bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome Sequence of Herbaspirillum sp. Strain GW103, a Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium
Authors: Lee Gun Woong , Lee Kui-Jae , Chae Jong-Chan
Published: July 2012

Herbaspirillum
sp. strain GW103 was isolated from rhizosphere soil of the reed
Phragmites australis
on reclaimed land. Here we report the 5.05-Mb draft genome sequence of the strain, providing bioinformation about the agronomic benefits of this strain, such as multiple traits relevant to plant root colonization and plant growth promotion.
Population Dynamics among Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in Germany during a 6-Year Period
Authors: Schaumburg Frieder , Köck Robin , Mellmann Alexander , Richter Laura , Hasenberg Felicitas , Kriegeskorte André , Friedrich Alexander W. , Gatermann Sören , Peters Georg , von Eiff Christof , Becker Karsten ,   study group
Published: July 2012

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) originated from the health care setting but is now emerging in communities without health care contact (CA-MRSA) or in livestock (LA-MRSA). The impact on the whole MRSA population was assessed in a German prospective multicenter study. Thirty-three laboratories consecutively collected up to 50 MRSA isolates from infection or carriage during two sampling periods in 2004 to 2005 and 2010 to 2011. Patient-related data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Methicillin resistance was confirmed by the detection of
mecA
or its homologue
mecA
LGA251
. The
spa
type and major virulence factors were analyzed for each isolate. In total, 1,604 (2004 to 2005) and 1,603 (2010 to 2011) MRSA isolates were analyzed; one isolate from each sampling period harbored
mecA
LGA251
. LA-MRSA increased significantly (odds ratio [OR] = 22.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.51 to 85.49,
P
< 0.0005) and spread over Germany, originating from northwestern regions. Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive CA-MRSA rose significantly, particularly in southern Germany, but the proportion in 2010 to 2011 remained low (2.7%, OR = 2.80, 95% CI = 1.54 to 5.34,
P
< 0.0005). The emerging MRSA clones changed the MRSA population in Germany during a 6-year period significantly. The ongoing epidemiological shift and changes of MRSA sources create a need for revision of guidelines for MRSA infection control and treatment.
HLA Class I-Mediated Control of HIV-1 in the Japanese Population, in Which the Protective HLA-B*57 and HLA-B*27 Alleles Are Absent
Authors: Naruto Takuya , Gatanaga Hiroyuki , Nelson George , Sakai Keiko , Carrington Mary , Oka Shinichi , Takiguchi Masafumi
Published: July 2012

We investigated the effect of HLA class I alleles on clinical parameters for HIV-1 disease progression in the Japanese population, where two strongly protective alleles, HLA-B*57 and HLA-B*27, are virtually nonexistent. HLA-B alleles showed a dominant role, primarily through HLA-B*67:01 and the HLA-B*52:01-C*12:02 haplotype. Neither a rare-allele nor a heterozygote advantage was found, suggesting that the effect of HLA alleles in the Japanese population is either different from those observed in Africans and Caucasians or undetectable due to limited power.
Three Murine Leukemia Virus Integration Regions within 100 Kilobases Upstream ofc-mybAre Proximal to the 5′ Regulatory Region of the Gene through DNA Looping
Authors: Zhang Junfang , Markus Jan , Bies Juraj , Paul Thomas , Wolff Linda
Published: July 2012

Retroviruses integrated into genomic DNA participate in long-range gene activation from as far away as several hundred kilobases. Hypotheses have been put forth to account for these phenomena, but data have not been provided to support a physical mechanism that explains long-range activation. In murine leukemia virus-induced myeloid leukemia in mice, integrated proviruses have been found upstream ofc-mybin three regions, named Mml1, Mml2, and Mml3 (25, 50, and 70 kb upstream, respectively). The transcription factor c-Myb is an oncogene whose dysregulation and/or mutation can lead to human leukemia. We hypothesized that the murinec-mybupstream region contains regulatory elements accessed by the retrovirus. To identify regulatory sites in the murinec-mybupstream region, we looked by chromatin immunoprecipitation with microarray technology (ChIP-on-chip) for histone modifications implicating gene activation in normal cells. H3K4me3, H3K4me1, and H3K9/14ac were enriched at Mml1 and/or Mml2 in the myeloblastic cell line M1, which expressesc-myb. The enrichment of all of these histone marks decreased with differentiation-induced downregulation of the gene in M1 cells but increased and spread in tumor cells containing integrated provirus. Importantly, using chromosome conformation capture (3C)-quantitative PCR assays, interactions between the 5′ region, including the promoter and all Mml sites (Mml1, Mml2, and Mml3), were detected due to DNA looping in M1 cells and tumor cells with provirus in Mml1, Mml2, or Mml3. Therefore, our study provides a new mechanism of retrovirus insertional mutagenesis whereby spatial chromatin organization allows distally located provirus, with its own enhancer elements, to access the 5′ regulatory region of the gene.
Pheochromocytoma presenting as acute decompensated heart failure reversed with medical therapy
Authors: Mulla Christopher M , Marik Paul Ellis
Published: July 2012

A 26-year-old woman presented to hospital with acute chest pain, hypertension, tachycardia and an elevated serum creatinine. She developed respiratory distress requiring endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. She progressed to multiorgan failure due to decompensated congestive heart failure. Echocardiography demonstrated global hypokinesis and an ejection fraction of <10%. Her cardiac function improved with fluid resuscitation and β blockade, and she was eventually discharged home. She was readmitted a few days later with pancreatitis after presenting with nausea, abdominal pain and hypertension. During hospitalisation she had paroxysms of headache, nausea and diaphoresis associated with hypertension and tachycardia. A CT scan of her abdomen revealed an adrenal mass and serum metanephrine studies confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. After fluid resuscitation and sympathetic blockade her ejection fraction improved to 55%. The patient underwent an uneventful adrenalectomy and made a complete recovery.
Do parents' and children's concerns about sports safety and injury risk relate to how much physical activity children do?
Authors: Telford Amanda , Finch Caroline F , Barnett Lisa , Abbott Gavin , Salmon Jo
Published: July 2012

Objective

To see whether concerns about injury risk relate to children's physical activity (PA).

Methods

Two cohorts were recruited from 19 Australian schools and assessed in 2001 (T1), 2004 (T2) and 2006 (T3). The younger (n=162) was assessed at 6, 9 and 11years old, and the older (n=259) at 11, 14 and 16 years old. At T1 and T2, parents of the younger cohort reported on fear of child being injured, and whether child would be at risk of injury if they played organised sport; the older cohort self-reported injury fear. Accelerometers assessed PA at each time point. Linear regression models examined cross-sectional associations, and also associations between T1 injury fear and risk and T2 PA, and T2 injury fear and risk and T3 PA.

Results

In the younger cohort at T2 (9 years), fear and risk were both negatively associated with moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) (β=−0.17, 95% CI −0.30 to −0.03 and β=−0.26, 95% CI −0.41 to −0.10) and also vigorous PA (VPA). Fear was also associated with moderate PA (MPA). For the older cohort at T1, injury fear was negatively associated with MVPA (β=−0.21, 95% CI −0.35 to −0.07) and also MPA and VPA. Parental perception of risk at T1 (6 years) was negatively associated with children's MPA at T2 (9 years) (β=−0.17, 95% CI −0.32 to −0.02). Sex did not moderate any association.

Conclusions

Younger children and their parents need to know which sports have low injury risks. Some children may need increased confidence to participate.

.
Xylogenesis in black spruce subjected to rain exclusion in the field1This article is one of a selection of papers from the 7th International Conference on Disturbance Dynamics in Boreal Forests.
Authors: Belien Evelyn , Rossi Sergio , Morin Hubert , Deslauriers Annie
Published: July 2012

The predicted climate warming and more frequent and longer droughts are expected to produce potentially severe water stresses in the boreal forest. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of a summer drought on xylem phenology and anatomy of mature black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) trees in their natural environment. The trees were excluded from rain during June–September 2010 by the installation of under-canopy roofs in four sites of the boreal forest of Quebec. Xylem phenology, stem radius variations, and physiological traits of treated and control trees were monitored at short time resolution. At the end of the growth season, cell characteristics were measured. The rain exclusion reduced the cell area of the xylem, but no significant change was observed in cell wall thickness, cell production, or phenology. Stem radius variations of the treated trees were lower but followed the same pattern as the control. After removal of the exclusion, trees and soil quickly recovered their normal water status. One summer of drought led to the formation of smaller tracheids but showed that black spruce is resistant to this rain exclusion treatment. This is likely due to the ability to collect water from sources other than the superficial soil horizon.
Regional patterns of postfire canopy recovery in the northern boreal forest of Quebec: interactions between surficial deposit, climate, and fire cycle1This article is one of a selection of papers from the 7th International Conference on Disturbance Dynamics in Boreal Forests.
Authors: Mansuy Nicolas , Gauthier Sylvie , Robitaille André , Bergeron Yves
Published: July 2012

In many northern forest ecosystems, the postfire transition from a closed-crown forest to open woodland is often observed but poorly understood. This paper looks at the effect of interactions between surficial deposit, climate, and fire cycle on postfire forest recovery within a large territory (190 000 km2) of the boreal forest of eastern Canada. Postfire recovery was estimated using the time elapsed to move from the burnt stage to the regenerated stage and the young forest stage. The main objective was to determine if forests situated in dry regions (characterized by a high proportion of dry coarse surficial deposits, low precipitation, and short fire cycle) tend to reestablish more slowly after fire, obtaining a more open stand compared with wetter regions characterized by a longer fire cycle. To identify the best explanatory model for postfire recovery, multinomial logistic regressions with the Akaike information criterion were conducted using a combination of physicoclimatic factors. Our best model suggests that the most significant predictors of postfire recovery are time since fire (χ2 = 1370.06), surficial deposit type (χ2 = 651.95), the Canadian Drought Code (χ2 = 247.75), and the growing season precipitation (χ2 = 102.80). Fast recovery and dense forest regeneration are associated with subhydric till deposits only in the regions characterized by a long fire cycle (>500 years). Conversely, slow regeneration conducive to a sparse young forest was usually associated with regions characterized by a short fire cycle (<200 years) underlain by dry coarse deposits such as juxtaglacial but also mesic deposits in some cases. Our results also show that slow recovery and reduced forest regeneration are most likely to occur following fires that occurred in dry years, regardless of the deposit type and region.
PROPERTIES OF SOCIAL NETWORK IN AN INTERNET POLITICAL DISCUSSION FORUM
Authors: SOBKOWICZ PAWEL , SOBKOWICZ ANTONI
Published: July 2012

We present an analysis of the properties of a social network, formed by users participating in one of the most popular Polish political discussion forums, during a period of two years. We find that despite communication motivated mostly by controversy and negative emotions, the resulting social network is remarkably similar to networks found in discussion boards based on similarity of views. All collected messages have been analyzed to determine their content type, author's political sympathies and emotion level. This has allowed us to discover almost complete stability of the political sympathies of the users writing comments during the studied period. Using the data on reader evaluation of the comments we present estimates of the political sympathies of the "silent majority" of forum readers and found that they follow closely the distribution of sympathies of comment authors. The data from the observations are used as the input for an agent based computer simulation model, reproducing many observed statistical characteristics of the forum.
ACM S
3
workshop
Authors: Sen Souvik
Published: July 2012

The wireless of the Student, by the Student, and for the Student Workshop (S
3
) provides a unique venue for graduate students around the world to discuss mobile and wireless networking research. This workshop is an effort towards fostering early-career development amongst students, offer exposure into the workings of an academic life, and encourage student leadership, and participation in the research community. As a "student workshop", S
3
is organized by a student-run TPC. The presenters, speakers, and moderators of this workshop are students as well. Now in its 4th year, S
3
attracts the best students in wireless and mobile research to a fun yet focussed annual event. This article presents in details the goal, structure, and experiences from the S
3
workshop.
The batphone
Authors: Roussos George , Sin George , Craft Brock
Published: July 2012

Bat populations provide a good indication of the health of ecosystems. The Indicator Bats Programme has developed a citizen scientist approach employing bats as a probe for its global biodiversity-monitoring system. In this note, we introduce the development of a smart phone application for Android and iOS that considerably reduces the technological barriers to participation in this data collection exercise.
Regulation of Cell Behavior and Tissue Patterning by Bioelectrical Signals: Challenges and Opportunities for Biomedical Engineering
Authors: Levin Michael , Stevenson Claire G.
Published: July 2012

Achieving control over cell behavior and pattern formation requires molecular-level understanding of regulatory mechanisms. Alongside transcriptional networks and biochemical gradients, there functions an important system of cellular communication and control: transmembrane voltage gradients (Vmem). Bioelectrical signals encoded in spatiotemporal changes of Vmemcontrol cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Moreover, endogenous bioelectrical gradients serve as instructive cues mediating anatomical polarity and other organ-level aspects of morphogenesis. In the past decade, significant advances in molecular physiology have enabled the development of new genetic and biophysical tools for the investigation and functional manipulation of bioelectric cues. Recent data implicate Vmemas a crucial epigenetic regulator of patterning events in embryogenesis, regeneration, and cancer. We review new conceptual and methodological developments in this fascinating field. Bioelectricity offers a novel way of quantitatively understanding regulation of growth and form in vivo, and it reveals tractable, powerful control points that will enable truly transformative applications in bioengineering, regenerative medicine, and synthetic biology.
Tendon Healing: Repair and Regeneration
Authors: Voleti Pramod B. , Buckley Mark R. , Soslowsky Louis J.
Published: July 2012

Injury and degeneration of tendon, the soft tissue that mechanically links muscle and bone, can cause substantial pain and loss of function. This review discusses the composition and function of healthy tendon and describes the structural, biological, and mechanical changes initiated during the process of tendon healing. Biochemical pathways activated during repair, experimental injury models, and parallels between tendon healing and tendon development are emphasized, and cutting-edge strategies for the enhancement of tendon healing are discussed.
Continuum Mixture Models of Biological Growth and Remodeling: Past Successes and Future Opportunities
Authors: Ateshian G.A. , Humphrey J.D.
Published: July 2012

Biological growth processes involve mass exchanges that increase, decrease, or replace material that constitutes cells, tissues, and organs. In most cases, such exchanges alter the structural makeup of the material and consequently affect associated mechanobiological responses to applied loads. Given that the type and extent of changes in structural integrity depend on the different constituents involved (e.g., particular cytoskeletal or extracellular matrix proteins), the continuum theory of mixtures is ideally suited to model the mechanics of growth and remodeling. The goal of this review is twofold: first, to highlight a few illustrative examples that show diverse applications of mixture theory to describe biological growth and/or remodeling; second, to identify some open problems in the fields of modeling soft-tissue growth and remodeling.
Geologic Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste: Status, Key Issues, and Trends
Authors: Birkholzer Jens , Houseworth James , Tsang Chin-Fu
Published: July 2012

The permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste is one of the major technical hurdles that must be addressed if electrical power production by nuclear energy is to remain viable. The main challenge is that the waste must be effectively isolated from interactions with the biosphere for hundreds of thousands of years. A number of permanent disposal options have been proposed and reviewed by various countries and scientific organizations during the past few decades, and there appears to be a consensus today that mined geologic disposal is the most practical and effective method. Several variations on mined geologic disposal are being intensively studied by waste-producing countries. These investigations address a wide range of scientific questions, such as the behavior of geological and engineered barriers over time and the use of quantitative modeling and/or qualitative observational evidence to demonstrate the safety of disposal. The present review provides an overview of current approaches, scientific issues, and safety assessments related to mined geologic repositories for high-level radioactive waste.
Corporate Governance of Financial Institutions
Authors: Mehran Hamid , Mollineaux Lindsay
Published: July 2012

We identify the tension between dueling expectations of financial institutions as value-maximizing entities that also serve the public interest. We highlight the importance of information in addressing the public desire for banks to be safe yet innovative. Regulators can choose several approaches to increase market discipline and information production. Information production can be mandated outside of markets through increased regulatory disclosure. Regulators can also directly motivate potential producers of information by changing their incentives. Traditional approaches to bank governance may interfere with the information content of prices. Thus, the lack of transparency in the banking industry may be a symptom rather than the primary cause of bad governance. We provide examples of compensation and resolution. Reforms that promote the quality of security prices through information production can improve the governance of financial institutions. Future research is needed to examine the interactions between disclosure, information, and governance.
Reflections About Chance in My Career, and on the Top-Down Regulated World
Authors: Banse Karl
Published: July 2012

Paraphrasing Pasteur, in scientific work Fortuna favors only the prepared mind. This is illustrated by my career after an incidental escape from the former German East Prussia just ahead of the Red Army, my switch in Kiel from zoology to oceanography, and my learning of a vacancy in Seattle. Treated here are the accidental discovery of upwelling during the southwest monsoon along India's west coast, studies of benthic polychaetous annelids in the Oregonian zoogeographic province, the discovery of phytoplankton blooms and an absence of upwelling during the northeast monsoon in the northern Arabian Sea, and an ocean-wide description of the seasonality of satellite-derived chlorophyll. My admonition is that grazing rather than cell division rate regulates the abundance and size composition of phytoplankton and affects the dynamics of the understudied zooplankton. I end with a pessimistic view about predicting the vertical flux of particulate organic matter from the euphotic layer with an accuracy useful for deep-sea carbon budgets.
The Endocannabinoid System and the Brain
Authors: Mechoulam Raphael , Parker Linda A.
Published: July 2012

The psychoactive constituent in cannabis, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was isolated in the mid-1960s, but the cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, and the major endogenous cannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol) were identified only 20 to 25 years later. The cannabinoid system affects both central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral processes. In this review, we have tried to summarize research—with an emphasis on recent publications—on the actions of the endocannabinoid system on anxiety, depression, neurogenesis, reward, cognition, learning, and memory. The effects are at times biphasic—lower doses causing effects opposite to those seen at high doses. Recently, numerous endocannabinoid-like compounds have been identified in the brain. Only a few have been investigated for their CNS activity, and future investigations on their action may throw light on a wide spectrum of brain functions.
The Neuroscience of Learning: Beyond the Hebbian Synapse
Authors: Gallistel C.R. , Matzel Louis D.
Published: July 2012

From the traditional perspective of associative learning theory, the hypothesis linking modifications of synaptic transmission to learning and memory is plausible. It is less so from an information-processing perspective, in which learning is mediated by computations that make implicit commitments to physical and mathematical principles governing the domains where domain-specific cognitive mechanisms operate. We compare the properties of associative learning and memory to the properties of long-term potentiation, concluding that the properties of the latter do not explain the fundamental properties of the former. We briefly review the neuroscience of reinforcement learning, emphasizing the representational implications of the neuroscientific findings. We then review more extensively findings that confirm the existence of complex computations in three information-processing domains: probabilistic inference, the representation of uncertainty, and the representation of space. We argue for a change in the conceptual framework within which neuroscientists approach the study of learning mechanisms in the brain.
Insulin detemir enhances proglucagon gene expression in the intestinal L cells via stimulating β-catenin and CREB activities
Authors: Liu Shenghao , Liu Rui , Chiang Yu-Ting , Song Lifang , Li Xiaoming , Jin Tianru , Wang Qinghua
Published: July 2012

Insulin therapy using insulin detemir (d-INS) has demonstrated weight-sparing effects compared with other insulin formulations. Mechanisms underlying these effects, however, remain largely unknown. Here we postulate that the intestinal tissues' selective preference allows d-INS to exert enhanced action on proglucagon (Gcg) expression and the production of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, an incretin hormone possessing both glycemia-lowering and weight loss effects. To test this hypothesis, we used obese type 2 diabetic db/ db mice and conducted a 14-day intervention with daily injection of a therapeutic dose of d-INS or human insulin (h-INS) in these mice. The body weight of the mice after 14-day daily injection of d-INS (5 IU/kg) was decreased significantly compared with those injected with the same dose of h-INS or saline. The weight-sparing effect of d-INS was associated with significantly elevated circulating levels of total GLP-1 and reduced food intake. Histochemistry analysis demonstrated that d-INS induced rapid phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) in the gut L cells of normal mice. Western blotting showed that d-INS stimulated Akt activation in a more rapid and enhanced fashion in the mouse distal ileum compared with those by h-INS. In vitro investigation in primary fetal rat intestinal cell (FRIC) cultures showed that d-INS increased Gcg mRNA expression as determined by Northern blotting and real-time RT-PCR. Consistent with these in vivo investigations, d-INS significantly increased GLP-1 secretion in FRIC cultures. Consistently, d-INS was also shown to induce rapid phosphorylation of Akt in the clonal gut cell line GLUTag. Furthermore, d-INS increased β-catenin phosphorylation, its nuclear translocation, and enhanced cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and/or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase-sensitive manner. We suggest that the weight-sparing benefit of d-INS in mice is related to its intestinal tissues preference that leads to profound stimulation of Gcg expression and enhanced GLP-1 secretion in intestinal L cells, potentially involving the activation of insulin/β-catenin/CREB signaling pathways.
Pendrin protein abundance in the kidney is regulated by nitric oxide and cAMP
Authors: Thumova Monika , Pech Vladimir , Froehlich Otto , Agazatian Diana , Wang Xiaonan , Verlander Jill W. , Kim Young Hee , Wall Susan M.
Published: July 2012

Pendrin is a Cl−/HCO3−exchanger, expressed in the apical regions of some intercalated cell subtypes, and is critical in the pressor response to angiotensin II. Since angiotensin type 1 receptor inhibitors reduce renal pendrin protein abundance in mice in vivo through a mechanism that is dependent on nitric oxide (NO), we asked if NO modulates renal pendrin expression in vitro and explored the mechanism by which it occurs. Thus we quantified pendrin protein abundance by confocal fluorescent microscopy in cultured mouse cortical collecting ducts (CCDs) and connecting tubules (CNTs). After overnight culture, CCDs maintain their tubular structure and maintain a solute gradient when perfused in vitro. Pendrin protein abundance increased 67% in CNT and 53% in CCD when NO synthase was inhibited ( NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, 100 μM), while NO donor (DETA NONOate, 200 μM) application reduced pendrin protein by ∼33% in the CCD and CNT. When CNTs were cultured in the presence of the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (10 μM), NO donors did not alter pendrin abundance. Conversely, pendrin protein abundance rose when cAMP content was increased by the application of an adenylyl cyclase agonist (forskolin, 10 μM), a cAMP analog (8-bromo-cAMP, 1 mM), or a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (BAY60-7550, 50 μM). Since NO reduces cellular cAMP in the CNT, we asked if NO reduces pendrin abundance by reducing cAMP. With blockade of cGMP-stimulated phosphodiesterase II, NO did not alter pendrin protein abundance. We conclude that NO acts through cAMP to reduce pendrin total protein abundance by enhancing cAMP degradation.
Expression of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors in the rat dorsal root ganglia and defined single isolated sensory neurons
Authors: Kays J. S. , Li Chao , Nicol G. D.
Published: July 2012

Previously, we demonstrated that sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) increased the excitability of small-diameter sensory neurons, in part, through activation of S1P receptor 1 (S1PR1), suggesting that other S1PRs can modulate neuronal excitability. Therefore, studies were undertaken to establish the expression profiles of S1PRs in the intact dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and in defined single isolated sensory neurons. To determine mRNA expression of S1PRs in the DRG, SYBR green quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used. To determine the expression of S1PR mRNAs in single neurons of defined diameters, a preamplification protocol utilizing Taqman primer and probes was used to enhance the sensitivity of detection. The preamplification protocol also permitted detection of mRNA for two hallmark neuronal receptor/ion channels, TRPV1 and P2X3. Expression profiles of S1PR mRNA isolated from lung and brain were used as positive control tissues. In the intact DRG, the order of expression of S1PRs was S1PR3>>R1≈R2>R5≈R4. In the single neurons, the expression of S1PRs was quite variable with some neurons expressing all five subtypes, whereas some expressing only one subtype. In contrast to the DRG, S1PR1was the highest expressing subtype in 10 of the 18 small-, medium-, and large-diameter sensory neurons. S1PR1was the second highest expressor in ∼50% of those remaining neurons. Overall, in the single neurons, the order of expression was S1PR1>>R3≈R5>R4>R2. The results obtained from the single defined neurons are consistent with our previous findings wherein S1PR1plays a prominent but not exclusive role in the enhancement of neuronal excitability.
Mitochondrial proteomic analysis reveals deficiencies in oxygen utilization in medullary thick ascending limb of Henle in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat
Authors: Zheleznova Nadezhda N. , Yang Chun , Ryan Robert P. , Halligan Brian D. , Liang Mingyu , Greene Andrew S. , Cowley Allen W.
Published: July 2012

The renal medullary thick ascending limb (mTAL) of the Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat is the site of enhanced NaCl reabsorption and excess superoxide production. In the present studies we isolated mitochondria from mTAL of SS and salt-resistant control strain SS.13BNrats on 0.4 and 8% salt diet for 7 days and performed a proteomic analysis. Purity of mTAL and mitochondria isolations exceeded 93.6 and 55%, respectively. Using LC/MS spectral analysis techniques we identified 96 mitochondrial proteins in four biological mTAL mitochondria samples, run in duplicate, as defined by proteins with a false discovery rate <5% and scan count ≥2. Seven of these 96 proteins, including IDH2, ACADM, SCOT, Hsp60, ATPA, EFTu, and VDAC2 were differentially expressed between the two rat strains. Oxygen consumption and high-resolution respirometry analyses showed that mTAL cells and the mitochondria in the outer medulla of SS rats fed high-salt diet exhibited lower rates of oxygen utilization compared with those from SS.13BNrats. These studies advance the conventional proteomic paradigm of focusing exclusively upon whole tissue homogenates to a focus upon a single cell type and specific subcellular organelle. The results reveal the importance of a largely unexplored role for deficiencies of mTAL mitochondrial metabolism and oxygen utilization in salt-induced hypertension and renal medullary oxidative stress.
Dynamic of Ion Channel Expression at the Plasma Membrane of Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Balse Elise , Steele David F. , Abriel Hugues , Coulombe Alain , Fedida David , Hatem Stéphane N.
Published: July 2012

Cardiac myocytes are characterized by distinct structural and functional entities involved in the generation and transmission of the action potential and the excitation-contraction coupling process. Key to their function is the specific organization of ion channels and transporters to and within distinct membrane domains, which supports the anisotropic propagation of the depolarization wave. This review addresses the current knowledge on the molecular actors regulating the distinct trafficking and targeting mechanisms of ion channels in the highly polarized cardiac myocyte. In addition to ubiquitous mechanisms shared by other excitable cells, cardiac myocytes show unique specialization, illustrated by the molecular organization of myocyte-myocyte contacts, e.g., the intercalated disc and the gap junction. Many factors contribute to the specialization of the cardiac sarcolemma and the functional expression of cardiac ion channels, including various anchoring proteins, motors, small GTPases, membrane lipids, and cholesterol. The discovery of genetic defects in some of these actors, leading to complex cardiac disorders, emphasizes the importance of trafficking and targeting of ion channels to cardiac function. A major challenge in the field is to understand how these and other actors work together in intact myocytes to fine-tune ion channel expression and control cardiac excitability.
Ductal Carcinoma In Situ of the Breast
Authors: Lee Richard J. , Vallow Laura A. , McLaughlin Sarah A. , Tzou Katherine S. , Hines Stephanie L. , Peterson Jennifer L.
Published: July 2012

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast represents a complex, heterogeneous pathologic condition in which malignant epithelial cells are confined within the ducts of the breast without evidence of invasion. The increased use of screening mammography has led to a significant shift in the diagnosis of DCIS, accounting for approximately 27% of all newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer in 2011, with an overall increase in incidence. As the incidence of DCIS increases, the treatment options continue to evolve. Consistent pathologic evaluation is crucial in optimizing treatment recommendations. Surgical treatment options include breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and mastectomy. Postoperative radiation therapy in combination with breast-conserving surgery is considered the standard of care with demonstrated decrease in local recurrence with the addition of radiation therapy. The role of endocrine therapy is currently being evaluated. The optimization of diagnostic imaging, treatment with regard to pathological risk assessment, and the role of partial breast irradiation continue to evolve.
GPS Vulnerability to Spoofing Threats and a Review of Antispoofing Techniques
Authors: Jafarnia-Jahromi Ali , Broumandan Ali , Nielsen John , Lachapelle Gérard
Published: July 2012

GPS-dependent positioning, navigation, and timing synchronization procedures have a significant impact on everyday life. Therefore, such a widely used system increasingly becomes an attractive target for illicit exploitation by terrorists and hackers for various motives. As such, spoofing and antispoofing algorithms have become an important research topic within the GPS discipline. This paper will provide a review of recent research in the field of GPS spoofing/anti-spoofing. The vulnerability of GPS to a spoofing attack will be investigated and then different spoofing generation techniques will be discussed. After introducing spoofing signal model, a brief review of recently proposed anti-spoofing techniques and their performance in terms of spoofing detection and spoofing mitigation will be provided. Limitations of anti-spoofing algorithms will be discussed and some methods will be introduced to ameliorate these limitations. In addition, testing the spoofing/anti-spoofing methods is a challenging topic that encounters some limitations due to stringent emission regulations. This paper will also provide a review of different test scenarios that have been adopted for testing anti-spoofing techniques.
Mitigation of H2O2-Induced Mitochondrial-Mediated Apoptosis in NG108-15 Cells by Novel Mesuagenin C fromMesua kunstleri(King) Kosterm
Authors: Chan Gomathi , Kamarudin Muhamad Noor Alfarizal , Wong Daniel Zin Hua , Ismail Nor Hadiani , Abdul Latif Faizuri , Hasan Aurengzeb , Awang Khalijah , Abdul Kadir Habsah
Published: July 2012

This study was aimed to isolate and evaluate neuroprotective compounds from the hexane extract of the bark ofMesua kunstleri(Clusiaceae) on H2O2-induced apoptosis in NG108-15 cells. Five 4-phenylcoumarins were isolated by using various chromatographic techniques via neuroprotective activity-guided fractionation and isolation from the active hexane extract. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were confirmed by NMR spectroscopic data interpretation and comparison with literature values. Cell viability data demonstrated that mesuagenin C3significantly increased cell viability. Hoechst 33342/PI staining illustrated mesuagenin C3was able to abate the nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies. Pretreatment with mesuagenin C3reduced total annexin V positive cells and increased the level of intracellular glutathione (GSH). Mesuagenin C3attenuated membrane potential (Δψm), reduced Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and inactivated of caspase-3/7 and -9. These results indicated that mesuagenin C3could protect NG108-15 cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis by increasing intracellular GSH level, aggrandizingΔψm, and modulating apoptotic signalling pathway through Bcl-2 family and caspase-3/7 and -9. These findings confirmed the involvement of intrinsic apoptotic pathway in H2O2-induced apoptosis and suggested that mesuagenin C3may have potential therapeutic properties for neurodegenerative diseases.
Synthesis and Characterizations of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and Modified Carbon Nanotube Composites
Authors: Karim Mohammad Rezaul
Published: July 2012

Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and modified (functionalized and silanized) multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT) nanocomposites have been prepared through in situ polymerization process in chloroform medium with FeCl3 oxidant at room temperature. The composites are characterized through Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Raman, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) measurements to probe the nature of interaction between the moieties. Optical properties of the composites are measured from ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Conductivity of the composites is followed by four probe techniques to understand the conduction mechanism. The change (if any) in C=C symmetric and antisymmetric stretching frequencies in FT‐IR, the shift in G band frequencies in Raman, any alterations in λmax of UV‐Vis, and PL spectroscopic measurements are monitored with modified MWNT loading in the polymer matrix.
Magnetostatic Interaction in Fe‐Co Nanowires
Authors: Elbaile Laura , Crespo Rosario D. , Vega Víctor , García José A.
Published: July 2012

Arrays of Fe‐Co alloy nanowires with diameter around 35 nm and several micrometers in length have been synthesized by codepositing Fe and Co into porous anodic alumina. The morphology, structure, and magnetic properties of the nanowires (hysteresis loops and remanence curves) were characterized by SEM, TEM, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and VSM, respectively. The XRD patterns indicate that the Fe‐Co nanowires present a body‐centered cubic (bcc) structure and a preferred (110) orientation perpendicular to the template surface. From the hysteresis loops obtained with the magnetic field applied in the axis direction of the nanowires, we can observe that the coercive field slightly decreases when the nanowire length increases. This magnetic behaviour is analyzed considering the shape anisotropy and the dipolar interactions among nanowires.
PPARγExpression and Function in Mycobacterial Infection: Roles in Lipid Metabolism, Immunity, and Bacterial Killing
Authors: Almeida Patricia E. , Carneiro Alan Brito , Silva Adriana R. , Bozza Patricia T.
Published: July 2012

Tuberculosis continues to be a global health threat, with drug resistance and HIV coinfection presenting challenges for its control.Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the etiological agent of tuberculosis, is a highly adapted pathogen that has evolved different strategies to subvert the immune and metabolic responses of host cells. Although the significance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activation by mycobacteria is not fully understood, recent findings are beginning to uncover a critical role for PPARγduring mycobacterial infection. Here, we will review the molecular mechanisms that regulate PPARγexpression and function during mycobacterial infection. Current evidence indicates that mycobacterial infection causes a time-dependent increase in PPARγexpression through mechanisms that involve pattern recognition receptor activation. Mycobacterial triggered increased PPARγexpression and activation lead to increased lipid droplet formation and downmodulation of macrophage response, suggesting that PPARγexpression might aid the mycobacteria in circumventing the host response acting as an escape mechanism. Indeed, inhibition of PPARγenhances mycobacterial killing capacity of macrophages, suggesting a role of PPARγin favoring the establishment of chronic infection. Collectively, PPARγis emerging as a regulator of tuberculosis pathogenesis and an attractive target for the development of adjunctive tuberculosis therapies.
A Systematic Review of Clinical Diagnostic Systems Used in the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Children
Authors: Pearce Emily C. , Woodward Jason F. , Nyandiko Winstone M. , Vreeman Rachel C. , Ayaya Samuel O.
Published: July 2012

Background. Tuberculosis (TB) is difficult to diagnose in children due to lack of a gold standard, especially in resource-limited settings. Scoring systems and diagnostic criteria are often used to assist in diagnosis; however their validity, especially in areas with high HIV prevalence, remains unclear.Methods. We searched online bibliographic databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE. We selected all studies involving scoring systems or diagnostic criteria used to aid in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children and extracted data from these studies.Results. The search yielded 2261 titles, of which 40 met selection criteria. Eighteen studies used point-based scoring systems. Eighteen studies used diagnostic criteria. Validation of these scoring systems yielded varying sensitivities as gold standards used ranged widely. Four studies evaluated and compared multiple scoring criteria. Ten studies selected for pulmonary tuberculosis. Five studies specifically evaluated the use of scoring systems in HIV-positive children, generally finding the specificity to be lower.Conclusions. Though scoring systems and diagnostic criteria remain widely used in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in children, validation has been difficult due to lack of an established and accessible gold standard. Estimates of sensitivity and specificity vary widely, especially in populations with high HIV co-infection.
Inhibition of Heme Peroxidases by Melamine
Authors: Vanachayangkul Pattaraporn , Tolleson William H.
Published: July 2012

In 2008 melamine-contaminated infant formula and dairy products in China led to over 50,000 hospitalizations of children due to renal injuries. In North America during 2007 and in Asia during 2004, melamine-contaminated pet food products resulted in numerous pet deaths due to renal failure. Animal studies have confirmed the potent renal toxicity of melamine combined with cyanuric acid. We showed previously that the solubility of melamine cyanurate is low at physiologic pH and ionic strength, provoking us to speculate how toxic levels of these compounds could be transported through the circulation without crystallizing until passing into the renal filtrate. We hypothesized that melamine might be sequestered by heme proteins, which could interfere with heme enzyme activity. Four heme peroxidase enzymes were selected for study: horseradish peroxidase (HRP), lactoperoxidase (LPO), and cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 (COX-1 and -2). Melamine exhibited noncompetitive inhibition of HRP , and LPO showed a mixed model of inhibition . The inhibition of HRP and LPO was confirmed using a chemiluminescent peroxidase assay. Melamine also exhibited COX-1 inhibition, but inhibition of COX-2 was not detected. Thus, our results demonstrate that melamine inhibits the activity of three heme peroxidases.
Xiaopiyishen Herbal Extract Granule Improves the Quality of Life among People with Fatigue-Predominant Subhealth and Liver-Qi Stagnation and Spleen-Qi Deficiency Syndrome
Authors: Xue Xiao-lin , Wu Xiu-yan , Xing Jian-min , Li Li , Zhao Yan , Wang Jia-jia , Zhang Ya-jing , Wang Qing-bo , Tang Yu , Li Guan-ru , Han Ping , Li Zhen , Wang Wen-ping , Wang Tian-fang
Published: July 2012

To observe the effects of Xiaopiyishen Herbal Extract Granule (XPYS-HEG) on the quality of life in people with fatigue-predominant subhealth (FPSH) and liver-qi stagnation and spleen-qi deficiency syndrome, the participants were allocated randomly to the treatment group (XPYS,n=100) and the control group (placebo,n=100) in this study. The study period was 18 weeks (6 weeks for the intervention and 12 weeks for followup). The results show that there were no differences between the two groups for the scores of eight factors on the SF-36 (Chinese version of the SF-36 universal quality-of-life scale) at baseline. Compared with the baseline score, intervention with XPYS-HEG led to a significant increase in scores for the factor of bodily pain at the end of the 6th week. Compared with the score at the end of the 6th week, the score for the factor of mental health in the XPYS group significantly increased at the end of the 18th week. Therefore, XPYS-HEG could partially improve the quality of life for people with FPSH and liver-qi stagnation and spleen-qi deficiency syndrome, which can ease bodily pain, stimulate a positive mood, and ease a negative mood.
Investigation of the Pulsed Annular Gas Jet for Chemical Reactor Cleaning
Authors: Ivanovich Zvegintsev Valery , Gennadievich Nalivaichenko Denis , Fedorovich Chirkashenko Vladimir
Published: July 2012

The most economical technology for production of titanium dioxide pigment is plasma-chemical syntheses with the heating of the oxygen. The highlight of the given reaction is formation of a solid phase as a result of interactions between two gases, thus brings the formation of particle deposits on the reactor walls, and to disturbing the normal operation of the technological process. For the solving of the task of reactor internal walls cleaning the pulsed gaseous system was suggested and investigated, which throws circular oxygen jet along surfaces through regular intervals. Study of aerodynamic efficiency of the impulse system was carried by numerical modeling and experimentally with the help of a specially created experimental facility. The distribution of the pulsed flow velocity at the exit of cylindrical reactor was measured. The experimental results have shown that used impulse device creates a pulsed jet with high value of the specified flow rate. It allows to get high velocities that are sufficient for the particle deposits destruction and their removal away. Designed pulsed peelings system has shown high efficiency and reliability in functioning that allows us to recommend it for wide spreading in chemical industry.
Design of an Implantable Device for Ocular Drug Delivery
Authors: Lee Jae-Hwan , Pidaparti Ramana M. , Atkinson Gary M. , Moorthy Ramana S.
Published: July 2012

Ocular diseases, such as, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa require drug management in order to prevent blindness and affecting million of adults in USA and worldwide. There is an increasing need to develop devices for drug delivery to address ocular diseases. This study focuses on the design, simulation, and development of an implantable ocular drug delivery device consisting of micro-/nanochannels embedded between top and bottom covers with a drug reservoir made from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which is silicon-based organic and biodegradable polymer. Several simulations were carried out with six different micro-channel configurations in order to see the feasibility for ocular drug delivery applications. Based on the results obtained, channel design of osmotic I and osmotic II satisfied the diffusion rates required for ocular drug delivery. Finally, a prototype illustrating the three components of the drug delivery design is presented. In the future, the device will be tested for its functionality and diffusion characteristics.