bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of water vapour content on thermal barrier coating lifetime
Authors: Pint B A , Haynes J A
Published: January 2013

Furnace cycle testing was conducted in air with 10, 50 and 90 vol.- water vapour and compared to prior results in dry O2. The first series of experiments examined Pt diffusion and Pt modified aluminised bond coatings on second generation superalloy N5 at 1150°C with commercially vapour deposited yttria stabilised zirconia (YSZ) top coats. Compared to dry O2, the average lifetimes with Pt diffusion coatings were unaffected by the addition of water vapour, while the Pt modified aluminide coating average lifetime was reduced by >50 with 10 water vapour, but less reduction was observed with higher water contents. The second series of experiments examined MCrAlY and MCrAlYHfSi bond coatings and air plasma sprayed YSZ top coatings on superalloy X4 cycled at 1100°C. Compared to dry O2, the addition of 10 water vapour decreased the lifetime of MCrAlY by 28. Higher average lifetimes were observed with Hf in the bond coating.
Artificial neural network modelling to predict hot deformation behaviour of zinc–aluminium alloy
Authors: Liu Y , Li H Y , Jiang H F , Su X J
Published: January 2013

Isothermal hot compression of ZA27 alloy was conducted on a Gleeble-1500 thermomechanical simulator in the temperature range of 473–523 K with strain rates of 0·01–5 s−1 and height reduction of 60. Based on the experimental results, an artificial neural network (ANN) model with a backpropagation learning algorithm was developed for the description and prediction of the hot deformation behaviour. The inputs of the model are temperature, strain rate and strain. The output of the model is the flow stress. Then, a comparative evaluation of the trained ANN model and the constitutive equations was carried out. It was found that the trained ANN model was more efficient and accurate in predicting the hot deformation behaviour of ZA27 alloy.
Interphase precipitation in Ti–Nb and Ti–Nb–Mo bearing steel
Authors: Jang J H , Heo Y-U , Lee C-H , Bhadeshia H K D H , Suh Dong-Woo
Published: January 2013

The interphase precipitation of carbides has been studied in two microalloyed steels containing Ti and Nb, but only one of which contains molybdenum. The precipitates obtained are, therefore, (Ti,Nb)C and (Ti,Nb,Mo)C respectively. It is found that molybdenum significantly reduces the size of the carbide precipitates and also strongly retards their coarsening behaviour during subsequent heat treatment. This is because it enhances the nucleation rate by reducing the interfacial energy, but it is not thermodynamically favoured within the (Ti,Nb,Mo)C, so the later stages of growth involve its partitioning into the matrix, thus explaining the reduction in coarsening rate relative to the molybdenum free steel.
Strategies for developing bulk materials nanotechnology (BMN) into industrial products
Authors: Branagan D. J. , Sergueeva A. V. , Cheng S. , Walleser J. K. , Weznel T. F. , Costa J. V. , Kiilunen W. , Meacham B. E. , Tuffile C. D.
Published: January 2013

Microstructural formation occurring on the nanoscale level is often challenging and complex to understand but can lead to compelling properties and superior material performance. Commercial development of bulk materials nanotechnology (BMN) is enabled through new discoveries overcoming age old problems specifically: (1) opening up of process window to enable nanoscale structure formation in industrial products and (2) utilisation of new nanoscale ductility mechanisms to achieve combinations of high strength with ductility. Strategies for using BMN as either a surface technology or as a standalone monolithic technology are dependent on the operable ductility/toughness mechanisms which are overriding factors for successful commercialisation. For each route, the pathway for microstructural formation, the targeted nanoscale structures and the process window goals are described along with mainstream examples of each technology for a multitude of real world industrial applications.
Thermomechanical fatigue behaviour and mode of failure of laser welded single crystal Ni based superalloy
Authors: Durocher J , Cahoon J R , Richards N L
Published: January 2013

The baseline metallography of single crystal alloy N5 was compared with laser welded material to evaluate the effect of the welding process on cracking behaviour. In addition, baseline thermomechanical fatigue data were compared with the fatigue properties of welded specimens. The solution treated and aged single crystal alloy was found to contain microporosity, Ta rich MC carbides, Cr–Mo rich grain boundary borides, gamma prime and fine secondary gamma prime. In addition, recrystallised grains were present in the weld heat affected zone and provided a path for crack propagation out of the fusion zone. The laser beam welds showed defects mainly associated with the fusion zone, while thermomechanical fatigue analysis of the laser weld data showed inferior values compared to the baseline solution treated and aged material. Metallographic analysis showed that this was due to increased defects in the fusion zone associated with surface oxidation and heat affected zone recrystallisation compared to the non-welded alloy.
Essential role of the IRF8-KLF4 transcription factor cascade in murine monocyte differentiation
Authors: Kurotaki Daisuke , Osato Naoki , Nishiyama Akira , Yamamoto Michio , Ban Tatsuma , Sato Hideaki , Nakabayashi Jun , Umehara Marina , Miyake Noriko , Matsumoto Naomichi , Nakazawa Masatoshi , Ozato Keiko , Tamura Tomohiko
Published: January 2013

Key Points

IRF8 induces the Klf4 gene in myeloid progenitors; this transcription factor cascade is essential for Ly6C+ monocyte development. IRF8 binding to genomic targets promotes H3K4me1, a chromatin signature for promoter-distal enhancers, thereby inducing gene expression.
Pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone is active and well tolerated in bortezomib and lenalidomide–refractory multiple myeloma: Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome 2009-02
Authors: Leleu Xavier , Attal Michel , Arnulf Bertrand , Moreau Philippe , Traulle Catherine , Marit Gerald , Mathiot Claire , Petillon Marie Odile , Macro Margaret , Roussel Murielle , Pegourie Brigitte , Kolb Brigitte , Stoppa Anne Marie , Hennache Bernadette , Bréchignac Sabine , Meuleman Nathalie , Thielemans Beatrice , Garderet Laurent , Royer Bruno , Hulin Cyrille , Benboubker Lotfi , Decaux Olivier , Escoffre-Barbe Martine , Michallet Mauricette , Caillot Denis , Fermand Jean Paul , Avet-Loiseau Hervé , Facon Thierry
Published: January 2013

Key Points

Combination of pomalidomide with dexamethasone is highly active and can salvage end stage myeloma refractory to lenalidomide and bortezomib. Current data suggest pomalidomide 4 mg/day on days 1 to 21 per 28-days cycle with dexmethasone should be studied in future phase 3 trials.
Regions of XY homology in the pig X chromosome and the boundary of the pseudoautosomal region
Authors: Skinner Benjamin M , Lachani Kim , Sargent Carole A , Affara Nabeel A
Published: January 2013

Background

Sex chromosomes are subject to evolutionary pressures distinct from the remainder of the genome, shaping their structure and sequence content. We are interested in the sex chromosomes of domestic pigs (Sus scrofa), how their structure and gene content compares and contrasts with other mammalian species, and the role of sex-linked genes in fertility. This requires an understanding of the XY-homologous sequence on these chromosomes.

To this end, we performed microarray-based comparative genomic hybridisation (array-CGH) with male and female Duroc genomic DNA on a pig X-chromosome BAC tiling-path microarray. Putative XY-homologous BACs from regions of interest were subsequently FISH mapped.

Results

We show that the porcine PAR is approximately 6.5-6.9 Mb at the beginning of the short arm of the X, with gene content reflective of the artiodactyl common ancestor. Our array-CGH data also shows an XY-homologous region close to the end of the X long arm, spanning three X BACs. These BACs were FISH mapped, and paint the entire long arm of SSCY. Further clones of interest revealed X-autosomal homology or regions containing repetitive content.

Conclusions

This study has identified regions of XY homology in the pig genome, and defined the boundary of the PAR on the X chromosome. This adds to our understanding of the evolution of the sex chromosomes in different mammalian lineages, and will prove valuable for future comparative genomic work in suids and for the construction and annotation of the genome sequence for the sex chromosomes. Our finding that the SSCYq repetitive content has corresponding sequence on the X chromosome gives further insight into structure of SSCY, and suggests further functionally important sequences remain to be discovered on the X and Y.
Pre-Study protocol MagPEP: a multicentre randomized controlled trial of magnesium sulphate in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis
Authors: Fluhr Gabriele , Mayerle Julia , Weber Eckhard , Aghdassi Ali , Simon Peter , Gress Thomas , Seufferlein Thomas , Mössner Joachim , Stallmach Andreas , Rösch Thomas , Müller Martina , Siegmund Britta , Büchner-Steudel Petra , Zuber-Jerger Ina , Kantowski Marcus , Hoffmeister Albrecht , Rosendahl Jonas , Linhart Thomas , Maul Jochen , Czakó László , Hegyi Péter , Kraft Matthias , Engel Georg , Kohlmann Thomas , Glitsch Anne , Pickartz Tilman , Budde Christoph , Nitsche Claudia , Storck Kirsten , Lerch Markus M
Published: January 2013

Background

Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In spite of continuing research, no pharmacologic agent capable of effectively reducing the incidence of ERCP-induced pancreatitis has found its way into clinical practise. A number of experimental studies suggest that intrapancreatic calcium concentrations play an important role in the initiation of intracellular protease activation, an initiating step in the course of acute pancreatitis. Magnesium can act as a calcium-antagonist and counteracts effects in calcium signalling. It can thereby attenuate the intracellular activation of proteolytic digestive enzymes in the pancreas and reduces the severity of experimental pancreatitis when administered either intravenously or as a food supplement.

Methods

We designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III study to test whether the administration of intravenous magnesium sulphate before and after ERCP reduces the incidence and the severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis. A total of 502 adult patients with a medical indication for ERCP are to be randomized to receive either 4930 mg magnesium sulphate (= 20 mmol magnesium) or placebo 60 min before and 6 hours after ERCP. The incidence of clinical post-ERCP pancreatitis, hyperlipasemia, pain levels, use of analgetics and length of hospital stay will be evaluated.

Conclusions

If magnesium sulphate is found to be effective in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis, this inexpensive agent with limited adverse effects could be used as a routine pharmacological prophylaxis.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN46556454
Total white blood cell count or neutrophil count predict ischemic stroke events among adult Taiwanese: report from a community-based cohort study
Authors: Wu Tzy-Haw , Chien Kuo-Liong , Lin Hung-Ju , Hsu Hsiu-Ching , Su Ta-Chen , Chen Ming-Fong , Lee Yuan-Teh
Published: January 2013

Background

Evidence about whether white blood cell (WBC) or its subtypes can act as a biomarker to predict the ischemic stroke events in the general population is scanty, particularly in Asian populations. The aim of this study is to establish the predictive ability of total WBC count or subtypes for long-term ischemic stroke events in the cohort population in Taiwan.

Methods

The Chin-Shan Community Cohort Study began from 1990 to 2007 by recruiting 1782 men and 1814 women of Chinese ethnicity. Following a total of 3416 participants free from ischemic stroke events at baseline for a median of 15.9 years; we documented 187 new incident cases.

Results

The multivariate relative risk for the comparison of the participants in the fifth and first WBC count quintiles was 1.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–2.73; P for trend=0.03), and the corresponding relative risk for neutrophil count was 1.93 (95% CI, 1.13–3.29; P for trend=0.02). The discriminative ability by WBC and neutrophil counts were similar (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.600 for adding WBC, 0.610 for adding neutrophils, 0.595 for traditional risk factor model). In addition, the net reclassification improvement (NRI) values between the neutrophil and white blood cell count models were not significant (NRI, =-2.60%, P=0.35), indicating the similar discrimination performance for both WBC and neutrophil counts.

Conclusions

WBC and neutrophil count had a similar ability to predict the long-term ischemic stroke events among Taiwanese.
Sublingual misoprostol versus standard surgical care for treatment of incomplete abortion in five sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Shochet Tara , Diop Ayisha , Gaye Alioune , Nayama Madi , Sall Aissata Bal , Bukola Fawole , Blandine Thieba , Abiola Okunlola Michael , Dao Blami , Olayinka Ogunbode , Winikoff Beverly
Published: January 2013

Background

In low-resource settings, where abortion is highly restricted and self-induced abortions are common, access to post-abortion care (PAC) services, especially treatment of incomplete terminations, is a priority. Standard post-abortion care has involved surgical intervention but can be hard to access in these areas. Misoprostol provides an alternative to surgical intervention that could increase access to abortion care. We sought to gather additional evidence regarding the efficacy of 400 mcg of sublingual misoprostol vs. standard surgical care for treatment of incomplete abortion in the environments where need for economical non-surgical treatments may be most useful.

Methods

A total of 860 women received either sublingual misoprostol or standard surgical care for treatment of incomplete abortion in a multi-site randomized trial. Women with confirmed incomplete abortion, defined as past or present history of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and an open cervical os, were eligible to participate. Participants returned for follow-up one week later to confirm clinical status. If abortion was incomplete at that time, women were offered an additional follow-up visit or immediate surgical evacuation.

Results

Both misoprostol and surgical evacuation are highly effective treatments for incomplete abortion (misoprostol: 94.4%, surgical: 100.0%). Misoprostol treatment resulted in a somewhat lower chance of success than standard surgical practice (RR = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.89-0.92). Both tolerability of side effects and women’s satisfaction were similar in the two study arms.

Conclusion

Misoprostol, much easier to provide than surgery in low-resource environments, can be used safely, successfully, and satisfactorily for treatment of incomplete abortion. Focus should shift to program implementation, including task-shifting the provision of post-abortion care to mid- and low- level providers, training and assurance of drug availability.

Trial registration

This study has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00466999 and NCT01539408
Cancer incidence and mortality in Serbia 1999–2009
Authors: Mihajlović Jovan , Pechlivanoglou Petros , Miladinov-Mikov Marica , Živković Snežana , Postma Maarten J
Published: January 2013

Background

Despite the increase in cancer incidence in the last years in Serbia, no nation-wide, population-based cancer epidemiology data have been reported. In this study cancer incidence and mortality rates for Serbia are presented using nation-wide data from two population-based cancer registries. These rates are additionally compared to European and global cancer epidemiology estimates. Finally, predictions on Serbian cancer incidence and mortality rates are provided.

Methods

Cancer incidence and mortality was collected from the cancer registries of Central Serbia and Vojvodina from 1999 to 2009. Using age-specific regression models, we estimated time trends and predictions for cancer incidence and mortality for the following five years (2010–2014). The comparison of Serbian with European and global cancer incidence/mortality rates, adjusted to the world population (ASR-W) was performed using Serbian population-based data and estimates from GLOBOCAN 2008.

Results

Increasing trends in both overall cancer incidence and mortality rates were identified for Serbia. In men, lung cancer showed the highest incidence (ASR-W 2009: 70.8/100,000), followed by colorectal (ASR-W 2009: 39.9/100,000), prostate (ASR-W 2009: 29.1/100,000) and bladder cancer (ASR-W 2009: 16.2/100,000). Breast cancer was the most common form of cancer in women (ASR-W 2009: 70.8/100,000) followed by cervical (ASR-W 2009: 25.5/100,000), colorectal (ASR-W 2009: 21.1/100,000) and lung cancer (ASR-W 2009: 19.4/100,000). Prostate and colorectal cancers have been significantly increasing over the last years in men, while this was also observed for breast cancer incidence and lung cancer mortality in women. In 2008 Serbia had the highest mortality rate from breast cancer (ASR-W 2008: 22.7/100,000), among all European countries while incidence and mortality of cervical, lung and colorectal cancer were well above European estimates.

Conclusion

Cancer incidence and mortality in Serbia has been generally increasing over the past years. For a number of cancer sites, incidence and mortality is alarmingly higher than in the majority of European regions. For this increasing trend to be controlled, the management of risk factors that are present among the Serbian population is necessary. Additionally, prevention and early diagnosis are areas where significant improvements could still be made.
Pure nongestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary: a case report
Authors: Choi Youn Jin , Chun Keun Young , Kim Yong Wook , Ro Duck Yeong
Published: January 2013

Pure ovarian choriocarcinoma can be gestational or nongestational in origin. Nongestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary is extremely rare, and its diagnosis is very difficult during the reproductive years. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman diagnosed with pure nongestational ovarian choriocarcinoma. Following surgery, multiple courses of a chemotherapy regimen of etoposide, methotrexate, and actinomycin-D (EMA) were effective.
Changes in the transcriptome of morula-stage bovine embryos caused by heat shock: relationship to developmental acquisition of thermotolerance
Authors: Sakatani Miki , Bonilla Luciano , Dobbs Kyle B , Block Jeremy , Ozawa Manabu , Shanker Savita , Yao JiQiang , Hansen Peter J
Published: January 2013

Background

While initially sensitive to heat shock, the bovine embryo gains thermal resistance as it progresses through development so that physiological heat shock has little effect on development to the blastocyst stage by Day 5 after insemination. Here, experiments using 3’ tag digital gene expression (3’DGE) and real-time PCR were conducted to determine changes in the transcriptome of morula-stage bovine embryos in response to heat shock (40 degrees C for 8 h) that could be associated with thermotolerance.

Results

Using 3’DGE, expression of 173 genes were modified by heat shock, with 94 genes upregulated by heat shock and 79 genes downregulated by heat shock. A total of 38 differentially-regulated genes were associated with the ubiquitin protein, UBC. Heat shock increased expression of one heat shock protein gene,HSPB11,and one heat shock protein binding protein,HSPBP1, tended to increase expression ofHSPA1AandHSPB1,but did not affect expression of 64 other genes encoding heat shock proteins, heat shock transcription factors or proteins interacting with heat shock proteins. Moreover, heat shock increased expression of five genes associated with oxidative stress(AKR7A2, CBR1, GGH, GSTA4,andMAP2K5),decreased expression ofHIF3A,but did not affect expression of 42 other genes related to free radical metabolism. Heat shock also had little effect on genes involved in embryonic development. Effects of heat shock for 2, 4 and 8 h on selected heat shock protein and antioxidant genes were also evaluated by real-time PCR. Heat shock increased steady-state amounts of mRNA forHSPA1A(P<0.05) and tended to increase expression ofHSP90AA1(P<0.07) but had no effect on expression ofSOD1orCAT.

Conclusions

Changes in the transcriptome of the heat-shocked bovine morula indicate that the embryo is largely resistant to effects of heat shock. As a result, transcription of genes involved in thermal protection is muted and there is little disruption of gene networks involved in embryonic development. It is likely that the increased resistance of morula-stage embryos to heat shock as compared to embryos at earlier stages of development is due in part to developmental acquisition of mechanisms to prevent accumulation of denatured proteins and free radical damage.
Somatostatin-based radiotherapy with [90Y-DOTA]-TOC in neuroendocrine tumors: long-term outcome of a phase I dose escalation study
Authors: Marincek Nicolas , Jörg Ann-Catherine , Brunner Philippe , Schindler Christian , Koller Michael T , Rochlitz Christoph , Müller-Brand Jan , Maecke Helmut R , Briel Matthias , Walter Martin A
Published: January 2013

Background

We describe the long-term outcome after clinical introduction and dose escalation of somatostatin receptor targeted therapy with [90Y-DOTA]-TOC in patients with metastasized neuroendocrine tumors.

Methods

In a clinical phase I dose escalation study we treated patients with increasing [90Y-DOTA]-TOC activities. Multivariable Cox regression and competing risk regression were used to compare efficacy and toxicities of the different dosage protocols.

Results

Overall, 359 patients were recruited; 60 patients were enrolled for low dose (median: 2.4 GBq/cycle, range 0.9-7.8 GBq/cycle), 77 patients were enrolled for intermediate dose (median: 3.3 GBq/cycle, range: 2.0-7.4 GBq/cycle) and 222 patients were enrolled for high dose (median: 6.7 GBq/cycle, range: 3.7-8.1 GBq/cycle) [90Y-DOTA]-TOC treatment. The incidences of hematotoxicities grade 1–4 were 65.0%, 64.9% and 74.8%; the incidences of grade 4/5 kidney toxicities were 8.4%, 6.5% and 14.0%, and the median survival was 39 (range: 1–158) months, 34 (range: 1–118) months and 29 (range: 1–113) months. The high dose protocol was associated with an increased risk of kidney toxicity (Hazard Ratio: 3.12 (1.13-8.59) vs. intermediate dose, p = 0.03) and a shorter overall survival (Hazard Ratio: 2.50 (1.08-5.79) vs. low dose, p = 0.03).

Conclusions

Increasing [90Y-DOTA]-TOC activities may be associated with increasing hematological toxicities. The dose related hematotoxicity profile of [90Y-DOTA]-TOC could facilitate tailoring [90Y-DOTA]-TOC in patients with preexisting hematotoxicities. The results of the long-term outcome suggest that fractionated [90Y-DOTA]-TOC treatment might allow to reduce renal toxicity and to improve overall survival.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov number:NCT00978211
Treatment preferences in juvenile idiopathic arthritis – a comparative analysis in two health care systems
Authors: Hugle Boris , Haas Johannes-Peter , Benseler Susanne M
Published: January 2013

Background

Variations in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may impact on quality of care. The objective of this study was to identify and compare treatment approaches for JIA in two health care systems.

Methods

Paediatric rheumatologists in Canada (n=58) and Germany/Austria (n=172) were surveyed by email, using case-based vignettes for oligoarticular and seronegative polyarticular JIA. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics; responses were compared using univariate analysis.

Results

Total response rate was 63%. Physicians were comparable by age, level of training and duration of practice, with more Canadians based in academic centres. For initial treatment of oligoarthritis, only approximately half of physicians in both groups used intra-articular steroids. German physicians were more likely to institute DMARD treatment in oligoarthritis refractory to NSAID (p<0.001). Canadian physicians were more likely to switch to a different DMARD rather than a biologic agent in polyarthritis refractory to initial DMARD therapy. For oligoarthritis and polyarthritis, respectively, 86% and 90% of German physicians preferred regular physiotherapy over home exercise, compared to 14% and 15% in Canada. Except for a Canadian preference for naproxen in oligoarthritis, no significant differences were found for NSAID, intra-articular steroid preparations, initial DMARD and initial biologic treatment.

Conclusions

Treatment of oligo- and polyarticular JIA with DMARD is mostly uniform, with availability and funding obviously influencing physician choice. Usage of intra-articular steroids is variable within physician groups. Physiotherapy has a fundamentally different role in the two health care systems.
The chemical exfoliation phenomena in layered GaSe-polyaniline composite
Authors: Aksimentyeva Olena Igorivna , Demchenko Pavlo Yuriyovich , Savchyn Volodymyr Pavlovich , Balitskii Olexiy Alexandrovich
Published: January 2013

To elucidate the nature of polyaniline (PANI)-GaSe mutual interaction, we carried out structural studies of nano-GaSe powders encapsulated by PANI, exploiting X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Mechanically and ultrasonically dispersed GaSe crystals were mixed with aniline, which then underwent polymerization. After such treatment, GaSe nanocrystals (as shown by HRTEM) consist of few elementary monolayer sandwiches of hexagonal GaSe structure along the crystallographic axis c with a mean diameter of 9.2 nm. There was a significant expansion of interplanar distances (up to 0.833 nm) for all of the nanocrystals observed compared to 0.796 nm for the single crystals.
Changes in the contents of four active diterpenoids at different growth stages in Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees (Chuanxinlian)
Authors: Pholphana Nanthanit , Rangkadilok Nuchanart , Saehun Jittra , Ritruechai Supachai , Satayavivad Jutamaad
Published: January 2013

Background

The therapeutic activities of Andrographis paniculata are attributed to four major active diterpenoids: andrographolide (AP1), 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (AP3), neoandrographolide (AP4), and 14-deoxyandrographolide (AP6). This study aims to quantify the four active diterpenoids in various plant organs of A. paniculata at different growth stages in greenhouse and field experiments, with a developed HPLC-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method for simultaneous determination of these diterpenoids.

Methods

Plants were grown in greenhouse and in field conditions, harvested at different growth stages, and separated into different organs for determination of the four active diterpenoids by an HPLC-DAD method.

Results

The most abundant diterpenoid was AP6 between seedling and vegetative stages in the greenhouse experiment (13.38 to 23.71 mg/g in 2006 and 10.67 to 24.54 mg/g in 2007). High levels of AP6 were also detected in leaves at the transfer stage in the greenhouse experiment (36.05 ± 0.69 mg/g) and field experiment (30.59 ± 1.39 mg/g). The levels of AP6 then decreased as plants matured. The highest content of AP4 was in cotyledons (16.65 ± 4.48 mg/g) at the transfer stage. The highest contents of AP1 were detected in leaves at seed-forming stage in greenhouse experiment (24.72 ± 1.89 mg/g) and vegetative stage in field experiment (43.16 ± 0.92 mg/g). Flowers of A. paniculata contained high levels of AP1 (21.42 ± 3.74 mg/g). AP3 and AP4 were at low levels in leaves at all growth stages.

Conclusion

In A. paniculata, AP6 was at the highest level in leaves at transfer stage in both greenhouse and field experiments. AP1 was at the highest level in leaves at vegetative stage and seed-forming stage in field and greenhouse experiments, respectively. The contents of AP3 and AP4 in leaves were low at all growth stages.
Diverse functions of miR-125 family in different cell contexts
Authors: Sun Yu-Meng , Lin Kang-Yu , Chen Yue-Qin
Published: January 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as a novel class of non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level. More than 1000 miRNAs have been identified in human cells to date, and they are reported to play important roles in normal cell homeostasis, cell metastasis and disease pathogensis and progression. MiR-125, which is a highly conserved miRNA throughout diverse species from nematode to humans, consists of three homologs hsa-miR-125a, hsa-miR-125b-1 and hsa-miR-125-2. Members of this family have been validated to be down-regulated, exhibiting its disease-suppressing properties in many different types of diseases, while they also have disease-promoting functions in certain contexts. MiR-125 targets a number of genes such as transcription factors, matrix-metalloprotease, members of Bcl-2 family and others, aberrance of which may lead to abnormal proliferation, metastasis and invasion of cells, even carcinomas. Furthermore, miR-125 plays a crucial role in immunological host defense, especially in response to bacterial or viral infections. In this review, we summarize the implication of miR-125 family in disease suppression and promotion, focusing on carcinoma and host immune responses. We also discussed the potential of this miRNA family as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for different diseases in future.
Modeling of non-additive mixture properties using the Online CHEmical database and Modeling environment (OCHEM)
Authors: Oprisiu Ioana , Novotarskyi Sergii , Tetko Igor V
Published: January 2013

The Online Chemical Modeling Environment (OCHEM, http://ochem.eu) is a web-based platform that provides tools for automation of typical steps necessary to create a predictive QSAR/QSPR model. The platform consists of two major subsystems: a database of experimental measurements and a modeling framework. So far, OCHEM has been limited to the processing of individual compounds. In this work, we extended OCHEM with a new ability to store and model properties of binary non-additive mixtures. The developed system is publicly accessible, meaning that any user on the Web can store new data for binary mixtures and develop models to predict their non-additive properties.

The database already contains almost 10,000 data points for the density, bubble point, and azeotropic behavior of binary mixtures. For these data, we developed models for both qualitative (azeotrope/zeotrope) and quantitative endpoints (density and bubble points) using different learning methods and specially developed descriptors for mixtures. The prediction performance of the models was similar to or more accurate than results reported in previous studies. Thus, we have developed and made publicly available a powerful system for modeling mixtures of chemical compounds on the Web.
Physical activity in adults with controlled and uncontrolled asthma as compared to healthy adults: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Verlaet Annelies , Moreira Andre , Sá‐Sousa Ana , Barros Renata , Santos Rute , Moreira Pedro , Fonseca Joao
Published: January 2013

Background

Though exercise‐induced bronchoconstriction is common among asthmatics, physical activity (PA) seems important in asthma management. Still, various studies point at avoidance of sports and certain daily life activities like walking stairs, even by patients with mild symptoms. We aimed to compare physical activity levels between healthy subjects and asthmatics with controlled and uncontrolled disease.

Methods

Data on asthma and PA were drawn from the Portuguese National Asthma Survey. The short telephone version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to measure PA levels. Current asthma was defined as self‐reported asthma and at least one of these criteria: one or more asthma symptoms in the last twelve months, currently taking asthma medication or an asthma medical appointment in the previous twelve months. Controlled asthma was defined as a CARAT global score > 24 or a CARAT second factor score ≤ 16. Healthy subjects were defined as individuals without atopy, heart disease or any respiratory symptom. X2 and Mann–Whitney/Kruskall‐Wallis tests were used to compare groups. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess relations between asthma status and PA dimensions.

Results

A total of 606 non‐asthmatics, 125 controlled and 78 uncontrolled asthmatic subjects were included. In both genders, overall PA level did not differ significantly between groups. Controlled (men) and uncontrolled (women) asthmatics did more vigorous PA than healthy respondents. Male controlled asthmatics also did more moderate PA. Crude logistic regression showed positive relations between daily sitting time, vigorous and moderate PA and controlled asthma in men and between vigorous PA and uncontrolled asthma in women. After adjustments for confounders, moderate PA remained a predictor of controlled asthma in men, while vigorous PA doubled the risk of uncontrolled asthma in women.

Conclusion

Our study showed that adult asthmatics, independent of asthma control, do not seem to have a more sedentary lifestyle than their peers. Nevertheless, PA should be encouraged, as only about half of them reached activity recommendations.
The B cell transcription program mediates hypomethylation and overexpression of key genes in Epstein-Barr virus-associated proliferative conversion
Authors: Hernando Henar , Shannon-Lowe Claire , Islam Abul B , Al-Shahrour Fatima , Rodríguez-Ubreva Javier , Rodríguez-Cortez Virginia C , Javierre Biola M , Mangas Cristina , Fernández Agustín F , Parra Maribel , Delecluse Henri-Jacques , Esteller Manel , López-Granados Eduardo , Fraga Mario F , López-Bigas Nuria , Ballestar Esteban
Published: January 2013

Background

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a well characterized etiopathogenic factor for a variety of immune-related conditions, including lymphomas, lymphoproliferative disorders and autoimmune diseases. EBV-mediated transformation of resting B cells to proliferating lymphoblastoid cells occurs in early stages of infection and is an excellent model for investigating the mechanisms associated with acquisition of unlimited growth.

Results

We investigated the effects of experimental EBV infection of B cells on DNA methylation profiles by using high-throughput analysis. Remarkably, we observed hypomethylation of around 250 genes, but no hypermethylation. Hypomethylation did not occur at repetitive sequences, consistent with the absence of genomic instability in lymphoproliferative cells. Changes in methylation only occurred after cell divisions started, without the participation of the active demethylation machinery, and were concomitant with acquisition by B cells of the ability to proliferate. Gene Ontology analysis, expression profiling, and high-throughput analysis of the presence of transcription factor binding motifs and occupancy revealed that most genes undergoing hypomethylation are active and display the presence of NF-κB p65 and other B cell-specific transcription factors. Promoter hypomethylation was associated with upregulation of genes relevant for the phenotype of proliferating lymphoblasts. Interestingly, pharmacologically induced demethylation increased the efficiency of transformation of resting B cells to lymphoblastoid cells, consistent with productive cooperation between hypomethylation and lymphocyte proliferation.

Conclusions

Our data provide novel clues on the role of the B cell transcription program leading to DNA methylation changes, which we find to be key to the EBV-associated conversion of resting B cells to proliferating lymphoblasts.
Effects of Psycho-Oncologic Interventions on Emotional Distress and Quality of Life in Adult Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Faller Hermann , Schuler Michael , Richard Matthias , Heckl Ulrike , Weis Joachim , Küffner Roland
Published: January 2013

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of psycho-oncologic interventions on emotional distress and quality of life in adult patients with cancer.

Methods

Literature databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials that compared a psycho-oncologic intervention delivered face-to face with a control condition. The main outcome measures were emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Outcomes were evaluated for three time periods: post-treatment, ≤ 6 months, and more than 6 months. We applied standard meta-analytic techniques to analyze both published and unpublished data from the retrieved studies. Sensitivity analyses and meta-regression were used to explore reasons for heterogeneity.

Results

We retrieved 198 studies (covering 22,238 patients) that report 218 treatment-control comparisons. Significant small-to-medium effects were observed for individual and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation. These effects were sustained, in part, in the medium term (≤ 6 months) and long term (> 6 months). Short-term effects were evident for relaxation training. Studies that preselected participants according to increased distress produced large effects at post-treatment. A moderator effect was found for the moderator variable “duration of the intervention,” with longer interventions producing more sustained effects. Indicators of study quality were often not reported. Small-sample bias indicative of possible publication bias was found for some effects, particularly with individual psychotherapy and relaxation training.

Conclusion

Various types of psycho-oncologic interventions are associated with significant, small-to-medium effects on emotional distress and quality of life. These results should be interpreted with caution, however, because of the low quality of reporting in many of the trials.
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis and Outpatient Management of Fever and Neutropenia in Adults Treated for Malignancy: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline
Authors: Flowers Christopher R. , Seidenfeld Jerome , Bow Eric J. , Karten Clare , Gleason Charise , Hawley Douglas K. , Kuderer Nicole M. , Langston Amelia A. , Marr Kieren A. , Rolston Kenneth V.I. , Ramsey Scott D.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To provide guidelines on antimicrobial prophylaxis for adult neutropenic oncology outpatients and on selection and treatment as outpatients of those with fever and neutropenia.

Methods

A literature search identified relevant studies published in English. Primary outcomes included: development of fever and/or infections in afebrile neutropenic outpatients and recovery without complications and overall mortality in febrile neutropenic outpatients. Secondary outcomes included: in afebrile neutropenic outpatients, infection-related mortality; in outpatients with fever and neutropenia, defervescence without regimen change, time to defervescence, infectious complications, and recurrent fever; and in both groups, hospital admissions, duration, and adverse effects of antimicrobials. An Expert Panel developed guidelines based on extracted data and informal consensus.

Results

Forty-seven articles from 43 studies met selection criteria.

Recommendations

Antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis are only recommended for patients expected to have < 100 neutrophils/μL for > 7 days, unless other factors increase risks for complications or mortality to similar levels. Inpatient treatment is standard to manage febrile neutropenic episodes, although carefully selected patients may be managed as outpatients after systematic assessment beginning with a validated risk index (eg, Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer [MASCC] score or Talcott's rules). Patients with MASCC scores ≥ 21 or in Talcott group 4, and without other risk factors, can be managed safely as outpatients. Febrile neutropenic patients should receive initial doses of empirical antibacterial therapy within an hour of triage and should either be monitored for at least 4 hours to determine suitability for outpatient management or be admitted to the hospital. An oral fluoroquinolone plus amoxicillin/clavulanate (or plus clindamycin if penicillin allergic) is recommended as empiric therapy, unless fluoroquinolone prophylaxis was used before fever developed.
“Quod me nutrit me destruit”: Discovering the Abject on the Early Modern Stage
Authors: Busse Ashley Denham
Published: January 2013

This essay explores the early modern stage convention of the discovery space and use of other curtained and costumed spaces to argue that such conventions performed and materialized the experience of abjection, those terrifying reminders of man’s material origins and his destiny. Indeed, analyses of the Kristevan abject have overlooked its inherent performativity, specifically its dependence on both sensory perception and on acts of veiling and unveiling. Thus the theater — specifically the convention of the curtained discovery space as the locus for staging the “obscene” — is the ideal site to explore this jettisoning of materiality, maternal origin, and all reminders of death and decay. In particular, the essay examines moments of the abject’s revelation in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice and Middleton’s Revenger’s Tragedy, contending that the discovery space is one way to embody what cannot be embodied, to enact the unveiling of what can never truly be unveiled.
Governing the Wolf: Soul and Space in The Merchant of Venice
Authors: Sherman Donovan
Published: January 2013

This essay reads Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice as a manifestation of early modern England’s anxiety over the soul. As something both essential and unrepresentable, the soul existed in the popular imagination as potentially monstrous or divine, distanced from both the body and clear meaning. Invoking metempsychosis, or the transmigration of the soul, indexed this insecurity. The essay first considers the implications of the mention of metempsychosis in Merchant, and then surveys literary and theological texts that elaborate the ambivalence it implies. The essay concludes with a reading of the play as an externalization of the internal spacing by which the soul is kept at bay. Shylock, by refusing to engage in acts of signification or translation — in direct opposition to his Christian antagonists — provides a figuration of the soul, and his expulsion allows the play to retreat from exposing the necessarily distant nonhumanness that constructs the illusion of the cohesive human.
“Here at the Fringe of the Forest”: Staging Sacred Space in As You Like It
Authors: Duncan Helga L.
Published: January 2013

This essay examines Shakespeare’s representation of sacred space in As You Like It and argues that the play should be read as Shakespeare’s imaginative commentary on a changing culture of sacred spaces at the end of a century of religious reformation. Drawing on J. Z. Smith’s work, in which he distinguishes between “locative” and “utopian” attitudes toward sacred space, as well as on Michel Foucault’s concept of heterotopia, the essay argues that it is in the borderland or “fringe” of Arden that new configurations of sacred space emerge. The figure that embodies the spatial logic of the periphery, situated on Arden’s fringe between the locative or carefully emplaced world of France and the utopian wilderness of the forest, is the transvestite figure of Rosalind. She and her dwelling place also stand for the larger space of the theater in its heterotopic function as a site that reimagines sacred space by developing mediatory interactions between what feminist geographer Gillian Rose terms fantasy, discourse, and the body in the performance of space.
Making Room, Affording Hospitality: Environments of Entertainment in Romeo and Juliet
Authors: Lupton Julia Reinhard
Published: January 2013

This essay uses the concept of affordances, borrowed from design theory and environmental psychology, in order to map the use of space in act 1, scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet. Hospitality provides a socio-symbolic script for objects and persons in action that crosses theatrical and domestic spaces. Design ultimately concerns the passage between the arts of place-making and acts of thinking in Shakespeare’s dramatic poetry.
FKBP14is an essential gene that regulates Presenilin protein levels and Notch signaling inDrosophila
Authors: van de Hoef Diana L. , Bonner Julia M. , Boulianne Gabrielle L.
Published: January 2013

Presenilins were identified as causative factors in familial Alzheimer's disease and also play an essential role in Notch signaling during development. We previously identified FKBP14, a member of the family of FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs), as a modifier of Presenilin in Drosophila. FKBPs are highly conserved peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerases that play integral roles in protein folding, assembly and trafficking. Although FKBPs have been implicated in a broad range of biological processes, they are non-essential in yeast and their role in the development of multicellular organisms remains unclear. We show that FKBP14 is an essential gene in Drosophila and that loss of FKBP14 gives rise to specific defects in eye, bristle and wing development. FKBP14 mutants genetically interact with components of the Notch pathway, indicating that these phenotypes are associated, at least in part, with dysregulation of Notch signaling. We show that whereas Notch trafficking to the membrane is unaffected in FKBP14 mutants, levels of Notch target genes are reduced, suggesting that FKBP14 acts downstream of Notch activation at the membrane. Consistent with this model, we find that Presenilin protein levels and γ-secretase activity are reduced in FKBP14 null mutants. Altogether, our data demonstrate that FKBP14 plays an essential role in development, one aspect of which includes regulating members of the Notch signaling pathway.
Par3/Bazooka and phosphoinositides regulate actin protrusion formation during Drosophila dorsal closure and wound healing
Authors: Pickering Karen , Alves-Silva Juliana , Goberdhan Deborah , Millard Tom H.
Published: January 2013

Effective wound closure mechanisms are essential for maintenance of epithelial structure and function. The repair of wounded epithelia is primarily driven by the cells bordering the wound, which become motile after wounding, forming dynamic actin protrusions along the wound edge. The molecular mechanisms that trigger wound edge cells to become motile following tissue damage are not well understood. Using wound healing and dorsal closure in Drosophila, we identify a direct molecular link between changes in cell-cell adhesion at epithelial edges and induction of actin protrusion formation. We find that the scaffolding protein Par3/Bazooka and the lipid phosphatase Pten are specifically lost from cell-cell junctions at epithelial edges. This results in a localized accumulation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), which promotes the formation of actin protrusions along the epithelial edge. Depleting PIP3 results in defective epithelial closure during both dorsal closure and wound healing. These data reveal a novel mechanism that directly couples loss of epithelial integrity to activation of epithelial closure.