discussion. Contributing authors articulate a path forward to address the needs of these learners and inform the foundational understanding of both conditions in isolation and as they interact.
English Listeners’ Use of Distributional and Acoustic-Phonetic Cues to Liaison in French: Evidence from Eye Movements
Authors: Tremblay Annie , Spinelli Elsa
Published: October 2013

This study investigates English listeners’ use of distributional and acoustic-phonetic cues to liaison in French. Liaison creates a misalignment of the syllable and word boundaries, but is signaled by distributional cues (/z/ is a frequent liaison but not a frequent word onset; /t/ is a frequent word onset but a less frequent liaison) and acoustic-phonetic cues (liaison consonants are 15 per cent shorter than word-initial consonants). English-speaking French learners completed a visual-world eye-tracking experiment in which they heard adjective-noun sequences where the pivotal consonant was /t/ (expected advantage for consonant-initial words) or /z/ (expected advantage for liaison-initial words). Their results were compared to those of native French speakers. Both groups showed an advantage for consonant-initial targets with /t/ but no advantage for consonant- or liaison-initial targets with /z/. Both groups’ competitor fixations were modulated by the duration of the pivotal consonant, but only the learners’ fixations to liaison-initial targets were modulated by the duration of the pivotal consonant. This suggests that English listeners use both top-down (distributional) and bottom-up (acoustic-phonetic) cues to liaison in French. Their greater reliance on acoustic-phonetic cues is hypothesized to stem in part from English, where such cues play an important role for locating word boundaries.
Seniors’ Travel Constraints and Their Coping Strategies
Authors: Kazeminia Azadeh , Del Chiappa Giacomo , Jafari Jafar
Published: October 2013

This article utilized content analysis of seniors’ narratives on the Internet to uncover the central themes related to their perceptions of travel constraints and the ways through which seniors negotiate such barriers. The study results suggest that aging is associated with alterations in the order of salient constraints proposed by the hierarchy of leisure constraints theory, which in turn affect seniors’ preferences for “safe” options such as packaged tours. Using gerontology and decision-making theories, the article provides conceptual and methodological contributions to the literature. It also offers practical recommendations for businesses responding to the tourism needs and expectations of the fastest-growing tourism market segment worldwide: the senior population.
Measuring Quality of Information Services
Authors: Minghetti Valeria , Celotto Emilio
Published: October 2013

Tourist information offices (TIOs) are an important external information source in the tourists’ decision-making process. Assessing the quality of TIO information services implies measuring both technical quality, that is, the outcome of the service performance, and functional quality, that is, the quality of the whole delivery process. The article presents a methodology to correlate and combine mystery shopping and customer satisfaction research in order to assess the overall performance of TIOs at destination and discusses the effectiveness of this approach compared with a separate application of the two methods. The study is part of a project aimed at providing local authorities and TIO office managers in the mountain areas of Italy and Austria with an integrated and user-friendly tool to monitor the quality of information delivered to tourists both before and during their visit, evaluate the management of information services and make benchmark comparisons in the future.
Gender, ethnicity and graduate status, and junior doctors’ self-reported preparedness for clinical practice: national questionnaire surveys
Authors: Svirko Elena , Lambert Trevor , Goldacre Michael J
Published: October 2013

Objectives

Medical schools need to ensure that graduates feel well prepared for their first medical job. Our objective was to report on differences in junior doctors’ self-reported preparedness for work according to gender, ethnicity and graduate status.

Design

Postal and electronic questionnaires.

Setting

UK.

Participants

Medical graduates of 2008 and 2009, from all UK medical schools, one year after graduation.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome measure was the doctors’ level of agreement with the statement that ‘ My experience at medical school prepared me well for the jobs I have undertaken so far’, to which respondents were asked to reply on a scale from ‘ strongly agree’ to ‘ strongly disagree’.

Results

Women were slightly less likely than men to agree that they felt well prepared for work (50% of women agreed or strongly agreed vs. 54% of men), independently of medical school, ethnicity, graduate entry status and intercalated degree status, although they were no more likely than men to regard lack of preparedness as having been a problem for them. Adjusting for the other subgroup differences, non-white respondents were less likely to report feeling well prepared than white (44% vs. 54%), and were more likely to indicate that lack of preparedness was a problem (30% non-white vs. 24% white). There were also some gender and ethnic differences in preparedness for specific areas of work.

Conclusions

The identified gender and ethnic differences need to be further explored to determine whether they are due to differences in self-confidence or in actual preparedness.