bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of aeration strategy on CHO cell performance during antibody production
Authors: Velez‐Suberbie M. Lourdes , Tarrant Richard D. R. , Tait Andrew S. , Spencer Daniel I. R. , Bracewell Daniel G.
Published: October 2012

Stirred tank bioreactors using suspension adapted mammalian cells are typically used for the production of complex therapeutic proteins. The hydrodynamic conditions experienced by cells within this environment have been shown to directly impact growth, productivity, and product quality and therefore an improved understanding of the cellular response is critical. Here we investigate the sub‐lethal effects of different aeration strategies on Chinese hamster ovary cells during monoclonal antibody production. Two gas delivery systems were employed to study the presence and absence of the air–liquid interface: bubbled direct gas sparging and a non‐bubbled diffusive silicone membrane system. Additionally, the effect of higher gas flow rate in the sparged bioreactor was examined. Both aeration systems were run using chemically defined media with and without the shear protectant Pluronic F‐68 (PF‐68). Cells were unable to grow with direct gas sparging without PF‐68; however, when a silicone membrane aeration system was implemented growth was comparable to the sparged bioreactor with PF‐68, indicating the necessity of shear protectants in the presence of bubbles. The cultures exposed to increased hydrodynamic stress were shown by flow cytometry to have decreased F‐actin intensity within the cytoskeleton and enter apoptosis earlier. This indicates that these conditions elicit a sub‐lethal physiological change in cells that would not be detected by the at‐line assays which are normally implemented during cell culture. These physiological changes only result in a difference in continuous centrifugation performance under high flow rate conditions. Product quality was more strongly affected by culture age than the hydrodynamic conditions tested. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2013.
Activities of enzymes that hydrolyze adenine nucleotides in lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: dos Santos Jaques Jeandre Augusto , Becker Lara Vargas , Souza Viviane do Carmo Gonçalves , Leal Cláudio Alberto Martins , Bertoldo Tatiana Montagner Dalcin , de Vargas Pinheiro Kelly , Morsch Vera Maria , Schetinger Maria Rosa Chitolina , Leal Daniela Bitencourt Rosa
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the activities of ecto‐nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (E‐NTPDase; EC 3.6.1.5; CD39) and adenosine deaminase (E‐ADA; EC 3.5.4.4) in lymphocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Thirty patients diagnosed with RA through American College of Rheumatology criteria as well as 30 healthy patients were selected. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated, and E‐NTPDase and E‐ADA activities were assayed. The results demonstrated an increased E‐NTPDase activity (both ATP and ADP as substrates) and a decreased E‐ADA activity in RA patients. These data suggest an organic effort to preserve the adenosine level, which is known to have anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties, working as a potent suppressor of immune response. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of incomplete revascularization in patients undergoing PCI for unprotected left main stem stenosis
Authors: Malkin Chris J. , Ghobrial Mina S.A. , Raina Tushar , Siotia Anjan , Morton Allison C. , Gunn Julian
Published: October 2012

Introduction

Percutaneous revascularization of patients with multivessel and left main stem (LMS) disease may be incomplete and the impact of this is not well reported and may influence outcome. In this study we assessed the role of completeness of revascularization upon outcome after PCI for unprotected left main stem (uLMS) PCI in the “real world.”

Materials and Method

Consecutive patients (n = 353) with uLMS disease were treated by PCI by a single operator with a policy of maximal feasible revascularization between 2000 and 2011. The SYNTAX score was calculated before and after PCI (residual SYNTAX score) to gauge the completeness of revascularization. The endpoints were mortality and repeat revascularization.

Results

Mean age was 69 ± 11 years, baseline SYNTAX score was 33.4 ± 15, 53% were nonelective, 10% were in cardiogenic shock, and 45% were not surgical candidates. LMS bifurcation was involved in 74% and 2.0 ± 0.9 other vessels were diseased. Complete revascularization was achieved in 49% and was associated with reduced mortality compared with incomplete, at 30 days [5(2.9%) v 23(13%)], 1 year [9(5%) v 34(19%)], and 3 years [14(8%) v 46(26%)]; all P < 0.0001). Median rSYNTAX score was 1(0–11), 1‐year survival for the lowest, middle and highest tertiles of rSYNTAX were 1.7%, 3.1% and 7.3% (P < 0.0001), respectively. In multivariate analysis postprocedure rSYNTAX score independently predicted outcome but preprocedural SYNTAX score did not.

Conclusions

For unselected patients with uLMS treated by PCI, completeness of revascularization is associated with superior survival. The rSYNTAX score, a novel index of completeness of revascularization, independently predicts survival. Baseline SYNTAX score does not. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cost effectiveness of radial access for diagnostic cardiac catheterization and coronary intervention
Authors: Applegate Robert , Sacrinty Matthew , Schafer Pascha , Smith Justin , Gandhi Sanjay , Kutcher Michael , Santos Renato , Cecile Adam , Little William
Published: October 2012

Objectives

To evaluate the cost effectiveness of diagnostic cardiac catheterizations (CATH) and coronary interventions (PCI) performed using radial artery (RA) access compared to femoral artery (FA) access.

Background

CATH and PCI performed from the RA reduce access site complications compared to FA, but can increase procedure duration, and equipment and contrast use. Whether resulting increases in utilization costs are offset by reduced costs of complications is uncertain.

Methods

In all, 6,726 CATH and PCI (RA, 3,368; FA, 3,358) were performed from January 2009 to December 2011. Procedural costs and cost of access site complications were compared for propensity‐matched CATH (RA and FA, 1,222) and PCI (RA and FA, 570) throughout a complete transition of the lab from a preferred FA to preferred RA strategy.

Results

Adjusted mean total costs were $10 more (95% confidence interval $613 less to $610 more) for RA‐CATH versus FA‐CATH and $732 less ($1,345 less to $156 less) for RA‐PCI versus FA‐PCI. The incremental cost per vascular or bleeding complication avoided with RA‐CATH was $1,265, whereas RA was economically dominant with lower costs and fewer complications compared to FA for PCI and all procedures.

Conclusions

Radial access for CATH and PCI reduced access site complications and overall costs compared to FA procedures with similar baseline clinical and procedural characteristics, making it an economically advantageous strategy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bleeding outcomes after routine transradial primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction using eptifibatide and unfractionated heparin: A single‐center experience following the HORIZONS‐AMI trial
Authors: Moody William E. , Chue Colin D. , Ludman Peter F. , Chan Yik‐ki C. , Narayan Gautam , Millington Jenna M. , Townend Jonathan N. , Doshi Sagar N.
Published: October 2012

Objectives

We sought to (1) determine the bleeding rates after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in our institution, where the default strategy has been transradial (TR) access in combination with unfractionated heparin (UFH) plus eptifibatide, and (2) compare these with the outcomes of patients treated with bivalirudin in HORIZONS‐AMI.

Background

HORIZONS‐AMI demonstrated that in PPCI undertaken via the transfemoral route, routine use of bivalirudin was associated with lower bleeding rates and improved mortality compared to routine use of UFH plus glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (GPI).

Methods

This was a single‐center prospective registry of consecutive patients undergoing PPCI from January 2009 to August 2011 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, UK. Thirty‐day major bleeding was defined as per the HORIZONS‐AMI criteria and also according to TIMI and GUSTO scales.

Results

Of the 432 consecutive patients, 350 fulfilled entry criteria for HORIZONS‐AMI. In contrast with HORIZONS‐AMI, these subjects were older (62.5 ± 13.7 yr vs. 59.8 ± 11.1 yr, P < 0.05) with a higher rate of cardiogenic shock (6.3% vs. 0.8%, P < 0.0001). Despite this higher risk population, the rate of major bleeding was favorable (3.7% [95% CI: 2.0–6.3%] vs. 4.9% [4.0–6.1%], P = 0.32). Similarly, TIMI major bleeding (2.0% [0.8–4.1%] vs. 3.1% [2.3–3.4%], P = 0.10) and GUSTO severe or life‐threatening bleeding (0.6% [0.1–2.5%] vs. 0.4% [0.2–0.9%], P = 0.75) were comparable.

Conclusions

Routine TR access for PPCI using UFH plus GPI is associated with a low 30‐day rate of major bleeding equivalent to the bivalirudin arm of HORIZONS‐AMI. Default transradial access for PPCI permits routine use of a GPI without the penalty of high bleeding rates. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylative Coupling of Aryl Iodides and Benzyl Acetylenes to 3‐Alkylidenefuran‐2‐ones under Mild Conditions and Its Density Functional Theory Modeling
Authors: Wu Xiao‐Feng , Jiao Haijun , Neumann Helfried , Beller Matthias
Published: October 2012

A general and efficient method for the palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative coupling of aryl iodides to benzyl acetylenes has been developed. Various furanones have been prepared in excellent yields from their corresponding benzyl acetylenes at room temperature under a CO atmosphere. For aliphatic alkynes, their corresponding alkynones were obtained in good yields. Detailed DFT calculations have also been carried out to understand the reaction pathway and the most probable reaction mechanism has been proposed.
Current‐mode dual‐output ICCII‐based tunable universal biquadratic filter with low‐input and high‐output impedances
Authors: Chen Hua‐Pin
Published: October 2012

A new tunable current‐mode (CM) biquadratic filter with three inputs and three outputs using three dual‐output inverting second‐generation current conveyors, three grounded resistors and two grounded capacitors is proposed. The proposed circuit exhibits low‐input impedance and high‐output impedance which is important for easy cascading in the CM operations. It can realize lowpass, bandpass, highpass, bandreject and allpass biquadratic filtering responses from the same topology. The circuit permits orthogonal controllability of the quality factor Q and resonance angular frequency ωo, and no component matching conditions or inverting‐type input current signals are imposed. All the passive and active sensitivities are low. Hspice simulation results are based on using TSMC 0.18 µm 1P6M process complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology and supply voltages ±0.9 V to verify the theoretical analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomarker detection of rhGH Doping: an excretion study
Authors: Jing Jing , Zhou Xinmiao , He Chunji , Zhang Lisi , Yang Sheng , Xu Youxuan , Xie Minhao , Yan Yi , Su Hao , Wu Moutian
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this research is to validate the biomarker‐based approach for the detection of doping with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in sport. The GH‐2000 project proposed an indirect method for the detection of exogenously administered growth hormone (GH) based on the measurement of the GH‐dependent markers: insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and Type III pro‐collagen (P‐III‐P). These markers rise in a dose‐dependent manner after GH application. In this study, the concentrations of IGF‐I, IGF‐BP3, and P‐III‐P in serum were determined to provide further incentives for the implementation of this detection assay in modern anti‐doping programmes. This paper reports on an administration study of rhGH involving 25 Chinese male volunteers at a dose of 0.1 IU /kg/day for a continuous 14‐day period.

We observed that the serum IGF‐I concentration increased rapidly in the rhGH treatment group and showed significantly higher levels compared to baseline between days 4 and day 16 after administration. Although the response of P‐III‐P to rhGH administration was delayed compared to the IGF‐I axis, the P‐III‐P concentration remained increased for a longer period (from day 4 to day 28). Statistical analysis was carried out to establish a discriminant formula with Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) concluding that the biomarker methodology is valid and universally applicable. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Skeletal site‐specific role of connective tissue growth factor in prenatal osteogenesis
Authors: Lambi Alex G. , Pankratz Talia L. , Mundy Christina , Gannon Maureen , Barbe Mary F. , Richtsmeier Joan T. , Popoff Steven N.
Published: October 2012

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is a matricellular protein that is highly expressed during bone development. Mice with global CTGF ablation (knockout, KO) have multiple skeletal dysmorphisms and perinatal lethality. A quantitative analysis of the bone phenotype has not been conducted. Results: We demonstrated skeletal site‐specific changes in growth plate organization, bone microarchitecture, and shape and gene expression levels in CTGF KO compared with wild‐type mice. Growth plate malformations included reduced proliferation zone and increased hypertrophic zone lengths. Appendicular skeletal sites demonstrated decreased metaphyseal trabecular bone, while having increased mid‐diaphyseal bone and osteogenic expression markers. Axial skeletal analysis showed decreased bone in caudal vertebral bodies, mandibles, and parietal bones in CTGF KO mice, with decreased expression of osteogenic markers. Analysis of skull phenotypes demonstrated global and regional differences in CTGF KO skull shape resulting from allometric (size‐based) and nonallometric shape changes. Localized differences in skull morphology included increased skull width and decreased skull length. Dysregulation of the transforming growth factor‐β‐CTGF axis coupled with unique morphologic traits provides a potential mechanistic explanation for the skull phenotype. Conclusions: We present novel data on a skeletal phenotype in CTGF KO mice, in which ablation of CTGF causes site‐specific aberrations in bone formation. Developmental Dynamics, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
RGMa and RGMb expression pattern during chicken development suggest unexpected roles for these repulsive guidance molecules in notochord formation, somitogenesis, and myogenesis
Authors: Jorge Erika Cristina , Ahmed Mohi U. , Bothe Ingo , Coutinho Luiz Lehmman , Dietrich Susanne
Published: October 2012

Background: Repulsive guidance molecules (RGM) are high‐affinity ligands for the Netrin receptor Neogenin, and they are crucial for nervous system development including neural tube closure; neuronal and neural crest cell differentiation and axon guidance. Recent studies implicated RGM molecules in bone morphogenetic protein signaling, which regulates a variety of developmental processes. Moreover, a role for RGMc in iron metabolism has been established. This suggests that RGM molecules may play important roles in non‐neural tissues. Results: To explore which tissues and processed may be regulated by RGM molecules, we systematically investigated the expression of RGMa and RGMb, the only RGM molecules currently known for avians, in the chicken embryo. Conclusions: Our study suggests so far unknown roles of RGM molecules in notochord, somite and skeletal muscle development. Developmental Dynamics, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modelling the effects of the mountain pine beetle on snowmelt in a subalpine forest
Authors: Perrot Danielle , Molotch Noah P. , Musselman Keith N. , Pugh Evan T.
Published: October 2012

The recent mountain pine beetle epidemic in the Colorado River Basin has resulted in widespread tree mortality in pine stands across the Colorado Plateau. Because of complex micro‐scale (i.e. tree well scale) interactions between vegetation and snow processes, one of the most significant issues resulting from this epidemic is the potential hydrologic impacts of the effects of changing forest structure. Using SNTHERM, we conducted a comparative modelling scenario analysis of the snowpack along a transect between two trees over the course of the snow ablation season (28 February–30 June) under four forest stand conditions to assess changes in snowpack characteristics because of loss of canopy biomass. We found that the red phase scenario (intermediate phase of tree death) exhibited a 4‐day earlier snow disappearance date than the living stand scenario and grey phase scenario (advanced phase of tree death), although the timing of isothermal conditions at 0 °C was identical. The modelled clearcut scenario snowpack became isothermal at 0 °C 10 days earlier than the living, red phase, or grey phase scenarios. The clearcut modelling scenario also exhibited the greatest homogenization of snow properties, and the spatio‐temporal distribution of snow disappearance at the tree well scale was 70% as variable as the living, red phase and grey phase modelling scenarios. These results provide insight to the processes responsible for changing hydrologic dynamics in snow‐dominated forest ecosystems with the onset of vegetation stress and death and may help inform future forest management strategies.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sustainable Development Indicators: From Statistics to Policy
Authors: Garnåsjordet Per Arild , Aslaksen Iulie , Giampietro Mario , Funtowicz Silvio , Ericson Torgeir
Published: October 2012

Sustainable development indicators (SDIs) may have good potential to bring environmental concerns to the policy agenda. However, different understandings of sustainability, definitions of SDIs and measurement procedures may give completely different assessments of whether society moves towards a sustainable development path or not. Compilation of statistical indicators for environmental change and sustainability comprises not only a selection of facts in some technical sense, as the choices involved are conditioned by societal interests and implicit values embedded in the data‐generating processes. This implies that statistical offices cannot ignore the role that values play in the generation of accurate data sets. To give an assessment of sustainability, we need not only to address historical trends but also to evaluate policy choices made today and how they may influence future development. SDI sets should be evaluated according to how they contribute to deliberation on sustainability in learning processes involving participants beyond the science–policy interface. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Use of proteomic methods in the analysis of human body fluids in Alzheimer research
Authors: Zürbig Petra , Jahn Holger
Published: October 2012

Proteomics is the study of the entire population of proteins and peptides in an organism or a part of it, such as a cell, tissue, or fluids like cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, serum, urine, or saliva. It is widely assumed that changes in the composition of the proteome may reflect disease states and provide clues to its origin, eventually leading to targets for new treatments. The ability to perform large‐scale proteomic studies now is based jointly on recent advances in our analytical methods. Separation techniques like CE and 2DE have developed and matured. Detection methods like MS have also improved greatly in the last 5 years. These developments have also driven the fields of bioinformatics, needed to deal with the increased data production and systems biology. All these developing methods offer specific advantages but also come with certain limitations. This review describes the different proteomic methods used in the field, their limitations, and their possible pitfalls. Based on a literature search in PubMed, we identified 112 studies that applied proteomic techniques to identify biomarkers for Alzheimer disease. This review describes the results of these studies on proteome changes in human body fluids of Alzheimer patients reviewing the most important studies. We extracted a list of 366 proteins and peptides that were identified by these studies as potential targets in Alzheimer research.
Evaluation of the highest concentrations used in the in vitro chromosome aberrations assay
Authors: Brookmire Lauren , Chen James J. , Levy Dan D.
Published: October 2012

There is controversy over the highest concentration to which an article should be tested in in vitro mammalian cell assays of genetic toxicity. Until recently, most guidelines specified the use of concentrations of up to 10 mM or 5,000 μg/ml (whichever is lower) when not limited by the toxicity of the test article to the cells used for the test. Several recent publications have called for lowering those limits. We examined concentration/response curves for in vitro chromosome aberrations assays. Data was extracted from two published databases to evaluate the lowest dose at which a positive response was reported. Concentration/response curves were simulated using Monte Carlo procedures on log normal distributions of the data. These curves were then used to predict the loss in assay sensitivity that would be incurred by arbitrarily lowering the highest concentration to which the assay is conducted. The simulations suggest that lowering the current high concentration limit from 10 mM would dramatically impact the sensitivity of the assay. In contrast, lowering the high concentration limit using the μg/ml scale, the most commonly applied scale in regulatory submissions, would not have a similar impact on assay sensitivity until the limit concentration was lowered to more than half of the current 5,000 μg/ml limit. This analysis suggests that the current limits of 10 mM and 5,000 μg/ml are not equivalent to one another and challenges the assumption that lowering the 10 mM limit will not decrease assay sensitivity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2013. Published 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A complex of α6 integrin and E‐cadherin drives liver metastasis of colorectal cancer cells through hepatic angiopoietin‐like 6
Authors: Marchiò Serena , Soster Marco , Cardaci Sabrina , Muratore Andrea , Bartolini Alice , Barone Vanessa , Ribero Dario , Monti Maria , Bovino Paola , Sun Jessica , Giavazzi Raffaella , Asioli Sofia , Cassoni Paola , Capussotti Lorenzo , Pucci Piero , Bugatti Antonella , Rusnati Marco , Pasqualini Renata , Arap Wadih , Bussolino Federico
Published: October 2012

Homing of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to the liver is a non‐random process driven by a crosstalk between tumour cells and components of the host tissue. Here we report the isolation of a liver metastasis‐specific peptide ligand (CGIYRLRSC) that binds a complex of E‐cadherin and α6 integrin on the surface of CRC cells. We identify angiopoietin‐like 6 protein as a peptide‐mimicked natural ligand enriched in hepatic blood vessels of CRC patients. We demonstrate that an interaction between hepatic angiopoietin‐like 6 and tumoural α6 integrin/E‐cadherin drives liver homing and colonization by CRC cells, and that CGIYRLRSC inhibits liver metastasis through interference with this ligand/receptor system. Our results indicate a mechanism for metastasis whereby a soluble factor accumulated in normal vessels functions as a specific ligand for circulating cancer cells. Consistently, we show that high amounts of coexpressed α6 integrin and E‐cadherin in primary tumours represent a poor prognostic factor for patients with advanced CRC.
What makes us human? Answers from evolutionary anthropology
Authors: Calcagno James M. , Fuentes Agustín
Published: October 2012

Today, scholars from numerous and highly diverse fields are not only addressing the question of what makes us human, but also seeking input from other disciplines to inform their answers to this fundamental issue. However, for the most part, evolutionary anthropologists are not particularly prominent in this discussion, or at least not acknowledged to be. Why is this the case? One reason may be that although evolutionary anthropologists are uniquely positioned to provide valuable insight on this subject, the responses from any one of us are likely to be as different as the research specializations and intellectual experiences that we bring to the table. Indeed, one would anticipate that a paleoanthropologist would not only have different views than a primatologist, geneticist, or behavioral ecologist, but from other paleoanthropologists as well. Yet if asked by a theologian, psychologist, or political scientist, and perhaps most importantly, by any curious person outside the walls of academia, do we have a response that most evolutionary anthropologists could agree on as reflecting our contributions to the understanding of being and becoming human? Our introductory textbooks usually begin with this fundamental question, yet seldom produce a concise answer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
THE EFFECT OF DRIP LINE PLACEMENT ON SOIL WATER DYNAMICS IN THE CASE OF SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION
Authors: Diamantopoulos E. , Elmaloglou S.
Published: October 2012

The effect of drip line placement on soil wetting pattern, deep percolation and evapotranspiration, in the case of surface and subsurface drip irrigation, was considered. To this aim, a mathematical model which describes water flow under surface and subsurface drip lines, taking into account root water uptake, evaporation of soil water from the soil surface and hysteresis in the soil water characteristic curve θ(Η), was used. Several numerical experiments were conducted, for three soils, two discharge rates and four drip line placements. The results showed that when the depth of placement increases, the horizontal movement of water, close to the surface, decreases. It was also concluded that in the case of surface drip irrigation, the values of the water content close to the drip line are lower compared with those of subsurface drip irrigation. Lastly, the numerical results showed that deep percolation increases at a higher pace than evaporation decreases, resulting in lower values of irrigation efficiency as the depth of placement increases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Keeping pain out of your mind: The role of attentional set in pain
Authors: Van Ryckeghem D.M.L. , Crombez G. , Eccleston C. , Legrain V. , Van Damme S.
Published: October 2012

Background

The involuntary capture of attention by pain may, to some extent, be controlled by psychological variables. In this paper, we investigated the effect of attentional set (i.e., the collection of task‐related features that a person is monitoring in order to successfully pursue a goal) on pain.

Methods

Two experiments are reported in which the task relevance of the modality and spatial location of a target stimulus was manipulated. In both experiments, somatosensory and auditory stimuli were presented on each trial. In experiment 1, 29 participants were cued on each trial to localize either a somatosensory or an auditory target. In experiment 2, 37 participants were cued on each trial to identify either a somatosensory or an auditory target at a particular location.

Results

In experiment 1, self‐reported pain intensity and unpleasantness were reduced when participants had to localize the auditory target. The location of the painful stimulus relative to the location of the auditory target did not affect pain. In experiment 2, again, pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings were reduced when participants identified the auditory target. Now, the location of the painful stimulus relative to the location of the auditory target moderated the effect. Pain intensity was less when the painful stimulus was at a different location than the auditory target.

Conclusions

Results are discussed in terms of the attentional set hypothesis, and we argue that the effectiveness of distraction tasks depends on the degree to which the task‐relevant features of the distraction task are distinct from pain‐related features.
Effects of intravenous propranolol on heat pain sensitivity in healthy men
Authors: Schweinhardt P. , Abulhasan Y.B. , Koeva V. , Balderi T. , Kim D.J. , Alhujairi M. , Carli F.
Published: October 2012

Background

Clinical studies have shown opioid‐sparing effects of β‐adrenergic antagonists perioperatively and β‐blockers are being investigated for chronic musculoskeletal pain. However, the direct analgesic effects of β‐blockers have rarely been examined in healthy humans.

Methods

In a randomized, counter‐balanced, double‐blind, within‐subject crossover design, we tested the effect of the lipophilic β‐blocker propranolol (0.035 mg/kg body weight i.v.) on heat pain sensitivity in 39 healthy males, compared with placebo. To test for peripheral versus central effects, the peripherally acting β‐blocker sotalol was also examined. Experimental stimuli were brief superficial noxious heat stimuli applied to the volar forearm. Non‐painful cold stimuli were included to test for specificity. Sedation, mood and anxiety were assessed to investigate potential mechanisms underlying any analgesic effect. β‐blocker effects on blood pressure were incorporated into the analysis because of a known inverse relationship between pain sensitivity and systolic blood pressure.

Results

Propranolol significantly decreased perceived intensity of heat pain stimuli but only in participants with small propranolol‐induced blood pressure decreases. Even in this group, the effect was small (4%). Propranolol did not influence perceived intensity of non‐noxious stimuli and had no effect on sedation, anxiety or mood. Sotalol did not influence heat pain sensitivity.

Conclusions

Propranolol decreased pain sensitivity but its analgesic effects were small and counteracted by blood pressure decreases. The analgesic effects were not mediated by peripheral β‐receptor blockade, sedation, mood or anxiety. The small effect indicates that the utility of β‐blockers for clinical pain must be related to factors that do not play a significant role for experimental pain.
Tumor necrosis factor α suppresses the mesenchymal stem cell osteogenesis promoter miR-21 in estrogen deficiency–induced osteoporosis
Authors: Yang Nan , Wang Guang , Hu Chenghu , Shi Yuanyuan , Liao Li , Shi Songtao , Cai Yan , Cheng Shuli , Wang Xi , Liu Yali , Tang Liang , Ding Yin , Jin Yan
Published: October 2012

Inflammatory cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), have been shown to inhibit osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and bone formation in estrogen deficiency–induced osteoporosis, but the mechanism responsible remains poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to regulate MSC differentiation. Here, we identified a novel mechanism whereby TNF-α, suppressing the functional axis of a key miRNA (miR-21) contributes to estrogen deficiency–induced osteoporosis. In this study, we screened differentially expressed miRNAs in MSCs derived from estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis and found miR-21 was significantly downregulated. miR-21 was suppressed by TNF-α during the osteogenesis of MSCs. Furthermore, miR-21 was confirmed to promote the osteoblast differentiation of MSCs by repressing Spry1, which can negatively regulate the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Upregulating miR-21 partially rescued TNF-α–impaired osteogenesis of MSCs. Blocking TNF-α ameliorated the inflammatory environment and significantly enhanced bone formation with increased miR-21 expression and suppressed Spry1 expression in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Our results revealed a novel function for miR-21 and suggested that suppressed miR-21 may contribute to impaired bone formation by elevated TNF-α in estrogen deficiency–induced osteoporosis. This study may indicate a molecular basis for novel therapeutic strategies against osteoporosis and other inflammatory bone diseases. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Conversions of olive mill wastewater‐based media by Saccharomyces cerevisiae through sterile and non‐sterile bioprocesses
Authors: Sarris Dimitris , Giannakis Marios , Philippoussis Antonios , Komaitis Michael , Koutinas Apostolis A. , Papanikolaou Seraphim
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND: Olive mill wastewaters (OMWs) are an important residue and several methods have been proposed for their treatment.

RESULTS: Remarkable decolorization (~63%) and phenol removal (~34% w/w) from OMW was achieved. In glucose‐based flask sterile cultures, enrichment with OMWs increased ethanol and biomass production compared with cultures without OMWs added. Flask sterile and un‐sterilized cultures demonstrated similar kinetic results. Batch‐bioreactor trials performed showed higher ethanol and lower biomass quantities compared with the respective shake‐flask experiments, while cultures used under un‐sterilized conditions revealed equivalent results to the sterile ones. In non‐sterile bioreactor cultures, OMWs addition enhanced biomass production in comparison with culture with no OMWs added, whereas ethanol biosynthesis was not affected. The maximum ethanol quantity achieved was 52 g L−1 (conversion yield per sugar consumed of 0.46 g g−1) in a batch bioreactor non‐sterilized trial with OMW–glucose enriched medium used as substrate, that presented initial reducing sugars concentration at ~115 g L−1. Fatty acid analysis of cellular lipids demonstrated that in OMW‐based media, cellular lipids containing increased concentrations of oleic and linoleic acid were produced in comparison with cultures with no OMWs added.

CONCLUSIONS: S. cerevisiae simultaneously produced bio‐ethanol and biomass and detoxified OMWs, under non‐sterile conditions. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Can live bi‐plane sonography reduce work‐related musculoskeletal disorders of the wrist?
Authors: Stenberg Ben , Elliott Simon T.
Published: October 2012

Objectives:

Work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a recognized problem affecting up to 81% of sonographers. Live bi‐plane imaging is a new technology derived from matrix transducers, which allows the operator to scan in more than one plane simultaneously and can reduce the off‐axis movement of the scanning arm when assessing abdominal organs. This study was performed to assess if using a bi‐planar technique would reduce stressful movements of the wrist.

Methods:

Twelve patients were scanned by three operators (four each) using both a standard scanning abdominal protocol and a live bi‐plane abdominal protocol using an iu22 scanner (Philips Healthcare, Bothell, WA) and an X6‐1 probe with a bi‐axial flexible electrogoniometer measuring the postural stresses on the scanning wrist throughout the study.

Results:

Significant flexion/extension and radial/ulnar deviations were markedly reduced using the bi‐plane scanning protocol compared to the standard B‐mode protocol, with an average reduction in significant repetitive wrist movements of 71.6% (p = <0.001).

Conclusions:

Bi‐planar ultrasound scanning technique may reduce stressful movements on the scanning arm and might reduce the likelihood of WMSD assuming there are no other contributing factors. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
SEM and AFM studies of dip‐coated CuO nanofilms
Authors: Dhanasekaran V. , Mahalingam T. , Ganesan V.
Published: October 2012

Cupric oxide (CuO) semiconducting thin films were prepared at various copper sulfate concentrations by dip coating. The copper sulfate concentration was varied to yield films of thicknesses in the range of 445–685 nm by surface profilometer. X‐ray diffraction patterns revealed that the deposited films were polycrystalline in nature with monoclinic structure of (−111) plane. The surface morphology and topography of monoclinic‐phase CuO thin films were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Surface roughness profile was plotted using WSxM software and the estimated surface roughness was about ∼19.4 nm at 30 mM molar concentration. The nanosheets shaped grains were observed by SEM and AFM studies. The stoichiometric compound formation was observed at 30 mM copper sulfate concentration prepared film by EDX. The indirect band gap energy of CuO films was increased from 1.08 to 1.20 eV with the increase of copper sulfate concentrations. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of DNA methylation in the development of Epstein–Barr virus‐associated gastric carcinoma
Authors: Saito Mari , Nishikawa Jun , Okada Toshiyuki , Morishige Akihiro , Sakai Kouhei , Nakamura Munetaka , Kiyotoki Shu , Hamabe Kouichi , Okamoto Takeshi , Oga Atsunori , Sasaki Kohsuke , Suehiro Yutaka , Hinoda Yuji , Sakaida Isao
Published: October 2012

The frequencies of DNA methylation of certain tumor‐related genes are higher in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐associated gastric carcinomas than in EBV‐negative gastric carcinomas. EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas have distinct clinicopathological features; however, there are no case‐control studies comparing methylation frequency between EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas and controls that have been adjusted according to the clinicopathological features of EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas. This study evaluated 25 EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas that were positive for EBV‐encoded small RNA 1 (EBER‐1) by in situ hybridization and 50 EBV‐negative gastric carcinomas that were matched with the EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas by age, sex, histology, depth of tumor invasion, and stage. Methylation status of 16 loci associated with tumor‐related genes was analyzed by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify genes in which DNA methylation specifically occurred in EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas. Methylation frequencies of 12 of the 16 genes were higher in EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas than in EBV‐negative controls, and the frequency of methylation of 6 specific loci (MINT2, MINT31, p14, p16, p73, and RUNX3) was significantly higher in EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas than in EBV‐negative controls. There were no significant differences in the methylation frequencies of the other genes. The mean methylation index in EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas was significantly higher than that in EBV‐negative controls. DNA methylation of tumor suppressor genes that regulate the cell cycle and apoptosis specifically occurred in EBV‐associated gastric carcinomas. Aberrant DNA methylation might lead to the development and progression of EBV‐associated gastric carcinoma. J. Med. Virol. 85:121–127, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diversity of rotavirus strains circulating in children under 5 years of age admitted to hospital for acute gastroenteritis in morocco, june 2006 to may 2009
Authors: Benhafid Mohammed , Elomari Nezha , Elqazoui Maria , Meryem Azzouzi Idrissi , Rguig Ahmed , Filali‐Maltouf Abdelkarim , Elaouad Rajae
Published: October 2012

Rotavirus vaccine was introduced in Morocco during 2010. In anticipation of introducing rotavirus vaccines, the Ministry of Health in Morocco established a rotavirus surveillance network in June 2006 at four hospitals in Morocco to obtain baseline data on rotavirus disease burden and prevalent strains. From June 2006 to May 2009, stool samples were collected from children under 5 years of age admitted for diarrhea to four sentinel hospitals serving different regions of Morocco. Rotaviruses were detected in stools using enzyme immunoassay, then genotyped by reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Samples with adequate stool in which the P or G types could not be determined by RT‐PCR were subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis. Overall, 42% (579 of 1,388) of the stools samples tested were positive for rotavirus. Genotyping of 548 (95%) samples demonstrated that G1P[8] (55%) was the most prevalent strain, followed by G9P[8] (11.3%), G2P[4] (9.1%), G4P[8] (0.9%), and G3P[8] (0.4%). Several other strains were identified including G1P[4] (0.2%), G1P[6] (0.9%), G2P[6] (4.3%), G2P[8] (0.2%), G3P[6] (0.4%), G3P[4] (0.2%), and G9P[6] (0.2%). A high prevalence of mixed infections was found (15% of all samples) of which G1G2P[8] (4%) and G1G3P[8] (3.6%) accounted for the majority. Considerable diversity of rotavirus genotypes was present among strains circulating in Morocco prior to the introduction of the vaccine. This study highlighted the need for maintaining active surveillance to monitor changes in rotavirus disease burden and strain dynamics and to detect changes over time that could impact the effectiveness of the vaccination program. J. Med. Virol. 85:354–362, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A trinity of engagement transforms care at UPMC Shadyside's 6 Main
Authors: D'Antonio Irma
Published: October 2012

At 6 Main, part of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the evolution from a struggling patient care unit to a high‐functioning patient care team was led by a thoughtful partnership involving the unit director, her staff, and an improvement specialist trained in the use of Transforming Care at the Bedside (TCAB) tools. Motivated to achieve total patient safety, they worked together to transform the culture of a nursing unit so that those closest to the patients are empowered to initiate and lead improvement efforts. The results of this transformation are reflected in higher patient satisfaction scores that stem from enhanced communication with nurses, greater responsiveness of hospital staff, and a safer and more pleasant hospital environment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
For success in a cross‐cultural environment, choose foreign executives wisely
Authors: Arp Frithjof
Published: October 2012

The increasing globalization of the world economy challenges multinational as well as small and medium‐sized local organizations to attract and retain global talent. Academic researchers have lately turned their attention from organizational expatriate assignments to various new types of global careers, including self‐initiated expatriation in geographically and culturally distant countries. Among these new global careers, foreign executives in local organizations (FELOs) are a very specific phenomenon. Highly visible and often controversial, FELOs are appointed to help organizations compete with—and even leapfrog–international competitors. Research shows that a dichotomy exists between the initial reason for an FELO appointment and the reasons that actually make a cross‐cultural workplace successful in the long term. Local organizations that appoint foreign executives without regard for contextual influences, people management skills, and capacity development do so at their peril. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Encouraging the happiness of older employees at Sodexo France
Authors: Franklin‐Johnson Elizabeth , Richomme‐Huet Katia
Published: October 2012

Employees that are happy tend to be interested, engaged, and content in their work and, therefore, more likely to exhibit positive on‐the‐job behaviors. Given the fact that the number of older employees in the workplace is rising, how is it possible to ensure the happiness of this particular group of employees, especially since the needs of older employees differ from those of their younger counterparts? The experience of Sodexo France reveals that the implementation of a policy that addresses the unique needs of older employees enhances job satisfaction and positive affect and discourages negative affect—for the benefit of the entire organization. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study on solid structure of pentacene thin films using Raman imaging
Authors: Seto Keisuke , Furukawa Yukio
Published: October 2012

We present a 532‐nm excited Raman imaging study of pentacene thin films (thickness, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 150 nm) prepared on an SiO2 surface. The structure of the pentacene films has been investigated by images and histograms of the ratio (R) of intensity of the 1596‐cm−1 band (b3g) to that of the 1533‐cm−1 band (ag), which can be used as a marker of solid‐state phases: 1.54‐nm and 1.44‐nm phases. The Raman images showed that island‐like 1.44‐nm phase domains are grown on the 1.54‐nm phase layer from 50 nm, and all the surface of the 1.54‐nm phase layer is covered with the 1.44‐nm phase layer from 100 nm. The structural disorders have been discussed on the basis of the full width at half maximum of a band in the histogram of the R values for each film. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The space of vector‐valued integrable functions under certain locally convex topologies
Authors: Maghsoudi Saeid
Published: October 2012

Let E be a Banach space, Ω a locally compact space, and μ a positive Radon measure on Ω. In this paper, through extending to Lebesgue‐Bochner spaces, we show that the topology β1 introduced by Singh is a type of strict topology. We then investigate various properties of this locally convex topology. In particular, we show that the strong dual of L1(μ, E) can be identified with a Banach space. We also show that the topology β1 is a metrizable, barrelled or bornological space if and only if Ω is compact. Finally, we consider the generalized group algebra \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$L^1(G, \mathbf {A})$\end{document} under certain natural locally convex topologies. As an application of our results, we prove that \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$L^1(G,\mathbf {A})$\end{document} under the topology β1 is a complete semi‐topological algebra.
Prediction of orthotropic mechanical properties of plain‐weave composites with matrix voids using unit cells at multi‐scales
Authors: Li Hongzhou , Fan Xinyu , Yan Chun
Published: October 2012

A numerical procedure for predicting the orthotropic mechanical properties of plain‐weave composites with matrix voids through a combined approach of the representative volume element method and finite element analyses is presented. The representative volume element method was implemented using two unit cells established at different length scales with equation boundary conditions. By considering the presence of randomly scattered voids throughout the matrix induced during the manufacturing process, it was assumed in the simulation that the spatial distribution of matrix voids is completely random. The procedure was exemplified with a glass fiber‐reinforced (plain‐weave fabric) epoxy composite with matrix voids. Sensitivity studies were conducted to quantify the influence of fiber volume fraction and mechanical properties of the constituent phases on the orthotropic mechanical properties of the composite. The numerical procedure, which can be implemented in ABAQUS, is an efficient tool for guiding the design of plain‐weave composites at materials level and also provides effective properties of such composites for the design optimization of engineering structures made of such composite materials. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry