bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor suppressor microRNAs: A novel non‐coding alliance against cancer
Authors: Blandino Giovanni , Fazi Francesco , Donzelli Sara , Kedmi Merav , Sas-Chen Aldema , Muti Paola , Strano Sabrina , Yarden Yosef
Published: March 2014

Tumor initiation and progression are the outcomes of a stepwise accumulation of genetic alterations. Among these, gene amplification and aberrant expression of oncogenic proteins, as well as deletion or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, represent hallmark steps. Mounting evidence collected over the last few years has identified different populations of non‐coding RNAs as major players in tumor suppression in almost all cancer types. Elucidating the diverse molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of non‐coding RNAs in tumor progression might provide illuminating insights, potentially able to assist improved diagnosis, better staging and effective treatments of human cancers. Here we focus on several groups of tumor suppressor microRNAs, whose downregulation exerts a profound oncologic impact and might be harnessed for the benefit of cancer patients.
Development and regulation of RORγt+ innate lymphoid cells
Authors: Cording Sascha , Medvedovic Jasna , Cherrier Marie , Eberl Gérard
Published: March 2014

RORγt+ innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), or ILC3, play a fundamental role in the development of lymphoid tissues, as well as in homeostasis and defence of mucosal tissues. These cells produce IL‐22, IL‐17A and LTα1β2, key cytokines for the activation of epithelial defences and the recruitment of polymorphonuclear phagocytes. In the absence of ILC3, the early defence to infection and resistance to injury are compromised. Given the importance of ILC3 in mucosal immunity, significant efforts are made to discover their multiple functions and decipher their mode of action and regulation.
Evidence for two facets of pride in consumption: Findings from luxury brands
Authors: McFerran Brent , Aquino Karl , Tracy Jessica L.
Published: March 2014

This paper documents the multifaceted nature of pride in consumer behavior. Drawing on recent psychological research on pride, we provide evidence for two separate facets of pride in consumption. In a series of studies, we propose a model wherein luxury brand consumption and pride are systematically interrelated. Whereas authentic (but not hubristic) pride leads to a heightened desire for luxury brands, hubristic (but not authentic) pride is the outcome of these purchases, and is the form of pride signaled to observers by these purchases. Further, we show that these effects are generally exacerbated for those low in narcissism. These findings shed new light on why consumers purchase luxury brands, highlighting a paradox: these purchases may be sought out of heightened feelings of accomplishment (and not arrogance), but they instead signal arrogance to others (rather than accomplishment).
Versorgungsqualität in zertifizierten Brustkrebszentren – Konzepte, Ergebnisse, Unterschiede
Authors: Kowalski Christoph
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Seit 2003 können sich Brustkrebszentren in Deutschland nach den Anforderungen der Deutschen Krebsgesellschaft (DKG)/Deutschen Gesellschaft für Senologie (DGS) und des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen zertifizieren lassen. Die derzeit rund 260 zertifizierten Zentren (Stand Februar 2014) operieren jährlich über 60.000 erstmals erkrankte Patientinnen. Seit Einführung der Brustkrebszentren hat sich die Versorgungsqualität deutlich verbessert, beispielsweise hinsichtlich des Überlebens und der psychoonkologischen Betreuung.
Nutzung von Routinedaten zur Einschätzung der Versorgungsqualität
Authors: Laux Gunter , Bauer Erik , Stock Christian
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Für die Beurteilung der Qualität der medizinischen Versorgung in einem bestimmten Kontext bilden korrespondierende Daten eine notwendige Voraussetzung. Routinedaten (hier: Abrechnungsdaten von gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung) sollten generell in Betracht bezogen werden, um bestimmte Fragen zur Qualität der medizinischen Versorgung zu beantworten. Die Nutzung dieser Daten ist deswegen eine interessante Option, weil kein zusätzlicher Aufwand für die Datenerhebung anfällt. Andererseits müssen ganz bestimmte Sachverhalte bei der Nutzung von Routinedaten beachtet werden, die in diesem Beitrag adressiert werden.
Regionale Versorgungsunterschiede in Deutschland
Authors: Nolting Hans-Dieter , Zich Karsten
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Für Deutschland sind zunehmend regional-basierte Versorgungs- und Qualitätsindikatoren verfügbar. Die populationsbezogene Abbildung von Unterschieden, bspw. bei der Anwendung diagnostischer und therapeutischer Verfahren, ermöglicht häufig eine sektorenübergreifende Thematisierung von Fragestellungen der Inanspruchnahme und Indikationsstellung. „Area-Indikatoren“ werden in anderen Ländern bereits im Rahmen der Qualitätssicherung eingesetzt. In Deutschland steht die Entwicklung und Erprobung systematischer Prozesse, die eine sektorübergreifende Diskussion über die Ursachen auffälliger Variationen anstossen sowie Maßnahmen auslösen, noch aus.
Qualitätssteigerung durch Vernetzung: ,,Brückenschläge‘‘
Authors: Staender Johannes , Schott Thomas
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Probleme an den externen Schnittstellen der Rehabilitation sind ein wichtiges Qualitätsthema. Die Patientenüberleitung ist in diesem Zusammenhang von primärem Interesse. Das Projekt „Reha der Zukunft – Brückenschläge: modellhafte Entwicklung vernetzter Versorgungsprozesse“ hatte das Ziel, in Kooperation mit Akut- und Rehaeinrichtungen beispielhaft zu zeigen, wie die Patientenüberleitung an den Schnittstellen zwischen Akutversorgung, Rehabilitation und Nachsorge optimiert werden kann.
Qualitätsmanagement in der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung
Authors: Walter Ulla , Plaumann Martina , Lehmann Frank
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Qualitätsmanagement (QM) in der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung umfasst neben der Struktur-, Prozess- und Ergebnisqualität die Konzeptqualität. Letztere ist grundlegend und bestimmt wesentlich über den Erfolg und das Scheitern des Vorhabens. Mit QM sollen Schwachstellen erkannt, behoben und – i.S. des Public Health Action Cycles und der Qualitätsverbesserung bzw. Qualitätsentwicklung – die einzelnen Phasen optimiert werden. In der Praxis liegt der Schwerpunkt überwiegend auf den drei Dimensionen Struktur,- Prozess- und Konzeptqualität, während die Bewertung des Outcomes (Ergebnisqualität) meist Forschungsprojekten vorbehalten ist. Inzwischen liegen mehrere, in enger Zusammenarbeit zwischen Wissenschaft und Praxis entwickelte und z.T. langjährig erprobte Verfahren zur Qualitätssicherung vor. Für eine nachhaltige Etablierung von Qualitätssicherung in der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung, die den unterschiedlichen Bedarfen und komplexen Entscheidungen gerecht wird, reichen die bislang verfügbaren Informationen und Strukturen nicht aus.
Qualitätssicherung in alternativen Wohnformen
Authors: Wolf-Ostermann Karin , Meyer Saskia , Worch Andreas , Gräske Johannes
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Die Anzahl der Pflegebedürftigen steigt bei gleichzeitig abnehmendem familiärem Unterstützungspotenzial an. Die Frage nach Versorgungserfordernissen gewinnt an Bedeutung, alternative Wohn- und Betreuungsformen nehmen zahlenmäßig deutlich zu. Gleichzeitig fehlen bundesweit gültige Vorgaben zu Qualitätsvorgaben und Qualitätssicherungskonzepten sowie einheitliche Begriffsdefinitionen zur klaren Abgrenzung zwischen den verschiedenen alternativen Wohnformen. Wünschenswert wären wissenschaftlich abgesicherte Qualitäts(weiter)entwicklungskonzepte für alternative Wohnformen.
Qualität von Gesundheitsinformationen
Authors: Koch Klaus
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Wer einen Eindruck von der Welt der Gesundheitsinformation haben will, muss nur einen passenden Begriff in eine Internet-Suchmaschine eingeben. „Bluthochdruck“ beispielsweise liefert bei Google über 1,4 Millionen Treffer. Darunter gibt es alles: Von hochwertigen Informationen über getarnte Produktwerbung bis hin zur Scharlatanerie. Qualitätsinitiativen haben es da nicht leicht. In den letzten Jahren aber international und national einige Initiativen entstanden, denen es gelingen könnte, so etwas wie eine kritische Masse „guter“ Gesundheitsinformationen entstehen zu lassen.
Gesetzliche Qualitätssicherung in der medizinischen Versorgung: Stand und Weiterentwicklung – Sektorenübergreifende Qualitätssicherung nach § 137a SGB V
Authors: Bramesfeld Anke , Willms Gerald
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Seit dem Jahr 2000 sind die Leistungserbringer im Gesundheitswesen zur einrichtungsübergreifenden Qualitätssicherung (QS) gesetzlich verpflichtet. Gegenwärtig ist dies ausschließlich in der stationären Versorgung implementiert. Seit 2009 besteht der gesetzliche Auftrag QS sektorenübergreifend auszurichten. Die Weiterentwicklung der QS erfolgt derzeit in fünf Bereichen: 1. Entwickeln sektorenübergreifender QS, 2. Nutzen von Routinedaten, 3. Berücksichtigen der Patientenperspektive, 4. Einführen von Follow-ups, 5. Ermöglichen eines fairen Leistungserbringervergleichs.
Die Qualität der Qualität: Parallelwelten der Versorgungsqualität und des Qualitätsmanagements
Authors: Iseringhausen Olaf
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

Die Entwicklung qualitätsverbessernder Verfahren im Gesundheitswesen ist zu einer von Experten verwalteten Branche geworden. Die Anzahl von Verfahren, die die Qualität in der ambulanten und stationären Versorgung steigern sollen, ist inzwischen unübersichtlich groß. Kaum jemand kann überblicken, wer was unter Qualität versteht, mit welchem Ziel Qualität gemessen werden soll und wie sie verbessert werden kann. In dem Beitrag wird danach gefragt, inwieweit mit diesen Verfahren tatsächlich ein Patientennutzen erzielt wird.
Qualitätssicherung in der Rehabilitation
Authors: Jäckel Wilfried H. , Farin Erik
Published: March 2014

Einleitung

In den letzten zwei Dekaden sind durch die Einführung wissenschaftlich fundierter, umfassender und patientenzentrierter Qualitätssicherungsprogramme sowie durch die Verpflichtung zum Nachweis von Zertifikaten im Bereich des Qualitätsmanagements erhebliche Anstrengungen zur Steigerung der Qualität in der Rehabilitation sowohl im Bereich der Gesetzlichen Rentenversicherung als auch der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung unternommen worden.
GLP-1-mediated gene therapy approaches for diabetes treatment
Authors: Tasyurek Mukerrem Hale , Altunbas Hasan Ali , Canatan Halit , Griffith Thomas S. , Sanlioglu Salih
Published: March 2014

Glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 is an incretin hormone with several antidiabetic functions including stimulation of glucose-dependent insulin secretion, increase in insulin gene expression and beta-cell survival. Despite the initial technical difficulties and profound inefficiency of direct gene transfer into the pancreas that seriously restrictedin vivogene transfer experiments with GLP-1, recent exploitation of various routes of gene delivery and alternative means of gene transfer has permitted the detailed assessment of the therapeutic efficacy of GLP-1 in animal models of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). As a result, many clinical benefits of GLP-1 peptide/analogues observed in clinical trials involving induction of glucose tolerance, reduction of hyperglycaemia, suppression of appetite and food intake linked to weight loss have been replicated in animal models using gene therapy. Furthermore, GLP-1-centered gene therapy not only improved insulin sensitivity, but also reduced abdominal and/or hepatic fat associated with obesity-induced T2DM with drastic alterations in adipokine profiles in treated subjects. Thus, a comprehensive assessment of recent GLP-1-mediated gene therapy approaches with detailed analysis of current hurdles and resolutions, is discussed.
Crafting Mass Partisanship at the Grass Roots
Authors: Samuels David , Zucco Cesar
Published: March 2014

What are the sources of mass partisanship? The focus of this article is on the role of party organizational strategies in Brazil, where sociological cleavages are weak. All Brazilian parties post electoral gains by opening local branch offices, but only the Workers’ Party (PT) manages to win voters’ hearts and minds, cultivating mass partisan identification. This follows from its deliberate effort to use its local party organization to reach out to organized civil society – to ‘mobilize the organized.’ Results further indicate that the PT only gains partisan identifiers where civil society is organizationally dense. Together, this suggests that party strategy to cultivate partisanship is insufficient: pre-existing organizational networks must exist in civil society, meaning that ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ strategies are two sides of the same coin.
A case of ecological specialization in ladybirds:Iberorhyzobius rondensis(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), potential biocontrol agent ofMatsucoccus feytaudi(Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae)
Authors: Tavares C. , Jactel H. , van Halder I. , Mendel Z. , Branco M.
Published: March 2014

Specialization is an important attribute of a biological control agent. The maritime pine bast scale,Matsucoccus feytaudiDucasse (Hemiptera Matsucoccidae), is an invasive species in Southeast France and the North of Italy.Iberorhyzobius rondensisEizaguirre (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is a recently described ladybird species. Both adults and larvae are predaceous, feeding on egg masses ofM. feytaudi, and are strongly attracted toM. feytaudi’s sex pheromone. To evaluate the potential ofI. rondensisas a biocontrol agent of the scale, we studied its niche breadth and prey range with emphasis on pine forests and hemipterans as tested prey. In this study,I. rondensiswas found to achieve complete development only when fed onM. feytaudiegg masses (92.9% survival) and an artificial prey: eggs ofEphestia kuehniellaZeller (27.6% survival). From the 2nd instar onwards, complete development could be achieved using other prey species, although larvae had significantly higher mortality and slower development. In choice tests,M. feytaudiwas the preferred prey. Surveys of the ladybird populations in the Iberian Peninsula revealed that it was found exclusively onPinus pinasterAiton, the sole host ofM. feytaudi. The unusual specialization ofI. rondensis, among other predaceous ladybirds, makes it an appropriate candidate for classical biological control ofM. feytaudi.
Estimating the impact of somatic cell count on the value of milk utilising parameters obtained from the published literature
Authors: Geary Una , Lopez-Villalobos Nicolas , O'Brien Bernadette , Garrick Dorian J , Shalloo Laurence
Published: March 2014

The impact of mastitis on milk value per litre independent of the effect of mastitis on milk volume, was quantified for Ireland using a meta-analysis and a processing sector model. Changes in raw milk composition, cheese processing and composition associated with increased bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) were incorporated into the model. Processing costs and market values were representative of current industry values. It was assumed that as BMSCC increased (i) milk fat and milk protein increased and milk lactose decreased, (ii) fat and protein recoveries decreased, (iii) cheese protein decreased and cheese moisture increased. Five BMSCC categories were examined from ⩽100 000 to >400 000 cells/ml. The analysis showed that as BMSCC increased the production quantities reduced. An increase in BMSCC from 100 000 to >400 000 cells/ml saw a reduction in net revenue of 3·2% per annum (€51·3 million) which corresponded to a reduction in the value of raw milk of €0·0096 cents/l.
He, Who Has Sown the Wind: Karakhan, the Sino-Soviet conflict over the Chinese Eastern Railway, 1925–26, and the failure of Soviet policy in northeast China
Authors: VUL NIKITA
Published: March 2014

This article deals with the Sino–Soviet conflict of 1925–26 over the Chinese Eastern Railway, with special attention given to its background and consequences. In 1924, the Chinese Eastern Railway became a joint venture between the Soviet Union and China, creating fresh friction between the joint Soviet and Chinese managers which culminated in general manager A.N. Ivanov's prohibition on transporting military cargoes and troops, and Ivanov's arrest by Manchurian warlord-general Zhang Zuolin. Some scholars and diplomatists have viewed Ivanov's prohibition and the simultaneous rebellion by Chinese general Guo Songling against Zhang as a Soviet attempt to replace Zhang with a more manageable warlord. But this article argues that although the prohibition—a typical instance of back-and-forth Soviet diplomacy—was a coincidence, it was primarily the result of Soviet ambassador Lev M. Karakhan's tough stance and his rash decision-making, undertaken without seeking advice from Moscow. Zhang's victory in the 1926 clash convinced the Chinese that they had the power to take repressive measures against the Soviet Union's citizens and institutions, which led to the Sino–Soviet conflict of 1929 and exacerbated Japanese alarm over the Soviet's increasing strength in the region. This was to be a factor in the takeover of Manchuria in 1931 by Japan's Guandong Army, which eventually led to global war. This article, therefore, deals with the origins of world-changing events and thus is interesting to Modern Asian Studies’ wider readership.
Alfred de Quervain's Swiss Greenland expeditions, 1909 and 1912
Authors: Barr William
Published: March 2014

In 1909, with two companions Swiss meteorologist Alfred de Quervain travelled to the Uummannaq area of west Greenland, to the same area investigated by Erich von Drygalski in 1892–1893. A major objective was to investigate the changes in the nearby outlet glaciers since Drygalski's visit. Man-hauling sledges, de Quervain and his companions also made a sortie into the interior of the ice cap, penetrating to a distance of about 100 km and to a height of about 1700 m. Having thus whetted his appetite, in1912 de Qervain mounted a further expedition aimed at making a crossing of the ice cap, only the second after that of Fridtjof Nansen in 1888, and along a trajectory significantly further north. De Quervain hoped to determine the shape and height of the ice cap along this trajectory. With three companions and using dog-sledges de Quervain set off from the Disko Bugt area of west Greenland and crossed the ice cap to the area of Ammassalik (now Tasiilaq) on the east coast. In 31 days on the ice the party travelled some 640 km, reaching a maximum altitude of 2510 m. A comprehensive range of scientific observations was effected en route. A support party of three men remained at the western edge of the ice cap for the summer to conduct meteorological and glaciological studies. Thereafter two of this group spent the winter of 1912–1913 at the Danish Arctic Station at Godhavn as guests of Morten Porsild to conduct aerological studies using pilot balloons and, to a lesser degree, captive balloons. All quotations in this paper are translated from the German by the author. This article is the first English-language account of de Quervain's expeditions.
Schizophrenia and violent crime: a population-based study
Authors: Fleischman A. , Werbeloff N. , Yoffe R. , Davidson M. , Weiser M.
Published: March 2014

Background

Previous studies have found that patients with schizophrenia are more likely to be violent than the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between schizophrenia and violent crime in the Israeli population.

Method

Using the Israeli Psychiatric Hospitalization Case Registry we identified 3187 patients with a discharge diagnosis of schizophrenia. For each proband we identified parents and siblings, and gender- and age-matched controls for patients, parents and siblings. Information on violent crimes was obtained from police records.

Results

Patients with schizophrenia were at increased risk for violent crimes compared with controls [odds ratio (OR) 4.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.8–4.9], especially women (OR 9.9, 95% CI 6.2–15.7). Risk for violent crimes was higher among patients with co-morbid substance misuse than in patients without such co-morbidity (OR 5.1, 95% CI 4.2–6.3).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that increased risk of violence is part of the clinical picture of schizophrenia and needs to be recognized as a legitimate, essential, aspect of clinical management.
Fabulous Wild Men: American Indians: in European Pageants, 1493–1700
Authors: Staub August W. , Pinson Robert L.
Published: March 2014

Theatrical performance has often played an important role in communicating the manners and morals of one culture to another. In the main the information so communicated is valid and the impact is positive. There are instances, however, where one culture's theatre, yielding to its popular nature, has been too quick to apply the assumptions of its own concept of what foreign cultures ought to be. The effect then may be widespread misinformation about other peoples.
Cosmopolitanism and the culture of peacebuilding
Authors: GOETZE CATHERINE , de GUEVARA BERIT BLIESEMANN
Published: March 2014

Cosmopolitanism has been argued to be a crucial component of peacebuilding, both with regard to its aims as well as its staff. In a universalist-liberal understanding of the concept, cosmopolitanism is the optimal mind frame for peacebuilders to rebuild post-war societies, due to the tolerance, justice-orientation, and neutrality regarding local cleavages that the concept entails in theory. This article argues, however, that cosmopolitanism cannot be understood outside of its social context, therefore requiring sociological empirical analyses. Drawing on three such sociological concepts, namely elite, glocal, and localisable cosmopolitanism, the article analyses empirically through interviews with peacebuilders in Kosovo whether and in which form these international civil servants display cosmopolitan worldviews. The study concludes that while in theory the localisable variant would be best suited to contribute to locally sensitive, emancipatory peacebuilding, this form of cosmopolitanism is absent in practice. Given the novel, exploratory character of this analysis of hitherto uncharted terrain, the article also discusses in detail how the findings were obtained and in how far they are generalisable.
Three soil chronosequences in recessional glacial deposits near the polar plateau, in the Central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica
Authors: Scarrow Joshua W. , Balks Megan R. , Almond Peter C.
Published: March 2014

Soil chronosequences in till deposits emplaced during glacial retreat in the Central Transantarctic Mountains are described. Discrepancies between the degree of soil development and reported cosmogenic surface exposure ages suggest slower, weaker soil development in this region than encountered in other areas of Antarctica. The study sites (Dominion Range, Mount Achernar and Ong Valley) were located between 83° and 85°S, at altitudes of 1600–2200 m, on the edge of the polar plateau. Soil landscape maps show a gradation of soil properties across landscape units that were designated as homogenous/single-event drifts in previous smaller-scale studies. Along transects away from the current ice edge, the depth to underlying ice thickened (from 2 cm to > 80 cm), soil became more weathered, saltier and less alkaline, and horizonation became more pronounced. Soil thickness, clast abundance and soil chemistry are all consistent with a two-layer mode of soil formation. We suggest that a thin, clast-rich surface horizon, originating from weathering of supraglacial debris, overlies a thick, clast-poor sublimation till. The supraglacial debris has a finite contribution to soil volume, whereas sublimation offers an ongoing source of soil material that thickens the soil from its base.
Production of somatic cell nuclear transfer embryos using in vitro-grown and in vitro-matured oocytes in rabbits
Authors: Sugimoto Hironobu , Kida Yuta , Oh Noriyoshi , Kitada Kensaku , Matsumoto Kazuya , Saeki Kazuhiro , Taniguchi Takeshi , Hosoi Yoshihiko
Published: March 2014

We examined growing oocytes collected from follicles remaining in superovulated rabbit ovaries, that were grown (in vitro growth, IVG) and matured (in vitro maturation, IVM) in vitro. We produced somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos using the mature oocytes and examined whether these embryos have the ability to develop to the blastocyst stage. In addition, we examined the effects of trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), on the developmental competence of SCNT embryos derived from IVG–IVM oocytes. After growth for 7 days and maturation for 14–16 h in vitro, the growing oocytes reached the metaphase II stage (51.4%). After SCNT, these reconstructed embryos reached the blastocyst stage (20%). Furthermore, the rate of development to the blastocyst stage and the number of cells in the blastocysts in SCNT embryos derived from IVG–IVM oocytes were significantly higher for TSA-treated embryos compared with TSA-untreated embryos (40.6 versus 21.4% and 353.1 ± 59.1 versus 202.5 ± 54.6, P < 0.05). These results indicate that rabbit SCNT embryos using IVG–IVM oocytes have the developmental competence to reach the blastocyst stage.
Tetralogy of Fallot with coarctation of the aorta: a newly recognised developmental and anatomic syndrome
Authors: Perdreau Elodie , Houyel Lucile , Baruteau Alban-Elouen
Published: March 2014

Tetralogy of Fallot and coarctation of the aorta is an exceptional association. We report here four cases of infants referred for tetralogy of Fallot with or without pulmonary atresia associated with aortic coarctation from 1974 to 2013. All had a right aortic arch, and the coarctation was abnormally situated between the right common carotid and the right subclavian arteries. In all, two infants had an abnormal left subclavian artery and one child had DiGeorge syndrome. All underwent staged surgical repair of the left and right-sided obstructions. A review of the literature shows two types of coarctation in this context. In left aortic arch, coarctation is situated distal to the left subclavian artery. In right aortic arch, coarctation is distal to the right common carotid artery, mirror-image of interrupted left aortic arch type B, associated with anomalies of the branches of the aorta, and should be considered a complex anomaly of aortic arches in the setting of an outflow tract defect due to abnormal migration of cardiac neural crest cells. Screening for this unusual association is critical in the initial assessment of all patients with tetralogy of Fallot.
Prenatal programming of obesity in a swine model of leptin resistance: modulatory effects of controlled postnatal nutrition and exercise
Authors: Barbero A. , Astiz S. , Ovilo C. , Lopez-Bote C. J. , Perez-Solana M. L. , Ayuso M. , Garcia-Real I. , Gonzalez-Bulnes A.
Published: March 2014

The main role of early nutritional programming in the current rise of obesity and associated diseases is well known. However, translational studies are mostly based in postnatal food excess and, thus, there is a paucity of information on the phenotype of individuals with prenatal deficiencies but adequate postnatal conditions. Thus, we assessed the effects of prenatal programming (comparing descendants from females fed with a diet fulfilling 100 or only 50% of their nutritional requirements for pregnancy) on gene expression, patterns of growth and fattening, metabolic status and puberty attainment of a swine model of obesity/leptin resistance with controlled postnatal nutrition and opportunity of exercise. Maternal restriction was related to changes in the relationships among gene expression of positive (insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2) and negative (myostatin) regulators of muscle growth, with negative correlations in gilts from restricted pregnancies and positive relationships in the control group. In spite of these differences, the patterns of growth and fattening and the metabolic features during juvenile growth were similar in control gilts and gilts from restricted pregnancies. Concomitantly, there was a lack of differences in the timing of puberty attainment. However, after reaching puberty and adulthood, females from restricted pregnancies were heavier and more corpulent than control gilts, though such increases in weight and size were not accompanied by increases in adiposity. In conclusion, in spite of changes in gene expression induced by developmental programming, the propensity for higher weight and adiposity of individuals exposed to prenatal malnutrition may be modulated by controlled food intake and opportunity of physical exercise during infant and juvenile development.
«Fokal statt total» – Umdenken in der Therapie des Prostatakarzinoms
Authors: Eberli Daniel , Mortezavi Ashkan , Sulser Tullio
Published: March 2014

Die etablierten Therapien des Prostatakarzinoms werden aktuell in den Medien und Fachgesellschaften intensiv diskutiert. Grosse internationale Studien zeigen bisher nur marginale Überlebensvorteile nach radikaler Therapie bei jedoch signifikanter Beeinträchtigung der Lebensqualität (Urinkontinenz und Potenz). Insbesondere Patienten mit niedrigem und mittlerem Risiko scheinen von einer radikalen Therapie nicht im erhofften Masse zu profitieren. Für diese grosse Gruppe an Patienten existiert mit der fokalen Therapie des Prostatakarzinoms eine zusätzliche Therapieoption. Mit dieser neuen Methode wird durch hochintensiven fokussierten Ultraschall (HIFU) gezielt das bösartige Gewebe in der Prostata durch thermische Wirkung zerstört. Die Krebserkrankung kann auf diese Weise ohne Entfernung der ganzen Prostata und mit minimierten Nebenwirkungen behandelt werden. Multimodale Magnetresonanztomographie, erweiterte Prostatabiopsien und Nachkontrollen tragen zusätzlich zur Sicherheit dieser neuen Behandlungsoption bei.
Maligne Hypoglykämie
Authors: Rigger Johannes , Kleger Gian-Reto , Semela David , Doenecke Christian , Rodriguez Regulo , Meyenberger Christa , Köberle Dieter , Sawatzki Mikael
Published: March 2014

Wir berichten über eine 19-jährige Patientin, die mit Krampfanfall aufgrund einer schweren Hypoglykämie in der hausärztlichen Praxis vorstellig wurde. Die hyperinsulinäme Hypoglykämie, sowie der Nachweis multipler Leberrundherde führten zum Verdacht eines hormonaktiven neuroendokrinen Tumors mit Lebermetastasen. Nach Leberbiopsie und Computertomographie wurde die Diagnose eines metastasierenden neuroendokrinen Pankreastumors gestellt und eine Chemotherapie Xeloda® und Temodal® eingeleitet.
Mechanisms of Perinatal Arterial Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Fernández-López David , Natarajan Niranjana , Ashwal Stephen , Vexler Zinaida S
Published: March 2014

The incidence of perinatal stroke is high, similar to that in the elderly, and produces a significant morbidity and severe long-term neurologic and cognitive deficits, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, neuropsychological impairments, and behavioral disorders. Emerging clinical data and data from experimental models of cerebral ischemia in neonatal rodents have shown that the pathophysiology of perinatal brain damage is multifactorial. These studies have revealed that, far from just being a smaller version of the adult brain, the neonatal brain is unique with a very particular and age-dependent responsiveness to hypoxia–ischemia and focal arterial stroke. In this review, we discuss fundamental clinical aspects of perinatal stroke as well as some of the most recent and relevant findings regarding the susceptibility of specific brain cell populations to injury, the dynamics and the mechanisms of neuronal cell death in injured neonates, the responses of neonatal blood-brain barrier to stroke in relation to systemic and local inflammation, and the long-term effects of stroke on angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Finally, we address translational strategies currently being considered for neonatal stroke as well as treatments that might effectively enhance repair later after injury.
Short-Term High-Fat-and-Fructose Feeding Produces Insulin Signaling Alterations Accompanied by Neurite and Synaptic Reduction and Astroglial Activation in the Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Calvo-Ochoa Erika , Hernández-Ortega Karina , Ferrera Patricia , Morimoto Sumiko , Arias Clorinda
Published: March 2014

Chronic consumption of high-fat-and-fructose diets (HFFD) is associated with the development of insulin resistance (InsRes) and obesity. Systemic insulin resistance resulting from long-term HFFD feeding has detrimental consequences on cognitive performance, neurogenesis, and long-term potentiation establishment, accompanied by neuronal alterations in the hippocampus. However, diet-induced hippocampal InsRes has not been reported. Therefore, we investigated whether short-term HFFD feeding produced hippocampal insulin signaling alterations associated with neuronal changes in the hippocampus. Rats were fed with a control diet or an HFFD consisting of 10% lard supplemented chow and 20% high-fructose syrup in the drinking water. Our results show that 7 days of HFFD feeding induce obesity and InsRes, associated with the following alterations in the hippocampus: (1) a decreased insulin signaling; (2) a decreased hippocampal weight; (3) a reduction in dendritic arborization in CA1 and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) levels; (4) a decreased dendritic spine number in CA1 and synaptophysin content, along with an increase in tau phosphorylation; and finally, (5) an increase in reactive astrocyte associated with microglial changes. To our knowledge, this is the first report addressing hippocampal insulin signaling, as well as morphologic, structural, and functional modifications due to short-term HFFD feeding in the rat.
Ultrafast Doppler Reveals the Mapping of Cerebral Vascular Resistivity in Neonates
Authors: Demené Charlie , Pernot Mathieu , Biran Valérie , Alison Marianne , Fink Mathias , Baud Olivier , Tanter Mickaël
Published: March 2014

In vivo mapping of the full vasculature dynamics based on Ultrafast Doppler is showed noninvasively in the challenging case of the neonatal brain. Contrary to conventional pulsed-wave (PW) Doppler Ultrasound limited for >40 years to the estimation of vascular indices at a single location, the ultrafast frame rate (5,000 Hz) obtained using plane-wave transmissions leads to simultaneous estimation of full Doppler spectra in all pixels of wide field-of-view images within a single cardiac cycle and high sensitivity Doppler imaging. Consequently, 2D quantitative maps of the cerebro-vascular resistivity index (RI) are processed and found in agreement with local measurements obtained on large arteries of healthy neonates using conventional PW Doppler. Changes in 2D resistivity maps are monitored during recovery after therapeutic whole-body cooling of full-term neonates treated for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Arterial and venous vessels are unambiguously differentiated on the basis of their distinct hemodynamics. The high spatial (250 × 250 μm2) and temporal resolution (<1 ms) of Ultrafast Doppler imaging combined with deep tissue penetration enable precise quantitative mapping of deep brain vascular dynamics and RI, which is far beyond the capabilities of any other imaging modality.
Differential Effects of Tat Proteins Derived from HIV-1 Subtypes B and Recombinant CRF02_AG on Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells: Implications for Blood–Brain Barrier Dysfunction
Authors: Woollard Shawna M , Bhargavan Biju , Yu Fang , Kanmogne Georgette D
Published: March 2014

HIV-1 genetic differences influence viral replication and progression to AIDS. HIV-1 circulating recombinant form (CRF)02_AG is the predominant viral subtype infecting humans in West and Central Africa, but its effects on HIV neuropathogenesis are not known. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Tat proteins from HIV-1 subtype B (Tat.B) and HIV-1 CRF02_AG (Tat.AG) on primary human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC), the major component of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Using Affymetrix GeneChip Human Gene 1.0.ST arrays, we showed that Tat.AG had minimal effects while Tat.B induced transcriptional upregulation of 90 genes in HBMEC, including proinflammatory chemokines, complement components C3, C7, and complement factor B, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-3, MMP-10, and MMP-12. These results were confirmed by real-time PCR. Compared with Tat.AG, Tat.B significantly increased MMP-3, MMP-10, and MMP-12 activities in HBMEC, and the MMPs tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 blocked Tat-induced increase in MMPs activity. Western blot analyses also showed that Tat increased the expression of C3 and its cleaved fragment C3b in HBMEC. These data suggest that genetic differences between HIV-1 subtypes B and CRF02_AG influence the effects of Tat proteins from these two clades on HBMEC, including molecular and cellular functions, and canonical pathways, which would affect BBB dysfunction and viral neuropathogenesis.
Role of Red Blood Cell Lysis and Iron in Hydrocephalus after Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Authors: Gao Chao , Du Hanjian , Hua Ya , Keep Richard F , Strahle Jennifer , Xi Guohua
Published: March 2014

Thrombin and iron are two major players in intracerebral hemorrhage-induced brain injury and our recent study found that thrombin contributes to hydrocephalus development in a rat model of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). This study investigated the role of red blood cell (RBC) lysis and iron in hydrocephalus after IVH. There were three parts to this study. First, male Sprague-Dawley rats received an injection of saline, packed, or lysed RBCs into the right lateral ventricle. Second, rats had an intraventricular injection of iron or saline. Third, the rats received intraventricular injection of lysed RBCs mixed with deferoxamine (0.5 mg in 5 μL saline) or saline. All rats underwent magnetic resonance imaging at 24 hours and were then euthanized for brain edema measurement, western blot analysis, or brain histology. We found that intraventricular injection of lysed RBCs, but not packed RBCs, resulted in ventricular enlargement and marked increases in brain heme oxygenase-1 and ferritin at 24 hours. Intraventricular injection of iron also resulted in ventricular enlargement and ventricular wall damage 24 hours later. Coinjection of deferoxamine reduced lysed RBC-induced ventricular enlargement ( P<0.01). These results suggest that iron, a degradation product of hemoglobin, has an important role in hydrocephalus development after IVH.
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Framework for Quantitative Prediction of an Herb–Drug Interaction
Authors: Brantley SJ , Gufford BT , Dua R , Fediuk DJ , Graf TN , Scarlett YV , Frederick KS , Fisher MB , Oberlies NH , Paine MF
Published: March 2014

Herb–drug interaction predictions remain challenging. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling was used to improve prediction accuracy of potential herb–drug interactions using the semipurified milk thistle preparation, silibinin, as an exemplar herbal product. Interactions between silibinin constituents and the probe substrates warfarin (CYP2C9) and midazolam (CYP3A) were simulated. A low silibinin dose (160 mg/day × 14 days) was predicted to increase midazolam area under the curve (AUC) by 1%, which was corroborated with external data; a higher dose (1,650 mg/day × 7 days) was predicted to increase midazolam and (S)‐warfarin AUC by 5% and 4%, respectively. A proof‐of‐concept clinical study confirmed minimal interaction between high‐dose silibinin and both midazolam and (S)‐warfarin (9 and 13% increase in AUC, respectively). Unexpectedly, (R)‐warfarin AUC decreased (by 15%), but this is unlikely to be clinically important. Application of this PBPK modeling framework to other herb–drug interactions could facilitate development of guidelines for quantitative prediction of clinically relevant interactions.

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst. Pharmacol. (2014) 3, e107; doi: 10.1038/psp.2013.69; advance online publication 26 March 2014
The effect of oxidative stress on the bursopentin peptide structure: a theoretical study
Authors: Lam A. T. , Faragó E. P. , Owen M. C. , Fiser B. , Jójárt B. , Jensen S. J. K. , Csizmadia I. G. , Viskolcz B.
Published: March 2014

Bursopentin (BP5, H-Cys1-Lys2-Arg3-Val4-Tyr5-OH), found in the bursa Fabricius of the chicken, is a pentapeptide that protects the organism from oxidative stress by reducing the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species.
Influence of dimensions, inter-distance and crystallinity of titania nanotubes (TNTs) on their photocatalytic activity
Authors: Alsawat Mohammed , Altalhi Tariq , Shapter Joe G. , Losic Dusan
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study is to explore the influence of structural parameters of titania nanotubes (TNTs) including pore diameters, length, nanotube inter-distance and crystallinity on their photocatalytic properties.
Radiative lifetime measurement of excited neutral nitrogen atoms by time resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Haider A. F. M. Y. , Ira Mehera Kamal , Khan Z. H. , Abedin K. M.
Published: March 2014

Lifetimes of the excited 2P2 (3P) 3p 4S3/2 level of a nitrogen atom for transitions to lower states were measured by time-resolved laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy.
Theoretical investigation of atmospheric chemistry of volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane: reactions with the OH radicals and atmospheric fate of the alkoxy radical (CF3)2CHOCHFO: thermal decomposition vs. oxidation
Authors: Mishra Bhupesh Kumar , Lily Makroni , Chakrabartty Arup Kumar , Bhattacharjee Debajyoti , Deka Ramesh Chandra , Chandra Asit K.
Published: March 2014

Reaction profile (kcal mol−1) for (CF3)2CHOCHFO radical at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level.
Fast synthesis of a tris(N,N-diimine)chromium(iii) complex by a microwave-assisted approach
Authors: Silvero M. Jazmín , Peláez Walter José , Garcia Pablo F. , Argüello Gerardo A.
Published: March 2014

This article describes a quick, easy and eco-friendly procedure to synthesize [Cr(biim)3](NO3)3 by employing microwave irradiation.
Self-assembly characteristics of a structural analogue of Tjernberg peptide
Authors: Ramaswamy Keerthana , Kumaraswamy Priyadharshini , Sethuraman Swaminathan , Krishnan Uma Maheswari
Published: March 2014

This article aims to understand the pathogenesis behind the formation of amyloid plaques using a modified version of the KLVFF peptide. It was found that the cytotoxicity of the nanostructures formed by the RIVFF peptide may be attributed to the aminoacids with long side chains along with hydrophobic aminoacids resembling the amyloid beta peptide.
Enhancing catalytic activity and stability for CO2 methanation on Ni–Ru/γ-Al2O3via modulating impregnation sequence and controlling surface active species
Authors: Zhen Wenlong , Li Bo , Lu Gongxuan , Ma Jiantai
Published: March 2014

Co-impregnation and sequential impregnation were used to prepare a series of Ni–Ru/γ-Al2O3 catalysts for CO2 methanation. By comparing the structure, surface species and catalytic performances, we uncovered the surface species segregation of Ru in Ni–Ru catalysts, and its effect on catalytic properties.
Wide-field Raman imaging of dental lesions
Authors: Yang Shan , Li Bolan , Akkus Anna , Akkus Ozan , Lang Lisa
Published: March 2014

Wide-field Raman imaging is a potential tool for detection of dental caries at the onset.
Unusual seedless approach to gold nanoparticle synthesis: application to selective rapid naked eye detection of mercury(ii)
Authors: Anandhakumar Sukeri , Rajaram Rajendran , Mathiyarasu Jayaraman
Published: March 2014

Highly selective and sensitive naked eye detection of Hg2+was achieved based on the Hg2+–Au+interaction and AuIto Au0was observed in the absence of a seed.
Preparation, characterization and cytotoxic activity of rhein argininate
Authors: Zhang Lijuan , Wu Changwei , Gu Tongnan , Zhang Yixin , Liu Yang
Published: March 2014

Rhein is a natural anthraquinone, which can be isolated from the rhizomes of rhubarb, a traditional Chinese medicine herb showing cytotoxic activity.
MALDI-ion mobility mass spectrometry of lipids in negative ion mode
Authors: Jackson Shelley N. , Barbacci Damon , Egan Thomas , Lewis Ernest K. , Schultz J. Albert , Woods Amina S.
Published: March 2014

Ion mobility separation of two lipids prior to MALDI imaging.
Characterisation and classification of binders used in art materials at the class and the subclass level
Authors: Checa-Moreno R. , Manzano E. , Capitán-Vallvey L. F.
Published: March 2014

SIMCA pattern recognition is used with amino acid chromatographic profiles in a large homemade collection of natural protein binders obtained following old recipes traditionally used by painters and considered here as the standard of classification; used to identify protein binder present in samples coming from different origins.
Fast detection of paracetamol on a gold nanoparticle–chitosan substrate by SERS
Authors: Santos Elias de Barros , Lima Elaine Cristina Nogueira Lopes , Oliveira Cristine Santos de , Sigoli Fernando Aparecido , Mazali Italo Odone
Published: March 2014

A fast method for detecting pharmaceutical drugs, such as paracetamol, by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) using a gold nanoparticle substrate was studied.
Oxidation of allylic and benzylic alcohols to aldehydes and carboxylic acids
Authors: Könning Daniel , Olbrisch Tobias , Sypaseuth Fanni D. , Tzschucke C. Christoph , Christmann Mathias
Published: March 2014

The oxidation of allylic and benzylic alcohols to the corresponding carboxylic acids is effected by merging a Cu-catalyzed oxidation using O2 as a terminal oxidant with a subsequent chlorite oxidation (Lindgren oxidation).
A novel fluorescent probe for detecting paraquat and cyanide in water based on pillar[5]arene/10-methylacridinium iodide molecular recognition
Authors: Wang Pi , Yao Yong , Xue Min
Published: March 2014

A novel fluorescent probe for detecting paraquat and cyanide in water based on pillar[5]arene/10-methylacridinium iodide molecular recognition is reported.
Controlled synthesis of Pd–Pt alloy nanohypercubes under microwave irradiation
Authors: Dai Lei , Zhao Yanxi , Chi Quan , Huang Tao , Liu Hanfan
Published: March 2014

Pd–Pt alloy nanohypercubes were fabricated by reducing Pd and Pt precursors simultaneously with tetraethylene glycol in a one step process under microwave irradiation for only 100 s. Iodide ions were critical to their syntheses.
Exploring homo-FRET to quantify the oligomer stoichiometry of membrane-bound proteins involved in a cooperative partition equilibrium
Authors: Melo Ana M. , Fedorov Aleksander , Prieto Manuel , Coutinho Ana
Published: March 2014

Homo-FRET measurements can be used to monitor the self-assembly of membrane-bound peptides/proteins engaged in a coupled partition–oligomerization equilibrium.
Dissolution of NaCl nanocrystals: an ab initio molecular dynamics study
Authors: Holmberg Nico , Chen Jian-Cheng , Foster Adam S. , Laasonen Kari
Published: March 2014

NaCl nanocrystal dissolution was investigated in atomistic detail revealing a difference in the solvation of two different ionic species.
Roles of water molecules in trapping carbon dioxide molecules inside the interlayer space of graphene oxides
Authors: Yumura Takashi , Yamasaki Ayumi
Published: March 2014

DFT calculations revealed that migration of CO2 within graphene oxides is influenced by the presence or absence of intercalated water molecules.
Charge transport in films of Geobacter sulfurreducens on graphite electrodes as a function of film thickness
Authors: Jana Partha Sarathi , Katuri Krishna , Kavanagh Paul , Kumar Amit , Leech Dónal
Published: March 2014

Charge transport throughGeobacter sulfurreducensbiofilms increases with film thickness, as more porous films improves ion transport upon electrolysis.
Protein film photoelectrochemistry of the water oxidation enzyme photosystem II
Authors: Kato Masaru , Zhang Jenny Z. , Paul Nicholas , Reisner Erwin
Published: March 2014

This review describes key functions of the water oxidation enzyme photosystem II, protein film photoelectrochemistry of photosystem II and bio-inspired photoelectrochemical water oxidation systems.
Palladium catalyzed oxidation of renewable terpenes with molecular oxygen: oxidation of α-bisabolol under chloride-free conditions
Authors: Parreira Luciana A. , Menini Luciano , Gusevskaya Elena V.
Published: March 2014

Several novel compounds potentially useful as components of synthetic perfumes and cosmetics were obtained from α-bisabololviapalladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidation.