bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PORE‐LINING CHLORITE CEMENTS IN LACUSTRINE‐DELTAIC SANDSTONES FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC YANCHANG FORMATION, ORDOS BASIN, CHINA
Authors: Zhang Xia , Lin Chun‐Ming , Cai Yuan‐Feng , Qu Chang‐Wei , Chen Zhao‐You
Published: June 2012

Non‐marine sandstones in the upper Triassic Yanchang Formation constitute an important reservoir rock in the Zhenjing area of SW Ordos Basin, Central China. A study of the diagenetic history of these sandstones, including the formation of pore‐lining chlorite cements, was undertaken to investigate controls on reservoir quality. Data came from the petrographic analysis of cores from five wells. The sandstones were deposited in a lacustrine‐deltaic setting and consist of fine‐to medium‐grained feldspathic litharenites and lithic arkoses, and in general have low porosity and permeability. The principal diagenetic processes observed were compaction, cementation, dissolution and replacement. Mechanical compaction and calcite cementation caused a reduction in reservoir quality. The precipitation of pore‐lining chlorite inhibited quartz cementation and preserved porosities of up to 16%. The chlorite occurs in a double layer which lines pore spaces, particularly in distributary channel sandstones. Both chlorite layers grew by precipitation from pore waters containing the products of dissolution of volcanic rock fragments, biotites and feldspars. An increase of temperature during diagenesis was probably the cause of the two generations of chlorite cement, and also of the observed variations in elemental concentrations between the earlier‐ and later‐formed chlorite. The chlorite was precipitated after early compaction but before other diagenetic phases.
Axial Diffusivity and Tensor Shape as Early Markers to Assess Cerebral White Matter Damage Caused by Brain Tumors Using Quantitative Diffusion Tensor Tractography
Authors: Chen Fei , Zhang Xin , Li Ming , Wang Rong , Wang Hui‐Ting , Zhu Feng , Lu De‐Ji , Zhao Hui , Li Jing‐Wei , Xu Yun , Zhu Bin , Zhang Bing
Published: June 2012

Aims

We investigated the usefulness of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) for differentiating between histological pathologies and evaluating white matter (WM) damage resulting from brain tumors. We also sought to categorize the appearance of brain tumor–related WM tract changes.

Methods

A total of 18 inpatients with intracranial neoplasms were enrolled. MRI examinations were performed at 3 T using an 8‐channel phased array coil. DTT was reconstruction from the raw data of diffusion tensor imaging. WM tract–based analysis of the mean diffusivity (MD), eigenvalues (λ1, λ2, λ3), and fractional anisotropy (FA) was performed by the manual placement of regions of interest (ROIs) on the color‐coded FA maps using DTIStudio software. The axial diffusivity (DA, namely λ1) and the tensor shape (Cl, namely (λ1 − λ2)/3 (λ)) were also compared between groups. P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

In cases of low‐grade glioma (LGG), the tracts adjacent to the tumors displayed the highest levels of invasion. Tract disruption was mainly observed in cases of high‐grade glioma (HGG). We found significant differences regarding the FA, MD, DA, and radial diffusivity between ROIs in patients with LGG or HGG. There were also significant differences in DA and tensor shape (Cl) between patients with LGG and HGG.

Conclusion

Axial diffusivity and Cl may be useful early markers for differentiating between LGG and HGG.
Pattern of skin thickness progression and clinical correlation in Thai scleroderma patients
Authors: Foocharoen Chingching , Mahakkanukrauh Ajanee , Suwannaroj Siraphop , Nanagara Ratanavadee
Published: June 2012

Background

Skin thickness progression in scleroderma (SSc) varies in daily clinical practice observation.

Objectives

To define the pattern of skin thickness among Thai sufferers of SSc and to ascertain the clinical correlation with each skin pattern.

Methods

A 3‐year follow‐up cohort was performed on patients over 15 years of age in Khon Kaen, Thailand, between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2006. The progression of skin thickness equals the modified Rodnan skin score at the end minus the score at onset divided by the duration of the disease.

Results

SSc cases (117) were included and the female‐to‐male ratio was 70 : 47. The mean age at onset was 49.8 years (range 24.4–75.5). The most common skin patterns were: (i) ‘slow progression to peak then slow regression’ (77 cases; 65.8%); followed by (ii) ‘continuous slow progression’ (37; 31.6%); (iii) ‘continuous intermediate progression’ (2; 1.7%); and (iv) ‘slow progression to peak then intermediate regression’ (1; 0.9%). The respective mean peak skin score and duration of disease at peak skin score was 19.8 points (range 4–45) and 20.3 months (range 1.0–42.2). Only telangiectasia at onset and contracture of joint(s) were related to ‘continuous slow progression’ of skin thickness with P = 0.001 and P = 0.042, respectively. Neither SSc subsets nor internal organ involvement were correlated with skin thickness pattern.

Conclusion

The most common skin pattern in Thai SSc was ‘slow progression to peak then slow regression’. Telangiectasia at onset and contracture of joint(s) were predictive of continuous progressive skin thickness in the first 3 years.
Socioeconomic variation in diet and activity‐related behaviours of Australian children and adolescents aged 2–16 years
Authors: Cameron A. J. , Ball K. , Pearson N. , Lioret S. , Crawford D. A. , Campbell K. , Hesketh K. , McNaughton S. A.
Published: June 2012

Background

Evidence for age‐related variation in the relationship between obesity‐related behaviours and socioeconomic position may assist in the targeting of dietary and physical activity interventions among children.

Objective

To investigate the relationship between different indicators of socioeconomic position and obesity‐related behaviours across childhood and adolescence.

Methods

Data were from 4487 children aged 2 to 16 years participating in the cross‐sectional 2007 Australian National Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Socioeconomic position was defined by the highest education of the primary or secondary carer and parental income. Activity was assessed using recall methods with physical activity also assessed using pedometers. Intake of energy‐dense drinks and snack foods, fruits and vegetables was assessed using 2 × 24‐h dietary recalls.

Results

A socioeconomic gradient was evident for each dietary measure (although in age‐specific analyses, not for energy‐dense snacks in older children), as well as television viewing, but not physical activity. Whether each behaviour was most strongly related to parental income or education of the primary or secondary carer was age and sex dependent. The socioeconomic gradient was strongest for television viewing time and consumption of fruit and energy‐dense drinks.

Conclusions

A strong socioeconomic gradient in eating behaviours and television viewing time was observed. Relationships for particular behaviours differed by age, sex and how socioeconomic position was defined. Socioeconomic indicators define different population groups and represent different components of socioeconomic position. These findings may provide insights into who should be targeted in preventive health efforts at different life stages.
Differential changes in vascular mRNA levels between rat iliac and renal arteries produced by cessation of voluntary running
Authors: Padilla Jaume , Jenkins Nathan T. , Roberts Michael D. , Arce‐Esquivel Arturo A. , Martin Jeffrey S. , Laughlin M. Harold , Booth Frank W.
Published: June 2012

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

While it is well accepted that long‐term physical inactivity is associated with an increased cardiovascular risk, the early effects of adoption of a sedentary lifestyle on the vasculature have not been characterized at the molecular level.

What is the main finding and its importance?

The primary finding of this study is that transition from high to low physical activity produces modest changes in mRNA expression for some pro‐and anti‐atherogenic genes, but that both the genes affected and direction of change differ between iliac and renal artery. This heterogeneous effect of short‐term physical inactivity could be attributed to the distinct alterations in haemodynamic forces between these arteries.

Early vascular changes at the molecular level caused by adoption of a sedentary lifestyle are incompletely characterized. Herein, we employed the rodent wheel‐lock model to identify mRNAs in the arterial wall that are responsive to the acute transition from higher to lower levels of daily physical activity. Specifically, we evaluated whether short‐term cessation of voluntary wheel running alters vascular mRNA levels in rat conduit arteries previously reported to have marked increases (i.e. iliac artery) versus marked decreases (i.e. renal artery) in blood flow during running. We used young female Wistar rats with free access to voluntary running wheels. Following 23 days of voluntary running (average distance of ∼15 km per night; ∼4.4 h per night), rats in one group were rapidly transitioned to a sedentary state by locking the wheels for 7 days (n= 9; wheel‐lock 7 day rats) or remained active in a second group for an additional 7 days (n= 9; wheel‐lock 0 day rats). Real‐time PCR was conducted on total RNA isolated from iliac and renal arteries to evaluate expression of 25 pro‐atherogenic and anti‐atherogenic genes. Compared with the iliac arteries of wheel‐lock 0 day rats, iliac arteries of wheel‐lock 7 day rats exhibited increased expression of TNFR1 (+19%), ET1 (+59%) and LOX‐1 (+31%; all P < 0.05). Moreover, compared with renal arteries of wheel‐lock 0 day rats, renal arteries of wheel‐lock 7 day rats exhibited decreased expression of ETb (−23%), p47phox (−32%) and p67phox (−19%; all P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that cessation of voluntary wheel running for 7 days produces modest, but differential changes in mRNA levels between the iliac and renal arteries of healthy rats. This heterogeneous influence of short‐term physical inactivity could be attributed to the distinct alteration in haemodynamic forces between arteries.
An Improved MRT Lattice Boltzmann Model for Calculating Anisotropic Permeability of Compressed and Uncompressed Carbon Cloth Gas Diffusion Layers Based on X-Ray Computed Micro-Tomography
Authors: Gao Yuan , Zhang Xiaoxian , Rama Pratap , Chen Rui , Ostadi Hossein , Jiang Kyle
Published: June 2012

The gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in polymer proton exchange membrane fuel cells are under compression in operation. Understanding and then being able to quantify the reduced ability of GDLs to conduct gases due to the compression is hence important in fuel cell design. In this paper, we investigated the change of anisotropic permeability of GDLs under different compressions using the improved multiple-relaxation time (MRT) lattice Boltzmann model and X-ray computed micro-tomography. The binary 3D X-ray images of GDLs under different compressions were obtained using the technologies we developed previously, and the permeability of the GDLs in both through-plane and in-plane directions was calculated by simulating gas flow at micron scale through the 3D images. The results indicated that, in comparison with the single-relaxation time (SRT) lattice Boltzmann model commonly used in the literature, the MRT model is robust and flexible in choosing model parameters. The SRT model can give accurate results only when using a specific relaxation parameter whose value varies with porosity. The simulated results using the MRT model reveal that compression could lead to a significant decrease in permeability in both through-plane and in-plane directions, and that the relationship between the decreased permeability and porosity can be well described by both Kozeny-Carman relation and the equation derived by Tomadakis and Sotirchos (1993, “Ordinary and Transition Rdgime Diffusion in Random Fiber Structure,” AIChE J., 39, pp. 397–412) for porosity in the range from 50% to 85%. Since GDLs compression takes place mainly in the through-plane direction, the results presented in this work could provide an easy way to estimate permeability reduction in both through-plane and in-plane directions when the compressive pressure is known.
GaN-based light-emitting diodes with embedded air void arrays
Authors: Shen Yue , Li Shuguang , Kuo De-Shan , Chang Shoou-Jinn , Lam Kin-Tak , Wen Kuo-Hsun
Published: June 2012

The authors report the formation of air void arrays with controlled size and density embedded in the GaN epitaxial layers by patterning and re-growth. It was found that wizard’s-hat-shaped voids were formed after coalescence. GaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with such air void arrays were also fabricated and were found to achieve a 56% enhancement in LED output power with the embedding of 3 μm × 3 μm air void arrays due to the effective scattering and re-direction of photons emitted from the active region of the LEDs.
Effect of Linezolid on the 50% Lethal Dose and 50% Protective Dose in Treatment of Infections by Gram-Negative Pathogens in Naive and Immunosuppressed Mice and on the Efficacy of Ciprofloxacin in an Acute Murine Model of Septicemia
Authors: Marra Andrea , Lamb Lucinda , Medina Ivette , George David , Gibson Glenn , Hardink Joel , Rugg Jady , Van Deusen Jeffrey , O'Donnell John P.
Published: June 2012

Murine models of infection were used to study the effect of linezolid on the virulence of Gram-negative bacteria and to assess potential pharmacodynamic interactions with ciprofloxacin in the treatment of these infections, prompted by observations from a recent clinical trial. Naive and immunosuppressed mice were challenged withKlebsiella pneumoniae53A1109,K. pneumoniaeGC6658, andPseudomonas aeruginosaUC12120 in acute sepsis and pulmonary infection models, using different serial dilutions of these pathogens (groups of 8 animals each). Linezolid (100 mg/kg/dose) was administered orally at 0.5 and 4.0 h postchallenge in the sepsis model and at 4 h postchallenge followed by 2 days of twice-daily treatment in the pulmonary model. Further, ciprofloxacin alone and in combination with oral linezolid was investigated in the sepsis model. Survival was assessed for 4 and 10 days postchallenge in the systemic and respiratory models, respectively. The data were fitted to a nonlinear regression analysis to determine 50% lethal doses (LD50s) and 50% protective doses (PD50s). A clinically relevant, high-dose regimen of linezolid had no significant effect on LD50in these models. This lack of effect was independent of immune status. A combination of oral ciprofloxacin with linezolid yielded lower PD50s than oral ciprofloxacin alone (ciprofloxacin in combination, 8.4 to 32.7 mg/kg; oral ciprofloxacin, 39.4 to 88.3 mg/kg). Linezolid did not improve the efficacy of subcutaneous ciprofloxacin (ciprofloxacin in combination, 2.0 to 2.4 mg/kg; subcutaneous ciprofloxacin, 2.0 to 2.8 mg/kg). In conclusion, linezolid does not seem to potentiate infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens or to interact antagonistically with ciprofloxacin.
Staphylococcus aureus VRSA-11B Is a Constitutive Vancomycin-Resistant Mutant of Vancomycin-Dependent VRSA-11A
Authors: Périchon Bruno , Courvalin Patrice
Published: June 2012

Vancomycin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
VRSA-10 was isolated in 2009, whereas VRSA-11A and VRSA-11B were isolated from the same patient in 2010. Growth curves and determination of the nature of the peptidoglycan precursors and of the VanX
d,d
-dipeptidase activity in the absence and in the presence of vancomycin indicated that vancomycin resistance was inducible in VRSA-10, that VRSA-11A was partially dependent on glycopeptide for growth, and that VRSA-11B was constitutively resistant. Both VRSA-11A and -11B harbored an insertion sequence, IS
Ef1
, at the same locus in the
vanX-vanY
intergenic region of Tn
1546
and an S
183
A mutation in the chromosomal
d
-alanyl:
d
-alanine ligase (Ddl). This substitution has been shown to be responsible for a drastic diminution of the affinity of the enzyme for
d
-Ala at subsite 1 in
Escherichia coli
DdlB. VRSA-11B exhibited an additional mutation, P
216
T, in the transcriptional regulator VanR, most probably associated with constitutive expression of vancomycin resistance. It is thus likely that VRSA-11B is a constitutive derivative of VRSA-11A selected during prolonged vancomycin therapy. Synthesis of peptidoglycan precursors ending in
d
-Ala-
d
-lactate was responsible for oxacillin susceptibility of VRSA-11A and VRSA-11B despite the presence of a wild-type
mecA
gene in both strains.
M-BRANE MODELS AND LOOP SPACES
Authors: SÄMANN CHRISTIAN
Published: June 2012

I review an extension of the ADHMN construction of monopoles to M-brane models. This extended construction gives a map from solutions to the Basu–Harvey equation to solutions to the self-dual string equation transgressed to loop space. Loop spaces appear in fact quite naturally in M-brane models. This is demonstrated by translating a recently proposed M5-brane model to loop space. Finally, I comment on some recent developments related to the loop space approach to M-brane models.
A NEW APPROACH TO A STRUCTURE UNIFYING FORCES AND PARTICLES
Authors: KÄSSER JÜRGEN
Published: June 2012

Instead of trying to unify the known structures of forces and particles a space as simple as possible is looked for in which unification can take place. It is shown that a six-dimensional Euclidian space because of the local isomorphism SO(6)/SU(4) is suited. For this space physics is developed finding one force, no gravity, no mass. Assuming that our world is embedded in such a space it is analyzed how 6D-physics will be interpreted by a 4D observer. This transition, based on conservation of action and represented by a nonlinear integral transform, emerges as something like a universal remedy. It shows that the result is our known physics. It gives reason why quantum physics is a probabilistic theory, can explain quarks as transformed 6D symmetry, can deduct our three forces from the one 6D force, can introduce particle mass in the Lagrange density and can implement gravity. The paper presents a structural theory. To achieve quantitative results mathematical problems have to be overcome.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: IS AFRICA DIFFERENT?
Authors: MUNEMO JONATHAN
Published: June 2012

This paper uses data on new firm registrations to examine entrepreneurship in Africa relative to other developing countries. The results show that new firm creation is more pronounced in other developing regions than in Africa. In addition, the results also show that entry deregulation and political stability are relatively more important for the creation of new businesses in Africa. These results imply that Africa is different; therefore, it is important to implement reforms to create a business environment conducive for new firm creation in Africa. Reforms in governance are also required to address problems related to political stability to increase entrepreneurial activity in Africa.
SET EXPANSION OF CONTEXTUAL SEMANTIC RELATIONS: AN ALTERNATIVE TO FULL CORPUS ANNOTATION FOR SUPERVISED CLASSIFICATION
Authors: HORIE ANDRÉ KENJI , ISHIZUKA MITSURU
Published: June 2012

Recent approaches for classification of semantic relations are based on supervised learning using large training datasets. Due to the high cost of annotating such data and to the class imbalance problem, alternatives for minimizing the effort of full corpus annotation are required. In set expansion, one of such alternatives, given a small initial training set, new relevant instances are acquired from a large corpus. However, when dealing with contextual semantic relations, which are relations that are highly dependent on the context within the sentence, set expansion is not trivial, since instances are not directly queryable and filtering requires classification under a very restricted number of training instances. This work thus proposes a bootstrapped set expansion method for contextual semantic relations. It performs a best effort extraction using the Web, and a two-stage filtering of candidate instances, the first based on syntactic patterns and the second using a feature distance-based classifier designed for the low frequency setting. The relevance of the output is measured experimentally by using the expanded set as the training data of the supervised classification task, observing an incremental improvement in performance after each bootstrapping iteration when compared to values using the unexpanded training data.
COMPETITIVE ALGORITHMS FOR ONLINE PRICING
Authors: ZHANG YONG , WANG YUXIN , CHIN FRANCIS Y. L. , TING HING-FUNG
Published: June 2012

Given a seller with m items, a sequence of users {u1, u2, …} come one by one, the seller must set the unit price and assign some items to each user on his/her arrival. Items can be sold fractionally. Each ui has his/her value function vi(⋅) such that vi(x) is the highest unit price ui is willing to pay for x items. The objective is to maximize the revenue by setting the price and number of items for each user. In this paper, we have the following contributions: if the highest value h among all vi(x) is known in advance, we first show the lower bound of the competitive ratio is ⌊ log h⌋/2, then give an online algorithm with competitive ratio 4⌊ log h⌋ + 6; if h is not known in advance, we give an online algorithm with competitive ratio 2⋅h log -1/2 h + 8⋅h3 log -1/2 h.
AN EFFICIENT ALGORITHM FOR CHINESE POSTMAN WALK ON BI-DIRECTED DE BRUIJN GRAPHS
Authors: KUNDETI VAMSI , RAJASEKARAN SANGUTHEVAR , DINH HEIU
Published: June 2012

Sequence assembly from short reads is an important problem in biology. It is known that solving the sequence assembly problem exactly on a bi-directed de Bruijn graph or a string graph is intractable. However, finding a shortest double stranded DNA string (SDDNA) containing all the k-long words in the reads seems to be a good heuristic to get close to the original genome. This problem is equivalent to finding a cyclic Chinese Postman (CP) walk on the underlying unweighted bi-directed de Bruijn graph built from the reads. The Chinese Postman walk Problem (CPP) is solved by reducing it to a general bi-directed flow on this graph which runs in O(|E|2log2(|V|)) time. In this paper we show that the cyclic CPP on bi-directed graphs can be solved without reducing it to bi-directed flow. We present a Θ(p(|V| + |E|) log (|V|) + (dmaxp)3) time algorithm to solve the cyclic CPP on a weighted bi-directed de Bruijn graph, where p = max {|{v|din(v) - dout(v) > 0}|, |{v|din(v) - dout(v) < 0}|} and dmax= max {|din(v) - dout(v)}. Our algorithm performs asymptotically better than the bi-directed flow algorithm when the number of imbalanced nodes p is much less than the nodes in the bi-directed graph. From our experimental results on various datasets, we have noticed that the value of p/|V| lies between 0.08% and 0.13% with 95% probability. Many practical bi-directed de Bruijn graphs do not have cyclic CP walks. In such cases it is not clear how the bi-directed flow can be useful in identifying contigs. Our algorithm can handle such situations and identify maximal bi-directed sub-graphs that have CP walks. A Θ(p(|V| + |E|)) time heuristic algorithm based on these ideas has been implemented for the SDDNA problem. This algorithm was tested on short reads from a plant genome and achieves an approximation ratio of at most 1.0134. We also present a Θ((|V| + |E|) log (V)) time algorithm for the single source shortest path problem on bi-directed de Bruijn graphs, which may be of independent interest.
INJECTIVE COLORING OF PLANAR GRAPHS WITH GIRTH 7
Authors: BU YUEHUA , LU KAI
Published: June 2012

An injective k-coloring of a graph G is an assignment of k colors to the vertices of G so that any two vertices with a common neighbor receive distinct colors, and χi(G) is the injective chromatic number of G. Dimitrov et al. proved χi(G) ≤ Δ(G) + 2 for a planar graph G with g(G) ≥ 7. In this paper, we show that if G is a planar graph with g(G) ≥ 7 and Δ(G) ≥ 7, then χi(G) ≤ Δ(G) + 1.
Rapid Analytical Methods for On-Site Triage for Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: North Stella H. , Shriver-Lake Lisa C. , Taitt Chris R. , Ligler Frances S.
Published: June 2012

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from an event that causes rapid acceleration and deceleration of the brain or penetration of the skull with an object. Responses to stimuli and questions, loss of consciousness, and altered behavior are symptoms currently used to justify brain imaging for diagnosis and therapeutic guidance. Tests based on such symptoms are susceptible to false-positive and false-negative results due to stress, fatigue, and medications. Biochemical markers of neuronal damage and the physiological response to that damage are being identified. Biosensors capable of rapid measurement of such markers in the circulation offer a solution for on-site triage, as long as three criteria are met: (a) Recognition reagents can be identified that are sufficiently sensitive and specific, (b) the biosensor can provide quantitative assessment of multiple markers rapidly and simultaneously, and (c) both the sensor and reagents are designed for use outside the laboratory.
Distance-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry: A New Paradigm for Mass Separation and Detection
Authors: Enke Christie G. , Ray Steven J. , Graham Alexander W. , Dennis Elise A. , Hieftje Gary M. , Carado Anthony J. , Barinaga Charles J. , Koppenaal David W.
Published: June 2012

Distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) offers the advantages of physical separation of ions, array detection of ions, focusing of initial ion energy, great simplicity, and a truly unlimited mass range. DOFMS instrumentation is similar to that of time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) and shares its ion-source versatility, batch analysis, and rapid spectral-generation rate. With constant-momentum ion acceleration and an ion mirror, there is a time at which ions of all mass-to-charge values are energy focused at their particular distances along the flight path. A pulsed field orthogonal to the flight path drives the ions to reach the detector array at this specific time. Results from a 0.29-m proof-of-principle instrument verify the theoretically predicted energy focus and demonstrate how the range of mass-to-charge values that impinge on the detector array can be readily changed. DOFMS could be combined sequentially with TOFMS to enable simultaneous scanless tandem mass spectrometry.
Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells as Effectors in Innate Immunity
Authors: Granick Jennifer L. , Simon Scott I. , Borjesson Dori L.
Published: June 2012

Recent research has shed light on novel functions of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). While they are critical for maintenance and replenishment of blood cells in the bone marrow, these cells are not limited to the bone marrow compartment and function beyond their role in hematopoiesis. HSPC can leave bone marrow and circulate in peripheral blood and lymph, a process often manipulated therapeutically for the purpose of transplantation. Additionally, these cells preferentially home to extramedullary sites of inflammation where they can differentiate to more mature effector cells. HSPC are susceptible to various pathogens, though they may participate in the innate immune response without being directly infected. They express pattern recognition receptors for detection of endogenous and exogenous danger-associated molecular patterns and respond not only by the formation of daughter cells but can themselves secrete powerful cytokines. This paper summarizes the functional and phenotypic characterization of HSPC, their niche within and outside of the bone marrow, and what is known regarding their role in the innate immune response.
Blue Phosphorescent Organic Light-Emitting Devices with the Emissive Layer of mCP:FCNIr(pic)
Authors: Jang Ji Geun , Ji Hyun Jin
Published: June 2012

New high-efficiency blue-light-emitting phosphorescent devices with 300 Å-thick emissive layer of N,N′-dicarbazolyl-3,5-benzene [mCP] doped with 10 vol.% bis[(3,5-difluoro-4-cyanophenyl)pyridine]iridium picolinate [FCNIr(pic)] were fabricated with the different treatments of hole and electron transport layers. In the experiments, a single layer of 1,1-bis-(di-4-polyaminophenyl)cyclohexane [TAPC] and a double layer of N,N′-di(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenylbenzidine [NPB] and mCP were used as hole transport layers (HTLs). In addition, 500 Å-thick double layers of tris-[3-(3-pyridyl)mesityl]borane [3TPYMB] and 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline [Bphen] were used as electron transport layers (ETLs) with various thickness combination of 3TPYMB/Bphen. Among the fabricated devices, the one using TAPC as an HTL and 3TPYMB(100 Å)/Bphen(400 Å) as an ETL showed best electroluminescent characteristics with a maximum quantum efficiency of 13.3% and a luminance of 950 cd/m2at 10 V. The color coordinates were (0.14, 0.22) on the Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage (CIE) chart, and the electroluminescent spectra showed the double-peak emissions at 458 nm and 483 nm.
Fabricating a Soft Liner-Retained Implant-Supported Palatal Lift Prosthesis for an Edentulous Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Savabi Omid , Ataei Ebrahim , Khodaeian Niloufar
Published: June 2012

This case report describes fabrication of a palatal lift prosthesis for a quadriplegic edentulous 30-year-old male with past head traumatic injury. We constructed an implant supported bar and used a soft-lining material for the maxillary palatal lift prosthesis to minimize the possibility of implant overloading and also provide a less complex and less expensive procedure for this patient.
Health-Related Social Control over Physical Activity: Interactions with Age and Sex
Authors: Cotter Kelly A.
Published: June 2012

Despite the disease prevention benefits of engaging in life-long regular physical activity, many adults remain sedentary. The social environment provides an important context for health and health behavior across the lifespan, as well as a potential point of intervention for increasing physical activity. Self-reports of perceived social support, social strain, positive social control, and negative social control were examined for their cross-sectional relationships to physical activity frequency in purposive samples of younger and older adults (N=371, ages from 18 to 97, 68% women). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that perceived support and perceived strain were not correlated with physical activity. However, age and sex interacted with social control, such that more positive social control was associated with more frequent physical activity for younger men. Furthermore, more positive and negative social control were significantly associated with less frequent physical activity for older men, while social control was not associated with physical activity among women. While younger men may be encouraged toward healthier behaviors by positive social control messages, social control attempts may backfire when targeting older men. Implications for physical activity promotion are discussed.
Insights into Population Origins of NeotropicalJunonia(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae) Based on Mitochondrial DNA
Authors: Pfeiler Edward , Johnson Sarah , Markow Therese A.
Published: June 2012

Cytochromecoxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were used to estimate demographic histories of populations of the buckeye butterflyJunonia genoveva(Cramer) from Costa Rica and Mexico. Previous studies have revealed significant structure between populations ofJ. genovevafrom coastal regions of northwestern Mexico, which utilize black mangroveAvicennia germinans(Acanthaceae) as a larval host plant, and inland populations from Costa Rica that feed on different hosts in the families Acanthaceae and Verbenaceae. The Mexico population ofJ. genovevareported on here is located near the Northern limit of black mangrove habitat on the Pacific coast of North America and is hypothesized to have been established by northward migrations and colonization from southern source populations. The mismatch distribution, Bayesian skyline analyses, and maximum likelihood analyses carried out in FLUCTUATE were used to estimate changes in female effective population size (Nef) over time in the two populations. Differences found in COI haplotype diversity, present-dayNef, and the timing of population expansions are consistent with the hypothesis that the Mexico population ofJ. genovevais the more recently evolved.
Molecular Cloning, Sequencing, and Characterization of a Putative Acetyl-CoA-C-acetyltransferase cDNA from a Highly Fragrant Orchid Hybrid Vanda Mimi Palmer
Authors: Teh Seow-Ling , Ong Abdullah Janna , Namasivayam Parameswari
Published: June 2012

Vanda Mimi Palmer, a hybrid of Vanda Tan Chay Yan and Vanda tessellata (Roxb.) Hk.f. ex G. Don, is cultivated as a potted ornamental plant mainly for its fragrance rather than its look. Plant acetyl-CoA-C-acetyltransferase (ACA) is involved in the condensation of two acetyl-CoAs to form acetoacetyl-CoA, which condenses with another acetyl-CoA to yield a crucial molecule, 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA, at the initial step of the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. An ACA gene from vandaceous orchid has never been reported. We describe the isolation and molecular characterization of an ACA-like gene from V. Mimi Palmer (designated as VMPACA) to facilitate a better understanding of the terpenoid biosynthesis pathway in orchids. The deduced VMPACA encodes a 376-amino-acid protein with a molecular weight of 39 kDa, which comprises an open reading frame of 1128 bp. It is flanked by 87 bp of 5′-untranslated region and 174 bp of 3′-untranslated region including a poly-A tail. Its protein sequence is 81% identical to other plant ACAs and contains a thiolase active site. The fluctuation expression pattern of VMPACA transcript by real-time RT-PCR showed that it is developmentally and temporally regulated with predominant expression in outer and lateral inner tepals compared to vegetative tissues.
Outcome and Complications of Colonoscopy: A Prospective Multicenter Study in Northern Israel
Authors: Suissa A. , Bentur O. S. , Lachter J. , Yassin K. , Chermesh I. , Gralnek I. , Karban A. , Khamaysi I. , Naveh Y. , Tamir A. , Shahbari A. , Eliakim R.
Published: June 2012

Background. Colonoscopy for screening the population at an average risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) is recommended by many leading gastrointestinal associations.
Objectives. The objective was to assess the quality, complications and acceptance rate of colonoscopy by patients.
Methods. We prospectively gathered data from colonoscopies which were performed between October 2003 and September 2006. Patients were asked to return a follow-up form seven days after the procedure. Those who failed to do so were contacted by phone.
Results. 6584 patients were included (50.4% males). The average age of subjects was 57.73 (SD 15.22). CRC screening was the main indication in 12.8%. Cecal intubation was achieved in 92% of patients and bowel preparation was good to excellent in 76.2%. The immediate outcome after colonoscopy was good in 99.4%. Perforations occurred in 3 cases—1 in every 2200 colonoscopies. Significant bleeding occurred in 3 cases (treated conservatively). 94.2% of patients agreed to undergo repeat colonoscopy in the future if indicated.
Conclusions. The good quality of examinations, coupled with the low risk for complications and the good acceptance by the patients, encourages us to recommend colonoscopy as a primary screening test for CRC in Israel.
Analysis of Steam Generators Corrosion Products from Slovak NPP Bohunice
Authors: Degmová Jarmila , Dekan Július , Slugeň Vladimír , Thees Constanze , Smieško Ivan , Šeliga Pavol
Published: June 2012

One of the main goals of the nuclear industry is to increase the nuclear safety and reliability of nuclear power plants (NPPs). As the steam generator (SG) is the most corrosion sensitive component of NPPs, it is important to analyze the corrosion process and optimize its construction materials to avoid damages like corrosion cracking. For this purpose two different kinds of SGs and its feed water distributing systems from the NPP Jaslovske Bohunice were studied by nondestructive Mössbauer spectroscopy. The samples were scraped from the surface and analyzed in transmission geometry. Magnetite and hematite were found to be the main components in the corrosion layers of both SGs. Dependant of the material the SG consisted of, and the location in the system where the samples were taken, the ratios between magnetite and hematite and the paramagnetic components were different. The obtained results can be used to improve corrosion safety of the VVER-440 secondary circuit as well as to optimize its water chemistry regime.
The Hypouricemic Effect ofBalanophora laxifloraExtracts and Derived Phytochemicals in Hyperuricemic Mice
Authors: Ho Shang-Tse , Tung Yu-Tang , Huang Chi-Chang , Kuo Chao-Lin , Lin Chi-Chen , Yang Suh-Ching , Wu Jyh-Horng
Published: June 2012

The objective of this study is to evaluate the lowering of uric acid usingBalanophora laxifloraextracts and derived phytochemicals on potassium-oxonate-(PO-) induced hyperuricemia in mice. The results revealed that ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction ofB. laxifloraextracts exhibited strong xanthine-oxidase-(XOD-) inhibitory activity. In addition, among the 10 subfractions (EA1–10) derived from EtOAc fraction, subfraction 8 (EA8) exhibited the best XOD-inhibitory activity. Four specific phytochemicals, 1-O-(E)-caffeoyl-β-D-glucopyranose (1), 1-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl-β-D-glucopyranose (2), 1,3-di-O-galloyl-4,6-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-D-glucopyranose (3), and 1-O-(E)-caffeoyl-4,6-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-D-glucopyranose (4), were further isolated and identified from this subfraction. Compounds3and4exhibited the strongest XOD-inhibitory activity compared with other compounds, and both hydrolyzable tannins were determined to be noncompetitive inhibitors according to the Lineweaver-Burk plot. On the other hand, thein vivohypouricemic effect in hyperuricemic mice was consistent with XOD-inhibitory activity, indicating thatB. laxifloraextracts and derived phytochemicals could be potential candidates as new hypouricemic agents.
Genomic Structure and Evolution of Multigene Families: “Flowers” on the Human Genome
Authors: Kim Hie Lim , Iwase Mineyo , Igawa Takeshi , Nishioka Tasuku , Kaneko Satoko , Katsura Yukako , Takahata Naoyuki , Satta Yoko
Published: June 2012

We report the results of an extensive investigation of genomic structures in the human genome, with a particular focus on relatively large repeats (>50 kb) in adjacent chromosomal regions. We named such structures “Flowers” because the pattern observed on dot plots resembles a flower. We detected a total of 291 Flowers in the human genome. They were predominantly located in euchromatic regions. Flowers are gene-rich compared to the average gene density of the genome. Genes involved in systems receiving environmental information, such as immunity and detoxification, were overrepresented in Flowers. Within a Flower, the mean number of duplication units was approximately four. The maximum and minimum identities between homologs in a Flower showed different distributions; the maximum identity was often concentrated to 100% identity, while the minimum identity was evenly distributed in the range of 78% to 100%. Using a gene conversion detection test, we found frequent and/or recent gene conversion events within the tested Flowers. Interestingly, many of those converted regions contained protein-coding genes. Computer simulation studies suggest that one role of such frequent gene conversions is the elongation of the life span of gene families in a Flower by the resurrection of pseudogenes.
Distinct Transcriptional Programs Mediated by the Ligand-Dependent Full-Length Androgen Receptor and Its Splice Variants in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Hu Rong , Lu Changxue , Mostaghel Elahe A. , Yegnasubramanian Srinivasan , Gurel Meltem , Tannahill Clare , Edwards Joanne , Isaacs William B. , Nelson Peter S. , Bluemn Eric , Plymate Stephen R. , Luo Jun
Published: June 2012

Continued androgen receptor (AR) signaling is an established mechanism underlying castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), and suppression of androgen receptor signaling remains a therapeutic goal of CRPC therapy. Constitutively active androgen receptor splice variants (AR-Vs) lack the androgen receptor ligand-binding domain (AR-LBD), the intended target of androgen deprivation therapies including CRPC therapies such as abiraterone and MDV3100. While the canonical full-length androgen receptor (AR-FL) and AR-Vs are both increased in CRPCs, their expression regulation, associated transcriptional programs, and functional relationships have not been dissected. In this study, we show that suppression of ligand-mediated AR-FL signaling by targeting AR-LBD leads to increased AR-V expression in two cell line models of CRPCs. Importantly, treatment-induced AR-Vs activated a distinct expression signature enriched for cell-cycle genes without requiring the presence of AR-FL. Conversely, activation of AR-FL signaling suppressed the AR-Vs signature and activated expression programs mainly associated with macromolecular synthesis, metabolism, and differentiation. In prostate cancer cells and CRPC xenografts treated with MDV3100 or abiraterone, increased expression of two constitutively active AR-Vs, AR-V7 and ARV567ES, but not AR-FL, paralleled increased expression of the androgen receptor–driven cell-cycle gene UBE2C. Expression of AR-V7, but not AR-FL, was positively correlated with UBE2C in clinical CRPC specimens. Together, our findings support an adaptive shift toward AR-V–mediated signaling in a subset of CRPC tumors as the AR-LBD is rendered inactive, suggesting an important mechanism contributing to drug resistance to CRPC therapy. Cancer Res; 72(14); 3457–62. ©2012 AACR.
Influence of Polymorphic OATP1B-Type Carriers on the Disposition of Docetaxel
Authors: de Graan Anne-Joy M. , Lancaster Cynthia S. , Obaidat Amanda , Hagenbuch Bruno , Elens Laure , Friberg Lena E. , de Bruijn Peter , Hu Shuiying , Gibson Alice A. , Bruun Gitte H. , Corydon Thomas J. , Mikkelsen Torben S. , Walker Aisha L. , Du Guoqing , Loos Walter J. , van Schaik Ron H. N. , Baker Sharyn D. , Mathijssen Ron H. J. , Sparreboom Alex
Published: June 2012

Purpose: Docetaxel is extensively metabolized by CYP3A4 in the liver but mechanisms by which the drug is taken up into hepatocytes remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that (i) liver uptake of docetaxel is mediated by the polymorphic solute carriers OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 and (ii) inherited genetic defects in this process may impair systemic drug elimination.

Experimental Design: Transport of docetaxel was studied in vitro using various cell lines stably transfected with OATP1B1*1A (wild-type), OATP1B1*5 [c.521T>C (V174A); rs4149056], OATP1B3, or the mouse transporter Oatp1b2. Docetaxel clearance was evaluated in wild-type and Oatp1b2-knockout mice as well as in two cohorts of patients with multiple variant transporter genotypes (n = 213).

Results: Docetaxel was found to be a substrate for OATP1B1, OATP1B3, and Oatp1b2 but was not transported by OATP1B1*5. Deficiency of Oatp1b2 in mice was associated with an 18-fold decrease in docetaxel clearance (P = 0.0099), which was unrelated to changes in intrinsic metabolic capacity in mouse liver microsomes. In patients, however, none of the studied common reduced function variants in OATP1B1 or OATP1B3 were associated with docetaxel clearance (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: The existence of at least two potentially redundant uptake transporters in the human liver with similar affinity for docetaxel supports the possibility that functional defects in both of these proteins may be required to confer substantially altered disposition phenotypes. In view of the established exposure–toxicity relationships for docetaxel, we suggest that caution is warranted if docetaxel has to be administered together with agents that potently inhibit both OATP1B1 and OATP1B3. Clin Cancer Res; 18(16); 4433–40. ©2012 AACR.
Trans,trans,trans-[PtIV(N3)2(OH)2(py)(NH3)]: A Light-Activated Antitumor Platinum Complex That Kills Human Cancer Cells by an Apoptosis-Independent Mechanism
Authors: Westendorf Aron F. , Woods Julie A. , Korpis Katharina , Farrer Nicola J. , Salassa Luca , Robinson Kim , Appleyard Virginia , Murray Karen , Grünert Renate , Thompson Alastair M. , Sadler Peter J. , Bednarski Patrick J.
Published: June 2012

Photoactivatable PtIV diazido complexes have unusual photobiologic properties. We show here that trans,trans,trans-[PtIV(N3)2(OH)2(py)(NH3)] complex 3 is a potent photoactivated cytotoxin toward human cancer cells in culture, with an average IC50 value in 13 cell lines of 55 ± 28 μmol/L after 30 minutes (0.12 mW/cm2) photoactivation with UVA, although visible light was also effective. Photoactivated complex 3 was noncross-resistant to cisplatin in 3 of 4 resistant cell lines. Cell swelling but very little blebbing was seen for HL60 cells treated with irradiated complex 3. Unlike cisplatin and etoposide, both of which cause apoptosis in HL60 cells, no apoptosis was observed for UVA-activated complex 3 by the Annexin V/propidium iodide flow cytotometry assay. Changes in the levels of the autophagic proteins LC3B-II and p62 in HL60 cells treated with UVA-activated complex 3 indicate autophagy is active during cell death. In a clonogenic assay with the SISO human cervix cancer cell line, 3 inhibited colony formation when activated by UVA irradiation. Antitumor activity of complex 3 in mice bearing xenografted OE19 esophageal carcinoma tumors was photoaugmented by visible light. Insights into the novel reaction pathways of complex 3 have been obtained from 14N{1H} nuclear magnetic resonance studies, which show that photoactivation pathways can involve release of free azide in buffered solution. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations revealed the dissociative character of singlet and triplet excited states of complex 3, which gives rise to reactive, possibly cytotoxic azidyl radicals. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(9); 1894–904. ©2012 AACR.
Recurrence and Progression in Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Using EORTC Risk Tables
Authors: Altieri Vincenzo Maria , Castellucci Roberto , Palumbo Pietro , Verratti Vittore , Sut Michal , Olivieri Raffaella , Manco Rossella , Ricciardulli Stefano , Nicolai Michele , Criniti Pasquale , Tenaglia Raffaele Lanfranco
Published: June 2012

Objectives: It was the aim of this study to evaluate the recurrence and progression at 1, 3 and 5 years in patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who underwent a transurethral resection of bladder cancer following intravesical adjuvant chemotherapy or immunotherapy if indicated and to compare them with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) risk tables. Patients and Methods: Between 2002 and 2011, a total of 259 patients with NMIBC were treated with transurethral resection of bladder cancer. According to the clinical and pathological factors used by the EORTC scoring system, the patients were divided into four groups, and for each group, the probabilities of recurrence and progression were calculated. Results: The recurrence and progression rates of NMIBC of our patients were similar to those in the EORTC risk score system. Moreover, in our sample group, we found a minimally significant reduction in the recurrence rate in the intermediate- and high-risk groups. Conclusion: From the results obtained, we considered it essential to introduce the use of EORTC risk tables into our clinical practice to determine the recurrence and progression of NMIBC.