bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance improvement of plasma actuators using asymmetric high voltage waveforms
Authors: Kotsonis M , Ghaemi S
Published: January 2012

An experimental study is conducted on high voltage waveforms used to power plasma actuators. Shapes that present an asymmetry between the two half cycles are investigated by means of induced thrust and velocity measurements. A parametric study is performed based on thrust measurements in order to find the optimum shape within the tested range. An asymmetric waveform which is made as a combination of sinusoidal and square shapes is found to increase produced thrust by almost 30% compared with the conventional sinusoidal waveform. The asymmetric waveform is further analysed using time-resolved particle image velocimetry in order to reveal the forcing mechanism governed by the shape differences. It is shown that the shape of the waveform has a significant effect on the performance of the actuator. Push and pull events occur within the actuation period and their respective strength and duration closely correlates with the shape of the waveform. It is found that the pull event is significantly weakened for the case of the optimized asymmetric waveform in comparison with the sinusoidal shape. This effectively increases the net momentum transfer and an improvement of approximately 40% in maximum induced velocity is achieved compared with sine waveform. Power consumption due to the asymmetric waveform is marginally increased which provides a significant increase in the actuator's relative efficiency.
Time and spatially resolved LIF of OH in a plasma filament in atmospheric pressure He–H2O
Authors: Verreycken T , van der Horst R M , Baede A H F M , Van Veldhuizen E M , Bruggeman P J
Published: January 2012

The production of OH in a nanosecond pulsed filamentary discharge generated in pin–pin geometry in a He–H2O mixture is studied by time and spatially resolved laser-induced fluorescence. Apart from the OH density the gas temperature and the electron density are also measured. Depending on the applied voltage the discharge is in a different mode. The maximum electron densities in the low- (1.3 kV) and high-density (5 kV) modes are 2 × 1021 m−3 and 7 × 1022 m−3, respectively. The gas temperature in both modes does not exceed 600 K. In the low-density mode the maximum OH density is at the centre of the discharge filament, while in the high-density mode the largest OH density is observed on the edge of the discharge. A chemical model is used to obtain an estimate of the absolute OH density. The chemical model also shows that charge exchange and dissociative recombination can explain the production of OH in the case of the high-density mode.
Magnetic field influence on pulsed air arc anode mass loss
Authors: Parkansky N , Beilis I I , Alterkop B , Boxman R L , Rosenberg Yu
Published: January 2012

Anode mass loss was studied in pulsed air arcs between two electrode pairs, 99.99% Ni/Ni and 99.5% Cu/Cu, in a transverse magnetic field. In both cases the anode mass loss decreased (by a factor of 2 for Cu and by a factor of 6 for Ni) when the magnetic field was increased up to 15–20 Oe and then remained approximately constant for Cu and decreased weakly for Ni. The observed dependences of anode mass loss were explained by the published behaviour of an arc motion in a magnetic field. The lattice parameter was decreased by the discharge treatment. The decrease was attributed to residual tensile stress produced on the arced surface. The lattice parameter of Ni increased with magnetic field, while for Cu it did not change substantially. The different behaviour is attributed to the magneto-plastic effect on magnetic Ni, which increases the plasticity with magnetic field.
Chemical Enhancement on Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering of Au3-1,4-Benzenedithiol-Au3 Junction
Authors: Zhao Xiu-ming , Tian Xiao-rui , Liu Sha-sha , Li Yuan-zuo , Chen Mao-du
Published: January 2012

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) spectra of the 1,4-benzenedithiol molecule in the junction of two Au3 clusters have been calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT method. In order to investigate the contribution of charge transfer (CT) enhancement, the wavelengths of incident light are chosen to be at resonance with four representative excited states, which correspond to CT in four different forms. Compared with SERS spectrum, SERRS spectra are enhanced enormously with distinct enhancement factors, which can be attributed to CT resonance in different forms.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Field Enhancement Behavior of ZnO Nanorods Pattern
Authors: Tang Jing , Du Lin , Pang Wen-hui , Zheng Jing-jing , Tian Xiao-chun , Zhuang Jin-liang
Published: January 2012

We provide a new way to prepare ZnO nanorods pattern from the solution composed of hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and Zn(NO3)2. The substrate is ITO substrate covered by well ordered Au islands. Since Au and the underneath ITO substrate have two different nucleation rates in the initial stage of heterogeneous nucleation process, the subsequent ZnO growth on the quick nucleating area takes place under diffusion control and is able to confine the synthesis of ZnO nanorods to specific locations. The concentrations of zinc nitrate and HMT are well adjusted to show the possibility of the new route for the patterning of the ZnO nanorods. Furthermore, the nanorods pattern was characterized by X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence and the performance of field emission property from ZnO nanorod patterns was investigated. The ZnO nanorods pattern with a good alignment also shows a good field enhancement behavior with a high value of the field enhancement factor.
The impact of sewage on environmental quality and the mesozooplankton community in a highly eutrophic estuary in Argentina
Authors: Dutto M. Sofía , López Abbate M. Celeste , Biancalana Florencia , Berasategui Anabela A. , Hoffmeyer Mónica S.
Published: January 2012

Dutto, M. S., López Abbate, M. C., Biancalana, F., Berasategui, A. A., and Hoffmeyer, M. S. 2012. The impact of sewage on environmental quality and the mesozooplankton community in a highly eutrophic estuary in Argentina. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 399–409. Eutrophication caused by human sewage is a growing phenomenon along coasts. Mesozooplankton abundance, community structure, and environmental quality were compared at two sites in the inner Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE), Argentina, one receiving regional sewage discharge (Canal Vieja), and the other a non-impacted area (Bahía del Medio). Comparisons of mean abundance and multivariate analyses were performed to detect spatial and temporal variations in both environmental and biotic variables. Significantly higher amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus and lower oxygen and pH were recorded at Canal Vieja. Larvae of the detritivorous crab Neohelice granulata were more abundant at Canal Vieja, whereas the common estuarine copepod species Acartia tonsa was more abundant at Bahía del Medio, where the mesozooplankton community was typical for the estuary. Although mesozooplankton is likely to be adapted to the high organic matter content in the BBE, the environmental conditions at Canal Vieja appear to favour Neohelice granulata, and this species should be considered as a potential indicator of the impact of sewage in future monitoring programmes. Particulate organic carbon and chlorophyll a were not influenced by organic loading in this naturally eutrophic estuary.
Transgenic expression of ZBP1 in neurons suppresses cocaine-associated conditioning
Authors: Lapidus Kyle A.B. , Nwokafor Chiso , Scott Daniel , Baroni Timothy E. , Tenenbaum Scott A. , Hiroi Noboru , Singer Robert H. , Czaplinski Kevin
Published: January 2012

To directly address whether regulating mRNA localization can influence animal behavior, we created transgenic mice that conditionally express Zipcode Binding Protein 1 (ZBP1) in a subset of neurons in the brain. ZBP1 is an RNA-binding protein that regulates the localization, as well as translation and stability of target mRNAs in the cytoplasm. We took advantage of the absence of ZBP1 expression in the mature brain to examine the effect of expressing ZBP1 on animal behavior. We constructed a transgene conditionally expressing a GFP-ZBP1 fusion protein in a subset of forebrain neurons and compared cocaine-cued place conditioning in these mice versus noninduced littermates. Transgenic ZBP1 expression resulted in impaired place conditioning relative to nonexpressing littermates, and acutely repressing expression of the transgene restored normal cocaine conditioning. To gain insight into the molecular changes that accounted for this change in behavior, we identified mRNAs that specifically immunoprecipitated with transgenic ZBP1 protein from the brains of these mice. These data suggest that RNA-binding proteins can be used as a tool to identify the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in the establishment and function of neural circuits involved in addiction behaviors.
The Developmental Trajectory of Leaflet Morphology in Wild Tomato Species
Authors: Chitwood Daniel H. , Headland Lauren R. , Kumar Ravi , Peng Jie , Maloof Julin N. , Sinha Neelima R.
Published: January 2012

Leaves between species vary in their size, serration, complexity, and shape. However, phylogeny is not the only predictor of leaf morphology. The shape of a leaf is the result of intricate developmental processes, including heteroblastic progression (changes in leaf size and shape at different nodes) and the developmental stage of an organ. The leaflets that arise from complex leaves are additionally modified by their positioning along the proximal-distal axis of a leaf and whether they fall on the left or right side of leaves. Even further, leaves are environmentally responsive, and their final shape is influenced by environmental inputs. Here, we comprehensively describe differences in leaflet shape between wild tomato (Solanum section Lycopersicon) species using a principal component analysis on elliptical Fourier descriptors arising from >11,000 sampled leaflets. We leverage differences in developmental rate to approximate a developmental series, which allows us to resolve the confounding differences in intrinsic leaflet form and developmental stage along positions of the heteroblastic leaf series and proximal-distal axis of leaves. We find that the resulting developmental trajectory of organs at different positions along these axes are useful for describing the changes in leaflet shape that occur during the shade avoidance response in tomato. We argue that it is the developmental trajectory, the changes in shape that occur over developmental time in organs reiterated at multiple positions, that is the relevant phenotype for discerning differences between populations and species, and to understand the underlying developmental processes that change during evolution.
Dislocation density and Burgers vector population in fiber-textured Ni thin films determined by high-resolution X-ray line profile analysis
Authors: Csiszár Gábor , Pantleon Karen , Alimadadi Hossein , Ribárik Gábor , Ungár Tamás
Published: January 2012

Nanocrystalline Ni thin films have been produced by direct current electrodeposition with different additives and current density in order to obtain 〈100〉, 〈111〉 and 〈211〉 major fiber textures. The dislocation density, the Burgers vector population and the coherently scattering domain size distribution are determined by high-resolution X-ray diffraction line profile analysis. The substructure parameters are correlated with the strength of the films by using the combined Taylor and Hall–Petch relations. The convolutional multiple whole profile method is used to obtain the substructure parameters in the different coexisting texture components. A strong variation of the dislocation density is observed as a function of the deposition conditions.
Long term use of drugs affecting the renin‐angiotensin system and the risk of cancer: a population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Hallas Jesper , Christensen Rene , Andersen Morten , Friis Søren , Bjerrum Lars
Published: January 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• A recent meta‐analysis has suggested an increased risk of cancer among users of angiotensin receptor blockers.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• Within the limitations of an observational study there is no difference in the cancer incidence between users of drugs affecting the renin‐angiotensin system and users of other antihypertensives.

• No consistent dose or duration dependency could be demonstrated for angiotensin reeptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.

AIMS A recent meta‐analysis of clinical trials has demonstrated a small excess of cancers in persons who had been allocated to angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). We undertook this observational study to look at dose–response and dose–duration effects and look for specificity with respect to outcome. Use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) was included in the main analysis since ACEIs share pharmacological properties with ARBs.

METHODS We identified 149 417 incident cancer cases in Denmark during the period 2000–2005. Four controls, matched by age and gender, were selected for each case by a risk‐set sampling. Data on medication were retrieved from the Danish National Prescription Registry. We defined long term exposure as at least 1000 defined daily doses redeemed within the past 5 years. Confounders were controlled by conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS The odds ratio (OR) associating long term drug use with incident cancer was 1.12 (95% CI 1.06, 1.18), 1.17 (95% CI 1.14, 1.20), 1.23 (95% CI 1.20, 1.26), 1.18 (95% CI 1.14, 1.22), 1.25 (95% CI 1.22, 1.28), 1.37 (95% CI 1.21, 1.54), 1.29 (95% CI 1.22, 1.37) for ARBs, ACEIs, calcium channel blockers, β‐adrenoceptor blockers, thiazide diuretics and α‐adrenoceptor blockers. No consistent dose–duration or dose–response association could be demonstrated for ARBs or ACEIs.

CONCLUSIONS The indication or possibly threshold for prescribing antihypertensives appears to be related to a small increase in cancer risk. The ARB‐cancer association is probably too weak to be addressed in observational studies, given their limitations.
Pharmacokinetics of linagliptin in subjects with hepatic impairment
Authors: Graefe‐Mody Ulrike , Rose Peter , Retlich Silke , Ring Arne , Waldhauser Lisa , Cinca Rodica , Woerle Hans‐Juergen
Published: January 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Linagliptin is an oral, highly selective dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitor that was approved in the United States, Europe and elsewhere in 2011 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• The elimination of linagliptin is primarily non‐renal. Therefore, a potential effect of hepatic impairment on the elimination of linagliptin may have important implications for dosing recommendations.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• This study shows that mild, moderate or severe hepatic impairment did not result in an increase in linagliptin exposure after single and multiple dosing as compared with normal hepatic function.

• No linagliptin dose adjustment is required in patients with any degree of hepatic impairment.

AIM To investigate whether hepatic impairment affects linagliptin pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tolerability.

METHOD This open label, parallel group, single centre study enrolled patients with mild (n= 8), moderate (n= 9) or severe (n= 8) hepatic impairment and healthy subjects (n= 8). Groups were matched with regard to age, weight and gender. Primary endpoints were linagliptin exposure following 5 mg linagliptin once daily for 7 days in patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment vs. healthy subjects or after a single 5 mg dose for patients with severe hepatic impairment vs. healthy subjects.

RESULTS In mild hepatic impairment, steady‐state linagliptin exposure was slightly lower than in healthy subjects [AUCτ,ss geometric mean ratio (GMR) 75.5%, 90% confidence interval (CI) 61.6%, 92.5%, and Cmax,ss GMR 64.4%, 90% CI 43.2%, 96.0%]. Exposure also tended to be lower in moderate hepatic impairment (AUCτ,ss GMR 85.5%, 90% CI 70.2%, 104.2% and Cmax,ss GMR 92.3%, 90% CI 62.8%, 135.6%). After a single dose, AUC(0,24 h) in patients with severe hepatic impairment was similar to that in healthy subjects (GMR 100.4%, 90% CI 75.0%, 134.3%) and Cmax was lower (GMR 77.0%, 90% CI 44.9%, 132.3%). Accumulation based on AUC or Cmax and renal excretion of unchanged linagliptin (≤7%) were comparable across groups. Median plasma DPP‐4 inhibition was similar in healthy subjects (91%), and patients with mild (90%) and moderate (89%) hepatic impairment at steady‐state trough concentrations, and in patients with severe hepatic impairment 24 h after a single dose (84%). Linagliptin was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION Mild, moderate or severe hepatic impairment did not result in an increase in linagliptin exposure after single and multiple dosing compared with normal hepatic function. Dose adjustment with linagliptin is not required in patients with hepatic impairment.
Medication review and reconciliation with cooperation between pharmacist and general practitioner and the benefit for the patient: a systematic review
Authors: Geurts Marlies M. E. , Talsma Jaap , Brouwers Jacobus R. B. J. , de Gier Johan J.
Published: January 2012

This article systematically reviews the literature on the impact of collaboration between pharmacists and general practitioners and describes its effect on patients' health. A systematic literature search provided 1041 articles. After first review of title and abstract, 152 articles remained. After review of the full text, 83 articles were included. All included articles are presented according to the following variables: (i) reference; (ii) design and setting of the study; (iii) inclusion criteria for patients; (iv) description of the intervention; (v) whether a patient interview was performed to involve patients' experiences with their medicine‐taking behaviour; (vi) outcome; (vii) whether healthcare professionals received additional training; and (viii) whether healthcare professionals received financial reimbursement. Many different interventions are described where pharmacists and general practitioners work together to improve patients' health. Only nine studies reported hard outcomes, such as hospital (re)admissions; however, these studies had different results, not all of which were statistically significant. Randomized controlled trials should be able to describe hard outcomes, but large patient groups will be needed to perform such studies. Patient involvement is important for long‐term success.
Jumping through hoops – the cost of compliance on sole parents
Authors: McArthur Morag , Thomson Lorraine , Winkworth Gail
Published: January 2012

Australian governments along with other western countries have made significant changes to the welfare system with a focus on encouraging sole parents on social security payments to move into paid work. This paper reports on in‐depth interviews with 48 sole parents about their experiences with the welfare‐to‐work process and with a range of other services. Although parents reported some positive encounters, they also described a range of negative experiences, including how they needed to repeatedly prove their entitlement to help, leaving them feel as if they were undeserving of support. The study has demonstrated that it is often the most vulnerable parents who feel under close scrutiny and who have to work extra hard to get the help they need. These experiences can also see them disengaging from services. The findings show how the current policy environment adds to the complexity of sole parents' lives reinforcing their disadvantage.
Co‐producing innovation or innovating co‐production? Responding to the contact needs of non‐resident parents in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Coen Liam , Kearns Noreen
Published: January 2012

The empowerment and participation of children and families in both the design and the delivery of services oriented towards them is now an accepted norm, if not always the accepted practice. Yet, challenges still remain, particularly where parents are separated and contact issues are problematic. Although contact centres are common in some Western countries including Australia, New Zealand, the UK, France, and the USA, this is not the case in the Republic of Ireland. The relatively recent introduction of divorce, increases in separation and childbirth outside of marriage have led to the need for service planners to respond to the growing issue of non‐resident contact with children. Using Bovaird's co‐production framework, the purpose of this paper is to outline and discuss specific findings relating to service user involvement emanating from a formative evaluation of an innovative supported contact service in Ireland. What emerges from the findings is a picture of co‐production where the broad parameters of the service are professionally defined and where the specifics of service user involvement in delivery vary from family to family but within the bounds of professional control.
Quality of life measures for food allergy
Authors: Flokstra‐de Blok B. M. J. , Dubois A. E. J.
Published: January 2012

Food allergy has become an emerging health problem in Western societies. Although food allergy is characterized by a relatively low mortality and an almost continual absence of physical symptoms, food allergic patients are continually confronted with the possibility of potentially severe reactions and the necessity of dietary vigilance. Health‐related quality of life (HRQL) may be the only meaningful outcome measure available for food allergy measuring this continuous burden. HRQL may be measured with generic or disease‐specific instruments. Generic instruments may be relatively unresponsive to differences or changes in health status, whereas disease‐specific instruments are generally more sensitive for relatively subtle problems related to a particular illness. Recently, a number of disease‐specific questionnaires have become available to measure the HRQL of food allergic patients. An important area for further research is the interpretation of the outcome of HRQL measures. In this respect, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is of special interest. In combination with the numbers needed to treat (NNT), this may give an ultimate insight into the clinical relevance of an intervention. Since there is still no cure for food allergy, the only available treatment is strict avoidance of the culprit food and provision of emergency treatment. The double‐blind placebo‐controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) is considered to be the gold standard for diagnosing food allergy. A number of studies have investigated the perceptions of parents whose children underwent a DBPCFC. In contrast to the parental perception, there is much currently still unknown about the effects of undergoing a DBPCFC in the perceptions of patients. In addition to the research on MCID and NNT of food allergy HRQL questionnaires, further research should focus on deriving quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) from food allergy HRQL questionnaires and the application of food allergy HRQL questionnaires at the individual patient level in clinical practice.
Epigenetic regulation of myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production in nasal polyp‐derived fibroblasts
Authors: Cho J.‐S. , Moon Y.‐M. , Park I.‐H. , Um J.‐Y. , Moon J.‐H. , Park S.‐J. , Lee S. H. , Kang H. J. , Lee H.‐M.
Published: January 2012

Background

Nasal polyposis is a multi‐factorial disease associated with chronic inflammatory condition of the paranasal sinuses. Myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation are involved in the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis.

Objective

The aim of this study was to study the effect of trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, on transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1‐induced myofibroblast differentiation and ECM accumulation in nasal polyp‐derived fibroblasts (NPDFs).

Methods

Nasal polyp‐derived fibroblasts were isolated from nasal polyps of patients who have chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp. TSA was treated in TGF‐β1‐induced NPDFs. Expression levels of HDAC2, α‐smooth muscle actin (SMA), TGF‐β1, collagen type I, acetylated Histone H3, acetylated Histone H4, phosphorylated Smad2/3 and Smad7 were determined by RT‐PCR, western blot and/or immunofluorescent staining. The total collagen amount production was analysed by Sircol soluble collagen assay and contractile activity was measured by collagen gel contraction assay. HDAC2 inhibition by TSA or HDAC2 silencing was established by RT‐PCR and western blot. The epigenetic effect on α‐SMA gene inactivation was examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Proliferation was determined by Ki67‐positive cell staining and cytotoxicity was assessed by 3‐(4,5‐ dimethylthiazol‐2yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Results

The expression levels of HDAC2, α‐SMA and TGF‐β1 were increased in nasal polyp tissues compared to normal inferior turbinate tissues. TSA and HDAC2 silencing inhibited expression levels α‐SMA, collagen and HDAC2. TSA induced hyperacetylation of histone and suppressed opening of α‐SMA gene promoter in TGF‐β1‐induced NPDFs. TSA inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced Smad 2/3 and rescued TGF‐β1‐suppressed Smad7 signalling pathway. Finally, TSA blocked proliferation in TGF‐β1‐induced NPDFs and has no cytotoxic effect in NPDFs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

These results suggest that HDAC inhibition is associated with myofibroblast differentiation and extracelluar matrix accumulation in nasal polyposis. TSA may be useful as an inhibitor of nasal polyp growth, and thus has potential to be used as a novel treatment option for nasal polyposis.
Prolactin measurement during inferior petrosal sinus sampling improves the localization of pituitary adenomas in Cushing's disease
Authors: Mulligan Guy B. , Faiman Charles , Gupta Manjula , Kennedy Laurence , Hatipoglu Betul , Hui Ferdinand , Weil Robert J. , Hamrahian Amir H.
Published: January 2012

Objective

Inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) distinguishes pituitary‐dependent Cushing's disease (CD) from ectopic ACTH syndrome with a high degree of certainty, but has not been reliable in predicting the location of an adenoma within the pituitary gland. We investigated whether prolactin measurements during IPSS would improve pituitary tumour localization.

Methods

Fifty‐four patients with suspected ACTH‐dependent Cushing's syndrome who underwent IPSS between 1997 and 2009 were studied retrospectively. Twenty‐eight patients who had an identifiable tumour that stained for ACTH on histopathology are the subject of this study. Intersinus ACTH gradients before and after adjustment for prolactin were compared with surgical findings and pathology.

Results

Magnetic resonance imaging localized a pituitary adenoma in 17/28 (61%) patients. Using a maximum intersinus ACTH gradient of ≥1·4 before or after CRH stimulation, we could diagnose the tumour location correctly in 15/28 (54%) patients. By comparison, tumour lateralization by means of a dominant (≥1·4) prolactin‐adjusted ACTH intersinus gradient was correct in 21/28 (75%) patients (P = 0·041). Tumour localization was correct in 23/28 (82%) patients when MRI and prolactin‐adjusted ratio data were combined. Fourteen patients with proper bilateral IPS venous sampling (as determined by concurrent IPS to peripheral prolactin ratio ≥1·8) either had correct localization of the tumour (n = 12) or had a central lesion (n = 2). In none of these 14 patients was the dominant prolactin‐adjusted ACTH ratio associated with a tumour on the opposite side of the gland.

Conclusion

Prolactin measurement, during IPSS, improves our ability to correctly localize the pituitary adenoma site in CD.
Pattern‐recognition receptors in human eosinophils
Authors: Kvarnhammar Anne Månsson , Cardell Lars Olaf
Published: January 2012

The pattern‐recognition receptor (PRR) family includes Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain (NOD) ‐like receptors (NLRs), RIG‐I‐like receptors (RLRs), C‐type lectin receptors (CLRs) and the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). They recognize various microbial signatures or host‐derived danger signals and trigger an immune response. Eosinophils are multifunctional leucocytes involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory processes, including parasitic helminth infection, allergic diseases, tissue injury and tumour immunity. Human eosinophils express several PRRs, including TLR1–5, TLR7, TLR9, NOD1, NOD2, Dectin‐1 and RAGE. Receptor stimulation induces survival, oxidative burst, activation of the adhesion system and release of cytokines (interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐α and granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor), chemokines (interleukin‐8 and growth‐related oncogene‐α) and cytotoxic granule proteins (eosinophil cationic protein, eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin, eosinophil peroxidase and major basic protein). It is also evident that eosinophils play an immunomodulatory role by interacting with surrounding cells. The presence of a broad range of PRRs in eosinophils indicates that they are not only involved in defence against parasitic helminths, but also against bacteria, viruses and fungi. From a clinical perspective, eosinophilic PRRs seem to be involved in both allergic and malignant diseases by causing exacerbations and affecting tumour growth, respectively.
The product of tadZ, a new member of the parA/minD superfamily, localizes to a pole in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Authors: Perez‐Cheeks Brenda A. , Planet Paul J. , Sarkar I. Neil , Clock Sarah A. , Xu Qingping , Figurski David H.
Published: January 2012

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans establishes a tenacious biofilm that is important for periodontal disease. The tad locus encodes the components for the secretion and biogenesis of Flp pili, which are necessary for the biofilm to form. TadZ is required, but its function has been elusive. We show that tadZ genes belong to the parA/minD superfamily of genes and that TadZ from A. actinomycetemcomitans (AaTadZ) forms a polar focus in the cell independent of any other tad locus protein. Mutations indicate that regions in AaTadZ are required for polar localization and biofilm formation. We show that AaTadZ dimerizes and that all TadZ proteins are predicted to have a Walker‐like A box. However, they all lack the conserved lysine at position 6 (K6) present in the canonical Walker‐like A box. When the alanine residue (A6) in the atypical Walker‐like A box of AaTadZ was converted to lysine, the mutant protein remained able to dimerize and localize, but it was unable to allow the formation of a biofilm. Another essential biofilm protein, the ATPase (AaTadA), also localizes to a pole. However, its correct localization depends on the presence of AaTadZ. We suggest that the TadZ proteins mediate polar localization of the Tad secretion apparatus.
Quantification of dystrophin immunofluorescence in dystrophinopathy muscle specimens
Authors: Taylor L. E. , Kaminoh Y. J. , Rodesch C. K. , Flanigan K. M.
Published: January 2012

L. E. Taylor, Y. J. Kaminoh, C. K. Rodesch and K. M. Flanigan (2012) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology38, 591–601

Quantification of dystrophin immunofluorescence in dystrophinopathy muscle specimens

Aims: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is usually associated with absent or nearly absent dystrophin expression at the sarcolemmal membrane. Quantification of very low levels of dystrophin signal in immunofluorescent studies of muscle biopsy sections presents a technical challenge. This is particularly true in the setting of proof‐of‐principle drug trials, in which the detection and quantification of what may be significant changes in levels of expression is important, even if absolute dystrophin levels remain low. Methods: We have developed a method of image analysis that allows reliable and semi‐automated immunofluorescent quantification of low‐level dystrophin expression in sections co‐stained for spectrin. Using a custom Metamorph script to create a contiguous region spectrin mask, we quantify dystrophin signal intensity only at pixels within the spectrin mask that presumably represent the sarcolemmal membrane. Using this method, we analysed muscle biopsy tissue from a series of patients with DMD, Becker muscular dystrophy, intermediate muscular dystrophy and normal control tissue. Results: Analysis of serial sections on multiple days confirms reproducibility, and normalized dystrophin : spectrin intensity ratios (expressed as a percentage of normal control tissue) correlate well with the dystrophin expression levels as determined by Western blot analysis. Conclusion: This method offers a robust and reliable method of biomarker detection for trials of DMD therapies.
Maternal education inequalities in height growth rates in early childhood: 2004 Pelotas birth cohort study
Authors: Matijasevich Alicia , Howe Laura D. , Tilling Kate , Santos Iná S. , Barros Aluísio J. D. , Lawlor Debbie A.
Published: January 2012

Matijasevich A, Howe LD, Tilling K, Santos IS, Barros AJD, Lawlor DA. Maternal education inequalities in height growth rates in early childhood: 2004 Pelotas birth cohort study. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; 26: 236–249.

Socio‐economic inequalities in attained height have been reported in many countries. The aim of this study was to explore the age at which maternal education inequalities in child height emerge among children from a middle‐income country. Using data from the 2004 Pelotas cohort study from Brazil we modelled individual height growth trajectories in 2106 boys and 1947 girls from birth to 4 years using a linear spline mixed‐effects model. We examined the associations of maternal education with birth length and trajectories of growth in length/height, and explored the effect of adjusting for a number of potential confounder or mediator factors.

We showed linear and positive associations of maternal education with birth length and length/height growth rates at 0–3 months and 12–29/32 months with very little association at 3–12 months, particularly in boys. By age 4 years the mean height of boys was 101.06 cm (SE = 0.28) in the lowest and 104.20 cm (SE = 0.15) in the highest education category (mean difference 3.14 cm, SE = 0.32, P < 0.001). Among girls the mean height was 100.02 cm (SE = 0.27) and 103.03 cm (SE = 0.15) in the lowest and highest education categories, respectively (mean difference 3.01 cm, SE = 0.31, P < 0.001). For both boys and girls there was on average a 3‐cm difference between the extreme education categories. Adjusting for maternal height reduced the observed birth length differences across maternal education categories, but differences in postnatal growth rates persisted.

Our data demonstrate an increase in the absolute and relative inequality in height after birth; inequality increases from approximately 0.2 standard deviations of birth length to approximately 0.7 standard deviations of height at age 4, indicating that height inequality, which was already present at birth, widened through differential growth rates to age 2 years.
Genetic and nutritional effects on male traits and reproductive performance in Tribolium flour beetles
Authors: LEWIS S. M. , TIGREROS N. , FEDINA T. , MING Q. L.
Published: January 2012

In Tribolium flour beetles and other organisms, individuals migrate between heterogeneous environments where they often encounter markedly different nutritional conditions. Under these circumstances, theory suggests that genotype‐by‐environment interactions (GEI) may be important in facilitating adaptation to new environments and maintaining genetic variation for male traits subject to directional selection. Here, we used a nested half‐sib breeding design with Tribolium castaneum to partition the separate and joint effects of male genotype and nutritional environment on phenotypic variation in a comprehensive suite of life‐history traits, reproductive performance measures across three sequential sexual selection episodes, and fitness. When male genotypes were tested across three nutritional environments, considerable phenotypic plasticity was found for male mating and insemination success, longevity and traits related to larval development. Our results also revealed significant additive genetic variation for male mating rate, sperm offence ability (P2), longevity and total fitness and for several traits reflecting both larval and adult resource use. In addition, we found evidence supporting GEI for sperm defence ability (P1), adult longevity and larval development; thus, no single male genotype outperforms others in every nutritional environment. These results provide insight into the potential roles of phenotypic plasticity and GEI in facilitating Tribolium adaptation to new environments in ecological and evolutionary time.
A qualitative and quantitative analysis of von Willebrand factor contained in a very high‐purity plasma‐derived FVIII concentrate
Authors: Samor B. , Michalski C. , Brandin M.‐P. , Andre M.‐H. , Chtourou S. , Tellier Z.
Published: January 2012

Background and Objectives  We studied the structural and functional properties of von Willebrand factor (VWF) molecules present in a very high‐purity plasma‐derived factor VIII concentrate (VHP pdFVIII – Factane®) because several observations suggest that the presence of VWF in factor VIII (FVIII) preparations may decrease their immunogenicity.

Materials and Methods  Ten marketed batches of VHP pdFVIII (Factane®) with levels of VWF ranging from 15 to 39 IU/100 IU FVIII were analysed. The VWF multimeric pattern was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis. The binding of VWF to FVIII was studied by gel filtration and ELISA. The binding of VWF to GPIb was analysed by ELISA.

Results  The results showed that high‐molecular‐weight multimers of VWF were present in VHP pdFVIII (Factane®). VWF subunits maintain a triplet structure similar to that of normal plasma. Regardless of the VWF content, all FVIII molecules of each batch were co‐eluted with VWF, and no free FVIII was detectable. By immunoassays, VWF was found to be able to bind to FVIII and platelet GPIb in a similar manner to that of VWF in normal plasma.

Conclusions  In all the VHP pdFVIII (Factane®) batches studied, regardless of the level of VWF, the structure and capacity of VWF binding to FVIII and to platelet GPIb were fully preserved.
Morphological and genetic distinctiveness of metallicolous and non‐metallicolous populations of Armeria maritima s.l. (Plumbaginaceae) in Poland
Authors: Abratowska A. , Wąsowicz P. , Bednarek P. T. , Telka J. , Wierzbicka M.
Published: January 2012

Patterns of morphological, genetic and epigenetic variation (DNA methylation pattern) were investigated in metallicolous (M) and non‐metallicolous (NM) populations of Armeria maritima. A morphological study was carried out using plants from six natural populations grown in a greenhouse. Morphological variation was assessed using seven traits. On the basis of this study, three representative populations were selected for molecular analyses using metAFLP to study sequence‐ and methylation‐based DNA variation. Only one morphological trait (length of outer involucral bracts) was common to both metallicolous populations studied; however, the level of variation was sufficient to differentiate between M and NM populations. Molecular analyses showed the existence of naturally occurring epigenetic variation in A. maritima populations, as well as structuring into distinct between and within population components. We show that patterns of population genetic structure differed depending on the information used in the study. Analysis of sequence‐based information data demonstrates the presence of three well‐defined and genetically differentiated populations. Methylation‐based data show that two major groups of individuals are present, corresponding to the division into M and NM populations. These results were confirmed using different analytical approaches, which suggest that the DNA methylation pattern is similar in both M populations. We hypothesise that epigenetic processes may be involved in microevolution leading to development of M populations in A. maritima.
Antioxidant and photoprotective responses to elevated CO2 and heat stress during holm oak regeneration by resprouting, evaluated with NIRS (near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy)
Authors: Pintó‐Marijuan M. , Joffre R. , Casals I. , De Agazio M. , Zacchini M. , García‐Plazaola J.‐I. , Esteban R. , Aranda X. , Guàrdia M. , Fleck I.
Published: January 2012

Photosynthetic, photoprotective and antioxidant responses during high temperature stress were determined in leaves of evergreen holm oak (Quercus ilex L.), the main species in Mediterranean forests, during resprouting under elevated CO2 (750 μl·l−1). Leaf chemicals, chloroplast pigments and non‐enzymatic antioxidants were quantified in a single measurement using NIRS (near‐infrared spectroscopy), a rapid and suitable method for ecophysiological purposes. Resprouts from plants grown under elevated CO2 (RE) showed photosynthetic down‐regulation, higher starch content and lower stomatal conductance, but similar stomatal density, than plants grown under current CO2 concentrations (350 μl·l−1) (RA). The photosynthetic sink reduction and need for more antioxidants and photoprotection in RE were reflected in an increased concentration of ascorbate (Asc) and phenolic compounds and in the contribution of the xanthophyll (Z/VAZ) and lutein epoxide cycles to excess energy dissipation as heat, and also reflected in chlorophyll fluorescence measurements. CO2 assimilation parameters were stable from 25 to 35 °C in RE and RA, declining thereafter in RA in spite of a 2.3 °C lower leaf temperature. RE showed a more marked decline in photorespiration above 35 °C and less sensitive stomatal responses to high temperature stress than RA. During heat stress, RE had higher Asc, Z/VAZ and phenolics content, together with delayed enhancement of chloroplast lipophilic antioxidant compounds (carotenes and tocopherols). The high contribution of photoprotective systems and high temperature tolerance in resprouts developed under elevated CO2 would mitigate the effect of photosynthesis acclimation during the regeneration of Q. ilex plants under climate change.
Eucalyptus wood decay: effects on productivity and quality of cellulose
Authors: Mafia R. G. , Santos P. C. , Demuner B. J. , Massoquete A. , Sartório R. C.
Published: January 2012

We evaluated the effect of wood decay, caused by fungiHypoxylonspp., on pulp productivity and quality. Wood samples with different proportions of contamination (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) were used to produce Kraft pulp under the same pulping conditions. In the second step, cookings were performed to achieve the same Kappa number (Kn = 17 ± 1), varying only the alkali charge. Wood and pulp were also analysed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The risk of occurrence of wood decay reached its maximum between September and October, under inappropriate storage conditions and juvenile wood without bark. It was observed that the increase in the decayed content (DC) of wood chips affected the Kappa number (Kn), according to the model Kn = 1/(0.0595−0.00324*DC0.34102). An increase of 38.7% of alkali charge was necessary to reach the same Kappa number with decayed wood. The yield for the contaminated wood was lower (48%) when compared to non‐contaminated wood (53%). Once contaminated, the wood chips demand more severe cooking conditions because of the difficulty of impregnation. This condition affected the pulp quality, reducing its viscosity by 30% and hemicelluloses content by 5%. In addition, losses of resistance were also observed in the final pulp, where the zero span and tensile indexes were reduced by 5 and 16%, respectively. The SEM observations showed that the ascostroma fungi tissue was not totally degraded during the Kraft process, resulting in the deposition of pitch on fibres. Considering the results achieved, it was possible to conclude that the eucalyptus wood decay, caused by the fungiHypoxylonspp., significantly affects the pulp process and quality.
Cribriform neuroepithelial tumor in the third ventricle: A case report and literature review
Authors: Park Ji Young , Kim Ealmaan , Kim Dong Won , Chang Hyuk Won , Kim Sang Pyo
Published: January 2012

Cribriform neuroepithelial tumor (CRINET) is a very rare and recently described entity of INI1‐deficient intraventricular neuroepithelial tumor of primitive non‐rhabdoid cells with distinct cribriform formation and has a relatively favorable prognosis. A 14‐month‐old boy had presented with gait imbalance and was crawling for the last 2 weeks. MRI revealed a large, complex solid and cystic mass with dimensions of 55 × 55 × 50 mm in the vicinity of the third ventricle. Histopathologically, the tumor was composed of relatively small undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells arranged in a cribriform pattern and intervening solid sheets with true rosettes. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed complete loss of nuclear INI1 expression and distinct expression of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) along the luminal borders of the tubules or glands. The typical rhabdoid feature of tumor cells was absent. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells were neuroepithelial cells that contained short linear rough endoplasmic reticula and distinct intercellular junctions. Here, we describe a new case of CRINET and also discuss its clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features.
TRADE DIVERSIFICATION, INCOME, AND GROWTH: WHAT DO WE KNOW?
Authors: Cadot Olivier , Carrère Céline , Strauss‐Kahn Vanessa
Published: January 2012

This paper surveys the empirical literature on export and import diversification and its linkages with growth. We review widely used measures of diversification and the evidence about their evolution focusing on how export diversification relates to trade liberalization and economic development. We also discuss the linkages between trade diversification and productivity at the firm and industry level, highlighting new advances on the linkages between import diversification and productivity.
The effects of systemic isotretinoin and antibiotic therapy on the microbial floras in patients with acne vulgaris
Authors: Başak P.Y. , Çetin E.S. , Gürses İ. , Özseven A.G.
Published: January 2012

Background  Although there are several studies about the alteration in skin flora, limited number of reports about changes in the microbial contents and their resistance profile of other body sites in patients treated with isotretinoin for acne vulgaris.

Objectives  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of systemic isotretinoin and antibiotic therapy on the microbial floras of oropharynx, nose and feces in acne patients.

Methods  Treatment groups of isotretinoin and antibiotics consisting of 20 and 15 patients, respectively were included. Microbiological culture samples were taken at baseline and once a month during 4–6 months of treatment period.

Results  Difference in microbial flora throughout the treatment period was detected at least among one of all culture samples of 15 (75%) and 5 (33%) patients in isotretinoin and antibiotic groups. There was statistically significant difference between two groups in means of alteration of the microbial flora (P = 0.013). The difference was definitely observed among nasal cultures (65%) in isotretinoin group and fecal cultures (20%) in the other. Staphylococcus aureus colonization was prominent in the microbial floras of nose and oropharynx and 2 of 14 nasal isolates were detected to be methicilline resistant while Escherichia coli with extended spectrum beta lactamase activity was detected in fecal floras of patients in isotretinoin group.

Conclusions  Systemic isotretinoin and antibiotic treatments in acne patients precisely caused variations in the microbial floras of several sites of the body, while isotretinoin was commonly more responsible than antibiotics. Knowing that alterations in the microbial colonization of the flora regions may preceede infectious disease and bacterial resistance, treatment options and follow‐up procedures in acne vulgaris should be carefully determined to reduce the risk of destruction of the microbial flora.