bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection for non‐diapause in Amblyseius cucumeris and Amblyseius barkeri and exploration of the effectiveness of selected strains for thrips control
Authors: van Houten Yvonne M. , van Stratum Pam , Bruin Jan , Veerman Alfred
Published: April 2011

In Europe and North America the western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis, is an important pest in various greenhouse crops, such as sweet pepper and cucumber. Two species of predatory mite are commercially applied for biological control of this pest: Amblyseius cucumeris and A. barkeri. Thrips control is generally successful from March onwards. During winter, however, thrips control by these predatory mites is less effective. An important reason for this is that the commercially applied strains of both mite species enter reproductive diapause under short‐day photoperiods, whereas the western flower thrips does not enter diapause. In this paper we report on selection experiments for non‐diapause in strains of both mite species, aimed at obtaining predators that do not enter diapause under light‐ and temperature conditions prevailing in winter. Additional experiments were done to estimate the potential of the selected lines as control agents of F. occidentalis. Selection for non‐diapause proved highly successful in both predatory mite species. In a New Zealand strain of A. cucumeris diapause incidence decreased from 41% to 0% in about ten generations; in a Dutch strain of A. barkeri diapause incidence decreased from 67% to 0% in about six generations. Furthermore, selection for non‐diapause had no influence on predator performance, measured as predation rate and oviposition rate on a diet of first instar thirps larvae. Rates of predation and oviposition were the same for selected and unselected lines in both species; rates of predation and oviposition were higher for A. cucumeris than for A. barkeri. After 18 months under non‐diapause conditions, no less than 92% of a sample of the selected non‐diapause line of A. cucumeris did not enter diapause when tested under diapause‐inducing conditions. This indicates that ‘non‐diapause’ is a stable trait in these predatory mites. Finally, a small‐scale greenhouse experiment in a sweet pepper crop showed that the selected non‐diapause line of A. cucumeris established successfully under diapause‐inducing short‐day conditions.
Comparison of the herbivore defense and competitive ability of ancestral and modern genotypes of an invasive plant, Lespedeza cuneata
Authors: Beaton Laura L. , Van Zandt Peter A. , Esselman Elizabeth J. , Knight Tiffany M.
Published: April 2011

The evolution of increased competitive ability (EICA) hypothesis provides a compelling explanation for the success of invasive species. It contends that because alien plants have escaped their coevolved natural enemies, selection pressures favor a diversion of resources from herbivore defense to traits that confer increased competitive ability. Here, we provide evidence for EICA in the noxious grassland invader Lespedeza cuneata, by comparing the ancestral genotype introduced to North America in 1930 with modern‐day invasive (North American) and native (Japanese) genotypes. We found that the invasive genotype was a better competitor than either the native or the ancestral genotype. Further, the invasive genotype exhibited greater induced resistance but lower constitutive resistance than the ancestral and native genotypes. Our results suggest that selection has played a pivotal role in shaping this invasive plant species into a more aggressive, but less constitutively defended competitor.
Comorbidities of Diabetes and Hypertension: Mechanisms and Approach to Target Organ Protection
Authors: Long Amanda N. , Dagogo‐Jack Samuel
Published: April 2011

Up to 75% of adults with diabetes also have hypertension, and patients with hypertension alone often show evidence of insulin resistance. Thus, hypertension and diabetes are common, intertwined conditions that share a significant overlap in underlying risk factors (including ethnicity, familial, dyslipidemia, and lifestyle determinants) and complications. These complications include microvascular and macrovascular disorders. The macrovascular complications, which are well recognized in patients with longstanding diabetes or hypertension, include coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stroke, congestive heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. Although microvascular complications (retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy) are conventionally linked to hyperglycemia, studies have shown that hypertension constitutes an important risk factor, especially for nephropathy. The familial predisposition to diabetes and hypertension appears to be polygenic in origin, which militates against the feasibility of a “gene therapy” approach to the control or prevention of these conditions. On the other hand, the shared lifestyle factors in the etiology of hypertension and diabetes provide ample opportunity for nonpharmacologic intervention. Thus, the initial approach to the management of both diabetes and hypertension must emphasize weight control, physical activity, and dietary modification. Interestingly, lifestyle intervention is remarkably effective in the primary prevention of diabetes and hypertension. These principles also are pertinent to the prevention of downstream macrovascular complications of the two disorders. In addition to lifestyle modification, most patients will require specific medications to achieve national treatment goals for hypertension and diabetes. Management of hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and the underlying hypercoagulable and proinflammatory states requires the use of multiple medications in combination. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:244–251. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Drug of Choice in the Management of Hypertension in Diabetes and Diabetic Nephropathy: Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Authors: Ritz Eberhard
Published: April 2011

Hypertension is common in patients with diabetes mellitus and is a main cause of renal and cardiovascular complications. There has been recent controversy on what should be considered the optimal blood pressure goal and the optimal antihypertensive agent. It has become apparent that one blood pressure does not fit all in diabetic patients. Major confounders are preexisting cardiovascular disease and presence or absence of proteinuric kidney disease. In proteinuric diabetic nephropathy, renin‐angiotensin system blockade is clearly indicated, but monotherapy is practically always insufficient to achieve target blood pressure values. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:285–289. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transient Energy and Heat Transport in Metals: Effect of the Discrete Character of the Lattice
Authors: Ezzahri Y. , Joulain K. , Shakouri A.
Published: April 2011

A recently developed Shastry’s formalism for energy transport is used to analyze the temporal and spatial behaviors of the electron energy and heat transport in metals under delta function excitation at the surface. Comparison with Cattaneo’s model is performed. Both models show the transition between nonthermal (ballistic) and thermal (ballistic-diffusive) regimes. Furthermore, because the new model considers the discrete character of the lattice, it highlights some new phenomena, such as damped oscillations, in the energy transport both in time and in space. The energy relaxation of the conduction band electrons in metals is considered to be governed by the electron-phonon scattering, and the scattering time is taken to be averaged over the Fermi surface. Using the new formalism, one can quantify the transfer from nonthermal modes to thermal ones as energy propagates in the material and it is transformed into heat. While the thermal contribution shows a wave-front and an almost exponentially decaying behavior with time, the nonthermal part shows a wave-front and a damped oscillating behavior. Two superimposed oscillations are identified, a fast oscillation that is attributed to the nonthermal nature of energy transport at very short time scales and a slow oscillation that describes the nature of the transition from the nonthermal regime to the thermal regime of energy transport.
Forced Convection in a Channel Partly Occupied by a Bidisperse Porous Medium: Symmetric Case
Authors: Nield D. A. , Kuznetsov A. V.
Published: April 2011

An analytic solution is obtained for the problem of fully developed forced convection in a channel between parallel plane walls, partly occupied by a bidisperse porous medium (BDPM) and partly by a fluid clear of solid material, the distribution of material being symmetrical with the BDPM forming either the core or the sheath portion of the channel. The case of uniform flux boundaries is considered. For the porous medium, a two-velocity two-temperature model based on Darcy’s law is employed and the Beavers–Joseph interface condition is imposed. In each case, Nusselt number values are obtained in terms of various parameters.
SYNCHRONIZATION OF A CLASS OF MASTER–SLAVE NONAUTONOMOUS CHAOTIC SYSTEMS WITH PARAMETER MISMATCH VIA SINUSOIDAL FEEDBACK CONTROL
Authors: CAI JIANPING , MA MIHUA , WU XIAOFENG
Published: April 2011

In this paper, we investigate a master–slave synchronization scheme of two n-dimensional nonautonomous chaotic systems coupled by sinusoidal state error feedback control, where parameter mismatch exists between the external harmonic excitation of master system and that of slave one. A concept of synchronization with error bound is introduced due to parameter mismatch, and then the bounds of synchronization error are estimated analytically. Some synchronization criteria are firstly obtained in the form of matrix inequalities by the Lyapunov direct method, and then simplified into some algebraic inequalities by the Gerschgorin disc theorem. The relationship between the estimated synchronization error bound and system parameters reveals that the synchronization error can be controlled as small as possible by increasing the coupling strength or decreasing the magnitude of mismatch. A three-dimensional gyrostat system is chosen as an example to verify the effectiveness of these criteria, and the estimated synchronization error bounds are compared with the numerical error bounds. Both the theoretical and numerical results show that the present sinusoidal state error feedback control is effective for the synchronization. Numerical examples verify that the present control is robust against amplitude or phase mismatch.
STUDY ON AlSb POLYCRYSTALLINE THIN FILMS PREPARED BY VACUUM CO-EVAPORATION
Authors: SONG HUIJIN , WU LILI , ZHENG JIAGUI , FENG LIANGHUAN , LEI ZHI , ZHANG JINGQUAN
Published: April 2011

In this paper, the AlSb polycrystalline thin films were prepared by vacuum co-evaporation technology and their structural, optical and electrical properties have been studied. XRD results showed that the as-deposited AlSb amorphous thin films transformed to polycrystalline state after annealed in vacuum at temperatures higher than 540°C. The process of phase change was observed to depend on the annealing temperature and the film composition. Some irreversible changes took place in the annealed films during the measurement of the temperature dependence of the film conductance. The conductance activation energy of the film was 0.132 and 0.32 eV during the heating and cooling process, respectively, which suggests the decrease of Sb vacancies in the AlSb film after the heating. Hall effect and optical absorption measurement showed that the AlSb polycrystalline thin films were p-type, indirect bandgap semiconductors with absorption coefficient higher than 8 × 104 cm -1. TCO/CdS/AlSb photovoltaic devices with the local open circuit voltage of over 200 mV have been fabricated.
A DISSIPATIVE PARTICLE DYNAMICS STUDY ON THE MORPHOLOGIES OF H-SHAPED BLOCK COPOLYMERS IN SOLVENT
Authors: SHAO XI , YANG KAI , MA YU-QIANG
Published: April 2011

Multicompartment micelles have advanced applications in biological and pharmaceutical fields. The self-assembly of the block copolymers with different chain architectures provides versatile and powerful routes to obtain multicompartment micelles in water. Here we apply the dissipative particle dynamics method to study the self-assembly of H-shaped triblock copolymers in a selective solvent. It is found that the H-shaped triblock copolymers can form micelles with different morphologies, such as worm-like micelles, hamburger micelles, core-shell-corona micelles, and cylinder micelles, etc. Among them, the cylinder micelles have not been reported before in the case of the copolymers with similar chain architecture (e.g., Y-shaped copolymer). We demonstrate a convenient approach to obtain different morphologies by only adjusting the arrangement of the copolymers' blocks. These results may be helpful for the design of multicompartment micelles for various application purposes.
FIRST-PRINCIPLES CALCULATION OF THE ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE AND MAGNETISM AT THE GRAPHENE/Ni(111) INTERFACE
Authors: CHEN L. , OUYANG Y. , PAN H. Z. , SUN Y. Y. , WANG Y. L.
Published: April 2011

A spin-polarized first-principles calculation of the atomic and electronic structure of the graphene/ Ni (111) interface is studied. The electronic structure of the graphene layer is strongly modified by interaction with the substrate and a behavior where magnetic moments are localized at the edges of nanoscale holes of isolated graphene does not happen in the defect-graphene/ Ni (111) system. The magnetic moment of the surface nickel atoms is lowered in the presence of the graphene layer and nanoscale holes of graphene, which control the strength of the hybridization between electronic states of graphene and Ni substrate. Our findings show that an electron spin in the graphene/ Ni (111) interface can be manipulated in a controlled way and have important implications for graphene-based spintronic devices.
THE THOMPSON–HIGMAN MONOIDS Mk,i: THE ${\mathcal J}$-ORDER, THE ${\mathcal D}$-RELATION, AND THEIR COMPLEXITY
Authors: BIRGET JEAN-CAMILLE
Published: April 2011

The Thompson–Higman groups Gk,ihave a natural generalization to monoids, called Mk,i, and inverse monoids, called Invk,i. We study some structural features of Mk,iand Invk,iand investigate the computational complexity of related decision problems. The main interest of these monoids is their close connection with circuits and circuit complexity.

The maximal subgroups of Mk,1and Invk,1are isomorphic to the groups Gk,j(1 ≤ j ≤ k - 1); so we rediscover all the Thompson–Higman groups within Mk,1.

Deciding the Green relations [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of Mk,1, when the inputs are words over a finite generating set of Mk,1, is in P.

When a circuit-like generating set is used for Mk,1then deciding [Formula: see text] is coDP-complete (where DP is the complexity class consisting of differences of sets in NP). The multiplier search problem for [Formula: see text] is xNPsearch-complete, whereas the multiplier search problems of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are not in xNPsearch unless NP = coNP. The class of search problems xNPsearch is introduced as a slight generalization of NPsearch.

Deciding [Formula: see text] for Mk,1when the inputs are words over a circuit-like generating set, is ⊕k-1• NP -complete; for any h ≥ 2, ⊕h•NP is a modular counting complexity class, whose verification problems are in NP. Related problems for partial circuits are the image size problem (which is # • NP-complete), and the image size modulo h problem (which is ⊕h•NP-complete). For Invk,1over a circuit-like generating set, deciding [Formula: see text] is ⊕k-1P-complete. It is interesting that the little known complexity classes coDP and ⊕k-1•NP play a central role in Mk,1.
ON THE SINGULAR PART OF THE PARTITION MONOID
Authors: EAST JAMES
Published: April 2011

We study the singular part of the partition monoid [Formula: see text]; that is, the ideal [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the symmetric group. Our main results are presentations in terms of generators and relations. We also show that [Formula: see text] is idempotent generated, and that its rank and idempotent-rank are both equal to [Formula: see text]. One of our presentations uses an idempotent generating set of this minimal cardinality.
GROWTH OF FINITELY PRESENTED REES QUOTIENTS OF FREE INVERSE SEMIGROUPS
Authors: SHNEERSON L. M. , EASDOWN D.
Published: April 2011

We prove that a finitely presented Rees quotient of a free inverse semigroup has polynomial growth if and only if it has bounded height. This occurs if and only if the set of nonzero reduced words has bounded Shirshov height and all nonzero reduced but not cyclically reduced words are nilpotent. This occurs also if and only if the set of nonzero geodesic words have bounded Shirshov height. We also give a simple sufficient graphical condition for polynomial growth, which is necessary when all zero relators are reduced. As a final application of our results, we give an inverse semigroup analogue of a classical result that characterizes polynomial growth of finitely presented Rees quotients of free semigroups in terms of connections between non-nilpotent elements and primitive words that label loops of the Ufnarovsky graph of the presentation.
ORGANISATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF OPEN INNOVATION: AN ANALYSIS OF INTER-INDUSTRY PATTERNS
Authors: BUGANZA TOMMASO , CHIARONI DAVIDE , COLOMBO GABRIELE , FRATTINI FEDERICO
Published: April 2011

Although Open Innovation has been a highly researched and debated topic in the last decade, many relevant issues remain largely unexplored so far. An interesting question to address is whether and how Open Innovation has a dissimilar impact on the organization and management systems of firms working in different industries. The paper investigates this topic using a rich empirical basis gathered through 8 case studies involving large Italian corporations, which operate in heterogeneous industries. Managers will find a number of insights about how to streamline the adoption and institutionalization of Open Innovation practices, taking into account the specificity of the firm and the industry in which it works. The empirical analysis shows that some firms tend to leverage exploitative inter-organizational networks, characterized by strong ties and by the presence of several heterogeneous actors such as customers, suppliers and universities. Moreover, they establish dedicated units to institutionalize structured and formalized screening processes for managing Open Innovation projects. Other firms enter instead into networking relationships mainly for explorative purposes, establishing weak ties with public research centers or universities. They adopt more informal, ad-hoc structures and evaluation procedures, very often embedded in the already existing R&D departments. The paper explains that such differences descend from a number of industry-level variables, i.e., R&D intensity, strength of the appropriability regime, turbulence and uncertainty.
Impact of Implantation and Annealing on Channel Strain of Transistors with Embedded Silicon–Germanium Source and Drain
Authors: Wong Choun Pei , Liu Jinping , Kasim Johnson , See Alex , Shen Ze Xiang
Published: April 2011

We investigate the effect of implantation and annealing on 45 nm node transistors with embedded silicon–germanium source and drain, using UV Raman spectroscopy. Direct measurements of the channel strain indicate that the strain relaxed after implantation is recovered partially after annealing. Recovery of channel strain depends on annealing conditions. Our results show that a low-temperature, long-duration anneal results in a greater channel strain compared to a high-temperature, short-duration anneal. When a high-temperature anneal is needed for fabricating transistors, a two-step anneal involving a low-temperature furnace anneal prior to a high-temperature rapid thermal anneal can be beneficial for recovering channel strain.
ISA 2010 workshop report
Authors: Jensen Christian S. , Li Ki-Joune , Winter Stephan
Published: April 2011

With the increasing deployment of location-based services, geographic information systems, and ubiquitous computing, technologies and services that target indoor spaces are receiving increasing attention. This development is quite understandable because, as a paper presented at ISA 2010 points out, studies show that we lead most of our lives, 87% to be specific, in indoor settings. Those 87% are the focus of ISA 2010.
SPRINGL 2010 workshop report
Authors: Damiani Maria Luisa , Saygin Yucel
Published: April 2011

Security and privacy are both critical for geospatial applications because of the dramatic increase and dissemination of geospatial data in several application contexts including homeland security, environmental crises, and natural and industrial disasters. Furthermore, geospatial infrastructures are being leveraged by companies to provide a large variety of location-based services (LBS) able to tailor services to users. However, despite the increase of publicly accessible geospatial information little attention is being paid to securing geospatial information systems (GIS) and LBS. Privacy is also of increasing concern given the sensitivity of personally-identifiable location information.
SIGSPATIAL China 2010 activity report
Authors: Xie Xing
Published: April 2011

In order to promote ACM SIGSPATIAL and corresponding research area in China, and encourage collaboration between SIGSPATIAL researchers in China and researchers worldwide, in October 2009, we have established ACM SIGSPATIAL China chapter, with the strong support of SIGSPATIAL executive committee.
Noninvasive measurement of plasma glucose from exhaled breath in healthy and type 1 diabetic subjects
Authors: Minh Timothy D. C. , Oliver Stacy R. , Ngo Jerry , Flores Rebecca , Midyett Jason , Meinardi Simone , Carlson Matthew K. , Rowland F. Sherwood , Blake Donald R. , Galassetti Pietro R.
Published: April 2011

Effective management of diabetes mellitus, affecting tens of millions of patients, requires frequent assessment of plasma glucose. Patient compliance for sufficient testing is often reduced by the unpleasantness of current methodologies, which require blood samples and often cause pain and skin callusing. We propose that the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath can be used as a novel, alternative, noninvasive means to monitor glycemia in these patients. Seventeen healthy (9 females and 8 males, 28.0 ± 1.0 yr) and eight type 1 diabetic (T1DM) volunteers (5 females and 3 males, 25.8 ± 1.7 yr) were enrolled in a 240-min triphasic intravenous dextrose infusion protocol (baseline, hyperglycemia, euglycemia-hyperinsulinemia). In T1DM patients, insulin was also administered (using differing protocols on 2 repeated visits to separate the effects of insulinemia on breath composition). Exhaled breath and room air samples were collected at 12 time points, and concentrations of ∼100 VOCs were determined by gas chromatography and matched with direct plasma glucose measurements. Standard least squares regression was used on several subsets of exhaled gases to generate multilinear models to predict plasma glucose for each subject. Plasma glucose estimates based on two groups of four gases each ( cluster A: acetone, methyl nitrate, ethanol, and ethyl benzene; cluster B: 2-pentyl nitrate, propane, methanol, and acetone) displayed very strong correlations with glucose concentrations (0.883 and 0.869 for clusters A and B, respectively) across nearly 300 measurements. Our study demonstrates the feasibility to accurately predict glycemia through exhaled breath analysis over a broad range of clinically relevant concentrations in both healthy and T1DM subjects.
Review of Allergic and Photoallergic Contact Dermatitis from an Ingredient in a Medicament Vehicle Consisting of a Compress, Poultice, Plaster, and Tape
Authors: Oiso Naoki , Kawada Akira
Published: April 2011

The topical application of a medicament vehicle consisting of a compress, poultice, plaster, and tape containing a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug or methyl salicylate is prevalent in Japan. The method is effective for conveying ingredients to the muscles via the skin for the relief of muscular pain. However, an ingredient in the occlusive vehicle can cause allergic and photoallergic contact dermatitis. We summarize cases reported over the past decade and discuss the current strategy for diminishing the risk of allergic and photoallergic contact dermatitis.
EUS-FNA for the Diagnosis of Retroperitoneal Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor
Authors: Sofi Aijaz A. , Thekdi Ashish D. , Nawras Ali
Published: April 2011

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a rare “small round blue cell tumor” that is diagnosed by open biopsy or percutaneous biopsy of the lesion under radiologic guidance. In this case report, we present a novel approach to the diagnosis of a retroperitoneal PNET by endoscopic ultrasound- (EUS-) guided fine needle aspiration (FNA). A 35-year-old man presented with the history of left-sided flank pain and swelling of 3-weeks duration. Computerized tomography (CT) scan of his abdomen revealed a 12.8 × 13 × 12.5 cm cystic and solid mass arising from the retroperitoneum and displacing the third and fourth portions of the duodenum. He underwent EUS which revealed a well-circumscribed heterogeneous mass abutting the inferior portion of the stomach. EUS-FNA of the mass revealed malignant cells consistent with primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET)/Ewing's sarcoma. EUS-guided FNA is an appropriate technique for diagnosing retroperitoneal PNET/Ewing's sarcoma.
Rare Presentation of Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Zygomycosis: Bilateral Facial Nerve Palsy
Authors: Mohebbi Alireza , Jahandideh Hesam , Harandi Ali Amini
Published: April 2011

Rhino-orbital-cerebral zygomycosis afflicts primarily diabetics and immunocompromised individual, but can also occur in normal hosts rarely. We here presented an interesting case of facial nerve palsy and multiple cold abscesses of neck due to rhino-orbital-cerebral zygomycosis in an otherwise healthy man. Although some reports of facial nerve paralysis in conjunction with rhino-orbital-cerebral zygomycosis exist, no case of bilateral complete facial paralysis has been reported in the literature to date.
Animal Models of Middle Ear Cholesteatoma
Authors: Yamamoto-Fukuda Tomomi , Takahashi Haruo , Koji Takehiko
Published: April 2011

Middle ear acquired cholesteatoma is a pathological condition associated with otitis media, which may be associated with temporal bone resorption, otorrhea and hearing loss, and occasionally various other complications. Cholesteatoma is characterized by the enhanced proliferation of epithelial cells with aberrant morphologic characteristics. Unfortunately, our understanding of the mechanism underlying its pathogenesis is limited. To investigate its pathogenesis, different animal models have been used. This paper provides a brief overview of the current status of research in the field of pathogenesis of middle ear acquired cholesteatoma, four types of animal models previously reported on, up‐to‐date cholesteatoma research using these animal models, our current studies of the local hybrid ear model, and the future prospect of new animal models of middle ear cholesteatoma.
Camptothecin-Based Regimens for Treatment of Ewing Sarcoma: sPast Studies and Future Directions
Authors: Wagner Lars
Published: April 2011

New therapies are needed to improve survival for patients with Ewing sarcoma. Over the past decade, camptothecin agents such as topotecan and irinotecan have demonstrated activity against Ewing sarcoma, especially in combination with alkylating agents. Previous studies have shown camptothecin-based combinations to be tolerable outpatient strategies that are attractive for salvage therapy. This paper highlights important issues related to drug dosing, schedule of administration, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and activity of commonly used camptothecin-based regimens. Also discussed are strategies for incorporating these regimens into therapy for newly diagnosed patients, including several potential possibilities for combination with targeted agents.
Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte–Associated Antigen-4
Authors: Salama April K.S. , Hodi F. Stephen
Published: April 2011

Cancer immunotherapy relies on the ability of the immune system to target tumor-specific antigens to generate an immune response. This initial response requires both binding of the MHC/antigen peptide to T-cell receptor complex, along with a second costimulatory signal created by the binding of CD28 on the T cell, with B7 located on the antigen-presenting cell. Regulatory checkpoints, such as cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), serve to attenuate this signal, thereby preventing autoimmunity. Its key role in regulating the immune system has made CTLA-4 an attractive therapeutic target for cancer, with the development of fully human monoclonal antibodies that have successfully targeted CTLA-4 in clinical trials. Augmentation of the immune response via blockade of CTLA-4 represents a significant advance in the field of oncology and has shown an improvement in survival for patients with metastatic melanoma. An increased understanding of the components of this pathway and the identification of other methods to modulate the immune system hold great promise for future therapy. Clin Cancer Res; 17(14); 4622–8. ©2011 AACR.
Is the Screening Test of the French Version of the Dementia Quality of Life Questionnaire Indispensable
Authors: Wolak A. , Novella J.-L. , Drame M. , Morrone I. , Boyer F. , Blanchard F. , Jolly D.
Published: April 2011

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the screening questions in the French version of the Dementia Quality of Life (DQoL) questionnaire. To assess the psychometric properties of the French DQoL, 155 patients with mild-to-moderate dementia were recruited. Here, we compared the psychometric properties of the instrument between patients who passed the screening test (n = 109) and the whole study population (n = 155). The French DQoL version showed a good test-retest reliability at a 2-week interval (0.95 ≤ intraclass correlation coefficients ≤ 1.0), and an average internal consistency (0.58 ≤ Cronbach’s α ≤ 0.87) for the 2 study groups. Significant differences were observed in the 2 groups for 4 dimensions of the DQoL regarding dementia severity (Cornell scale), and for 3 dimensions evaluating depression (MMSE). Convergent validity with the Duke Health Profile revealed many significant correlations between dimensions not only in the 109 patients, but also in the whole study population. Our study demonstrated that patients who failed the screening procedure nonetheless seemed to be able to answer the DQoL questionnaire, the whole study group showing acceptable psychometric properties.
Fate of Early 2000s Arctic Warm Water Pulse
Authors: Polyakov Igor V. , Alexeev Vladimir A. , Ashik Igor M. , Bacon Sheldon , Beszczynska-Möller Agnieszka , Carmack Eddy C. , Dmitrenko Igor A. , Fortier Louis , Gascard Jean-Claude , Hansen Edmond , Hölemann Jens , Ivanov Vladimir V. , Kikuchi Takashi , Kirillov Sergey , Lenn Yueng-Djern , McLaughlin Fiona A. , Piechura Jan , Repina Irina , Timokhov Leonid A. , Walczowski Waldemar , Woodgate Rebecca
Published: April 2011

No Abstract available.
CHANGE: A Place-Based Curriculum for Understanding Climate Change at Storm Peak Laboratory, Colorado
Authors: Hallar A. Gannet , McCubbin Ian B. , Wright Jennifer M.
Published: April 2011

Curriculum in High Altitude Environments for Teaching Global Climate Change Education (CHANGE) uses place-based education to teach middle school students about meteorology and climate as a basis to improve climate science literacy. The curriculum provides in-school and out-of-school instruction and connects students with scientists at Storm Peak Laboratory, a high-elevation atmospheric research facility above Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Following an initial 2-h classroom lesson, students record their own measurements of temperature, pressure, wind speed, and particle concentrations while traveling up the mountain to Storm Peak Laboratory. After returning to the classroom, students graph these data and analyze their results. Evaluation of this program showed that students improved their knowledge of key concepts pertaining to climate literacy. The hands-on, place-based format of CHANGE can be used as a model for middle school students in alpine communities to teach lessons in weather and climate and can be further refined by improved lesson plans, increased feedback to students, and an independent evaluation.
Consistent Changes in the Sea Ice Seasonal Cycle in Response to Global Warming
Authors: Eisenman Ian , Schneider Tapio , Battisti David S. , Bitz Cecilia M.
Published: April 2011

The Northern Hemisphere sea ice cover has diminished rapidly in recent years and is projected to continue to diminish in the future. The year-to-year retreat of Northern Hemisphere sea ice extent is faster in summer than winter, which has been identified as one of the most striking features of satellite observations as well as of state-of-the-art climate model projections. This is typically understood to imply that the sea ice cover is most sensitive to climate forcing in summertime, and previous studies have explained this by calling on factors such as the surface albedo feedback. In the Southern Hemisphere, however, it is the wintertime sea ice extent that retreats fastest in climate model projections. Here, it is shown that the interhemispheric differences in the model projections can be attributed to differences in coastline geometry, which constrain where sea ice can occur. After accounting for coastline geometry, it is found that the sea ice changes simulated in both hemispheres in most climate models are consistent with sea ice retreat being fastest in winter in the absence of landmasses. These results demonstrate that, despite the widely differing rates of ice retreat among climate model projections, the seasonal structure of the sea ice retreat is robust among the models and is uniform in both hemispheres.
Skinfold Measurements Enhance Nutrition Assessments and Care Planning for Children With Developmental Delays and Disabilities
Authors: Bellou Trudi F.
Published: April 2011

Children with developmental delays or disabilities (DDs) may differ from typically developing children in body composition. Alterations in muscle tone, delayed motor development, and impaired mobility may affect the development of lean muscle tissue in children with developmental challenges. Studies show that children with diverse developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy (CP), spina bifida, Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), and premature birth have significant alterations in lean muscle mass, which may affect body weight and body mass index. Because lean muscle mass is a major determinant of resting energy expenditure and makes up a significant portion of body weight, the use of body composition measurements such as tricep skinfolds and subscapular skinfolds can clarify assessments of nutritional status, which in turn can facilitate goal setting and care planning for children with DDs. This article will review research on body composition in children with CP, spina bifida, PWS, and prematurity and will present 2 case studies to illustrate how using skinfold measurements in clinical practice can clarify nutritional diagnosis and care planning.
RNA interference of argininosuccinate synthetase restores sensitivity to recombinant arginine deiminase (rADI) in resistant cancer cells
Authors: Wu Fe-Lin Lin , Liang Yu-Fen , Chang Yuan-Chen , Yo Hao-Hsin , Wei Ming-Feng , Shen Li-Jiuan
Published: April 2011

Background

Sensitivity of cancer cells to recombinant arginine deiminase (rADI) depends on expression of argininosuccinate synthetase (AS), a rate-limiting enzyme in synthesis of arginine from citrulline. To understand the efficiency of RNA interfering of AS in sensitizing the resistant cancer cells to rADI, the down regulation of AS transiently and permanently were performed in vitro, respectively.

Methods

We studied the use of down-regulation of this enzyme by RNA interference in three human cancer cell lines (A375, HeLa, and MCF-7) as a way to restore sensitivity to rADI in resistant cells. The expression of AS at levels of mRNA and protein was determined to understand the effect of RNA interference. Cell viability, cell cycle, and possible mechanism of the restore sensitivity of AS RNA interference in rADI treated cancer cells were evaluated.

Results

AS DNA was present in all cancer cell lines studied, however, the expression of this enzyme at the mRNA and protein level was different. In two rADI-resistant cell lines, one with endogenous AS expression (MCF-7 cells) and one with induced AS expression (HeLa cells), AS small interference RNA (siRNA) inhibited 37-46% of the expression of AS in MCF-7 cells. ASsiRNA did not affect cell viability in MCF-7 which may be due to the certain amount of residual AS protein. In contrast, ASsiRNA down-regulated almost all AS expression in HeLa cells and caused cell death after rADI treatment. Permanently down-regulated AS expression by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) made MCF-7 cells become sensitive to rADI via the inhibition of 4E-BP1-regulated mTOR signaling pathway.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that rADI-resistance can be altered via AS RNA interference. Although transient enzyme down-regulation (siRNA) did not affect cell viability in MCF-7 cells, permanent down-regulation (shRNA) overcame the problem of rADI-resistance due to the more efficiency in AS silencing.
Deep sequencing analysis of the developing mouse brain reveals a novel microRNA
Authors: Ling King-Hwa , Brautigan Peter J , Hahn Christopher N , Daish Tasman , Rayner John R , Cheah Pike-See , Raison Joy M , Piltz Sandra , Mann Jeffrey R , Mattiske Deidre M , Thomas Paul Q , Adelson David L , Scott Hamish S
Published: April 2011

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that can exert multilevel inhibition/repression at a post-transcriptional or protein synthesis level during disease or development. Characterisation of miRNAs in adult mammalian brains by deep sequencing has been reported previously. However, to date, no small RNA profiling of the developing brain has been undertaken using this method. We have performed deep sequencing and small RNA analysis of a developing (E15.5) mouse brain.

Results

We identified the expression of 294 known miRNAs in the E15.5 developing mouse brain, which were mostly represented by let-7 family and other brain-specific miRNAs such as miR-9 and miR-124. We also discovered 4 putative 22-23 nt miRNAs: mm_br_e15_1181, mm_br_e15_279920, mm_br_e15_96719 and mm_br_e15_294354 each with a 70-76 nt predicted pre-miRNA. We validated the 4 putative miRNAs and further characterised one of them, mm_br_e15_1181, throughout embryogenesis. Mm_br_e15_1181 biogenesis was Dicer1-dependent and was expressed in E3.5 blastocysts and E7 whole embryos. Embryo-wide expression patterns were observed at E9.5 and E11.5 followed by a near complete loss of expression by E13.5, with expression restricted to a specialised layer of cells within the developing and early postnatal brain. Mm_br_e15_1181 was upregulated during neurodifferentiation of P19 teratocarcinoma cells. This novel miRNA has been identified as miR-3099.

Conclusions

We have generated and analysed the first deep sequencing dataset of small RNA sequences of the developing mouse brain. The analysis revealed a novel miRNA, miR-3099, with potential regulatory effects on early embryogenesis, and involvement in neuronal cell differentiation/function in the brain during late embryonic and early neonatal development.
Housekeeping genes essential for pantothenate biosynthesis are plasmid-encoded in Rhizobium etli and Rhizobium leguminosarum
Authors: Villaseñor Tomás , Brom Susana , Dávalos Araceli , Lozano Luis , Romero David , los Santos Alejandro García-de
Published: April 2011

Background

A traditional concept in bacterial genetics states that housekeeping genes, those involved in basic metabolic functions needed for maintenance of the cell, are encoded in the chromosome, whereas genes required for dealing with challenging environmental conditions are located in plasmids. Exceptions to this rule have emerged from genomic sequence data of bacteria with multipartite genomes. The genome sequence ofR. etliCFN42 predicts the presence ofpanCandpanBgenes clustered together on the 642 kb plasmid p42f and a second copy ofpanBon plasmid p42e. They encode putative pantothenate biosynthesis enzymes (pantoate-β-alanine ligase and 3-methyl-2-oxobutanoate hydroxymethyltransferase, respectively). Due to their ubiquitous distribution and relevance in the central metabolism of the cell, these genes are considered part of the core genome; thus, their occurrence in a plasmid is noteworthy. In this study we investigate the contribution of these genes to pantothenate biosynthesis, examine whether their presence in plasmids is a prevalent characteristic of theRhizobialeswith multipartite genomes, and assess the possibility that thepanCBgenes may have reached plasmids by horizontal gene transfer.

Results

Analysis of mutants confirmed that thepanCandpanBgenes located on plasmid p42f are indispensable for the synthesis of pantothenate. A screening of the location ofpanCBgenes among members of theRhizobialesshowed that onlyR. etliandR. leguminosarumstrains carrypanCBgenes in plasmids. ThepanCBphylogeny attested a common origin for chromosomal and plasmid-bornepanCBsequences, suggesting that theR. etliandR. leguminosarum panCBgenes are orthologs rather than xenologs. ThepanCBgenes could not totally restore the ability of a strain cured of plasmid p42f to grow in minimal medium.

Conclusions

This study shows experimental evidence that corepanCBgenes located in plasmids ofR. etliandR. leguminosarumare indispensable for the synthesis of pantothenate. The unusual presence ofpanCBgenes in plasmids ofRhizobialesmay be due to an intragenomic transfer from chromosome to plasmid. Plasmid p42f encodes other functions required for growth in minimal medium. Our results support the hypothesis of cooperation among different replicons for basic cellular functions in multipartite rhizobia genomes.
Images of colonic real-time tissue sonoelastography correlate with those of colonoscopy and may predict response to therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: Ishikawa Daisuke , Ando Takafumi , Watanabe Osamu , Ishiguro Kazuhiro , Maeda Osamu , Miyake Nobuyuki , Nakamura Masanao , Miyahara Ryoji , Ohmiya Naoki , Hirooka Yoshiki , El-Omar Emad M , Goto Hidemi
Published: April 2011

Background

Real-time tissue sonoelastography (EG) is a new non-invasive technique that visualizes differences in tissue strain. We evaluated the usefulness of EG in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) by investigating the association between EG and colonoscopic findings and disease activity.

Methods

Thirty-seven UC patients undergoing EG and colonoscopy were invited to enroll. EG findings were classified as normal, homogeneous, random, or hard, and colonoscopic findings as normal, mucosal edema and erosion, punched-out ulcer, and extensive mucosal abrasion. Clinical findings were evaluated using clinical activity index (CAI) scores for each patient at colonoscopy.

Results

On EG, 10 cases were classified as normal, 11 as homogeneous, 6 as random, and 10 as hard. EG findings showed a significant correlation those of colonoscopy (p < 0.001). Seven of 10 (70%) normal-type patients were in the remission phase, while all 6 random-type patients were in the active phase. Among active-phase patients, 4 of 7 (57%) homogeneous-type patients responded to steroid or leukocytapheresis therapy, while 3 of 6 (50%) random-type patients required treatment with cyclosporine. Three of 10 (30%) hard-type patients required colectomy.

Conclusions

In this small series, EG findings reflected colonoscopic findings and correlated with disease activity among patients with UC.
Isoflurane Preconditioning at Clinically Relevant Doses Induce Protective Effects of Heme Oxygenase-1 on Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion in Rats
Authors: Lv Xin , Yang Liqun , Tao Kunming , Liu Yantao , Yang Tian , Chen Guozhong , Yu Weifeng , Lv Hao , Wu Feixiang
Published: April 2011

Background

Activation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been proved to reduce damages to the liver in ischemia reperfusion injury. The objective of present study was to determine whether clinic relevant doses of isoflurane treatment could be sufficient to activate HO-1 inducing, which confers protective effect against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods

The hepatic artery and portal vein to the left and the median liver lobes of forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were occluded for 60 minutes. Reperfusion was allowed for 4 hours before the animal subjects were sacrificed. Six groups (n = 12) were included in the study. A negative control group received sham operation and positive control group a standard ischemia-reperfusion regimen. The third group was pretreated with isoflurane prior to the ischemia-reperfusion. The fourth group received an HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin (Znpp) prior to the isoflurane pretreatment and the ischemia-reperfusion. The fifth group received Znpp alone before ischemia-reperfusion procedure, and the sixth group was administrated with a HO-1 inducer hemin prior to IR. HO-1 in the liver was measured using an enzymatic activity assay, a Western blot analysis, as well as immunohistochemical method. Extent of liver damage was estimated by determination of the serum transaminases, liver lipid peroxidation and hepatic histology. Infiltration of the liver by neutrophils was measured using a myeloperoxidase activity assay. TNFα mRNA in the liver was measured using RT-PCR.

Results

Isoflurane pretreatment significantly attenuated the hepatic injuries and inflammatory responses caused by the ischemia reperfusion. Selectively inhibiting HO-1 with ZnPP completed blocked the protective effects of isoflurane. Inducing HO-1 with hemin alone produced protective effects similar in magnitude to that of isoflurane.

Conclusions

Clinic relevant doses of isoflurane attenuate ischemia reperfusion injury in rats by increasing the HO-1 expression and activity.
Anastrozole-related acute hepatitis with autoimmune features: a case report
Authors: Inno Alessandro , Basso Michele , Vecchio Fabio M , Marsico Valentina A , Cerchiaro Eleonora , D'Argento Ettore , Bagalà Cinzia , Barone Carlo
Published: April 2011

Background

Two cases of acute hepatitis occurring during treatment with anastrozole have previously been reported, but the underlying mechanisms of liver injury are still uncertain. We report the case of anastrozole-related acute hepatitis with some autoimmune features.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old woman developed acute hepatitis associated with serum antinuclear antibodies during anastrozole treatment; after drug withdrawal, liver function parameters rapidly improved and serum auto-antibodies were no longer detectable.

Conclusions

Anastrozole-induced hepatotoxicity is a very rare event. Drug-drug interactions or metabolically-mediated damage might be involved, with a possible role of individual susceptibility. Our report suggests that an immune-mediated mechanism may also be considered in anastrozole-related liver injury.