bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative Localizing Studies for Initial Parathyroidectomy in MEN1 Syndrome: Is There Any Benefit?
Authors: Nilubol Naris , Weinstein Lee , Simonds William F. , Jensen Robert T. , Phan Giao Q. , Hughes Marybeth S. , Libutti Steven K. , Marx Stephen , Kebebew Electron
Published: February 2012

Background

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the utility of preoperative localizing studies in patients with MEN1 undergoing initial bilateral neck exploration (BNE) and parathyroidectomy for pHPT.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with MEN1 who underwent initial parathyroidectomy between December 1993 and December 2010. Results of preoperative localizing studies were compared with intraoperative findings and outcome.

Results

Sixty patients with MEN1 (32 females and 28 males) underwent initial subtotal parathyroidectomy. The median age at the time of surgery was 33 years (range: 13–78 years). Fifty‐three patients had one or more positive localizing study results. Neck ultrasonography, sestamibi scan, parathyroid protocol computed tomography scan, and neck and mediastinum magnetic resonance imaging were performed in 93, 91, 32, and 19% of patients, respectively. Fifty‐three patients (88%) had cervical thymectomy. Twenty patients had 24 ectopic parathyroid glands; 18 glands were in the thymus (75%). Preoperative localizing studies identified 9 of 24 ectopic parathyroid glands (38%), including 4 ectopic glands outside the thymus in 4 patients (7%); 3 were detected by ultrasonography. There were no supernumerary glands identified on preoperative localizing studies.

Conclusions

In patients with MEN1, preoperative localizing studies identified a subset of ectopic glands (38%). Preoperative localizing studies may alter the operative approach in 7% of patients. Ultrasonography can detect most ectopic parathyroid glands outside thymus. This suggests that routine preoperative localizing studies to identify ectopic and supernumerary enlarged parathyroid glands is not useful in the majority of patients with MEN1 undergoing bilateral neck exploration and subtotal parathyroidectomy with cervical thymectomy.
Classification of Geographical Origin by PNN Analysis of Fatty Acid Data and Level of Contaminants in Oils From Peruvian Anchovy
Authors: Standal Inger B. , Rainuzzo José , Axelson David E. , Valdersnes Stig , Julshamn Kåre , Aursand Marit
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study was to examine Peruvian anchovy oil fatty acid (FA) compositions, and to test the possibility of using the FA data to classify the oils according to geographical origin along the Peruvian coast. The levels of contaminants in a representative set of samples were determined to examine the general levels and investigate if such measurements could aid in future discrimination between oils. The FA results showed that the two known stocks of Peruvian anchovy displayed different levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3) (southern stock; 14.4 ± 0.8% versus central‐northern stock; 9.9 ± 1.2%). However, principal component analysis (PCA) of the FA data indicated clusters according to three regions; North, Center and South. Using a data set of 57 anchovy samples and 21 FA as input, a probabilistic neural network (PNN) was constructed. For the validation data sets, “North” oils was predicted accurately 100% of the time, “Center” oils 100% and “South” oils 83% of the time. The levels of contaminants in the oils determined were low in all but one sample.
Mood stabilizers for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: An update review
Authors: Yeh Yi‐Chun , Ouyang Wen‐Chen
Published: February 2012

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common and debilitating problems, but current treatments are limited. Antipsychotic agents show some efficacy on BPSD, but their use is limited by the associated risk of cerebrovascular events and mortality. Reports have shown the efficacy of mood stabilizers on BPSD, but systemic reviews on this issue are scant. This article aims to review studies of the efficacy of mood stabilizers on BPSD, and the quality of the available evidence. We searched for articles published in English during the period 1990 to 2010 and included in the PubMed database that concerned treatment of BPSD with mood stabilizers, such as carbamazepine, valproate, gabapentin, topiramate, lamotrigine, oxcarbazepine and lithium. The quality of the studies was assessed by considering the trial designs, analyses, subjects and results. We found one meta‐analysis and three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) supporting the efficacy of carbamazepine in managing global BPSD, particularly aggression and hostility. With regard to valproate, current evidence from one meta‐analysis and five RCTs did not strongly support its efficacy for global BPSD, including agitation and aggression. Only open trials or case series showed some efficacy of gabapentin, topiramate and lamotrigine in controlling BPSD. The single RCT investigating the effect of oxcarbazepine on agitation and aggression showed negative results. Case series reports on lithium tended to show it to be ineffective. Thus far, among mood stabilizers, carbamazepine has the most robust evidence of efficacy on BPSD. More RCTs are needed to strengthen evidence regarding the efficacy of gabapentin, topiramate and lamotrigine. Valproate, oxcarbazepine and lithium showed low or no evidence of efficacy. Large and well designed RCTs focusing on specific symptoms of BPSD are needed to deal with the issue.
Loss of heterozygosity in oral cancer
Authors: Kasamatsu Atsushi , Uzawa Katsuhiro , Usukura Katsuya , Koike Kazuyuki , Nakashima Dai , Ishigami Takashi , Fushimi Kazuaki , Ogawara Katsunori , Shiiba Masashi , Tanzawa Hideki
Published: February 2012

The development and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a multistep process, which involves many genetic factors. Among them, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) studies have been used to identify regions on chromosomes that may contain putative tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). Here, we searched PubMed for relevant publications including our previous studies and compared results of LOH in OSCCs from the articles. LOHs in OSCCs were observed at various loci on almost all chromosomes, except X and Y. In this review, the LOH in patients with OSCC and the interrelationship between TSGs and OSCC initiation and progression are discussed.
Air trapping at impact of a rigid sphere onto a liquid
Authors: Hicks P. D. , Ermanyuk E. V. , Gavrilov N. V. , Purvis R.
Published: February 2012

An experimental and theoretical investigation of the air trapping by a blunt, locally spherical body impacting onto the free surface of water is conducted. In the parameter regime previously studied theoretically by Hicks & Purvis (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 649, 2010, pp. 135–163), excellent agreement between experimental data and theoretical modelling is obtained. Earlier predictions of the radius of the trapped air pocket are confirmed. A boundary element method is used to consider air cushioning of an impact of an axisymmetric body into water. Efficient computational methods are obtained by analytically integrating the boundary integral equation over the azimuthal variable. The resulting numerically computed free-surface profiles predict an annular touchdown region in excellent agreement with the experiments.
CHRONICLES 2010
Authors: Siehr Kurt
Published: February 2012

The Unidroit Convention of 24 June 1995 on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects entered into force for Greece.
“Legal Questions of Art Auctions” (Rechtsfragen der Kunstauktion): Seminar held by the Europe Institute, University of Zurich and the Center of Art and Law, Zurich, 13 April 2011
Authors: Bandle Anne Laure
Published: February 2012

Directed by Professor Dr. Kurt Siehr, Professor Dr. Wolfgang Ernst, and Dr. Andrea F. G. Raschèr, the seminar exposed the legal fundaments of art auctions and provided an overview of some underlying problems currently faced by practitioners and legal scholars. The seminar was followed by a panel discussion called the “Boon and Bane of Auction Houses for the Art Market,” gathering directors of auction houses as well as art market and art law experts.
Increasing Europe's Competitiveness Through Cultural Heritage Research: An Initiative of the EU Project NET-HERITAGE, 24 March 2011
Authors: Schwab Nina
Published: February 2012

Whether from climate change, mass tourism, or decay of historical objects, cultural heritage researchers in Europe face many challenges. Common priorities became apparent at a conference about the EU project NET-HERITAGE on 24 March in Brussels. And among these and other important issues raised by the 170 participants were the economic and social value of cultural heritage for Europe.
The 16th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to Its Countries of Origin or Its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation, 21–23 September 2010
Authors: Shyllon Folarin
Published: February 2012

The 16th Session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to Its Countries of Origin or Its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation was held in Paris at the UNESCO headquarters, 21–23 September 2010.
Network Socio-Synthesis and Emergence in NOMADS
Authors: Burtner Matthew , Kemper Steven , Topper David
Published: February 2012

NOMADS (Network-Operational Mobile Applied Digital System) is a network client–server-based system for participant interaction in music and multimedia performance contexts. NOMADS allows large groups of participants, including the audience, to form a mobile interactive computer ensemble distributed across a network. Participants become part of a synergistic interaction with other performers, contributing to the multimedia performance. The system enhances local performance spaces, and it can integrate audiences located in multiple performance venues. Individual user input from up to thousands of simultaneous users across a network is synthesised into a single emergent sound and visual structure in an approach we call socio-synthesis. This paper recounts research leading up to NOMADS, outlines its technological architecture, and describes several implementations. Current applications include the telematic operaAuksalaq, and performances by the MICE Orchestra. The authors also consider the potential of large-scale human–computer ensembles as a paradigm for composition and performance.
Tele-Media and Instrument Making
Authors: Gremo Bruce P.
Published: February 2012

What does it mean to speak of tele-media as a musical instrument? The unfolding of this question is aided by analysis of the control domains of two existing instrument categories, acoustic instruments and digital controllers. Design criteria for making tele-media instruments are formulated thence, and also from consideration of the special capacity of tele-media to bring together multi-lateral non-proximate control sources. Such design anticipates musicians in different continents participating in single sonic outcomes. What does it mean for such a tele-instrument to facilitate virtuosic performance? Any high standard of instrument making urges that instrument makers do so. Virtuosity is understood in part as performancepresence, an important issue for tele-media criticism. The broader topic concerning the relation between presence and transmission is represented narrowly here in a single argument. Transmission of performance intention is more important to remote performance presence than literal representations of musicians on stage. Performance presence is better facilitated byinteractive graphic notationsthat dynamically render control domain data into images. Two tele-performances inform the discussion.
Improving the automatic inversion of digital Alouette/ISIS ionogram reflection traces into topside electron density profiles
Authors: Benson Robert F. , Truhlik Vladimir , Huang Xueqin , Wang Yongli , Bilitza Dieter
Published: February 2012

The topside sounders of the International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies (ISIS) program were designed as analog systems. The resulting ionograms were displayed on 35 mm film for analysis by visual inspection. Each of these satellites, launched between 1962 and 1971, produced data for 10 to 20 years. A number of the original telemetry tapes from this large data set have been converted directly into digital records. Software, known as the Topside Ionogram Scalar With True‐Height (TOPIST) algorithm, has been produced and used for the automatic inversion of the ionogram reflection traces on more than 100,000 ISIS‐2 digital topside ionograms into topside vertical electron density profiles Ne(h). Here we present some topside ionospheric solar cycle variations deduced from the TOPIST database to illustrate the scientific benefit of improving and expanding the topside ionospheric Ne(h) database. The profile improvements will be based on improvements in the TOPIST software motivated by direct comparisons between TOPIST profiles and profiles produced by manual scaling in the early days of the ISIS program. The database expansion will be based on new software designed to overcome limitations in the original digital topside ionogram database caused by difficulties encountered during the analog‐to‐digital conversion process in the detection of the ionogram frame sync pulse and/or the frequency markers. This improved and expanded TOPIST topside Ne(h) database will greatly enhance investigations into both short‐ and long‐term ionospheric changes, e.g., the observed topside ionospheric responses to magnetic storms, induced by interplanetary magnetic clouds, and solar cycle variations, respectively.
Assessing preferences for wastewater treatment in a rural area using choice experiments
Authors: Genius Margarita , Menegaki Angeliki N. , Tsagarakis Konstantinos P.
Published: February 2012

In areas that are still not serviced by a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), economic valuation of the benefits derived from its construction should focus not only on those attributes that are linked to the services provided by the plant, such as cleaner environment and the possibility of reuse, but also on those attributes that are linked to its existence such as possible landscape and odor effects. This paper presents a choice modeling (CM) application that elicits the value of the attributes of a WWTP, where the latter are given by odor and landscape effects, jobs created, water quality, irrigation applications of the produced recycled water, and the additional charging. The results show that for rural populations such as farmers' communities, the potential increase of irrigated agricultural land is the main driver of willingness to pay while concerns over possible odor effects are also important. In addition, ignoring possible correlations across subsets of alternatives and variance heterogeneity would lead to substantial overestimation of willingness to pay.
Simultaneous Measurement of Insulin Sensitivity, Insulin Secretion, and the Disposition Index in Conscious Unhandled Mice
Authors: Alonso Laura C. , Watanabe Yoshio , Stefanovski Darko , Lee Euhan J. , Singamsetty Srikanth , Romano Lia C. , Zou Baobo , Garcia‐Ocaña Adolfo , Bergman Richard N. , O'Donnell Christopher P.
Published: February 2012

Of the parameters that determine glucose disposal and progression to diabetes in humans: first‐phase insulin secretion, glucose effectiveness (Sg), insulin sensitivity (Si), and the disposition index (DI), only Si can be reliably measured in conscious mice. To determine the importance of the other parameters in murine glucose homeostasis in lean and obese states, we developed the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) for use in unhandled mice. We validated the conscious FSIVGTT against the euglycemic clamp for measuring Si in lean and obese mice. Insulin‐resistant mice had increased first‐phase insulin secretion, decreased Sg, and a reduced DI, qualitatively similar to humans. Intriguingly, although insulin secretion explained most of the variation in glucose disposal in lean mice, Sg and the DI more strongly predicted glucose disposal in obese mice. DI curves identified individual diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice as having compensated or decompensated insulin secretion. Conscious FSIVGTT opens the door to apply mouse genetics to the determinants of in vivo insulin secretion, Sg, and DI, and further validates the mouse as a model of metabolic disease.
The Role of Nocturnin in Early Adipogenesis and Modulation of Systemic Insulin Resistance in Human
Authors: Hee Siow‐Wey , Tsai Shu‐Huei , Chang Yi‐Cheng , Chang Ching‐Jin , Yu I‐Shing , Lee Po‐Chu , Lee Wei‐Jei , Chang Yun‐Chia Emily , Chuang Lee‐Ming
Published: February 2012

The deadenylase nocturnin (Noc, Ccrn4l) has been recently found to regulate lipid metabolism and to control preadipocyte differentiation. Here, we showed that among the five deadenylases tested, Noc and Pan2 exhibited a biphasic expression which is out of phase to each other during adipocyte differentiation of 3T3‐L1 cells. The expression levels of other deadenylases, including Parn, Ccr4, and Caf1, were relatively unchanged or reduced. The immediate early expressed Noc during 3T3‐L1 adipogenesis was involved in regulating mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) and cyclin D1 expression, as demonstrated in Noc‐silenced 3T3‐L1 cells and Noc−/− primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Transcriptional profiling of Noc‐depleted 3T3‐L1 adipocytes revealed that most of the differentially expressed genes were related to cell growth and proliferation. In human adipose tissue, NOC mRNA level negatively associated with both fasting serum insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and positively associated with both adiponectin mRNA levels and circulating adiponectin levels. Taken together, these results suggest the role of Noc in the modulation of early adipogenesis as well as systemic insulin sensitivity.
Polyphyly and cryptic diversity in the hydrozoan families Lafoeidae and Hebellidae (Cnidaria:Hydrozoa)
Authors: Moura Carlos J. , Cunha Marina R. , Porteiro Filipe M. , Rogers Alex D.
Published: February 2012

The taxonomy of the putative superfamily Lafoeoidea (Hydrozoa), which includes the families Hebellidae and Lafoeidae, has been widely disputed at all systematic levels, mainly because these are morphologically simple and plastic animals. We used the molecular marker 16S mRNA to address phylogenetic relations of ‘Lafoeoidea’ hydroids mainly from shallow and deep waters of the north-east Atlantic and west Mediterranean. This study proves that the morphological simplicity of the ‘Lafoeoidea’ has led to several erroneous taxonomic assignments. We demonstrate that the superfamily ‘Lafoeoidea’ is not monophyletic and thus not valid; the families Hebellidae and Lafoeidae are polyphyletic. The ‘Lafoeidae’ subfamilies ‘Lafoeinae’ and ‘Zygophylacinae’ were recovered as monophyletic but quite distantly related and should be erected to the level of distinct families. The 16S haplotype data analysed in conjunction with morphological characters and distribution data were useful in differentiating morphologically undistinguishable, nominal and cryptic or pseudo-cryptic species, including undescribed taxa. Particularly within the ‘Lafoeinae’ group, unexpectedly high genetic biodiversity (including cryptic species) was encountered in the possibly not monophyletic genera Lafoea, Acryptolaria and Filellum. Cryptic diversity is also likely associated with the ‘Zygophylacinae’ nominal species Cryptolaria pectinata. The indications of genetic segregation by geographical distance of the ‘Lafoeoidea’ hydroids, particularly verified in deep waters, is probably a consequence of their reduced potential for large-scale dispersal, which likely interacts with the influence of the seabed topography, oceanographic circulation and adaptability to tolerate different abiotic conditions.
A collaborative, integrated and electronic future for taxonomy
Authors: Johnson Norman F.
Published: February 2012

The Platygastroidea Planetary Biodiversity Inventory is a large-scale, multinational effort to significantly advance the taxonomy and systematics of one group of parasitoid wasps. Based on this effort, there are some clear steps that should be taken to increase the efficiency and throughput of the taxonomic process. Increased collaboration among taxonomic specialists can significantly shorten the timeline and add increased rigor to the development of hypotheses of characters and taxa. Species delimitations should make use of multiple data sources, thus providing more nearly independent tests of these hypotheses. Taxonomy should fully embrace electronic media and informatics tools. Particularly, this step requires the development and widespread implementation of community data standards. The barriers to progress in these areas are not technological, but are primarily social. The community needs to see clear evidence of the value added through these changes in procedures and insist upon their use as standard practice.
New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Researcher Development Program 2005–07: modest investment, considerable outcomes
Authors: Cameron Helen E. , Boreland Frances T. , Morris Jocelyn R. , Lyle David M. , Perkins David A. , Magin Parker J. , Marshall Melanie J. , Zwar Nicholas A.
Published: February 2012

This evaluation of the Researcher Development Program (RDP) in NSW and ACT aimed to determine whether the RDP was effective in assisting novice researchers to undertake primary health care research. In mid-2008, 47 participants of the NSW and ACT RDP during 2005–07 were invited to participate in a postal survey. The survey included questions regarding previous research training and experience, outcomes during and after participation in the program, and organisational aspects of the program. Follow-up interviews were conducted with selected participants. Interview questions covered time in the program, supervision, organisational support and placement outcomes. Thirty-seven participants responded to the survey and 23 (62%) participants took part in the semi-structured interviews. Seventy-eight per cent of survey respondents felt that the RDP helped them move from novice to a more experienced researcher with effective supervision identified by participants as a key element in determining the success of the program. Many felt that time allocation was inadequate and 20% thought their capacity to maintain their workload was adversely affected by participating. Outcomes were considerable given the modest nature of the program. Notable outcomes were that most participants published their research and presented their research at a conference. Furthermore, one-fifth of survey respondents had enrolled in higher degrees. Several interviewees reported that their research led to changes in practice. Most respondents found the RDP valuable and considered that undertaking the program increased their research knowledge.
Size control of the
Drosophila
hematopoietic niche by bone morphogenetic protein signaling reveals parallels with mammals
Authors: Pennetier Delphine , Oyallon Justine , Morin-Poulard Ismaël , Dejean Sébastien , Vincent Alain , Crozatier Michèle
Published: February 2012

The
Drosophila melanogaster
larval hematopoietic organ, the lymph gland, is a model to study in vivo the function of the hematopoietic niche. A small cluster of cells in the lymph gland, the posterior signaling center (PSC), maintains the balance between hematopoietic progenitors (prohemocytes) and their differentiation into specialized blood cells (hemocytes). Here, we show that Decapentaplegic/bone morphogenetic protein (Dpp/BMP) signaling activity in PSC cells controls niche size. In the absence of BMP signaling, the number of PSC cells increases. Correlatively, no hemocytes differentiate. Controlling PSC size is, thus, essential for normal blood cell homeostasis. Activation of BMP signaling in the PSC requires expression of the Dally-like heparan-sulfate proteoglycan, under the control of the Collier/early B-cell factor (EBF) transcription factor. A Dpp > dpp autoregulatory loop maintains BMP signaling, which limits PSC cell proliferation by repressing the protooncogene
dmyc
. Dpp antagonizes activity of wingless (Wg)/Wnt signaling, which positively regulates the number of PSC cells via the control of Dmyc expression. Together, our data show that Collier controls hemocyte homeostasis via coordinate regulation of PSC cell number and PSC signaling to prohemocytes. In mouse, EBF2, BMP, and Wnt signaling in osteoblasts is required for the proper number of niche and hematopoietic stem cells. Our findings bring insights to niche size control and draw parallels between
Drosophila
and mammalian hematopoiesis.
Identification of a common immune signature in murine and human systemic Salmonellosis
Authors: Lee Seung-Joo , Liang Li , Juarez Silvia , Nanton Minelva R. , Gondwe Esther N. , Msefula Chisomo L. , Kayala Matthew A. , Necchi Francesca , Heath Jennifer N. , Hart Peter , Tsolis Renée M. , Heyderman Robert S. , MacLennan Calman A. , Felgner Philip L. , Davies D. Huw , McSorley Stephen J.
Published: February 2012

Despite the importance of
Salmonella
infections in human and animal health, the target antigens of
Salmonella
-specific immunity remain poorly defined. We have previously shown evidence for antibody-mediating protection against invasive Salmonellosis in mice and African children. To generate an overview of antibody targeting in systemic Salmonellosis, a
Salmonella
proteomic array containing over 2,700 proteins was constructed and probed with immune sera from
Salmonella
-infected mice and humans. Analysis of multiple inbred mouse strains identified 117 antigens recognized by systemic antibody responses in murine Salmonellosis. Importantly, many of these antigens were independently identified as target antigens using sera from Malawian children with
Salmonella
bacteremia, validating the study of the murine model. Furthermore, vaccination with SseB, the most prominent antigenic target in Malawian children, provided mice with significant protection against
Salmonella
infection. Together, these data uncover an overlapping immune signature of disseminated Salmonellosis in mice and humans and provide a foundation for the generation of a protective subunit vaccine.
Graptoloid diversity and disparity became decoupled during the Ordovician mass extinction
Authors: Bapst David W. , Bullock Peter C. , Melchin Michael J. , Sheets H. David , Mitchell Charles E.
Published: February 2012

The morphological study of extinct taxa allows for analysis of a diverse set of macroevolutionary hypotheses, including testing for change in the magnitude of morphological divergence, extinction selectivity on form, and the ecological context of radiations. Late Ordovician graptoloids experienced a phylogenetic bottleneck at the Hirnantian mass extinction (∼445 Ma), when a major clade of graptoloids was driven to extinction while another clade simultaneously radiated. In this study, we developed a dataset of 49 ecologically relevant characters for 183 species with which we tested two main hypotheses: (
i
) could the biased survival of one graptoloid clade over another have resulted from morphological selectivity alone and (
ii
) are the temporal patterns of morphological disparity and innovation during the recovery consistent with an interpretation as an adaptive radiation resulting from ecological release? We find that a general model of morphological selectivity has a low probability of producing the observed pattern of taxonomic selectivity. Contrary to predictions from theory on adaptive radiations and ecological speciation, changes in disparity and species richness are uncoupled. We also find that the early recovery is unexpectedly characterized by relatively low morphological disparity and innovation, despite also being an interval of elevated speciation. Because it is necessary to invoke factors other than ecology to explain the graptoloid recovery, more complex models may be needed to explain recovery dynamics after mass extinctions.
Temporal and developmental requirements for the Prader–Willi imprinting center
Authors: DuBose Amanda J. , Smith Emily Y. , Johnstone Karen A. , Resnick James L.
Published: February 2012

Imprinted gene expression associated with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) and Angelman syndrome (AS) is controlled by two imprinting centers (ICs), the PWS-IC and the AS-IC. The PWS-IC operates in
cis
to activate transcription of genes that are expressed exclusively from the paternal allele. We have created a conditional allele of the PWS-IC to investigate its developmental activity. Deletion of the paternal PWS-IC in the embryo before implantation abolishes expression of the paternal-only genes in the neonatal brain. Surprisingly, deletion of the PWS-IC in early brain progenitors does not affect the subsequent imprinted status of PWS/AS genes in the newborn brain. These results indicate that the PWS-IC functions to protect the paternal epigenotype at the epiblast stage of development but is dispensable thereafter.
Epithelial transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is activated through two independent mechanisms and regulates reactive oxygen species
Authors: Omori Emily , Inagaki Maiko , Mishina Yuji , Matsumoto Kunihiro , Ninomiya-Tsuji Jun
Published: February 2012

Dysregulation in cellular redox systems results in accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are causally associated with a number of disease conditions. Transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a signaling intermediate of innate immune signaling pathways and is critically involved in the redox regulation in vivo. Ablation of TAK1 causes accumulation of ROS, resulting in epithelial cell death and inflammation. Here we determine the mechanism by which TAK1 kinase is activated in epithelial tissues. TAB1 and TAB2 are structurally unrelated TAK1 binding protein partners. TAB2 is known to mediate polyubiquitin chain-dependent TAK1 activation in innate immune signaling pathways, whereas the role of TAB1 is not defined. We found that epithelial-specific TAB1 and TAB2 double- but not TAB1 or TAB2 single-knockout mice phenocopied epithelial-specific TAK1 knockout mice. We demonstrate that phosphorylation-dependent basal activity of TAK1 is dependent on TAB1. Ablation of both TAB1 and TAB2 diminished the activity of TAK1 in vivo and causes accumulation of ROS in the epithelial tissues. These results demonstrate that epithelial TAK1 activity is regulated through two unique, TAB1-dependent basal and TAB2-mediated stimuli-dependent mechanisms.
High-grade serous ovarian cancer arises from fallopian tube in a mouse model
Authors: Kim Jaeyeon , Coffey Donna M. , Creighton Chad J. , Yu Zhifeng , Hawkins Shannon M. , Matzuk Martin M.
Published: February 2012

Although ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in women, little is known about how the cancer initiates and metastasizes. In the last decade, new evidence has challenged the dogma that the ovary is the main source of this cancer. The fallopian tube has been proposed instead as the primary origin of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the subtype causing 70% of ovarian cancer deaths. By conditionally deleting
Dicer
, an essential gene for microRNA synthesis, and
Pten
, a key negative regulator of the PI3K pathway, we show that high-grade serous carcinomas arise from the fallopian tube in mice. In these
Dicer
-
Pten
double-knockout mice, primary fallopian tube tumors spread to engulf the ovary and then aggressively metastasize throughout the abdominal cavity, causing ascites and killing 100% of the mice by 13 mo. Besides the clinical resemblance to human serous cancers, these fallopian tube cancers highly express genes that are known to be up-regulated in human serous ovarian cancers, also demonstrating molecular similarities. Although ovariectomized mice continue to develop high-grade serous cancers, removal of the fallopian tube at an early age prevents cancer formation—confirming the fallopian tube origin of the cancer. Intriguingly, the primary carcinomas are first observed in the stroma of the fallopian tube, suggesting that these epithelial cancers have a mesenchymal origin. Thus, this mouse model demonstrates a paradigm for the origin and initiation of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas, the most common and deadliest ovarian cancer.
Conversion of the chill susceptible fruit fly larva (
Drosophila melanogaster
) to a freeze tolerant organism
Authors: Koštál Vladimír , Šimek Petr , Zahradníčková Helena , Cimlová Jana , Štětina Tomáš
Published: February 2012

Among vertebrates, only a few species of amphibians and reptiles tolerate the formation of ice crystals in their body fluids. Freeze tolerance is much more widespread in invertebrates, especially in overwintering insects. Evolutionary adaptations for freeze tolerance are considered to be highly complex. Here we show that surprisingly simple laboratory manipulations can change the chill susceptible insect to the freeze tolerant one. Larvae of
Drosophila melanogaster
, a fruit fly of tropical origin with a weak innate capacity to tolerate mild chilling, can survive when approximately 50% of their body water freezes. To achieve this goal, synergy of two fundamental prerequisites is required: (
i
) shutdown of larval development by exposing larvae to low temperatures (dormancy) and (
ii
) incorporating the free amino acid proline in tissues by feeding larvae a proline-augmented diet (cryopreservation).
Contribution of IL-33–activated type II innate lymphoid cells to pulmonary eosinophilia in intestinal nematode-infected mice
Authors: Yasuda Koubun , Muto Taichiro , Kawagoe Tatsukata , Matsumoto Makoto , Sasaki Yuki , Matsushita Kazufumi , Taki Yuko , Futatsugi-Yumikura Shizue , Tsutsui Hiroko , Ishii Ken J. , Yoshimoto Tomohiro , Akira Shizuo , Nakanishi Kenji
Published: February 2012

When animals are infected with helminthic parasites, resistant hosts show type II helper T immune responses to expel worms. Recently, natural helper (NH) cells or nuocytes, newly identified type II innate lymphoid cells, are shown to express ST2 (IL-33 receptor) and produce IL-5 and IL-13 when stimulated with IL-33. Here we show the relevant roles of endogenous IL-33 for
Strongyloides venezuelensis
infection-induced lung eosinophilic inflammation by using

Il33
−/−

mice. Alveolar epithelial type II cells (ATII) express IL-33 in their nucleus. Infection with
S. venezuelensis
or intranasal administration of chitin increases in the number of ATII cells and the level of IL-33.
S. venezuelensis
infection induces pulmonary accumulation of NH cells, which, after being stimulated with IL-33, proliferate and produce IL-5 and IL-13. Furthermore,
S. venezuelensis
infected

Rag2
−/−

mice increase the number of ATII cells, NH cells, and eosinophils and the expression of IL-33 in their lungs. Finally, IL-33–stimulated NH cells induce lung eosinophilic inflammation and might aid to expel infected worms in the lungs.
Constructions of uncontrolled state or event
Authors: Elvira Javier
Published: February 2012

Spanish and other Romance languages inherited from Latin the seeds of a new construction that is common to the syntax of some verbs belonging to the field of emotions, feelings, pain or modality. The semantic values of this construction are strange to prototypical transitivity and are coupled with a marked argument structure, compared with the more common transitive sentence.

In the early centuries of the history of Spanish only a few verbs were integrated in the new scheme, which could receive an experience, modal or quantitative meaning, depending on an analogical association with certain frequent verbs. As the construction gained productivity, the importance of these few specific verbs as models for the newly integrated ones was reduced and the construction as a whole was understood in a more general sense of uncontrolled state or event.

This paper provides a history of the construction in its different stages and tries to uncover the mechanism and factors that favored the increase in its productivity over the centuries. It also attempts to understand these facts from a typological standpoint, as an effect of some kind of a transitivity split that took place in Old Spanish, which gave rise to a type of marked construction, associated to some specific verbs.
“Confucius Institutes”
Authors: You Zeshun
Published: February 2012

Confucius Institutes (kongzi xueyuan) are prescribed by Confucius Headquarters in Beijing a cultural educational identity and the prescription implies that the identity construction may resort mainly to the culture- and education-related discourse, avoiding any use of the economy-relevant discourse. This paper uses Fairclough’s interactive perspective toward the relationship between discourse and society, his three-dimensional conception of discourse and the correspondent three-dimensional method of discourse analysis to carry out a detailed analysis of the discourse relevant to Confucius Institutes. The results show that the discourse is overloaded with the marketized languages; it is the final product of the struggle between Confucius Headquarters’ initial drive to build up a cultural educational identity for the new institutes and the prevalent marketization trend in the global context. Further discussion reveals that the discourse seduces people to discuss the organization not from the perspective of cultural exchange or educational cooperation but from the perspective of commodification and, more seriously, ruins the initial drive of the Headquarters to construct it a cultural educational identity and betrays the underlying political motive of the construction; the research instantiates again Fairclough’s observation that any discourse (practice) in the educational field nowadays can not be fully immune from the invasion of the marketized discourse; it also proves that Fairclough’s three-dimensional model of discourse analysis is effective in uncovering the commodified languages embedded in the discourse of various kinds.
The Dutch evidential NCI
Authors: Colleman Timothy , Noël Dirk
Published: February 2012

Present-day Dutch has two entrenched “grammatical” hearsay evidentials: a construction with zou (originally the past tense form of the verb zullen, cognate with German sollen) and a construction with schijnen (literally, ‘seem’). The closest English equivalent of both constructions is the “evidential nominative and infinitive” (NCI), which pairs an evidential meaning with the morphosyntactic pattern [SBJ be Xed
to Inf]. This is a highly productive construction in English, the most typical instantiation of which is be said to. Present-day Dutch has an NCI construction as well, but the lexical possibilities of this construction are limited to a handful of cognition verbs, which — in their NCI use — encode deontic rather than evidential meanings. On the basis of historical corpus data, this paper shows that the Dutch equivalent of English be said to, i.e. gezegd worden te, looked ready at one time to become entrenched as a substantive hearsay construction as well. This paper traces its evolution and explores the questions of why the pattern disappeared and why Dutch, unlike English, did not develop a schematic evidential NCI construction.
The diachronic relationship between demonstratives and first/second person pronouns
Authors: Ishiyama Osamu
Published: February 2012

It is well known that demonstratives are the cross-linguistically common source of third person pronouns due to the functional similarity between them. For this reason, they are morphologically related to or formally indistinguishable from one another in many languages. First and second person pronouns, on the other hand, typically have historical sources other than demonstratives. However, unlike the close relationship between demonstratives and third person pronouns, the fact that demonstratives and first/second person pronouns have a very tenuous diachronic relationship has not attracted much attention in previous studies. Based primarily on historical data from Japanese, the present study shows that there are at least three functional reasons why demonstratives do not usually give rise to first/second person pronouns. This study also discusses a limited context in which a demonstrative does develop into a second person pronoun.
The semantic change of ato ‘later, behind’ in Japanese
Authors: Yamaguchi Toshiko
Published: February 2012

This paper explores the semantic change of the polysemous Japanese word ato from the perspective of metonymy. In order to define how metonymy contributed to ato’s semantic development, I employ Peirce’s conception of the sign. I argue that the rise of ato’s meanings reflects the relations between the components of Peirce’s semiotic model; that is, representamen, object and interpretant. This account challenges a major previous study by Heine, Claudi and Hünnemeyer that approaches semantic change from the perspective of the conceptual notion “metaphor from metonymy”, putting two aspects, namely family resemblance and unidirectionality, to the fore. While I concur with Panther, who identifies metonymy as an indexical (pointing-to) operation, it will be shown that the crucial factor in ato’s semantic change is that indexicality operates in a triadic fashion facilitated by various cognitive processes. That is, Peirce’s “thirdness”, the concept that a sign mediates between the interpretant and its object, is the key to an account of ato’s semantic change.
The development of possessive HAVE GOT
Authors: Schulz Monika Edith
Published: February 2012

This paper provides an in-depth discussion and evaluation of different accounts of the historical development of possessive HAVE GOT. Accounts which postulate the insertion of got as a pattern preserver after phonologically reduced instances of possessive HAVE (Jespersen 1931; Crowell 1959; Krug 2000) are problematic because there is no historical evidence for phonologically reduced possessive HAVE. Another line of research argues that possessive HAVE GOT started out as an inference ‘continuation of possession’ in contexts of present perfect HAVE got(ten) ‘have received/have acquired’ (Johnson 1773; Visser 1973; Gronemeyer 1999).

A principled account of this development is provided in terms of the conventionalisation of conversational implicatures. The inference ‘continuation of possession’ is a conversational implicature which meets Levinson’s criteria of cancellability, nondetachability, reinforceability and calculability. Conventionalisation of this conversational implicature is evidenced by uses of HAVE GOT in contexts of inalienable possession where the meaning ‘have received/have acquired’ is no longer possible.
Assessment of a New Gear to Sample Walleye Eggs
Authors: Katt Jordan D. , Koupal Keith D. , Schoenebeck Casey W. , Hoback W. Wyatt
Published: February 2012

A new gear for sampling walleye Sander vitreus eggs, egg sampling disks, is described, and the ability of these disks to estimate walleye egg density on mud, cobble, and rip-rap substrates is demonstrated. Each egg sampling disk was a concave steel disk covered with outdoor carpet. The ability of the disks to estimate walleye egg density and total egg deposition on a defined area was tested at Sherman Reservoir, Nebraska. The average cost of each egg sampling disk was US$8.00. An array of 10 disks could be processed (retrieved, complete the egg recovery procedure, and redeployed) in approximately 1 h. The egg sampling disks were an appropriate gear for estimating egg deposition on mud, cobble, and rip-rap substrate and could also be useful for estimating the total egg deposition of walleyes and other demersally spawning fish.

Received December 21, 2010; accepted August 30, 2011
Trefoil factor 2 rapidly induces interleukin 33 to promote type 2 immunity during allergic asthma and hookworm infection
Authors: Wills-Karp Marsha , Rani Reena , Dienger Krista , Lewkowich Ian , Fox James G. , Perkins Charles , Lewis Lauren , Finkelman Fred D. , Smith Dirk E. , Bryce Paul J. , Kurt-Jones Evelyn A. , Wang Timothy C. , Sivaprasad Umasundari , Hershey Gurjit K. , Herbert De’Broski R.
Published: February 2012

The molecular mechanisms that drive mucosal T helper type 2 (TH2) responses against parasitic helminths and allergens remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate in mice that TFF2 (trefoil factor 2), an epithelial cell–derived repair molecule, is needed for the control of lung injury caused by the hookworm parasite Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and for type 2 immunity after infection. TFF2 is also necessary for the rapid production of IL-33, a TH2-promoting cytokine, by lung epithelia, alveolar macrophages, and inflammatory dendritic cells in infected mice. TFF2 also increases the severity of allergic lung disease caused by house dust mite antigens or IL-13. Moreover, TFF2 messenger RNA expression is significantly increased in nasal mucosal brushings during asthma exacerbations in children. These experiments extend the biological functions of TFF2 from tissue repair to the initiation and maintenance of mucosal TH2 responses.
Uptake of Some Quaternary Ammonium Ions by Human Erythrocytes
Authors: ASKARI AMIR
Published: February 2012

In many biophysical studies on erythrocytes some quaternary ammonium ions are used as replacements for Na+ and K+ of the physiological solutions. The object of this work was to study the possible uptake of quaternary ammonium ions by erythrocytes. Uptake of C14–choline chloride and C14–tetramethylammonium chloride by human erythrocytes was proved. It was shown that the compounds were neither incorporated into phospholipids of the cell nor converted to any other metabolites. Studies of uptake as a function of time, at several external concentrations of choline and tetramethylammonium, showed that within the first 4 hours uptake was a linear function of time regardless of the external concentration of the quaternary ammonium ions. The effects of various external concentrations of choline and tetramethylammonium ions on the rate of uptake by the cells were studied. The results showed the presence of two distinct mechanisms for the uptake of choline: one, a facilitated uptake mechanism which becomes saturated at low external concentrations of the ion; the other, a simple diffusion mechanism in which the rate of uptake is proportional to concentration. For the facilitated part of the uptake the external choline concentration at which half-maximum rate was obtained was found to be 0.02 mm. Although the kinetic studies with tetramethylammonium ion were not as extensive as those with choline, they did suggest the presence of similar mechanisms for the uptake of both ions. Tetramethylammonium and tetraethylammonium ions were shown to be competitive inhibitors of the facilitated choline uptake.