bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous RNA quantification of human and retroviral genomes reveals intact interferon signaling in HTLV-1-infected CD4+ T cell lines
Authors: Moens Britta , Pannecouque Christophe , López Giovanni , Talledo Michael , Gotuzzo Eduardo , Khouri Ricardo , Bittencourt Achiléa , Farré Lourdes , Galvão-Castro Bernardo , Vandamme Anne-Mieke , Van Weyenbergh Johan
Published: August 2012

Background

IFN-α contributes extensively to host immune response upon viral infection through antiviral, pro-apoptotic, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities. Although extensively documented in various types of human cancers and viral infections, controversy exists in the exact mechanism of action of IFN-α in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) retroviral infections.

Results

IFN-α displayed strong anti-HIV-1 effects in HIV-1/HTLV-1 co-infected MT-4 cells in vitro, demonstrated by the dose-dependent inhibition of the HIV-1-induced cytopathic effect (IC50 = 83.5 IU/ml, p < 0.0001) and p24 levels in cell-free supernatant (IC50 = 1.2 IU/ml, p < 0.0001). In contrast, IFN-α treatment did not affect cell viability or HTLV-1 viral mRNA levels in HTLV-1 mono-infected cell lines, based on flow cytometry and nCounter analysis, respectively. However, we were able to confirm the previously described post-transcriptional inhibition of HTLV-1 p19 secretion by IFN-α in cell lines (p = 0.0045), and extend this finding to primary Adult T cell Leukemia patient samples (p = 0.031). In addition, through microarray and nCounter analysis, we performed the first genome-wide simultaneous quantification of complete human and retroviral transciptomes, demonstrating significant transcriptional activation of interferon-stimulated genes without concomitant decrease of HTLV-1 mRNA levels.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results indicate that both the absence of in vitro antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic activity as well as the modest post-transcriptional antiviral activity of IFN-α against HTLV-1, were not due to a cell-intrinsic defect in IFN-α signalisation, but rather represents a retrovirus-specific phenomenon, considering the strong HIV-1 inhibition in co-infected cells.
Salvinorin A Reduces Mechanical Allodynia and Spinal Neuronal Hyperexcitability Induced by Peripheral Formalin Injection
Authors: Guida Francesca , Luongo Livio , Aviello Gabriella , Palazzo Enza , De Chiaro Maria , Gatta Luisa , Boccella Serena , Marabese Ida , Zjawiony Jordan K , Capasso Raffaele , Izzo Angelo A , de Novellis Vito , Maione Sabatino
Published: August 2012

Background:

Salvinorin A (SA), the main active component of Salvia Divinorum, is a non-nitrogenous kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist. It has been shown to reduce acute pain and to exert potent antinflammatory effects. This study assesses the effects and the mode of action of SA on formalin-induced persistent pain in mice. Specifically, the SA effects on long-term behavioural dysfuctions and changes in neuronal activity occurring at spinal level, after single peripheral formalin injection, have been investigated. Moreover, the involvement of microglial and glial cells in formalin-induced chronic pain condition and in SA-mediated effects has been evaluated.

Results:

Formalin induced a significant decrease of mechanical withdrawal threshold at the injected and contralateral paw as well as an increase in the duration and frequency, and a rapid decrease in the onset of evoked activity of the nociceptive neurons 7 days after formalin injection. SA daily treatment significantly reduced mechanical allodynia in KOR and cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) sensitive manner. SA treatment also normalized the spinal evoked activity. SA significantly reduced the formalin-mediated microglia and astrocytes activation and modulated pro and anti-inflammatory mediators in the spinal cord.

Conclusion:

SA is effective in reducing formalin-induced mechanical allodynia and spinal neuronal hyperactivity. Our findings suggest that SA reduces glial activation and contributes in the establishment of dysfunctions associated with chronic pain with mechanisms involving KOR and CB1R. SA may provide a new lead compound for developing anti-allodynic agents via KOR and CB1R activation.
An improved allele-specific PCR primer design method for SNP marker analysis and its application
Authors: Liu Jing , Huang Shunmou , Sun Meiyu , Liu Shengyi , Liu Yumei , Wang Wanxing , Zhang Xiurong , Wang Hanzhong , Hua Wei
Published: August 2012

Background

Although Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) marker is an invaluable tool for positional cloning, association study and evolutionary analysis, low SNP detection efficiency by Allele-Specific PCR (AS-PCR) still restricts its application as molecular marker like other markers such as Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR). To overcome this problem, primers with a single nucleotide artificial mismatch introduced within the three bases closest to the 3’end (SNP site) have been used in AS-PCR. However, for one SNP site, nine possible mismatches can be generated among the three bases and how to select the right one to increase primer specificity is still a challenge.

Results

In this study, different from the previous reports which used a limited quantity of primers randomly (several or dozen pairs), we systematically investigated the effects of mismatch base pairs, mismatch sites and SNP types on primer specificity with 2071 primer pairs, which were designed based on SNPs from Brassica oleracea 01-88 and 02-12. According to the statistical results, we (1) found that the primers designed with SNP (A/T), in which the mismatch (CA) in the 3rd nucleotide from the 3’ end, had the highest allele-specificity (81.9%). This information could be used when designing primers from a large quantity of SNP sites; (2) performed the primer design principle which forms the one and only best primer for every SNP type. This is never reported in previous studies. Additionally, we further identified its availability in rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and sesame (Sesamum indicum). High polymorphism percent (75%) of the designed primers indicated it is a general method and can be applied in other species.

Conclusion

The method provided in this study can generate primers more effectively for every SNP site compared to other AS-PCR primer design methods. The high allele-specific efficiency of the SNP primer allows the feasibility for low- to moderate- throughput SNP analyses and is much suitable for gene mapping, map-based cloning, and marker-assisted selection in crops.
Effects of alpha-mangostin on the expression of anti-inflammatory genes in U937 cells
Authors: Liu Szu-Hsiu , Lee Lain-Tze , Hu Nai-Yun , Huange Kuo-Kuei , Shih Ying-Chu , Munekazu Iinuma , Li Jen-Ming , Chou Ting-Yu , Wang Wei-Hsin , Chen Ting-Shou
Published: August 2012

Background

α-Mangostin (α-MG) is a main constituent of the fruit hull of the mangosteen. Previous studies have shown that α-MG has pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects. This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory molecular action of α-MG on gene expression profiles.

Methods

U937 and EL4 cells were treated with different concentrations of α-MG in the presence of 0.1 ng/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 4 h. The anti-inflammatory effects of α-MG were measured by the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-4 in cell culture media, which were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The gene expression profiles of all samples were analyzed with a whole human genome microarray, Illumina BeadChip WG-6 version 3, containing 48804 probes. The protein levels were determined by Western blotting analyses.

Results

α-MG decreased the LPS induction of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α (P = 0.038) and IL-4 (P = 0.04). α-MG decreased the gene expressions in oncostatin M signaling via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinases (P = 0.016), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (P = 0.01) , and p38 (P = 0.008). α-MG treatment of U937 cells reduced the phosphorylation of MAPK kinase 3 / MAPK kinase 6 (P = 0.0441), MAPK-activated protein kinase-2 (P = 0.0453), signal transducers and activators of transcription-1 (STAT1) (P = 0.0012), c-Fos (P = 0.04), c-Jun (P = 0.019) and Ets-like molecule 1 (Elk-1) (P = 0.038).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that α-MG attenuates LPS-mediated activation of MAPK, STAT1, c-Fos, c-Jun and EIK-1, inhibiting TNF-α and IL-4 production in U937 cells.
Exploring the genetic control of glycolytic oscillations in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae
Authors: Williamson Thomas , Adiamah Delali , Schwartz Jean-Marc , Stateva Lubomira
Published: August 2012

Background

A well known example of oscillatory phenomena is the transient oscillations of glycolytic intermediates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, their regulation being predominantly investigated by mathematical modeling. To our knowledge there has not been a genetic approach to elucidate the regulatory role of the different enzymes of the glycolytic pathway.

Results

We report that the laboratory strain BY4743 could also be used to investigate this oscillatory phenomenon, which traditionally has been studied using S. cerevisiae X2180. This has enabled us to employ existing isogenic deletion mutants and dissect the roles of isoforms, or subunits of key glycolytic enzymes in glycolytic oscillations. We demonstrate that deletion of TDH3 but not TDH2 and TDH1 (encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase: GAPDH) abolishes NADH oscillations. While deletion of each of the hexokinase (HK) encoding genes (HXK1 and HXK2) leads to oscillations that are longer lasting with lower amplitude, the effect of HXK2 deletion on the duration of the oscillations is stronger than that of HXK1. Most importantly our results show that the presence of beta (Pfk2) but not that of alpha subunits (Pfk1) of the hetero-octameric enzyme phosphofructokinase (PFK) is necessary to achieve these oscillations. Furthermore, we report that the cAMP-mediated PKA pathway (via some of its components responsible for feedback down-regulation) modulates the activity of glycoytic enzymes thus affecting oscillations. Deletion of both PDE2 (encoding a high affinity cAMP-phosphodiesterase) and IRA2 (encoding a GTPase activating protein- Ras-GAP, responsible for inactivating Ras-GTP) abolished glycolytic oscillations.

Conclusions

The genetic approach to characterising the glycolytic oscillations in yeast has demonstrated differential roles of the two types of subunits of PFK, and the isoforms of GAPDH and HK. Furthermore, it has shown that PDE2 and IRA2, encoding components of the cAMP pathway responsible for negative feedback regulation of PKA, are required for glycolytic oscillations, suggesting an enticing link between these cAMP pathway components and the glycolysis pathway enzymes shown to have the greatest role in glycolytic oscillation. This study suggests that a systematic genetic approach combined with mathematical modelling can advance the study of oscillatory phenomena.
The study of radiosensitivity in left handed compared to right handed healthy women
Authors: Khosravifarsani Meysam , Monfared Ali Shabestani , Akhavan-Niaki Haleh , Moslemi Dariush , Hajian-Tilaki Karimollah , Elahimanesh Farideh , Borzoueisileh Sajad , Seyfizadeh Nayer , Amiri Mehrangiz
Published: August 2012

Background

Radiosensitivity is an inheriting trait that mainly depends on genetic factors. it is well known in similar dose of ionizing radiation and identical biological characteristics 9–10 percent of normal population have higher radiation response. Some reports indicate that distribution of breast cancer, immune diseases including autoimmune diseases as example lupus, Myasthenia Gravies and even the rate of allergy are more frequent in left handed individuals compared to right handed individuals. The main goal of the present study is determination of radiosensitivity in left handed compared to right handed in healthy women by cytokinesis blocked micronuclei [CBMN] assay.

5 ml peripheral fresh blood sample was taken from 100 healthy women including 60 right handed and 40 left handed. The age of participants was between 20–25 old years and they had been matched by sex. After blood sampling, blood samples were divided to 2 groups including irradiated and non-irradiated lymphocytes that irradiated lymphocytes were exposed to 2 Gy CO-60 Gama rays source then chromosomal aberrations was analyzed by CBMN [Cytokinesis Blocked Micronuclei Assay].

Results

Our results have shown radiosensitivity index [RI] in left-handers compared to right-handers is higher. Furthermore, the mean MN frequency is elevated in irradiated lymphocytes of left-handers in comparison with right-handers.

Conclusion

Our results from CBMN assay have shown radiosensitivity in the left handed is higher than right handed women but more attempts need to prove this hypothesis.
Reversal of cerebral radiation necrosis with bevacizumab treatment in 17 Chinese patients
Authors: Wang Yang , Pan Li , Sheng Xiaofang , Mao Yin , Yao Yu , Wang Enmin , Zhang Nan , Dai Jiazhong
Published: August 2012

Background

Bevacizumab has been suggested as a new treatment modality for cerebral radiation necrosis due to its ability to block the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in leakage-prone capillaries, though its use still remains controversial in clinical practice.

Methods

The use of bevacizumab in 17 patients with symptomatic cerebral radiation necrosis poorly controlled with dexamethasone steroid treatments was examined between March 2010 and January 2012. Bevacizumab therapy was administered for a minimum of two cycles (7.5 mg/kg, at two-week interval) with a median of four bevacizumab injections. Changes in bi-dimensional measurements of the largest radiation necrosis lesions were observed by gadolinium-enhanced and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Additionally, dexamethasone dosage, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), adverse event occurrence and associated clinical outcomes were recorded for each patient.

Results

MRI analysis revealed that the average reduction was 54.9% and 48.4% in post-gadolinium and T2-weighted sequence analysis, respectively. Significant clinical neurological improvements were expressed in 10 patients according to KPS values. Dexamethasone reduction was achieved four weeks after initiation of bevacizumab in all patients, with four patients successfully discontinuing dexamethasone treatment. Mild to moderate bevacizumab-related adverse events, such as fatigue, proteinuria and hypertension were observed in three patients. Upon follow-up at 4 to 12 months, 10 patients showed clinical improvement, and 7 patient deaths occurred from tumor progression (5 patients), recurrent necrosis (1 patient), and uncontrolled necrosis-induced edema (1 patient).

Conclusions

These findings suggest bevacizumab as a promising treatment for cerebral radiation necrosis induced by common radiation therapies, including external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT).
Effects of "Bioactive" amino acids leucine, glutamate, arginine and tryptophan on feed intake and mRNA expression of relative neuropeptides in broiler chicks
Authors: Wang Songbo , Khondowe Paul , Chen Shengfeng , Yu Jianjian , Shu Gang , Zhu Xiaotong , Wang Lina , Gao Ping , Xi Qianyun , Zhang Yongliang , Jiang Qingyan
Published: August 2012

Feed intake control is vital to ensuring optimal nutrition and achieving full potential for growth and development in poultry. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of L-leucine, L-glutamate, L-tryptophan and L-arginine on feed intake and the mRNA expression levels of hypothalamic Neuropeptide involved in feed intake regulation in broiler chicks. Leucine, glutamate, tryptophan or arginine was intra-cerebroventricularly (ICV) administrated to 4d-old broiler chicks respectively and the feed intake were recorded at various time points. Quantitative PCR was performed to determine the hypothalamic mRNA expression levels of Neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti related protein (AgRP), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), melanocortin receptor 4 (MC4R) and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF). Our results showed that ICV administration of L-leucine (0.15 or 1.5  μmol) significantly (P < 0.05) increased feed intake up to 2 h post-administration period and elevated both hypothalamic NPY and AgRP mRNA expression levels. In contrast, ICV administration of L-glutamate (1.6  μmol) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased feed intake 0.25, 0.5 and 2 h post-injection, and increased hypothalamic CRF and MC4R mRNA expression levels. Meanwhile, both L-tryptophan (10 or 100  μg) and L-arginine (20 or 200  μg) had no significant effect on feed intake. These findings suggested that L-leucine and L-glutamate could act within the hypothalamus to influence food intake, and that both orexigenic and anorexigenic Neuropeptide genes might contribute directly to these effects.
Impact of self management on metabolic control indicators of diabetes patients
Authors: Moattari Marzieh , Ghobadi Akram , Beigi Parvin , Pishdad Gholamreza
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Patients with diabetes play an important role in management of their illness. They should be involved in the intervention program to be able to improve their quality of life. This study investigated the effect of a self-management program based on 5A (assess, advise, agree, assist, arrange) model on metabolic control indicators of diabetic patients.

Material and method

In this randomized, controlled trial, 70 diabetic insulin dependent patients who referred to Nader Kazemi clinic in Shiraz participated. They were randomly assigned to two groups of experiment and control. Then a self-management program based on 5A model was performed for the experiment group during 3-mounths and the indicators of metabolic control including hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol, triglyceride and also body mass index were measured pre- and post- intervention in both groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver 11.5.

Results

Data analysis revealed a significant reduction in mean fasting blood sugar (69 units) and HbA1c (1.16 units) in the experimental group . Pre- to post-changes in hemoglobin A1c, fasting blood sugar, and high density lipoprotein were significant between the two groups of study. However, there was no significant difference in cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and body mass index between the two groups.

Discussion

Regarding the results, it can be concluded that a 3-month self-management program based on 5A model is effective in reducing the fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c. Application of self management program based on 5A model in diabetic clinics is recommended.
Sequencing and characterization of the FVB/NJ mouse genome
Authors: Wong Kim , Bumpstead Suzannah , Van Der Weyden Louise , Reinholdt Laura G , Wilming Laurens G , Adams David J , Keane Thomas M
Published: August 2012

Background

The FVB/NJ mouse strain has its origins in a colony of outbred Swiss mice established in 1935 at the National Institutes of Health. Mice derived from this source were selectively bred for sensitivity to histamine diphosphate and the B strain of Friend leukemia virus. This led to the establishment of the FVB/N inbred strain, which was subsequently imported to the Jackson Laboratory and designated FVB/NJ. The FVB/NJ mouse has several distinct characteristics, such as large pronuclear morphology, vigorous reproductive performance, and consistently large litters that make it highly desirable for transgenic strain production and general purpose use.

Results

Using next-generation sequencing technology, we have sequenced the genome of FVB/NJ to approximately 50-fold coverage, and have generated a comprehensive catalog of single nucleotide polymorphisms, small insertion/deletion polymorphisms, and structural variants, relative to the reference C57BL/6J genome. We have examined a previously identified quantitative trait locus for atherosclerosis susceptibility on chromosome 10 and identify several previously unknown candidate causal variants.

Conclusion

The sequencing of the FVB/NJ genome and generation of this catalog has increased the number of known variant sites in FVB/NJ by a factor of four, and will help accelerate the identification of the precise molecular variants that are responsible for phenotypes observed in this widely used strain.
Adipose stem cells can secrete angiogenic factors that inhibit hyaline cartilage regeneration
Authors: Lee Christopher SD , Burnsed Olivia A , Raghuram Vineeth , Kalisvaart Jonathan , Boyan Barbara D , Schwartz Zvi
Published: August 2012

Introduction

Adipose stem cells (ASCs) secrete many trophic factors that can stimulate tissue repair, including angiogenic factors, but little is known about how ASCs and their secreted factors influence cartilage regeneration. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects ASC-secreted factors have in repairing chondral defects.

Methods

ASCs isolated from male Sprague Dawley rats were cultured in monolayer or alginate microbeads supplemented with growth (GM) or chondrogenic medium (CM). Subsequent co-culture, conditioned media, and in vivo cartilage defect studies were performed.

Results

ASC monolayers and microbeads cultured in CM had decreased FGF-2 gene expression and VEGF-A secretion compared to ASCs cultured in GM. Chondrocytes co-cultured with GM-cultured ASCs for 7 days had decreased mRNAs for col2, comp, and runx2. Chondrocytes treated for 12 or 24 hours with conditioned medium from GM-cultured ASCs had reduced sox9, acan, and col2 mRNAs; reduced proliferation and proteoglycan synthesis; and increased apoptosis. ASC-conditioned medium also increased endothelial cell tube lengthening whereas conditioned medium from CM-cultured ASCs had no effect. Treating ASCs with CM reduced or abolished these deleterious effects while adding a neutralizing antibody for VEGF-A eliminated ASC-conditioned medium induced chondrocyte apoptosis and restored proteoglycan synthesis. FGF-2 also mitigated the deleterious effects VEGF-A had on chondrocyte apoptosis and phenotype. When GM-grown ASC pellets were implanted in 1 mm non-critical hyaline cartilage defects in vivo, cartilage regeneration was inhibited as evaluated by radiographic and equilibrium partitioning of an ionic contrast agent via microCT imaging. Histology revealed that defects with GM-cultured ASCs had no tissue ingrowth from the edges of the defect whereas empty defects and defects with CM-grown ASCs had similar amounts of neocartilage formation.

Conclusions

ASCs must be treated to reduce the secretion of VEGF-A and other factors that inhibit cartilage regeneration, which can significantly influence how ASCs are used for repairing hyaline cartilage.
Waveform joint inversion of seismograms and electrograms for moment tensor characterization of fracking events
Authors: Mahardika H. , Revil A. , Jardani A.
Published: August 2012

Electromagnetic signals have been observed in association with fracking experiments in the laboratory, and in the field. We have developed a seismoelectric forward modeling approach to produce synthetic seismograms and electrograms generated by fracking events using the finite-element method with perfect matched-layer boundary conditions. The poroelastodynamic equations are solved in the frequency domain using a formulation based on the solid phase displacement and the pore pressure. These results are used to compute the electrical field disturbances of electrokinetic nature. Three types of electrical signals are generated: Type I disturbance is associated with the seismic source itself, Type II disturbance corresponds to seismoelectric conversions, and Type III corresponds to coseismic signals. This model is applied to simulate the seismic and electrical signals corresponding to the occurrence of a fracking event in a two-layers system. We perform a stochastic joint inversion of the seismograms and electrograms using the adaptive Metropolis algorithm (AMA) to obtain the posterior probability density functions of the parameters characterizing the seismic source assuming that the velocity model is perfectly known. The joint waveform inversion is performed on synthetic noise-free data and the AMA algorithm is successful in retrieving the true values of the unknown parameters. The proposed approach is then tested on the same synthetic data after being contaminated with 15% random noise with respect to the maximum amplitude of the signals. The model parameters are better determined for the joint inversion of seismic and electrical data by comparison with the inversion of the seismic time-series alone. We also propose a deterministic tomographic algorithm that is successful in locating the in situ source current density distribution for Types I and II anomalies from the electrical data alone.
Interior Swelling
Authors: Nielsen Morten
Published: August 2012

This article opens with the questions, What is on the inside of a relation? Might we imagine the inner workings of a relational form detached from the elements that it connects? Then, through an ethnographic examination of ancestral interventions among residents in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Maputo, the article challenges conventional understandings of relational forms as the connective “glue” holding together exterior and, to a certain extent, autonomous elements. In southern Mozambique, ancestral spirits intervene in the lives of their descendants as interior agentive forces that enable the latter to assimilate seemingly exterior elements that are nevertheless configured as being already “inside” the living person. Conventional distinctions between exterior and interior are consequently dissolved through a peculiar process of “interior swelling” that occurs when an inside is extended outward. The article shows how it is the fuzziness of relational forms that gives to ancestral interventions their expansive qualities.
On Nonscalability
Authors: Tsing Anna Lowenhaupt
Published: August 2012

Because computers zoom across magnifications, it is easy to conclude that both knowledge and things exist by nature in precision-nested scales. The technical term is “scalable,” the ability to expand without distorting the framework. But it takes hard work to make knowledge and things scalable, and this article shows that ignoring nonscalable effects is a bad idea. People stumbled on scalable projects through the same historical contingencies that such projects set out to deny. They cobbled together ways to make things and data self-contained and static, and thus amenable to expansion. In European New World plantations, the natives were wiped out; coerced and alienated plants and workers came to substitute for them. Profits were made because extermination and slavery could be discounted from the books. Such historically indeterminate encounters formed models for later projects of scalability. This essay explores scalability projects from the perspective of an emergent “nonscalability theory” that pays attention to the mounting pile of ruins that scalability leaves behind. The article concludes that, if the world is still diverse and dynamic, it is because scalability never fulfills its own promises.
The Artful Study of Not Being Governed
Authors: Schram Sanford F.
Published: August 2012

James C. Scott’s book The Art of Not Being Governed is offered, in this essay review, as the latest evidence of the high value of Scott’s transdisciplinary research into how ordinary people resist state power. Scott’s critics have found his work methodologically deficient, suggesting that his approach is more a matter of art than of science. In this defense of methodological pluralism, Scott’s approach is shown to be vindicated by his insights into how the peoples of Zomia evolved ways to evade incorporation, over a period of centuries, into any of the states of Southeast Asia. Scott’s book is examined as a prime example of how the study of politics can and should help to effect political change — and its insights on anarchism as a way of life are applied to the Occupy Wall Street movement.
An Anarchist History
Authors: Seidman Michael
Published: August 2012

According to James C. Scott, in The Art of Not Being Governed, the resistance of Southeast Asian “hill peoples” to state subordination manifested itself in their deliberate abandonment of both sedentary agriculture and literacy. He argues that “tribality” (group-generated state evasion) is the polar opposite of “peasantry” (state-controlled agriculture). The hill peoples’ foraging and swiddening were thus political choices. Scott’s anthropological and geographical approach to these historical studies is admirable, but, despite his book’s subtitle (An Anarchist History of Upland Southeast Asia), it lacks any reflection on the history of anarchism beyond the observation that tens of millions of persons wanted to avoid being bossed and taxed by the state. There is in the book, moreover, an absence of reflection on the oppressive nature of society: the state, Scott claims, is always repressive, whereas societies without a state are freer. This essay review asks whether the author shares with states, despite his criticism of them, a paucity of concern for the fates of individuals.
The Accident of Beauty
Authors: Davidson Robin
Published: August 2012

This essay examines the work of Ewa Lipska, who, since the publication of her first book in 1967, has been among the most acclaimed of recent Polish poets but less well known in the West than Czesław Miłosz, Wisława Szymborska, or Adam Zagajewski. She is a philosophical poet, making frequent reference to the tradition of the Frankfurt School, in order to ironize the Enlightenment, Marxism, and Critical Theory, but also in order to assess the dangers of globalization. The focus of the analysis is Lipska’s volume 1999, the linchpin of a poetic project that engages centuries of social systems (political, economic, scientific, technological, artistic) and their vocabularies in order to examine the viability of human knowledge and the motivations underlying its creation.
Urinary free (unconjugated) metadrenalines in different hereditary forms of catecholamine-secreting phaeochromocytoma/paraganglioma
Authors: Davidson D Fraser , Bradshaw Nicola , Perry Colin G , Lindsay Robert , Freel E Marie
Published: August 2012

Background

Catecholamine-producing neuroendocrine tumours are found in chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla (phaeochromocytoma) or extra-adrenal paraganglia (paraganglioma), known collectively as PPGLs. In approximately a quarter or more of cases of PPGL, these rare tumours arise as a result of germline mutations of several tumour susceptibility genes. At the Crosshouse laboratory, urine tests include free metadrenalines (fMAs) (also known as free metanephrines) which demonstrate superior sensitivity over that obtained by urinary vanillyl mandelic acid, catecholamines or plasma catecholamines in the diagnosis of PPGL. This retrospective audit was to determine if urinary fMAs offered discrimination among the hereditary forms of PPGL.

Methods

Retrospective biochemical and genetic data were gathered from 1997 to 2011. The identified urine specimens were those obtained at the time of first diagnosis or recurrence of PPGL. Results of catecholamines and metabolites were standardized as multiples of their respective relevant upper reference limits (URLs).

Results

Results were available for 29 affected patients (15 females and 14 males), median age 26 (range 9–63) years, comprising three mutation groups: succinate dehydrogenase subunit B or D ([SDHB/D] 16 patients), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 ([MEN 2] 6 patients) and von Hippel–Lindau disease ([VHL] 7 patients). The parent catecholamines exhibited increased values for noradrenaline (NA) and/or adrenaline (AD) for 25/29 (86.2%) patients. Either or both free normetadrenaline (fNMA) and fMA were elevated in 29/29 (100%) patients.

Conclusions

The ratio of the multiples of URL for fMA/fNMA displayed a clearer separation of MEN 2 patients from those with SDHB/D or VHL than did the equivalent AD/NA ratio.
Gadolinium-chitosan nanoparticles as a novel contrast agent for potential use in clinical bowel-targeted MRI: a feasibility study in healthy rats
Authors: Cheng Jie-Jun , Zhu Jun , Liu Xiao-Sheng , He Dan-Nong , Xu Jian-Rong , Wu Lian-Ming , Zhou Juan , Feng Qi
Published: August 2012

Background

MRI is of increasing importance in the diagnostic evaluation of gastrointestinal diseases, with depiction of mucosal enhancement obtained with conventional intravenous contrast. Routine clinical use of contrast agents has been carried out using intravenous injection for mucosal imaging. Contrast agents that specifically target the intestinal mucosa are therefore needed to improve clinical imaging of the mucosal surface.

Purpose

To synthesize a novel contrast agent for gadopentetic acid (Gd-DTPA)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles and observe the absorption of the nanoparticles in the colon wall of healthy rats by MR imaging in vivo.

Material and Methods

A contrast agent was successfully synthesized by a modified emulsion coalescence method, and the resulting agents were characterized in detail by dynamic light-scattering spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity of Gd-chitosan nanoparticles was evaluated by an MTT assay. Gadolinium-chitosan (Gd@chitosan) nanoparticles were administered to the colon mucosa of healthy rats by rectal administration, and MRI scans in vivo were carried out with a 3.0 T imaging scanner at various time points.

Results

The prepared Gd@chitosan nanoparticles were ∼420 nm in diameter with a 74.4% Gd-DTPA content. The MTT assay indicated little cytotoxicity. MRI results showed that nanoparticles can be retained in both the stratum submucosum and epithelial cells of the colon for almost 80 min. Transmission electron microscopy images further revealed that Gd@chitosan nanoparticles were localized inside the mucosal cells or intercellular space, while tissue from Gd-DTPA aqueous solution administration showed nothing. Due to the infusion of Gd@chitosan nanoparticles, the MR signal intensity of colon mucosa increased from about 6% to 35%, and the contrast enhancement was highest at 20 min after administration.

Conclusion

Gd@chitosan nanoparticles with high Gd-DTPA content were successfully prepared for use as a novel MRI contrast agent. All results indicated that rectally administered Gd@chitosan nanoparticles have the potential for MRI diagnosis of colon mucosal disease.
Organ dose calculation in CT based on scout image data and automatic image registration
Authors: Kortesniemi Mika , Salli Eero , Seuri Raija
Published: August 2012

Background

Computed tomography (CT) has become the main contributor of the cumulative radiation exposure in radiology. Information on cumulative exposure history of the patient should be available for efficient management of radiation exposures and for radiological justification.

Purpose

To develop and evaluate automatic image registration for organ dose calculation in CT.

Material and Methods

Planning radiograph (scout) image data describing CT scan ranges from 15 thoracic CT examinations (9 men and 6 women) and 10 abdominal CT examinations (6 men and 4 women) were co-registered with the reference trunk CT scout image. 2-D affine transformation and normalized correlation metric was used for image registration. Longitudinal (z-axis) scan range coordinates on the reference scout image were converted into slice locations on the CT-Expo anthropomorphic male and female models, following organ and effective dose calculations.

Results

The average deviation of z-location of studied patient images from the corresponding location in the reference scout image was 6.2 mm. The ranges of organ and effective doses with constant exposure parameters were from 0 to 28.0 mGy and from 7.3 to 14.5 mSv, respectively. The mean deviation of the doses for fully irradiated organs (inside the scan range), partially irradiated organs and non-irradiated organs (outside the scan range) was 1%, 5%, and 22%, respectively, due to image registration.

Conclusion

The automated image processing method to registrate individual chest and abdominal CT scout radiograph with the reference scout radiograph is feasible. It can be used to determine the individual scan range coordinates in z-direction to calculate the organ dose values. The presented method could be utilized in automatic organ dose calculation in CT for radiation exposure tracking of the patients.
Bilateral approach of redistributed subclavian arterial infusion chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer spreading to the contralateral chest wall
Authors: Koike Yuya , Takizawa Kenji , Ogawa Yukihisa , Nakajima Yasuo
Published: August 2012

A catheter port system technique called redistributed subclavian arterial infusion chemotherapy (RESAIC) for locally advanced breast cancer was reported and seemed to be effective for local control and as a palliative treatment. However, when the cancer spreads beyond the medial line to the contralateral chest wall, ipsilateral RESAIC would not achieve a favorable drug distribution. We report on two patients with advanced breast cancer spreading to the contralateral chest wall in whom bilateral RESAIC was attempted. In summary, when advanced breast cancer spreads to the contralateral chest wall, bilateral RESAIC may be useful for local control or palliation.
Multiple sclerosis, an unlikely cause of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency: retrospective analysis of catheter venography
Authors: Simka Marian , Ludyga Tomasz , Kazibudzki Marek , Latacz Paweł , Świerad Marcin
Published: August 2012

Objectives

It is unknown if a relationship exists between multiple sclerosis and chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and if this venous pathology is a causal factor for multiple sclerosis or is a product of a neurological disease. Even so, one should expect that if multiple sclerosis were the cause for venous lesions, then patients with an extended history of the disease would present with a more severe venous pathology.

Design

Retrospective analysis of catheter venography of the azygous and internal jugularveins, and duration of clinical history of the disease in multiple sclerosis patients.

Setting

Mono-profile specialist hospital.

Participants

353 multiple sclerosis patients, with duration of the disease: 0.5–41 years (median: 10 years).

Main outcome measures

We performed statistical analysis of the correlations between the duration of multiple sclerosis and the degree and number of venous lesions revealed using catheter venography.

Results

We observed weak, statistically insignificant correlations between the severity of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency and the duration of multiple sclerosis. For the cumulated scores of venous lesions, Spearman and Kendall's tau correlation coefficients were 0.03 and 0.02, respectively; for maximal scores of venous lesions, coefficients were 0.06 and 0.05, while for the number of diseased veins they were 0.007 and 0.006, respectively. Consequently, this analysis did not yield any data supporting the idea that MS is the cause of venous lesions.

Conclusion

The results of our survey indicated that venous malformations are most likely congenital, and multiple sclerosis had no significant impact on the development of venous pathology.
Myofascial-entheseal dysfunction in chronic whiplash injury: an observational study
Authors: Bismil Qmk , Bismil Msk
Published: August 2012

Objectives

To document any consistent clinical findings in a large cohort of patients with whiplash associated disorder.

Design

Four-year observational study.

Setting

Large orthopaedic medicolegal practice in the UK.

Participants

1025 consecutive cases of chronic whiplash associated disorder.

Main outcome measures

Observational study of the clinical features of whiplash associated disorder: detailed examination

Results

Three consistent clinical features: neck pain; reduced cervical spine range of motion; and myofascial-entheseal dysfunction. With regards to the myofascial-entheseal dysfunction there were trigger points in the upper, middle or lower trapezius; with or without enthesopathy in the lower or middle trapezius.

Conclusions

On the basis of this large observational experience we propose a clinically-based definition of chronic whiplash associated disorder: a painful syndrome following acceleration-deceleration injury with neck stiffness; and myofascial-entheseal dysfunction.
Synthesis and Characterization of an Ion-Imprinted Polymer for Selective Adsorption of Copper Ions in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Xu Hui , Guo Donghong
Published: August 2012

Cu(II) ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) was prepared by a surface molecular imprinting technique using Cu(II) as the template ion, aniline as the functional monomer, attapulgite (ATP) as the support and epichlorohydrin (ECH) as the cross-linking agent. In this study, the IIP was characterized using scanning electron microscope and Fourier transmission infrared spectrometry, and then the factors affecting adsorption were discussed. The selectivity and adsorption capacity for the Cu(II) ions on Cu(II) IIP were systematically studied. Under optimal conditions, the results of this study revealed that the IIP possesses a very strong adsorption and recognizing ability for the Cu(II) ions. The maximum adsorption capacity of IIP for Cu(II) was about 32.0 mg/g and its selectivity is twice that of a non-imprinted polymer. When the Cu(II)-polyaniline/ATP IIP was used repeatedly, its adsorption capacity remained constant.
Micropore Size Analysis of Activated Carbons Using Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide and Methane Adsorption Isotherms: Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Authors: Aleghafouri Abbas , Mohsen-Nia Mohsen , Mohajeri Ali , Mahdyarfar Mohammad , Asghari Morteza
Published: August 2012

Nitrogen (N2, at 77 K and sub-atmospheric pressure), carbon dioxide (CO2, at 273 K, sub-atmospheric pressure and high pressure) and methane (CH4, at 298 K and high pressure) adsorption isotherms have been obtained for three microporous-activated carbons in order to characterize their micropore size distributions (MPSDs). A comparison of the results has shown that the shape of the isotherms was different, which was due in part to differences in the overall micropore volume and the MPSDs for the carbon samples studied in this work. According to the results, despite the different characteristics of CO2 and CH4, a quite good consistency between the MPSDs from these two gases was obtained for the three carbon samples. Finally, it was shown that the adsorption isotherms of CO2 and CH4 at the higher temperatures should be considered as a complement to N2 adsorption at 77 K for the characterization of porous texture (micropore volume and MPSDs) of activated carbon samples.
Selective Adsorption of Dibenzothiophene Using Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers
Authors: Huang Weihong , Li Hui , Xu Wanzhen , Zhou Wei , Zhou Zhiping , Yang Wenming
Published: August 2012

In this study, a novel and quick method for selective adsorption of dibenzothiophene (DBT) from gasoline using magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) as the adsorbent has been employed. The MMIPs were prepared by a surface molecular imprinting technique, using Fe3O4 magnetite nanoparticles as a magnetically susceptible component, DBT as template molecule, 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) as functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as cross-linker. The synthetic MMIPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The adsorption performances of MMIPs were investigated by batch adsorption experiments in terms of adsorption kinetics, isotherms and selective recognition. The results of the study indicated that MMIPs were able to adsorb DBT well, the adsorption equilibrium time was about 5 h and the equilibrium adsorption amount was 22.23 mg/g at 318 K. In the corresponding selectivity test, MMIPs exhibited a greater adsorption capacity towards DBT than the other three analogues.
Experimental Tests on High-Strength Concrete Columns Subjected to Combined Medium Axial Load and Flexure
Authors: Ho Johnny Ching Ming
Published: August 2012

To resist large deformability demand due to earthquake attack, high-strength concrete (HSC) columns of tall buildings in high seismicity regions are designed to be fully ductile by providing heavy confining steel in the plastic hinge region. However, in areas of low to moderate seismic risks, where the columns are subjected to reduced seismic demand, the same provision of confining steel causes unwanted increase in construction cost (i.e. less cost effective) and embodied energy or carbon level of the structures (i.e. less environmentally friendly). Especially for ultra-HSC columns, the required confining steel will be too large to be provided in the plastic hinge region, which adversely affects the concrete placing quality. To alleviate the problem, a series of experimental tests on HSC columns that contain less confining steel than that of fully ductile columns in the plastic hinge region was carried out to investigate their performance under medium axial load and flexure. From the obtained test results, it was found that these columns perform better than the HSC columns without sufficient confining steel. Also, the drift of these columns can reach about 3% and the respective curvature ductility factors of about 10.
Analysis of the accessibility of CLIP bound sites reveals that nucleation of the miRNA:mRNA pairing occurs preferentially at the 3′-end of the seed match
Authors: Marín Ray M. , Voellmy Franziska , von Erlach Thibaud , Vaníček Jiří
Published: August 2012

To find out whether the AGO-miRNA complex is more sensitive to the accessibility of a particular region inside the seed match, we analyze in detail the accessibility of a wide set of miRNA binding sites validated by PAR-CLIP and HITS-CLIP experiments. Our analysis reveals that nucleotides at the 3′-end of bound seed matches are significantly more accessible than nucleotides at the 5′-end as well as nucleotides at any positions in the unbound seed matches. We show that the accessibility of a single nucleotide at the 3′-end is more effective than the accessibility of several nucleotides at the 5′-end in discriminating between functional and nonfunctional binding sites. Analysis of mRNA and protein fold changes induced by miRNA overexpression demonstrates that genes with accessible nucleation regions at the 3′-end are down-regulated more strongly than genes whose accessible nucleation regions are located elsewhere within the seed match. We also observed an increase in the precision of the miRNA target prediction algorithm PACMIT when accessibility toward the 3′-end of the seed match was required. The pronounced sensitivity of the AGO–miRNA complex to the accessibility of the 3′-end of the seed match suggests that, in most cases, nucleation occurs in this region. We show that this conclusion is consistent with previous experimental studies.