bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of Anthracnose by Chitosan through Stimulation of Defence-Related Enzymes in Eksotika II Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Fruit
Authors: Ali Asgar , Mohamed Mahmud Tengku Muda , Siddiqui Yasmeen
Published: April 2012

The ability of chitosan to induce disease resistance in harvested Eksotika II papaya fruit was investigated in relation to the activities of several defence-related enzymes. Harvested papaya fruit were dipped in various concentrations of chitosan solutions (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0%) along with an untreated control and stored at 12 ± 1°C and 80-90% relative humidity for 15 days. Disease incidence and the activities of defence-related enzymes were monitored during storage. Compared with untreated fruit, chitosan treatments significantly reduced the severity of disease in fruit inoculated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The activities of defence-related enzymes peroxidase, chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase and total phenolic compounds were all significantly enhanced in 1.5 and 2.0% chitosan treated papaya fruit as compared to the control and 0.5% chitosan. Therefore, it could be suggested that postharvest decay in papaya can be minimized by chitosan application on a commercial scale.
Reducción Mamaria en 43 Pacientes Realizada en el Hospital Escuela 2008 - 2010
Authors: Editorial Comité , Cerrato Carlos Roberto , Gonzalez Luis Alberto , Boquin Manuel
Published: April 2012

Palabras claves: Reducción de mamas; patron de Wise, técnica de Hall-findlay; técnica de LejourDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rmpm.v13i3.632Revista de los Postgrados de Medicina UNAH Vol. 13 N° 3 Agosto-Octubre 2010
Caracterizacion clinico-terapeutica de los pacientes con trauma penetrante de cuello en el Hospital Escuela
Authors: Editorial Comité , Altamirano Victor Quiñónez , Valladares Francisco Ayes
Published: April 2012

Palabras claves: zona de Monson; lesion aero-digestiva; cervicotomia; DPC (desnutricion proteica calorica)DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rmpm.v13i3.635Revista de los Postgrados de Medicina UNAH Vol. 13 N° 3 Agosto-Octubre 2010
Tumor de Células Gigantes: Tratamiento Ortopédico Quirúrgico en el Hospital Escuela experiencia de 10 años.
Authors: Editorial Comité , Pavón Walther , Ramos Guillermo
Published: April 2012

Palabras claves: Tumor de células gigantes; curetajeDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/rmpm.v13i3.636Revista de los Postgrados de Medicina UNAH Vol. 13 N° 3 Agosto-Octubre 2010
On a Diophantine Equation That Generates All Integral Apollonian Gaskets
Authors: Kocik Jerzy
Published: April 2012

A remarkably simple Diophantine quadratic equation is known to generate all, Apollonian integral gaskets (disk packings). A new derivation of this formula is presented here based on inversive geometry. Also, occurrence of Pythagorean triples in such gaskets is discussed.
Storm‐related Power Outages: Are You Ready?
Authors: Spence Shannon , Thompson Phil
Published: April 2012

Having standby power available if a primary electrical power source fails ‐ from severe weather, equipment malfunction, accidents, or terrorist attacks ‐ is vital to a water utility's emergency operations plan. As the Suffolk (N.Y.) County Water Authority found out last summer, there is no better way to test preparedness than by weathering a potentially devastating large storm.
The Evolving Role of the Multiple Sclerosis Nurse
Authors: Burke Therese , Dishon Sara , McEwan Lynn , Smrtka Jennifer
Published: April 2012

A greater understanding of the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and the need for treatments with increased efficacy, safety, and tolerability have led to the ongoing development of new treatments. The evolution of treatments for MS is expected to have a dramatic impact on the entire health-care team, especially MS nurses, who build strong collaborative partnerships with their patients. MS nurses help patients better understand their disease and treatment options, facilitate the initiation and management of treatment, and encourage adherence. With new oral therapies entering the market, the potential for increased efficacy, tolerability, adherence, and convenience for patients is evident. However, the resulting change in the treatment paradigm means that the skill set required of an MS nurse will inevitably expand. There will be a growing need for professional training and development to ensure that nurses are familiar with the wider range of treatments and their specific modes of action, dosing schedules, and benefit/risk profiles. In addition, the MS nurse's role will expand to include management of the complex monitoring needs specific to each therapy. This article explores how the role of the MS nurse is evolving with the development of new MS therapies, including novel oral therapies.
The Impact of Gait Disability on the Calibration of Accelerometer Output in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Weikert Madeline , Dlugonski Deirdre , Suh Yoojin , Fernhall Bo , Motl Robert W.
Published: April 2012

Accelerometer activity counts have been correlated with energy expenditure during treadmill walking among ambulatory adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study examined the effects of gait disability on 1) the association between rates of energy expenditure and accelerometer output in overground walking and 2) the calibration of accelerometer output for quantifying time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in people with MS. The sample consisted of 24 individuals with MS, of whom 10 reported gait disability based on Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scores. The participants undertook three 6-minute periods of overground walking while wearing an accelerometer and a portable metabolic unit (K4b2, Cosmed, Rome, Italy). In the first period of walking, the participants walked at a self-selected, comfortable speed. In the two subsequent walking periods, participants walked at speeds above and below (±0.5 mph) the comfortable walking speed, respectively. Strong linear relationships were observed between rates of accelerometer activity counts and energy expenditure during walking in the overall sample (R2 = 0.90) and subsamples with (R2 = 0.88) and without gait disability (R2 = 0.91). The slope of the relationship was significantly steeper in the subsample with gait disability (β= 0.0049) than in the subsample without gait disability (β= 0.0026). The difference in slopes resulted in a significantly lower cut-point for MVPA (1886 vs. 2717 counts/min) in those with gait disability. These findings provide a metabolic cut-point for quantifying time spent in MVPA in people with MS, both with and without gait disability.
Correlates and predictors of disability in vulnerable US Hispanics with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Karpouzas George A. , Dolatabadi Soha , Moran Rosalinda , Li Ning , Nicassio Perry M. , Weisman Michael H.
Published: April 2012

Objective

US Hispanics with rheumatoid arthritis experience worse functional outcomes compared to whites. The determinants of disability, however, are not well established in large Hispanic cohorts. In the present report, we identified factors associated with disability in a cross‐sectional design, and evaluated their individual contributions to disability over time.

Methods

Two hundred fifty‐one Hispanic subjects from a single center were evaluated. Disease activity, serologies, radiographs, treatments, irreversible articular damage (defined as subluxation, arthrodesis, fusion, or prosthesis), and joint replacement surgeries were recorded. Self‐reported disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index), patient pain by a visual analog scale, and depression assessments were collected. Cross‐sectional factors associated with disability were identified, and their effects on future disability were evaluated in a subgroup of 114 patients assessed 6 months later.

Results

Six parameters were independently related to disability cross‐sectionally: pain was the strongest (P < 0.0001), followed by irreversible articular damage, disease activity, depression, age, and fibromyalgia (P < 0.03 for all). Baseline parameters predicting disability 6 months later included, in decreasing significance, irreversible articular damage (P = 0.004), depression, disease activity, age, and pain (all P < 0.04).

Conclusion

In cross‐sectional analysis, self‐reported pain had the strongest relationship with disability; however, factors such as irreversible articular damage, depression, and disease activity were more important in predicting future disability. Most of these factors are amenable to targeted interventions and should be addressed in an effort to improve functional outcomes.
Biomolecule Arrays Using Functional Combinatorial Particle Patterning on Microchips
Authors: Loeffler Felix , Schirwitz Christopher , Wagner Jenny , Koenig Kai , Maerkle Frieder , Torralba Gloria , Hausmann Michael , Bischoff F. Ralf , Nesterov‐Mueller Alexander , Breitling Frank
Published: April 2012

Biofunctionalization of surfaces in a microarray format has revolutionized biological assay applications. Here, a microarray system based on a microelectronic chip is presented that allows for a versatile combinatorial in situ molecule synthesis with very high density. Successfully demonstrating an application for peptide array synthesis, the method offers a compact approach, high combinatorial freedom, and, due to the intrinsic alignment, high and reproducible precision. Patterning the chip surface with different microparticle types which imbed different monomers, several thousand different molecule types can be simultaneously elongated layer‐by‐layer by coupling the particle imbedded monomers to the molecules growing on the chip surface. This technique has the potential for a wide application in combinatorial chemistry, as long as the desired monomeric building blocks are compatible with the chemical process.
Prolyl hydroxylase domain enzyme 2 is the major player in regulating hypoxic responses in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Muz Barbara , Larsen Helene , Madden Leigh , Kiriakidis Serafim , Paleolog Ewa M.
Published: April 2012

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by hypoxia and the expression of hypoxia‐inducible transcription factors (HIFs), which coordinate cellular responses to hypoxia. The objective of this study was to analyze the expression and regulation of prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes and factor‐inhibiting HIF‐1α (FIH‐1), which regulate cellular HIF levels, and to study the roles of these enzymes in RA fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (RA FLS).

Methods

The expression of PHD and FIH and downstream target genes was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. A small interfering RNA (siRNA) approach and an in vitro endothelial cell angiogenesis assay were used to analyze the roles of HIF hydroxylases.

Results

In human RA FLS, knockdown of PHD‐2, but not knockdown of PHD‐1 or FIH‐1, dramatically augmented HIF‐1α expression, modestly increased HIF‐2α protein expression under normoxic conditions, and up‐regulated HIF‐dependent gene expression. In contrast, silencing of PHD‐3 up‐regulated HIF‐2α but reduced HIF‐1α, thereby decreasing the expression of HIF‐regulated genes. A similar effect of PHD‐2 knockdown was observed in osteoarthritis FLS (OA FLS) but not in nondiseased primary human dermal fibroblasts. These findings correlated with the induction of in vitro angiogenesis by supernatants from RA FLS and OA FLS transfected with siPHD‐2 but not by supernatants from nondiseased fibroblasts or from siPHD‐3–transfected cells.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that PHD‐2 is the major hydroxylase regulating HIF levels and the expression of angiogenic genes in arthritic cells. PHD‐2 appears to regulate responses relevant to arthritis via HIF‐α, highlighting the major importance of this enzyme in hypoxia‐ and angiogenesis‐dependent inflammatory diseases such as RA.
Autoimmune epididymoorchitis is essential to the pathogenesis of male‐specific spondylarthritis in HLA–B27–transgenic rats
Authors: Taurog Joel D. , Rival Claudia , van Duivenvoorde Leonie M. , Satumtira Nimman , Dorris Martha L. , Sun Margaret , Shelton John M. , Richardson James A. , Hamra F. Kent , Hammer Robert E. , Tung Kenneth S. K.
Published: April 2012

Objective

Male rats transgenic for HLA–B27 and human β2‐microglobulin (hβ2m) spontaneously develop epididymoorchitis (EO) preceding the development of spondylarthritis (SpA). In the specific B27/hβ2m‐transgenic rat cross‐strain (21‐3 × 382‐2)F1, only the males develop SpA, and neither sex develops gut inflammation. This study was undertaken to determine whether EO and SpA in male (21‐3 × 382‐2)F1 rats are causally related. In addition, the primary characteristics of EO in this rat arthritis model were assessed.

Methods

Male B27/hβ2m‐transgenic (21‐3 × 382‐2)F1 rats underwent bilateral, unilateral, or sham epididymoorchiectomy between ages 36 and 125 days. The castrated rats were given testosterone replacement. Alternatively, the 21‐3 and 283‐2 transgene loci were crossed with a transgene inducing aspermatogenesis. Rats were observed for the development of EO, arthritis, and spondylitis.

Results

In unmanipulated transgenic rats, inflammation was first evident in the ductuli efferentes (DE; ducts linking the rete testis to epididymis) as early as age 30 days. The inflammation was initially neutrophilic, and later became granulomatous. Antisperm and anti–testis cell antibodies appeared in the rat serum after age 70 days. Cells infiltrating the testes were predominantly CD4+ T cells and CD68+ or CD163+ macrophages. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction of the DE, epididymis, and testis showed elevations in the levels of interferon‐γ, interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), and IL‐17A. In addition, levels of IL‐12A, IL‐22, IL‐23A, and IL‐23 receptor were found to be elevated in the DE. Remarkably, castration of the rats before age 91 days completely prevented the subsequent onset of arthritis and spondylitis, as did transgene‐induced azospermia.

Conclusion

Autoimmune EO develops spontaneously in HLA–B27/hβ2m–transgenic (21‐3 × 283‐2)F1 rats at age 30 days, the age when antigen‐positive meiotic germ cells first exit the testis. Persistent testicular inflammation and/or antigenic stimulation are essential prerequisites for the subsequent development of SpA. Thus, dysregulated innate immunity at immune‐privileged sites may be an essential mechanism triggering the onset of SpA.
Brief Report: First identification of H4 histamine receptor in healthy salivary glands and in focal sialadenitis in Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Stegaev V. , Sillat T. , Porola P. , Hänninen A. , Falus A. , Mieliauskaite D. , Buzás E. , Rotar Z. , Mackiewicz Z. , Stark H. , Chazot P. L. , Konttinen Y. T.
Published: April 2012

Objective

The conventional H1 and H2 histamine receptors have >10,000‐fold lower avidity for histamine than H4 histamine receptor, which has been implicated in autoimmune diseases. This study was undertaken to compare H4 histamine receptor levels in the salivary glands (SGs) of healthy controls with those in the SGs of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).

Methods

H4 histamine receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) was analyzed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the receptor protein was examined using immunostaining. Effects of the H4 histamine receptor agonist ST‐1006 on cytokine synthesis by human SG (HSG) cells were analyzed using xMAP technology and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Healthy SGs contained H4 histamine receptor mRNA. The receptor protein was localized to the acinar and ductal epithelial cells. H4 histamine receptor agonist stimulated HSG cells to produce the cytokines interleukin‐8 and vascular endothelial growth factor. SS patients had low H4 histamine receptor levels.

Conclusion

H1 and H2 histamine receptor antagonists are not effective in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. However, such antagonists do not affect the newly discovered H4 histamine receptor. Dendritic cells and lymphocytes are nonprofessional histamine‐producing cells, which produce histamine at 100–1,000‐fold lower rates than mast cells do. Saliva contains only 0.31–12.4 ng/ml histamine, which is too low to stimulate H1 or H2 histamine receptor, but stimulates H4 histamine receptor half maximally. Our findings show that H4 histamine receptor is strongly expressed in tubuloacinar SG cells, which emphasizes the role of these cells in the pathogenesis of SS.
A visual representation of relative first‐citation times
Authors: Glänzel Wolfgang , Rousseau Ronald , Zhang Lin
Published: April 2012

A new visual representation of the response time, i.e., the time elapsed between the publication year and the date of the first citation of a paper, is provided. This presentation can be used to detect and describe different paradigmatic types of reception speed for scientific journals.
An Ultrasensitive Fluorescent Sensing Nanofilm for Organic Amines Based on Cholesterol‐Modified Perylene Bisimide
Authors: Peng Haonan , Ding Liping , Liu Taihong , Chen Xiangli , Li Lan , Yin Shiwei , Fang Yu
Published: April 2012

A stable, ultrasensitive, and fully reversible fluorescent sensing film for organic amines has been fabricated by assembling cholesterol (Chol)‐derived perylene bisimide on a glass plate surface. The compound exhibits excellent film formation properties and forms well‐defined nanofibers, as evidenced by SEM and AFM measurements. It has been revealed that besides the molecular structure of the specially designed perylene derivative, the existence of nanofibers in the film is another key factor to endow the film with superior sensing ability for organic amines, including aniline. The detection limit of the amine is ca. 150.0 ppt in the vapor phase and at room temperature. Furthermore, the sensing process is free of interference from common organic solvents, nitroaromatics, and particularly phenols, which makes the film a potential candidate to be used in lung cancer diagnoses and related applications.
Tridentate Thiolate Ligands: Application to the Synthesis of the Site‐Differentiated [4Fe‐4S] Cluster having a Hydrosulfide Ligand at the Unique Iron Center
Authors: Terada Tamaki , Wakimoto Takuya , Nakamura Tomohiko , Hirabayashi Kiyohisa , Tanaka Kaho , Li Jichun , Matsumoto Tsuyoshi , Tatsumi Kazuyuki
Published: April 2012

We have designed new trithiols Temp(SH)3 and Tefp(SH)3 that can be synthesized conveniently in short steps and are useful for preparation of crystalline [3:1] site‐differentiated [4Fe‐4S] clusters suitable for X‐ray structural analysis. The ethanethiolate clusters (PPh4)2[Fe4S4(SEt)(TempS3)] (4a) and (PPh4)2[Fe4S4(SEt)(TefpS3)] (4b) were prepared as precursors, and the unique iron sites were then selectively substituted. Upon reaction with H2S, (PPh4)2[Fe4S4(SH)(TempS3)] (6a) and (PPh4)2[Fe4S4(SH)(TefpS3)] (6b), which model the [4Fe‐4S] cluster in the β subunit of (R)‐2‐hydroxyisocaproyl‐CoA dehydratase, were synthesized. Clusters 6a and 6b were further converted to the sulfido‐bridged double cubanes (PPh4)4[{Fe4S4(TempS3)}2(μ2‐S)] (6b) and (PPh4)4[{Fe4S4(TefpS3)}2(μ2‐S)] (7b), respectively, via intermolecular condensation with the release of H2S. Conversely, addition of H2S to 7a, 7b afforded the hydrosulfide clusters 6a, 6b. The molecular structures of the clusters reported herein were elucidated by X‐ray crystallographic analysis. Their redox properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.
Dissecting the Maturation Steps of the Lasso Peptide Microcin J25 in vitro
Authors: Yan Kok‐Phen , Li Yanyan , Zirah Séverine , Goulard Christophe , Knappe Thomas A. , Marahiel Mohamed A. , Rebuffat Sylvie
Published: April 2012

Microcin J25 is the archetype of a growing class of bacterial ribosomal peptides possessing a knotted topology (lasso peptides). It consists of an eight‐residue macrolactam ring through which the C‐terminal tail is threaded. It is biosynthesized as a precursor that is processed by two maturation enzymes (McjB/McjC). Insights into the mechanism of microcin J25 biosynthesis have been provided previously by mutagenesis of the precursor peptide in vivo. In this study we have demonstrated distinct functions of McjB and McjC in vitro for the first time, based on the detection of reaction intermediates. McjB was characterized as a new ATP‐dependent cysteine protease, whereas McjC was confirmed to be a lactam synthetase. The two enzymes were functionally interdependent, likely forming a structural complex. Their substrate preference was directly investigated with the aid of mutated precursor peptides. Depending on the substitutions, microcin J25 variants with either a lasso or branched‐cyclic topology could be generated in vitro.
Optical coherence tomography evaluation of drug‐eluting stents
Authors: Papayannis Aristotelis C. , Cipher Daisha , Banerjee Subhash , Brilakis Emmanouil S.
Published: April 2012

Aims

We performed a systematic review of studies reporting stent strut coverage and malapposition post implantation of different drug‐eluting stent (DES), as assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

A review of publications and online databases in May 2011 retrieved 33 published studies reporting stent strut coverage and malapposition post‐DES implantation using OCT: 24 for sirolimus‐eluting stents (SES), 13 for paclitaxel‐eluting stents (PES), 10 for zotarolimus‐eluting stents (ZES), and two for everolimus‐eluting stents (EES). The follow‐up duration ranged from 3 months to 4 years. Stent strut coverage and malapposition were compared between DES at various time intervals post implantation.

Results

Significant differences in stent strut coverage and malapposition exist between various DES. The SES had the highest frequency of uncovered struts at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months (13.1%, 10.9%, 8.1%, and 7.5%, respectively), followed by PES (5.5%, 4.4%, and 5.7% at 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively) and ZES (0.7%, 0%, and 0.5% at 3, 6, and 9 months, respectively) (P < 0.001 for all comparisons between stents). Only two studies reported 3.1% uncovered struts at 9 months with the EES. Stent strut malapposition at 6, 9, and 12 months was highest with SES (3.2%, 2.2%, and 1.2%, respectively) followed by PES (1.6%, 1.3%, and 0.9%, respectively), EES (0.46% at 9 months), and ZES (0.7% and 0.1% at 6 and 9 months, respectively).

Conclusions

SES had the highest rates of uncovered struts and malapposition, followed by PES and ZES. Such differences may explain the different clinical outcomes between various DES. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reversal of Anomeric Selectivity with O‐Glycosyl Trichloroacetimidates as Glycosyl Donors and Thiols as Acceptors Under Acid/Base Catalysis
Authors: Kumar Amit , Schmidt Richard R.
Published: April 2012

Boron trifluoride or trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate catalysed the generation of thioglycosides from O‐glucopyranosyl or O‐galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidates and thiols giving mainly or exclusively α‐thioglycosides. However, the same reactions with phenylboron difluoride as catalyst are highly β‐selective. An SN2‐type reaction course under acid/base catalysis is invoked by these and previous results.
Upgrading biomass fast pyrolysis liquids
Authors: Bridgwater Anthony V.
Published: April 2012

A comprehensive examination is made of the characteristics and quality requirements of bio‐oil from fast pyrolysis of biomass. An appreciation of the potential for bio‐oil to meet a broad spectrum of applications in renewable energy has led to a significantly increased R&D activity that has focused on addressing liquid quality issues both for direct use for heat and power and indirect use for biofuels and green chemicals. This increased activity is evident in North America, Europe, and Asia with many new entrants as well as expansion of existing activities. The only disappointment is the more limited industrial development and also deployment of fast pyrolysis processes that are necessary to provide the basic bio‐oil raw material. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012
Diagnosis of river basins as CO2sources or sinks subject to sediment movement
Authors: Yue Yao , Ni Jinren , Borthwick Alistair G. L. , Miao Chiyuan
Published: April 2012

Sediment movement during erosion, transport and deposition greatly affects the ecosystem of river basins. However, there is presently no consensus as to whether particular river basins act as carbon dioxide (CO2) sources or sinks related to these processes. This paper introduces a rule‐of‐thumb coordinate system based on sediment delivery ratio (SDR) and soil humin content (SHC) in order to evaluate the net effect of soil erosion, sediment transport and deposition on CO2flux in river basins. The SDR–SHC system delineates CO2source and sink areas, and further divides the sink into strong and weak areas according to the world‐average line. The Yellow River Basin, most severely suffering soil erosion in the world, only appears to be a weak erosion‐induced CO2sink in this system. The average annual CO2sequestration is ~0·235 Mt from 1960 to 2008, a relatively small value considering its 3·1% contribution to the World's sediment discharge. The temporal analysis shows that the Yellow River Basin was once a source in the 1960s, but changed its role to become a weak sink in the past 40 years due to both anthropogenic and climatic influences. The spatial analysis identifies the middle sub‐basin as the main source region, and the lower as the main sink. For comparison, sediment‐movement‐related CO2fluxes of eight other major basins in four continents are examined. It is found that the six basins considered in the Northern Hemisphere appear to be sinks, while the other two in the Southern Hemisphere act as sources. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Balkas – a new look at a common landform of the East European Plain, from a Quaternary perspective
Authors: Matoshko Andrei V.
Published: April 2012

Balkas (large Quaternary gullies) of the south‐western part of the East European Plain (and their analogues in Central and Western Europe) are considered in terms of their geomorphology, lithology, sedimentology, modern surface processes, stratigraphy and palaeogeography. Features attributed to balkas in comparison with regular gullies and small river valleys are described. Balkas are widespread elements of the modern landscape with the same characteristic gentle‐concave bottom as regular gullies, and with or without weakly incised river channels. Buried gully incisions of different ages (post‐Gelasian) with the same shape are also revealed below modern Balkas. They are infilled by characteristic balka alluvial, slope and even lacustrine‐bog deposits, in places representing compound sequences of fluvial‐aeolian sedimentation. The fluvial part reflects multiple series of ephemeral episodes of increased water and sediment supply within temporary streams. Two conspicuous series supposedly fall within the final stages of the Dnieper (late Middle Pleistocene) and Valdai (Late Pleistocene) glaciations. Different ideas concerning the increase of surface runoff and erodibility of soils that might favour active balkas under conditions of land‐ice decay and permafrost, including its degradation, are discussed. The development of balkas included relatively short phases of incision and accumulation interrupted by much longer periods of inactivity, when they were subjected to surface processes in a subaerial environment or left as a relic. However, during active phases they served as important and powerful depositories and arteries of rill–gully–balka sedimentation systems, collecting and transmitting eroded material to the river valleys. These phases are related to climatic oscillations and were to some degree independent of fluvial processes affecting the permanent streams. Most of the Middle‐Late Pleistocene balkas retained their primary features, having subsequently been incorporated into the erosional network. In contrast, some of them were totally infilled and disappeared from the landscape. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cadmium-induced changes in trace element bioaccumulation and proteomics perspective in four marine bivalves
Authors: Liu Fengjie , Wang Da-Zhi , Wang Wen-Xiong
Published: April 2012

Bivalves are employed widely as biomonitors of metal pollution and proteomics has increasingly been applied to solve ecotoxicological issues. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cd exposure on the bioaccumulation of other trace elements and reveal the molecular mechanisms using proteomics technologies. The results showed that Cd exposure resulted in remarkable changes in body concentrations of Zn, Cu, Ag, Co, Ni, Pb, and Se in four marine bivalves (scallop Chlamys nobilis, clam Ruditapes philippinarum, mussel Perna viridis, and oyster Saccostrea cucullata). Generally, the bivalves exposed to higher Cd concentration accumulated higher concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Se, but a lower concentration of Co. The accumulation of Ag, Ni, and Pb was specific for different species. The data strongly suggest that the influences of one metal exposure on the bioaccumulation of other metals/metalloids need to be considered in interpreting body concentrations of the elements in the biomonitors. Cd exposure had little effect on bivalve proteomes, and the identified proteins were insufficient to explain the observed disruption of trace element metabolism. However, protein expression signatures composed of the altered proteins could distinguish the clams and the mussels with different body Cd levels. The strong up-regulation of galectin in Cd-exposed oysters indicated the protein as a novel biomarker in environmental monitoring. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:1292–1300. © 2012 SETAC
Toxicity of crude oil chemically dispersed in a wave tank to embryos of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus)
Authors: Greer Colleen D. , Hodson Peter V. , Li Zhengkai , King Thomas , Lee Kenneth
Published: April 2012

Tests of crude oil toxicity to fish are often chronic, exposing embryos from fertilization to hatch to oil solutions prepared using standard mixing procedures. However, during oil spills, fish are not often exposed for long periods and the dynamic nature of the ocean is not easily replicated in the lab. Our objective was to determine if brief exposures of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) embryos to dispersed oil prepared by standard mixing procedures was as toxic as oil dispersed in a more realistic model system. Embryos were first exposed to chemically dispersed Alaska North Slope crude and Arabian light crude oil for 2.4 h to 14 d from fertilization to determine if exposure time affected toxicity. Toxicity increased with exposure time, but 2.4-h exposures at realistic concentrations of oil induced blue-sac disease and reduced the percentage of normal embryos at hatch; there was little difference in toxicity between the two oils. Secondly, oil was chemically dispersed in a wave tank to determine if the resultant oil solutions were as toxic to herring embryos as laboratory-derived dispersed oil using a single exposure period of 24 h. Samples taken 15 min postdispersion were more toxic than laboratory-prepared solutions, but samples taken at 5, 30, and 60 min postdispersion were less toxic. Overall, the laboratory- and wave tank-derived solutions of dispersed oil provided similar estimates of toxicity despite differences in the methods for preparing test solutions, suggesting that laboratory and wave tank data are a reliable basis for ecological risk assessments of spilled oil. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:1324–1333. © 2012 SETAC
Effects of leachate from tree leaves and grass litter on tadpoles
Authors: Earl Julia E. , Cohagen Kara E. , Semlitsch Raymond D.
Published: April 2012

Tree species composition can change as a result of succession, climate change, fire suppression, and invasive species. These changes clearly affect forests, but they can also affect aquatic ecosystems based on differences in the input quality of leaf litter, such as plant secondary compounds. These compounds vary in type and concentration depending on species and can be toxic to aquatic organisms. To examine toxic effects on Pseudacris maculata and Pseudacris crucifer tadpoles, we conducted 60-d laboratory experiments to compare leaf litter leachate from a dominant canopy species (red oak) and nonnative species (white pine) with an aquatic grass (prairie cordgrass) and plain water control. An additional experiment examined the effects of white pine on Bufo americanus, Hyla versicolor, and tannin concentrations in natural ponds. Compared with the control and grass, tree leaf extracts resulted in reduced tadpole survival. Leached compounds from pine reduced tadpole survival to 3 d or less. Tadpoles were able to metamorphose in significant numbers only from the two controls. The lowered survival with the red oak treatment might have been caused by lowered dissolved oxygen or high tannin concentrations. However, pine is known to have high concentrations of toxic monoterpenes, which should be investigated further. We found that tannin concentrations in natural ponds were much lower than the test concentrations, indicating that these results may represent worst-case scenarios or unrealistic concentrations. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 1511–1517. © 2012 SETAC
Reverse‐flow scapular osteocutaneous flap for head and neck reconstruction
Authors: Zevallos Jose P. , Urken Mark L.
Published: April 2012

Background

The scapular osteocutaneous flap can be used for the reconstruction of a variety of head and neck defects. In this study, we describe use of the reverse‐flow scapular osteocutaneous flap in the setting of a vessel‐depleted neck.

Methods and Results

A retrospective review of patients who underwent scapular osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction over a 5‐year period revealed 3 patients who underwent reverse‐flow osteocutaneous scapular flaps. Indications for surgery included a large recurrent desmoid tumor of the mandible, recurrent alveolar ridge carcinoma, and osteoradionecrosis. All patients had a history of neck dissection and radiotherapy. Exploration of the contralateral neck was required to identify recipient vessels in all cases. Arterial and venous anastomoses were performed to the distal end of the thoracodorsal artery and subscapular vein, respectively, and no vein grafts were required. There were no cases of flap failures or donor site complications.

Conclusion

This series demonstrates the safety and efficacy of the reverse flow osteocutaneous flap for complex mandibular reconstruction in cases where recipient vessels are limited. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2012
The impact of lifetime alcohol use on hepatitis C treatment outcomes in privately insured members of an integrated health care plan
Authors: Russell Marcia , Pauly Mary Patricia , Moore Charles Denton , Chia Constance , Dorrell Jennifer , Cunanan Renee J. , Witt Gayle , Martin Scott
Published: April 2012

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection (HCV+) has historically been shown to be less effective in patients with a heavy drinking history. The effect of moderate and heavy alcohol use on treatment with pegylated interferon-alpha and ribavirin (P/R) in an insured household population has not been previously reported. We investigated the effect of alcohol on treatment outcome in a cohort of 421 treatment-naïve HCV+ patients, members of an integrated health care plan treated with P/R between January 2002 and June 2008. A detailed drinking history was obtained for 259 (61.5%) eligible patients. Regular drinking was reported by 93.1% of patients before HCV diagnosis, by 30.9% between HCV diagnosis and treatment, by 1.9% during treatment, and 11.6% after the end of treatment. Heavy drinking patterns were reported by 67.9%, 63.5% of patients drank more than 100 kg of ethanol before initiating HCV treatment, and 29.3% reported abstaining less than the required 6 months before treatment. Despite these reports of heavy drinking, sustained virological responses (SVRs) were obtained in 80.2% of patients with HCV genotypes 2 or 3 and 45.1% of patients with genotypes 1, 4, or 6. Pretreatment drinking patterns and total alcohol intake were both unrelated to SVR rates. Abstaining less than 6 months before treatment was related to lower SVR rates in moderate, but not heavy, drinkers. HCV treatment relapse was unrelated to drinking after treatment ended.

Conclusion:

The amount of alcohol consumed before HCV treatment did not have a negative effect on treatment outcomes in our population. A history of heavy drinking should not be considered a deterrent to HCV treatment in members of an integrated health care plan who are closely monitored. (Hepatology 2012)
Real-time tissue elastography for evaluation of hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases
Authors: Ochi Hironori , Hirooka Masashi , Koizumi Yohei , Miyake Teruki , Tokumoto Yoshio , Soga Yoshiko , Tada Fujimasa , Abe Masanori , Hiasa Yoichi , Onji Morikazu
Published: April 2012

The aim of this study was to prospectively measure liver stiffness with real-time tissue elastography in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) and to compare the result with the clinical assessment of fibrosis using histological stage. One hundred and eighty-one prospectively enrolled patients underwent real-time tissue elastography, with the first 106 being analyzed as the training set and the remaining 75 being evaluated as the validation set. Hepatic and splenic elastic ratios were calculated and compared with stage of histological fibrosis. Portal hypertension (PH) was assessed. Real-time tissue elastography cut-off values by stage in the training set were 2.47 for F1, 2.67 for F2, 3.02 for F3, and 3.36 for F4. Using these cut-off values, the diagnostic accuracy of hepatic fibrosis in the validation set was 82.6%-96.0% in all stages. Only portal fibrosis correlated with the hepatic elastic ratio by multivariate analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of elastic ratio better correlated than serum fibrosis markers in both early and advanced fibrosis stages. Patients with PH, defined by splenic elasticity, had early fibrosis. Patients with severe PH were found only in the group with cirrhosis.

Conclusion:

Real-time tissue elastography is useful in evaluating hepatic fibrosis and PH in patients with NAFLD. (Hepatology 2012)
The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, heart and neural crest derivatives expressed transcript 2, marks hepatic stellate cells in zebrafish: Analysis of stellate cell entry into the developing liver
Authors: Yin Chunyue , Evason Kimberley J. , Maher Jacquelyn J. , Stainier Didier Y.R.
Published: April 2012

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are liver-specific mesenchymal cells that play vital roles in liver development and injury. Our knowledge of HSC biology is limited by the paucity of

in vivo

data. HSCs and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) reside in close proximity, and interactions between these two cell types are potentially critical for their development and function. Here, we introduce a transgenic zebrafish line,

Tg

(

hand2:EGFP

), that labels HSCs. We find that zebrafish HSCs share many similarities with their mammalian counterparts, including morphology, location, lipid storage, gene-expression profile, and increased proliferation and matrix production, in response to an acute hepatic insult. Using the

Tg

(

hand2:EGFP

) line, we conducted time-course analyses during development to reveal that HSCs invade the liver after SECs do. However, HSCs still enter the liver in mutants that lack most endothelial cells, including SECs, indicating that SECs are not required for HSC differentiation or their entry into the liver. In the absence of SECs, HSCs become abnormally associated with hepatic biliary cells, suggesting that SECs influence HSC localization during liver development. We analyzed factors that regulate HSC development and show that inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor signaling significantly reduces the number of HSCs that enter the liver. We also performed a pilot chemical screen and identified two compounds that affect HSC numbers during development.

Conclusion:

Our work provides the first comprehensive description of HSC development in zebrafish and reveals the requirement of SECs in HSC localization. The

Tg

(

hand2:EGFP

) line represents a unique tool for

in vivo

analysis and molecular dissection of HSC behavior.
Prevalence of human papillomavirus and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in China: A pooled analysis of 17 population‐based studies
Authors: Zhao Fang‐Hui , Lewkowitz Adam K. , Hu Shang‐Ying , Chen Feng , Li Long‐Yu , Zhang Qing‐Ming , Wu Rui‐Fang , Li Chang‐Qing , Wei Li‐Hui , Xu Ai‐Di , Zhang Wen‐Hua , Pan Qin‐Jing , Zhang Xun , Belinson Jerome L. , Sellors John W. , Smith Jennifer S. , Qiao You‐Lin , Franceschi Silvia
Published: April 2012

High‐risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence has been shown to correlate well with cervical cancer incidence rates. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HR‐HPV and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in China and indirectly informs on the cervical cancer burden in the country. A total of 30,207 women from 17 population‐based studies throughout China were included. All women received HPV DNA testing (HC2, Qiagen, Gaithersburg, MD), visual inspection with acetic acid and liquid‐based cytology. Women positive for any test received colposcopy‐directed or four‐quadrant biopsies. A total of 29,579 women had HR‐HPV testing results, of whom 28,761 had biopsy confirmed (9,019, 31.4%) or assumed (19,742, 68.6%) final diagnosis. Overall crude HR‐HPV prevalence was 17.7%. HR‐HPV prevalence was similar in rural and urban areas but showed dips in different age groups: at age 25–29 (11.3%) in rural and at age 35–39 (11.3%) in urban women. In rural and urban women, age‐standardized CIN2 prevalence was 1.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4–1.6%] and 0.7% (95% CI: 0.7–0.8%) and CIN3+ prevalence was 1.2% (95% CI: 1.2–1.3%) and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.5–0.7%), respectively. Prevalence of CIN3+ as a percentage of either all women or HR‐HPV‐positive women steadily increased with age, peaking in 45‐ to 49‐year‐old women. High prevalence of HR‐HPV and CIN3+ was detected in both rural and urban China. The steady rise of CIN3+ up to the age group of 45–49 is attributable to lack of lesion removal through screening. Our findings document the inadequacy of current screening in China while indirectly raising the possibility that the cervical cancer burden in China is underreported.
MDM2 SNP285 does not antagonize the effect of SNP309 in lung cancer
Authors: Ryan Bríd M. , Calhoun Kara M. , Pine Sharon R. , Bowman Elise D. , Robles Ana I. , Ambs Stefan , Harris Curtis C.
Published: April 2012

Conflicting reports exist regarding the contribution of SNP309 in MDM2 to cancer risk. Recently, SNP285 was shown to act as an antagonist to SNP309 by overriding the effect of SNP309 on SP1‐mediated transcription. Moreover, SNP285 modified the relationship between SNP309 and risk of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer. We assessed whether SNP285 confounded the effect of SNP309 in lung cancer in a cohort of 720 controls and 556 cases. Our cohort included both Caucasians and African Americans. Neither SNP309 nor SNP285 was associated with lung cancer risk or survival. In addition, removal of individuals who carried the variant C allele of SNP285 did not modify the association between SNP309 with either lung cancer risk or survival. Although an effect of SNP285 has been demonstrated in breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer, our findings do not support a role for this SNP in lung cancer and raise the possibility that the effect of SNP285 is restricted to cancers in women.
Cardiovascular medications in angiogenesis—How to avoid the sting in the tail
Authors: Ma Chenming , Wang Qing , Man Yicun , Kemmner Wolfgang
Published: April 2012

Cancer and cardiovascular disease are the leading causes of death worldwide. Cardiovascular medications have recently been found to have favorable effects also for the treatment of noncardiovascular diseases, including cancer. In this review, we use a reverse bedside‐to‐bench approach to investigate the effects of common cardiovascular medications on tumor angiogenesis and vascular angiogenesis. Aspirin seems to reduce the risk of developing cancer, particularly colon cancer. However, whether the protective influence of aspirin is due to antiangiogenesis effect is still unclear. β‐Blockers, which are normally used to reduce heart rate and prolong diastole, trigger an increase in stretch‐associated release of proangiogenic growth factors thereby inducing angiogenesis. However, according to other studies β‐blockers are able to inhibit angiogenesis via multiplicate mechanisms. Similarly, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker have controversial effects for the regulation of cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Statins can augment collateral vascular growth in ischemic tissues and restrict the development of cancer. So this topical anti‐inflammatory drug seems to be of high value for further therapy. Finally, suggestions on how this pilot experience may guide the conduct of future preclinical investigations, and clinical trials are discussed.
RETRACTED: Fibroblast growth factor‐2 promotes catabolism via FGFR1‐Ras‐Raf‐MEK1/2‐ERK1/2 axis that coordinates with the PKCδ pathway in human articular chondrocytes
Authors: Yan Dongyao , Chen Di , Im Hee‐Jeong
Published: April 2012

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) has been found to play an anti‐anabolic and/or a catabolic role in adult human articular cartilage via regulation of multiple signaling pathways. Upon FGF‐2 stimulation, a molecular crosstalk between the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and protein kinase C δ (PKCδ) pathways are initiated, where PKCδ positively regulates downstream MAPK signaling. In this study, we explored the relationship between fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1), Ras, and PKCδ in FGF‐2 signaling in human articular chondrocytes. Pathway‐specific inhibition using both chemical inhibitors and siRNA targeting FGFR1 demonstrated that, upon FGF‐2 stimulation, FGFR1 controlled both Ras and PKCδ activation, which converged on the Raf‐MEK1/2‐ERK1/2 axis. No crosstalk was observed between Ras and PKCδ. Quantitative PCR analyses revealed that both Ras and PKCδ contributed to FGF‐2‐mediated upregulation of MMP‐13, ADAMTS5, and repression of aggrecan gene. Correspondingly, FGF‐2‐mediated proteoglycan loss was effectively reversed by individual pathway‐specific inhibitor of Ras, PKCδ, and ERK1/2 in both 3‐dimensional alginate bead culture and cartilage organ culture systems. Our findings suggest that FGFR1 interacts with FGF‐2 and then activates Ras and PKCδ, which concertedly drive MAPK signaling to mediate biological effects of FGF‐2. Such an integration of dual inputs constitutes a novel mechanism of FGF‐2 signaling cascade in human articular chondrocytes. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2856–2865, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.