bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation and biological activity of triglycerides of the fermented mushroom of Coprinus Comatus
Authors: Ren Jun , Shi Jin-Li , Han Chun-Chao , Liu Zhen-Quan , Guo Jian-You
Published: April 2012

Background

Although many physiological functions of Coprinus comatus have been reported, there has been no report on the antinociceptive activity of Coprinus comatus. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to demonstrate the production, isolation, and biological properties of triglycerides (TFC) of the fermented mushroom of Coprinus comatus.

Methods

The effects of TFC on cytokines levels, total antioxidant activity, antinociceptive effects in vivo, LD50 and tactile hyperalgesia were analyzed respectively.

Results

TFC treatment decreased the levels of cytokines and total antioxidant status (TAOS) and inhibited the acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions in mice. In addition, TFC reduced CFA-induced tactile hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner and the LD50 of TFC was determined to be 400 mg/kg. However, TFC did not significantly inhibit the reaction time to thermal stimuli in the hot-plate test.

Conclusions

TFC showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, peripheral antinociceptive and antihyperalgesic activity in various models of inflammatory pain. The data suggest that TFC may be a viable treatment option for inflammatory pain.
Open semantic annotation of scientific publications using DOMEO
Authors: Ciccarese Paolo , Ocana Marco , Clark Tim
Published: April 2012

Background

Our group has developed a useful shared software framework for performing, versioning, sharing and viewing Web annotations of a number of kinds, using an open representation model.

Methods

The Domeo Annotation Tool was developed in tandem with this open model, the Annotation Ontology (AO). Development of both the Annotation Framework and the open model was driven by requirements of several different types of alpha users, including bench scientists and biomedical curators from university research labs, online scientific communities, publishing and pharmaceutical companies.

Several use cases were incrementally implemented by the toolkit. These use cases in biomedical communications include personal note-taking, group document annotation, semantic tagging, claim-evidence-context extraction, reagent tagging, and curation of textmining results from entity extraction algorithms.

Results

We report on the Domeo user interface here. Domeo has been deployed in beta release as part of the NIH Neuroscience Information Framework (NIF, http://www.neuinfo.org) and is scheduled for production deployment in the NIF’s next full release.

Future papers will describe other aspects of this work in detail, including Annotation Framework Services and components for integrating with external textmining services, such as the NCBO Annotator web service, and with other textmining applications using the Apache UIMA framework.
Organ preservation using a photosynthetic solution
Authors: Yamaoka Ippei , Kikuchi Takeshi , Arata Tomohiro , Kobayashi Eiji
Published: April 2012

Background

Organs harvested from a body lapsing into circulatory deficit are exposed to low O2/high CO2, and reach a critical point where original functionality after transplantation is unlikely. The present study evaluates the effect of respiratory assistance using Chlorella photosynthesis on preservation of the rat pancreas from the viewpoint of donation after cardiac death (DCD).

Methods

Gas was exchanged through the peritoneum of rats under controlled ventilation with or without Chlorella photosynthetic respiratory assistance. A gas permeable pouch containing Chlorella in solution was placed in the peritoneum and then the space between the pouch and the peritoneum was filled with an emulsified perfluorocarbon gas carrier. Rat DCD pancreases procured 3 h after cardiac arrest were preserved for 30 min in a cold or mildly hypothermic environment or in a mildly hypothermic environment with photosynthetic respiratory support. The pancreases were then heterotopically transplanted into rats with STZ-induced diabetes.

Results

Levels of blood oxygen (PaO2) and carbon dioxide (PaCO2) increased and significantly decreased, respectively, in rats with mechanically reduced ventilation and rats given intraperitoneal photosynthetic respiratory support when compared with those without such support. Transplantation with DCD pancreases that had been stored under photosynthetic respiratory support resulted in the survival of all rats, which is impossible to achieve using pancreases that have been maintained statically in cold storage.

Conclusion

Respiratory assistance using photosynthesis helps to improve not only blood gas status in the event of respiratory insufficiency, but also graft recovery after pancreas transplantation with a DCD pancreas that has been damaged by prolonged warm ischemia.
A Genome-Wide Expression Profile of Adrenocortical Cells in Knockout Mice Lacking Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
Authors: Ishii Tomohiro , Mitsui Toshikatsu , Suzuki Sadafumi , Matsuzaki Yumi , Hasegawa Tomonobu
Published: April 2012

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) facilitates cholesterol transfer into the inner mitochondrial membrane in the acute phase of steroidogenesis. Mice lacking StAR (Star−/−) share phenotypes with human individuals having congenital lipoid adrenal hyperplasia including compromised production of steroid hormones and florid accumulation of cholesterol esters in adrenal glands and gonads. To define a specific pattern of molecular changes with StAR deficiency, we performed transcriptome analysis of adrenal cells selectively isolated by fluorescent-activated cell sorting at embryonic d 17.5 or 18.5 in seven wild-type (Star+/+) or four Star−/− mice having the transgene targeting the enhanced green fluorescent protein to cell lineages that express StAR. A gene expression profile was obtained by whole-mouse genome microarray and confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR, identifying 1206 and 767 significantly up-regulated and down-regulated genes, respectively, in Star−/− mice compared with Star+/+ mice (fold difference ≥ 2 and P value < 0.05 with false discovery rate < 0.2). In Star−/− mice, expression levels of genes involved in cholesterol efflux and the inflammatory response were significantly up-regulated, whereas those related to steroid hormone biosynthesis or cholesterol biosynthesis and influx were not significantly changed. Immunoreactive Iba1 or F4/80 (macrophage marker) in adrenal glands of Star−/− mice was detected not only in an increased number of resident macrophages but also in most adrenocortical cells. These findings expand our understanding of the pathophysiology of adrenal glands with the disruption of StAR and propose a reciprocal interaction between adrenocortical cells and resident macrophages inside adrenal glands of Star−/− mice.
The link between child abuse and psychopathology: A review of neurobiological and genetic research
Authors: McCrory Eamon , De Brito Stephane A , Viding Essi
Published: April 2012

Childhood abuse is associated with later psychopathology, including conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, anxiety and depression as well as a heightened risk of health and social problems. However, the neurobiological mechanisms by which childhood adversity increases vulnerability to psychopathology remain poorly understood. There is likely to be a complex interaction between environmental experiences (such as abuse) and individual differences in risk versus protective genes, which influences the neurobiological circuitry underpinning psychological and emotional development. Neuroendocrine studies indicate an association between early adversity and atypical development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis stress response, which may predispose to psychiatric vulnerability in adulthood. Brain imaging research in children and adults is providing evidence of several structural and functional brain differences associated with early adversity. Structural differences have been reported in the corpus callosum, cerebellum and prefrontal cortex. Functional differences have been reported in regions implicated in emotional and behavioural regulation, including the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex. These differences at the neurobiological level may represent adaptations to early experiences of heightened stress that lead to an increased risk of psychopathology. We also consider the clinical implications of future neurobiological and genetic research.
Doctors who considered but did not pursue specific clinical specialties as careers: questionnaire surveys
Authors: Goldacre Michael J , Goldacre Raph , Lambert Trevor W
Published: April 2012

Objectives

To report doctors' rejection of specialties as long-term careers and reasons for rejection.

Design

Postal questionnaires.

Setting

United Kingdom.

Participants

Graduates of 2002, 2005 and 2008 from all UK medical schools, surveyed one year after qualification.

Main outcome measures

Current specialty choice; any choice that had been seriously considered but not pursued (termed ‘rejected’ choices) with reasons for rejection.

Results

2573 of 9155 respondents (28%) had seriously considered but then not pursued a specialty choice. By comparison with positive choices, general practice was under-represented among rejected choices: it was the actual choice of 27% of respondents and the rejected choice of only 6% of those who had rejected a specialty. Consideration of ‘job content’ was important in not pursuing general practice (cited by 78% of those who considered but rejected a career in general practice), psychiatry (72%), radiology (69%) and pathology (68%). The surgical specialties were the current choice of 20% of respondents and had been considered but rejected by 32% of doctors who rejected a specialty. Issues of work-life balance were the single most common factor, particularly for women, in not pursuing the surgical specialties, emergency medicine, the medical hospital specialties, paediatrics, and obstetrics and gynaecology. Competition for posts, difficult examinations, stressful working conditions, and poor training were mentioned but were mainly minority concerns.

Conclusions

There is considerable diversity between doctors in their reasons for finding specialties attractive or unattractive. This underlines the importance of recruitment strategies to medical school that recognize diversity of students' interests and aptitudes.
When more is Less: The Impact of Base Value Neglect on Consumer Preferences for Bonus Packs over Price Discounts
Authors: Chen Haipeng (Allan) , Marmorstein Howard , Tsiros Michael , Rao Akshay R.
Published: April 2012

The interpretation of a percentage change often hinges on the base value to which it is attached. The authors identify a tendency among consumers to neglect base values when processing percentage change information and investigate the implications of such base value neglect for how consumers evaluate economically equivalent offers presented in percentage terms, such as bonus packs and price discounts. The authors first document a substantial advantage in sales volume for a bonus pack over an economically equivalent price discount in a field experiment conducted in a retail store. Furthermore, in a mall-intercept survey and multiple lab studies, the authors provide additional evidence in support of the effect and identify managerially useful boundary conditions for when the effect is likely to manifest. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and managerial implications of the findings.
Assessment of Physical and Chemical Aspects of New Persian Walnut Cultivars to Optimize Process Conditions
Authors: Gharibzahedi Seyed Mohammad Taghi , Mousavi Seyed Mohammad , Ghahderijani Mohammad , Dadashpour Ahmad
Published: April 2012

This paper describes comparative analysis some of physical and chemical properties of novel Persian walnut cultivars (cv. Urmia and Toyserkan) grown in Iran. The physical properties in terms of linear dimensions, geometric mean diameter, mass, volume, sphericity, surface area, true and bulk densities, porosity, repose angle, shell ratio and static coefficient of friction of nuts and kernels of the walnut cultivars were determined. The highest fat (66.1%), dietary fiber (4.8%), protein (16.33%), potassium (311mg 100g-1) and magnesium (97.5mg 100g-1) contents were obtained in Urmia cultivar (14.92%). Linoleic acid was the major fatty acid, followed by oleic, linolenic and palmitic acids. Amino acid composition analyses indicated that acidic amino acids were the most prominent group with a range from 31.06% (Toyserkan cultivar) to 31.09% (Urmia cultivar).
New insight into the mechanisms associated with the rapid effect of T3 on AT1R expression
Authors: Diniz Gabriela Placoná , Takano Ana Paula Cremasco , Bruneto Erika , da Silva Francemilson Goulart , Nunes Maria Tereza , Barreto-Chaves Maria Luiza Morais
Published: April 2012

The angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy promoted by thyroid hormone. Recently, we demonstrated that triiodothyronine (T3) rapidly increases AT1R mRNA and protein levels in cardiomyocyte cultures. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these rapid events are not yet known. In this study, we investigated the T3effect onAT1RmRNA polyadenylation in cultured cardiomyocytes as well as on the expression of microRNA-350 (miR-350), which targetsAT1RmRNA. The transcriptional and translational actions mediated by T3onAT1Rlevels were also assessed. The total content of ubiquitinated proteins in cardiomyocytes treated with T3was investigated. Our data confirmed that T3rapidly raised AT1R mRNA and protein levels, as assessed by real-time PCR and western blotting respectively. The use of inhibitors of mRNA and protein synthesis prevented the rapid increase in AT1R protein levels mediated by T3. In addition, T3rapidly increased the poly-A tail length of theAT1RmRNA, as determined by rapid amplification of cDNA ends poly-A test, and decreased the content of ubiquitinated proteins in cardiomyocytes. On the other hand, T3treatment increased miR-350 expression. In parallel with its transcriptional and translational effects on theAT1R, T3exerted a rapid posttranscriptional action onAT1RmRNA polyadenylation, which might be contributing to increase transcript stability, as well as on translational efficiency, resulting to the rapid increase in AT1R mRNA expression and protein levels. Finally, these results show, for the first time, that T3rapidly triggers distinct mechanisms, which might contribute to the regulation of AT1R levels in cardiomyocytes.
Identification of gene pathways altered by deletion of the androgen receptor specifically in mineralizing osteoblasts and osteocytes in mice
Authors: Russell Patricia K , Clarke Michele V , Skinner Jarrod P , Pang Tammy P S , Zajac Jeffrey D , Davey Rachel A
Published: April 2012

Androgens play a key role in skeletal growth and maintenance in males and can mediate their actions, at least in part, via the androgen receptor (AR) in osteoblasts. To investigate the mechanisms by which androgens exert their effects via the AR in mineralizing osteoblasts and osteocytes, we identified gene targets/pathways regulated by the AR using targeted gene expression and microarray approaches on bone isolated from mice in which the AR is specifically deleted in mineralizing osteoblasts and osteocytes (mOBL-ARKOs). Gene ontology mining indicated a number of biological processes to be affected in the bones of mOBL-ARKOs including skeletal and muscular system development and carbohydrate metabolism. All genes identified to have altered expression in the bones of mOBL-ARKOs were confirmed by Q-PCR for their androgen responsiveness in an androgen deprivation and replacement mouse model. The osteoblast genesCol1a1andBglapand the osteoclast genesCtskandRANKL(Tnfs11) were upregulated in the bones of mOBL-ARKOs, consistent with the increased matrix synthesis, mineralization, and bone resorption observed previously in these mice. Of significant interest, we identified genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism (adiponectin andDpp4) and in growth and development (GH,Tgfb(Tgfb2),Wnt4) as potential targets of androgen action via the AR in mineralizing osteoblasts.
Comparative simulation study of gas-phase propylene polymerization in fluidized bed reactors using aspen polymers and two phase models
Authors: Shamiria Ahmad , Hussaina M.A. , Mjallic Farouq , Mostoufid Navid
Published: April 2012

A comparative study describing gas-phase propylene polymerization in
fluidized-bed reactors using Ziegler-Natta catalyst is presented. The reactor
behavior was explained using a two-phase model (which is based on principles
of fluidization) as well as simulation using the Aspen Polymers process
simulator. The two-phase reactor model accounts for the emulsion and bubble
phases which contain different portions of catalysts with the polymerization
occurring in both phases. Both models predict production rate, molecular
weight, polydispersity index (PDI) and melt flow index (MFI) of the polymer.
We used both models to investigate the effect of important polymerization
parameters, namely catalyst feed rate and hydrogen concentration, on the
product polypropylene properties, such as production rate, molecular weight,
PDI and MFI. Both the two-phase model and Aspen Polymers simulator showed
good agreement in terms of production rate. However, the models differed in
their predictions for weight-average molecular weight, PDI and MFI. Based on
these results, we propose incorporating the missing hydrodynamic effects into
Aspen Polymers to provide a more realistic understanding of the phenomena
encountered in fluidized bed reactors for polyolefin production.
The influence of sodium-polyacrilic macromolecular chain length to the powder detergents secondary washing performances
Authors: Milojevic Vladimir , Nikolic Ljubisa , Nikolic Goran , Stamenkovic Jakov
Published: April 2012

In order to investigate the influence of sodium-polyacrylate polymer as a
co-builder in addition to the carbonate/zeolite builders in detergent builder
system, secondary washing performances of powder laundry detergent containing
equal percentage of sodium polyacrylate with the different weight average
molar mass, Mw, have been examined. The value of the degree of whiteness,
elongation at break, and total residue content are the most important
secondary washing performances that significantly depend on sodium
polyacrylates efficiency used as crystal inhibitors, stabilizers for
suspended soil, and agents for soil redisposition prevention on fabric
surface. The values of the whiteness and elongation at break for cotton
fabrics increase with the increase of average weight molecular mass, Mw, up
to the value of 70000 g/mol, while in the case of further increase of weight
average molar mass up to the 250000 g/mol value of these characteristics
begin to decline. The values of the total residue content after combustion
indicate an increase in its content with the increase of weight average molar
mass of 3000 to 70000 g/mol, while the highest value has been reached in the
sample of detergent containing sodiumpolyacrilic with the weight average
molar mass of 250000 g/mol. All detergent samples show no significant
dependence of the secondary washing characteristics on the number of washing
cycles.
Correlation of the liquid mixture viscosities
Authors: Knezevic-Stevanovic Andjela , Babic Goran , Kijevcanin Mirjana , Serbanovic Slobodan , Grozdanic Dusan
Published: April 2012

In this paper forty two selected correlation models for liquid mixture
viscosities of organic compounds were tested on 219 binary and 41 ternary
sets of experimental data taken from literature. The binary sets contained
3675 experimental data points for 70 different compounds. The ternary sets
contained 2879 experimental data points for 29 different compounds. The Heric
I, Heric-Brewer II, and Krishnan-Laddha models demonstrated the best
correlative characteristics for binary mixtures (overall absolute average
deviation < 2%). The Heric I, Heric-Brewer II, Krishnan-Laddha and Heric II
models demonstrated the best correlative characteristics for ternary mixtures
(overall absolute average deviation < 3%).
Glaciar Jorge Montt (Chilean Patagonia) dynamics derived from photos obtained by fixed cameras and satellite image feature tracking
Authors: Rivera Andrés , Corripio Javier , Bravo Claudio , Cisternas Sebastián
Published: April 2012

Tidewater calving glaciers can undergo large fluctuations not necessarily in direct response to climate, but rather owing to complex ice–water interactions at the glacier termini. One example of this process in Chilean Patagonia is Glaciar Jorge Montt, where two cameras were installed in February 2010, collecting up to four glacier photographs per day, until they were recovered on 22 January 2011. Ice velocities were derived from feature tracking of the geo-referenced photos, yielding a mean value of 13 ±4 md–1 for the whole lower part of the glacier. These velocities were compared to satellite-imagery-derived feature tracking obtained in February 2010, resulting in similar values. During the operational period of the cameras, the glacier continued to retreat (1 km), experiencing one of the highest calving fluxes ever recorded in Patagonia (2.4 km3 a–1). Comparison with previous data also revealed ice acceleration in recent years. These very high velocities are clearly a response to enhanced glacier calving activity into a deep water fjord.
A Low-Carbon Dispatch Model in a Wind Power Integrated System Considering Wind Speed Forecasting and Energy-Environmental Efficiency
Authors: Chen Daojun , Gong Qingwu , Zou Bichang , Zhang Xiaohui , Zhao Jian
Published: April 2012

This paper introduces the “Energy-Environmental Efficiency” concept of building a low-carbon dispatch model of wind-incorporated power systems from the perspective of environmental protection and low-carbon dispatch promotion based on the existing economic environmental dispatch. A rolling auto-regressive and moving-average model is adopted to forecast wind speeds for the next 24 h and reduce the disadvantages brought about to the power system dispatch by wind speed fluctuations. A fuzzy satisfaction-maximizing approach is employed to convert the multi-objective decision-making problem in the low-carbon dispatch model into a single nonlinear one. Particle swarm optimization with a simulated annealing algorithm hybrid is used for better solutions. Simulation results show that the energy-environmental efficiency concept benefits the optimization of the proposed power system dispatch, and the proposed low-carbon dispatch model is reasonable and practical.
An Integrated Performance Evaluation Model for the Photovoltaics Industry
Authors: Lee Amy H. I. , Lin Chun Yu , Kang He-Yau , Lee Wen Hsin
Published: April 2012

Global warming is causing damaging changes to climate around the World. For environmental protection and natural resource scarcity, alternative forms of energy, such as wind energy, fire energy, hydropower energy, geothermal energy, solar energy, biomass energy, ocean power and natural gas, are gaining attention as means of meeting global energy demands. Due to Japan’s nuclear plant disaster in March 2011, people are demanding a good alternative energy resource, which not only produces zero or little air pollutants and greenhouse gases, but also with a high safety level to protect the World. Solar energy, which depends on an infinite resource, the sun, is one of the most promising renewable energy sources from the perspective of environmental sustainability. Currently, the manufacturing cost of solar cells is still very high, and the power conversion efficiency is low. Therefore, photovoltaics (PV) firms must continue to invest in research and development, commit to product differentiation, achieve economies of scale, and consider the possibility of vertical integration, in order to strengthen their competitiveness and to acquire the maximum benefit from the PV market. This research proposes a performance evaluation model by integrating analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) to assess the current business performance of PV firms. AHP is applied to obtain experts’ opinions on the importance of the factors, and DEA is used to determine which firms are efficient. A case study is performed on the crystalline silicon PV firms in Taiwan. The findings shall help the firms determine their strengths and weaknesses and provide directions for future improvements in business operations.
Poisson Parameters of Antimicrobial Activity: A Quantitative Structure-Activity Approach
Authors: Sestraş Radu E. , Jäntschi Lorentz , Bolboacă Sorana D.
Published: April 2012

A contingency of observed antimicrobial activities measured for several compounds vs. a series of bacteria was analyzed. A factor analysis revealed the existence of a certain probability distribution function of the antimicrobial activity. A quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis for the overall antimicrobial ability was conducted using the population statistics associated with identified probability distribution function. The antimicrobial activity proved to follow the Poisson distribution if just one factor varies (such as chemical compound or bacteria). The Poisson parameter estimating antimicrobial effect, giving both mean and variance of the antimicrobial activity, was used to develop structure-activity models describing the effect of compounds on bacteria and fungi species. Two approaches were employed to obtain the models, and for every approach, a model was selected, further investigated and found to be statistically significant. The best predictive model for antimicrobial effect on bacteria and fungi species was identified using graphical representation of observed vs. calculated values as well as several predictive power parameters.
Synthesis Mechanism of Low-Voltage Praseodymium Oxide Doped Zinc Oxide Varistor Ceramics Prepared Through Modified Citrate Gel Coating
Authors: Wan Abdullah Wan Rafizah , Zakaria Azmi , Ghazali Mohd Sabri Mohd
Published: April 2012

High demands on low-voltage electronics have increased the need for zinc oxide (ZnO) varistors with fast response, highly non-linear current-voltage characteristics and energy absorption capabilities at low breakdown voltage. However, trade-off between breakdown voltage and grain size poses a critical bottle-neck in the production of low-voltage varistors. The present study highlights the synthesis mechanism for obtaining praseodymium oxide (Pr6O11) based ZnO varistor ceramics having breakdown voltages of 2.8 to 13.3 V/mm through employment of direct modified citrate gel coating technique. Precursor powder and its ceramics were examined by means of TG/DTG, FTIR, XRD and FESEM analyses. The electrical properties as a function of Pr6O11 addition were analyzed on the basis of I-V characteristic measurement. The breakdown voltage could be adjusted from 0.01 to 0.06 V per grain boundary by controlling the amount of Pr6O11 from 0.2 to 0.8 mol%, without alteration of the grain size. The non-linearity coefficient, α, varied from 3.0 to 3.5 and the barrier height ranged from 0.56 to 0.64 eV. Breakdown voltage and α lowering with increasing Pr6O11 content were associated to reduction in the barrier height caused by variation in O vacancies at grain boundary.
Micro-Imaging by Interference Microscopy: A Case Study of Orientation-Dependent Guest Diffusion in MFI-Type Zeolite Host Crystals
Authors: Gueudré Laurent , Binder Tomas , Chmelik Christian , Hibbe Florian , Ruthven Douglas M. , Kärger Jörg
Published: April 2012

Because of the small particle size, orientation-dependent diffusion measurements in microporous materials remains a challenging task. We highlight here the potential of micro-imaging by interference microscopy in a case study with MFI-type crystals in which, although with different accuracies, transient concentration profiles in all three directions can be observed. The measurements, which were performed with “rounded-boat” shaped crystals, reproduce the evolution patterns of the guest profiles recorded in previous studies with the more common “coffin-shaped” MFI crystals. The uptake and release patterns through the four principal faces (which in the coffin-shaped crystals extend in the longitudinal direction) are essentially coincident and there is no perceptible mass transfer in the direction of the long axis. The surface resistances of the four crystal faces through which mass transfer occurs are relatively small and have only a minor effect on the mass transfer rate. As a result of the pore structure, diffusion in the crystallographic c direction (which corresponds to the direction of the long axis) is expected to be much slower than in the transverse directions. This could explain the very low rate of mass transfer observed in the direction of the long axis, but it is also possible that the small end faces of the crystal may have high surface resistance. It is not possible to distinguish unequivocally between these two possibilities. All guest molecules studied (methyl-butane, benzene and 4-methyl-2-pentyne) show the same orientation dependence of mass transfer. The long 4-methyl-2-pentyne molecules would be expected to propagate at very different rates through the straight and sinusoidal channels. The coinciding patterns for uptake through the mutually perpendicular crystal faces therefore provide clear evidence that both the coffin shaped crystals and the rounded-boat-shaped crystals considered in this study, must be intergrowths rather than pure single crystals.
Intraparenchymal Injection of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduces Kidney Fibrosis after Ischemia-Reperfusion in Cyclosporine-Immunosuppressed Rats
Authors: Alfarano C. , Roubeix C. , Chaaya R. , Ceccaldi C. , Calise D. , Mias C. , Cussac D. , Bascands J. L. , Parini A.
Published: April 2012

Ischemia-reperfusion and immunosuppressive therapy are a major cause of progressive renal failure after kidney transplantation. Recent studies have shown that administration of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improves kidney functional recovery in the acute phase of post ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present study, we used an original model of renal ischemia-reperfusion in immunosuppressed rats (NIRC) to investigate the effects of bone marrow MSCs on progression of chronic renal failure and the mechanisms potentially involved. Left renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) was induced in unilateral nephrectomized Lewis rats. After IR, rats were treated daily with cyclosporine (10 mg/kg SC) for 28 days. MSCs were injected into the kidney at day 7 after IR. At day 28 after IR, kidneys were removed for histomorphological, biochemical, and gene expression analysis. The effect of conditioned media from MSCs on epithelial–mesenchymal transition was studied in vitro on HK2 cells. Our results show that, as compared to untreated NIRC rats, rats treated by intrarenal injection of MSCs 7 days after IR displayed improvement in renal function, reduction of interstitial fibrosis, and decrease in chronic tubule injury. These effects were associated with a decrease in interstitial α-SMA accumulation and MMP2 activity, markers of fibroblast/fibroblast-like cell activation, and renal remodeling, respectively. Finally, experiments in vitro showed that MSC-conditioned medium prevented epithelial–mesenchymal transition induced by TGF-β in HK2 cells. In conclusion, our results show that, in immunosuppressed animals, a single intrarenal administration of MSCs reduced renal fibrosis and promoted the recovery of renal function.
Blockade of Endothelial GiProtein Enhances Early Engraftment in Intraportal Cell Transplant to Mouse Liver
Authors: Alfaro Javier , Grau Montserrat , Serrano Manuel , Checa Ana I. , Criado Luis Miguel , Moreno Enrique , Paz-Artal Estela , Mellado Mario , Serrano Antonio
Published: April 2012

The limited availability of liver donors and recent progress in cell therapy technologies has centered interest on cell transplantation as a therapeutic alternative to orthotopic liver transplant for restoring liver function. Following transplant by intraportal perfusion, the main obstacle to cell integration in the parenchyma is the endothelial barrier. Transplanted cells form emboli in the portal branches, inducing ischemia and reperfusion injury, which cause disruption of endothelial impermeability and activate the immune system. Approximately 95% of transplanted cells fail to implant and die within hours by anoikis or are destroyed by the host immune system. Intravascular perfusion of Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTx) blocks endothelial Giproteins and acts as a reversible inducer of actin cytoskeleton reorganization, leading to interruption of cell confluence in vitro and increased vascular permeability in vivo. PTx treatment of the murine portal vascular tree 2 h before intraportal perfusion of embryonic stem cells facilitated rapid cell engraftment. By 2 h postperfusion, the number of implanted cells in treated mice was more than fivefold greater than in untreated controls, a difference that was maintained to at least 30 days posttransplant. We conclude that prior to cell transplant, PTx blockade of the Giprotein pathway in liver endothelium promotes rapid, efficient cell implantation in liver parenchyma, and blocks chemokine receptor signaling, an essential step in early activation of the immune system.
Psychosocial burden of sickle cell disease on the family, Nigeria
Authors: Adegoke Samuel A. , Kuteyi Emmanuel A.
Published: April 2012

Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), the most common genetic disorder amongst Black people, poses a significant psychosocial burden on the sufferers, the caregivers and their families.Objective and methods: From 01 January 2011 to 30 September 2011 the caregivers of children with SCD treated at the Paediatric Haematology Clinic of the University Teaching Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria, were included in a study, using a structured questionnaire and a validated, culture-relevant disease burden interview to assess the psychosocial burden of SCD on these caregivers. Three main objective psychosocial domains and some subjective domains, including the caregivers’ coping ability were assessed.Results: A total of 225 caregivers, consisting of 202 mothers (89.8%), 15 grandmothers (6.7%) and 8 fathers (3.6%) were studied. In 53.3% of the families, the care of children with SCD adversely affected the provision of their basic needs, with 73.3% of the caregivers stating that time spent caring for the child made them lose income or financial benefits; 19.6% of the caregivers had to take out loans to meet the expenditure of the patient’s illness. Caring for children with SCD reportedly made 42.2% of the caregivers neglect other family members. In addition, 14.2% of the families experienced moderate to severe disruption in their day-to-day interactions within the family to the extent that 12.4% frequently quarrelled due to the child’s illness.Conclusion: Caregivers are faced with enormous financial, interpersonal and psychological problems. Social support should be available to alleviate caregivers’ and/or family members’ burdens.
Intracytoplasmic Morphologically selected Sperm Injection vs Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Dalal Rutvij Jay , Palshetkar Nandita P , Mishra Akanksha P
Published: April 2012

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of using the technique of intracytoplasm morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) as compared to the conventionally used intracytoplasmic sperm injection ((ICSI) procedure. IMSI, as the name suggests, is the technique of selecting the most normal looking sperm by magnifying it to about 7200 times. A total of 192 patients who underwent the treatment ofin vitrofertilization (IVF) with us by either one of the two procedures of IMSI or ICSI over a period of 18 months were included in the study. Out of these 92 were included in the IMSI group while 100 others in the ICSI group according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pregnancy rate among patients who underwent IMSI was found to be significantly higher (52.1%) as compared to those with ICSI (36%). Furthermore, even the implantation rates were higher in the IMSI group (30.12%) than the ICSI (19.93%) group.
Phocomelia: An Extremely Rare Congenital Disorder involving the Limbs (Dysmelia)
Authors: Shekokar Sunita Pawar , Shah Tasneem , Chandana C
Published: April 2012

Phocomelia—phoco(seal), melia(limbs)—is a rare congenital deformity in which hands or feet are attached close to the trunk, the limbs being grossly underdeveloped or absent. The babies are born with limbs that look like flippers on a seal. The two main etiological factors of phocomelia are genetic inheritance and use of the drug thalidomide. Here, we present a case of phocomelia in second gravida without exposure to thalidomide.
Characterization of ions at Alpine waterfalls
Authors: Kolarž P. , Gaisberger M. , Madl P. , Hofmann W. , Ritter M. , Hartl A.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. During a three-year field campaign of measuring waterfall generated ions, we monitored five different waterfalls in the Austrian Alps. Most measurements were performed at the Krimml waterfall (Salzburg, Austria), which is the biggest waterfall in Europe, and the Gartl waterfall (Mölltal, Austria). We characterized spatial, time and size distributions of waterfall-generated ions under the influence of surrounding topography. The smallest ions with boundary diameters of 0.9, 1.5 and 2 nm, were measured with a cylindrical air ion detector (CDI-06), while ion sizes from 5.5 to 350 nm were measured using a modified Grimm SMPS aerosol spectrometer. High negative ion concentration gradients are detected in the vicinity of the waterfalls, whereas the increase of positive ions was only moderate. Ions in the nano range were the most abundant at 2 nm, and at 120 nm in the sub-micrometer range.
Merging aerosol optical depth data from multiple satellite missions to view agricultural biomass burning in Central and East China
Authors: Xue Y. , Xu H. , Mei L. , Guang J. , Guo J. , Li Y. , Hou T. , Li C. , Yang L. , He X.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Agricultural biomass burning (ABB) in Central and East China occurs every year from May to October and peaks in June. The biomass burning event in June 2007 was very strong. During the period from 26 May to 16 June 2007, ABB occurred mainly in Anhui, Henan, Jiangsu and Shandong provinces. A comprehensive set of aerosol optical depth (AOD) data, produced by a merger of AOD product data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Multiangle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MIRS), is used to study the spatial and temporal distribution of agricultural biomass aerosols in Central and East China combining with ground observations from both AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) and China Aerosol Remote Sensing NETwork (CARSNET) measurements. We compared merged AOD data with single-sensor single-algorithm AOD data (MODIS Dark Target AOD data, MODIS Deep Blue AOD data, SRAP-MODIS AOD data and MISR AOD data). In this comparison, we found merged AOD products can improve the quality of AOD products from single-sensor single-algorithm data sets by expanding the spatial coverage of the study area and keeping the statistical confidence in AOD parameters. There existed high correlation (0.8479) between the merged AOD data and AERONET measurements. Our merged AOD data make use of synergetic information conveyed in all of the available satellite data. The merged AOD data were used for the analysis of the biomass burning event from 26 May to 16 June 2007 together with meteorological data. The merged AOD products and the ground observations from China suggest that biomass burning in Central and East China has had great impact on AOD over China. Influenced by this ABB, the highest AOD value in Beijing on 12 June 2007 reached 5.71.
Cyclobutyl methyl ketone as a model compound for pinonic acid to elucidate oxidation mechanisms
Authors: Praplan A. P. , Barmet P. , Dommen J. , Baltensperger U.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. 3-Methyl-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid (MBTCA), terpenylic acid and diaterpenylic acid acetate were identified in secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from α-pinene photooxidation or ozonolysis. These compounds display interesting structural features: MBTCA has a high oxygen to carbon ratio, terpenylic acid contains a lactone ring in its structure and diaterpenylic acid acetate possesses an ester functional group. The reaction mechanisms leading to these products are still unknown, but it was demonstrated experimentally in earlier studies that MBTCA is formed from pinonic acid, a primary ozonolysis product of α-pinene. Because the direct observation of pinonic acid oxidation in a smog chamber would be difficult due to its relatively low volatility, a model compound possessing the substructure of interest was used instead: cyclobutyl methyl ketone (CMK). From its oxidation, several organic acids could be measured with ion chromatography (IC) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS). Succinic acid, the analogous product of MBTCA is formed at molar yields of 2 to 5%. Butyrolactone is detected as butanoic acid, due to hydrolysis in the sampling device. A monocarboxylic acid with nominal mass 146 was detected in the absence of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and could be the analogous product of diaterpenylic acid acetate. However, due to a lack of available standards, the exact structure of this compound remains unelucidated. Finally, 4-oxobutanoic acid could also be measured and two structures of its expected analogous compound from pinonic acid oxidation are proposed. Because these compounds are primary products of the CMK oxidation, reaction mechanisms capable of adding one or two carboxylic functional groups without formation of stable intermediate products needs to be formulated. Such a formation mechanism of MBTCA from pinonic acid was found in the literature; however, it includes a hydrogen atom migration to an acyloxy radical, which is expected to loose carbon dioxide (CO2) very rapidly. A competitive reaction pathway is expected to lead to the formation of a monocarboxylic acid with nominal mass 144, instead of this acyloxy radical; however, no such monocarboxylic acid was measured and other reaction pathways still need to be explored.
Level 1 algorithms for TANSO on GOSAT: processing and on-orbit calibrations
Authors: Kuze A. , Suto H. , Shiomi K. , Urabe T. , Nakajima M. , Yoshida J. , Kawashima T. , Yamamoto Y. , Kataoka F.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. The Thermal And Near infrared Sensor for carbon Observation Fourier-Transform Spectrometer (TANSO-FTS) onboard the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT)(nicknamed "Ibuki") has been providing global space-borne observations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) since 2009. In this paper, first, the most recent operational Level 1 algorithms to produce the spectral radiance from the acquired interferogram are described. Second, we will describe the on-orbit characteristics and calibrations of TANSO-FTS. Overall functions and performances such as signal to noise ratio and spectral resolution are within design objectives. Correction methods of small on-orbit degradations and anomalies, which have been found since the launch are described. Lastly, calibrations of TANSO Cloud and Aerosol Imager (TANSO-CAI) are summarized. However, the Level 1B algorithms of TANSO-CAI are not mentioned, here in this paper.
Experimental evidence of the simultaneous occurrence of VLF chorus on the ground in the global azimuthal scale – from pre-midnight to the late morning
Authors: Manninen J. , Kleimenova N. G. , Kozyreva O. V. , Parrot M. , Raita T. , Turunen T.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. Night-time VLF (very low frequency) chorus bursts lasting about one hour have been recorded at Finnish temporal station Kannuslehto (CGM: 64.2°; 107.9°, L = 5.3) during two VLF campaigns (on 25 February–4 March 2008 and 27 March–17 April 2011). The chorus bursts were associated with substorm development. They were accompanied by riometer absorption enhancements, which occurred simultaneously within as large longitude areas as from pre-midnight (Sodankylä, ~22:00 MLT) to the late morning (Tixie, ~03:00 MLT and Gakona, ~08:00 MLT) longitudes. It was found that the pre-midnight chorus observed on the ground occurred simultaneously with VLF chorus emissions recorded in the late morning on the low-altitude DEMETER satellite crossing the similar geomagnetic latitudes on the opposite local time sector. For the first time some evidence of simultaneous chorus burst generation in the global longitudinal scale was found (from pre-midnight to the late morning) by using direct comparison with satellite data as well as using non-direct indicator–azimuthally extended riometer absorption enhancements.
Modeling the distribution of ammonia across Europe including bi-directional surface-atmosphere exchange
Authors: Wichink Kruit R. J. , Schaap M. , Sauter F. J. , van Zanten M. C. , van Pul W. A. J.
Published: April 2012

Abstract. A large shortcoming of current chemistry transport models for simulating the fate of ammonia in the atmosphere is the lack of a description of the bi-directional surface-atmosphere exchange. In this paper, results of an update of the dry deposition module DEPAC in the LOTOS-EUROS model are discussed. It is shown that with the new description, which includes bi-directional surface-atmosphere exchange, the modeled ammonia concentrations increase almost everywhere, in particular in agricultural source areas. The reason is that by using a compensation point the ammonia life time and transport distance is increased. As a consequence, deposition of ammonia and ammonium decreases in agricultural source areas, while it increases in large nature areas and remote regions especially in Southern Scandinavia. The inclusion of a compensation point for water reduces the dry deposition over sea and allows reproducing the observed marine background concentrations at coastal locations to a better extend. A comparison with measurements shows that the model results better represent the measured ammonia concentrations. The concentrations in nature areas are slightly overestimated, while the concentrations in agricultural source areas are still underestimated. Although the introduction of the compensation point improves the model performance, the modeling of ammonia remains challenging. Important aspects are emission patterns in space and time as well as a proper approach to deal with the high concentration gradients in relation to model resolution. In short, the inclusion of a bi-directional surface atmosphere exchange is a significant step forward for modeling ammonia.