bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cosmopolitan politicization: How perceptions of interdependence foster citizens’ expectations in international institutions
Authors: Ecker-Ehrhardt Matthias
Published: February 2011

Much of what can be subsumed under the label ‘political cosmopolitanism’ calls for the empowerment of international institutions because of increased global interdependencies. Surprisingly, however, few scholars have asked whether ordinary citizens share this way of thinking. Do people believe that international institutions are desirable because of their superior capacity to solve transnational problems? To address this question, falsifiable hypotheses about the quality of and scope conditions for a minimally defined ‘public political cosmopolitanism’ are derived from the literature and tested using the results of a representative survey of German citizens. I show that there is significant support for what I call the ‘interdependence model’ of cosmopolitan politicization: German citizens’ perception of transnational interdependencies (in terms of functional sensitivity as well as moral commitments) fosters beliefs in the capacity of international institutions to solve problems. Remarkably, this relationship is moderated by citizens’ sense of their own vulnerability, that is, their beliefs that the national government is incapable of solving such problems. The interdependence model has significant explanatory power, spanning different levels of education, and thus disproves claims that cognitive mobilization is a crucial scope condition for cosmopolitan politicization.
Diasporic nationalism and the media
Authors: Kim Youna
Published: February 2011

• Drawing on empirical research in London, this article explores how young Korean, Japanese and Chinese women make sense of transnational lives and the media, and paradoxical consequences for identities. It argues that the tendency to celebrate transnational mobility is often separated from mundane reality and obscures actual conditions and experiences of social exclusion. It further argues that the ethnic media arise at the heart of the paradox of transnational experience, as electronic mediation intensified by the Internet provides a necessary condition for the possibility of diasporic nationalism. Diasporic nationalism emerges as reactionary ethno-nationalism within global knowledge diasporas of people who appear to be bilingual cross-cultural negotiators moving regularly between different cultures and participating in exchanges across national borders. Diasporic nationalism becomes particularly potent and perhaps more salient through transnational flows and movement, nationalizing both transnational spaces and the Internet’s simultaneously dis-embedding and re-embedding capacities in forming a partial yet unending connection with home. •
Algonquian rock art and the landscape of power
Authors: Creese John L
Published: February 2011

This article explores how a relational ontology of landscape provides important insights into the contexts and meanings of Northern Algonquian rock art of the Canadian Shield region. I propose that rock art emerged within and cemented a potent moral landscape that was experienced in terms of reciprocal relations between human and ‘other-than-human’ persons. Rather than counterposing dualities of natural and supernatural, this landscape was predicated on the flow of power between agencies in a relational and intensely social universe.
Ethical implications of salvage archaeology and dam building: The clash between archaeologists and local people in Dar al-Manasir, Sudan
Authors: Hafsaas-Tsakos Henriette
Published: February 2011

The controversial Merowe Dam was inaugurated by the President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, in March 2009. The reservoir of the dam had then already flooded a large stretch of the fertile Nile valley, which required the forced resettlement of up to 78,000 people. During the construction period of the dam, foreign archaeologists were surveying and excavating in order to save the cultural heritage of the land to be flooded. This article addresses the ethical implications of conducting salvage archaeology when the local people are in opposition to the development project that necessitates both their resettlement and the archaeological salvage.
Multi-algorithm approach for identification of structural behavior of complex structures under cyclic environmental loading
Authors: Lanata Francesca , Schoefs Franck
Published: February 2011

In the past years, an increasing number of structures have been equipped with permanent monitoring systems, able to record the structural response in terms of displacements and strains over very long periods of time, and theoretically, for the entire life of the structure (Structural Health Monitoring). Despite the high number of applications, to date, very few studies have been presented aimed at interpreting the data, in particular, when the spatial and behavioral complexity of the structure under investigation requires a non-model-based approach. This article shows that the interpretation of data from a long-term static monitoring can be very helpful for the comprehension of the structural behavior under complex interaction structure–environment. The discussion aims at underlining that a scheduled and unique procedure is very hard to define depending on the great variety of structures and applications and on the right identification of the parameters able to explain structural degradation evolutions or sudden changes. In these cases, a multi-step algorithm with different signal processing techniques applied in cascade seems to be the only reliable approach. The proposed procedure will be carried out using available data from the long-term monitoring of a quay wall in the Port of Genoa, in Italy, but it can be generalized to several structures under cyclic environmental loading (tides, temperature, etc.). The characterization of the structural behavior under temperature variations will be used here to define the representative features of the quay. Once defined, these parameters will provide a means for detecting and localizing the insurgence of damage or material degradation from the measurements.
Predicting lamp spectrum effects at mesopic levels. Part 1: Spatial brightness
Authors: Fotios SA , Cheal C.
Published: February 2011

This paper reports on experimental work carried out to test metrics for predicting spatial brightness at mesopic levels under lamps of different spectral power distribution. The side-by-side matching technique was used following an extensive review of experimental design. Five different types of lamps were presented in all 10 possible pairs, these being selected to compare brightness predictions based on established characteristics of lamp spectrum such as colour rendering index, correlated colour temperature and the scotopic/photopic ratio. The results were also used to test proposed systems for predicting brightness and visual performance at mesopic levels. Of the lamp characteristics examined the scotopic/photopic ratio exhibited the highest correlation with the test results. The new CIE recommended system for visual performance based mesopic photometry was found to give an acceptable prediction of the brightness results.
Predicting lamp spectrum effects at mesopic levels. Part 2: Preferred appearance and visual acuity
Authors: Fotios SA , Cheal C.
Published: February 2011

Laboratory tests were carried out to investigate lighting for pedestrians at mesopic levels under lamps of different spectral power distribution. This paper reports an evaluation of lamp spectrum effects on visual acuity, using Landolt ring charts of high and low luminance contrast, and forced choice judgements of the preferred appearance of human hands, a colour array and an illuminated space. These were carried out alongside judgements of brightness reported in a previous paper. Five types of lamp were used, including standard high pressure sodium, two metal halide and a fluorescent lamp of broader spectral distribution and a two-colour solid state device (LED). It was found that lamp spectrum affected judgements of preferred appearance, with the high pressure sodium and LED lamps being considered poor compared with the two metal halide lamps; these results correlated better with the CIE General Colour Rendering Index than other metrics of lamp spectral characteristics. It was also found that acuity was affected by lamp spectral power distribution, with the high pressure sodium (HPS) lamp enabling more Landolt rings to be correctly read than lamps of higher S/P ratio.
Measurement of Outcomes in Virtual Environments
Authors: Chapman Diane D. , Stone Sophia J.
Published: February 2011

Virtual human resource development (VHRD) creates a virtual environment (Bennett, 2009). As virtual environments become pervasive as instructional and learning spaces, evidence of their effectiveness is still in the early stages of development. As these learning spaces gain acceptance and adoption in HRD practice, more comprehensive and strategic approaches to evaluation are needed. Through a study of literature and qualitative case study, the authors investigate evaluation practices used in virtual worlds, and discuss how they are relevant to VHRD. Although many traditional forms of assessment are still being utilized, findings indicate that virtual worlds offer the opportunity to incorporate richer and more authentic forms of assessment, particularly, when evaluating learning artifacts.
Detection of Cerebral Reorganization Induced by Real-Time fMRI Feedback Training of Insula Activation
Authors: Lee Sangkyun , Ruiz Sergio , Caria Andrea , Veit Ralf , Birbaumer Niels , Sitaram Ranganatha
Published: February 2011

Background. Studies with real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) demonstrate that humans volitionally regulate hemodynamic signals from circumscribed regions of the brain, leading to area-specific behavioral consequences. Methods to better determine the nature of dynamic functional interactions between different brain regions and plasticity due to self-regulation training are still in development. Objective. The authors investigated changes in brain states while training 6 healthy participants to self-regulate insular cortex by real-time fMRI feedback. Methods. The authors used multivariate pattern analysis to observe spatial pattern changes and a multivariate Granger causality model to show changes in temporal interactions in multiple brain areas over the course of 5 repeated scans per subject during positive and negative emotional imagery with feedback about the level of insular activation. Results. Feedback training leads to more spatially focused recruitment of areas relevant for learning and emotion. Effective connectivity analysis reveals that initial training is associated with an increase in network density; further training “prunes” presumably redundant connections and “strengthens” relevant connections. Conclusions. The authors demonstrate the application of multivariate methods for assessing cerebral reorganization during the learning of volitional control of local brain activity. The findings provide insight into mechanisms of training-induced learning techniques for rehabilitation. The authors anticipate that future studies, specifically designed with this hypothesis in mind, may be able to construct a universal index of cerebral reorganization during skill learning based on multiple similar criteria across various skilled tasks. These techniques may be able to discern recovery from compensation, dose–response curves related to training, and ways to determine whether rehabilitation training is actively engaging necessary networks.
Weakening of Synergist Muscle Coupling During Reaching Movement in Stroke Patients
Authors: Kisiel-Sajewicz Katarzyna , Fang Yin , Hrovat Ken , Yue Guang H. , Siemionow Vlodek , Sun Chang-Kai , Jaskólska Anna , Jaskólski Artur , Sahgal Vinod , Daly Janis J.
Published: February 2011

Background. After hemiparetic stroke, coordination of the shoulder flexor and elbow extensor muscles during a reaching movement is impaired and contributes to poor performance. Objective. The aim was to determine whether functional coupling between electromyographic signals of synergist muscles during reaching was weakened in stroke patients who had poor motor coordination. Methods. Surface electromyography (EMG) from the anterior deltoid, triceps brachii, biceps brachii, pectoralis major, supraspinatus, and latissimus dorsi of the affected upper limb in 11 stroke patients (mean Fugl-Meyer upper extremity score 27 ± 8) and in the dominant arm of 8 healthy controls were measured. Results. Coherence between the EMG of the anterior deltoid and triceps brachii, 2 synergists for reaching, was lower in patients compared with controls, in the 0- to 11-Hz range. Detailed segmented frequency-range analysis indicated significant differences in the coherence between groups in 0- to 3.9-Hz and 4- to 7.9-Hz ranges. Conclusions. This weakened functional coupling may contribute to poor reaching performance and could be a consequence of a loss of common drive at the frequency bands as a result of interruption of information flow in the corticospinal pathway.
Combined Passive Stretching and Active Movement Rehabilitation of Lower-Limb Impairments in Children With Cerebral Palsy Using a Portable Robot
Authors: Wu Yi-Ning , Hwang Miriam , Ren Yupeng , Gaebler-Spira Deborah , Zhang Li-Qun
Published: February 2011

Background. Ankle impairments are closely associated with functional limitations in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Passive stretching is often used to increase the range of motion (ROM) of the impaired ankle. Improving motor control is also a focus of physical therapy. However, convenient and effective ways to control passive stretching and motivate active movement training with quantitative outcomes are lacking. Objective. To investigate the efficacy of combined passive stretching and active movement training with motivating games using a portable rehabilitation robot. Methods. Twelve children with mild to moderate spastic CP participated in robotic rehabilitation 3 times per week for 6 weeks. Each session consisted of 20 minutes of passive stretching followed by 30 minutes of active movement training and ended with 10 minutes of passive stretching. Passive ROM (PROM), active ROM (AROM), dorsiflexor and plantarflexor muscle strength, Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity, and functional outcome measures (Pediatric Balance Scale, 6-minute walk, and Timed Up-and-Go) were evaluated before and after the 6-week intervention. Results. Significant increases were observed in dorsiflexion PROM ( P = .002), AROM ( P = .02), and dorsiflexor muscle strength ( P = .001). Spasticity of the ankle musculature was significantly reduced ( P = .01). Selective motor control improved significantly ( P = .005). Functionally, participants showed significantly improved balance ( P = .0025) and increased walking distance within 6 minutes ( P = .025). Conclusions. Passive stretching combined with engaging in active movement training was of benefit in this pilot study for children with CP. They demonstrated improvements in joint biomechanical properties, motor control performance, and functional capability in balance and mobility.
Single Incision Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy for Colon Cancer
Authors: Advani Vriti , Ahad Sajida , Hassan Imran
Published: February 2011

Single incision laparoscopic colectomy has been reported to be safe and feasible using several techniques and devices. The authors’ report their experience with a single incision laparoscopic colectomy performed in a lateral to medical fashion using a commercially developed access device with standard laparoscopic instruments.
Minimally Invasive Fluoro-Navigation Screw Fixation for the Treatment of Pelvic Ring Injuries
Authors: Gao Hong , Luo Cong-Feng , Hu Cheng-Fang , Zhang Chang-Qing , Zeng Bing-Fang
Published: February 2011

Intensive use of intraoperative fluoroscopy is mandatory to achieve good accuracy and avoid neural or vascular injury and may prolong surgical time and increase exposure-related hazards. New methods of percutaneous treatment in conjunction with innovative fluoroscopy-based computerized navigation have evolved in an attempt to overcome the existing difficulties. This report described our experience in applying fluoroscopic surgical navigation technique and evaluated its clinical application to pelvic ring injuries, including its feasibility, merits and limitations. Twenty-two patients with pelvic ring injuries were treated with percutaneous pubic ramus screw and sacroiliac screw techniques under the guidance of a fluoroscopy-based navigation system. A total of forty-four screws were inserted, including twenty-seven pubic ramus screws and seventeen sacroiliac screws. The average operation time and the average fluoroscopy time per screw were 23.6 minutes and 22.2 seconds respectively. Compared to the final position of the screw, the average deviated distance of wire tip was 2.8 mm and the average trajectory difference was 2.6°. A ventral cortex perforation of the sacrum was found in one sacroiliac screw without any clinical symptoms. No superficial or deep infection occurred. No patient sustained recognized neurologic, vascular, or urologic injury as a result of percutaneous screw fixation of pubic ramus fractures, sacroiliac disruptions, or sacral fractures. Our results showed that fluoroscopy-based navigation technique for the pelvic ring injuries could become a safe and effective alterative method for the treatment of pelvic ring injuries in some selected patients.
Building equity in chronic disease management in Thailand: a whole-system provincial trial of systematic, pro-active chronic illness care
Authors: Wanitkun N. , Batterham R. , Vichathai C. , Leetongin G. , Osborne R.H.
Published: February 2011

Thailand has a history of implementing innovative and proactive policies to address the health needs of its population. Since 1962 Thailand has implemented initiatives that led to it having a health system characterized by a primary care focus, decentralization and mechanisms to maximize equity and universal access to basic care at the local level. Thai health structures initially evolved to meet challenges including infectious and developmental diseases and later HIV. Early in the 21st century chronic illness rapidly became the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality and the question has arisen how Thailand can adapt its strong health system to deal with the new epidemics. This article describes an effort to reorient provincial health services to meet the needs of the increasing number of people with diabetes and heart disease. It describes measures taken to build on the equity-promoting elements of the Thai health system. The project included; a situational analysis, development and implementation of a chronic disease self-management intervention implemented by nurses and alignment of provincial health services. The self-management intervention is currently being evaluated within a clustered randomized control trial. The evaluation has been developed to fit with the focus on equity in relation to both selection criteria and the outcomes that are being assessed.
Lay models of self-management: how do people manage knee osteoarthritis in context?
Authors: Morden Andrew , Jinks Clare , Bie Nio Ong
Published: February 2011

Objective: Current NICE guidelines for Osteoarthritis (OA) identify several core self-management recommendations (exercise and weight loss if overweight/obese) to be supported by Healthcare Professionals. Contemporary research stresses that a patient-centred model of self-management that builds upon existing patient action and belief is essential. The lay beliefs regarding self-management for OA have not been explicitly explored previously.

Method: Of the participants, 22 people were recruited to undertake in-depth interviews and a diary study. The constant comparative method and narrative methods were utilized to analyse the data.

Results: Making adaptations and using strategies to get on with ‘normal’ daily life is as much a part of caring for OA as easing painful symptoms. Moreover, participants ‘normal’ routines ensured that they were able to stay active and keep the knee joint moving. Thus, maintaining everyday social roles and valued activities parallels recommendations from policy and practice. Engaging in exercise is influenced by biography, preferred lifestyle and contextual need.

Conclusion: Practitioners and policy need to embrace the complexities of managing chronic OA conditions, by taking onboard the needs and priorities of patients. The findings highlight the disease specific needs of self-management that may be omitted from programmes like the Expert Patients Programme.
Social Movements, Political Goals, and the May 1 Marches: Communicating Protest in Polysemous Media Environments
Authors: Edgerly Louisa , Toft Amoshaun , Veden Mary Lynn
Published: February 2011

This discourse analysis of audience reception examined journalistic response to the May 1, 2006, immigrants’ rights protests in mainstream newspapers, niche news and opinion outlets in the United States. The organizers of the protests faced a particular rhetorical challenge: to craft a message that would be well received by both hostile and friendly audiences. In addition to attracting significant media coverage, the actions sparked both celebration and criticism in public commentary. Three key themes were identified based on primary texts from protest organizers and existing research on media coverage of political protest: economy; policy/rights; and law/order. Linguistic representations of these themes were constructed and keywords were searched across a corpus of newspaper front pages and television transcripts to identify general trends. These trends were then analyzed at the level of sentence and utterance. Our findings illustrate the particular challenges of polysemy for social movements that seek to use mass media to advance their political goals in an increasingly fragmented media environment, as well as the persistence of some aspects of the “protest paradigm” in media coverage.
Human induced pluripotent stem cells are capable of B-cell lymphopoiesis
Authors: Carpenter Lee , Malladi Ram , Yang Cheng-Tao , French Anna , Pilkington Katherine J. , Forsey Richard W. , Sloane-Stanley Jackie , Silk Kathryn M. , Davies Timothy J. , Fairchild Paul J. , Enver Tariq , Watt Suzanne M.
Published: February 2011

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells offer a unique potential for understanding the molecular basis of disease and development. Here we have generated several human iPS cell lines, and we describe their pluripotent phenotype and ability to differentiate into erythroid cells, monocytes, and endothelial cells. More significantly, however, when these iPS cells were differentiated under conditions that promote lympho-hematopoiesis from human embryonic stem cells, we observed the formation of pre-B cells. These cells were CD45+CD19+CD10+ and were positive for transcripts Pax5, IL7αR, λ-like, and VpreB receptor. Although they were negative for surface IgM and CD5 expression, iPS-derived CD45+CD19+ cells also exhibited multiple genomic D-JH rearrangements, which supports a pre–B-cell identity. We therefore have been able to demonstrate, for the first time, that human iPS cells are able to undergo hematopoiesis that contributes to the B-cell lymphoid lineage.
miR-221 and miR-155 regulate human dendritic cell development, apoptosis, and IL-12 production through targeting of p27kip1, KPC1, and SOCS-1
Authors: Lu Changming , Huang Xin , Zhang Xiaoxiao , Roensch Kristin , Cao Qing , Nakayama Keiichi I. , Blazar Bruce R. , Zeng Yan , Zhou Xianzheng
Published: February 2011

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells derived from hematopoietic progenitor cells and circulating monocytes. To investigate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) during DC differentiation, maturation, and function, we profiled miRNA expression in human monocytes, immature DCs (imDCs), and mature DCs (mDCs). Stage-specific, differential expression of 27 miRNAs was found during monocyte differentiation into imDCs and mDCs. Among them, decreased miR-221 and increased miR-155 expression correlated with p27kip1 accumulation in DCs. Silencing of miR-221 or overexpressing of miR-155 in DCs resulted in p27kip1 protein increase and DC apoptosis. Moreover, mDCs from miR-155−/− mice were less apoptotic than those from wild-type mice. Silencing of miR-155 expression had little effect on DC maturation but reduced IL-12p70 production, whereas miR-155 overexpression in mDCs enhanced IL-12p70 production. Kip1 ubiquitination-promoting complex 1, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1, and CD115 (M-CSFR) were functional targets of miR-155. Furthermore, we provide evidence that miR-155 indirectly regulated p27kip1 protein level by targeting Kip1 ubiquitination-promoting complex 1. Thus, our study uncovered miRNA signatures during monocyte differentiation into DCs and the new regulatory role of miR-221 and miR-155 in DC apoptosis and IL-12p70 production.
Community-acquired pneumonia as an emergency: time for an aggressive intervention to lower mortality
Authors: Ewig S. , Torres A.
Published: February 2011

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the major contemporary acute life-threatening conditions. Short-term mortality reaches 14% (7% if nursing-home residents and bedridden patients are excluded) and long-term mortality reaches 50% within 5 yrs.

CAP and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have a lot in common with regard to acuity, prognosis, need for risk stratification and early intervention, and secondary prevention measures. The obvious success in the treatment of AMI is due to an effective organisation of pre-hospital care and evidence-based interventions in the hospital within defined timescales.

Less evidence is available about effective strategies to lower short- and long-term mortality in patients with CAP. Nevertheless, it is estimated that ∼30% of hospitalised patients with CAP could be subject to a management approach in parallel to that of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Management of patients with severe CAP should be intensified using all elements that have been established in the care for patients with ACS and stroke. One of the main challenges of future research will be to define whether and which additional patients at risk of mortality truly profit from timely and structured interventions. In the meantime, patients at increased risk of death according to clinical prediction tools should also be subject to an aggressive management approach.
Fertilization in C. elegans requires an intact C-terminal RING finger in sperm protein SPE-42
Authors: Wilson Luke D , Sackett Jacqueline M , Mieczkowski Bryce D , Richie Abigail L , Thoemke Kara , Rumbley Jon N , Kroft Tim L
Published: February 2011

Background

TheC. eleganssperm protein SPE-42, a membrane protein of unknown structure and molecular function, is required for fertilization. Sperm from worms withspe-42mutations appear normal but are unable to fertilize eggs. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of 8 conserved cysteine residues in the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of this protein suggesting these residues form a zinc-coordinating RING finger structure.

Results

We made anin silicostructural model of the SPE-42 RING finger domain based on primary sequence analysis and previously reported RING structures. To test the model, we createdspe-42transgenes coding for mutations in each of the 8 cysteine residues predicted to coordinate Zn++ions in the RING finger motif. Transgenes were crossed into aspe-42null background and protein function was measured by counting progeny. We found that all 8 cysteines are required for protein function. We also showed that sequence differences between the C-terminal 29 and 30 amino acids inC. elegansandC. briggsaeSPE-42 following the RING finger domain are not responsible for the failure of theC. briggsaeSPE-42 homolog to rescueC. elegans spe-42mutants.

Conclusions

The results suggest that abona fideRING domain is present at the C-terminus of the SPE-42 protein and that this motif is required for sperm-egg interactions duringC. elegansfertilization. Our structural model of the RING domain provides a starting point for further structure-function analysis of this critical region of the protein. The C-terminal domain swap experiment suggests that the incompatibility between theC. elegansandC. briggsaeSPE-42 proteins is caused by small amino acid differences outside the C-terminal domain.
Epigenetic reprogramming in the porcine germ line
Authors: Hyldig Sara MW , Croxall Nicola , Contreras David A , Thomsen Preben D , Alberio Ramiro
Published: February 2011

Background

Epigenetic reprogramming is critical for genome regulation during germ line development. Genome-wide demethylation in mouse primordial germ cells (PGC) is a unique reprogramming event essential for erasing epigenetic memory and preventing the transmission of epimutations to the next generation. In addition to DNA demethylation, PGC are subject to a major reprogramming of histone marks, and many of these changes are concurrent with a cell cycle arrest in the G2 phase. There is limited information on how well conserved these events are in mammals. Here we report on the dynamic reprogramming of DNA methylation at CpGs of imprinted loci and DNA repeats, and the global changes in H3K27me3 and H3K9me2 in the developing germ line of the domestic pig.

Results

Our results show loss of DNA methylation in PGC colonizing the genital ridges. Analysis of IGF2-H19 regulatory region showed a gradual demethylation between E22-E42. In contrast, DMR2 of IGF2R was already demethylated in male PGC by E22. In females, IGF2R demethylation was delayed until E29-31, and was de novo methylated by E42. DNA repeats were gradually demethylated from E25 to E29-31, and became de novo methylated by E42. Analysis of histone marks showed strong H3K27me3 staining in migratory PGC between E15 and E21. In contrast, H3K9me2 signal was low in PGC by E15 and completely erased by E21. Cell cycle analysis of gonadal PGC (E22-31) showed a typical pattern of cycling cells, however, migrating PGC (E17) showed an increased proportion of cells in G2.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that epigenetic reprogramming occurs in pig migratory and gonadal PGC, and establishes the window of time for the occurrence of these events. Reprogramming of histone H3K9me2 and H3K27me3 detected between E15-E21 precedes the dynamic DNA demethylation at imprinted loci and DNA repeats between E22-E42. Our findings demonstrate that major epigenetic reprogramming in the pig germ line follows the overall dynamics shown in mice, suggesting that epigenetic reprogramming of germ cells is conserved in mammals. A better understanding of the sequential reprogramming of PGC in the pig will facilitate the derivation of embryonic germ cells in this species.
Investigation of the human pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii under iron limiting conditions
Authors: Eijkelkamp Bart A , Hassan Karl A , Paulsen Ian T , Brown Melissa H
Published: February 2011

Background

Iron acquisition systems are important virulence factors in pathogenic bacteria. To identify these systems in Acinetobacter baumannii, the transcriptomic response of the completely sequenced strain ATCC 17978 under iron limiting conditions was investigated using a genomic microarray that contained probes for all annotated open reading frames.

Results

Under low iron conditions, transcription levels were more than 2-fold up-regulated for 463 genes, including 95 genes that were up-regulated more than 4-fold. Of particular significance, three siderophore biosynthesis gene clusters, including one novel cluster, were highly up-regulated. Binding sites for the ferric uptake regulator were identified in the promoter regions of many up-regulated genes, suggesting a prominent role for this regulator in the Acinetobacter iron acquisition response. Down-regulation under iron limitation was less dramatic as the transcription of only 202 genes varied more than 2-fold. Various genes involved in motility featured prominently amongst the genes down-regulated when iron was less readily available. Motility assays confirmed that these transcriptional changes are manifested at the phenotypic level. The siderophore biosynthesis gene clusters were further investigated by means of comparative genomic analysis of 10 sequenced Acinetobacter isolates. These analyses revealed important roles for mobile genetic elements in shaping the siderophore meditated iron acquisition mechanisms between different Acinetobacter strains.

Conclusions

A. baumannii grown under iron limited conditions resulted in major transcriptional changes of not only many iron acquisition related genes, but also genes involved in other processes such as motility. Overall, this study showed that A. baumannii is well adaptable to growth in an environment which has limiting iron availability.
Notch signaling contributes to the maintenance of both normal neural stem cells and patient-derived glioma stem cells
Authors: Hu Yi-Yang , Zheng Min-Hua , Cheng Gang , Li Liang , Liang Liang , Gao Fang , Wei Ya-Ning , Fu Luo-An , Han Hua
Published: February 2011

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in the development and recurrence of malignant tumors including glioma. Notch signaling, an evolutionarily conserved pathway mediating direct cell-cell interaction, has been shown to regulate neural stem cells (NSCs) and glioma stem cells (GSCs) in normal neurogenesis and pathological carcinogenesis, respectively. However, how Notch signaling regulates the proliferation and differentiation of GSCs has not been well elucidated.

Methods

We isolated and cultivate human GSCs from glioma patient specimens. Then on parallel comparison with NSCs, we inhibited Notch signaling using γ-secretase inhibitors (GSI) and assessed the potential functions of Notch signaling in human GSCs.

Results

Similar to the GSI-treated NSCs, the number of the primary and secondary tumor spheres from GSI-treated GSCs decreased significantly, suggesting that the proliferation and self-renewal ability of GSI-treated GSCs were attenuated. GSI-treated GSCs showed increased differentiation into mature neural cell types in differentiation medium, similar to GSI-treated NSCs. Next, we found that GSI-treated tumor spheres were composed of more intermediate progenitors instead of CSCs, compared with the controls. Interestingly, although inhibition of Notch signaling decreased the ratio of proliferating NSCs in long term culture, we found that the ratio of G2+M phase-GSCs were almost undisturbed on GSI treatment within 72 h.

Conclusions

These data indicate that like NSCs, Notch signaling maintains the patient-derived GSCs by promoting their self-renewal and inhibiting their differentiation, and support that Notch signal inhibitor GSI might be a prosperous candidate of the treatment targeting CSCs for gliomas, however, with GSI-resistance at the early stage of GSCs cell cycle.
Reactive strategies for containing developing outbreaks of pandemic influenza
Authors: Andradóttir Sigrún , Chiu Wenchi , Goldsman David , Lee Mi Lim , Tsui Kwok-Leung , Sander Beate , Fisman David N , Nizam Azhar
Published: February 2011

Background

In 2009 and the early part of 2010, the northern hemisphere had to cope with the first waves of the new influenza A (H1N1) pandemic. Despite high-profile vaccination campaigns in many countries, delays in administration of vaccination programs were common, and high vaccination coverage levels were not achieved. This experience suggests the need to explore the epidemiological and economic effectiveness of additional, reactive strategies for combating pandemic influenza.

Methods

We use a stochastic model of pandemic influenza to investigate realistic strategies that can be used in reaction to developing outbreaks. The model is calibrated to documented illness attack rates and basic reproductive number (R0) estimates, and constructed to represent a typical mid-sized North American city.

Results

Our model predicts an average illness attack rate of 34.1% in the absence of intervention, with total costs associated with morbidity and mortality of US$81 million for such a city. Attack rates and economic costs can be reduced to 5.4% and US$37 million, respectively, when low-coverage reactive vaccination and limited antiviral use are combined with practical, minimally disruptive social distancing strategies, including short-term, as-needed closure of individual schools, even when vaccine supply-chain-related delays occur. Results improve with increasing vaccination coverage and higher vaccine efficacy.

Conclusions

Such combination strategies can be substantially more effective than vaccination alone from epidemiological and economic standpoints, and warrant strong consideration by public health authorities when reacting to future outbreaks of pandemic influenza.
Rationale and development of a survey tool for describing and auditing the composition of, and flows between, specialist and community clinical services for sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Aicken Catherine RH , Cassell Jackie A , Estcourt Claudia S , Keane Frances , Brook Gary , Rait Greta , White Peter J , Mercer Catherine H
Published: February 2011

Background

National health strategies have called for an expansion of the role of primary care in England to increase access to sexual health services. However, there is little guidance for service planners and commissioners as to the public health impact of different combinations of specialist genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and primary care based services for local populations. Service planning for infectious diseases like sexually transmitted infections (STI) is further complicated because the goal of early detection and treatment is not only to improve the health of the individual, but to benefit the wider population and reduce future treatment costs by preventing onward transmission. Therefore, we are developing a survey tool that will enable service planners to better understand the needs of their local STI care-seeking population and which will help inform evidence-based decision-making about current and future service configurations. Here we describe the rationale and development of this survey tool.

Methods/Design

A pen-and-paper questionnaire asking about sociodemographics, reasons for attendance, care pathways, and recent sexual risk behaviours, is being developed for patients to complete in waiting rooms of diverse clinical services, including GUM clinics and primary-care based services in sociodemographically- and geographically-contrasting populations in England. The questionnaire was cognitively tested before being piloted. In the pilot, 67% of patients participated, of whom 84% consented to our linking their questionnaire to data on STI testing and diagnosis and partner notification outcomes from their clinical records.

Discussion

The pilot study suggests that both the questionnaire and its linkage to routinely-collected clinical data are likely to be acceptable to patients. By supplementing existing surveillance, data gathered by the survey tool will inform service planners' and providers' understanding of the needs and care-pathways of their patients, facilitating improved services and greater public health benefit.
How should we assess knowledge translation in research organizations; designing a knowledge translation self-assessment tool for research institutes (SATORI)
Authors: Gholami Jaleh , Majdzadeh Reza , Nedjat Saharnaz , Nedjat Sima , Maleki Katayoun , Ashoorkhani Mahnaz , Yazdizadeh Bahareh
Published: February 2011

Background

The knowledge translation self-assessment tool for research institutes (SATORI) was designed to assess the status of knowledge translation in research institutes. The objective was, to identify the weaknesses and strengths of knowledge translation in research centres and faculties associated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).

Methods

The tool, consisting of 50 statements in four main domains, was used in 20 TUMS-affiliated research centres and departments after its reliability was established. It was completed in a group discussion by the members of the research council, researchers and research users' representatives from each centre and/or department.

Results

The mean score obtained in the four domains of 'The question of research', 'Knowledge production', 'Knowledge transfer' and 'Promoting the use of evidence' were 2.26, 2.92, 2 and 1.89 (out of 5) respectively.

Nine out of 12 interventional priorities with the lowest quartile score were related to knowledge transfer resources and strategies, whereas eight of them were in the highest quartile and related to 'The question of research' and 'Knowledge production'.

Conclusions

The self-assessment tool identifies the gaps in capacity and infrastructure of knowledge translation support within research organizations. Assessment of research institutes using SATORI pointed out that strengthening knowledge translation through provision of financial support for knowledge translation activities, creating supportive and facilitating infrastructures, and facilitating interactions between researchers and target audiences to exchange questions and research findings are among the priorities of research centres and/or departments.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin protein and gene therapies decrease autoimmunity and delay arthritis development in mouse model
Authors: Grimstein Christian , Choi Young-Kook , Wasserfall Clive H , Satoh Minoru , Atkinson Mark A , Brantly Mark L , Campbell-Thompson Martha , Song Sihong
Published: February 2011

Background

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is a multi-functional protein that has anti-inflammatory and tissue protective properties. We previously reported that human AAT (hAAT) gene therapy prevented autoimmune diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and suppressed arthritis development in combination with doxycycline in mice. In the present study we investigated the feasibility of hAAT monotherapy for the treatment of chronic arthritis in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen (bCII) to induce arthritis. These mice were pretreated either with hAAT protein or with recombinant adeno-associated virus vector expressing hAAT (rAAV-hAAT). Control groups received saline injections. Arthritis development was evaluated by prevalence of arthritis and arthritic index. Serum levels of B-cell activating factor of the TNF-α family (BAFF), antibodies against both bovine (bCII) and mouse collagen II (mCII) were tested by ELISA.

Results

Human AAT protein therapy as well as recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV8)-mediated hAAT gene therapy significantly delayed onset and ameliorated disease development of arthritis in CIA mouse model. Importantly, hAAT therapies significantly reduced serum levels of BAFF and autoantibodies against bCII and mCII, suggesting that the effects are mediated via B-cells, at least partially.

Conclusion

These results present a new drug for arthritis therapy. Human AAT protein and gene therapies are able to ameliorate and delay arthritis development and reduce autoimmunity, indicating promising potential of these therapies as a new treatment strategy for RA.
Atomic characterization of Si nanoclusters embedded in SiO2 by atom probe tomography
Authors: Roussel Manuel , Talbot Etienne , Gourbilleau Fabrice , Pareige Philippe
Published: February 2011

Silicon nanoclusters are of prime interest for new generation of optoelectronic and microelectronics components. Physical properties (light emission, carrier storage...) of systems using such nanoclusters are strongly dependent on nanostructural characteristics. These characteristics (size, composition, distribution, and interface nature) are until now obtained using conventional high-resolution analytic methods, such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, EFTEM, or EELS. In this article, a complementary technique, the atom probe tomography, was used for studying a multilayer (ML) system containing silicon clusters. Such a technique and its analysis give information on the structure at the atomic level and allow obtaining complementary information with respect to other techniques. A description of the different steps for such analysis: sample preparation, atom probe analysis, and data treatment are detailed. An atomic scale description of the Si nanoclusters/SiO2 ML will be fully described. This system is composed of 3.8-nm-thick SiO layers and 4-nm-thick SiO2 layers annealed 1 h at 900°C.
Formation of tungsten oxide nanostructures by laser pyrolysis: stars, fibres and spheres
Authors: Govender Malcolm , Shikwambana Lerato , Mwakikunga Bonex Wakufwa , Sideras-Haddad Elias , Erasmus Rudolph Marthinus , Forbes Andrew
Published: February 2011

In this letter, the production of multi-phase WO3 and WO3-
x
(where x could vary between 0.1 and 0.3) nanostructures synthesized by CO2-laser pyrolysis technique at varying laser wavelengths (9.22-10.82 mm) and power densities (17-110 W/cm2) is reported. The average spherical particle sizes for the wavelength variation samples ranged between 113 and 560 nm, and the average spherical particle sizes for power density variation samples ranged between 108 and 205 nm. Synthesis of W18O49 (= WO2.72) stars by this method is reported for the first time at a power density and wavelength of 2.2 kW/cm2 and 10.6 μm, respectively. It was found that more concentrated starting precursors result in the growth of hierarchical structures such as stars, whereas dilute starting precursors result in the growth of simpler structures such as wires.
Enhanced functionalization of Mn2O3@SiO2 core-shell nanostructures
Authors: Vaidya Sonalika , Thaplyal Pallavi , Ganguli Ashok Kumar
Published: February 2011

Core-shell nanostructures of Mn2O3@SiO2, Mn2O3@amino-functionalized silica, Mn2O3@vinyl-functionalized silica, and Mn2O3@allyl-functionalized silica were synthesized using the hydrolysis of the respective organosilane precursor over Mn2O3 nanoparticles dispersed using colloidal solutions of Tergitol and cyclohexane. The synthetic methodology used is an improvement over the commonly used post-grafting or co-condensation method as it ensures a high density of functional groups over the core-shell nanostructures. The high density of functional groups can be useful in immobilization of biomolecules and drugs and thus can be used in targeted drug delivery. The high density of functional groups can be used for extraction of elements present in trace amounts. These functionalized core-shell nanostructures were characterized using TEM, IR, and zeta potential studies. The zeta potential study shows that the hydrolysis of organosilane to form the shell results in more number of functional groups on it as compared to the shell formed using post-grafting method. The amino-functionalized core-shell nanostructures were used for the immobilization of glucose and L-methionine and were characterized by zeta potential studies.